Single stage aerosol pressurization grommet

Abstract

 A single stage aerosol pressurization grom­met (10) and a container having such a grommet to pressurize the container, said grommet (10) comprising a head portion (12) adapted to be inserted into a filling aperture (28), a base portion (16), a neck portion (14) interconnecting the head (12) and base (16) and a deflection indent passing through the base and neck. The base (16) is equipped with at least one filling channel (18) and the head (12) is equipped with shoulders (22) to resist removal from the aperture. During filling the pressurized contents from the filler cause the de­flection indent to deform the grommet (10), thereby allowing contents to pass through the filling channel (18) into the container and when filled the filler is removed and the pressure inside the can causes the shoulders to meet the edge of the aperture and seal the contents in the con­tainer.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a single stage aerosol grommet for charging and sealing a container having an aperture into which the grommet is insertable.

[0002] U.S. Patent 3,586,068 relates to a one piece valve having a tubular body to one of which there is integrally attached a closure member which is compressed within the bore of the tubular body to seal the valve when subjected to pressure forces acting on the end of the valve. During the filing process, a filling stem is inserted to contact the head of the valve, thereby deflecting it upward and opening passages through which charged fluid is dispensed into the container. When the container is filled, the filling stem is removed and the resilient grommet closes the filling passages. Moreover, the internal pressure within the container exerts itself on the end of the valve, and thereby closing the filling chambers. Filling of the container requires a special filling tool having two passages which mate with the passages formed in the grommet itself so that when the valve is seated the filling tube deflects the grommet and then forces the fluid into the container.

[0003] U. S. Patent 3,70l,579 relates to an in­flating valve of the check valve type suitable for inflating and deflating hollow inflatable articles such as pneumatic mattresses, toys, liferafts and other large volume low-pressure inflatable articles. The valve of U.S. Patent No. 3,70l,579 is adapted only for low pressure large volume inflatable articles and is not suitable for high pressure systems such as filling of pressurized containers.

[0004] U. S. Patent 3,869,072 discloses a two stage charging valve for use with aerosol type con­tainers. The valve comprising first and second shoulder portions having first and second annular grooves respectively. Positioned between and contiguous with the first and second portions is a generally cylindri­cal intermediate portion. Extending radially inwardly beyond the bottom of the first annular groove and the second and the first shoulder portion and longitudinal­ly above and below the first groove is a plurality of evenly spaced discontinuous recesses. When the valve is seated in the first annular groove, the container may be charged through the recesses. After charging, the valve is pushed further into the hole opening and travels past the intermediate cylindrical portion to seat inthe second annular groove and seal the container.

[0005] U. S. Patent 3,522,900 discloses a valve having a body and spaced upper and lower peripheral annular shoulders and base flange below the lower annular shoulder. The valve is inserted into a wall or opening and a container into stages. The first stage provides for the insertion of the plug so that the space between the annular shoulders is in align­ment with the periphery of the hole in the can wall. The second insertion stage occurs after the filing operation is complete and involves inserting the plug until the upper surface of the base flange meets the bottom periphery of the hole in the can wall. Fluid passages are formed in the valve body between annular shoulders so that in the first insertion stage fluid communication is established between the container interior and exterior. In U.S. Patent 3,522,900, a valve is inserted in a vent opening in two stages and has a fluid passage means formed in the body and extend­ ing longitudinally between the second shoulder means and the terminal end of the valve.

[0006] U.S. Patent 2,845,203 teaches a filling and sealing plug which is inserted into an aperture in a container wall. The body of the plug has a tapered bottom or valve portion and is attached to the body by a web. The bottom valve section of the plug is pushed through the opening of the container. The web is made slightly less than the wall diameter thereby resulting in a clamping action of the plug around the edges of the hole opening providing a pres­sure type fit. The patent further discloses that any additional pressure within the container merely serves to seal the plug more tightly in the opening. During the process of filling the container, a pipe is pushed down into the opening of the plug thereby extending the connecting web an unsealing the valve portion. Liquid material thereby freely enters the container through the slots in the web. 0n withdrawing the filler pipe, the web again draws the valve section into a sealing position against the walls of the con­tainer.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide aerosol pressurization grommet for charging and sealing a container which provides for simpler insertion and for simpler pressurization of a con­tainer than has was possible in the prior art dis­cussed above.

[0008] The present invention provides an aerosol pressurization grommet for charging and sealing a container having an aperture into which said grommet is insertable, said grommet being characterized by:

(a) a resilient head portion adapted to be inserted into said filling aper­ture and said head portion being equipped with a shoulder portion to resist removal once inserted;

(b) a resilient base portion said base portion being of larger circumference than said head portion and being equipped with at least one filling channel therethrough;

(c) a resilient neck portion connecting said head portion to said base portion, said neck portion being circumferen­tially smaller than said base portion and said head portion and;

(d) deflection indent passing concen­trically through said base portion and neck portion.

