NZ212607A - Gasket for aerosol container: gasket composed of a series of radially directed deformations - Google Patents

Description

212607 [ ' • . : / ~ i 6fe505.3i.QO; ...©fcsoai&^! PuL'^aiion Dan;: t®jAN 1988 P.O. Journal, No: IDG&.'.Z No.: Date; SUBSTITUTION OF APPLICANT UNDER SECTION 24 ^€^00^0 CcZfbCAtlQO.

NEW ZEALAND * PATENTS ACT, 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AEROSOL CONTAINER CLOSURE "STEPHEN I/We, CHARLES RADTKE, of 37 Beech Street, Little Ferry, New Jersey, United States of America, a United States citizen, hereby declare the invention for which jI / we pray that a patent may be granted to igg/us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - (followed by page la) 2126 IMPROVED AEROSOL CONTAINER CLOSORE BACKGROUND Aerosol dispensing containers have found widespread use in the packaging of fluid materials 5 including a variety of both liquid and powdered particulate products. Such containers are provided with a valve-controlled discharge orifice and operate by the action of a volatile propellant which is confined within the container together with the product to be 10 dispensed. Because the propellant has an appreciable vapor pressure at room temperature, the product in the closed container is maintained under super-atmospheric pressure.

A typical aerosol unit comprises a hollow 15 cylindrical container which is tightly closed at one end and is provided with an opening at its opposite end for receiving a dispensing valve assembly. A closure, commonly referred to as a mounting cup, serves as the closure for the container and as a support for 212607 the valve assembly. Typically, the mounting cup comprises a panel having an aperture tor receiving the valve assembly, a skirt depending from the periphery of the panel, and an annular channel extending outwardly 5 from the edge of the skirt. When the mounting cup is placed in sealing position on the container, the channel is positioned over the bead surrounding the container opening and the lower portion of the skirt adjacent to the channel iB flared outwardly against the container 10 wall adjacent the bead. To ensure adequate sealing between the closure and the container, the cup is provided with a gasket.

Therefore, mounting cup gasket seals have been formed by disposing a previously cut gasket in 15 the channel. This type of gasket has the disadvantage of not being stationary relative to the mounting cup during propellant filling or other valve unit assembly operations with the undesirable consequence that when the mounting cup and container are clinched to effect 20 the seal, the gasket is often disposed at an angled position, and thus, the clinching operation is less effective.

Another commercial method for forming the gasket onto the mounting cup consists in forming the 25 gaskets, in situ, from liquid gasket-forming compositions comprising an elastomer dispersed or dissolved in a volatile organic liquid vehicle. In the manufacture of such a gasket, the liquid composition is deposited in the desired configuration in the channel of the cup 30 while the cup is rotated beneath a metering nozzle through which the composition flows. The deposit is then converted into a dry solid sealing mass by expelling the liquid vehicle at elevated temperatures.. Though this technique of flowing gaskets into plirr rr'ri" // '/'V 12 NOV 1987' * 212607 -3 wide commercial acceptance, it suffers from the disadvantages of requiring an elaborate drying operation, wherein the mounting cup must be handled carefully so as to avoid undue upset from the horizontal; costly 5 recovery apparatus for the expelled organic liquid also must be provided. In sum, the flowed gasket is an expensive step in the formation of the mounting cup. See 0. S. Patent No. 3,342,381 as an example of the "flowed" gasket.

Other techniques for disposing a gasket onto the mounting cup are described in U. S. Patent No. 3,417,177, wherein the gasket seal is made of heat shrinkable material. After placing a band of gasket material on the skirt, the gasket having a greater diameter than the outside diameter of the skirt of the mounting cup, the cup is heated at a temperature and for a time sufficient to shrink the band into tight frictional engagement with the skirt. in U. S. Patent No. 3,443,006, wherein a band of gasket material is swelled through the use of a suitable swelling agent so as to increase its diameter to fit over the skirt of the mounting cup. Subsequently, the swelling agent is removed from the gasket material so that the band will come into tight frictional engagement with the skirt. for applying a gasket material to the mounting cup have the disadvantage of being costly and relatively time 30 consuming procedures. Note in 0. S. 3,417,177, column 4, lines 27-31, that the positioned bands must be heated Another similar technique is that disclosed Both the heat shrink and swelling techniques to 240°F for about 2-3 minutes in order torobta" tight friction fit. In the procedure of 3,443, % 212607 the bands must stand in the swelling liquid for a period of 1/2 to 1-1/2 minutes according to Example 2 of the •006 patent and then allowed to stand for the drying period. Also, in any mass production utilizing the '006 5 system, an organic liquid recovery system must be employed. a novel gasketed mounting cup system, including novel method and apparatus, wherein the gasket material is disposed on the mounting cup in the desired position 15 for effecting a seal between the mounting cup and the bead of the container; and further wherein the disadvantages associated with the aforementioned techniques of applying the gasket material to the cup are obviated. Also, an apparatus and method is provided 20 wherein gaskets are applied to aerosol mounting cups in an exceptionally rapid and efficient manner to form gasketed-mounting cups having excellent sealing characteristics.

In general, the method of the invention of 25 the aforesaid NZ specification 196067 comprises passing a tubular sleeve of gasket material onto a compressible mandrel; initially positioning and aligning the skirt of the mounting cup and the contiguous end of the mandrel such that the sleeve of gasket material may pass onto 30 the skirt, said mandrel having fixed and movable portions with respect to each other and to their movement toward and away from the mounting cup; urging t"Ee~~Brovabifr - portion of the gasket material bearing mandre^^Pf^^^ the mounting cup such that the gasket mate^a^L passeSx^ f 12 NOV 1987 J 212607 onto the skirt of the cup} causing the aovabls portion of the mandrel to retract to its initial position# cutting the sleeve at a point between the aounting cup and the aandrel to leave a band of gasket aaterial; and subsequently, advancing the aounting cup to a station whereat the band of the gasket aaterial is urged further onto the skirt of the aounting cupr whereby, the band of gasket aaterial does not extend beyond the skirt of the aounting cup. Thereafter« the gasket is further advanced to its final position on the aounting cup.

For certain applications of the gasketed aounting cups of NZ specification 196067, namely, utilizing said aounting cups in so-called "under the cup" propellant filling of the container, it has been observed 15 that on Halted occasions the gasket band was reaoved from the aounting cup during the filling operation. Moreover, observation revealed a tendency in an untoward number of gasketed aounting cups for the band of gasket aaterial to recede from its initial placement position 20 in the channel or curl portion of the aounting cup before criaping the aounting cup to the container. Both of these disadvantages reduce productivity. i An improvement in the aethod and apparatus utilized in the aforesaid NZ specification 196067 and the 25 cup produced thereby is set forth in United States Patent specification 4559198 :Ten7* In general, the product of the invention of US 4559198 comprises disposing one or aore compressive deformations in the band of gasket aaterial/2AfOV1987 US 4559198 discloses that a series of radial or annular deformations (ribs) may be utilized. o ] rn I 212607 While the improvement of US 4559198 has resulted in a substantial alleviation of the problems referred to above regarding gasket removal and recession, it has been observed that the placement of the gasket on the aounting cup relative to the outer edge of the cup, and concomitantly the placement of the gasket along the tkirt of the cup, has varied from production run to production run. This variance is undesirable.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The subject invention concerns an iaprovement in the gasketed aounting cup of US 4359198 (referred to supra). In general, the iaprovement in the gasketed aounting cup of the subject invention comprises a multiplicity of radially-directed deformations in the band of gasket aaterial contiguous to the channel portion of the mounting cup. The radially directed deformations form an annular, alternating series of relatively thick and thin gasket portions. In a preferred form, the radially-directed deformations terminate within the outer edge portion of the gasket.

The present invention will be more clearly understood by referring to the drawings herein and the discussion relating thereto.

In the drawings: Figures 1-14, both in the drawings and the descriptive aatter of the specification referring thereto, set forth subject aatter from NZ specification 196067 eaid subject natter not forming a par"E~Trf~-the claimed invention herein. Figures 15 to 32 corn the claimed subject matter of this invention. 212607 Figure 1 shows In section view a gasketed aerosol aounting cup prepared according to the Method and apparatus of the invention of UZ specification 196067.

