EP2735526B1 - Aerosol generator with removable handle and blocking device - Google Patents

Description

Background of the invention Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an aerosol generator with a removable handle and a device for prohibiting operation.

Such a generator is particularly suitable for the projection of paints under the action of a propellant. The aerosol generators comprise a housing with a pressure vessel in the form of a cylindrical body and a valve. Many housings have a diffuser cover to operate the valve which makes the generator safer and more ergonomic. For these housings a hood with a diffuser button optionally with projection nozzle is mounted on the tank.

For uses where a long or repetitive press on the actuating button of the valve is necessary, for example for professional use of spray paint housings, it is known to equip the handle boxes equipped with a trigger actuating the valve. valve.

For uses requiring security, there are devices adapted to prohibit the operation of the valve.

Technological background

The document FR2865463 A1 relates to an aerosol housing comprising a diffuser cover provided with a base snapping on a crimping of a housing dome, a protection member of an actuating button surrounding said button for which the base and the button push comprise means complementary rotary blocking of the push button in a position of prohibition of actuation of the valve.

The document DE20003479U discloses a diffuser cover according to the preamble of claim 1.

The documents US 6,029,862 , US 2009/0294615 A1 , US 2010/0051652 A1 , DE 20 2009 001 448 U1 also provide aerosol enclosures with a handle.

These prior art devices are not generators hood and removable handle for separating the diffuser and the handle to retain the functionality of a diffuser hood generator without the handle.

The document WO 96/11151 A1 relates to a handle device attaching itself to an aerosol generator diffuser cover which is fixed only on the top of the generator.

The document US2008 / 179347 A1 discloses an aerosol dispenser housing having a flange and push-button cover for which the push button is provided with a cap and is operable with its cap tilting relative to the base for actuating a diffusion valve in a release position and which is locked in tilting in a prohibition position obtained by angular rotation of the push button relative to the base.

The document US 7686,193 B1 discloses a removable handle device for an aerosol generator housing which includes an annular clamping device of an upper strapping of the housing and a base provided with spaced legs adapted to be applied to the cylindrical body of the housing.

Brief description of the invention

The present invention firstly proposes a robust cover comprising a base and an element attached to the base comprising a protection member of a push button.

It furthermore provides an aerosol generator assembly with a diffuser cover and a removable handle, the aerosol generator comprising a cover provided with a device for prohibiting operation of a button for actuating a valve of the housing accessible at the level of the handle. .

To do this, the present invention provides a diffuser cover for an aerosol generator comprising a reservoir and a valve mounted on the reservoir via a dome, the diffuser cover being provided with a push button for actuating the cooperating valve. with an outlet tube of the valve, the push button of the diffuser cover being provided with a channel and an aerosol diffusion outlet, for which the diffuser cover comprises a base adapted to snap on a crimping of the dome and a protection member of the push button surrounding the push button, the push button and the protective member of the push button being rotatably mounted on the base and for which the diffuser cover comprises means for prohibition of operation of the button actuated by a relative movement of the protective member relative to the base,
for which the protection member and the base comprise first and second latching means adapted to cooperate to hook the protection member on the base, the first means being made on the base and carried by an inner wall an annular groove limited by said inner wall and by an outer wall, the second means being formed on an inner face of an annular skirt of the protection member inserted between the inner wall and the outer wall of the annular groove, the annular groove being of a suitable width to oppose the disengagement of the skirt by traction.

According to a preferred embodiment, the protection member and button assembly is made in one piece, the button being connected to the protective member by a flexible tongue.

Advantageously, the maneuver inhibiting means are activated and deactivated by rotation of the protection member.

According to a particular embodiment, the maneuver prohibition means comprise a shoulder and a finger, the finger being adapted to bear against the shoulder in said blocking position of the push button.

The protection member and the base advantageously comprise means for stopping the rotation of the protective member defining a locking position and a release position of the push button allowing the actuation of the valve by the push button and comprise reference means adapted to allow viewing of the locked or unlocked state of the push button.

The protective member and the base may further comprise a ratchet device adapted to achieve a hard point and an auditory signal during the passage between said locking position and release position of the button.

