U.S. patent application number 11/720343 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-16 for cap for an aerosol container or a spray container.
This patent application is currently assigned to WELLA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT. Invention is credited to Heiko Eberhardt, Robert Goetz, Franz Steigerwald.
Application Number | 20080251543 11/720343 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35999446 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080251543 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eberhardt; Heiko ; et
al. |
October 16, 2008 |
Cap for an Aerosol Container or a Spray Container
Abstract
In order to seal a spray cap acoustically, a cap 7 with a button
6 is provided with an elastic connection 49 between the button 6
and the cap 7 so as to form an acoustic seal 49 of the cap 7. The
seal 49 is designed as a folded arrangement.
Inventors: |
Eberhardt; Heiko;
(Oberursel, DE) ; Steigerwald; Franz; (Griesheim,
DE) ; Goetz; Robert; (Frankfurt/Main, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL J. STRIKER
103 EAST NECK ROAD
HUNTINGTON
NY
11743
US
|
Assignee: |
WELLA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Darmstadt
DE
|
Family ID: |
35999446 |
Appl. No.: |
11/720343 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
November 21, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP05/12432 |
371 Date: |
April 8, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/402.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/206
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/402.13 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/00 20060101
B65D083/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 30, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 057 704.8 |
Claims
1. A cap (7) with a button (6) for actuating a valve of a container
(1), in particular of an aerosol container or spray container, the
button (6) being intended to act against a separate, angled
connection piece, in particular an angled spray channel (10), and
thus against a stem (11) of the container (1) in order to deflect
the stem (11) upon manual actuation of the button (6) and in order
therefore to open the valve, as a result of which a product
contained in the container (1) can move out through the stem (11)
and through a product dispensing opening (3) provided on the cap
(7), in so doing passing through the spray channel (10), and a
flexible connection between the button (6) and the cap (7) forming
an acoustic seal (49) of the cap (7), wherein the seal (49) is
designed as a folded arrangement which is stretched when the button
(6) is actuated and which is returned into the original folded
arrangement when the button (6) moves back.
2. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the button (6) is round,
preferably circular or oval, and the seal (49) runs annularly
around the button (6).
3. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal (49) is designed
as a bellows arrangement.
4. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal (49) has a
peripheral single fold.
5. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal (49) is
connected to the cap (7) and to the button (6) in a one-piece
construction.
6. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal (49) is designed
as a separate component which can be inserted as a plug connection
between the cap (7) and the button (6).
7. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the button (6) is
connected to the area (29) of the cap (7) via a hinge (5).
8. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal (49)
hermetically seals off the surface between the cap (7) and the
button (6).
9. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spray channel (10) is
designed as a spray angle which is connected to the cap (7) in the
area of the product dispensing opening (3).
10. The cap as claimed in claim 9, wherein the material thickness
of the seal (49) in the area (29) of the product dispensing opening
(3) is less than the material thickness in the area (30) of the
seal (49) farthest away from the product dispensing opening
(3).
11. The cap as claimed in claim 2, wherein the material thickness
of the seal (49) from the area (29) of the product dispensing
opening (3) to the far area (30), continuously increases from 0 to
180 degrees and continuously decreases from 180 degrees to 360
degrees.
12. The cap as claimed in claim 10, wherein the material thickness
of the seal (49) in the area (29) located at the product dispensing
opening (3) is between 0.4 and 0.6 mm and, at the far area (30), it
is between 0.1 and 0.2 mm.
13. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal (49) is made of
an elastic elastomer material, such as soft and flexible
polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE).
14. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap (7) and seal
(49) and button (6) are made in one piece from elastomer
material.
15. The cap as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cap (7) is made of
two-component elastomer.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a cap for a container, in
particular an aerosol container or a spray container, with a button
for manual actuation and for delivering a product present in the
container, for example a hair spray, from a product dispensing
opening of the cap.
[0002] It is known, from WO 01/96210, to seal a cap of this kind in
order to obtain a pleasant spraying sound while a product is being
dispensed. The button acts against a stem (product dispensing tube)
of the container via an angled spray channel in order to deflect
the stem by manual actuation of the button and in order therefore
to open a valve located in the container, as a result of which the
product contained in the container moves out through the stem, the
spray channel and a product dispensing opening provided on the cap.
A flexible connection between the button and the cap provides for
an acoustic sealing of the cap.
[0003] EP 0 669 268 A1 discloses a pivotable button which is formed
in one piece with the cap and which has a peripheral fold as a seal
between the cap and the button. The fold is always stretched on one
side during actuation, whereas it is compressed on the opposite
side.
