Aerosol-actuating case

Abstract

The invention relates to an aerosol-actuating case comprising a fixed body with a compartment for an aerosol container and the diffuser thereof, a mechanism block and a cover that can be operated and which closes the assembly, wherein the cover comprises a recess such that, when the device is in use, the recess fits tightly to the mechanism block; wherein the recess comprises a vertical slot that communicates with the mechanism block and with the diffusor of the aerosol container; and wherein a slope with a horizontal slot is arranged below the vertical slot.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] AEROSOL ACTUATOR HOUSING

[0003] The invention relates to a housing suitable for containing an aerosol with a flavoring substance, insecticide, or any other substance or mixture, said housing comprising means for acting on the aerosol valve to cause spraying. These means may be associated with a timer, a presence sensor, or any other element that activates them when a defined criterion is met.

[0004] The advantage of the housing referred to in the invention is that, due to its structure and geometries, it achieves wide-reach sprays and avoids dripping.

[0005] The technical sector in which it is situated is that of aerosol actuators.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] Housings and actuators suitable for causing the spraying of an aerosol according to defined criteria, whether temporal, by proximity sensors or any other, have been known for years.

[0008] In a common embodiment, this type of actuator comprises a housing that holds the aerosol and its valve and means, usually associated with a motor and a mechanical system, suitable for pressing on the valve, releasing the spray of a cloud of substance.

[0009] To carry the mist from the valve to the outside of these housings, cannulas and conduits are used in some cases, which reduce the force of the spray, causing the unwanted effect of dripping or limiting its reach.

[0010] To avoid these unwanted effects, housings have been configured with large outlet holes so that the aerosol button itself, properly aligned with these holes, generates the spray, thus avoiding the use of cannulas or added conduits.

[0011] This solution is not always valid, since aerosol cans are typically cylindrical and their valves are truncated cones, requiring user positioning. It is relatively common for the nozzle's outlet to not be perfectly aligned with the outlet in the housing, resulting in product loss and increased staining or dripping. In patent literature, we can find the Spanish utility model ES1001794U, which refers to a housing of the type used for automatic spraying with a motor.

[0012] Also, U201101001 refers to a small aerosol dispensing device that features the motorization system at the base for added stability.

[0013] The ES2176779T3 incorporates a housing that sprays from its top, aligning the stem with the product outlet to the outside, avoiding bends in the cannulas and outlet ducts.

[0014] None of these precedents solves the problem of the loss of spray force, perfect diffusion and the minimization of the dripping staining effect.

[0015] There is a type of valve that can help improve spraying because it features an L-shaped cannula with a diffuser designed to facilitate spray output. Patent EP3349913 is cited as an example.

[0016] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] To solve the problems described, the invention relates to a device with a housing consisting of a fixed body and a hinged lid.

[0018] The fixed body is suitable for housing the machinery block, the power supply (either batteries or mains connection), and the aerosol can itself, which in this case has a right-angle valve with a diffuser at the end.

[0019] The hinged lid closes over the fixed part and forms the front of the device and part of the sides and base.

[0020] For the sake of clarity, we will call the part on which the casing rests the lower part or base, the upper part the opposite of the lower part, the front part where the vertical slot that facilitates spraying is located, and the back part the opposite of the front part.

[0021] The casing consists of the fixed part and the front cover, which extends laterally, and its base. Laterally, it meets the fixed part at a point midway along the side. The base on which the device rests is formed by part of the cover and part of the fixed body, which, when the device is properly closed, are flush.

[0022] The machinery block is located on top of the fixed body.

[0023] The box that encloses the machinery block and is part of that same block has a positioning slot on its front side that conditions the housing of the aerosol valve in such a way that it is only possible to house it in the correct position, with the diffuser facing outwards from the housing.

[0024] The hinged lid opens by pivoting on an axis located at the base of the device. Therefore, the device is only stable when the lid is properly closed, as the base on which the device rests is formed by a portion of the lid and a portion of the fixed body, which are coplanar only when the lid is properly closed.

[0025] This makes it easy to detect if it is properly or improperly closed, preventing defects in the spraying due to a faulty lid closure.

[0026] The lid has a recess at mid-height so that, from that recess to the upper base of the housing, it fits snugly over the machinery block and the aerosol valve, allowing the diffuser to protrude through a vertical slot in the lid, avoiding the use of cannulas or deep windows.

[0027] The recessed part of the lid comprises the vertical slot that faces the diffuser in such a way that the diffuser is visible through the slot.

