Abstract:
A pivot-spring assembly for dispersing contents from an aerosol canister, comprising a cover having an opening, a lid having at least one arm, a pivot-spring operatively arranged in the cover to rotatably secure the lid to the cover, and an actuator having a nozzle and non-rotatably secured on the pivot-spring. The actuator operatively arranged to engage a stem of the aerosol canister and disperse contents from the aerosol canister. The pivot-spring comprises a flexible tongue having an elongated slot, at least one lid tab operatively arranged to at least partially enclose the at least one arm, at least one dowel, and at least one guide, wherein the flexible tongue, the at least one lid tab, the at least one dowel, and the at least one guide are vertically arranged on a flange.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates generally to a case for an aerosol canister, and, more specifically, to a flip-top bushing for an aerosol canister and, even more specifically, to a molded actuator spring mechanism for a flip-top bushing for an aerosol canister. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Cases for aerosol or spray canisters typically include an actuator to engage the stem of the canister in order to dispel the canister&#39;s contents. There are a variety of aerosol dispensers that are used in many applications which include dispensing perfume, air fresheners, personal hygiene products, covering an article with a coat of paint, and dispensing cleaning products, amongst others. One specific application for an aerosol dispenser is as a personal defense device that, for example, directs a chemical repellant spray towards a potential human or animal threat. 
     Typical lids for dispensing actuators or cases for aerosol and spray canisters are intended to either prevent accidental discharge or provide easy dispensing. With respect to personal defense devices, easy dispensing is crucial to ensure the safety of the user when a threat presents itself. However, the reason personal defense devices are effective is because their chemical contents are indiscriminately extremely painful to anyone who comes into contact with it. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0206246 discloses a retractable animal leash combined with a pepper spray dispenser. The pepper spray dispenser includes a tube that provides a path for spray from the canister to pass through the housing and into the atmosphere. A trigger activates the spray canister, which has a safety cover. The publication discloses a dispensing nozzle mechanism that releasably attaches to the canister and connects the dispenser region through the trigger to a dispensing tube, which leads through the housing to a dispensing spout to direct the pepper spray forward when the trigger is actuated. The application does not disclose the four-piece activation system of the present invention, specifically the pivot-spring. In addition, this dispensing actuator requires various movements by the user to spray the contents of the container and return the dispensing actuator to its original position. Opening the lid, accurately positioning the user&#39;s finger over the actuator, depressing the actuator, and then manually closing the lid is cumbersome, time consuming, and possibly dangerous in that the potential victim might not activate the device in time to thwart the threat. 
     Therefore, there is a long-felt need for an improved case for an aerosol or spray canister that minimizes the number of movements to dispel the canister&#39;s contents under pressure. There is also a long-felt need for a case that is simple to reassemble if it breaks. Further, there is also a long-felt need for a spring mechanism used in a flip top case that can be made of plastic in order to minimize manufacturing costs. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention comprises a pivot-spring assembly for dispersing contents from an aerosol canister, comprising a cover having an opening, a lid having at least one arm, a pivot-spring operatively arranged in the cover to rotatably secure the lid to the cover, and an actuator having a nozzle and non-rotatably secured on the pivot-spring. The actuator operatively arranged to engage a stem of the aerosol canister and disperse contents from the aerosol canister. The pivot-spring comprises a flexible tongue having an elongated slot, at least one lid tab operatively arranged to at least partially enclose the at least one arm, at least one dowel, and at least one guide, wherein the flexible tongue, the at least one lid tab, the at least one dowel, and the at least one guide are vertically arranged on a flange. 
     The present invention comprises a case for a canister capable of dispelling material, comprising a main body to house the canister, the main body having a front aperture, a top lid to cover the main body, a spring non-rotatably secured to the main body and rotatably secured to the top lid. The spring comprising a flexible tongue having an elongated slot, at least one lid tab operatively arranged to at least partially enclose the at least one arm, at least one dowel, and at least one guide, wherein the flexible tongue, the at least one lid tab, the at least one dowel, and the at least one guide are vertically arranged on a flange, and an actuator to direct dispelled material from the canister out of the main body through the front aperture. 
