Process for dispensing pressurized fluent material

#This invention relates to a device and process for dispensing fluent material. More particularly, the invention relates to a device and process for dispensing a fluid material at a modified temperature in an expanded state.

#The use of pressurized dispensing containers for a large variety of products has become popular in a number of fields, including cosmetics. For example, various types of creams, shaving lathers, emollients and other types of cosmetic preparations have met with consumer acceptance in the form of aerosol packages. With many of these products, it is sometimes desirable to dispense the material at a modified temperature.

#The present invention provides a device and process to achieve this result. The device and process disclosed and claimed herein, although readily adaptable to a wide variety of applications, are particularly useful in the field of dispensable pressurized "aerosol" compositions and especially for the dispensing of heated shaving lather. In the interest of simplicity, the invention will be described in its application to the provision of heated shaving lather. However, it is to be understood that the present invention can be employed with other products, too, as will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is an isometric view in elevation of a dispensing device for producing heated shaving lather in accordance with this invention;

#FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view in elevation taken across line 2--2 of FIG. 1 and shows the detailed construction of a preferred form of chamber and related elements of a warming head, with the casing removed;

#FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view in elevation of another embodiment of the chamber and related elements;

#In accordance with the invention, a device for dispensing a fluent material, such as liquid shaving cream, at a modified temperature, from a pressurized source which contains the fluent material and a propellant, comprises means for withdrawing, separating or isolating a portion of pressurized fluent material from the source, and for modifying the temperature of the separated portion while holding it under pressure and means for dispensing the separated portion at reduced pressure in an expanded state after temperature modification thereof. Most advantageously, the separated portion of fluent material is held under pressure sufficient to retain it in a substantially unexpanded state. The invention also includes a process which comprises withdrawing a portion of fluent material from a pressurized source, modifying the temperature of the separated fluent material while it is held under pressure in a temperature modification zone, preferably while the fluent material is held under sufficient pressure to retain it in a substantially unexpanded state, and dispensing the separated fluent material at reduced pressure in an expanded state after the temperature thereof has been modified.

#The propellant used in the pressurized dispensing container can vary widely. Any propellant material generally employed in pressurized dispensing containers is suitable in the practice of the present invention, although the liquefied gases are preferable. Among these are the poly-halogenated lower hydrocarbons, like chlorinated and fluorinated methanes and ethanes, and the lower hydrocarbons, such as propane, butane and isobutane and related compounds. Compressed gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide may also find use.

#Referring to FIG. 1, a device suitable for dispensing heated shaving lather in accordance with the invention comprises a support member designated generally by numeral 11 and a warming head 12 adapted to be attached to a pressurized dispensing container 13 full of liquid shaving cream and a propellant. The support member has a base 14 which can be removable, if desirable and an enlarged upright back 15. The support member can be fabricated from a wide variety of materials such as metals, plastics, ceramic materials and the like, but is preferably plastic, and has a removable back panel, not shown, to permit access to the interior thereof. Disposed within the upright back 15 is the primary inductor circuit more specifically discussed hereinbelow. An indicator light 16 and an actuator button 17 to close the primary inductor circuit are located on the support member as illustrated. An electric lead cord 18 equipped with a plug 19 is connected to the primary inductor circuit located therein. The support member is adapted to receive the warming head 12 and container 13, as illustrated, and the upper part of the support member is adapted or shaped so that the warming head will rest in close association therewith.