Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6382469
-
Patent Number
6,382,469
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, July 31, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 7, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Robert R. Hussey Co., LPA
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 222 15306
- 222 15312
- 222 15313
- 222 40213
- 222 40214
- 141 38
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container through an upstanding valve stem having a discharge end. The actuator has a body securable to the container and a finger tab for dispensing the container contents upon actuation thereof and a latch to selectively hold the finger tab in the dispensing position or release the finger tab. The finger tab has a valve seat shoulder for contacting the discharge end of the valve stem and is rotatable about a rotational axis which is substantially coplanar with the discharge end of the valve stem in the unactuated position. Resistance reducing notches are provided in the body to allow improved movement of the finger tab. Frangible ribs are provided to avoid the inadvertent actuation of the actuator and also guide movement of the finger tab.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to actuators and more particularly to actuators for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container through an upstanding valve stem releasably securable in a discharge condition with improved operating features.
Modern pneumatic tires are designed for extended use on vehicles, such as automobiles and trucks, over many miles. Regardless of how well these tires are designed, they can still be punctured by sharp objects inadvertently left on the roadway and go flat. When the tire is punctured, the motorist must change the tire if he has a spare or have another tire put on the vehicle. In some instances, it is difficult to change the tire due to the location of the vehicle, such as when the puncture occurs on roadway which is not flat and the vehicle cannot be safely raised with a jack to change the tire. Another instances is dangerous to change the tire, such as for example, when the tire is punctured on a heavily traveled roadway and there is not sufficient space to change the tire safely.
Various tire inflator and sealant products have been developed for both sealing the puncture in a tire and also inflating the tire so that it can be used to resume travel where the tire puncture may be repaired. These tire inflator and sealant products generally include a container having a inflator and sealant composition contained therein under pressure. This composition is releasable through an upstanding valve in the discharge end of the container. These compositions in the container typically include a liquefied gas in a sufficient quantity to re-inflate the tire to a driveable condition and a sealant material for sealing the puncture when introduced into the tire.
An actuator is provided for attachment to the pressurized container to activate the upstanding valve so that the inflator and sealant composition passes through the valve and then through the actuator to a discharge tube attached to the valve on the tire. In operation, the motorist attaches the discharge tube to the valve on the punctured tire and then properly positions the canister to maximize the flow of the inflator and sealant composition into the tire. Some canisters are designed to be actuated in either an up or inverted position, that is with the upright stem in either an upward or inverted, downward position. The motorist then uses his finger to activate the actuator which in turn activates the valve in the pressurized container to release the inflator and sealant composition into the tire.
If the motorist inadvertently or accidentally depresses the actuator before he is ready to inflate and seal the punctured tire, the inflator and sealant composition is not introduced into the tire and the tire inflator and sealant product escapes. Accidental activation of the actuator can also occur in a wide variety of circumstances in handling the pressurized container. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an actuator which safeguards against inadvertent or accidental actuation of the actuator. In addition, the manufacturing process for assembling the actuator to the container may exert a force on the actuator and it is desirable to provide an actuator which avoids actuation of the actuator during the manufacturing process. On the other hand, it is desirable to provide an actuator that is easy to activate without requiring substantial finger pressure on the actuator to move it from an unactivated to an activated position, while providing an actuator which moves to an unactivated position when the finger pressure is removed from the actuator.
As the motorist actuates or depresses the actuator, the inflator and sealant composition flows into the actuator from the canister valve and proceeds through the discharge tube and then through the valve on the punctured tire into the tire. If the inflator and sealant composition is allowed to escape at the junction between the actuator and the valve on the canister both the inflator and sealant are not introduced into the tire. Accordingly it is desirable to provide an actuator which maintains the connection between the actuator and the valve on the canister so that the inflator and sealant does not escape at that junction.
Once the inflator and sealant composition is flowing into the punctured tire, maintaining finger pressure on the actuator to keep it in an activated condition can be difficult and strenuous for the motorist. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a latch for holding the actuator in the activated position while the inflator and sealant composition flows into the punctured tire. Since pneumatic tires have a wide variety of sizes and internal volume, different tires require different amounts of inflator and sealant composition. In order to avoid unnecessary use of the inflator and sealant composition and allow the canister to be used in another punctured tire situation, it is desirable to provide an actuator with a latch which is readily releasable when a sufficient amount of inflator and sealant composition has been introduced into the punctured tire.
It is also desirable to provide an actuator which returns to its unactivated position when the latch is released. Occasionally it is desirable to release small amounts of the inflator and sealant composition and accordingly it is desirable to provide an actuator which can manually be activated without using the latch so that when finger pressure is released, the actuator returns to an unactivated position.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides the above described desirable features with an improved actuator. The actuator of the present invention is used with a container having an upstanding valve stem with pressurized contents contained therein. The actuator is capable of either continuously or intermittently dispensing the pressurized contents of the container. To achieve this feature, the actuator of the present invention has a generally cylindrical body which is attachable to the container and has a central aperture therethrough for receiving the upstanding valve stem of the container. The central aperture extends generally along a central axis. The pressurized contents of the container is released through the discharge end of the valve stem.
