Patent Publication Number: US-2023132918-A1

Title: Fluid dispensing method and apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention generally relates to methods and apparatuses for dispensing paint or another product from pressurized containers and, more specifically, to a replaceable product dispensing apparatus to be used on more than one pressurized container and methods of manufacturing and using a replaceable product dispensing apparatus. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Traditionally, cans of spray paint are formed from a metallic canister defining an interior space with paint and a valve assembly sealed therein. A nozzle is exposed externally of the canister to be actuated by a user to discharge a mist of paint to apply a coating of paint onto a target surface. Since the valve assembly is sealed within the interior space defined by the canister, however, the valve is usable only with that one canister and is not removable. Also, any unused paint and propellant within the interior space require users to follow special disposal instructions, or require the user to manually discharge the unused contents through the nozzle by manually actuating the nozzle as is done during painting. 
     Such traditional cans of spray paint have also been manufactured by first sealing the valve within the canister and installing the nozzle on a valve stem that is exposed externally of the canister. Only then would the nozzle or valve stem be actuated to cause the valve to open the interior passage leading into the interior of the canister to allow the paint and propellant to be inserted into the canister through that open interior passage. Since the valve is already in place within the canister, once the canister is sufficiently filled the nozzle and/or valve stem could be released, thereby causing the valve to once again close the interior passage leading into the interior of the canister and trapping the paint and propellant therein. Filling the canister in this manner necessarily requires the valve to first be installed within the canister to close the interior passage and contain the contents once they have been inserted into the canister. 
     More recently, attempts have been made to position the valve assembly externally of the canister. When such a valve assembly is installed on the canister, a cap is punctured, thereby establishing fluid communication between the valve assembly and the interior of the canister. In use, the canister is inverted to cause the paint or other contents within the canister to be positioned adjacent to an inlet of the valve assembly under the force of gravity. Actuation of the valve assembly causes the paint pooled at the inlet of the valve assembly to be expelled by a propellant also contained within the canister. However, when the canister containing the paint is not inverted to cause the paint to pool at the inlet to the valve assembly actuation of the valve assembly fails to reliably cause paint to be expelled. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, there is a need in the art for a reusable aerosol dispensing apparatus including a valve assembly that can be removably installed on a plurality of different pressurized canisters, and a method of preparing an aerosol canister that lacks a dedicated valve assembly installed within the canister. Some embodiments of the present canister can include a container cap including a dip tube. The dip tube includes a proximate end that is adjacent to the container cap, optionally coupled to the container cap. The proximate end of the dip tube can be sealed prior to installation of the external valve assembly onto the canister. Installation of the external valve assembly onto the canister can puncture the seal, establishing fluid communication between the dip tube and the external valve assembly. 
     The dip tube extends generally away from the container cap, toward a floor of the canister while the canister is oriented upright, terminating at a distal end of the dip tube that is positioned adjacent to the floor. Paint or another product is dispensed from the canister through actuation of the external valve assembly. Although any liquid chemical composition or other material that can be dispensed as an aerosol is encompassed by the present disclosure, paint represents an illustrative example of such a product that is dispensed from the canister through actuation of the external valve assembly. For the sake of brevity and clarity, however, the substance that is to be dispensed from the canister according to the present disclosure will be generically referred to as a “product.” As a result of the external valve assembly being actuated, the product is caused to enter the distal end of the dip tube by the propellant, and to pass through an interior passage of the dip tube toward the proximate end. Product passing through the dip tube exits the proximate end and enters an interior passage extending through the external valve assembly, which is selectively opened as a result of actuation of the external valve assembly. Product pooled at the floor of the canister while the canister is in an upright orientation (e.g., the container cap is positioned vertically above the floor of the canister) can thus be conveyed by the dip tube from the distal end, serving as an inlet aperture, to the proximate end at the container cap, serving as an outlet aperture. 
     According to some embodiments of this invention, a fluid dispensing apparatus may be used in dispensing a product fluid from an associated container under a pressure greater than ambient. The associated container may contain associated product and may have a pierceable membrane. The fluid dispensing apparatus may comprise: a valve body having a top, a bottom and a bore that extends through the valve body; an adaptor having a top, a bottom, a bore that extends through the adaptor and a piercing member; and, a nozzle attached to the top of the valve body and having a bore that is communicatable with the valve body bore. The bottom of the valve body may be attached to the top of the adaptor and the adaptor bore may communicate with the valve body bore. The fluid dispensing apparatus may be operable by attaching the bottom of the adaptor to the associated container to pierce the pierceable membrane with the piercing member to communicate the associated product within the container with the adaptor bore and thus with the valve body bore. The nozzle may be operable to permit the associated product within the associated container to flow under the pressure out of the associated container, through the adaptor bore, through the valve body bore and through the nozzle bore to ambient. 
     According to other embodiments of this invention, a method of dispensing a liquid product from an associated container under a pressure greater than ambient may be provided. The associated container may contain associated product and may have a pierceable membrane. The method may comprise the steps of: (A) providing a fluid dispensing apparatus comprising: (1) a valve body having a top, a bottom and a bore that extends through the valve body; (2) an adaptor having a top attached to the bottom of the valve body, a bottom, a bore that extends through the adaptor and a piercing member; wherein the adaptor bore communicates with the valve body bore; and, (3) a nozzle attached to the top of the valve body and having a bore that is communicatable with the valve body bore; (B) attaching the bottom of the adaptor to the associated container to pierce the pierceable membrane with the piercing member to communicate the associated product within the container with the adaptor bore and thus with the valve body bore; and, (C) operating the nozzle to permit the associated product within the associated container to flow under the pressure out of the associated container, through the adaptor bore, through the valve body bore and through the nozzle bore to ambient. 
