AU2013225612A1

AU2013225612A1 - Spray actuator nozzle assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2013225612A1
Application number: AU2013225612A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Benjamin Cyril GILLESPIE; David Eric GRIFFIN
Original assignee: Vega Innovations Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Vega Innovations Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-02-27
Filing date: 2013-02-27
Publication date: 2014-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2033-02-27
Also published as: NZ628026A; WO2013126951A1; AU2013225612B2

Abstract

A spray actuator nozzle assembly, for an aerosol container (of the type having a valve and valve stem), the aerosol container containing a pressurised liquid to be dispensed. The nozzle assembly has an actuator with an inlet connected to the valve stem, and an outlet selectively connectable to a plurality of nozzles on a rotatable distributor wheel. The nozzles have different spray patterns, and the liquid can be dispensed in a number of different spray patterns. The distributor wheel can also be rotated to prevent the liquid being dispensed during storage or transport. The assembly is received within a housing having a sidewall with a rim engaging portion, or a skirt, to engage an upper portion of the aerosol container.

Description

WO 2013/126951 PCT/AU2013/000174 1 TITLE: SPRAY ACTUATOR NOZZLE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: 5 1. Field of the Invention. [0001] This invention relates to a spray actuator nozzle assembly. [0002] The invention particularly relates, but is not limited to, a spray actuator nozzle assembly for a pressurised (aerosol) container. [0003] The pressurised (aerosol) container may contain a wide range of 10 liquids to be dispensed as an aerosol spray, including paints, coatings, inks, adhesives, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, lubricants, anti-corrosion chemicals or the like. The contents of the container may be pressurised by suitable propellant gas (or gasses), including hydrocarbons, or gas (or gasses) inert to the liquids, dissolved therein. 15 2. Prior Art [0004] NB: The following discussion is by way of background information only, and is not to be considered a statement of the common general knowledge (CGK) in the area of technology. [0005] Many spray actuators for pressurised aerosol containers have been 20 proposed, or adopted, over the years. [0006] In the simplest versions, a simple "valve actuator" is fitted to a valve stem in communication with the interior of the container, and is provided with a nozzle, arranged to produce a cone-like spray pattern. When the valve stem is operated e.g. depressed by the valve actuator, the stem causes the 25 valve in the container to release a portion of the liquid contents (and propellant) from the container, to be released in the spray pattern from the nozzle. [0007] Over the years, more complex spray actuators have been devised. In particular, the actuators may comprise a body (mountable on the container), 30 a nozzle, and a trigger hingedly mounted on / on the body, and the nozzle communicates with the interior of the container via a product passageway connected to a valve in the container and an orifice in the nozzle.

WO 2013/126951 PCT/AU2013/000174 2 [0008] Examples of recent designs of such spray actuators are disclosed in WO 2007/021918 Al (Summit Packaging Systems, Inc) (= US 7,204,393) (Strand)) and US 2010/0059551 Al (Tomkins et al). [0009] All of the known spray actuators have at least one limitation in their 5 construction and/or their methods of operation. For example, they can only be operated by either a finger-operated trigger or a finger- (or thumb-) operated "button". They are usually not capable of being easily operated when the container is in a number of different orientations, or where alternative spray patterns are to be applied. In addition, any locks for the 10 triggers can usually only be operational up to the first time the spray actuators are operated; and, if reusable, are easily misplaced / lost. (0010] Spray actuators previously designed to overcome, or at least ameliorate, these known limitations, are typically complex, and thereby, expensive to manufacture. 15 OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION: [0011] It is an object of the present invention of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, the problems with the known spray actuators. 20 0012] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION: [0013] In one aspect, the present invention resides in a spray actuator nozzle 25 assembly for attachment to an aerosol container containing at least one liquid to be dispensed, the container having a valve and valve stem, the spray actuator including: a valve actuator, having an actuator body with a product passageway therethrough, the product passageway having an inlet operably connectable 30 to the valve stem and an outlet; a distributor wheel rotatably mounted on, or adjacent, the valve actuator; a plurality of nozzles, or nozzle receivers, about an exterior portion of the WO 2013/126951 PCT/AU2013/000174 3 distributor wheel; a respective nozzle passage through the distributor wheel to selectively connect one of the nozzles, or nozzle receivers, to the outlet; and a wheel actuator to selectively rotate the distributor wheel to align one of the 5 nozzle passages with the outlet; so arranged that when the distributor wheel has been rotated to align one of the nozzle passages with the outlet, and the valve actuator is operated to open the valve, the at least one liquid can be dispensed from the aerosol container through the nozzle, or nozzle receiver, connected to the outlet by 10 the one nozzle passage. [0014] Preferably, the wheel actuator can selectively rotate the distributor wheel to a non-spraying, or locked position, where none of the nozzle passages are connected to the outlet, to prevent the at least one liquid from being dispensed such as during transport and/or storage. 15 [0015] Preferably, the distributor wheel is rotatably mounted between a pair of side plates, about an axis transverse to the product passageway, adjacent the outlet. [0016] Preferably the distributor wheel has a curved wall portion, interconnecting a pair of side walls, through less than 180*, with the nozzle 20 passages extending radially through the curved wall portion. [0017] Preferably, sealing members, such as O-rings, cast plastic seals, rubber seals, or annular recesses, are provided about the inlet ends of the nozzle passages, to provide sealing engagement with the outlet, or a sealing member about the outlet, of the product passageway. 25 [0018] Preferably, the wheel actuator includes at least one peripheral flange about the distributor wheel, the flange being preferably contoured to provide increased grip. [0019] Preferably, the outlet of the product passageway has a convex configuration, complementary to the curvature of the inner face of the curved 30 wall portion of the distributor wheel at the inlet ends of the nozzle passages, and a sealing member, such as an O-ring, cast plastic seal, or rubber seal, is provided about the outlet to provide a sealing arrangement between the WO 2013/126951 PCT/AU2013/000174 4 outlet and the inner face. [0020] Preferably, the spray actuator nozzle assembly is received within a housing having a sidewall, to enclose and/or releasably engage, an upper portion of a sidewall of the container. 5 [0021] Preferably, the sidewall has a rim engaging portion for attachment to the container and/or a skirt depending from the side wall to enclose an upper portion of the container. [0022] In a second aspect, the present invention resides in an aerosol container fitted with the spray actuator nozzle assembly hereinbefore 10 described. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: [0023] To enable the invention to be fully understood, preferred 15 embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGS. 1 to 3 are respective perspective views of the spray actuator assembly, with the distributor wheel in the locked position; FIGS. 4 and 5 are similar views, with the distributor wheel in the last spraying 20 position, and the housing removed; FIG. 6 is a sectional side view corresponding to FIGS. 4 and 5, with the housing fitted; FIG. 7 is a line-drawing corresponding to FIG. 6; FIGS. 8 to 12 show respective isometric, front, side, front and sectional side 25 views of the valve actuator; FIGS. 13 to 19 are respective front, isometric, isometric, front, and three different sectional side views of the distributor wheel; FIGS. 20 and 21 are respective front and sectional side views of the housing; and 30 FIG. 22 is a sectional side view of the assembly fitted to an aerosol -container. [0024] NB: Any annotations on the drawings are for illustration purposes WO 2013/126951 PCT/AU2013/000174 5 only, and are not limiting to the scope of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS: 5 [0025] The spray actuator nozzle assembly 10 is designed to be fitted to an aerosol container C which has a valve stem S connected to a valve (not shown) for the selective release of a gas-pressurised liquid, such as paint. Preferably the valve enables the liquid to be dispensed in any orientation of 10 the container C. [0026] The valve stem S projects upwardly from the centre of the top wall T of the container, surrounded by an annular rim R, to which is releasably mounted the housing 70 for the nozzle assembly 10. (The skilled addressee will appreciate that, in an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the housing 15 70 may have a skirt which engages the junction J between the top wall T and side wall W of the container C. In addition, the housing 70 may be omitted, if preferred.) [0027] The components of the spray actuator nozzle assembly 10, to be hereinafter described in more detail, are preferably manufactured from 20 suitable polymeric materials e.g. by injection-moulding; may be manufactured in different colours; and/or may have directions for use e.g. directional arrows moulded thereon. The selection of the polymeric materials will, in part, be determined by the liquid(s) being dispensed from the container C to which the nozzle assembly 10 may be fitted. 