The actuator has a finger tab which is positioned across the central aperture of the body and has a stem receiving aperture for receiving the upstanding valve stem of the container therein. The stem receiving aperture terminates in a valve seat shoulder which contacts the discharge end of the valve stem. The finger tab also has a discharge orifice formed in the side surface of the finger tab. Upon movement of the finger tab to depress and activate the valve stem, the pressurized contents flows through a passageway in the finger tab extending from the valve seat shoulder to the discharge orifice.
To connect the finger tab to the body, the actuator has an hinge portion which allows for movement of the finger tab between an unactuated position in which the valve stem is not actuated and an actuated position in which the valve stem is actuated to release the pressurized contents of the container.
The actuator hinge portion of the present invention provides an actuator that is easy to activate without requiring substantial finger pressure on the actuator to move it from an unactivated to an activated position. The actuator hinge portion has a body connecting portion, and an upright intermediate portion extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body and is separated from the body by notches extending from the top edge of the cylindrical body toward the bottom edge of the cylindrical body to a position below a plane vertical to the central axis and passing through the discharge end of the valve stem when the container is attached to the actuator. The actuator hinge portion also has a finger tab connecting portion connecting the upright intermediate portion to the finger tab. The notches reduce the force required to move the finger tab from the unactuated position to the actuated position.
The actuator of the present invention provides an improved connection between the finger tab and the discharge end of the valve stem which maintains the junction between the actuator and the valve on the canister so that the inflator and sealant does not escape at that junction. This desirable feature is achieved by providing for rotation of the finger tab about an axis which minimizes movement of the valve stem in a direction other than a vertical direction when it is moved between an actuated and unactuated position. By positioning the rotational axis of the finger tab with respect to the actuator body about a rotational axis which is substantially coplanar with the discharge end of the valve stem, when the finger tab is moved between the actuated and unactuated position the discharge end of the valve stem remains in contact with the valve and seat shoulder of the finger tab so that escape of the pressurized contents of the container is minimized. The present invention provides for the path of the finger tab to be more vertical and collinear with the valve stem that it actuates. By following the valve stem line of movement, less actuation force on the finger tab is required and also an improved seal between the valve and the seat shoulder of the finger tab is achieved.
To safeguard against the inadvertent or accidental actuation, the actuator of the present invention has frangible ribs with a base portion formed integrally with the finger tab and a connecting portion formed integrally with the body. The cross-sectional area of the base portion is greater than the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion. The connecting portions of the frangible ribs are frangible by a force of from between 5 to 30 pounds exerted on the finger tab with the base portion remaining connected to the finger tab when the frangible ribs are separated from the actuator body. After the frangible ribs break away from the actuator body they slide against the actuator body to guide the finger tab and reduce lateral movement of the tab as it moves between an actuated and unactuated position or when used with an overcap.
The actuator of the present invention is capable of either continuously or intermittently dispense the pressurized contents of the container. To intermittently dispensing contents of the container, the finger tab is depressed to the actuated position To continuously dispense the pressurized contents of the container, a latch is provided on the body which engages the finger tab when depressed to a latch actuated position slightly beyond the intermittent actuated position and holds the finger tab in the actuated position. The novel latch of the present invention allows the finger tab to be readily released when the desired amount of pressurized contents are released. The hinge portion of the actuator returns the finger tab to an unactivated position when either the latch is released or pressure is removed from the finger tab.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of the actuator the present invention mounted on a container.
FIG. 2
is a top view of the actuator of the present invention.
FIG. 3
is a bottom view of the actuator of the present invention.
FIG. 4
is a front view of the actuator the present invention.
FIG. 5
is a side view of the actuator the present invention.
FIG. 6
is a rear view of the actuator of the present invention.
FIG. 7
is a sectional view of the actuator of the present invention and unactuated position and taken along lines
7
â
7
in FIG.
2
.
FIG. 8
is a sectional view of the actuator shown in
FIG. 7
in an activated position.
FIG. 9
is a sectional view of the actuator shown in
FIG. 7
in an locked activated position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved actuator
10
for use with a container, such as the tire inflation container
12
, having a valve
14
, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 7
. The container
12
has pressurized contents therein which are releasable from the valve
14
having an upstanding valve stem
16
upon actuation of the valve. While the actuator
10
is described in connection with a tire inflation container, it should be understood that the actuator
10
of the present invention may be used with containers having other contents, such as freon for recharging and other aerosol dispensing applications.
The actuator
10
of the present invention has a generally cylindrical body
18
having a central aperture
20
therethrough for receiving the upstanding valve stem
14
therein when the actuator is attached to the container
12
, as shown in
FIGS. 1-6
. The actuator
10
also has a finger tab
22
which is positioned across the central aperture
20
of the body
18
for actuating the valve
14
and receiving the pressurized contents of the container
12
from the upstanding valve stem
16
upon actuation of the valve
14
.
