Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Hand Held Aerosol Dispenser
Field of Invention
The present invention concerns a hand held aerosol dispenser, in particular a
hand held aerosol dispenser for dispensing a cosmetic composition onto the
surface of the human body.
Background
US 6,398,082 discloses an actuating mechanism fora hand held canister in which
a slider is moveable by finger pressure from a valve-disengaged position into
a
valve-engageable position and a concealed spring returns the slider to a valve-
disengaged position when finger pressure is removed.
Summary of Invention
An object of the present invention is to provide an ergonomically excellent
aerosol
dispenser with a slideable actuator button.
In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a hand-held
cylindrical
aerosol dispenser comprising an aerosol container and an attached spray
through
cap, the container having a valve at its top and a waisted section towards its
upper end, the upper expansion of the waisted section smoothly continuing into
the attached cap, the attached cap reaching a maximum cross-sectional
dimension which decreases further up and having:
(i) an actuator button located on its surface above its maximum cross-
sectional dimension, said button being angled upwards at from 15
to 50 ;
(ii) a spray aperture on the opposite side of the cap from the actuator
button; and
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(iii) an associated spray channel providing a fluid connection between
the valve on the container and the spray aperture;
the dimensions of the dispenser allowing the consumer to grip the dispenser
around the waisted section of the container and, with the same hand, press
upon
the actuator button with an index finger to operate the dispenser.
In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of
applying a cosmetic aerosol composition to the human body comprising the use
of
an actuator according to the first aspect of the invention.
Detailed Description
Throughout this description, orientation terms such as "top", "upper",
"vertical",
"horizontal", and "downward" should be understood to be referring to the
dispenser in its "upright" position with the base of the container sat on a
horizontal
surface. Such orientation for the dispenser is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
The term "depend" should be understood to refer to features that project
downwards from others.
The term "lateral" should be understood to refer to the plane approximately
orthogonal to the vertical axis of the dispenser when oriented as described in
the
paragraph before last.
The dispenser's vertical axis may be thought of as its principle axis and the
term
"horizontal" refers to the plane orthogonal to this axis.
The dispenser of the present invention is easy to operate using a single hand.
The angled actuator button and waisted design of the container enable the
dispenser to be convenient held in the hand with the index finger able to
operate
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the actuator via a simple extension action. Desirably, the dispenser is
dimensioned such that the consumer may grip the waist of the container between
the ball of her thumb and her third and fourth fingers and have her index
finger in
slightly bent position when her finger pad is placed on the centre of a finger
pad at
the top of the actuator button prior to actuation.
The top surface of the actuator button should be considered to be the finger
pad
thereof.
The waisted section of the container should be understood to be a narrowed
section of smooth contour. That is to say, a section of gradually decreasing
diameter towards the "waist", followed by a section of gradually increasing
diameter. The "waist" should be understood to be the narrowest part of the
waisted section.
The "upper" part of the dispenser should be understood to be the part of the
dispenser above its waist and the "lower" part of the dispenser should be
understood to be the part of the dispenser below its waist.
The waisted section of the container is typically present as part of the top
half of
the container and preferably as part of its top third.
The upper expansion of the waisted section continues smoothly into the
attached
spray through cap. That is to say, the upward expansion of the diameter of the
dispenser continues to approximately the same degree on moving from the
container to the cap. This does not preclude the possibility that there is a
clear
join between the container and the spray through cap; indeed, this is normal
(vide
infra). Preferably, the maximum diameter of the upper part of the dispenser is
at
the point where the spray through cap fits onto the container.
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For reasons of stability, the maximum diameter of the upper part of the
dispenser
is preferably no greater than the maximum diameter of the lower part of the
dispenser. More preferably, the diameter of the upper part of the dispenser is
the
same or approximately the same as the diameter of the lower part of dispenser.
In preferred embodiments, the spray through cap is lockable into place on top
of
the aerosol container. This may be achieved by means of beading around the
bottom inside edge of the spray through cap and an associated groove towards
the top of the aerosol container. By having the spray through cap "locked"
into
place on top of the aerosol container, operational robustness is improved.
The spray through cap is a cap through which the product in the aerosol
container
may be dispensed (sprayed) without being removed. This is achieved by having
an associated spray channel that gives fluid communication between the valve
on
the container and the spray aperture in the spray cap.
The spray aperture is a gap defined by an outer wall of the spray through cap.
Through this gap, the spray channel allows the contents of the container to be
dispensed when the valve on the container is opened. The spray aperture is to
be
considered to be at the front of the dispenser.
The valve on the container may be opened by downward pressure upon it,
typically generated by downward pressure upon the associated spray channel.
