EP2591861B1 - Actuator cap for a fluid dispenser - Google Patents

Actuator cap for a fluid dispenser Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2591861B1
EP2591861B1 EP11188491.2A EP11188491A EP2591861B1 EP 2591861 B1 EP2591861 B1 EP 2591861B1 EP 11188491 A EP11188491 A EP 11188491A EP 2591861 B1 EP2591861 B1 EP 2591861B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
actuator
outer body
actuator button
button
chassis
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP11188491.2A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2591861A1 (en
Inventor
Kassie Terra-Lynn Betts
Simon Lewis Bilton
Christopher John Jones
Garen Kouyoumjian
Adrian Barclay Caroen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Original Assignee
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Unilever PLC, Unilever NV filed Critical Unilever PLC
Priority to EP11188491.2A priority Critical patent/EP2591861B1/en
Priority to EP20110195105 priority patent/EP2592019B1/en
Priority to ES11195105.9T priority patent/ES2523380T3/es
Priority to PCT/EP2012/069949 priority patent/WO2013068188A1/en
Priority to PCT/EP2012/070590 priority patent/WO2013068219A1/en
Priority to US14/355,672 priority patent/US9181018B2/en
Priority to MX2014005701A priority patent/MX342013B/es
Priority to BR112014009502-7A priority patent/BR112014009502B1/pt
Priority to EP12775487.7A priority patent/EP2776339B1/en
Priority to AU2012334269A priority patent/AU2012334269B2/en
Priority to ARP120104183A priority patent/AR088682A1/es
Priority to ARP120104181 priority patent/AR088680A1/es
Publication of EP2591861A1 publication Critical patent/EP2591861A1/en
Priority to ZA2014/02583A priority patent/ZA201402583B/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2591861B1 publication Critical patent/EP2591861B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/16—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means
    • B65D83/22—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means with a mechanical means to disable actuation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/16—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means
    • B65D83/20—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means operated by manual action, e.g. button-type actuator or actuator caps
    • B65D83/205—Actuator caps, or peripheral actuator skirts, attachable to the aerosol container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/56—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant with means for preventing delivery, e.g. shut-off when inverted
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/0005—Components or details
    • B05B11/0027—Means for neutralising the actuation of the sprayer ; Means for preventing access to the sprayer actuation means
    • B05B11/0032—Manually actuated means located downstream the discharge nozzle for closing or covering it, e.g. shutters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
    • B05B11/1042—Components or details
    • B05B11/1059—Means for locking a pump or its actuation means in a fixed position
    • B05B11/106—Means for locking a pump or its actuation means in a fixed position in a retracted position, e.g. in an end-of-dispensing-stroke position
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2215/00—Child-proof means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2215/00—Child-proof means
    • B65D2215/04—Child-proof means requiring the combination of different actions in succession
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/16—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means
    • B65D83/20—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means operated by manual action, e.g. button-type actuator or actuator caps
    • B65D83/205—Actuator caps, or peripheral actuator skirts, attachable to the aerosol container
    • B65D83/206—Actuator caps, or peripheral actuator skirts, attachable to the aerosol container comprising a cantilevered actuator element, e.g. a lever pivoting about a living hinge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/34—Cleaning or preventing clogging of the discharge passage