     According to still other embodiments of this invention, an apparatus may comprise: (A) a container containing a product fluid under a pressure greater than ambient and having a pierceable membrane; (B) a fluid dispensing apparatus comprising: (1) a valve body having a top, a bottom and a bore that extends through the valve body; (2) an adaptor having a top, a bottom, a bore that extends through the adaptor and a piercing member, wherein the bottom of the valve body is attached to the top of the adaptor and the adaptor bore communicates with the valve body bore; and, (3) a nozzle attached to the top of the valve body and having a bore that is communicatable with the valve body bore. The fluid dispensing apparatus may be operable by attaching the bottom of the adaptor to the container to pierce the pierceable membrane with the piercing member to communicate the product within the container with the adaptor bore and thus with the valve body bore. The nozzle may be operable to permit the product within the container to flow under the pressure out of the container, through the adaptor bore, through the valve body bore and through the nozzle bore to ambient. 
     The above summary presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such systems and/or methods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       In the accompanying drawings, structures are illustrated that, together with the detailed description provided below, describe exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention. The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a fluid dispensing apparatus in accordance with some embodiments of this invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective top view showing a prior art paint can and nozzle; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of a container in accordance with some embodiments of this invention; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a perspective side view of an adaptor in accordance with some embodiments of this invention; 
         FIG.  4 B  is a perspective bottom view of an adaptor in accordance with some embodiments of this invention; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a dispensing apparatus in accordance with some embodiments of this invention; 
         FIG.  6    shows a container in accordance with some embodiments of this invention with a pierceable membrane pierced; 
         FIG.  7    shows a sectional view of a valve body in accordance with some embodiments of this invention; 
         FIG.  8    shows a sectional view of a valve body with pressure relief valve in accordance with some embodiments of this invention; 
         FIG.  9    is a side perspective view of a spray apparatus according to some embodiments of this invention; 
         FIG.  10    is a side view of a spray apparatus with a can, only a portion shown, attached to the can receiving portion; 
         FIG.  11    is a top perspective view of a valve body according to some embodiments of this invention; 
         FIG.  12    is a side perspective view of a valve cap according to some embodiments of this invention; 
         FIG.  13    is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a container cap; 
         FIG.  14    is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of the container cap shown in  FIG.  13   ; 
         FIG.  15    is a bottom perspective view of the valve body shown in  FIG.  11   ; 
         FIG.  16    is a flow diagram schematically representing a method of producing a container in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  17    is a top, perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a container cap that includes a dip tube through which a liquid product is expelled from a container; 
         FIG.  18    is a bottom, perspective view of the illustrative embodiment of the container cap appearing in  FIG.  17   ; 
         FIG.  19    is a side view of the illustrative embodiment of the container cap appearing in  FIG.  18   ; 
         FIG.  20    is a sectional view taken along line  20 - 20  in  FIG.  19   , with an extension tube installed; and 
         FIG.  21    is a flow diagram graphically representing a process of forming a container cap, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Relative language used herein is best understood with reference to the drawings, in which like numerals are used to identify like or similar items. Further, in the drawings, certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, and wherein like reference numerals are understood to refer to like components,  FIG.  1    shows a perspective view of a pressurized container  10  equipped with a fluid dispensing apparatus  50  equipped with an external valve body  30  according to some embodiments of this invention. The pressurized container  10  shown is a can made from one or more metals, metal alloys and/or one or more plastic materials, and is devoid of an internal valve within an interior space defined by the container  10  containing the product. In other words, the external valve body  30  is required to control and regulate the expulsion of the product under the pressure generated within the interior space of the container  10  by the propellant. Puncturing the membrane  15  as described below without the external valve body  30  would result in the uncontrolled release and depletion of the propellant from the container  10  to the ambient environment. However, the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  described herein will work with any type, size and shape of pressurized container  10 . The product dispensed by the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  may be a pressurized chemical that is a liquid, gas, vapor, or a mixture thereof. While the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  is designed to dispense any product such as paint, it may have application to other chemicals as well. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG.  1   , the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  may, in some embodiments, include a nozzle  31 , a valve body  30 , and an adaptor  20 . The nozzle  31  may be like nozzle  202  discussed above. Because the operation of such nozzles  31 ,  202 —laterally displaceable to permit the contents to exit the nozzle and biased into a non-displaced position where the contents cannot exit the nozzle—are well known to people of skill in the art, no details will be provided here. 