[0009] The present invention also provides a pressurized aerosol container having a single stage aerosol pressurization grommet inserted in an aperture in a wall of said container, characterized by said grommet comprising a resilient head portion adapted to be inserted into said aperture and equipped with a shoulder portion to resist removal, a base portion of larger circumference than the head portion and equipped with at least one filling channel there­through, resilient neck portion connecting said head portion to said base portion, said neck portion being circumferentially smaller than said base portion and said head portion and a deflection indent passing concentrically through said base and neck whereby the head portion of the grommet is inserted through the filling aperture in the container so the grommet is ina fully seated position, and the grommet, in response to pressure, exerted from the contents of a filler against the deflection indent deforms the head portion away from the aperture slightly, thereby stretching the neck portion and allowing the contents to flow through the filling channel into the con­tainer, and when the filling device is removed, the grommet resumes its normal configuration and the shoulders engage the aperture, seating the grommet and trapping the pressurized contents in the container.

[0010] When filling a container, in response to pressure exerted from a filler against the deflection indent, the head portion is deformed outwardly away from the aperture slightly so that the shoulders are away from engagement from the edge of the apertures. This configuration occurs because the neck portion is stretched slightly thereby allowing contents to flow through the filling channels in the base into the container. When the prerequisite amount of content is charged into the container, the filling device is removed and the grommet head portion due to its resilient flexible nature resumes its normal configura­tion and the shoulder portion of the head portion engage the edge of the aperture and prevent the discharge of contents out of the aperture of the container. Moreover, the force of the pres­surized contents within the container serve to push down on the head and shoulder portions of the grommet thereby sealing it even more tightly and trapping the pressurized contents in the container.

[0011] The grommet of the present invention does not utilize a two stage insertion into a hole in the can wall as does certain of the prior art. The grommet of the present invention is inserted in a one step process prior to the filling of the container. In addition, in the present invention, standard filling equipment may be used. The grommet head is deflected as the contents are charged into the container. When the container is full, the filling equipment is removed and the grommet seats itself in the aperture thereby preventing the loss of contents.

[0012] In the drawings:

Figure l is an aerosol container with the grommet in position;

Figure 2 is a perspective top side view of the grommet of the present invention;

Figure 3 is an underside perspective view of the grommet of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a cut-away side view of the grommet when in place in an aperture in a can wall; and

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the grommet during filling process.

[0013] Figure l depicts an aerosol container with a grommet in position in the bottom of the container. It should be kept in mind that the grommet could be in any of the walls of the container and that the grommet is shown in bottom l3 of container ll merely for convention sake. The grommet l0 fits into a recess l5 so that it is flush with the bottom of the container and does not present an obstacle to the feel or the contour of the bottom of the container.

[0014] Figure 2 is a prospective top view of one embodiment of the aerosol grommet of the present invention. Grommet l0 is comprised head portion l2 and connected to base portion l6 by neck portion l4. The head portion is adapted to be inserted into the container opening 28 as seen in Figures 4 and 5, and once inserted, is made so that it cannot be easily dislodged from the openings. To this end, the head is provided with shoulder portions 22 as seen in Figures l and 2 which serve to grip the inner surface of the container in a manner as will hereinafter be described to prevent removal of the grommet once inserted. The head portion is depicted as the frustrum of a cone in the figures, however the only limitation on the shape of the head should be that it is adapted to be inserted into a aperture in a container and be provided with a shoulder por­tion so that it cannot be removed. To this end, it is conceivable that the head portion may even be spherical. The shoulder portion in that case would be the diameter of the sphere itself. By pushing it through the container, the circumference of the sphere would be such that once inserted in it could not be easily pulled out in normal use.

[0015] The base portion l6 is of conventional construction and is preferably a planar segment at­tached to the head portion by an elastic neck portion l4 in a manner to be hereinafter described. Base l6 is provided with filling channels l8 passing therethrough to allow the filling of the contents into the container once the grommet is fully seated in a manner to be hereinafter described. 0ne limitation on the base is that it should be of a greater diameter than the head portion itself. This would allow the head portion to pass through the aperture but the base portion would act as a stop and would not pass through as well.

[0016] Interconnecting the head and neck portion is neck portion l4. Neck portion l4 is concentrically disposed upon the base portion and interconnects with the center of the head portion. Neck portion l4 is of smaller circumference than either head or base portion and serves to fit into the aperture so that the base portion and head portion are held in tight engagement therewith. The entire grommet should be made of a compressible flexible resilient material so that it can be easily inserted and deformed during insertion and when inserted be compressed against the opening to prevent the grommet from being dislodged.

[0017] Figure 3 is an underside prospective view of the grommet showing the filling indent 20. Fill­ing indent 20 passes through the base portion and neck portion and stops at the head portion of the grommet. It is conceivable that the indent portion could pass somewhat into the head portion however, it is preferred that the filling indent pass merely through the base and neck portion. These will be see in greater detail in Figures 4 and 5 when the method of operation and filling is described.

