US3738541A - Spra-mate overcap - Google Patents

Spra-mate overcap Download PDF

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Publication number
US3738541A
US3738541A US00169256A US3738541DA US3738541A US 3738541 A US3738541 A US 3738541A US 00169256 A US00169256 A US 00169256A US 3738541D A US3738541D A US 3738541DA US 3738541 A US3738541 A US 3738541A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
overcap
button
orifice
spray orifice
wall
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00169256A
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English (en)
Inventor
J Greenebaum
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
AptarGroup Inc
Seaquist Perfect Dispensing LLC
Original Assignee
Seaquist Valve Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Seaquist Valve Co filed Critical Seaquist Valve Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3738541A publication Critical patent/US3738541A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Assigned to PITTWAY CORPORATION, A DE CORP. reassignment PITTWAY CORPORATION, A DE CORP. MERGER (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PITTWAY CORPORATION, A PA CORP.
Assigned to APTARGROUP, INC. reassignment APTARGROUP, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PITTWAY CORPORATION
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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

  • FIG-3 INVENTOR. JAMES E. GREENEBAUM II ATTORNEYS.
  • This invention relates to an overcap-button assembly for an aerosol container and a method of automatic orientation with an added no-hang-up feature for the button assembly during its use thereafter.
  • overcaps usually have a configuration which indicates the direction in which the aerosol contents are to be sprayed, they must be aligned with respect to the button. This is usually done prior to being fastened to the container. In the usual method of maintaining alignment, the overcap and button are usually locked together prior to being mounted on the aerosol can.
  • button hang-up causes continued actuation or depres sion of the button which is obviously undesirable.
  • An object of this invention is to provide a selfaligning overcap whichis quickly aligned with respect to an aerosol dispenser and button without the need of the external rotative forces, such as brushes.
  • Another object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol 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 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 overcap which is locked securely to the dispenser when aligned.
  • a still further object is to provide a self'aligning aerosol overcap wherein the cap may easily be snapped onto the aerosol container after being aligned.
  • Another object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol overcap wherein the button will not be caught or hung-up on the spray orifice of the overcap during assembly or actuation.
  • Another object is to provide an economical and highly reliable method of aligning an aerosol overcap and button.
  • the invention comprises an overcap which has a central button receiving opening.
  • a key projects from the upper rear portion of the opening and operatively engages a button having a vertical keyway formed in its side wall.
  • An annular Z-shaped step is formed on the wall of the opening whereby the lower portion thereof maintains cooperative engagement between the keyway and key and the upper portion avoids hang-up of the button on a spray orifice in the side wall of the overcap.
  • the cap In placing the cap on the aerosol container with a valve therein, the cap, without. pre-orientation, is placed over the pre-mounted button such that the button is within the central opening. The key rests on the top slanted surface of the button. Because of gravity, the overcap will then slide and rotate down the top surface until the key enters the keyway. The cap and button are then properly aligned. Thereafter, the overcap is depressed, to snap it onto the rim of the mounting cup of the valve of the aerosol container.
  • FIG. 1 is a top view of the overcap and button of this invention in an aligned 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.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the overcap taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the overcap.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the overcap.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol cup-shaped overcap 10 and button 12 mounted on an aerosol container 14.
  • the button 12 is shown attached to a valve stem 16 of an aerosol valve. In accord with common practice, it may be removably attached or integral with the valve stem 16.
  • the valve is secured within the mouth of the container 14 by crimped bead 18 on the standard mounting cup 19 usually comprising one part of an aerosol valve.
  • the face of the overcap contains a spray guide recess 20 with a spray orifice 22 located on the inward end thereof.
  • the top of the overcap contains a finger guide recess 24.
  • the spray guide recess 20 and spray orifice 22 provide an open passageway for dispensed product whereas the finger guide recess provides a saddle support for the finger of the operator, making it easier to depress the aerosol button.
  • This configuration of the spray guide recess 20 and finger guide recess 24 enables a user to quickly ascertain the direction of discharge. To make it even more easy to ascertain this direction, an arrow 26 may be molded on button 12.
  • the overcap is provided with acentral button receiving orifice 28. Projecting into the upper end of this orifice is a narrow salient projection defined as key 30 adapted to ride on the top slanted surface of the button.
  • the key 30 is preferably located along the longitudinal center line of the spray guide and finger guide recesses; although it may be located otherwise as should be evident from the description that proceeds.
  • Extending vertically downward from orifice 28 is annular retaining wall 31.
  • a Z-shaped step or protrusion 32 extends inwardly from annular retaining wall 31.
  • Flange 34 annularly disposed on the lower periphery of button 12 operatively engages protrusion 32 such that the forward most portion of button 12 is displaced rearwardly from the vertical plane tangent to the spray orifice 22 thereby offsetting the, forward face of button 12 rearward of the spray orifice 22 to prevent the top forward portion of button 12 from engaging the lip of the spray orifice 22 to avoid button hangup.
  • the diameter of the central opening 28 is made only slightly larger than the diameter of at least a portion of the button 12 and the length of the side wall of the opening is substantially the same as the length of the button 12.
  • annular rim 36 Concentric with the annular side wall of the opening 28 is an annular rim 36 which is slightly smaller in diameter than bead 18 such that when depressed thereon, frictional 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 12 is substantially cylindrical and contains the conventional passageway with an orifice for discharging the aerosol contents when the button 12 is depressed.
  • Diametrically opposed to the discharge orifice is a vertical keyway 38 cut into the side wall of the button.
  • Keyway 38 is slightly larger than key 30 to mate therewith.
  • the top surface of the button 12 is smooth or, at least the rim portion sufficient to accommodate the key 30, is smooth and slants downwardly at an angle of from 10 to It can be appreciated that the key 30 could slide down the button 12, even more rapidly with a steeper angle. However, with a steeper angle, it is more difficult to depress the button, for the resultant movement will be pressing substantially forward as well as downward; thus creating a smaller force vector in the vertical direction.
  • the cap 10 In aligning and assembling the overcap 10 to the button 12, the cap 10 is placed without pre-orientation on the button 12 such that key 30 rides on the top surface of the button. By gravity, Without additional-rotative forces acting on the overcap 10 or container 14, the overcap 10 will then ride down the upper surface of the button 12 until the key 30 slides into keyway 38. Because of the restricted clearance between the button 12 and the Z-shaped protrusion 32 of the overcap 10 the overcap will not excessively wobble when sliding down the slope.
  • the container 14 may be purposely vibrated or vibrated by the action of the filing and assembling machine to accelerate this movement. When key 30 is in keyway 38, 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 20 with orifice 22 and finger guide recess 24. After being so aligned, the overcap 10 is depressed until rim 36 snaps over bead 18 of the container. This firmly secures the cap 10 to the container 14.
  • the unique Z-shaped step on protrusion 32 provides a lower diameter in the central orifice 28 small enough to maintain keyway 38 and key 30 in cooperative engagement and an upper diameter sufficiently large to avoid button hang-up with the spray orifice 22.
  • the vertical dimension of the overcap 10 extends above the top of the button 12 thereby protecting the button 12 from accidential actuation.
  • An overcap assembly for an aersol dispenser comprising a substantially cylindrical body including a central opening having a wall extending vertically therefrom for receiving a button actuator and a spray orifice formed in the side wall of said overcap said spray orifice in operative communication with said button actuator for dispensing products and propellant through said orifice, alignment means formed on said overcap to operatively align said actuator relative to said spray orifice, said overcap, further including an annular step formed in said central opening and extending inwardly from said vertically extending wall, the diameter of said annular step being smaller than the diameter of said vertical extending wall to engage the lower portion of said button actuator such that the forward most portion of said button actuator is displaced rearward relative to said spray orifice to prevent said button actuator from engaging the periphery of said spray orifice.

