Aerosol actuator with safety cover

Abstract

An aerosol system for dispensing liquid material is disclosed comprising an aerosol can, an aerosol actuator (20) installed on the aerosol can, and a removable safety cover (60). The aerosol actuator (20) includes a support base attached to the aerosol can, and a depressible spray head movable from a first elevated installation position on the support base, to a second lowered installation position on the support base, and to a third spraying position in which an actuator stem of the depressible spray head is inserted through an aerosol valve of the aerosol can to allow the liquid material to be dispensed through the depressible spray head (40). The removable safety cover (60) contacts the depressible spray head (40) and is removably attached to the support base to thereby prevent dispensing of the liquid material through the depressible spray head (40) when the depressible spray head (40) is moved from the first elevated installation position to the second lowered installation position. A method of installing an aerosol actuator (20) on an aerosol spray can is also disclosed.

Description

AEROSOL ACTUATOR WITH SAFETY COVERCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 631,114 filed April 8, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to aerosol actuators with safety covers.BACKGROUND

[0003] Conventional adjustable aerosol actuators may be installed on cans and then an overcap may be installed over the actuator. Such actuators may perform adequately but can be improperly installed on the cans such that an operator may be unable to insert the actuator into the can, making the can unsprayable. In addition, while overcaps serve primarily to provide support in the shipping case so that cases can be stacked on top of one another without damage to the actuator under the cap, such caps increase assembly steps and costs.SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure provides an aerosol system for dispensing liquid material comprising an aerosol can, an aerosol actuator installed on the aerosol can, and a removable safety cover. The aerosol actuator includes a support base attached to the aerosol can, and a depressible spray head movable from a first elevated installation position on the support base, to a second lowered installation position on the support base, and to a third spraying position in which an actuator stem of the depressible spray head is inserted through an aerosol valve of the aerosol can to allow the liquid material to be dispensed through the depressible spray head. The removable safety cover contacts the depressible spray head and is removably attached to the support base to thereby prevent dispensing of the liquid material through the depressible spray head when the depressible spray head is moved from the first elevated installation position to the second lowered installation position.

[0005] The present disclosure also provides an aerosol actuator for attachment to an aerosol spray can comprising a support base, a depressible spray head, and a removable safety cover. Thedepressible spray head is movable from a first elevated installation position on the support base, to a second lowered installation position on the support base, and to a third spraying position. The removable safety cover contacts the depressible spray head and is removably attached to the support base to thereby prevent dispensing of liquid material through the depressible spray head when the depressible spray head is moved from the first elevated installation position to the second lowered installation position.

[0006] The present disclosure further provides a method of installing an aerosol actuator on an aerosol spray can comprising positioning an aerosol actuator as described above on an aerosol spray can in the first elevated installation position, and moving the aerosol actuator and safety cover to the second lowered installation position while the safety cover is attached to the support base.

[0007] The present disclosure further provides an aerosol actuator for attachment to an aerosol spray can comprising a support base comprising a first protective sidewall, a second protective sidewall, and a cradle between the first and second protective sidewalls, a depressible spray head movable from an installation position on the support base to a spraying position, and a removable safety cover contacting the depressible spray head and removably attached to the support base structured and arranged to prevent the depressible spray head from moving from the installation position to the spraying position until the safety cover is removed. The depressible spray head comprises a generally cylindrical spray head body with retaining wings extending radially outward therefrom, the cradle comprises opposing retaining projections, and the retaining wings are located below the retaining projections when the depressible spray head is in the installation position.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig. 1 is an isometric view of an aerosol system including an aerosol actuator with a safety cover.

[0009] Fig. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the aerosol system of Fig. 1.

[0010] Fig. 3 is a front view of the aerosol system of Fig. 1.

[0011] Fig. 4 is a side view of the aerosol system of Fig. 1.

[0012] Fig. 5 is a rear view of the aerosol system of Fig. 1.

[0013] Fig. 6 is a top view of the aerosol system of Fig. 1.

[0014] Fig. 7 is an isometric view of the aerosol system of Fig. 1 with the safety cover removed.

[0015] Fig. 8 is a front view of the aerosol system of Fig. 7.