In preferred embodiments, the waist of the container has an outer diameter of
from 30 mm to 40 mm, more preferably from 33 mm to 39 mm, and most
preferably from 35 mm to 37 mm.
In preferred embodiments, the waist of the container is located at from 70 mm
to
90 mm, more preferably at from 75 mm to 81 mm, and most preferably at from
77.5 mm to 79.5 mm from the centre of the finger pad of the actuator button,
measured as the minimum distance along the curved outer surface of the
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dispenser. These dimensions are particularly suitable when the dispenser is to
be
used by women, the resulting dispenser fitting well in the typical female hand
and
being particularly easy to use.
In preferred embodiments, the ratio of the outer diameter of the waist of the
container to the distance between the outer diameter of the waist and the
centre
of the finger pad of the actuator button, measured as the minimum distance
along
the curved outer surface of the dispenser, is at least 0.42 to 1 and no
greater than
0.50 to 1, more preferably being at least 0.44 to 1 and no greater than 0.48
to 1,
and most preferably being at least 0.45 to 1 and no greater than 0.47 to 1.
These
dimensions are particularly suitable when the dispenser is to be used by
women,
the resulting dispenser fitting well in the typical female hand and being
particularly
easy to use.
In preferred embodiments, the ratio of the outer diameter of the waist of the
container to the diameter of the container at the point where the spray
through cap
fits onto the container, is at least 1 to 1.15 and no greater than 1 to 1.35,
more
preferably being at least 1 to 1.2 and no greater than 1 to 1.3, and most
preferably
being 1 to 1.25. These relative dimensions, particularly in combination with
one of
the preferred ratios detailed in the above paragraph, lead to enhanced
ergonomic
benefits.
The actuator button is preferably operated by sliding it; sliding the actuator
button
forward causing release of the contents of the aerosol container via the spray
aperture. The sliding of the button can be conveniently done by extending
one's
index finger when said finger is in a slightly bent position with one's finger
pad
sitting on the centre of the actuator button.
For repeated use, it is highly preferred that the actuator button has a return
mechanism. Typically the actuator button is fitted with a return spring that
is
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energised when the button is pushed forwards and serves to return the button
to
its original position when pressure on the button is removed.
The actuator button is at an angle of from 150 to 50 , preferably 20 to 45 ,
and
more preferably 25 to 40 , to the horizontal. These angles should be
considered
the angle between the actuator button along its front-back axis and the
horizontal
line in the same vertical plane. When the actuator is curved, it is required
that
there is a tangent to the curve at the angle indicated.
The actuator button may have ribs running across its top surface in order to
increase grip. Preferably, the top surface of the button is made of a
thermoplastic
elastomer for the same reason. The main body of the actuator button may be
made of an alternative plastic material, for example an acetal co-polymer.
The actuator button, in particular the finger pad thereof, is preferably
curved
upwards at its front end. This serves to aid the sliding forward of the button
and
may thus contribute to the ergonomic advantages of the invention.
The release of the contents of the container is typically via a spray channel
leading from a valve at the top of the container to the spray aperture. In
preferred
embodiments, when the actuator button is slid forwards, it is possible for
downward pressure to be exerted on the valve, thereby opening said valve and
allowing the pressurised aerosol composition within the container to be
dispensed.
In preferred embodiments according to the preceding paragraph, the actuator
button is slid forwards and then downwards in order to exert downward pressure
on the valve at the top of the aerosol container. Preferably, this is achieved
via a
projection depending from the actuator button exerting downward pressure on
the
spray channel, which in turn exerts downward pressure of the valve.
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The spray through cap, including the associated spray channel are typically
made
of plastic, such as polypropylene. A typical method of manufacture is
injection
moulding.
The aerosol container used in accordance with the present invention is
typically
made of tin-plate or aluminium. The valve is located at the top of the
container,
typically in a central position. The container is able to withstand the
pressure of
the aerosol composition stored within. This pressure may be up to 2 or 3 bar,
up
to 10 bar, or even up to 14 bar.
The aerosol container preferably contains a cosmetic composition for
application
to the surface of the human body. With such use and such compositions the
ergonomic benefits of the present invention are particularly advantageous, the
dispenser being particularly suitable for spraying products towards the user's
own
body. This is especially true for spray products typically targeted towards
the
underarm areas, that is to say deodorant and antiperspirant compositions.
The features described with reference to the following specific embodiment may
be incorporated independently into the generic description given above and/or
as
given in the claims.
Figure 1 is a rear/side view of a dispenser (1) according to the present
invention
comprising a spray through cap (2) in place on top of a waisted aerosol
container
(3).
