ES2398888A2 - Improved neck-finish for an aerosol container - Google Patents

Abstract

A molded, pressure capable container (50) is provided for use with an aerosol valve assembly (12A) to dispense a fluent product stored in the container (50). The aerosol valve assembly (12A) includes an aerosol valve (24) and a mounting cup (23A) that is crimped onto the container (50) to mount the aerosol valve (24) to the container (50). The container (50) includes a molded body (52) having a chamber (54) to contain a fluent product, a dispensing opening (56) extending from the chamber (54) to an exterior of the container (50), and a neck finish area (57) in the form of an annular neck (58) surrounding the opening (56) and an annular neck flange (60) on a distal end of the annular neck (58) to mount the aerosol valve assembly (12A). The neck flange (60) is defined by a radially outermost, annular edge (62) an annular end surface (64) extending from the annular edge (62) to the opening (56) and a frustoconical-shaped surface (66) extending from the annular edge (62) to an outer surface (68) of the annular neck (58).

Description

Improved neck finish for an aerosol container

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

FEDERALLY PROMOTED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

MICROFACTURE / COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

Not applicable

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a dispensing system for a fluid product that may include liquids, gases, foams, dispersions, paste, creams, etc. The invention relates more particularly to dispensing systems that include a pressure capable container, such as, for example, an aerosol container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS PROPOSED BY THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE

Aerosol containers are used to store and dispense fluid products, such as, for example, paint, hairspray, whipped cream, etc. and are typically made up of a pressure capable container, an aerosol valve assembly, and actuator of dispensing, and a propellant gas. In the industrial aerosol spray, pressure-capable containers have historically been provided in the form of molded glass bottles, shaped or manufactured metal cans or bottles or molded plastic bottles, the standard being initially molded glass bottles, cans and metal bottles have grown in popularity over time with advances in materials and manufacturing processes, and plastic bottles are growing in popularity due to additional advances in materials and manufacturing processes. The aerosol valve assembly typically includes an aerosol valve and a mounting cup that forms an accessory crimped between the valve assembly and the pressure capable container to mount the aerosol valve in the container and create a tightly closed pressurized container. This crimped fitting typically creates a secure and tight seal that can withstand a possible pressure of more than 1.5 MPa inside the pressure-capable container and has historically required the use of a mounting cup for a molded glass or plastic bottle. different from the mounting cups used for cans or metal bottles.

Figures 1-6 illustrate an example of containers capable of pressure 10A and 10B and the valve assemblies 12A and 12B currently used for aerosol containers, Figures 1-3 showing a metallic container 13A capable of pressure and the valve assembly Aerosol 12A corresponding and showing Figures 4-6 a pressure-molded molded container 10B and the corresponding aerosol valve assembly 12B. The pressure-capable container 10A of Figures 1-3 is shown in the form of a shaped aluminum can / bottle 14 and the pressure-capable container 10B of Figures 4 and 6 is shown in the form of a plastic container 15 that forms by injection molding followed by a blow molding operation.

Each of the pressure-capable containers 10A and 10B has a chamber 16 to obtain a fluid product, a dispensing opening 18 that extends from the chamber 16 to the outside of the container 10, and a shaped neck finish area 19 of an annular neck 20 surrounding the opening 18 and an annular neck flange 22 at a distal end of the neck 20 to mount the corresponding aerosol valve assembly 12A or 12B. As can be best seen in Figures 2 and 5, the neck finishing area 19 of the conventional container 10A capable of metal pressure and the conventional container 10B capable of molded pressure differ markedly. Specifically, the neck finish area 19 of the molded pressure container 10B is thicker and more bulky compared to the neck finish area for the pressure capable metal container 10A. The thicker and more bulky neck finish area 19 of the pressure capable molded container 10B is a consequence of the functionality and manufacturing needs of the glass aerosol bottle industry. Specifically, due to the fragility of the glass, excessive stresses of the accessory crimped with the mounting cup of the aerosol valve assembly could cause a leak or a vulnerable point that could fail in the event of a fall or if subjected to excessive environmental conditions. On the contrary, the strength, durability and robustness of the metallic materials used to form metal containers capable of pressure, such as the container 10A, allows the neck finishing area 19 to be smaller. These differences in the neck finishing areas 19 require that the valve assemblies 12A and 12B use different metal mounting cups 23A and 23B that are compatible with the corresponding container 10A and 10B, as will be mentioned hereafter in more detail.

