U.S. patent number 3,738,541 [Application Number 05/169,256] was granted by the patent office on 1973-06-12 for spra-mate overcap.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Seaquist Valve Company. Invention is credited to James E. Greenebaum, II.
United States Patent |
3,738,541 |
Greenebaum, II |
June 12, 1973 |
SPRA-MATE OVERCAP
Abstract
A self-aligning aerosol overcap wherein the central
button-receiving orifice includes a Z-shaped step or protrusion
formed on the internal wall to control vertical actuation of the
button and to avoid "hang-up" of the button on the spray orifice in
the overcap. A key on the wall of the receiving orifice projects
into a vertical groove in the button to provide automatic
orientation of the terminal orifice of the button and the spray
orifice in the overcap. This is accomplished by placing the overcap
over the button such that the key rests on the top slanted surface
of the button. By gravity, the overcap will thereafter slide and
rotate relative to the button until the key drops into the vertical
groove formed in the button.
Inventors: |
Greenebaum, II; James E.
(Highland Park, IL) |
Assignee: |
Seaquist Valve Company (Cary,
IL)
|
Family
ID: |
22614864 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/169,256 |
Filed: |
August 5, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/402.1;
D9/448 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
83/205 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
83/16 (20060101); B65d 083/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/153,182,402.13-402.25 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Martin; Larry
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An overcap assembly for an aersol dispenser, said overcap
comprising a substantially cylindrical body including a central
opening having a wall extending vertically therefrom for receiving
a button actuator and a spray orifice formed in the side wall of
said overcap said spray orifice in operative communication with
said button actuator for dispensing products and propellant through
said orifice, alignment means formed on said overcap to operatively
align said actuator relative to said spray orifice, said overcap,
further including an annular step formed in said central opening
and extending inwardly from said vertically extending wall, the
diameter of said annular step being smaller than the diameter of
said vertical extending wall to engage the lower portion of said
button actuator such that the forward most portion of said button
actuator is displaced rearward relative to said spray orifice to
prevent said button actuator from engaging the periphery of said
spray orifice.
2. The overcap of claim 5 wherein said side wall of said overcap
includes a spray guide recess extending from its outer surface
inwardly and terminating in said spray orifice immediately adjacent
to and aligned with the discharge orifice of said button
actuator.
3. The overcap of claim 1 when said annular step comprises a first
and second interconnecting ledge disposed about the periphery of
said vertical wall, said first ledge being formed about the portion
of said vertical wall adjacent said spray orifice and said second
ledge being formed about the remainder of said vertical wall, said
first ledge being disposed on said vertical wall below said second
ledge.
4. The overcap of claim 1 wherein said alignment means comprises a
key projecting into said central opening which engages a vertical
keyway grooved in the side wall of the button, said key of a length
slightly smaller than said keyway extending into said keyway to
align said overcap and button with respect to each other.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an overcap-button assembly for an aerosol
container and a method of automatic orientation with an added
"no-hang-up" feature for the button assembly during its use
thereafter.
Recently in aerosol marketing, the use of an overcap with a valve
button to improve the appearance of aerosol container to enable
stacking, to provide against accidental actuation, to enable the
incorporation of pilferproof devices, to guide the consumer in the
use of the can and similar reasons, has become quite popular.
While overcaps usually have a configuration which indicates the
direction in which the aerosol contents are to be sprayed, they
must be aligned with respect to the button. This is usually done
prior to being fastened to the container. In the usual method of
maintaining alignment, the overcap and button are usually locked
together prior to being mounted on the aerosol can.
Techniques for aligning the overcap with the button have been
unnecessarily troublesome. They have required integrally molded
overcap-button combinations, or extra machinery with attendant
increased time to accomplish the alignment. Attempts to improve
techniques have been until recently met with little success or
substantial benefit. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,407,975 the
button has a keyway with an entrance guide and the overcap has a
key in its button-receiving opening. When this central opening is
placed over the button, the key rests on the top surface of the
button. Subsequently, brushes are used to rotate the overcap
relative to the button until the key enters the entrance guide
which cams the key of the overcap into the keyway aligning and
locking the elements together. The overcap is then depressed and
clamped to the aerosol container.
