US3539083A - Bag in can aerosol container - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent 72] inventors Samuel Prussin Los Angeles; Jimmie L. Mason, Hacienda Heights, California [21] Appl. No. 784,451 [22] Filed Dec. 17, 1968 [45] Patented Nov. 10, 1970 [73] Assignee Dart Industries Inc.

a corporation of Delaware [54] BAG IN CAN AEROSOL CONTAINER 16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 222/402.24 [51] int. Cl. 865d 83/00 [50] Field oiSearch 222/95, $865,402.24, 399, 144.5, 145, 136; 220/63 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,270,920 9/1966 Nessler 222/95 3,318,484 5/1967 Modderno 222/136 FOREIGN PATENTS 740,635 1 1/1955 Great Britain ZZZ/402.24

Primary Examiner-Stanley l-l. Tollberg Attorney-Harold R. Beck ABSTRACT: A bag in can aerosol container adapted to prevent corrosion of metal containers comprising a corrosion resistant bag disposed in a container body, the container body having a top provided with a central opening and an-outwardly directed ledge generally surrounding the opening, said bag having a relatively thick and rigid hollow neck structure extending through said opening and having an inwardly directed ledge abutted to the outwardly directed ledge of said top for holding said bag in fixed relation to said container at its top portion.

Patented Nov. 10, 1970 7 3,539,083

Sheet L of 2 sac IN can AEROSOL CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various aerosol containers have been used to dispense aerosol products which are corrosive to conventional metal containers such as the well known steel can. Such relatively corrosive products have been packaged in steel cans having bags therein and/or lines, however, it has been a problem properly to install liners or bags in such cans in order to prevent corrosive action of the contents of the container with the steel can.

Various containers of the prior art have had plastic bags supported therein, and various attempts have been made to seal the bags at the junction of the can or container and the container top or cap. Many of these bag lined cans have been unsatisfactory clue to leakage in areas where the bag is secured at the perimeter of the container top or cap.

Additionally, it has been a problem to provide a suitable bag or liner in an aerosol container which will fully conform with the interior of the container and be compatible with the use of a dip tube therein, such that the liner or bag in the can does not tend to throttle the flow of liquid or fluid into the end of the dip tube.

Prior art containers having bags in metal cans have been particularly unsatisfactory due to leakage and/or migration of the contents ofthe container so that the shclflike of such prior art containers and the contents is undesirable short. Some of the losses have been due to the fact that the bags in the prior art containers have not been contiguous with the inner surfaces of the containers and have allowed substantial migration through the walls of plastic materials, of which the bag liners are made, and further losses have been due to leakage and/or migration at or around the top or cap structure of the container on areas where the bags of the prior art structures are connected with the respective metal containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a metal can or container having a bag therein, said bag closely conforming with the interi or of the container and having a relatively thick and rigid shoulder portion engaging an inner side of the top of the can; said shoulder portion having an integral and relatively thick hollow neck structure provided with seal means at or near the opening in the top of the can, said hollow neck structure of said bag also having an inwardly directed ledge adapted to engage an outwardly directed ledge of the container top in order to maintain the relatively thick shoulder of the bag abutted to the inner side of the top and to maintain the bag in juxtaposition in the container. The present invention also includes a substantially conventional metal container which employs a hollow cylindrical body with separately connected top and bottom members which allow proper assembly of a container and a bag therein in accordance with the present invention.

The invention also comprises novel means for supporting an aerosol dispensing valve in connection with a thick neck of a plastic bag; said neck projecting from an open end of the top of a metal container; said metal container being protected from corrosion by the bag and providing structural support of the relatively thin portions of the bag which conform with the interior of the metal container.

