Actuator cap for a spray device

• US 8,590,743 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2007
• Issued: 11/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Beland, Rene Maurice, Helf, Thomas A., Kimball, James F., Paas, Edward L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Durand, Paul R
• Assistant Examiner(s): NICHOLS II, ROBERT K
• Application Number:
  US11/801,554
• Publication Number:
  US 20080277411A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,392 Days
• Field of Search: 222/402.13, 222/504, 22240221-40223, 222/180, 222/402.1, 222/649, 222/52, 222/61, 222/63, 222/1, 222/646, 251/129.2
• 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 configured to be in fluid communication with a discharge orifice of the housing; and

a drive unit disposed within and supported by the housing, wherein the drive unit includes a solenoid having an armature, wherein the armature is configured to move along a path substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing, and wherein movement of the armature imparts transverse motion to the valve stem to open a valve of the container for a predetermined spraying period that is determined by the selection of an automatic operation mode associated with the overcap and is followed by a predetermined period where the solenoid is de-energized, and wherein the armature, or any movable structure associated therewith, for imparting motion to the valve stem is unrestricted by the housing.

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

3. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the housing is removably mounted to an end of the 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. 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 with a discharge orifice of a housing; and

a drive unit supported by the housing and having means for engaging the dispensing member to place the tilt-activated valve stem in an operable position for a predetermined spraying period, wherein the dispenser includes more than one automatic operating mode, and wherein a longitudinal axis of the drive unit is disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container, and wherein the drive unit means for engaging the dispensing member is unrestricted by the housing.

10. The actuator of claim 9, wherein the spraying period comprises multiple sequential discharges.

11. The actuator of claim 9, wherein placement of the tilt-activated valve stem in an operable position causes a continuous dose of fluid to be discharged from the container.

12. The actuator of claim 9, wherein the dispensing member and the drive unit are disposed within a substantially cylindrical overcap attached to the container.

13. An overcap for a dispenser, comprising:

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

a dispensing member configured 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 and supported by the housing, wherein the drive unit includes a solenoid having an armature configured to impart transverse motion to the dispensing member for a predetermined time period followed by a predetermined sleep period where the solenoid is de-energized, and wherein the armature is configured to move along a path substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing, and wherein the armature, or any movable structure associated therewith, for imparting motion to the dispensing member is unrestricted by the housing.

14. The overcap of claim 13 further including a container having a tilt-activated valve stem.

15. The overcap of claim 14, wherein the longitudinal axis of the housing is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container.

16. The overcap of claim 13, wherein a distal end of the armature includes a slot, and wherein a first pin extends through the slot and a first hole of a connector.

17. The overcap of claim 16, wherein the dispensing member includes a bell crank extending therefrom, and wherein a second pin extends through a hole in the bell crank and a second hole of the connector.

18. The overcap of claim 17, wherein actuation of the solenoid causes the connector to rotationally displace the bell crank, thereby causing the rotational displacement of the dispensing member.

19. A method for dispensing, comprising:

providing a housing mounted on a container having a tilt-activated valve stem with a dispensing member thereon and a drive unit disposed within and supported by the housing, wherein the drive unit includes a solenoid with an armature;

generating an electrical signal in response to one of a timer, sensor, or manual actuation;

moving the armature along a path substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container to displace the dispensing member for a predetermined time, and wherein the armature, or any movable structure associated therewith, for displacing the dispensing member is unrestricted by the housing;

discharging fluid through a discharge orifice into the atmosphere external to the housing; and

entering a sleep period where the solenoid is de-energized.