     These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be better appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art in view of the following detailed description of the invention in view of the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of a flip-top assembly, with the lid closed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is a front perspective view of a flip-top assembly, with the lid open, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of a flip-top assembly arranged on an aerosol canister, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a front perspective view of a lid of the flip-top assembly shown in  FIG. 1A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a front planar view of the lid shown in  FIG. 3A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3C  is a bottom planar view of the lid shown in  FIG. 3A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3D  is a cross-sectional view of the lid shown in  FIG. 3A  taken generally along line  3 D- 3 D in  FIG. 3C , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a front perspective view of an actuator of the flip-top assembly shown in  FIG. 1A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a front planar view of the actuator shown in  FIG. 4A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4C  is a top planar view of the actuator shown in  FIG. 4A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4D  is a cross-sectional view of the actuator shown in  FIG. 4A  taken generally along line  4 D- 4 D in  FIG. 4C , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a front perspective view of a pivot-spring of the flip-top assembly shown in  FIG. 1A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  is a front planar view of the pivot-spring shown in  FIG. 5A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5C  is a top planar view of the pivot-spring shown in  FIG. 5A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5D  is a cross-sectional view of the pivot-spring shown in  FIG. 5A  taken generally along line  5 D- 5 D for  FIG. 5C , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is a front perspective view of a cover of the flip-top assembly shown in  FIG. 1A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6B  is a front planar view of the cover shown in  FIG. 6A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6C  is a bottom planar view of the cover shown in  FIG. 6A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6D  is a cross-sectional view of the cover shown in  FIG. 6A  taken generally along line  6 D- 6 D in  FIG. 6C , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the flip-top assembly shown in  FIG. 1A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8A  is a front perspective view of the flip-top assembly shown in  FIG. 2  being used, with a thumb partially inserted into the rear opening, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8B  is a front perspective view of the flip-top assembly shown in  FIG. 2  being used, with a thumb fully inserted into the rear opening, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 8C  is a front perspective view of the flip-top assembly shown in  FIG. 2  being used, with a thumb fully inserted into the rear opening and depressing the actuator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements. It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the disclosed aspects. 
     Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the example embodiments. The assembly of the present disclosure could be driven by hydraulics, electronics, and/or pneumatics. 
     It should be appreciated that the term “substantially” is synonymous with terms such as “nearly,” “very nearly,” “about,” “approximately,” “around,” “bordering on,” “close to,” “essentially,” “in the neighborhood of,” “in the vicinity of,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. It should be appreciated that the term “proximate” is synonymous with terms such as “nearby,” “close,” “adjacent,” “neighboring,” “immediate,” “adjoining,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. The term “approximately” is intended to mean values within ten percent of the specified value. 
     By “non-rotatably connected” elements, we mean that: the elements are connected so that whenever one of the elements rotate, all the elements rotate; and relative rotation between the elements is not possible. Radial and/or axial movement of non-rotatably connected elements with respect to each other is possible, but not required. 
     Adverting now to the figures,  FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of flip-top assembly  100  with lid  10  closed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Flip top assembly  100  comprises lid  10 , actuator  20 , pivot-spring  30 , and cover  40 . Lid  10  engages cover  40  at interface  104 . Lid  10  engages pivot-spring  30  at spring interface  106 . Actuator  20  is assembled on pivot-spring  30 , which is fed into cover  40  and secures lid  10 . Flip-top assembly  100  and its components are preferably made out of molded plastic, however, any other suitable material, such as metal, rubber, elastomeric material, or a combination of materials among its components may be used. 
