Abstract:
The present invention is a method and apparatus for attaching a soft plastic liner within an aerosol can and other cans such as flat top cans. The bag is attached in the can by the method of entrapment, or retention. The liner is typically a thin film plastic material with a thickened bead at the open end. The liner can be made of a polyvinylchloride (PVC) material or a slightly more rigid plastic than PVC. When the dome and body are assembled, there is a cavity or pocket formed, as well as a narrow passage at the bottom of the dome. The thickened bead is entrapped in the cavity and can not pass through the narrow passage, which provides the correct space for the thin film bag. The aerosol can typically includes a bottom end and an opposing top end, the opposing top end configured to receive a valve dome, a liner comprising an open end, a closed end, a liner body disposed therebetween, wherein the open end includes a sealing bead which is thicker than the liner body and wherein said liner is disposed in said aerosol can, and a valve dome.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/133,838, filed on Jul. 2, 2008 and 61/195,435, filed on Oct. 7, 2008, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to aerosol assemblies. More specifically, this invention relates to an aerosol assembly having a liner separating the propellant from the product and methods of making the same. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    One type of aerosol dispensing container has a collapsible liner or pouch-like structure disposed within the container. The interior of the liner defines a product chamber for holding a product to be dispensed. A propellant chamber for holding a pressurized propellant is formed between the interior of the container and the exterior of the liner. The liner has an opening for communicating with the exterior of the container via a dispensing means, typically a valve. The propellant exerts a compressive force on the liner, collapsing the liner and forcing the product therein to be dispensed from the container as the valve is actuated. Thus, the product is not contaminated by the propellant, and the propellant is not vented to the atmosphere. 
         [0004]    Presently, insertable liners and their insertion methods have several disadvantages. Not only is the assembly process relatively slow, cumbersome and expensive due to the special steps required to prepare the liner for insertion through the valve opening, but they may also produce non-uniform surfaces and cracks, especially around the liner opening, resulting in poor sealing characteristics at the valve opening/liner interface which permit propellant and/or product leakage or permeation out of the container. Attempts to utilize a gasket or adhesive to seal the interface have not been entirely successful and also increases manufacturing costs and crimp leakage problems. Thus, a lined aerosol package that may be efficiently assembled and that also protects the product is needed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This invention relates to an aerosol package, comprising an aerosol container comprising a bottom end and an opposing top end, the opposing top end configured to receive a valve dome, a liner comprising a first end, a second end, and a liner body disposed therebetween, wherein the first end has an opening and a top edge that includes a sealing bead which is thicker than the liner body and wherein said liner is disposed in said top end of said aerosol container, and a valve dome. 
         [0006]    This invention also relates to a method for assembling an aerosol package, the method comprising the steps of providing a sub-assembly comprising an aerosol container and a liner disposed therein, said aerosol container comprising a bottom end and an opposing top end, the opposing top end being configured to receive a valve dome, said liner comprising an first end, a second end, and a liner body disposed therebetween, wherein the first end has an opening and a top edge that includes a sealing bead which is thicker than the liner body, providing a valve dome, inserting said valve dome into said open end of said liner and top end of said aerosol container, wherein said sealing bead of said liner is squeezed between said valve dome and said aerosol container, thereby establishing a seal between said valve dome and said aerosol container, and affixing said valve dome to said aerosol container. 
         [0007]    This invention further relates to a method for assembling an aerosol package, the method comprising the steps of providing a sub-assembly comprising a valve dome and a liner disposed thereon, said liner comprising a first end, a second end, and a liner body disposed therebetween, wherein the first end has an opening and a top edged that includes a sealing bead which is thicker than said liner body, said valve dome defining a groove for receiving said sealing bead of said liner, providing an aerosol container comprising a bottom end and an opposing top end including an annular rim that defines an opening into the aerosol container, the opposing top end configured to receive said valve dome and said liner, inserting said valve dome and liner subassembly into said top end of said aerosol container, wherein said sealing bead of said liner is squeezed between said valve dome and said aerosol container thereby establishing a seal between said valve dome and said aerosol container, and affixing said valve dome with said aerosol container rim. 
         [0008]    This also relates to an aerosol package wherein the sealing bead is disposed between the valve dome and the aerosol container. The valve dome may also have a groove for receiving the sealing bead of the liner. Furthermore, the valve body may also have a sloped step that may increase the sealing ability of the sealing bead of the liner as the pressure inside the can increases. 