According to the invention, the protection member forms a cap which is fixed on the base and is provided with a mounting profile in a channel of the base. This profile has the particular advantage of increasing the strength of the mounting of the cover on the base to better center it and avoid a setting through the protective member that would eventually unclip.

According to a particular embodiment, the channel opens into a receiving housing of a removable nozzle provided with the diffusion outlet of the aerosol and a positioning key in the push button.

The invention applies to an aerosol generator comprising a reservoir, a valve mounted on the reservoir via a dome and a diffuser cover for which the base is rotatably mounted on the reservoir and clicks on a crimping the dome on the tank to cover the upper part of the housing which allows to properly center the hood.

The invention further relates to an aerosol generator assembly and removable handle for which the handle comprises a trigger, a push mechanism on the push button connected to the trigger and a cover on masking at least one actuating portion of the push button ,

the overcap having notches adapted to leave accessible valve actuation inhibiting means activated and deactivated by rotation of the protective member of the button.

The overcap preferably comprises a cutout adapted to leave the diffusion nozzle apparent, the cutout being surrounded by a protective skirt against projections from the nozzle.

The handle advantageously comprises holding means on the reservoir in the form of a ring surrounding the reservoir.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the handle comprises a hooking means which is fixed under the tank opposite the diffuser cover.

According to a first embodiment, the attachment means is a hook.

The hook can in particular hook in a hollow under the housing

The handle may in particular comprise a fixed device extending the handle on the opposite side to the diffuser provided with a second ring for holding and centering the reservoir, holding legs connected by an annular spring element located around the lower end of the reservoir and carrying tabs for disengaging the hook by pressure with the fingers at the tabs on the annular spring member.

According to an alternative embodiment, the attachment means is carried by a rod slidably mounted relative to the body of the handle.

The handle is advantageously provided with stopping means of the rod in a plurality of positions so that the handle fits on housings of different heights.

The rod is advantageously received in a sleeve resting against the side of the tank.

According to a particular embodiment, the attachment means is in the form of a base.

The handle advantageously comprises means for attaching a scraper tool in extension of an upper face of the overcap.

To increase the safety of the generator, the handle may include a trigger lock slider.

Brief description of the figures

• en figure 1 : une vue en perspective d'un capot diffuseur selon un aspect de l'invention;
• en figure 2: une vue en perspective de trois quart d'un exemple de générateur aérosol auquel s'applique l'invention;
• en figure 3: une vue en perspective coupe verticale du capot diffuseur de la figure 1 ;
• en figure 4: une vue de dessous en perspective d'un ensemble bouton poussoir et organe de protection selon un aspect de l'invention;
• en figure 5: une vue en perspective de dessus d'une embase de capot diffuseur de l'invention;
• en figure 6 une vue en perspective de dessous de l'ensemble bouton poussoir et organe de protection de la figure 4;
• en figure 7: une vue en perspective de côté d'une poignée selon l'invention;
• en figure 8: un vue en perspective de la poignée de la figure 7 ouverte montée sur un générateur aérosol;
• en figure 9: une vue en perspective d'une variante de la poignée de la figure 8 ouverte montée sur un générateur aérosol;
• en figure 10: une vue de trois quart face de l'ensemble bouton poussoir et organe de protection buse retirée et une vue en perspective d'une buse se montant dans cet ensemble.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings which represent:

• in figure 1 : a perspective view of a diffuser cap according to one aspect of the invention;
• in figure 2 a perspective view of three quarters of an example of an aerosol generator to which the invention applies;
• in figure 3 : a vertical perspective view of the diffuser cover of the figure 1 ;
• in figure 4 : a bottom view in perspective of a push button assembly and protection member according to one aspect of the invention;
• in figure 5 : a perspective view from above of a diffuser hood base of the invention;
• in figure 6 a perspective view from below of the push button assembly and protection member of the figure 4 ;
• in figure 7 : a side perspective view of a handle according to the invention;
• in figure 8 : a perspective view of the handle of the figure 7 open mounted on an aerosol generator;
• in figure 9 : a perspective view of a variant of the handle of the figure 8 open mounted on an aerosol generator;
• in figure 10 : A three-quarter front view of the push button assembly and nozzle guard removed and a perspective view of a nozzle mounting in this assembly.

Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention

The present invention applies to aerosol generators comprising a housing as shown in FIG. figure 1 .

Such a housing comprises a tubular tank 1 provided with an upper end equipped with a valve 2 disposed at the top of a dome 3 crimped on the housing 1.

The valve is fixed in the dome by means of a cup 31 and comprises a product outlet tube 7 which is kept under pressure in the tank 1 of the housing.

At the top of the housing the aerosol generator comprises a diffuser cover 4, an example of which is shown in FIG. figure 2 .

The diffuser cover 4 is provided with a push button 6 for actuating the valve 2.

As shown in the sectional view of the figure 3 , the push button is provided with a channel 15 and an outlet 16 for diffusing the aerosol in the form of a diffusion nozzle 161. The channel 15 comprises a vertical lower part that flares to connect to the outlet tube 7 of the valve 2.

According to figure 10 the channel 15 opens into a housing 150 for receiving a removable nozzle 161 provided with a positioning key 162 for positioning in the push button.

In the figure 10 the nozzle is shown greatly enlarged relative to the housing 150.

The nozzle 161 is forced into the housing 150, the key 161 being received in a groove 152 on one side of the housing 150.

Back to the figure 3 , the nozzle comprises a channel 151 extending channel 15.

The channel 151 ends with the output 16 which will have a shape adapted to a particular use depending on the nozzle. In particular, nozzles can be provided that produce a conical jet, a flat jet or the like.

Back to the figure 2 , the diffuser cover 4 comprises a base 8 which caps the dome of the housing.

By taking over the figure 3 , the base 8 snaps onto a crimp 9 of the dome 3 on the tank 1 to cover the upper part of the housing.

This attachment or snap of the base on the housing located near the center of the dome has the particular advantage of reducing the chain of dimensions between the channel 15 of the pusher and the tube 7 of the valve, to make the hood more resistant by
relative to pressing the button and also to allow the base to perfectly cover the top of the case because it does not include peripheral attachment means.

The diffuser cover 4 further comprises a protection member 10 of the push button 6 surrounding the push button.

One of the functions of the protection element is to avoid inadvertent tripping during shocks or to avoid involuntary push button presses.

In addition the protection member is designed to prevent disassembly so as to protect the valve and maintain the integrity of the hood. To do this, the protection member and the base comprise first and second latching means 25, 26.

According to the example, the first means 25 are made on the base in an annular groove limited by an inner wall 27 and an outer wall 28.

The first means are in the form of inclined surfaces carried by the inner wall 27 of the annular groove and terminated by a cutaway so as to form in section a ramp shape terminated by a stop wall.

The second means 26 are formed on an inner face of an annular skirt 29 of the protection member shown in FIG. figure 6 , said skirt being surrounded by the cap and inserted between the inner wall 27 and the outer wall 28 of the annular groove shown in FIG. figure 5 .

The second section means also comprise a ramp profile and stop wall so that it is possible to snap the protection member on the base by sliding the ramps on one another but their disengagement is made difficult by supporting the stop walls against each other.

In addition, to avoid disassembly by tearing of the protective member, the annular groove is of a width adapted to oppose disengagement of the skirt by traction, a torsion of the material of the skirt being made difficult by the presence the outer wall 28 of the groove while a torsion of the inner wall of the groove is difficult because the first means are formed outside the wall 27.

It should be noted that this effective detent device in case of attempted tearing by hand, still allows a rotation of the protective member relative to the base.

To perfect the design of the protective member to prevent accidental disassembly of the push button, the protective member 10 forms a cap which is fixed on the base and which is provided with a mounting profile 23 in a gutter 24 of the base 8. In addition to the advantages seen above to increase the strength of the assembly of the cover on the base, to better center it and to avoid a setting through the protective member that would eventually allow the unclip, this assembly is opposed to the insertion of a tool that can be lever under the protection member. In addition to the fact that it is aesthetic, this assembly avoids a separation of the protective member and the base in case of impact on the protective member.

