Actuation unit for a plurality of aerosol cans and use on an actuation unit

Abstract

Actuation unit for plural aerosol cans has a cover, a first button partially guided by the cover for pushing a first aerosol vent of a first aerosol can, a second button partially guided by the cover for pushing a second aerosol vent of a second aerosol can, wherein the first button and the second button are adjacent to each other, and a connection unit connected to the cover, the connection unit comprising a first upper clip for clamping a head part of the first aerosol can, a second upper clip for clamping a head part of the second aerosol can, a first lower clip for clamping a body part of the first aerosol can and a second lower clip for clamping a body part of the second aerosol can, the connection unit adapted for covering only an upper part of the first aerosol can and the second aerosol can.

Claims

1. An actuation unit for a plurality of aerosol cans, comprising a cover, a first button having an upper part located opposite with respect to a lower part of the first button and configured for pushing a first aerosol vent of a first aerosol can, wherein the upper part of the first button has a first side face slidable onto a first corresponding face of the cover such that the first button is partially guided by the cover, a second button having an upper part located opposite with respect to a lower part of the second button and configured for pushing a second aerosol vent of a second aerosol can, wherein the upper part of the second button has a second side face slidable onto a second corresponding face of the cover such that the second button is partially guided by the cover, wherein the first and second buttons are arranged adjacent to each other and partially guided by each other, and a connection unit, configured for clamping the first aerosol can and the second aerosol can, connected to the cover, wherein the connection unit comprises a first upper clip configured for clamping a head part of the first aerosol can, a second upper clip configured for clamping a head part of the second aerosol can, a first lower clip configured for clamping a body part of the first aerosol can and a second lower clip configured for clamping a body part of the second aerosol can, and further wherein the connection unit is adapted for covering only an upper part of the first aerosol can and the second aerosol can, the lower part of the first button is disposed within a first opening of the connection unit that is formed within a first collar of the connection unit, and the lower part of the second button is disposed within a second opening of the connection unit that is formed within a second collar of the connection unit.

2. The actuation unit according to claim 1 wherein the connection unit is adapted for clamping the first aerosol can and the second aerosol can by a clamping force providing a friction force against an axial displacement of a first aerosol can and a second aerosol can in the connection unit, wherein the clamping force is higher than an actuation force for opening a first aerosol vent of the first aerosol can and a second aerosol vent of a second aerosol can.

3. The actuation unit according to claim 1 wherein the first button comprises a first inlet port configured for receiving a part of the first aerosol vent, in a press-fitted manner, and for abutting a distal first front face of the first aerosol vent, wherein the first button comprises a first stop configured for limiting the maximum displacement of the first button from the upper most position towards the connection unit and the second button comprises a second inlet port configured for receiving a part of the second aerosol vent, in a press-fitted manner, and for abutting a distal second front face of the second aerosol vent, wherein the second button comprises a second stop configured for limiting the maximum displacement of the second button from the most upper position towards the connection unit, wherein the first inlet port and/or the second inlet port comprises a stepped channel.

4. The actuation unit according to claim 1 wherein the connection unit comprises a plate configured for limiting the insertion of the first aerosol can and the second aerosol can into the connection unit, wherein the plate comprises a first opening configured for leading the first aerosol vent to the first button and a second opening configured for leading the second aerosol vent to the second button.

5. The actuation unit according to claim 4 wherein the plate comprises a first collar surrounding the first opening configured for receiving the first inlet port, with a clearance, and for abutting the first stop and/or a second collar surrounding the second opening for receiving the second inlet port, with a clearance, and for abutting the second stop.

6. The actuation unit according to claim 1 wherein the first button comprises a first discharge channel configured for communicating with the first aerosol vent and a first outlet orifice pointing mainly in radial direction, wherein the cover comprises a first outlet opening configured for communicating with the first outlet orifice in any position of the first button between the most upper position and the lowest position of the first button and/or the second button comprises a second discharge channel configured for communicating with the second aerosol vent and a second outlet orifice pointing mainly in radial direction, wherein the cover comprises a second outlet opening configured for communicating with the second outlet orifice in any position of the second button between the most upper position and the lowest position of the second button.