         [0009]    This invention also related to an aerosol container that may utilize a rigid insert that may assist in the formation of the seal. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a section view of an aerosol package of the invention with a sealing mechanism that includes a sealing bead between an aerosol container and a valve dome having a groove. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is an exploded view of the sealing mechanism of the aerosol package of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0012]      FIG. 1C  is an exploded view of the aerosol package of  FIG. 1A  partially assembled. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1D  is a section view of a liner. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a section view of an aerosol package of the invention utilizing a rigid insert. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is an exploded view of the sealing mechanism of the aerosol package of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3A  is a section view of an aerosol package of the invention with a sealing mechanism that includes a sealing bead between an aerosol container having a groove and a valve dome. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3B  is an exploded view of the aerosol package of  FIG. 3A  partially assembled. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3C  is an exploded view of the sealing mechanism of the aerosol package of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3D  is an alternative view of the aerosol package of  FIG. 3A  with a sealing mechanism located at the bottom end of the aerosol container. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4A  is a section view of an aerosol package of the invention with the sealing bead located midway in the aerosol container 
           [0021]      FIG. 4B  is an exploded view of  FIG. 4A  with the sealing bead located at the upper end of the aerosol container. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4C  is an exploded view of the bead receiving portion of the aerosol package of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0023]      FIG. 4D  is an exploded view of  FIG. 4A  with the sealing bead located at the lower end of the aerosol container. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a section view of the aerosol package of the invention with a modified liner. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a section view of the aerosol package of the invention with a valve dome defining a groove for receiving a sealing bead. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7A  is a section view of the aerosol package utilizing a rigid insert ring. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7B  is an exploded section view of the rigid insert ring of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0028]      FIG. 7C  is an exploded view of  FIG. 7A  with the rigid insert ring and sealing bead at the lower end of the aerosol container. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a section view of an aerosol package of the invention utilizing a rigid insert encompassing a valve body. 
           [0030]      FIG. 9A  is a section view of an aerosol package of the invention utilizing a rigid insert located midway in the aerosol container. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9B  is an exploded view of an embodiment similar to  FIG. 9A  utilizing an alternative rigid insert located midway in the aerosol container. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a section view of an aerosol package of the invention utilizing two rigid inserts. 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is a section view of a lined can assembly of the invention utilizing a flat top. 
           [0034]      FIG. 12A  is a section view of an aerosol package having a dome with a sloped step at an angle of α from vertical. 
           [0035]      FIG. 12B  is a section view of an aerosol package having a dome with a sloped step showing the initial angle of a increasing as the pressure inside the aerosol package is increased. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]      FIG. 1A  illustrates an aerosol package  10  comprising a liner  12 , an aerosol container  14 , and a valve dome  16 . As with the other embodiments described in this application, the aerosol package is typically of a cylindrical shape. The aerosol container has a bottom end  18 , a container body  39 , and an opposing top end  20  configured to receive valve dome  16 . The bottom end  18  of the aerosol container  14  contains a dome shaped bottom  19  that is affixed to the container body  39  by a crimp  21 . Other means may be used to affix the dome shaped bottom  19  to the container body  39 , or the dome shaped bottom and the aerosol container may be formed from a single piece of material. The dome shaped bottom  19  has a hole  23  that is used to introduce a propellant into the propellant chamber  50  to pressurize the aerosol assembly, which is plugged afterward to prevent the propellant from escaping. Alternatively, the dome shaped bottom  19  may be a continuous structure without a hole and the propellant gas may be introduced between the valve dome  16  and the aerosol container  14 . The top end  20  of aerosol container  14  contains a tapered neck portion  42  and a flange  44 . The valve dome  16  also contains a flange  40 . 