According to figure 4 , the protection member and the button are made in one piece, the button being connected to the protective member by a flexible tongue 61 located below the outlet 16 of the pushbutton diffuser.

The output 16 under the support surface of the push button is itself arranged in a through hole made in the wall of the protective member.

The protection member has a crescent-shaped upper edge which leaves only a rear portion of maneuvering the push button accessible.

According to one aspect of the invention, the base 8 and the push button comprise complementary means 11, 12 for prohibiting operation of the push button 6.

These additional means are adapted to take a blocking position of the push button which prevents the actuation of the valve 2 by the push button.

According to the example shown in particular figure 3 in the locking position and in the views respectively of the base 8 in figure 5 and the protective body / push button assembly figure 6 , the maneuver prohibition means comprise a shoulder 11 made in the form of a platform in a central circular opening of the base 8 and a finger 12 protruding vertically under a rear portion of the push button 6, the finger being adapted to bear against the shoulder in said blocking position of the push button.

Thus, a rotation of the protective member / push button assembly on the base makes it possible to move from a position for which the finger is offset angularly relative to the shoulder 11 which allows to operate the push button and open the valve to diffuse the product to a position for which the finger rests on the shoulder ci which blocks the push button and prevents opening the valve 2.

It should be noted that the platform is preceded by a ramp which raises the finger on the platform so as to raise slightly the push button in the no maneuvering position.

To make more precise the positioning in rotation of the protection member and push button assembly between the two positions, the example shown comprises rotation stop means 17, 18, 19 of the protection member.

These means represented in Figures 5 and 6 comprise two angular stops 17, 18 and a rod 19 bearing against one or other of the stops define a locking position and a release position of the push button for actuating the valve by the push button.

In correspondence with the stops 17, 18, the protection member 10 and the base 8 comprise reference means 13, 14 adapted to enable the locked or unlocked state of the pushbutton 6 to be displayed.

To make audible and / or tactile the transition from the release position of the button to the locking position of the button and vice versa, the protection member 10 and the base 8 comprise a ratchet device 20, 21, 22 adapted to achieve a hard point and an auditory signal when passing between said blocking position and the release position of the button. This device comprises a spring tongue 20 and two hard points 21, 22.

The invention further relates to an aerosol generator assembly 100 and removable handle 200 as shown in FIGS. figures 7 and 8 and which comprises a handle body 201 forming a substantially vertical gripping means connected to a housing portion 221 of a substantially horizontal actuating mechanism.

The handle shown alone in figure 7 has an over-cover 202 which covers the top of the cover and is adapted to mask at least a portion of actuation of the push button 6.

The over-hood 202 has on its sides notches 205 adapted to leave accessible valve actuation inhibiting means which are activated and deactivated by rotation of the protective member.

Indeed, by the lateral indentations the operator has access to the sides of the protective member, these sides being provided with ridges 30 for easy rotation of the protective member assembly and button to move from the position allowing the maneuvering of the valve at the position prohibiting it.

Similarly, the base comprises ridges 31 accessible by the notches which allows to retain the base while the operator rotates the protection member.

The front of the overcap 202 has a cutout 211 adapted to leave the diffusion nozzle 16 apparent and allow the output of the product to be sprayed.

The cutout is surrounded by a skirt 207 for protection against projections from the nozzle, for example when there is wind that diffuses the spray mist.

This skirt extends forward beyond the diffusion nozzle.

On the top of the skirt, in extension of an upper face of the overcap 202, the handle comprises means 216 for attaching a scraper tool 300 which is thus positioned ready for use.

Under the overcap, the handle comprises holding means 215 on the tank 1 in the form of a ring surrounding the reservoir. This ring is positioned below the base.

Similarly to maintain the handle on the aerosol generator, the handle comprises according to the example shown in figure 8 , a base 206 being fixed under the tank opposite the diffuser cover.

According to this figure where the handle is shown in section along a vertical plane, the handle has in the upper part a shoulder 214 which is supported on the upper edge of the protective member 10. The aerosol generator is thus held firmly between the pedestal 206 and the shoulder 214.

Always visible in figure 8 , the handle comprises a trigger 203 disposed in a body of the handle and a mechanism 204 of support on the push button 206, this mechanism being connected to the trigger 203. The mechanism is here a mechanism tilting about an axis 220 and provided with a finger pressing the button 6 when the trigger is actuated.

To avoid inadvertent presses on the push button, the handle comprises a slider 210 which is operated between a locking position and a release position of the trigger.

Still according to the figure 8 , the base is carried by a rod 217 slidably mounted relative to the handle body 201. The rod 217 is provided with means 208 for stopping the rod in a plurality of positions so that the handle fits on housings of different heights. The stop means 208 comprise a plate 208a provided with a lug 208c which is inserted into holes 217a of the rod 217 and a return spring 208b of the wafer.

The rod is received in a sleeve 209 which rests against the side of the tank 1 which increases the stability of the mounting of the handle on the aerosol generator. The sleeve is connected in its upper part to the annular holding means 215 and in its lower part to the handle body 201 by means of a cross member 201 a.

In a simplified version such as for example the variant of the figure 9 , the base can be replaced by a hook 226 clinging in a recess in the housing.

In this example, the movable rod is replaced by a fixed device extending the handle body 201 on the opposite side to the diffuser, that is to say on a side opposite to the actuating portion of the button.

Such an embodiment is suitable for example when the handle is used for housings all the same height.

According to this example, the handle comprises a second ring 215a for holding and centering the reservoir connected to the handle body by the cross member 201a.

This second retaining ring here carries holding legs 227 extending opposite the handle body 201.

The holding legs are connected by an annular spring element disposed around the lower end of the tank.

The annular spring element serves to disengage the hook 226 from the tank 1.

To do this, the spring element is oval in shape with a diameter greater than the diameter of the reservoir at the tabs 228 for disengaging the hook 226.

The disengagement is achieved by bending the spring member by pressing the annular spring member with the fingers at the tabs 228 which pushes the hook 226 forwards and disengages the underside of the tank.

The hook 226 faces a support tongue 229 improving the holding of the reservoir and may itself be provided with a second hook.

This variant is less expensive since it has fewer parts to assemble but is only suitable for one case size.

The invention is not limited to the example shown and includes any variant within the scope of the claims. In particular, the reference means 13, 14 shown under the product outlet nozzle may be positioned differently and for example may be moved on one side between the streaks 30 and 31. Moreover it is also possible to remain within the scope of the invention. invention to combine a hook such as the hook 226 with a rod such as the rod 217.

Claims (20)

1. - Diffuser cap (4) for an aerosol actuator (100) comprising a vessel (1) and a valve (2) mounted on the vessel by means of a dome (3), the diffuser cap being provided with an operating pushbutton (6) of the valve (2) cooperating with an outlet tube (7) from the valve (2), the pushbutton (6) of the diffuser cap being provided with a channel (15) and an aerosol diffusion outlet (16), wherein the diffuser cap (4) comprising a base (8) able to snap onto a crimped region (9) of the dome (3) and a protective unit (10) for the pushbutton (6) surrounding said pushbutton, the pushbutton (6) and the protective unit of the pushbutton being mounted in a rotary manner on the base (8), the diffuser cap comprising means of preventing operation of the pushbutton (6) operated by a relative movement of the protective unit (10) in relation to the base (8),
   characterized in that the protective unit (10) and the base (8) comprise first and second snap-on means (25, 26) adapted to cooperate in order to hook the protective unit (10) onto the base (8), the first means (25) being realized on the base (8) and supported by an inside wall (27) of an annular groove limited by said inside wall (27) and by an outside wall (28), the second means (26) being realized on an inner face of an annular skirt (29) of the protective unit (10) inserted between the inside wall (27) and the outside wall (28) of the annular groove, the annular groove having a width adapted to resist the unsnapping of the skirt by pulling, and wherein the protective unit forms an overcap which surrounds the pushbutton (6) and is fixed to the base (8), and which is provided with a flush-fitting profile (23) in a drip molding (24) in the base (8), said annular skirt (29) being surrounded by said overcap.
2. - Diffuser cap according to Claim 1, wherein the protective unit and button assembly are realized as a single part, the button being connected to the protective unit by a flexible tongue (61).
3. - Diffuser cap according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the operating prevention means are activated and deactivated by rotating the protective unit.
4. - Diffuser cap according to Claim 3, wherein the operating prevention means comprise a shoulder (11) and a finger (12), the finger being adapted to bear against the shoulder in said locking position of the pushbutton.
5. - Diffuser cap according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the protective unit (10) and the base (8) comprise means of stopping rotation (17, 18, 19) of the protective unit by defining a locking position and a release position of the pushbutton allowing the valve to be operated by the pushbutton, the protective unit (10) and the base (8) comprising reference means (13, 14) adapted to allow the locked or unlocked state of the pushbutton (6) to be viewed.
6. - Diffuser cap according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the protective unit (10) and the base (8) comprise a ratchet device (20, 21, 22) suitable for realizing a friction point and an auditory signal during movement between said locking position and the release position of the button.
7. - Diffuser cap according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the channel (15) opens out into a receiving chamber of a removable nozzle (161) provided with the diffusion outlet (16) of the aerosol and of a positioning lug (162) in the pushbutton.
8. - Aerosol actuator (100) comprising a vessel (1), a valve (2) fitted to the vessel by means of a dome (3) and a diffuser cap (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base is mounted in a rotating manner on the vessel and snaps onto a crimped region (9) of the dome (3) on the vessel (1) to cover the upper portion of the housing.
9. - Aerosol actuator (100) and removable handle (200) assembly comprising an actuator (100) according to Claim 8 and a handle (200), wherein the handle comprises a trigger (203), a pressing mechanism (204) on the pushbutton linked to the trigger (203) and an overcap (202) concealing at least one operating portion of the pushbutton (6),
   the overcap (202) comprising indentations (205) adapted such that the operating prevention means of the valve activated and deactivated by rotating the protective unit of the button remains accessible.
10. - Aerosol actuator (100) and removable handle (200) assembly according to Claim 9, wherein the overcap (202) comprises a cutout (211) adapted to leave the diffusion nozzle visible, said cutout being surrounded by a skirt (207) guarding against spray coming from the nozzle.
11. - Aerosol actuator (100) and removable handle (200) assembly according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the handle comprises retaining means (215) on the vessel (1) in the form of a ring encircling the vessel.
12. - Aerosol actuator (100) and removable handle (200) assembly according to Claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the handle comprises a hooking means fixed beneath the vessel opposite the diffuser cap.
13. - Aerosol actuator (100) and removable handle (200) assembly according to Claim 12, wherein the hooking means is supported by a shaft (217) mounted in a sliding manner relative to the body of the handle.
14. - Aerosol actuator (100) and removable handle (200) assembly according to Claim 13, wherein the handle is provided with means (208) of stopping the shaft according to a plurality of positions, such that the handle is adapted to housings of different heights.
15. - Aerosol actuator (100) and removable handle (200) assembly according to Claim 13 or 14, wherein the shaft (217) is received in a sleeve (209) bearing against the side of the vessel (1).
16. - Aerosol actuator (100) and removable handle (200) assembly according to any one of Claims 12 to 15, wherein the hooking means is realized in the form of a base.
17. - Aerosol actuator (100) and removable handle (200) assembly according to Claim 12 or 13, wherein the hooking means is a hook (226) hooking into a hollow beneath the housing.
18. - Aerosol actuator (100) and removable handle (200) assembly according to Claim 12, wherein the hooking means is a hook (226) hooking into a hollow beneath the housing and the handle comprises, from a side opposite the operating portion of the button, a fixed device extending the handle, provided with a second ring (215a) for retaining and centering the vessel, retaining legs (227) connected by an annular spring component disposed about the lower end of the vessel and supporting disengagement tabs (228) of the hook (226).
19. - Aerosol actuator (100) and removable handle (200) assembly according to any one of Claims 9 to 18, wherein the handle comprises means (216) of hooking a scraper tool (300) extending from an upper face of the overcap (202).
20. - Aerosol actuator (100) and removable handle (200) assembly according to any one of Claims 9 to 19, wherein the handle includes a trigger locking clip (210).

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