[0004] The known caps have the disadvantage that they are not
provided for a large, smooth deflection of the button. It is true
that they can be used for this, but only by application of quite a
substantial manual force.
[0005] The object of the invention is to develop a cap in
accordance with the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that greater
deflections of the button can also be easily achieved.
[0006] The object is achieved by the fact that the seal is designed
as a folded arrangement which is stretched when the button is
actuated and which is returned into the original folded arrangement
when the button moves back.
[0007] The proposed folded arrangement has the advantage of making
it possible to press the button down smoothly without in so doing
altering the acoustic seal of the cap. The folded arrangement
extends between the button and the housing of the cap. Depending on
the required actuation path, this arrangement has a specified
number of folds which is suitable for this distance, the folded
arrangement opening out slightly in its downward travel, for
example, and this opening-out being reversed as the button moves
back up.
[0008] The folded arrangement can be disposed at the outer edge of
the button and likewise on a peripheral upper edge of the cap. In
an advantageous embodiment (claim 2), the button is round, for
example oval or circular, and the seal runs annularly around the
button. The actuating force is minimized in this design.
[0009] A particularly good acoustic sealing and, consequently, a
pleasant spraying sound is obtained if the seal configured as a
folded arrangement hermetically seals off the surface between the
cap and the button (claim 8). The button and the arrangement can in
this case form the upper end face of the cap, so that the button
becomes an integral part of the normal appearance of the cap.
[0010] If the seal is designed as a bellows arrangement (claim 3),
relatively long actuation paths of the button can be obtained upon
application of comparatively slight manual force. However, a single
peripheral fold can also be used to form the seal (claim 4).
Depending on the actuation path, this is dimensioned to ensure
sealing of the cap during actuation of the button.
[0011] The production outlay for the entire cap with sealed button
is comparatively low and thus inexpensive if the seal is connected
to the cap and the button in a one-piece design (claim 5). Thus, a
single part can be produced in a method known per se, for example
by injection molding. However, the seal could also be designed as a
separate part which is inserted as plug a connection between the
cap and the button (claim 6). This design is suitable, for example,
for caps (spray caps) which have been produced in a conventional
manner known per se and which are intended to have an acoustic seal
between the cap and the button.
[0012] The button can be connected to the area of the product
dispensing opening via a hinge (claim 7). When it is actuated, a
product, for example hair spray, is sprayed out of the product
dispensing opening.
[0013] If the spray channel is designed as a spray angle which is
connected to the cap in the area of the product dispensing opening
(claim 9), then, when the button is actuated, it can be pivoted in
a lever function and thus smoothly relative to the cap in order to
open a valve located in the container.
[0014] To ensure that a button connected in an articulated manner
to the cap can be pressed uniformly and smoothly, it is of
advantage if the material thickness of the seal in the area of the
product dispensing opening is less than the material thickness in
the area of the seal farthest away from the product dispensing
opening (claim 10). The greatest travel of a point of the edge of
the button is covered with minimal material thickness there. The
greatest material thickness is used to seal the gap between the
button and the cap where the smallest button deflection occurs. For
production reasons, it is of advantage, and a smooth manual
actuation is achieved, if the material thickness of the seal, from
the area of the product dispensing opening, in particular from a
hinge of the button, to the far area, continuously increases from 0
to 180 degrees and continuously decreases from 180 degrees to 360
degrees (claim 11). Very good button properties in respect of a
uniform and smooth button actuation are achieved if the material
thickness of the seal in the area located at the product dispensing
opening is between 0.4 and 0.6 mm and, at the far area, it is
between 0.1 and 0.2 mm (claim 12).
[0015] Suitable materials for the seal are elastic elastomer
materials (claim 13), for example soft and flexible polypropylene
(PP) or polyethylene (PE).
[0016] In principle, the cap and seal and button can be made in one
piece from elastomer material (claim 14) for example from
two-component elastomer (claim 15).
[0017] The invention is described in more detail below with
reference to three illustrative embodiments. In the drawing:
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cap with a round button
which is provided with a peripheral seal, for fitting onto an
aerosol container;
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross section of the cap from FIG.
