Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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PATENT APPLICATION
Docket No. J-4183
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ACTUATOR CAP
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable
REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR
DEVELOPMENT-
[0002] Not applicable
SEQUENTIAL LISTING
[0003] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates generally to actuating apparatus, and
more
particularly to actuator caps that are placed on containers and used to
dispense product
from the containers.
2. Description of the Background of the Invention
[0005] Various apparatus for dispensing product from a container or reservoir
of
product have been developed. Smrt U.S. Patent No. 5,287,998 discloses an
actuator
fitted to a container and including an axially extending passage theiethrough
for
discharging product. The actuator includes a pair of wings that extend
transversely
from the actuator. The container may be moved axially within a device such
that the
wings bear against a surface defining a passage, thereby discharging product
through
the passage.
[0006] Brotspies et al. U.S. Patent No. 6,386,397 discloses a spray bottle
grip used
with a nasal spray bottle. The grip is coupled to a reciprocating nozzle of
the spray
bottle, and two arms extend downwardly along the spray bottle. The arms
include
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finger flanges that provide an ergonomic means of reciprocating the nozzle to
dispense
product- from the ray bottle.
[0007] Haas U.S. Patent No. 3,318,492 discloses a disc-shaped actuator
attached to
a nozzle of a container. A user may depress the actuator with his finger to
dispense
product from the, container.
[0008] Scheindel et al. U.S. Patent No. 6,340,103 discloses a handle extending
along a container body. When a user pulls the handle toward the container
body, a
portion of the handle pushes downwardly upon a nozzle portion of the container
to
dispense product from the container.
[0009] Micallef U.S. Patent No. 4,138,039 discloses a container having a
vertically
reciprocating tubular pump. A cap is fitted to the container and includes an
actuator
button extending from a sidewall of the cap. Movement of the actuator button
in a
direction toward the sidewall of the cap is translated into perpendicular
reciprocating
movement of the pump.
[0010] Other patents disclose devices having a container of product disposed
at a
first end of a rod and'having a trigger mechanism at a second end of the rod
wherein a
user may actuate the container from a distance. Discharging product from a
distance
can be an advantage for many purposes, such as accessing hard-to-reach places
or
perhaps for discharging an insecticide into a hornet nest without placing
oneself too
close to the nest. Smrt U.S. Patent No. 5,518,148 discloses a device where an
actuating rod has a trigger on a first end and a container on a second end.
Pulling the
trigger moves the actuating rod longitudinally such that the second end of the
rod
moves a bell crank, which in turn, moves an additional rod that actuates a
valve on the
container. Aberegg et al. U.S. Patent No. 6,551,001, assigned to the assignee
of the
present application and the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference
herein,
discloses a cleaning device having a trigger at a first end of a rod and a mop
cleaning
head and a container at a second end of the rod. Pulling the trigger moves a
pivot link,
which in turn actuates a valve of the container, thereby discharging product
from the
container onto the surface to be cleaned by the mop cleaning head.
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[0011] Adams et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,358,147, assigned to the present
assignee
''and also incorporated herein by reference, discloses a container of air
freshener
inserted into a shroud. The shroud includes a nozzle that is fitted over a
valve stem of
the container. The combination of the container and the shroud is placed
within a
housing. When a user wishes to spray air freshener into ambient air, the user,
pushes
the housing, which in turn pushes the shroud and the valve stem to dispense
the air
freshener out of the housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an actuator cap
for
a container of product includes a main peripheral wall and a central discharge
lbember
axially movable relative to the main peripheral wall. The central discharge
member is
oriented to discharge product substantially axially. A pillar has a peripheral
surface,
and the pillar is deflectable relative to the main peripheral wall in a
direction toward
the central discharge member. Movement of the pillar is communicated to the
central
discharge member to displace the central discharge member when the pillar is
deflected.
[0013] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a product
refill
for a housing includes an actuator cap and a container of product. The
actuator cap has
a main peripheral wall, a central discharge member axially movable relative to
the
main peripheral wall and oriented to discharge product substantially axially.
A pillar
of the cap has a peripheral surface, and the pillar is radially deflectable
relative to the
main peripheral wall in a direction toward the central discharge member.
Movement
of the pillar is communicated to the central, discharge member to displace the
central
discharge member when the pillar is deflected. A length between the peripheral
surface and an axial centerline of the cap is greater than about one-quarter a
largest
lateral dimension across the product refill.
[0014] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent
upon consideration of the following detailed description.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1lis an exploded isometric view of a,container and actuator cap;
[0016] FIG. 2 is ari exploded isometric view of a housing into which the
container
and actuator cap of FIG. 1 may be placed;
[0017] . FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showinga rod and trigger mechanism
in
combination with the housihg of FIG. 2;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the lines 4-4 of FIG.
3
further illustrating the,container of FIG. 1 in elevation and the actuator cap
thereof in
section;
[0019] FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of FIG. 4;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the actuator cap of
FIG. 1 in
an actuating position;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the actuator cap of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally'along the lines 8-8 of FIG.
7;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a bottom elevational view of,the actuator cap of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view of components of the
actuator cap of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom elevational view of the
components of the actuator cap of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken generally along the lines 12-12 of
FIG.
10;
[0027] FIG. 12A is a sectional view similar to FIG. 12, but showing an
alternative
adapter;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary side elevational view of
components of the actuator cap of FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary side elevational view of
components of an actuator cap similar to the actuator cap of FIG. 1;
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[0030] FIGS. 15 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary side elevational view
'illustrating an alternative actuator arm and pillar design;
[00311 FIG. 16 is a full sectional view of an alternative actuator cap;
[0032] FIG. 17A is a diagrammatic and fragmentary isometric view partly in =
section illustrating an alternative adapter;
[0033] FIGS. 17B and 17C are fragmentary sectional views illustrating
alternative
valve stem designs;
[0034] FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic full sectional view of an alternative
actuator cap;
[0035] FIG. 19 is a fragmentaryisometric view illustrating the cap of FIG. 18
secured to a container;
[0036] FIG. 20 is a fragmentary isometric view of'a housing into which the
components of FIGS. 18 and 19 may be placed; and
[0037] FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken generally along the
lines
21-21 of FIG. 20 and further illustrating a fragmentary sectional view of the
cap of
FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, a container 50 has a valve stem 52 and a main body
56
containing product. The valve stem 52 could be either a vertically depressible
valve
stem or a tilt valve stem. As will be appreciated hereinafter, if a tilt valve
stem is
utilized such stem could also alternatively be depressed vertically without
tilting to
dispense product therethrough. It should be noted that the valve stem 52 could
be
replaced by any suitable apparatus that may be displaced to release product
from the
container 50. An actuator cap 60 is fitted to the container 50. FIG. 2
illustrates a
housing 70 into which the container 50 and the actuator cap 60 may be placed.
The
container 50 and the actuator cap 60 are a product refill for the housing 70.
It should
be noted that the product refill may include additional components (not shown)
besides
the container 50 and the actuator cap 60, such as a sleeve (not shown)
disposed around
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the container 50. The actuator cap 60 has deflectable valve actuating
apparatus in the
form of deflectable pillars 78a-78f and any suitable central adapter 80
secured to the
valve stem 52. The housing 70 has a discharge opening 82 through which product
stored within the container 50 may be dispensed. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4,
relatively moving the container 50 and the housing 70 ,such that the container
50 -is
moved toward the discharge opening 82 deflects the pillars 78, thereby
actuating the
valve stem 52 as described hereinbelow, causing product to be released from
the
container 50 and dispens.ed from the housing 70. A rod, and trigger mechanism
84 may
be used to move the container 50 within the housing 70. The mechanism 84
includes a
hollow tube 86 with a handle assembly 88 at a first end 90 of the tube 86, and
a second
end 92 of the tube 86 is secured within a sleeve 94 of the housing 70 in any
suitable
manner such as by welding or appropriately threading the sleeve 94 and the end
92.
Pulling a trigger 96 of the handle assembly 88 advances a push rod 100
disposed
within the tube 86 against a bottom surface 102 of the container 50, thereby
advancing
the container 50 toward the dischaige opening 82. If necessary or desirable,
an end
104 of the push rod 100 may be shaped and/or fitted with a plate or other
member to
distribute forces more evenly across the bottom surface 102 of the container
50.