7. The actuation unit according to claim 1 wherein a contact of the first upper clip with the first aerosol can is spaced to a contact of the first lower clip by a distance d and/or a contact of the second upper clip with the second aerosol can is spaced to a contact of the second lower clip by the distance d, wherein 5 mmd50 mm applies.

8. The actuation unit according to claim 1 wherein the first button comprises a first upper sliding face configured for sliding on a corresponding second upper sliding face of the second button and a first lower sliding face configured for sliding on a corresponding second lower sliding face of the second button, wherein the first upper sliding face is arranged mainly at the upper end of the first button and the second upper sliding face is arranged mainly at the upper end of the second button, wherein the first lower sliding face is arranged at the lower end of the first button, adjacent to the first inlet port, and the second lower sliding face is arranged at the lower end of the second button, adjacent to the second inlet port.

9. The actuation unit according to claim 1 wherein the first button comprises a distal first actuation face configured for pressing the first button by means of a human finger, wherein the first actuating face comprises a first haptic element configured for indicating a first rim of the first bottom pointing towards the second button, and the second button comprises a distal second actuation face configured for pressing the second button by means of a human finger, wherein the second actuating face comprises a second haptic element configured for indicating a second rim of the second bottom pointing towards the first button.

10. The actuation unit according to claim 9 wherein the first second haptic elements are spaced with respect to each other and border a receiving space sized and/or configured for receiving a human finger between the first haptic element and the second haptic element.

11. The actuation unit according to claim 1 wherein the connection unit comprises a protruding connection wall extensively connected to the cover, wherein the connection wall is mainly flush with an outer face of the first lower clip and the second lower clip.

12. The actuation unit according to claim 1 wherein the first upper clip and the first lower clip are arranged mainly coaxially to each other and/or the second upper clip and the second lower clip are arranged mainly coaxially to each other.

13. The actuation unit according to claim 1 wherein the cover comprises at its distal end a deepening, wherein the first button and the second button are received in a central opening of the deepening.

14. An aerosol spray system comprising the actuation unit according to claim 1, a first aerosol can inserted into the actuation unit and a second aerosol can inserted into the actuation unit, wherein the first and second aerosol cans are clamped in the actuation unit by a camping force providing a friction force against an axial displacement of the first and second aerosol cans in the actuation unit, wherein the clamping force is higher than an actuation force for opening a first aerosol vent of the first aerosol can and a second aerosol vent of the second aerosol can.

15. An actuation unit for a plurality of aerosol cans, comprising a cover, a first button for pushing a first aerosol vent of a first aerosol can, wherein the first button is partially guided by the cover, a second button for pushing a second aerosol vent of a second aerosol can, wherein the second button is partially guided by the cover, wherein the first button and the second button are arranged adjacent to each other and partially guided by each other, and a connection unit, for clamping the first aerosol can and the second aerosol can, connected to the cover, wherein the connection unit comprises a first upper clip for clamping a head part of the first aerosol can, a second upper clip for clamping a head part of the second aerosol can, a first lower clip for camping a body part of the first aerosol can and a second lower clip for clamping a body part of the second aerosol can, wherein the connection unit is adapted for covering only an upper part of the first aerosol can and the second aerosol can, wherein the first button comprises a distal first actuation face for pressing the first button by means of a human finger, wherein the first actuating face comprises a first haptic element and the second button comprises a distal second actuation face for pressing the second button by means of a human finger, wherein the second actuating face comprises a second haptic element, wherein the first haptic element and the second haptic element are spaced to each other and border a receiving space sized for receiving a human finger between the first haptic element and the second haptic element, wherein the receiving space bordered by the first and second haptic elements defines a volume positioned between the first and second buttons and configured such that a force applied thereto is divided to the first and second buttons.

