Actuator cap for a spray device

• US 20080277411A1
• Filed: 05/10/2007
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Helf, Thomas A., Paas, Edward L., Kimball, James F., Beland, Rene Maurice
• Granted Patent: US 8,590,743 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/205 Actuator caps, or peripheral actuator skirts, attachable to the aerosol container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/262 by clockwork, motor, electric or magnetic means operating without repeated human input
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/265 by fall or rise in pressure or temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/40 Closure caps actuator caps B65D83/205
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/46 Tilt valves B65D83/50 takes precedence

Abstract

An overcap for a dispenser includes a housing mountable on a container. The container includes a tilt-activated valve stem with a discharge end. The discharge end of the valve stem is adapted to be in fluid communication with a discharge orifice of the housing. A drive unit is disposed within the housing, wherein the drive unit includes a solenoid, a bi-metallic actuator, a piezo-linear motor, or an electro-responsive wire, which is adapted to impart transverse motion to the valve stem to open a valve of the container.

Claims

1. An overcap for a dispenser, comprising:

a housing mountable on a container, wherein the container includes a tilt-activated valve stem with a discharge end, and wherein the discharge end of the valve stem is adapted to be in fluid communication with a discharge orifice of the housing; and

a drive unit disposed within the housing, wherein the drive unit includes a bi-metallic actuator, a piezo-linear motor, or an electro-responsive wire, which is adapted to impart transverse motion to the valve stem to open a valve of the container.

2. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the housing is mounted on a container.

3. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the housing is removably mounted to a container.

4. The overcap of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the drive unit is disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis of a container.

5. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the transverse motion is imparted in response to the receipt of an electronic signal.

6. The overcap of claim 5, wherein the electronic signal is generated by a sensor.

7. The overcap of claim 5, wherein the electronic signal is generated by a timing circuit.

8. The overcap of claim 5, wherein the electronic signal is generated by the depression of a manual pushbutton.

9-14. -14. (canceled)

15. An actuator for a dispenser, comprising;

a container having a tilt-activated valve stem with a discharge orifice;

a dispensing member disposed on a portion of the valve stem, wherein a conduit of the dispensing member is in fluid communication with the discharge orifice of the valve stem; and

a drive unit having means for engaging the dispensing member to place the tilt-activated valve stem in an operable position.

16. The actuator of claim 15, wherein the drive unit includes a solenoid.

17. The actuator of claim 15, wherein the drive unit includes at least one of a bi-metallic actuator, a piezo-linear motor, and an electro-responsive wire.

18. The actuator of claim 15, wherein placement of the tilt-activated valve stem in an operable position causes a continuous dose of fluid to be discharged from the container.

19. The actuator of claim 15, wherein the dispensing member and the drive unit are disposed within an overcap attached to the container.

20. The actuator of claim 15, wherein a longitudinal axis of the drive unit is disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container.

21. An overcap for a dispenser, comprising:

a housing adapted to be mounted on a container having a tilt-activated valve stem, wherein the housing includes a discharge orifice;

a dispensing member adapted to be disposed on a portion of the valve stem, wherein a conduit of the dispensing member is in fluid communication with a discharge end of the valve stem and the discharge orifice of the housing; and

a drive unit disposed within the housing, wherein the drive unit includes a solenoid having an armature adapted to impart transverse motion to the dispensing member, and wherein the armature is adapted to move along a path substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

22. The overcap of claim 21 further including a container having a tilt-activated valve stem.

23. The overcap of claim 22, wherein the longitudinal axis of the housing is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container.

24. An overcap for a dispenser, comprising:

a housing adapted to be mounted on a container having a tilt-activated valve stem, wherein the housing includes a discharge orifice;

a dispensing member adapted to be disposed on a portion of the valve stem, wherein a conduit of the dispensing member is in fluid communication with a discharge end of the valve stem and the discharge orifice of the housing; and

a drive unit disposed within the housing, wherein the drive unit includes a solenoid with an armature, and wherein motion of the armature is translated into rotational displacement of the dispensing member by a mechanical linkage provided between the armature and the dispensing member.

25. The overcap of claim 24 further including a container having a tilt-activated valve stem.

26. The overcap of claim 24, wherein the mechanical linkage includes at least one of a bell crank, a connector, an arm, or a pin.

27. The overcap of claim 24, wherein the mechanical linkage includes a connector having a first hole and a second hole provided therein.

28. The overcap of claim 27, wherein a distal end of the armature includes a slot, and wherein a first pin extends through the slot and the first hole of the connector.

29. The overcap of claim 28, wherein the dispensing member includes a bell crank extending therefrom, and wherein a second pin extends through a hole in the bell crank and the second hole of the connector.

30. The overcap of claim 29, wherein actuation of the solenoid causes the connector to rotationally displace the bell crank, thereby causing the rotational displacement of the dispensing member.