A discharge tube
24
is provided having an actuator attachment end
26
for attachment to the actuator
10
and another end
28
for attachment to a pneumatic tire valve. When the actuator
10
is moved to actuate the valve
14
, the pressurized contents of the container
12
flows through the valve
14
, the actuator
10
and discharge tube
24
, which when attached to a pneumatic tire valve, consequently flows into a pneumatic tire.
To attach the actuator
10
to the container
12
, the actuator body
18
has a lower attachment skirt
30
having an outer surface
32
and an inner surface
34
as seen in
FIGS. 1-8
. The container
12
has a valve end
36
with a generally circular flange
38
formed about the central axis
40
of the top
41
of the container
12
. The flange
38
extends outwardly and away from the central axis
40
and has a top portion
42
defining a portion of the valve end
36
of the container, a generally circular side portion
44
, and a bottom portion
46
extending radially inwardly of the side portion
44
towards the central axis
40
and defining part of the container detent
48
positioned beneath the flange
38
.
The inner surface
34
of the actuator's attachment skirt
30
is formed to be received by the flange
38
of the container
12
and is generally circular, formed about the central axis
49
of the aperture
20
of the body
18
. The inner surface
34
terminates in a bottom edge
50
. When the actuator
10
is attached to the container
12
, the central axis
40
of the container and the central axis
49
of the actuator body are in alignment and coextensive with each other. The diameter of the inner surface
34
is slightly larger than the diameter of the side portion
44
of the container
12
.
The attachment skirt
30
of the body
18
also has an inwardly extending flange
52
adjacent the bottom edge
50
for attaching the actuator
10
to the container
12
. The internal flange
52
has a top and bottom portion
54
,
56
respectively which extend inwardly towards the central axis and terminate in an internal side portion
58
positioned inward of the inner surface
34
of the actuator body
18
.
Attachment of the actuator
10
to the container
12
is achieved by alignment of the central axes
40
,
49
of the container
12
and actuator
18
respectively. The valve stem
14
is received in the stem receiving aperture
60
as will be hereinafter more fully described and the bottom portion
56
of the internal flange
52
is positioned adjacent the top portion
42
of the flange
38
.
An axial force is exerted on the actuator
10
and the container
12
along their common central axes
40
,
49
urging them to an assembled condition. Due to the flexibility of the lower attachment skirt
30
, the inwardly extending flange
52
expands when its bottom portion
56
is pressed into the top portion
42
of the circular container flange
38
and the side portions
44
,
58
of the flange
38
and inwardly extending flange
42
respectively are in contact until the container detent
48
receives the inwardly extending flange
52
therein. In this assembled position the top portion
54
of the inwardly extending flange
52
is positioned in the container detent
48
with the top portion
54
of the inwardly extending flange
52
in contact with the bottom portion
46
of the container flange
38
.
In order to prohibit further downward movement of the actuator
10
with respect to the container
12
, the actuator body
18
has retainer bosses
62
having bottom surfaces
64
in contact with the top portion
42
of the container flange
38
when the actuator and the container are in the assembled position. The bottom surfaces
64
are positioned so that they are in engagement with the top portion
42
when the inwardly extending flange
52
is positioned in the container detent
48
. The retainer bosses
62
prevent further downward movement of the actuator
10
with respect to the container
12
and provide for the securement of the actuator to the container.
To provide for the flow of the pressurized contents of the container
12
through the finger tab
22
to the discharge tube
24
, the finger tab
22
has a bottom surface
65
in which the stem receiving aperture
60
of the finger tab
22
is formed and also has a top surface
66
and a side surface
68
connecting the top and bottom surfaces
66
,
65
. The stem receiving aperture
60
through the bottom surface
65
terminates in a valve seat shoulder
70
which contacts the discharge end
71
of the valve stem
16
when moving the valve
14
from an unactuated to an actuated position, shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8
respectively.
The finger tab
22
has a passageway
72
extending through the valve seat shoulder
70
to the discharge orifice
74
in the side
68
of the finger tab
22
. The actuator
10
of the present invention advantageously provides for the side discharge of the pressurized contents of the container through the side discharge orifice
74
. The known containers in some instances must be inverted to discharge the pressurized contents properly and other known containers must be in an upright position to properly discharge the pressurized contents. By providing for side discharge, the container
12
may be positioned in either an upright position or an inverted position.
The finger tab
22
also has a discharge tube connector
75
formed integrally with the side surface
68
of the finger tab
22
. The actuator attachment end
26
of the discharge tube
24
is attached to the discharge tube connector
75
by sliding the discharge tube over the discharge tube connector with a friction fit and securing that connection with a collar
77
. It should be understood that it is within the contemplation of this invention to use a wide variety of known connections between the discharge tube and the discharge orifice.
To connect the finger tab
22
to the body
18
, the actuator
10
has a hinge portion
76
which allows for movement of the finger tab between an unactuated position
78
, shown in
FIG. 7
, in which the valve
14
is not actuated and an actuated position
80
, shown in
FIG. 8
, in which the valve
14
is actuated to release the pressurized contents of the container or the locked actuated position
80
L shown in FIG.