The metal container and bag therein comprises a novel combination due to the relatively thick shoulder portion of the bag which is abutted on the inner side ofthe container top and which has a thick hollow neck portion provided with an inwardly directed ledge adapted to abut an outwardly directed ledge of the container top so as to provide a rigid and secure connection of the bag in the container of the invention, such that the neck of the bag may readily support an aerosol dispensing valve which communicates with the interior of the bag and is adaptedto dispense fluids therefrom.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel aerosol container comprising a metal outer container with a bag therein having a relatively thick and rigid shoulder and hollow neck structure abutted on the top of the container, such that the neck of the bag supports a dispensing valve body which may be pressed into said hollow neck, or may be integral therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of a plastic bag in a metal container for the prevention of corrosive fluids from corroding the metal container and from leaking and/or therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for connecting a corrosion resistant bag to the interior of a metal container at the top of the container and neck area thereof. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel container comprising a metal container with a bag therein and which is particularly adapted for use with aerosol dispensing valves having dip tubes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser and container for containing products corrosive to steel containers, wherein a bag is disposed in a steel container and the bag is provided with a relatively thick and rigid neck and shoulder structure, and wherein the invention comprises a variety of means for securing the thick neck and shoulder structure in connection with the top of a can and for supporting an aerosol dispensing valve for dispensing material from the interior of the container, as desired.

Further objects and advantages of the invention may be apparent from the following specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational View of an aerosol dispensing container in accordance with the present invention, and showing portions thereof broken away and in section to amplify the illustration;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 1, showing the upper portion of the structure shown in FIG. I, and illustrating areas of the structure broken away and in section to amplify the illustration;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a modification of the invention;

FIG. 4 is another view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, showing another modification of the invention;

- FIG. 5 is another view similar to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, showing a further modification ofthe invention; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing a still further modification ofthe invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. I of the drawings, the invention comprises a main container I0 having a hollow cylindrical body portion I2 provided with a top 14 and a body 16. The top M is connected to a normally upper end of the body 12 by means of a conventional annular rolled crimp portion 18 and a bottom I6 is connected to a normally lower end of the hollow cylindrical body I2 by means ofa conventional annular rolled crimp 20.

The top 14 is provided with an inner side 22 and an outer side 24. This top is also provided with a central opening 26 having an outwardly directed annular ledge 23, shown best in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The opening 26 is surrounded generally by the ledge 28 and a short cylindrical neck 30 terminating in the outwardly directed ledge 28.

The container It), including the body I2, top M and bottom I6, is preferably made of sheet steel, or other metal, and disposed in this container is a corrosion resistant plastic bag 32 which closely conforms with the interior of the container 10, including the body I2, top I4 and bottom I6.

The bag 32 is provided with a shoulder portion 343 engaged with the normally inner side 22 of the top I4. This shoulder portion 3a is abutted to said inner side 22 and is relatively thick and relatively rigid as compared to the remaining portion of the bag 32 which engages the inner side of the hollow cylindrical body portion I2 and the bottom I6.

The relatively thick shoulder portion 34 is integral with a hollow cylindrical neck structure 36 of the bag 32 and this hollow cylindrical neck structure 36 is provided with an inwardly directed ledge 38 which engages the outwardly directed ledge 28 of the container top 14.

it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the neck structure 36 of the bag 32 is of resilient material and may be forced through the opening 26 in a direction from the inner side 22 to the outer side 24 until the inwardly directed annular ledge 38 of the neck structure 36 snaps outward and beyond the outwardly directed ledge 28 of the top 14 and into abutted relation therewith so as to hold the bag shoulder portion 34 and the neck structure 36 in juxtaposition relative to the top 14 ofthe container 10.

in accordance with this construction, the bag may be secured to the top 14, and the entire assembly may be made by connecting the top 14 to the body by means ofthe crimp 18 so as to enclose the bag 32 in the container 10. Additionally, it may be possible to assemble the container by first connecting the top 14 to the body 10, then inserting the bag 32 through the body 10, then subsequently snapping the neck structure 36 through the opening 26 in the top 14, and then finally securing the bottom 16 to the body 10 by the rolled crimp 20.

it is thus possible to enclose a bag 32 forming a liner contiguous with the interior of the container either through the bottom of the container body 12 or through the normally upper end thereof, as hereinbefore described.

