Plural nested preform assembly and method of manufacture

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018043604-A1
Application number	US-201615235279-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 12, 2016
Priority date	Aug 12, 2016
Publication date	Feb 15, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A plural preform assembly having nested preforms. The preforms are held together by an interference fit. The interference fit is provided by the friction between the preforms which occurs when the inner preform is inserted into the outer preform. At least one preform may have ribs extending radially towards the other preform. The ribs provided concentricity and interference to hold the preforms together during subsequent operations. The preforms may later be blow molded to provide a bag in bottle or similar container.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A plural preform assembly for a container, said plural preform assembly having a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction, said plural preform assembly comprising:
an outer preform having an outer preform open end and an outer preform closed end longitudinally opposed thereto, an outer preform sidewall joining said outer preform open end and said outer container closed end, said outer preform having an outer preform inner surface and an outer preform outer surface, and an inner preform disposed in said outer preform, said inner preform having an inner preform open end and an inner preform closed end longitudinally opposed thereto, an inner preform sidewall joining said inner preform open end and said inner preform closed end, said inner preform having an inner preform inner surface and an inner preform outer surface, said inner preform and said outer preform being mechanically joined at said respective open ends by a radial interference fit.

2 . A plural preform assembly for an aerosol container, said plural preform assembly having a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction, said plural preform assembly comprising:
an outer preform having an outer preform open end and an outer preform closed end longitudinally opposed thereto, an outer preform sidewall joining said outer preform open end and said outer preform closed end, said outer preform having an outer preform inner surface and an outer preform outer surface, and an inner preform disposed in said outer container, said inner preform having an inner preform open end and an inner preform closed end longitudinally opposed thereto, an inner preform sidewall joining said inner preform open end and said inner preform closed end, said inner preform having an inner preform inner surface and an inner preform outer surface, said inner preform and said outer preform being mechanically joinable at said respective necks by a radial interference fit, and not touching the other at said respective sidewalls or respective closed ends, said inner preform and said outer preform being moldable to form an aerosol dispenser having a bag therein.

3 . A method of making a bag in bottle assembly, said method comprising the steps of:
a. providing a plural preform assembly for container, said plural preform assembly having a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction, said plural preform assembly having an outer preform having an outer preform open end and an outer preform closed end longitudinally opposed thereto, an outer preform sidewall joining said outer preform open end and said outer preform closed end, said outer preform having an outer preform inner surface and an outer preform outer surface, and an inner preform disposed in said outer container, said inner preform having an inner preform open neck and an inner preform closed end longitudinally opposed thereto, an inner preform sidewall joining said inner preform open end and said inner preform closed end, said inner preform having an inner preform inner surface and an inner preform outer surface, said inner preform and said outer preform being joined together by an interference fit, b. blowmolding said plural preform assembly while said inner preform is substantially disposed in said outer preform to form a bag in bottle assembly having a collapsible blown bag within an outer container, and c. permanently joining said collapsible blown bag and said outer container at said respective neck,
wherein said steps a, b and c are performed in sequence.

4 . A plural preform assembly for a container according to claim 1 further comprising an intermediate preform disposed between said inner preform and said outer preform.

5 . A plural preform assembly for a container according to claim 1 further comprising circumferentially spaced apart ribs disposed on said inner preform and extending radially outwardly to contact said outer preform inner surface and provide an interference fit between said inner preform and said outer preform.

6 . A plural preform assembly for a container according to claim 1 further comprising circumferentially spaced apart ribs disposed on said outer preform and extending radially inwardly to contact said inner preform outer surface and provide an interference fit between said inner preform and said outer preform.

7 . A plural preform assembly according to claim 5 comprising 10 to 24 equally circumferentially spaced ribs.

8 . A plural preform assembly according to claim 6 comprising 4 to 10 equally circumferentially spaced ribs.

9 . A plural preform assembly according to claim 7 wherein at least a portion of said ribs extends radially outwardly a distance of 4 to 6 mm.

10 . A plural preform assembly according to claim 9 wherein said ribs taper inwardly toward said bottom of said inner preform.

11 . A plural preform assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a first plurality and second plurality of ribs on one of said inner preform and said outer preform, each of said ribs of said first plurality and said second plurality radially extending towards the other preform, said ribs of said first plurality radially extending a greater distance than said ribs of said second plurality.

12 . A plural preform assembly according to claim 5 further comprising circumferentially spaced apart notches disposed on said outer preform and being complementary to said ribs of said inner preform whereby said ribs can engage said notches when said inner preform and said outer preform are nested.

13 . A plural preform assembly according to claim 2 further comprising ribs on one of said inner preform and said outer preform, said ribs radially extending towards the other, and further comprising complementary notches on the other of said outer preform and said inner preform, said ribs intercepting said notches when said inner preform and said outer preform are removably joined together.

14 . A plural preform assembly according to claim 13 comprising an equal number of ribs and notches.

15 . A plural preform assembly according to claim 2 wherein said inner preform further comprises an outwardly extending collar juxtaposed with said inner preform open neck and further comprising circumferentially spaced apart ribs extending outwards from said inner preform outer surface, said ribs intercepting said collar.

16 . A plural preform assembly according to claim 15 wherein said ribs have a free end longitudinally distal from said collar, said ribs subtending a collar diameter at said collar and a free end diameter at a free ends, said collar diameter being greater than said free end diameter.

17 . A plural preform assembly according to claim 2 comprising ribs on said inner preform radially extending outwardly towards said outer preform and comprising ribs on said outer preform radially extending towards said inner preform.

18 . A method according to claim 3 wherein said inner preform and said outer preform are removably joined together during steps a and b.

19 . A method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of permanently joining said inner preform and said outer preform after step c is performed.

20 . A method according to claim 19 further comprising the step of charging said outer container with propellant after performing step b and before step c.

Assignees

• Procter & Gamble

Inventors

• Zeik Douglas Bruce
• Neumann Matthew Aaron
• Smith Scott Edward

Classifications

• B32B2439/00

  Containers; Receptacles · CPC title

• B65D83/62

  by membranes, bags or the like · CPC title

• B29C2049/024

  not using inherent heat of the preform, i.e. 2 step blow moulding · CPC title

• B29L2031/7142

  Aerosol containers · CPC title

• B29L2031/7158

  Bottles · CPC title