16. The actuation unit according to claim 15, wherein the volume of the receiving space bordered by the first and second haptic elements is configured such that application of the force to the receiving space is substantially equally divided to the first and second buttons facilitating activation of the first and second buttons at the same time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter, wherein the described features can constitute each solely or in combination an independent aspect of the invention. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1: is a perspective view of an aerosol spray system,

(3) FIG. 2: is a cross sectional view of the aerosol spray system of FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3: is a cross sectional view of an actuation unit of the aerosol spray system of FIG. 1,

(5) FIG. 4: is a perspective view of a button of the actuation unit of FIG. 3 and

(6) FIG. 5: is a detailed front view of the actuation unit of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) The aerosol spray system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 consists of an actuation unit 12 and a plurality of aerosol cans, particularly a first aerosol can 14 and a second aerosol can 16. Further parts for actuating the aerosol cans 14, 16 are not necessary and omitted. As illustrated in FIG. 2 the actuation unit 12 comprises a connection unit 18, into which the aerosol cans 14, 16 are clamped. A cover 20 is fixed to a connection wall 22 of the connection unit 18. The cover 20 comprises at its distal end pointing away from the aerosol cans 14, 16 a deepening 24, where at a central opening at its bottom a first button 26 for actuating the first aerosol can 14 and a second button 28 for actuating the second aerosol can 16 are received. The first button 26 and the second button 28 are guided by the cover 20 and particularly by the respective other button 28, 26 in axial direction mainly in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol cans 14, 16.

(8) As illustrated in FIG. 3 the connection unit 18 comprises a plate 30 from which the connection wall 22 protrudes upwards. The first aerosol can 14 comprises an upper first head part 32 connected to a lower first body part 34, which diameter may be larger than the diameter of the first head part 32. The second aerosol can 16 comprises an upper second head part 36 connected to a lower second body part 38, which diameter may be larger than the diameter of the second head part 36. Particularly the design of the first aerosol can 14 and of the second aerosol can are in line with an applicable industrial standard. When the first aerosol can 14 is inserted into the connection unit 18 a first head part 32 may meet the plate 30 so that the maximum inserted position is limited by means of the plate 30. Correspondingly, when the second aerosol can 16 is inserted into the connection unit 18 a second head part 36 may meet the plate 30 so that the maximum inserted position is limited by means of the plate 30. In addition the connection unit 18 comprises a first upper clip 40 for clamping the first head part 32 and a first lower clip 42 for clamping the first body part 34. By means of the first upper clip 40 and the first lower clip 42 the first aerosol can 14 is clamped into the connection unit 18 with a sufficient friction force that the first aerosol can 14 is not pressed out of the connection unit, when a first aerosol valve 44 is actuated by means of the first button 26. Further the connection unit 18 comprises a second upper clip 46 for clamping the second head part 36 and a second lower clip 48 for clamping the second body part 38. By means of the second upper clip 46 and the second lower clip 48 the second aerosol can 16 is clamped into the connection unit 18 with a sufficient friction force that the second aerosol can 16 is not pressed out of the connection unit, when a second aerosol valve 50 is actuated by means of the second button 28. The first upper clip 40 and the first lower clip 42 on the one hand and the second upper clip 46 and the second lower clip 48 on the other hand are arranged coaxially to each other so that the respective aerosol can 14, 16 can be centered with respect to the assigned upper clip 40, 46 and lower clip 42, 48. A contact area of the upper clip 40, 46 is spaced to a contact area of the lower clip 42, 48 by a distance d of ca. 15 mm so that a good centering is provided and a tilting of the aerosol can 14, 16 inside the connection unit 18 is prevented. The upper clip 40, 46 and the lower clip 42, 48 protrude from the plate 30 downwards, wherein the outer face of the lower clips 42, 48 are mainly flush with the outer face of the connection wall 22.

