Aerosol actuators, caps, and tamper evident systems

Abstract

An aerosol actuator includes a button having a tamper resistant tear strip preventing actuation of the button until removed; a button having a retaining mount preventing actuation of the button until disengaged therefrom; a cap and button combination wherein the button may be disengaged from the cap and engaged with a valve of an aerosol container either automatically or through further assembly by the user.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTIONAEROSOL ACTUATORS, CAPS, AND TAMPER EVIDENT SYSTEMSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Field of the Invention: Embodiments of the invention relate to aerosol spray systems and to aerosol caps, actuators, and cap and actuator combinations that may provide tamper evidence or deter unauthorized use of an aerosol system and methods of using the same.

[0002] State of the Art: Aerosol dispensers are well known and are commonly used for a variety of different applications. For example, aerosol dispensers are used in spray paint applications. The typical spray paint aerosol dispenser includes a can or container holding the paint product and a propellant, an aerosol valve attached to the can or container, and an aerosol actuator in the form of a press-button or other dispensing system which can be actuated to dispense the paint from the can or container. Many such aerosol spray paint systems also include a cap or cover seated over the aerosol dispenser and attached to the can or container, a portion of the valve or valve cup, or the aerosol dispenser itself. Such caps or covers may help prevent inadvertent actuation of the aerosol dispenser, facilitate shipping of the aerosol products, help prevent use of the products by children, or be included for aesthetic reasons.

[0003] Like spray paint aerosol systems, many other aerosol dispensers or products employ or use caps or covers to prevent the inadvertent actuation of the aerosol dispenser, to provide support for distribution packaging, or to prevent access by children. For example, aerosol dispensers used in the beauty or hair care markets often include caps or covers. Likewise, aerosol dispensers used in air-care or other fields may also employ the use of a cap or cover.

[0004] At times, it is beneficial for an aerosol cap or cover to be difficult to remove or to show or reveal that the aerosol cap has been removed or the aerosol product used. This is especially true in the field of aerosol spray paint products. As many consumers are aware, aerosol spray paint products are commonly placed on a shelf and are accessible to the consumers. While the inclusion of a cap or cover having child-resistant features - or opening requirements - deters some opening and use at the point-of-retail sale, many stores experience “testing” or use by consumers at the point-of-retail sale. The fact that the existing caps or covers may be removed and reassembled onto the product without indicating that theproduct has been used, is also disadvantageous. For instance, in some stores, consumers will remove a cap, test the product on a piece of paper, the floor, or other surface near the product display, and then put the product back on the shelf if it does not meet their requirements or is not the color or sheen that they desire. The fact that they are able to perform such test and replace the product without anyone knowing that use occurred does not preclude such behavior. This results in a “used” product being restocked. Removal of the “test” product from store surfaces, or the restocking of new products, can result in lost revenue for the store selling such products.

[0005] In addition, testing and in-store use has the potential to create fire hazards and other safety concerns in stores. Because many of the products dispersed by aerosol paint systems are flammable, the spraying of paint - or testing of the aerosol paint products - in store creates a fire hazard or exposure hazard that may be in violation of local laws. To avoid such violation, and possible fines, stores are beginning to limit access to spray paint products by locking them up and requiring a store employee to assist with access to the products. This results in increased costs as the store must spend additional money in labor and storage and display fees.

[0006] It is therefore desirable to have an improved aerosol cap, actuator, or combined cap and actuator system that can deter use in store, evidence tampering with a product, or both.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to certain embodiments of the invention, an aerosol dispensing system includes an aerosol container having a valve and a product stored in the aerosol container. An actuator according to various embodiments of the invention is attached to the aerosol container and may be manipulated to allow a button associated with the actuator to engage the valve and dispense a product from the aerosol container.

