WO2009147250A2

WO2009147250A2 - Cap dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2009147250A2
Application number: PCT/EP2009/056978
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aster De Schrijver; Jordi Demey; Michael Schrom
Original assignee: Altachem Holding Nv; Faigle Kunststoffe Gmbh
Priority date: 2008-06-06
Filing date: 2009-06-05
Publication date: 2009-12-10
Also published as: EP2130788A1; WO2009147250A3

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a housing (1) comprising a first (101) and a second (201) part, a handle (2), an adapter (3), a connection piece (4), and a nozzle (5), characterized in that the first part (101) of the housing (1) comprises at least one flexible skirt (102).

Description

CAP DISPENSER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cap dispenser for use on pressurized fluid container, more particularly for dosing polyurethane foam applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dispensing devices are known for long. Such dispensing devices can for example have pressurized containers of the aerosol type, in which the container contains the product to be dispensed as well as a pressurizing fluid. The dispensed product can for example be foam, an adhesive, sealant or a food product.

Dispensing caps are available in the market to protect the valve from being accidentally activated. WO 2005/087617 for example, discloses a dispensing device comprising a horizontal and vertical arm for easy handling. The horizontal arm is hingedly suspended in the cap and engages the valve mechanism to actuate the valve mechanism upon pulling the vertical arm towards the container portion. A rotatable stop lies under the horizontal arm of the actuating member to prevent unintended movement of the actuating member.

Another cap dispenser is presented in US 2006/01 13327. US'327 discloses a dispensing assembly which is especially suitable for incorporation in either a pump dispensing package or an aerosol valve dispensing package.

Today, different cans with different sizes are available. None of the above described inventions however provides a cap dispenser which is able to be placed on cans of different sizes. Hence, it would be preferable to have a cap dispenser that fits seamlessly on all different can dimensions.

It has now been found that the new cap dispenser of the present invention overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks. In order to provide a cap dispenser which is able to be fitted on containers of different dimensions, it is possible to increase the flexibility of the flaps of the cap dispenser. It is clear that providing different types of cap dispensers for different sizes of pressurized cans is not only costly for the end consumer, but decreases efficiency of the overall production process. These drawbacks can be overcome by the present invention.

Another drawback of the above cap dispenser is that it does not offer interchangeable inserts in the cap dispenser. Viscous products require the use of special aerosol valves with bigger stem openings and orifices. The more viscous the product to dose, the bigger these two dimensions will be in order to provide enough throughput. Thus, dependent on the valve used in a container with a specific content and a specific size, the adapter in the container also needs to be interchangeable. For highly viscous aerosol products and combined with the cap dispenser which is interchangeable between containers of different dimensions, it is hence desirable to have interchangeable inserts in the cap dispenser.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cap dispenser which is sufficiently flexible so it is adaptable on cans of different dimensions. It is another object of the present invention to provide a cap dispenser which protects the valve from being accidentally activated and is easy to handle.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cap dispenser comprising an adapter which is interchangeable between different containers with different valves. The adapter according to the present invention is able to activate and seal the valve and guide the foam from the container through the cap dispenser.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cap dispenser which prevents accidental activation of the valve.

None of the prior art discloses the cap dispenser according to the present invention nor do these documents suggest the presently obtained benefits associated therefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a cap dispenser for dispensing a product from a container, the cap dispenser comprising a housing having a first and a second part, a handle, an adapter, a connection piece and a nozzle, characterized in that the first part of the housing comprises at least one flexible skirt.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a housing (1 ) comprising a first (101 ) and a second (201 ) part, a handle (2), an adapter (3), a connection piece (4), and a nozzle (5), characterized in that the first part (101 ) of the housing (1 ) comprises at least one flexible skirt (102).

An advantage of a cap dispenser according to the present invention is that additional flexibility is provided by the design of the housing. Due to the first part of the housing having at least one flexible skirt, the cap dispenser is adaptable to be clinched on containers having different dimensions. In this way, a substantial decrease in production cost and cost for the consumer is obtained.