9
. The valve
14
is designed to be activated when it is moved as is known in the art. In the unactuated position
78
, the valve stem
16
is in a raise position and when the valve stem is depressed to the actuated position
80
, valve
14
is opened and the pressurized contents of the container
12
is released through the valve in a known manner.
To move the finger tab
22
from the unactuated position
78
to the activated position
80
, the operators finger is placed on the top surface
66
of the finger tab
22
and a force âFâ is exerted in a direction towards the container
12
. The top surface
66
has a series of ridges
82
to provide a frictional surface for contacting the operators finger. As the finger tab is to moved the valve seat shoulder
70
contacts the discharge end
71
of the valve stem
16
and exerts a force on the valve stem to move it to an actuated position
80
.
The actuator hinge portion
76
of the present invention provides an actuator that is easy to activate without requiring substantial finger pressure on the finger tab to move it from an unactivated position
78
to an activated position
80
. As seen in
FIG. 4
, the actuator hinge portion
76
has a body connecting portion
84
, and an upright intermediate portion
86
extending upwardly from the body connecting portion in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.
The body connecting portion
84
is separated from the protective skirt
88
of the body on each side by notches
90
extending from the top edge
92
of the cylindrical body
18
and the top edge
94
of the finger tab
22
toward the bottom edge
50
of the cylindrical body. The notches
90
are defined by a finger tab notch surface
96
and a body notch surface
98
and terminate in a bottom surface
100
positioned below a plane perpendicular to the central axis
49
of the actuator body and passing through the valve seat shoulder
70
and discharge end
71
of the valve stem when the container is attached to the actuator. The notches
90
reduce the force required to move the finger tab from the unactuated position to the actuated position.
The actuator hinge portion
76
also has a finger tab connecting portion of
92
connecting the upright intermediate portion
86
to the finger tab
22
. The finger tab connecting portion of
92
also has a reinforcing rib
102
, shown in FIGS.
3
and
7
-
9
, formed integrally with both the bottom
64
of the finger tab
22
, the finger tab connecting portion of
92
and the the upright intermediate portion
86
of the actuator hinge
76
. The reinforcing rib
102
is provided to implement ejection of the actuator from the injection molding die and also assist in moving the finger tab
22
to improve the connection between the discharge end
71
of the valve stem
16
and the valve seat shoulder
70
of the finger tab
22
as will be hereinafter more fully described.
The reinforcing rib
102
has a cylindrical portion
104
and a connecting rib portion
106
extending from the side
108
of the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion
104
has a diameter greater than the width of the connecting rib
106
. The top
110
of the cylindrical portion
104
and the top
112
of the connecting rib portion
106
is formed integrally with the bottom
64
of the finger tab
22
formed by the finger tab conduit portion
114
.
The finger tab conduit portion
114
extends from the valve seat shoulder
70
to the tube discharge orifice
74
and defines the passageway
72
therein. The finger tab conduit portion
114
is relatively substantial in size in comparison with the other portions of the finger tab
22
and provides rigidity to the finger tab
22
.
As seen in FIG,
3
, the connecting rib
106
is also formed integrally with the inside surface
116
of the finger tab connecting portion
92
and the the upright intermediate portion
86
of the actuator hinge
76
. By connecting the tops
110
,
112
of the reinforcing rib
102
and the connecting rib
106
to the finger tab connecting portion of
92
, a relatively rigid connection is achieved and assists in providing for rotation of the finger tab
22
about a rotational axis
118
, shown in
FIG. 4
, which is substantially coplanar with the valve seat shoulder
70
or slightly below that plane.
The actuator
18
of the present invention provides an improved connection between the finger tab
22
and the discharge end
71
of the valve stem
16
which maintains the connection between the actuator and the valve on the canister so that leakage of the inflator and sealant is minimized. This desirable feature is achieved by providing for rotation of the finger tab
22
about an axis
118
which minimizes movement of the valve stem in a direction other than a vertical direction when it is move between an unactuated position
78
and an actuated position
80
, or
80
L.
By positioning the rotational axis
118
of the finger tab
22
about a rotational axis which is substantially coplanar with the valve seat shoulder
70
, when the finger tab is moved between the unactuated position
78
and an actuated position
80
,
80
L, the discharge end of the valve stem remains in contact with the valve and seat shoulder of the finger tab to provide an improved seal therebetween so that the pressurized contents of the container
12
does not escape therefrom.
The rotational axis
118
of the finger tab
22
is substantially in a plane that passes through the valve seat shoulder
70
of the actuator and the discharge end
71
of the valve stem
16
when the actuator is in the unactuated position which plane is also substantially perpendicular to the central axis is
49
of the body
18
. It should be recognized that the axis
118
may be slightly below or above that plane while achieving this advantageous feature of the present invention. The present invention provides for the path of the finger tab to be substantially vertical and collinear with the valve stem
16
that it actuates. By following the valve stem line of movement, less actuation force on the finger tab is required and also an improved seal between the valve and the seat shoulder of the finger tab is achieved.