         [0037]    As is typical with the liners used in this and the other embodiments described herein, the liner comprises a first end, a second end, and a liner body, wherein the first end has an opening and a top edge that includes a sealing bead. Methods that may be used for creating a liner with a sealing bead may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,932,163, 6,344,163, and 6,405,890, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. The liner  12  shown in  FIG. 1A  illustrates a liner bag that may be formed through the processes described in those patents. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 1C , there is illustrated a partially assembled aerosol package in which the valve dome  16  has an inwardly directed groove  36  for receiving the sealing bead  38  of the liner  12 . The groove  36  is defined between the outwardly projecting lower rim  37  and the upper flange  40 . Typically, a liner bag may be made of flexible PVC material, but other material, such as plastic films or metal foils, known to those of ordinary skill in the art may be used. The inside diameter BD ( FIG. 1D ) of the liner at the sealing bead is slightly less than the outside diameter GD ( FIG. 1A ) of the groove  36 , resulting in the sealing bead  38  fitting tightly in the groove  36  so that it will not fall or roll out of the groove easily or under its own weight, but can be stretched to pass over the lower rim  37 .  FIG. 1B  illustrates the top end  20  of the aerosol container  14  fully receiving the valve dome  16  and liner  12  sub-assembly. The groove  36  of the valve dome  16  and the tapered neck portion  42  of the aerosol container  14  cooperate to create a cavity  46 . As illustrated, the sealing bead  38  may be squeezed within the cavity  46  between the groove  36  in the valve dome  16  and the inside of the neck portion  42  of the aerosol container  14 , forming a seal between the product chamber  48  within liner  12  and the propellant chamber  50 , between the product chamber  48  and the atmosphere, and between the propellant chamber  50  and the atmosphere ( FIG. 1A ). The seal is formed because, typically, the width of the cavity  46  is less than the thickness of the sealing bead  38 , thus compressing the sealing bead  38 . The liner  12  extends downward from the sealing bead  38  into the aerosol container  14  through a narrow passage  52  between the lower rim  37  of the valve dome  16  and the neck portion  20  of the aerosol container  14 . Typically, the width of passage  52  is slightly greater than the liner thickness to prevent pinching or tearing of the liner  12  during assembly and usage of the aerosol package. During assembly, the valve dome  16  slides into an opening at the top end  20  of the aerosol container  14 . As the lower rim  37  of the valve dome  16  passes through the tapered neck portion  42  of the aerosol container  14 , the bead  38  is captured and squeezed tightly within the groove  36  between the valve dome  16  and the top end  20  of the aerosol container  14 . This secures and seals the bead  38  within the container  14 . The valve dome  16  is fully disposed within the opening of the container when flange  40  engages flange  44  of the aerosol container  14 . The lower rim  37  prevents the sealing bead  38  and the liner  12  from being pulled into the aerosol container  14  after assembly. 
         [0039]    After the valve dome  16  and liner  12  are seated into the top end  20  of the aerosol container  14 , the valve dome  16  may be affixed to the top end  20  of the aerosol container  14 . One method of affixing the valve dome  16  to the top end  20  of the aerosol container  14  is by crimping the flange  40  of the valve dome  16  to the flange  44  of the aerosol container  14 . The sealing bead  38  also creates a double seal for the crimped seam, and can prevent leakage of the propellant or product to the atmosphere if the crimped seam becomes damaged. This crimping embodiment  161  is illustrated in  FIG. 12B . Other methods of affixing the valve dome  16  to the aerosol container  14  may also be used. 
         [0040]    Another liner embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 1D . Liner  22  is a conventional plastic liner which has an open end  24 , a closed end  26  and a liner body  28  disposed therebetween. Liner  22  may be made by placing an O-ring  30  over the open end  24  of liner  22  and folding the liner back over the O-ring  30 , forming an outer skirt  32 . Folding the liner over the O-ring creates a thickened end  34  which is thicker than the liner body  28 , similar to the sealing bead  38  of  FIG. 1A . This liner  22  can be used in place of the soft plastic liner  12  of  FIG. 1A . 
         [0041]      FIG. 2A  illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which an aerosol package  200  has a liner  212 , an aerosol container  214 , a rigid insert  215 , and a valve dome  216 . The rigid insert  215  may extend to the approximate midpoint of the aerosol container  214 . The rigid insert in this embodiment and in the other embodiments using a rigid insert may be plastic or another rigid material such as fiberglass, or aluminum. The liner  212  encompasses the rigid insert  215 , the rigid insert  215  having a first end  223  and a second end  225 . Referring to  FIG. 2B , the first end  223  of the rigid insert  215  defines a step  227  for receiving a sealing bead  238  of the liner  212 . The valve dome  216  contains a flange  240 . The aerosol container  214  has a container body  239 , a bottom end  218 , and an opposing top end  220  configured to receive valve dome  216 . The top end  220  of aerosol container  214  contains a tapered neck portion  242 , a flange  244 , and a step  241  rolled into the aerosol container  214  for receiving the bead  238  of the liner  212 . The bottom end  218  of the aerosol container  214  contains a dome shaped bottom  219  that is affixed to the aerosol container body  139  by a crimp  221 . Other means may be used to affix the dome shaped bottom  219  to the aerosol container body  139 , and the dome shaped bottom and the aerosol container may be formed from a single piece of material. The dome shaped bottom  219  may have a hole  229  that may be used to introduce a propellant into a propellant chamber  250  for pressurizing the aerosol assembly  200 . Thereafter, the hole  229  is plugged to prevent the propellant from escaping. Alternatively, the dome shaped bottom  219  may be a continuous structure without a hole and the propellant gas may be introduced between the valve dome  216  and the aerosol container  214 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a close up view of the top end  220  of the aerosol container  214  fully receiving the valve dome  216 , rigid insert  215 , and liner  212 . The dome  216  includes a straight portion  211 , which combines with the step  241  and tapered portion  242  of the container  214  and the step  227  of the rigid insert  215  to form a cavity  246  and a narrow passage  252 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the soft plastic liner  212  (dashed lines) can fold inside the rigid insert  215  without wrinkling. The rigid insert  215  can slide onto the straight portion  211  of the dome  216 , before the dome  216  slides into the container body  214  during assembly. 