Further, if desired, rather than moving the container 50 relative to the
housing 70 by
using the rod and trigger mechanism 84 one could move the container 50 and/or
the
housing 70 relative to one another by hand to dispense product.
[0039] The housing 70 includes a wall 108 that decreases in cross sectional
size,
tapering to the discharge opening 82. The discharge opening 82 has a cross
sectional
size greater than a radius R (FIG. 1) of the container 50. Referring again to
FIG. 2, the
housiing 70 may include first and second wall portions 114, 116 that may be
joined
together to house the container 50 and the actuator cap 60 fitted thereto. The
wall
portion 114 may include three bayonet slots 118a-118c disposed on an end 120
of the
portion 114 and equally spaced from one another by 120 degrees. To join the
portions
114, 116, a user inserts pins 124 carried by an end 126 of the portion 116
into the slots
118a-118c and provides a relative rotation of the portions 114, 116 to seat
the pins 124
within recessed regions 130a-130c of the slots 118.
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[0040] Either of the portions 114, 116 'may include protrusions 136 such as
guide
fins 138 ha'ving eges 140 that abut the exterior surface of the container 50
to center
the container 50 within the housing 70. Either of the portions 114, 116 may
include
elongate openings 'or windows 144 that allow a user to see the container 50
when the
container 50 is disposed within the housing 70: The housing portions 114, 116
may
include three of the windows 144 spaced apart by 120 degrees. One advantage of
the
windows 144 is that a user might see any written directions or graphics
disposed on the
container 50. Referring to FIG. 6, a main region 150 of the wall portions 114
and 116
may have an inner cross sectional size C 1 of about 66 mm, and thus the
product refill,
comprising the container 50 and the actuator cap 60, could have a cross
sectional size
of up to about 66 mm. In this regard, while a range of sizes is available for
the
container 50 one might wish to provide a container sized at or near maximum to
provide a maximum useful life for the container 50 given the available space
within
the housing 70.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 8, the actuator cap 60 decreases in cross sectional
size
along an axial dimension defined between a first end 152 for fitting to the
container 50
and a second end 154. The actuator cap 60 provides a useful centering function
in that
peripheral surfaces 156a-156f of the pillars 78a-78f maintain a point of
discharge 160
of the actuator cap 60 in a centrally located position relative to the
discharge opening
82, thereby minimizing the potential for product impingement against a surface
164 of
the tapered wall 108. The surfaces 156 may optionally be tapered. Referring
also to
FIG. 5, the pillars 78a-78f of the actuator cap 60 have a length L defined
between a
longitudinal centerline C (FIG. 5) of the cap 60 and a peripheral surface 168
of the
pillars 78a-78f. The length L is selected relative to the inner dimensions of
the tapered
wall 108 such that the peripheral surface 168 is disposed in interfering
relationship
with the tapered wall 108. It should be appreciated that the actuator cap 60
and/or the
pillars 78 could have any suitable shape so long as the pillars 78 are sized
to have an
interference relationship with the tapered wall 108. The length L may have any
suitable value such as greater than about one-quarter (25%) a largest diameter
of the
product refill or greater than or equal to one-third (33%) the largest
diameter of the
product refill, whether the largest diameter is defined by the container 50,
the actuator
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cap 60, or some other component of the product refill. The length L may be
greater
'than one-quarter (25%) of a largest diameter D of the cap 60, measured at the
first end
152. The length L may be greater than or equal to one-third (33%) the largest
diameter
D. Of course, the length L may be alternatively expressed relative to the size
of the
container 50. In any event, a largest lateral dimension, across the product
refill,cannot
exceed the internal cross sectional size C1, (FIG. 6) of the housing70, and L
may have
any suitable value such as greater than one-quarter (25%) of this largest
lateral
dimension C1. One could select ainy suitable cross sectional size' S (FIG. 5)
for the
discharge, opening 82, such as a cross sectional size of about 34 mm, and
suitable
values of L might range between about 18 mm and about 33 mm to provide the
above-
described interfering relationship. A preferred value for L may be about 25
mm. It
should be noted that while the tapered wall 108 of the housing 70 is
illustrated as
symmetrical around the longitudinal centerline C of the housing 70, the wall
108 could
be made asymmetrical, greater in cross. sectional size in one plane rather
than another,
and the shape of the actuator cap 60 could be made complementary therewith to
serve
as a keying function to orient the container 50 relative to the housing 70 in
a particular
angular orientation. This could be advantageous for various reasons, such as
where
product discharges in an asymmetrical pattern.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 8, the pillars 78 are cantilevered from a main
peripheral
wall 170 of the actuator cap 60, attached thereto at a hinge point 174. The
pillars 78
are capable of being deflected radially inwardly toward the central adapter 80
about
the hinge point 174. The pillars 78 are hollow, and arcuate strengthening ribs
176
bisect the hollow pillars 78. The ribs 176 connect an internal surface 180 of
the main
peripheral wall 170 to internal surfaces 184a-184f (FIG. 9) of the pillars 78.
