U.S. patent application number 09/777865 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-04 for device for containing and dispensing a product.
Invention is credited to Baudin, Gilles.
Application Number | 20010025857 09/777865 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8846717 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010025857 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baudin, Gilles |
October 4, 2001 |
Device for containing and dispensing a product
Abstract
A device for containing and dispensing a product may include a
housing including an opening, and a container for containing a
product. The container may be within the housing and may have an
end portion defining an opening of the container. The device may
also include a region in the housing for receiving a gas to
pressurize the container. The region may be defined at least
partially by an interior of the housing and an exterior of the
container. The device may further include a cover member covering
at least a substantial part of the opening of the housing. The end
portion of the housing may be between a portion of the cover member
and a portion of the housing. Additionally, the device may include
a valve on the cover member configured to dispense product from the
container and a seal compressed between the portion of the housing
and the portion of the cover member. The device may also include a
step-shaped region provided by at least one of a part of the seal,
the portion of the housing, and the portion of the cover member.
The step-shaped region may be adapted to enable substantially
uniform compression of at least parts of the seal on opposing sides
of the step-shaped region.
Inventors: |
Baudin, Gilles; (Domont,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas L. Irving
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW,
GARRETT & DUNNER, L.L.P
1300 I Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20005-3315
US
|
Family ID: |
8846717 |
Appl. No.: |
09/777865 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/95 ;
215/12.1; 222/105; 222/386.5; 222/389; 222/402.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/62 20130101;
B65D 83/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/95 ;
215/12.1; 222/105; 222/402.1; 222/386.5; 222/389 |
International
Class: |
B65D 035/56 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 7, 2000 |
FR |
00 01489 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for containing and dispensing a product, the device
comprising: a housing including an opening; a container for
containing a product, the container being within the housing and
having an end portion defining an opening of the container; a
region in the housing for receiving a gas to pressurize the
container, the region being defined at least partially by an
interior of the housing and an exterior of the container; a cover
member covering at least a substantial part of the opening of the
housing, the end portion of the container being between a portion
of the cover member and a portion of the housing; a valve on the
cover member, the valve being configured to dispense product from
the container; a seal compressed between the portion of the housing
and the portion of the cover member; and a step-shaped region
provided by at least one of a part of the seal, the portion of the
housing, and the portion of the cover member, wherein the
step-shaped region is adapted to enable substantially uniform
compression of at least parts of the seal on opposing sides of the
step-shaped region.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a product within the
container.
3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a gas within the
region in the housing.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the seal is
compressed between the end portion of the container and the portion
of the housing.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the portion of the seal is an
inner annular portion of the seal.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the seal is
compressed between the end portion of the container and the portion
of the cover member.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the portion of the seal is an
inner annular portion of the seal.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the end portion of the container
is adjacent to the step-shaped region.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the step-shaped region includes a
step, and wherein the end portion of the container contacts the
step.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the seal is formed separate from
the container.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein a part of the seal is gripped
between the portion of the housing and the portion of the cover
member.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the part of the seal is an
outer annular portion of the seal.
13. The device of claim 1, wherein the step-shaped region includes
a step having a height substantially equal to a thickness of the
end portion of the container.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein at least the part of the seal
provides the step-shaped region.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein the seal has an annular
shape.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein the seal has an inner annular
portion and an outer annular portion, the inner annular portion
being thinner than the outer annular portion.
17. The device of claim 1, wherein at least the portion of the
housing provides the step-shaped region.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein the step-shaped region is
formed by a folded annular edge of the portion of the housing.
19. The device of claim 1, wherein at least the portion of the
cover member provides the step-shaped region.
20. The device of claim 19, wherein the step-shaped region is
formed by a folded annular edge of the portion of the cover
member.
21. The device of claim 1, further comprising a product within the
container and a gas within the region in the housing.
22. The device of claim 1, wherein the container is a flexible
bag.
23. The device of claim 1, wherein the step-shaped region is
adapted to receive the end portion of the container.
24. The device of claim 1, wherein the step-shaped region includes
a step, and wherein the step has a height from about 0.03 mm to
about 1 mm.