Figures 2A-P is a schematic of one embodiment 5 of the invention of NZ specification 19606^ showing the several steps utilized in positioning the gasket aaterial onto an aerosol aounting cup.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the embodiment of Figure 2, together with the 10 apparatus used in a second operation novel to this invention, on the product of the embodiment of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the apparatus of the embodiment of Figure 3, along the line 4-4 of 15 Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a partial section of the apparatus used in the second operation of the product of the cabodiaent of Figure 2, along the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a timing diagram through a single cycle for producing the aounting cup according to the cabodiaent of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a schematic showing the several operations or stations in the preferred mode for the 25 aanufacture of the gasketed aounting cup of this invention.

Figure B is a partial sectional view of the preferred apparatus used in the operation to advance the band of gasket aaterial onto the aounting cup such 30 that the end of the gasket aaterial resides on the straight portion of the skirt of the mounting cup.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the » flexible fingers of the apparatus of Figure 8.

Figures 10 and 11 are a plan view"~5iong--the„,,, 35 lines 10-10 and 11-11 of Figure 8. f' f. \i 12 NOV 1987' « 212607 Flgure 12 is a plan view along the line 12-12 of Figure 8.

Figure 13 is a partial sectional vl«w of the preferred apparatus used in the operation to advance 5 the gasket Material to its ultimate position on the mounting cup.

Figure 14 is a plan view of the top surface of a member of the centering mechanism of Figure 13.

Figure IS is a plan view of the underside 10 of the gasketed mounting cup of this invention.

Figure 16 is a sectional view of the gasketed mounting cup of Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a plan view of the underside of the gasket of this invention.

Figure 18 is a sectional view of the gasket of Figure 17.

Figure 19 is an enlarged section along the line A-A of Figure 17.

Figure 20 is an enlarged section along the 20 line B-B of Figure 17.

Figure 21 is a partial section of the plunger used to form the gasket of Figures 15-20.

Figure 22 is a partial section of the inner sleeve of the plunger of Figure 21.

Figure 23 is an enlarged view of the circled portion of Figure 22.

Figure 24 is a plan view of the underside of a further embodiment of the gasketed mounting cup of this invention.

Figure 25 is a sectional view of the gasketed mounting cup of Figure 24.

Figure 26 is a plan view of the underside of a further embodiment of the gasket of this invention.

Figure 27 is -a sectional view of the gasket of Figure 26 212607 Figure 26 is an enlarged view along the line A-A of Figure 26.

Figure 29 is an enlarged view along the line B-B of Figure 26.

Figure 30 is a partial section of the plunger used to form the gasket of Figures 24-29.

Figure 31 is a partial section of the inner sleeve of the plunger of Figure 30.

Figure 32 is an enlarged view of the circled 10 portion of Figure 31.

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a gasketed-mounting cup shown in inverted position relative to its placement on the assembled container and produced according to the general method of NZ specification 196067 15 The aounting cup, generally designated as 10r comprises a circular panel 12 having an integral skirt 14 depending from its periphery. The free edge of skirt 14 is outwardly flanged at 16 to form an annular channel IB for embracing the bead surrounding the container opening 20 (not shown), when the cup is positioned thereon. The inner portion of panel 12 is countersunk to form a tubular rim, generally designated as 20, which has a dependent circular wall 22 integrally joined with an apertured horizontal wall 24. When the cup is placed 25 In sealing position, the rim 20 acts as a pedestal for the valve unit and the valve stem is admitted into the container through apertured wall 24. The gasket 26 is disposed on the exterior surface of the skirt 14 and extends beyond the juncture of the skirt and channel 30 and a distance into said channel.

In Figures 2A-F, corresponding parts in each figure are as numbered.and described in Figure ,_jgaic| figures showing a schematic of the relative posij of the moving components of the apparatus at 212607 of the cycle In advancing a plastic gasket aaterial onto a aounting cup and cutting the tube to ultiaately provide a band of gasket aaterial disposed on the skirt of the aounting cup.

In Figure 2A, a sleeve of gasket aaterial 30 is disposed over the length of the aandrel, generally designated as 32. Mounting cup 34 is securely positioned within a seat 36, which is aounted on a suitable base, in a Banner known to those skilled in the art. 10 Positioning pin 38 extends through the central aperture in the pedestal of the aounting cup 34 and provides a fixed spacing between the bottom surface 40 of the aandrel 32 and the aounting cup 34. Mandrel 32 has an upper portion 42 and a lower portion 44 which are 15 retractably collapsible relative to each other (the structure of which is aore fully described in Figure 4). An upper and lower gripping aember is provided at 46 and 48, respectively.