Another advantage of a cap dispenser according to the present invention is that by providing an adapter which is interchangeable in the cap dispenser, the cap dispenser can also be clinched on containers comprising valves of different types. Furthermore, the adapter is provided with sealing profiles to prevent any leakage inside the cap dispenser.

Further, the cap dispenser comprises a removable safety lip for locking the handle. In this way, accidental activation of the dispensing system is prevented. Further, the removable safety lip prevents contact between the adapter and the valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG 1 schematically represents a sectional view of a cap disperser according to the present invention.

FIG 2 schematically represents another sectional view of a cap disperser according to the present invention. FIG 3 schematically represents a detailed view of the top and bottom part of the first part of the housing of the cap dispenser.

FIG 4 schematically represents a cap disperser whereby the second part of the housing has a flat top part. FIG 5a schematically represents a sectional view of a cap disperser according to the present invention.

FIG 6b schematically represents a sectional view of a cap disperser whereby the tilting movement of the handle results in a vertical displacement of the adapter.

FIG 6 schematically represents a sectional view of a cap disperser comprising a removable safety lip.

FIG 7 schematically represent another view of a cross section of the cap dispenser.

FIG 8a schematically represents an embodiment of the adapter.

FIG 8b schematically represents an embodiment of the adapter.

FIG 8c schematically represents an embodiment of the adapter. FIG 9 schematically represents a detailed view of the sealing of the adapter and the stem of the valve.

FIG 10 schematically represents a sectional view of a cap disperser having a connection part and a nozzle which can be hermetically closed and frictionally fixed on a hole of the handle. FIG 1 1 schematically represents a cross sectional view of the axis for snapping the handle on the housing of the cap dispenser.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to figure 1 , and in accordance with the present invention, a cap dispenser (100) for a container (not shown) dispensing a pressurized fluid is presented, the cap dispenser (100) comprising a housing (1 ), a handle (2), an adapter (3), a connection piece (4), and a nozzle (5). The housing (1 ) comprises a first part (101 ) characterized by a flexible skirt (102).

As illustrated in figure 2, the flexible skirt (102) comprises a clamp (32) defined by a first (34) and a second (35) wall part. The first wall part (34) is designed to rest inside the cup (27) of the container (not shown). The second wall part (35) is designed to be snapped over the rim (7) of the valve cup (27) which may be snapped on the rim of the container (200). Preferably, the first (34) and second (35) wall part of the clamp (32) are circular.

The cap dispenser (100) is designed to be snapped on the rim (7) of the valve cup (27) of containers with different dimensions. Pressurized containers can have a diameter ranging from 40 mm to 80 mm. Cans with a diameter of 45 mm, 49 mm, 52 mm, 57 mm, 65 mm, 70 mm up to 75 mm are often used for dispensing foam, sealants and food products. The cap dispenser (100) according to the present invention is designed to fit onto cans having different cup diameters. The flexible skirt (102) of the housing (1 ) of the cap dispenser (100) is, by means of a clamp (32), snapped onto the rim (7) of the valve cup (27) which may be snapped onto the rim of the container (200). The first wall part (34) of the clamp (32) is set on the inside of the valve cup (27). The second wall part (35) is clinched over the rim (7) of the valve cup (27), guaranteeing fixation onto the valve cup (27).