The bag 32 may be blow molded bag or may be fabricated from tubular plastic material, as desired, in order to produce the structure generally as disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

it will be seen that the shoulder portion 34 of the bag 32 is somewhat thicker than the portion of the bag 32 which engages the body portion 12 of the container 10, and that the thickness of the shoulder 34 diverges toward the neck structure 36. Thus, the thickness of the shoulder structure increases from the portion ofthe bag which engages the body 12 to the integraljuncture thereofwiththe neck 36.

As shown in H05. 2 of the drawings, the neck structure 36 is provided with an end 40 surrounding a central bore 42 of the hollow neck structure 36.

Abutted to the end 40 is a seal gasket 44 which engages a flange 46 of a valve body retaining sleeve 48. The flange 46 is compressively held against the gasket 44 and the end 40 ofthe neck structure 36 by means of a crimped on cap 50 which is provided with a rolled edge portion 52 engaging a complemental rim54 projecting in surrounding relation with the hollow neck structure 36.

The valve body retaining sleeve 48 is provided with a hollow cylindrical portion extending into the bore 42 of the hollow neck structure 36, and the sleeve 48 is provided with an abutment ledge 54 engaging a complemental ledge 56 on the periphery ofa valve body 58. This valve body 58 is a conventional aerosol dispensing valve and the ledges 54 and 56 prevent the valve from moving inwardly toward the interior of the container 10, while the retaining sleeve 48 held by its flange 46 is prevented from moving in a direction outwardly of the container 10, this sleeve 48 being provided with an inwardly directed flange 60 overlying a normally outer end of the valve body 58 to prevent the valve body from moving outwardly relative to the container, and thereby holding the valve body 58 in juxtaposition relative to the hollow cylindrical neck portion 36 of the bag 32 in the container 10.

A central opening in the inwardly directed flange 66 accommodates the usual aerosol valve dispensing nozzle 68 which projects beyond the container and is manually operable to actuate the valve 58 and permit fluid to be dispensed therefrom.

The valve 58 is provided with a conventional dip tube 70 having a fluid receiving open end 72 adapted to be located in the normally bottom area of the container 10 at the interior of the bag 32.

Inasmuch as the bag 32 is normally sized to be contiguous with the interior of the container and may be made of substantial material, it does not tend to deflect and clog or enclose the open end 72 ofthe dip tube 70. The construction ofthe bag 32 and its mode of installation in the container 10 permits the bag to be constructed of material sufficiently thick and rigid to prevent adherence of the bag to the open end 72 of the clip tube 70.

The plastic corrosion resistant bag 32 adjacent the hollow cylindrical body 12 of the container 10 has a wall thickness ranging preferably between .007 inches and .015 inches, depending upon the size of the container, as well as the contents contained therein.

Adjacent the central opening 26 of the top 14, theshoulder portion 34 of the bag 32 is provided with a pair of annular seals 76 and 78. These seals 76 and 78 are commonly known as flout in seals and are disposed in annular recesses in the shoulder 34 by floating in soft resin which protrudes slightly from the shoulder 34 and is compressively and sealingly engaged with the inner side 22 of the top 14 to form a pair of annular seals between the shoulder structure 34 of the bag 32 and the top 14. v

The contiguous relationship of the bag 32 with the interior of the container 10 effectively prevents migration of fluids through the structure of the plastic material of the bag. The seals 76 and 78 prevent any fluid which may migrate through the bag 32, from leaking outward at the container neck opening 26. Thus, the effective area of migration leakage between the bag 34 and the container 10 is minimized.

