Overcap sprayer assembly

IS 2 139 342 T3

DESCRIPTION

Sprayer set with overcap.

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to the field of spray assemblies for aerosol cans. More particularly, the invention relates to spray assemblies having interactive caps designed to control access to the medium for spraying the contents of the aerosol can.

Background technique

Spray assemblies for aerosol cans intended to facilitate actuation of the aerosol canister by the hand of a user are generally known in the art. Various strategies have been employed to reduce the possibility of inadvertent spraying of the contents of the aerosol can. For example, US Pat. No. 3,373,908 shows an essentially unitarily molded spray assembly intended to be snap-mounted to the rim of the valve cup of an aerosol can. The button that a user must press to spray the contents of the canister is located within a depression formed in the body of the actuator. The depression and button are designed so that access to the button is limited to objects, such as a user's finger, capable of reaching the button on the depression. By this means, access to the button is sufficiently restricted such that a flat surface or rigid object extending from one side of the depression to the other is not capable of depressing the button and operating the aerosol can. However, objects small enough or oriented so that they reach the button in its depression can still activate the canister, making inadvertent spraying possible.

US Patent No. 5,027,982, on which the pre-characterizing portion of claim 1 is based, describes the use of an overcap that is attached to an actuator, the actuator in turn being attached to the upper rim of a aerosol can. The rim of an aerosol can is the upset joint in which the cap cap of the can is attached to the cylindrical sides of the can. The actuator of US Pat. No. 5,027,982 has a button formed at one end of a spray arm that has a nozzle at its other end and a channel that communicates between the valve stem of the canister and the nozzle. The spray arm is articulated to the actuator at its nozzle end, allowing a user to actuate the valve of the canister by depressing the button, moving the spray arm down against the valve stem.

The overcap of the patent 5,027,982 device rotates coaxially on the actuator. The overcap has two access ports that a user can align respectively with the button and nozzle, allowing one port for the user's finger to reach the button and allowing the other port for spray from the nozzle to escape from the overcap when activated. the aerosol can. The user can then rotate the overcap 90 °, after which the button and nozzle of the actuator are covered by the overcap.

A disadvantage of the device of US Patent No. 5,027,982 is the attachment of the actuator to the rim of the canister. The canister rim is the joint where the canister lid is attached to the sides of the canister. The lid of a conventional aerosol can includes a cupule. The cuapula is the part of the canister lid that bridges the distance between the canister rim and the upset gasket that defines the rim of the valve cup. A valve cup is the central depression of a typical aerosol canister lid, within which the canister valve is located.

The cupule is typically quite flexible, bulging upward and retreating downward when the relative pressure difference between the contents of the canister and the ambient atmosphere changes. The valve cup is supported on the cupule and moves with it. This fact makes the distance between the valve of an aerosol canister and the structures of a rim-mounted actuator to be applied to the valve stem difficult or even impossible to precisely regulate. In extreme cases, overfilling or heating a can can cause its dome to bulge up enough that the valve stem presses against the underside of the actuator and activates, producing an inadvertent spray. At the other end, a depressed dome can separate the valve stem far enough from the underside of the actuator that the canister does not spray, even when a user fully depresses the actuator button.

Another difficulty with spray assemblies that are mounted on the rim of a can is that the rims of the canisters have different diameters for each size of aerosol can. Different size spray assemblies have to be specifically designed to accommodate each size of can. This requires two unique molds and stock of spare parts for each size of can, if a two-part actuator / overcap assembly is being used. In contrast, most conventional aerosol cans, even though they differ in the overall diameter of the can and the frame, are nonetheless made with standard valve cups, all serving one valve cup size. The difference in canister diameters is achieved through the use of larger or smaller canister cupules, valve cups, and larger or smaller valve structures.

US Patent No. 4,513,890 describes a display cap that includes a first part that is attached to the rim of the valve cup and a second part that is attached, in turn, to the first part. The display cap serves to correctly orient the canister in the user's hand, making the most natural position of the cap in the hand that the nozzle is directed away from the user. The presentation cap does not function to reversibly enclose and uncover your spray mechanism.

U.S. Patent No. 3,844,448 describes a cam track element that is attached to the rim of the valve cup and an overcap.

ES 2 139 342 T3 which is fixed to the cam track element and rotates thereon. However, this overcap has cam followers that engage and slide on cam tracks formed in the cam track member, pulling the overcap down onto the can when the overcap is rotated. When the overcap is locked at a lower location, the overcap structures exert pressure on the canister valve and actuate the valve to evacuate the canister's contents. The disclosed cap also does not function to reversibly close and uncover the device's spraying mechanism to regulate its readiness for use.