[0016] Fig. 9 is a side view of the aerosol system of Fig. 7.

[0017] Fig. 10 is a top view of the aerosol system of Fig. 7.

[0018] Fig. 11 is a front view of an aerosol actuator and safety cover of Figs. 1-6.

[0019] Fig. 12 is a side sectional view taken through line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

[0020] Fig. 13 is a front view of an aerosol actuator with the safety cover removed of Figs.7-10.

[0021] Fig. 14 is a side sectional view taken through line 14-14 of Fig. 13.

[0022] Fig. 15 is a front view of the aerosol actuator of Fig. 13 with the safety cover removed and its trigger button depressed into a spray position.

[0023] Fig. 16 is a side sectional view taken through line 16-16 of Fig. 15.

[0024] Fig. 17 is a top isometric view of an aerosol actuator with its safety cover removed.

[0025] Fig. 18 is a bottom isometric view of the aerosol actuator of Fig. 17.

[0026] Fig. 19 is a bottom view of the aerosol actuator of Fig. 17.

[0027] Fig. 20 is a top isometric view of an aerosol actuator support base.

[0028] Fig. 21 is a bottom isometric view of the aerosol actuator support base of Fig. 20.

[0029] Fig. 22 is a bottom view of the aerosol actuator support base of Fig. 20.

[0030] Fig. 23 is a top front isometric view of an aerosol actuator safety cover.

[0031] Fig. 24 is a bottom rear isometric view of the safety cover of Fig. 23.

[0032] Fig. 25 is a front view of an aerosol actuator mounted on a can in an initial elevated installation position.

[0033] Fig. 26 is a side sectional view taken through line 26-26 of Fig. 25.

[0034] Fig. 27 is a front view of an aerosol actuator mounted on a can in a fully installed position.

[0035] Fig. 28 is a side sectional view taken through line 28-28 of Fig. 27.

[0036] Fig. 29 is a front view of an aerosol actuator mounted on the can with its trigger button in a depressed spraying position.

[0037] Fig. 30 is a side sectional view taken line 30-30 of Fig. 29.

[0038] Fig. 31 is a top front isometric view and Fig. 32 is a bottom rear isometric view of an aerosol actuator safety cover.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Aerosol spray actuators for dispensing liquid materials include a support base that may eliminate the need for an aerosol overcap and a removable safety cover that facilitates installation of the aerosol actuator on an aerosol can may prevent accidental spraying. A two-step installation may be used to align an actuator stem of the aerosol actuator with an aerosol valve of the aerosol can, e.g., during assembly on a fdling line.

[0040] The aerosol actuators may include a core collet and fingers to adjust spray patterns, and a relatively tall base that projects above a top actuator button of the actuator to bear weight, e.g., during shipping. A two-step installation process via a holding position of the stem and collar of the actuator in a pre-installed position that keeps the actuator stem above the valve opening after the base is connected to the can may ensure that the stem is not damaged when manually snapping the actuator base to the can. A second step may then depress the actuator such that the stem inserts the proper distance into the valve to engage with the valve gasket and stop the insertion before the actuator opens the valve so it sprays. The safety cover is engaged during the two-step installation process to prevent over-insertion on the filling line, and acts as a preventative to accidental spraying that is easily removable and replaceable by the end user.

[0041] As shown in Figs. 1-10, an aerosol system 10 is provided including an aerosol can 12 with an upper rim 14 and an aerosol valve 16. An aerosol actuator 20 including a support base 22 with a lower attachment rim 21 is attached to the upper rim 14 of the aerosol can 12. The support base 22 includes a first protective sidewall 23, a second protective sidewall 24, and a generally LJ- shaped cradle 25 located between the first and second protective sidewalls 23 and 24. As shown in Figs. 1-6, a removable safety cover 60 may be installed on the aerosol actuator 20. In Figs. 7-10, the safety cover 60 has been removed from the aerosol actuator 20.

[0042] As shown in Figs. 2 and 11-19, the aerosol actuator 20 includes a bottom opening 26 through the bottom of the U-shaped cradle 25. An actuator barrel 30 is provided with radially movable flexible fingers 32 and a downward-extending actuator stem 34 that is inserted through the bottom opening 26 of the cradle 25. A flexible cylindrical nozzle 36 is inserted inside the flexible fingers 32 of the actuator barrel 30. When the fingers 32 are flexed radially inward, they radially compress the flexible nozzle 36 to form a constricted dispensing opening.

