NECK-FINISH FOR AN AEROSOL CONTAINER
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).
Not Applicable.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable.
MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCENot Applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis invention relates generally to a dispensing system for a fluent product, which can include liquids, gases, foams, dispersions, paste, creams, etc. The invention more particularly relates to dispensing systems that include a pressure capable container, such as for example, an aerosol container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ARTAerosol packages are used for storing and dispensing fluent products, such as, for example, paint, hairspray, whip cream, etc. and are typically made up of a pressure capable container, an aerosol valve assembly, a dispensing actuator, and a propellant. In the aerosol spray industry, the pressure capable containers have historically been provided in the form of molded glass bottles, formed or fabricated metallic cans or bottles, and molded plastic bottles, with molded glass bottles initially being the norm, metallic cans and bottles growing in popularity over time with advancements in materials and manufacturing, and plastic bottles currently growing in popularity due to further advancements in materials and manufacturing. The aerosol valve assembly typically includes an aerosol valve and a metallic mounting cup that forms a crimped fitment between the valve assembly and the pressure capable container to mount the aerosol valve to the container and create a hermetically-sealed pressurized vessel. This crimped fitment typically creates a leak-free, secure seal that can withstand the possible 15 bar plus pressure inside the pressure .capable container and historically has required that a different mounting cup be used for a molded glass or plastic bottle than the mounting cups that are used for metallic cans or bottles.
Each of the pressure capable containers 10A and 10B has a chamber 16 to contain a fluent product, a dispensing opening 18 extending from the chamber 16 to an exterior of the container 10, and a neck finish area 19 in the form of an annular neck 20 surrounding the opening 18 and an annular neck flange 22 on a distal end of the neck 20 to mount the corresponding aerosol valve assembly 12A or 12B. As best seen in
Each of the aerosol valve assemblies 12A and 12B includes an aerosol valve 24 (not shown sectioned in
The pressure capable container's 10A and 10B and corresponding aerosol valve assemblies 12A and 12B have proven to be very suitable for their intended purpose. However, in an ever competitive market, there is always room for improvements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with one feature of the invention, a molded, pressure capable container is provided for use with an aerosol valve assembly to dispense a fluent product stored in the container. The aerosol valve assembly includes an aerosol valve and a mounting cup that is crimped onto the container to mount the aerosol valve to the container. The container includes a molded body having a chamber to contain a fluent product, a dispensing opening extending from the chamber to an exterior of the container, an annular neck surrounding the opening, and an annular neck flange on a distal end of the neck to mount the aerosol valve assembly. The annular neck flange is configured for crimping of the mounting cup thereto and is defined by a radially outermost, annular edge; an annular end surface extending from the annular edge to the opening; and a frustoconical-shaped surface extending from the annular edge to an outer surface of the annular neck, with the annular edge and the frustoconical-shaped surface being engageable with the mounting cup upon crimping of the mounting cup to the annular neck flange.
As one feature, the annular neck flange has a radial thickness Tr from the edge to the opening, and the annular edge has axial thickness Ta transverse to the radial thickness Tr, and the ratio of radial thickness Tr to the axial thickness Ta is no less than 3.0/1.0. In a further feature, the ratio of radial thickness Tr to the axial thickness Ta is no less than 3.5/1.0. In yet a further feature, the ratio of radial thickness Tr to the axial thickness Ta is in the range of 4.1/1.0 to 3.0/1.0.
In one feature, the frustoconical-shaped surface is centered on a central, longitudinal axis, with the frustoconical-shaped surface being defined by a linear projection rotated about the axis. The frustoconical-shaped surface forms an angle α with the axis in the range of 45° to 70°. In a further feature, the angle α is in the range of 55° to 65°. In yet a further feature, the angle α is 60°.
According to one feature, the annular edge is centered on a central, longitudinal axis, has an axial thickness Ta parallel to the axis and is blended to the end surface with a blend radius that is no greater than 60% of the thickness Ta. In a further feature, the blend radius in no greater than 50% of the thickness Ta.
