Actuator cap for a spray device

• US 8,746,504 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2013
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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): Shaver, Kevin P
• Assistant Examiner(s): NICHOLS II, ROBERT K
• Application Number:
  US14/056,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20140042183A1
• Time in Patent Office: 236 Days
• Field of Search: 222/52, 222/649, 222/504, 222/61, 222/63, 222/645, 222/402.13, 22240221-40223, 251/351, 251/353, 239/102.1, 239/102.2
• 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

A dispensing system includes a container having a tilt-activated valve stem with a discharge end. The dispensing system also includes an electro-responsive wire that imparts motion to the valve stem to open a valve of the container.

Claims

1. A dispensing system, comprising:

a container having a tilt-activated valve stem with a discharge end; and

an electro-responsive wire, wherein movement of the electro-responsive wire imparts motion to the valve stem to open a valve of the container, and wherein the motion is imparted in response to the receipt of an electronic signal generated by a sensor.

2. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the electronic signal may also be generated by the depression of a manual pushbutton.

3. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the tilt-activated valve stem is a metered dose valve stem.

4. A dispensing system, comprising:

a container having a tilt-activated valve stem;

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

an electro-responsive wire configured to impart motion to the dispensing member,

wherein the electro-responsive wire contracts in response to an electronic signal.

5. The dispensing system of claim 4, wherein the tilt-activated valve stem is a metered dose valve stem.

6. The dispensing system of claim 4, wherein the electronic signal is generated by one of a sensor, a timing circuit, and the depression of a manual pushbutton.

7. A dispensing system, comprising:

a container having a tilt-activated valve stem; and

an electro-responsive wire, wherein movement of the electro-responsive wire imparts motion to the valve stem to open a valve of the container, wherein motion is imparted in response to an electronic signal generated by one of a timer, a sensor, or manual actuation, and wherein the electro-responsive wire performs a sequence that includes multiple contractions and expansions of the electro-responsive wire in response to the electronic signal.

8. The dispensing system of claim 7, wherein the sequence comprises first contracting and then expanding in response to an electronic signal.

9. The dispensing system of claim 7, wherein the sequence comprises first expanding and then contracting in response to an electronic signal.

10. The dispensing system of claim 7, wherein the tilt-activated valve stem is a metered dose valve stem.

11. A dispensing system, comprising:

a container having a tilt-activated valve stem with a discharge end; and

an electro-responsive wire, wherein movement of the electro-responsive wire imparts motion to the valve stem to open a valve of the container, and wherein the motion is imparted in response to the receipt of an electronic signal generated by a timing circuit.

12. The dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the electronic signal may also be generated by the depression of a manual pushbutton.

13. The dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the tilt-activated valve stem is a metered dose valve stem.