25 [0028] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 12 and 22, the valve actuator 20 has an actuator body 21 of substantially L-shape, rotated through 90*. A bore 22, forming the product passageway, extends co-axially through the actuator body 21. The inlet 23 to the bore 22 is configured to sealably receive / engage the distal (or discharge) end of the valve stem S, and is provided 30 within an annular boss 24. The outlet 25 of the bore 22 is surrounded by an end wall 26, which is convex in side view - see FIGS. 12 and 22 - and is provided with an O-ring 26A for sealing engagement with the distributor WO 2013/126951 PCT/AU2013/000174 6 wheel 40. [0029] The valve actuator 20 is provided with an operating button 28 with ribs 29 for increased engagement by the operator's thumb. In this embodiment, the operating button 28 is formed integrally with the actuator body 21, and is 5 inclined upwardly from a tail portion 30 to a nose portion 31. The nose portion 31 interconnects a pair of side plates 32, 33 lying parallel to, but spaced from, the actuator body 21. Intermediate the side plates 32, 33, and also connected to the nose portion 31, is a curved thumb guard 34 which overlies, and protects, the upper portion of the distributor wheel 40. Aligned 10 holes 35, 36 in the side plates 32, 33 receive respective stub-axles on the distributor wheel 40, to be hereinafter described. [0030] The tail portion 30 of the operating button 28 has a downward extension 37 with a bulbous distal portion 38. [0031] Referring to FIGS. 7, 13 to 19, and 22, the distributor wheel 40 has a 15 pair of spaced, circular side walls 41, 42, each with a co-axial, outwardly extending, stub-axle 43, 44. As stated above, the stub-axles 43, 44 are journalled in the holes 35, 36 of the side plates 32, 33, and define the axis of rotation for the distributor wheel 40. [0032] As best illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 19, the side walls 41, 42 are 20 interconnected by a curved wall portion 45, which extends approximately 1800 adjacent the periphery of the distributor wheel 40. (The extent of the curved wall portion 45 will, in part, be due to the number of nozzles or nozzle receivers in the distributor wheel 40, and of the respective spacing's there between.) 25 [0033] In the embodiment illustrated, there are four nozzle receivers 46 - 49 provided in the curved wall portion 45. Each nozzle receiver 46 - 49 extends radially and has an inlet end 50 in the inner face 51 of the curved wall portion 45, and enlarged bore portion 52 to receive the body of a nozzle, not shown. (While the bore portions 52 are shown to be circular, they may be e.g. 30 square or rectangular, so that the orientation of the nozzles relative to the distributor wheel 40, and thereby their spray patterns can be selectively fixed.) WO 2013/126951 PCT/AU2013/000174 7 [0034] An annular recess 54 is provided around each inlet end 50, to receive the O-ring 26A about the outlet 25 of the bore 22, to provide a locating stop (and seal) for each inlet end 50. (In alternative embodiments not illustrated, the O-ring 26A may be substituted by a cast plastic seal, rubber seal, or 5 other elastomeric-material seal, of similar configuration. In a further alternative, the O-ring 26A may be substituted by a sealing lip about the outlet 25, integral with the actuator body 21.) [0035] A further annular recess 55 is provided in the inner face 51 of the curved wall portion 45 at a "locked" position 56, where the curved wall portion 10 45 prevents the release of the liquid through the outlet 25. [0036] The wheel actuator 60 is formed integrally with the distributor wheel 40 and has a pair of peripheral flanges 61, 62 co-planar with the side walls 41, 42, with contoured rims 63, 64 to assist the operator's thumb to grip the wheel actuator 60. The peripheral flanges 61, 62 extend between the 15 adjacent side plates 32, 33 and thumb guard 34 of the operating button 28. [0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the spray actuator nozzle assembly 20 may be solely mounted on the valve stem S of the container C, and depressing the operating button 28 will enable the liquid to be dispensed from the container C. 20 [0038] Alternatively, as shown e.g. in FIGS. 1 to 3, 6, 7 and 22, a housing 70 may be provided around the assembly 20, where the housing 70 is mounted on the container C. [0039] Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, the housing 70 has an annular base 71 dimensioned to releasably engage the rim R on the top wall T of the 25 container C, with a central bore 72 to allow the valve stem S to extend therethrough. Inwardly-convergent housing side walls 73, 74 are interconnected by a rear wall 75, which partially-overlies the tail portion 30 of the operating button 28. [0040] Each side wall 73, 74 has a pair of inwardly-directed housing locating 30 clip jaws 76 which slidably receive the bulbous distal portion 38 on the downward extension 37 of the operating button 28. [0041] NB: In a modified embodiment, not illustrated, where the operating WO 2013/126951 PCT/AU2013/000174 8 button 28 is separate to the valve actuator body 21, the clip jaws 76 may provide the hinge axis for the bulbous distal portion 38, and thereby the hinge axis for the operating button 28. [0042] A pair of wheel locking tabs 77, 78 extend forwardly and upwardly 5 from the annular base 71, to releasably engage respective stop members 57 on the side walls 41, 42 of the distributor wheel 40, when the distributor wheel 40 is in the "locked" position. [0043] The spray actuator nozzle assembly 20 is assembled as hereinbefore described, and the annular base 71 of the housing 70 is engaged with the 10 rim R on the container C. The valve stem S is received in the inlet 23 of the bore 22 forming the product passageway through the actuator body 21. [0044] The operator fits the selected nozzles (not shown) to the respective nozzle receivers 46 - 49, or the nozzles may be pre-fitted at manufacture. [0044] For transport and/or storage, the distributor wheel 40 will be rotated to 15 the "locked" position. [0046] The operator uses his / her thumb to rotate the wheel actuator 60 to rotatethe distributor wheel 40 to align the inlet end 51 of the nozzle receiver 46 - 49 having the nozzle with the desired spray pattern. [0047] The operator depresses the operating button 28, to cause the valve 20 actuator 20 to depress the valve stem S to enable the valve to release the liquid from the container C. The liquid flows through the valve stem s, the bore 22, and the inlet end 50 to the nozzle and is sprayed on the selected article. [0048] At any time, the operator can release the operating button 28 to shut 25 off the liquid flow, rotate the distributor wheel 40 with the wheel actuator 60, -and change the nozzle aligned with the outlet 25 (and thereby the spray pattern). When the operating button 28 is again depressed, the liquid is sprayed with the new spray pattern selected. [0049] Alternatively, when spraying has been completed, the operator uses 30 the wheel actuator 60 to rotate the distributor wheel 40 to the "locked" position, where the outlet 25 of the bore22 is sealably closed by the inner face 51 of the curved wall portion 45.