         [0043]    As noted above, the combination of the valve dome  216 , the step  241 , the tapered portion  242  of the aerosol container  214 , and the step  227  of the rigid insert  215  create the cavity  246 . Thus, the sealing bead  238  may be squeezed within the cavity  246  between the step  227  of the rigid insert  215  and the tapered portion  242  of the aerosol container  214 , forming a seal between a product chamber  248  within liner  212  and the propellant chamber  250 , between the product chamber  248  and the atmosphere, and between the propellant chamber  250  and the atmosphere. The seal is formed because, typically, the width of the cavity  246  between the step  227  of the rigid insert  215  and the tapered portion of the aerosol container  214  is less than the thickness of the sealing bead  238 , thus compressing sealing bead  238 . The lower rim  237  of the valve dome  216  and the step  241  of the aerosol container  214  secure the rigid insert  215 , liner  212 , and sealing bead  238  within the cavity  246 . The liner  212  extends downward from the sealing bead  238  into the aerosol container  214  through a narrow passage  252  between the rigid insert  215  and the step  241  of the aerosol container  214 . Typically, the width of passage  252  may be slightly greater than the liner thickness to prevent pinching or tearing of the liner  212  during assembly and usage of the aerosol package. The step  241  of the aerosol container  214  prevents the sealing bead  238  from being pulled into the aerosol container  214  after assembly. 
         [0044]    After the valve dome  216 , rigid insert  215 , and liner  212  are seated into the top end  220  of the aerosol container  214 , the valve dome  216  may be affixed to the top end  220  of the aerosol container  214 . One method of affixing the valve dome  216  to the top end  220  of the aerosol container  214  is by crimping the flange  240  of the valve dome  216  with the flange  244  of the aerosol container  214 . The sealing bead  238  also creates a double seal for the crimped seam, and can prevent leakage of the propellant or product to the atmosphere if the crimped seam becomes damaged. This crimping embodiment  161  is illustrated in  FIG. 12B . Other methods of affixing the valve dome  216  to the aerosol container  214  may also be used. 
         [0045]      FIG. 3A  illustrates another embodiment, which is similar to  FIG. 2A . The aerosol package  100  of  FIG. 3A  has a liner  112 , an aerosol container  114 , and a valve dome  116 . The aerosol container has a container body  139 , a bottom end  118  and an opposing top end  120  configured to receive valve dome  116 . The valve dome  116  contains a flange  140 .  FIG. 3A  also illustrates a plastic liner  112  which is slightly more rigid than a flexible PVC. Because the liner  112  is more rigid, it can slide onto the dome  116  or drop into the container  114  easily during assembly. The sealing bead  138  forms a seal between the dome  116  and the container  114 . The sealing bead  138  also creates a double seal for the crimped seam, and can prevent leakage of the propellant or product to the atmosphere if the crimped seam becomes damaged. The top end  120  of aerosol container  114  contains a tapered portion  142 , a flange  144 , and a step  141  rolled into the aerosol container as a location for receiving a sealing bead  138  of the liner  112 . The bottom end  118  of the aerosol container  114  contains a dome shaped bottom  119  that is affixed to the aerosol container body  139  by a crimp  121 . Other means may be used to affix the dome shaped bottom  119  to the aerosol container body  139 , and the dome shaped bottom and the aerosol container may be fabricated from a single piece of material. The dome shaped bottom  119  may have a hole  123  that may be used to introduce a propellant into a propellant chamber  150  to pressurize the aerosol assembly. Thereafter, the hole  123  is plugged to prevent the propellant from escaping. Alternatively, the dome shaped bottom  119  may have a continuous structure without a hole and the propellant gas may be introduced between the valve dome  116  and the aerosol container  114 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 3B  shows the partially assembled aerosol package.  FIG. 3C  illustrates a close up view of the top end  120  of the aerosol container  114  of  FIG. 3A  fully receiving the valve dome  116  and liner sub-assembly. The combination of the valve dome  116  and the step  141  and tapered neck portion  142  of the aerosol container  114  create a cavity  146 . Thus, the liner bead  138  may be squeezed within the cavity  146  between the valve dome  116  and the inside surface of the tapered neck portion  142  of the aerosol container  114 , forming a seal between a product chamber  148  within liner  112  and the propellant chamber  150 , between the product chamber  148  and the atmosphere, and between the propellant chamber  150  and the atmosphere. The seal is formed because, typically, the width of the cavity  146  is less than the thickness of the sealing bead  138 . The liner  112  extends downward from the sealing bead  138  into the aerosol container  114  through a narrow passage  152  between a lower rim  137  of the valve dome  116  and the tapered neck portion  120  of the aerosol container  114 . Typically, the width of the passage  152  is slightly greater than the liner thickness to prevent pinching or tearing of the liner  112  during assembly and usage of the aerosol package. 
