Recyclable Plastic Mounting Cup for Pressurized Container Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressurized containers require complex mounting processes and additional sealing elements, which increase manufacturing steps and costs, and may not provide a reliable leak-proof seal without gaskets, especially when handling corrosive or reactive chemicals.
Innovation Solution
A mounting cup design with a deformable annular inner wall and snap-fit detents that forms a leak-proof seal by engaging the container's lip, eliminating the need for additional sealing elements and simplifying the attachment process, while being made from recyclable plastic materials to facilitate multi-stream recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mounting processes with additional sealing elements are used, then reliable sealing is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate gasket component from the mounting assembly, integrating the sealing function directly into the mounting cup structure. The mounting cup includes an integrated sealing surface and engagement features that directly seal against the container opening without requiring an additional gasket layer, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the mounting function and sealing function into a single integrated mounting cup structure. The cup features both structural engagement elements (flange, detents) for mounting and integrated sealing surfaces that directly contact the container opening, merging what were previously separate functions performed by different components into one unified structure.
2Reliability
If conventional mounting processes with additional sealing elements are used, then sealing is achieved, but manufacturing steps and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the separate gasket component from the assembly, reducing the number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled. The sealing function is extracted from a separate component and integrated into the mounting cup itself, which simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces assembly steps while maintaining the leak-proof sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting cup is designed to be self-sealing through its integrated structure. The cup includes built-in sealing surfaces and engagement features that automatically create a leak-proof seal when properly installed on the container opening, without requiring separate sealing elements or additional assembly steps. The structure serves its own sealing function.
3Strength
If conventional mounting structures are used, then attachment is achieved, but additional components increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mounting structure and sealing structure into a single integrated mounting cup. The cup includes a flange for external attachment, detents for securing to the container opening, and integrated sealing surfaces all in one component. This consolidation maintains strong attachment capability while reducing the total number of components from multiple separate parts to a single unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting cup is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs attachment (via flange and detents), sealing (via integrated sealing surfaces), and structural support functions. This universal design eliminates the need for separate specialized components for each function, reducing device complexity while maintaining attachment strength.
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 reduces manufacturing steps, eliminates the need for gaskets, and provides a reliable leak-proof seal under pressure, ensuring safe and efficient dispensing of flowable products, including corrosive chemicals, with enhanced recyclability.
Implementation Method 1
The mounting cup is configured to deform under pressure to form a leak proof seal between the container body and the valve
Implementation Method 2
Conventional pressurized containers, such as aerosol containers, use pressurized propellant to dispense the flowable product
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a valve for dispensing flowable product from a container under pressure, the valve comprising a stem, a seal coupled to the stem, and a mounting cup configured to mount the valve to the container, wherein each of the stem, seal, and mounting cup comprises a recyclable plastic, and wherein the valve is free from a gasket configured to surround an opening of the container to form a seal between the valve and the container. Also provided herein is a container for dispensing a flowable product under pressure comprising the valve as described above.