     With reference now to  FIGS.  3  and  6   , in order to use the fluid dispensing apparatus, it may be necessary to attach a container cap  11  to the pressurized container  10 . The container cap  11  may, in one embodiment, be fixedly joined to the top of the pressurized container  10  such as being crimped in a known manner. The container cap  11  may be, in one embodiment, positioned substantially concentrically with the container&#39;s longitudinal axis. The container cap  11  may have a well  13 , a coupling element  12 , and a fluid passage bore  14  (visible in  FIG.  6   ). A membrane  15  may cover the bore  14 . Membrane  15  may be pierceable and located with respect to fluid passage bore  14  in such a manner as to seal bore  14  and prevent fluid from exiting container  10  until it is pierced. The embodiment of the membrane  15  shown in  FIG.  3    includes a planar metal surface integrally formed as part of a monolithic structure along with the other portions of the container cap  11 , such as the coupling element  12 , well  13  and threaded section  19  described below, for example. Such structures can be integrally formed together by stamping a flat sheet of suitable metal stock into the desired shape of the container cap  11 .  FIG.  6    shows membrane  15  in a pierced or punctured condition which exposes fluid passage bore  14  to outside of the pressurized container  10 , and establishes fluid communication with the fluid dispensing apparatus  50 . In the illustrated embodiments, the membrane  15  is fixedly connected to the coupling element  12  to close an uppermost region of that coupling element  12 . The coupling element  12  in  FIGS.  3  and  6    is generally cylindrical, protruding upward from a base of the container cap  11  at the bottom of the well  13 , but may be of any desired size, shape and relative position to the other portions of the container cap  11  to releasably couple the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  to the container cap  11 . To be releasably coupled, the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  can be installed on, and subsequently removed from a plurality of containers  10  without being damaged to an extent that would prevent reuse of the fluid dispensing apparatus  50 . In one embodiment coupling element  12  may have an externally threaded (mail threading) section  19 , as shown. For the embodiment shown, the coupling element  12  is cylindrical in shape and the threaded section  19  is on the exterior surface of the coupling element  12 . The threading extends along a suitable length of the cylindrical coupling element  12  to urge the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  toward the container  10  a suitable distance to both: (i) compress an elastomeric gasket  23 , interchangeably referred to herein as a seal  23  described below with reference to  FIG.  4 B , provided to the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  against a surface of the container cap  11 , and (ii) form the seal that interferes with the escape of the propellant from the interior space of the container  10  between the container cap  11  and the fluid dispensing apparatus  50 . Materials used to form container cap  11  can include any metal or metal alloy having dimensions that permit stamping a planar sheet of the metal or metal alloy into the desired shape of the container cap  11 , although other materials are also considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     An alternate embodiment of the container cap  11  is shown in  FIGS.  13  and  14   . Like the previous embodiment, the present embodiment of the container cap  11  includes a cylindrical coupling element  12  with a threaded section  19  and a well  13  disposed between the coupling element  12  and a collar defining a downward-opening, annular channel  70  ( FIG.  14   ) that extends about an external periphery of the container cap  11 . However, the membrane  15  of the embodiment shown in  FIG.  13    includes an elevated region  71  or plateau that protrudes upward from a neighboring or surrounding region  72  of the membrane  15 . The coupling element  12  of any of the embodiments can also include a sealing surface  74  against which the gasket  23 , described below, can be compressed against to interfere with the leakage of propellant between the fluid delivery apparatus  50  and the coupling element  12  of the container cap  11 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS.  1 ,  4 A,  4 B and  6   , embodiments of adaptor  20  will now be described. Adaptor  20  may be, in some embodiments, a generally cylindrically shaped component with a top and an opposing bottom. Referring to  FIG.  4 B , located on the bottom of adaptor  20  may be a coupling element  21 . Coupling element  21  may engage with coupling element  12  of container cap  11 . In one specific embodiment, shown, coupling element  21  may be formed on an inner cylindrical shaped portion of adaptor  20  and may have a threaded section  57 . The adaptor  20  may have a fluid passage bore  26  that may extend from the top to the bottom of the adaptor  20 . The adaptor  20  may also have a piercing member  27  used to pierce membrane  15  (shown unpierced in  FIG.  3    and pierced in  FIG.  6   ). The piercing member  27 , in some embodiments, may be located concentric to the longitudinal axis of fluid passage bore  26  and may extend beyond bottom surface of fluid passage bore  26 . The piercing member  27  may be positioned at least partially within the adaptor bore  26 . On the end of piercing member  27  that extends beyond the bottom surface of bore  26 , a tip may be formed and configured to pierce membrane  15 . The adaptor  20  may also have a seal or gasket  23  that interferes with, and optionally prevents the escape of propellant and/or product except through the bore  26 . The gasket  23  may be formed of an elastomeric material. 
     Alternate embodiments of the container cap  11  are shown in  FIGS.  17 - 20   . Similar to preceding embodiments, the container cap  11  in  FIG.  17    includes the coupling element  12  defining the bore  14  ( FIG.  18   ). External threading  19  can be provided to an external periphery of the coupling element  12  for cooperating with the compatible threaded section  57  provided to the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  to releasably couple the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  to the container  10 , as described herein. The membrane  15  to be punctured is provided adjacent to a distal end of the coupling element  12  that protrudes generally away from the container  10  while the container cap  11  is installed on the container  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  18  and  20   , a proximate end  18  of a dip tube  17  extends into the bore  14  defined by the coupling element  12 . A distal end  28  of the dip tube  17  is supported at an elevation vertically beneath an elevation of the proximate end  18 , while the container cap  11  is installed on a container  10  in an upright orientation. In the upright orientation, a floor of the container  10 , forming a bottom surface on which the container  10  rests in the upright orientation, supports the liquid product within the container  10  under the force of gravity. In other words, the container cap  11  is positioned at an elevation vertically above an elevation of the floor of the container  10  while the container  10  is in the upright orientation, and the product within the container  10  is caused to pool on the floor by the force of gravity. 
