GB2218471A

GB2218471A - Aerosol can accessory

Info

Publication number: GB2218471A
Application number: GB8811855A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerald M Taylor
Original assignee: Item Products Ltd
Current assignee: Item Products Ltd
Priority date: 1988-05-19
Filing date: 1988-05-19
Publication date: 1989-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2008-05-19
Also published as: GB8811855D0; GB2218471B

Abstract

A device to permit remote actuation of an aerosol can comprises a handle portion (10), a barrel (12) which ends in a pair of arcuate jaws (13,14) which engage around and grip an annular flange on the can, and a double-armed trigger lever (22), the upper arm (28) of which is arranged to contact and depress the button of the dispensing valve mechanism of the can. <IMAGE>

Description

AEROSOL CAN ACCESSORY SPECIFICATION This invention relates to an accessory for use with aerosol cans, and is particularly concerned with a device by means of which an aerosol can can be actuated without the need to place a finger on the valveactuating button.

Aerosol cans conventionally have a button which incorporates a spray nozzle and which is connected to a dispensing valve mechanism whereby depression of the button will cause the contents of the can to be emitted in the form of a spray. However, when spraying certain products, and also on occasions when the valve mechanism may become partially stuck, the contents of the can can come into contact with the finger of the user of the can, which is clearly undesirable.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device by means of which the dispensing button can be actuated "remotely".

Broadly in accordance with the present invention there is provided a device for use with an aerosol can, the device comprising a handle portion arranged to be gripped by the user, means to engage and grip a portion of the aerosol can, and trigger means which upon actuation is arranged to control movement of the dispensing valve mechanism of the can.

Preferably, the gripping means of the device comprises a bifurcated portion arranged to clip around an annular portion of the can, preferably around an annular flange positioned below the dispensing button.

Preferably, the bifurcated portion comprises two arcuate jaws which together extend through more than 1800.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, one presently preferred embodiment of device in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the device; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device; Fig. 4 is a front view of the device; and, Fig. 5 shows the device of Fig. 1 as applied to an aerosol can.

As shown in the drawings the device of the present invention is essentially a gripping mechanism shaped in the general manner of a gun. The device comprises a handle 10 and a barrel portion 12. At its forward end the barrel 12 extends into a bifurcated gripping mechanism comprising two jaws 13 and 14 which together subtend an angle of approximately 2900. Each of the jaws 13, 14 is strengthened by a reinforcing rib 16.

The internal surface of each of the jaws 13, 14 is provided with a projecting bead 18 around the lower edge of each jaw. As will be explained later in connection with Fig. 5, the shaping of the jaws in this way is in order to match the configuration of the part of the aerosol can which is to be gripped. As can best be seen from Fig. 1, a fillet 20 is provided on each side of the barrel where the barrel joins the fork.

This is to increase tension in the forked jaws and thus to strengthen the grip exerted by the fork on the can.

The "gun" device also includes a trigger member, indicated generally at 22. This trigger member 22 comprises a double-armed lever which is pivotally mounted for movement about a pivot pin 24. The lower arm 26 of the trigger member 22 is sufficiently long for the user to use two fingers for actuation of the device. The upper arm 28 of the trigger member 22 extends forwardly to a position above the forked jaws 13, 14 and has a nose portion 30 which is arranged to make abutting contact with a button 32 (Fig. 5) of the aerosol can.

As can be seen from Fig. 5, the forked jaws 13, 14 II of the gun are shaped and dimensioned to grip an annular flange portion 34 of the aerosol can 36. This annular flange 34 is a standard component of aerosol cans and the device of the present invention is therefore appropriate to fit all aerosol cans, regardless of contents. By gripping the annular flange 34 which is a rigid structure of the aerosol can/valve mechanism, the device of the present invention grips the can firmly and reliably and yet enables remote control of the dispensing valve to be carried out cleanly and efficiently for all aerosol cans.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device for use with an aerosol can, the device comprising a handle portion arranged to be gripped by the user, grasping means to engage and grip a portion of the can, and trigger means which upon actuation is arranged to control movement of the dispensing valve mechanism of the can.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the grasping means comprises a bifurcated portion adapted to clip around an annular portion of the can.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the bifurcated portion comprises two arcuate jaws which together extend through more than 1800.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, in which the jaws together subtend an angle of the order of 2900.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which each jaw is provided with a projecting bead on the internal surface thereof.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the trigger means comprises a pivotable doublearmed lever, the upper arm of which is arranged to contact an actuating member of the can.

7. A device for use with an aerosol can, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.