Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
  • B65D83/60—Contents and propellant separated
  • B65D83/62—Contents and propellant separated by membrane, bag, or the like
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
  • B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
  • B65D51/28—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
  • B65D83/60—Contents and propellant separated
  • B65D83/64—Contents and propellant separated by piston
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
  • B65D83/60—Contents and propellant separated
  • B65D83/66—Contents and propellant separated first separated, but finally mixed, e.g. in a dispensing head
  • B65D83/663—Contents and propellant separated first separated, but finally mixed, e.g. in a dispensing head at least a portion of the propellant being separated from the product and incrementally released by means of a pressure regulator

Definitions

• This invention relates generally to pressurized containers, and more particularly, to a gas storage and delivery system for restoring and maintaining pressure as it is depleted from pressurized containers such as aerosol dispensers, bottles of carbonated beverage, fire extinguishers using water or foam, and the like.
• Pressurized containers are commonly used to dispense many products, including paint, lubricants, cleaning products, hair spray, and food items. These containers are typically aerosol dispensers in which the product is stored under pressure with a suitable propellant. Dispensing of the product occurs when a discharge nozzle is depressed, permitting the pressurized product to be forced out through the nozzle, usually as a spray, stream or foam. As product is depleted from the container, the pressure exerted by the propellant decreases, especially evident with compressed gases, and may become diminished to the extent that all of the product cannot be dispensed from the container, or desired characteristics are not achieved.
• VOCs Volatile organic compounds
• propane, isobutane, dimethyl ether, and the like are suitable as propellants for many products, but their use is limited due to environmental concerns. For instance, under some current regulations no more than 55% of the contents of the container can comprise a VOC. In an aerosol dispenser, as much as 25% of the VOC could be required for use as a propellant, leaving about 30% VOC in the product. This 25% reduction typically is made up with water, which does not dry as quickly as the VOC, resulting in a "wet" product when used.
• Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is environmentally friendly, and is therefore useful as an aerosol propellant, but its use has been limited due to the drop off in pressure from start to finish as the product is used. For example, in a typical situation the starting pressure might be 100 psig and the finishing pressure only 30 psig. At this low finishing pressure all of the product may not be discharged, and/or proper aerosolization may not be obtained.
• Carbonated beverages are also bottled under pressure, usually by a pressurized inert gas, such as CO 2 , placed in the bottle along with the beverage. Over time, the pressure of the gas may decrease, resulting in a "flat" drink. This is particularly true when plastic containers are used to bottle carbonated beverages. The shelf life of such products may be undesirably short.
• cans of pressurized gas are provided for cleaning dust and the like from sensitive equipment, such as computers, computer keyboards, etc., by blowing a pressurized stream of propellant onto the equipment.
• a VOC e.g., Dymel® by DuPont
• These materials are relatively expensive for the intended use. Accordingly, there is a need for a system to replenish and maintain a desired pressure in pressurized containers, such as aerosol dispensers and carbonated beverages, and particularly to such a system that is inexpensive and environmentally friendly.
• the present invention provides a system and method to replenish and maintain a desired pressure in pressurized containers, such as aerosol dispensers and carbonated beverages, and represents further improvements over the invention disclosed in applicant's prior patent 6,708,844, issued May 23, 2004.
• a gas adsorption and storage material containing a desired quantity of gas is placed in a pressurized container along with a product to be dispensed, and as pressure in the container is depleted during use, a quantity of the stored gas is released into the container to maintain pressure in the container within a predetermined range.
• a quantity of gaseous material under pressure in the container may apply to the product a predetermined pressure of from about 30 to about 180 psi, and as this pressure falls off during use of the container, additional gaseous material is released into the container from the gas adsorption and storage material to restore the pressure to the desired range.
• the gas adsorption material may be placed directly in contact with the product being dispensed, or it may be isolated from direct contact with the product.
• the pressurized container may comprise a bag-in-a-can, wherein the product to be dispensed is held in a bag supported in the container, and pressurized gas surrounds the bag.
• a piston may separate the product being dispensed from the pressurized gas.
• the gas adsorption material could be placed in the container on the outside of the bag, or beneath the piston.
• the adsorbent material can be isolated from direct contact with the product by use of a membrane that permits gas to flow from the adsorbent material to the product, but prevents reverse flow of product to the adsorbent material. Whether the gas adsorption material is placed in direct contact with the product being dispensed, or isolated from it depends upon various factors, including the nature of the product being dispensed, and the nature of the spray or foam or other characteristic that is desired for the discharged product.
• inclusion of some of the gas, e.g., CO 2 , in the product may be desirable to enhance atomization or foaming of the product as it is dispensed.