     According to some embodiments, the container cap  11  and the dip tube  17  can be formed as part of a common, monolithic structure. According to such embodiments, the dip tube  17  can be formed from a metal, metal alloy, or any other material used to form the container cap  11 . According to other embodiments, the dip tube  17  can be formed as a separate structure, distinct from the container cap  11 . For example, the dip tube  17  can be formed from a polymeric material, and a proximate end  18  of the dip tube  17  coupled to a portion of the container cap  11 . 
       FIG.  21    represents an illustrative embodiment of a process of forming the container cap  11  including a separate structure. A portion of the dip tube  17  can engage a portion of the container cap  11  at block  80 . For example, at least a portion of the proximate end  18  of the dip tube  17  can be received within the space  52  defined by an internal periphery of the coupling element  12 , as shown in  FIG.  20   . As described in detail elsewhere herein, the coupling element  12  can include a releasable fastener such as the threading  19 , that engages the compatible threaded section  57  of the fluid dispensing apparatus  50 , to couple the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  to the container cap  11 . 
     With the proximate end  18  of the dip tube  17  at least partially received within the interior space  52 , a portion of the container cap  10  can be deformed at block  82  to interfere with removal of the proximate end  18  of the dip tube  17  from the interior space  52 . For example, the container cap  11  can be stamped from a sheet of a metallic material. The proximate portion  18  of the dip tube  17  can be at least partially inserted into the space  52  defined by the interior periphery of the coupling element  12 , and a portion of the container cap  11 , such as a base  25  ( FIG.  20   ) of the coupling element  12  adjacent to the well  13  for example, can be crimped against or about a portion of the proximate end  18  of the dip tube  17 , or otherwise deformed to secure the proximate end  18  of the dip tube  17  within the space  52 . 
     Crimping can deform the base  25  in a radially-inward direction indicated generally by arrow  84  ( FIG.  20   ). As a result, the dimension D ( FIG.  20   ) of the interior space  52  is suitable to allow insertion of a portion of the proximate end  18  of the dip tube  17  into the interior space  25  before crimping. According to some embodiments, the proximate end  18  of the dip tube  17  can optionally include a flange  86  that extends radially outward from another region  88  of the dip tube  17 . The dimension D is smaller after crimping than it was before crimping as a result of the deformed portion of the container cap  11  projecting radially inward in the direction indicated by arrow  84 , thereby interfering with removal of the proximate end  18  of the dip tube  17  from the interior space  52 . 
     Crimping the portion of the container cap  11  about the portion of the dip tube  17  can optionally form a seal at block  90  ( FIG.  21   ), at an interface between the dip tube  17  and the container cap  11 . The seal can be substantially hermetic, or at least be suitable to interfere with the escape of the paint or other aerosol product from the container  10 , and provide the container  10  with a shelf life of at least six months, or at least a year, etc. According to some embodiments, a gasket, adhesive, or other sealant can optionally be used to fortify the seal between the container cap  11  and the dip tube  17 . A distal end  54  of the dip tube  17  protrudes outwardly from an underside of the container cap  11 , to be positioned at least partially within the container  10  with the container cap  11  coupled to the container  10 . 
     The dip tube  17  defines an interior passage  29  ( FIG.  20   ) extending between the proximate end  18  and the distal end  28 . The dip tube  17  can be formed from any suitable metallic, polymeric or other plastic material with rigidity sufficient to maintain a shape of the dip tube  17  when the container  10  is angularly displaced from the upright orientation. Thus, the distal end  28  remains closer to the floor of the container  10  than the proximate end  18  of the dip tube  17  when the container  10  on which the container cap  11  is installed is angularly adjusted away from the upright orientation. 
     Some embodiments of the dip tube  17  have an external barb  46 , as shown in  FIGS.  19  and  20   . The barb  46  can be formed in an inverted frustoconical shape, including a tapered region  48  extending between the distal end  28  and a flange  49 . The barb  46  can engage an extension tube  55  ( FIG.  20   ) by allowing a first end  58  of the extension tube  55  to be slid along or otherwise placed over the tapered region  48  of the barb  46 , in a direction generally toward the proximate end  18  of the dip tube  17 . Once the first end  58  of the extension tube  55  reaches the flange  49 , a portion of the extension tube  55  extends in a radial inward direction, generally toward the interior passage  29 , to engage the flange  49 . Engagement of the flange  49  by the portion of the extension tube  55  interferes with movement of the first end  58  of the extension tube  55  away from the proximate end  18  of the dip tube  17 , thereby interfering with removal of the extension tube  55  from the dip tube  17 . 