Each of the aerosol valve assemblies 12A and 12B includes an aerosol valve 24 (not shown in section in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 6), a seal 26) and the metal mounting cup 23A or 23B which is attached to the flange 22 and the neck 20 of the corresponding container 10 A or 10B. Although not shown, one skilled in the art will understand that each of the aerosol valve assemblies 12A and 12B will also typically include an immersion tube, and in some cases may include a flexible container or bag containing fluid products mounted on an accessory. of the aerosol valve 24 in a "bag on valve" construction. The person skilled in the art will understand that the construction of the aerosol valve 24 and the seal 26 are not dependent on the type of container 10A or 10B with which they are used and that there are many known constructions for the aerosol valve 24 and the sealing gasket 26. The person skilled in the art will also understand that the aerosol valve 24 is typically retained in the corresponding mounting cup 23A and 23B by a crimped fitting, as shown in 29 in Figure 2.

Figures 3 and 6 show the mounting cups 23A and 23B, respectively, before being assembled with the aerosol valve 24 and the corresponding container 10A and 10B. Mounting cups 23A and 23B are typically embedded from an appropriate metal sheet having a thickness of material Tm that is commonly in the range of 0.02540 cm 0.04064 cm, depending on the metal material used, the range being from 0.0254 cm to 0.02794 cm a preferred range for tin steel and the range from 0.0381 cm to 0.04064 cm a preferred range for aluminum. As can be seen, the mounting cups 23A and 23B are identical in their essential characteristics with the exception of the respective cylindrical skirts 30A and 30B that help define an annular channel 32 to receive the neck flange 22 of the respective container 10A and 10B . The skirt 30B is longer than the skirt 30 to accommodate the bulkier neck finish area 10 of the container 10B and to allow an outer crimp of the mounting cup 23B to the neck finish area 19, as shown in 34 in Figure 5. It should be stressed that the neck finishing area 10 of the container 10B is not suitable for an internal crimp. While the neck finishing area 19 of the container 10A can accommodate an outer crimping, an internal crimping is generally the preferred shape of the attachment crimped in the aerosol industry and is illustrated in Figure 2 through 36.

Pressure-capable containers 10A and 10B and corresponding aerosol valve assemblies 12A and 12B have proven appropriate for their desired purpose. However, However, in an always competitive market, there is always room for improvement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a feature of the invention, a molded container capable of pressure is provided for use with an aerosol valve assembly for dispensing a fluid product stored in the container. The aerosol valve assembly includes an aerosol valve and a mounting cup that engages the container to mount the aerosol valve in the container. The container includes a molded body having a chamber for containing a fluid product, a dispensing opening that extends from the chamber to the outside of the container, an annular neck surrounding the opening, and an annular neck flange at a distal end of the annular neck to mount the aerosol valve assembly. The annular neck flange is configured to crimp the mounting cup thereto and is defined by a radially outer annular edge; an annular end surface extending from the annular edge to the opening; and a truncated cone-shaped surface extending from the annular edge to an outer surface of the annular neck, the annular edge being able to engage the truncated conical surface engaging with the mounting cup by crimping the mounting cup to the annular neck flange.

In one aspect the annular neck flange has a radial thickness Tr from the annular edge to the opening, and the annular edge has an axial thickness Ta transverse to the radial thickness Tr, and the ratio of the radial thickness Tr to the axial thickness Ta is not less than 3.0 / 1.0. In another aspect, the ratio of radial thickness Tr to axial thickness Ta is not less than 3.5 / 1.0. In another aspect, the ratio of radial thickness Tr to axial thickness Ta is in the range of 4.1 / 1.0 to 3.0 / 1.0.

In one aspect, the truncated conical surface is centered on a longitudinal central axis, the truncated conical surface being defined by a linear projection that rotates around the axis. The truncated conical surface forms an angle a with the axis in the range of 45 ° to 70 °. In another aspect, the angle a is in the range of 55 ° to 65. In another aspect, the angle a is 60 °.

