U.S. patent application number 14/367956 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-01 for aerosol actuation device.
This patent application is currently assigned to MeadWestvaco Calmar, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is MeadWestvaco Calmar, Inc.. Invention is credited to Steven A. Sell.
Application Number | 20150001257 14/367956 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48669709 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150001257 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sell; Steven A. |
January 1, 2015 |
AEROSOL ACTUATION DEVICE
Abstract
An aerosol actuator including a director capable of extending an
outlet of the aerosol actuator away from the aerosol actuator and
which may be configured to include a multi-function nozzle for
selecting a dispersing pattern.
Inventors: |
Sell; Steven A.; (Belton,
MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MeadWestvaco Calmar, Inc. |
Richmond |
VA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
MeadWestvaco Calmar, Inc.
Richmond
VA
|
Family ID: |
48669709 |
Appl. No.: |
14/367956 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
December 21, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US12/71322 |
371 Date: |
June 23, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61579843 |
Dec 23, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/402.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/305 20130101;
B65D 83/206 20130101; B05B 11/0094 20130101; B65D 83/303
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/402.13 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/20 20060101
B65D083/20 |
Claims
1. An aerosol dispensing system, comprising: a container; an
aerosol actuator mounted on the container, comprising: a body; an
integrated trigger, manifold, and cap attached to the body; and a
director assembled to the integrated trigger, manifold, and
cap.
2. The aerosol dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising a
director slot in the integrated trigger, manifold, and cap.
3. The aerosol dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the integrated
cap comprises a spring.
4. The aerosol dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising a
nozzle attached to the director.
5. The aerosol dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the director
further comprises an integrated nozzle.
6. The aerosol dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising a
nozzle having a selectable output.
7. The aerosol dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the container
further comprises an aerosol container holding a product.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] Embodiments of the invention relate to aerosol sprayer
devices and more particularly to aerosol actuators having a
delivery or director piece and nozzle.
[0003] 2. State of the Art
[0004] Spray devices are well known and are used to deliver a
variety of products. For example, finger pumps and trigger sprayers
may be used to deliver a fluid from a container onto a surface or
into a volume of space. Similarly, aerosol sprayers are used to
spray an aerosolized product onto a surface or into a volume of
space. Many different types of spray devices are known.
[0005] Aerosol spray devices typically include a pushbutton type
spray device containing an orifice and a connection to a valve
which is in turn connected to a container of product from which the
aerosol product is dispensed. Actuation of the pushbutton releases
a quantity of product from the aerosol container through the valve
and the pushbutton. More recently, aerosol spray devices have been
modified to look more like trigger sprayers and such devices may
include a trigger attached to, or in communication with, a manifold
which is connected to the valve of an aerosol container. Actuation
of the trigger may release product from the aerosol container
through the valve, into the manifold, and out an orifice of the
trigger spray device.
[0006] When using either a pushbutton-type aerosol device or a
trigger sprayer aerosol device, product is dispensed relatively
close to the aerosol bottle and in some instances, bearding or
droplets forming on the end of a manifold or exit orifice may drip
or otherwise come in contact with a user's hand or body. Such
contact may be undesirable.
[0007] In addition, some aerosol actuators include extension tubes
which may be fastened to an aerosol actuator to direct product
through the tube to a release point away from the user. While such
systems are used, often times the tube must be shipped separate
from the aerosol package and in some cases must be thrown away
after a single use, preventing further use of the aerosol
device.
[0008] While conventional aerosol delivery systems provide methods
for dispensing product, it is desirable to be able to dispense a
product away from a user and to be able to reuse the director or
extension used to direct the dispensing of the aerosol product.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to certain embodiments of the invention, an
aerosol actuator may include one or more directors mounted on the
aerosol actuator such that the director may pivot or rotate between
an on and off position.
[0010] According to some embodiments of the invention, a director
may include one or more nozzles which may be rotated between any
one or more of an "off" position, a "stream" position, a "spray"
position, a "foam" position, or other desired output position.
[0011] According to various embodiments of the invention, a
director or nozzle, or both, may be incorporated into the design of
the aerosol actuator for any one or more of easy storage, improved
ergonomics, preferred aesthetics, or otherwise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] While the specification concludes with claims particularly
pointing out and distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the
present invention, various embodiments of the invention can be more
readily understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the
art from the following descriptions of various embodiments of the
invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol actuator according to various
embodiments of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an aerosol actuator according to various
embodiments of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a top-down view of an aerosol actuator
according to various embodiments of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the aerosol
actuator illustrated in FIG. 3 along line 4-4;
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a top-down view of an aerosol actuator
according to various embodiments of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the aerosol
actuator illustrated in FIG. 5 along line 6-6;
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a component view of an aerosol actuator
according to various embodiments of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the aerosol
actuator illustrated in FIG. 7 along line 8-8;
[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates an aerosol actuator according to various
embodiments of the invention; and
[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates an aerosol actuator according to various
embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] According to embodiments of the invention, an aerosol
actuator 100 may include one or more directors 110. The one or more
directors 110 may be configured to direct a product for dispersing
away from a body of the aerosol actuator 100.
[0024] An aerosol actuator 100 according to various embodiments of
the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated, an aerosol
actuator 100 may include a director 110. Other components of an
aerosol actuator 100 may include conventional components such as a
base 190, a trigger 192, a spring 194 or cap, and a manifold 196.
For example, an aerosol actuator 100 according to embodiments of
the invention may include an aerosol actuator such as those
disclosed in PCT Application PCT/US11/48816 entitled "AEROSOL
ACTUATORS," filed 23 Aug. 2011, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0025] An aerosol actuator 100 according to embodiments of the
invention may be connected to or mated with a container 900 such as
an aerosol container containing a product. The connection and use
of an aerosol actuator 100 to a container 900 may be done using any
number of conventional methods.
[0026] Various configurations and operating states of an aerosol
actuator 100 according to various embodiments of the invention are
illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10. According to various embodiments
of the invention, an aerosol actuator 100 may include a director
110. In some embodiments, a director 110 may be configured to
extend an exit flow path for a product being sprayed or dispersed
by the aerosol actuator 100. For example, as illustrated in FIGS.
2, 5, 6, and 10, a director 110 may be extended away from a trigger
192 of the aerosol actuator 100 such that the exit orifice of the
aerosol actuator 100 is away from the body of the aerosol actuator
100.
[0027] In some embodiments of the invention, a director 110 may
fold out to an extended position as illustrated in FIG. 2 and be
folded into the aerosol actuator 100, or an opening or slot in the
aerosol actuator 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0028] According to some other embodiments of the invention, a
nozzle 120 may be assembled with, integral to, or connected to the
director 110. A nozzle 120 may have an input and an exit. A nozzle
120 may include various stream, dispersing, or spray selections.
For example, a nozzle 120 may include an "off" position in which
product flow is blocked through the nozzle 120. A nozzle 120 may
also include a "stream" position, "spray" position, or "foam"
position as conventionally known with trigger sprayers but not used
with aerosol dispensing systems.
[0029] A nozzle 120 according to various embodiments of the
invention may rotate on an end of the director 110 such that
various selections may be made for the dispensing of a product from
a container 900 to which the aerosol actuator 100 may be
attached.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 1, an aerosol actuator 100 may
include a director 110 folded back into a slot in the aerosol
actuator 100. A fluid flow path 112 in the director 110 may be
visible when folded back as illustrated.
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a director 110 may be extended out
for dispersing a product from the aerosol actuator 100. While the
director 110 illustrated in FIG. 2 is folded out, it is understood
that a director 110 could also slide out or be extended in another
fashion. For example, a director 110 may slide in and out of a slot
on the aerosol actuator 100. In such instances, a nozzle 120 may be
placed on the opposite end of the director 110 illustrated in FIG.
1.
[0032] A top-down view of an aerosol actuator 100 according to
certain embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3 and a
cross-sectional view thereof is illustrated in FIG. 4. As shown,
the director 110 may fold back or rotate about a ball or
cylindrical portion to rest within the aerosol actuator 100. When
rotated in a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 4, a portion of
the ball or cylinder may seal with an o-ring 118 at an exit of the
manifold 196. The seal between the o-ring 118 and the director 110
may prevent flow through the aerosol actuator 100.
[0033] According to some embodiments of the invention, when the
director 110 is folded back or stored in the aerosol actuator 100
as illustrated in FIG. 3, the position of the director 110 may
prevent actuation of the aerosol actuator 100.
[0034] A top-down view of an aerosol actuator 100 with a director
110 in an open state according to various embodiments of the
invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 and a cross-sectional view
thereof is illustrated in FIG. 6. As illustrated, when the director
110 is extended out, a flow path from the manifold 196 is opened
through the director 110 and any nozzle 120 attached thereto. In
some embodiments, the nozzle 120 may also be turned to stop or
close flow from the director 110 even when the director 110 is in
the illustrated open state or position.
[0035] In some embodiments of the invention, a seal between an
o-ring 118 and the director 110 may prevent leakage during
operation of the aerosol actuator 100.
[0036] An aerosol actuator 100 assembly according to various
embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. A
cross-sectional view thereof is illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0037] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrated side views of an aerosol actuator
100 according to various embodiments of the invention.
[0038] Having thus described certain particular embodiments of the
invention, it is understood that the invention defined by the
appended claims is not to be limited by particular details set
forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof
are contemplated. Rather, the invention is limited only be the
appended claims, which include within their scope all equivalent
devices or methods which operate according to the principles of the
invention as described.
* * * * *