Aerosol can

Abstract

In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein, an apparatus that comprises a container having an interior space configured to hold a pressurized fluid to dispense aerosolized. The container further comprises a first end and a second end. The first end of the container is configured to dispense the contents of the pressurized fluid. The second end of the container is shaped like an inverted dome and has an adapter that provides access to the interior space of the container. The adapter at the second end of the container can be employed to depressurize the container and/or to refill the container.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a container having an interior space configured to hold a pressurized fluid to dispense aerosolized, the container comprises a first end and a second end;   the first end of the container configured to dispense the contents of the pressurized fluid; and   an adapter coupled with the second end of the container, the second end shaped as an inverted dome.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a valve located inside the container;   a stem coupled with the container; and   a nozzle is coupled with the stem, the stem providing a fluid passageway between the valve and the nozzle.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the valve is a Schrader valve. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 1 , the first end further comprising a container cap comprising a membrane that seals the pressurized fluid within an interior space of the container, the pressurized fluid in the interior space is at an elevated pressure relative to an ambient pressure outside of the container. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 4 , further comprising a reusable dispensing apparatus that comprises a piercing member that pierces the membrane when the reusable dispensing apparatus is installed on the container cap to establish fluid communication between the interior space and the reusable dispensing apparatus, the container cap being installed on the container to enclose the interior space containing the pressurized, and wherein the interior space enclosed by the container cap is devoid of a valve that controls emission of the fluid from the interior space. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 4 , further comprising a threaded fastener comprising threading that engages a compatible fastener provided to the reusable dispensing apparatus to releasably couple the reusable dispensing apparatus to the container cap and establish a seal that interferes with an escape of the propellant between the container cap and the reusable dispensing apparatus after the membrane has been pierced. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 1 , the adapter further comprises a pierceable membrane. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 7 , the adapter further comprises threads for releasably coupling with a valve body. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 8 , a bottom side of the valve body further comprises:
 an external adapter configured to be releasably coupled with the adapter at the second end of the container;   a piercing member configured to pierce the piercable membrane when the valve body is coupled with the adapter at the second end of the container;   a gasket for sealing a connection between the external adapter and the adapter at the adapter at the second end of the container;   a locking structure; and   a reinforcing gusset.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 9 , the adapter at the second end of the container further comprises threads for threadably engaging the bottom side of the valve body. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a valve located in the interior space of the container and coupled with the adapter at the second end of the container; and   a stem coupled with the valve.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first nozzle coupled with one of a group consisting of a first internal valve and a first external valve coupled with the first end of the container; and   a second nozzle coupled with one of a group consisting of a second internal valve and a second external valve coupled with the adapter at the second end of the containe.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the first nozzle dispenses the pressurized fluid, aerosolized, when the container is in a first and a second orientation; and
 wherein the second nozzle dispenses the pressurized fluid, aerosolized, when the container is in a second orientation and dispenses propellant from the interior space when the container is in a first orientation.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the container is cylindrical.