1, fitted onto a container, with the button not actuated;
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a vertical cross section of a detail X,
illustrating the seal in the form of a bellows arrangement between
the cap and the button of the article from FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a vertical cross section of the article from
FIG. 2, but with the button pressed;
[0022] FIG. 5 shows a vertical cross section of a detail Y from
FIG. 4;
[0023] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the article from FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a
cap with a button, in which a single peripheral fold between the
button and the cap is designed to seal the gap between the button
and the cap;
[0025] FIG. 8 shows a side view of the cap from FIG. 7;
[0026] FIG. 9 shows the article from FIG. 8 in a vertical cross
section along A-A in FIG. 8,
[0027] FIG. 10 shows, in a vertical cross section, the fold from
the article in FIG. 9 (detail Y);
[0028] FIG. 11 shows a top view of the cap from FIG. 7;
[0029] FIG. 12 shows the article from FIG. 11 in a vertical cross
section along B-B in FIG. 11;
[0030] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a further illustrative
embodiment of a cap with a seal between a button and the cap
body;
[0031] FIG. 14 shows a vertical cross section of the turned cap
from FIG. 13;
[0032] FIG. 15 shows a vertical cross section of the seal of the
cap (detail X) from FIG. 14, which is designed as a plug
connection;
[0033] FIG. 16 shows a vertical cross section of the seal of the
cap (detail Y) at a hinge of the button according to FIG. 14;
[0034] FIG. 17 shows a top view of the cap from FIG. 13;
[0035] FIG. 18 shows a bottom view of the cap from FIG. 13;
[0036] FIG. 19 shows a perspective view, with partial vertical
cross section, of the cap from FIG. 13 upon use of the peripheral
seal, and
[0037] FIG. 20 shows a vertical cross section of the article from
FIG. 14, but with the button pressed.
[0038] In the case of a spray cap having a cap 7, a button 6 is
used to actuate a valve (not shown) of a container 1 which is
designed as an aerosol container and contains hair spray (FIGS. 1
through 6). The button 6 is intended to act against a stem 11 of
the container 1 via an angled spray channel in order to deflect the
stem 11 upon manual actuation of the button 6 and in order
therefore to open the valve, as a result of which a product
contained in the container 1 moves out through the stem 11 and
through a product dispensing opening 3 provided on the cap 7, in so
doing passing through the spray channel 10. A flexible connection
49 between the button and the cap 7 functions as an acoustic seal
49 of the cap 7 in order to obtain a pleasant spraying sound for
the customer. The seal 49 is designed as a folded arrangement.
[0039] The button is round, and the seal 49 runs annularly around
the button 6. It hermetically seals off the surface between the cap
7 and the button 6.
[0040] The cap 7 is produced in one piece with the seal 49 and
button 6 from a two-component elastomer material.
[0041] Accordingly, the cap 7 is connected to the button 6 via the
seal 49. The spray cap has, for these three components, an
elastomer material which contains soft and flexible polyethylene
(PE).
[0042] The material thickness of the seal 49 in the area 29 above
the product dispensing opening 3 is less than the material
thickness in the area 30 of the seal 49 farthest away from the
product dispensing opening 3, that is to say at the opposite end of
the button 6. The material thickness of the seal 49, from the area
29 of the product dispensing opening 3 to the far area 30, that is
to say from 0 to 180 degrees, continuously increases and, from 180
degrees to 360 degrees, continuously decreases. The material
thickness of the seal 49 is at most 0,5 mm and at least 0.15
mm.
[0043] The spray channel 10 is designed as a spray angle which is
connected to the cap 7 underneath the product dispensing opening
3.
[0044] In the illustrative embodiment in FIGS. 7 through 12, in
contrast to the previous example, the spray cap is designed in
another configuration and with a higher hinge 5 for the button 6.
The seal 49 is likewise designed in one piece, but as a single
peripheral fold. As regards the material thickness of the seal 49,
the foregoing again applies accordingly. It is produced in one
piece with the button 6 and the cap 7. In the area of the hinge 5,
however, while maintaining the same material thickness, the fold of
the seal 49 could have less height than at the area 30 remote from
the hinge 5, because the travel of the button is greater at the
area 30.
[0045] In the third illustrative embodiment in FIGS. 13 through 20,
in contrast to the second illustrative embodiment, the seal 49 is
designed as a separate component which can be inserted as a plug
connection between the cap 7 and the button 6. This variant is also
suitable for spray caps into which a seal 49 is intended to be
subsequently inserted after their production.
[0046] A common feature of all the illustrative embodiments is that
only slight manual force is needed to actuate the button 6, and in
order thereby to stretch the whole of the peripheral folded
arrangement. When the button 6 is released, the seal 49 is returned
to its original folded state. [0047] 1 container [0048] 3 product
dispensing opening [0049] 5 hinge for 6 [0050] 6 button [0051] 7
cap [0052] 10 spray channel [0053] 11 stem [0054] 12 nozzle [0055]
29 area at 3 [0056] 30 area remote from 3 [0057] 49 seal
* * * * *