U.S. patent application number 14/000433 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-27 for spray actuator.
This patent application is currently assigned to Vega Innovations Pty Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Benjamin Cyril Gillespie, David Eric Griffin. Invention is credited to Benjamin Cyril Gillespie, David Eric Griffin.
Application Number | 20140084026 14/000433 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46720007 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140084026 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gillespie; Benjamin Cyril ;
et al. |
March 27, 2014 |
SPRAY ACTUATOR
Abstract
A spray actuator for an aerosol container, having at least one
liquid to be dispensed there-from, has a valve actuator hinged
mounted in the actuator body about a hinge axis, preferably at, or
above, an intersection of the valve stem of the container valve and
the inlet of a product passageway in the valve actuator, the
product passage being connected to a spray nozzle. The valve
actuator has both a trigger and a button, which enables operation
of the spray actuator in any disposition of the container.
Optionally, the spray nozzle is rotatable in the valve actuator to
enable the major-axis of the spray fan to be rotated; and an
optional locking assembly may be provided to selectively lock the
valve actuator against operation.
Inventors: |
Gillespie; Benjamin Cyril;
(Kangaroo Point, AU) ; Griffin; David Eric;
(Annandale, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gillespie; Benjamin Cyril
Griffin; David Eric |
Kangaroo Point
Annandale |
|
AU
AU |
|
|
Assignee: |
Vega Innovations Pty Ltd.
Milton
AU
|
Family ID: |
46720007 |
Appl. No.: |
14/000433 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
February 6, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2012/000105 |
371 Date: |
December 6, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/153.11 ;
222/402.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/46 20130101;
B65D 83/206 20130101; B65D 83/201 20130101; B65D 83/22
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/153.11 ;
222/402.15 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/20 20060101
B65D083/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 22, 2011 |
AU |
2011900617 |
Claims
1. A spray actuator for attachment to an aerosol container
containing at least one liquid to be dispensed, the container
having a valve and vale stem, the spray actuator including: a body
having a sidewall to enclose and/or releasably engage an upper
portion of a sidewall of the container; a valve actuator, hingedly
mounted to the body about a hinge axis, having a product passageway
therethrough, the product passageway having an inlet operably
connectable to the valve stem and an outlet; and a nozzle operably
connectable to the outlet of the product passageway, wherein: the
valve actuator has a valve actuator body incorporating both a
trigger and a button operable to rotate the valve actuator relative
to the body about the hinge axis, to thereby actuate the valve to
enable dispensing of the at least one liquid from the aerosol
container.
2. A spray actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the sidewall
includes a rim engaging portion for attachment to the container
and/or a skirt depending from the sidewall.
3. A spray actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The hinge axis
is provided at, or above, an intersection of the valve stem and the
inlet of the product passageway.
4. A spray actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the trigger
extends from the body, the trigger being provided on the valve
actuator body at a position diametrically opposed from the hinged
mounting of the valve actuator body to the sidewall about the hinge
axis.
5. A spray actuator as claimed in claim 4, wherein: the trigger
extends substantially radially outwardly through a slot or recess
in the sidewall of the body, and is arranged to be pulled
downwardly and optionally inwardly towards the body to actuate the
valve.
6. A spray actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the button is
provided on an upper portion of the valve actuator body,
intermediate the trigger and the hinge axis; and the button is
located substantially coaxially with the valve stem.
7. The spray actuator as claimed in claim 6, wherein: the button is
provided within, or accessible via, a slot or recess in a top wall
of the body; the slot optionally extends across the top wall from
the button to the upper portion of the sidewall adjacent the hinge
axis; and optionally further extends down the upper portion of
sidewall to a location just above the hinge axis.
8. A spray actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein: both the
trigger and the button are operable to enable the spray actuator to
be operated in any disposition of the container, having a
360.degree. valve, to which the spray actuator is attached in use,
to enable 360.degree. dispensing operation of the at least one
liquid from the container.
9. A spray actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the valve
actuator body is integrally moulded of suitable plastics-material,
and has an extension portion provide with a hinge pin at its distal
end; and the hinge pin is rotatably journalled on the hinge axis,
in at least one support lug or flange on an inner face of the
sidewall of the body.
10. A spray actuator as claimed in claim 9, wherein: the product
passageway is an inverted L-shaped bore in side view extending
centrally through the interior of the valve actuator body; and the
outlet of the product passageway is spaced above the trigger.
11. A spray actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the nozzle has
a nozzle body with an inlet end releasably engageable in an
enlarged bore at the outlet of the product passageway and an outlet
end defining the spray pattern of the liquid being dispensed.
12. A spray actuator as claimed in claim 11, wherein: the spray
pattern is in the form of a "fan", where rotation of the nozzle
body relative to the valve actuator body enables the major-axis of
the fan spray pattern to be changed from vertical to horizontal, or
vice versa, or to any inclined angle there-between.
13. A spray actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein: a locking
member is releasably mountable on the body to prevent the valve
actuator from being operated, and is storable on a storage
compartment on the body when the spray actuator is in use.
14. A spray actuator as claimed in claim 13, wherein: the locking
member is of substantially U-shape in plain view, with a cross-bar
engageable under the outlet of the product passageway and/or the
nozzle body; the cross-bar interconnected a pair of legs releasably
engageable in locating slots or recesses in the adjacent sidewall
of the body; and when in the locking position, the locking member
prevents movement of the valve actuator body relative to the body
which would enable the valve to be actuated.
15. A spray assembly for liquids including: an aerosol container
containing at least one liquid to be dispensed, the container
having a valve and valve stem; and a spray actuator as claimed in
claim 1.
16. A spray assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein: the aerosol
container is pressurised by a propellant gas dissolved in the
liquid to be dispensed, the valve and valve stem S being operable
by the valve actuator to actuate the valve against bias of the
valve stem urging the valve to a closed position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a spray actuator.
[0003] The present invention particularly relates, but is not
limited to, a spray actuator for a pressurised (aerosol)
container.
[0004] The pressurised (aerosol) container may contain a wide range
of liquids to be dispensed as an aerosol spray, including paints,
coatings, inks, adhesives, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides,
lubricants, anti-corrosion chemicals or the like. The contents of
the container may be pressurised by suitable propellant gas (or
gasses), including hydrocarbons, or gas (or gasses) inert to the
liquids, dissolved therein.
[0005] 2. Prior Art
[0006] Many spray actuators for pressurised aerosol containers have
been proposed, or adopted, over the years.
[0007] In the simplest versions, a simple "valve actuator" is
fitted to a valve stem in communication with the interior of the
container, and is provided with a nozzle, arranged to produce a
cone-like spray pattern. When the valve stem is operated e.g.
depressed by the valve actuator, the stem causes the valve in the
container to release a portion of the liquid contents (and
propellant) from the container, to be released in the spray pattern
from the nozzle.
[0008] Over the years, more complex spray actuators have been
devised. In particular, the actuators may comprise a body
(mountable on the container), a nozzle, and a trigger hingedly
mounted on/on the body, and the nozzle communicates with the
interior of the container via a product passageway connected to a
valve in the container and an orifice in the nozzle.
[0009] Examples of recent designs of such spray actuators are
disclosed in WO 2007/021918 A1 (Summit Packaging Systems, Inc)
(=U.S. Pat. No. 7,204,393) (Strand)) and US 2010/0059551 A1
(Tomkins et al).
[0010] All of the known spray actuators have one, or more,
limitations in their construction and/or their method of operation.
For example, they can only be operated by either a finger-operated
trigger or a finger- (or thumb-) operated "button". They are
usually not capable of being easily operated when the container is
in a number of different orientations, or where alternative spray
patterns are to be applied. In addition, any locks for the triggers
can usually only be operational up to the first time the spray
actuators are operated; and, if reusable, are easily
misplaced/lost.
[0011] Spray actuators previously designed to overcome, or at least
ameliorate, these known limitations, are typically complex, and
thereby, expensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a spray
actuator for pressurise aerosol containers while at least further
ameliorates the limitations of the known spray actuators.
[0013] It is a preferred object to provide such a spray actuator
which provides a valve actuator incorporating both a trigger and a
depressible "button" to operate the spray actuator.
[0014] It is a further preferred object a valve actuator where the
trigger and button are formed integrally and can be operated by a
single finger (e.g. the index finger) depending on the orientation
of the spray actuator.
[0015] It is a still preferred object to provide releasable locking
mechanism for the trigger, where the locking mechanism is reusable
and is provided with a storage compartment when the spray actuator
is in use.
[0016] It is a still preferred object to provide a rotatable nozzle
enabling the spray pattern to be varied e.g. for spraying vertical
strokes to spraying horizontal strokes.
[0017] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become
from the following description.
[0018] In one aspect, the present invention resides in a spray
actuator for attachment to an aerosol container containing at least
one liquid to be dispensed, the container having a valve and valve
stem, the spray actuator including:
a body having a sidewall, to enclose and/or releasably engage an
upper portion of a sidewall of the container; a valve actuator,
hingedly mounted to the body about a hinge axis, having a product
passageway therethrough, the product passageway having an inlet
operably connectable to the valve stem and an outlet; and a nozzle
operably connectable to the outlet of the product passageway,
wherein: the valve actuator has a valve actuator body incorporating
both a trigger and a button operable to rotate the valve actuator
relative to the body about the hinge axis, to thereby actuate the
valve to enable dispensing of the at least one liquid from the
aerosol container.
[0019] Preferably, the sidewall has a rim engaging portion for
attachment to the container and/or a skirt depending from the
sidewall of the body.
[0020] Preferably, the hinge axis is adjacent the sidewall of the
body, spaced from the nozzle, and is provided at, or above, an
intersection of the valve stem and the inlet of the product
passageway.
[0021] Preferably, the trigger extends from the body, optionally
extending (substantially radially) outwardly through a slot or
recess in the sidewall of the body, the trigger being provided on
the valve actuator body at a position diametrically opposed from
the hinged mounting of the valve actuator body to the sidewall
about the hinge axis, and is arranged to be pulled downwardly (and
optionally inwardly towards the body) to actuate the valve.
[0022] Preferably, the button is provided on an upper portion of
the valve actuator body, intermediate the trigger and the hinge
axis. Preferably, the button is located substantially coaxially
with the valve stem. Preferably, the button is provided within, or
accessible via, a slot or recess in a top wall of the body, the
slot preferably extending across the top wall from the button to
the upper portion of the sidewall adjacent the hinge axis, and may
further extend down the upper portion of sidewall to a location
just above the hinge axis.
[0023] Preferably, both the trigger and the button are operable to
enable the spray actuator to be operated in any disposition of the
container, to which the spray actuator is attached in use, to
enable 360.degree. operation.
[0024] Preferably, the valve actuator body is integrally moulded of
suitable plastics-material, and has an extension portion provide
with a hinge pin at its distal end, the hinge pin being rotatably
journalled on the hinge axis, in at least one support lug or flange
on an inner face of the sidewall of the body,
[0025] Preferably, the product passageway is an (inverted) L-shaped
bore (in side view) extending (centrally) through the interior of
the valve actuator body; and the outlet of the product passageway
is spaced above the trigger.
[0026] Preferably, the nozzle has a nozzle body with an inlet end
releasably engageable in an enlarged bore at the outlet of the
product passageway and an outlet end defining the spray pattern of
the liquid being dispensed. Preferably, the spray pattern is in the
form of a "fan", where rotation of the nozzle body relative to the
valve actuator body enables the major-axis of the fan spray pattern
to be changed from vertical to horizontal, or vice versa, or any
inclined angle there-between.
[0027] Preferably, a locking member is releasably mountable on the
body to prevent the valve actuator from being operated, and is
storable on a storage compartment on the body when the spray
actuator is in use.
[0028] Preferably, the locking member is of substantially U-shape
in plan view, with a cross-bar engageable under the outlet of the
product passageway and/or the nozzle body, the cross-bar
interconnecting a pair of legs releasably engageable in locating
slots or recesses in the adjacent sidewall of the body. When in the
locking position, the locking member prevents movement of the valve
actuator body relative to the body which would enable the valve to
be actuated.
[0029] In a second aspect, the present invention resides on a spray
assembly for liquids including:
an aerosol container containing at least one liquid to be
dispensed, the container having a valve and valve stem; and a spray
actuator as hereinbefore described.
[0030] Preferably, the aerosol container is pressurised by a
propellant gas dissolved in the liquid to be dispensed, the valve
and valve stem being operable by the valve actuator to actuate the
valve against bias of the valve stem urging the valve to a closed
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] To enable the invention to be fully understood, preferred
embodiments will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a front isometric view, from above, of a first
embodiment of the spray actuator in accordance with the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a similar view of the spray actuator, but from
below;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the spray actuator;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the spray
actuator;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the spray actuator;
[0037] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the spray actuator;
[0038] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the spray actuator; and
[0039] FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of the spray actuator, taken
on line 8-8 in FIG. 4, fitted to an aerosol container.
[0040] NB: The "Dy-Mark" word, which appears in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6,
does not form part of the invention; but is a Registered Trade Mark
of Dy-Mark (Aust) Pty Ltd, Milton, Queensland, Australia, which has
been optionally moulded into the body of the spray actuator. That
feature, and any other visual design aspects e.g. the "ribs" on the
trigger, are not limiting to the scope of the present invention;
and are to be disregarded when considering the scope of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] The spray actuator 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, is
adapted to be secured to the rim and/or upper body portion of a
conventional pressurised aerosol container C.
[0042] The pressurised aerosol container C can be of any one of the
types currently available. The container C typically has a
peripheral rim R (or flange) at the junction of the cylindrical
sidewall W and of the (domed) top wall T; and the valve stem S
extends upwardly (coaxially) from the top wall T. The valve stem S
is connected to the valve V in the container C which permits the
dispensing of the liquid(s) L and gas propellant G, the valve V
being actuated when the valve stem S is depressed.
[0043] The container C does not require any modification to
receive, and be operated by, the spray actuator 10.
[0044] The spray actuator 10 has three primary components: the body
20, the valve actuator 40, and the nozzle 60, each to be
individually hereinafter described.
[0045] The body 20 of the spray actuator is typically
injection-moulded of a suitable plastics-material e.g. HDPE, where
the plastics-material typically incorporates a dye or colour to
provide an attractive, and attention-grabbing, appearance.
[0046] The body 20 has a frusto-conical sidewall 21 with a skirt 22
arranged to enclose an upper portion of the container C to which
the spray actuator is fitted. An inwardly-directed circumferential
flange 23 is adapted to engage the underside of the rim portion of
the container C, while an abutment member 24 is spaced above the
flange 23 to locate the rim portion there-between.
[0047] A pair of finger-grips 25 provided on opposed sides of the
body 20 to assist the user to securely hold the spray actuator 20
when in use.
[0048] The body 20 has a neck portion 26 which leads to a
(frusto-conical) top portion 27, which has a top wall 28 with a
V-shaped notch 29 which provides a "sight" for the spray
pattern.
[0049] The sidewall 30 of the top portion 27 is provided with a
plurality of vertically-spaced horizontal "ribs" 31 which assist in
creating a storage compartment 32 for the locking member 90 to be
hereinafter described.
[0050] A substantially-vertical slot 33 is provided at the front of
the body 20, to receive the trigger 42 of the valve actuator
40.
[0051] A semi-elliptical recess 34 is provided in the top wall 28
and extends into the top portion 27. The recess 34 provides access
to the button 43 of the valve actuator 40, to enable the button 43
to be depressed by a finger from above, or extending from the rear
of the spray actuator 10.
[0052] As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7, a pair of spaced lugs
35 is provided on the inner face of the rear portion of the
sidewall 21 and the lugs 35 have aligned slots 36 to rotatably
journal the hinge pin 43A of the valve actuator 40. The aligned
slots 36 and hinge pin 43A define the hinge axis 44 for the valve
actuator 40. (As is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7, the hinge
axis 44 is aligned with, or above, the intersection of the valve
stem S and the inlet 47 of the product passageway, to be
hereinafter described. This provides an advantageous pivotal
mounting of the valve actuator body 41 on the body 20 to enable
efficient depression of the valve stem S by the valve actuator
40.)
[0053] As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 8, the valve actuator 40
has a valve actuator body 41, which is injection-moulded in
suitable plastics material, e.g. HDPE, and where the valve actuator
body 41 has the trigger 42 at the forward end; a circular button 43
on the upper surface intermediate the length of the valve actuator
body; and a transverse hinge pin 43A at the rearward end of a
support web 45.
[0054] An (inverted) L-shaped bore through the valve actuator body
41 forms the product passageway 46.
[0055] The inlet 47 of the product passageway 46 has an enlarged
bore and is adapted to receive, and sealably engage, the distal end
of the valve stem S of the container C. (The inlet 47 preferably
has a "divergent" mouth 48 to assist in the entry of the valve stem
S into the inlet 47.)
[0056] The outlet 48 of the product passageway 46 is provided in a
tubular extension 49 spaced above the trigger 42, aligned with the
V-shaped "sight" notch 29.
[0057] Both the trigger 42 and the button 43 are provided with
formations 50, 51 to improve the grip, or contact, between the
trigger 42 or button 43 and the user's (preferably, index)
finger.
[0058] The nozzle 60 has a tubular body 61 with a central bore 62.
The inlet end 63 of the tubular body 61 is dimensioned to be
snugly, sealably, and rotatably, received in the outlet 48 of the
product passageway 46. The outlet 64 of the tubular body 61 is
configured to produce a "fan-like" spray pattern for the liquid
being sprayed there-from. Wings 65 adjacent the outlet 64 enable
the tubular body 61 to be rotated relative to the valve actuator 40
to enable the major-axis of the spray pattern to be rotated e.g.
from vertical to horizontal, or any angle there-between.
[0059] A locking member 90--see particularly FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and
6--has a substantially U-shaped body comprising a cross-bar 91
interconnecting spaced legs 92, 93. In the locking position--see
FIGS. 1, 2 and 6--the cross-bar 91 engages the trigger 42 and the
legs 92, 93 are received in the vertical slot 33 in the body 20.
The locking member 90 prevents the valve actuator body 41 being
depressed by either the trigger 42 or button 43 to actuate the
valve V.
[0060] During operation of the spray actuator 10, the locking
member 90 is released from both the slot 33 and trigger 42, and is
received in the storage compartment--see FIG. 3.
[0061] The skilled addressee will appreciate that the valve
actuator 40 can be operated by the user either pulling the trigger
42 downwardly (and optionally inwardly), or depressing the button
43, to cause the valve actuator body 41 to move downwardly about
the hinge axis 44, thereby depressing the valve stem S against its
bias towards a valve-closed position, to actuate the valve V and
allow the liquid (and propellant) to be dispensed from the nozzle
60 as an aerosol. Preferably, the user operates the trigger 42 and
button 43 with their index finger, but the thumb and/or other
fingers may be employed.
[0062] As the container C is preferably provided with a 360.degree.
valve V, the spray actuator 10 can be easily operated with the
container C in any disposition.
[0063] In addition, the ability to rotate the nozzle 60 enables a
liquid, such as paint, to be sprayed e.g. with a first- (or under-)
coat applied in horizontal sweeps with the spray-pattern having a
vertical major-axis and then a second coat applied in vertical
sweeps with the spray-pattern having a horizontal axis.
[0064] It will be readily apparent to the skilled addressee that
spray actuators manufactured and assembled in accordance with the
various embodiments of the present invention have one or more of
the following advantages:
a) the spray actuator can be easily operated in any disposition of
the container e.g. inverted and truly catering for 360.degree.
operation; b) the user can operate the spray actuator by either the
trigger or button, whichever is more convenient/comfortable for
use; c) the user can always operate the spray actuator by a single
(preferred) finger; d) the operator can easily adjust the nozzle to
provide the best spray-pattern for a particular application; e)
alternative nozzles can be fitted to provide different
spray-patterns and/or to suit different liquids (e.g. paints, or
inks, or lubricants); f) a reusable locking member can be provided,
with the additional advantage that a storage compartment is
provided therefore while the spray applicator is in use; g) the
spray actuator can be used with a wide range of conventional
pressurised containers without modification(s) to the containers;
h) the spray actuator can be easily adapted to different size/shape
containers; i) the spray actuator is easy to use, providing a
"sight" for the spray-pattern, and being relatively tough or
robust; j) the spray actuator is relatively easy to manufacture and
assemble, reduce the manufacturing costs; k) the spray actuator can
be used with containers having a wide range of liquids (and
propellants) to be dispensed as aerosols; and l) trademarks and/or
other decorative features can be applied to and/or incorporated in
the body to increase user adoption and market share.
[0065] The skilled addressee will also appreciate that the
selection of material(s) for the manufacture of the components of
the spray actuator may be varied to suit the particular intended
applications and/or liquids to be dispensed as aerosols.
[0066] The embodiments hereinbefore described and illustrated are
by way of example only; and various changes and modifications may
be made thereto without departing from the present invention.
* * * * *