Valve Actuator For Pressure Container

Abstract

A pressure container having an outlet valve actuated by tilting the outlet nozzle is provided with a lever arm extending from the nozzle downwardly and outwardly in proximity to the container to facilitate one-hand operation and is also provided with a releasable locking member cooperating with the lever arm construction to prevent premature or accidental operation.

Description

This invention relates to a pressure container having a dispensing valve actuated by tilting and an actuator to facilitate the tilting including a releasable locking member.

A conventional form of pressurized container includes a centrally located normally upright tubular outlet disposed within an upstanding annular rim, and a valve actuatable to open position for dispensing the contents of the container by tilting of the outlet away from the upright position. Such containers are awkward to handle and to actuate with one hand; in addition, there is a risk of the valve being opened accidentally during shipment or display of the container before sale to the ultimate consumer.

In the present invention such a container is provided in combination with an actuating member engaging the outlet and extending outwardly and downwardly beyond the annular rim in proximity to the container to provide a lever arm movable toward the container to tilt the outlet and open the valve, and a releasable locking member extending between the lever arm and the adjacent part of the container to obstruct movement of the lever arm and prevent opening of the valve. Because of the position of the lever arm, it is readily engaged by the thumb or finger when the container is grasped in one hand in ordinary fashion without discomfort and without an unusual or awkward positioning of the hand or fingers. Moreover, the mechanical advantage provided by the lever arm makes possible opening of the valve with less effort than otherwise required, a matter of importance when the container is intended to dispense material to be applied, for example, to the hair or scalp, locations difficult for the user to reach comfortably on his own person while at the same time controlling the flow of material from a container provided with a tilt type valve.

In addition to a releasable locking member for preventing movement of the lever arm to actuate the valve, the present invention is readily adapted to include, in a preferred embodiment, a portion of the actuating member extending radially from the outlet and bearing on a portion of the upstanding rim of the container when the outlet is in normal upright position to prevent tilting of the outlet in any other direction except toward the lever arm, thus ensuring complete protection against accidental or premature discharge.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation showing one embodiment of the invention with the releasable locking member in locking position;

FIG. 2 is a view in section taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation, partly broken away and in section, showing the locking member removed and the actuator in tilted position; and

FIG. 4 is an isometric view showing the locking member on an enlarged scale .

As shown in the drawings, the body 12 of container 10 has a shoulder 14 and is provided with a valve cup 16 joined to shoulder 14 at an annular upstanding rim 17. Centrally located within the valve cup is an upstanding tubular outlet 18 which serves as a dispensing outlet for the pressurized contents of the container and also serves to open the outlet valve (not shown) when it is tilted away from its normal upright position, as shown in FIG. 3. Actuating member 20 includes a tubular element 22 which engages outlet 18, being mounted on it by a sliding frictional fit. The upper portion of tube 22 serves as an extension of outlet 18. A generally conical decorative skirt 24 extends from the upper end of tube 22, being supported and stiffened by four equidistant radially extending ribs 26, 28, 30, 32. The lower margin of each of ribs 26, 28, and 30 is arranged to bear on the upstanding rim 17, while rib 32 is cut away at the bottom to provide a clearance space between it and the rim 17. Extending downwardly and outwardly from tube 22 and rib 32 to a position beyond rim 17 and in proximity to the container is a lever arm 34, which preferably terminates somewhat below shoulder 14 of the container. The lower end of the lever arm is thus in such a position that it may readily be pressed by a thumb or finger when the body 12 of the container is grasped in one hand by the user. The entire actuating member including the tube 22 and lever arm 34 is preferably molded of a relatively stiff and rigid synthetic plastic composition.

A releasable locking member 36 is provided in the form of a spring clip having opposing legs 38, 40 which frictionally engage the lower end of lever arm 34 and having a blocking element 42 which bears against the adjacent part of body 12 near shoulder 14. Locking member 36 is preferably molded as a single piece from resilient synthetic plastic composition.

Actuating member 20 is mounted on tubular element 22 simply by forcing it downwardly over the tubular element until ribs 26, 28, 30 abut the rim 17. Locking member 36 is then forced over the lower end of lever arm 34 so that the actuating member along with the tubular outlet which it engages are locked against tilting movement in any direction. When the container is to be used, locking member 36 is removed by pulling it free from the end of the lever arm, so that the valve can then be opened simply by pressing the lower end of the lever arm toward the body 12 of the container so as to tilt outlet 18 away from the vertical position in the direction of the lever arm.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In combination a pressure container having a centrally located normally upright tubular outlet disposed within an upstanding annular rim and a valve actuatable to open position by tilting said outlet away from upright position, an actuating member engaging said outlet and extending outwardly and downwardly beyond said rim in proximity to said container to provide a lever arm movable toward said container for tilting said outlet to open said valve, said lever arm being in position to be engaged by a thumb or finger when the container is grasped in one hand, said actuating member including a portion extending radially from said outlet and bearing upon a portion of said rim when said outlet is in normal upright position to prevent tilting of said outlet in any direction except toward said downwardly extending lever arm, and a releasable locking member mounted on said lever arm and extending between said lever arm and the adjacent part of the container to obstruct movement of said lever arm toward said adjacent part and prevent opening of said valve.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 in which said releasable locking member comprises a resilient clip frictionally engaging said downwardly extending lever arm and carrying a blocking element bearing against said adjacent part of the container.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2 in which said actuating member includes a tubular element frictionally engaging said outlet.