       FIG. 1B  is a front perspective view of flip-top assembly  100 , with lid  10  open, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. When opened, lid  10  disengages cover  40  at interface  104 . In addition, lid  10  forces pivot-spring  30  forward at interface  106 . Pivot-spring  30  resists this forward movement, thus biasing lid  10  back to the closed position. 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of flip-top assembly  100  on aerosol canister  50 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, flip-top assembly  100  is dimensioned with an axial length and a radius to engage a canister of pepper spray. It should be appreciated, however, that flip-top assembly  100  can have dimensions to suitably engage any type of canister. Rear opening  102  is generally ellipsoidal in shape with its top arcuate curve defined by lid  10  and its bottom arcuate curve defined by cover  40 . Lid  10  engages cover  40  at interface  104 . Lid  10  engages pivot-spring  30  at spring interface  106 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a front perspective view of lid  10  of flip-top assembly  100  as shown in  FIG. 1A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3B  is a front planar view of lid  10  shown in  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3C  is a bottom planar view of lid  10  shown in  FIG. 3A , and  FIG. 3D  is a cross-sectional view of lid  10  shown in  FIG. 3A  taken generally along line  3 D- 3 D in  FIG. 3C . In this exemplary embodiment, lid  10  comprises arms  12   a  and  12   b , lateral wings  14   a  and  14   b , legs  16   a  and  16   b , lid front edge  18 , and lid rear opening surface  19 . Lid  10  is pivotably attached to cover  40  by arms  12   a  and  12   b  such that lid  10  is at least partially rotatable about axis X-X. Lid tabs  37   a  and  37   b  of pivot-spring  30  secure arms  12   a  and  12   b  in lid curved receptacles  44   a  and  44   b  of lid  40 , respectively (see  FIG. 7 ). Legs  16   a  and  16   b  straddle nozzle  24  of actuator  20  and can be used to prevent lid  10  from moving rotationally. Lid front edge  18  engages tongue  32  (see  FIGS. 5A-5D ) of pivot-spring  30  at spring interface  106 . When a user&#39;s thumb is inserted into opening  102 , lateral wings  14   a  and  14   b  are raised from interface  104  such that lid  10  disengages cover  40 . Lid front edge  18  forces tongue  32  to bend elastically forward. When the user&#39;s thumb is removed from opening  102 , the elasticity of tongue  32  returns lid  10  to the closed position. 
       FIG. 4A  is a front perspective view of actuator  20  of flip-top assembly  100  as shown in  FIG. 1A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4B  is a front planar view of actuator  20  shown in  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4C  is a top planar view of actuator  20  shown in  FIG. 4A , and  FIG. 4D  is a cross-sectional view of actuator  20  shown in  FIG. 4A  taken generally along line  4 D- 4 D in  FIG. 4C . In this exemplary embodiment, actuator  20  comprises curvatures  22   a  and  22   b , nozzle  24 , bottom surface  25 , receiving port  26 , and actuator wall  28 . Actuator  20  is assembled onto pivot-spring  30 . Curvatures  22   a  and  22   b  are slid along dowels  38   a  and  38   b  (see  FIGS. 5A-5D ) of pivot-spring  30 , respectively. Actuator wall  28  fits snuggly around guides  34   a ,  34   b , and  34   c  such that actuator  20  can move axially with respect to pivot-spring  30 . Nozzle  24  is always aligned with tongue opening  33 . When actuator  20  is fully depressed, bottom surface  25  abuts against flange  35  (see  FIGS. 5A-5D ). Receiving port  26  is internally connected to nozzle  24  (see  FIG. 4D ) and is capable of engaging a stem of an aerosol canister such that the contents thereof are dispersible through nozzle  24 . 