To safeguard against inadvertent or accidental actuation, the actuator
10
the present invention has frangible ribs
120
with a base portion
122
formed integrally with the outer side
124
of the finger tab
22
as seen in
FIGS. 2 and 3
. The frangible ribs
120
have converging sides
126
which converge from the base portion
122
to the connecting portion
128
of the frangible ribs. The connecting portion
128
is formed integrally with the body
18
.
The body
18
has extended side walls or a protective rim
130
extending from the body notch surfaces
98
and away from the finger tab connecting portion
92
. The protective rim
130
has a top edge
132
which is positioned above the portion of the finger tab
22
adjacent the finger tab connecting portion
92
as seen in
FIGS. 2-6
. The protective rim
130
protects against inadvertent contact with the finger tab and accidental actuation of the actuator
10
.
The connecting portion
128
of the frangible ribs
120
is formed integrally with inner surface
130
of the protective rim
132
. A vertical line passing through inner surface
130
is substantially parallel to the central axis
49
of the actuator
10
. The cross-sectional area of the base portion
122
is greater than the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion
128
. The connecting portions
128
of the frangible ribs
120
are frangible by a force of from between 5 to 30 pounds exerted on the finger tab
22
.
The cross-sectional area of the base portion
122
is sufficiently greater than the cross-sectional area of the connecting portions so that the base portion remains connected to the finger tab when the frangible ribs are separated from the actuator body. It has been found that this favorable feature is realized when the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion
128
is less than 50 percent of said cross-sectional area of the base portion
122
. Accordingly, when a force of from between 5 to 30 pounds is exerted on the finger tab, the connecting portion
128
breaks away from the protective rim
130
at the junction therebetween.
After the frangible ribs break away from the actuator body, the connecting portions
128
slide against the inner surface
130
of the protective rim
132
to guide the finger tab and reduce lateral movement of the tab as it moves between an actuated and unactuated position. The frangible ribs are positioned rearward of a plane which passes through the central axis
49
and is substantially parallel to the rotational axis
118
. Since the finger tab rotates about the rotational axis
118
, when the frangible ribs
120
are so positioned, they resist any force exerted on the finger tab
22
other than those in a substantially vertical direction along the axis
49
. By maintaining the finger tab for moving along the line of direction along the axis
49
, the seal between the valve and
36
of the valve
14
and the valve seat shoulder
70
of the finger tab
22
is maintained so that leakage of the contents of the cylinder at that junction is minimized.
The actuator
10
of the present invention is capable of either continuously or intermittently dispensing the pressurized contents of the container
12
. To continuously dispense the pressurized contents of the container, a latch device
134
is provided on the body
18
which engages the finger tab
22
when depressed slightly beyond the actuated position
80
to a latched or locked actuated position
80
L and holds the finger tab in the actuated position as shown in
FIGS. 2
,
5
,
6
,
7
-
9
.
The latch device
134
includes an aperture
136
in the rearward portion
138
of the finger tab
22
. The rear surface
140
of the aperture
136
has a ledge
142
extending therefrom. The latch device
134
includes a movable latch portion
144
having its lower end
146
connected to the lower attachment skirt
30
. The movable latch portion
144
also has an intermediate portion
148
extending from the lower end
146
towards the finger tab
22
and terminating in the latch or retaining portion
150
. The intermediate portion
148
is separated from the lower attachment skirt
30
by notches
152
on each side of the intermediate portion. The finger tab
22
has reinforcing portions
153
adjacent the aperture
136
and extending from the top surface
66
of the finger tab
22
downwardly towards the latch
150
to provide rigidity and strength to the rearward portion
138
of the finger tab
22
.
When the finger tab
22
is moved from the unactuated to the locked actuated position
78
,
80
L respectively, the notches
152
decrease the resistance of the latch
150
in movement between its unlocked or unlatched position
151
, shown in
FIG. 7
, and its locked or latched position
151
L, shown in
FIG. 9
, and also allow the reinforcing portions
153
to be received in the notches so that movement of the finger tab is not impaired. Accordingly, the intermediate portion is free to move and allow the latch
150
to either engage or disengage the ledge
142
on the finger tab.
If it is desirable to intermittently dispense pressurized contents from the container
12
, the operator simply depresses the finger tab
22
to the actuated position
80
until the pressurized contents are dispensed. When a sufficient amount has been dispensed, the operator releases pressure on the finger tab and the finger tab moves to the unactivated position
78
. On the other hand, if it is desirable to continuously dispense pressurized contents from the container
12
, the operator depresses the finger tab
22
until the top angular surface
154
of the latch
150
contacts the bottom surface
156
of the ledge
142
.
