Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
AEROSOL DISPENSER
100021 This invention relates to an aerosol dispenser which is not susceptible
to being
accidentally actuated. More particularly, this invention relates to an aerosol
dispenser where the
finger of a person must is inserted into an actuating aperture in a particular
orientation to directly
actuate a valve to dispense a product.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
100031 Aerosol dispensers of various designs are prone to accidental
actuation. This can be
the result of the aerosol unit being pointed in the wrong direction and
actuated or when
mishandled prior to sale or after sale. It also can be caused with regard to
personal care product
aerosol dispensers where a packed travel bag is handled in a way which causes
the aerosol to be
actuated. This latter problem has been solved in the past through the use of a
removable overcap
which covers the upper dispensing part of the aerosol dispenser. However, if
the removable
overcap is dislodged there remains the problem of an accidental actuation.
100041 Aerosol dispensers are comprised of a container holding the pressurized
substance
with a valve mechanism mounted on one end of the container. The valve
mechanism has an
upward extending valve stem. The valve mechanism usually is actuated by a
vertical or
horizontal movement of this valve stem. Mounted above the valve mechanism is a
valve
actuator and usually a cover for the valve actuator. The valve actuator can be
comprised of the
combined surface that is contacted by a person's finger and the unit that
contacts and actuates the
valve mechanism with a separate overcap; or it can be comprised of a combined
overcap and the
surface that is contacted by a persons finger with a separate unit that
contacts and actuates the
valve mechanism. This latter structure is described in United States Patent
No. 5,975,377 and in
European Patent No. 1 309 500 B 1. In each of these references, the cap and
the finger actuator
are combined into a single structure with the valve stem actuated by a
separate mechanism.
100051 United States Patent No. D449,978 discloses a perfume container that
has an opening
in the container into which a person's finger must be placed to dispense the
perfume. The
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actuation surface is on a lower surface of the container opening and appears
to be the top of the
unit that actuated the valve mechanism. The opening into which to place one's
finger is the same
on the front and the rear surfaces. A related design is disclosed in United
States Patent No.
D486,387. 1--Iere, a dispenser holder has an opening into which a finger of a
person is inserted to
actuate a separate apparently replaceable dispenser. The actuation surface is
on a lower surface.
The opening is the same on the front and rear surfaces. A person's finger can
be inserted from
the front or rear of the dispensers. These are interesting disclosures but do
not suggest the
structure of the present dispenser.
100061 The present aerosol dispenser structure precludes accidental actuation
since the finger
of a person must be inserted into an actuating aperture, which contains the
actuating surface, in a
particular orientation to actuate the dispenser to dispense the contained
product. Further, it is a
two piece structure. The valve actuator is comprised of the surface contacted
by a person's finger
and the unit that contacts the valve mechanism. This is combined with a
separate structure that
holds and mounts the valve actuator onto the aerosol container. There are
advantages to this
structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00071 There is provided an aerosol dispenser which is not susceptible to
being accidentally
actuated. Further, it directs the user to the proper orientation of the
dispenser for dispensing a
product. The aerosol dispenser is comprised of a body section and a dispensing
section with the
dispensing section at one end of the body section. The body section contains
the aerosol product.
An aerosol valve is located on an upper end of the body section. The
dispensing section is
adjacent to the upper end of the body section. The dispensing section has an
enclosing unit and
an actuating unit. The enclosing unit attaches the dispensing unit to the body
section. The
enclosing unit and the actuating unit. in a preferred embodiment, have a
unitary angled front
surface and a concave rear surface. The actuating unit fits into the enclosing
unit to form the
dispensing section.
100081 The actuating unit has a dispensing aperture and an actuating aperture.
A dispensing
channel connects the aerosol valve of the body section to the dispensing
aperture. The actuating
aperture is sized for the insertion of a person's finger and has a flexible
surface at least on a lower
portion of the actuating aperture, the flexible surface comprised at least in
part of a flexible
material. The flexible surface can be entirely of a flexible material or can
be a flexible material
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on a rigid to semi-rigid material that can flex. In a preferred embodiment,
the flexible
surface is a rigid to semi-rigid part with a flexible surface layer, the flex
being provided
by a cantilever attachment of the rigid to semi-rigid part to a wall of the
dispenser
section.
[0009] In a further preferred embodiment, the actuating aperture with angled
front and concave rear surfaces extends through the dispensing section to form
an
actuating channel to direct a person as to the end opening of the actuating
channel into
which to insert a finger. The flexible surface adjacent to the valve upon
being deflected
downward contacts and actuates the valve on the body section to dispense the
product.
An upward motion of the flexible surface causes a cessation of the dispensing.
