GB2031525A

GB2031525A - Actuation cap assemblies for dispensing containers

Info

Publication number: GB2031525A
Application number: GB7840469A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-10-13
Filing date: 1978-10-13
Publication date: 1980-04-23
Also published as: GB2031525B

Abstract

An actuator fitted to the valve of an aerosol dispensing can cooperates with an actuator-orientator assembly to orient the discharge orifice of the actuator into the proper position to spray a stripe of marking material. The actuator 15 has a generally cylindrical outer surface 16 and is adapted to be mounted on the valve stem 12 of an aerosol can 10 and includes a spraying orifice 18 and a pair of radially outwardly extending locating lugs 20. The actuator-orientator 24 is provided with a circular central opening 24 into which the actuator is inserted, and a pair of recesses 27 which extend radially outwardly from the central opening for receiving the locating lugs 20 of the actuator when the actuator is properly oriented. One end of the central opening is defined by curved guide surfaces 26 which extend upwardly from the recesses 27. A guide surface 26 extends from each side of each recess 27 and meets a guide surface 26 from the other recess 27 at the midpoint 31 of the arc which extends between the recesses. When the actuator is inserted downwardly into the opening 28 of the orientator and the lugs 20 engage the guide surfaces 26, the actuator and aerosol can move downwardly and rotate along the guide surfaces until the lugs 20 are seated within the recesses 27. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Actuator and orientator assembly This invention relates to aerosol spray cans, and, more particularly, to an actuator and actuator-orientator assembly which automatically orientates the actuator when it is intended into the orientator so that the spraying orifice of the actuator is properly aligned.

Aerosol spray cans which are filled with marking materials such as paints, dyes, and the like are frequently used in marking traffic and parking lines on pavement, boundary lines on athletic fields, restricted areas on golf courses, and many other indicators. If an aerosol can is to be used for spraying a stripe of marking material, it is often desirable to provide the actuator or nozzle of the aerosol can with an elongate or slotted spraying orifice so that the material is sprayed in a welldefined stripe of the desired width. The aerosol cans are desirably mounted in a spraying apparatus which facilitates the marking operation. Wheel-equipped marking machines for spraying stripes are described, for example, in my prior US Patent Nos. 3,700,144 and 3,796,353, and hand-carried marking devices are described in my US Patent Nos.

3,485,206 and 3,977,570. Actuators with elongate or slotted spraying orifices are described in US Patent Nos. 3,817,429, 3,891,208, and 3,924,784.

If an actuator with an elongate spraying orifice is used, the actuator should be aligned with respect to the spraying apparatus so that the long dimension of the orifice extends perpendicularly to the direction in which the apparatus is advanced in order to make the widest stripe. In order to make the narrowest stripe, the long dimension of the orifice is aligned parallel with the direction of movement of the apparatus. Variations in stripe width between these two extremes are possible by varying the angle between the long dimension of the orifice and the direction of movement of the apparatus. One type of stripe-adjusting means is described in US Patent No. 3,924,784.

US Patent Nos. 3,817,429 and 3,891,128 describe an actuator with a flat aligning surface which is engageable with the actuating bar which slides transversely relatively to the axis of the aerosol can to align the elongate orifice of the actuator in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the spraying apparatus. The actuating bar opens the valve of the aerosol can by moving the actuator.

The invention provides an actuator for an aerosol can and a means for orientating the actuator when the actuator is inserted into the orientator. The orientator may be mounted as part of the spraying apparatus, and the orifice of the actuator is automatically aligned as the actuator is inserted into the orientator.

The invention will now be explained by way of example only, in conjunction with an illustrative embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view showing an actuator on an aerosol can being inserted downwardly into an orientator formed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the actuator fully inserted into the orientator; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the orientator; Figure 4 is a sectional view of the orientator taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Figure 5 is a sectional view of the orientator taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 3; Figure 6 is a top plan view of the actuator; Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the actuator taken along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6; and Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the actuator taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a conventional aerosol spray can includes a dome-shaped top 11 and a valve stem 1 2. The valve stem is part of a well known conventional aerosol valve which is housed within the top of the can.