A problem repeatedly encountered by the art is that of blocking an aerosol can to prevent premature or inadvertent spraying, for example by shoppers in a store. Detachable locking inserts, such as the insert shown in US Patent No. 3,373,908, at 50, have been devised to provide a tamper-proof lock. Such locking inserts are commonly molded as a single unit with a spray assembly and have to be released before the spray can be activated. The arrangement is designed to allow a person intending to use the canister to remove the locking insert with deliberate but light effort. At the same time, accidental bumps in the transport process will not activate the canister and buyers attempting to test the canister's contents by means of a quick spray in a store are at least discouraged. Once a tamper-evident lock has been removed, it usually cannot be replaced. Although the unaltered presence of the tamper-evident lock provides immediate assurance that none of the contents of a canister has been sprayed, such provisions do not provide current protection against accidental use once the canister has been used for the first time. .

There continues to be a need for a spray assembly that is practical to manufacture and assemble, that reliably cooperates with the valve of an aerosol can, avoiding the complications of domed or depressed can cupules, having important parts usable with canisters. conventional aerosol cans of different diameters, and providing means for reversibly closing and uncovering the spray structures of the assembly to deter accidental discharge.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is as defined in claim 1 below. Optional features are indicated in claims 2-17.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the overcap spray assembly of the invention, with the overcap removed from the actuator.

Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the overcap spray assembly of the invention mounted in an aerosol can and with the overcap in the open position.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the overcap spray assembly of Figure 2, with the overcap in the closed position.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 4-4 of Figure 2, with the actuator spray arm depressed.

Figure 5 is the actuator of the overcap spray assembly of Figure 2, shown in perspective from below.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the actuator of Figure 5, with some interior structures shown in dotted lines.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the actuator of Figure 5, with a portion cut away from the overcap shown in broken lines.

Figure 8 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 2 of a second embodiment of the sprayer assembly with an overcap of the invention, with certain characteristics of the actuator shown in broken lines.

Figure 9 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 2 of a third embodiment of the sprayer assembly with an overcap of the invention, with certain characteristics of the actuator shown in broken lines.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines 10-10 of Figure 9, with the locking member shown solid in its locked position and shown in broken lines in its unlocked position. , and with an aerosol can shown in dashed lines.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the overcap spray assembly of Figure 2 with the overcap in the closed position and including a tamper indicator, and with features of the actuator and tamper indicator removed shown in broken lines.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the overcap spray assembly of Figure 8, taken along section lines 12-12 of Figure 8.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

Turning now to the drawings, in which like parts are indicated by like reference numerals, a first and preferred embodiment of the overcap spray assembly of the invention is generally shown in Figures 1-3 at 10.

The overcap spray assembly 10 is intended for use with a conventional aerosol can, such as that shown generally in Figure 2 and elsewhere in Figure 12. With reference to the parts best seen in Figure 4, The aerosol can 12 has a can body 14 and a can lid 16. The can body 14 is attached to the can cap 16 by an upset joint to produce a can rim 18. In the can shown at 12, the point of attachment of the can lid 16 to the top of the can body 14 will be slightly tapered so that the can rim 18 is within the maximum circumference of the can body 14. Although such a narrow arrangement is preferred,

ES 2 139 342 T3 the overcap spray assembly of the invention is not limited to use with a tapered can rim. The canister lid 16 of the conventional aerosol canister 12 further includes a canister dome 19, which extends inwardly from the canister rim 18 toward the longitudinal axis of the canister. A valve cup 20 is mounted on the canister cupula 19. The valve cup 20 has a valve cup flange 22 and a valve (not visible) with a valve stem 24. The valve is designed to be opened by movement of valve stem 24 downward, in a generally axial direction. All of these features of the conventional aerosol canister are well known in the art.

Referring especially to Figures 1-7, the overcap spray assembly 10 of the invention has an actuator 26 and an overcap 28. The actuator 26 has a body 30 and a spray arm 32. The body 30 of the actuator 26 has means for attachment to the flange 22 of the valve cup. In the preferred embodiment shown, the body 30 includes a generally cylindrical actuator attachment member 31 extending downward, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the actuator 26. The actuator attachment member 31 is readily seen in Figures 4 and 5. The actuator attachment member 31 is hollow and formed so that it does not interfere with the movement and operation of the spray arm 32, which is described below, and has an inside diameter slightly greater than that of the flange 22 of the actuator. the valve cup.

