subject: The Aerosol Filler In Pharmaceutical Industries [print this page] In accordance with the present invention, the filling apparatus for charging a pressurized aerosol container with a liquid product utilizes a male injector depending from a liquid reservoir in conjunction with a female valve of the container. The Aerosol Filling Machine is positioned or adjusted between a can non-filing position and a filling position, and pressure selectively draws liquid from the reservoir to the can when in a filling position. A substantially cylindrical housing engageable with and extending from the reservoir has an axial bore for liquid communication with the reservoir. A valve control having a valve body disposed in the axial bore of the cylindrical housing and having a central opening in liquid communication with the axial bore, includes a hollow injector pin extending longitudinally from the valve body and concentrically arranged with the opening of the valve body and terminates with at least one aperture. The valve control is biased to a closed, no-filling position, and when the can is in a filling position the injector pin is adapted to be received by the female valve, thereby establishing liquid communication between the reservoir and the can. A locking nut retains the valve control in the axial bore of the cylindrical housing. When the can is in a Aerosol Filling Machine manufacturer position, liquid flows from the reservoir and through the axial bore of the cylindrical housing, the valve control, the female valve, the dip tube depending downwardly from the female valve, and into the can.This invention relates to an apparatus for filling an Aerosol Filler . In its more specific aspect, this invention relates to an apparatus or device for filling an aerosol container having a female valve with liquid product. Aerosol dispensers, which are well known and used in abundance, consist of a self-pressurized and hermetically sealed container of metal, glass, or plastic. Most typically, the dispenser is charged or filled with the aerosol product, e.g., paint, lacquer, enamel, acrylic, fragrance, cleaning agent, etc., and then charged with a propellant and sometimes a solvent; but for a small percentage of dispensers, the container is preloaded with a propellant and sometimes a solvent, and then charged with the aerosol product. The product is dispensed, upon actuating a metering device or actuator, as a spray, foam, lotion, or the like.Filling the precharged dispenser or container with the aerosol filling product may be accomplished with an automatic system used in high volume applications, which meters a preselected amount of product into the container, or with a manual system. Regardless which system is used, usually depending upon volume, the apparatus typically includes a can holding means spaced below a reservoir for holding the liquid product. The male valve which is mounted in the cup of the container is brought into engagement with the reservoir outlet, and liquid flows from the reservoir through the valve and a downwardly depending dip tube, and then into the container. In the filling operation, it is important that the amount of liquid for each container must be accurate, that the operation be clean with essentially little or no leakage or overflow, and there be essentially little or no clogging.An automatic pneumatic filling system for charging an aerosol can is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,260. This known filling system utilizes a can receiver having a female liquid outlet depending downwardly from the reservoir, and the male valve seat or stem of the can is brought into engagement with the outlet for the can receiver. The filling apparatus includes a platform having a movable support means for supporting the Aerosol Filling Machine manufacturer , and a liquid reservoir spaced above the platform. A reciprocating piston or plunger is disposed above and coaxial with the female liquid outlet, and each downward stroke or extended position of the piston or plunger applies pressure against the liquid in the outlet, thereby forcing the liquid into the can. A check ball is positioned in the reservoir and over the opening to the outlet in order to prevent the flow of liquid from the reservoir when the piston is in a retracted position. Thus, in operation, a can positioned on the support means is automatically raised so that the male valve stem of the can engages the female outlet of the reservoir. As a consequence, the male valve stem, which is normally spring biased to a closed position, unseats the check ball over the outlet in the reservoir. The pressure applied against the liquid by the reciprocating piston opens the male valve and permits the liquid to flow from the reservoir and into the can. A pneumatic pump means forces a measured amount of liquid into the can. When filled, the can is automatically lowered, an actuator is placed over the male valve, a cover placed over the top, and the can is now ready for use by the consumer.Although in wide use, this type of system has several disadvantages. The connection between the female reservoir outlet and the male valve stem does not provide a tight liquid seal between the two members. Further, the check ball in the reservoir is gravity dependent, and when a filling operation is finished, there is frequently a time lag before the ball finds its seat, particularly with viscous liquids. Thus, overspill and leakage are somewhat common, which results in an unnecessary loss of liquid product, a messy cup, lost time in cleaning the can cup, and a dirty work area. Also, clogging should be avoided, but is a known problem with this system.This invention has therefore as its purpose to provide an improved apparatus or device for filling an Aerosol Filling Machine , which improvement may be utilized with either an automatic or manual system. In accordance with the present invention, the filling apparatus for charging a pressurized aerosol container utilizes a male injector fling device depending from the liquid reservoir in conjunction with a female valve of the container. It should be understood that the terms dispenser, container and can are used herein interchangeably and synonymously. Known filling systems used in the industry comprise a support means for the aerosol can, including means for selectively positioning, or raising and lowering, the support means between a can non- filling position and a filling position; a liquid reservoir spaced above the support means; and means for selectively drawing liquid from the reservoir into the can when in a filling position. In accordance with our invention, the improvement utilizes a filling apparatus or filling injector comprising a substantially cylindrical housing, which is engageable with and extends from the reservoir, Aerosol Filling Machine manufacturer and has an open-ended, axial bore for liquid communication with the reservoir.Valve control means includes a valve body disposed in the axial bore of the cylindrical housing, and the valve body has a central opening in liquid communication with the axial bore. A hollow injector pin extends longitudinally from the valve body and is concentrically arranged with the opening of the valve body, and the injector pin terminates with at least one aperture. Suitable means, such as a locking nut, retains the valve control means in the axial bore of the cylindrical body. The valve control means is biased to a closed, no- filling position, and establishes liquid communication between the reservoir and the can when the can is in a aerosol filler supplier position. The injector pin is adapted to be received by the female valve when the can is in a filling position. Thus, when the can is brought to a filling position, the valve control means is opened so that liquid will flow from the reservoir and through the axial bore of the cylindrical body, the valve control means, the female valve of the can, the dip tube depending downwardly from the female valve, and into the can.