25. The device of claim 24, wherein the height is from about 0.1 mm
to about 0.5 mm.
26. The device of claim 1, wherein the end portion of the container
and the portion of the cover member are attached on the portion of
the housing by at least one of crimping, rolling, and tube
expansion.
27. The device of claim 1, wherein the seal enables a gas in the
region, a product in the container, and the environment to be
sealed off from one other.
28. A device for containing and dispensing a product, the device
comprising: a housing including an opening; a container for
containing a product, the container being within the housing and
having an end portion defining an opening of the container; a
region in the housing for receiving a gas to pressurize the
container, the region being defined at least partially by an
interior of the housing and an exterior of the container; a cover
member covering at least a substantial part of the opening of the
housing, the end portion of the container being between a portion
of the cover member and a portion of the housing; a valve on the
cover member, the valve being configured to dispense product from
the container; and a sealing assembly including at least a seal,
the seal being between the portion of the housing and the portion
of the cover member, wherein the sealing assembly has a step-shaped
region adapted to enable substantially uniform compression of at
least parts of the seal on opposing sides of the step-shaped
region.
29. The device of claim 28, wherein the sealing assembly further
includes the end portion of the container, and wherein the
step-shaped region is configured to receive the end portion of the
container.
30. The device of claim 29, wherein the sealing assembly further
includes the portion of the housing and the portion of the cover
member.
31. The device of claim 28, wherein the step-shaped region includes
a step, the step having a height substantially equal to a thickness
of the end portion of the container.
32. The device of claim 28, wherein the step-shaped region is
provided by at least a part of the seal.
33. The device of claim 32, wherein the seal has an annular
shape.
34. The device of claim 33, wherein the seal has an inner annular
portion and an outer annular portion, the inner annular portion
being thinner than the outer annular portion.
35. The device of claim 28, wherein the step-shaped region is
provided by at least the portion of the housing.
36. The device of claim 35, wherein the step-shaped region is
formed by a folded annular edge of the portion of the housing.
37. The device of claim 28, wherein the step-shaped region is
provided by at least the portion of the cover member.
38. The device of claim 37, wherein the step-shaped region is
formed by a folded annular edge of the portion of the cover
member.
39. The device of claim 29, wherein the end portion of the
container is located between the seal and the portion of the
cover.
40. The device of claim 29, wherein the end portion of the
container is located between the seal and the portion of the
housing.
41. The device of claim 28, further comprising a product within the
container and a gas within the region in the housing.
42. The device of claim 28, wherein the container is a flexible
bag.
43. The device of claim 28, wherein the end portion of the
container and the portion of the cover member are attached on the
portion of the housing by at least one of crimping, rolling, and
tube expansion.
44. The device of claim 28, wherein the seal assembly enables a gas
in the region, a product in the container, and the environment to
be sealed off from one other.
45. A device for containing and dispensing a product, the device
comprising: a housing including an opening; a container for
containing a product, the container being within the housing and
having an end portion defining an opening of the container; a
product within the container; a region in the housing for receiving
a gas to pressurize the container, the region being defined at
least partially by an interior of the housing and an exterior of
the container; a gas within the region in the housing; a cover
member covering at least a substantial part of the opening of the
housing, the end portion of the container being between a portion
of the cover member and a portion of the housing; a valve on the
cover member, the valve being configured to dispense product from
the container; and a sealing assembly including at least a seal and
the portion of the cover member, the seal being between the portion
of the housing and the portion of the cover member, and having a
step-shaped region configured to receive the end portion of the
container, wherein the step-shaped region is adapted to enable
substantially uniform compression of at least parts of the seal on
opposing sides of the step-shaped region.
46. The device of claim 45, wherein the sealing assembly further
includes the portion of the housing and the end portion of the
container.
47. The device of claim 46, wherein the end portion of the
container is located between the seal and the portion of the
cover.
48. The device of claim 46, wherein the end portion of the
container is located between the seal and the portion of the
housing.
49. The device of claim 45, wherein the seal assembly enables a gas
in the region, a product in the container, and the environment to
be sealed off from one other.
