EP2451724B1

EP2451724B1 - Spray through cap for a pressurised fluid container

Info

Publication number: EP2451724B1
Application number: EP10730411.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ian Alec Mackinnon; Geoffrey Stephen Mawtus
Original assignee: Unilever PLC; Unilever NV
Current assignee: Unilever PLC; Unilever NV
Priority date: 2009-07-10
Filing date: 2010-06-25
Publication date: 2019-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2030-06-25
Also published as: BRPI1009747A2; US20120097713A1; EP2451724A1; BRPI1009747B1; WO2011003752A1

Description

The present invention is concerned with a cap for a pressurised fluid container that allows the contents of the container to be dispensed without the cap having to be removed. The invention is of particular use in the field of home and personal care when it may be used as part of a hand held aerosol dispenser.
Numerous spray through caps for pressurised fluid containers have been described in the prior art.
US 6,398,082 discloses an actuating mechanism for a hand held canister in which a slider is moveable by finger pressure from a valve-disengaged position into a valve-engageable position and a concealed spring returns the slider to a valve-disengaged position when finger pressure is removed.
JP 8,011,956 discloses a cap for an aerosol container having a protrusion set up beneath an operating part or a finger board to depress a push button of the container.
EP 402,636 discloses an actuator for a spray pump activated by means of leverage.
US 3,739,941 discloses an actuator for an aerosol dispenser having a lever integrally formed in a spray through cap.
US 3,409,186 discloses a cap for an aerosol container comprising two lateral push-buttons having surfaces which engage co-operating surfaces on a valve-actuating member.
US 2007/023457 discloses an aerosol valve trigger actuator comprising a trigger member extending into a shroud and a fluid conduit within the shroud, the trigger member and fluid conduit interacting by means of a camming surface on one and a cam follower on the other to lower said fluid conduit and dispense product when the trigger is pulled towards the shroud.
US 4,157,774 discloses a reversible trigger actuated dispensing pump employing a reciprocal plunger having a passage for communication with a pump at one end and a nozzle at the other end. The trigger includes a body portion with structure to cooperate with the plunger to permit the trigger to be releasably and pivotally mounted on the plunger.
US 4,264,038 discloses a manually operative atomizer in which a liquid is sucked and pressurized by an atomizer means and is then atomized through a nozzle port. An atomizer head is connected to a communication pipe which acts as a piston, biased in the direction reverse to the pressurizing direction, by means of a spring. The atomizer head is provided with a guiding member adapted to be pressed and moved by an inclined surface of the operation member, so that the atomizer head and the piston or the jetting pipe are moved in the pressurizing direction.
US 2,558,272 discloses a conventional aerosol container with an actuator button centrally located on its top surface, the top surface also having a fulcrum member located to one side of the actuator button and a level designed to detachably fit into the fulcrum member and ease depression of the actuator button.
US 3,189,232 discloses a spray through cap for pressurized fluid containers having a trigger assembly comprising (a) a valve stem, a chassis which includes a plinth supporting a spray channel, a cap with an outer shell with an outlet aperture and a side wall gap and (b) an activation paddle hinged on a lower edge including a member with a strut projecting inwards and pressing upon a projection of the plinth to cause the spray channel to depress.
US 3,189,232 does not disclose a projection from the plinth extending in a direction orthogonal to the inward projecting strut of the activation paddle. This feature of the present invention enhances the efficiency with which lateral pressure upon the activation paddle is translated into downward pressure upon the spray channel.
In a first aspect of the invention, there is provide a spray through cap according to claim 1.
In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spray through cap according to the first aspect of the invention and an associated pressurised fluid container.
In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of a spray through cap according to the first aspect of the invention for dispensing a consumer product from a pressurised fluid container in the form of a spray.
The present invention allows lateral pressure upon the activation paddle to be efficiently translated into downward pressure upon the spray channel. Since the spray channel typically sits on top of a valve stem of an associated pressurised fluid container, downward pressure on the spray channel causes the opening of the valve and the release of the pressurised contents of the container through the outlet aperture via the spray channel.
The efficient translation of the lateral pressure upon the activation paddle into downward pressure upon the spray channel is greatly aided by the projection from the plinth supporting the spray channel, said projection rising upwards from the plinth and minimising frictional contact with the inward projecting strut of the activation panel.
The invention may be used in the dispensing of a range of consumer products. It is particularly useful for use as part of a hand held dispenser for home or personal care products, for example cosmetic compositions such as deodorants.
Throughout this description, orientation terms such as "upper", "lower" and "vertical" should be understood to be referring to the cap in its "in use" position sat on top of an upright pressurised fluid container, as illustrated in Figure 1 for example.