Retaining clips 33 extend inwardly from the clamping member 31 sufficiently so that when the clamping member is pushed down on the rim 22 of the valve cup, the retaining clips pop over the flange of the valve cup. the valve cup to retain the actuator 26 in place in the canister 12. The shown and preferred retaining clips 33 extend generally circumferentially in the clamping member 31 a short distance, requiring that the members for attachment of the actuator 26 to the rim 22 of the valve cup include at least two generally opposed retaining clips. to secure the actuator to the rim 22 of the valve cup. However, alternative means of attachment will be apparent to those skilled in the art and will fall within the scope and scope of the invention, including a single retaining clip that extends fully around attachment member 31, extending structures downward. from body 30 to engage internal surfaces of valve cup flange 22, and the like.

The clamping member 31 is made of conventional materials sufficiently elastic to allow temporary deformation of the clamping member necessary for the preferred retaining clips 33 to be snapped over the rim 22 of the valve cup. Stop ribs 35, clearly seen in Figure 5, extend inwardly from the locking member at a location spaced above the retainer clips 33. The abutment ribs 35 are seated on the upwardly directed surfaces of the rim 22 of the valve cup, when the actuator 26 is in place on the canister 12. By cooperation of the abutment ribs 35 and the retaining clips 33, The actuator 26 is precisely positioned on the rim 22 of the valve cup, with the spray arm 32 at a reliably predictable distance above the valve stem 24. The fixing member 31, the retaining clips 33 and the stop ribs 35 thus constitute an example of the means of the actuator body for fixing to the rim 22 of the valve cup of the invention, although those skilled in the art will Alternative arrangements will become apparent within the scope and scope of the invention.

The body 30 further includes a skirt 34 that extends circumferentially around the perimeter of the body, extending upwardly from a lower edge 36 to an upper edge 38. The skirt 34 thus has internally facing surfaces that define an interior 40 of the body. The spray arm 32 is preferably essentially contained within the interior 40 of the body. At least one actuator access port 42 is formed in the body 30 which provides access to the interior 40 of the body.

The sprayer arm 32, clearly shown in cross section in Figure 4, has a nozzle 44 adapted to direct sprayable product through an access port 42 to the sprayer. The spray arm 32 includes a cavity 46 adapted to engage the valve stem 24 of the aerosol canister 12. The spray arm 32 further includes a fluid transfer tube 48 that communicates between the nozzle 44 and the cavity 46 in a generally fluid-tight relationship. The sprayer arm 32 shown in the drawings extends almost the width of the body 30 and is adapted to direct sprayable product laterally, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the can 12. However, spray arms of any configuration that direct sprayable product in any desired direction are within the scope and scope of the invention.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the spray arm 32 is preferably attached to the body 30 in articulated relationship such that the downward force applied to the spray arm causes the cavity 46 to move downwardly on the valve stem 24 to activate the valve and release the contents of the canister 12 through the nozzle 44 through the fluid transfer tube 48. However, it is known in the art to allow structures such as the spray arm to move within a channel or other means to control the position and movement thereof, without the spray arm being in any way fixedly attached to the spray arm. body 30. All of the aforementioned alternative means for retaining the spray arm within the body 30 to control its position and movement fall within the scope and scope of the invention.

In the preferred embodiment of the overcap spray assembly of the invention, the overcap 28 has means for attaching the overcap to the

ES 2 139 342 T3 skirt 34 of actuator body 30 to rotate coaxially relative thereto. The overcap 28 has an overcap dome 50 adapted to extend over and substantially cover the upward facing surfaces of the actuator 26. A wall 52 of the overcap extends downwardly from the outer margin of the overcap dome 50, substantially surrounding the body 30 of the actuator 26. The overcap 28 includes at least one overcap access port 54. A user can coaxially rotate the overcap 28 on the actuator body 30, moving the overcap access port 54 between an open position, in which the overcap access port is aligned with the actuator access port 42 through which the nozzle 44 is intended to direct sprayable product, and a closed position, in which the wall 52 of the overcap obstructs the access port to the actuator. Figure 2 illustrates the open position and the closed position, in figure 3.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4, the underside of the overcap cupule 50 has a centrally located downwardly extending locating pin 53 intended to be received in a rotational relationship within a cavity for the locating pin. , open upward 55, formed in body 30. Although this arrangement has advantages in that it securely locates overcap 28 on body 30, it is not an essential feature.