• a small amount of the gas may be solubolized in the product before the product is placed in the bag, or a small amount of the gas may be charged into the product after it is placed in the bag.
• inclusion of some of the propellant gas in the product would be beneficial with hair sprays, for example.
• the adsorbent gas storage material used in the invention is known as a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system, wherein adsorption of gas into the material occurs at a high pressure, and desorption of gas from the material occurs at a low pressure.
• PSA pressure swing adsorption
• Such adsorption/desorption devices are capable of storing under pressure a volume of gas that is 18 to 20 times the volume of the material.
• a preferred adsorbent gas storage material is granular activated carbon, or a carbon fiber composite molecular sieve (CFCMS) as disclosed in U.S. Patents 5,912,424 and 6,030,698, which are incorporated in full herein.
• adsorbent material may be in granular, powdered, or pellet form, or a mass of the material may be formed into variously shaped cohesive bodies, such as balls, tubes, cubes or rods, or sheets or screens which may be flat or curved or folded into various shapes, such as, for example, an accordion-like fold.
• One suitable source of granular activated carbon is a 10X50 mesh material available from Westvaco Corporation under number 1072-R-99.
• the material may be surrounded with a suitable cover or membrane to isolate it from direct contact with the product.
• the cover may be something that functions only to contain the carbon and prevent its admixture and discharge with the product, or it may be a gas permeable membrane that is capable of passing the desired gas but prevents contact between the carbon and the liquid or other product in the container.
• One suitable cover may comprise a Tetratex® 1316 membrane film, for example, available from Tetratec PTFE Technologies. Such membranes are employed in reverse osmosis water purification systems, for example.
• the adsorbent material may be pre-charged with the desired gas and then placed in a previously pressurized container, or in communication with the interior of the container, or it may be placed in a non-pressurized container and a desired gas then introduced under pressure into the container after it is sealed to charge the adsorbent material for subsequent release of the gas as the propellant or carbonization gas becomes depleted during use, thereby restoring the pressure in the container to a desired level.
• the adsorbent material may be placed in the container and a suitable propellant gas introduced into the container to a pressure of 150 psig, for example, whereupon the adsorbent material will adsorb 75 psig, for example.
• Product may then be introduced into the container, increasing the pressure back up to 80 to 100 psig, for example.
• gas is released from the adsorbent material to restore the pressure in the container to a desired predetermined level.
• nitrous oxide may be used in lieu of or in combination with carbon dioxide. Nitrous oxide is more compatible with products having an oil component, for example.
• Any desired suitable quantity of the adsorbent material may be placed in a container to store and release an appropriate amount of gas to maintain pressure in the container at a desired level during use of the system. Depending upon the starting and ending pressure desired in the container, a quantity of the material equal to 5% to 100% of the quantity of product could be placed in the container.
• a uniform and steady discharge pressure could be obtained, for example, by placing in the container a quantity of gas adsorption material equivalent to from 10% to 60% of the total volume of the container. In a particular example, satisfactory results are obtained when approximately one-half ounce of gas adsorption material charged with a suitable gas is placed in a six-ounce container.
• the gas storage and release system of the invention may also be used to discharge oxygen or another gas into a beverage, such as bottled water or a sports drink, if desired.
• the use of activated carbon to adsorb additional gas in an aerosol container can increase the available gas to a level which results in the pressure remaining more uniform until the product is depleted.
• the adsorbed gas can comprise carbon dioxide alone or in combination with other gases, such as nitrous oxide, or nitrous oxide can be used alone or in combination with other gases, and/or any one or all of these can be used in combination with liquified compressed gases such as propane, isobutane, dimethyl ether or Dymel® (trademark of DuPont), to produce desired spray patterns which would permit reduction in the quantity of volatile organic compounds used in the pressurized product.
• Fig. 1 is a somewhat schematic longitudinal sectional view of a first form of pressurized aerosol dispenser, wherein the dispenser is of the type employing a dip tube, and the gas storage and release material is in the form of a spherically shaped cohesive body or ball.
• Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the spherical body of gas-adsorbing material of figure 1 , showing the material enclosed in a gas permeable membrane.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a body of gas-adsorbing material enclosed in a porous film or cover.
• Fig. 4 is a view similar to figure 1 , but showing a dispenser of the type in which the product to be dispensed is held in a bag in the container, and a granular or pelletized gas storage and release material is employed.
• Fig. 5 is a view similar to figure 4, but showing a container of the type employing a piston, and wherein the gas storage and release material is in the form of a cube.
• Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of a body of the gas storage and release material in the shape of a flat sheet.
• FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a body of the gas storage and release material in the shape of an accordion-pleated sheet.
• Fig. 8 is a top perspective view of a body of the gas storage and release material in the shape of a hollow cylinder or tube.
