Pressurized containers and method of making

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein the step of moving the valve member toward interference fit is further accompanied by the creation of an interference fit between respective cylindrical portions of the preformed neck surface and the mating valve member surface, the cylindrical portions of the valve member and the neck respectively having a depth at least as great as the axial dimension of corresponding rib-groove formations, and wherein the cylindrical surface of the neck is formed between the free end of the neck and the rib and groove formations.

Claim 4

The method set forth in claim 1 together with the preparatory step of inserting a dip-tube into an inlet passage of the valve member so that the dip-tube biases the body of the valve against the neck.

Claim 5

The method set forth in claim 1 wherein said ratio is no greater than 3:1.

Claim 6

The method set forth in claim 1 together with the preparatory steps comprising: removably affixing a plurality of valve members to a flexible tape; and feeding the flexible tape along a path, adjacent the neck of a container, to be next fitted with a valve member.

Claim 7

In a pressurized package including a container having an aperture defined by a neck, in which is sealed a valve including a unitary member, defining a valve inlet and a valve outlet, and having a tubular body portion of resilient material containing a valve inlet passage and an integral actuating portion containing a valve outlet passage, the inlet and outlet of the valve being joined by a controllable flow path extending wholly within the unitary member and incorporating an annular valve seat spaced from the inlet of the valve, the package incorporating improvements comprising: mating means preformed in the neck for affecting a circumferentially continuous, interference fit seal between the neck and the mating valve body portion; the body portion projecting and bulging from the neck into the container for securing the body portion in sealing relation to the neck; the ratio of the smallest cross sectional interference fit dimension of the neck to the interference fit depth of the neck being no greater than 5:1; and the annular valve seat located downstream of the inward end of the neck so that fluid pressure within the container acts radially outwardly within the inlet passage of the valve, in its closed position, to force the valve body portion against the neck.

Claim 8

In a pressurized package including a container having an aperture defined by a neck, in which is sealed a valve including a unitary member, defining a valve inlet and a valve outlet, and having a tubular body portion of resilient material containing a valve inlet passage and an integral actuating portion containing a valve outlet passage, the inlet and outlet of the valve being joined by a controllable flow path extending wholly within the unitary member and incorporating an annular valve seat spaced from the inlet of the valve, the package incorporating improvements comprising: mating means preformed in the neck for affecting a circumferentially continuous, interference fit seal between the neck and the mating valve body portion; the body portion projecting and bulging from the neck into the container for securing the body portion in sealing relation to the neck; the ratio of the smallest cross sectional interference fit dimension of the neck to the interference fit depth of the neck being no greater than 5:1; and the annular valve seat located downstream of the inward end of the neck so that fluid pressure within the container acts radially outwardly within the inlet passage of the valve, in its closed position, to force the valve body portion against the neck.

Claim 9

The subject matter set forth in claim 6, wherein the ratio is no greater than 3:1.

Claim 10

The subject matter set forth in claim 6 wherein the means for affecting a circumferentially continuous interference fit, between the valve and neck comprises: mating rib and groove formations; and further wherein juxtaposed cylindrical surface portions are also formed on the valve body portion and the neck, the depth of the juxtaposed cylindrical surface portions being at least as great as the dimension of the rib and groove formations; and still further wherein the juxtaposed cylindrical surface portions are disposed between the free end of the neck and the rib-groove formations.

Claim 11

The subject matter set forth in claim 6 together with a dip-tube received within the inlet passage to bias the valve body portion radially outwardly.

Claim 12

A package as claimed in claim 6, wherein the valve body portion and the actuating portion are joined by an integral flexible annular wall having a melting point such that it will melt to expel the pressurized container contents before the temperature of the container rises sufficiently to cause container rupture.

Claim 13

A package as claimed in claim 6, wherein the valve member contains a sealing gasket engaging said valve seat the gasket being such that, on a rise in the internal pressure, the gasket will be displaced to release that pressure before it reaches a value sufficient to rupture the container.

Claim 14

A package as claimed in claim 6, wherein the interference fit is such that, upon a rising internal pressure, the valve will be emitted from the neck before the container ruptures.