In the preferred embodiment of the overcap spray assembly shown at 10, the means for attaching the overcap 28 to the skirt 34 of the actuator body 30 includes at least one circumferential overcap recess 56, best seen in Figures 4 and 7. The Overcap recess 56 projects inwardly from the direction of overcap wall 52 toward actuator skirt 34, when overcap 28 is in place in actuator 26. The overcap recess 56 may project directly from the overcap wall 52. Alternatively and preferably, the overcap recess 56 projects inwardly from a separate overcap attachment member 57 which extends generally parallel to and within the circumference of the overcap wall 52, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Cooperating means are formed in the actuator skirt 34 to receive the overcap recess 56, the cooperating means receiving the overcap recess in circumferentially sliding relationship. Said cooperating means can be a slot, a channel, or the like. However, as shown in Figures 4 and 7, in the preferred embodiment of the invention shown at 10, the cooperating means formed in the actuator skirt 34 to receive the overcap recess 56 includes at least one skirt notch 58 which it extends circumferentially at the lower edge 36 of the actuator skirt 34. The skirt notch 58 terminates in end walls 60, one at each end of the skirt notch. When the overcap 28 is rotated to its open or closed position, at least one overcap recess 56 abuts against an end wall 60 of the skirt notch, preventing further rotation.

If skirt notch 58 is downwardly open, as illustrated in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 4 and 7, the overcap spray assembly also includes means for maintaining a minimum vertical clearance of overcap 28 over actuator 26. , in order to keep each overcap recess 56 securely applied within a skirt notch 58. Although several such means are possible and fall within the scope and scope of the invention to maintain a minimum vertical spacing, the simplest recourse is to precisely mold the overcap 28 and actuator 26 so that the underside of the overcap dome 50 is in actual contact with the uppermost structures of the actuator when the overcap is mounted on the actuator with each overcap recess 56 engaged in a skirt notch 58.

The skirt notch 58 has a notch floor 62 against which the surfaces of the overcap recess 56 slide when the overcap 28 is rotated relative to the actuator 26. Preferably, the notch floor 62 includes pawls 64, preferably formed as notches or stops or protrusions on the floor of the notch, as clearly seen in figures 5 and 7. The overcap recess 56 is then adapted to travel over the fasteners with sufficient resistance to require at least deliberate user action to move the overcap recess over the fasteners. The fasteners 64 are positioned such that they tend to retain the overcap 28 in place. open or closed positions.

The preferred method of fabricating the overcap 28 is to unit mold it from a suitable plastic, using a conventional mold of such parts. Such molds have two even halves, usually designated the "cavity" of the mold and its "core", the cavity forming primarily the outer surfaces and the core forming the inner surfaces of the molded object. With the mold closed, the space between the even halves is filled with plastic to form the object. Then the mold is opened. If the molded object does not spontaneously fall away from the mold, it is pulled or detached from the half of the mold to which it is still attached.

The characteristics of molded objects can present difficulties if they extend laterally with respect to the direction in which the molded object is to be removed from the mold. The overcap recess 56 is an example of a potentially problematic feature. One-piece mold cores or cavities are simpler and more economical to manufacture and operate than multi-part mold cores or cavities. But to allow a one-piece mold core, for example, to be pulled out of a molded object, the molded object usually never has to squeeze or protrude inward, as it moves from the bottom of the interior of the molded object to its end. open. Instead, the interior of a molded object should have at least parallel walls and walls of preference.

It is slightly tapered or spreading outward.

Unless it is designed to temporarily deform outward when a mold core is removed, impacts are communicated to a recess structure that is formed by a slot or recess of some kind in the mold core. Such recess structures tend to keep the molded object firmly attached to the mold core, making it difficult to remove the object without damaging it. A recessed structure presents even greater difficulties when it is provided that its impact surface in use engages a notch or the like of another object and is not easily removed from it. In essence, the same phasing characteristics that produce a characteristic feature such as an overcap recess 56 to securely retain overcap 28 on actuator 26 engaging a structure such as the wrist floor 62 of a skirt notch 58 will also retain a the overcap molded securely into a mold core, interfering with fabrication.

To address this difficulty, in the preferred overcap 28 of the invention, an overcap access port 54 is located on each overcap recess 56 and extends radially a selected distance from the outer margin of the overcap dome 50, towards the center of the overcap cupule. As a result, the upward-facing surfaces of each overcap recess 56 can be formed by a mold element extending from the mold cavity downward when the mold is closed, through the associated access port 54 to the overcap. By this means, such upward facing surfaces can be designed to securely engage the notch floor 62, to resist removal of the overcap 28 once it is in place on the actuator 26. In the preferred embodiment, an overcap fixing member 57 is located below each overcap access port 54 and not elsewhere, avoiding the plastic expense that would be necessary if the overcap fixing member 57 were to extend without interruption. around the entire overcap 28. In such an arrangement, it is beneficial that the overcap 28 includes spacer tabs 63 that extend inwardly a selected distance from the overcap wall 52 to maintain a constant spacing between all parts of the overcap wall and the skirt 34 of the overcap. actuator 26.