Figure 2A, the initial stage of a single cycle, 20 shows the mandrel 32 disposed atop the positioning pin 38, with the mandrel 32 having the gasket material disposed at the Initial cycle stage, i.e., terminating at the bottom surface 40 of the aandrel 32. Both gripping members, 46 and 48, are in an open position.

In Figure 2B, the upper gripping aember 46 closes about the aandrel 32 and subsequently aoves the upper portion 42 of the aandrel 32, toward the aounting cup 34. By this aotion, the gasket material 30 is aoved past the stationary bottom surface 40 of the aandrel 30 32. Both gripping aembers, 46 and 48, are in an open position.

MMtan 212607 In Figure 2C, the gasket material is first disposed on the skirt of the aounting cup 34 the desired distance, and subsequently, the lower gripping aember 48 engages the lower portion 44 of the aandrel 32.

At the next stage of the cycle, Figure 2D, the upper gripping aember 46 releases allowing the upper portion 42 of the aandrel 32 to return to its original position. Concomitantly, the positioning pin 38 is lowered beneath the aounting cup 34 and thereafter « 10 cutting edge 50 (shown only in Figure 2D) is passed through the gasket aaterial 30.

Figure 2E shows a aounting cup with a band of the gasket aaterial 30 on the skirt of the aounting cup.

At the next stage, Figure 2F, the bottom 15 gripper 48 is closed on the bottom portion 44 of the aandrel 32 and positioning pin 38 is aoved to the position shown in Figure 2A, after which the gripper 48 is released and the system is st the initial stage shown in Figure 2A.

Figure 3 shows a six-station gasket-aounting cup assembly. The gasket aaterial 30 is fed from individual rolls (not shown) of said aaterial. Upper gripping aember 46 has a series of openings 52 which receive the aandrel 32. The bottom gripping aember is 25 48. Mounting cup 34 is fed through a raceway 54 to a position beneath each of the aandrels 32. Not shown for the reason that it is known to those skilled in the art, is the structure which transports, here six, a given number of aounting cups along the raceway 54 30 to their respective positions in vertical alignment , t with each associated a&ndrel. In the timing chart of Figure 6, these structures are referred to as the fee#"5- N ..^ ru»i»Atr»« 212607 finger, feed ars and locator device. Cutting edge 50 is Mounted onto a rotating wheel 56 in such a Banner as to impart an elliptical aotion as the cutting edge advances and retreats during the cutting cycle.

After the aounting cup has received the gasket aaterial 30, the cup is aoved to a station whereat a hollowed bottom plunger 58, shown in Bore detail in Figure 5, advances over the skirt of the Bounting cup and urges the gasket aaterial 30 along the skirt.

Figure 4 shows in aore detail the structure of a single aandrel-aounting cup station of the cabodiaent shown in Figure 3. The upper portion 42 of the aandrel 32 has a tapered upper surface 60 which is threaded onto the upper portion 42, the shape of the surface 60 facilitating the passing of the gasket aaterial onto the aandrel 32. Further, the upper portion 42 of the aandrel 32 has a cavity 62 in which is disposed a spring 64. Shown best in Figures 2A-F are the plurality of fingers 66 which fora the bottom end of the upper portion 42 of the aandrel 32, and the plurality of recesses 68 in lower portion 44 of the aandrel 32, and which are aligned to receive the fingers 66 when the upper portion of the aandrel 32 is aoved toward the lower portion of the aandrel.

The upper gripping member 46 is a conventional chuck which is connected to a reciprocating ram such that it aay rapidly advance and retreat from the aounting cup and when gripping the upper portion of the aandrel aove said portion toward the aounting cup. iii l|il|WiWn*~ irr ***->■ 212607 Th* lower gripping member 48 is a conventional chuck. The cutting edge 50 is mounted in a conventional manner and proscribes an elliptical path in its advance and retreat from the mounting cup 34. rig ure 5 shows a reciprocating plunger, the lower outer shoulder of which engages the upper edge of the gasket material and urges it further onto the skirt of the mounting cup. In Figure 5, the plunger, generally designated as 104, has a lower hollow portion 10 106, terminating in shoulder 108. Set within the lower portion 106 is a spring-loaded centering pin 110 having the protuberance 112. The protuberance 112 haB the beveled terminating portion 114 which mates with and centers the mounting cup 34 by contacting the sloped 15 panel 113 of the mounting cup.

