Aerosol dispenser head

Abstract

A dispenser head for an aerosol can and a method of assembly of the same, the dispenser head comprising a chassis attached to the associated aerosol can and a spray-through cap attached thereto, the chassis comprising a platform capable of axial movement and a flexible spray channel centrally located thereon.

Claims

1. An aerosol dispenser head comprising a chassis and a spray-through cap, the chassis comprising an annular ring capable of attachment to an associated aerosol container; a platform attached to the annular ring by struts allowing the platform to rise and fall relative to the annular ring; a flexible spray channel rising vertically from the centre of the platform, the flexible spray channel having a lower end at which the flexible spray channel is attached to a valve stem of an associated aerosol can, and an outer end capable of allowing egress of the contents of the associated aerosol container; and the spray-through cap comprising means for attachment to the chassis or the associated aerosol can; an actuator button, pressure upon which causes downward pressure on the platform of the chassis and consequential downward pressure upon the valve stem attached to the lower end of the associated spray channel; and an aperture positioned to surround the outer end of the spray channel; the chassis further comprising means for holding the flexible spray channel at a pre-selected angle of bend; wherein the dispenser head is actuated by downward pressure upon the actuator button.

2. An aerosol dispenser head according to claim 1, wherein the spray-through cap comprises means for attachment to the chassis.

3. An aerosol dispenser head according to claim 1, further comprising a locking collar that interacts with the chassis platform to allow or prevent depression thereof dependent upon its rotational positioning relative thereto.

4. An aerosol dispenser head according to claim 3, wherein the annular ring of the chassis comprises an upstanding annular wall, a portion of which projects through a partial annular gap in the locking collar.

5. An aerosol dispenser head according to claim 1, wherein the actuator button comprises a keel protruding downwards from its inner surface for transferring pressure on the actuator button into downward pressure upon the platform of the chassis.

6. An aerosol dispenser head according to claim 5, wherein transfer of pressure from the keel onto the platform of the chassis is aided by one or more walls protruding upwards from the platform of the chassis.

7. An aerosol dispenser head according to claim 1, wherein the pre-selected angle of bend for the flexible spray channel is greater than 90 and less than 170.

8. A method of assembly of an aerosol dispenser comprising the steps of: 1. providing a spray-through cap-chassis assembly by attaching a spray-through cap comprising an aperture to a chassis comprising an annular ring surrounding and attached to a platform capable of axial movement by means of struts between the annular ring and the platform, the chassis comprising a flexible spray channel rising vertically from the centre of the platform and being held at a pre-selected angle of bend by a retaining feature of the chassis wherein the flexible spray channel includes a terminal end and a lower end, 2. attaching the spray-through cap-chassis assembly to an aerosol can comprising a depressible release valve such that the flexible spray channel is attached at its lower end to a valve stem of the depressible valve of the aerosol can, wherein the angle of bend of the spray channel is selected such that the aperture in the spray-through cap surrounds the terminal end of the spray channel, and wherein the spray-through cap-chassis assembly further comprises an actuator button, downward pressure upon which actuates the aerosol dispenser.

9. A method according to claim 8, comprising a preliminary step wherein the flexible spray channel is moulded in a straight vertical orientation and is subsequently bent to an angle of less than 180 and secured at such angle by the retaining feature for the spray channel present on the chassis.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the spray-through cap-chassis assembly further comprises a locking collar and wherein a portion of the annular ring of the chassis is pushed upwards through a partial annular gap in the locking collar before the assembly is attached to the aerosol can.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the spray-through cap-chassis assembly further comprises a locking collar and wherein a portion of the annular ring of the chassis is pushed upwards through the partial annular gap in the locking collar before the spray-through cap is attached to the chassis.

12. An aerosol dispenser head comprising a chassis, a locking collar, and a spray-through cap, the chassis comprising an annular ring capable of attachment to an associated aerosol container; a platform attached to the annular ring by struts allowing the platform to rise and fall relative to the annular ring; a flexible spray channel rising vertically from the centre of the platform , the flexible spray channel having a lower end at which the flexible spray channel is attached to a valve stem of an associated aerosol can, and an outer end capable of allowing egress of the contents of the associated aerosol container; and the spray-through cap comprising means for attachment to the chassis or the associated aerosol can; an actuator button, pressure upon which causes downward pressure on the platform of the chassis and consequential downward pressure upon the valve stem attached to the lower end of the associated spray channel; and an aperture positioned to surround the outer end of the spray channel; the chassis further comprising means for holding the flexible spray channel at a pre-selected angle of bend; wherein the locking collar locking collar interacts with the chassis platform to allow or prevent depression thereof dependent upon its rotational positioning relative thereto.