The overcap latches 64, as described above, tend to retain the overcap 28 in its open and closed positions. However, it is desirable that the overcap 28 be more securely locked in its closed position, in order to provide some additional protection against accidental activation of the aerosol canister. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the actuator body 30 and the overcap 28 has a blocking port and the other of the actuator body and the overcap has a blocking member that is adapted to penetrate the inside the blocking port and apply to it. The locking member has an unblocked position where it is not engaged in an opposite locking port, allowing the overcap 28 to rotate freely on the actuator body 30. The locking member also has a locked position adopted when the locking member is aligned with an opposing locking port, preferably aggressively penetrating and jumping inward to engage the opposing locking port and resisting further twist of the overcap. Preferably, the locking member is sized and located in such a location that an opposite access port can serve as the locking port. The use of an opposing access port as the blocking port is preferred for the simplicity of design achieved, and the embodiments of the invention described below are all so designed.

If the locking member is sufficiently secure in the opposite locking port, subsequent attempts to rotate the overcap further or back to the open position will simply rotate the entire overcap spray assembly over the canister 12. By this arrangement, a person who twists or twists the overcap 28 is prevented from accidentally activating the aerosol canister or damaging the locking member or other structures of the overcap spray assembly by attempting to force the overcap 28 to rotate. before the locking member has been moved to its unlocked position.

Many alternative embodiments of the locking member are possible. For example, the locking member may extend from the actuator body 30 and be loaded outwardly from it so as to spring into the opposing overcap access port 54, serving as the locking port. The embodiment of the overcap spray assembly shown in Figure 10 is an example of such an arrangement. The body 30 of the actuator 26 of the embodiment shown at 10 includes an actuator dome 66. The actuator dome 66 extends inward toward the longitudinal axis of the actuator from the upper edge 38 of the skirt to substantially cover the interior 40 of the body. of actuator 30. Stated alternatively, actuator dome 66 substantially bridges and covers the uppermost end of cylindrical skirt 34.

In the embodiment of the overcap spray assembly shown at 10, and with reference to Figures 1-3, the overcap access port 54 is formed at least in part in the overcap dome 50. A locking member 68 extends and is loaded upwardly from the actuator cap 66, toward the underside of the overcap cap 50, and can engage the overcap access port 54. The locking member 68, when in its locked position and engaged in the overcap access port 54, has to be pushed down to an unlocked position or depressed enough so that the overcap dome 50 can slide over the member. lock, allowing the overcap 28 to be rotated to its open position. In the

ES 2 139 342 T3 Figure 3, the locking member 68 is shown in its locked position, with the nozzle 44 and the other parts of the actuator 26 shown in broken lines, covered by the wall 52 of the overcap and the interior being closed 40 of the actuator body 30 from above through the actuator dome 66. Thus, in Figure 3 the locking member 68 protrudes upward from the actuator dome 66 into an opposing overcap access port 54 and is engaged within the overcap access port, preventing rotation of the overcap. cover 28.

In contrast, Figure 2 shows the overcap 28 rotated to its open position, exposing the nozzle 44. The locking member 68 has been depressed to slide under the overcap dome 50, and is shown in dashed lines. . As shown in FIG. 2, actuator dome 66 preferably extends over mouthpiece 44, helping to prevent inadvertent user contact with the mouthpiece from above.

The overcap spray assembly 10 may have a single actuator access port 42 and a corresponding single access port 54 to the overcap. However, it is preferred that the spray arm 32 includes a finger-engaging boot 60 located at a point on the spray arm remote from the nozzle 44, and preferably at the end of the spray arm remote from the nozzle. It is then preferred that the actuator 26 includes at least two actuator access ports 42 located in the actuator body 30 such that the nozzle 44 faces a first actuator access port, while the boot 70 for applying the fingers it is accessible through the second actuator access port. In such an arrangement, the spray arm 32 is more conveniently attached to the actuator body 30 by means of a live link, such as that shown at 72 in Figure 4, located near the end of the nozzle of the spray arm 32.