This
flexible surface is biased in an upward position which is the non-actuated
position for
the aerosol valve.
[0010] The enclosing unit is comprised of a thermoplastic and the actuating
unit
is comprised of a thermoplastic and an elastomer. The flexible material
preferably is an
elastomer.
[0011] The body section can have one or more surface recesses for gripping or
decoration and will contain any one of a personal care product, a household
care
product, a vehicle cleaner or polish, an insecticide or insect repellant or
other product.
If a personal care product, it will be a product such as a deodorant or an
antiperspirant,
a lotion such as a suntan lotion, or a medicament to treat topical infections.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided an
aerosol dispensing container comprising a body section and a dispensing
section, the
body section comprising a container having an aerosol valve at one end, the
dispensing
section comprising an enclosing unit and an actuating unit, the actuating unit
adjacent
the aerosol valve of the body section, the enclosing unit attaching the
actuating unit to
the body section, the actuating unit having a dispensing aperture and an
actuating
aperture, the actuating aperture sized to receive a finger of a person, the
dispensing
aperture in communication with the aerosol valve, the actuating aperture
extending
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through said dispensing section to form an actuating channel, at least a lower
portion of
said actuating channel being a resilient material that upon being depressed
flexes to
actuate the aerosol valve on the body section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the aerosol dispenser.
[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the aerosol dispenser of Figure 1 in
an
orientation to be actuated.
[0014] Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the actuating unit of the aerosol
dispenser in cross-section in a condition to be actuated.
[0015] Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the actuating unit of the aerosol
dispenser in cross-section in a condition being actuated.
[0016] Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the actuating unit of the aerosol
dispenser in a second embodiment.
[0017] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the dispensing section of the aerosol
dispenser of Figure 5.
[0018] Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the actuating unit of Figure 6.
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[00191 Figure 8 is a perspective view of the dispensing section of the aerosol
dispenser of
Figure 5.
[00201 Figure 9 is a perspective view of the dispensing section of Figure 8
being actuated to
dispense product from an aerosol dispenser.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The invention will be described in more detail in its preferred
embodiments with
reference to the drawings. However, the concepts incorporated in these
preferred embodiments
are susceptible to modifications, such modifications being within these
described concepts.
[00221 The dispensing container 10 shown in a perspective view in Figure 1 is
comprised of
a body section 12 and a dispensing section 14. The body section 12 is shown
with a recessed
waist portion 11 which is decorative but also will assist in the gripping of
the dispensing
container 10. The dispensing section has an enclosing unit 14(a) and an
actuating unit 14(b) (see
Figure 6). The actuating unit 14(b) of the dispensing section 14 has a
dispensing aperture 16 and
an actuating aperture 18. In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing surface 20
that contains the
dispensing aperture 16 is at an angle to the axis of the dispensing section.
This gives the front of
the dispensing section a slanting appearance. This dispensing surface 20 is
shown as being
angled but substantially planar but can also have a curvature. The opposite
rear actuating surface
30 is concave from a lower rear surface 32 upwardly. The surface of actuating
channel 22 will be
flexible at least on the lower portion. The lower surface of the actuating
channel 22 must flex to
actuate the valve on the body section 12. In one embodiment. flexible is meant
the lower surface
of the actuating channel 22 can be solely of a resilient polymeric material
whereby the part
depressed will move upwardly and downwardly to directly actuate the valve. In
another
embodiment, there can be a rigid to semi-rigid portion of the inner surface of
the actuation
channel 22 adjacent the valve which can pivot about a pivot point, and move
upwardly and
downwardly. This rigid to semi-rigid portion can have a covering of a
resilient polymeric
material. Both embodiments are useful with the latter being a preferred
embodiment. In a
further preferred embodiment, the full surface of the actuating channel 22 can
be of a resilient
polymeric material.
[0023] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the dispensing section 14 being
actuated. Hand 13
grips the body section 12 adjacent the recessed waist 11. Finger 15 extends
through the actuating
channel 22 and thumb 17 grips the body section 12 of the dispensing container.
Upon finger 15
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depressing the lower surface 22(a) of actuating channel 22 the valve on the
dispensing container
will be actuated and product dispensed through dispensing aperture 16. The
angled front
dispensing surface 20 and the concave rear actuating surface 30 provide a
visual instruction of
the direction for the insertion of a person's finger.