Description
[0001] Under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119, this
application claims priority of French Application No. 0001489,
filed on Feb. 7, 2000, the entire disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] The present invention relates to a device for containing and
dispensing a product. More particularly, the present invention
relates to a device suitable for containing and dispensing cosmetic
products, such as hair products, personal hygiene products, make-up
products, and care products. The device may include, for example,
an aerosol container.
[0003] Aerosol-type devices are useful for containing liquid and/or
pasty substances and dispensing them under pressure. Such devices
generally include a rigid outer container and a flexible inner
container having an upper edge fixed to the outer container. The
inner container may be formed of a flexible material, such as
aluminum or plastic. The outer container may include an aerosol
can. These devices may also have a dispensing valve mounted on a
cup. The base of the outer container generally has a sealable
opening for introducing a propellant (e.g., gas) into a volume
formed between the outer container and the inner container.
[0004] The above-mentioned genre of devices may also be referred to
as twin-chamber aerosol containers, or simply "bag aerosols." The
flexible inner container or "bag" usually contains the product to
be consumed, and an annular chamber between the bag and the outer
container contains a propellant, for example, a pressurized gas.
The product may be dispensed through a dispensing head by opening
the dispensing valve, for example, by pressing in or inverting the
dispensing head. The dispensing head may include a press button or
other suitable mechanism. Pressure exerted by the propellant on the
bag acts to expel the product out of the bag through the dispensing
valve when the dispensing valve is opened.
[0005] The aerosol container (i.e., outer container) may have a
base and a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body may includ an
arched part or "dome" at an end of the aerosol container opposite
from the base. The dome may include a free edge configured in the
form of a rolled edge that defines an opening. A metal disc-shaped
part referred to as a "cup" may be mounted on the rolled edge of
the outer container. The dispensing valve may be fastened generally
on the center of the cup on an axis of the device. The cup may have
a peripheral collar or folded annular edge by which the cup may be
fastened on the rolled edge of the outer container by crimping
and/or rolling. Alternatively, the fastening of the cup on the dome
of the outer container may be accomplished by tube expansion (i.e.,
deforming the cup from the inside so as to press it out against the
inside surface of the dome of the outer container). The resulting
deformation from the tube expansion may clamp the collar of the cup
to the rolled edge of the outer container. A seal between the
collar of the cup and the rolled edge of the outer container may be
provided by an elastic gasket or seal.
[0006] In bag aerosols, the bag may be fixed to a body of the outer
container adjacent to a location where the cup is crimped to the
rolled edge of the outer container. The bag may be suspended by its
neck in an axis of the device. The neck of the bag may terminate at
the top in a lip sized so that the lip may be inserted into the
collar of the cup and rested on the rolled edge of the dome. During
the crimping or tube expansion of the cup, the lip of the bag may
be gripped between the collar of the cup and the rolled edge of the
outer container. A high level of precision in assembly may be
necessary to ensure an adequate seal between the cup, the bag, and
the rolled edge of the outer container. The seal between the bag
and the outer container may be the most difficult to achieve
because of the fugacity of the propellant gas, and because of the
nature of the bag material, which may be a relatively inelastic
plastic, such as polypropylene or polyethylene.
[0007] In practice, the presence of the lip of the bag between the
rolled edge of the container and the collar of the cup may create
an additional thickness that prevents uniform deformation of the
elastic gasket and proper sealing of the device. Typically, the
elastic gasket may have the form of a flat annular element of
constant thickness. When an inner annular portion of the gasket is
placed between the collar of the cup and the lip of the bag, the
gasket may be compressed satisfactorily on the inner annular
portion, but much less in an outer annular portion extending beyond
the lip of the container. As a result, the portion of the gasket
directly between the collar of the cup and the rolled edge of the
outer container may not seal satisfactorily (i.e., the seal between
the propellant gas and the external environment may be poorer than
desired). An exemplary device suffering from this drawback is
disclosed in International Application No. W099/16684(see, e.g.,
FIGS. 19a and 19b).