Definitions

  • the present invention is concerned with an actuator cap for a fluid container that allows the contents of the container to be sprayed 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.
  • a particular aspect of the invention is that the actuator enables the dispenser with which it is associated to be interchangeably converted between operative and inoperative states.
  • EP 2,049,415 B1 discloses a fluid dispensing head comprising actuator means for driving a pushbutton in axial displacement relative to the valve rod, the pushbutton being used to trigger dispensing.
  • the invention is particularly suitable for applying cosmetic products to the surface of the human body, especially to the underarm regions of the human body.
  • an actuator cap for dispensing a fluid product comprising a rotatable outer body and an associated actuator button, the outer body enclosing a non-rotatable chassis and an associated spray channel assembly, the latter comprising an outlet nozzle; the outer body and actuator button being rotatable between:
  • the actuator cap of the present invention is designed for use with a supply of fluid product, particularly fluid cosmetic product for use on the surface of the human body.
  • the fluid product is supplied from a container to which the actuator cap is attached.
  • the actuator cap is particularly suitable for use with a pressurised aerosol canister containing the product to be dispensed.
  • a key feature of the invention is the rising actuator button.
  • the device When the actuator button is not raised, the device is incapable of operation, giving it a safe transit and storage position. This position is additionally safe because the actuator button itself is protected from damage in this position, being surrounded by the outer body.
  • stacking devices incorporating the 'closed' actuator button and associated fluid container.
  • a further benefit of the present invention is that the spray channel assembly, typically the most fragile element of spray through caps, is always enclosed by the actuator cap and does not itself need to rise through the cap in preparation for actuation. Designs in which the spray channel assembly needs to rise significantly to achieve activation are prone to stresses that the actuator caps of the present invention avoid.
  • the actuator cap has the further advantage that it is easily returned to its non-operable state.
  • the actuator cap comprises means for driving rotation of the outer body towards completion. This can be to complete rotation to the primed position and/or rotation towards the fully closed position. This is typically achieved by means of leaf springs and/or rotational tension between non-circulation as described in more detail later.
  • references to the “device” are the actuator cap in combination with a container of the fluid to be dispensed.
  • orientation terms such as “horizontal/vertical” and “upper/lower” should be understood to refer to the actuator cap oriented in an upright manner as it would be on top of an upright aerosol can with which it is designed for use.
  • the "front” of the actuator cap refers to the face bearing the spray outlet; the “sides” are the faces orthogonal to this face and the “rear” is the face parallel to, but away from that bearing spray outlet.
  • the actuator cap should be understood to be “primed”, i.e., ready for actuation, when the actuator button is in its raised and tilted position ready for depression.
  • the components of the actuator cap are typically made from plastic.
  • the outer body 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.
  • Figure 1 shows an actuator cap (1) comprising a rotatable outer body (2), actuator button (3) and collar (4).
  • the collar (4) is designed to fit over a pressurised fluid container (not shown) with which the actuator cap (1) is designed to be used.
  • the actuator button (3) is in a raised and tilted position in preparation for actuation ( vide infra ). From this Figure and many of the others, it is clear that the overall cross-sectional shape of the actuator (1), in a horizontal plane, is non-circular, having what might be termed a rounded rectangular shape. Both the collar (4) and the outer body (2) have this cross-sectional shape.
  • FIG 2 shows the actuator cap (1) of Figure 1 with the outer body (2) made invisible, revealing some of the internal features of the device.
  • the collar (4) is part of a much more involved component, the chassis (5), more about which is said below.
  • Many of the components of the chassis (5) sit on a platform (7) that is held in a raised position above the collar (4) by several connecting ribs (8 and 9), two of which (one illustrated, 9) are wider than the others and project outwards from the platform (7).
  • the narrower connecting ribs (8), of which there are four (two shown), are recessed.
  • Figure 3 illustrates the spray channel assembly (6) held snugly in the chassis (5).
  • Figure 3 also shows one of two cam surfaces or drive ramps (10) present on the chassis (5) and one of two cam surfaces or return ramps (11) present on the spray channel assembly (6). These cam surfaces are key to the operation of the actuator ( vide infra ).
  • a low wall (12) of convoluted shape rises from the platform (7) of the chassis (5) and extends approximately two-thirds the way around the platform (7), close to but not at its periphery. This wall (12) is important in the rotational operation of the actuator (1) ( vide infra ).
  • Figure 4 illustrates several of the features of the chassis (5).
  • the blanking plate (14) serves to block off the aperture (16) in the skirt (17) of the outer body (2) when the actuator (1) is in its fully closed position ( vide infra ).
  • the screen (13) serves a similar purpose when the actuator (1) is part way between its fully closed and fully open positions.
  • FIG 4 Also illustrated in Figure 4 are two cam surfaces or drive ramps (10 and 18).
  • the drive ramps (10 and 18) protrude from the platform (7) and curve around facing portions of the edge of an aperture (26) in the chassis (5) (see Figure 5 ), increasing in height in an anticlockwise direction.
  • One of these drive ramps (10) is shorter than the other (18), as a result of starting at a higher point up the wall (12), of which they are both continuations.
