Safety diffuser lid for an aerosol generator container with depressurisation function

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety lid for an aerosol container, comprising a dome surrounding at least part of a diffuser device and provided with a movable component (20), which can move between a first position for preventing the operation of the diffuser device, a second position for intermittently activating the diffuser device and a third position for emptying the container, said movable component (20') comprising means for permanently activating the diffuser device in the third position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a diffuser cover (spraycap in English and commonly referred to as a cover) for an aerosol generator container (commonly referred to as an aerosol container) equipped with a function for depressurizing or emptying the aerosol container on which the cover is mounted.

[0002] This is a safety diffuser cover in that it includes means of preventing the operation of a diffuser. Technique antérieure

[0003] The invention relates to the field of aerosol cans and aerosol can caps as known for example from document FR2750960 A1 or document FR3063491 A1. It applies to caps which have a position allowing the activation of a diffuser and a safety position prohibiting access to or blocking this diffuser. Problème technique

[0004] These well-established solutions are widely accepted by users and offer satisfactory safety. However, in the case of technical products such as paints, sorting and recycling aerosol cans is currently challenging because a quantity of residual product and often flammable gas remains inside the can after use. Typically, after normal use, the can contains a minimal residual amount of active product, less than 5 to 10 grams, and a residual flammable gaseous phase with a pressure generally significantly lower than the initial internal pressure (approximately 3 to 4 bar, depending on the product, at 20°C).

[0005] As a result, aerosol cans follow a special waste stream (DDS specific diffuse waste) and are mostly incinerated instead of being recovered in a classic metal recycling stream.

[0006] However, the aerosol can is waste composed primarily of metal and is entirely recyclable if care is taken to remove the cap (which is itself made of recyclable PP) and to vent the residual flammable gaseous phase, notably by opening the can (in this case, by opening the valve). An aerosol can with a venting mechanism is specifically described in US document 2017 / 362013 A1. Exposé de l'invention

[0007] In view of this prior art, the present invention proposes an improved aerosol can safety cap provided with a drain position which allows the can to be depressurized and the active product residues emptied without piercing the can.

[0008] More specifically, the present invention proposes a safety cap for an aerosol container which includes a dome surrounding at least part of a diffuser device, the safety cap being provided with a movable member, movable between a first position prohibiting operation of the diffuser device, a second position of intermittent actuation of the diffuser device and a third position of emptying the container (depressurization), said movable member having means for permanent actuation of the diffuser device in the third position, the movable member being made up of a rotating dome movable on the dome, said dome having a diffusion opening at its top and a lateral opening for access to the diffuser device in the intermittent actuation position.

[0009] The invention makes it possible to ensure drainage of the casing without a complex device to implement (for example drilling the casing with special equipment before disposal) and includes a diffuser device accessible in the intermittent actuation position.

[0010] According to a particular embodiment, the rotating dome has a finger directed towards the inside of the hood and configured to press on a part of the diffuser device in the housing drain position.

[0011] More specifically, the finger can be configured to press an operating button on the diffuser device.

[0012] More specifically, the finger consists of a bulge extending a lower part of a central chimney of the dome surrounding a diffusion outlet of a diffuser of the diffusing device.

[0013] Advantageously, the rotating dome and the cupola are provided with complementary stop means opposing a rotation of the rotating dome in a direction from the position of no operation towards the emptying position and leaving the dome free to rotate in the direction from the position of no operation towards the intermittent actuation position.

[0014] The rotating dome and cupola can be provided with means for creating a hard point between the intermittent actuation position and the emptying position.

[0015] The rotating dome and cupola can be fitted with a non-return device opposing rotation of the dome from the housing drain position to another position.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the dome includes an activation button for said draining position accessible through a second lateral opening of the dome, dome in intermittent actuation position, the activation of said third position being effected by disengaging a stop system between the dome and the activation button when the activation button is pressed and the dome is rotated beyond the second intermittent actuation position of the diffuser device until said draining position.

[0017] This advanced device prevents unintentional transitions to the drain or depressurization position.

[0018] As part of this improvement, the following features can be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other.

[0019] To maneuver the diffuser device into the drain position, the dome may have a finger pointing inwards towards the hood and configured to press on a portion of the diffuser device into the drain position of the housing.

[0020] The finger can be configured to press a control button on the diffuser device.

