Aerosol Dispenser Attachment Ring for Plastic Container Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol dispensers face challenges in using plastic materials due to the need for universal actuator attachment and maintaining narrow manufacturing tolerances, which are critical for proper joining and sealing, especially in polymeric containers.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an attachment ring with specific dimensions (outer diameter of 32.20 mm to 32.80 mm and height of 3.60 mm to 4.40 mm) on the aerosol dispenser's neck, allowing for the use of standard, universal actuators with plastic valve cups and containers, and employs various sealing methods like press fit, interference fit, solvent welding, and ultrasonic welding to ensure pressure retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic materials are used for outer containers and valve cups, then cost is reduced and recyclability is improved, but manufacturing precision and sealing reliability become difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
An attachment ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the plastic outer container and the actuator. This ring provides a standardized sealing surface and geometric reference that compensates for variations in plastic molding precision, enabling reliable sealing without requiring extremely tight tolerances on the plastic components themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise dimensional parameters for the attachment ring (outer diameter 32.20-32.80 mm, height 3.60-4.40 mm) that create an interference fit with the plastic valve cup. By controlling the dimensional parameters of the metal ring rather than the plastic components, the system achieves consistent sealing performance despite variations in plastic molding.
2Ease of operation
If standard actuator dimensions are used, then compatibility and ease of operation are improved, but adaptability to different container designs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment ring serves multiple functions: it provides a standardized mounting interface for universal actuators, creates a seal with the plastic valve cup, and acts as a reinforcement structure. This single component enables both actuator compatibility and design flexibility by decoupling the actuator interface from the container geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the plastic outer container, the plastic valve cup, the metal attachment ring, and the actuator. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the plastic parts for molding efficiency and the metal ring for precise dimensional control - while maintaining overall system compatibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If plastic valve cups are used instead of metal, then cost is reduced and recyclability is improved, but joining and sealing methods become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex chemical joining methods (such as solvent welding or ultrasonic welding) with a simple mechanical interference fit between the metal attachment ring and the plastic valve cup. The friction and geometric interlocking provided by the interference fit create a reliable connection without requiring additional joining processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables the use of universal actuators across different plastic aerosol dispenser designs, maintains pressure integrity, and facilitates mass production with precise manufacturing tolerances, enhancing the recyclability and compatibility of plastic aerosol containers.
Implementation Method 1
interference fit
Implementation Method 2
ultrasonic welding
Implementation Method 3
solvent welding
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A package and an array of packages for aerosol dispensers (30) is provided. The package includes a polymeric outer container (32), the polymeric outer container (32) having a closed bottom (34), a sidewall (36), a neck (40) opposite the closed bottom (34) and defining an opening (38) for receiving product (82). The polymeric outer container (32) has a longitudinal axis (LA). The package has an attachment ring (44) disposed adjacent to the neck (40) of the outer container (32). The attachment ring (44) has a radially outermost edge (70) from the longitudinal axis that defines an outer diameter (OD) of the attachment ring (44). The outer diameter (OD) is 32.20 mm to 32.80 mm, and wherein the attachment ring (44) is directly connectable with an actuator (46) of an aerosol dispenser (30). The outer diameter (OD) of the attachment ring (44) in the array of packages is 32.50 mm with a standard deviation of +/- 0.30 mm.