Landscapes

  • 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)
US00169256A 1971-08-05 1971-08-05 Spra-mate overcap Expired - Lifetime US3738541A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16925671A 1971-08-05 1971-08-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3738541A true US3738541A (en) 1973-06-12

Family

ID=22614864

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00169256A Expired - Lifetime US3738541A (en) 1971-08-05 1971-08-05 Spra-mate overcap

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3738541A (cg-RX-API-DMAC10.html)
CA (1) CA960622A (cg-RX-API-DMAC10.html)
DE (1) DE2238505A1 (cg-RX-API-DMAC10.html)
FR (1) FR2148273A1 (cg-RX-API-DMAC10.html)
GB (1) GB1390223A (cg-RX-API-DMAC10.html)
IT (1) IT957983B (cg-RX-API-DMAC10.html)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3920164A (en) * 1974-12-09 1975-11-18 Ogden D Lindsoe Liquid dispensing structure
US4254899A (en) * 1979-10-22 1981-03-10 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Self-aligning aerosol dispensing device
US4805839A (en) * 1988-05-11 1989-02-21 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Tilt-spray aerosol actuator button and dies
USD314917S (en) 1988-04-25 1991-02-26 Sterling Drug Inc. Combined overcap and aerosol actuator
USD378802S (en) * 1995-02-07 1997-04-15 Reckitt & Colman Products Limited Aerosol actuator cap
USD1027641S1 (en) * 2020-11-25 2024-05-21 Coster Tecnologie Speciali S.P.A. Spray cap for aerosol container

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2429161A1 (fr) * 1978-06-19 1980-01-18 Aerosol Inventions Dev Ensemble de distribution pour valve aerosol
DE2845151A1 (de) * 1978-10-17 1980-04-30 Thomas John Smrt Betaetigungs- und ausrichtungsvorrichtung fuer eine spruehdose
WO2000003932A1 (en) * 1998-07-16 2000-01-27 Berry Plastics Corporation Dispenser apparatus

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3231142A (en) * 1963-05-20 1966-01-25 Colgate Palmolive Co Valve actuating cap
US3407975A (en) * 1966-05-20 1968-10-29 Gillette Co Aerosol container and cap therefor

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3231142A (en) * 1963-05-20 1966-01-25 Colgate Palmolive Co Valve actuating cap
US3407975A (en) * 1966-05-20 1968-10-29 Gillette Co Aerosol container and cap therefor

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3920164A (en) * 1974-12-09 1975-11-18 Ogden D Lindsoe Liquid dispensing structure
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
USD314917S (en) 1988-04-25 1991-02-26 Sterling Drug Inc. Combined overcap and aerosol actuator
US4805839A (en) * 1988-05-11 1989-02-21 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Tilt-spray aerosol actuator button and dies
USD378802S (en) * 1995-02-07 1997-04-15 Reckitt & Colman Products Limited Aerosol actuator cap
USD1027641S1 (en) * 2020-11-25 2024-05-21 Coster Tecnologie Speciali S.P.A. Spray cap for aerosol container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2148273A1 (cg-RX-API-DMAC10.html) 1973-03-11
IT957983B (it) 1973-10-20
GB1390223A (en) 1975-04-09
CA960622A (en) 1975-01-07
DE2238505A1 (de) 1973-03-01

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: PITTWAY CORPORATION, A DE CORP., ILLINOIS

Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:PITTWAY CORPORATION, A PA CORP.;REEL/FRAME:006573/0912

Effective date: 19891228

AS Assignment

Owner name: APTARGROUP, INC., ILLINOIS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PITTWAY CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:006595/0687

Effective date: 19930422