• Fig. 9 is a somewhat schematic longitudinal sectional view of a beverage bottle containing a beverage, and having a gas storage and release system according to the invention incorporated into the cap.
• Fig. 10 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a bottle cap incorporating the gas storage and release system of the invention.
• Fig. 1 1 is an end view of the cap of figure 10, looking in the direction of the arrow 1 1 , with portions broken away for sake of illustration.
• a first form of aerosol dispenser is indicated generally at 10 in figure 1.
• the dispenser includes a container 11 made of metal or other suitable material, having a bottom 12 and a top 13.
• a discharge nozzle assembly 14 is mounted on the top and includes a nozzle 15 that may be manually depressed to open and permit product P to be dispensed from the container through the nozzle.
• a dip tube 16 extends from the bottom of the container to the discharge nozzle assembly.
• the level of product in the container does not occupy the entire volume of the container, and the space above the product level is filled with a pressurized propellant gas to exert pressure on the product and force it through the dip tube and nozzle when the nozzle is depressed.
• the foregoing structure and operation are conventional.
• a storage body 20 of a gas-adsorbing material is placed in the container with the product to adsorb and store a quantity of a desired gas, such as carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide, for example, and to release the stored gas into the container to restore and maintain a desired pressure in the container as the product and/or propellant are depleted.
• the gas adsorbing material preferably comprises a granular activated carbon, or a carbon fiber composite molecular sieve (CFCMS) as disclosed in U.S. Patents 5,912,424 and 6,030,698, which are incorporated in full herein.
• PSDMS pressure swing adsorption
• the body 20 may be formed as a cohesive block of granular activated carbon or carbon fiber composite molecular sieve (CFCMS) material, and may be spherically shaped as shown in the embodiment of figures 1 and 2.
• the body 20 is placed in the container in contact with the product.
• Gas, such as carbon dioxide, is stored in the carbon material and released to restore pressure in the container as product is dispensed and the pressure in the container drops below a predetermined threshold level.
• a film or cover 21 may be placed around the body of carbon material to prevent dispersion of the carbon into the product, and/or to prevent direct contact between the carbon and product.
• the film may comprise a porous member 21a (see figure 3) that simply contains the carbon material and permits free flow of gas and product, or it may comprise a membrane or film 21b (see figure 2) that permits flow of gas, e.g., carbon dioxide, outwardly through the film into the product, but prevents flow of product into the material.
• the film 21b may comprise a reverse osmosis membrane placed around the body of material to permit flow of gas from the body into the product, but to prevent flow of product through the membrane to the body.
• Figure 4 depicts a pressurized dispenser 30 of the bag-in-a-can type, wherein the product is encased in a bag 31 in the container 32.
• a gas adsorbing material according to the invention is placed in the container outside the bag, and although the gas adsorbing material may be in any form or shape, as shown in this figure it is in the form of granules or pellets 33.
• gas is released from the gas-adsorbing material when the pressure falls to a threshold level, thereby restoring the pressure in the container to a desired level.
• Figure 5 depicts a pressurized dispenser 40 of the type employing a piston 41 between the product P in the upper part of the container and the propellant beneath the piston in the lower part of the container.
• a gas adsorbing material according to the invention is placed in the container below the piston, and although the gas adsorbing material may be in any form or shape, as shown in this figure it is in the form of a cube 43. Further, this figure shows the product being dispensed as a foam F rather than a spray, and a suitable conventional nozzle 15' is selected for that purpose.
• FIGS. 6-8 Several examples of the variations in shape that the body of gas adsorbing material can take are shown in figures 6-8.
• the body is in the form of a flat sheet 50; in figure 7 the body is in the form of an accordion-folded sheet 51; and in figure 8 the body is in the form of a hollow tube or cylinder 52.
• Use of the invention to store and release gas into a beverage is shown generally at 60 in figures 9-1 1.
• a beverage bottle 61 has a quantity of beverage 62 therein, and a closure cap 63 placed on the end of the bottle.
• a gas adsorbing material such as activated carbon, or carbon fiber composite molecular sieve (CFCMS) material, or zeolite, or the like.
• the body may be isolated from the interior of the bottle by a suitable film or cover, such as reverse osmosis membrane 65.
• the body may store a quantity of CO 2 , which is released from the body into the container to restore pressure in the container, and CO 2 into the beverage, lost due to depletion of the beverage and the CO 2 , or permeation of the CO 2 through the container wall.
• the beverage may also comprise water, or a sports drink, and the gas can comprise O 2 , to give a boost of energy to a person drinking from the bottle.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
• Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

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• 2004
  • 2004-06-12 EP EP04755880A patent/EP1755986A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2004-06-12 WO PCT/US2004/020007 patent/WO2006001808A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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