ES2763374T3 - Improved aerosol actuators and aerosol assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

Aerosol actuator (100), comprising: a body (110) comprising: a lid opening at one end of the body; an opening (117) in at least a part of the body adjacent a lid opening; a container opening at an opposite end of the body; and a raised bulge (119); a cap (120); a discharge manifold opening defined by the lid and the body opening (117); a manifold (140) positioned within an interior of the body, the manifold comprising: an inlet end (145) positioned on the raised boss; a discharge end (147) positioned in the discharge manifold opening; and at least one manifold support rib (144) positioned between the inlet end and the discharge end; a trigger (130) pivotally positioned with the body; and at least one trigger support rib (134) extending from the trigger.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Aerosol actuators and improved aerosol assemblies.

Cross reference to related requests

The present application claims rights and priority over the provisional application U.S. No. 61 / 492,075 entitled "Aerosol Actuators and Enhanced Aerosol Assemblies" filed on June 1, 2011 and the provisional application US. No. 61 / 494,923 entitled "Aerosol Actuators and Valve Systems" filed on June 9, 2011.

Background of the Invention

Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to aerosol dispensing devices and, more particularly, to actuators and aerosol assemblies.

STATE OF THE ART: Spray devices are well known and used to supply a variety of products. For example, finger pumps and trigger sprays can be used to supply fluid from a container onto a surface or to 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 spraying devices are known.

Aerosol spray devices typically include a push button type spraying device containing an orifice and a connection to a valve which is in turn connected to a product container from which the aerosol product is dispensed. Actuation of the push button releases a quantity of product from the aerosol container through the valve and the push button. More recently, aerosol spray devices have been modified to more closely resemble trigger sprays, 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. However, connecting a manifold of a trigger actuated aerosol spraying device with a connecting valve can be difficult and leakage may occur during assembly or actuation.

During operation of a trigger actuated aerosol sprayer, the trigger actuation may release product from the aerosol container through the valve, into the manifold, and out of a port of the trigger spray device. It has been found that, in at least some trigger actuated aerosol sprayers, actuation of a trigger can induce lateral loading on a valve attached to the aerosol container. Lateral valve loading can result in valve position leakage because most, if not all, standard aerosol valves are designed for top loading rather than side loading. Bates US 2004/0222246 discloses a sprayer actuator, a sprayer and a method of making them. In one embodiment, the sprayer includes an ergonomic sprayer driver with a housing having an upper part, a lower part to fit into a canister, and a tapered waist part between the upper part and the lower part.

In many cases, the costs of trigger actuated aerosol sprayers are higher than that of push button type valves due to the increased part parts and the complexity of such devices. Furthermore, the use of push button type aerosol systems can lead to finger fatigue which may not be desirable.

Although aerosol push button actuators and trigger actuators can be used, new, alternative, or improved methods of supplying or actuating an aerosol container sprayer or other containers are desirable. Furthermore, a reduction in leaks and costs is also desirable, especially in the case of trigger-operated aerosol sprayers and spray devices.

Brief summary of the invention

According to a first aspect, the invention provides an aerosol actuator comprising: a body, comprising: a lid opening at one end of the body; an opening in at least a part of the body adjacent to a lid opening; a container opening at an opposite end of the body; and characterized by a raised bump; a lid; a discharge collector opening defined by the layer and body opening; a manifold placed within an interior of the body, the manifold comprising: an inlet end placed in the raised boss; a discharge end positioned in the discharge manifold opening; and at least one collector support rib positioned between the inlet end and the discharge end; a trigger pivotally positioned with the body; and at least one trigger support rib extending from the trigger.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, a raised valve guide or boss may be connected to or integral with a base or body of an aerosol actuator. In various embodiments, a valve guide may include a raised protrusion associated with a handle or body of an aerosol actuator. The raised valve guide or protrusion can align a manifold with a valve when an aerosol actuator is assembled into a container containing a product. Furthermore, a raised valve guide or protrusion can limit the movement of a part of a manifold in a defined direction or defined plane, such that the load on a valve is controlled by a manifold. For example, a valve guide can ensure a higher load on a valve during actuation or can minimize lateral loads on a valve during actuation.

In accordance with various other embodiments of the invention, a handle or body of an aerosol actuator includes an opening into which or through which a portion of a collector can extend. The opening may be configured to allow the manifold to flex, float, or move during actuation such that a discharge end of the manifold is not attached to the body of the aerosol actuator. In some cases, an opening at the end of a handle or body may allow a portion of a manifold to float in a manner that facilitates vertical movement of the manifold which, in turn, can reduce lateral loads on a valve attached to the actuator. spray.

According to certain other embodiments of the invention, a collector and a trigger support rib can contact each other or engage upon actuation of a trigger, such that actuation of the trigger moves a collector, resulting in opening a valve connected or in communication with the manifold.