During
deflection of the pillars 78, each of the pillars 78 moves unitarily.
Referring to FIGS.
5, 6, and 8, a lower edge 187 of the ribs 176 may be positioned sufficiently
close to the
hinge point 174 such that the ribs 176 need not substantially flex during
deflection of
the pillars 78. The central adapter 80 is secured to the valve stem 52 as
shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6. The central adapter 80 includes a nozzle member 190 having a
tapered
surface 192 to facilitate insertion of the valve stem 52 therein.
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[0043.] Referring to FIGS. 7, 8, and 10, the pillars 78b, 78d, and 78f carry
posts
214a, 214b; 214c isposed in notches 215a, 215b, 215c of actuator arms'216a,
216b,
216c. Referring to FIGS. 10. and 8, the arms 216a-216c extend from the central
adapter 80 transveisely to the axial dimension of the cap 60 and the arms 216a-
216c
are cantilevered from the central adapter 80. The arms 216a-216c are spaced
apart by
120 degrees. Flexible strap members 218, 219, 220 also extend from the central
adapter 80 and flexibly connect the central adapter 80 to the main peripheral
wall 170
of the cap 60. The strap members 218, 219, 220 are disposed between the arms
216a-'
216c and are also spaced apart by 120 degrees. The strap members 218, 219, 220
and
the arms 216 are disposed in recesses defined between the pillars 78a-78f.
Referring
to FIG. 8, a cover (not shown) could be fitted to the actuator cap 60 at the
position of a
phantom line 222 to shield the pillars 78, thereby preventing inadvertent
dispensing of
product during shipment. The cap 60 may include a ledge 224 modified as
necessary
for seating the cover. The actuator cap.60 may include a circumferential
inwardly-
tapered flange 226 and a plurality of spaced apart inwardly-directed beads
228. As
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the flange 226 and the beads 228 are snap fitted over
a rim
230 of the container 50.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 6, relatively moving the container 50 and the housing
70
such that the main body 56 of the container 50 and the discharge opening 82
are
moved toward each other causes the peripheral surfaces 156 of the pillars 78
to engage
the surface 164 of the tapered wall 108, thereby deflecting the pillars 78.
During such
deflection, the pillars 78 tip inwardly about the hinge point 174, bowing
toward.the
central adapter 80. The posts 214a-214c press against the arms 216a-216c,
thereby
deflecting the arms 216a-216c and thus displacing the central adapter 80
axially
toward the container 50. Sufficient displacement of the central adapter 80 to
an
actuating position thereof displaces the valve stem 52 into the container 50
such that
product dispenses from the container 50, through a spray tip 240 of the nozzle
member
190 and out of the housing 70. It should be noted that providing a plurality
of the
actuator arms 216 and the posts 214 at spaced apart positions, such as 180
degrees or
120 degrees, ensures substantially axial reciprocating movement of the valve
stem 52,
rather than tilting movement, potentially minimizing product discharge against
the
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tapered wall 108. For example, referring to FIG. 13, if only a single pillar
and actuator
arm were employed, the central adapter 80 would tilt upon deflection of such
single
actuator arm. In contrast, it should be evident from FIG. 14 that providing
multiple
pillars and actuator arms, circumferentially spaced apart by a suitable
distance, ensures
substantially axial movement of the valve stem 52. It should also be noted
that the
notches 215 should preferably be sized larger than the posts 214.. In this
regard,
considering the pillars 78 and thus the posts 214 traverse an arcuate path,
oversizing
the notches 215 accommodates radial sliding movement of the posts 214 as the
posts
214 deflect the arms 216 axially toward the container 50.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 15, an alternative actuator arm 400 could include a
rod
402 or other projection extending therefrom into a deflection path R of one or
more
pillars 406, similar or identical to,'the pillars 78. As the pillar 406 moves
along the
deflection path R, a surface 410 of the pillar 406 pushes the rod 402, and
thus deflects
the actuator arm 400 axially in the direction of an arrow A.