Preferably, the flexible skirt (102) of the first part (101 ) of the housing (1 ) is made of flexible polyolefin material that has a Youngs' modulus at 23°C of less than 2 GPa. A preferred material is polypropylene, which can be reinforced with glass fibers.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is designed so a prestress of at least 0.1 mm is obtained between the first (34) and the second wall part (35) of the clamp (32) when the clamp (32) is clinched on the rim (7) of the valve cup (27). The pre-stress is defined as the difference in width (expressed in mm) between the diameter of the first wall part (34) of the clamp (32) which is clamped on the rim (7) of the valve cup (27) and the diameter of the opening formed by the second wall part (35) of the clamp (32). These pre-stress dimensions can be measured by a precision measuring tool, such as a laser beam Nikon VM-250 or a digital caliper with a precision of 0.01 mm such as Mitutoyo Absolute Digimatic. The pre-stress determines the mounting force of the cap dispenser (100) onto the rim (7) of the valve cup (27), preferably clinched onto the container (200), and which may be preferably in the range of 80 to 300 N. The mounting force is measured by a stress- strain measuring equipment, such as lnstron 5544. The cap dispenser (100) is mounted vertically downwards onto the valve (20) and clinched onto the rim (7) of the valve cup (27), with a preferred speed of 10 mm/min until the cap dispenser (100) is completely mounted. The equipment measures the mounting force (expressed in Newton) versus the distance (expressed in mm) and the maximum mounting force is reported as result. The pre-stress determines the mounting force of the cap dispenser (100) onto the rim (7) of the valve cup (27) which may be preferably in the range of 80 to 300 N. Preferably, a prestress of at least 0.1 mm is obtained between the first (34) and the second wall part (35) of the clamp (32) when the cap dispenser

(100) is snapped over the rim (7) of the valve cup (27). The flexibility of the first part

(101 ) of the housing (1 ) is hereby substantially increased.

For optimal flexibility and in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, and illustrated in figure 3, the top part (103) of the first part (101 ) of the housing (1 ) has a thickness between 1 and 2 mm, preferably 1 ,4 mm. The bottom part (104) of the first part (101 ) of the housing (1 ) has a thickness between 0.2 and 1 mm, preferably 0,8 mm. The flexible skirt (102) of the housing (1 ) offers the advantage that the cap dispenser (100) according to the present invention is stretchable over containers having a diameter ranging from 40 to 80 mm, preferably 45 to 75 mm.

In a more preferred embodiment according to the present invention, and as illustrated in figure 4, the flexible skirt (102) of the housing (1 ) comprises at least one incision

(6). The incision (6) in the flexible skirt (102) of the housing (1 ) is made so that the flexibility of the skirt (102) of the cap dispenser (100) fits around various sizes and types of cans. Further, the incision (6) guarantees that the diameter of the flexible skirt (102) can vary between 40 and 80 mm, preferably 45 and 75 mm, and be fitted seamlessly on cans of various dimensions without breaking.

As illustrated in figure 4, the second part (201 ) of the housing (1 ) is preferably cylindrical, defined by a top part (31 ) and a handle (2). The top part (31 ) of the second part (201 ) of the housing (1 ) preferably has a flat surface. This offers the advantage that the housing is easily pushed on and snapped over the rim (7) of the valve cup (27).

The handle (2) of the cap dispenser (100), illustrated in figure 5a, is provided to activate dispensing from the valve. The handle (2) is designed so as to convert a tilting movement into a vertical displacement of the valve (not shown), as illustrated in figure 5b. The handle (2) is placed in the cap dispenser (100) by snapping the handle (2) with a grip (12) around an axis (19). The grip (12) is pivotable around the axis (19) in the housing (1 ) of the cap dispenser (100), as illustrated in figure 6.

Preferably, the housing (1 ), the handle (2), the adapter (3), the connection piece (4) and the nozzle (5) are separately injected to produce the cap dispenser (100). More preferably, the handle (2) is mounted as the last part of the assembly, because it will close the housing (1 ) of the cap dispenser (100).

In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the handle (2) is developed so it slides in recess in the cap dispenser (100) to contact the adapter (3) and push it down when further pressed. This downward movement of the adapter (3) will open the valve (20) completely. Further, the handle (2) can be removed from the housing (1 ) of the cap dispenser (100) by unsnapping the grip (12) from the axis (19). The adapter (3) can then be replaced and the handle (2) can be remounted. In this way the different parts of the cap dispenser (100) become interchangeable.

In an embodiment according to the invention, and as illustrated in figure 6 and more in detail in figure 1 1 , the handle (2), mounted via the grip (12) on the axis (19), is in contact with the upper part (8) of the insert or adapter (3). The adapter (3), illustrated in figure 6, 7, 8a, 8b, 8c and more in detail in figure 9, comprises a hollow conduit (9) defined by an inlet end (13) and an outlet end (14). The inlet end (13) is designed to fit on the stem (21 ) of the valve (20) and is provided with sealing profiles (15), illustrated more in detail in figure 9, to prevent any leakage inside the cap (100). The content of the container (200) is dispensed via the inlet end (13) of the hollow conduit

(9) through the outlet end (14). The outlet end (14) preferably comprises treads (16).

The adapter (3) has a double function; first of all, the adapter (3) activates the valve (20) and seals the valve (20), which is important to avoid that foam or another viscous product may enter inside the cap, which would result in blocking and clogging of the dispensing system. Secondly, the adapter (3) may guide the foam out of the stem (21 ) through the inlet end (13) and through the hollow conduit (9) to the outlet end (14). The outlet end (14) serves for dispensing the content of the container (200) into the connection piece (4) attached to the outlet end (14) of the adapter (3), and further into the nozzle (5). By means of the adapter (3), which comprises sealing profiles (15), leakage is avoided. Further, leakage is avoided by means of treads (16). The treads (16) on the outlet end (14) of the adapter (3) are designed to fix the connection piece (4) with the nozzle (5) on the adapter (3).

The cap dispenser (100) according to the present invention provides interchangeable adapters (3). Viscous products require the use of special aerosol valves with bigger stem openings and orifices. The more viscous the product to dose, the bigger these two dimensions will be in order to provide enough throughput. Thus, dependent on the valve used in a container with a specific content and a specific size, the adapter (3) in the container (200) also needs to be interchangeable. Different adapters (3) are available to activate the valve (20) by vertical activation or a tilting movement in order to discharge the content of the can (200) under pressure. For highly viscous aerosol products and combined with the cap dispenser (100) which is interchangeable between containers of different dimensions, interchangeable adapters (3) as illustrated in figure 8a, 8b and 8c are provided in the cap dispenser (100). As example, figure 8a illustrates an adapter (3) that fits and seals on a vertical displacement valve in order to activate the normal gun valve types. Another example illustrates an adapter (3) in figure 8b which can activate a tilting valve normally used to dose the adhesives/sealants. In figure 8c, a third example of an adapter (3) is shown, the adapter (3) is to activate a 2K-valve (2 components). For each kind of valve/application there can be provided different adaptors.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and as illustrated in figure 4, the handle (2) of the cap dispenser (100) comprises a removable safety lip (10) for locking the handle. The removable safety lip (10) is attached to the housing by at least one tab (31 ). Preferably, the safety lip (10) comprises two, more preferably three tabs (31 ). This removable safety lip (10) can be removed by tearing it from the housing (1 ) with the hand. The safety lip (10) is made of thermoplastic material, preferably polypropylene. Preferably, the handle (2) of the housing (1 ) is made of flexible polyolefin material. A preferred material is polypropylene, which can be reinforced with glass fibers. When the cap dispenser (100) is snapped onto the aerosol container (200), there is initially no contact between the valve (20) to be activated and the cap dispenser (100). After breaking the removable safety lip (10), contact between the valve (20) and the cap dispenser (100) can be made. The safety lip (10) ensures that the valve (20) will not be activated when the cap dispenser (100) is snapped onto the cup (27) of the container (200). The cap dispenser (100), along with its safety lip (10) has hence also a protection function. The valve (20) and the upper part of the container (200) are protected against hazardous activation and transport.

Once the tab (31 ) of the safety lip (10) is broken from the housing (1 ), the safety lip (10) can be removed from the cap dispenser (100) and the adapter (3) of the cap dispenser (100) can make contact with the valve (20). The valve (20) can be a standard tilting or vertical displacement valve. The valve (20) will be activated via the tilting movement exercised on the handle (2) by pushing the handle (2) with a force of the hand towards the housing (1 ) of the cap dispenser (100). This will force the valve (20) to push the stem (21 ) horizontally downwards, which will open the orifices (22) in the stem (21 ) of the valve (20) and release the content of the can (200) into the adapter 3.

As illustrated in figure 10, the connection part (4) attached to the nozzle (5) is designed to make it possible to re-use the container (200). After using the container (200) with the cap dispenser (100) according to the present invention, the nozzle (5) can be hermetically closed by fixing the end (17) of the nozzle (5) on a hole (33) of the cap dispenser (100). The annular hole (33) can be provided in the housing (1 ) of the cap dispenser (100) or in the handle (2) of the cap dispenser (100). If the nozzle (5) gets clogged by foam or other products, it is possible to remove the connection piece (4) from the cap dispenser (4) and replace it with another one.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cap dispenser (100) is designed so it increases the ease of handling for the user. The cap dispenser (100) is ergonomically developed and executed as a single hand grip.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the safety lip (10) may have an opening into which the connection piece (4) and the nozzle (5) fit into during transportation of the system to ensure the compact size of the cans and the cap dispensers.

The present invention relates to a cap dispenser for use on pressurized fluid container, more particularly for dosing polyurethane foam applications, adhesives/sealants and/or food products.

A person skilled in the art will understand that the examples described above are merely illustrative in accordance with the present invention and not limiting the intended scope of the invention. Other applications of the present invention may also be considered.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A cap (100) for dispensing a product comprising:

- a housing (1 ) comprising a first (101 ) and a second (201 ) part; - a handle (2);

- an adapter (3);

- a connection piece (4); and

- a nozzle (5), characterized in that the first part (101 ) of the housing (1 ) comprises at least one flexible skirt (102).

2. A cap (100) according to claim 1 , wherein said flexible skirt (102) comprises a clamp (32) defined by a first (34) and a second (35) wall part.

3. A cap (100) according to claim 2, wherein a prestress of at least 0.1 mm between the first (34) and the second (35) wall part is obtained when the clamp (32) is snapped onto a rim (7) of a valve cup (27).

4. A cap (100) according to claim 1 , whereby the top part (103) of the first part (101 ) has a thickness between 1 and 2 mm and the bottom part (104) of the first part (101 ) has a thickness between 0.2 and 1 mm.

5. A cap (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible skirt (102) is stretchable over a container (200) having a diameter between 40 and 80 mm.

6. A cap (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible skirt (102) comprises at least one incision (6).

7. A cap (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the second part (201 ) of the housing (1 ) has a flat top part (31 ).

8. A cap (100) according to claim 1 , whereby the adapter (3) is interchangeable inside said cap (100) depending on the type of valve in the container (200).

9. The cap (100) according to claim 8, wherein the adapter (3) is designed to fit on a stem (21 ) and is provided with sealing profiles (15) to prevent any leakage inside the cap (100).

10. A cap (100) according to claim 1 , whereby the first part (101 ) of the housing housing (1 ) is clinchable on the rim (7) of the valve cup (27).

1 1. A cap (100) according to claim 1 , whereby said handle (2) is fixed in the housing (1 ) by snapping the handle (2) over an axis (19) in the cap (100).

12. A cap (100) according to claim 1 , whereby a removable safety lip (10) is provided for locking the handle (2).

13. A cap (100) according to claim 1 1 , wherein the removable safety lip (10) comprises at least one tab (31 ) that can be broken with the hand to tear off the safety Np (I O).

14. The cap (100) according to claim 1 , whereby said cap (100) is executed as a single hand grip.

15. The cap (100) according to claim 1 , whereby the end (17) of the nozzle (5) can be hermetically closed and frictionally fixed on a hole (33) of the cap dispenser (100).