In still other embodiments of the invention, an aerosol actuator may include a male manifold instead of a female manifold, and the valve may include a female valve instead of a male valve.

Brief description of the drawings

Although the specification concludes with the claims which particularly point to and clearly claim particular embodiments of the present invention, various embodiments of the invention may 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:

Figure 1 illustrates an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

Figure 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of a collector according to various embodiments of the invention;

Figure 4 illustrates an aerosol actuator body according to various embodiments of the invention;

Figure 5 illustrates a trigger of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

Figure 6 illustrates an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

Figure 7 illustrates a cross sectional view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

Figure 8 illustrates a cross sectional view of an aerosol actuator featuring a male manifold coupled with a female valve system according to various embodiments of the invention; and

Figure 9 illustrates a close-up view of the male manifold coupled with a female valve system illustrated in Figure 8.

Detailed description of the invention

The aerosol actuators 100 according to various embodiments of the invention are illustrated in Figures 1 to 5. An assembled aerosol actuator 100 is illustrated in Figure 1. As illustrated, an aerosol actuator 100 according to the embodiments of The invention includes a body 110, a cap 120, a trigger 130, and a manifold 140. According to some embodiments of the invention, a port cup 142 can be assembled or inserted into manifold 140. Aerosol actuator 100 can be assembled in a container or bottle that it contains an aerosolized product or a product and a gas, such as nitrogen or at least one hydrocarbon to supply the product in an aerosolized form. The container or bottle may also include a valve and a valve stem to which a portion of a manifold 140 may be attached to engage and promote fluid flow from the container or bottle, through the valve, and into the manifold 140 of the actuator spray 100.

An aerosol actuator 100 according to the invention also includes an opening 117 in body 110. Opening 117 is configured to accommodate or surround at least a portion of a discharge end of a manifold 140 or orifice cup 142 inserted into the manifold 140. A lid 120 also includes a lid opening corresponding to opening 117 in body 110, such that lid opening and opening 117 form a discharge manifold opening in aerosol actuator 100. The end of The discharge manifold 140 may move or float within opening 117 in body 110 or a discharge manifold opening formed by opening 117 and a lid opening. For example, upon actuation of trigger 130 illustrated in FIG. 1, manifold 140 can be actuated and moved, which in turn may cause an end portion of manifold 140 to move within the area defined by opening 117.

A cross-sectional view of the aerosol actuator 100 illustrated in Figure 1 is illustrated in Figure 2 and the individual components are illustrated in Figures 3 to 5. The individual components of an aerosol actuator 100 according to the embodiments of the Invention may be made of a plastic or resin material, as desired. Other moldable materials can also be used to make components for an aerosol actuator 100 according to the embodiments of the invention.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, a manifold 140 according to the invention includes an inlet end 145, a discharge end 147, and one or more manifold support ribs 144 positioned along manifold 140 between the inlet end. 145 and discharge end 147.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, a body 110 can include a body 110 as used in conventional trigger-actuated aerosol dispersion devices. Furthermore, a body 110 according to the invention includes a raised boss 119 or manifold guide.

Body 110 may also differ from conventional aerosol actuator bodies in that an opening 117 is included in body 110.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 5, a trigger 130 may include one or more trigger support ribs 134. When assembled in a manifold 140 and body 110, the one or more trigger support ribs 134 can support the one or more collector support ribs 144 of the collector 140 or contacting them.

In an assembled aerosol actuator 100, an inlet end 145 of a manifold 140 is seated or assembled or nested into a raised boss 119 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The raised boss 119 can hold or guide manifold 140 during assembling an aerosol actuator 100 with a container and valve of an aerosol system. In some embodiments, the vertical positioning of the raised boss 119 may also facilitate vertical assembly of manifold 140 with body 110 such that inlet end 145 of manifold 140 is assembled through the top of the body 110 and into raised boss 119. During assembly, discharge end 147 of manifold 140 can be oriented with opening 117 in body 110 as illustrated in Figure 2.

A trigger 130 may be assembled with manifold 140 and body 110 such that one or more trigger support ribs 134 are configured to contact one or more manifold support ribs 144 during actuation of the aerosol actuator 100. For example, upon application of a force to trigger 130, trigger support ribs 134 may contact one or more manifold support ribs 144 to induce contact between inlet end 145 of manifold 140 and a valve such that the valve releases a product traveling through manifold 140 and manifold 140 exists at a discharge end 147. Upon release of trigger 130, forces can be released on manifold support ribs 144 and the actuation of the aerosol actuator 100 ceases. During actuation, the discharge end 147 of the collector 140 can float or move within a discharge opening formed by the opening 117 in the body 110 and the cover 120.