Description

(1) FIG. 1 is a pre-assembly view of a chassis (1) of an aerosol dispenser head suitable for use in accordance with the present invention. The chassis (1) has its spray channel (6) in vertical orientation in this Figure.

(2) FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section of the chassis (1) as in FIG. 1, the cross-section being midway along the long axis of the oblong platform (4) and orthogonal thereto.

(3) FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2, but with the flexible spray channel (6) bent over and the hook feature (8) thereof held by the retaining feature (9) and with the oblong platform (4) being positioned ready for actuation.

(4) FIG. 4 is a view of a locking collar (13) suitable for use with the chassis (1) illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

(5) FIG. 5 is a view of the chassis (1) as illustrated in FIG. 1 and the locking collar (13) as illustrated in FIG. 4, the locking collar being positioned to prevent depression of the oblong platform (4).

(6) FIG. 6 is a view from above of a spray-through cap (18) suitable for use in accordance with the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a view from below of the spray-through cap (18) illustrated in FIG. 6.

(8) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the chassis (1) illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 in combination with the spray-through cap (18) illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

(9) FIG. 9 is a pre-assembly view of an alternative chassis (101) of an aerosol dispenser head suitable for use in accordance with the present invention. The chassis (101) has its spray channel (106) in vertical orientation in this Figure.

(10) FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-section of the chassis (101) as in FIG. 9, the cross-section being midway along the long axis of the oblong platform (104) and orthogonal thereto. In this Figure, the flexible spray channel (106) is bent over and the hook feature (108) thereof held by the retaining feature (109).

(11) FIG. 11 is a view of an alternative locking collar (113) suitable for use with the chassis (101) illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

(12) FIG. 12 is a view of the chassis (101) as illustrated in FIG. 9 and the locking collar (113) as illustrated in FIG. 11, the locking collar being positioned to prevent depression of the oblong platform (104).

(13) FIG. 13 is a view of the chassis (101) as illustrated in FIG. 9 and the locking collar (113) as illustrated in FIG. 11, the locking collar being positioned to allow depression of the oblong platform (104).

(14) FIG. 14 is a view from below of an alternative spray-through cap (118) suitable for use in accordance with the present invention.

(15) FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the chassis (101) illustrated in FIG. 9 in combination with the locking collar (113) as illustrated in FIG. 11 and the spray-through cap (118) illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15.

(16) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the chassis (1) comprises an annular ring (2) designed for attachment to the valve cup of an associated aerosol can (not shown). The annular ring (2) is comprised of annular wall (2A) and an annular platform (2B) that protrudes horizontally inwards from the annular wall (2A).

(17) Protruding from the internal surface of the annular wall (2A) above the annular platform (26), there are multiple vertical strengthening pillars (20) that add to the resilience of the chassis (1).

(18) Protruding from the external surface of the annular wall (2A) at its top, there is a lip (2D), designed to interact with the spray-through cap (18) and aid its retention (vide infra).

(19) Centrally located within the annular ring (2) and linked to the annular platform (2B) by three flexible struts (3) is an oblong platform (4) capable of axially movement relative to the annular ring (2). The flexible struts (3) are centrally hinged to aid their flexibility. Two of the flexible struts (3) attach to opposite ends of the oblong platform (4) along its long axis; the third is at right angles to these. The former two flexible struts (3) are perforated to leave a cross design (3A) on their upper parts to reduce material usage and enhance resilience. The latter flexible strut (3) is imperforated.

(20) A bevelled hump (5) rises from the top surface of the oblong platform (4) along its long axis at its centre.

(21) The sections of the annular ring (2) adjacent to the opposite ends of the oblong platform (4) along its long axis have cut-away sections (2E) in the part of the annular wall (2A) extending above the annular platform (2B). These serve to accommodate features of the locking collar (13) (vide infra).

(22) Rising vertically from the centre of the oblong platform (4) there is a flexible spray channel (6). It is shown in vertical orientation in FIG. 1; however, it is bent and locked into place during the assembly of the aerosol dispenser head (vide infra). At its lower end, the spray channel (6) is attachable to the valve stem of an associated aerosol can. At its outer end there is an exit orifice (7), allowing egress of the contents of the associated aerosol container when the valve of the latter is opened.

(23) Surrounding the outer part of the spray channel (6), close to the exit orifice (7), there is a cylindrical outer shell (70) attached to the spray channel (6) at its lower end. There is a gap (7B) between the spray channel (6) and the cylindrical outer shell (70) which can serve to accommodate a swirl chamber (not illustrated), if so desired.

(24) Surrounding the exit orifice (7) and the associated cylindrical outer shell (70) there is a masking plate (7A) which serves to mask a hole (20) in the associated spray through cap (18) (vide infra).