Aerosol valves are generally of two types. In one type of valve the valve is opened to release the contents of the can when the valve stem is pushed axially with respect to the can (upwardly as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2). In another type the valve is opened when the valve stem is tilted laterally or transversely with respect to the can axis. Although the invention can be used with aerosol valves of both types, the invention works best with valves which are opened by pushing the valve stem axially.

An actuator or spraying nozzle 1 3 is mounted on the valve stem and is adapted to be inserted into an orientator 14, which is mounted on a spraying apparatus 1 5. The actuator has a circular outer wall 1 6 (Fig. 6), and a central bore 1 7 (Fig. 1) is sized to snugly receive the valve stem 1 2. The bore terminates in a spraying orifice 18, and a radially inwardly extending shoulder 1 9 in the bore engages the end of the valve stem and limits the movement of the actuator toward the can.

As can be seen in Fig. 6, the spraying orifice is elongate or rectangular and includes a long dimension and a short dimension. A pair of locating lugs 20 project outwardly from the surface 1 6 and are aligned with the longitudinal dimension of the spraying orifice.

Each of the lugs includes a pair of parallel flat side surfaces 21 (Fig. 8) and a pair of convergent surfaces 22 which meet at the flat end surface 23 in which the spraying orifice 1 8 is provided.

The orientator 1 4 includes a generally tubular wall 24 and a radially outwardly flared upper portion 25. By comparing Figs. 4 and 5, it will be seen that about half the thickness of the tubular wall of the orientator is recessed or notched to provide curved or spiral guide surfaces 26 and a pair of diametrically opposed rectangular recesses 27. The nonrecessed portion of the tubular wall forms a cylindrical inner surface 28, and the recessed portion of the tubular wall forms an intermediate cylindrical surface 29. The distance between the cylindrical surfaces 28 and 29 provides the thickness of the guide surfaces 26, which appear annular when viewed from above (Fig. 3).

The orientator includes a total of four guide surfaces 26. Referring to Fig. 5, two guide surfaces spiral upwardly from each side of each of the recesses 27, and the guide surfaces which extend from the diametrically opposed recesses meet at a point 31 midway along the arc which extends between the two recesses (Fig. 4), i.e., at a point 90D removed from the centres of the recesses.

Each of the recesses 27 includes a pair of side surfaces 32 (Fig. 5) and a bottom surface 33 which is provided by the full thickness of the tubular wall 24. The distance between the side surfaces 32 is just slightly greater than the distance between the flat side surfaces 21 of the lugs on the actuator.

The orientator is mounted on the spraying apparatus 1 5 in any convenient fashion. For example, the actuator can be clamped in a split-ring clamping collar 34 (Figs. 1 and 2) on the spraying apparatus, and the collar can be tightened about the orientator by a nut and bolt. The particular spraying apparatus illustrated is adapted to spray the contents of the aerosol can downwardly, so the aerosol can is mounted in the apparatus in an inverted position. The aerosol can does not include a dip tube, and the contents of the can are expelled by the aerosol propellant when the can is in an inverted position.

When the aerosol can is moved downwardly toward the orientator, the actuator on the can is guided into the central opening of the orientator by the flared upper end 25 of the orientator. The diameter of the cylindrical side surface 1 6 of the actuator is slightly less than the diameter of the inner cylindrical surface 28 of the orientator, and the maximum diameter of the actuator across the lugs 20 is slightly less than the diameter of the intermediate cylindrical surface 29 of the orientator.

Accordingly, the lugs will engage the curved guide surfaces 26 of the orientator unless the lugs are aligned with the recesses 27. The weight of the can will cause the lugs to slide downwardly along the curved guide surfaces toward the recesses as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1, and the can and the actuator will rotate as they inove downwardly to bring the lugs into alignment with the recesses. When the lugs reach the recesses, the lugs will drop into the recesses, and further rotation of the actuator will be prevented.