[0028] In one possible embodiment, the slot comprises additional positioners for the diffuser.

[0029] In this way, the spray does not encounter any obstacle or additional cannula on its way out, coming out with full force, perpendicular to the device and without the spray bell hitting the casing at any point.

[0030] In any case, and given that the droplet and direction of the spray may vary due to circumstances outside the housing such as temperature, wind or pressure among others, a horizontal slot has been placed across the lid below the diffuser to collect any possible droplet that may be generated in the spray and that falls straight down instead of being propelled.

[0031] This horizontal slot is non-through and is located on the ridge between the bottom of the lid and the recess of the top.

[0032] To better understand the invention, the following figures are presented.

[0033] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0034] Figure 1 shows the device (1) viewed from its front, revealing the fixed body (2) and the cover (3). The fixed body houses the machine block and its controls (4). The cover (3) has a lower portion (5) that extends to the base of the device and an upper portion with a recess (6) that creates a rise (7) between them. A horizontal slot (8) is located on this rise, above and below another vertical slot (9).

[0035] FIGURE 2 shows the back of the device.

[0036] FIGURE 3 shows the open device (1) with an aerosol can (10) housed in a cavity of the fixed body (2), additional positioners (14), and the diffuser (not visible) arranged in the inner positioning slot (11). The lid (3) opens by pivoting on a lower axis (12).

[0037] FIGURE 4 shows the front face of the device and a detail of the vertical slot (9) where the diffuser (13) is visible and additional positioners (14) are shown in the vertical slot that keep the diffuser facing and centered in the vertical slot at all times.

[0038] DESCRIPTION OF A MODE OF EXECUTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] A form of execution of the invention is presented here that is neither unique nor limiting but merely explanatory.

[0040] Device (1) refers to an actuator housing for an aerosol can with an angle valve, where the aerosol can is housed inside the housing and, by the action of a timer mechanism, the aerosol can valve is actuated at predetermined intervals.

[0041] The housing comprises a fixed body (2) and a hinged cover (3).

[0042] The fixed body (2) houses all the mechanics, power supply (in this case batteries) and the aerosol can itself.

[0043] The lid (3) is operable and allows access to the inside of the housing for operations such as changing the aerosol can (10) or replacing the batteries, among others.

[0044] The opening axis (12) of the lid is located at its lower part in a position centered on the base, such that only when the lid is conveniently closed are the part of the base that forms part of the fixed body and the part of the base that forms part of the lid coplanar.

[0045] The cover (3) has a recess (6) halfway up its front edge, so that in this recessed area the cover fits snugly against the machine block and its controls (4). This recess is located above the height of the fixed body section suitable for housing the aerosol can container. The recess (6) has a vertical slot (9) designed to allow the aerosol can's diffuser (13) to protrude. This slot includes additional positioners (14) where they meet the aerosol diffuser, ensuring that the diffuser remains perfectly oriented outwards from the device. Between the recess and the bottom of the cover, a raised section (7) is formed, which has a horizontal slot (8) designed to collect any small droplets that may form during spraying, preventing them from running down the cover and reaching its base.

[0046] In the fixed body (2) we find a housing for the aerosol can (10) and the machine block and its controls (4). The box that surrounds said machine block has a positioning slot (11) that accommodates, in the only possible position, the aerosol can diffuser, although it accommodates it with some looseness and leaves the additional positioners (14) of the vertical slot (9) of the lid for the tighter positioning.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. AEROSOL ACTUATOR HOUSING comprising a fixed body (2) with a housing for the aerosol can (10) and its diffuser (13), a machine block (4) and a workable cover (3) that closes the assembly, characterized in that the cover (3) has a recess (6) such that when the device is in use, this recess (6) fits snugly against the machine block (4), and in that recess there is a vertical slot (9) that communicates with the machine block and with the diffuser (13) of the aerosol can, and in that below the vertical slot (9) there is a rise (7) with a horizontal slot (8).

2. AEROSOL ACTUATOR HOUSING according to claim 1 characterized in that the base on which the device rests is formed by a part of the lid and a part of the fixed body which are coplanar when the device is closed.

3. AEROSOL ACTUATOR HOUSING according to claim 1 characterized in that the opening axis (12) of the lid (3) is located at the base of the device.

4. AEROSOL ACTUATOR HOUSING according to claim 1 characterized in that the machine block (4) comprises a positioning groove (11).

5. AEROSOL ACTUATOR HOUSING according to claim 1 characterized in that the vertical groove (9) of the front upper part of the cover comprises additional positioners (14).

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