The term "lateral" should be understood to refer to the plane approximately orthogonal to the principle axis of the cap, said axis being the vertical axis when the cap is oriented as described in the previous paragraph.
The chassis comprises a plinth that supports the spray channel, an activation paddle, and, preferably, a means of attachment to an associated pressurised liquid container. Typically, the chassis fits on to a valve cup of an associated pressurised liquid container, by means of a snap fit, for example. Typically, and for ease of manufacture, the activation paddle is moulded independently of the other parts of the chassis and may be attached to the remainder of the chassis via cooperating hinge elements.
In preferred embodiments, the chassis comprises means for restricting lateral pressure upon the spray channel when lateral pressure is applied to the member of the activation paddle adjacent to the sidewall gap in the outer shell. This feature adds to the robustness of the design and avoids undue lateral pressure upon the valve stem with which the spray channel is typically associated. In addition, this feature may ease the consumer effort required to activate the device.
Lateral pressure upon the spray channel may be restricted by supporting the spray channel upon the plinth of the chassis in a manner that resists lateral movement. The spray channel is typically firmly attached to the plinth. In such embodiments, it is important that the plinth is capable of axial movement so that the spray channel may be pressed down upon the valve stem with which it is typically associated.
Axial movement of the plinth without undue lateral movement may be achieved by having the plinth attached to the main body of the chassis by flexible support braces. The flexible support braces function cooperatively to help maintain the lateral position of plinth. Preferably the support braces may flex in more than one direction, for example sideways and downwards relative to the plinth. Three or preferably four support braces may be used to advantage. Preferably the flexible support braces have an S-shape or a C-shape, more preferably they have a C-shape.
The projection from the plinth extends in a direction orthogonal to the inward projecting strut of the activation paddle. Preferably, projections from the plinth extend in a direction orthogonal to the inward projecting strut of the activation paddle on either side of the lower part of the spray channel.
The projection or projections from the plinth may have an angular cross-section or a curved cross-section. The projection or projections may take the form of a half-pipe rising from the plinth. In an alternative embodiment, the projection or projections may have an inverted V-shaped cross-section.
The activation paddle comprises a member adjacent to the sidewall gap in the outer shell and a strut projecting inwards from said member. Preferably, there are two such struts, one of which press down upon a projection from the plinth on a first side of the lower section of the spray channel and the second of which presses down upon a projection from the plinth on the opposite side of the lower section of the spray channel when the member of the activation paddle adjacent to the sidewall gap is pressed inwards. Typically, the activation paddles attaches to the main body of the chassis by hinge elements, for example a pin and barrel arrangement.
The strut or struts of the activation paddle preferably has/have support brackets in the angle between them and the member adjacent to the sidewall gap in the outer shell. Such support brackets serve to strengthen the struts and aid the depression of the spray channel.
The lower part of the spray channel typically sits on the top of a valve stem of an associated pressurised liquid container. The spray channel provides a means for passage of fluid from the container when the valve is opened by depression of the valve stem. Typically, the spray channel comprises a lower vertical part associated with a valve stem as described above and may have an upper angled part leading from the top of the lower vertical part of the spray channel towards the outlet aperture in the outer shell. At the outer end of the spray channel there is often a swirl chamber which serves to improve the quality of the spray exiting the outlet aperture via the spray channel.
The sidewall gap in the in the outer shell, measured in a vertical direction, is typically at least the width of an adult's index finger, i.e., at least 2 to 3 cm. Preferably the sidewall gap is covered by a flexible finger pad. The flexible finger pad needs to be sufficiently flexible to allow the member of the activation paddle behind it to be pressed inwards during use. The flexible finger pad is typically made from a thermoplastic elastomer. The flexible finger pad is typically over-moulded onto the outer shell.
The outlet aperture serves to allow egress of a pressurised fluid from a container via the spray channel during use of a dispenser comprising the spray through cap of the present invention. The outlet aperture is typically smaller than the aforementioned sidewall gap. In certain embodiments having good ergonomics, the outlet aperture and the sidewall gap face in opposite directions.
The components of the spray through cap are typically made from plastic. The outer shell and chassis may be made from polypropylene, as may the spray channel. The swirl chamber, if employed, is typically made using a spray insert preferably made from acetal.
The features described with reference to the following specific embodiment may be incorporated independently into the generic description given above and/or as given in the claims.

Figure 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of the invention as it might be used with an associated pressurised liquid container (2).
Figures 2 and 3 are illustrations of the principal components of an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 is a cross-section of the chassis (8), including the activation paddle (7), and the spray channel (7) as fitted onto the top of an associated pressurised liquid container (2).
Figures 5 and 6 are illustrations of the outer shell (6) with an associated flexible finger pad (5) covering the sidewall gap (4).
Figures 7 and 8 are illustrations of different embodiments of the chassis (8) without the associated activation paddle (9).
Figures 9 and 10 are illustrations of the activation paddle (9).
Figures 11 and 12 are illustrations of the spray channel (7) and a portion of the plinth (11) that supports it.

Figure 1 illustrates a spray through cap (1) according to the present invention as it might be used with associated pressurised liquid container (2). In this embodiment, the outlet aperture (3) and a sidewall gap (4), which is covered by a flexible finger pad (5) in this illustration, face in opposite directions.
In Figures 2 and 3 the individual components of a spray through cap (1) according to the invention are illustrated. The outer shell (6) defines an outlet aperture (3) and a sidewall gap (4) which would, when the cap (1) is fully assembled, be covered by the flexible finger pad (5). The spray channel (7), chassis (8) and associated activation paddle (9), are described in greater detail below.
Figure 4 illustrates how the chassis (8) fits onto a valve cup (9) of an associated container (2). Also shown is the valve stem (10) of the associated container (2) which fits into the lower part of the spray channel (7). A plinth (11) sits above the main body of the chassis (8) and is firmly attached to the spray channel (7). The chassis (8) has an associated activation paddle (9) comprising a member (12) adjacent to the sidewall gap (4) and a strut (13) projecting inwards from said member (12). The strut (13) has a support bracket (14) in the angle between it and the member (12) adjacent to the sidewall gap (4) and this bracket (14) has reinforcement struts (15) upon it.
The activation paddle (9) has a hinge (16) at its lower end linking it to the main body of the chassis (8). The chassis (8) also comprises support towers (17) for the outer shell (6), one of which is illustrated in Figure 4.
Figures 5 and 6 are illustrations of the outer shell (6) with an associated flexible finger pad (5) covering the sidewall gap (4). The outlet aperture (3) faces in the opposite direction to the finger pad (5). The finger pad (5) has raised ridges (18) for increased grip.
Figures 7 and 8 show more detail of different embodiments of the chassis (8) with the activation paddle (9) not present. The chassis (8) has two support towers (17) for the outer shell (6), each of which has its own strengthening bracket (19). The two support towers (17) rise from the base of the chassis (8) and are linked towards their upper ends by a bridge (20). In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the chassis (8) comprises a plinth (11) attached to the main body of the chassis (8) by four flexible support braces (21S) having an S-shape. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, there are four flexible support braces (21C) having a C-shape. In both embodiments, the plinth (11) has a central aperture (22) of circular cross-section through which the lower part of the spray channel (7) passes when the spray through cap is fully assembled.
Figures 9 and 10 show more detail of the activation paddle (9). The activation paddle (9) comprises a member (12) that sits adjacent to the sidewall gap (4) in the outer shell (6) and two struts (13) projecting inwards therefrom. Each of the struts (13) has, projecting from its upper surface, a support bracket (14) in the angle between it and the member (12) adjacent to the sidewall gap (4) and these brackets (14) have reinforcement struts (15) between them. The activation paddle (9) has a hinge element (16) which may be thought of as a pin (16) at its lower end which fits into a hinge element (which may be thought of as a barrel) in the main body of the chassis (8).
Figures 11 and 12 show more detail of the spray channel (7) and an associated element of the plinth (11A). The spray channel (7) comprises a lower vertical part (23) which typically sits on the top of a valve stem (10) (see Figure 4) of an associated pressurised liquid container (2) and an upper angled part (24) leading from the top of the lower vertical part (23) towards the outlet aperture (3) in the outer shell (6). At the outer end of the upper angled part (24) there is a swirl chamber (25) which serves to improve the quality of the spray coming out of a small orifice (26). Also at the outer end of the spray channel (7) there is plate member (27) that serves the largely aesthetic function of preventing the internal features of the device being seen through the outlet aperture (3).
Firmly attached to the spray channel (7) near its bottom is an element of the plinth (11A). When the spray through cap is assembled, this element (11A) is firmly attached to the main body of the plinth (11) (see Figures 7 and 8) and is held in place by retaining clips (28). This element of the plinth (11A) has raised projections (29) extending in a direction orthogonal to the inward projecting struts (13) of the activation paddle (9) on either side of the lower part (23) of the spray channel (7). The raised projections (29) from the plinth (11) are in the same vertical plane as the lower part (23) of the spray channel (7). The raised projections (29) take the form of a half-pipe rising from the plinth (11).
In operation, a user would press upon the finger pad (5) over the sidewall gap (4) forcing the member (12) of the activation paddle (9) adjacent to the gap (4) to pivot inwards about hinge (16). This would cause the inward projecting struts (13) to press down upon the raised projections (29) from the plinth (11) and thereby cause depression of the firmly attached spray channel (11) and the opening of the valve of the associated container (2). The pressurised fluid with the container (2) would flow through the valve stem (10) into the spray channel (7) and exit the spray through cap (1) via the swirl chamber (25) located adjacent to the outlet aperture (3).

Claims

A spray through cap (1) for a pressurised fluid container (2), said cap (1) comprising an outer shell (6) defining an outlet aperture (3) and a sidewall gap (4), a chassis (8) over which the outer shell (6) sits, the chassis (8) comprising a plinth (11) that supports a spray channel (7) suitable for transferring a pressurised fluid from the pressurised fluid container (2) to the outlet aperture (3) and an activation paddle (9) hinged at its lower edge, said activation paddle (9) comprising a member (12) adjacent to the sidewall gap (4) in the outer shell (6) and a strut (13) projecting inwards from said member (12), the strut (13) pressing upon a projection (29) from the plinth (11) supporting the spray channel (7) and thereby causing depression of the spray channel (7) when lateral pressure is applied to the member (12) adjacent to the sidewall, characterised in that the projection (29) from the plinth (11) extends in a direction orthogonal to the inward projecting strut (13) of the activation paddle (9).
A spray through cap (1) according to claim 1, wherein the chassis (8) comprises means for restricting lateral pressure upon the spray channel (7) when lateral pressure is applied to the member (12) of the activation paddle (9) adjacent to the sidewall gap (4) in the outer shell (6).
A spray through cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the activation paddle (9) has two inward projecting struts (13) that cause depression of the spray channel (7) by pressing upon projections (29) from the plinth (11) on either side of the spray channel (7) when lateral pressure is applied to the member (12) of the activation paddle (9) adjacent to the sidewall gap (4) in the outer shell (6).
A spray through cap (1) according to claim 3, wherein the projections (29) on either side of the spray channel (7) are in the same vertical plane as the lower part of the spray channel (7) and extend in a direction orthogonal to the inward projecting struts (13) of the activation paddle (9).
A spray through cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sidewall gap (4) in the outer shell (6) is covered by a flexible finger pad (5).
A spray through cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet aperture (3) and sidewall gap (4) face in opposite directions.