CONTINUOUS DISCHARGE AEROSOL ACTUATOR

DISPOSITIF DE DECHARGE CONTINUE SUR BOMBES AEROSOL

English Abstract

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Abstract
An actuator cap for a pressurized aerosol
dispenser includes an integrally hinged actuator
tab secured with tamper proof frangible webs. The
webs must be broken and the tab rotated about the
hinge to engage the container valve stem. Detent
means on the tab and cap latch the valve open for
continuous discharge.

Claims

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I claim:
1. A one-piece integrally molded
actuator for a pressurized aerosol dispenser
comprising a generally cylindrical cap body having
a generally horizontal surface portion which
includes a central aperture through which the valve
stern of the dispenser protrudes, an actuator tab
integral with said horizontal surface portion and
connected thereto at the inner end of the tab by a
flexible hinge portion, said tab being detachably
connected to the cap body near the outer end of the
tab by a frangible web, a first side of said tab
including a valve stem receiving socket for fitment
upon the dispenser valve stem when the tab has been
inverted by rotation about said hinge portion, said
valve stem receiving socket being in communication
with a discharge orifice located on the other side
said tab, the first side of said tab also including
detent means cooperative with detent means located
on the horizontal surface portion of said cap body
to retain the tab in the inverted position for
latching the container valve open.
2. The actuator of claim 1 wherein said
generally horizontal surface portion is a floor of
a finger receiving groove extending transversely of
said cap body.
3. The actuator of claim 1 wherein the
detent means of the tab and surface portion
comprise a pin and a socket for frictional
retention of the pin.

Description

Continuous discharge _erosol actuator
Various products are dispensed by pressurized
aerosol dispensersO Some products such as fumigants,
air fresheners, and fogging insecticides benefit from an
S actuator which opens and holds open the dispenser valve
permitting the user to leave the aerosol dispenser as it
continues to dispense the contents to the air. Examples
of aerosol dispenser actuators having the capability of
continuous, unattended dispens:ing are found in Scoggin,
Jr. et al~ U.S. Patent Number 3,081,918 issued on March 19,
1963, Alplanalp U.S. Patent No. 3,260,416 issued on
July 12, 1966, Steinkamp U.S. Patent No. 3,137,414 issued
on June 16, 1964, Beres et al UOS. Patent No. 3,305,144
issued on February 21, 1967, Doblin U.S. Patent No.
lS 3,314,577 issued on April 18, 1967 and Scheck U.S
Patent No. 3,325,064 issued on June 13, 1967.
Brief Summary
The present invention is a continuous discharge
actuator which combines in a single piece molding a
vertical dispensing nozzle, means to hold the aerosol
dispensing valve open, a tamper prevention means to assure
product integrity, a manner of use too complex for small
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children to be likely to achieve, and an appearance
similar to a decorative closure cap~
Thus, according to the invention there is
provided a one-piece integrally molded actuator for a
pressurized aerosol dispenser comprising a generally
cylindrical cap body having a generally horizontal
surface portion which includes a central aperture
through which the valve stem of the dispenser protrudes,
an actuator tab integral with said horizontal surface
portion and connected thereto at the inner end of the tab
by a flexible hinge portionj said tab being de~achably
connected to the cap body near the outer end of the tab
by a frangible web, a first side of said tab including a
valve stem receiving socket for fitmen~ upon the dispen-
ser valve stem when the tab has been inverted by rotation
about said hinge por~ion, said valve stem receiving socket
being in communication with a discharge orifice located on
the other side said tab, the first side of said tab also
including detent means cooperative with detent means
located on the horizontal surface portion of said cap
body to retain the tab in the inverted position for
latching the container valve open.
The Drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol
container having the actuator cap of the present inven-
tion in the condition as purchased and b~fore use.
Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing
the actuator in use.
Figure 3 is a top view of ~he actuator of
Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a top view of the actuator of
Figure 2~
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along
plane V~V of Figure 3.
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Fi.gure 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to
that of Figure 5, but showing the actuator in use.
Detaile ~ diment
The actuator is an inteqral molding of a flexible
plastic such as a polyolefin. The lower margin 12 of the
cylindrical cap body 10 is adapted to be secured to the
chime bead of an aerosol container 40 by a snap-fit. The
upstanding hollow valve stem 42 of the aerosol container
valve protrudes through an aperture 14 in the flat hori-
zontal floor ll of a finger receiving groove 13 which
extends transversely of the cap lO.
A finger tab 20, as initially molded and before
use~ extends generally in the plane of the floor ll. The
tab 20 is provided at the inner end with an integral,
fl.exible hinge portion 22 and near the outer end with
frangible webs 24 molded

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integrally with the tab 20 and cap 10. The webs 24
secure the tab 20 again6~ movement un~il use and
must be b~oken before the tab can be rstated about
the hinge 22. ~he tab 20 is provided with a valve
stem receiving socket 26 which leads to a discharge
vrifice 28 on ~he o~her side of the ~ab 20. A pin
29 protrudes from the valve stem socket side of the
tab 20. Floor 11 is provided with a socket 15 to
- receive pin 29 with sufficien~ friction to retain
the pin 29.
In operation~ the user must prise tab 20
upwardly to break the frangible webs 24. The
frangible webs 24 serve to secure the tab 20
against movement until use is desired and serve as
a visible and tactile indication of tampering or
prior use of the container. The tab 20 is then
free to hinge over from the position shown in
Figures 1, 3 and 5 to that shown in Figures 2, 4
and 6. When folded over, valve stem receiving
socket 26 engages the valve stem 42 with discharge
orifice 28 in communication with the valve stem
passage. Pin 29 frictionally engages in socket 15
; when the tab 20 is depressed by the user to theeeby
open the discharge valve. The frictional retention
: 25 of pin 29 in socket 15 latches the tab 20 down to
maintain the discharge valve open~ The product
issues vertically through orifice 28 as a spray or
foy. Discharge continues until the user lifts tab
20 out of engagement of pin 29 and socket 15~ The
foregoing manner of operation is generally beyond
. the skill level of small children and thus serves
: as a deterrent against unwanted use by small
children.

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~ he entirety of the actuator i5 molded as
a slngle piece. No assembly of parts i~ requiredO
The actuator easily ~an be assembled to the filled
pressurized dispenser by automatic machinery or by
hand. No alignment or orientation problems are
presented. In appearance, the actuator resembles
the now conventional decorative overcap found on
: many aerosol prod:ucts~