Abstract:
A stabilizing member ( 120 ) forming an upper valve housing for an aerosol valve ( 100 ) having a valve stem ( 150 ) for operating said valve ( 100 ), said stabilizing member ( 120 ) comprising a body ( 160 ) having a resilient portion ( 140 ) arranged at the periphery of said stabilizing member ( 120 ) for snap fitting in a groove ( 18 ) of an associated hollow body ( 12 ), and a radial projection ( 145 ) arranged at the periphery of the stabilizing member ( 120 ) and axially displaced relative the resilient portion ( 140 ), wherein the radial projection ( 145 ) is configured to seal against the associated hollow body ( 12 ). The invention further discloses an aerosol valve with such a stabilizing member, as well as a container with such a stabilizing member and a method for providing the container.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an aerosol container and details thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a stabilizing member forming an upper valve housing for an aerosol valve, an aerosol valve as well as an aerosol container, and a method for providing such aerosol container. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Prior art aerosol containers comprise a valve cup sealing the open end of the aerosol can. An aerosol valve is arranged inside the valve cup, and a valve stem of the valve extends up through the valve cup. The entire periphery of the valve cup needs to be sealed against the can in order to provide a safe and secure aerosol container. The valve cup is crimped to the edge of the open end of the container, a process that is highly complex and time-consuming. There is thus a need for an aerosol container having a simple and cost effective construction. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Accordingly, the present invention preferably seeks to mitigate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art singly or in any combination and solves at least the above mentioned problems by providing a stabilizing member, an aerosol valve, an aerosol container, and a method according to the appended patent claims. 
         [0004]    An idea of the invention is to provide an aerosol container, and allow for the production of an aerosol container, that may be manufactured in a simple and cost-effective way. 
         [0005]    Another idea of the invention is to provide an aerosol container that excludes the need of a valve cup. This is beneficial in many ways; shorter product chains, added design values as the container can be altered in different shapes and forms, as well as lower emission. 
         [0006]    According to a first aspect, a stabilizing member forming an upper valve housing for an aerosol valve having a valve stem for operating said valve is provided. The stabilizing member comprises a body having a resilient portion arranged at the periphery of said stabilizing member for snap fitting in a groove of an associated hollow body, and a radial projection arranged at the periphery of the stabilizing member and axially displaced relative the resilient portion, wherein the radial projection is configured to seal against the associated hollow body. 
         [0007]    The radial projection may be formed by a resilient material, and it may extend continuously along the periphery of the body of the stabilizing member. 
         [0008]    The radial projection may form a radially projecting lip. Optionally, an O-ring may be arranged at the radial projection for further improving the sealing properties of the radial projection. In such embodiment, the actual projection in radial direction may be achieved solely by the radial extension of the O-ring. 
         [0009]    The body may have a centrally aligned through hole through which the valve stem of the valve is insertable. 
         [0010]    According to a second aspect, an aerosol valve for sealing an open end of a main body of an aerosol container is provided. The aerosol valve comprises a valve stem being movable inside a valve housing between an upper position, in which the valve is closed, and a depressed position in which the valve is open, wherein the valve housing comprises a stabilizing member according to the first aspect. 
         [0011]    The valve housing may further comprise a lower valve housing which is connected to the stabilizing member thus forming an upper valve housing. 
         [0012]    The lower valve housing may be connected to a dip tube. 
         [0013]    According to a third aspect, an aerosol container is provided. The aerosol container comprises a main body having a closed end and an upper end, wherein the upper end is sealed by means of an aerosol valve according to the second aspect. 
         [0014]    The upper end may have a narrow portion, an axial end, and a circumferential groove positioned between the narrow portion and the axial end. The resilient portion of the stabilizing member is snap fitted into said groove. 
         [0015]    The maximum diameter of the groove may be slightly less than the maximum diameter of the resilient portion. 
         [0016]    The radial projection of the stabilizing member may be press fitted against the narrow portion of the main body. 
         [0017]    The maximum diameter of the narrow portion may be slightly less than the maximum diameter of the radial projection. 
         [0018]    According to a fourth aspect, a method for providing an aerosol container is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a hollow main body, wherein the main body has a closed bottom end and an open upper end, providing an aerosol valve according to the second aspect, and sealing the open upper end by snap fitting the valve in the main body of the container. 
         [0019]    According to an aspect of the invention, a stabilizer for an aerosol valve having a valve housing and a valve stem for operating said valve, said stabilizer comprising a body, and wherein the periphery of said stabilizer is provided with at least one resilient member that extends in a radial direction. 