     Alternate embodiments of the dip tube  17  can optionally extend a distance from the container cap  11  toward the floor of the container  10 , to position a portion of the distal end  28  of the dip tube  17  adjacent to the floor of the container  17  (e.g., within a quarter (¼ in.) of an inch, within a third (⅓ rd  in.) of an inch, or in contact with the floor), in the absence of the extension tube  55  as a separate structure. For example, the dip tube  17  can optionally include the extension tube  55  formed as part of a common monolithic structure that extends substantially the entire distance between the container cap  11  and the floor of the container  10 , eliminating the need for the assembly of separate parts, and simplifying the manufacture of the present container  10 , for use with the present fluid dispensing apparatus  50 . For the embodiments where the distal end  28  of the dip tube  17  or the second end of the extension tube  55  is positioned adjacent to the floor of the container  10 , the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  is operable to control the discharge of the paint or other aerosol product from the container  10  lacking an internal valve, while the container  10  is in the upright orientation. 
     As shown in  FIG.  20   , the proximate end  18  of the dip tube  17  can be sealed by the membrane  15 , to interfere with expulsion of the product through the dip tube  17  while the membrane  15  is intact. For example, prior to installation of the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  to puncture the membrane  15  as described herein, the membrane  15  encloses a space  52  ( FIG.  20   ) defined, at least in part, by portions of the coupling element  12 , including the membrane  15 . While the membrane  15  is intact, the pressure within the space  52  is suitable to interfere with the uncontrolled expulsion of the product from the container  10  through the dip tube  17  by the propellant. Thus, the dip tube  17  can include an open, unobstructed interior passage  29  through which the product would be expelled from the container  10  by the propellant in the absence of the membrane  15  or other plug member. The container  10 , including the container cap  11  with the dip tube  17  installed on the container  10 , can optionally be devoid of a valve within the interior space defined by the container  10  that selectively controls the release of the product through the dip tube  17 . 
     Upon installation of the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  as described herein, the membrane  15  can be pierced by the piercing member  27 , for example, thereby establishing fluid communication between the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  and the space  52 , and accordingly the interior space of the container  10  through the dip tube  17 . For example, the piercing member  27  can define an interior passage and extend into the space  52 , allowing paint introduced into the space  52  to be urged through the piercing member  27  as described elsewhere herein. A nozzle  31  of the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  can be laterally displaced, pushed downward, in a direction generally toward the container  10 , or otherwise manipulated to selectively open the valve provided to the fluid dispensing apparatus  50 . Such manipulation of the nozzle  31  causes the valve body bore defined by the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  to be opened. The propellant operates to cause the product to be introduced to the interior passage  29  of the dip tube  17  at an elevation adjacent to the floor of the container  10  through an aperture  54  ( FIG.  18   ) formed at the distal end  28 . The product so introduced is urged through the interior passage  29  of the dip tube  17 , and expelled from the dip tube  17  through an aperture formed at the proximate end  18  of the dip tube  17 . The product is urged through the valve body bore of the fluid dispensing apparatus  50 , and through the nozzle  31 . 
     Although the expulsion of paint is an example of a product that can be dispensed via the present apparatus and method, the present disclosure is not so limited. Any chemical or other substance in the form of a liquid, gas or other fluid can be dispensed as an aerosol or in any other form as described herein. For example, the fluid dispensed can be a cosmetic product such as hairspray, an aromatic substance such as aftershave, a food product such as cooking oil, and any other substance that can be dispensed as an aerosol. 
     Regardless of the form of the container cap  11 , the threading provided to the threaded section  57  of the adaptor  20  engages compatible threading provided to the container (e.g., threading  19  provided to the coupling element  12  of the container cap  11 ) to couple the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  to the container  10 . As the adaptor  20 , and accordingly the various embodiments of the valve body  30 ,  30 ′,  30 ″ described herein, are brought together during installation through cooperation between the respective threaded sections, the piercing member  27  is caused to puncture the membrane  15  substantially simultaneously with compression of the gasket  23  against the sealing surface  74  of the coupling element  12 . Premature contact between the gasket  23  and the sealing surface  74  may interfere with sufficient insertion of the piercing member  27  to puncture the membrane  15 . However, recessing the gasket  23  too far into the adaptor  20  may prevent the gasket from reaching the sealing surface  74  of the coupling element  12 , thereby allowing propellant to leak between the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  and the container cap  11 . Thus, the arrangement of the gasket  23 , piercing member  27  and the threaded section  57  of the adaptor  20  can be arranged to cause the gasket  23  to contact the sealing surface  74  approximately simultaneously (e.g., within one rotation of the adaptor  20  relative to the coupling member  12 , or within three-quarters, half or one quarter rotation of the adaptor  20  relative to the coupling member  12 , etc.) with the puncture of the membrane  15  by the piercing member  27 . Engagement between the threading provided to the adaptor  20  and the coupling member  12  can define a range of travel of the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  relative to the container  10  during installation. The piercing member  27  can be arranged to puncture the membrane  15  and the gasket can be arranged to be compressed against a portion of the container cap  11  along that range of travel. 
     With reference now to  FIG.  4 A , located on the top of the adaptor  20  may be a coupling element  22 . In one specific embodiment, shown, coupling element  22  may be formed on an outer cylindrical shaped portion of adaptor  20  and may have a threaded section  59 . The coupling element  22  may be used to engage with a coupling element of the valve body  30 , as will be discussed further below. A seal  24  may be used to seal the connection between the top of the adaptor  20  and the bottom of the valve body  30 . For the embodiment shown, the seal  24  is an O-ring received around the cylindrically shaped portion of the adaptor  20  that has the coupling element  22 . The seal  24  may be formed of an elastomeric material. The adaptor  20  may have a shoulder  25  extending outwardly, as shown. The top of the shoulder  25  may have a surface  51  that acts as a stop that contacts a surface of the valve body  30  when the adaptor  20  and valve body  30  are attached together. The adaptor  20  may be formed of any material(s) chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. In one embodiment, the adaptor  20  is formed of copper. 