It is then preferred that the overcap 28 includes at least two overcap access ports 54 positioned so that an overcap access port is aligned with each of the first and second actuator access ports 42 when the overcap 28 is in its open position. The two ports 54 for access to the overcap can differ from each other in appearance or configuration, for example, the port for access to the overcap, through which the button 70 is accessed to apply the fingers, larger or otherwise. visually or tactilely different mode to help a user identify it immediately. However, there are important overall considerations, described below, that make identical overcap access ports 54 advantageous. As clearly shown in FIG. 2, it is preferred that the actuator cup 66 does not extend over the boot 70 to apply the fingers, both to facilitate user access to the button to apply the fingers as well as to place the button. to apply visually distinguishable fingers from the nozzle 44 location, even with identical overcap access ports 54.

At 110, generally in Figure 8 and in cross-section in Figure 12, a second embodiment of the overcap spray assembly of the invention is shown. Features directly corresponding to features of the invention shown in 10 that have already been described and given reference numbers were assigned corresponding reference numbers increased by 100.

In the embodiment of the overcap spray assembly shown at 110, the overcap access port 154 is formed at least in part in the wall 152 of the overcap. A locking member 168 extends and is loaded outwardly from the actuator skirt 134. Thanks to this, the locking member 168, when in its locked position and engaged within an access port 154 to the overcap, has to move to its unlocked position by being pushed radially towards the longitudinal axis of the actuator 126. When it is moved sufficiently so that the locking member 168 can slide under the wall 152 of the overcap, the overcap 128 can be rotated to its open position.

It is preferred that the embodiment of the overcap spray assembly shown at 110 includes a boot 170 for applying the fingers and two actuator access ports 142 alignable with two overcap access ports 154, in the manner described above with respect to to the boot 70 to apply the fingers and the two ports 42 for access to the actuator and the ports 54 for access to the overcap, described above with respect to the embodiment of the invention shown at 10. It is then preferred that there be two locking members 168 in the manner described above, each locking member being intended to engage one of the two ports. 154 for access to the overcap when the locking members are in their locked positions. This arrangement is best shown in Figure 12.

When two locking members 168 are used, they must be moved to their unlocked positions by being simultaneously pulled inward toward the longitudinal axis of actuator 126 before overcap 128 can be rotated to its open position. Such a clamping action with respect to many common sizes of aerosol cans requires more stamina and greater hands than for the manipulation of a single locking member.

In Fig. 9, at 210, a third embodiment of the overcap spray assembly of the invention is generally shown. Features directly corresponding to features of the embodiments shown at 10 and 210 that have already been described would be given reference numbers corresponding reference numbers starting at 200.

In the embodiment of the overcap spray assembly shown at 210, the locking member 268 extends from the overcap 228 and protrudes inwardly from it when the overcap 228 is in the closed position.

ES 2 139 342 T3 toward body 230 of actuator 226. Preferably, locking member 268 extends from wall 252 of the overcap, as shown in Figure 9, and extends radially and inwardly toward actuator 226 . Locking member 268 has a protruding leg 249 adapted to extend into and engage actuator access port 242 when aligned therewith, adopting a locked position that interferes with attempts to rotate overcap 228. A user has to push or pull the locking member 268 outwardly to move it from its locked position, with its protruding pin 249 engaged in an actuator access port 242, to its unlocked position, in which the protruding pin is withdrawn. Enough of the actuator access port to allow the overcap 228 to be rotated.

Although the location of the locking member 268 in the wall 242 of the overcap just described is that which is preferred for the embodiment of the invention shown at 210, it is apparent that the locking member could alternatively be located in the dome of overcap 250 and extending downward therefrom when overcap 228 enters its closed position, toward actuator 226, to engage an actuator access port 242, from above. Such an arrangement would require a user to push or pull the locking member upward to move it from its locked position to its unlocked position.

In all of the embodiments of the invention described above, the actuator 26 is mounted on the rim 22 of the valve cup. This arrangement is preferred for several reasons. As discussed in the description of the Background Technique, above, a conventional valve cup 20 of an aerosol can 12 is a relatively stiff structure that does not flex to a significant degree with variations in the pressure difference between the inside the aerosol can and the surrounding atmosphere. Instead, the canister dome 19 tends to flex more easily and to respond to most of the movement of the canister lid 16 with a change in pressure difference. The actuators 26 attached to the rim 22 of the valve cup more predictably and reliably refer to the valve stem 24, simply because the region of the can lid 16 between its attachment point to the can 12 and the stem valve has a stable geometry under a wide variety of pressure conditions.