[0043] A depressible spray head 40 having a generally cylindrical spray head body 42 receives the actuator barrel 30. The spray head body 42 includes external adjustment threads 44 at a rear opening thereof, a front opening 46, and an actuator button 48 extending upward from the sprayhead body 42. As shown most clearly in Fig. 2 and more folly described below, retaining wings 45 are provided on opposite sides of the spray head body 42 that enable two-stage installation positions when the spray head 40 is mounted in the U-shaped cradle 25 of the support base 22.

[0044] A spray adjuster 50 includes a rear spray selector handle 52 and front internal adjustment threads 54 that threadingly engage the external adjustment threads 44 of the spray head body 42. As more folly described below, the spray adjuster 50 includes a circular adjuster dial 51 structured and arranged for two-stage installation of the spray head 40 in the U-shaped cradle 25 of the support base 22.

[0045] As shown in Figs. 1-6, 11, 12, 23 and 24, the removable safety cover 60 includes a top 62, a first sidewall 63, a second sidewall 64, and a rear-facing recess that receives a front portion of the spray head body 42. Cover-retaining side tabs 66 are provided on each of the first and second sidewalls 63 and 64 for removably securing the safety cover 60 on the support base 22 of the aerosol actuator 20 while allowing the safety cover 60 to slide up and down slightly in the cradle 25, as more folly described below. A front finger pull 68 allows the safety cover 60 to be grasped and removed from the support base 22 during spraying operations.

[0046] As shown in Figs. 2 and 20-22, the support base 22 includes opposing retaining channel tabs 27 structured and arranged for engaging the adjuster dial 51 when the spray adjuster 50 and spray head 40 are mounted on the support base 22. As more folly described below, the opposing retaining channel tabs 27 enable two-stage positioning on the spray head 40 and spray adjuster 50 in the U-shaped cradle 25 of the support base 22 when the aerosol actuator 20 is first installed on the aerosol can 12.

[0047] As further shown in Figs. 2 and 20, opposing ramped retaining projections 28 are provided in the U-shaped channel 25 of the support base that are structured and arranged to engage the retaining wings 45 of the spray head 40 during the two-stage installation of the spray head 40 in relation to the support base 22.

[0048] As further shown in Figs. 2, 17, 20, 23 and 24, the U-shaped cradle 25 of the support base 22 includes opposing cover-retaining recesses 29 that are structured and arranged to removably receive the cover-retaining side tabs 66 of the removable safety cover 60. When the cover-retaining side tabs 66 are inserted in the opposing cover-retaining recesses 29, the safety cover 60 can slide up and down slightly in relation to the U-shaped channel 25.

[0049] Figs. 11-16 illustrate sequential operation of the aerosol system 10 during use. In Figs. 11 and 12, the rear recess of the safety cover 60 receives the front portion of the spray headbody 42 and the safety cover 60 prevents the actuator stem 34 from extending down through the aerosol valve 16. Thus, with the safety cover 60 installed as shown, the spray head 40 is prevented from being depressed within the U-shaped cradle 25 of the support base 22 and dispensing of the liquid material from the aerosol can 12 is prevented. However, when the safety cover 60 has been removed from the support base 22 as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the spray head 40 is free to be depressed for spraying operation. In Figs. 15 and 16, the spray head 40 has been depressed downward in the U-shaped cradle 25 to a spraying position in which the actuator stem 34 of the actuator barrel 30 passes into the aerosol valve 16 of the aerosol can 12 to thereby allow spray dispensing of the liquid material from the aerosol can 12.