         [0020]    According to a further aspect of the invention, an aerosol valve is provided. The aerosol valve comprises a stabilizer according to the first aspect. 
         [0021]    According to a yet further aspect of the invention, an aerosol container is provided. The aerosol container has a closed bottom end and an open upper end, wherein the inside wall of said upper end is provided with a circumferential groove, and wherein said container further comprises an aerosol valve according to the second aspect. 
         [0022]    According to another aspect of the invention, a method for providing an aerosol container is provided. The method comprises a first step of extruding a metal blank into a hollow body, wherein the hollow body has a main body, a closed bottom end and an open upper end and wherein the upper end is provided with a circumferential groove. The second step of the method comprises arranging a valve within the walls of the upper end of the container, wherein the valve is an aerosol valve according to the second aspect. The third step of the method comprises sealing the open upper end against the valve body by snapping the at least one resilient members of the stabilizer with the circumferential groove of the hollow body of the container. 
         [0023]    According to a yet further aspect of the invention, a method for filling an aerosol container is provided. The method comprises the step of adding the substance, with the exception of the propellant, to the hollow body of the container, and sealing the open upper end against the valve body by snapping the at least one resilient members of the stabilizer with the circumferential groove of the hollow body of the container and injecting the propellant through the aerosol valve. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    Further objects, features and advantages will appear from the following detailed description, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol container according to an embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of an aerosol valve according to an embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is an isometric cross-sectional view of an aerosol valve according to an embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of parts of an aerosol valve according to an embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a method according to an embodiment; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a method according to another embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    The following description focuses on embodiments of the present invention applicable to aerosol containers. 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 1  a schematic view of an aerosol container  10  according to an embodiment is shown. The aerosol container  10  has a main body  12 , a closed bottom end  14  and a closed upper end  16 . While the bottom end  14  is preferably formed integrally with the main body  12 , the upper end  16  is closed by means of an aerosol valve  100 . The container may be of cylindrical shape, or other suitable shapes for aerosol applications. For example, one portion of the main body  12  may have a first shape, such as cylindrical, while another portion of the main body  12  may have another shape, e.g. a rectangular cross-section. 
         [0033]    The upper end  16  is provided with a circumferential groove  18 , extending in a radial direction outwards as will be described further in accordance with  FIG. 4 . The valve  100  is arranged inside the container  10 , and the valve  100  has an actuator  20  that is provided outside the container  10 , connecting to a valve stem  150  extending through the open upper end  16 . The valve  100  is opened by applying a downward force on the actuator  20 . When the actuator  20  is pressed downwards towards the container  10  the valve  100  is opened and aerosols are allowed to escape from the container  10  through a dip tube  130  arranged inside the container  10 . The dip tube  130  has an open end being in contact with the content of the aerosol container  10 , and an opposite end being connected to the aerosol valve  100 . 
         [0034]    The aerosol valve  100  is thus sealing the upper end  16  of the aerosol container  10 , such that the content of the aerosol container  10  is prevented from escaping unless a user operates the valve  100 . 
         [0035]    The valve  100  will be described in more details from here on. The valve  100  comprises a stabilizing member  120  as is shown with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The stabilizing member  120  is formed as a body  160 , preferably being made of a plastic material such as a thermoplastic polymer, and is equipped with a through hole  170  for allowing the valve stem  150  to extend through the stabilizing member  120 . The body  160  of the stabilizing member  120  forms an upper valve housing of the valve  100  that acts as a cover for the aerosol valve  100  in the same sense as prior art valve cups. 
         [0036]    Hence, the valve stem  150  extends through the upper valve housing  120 , i.e. the stabilizing member, via the through hole  170 . The valve stem  150 , normally being provided with an actuator (see  FIG. 1 ) is extending inwards and into the valve  100 . 
         [0037]    When the valve stem  150  is subject to a pressing force in a direction downwards, i.e. towards the stabilizing member  120  of the valve housing, an interior channel inside the valve  100  is fluidly connected with the interior of the aerosol container  10  such that the content of the aerosol container  10  is allowed to be discharged through the interior channel of the valve stem  150 . 