[0018] Figure 4 is a cut-away side view of the grommet when in its normal position in a can wall. Grommet l0 is depicted with head l2 inserted fully into the container. Note that neck l4 is at least as large as the aperture and is preferably slightly larger than aperture 28 so that it will be compressed to fill the entire aperture when in place. Base l6 meets the outside 27 of the container so that the entire grommet is held in place. Wall 24 is equipped with engagement surfaces 26 which serve to engage the shoulders 22 of the grommet. In this way, the grom­met cannot be removed from the outside and at this same time, due to the diameter of the base, cannot be pushed fully through the container. Note that indent 20 passes circumferentially through the base and neck and extend somewhat into the head portion.

[0019] Referring to Figure 5 which depicts a cross-­sectional view during the filling process, pressurized filling apparatus 32 is brought into close proximity with the bottom of the can. Sealing means 38 carried upon the pressurized filling means is like a ring which circumferentially seals the bottom of the con­ tainer. Pressurized contents 30 are then brought to bear onto the grommet. The pressurized contents, in part, enter into the indent and force a slight deformation of the grommet such that the shoulders and head portion are moved away from engagement with the sealing lip 26 of the can aperture. This slight deflection is possible by the stretching of neck portion l4 of the grommet. The stretching of the neck allows the pressurized contents 30 to enter into the fill channels l8 and pass through the fill­ing channel in the base between the base and the wall 24 of the container and pass between the neck and the sealing lip of the aperture and enter into in­terior 36 of the container as pressurized fluid 34 indicated by the arrows. When the pre-requisite amount of contents is forced into the interior 36 of the can, the filling apparatus is removed. The resilient nature of the grommet forces it back into its normal shape and the shoulders seat on the seal­ing means and at the same time the neck resumes its normal circumference and fills the aperture. The pressure of the fluids within the container also serve to bear down on the head portion and seat it even more firmly against the lip sealing means of the container. In this manner, the container is charged in a one step method without the need of first par­tially seating the grommet and then filling the grom­met and a third process whereby the grommet is fully seated. A substantial savings in equipment and cost is realized as well as the ability to fill many more containers per minute on an assembly line then is possible than using the old two stage method.

Claims

1. An aerosol pressurization grommet for charging and sealing a container having an aperture into which said grommet is insertable, said grommet being characterized by:

(a) a resilient head portion (l2) adapted to be inserted into said filling aper­ture and said head portion being equipped with a shoulder portion (22) to resist removal once inserted;

(b) a resilient base portion (l6), said base portion being of larger circum­ference than said head portion and being equipped with at least one filling channel (l8) therethrough;

(c) a resilient neck portion (l4) con­necting said head portion (l2) to said base portion (l6), said neck portion (l4) being circumferentially smaller than said base portion (l6) and neck portion (l2).

(d) a deflection indent (20) passing con­centrically through said base portion (l6) and neck portion (l4).

2. The grommet of claim l, characterized in that said head portion (l2) is frusto-conical in shape.

3. The grommet of claim l or 2, characterized in that said base portion (l6) has two filling channels (l8).

4. The grommet of claim l, 2 or 3, char­acterized in that said grommet (l0) is made from a flex­ible compressible resilient material.

5. The grommet of any of claims l to 4, characterized in that said neck portion (l4) is con­centrically positioned on said head portion (l2) and base portion (l6).

6. The grommet of any of claims l to 5, char­acterized in that said base portion (l6) is planar

7. A pressurized aerosol container having a single stage aerosol pressurization grommet in­serted in an aperture in a wall of said container, characterized by said grommet (l0) comprising a resilient head portion (l2) adapted to be inserted into said aperture and equipped with a shoulder portion (22) to resist removal, a base portion (l6) of larger circumference than the head portion (l2) and equipped with at least one filling channel (l8) therethrough, a resilient neck portion (l4) connecting said head portion (l2) to said base portion (l6), neck portion (l4) being circumferentially smaller than said base portion (l6) and said head portion (l2), and a deflection indent (20) passing concen­trically through said base portion (l6) and neck portion (l4) whereby the head portion (l2) of the grommet is inserted through the filling aperture in the container so the grommet is in a fully seated position, and the grommet, in response to pressure, exerted from the contents of a filler against the deflection indent deforms the head portion (l2) away from the aperture slightly, thereby stretching the neck portion (l4) and allowing the contents to flow through the filling channel (l8) into the con­tainer, and when the filling device is removed, the grommet resumes its normal configuration and the shoulders (22) engage the aperture, seating the grom­met and trapping the pressurized contents in the con­tainer.

8. The container of claim 7, characterized in that said wall is the bottom of the container.

9. The container of claim 7 and 8, char­acterized in that said aperture is equipped with a re­cess to accommodate said grommet base flush with the container.

l0. The container of claim 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that said aperture is equipped with sealing lips (26) to engage the shoulder of said grommet head.

Drawing