Figure 2 is a front/side view of the dispenser (1) illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an exploded rear/side view of the dispenser (1) illustrated in
Figure 1,
minus the valve cup and associated valve that would normally be present on top
of the aerosol container (3).
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Figure 4 is a rear/side/top view of the spray through cap (2).
Figure 5 is a front view of the spray through cap (2).
Figure 6 is a top view of the spray through cap (2) with section lines A-A, B-
B, and
C-C indicated.
Figure 7 is a bottom view of the spray through cap (2).
Figures 8 and 9 are sections across the beading (10 and 11, respectively) at
the
bottom of the spray through cap (2).
Figure 10 is a section through the spray through cap (2) along A-A.
Figure 11 is a section through the spray through cap (2) along B-B.
Figure 12 is a section through the spray through cap (2) along C-C.
Figure 13 is a front/side view of the spray channel (15).
Figure 14 is a front/side view of the actuator button (6) from slightly
underneath.
With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the aerosol container (3) has a waisted
section
(4) towards its upper end. The upper expansion of the waisted section (4) of
the
aerosol container (3) continues smoothly into the attached spray through cap
(2),
although there is a clear join (5) between the two.
The spray through cap (2) has a slideable actuator button (6) present on its
surface above its maximum cross-sectional dimension and on the opposite side
therefrom there is a spray aperture (7) defined by a side-wall (8) of the
spray
through cap (2).
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The dispenser (1) is designed for maximum ease of handling, especially by the
female hand. The waisted section (4) may be easily gripped between the ball of
the user's thumb and third and fourth fingers and when gripped in such a
manner,
the pad of the index finger of the user's same hand may rest upon the actuator
button (6) with the index finger in a slightly bent position, ready for
forward and
upward extension.
In this specific embodiment, the ratio of the outer diameter of the waist of
the
container (3) to the distance between the outer diameter of the waist and the
centre of the actuator button (6), measured as the minimum distance along the
curved outer surface of the dispenser, is 0.46 to 1.
The spray through cap (2) and features thereof are further illustrated in
Figures 4
to 12. The spray through cap (2) has a circular cross-section, defined by the
side-
wall (8), the diameter of the spray through cap (2) decreasing towards its
upper
end. The side-wall (8) defines an oval spray aperture (7) which is to be
considered to be at the front of the dispenser (1). The oval spray aperture
(7) has
its short axis in the horizontal direction and is located towards the upper
end of the
side-wall (8).
Projecting inwardly from the side-wall (8) on either side of the spray
aperture (7)
are two support wings (9). These support wings (9) are thin walls extending
from
the top of the side-wall (8) to a point approximately half way down its
length.
From the side of each of the support wings (9) facing the spray aperture (7)
there
projects a spray channel guide wall (10). These spray channel guide walls (10)
are in a vertical plane orthogonal to the front-back axis (A-A) of the
dispenser (1).
They extend from the support wing (9) towards one another in the vicinity of
the
spray aperture (7). The spray channel guide walls (10) terminate leaving a gap
between them that is always slightly greater than the short axis of the oval
spray
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aperture (7).
At the bottom of the side-wall (8) there is beading (11A and 11 B) intended to
enable the spray through cap (2) to snap lock onto the top of an aerosol
container
(1). The beading consists of six smooth beads (1 1A) equally distributed
around
the bottom inner surface of the side-wall (8) and interspersed by corrugated
beading (11 B). Detailed cross-sections of the beading (11A and 11 B) is
illustrated
in Figures 8 and 9 respectively. The beading snap-fits into an indentation
(12)
around the top of the aerosol container 1 (see Figure 3).
The spray through cap (2) also has a top wall (13) defining an aperture (14);
the
aperture being intended to accommodate a segment of an associated spray
channel (15) (vide infra). The top wall (13) is linked to the side-wall (8) by
an inner
wall (16) that varies in height from front to back, being relatively high at
the front
and decreasing towards the back.
The top wall (13) has a major segment (13A) that is angled upwards towards the
front of the actuator at an angle of approximately 32 from the horizontal and
a
minor segment (1 3B) that is approximately horizontal. (See Figure 11). The
minor segment (1 3B) is present at the front end of the top wall (13). The
aperture
(14) in the top-wall (13) is located centrally where the major (13A) and minor
(13B)
segments join, but is largely defined by the latter.
On either side of the aperture (14), i.e., in a directional orthogonal to the
direction
of movement of the actuator button (6), two projections (17) rise from the
minor
segment (1 3B) of the top wall (13). The projections (17) each have raised
ridge
(18) on their side adjacent to the aperture (14).