[0021] The finger may consist of a bulge extending a lower part of a central chimney of the dome surrounding a diffusion outlet of a diffuser of the diffusing device.

[0022] The stop system advantageously includes, on the activation button, a first stop which is erasable by pressing the activation button, and under the dome a stop tooth positioned so that without pressing the activation button the erasable stop blocks the passage of the tooth and so that in case of pressing the activation button the erasable stop allows the tooth to pass during a rotation of the dome so as to allow the passage of the dome from the intermittent actuation position to the emptying position.

[0023] The dome and cupola can be fitted with a non-return device opposing rotation of the dome from the housing drain position to the intermittent actuation position.

[0024] The anti-return device may include a second erasable stop on the activation button, said second erasable stop cooperating with the stop tooth of the dome to, with the activation button in the released position, oppose a rotation of the dome in the direction of said discharge position towards said intermittent actuation position.

[0025] Advantageously, the activation button is hidden by the dome in said draining position so as to prohibit pressing said button to avoid disengagement of the tooth and the second erasable stop and return of the dome to said intermittent activation position from said draining position.

[0026] The dome may include a first stop cooperating with said tooth, dome in the position of non-operation so as to oppose a rotation of the dome in a direction from the position of non-operation to the position of emptying and to leave the dome free to rotate in the direction from the position of non-operation to the position of intermittent actuation.

[0027] The dome may include a second stop cooperating with said tooth, dome in the emptying position so as to oppose a rotation of the dome in the direction of the emptying position towards the position where operation is prohibited.

[0028] The safety cover may include a hard point device made by a ramp stop device between the dome and the cupola in addition to said stop system between the dome and the activation button.

[0029] The invention further provides for an aerosol container equipped with a hood having one or more of the characteristics described above. Brève description des dessins

[0030] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description, which outlines examples of implementation of this application with reference to the attached drawings, which represent: [ Fig. 1 ] represents a top view of a first part of a hood according to a first embodiment; [ Fig. 2 ] represents a front view of a second part of a hood according to the first embodiment; [ Fig. 3A], [Fig. 3B ], [ Fig. 3C ] represent three positions of a hood according to the first embodiment; [ Fig. 4A ], [ Fig. 4B ], [ Fig. 4C ], [ Fig. 4D ] represent side-view transparent views of an aerosol can equipped with a cap of the first embodiment according to four stages of operation; [ Fig. 5A], [Fig. 5B ] schematically represent means of a stop between two parts of a hood of the first embodiment; [ Fig. 6 ] represents a perspective view of a hood according to a second embodiment; [ Fig. 7 ] represents a perspective view from below of a hood dome according to the second embodiment; [ Fig. 8 ] represents a hood dome according to the second embodiment; [ Fig. 9 ] represents a detail of the dome according to the figure 8 . Description des modes de réalisation

[0031] The drawings and description below relate to examples of implementation that can serve to better understand the present invention, but also to contribute to its definition, if necessary.

[0032] The cover described here is designed to fit aerosol canisters (commonly called aerosols) containing paints, particularly paints for marking / signage applications (in public works or forestry), for which a collection system for empty canisters exists. Such canisters are commonly used for marking / signage applications, especially on construction sites.

[0033] In the hood of the prior art FR2750960 A1 a dome is freely movable in rotation on a cupola to obtain two positions, an open position allowing access to a push button for actuating the diffuser of the case and a closed or safety position prohibiting access to the diffuser push button.

[0034] Aerosol cans, when considered empty, retain, as mentioned above, a residual amount of flammable gas with a residual internal pressure significantly lower than the initial internal pressure of 3 to 4 bar, and a residue of product, making them unsuitable for direct recycling into metal. The present invention solves this problem by providing a solution for emptying the can by continuously and permanently actuating it under normal operating conditions, i.e., without forcing the device or removing the cap. To achieve this, the cap of the invention has a third position, called the depressurization or emptying position, which actuates (opens) the valve without requiring an operator to continuously activate a diffuser or pierce the can.

[0035] The elements of the hood of the invention as shown in figures 1 et 2 They essentially comprise a cupola 10 and a dome 20. The cupola has two cheeks 131, 132 surrounding a diffuser device equipped with a product outlet diffuser 11 and an operating button 12, the diffuser device being connected to the cupola by a flexible link 13. The diffuser has a tubular barrel that covers, in a known manner, an outlet tube of the valve of the housing (not shown). When an operator presses the button, the diffuser presses on the valve tube to open the valve and thus expel the product to be sprayed by means of the internal pressure of the housing in a known manner.

