Bladder type dispenser

Claim 2

A pressurized apparatus comprising: a. an elongated resilient bladder having wall means defining a fluid chamber interior of the bladder and a fluid outlet in communication with the interior of the bladder; b. an elongate surface exterior of the bladder against which said bladder is stretched longitudinally so as to maintain the bladder wall means in tension and the bladder substantially empty in the contracted position, said elongate surface being longitudinally convex and formed by a rigid, generally spatulate member; and c. a valve assembly, said spatulate member being anchored at one of its ends in said valve assembly, the fluid outlet of said bladder being located at one end of said bladder and being anchored in said valve assembly so as to receive and discharge fluid therethrough, the bladder being attached at its opposite end ot the free end of said spatulate member.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said bladder extends from said valve assembly along the longitudinally convex side of said spatulate member to its end and back partly along the opposite side of said member where it is anchored thereto.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said spatulate member is bendably attached at its anchored end to said valve assembly to permit the direction in which said member extends away from said valve assembly to change.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said bendable attachment is attained by a hinge in said spatulate member.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said bendable attachment is attained by a flexible tab connecting said spatulate member to said valve assembly.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said bladder is blind at its end opposite its outlet end and is provided with an integral tab extending from said blind end for attachment to said spatulate member.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said bladder is originally open at its end opposite its outlet end and wherein there is additionally provided a clip for sealing said originally open end, said clip having means for fastening said sealed, originally open end of said bladder to said spatulate member.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a bag is contained within said bladder for receiving all of the fluid entering said bladder.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said bag has a fluid outlet extending through the fluid outlet of said bladder and anchored in said valve assembly, said bag being larger when filled with fluid than said bladder in its contracted position.

Claim 11

For use in a rigid container, a pressurized capsule for dispensing a fluid from within said interior comprising: a. a valve assembly seated in a wall of said container; b. a longitudinally bowed, generally spatulate rib forming a longitudinally convex support surface, said rib being anchored at one end in said valve assembly and extending therefrom into said container; and c. a generally sausage-shaped bladder stretched along said support surface upon said rib, said bladder having an open inlet end anchored in said valve assembly and a sealed tail end anchored upon said rib so as to contrast said bladder and to cause substantially all of the fluid which it contains to be expelled ultimately therefrom through said valve assembly.

Claim 12

For use in a rigid container, a pressurized capsule for dispensing a fluid from within said interior comprising: a. a valve assembly seated in a wall of said container; b. a longitudinally bowed, generally spatulate rib forming a longitudinally convex support surface, said rib being anchored at one end in said valve assembly and extending therefrom into said container; and c. a generally sausage-shaped bladder stretched along said support surface upon said rib, said bladder having an open inlet end anchored in said valve assembly and a sealed tail end anchored upon said rib so as to contrast said bladder and to cause substantially all of the fluid which it contains to be expelled ultimately therefrom through said valve assembly.

Claim 13

A capsule accoRding to claim 10 wherein said valve assembly includes: a. a first, generally cylindrical gland member inside the inlet end of said bladder; b. a second generally cylindrical gland member surrounding the inlet end of said bladder; and c. means for pressing together said gland members so as to clamp the inlet end of said bladder between them.

Claim 14

A capsule according to claim 10 wherein said valve assembly additionally includes: a. a cap means having an inlet port therethrough; b. a spring loaded valve compressed between said inlet port and said first cylindrical gland member normally to seal one from the other; and c. said valve being characterized further in that the means for pressing together said gland members includes interlocking means on said second gland member and on said cap means, said cap means serving both to press together said first and second gland members and to retain said valve within said first gland member.

Claim 15

The capsule of claim 11 wherein the means for pressing together said gland members includes: a. interlocking means on said inner and outer gland members adapted to retain said inner gland member inside said outer gland member.

Claim 16

The capsule of claim 13 wherein said valve assembly includes: a. cap means having an inlet port therethrough and clamped onto said second gland member; and b. a spring loaded valve compressed between said inlet port and said first cylindrical gland member normally to seal one from the other.

Claim 17

The capsule of claim 12 wherein a bag is contained within said bladder for receiving all of the fluid entering said bladder, said bag having a fluid inlet portion extending inside the inlet end of said bladder and around said first gland member so as to be clamped, along said bladder inlet end, between said first and second gland members.

Claim 18

The capsule of claim 15 wherein said bag is larger, when filled with fluid, than said bladder in its contracted position, said bag being folded in order to fit within said bladder.

Claim 19

The capsule of claim 10 wherein said spatulate rib is held normally erect upon said valve assembly by said stretched bladder and is deflectable from its erect state against the force of said bladder.

Claim 20

For use with a pressurized container wherein a bladder having a neck is stretched along a surface exterior of said bladder, a valve assembly comprising: a. interfitting inner and outer cylindrical gland members, said members having opposing surfaces defining an annular space between them for receiving the neck of said bladder so as to provide an inlet passage to said bladder through said inner gland; b. valve means in said inner gland member selectively to block said inlet passage; and c. means independent of said container for pressing said inner gland member into said outer gland member so that said valve assembly may be preassembled as a unit independent of said container with said valve means inserted in said inner gland member and the neck of said bladder clamped between said inner and outer gland members.

Claim 21

For use with a pressurized container wherein a bladder having a neck is stretched along a surface exterior of said bladder, a valve assembly comprising: a. interfitting inner and outer cylindrical gland members, said members having opposing surfaces defining an annular space between them for receiving the neck of said bladder so as to provide an inlet passage to said bladder through said inner gland; b. valve means in said inner gland member selectively to block said inlet passage; and c. means independent of said container for pressing said inner gland member into said outer gland member so that said valve assembly may be preassembled as a unit independent of said container with said valve means inserted in said inner gland member and the neck of said bladder clamped between said inner and outer gland members.

Claim 22

For use with a pressurized container wherein a bladder having a neck is stretched along a surface exterior of said bladder, a valve assembly comprising: a. interfitting inner and outer cylindrical gland members, said members having opposing surfaces defining an annular space between them for receiving the neck of said bladder so as to provide an inlet passage to said bladder through said inner gland; b. means for pressing said inner gland member into said outer gland member so as to clamp the neck of said bladder between them; and c. valve means in said inner gland member selectively to block said inlet passage; d. said means for passing said inner gland member into said outer gland member is a cap having a flange with means for locking onto said outer gland member and a disk portion for bearing against said inner gland member and also against said valve means so as to retain the latter withIn said inner gland member.

Claim 23

For use with a pressurized container wherein a bladder having a neck is stretched along a surface exterior of said bladder, a valve assembly comprising: a. interfitting inner and outer cylindrical gland members, said members having opposing surfaces defining an annular space between them for receiving the neck of said bladder so as to provide an inlet passage to said bladder through said inner gland; b. means for pressing said inner gland member into said outer gland member so as to clamp the neck of said bladder between them; and c. valve means in said inner gland member selectively to block said inlet passage; d. said means for passing said inner gland member into said outer gland member is a cap having a flange with means for locking onto said outer gland member and a disk portion for bearing against said inner gland member and also against said valve means so as to retain the latter withIn said inner gland member.

Claim 24

A valve assembly according to claim 19 wherein said valve means includes an annular gasket seated in the outer end of said inner gland member and a spring loaded plunger compressed between said inner gland member and said gasket.

Claim 25

For use with a pressurized container wherein a bladder having a neck is stretched along a surface exterior of said bladder, a valve assembly comprising: a. interfitting inner and outer cylindrical gland members, said members having opposite surfaces defining an annular space between them for receiving the neck of said bladder so as to provide an inlet passage to said bladder through said inner gland; b. means for pressing said inner gland member into said outer gland member so as to clamp the neck of said bladder between them comprising flexible latching fingers extending inwardly from the outer end of said outer gland member, said fingers being temporarily deflected when said inner gland member is pressed through them and into said outer gland member, said fingers then snapping back to latch the outer end of said inner gland member; and c. valve means in said inner gland member selectively to block said inlet passage.

Claim 26

For use with a pressurized container wherein a bladder having a neck is stretched along a surface exterior of said bladder, a valve assembly comprising: a. interfitting inner and outer cylindrical gland members, said members having opposite surfaces defining an annular space between them for receiving the neck of said bladder so as to provide an inlet passage to said bladder through said inner gland; b. means for pressing said inner gland member into said outer gland member so as to clamp the neck of said bladder between them comprising flexible latching fingers extending inwardly from the outer end of said outer gland member, said fingers being temporarily deflected when said inner gland member is pressed through them and into said outer gland member, said fingers then snapping back to latch the outer end of said inner gland member; and c. valve means in said inner gland member selectively to block said inlet passage.

Claim 27

For use with a pressurized container wherein a bladder having a neck is stretched along a surface exterior of said bladder, a valve assembly comprising: a. inner and outer cylindrical gland members, said inner gland member being received by, and interlocking with, said outer gland member, said gland members having juxtaposed surfaces defining an annular space between them for receiving the neck of said bladder so as to provide an inlet passage to said bladder through said inlet gland, said juxtaposed surfaces clamping said neck between them when said gland members are interlocked; b. valve means in said inner gland member selectively to block said inlet passage; and c. cap means engaging a portion of said inner gland member and fitting around the end of, and locking said inner gland member onto said outer gland member for retaining said valve means in said inner gland member so that said valve assembly may be preassembled as a unit independent of said container.