In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, a manifold 140 may be guided in position by a raised boss 119, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Positioning a manifold 140 within a portion of the raised boss 119, as illustrated, it can help guide the movement of the collector 140 during actuation. In addition, the raised boss 119 can ensure that manifold 140 moves in a downward path relative to a valve to which manifold 140 is coupled during actuation. Thus, a raised bump 119 according to the embodiments of the invention can limit the ability of manifold 140 to apply a lateral load on a valve during actuation. Instead, manifold 140 may simply apply a higher load to a valve. In other embodiments, a raised bump 119 can help increase the top load applied to a valve and reduce loads sides on it. Additionally, a raised boss 119 can assist with the assembly of manifold 140 in aerosol actuator 100.

An aerosol actuator 100 according to other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. As illustrated, an aerosol actuator 100 includes a body 110, a cap 120, a trigger 130, and a manifold 140. An orifice cup 142 can be inserted into a collector 140.

In embodiments of the invention, a body 110 includes a slot or opening 117 in the body within which a portion of manifold 140 can float or move. In some embodiments, opening 117 may also support a portion of trigger 130. In other embodiments, opening 117 may facilitate rotation of trigger 130 about a fulcrum point during actuation of aerosol actuator 100.

In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, an aerosol actuator 100 can be attached to a container containing a product and a gas to aerosolize the product, and manifold 140 can be conjugated or coupled with a valve associated with the aerosol container. Upon actuation of a trigger 130, parts of trigger support ribs 134 can act on manifold support ribs 144, applying force to manifold 140 and opening the valve to release a product through manifold 140 and out of the aerosol actuator 100. When the trigger support ribs 134 act on the collector support ribs 144, the collector 140 can flex and a discharge end of the collector 140 can move in the opening 117 in the body 110. The inclusion of an opening 117 in body 110 can enhance the functionality of manifold 140 by allowing manifold 140 to flex and move during operation.

In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, an aerosol actuator may include a male manifold 240 or actuator as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. Male manifold 240 or actuator may be coupled with a female valve system 204 as illustrated.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, an aerosol actuator may include an assembly with a manifold having a male receptacle made of a rigid plastic material that connects to an aerosol valve with a female stem made of a rigid plastic material. An advantage of a female aerosol valve 204 according to some embodiments of the invention is that it can include a female rubber gasket into which a male actuator stem can fit. It is easier to fit a male rigid stem into a rubber gasket than to fit a rigid valve stem into a rigid female manifold element. It may thus be desirable to use a male manifold 240 and a female valve system 204 as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.

Having described certain particular embodiments of the invention, it is understood that the invention defined by the appended claims need not be limited by particular details set forth in the foregoing description, since many obvious variations thereof are contemplated. Rather, the invention is limited only by the appended claims that include within their scope all equivalent devices or procedures operating in accordance with the principles of the invention as described.

Claims (14)

1. Aerosol actuator (100), comprising: a body (110) comprising: a lid opening at one end of the body; an opening (117) in at least a part of the body adjacent to a lid opening; a container opening at an opposite end of the body; and a raised bump (119); a lid (120); a discharge manifold opening defined by the lid and body opening (117); a collector (140) placed within an interior of the body, the collector comprising: an inlet end (145) positioned in the raised boss; a discharge end (147) positioned in the discharge manifold opening; and at least one manifold support rib (144) positioned between the inlet end and the discharge end; a trigger (130) pivotally positioned with the body; and at least one trigger support rib (134) extending from the trigger. Aerosol actuator according to claim 1, wherein said at least one trigger support rib rests on said at least one collector support rib. Aerosol actuator according to claim 1, wherein said at least one trigger support rib contacts said at least one collector support rib during actuation. Aerosol actuator according to claim 1, further comprising an orifice cup (142) inserted into the discharge end of the manifold. Aerosol actuator according to claim 1, wherein the raised boss is integrally molded with the body. Aerosol actuator according to claim 1, wherein the inlet end of the manifold comprises a female end. 7. Aerosol actuator according to claim 1, wherein the inlet end of the manifold comprises a male end. 8. Aerosol system, comprising: the aerosol actuator according to claim 1; a container; a valve; and a valve stem in communication with the container, the body being assembled in the container and the valve stem being coupled with the inlet end of the manifold. 9. Aerosol system according to claim 8, wherein actuating the trigger creates a higher load on the valve. 10. Aerosol system comprising: the aerosol actuator according to claim 1; a container; a product in the container; a valve connected to the container; and wherein the aerosol actuator is connected to the container and the manifold inlet end is in communication with the valve. 11. Aerosol system according to claim 10, wherein actuating the trigger creates a higher load on the valve by means of the manifold. 12. Aerosol system according to claim 10, wherein the valve comprises a female valve system. 13. Aerosol actuator according to claim 1, wherein the cap is disposed on the body and the discharge end of the collector is positioned within the discharge collector opening between the body and the cap, such that the collector can move into the opening after actuation. 14. Aerosol actuator according to claim 13, wherein the inlet end of the manifold is positioned within an raised protrusion.