According to one aspect, the annular edge is centered on a longitudinal central axis and has an axial thickness Ta, parallel to the axis and is connected with respect to the end surface with a joining radius not exceeding 60% of the thickness Ta. In another aspect, the radius of union is not more than 50% of the thickness Ta.

In one aspect, the annular edge is connected with respect to the surface in a frustoconical shape with a radius of union that is not more than 60% of the thickness Ta. In another aspect, the radius of union is not more than 50% of the thickness Ta.

According to another aspect of the invention, the container is combined with an aerosol valve assembly, the aerosol valve assembly including an aerosol valve and a metal mounting cup. The metal mounting cup is formed from a material that has a thickness Tm, and is attached to the neck flange.

In one aspect, the annular edge defines a longitudinal central axis having an axial thickness Ta parallel to the axis that is not greater than 4.0 x Tm. In another aspect, Ta is not greater than 3.5 x T. In another aspect, Ta is not more than 2.5 x Tm.

According to one aspect, the annular edge is connected with respect to the end surface and the truncated conical surface with joining radii R that are not greater than 2,1333 x Tm. In another aspect, the radii of union R are not greater than 1,333 x Tm.

Other objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the review of the entire report, including the appended claims and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view illustrating a pressure capable container and a prior art aerosol valve assembly.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the area indicated in Figure 1 by the dotted line marked "FIG 2".

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a mounting cup component of the aerosol valve assembly of Figure 1 before installation;

Figure 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of another container capable of pressure and aerosol valve assembly of the prior art.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the area indicated in Figure 4 by the dotted line marked "FIG 5".

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of a mounting cup component of the aerosol valve assembly of Figure 4 before installation.

Figure 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a container capable of pressure and aerosol valve assembly materializing the present invention.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the area indicated in Figure 7 by the dotted line marked "FIG 8", and

Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the area indicated in Figure 7 by the dotted line marked "FIG 9", but in Figure 9 the mounting cup and the seal are omitted.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Although this invention is capable of being carried out in many different ways, this memory and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the invention. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the described embodiments. The scope of the invention is indicated in the appended claims.

For ease of description, the features of this invention and the container employed with the features of the invention are described in the normal (vertical) operating position. The terms as upper, lower, horizontal, etc., are used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that the components that materialize this invention can be manufactured, stored, transported, used and sold in an orientation other than the position described.

The figures illustrating the features of the invention and the container and the aerosol valve assembly show some conventional mechanical elements that are known and will be recognized by one skilled in the art. The detailed description of such elements is not necessary to understand the invention, and consequently, they are only presented here to a degree necessary to facilitate an understanding of the new features of the present invention.

Figures 7-9 illustrate a pressure-molded molded container 50 that materializes the present invention and intended for use with an aerosol valve assembly 12A as conventionally used for metal containers capable of pressure such as the container 10A previously described together in Figures 1-3. As best seen in Figure 7, the container 50 includes a molded body 52 having a chamber 54 for containing a fluid product, a dispensing opening 56 extending from the chamber 54 to the outside of the container 50, and a Neck finishing area 57 in the form of an annular neck 58 surrounding the opening 56, and an annular neck flange 60 on a distal end of the annular neck 58 for mounting the aerosol valve assembly 12A. As best seen in Figures 8 and 9, the neck flange 60 is configured to crimp the mounting cup 23A thereto and is defined by a radially outer annular edge 62; an annular end surface 64 extending from the annular edge 62 to the opening 56; and a conical-shaped surface 66 extending from the annular edge 62 to an outer surface 68 of the annular neck 58. The annular edge 62 and a conical shaped surface 66 that can be engaged with the cup 23A by crimping the cup 23A to the flange 60 with an outer crimping, as shown in 69. The annular neck 58 is cylindrical in the illustrated embodiment, and the neck 58 and the neck annular flange 60, including the annular edge 62, the annular end surface 64, and the conical shaped surface 66 are centered on a longitudinal central axis 70.

Preferably, as best seen in Figures 8 and 9, the annular end surface 64 is generally flat transverse to the axis 70, but includes a pair of sealing tabs 72 and 74 for a tight coupling with the seal 26, with the seal 26 compressed between the end surface 64 and the mounting cup 23A by the crimped fitting. However, in some applications, it may be desirable to remove the sealing tabs 72 and 74 and / or that the end surface 64 has a generating shape that is not flat.

