Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement for a fill valve (22) for an aerosol container (10, 30) to provide better sealing capability. The fill valve is made using a flashless injection molding process in which both the mold cavity and molding material are heated to elevated temperatures to significantly improve cross-linking which occurs during the molding process. A backside (22a) of the fill valve now has a recessed portion (56) to facilitate ejection of the valve from a mold so leak paths are not created due to the forces applied to the valve during its extraction from the mold. The recessed portion reduces the amount of material required to make the fill valve and makes the fill valve flexible to aid in providing a good seal against leakage of a propellant from the container after filling.

Abstract: A one-piece, molded plastic container (10) comprises a base (16) and a circumferential sidewall (20) extending upwardly from the base. The upper end (18) of the sidewall forms an open top of the container which is closed by a lid (19). A bail (14) for lifting and carrying the container is integrally molded with the container body in a mold (100). The ends of the bail attach to bosses (22a, 22b) integrally molded therewith into the container sidewall. The spacing of the bosses is less than 180° in one direction about the circumference of the container, so the container, when lifted by the bail, does not hang vertically. A base section (14b) of the bail has a substantially uniform thickness throughout the length of the bail.

Abstract: A non-barrier type aerosol container (10) dispensing a fluent material. A generally cylindrical can body (12) has a relatively thin sidewall thickness of between 0.004 inches and 0.010 inches depending upon the type of metal from which the container is made. The can body has beads (30) formed at regular intervals substantially its length. The beading adds structural strength to the container so the container is not readily deformed when un-pressurized. The aerosol container also can withstand a vacuum of at least 23 inches of Mercury without collapsing. A valve assembly (14) includes a spray valve (20) for dispensing the fluent material stored in the container. The container is filled with the fluent material and a propellant stored in the container under pressure.

Abstract: A connector (10) used in packaging together two aerosol containers (A1, A2) for sale as a unit. A first connector segment (12) attaches to one aerosol container (A1), and a second connector segment (14) attaches to the other aerosol containers (A2). The connector segments grasp adjacent portions of the respective aerosol containers which, in one embodiment are stacked vertically, one above the other, and in other embodiments horizontally in a side-by-side configuration. In two of the embodiments, the connector is formed as a one piece, integral connector. In a third embodiment, the connector segments are separate pieces (12C and 14C) with one piece (12C) attaching to the top, cap portion of the containers, and the other piece (14C) attaching to the base of the respective containers. In each embodiment the containers are handled as a single unit regardless of whether one container or the other, or the connector, is used to move the containers.

Abstract: A connector (10) used in packaging together two aerosol containers (A1, A2) for sale as a unit. A first connector segment (12) attaches to one aerosol container (A1), and a second connector segment (14) attaches to the other aerosol containers (A2). The connector segments grasp adjacent portions of the respective aerosol containers which, in one embodiment are stacked vertically, one above the other, and in other embodiments horizontally in a side-by-side configuration. In two of the embodiments, the connector is formed as a one piece, integral connector. In a third embodiment, the connector segments are separate pieces (12C and 14C) with one piece (12C) attaching to the top, cap portion of the containers, and the other piece (14C) attaching to the base of the respective containers. In each embodiment the containers are handled as a single unit regardless of whether one container or the other, or the connector, is used to move the containers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for custom blending spray paints. A customer provides a sample (S) of a color to be matched. The sample is tested on a spectrophotometer to determine the colors needed to match the sample; or if the paint formula is known, it is entered into the apparatus. A computer control (16) causes metered quantities of each colorant to be pumped from a reservoir (50) to a manifold (68). From the manifold, paint is injected through a filling head (46) into a discharge valve (V) and dip tube (P) of a precharged aerosol container (C) to be filled. Solvent from a tank (74) is used between a final injection of colorant to flush out the manifold and a dip tube (P) of the container. After the colors have been injected into the container, the container is shaken so that the colors intermix with each other to produce a paint of the desired custom color which is readily sprayed from the container.

Abstract: A container, capable of construction from polymeric injection molding, comprising a plug and ring closure, the plug having first and second locking arms for extending into the ring, each locking arm having a locking tab located adjacent to a distal end for selectively securing the plug within the ring when the locking tabs reside within an undercut of the ring.