Claim 28

For use with a pressurized container wherein a bladder having a neck is stretched along a surface exterior of said bladder, a valve assembly comprising: a. inner and outer cylindrical gland members, said inner gland member being received by, and interlocking with, said outer gland member, said gland members having juxtaposed surfaces defining an annular space between them for receiving the neck of said bladder so as to provide an inlet passage to said bladder through said inlet gland, said juxtaposed surfaces clamping said neck between them when said gland members are interlocked; b. valve means in said inner gland member selectively to block said inlet passage; and c. cap means engaging a portion of said inner gland member and fitting around the end of, and locking said inner gland member onto said outer gland member for retaining said valve means in said inner gland member so that said valve assembly may be preassembled as a unit independent of said container.

Claim 29

Apparatus for holding and discharging fluid under pressure comprising: a. a container having an opening therein; b. a dispensing assembly in said opening, said dispensing assembly having a valved passage therethrough for controllably discharging fluid held in said container under pressure; c. a rib member anchored at one of its ends in said dispensing assembly and extending therefrom into said container, said rib member having an elongated surface thereon; and d. a resilient bladder having an inlet end anchored in said dispensing assembly so as to place the inside of said bladder in communication with said valved passage, said bladder being stretched from its anchored end along the elongate surface of said rib member so as to maintain the walls of said bladder in tension and the bladder substantially empty in the contracted position, said dispensing assembly including: i. an outer cylindrical gland member anchored in said container opening; ii. an inner cylindrical gland member extending into, and held within, said outer gland member, said gland members defining an annular space between them in which the inlet end of said bladder is received and anchored; iii. a passage extending axially through said inner gland member; iv. spring loaded valve means slideably disposed within said inner gland member for normally blocking said passage; v. actuator means for displacing said valve means so as to unlock said passage; and vi. means independent of said container for retaining said inner gland member to said outer gland member so that said dispensing assembly, said rib member and said resilient bladder may be preassembled prior to insertion into said container.

Claim 30

Apparatus for holding and discharging fluid under pressure comprising: a. a container having an opening therein; b. a dispensing assembly in said opening, said dispensing assembly having a valved passage therethrough for controllably discharging fluid held in said container under pressure; c. a rib member anchored at one of its ends in said dispensing assembly and extending therefrom into said container, said rib member having an elongated surface thereon; and d. a resilient bladder having an inlet end anchored in said dispensing assembly so as to place the inside of said bladder in communication with said valved passage, said bladder being stretched from its anchored end along the elongate surface of said rib member so as to maintain the walls of said bladder in tension and the bladder substantially empty in the contracted position, said dispensing assembly including: i. an outer cylindrical gland member anchored in said container opening; ii. an inner cylindrical gland member extending into, and held within, said outer gland member, said gland members defining an annular space between them in which the inlet end of said bladder is received and anchored; iii. a passage extending axially through said inner gland member; iv. spring loaded valve means slideably disposed within said inner gland member for normally blocking said passage; v. actuator means for displacing said valve means so as to unlock said passage; and vi. means independent of said container for retaining said inner gland member to said outer gland member so that said dispensing assembly, said rib member and said resilient bladder may be preassembled prior to insertion into said container.

Claim 31

Apparatus for holding and discharging fluid under pressure comprising: a. a container having an opening therein; b. a dispensing assembly in said opening, said dispensing assembly having a valved passage therethrough for controllably discharging fluid held in said container under pressure; c. a rib member anchored at one of its ends in said dispensing assembly and extending therefrom into said container, said rib member having an elongate surface thereon, said rib member being hinged in order to make said rib member deflectable in said dispensing assembly so as to permit said member to conform to the configuration of said container; d. a resilient bladder having an inlet end anchored in said dispensing assembly so as to place the inside of said bladder in communication with said valved passage, said bladder being stretched from its anchored end along the elongate surface of said rib member so as to maintain the walls of said bladder in tension and the bladder substantially empty in the contracted position.

Claim 32

Apparatus for holding and discharging fluid under pressure comprising: a. a container having an opening therein; b. a dispensing assembly in said opening, said dispensing assembly having a valved passage therethrough for controllably discharging fluid held in said container under pressure; c. a rib member anchored at one of its ends in said dispensing assembly and extending therefrom into said container, said rib member having an elongate surface thereon, said rib member being hinged in order to make said rib member deflectable in said dispensing assembly so as to permit said member to conform to the configuration of said container; d. a resilient bladder having an inlet end anchored in said dispensing assembly so as to place the inside of said bladder in communication with said valved passage, said bladder being stretched from its anchored end along the elongate surface of said rib member so as to maintain the walls of said bladder in tension and the bladder substantially empty in the contracted position.