[00241 Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the
dispensing section 14
and shows the dispensing container 10 in a condition to be actuated by the
finger of a user. This
embodiment shows a fully flexible lower actuating surface 22(a). The finger 15
is inserted into
the actuating aperture 18 and upon depressing the flexible lower actuating
surface 22(a) of
actuating channel 22 a valve 24 on the body section 12 is actuated and product
dispensed through
a valve channel 26 and a dispensing channel 28 to dispensing aperture 16. The
dispensing
aperture 16 is on dispensing surface 20. The rear actuating surface 30
opposite the front
dispensing surface 20 is concave to better accept a person's finger. Upon a
downward movement
of the person's finger 15 the flexible surface 22(a) actuates the valve 24
(see Figs. 5 to 6). The
actuating channel 22 is sized to receive a finger of an average size. In this
way it is of a
dimension to accept a finger but will still protect the lower surface 22(a) of
the actuating channel
22 from being accidentally depressed by contact with objects thus actuating
the dispenser. The
front surface of the enclosing unit 14(a) and the actuating unit 14(b)
comprise the dispensing
surface 20.
[00251 Figure 4 shows the dispensing section 14 of Figure 3 actuated and
dispensing product
from the body section 12. The body section 12 has the valve 24 with valve
channel 26. The
valve channel 26 communicates with dispensing aperture 16 through dispensing
channel 28. The
actuating aperture 18 has actuating channel 22 with at least the lower
actuating surface 22(a)
being flexible. The flexibility of the lower actuating surface 22(a) provides
a convenient way to
actuate the dispenser. An equivalent to the resilient flexibility of this
surface is to have this
surface comprised of a more rigid and flex and move via a hinge, being
cantilevered or an
equivalent structure that can deflect downward and contact the valve 24 as is
shown in Figure 5.
It will then flex upward to a rest position when the dispensing force is
released.
[00261 Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the
dispensing section
14. The difference here is in the structure of the actuating channel 22 of
actuating aperture 18.
The body section 12 for the actuating mechanism of the embodiment of Figure 5
will be the same
as that of Figures 3 and 4. The dispensing section 14 parts that are the same
in this Figure 5 as
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those in Figures 3 and 4 will have the same parts numbers. In this embodiment,
the actuating
mechanism is comprised of rigid to semi-rigid cantilevered actuating lever 34
which usually has
a flexible material covering 35. The actuator unit 34 has a valve channel 36
which accepts the
valve channel 26 of the body portion. The actuating lever 34 is cantilevered
from support wall
40 of the actuating unit of the dispensing section by support beam 38 which is
rigidly attached to
support wall 40. Upon the actuator lever 34 being depressed downwardly the
support wall 40
flexes allowing the actuating lever 34 to flex downwardly and actuate aerosol
valve 24. Once the
actuation force on actuating lever 34 is released the wall 40 returns to its
initial un-flexed
position and causes the actuator lever 34 to return to its original position.
The support wall 40 is
separate from enclosing unit wall 42 of the dispensing section 14, but can be
adjacent to wall 42.
Upon the aerosol valve 24 being actuated the product flows from the aerosol
valve 24 into
channel 36 and through dispensing channel 28 to the dispensing aperture 16. In
this embodiment
the dispensing channel 28 is located in support beam 38. In order to use the
aerosol dispenser a
person places a finger into the concave end of the actuating channel 22 as
shown in Figure 2.
This usually will be the finger adjacent to the thumb with the remainder of a
person's hand
gripping the container. The dispensing aperture 16 then will automatically be
oriented away
from the person. Pushing downward on the lower actuating surface 22(a) or
22(a)/35 will then
actuate the aerosol valve 24 and the aerosol product will be dispensed.
[0027] An option in this embodiment is not to have a flexible material
covering 35 on the
flexible actuating lever 34. In that case the flexible material covering can
be in the remainder of
the actuating channel 22 but with the actuating lever moving independently of
the flexible
material in the remainder of the actuating channel. However, this will then
leave a small gap
between the actuating lever 34 and the remainder of the actuating channel 22.
Although a useful
option, it is not a preferred option since dust can get below the actuating
lever.
[0028] In both embodiments of the dispensing container 10, the front
dispensing surface 20
of the dispensing section 14 containing the dispensing aperture 16 is at an
angle to the axis of the
dispensing section 14 and of the body section 12. The opposite rear actuating
surface 30 has a
concave surface. The finger entrance lower rear surface 32 of the actuating
aperture 18 extends
upwardly to direct a person's finger into actuating aperture 18. These
ergonomic features in
combination with the shape of the dispensing aperture surface 20, and opposite
concave surface
30. are designed to direct a person to properly orient the dispenser container
10.
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[0029] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the dispensing section 14 of the second
embodiment.
This view more clearly shows the two components of the dispensing section 14.
There is the
separate enclosing unit 14(a) and the separate actuating unit 14(b). This
enclosing unit 14(a) has
enclosing aperture 18(a) and enclosing front surface 20(a) of the front
dispensing surface 20.
