Valve assembly, repair kit, and method for salvaging an aerosol container

Abstract

A valve and / or repair kit assembly restores functionality to an aerosol container by being selectively and removably attachable the annular container rim adjacent the container outlet, which has been damaged or otherwise compromised. The valve assembly comprises a container-to-assembly interface fitting and a plunger assembly. The fitting interfaces the plunger assembly to the container, which plunger assembly comprises a sleeve, a nut, and a plunger structure. The sleeve comprises communicating cavities in which the nut and plunger structure are received. The plunger structure is coupled to the nut, each of which provide certain conduit. The fitting axially aligns the plunger assembly with the container outlet and matter-conducting conduit thus extends from the container outlet to the assembly outlet via the valve assembly. Certain methodology for discharging container contents is further supported by the valve assembly.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention generally relates to a valve assembly for selective and removable attachment to an aerosol container. More particularly, the present invention relates to a valve assembly for selective and removable attachment to a standard aerosol container for salvaging container contents from said container, which container has been damaged or compromised at its container outlet.[0003]2. Description of Prior Art[0004]The prior art is fairly silent on replacement valve constructions for aerosol can dispensers and the like. Several of the more pertinent art disclosures, however distant or distinctive, are briefly described hereinafter. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,840 ('840 Patent), which issued to Ishida, discloses a Safety Valve for Aerosol Containers. The '840 Patent describes a safety valve for an aerosol container which permits the discharge of the residual propellant gases in a used container when the va...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]It is thus an object of the current invention to provide a low cost valve assembly designed to restore the functionality of an aerosol spray can by restoring its ability to dispense contents in the manner in which it was originally intended. The valve assembly according to the present invention is designed to be usable on aerosol spray cans either in which the valve stem is integral to the valve body and the stem is broken off or in which the valve stem is non-integral to the valve body but rather integral to the nozzle and the nozzle is lost. It is designed to fit all aerosol spray cans known to be currently used for paints, lubricates, etc. without need of modification of either the valve assembly or any known aerosol spray can design.

[0011]The valve assembly is designed to be reusable and to be compatible with most products dispensed with aerosol spray cans. This is generally accomplished by use of O-rings for sealing that can be readily changed and by use of structural materials common to most aerosol spray cans. It is designed to allow nozzles to be easily changed / interchanged. This allows the delivery spray pattern to be changed; e.g., stream, mist, etc. In addition, this allows replacement of clogged nozzles. Further, the valve assembly is designed to make assembly, cleaning and other maintenance most simple. Total disassembly requires no tools.

[0012]The valve assembly is designed to simplify the changing of seals if required for compatibility with a product dispensed from an aerosol spray can. It is designed to minimize the learning curve attendant to its use by way of operational simplicity. It is designed so as to make prerequisite preparation of an aerosol spray can for usage of the valve assembly in combination therewith unnecessary or minimal.

Problems solved by technology

The container is thereby rendered safe from explosion caused by heat and also cannot be refilled.

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