As the operator continues to depress the finger tab
22
, the angular surface
154
of the latch
150
cams against the bottom surface
156
of the ledge to move the latch
150
inwardly towards the aperture
136
until the bottom surface
158
of the latch passes the top surface
160
of the ledge. At this point, the latch
150
moves backward and away from the aperture
136
with the bottom surface
158
of the latch in contact with the top surface
160
of the ledge with the finger tab in a locked position
162
as seen in FIG.
8
. This engagement between the latch
150
and the ledge
142
operates to hold the finger tab
22
in the locked activated position
80
L so the operator can remove pressure from the finger tab while the pressurized contents of the container
12
continues to be dispensed.
In some cases is unnecessary to dispense the entire contents of the container. The latch device
134
of the present invention allows the operator to release the finger tab from a locked position
162
or locked activated position
80
L.
By exerting finger pressure on the back
164
of the intermediate portion
148
, the latch
150
moves into the aperture
136
until its bottom surface
158
no longer contacts the top surface
160
of the ledge. At this point, the finger tab
22
moves to the unactuated position
78
so the contents of the container is no longer dispensed. The hinge portion
76
of the actuator returns the finger tab to an unactivated position
78
when either the latch
134
is released or pressure is removed from the finger tab. It should be understood that it is within the compilation of this invention to exert an upward force on the finger tab
22
to force the latch
150
to move into the aperture
136
until its bottom surface
158
no longer contacts the top surface
160
of the ledge
142
so that the finger tab
22
is allowed to move to an unactivated position
78
.
The actuator
10
of the present invention provides the advantageous features described above with a design that is capable of being easily manufactured without complex assembly of various components. The actuator of the present invention may be manufactured by injection molding one-piece that is simply mounted on the container
12
after assembly with the discharge tube
24
. Such a design provides for substantial commercial advantage in the costs of manufacture and assembly of the actuator.
The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the specification. It is our intention to include all modifications and alterations in so far as they are within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof.
Claims
- 1. An actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container, which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged, said actuator comprising:a body having an aperture and an outer peripheral surface, said body adapted for attachment to the container with the valve stem positioned in said aperture, a finger tab positioned across said aperture and having a discharge orifice, said finger tab having a stem receiving aperture for receiving the valve stem therein when said actuator is attached to the container, and a valve seat shoulder for contacting the discharge end of the valve stem when the container is attached to said actuator, said finger tab having a passageway extending through said valve seat shoulder and extending through said discharge orifice, said finger tab having a locking aperture therethrough, a hinge portion connecting said finger tab to said body, said hinge portion allowing for movement of said finger tab between an unactuated position in which the valve is not actuated and an actuated position in which the valve is actuated to release the pressurized contents of the container when said actuator is attached to the container, a latch device including a ledge defining a portion of said locking aperture in said finger tab, and a latch movably attached to said body and movable between an unlatched and latched position, said latch having a retaining portion, said finger tab movable between an unactuated and locked actuated position, said latch extending from said body toward said finger tab with said retaining portion adjacent to and spaced from said locking aperture when said finger tab is in said unactuated position, said retaining portion extending through said locking aperture and engaging said ledge when said finger tab is in said locked actuated position, and said finger tab movable to said unactuated position by exerting a force on one of said latch and said finger tab to release said finger tab from engagement with said retaining portion.
- 2. An actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container, which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged as described in claim 1 in which said finger tab is movable between an unactuated, actuated and locked actuated positions, said finger tab movable from said unactuated to said actuated position when an actuating force is exerted on said finger tab, and in said actuated position said retaining portion of said latch is not in engagement with said ledge and said finger tab is movable from said actuated to said unactuated position when the actuating force is removed from said finger tab.
- 3. An actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container, which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged as described in claim 1 said body having a lower attachment skirt for attachment to the container, said latch having a lower end connected to said lower attachment skirt of said body, and an intermediate portion extending from said lower end to said retaining portion, said body having notches separating said intermediate portion and said retaining portion of said latch from said lower attachment skirt of said body.
- 4. An actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container, which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged as described in claim 3 in which said intermediate portion of said latch has an outside surface for exerting finger pressure thereon to move the said retaining portion into said aperture on said finger tab and allow said finger tab to return to said unactivated position.
- 5. An actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container, which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged as described in claim 1, in which said hinge portion has a rotational axis substantially coplanar with said valve seat shoulder during actuation of the valve stem by said actuator tab.
- 6. An actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container, which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged as described in claim 1 in which said actuator has at least one frangible rib having a base portion and a connecting portion, said base portion formed integrally with one of said body and said finger tab and said connecting portion formed integrally with the other of said finger tab and said connecting portion, each of said base and connecting portion having a cross-sectional area, said cross-sectional area of said base portion is greater than said cross-sectional area of said connecting portion, said cross-sectional area of said connecting portion of said one frangible rib being frangible by a force of from between five pounds to thirty pounds of force on said finger tab and said cross-sectional area of said the base portion of said one frangible rib being sufficient to remain connected to said one of said body and said finger tab when said one frangible rib is separated from said other of said finger tab and said connecting portion.