[0008] Similarly, as shown in French document no. FR-A-2 310 287,
when an inner annular portion of the gasket is placed between the
rolled edge of the outer container and the lip of the bag, the
gasket may be compressed satisfactorily in the inner annular
portion, but much less in the outer annular portion. Once again, as
a result, the seal between the product and the external environment
may be poorer than desired. The above-mentioned French document
suggests the possibility of providing a second gasket in the bottom
of the collar of the cover member; however, use of a second gasket
may undesirably increase the overall cost and complexity of the
device.
[0009] In light of the foregoing, there is a need in art for an
improved device for containing and dispensing a product.
[0010] One aspect of the invention may include providing a device
that addresses sealing problems in conventional devices.
[0011] Another aspect of the invention may include providing an
aerosol device having improved sealing that is simple and
inexpensive to manufacture.
[0012] It should be understood that the invention could still be
practiced without performing one or more of the aspects and/or
advantages set forth above. Still other aspects will become
apparent after reading the following description of the
invention.
[0013] To achieve these and other advantages, and in accordance
with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly
described herein, the invention includes a device for containing
and dispensing a product. The device may include a housing
including an opening, and a container for containing a product. The
container may be within the housing and may have an end portion
defining an opening of the container. The device may also include a
region in the housing for receiving a gas to pressurize the
container. The region may be defined at least partially by an
interior of the housing and an exterior of the container. The
device may further include a cover member covering at least a
substantial part of the opening of the housing. The end portion of
the housing may be between a portion of the cover member and a
portion of the housing. Additionally, the device may include a
valve on the cover member configured to dispense product from the
container and a seal compressed between the portion of the housing
and the portion of the cover member. The device may also include a
step-shaped region provided by at least one of a part of the seal,
the portion of the housing, and the portion of the cover member.
The step-shaped region may be adapted to enable substantially
uniform compression of at least parts of the seal on opposing sides
of the step-shaped region.
[0014] In another aspect, the device may include a product within
the container.
[0015] In yet another aspect, the device may include a gas within
the region in the housing.
[0016] In a further aspect, a portion of the seal may be compressed
between the end portion of the container and the portion of the
housing. For example, the portion of the seal compressed between
the end portion of the container and the portion of the housing may
include an inner annular portion of the seal.
[0017] In another aspect, a portion of the seal may be compressed
between the end portion of the container and the portion of the
cover member. For example, the portion of the seal compressed
between the end portion of the container and the portion of the
cover member may include an inner annular portion of the seal.
[0018] In still another aspect, the end portion of the container
may be adjacent to the step-shaped region. For example, the
step-shaped region may include a step, and the end portion of the
container may contact the step.
[0019] In a further aspect, the seal may be formed separate from
the container.
[0020] In an aspect, a part of the seal may be gripped between the
portion of the housing and the portion of the cover member. For
example, the part of the seal gripped between the portion of the
housing and the portion of the cover member may be an outer annular
portion of the seal.
[0021] In another aspect, the step-shaped region may include a step
having a height substantially equal to a thickness of the end
portion of the container.
[0022] In yet another aspect, at least a part of the seal may
provide the step-shaped region. The seal may optionally have an
annular shape. For example, the seal may have an inner annular
portion and an outer annular portion. The inner annular portion may
be thinner than the outer annular portion.
[0023] In another aspect, at least the portion of the housing may
provide the step-shaped region. For example, the step-shaped region
may be formed by a folded annular edge of the portion of the
housing.
[0024] In yet another aspect, at least the portion of the cover
member may provide the step-shaped region. For example, the
step-shaped region may be formed by a folded annular edge of the
portion of the cover member.
[0025] In another aspect the device may further include a product
within the container and a gas within the region in the
housing.
[0026] In yet another aspect, the container may include a flexible
bag.
[0027] In still another aspect, the step-shaped region may be
adapted to receive the end portion of the container.
[0028] In another aspect, the step-shaped region may include a step
having a height from about 0.03 mm to about 1 mm. In an embodiment,
the height may be from about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm.
[0029] In yet another aspect, the end portion of the container and
the portion of the cover member may be attached on the portion of
the housing by at least one of crimping, rolling, and tube
expansion.
[0030] In an aspect, the seal may enable a gas in the region, a
product in the container, and the environment to be sealed off from
one other.
[0031] In another aspect, the device may include a sealing assembly
including at least a seal. The sealing assembly may have a
step-shaped region adapted to enable substantially uniform
compression of at least parts of the seal on opposing sides of the
step-shaped region. The sealing assembly may also optionally
include the end portion of the container, the portion of the
housing, and the portion of the cover member.
[0032] Besides the structural arrangements set forth above, the
invention could include a number of other arrangements, such as
those explained hereinafter. It is to be understood that both the
foregoing general description and the following detailed
description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further
explanation of the invention as claimed.
[0033] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate
embodiments of the invention and, together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the
drawings,
[0034] FIG. 1 is a view of a first embodiment of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a seal shown in FIG.
1;
[0036] FIG. 3 is a view of a variation of the embodiment of FIG.
1;
[0037] FIG. 4 is a view of a second embodiment of the
invention;
[0038] FIG. 5 is a view of a third embodiment of the invention;
and
[0039] FIG. 6 is a view of a variation of the embodiment of FIG.
4.
[0040] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description
to refer to the same or like parts.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, a device 1 may include a housing 2 with
a base 9 and an upper part 3. The upper part 3 may end in the shape
of a dome. A portion 4 of the housing 2 may define an opening 5 of
the housing 2. The portion 4 of the housing 2 may optionally have
the shape of a folded annular or rolled edge. The device 1 may also
include a container 6 within the housing 2 for containing a product
P. The container 6 may be, for example, a flexible-walled
container, such as a flexible bag. The container 6 may include an
end portion 15 defining an opening of the container 6. The device 1
may also include a region 8 in the housing 2 for receiving a gas G
to pressurize the container 2. The region 8 may be defined at least
partially by an interior of the housing 2 and an exterior of the
container 6. For example, the region 8 may be an annular chamber.
The gas G may include any suitable gas capable of acting as a
propellant. The base 9 of the housing 2 may include a valve 10 to
enable the gas G to be injected into the region 8.
[0042] The device 1 may further include a cover member 11 covering
at least a substantial part of the opening 5 of the housing 2. In
an embodiment, the cover member 11 may be mounted on the portion 4
of the housing 2. The cover member 11 may be formed of a plurality
of parts or may be of unitary, one-piece construction. The cover
member 11 may be made of metal or other suitable materials. The end
portion 15 of the container 6 may be between the portion 4 of the
housing 2 and a portion 13 of the cover member 11. The device 1 may
also include a dispensing valve 12 on the cover member 11. The
valve 12 may be configured to dispense product P from the container
6. The dispensing valve 12 may be fastened generally on the center
of the cover member 11, and thus oriented along an axis of the
device 1. The valve 12 may include a valve stem 14 optionally
operated by a press button (not shown).
[0043] The portion 13 of the cover member 11 may be configured to
attach the cover member 11 on the housing 2. For example, the
portion 13 may be a peripheral collar and/or a folded annular edge.
In one embodiment, the portion 13 of the cover member 11 is
attached on the housing by tube expansion. The tube expansion may
include deforming the cover member 11 from the inside so as to
press the cover member 11 against an inside surface of the upper
part 3 of the housing 2. The resulting deformation may clamp the
portion 13 of the cover member 11 on the portion 4 of the housing
2. The attaching of the cover member 11 on the housing 2 may also
be accomplished by other suitable methods, such as crimping and/or
rolling. A leak-tight seal between the portion 13 of the cover
member 11 and the portion 4 of the housing 2 may be provided by a
sealing assembly 50, which will be explained in detail below.
[0044] The container 6 may be attached on the portion 4 of the
housing 2. This configuration may allow the container 6 to be
suspended by the end portion 15 along an axis of the device 1. The
dimensions of the end portion 15 advantageously enable the end
portion 15 to be inserted into the portion 13 of the cover member
11, and to rest on the portion 4 of the housing 2 via the sealing
assembly 50. The end portion 15 of the container 6 may be gripped
between the portion 13 of the cover member 11 and the portion 4 of
the housing 2. The end portion 15 may be, for example, a lip of the
container 6. The device 1 may be assembled at least in part by
industrial methods similar to those disclosed in French document
no. FR-A-2 310 287.
[0045] The sealing assembly 50 may include a seal 20 located
between the portion 13 of the cover member 11 and the portion 4 of
the housing 2. The sealing assembly 50 may also include the portion
4 of the housing 2, the portion 13 of the cover member 11, and the
end portion 15 of the container 6. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
1, a step-shaped region 52 may be formed on the seal 20 of the
sealing assembly 50. The step-shaped region 52 may be adapted to
enable substantially uniform compression of at least an area around
the step-shaped region 52 extending on parts 22, 23 of the seal 20.
Although the region of compression of the seal 20 may be more or
less wide, the step-shaped region 52 enables at least parts of the
seal on both sides of the step-shaped region 52 to be adequately
compressed along at least some of the width of the seal 20, thereby
providing an adequate seal among the region 8, the container 6, and
the external environment. In an alternative embodiment, the
step-shaped region 52 may be formed on other parts of the sealing
assembly 50.
[0046] The product P may be dispensed through a dispensing head on
the valve 12 by opening the valve 12. Optionally, the valve 12 may
be opened by pressing it in or by inversion. The pressure exerted
by the gas or propellant G on the container 6 acts to expel the
product P through the dispensing valve 12 out of the container
6.
[0047] The circled portion of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate how a
seal may be formed between the gas G in the region 8, the product P
in the container 6, and the external environment.
[0048] FIG. 2 shows the seal 20 of the sealing assembly 50 in an
unassembled condition. The seal 20 may be, for example, a flat
annular element 21 with parts 22, 23. The part 23 may be an inner
annular portion and the part 22 may be an outer annular portion.
The part 22 may be thicker than the part 23. The step-shaped region
52 including a step 24 may be formed between the inner annular part
23 and the outer annular part 22 of the seal 20. When the
step-shaped region 52 is provided by the seal 20, the step-shaped
region 52 may be produced, for example, by molding or cutting of
the seal 20. The height of the step 24 may be approximately equal
to the thickness of the end portion 15 of the container 6. For
example, in an embodiment, the step may have a height from about
0.03 mm to about 1 mm. In another embodiment, the step 24 may have
a height from about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm.
[0049] Advantageously, unlike certain configurations disclosed in
International Application No. W099/16684, the seal 20 may be formed
by an element separate from the container 6. Such a configuration
may provide a better seal, and may enable the container 6 to be
made from materials offering better compatibility with certain
products to be packaged, such as certain cosmetic products.
[0050] In the embodiment shown in the circled portion of FIG. 1,
the seal 20 may rest directly on the portion 4 of the housing 2.
Due to the presence of the step 24 of the step-shaped region 52,
when the end portion 15 rests on the inner annular part 23 of the
seal 20, a combined thickness of the end portion 15 and the inner
annular part 23 of the seal 20 should not be substantially larger
than a thickness of the outer annular part 22 of the seal 20. When
the portion 13 of the cover member 11 is attached on the portion 4
of the housing 2, the compression of the seal 20 may be
substantially uniform on at least parts of the seal 20 on opposing
sides (e.g., parts 22, 23) of the step-shaped region 52. For
example, the compression of the seal 20 may be substantially
uniform around an annular region extending partly on one side of
the step-shaped region 52 and partly on the other side of the
step-shaped region 52, thereby enabling compression of the seal
along at least some of the width of the seal 20 on both sides of
the step-shaped region 52 sufficient to prevent leaks. In other
words, a portion of the seal 20 located on the end portion 15 is
compressed substantially the same amount as a portion of the seal
extending beyond the end portion 15. This arrangement may provide a
satisfactory seal between the region 8 and the external
environment, between the region 8 and the container 6, and between
the container 6 and the external environment.
[0051] In the variant shown in FIG. 3, the seal 20 may be between
the end portion 15 of the container 6 and the portion 13 of the
cover member 11. The inner annular portion 23 of the seal 20 may be
in direct contact with the portion 13 of the cover member 11. In
other words, the seal 20 shown in FIG. 2 has been inverted compared
with the configuration of FIG. 1. Similar to the embodiment of FIG.
1, due to the presence of the step-shaped region 52 including the
step 24, when the inner annular part 23 of the seal 20 is resting
on the end portion 15 of the container 6, a thickness of both the
end portion 15 and the inner annular part 23 of the seal 20 should
not be substantially larger than a thickness of the outer annular
part 22 of the seal 20. Advantageously, when the portion 13 of the
cover member 11 is attached on the portion 4 of the housing 2, as
shown in FIG. 3, the compression of the seal 20 may be
substantially uniform on opposing sides of the step-shaped region
52. The seal obtained between the region 8, the container 6, and
the external environment should be similar to that obtained with
the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0052] FIG. 5 is a view of a second embodiment of the invention
including a device 1a. The general configuration of the device 1a
is similar to that of the device I shown in FIG. 1, and therefore
requires no further description. In this embodiment, however, the
cover member 11 may be crimped around the outside of the portion 13
over the portion 4 of the housing 2. The embodiments of FIGS. 1 and
5 may also differ in the way leaks may be prevented between the
region 8, the container 6, and the external environment, and in the
location of the step-shaped region 52.
[0053] As shown in the circled portion of FIG. 5, the seal 20 may
be of substantially constant thickness. The portion 4 of the
housing 2 may form a step-shaped region 52 including a step 32. The
portion 4 may include a thinner inner annular portion 30 separated
from a thicker outer annular portion 31 by the step 32. The
difference in thickness between the portions 30, 31 may correspond
approximately to the thickness of the end portion 15 of the
container 6. Therefore, when the end portion 15 of the container 6
is resting on the inner annular portion 30 of the portion 4,
adjacent to the step 32, the end portion 15 should not extend
substantially beyond an upper surface 56 of the outer annular
portion 31. In this way, when the portion 13 of the cover member 11
is crimped on the portion 4, as shown in FIG. 5, the compression of
the seal 20 may be substantially uniform in an area around the
step-shaped region 52 extending partly on one side of the step 32
and partly on the other side of the step 32 (i.e., opposing sides
of the step 32). This configuration may provide a satisfactory seal
between the region 8 and the external environment, between the
region 8 and the container 6, and between the container 6 and the
external environment.
[0054] FIGS. 4 and 6 illustrate a third embodiment of the
invention. The device shown in FIG. 6 is a variant of the device
shown in FIG. 4.
[0055] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the seal 20 may be of
substantially constant thickness. The portion 4 of the housing 2
may also be of substantially constant thickness. The end portion 15
of the container 6 may be located between the seal 20 and the
portion 4 of the housing 2. The portion 13 of the cover member 11
may include an inner annular part 40 and an outer annular part 41
separated by a step-shaped region 52 including steps 42, 43. The
step 43 may have a height approximately equal to the thickness of
the end portion 15 of the container 6. The step 43 may be on an
inside of the portion 13 of the cover member 11. The step-shaped
region 52 may be produced, for example, by forming the metal during
the stamping of the portion 13. When the cover member 11 is
attached on the portion 4 of the housing 2, as shown in FIG. 6, the
compression of the seal 20 may be substantially uniform in an area
around the step-shaped region 52 extending partly on one side of
the step 43 and partly on the other side of the step 43. This
configuration may provide a satisfactory seal between the region 8
and the external environment, between the region 8 and the
container 6, and between the container 6 and the external
environment.
[0056] In the variant illustrated in FIG. 4, the seal 20 may have a
substantially constant thickness, and may be located between the
end portion 15 of the container 6 and the portion 4 of the housing
2. The end portion 15 of the container 6 may be positioned between
the seal 20 and the portion 13 of the cover member 11, adjacent to
the step 43. The end portion 15 of the container 6 should not
extend substantially beyond an outer edge of the step 43.
Consequently, the compression of the seal 20 may be substantially
uniform in an area around the step-shaped region 52 extending
partly on one side of the step 43 and partly on the other side of
the step 43. The results in terms of the adequacy of the seal may
be similar to those of the variant shown in FIG. 6.
[0057] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the structure and
methodology of the present invention without departing from the
scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is
intended that the present invention covers modifications and
variations of this invention, provided that they fall within the
scope of the following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *