Device for applying a substance disposed within a liquid container to an applicator

Abstract

A device that attaches to the valve stem of a non-refillable, hermetically sealed pressurized aerosol container, or a hermetically sealed non-pressurized aerosol-like pump container. The device allows the contents of the container to dispense directly to an applicator without requiring the user to hold the container. The device is designed to allow users to easily actuate the valve and dispense desired amounts of the container's contents directly from the container onto the applicator.

Description

This application claims the benefit of and incorporates by reference essential subject matter disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/708,436 filed on Aug. 16, 2005.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to containers, typically hand sized, for storing and dispensing fluid, and to actuators for dispensing the fluid from such containers in particular.

2. Background Information

A standard aerosol container is typically a small metallic can that contains a product to be dispensed, and a propellant to force the product through a valve and out of the container. Both the propellant and the product are kept inside the can by a valve assembly which is clinched on the can. The product is dispensed through an actuator (e.g., a button, spout or spray dome) that is mounted on the valve assembly and dispenses the contents as a stream or mist in a direction sideways or slightly angled to the can when it sits in its normal upright position. Aerosol valve assemblies and actuators are available in a wide variety of configurations from a diverse variety of venders. An example of a typical valve assembly is the “Standard Precision Valve” manufactured by the Precision Valve Corporation, 700 Nepperham Ave., Yonkers, N.Y. 10703.

Because the aerosol container is hermetically sealed when it is filled and pressurized, it offers an excellent means of storing, transporting and ultimately dispensing its contents without the risk of evaporation, spilling or spoilage. Aerosols are packaged in a controlled environment, so the product chemical formula typically remains consistent from can to can and production run to production run. Aerosol cans are not refillable, so it is impossible to contaminate or tamper with the can's contents, assuring product purity. Finally, aerosols are labeled when packaged so the contents are easy to identify and have appropriate use and warning statements.

The above-described physical attributes make aerosols a favored device for technicians and service people to use and dispense high purity fluids needed to clean, lubricate and/or otherwise service high technology items including (but not limited to) computers, electronic assemblies, optics, bearings, medical devices, etc.

However, service technicians are often confronted with situations where both their hands are occupied in performing a specific service related task, and even when they improvise they can not easily free-up a hand to hold and dispense the contents of an aerosol can. An example would be a field service technician who seeks to use an aerosol can to dispense a product for wetting or saturating an applicator (e.g., a dry wipe swab, brush, or the like) to assist in cleaning (or lubricating, etc.) a cable. With one hand holding the cable, and another holding the applicator, it can be a challenge to the technician's dexterity to dispense the aerosol's contents onto the applicator. In many instances, two hands are required to dispense the product from the aerosol can to the applicator, thereby creating an unresolvable conflict in performing the required task with the aerosol cans currently available.

What is needed, therefore, is an actuator for dispensing the container's contents that is operable to apply the contents to an applicator without requiring both of the operator's hands.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, an actuator for a valve of a hermetically sealed container is provided. In some embodiments, the valve has a stem and is operated by depressing the stem. The actuator includes a body having a port disposed on a first side and a shallow cavity disposed on a second side. The port is sized to receive the valve stem. The first and second sides are opposite one another. In other embodiments, the valve has a stem cavity, and the actuator includes a stem disposed on a first side and a shallow cavity disposed on a second side. The stem is sized to be received within the stem cavity. Examples of acceptable sealed containers include aerosol cans and liquid containers having non-pressurized pump-type dispensing valves.

The present invention advantageously: 1) helps the operator easily dispense the contents of the aerosol can onto the surface of the applicator without having to hold the aerosol can; 2) helps to prevent liquid from spilling out of the actuator during application; 3) helps to prevent spillage of any residual liquid that may be present in the actuator after application; 4) helps to locate and prevent the operator's finger from slipping off the actuator while depressing the actuator to actuate the can's valve; and 5) facilitates distribution of a liquid onto an applicator in a desirable manner.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention method and apparatus will become apparent in light of the detailed description of the invention provided below and the accompanying drawings. The apparatus described below constitutes a preferred embodiment of the underlying invention and does not, therefore, constitute all aspects of the invention that will or may become apparent by one of skill in the art after consideration of the invention disclosed overall herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a partially exploded sectional view of a conventional aerosol can with a present invention actuator embodiment separated from, and disposed above, the can.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a conventional aerosol can with a present invention actuator embodiment mounted on the valve stem of the aerosol can.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a conventional aerosol can with a present invention actuator embodiment mounted on the valve stem of the aerosol can, and a protective overcap mounted on the aerosol can.

FIG. 4 shows top view and sectioned side view of an embodiment of the present invention actuator.

FIG. 5 shows top view and sectioned side view of an embodiment of the present invention actuator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, an actuator 10 for a valve 12 of a sealed container 14 is provided. The sealed container 14 is typically hermetically sealed, non-refillable, and the valve 12 typically includes a stem 16. The valve 12 can be activated by depressing the stem 16. Examples of sealed containers 14 with which the actuator 10 can be used include aerosol cans and liquid containers having non-pressurized pump-type dispensing valves. As stated above, an example of an aerosol valve is the “Standard Precision Valve” manufactured by the Precision Valve Corporation, 700 Nepperham Ave., Yonkers, N.Y. 10703. An example of a non-pressurized pump-type valve is the Emsar 32 ms-32 w/1″ cup model dispenser offered by Emsar Inc. of 125 Access Road, Stratford, Conn., USA 06615. For sake of clarity, the actuator 10 will be described below for use with sealed container 14 in the form of an aerosol can 14. The actuator 10 is not limited to aerosol cans, however.

The actuator 10 has a body 18 with a port 20 disposed on a bottom surface side 22, a shallow cavity 24 disposed on a top surface side 26, and an orifice 23 that extends between the port 20 and the shallow cavity 24. The orifice 23 provides fluid communication between the port 20 and the shallow cavity 24. A side wall 28 extends between the oppositely disposed first and second sides 22, 26. The actuator body 18 shown in FIGS. 1-4 is circularly shaped. In alternative embodiments, the body 18 can be shaped otherwise; e.g., oblong, etc. The actuator 10 can be mounted as original equipment on an aerosol can. Alternatively, it may be provided as an independent device that is offered separately and can be fit onto aerosol cans by a third party or the operator.

The shallow cavity 24 has a length 30, width 32 and depth 34 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The maximum depth 34 of the shallow cavity 24 is less in magnitude than either of the length 30 and width 32, and is preferably less than one-half of the smaller of the length 30 and width 32. The shape of the shallow cavity 24 can vary to suit the application at hand. For example, for those applications wherein the operator uses an applicator (e.g., wipe, towel, pad, etc.) in contact with the distal portion of the operator's finger, the shallow cavity 24 is preferably shaped to receive the applicator and an amount of the distal portion of the operator's finger. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the shallow cavity 24 is a shallow oval in cross-section but has a length 30 and width 32 equal one another, and a depth 34 less than the length 30 or width 32. In other embodiments (see FIG. 5), the shallow cavity 24 may be oblong-shaped with a length 30 greater than a width 32, and a depth 34 that is less than one-half the shorter width 32. In a preferred embodiment, the shallow cavity 24 is oblong-shaped specifically in the form of a distal portion of an operator's finger; i.e., shaped as the pad portion of the finger tip.

In all these embodiments, the shallow cavity 24 advantageously: 1) helps the operator easily dispense the contents of the aerosol can 14 onto the surface of the applicator without having to hold the aerosol can 14; 2) helps to prevent liquid from spilling out of the actuator 10 during application, and prevent spillage of any residual liquid that may be present in the actuator 10; 3) helps to locate and prevent the operator's finger from slipping off the actuator 10 during actuation of the can's valve 12; and 4) facilitates distribution of the liquid within the applicator.

The port 20 is configured and dimensioned so it is easily mounted on the stem 16 of a standard aerosol valve 12 (e.g., by press fit). The orifice 23 is positioned and sized to receive liquids exiting the stem 16 of the valve 12. The actuator 10 securely fits on the valve stem 16 so the actuator 10 can be transported and stored as an integral part of the aerosol can 14 without falling off, yet can be removed if so desired. For those applications where the actuator 10 is provided to a third party or the operator for mounting on a standard aerosol can, the port 20 is configured and dimensioned to have a light press-fit with the stem 16 of the can valve 12.

The actuator 10 (shown in FIGS. 1-4 as circularly shaped) is sized to permit the standard aerosol valve 12 to be actuated when the filled aerosol can 14 is situated in an upright position on a table or other suitable location surface. As stated above, the actuator 10 enables the operator to dispense liquid product 36 from an aerosol can 14 without physically holding the can 14.

The actuator 10 is also sized so that it may fit under any standard, undamaged aerosol protective overcap 38 to both prevent the unintended actuation of the valve 12 while in transport or storage, and to keep the actuator 10 free from contamination such as dirt and dust. Alternatively, the overcap 38 may be described as preventing normal operational access to the actuator 10, while at the same time preventing the unintended actuation of the valve 12 while in transport or storage, and to keep the actuator 10 free from contamination such as dirt and dust. For example, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a circularly shaped actuator 10 embodiment having a diameter 40 and a sidewall height 42 that enables the actuator 10 to fit within the standard sized, undamaged protective overcap 38; e.g., an actuator 10 diameter that is less than the diameter of the aerosol can 14, and a sidewall height 42 that enables the standard protective overcap 38 to be attached to the can 14 without depressing the actuator 10.

The actuator 10 may be made from any suitable machined or molded metal, or alternatively from any suitable machined or molded plastic.

Since many changes and variations of the disclosed embodiment of the invention may be made without departing from the inventive concept, it is not intended to limit the invention otherwise than as required by the appended claims. For example, it is disclosed above that the present actuator 10 may be used with a liquid container 14 having a non-pressurized pump-type dispensing valve 12. Such valves typically have a stem that is linearly translatable along an axis, and the valve 12 is operable by pumping the stem along the axis. The present actuator 10 may be mounted on the stem 16 of such a non-pressurized pump-type dispensing valve 12. As another example, the valves 12 are described above as having stems 16. In alternative embodiments, the valve 12 may have a stem cavity in place of a stem. In these embodiments, the actuator 10 may include a stem disposed on the bottom side of the body 18, which stem is sized to fit within the stem cavity of the valve 12.

Claims

1. An actuator for a valve of a sealed container, which valve has a stem and is: operated by depressing the stem, the actuator comprising:

a body having a port disposed on a first side, which port is sized to receive the valve stem, and a shallow cavity disposed on a second side of the body, wherein the first and second sides are opposite one another, and the shallow cavity and port are in fluid communication with one another.

2. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the body further includes an orifice extending between the port and the shallow cavity.

3. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the shallow cavity has a width, a length, and a depth, and the depth is less than the width and the length.

4. The actuator of claim 3, wherein the length of the shallow cavity equals the width of the shallow cavity, and the depth of the shallow cavity is less than one-half the length or width.

5. The actuator of claim 3, wherein the length of the shallow cavity is greater than the width of the shallow cavity, and the depth of the shallow cavity is less than one-half the width.

6. The actuator of claim 5, wherein the shallow cavity has a shape substantially similar to a distal portion of a human finger.

7. An aerosol can, comprising:

a body;

an actuator having a port disposed on a first side, and a shallow cavity disposed on a second side of the actuator, wherein the first and second sides are opposite one another, and the port and the shallow cavity are in fluid communication with one another;

a valve having a stem received in the port, which valve is operable by depressing the stem; and

an overcap selectively attachable to the body to cover the actuator in a manner that prevents normal operational access to the actuator.

8. The can of claim 7, wherein the shallow cavity has a width, a length, and a depth, and the depth is less than the width and the length.

9. The can of claim 8, wherein the length of the shallow cavity equals the width of the shallow cavity, and the depth of the shallow cavity is less than one-half the length or width.

10. The can of claim 7, wherein the length of the shallow cavity is greater than the width of the shallow cavity, and the depth of the shallow cavity is less than one-half the width.

11. The can of claim 10, wherein the shallow cavity has a shape substantially similar to a distal portion of a human finger.

12. The can of claim 7, wherein the actuator is operable to actuate the valve when the can is standing upright on a substantially horizontal surface, by depressing the actuator and valve stem attached thereto without requiring support of the can.

13. A fluid container, comprising:

a body;

a pump valve with a stem translatable along an axis, which valve is operable by pumping the stem along the axis;

an actuator having a port disposed on a first side, which port is sized to receive the stem, and a shallow cavity disposed on a second side of the actuator, wherein the first and second sides are opposite one another, and wherein the stem is received within the port; and

an overcap selectively attachable to the body to cover the actuator in a manner that prevents normal operational access to the actuator.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the shallow cavity has a width, a length, and a depth, and the depth is less than the width and the length.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein the length of the shallow cavity equals the width of the shallow cavity, and the depth of the shallow cavity is less than one-half the length or width.

16. The container of claim 14, wherein the length of the shallow cavity is greater than the width of the shallow cavity, and the depth of the shallow cavity is less than one-half the width.

17. An actuator for a valve of a sealed container, which valve has a stem cavity and is operated by inserting a stem into the stem cavity and depressing the stem, the actuator comprising:

a body having a stem disposed on a first side, which stem is sized to fit within the stem cavity of the valve, a shallow cavity disposed on a second side of the body, wherein the first and second sides are opposite one another, and an orifice extending through the stem to the shallow cavity.

18. The actuator of claim 17, wherein the shallow cavity has a width, a length, and a depth, and the depth is less than the width and the length.

19. The actuator of claim 18, wherein the length of the shallow cavity equals the width of the shallow cavity, and the depth of the shallow cavity is less than one-half the length or width.