[0046] ' Referring to FIG. 16, an alternative actuatorcap 430 includes one or
more
connection members 436 connecting the pillars 78 to the central adapter 80.
Pivoting
of the pillars 78 about the hinge point 174 pulls the connection members 436
axially =
toward the end 152 of the cap, thereby axially displacing the central adapter
80. The
connection members 436 should be designed sufficiently rigid and/or
sufficiently taut
to provide sufficient axial displacement of the central adapter 80 when the
pillars 78
are deflected.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 17A, in an alternative arrangement, deflection of a
pillar
450 brings a surface 452 of the pillar 450 into engagement with a sloped
surface 454
of a flange 460 secured to the valve stem 52. Sufficient deflection of the
pillar 450
displaces the valve stem 52 axially into the container 50 to effect
dispensing.
[0048] Referring to FIG..17B, the flange 460 may be replaced by a valve stem
470
having an integral flange member 474. The flange member 474 includes a beveled
surface 476 for engagement with the surface 452 of the pillar 450. Referring
to FIG.
17C, an alternative valve stem 480 has a relatively thick wa11484 and a
beveled
surface 486.
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[0049] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 12A, while FIG. 12 shows the adapter 80
having
an integrally molqied nozzle member 190, FIG. 12A shows that a separately
molded
nozzle 490 cbuld be made and snap fitted within a separately molded adapter
492.
One or more arms'.493 may connect inner and outer walls 494a, 494b of the
nozzle
490. The nozzle 490 includes a circumferential flange 495 that abuts a lower
circumferential surface 496 of the adapter 492, and the nozzle 490 further
includes a,
shouldei surface 498 abutting a circumferential wa11499 of the adapter 492.
[0050] FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate an alternatiVe actuator cap 500. The cap 500
includes an adapter 502 having a spray tip 504 that directs product discharge
in the
direction of an atrow B. (The details of the arms 216, the strap members 218-
220, and
the pillars 78 are omitted from FIGS. 18 and,21 for simplicity.) The angle of
discharge from the centerline C may be of any suitable value less than 90
degrees,
such as 15, 20, or 45 degrees. Referring to FIG. 20,, a housing 520 may be
provided
for the cap 500, and the housing 520 includes a wall 522 that covers a portion
of the
discharge opening 82. If one attempted tb use :an actuator cap that discharges
product
axially along the centerline C, rather than at ari angle thereto, such product
would
impinge against the wa11522. In the design of the components of FIGS. 18-21,
one
may provide any suitable structures for orienting the container 50 and the cap
500 in a
particular orientation relative to the housing 520. For example, FIG. 19 shows
that the
container 50 may include a positioning key 524, such as a rib 530 that is
radially
aligned with the spray tip 504 for orienting the container 50 and the actuator
cap 500
within the housing 520. FIG. 21 shows a slot 540 that receives the rib 530 to
align the
container 50 and the cap 500 such that the spray tip 504 discharges product
out of the
housing 520 rather than against the wa11522. It is within the scope of the
invention(s)
to alternatively provide a suitable key on the cap 500, rather than on the
container 50,
and a corresponding slot (not shown) for such key in the housing 520. In
addition, one
might alternatively provide the product refill with a particular shape
corresponding to a
particular internal shape of the housing 520 such that the product refill may
only be
disposed inside the housing 520 in a particular angular orientation.
