Non-round metallic pressurized container and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

A metallic container includes a metallic elongated body that provides an interior cavity. The body has a non-circular perimeter wall, a bottom and a top. The perimeter wall is joined to the bottom at one end and to the top at an end opposite the bottom. The top includes an opening having a lip. The perimeter wall extends in a longitudinal direction to provide a height. The perimeter wall includes a cross-section normal to longitudinal direction that provides a major diameter and a minor diameter. A ratio of the major diameter to the minor diameter is 1.3 to 2.0. A valve assembly is operatively secured to the lip over the opening to enclose the cavity.

1 . A metallic container comprising:
 a metallic elongated body providing an interior cavity, the body has a non-circular perimeter wall, a bottom and a top, the perimeter wall joined to the bottom at one end and to the top at an end opposite the bottom, the top includes an opening having a lip, the perimeter wall extends in a longitudinal direction to provide a height, and the perimeter wall includes a cross-section normal to longitudinal direction that provides a major diameter and a minor diameter, a ratio of the major diameter to the minor diameter is 1.3 to 2.0; and   a valve assembly is operatively secured to the lip over the opening to enclose the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The metallic container according to  claim 1 , wherein the top is free of wrinkles and at an angle from the perimeter wall to the lip of less than 20°. 
     
     
         3 . The metallic container according to  claim 1 , wherein the cross-section is one of oval or kidney-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The metallic container according to  claim 1 , wherein the height from the bottom to the lip is less than 3.25 inches (8.26 cm). 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The metallic container according to  claim 2 , wherein the top is at an angle from the perimeter wall to the lip of less than 10°. 
     
     
         8 . The metallic container according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom is one of substantially flat, substantially concave or substantially convex. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The metallic container according to  claim 8 , wherein a perimeter wall thickness is in a range of 0.008 to 0.025 inch. 
     
     
         11 . The metallic container according to  claim 10 , wherein a bottom wall thickness to the perimeter wall thickness has a ratio of about 1:2. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The metallic container according to  claim 1 , wherein the cavity includes a liquid pressurized to at least 25 psi, the body exposed to the liquid. 
     
     
         14 . The metallic container according to  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter wall, the top and the bottom are provided by a one-piece, unitary structure without any securing seams. 
     
     
         15 . The metallic container according to  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a first portion and a second container portion secured to one another at a joint to provide the cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The metallic container according to  claim 15 , wherein the first container portion includes the top, and the second container portion includes the bottom, the first and second container portions nested relative to one another to provide the perimeter wall. 
     
     
         17 . The metallic container according to  claim 16 , wherein the first and second container portions overlap one another in a longitudinal direction by at least 5%. 
     
     
         18 . The metallic container according to  claim 16 , wherein the first and second container portions are glued to one another. 
     
     
         19 . The metallic container according to  claim 15 , wherein the joint is welded or seamed. 
     
     
         20 . The metallic container according to  claim 1 , wherein the lip includes a rolled cross-section. 
     
     
         21 . A method of forming a container comprising the steps of:
 impact extruding a non-circular metallic slug to form an elongated body that includes a non-circular perimeter wall joined to an end wall, wherein the end wall provides one of a top with an opening or a substantially flat bottom free from openings;   necking the top to provide an angle from the perimeter wall to a lip in the top of less than 20°;   curling the lip about the opening; and   operatively securing a valve assembly to the lip over the opening.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the slug is oval-shaped or kidney-shaped, and the perimeter wall respectively includes an oval cross-section or a kidney-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         23 .- 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 21 , comprising filling the container with a liquid and a pressurized propellant. 
     
     
         32 .- 37 . (canceled)