JP2008521710A - Cap for aerosol or spray containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The cap (7), for an aerosol or spray can, has a button (6) with an elastic link (49) between it and the cap to form a folded acoustic seal. The seal can be a bellows structure or a single fold around the button, to give a hermetic seal between the cap and button, with a thicker section (30) away from the cap zone (29) with the spray outlet opening (3).

Description

  The present invention relates to a cap for a container, in particular an aerosol container or a spray container, which cap is ejected for manual operation and from a product outlet opening of the cap, for example a product present in the container, such as a hair spray. It has a button to let you.

  From WO 01/96210 it is known to seal this type of cap in order to obtain a pleasant spray sound when the product is removed. The button is moved against the pipe axis of the container (product take-off pipe) via a folded spray conduit in order to cause the pipe axis to be offset by manually actuating the button, thereby opening the valve located in the container. As a result, the product contained in the container is carried out through the product take-off opening provided in the pipe shaft, spray conduit and cap. A flexible joint between the button and the cap is provided for soundproof sealing of the cap.

  EP 0 669 268 A1 discloses a swivel button which is formed in one piece with a cap and which has a peripheral collar as a sealing material between the cap and the button. While activated, the scissors are always pulled to one side and compressed to the other side.

  Such known caps have the disadvantage that they do not provide a large smooth offset of the buttons. While these caps can certainly be used for this purpose, they are only possible by applying a considerable force by hand.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a cap described in the front part of claim 1 which can easily achieve a displacement of a larger button.

  The above challenges are achieved by the fact that the seal is designed as a folded arrangement that expands and contracts when the button is actuated and returns to the original folded arrangement when the button moves back. Is done.

  The proposed folding arrangement has the advantage that the button can be pushed smoothly down, while the soundproof sealing of the cap remains unchanged. This folded arrangement extends between the button and the housing of the cap. Depending on the required actuation path, this arrangement has a certain number of folds suitable for this distance, and this folding arrangement slightly expands in its downward movement, e.g. It returns when the button moves up and back.

  This folding arrangement may be provided at the position of the outer edge of the button, and similarly may be provided at the upper peripheral edge of the cap. In a preferred embodiment (Claim 2), the button has a round shape, for example, an oval shape or a circular shape, and the seal surrounds the button in an annular shape. In such a design, the force to actuate is minimized.

  When the seal is formed as a folded arrangement that seals the surface between the cap and the button in an airtight manner (Claim 8), a particularly good soundproof seal and the resulting pleasant spray sound. Is obtained. In this case, the button and arrangement can form the upper end face of the cap, so that the button becomes an integral part of the standard appearance of the cap.

  If the seal is designed as a bellows arrangement (Claim 3), a relatively long button actuation path is obtained when a relatively slight hand force is applied. However, a single peripheral scissor can also be used to form a seal (claim 4). Depending on the actuation path, this is sized as necessary to ensure sealing of the cap during button actuation.

  If the seal is connected to the cap and the button in a one-piece construction (Claim 5), the manufacturing cost for the entire cap with the sealed button is relatively low and inexpensive. Thus, a single part can be produced by methods known per se, for example by injection molding. However, this seal can also be designed as an independent part that is inserted as a plug coupling part between the cap and the button (claim 6). Such a structure has been manufactured, for example, by a general method known per se and is suitable for a cap (spray cap) intended for soundproof sealing between the cap and the button.

  The button may be coupled to the region of the product removal opening via a hinge (claim 7). When this is activated, a product, such as a hair spray, is ejected from the product removal opening.

  If the spray conduit is designed as a spray angle coupled to the cap in the region of the product removal opening (claim 9), when the button is actuated, in order to open the valve located in the container, By the action, it can be smoothly rotated with respect to the cap.

  To ensure that the button connected to the cap like a joint can be pressed evenly and smoothly, the material thickness of the seal in the region of the product removal opening is from the product removal opening. It is preferable that the thickness is smaller than the material thickness in the region of the seal farthest away (Claim 10). The largest movement of the button edge point is covered by the minimum material thickness there. The largest material thickness is used to seal the gap between the button and the cap, where the smallest button deflection occurs. For manufacturing reasons, it is preferable that the material thickness of the seal from the region of the product extraction opening, particularly from the hinge of the button to the far region, continuously increases from 0 to 180 degrees, and 180 degrees This is a case of continuously decreasing to ˜360 degrees, and smooth hand operation is achieved (claim 11). A very good button characteristic for uniform and smooth button actuation is that the seal material thickness is between 0.4 and 0.6 mm in the area located in the product take-off opening and in the far area. Is achieved when it is between 0.1 and 0.2 mm (claim 12).

  Suitable materials for the seal are elastic elastomeric materials (claim 13), for example, flexible and flexible polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE).

  In principle, the cap, the seal and the button may be made from one piece of elastomeric material (Claim 14), for example made from a two-component elastomer (Claim 15).

The present invention is described in more detail below with reference to three exemplary embodiments. In the drawing
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cap suitable for mounting on an aerosol container with a circular button provided with a perimeter seal;
FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 1 mounted on top of the container with the button not activated.
3 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of detail X showing a seal in the form of a bellows arrangement between the cap and button of the article of FIG.
FIG. 4 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the article of FIG. 2 with the button pressed,
FIG. 5 shows a vertical sectional view of detail X of FIG.
FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the article of FIG.
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a cap with a button, in which the button and the cap are sealed to seal the gap between the button and the cap. A single peripheral fence is designed between
FIG. 8 shows a side view of the cap of FIG.
FIG. 9 shows the article of FIG. 8 in a vertical cross-sectional view along AA in FIG.
FIG. 10 shows a fold (detail Y) of the article of FIG.
FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the cap of FIG.
FIG. 12 shows the article of FIG. 11 in a vertical cross-sectional view along BB in FIG.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of yet another illustrative embodiment of a cap having a seal between the button and the cap body,
FIG. 14 shows a vertical sectional view of the cap of FIG.
FIG. 15 shows a vertical sectional view of the seal (detail X) of the cap of FIG. 14 designed as a plug coupling part,
FIG. 16 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the cap seal (detail Y) at the position of the button hinge of FIG.
FIG. 17 shows a plan view of the cap of FIG.
FIG. 18 shows a bottom view of the cap of FIG.
FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 13 with a partial vertical cross-section when using a perimeter seal,
FIG. 20 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the article of FIG. 14 when the button is pressed.

  In the case of a spray cap with a cap 7, a button 6 is used to actuate a valve (not shown) on the container 1, which is designed as an aerosol container and contains a hair spray ( 1 to 6). This button 6 is connected to the pipe shaft 11 of the container 1 via a bent spray conduit in order to deflect the pipe shaft 11 during manual actuation of the button 6 and thereby open the valve. As a result, the product contained in the container 1 passes through the pipe shaft 11 and is taken out through the product take-off opening 3 provided in the cap 7, in this case the spray conduit 10. Pass through. The flexible joint 49 between the button and the cap 7 functions as a soundproof seal 49 for the cap 7 in order to obtain a spray sound comfortable for the user. This seal 49 is designed as a folded arrangement.

  This button is circular, and the seal 49 surrounds the button 6 in an annular shape. This seals the surface between the cap 7 and the button 6 in an airtight state.

  The cap 7 is manufactured from a two-component elastomer material in one piece with the seal 49 and the button 6. Therefore, the cap 7 is connected to the button 6 through the seal 49. The spray cap, in these three components, has an elastomeric material comprising polyethylene (PE) that is flexible and flexible.

  The material thickness of the seal 49 in the region 29 above the product take-out opening 3 is smaller than the material thickness in the region 30 of the seal 49 farthest from the product take-out opening 3, that is, the position of the opposite end of the button 6. The material thickness of the seal 49 from the region 29 of the product extraction opening 3 to the far region 30 is continuously increased from 0 degree to 180 degrees, and continuously decreased from 180 degrees to 360 degrees. ing. The material thickness of the seal 49 is at most 0.5 mm and at least 0.15 mm.

  The spray conduit 10 is designed as a spray angle connected to the cap 7 on the back side of the product take-out opening 3.

  In the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 7-12, in contrast to the previous embodiment, the spray cap is designed in a different configuration, with the hinge 5 higher on the button 6. Have. The seal 49 is similarly designed as a single part as a single peripheral rod. With regard to the material thickness of the seal 49, the above applies again accordingly. This is manufactured in one piece with a button 6 and a cap 7. However, in the region of the hinge 5, while maintaining the same material thickness, the collar of the seal 49 has a lower height than in the region 30 far away from the hinge 5, which means that the travel of the button This is because the value increases at the position of the region 30.

  In the third exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 13-20, in contrast to the second exemplary embodiment, the seal 49 can be inserted as a plug coupling part between the cap 7 and the button 6. Designed as an independent part. Such a variant is also suitable for a spray cap, in which the seal 49 is intended to be subsequently inserted after manufacture.

  A general feature for any of the exemplary embodiments is that only a small hand force is required to actuate button 6 and thereby stretch the entire surrounding folding arrangement. When the button 6 is released, the seal 49 returns to the original folded state.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cap suitable for mounting on an aerosol container having a circular button with a perimeter seal. FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 1 mounted on the container with the button not activated. FIG. 3 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of detail X showing the seal in the form of a bellows arrangement between the cap and button of the article of FIG. FIG. 4 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the article of FIG. 2 with the button pressed. FIG. 5 shows a vertical sectional view of detail X in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the article of FIG. FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a cap with a button, in which the button and cap are sealed to seal the gap between the button and the cap. A single peripheral fence is designed between the two. FIG. 8 shows a side view of the cap of FIG. FIG. 9 shows the article of FIG. 8 in a vertical cross-sectional view along AA in FIG. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the ridge (detail Y) of the article of FIG. FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the cap of FIG. FIG. 12 shows the article of FIG. 11 in a vertical cross-sectional view along BB in FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of yet another illustrative embodiment of a cap having a seal between the button and the cap body. FIG. 14 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. FIG. 15 shows a vertical sectional view of the seal (detail X) of the cap of FIG. 14 designed as a plug coupling part. FIG. 16 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the cap seal (detail Y) at the position of the button hinge of FIG. FIG. 17 shows a plan view of the cap of FIG. FIG. 18 shows a bottom view of the cap of FIG. FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 13 with a partial vertical cross-section when a perimeter seal is used. FIG. 20 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the article of FIG. 14 when the button is pressed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container 3 Hinge for product take-out opening 5 6 6 Button 7 Cap 10 Spray conduit 11 Pipe shaft 12 Area 30 at nozzle 293 Area 30 far from 3

Claims (15)

Cap (7) having a button (6) for actuating a valve of a container (1), in particular an aerosol container or a spray container, said button (6) manually actuating said button (6) In order to deflect the pipe shaft (11) of the container (1) and thereby open the valve, to an independent bent coupling part, in particular to a bent spray conduit and in this way It is intended to act on the pipe shaft (11) of the container (1), so that the product put in the container (1) passes through the pipe shaft (11), And can be carried out through a product take-off opening (3) provided in the cap (7), wherein the product passes through the spray conduit (10), the button (6) and the cap. 7), the flexible connecting part forms a soundproof seal (49) of the cap (7), and when the seal (49) actuates the button (6) A cap, characterized in that it is designed as a folded arrangement that expands and contracts and returns to its original folded arrangement when the button (6) moves backwards. The button (6) is round, preferably circular or elliptical, and the seal (49) surrounds the button (6) in an annular shape. Cap as described in. Cap according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the seal (49) is designed as a bellows arrangement. Cap according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the seal (49) has a single peripheral collar. Cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal (49) is connected in one piece to both the cap (7) and the button (6). The seal (49) is designed as an independent part that can be inserted as a plug coupling part between the cap (7) and the button (6). The cap according to item 1. Cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the button (6) is connected to a region (29) of the cap (7) via a hinge (5). Cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal (49) seals the surface between the cap (7) and the button (6) in an airtight manner. . The spray conduit (10) is designed as a spray angle connected to the cap (7) in the region of the product take-off opening (3). Cap as described in. The material thickness of the seal (49) in the region (29) of the product removal opening (3) is greater than the material thickness in the region (30) of the seal (49) farthest from the product removal opening (3). The cap according to claim 9, wherein the cap is small. The material thickness of the seal (49) from the product takeout opening (3) region (29) to the far region (30) continuously increases from 0 degrees to 180 degrees, and from 180 degrees to 10. The cap according to claim 2, 8, and 9, wherein the cap is continuously reduced to 360 degrees. The material thickness of the seal (49) in the region (29) located in the product extraction opening (3) is between 0.4 and 0.6 mm, and in the far region (30) The said material thickness is between 0.1-0.2 mm, The cap of Claim 10 or Claim 11 characterized by the above-mentioned. The seal (49) is made of an elastic elastomer material such as flexible (flexible) polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). The cap according to item 1. 14. Cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap (7), the seal (49) and the button (6) are made from one piece of elastomeric material. . 15. Cap according to claim 14, characterized in that the cap (7) is made of a two-component elastomer.

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