[0051] The actuator cap embodiments disclosed herein may be designed to reduce
the likelihood of inadvertent dispensing that might result from a user
inadvertently
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shaking or jostling the housing 70 with the container 50 disposed therein. In
this
regard, th6'pillar,78 while deflectable toward the central adapter 80liave an
inherent
resistance to movlement, and a manufacturer may increase or decrease this
resistance as
desired for a particular actuator cap design. For example, the pillars 78 may
be
provided with a resilient bias outward away from the central adapter 80. In
order to
axially displace the central adapter 80 a sufficient distance to the actuating
position,
thereof, an amount of force must be appliedthat is sufficient to overcome the
bias of
the pillars 78, and thus move the pillars 78 to allow sufficient deflection of
the actuator
arms 216a-216c to the actuating position thereof.
[0052] Because the pillars 78 must be deflected in order for dispensing to
occur, a
sufficient amount of external mechanical force must act upon the actuator cap
60 to
overcome the resistance' provided by the pillars 78. In this regard, this
resistance of the
pillars 78 against movement provides a reactive force against forces directing
the
container 50, toward the discharge opening 82, such that this reactive force
must be
overcome before dispensing may occur. This reactive force is advantageous in
that
low force levels may be insufficient to overcome same to dispense product from
the
housing 70. For example, such low force levels may occur from a user jostling
the
housing 70 while walking or manipulating the housing 70 or may arise as a user
shakes
the housing 70 to mix the contents of the container 50. Such jostling could
cause the
cap 60 to be in a condition where the pillars 78 are slightly deflected and
the actuator
arms 216a-216c are either undeflected or deflected to a lesser extent than the
actuating
position thereof. Ideally, the reactive force provided by the pillars 78
prevents
inadvertent dispensing until such time as the user intentionally applies
sufficient force,
thereby radially deflecting the pillars 78 and axially deflecting the actuator
arms 216a-
216c to the actuating position thereof. Thus, the user can pull the trigger 96
shown in
FIG. 3 to intentionally dispense product, while inadvertent dispensing is
avoided.
[0053] The foregoing embodiments may provide one or more of the following
advantages.
[0054] First, because the deflectable pillars 78 have a sufficiently large
value of L,
the pillars 78 have an interfering relationship with the tapered wall 108, and
thus, the
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actuator cap 60 is usable with the housing 70 despite the large discharge
opening 82.
(As noted above, the cross sectional size of the discharge opening 82 is
greater than
the container radius R.) Containers lacking an actuating apparatus of the
length L are
not usable with the housing 70. This may be useful because'containers lacking
a cap
with the deflectable pillars 78 of length L may not be designed for use with -
the'
housing 70 or the housing 70 may not be marketed for use with a particular
container
of product that lacks the pillars 78. For example, the housing 70 may be
marketed for
use with a container of a specific type of insecticide having the actuator cap
60. A
further advantage of the large discharge opening 82 and large value of L is
that contact
near the point of discharge 160 is avoided. Because the tapered wall 108
contacts the
peripheral surfaces 156 at the distance L from the orifice of the valve stem
52, the
potential for product obstruction or impingement is minimized. This feature
could be
especially advantageous for some products that fan out while discharging from
the
container 50 as the product gets farther away from the container 50. The large
cross
sectional size of the discharge opening 82 would accommodate such fanning out
while
minimizing potential product impingement or deposition thereupon. A further
advantage of the large size of the discharge opening 82 is that the surface
164 of the
tapered wall 108 might be potentially more easily manually accessed for
cleaning than
other housing types.
[0055] The product stored within the container body 56 could be any of a broad
variety of products such as an air freshener, an insect control agent, a hair
spray, a
cleaning agent, a polishing agent, a fragrance, or other any other product
stored in a
container. Further, the product may be pressurized by a suitable propellant
disposed
within the container 50.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0056] The foregoing embodiments are useful for dispensing a variety of
products
such as insecticides, cleaning products, air treatment products (e.g., air
fresheners), or
other products.
CA 02579872 2007-03-08
WO 2006/031990 PCT/US2005/033015
PATENT APPLICATION
Docket No. J-4183
-14-
[0057] Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to
those
skilled in the art i#~ view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this
description is
to be construed aslmerely exemplary of the inventive concepts taught herein
and is
presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use
the
invention and to'teach the best mode of-carrying out same. The exclusive
rights to all
modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.
