Aerosol Cap Shutter Prevents Accidental Valve Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol container safety caps do not effectively block access to the push button for the valve, potentially leading to accidental activation and misuse, especially in compact and robust designs.

Innovation Solution

A safety cap with a dome-shaped design featuring a sliding shutter that can be maneuvered between closed and open positions, incorporating an axial diffuser device and a protective flap to secure the side opening, ensuring the push button is only accessible when intended, while providing a robust and compact structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional fixed safety cap is used, then the structure is simple, but access to the push button is not effectively blocked, leading to accidental activation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against accidental activationVSAvoidcap structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety cap incorporates a mobile dome that can rotate relative to the fixed dome, transforming the static structure into a dynamic one. The mobile dome includes an opening that can be positioned to either block or allow access to the push button, providing active protection against accidental activation while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The safety cap is divided into two separate domes: a fixed dome and a mobile dome. This segmentation allows the mobile dome to independently rotate and control access to the push button, enhancing safety functionality without requiring complete redesign of the entire cap structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a rotating ring with helical movement is used to block access, then the opening can be effectively hidden, but the mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblocking effectivenessVSAvoidblocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a complex helical movement mechanism, the invention employs a mobile dome that rotates simply around the vertical axis. This rotational movement is sufficient to position the opening in either a blocked or accessible position, achieving effective blocking with a simpler mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than having a fixed opening that needs to be blocked by moving elements, the invention inverts the approach by having a mobile dome with an opening that actively positions itself to block or allow access. The mobile element controls the fixed opening's accessibility, simplifying the overall mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3589561B1Secure diffuser cap
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 TECHNIMA
  • EP3589561B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3589561B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3589561B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a secure cap (1) that is dome-shaped and snap-fits onto the top of an aerosol can (100), said cap being provided with a side opening (2, 2a, 2b) for accessing a push button (6) for operating a valve (101) of the can, provided at the top thereof with an axial opening (3) for accessing an axial diffuser device (4) which is mounted on an outlet tube (102) of the valve (101) aligned with an axis of rotation of the can, and provided with a flap (5) for protecting said side opening (2a, 2b), which can be manoeuvred between a position for concealing the side opening and a position allowing free access to the side opening, and an aerosol can including same.