The function of the plunger action shown in Figure 5 is to advance the band of gasket material onto the mounting cup such that the band resides at or below the sloped surface 113 of the mounting cup 34. The 20 purpose of so disposing the gasket band is to provide a band edge supported against the straight portion 115 of the skirt of the mounting cup 34, thereby to be properly positioned to mate with the plunger in the ■econd and final plunger action for advancing the band 25 of gasket material to its ultimate position on the mounting cup.

Figure 5 shows means for advancing the gasket material from its position on the mounting cup after cutting of the gaBket tubing to the position shown in Figure 8. From the plunger station of Figure 5 the mounting cup is moved, after heating, to the final plunger station. 212607 The advancement of the plunger and aounting cup centering of Figure 8 is through the staple action of advancing the reciprocating ram, which action is a conventional Beans for advancing the plunger and 5 centering Beans. The action of the plunger of Figure 5 is simple advancement of the plunger through aovement of the reciprocating ram.

The preferred plunger configuration for Initially advancing the band of gasket aaterial further 10 onto the aounting cup is shown in Figures 8-12. In Figure 8, the plunger generally designated as 200 has an arbor 202 which is connected through conventional aeans to a reciprocating ram (not shown). Within the bore 204 telescoped aember 206 is independently spring 15 loaded within the bore 204. The telescoped section 206 terminates in a slotted collar portion 220. Positioned within aember 206 is aounting cup centering aeans 208, which is independently spring loaded. Slotted collar 210 is disposed outboard of telescoped section 20 206, the slots of said collar 210 receiving fingers 212. The fingers 212 (shown in aore detail in Figure 9) are affixed to the arbor 202 through dowel pins 214. The slots 216 (Figure 9) receive 0 rings 218, the purpose of the 0 rings being to provide a constant inwardly 25 directed pressure on the fingers 212. The fingers 212 are also positioned within the slots 222 (Figure 11) of the slotted collar portion 220. Affixed to the bottoa of telescoped aember 206 is a plate 224, said plate 224 providing a shoulder 226 against which the bottom 30 shoulder 228 of the fingers 212 abut during the advancement of the plunger 200. The distance that the fingers 212 travel before meeting the shoulder 226 determines the distance that the gasket 230 will be advanced onto the siclrt 232 of the aounting cup 234. 212607 Threadedly mounted onto the slotted collar 210 is an outer adjustable sleeve aember 236 which sleeve aember 236 functions to prevent outward splaying of the fingers 212 and thereby to direct the bottom surface 238 of 5 the fingers 212 against the top surface of the gasket aaterial 230.

Figure 6 describes a timing cycle that is suitable for the six-station unit shown in Figure 3. In Figure 6, the clamp is the gripping aember, pins 10 the positioning pins, feed finger and feed ara are a conventional aechanisa for advancing six aounting cups per cycle to be positioned to receive the gasket aaterial.

Subsequent to the initial advancing of the 15 band of gasket aaterial onto the skirt of the aounting cup, the cups are passed through a beating zone to heat the gasket aaterial. For example, heating of the gasket aaterial Bay be accomplished through contacting of the gasket bearing aetal aounting cup and the aetal tracking 20 through which the cup passes; the aetal track being heated by a contained heated liquid.

Alternatively, and the preferred aethod of heating the gasket aaterial, aay be accomplished by initially beating the aetal aounting cup through 25 induction heating by passing the gasket bearing cup in the vicinity of a aagnetic field and subsequently passing the cup through a heated track as described above.

It has been found that pulsing the cups aoving at a rate of 520" per ainute through a aagnetic field 30 created by 0.28 amps and subsequently indirectly heating the cups with a liquid at a temperature between 192#F-210*F produces a satisfactory heating of the ga^fC^N^ 1 \ /W ( :'2 50CTW5 212607 16- aaterial to enable the gasket aaterial to be advanced to the final position on the aounting cup.

From the heating zone the gasketed aounting cups are passed to the secondary plunger station. The 5 plunger and plunging action at the secondary plunger station is shown in Figure 13. plunger station for effecting the radially-directed deformations of the gasketed aounting cup of this invention in the two-step advancenent of gasket aaterial to its ultiaate position on the aounting cup is as shown in Figures 21-23 and 30-32. generally designated as 240, which initially centers 15 the aounting cup 242 and subsequently advances the gasket 244 to its ultimate position on the aounting cup 242. The plunger aechanism 240 is attached to an arbor (not shown) which in turn is attached by conventional aeans to a reciprocating press (not shown). The plunger 20 aechanism has a plug aember 250 which has a central bore defining a chamber 252. Affixed to the plug aember 250 is inner sleeve 254r said sleeve having a flange 256 for connecting to the plug aember 250.

