GB2597471A

GB2597471A - Aerosol canister cap

Info

Publication number: GB2597471A
Application number: GB2011333.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pallister Arthur; Schlaudraff Elsa
Original assignee: Innovolo Ltd
Current assignee: Innovolo Ltd
Priority date: 2020-07-22
Filing date: 2020-07-22
Publication date: 2022-02-02
Also published as: GB202011333D0; WO2022018206A1

Abstract

A cap 100 suitable for an aerosol canister, the cap comprising: an attachment member 108 for attaching the cap to an aerosol canister; a payload passage 116 extending through the cap, wherein a first end 120 of the payload passage comprises a nozzle 132; a trigger mechanism for, in use, controlling the passage of payload from the aerosol canister through the payload passage; wherein the cap further comprises a removable nozzle head 134 and a nozzle head lock for locking the removable nozzle head on to the cap. The removable nozzle head may be adjustable between a first position and a second position. The attachment member may comprise a snap-fit portion.

Description

AEROSOL CANISTER CAP

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cap for an aerosol canister. The invention also relates to a kit of parts comprising an aerosol canister and a cap.

Background to the Invention

Ensuring effective measures are in place to prevent contamination of products in manufacturing, production and assembly lines is a major concern in many industries.

When a person working or performing maintenance on such lines unwillingly allows contamination to enter the working line, this poses a risk to the health and safety of themselves and third parties. Contamination accidents not only require line stoppages and incur significant costs, but substantial amounts of time and money may be required to regain social trust. As such, many industries have strict safety regulations and guidelines in place to reduce the risk of contamination. Contamination of working lines is a particular issue where items that are hand held or comprise removable parts, such as aerosol canisters, are used near the working line.

Standard caps for aerosol canisters allow low viscosity fluids to be dispensed, with low viscosities achieved by mixing fluids with volatile propellants and/or by thinning fluids with hazardous substances inside the aerosol canister. There is a risk of explosion or damage to the canister when these volatile substances suspended or housed in the same chamber as the aerosol. In turn, mixing the fluids in this way increases the risk of line contamination and, further, pollutants may be released into the working line atmosphere. Thinners are frequently used as they assist the fluid to be dispensed in traversing the narrow pathways within the aerosol canister and canister cap and, as such, there is a need for an improved aerosol canister and cap wherein the use of volatile thinners is reduced or eliminated.

A further contamination risk arises due to accidental impact, dropping or breakage of aerosol canisters and caps, wherein parts of the canister enter and contaminate the working line. As such, there is need to reduce the likelihood of damage to aerosol canisters, and further a need to detect and retrieve any portions of these canisters which enter and contaminate the working line.

Objects and aspects of the present claimed invention seek to alleviate at least these

problems with the prior art.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cap for an aerosol to canister, the cap comprising: an attachment member for attaching the cap to an aerosol canister; a payload passage extending through the cap, wherein a first end of the payload passage comprises a nozzle; a trigger mechanism for, in use, controlling the passage of payload from the aerosol canister through the payload passage; wherein the cap further comprises a removable nozzle head and a nozzle head lock for locking the removable nozzle head on to the cap.

Advantageously, the nozzle head lock reduces the risk of the removable nozzle head accidently separating from the cap. As such, caps according to the present claimed invention may at least reduce the risk of inadvertent contamination of a product or production line.

Preferably, at least a portion of the payload passage tapers towards the first end. This feature may be of assistance in increasing the fluid pressure at the first end and manipulating the characteristics of the fluid flow within the payload passage. Such a feature may be advantageous as it may allow high viscosity fluids to be dispensed from an aerosol canister without the need for thinning these fluids within the aerosol canister.

Preferably, the removable nozzle head is adjustable between a first position and a second positon. More preferably, the removable nozzle head is continuously adjustable between the first position and the second position. Alternatively, the removable nozzle head is configured to be moved between a plurality of discrete positions located between the first position and the second position. Such a feature may be advantageous as it may allow the rate of emission of aerosol from the aerosol canister to be controlled by a user Preferably, the removable nozzle head completely obscures the payload passage in the 5 first position. Preferably, the payload passage is unobscured by the removable nozzle head when the removable nozzle head is in the second position.

Preferably, the removable nozzle head is configured to rotate around the nozzle. More preferably, the removable nozzle head comprises a thread, and the cap comprises a 10 complementary thread.

Preferably, at least a portion of the nozzle head lock is resiliently deformable. Preferably, the nozzle head lock is operable by a user.

Preferably, the ratio of payload passage length to payload passage width is 12:1 or less.

More preferably, the ratio of payload passage length to payload passage width is 10:1 or less. Still more preferably, the ratio of payload passage length to payload passage width is 8:1 or less. Still more preferably, the ratio of payload passage length to payload passage width is 7:1 or less. In this way, a wide passage for the payload is provided, allowing high viscosity fluids to traverse the payload passage and be dispensed via the cap as an aerosol. The large cross sectional area of the payload passage allows high resistance viscous fluids, such as thick grease, to be dispensed from an aerosol canister without thinning components.

Preferably, the width of the payload passage is 6 mm or less. More preferably, the width of the payload passage is 5 mm or less. Preferably, the length of the payload passage is 55 mm or less. More preferably, the length of the payload passage is 50 mm or less. Still more preferably, the length of the payload passage is 45 mm or less. As resistance to fluid flow increases with payload passage length, the length should be limited to reduce losses within the payload passage and ensure adequate pressure of the aerosol dispensed via the cap.

Preferably, the attachment member comprises a snap-fit portion. Preferably, the snap-fit portion is configured to permanently attach the cap to an aerosol canister. In this way, the cap is more securely attached to an aerosol canister and risk of accidental separation of the cap from the canister is reduced.

Preferably, each of the components of the cap comprises a detectable material. In this way, if the aerosol cap, nozzle head or any part of the cap are lost, for example within a food processing line, they can be detected without invasive or expensive techniques. For example, detection may be via metal detection, electromagnetic detection or magnetic detection.

to Preferably, the cap comprises a safety line attachment portion. Preferably the cap comprises a trigger shield.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising an aerosol canister and a cap according to the first aspect of the invention. Preferably, the kit of parts further comprises a plurality of removable nozzle heads. In this way, the flow characteristics of the aerosol exiting the cap can be adjusted with each removable nozzle head.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cap for an 20 aerosol canister, the cap comprising a payload passage, wherein the ratio of payload passage length to payload passage width is 12:1 or less.

Preferably, the third aspect of the invention comprises one or more of the features of the first aspect of the invention.

In this way, a wide passage for the payload is provided, allowing high viscosity fluids to traverse the payload passage and be dispensed via the cap as an aerosol. The large cross sectional area of the payload passage allows high resistance viscous fluids, such as thick grease, to be dispensed from an aerosol canister without thinning components.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 depicts a deconstructed view of a first embodiment of a cap in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of the cap of Figure 1; and Figure 3 depicts a third view of the cap of Figure 1.

With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, there is provided a cap 100 for attachment to an aerosol spray canister. It is understood that an aerosol canister, as referred to herein, is any container suitable for containing a payload, namely a fluid enclosed under pressure and released by means of a propellant gas as an aerosol. The cap 100 comprises a casing 106 formed from a rigid plastic shell comprising a first side 101, second side 102, third side 103 and fourth side 104.

The cap 100 further comprises an attachment member 108 located on the first side 101 of the casing 106 for attaching the cap to an aerosol canister. The attachment member 108 comprises three attachment arms 110 extending substantially perpendicular from the first side 101 of the casing 106. Each attachment arm 110 comprises a lip 112 extending inwardly from the attachment arm 110. In use, the cap 100 is attached to an aerosol canister by user force, such that the attachment arms 110 are forced to resiliently deform over the canister and a snap-fit attachment is provided between the cap 100 and canister. In this way, the user can quickly and easily attach the cap 100 to the canister.

When attached, the deforming force on the attachment arms 110 is removed and the lip 112 of the attachment arms 110 forms a barrier to prevent the cap 100 from being accidently separated from the aerosol canister, such as when an accidental separation force is applied. In this way, a substantial deliberate separation force is required to resiliently deform the attachment arms 110 and separate the cap 100 from the canister.

As such, the cap 100 can be 'snapped on' and 'snapped off an aerosol canister, such as for cleaning, and interchanged between canisters, multiple times.