[0036] The cheeks 131, 132 of the dome have markings or symbols to indicate a safety position and a draining position.

[0037] The dome 20 has an inner surface conjugate to the outer surface of the cupola and is rotatably mounted on the cupola.

[0038] The dome 20 has an opening 23 at its top to allow the product to exit the diffuser, here of axial type, and has a lateral opening 24 to allow access to the pusher 12 for operating the diffuser in an intermittent actuation position, the actuation being carried out in this case by the operator.

[0039] To achieve a drain position for the housing—that is, a position in which the valve is continuously actuated to completely empty the housing—the dome includes a finger 22 which, as shown in the example, continuously presses on the pusher 12 in the drain position. It should be noted that the invention also applies to a cover in which a finger pushes directly on the diffuser, for example, with a lever device between the finger and the diffuser.

[0040] The finger depicted at the figure 2 , extends the lower part of an anti-projection chimney 21 of the dome which surrounds the central opening 23.

[0041] In the emptying position, the finger irreversibly presses button 12 on the diffuser to open the can's valve. This allows the aerosol can to reach atmospheric pressure by releasing any residual gas still present in the aerosol at the end of use.

[0042] THE figures 3A à 3C illustrate the three positions of the device, namely, in figure 3A position A of closure or prohibition of maneuver in which the pictogram consisting of an arrow on a first cheek 132 of the dome is visible, in figure 3B the operating position B, known as the intermittent actuation position, in which the lateral opening of the dome 24 allows free access to the pusher 12 and, in figure 3C the C position of emptying the housing in which the recycling pictogram of cheek 131 appears in the side opening of the dome, the finger 22 not visible pressing on the pusher.

[0043] According to the example, the three positions follow each other in a given direction of rotation, for example clockwise with the hood viewed from above.

[0044] It should be noted that on the figure 3B , position B allows us to distinguish the finger 22 coming from the chimney 21 waiting near the pusher 12.

[0045] The four phases of use of the cover mounted on a 100 housing are represented in figures 4A à 4D In figure 4A The casing 100 is full and contains a liquid mixture of the product to be sprayed (for example, paint) and liquefied propellant gas 2, which can be considered a co-solvent of the product. When the valve is opened in figure 4B The product, pushed by the pressure of gas 4, escapes through the collection tube 3 towards the valve and the diffusion outlet 23. figure 4C The 100-unit container is practically empty, and the product residue and gas escape from the container. The operator can then position the dome in the emptying position according to the figure 4D This empties the residual gas and allows air 41 to enter the casing, which becomes inert.

[0046] To prevent accidental transition to the draining position from the restricted position, the dome's rotation is limited by a system of additional stops shown in the diagram. figures 5A et 5B .

[0047] In the first instance, according to a first embodiment, two solid stops are provided, one 102 on the cupola 10 and the other 204 on the dome. These stops, which are, for example, located inside a lower part of the dome 20 and on the outside of a corresponding part of the cupola 10, prevent the dome from rotating in the direction opposite to its normal direction of use as shown in the diagram. figures 3A à 3C so that it is not possible to rotate the dome from the maneuver prohibition position A directly to the discharge position C.

[0048] Furthermore, to prevent an overly easy transition from the normal operating position (intermittent actuation B) to the draining position (C), a resistance point is created by means of two ramps, 101 on the cupola and 202 on the dome. These opposing ramps will rub against each other during the transition from position B to position C, thus preventing an unintentional shift into the latter position.

[0049] Finally, to prevent the dome from returning from the draining position C to the operating position B, abrupt snap-in stops 102, 203 terminate the ramps, which, with symmetrical stops 201, creates a housing for the ramp 101 in the draining position and prevents both a return of the dome and an additional movement of the dome, thus maintaining the dome in the draining position.

[0050] According to the embodiment represented more particularly in figures 6 à 9 The device may include an activation button 120 made in the cupola 10, this button being accessible when the dome 20' of the figure 7 is positioned on the dome so as to allow access to the diffuser push button 12 in the intermittent actuation position of the diffuser.

