Dispensing actuator with flip-open lid
First Claim
1. A dispensing actuator for a container that has a dispensing valve for dispensing a fluent product, wherein the dispensing valve is normally biased from an actuated, open dispensing position to a closed position, said dispensing actuator comprising:
- a dispensing actuator base for extending from said container at said dispensing valve;
a lid including a hinge connecting said lid with said dispensing actuator base to accommodate movement of said lid between;
(1) a closed position, and (2) an opened position to permit the dispensing of a product from said container;
an opening element mounted on said dispensing actuator base for movement with respect thereto from a closed position to an opened position, said opening element being engageable with said lid, so that generally lateral movement of said opening element from said closed position to said opened position moves said lid from said closed position thereof toward said opened position thereof; and
an actuating element on said dispensing actuator base, said actuating element being accessible when said lid is in said opened position there of, said actuating element being resiliently deflectable, so that downward, deflecting movement of said actuating element operates said dispensing valve to thereby permit dispensing of the fluent product within said container through a dispensing orifice defined by said dispensing actuator.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing actuator for use on a container having pressurized contents is configured for convenient one-handed manipulation and use by consumers. The dispensing actuator includes a hingedly moveable flip-open lid, and a laterally moveable opening element, which can be manipulated so that the opening element cooperates with the lid to move the lid from a closed position to an opened position. The present dispensing actuator further includes an inner, downwardly deflectable actuating element, operatively connected with a dispensing valve of the associated container. Resilient, downward deflection of the actuating element, after opening of the dispensing actuator lid, permits the contents of the container to be conveniently dispensed. In one embodiment, the contents of the container are dispensed generally laterally of the dispensing actuator, while in alternate embodiments, the container'"'"'s contents are dispensed generally upwardly, through the actuating element of the dispensing actuator.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A dispensing actuator for a container that has a dispensing valve for dispensing a fluent product, wherein the dispensing valve is normally biased from an actuated, open dispensing position to a closed position, said dispensing actuator comprising:
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a dispensing actuator base for extending from said container at said dispensing valve; a lid including a hinge connecting said lid with said dispensing actuator base to accommodate movement of said lid between;
(1) a closed position, and (2) an opened position to permit the dispensing of a product from said container;an opening element mounted on said dispensing actuator base for movement with respect thereto from a closed position to an opened position, said opening element being engageable with said lid, so that generally lateral movement of said opening element from said closed position to said opened position moves said lid from said closed position thereof toward said opened position thereof; and an actuating element on said dispensing actuator base, said actuating element being accessible when said lid is in said opened position there of, said actuating element being resiliently deflectable, so that downward, deflecting movement of said actuating element operates said dispensing valve to thereby permit dispensing of the fluent product within said container through a dispensing orifice defined by said dispensing actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A dispensing actuator for a container within which a fluent substance may be stored, said container having an annular shoulder, and a mounting cup secured to said annular shoulder, said container including a dispensing valve mounted on said mounting cup, the dispensing valve including an outwardly projecting, movable, product-dispensing valve stem that is normally biased from an actuated, open dispensing position to a closed position, said dispensing actuator comprising:
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a dispensing actuator base for extending from said container at said dispensing valve, said dispensing actuator base having (1) a deck, and (2) a skirt depending from said deck for snap-fitment to said annular shoulder of said container; a lid including a hinge connecting said lid with said dispensing actuator base to accommodate movement of said lid between;
(1) a closed position, and (2) an opened position to permit the dispensing of a substance from said container; anda an opening element mounted on said dispensing actuator base, generally beneath said deck and extending inwardly relative to said skirt, for generally lateral movement with respect to said dispensing actuator base, said opening element being movable generally laterally of said dispensing actuator base from a closed position to an opened position, said opening element including a proximal, button portion configured for manipulation to urge said opening element from said closed position toward said opened position thereof, said opening element including at least one distal, pusher portion, generally opposite said proximal, button portion, engageable with said lid as said opening element moves from said closed position to said open position to move said lid from the closed position thereof toward the opened position thereof; and an actuating element unitarily connected with said dispensing actuator base generally adjacent to said deck, said actuating element defining a valve stem pocket for receiving said valve stem when said dispensing actuator is mounted on said container, said actuating element being accessible when said lid is in said opened position thereof, said actuating element being resiliently deflectable, so that downward, deflecting movement of said actuating element operates the stem of said dispensing valve to thereby permit dispensing of the fluent substance within said container through a dispensing orifice defined by said dispensing actuator. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification