WO1998042595A2

WO1998042595A2 - Dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO1998042595A2
Application number: PCT/NZ1998/000038
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bertram James Hartnett
Original assignee: Bertram James Hartnett
Priority date: 1997-03-24
Filing date: 1998-03-20
Publication date: 1998-10-01
Also published as: AU6529098A; WO1998042595A3; NZ314477A

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing cleaning fluids such as cleansing soaps from a pressurised aerosol (1), the dispenser providing a trigger device (2) which actuates a valve (6) of the aerosol and dispenses materials via a brush application (15).

Description

DISPENSER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to aerosol dispensers of the type which disperse a fluid from a pressurised cartridge via an internal valving system..

BACKGROUND ART

In general aerosol cartridges have a throat from which the stem of a valve extends and a trigger device is attached to a rim of the cartridge adjacent the throat. There are many different types of trigger devices. One common form of trigger device comprises a shroud with a plunger device associated with the shroud, the plunger device incorporating a fluid passage and an atomising outlet nozzle.

Apart from use for dispensing insect sprays and paints, aerosol dispensers have been used for dispensing other fluids and New Zealand Patent No. 236135 is an example of another use for these devices.

New Zealand Patent No. 236135 describes a hand-held oral hygiene device which is mounted on a pressurised cartridge. The oral hygiene device comprises a housing incorporating a delivery device which is in the form of an applicator tip or bristles and dispersion of fluid from the cartridges controlled by a trigger mechanism.

Men with beards and moustaches do not always clean thoroughly their beard or moustache and/or the skin underlying the beard or moustache.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing device specifically for dispensing cleaning fluids (such as foaming soap) onto a beard or moustache and to provide means for scrubbing the dispensed material into the treated area-

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispenser for attachment to a pressurised dispensing cartridge the dispenser comprising a skirt including means for securing the dispenser to a rim of the cartridge, a trigger and applicator supported by the skirt the trigger and applicator being pivotably connected to the skirt and having cartridge valve activation means, a passage which allows fluid to flow from a valve of the cartridge to the applicator characterised in that the applicator is provided with bristles and the arrangement being such that material from the cartridge is dispensed via the passage and the bristles on activation of the trigger.

The skirt, trigger and applicator can be moulded from plastics and the trigger and applicator are formed as an appendage to the skirt.

The bristles can be integrally moulded with the applicator.

The applicator has an elongated base which extends across the trigger and the passage can provide two spaced outlets which dispense material at an outer face of the applicator.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a dispenser as aforesaid in combination with a pressurised cartridge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which;

Figures 1 to 3 are rear, side and front views respectively of one possible embodiment of dispenser in accordance with the present invention, and Figures 4. 5 and 6 are front perspective, cross-sectional and underside views of a dispenser in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With respect to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings a dispenser in accordance with one possible embodiment of the present invention can comprise a pressurised cartridge 1 and a trigger device generally indicated by arrow 2 which has a body 3 which is a snap-fit on a rim 4 of the cartridge, the body 3 supporting a plunger 5 which can be depressed to activate a valve 6 of the cartridge 1 to thereby divert released cleansing fluid from the container to an appUcator generally indicated by arrow 7.

There are many possibilities and arrangements for creating diversion of dispensed cleansing fluid to the appUcator 7. One possibility is to have a valve 6 which includes a sideways extending outlet nozzle to which a flexible conduit 8 is connected. The conduit 8 connects with a passage 9 of the appUcator 7 communicable with appUcator surface 10.

The appUcator 7 may be a separately moulded item which can be replaced by other differently configured applicators for different purposes.

In another example (not shown), an L-shaped passage may be incorporated into the plunger and the outlet of the plunger could be connected to the passage 9 of the applicator by a flexible conduit.

With respect to figures 4 to 6 of the drawings a dispenser indicated by arrow 11 comprises a body including a skirt 12 which includes means 13 such as a flange for securing the dispenser to the rim 13a of a cartridge (shown in broken outline by Figure 5), a trigger generally indicated by arrow 14 and an appUcator generally indicated by arrow 15. In the example illustrated the applicator 15 mounts or has integrally formed therewith brush bristles 16. The trigger 14 is pivotably connected to the skirt 12 at 17. The pivotal connection at 17 can be a segmental connection or continuity between the skirt 12 and the trigger 14 which provides a substantial ring of discontinuity 18 between the trigger 14 and skirt 12. The arrangement allows the trigger 14 to be depressed onto a valve 19 of cartridge 20 releasing fluid from the cartridge and allowing it to flow to the applicator 15 via passage 21. A shoulder 22 with a knife 22a is positioned adjacent the tip of the valve and depresses the valve when downward pressure is appUed to the trigger 14.

Skirt 12 can have a pluraUty of spaced ribs 23 which make the dispenser a tight push fit on the rim 13a of cartridge 20.

The trigger 14, applicator 15 and skirt 12 can be moulded in one piece in a plastics material. It is also possible to integrally form by moulding a set of bristles 16, although the formation of a trough shaped appUcator does provide for differing types of bristles to be fixed to the applicator depending on the material to be dispensed or intended purpose of the dispenser.

The passage 21 can be branched to provide two material outlets 24 and the trigger may be provided with cavities 25 which are of no functional significance but merely to reduce the volume of plastics required to mould each dispenser.

The dispensers described herein are suited for dispensing materials such as shaving foams shampoos conditioners and the like. The bristles of the dispensers not only assist dispersion of material into a beard or moustache but also can be used for grooming after a beard or moustache has been rinsed.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE

1. A dispenser for attachment to a pressurised dispensing cartridge the dispenser comprising a skirt including means for securing the dispenser to a rim of the cartridge, a trigger and appUcator supported by the skirt, the trigger and appUcator being pivotably connected to the skirt and having cartridge valve activation means, a passage which allows fluid to flow from the valve of the cartridge to the applicator characterised in that the appUcator is provided with bristles and the arrangement being such that material from the cartridge is dispensed via the passage and the bristles on activation of the trigger.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the skirt, trigger and appUcator are moulded from plastics and the trigger and appUcator are formed as an appendage to the skirt.

3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the bristles are integrally moulded with the applicator.

4. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the appUcator has an elongated base which extends across the trigger and the passage provides two spaced outlets which dispense material at an outer face of the appUcator.

5. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 in combination with a pressurised cartridge.

6. A dispenser substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A dispenser substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.