Actuator cap for radially locating a can in a holding device
First Claim
1. An actuator cap for use with a pressurized can, the can having a rear end and a front end, the front end having a forwardly presenting valve, the can being holdable in a sprayer device that has a cradle for holding a can, the cradle extending axially between a front and rear end with respect to a can held therein, and having a cradle stop surface at its front end to limit frontward axial motion of the can, the cradle stop surface further having an engagement land extending rearwardly from the cradle stop surface, with an actuation pin located within the engagement land and selectively moveable by a user to protrude rearwardly therefrom to activate the actuator cap, the actuator cap being axially extended relative to the can and comprising:
- a. a can attachment structure for attaching the actuator cap to the can'"'"'s front end;
b. a recess of a size and shape sufficient to receive the engagement land in mating relation;
c. a valve activator for engaging the valve in sealing relation and having an internal passage communicating with an exit orifice, the valve activator activating the valve when moved, causing the release of can contents through the internal passage to the exit orifice;
d. an actuator arm so located as to extend rearwardly of and align with the actuation pin when the engagement land is received in the recess, the actuator arm being capable of moving when a user moves the actuation pin to move the valve activator and activate the valve.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An actuator cap for use in radially locating a pressurized can in a sprayer device having a cradle for receiving the can. The actuator cap has a recess that engages an engagement land of the cradle and an actuator arm that is so located as to be movable by an actuation pin located in the engagement land. By such movement, the can'"'"'s valve can be activated and its contents released. A method is also disclosed for activating a pressurized, axially extending can having a forwardly presenting valve while the can is held in pre-determined radial orientation within a sprayer device.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An actuator cap for use with a pressurized can, the can having a rear end and a front end, the front end having a forwardly presenting valve, the can being holdable in a sprayer device that has a cradle for holding a can, the cradle extending axially between a front and rear end with respect to a can held therein, and having a cradle stop surface at its front end to limit frontward axial motion of the can, the cradle stop surface further having an engagement land extending rearwardly from the cradle stop surface, with an actuation pin located within the engagement land and selectively moveable by a user to protrude rearwardly therefrom to activate the actuator cap, the actuator cap being axially extended relative to the can and comprising:
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a. a can attachment structure for attaching the actuator cap to the can'"'"'s front end;
b. a recess of a size and shape sufficient to receive the engagement land in mating relation;
c. a valve activator for engaging the valve in sealing relation and having an internal passage communicating with an exit orifice, the valve activator activating the valve when moved, causing the release of can contents through the internal passage to the exit orifice;
d. an actuator arm so located as to extend rearwardly of and align with the actuation pin when the engagement land is received in the recess, the actuator arm being capable of moving when a user moves the actuation pin to move the valve activator and activate the valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An actuator cap for use with a pressurized can, the can having a rear end and a front end, the front end having a forwardly presenting valve, the can being holdable in a sprayer device that has a cradle for holding the can, the cradle extending axially between a front and rear end with respect to the can held therein, and having a cradle stop surface at its front end to limit frontward axial motion of the can, the cradle stop surface further having an engagement land extending rearwardly from the cradle stop surface with an actuation pin located within the engagement land and selectively moveable by a user to protrude rearwardly therefrom to activate the actuator cap, the actuator cap being axially extended relative to the can and comprising:
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a. a can attachment structure for attaching the actuator cap to the can'"'"'s front end;
b. a recess to receive the engagement land to aid in retaining the can in the cradle and in locating the actuator cap in a radially pre-determined orientation with respect to the cradle;
c. a slot extending radially outward from the recess providing an unobstructed opening from the side of the actuator cap, communicating with the recess;
d. a valve activator for engaging the valve in sealing relation, the valve activator activating the valve when moved rearwardly, causing the release of can contents;
e. an actuator arm extending transversely with respect to the actuator cap, one end of the actuator arm being radially aligned with the slot, the actuator arm having a forwardly facing surface within the recess that is located rearwardly of and aligned with the actuation pin when the engagement land is received in the recess, the actuator arm being capable of moving rearwardly when a user moves the actuation pin to contact the forwardly facing surface to move the valve activator and activate the valve. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method for activating a pressurized, axially extending can having a forwardly presenting valve while the can is held in pre-determined radial orientation within a sprayer device that has a cradle for holding the can, the cradle extending axially between a front and rear end with respect to the can held therein, the cradle having a cradle stop surface at its front end to limit frontward axial motion of the can and a can clamp for retaining the can against the cradle stop surface, the cradle stop surface further having an engagement land extending rearwardly from the cradle stop surface with an actuation pin located within the engagement land and selectively moveable by a user to protrude rearwardly therefrom, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. providing, mounted on the can'"'"'s front end, an actuator cap having i. a recess to receive the engagement land to aid in retaining the can in the cradle and in locating the actuator cap in a radially pre-determined orientation with respect to the cradle;
ii. a valve activator for engaging the valve in sealing relation, the valve activator activating the valve when moved rearwardly, causing the release of can contents;
iii. an actuator arm so located as to extend rearwardly of and align with the actuation pin when the engagement land is received in the recess, the actuator arm being capable of moving rearwardly when a user moves the actuation pin to move the valve activator and activate the valve;
b. placing the can in the cradle, with the engagement land inserted into the recess and securing the can in the cradle by use of the can clamp; and
c. moving the actuation pin rearwardly to activate the valve. - View Dependent Claims (16)
a. a slot extending radially outward from the recess, forming an unobstructed opening from the side of the actuator cap, communicating with the recess;
b. an actuator arm extending transversely with respect to the actuator cap, one end of the actuator arm being radially aligned with the slot, the actuator arm having a forwardly facing surface within the recess that is located rearwardly of and aligned with the actuation pin when the engagement land is received in the recess.
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17. A pressurized can assembly suitable for use in a sprayer device that has a cradle for holding a can, the cradle extending axially between a front and rear end with respect to a can held therein, and having a cradle stop surface at its front end to limit frontward axial motion of the can, the cradle stop surface further having an engagement land extending rearwardly from the cradle stop surface, with an actuation pin located within the engagement land and selectively moveable by a user to protrude rearwardly therefrom, the pressurized can assembly comprising:
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a. a pressurized can having a front end and a rear end, the front end having a forwardly presenting valve;
b. an actuator cap attached to the front end of the can and having i. a recess of a size and shape sufficient to receive the engagement land in mating relation;
ii. a valve activator for engaging the valve in sealing relation and having an internal passage communicating with an exit orifice, the valve activator activating the valve when moved, causing the release of can contents through the internal passage to the exit orifice; and
iii. an actuator arm so located as to extend rearwardly of and align with the actuation pin when the engagement land is received in the recess, the actuator arm being capable of moving when a user moves the actuation pin to move the valve activator and activate the valve.
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Specification