US3583607A - Unitary cap and valve actuator - Google Patents

Unitary cap and valve actuator Download PDF

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Publication number
US3583607A
US3583607A US812082A US3583607DA US3583607A US 3583607 A US3583607 A US 3583607A US 812082 A US812082 A US 812082A US 3583607D A US3583607D A US 3583607DA US 3583607 A US3583607 A US 3583607A
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cap
strip
button
wall
actuator
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Expired - Lifetime
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US812082A
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Theodore Andrew Beck
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Scovill Inc
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Scovill Inc
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/16—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means
    • B65D83/20—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means operated by manual action, e.g. button-type actuator or actuator caps
    • B65D83/205—Actuator caps, or peripheral actuator skirts, attachable to the aerosol container
    • B65D83/206—Actuator caps, or peripheral actuator skirts, attachable to the aerosol container comprising a cantilevered actuator element, e.g. a lever pivoting about a living hinge

Definitions

  • UNITARY CAP AND VALVE ACTUATOR This invention relates to a unitary cap and valve actuator of which there are several examples classified officially in class ZZZ/402.13. It is intended especially for use with containers having a valve of the tilt action type with an upwardly projecting hollow stem which is tilted or canted to open the valve.
  • Some of the objects of the invention are to provide a cap and actuator button combination which can be easily molded as one piece from suitable plastic material; to provide for maximum smoothness of the complete outer surface of the cap with minimum interruptions of the top and annular walls; and to provide a unitary cap and valve actuator which is easily operable by lateral pressure applied to the side of the cap opposite the discharge passage.
  • the actuator button is integrally joined to a strip which is flexibly hinged to the annular wall of the cap and is flush with the top wall from which the strip and button are separated only by a narrow slit.
  • FIG. 1 is a vertical central section through the unitary cap and valve actuator illustrating its application to the top of an aerosol container;
  • FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view
  • FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cap
  • FIG. 4 is a top plan view
  • FIG. 5 is a view principally in vertical central section showing the position of the parts when the valve is open.
  • cap and actuator applied to a typical aerosol container 6 having a rim 7, and an upwardly projecting hollow valve stem 8.
  • the cap has an annular wall with a solid lower portion 9 which is adapted to be coupled to the container in some manner.
  • this wall 9 has an internal bead 10 around the bottom edge adapted to snap over the container rim 7.
  • An actuator button 11 is arranged centrally inside the cap and has a vertical bore 12, the lower portion of which is adapted to fit tightly around the stem 8. Communicating with the bore 12 is a lateral discharge passage 13 which may be fitted with an orifice insert if desired. Integrally joined to the top of the button 11 is a strip 14 which extends rearward to the annular wall and thence downwardly into the annular wall to provide a rear hinge section 15 where the strip joins the solid annular wall portion 9, the downwardly extending portion of this trip being designated by the numeral 16.
  • this downwardly extending portion of the strip is reinforced by an internal rib 17 so as better to withstand lateral pressure applied to the strip portion 16 in opening of the valve in the manner indicated in FIG. 5.
  • the top wall extends continuously around the sides of the top strip portion 14 and across the front of the button 11, the side portions of the wall being designated 18 and 19 while the front portion is designated 20.
  • This top wall is made flush with the top surface of the strip 14 and preferably the entire upper surface is flat. It will be observed that the side and front edges of the entire strip l4, 16, are separated from the top wall and the annular wall by only a narrow slit, the horizontal portions of which are numbered 21 and 31, the vertical portions 22 and 32 and the front portion 30. This makes for overall smoothness and maximum coverage of the top of the can.
  • a lateral opening 23 is provided in the cap in registry with the discharge passage 13 so as to conduct the spray through the cap wall. Preferably, this opening is made in an inwardly indented wall portion 24 so as to bring it closer to the actuator utton.
  • top front comer of the button is bevelled as indicated at 25 so as to facilitate movement of the button under the top wall portion 20 in opening the valve, this position being seen in FIG. 5.
  • an actuator button arranged centrally inside the cap and having a vertical bore adapted to fit tightly around said stem and a forwardly directed lateral discharge passage which stops well within the confines of the annular wall;
  • a top wall flush with the top surface of said strip said wall having portions along the sides of the strip and a portion in front of the button, said strip and button being separated from said top wall by a continuous narrow slit which extends from said hinge section along both sides of said strip and around the front of the button, and

Abstract

The combination cap and valve actuator is molded in one piece, the actuator button being joined to the cap by a flexible strip. The valve is opened by lateral pressure applied to the strip on the side of the cap opposite the spray discharge, and during this action the forward part of the button moves under the top wall of the cap, thus requiring only a minimum interruption of the smooth top surface of the cap.