         [0038]    Besides the stabilizing member  120  and the valve stem  150  the aerosol valve  100  normally also comprises a lower valve housing  180 . The lower valve housing  180  forms a fluid conduit, and has a lower end to which the dip tube  130  is connected. The lower valve housing  180  is housing a spring  182 , as well as a lower portion of the valve stem  150 . The spring urges the valve stem  150  upwards, however allows the valve stem  150  to be slidably moveable inside the lower valve housing  180 . The valve stem  150  has an interior fluid channel which is formed between one aerosol inlet, arranged at the side surface of the valve stem  150 , and an aerosol outlet arranged at the upper portion of the valve stem  150 , i.e. at the portion which projects outside the aerosol container  10 . 
         [0039]    The position of the aerosol inlet is set such that it is sealed, and closed, when the valve stem  150  is in its idle position. When the valve stem  150  is depressed, the aerosol inlet will move downwards whereby it will open and allow the content to enter the fluid channel of the valve stem  150 . As soon as the pressing force is removed from the valve stem  150  the spring  182  will urge the valve stem  150  upwards such that the aerosol inlet is closed. 
         [0040]    The stabilizing member  120  and the lower valve housing  180  together forms a common valve housing  190 ; for this, the lower valve housing  180  is connectable to the upper valve housing, i.e. the stabilizing member  120  e.g. by means of a snap fit, a threaded engagement, or similar. A sealing  192  may be provided where the upper valve housing  120  and the lower valve housing  180  lies in contact with each other for preventing leakage. Preferably, the sealing may also form the sealing for closing the aerosol inlet of the valve stem  150 . 
         [0041]    The outer periphery of the stabilizing member  120  is provided with a resilient portion  140 , in the shown example the resilient portion is formed by a plurality of resilient members  140  that extends outwards in a radial direction. The resilient portion  140  thus has a radial extension, as well as an upper surface for engagement with the aerosol container  100  as will be described further below. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment the periphery of the stabilizing member  120  is provided with  12  members  140 . It should be understood by a person skilled in the art that the number of members  140  could vary depending on design parameters. 
         [0043]    Each resilient member  140  forms a spring, such that it will always strive to return to its idle shape and form. If the resilient members  140  are urged radially inwards, i.e. when the stabilizing member  120  is mounted in an aerosol container  10  as will be described below, they will press outwards to seal against the inner surface of the container  100 . 
         [0044]    The springs  140  may be provided as plastic flanges, extending outwards. The interface where the flanges  140  are connected to the body  160  thus forms a hinge. 
         [0045]    In the shown embodiment the stabilizing member is circular. In other embodiments, the stabilizing member  120  may be of triangular shape, in the shape of a square or in any other suitable form. 
         [0046]    As described above, the stabilizing member  120  has a resilient portion  140  arranged at its periphery. The stabilizing member  120  has an axial extension, wherein the resilient portion  140  is provided at an upper axial end. The lower axial end of the stabilizing member  120  comprises a radial projection  145 . The radial projection  145  may preferably consist of the same material as the rest of the stabilizing member  120 . However, the radial projection  145  is continuous along its periphery and forms a radially projecting lip. The outer radius of the radial projection  145  is preferably less than the outer radius of the resilient portion  140 . Optionally, an O-ring may be arranged at the radial projection for further improving the sealing properties of the radial projection. In such embodiment, the actual projection in radial direction may be achieved solely by the radial extension of the O-ring. 
         [0047]    Parts of the aerosol container  10  are shown in  FIG. 5 , illustrating the connection between the aerosol container  10  and the aerosol valve  100 . 
         [0048]    The upper end  16  of the aerosol container&#39;s  10  main body  12  has a narrow portion  16   a , which narrow portion  16   a  may be a cylindrical portion having a slightly less radius than the lower parts of the main body  12 . A circumferential groove  18  is provided axially between the narrow portion  16   a  and the axial end  16   b  of the main body  12 . The groove  18  is formed radially outwards, such that the groove  18  actually forms a portion having a slightly larger radius than the narrow portion  16   a , as well as than the axial end  16   b.    
         [0049]    Hence the inside wall of the upper end  16  of the main body  12  is provided with the circumferential groove  18 . The radius of the circumferential groove  18  is slightly less than the radius of the resilient portion  140  of the stabilizing member  120 . Additionally, the radius of the narrow portion  16   a  is slightly less than the radius of the radial projection  145  of the stabilizing member  120 . 
         [0050]    Before assembly of the aerosol container  10  the aerosol valve  100  is provided by securely attaching the lower valve housing  180 , including the spring  182  and the valve stem  150 , to the stabilizing member  120 . 