     With reference now to  FIGS.  1 ,  5  and  7   , embodiments of the valve body  30  will now be described. The valve body  30  may have a valve cap  35  on its top, as shown. The valve cap  35  may have any design suitable to properly receive the nozzle  31  as chosen by a person of skill in the art. In one embodiment, shown, the valve cap  35  is similar in design to the top of the can  200 , just below the nozzle  202 , shown in  FIG.  2   . The valve body  30  may be substantially cylindrical in shape and may have a height  61 . The height  61  may range between 1.0 to 4.0 inches. Valve body  30  may have a fluid passage bore  34 , as shown in  FIG.  7   . The bore  34  may extend from bottom to the top of the valve body  30 , as shown. In one embodiment, the bore  34  may be centered along the valve body&#39;s longitudinal axis. A coupling element  33  may be located on a bottom surface, as shown. In one specific embodiment, shown, coupling element  33  may be formed on an inner cylindrical shaped portion of valve body  30  and may have a threaded section  37 . The coupling element  33  may be used to engage with coupling element  22  of the adaptor  20 . In one specific embodiment, threaded section  37  engages threaded section  59  to attach the valve body  30  to the adaptor  20 . The valve body  30  may be formed of any material chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. 
     With reference now to  FIGS.  1 ,  5  and  7   , the nozzle  31 , which may have a fluid passage bore  32 , may be joined to the valve cap  35  in a known manner—similar to how the nozzle  202  is joined to can  200  in  FIG.  2   . Nozzle  31  may dispense product out of the valve body  30  to the ambient when the nozzle  31  is operated in a known manner (similar to nozzle  202  in  FIG.  2   ). Specifically, nozzle  31  may be configured such that it can be selectively deflected from its longitudinal axis and when so deflected its bore  32  is in fluid communication with central bore  34 . Nozzle  31  may be configured such that it is capable of being deflected by manually generated forces. Nozzle  31  may also be configured with a biased position such that when no force is applied, nozzle  31  returns to a position that prevents fluid communication with central bore  34 . 
       FIG.  8    illustrates another embodiment valve body  30 ′. Valve body  30 ′ is similar to valve body  30  described above except that it may include a pressure relief valve  36 . In this embodiment valve body  30 ′ may include a transverse fluid passage bore  38 . Bore  38  may communicate on one end with bore  34  and on the opposing end with the area outside of the confines of valve body  30 ′. Located in bore  38  may be pressure relief valve  36 . Pressure relief valve  36  may be chosen to operate in a plurality of modes. One mode may be such that in an initial condition relief valve  36  substantially seals bore  38  from the area outside. A second mode may be, once the user depresses relief valve  36 , transverse bore  38  connects central bore  34  with the area outside of the confines of valve body  30 ′. Operating in this second mode, when attached to valve body  30 ′, the pressure inside container  10  is minimized or released to the ambient without the fluid also being dispensed to the ambient. A third mode is the relief valve  36  opens automatically when pressure inside the container  10  exceeds a predetermined value. When this occurs, the pressure inside container  10  is minimized or released to ambient. Materials used in forming pressure relief valve  36  may be chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. The operation modes of pressure relief valve  36  may also be chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. 
     With reference now to  FIG.  11   , another embodiment valve body  30 ″ is shown. Valve body  30 ″ has a valve cap  35  and attaches to a nozzle  31  as with previously described valve bodies  30  and  30 ′. Valve body  30 ″, however, is designed to resemble the size and shape of the container  10 . Compare  FIG.  11    with  FIG.  2   .  FIG.  12    shows stem  39  which extends through the valve cap  35  and is used to operate nozzle  31  in a known manner. 