[0051] To achieve this, the 20' dome includes a second 25' opening represented in figures 6 et 7 which allows access to the activation button 120 when the dome is in the intermittent push-button actuation position.

[0052] According to the figure 9 , the activation button has a lower part connected to the dome 10' by a hinge, here made by means of two flexible tabs 120a, 120b, allowing the activation button to flex angularly when pressed, which allows the disengagement of a stop system 121, 205 described below.

[0053] Back to the figure 6 representing the cover on the side opposite the diffuser button with the dome in the intermittent diffuser actuation position, the activation button 120 is accessible through the second opening delimited by the wall 25a. In this example, the second opening 25 is positioned at 180° to the first opening 24, just as the activation button is at 180° to the diffuser operating button 12, as shown in figure 8 It should be noted that another relative angular positioning is possible, for example the openings as well as the button and the push button can be arranged at 90° to each other.

[0054] The 20' dome as seen from below at the figure 7 will include, in addition to the finger 22 intended to press the pusher 12 in the drain position, a rigid stop tooth or finger 205 whose purpose is to prevent the dome from moving from the intermittent actuation position to the drain position without pressing the activation button 120. To achieve this, according to the figure 8 The dome 10' has, extending from the activation button 120 in the upper part, a curved groove 124 followed by a curved rib 123. A first end of the curved rib has a first erasable stop 121 complementary to the stop tooth 205 of the dome to form said stop system when the activation button 120 is released, dome in intermittent actuation position of the diffuser device while when the operator presses the activation button, the stop tooth 205 of the dome escapes the first erasable stop 121 and can pass over the curved rib 123 when the operator rotates the dome on the cupola towards the emptying position.It should be noted that the device is designed so that the operator must use both hands to move the dome from the intermittent activation position of the pusher to the emptying position, which increases the safety of the device and prevents an untimely transition to the emptying position.

[0055] Once the dome is in the emptying position, the second end of the groove constitutes a second erasable stop 122 complementary to the stop tooth 205 of the dome to oppose a return of the dome to the intermittent activation position.

[0056] Furthermore, in the example shown, the cupola is equipped with a first and second stop 103, 104 designed to cooperate with the stop tooth 205 of the dome in extreme rotational positions to limit the dome's movement. The first stop 103 cooperates with the stop tooth 205 to limit the dome's rotation in a counterclockwise direction, thus preventing it from moving from the position where movement is prohibited to the emptying position. This function is the same as the direct stops 102 on cupola 10 and 204 on the dome of the figures 5A, 5B . The second stop 104 cooperates with the stop tooth 205 to limit the rotation of the dome in a clockwise direction so as to prohibit the dome from moving from the emptying position to the position where movement is prohibited.

[0057] Of course, the system in which the dome moves from one position to another in a clockwise direction can be reversed so that the dome moves from one position to another in a counterclockwise direction.

[0058] Once the dome is in the draining position, the second retractable stop 122 and the second stop 104 of the dome block the stop tooth 205 on both sides, thus preventing the dome from rotating in either direction (clockwise and counterclockwise). The system described in figures 5A, 5B for which the ramp lug 101 and straight stop 102 is retained between the stops 201, 203 is here retained and improved because the stop tooth 205 has two straight faces which makes the locking between the stops more precise.

[0059] Furthermore, in this configuration where the openings 24 and 25 of the dome are arranged at 180°, when the dome is in the draining position, the activation button is hidden by the body of the dome, which prevents the activation button from being pressed again to clear the erasable stop 122 and exit the draining position.

[0060] It should be noted that it is possible to enhance the security of the device by connecting the activation button to the dome with breakable links at the top of the button, which requires applying additional effort to flex the activation button and implement the device.

[0061] Similarly, a hard-point system with ramp stops 101, 202 as shown in figures 5A et 5Bcan be added in addition to the activation button and the 121, 205 stop system between the dome and the activation button. The ramped stop system will then be placed in the lower part of the dome and cupola, for example.

[0062] The invention, which renders enclosures inert, is particularly well-suited to enclosures intended for professional applications where a specific collection system for empty enclosures is in place. In this context, a dismantling operation can be implemented to recycle, on the one hand, the inert enclosures in a metal recycling stream instead of treating them as specific waste, and on the other hand, the polypropylene covers in a plastics recycling stream.