Also shown are concave rear actuating surface 30 and lower rear surface 32.
Inner wall 19 has a
plurality of strengthening braces 48. The actuating unit 14(b) has the
actuating aperture 18,
actuating channel 22, front dispensing surface 20 and dispensing aperture 16.
Braces 50
strengthen the structure and assist in locking the actuating unit 14(b) into
enclosing unit 14(a).
These two parts are assembled by inserting actuating unit 14(b) into enclosing
unit 14(a).
[0030] Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the actuating unit 14(b). The
peripheral support
wall 40 has a plurality of structural braces 44 and a connector 46 for
connecting dispenser beam
38 to support wall 40. The lower part of actuation unit 34 is shown with
support braces 48 and
actuator unit channel 36. The flexible material covering 35 provides a finger
contact on the
upper surface and a seal to the actuating unit. The valve channel 26 of the
body section will
extend up into actuator unit channel 36. The aperture 28(a) is the opening to
dispensing channel
28. When the actuator unit 34 is depressed the actuator unit channel 36
contacts the valve
channel 26 and by depressing the valve channel 26 opens valve 24 on the
dispensing container 12
whereby product flows to dispensing aperture 16 and to the exterior.
Depressing actuator lever
34 causes the support wall 40 to flex. Releasing the pressure on actuating
lever 34 causes the
support wall 40 to return to its original position and to bring actuating unit
back to its original
position.
[0031] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the dispensing section 14 of the
second embodiment.
This shows the enclosing unit 14(a) and the actuating unit 14(b) of Figure 6
fully assembled and
ready for use. There is seen in Figure 8 the concave rear actuating surface 30
with actuating
aperture 18 and flexible material 35 covering actuation lever 34. The flexible
lower rear surface
32 will flex when the flexible material 35 actuating lever 34 are depressed.
Figure 9 shows the
dispensing section of Figure 8 being actuated by depressing flexible material
surface 35 by means
of finger 15.
[0032] The container body 12 can contain essentially any personal care
product. a household
care product, a vehicle cleaner or polish. room deodorizer, fabric treatment,
an insecticide or
repellant or other product that is susceptible to aerosol dispensing. In the
personal care area, this
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will include hair care products, lotions such as sun tan lotions,
antiperspirants and deodorants,
room deodorizers, fabric treatment, and medicaments to treat topical
infections. In the household
care area, this will include various cleaning and disinfecting products. In
essence, this aerosol
dispenser can be used to dispense essentially any product that is usually
dispensed as an aerosol.
[00331 The container body 12 can be comprised of a metal or plastic. The
container body can
be comprised of aluminum or steel alloys. It can be of essentially any shape.
and if metal, can be
made by conventional can making equipment and processes. If plastic it can be
made by
conventional injection molding or blow molding processes. The valve on the
container can be a
commonly used aerosol valve such as those available from the Precision Valve
Corporation. 700
Nepperhan Avenue, Yonkers. New York. United States of America, or from Lindal
Vental
Gmbh. Industriestr 13. D-23843 Bad Oldesolve. Germany. The dispensing section
14. inclusive
of the enclosing unit 14(a) and the actuating unit 14(b), is usually plastic
and is injection molded.
The actuating channel 22 of the dispenser section can likewise be injection
molded and then
assembled onto the molded dispensing section 14 of the closure. In addition
the dispensing
section 14 and the actuating channel 22 can be bi-injection molded in a single
mold and a two
injection molding step. The plastic of the dispenser section can be any
thermoplastic such as any
polymer or copolymer of ethylene, propylene, styrene and vinyl monomers.
Useful
thermoplastics are polyethylenes and polypropylenes . However, essentially any
other
thermoplastic can be used. The rigid to semi-rigid material of the actuating
lever 34 likewise will
be one of the same thermoplastics.
100341 The inner surface of the actuating channel 22 preferably will be
resilient, and
preferably will be a pliable, elastomeric rubber-like material. It can be a
thermoplastic elastomer
or a subclass of thermoplastic vulcanates. Such elastomers are available from
the ExxorMobil
Chemical Company under the product names Santoprene. Vyram, Geoplast,
Vistaflex and
Dytron. It will be moldable to the desired shape to be fitted into the more
rigid structure of the
dispensing section 14 of the dispenser container 10 or it can be bi-injection
molded along with
the more rigid dispensing section 14 structure. In addition this material can
be a silicone or a
natural or synthetic rubber. In the embodiment where the actuating lever 34 is
rigid to semi-rigid
essentially any thermoplastic can be used. These include the above described
polymers and
copolymers. The flexible material 35 covering actuating lever 34 be any can be
any of the above
described clastomers.
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