ITMI20110014U1 - NECK TERMINAL PERFECTED FOR AN AEROSOL CONTAINER. - Google Patents

Description

PERFECTED NECK TERMINAL FOR AN AEROSOL CONTAINER

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present model generally refers to a dispensing system for a fluid product, which may include liquids, gases, foams, dispersions, pastes, creams, etc. The model relates more particularly to dispensing systems which comprise a pressure-resistant container, such as, for example, an aerosol container.

BACKGROUND AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE KNOWN TECHNICIAN

Aerosol packs are used to store and dispense fluid products, such as, for example, paint, hair spray, whipped cream, etc. and typically consist of a pressure resistant container, an aerosol valve assembly, a dispensing actuator and a propellant. In the spray industry, pressure-resistant containers were historically made in the form of molded glass bottles, formed or mounted metal cans or bottles, and molded plastic bottles, molded glass bottles initially being the norm, metal cans and bottles having become more popular over time with advances in materials and manufacture and plastic bottles are now becoming more popular due to further advances in materials and manufacture. The aerosol valve assembly typically comprises an aerosol valve and a metal support cup that forms a seam between the valve assembly and the pressure-resistant container to mount the aerosol valve to the container and create a closed pressurized container. hermetically. This crimp typically creates a secure, leak-free seal that can withstand possible pressure of over 15 bar within the pressure-resistant container and has historically required the use of a holding cup for molded glass or plastic bottles. different from those used for metal cans or bottles.

Figs. 1-6 illustrate examples of pressure resistant containers 10A and 10B and valve assemblies 12A and 12B which are commonly used for aerosol packages, FIGS. 1-3 showing a pressure resistant metal container 10A and a corresponding aerosol valve assembly 12A and FIGS. 4-6 showing a pressure resistant molded container 10B and a corresponding aerosol valve assembly 12B. The pressure resistant container 10A of FIGS. 1-3 is shown in the form of a formed aluminum can / bottle 14 and the pressure resistant container 10B of FIGS. 4 and 6 is shown in the form of a plastic container 15 which is formed by injection molding followed by a blowing operation.

The pressure resistant containers 10A and 10B each have a chamber 16 intended to contain a fluid product, a dispensing opening 18 extending from the chamber 16 to the outside of the container 10 and a neck end zone 19 in the form of a neck annular 20 surrounding the opening 18 and an annular neck flange 22 on a distal end of the neck 20 to support the corresponding aerosol valve assembly 12A or 12B. As can be seen better in figs. 2 and 5, the neck end regions 19 of the conventional pressure resistant metal container 10A and the conventional pressure resistant molded container 10B differ significantly. Specifically, the neck end region 19 of the pressure resistant molded container 10B is thicker and bulkier in comparison with the neck end region for the pressure resistant metal container 10A. The thicker and bulkier end-neck region 19 of the pressure-resistant molded container 10B is, in part, a consequence of the functional and manufacturing needs of the aerosol glass bottle industry. Specifically, due to the brittleness of the glass, excessive stress from the crimping with the support cup of the aerosol valve assembly could cause a leak or vulnerable point for failure if dropped or placed in excessive environmental conditions. On the other hand, the strength, durability and sturdiness of the metallic materials used to form pressure resistant metallic containers, such as the container 10A, allow the neck end zone 19 to be smaller. These differences in the neck end regions 19 require that the valve assemblies 12A and 12B use different metal support cups, 23A and 23B, which are compatible with the corresponding container 10A and 10B, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

The aerosol valve assemblies 12A and 12B each comprise an aerosol valve 24 (not shown sectioned in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 6), a gasket 26 and the metal support cup 23A or 23B which is crimped to the flange 22 and at the package 20 of the corresponding container 10A or 10B. Although not shown, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that each of the aerosol valve assemblies 12A and 12B will also typically comprise a dip tube and in some cases may comprise a pouch or pouch containing fluid product mounted on a fitting of the aerosol valve 24 in a construction of the type called "bag-on-valve" (two-compartment system). The person skilled in the art will also 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 seal 26. The person skilled in the art will also understand that the aerosol valve 24 is typically held in the corresponding support cup 23A and 23B by a seam, as indicated at 29 in FIG. 2.