[0063] The invention is not limited to the example shown and, in particular, the actuation means may cooperate with another part of the diffuser device than the pusher, a lug cooperating with a lateral boss on the barrel of the diffuser may in particular be provided.

Claims

1. A safety cap (1) for an aerosol can (100), having a cupola (10, 10') at least partially surrounding a diffuser device (11, 12) and provided with a mobile member (20 , 20'), which is able to move between a first position (A) for preventing operation of the diffuser device, a second position (B) for intermittent actuation of the diffuser device and a third position (C) for emptying the can, said mobile member (20, 20') having means (22) for permanent actuation of the diffuser device in the third position, characterized in that the mobile member (20) consists of a rotary dome that is able to move on the cupola (10), the dome having a diffusion opening (23) at its top and a lateral opening (24) for access to the diffuser device (11, 12) in the intermittent actuation position.

2. Safety cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mobile member (20) and the cupola (10) are provided with complementary stop means (102, 204) opposing a rotation of the rotary dome in a direction from the position for preventing operation (A) toward the emptying position (C) and leaving the dome free to rotate in the direction from the position for preventing operation (A) toward the intermittent actuation position (B).

3. Safety cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile member (20) and the cupola (10) are provided with means (101, 202) for realizing a hard point between the intermittent actuation position (B) and the emptying position (C).

4. Safety cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile member and the cupola are provided with a non-return device (102, 203, 101, 201) opposing a rotation of the dome from the position (C) for emptying the can toward another position.

5. Safety cap as claimed in claims 1, characterized in that the cupola has a button (120) for activating said emptying position (C) that is accessible through a second lateral opening (25) of the dome, with the dome in the intermittent actuation position, said third position being activated by disengagement of a system of stops (121, 205) between the dome and the activation button when the activation button is pressed, and rotation of the dome beyond the second position for intermittent actuation of the diffuser device as far as said emptying position (C).

6. Safety cap as claimed in claim 5, wherein said system of stops (121, 205) has, on the activation button, a first stop (121) that can be retracted by pressing the activation button and, under the dome, a stop tooth (205) positioned such that without pressing the activation button, the retractable stop blocks the passage of the tooth and such that in the event that the activation button is pressed, the retractable stop lets the tooth pass during a rotation of the dome so as to allow the passage of the dome from the intermittent actuation position (B) toward the emptying position (C).

7. Safety cap as claimed in claim 6, wherein the dome and the cupola are provided with a non-return device (122, 205) opposing a rotation of the dome from the position (C) for emptying the can toward the intermittent actuation position (B).

8. Safety cap as claimed in claim 7, wherein the non-return device has a second retractable stop (122) on the activation button, said second retractable stop (122) cooperating with the stop tooth (205) of the dome so as to, with the activation button in the released position, oppose a rotation of the dome in the direction from said emptying position (C) toward said intermittent actuation position (B).

9. Safety cap as claimed in claim 8 wherein the activation button is hidden by the dome in said emptying position (C) so as to prevent said button being pressed so as to avoid disengagement of the tooth (205) and of the second retractable stop (122) and a return of the dome toward said intermittent activation position (B) from said emptying position (C).

10. Safety cap as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the cupola (10') has a first end stop (103) cooperating with said tooth (205), with the dome in the position for preventing operation, so as to oppose a rotation of the dome in a direction from the position (A) for preventing operation toward the emptying position (C) and leave the dome free to rotate in the direction from the position for preventing operation (A) toward the intermittent actuation position (B).

11. Safety cap as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the cupola (10') has a second end stop (104) cooperating with said tooth (205), with the dome in the emptying position (C), so as to oppose a rotation of the dome in the direction from the emptying position (C) toward the position for preventing operation (A).

12. Safety cap as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 11, having a device with a hard point realized by a stop device with ramps (101, 202) between the dome and the cupola in addition to said system of stops (121, 205) between the dome and the activation button.

13. Safety cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile member (20) has a finger (22) directed toward the inside of the cap and configured to press on a part of the diffuser device in the position (C) for emptying the can.

14. Safety cap as claimed in claim 13, wherein the finger is configured to press on a pushbutton (12) for operating the diffuser device.

15. Safety cap as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the finger (22) consists of a bulge extending a lower part of a central hollow shaft (21) of the dome surrounding a diffusion outlet of a diffuser (11) of the diffuser device.

16. An aerosol can having a safety cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

Images