(25) Towards the upper end of the spray channel (6), a hook feature (8) extends radially outwards in a direction away from that in which the imperforated flexible strut (3) radially extends.

(26) Rising from the top surface of the oblong platform (4) is a spray channel retaining feature (9). The spray channel retaining feature (9) extends radially away in a direction parallel to the hook feature and projects upwards in arcuate cross-section. The spray channel retaining feature (9) has an indent (10) in its lower side designed to capture the hook feature (8) of the flexible spray channel (6) when the latter is bent over towards it and snapped into place.

(27) FIG. 2 additionally illustrates the bore (6A) of the flexible spray channel (6) and its valve socket (66), which sits on top of the valve stem of an associated aerosol can. Also illustrated is a bead (11) which snap connects the chassis (1) to the valve cup of the associated aerosol can with which it designed to be used. Also illustrated is a restraining hook (12) used in assembly to hold the oblong platform (4) and associated features in their pre-caution position. The restraining hook (12) locks under the annular platform (2B) to achieve this.

(28) FIG. 3 illustrates the chassis (1) with the flexible valve stem (6) bent over and the hook feature (8) thereof held by the retaining feature (9) also rising from the top surface of the oblong platform (4). In this Figure, it will also be noticed that the imperforated flexible strut (3) is bent to almost 90, the oblong platform (4) being in its pre-actuation position.

(29) FIG. 4 illustrates a locking collar (13) suitable for use with the chassis (1). The locking collar (13) comprises an outer collar (13A) and an inner collar (13B) concentric therewith, the two collars being held firmly together by two radially opposed horizontal linking struts (14). The inner collar (13B) is higher than the outer collar (13A) and the linking struts (14) link segments of the lower outer edge of the former with segments of the upper inner edge of the latter. The gap (15) between the outer collar (13A) and the inner collar (13B) is designed to accommodate the annular wall (2A) of the annular ring (2) when the dispenser head is assembled. When assembled, the linking struts (14) sit on the annular platform (2B) in the cut-away sections (2E) in the part of the annular wall (2A) extending above the annular platform (2B) (see FIG. 5).

(30) Projecting inwards from the inner side of the inner collar (13B) are blocking elements (16). The blocking elements are radially located to either side of where each of the linking struts (14) contacts the lower outer edge of the inner collar (13B). The blocking elements (16) serve to block depression of the oblong platform (4) and associated spray channel (6) when the locking collar (13) is appropriately rotated (vide infra).

(31) The blocked position of the locking collar (13) is clearly illustrated in FIG. 5. Four blocking elements (16) interact with four downward projections (17) from the oblong platform (4) and thereby prevent depression of the latter. In contrast, when the locking collar (13) is rotated such that the blocking elements (16) are clear of the downward projections (17) from the oblong platform (4), the oblong platform (4) may be depressed by downward pressure thereupon.

(32) FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a spray-through cap (18) suitable for use in combination with the chassis (1) and locking collar (3) as described hereinabove. The spray-through cap (18) comprises an annular shell (19) defining an aperture (20) designed to accommodate the exit orifice (7) of the spray channel (6). The shell (19) is largely cylindrical in shape, but has a lip (21) slightly overlapping a central void (22) at its upper end.

(33) Attached to the of the shell (19) at its upper edge facing away from the aperture (20) there is an actuator button (23). The actuator button (23) fills most of the top surface of the spray through cap (18) bordered by the lip (21) protruding inwards from the shell (19) thereof.

(34) The actuator button (23) is linked to the shell (19) at its upper edge by a living hinge (24) located opposite the aperture (20) defined in the shell (19) of the spray-through cap (18).

(35) With reference to FIG. 7, the shell (19) has several strengthening struts (25) located on its inner surface and running vertically for all or part of the total height of the shell (19). Protruding from the inner surface of the shell (19) towards it lower end there is an annular bead (26) designed to interact with the lip (2D) on the chassis (1) and aid the retention of the spray-through cap (18) on the chassis (1). These features are most clearly seen in FIG. 8.

(36) The underside of the actuator button (23) comprises two downward protruding keels (27) having an arch-shaped support (28) therebetween. The high point of the arch-shaped support (28) accommodates the flexed spray channel (6) when the dispenser head is fully assembled.

(37) In an alternative embodiment of the spray-through cap (118) illustrated in FIG. 14, an actuator button (123) comprises two downward protruding keels (127) having a cross-beam support (128) therebetween.

(38) When downward pressure is applied on the actuator button (23), the keels (27) press on the bevelled hump (5) on the top surface of the oblong platform (4) at points equidistant from the centrally located spray channel (6). When the locking collar (13) is in a position to allow depression of the oblong platform (4), the downward pressure on the bevelled hump (5) thereof causes the valve socket (6B) to press down upon the valve stem an associated aerosol container and thereby allow release of the contents of the later through the spray channel (6).