Referring to FIG. 9, the annular neck flange 60 has a radial thickness Tr extending from the annular edge 62 to the opening 56, and the annular edge 62 has an axial thickness Ta transverse to the radial thickness and parallel to the axis 70 Preferably, the ratio of the radial thickness Tr to the axial thickness Ta is in the range of 4.1 / 1.0 to 3.0 / 1.0 and even more preferably the ratio of radial thickness Tr to the axial thickness Ta It is not less than 3.5 / 10. However, in some applications it may be desirable that the ratio Tr with respect to Ta is outside the preferred values.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the conical shaped surface 66 is preferably a conical shaped surface 66 defined by a linear projection rotated about the axis 70. The surface 66 forms an angle a with the axis 70 which is preferably in the range from 45º to 70º. Although it is believed that these intervals for the angle a are important for achieving an accessory crimped with the mounting cup 23A, in some applications it may be desirable that the angle a be outside the preferred ranges.

The annular edge 62 is preferably connected with respect to the annular end surface 64 with a joint radius R1 and with respect to the surface of a conical shape 66 with a joint radius R2. Preferably, the joining radii R1 and R2 are not more than 60% of the axial thickness Ta, and even more preferably the joining radii are not greater than 50% of the axial thickness Ta. As with angle a, in some applications it may be desirable that one or both junction radii R1 and R2 are outside the preferred range.

The conical-shaped surface 66 is also preferably connected with respect to the outer surface 68 of the neck 58 with a junction radius R3, and preferably the junction radius R3 is in the range of 50% to 25% of the radial thickness Tr. In this regard, it should be stressed that in some cases the junction radius R3 can be so large that it defines the surface 66 in a truncated shape so that the surface 66 is defined by a non-linear protrusion (the junction radius R3) rotated around the axis 70, however, this is not preferable.

The annular neck 58 has a radial thickness of Pare Tw and the ratio of thickness Tr to thickness Tw is preferably in the range of 1.60 / 1.0 to 2.0 / 1.0. However, in some applications it may be desirable that the ratio is outside the preferred range.

With reference to the mounting cup 23A, it is also preferred that the axial thickness Ta does not exceed 4.0 x the thickness Tm of the material forming the mounting cup 23A. In a preferred form, Ta is not greater than 3.5 x Tm. It is preferred that Ta not exceed 2.5 x Tm for mounting cups 23A having a thickness of material Tm in the range of 0.0381 cm to 0.04064 cm, such as for aluminum mounting cups, prefers that the radii of union R1 and R2 are not greater than 1,333 x Tn

It should be appreciated that while while the mounting cup 23A has been described herein as a metal mounting cup 23A, it is possible that a non-metal mounting cup 23A is desirable in some applications.

In a very preferred embodiment for use with mounting cups 23A having a thickness of material Tm of 0.0381 cm to 0.04064 cm, the opening has a diameter D = 2.54 centimeters, Tr = 0.31242 cm, Ta = 0.899 centimeter, R1 and R2 = 0.0381, R3 = 0.1016 centimeter, a = 60º, and Tw = 0.16764 centimeter, each of the dimensions being a nominal dimension that can vary within tolerances that are standard in the aerosol packaging industry.

The container 50 can be formed in any suitable plastic using any appropriate molding process or combination of molding processes. For example, in a preferred form, the material is polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and a preform for the container 50 is injection molded to define the finishing area 57 of

5 neck, finishing the rest of the container 50 in a blow molding process to form the chamber 54.

It has been found that by providing the neck finishing area 57 with the conical shaped surface 66, the pressure-molded molded container 50 can be used with mounting cups, such as mounting cup 23A, which is conventionally used with containers metal capable of pressure, such as container 10A, and that a preferred crimped fitting can be achieved with careful selection of the angle a and / or the spokes

10 junction R1 and R2. This allows pressure-molded molded containers to use the same mounting cup as pressure-capable metal containers, thereby reducing the need for an assembly cup that is specific to pressure-capable molded containers, and also allows that the cheapest mounting cup 23A be used with a molded container capable of pressure. In this regard, it will be understood that the mounting cup 23A requires less material than the mounting cup 23B and is easier to form. In addition, area 57 of

Neck finishing requires less material than the neck finishing area 19 of the molded container 10B shown in Figures 4-6.