Likewise, it is common to manufacture aerosol cans 12 that have different diameters of can bodies 14, but all of them use in common a valve cup 20 that has a standardized size, establishing the differences in the diameter of the can by varying the diameter of the tube. boat dome 19. Accordingly, if the actuator is attached to the rim 22 of the valve cup, a single size actuator may be used with caps 28 of varying diameters, each cap being intended to be mounted on the actuator of only one size to have, for example , a single size of overcap attachment member but having overcap walls 52 of selected diameters to suit the diameter of can body 14 with which the overcap is to be used. Thanks to this, a manufacturer dealing with products that appear in cans of different sizes can, however, rely on a single mold and stock of uonic parts for all the actuators 26 necessary for full operation.

Different molds and parts stocks are required only for 28 caps that have different diameters. When compared to the custom design of an actuator 26, the custom design of the structurally simpler overcap is relatively straightforward and the part is easy to quickly mold. Therefore, different sizes of cans can be accommodated simply by repeating the easiest and cheapest part of the design and manufacturing task. The most demanding actuator design and mold making task need to be done only once.

Although attachment to the rim 22 of the valve cup is preferred for these reasons, and the design of actuator 26 described above would allow such attachment, in combination with the disclosed cooperation with the overcap 28 described, many of the advantages can be achieved. As of the overcap spray assembly of the invention with an actuator adapted to be attached to the canister frame 18, in the same manner as the actuator shown in US Patent No. 5,207,982. In particular, the advantages of all the embodiments of the described locking members 68, 168, 268 can be obtained without reference to the exact location of the attachment of the actuator to the aerosol can.

It is preferred that the overcap spray assembly of the invention includes a tamper indicator, such as the tamper indicator 74 shown in FIG. 11 attached to the overcap 28 in a break-free relationship. Although the embodiment of the overcap spray assembly illustrated in Figure 11 is the embodiment shown at 10 of Figure 2, the tampering indicator would be, where appropriate, with all embodiments of the invention described. Tamper indicator 74 was intended to close overcap access port 54 sufficiently to prevent tampering of actuator 26 prior to removal of tamper indicator from overcap 28. If, as preferred, the actuator body 30 has a locking member 68 that was intended to penetrate into and engage the opposing overcap access port 54, it is preferred that the tamper indicator 74 is adapted to lock movement of the locking member to its unlocked position without prior removal of the tamper indicator from the overcap 28.

Actuator 26 and overcap 28 are both preferably molded by conventional means and methods from conventional plastics well known in the art suitable for such objects. Although a mold design strategy with respect to other super8

As described above, the fact that the overcap recesses 56 have been described above, it should not be understood that the invention is limited to structures that are permitted or have been made from molds designed in accordance with that strategy.

Quick and reliable assembly of multi-part objects such as overcap spray assemblies presents challenging part handling and orientation problems. These problems are compounded by attempts to automate assembly. Manufacture of the overcap spray assembly of the invention, for example, requires that overcap 28 be manipulated prior to mounting on actuator 26 so that the overcap is right side up on actuator 26 and axially aligned with it. If it were also necessary for the overcap 28 and actuator 26 to be radially aligned so that the correct overcap access port 54 was mounted on the correct actuator access port 42, for example, or so that the overcap recesses 56 are aligned with skirt notches 58, automated mounting will be significantly more difficult.

The structures of the overcap spray assembly of the invention, in all embodiments shown, are designed to avoid the need for such radial alignment prior to mounting the overcap 28 on the actuator 26. When made of the preferred materials, the overcap 28 and actuator 26 are capable of slight flexing and elastic deformation. Consequently, if the overcap 54 access ports 54 are identical, as is preferred, the overcap 28 may be pushed down onto the actuator 26, regardless of the radial alignment of the parts. The overcap recesses 56 should be randomly positioned over the skirt notches 58 simply by snapping into place. The overcap 28 can then be rotated toward the locked position until an overcap recess 56 abuts an end wall 60 of the skirt notch, completing the assembly process, with the overcap in the closed position.

If the overcap recesses 56 are first located on a portion of the lower edge of the skirt 34 where the skirt notch 58 does not extend, the overcap 28 simply flexes outward slightly and / or the actuator 26 flexes inward, to accommodate the recesses. of overcap. The overcap 28 can then be rotated to the locked position until each overcap recess 56 first encounters and jumps into a skirt notch 58 and then continues to stop against an end wall60 of the skirt notches, again completing the skirting process. mounting. If a locking member 68 is present, it is automatically applied to an opposite access port after its first opportunity to do so, which will occur when an overcap recess 56 comes to rest against an end wall 60 of the skirt notch, with the cover 28 in its closed position.