A largely circular aperture wall (19 and 20) lines the aperture (14) and both
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depends from and rises from the top wall (13) in a vertical direction. (See
Figure
12). The lower segment (19) depending from the top wall (13) is longer than
the
upper segment (20) rising from the top wall (13). The lower segment (19)
depending from the top wall (13) has a gap (21) at its front, parallel further
walls
(22) extending from the edges of the gap (21) towards the spray aperture (7).
These parallel further walls (22) have lower edges (23) that slope upwards in
the
direction of the spray aperture (7). The parallel further walls (22) terminate
level
with the outer edge (24) of the inner wall (16).
The upper segment (20) of the aperture wall that rises from the top wall (13)
is
abutted by the aforementioned projections (17) that also rise from the top
wall
(13). From the front of upper segment (20), there extends a raised vault (25),
linking upper segment (20) to the inner wall (16) and bridging a "gap" in the
minor
segment (1 3B) of the top-wall (13) and the upper segment (20) of the aperture
wall. The raised vault (25) is domed at its top and its inner faces (26) are
contiguous with the inner faces of the parallel further walls (22) extending
from the
edges of the gap (21) in the lower segment (19) of the aperture wall depending
from the top wall (13). The raised vault (25) is designed to accommodate a
segment of the spray channel (15) (vide infra).
The inner face (20C) of the largely circular aperture wall (19 and 20) is
contiguous
and has vertical recessions (20D) on either side aligned with the two
projections
(17) that rise from the top wall (13) on either side of the aperture (14).
From the major segment (1 3A) of the top wall (13), a central projection (27)
rises
and has a rear face (28) that extends through a gap (29) in the top wall (13).
This
extensive rear face (28) forms a substantial bearing wall and will be referred
to as
such subsequently.
Towards the back of the major segment (1 3A) of the top wall (13), restraining
clips
(30) project. These are intended for restraining a segment of the actuator
button
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(6) (vide infra). The clips (30) sit over parallel slits (31) in the top wall
(13) that
extend backwards from the restraining clips (30) - i.e. in the direction away
from
that in which the actuator button (6) is pushed.
Two further parallel slits (32) are present in the major segment (1 3A) of the
top
wall (13). These further parallel slits (32) also run from front to back and
are
located on either side of the central projection (27), extending from
immediately
behind the projections (17) that rise from the top wall (13) to a point level
with the
rear face (28) of central projection (27).
The aforementioned spray channel (15) is illustrated in Figure 13. It is
comprised
of a vertical segment (33) and a segment (34) at an angle of approximately
1140
to the vertical segment (34), i.e., 24 from the horizontal. The vertical
segment
(33) and the angled segment (34) are in fluid connection.
The vertical segment (33) of the spray channel (15) is designed to fit onto a
valve
stem (not illustrated) of the aerosol container (3) and is flared at its base
(36V) to
aid said fitting. The vertical segment (33) of the spray channel (15) is also
designed to fit snugly within the aperture (14) in the top wall (13) of the
spray
through cap (2) (vide supra). In this manner, lateral movement of the spray
channel (15) is restricted. The vertical segment (33) of the spray channel
(15) has
a resilient area (35) at its top upon which a segment of the actuator button
(6)
presses when the dispenser (1) is operated.
The vertical segment (33) of the spray channel (15) has a vertically
orientated
oblong block (33A) projecting from either of its sides, i.e., in a directional
orthogonal to the direction of movement of the actuator button (6). These
oblong
blocks (33A) are designed to be able to slide within the vertical recessions
(20D)
in the inner face (20C) of the largely circular aperture wall (19 and 20). By
such
means, rotational movement of the spray channel (15) is restricted.
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The vertical segment (33) of the spray channel (15) has two small retaining
clips
(33B), each present a little way above the oblong blocks (33A) on either of
its
side. These clips (33B) serve to hold the spray channel (15) in place during
manufacture and snap out of the way on first use of the dispenser (1).
The angled segment (34) of the spray channel (15) is narrower than the
vertical
segment (33), both internally and externally. The angled segment (34) leads
from
the top of the vertical segment (33) towards to the spray aperture (7). At the
spray
aperture end of the angled segment (34), there is an oval disc (36D), designed
to
fit immediately behind the oval spray aperture (7) and leave no gap visible
from
the outside at any time. There is also a conventional swirl chamber (37) at
the
end of the angled segment (34), designed to improve spray quality.
The actuator button (6) is illustrated in Figure 14. It is comprised of a
finger pad
(38) and various features dependent therefrom. The finger pad (38) is longer
in
the front-back direction, i.e. the direction in which it is designed to slide.