After the lugs are positioned in the recesses, the contents of the can may be sprayed by pushing the can downwardly so that the valve stem is moved axially upwardly relative to the can. The bottom surface 33 of each of the recesses engages the lug and prevents downward movement of the actuator and the valve stem when the can is pushed downwardly. The can may be pushed downwardly either manually or by mechanical actuating means on the spraying apparatus. Alter- natively, the can could be fixed against upward movement, and the orientator and actuator could be pushed upwardly to open the valve.

The recesses of the orientator orient the spraying orifice of the actuator so that the long dimension of the orifice extends in the desired direction. If a stripe of maximum width is desired, the recesses are aligned transversely to the direction in which the spraying apparatus will be advanced so that the long dimension of the spraying orifice is also aligned transversely when the lugs of the actuator are position in the recesses. If a strip of minimum width is desired, the recesses are aligned parallel to the direction in which the spraying apparatus will be advanced so that the long dimension of the spraying orifice is also aligned parallel to the direction of movement. Variations in stripe width between the maximum and minimum can be obtained by positioning the orientator accordingly.The orientator is desirably mounted on the spraying apparatus in a manner which permits the orientator to be rotated to align the recesses in the desired direction. For example, the clamping collar 34 can be loosened when it is desired to rotate the orientator and tightened after the orientator has been positioned as desired.