[0050] Figs. 25-28 illustrate two-stage installation of the aerosol actuator 20 on the aerosol can 12 with the safety cover 60 engaged. Figs. 29 and 30 illustrate the fully installed aerosol actuator 20 with the safety cover 60 removed. In Figs. 25 and 26, an initial first elevated installation is shown in which the lower attachment rim 21 of the support base 22 is secured to the upper rim 14 of the aerosol can 12. In the position shown, the depressible spray head 40 and spray adjuster 50 are held in the initial first elevated installation position by contact of the retaining wings 45, as shown in Fig. 2, against the opposing ramped retaining projections 28 in the cradle 25, and by contact of the adjuster dial 51 against the opposing retaining channel tabs 27 in the cradle 25. In Figs. 27 and 28, the spray head 40 and spray adjuster 50 are pressed downward in the U-shaped cradle 25 of the support base 22 to the second lowered installation position in which the actuator stem 34 maintains the required alignment with the aerosol valve 16. In the first and second installation positions, the safety cover 60 prevents unwanted spray dispensing of the liquid material. In Figs. 29 and 30, the safety cover 60 has been removed from the support base 22, allowing the spray head 40 and spray adjuster 50 to be depressed downward by the user into the U-shaped cradle 25 of the base to thereby dispense the liquid material as desired.

[0051] The initial elevated position shown in Figs. 25 and 26 enables the support base 22 of the aerosol actuator 20 to be snap-mounted onto the can 12 without the need to exactly align the actuator stem 34 with the valve opening 16 of the aerosol can 12. The initial elevated installation position may avoid damage to the actuator stem 34 that may otherwise occur in the actuator mounting assembly process. After the support base 22 is initially mounted on the upper rim 14 of the can 12 as shown in Figs. 25 and 26, the spray head 40 and spray adjuster 50 may be further depressed to the second lowered installation position shown in Figs. 27 and 28, whereby pressing downward on the top 62 of the safety cover 60 inserts the bottom end of the actuator stem 34 into the proper position within the aerosol valve 16. Subsequent removal of the safety cover 60 from thesupport base 22, as shown in Figs. 29 and 30, then allows the user to further depress the actuator button 48 of the spray head 40 to initiate spraying operations.

[0052] Figs. 31 and 32 illustrate a removable safety cover 160 having similar features as shown in Figs. 23 and 24 but with lower support fingers 165 extending rearwardly from the body of the cover to engage with the cradle 25 of the support base 22 to resist unwanted downward movement of the top 62 of the safety cover 60 until the safety cover is removed.

[0053] For purposes of this detailed description, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Moreover, other than in any operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing, for example, quantities of ingredients used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties to be obtained by the present disclosure. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0054] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the disclosure are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard variation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0055] Also, it should be understood that any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of “1 to 10” is intended to include all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or less than 10.

[0056] As used herein, “including,” “containing” and like terms are understood in the context of this application to be synonymous with “comprising” and are therefore open-ended and do not exclude the presence of additional undescribed or unrecited elements, materials, ingredients or method steps. As used herein, “consisting of’ is understood in the context of this application to exclude the presence of any unspecified element, ingredient or method step. As used herein,“consisting essentially of’ is understood in the context of this application to include the specified elements, materials, ingredients or method steps “and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s)” of what is being described.

[0057] In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural and plural encompasses singular, unless specifically stated otherwise. For example, although reference is made herein to “an” organic resin component, “a” curing agent, “a” pigment, a combination (i.e., a plurality) of these components may be used. In addition, in this application, the use of “or” means “and / or” unless specifically stated otherwise, even though “and / or” may be explicitly used in certain instances.

[0058] Whereas specific aspects of the disclosure have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosure which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An aerosol system for dispensing liquid material comprising: an aerosol can; an aerosol actuator installed on the aerosol can comprising: a support base attached to the aerosol can; and a depressible spray head movable from a first elevated installation position on the support base, to a second lowered installation position on the support base, and to a third spraying position in which an actuator stem of the depressible spray head is inserted through an aerosol valve of the aerosol can to allow the liquid material to be dispensed through the depressible spray head; and a removable safety cover contacting the depressible spray head and removably attached to the support base structured and arranged to prevent dispensing of the liquid material through the depressible spray head when the depressible spray head is moved from the first elevated installation position to the second lowered installation position.

2. The aerosol system for dispensing liquid material of claim 1, wherein the support base comprises a first protective sidewall, a second protective sidewall, and a cradle between the first and second protective sidewalls.