The method of the invention for manufacturing an overcap mounted spray assembly includes the step of providing an actuator and an overcap, at least one and preferably both of which are molded from an elastically deformable material. The actuator and the overcap are preferably designed in accordance with the foregoing description. Minimally, referring by way of example only to the embodiment of the overcharge spray assembly shown at 10, actuator 26 has a body 30 and a spray arm 32. Body 30 has a skirt 34 that extends circumferentially around the perimeter of the body and extends upwardly from a lower edge 36 to an upper edge 38, defining the inward facing surfaces of the skirt 40 of the body. Skirt 34 has at least one actuator access port 42 that provides access through skirt to interior 40 of body 30. Spray arm 32 is located substantially within 40 of body 30 and has a nozzle 44 for directing product sprayable out, through an access port 42 to the actuator.

The overcap 28 is intended to be mounted on the actuator 26. The overcap 28 has an overcap dome 50 intended to extend over the actuator 26 and substantially cover the same, when the overcap is mounted on the actuator. A wall 52 of the overcap extends downwardly from the outer margins of the overcap cupule 50. The overcap 28 also includes at least one overcap access port 54 which, as the overcap rotates relative to the actuator 26 when the overcap is mounted on the actuator body 30, can move between an open position, in which a port Access to the overcap is aligned with port 42 for access to the actuator through which nozzle 44 is intended to direct sprayable product, and a closed position, wherein the wall 52 of the overcap obstructs the actuator access port.

The overcap 28 also includes means for fixing the overcap to the skirt 34 of the actuator body 30 in coaxial rotation relation therewith, such fixing means including at least one overcap recess 56 projecting inwardly from the direction of the wall 52 of the the overcap towards the skirt. The actuator 26 is further provided with cooperating means formed in the actuator skirt 34 to receive an overcap recess 56 of an overcap 28 mounted on the actuator, the overcap recess being received in circumferentially sliding relationship to allow the overcap to be rotated. between its open and closed positions. The cooperating means have an end stop, the skirt notch end walls 60 of which are an example, the end stop being rotated which limits the possibility of an overcap 28 being rotated to its closed position to rotate beyond the end. position closed. At least one and preferably both the overcap 28 and the actuator 26 are made of an elastically deformable material.

The method of the invention also includes the operation of coaxially orienting the overcap 28 and the actuator 26, with the upper edge 38

ES 2 139 342 T3 of the skirt 34 presented towards the overcap. Such a presentation will be described as placing the overcap 28 "on" the actuator 26, disregarding the actual orientation of the longitudinal axes of the overcap and the actuator with the ground. The overcap 28 and actuator 26 are then pushed together until the overcap recesses 56 are pushed to the level of the cooperating means of the actuator. This is done without reference to the radial alignment of the overcap recesses 56 and the cooperating means. The overcap 28 is then rotated relative to the actuator towards the closed position until the overcap recesses 56 are received by the cooperating means, if they have not already been applied within the cooperating means. The overcap 28 is then rotated further to engage the end stop, thereby completing the fabrication and assembly process, with the overcap mounted on the actuator 26, in the closed position.

The method of the invention achieves significant savings and advantages. The method does not require custom orienting machines in the production line that would otherwise be necessary to separately manipulate and position the actuator and overcap in a predetermined position for mounting. Such machines are extremely expensive, so that, as a benefit of implementing the method of the invention, less investment of capital goods is required. In addition, the design of the machines and the components that is still required is less complex, with the consequent reduction of costs and the probability of failure. The relative simplicity of the design of the machines and the handling of the components allow a faster speed of the assembly line and the ability to pass more products. An outstanding simplicity method achieves a sophisticated structure and product benefits.

It will be apparent that operations requiring the rotation of the overcap 28 relative to the actuator 26 can be performed by holding either part fixed and moving the other part, or simultaneously moving both parts. Movement of the overcap 28 relative to the actuator 26 will be understood to include each and every one of these or equivalent possibilities.

Although the method of manufacturing an overcap mounted spray assembly of the invention can be performed in whole or in part by hand, it is preferred that the operations of coaxially orienting the overcap on the actuator, pushing the overcap and actuator together, and rotating the overcap to the closed position are executed by automated manipulation. Industrial applicability

The invention finds practical application in caps for types of aerosol products common on the world market. The practical means of production and use of the overcoat of the invention have been indicated above.

While preferred forms of the invention have been shown in the drawings and described, variations in the preferred forms will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Similarly, those skilled in the art will find obvious variations in the method of invention. Accordingly, the invention should not be construed as limited to the specific forms and operations shown and described. Rather, the invention should be understood in the terms of the claims that follow.