         [0047]    Prior to inserting the valve dome  116  into the top end  120  of the aerosol container  114 , the sealing bead  138  of the liner  112  may be slid over the lower rim  137  of the valve dome  116  and onto the valve dome  116 , thereby creating a valve dome liner subassembly. Thereafter, the valve dome liner subassembly may be inserted into the top end  120  of the aerosol container  114 . Alternatively, prior to inserting the valve dome  116  into the top end  120  of the aerosol container  114 , the liner  112  may first be disposed in the top end  120  of the aerosol container  114  with the sealing bead  138  of the liner  112  seated against the step  141  of the aerosol container  114 , thereby creating an aerosol container liner subassembly. Thereafter, the valve dome  116  may be inserted into the aerosol container liner subassembly. 
         [0048]    The valve dome  116  may then be affixed to the top end  120  of the aerosol container  114 . One method of affixing the valve dome  116  to the top end  120  of the aerosol container  114  is by crimping the flange  140  of the valve dome  116  to the flange  144  of the aerosol container  114 . This crimping embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 12B . Other methods of affixing the valve dome  116  to the aerosol container  114  may also be used. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3D  shows an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 3A . The embodiment of  FIG. 3D  illustrates an aerosol container  185  having a step  182  for receiving a sealing bead  190  of a liner  192 . A bottom dome  194  has a relief  184 , which, when combined with the aerosol container body  180 , creates a cavity  186 . When a crimp  187  is made between the bottom dome  194  and the aerosol container body  180  is made, the sealing bead  190  may be squeezed within the cavity  186 , forming a seal between product chamber  196  and propellant chamber  198 , between the product chamber  196  and the atmosphere, and between the propellant chamber  198  and the atmosphere. The sealing bead  190  also creates a double seal for the crimp  187 , and can prevent leakage of the propellant or product to the atmosphere if the crimp becomes damaged. The liner  192  extends upward from the sealing bead  190  into the aerosol container  185  through a narrow passageway  183  between the bottom dome  194  and the step  182 . Typically, the width of passageway  183  is slightly greater than the liner thickness to prevent pinching or tearing of the liner  192  during assembly and usage of the aerosol package. Typically, a valve dome (not shown) is affixed to the top end (not shown) of the aerosol container  185 , a process that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0050]    Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 4A , in which an aerosol package  59  has an aerosol container  60  containing an internal fold  62  midway of the aerosol container  60  for receiving a sealing bead  64  of a liner  66 . As shown in  FIG. 4C , the internal fold  62  creates a flange  68  and a cavity  70  for receiving the sealing bead  64  of the liner  66 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , an internal crimp  76  of the flange  68  results in the entrapment of the sealing bead  64  in the cavity  70 . Thus, a seal is formed between a product chamber  78  of the liner  66  and a propellant chamber  80 . The liner  66  extends from the sealing bead  64  into the aerosol container  60  through a narrow passageway  61 . Typically, the width of passageway  61  is slightly greater than the liner thickness to prevent pinching or tearing of the liner  66  during assembly and usage of the aerosol package. The internal fold  62  may be located midway between a bottom end  72  and a top end  74  of the aerosol container  60 , or it may be located close to the top end  74 , as depicted in  FIG. 4B , or close to the bottom end  72 , as depicted in  FIG. 4D . As illustrated, the liner  66  can travel from bottom to top (dashed lines) without wrinkling. The liner  66  can be tapered from the large open end at the bead  64  to the small closed end. This will allow the liners to be stacked for easy shipping. The bottom dome  63  of aerosol package  59  may be affixed and configured similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , and the aerosol package  59  may be charged with propellant in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . The valve dome  65  may be affixed to the aerosol container  60  in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
         [0051]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which an aerosol package  500  has a liner  512 , an aerosol container  514 , a valve dome  516 , a valve cup  513 , and a valve body  515 . The aerosol container has a bottom end  518  and an opposing top end  520  configured to receive the valve dome  516 . The liner  512  has a thicker portion  523 , and a thinner portion  525 , whereby the thinner portion  525  may fold into the thicker portion  523  without wrinkling as the product is released from a product chamber  548  via the valve body  515 . 
