Flexible Bag-On-Valve Container Eliminates Propellants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flexible container dispensing systems with rigid outer enclosures are inefficient in terms of material usage, recyclability, and waste reduction, as they require propellants for aerosol sprays and are not environmentally sustainable.
Innovation Solution
A flexible container with a propellant-free pressurized dispensing system, utilizing a multilayer film structure and a bag-on-valve assembly that uses an elastic sleeve to expel fluid contents without the need for propellants, allowing for efficient packaging and recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional bag-on-valve systems use rigid outer enclosures, then structural strength and stability are improved, but material usage efficiency and recyclability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid plastic or metal outer enclosures with a flexible container made from laminated flexible films. The flexible container includes a body portion, a bottom portion with gussets for stability, and a neck portion that can be crimped to seal the valve assembly. This flexible structure provides sufficient structural strength while dramatically improving material usage efficiency and recyclability compared to rigid enclosures.
2Stress or pressure
If propellants are used in aerosol spray systems, then spray delivery under pressure is achieved, but environmental sustainability and waste reduction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the propellant component from the dispensing system. Instead of using pressurized aerosol cans with propellants, the system uses a flexible container with a propellant-free bag-on-valve assembly. The elastic sleeve provides mechanical pressure to expel product through the valve, achieving spray delivery without harmful propellants and improving environmental sustainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the pneumatic/hydrodynamic propellant system with a purely mechanical elastic sleeve system. The elastic sleeve, when compressed, mechanically expels the product through the valve assembly. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for propellants while maintaining spray delivery capability under pressure.
3Reliability
If rigid plastic or metal enclosures are used, then container durability is improved, but recyclability and waste volume reduction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible container constructed from laminated flexible films provides adequate durability for product containment and dispensing while being significantly more recyclable than rigid plastic or metal enclosures. The flexible material can be flattened for compact storage and recycling, reducing waste volume and improving ease of recycling processing.
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 enables the delivery of fluid products under pressure without propellants, reducing material and shipping costs, improving recyclability, and minimizing waste volume and disposal costs, while maintaining product integrity and shelf life.
Implementation Method 1
Actuation of the valve triggers contraction of the elastic sleeve which expels the fluid contents from the bag without a propellant
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a device. In an embodiment, a device for dispensing a fluid under pressure is provided and includes (A) a flexible container comprising four panels, each panel formed from a flexible multilayer film composed of one or more polymeric materials, the four panels forming (i) a body, and (ii) a neck; (B) a fitment comprising a top portion and a base, the base composed of a polymeric material, the base sealed in the neck; (C) a sleeve bag-on-valve assembly (SBoV) comprising (i) a valve housing, (ii) a core tube attached to the valve housing, (iii) a bag around the core tube, the bag attached to the valve housing, (iv) a sleeve surrounding the bag and the core tube, and (v) a valve seat; (D) the SBoV inserted through the fitment and located in the body; and (E) the valve seat attached to the fitment.