CLAIMS (13 Oct 1978) 1. An actuator and orientator assembly for use with a spray can comprising: (a) an orientator having (i) an opening through which the con tents of the can are sprayed, (ii) at least two recesses extending later ally outwardly from the opening for receiving portions of the actuator, (iii) guide surfaces which extend away from each of the recesses and which are inclined with respect to the axis of opening; and (b) an actuator having a spraying orifice from which the contents are sprayed, the actuator including locating means which are engageable with the guide surfaces of the orientator when the actuator is inserted into the opening of the orientator and which are sized and arranged to be received by the recesses of the orientator for positioning of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. upper portion 25. By comparing Figs. 4 and 5, it will be seen that about half the thickness of the tubular wall of the orientator is recessed or notched to provide curved or spiral guide surfaces 26 and a pair of diametrically opposed rectangular recesses 27. The nonrecessed portion of the tubular wall forms a cylindrical inner surface 28, and the recessed portion of the tubular wall forms an intermediate cylindrical surface 29. The distance between the cylindrical surfaces 28 and 29 provides the thickness of the guide surfaces 26, which appear annular when viewed from above (Fig. 3). The orientator includes a total of four guide surfaces 26. Referring to Fig. 5, two guide surfaces spiral upwardly from each side of each of the recesses 27, and the guide surfaces which extend from the diametrically opposed recesses meet at a point 31 midway along the arc which extends between the two recesses (Fig. 4), i.e., at a point 90D removed from the centres of the recesses. Each of the recesses 27 includes a pair of side surfaces 32 (Fig. 5) and a bottom surface 33 which is provided by the full thickness of the tubular wall 24. The distance between the side surfaces 32 is just slightly greater than the distance between the flat side surfaces 21 of the lugs on the actuator. The orientator is mounted on the spraying apparatus 1 5 in any convenient fashion. For example, the actuator can be clamped in a split-ring clamping collar 34 (Figs. 1 and 2) on the spraying apparatus, and the collar can be tightened about the orientator by a nut and bolt. The particular spraying apparatus illustrated is adapted to spray the contents of the aerosol can downwardly, so the aerosol can is mounted in the apparatus in an inverted position. The aerosol can does not include a dip tube, and the contents of the can are expelled by the aerosol propellant when the can is in an inverted position. When the aerosol can is moved downwardly toward the orientator, the actuator on the can is guided into the central opening of the orientator by the flared upper end 25 of the orientator. The diameter of the cylindrical side surface 1 6 of the actuator is slightly less than the diameter of the inner cylindrical surface 28 of the orientator, and the maximum diameter of the actuator across the lugs 20 is slightly less than the diameter of the intermediate cylindrical surface 29 of the orientator. Accordingly, the lugs will engage the curved guide surfaces 26 of the orientator unless the lugs are aligned with the recesses 27. The weight of the can will cause the lugs to slide downwardly along the curved guide surfaces toward the recesses as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1, and the can and the actuator will rotate as they inove downwardly to bring the lugs into alignment with the recesses. When the lugs reach the recesses, the lugs will drop into the recesses, and further rotation of the actuator will be prevented. After the lugs are positioned in the recesses, the contents of the can may be sprayed by pushing the can downwardly so that the valve stem is moved axially upwardly relative to the can. The bottom surface 33 of each of the recesses engages the lug and prevents downward movement of the actuator and the valve stem when the can is pushed downwardly. The can may be pushed downwardly either manually or by mechanical actuating means on the spraying apparatus. Alter- natively, the can could be fixed against upward movement, and the orientator and actuator could be pushed upwardly to open the valve. The recesses of the orientator orient the spraying orifice of the actuator so that the long dimension of the orifice extends in the desired direction. If a stripe of maximum width is desired, the recesses are aligned transversely to the direction in which the spraying apparatus will be advanced so that the long dimension of the spraying orifice is also aligned transversely when the lugs of the actuator are position in the recesses. If a strip of minimum width is desired, the recesses are aligned parallel to the direction in which the spraying apparatus will be advanced so that the long dimension of the spraying orifice is also aligned parallel to the direction of movement. Variations in stripe width between the maximum and minimum can be obtained by positioning the orientator accordingly.The orientator is desirably mounted on the spraying apparatus in a manner which permits the orientator to be rotated to align the recesses in the desired direction. For example, the clamping collar 34 can be loosened when it is desired to rotate the orientator and tightened after the orientator has been positioned as desired. CLAIMS (13 Oct 1978) 1. An actuator and orientator assembly for use with a spray can comprising: (a) an orientator having (i) an opening through which the con tents of the can are sprayed, (ii) at least two recesses extending later ally outwardly from the opening for receiving portions of the actuator, (iii) guide surfaces which extend away from each of the recesses and which are inclined with respect to the axis of opening; and (b) an actuator having a spraying orifice from which the contents are sprayed, the actuator including locating means which are engageable with the guide surfaces of the orientator when the actuator is inserted into the opening of the orientator and which are sized and arranged to be received by the recesses of the orientator for positioning of the actuator relative to the orientator. 2. The assembly of Claim 1 in which the spraying orifice of the actuator is elongate. 3. The assembly of Claim 1 or claim 2 in which the locating means comprises at least two projections on the actuator. 4. The assembly of Claim 1 or claim 2 in which the actuator has a generally cylindrical outer surface and the locating means comprises at least two equiangularly spaced projections which project radially outwardly from the cylindrical outer surface. 5. The assembly of Claim 3 when appendant to Claim 2 or Claim 4 when appendant to Claim 2 in which the locating means comprises a pair of diametrically opposed said projections which are aligned with the long dimension of the orifice. 6. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims in which the spraying orifice of the actuator is generally rectangular. 7. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims in which the opening of the orientator is circular and the guide surfaces spiral around the opening and away from the recesses. 8. The assembly of claim 7 in which a pair of guide surfaces spiral away from each of the recesses in opposite directions. 9. The assembly of claim 8 in which each of the guide surfaces which spiral away from one of the recesses meets one of the guide surfaces which spiral away from the other recess. 10. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims in which the orientator includes a cylindrical surface which is concentric with the circular opening and which is positioned radially outwardly of the guide surfaces. 11. An actuator and orientator assembly for use with a spray can, said assembly being constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accom panying drawings.

1. An actuator and orientator assembly for use with a spray can, said assembly compris ing: (a) an orientator having (i) an opening through which the con tents of the can are sprayed, (ii) at least two recesses extending later ally outwardly from the opening for receiving portions of the actuator, (iii) at least one guide surface extending away from each of the recesses in a spiral direction with respect to the axis of the opening; and (b) an actuator having a spraying orifice from which the contents are sprayed, the actuator including locating means which are engageable with the guide surfaces of the orientator when the actuator is inserted into the opening of the orientator and which are sized and arranged to be received by the recesses of the orientator for positioning of the actuator relative to the orientator.

1

2. A spray can provided with an actuator of an actuator and orientator assembly according to any one of the preceding claims and for use with a said orientator.

CLAIMS (16 March 1979)