     A bottom view of the valve body  30 ″ is shown in  FIG.  15   . The adaptor  20  such as that described above is coupled to the underside of the valve body  30 ″ in fluid communication with a valve mechanism housed by the valve body  30 ″. For embodiments where the adaptor  20  is not integrally formed with the valve body  30  and/or valve mechanism, rotating the valve body  30 ″ in a counterclockwise direction about the longitudinal axis of the container  10  to remove the valve body  30 ″ imparts a force that could cause counterclockwise rotation of the adaptor  20  relative to the valve body  30 ″. Such relative rotation could result in separation of the adaptor  20  from the valve body  30 ″. To interfere with such separation, one or more locking structures  76  such as a post can optionally extend through the shoulder  25  of the adaptor  20  and into the underside (between two reinforcing gussets  77  in  FIG.  15   ) of the valve body  30 ″ to prevent rotation of the adaptor  20  relative to the valve body  30 ″ in the directions indicated by arrows  78 , during installation and removal of the fluid dispensing apparatus  50 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  9  and  10   , spray apparatuses  100 A,  100 B are shown. Because many of the components are similar, many of the same reference numbers will be used in both. Each spray apparatus  100 A,  100 B may include a housing  102 , a barrel  104  supported to the housing  102  and a handle  106  also supported to the housing  102 . For the embodiments shown, the spray apparatuses  100 A,  100 B may have a pistol-shape but other shapes may work well also. The barrel  104  may be hollow and may extend distally (away from the handle) to a tip  108 . The hollow barrel  104  and tip  108  may define a fluid passageway bore. In one embodiment, the tip  108  is the distal end of the apparatus  100 A,  100 B and the point from which product fluid is dispensed. In another embodiment, the tip  108  comprises a fitting to which another component (not shown) may be attached and from which the product fluid is dispensed. The barrel  104  may decrease in outside diameter, as shown in  FIG.  9   , in the distal direction. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  9  and  10   , a container receiving portion  110  may be supported to the housing  102  and sized and shaped to securely retain/support a container  10  or  200 . For the embodiment seen best in  FIG.  9   , the container receiving portion  110  may include an outer, generally circular ring  112  defining an opening  114 , and a nozzle reception connector  116 . The user may attach the pressurized container  10 ,  200  to the apparatus  100 A,  100 B, as shown in  FIG.  10   , such that the nozzle  31 ,  202  is received within the nozzle reception connector  116  and the valve body  30  or top of can  200  is received within the opening  114 . The nozzle reception connector  116  communicates with the fluid passageway in the barrel  104  so that the fluid product within the pressurized container  10 ,  200  can be dispensed out the tip  108 , when desired. For the embodiments shown, the container receiving portion  110  is positioned on a top portion of the apparatus  100 A,  100 B. As a result, gravity assists in assuring that all the liquid within the container is used. The receiving portion  110  may extend from the apparatus at an angle A 1 , as shown in  FIG.  10   , with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing  102  and/or barrel  104 . Angle A 1  may be, in one embodiment, between 0 degrees and 90 degrees. In another embodiment, angle A 1  may be between 10 degrees and 80 degrees. In yet another embodiment, angle A 1  may be between 20 degrees and 70 degrees. For the embodiment shown, angle A 1  is approximately 75 degrees. 
     Still referring to  FIGS.  9  and  10   , the spray apparatus  100 A,  100 B may also include a trigger  118  which is moveable relative to the housing  102  in order to deflect the nozzle  31 ,  202  to dispense the product fluid. The trigger  118  may have a first end with a user contact surface  120  and a second end with a discharge contact surface  122 . When the trigger  118  is manually operated, in one embodiment moved, by the user, such as by squeezing the user contact surface  120  toward the handle  106  with the user&#39;s hand, the discharge contact surface  122  contacts the nozzle  31 ,  202  to deflect it and dispense the fluid. The trigger  118  may be moveably attached to the housing  102  in any manner chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. 
     For the embodiment shown in  FIG.  9   , the second end of the trigger  118  has a U-shaped portion with legs that extend juxtaposed to opposite sides of the housing  102  and pivots about pivot pin  124  which is received through the legs and through the housing  102 . In an alternate embodiment, one pivot pin connects one leg to the housing on one side and a second pivot pin connects the other leg to the housing on the opposite side. To provide container size adjustability, an adjustment mechanism  132  may be used. The adjustment mechanism  132  may include bracket  126  that extends from the trigger  118  to a nut  128  that is threadingly received on a threaded rod  130  that is supported to and extending from the housing  102 . For the embodiment shown in  FIG.  9   , the bracket  126  has an opening that receives the pivot pin  124 . In an alternate embodiment, another bracket (not visible) extends from the nut  128  to the trigger  118  on the other side of the apparatus  100 A. To adjust the apparatus  100 A to fit different sized containers, the nut  128  can be rotated about rod  130  to move the bracket  126  and thus the trigger  118  along the longitudinal axis of the housing  102  (that is, along the longitudinal axis of the barrel  104 ) either closer to the receiving portion  110  or farther away. 
     With reference again to  FIGS.  9  and  10   , to use the spray apparatuses  100 A,  100 B, the user attaches the container  200  or container  10  equipped with the adaptor  20  and valve body  30 , to the container receiving portion  110 , as explained above. If necessary, the user adjusts the adjustment mechanism  132  to fit the container. The user then only has to position the tip  108  (or other component that is attached to the tip) to the desired location and then move the trigger  118  with respect to the handle  106  (such as by squeezing the trigger  118  toward the handle  106 ). The trigger  118  movement deflects the nozzle  31 ,  202  dispensing the fluid out of the container and out of the tip  108 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS.  1  and  3   , methods of using the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  will now be described. The container  10  may be equipped with container cap  11  by the manufacturer, in one embodiment. The fluid dispensing apparatus  50  may come to the user as a kit, in one embodiment, including the adaptor  20  and the valve body  30 . In one embodiment, the adaptor  20  may already be attached to the valve body  30 . In another embodiment, the coupling element  22  (see  FIG.  4 A ) is attached to coupling element  33  (see  FIG.  7   ) to attach the adaptor  20  to the valve body  30 . In one specific embodiment, this may comprise rotating the adaptor  20  with respect to the valve body  30  with threaded section  59  engaged with threaded section  37  to “tighten” them together. This action may compress seal  24  and a lower service of the valve body  30  may contact surface  51 , or come near to contacting it. In another embodiment, the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  may come to the user already attached to the pressurized container  10 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS.  1 ,  3 ,  4 B,  6  and  7   , the user then attaches the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  to the container  10 . In one embodiment, this means attaching the coupling element  21  of the adaptor  20  (see  FIG.  4 B ) with the coupling element  12  of container  10  (see  FIG.  3   ). In one specific embodiment, this may comprise rotating the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  with respect to the container  10  with threaded section  57  engaged with threaded section  19  to “tighten” them together. This action may compress seal  23 . As the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  is attached to the container  10 , piercing member  27  (see  FIG.  4 B ) contacts and pierces membrane  15  (see  FIG.  3    to see the membrane  15  before it is pierced, and  FIG.  6    to see the membrane  15  after it is pierced). Once the membrane  15  is pierced, container bore  14  communicates with adaptor bore  26  which communicates with valve body bore  34 . Thus, once the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  is attached to the pressurized container  10 , all the user needs to do to dispense the paint is operate nozzle  31 , such as by deflecting the nozzle  31 , as described above. Thus, operation of the fluid dispensing apparatus  50  with container  10  as shown in  FIG.  1    is similar to the use of container  200  and nozzle  202  shown in  FIG.  2   . 