- 7. An actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container, which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged as described in claim 1 in which said aperture of said body is formed along a central axis, said body having a top and a bottom edge, said hinge portion having an upright intermediate portion extending in a direction substantially parallel to said central axis of said cylindrical body, said body having notches beside each side of said upright portion of said hinge portion, said notches separating said upright portion from said cylindrical body, said notches extending from said top edge of said cylindrical body in a direction toward said bottom edge of said cylindrical body to a position below a plane passing through said valve seat shoulder and vertical to said central axis.
- 8. A one-piece integrally molded actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a container valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container, which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged, said actuator comprising:a generally cylindrical body having a central aperture along a central axis, said cylindrical body adapted for attachment to the container with the valve stem positioned in said central aperture, a finger tab positioned across said central aperture and having a top and a bottom surface and a side surface connecting said top and bottom surfaces, said finger tab having a discharge orifice formed in said side surface of said finger tab, said finger tab having a stem receiving aperture for receiving the valve stem therein when said actuator is attached to the container, and a valve seat shoulder for contacting the discharge end of the valve stem when the container is attached to said actuator, said finger tab having a passageway extending through said valve seat shoulder and extending through said discharge orifice, a hinge portion connecting said finger tab to said cylindrical body, said hinge portion having a rotational axis substantially coplanar with said valve seat shoulder.
- 9. A one-piece integrally molded actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a container valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container, which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged as described in claim 8 in which said rotational axis of said hinge portion lies substantially in a plane passing through said valve seat shoulder and vertical to said central axis.
- 10. A one-piece integrally molded actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a container valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container, which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged as described in claim 8 which includes a reinforcing rib formed integrally with said finger tab and said hinge portion.
- 11. A one-piece integrally molded actuator as described in claim 8, said finger tab having a locking aperture therethrough and a lock releasing portion extending outwardly of said outer peripheral surface of said body, said actuator including a latch device including a ledge defining a portion of said locking aperture in said finger tab, and a latch movably attached to said body and movable between an unlatched and latched position, said latch having a retaining portion, said finger tab movable between an unactuated and locked actuated position, said latch extending from said body toward said finger tab with said retaining portion adjacent to and spaced from said locking aperture when said finger tab is in said unactuated position, said retaining portion extending through said locking aperture and engaging said ledge when said finger tab is in said locked actuated position, and said finger tab movable to said unactuated position by exerting a force on one of said latch and said finger tab to release said finger tab from engagement with said retaining portion.
- 12. A one-piece integrally molded actuator as described in claim 8, said actuator to having at least one frangible rib having a base portion and a connecting portion, said base portion formed integrally with one of said body and said finger tab and said connecting portion formed integrally with the other of said finger tab and said connecting portion, each of said base and connecting portions having a cross-sectional area, said cross-sectional area of said base portion is greater than said cross-sectional area of said connecting portion, said cross-sectional area of said connecting portion of said one frangible rib being frangible by a force of from between five pounds to thirty pounds of force on said finger tab and said cross-sectional area of said the base portion of said one frangible rib being sufficient to remain connected to said one of said body and said finger tab when said one frangible rib is separated from said other of said finger tab and said connecting portion.
- 13. A one-piece integrally molded actuator as described in claim 8, in which said aperture of said body is formed along a central axis, said body having a top and a bottom edge, said hinge portion having an upright portion extending in a direction substantially parallel to said central axis of said cylindrical body, said body having notches beside each side of said upright portion of said hinge portion, said notches separating said upright portion from said cylindrical body, said notches extending from said top edge of said cylindrical body in a direction toward said bottom edge of said cylindrical body to a position below a plane passing through said valve seat shoulder and vertical to said central axis.
- 14. A one-piece integrally molded actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a container valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container, which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged, said actuator comprising:a generally cylindrical body having a central aperture therethrough generally extending along a central axis, said cylindrical body having a top portion terminating in a top edge, and a bottom portion adapted for attachment to the container with the valve stem positioned in said central aperture, said bottom portion terminating in a bottom edge, a finger tab positioned across said central aperture and having a top and a bottom surface and a side surface connecting said top and bottom surfaces, said finger tab having a discharge orifice formed in said side surface of said finger tab, said finger tab having a stem receiving aperture for receiving the valve stem therein when said actuator is attached to the container, and a valve seat shoulder for contacting the discharge end of the valve stem when the container is attached to said actuator, said finger tab having a passageway extending through said valve seat shoulder and extending through said discharge orifice, a hinge portion connecting said finger tab to said cylindrical body, said hinge portion having an upright portion extending in a direction substantially parallel to said central axis of said cylindrical body said body having notches beside each side of said upright portion of said hinge portion, said notches separating said upright portion from said cylindrical body said notches extending from said top edge of said cylindrical body in a direction toward said bottom edge of said cylindrical body to a position below a plane passing through said valve seat shoulder and vertical to said central axis.
- 15. A one-piece integrally molded actuator as described in claim 14 which includes a reinforcing rib formed integrally with said finger tab and said hinge portion.