As one feature, the annular edge is blended to the frustoconical-shaped surface with a blend radius that is no greater than 60% of the thickness Ta. In a further feature, the blend radius is no greater than 50% of the thickness Ta.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the container is combined with an aerosol valve assembly, the aerosol valve assembly including an aerosol valve and a metallic mounting cup. The metallic mounting cup is formed from a material having a thickness Tm, and is crimped to the neck flange.
As one feature, the annular edge defines a central, longitudinal axis and has an axial thickness Ta parallel to the axis that is no greater than 4.0·Tm. In a further feature, Ta is no greater than 3.5·Tm. In yet a further feature, Ta is no greater than 2.5·Tm.
According to one feature, the annular edge is blended to the end surface and the frustoconical-shaped surface with blend radiuses R that are no greater than 2.1333×Tm. In a further feature, the blend radiuses R are no greater than 1.333×Tm.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a review of the entire specification, including the appended claims and drawings.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, however. The scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.
For ease of description, the features of this invention and the container employed with the features of this invention are described in the normal (upright) operating position. Terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, etc., are used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that the components embodying this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in an orientation other than the position described.
Figures illustrating the features of this invention and the container and aerosol valve assembly show some conventional mechanical elements that are known and that will be recognized by one skilled in the art. The detailed description of such elements is not necessary to an understanding of the invention, and accordingly, is herein presented only to the degree necessary to facilitate an understanding of the novel features of the present invention.
Preferably, as best seen in
With reference to
As shown in
The annular edge 62 is preferably blended to the annular end surface 64 with a blend radius R1 and to the frustoconical-shaped surface 66 with a blend radius R2. Preferably, the blend radiuses R1 and R2 are no greater than 60% of the axial thickness Ta, and even more preferably the blend radiuses are no greater than 50% of the axial thickness Ta. As with the angle α, in some applications it may be desirable for one or both of the blend radiuses R1 and R2 to be outside of the preferred range.
The frustoconical-shaped surface 66 is also preferably blended to the outer surface 68 of the neck 58 with a blend radius R3, and preferably the blend radius R3 is in the range of 50% to 25% of the radial thickness Tr. In this regard, it should be noted, that in some cases the blend radius R3 may be so large that it defines the frustoconical-shaped surface 66 so that the surface 66 is defined by a nonlinear projection (the blend radius R3) rotated about the axis 70, however this is not preferred.
The annular neck 58 has a radial wall thickness Tw and the ratio of the thickness Tr to the 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 for the ratio to be outside of the preferred range.
With reference to the mounting cup 23A, it is also preferred that the axial thickness Ta be no greater than 4.0×the thickness Tm of the material forming the mounting cup 23A. In a preferred form, Ta is no greater than 3.5×Tm. It is preferred that Ta be no greater than 2.5×Tm for mounting cups 23A that have a material thickness Tm in the range of 0.015 inch to 0.016 inch, such as for aluminum mounting cups. It is also preferred that the blend radiuses R1 and R2 be no greater than 2.1333×Tm. For mounting cups 23A that have a material thickness Tm in the range of 0.015 inch to 0.016 inch, such as for aluminum mounting cups, it is preferred that the blend radiuses R1 and R2 be no greater than 1.333×Tm.
It should be appreciated that while the mounting cup 23A has been described herein as a metallic mounting cup 23A, it is possible that a non-metallic mounting cup 23A could be desirable in some applications.
In one highly preferred embodiment for use with mounting cups 23A having a material thickness Tm of 0.015 inch or 0.016 inch, the opening has a diameter D=1 inch, Tr=0.123 inch, Ta=0.35 inch, R1 and R2=0.015 inch, R3=0.040 inch, α=60°, and Tw=0.066 inch, with each of the dimensions being a nominal dimension that can vary within tolerances that are standard in the aerosol package industry.
The container 50 can be formed of any suitable plastic using any suitable molding process or combination of molding processes. For example, in one preferred form, the material is Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN), and a preform for the container 50 is injection molded to define the neck finish area 57, with the remainder of the container 50 being finished in a blow molding process to form the chamber 54.
