Actuator cap for a spray device

• US 20080290113A1
• Filed: 05/25/2007
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Helf, Thomas A., Paas, Edward L.
• Application Number:
  US11/805,976
• Publication Number:
  US 20080290113A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/206 comprising a cantilevered actuator element, e.g. a lever pivoting about a living hinge
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/207 Actuators comprising a manually operated valve and being attachable to the aerosol container, e.g. downstream a valve fitted to the container; Actuators associated to container valves with valve seats located outside the aerosol container portable spraying apparatus comprising pressurised supply containers B05B7/2402, B05B9/0805; manually actuated controlling means for spraying apparatus B05B12/002; actuators connected to the aerosol container by a flexible tube B65D83/756
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/228 consisting of a rupturable connection between actuator element and actuator cap or skirt, e.g. tear strips or bridges
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/24 with means to hold the valve open, e.g. for continuous delivery
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/262 by clockwork, motor, electric or magnetic means operating without repeated human input

Abstract

An actuator cap for a dispenser includes a housing having first and second ends. The first end is adapted to be retained on an aerosol container having a valve stem. A conduit is provided having an inlet adapted to receive the valve stem of the container and to hold the valve stem in an actuated position to open a valve assembly within the container. A solenoid valve is in fluid communication with the conduit and a discharge orifice. The solenoid valve is transitioned from a closed state to an open state by a signal generated by a controller to provide a fluid path between the conduit and the discharge orifice. The controller is adapted to generate the signal in response to the manual depression of a trigger retained on the housing by a living hinge.

Claims

1. An actuator cap for a dispenser, comprising:

a housing having first and second ends, wherein the first end is adapted to be retained on an aerosol container having a valve stem;

a conduit having an inlet adapted to receive the valve stem of the container and hold the valve stem in an actuated position to open a valve assembly within the container; and

a solenoid valve in fluid communication with the conduit and a discharge orifice, wherein the solenoid valve is transitioned from a closed state to an open state by a signal generated by a controller to provide a fluid path between the conduit and the discharge orifice,

wherein the controller is adapted to generate the signal in response to the manual depression of a trigger retained on the housing by a living hinge.

2. The actuator cap of claim 1, wherein the housing is adapted to be removably attached to a container.

3. The actuator cap of claim 1, wherein the controller is further adapted to generate a signal in response to a timer.

4. The actuator cap of claim 1, wherein the controller is further adapted to generate a signal in response to a sensor.

5. The actuator cap of claim 4, wherein the sensor is a photocell sensor.

6. The actuator cap of claim 1, wherein the trigger includes an actuator arm.

7. The actuator cap of claim 6, wherein the actuator arm is adapted to contact a switch in an operative position to generate the signal.

8. An overcap for a dispenser, comprising:

a housing having a bottom end and a top end, wherein the bottom end is retained on an aerosol container having a valve stem;

a conduit having first and second ends, wherein portions of the conduit defining the second end hold the valve stem in a depressed and open position, and

wherein the second end is in fluid communication with a discharge orifice of the valve stem; and

a solenoid valve in fluid communication with the first end of the conduit and a discharge orifice, wherein the solenoid valve is transitioned from a closed state to an open state by a signal generated by a controller,

wherein the controller is adapted to generate the signal in response to the manual depression of a flange retained on the housing by a living hinge.

9. The overcap of claim 8, wherein the conduit retains the valve stem in a fully open position.

10. The overcap of claim 8, wherein the conduit retains the valve stem in a partially open position.

11. The overcap of claim 8, wherein the valve stem is vertically actuable relative to a longitudinal axis of the container.

12. The actuator cap of claim 8, wherein the controller is further adapted to generate a signal in response to a timer.

13. The actuator cap of claim 8, wherein the controller is further adapted to generate a signal in response to a sensor.

14. The actuator cap of claim 13, wherein the sensor is a photocell sensor.

15. A retention mechanism for a dispenser, comprising:

an annular bracket having a plurality of interiorly extending flanges adapted to hold the bracket on an aerosol container having a valve stem,

wherein the bracket is further adapted to releasably engage an overcap and align an actuation mechanism within an interior of the overcap with the valve stem.

16. The retention mechanism of claim 15, wherein the overcap includes a conduit having an inlet adapted to receive a valve stem and hold same in an actuated position to open a valve assembly within a container when the overcap is engaged with the annular bracket and when the annular bracket is disposed on the container.

17. The retention mechanism of claim 16, wherein the actuation mechanism of the overcap is a solenoid valve in fluid communication with the conduit and a discharge orifice, wherein the solenoid valve is transitioned from a closed state to an open state by a signal generated by a controller to provide a fluid path between the conduit and the discharge orifice.

18. The retention mechanism of claim 15, wherein the bracket includes means for releasably engaging the overcap.

19. The retention mechanism of claim 15, wherein at least one lug is provided on an inner wall of the overcap in communication with at least one bayonet slot in the bracket.

20. The retention mechanism of claim 19, wherein the at least one lug is retained within the bayonet slot by a frangible portion.