Description

United States Patent Theodore Andrew Beck Andover, Mass.
[21] Appl. No. 812,082
[22] Filed Apr. 1,1969
[45] Patented June 8, 1971 [73] Assignee Scovill Manufacturing Company Waterbury, Conn.
[72] Inventor [54] UNITARY CAP AND VALVE ACTUATOR 2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.
[52] US. Cl ZZZ/402.21 [51] Int. Cl 865d 83/14 [50] Field of Search ..222/402.2 l 402.13, 402.23
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,139,223 6/1964 Kruck 222/402.13
3,314,576 4/1967 Focht et al ZZZ/402.13 3,330,447 7/1967 Doblin 222/402.23 3,469,746 9/1969 Melocchi ZZZ/402.13
Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Norman L. Stack, Jr. Att0mey-Dallett Hoopes ABSTRACT: The combination cap and valve actuator is molded in one piece, the actuator button being joined to the cap by a flexible strip. The valve is opened by lateral pressure applied to the strip on the side of the cap opposite the spray discharge, and during this action the forward part of the but ton moves under the top wall of the cap, thus requiring only a minimum interruption of the smooth top surface of the cap.
UNITARY CAP AND VALVE ACTUATOR This invention relates to a unitary cap and valve actuator of which there are several examples classified officially in class ZZZ/402.13. It is intended especially for use with containers having a valve of the tilt action type with an upwardly projecting hollow stem which is tilted or canted to open the valve.
Some of the objects of the invention are to provide a cap and actuator button combination which can be easily molded as one piece from suitable plastic material; to provide for maximum smoothness of the complete outer surface of the cap with minimum interruptions of the top and annular walls; and to provide a unitary cap and valve actuator which is easily operable by lateral pressure applied to the side of the cap opposite the discharge passage.
The actuator button is integrally joined to a strip which is flexibly hinged to the annular wall of the cap and is flush with the top wall from which the strip and button are separated only by a narrow slit. When the button is moved laterally in the opening of the valve, the front upper edge of the button will move under the top wall of the cap thus permitting operation of the button even though in the normal position it is separated from the top wall only by the narrow slit. Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter more fully appear.
In the accompanying drawings, l have shown for purposes of illustration, one embodiment which the invention may assume in practice. In these drawings:
FIG. 1 is a vertical central section through the unitary cap and valve actuator illustrating its application to the top of an aerosol container;
FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view;
FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cap;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view; and
FIG. 5 is a view principally in vertical central section showing the position of the parts when the valve is open.
I have shown the cap and actuator applied to a typical aerosol container 6 having a rim 7, and an upwardly projecting hollow valve stem 8. The cap has an annular wall with a solid lower portion 9 which is adapted to be coupled to the container in some manner. In the present instance, this wall 9 has an internal bead 10 around the bottom edge adapted to snap over the container rim 7.
An actuator button 11 is arranged centrally inside the cap and has a vertical bore 12, the lower portion of which is adapted to fit tightly around the stem 8. Communicating with the bore 12 is a lateral discharge passage 13 which may be fitted with an orifice insert if desired. Integrally joined to the top of the button 11 is a strip 14 which extends rearward to the annular wall and thence downwardly into the annular wall to provide a rear hinge section 15 where the strip joins the solid annular wall portion 9, the downwardly extending portion of this trip being designated by the numeral 16. Preferably, this downwardly extending portion of the strip is reinforced by an internal rib 17 so as better to withstand lateral pressure applied to the strip portion 16 in opening of the valve in the manner indicated in FIG. 5.
The top wall extends continuously around the sides of the top strip portion 14 and across the front of the button 11, the side portions of the wall being designated 18 and 19 while the front portion is designated 20. This top wall is made flush with the top surface of the strip 14 and preferably the entire upper surface is flat. It will be observed that the side and front edges of the entire strip l4, 16, are separated from the top wall and the annular wall by only a narrow slit, the horizontal portions of which are numbered 21 and 31, the vertical portions 22 and 32 and the front portion 30. This makes for overall smoothness and maximum coverage of the top of the can. A lateral opening 23 is provided in the cap in registry with the discharge passage 13 so as to conduct the spray through the cap wall. Preferably, this opening is made in an inwardly indented wall portion 24 so as to bring it closer to the actuator utton.
It will be noted that the top front comer of the button is bevelled as indicated at 25 so as to facilitate movement of the button under the top wall portion 20 in opening the valve, this position being seen in FIG. 5.
lclaim:
l. A unitary cap and valve actuator for aerosol containers wherein the valve is of the tilt action type having an upwardly projecting hollow stem, comprising a. an annular wall having a solid lower portion adapted to be coupled to a container;
b. an actuator button arranged centrally inside the cap and having a vertical bore adapted to fit tightly around said stem and a forwardly directed lateral discharge passage which stops well within the confines of the annular wall;
c. a strip integral with the top of the button extending rearwardly to said annular wall and thence downwardly into said annular wall to provide a single curved rear hinge section where the strip joins said solid annular portion;
d. a top wall flush with the top surface of said strip, said wall having portions along the sides of the strip and a portion in front of the button, said strip and button being separated from said top wall by a continuous narrow slit which extends from said hinge section along both sides of said strip and around the front of the button, and
e. a lateral opening in the cap registering with said discharge passage.
2. A unitary cap and valve actuator as defined in claim 1 wherein the front upper corner of the actuator button is bevelled so that it may more readily move under the cap top wall.

Claims (2)

1. A unitary cap and valve actuator for aerosol containers wherein the valve is of the tilt action type having an upwardly projecting hollow stem, comprising a. an annular wall having a solid lower portion adapted to be coupled to a container; b. an actuator button arranged centrally inside the cap and having a vertical bore adapted to fit tightly around said stem and a forwardly directed lateral discharge passage which stops well within the confines of the annular wall; c. a strip integral with the top of the button extending rearwardly to said annular wall and thence downwardly into said annular wall to provide a single curved rear hinge section where the strip joins said solid annular portion; d. a top wall flush with the top surface of said strip, said wall having portions along the sides of the strip and a portion in front of the button, said strip and button being separated from said top wall by a continuous narrow slit which extends from said hinge section along both sides of said strip and around the front of the button, and e. a lateral opening in the cap registering with said discharge passage.
2. A unitary cap and valve actuator as defined in claim 1 wherein the front upper corner of the actuator button is bevelled so that it may more readily move under the cap top wall.
US812082A 1969-04-01 1969-04-01 Unitary cap and valve actuator Expired - Lifetime US3583607A (en)

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Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3894664A (en) * 1973-09-04 1975-07-15 Edwin J Haas Pressure dispenser attachment
US4068782A (en) * 1975-10-23 1978-01-17 S. C. Johnson & Son Inc. Glade overcap for tilt valve
DE3023596A1 (en) * 1980-03-18 1982-03-04 Lechner + Bek GmbH, 7700 Singen Shoe cream applicator fitted to pressurised can - uses flanged adaptor containing block fitting over discharge valve and supporting sponge
US4752020A (en) * 1986-05-07 1988-06-21 Franz Grueter Pressurized dispensing container
US5018647A (en) * 1982-06-08 1991-05-28 Abplanalf Robert H Dispensing cap for use with pressurized container
FR2700316A1 (en) * 1993-01-08 1994-07-13 Merck Sharp & Dohme Device for dispensing a medicinal or cosmetic liquid drop by drop contained in a flexible bottle.
FR2700318A1 (en) * 1993-01-08 1994-07-13 Merck Sharp & Dohme Drop delivery device for flexible vial of fluid
FR2820126A1 (en) * 2001-01-31 2002-08-02 Oreal PRESSURIZED DEVICE HAVING A TILT VALVE
US20040222245A1 (en) * 2003-04-24 2004-11-11 Lindal Ventil Gmbh Spraying cap
US20070034653A1 (en) * 2005-08-12 2007-02-15 Strand Toralf H Spray actuating mechanism for a dispensing canister
US20070051754A1 (en) * 2005-09-08 2007-03-08 Strand Toralf H Button actuated mechanism for a dispensing canister

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3139223A (en) * 1960-12-22 1964-06-30 Metal Fabrications Inc Spray dispensing devices
US3314576A (en) * 1965-06-14 1967-04-18 Precision Valve Corp Cap for dispensing aerosols
US3330447A (en) * 1965-08-06 1967-07-11 W R Frank Packaging Engineers Aerosol dispensing cap
US3469746A (en) * 1966-02-02 1969-09-30 Mario Melocchi Cap comprising a swinging cover which serves as a pushbutton for use with a container for an aerosol product

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3139223A (en) * 1960-12-22 1964-06-30 Metal Fabrications Inc Spray dispensing devices
US3314576A (en) * 1965-06-14 1967-04-18 Precision Valve Corp Cap for dispensing aerosols
US3330447A (en) * 1965-08-06 1967-07-11 W R Frank Packaging Engineers Aerosol dispensing cap
US3469746A (en) * 1966-02-02 1969-09-30 Mario Melocchi Cap comprising a swinging cover which serves as a pushbutton for use with a container for an aerosol product

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3894664A (en) * 1973-09-04 1975-07-15 Edwin J Haas Pressure dispenser attachment
US4068782A (en) * 1975-10-23 1978-01-17 S. C. Johnson & Son Inc. Glade overcap for tilt valve
DE3023596A1 (en) * 1980-03-18 1982-03-04 Lechner + Bek GmbH, 7700 Singen Shoe cream applicator fitted to pressurised can - uses flanged adaptor containing block fitting over discharge valve and supporting sponge
US5018647A (en) * 1982-06-08 1991-05-28 Abplanalf Robert H Dispensing cap for use with pressurized container
US4752020A (en) * 1986-05-07 1988-06-21 Franz Grueter Pressurized dispensing container
FR2700316A1 (en) * 1993-01-08 1994-07-13 Merck Sharp & Dohme Device for dispensing a medicinal or cosmetic liquid drop by drop contained in a flexible bottle.
FR2700318A1 (en) * 1993-01-08 1994-07-13 Merck Sharp & Dohme Drop delivery device for flexible vial of fluid
WO1994015855A1 (en) * 1993-01-08 1994-07-21 Laboratoires Merck Sharp & Dohme-Chibret Device for dropwise delivery of a fluid contained in a flexible vial
US5673822A (en) * 1993-01-08 1997-10-07 Laboratoires Merck Sharp & Dohme-Chibret Device for dropwise delivery of a fluid contained in a flexible vial
EP1228982A1 (en) * 2001-01-31 2002-08-07 L'oreal Pressured container with a tilt valve
FR2820126A1 (en) * 2001-01-31 2002-08-02 Oreal PRESSURIZED DEVICE HAVING A TILT VALVE
US6588631B2 (en) 2001-01-31 2003-07-08 L'oreal S.A. System for dispensing a product
US20040222245A1 (en) * 2003-04-24 2004-11-11 Lindal Ventil Gmbh Spraying cap
US7004359B2 (en) * 2003-04-24 2006-02-28 Lindal Ventil Gmbh Spraying cap
US20070034653A1 (en) * 2005-08-12 2007-02-15 Strand Toralf H Spray actuating mechanism for a dispensing canister
WO2007021918A1 (en) 2005-08-12 2007-02-22 Summit Packaging Systems, Inc. Spray actuating mechanism for a dispensing canister
US7204393B2 (en) * 2005-08-12 2007-04-17 Summit Packaging, Inc. Spray actuating mechanism for a dispensing canister
AU2010101346B4 (en) * 2005-08-12 2011-03-17 Summit Packaging Systems, Inc. Spray Actuator
AU2006279835B2 (en) * 2005-08-12 2012-12-06 Summit Packaging Systems, Inc. Spray actuating mechanism for a dispensing canister
US20070051754A1 (en) * 2005-09-08 2007-03-08 Strand Toralf H Button actuated mechanism for a dispensing canister

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