[0008] According to certain embodiments of the invention, an actuator for an aerosol dispensing system includes an actuation button that may be assembled to an aerosol container having a valve cup and a valve. The actuator may include one or more connection flanges configured to interact with and engage portions of the valve cup to retain the actuator on the aerosol container. A button associated with the actuator may include a valve connection and an orifice in fluid communication with the valve connection. An orifice cup may be inserted in the orifice to provide a desired spray pattern to any product being dispensed by the actuator. A tab and tab connections may be attached to the button or to theconnection flanges. The tab may include a surface, such as a tab stop surface, configured to rest on a portion of the valve cup when the actuator is assembled to the aerosol container. The interaction of the tab stop surface with the valve cup prevents movement of the button of the actuator in direction that would allow actuation of the aerosol dispensing device. To actuate the actuator, the tab must first be removed by a user. To remove the tab, a user my pull or twist the tab off the button or connection flanges, breaking tab connections between the tab and the rest of the actuator. Once the tab is removed, the button is free to move in a direction that allows actuation of the actuator.

[0009] According to other embodiments of the invention, an actuator for an aerosol dispensing system includes an actuation button connected to a button retaining mount. The button retaining mount may be attached to an aerosol container such that it is fixed thereto. The button may be attached to the button retaining mount by one or more button connections. The button retaining mount may be configured such that once attached to the aerosol container, the button may not be depressed, preventing actuation of the button until the button is separated from the button retaining mount. In order to separate the button from the button retaining mount, a user may twist the button or the button retaining mount such that the button connections are broken. In certain embodiments of the invention, the button retaining mount may include one or more twist projections that a user may grasp or leverage against to move the button retaining mount in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to break the button connections. Once the button connections are broken, a user may press on the button to dispense a product from the aerosol container.

[0010] An actuator according to still other embodiments of the invention includes a cap and button combination. A cap and a button may be molded and assembled together for inclusion on an aerosol container. According to embodiments of the invention, a button may be inserted into a button opening of a cap and fixed to the cap, or retained by the cap, until a user manually removes the button from the cap. In some embodiments, the button includes one or more button latches that may engage with one or more rails or cap latches to retain the button within the button opening of the cap. The cap and button combination may be attached to an aerosol container and distributed. To use the aerosol dispensing system including such cap and button combination, a user removes the cap and button assembly from the aerosol container and then removes the button from the cap. For example, the user may push on an underside of the button to disengage the button latch and cap latch to release the button. In other embodiments, the button may be rotated off of a rail and disengaged from the cap. Once disengaged, the user applies the button to the valve and utilizes the button toactuate the aerosol dispensing system. The cap may then be used to cover the button for storage or to protect against inadvertent actuation when not desired.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention, an actuator includes a button and cap assembly in which the button may be engaged through the cap to assemble the aerosol dispensing system. In this embodiment, a cap may be molded and a button may be molded. The cap may include a button opening into which the button may be inserted. The cap may included a button opening rim that prevents the button from being pushed through the cap during assembly and that ensures that the button is in the correct position following assembly. The button is inserted into the button opening until the button latch engages the cap latch, fixing the button in the cap. The cap and button actuator is assembled with an aerosol container filled with a product and having a valve. A user may engage the button with the valve of the aerosol container by pushing on an upper surface of the button through the button opening in the cap. Application of sufficient force disengages the button from the cap and seats the button on the valve. The user may then remove the cap and utilize the button to dispense the product as desired. The cap may be reattached for storage or to prevent inadvertent actuation of the button when not in use.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the present invention, various embodiments of the invention can be more readily understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the following descriptions of various embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom-perspective view of the aerosol actuator of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates a rear view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom-perspective view of the aerosol actuator of FIG. 10;

[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0026] FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0027] FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0028] FIG. 16 illustrates a top view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0029] FIG. 17 illustrates a rear view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0030] FIG. 18 illustrates a bottom view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0031] FIG. 19 illustrates an aerosol cap and actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0032] FIG. 20 illustrates an aerosol cap and actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0033] FIG. 21 illustrates a top view of an aerosol cap and actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0034] FIG. 22 illustrates a bottom view of an aerosol cap and actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0035] FIG. 23 illustrates a side view of an aerosol cap and actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0036] FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective view of an aerosol cap and actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0037] FIG. 25 illustrates a perspective view of an aerosol cap and actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0038] FIG. 26 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an aerosol cap and actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0039] FIG. 27 illustrates a top view of an aerosol cap and actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0040] FIG. 28 illustrates a bottom view of an aerosol cap and actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0041] FIG. 29 illustrates a side view of an aerosol cap and actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0042] FIG. 30 illustrates a rear view of an aerosol cap and actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0043] FIG. 31 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the aerosol cap and actuator shown in FIG. 19; and