3. The aerosol system for dispensing liquid material of claim 2, wherein the cradle is generally U-shaped.

4. The aerosol system for dispensing liquid material of claim 2, wherein the depressible spray head comprises a generally cylindrical spray head body with retaining wings extending radially outward therefrom, the cradle comprises opposing retaining projections, the retaining wings contact and are supported on the retaining projections when the depressible spray head is the first elevated installation position, and the retaining wings are located below the retaining projections when the depressible spray head is in the second lowered installation position.

5. The aerosol system for dispensing liquid material of claim 4, wherein the retaining projections are ramped.

6. The aerosol system for dispensing liquid material of claim 2, further comprising a spray adjuster threadingly mounted on the depressible spray head.

7. The aerosol system for dispensing liquid material of claim 6, wherein the spray adjuster comprises an adjuster dial, the cradle comprises opposing retaining channel tabs, the adjuster dial contacts and is supported on the retaining channel tabs when the depressible spray head is in the first elevated installation position, and the adjuster dial is located below the retaining channel tabs when the depressible spray head is in the second lowered installation position.

8. The aerosol system for dispensing liquid material of claim 7, wherein the adjuster dial is generally circular.

9. The aerosol system for dispensing liquid material of claim 7, wherein the depressible spray head comprises a generally cylindrical spray head body with retaining wings extending radially outward therefrom, the cradle comprises opposing retaining projections, the retaining wings contact and are supported on the retaining projections when the depressible spray head is the first elevated installation position, and the retaining wings are located below the retaining projections when the depressible spray head is in the second lowered installation position.

10. The aerosol system for dispensing liquid material of claim 2, wherein the removable safety cover is removably mounted to the cradle.

11. The aerosol system for dispensing liquid material of claim 10, wherein the safety cover comprises a first sidewall with a first cover-retaining side tab extending outward therefrom, and a second sidewall with a second cover-retaining side tab extending outward therefrom, the cradle comprises opposing cover-retaining recesses, and the first and second coverretaining side tabs are removably received within the opposing cover-retaining recesses.

12. The aerosol system for dispensing liquid material of claim 11, wherein the first and second cover-retaining side tabs are slidably received within the opposing cover-retaining recesses to thereby allow the safety cover to slide upward and downward in relation to the cradle.

13. The aerosol system for dispensing liquid material of claim 10, wherein the safety cover comprises a rearwardly-facing internal recess structured and arranged to receive a front portion of the spray head to thereby substantially prevent relative upward and downward movement between the spray head and safety cover when the safety cover is mounted to the cradle.

14. The aerosol system for dispensing liquid material of claim 2, wherein the safety cover comprises opposing rearwardly extending fingers structured and arranged to contact the cradle to prevent the dispensing of the liquid material through the depressible spray head when the depressible spray head is moved to the second lowered installation position.

15. An aerosol actuator for attachment to an aerosol spray can comprising: a support base; a depressible spray head movable from a first elevated installation position on the support base, to a second lowered installation position on the support base, and to a third spraying position; and a removable safety cover contacting the depressible spray head and removably attached to the support base structured and arranged to prevent dispensing of liquid material through the depressible spray head when the depressible spray head is moved from the first elevated installation position to the second lowered installation position.

16. A method of installing an aerosol actuator on an aerosol spray can comprising: positioning an aerosol actuator of claim 15 on an aerosol spray can in the first elevated installation position; and moving the aerosol actuator and safety cover to the second lowered installation position while the safety cover is attached to the support base.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising removing the safety cover from the support base to thereby allow the liquid material to be dispensed from the aerosol spray can through the depressible spray head.

18. An aerosol actuator for attachment to an aerosol spray can comprising:a support base comprising a first protective sidewall, a second protective sidewall, and a cradle between the first and second protective sidewalls; a depressible spray head movable from an installation position on the support base to a spraying position; and a removable safety cover contacting the depressible spray head and removably attached to the support base structured and arranged to prevent the depressible spray head from moving from the installation position to the spraying position until the safety cover is removed, wherein the depressible spray head comprises a generally cylindrical spray head body with retaining wings extending radially outward therefrom, the cradle comprises opposing retaining projections, and the retaining wings are located below the retaining projections when the depressible spray head is in the installation position.

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