         [0051]    When mounting the aerosol valve  100  to the main body  12  in order to form the aerosol container  100  the aerosol valve  100  is positioned adjacent to the upper end  16  of the main body  10 . As the radius of the resilient portion  140  is slightly larger than the radius of the groove  18  (as well as than the radius of the axial end  16   b  of the main body  12 ), the valve  100  can not be put in correct position without a pressing force. The valve  100  is therefore pressed against the main body  12  whereby the resilient portion  140  will deflect slightly inwards allowing the valve  100  to move into the main body  12  to some extent. However, as the radius of the radial projection  145  is slightly larger than the radius of the narrow portion  16   a  also the radial projection needs to deform. When a certain pressure is applied to the valve  100  the resilient portion  140  will snap into the groove  18 , preventing the valve  100  from moving upwards. At the same time the radial projection  145  will seal against the narrow portion  18  of the main body  12 . A secure and rigid attachment of the valve  100  is thus achieved. 
         [0052]    A method  200  for providing an aerosol container will now be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . In a first step  210 , a hollow body is provided e.g. by extruding a metal blank. In a particular embodiment, the hollow body has a main body  12 , a closed bottom end  14  and an open upper end  16 . The upper end is provided with a circumferential groove  18 . 
         [0053]    In a subsequent step  220 , a valve  100  is arranged within the walls of the upper end  16 . The valve has a valve stem  150  that opens the valve  100  when it is depressed. The valve  100  is arranged such that the upper end of the valve stem  150  is facing away from the opening of the upper end  16 . The valve further comprises a stabilizing member  120 , where the periphery of the stabilizer  120  is provided with a resilient portion extending in a radial direction, as well as a radial projection  145  as described above. 
         [0054]    In a next step  230 , the open upper end  16  is closed by the valve  100  such that the upper end  16  is closed. The resilient portion  140  of the stabilizer  120  will snap into the circumferential groove  18  of the hollow body  12  of the container, thus creating a secure and robust positioning of the valve  100 . The circumferential groove  18  and the resilient portion  140  keeps the stabilizing member  120  in a perfect position relative the main body  12 , and the radial projection  145  of the stabilizing member  120  will seal against the inner wall of the container  10 . Tests have been performed indicating that a suitable down force required to fit the valve  100  may be in the range of 500-1000 N, depending on the dimensions of the stabilizing member  120  and the main body  12 . The distance, from the resting position of the valve  100  prior to the press-fit to the mounted position, may e.g. be in the range of 10-15 mm. Thus, when using the stabilizing member  120  for an aerosol valve  100  the need of a mounting cup, valve cup or sealing gaskets is no longer present. 
         [0055]    A method  300  for filling an aerosol container will now be described with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
         [0056]    In a first step  310 , all the substance except the propellant is added to the hollow body  12  of the container  10 . The substance is usually in the form of a liquid or foam, such as insecticides, deodorants, hair spray and paints. 
         [0057]    In a subsequent step  320 , the open upper  16  end is closed by the valve  100  such that the upper end  16  is closed as described in the method according to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0058]    In a next step  330 , the propellant is injected under pressure through the valve  100 . The propellant may be in the form of a liquified gas, or a compressed gas. The propellant may for example be mixtures of volatile hydrocarbons, typically propane and n-butane. 
         [0059]    The use of the above-described stabilizing member  120  for aerosol valve applications has been proven to be very efficient for various types of containers as well as for various applications. For example, the main body  12  of the container may be a plastic bottle (preferably for use with non-pressurized content as well as pressurized content), a so called tin-can made of a suitable metal, and steel bottles manufactured e.g. by impact extrusion, etc., as long as the main body  12  has a means for receiving and holding the stabilizing member  120  of a valve. Hence, the only adaptation necessary for existing bottles and containers is to form the upper end such that it exhibits a groove arranged adjacent to a narrow portion. 
         [0060]    Hence the aspects of the above description may be implemented for deodorants, perfumes, hair spray, body spray, creams and lotions, sun care products, shaving gel and foam products, hair color, air fresheners, cleaning products, food such as oil, cream, etc, paint, chemicals, glues and adhesives, pesticides, inhalers, etc. Although such products may vary greatly in terms of viscosity, all these products may be handled using different dimensions of the valve and main body. 
         [0061]    Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the invention is limited only by the accompanying claims and, other embodiments than the specific above are equally possible within the scope of these appended claims.