If the button of such a structure sprays through the wall of the
overcap another problem namely button "hang-up" during assembly or
actuation frequently occurs. There seems to be a natural tendency
during use to push the button forward as well as downward causing
the button to slip forward under the upper edge of the spray
orifice. Hence the forward portion of the button "hang-up" causes
continued actuation or depression of the button which is obviously
undesirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Objectives
An object of this invention is to provide a self-aligning overcap
which is quickly aligned with respect to an aerosol dispenser and
button without the need of the external rotative forces, such as
brushes.
Another object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol overcap in
which the cap is automatically aligned to the button without prior
pre-orientation.
Still another object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol overcap
in which the cap can be quickly and easily aligned merely by
placing the cap on the button.
A further object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol overcap
which is locked securely to the dispenser when aligned.
A still further object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol
overcap wherein the cap may easily be snapped onto the aerosol
container after being aligned.
Another object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol overcap
wherein the button will not be caught or "hung-up" on the spray
orifice of the overcap during assembly or actuation.
Another object is to provide an economical and highly reliable
method of aligning an aerosol overcap and button.
Other objects of the invention will in part appear hereinafter.
Broad Statement of the Invention
In accordance with the previously enumerated objects, the invention
comprises an overcap which has a central button receiving opening.
A key projects from the upper rear portion of the opening and
operatively engages a button having a vertical keyway formed in its
side wall. An annular Z-shaped step is formed on the wall of the
opening whereby the lower portion thereof maintains cooperative
engagement between the keyway and key and the upper portion avoids
"hang-up" of the button on a spray orifice in the side wall of the
overcap.
In placing the cap on the aerosol container with a valve therein,
the cap, without pre-orientation, is placed over the pre-mounted
button such that the button is within the central opening. The key
rests on the top slanted surface of the button. Because of gravity,
the overcap will then slide and rotate down the top surface until
the key enters the keyway. The cap and button are then properly
aligned. Thereafter, the overcap is depressed, to snap it onto the
rim of the mounting cup of the valve of the aerosol container.
In this position the lower portion of the button engages the
Z-shaped step preventing wobbling about the vertical axis of the
button and at the same time off-setting the forward portion of the
button rearward whereby, when actuated, the button will not cross
the plane of the spray orifice thereby preventing button
"hang-up."
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,
combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be
exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the
scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the
invention, reference should be had to the following detailed
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which:
FIG. 1 is a top view of the overcap and button of this invention in
an aligned position.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the overcap and button taken
along the lines 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the overcap.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the overcap taken along lines
4--4 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the overcap.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the overcap.
Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the
several views of the drawing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates an
aerosol cup-shaped overcap 10 and button 12 mounted on an aerosol
container 14. Typically the button 12 is shown attached to a valve
stem 16 of an aerosol valve. In accord with common practice, it may
be removably attached or integral with the valve stem 16. The valve
is secured within the mouth of the container 14 by crimped bead 18
on the standard mounting cup 19 usually comprising one part of an
aerosol valve.
The face of the overcap contains a spray guide recess 20 with a
spray orifice 22 located on the inward end thereof. The top of the
overcap contains a finger guide recess 24. The spray guide recess
20 and spray orifice 22 provide an open passageway for dispensed
product whereas the finger guide recess provides a saddle support
for the finger of the operator, making it easier to depress the
aerosol button. This configuration of the spray guide recess 20 and
finger guide recess 24 enables a user to quickly ascertain the
direction of discharge. To make it even more easy to ascertain this
direction, an arrow 26 may be molded on button 12.
To receive the button 12, the overcap 10 is provided with a central
button receiving orifice 28. Projecting into the upper end of this
orifice is a narrow salient projection defined as key 30 adapted to
ride on the top slanted surface of the button. The key 30 is
preferably located along the longitudinal center line of the spray
guide and finger guide recesses; although it may be located
otherwise as should be evident from the description that proceeds.