- 16. A one-piece integrally molded actuator as described in claim 14 said finger tab having a locking aperture therethrough and a lock releasing portion extending outwardly of said outer peripheral surface of said body, said actuator including a latch device including a ledge defining a portion of said locking aperture in said finger tab, and a latch movably attached to said body and a movable between an unlatched and latched position, said latch having a retaining portion, said finger tab movable between an unactuated and locked actuated position, said latch extending from said body toward said finger tab with said retaining portion adjacent to and spaced from said locking aperture when said finger tab is in said unactuated position, said retaining portion extending through said locking aperture and engaging said ledge when said finger tab is in a locked actuated position, and said finger tab movable to said unactuated position by exerting a force on one of said latch and said finger tab to release said finger tab from engagement with said retaining portion.
- 17. A one-piece integrally molded actuator as described in claim 14 in which said hinge portion has a rotational axis substantially coplanar with said valve seat shoulder.
- 18. A one-piece integrally molded actuator as described in claim 14 in which said actuator has at least one frangible rib having a base portion and a connecting portion, said base portion formed integrally with one of said body and said finger tab and said connecting portion formed integrally with the other of said finger tab and said connecting portion, each of said base and connecting portion having a cross-sectional area, said cross-sectional area of said base portion is greater than said cross-sectional area of said connecting portion, said cross-sectional area of said connecting portion of said one frangible rib being frangible by a force of from between five pounds to thirty pounds of force on said finger tab and said cross-sectional area of said the base portion of said one frangible rib being sufficient to remain connected to said one of said body and said finger tab when said one frangible rib is separated from said other of said finger tab and said connecting portion.
- 19. An actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged, said actuator comprising:a body having an aperture, said body adapted for attachment to the container with the valve stem positioned in said aperture, a finger tab positioned across said aperture and having a discharge orifice, said finger tab having a stem receiving aperture for receiving the valve stem therein when said actuator is attached to the container, and a valve seat shoulder for contacting the discharge end of the valve stem when the container is attached to said actuator, said finger tab having a passageway extending through said valve seat shoulder and extending through said discharge orifice, said finger tab movable between an unactuated and actuated position, a hinge portion connecting said finger tab to said body, said hinge portion allowing movement of said finger tab to actuate the valve when the container is attached to the container, at least one frangible rib having a base portion and a connecting portion, said base portion formed integrally with one of said body and said finger tab and said connecting portion formed integrally with the other of said finger tab and said connecting portion, each of said base and connecting portions having a cross-sectional area, said cross-sectional area of said base portion is greater than said cross-sectional area of said connecting portion, said cross-sectional area of said connecting portion of said one frangible rib being frangible by a force of from between five pounds to thirty pounds of force on said finger tab and said cross-sectional area of said the base portion of said one frangible rib being sufficient to remain connected to said one of said body and said finger tab when said one frangible rib is separated from said other of said finger tab and said connecting portion.
- 20. An actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged as described in claim 19, wherein said cross-sectional area of said connecting portion is less than fifty percent of said cross-sectional area of said base portion.
- 21. An actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged as described in claim 19 in which said connecting portion of said one frangible rib is adjacent said other of said finger tab and said connecting portion during movement of said finger tab between said unactuated and actuated positions.
- 22. An actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged as described in claim 19 wherein said aperture of said body is formed about a central axis, and wherein said hinge portion connects said finger tab to said body about a rotational axis, said one frangible rib is positioned rearward of a plane which passes through said central axis and said plane is substantially parallel to said rotational axis.
- 23. An actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged as described in claim 19 said finger tab having a locking aperture therethrough and a lock releasing portion extending outwardly of said outer peripheral surface of said body, said actuator including a latch device including a ledge defining a portion of said locking aperture in said finger tab, and a latch movably attached to said body and movable between an unlatched and latched position, said latch having a retaining portion, said finger tab movable between an unactuated and locked actuated position, said latch extending from said body toward said finger tab with said retaining portion adjacent to and spaced from said locking aperture when said finger tab is in said unactuated position, said retaining portion extending through said locking aperture and engaging said ledge when said finger tab is in said locked actuated position, and said finger tab movable to said unactuated position by exerting a force on one of said latch and said finger tab to release said finger tab from engagement with said retaining portion.
- 24. An actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged as described in claim 19 in which said hinge portion has a rotational axis substantially coplanar with said valve seat shoulder.
- 25. An actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of a container of the type having a valve end with an upstanding valve stem protruding from the valve end of the container which valve stem has a discharge end through which the pressurized contents of the container is discharged as described in claim 19 in which said aperture of said body is formed along a central axis, said body having a top and a bottom edge, said hinge portion having an upright portion extending in a direction substantially parallel to said central axis of said cylindrical body said body having notches beside each side of said upright portion of said hinge portion, said notches separating said upright portion from said cylindrical body, said notches extending from said top edge of said cylindrical body in a direction toward said bottom edge of said cylindrical body to a position below a plane passing through said valve seat shoulder and vertical to said central axis.
US Referenced Citations (18)