It has been discovered that by providing the neck finish area 57 with the frustoconical-shaped surface 66, the molded pressure capable container 50 can be used with mounting cups, such as mounting cup 23A, that are conventionally used with metallic pressure capable containers, such as container 10A, and that a preferred crimped fitment can be achieved with careful selection of the angle α and/or the blend radiuses R1 and R2. This allows for molded pressure capable containers to use the same mounting cup as metallic pressure capable containers, thereby reducing the need for a mounting cup that is specific to molded pressure capable containers, and further, allows for the less expensive mounting cup 23A to be utilized with a molded pressure capable container. 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. Further, the neck finish area 57 requires less material than the neck finish area 19 of the molded container 10B shown in
Moreover, in comparison to the crimped fitment between the mounting cup 23B and the molded container 10B shown in
Claims
1. A molded, pressure capable container (50) for use with an aerosol valve assembly (12A) to dispense a fluent product stored in the container (50), the aerosol valve assembly (12A) including 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) comprising:
- 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), 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) being configured for crimping of the mounting cup (23A) thereto and being 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), wherein the annular edge (62) and the frustoconical-shaped surface (66) are engageable with the mounting cup (23A) upon crimping of the mounting cup (23A) to the annular neck flange (60).
2. The container (50) of 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 axial thickness Ta transverse to the radial thickness Tr, and the ratio of radial thickness Tr to the axial thickness Ta is no less than 3.0/1.0.
3. The container (50) of claim 2 wherein the ratio of radial thickness Tr to the axial thickness Ta is no less than 3.5/1.0.
4. The container (50) of claim 2 wherein the ratio of radial thickness Tr to the axial thickness Ta is in the range of 4.1/1.0 to 3.0/1.0.
5. The container (50) of claim 1 wherein the frustoconical-shaped surface (66) is centered on a central, longitudinal axis (70), with the frustoconical-shaped surface (66) being a frustoconical surface (66) defined by a linear projection rotated about the axis (70) forming an angle α with the axis (70) in the range of 45° to 70°.
6. The container (50) of claim 5 wherein the angle α is in the range of 55° to 65°.
7. The container (50) of claim 5 wherein the angle α is 60°.
8. The container (50) of claim 1 wherein the annular edge (62) is centered on a central, longitudinal axis (70), has an axial thickness Ta parallel to the axis (70), and is blended to the end surface with a blend radius R that is no greater than 60% of the thickness Ta.
9. The container (50) of claim 8 wherein the blend radius R is no greater than 50% of the thickness Ta.
10. The container (50) of claim 1 wherein the annular edge (62) is centered on a central, longitudinal axis (70), has an axial thickness Ta parallel to the axis (70), and is blended to the frustoconical-shaped surface (66) with a blend radius R that is no greater than 60% of the thickness Ta.
11. The container (50) of claim 10 wherein the blend radius R in no greater than 50% of the thickness Ta.
12. The container (50) of claim 1 in combination with an aerosol valve assembly (12A), the aerosol valve assembly comprising an aerosol valve (24) and a mounting cup (23A), the mounting cup (23A) formed from a material having a thickness Tm, the mounting cup (23A) being crimped to the annular neck flange (60).
13. The container (50) of claim 12 wherein the annular edge (62) is centered on a central, longitudinal axis (70) and has an axial thickness Ta parallel to the axis (70) that is no greater than 4.0×Tm.
14. The container (50) of claim 13 wherein Ta is no greater than 3.5×Tm.
15. The container (50) of claim 12 wherein the annular edge (62) is blended to the annular end surface (64) and the frustoconical-shaped surface (66) with blend radiuses R that are no greater than 2.1333×Tm.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 22, 2010
Publication Date: Sep 27, 2012
Inventors: Paul E. Hallman (Lakewood, IL), Peter J. Walters (Barrington, IL)
Application Number: 13/514,690
International Classification: B65D 41/00 (20060101); B65D 1/46 (20060101);