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EP1107921B1 - Mousse diffuser for aerosol container - Google Patents

Mousse diffuser for aerosol container Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1107921B1
EP1107921B1 EP99941760A EP99941760A EP1107921B1 EP 1107921 B1 EP1107921 B1 EP 1107921B1 EP 99941760 A EP99941760 A EP 99941760A EP 99941760 A EP99941760 A EP 99941760A EP 1107921 B1 EP1107921 B1 EP 1107921B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
diffuser
mousse
grill
opening
button
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99941760A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1107921A1 (en
Inventor
Simone Beadle
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Albea UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Betts UK Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Betts UK Ltd filed Critical Betts UK Ltd
Publication of EP1107921A1 publication Critical patent/EP1107921A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1107921B1 publication Critical patent/EP1107921B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers for dispensing liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant
    • B65D83/16—Actuating means
    • B65D83/20—Actuator caps

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to mousse diffusers which are generally used in combination with an aerosol container.
  • Mousse diffusers are used in combination with aerosol containers which store materials such as conditioners, gels, shaving and cleansing foams etc. under pressure.
  • the contents of the container are dispensed through an outlet valve which is resiliently biased into a closed condition.
  • the diffuser generally slows down the delivery from the aerosol container giving time for a mousse or foam to develop.
  • the foam then exits the diffuser through an opening which is sometimes formed as a grill or grid with the foam being dispensed through the apertures in the grill.
  • the grill again helps slow down the delivery of the mousse and helps the mousse to form.
  • the mousse diffuser is a relatively complex component comprising a body which may clip onto the aerosol container, a button for operating the aerosol outlet valve and which may include a chamber into which the mousse is initially discharged, and an opening which is generally formed with a grill or grid, or other baffle means which further helps the generation of the mousse.
  • the body and button are injection moulded as a single plastics component with the button hinged to the body, the dispensing grill being moulded integrally with the button.
  • the present invention provides a simplified diffuser construction which is easier to mould.
  • a mousse diffuser comprising a body for attachment to an aerosol container, a valve button hinged to the body and moveable to operate the aerosol container outlet valve, and having a chamber into which the contents of the aerosol are discharged, the chamber having an opening through which said contents are dispensed, wherein the opening is covered by a grill securable in place over the opening, characterised in that the diffuser is formed as a single plastics moulding with the grill hinged to the valve button and the valve button hinged to the body.
  • the grill is secured in place by a simple snap fit connection with the body, located on the opposite side of the opening to the hinge, the grill having a detent as its edge margin which is a snap-fit with a bead or other projection formed on the body adjacent the opening.
  • Another aspect of the invention provides a method of manufacture of a mousse diffuser having a body for attachment to an aerosol container having an outlet valve, a valve button for operating the aerosol container outlet valve, and an internal chamber into which the contents of the aerosol are discharged, the chamber having an opening covered by a grill through which the contents are dispensed, characterised in that the body, button and grill are formed as a single plastics moulding with the grill being hinged to the button which is also hinged to the body, the diffuser being moulded with the grill in an open condition.
  • a mousse diffuser 11 comprising a body 12 and a valve operating button 13.
  • the body 12 has a substantially frustoconical sidewall 14 with a larger diameter base portion 15 which will fit over the rim of an aerosol container (not shown).
  • the base portion 15 has inwardly facing bead 16 on its inner wall surface for securing the diffuser in place on the container (not shown).
  • the button 13 has a stepped bore 17 which receives the outlet valve (not shown) of the aerosol container, and an internal chamber 18 which receives the mousse discharged under pressure from the aerosol outlet valve, via an orifice 19 connected to the bore 17.
  • the chamber 18 has an opening 21 which in use is covered by a grill or grid 22.
  • the button 13 is hinged to the base 12 by an integral plastics hinge 30 located at the front of the button below the opening 21.
  • the button 13 is depressed to operate the outlet valve by pushing down onto rear portion 23 having raised ribs 24 thereon to act as a thumb or finger pad.
  • the button 13 pivots about the hinge 30 to push down the valve (not shown) and allows the contents of the aerosol to discharge from the container.
  • the grill 22 is connected to the button 13 by a hinge 31 at its upper edge and in the closed condition has a snap fit connection with a detent 32 on the opposite side of the opening 21.
  • Detent 32 is formed in the external surface of the wall surrounding the opening 21 and the grill has a tab 33 formed thereon having a hook 34 which engages the detent 32, when the grill is in a closed condition.
  • the mousse diffuser is formed by injecting moulding and is moulded with the grill in the open condition as shown in Fig 4 and then snapped closed.
  • the diffuser is moulded as a single component from a polyolefinic material preferably polypropylene, or high density polyethylene.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
  • Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)
  • Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention provides (with reference to the Figure) a mousse diffuser (11) for attachment to an aerosol container having an outlet valve. The mousse diffuser (11) comprises a body (12) having a valve button (13) hinged thereto which is moveable to operate the outlet valve. The valve button (13) has a chamber (18) into which the contents of the aerosol are discharged, the chamber (18) having an opening (21) through which said contents are dispensed. The opening (21) is covered by a grill (22) which is hinged to the valve button (13) and securable in place over the opening (21). The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing the mousse diffuser (11).