Inasmuch as the bag 32 may be made of plastic material of substantial thickness and readily installed in the container 10, deflection of the bag 32 inwardly against the end 72 of the dip tube 70 is effectively alleviated to prevent throttling of flow into the dip tube 70.

in the modification, as shown in FIG. 3 ofthe drawings, the hollow cylindrical neck structure 36 of the bag 32 is provided with a stepped bore portion 80 having an outwardly directed ledge 82 engaged by an inwardly directed ledge 84 of an aerosol dispensing valve body 86, The ledges 82 and 84 being engaged, prevent the valve body 86 from moving inwardly toward the interior of the bag 32 and a crimped on cap 88 prevents the valve body 36 from moving in a direction outwardly relative to the interior oftlie bag 32.

The cap 88 is provided with an annular rolled crimp portion 52 similar to that shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, and this crimp portion engages an annular outwardly directed rim portion 54 on the outer side of the hollow cylindrical neck portion 36 of the bag 32. This structure also being similar to that disclosed in-FlG. 2 of the drawings.

The cap 88 is provided with a central opening 90 through which a dispensing nozzle 92 of an aerosol dispensing valve extends, this nozzle 92 being a part of the valve structure contained in the valve body 86 and being of substantially conventional construction.

The cap 88 is provided with an end portion 94 overlying a seal gasket 96 which engages an end of the valve body 86 and an end 98 of the neck structure of the'bag 32, such that the cap end portion 94 clamps the gasket against the end 98 of the neck structure 36 and forms a seal for the end of the neck structure and the end of the valve body 86. it will be seen that the modification, shown in fig. 3, also includes the float in seals 76 and 78 which function, as hereinbclorc described, in connection with the structure disclosed in FlG, 2 of the drawings.

The structure disclosed in FIG. 3 is similar withrespcct to the outwardly directed ledge 28 ofthe top 14 and the inwardly directed ledge 38 of the bag neck structure 36, all of which maintains the bag in juxtaposition with relation to the top of the container so as to hold the shoulder portion 34 of the bag in abutted relation with the inner side of the top 14 and to maintain the seals 76 and 78 in proper engaged relation with the inner side 22 ofthe top 14.

in the modification, as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the top 14 is provided with a hollow cylindrical neck portion 100 having a bore portion 102 and an enlarged bore portion 104 forming a ledge 106 at the transition between the bore portions 102 and 104, this being an outwardly directed annular ledge engaged by an inwardly directed annular ledge 108 of the neck structure 36 which is integral with the shoulder portion 34 of the bag 32. The inwardly directed ledge portion 108 5 is provided with a tapered substantially conical portion 110 adapted to facilitate the compressive installation of the neck portion 36 in the bore 102 from the inside toward the outside of the top 14 in order to force the inwardly directed ledge portion 110 beyond the outwardly directed ledge portion 106 of the top 14 so as to attain abutted relation of these ledge portions for holding the neck structure 36 of the bag 32 in juxtaposition relative to the top 14 of the container.

The neck portion 100 of the top 14 is provided with an upper open end surrounded by an annular crimp portion 112 which is fitted with a conforming'cap 114 having an annular crimp portion 116 surrounding and overlying the crimp portion 112. The cap 114 is provided with a central opening 116 through which an aerosol dispensing valve stem 118 extends. This valve stem projects from valve mechanism contained in a valve body 120 which is generally similar to the valve bodies 86 and 58, hereinbefore described.

The valve body 120, however, is provided with an outwardly directed radial flange 122 overlying an end of the neck structure 36 and abutted thereto, and a seal gasket 124 is disposed outwardly of the flange 122 and retained by the cap 114 in compressive and sealed relation with the flange 122 in order to provide a seal to prevent leakage of aerosol fluid around the valve body 120 and outwardly therefrom.