       FIG. 5A  is a front perspective view of pivot-spring  30  of flip-top assembly  100  as shown in  FIG. 1A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5B  is a front planar view of pivot-spring  30  shown in  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5C  is a top planar view of pivot-spring  30  shown in  FIG. 5A , and  FIG. 5D  is a cross-sectional view of pivot-spring  30  shown in  FIG. 5A  taken generally along line  5 D- 5 D in  FIG. 5C . In this exemplary embodiment, pivot-spring  30  comprises tongue  32 , tongue opening  33 , guides  34   a ,  34   b , and  34   c , flange  35 , vertical curvatures  36   a  and  36   b , lid tabs  37   a  and  37   b , and dowels  38   a  and  38   b . Tongue  32  is flexible and provides a biasing torque against lid  10  (shown in  FIG. 1B ) towards a closed position while dowels  38   a  and  38   b  are rigid and provide stability within cover  40 . Dowels  38   a  and  38   b  engage cover top cavities  49   a  and  49   b , respectively. Lid tabs  37   a  and  37   b  enclose arms  12   a  and  12   b  within lid curved receptacles  44   a  and  44   b , respectively, such that lid  10  is at least partially rotatable with respect to cover  40 , pivot-spring  30 , and actuator  20 . The geometry of tongue  32  enables pivot-spring  30  to be manufactured out of plastic instead of metal requiring an appropriate yield strength that is typically used in spring mechanisms. Tongue  32  is rectangular with at least one curved surface and is capable of elastically bending. Tongue opening  33  is a slot that runs longitudinally through tongue  32  such that tongue  32  bends with the appropriate spring constant for the desired required force and the contents of aerosol canister  50  can be dispersed. Guides  34   a ,  34   b , and  34   c  and dowels  38   a  and  38   b  provide stability to actuator  20  during axial movement. 
       FIG. 6A  is a front perspective view of cover  40  of flip-top assembly  100  as shown in  FIG. 1A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6B  is a front planar view of cover  40  shown in  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6C  is a bottom planar view of cover  40  shown in  FIG. 6A , and  FIG. 6D  is a cross-sectional view of cover  40  shown in  FIG. 6A  taken generally along line  6 D- 6 D in  FIG. 6C . In this exemplary embodiment, cover  40  comprises cover rear opening surface  41 , finger ridge  42 , cover front opening  43 , lid curved receptacles  44   a  and  44   b , vertical guides  46   a  and  46   b , cover apexes  48   a  and  48   b , and cover top cavities  49   a  and  49   b . Cover  40  is generally a circular tube arranged to enclose a canister containing a substance under pressure. Cover front opening  43  enables nozzle  24  of actuator  20  to direct any dispelled material outward through flip-top assembly  100 . Cover front opening  43  is slightly elongated in the axial direction to accommodate the upward and downward axial movement of nozzle  24  when a user depresses actuator  20  to actuate the expulsion of the material within aerosol canister  50  and then releases actuator  20  to cease the expulsion of material. Finger ridge  42  is a generally horizontal bump molded into cover  40  in order to increase the user&#39;s comfort while gripping flip-top assembly  100  and indicate the direction of nozzle  24 . It should be appreciated, however, that finger ridge  42  does not have to be molded into cover  40 . Instead, for example, finger ridge  42  can be added to cover  40  as a separate component after cover  40  is molded. Lid curved receptacles  44   a  and  44   b  are operatively arranged to receive arms  12   a  and  12   b , respectively, such that lid  10  is at least partially rotatable with respect to cover  40 . Vertical guides  46   a  and  46   b  help position pivot-spring  30  within cover  40 . When inserting pivot-spring  30  into cover  40 , vertical curvatures  36   a  and  36   b  are slid along vertical guides  46   a  and  46   b , respectively. Dowels  38   a  and  38   b  engage cover top cavities  49   a  and  49   b , respectively. Cover apexes  48   a  and  48   b  provide a pivot point for tongue  32  during elastic deformation. When the user&#39;s thumb is inserted into rear opening  102 , lid  10  is lifted and lid front edge  18  engages tongue  32 . Tongue  32  elastically bends around cover apexes  48   a  and  48   b  (see  FIG. 1B ). 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of flip-top assembly  100  shown in  FIG. 1A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Aerosol canister  50  (not shown) is inserted axially upwards through the bottom of cover  40 . The stem of aerosol canister  50  is inserted into receiving port  26  of actuator  20 . Nozzle  24  directs the discharged contents of aerosol canister  50  through tongue opening  33  and cover front opening  43 . 