         [0052]    The liner  512  contains a first sealing end  527 , which has a sealing bead  534  and an opening  529 . The valve dome  516  has a rolled groove  531  for receiving the sealing bead  534  of the liner  512 . Typically, the diameter of the opening  529  is less than the diameter of the valve body  515 , thereby providing a seal between the product chamber  548  and a cup cavity  533  when the valve body  515  is disposed in the opening  529 . The valve cup  513  has a rolled groove  535  for receiving the rolled groove  531  of the valve dome  516 . An inside crimp  537  crimps the rolled groove  535  of the valve cup  513  to the rolled groove  531  of the valve dome  516  and secures the sealing bead  534  inside the rolled groove  531  of the valve dome  516 , thereby providing a seal between a propellant chamber  550  and the cup cavity  533 . The bottom dome  517  of aerosol package  500  may be affixed and configured similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , and the aerosol package  500  may be charged with propellant in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . Additionally, the valve dome  516  may be affixed to the aerosol container  514  in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
         [0053]      FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which an aerosol package  600  has a liner  612 , an aerosol container  614 , and a valve dome  616 . The aerosol container  614  has a bottom end  618  and an opposing top end  620  configured to receive valve dome  616 . The liner  612  comprises a first end  626 , a second end  624 , and a liner body  621  disposed therebetween. The first end  626  of the liner  612  has an opening and a top edge that includes a sealing bead  638 . An upper rim  615  and inner flange  617  of valve dome  616  define a cavity  636  for receiving the sealing bead  638  of the liner  612 . After insertion of the sealing bead  638  into valve dome  616  groove  636 , an inside crimp made to turn inwardly along arrow  29 , similar to the inside crimp  537  of  FIG. 5 , may be completed on flange  617  to seal the cavity  636 , forming a seal between a product chamber  648  and a propellant chamber  650 , between the product chamber  648  and the atmosphere, and between the propellant chamber  650  and the atmosphere. The bottom dome  619  of aerosol package  600  may be affixed and configured similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , and the aerosol package  600  may be charged with propellant in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . The valve dome  616  may be affixed to the aerosol container  614  in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
         [0054]      FIG. 7A  illustrates another embodiment of the invention, similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , in which an aerosol package  700  has a liner  712 , an aerosol container  714 , a rigid insert ring  717 , a valve dome  716 , a valve cup  713 , and a valve body  715 . The aerosol container has a bottom end  718  and an opposing top end  720  configured to receive valve dome  716  and the rigid insert ring  717 . The aerosol container  714  contains a step  741  rolled into the aerosol container as a location for receiving a sealing bead  738  of the liner  712 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a cross-section of the rigid insert ring  717 . The rigid insert ring  717  has a top end  723  and a step  725  for receiving the sealing bead  738  of the liner  712 . The combination of the valve dome  716 , the aerosol container step  741 , and the rigid insert ring step  725  create a cavity  746 . Thus, the liner bead  738  may be squeezed within the cavity  746  between the rigid insert ring step  725  and the aerosol container step  741 , forming a seal between a product chamber  748  within liner  712  and a propellant chamber  750  of the aerosol assembly  700 . Crimping the valve dome  716  to the aerosol container  714 , in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , secures the rigid insert ring  717  in place and maintains the seal between the product chamber  748  and the propellant chamber  750 , between the product chamber  748  and the atmosphere, and between the propellant chamber  750  and the atmosphere. 
         [0056]    The valve dome  716  and the step  741  of the aerosol container  714  secure the rigid insert  717 , liner  712 , and sealing bead  738  within the cavity  746 . The liner  712  extends downward from the sealing bead  738  into the aerosol container  714  through a narrow passage  752  between the rigid insert  717  and the step  741  of the aerosol container  714 . Typically, the width of the passage  752  may be slightly greater than the liner thickness to prevent pinching or tearing of the liner  712  during assembly and usage of the aerosol package. The step  741  of the aerosol container  714  and the step  725  of the rigid insert  717  prevent the sealing bead  738  from being pulled into the aerosol container  714  after assembly. 
         [0057]    The bottom dome  733  of aerosol package  700  may be affixed and configured similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , and the aerosol package  700  may be charged with propellant in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
         [0058]    Alternatively, similar to  FIG. 7A  and as illustrated in  FIG. 7C , a rigid plastic insert ring  731  can be placed on a bottom end  756  of the container  714 . A seal between the product chamber and the propellant chamber may be accomplished by rolling a step  727  at the bottom end  756  of an aerosol container  714 . The combination of the liner  712 , the rigid insert ring  731 , and a dome shaped bottom  733  form a seal. 
