Spherical, Swinging Closure/actuator Cap For Aerosol Cans

Abstract

This invention relates to a part-spherical cap for an aerosol container which cap is mounted to rotate about a pivotal axis and thereby actuate the control valve of the container. This cover is so designed that movement in one direction, both uncovers the container nozzle and actuates the control valve, while movement in the other direction automatically results in closure of both valve and cover.

Parent Case Text

This is a division of application Ser. No. 630,760, filed Apr. 13, 1967, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,746.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide the new article of manufacture which consists of a cap for a container holding an aerosol solution and provided with a valve of a type already known in itself. My new cap is essentially characterized by the fact that it comprises in combination means for fastening the cap to the container so that the valve may be operated by means of a movable spout containing a passageway which ends in a spray nozzle. The cover is provided with an inner wall which guides the spout as it moves, by cooperating with suitable means inside the cap, and the nozzle is uncovered at one of the extreme positions of the cover, but covered at the other extreme position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, adapted to be mounted on a container provided with a resilient valve which opens when a sleeve projecting therefrom is swung, the cover comprises one-fourth of a hollow sphere which swings through an angle of 90.degree. . The spout swings into a cavity in a quarter sphere over which the cover swings, and the spout is guided by the lateral edges of that cavity as it swung by movement of the cover.

In order that the invention may be better understood, the preferred embodiment thereof will now be described, purely by way of illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the cover completely open.

As shown in the drawings the valve of a container 1 is of a conventional type which permits an aerosol to be dispensed when the lower end of the spout is so swung to separate the walls of a hole in a resilient valve member.

The quarter sphere 22 surmounting the collar 18 of the cap 17a mounted on the container is provided with a niche 35 which is not concentric with the axis of the cap, and is in this example, approximately rectangular in section. In this niche 35 the spout 36 is free to swing between the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A channel 36a in the spout connects the spray nozzle 9 to the lower end of the spout. The contact between the spout and niche is along the lateral surfaces of the spout 36, which lie parallel to the plane of the drawings. The spout is thus kept in position relative to the cap 17a, and the projection 37 comes under the wall of the quarter sphere 22 when the opening step has been completed.

When the cover 27 which turns on the pivot means 28, is moved in the direction of the arrow F1 it uncovers the aerosol jet nozzle 9, and its flange 33 comes to rest against the vertical part 38 of the quarter sphere 22, after striking the projection 37 on the spout 36, thereby swinging the spout to its FIG. 2 position.

The lower end of the spout 36 is thus inclined with respect to the axis of the orifice in the container valve, thereby opening the lower end of said orifice, so as to permit the aerosol to escape as indicated on FIG. 2.

If the flange 31 of the cover is released, the spout 36 will return to its original vertical position, due to the elasticity of the valve, and the cover may then be returned to the closed position shown in FIG. 1.

From the foregoing description of the cap according to the invention, it will be readily understood that it is extremely convenient to use with aerosol containers. When the cap is at rest it is fully closed, since the spray nozzle is not uncovered until the cover has begun to open, yet this opening can be effectuated with a single finger.

It will be appreciated that this specific embodiment has been given purely by way of illustration, and may be modified as to detail so long as there is no departure from the invention defined by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing cap for a container provided with a flexible outlet valve adapted to be opened by the swinging of a spigot inserted in said valve, said cap comprising means for fastening it to said container, a spout mounted in said cap, said spout being provided at one end with said spigot projecting into said valve, a nozzle in one side of said spout, and a passage leading from said nozzle through said spout to the lower end of said spigot, a part-spherical cover pivotally mounted on said cap for movement between a first position in which it covers and a second position in which it uncovers said nozzle, said cover being provided with an inwardly extending projection positioned to contact the end of said spout remote from said spigot as said cover moves toward its second position, thereby swinging said spout and spigot and opening said valve.

2. A dispensing cap as claimed in claim 1 in which said cap is provided with an external projection adapted to be used to move it from its first position to its second position.

3. A cap as claimed in claim 1 in which said spout has two opposed parallel sides and said cap comprises a portion defining a cavity having like parallel walls between which said spout is guided as it swings.

4. A cap as claimed in claim 1 in which said spout is provided with a depending collar encircling said spigot and the top of said valve is inserted between said collar and spigot.