Also, in comparison to the accessory crimped between the mounting cup 23B and the molded container 10B shown in Figures 4-6, it is believed that the accessory crimped between the neck finishing area 57 and the mounting cup 23A provides retention improved from mounting cup 23A to container 50, greater stability of

20 container 50 and the assembly of the spray valve assembly 12A at elevated temperatures, and greater robustness of the seal created by the seal 26, the neck finish area 57, and the mounting cup 23A.

Claims (15)

1.-Molded container (50) capable of pressure for use with an aerosol valve assembly (12A) to dispense a fluid product stored in the container (50), including the aerosol valve assembly (12A) a valve ( 24) aerosol and a mounting cup (23A) that snaps onto the container (50) to mount the valve (24) aerosol to the container (50), characterized in that the container comprises: a molded body (52) having a chamber (54) for containing a fluid product, a dispensing opening (56) extending from the chamber (54) to the outside of the container (50), an annular neck (58) surrounding the opening (56), and an annular neck flange (60) at a distal end of the annular neck (58) for mounting the aerosol valve assembly (12A), the neck flange (60) being configured to crimp the mounting cup (23A) thereto and being defined by a radially outer annular edge (62); an annular end surface (64) extending from the annular edge (62) to the opening (56); and a conical-shaped surface (66) extending from the annular edge (62) to an outer surface (68) of the annular neck (58), in which the annular edge (62) and the surface (66) in shape Conical trunk can be hooked with the mounting cup (23A) by crimping the cup (23A) to the neck ring (60). 2. Container (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular neck flange (60) has a radial thickness Tr from the annular edge (62) to the opening (56), and the annular edge (62) has a axial thickness Ta transverse to radial thickness Tr, and the ratio of radial thickness Tr to axial thickness Ta is not less than 3.0 / 1.0. 3. Container (50) according to claim 2, characterized in that the ratio of radial thickness Tr to axial thickness Ta is not less than 3.5 / 1.0. 4. Container (50) according to claim 2, characterized in that the ratio of the radial thickness Tr with respect to the axial thickness Ta is in the range of 4.1 / 1.0 to 3.0 / 1.0. 5. Container (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conical shaped surface (66) is centered on a longitudinal central axis (70), the conical shaped surface (66) being defined by a linear projection rotated around the axis (70) that forms an angle a with the axis (70) in the range of 45 ° to 70 °. 6. Container (50) according to claim 5, characterized in that the angle a is in the range of 55 ° to 65. 7. Container (50) according to claim 5, characterized in that the angle a is 60 °. 8. Container (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular edge (62) is centered on a longitudinal central axis (70), has an axial thickness Ta parallel to the axis (70) and is attached to the end surface with a junction radius R that is not more than 60% of the thickness Ta. 9. Container (50) according to claim 8, characterized in that the junction radius R is not more than 50% of the thickness Ta. 10. Container (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular edge (62) is centered on an axis (70) longitudinal central, has an axial thickness Ta, parallel to the axis (70) and is connected with respect to the surface (66) in a truncated conical shape with a radius of union R that is not more than 60% of the thickness Ta. 11. Container (50) according to claim 10, characterized in that the junction radius R is not more than 50% of the thickness Ta. 12. Container (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is combined with an aerosol valve assembly (12A), the aerosol valve assembly including an aerosol valve (24) and a formed mounting cup (23A) from a material having a thickness Tm, the mounting cup (23A) being attached to the annular neck flange (60). 13. Container (50) according to claim 12, characterized in that the annular edge (62) is centered on a longitudinal central axis (70) and has an axial thickness Ta parallel to the axis (70) that is not greater than 4.0 x Tm. 14. Container (50) according to claim 13, characterized in that the Ta is not greater than 3.5 x Tm. 15. Container (50) according to claim 12, characterized in that the annular edge (62) is connected with respect to the annular end surface (64) and the surface (66) in a truncated conical shape with R-connecting radii that are not greater than 2,1333 x Tm.  FIG. 1 FIG 4. (prior art) (prior art) FIG. 2 (prior art) FIG. 3 (prior art) FIG. 5 (prior art) FIG. 6 (prior art)