[0044] FIG. 32 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the aerosol cap and actuator shown in FIG. 25.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] According to embodiments of the invention, an aerosol dispensing system may include an actuator 100 as illustrated in FIGs. 1 through 9. An actuator 100 according to embodiments of the invention may include a button 102 having an orifice 104 opening therein. An orifice cup 105 may be fitted in the orifice 104 and the orifice 104, and include orifice cup 105 if used, may be in fluid communication with a valve connection 140. One or more connector flanges 120 may extend off of the button 102. Each of the one or more connector flanges 120 may include a rim 122 extending or projecting outwardly from a connector flange 120. One or more flange openings 128 may be included or spaced between the one or more connector flanges 120. A top surface of the button 102 may include indicia 130 informing a user where and how to actuate the actuator 100 or how to press the button 102. One or more tabs 110 may be attached to the button 102 or to the one or more connectorflanges 120 by one or more tab connections 112. The tab 110 may include a tab stop surface 114 on a bottom portion thereof.

[0046] According to various embodiments of the invention, an actuator 100 may be seated on or connected to an aerosol container having a valve assembled therewith. The actuator 100 may be pushed onto the top of the aerosol container and the valve such that the valve mates with or is seated in the valve connection 140 of the actuator 100. Further, as the actuator 100 is pushed onto, or assembled to the aerosol container, the one or more connector flanges 120 flex inwardly as they engage a valve cup or portion of the aerosol container. Many valve cups include a valve cup rim having a smaller inner diameter than that portion of the aerosol container or valve cup directly below the valve cup rim. During assembly of the actuator 100 to the aerosol container the one or more flanges 120 flex inward as they pass by the valve cup rim and then snap back outward such that a rim 122 of the one or more connector flanges 120 is seated under the valve cup rim, locking or securing the actuator 100 to the aerosol container. At the same time, a tab stop surface 114 on a lower portion of a tab 110 engages an upper surface of the valve cup or the valve cup rim. This engagement prevents the further movement of the actuator 100 towards the aerosol container. The prevention of further movement towards the aerosol container prevents the actuation of the actuator 100 and operation of the aerosol dispenser.

[0047] According to various embodiments of the invention, operation of the aerosol dispenser including the aerosol container and actuator 100 cannot be accomplished until the tab 110 is removed by a user. Once the tab 110 is removed, the actuator 100 is free to move downwards, further engaging the valve of the aerosol container to allow the flow of product through the valve and out the orifice 104 or out the orifice 104 and orifice cup 105 combination.

[0048] To remove the tab 110 from the actuator 100, a user may grasp the tab 110 and pull or tear the tab 110 from the actuator 100. When a user applies a pulling or tearing force to the tab 110, the one or more tab connections 112 between the tab 110 and the button 102, between the tab 110 and one or more of the connector flanges 120, or between the tab 110 and another part of the actuator 100 are broken, allowing the tab 110 to be released or removed from the actuator 100. Once the tab 110 is removed and the tab stop surface 114 is no longer engaged with the valve cup, valve cup rim, or other part of the aerosol container, the button 102 may be depressed in such a manner that it may open the valve allowing the actuator 100 to be used to dispense product from the aerosol dispensing device using the actuator 100.

[0049] The use of an actuator 100 according to embodiments of the invention may be beneficial in that the aerosol dispensing device cannot be used or actuated until such time that the tab 110 is removed. Because the tab 110 is visible to a user, a user can look at the dispensing device and actuator 100 to visually see whether or not the actuator 100 has been tampered with or used because a missing or partially removed tab 110 will visually indicate such usage. In addition, the tab 110 helps to prevent testing or use by those who have not purchased the product. While it is one thing to test a button that can be pressed in a store, it is quite another to require the removal of a tab 110 and then operation of an aerosol dispensing system and many users are unlikely to remove a tab 110 or tamper with an aerosol dispensing device having such tab 110.

[0050] Upon removal of the tab 110, a user may operate the aerosol dispensing device and actuator 100 in the same manner that many aerosol actuators and dispensing systems are used. The presence of the one or more connector flanges 120 does not hinder the operation of the actuator 100, however, it may help retain the actuator 100 on the aerosol container so that the button 102 and actuator 100 does not inadvertently fall off of the aerosol container.

