Crystallized Plastic Valve Housing for Aerosol Dispensers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol dispenser valves face challenges in maintaining strength and tolerances, leading to potential leakage due to non-concentric seals and valve stem holes, especially when made from plastic, which is costly and difficult to assemble.

Innovation Solution

The use of a polymeric aerosol dispenser with a crystallized valve housing and reinforcing sleeve to ensure precise dimensional stability and strength, preventing propellant and product leakage by maintaining a concentric seal and providing structural support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a plastic valve housing is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced and recyclability is improved, but dimensional stability and strength are insufficient leading to leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidleakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies crystallization treatment to the plastic valve housing, changing its physical state from amorphous to crystalline. This parameter change in the material structure significantly improves dimensional stability and strength while maintaining the benefits of plastic construction, thereby preventing leakage without increasing manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure combining crystallized plastic material with enhanced mechanical properties. The crystallized plastic forms a composite material system that achieves both cost-effectiveness and reliable leak prevention through improved dimensional stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of repair

If a plastic valve housing is used, then recyclability is improved, but manufacturing precision and tolerances deteriorate causing non-concentric seals

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverecyclabilityVSAvoidconcentricity tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Crystallization treatment is applied to the plastic valve housing to change its molecular arrangement from random to ordered structure. This parameter change in the material state provides superior dimensional stability and tighter tolerances, ensuring concentric seals while maintaining recyclability of the plastic material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If traditional plastic valve assembly methods are used, then assembly simplicity is maintained, but assembly difficulty increases due to crimping operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly structureVSAvoidassembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the valve housing design to combine functions that were previously separate operations. The crystallized plastic housing is designed to work with integrated sealing and attachment features, merging the crimping operation with the sealing function, thereby simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If the valve housing is made from non-crystallized plastic, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but temperature variability causes loss of concentricity and leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddimensional stability under temperature variation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the plastic material from an amorphous state to a crystalline state through controlled crystallization treatment. This parameter change in the material's physical state provides thermal stability and dimensional consistency under varying temperatures, preventing loss of concentricity and leakage while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively prevents leakage and maintains the integrity of the aerosol dispenser by ensuring the valve housing and seal remain concentric, even under varying temperatures, thus ensuring efficient and reliable product dispensing.

Implementation Method 1

crystallized plastic valve for an aerosol dispenser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentEP3569522B1Crystallized plastic valve for an aerosol dispenser and housing therefor

Publication Date: 2023.05.24 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B

AI summary

A valve (28) for an aerosol dispenser (20). The valve (28) has a housing (30) as a chassis for other components of the valve (28). The housing (30) perimetrically joins the valve (28) to an outer container (22) of the aerosol dispenser (20). The housing (30) has a hole (32) with a moving valve stem (28S) to selectively dispense product (42), upon actuation. The housing (30), or portions thereof, may be crystallized, to provide strength and dimensional stability, to reduce leakage.