Patent Grant
7137537
This invention relates to a dispenser for aerosol products, and in particular to a dispenser capable of delivering a substance onto a surface and or into a liquid, for example for frothing beverages.
Aerosol containers which dispense food products such as whipped cream have found wide application in the food industry. Food products are often packaged in aerosol cans with a pressurizing agent such as nitrous oxide, which acts as a propellant for dispensing a liquid food product. These aerosol cans include a dispensing valve that may be employed in dispensing a foam-forming liquid as a foam. Such valves may be intermittently operated to dispense small amounts of the product as needed. A problem with these valves is that the product dispensing nozzle or tube does not conveniently provide for delivery into or onto liquids, as would be desirable in making popular “frothed” beverages, such as lattes. For example it would be desirable to dispense a foamed substance, such as whipped cream, onto, and more preferably into a beverage to make a latte. Another problem with many current dispensers is that they can be difficult to clean, particularly after immersion into a beverage.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is an aerosol dispenser comprising a cap and a dispenser tube assembly for delivering the contents of an aerosol can. The dispenser tube is preferably pivotally mounted on the cap to pivot between a dispensing position, in which the tip can be placed adjacent to a surface or onto or into a liquid, and a stowed non-operating position between uses.
In the preferred embodiment, the dispenser tube may also be pivoted to a position between the stowed and dispensing positions in which both ends of the tube are accessible for easy cleaning of the dispenser after use.
In the preferred embodiment the dispenser cap is adapted to be secured to an aerosol container and connect to the aerosol dispensing valve thereon. The dispenser cap is preferably configured to resist unintentional movement or operation of the dispensing valve. In the preferred embodiment the dispenser cap has a removable portion that blocks operation of the cap until it is removed.
More specifically, the cap of the preferred embodiment comprises a first section that may be secured to an aerosol container over a dispensing valve and a second section that may be pivoted relative to the first section to operate the dispensing valve on the aerosol container. A removable portion between the first and second sections interferes with relative movement of the sections until it is removed, preventing inadvertent operation and providing an indication after the product has been used.
The cap can further comprise a recess for mounting a pivoting dispensing tube that pivots between a first stowed position and a second dispensing position. The dispensing tube comprises a passage that, when the dispensing tube is pivoted to the dispensing position, is in communication with the dispensing valve through an opening in the cap. A push tab on the second section of the cap may be pushed to move the second section (after the removable portion is detached), which movement operates the dispensing valve to deliver a product through the passage in the dispenser tube. In the preferred embodiment the dispenser tube interferes with access to the push tab when the dispenser tube is its stowed position. However, when the dispenser tube is pivoted to the dispensing position, the dispenser tube extends away from the cap and may be placed adjacent to a surface or onto or into a liquid to dispense the contents of the aerosol container. Preferably, in a position between the dispensing and stowed positions, the ends of the passage through the dispenser tube are open or exposed to allow the passage to be conveniently cleaned.
A tamper resistant removable pull tab can be provided for securing the dispenser tube in the stowed position prior to use by the end consumer. The removable tab restricts pivoting movement of the dispenser tube away from its initially stowed position, until the removable pull tab is detached by the consumer. The absence of the pull tab from the product provides a tamper indication that enables the vendor or consumer to identify possible tampering.
Various embodiments of this invention provide an improved dispenser for dispensing the contents of an aerosol container onto a surface, or into a liquid such as a beverage. Some embodiments can include a removable portion to resist inadvertent operation, and indicate when the product had been tampered with. Some embodiments can include a removable tab to secure the dispenser tube to likewise resist inadvertent operation, and indicate when the product has been tampered with. Some embodiments can be configured so that the ends of the dispensing tube can be exposed for convenient cleaning.
These and other features and advantages will be in part apparent, and in part pointed out herein after.
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
A preferred embodiment of a dispenser constructed according to the principles of this invention is indicated generally as 20 in
The removable portion 32 between the first section 24 and second section 26 restricts the movement of the second section 26 to resist operation of the dispensing valve 36 until the removable portion 32 is detached from the cap 22 by the end consumer. The removable portion 32 preferably comprises a strip, separated from the first and second sections by lines of weakness, which could be lines of reduced thickness or lines of perforation. The removable portion 32 of the cap 22 preferably further comprises a “Pull” tab 38 that may be pulled to facilitate detaching the removable portion 28 from the cap. The “Pull” tab 38 provides a convenient place for user directions on how to remove the removable portion (e.g. “PULL”), and it makes it easier for a user to grip, pull, and remove the removable portion 32.
The cap 22, and in particular the distal section 28 of the cap, has a generally cylindrical recess 40 (shown in
The cap 22, and in particular the distal section 28, further comprises a sleeve 48 therein for receiving and substantially sealingly engaging the valve 36 on the can or container 34. A passage 50 extends through the distal section 28 in communication with the sleeve 48. When the dispenser tube 24 is pivoted to the dispensing position, the proximal end 44 of the passage 42 is aligned with, and communicates with, the passage 50 in the cap 22 (shown in
The cap 22 preferably has a substantially flat face 52, oblique to the longitudinal axis of can. A “Push” tab 54 is preferably provided on the second or distal section 26 of the cap 22, and can be positioned on this face 52. The “Push” tab 54 is preferably sized and positioned so that the user can push on the “Push” tab to displace the second section 26 relative to the first proximal section 24 (after the removable portion 32 is detached), to operate the dispensing valve 36 to deliver the contents of the container 34 through the passage 42 in the dispenser tube 24. In the preferred embodiment, the container 34 contains a foam-forming liquid product, such as a whipped cream product. This product is particular suitable for frothing a beverage, such as coffee, to make a latte. However, the invention is not so limited and could be applied to the delivery of other food products, or even other non-food products, including food products such as whipped cream, cheese, and condiments, and non-food products such as caulk, plastic foams (such as urethane foams and latex foams), cleaners, waxes, polishes, cosmetics, skin lotions, sunscreen, sun blocks, and self tanners.
When pivoted to its dispensing position, the dispenser tube 24 projects or extends away from the cap 22, so that the distal end may be conveniently positioned adjacent to a surface or onto or into a liquid for enabling convenient delivery of the contents. When the dispenser tube 24 is pivoted to the stowed position, the dispenser tube 24 obscures the “Push” tab 54 on the cap, and is engaged by a catch 56 on the cap, to thereby resist movement or operation of the dispensing valve. Specifically, when the dispenser tube 24 is in the stowed position it restricts movement of the second or distal section 26 relative to the first proximal section 24 of the cap. In a position between the dispensing and stowed positions, the proximal and distal ends 44 and 46 of the dispenser tube passage 42 are both open to allow the passage to be conveniently flushed or rinsed clean.
The cap 22 can further comprise a tamper resistant removable “Pull” tab 58 for retaining the dispenser tube 24 in the stowed position prior to use by the end user or consumer. The removable tab 58 restricts pivoting movement of the dispenser tube 40 away from its initially stowed position, until the removable “Pull” tab 58 is detached by the end-use or consumer. The absence of the “Pull” tab 58 (like the absence of the removable portion 32) from the product serves as a tamper indicator.
The dispensing tube 24 is preferably made from a polypropylene or other suitable polymeric material. Of course the dispensing tube could be made from any other suitable material compatible with the contents of the container the liquid it is to be dispensed to. As shown in
The dispenser tube 24 is sufficiently long to project or extend a sufficient length for enabling the distal end 44 of the passage 42 to be placed in a liquid such that a foamed product may be delivered below the surface of the liquid through the tube. Instructional indicia, such as an instructional graphic of text message, can be provided on the dispenser tube 24. In the preferred embodiment, this instructional indicia includes a arrow graphic 64, illustrating the that direction of movement of the extension tube.
In accordance with the principles of this invention, the cap is preferably made from a polypropylene or other suitable polymeric material.
In operation the cap 22 is provided on an aerosol can 34 having an aerosol dispensing valve 36. The can 34 contains a charged of a fluid, and more preferably a foam-forming fluid, under pressure. Most preferably, the can 34 contains a cream or cream substitute.
In use, the consumer removes the removable portion 32, to allow the second section of the cap to pivot relative to the first portion. The user also removes the “Pull” tab 58. The dispenser is now ready for use. To dispense the contents of the can, the user simply pivots the tube 24 to its dispensing position, bringing the proximal end 44 of the passage 42 into alignment with the opening 50 in the cap, which in turn communicates with the passage 48 in which the valve 36 is disposed. The user positions the distal end of the tube 24 at the location where the contents are to be dispensed. The tube 24 allows the user to dispense the contents onto or into a liquid, and in particular into coffee or other beverage. The user presses on the tab 54, which causes the second portion of the cap to pivot on the hinge 30, operating the valve 36. The valve 36 discharges the contents of the can 34 into the sleeve 48, from where it passes through opening 50, and then into the proximal end 44 of the passage 42, and eventually out the distal end 46 of the passage 42.
After product has been dispensed, the user can pivot the tube 24 to a position intermediate the dispensing and stowed positions in which the proximal and distal ends 44 and 46 of the passage 42 are exposed, to wash out the passage. The tube 24 can then be operated to its stowed position, where it overlies the face 52, preferably obscuring the “Push” tab 54. In the preferred embodiment, the tube 24 engages the first portion 24 of the cap, so that it physically resists the pivoting of the second portion 26, and thus resists inadvertent operation of the dispenser.
Thus the dispenser 20 is capable of being extended to deliver a foamed product below the surface of a liquid, and is also capable of being positioned for enabling cleaning of the dispenser after use. The cap may further comprise a detent (not shown) to retaining the dispenser tube in the stowed position, to further improve restriction of operation of the dispensing valve.
Additional design considerations, readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as the modification of the dispensing tube to include a detent for securing the tube in the stowed position, may also further improve restriction of movement and operation of the dispensing valve. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications such as the above may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. More particularly, the dispenser may be adapted to any aerosol can or container for dispensing a variety of foamed products. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited by the particular form illustrated and described above, but by the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/615,453, filed Oct. 1, 2004 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/585,417, filed Jul. 2, 2004. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3169673 | Focht | Feb 1965 | A |
| 3204644 | McDougall-Kaley | Sep 1965 | A |
| 4067482 | Vogel et al. | Jan 1978 | A |
| 5501375 | Nilson | Mar 1996 | A |
| 5915599 | Takahashi | Jun 1999 | A |
| 20030168476 | Sanchez | Sep 2003 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20060006201 A1 | Jan 2006 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60615453 | Oct 2004 | US | |
| 60585417 | Jul 2004 | US |