     In another embodiment, container  10  may be depressurized and substantially emptied of paint fluid according to the following method. The user may uncouple or detach container  10  from adaptor  20  (and thus from fluid dispensing apparatus  50 ) and separate the two components. With container  10  separated from adaptor  20 , pierced membrane  15  is exposed to the ambient thus resulting in container  10  becoming depressurized. Next, container  10  may be substantially emptied of fluid by placing it with pierced membrane  15  facing down and thus using gravity to force the paint fluid out of container  10 . At this point container  10  may be easily deposed of. The fluid dispensing apparatus  50  may then be reused with another container. 
     Since conventional spray cans include an internal valve, producing such spray cans has typically involved filling the spray cans through the valve, which could then prevent those contents from escaping once filling was complete. However, since the container of the present disclosure lacks an internal valve, the present container must be filled and the container cap installed to seal the interior space of the container without installing a valve. 
     A method of producing a container is schematically depicted in  FIG.  16   . At step S 100 , liquid paint is added to the interior space defined by a housing of the container  10  through an aperture defined by a rim of the container  10 . The paint can optionally be added to the container  10  under atmospheric pressure before the container cap  11  is positioned adjacent to the aperture defined by the rim at step S 110 , and optionally before the container  10  is covered by an enclosure for introduction of the propellant as described below. Positioning the container cap  11  at step S 110  can optionally include using a mechanical arm or other grasping device to mechanically grasp a handling member  60  projecting from the container cap  11  and, under the control of a programmed computer processor, nearly concentrically aligning the longitudinal axis of the holding member  60  with the aperture defined by the rim. With the handling member  60  aligned with the aperture defined by the rim, the container cap  11  with the handling member  60  can be lowered into place such that the channel  70  receives the rim. Since the handling member  60  does not fully block the bore  14  and prevent paint and propellant from passing through the bore  14 , the handling member  60  can remain within the container  10  even though it has already served its purpose to align the container cap  11  over the aperture defined by the rim. Even if the friction fit between the container cap  11  and the handling member  60  allows the handling member  60  to separate from the container cap  11  within the sealed container  10 , no degradation of the assembled system is expected. 
     A containment device such as a filler head is placed over the container cap  11  resting on, or positioned over the rim aperture to form an enclosure in which a pressure above atmospheric pressure can be maintained during introduction of the propellant into the container  10 . Since the propellant is volatile, and evaporates at atmospheric pressure, the filler head, containment device or other enclosure can be positioned over a portion of the container  10  comprising the aperture to abut against the container  10  or other structure to form the enclosure in which the elevated pressure can be maintained during introduction of the propellant. The container cap  11  can be separated from the rim if resting thereon at step S 130  and, with the enclosure in place over at least a portion of the container  10 , a quantity of a propellant is introduced into the interior space of the container  10  through the aperture at step S 140 . The amount of the propellant introduced is suitable to establish a pressure within the interior space to propel the paint from the container  10 . As the fluid is introduced, the pressure within the enclosure rises above atmospheric pressure. While the enclosure is still in place, the container cap  11  is installed on the rim of the container  10  within the enclosure, at step S 150 , after the propellant has been fully introduced to close the aperture and seal the container  10  to contain the combination comprising the liquid paint and the propellant. The container  10  can then be removed from the containment device after the container cap  11  has been installed to seal the aperture. 
     Embodiments of the present method allow for the insertion of a split, elastomeric gasket between the container cap  11  and the rim to promote a strong seal. The annular channel  70  extending about a periphery of the container cap  11  is placed on, and receives the rim of the container in a first state, shown in  FIG.  17   . Without installing a valve within the interior space of the container  10 , a collet or other suitable crimping tool can be used to deform the rim of the container  10  within the annular channel  70  as shown in  FIG.  18   , in which the rim is rolled onto itself within the annular channel  70 , as an example of suitable deformation. The deformation of the rim into a second state establishes a friction fit between the annular channel  70  of the container cap  11  and the container  10  suitable to interfere and prevent the escape of significant portions of the propellant between the container cap  11  and the container  10 .rim 
     The foregoing description of examples and embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed, and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The examples and embodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate principles of various examples as are suited to particular uses contemplated. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples and embodiments set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations.