US3674184A - Self-aligning aerosol overcap and button - Google Patents

Self-aligning aerosol overcap and button Download PDF

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Publication number
US3674184A
US3674184A US72656A US3674184DA US3674184A US 3674184 A US3674184 A US 3674184A US 72656 A US72656 A US 72656A US 3674184D A US3674184D A US 3674184DA US 3674184 A US3674184 A US 3674184A
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United States
Prior art keywords
button
overcap
key
keyway
aerosol
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Expired - Lifetime
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US72656A
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English (en)
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Ronald F Ewald
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Individual
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Individual
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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 for dispensing liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant
    • B65D83/16—Actuating means
    • B65D83/20—Actuator caps

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A self-aligning aerosol overcap and button and method of as sembling them wherein the overcap includes a key projecting within its central button-receiving opening, and the button includes a smooth surfaces top having a downward slant from front to rear of approximately 10 to 20 and a vertical keyway in its side wall for receiving the key of the cap.
  • the overcap and button are quickly and easily aligned simply by placing the overcap over the button such that the key rests on the top surface of the button. By gravity, the overcap will thereafter slide and rotate relative to the button until the key engages the keyway. The terminal orifice of the button is thereby automatically aligned with the front of the overcap.
  • This invention relates to an overcap and button for an aerosol container and to the method of assembling them and more particularly to a self-aligning overcap and button for assembling them wherein proper alignment of the button and overcap is assured.
  • the overcap usually has a conformation to indicate the direction in which the aerosol contents are to be sprayed. So, it must be aligned with respect to the button. This was usually done prior to being fastened to the container. In the most customary fashion to maintain alignment, the overcap and button were usually locked together prior to being mounted on the aerosol can.
  • the present invention aims primarily to provide a new and improved key and keyway to prevent wobble between the overcap and button.
  • the elimination of wobble ensures maximum alignment thereby preempting any chance of spray impingement during use.
  • Another object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol button and overcap in which the cap is automatically aligned to the button without prior pre-orientation.
  • Still another object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol button and overcap in which the cap can be quickly and easily aligned merely by placing the cap on the button.
  • a further object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol button and overcap which are locked securely together when aligned.
  • a still further object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol button and overcap wherein the cap may easily be snapped onto the aerosol container after being aligned.
  • Another object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol button and overcap wherein the upper surface of the button is cut at an optimum angle to allow the cap to ride and rotate over the surface but still allow the button to be easily depressed.
  • Another object is to provide a method of assembling an overcap to a button wherein the cap is automatically aligned to the button without pro-orientation and without the necessity of auxiliary rotative forces.
  • Another object is to provide an economical and highly reliable method of aligning an aerosol overcap and button.
  • Another object is to provide an overcap which has an integral, resilient key which resiliently biases against the aerosol button keyway to ensure maximum alignment.
  • Another object is to provide a resilient key which biases the overcap in a radial direction.
  • Another object is to provide a resilient key which biases the overcap in a tangential direction.
  • the invention comprises an overcap which has a central cylindrical opening in which is disposed along its upper end a salient projection defined as a key.
  • the button has a vertical keyway grooved in its side wall to receive this key, and a smooth top surface, at least on its rim portion of a width greater than the key width, having a downward slant from front to rear of from 10 to 20.
  • it is made resilient so that the front of the key bears against the floor of the keyway thereby producing a radial biasing force between the overcap and button.
  • the key is split and its sides impinge against the sides of the keyway.
  • the cap In assembling the cap to the container, the cap, without preorientation, is placed over the button such that the button is within its central opening and the key rests on the top surface of the button. Because of gravity, the overcap will then slide and rotate down the top surface of the button until the key enters the keyway. Thereafter, the overcap is depressed downwardly and snapped onto the rim of the mounting cup of the container via an inner rim to secure the cap thereto. The biasing force of the key thereafter prevents side twist between the overcap and the button. In this way, any chance of misalignment and hence spray impingement on the overcap during actuation has been eliminated.
  • FIG. 1 is a top view of the overcap and button of this invention in an unaligned position.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the overcap and button taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a top view of the overcap and button properly aligned and secured to the aerosol container.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the overcap and button taken along lines 44 of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the button shown in FIGS. 1 through 4.
  • FIG. 6 is a top view of an overcap and button with a key which is biased in the keyway and comprises a first refinement of this invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the overcap and button properly aligned and secured to the aerosol container.
  • FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional view through line 88 of FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view through line 9-9 of FIG. 8.
  • FIG. 10 is a front view of the resilient biasing key.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view through line llll of FIG. 10.
  • FIG. 12 is a top view of an overcap and button with a key which is biased in the keyway and comprises a second refinement of this invention.
  • FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the overcap and button properly aligned and secured to the aerosol container.
  • FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view through line l4 14 of FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view through lines 15-- 15 of FIG. 13.
  • FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view through line 16-l6 of FIG. 13.
  • FIG. 17 is a top view of the resilient biasing key.
  • FIG. 18 is a front view of the key of FIG. 17.
  • FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view along line 19-19 of the key of FIG. 17.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 there is illustrated in an unaligned position an aerosol cupshaped overcap l and button 12 comprising the primary components of this invention.
  • the button is shown typically attached to a valve stem 14 of an aerosol valve. It may be removably attached or integral with the valve stem in accord with common practice.
  • the valve is secured within the mouth of the container 16 through crimped bead 18 of the standard mounting cup usually comprising one part of an aerosol valve.
  • the upper surface of the overcap is molded with a sprayguide recess 20 and a thumb-guide recess 22.
  • the spray-guide recess 20 provides an open passageway for sprayed aerosol contents whereas the thumb-guide recess provides a saddle support for the thumb, or finger, making it easier to depress the aerosol button.
  • This configuration of the spray-guide recess and thumb-guide recess also enables a user to quickly ascertain the direction in which the aerosol contents should be sprayed. To make it even more easy to ascertain this direction, an arrow 24 may be molded within the thumb-guide recess.
  • the overcap is provided with a cylindrical central opening 26. Projecting within the upper end of this opening is a narrow salient projection generally defined as key 28 adapted to ride on the top surface of the button.
  • the key is preferably located along the longitudinal center line of the spray-guide and thumb-guide recesses; although it may be located otherwise as should be evident from the description that proceeds.
  • key 28 consists of an integrally molded salient projection which is attached only at its base 42 to annular side wall 27 of cylindrical opening 26.
  • Base 42 extends upward to form two biasing anns 44 and 46.
  • Anns 44 and 46 in their relaxed condition are slightly larger, at their widest point, 48 and 50, than is keyway 34.
  • keyway 34 When key 28 is inserted into keyway 34 the walls of keyway 34 impinge at points 48 and 50 of key 28 thereby flexing arms 44 and 46 inwardly slightly in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 8 and 10.
  • key 28 also has an integrally molded base 42, however, in this embodiment the upstanding portion of key 28 is a single arm 52. Arm 52 is narrower on the sides than keyway 34, however, the nose 54 in its relaxed position, extends to a point which is slightly deeper than the depth of keyway 34.
  • the base 58 of the keyway 34 impinges against nose 54. This impingement causes a slight flexing of arm 52 in a radial direction as is indicated by the arrows in FIGS. I and 19. This resultant slight biasing force insures maximum alignment between overcap l0 and button 12 with no side twisting which often causes spray impingement under normal use.
  • annular rim 30 Concentric with the annular side wall 27 of the cylindrical opening is an annular rim 30 which is slightly smaller in diameter than bead 18 such that when depressed thereon, friction engagement between the rim and bead securely retain the overcap to the container.
  • the outer wall of the overcap is such that when the cap is depressed, it is either flush with the top of the container or extends inwardly of the rim of the container.
  • the button is substantially cylindrical and contains the conventional passageway 32 with an orifice for discharging the aerosol contents when the button is depressed. Diametrically opposed to the discharge orifice is a vertical keyway 34 cut into the sidewall of the button. As should be evident, other positioning of the keyway is also possible. Keyway 34 is slightly larger then key 28 except for the easily movable points on the keys which were referred to above. To allow the key to slide around the button and enter the keyway, regardless of the orientation of the overcap when on the button, the top surface 36 of the button is smooth, or, at least, the rim portion sufficient to accommodate the key, is smooth, and slants downwardly at an angle of from ten to twenty degrees.
  • the cap In aligning and assembling the overcap to the button, the cap is placed without pre-orientation on the button 12 such that key 28 rides on the top surface of the button, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. By gravity, without additional rotative forces acting on the overcap or container, the overcap will then ride down the upper surface of the button until the key 28 slides into keyway 34. Because of the fit between the button and overcap, the cap will not excessively wobble when sliding down the slope.
  • the container may be purposely vibrated or vibrated by the action of the filling and assembling machine to accelerate this movement. When key 28 is in keyway 34, the parts are aligned.
  • the discharge orifice When so aligned, the discharge orifice is centered with respect to the longitudinal center line of the spray-guide and thumbguide recesses. After being so aligned, the overcap is depressed until rim 30 snaps over bead 18 of the mounting cap 16. This firmly secures the cap to the container.
  • a self-aligning overcap and button for an aerosol container said button having a discharge passageway therethrough for dispensing product and having a vertical keyway grooved in its side wall and a smooth top surface having a downward slant of from ten to twenty degrees running from front to rear, and said overcap having a central opening for receiving said button with a salient projection defining a key of a length slightly smaller than said keyway extending into the top of said opening, said key including a base and at least one upwardly extending arm, said arm being flexed by said keyway to ensure maximum alignment of said overcap and button, said opening having a dimension slightly larger than the dimension of the button and a side wall approximating the length of the button such that when the cap is mounted on the button the key will ride downwardly on the top surface of the button without excessive wobbling of the cap, said overcap further including clamping means for clamping said overcap to said container when the key of the overcap is within the keyway of

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
US72656A 1969-09-10 1970-09-16 Self-aligning aerosol overcap and button Expired - Lifetime US3674184A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US85676469A 1969-09-10 1969-09-10

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US3674184A true US3674184A (en) 1972-07-04

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US72656A Expired - Lifetime US3674184A (en) 1969-09-10 1970-09-16 Self-aligning aerosol overcap and button

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Country Link
US (1) US3674184A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2023827A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2056099A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1271568A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3779427A (en) * 1972-07-21 1973-12-18 Seaquist Valve Co Safety closure adaptor
US4132333A (en) * 1975-12-03 1979-01-02 Aerosol Inventions And Development S.A. Aid Sa Dispensing unit for an aerosol container
FR2429161A1 (fr) * 1978-06-19 1980-01-18 Aerosol Inventions Dev Ensemble de distribution pour valve aerosol
US4254899A (en) * 1979-10-22 1981-03-10 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Self-aligning aerosol dispensing device
US5255823A (en) * 1992-05-21 1993-10-26 Risdon Corporation Actuator and cap for a fluid dispenser
US5735464A (en) * 1995-05-01 1998-04-07 Darrach, Iii; Nelson Nozzle protector for aerosol spray cans
US5762322A (en) * 1996-09-13 1998-06-09 Summit Packaging Systems, Inc. Actuator assembly to prevent inadvertent product discharge upon installation on stem
US6454139B1 (en) * 2001-02-14 2002-09-24 Precision Valve Corporation Preassembled aerosol actuator assembly for in-line capping to an aerosol container
US7882990B1 (en) * 2002-07-22 2011-02-08 Seaquistperfect Dispensing Foreign, Inc. Inverted aerosol dispenser
USD881007S1 (en) 2017-09-12 2020-04-14 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Actuator
US10940493B2 (en) 2018-07-26 2021-03-09 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Actuator and nozzle insert for dispensing systems
EP3414183B1 (en) * 2016-02-12 2021-03-31 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Overcap assembly

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3407975A (en) * 1966-05-20 1968-10-29 Gillette Co Aerosol container and cap therefor

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3407975A (en) * 1966-05-20 1968-10-29 Gillette Co Aerosol container and cap therefor

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3779427A (en) * 1972-07-21 1973-12-18 Seaquist Valve Co Safety closure adaptor
US4132333A (en) * 1975-12-03 1979-01-02 Aerosol Inventions And Development S.A. Aid Sa Dispensing unit for an aerosol container
FR2429161A1 (fr) * 1978-06-19 1980-01-18 Aerosol Inventions Dev Ensemble de distribution pour valve aerosol
US4254899A (en) * 1979-10-22 1981-03-10 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Self-aligning aerosol dispensing device
EP0027742A1 (en) * 1979-10-22 1981-04-29 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Self aligning aerosol dispensing device
WO1981001131A1 (en) * 1979-10-22 1981-04-30 Johnson & Son Inc S C Self-aligning aerosol dispensing device
US5255823A (en) * 1992-05-21 1993-10-26 Risdon Corporation Actuator and cap for a fluid dispenser
US5735464A (en) * 1995-05-01 1998-04-07 Darrach, Iii; Nelson Nozzle protector for aerosol spray cans
US5762322A (en) * 1996-09-13 1998-06-09 Summit Packaging Systems, Inc. Actuator assembly to prevent inadvertent product discharge upon installation on stem
US6454139B1 (en) * 2001-02-14 2002-09-24 Precision Valve Corporation Preassembled aerosol actuator assembly for in-line capping to an aerosol container
US7882990B1 (en) * 2002-07-22 2011-02-08 Seaquistperfect Dispensing Foreign, Inc. Inverted aerosol dispenser
EP3414183B1 (en) * 2016-02-12 2021-03-31 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Overcap assembly
USD881007S1 (en) 2017-09-12 2020-04-14 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Actuator
US10940493B2 (en) 2018-07-26 2021-03-09 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Actuator and nozzle insert for dispensing systems

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2056099A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-05-14
DE2023827A1 (de) 1971-03-18
GB1271568A (en) 1972-04-19

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