Technical Reference
Glossary of terms
Actuators
Actuators are the components that open the aerosol valve. Buttons, Spouts, Spray Domes, and Range Accessories are types of actuators.
Non-Mechanical Breakup (NMBU)
Refers to the internal configuration of the actuator. Provides a direct flow path for the product.Mechanical Breakup (MBU)
Incorporates within the actuator a design to reduce spray particle size. Most of the designs incorporate:a. A circular or near circular swirl chamber.
b. One of more tangential entry channels.
c. The exit orifice.
One piece
The configuration to achieve the desired spray pattern is molded into the actuator. The part will be either mechanical or no-mechanical breakup, depending on the design.Two piece
Uses an insert within the actuator shell to achieve desired spray characteristics with mechanical or non-mechanical breakup design.Inserts
An Insert is a separate piece that is assembled into the shells of buttons, domes, or spouts, making them two piece actuators. The insert determines the spray characteristics of the product. Mechanical or no-mechanical breakup inserts are available.
Cup-shaped
Non-mechanical breakup where mechanical breakup is not needed or desired.Concave
Mechanical breakup for fine, dry sprays.Orifice nomenclature
1. Straight Taper (ST) - A straight-sided orifice.2. Forward Taper (FT) - An orifice that is larger at the exit.
3. Reverse Taper (RT) - An orifice that is smaller at the exit.
Stems
Stems provide a metering orifice for the product.
Ringed
The ringed stem has a sharp ring molded into the gasket seal area to ensure sealing of suspension-type products.Slotted
The ringed stem has a sharp ring molded into the gasket seal area to ensure sealing of suspension-type products.Barbed
This stem has a barb on the stem shank that is designed to improve button retention.Stem length
Precision offers various stem lengths to accommodate customer requirements for different stem heights. These are referred to by the overall length of the stem (OAL).Stem height
Stem height is the vertical distance from the top of the stem to the top of the mounting cup rim. The dimension changes significantly during the filling operation. Prior to filling it is referred to as raw valve stem height. After filling it is called finished can stem height.Stem gasket
The stem gasket is the sealing component of the aerosol valve.
Round
This gasket is standard for many filling operations.Hex
Precision's 6-sided stem gasket is used in impact gassing and pressure filling to increase filling speeds.Super 90
Gasket used in the Super 90 valve, which provides the fastest pressure filling system.
Housing or body
The part of the valve which holds the stem, gasket and spring in place and to which the dip tube is attached.
Main orifice
The orifice located at the bottom of the housing.Vapor tap
A second orifice in the side of the body that allows flow from the vapor phase of the can during upright operation.Tail piece
Lower portion of the body to which the dip tube is attached.Capillary
A housing that uses capillary dip tubing.Inverted
A housing designed for use with products that must be dispensed upside down or in systems such as barrier packs that function without a dip tube.Long stroke
A body that allows increased stroke, thereby wiping the gasket seal area clean of accumulated soil particles.Super 90
Crown top housing that allows the propellant to flow over the housing during pressure filling, which results in increased line speeds.360º - up/down housing
A special three-piece housing that allows spraying in either an upright or inverted position.Aquasol
A two piece body that is used to achieve extra fine breakup and uniform particle size.Dip tubes
The dip tube transfers the product the product from the can into the housing.
Sizes
Precision offers dip tubes in a number of different sizes:Length
Precision Valve Corporation uses CSMA (AD) dimensions to designate dip tube length. This is the distance from the top of the mounting cup rim to the bottom of the dip tube.Notched
Precision Valve offers dip tubing with a radius cut, which results in a notched rather than a straight cut appearance. The design eliminates concern for sealing the tube against the bottom of the container. Notched cut is not required in Capillary tubes.Orientation
On most valves supplied button-on, Precision can orient the button to the curvature of the dip tube.1. "Oriented" means the button orifice faces the same direction as the dip tube curvature. Used for surface spray products.
2. "Oriented 180º" means the button orifice is opposite the dip tube curvature. This is used for upward spraying products like air fresheners and antiperspirants.
Mounting cups
The mounting cup holds the stem assembly and the housing together. It is "crimped" onto the aerosol can to provide the cup-can seal. Precision mounting cups are available in various styles and different materials such as tinplate or aluminum.
Conical
A cup in which the section below the pedestal is cone-shaped. The conical cup raises the stem and pedestal heights 3/32" higher than flat cups.Hi-load
The Hi-Load cup is a patented Precision development. It is similar to the conical cup but has a radius stamped into the cup to give it added strength. This reduces pedestal height variation during filling.Flat
A cup in which the section below the pedestal is level. (See Conical cup description for a comparison).Dimpled
A cup with protrusions from the side wall used to hold the cup in place during some under-the-cup filling operations.Pedestal
This is the central portion of the cup, which encloses the valve stem and the housing.Pedestal height
The vertical distance from the top of the cup pedestal to the top rim of the mounting cup. The dimension changes during the filling operation. A positive height means the pedestal is above the rim; a negative pedestal height means the pedestal is below the rim.Marked
A mounting cup that has an ink mark in the direction of the dip tube curvature.180º marked
A mounting cup that has an ink mark 180º from the dip tube curvature.Cup gaskets
The cup gasket provides the seal between the valve and the container when the mounting cup is crimped onto the aerosol.