  • the shorter drive ramp (10) is truncated at its top, terminating in a short horizontal section (19) anticlockwise from the ramped section.
  • Leading in to each of the drive ramps (10 and 18) from an anticlockwise direction are flat sections (10A and 18A, respectively.
  • the drive ramps (10 and 18) have the same slope and terminate at the same height above the platform (7).
  • the drive ramps (10 and 18) serve to force the actuator button (3) upwards by interaction with drive lugs (20 and 21) projecting inwards from the actuator button (3) when the actuator button (3) is rotated by turning the outer body (2) anticlockwise ( vide infra ).
  • FIG 4 Also illustrated in Figure 4 is one of two retaining clips (33) that help hold the spray channel assembly (6) in place.
  • These clips also illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 ), have a top surface that slopes downwards towards the centre of aperture (26), this feature assisting the assembly of the actuator cap (1), in particular the insertion of the spray channel assembly (6) into the aperture (26) in the chassis (5).
  • the outer edge of the chassis (5) at its lower end is defined by the collar (4).
  • a short peripheral skirt (34) of almost circular profile This skirt (34) projects upwards from a horizontal peripheral ledge (35) which links the bottom of the peripheral skirt (34) to the top of the collar (4).
  • the actuator cap (1) When the actuator cap (1) is assembled, the lower edge of the outer body (2) sits upon the peripheral ledge (35). Interaction between the inner surface of the outer body (2), which has "rounded rectangular" cross-section and the outer surface of the peripheral skirt (34), which has an almost but not quite circular profile (see Figure 7 ), leads to rotational tensioning.
  • These slots (40) comprise gaps existing in both vertical and horizontal planes.
  • the vertical gap is constant across the full dimensions of the components, the platform (7) being held at the same height above the surrounding peripheral ledge (35) across all its extent.
  • the radial gap between the platform (7) and the ledge (35) varies radially, decreasing steadily in width in a clockwise direction starting from the points adjacent to the clockwise edges of the wider connecting ribs (9). This may most clearly be seen in Figures 5 and 6 .
  • the decreasing width of the slots (40) in this plane is caused by a corresponding increase in the size of the platform (7).
  • This variation in the radial width of the slots (40) has marked advantage in the balance between ease of manufacture and the in use robustness of the assembled actuator cap (1) ( vide infra ).
  • Figure 5 shows the path of the low wall (12) of convoluted shape that rises from the platform (7) of the chassis (5).
  • This wall interacts with two leaf springs (24) projecting downwards from the inside surface of the top wall (25) of the outer body (2) ( vide infra ).
  • the lower ends of the leaf springs (24) sit outside of the low wall (12) and are tensioned when outside the sections of the wall (12) farthest from the centre (labelled 12A).
  • the tension in the leaf springs (24) serves to drive rotation of the outer body (2) towards the positions in which the leaf springs (24) sit outside the sections of the wall (12) nearest to the centre (labelled 12B) when the rotational of the outer body (2) is such that the lower ends of the leaf springs (24) are located on sections of the wall (12) sloping between the sections farthest (12A) and nearest (12B) to the centre.
  • leaf springs (24) The location of the leaf springs (24) is such that their lower ends sit outside the sections of the low wall (12B) nearest to the centre of the chassis (5) when the actuator cap (1) is in its fully open or fully closed position; hence, the leaf springs serve to drive the outer body (2) towards these rotational positions when close thereto.
  • the chassis has a central aperture (26) into which the spray channel assembly (6) is designed to fit snugly.
  • the aperture (26) is roughly circular in cross-section, but has distinct narrowed sections (27) that interact with narrowed sections on the body (28) (see Figure 15 ) of the spray channel assembly (6) to restrict rotation of the latter when in the aperture (26).
  • a wall (29) of varying height rises from the platform (7).
  • the aforementioned drive ramps (10 and 18) are extensions of this wall (29) where it surrounds the narrowed sections (27) of the aperture (26).
  • the wall (29) has strengthening support struts (30) radiating outwards from its outer edge and abutting the platform (7), as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 .
  • Each of the drive ramps (10 and 18) has a vertical edge (36), see Figure 4 , at its anticlockwise extremity, this being important in the achieving spray release when the actuator cap (1) is primed ( vide infra ).
  • the wall (29) has a concave cut (41) for retention of a cross-stem (42) of spray channel assembly (6) when at its lowest (dispensing) position ( vide infra ).
  • the radial position of the concave cut (41) is shortly anticlockwise of the vertical edge (36) defining the anticlockwise extremity of the longer drive ramp (18), this drive ramp (18) radially matching the position of the more externally located screen (13).
  • Figure 6 shows a valve cup ring (31) which protrudes downwards from the underside of the chassis (5) and which fastens to the valve cup of an aerosol can when the actuator cap (1) is in use.
  • the valve cup ring (31) has an internal bead (32) to help facilitate this fastening.
  • Figure 6 also illustrates the underside of the connecting ribs (8 and 9).
  • the narrower ribs (8) project radially from the outer edge of valve cup ring (31) to the inner edge of the peripheral skirt (34) and collar (4).
  • the wider ribs (9) are comprised of curved peripheral sections (9A) linking the edge of the platform (7) to the top edge of the peripheral skirt (34) and inwardly angled support projections (9B) connecting the outer edge of the valve cup ring (31) to the inner edge of the peripheral skirt (34) and the collar (4).
  • Figure 8 shows that the outer body (2) has an upper surface (25) and a skirt (17) dependent therefrom.
  • an aperture (16) for the spray channel assembly (6) to be able to discharge from when the actuator cap (1) is primed.
  • the upper surface (25) and an upper rear part of the skirt (17) facing the aperture (16) have a cut-away segment for incorporation of the actuator button (3) ( vide infra ).
  • the part cut-away from the upper surface (25) has parallel edges towards the sides and a roughly orthogonal, but outwardly curved, edge towards the front.
  • One of the two leaf springs (24) is part illustrated in Figure 8 , as is one of two downward projections (37) from the middle of both parallel edges of the cut-away segment of the upper surface (25). There are also downward projections (38) from either side of the parallel edges of the cut-away segment that border the cut-away segment in the skirt (17). These downward projections (37 and 38) serve to help guide the actuator button (3).
  • Figure 8 also illustrates one of two retaining clips (39) that help hold the outer body (2) in place on the chassis (5).
  • These clips (39) fit into the slots (40) between the platform (7) and the skirt (34) of the chassis (5) and are circumferentially bounded by the edges of the wider connecting ribs (9) between these features (see Figure 4 ). Rotation of the clips (39) between the bounds of the connecting ribs (9) is possible in part because of the recessed nature of the narrower connecting ribs (8) located in-between.
  • the retaining clips (39) are pushed through the slots (40) in the chassis (5) where the latter have their maximum radial width ( vide supra ), this easing manufacture. This corresponds to a radial positioning of the outer body (2) relative to the chassis (5) as present when the actuator cap is in its primed position. Following insertion, the retaining clips (39) are rotated in the slots (40) in the chassis (5) to the position where the latter have their minimum radial width, this corresponding to a radial positioning of the outer body (2) relative to the chassis (5) as present when the actuator cap is in its fully closed position.
  • Figure 9 illustrates that between the downward projections (37 and 38) from each side of the upper surface (25) of the outer body (2) bordering the cut-away segment thereof, there is a concave curved depression or yoke (43).
  • These concave yokes (43) serve an important function in conjunction with elements of the actuator button (3) ( vide infra ).
  • Figures 9 and 10 illustrate several of the strengthening features of the outer body (2).
  • the leaf springs (24) are each reinforced by four support struts (44) projecting from their outer surfaces are bracing against the inside surface of the top wall (25).
  • the retaining clips (39) are each strengthened by three support struts (45) that project downwards from their lower surfaces and brace against the inside of the skirt (17) at its front and rear. Two of the support struts (45) for the retaining clips (39) are located at the edges of the retaining clips (39) and project upwards as well as downwards. These edge support struts (45) also serve as rotational stops when they come up against an the edges of the wider connecting ribs (9) that define the edge of the slots (40) in the chassis (5) into which the retaining clips (39) are designed to fit.
  • the retaining clip support struts (45) are chamfered on their lower edges to ease insertion of the clips (39) into the slots (40) in the chassis (5).
  • the downward projections (37) from the middle of both parallel edges of the cut-away segment of the upper surface (25) are strengthened by orthogonal walls (46) that project outwards from their rear edges. These orthogonal walls (46) also help to guide the actuator button (3) in its movement within the actuator cap (1) ( vide infra ).
  • the front segment of the upper surface (25) of the outer body (2) is reinforced on its inner side by four support ribs (47) running in parallel from front to back.
  • Figure 11 shows some of the top and side features of the actuator button (3).
  • the top face (50) is of same dimensions as the cut-away segment of the top wall (25) of the outer body (2) and completely fills this aperture when the actuator cap (1) is in its fully closed position.
  • the top face (50) of the actuator button (3) rises from being in the same plane as the upper surface (25) of the outer body (2), when the cap (1) is fully closed, through a position in which the top face (50) is raised but parallel to the upper surface (25), to a fully open or primed position in which the top face (50) is raised and sloping upwards (rear to front) relative to the upper surface (25).
  • the side walls (51) of the actuator button (3) are visible in part, the actuator button protruding from the top surface (25) of the outer body (2) in these positions.
  • the side walls (51) of the actuator button (3) bearing the pinions (49) are actually located towards the front and rear of the actuator cap (1) when it is in its fully closed position; however, anticlockwise rotation of the upper body (2) and associated actuator button (3) through 90° puts the device in its fully open or primed position, in which position the pinions (49) are located towards the sides of the actuator cap (1) as a whole.
  • the pinions (49) move up the channels existing between the downward projections (37 and 38) from the middle and rear (respectively) of the parallel edges of the cut-away segment of the upper surface (25) of the outer body (2), guided in part by the orthogonal walls (46) projecting outwards from the rear edges of the middle projections (37), and when fully elevated, sit in the concave depressions or yokes (43) at the top of said channels.
  • the final anticlockwise rotation of the upper body (2) and associated actuator button (3) causes the actuator button (3) to pivot about an axis through the through its pinions (49), resulting in the actuator button (1) becoming raised at its front edge ( vide infra ).
  • Key components of the actuator button (3) shown in Figure 12 are inward projecting drive lugs (20 and 21). Projecting from a downwardly projecting front plate (52) of the button (3) is the front drive lug (20). Projecting from the front-facing surface of an internal cross-wall (53) just behind the axis between the pinions (49) of the button (3) is the rear drive lug (21). The front-back positioning of the rear drive lug (21) is in the same vertical plane as the axis between the pinions (49).
  • the drive lugs (20 and 21) are of the same dimensions and face one another in the same front-back plane; however, the front drive lug (20) is located somewhat lower in the actuator button (3) than the rear drive lug (21).
  • the front drive lug (20) sits on the longer drive ramp (18) of the chassis (5) and the rear drive lug (21) sits on the shorter drive ramp (10) of the chassis (5).
  • the actuator button (3) is level with the top wall (25) of the outer body (2) because the height difference between the front drive lug (20) and the rear drive lug (21) equates to the height difference at which the longer drive ramp (18) and the shorter drive ramp (10) commence.
  • the actuator button (3) rises without slanting because the drive ramps (18 and 10) upon which the drive lugs (20 and 21) sit have the same slope.
  • the rear drive lug (21) reaches the horizontal section (19) of the shorter drive ramp (10), it does not rise further, unlike the front drive lug (20) which continues to rise further along the longer drive ramp (18), thereby producing a tilt in the actuator button (3), it being raised at the front at this rotational position.
  • actuator button (3) There is a rear wall (54) that is designed to fill the cut-away section in the upper rear part of the skirt (17) facing the aperture (16). There is a front wall (55). The downwardly projecting front plate (52) is a partial continuation of this front wall (55). The is a platform (56) extending forward from the front wall (55) and also outwards front the side walls (51) as flexible wing structures (57) which slope upwards as they extend outwards.
  • the platform (56) and associated flexible wing structures (57) are designed to fit under the top wall (25) of the outer body (2) and the front-back angle of these features is such that they are in the same plane as the top wall (25) of the outer body (2) when the actuator button (3) is fully tilted and the actuator cap (1) is primed. In this position, the platform (56) and associated flexible wing structures (57) are pressed against the under surface of the top wall (25) of the outer body (2), flattening out the upward slope of the flexible wing structures (57).
  • the actuator button (3) has multiple (six) outward projecting strengthening ribs (58) on the upper surface of the part of the platform (56) extending forward from the front wall (55).
  • the downwardly projecting front plate (52) has two support wedges (59) between it and the lower side of the platform (56) extending forward from the front wall (55).
  • the internal cross-wall (53) has support ribs (60) projecting fore and aft.
  • the side walls (51) each have a thin, outward-projecting, vertical rib (61) located just to the rear of the pinions (49). These ribs (61) lightly contact the inner faces of the downward projections (38) from the parallel edges of the segment cut-away from the top wall (25) of the outer body (2) and help to prevent undesirable sideways roll of the actuator button (3) when it is depressed.
  • FIGS 13 to 15 illustrate various aspects of the spray channel assembly (6).
  • the main body (28) is of roughly circular cross-section, but has narrowed sections (28A) that fit within the narrowed sections of the aperture (26) in the chassis (5) ( vide supra ).
  • Projecting outwards from the upper region of the main body (28) is a radial nozzle tube (62), terminating in the spray orifice (63).
  • the spray issuing from the spray orifice (63) further atomised by a spray chamber (64) sitting at the end of the radial nozzle tube (62).
  • the radial nozzle tube (62) slopes slightly upwards as it extends outwards.
  • the spray orifice (63) is surrounded by the obscuring plate (23) that fills the cut away section (22) at the end of the screen (13) farthest from the blanking plate (14) of the chassis (5) ( vide supra ).
  • a tubular stem socket (68) designed to accommodate the valve stem of an associated aerosol container.
  • the stem socket (68) is in fluid communication with the spray orifice (63) through the spray chamber (64) and other internal channels not illustrated but common in the art.
  • retaining clips (69) protrude from the "non-narrowed" or wider segments (28B) of the main body (28), on opposite sides of said main body (28). These retaining clips (69) fit underneath the corresponding retaining clips (33) that protrude into the central aperture (26) of the chassis (5) ( vide supra ) and help to hold the spray channel assembly (6) and the chassis (5) together.
  • return ramps (11 and 65) of the same slope curving around opposite outside surfaces of the main body (28). These return ramps (11 and 65) sit above the drive lugs (21 and 20, respectively) projecting inwards from the actuator button (3) and serve to force the actuator button (3) downwards when the outer body (2) is rotated clockwise.
  • the return ramp (65) to the left of the spray orifice (63) is longer than the return ramp (11) to the right of the spray orifice (63), viewing the actuator cap (1) from the front.
  • the length of the longer return ramp (65) corresponds to the length of the longer drive ramp (18) and the front (lower) drive lug (20) sits between these ramps.
  • the length of the shorter return ramp (11) corresponds to the length of the shorter drive ramp (10) and the rear (higher) drive lug (20) sits between these ramps.
  • the return ramps (11 and 65) have flat sections (66 and 67) at their upper and lower ends (respectively).
  • the gap between the lower flat sections (67) and the flat sections (10A and 18A) leading into the corresponding drive ramps (10 and 18) on the chassis (5) is slightly less than the height of the drive lugs (21 and 20) that is forced between them as the outer body (2) is rotated to its fully clockwise position.
  • this causes an upward force on the spray channel assembly (6), resulting in a slight lifting of the stem socket (68) from the valve stem (not illustrated) with which it is associated in use, creating a "safety gap" when the actuator is in its closed position.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
EP11188491.2A 2011-11-09 2011-11-09 Actuator cap for a fluid dispenser Active EP2591861B1 (en)

