Coated metal components in aerosol valves and dispensing pumps for metal-sensitive compositions and process of coating the components

Abstract

A coated component for use in a pump or valve. The coated component may be a metal spring and/or metal ball. Also provided is a container fitted with a pump or valve having such a coated metal spring and/or metal ball for use with a composition that includes a metal ion sensitive ingredient. The spring and/or ball exterior surface is provided with a continuous and durable coating of a polymeric material effective to reduce interaction of metal ions, the metal spring and/or ball, with the ingredient. The coating on the spring is also preferably flexible.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In a product comprising a container fitted with a pump or valve having a metal spring and/or metal ball, and a composition in the container, the composition containing an ingredient that is reactive with metal ions, the improvement comprising the spring and/or ball exterior surface is provided with a continuous and durable coating of a polymeric material effective to reduce interaction of metal ions with said ingredient, as compared to a like composition stored in a like container wherein the exterior surface of said metal spring and/or ball is not so coated, and when the product is fitted with a pump or valve having a metal spring, the coating of polymeric material is additionally flexible.  
     
     
         2 . The product as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of urethane, epoxy, polyamidamide, epoxy-phenolic, teflon, synthetic rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylcholoride, silicone, silicate, natural or synthetic polymers and hybrid polymers.  
     
     
         3 . The product as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material is Nylon-11 or polypyrrole.  
     
     
         4 . The product as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the polymeric material is polypyrrole.  
     
     
         5 . The product as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the polymeric material is Nylon-11.  
     
     
         6 . The product as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the coating is effective to substantially prevent interaction of the metal ions of the spring and/or ball with said ingredient.  
     
     
         7 . The product as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the coating is effective to prevent interaction of the metal ions of the spring and/or ball with said ingredient.  
     
     
         8 . The product as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container is of metal and the interior surface of the metal container in contact with the composition is coated with a material that reduces interaction of said ingredient with metal ions of said surface.  
     
     
         9 . The product as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said surface is coated with said polymeric material.  
     
     
         10 . The product as claimed in  claim 1 , in the form of an aerosol dispensing unit.  
     
     
         11 . The product as claimed in  claim 1 , in the form of a hand actuated spray pump dispensing unit.  
     
     
         12 . The product as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said product has shelf storage stability.  
     
     
         13 . The product as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said product has long term shelf storage stability.  
     
     
         14 . The product as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said product has shelf storage stability.  
     
     
         15 . The product as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said product has long term shelf storage stability.  
     
     
         16 . The product as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the coating is about 5 to about 100 microns in thickness.  
     
     
         17 . The product as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the coating is about 5 to about 25 microns in thickness.  
     
     
         18 . The product as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the coating is about 8 to about 12 microns in thickness.  
     
     
         19 . The product as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the coating is about 10 microns in thickness.  
     
     
         20 . The product as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the metal ion sensitive ingredient is selected from the group consisting of butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, octyl salicylate, EDTA, trisodium EDTA, disodium EDTA, sodium lauroyl ethylenediamine triacetate, dihydroxyacetone, sodium bisulfite, sodium sulfite, ascorbic acid, hydrogen peroxide, phosphoric acid, citric acid, aluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate, and ethybutylacetylaminoproprionate,  
     
     
         21 . The product as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the metal ion sensitive ingredient is butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane.  
     
     
         22 . A metal spring for a pump or valve, said spring having its exterior surface coated with a continuous, durable and flexible coating of a polymeric material, said coating being effective to reduce interaction of metal ions of the spring with a metal ion sensitive material in contact therewith.  
     
     
         23 . The metal spring as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said coating enables contact of the spring with said metal ion sensitive material for four weeks at about 110° F. with slight discoloration indicative of interaction of metal ions of the spring with the metal ion sensitive material.  
     
     
         24 . The metal spring as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said coating enables contact of the spring with said metal ion sensitive material for eight weeks at about 110° F. with slight discoloration indicative of interaction of metal ions of the spring with the metal ion sensitive material.  
     
     
         25 . The metal spring as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said coating enables contact of the ball with said metal ion sensitive material for four weeks at about 110° F. with slight discoloration indicative of interaction of metal ions of the spring with the metal ion sensitive material.  
     
     
         26 . The metal spring as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said coating enables contact of the ball with said metal ion sensitive material for eight weeks at about 110° F. with slight discoloration indicative of interaction of metal ions of the spring with the metal ion sensitive material.  
     
     
         27 . A metal ball for a pump or valve, said ball having its exterior surface coated with a continuous and durable coating of a polymeric material, said coating being effective to reduce interaction of metal ions of the ball with a metal ion sensitive material in contact therewith.  
     
     
         28 . The metal ball as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein said coating enables contact of the ball with said metal ion sensitive material for four weeks at about 110° F. with slight discoloration indicative of interaction of metal ions of the ball with the metal ion sensitive material.  
     
     
         29 . The metal ball as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein said coating enables contact of the ball with said metal ion sensitive material for eight weeks at about 110° F. with slight discoloration indicative of interaction of metal ions of the ball with the metal ion sensitive material.  
     
     
         30 . The metal ball as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein said coating enables contact of the ball with said metal ion sensitive material for four weeks at about 110° F. with slight discoloration indicative of interaction of metal ions of the ball with the metal ion sensitive material.  
     
     
         31 . The metal ball as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein said coating enables contact of the ball with said metal ion sensitive material for eight weeks at about 110° F. with slight discoloration indicative of interaction of metal ions of the ball with the metal ion sensitive material.