Extending vertically downward from orifice 28 is annular retaining
wall 31. A Z-shaped step or protrusion 32 extends inwardly from
annular retaining wall 31. Flange 34 annularly disposed on the
lower periphery of button 12 operatively engages protrusion 32 such
that the forward most portion of button 12 is displaced rearwardly
from the vertical plane tangent to the spray orifice 22 thereby
offsetting the forward face of button 12 rearward of the spray
orifice 22 to prevent the top forward portion of button 12 from
engaging the lip of the spray orifice 22 to avoid button
hangup.
To insure contact of the key 30 with the button 12 and to prevent
the key 30 from falling off due to excess wobbling of the cap 10
during assembly, the diameter of the central opening 28 is made
only slightly larger than the diameter of at least a portion of the
button 12 and the length of the side wall of the opening is
substantially the same as the length of the button 12.
Concentric with the annular side wall of the opening 28 is an
annular rim 36 which is slightly smaller in diameter than bead 18
such that when depressed thereon, frictional engagement between the
rim and bead securely retain the overcap to the container. The
outer wall of the overcap is such that when the cap is depressed,
it is either flush with the top of the container or extends
inwardly of the rim of the container.
Typically the button 12 is substantially cylindrical and contains
the conventional passageway with an orifice for discharging the
aerosol contents when the button 12 is depressed. Diametrically
opposed to the discharge orifice is a vertical keyway 38 cut into
the side wall of the button. As should be evident, other
positioning of the keyway is also possible. Keyway 38 is slightly
larger than key 30 to mate therewith. To allow the key 30 to slide
around the button 12 and enter the keyway 38, regardless of the
orientation of the overcap 10 when on the button 12, the top
surface of the button 12 is smooth or, at least the rim portion
sufficient to accommodate the key 30, is smooth and slants
downwardly at an angle of from 10 to 20.degree.. It can be
appreciated that the key 30 could slide down the button 12, even
more rapidly with a steeper angle. However, with a steeper angle,
it is more difficult to depress the button, for the resultant
movement will be pressing substantially forward as well as
downward; thus creating a smaller force vector in the vertical
direction.
In aligning and assembling the overcap 10 to the button 12, the cap
10 is placed without pre-orientation on the button 12 such that key
30 rides on the top surface of the button. By gravity, without
additional rotative forces acting on the overcap 10 or container
14, the overcap 10 will then ride down the upper surface of the
button 12 until the key 30 slides into keyway 38. Because of the
restricted clearance between the button 12 and the Z-shaped
protrusion 32 of the overcap 10 the overcap will not excessively
wobble when sliding down the slope. Although not necessary, if
desired, the container 14 may be purposely vibrated or vibrated by
the action of the filing and assembling machine to accelerate this
movement. When key 30 is in keyway 38, the parts are aligned. When
so aligned, the discharge orifice is centered with respect to the
longitudinal center line of the spray guide 20 with orifice 22 and
finger guide recess 24. After being so aligned, the overcap 10 is
depressed until rim 36 snaps over bead 18 of the container. This
firmly secures the cap 10 to the container 14.
The unique Z-shaped step on protrusion 32 provides a lower diameter
in the central orifice 28 small enough to maintain keyway 38 and
key 30 in cooperative engagement and an upper diameter sufficiently
large to avoid button "hang-up" with the spray orifice 22.
Note when mounted the vertical dimension of the overcap 10 extends
above the top of the button 12 thereby protecting the button 12
from accidential actuation.
It should be evident from the above description that a novel
self-aligning "no hang-up" aerosol overcap-button assembly has been
provided. The overcap is automatically aligned without prior
pre-orientation or without additional rotative elements such as
brushes. The ease, rapidity, and reliability of the method of
alignment make this method particularly economical.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those
made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently
attained, and since certain changes may be made in the above
construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it
is intended that all matter contained in the above description or
shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended
to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention
herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention,
which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall
therebetween.
Now that the invention has been described:
* * * * *