Polygonal Crimp Ring Vents for Aerosol Dispenser Pressure Relief

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol dispensers face challenges with overpressurization and rupture during microwave heating, particularly when products are optimally used at warmed conditions, as existing solutions like adapter collars add complexity and may not effectively relieve pressure, especially in high-speed production.

Innovation Solution

The aerosol dispenser features a polygonal crimp ring with integral vents to relieve propellant and product pressure, allowing for safe venting in case of overpressurization, and is moldable using a two-cavity injection mold system, which simplifies manufacturing and reduces leakage risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a polygonal crimp ring with integral vents is used, then pressure relief safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure relief safetyVSAvoidcrimp ring structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the crimp ring structure with integral vents into a single component, merging the sealing function and pressure relief function into one element. This resolves the contradiction by integrating the pressure relief mechanism directly into the crimp ring, improving safety without requiring separate venting components that would increase overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The crimp ring with integral vents automatically relieves pressure when overpressurization occurs during microwave heating, without requiring external control or additional active components. The vents self-activate based on pressure conditions, providing safety through passive self-service operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If microwave heating capability is enabled, then product usability is improved, but risk of overpressurization and rupture increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrowave heating compatibilityVSAvoidoverpressurization risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates integral vents in the crimp ring that are designed to prevent overpressurization before it can cause rupture. The vents are positioned and sized to activate at pressures below rupture thresholds, creating a preliminary protective action that counteracts the harmful effects of microwave heating before damage can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful overpressurization effect into a beneficial safety feature by designing the integral vents to safely release pressure. The microwave heating that causes overpressurization is transformed into a controlled venting mechanism, where the pressure build-up is harnessed to activate the safety vents rather than cause rupture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS10414568B2Aerosol dispenser with polygonal crimp ring outer container therefor and preform therefor

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

An aerosol dispenser, an outer container for an aerosol dispenser and a preform for an outer container. The aerosol dispenser, outer container and preform each have a neck, which in turn has a crimp ring, to receive a valve cup clinched thereto. The crimp ring has a polygonal cross section providing alternating flat sides and vertices. The flat sides both function as integral vents and allow parallel translation of mold cavities so that a two piece molding apparatus may be used.