Description

The present invention relates to mousse diffusers which are generally used in combination with an aerosol container.
Mousse diffusers are used in combination with aerosol containers which store materials such as conditioners, gels, shaving and cleansing foams etc. under pressure. The contents of the container are dispensed through an outlet valve which is resiliently biased into a closed condition. The diffuser generally slows down the delivery from the aerosol container giving time for a mousse or foam to develop. The foam then exits the diffuser through an opening which is sometimes formed as a grill or grid with the foam being dispensed through the apertures in the grill. The grill again helps slow down the delivery of the mousse and helps the mousse to form. The mousse diffuser is a relatively complex component comprising a body which may clip onto the aerosol container, a button for operating the aerosol outlet valve and which may include a chamber into which the mousse is initially discharged, and an opening which is generally formed with a grill or grid, or other baffle means which further helps the generation of the mousse.
The body and button are injection moulded as a single plastics component with the button hinged to the body, the dispensing grill being moulded integrally with the button.
Document FR-A-2 588 490, on which the preamble of claim 1 is based, discloses a mousse diffuser having a connecting element between the diffuser body and the aerosol container valve.
The present invention provides a simplified diffuser construction which is easier to mould.
According to the present invention there is provided a mousse diffuser comprising a body for attachment to an aerosol container, a valve button hinged to the body and moveable to operate the aerosol container outlet valve, and having a chamber into which the contents of the aerosol are discharged, the chamber having an opening through which said contents are dispensed, wherein the opening is covered by a grill securable in place over the opening, characterised in that the diffuser is formed as a single plastics moulding with the grill hinged to the valve button and the valve button hinged to the body.
Preferably the grill is secured in place by a simple snap fit connection with the body, located on the opposite side of the opening to the hinge, the grill having a detent as its edge margin which is a snap-fit with a bead or other projection formed on the body adjacent the opening.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of manufacture of a mousse diffuser having a body for attachment to an aerosol container having an outlet valve, a valve button for operating the aerosol container outlet valve, and an internal chamber into which the contents of the aerosol are discharged, the chamber having an opening covered by a grill through which the contents are dispensed, characterised in that the body, button and grill are formed as a single plastics moulding with the grill being hinged to the button which is also hinged to the body, the diffuser being moulded with the grill in an open condition.
The invention will hereinafter be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
  • Fig. 1 is a isometric view of a mousse diffuser according to the invention, ready for use;
  • Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the diffuser shown in Fig 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the mousse diffuser shown in Fig 1; and
  • Fig. 4 is an isometric view of the diffuser in Fig 1 in the as-moulded condition.
    • With reference to Figs 1 to 3 of the drawings there is shown a mousse diffuser 11 comprising a body 12 and a valve operating button 13. The body 12 has a substantially frustoconical sidewall 14 with a larger diameter base portion 15 which will fit over the rim of an aerosol container (not shown). The base portion 15 has inwardly facing bead 16 on its inner wall surface for securing the diffuser in place on the container (not shown).
    The button 13 has a stepped bore 17 which receives the outlet valve (not shown) of the aerosol container, and an internal chamber 18 which receives the mousse discharged under pressure from the aerosol outlet valve, via an orifice 19 connected to the bore 17. The chamber 18 has an opening 21 which in use is covered by a grill or grid 22. The button 13 is hinged to the base 12 by an integral plastics hinge 30 located at the front of the button below the opening 21. The button 13 is depressed to operate the outlet valve by pushing down onto rear portion 23 having raised ribs 24 thereon to act as a thumb or finger pad. The button 13 pivots about the hinge 30 to push down the valve (not shown) and allows the contents of the aerosol to discharge from the container.
    The grill 22 is connected to the button 13 by a hinge 31 at its upper edge and in the closed condition has a snap fit connection with a detent 32 on the opposite side of the opening 21. Detent 32 is formed in the external surface of the wall surrounding the opening 21 and the grill has a tab 33 formed thereon having a hook 34 which engages the detent 32, when the grill is in a closed condition.
    The mousse diffuser is formed by injecting moulding and is moulded with the grill in the open condition as shown in Fig 4 and then snapped closed. The diffuser is moulded as a single component from a polyolefinic material preferably polypropylene, or high density polyethylene.

