MXPA00005302A - Sprayhead - Google Patents

Abstract

A sprayhead (1) for example for an aerosol or pumpspray container (4) comprises a support (2), a fluid outlet (12) mounted on the support (2), a passageway (14) connected to the fluid outlet (12) at a first end and connectable to a fluid source at a second end, the passageway (14) being movable between a first non-operative position and a second position in which, in use, it is connected to a fluid source such that fluid can pass through the passageway to the fluid outlet, a member (3) secured relative to the support (2), the member being movable between a non-operative position and a further position in which it allows the passageway (14) to attain its second position, and a lock (28) selectively operable to lock the member in its first position, thereby preventing the member from urging the passageway to its second position unless the lock is released.

Description

SPRAY HEAD DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a spray head and particularly, but not exclusively, to a spray head for use with aerosol or pump spray cans. The aerosol containers contain fluid under pressure and a spray head is coupled to the upper part of the container. Similarly, pump spray containers typically contain fluid that is not pressurized, but which can be dispensed with the aid of an appropriate pump spray mechanism via a spray head. In both cases, when the head is depressed, the fluid in the container is forced out through an outlet in the spray head and the fluid spray is released. However, known spray heads for use for any type of spray or spray container are vulnerable to accidental operation, and it is usually necessary that a cover be provided to prevent accidental release of the fluid.

An alternative means of preventing accidental release of fluid aerosol containers is described in GB Patents 1292843, US 5388730, US441.8842, US3860149 and US 3848778. In those specifications, the spray head is rotatable about the. supply line from the fluid reservoir inside the container. In one position, the spray head can be depressed to make it possible for the contents to be discharged, but after rotation around the axis of the supply line, the depression of the spray head is physically obstructed thereby preventing the discharge. The continuous rotation of the spray head relative to the supply line at its interface causes wear and can result in leakage of the contents in the interface and deteriorated operation of the aerosol. The invention provides a spray head comprising: a support; a passageway, mounted on the support, connectable to an interruptible source of fluid, and incorporating a fluid outlet, the passageway is movable between a first non-operative position and a second position in which it changes or switches the source for supplying fluid to the outlet by way of the passageway; a member secured in relation to the support, the member being movable between a first non-operative position when the member is supported by a cam means on the support, and an additional position in which the passageway can change the source to supply fluid; and a selectively operable safety to secure the member in its first position, thereby preventing the member from pushing the passageway into its second position unless the insurance is released. Preferably, when the member secured in relation to the support is in the additional position in which the fluid can be supplied, when the member is activated it presses to actuate (in the case of a pressurized aerosol) a valve on the pressurized aerosol, with which allows the fluid to pass through the passageway. In the case of a pump spray, similar activation may cause the spray mechanism to be actuated by a pump to allow the fluid to pass through the passageway.

Conveniently, the movement of the passageway is in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of a valve connector which may be located adjacent to, and in fluid connection with, the passageway. The longitudinal axis of the valve connector may be coaxial with a radial axis of the spray head. Conveniently, the movement of the secured member relative to the support can be rotatable, about a radial axis of the spray head. Preferably, the fluid outlet is mounted on the support via an active hinge that is elastically biased to push the passageway to its first non-operational position. Such a position may allow (in the case of coupling to a pressurized aerosol) that the valve on the aerosol container be closed when a depression force is removed from the member.; therefore, it is deflected in the non-depressed position. Preferably, the member is mounted on the support via an active hinge that is elastically biased to push the member into its non-operative position (e.g., not depressed). Advantageously, the member protects the passageway such that the fluid can only be expelled from the passageway by the movement of the member to the operative position. Preferably, the support comprises a base and an upper part, the base being mountable on a fluid container and the upper part being mounted on the base. Advantageously, the member is integrally mounted with the upper part of the support. Alternatively to a base and an upper part, the support may comprise a base and a collar, the base being mountable on a fluid container and the collar mounted around the base. In said supports, the member is advantageously integrally formed with the base above the passageway. Advantageously, the latch comprises complementary cam means on the base and on the upper part or the collar, such that the movement of the upper part or the collar relative to the base moves the corresponding cam means relative to another member between a first position in which the member is retained in its non-operative position, and a second position in which the member can be moved to push the passageway to its second position (operative, assortment).

Advantageously, the upper part or collar is rotatable relative to the base. Especially desirably, the base and particularly the passageway is not axially rotatable relative to a fluid supply means from the fluid reservoir, such as the stem outlet coming from the supply valve, thereby avoiding wear at an interface between the fluid passageway in the spray head and the outlet of the rod that could arise if the passageway were able to rotate axially around the outlet of the rod. Preferably the cam means comprises one of a cam profile and a cam pusher on the base, and the other of a cam profile or cam pusher on the top or collar. Advantageously, the cam means on the base comprises a cam profile, and the cam means on the top comprises a cam pusher on the member, or the cam means on the collar comprises a cam pusher. Preferably, the base comprises plastic material and is molded in one piece. Preferably, the upper part compresses the plastic material and is molded in one piece. Preferably, the collar is molded in one piece. Advantageously, the upper part or the collar and the base comprise co-operating fastening means that fit tightly together. Preferably, the upper part comprises a body portion and the member comprises a cut portion connected to the body portion by a flexible hinge. Advantageously, the member comprises entrapment means for preventing elevation of the member with respect to the body portion of the upper part. Advantageously, the upper part comprises an opening between the body portion for cooperation with the fluid outlet. Advantageously, the base diameter is greater than the upper diameter, to allow the spray head to be efficiently placed on the container. When a collar is employed instead of an upper part, the base preferably comprises a body portion coupled to the member, and the collar preferably comprises an opening for cooperation with the fluid outlet. Advantageously, one of the base and the upper part or collar further comprises an indentation on its outer face, which extends far from the boundary between the base and the upper part or collar, and the other of the base and the upper part or collar comprises in addition a tongue that fits the indentation, thereby preventing rotation of the top or collar relative to the base when the tongue is in place within the indentation. The tongue is desirably hinged, such that it can be lifted off the indentation, preferably, the tongue is molded in one piece with the respective upper or lower part. The tongue and the indentation are preferably placed one relative to the other around their respective circumferences, such that when they are in alignment, the member is secured in its first position, for example, preventing the member from pushing the passageway towards its second position, and the fluid outlet is covered by the upper part. Particularly, the tongue extends downwardly from the top and the base carries the indentation. An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a spray head for an aerosol container, pump spray or the like, which can be moved between an operable and an inoperable state.

The invention also resides in a container, especially an aerosol or spray or spray fluid container, which includes a spray head as defined hereinbefore. The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a spray head according to the invention, mounted on a fluid container; Figure 2 shows the base of the spray head shown in Figure 1, in cross-section; Figure 3 shows the base of the spray head in plan view; Figure 4 shows the. top of the spray head shown in Figure 1 in cross section; and Figure 5 shows the top of the spray head in plan view; Figure 6 shows an additional side view of the spray head mounted on a fluid container. As shown in Figure 1, a spray head 1 of the invention comprises a base 2 and an upper part 3 fixedly mounted on the base 2. The spray head 1 is shown mounted on an aerosol container 4, this being the normal way of using the spray head. With reference also to Figures 2 and 3, the base 2 comprises a skirt portion 5 which includes molded press fit segments 6 for connectably mounting the base 2 on a neck 7 of the container 4. The container has projecting ( but not shown) a piece of rod from which the fluid contained in the aerosol container can be released. A plate section 8 is formed in the upper portion of the skirt portion 5 and the press fit segments 9 are formed integrally with the plate section 8 for securing the base 2 to the top 3. A closure plate 10 outlet and a cam profile 11 are also formed on the plate section 8. A fluid outlet 12 is formed in a plate 13 which extends upwardly from the portion 5. A passageway 14 extends from the fluid outlet 12 to a valve connector 15 centrally accommodated in the base 2 for fluid coupling via the rod piece in a valve connected to a tube extending within the fluid in the aerosol can (not shown). The valve connector 15 and the passageway 14 can be pressed down and are of sufficient elasticity to return to a rest position when the oppressive force is removed. Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, the upper part 3 comprises a simple integral molding comprising a body portion 16 and an oppressive member 17 connected to the body portion 16 by a flexible, integral hinge portion 18. The pressing member 17 has a finger pad 16, sized to fit comfortably with a user's finger (not shown) and having edges 20 to reduce the likelihood of a user's finger slipping during the use of the finger. the spraying head 1. The upper part 3 also includes snap-fit segments 21 for co-operation with the snap-in segments 9 of the base 2 and a cam pusher 22 for co-operation with the snap-on profile. cam 11 formed on the base 2. A protrusion 23 restricts the oppressive means 17 so that it is not raised above the body portion 16, and an opening 24 corresponds to the fluid outlet 12.

Referring now to Figure 6, the base 2 is cut to provide an indentation 29 on which sits an adjustment tab 28 that extends down from and molded with the top 3. The tab 28 is attached to the part 3 on the hinge 30. The opening 24 is not aligned with the fluid outlet 12, so that it can not be observed in this Figure. In use, the upper part 3 is press fit into the base 2 and the complete spray head 1 is mounted on an aerosol container 4. The tongue 28 is pivoted about the hinge 30 and lifted from the indentation 29. The squeezing member is pressed down by a user's finger, pushing the valve connector 15 downward to contact the valve ( not shown) in the aerosol container 4 and allow fluid to flow through the passageway 14 and out of the fluid outlet 12 as a spray or spray. When the squeezing member 17 is released, the squeezing member 17 returns to its rest position and the valve connector 15 and the passageway 14 return to their rest position, thereby shutting off the fluid flow.

To prevent accidental activation of the spray head 1, the upper part 3 can be rotated relative to the base 2 around the snap-fit devices 9 on the plate 8. As the upper part 3 is rotated, the pusher 9 cam 22 moves to a copper position and then along the cam profile 11. The cam pusher 22 is held in an elevated position by the cam profile 11 and prevents the oppressor member 17 from being squeezed, and thus prevents the activation of the spray head 1. This position is releasably retained by the action of the securing ribs 25 which interfere with the press fit devices 26 on the base 2. As the top part 3 is rotated, the opening 24 moves around with the top 3 until, in the fully closed position, the opening 24 corresponds to the outlet closing plate 10 and the fluid outlet 12 faces a section of the body portion 1 6 for closing the fluid outlet 12. In this position, the spray head 1 is completely closed and can not be activated accidentally. The position is retained by the action of the securing ribs 25 which interfere with the pressure adjusting devices 27 on the base 2. To open the spray head 1 for use, the upper part 3 is rotated in a reverse direction in relation to the base 2 and the cam pusher 22 moves along the cam profile 11 to a position in which the oppressor means 17 can be depressed, and the spray head 1 can be activated. The invention provides a simple and easily operated self-closing spray head for aerosols and the like, which can be used without having to provide a separate lid or closure means.

Claims (21)

1. A spray head comprising: a support comprising a) a base and an upper part, the base being mountable on a fluid container, and the upper part mounted on the base, or b) a base and a collar, the base it is mountable on a fluid container and the collar is mounted around the base, the top or collar comprises an opening for co-operation with the fluid outlet; a passageway, mounted on the support, connectable to a switchable source of fluid and incorporating a fluid outlet, the passageway is movable between a first non-operative position and a second position in which it changes the source to supply fluid to an outlet by way of the passageway; a member secured in relation to the support, the member being movable between a first non-operative position when the member is supported by a cam member on the support, and an additional position, in which the passageway can change or switch the source to supply fluid; Y . a selectively operable latch to secure the member in its first position, thereby preventing the member from pushing the passageway into its second position, unless the latch is released, characterized in that the passageway is not axially rotatable in relation to the fluid source, wherein the upper part comprises a body portion, the upper part being rotatable relative to the base such that the fluid outlet can face the body portion to completely close the fluid outlet, or When a collar is used instead of an upper part, the base comprises a body portion coupled to the member, the collar being rotatable relative to the base.

2. A spray head according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid outlet is mounted on the support via a hinge elastically deflected to push the passage to its first non-operative position.

3. A spray head according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the member is mounted on the support via an active hinge that is elastically biased to push the member into its non-operative position.

4. A spray head according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the member protects the passageway such that the passageway can only be movable towards its second position by the movement of the member.

5. A spray head according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the member is integrally formed with the upper part of the support.

6. A spray head according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the safety comprises complementary cam means on the base and the upper part or collar, such that the movement of the upper part or collar relative to the base respectively moves the corresponding cam means relative to each other between a first position in which the member is stopped in its inoperative position, and a second position in which the member can be moved to push the passageway towards its second position.

7. A spray head according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cam means comprises one of a cam profile and a cam pusher on the base, and the other of a cam profile or cam pusher respectively on the Top or collar.

8. A spray head according to claim 7, characterized in that the cam means on the base comprises a cam profile and the cam means on the upper part comprises a cam pusher on the member.

9. A spray head according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the upper part of the base further comprises a tongue, and the other of the upper part and the base comprises a coupling indentation, preventing the relative rotation of the upper part of the base when the tongue is placed inside the indentation.

10. A spray head according to any of claims 1-4 6 or 7, characterized in that one of the collar and the base further comprises a tongue, and the other of the collar and the base comprises a coupling indentation, preventing relative rotation of the tongue. collar and base when the tongue is placed inside the indentation.

11. A spray head according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base comprises plastic material and is molded in one piece.

12. A spray head according to any of claims 1-9 or 11, characterized in that the upper part of plastic material and is molded in one piece.

13. A spray head according to any of claims 1-4, 6, 7, 10 or 11, characterized in that the collar comprises plastic material and is molded in one piece.

14. A spray head according to any of claims 1-9, 11, or 12, characterized in that the upper part and the base comprise cooperating fastening means which press fit together.

15. A spray head according to any of claims 1-9, 11, 12 or 14, characterized in that the upper part comprises a body portion and the member comprises a cut portion connected to the body portion by a flexible hinge.

16. A spray head according to any of claims 1-9, 11, 12, 14 or 15, characterized in that the upper part comprises an opening in the body portion for cooperation with the fluid outlet.

17. A spray head according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the member comprises gripping means for preventing the elevation of the member with respect to the body portion of the upper part or collar.

18. A spray head according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper part or collar is releasably retained in a first non-operative position or in a second operative position.

19. A spray head according to any of the preceding claim, characterized in that the base is not axially rotatable relative to a fluid supply line coming from a fluid reservoir.

20. An aerosol container characterized in that it comprises a spray head according to any of the preceding claims.

21. A pump spray container, characterized in that it comprises a spray head according to any of claims 1-19.