         [0059]      FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of an aerosol package  800  combining the embodiments illustrated in and described for  FIGS. 2 ,  5 , and  7 A. A rigid insert  817  contains a rigid cylindrical portion  831  that extends approximately midway into the aerosol container  814 . Similar to  FIG. 7A , the combination of the valve dome  816  with the step  841  of the container  814  and the step  825  of the rigid insert  817  forms the cavity  246 . Thus, a sealing bead  838  of the liner  812  can be squeezed within the cavity  846  between the rigid insert ring step  825  and the aerosol container step  841 , forming a seal between a product chamber  848  of liner  812  and a propellant chamber  850 , between the product chamber  848  and the atmosphere, and between the propellant chamber  850  and the atmosphere. The liner  812  extends downward from the sealing bead  838  into the aerosol container  814  through a narrow passage  852  between the rigid insert  817  and the step  841  of the aerosol container  814 . Typically, the width of the passage  852  may be slightly greater than the liner thickness to prevent pinching or tearing of the liner  812  during assembly and usage of the aerosol package. The step  841  of the aerosol container  814  and the step  825  of the rigid insert  817  prevent the sealing bead  838  from being pulled into the aerosol container  814  after assembly. 
         [0060]    The rigid insert  817  has an opening  829  for a valve body  815 , wherein the diameter of the opening  829  is typically less than the diameter of a valve body  815 , providing a seal between the product chamber  848  and a cup cavity  833  when the opening  829  receives the valve body  815 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the soft plastic liner  812  (dashed lines) can fold inside the rigid insert  215  without wrinkling. 
         [0061]    Crimping the valve dome  816  to the aerosol container  814 , in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , secures the rigid insert  817  in place and maintains the seal between the product chamber  848  and the propellant chamber  850 , between the product chamber  848  and the atmosphere, and between the propellant chamber  850  and the atmosphere. 
         [0062]    The bottom dome  811  of aerosol package  800  may be affixed and configured similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , and the aerosol package  800  may be charged with propellant in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
         [0063]    Another embodiment is shown in  FIG. 9A , in which an aerosol container  914  contains a tapered portion  942  midway down the aerosol container  914  for receiving a rigid plastic insert ring  913  and a sealing bead  938  of a liner  912 . The combination of the rigid insert  913  and the tapered portion  942  creates a cavity  946  for receiving the sealing bead  938  of the liner  912 . The cavity  946  may be narrower than the sealing bead  938 , thus creating a seal between a product chamber  948  and a propellant chamber  950 . Roll  925  may be formed to secure the rigid insert  913  in the aerosol container  914 . The liner  912  extends downward from the sealing bead  938  into the aerosol container  914  through a narrow passage  952  between the rigid insert  913  and the tapered portion  942  of the aerosol container  914 . Typically, the width of the passage  952  may be slightly greater than the liner thickness to prevent pinching or tearing of the liner  912  during assembly and usage of the aerosol package. The tapered portion  942  of the aerosol container  914  and the rigid insert  913  prevent the sealing bead  938  from being pulled into the aerosol container  914  after assembly. 
         [0064]    The bottom dome  953  of an aerosol package  900  may be affixed and configured similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , and the aerosol package  900  may be charged with propellant in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . Typically, a valve dome  961  is affixed to the top end  962  of the aerosol container  914 , a process that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0065]    Another embodiment is shown in  FIG. 9B , in which an aerosol container  914  contains a step  955  midway of the aerosol container  954  for receiving a rigid insert  951  and the sealing bead  938  of the liner  912 . The combination of the rigid insert  951  and the step  955  creates a cavity  956  for receiving the sealing bead  938  of the liner  912 . The cavity  956  may be narrower than the sealing bead  938 , thus creating a seal between a product chamber  958  and a propellant chamber  959 . Roll  957  may be formed to secure the rigid insert  951  in the aerosol container  954 . The liner  912  passes through a narrow passage  963  similar to that described for the embodiment of  FIG. 9A , the valve dome (not shown) and dome bottom (not shown) may be installed as described for the embodiment of  FIG. 9A , and the aerosol package of  FIG. 9B  may be charged similar to that described for the embodiment of  FIG. 9A . 