In many applications, it is beneficial for the cap 100 to become permanently attached to an aerosol canister. In these applications, the attachment member 108 prevents even a deliberate separation force from separating the cap 100 and canister, such that a considerable separation force is required to remove the cap 100 from the canister. In this way, the cap 100 and canister assembly remains intact even when subjected to substantial accidental separation force, such as the impact from a fall.

In particular, it is envisaged that the aerosol cap attaches to industry standard aerosol canisters using an 32.50mm diameter valve rim centrally, such as by locating an inserted product flow reducer to receive a 4mm standard spigot. It is further envisaged that the aerosol cap attaches to industry standard aerosol canisters that have an 8mm spigot by removing the aerosol canister reducer. In this way, the cap 100 can be universally fitted to a range of industry standard aerosol canisters. It is also envisaged that the attachment member 108 is any suitable attachment appropriate for the aerosol canister used in the application.

In this embodiment, the casing 106 is formed from two shell halves, which are mirror images of one another. One shell half of the casing 106 is depicted in Figure 1, and both shell halves, assembled together, are shown in Figures 2 and 3. The attachment member 108 is formed from the same shell as the casing 106, such that the casing 106 and attachment member 108 form a single piece when the two shell halves are welded together. This reduces the quantity of individual parts in the cap which may become separated from the cap 100 and fall into the external environment.

The cap 100 further comprises a payload passage 116 with a first end 120 and a second end 118. The payload passage 116 is substantially V shaped such that there is a curved portion 122 between the first end 120 and the second end 118. The portion of the payload passage 116 between the first end 120 and the curved portion 122 is linear and the portion of the payload passage 116 between the curved portion 122 and the second end 118 is linear. The linear portion between the second end 118 and the curved portion 122 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of an aerosol canister when the cap 100 is attached to a canister, in use. The payload passage 116 is 55 mm long and 6 mm wide such that the payload passes through a broad product path.

An acute angle a is formed between the two linear portions by the curved portion 122.

Additionally, the linear portion between the second end 118 and the curved portion 122 is shorter than the linear portion between the curved portion 122 and the first end 120. In this way, when, in use, the cap 100 is held such that the longitudinal axis A is perpendicular to the ground, the resistance of a fluid traversing the payload passage 116 is lower such that a lower force is required to move the payload through the payload passage 116.

The second end 118 is located proximate the attachment member 108 and is arranged for engagement with an aerosol canister. The casing 106 comprises an opening on the first side 101 between the attachment member 108 and the second end 118 of the payload passage 116. In this way, when the attachment member 108 attaches the cap 100 to an aerosol canister, the canister centre valve spigot enters the opening of the casing 106 such that the canister can engage with the second end 118 of the payload passage 116, in use. Additional components, such as a reducing adaptor, are required in certain applications to mate the payload passage 116 to the canister. These additional components further allow for attachment of the cap 100 to different size valves such that the cap 100 may be attached to more than one type of canister.

The casing 106 comprises an opening on the second side 102, wherein a portion of the payload passage 116 exits the casing and enters the external environment of the cap 100. In this way, the first end 120 extends through the cap and is located in the external environment of the cap 100.

The cap 100 further comprises a trigger mechanism for, in use, controlling the passage of payload from an aerosol canister through the payload passage 116. The trigger mechanism comprises an actuation portion 124, a rotatable member 126 and pivot member 128. The rotatable member 126 is a solid member located within the casing 106 that houses the payload passage 116. The rotatable member 124 is a rigid member, such that an actuation force can be transferred through the rotatable member 124 without deformation of the rotatable member 124.

The casing 106 comprises an opening on the fourth side 104 and the rotatable member 126 extends to the fourth side 104 of the casing 106. The rotatable member 126 forms a portion of the surface of the casing 106 absent from the fourth side 104 at the opening. Within the opening on the fourth side 104 is an actuation slot 140. The rotatable member 126 does not obstruct the actuation slot 140. The actuation portion 124 is located on the rotatable member 126 at the opening in the casing 106. In this way, the actuation portion 124 is located adjacent the actuation slot 140 on the external surface of the cap 100 and user actuation of the actuation portion 124 can occur.