In the modification, as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the hollow cylindrical neck structure 36 of the bag 32 is similar to the construction, shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, in that the neck structure 36 is provided with an inwardly directed annular ledge 126 engaging an outwardly directed annular ledge 128 of a hollow cylindrical neck structure 130 of the top 14. This outwardly directed annular ledge 128 of formed by means of a transition between a bore portion in the neck 130 and a relatively larger bore portion, as described in connection with the structure disclosed in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

The neck 130 is provided with a terminal edge 132 which is annular and which is crimped radially inward over a plate 134 which clamps a seal gasket 136 against a radially directed flange 122 of an aerosol dispensing valve body 120 which is similar to the structure disclosed in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

The plate 134 may be metal or other relatively rigid material capable of being clamped at its periphery by the inwardly directed annular portion 132 of the top neck structure 130. This inwardly directed crimp portion 132 is formed when the valve body 120 is assembled in relation to the outwardly directed end portion 138 of the neck structure 36 of the bag 32.

In the modification, as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the structure of the bag neck 36 is provided with an integral valve body 140. Otherwise, the structure arrangement is very similar 1 to that shown in FIG. 3, wherein the cap 94 holds a seal gasket 96 around the dispensing nozzle 92 operable in connection with the valve mechanism contained inthe valve body 140. It will be seen that the valve body 140 is integral with the bag; neck structure 36 at an area designated 142, and that a space 144 is provided between the integral valve body and the hollow cylindrical neck structure 36 in order to permit inward deflection of the hollow cylindrical portion 36 of the neck 5 structure inwardly during the hereinbefore described engagement of the inwardly directed ledge 38 of the bag neck structure 36 with the outwardly directed ledge 28 of the top 14. Thus, the space 144 allows for inward resilient deflection of the ledge portion 138 as it is forced through the central opening 26 in the top 14 during installation of the hollow neck structure 36 and internal valve body 140 in connection with the top 14.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be resorted to within the spirit of the present invention.

Iclaim:

1. In a bag in can aerosol container, the combination of: a hollow cylindrical metal container having a tubular body and a top and a bottom; said top having inner and outer sides; said top having a central opening; said top having a ledge structure generally surrounding said opening and directed outwardly relative to the inner side thereof, said ledge structure opposed to the normally inner side of said top; a corrosion resistant bag formed as a liner and adapted to contain a pressure producing material and having a hollow container portion generally conforming to the interior of said container body and adapted to substantially touch the interior of said container body and remain in contact therewith as a liner during usage of the aerosol container and the inner side of said top when pressure producing material is contained therein; said bag having a shoulder structure abutted to said inner side of said top, said shoulder structure being thicker-and more rigid than said container portion of said bag, which conforms to the interior of said container body, said shoulder structure having an integral hollow neck structure which is generally thicker and more rigidthan said container portion of said bag, said neck structure extending through said opening in said top, said neck structure having an inwardly directed ledge structure abutted to said outwardly directed ledge structure of said top.

2. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein said neck structure is of resilient plastic material adapted to permit said inwardly directed ledge structure thereof to be snapped through said central opening of said top in a direction from the inner side of said top toward the outer side thereof, and to a position wherein said inwardly directed ledge of said neck structure snaps into place in abutted relation to said outwardly directed ledge of said top.

3. The invention, as defined in claim 2, wherein: said hollow neck structure is provided with a bore therein which communicates with the interior of said container portion of said bag; and a dispenser valve body secured in said bore of said neck structure.

4. The invention, as defined in claim 3, wherein: said dispenser valve body is provided with an abutment means engaged with said neck'structure of said bag and disposed to prevent said valve body from moving in a direction toward the interior of said bag container portion; and a cap member fixed on said neck structure of said bag and disposed to hold said valve body in fixed relation to said neck structure of said bag and prevent said valve body from moving in a direction outwardly relative to said bag container portion.

5. The invention, as defined in claim 3, wherein: said top is provided with a hollow neck structure integral with said ledge structure of said neck; and a cap fixed on said hollow neck structure of said top and clamping said valve body in sealed relation to said hollow neck structure of said bag.

