1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention relate to devices and mechanisms for attaching a closure, pump, trigger, valve, or other device to a bottle and in particular, mechanisms and methods for attaching closures, pumps, triggers, or other devices to pressurized bottles.
2. State of the Art
Pressurized bottles and containers are used in many different industries. One of the most widely known uses of pressurized bottles in commercial markets includes aerosol bottles and containers. Aerosol bottles and containers generally hold pressurized gases, gases and liquids, or liquids.
Conventional aerosol bottles are constructed of one or more metals and are typically found in a cylindrical shape which may assist in supporting the pressure inside the aerosol bottle. Closure fitments, such as pumps, valves, triggers, or other devices may be attached to an aerosol bottle to close the bottle and to provide access to the contents of the bottle. The closure fitments are typically sealed to the rim or neck of the aerosol bottle such that they cannot be easily removed.
Increasing costs of metal and difficulties in recycling pressurized metal containers have made it desirable to develop other types of containers, such as plastic containers, and closures systems for such containers. Therefore, it would be advantageous to develop a closure system that may be used with plastic bottles or containers and especially with plastic bottles or containers that may be pressurized or used for aerosol delivery systems.
According to certain embodiments of the invention, a valve system for a container may include a valve cup holding a valve system wherein the valve cup is configured to fit over the opening of a container and support the valve system in the container opening. A retaining ring may be fitted over the valve cup and press fitted to the valve cup to collapse one or more fingers extending radialy from the valve cup about the container. The positioning of the retaining ring about the valve cup may secure the valve cup to the container or secure the one or more fingers about an opening in the container or a flange around the opening of the container. The valve cup and retaining ring may be made of plastic, metal, or other material and the container may be plastic, metal, or other material.
According to other embodiments of the invention, an aerosol disbursement system may include a container having an opening therein and a flange about the opening. A valve cup may be fitted to the container opening to support a valve in the container opening. The valve cup may include one or more fingers which may extend radialy from the valve cup. A retaining ring made of plastic, metal, or other material may be fitted over the valve cup and pressed over the one or more fingers to secure the valve cup to the container.
According to still other embodiments of the invention, a method for securing a valve to a container may include providing a container having an opening and a container flange about the opening of the container. A snap fitment system comprising a valve cup having one or more fingers extending in a radial direction therefrom and a retaining ring may support a valve and may be situated over the opening of the container such that the valve is in the opening of the container. The retaining ring may be pressed over the valve cup and the one or more fingers to secure the one or more fingers around the container flange such that the valve is secured to the container.
According to embodiments of the invention, the snap fitment systems, valve cups, valves, and retaining rings may be made of plastic, metal or other materials. In some embodiments, the valve cup and retaining ring may be molded from plastic or resin materials. In other embodiments of the invention, the containers may be plastic, metal, or other material.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the present invention, various embodiments of the invention can be more readily understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the following descriptions of various embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
According to embodiments of the invention, a snap-fitment system may be used to attach a closure, pump, trigger, or other device to a pressurized bottle. While various embodiments of the invention are described with respect to a closure being attached to a bottle or container, it is understood that a closure may include, but is not limited to, pumps, triggers, distribution means, valves, or other devices.
According to embodiments of the invention, a valve cup 300 may include one or more fingers 310 which may be used to attach the valve cup 300 to a container 100. As illustrated in
According to certain embodiments of the invention a snap-fitment system may include a valve cup 300, a valve system 400, and a retaining ring 200 as illustrated in
The valve system 400 illustrated in
The snap fitment system illustrated in
According to certain embodiments of the invention, a valve cup 300 may include two or more fingers 310 as illustrated in
According to some embodiments of the invention, the retaining ring 200 may include one or more crush ribs 210 as illustrated in
The valve cup 300 and retaining ring 200 of various embodiments of the invention may be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, plastic materials, metals, composites, or other materials. Similarly, the containers 100 to which the snap fitment systems according to embodiments of the invention may include plastic containers, glass containers, metal containers, or other containers.
A retaining ring 200 may be incorporated with the valve system 400 and valve cup 300 as illustrated in
The snap fitment system illustrated in
According to various embodiments of the invention, a snap fitment system may be attached to an aerosol container to provide an aerosol disbursement system. The aerosol disbursement system may be used to distribute any aerosol, including, air care formulas, hair care formulas, fragrances, or other formulas.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been described with respect to aerosol bottles and containers, it is understood that various embodiments of the invention may be adapted and used with other bottles and containers. For example, embodiments of the invention may be used to attach closures, pumps, triggers, or other devices to other pressurized containers. In addition, embodiments of the invention may be use to attach closures, pumps, triggers, or other devices to non-pressurized containers and bottles as well.
Having thus described certain particular embodiments of the invention, it is understood that the invention defined by the appended claims is not to be limited by particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are contemplated. Rather, the invention is limited only be the appended claims, which include within their scope all equivalent devices or methods which operate according to the principles of the invention as described.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/946,910, entitled “BOTTLE AND CAP FITMENT AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME,” filed Jun. 28, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/968,365, entitled “BOTTLE AND CAP FITMENT AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME,” filed Aug. 28, 2007, and incorporates each herein by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60946910 | Jun 2007 | US | |
60968365 | Aug 2007 | US |