Crystallized Plastic Aerosol Container Neck Resists Crazing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Plastic aerosol containers face challenges in maintaining structural integrity under pressure while minimizing material cost and environmental impact, as they are prone to crazing and manufacturing artifacts, especially with perfumes and organic materials.
Innovation Solution
The use of a crystallized plastic outer container with a crystallized region in the neck and shoulder areas, achieved through thermal or strain treatment, to enhance pressure resistance and prevent crazing, combined with a propellant like Trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene for efficient pressurization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the walls of the plastic outer container are made thicker to withstand and maintain gage pressure, then pressure resistance and structural integrity are improved, but material cost increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a crystallized region specifically in the neck and shoulder areas of the container where stress concentration occurs during pressurization. This localized crystallization provides enhanced strength and crazing resistance precisely where needed, rather than uniformly thickening the entire container wall, thus reducing overall material usage while maintaining structural integrity under pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the degree of crystallization in specific regions through thermal or strain treatment. By adjusting crystallization parameters (temperature, time, strain rate), the patent optimizes the balance between pressure resistance and material efficiency, achieving adequate strength with minimized material consumption.
2Ease of manufacture
If the plastic container is used to reduce cost and improve recyclability, then manufacturing cost and environmental impact are improved, but the container becomes prone to crazing and manufacturing artifacts under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the crazing issue by applying local quality enhancement through crystallization in the neck and shoulder regions. These areas are particularly susceptible to crazing under pressure, and the crystallized structure provides increased resistance to this phenomenon, thereby improving reliability while maintaining the cost-effective plastic material throughout the entire container.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-crystallizing the neck and shoulder regions before the container is subjected to pressurization during use. This pre-treatment creates a more resistant structure in advance, preventing crazing and manufacturing artifacts from occurring during normal operation, thus ensuring long-term reliability of the cost-effective plastic container.
3Power
If a hydrocarbon propellant is used for pressurization, then pressurization efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to safety concerns and environmental regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting alternative propellants (such as HFO-1234ze or nitrogen) that provide adequate pressurization efficiency while having favorable safety and environmental characteristics. This changes the propellant parameter from traditional hydrocarbons to safer alternatives, reducing manufacturing complexity and regulatory burden while maintaining the necessary pressurization function.
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
The crystallized regions in the container walls improve pressure resistance and reduce crazing, ensuring the container's structural integrity and aesthetic appeal, while the selected propellant provides a flatter depressurization curve, optimizing product dispensing and reducing material costs.
Implementation Method 1
the container walls are crystallized in a region including the neck and shoulder areas of the container
Implementation Method 2
achieved through thermal or strain treatment
Implementation Method 3
a propellant like Trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene for efficient pressurization
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A pressurized container usable for a pressurizable contain, such as an aerosol dispenser, an aerosol dispenser made therewith (20) and preform therefor. The preform/container/dispenser has a neck at the top. The neck has upper and lower portions. The lower portion transitions into a shoulder, which flares outwardly. The shoulder, in turn, transitions into a sidewall. The lower neck portion/shoulder and/or upper part of the sidewall are cystallized. The invention also comprises a preform for making such a pressurizable container and an aerosol dispenser made therewith.