(39) With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, an alternative chassis (101) comprises an annular ring (102) designed for attachment to the valve cup of an associated aerosol can (not shown). The annular ring (102) is comprised of numerous features as previously described for the annular ring bearing reference numeral (2); the description of most of these features will not be repeated with reference to this embodiment. The projection (102F) from outer surface of the annular wall (102A) of the chassis is discussed further herein (vide infra).

(40) Centrally located within the annular ring (102) and linked to the annular platform (102B) by three flexible struts (103) (two illustrated) is an oblong platform (104) capable of axial movement relative to the annular ring (102). The flexible struts (103) are centrally hinged to aid their flexibility. Two of the flexible struts (103) attach to opposite ends of the oblong platform (104) along its long axis; the third is at right angles to these.

(41) The oblong platform (104) bears inwardly bevelled walls (105) close to each of its long sides, the walls (105) protruding upwards a distance approximately 20% of the breadth of the oblong platform (104). The bevelled walls (105) serve to aid delivery of pressure from the keels (127) protruding from the underside of the actuator button (123) (vide supra) onto the oblong platform (104) of the chassis (101) when the dispenser is actuated.

(42) FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative locking collar (113) suitable for use with the chassis (101). The locking collar (113) comprises numerous features as previously described for the locking collar bearing reference numeral (13); the description of most of these features will not be repeated with reference to this embodiment.

(43) One feature that is more clearly illustrated on the alternative locking collar (113) is the knurled outer surface (113A) having numerous vertical grip threads (113C) projecting from its surface.

(44) Further features of the alternative locking collar (113) are four blocking elements (116) projecting inwards from the inner side of an inner collar (113B). These blocking elements each have anti-rotation protrusions (116A) protruding from their upper surfaces towards their counter-clockwise edge. The blocking elements (116) interact with four downward projections (117) from the oblong platform (114) and thereby prevent depression of the latter (see FIG. 12) when the locking collar (113) is rotated to its most clockwise position. In this position, the downward projections (117) from the oblong platform (114) abut the anti-rotation protrusions (116A) protruding upwards from the blocking elements (116) of the locking collar (113) and the platform (104) is prevented from depression because the downward projections (117) from the oblong platform (114) cannot pass the blocking elements (116) of the locking collar (113).

(45) FIG. 13 illustrates the situation when the locking collar (113) is rotated counter-clockwise to a position where the downward projections (117) from the oblong platform (114) may pass the blocking elements (116) of the locking collar (113). In this position, downward pressure upon the platform (106) causes the opening of the valve located under the flexible spray channel (106) and release of the contents of the associated aerosol can.

(46) FIG. 15 illustrates the combination of the chassis (101) illustrated in FIG. 9; the locking collar (113) as illustrated in FIG. 11; and the spray-through cap (118) illustrated in FIG. 14. It may be noted that the spray-through cap (118) sits over the chassis (101) and almost abuts the top edge of the locking collar (113) with its lower edge. The spray-through cap (118) is attached to the chassis (101) by means of an incomplete annular bead (126) in the former fitting under an annular lip (102D) in the latter. The incomplete annular bead (126) may also be seen in FIG. 14.

(47) The locking collar (113) has an annular lip (113C) projecting inwards from the upper end of an outer collar (113A) thereof. This inward projecting lip (113C) sits on top of narrow projections (102F) from the outer surface of the annular wall (102A) of the chassis (101), of which there are two (one illustrated in FIG. 9). The projections (102F) are located diagonally opposite one another at either end of a diagonal orthogonal to the long axis of the oblong platform (104). The projections (102F) terminate at an upper height equal to that of the annular platform (102B). The interaction between the inward project lip (113C) and the narrow projections (102F) helps to prevent rocking motion of the locking collar (113) which would otherwise be a problem with it sitting on the chassis (102) merely supported by the linking struts (114) bearing on the annular platform (102B).

(48) With further reference to FIG. 15, it may be seen that the portion of the annular wall (102A) of the chassis (101) that projects upwards through the gap (115) lies between the outer (113A) and inner (113B) collar of the locking collar (113) (see also FIG. 11).

(49) With further reference to FIG. 15, it may be seen that a keel (127) projecting from the underside of the actuator button (123) contacts the rear bevelled wall (105) projecting from the oblong platform (104). Whilst obscured by the spray channel retaining feature (109) in FIG. 15, the keel (127) referred to immediately above also contacts the front bevelled wall (105) projecting from the oblong platform (104), thereby equalising pressure thereupon when the dispenser is actuated. This is true for both keels (127) as depicted in FIG. 14.