WO 2013/126951 PCT/AU2013/000174 9 [0050]The skilled addressee will appreciate that the nozzle receivers 46-49 may be substituted by fixed nozzles moulded integrally with the curved wall portion 45 of the distributor wheel 40. [0051] The skilled addressee will also appreciate the number of nozzles or 5 nozzle receivers, and the spacing's there-between, may be varied to suit different intended applications for the spray actuator nozzle assembly 20. [0052] The skilled addressee will further appreciate that the housing 70 is optional to the assembly 20, and may incorporate an annular skirt to enclose at least the upper portion of the side wall W of the container and/or 10 releasably engage the junction between the top wall T and side wall W of the container C. [0053] In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the distributor wheel 40 is substituted by a cylinder, having a configuration similar to the cylinder of a revolver, where the multiple chambers (e.g. 2 to 6) operate as the nozzle 15 receivers. The cylinder is rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel with, but laterally offset, relative to the longitudinal axis of the (downstream) portion of the bore 22 adjacent the outlet 25 of the actuator body 21. [0054] The inlet end of each chamber can be brought into selective sealing engagement with the outlet 25 of the actuator body 21; and the outlet end of 20 each chamber can either receive the body of a respective nozzle, or form the nozzle for a particular spray pattern; in the manner hereinbefore described for the nozzle receivers 46-49. [0055] By rotating the cylinder about its axis of rotation, each nozzle can be selectively brought into- communication with the outlet 25 of the bore 22 of 25 the actuator body 21, to enable a selected spray pattern to be produced when the operating button 28 is depressed. [0056] In this embodiment, the cylinder and the outlet 25 will have complementary planar faces sealed together to suitable seals as hereinbefore described. 30 [0057] The cylinder can have at least one rim or peripheral flange, which the operator can rotate, as per the wheel actuator 60, where the wheel actuator can index the rotation of the cylinder so that the chambers are aligned with WO 2013/126951 PCT/AU2013/000174 10 the outlet 25, or the cylinder distributor is in the "locked" position (preventing the liquid from being sprayed). [0058] This embodiment has the disadvantage that the cylinder, rotating about an axis of rotation parallel to the bore 22, tends to make the overall 5 more bulky in width e.g. in top plan view; but there may be applications where this embodiment may be preferred for different liquids to be dispensed, gas pressures in the aerosol container, or other design or operational reasons. [0059] Advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to: 10 a) the assembly 10 enables the operator to select the nozzle which provides the desired spray pattern for the liquid dispensed from the container C; b) the assembly enables the operator to easily change nozzles, and thereby the spray patterns, which can be applied to the article being sprayed, or to compensate for a change in orientation of the container C e.g. when spraying 15 in confined spaces; c) the assembly 10 avoids potential mess occurring when the nozzles are changes; d) the assembly 10 avoids the loss of nozzles during use or transport; e) the assembly 10 can be "locked" to prevent the accidental release of the 20 liquid in the container C during transport and/or storage; and f) the assembly 10 can provide "child-proofing" against operation of the container C. [0060] The skilled addressee will appreciate the above advantages of the assembly 10 are indicative only, and are not exhaustive. 25 [0061] Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described and illustrated without departing from the present invention. 30