Claim 33

Apparatus for holding and discharging fluid under pressure comprising: a. a container having an opening therein; b. a dispensing assembly in said opening, said dispensing assembly having a valved passage therethrough for controllably discharging fluid held in said container under pressure; c. a rib member anchored at one of its ends in said dispensing assembly and extending therefrom into said container, said rib member having an elongate surface thereof, said rib being mounted in said dispensing assembly by means of a flexible tab in order to make said rib deflectable in said dispensing assembly so as to permit said member to conform to the configuration of said container; and d. a resilient bladder having an inlet end anchored in said dispensing assembly so as to place the inside of said bladder in communication with said valved passage, said bladder being stretched from its anchored end along the elongate surface of said rib member so as to maintain the walls of said bladder in tension and the bladder substantially empty in the contracted position.

Claim 34

Apparatus for holding and discharging fluid under pressure comprising: a. a container having an opening therein; b. a dispensing assembly in said opening, said dispensing assembly having a valved passage therethrough for controllably discharging fluid held in said container under pressure; c. a rib member anchored at one of its ends in said dispensing assembly and extending therefrom into said container, said rib member having an elongate surface thereof, said rib being mounted in said dispensing assembly by means of a flexible tab in order to make said rib deflectable in said dispensing assembly so as to permit said member to conform to the configuration of said container; and d. a resilient bladder having an inlet end anchored in said dispensing assembly so as to place the inside of said bladder in communication with said valved passage, said bladder being stretched from its anchored end along the elongate surface of said rib member so as to maintain the walls of said bladder in tension and the bladder substantially empty in the contracted position.

Claim 35

Apparatus for holding and discharging fluid under pressure comprising: a. a container having an opening therein; b. a dispensing assembly in said opening, said dispensing assembly having a valved passage therethrough for controllably discharging fluid held in said container under pressure; c. a rib member anchored at one of its ends in said dispensing assembly and extending therefrom into said container, said rib member having an elongate surface thereon; and d. a resilient bladder having an inlet end anchored in said dispensing assembly so as to place the inside of said bladder in communication with said valved passage, said bladder being stretched from its anchored end along the elongate surface of said rib member so as to maintain the walls of said bladder in tension and the bladder substantially empty in the contracted position, said elongate surface being longitudinally convex and said rib being held erect upon said dispensing assembly by said stretched bladder and being deflectable from its erect state against the force of said bladder.

Claim 36

Apparatus for holding and discharging fluid under pressure comprising: a. a container having an opening therein; b. a dispensing assembly in said opening, said dispensing assembly having a valved passage therethrough for controllably discharging fluid held in said container under pressure; c. a rib member anchored at one of its ends in said dispensing assembly and extending therefrom into said container, said rib member having an elongate surface thereon; and d. a resilient bladder having an inlet end anchored in said dispensing assembly so as to place the inside of said bladder in communication with said valved passage, said bladder being stretched from its anchored end along the elongate surface of said rib member so as to maintain the walls of said bladder in tension and the bladder substantially empty in the contracted position, said elongate surface being longitudinally convex and said rib being held erect upon said dispensing assembly by said stretched bladder and being deflectable from its erect state against the force of said bladder.

Claim 37

For use in a multiple chamber container, a pressurized apparatus for dispensing separately stored fluids from within said container comprising: a. a valve assembly anchored in a wall of said container and having at least one valve passage for dispensing fluid stored in said container; b. at least two spaced apart rib members forming longitudinally convex support surfaces, said rib members being anchored at one of their ends in said valve assembly and extending therefrom into said container; and c. at least two bladders, each having an inlet end anchored in said valve assembly in communication with said at least one valved passage and each said bladder being stretched from said valve assembly along a respective one of said support surfaces so that each said bladder is contracted and substantially all of the fluid which it contains is expelled therefrom ultimately through said at least one valved passage.

Claim 38

For use in a multiple chamber container, a pressurized apparatus for dispensing separately stored fluids from within said container comprising: a. a valve assembly anchored in a wall of said container and having at least one valve passage for dispensing fluid stored in said container; b. at least two spaced apart rib members forming longitudinally convex support surfaces, said rib members being anchored at one of their ends in said valve assembly and extending therefrom into said container; and c. at least two bladders, each having an inlet end anchored in said valve assembly in communication with said at least one valved passage and each said bladder being stretched from said valve assembly along a respective one of said support surfaces so that each said bladder is contracted and substantially all of the fluid which it contains is expelled therefrom ultimately through said at least one valved passage.