Abstract: A candle tin (10) includes a cup shaped holder (12) in which a candle (14) is placed. A cover or cap (20) fits over the top of the tin. The cover is readily removable and when removed is used as a base upon which the candle tin rests. The tin nests in the cover or rests upon the cover depending upon the particular cover construction. When the holder is set upon the cover, a gap between the cover an holder allows air to freely circulate about the tin to dispel heat generated by the candle's burning. Also, the cover provides a heat sink which absorbs heat from the holder created by the burning candle. This keeps a surface upon which the candle tin is placed from scorching and being discolored due to the heat. Various constructions of the cover and holder are disclosed by which the holder nests in or fits on the cover.

Abstract: A holder (10) for CDs, DVDs (D) and the like includes a plastic molded container (12) sized to accommodate the discs. Along one side (16) of the container, on an inner wall thereof, a living hinge (22) is formed. The opposite side (14) of the container has an interlocking surface. At one end (E) of the container, a slit (S) is formed which extends between the two sides of the container. By pressing against the sides of the container the slit widens into a gap (G) sufficiently wide for a disc to be removed from or inserted into the holder. A truncated cone (60) is molded into an inside surface (58) of one cover (18) of the holder and rings (52, 56) are molded into this surface and the inside surface (54) of the opposite cover (20). This cone/ring assembly holds the seated disc it in place. Guide rails (64, 66) are formed on the same side of the cover as the living hinge to guide the disc during its insertion and removal.

Abstract: A reject mechanism (10) for use with a slitter (S) which slits a printed metal sheet (B) into segments (s) subsequently used to form containers. The mechanism is mounted at the outlet of the slitter to deflect rejected segments from a collection bin (C) to which acceptable segments are delivered for further use in container manufacture. The mechanism comprises a series of pneumatically actuated reject fingers (14) normally positioned beneath a path over which the segments pass from the slitter to the collection bin. However, when a reject segment approaches the mechanism, a piston (16) is activated to extend the fingers into the path of the segment to deflect the segment off its path into another collection area in which rejected segments are collected. The fingers are then retracted so that succeeding acceptable segments pass freely over the path.

Abstract: A container body is made from a composite sheet having a metal layer which has at least one side covered by a corrosion-resistant layer, such as a layer of thermoplastic. The sheet is moved under one or more high-pressure water jets which remove a strip of the corrosion-resistant layer in the path of the water stream, leaving an exposed area. The composite sheet may be segmented as necessary to form blanks suitable for forming individual container bodies. Each blank is formed generally into a tube or cylinder so that the corrosion-resistant layer faces interiorly, and so that the exposed areas are respectively located at overlapping ends of the blank. The overlapping, exposed areas are then welded along a seam, forming a seal.

Abstract: An aerosol container (10) with an ergonomic beaded cylindrical body (18) is disclosed. The cylindrical body (18) has larger beads (21-23) toward the top of the container, and smaller beads (24, 25) positioned under the larger beads, creating an easy to hold and use container.

Abstract: A litho start-off device for a lithographic printing press, comprising an ink removal cylinder mounted so that it may be engaged with the blanket cylinder to provide a line of contact between the cylinders for the transfer of an ink image there between when driven in synchronism, and a scraper for removing ink from the surface of the removal cylinder so that it continuously presents a clean surface to the blanket cylinder. The device and the method of using the device eliminate or substantially reduce the amount of start-off or waste material required to stabilize the press prior to beginning a commercial run.

Abstract: An aerosol can piston and system, employing an aerosol can with a sidewall which is necked in at the bottom and a low mass piston with recessed, depending legs. The piston has a lower skirt portion, the outermost diameter of which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the inner wall of the can above the necked-in portion. The legs depending from the piston have an effective outer diameter somewhat less than the inside diameter of the lower necked-in portion of the can sidewall and depend sufficiently downward to sit on the can bottom countersink while maintaining the skirt of the piston at a level just above the level at which the can sidewall necks inwardly. The legs thus stabilize the piston and prevent tipping and canting. In an alternative embodiment the piston also includes a plurality of vertical columns protruding from its sidewall to further stabilize the piston.