Claims

1. A spray actuator nozzle assembly for attachment to an aerosol container 5 containing at least one liquid to be dispensed, the container having a valve and valve stem, the spray actuator including: a valve actuator, having an actuator body with a product passageway therethrough, the product passageway having an inlet operably connectable to the valve stem and an outlet; 10 a distributor wheel rotatably mounted on, or adjacent, the valve actuator; a plurality of nozzles, or nozzle receivers, about an exterior portion of the distributor wheel; a respective nozzle passage through the distributor wheel to selectively connect one of the nozzles, or nozzle receivers, to the outlet; and 15 a wheel actuator to selectively rotate the distributor Wheel to align one of the nozzle passages with the outlet; so arranged that when the distributor wheel has been rotated to align one of the nozzle passages with the outlet, and the valve actuator is operated to open the valve, the at least one liquid can be dispensed from the aerosol 20 container through the nozzle, or nozzle receiver, connected to the outlet by the one nozzle passage.

2. The spray actuator nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the wheel actuator can selectively rotate the distributor wheel to a non spraying, or locked position, where none of the nozzle passages are 25 connected to the outlet, to prevent the at least one liquid from being dispensed such as during transport and/or storage.

3. The spray actuator nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: the distributor wheel is rotatably mounted between a pair of side plates, 30 about an axis transverse to the product passageway, adjacent the outlet.

4. The spray actuator nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein: the distributor wheel has a curved wall portion, interconnecting a pair of side WO 2013/126951 PCT/AU2013/000174 12 walls, through less than 1800, with the nozzle passages extending radially through the curved wall portion.

5. The spray actuator nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein: sealing members, such as O-rings, or annular recesses, are provided about 5 the inlet ends of the nozzle passages, to provide sealing engagement with the outlet, or a sealing member around the outlet, of the product passageway.

6. The spray actuator nozzle assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: 10 the wheel actuator includes at least one peripheral flange about the distributor wheel.

7. The spray actuator nozzle assembly as claimed in any one of claims I to 6, wherein: the outlet has a convex configuration, complementary to curvature of an 15 inner face of the distributor wheel at the inlet ends of the nozzle passages; and a sealing member is provided about the outlet to provide a sealing arrangement between the outlet and the inner face. .

8. The spray actuator nozzle assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20 7, wherein: the spray actuator nozzle assembly is received within a housing having a sidewall, to enclose and/or releasably engage, an upper portion of a sidewall of the container.

9. The spray actuator nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein: 25 the sidewall has a rim engaging portion for attachment to the container and/or a skirt depending from the sidewall to enclose an upper portion of the container.

10. An aerosol container fitted with the spray actuator nozzle assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9. 30