Figs. 3 and 6 show the support cups 23A and 23B respectively before assembly with the aerosol valve 24 and the corresponding containers 10A and 10B. The support cups 23A and 23B are typically molded from an appropriate metal sheet having a material thickness Tm that is commonly in the range of 0.03 cm (0.010 in) to 0.04 cm (0.016 in), depending on of the particular metal material used, 0.03 cm (0.010 in) to 0.028 cm (0.011 in) being a preferred range for tinned steel and 0.038 cm (0.015 in) to 0.04 cm (0.016 in) being a preferred range for aluminum. As can be seen, the support cups 23A and 23B are identical in their essential characteristics with the exception of the respective cylindrical skirts 30A and 30B which help to define an annular channel 32 for receiving the neck flange 32 of the respective container 10A and 10B. The skirt 30B is longer than the skirt 30A to accommodate the more voluminous end-neck area 19 of the container 10B and to allow an external seam of the support cup 23B to the end-neck area 19, as indicated at 34 in fig. 5. It should be noted that the neck end region 19 of the container 10B is not suitable for internal crimping. While the neck end region 19 of the container 10A may accommodate an external seam, an internal seam is generally the preferred form of seaming in the aerosol industry and is illustrated in FIG. 2 with 36.

The pressure resistant containers 10A and 10B and the corresponding aerosol valve assemblies 12A and 12B have proved very suitable for their intended purposes. However, in an ever competitive market, there is always room for improvement.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

According to a feature of the model, a pressure resistant molded container 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 support cup which is crimped onto the container for mounting the aerosol valve to the container. The container comprises a molded body having a chamber for containing a fluid product, a dispensing opening extending from the chamber to the outside of the container, an annular neck surrounding the opening, and an annular neck flange on a distal end. neck to support the aerosol valve assembly. The annular neck flange is configured to clinch the support cup and is defined by an annular edge, radially external; an annular end surface extending from the annular edge to the opening; and a frusto-conical surface extending from the annular edge to an outer surface of the annular neck, the annular edge and the frusto-conical surface being able to engage with the support cup with crimping of the support cup to the annular neck flange.

As a feature, the annular neck flange has a radial thickness Tr from the 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 a further characteristic, the ratio between the radial thickness Tr and the axial thickness Ta is not less than 3.5 / 1.0. In still a further feature, the ratio of radial thickness Tr to axial thickness Ta is in the range from 4.1 / 1.0 to 3.0 / 1.0.

In one feature, the frustoconical surface is centered on a central, longitudinal axis, the frustoconical surface being defined by a linear protrusion rotated about the axis. The frusto-conical surface forms an angle a with the axis in the range of 45 ° to 70 °. In a further feature, the angle a is in the range from 55 ° to 65 °. In yet another feature the angle a is 60 °.

According to one characteristic, the annular edge is centered on a central, longitudinal axis, has an axial thickness Ta parallel to N the axis and is connected to the end surface with a radius of connection which is not greater than 60% of the thickness Ta. In a further feature, the radius of curvature is no greater than 50% of the thickness Ta.

As a feature, the annular edge is joined to the frusto-conical surface with a radius of curvature which is no greater than 60% of the thickness Ta. In a further feature, the radius of curvature is no greater than 50% of the thickness Ta.

In accordance with another feature of the model, the container is combined with an aerosol valve assembly, the aerosol valve assembly comprising an aerosol valve and a metal support cup. The metal support cup is made of a material having a thickness Tm and is crimped to the neck flange.

As a feature, the annular edge defines a central longitudinal axis and has an axial thickness Ta parallel to the axis which is no greater than 4.0xTm. In a further feature, Ta is no greater than 3.5xTm. In yet another feature, Ta is no greater than 2.5xTm.

According to one characteristic, the annular edge joins the end surface and the frusto-conical surface with radii R that are not greater than 2.1333xTm. In a further feature, the connecting radii R are not greater than 1,333xTm.

Other objects, features and advantages of the model will become apparent from an examination of the entire description, including the claims and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view illustrating a pressure resistant container and aerosol valve assembly of prior art;

fig. 2 is an enlarged partial view of the area indicated in fig. 1 by the broken line marked "fig. 2";

fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a support cup component of the aerosol valve assembly of FIG. 1 before installation;

fig. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of another pressure resistant container and prior art aerosol valve assembly;

fig. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the area indicated in fig. 4 by the broken line marked "fig. 5";

fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a support cup component of the aerosol valve assembly of FIG. 4 before installation;

fig. 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a pressure resistant container and aerosol valve assembly implementing the present design;

fig. 8 is an enlarged partial view of the area indicated in fig. 7 by the broken line marked "fig. 8"; And

fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the area indicated in fig. 7 by the dotted line marked "fig. 9", but in fig. 9 the support cup and the gasket have been omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the model may take shape in several variations, this description and the accompanying drawings describe only a few variations as examples of the model. However, the present model is not intended to be limited to the variants thus described. The scope of the model is indicated in the attached claims.

For convenience of description, the model features and the container employed with the model features are described in the normal operating position (standing). Terms like top, bottom, horizontal, etc. are used with reference to this position. It should be understood, however, that the components implementing the invention can be manufactured, stored, transported, used and sold in an orientation other than the position described.