     Arms  12   a  and  12   b  fit into lid curved receptacles  44   a  and  44   b , respectively, such that lid  10  is rotatable about axis X-X. In this exemplary embodiment, actuator  20  is assembled on pivot-spring  30  and non-rotatably secured by dowels  38   a  and  38   b  and guides  34   a ,  34   b , and  34   c . Curvatures  22   a  and  22   b  abut against dowels  38   a  and  38   b , respectively. Guides  34   a ,  34   b , and  34   c  abut against actuator wall  28  in three locations (e.g., at 90°, 180°, and 270°). Nozzle  24  aligns with tongue opening  33 . When assembled, actuator  20  is axially moveable and nozzle  24  always aligns with tongue opening  33 . Pivot-spring  30  is inserted in cover  40  such that lid tabs  37   a  and  37   b  enclose arms  12   a  and  12   b  in lid curved receptacles  44   a  and  44   b , respectively. Vertical curvatures  36   a  and  36   b  abut against vertical guides  46   a  and  46   b  (see  FIG. 6D ), respectively. 
       FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate aerosol canister  50  housed within flip-top assembly  100  and in the process of being used by a user. The user is shown holding flip-top assembly  100 . The user&#39;s index finger is located just below finger ridge  42 . To dispel the contents of aerosol canister  50 , the user&#39;s thumb is inserted into rear opening  102  and depresses actuator  20 . 
       FIG. 8A  is a front perspective view of flip-top assembly  100  being used, with the user&#39;s thumb partially inserted into rear opening  102 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Lid  10  is biased toward its closed position (shown in  FIG. 1A ) by tongue  32  of pivot-spring  30 . The user must overcome the force of tongue  32  to open lid  10 . The user can use a single substantially linear motion to insert the thumb into rear opening  102 . The ease of a single substantially linear motion is especially important when aerosol canister  50  contains pepper spray and the user is presented with a threat. 
       FIG. 8B  is a front perspective view of flip-top assembly  100 , with the user&#39;s thumb fully inserted into rear opening  102 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The tip of the user&#39;s thumb is in position to depress actuator  20 . Lid  10  provides some downward force on the user&#39;s thumb because lid  10  is biased toward the closed position by tongue  32  of pivot-spring  30 . Tongue  32  elastically bends around cover apexes  48   a  and  48   b.    
       FIG. 8C  is a front perspective view of flip-top assembly  100  being used, with the user&#39;s thumb fully inserted into rear opening  102  and depressing actuator  20 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this position, lid  10  provides some downward force on the user&#39;s thumb because lid  10  is biased toward the closed position by tongue  32  of pivot-spring  30 . While the user is depressing actuator  20  in a downward axial direction, finger ridge  42  helps prevent cover  40  from slipping in the user&#39;s hand.  FIG. 8C  shows material being dispelled from aerosol canister  50  represented by dotted lines. 
     It will be appreciated that various aspects of the disclosure above and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               10  Lid 
               12   a  Arm 
               12   b  Arm 
               14   a  Lateral Lid Wing 
               14   b  Lateral Lid Wing 
               16   a  Leg 
               16   b  Leg 
               18  Lid Front Edge 
               19  Lid Rear Opening Surface 
               20  Actuator 
               22   a  Curvature 
               22   b  Curvature 
               24  Nozzle 
               25  Bottom Surface 
               26  Receiving Port 
               28  Actuator Wall 
               30  Pivot-Spring 
               32  Tongue 
               33  Tongue Opening 
               34   a  Guide 
               34   b  Guide 
               34   c  Guide 
               35  Flange 
               36   a  Vertical Curvature 
               36   b  Vertical Curvature 
               37   a  Lid Tab 
               37   b  Lid Tab 
               38   a  Dowel 
               38   b  Dowel 
               40  Cover 
               41  Cover Rear Opening Surface 
               42  Finger Ridge 
               43  Cover Front Opening 
               44   a  Lid Curved Receptacle 
               44   b  Lid Curved Receptacle 
               46   a  Vertical Guide 
               46   b  Vertical Guide 
               48   a  Cover Apex 
               48   b  Cover Apex 
               49   a  Cover Top Cavity 
               49   b  Cover Top Cavity 
               50  Aerosol Canister 
               100  Flip-Top Assembly 
               102  Rear Opening 
               104  Interface 
               106  Spring Interface