    Claims (14)

    1. A mousse diffuser (11) comprising a body (12) for attachment to an aerosol container having an outlet valve, a valve button (13) moveable to operate the outlet valve and having a chamber (18) into which the contents of the aerosol are discharged, the chamber (18) having an opening (21) through which said contents are dispensed, wherein the opening (21) is covered by a grill (22) securable in place over the opening (21), characterised in that the diffuser (11) is formed as a single plastics moulding with the grill (22) hinged to the valve button (13) and the valve button hinged to the body (12).
    2. A mousse diffuser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grill (22) is secured in place by a snap-fit connection with the body.
    3. A mousse diffuser as claimed in claim 2, wherein the snap-fit connection is located opposite the hinge.
    4. A mousse diffuser as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the grill has a detent (32) located on an edge margin thereof which makes a snap fit connection with a bead or other projection formed on the body adjacent the opening.
    5. A mousse diffuser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the diffuser is formed by injection moulding.
    6. A mousse diffuser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the diffuser consists of a polyolefinic material.
    7. A mousse diffuser as claimed in claim 6 wherein the polyolefinic material consists of polypropylene.
    8. A mousse diffuser as claimed in claim 6 wherein the polyolefinic material consists of high density polyethylene.
    9. A method of manufacture of a mousse diffuser (11) having a body (12) for attachment to an aerosol container, a valve button (13) for operating the aerosol container outlet valve, and an internal chamber (18) into which the contents of the aerosol are discharged, the chamber (18) having an opening (21) covered by a grill (22) through which the contents are dispensed, characterised in that the body (12), button (13) and grill (22) are formed as a single plastics moulding with the grill (22) being hinged to the button (13) which is also hinged to the body (12), the diffuser (11) being moulded with the grill (22) in an open condition.
    10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the grill (22) is put into a closed condition covering the opening (21) before the diffuser (11) is assembled to the aerosol container.
    11. A method of manufacture as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the single plastics moulding is formed by injection moulding.
    12. A method of manufacture as claimed in any one of claims 9 to claim 11 wherein the single plastics moulding consists of a polyolefinic material.
    13. A method of manufacture as claimed in claim 12 wherein the polyolefinic material consists of polypropylene.
    14. A method of manufacture as claimed in claim 12 wherein the polyolefinic material consists of high density polyethylene.
    EP99941760A 1998-08-26 1999-08-26 Mousse diffuser for aerosol container Expired - Lifetime EP1107921B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (3)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    GB9818632 1998-08-26
    GBGB9818632.3A GB9818632D0 (en) 1998-08-26 1998-08-26 Mouse diffuser
    PCT/GB1999/002818 WO2000012412A1 (en) 1998-08-26 1999-08-26 Mousse diffuser for aerosol container

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1107921A1 EP1107921A1 (en) 2001-06-20
    EP1107921B1 true EP1107921B1 (en) 2003-04-09

    Family

    ID=10837884

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP99941760A Expired - Lifetime EP1107921B1 (en) 1998-08-26 1999-08-26 Mousse diffuser for aerosol container

    Country Status (6)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP1107921B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE236836T1 (en)
    AU (1) AU5525699A (en)
    DE (1) DE69906761D1 (en)
    GB (1) GB9818632D0 (en)
    WO (1) WO2000012412A1 (en)

    Families Citing this family (4)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    GB2380232B (en) * 1998-08-26 2003-05-14 Betts Uk Ltd Mousse diffuser
    US7934667B2 (en) 2005-12-08 2011-05-03 L'oreal Diffuser and device for packaging and dispensing a foaming product
    FR2894571B1 (en) * 2005-12-08 2010-09-10 Oreal DIFFUSER FOR A DEVICE FOR CONDITIONING AND DISPENSING A FOAMING PRODUCT, IN PARTICULAR A COSMETIC PRODUCT, AND ASSOCIATED DEVICE
    WO2019010359A1 (en) 2017-07-06 2019-01-10 American Spraytech, L.L.C. Dry shampoo mousse composition for hair

    Family Cites Families (5)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    EP0081022A1 (en) * 1981-12-09 1983-06-15 Clayton Corporation Aerosol dispensers
    FR2588490B1 (en) * 1985-10-11 1988-01-08 Valve Precision Sarl DIFFUSER IN MOLDED PLASTIC MATERIAL FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF FOAM PRODUCTS, ADAPTABLE TO PRESSURIZED CONTAINERS
    FR2660635B1 (en) * 1990-04-10 1994-01-14 Marthe Lucas HAIR CREAM DISPENSING HAIRDRESSER.
    FR2692231B1 (en) * 1992-06-11 1996-04-26 Avitex BROADCAST NOZZLE AND BROADCASTING HEAD FOR PRESSURIZED CONTAINER.
    DE9390268U1 (en) * 1993-05-24 1995-01-12 Deutsche Präzisions-Ventil GmbH, 65795 Hattersheim Actuator for an aerosol container

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    WO2000012412A1 (en) 2000-03-09
    EP1107921A1 (en) 2001-06-20
    GB9818632D0 (en) 1998-10-21
    AU5525699A (en) 2000-03-21
    DE69906761D1 (en) 2003-05-15
    ATE236836T1 (en) 2003-04-15

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