(9) The plate 30 comprises a first opening 52 for leading the first aerosol valve 44 through the plate 30, so that the first aerosol valve 44 may reach the first button 26. In addition the plate 30 comprises a second opening 54 for leading the second aerosol valve 50 through the plate 30, so that the second aerosol valve 50 may reach the second button 28. The first opening 52 is surrounded by a first collar 56 and the second opening 54 is surrounded by a second collar 58, wherein the collars 56, 58 protrude upwards from the plate 30. A stem of the first aerosol vent 44 may reach through the first opening 52 and may be inserted or even slightly pressed into a first inlet port 60 of the first button 26. The stem of the first aerosol vent 44 may abut a first abutting face 62 of the first inlet port 60 when the first button 26 is pressed downwards by the operator. The first abutting face 62 may press the stem of the first aerosol vent 44 downwards by means of the applied actuation force for opening the first aerosol vent 44. The first button 26 comprises a first discharge channel 64 communicating with the opened first aerosol valve 44 and guiding the content of the first aerosol can 14 to a first outlet orifice 65 of the first button 26. The first inlet port 60 reaches partially into the first collar 56, even when the first button 26 is positioned in its upper most position. A significant clearance c is provided between the first inlet port 60 and the first collar 56. The first button 24 comprises a first stop 66 which meets the first collar 56 in the lowest position of the first button 24. The stop 66 may be provided by a part of the first button 24 protruding in a direction lateral to the longitudinal direction of the first collar 56. Preferably the stop 66 is provided by a first connection arm 67 bridging a lateral displacement of a first actuation face 68 of the first button 24 for receiving a human finger and the first inlet port 60. The second button 26 may be designed correspondingly to the first button 24. Particularly the first button 24 and the second button 26 may be designed identically but arranged mirror-inverted with respect to each other. This means that also the second button 26 may comprise a second inlet port 70 with a second abutting face 72 for abutting a stem of the second aerosol vent 50. The second button 26 may comprise a second stop 74 provided by a lateral protruding second connection arm 75 of the second button 28 connecting a second actuation face 76 with the second inlet port 70 for limiting the lowest position of the second button 28 by meeting the second collar 58. A second discharge channel 78 starts at the level of the second abutting face 72 for leading the content of the second aerosol can 16 to a second outlet orifice 80. Particularly a first spring supported by the plate 30 and the first button 26, particularly the first connection arm 67, and/or a second spring supported by the plate 30 and the second button 28, particularly the second connection arm 75, is provided for automatically moving the respective button 26, 28 in its upper most position, when no actuation force is applied. Preferably the upper most position of the button 26, 28 is limited by the button 26, 28 meeting a part of the cover 20.

(10) As illustrated in FIG. 4 the respective button 26, 28 may comprises a first haptic element 82 arranged in the first actuation face 68 and/or a second haptic element 84 arranged in the second actuation face 76. The haptic element 82, 84 is provided by a protruding rib arranged close to a rim of the button 26, 28 pointing to the other button 28, 26. The operator may feel by means of the haptic element 82, 84 whether his finger would still press only one of the buttons 26, 28 or the first button 26 and the second button 28 altogether. In addition, the first button 26 comprises a first upper sliding face 86 and a first lower sliding face 88 spaced to the first upper sliding face. The second button 28 comprises a second upper sliding face 90 and a second lower sliding face 92 spaced to the first upper sliding face. The upper sliding faces 86, 90 may contact each other, while the lower sliding faces 88, 92 contact each other so that the buttons 26, 28 are guided at each other and a tilting is prevented. Particularly the lower end of the lower sliding faces 88, 92 is mainly on the same level as the lower end of the assigned inlet port 60, 72.

(11) As illustrated in FIG. 5 the cover 20 comprises a first outlet opening 94 for discharging the content of the first aerosol can 14 through the cover 20. Correspondingly the cover 20 comprises a second outlet opening 96 for discharging the content of the second aerosol 16 can through the cover 20. The extension of the outlet openings 96, 98 is sufficient, that in any position of the respective button 26, 28 the content can be sprayed through the cover. Particularly the first outlet orifice 65 comprises a first mechanical break element for providing a spray of the discharged content. The second outlet orifice 80 may comprise a second mechanical break element for providing a spray of the discharged content.