The preferred plunger used at the secondary In Figure 13 is shown a plunger aechanism.

Outer sleeve 258 is connected to inner sleeve 254 through flange 260 Centering aechanism, generally designated as 262, 1b disposed within the inner sleeve 254 and the chamber 252 and comprises a spring retainer and Btop 264, rod 266, piston member 268, 0 rings 270 and^J* centering plug 272 "•TWflfffflilt*" , ii |i i| i i , hi ii -unmfiTH ' /'■" 212607 Mounting cup stripper 274 is independently spring loaded and is assembled within the inner sleeve 254 and rests on shoulder 276 of inner sleeve 254. The opening 278 of the stripper 274 has a slot configuration which is shown in greater detail in Figure 5 14. The slot configuration prevents the centering mechanism from being removed from the plunger assembly, the edge 280 of the spring retainer and stop 264 abutting against the upper surface 262 of the stripper 274.

The configuration of the forward advancing 10 surfsce of the plunger to effect the radially-directed deformations is best shown in Figures 21-23. In Figure 21 the forward advancing surface 284 of the inner sleeve 254 comprises a multiplicity of spaced V-cuts to provide an annular pattern of alternating flats 286 and V-shaped 15 recesses 288. An enlarged detail showing of the flats 286 and V-shaped recesses 288 in the plunger surface 284 is shown in Figure 23.

The configuration of the deformations formed in the gasket is shown in Figure 19.

In Figure 15, the gasket, generally designated as 300, is shown seated in the mounting cup 302. Note that the deformations 304 terminate short of the peripheral edge 306 of the gasket.

It has been found that when using a gasket 25 siaterial having a thickness of .014", effecting an annular radially-directed deformation wherein the thin portions are .008" and thick portions are .020" provides a satisfactory product.

As shown in Figures 15 and 17, the annqlar 30 deformation comprises a series of eighty (80) alterna 212607 thin and thick portions of gasket aaterial. This is the preferred configuration. It is believed that the ainimum number of thin and thick portions to affectively positionally stabilize the gasket is forty (40).

Further, it is preferred that the annular radially-directed deformation of thin and thick portions be evenly spaced and of equal width, as shown in the drawings. In addition to positional stability, it is believed that the raised compressible portion of the 1° gasket ("high spots"), best shown in Figure 19, act as a aeries of springs urging the aounting cup away froa the annular clinching contact between the aounting cup and container bead (clinching between container and aounting cup not shown but standard practice is 15 to outwardly swage the skirt of the cup against the inner surface of the container bead) thereby effecting an iaproved seal between cup and container.

In another embodiment, shown in Figures 24-27, a bead 400 is formed on the perimeter of the gasket 20 402.

The bead 400 aay be formed by using a forward advancing plunger surface configured with a recess 404 in the outer plunger sleeve 406, as shown in Figure 30. With a gasket thickness of .014", a recess 404 25 of .050" has been found satisfactory.