The pivot member 128 comprises a cylindrical member extending between a fifth side 146 and sixth side 148 of the casing 106, such that the pivot member 128 spans the depth of the casing 106. The pivot member 128 is formed from the same part as the casing 106 to reduce the quantity of individual parts that may become detached from the cap 100. The rotatable member 126 is attached to the pivot member such that the pivot member 128 allows for rotation of the rotatable member 126 in both directions about the pivot member 128 but prevents all other motion of the rotatable member 126.

The pivot member 128 is located adjacent the second side 102 of the casing 106. In this way, the pivot member 128 is adjacent the opposing side to the actuation portion 124. As such, any force applied to the actuation portion 124 provides a larger moment about the pivot member 128 as there is a larger moment arm.

To activate the trigger mechanism, the user applies an actuation push force to the actuation portion 124 in the direction B. This causes clockwise rotation (Figure 1) of the rotatable member 126 about the pivot member 128. The clockwise rotation lowers the second end 118 of the payload passage 116, such that a force is applied to the centre valve spigot of the aerosol canister by the second end 118. In this way, the valve of the aerosol canister is opened and payload may flow into the payload passage 116 of the cap 100. For the valve of the canister to be opened, the user must provide an actuation force to the actuation portion 124 greater than the force causing the valve to remain closed, usually provided by a resilient member in the canister, such as a spring.

When the actuation force is removed by the user, the force resisting the opening of the valve forces the rotatable member 126 to rotate anticlockwise (Figure 1) and return to the unactuated position in the casing 106. The unactuated position is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. In this position, the valve of the aerosol canister is closed and payload is prevented from entering the cap 100. It is envisaged that the cap 100 may comprise any suitable trigger mechanism for controlling the passage of payload from the canister through the payload passage 116.

In this embodiment, the actuation portion 124 comprises a trigger shield comprising a removable tab 130. Before initial use of the cap 100, the removable tab 130 is snapped off and removed by the user. Figures 1 and 2 show the cap 100 with the removable tab 130 intact, prior to removal. The removable tab 130 forms a temporary barrier that prevents actuation of the trigger mechanism by preventing the clockwise rotation of the rotatable member 126. In this way, the removable tab 130 acts as a safety shield to prevent unwanted actuation of the trigger mechanism and leakage of the cap 100 before use, such as during transportation or during attachment to an aerosol canister.

In use, when the trigger mechanism is activated, the propellant in the aerosol canister propels the payload with a force such that the payload passes through the payload passage 116 to the first end 120. A nozzle 132 is located at the first end 120 of the payload passage 116. The payload passage 116 tapers at the first end 120 such that the aperture at the nozzle 132 is significantly smaller than the width of the payload passage 116, increasing pressure at the first end 120. In use, the payload exits the payload passage 116 via the nozzle 132 as an aerosol.

The cap 100 further comprises a removable nozzle head 134, which is removably retained on the cap 100. The removable nozzle head 134 is cylindrical and tapers towards a first end wherein a nozzle head passage 136 is located. The removable nozzle head 134 comprises a hollow cavity at the opposing second end to the nozzle head passage 136 that allows the nozzle 132 and a portion of the rotatable member 126 to be inserted into the removable nozzle head 134. In this way, the removable nozzle head 134 can be attached to the nozzle 132.

The removable nozzle head 134 attaches to the cap 100 with a screw on attachment such that to attach the removable nozzle head 134 to the cap 100, the user rotates the removable nozzle head 134 around the nozzle 132. The removable nozzle head 134 comprises a nozzle head thread 138 located on the internal walls of the chamber of the removable nozzle head 134 and a complementary cap thread 142 is located on the external walls of the payload passage 116, at the first end 120.

The removable nozzle head 134 further comprises a nozzle head tab 160 extending around the circumference of the removable nozzle head 134, on the opposing second end to the nozzle head passage 136. The nozzle head tab 160 protrudes outwardly from the removable nozzle head 134 and has a first surface 162, with a straight portion that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the removable nozzle head 134, and a second surface 164 that is curved.

The removable nozzle head 134 is continuously adjustable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the removable nozzle head 134 completely obscures the payload passage 116, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. As such, no aerosol can be dispensed from the cap 100 when the removable nozzle head 134 is in the first position.

In the second position, the payload passage 116 is completely unobscured by the removable nozzle head 134. As such, payload can freely exit the nozzle 132 as aerosol. The removable nozzle head 134 is continuously adjustable between the first and second positions via user rotation of the removable nozzle head 134 about the nozzle 132.

The removable nozzle head 134 further comprises a nozzle head lock for locking the removable nozzle head 134 onto the cap 100. The nozzle head lock comprises two inwardly rotatable portions 150 and two outwardly rotatable portions 152, one of portion located on the fifth side 146 and sixth side 148 of the casing 106. The inwardly rotatable portions 150 and outwardly rotatable portions 152 are resiliently deformable portions of the casing 106. Each inwardly rotatable portion 150 is surrounded by an arc slit 154 with a closed portion 156 located towards the second side 102 of the casing. Extending from the closed portion 156 are a pair of identical straight slits 158 that surround the outwardly rotatable portion 152. In this way, the inwardly rotatable portion 150 and outwardly rotatable portion 152 both rotate about the closed portion 156. The inwardly rotatable portions 150 are circular to ease user actuation of the nozzle head lock.

Each outwardly rotatable portion 152 comprises a lock member. Each lock member comprises a tab protruding from the outwardly rotatable portion 152 towards the nozzle 132 in a direction parallel to the second side 102 of the casing 106. The tabs of the outwardly rotatable portions 152 obstruct a portion of the aperture of the casing 106 on the second side 102.

To place the nozzle head lock in an unlocked position, the user applies a push force to the inwardly rotatable portions 150 on either side of the casing 106, such that the user pinches the two inwardly rotatable portions 150 towards each other. In this way, the nozzle head lock is manually operated by the user. Rotation of the inwardly rotatable portions 150 about the closed portion 156 causes an outward rotation of each outwardly rotatable portion 152 about the closed portion 156. In this way, the inwardly rotatable portions 150 and outwardly rotatable portions 152 are coupled, such that equal and opposite angles of rotation occur in each. The rotation of the outwardly rotatable portions 152 reduces the amount which the tabs of the outwardly rotatable portions 152 obstruct a portion of the aperture of the casing 106 on the second side 102.

If a user attempts to remove the removable nozzle head 134 from the cap 100 without unlocking the nozzle head lock, the tabs of the outwardly rotatable portions 152 contact the second surface 164 of the nozzle head tab 160. This contact obstructs the motion of the removable nozzle head 134 such that it cannot be removed from the cap 100. When the user pinches the two inwardly rotatable portions 150 towards each other, unlocking the nozzle head lock, the removal of the removable nozzle head 134 from the cap is unobstructed by the tabs on the outwardly rotatable portions 152. In this way, the curved surface of the second surface 164 of the nozzle head tab 160 assists by further encouraging resilient outward deformation of the outwardly rotatable portions 152, allowing the removable nozzle head 134 to reach the first position.

Additionally, the user cannot adjust the removable nozzle head 134 from the first position to the second position without unlocking the nozzle head lock. The first surface 162 of the nozzle head tab 160 contacts the tabs on the outwardly rotatable portions 152, and motion of the removable nozzle head 134 is obstructed. In this way, the straight portion of the first surface 164 of the nozzle head tab 160 assists in obstructing the motion of the removable nozzle head 134 towards the second position, providing a more secure attachment and locking of the removable nozzle head 134 to the cap 100.

The shape and dimensions of the nozzle head passage 136 determines the flow characteristics of the payload traversing it, which in turn determines the spray characteristics of the aerosol sprayed from the cap 100, such as the flow rate and plume pattern. By allowing removable nozzle heads 134 to be interchangeable, the cap can provide a plurality of different spray characteristics. For example, the removable nozzle head 134 may comprise a flat fan nozzle, deflection nozzle, straw nozzle, long-nosed nozzle, hollow cone nozzle such as a spiral, axial or tangential hollow cone nozzle, full cone nozzle such as a spiral, axial or tangential full cone nozzle, misting nozzle, straight jet nozzle or 360 degree delivery nozzle. Each removable nozzle head 134 can be colour coded to ease identification. An additional benefit of interchangeable nozzle heads is that the nozzle head can also be removed for cleaning, maintenance or replacement.

The cap 100 further comprises a safety line attachment portion 114. In this way, a safety line can be attached to the cap 100. The safety line may be any suitable fall arrest line, such as a lanyard, rope, cord, cable, chain, spring, clip, hook or alternative anchoring line. In this embodiment, the safety line attachment portion 114 comprises an attachment loop onto which a safety line can be attached. It is envisaged that in each embodiment the safety line attachment potion 114 is complementary to the one or more types of safety line employed by the user.

The safety line attachment portion 114 allows the user to anchor the cap 100 to a fixed point, such as a point on their persons, equipment or the external environment. Should the cap 100 accidently fall or separate from an aerosol can in use, there is a lower risk of loss or impact of the cap 100. In applications where the cap 100 is used proximate to production lines, a safety line lowers the risk of product contamination.

In this embodiment, all parts of the cap 100 are made from detectable materials. The materials can be, for example, metal detectable, x-ray detectable and/or magnetic. In this way, if any part of the cap 100 become detached and are lost they can be detected without invasive or expensive techniques.

Further embodiments within the scope of the present invention may be envisaged that have not been described above, for example, the casing of the aerosol cap may be fully factory-assembled and comprise two casing halves which are welded together once assembled. Additionally, it is envisaged that the cap comprises additional parts for ease of mating to an aerosol canister, such as an 0 ring. It is envisaged that in many embodiments the aerosol cap is made from a biodegradable and/or recyclable materials, such as polypropylene homopolyer (PP). It is also envisaged that the nozzle head and other parts of the aerosol cap may be colour coded for ease of detection, identification and safety. The invention is not limited to the specific examples or structures illustrated; a greater number of components than are illustrated in the figures could be used, for example.

Claims

Claims 1 A cap for an aerosol canister, said cap comprising: an attachment member for attaching said cap to an aerosol canister; an payload passage extending through said cap, wherein a first end of said payload passage comprises a nozzle; a trigger mechanism for, in use, controlling the passage of payload from said aerosol canister through said payload passage; wherein said cap further comprises a removable nozzle head and a nozzle head lock for locking said removable nozzle head on to said cap.
2. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said payload passage tapers towards said first end.
3. The cap as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein said removable nozzle head is adjustable between a first position and a second positon.
4. The cap as claimed in claim 3, wherein said removable nozzle head is continuously adjustable between said first position and said second position.
The cap as claimed in claim 3, wherein said removable nozzle head is configured to be moved between a plurality of discrete positions located between said first position and said second position.
6. The cap as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said removable nozzle head completely obscures said payload passage in said first position.
7 The cap as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said payload passage is unobscured by said removable nozzle head when said removable nozzle head is in said second position.
8. The cap as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein said removable nozzle head is configured to rotate around said nozzle.
9. The cap as claimed in claim 8, wherein said removable nozzle head comprises a thread, and said cap comprises a complementary thread.
10. The cap of any one preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of said nozzle head lock is resiliently deformable.
11. The cap of any one preceding claim, wherein said nozzle head lock is operable by a user.
12. The cap of any one preceding claim, wherein the ratio of payload passage length to payload passage width is 12:1 or less.
13. The cap of any one preceding claim, wherein the ratio of payload passage length to payload passage width is 10:1 or less.
14 The cap of any one preceding claim, wherein the width of said payload passage is 6mm or less.
15. The cap of any one preceding claim, wherein the length of said payload passage is 55mm or less.
16.The cap of any one preceding claim, wherein said attachment member comprises a snap-fit portion.
17. The cap as claimed in claim 16, wherein said snap-fit portion is configured to permanently attach said cap to an aerosol canister.
18. The cap of any one preceding claim, wherein each of the components of said cap comprises a detectable material.
19 The cap of any one preceding claim, wherein said cap comprises a safety line attachment portion.
The cap of any one preceding claim, wherein said cap comprises a trigger shield.
21.A kit of parts comprising an aerosol canister and the cap of any one preceding claim.
22.A kit of parts according to claim 21, wherein said kit of parts further comprises a plurality of removable nozzle heads
23.A cap for an aerosol canister, said cap comprising a payload passage, wherein the ratio of payload passage length to payload passage width is 12:1 or less.