         [0066]      FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment in which the aerosol package  960  has a liner  972 , an aerosol container  974 , a valve dome  976 , a valve cup  973 , a valve body  975 , a first rigid insert  977 , and a second rigid insert  978 . The liner  972  contains a sealing bead  988 . The first rigid insert  977  and the second rigid insert  978  define a cavity  979  for receiving the sealing bead  988 . The cavity  979  may be narrower than the sealing bead  988 , thus creating a seal between a product chamber  980  and a propellant chamber  981 . The liner  972  extends downward from the sealing bead  988  into the aerosol container  974  through a narrow passage  983  between the first rigid insert  977  and second rigid insert  978 . Typically, the width of the passage  983  may be slightly greater than the liner thickness to prevent pinching or tearing of the liner  972  during assembly and usage of the aerosol package. 
         [0067]    The bottom dome  982  of the aerosol package  960  may be affixed and configured similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , and the aerosol package  960  may be charged with propellant in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
         [0068]    An embodiment similar to that shown in  FIG. 3A  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . A lined can assembly  990  in  FIG. 11  substitutes a flat top  991  substituted for the valve dome  116  of  FIG. 3A . The lined can assembly  990  may be pressurized, as with an aerosol can. Alternatively, the lined can assembly  990  may utilize a pull tab  992  for dispensing the contents of a product chamber  993 , as with, for example, a juice can. 
         [0069]      FIG. 12A  illustrates a modified valve dome  160  that may be used with the embodiment of  FIG. 3A . A sealing section  162  of the valve dome  160  and a top end  168  of the aerosol container  166  create a cavity  170  for receiving the sealing bead  174  of the liner  172 . The valve dome  160  has a sloped step  164 , which typically creates an angle α of between 30 and 60 degrees from vertical, more typically between 40 and 50 degrees from vertical, and most typically 45 degrees from vertical. One may find that with a valve dome with the configuration described above, increasing pressure in the aerosol package forces the valve dome upward, thereby increasing the angle α. 
         [0070]    The results of internally pressurizing an aerosol container to approximately 350 psi is illustrated in  FIG. 12B . The resultant increase in the angle α (from approximately 45 degrees to between 55 degrees and 65 degrees) may result in the sealing section  162  of the valve dome  160  moving outward, reducing the width of the cavity. The reduction in cavity width squeezes a liner  172  sealing bead  174  more tightly, and increasing seal tightness between a product chamber  176  and a propellant chamber  178 . 
         [0071]    During one typical assembly process of the aerosol package  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the liner  12  is placed on the valve dome  16  by stretching the bead  38  of the liner  12  and disposing it in the groove  36  of the valve dome  16 . The valve dome and liner assembly may then be inserted into the top end  20  of aerosol container  14 . After the valve dome and liner assembly is seated into the top end  20  of the aerosol container  14  (at which time the seal between the product chamber  48  and propellant chamber  50  has been made), the valve dome  16  is affixed to the top end  20  of the aerosol container  14 . One method of affixing the valve dome  16  to the top end  20  of the aerosol container  14  is by crimping the flange  40  of the valve dome  16  with the flange  42  of the aerosol container  40 . This crimping embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 12B . 
         [0072]    During one typical assembly process of the aerosol package illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the liner  112  is placed on the valve dome  116  by sliding the sealing bead  138  of the liner  112  onto the valve dome  116 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3B . The valve dome and liner subassembly may then be inserted into the aerosol container.  FIG. 3B  shows the partially assembled aerosol package.  FIG. 3C  illustrates the top end  120  of the aerosol container  114  having fully received the valve dome  116  and liner  112 . After the valve dome and liner is seated into the top end  120  of the aerosol container  114 , the valve dome  116  is affixed to the top end  120  of the aerosol container  114 . One method of affixing the valve dome  116  to the top end  120  of the aerosol container  114  is by crimping the flange  140  of the valve dome  116  with the flange  144  of the aerosol container  114 . This crimping embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 12B . 
         [0073]    During another typical assembly process of the aerosol package illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the liner  112  may be placed in the aerosol container  114  so that the sealing bead  138  seats against the step  141  of the aerosol container  114 . The valve dome  116  may then be inserted into the aerosol container-liner subassembly.  FIG. 3B  shows the partially assembled aerosol package.  FIG. 3C  illustrates the top end  120  of the aerosol container  114  having fully received the valve dome  116  and liner  112 . After the valve dome and liner is seated into the top end  120  of the aerosol container  114 , the valve dome  116  is affixed to the top end  120  of the aerosol container  114 . One method of affixing the valve dome  116  to the top end  120  of the aerosol container  114  is by crimping the flange  140  of the valve dome  116  with the flange  144  of the aerosol container  114 . This crimping embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 12B . 
         [0074]    While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrated examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.