6. The invention, as defined in claim 4, wherein: said neck structure of said bag is provided with an outer annular end and 5 said abutment means comprises a valve body retaining sleeve disposed in said bore of said bag neck structure, said sleeve having a radially directed annular flange overlying the end of said bag neck structure, said flange disposed between said cap and said end of said neck structure and sealingly clamped therebetween. I

7. The invention, as defined in claim 4, wherein: said abutment means comprises an annular outwardly directed ledge in said bore of said bag neck structure; said valve body having an inwardly directed annular ledge abutted to said outwardly directed annular ledge of said bag neck structure.

8. The invention, as defined in claim 7, wherein: a resilient seal washer is clamped between said cap and the end of said valve body and the end of said neck structure of said bag.

9. The invention, as defined in claim '5, wherein: said hollow neck structure of said top is provided with a roller annular end portion; said cap having a conformed annular rolled portion surrounding and crimped over said end of said neck structure of said top.

10. The invention, as defined inclaim 9, wherein: said valve body is provided with an annular outwardly directed flange abutted to an end of said neck structure of said bag and clamped between said cap and said end of said neck structure of said bag.

11. The invention, as defined in claim 5, wherein: a retainer disc is disposed beyond an outer end of said valve body; said hollow neck structure of said cap having an inwardly directed crimp portion overlying the perimeter of said disc. 12. The invention, as defined in claim 11, wherein: said hollow neck structure of said bag is provided with an outer end; said valve body is provided with a radially directed flange overlying said outer end of said bag neck structure; said flange clamped'between said retainer disc and said outer opening of said bag neck structure. 7

13. The invention,.as defined in claim 2, wherein: said container portion of said bag is tapered in thickness from said container portion which engages the body portion of said container toward said opening in said top to provide a relatively thicker portion of said bag structure as it extends toward said neck structure thereof to provide a relatively rigid integral neck structure for said bag.

14. The invention, as defined in claim 7. wherein: said neck structure of said bag having an integral valve body therein, said neck structure having a resilient portion directed outwardly from said valve body to permit inward deflection of said inwardly directed ledge portion as said neck structure is forced through said opening in said top to a position, wherein said inwardly directed ledge structure is engaged with said outwardly directed ledge structure of said top.

15. in a bag in can aerosol container, the combination of: a hollow cylindrical metal container having a tubular body; a separate top member having an annular portion affixed to the normally upper end of said body; said top having inner and outer sides; said top having a central opening; said top having an annular ledge structure generally surrounding said opening and directed outwardly relative to the inner side of said top; said outwardly directed ledge structure opposed to the normally inner side of said top; a corrosion resistant bag formed as a liner and adapted to contain a pressure producing material and having a hollow container portion generally conforming to the interiorof said container body and adapted to substantially touch the interior of said container body and remain in contact therewith as a liner during usage of the aerosol container and the inner side of said top when pressure producing material is contained therein; said bag having an integral hollow neck structure which is thicker than said container portion of said bag which conforms to the interior of said container body; said neck structure of said bag having an inwardly directed annular ledge structure abutted to said outwardly directed annular ledge structure of said top.

16. in a bag in can aerosol container, the combination of: a hollow cylindrical metal container having a tubular body provided with a top; said container having a separate bottom member fixed to said tubular body; said top having inner and outer sides; said top having a central opening; said top having an annular ledge structure generally surrounding said opening and directed outwardly relative to the interior oi said body; said outwardly directed ledge opposed to the normally inner side of said top; a corrosion resistant bag formed as a liner and adapted to contain a pressure producing material and having a hollow container portion generally conforming to the interior of said container body and adapted to substantially touch the interior of said container body and remain in contact therewith as a liner during usage of the aerosol container and the inner side of said top when pressure producing material is contained therein; said bag having an integral hollow neck structure which is thicker than said container portion of said bag which conforms to the interior of said container body; said neck structure of said bag having an inwardly directed annular ledge structure abutted to said outwardly directed annular ledge structure of said top.

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