[0051] According to various embodiments of the invention, an actuator 100 may include three connector flanges 120. In other embodiments, any number of connector flanges 120 may be utilized. In some embodiments, the one or more connector flanges 120 may include one large connector flange 120 and two smaller connector flanges 120. The two smaller connector flanges 120 may be adjacent either side of the tab 110. In some embodiments, the size of the one or more connector flanges 120 may be selected to limit the stroke of the button 102 during operation. For example, a connector flange 120 may have a length or depth from the bottom of the button 102 that is fixed and chosen based on the aerosol container being used such that bottom of the connector flange 120 engages a portion of the aerosol container when the desired button 102 stroke length has been reached. This may serve to prevent damage to the valve of the aerosol dispensing system. In addition, a rim 122 extending off of the one or more container flanges 120 may extend outward off the bottom of a container flange 120 or it may extend outward from a side wall of a container flange 120.

[0052] Various views of an actuator 100 for an aerosol dispensing system are illustrated in FIGs. 3 through 9. While various views of the actuator 100 are illustrated, it is understood that parts of the actuator 100 may be varied and different shapes, configurations,and designs for the actuator 100 may be incorporated into the various embodiments of the invention.

[0053] According to other embodiments of the invention, an actuator 300 may include a button 302 connected to a button retaining mount 307. The actuator 300 may be connected to an aerosol dispensing device or aerosol container to facilitate the dispensing of a product therefrom.

[0054] As illustrated in FIGs. 10 and 11, an actuator 300 may include a button 302 connected by one or more button connections 312 to a button retaining mount 307. The button retaining mount 307 may include a retainer deck 325 having one or more connection flanges 320 extending from the retainer deck 325 in a direction opposite the button 302. One or more twist projections 335 may extend from the retainer deck 325 in a direction opposite the one or more connection flanges 320. The one or more twist projections 335 may surround at least a portion of the button 302. One or more button connections 312 may extend off an inner surface of the button retaining mount 307 inwardly to connect to the button 302. For example, as illustrated in FIGs. 10 and 11, the one or more button connections 312 may extend off an inner surface of the retainer deck 325 to connect to an outer surface of the button 302. The connection between the button 302 and the button retaining mount 307 prevents movement of the button 302 relative to the button retaining mount 307.

[0055] An actuator 300 according to various embodiments of the invention is attached to an aerosol container having a valve cup supporting a valve. When attached or assembled to the aerosol container, the one or more connector flanges 320 flex inward to allow the actuator 300 to be snapped onto the valve cup such that a rim 322 of the one or more connector flanges 320 helps to retain the actuator 300 to the aerosol container. When attached, a valve connection 340 associated with the button 302 mates with the valve associated with the valve cup. Once attached to the aerosol container, the button 302 is inoperable because the button retaining mount 307 prevents movement of the button 302. If a force is applied to the button 302, the bottom surface of the one or more connector flanges 320 interacts with the aerosol container, preventing the movement of the button 302 or actuation of the actuator 300.

[0056] To allow the button 302 to move freely, the button 302 must first be disengaged from the button retaining mount 307. To do this, a user must twist the button 302, or the button retaining mount 307, with sufficient force to break the one or more button connections 312. According to some embodiments of the invention, when the actuator 300 isassembled or connected to an aerosol container and valve, the button 302 engages the valve such that the button 302 is difficult to twist or such that the button 302 will stay in a generally fixed position as the button retaining mount 307 is twisted. In such embodiment, a user may grasp or engage the one or more twist projections 335 to twist the button retaining mount 307 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction with sufficient force to break the button connection 312. Once the one or more button connections 312 are broken, the button 302 may be actuated to dispense a product from the aerosol container.

[0057] According to some embodiments of the invention, an upper surface of the retention deck 335 may include one or more indicia 330 informing a user of how to use or engage the actuator 300. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the words “TWIST TO BREAK” are included as such indicia 330 informing a user how to use the actuator 300.

[0058] According to various embodiments of the invention, a button 302 may include a valve connection 340 in fluid communication with an orifice 304. An orifice cup 305 may be seated in the orifice 304 and in fluid communication with the valve connection 340 such that product flowing through the actuator 300 is dispersed in a pattern created by the orifice cup 305.