Priority Applications (13)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11188491.2A EP2591861B1 (en) 2011-11-09 2011-11-09 Actuator cap for a fluid dispenser
EP20110195105 EP2592019B1 (en) 2011-11-09 2011-12-22 Actuator cap for a fluid dispenser
ES11195105.9T ES2523380T3 (es) 2011-11-09 2011-12-22 Tapón accionador para un distribuidor de fluidos
PCT/EP2012/069949 WO2013068188A1 (en) 2011-11-09 2012-10-09 Actuator cap for a fluid dispenser
BR112014009502-7A BR112014009502B1 (pt) 2011-11-09 2012-10-17 tampa do atuador
MX2014005701A MX342013B (es) 2011-11-09 2012-10-17 Tapa accionadora para un dosificador de fluidos.
PCT/EP2012/070590 WO2013068219A1 (en) 2011-11-09 2012-10-17 Actuator cap for a fluid dispenser
EP12775487.7A EP2776339B1 (en) 2011-11-09 2012-10-17 Actuator cap for a fluid dispenser
AU2012334269A AU2012334269B2 (en) 2011-11-09 2012-10-17 Actuator cap for a fluid dispenser
US14/355,672 US9181018B2 (en) 2011-11-09 2012-10-17 Actuator cap for a fluid dispenser
ARP120104183A AR088682A1 (es) 2011-11-09 2012-11-07 Tapa accionadora para dispensador de fluido
ARP120104181 AR088680A1 (es) 2011-11-09 2012-11-07 Tapa accionadora para un dosificador de fluidos
ZA2014/02583A ZA201402583B (en) 2011-11-09 2014-04-09 Actuator cap for a fluid dispenser

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11188491.2A EP2591861B1 (en) 2011-11-09 2011-11-09 Actuator cap for a fluid dispenser

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2591861A1 EP2591861A1 (en) 2013-05-15
EP2591861B1 true EP2591861B1 (en) 2014-09-24

Family

ID=47002876

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11188491.2A Active EP2591861B1 (en) 2011-11-09 2011-11-09 Actuator cap for a fluid dispenser

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2591861B1 (es)
AR (1) AR088682A1 (es)
WO (1) WO2013068188A1 (es)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2592019B1 (en) 2011-11-09 2014-09-10 Unilever PLC Actuator cap for a fluid dispenser
BR112014009772B1 (pt) 2011-11-09 2020-04-14 Unilever Nv tampa atuadora e método para a aplicação de um produto cosmético
PL2591860T3 (pl) 2011-11-09 2014-07-31 Unilever Nv Kapturek aktywatora dla dozownika płynu
EA027163B1 (ru) 2011-11-09 2017-06-30 Унилевер Н.В. Аэрозольное выдачное устройство
WO2014121985A1 (en) * 2013-02-11 2014-08-14 Unilever Plc Actuator cap for a fluid dispenser
USD920805S1 (en) 2019-05-30 2021-06-01 Berlin Packaging, Llc Container with pump actuator
US10752412B1 (en) 2019-11-06 2020-08-25 Berlin Packaging, Llc Child resistant container with pump actuator

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6287765U (es) * 1985-11-19 1987-06-04

Family Cites Families (7)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5611965Y2 (es) * 1976-12-07 1981-03-18
GB8306856D0 (en) 1983-03-12 1983-04-20 Metal Box Plc Aerosol actuator
DE29610372U1 (de) * 1996-06-13 1996-10-17 Holthoff Martin Schutz- und Bedienkappe mit integriertem Sprühkopf für Aerosolbehälter
DE20000860U1 (de) * 2000-01-19 2000-04-06 Seaquist Perfect Dispensing Verriegelbare Betätigungsvorrichtung für eine Abgabevorrichtung eines Flüssigkeitsbehälters
US7757905B2 (en) * 2005-08-18 2010-07-20 Summit Packaging Systems, Inc. Spray actuator
FR2904294B1 (fr) 2006-07-26 2011-01-21 Valois Sas Tete de distribution de produit fluide.
WO2008150810A1 (en) * 2007-05-29 2008-12-11 Meadwestvaco Calmar, Inc. Dispenser and methods of using the same

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6287765U (es) * 1985-11-19 1987-06-04

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2591861A1 (en) 2013-05-15
AR088682A1 (es) 2014-06-25
WO2013068188A1 (en) 2013-05-16

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