In operation, with either embodiment of the secondary plunger the centering mechanism 262 is advanced toward the aounting cup by passing air under pressure into the chamber 252, said advancement occurring at the initial phase of the downward stroke of the reciprocating press. The air passes through the slot of the stripper 274 and generates a pressure against m 212607 19 the piston 268 which overcomes the retracting pressure of the spring 287 and advances the centering aechanism against the mounting cup. Before the advancing sleeves contact the gasket, the centering mechanisa is retracted 5 by closing off the air supply and allowing the spring to return the mechanism to its retracted position. The plunger sleeves continue their advance and shoulder 290 engages the gasket and urges the gasket further onto the siounting cup. The inner and outer sleeves 10 ultimately bottom in the channel of the mounting cup. During this bottoming action the inner sleeve effects a compressive force against the plastic gasket material and the gasket is deformed in the pattern of the forward advancing surface 284, thereby permanently deforming IS the surface of the gasket. After advancing and bottoming the plunger, the sleeves are retracted while retaining the stripper in contact with the mounting cup through its Independent spring means for a portion of the retraction cycle, namely, until the inner sleeve clears 20 the mounting cup. Subsequent to the plunger action, the mounting cups are promptly preferably cooled to about 40*P. and the skirt of the mounting cup, the inside diameter 25 of the sleeve of the gasket material is slightly less than the outside diameter of the skirt portion of the aounting cup. Conventionally, the so-called one-inch aerosol mounting cups have a skirt diameter of ".980-.990". It has been found that gasket material having a thickness of .014 is satisfactory. To accommodate this thickness of gasket, mounting cups having a skirt diameter of .950 inches have been used. Gasket bands having a width of 9/32" have been To form a friction fit between gasket aaterial satisfactorily employed * 212607 To produce a gasketed aounting cup closure According to this invention for a one (1) inch container opening (predominant opening size for commercial aerosol containers), it has been found that having the gasket 5 aaterial of .014" thickness extend onto the skirt of the aounting cup a distance of .160"-.185" from the top of the aounting cup (cup in position on container) produces a satisfactory product.

While any plastic gasket aaterial having 10 sufficient resiliency aay be used, provided there is coapatability between the container contents and the plastic aaterial, it has been found that a plastic comprising low density polyethylene (density range of .916-.922) having 5-15% polyisobutylene in the aolecular 15 weight range of 40,000-200,000, plus stabilisers usually used with polyethylene in the environment in which the gasket aaterial will reside, provides a satisfactory gasket aaterial over a broad product range.

^ * A i,,\j fef 2 5oCT V0

Claims (3)

A WHAT l/« CLAIM JO- -21- 212607

1- A gasket aounting cup having a circular panel, an annular akirt portion depending from the panel, aaid akirt portion terminating in an annular channel portion designed to Beat 5 on a container bead, and a band of gaaket aaterial fitted on a portion of the skirt and on at least a portion of the channel of the aounting cup, the band of gasket material comprising a gaaket having a aeries of radially-directed 10 deforaations of alternating thick and thin portions, the deforaations being disposed in at least a portion of the gasket contiguous to the channel portion of the aounting cup. 2. The gasket mounting cup of claim 1, wherein the deforaations in the channel are in an annular pattern. 3. The gasket mounting cup of claim 2, wherein the deforaations of alternating thick and thin portions are spaced evenly. 4. The gasket mounting cup of claim 3, wherein the deformations of alternating thick and thin portions are of substantially equal width. 5. The gasket mounting cup of claim 4, wherein there are at least forty (40) deformations of alternating thick and thin portions. 5. The gasket mounting cup of claim 5 wherein there are eighty (80) deformations of/^ o alternating thick and thin portions. -2

2- 212607 7. The gasket mounting cup of claim i, wherein the deforaations in the channel are in an annular pattern and further wherein the deforaations terminate within the peripheral boundary of the gasket contiguous to the channel portion of the mounting cup. 8. The gasket mounting cup of claim 7, wherein the deformations of alternating thick and thin portions are spaced evenly. 9. The gasket mounting cup ot claim 7 , wherein the deformations of alternating thick and thin portions are of substantially equal width. 10. The gasket mounting cup of claim 7> wherein there are at least forty (40) deformations of alternating thick and thin portions. 11. The gasket mounting cup of claim 7. wherein there are eighty (80) deformations of alternating thick and thin portions. 12. The gasket mounting cup of claim 1, wherein the gasket has a peripheral bead. 13. The gasket mounting cup of claim 12, wherein the deformations in the channel are in an annular pattern. 14. The gasket mounting cup of claim 13, wherein the deformations of alternating thick and thin portions are spaced evenly. .2

3- 212607 15. The gasket mounting cup of claim 13, wherein the deforaations of alternating thick and thin portions are of substantially equal width. 16. The qasket mountinq cup of claim 13, wherein there are at least forty (40) deforaations of alternating thick and thin portions. 17. The gasket mounting cup of claim 13, wherein there are eighty (80) deforaations of alternating thick and thin portions. 18. A mounting cup substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment shown in Figures 15 to 32 of the accompanying drawings. 19. An annular skirt portion for a mounting cup substantial ly as herein described with reference to any embodiment shewn in"F1gures 15 to 32 of the accompanying drawings. DATED THISjfc W OF "PARK & SON CANTS )