The figures illustrating the characteristics of the present model and of the container and of the aerosol valve assembly show some conventional mechanical elements which are known and which will be recognized by those skilled in the art. The detailed description of these elements is not necessary for an understanding of the model and therefore is presented here only to the extent necessary to facilitate the understanding of the innovative features of the present model.

Figs. 7-9 illustrate a pressure resistant molded container 50 implementing the present model and intended for use with an aerosol valve assembly 12A which is conventionally used for pressure resistant metal containers such as container 10A as described above with reference in figs. 1-3. As can be seen better in fig. 7, the container 50 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 and a neck end region 57 in the form of a neck annular 58 surrounding the opening 56, and an annular neck flange 60 on a distal end of annular neck 58 for supporting the aerosol valve assembly 12A. As can be seen better in figs. 8 and 9, the neck flange 60 is configured for crimping the support cup 23A thereto and is defined by an annular edge 62, radially outermost; an annular end surface 64 extending from annular edge 62 to opening 56; and a frusto-conical surface 66 extending from the annular edge 62 to an outer surface 68 of the annular neck 58. The annular edge 62 and the frusto-conical surface 66 can be engaged with the cup 23A with crimping of the cup 23A to the flange 60 with an external crimp, as shown at 69. The annular neck 58 is cylindrical in the illustrated embodiment and the annular neck flange 60, including the annular edge 62, the annular end surface 64 and the frustoconical surface 66, are centered on a central longitudinal axis 70.

Preferably, as best seen in figs. 8 and 9, the annular end surface 64 is generally planar transversely to the axis 70, but comprises a pair of sealing ribs 72 and 74 for sealing engagement with the gasket 26, with the gasket 26 compressed between the end surface 64 and the support cup 23A from the crimped accessory. However, in some applications, it may be desirable for the sealing ribs 72 and 74 to be eliminated and / or for the end surface 64 to have an overall shape that is non-planar.

With reference 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 between the radial thickness Tr and the axial thickness Ta is in the range from 4, 4 / 1.0 to 3, 0 / 1.0 and even more preferably the ratio between the radial thickness Tr and the axial thickness Ta is not less than 3 , 5 / 1.0. However, in some applications it may be desirable for the ratio of Tr to Ta to be outside the preferred values.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the frusto-conical surface 66 is preferably a frusto-conical surface 66 defined by a linear protrusion rotated about the axis 70. The surface 66 forms an angle a with the axis 70 which is preferably in the range of 45 ° to 70 ° , and more preferably in the range of 55 ° to 65 °. While these ranges for angle a are believed to be important for achieving a desired crimp with support cup 23A, in some applications it may be desirable for angle a to be outside the preferred ranges.

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

The frusto-conical surface 66 is also preferably joined to the outer surface 68 of the neck 58 with a connecting radius R3, and preferably the connecting radius R3 is in the range from 50% to 25% of the radial thickness Tr. In this regard, it should be noted that in some cases the radius of the radius R3 can be so large as to define the truncated conical surface 66 so that the surface 66 is defined by a non-linear protrusion (the radius of radius R3) rotated around the axis 70, however, this is not preferred.

The annular neck 58 has a radial wall thickness Tw and the ratio between the thickness Tr and the thickness Tw is preferably in the range of 2.60 / 1.0 and 2.0 / 1.0. However, in some applications it may be desirable for the ratio to be outside the preferred range.

With reference to the support cup 23A, it is also preferred that the axial thickness Ta is not greater than 4.0x the thickness Tm of the material forming the support cup 23A. In a preferred form, Ta is no greater than 3.5xTm. It is preferred that Ta is no greater than 2.5xTm for support cups 23A which have a material thickness Tm in the range of 0.038 cm (0.0015 in) to 0.041 cm (0.016 in), such as for aluminum support cups . It is also preferred that the connecting radii R1 and R2 are not greater than 2.1333xTm. For support cups 23A which have a material thickness Tm in the range of 0.038 cm (0.015 in) to 0.041 cm (0.016 in), such as for aluminum support cups, it is preferred that the fillet radii RI and R2 be non greater than 1333xTm.

It is to be understood that while the support cup 23A has been described herein as a metal support cup 23A, it is possible that in some applications a non-metallic support cup 23A is desirable.

In a highly preferred embodiment for use with support cups 23A having a material thickness Tm of 0.038 cm (0.015 inch) or 0.041 cm (0.016 inch), the opening has a diameter D = 2.5 cm (1 inch). ), Tr = 0.312 cm (0.123 in), Ta = 0.889 cm (0.35 in), RI and R2 = 0.038 cm (0.015 in), R3 = 0.102 cm (0.040 in), oc = 60 ° and Tw = 0.168 cm (0.066 in), each of the dimensions being a nominal dimension that can vary within tolerances that are standard in the aerosol packaging industry.