The
finger pad is designed to sit on the top wall (13) of the spray through cap
(2). The
finger pad (38) curves upwards at its front end (39) in order to increase
ergonomics of use. There are also curved projections (38A) on its top surface
for
this same purpose. (See Figures 1 and 3 for these features).
Vertically dependent from the finger pad (38) are two orientation clips (40)
that are
designed to pass through the two parallel slits (32) that are present in the
major
segment (1 3A) of the top wall (13) located on either side of the central
projection
(27). The clips (40) have outwardly facing wedges (41) that aid their
insertion into
the slits (32), the clips (40) being temporarily bent inwards when this is
done.
When the actuator button (6) is pressed, the retaining clips (40) slide
forwards
within their respective slits (32).
Depending from the finger pad (38) along its central front-back axis is a keel-
shaped structure (43). Said structure slopes outwards from the lower side of
the
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finger pad (38) near its front end and terminates approximately half way along
the
length of the finger pad (38). The lowest part (44) of the keel-shaped
structure
(43) is designed to press down upon the resilient area (35) at the top of the
vertical segment (33) of the actuator button (6) when the dispenser (1) is
operated.
A resilient leaf spring (45) depends from the finger pad (38) at a point
towards the
rear of its front-back axis. The leaf spring (45) is positioned to pass
through the
gap (29) in the top wall (13) of the spray through cap (2) that exists behind
the
central projection (27) rising from said top wall (13). The leaf spring (45)
is
designed to bear against the substantial bearing wall (28) that forms the
extended
rear face (28) of the central projection (27) rising from the top wall (13).
When the
actuator button (6) is pushed forwards, the leaf spring is energised. When the
actuator button (6) is released, the leaf spring (45) urges the actuator
button (6)
back towards its original position.
From the front of the finger pad (38) there depend two projections (46) that
are
designed to interact with the two projections (17) that rise from the minor
segment
(1 3B) of the top wall (13) of the spray through cap (2). When the actuator
button
(6) is pushed forwards, the lower part of the projections (46) depending from
the
finger pad (38) slide along the top part of the projections (17) that rise the
top wall
(13) of the spray through cap (2) until said depending projections (46) have
gone
past said rising projections (17). The raised ridges (18) on the projections
(17)
rising from the top wall (13) of the spray through cap (2) serve to guide the
projections (46) depending from the finger pad (38) during this process. When
said depending projections (46) have gone past said rising projections (17)
the
actuator button (6) may be depressed.
From the rear of the finger pad (38) there depend two struts (47) bearing
hinge
joints (48) that are designed to fit into the parallel slits (31) located
towards the
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back of the major segment (1 3A) of the top wall (13) of the spray through cap
(2).
When the actuator is operated, the actuator button (6) is slid forward and the
projections (46) depending from the front of the finger pad (38) ride along
the
projections (17) that rise from the minor segment (1 3B) of the top wall (13)
of the
spray through cap (2). Simultaneous to this, the two orientation clips (40)
depending from the finger pad slide forward within the two parallel slits (32)
that
are present in the major segment (1 3A) of the top wall (13) located on either
side
of the central projection (27) and the hinge joints (48) depending from the
rear of
the finger pad (38) slide along the parallel slits (31) located towards the
back of
the major segment (1 3A) of the top wall (13) of the spray through cap (2). At
the
same time, the leaf spring (45) becomes energised by pressing against the
bearing wall (28).
When the projections (46) depending from the front of the finger pad (38) have
slid
passed the projections (17) that rise from the minor segment (1 3B) of the top
wall
(13), the actuator button (6) is able to be depressed. At this time, the hinge
joints
(48) depending from the rear of the finger pad (38) have reached the
restraining
clips (30) located towards the back of the major segment (1 3A) of the top
wall
(13). The finger pad (38) is depressed and the keel-shaped structure (43)
dependent therefrom bears down upon the resilient area (35) at the top of the
vertical segment (33) of the spray channel (15). This causes the spray channel
(15) to bear down upon the valve stem (VS) of the container (1) upon which it
sits,
thereby opening the valve and allowing discharge of the product within the
container (1). During the depression of the vertical segment (33) of the spray
channel (15), the angled segment (34) of the spray channel (15) slides
downwards within the vault (25) that links the upper segment (20) of the
aperture
wall to the inner wall (16) and the oval disc (36) at the end of the spray
channel
(15) slides downwards immediately behind the oval spray aperture (7).
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When pressure is removed from the actuator button (6), the spring associated
with
the valve stem (VS) of the container (1) forces the spray channel (15)
upwards,
immediately after which the leaf spring (45) dependent from the finger pad
(38)
forces the actuator button (6) back to its original position.