[0059] Various views of an actuator 300 for an aerosol dispensing system are illustrated in FIGs. 12 through 18. While various views of the actuator 300 are illustrated, it is understood that parts of the actuator 300 may be varied and different shapes, configurations, and designs for the actuator 300 may be incorporated into the various embodiments of the invention. In addition, indicia 330 need not be applied or other indicia 330 may be used with various embodiments of the invention.

[0060] According to other embodiments of the invention, an actuator 500 may include a cap 550 and a button 502. FIGs. 19 through 24 and 31 illustrate an actuator 500 and cap 550 assembly to be used with an aerosol container and valve or as a part of an aerosol dispensing system.

[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 19, the button 502 and cap 550 assembly appears to be a singular piece. In some embodiments, however, the button 502 and cap 550 are separate pieces that are molded and assembled to be attached to an aerosol container having a valve. Once assembled with the cap 550, the button 502 is retained with the cap 550 until released by a user, at which time it can be attached to the valve of the aerosol container. The cap 550 may then be used as a traditional cap 550 for the aerosol dispensing system.

[0062] A cross-sectional view of the actuator 500 is illustrated in FIG. 31. As illustrated in FIG. 31, the button 502 is a separate component from the cap 550 but is attachedto the cap 550. As with other embodiments of the invention, a button 502 may include a valve connection 540 in fluid communication with an orifice 504. An orifice cup 505 may be inserted into the orifice 504 as desired depending on the spray patterns desired for the dispensing system utilizing the button 502 and actuator 500. The button 502 may also include a button latch 517 defining a latch opening 519. The button latch 517 and latch opening 519 may be engaged with the cap 550 to retain the button 502 on - or connected to - the cap 550 until a user applies a force to disengage the button 502 therefrom. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 31, a button latch 517 may include a projection extending outwardly away from the button 502 and then downwardly, with a rim or lip about an outer surface of the projection. The projection, along with an outer wall of the button 502, defines a latch opening 519.

[0063] In some embodiments of the invention, the ends of the button latch 517 may be open such that a button 502 may be seated next to a rail and rotated so that the rail fits into the latch opening 519 and retains the button 502 until rotated so that the rail is no longer in the latch opening 519. In this manner, a cap 550 may include one or more rails configured to mate with the latch opening 519 to retain the button 502 with the cap 550. In other embodiments of the invention, a cap 550 may include a cap latch 577 over which the button latch 517 may mate to form a connection between the cap 550 and the button 502.

[0064] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 20 and 31, a cap 550 may include a button opening 554 defined by a button opening wall 556 extending off an upper deck of the cap 550 into an interior thereof. The button opening wall 556 may include a cap latch 577 extending off a bottom portion of the button opening wall 556 towards a central axis of the cap 550. The cap latch 577 may include a vertical portion extending back towards the opening of the button opening 554 and it may include a lip or rim. A button 502 may be snapped onto the cap 550 as illustrated by pushing the button 502 downward through the button opening 554 of the cap 550 such that the button latch 517 engages the cap latch 577 and the two interlock with the cap latch 577 seated in the latch opening 519 of the button 502.

[0065] To disengage the button 502 from the cap 550, the button 502 may be pushed from within the cap 550 to force the button latch 517 and cap latch 577 to disengage, releasing the button 502 from the cap 550. For instance, a user may push on a bottom surface of the button 502 from an interior of the cap 550 as illustrated in FIG. 20 to disengage the button 502 from the cap 550.

[0066] A cap 550 may also include a cap chime wall 558 extending off a bottom surface of the top deck of the cap 550. The cap chime wall 558 may be located outside of, ormay encircle, the button opening wall 556. The cap chime wall 558 may be configured with a cap chime lip 527 configured to engage with the chime of an aerosol container to retain the cap 550 on the aerosol container until the cap 550 is squeezed and removed from the aerosol container. In some embodiments, the cap 550 may include one or more squeeze pads 552 configured to assist a user in selecting the locations of the cap 550 to squeeze to release the cap 550 from the aerosol container. In operation, a cap 550 is snapped over an aerosol container such that the cap chime lip 527 engages a portion of the chime of the aerosol container, retaining the cap 550 thereon. Upon a squeezing force applied to the cap 550 at the one or more squeeze pads 552, the cap 550 is partially deformed, disengaging the cap chime lip 527 from the chime of the aerosol container and allowing the cap 550 to be released therefrom.

