Coupler-aspirator-valve assembly

Claim 2

A coupler-aspirator-valve assembly for use in an aerosol dispensing system of the type wherein the product to be dispensed is housed in a container separate from the propellant cartridge, said assembly comprising a coupler-aspirator having a Venturi nozzle and two flow passages joining at said nozzle, the first of said flow passages communicating with a first chamber in said coupler-aspirator and the second of said flow passages communicating with a second chamber in said coupler-aspirator, said first chamber positioned above and extending upwardly from said second chamber; a propellant valve stem movably mounted in said first chamber and having a first channel therethrough adapted to communicate with said first chamber; means mounted between said coupler-aspirator and said propellant valve stem for selectively blocking and unblocking said first channel; means for coupling said propellant valve stem with a valveless propellant cartridge to provide access of propellant into said first channel; a product container valve stem movably mounted in said second chamber and having a second channel therethrough adapted to communicate with said second chamber; means mounted between said coupler-aspirator and said product container valve stem for selectively blocking and unblocking said second channel; and means for coupling said product container valve stem with a valveless product container to allow communication of product into said second channel.

Claim 3

A coupler-aspirator-valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first channel terminates in first radial openings communicating with said first chamber, and said means for blocking and unblocking said first channel comprises a first annular gasket having an outer edge and an inner periphery, said outer edge being held in place by a first recessed portion of said coupler-aspirator, and said inner periphery obturating said first radial openings.

Claim 4

A coupler-aspirator-valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for coupling said propellant valve stem comprises a first hollow piercing member positioned within said propellant valve stem and in communication with said first channel.

Claim 5

A coupler-aspirator-valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a guide surrounding said coupler-aspirator and including an inwardly extending annular flange having a hole therein through which said propellant valve stem extends, an upper length for supporting said propellant cartridge, and an opening through which said coupler-aspirator extends and sprays.

Claim 6

A coupler-aspirator-valve assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said propellant valve stem further includes a first outwardly extending flange which extends through said hole and a second outwardly extending flange having an upper surface abutting a bottom surface of said inwardly extending annular flange.

Claim 7

A coupler-aspirator-valve assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means for coupling said product container valve stem comprises a product container valve plate integral with said product container valve stem, said product container valve plate being attached to the bottom of said guide and adapted to be attached to said product container, and a second hollow piercing member positioned within said product container valve stem and in communication with said second channel.

Claim 8

A coupler-aspirator-valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second channel terminates in second radial openings communicating with said second chamber, and said means for blocking and unblocking said second channel comprises a second annular gasket having an outer edge and an inner periphery, said outer edge being held in place by a second recessed portion of said coupler-aspirator, and said inner periphery obturating said second radial openings.

Claim 9

An aerosol dispensing system comprising a valve-less propellant cartridge; a valveless product container assembly; and a coupler-aspirator-valve assembly comprising a coupler-aspirator having a Venturi nozzle and two flow passages joining a said nozzle, the first of said flow passages communicating with a first chamber in said coupler-aspirator and the second of said flow passages communicating with a second chamber in said coupler-aspirator, said first chamber positioned above and extending upwardly from said second chamber, a propellant valve stem movably mounted in said first chamber and having a first channel therethrough adapted to communicate with said first chamber; means mounted between said coupler-aspirator and said propellant valve stem for selectively blocking and unblocking said first channel; means for coupling said propellant valve stem with said valveless propellant cartridge to provide access of propellant into said first channel, a product container valve stem movably mounted in said second chamber and having a second channel therethrough adapted to communicate with said second chamber; means mounted between said coupler-aspirator and said product container valve stem for selectively blocking and unblocking said second channel, and means for coupling said product container valve stem with said valveless product container assembly to alLow communication of product into said second channel; said valveless propellant cartridge aligned vertically above said valveless product container assembly.

Claim 10

An aerosol dispensing system comprising a valve-less propellant cartridge; a valveless product container assembly; and a coupler-aspirator-valve assembly comprising a coupler-aspirator having a Venturi nozzle and two flow passages joining a said nozzle, the first of said flow passages communicating with a first chamber in said coupler-aspirator and the second of said flow passages communicating with a second chamber in said coupler-aspirator, said first chamber positioned above and extending upwardly from said second chamber, a propellant valve stem movably mounted in said first chamber and having a first channel therethrough adapted to communicate with said first chamber; means mounted between said coupler-aspirator and said propellant valve stem for selectively blocking and unblocking said first channel; means for coupling said propellant valve stem with said valveless propellant cartridge to provide access of propellant into said first channel, a product container valve stem movably mounted in said second chamber and having a second channel therethrough adapted to communicate with said second chamber; means mounted between said coupler-aspirator and said product container valve stem for selectively blocking and unblocking said second channel, and means for coupling said product container valve stem with said valveless product container assembly to alLow communication of product into said second channel; said valveless propellant cartridge aligned vertically above said valveless product container assembly.

Claim 11

A dispensing system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first channel terminates in first radial openings communicating with said first chamber, and said means for blocking and unblocking said first channel comprises a first annular gasket having an outer edge and an inner periphery, said outer edge being held in place by a first recessed portion of said coupler-aspirator, and said inner periphery obturating said first radial openings.

Claim 12

A dispensing system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said means for coupling said propellant valve stem comprises a first hollow piercing member positioned within said propellant valve stem and in communication with said first channel.

Claim 13

A dispensing system as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a guide surrounding said coupler-aspirator and including an inwardly extending annular flange having a hole therein through which said propellant valve stem extends, an upper length supporting said propellant cartridge, and an opening through which said coupler-aspirator extends and sprays.

Claim 14

A dispensing system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said propellant valve stem further includes a first outwardly extending flange which extends through said hole and a second outwardly extending flange having an upper surface abutting a bottom surface of said inwardly extending annular flange.

Claim 15

A dispensing system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said means for coupling said product container valve stem comprises a product container valve plate integral with said product container valve stem, said product container valve plate being attached to the bottom of said guide and attached to said product container, and a second hollow piercing member positioned within said product container valve stem and in communication with said second channel.

Claim 16

A dispensing system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second channel terminates in second radial openings communicating with said second chamber, and said means for blocking and unblocking said second channel comprises a second annular gasket having an outer edge and an inner periphery, said outer edge being held in place by a second recessed portion of said coupler-aspirator, and said inner periphery obturating said second radial openings.

Claim 17

A dispensing system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said valveless propellant cartridge comprises a cartridge having an annular opening therein, and a stopper sealing said opening in pressure seal relationship, said stopper being pierced by said means for coupling said propellant cartridge.

Claim 18

A dispensing system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said valveless product container assembly comprises a product container, a collar attached to said product container and having a flange extending downwardly therefrom, a product sac positioned within said product container and having a thickened neck portion supported by said flange, and a gasket positioned between said collar and said neck portion and pierced by said means for coupling said product container valve stem.

Claim 19

A dispensing system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said valveless product container assembly comprises a product container, and a product sac assembly comprising a product sac positioned within said product container and having a neck portion, a collar integral with said neck portion and attached to said product container, and a membrane integral with and closing said neck portion and pierced by said means for coupling said product container valve stem.