Container 50 can be made of any suitable plastic material using any molding process or any combination of suitable molding processes. For example, in a preferred form, the material is polyethylene phthalate (PEN) and a preform for the container 50 is injection molded to define the neck end zone 57, the remainder of the container 50 being finished in a blow molding process for forming chamber 54.

It has been found that by providing the neck end region 57 with the frusto-conical surface 66, the pressure resistant molded container 50 can be used with support cups, such as the support cup 23A, which are conventionally used with pressure resistant metal containers, such as the container 10A, and that a preferred crimping can be obtained by carefully selecting the angle a and / or the connecting radii R1 and R2. This allows for pressure-resistant molded containers to use the same support cup as pressure-resistant metal containers, thus reducing the need for a support cup that is specific to pressure-resistant molded containers and also allows for the use of the pressure-resistant molded container. less expensive 23A holder with a pressure resistant molded container. In this regard, it should be understood that the support cup 23A requires less material than the support cup 23B and is easier to form. Furthermore, the neck end region 57 requires less material than the neck end region 19 of the molded container 10B shown in FIGS. 4-6.

Also, in comparison with the seam between the support cup 23B and the molded container 10B shown in FIGS. 4-6, it is believed that the crimping between the neck end region 57 and the support cup 23A gives rise to an improved retention of the support cup 23A on the container 50, greater stability of the container 50 and assembly of the assembly 12A of valve for aerosol 12A at high temperatures and greater strength of the seal created by the gasket 26, by the area ending in neck 57 and by the support cup 23A.

Claims (15)

CLAIMS 1) Pressure-resistant molded container (50) for use with an aerosol valve assembly (12A) for dispensing a fluid product stored in the container (50), the aerosol valve assembly (12A) including an aerosol valve ( 24) and a support cup (23A) which is crimped on the container (50) for mounting the aerosol valve (24A) on the container (50), the container (50) comprising: 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) which surrounds the opening (56) and an annular neck flange (60) on a distal end of the annular neck (58) to support the aerosol valve assembly (12A), the neck flange (60) being configured to clinching the support cup (23A) therewith and being defined by an annular edge (62), radially external; an annular end surface (64) extending from the annular edge (62) to the opening (56); and a frusto-conical surface (66) extending from the annular edge (62) to an external surface (68) of the annular neck (58), in which the annular edge (62) and the frusto-conical surface (66) are engageable with the support cup (23A) by crimping the support cup (23A) to the annular neck flange (60). 2) Container (50) as in claim 1), wherein 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 an axial thickness Ta transversely to the radial thickness Tr and the ratio between the radial thickness Tr and the axial thickness Ta is not less than 3.0 / 1.0. 3) Container (50) as in claim 2), in which the ratio between the radial thickness Tr and the axial thickness Ta is not less than 3.5 / 1.0. 4) Container (50) as in claim 2), wherein the ratio between radial thickness Tr and axial thickness Ta is in the range from 4.1 / 1.0 to 3.0 / 1.0. 5) Container (50) as in claim 1), in which the truncated conical surface (66) is centered on a central longitudinal axis (70), the upper truncated cone (66) being a truncated conical surface (66) defined by a linear protrusion rotated about the axis (70) forming with the axis (70) an angle a in the range from 45 ° to 70 °. 6) Container (50) as in claim 5), wherein the angle a is in the range from 55 ° to 65 °. 7) Container (50) as in claim 5), wherein the angle a is 60 °. 8) Container (50) as in claim 1), in which the annular edge (62) is centered on a central longitudinal axis (70), has an axial thickness Ta parallel to the axis (70) and is joined to the end surface with a fillet radius R which is not greater than 60% of the thickness Ta. 9) Container (50) as in claim 8), in which the radius of curvature R is not greater than 50% of the thickness Ta. 10) Container (50) as in claim 1), in which the annular edge (62) is centered on a longitudinal central axis (70), has an axial thickness Ta parallel to the axis (70) and is connected to the frusto-conical surface ( 66) with a radius of curvature R which is not greater than 60% of the thickness Ta. 11) Container (50) as in claim 10), wherein the radius of curvature R is not greater than 50% of the thickness Ta. 12) Container (50) as in claim 1) in combination with an aerosol valve assembly (12A), the aerosol valve assembly comprising an aerosol valve (24) and a support cup (23A), the support (23A) made of a material having a thickness Tm, the support cup (23A) being crimped to the annular neck flange (60). 13) Container (50) as in claim 12), in which the annular edge (62) is centered on a central longitudinal axis (70) and has an axial thickness Ta parallel to the axis (70) which is not greater than 4, 0xTm. 14) Container (50) as in claim 13), wherein Ta is not greater than 3.5xTm. 15) Container (50) as in claim 12), in which the annular edge (62) joins the annular end surface (64) and the frusto-conical surface (66) with connecting radii R which are not greater than 2, 1333xTm.