[0067] An actuator 500 according to embodiments of the invention may be manufactured and used in the following manner. A cap 550 may be molded and a button 502 may be molded, having the various features described. The button 502 may be inserted into the button opening 554 of the cap 550 and manipulated such that a button latch 517 engages a cap latch 577 to fix or connect the button 502 to the cap 550, forming the actuator 500. The actuator 500 may be fixed on an aerosol container by snapping the cap 550 over the aerosol container such that the cap chime lip 527 engages the chime of the aerosol container or such that the cap lip 507 engages the aerosol container, or both. Squeezing the cap 550 at the one or more squeeze pads 552 deforms the cap 550 allowing its removal. The button 502 may then be disengaged from the cap 550 by application of a force to the bottom of the button 502. The button 502 may then be attached to the valve of the aerosol container. The cap 550 may continue to be used as a cap 550 for the aerosol dispensing device after the button 502 is engaged with the valve.

[0068] In some embodiments of the invention, the cap 550 may also include a feature to support the button 502 or stop the movement of the button 502 after the button 502 is removed and engaged with the valve. In such embodiments, when the cap 550 is reapplied to the aerosol container and fixed thereon, a stop or projection may engage the button 502 to prevent the pressing or actuation of the button 502 through the cap 550 when the cap 550 is on the aerosol container.

[0069] While the actuator 500 is described with various ways to engage or connect a button 502 to the cap 550 prior to use of the button 502 with an aerosol dispensing system, it is understood that other ways of connecting the button 502 to the cap 550 are also envisioned with embodiments of the invention such that a cap 550 and button 502combination is employed that can be assembled with an aerosol container and valve and distributed such that a user may disengaged the cap 550 from the aerosol container, disengage the button 502 from the cap 550, assemble the button onto the valve and use the aerosol dispensing system.

[0070] FIGs. 21 through 24 illustrate various views of the actuator 500 having a cap 550 and button 502 according to various embodiments of the invention.

[0071] An actuator 700 according to still other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIGs. 25 through 30 and 32. As illustrated, the actuator 700 includes a cap 750 and a button 702. The button 702 is attached to the cap 750 in an initial state or in a configuration prior to use with an aerosol container.

[0072] According to embodiments of the invention, an actuator 700 includes a cap 750 having an upper deck and an outer cap wall. A button opening 754 extends downwardly into an interior portion of the cap 750 off of the top deck of the cap 750. The button opening 754 is defined by a button opening wall 756. A button opening rim 759 may also encircle a portion of, or extend partially inwardly from, the button opening wall 756 near the top deck of the cap 750 as illustrated in FIG. 32. The button opening wall 756 may terminate with a cap latch 777. In some embodiments, the cap latch 777 may include one or more projections or latches extending off the button opening wall 756. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 26, certain embodiments of the invention may include two cap latches 777.

[0073] The cap 750 may also include a cap chime wall 758 extending off the top deck of the cap 750 into an interior of the cap 750. The cap chime wall 758 may include one or more cap chime lips 727 configured to mate with or secure the cap 750 to an aerosol container when engaged therewith or snap-fitted over the chime of the aerosol container.

[0074] One or more squeeze pads 752 may be formed in an outer wall of the cap 750. The one or more squeeze pads 752 may include indicia informing a user how to remove the cap 750 from an aerosol container, such as by squeezing on the squeeze pads 752. Application of a force on the squeeze pads 752 of a cap 750 attached to an aerosol container releases the one or more cap chime lips 727 from the chime of the aerosol container, allowing the cap 750 to be removed therefrom.

[0075] A button 702 of the actuator 700 is seated in the cap 750 as illustrated. According to embodiments of the invention, a button 702 is molded, a cap 750 is molded, and the button 702 is then assembled with the cap 750 by snapping the button into the cap 750 from an interior thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 32, the button 702 is pushed into the button opening 754 until a lower portion of the button 702, or one or more button latches 717, snapover the one or more cap latches 777. The upper surface of the button 702 may be prevented from traveling too far into the button opening 754 by the button opening rim 759. Once assembled, the actuator 700, with the button 702 and cap 750, may be assembled to an aerosol container.

[0076] As with other embodiments of the invention, a button 702 may include a valve connection 740 and an orifice 704 in fluid communication with the valve connection 740. An orifice cup 705 may be seated in the orifice 704 as desired.

[0077] In operation, an actuator 700 is applied to an aerosol container having a valve and a product therein. In order to actuate the valve with the button 702, a user must engage the button 702 through the cap 750 to seat the button 702 on the valve. For instance, when an actuator 700 is attached to an aerosol container, the button 702 may be visually seen by a user through the top of the cap 750 as illustrated in FIG. 25. A user may use their finger or other implement to push the button 702 downwards such that the button 702 disengages from the cap 750 and sits on the valve. In practice, sufficient force to overcome the cap latch 77 is required to be applied to allow the button latch 717 to unseat from the cap latch 77 move downwards to engage the valve. Once engaged, the button 702 is ready to be used to dispense a product from the aerosol container. In practice, a user pushes the button 702 downwards, engages the valve, removes the cap 750 and then engages the button 702 to dispense a product from the button 702.

[0078] FIGs. 27 through 30 illustrate various views of the actuator 700 having a cap 750 and button 702 according to various embodiments of the invention.

[0079] A dispensing system according to various embodiments of the invention includes an aerosol container having a product therein, a valve, and an actuator according to embodiments of the invention. The actuator may be attached to the aerosol container such that a button is positioned in communication with the valve or so that it may be engaged with the valve before first use of the dispensing system. A user may engage the actuator to engage the button with the valve to allow dispersion of the product from the dispensing system.

[0080] Having thus described certain particular embodiments of the invention, it is understood that the invention defined by the appended claims is not to be limited by particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are contemplated. Rather, the invention is limited only be the appended claims, which include within their scope all equivalent devices or methods which operate according to the principles of the invention as described.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An aerosol actuator, comprising: a button comprising a valve connection; an orifice in fluid communication with the valve connection; at least one connector flange extending off of the button; a rim extending outwardly from each of the at least one connector flanges; a tab comprising a tab stop surface; and at least one tab connection.

2. The aerosol actuator of claim 1, further comprising an orifice cup seated in the orifice.

3. The aerosol actuator of claim 1, wherein the at least one tab connection connects the tab to the button.

4. The aerosol actuator of claim 1, wherein the at least one tab connection connects the tab to the at least one connector flange.

5. The aerosol actuator of claim 1, further comprising: an aerosol container; an aerosol valve in communication with the valve connection and an interior of the aerosol container; an aerosol valve cup, comprising a valve cup rim, wherein the rim of each of the at least one connector flanges is seated below the valve cup rim; and wherein the tab stop surface seats on the valve cup rim preventing actuation of the button.

6. An aerosol actuator, comprising: a button comprising a valve connection; an orifice in fluid communication with the valve connection; a retaining mount; and at least one button connection securing the button to the retaining mount.

7. The aerosol actuator of claim 6, further comprising at least one twist projection extending off the retaining mount.

8. The aerosol actuator of claim 6, further comprising: an aerosol container; an aerosol valve in communication with the valve connection and an interior of the aerosol container; an aerosol valve cup, comprising a valve cup rim, wherein the retaining mount is attached to the aerosol valve cup; and wherein at least one button connection prevents movement of the button relative to the retaining mount.

9. The aerosol actuator of claim 6, wherein the retaining mount is rotatably moveable relative to the button.

10. An aerosol actuator, comprising: a cap, comprising: a top deck; a button opening in the top deck; a button opening wall; and a cap latch extending on the button opening wall; a button seated in the button opening, comprising: a valve connection; an orifice in fluid communication with the valve connection; and a button latch; wherein the button latch engages with the cap latch to retain the button in the cap.

11. The aerosol actuator of claim 10, wherein the button may be disengaged from the cap by pressing on a bottom surface of the button located on an interior of the cap.

12. The aerosol actuator of claim 10, wherein the button may be disengaged from the cap by pressing on a top surface of the button located on an exterior of the cap.

13. The aerosol actuator of claim 10, further comprising:an aerosol container; an aerosol valve in communication with the aerosol container; and wherein the button may be disengaged from the cap and engaged with the aerosol valve by pressing on a top surface of the button located on an exterior of the cap.

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