Abstract:
A liquid atomizer has an actuator, cap, piston unit and body. The actuator consists of an exterior casing, a locking block within the case, a nozzle and a piston receiving area that is in liquid communication with the nozzle. The cap has a pair of locking flanges separated by a locking channel dimensioned to receive the locking block as the actuator is depressed. A pair of stops, separated by a stop channel, prevent over rotation of the actuator. The piston unit has a piston whose proximal end has ribs and is dimensioned to be received within the ring containing piston receiving area in a juxtaposed manner. The dimensioning between the rings and the piston ribs permit disengagement, by the piston tilting under the rotational pressure enough to permit the actuator to lift slightly in order to clear the locking flanges.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to an improved closure system for an atomizer that prevents the contents from being expelled unintentionally. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Manual liquid dispensers of various sorts have been widely implemented in a variety of applications. One type of liquid dispenser is a manually operated pump that is arranged to dispense a liquid in a fine mist. Such liquid dispensers are commonly referred to as “atomizers”, in that the liquid is dispensed in very small liquid droplets. A common application for such liquid spray dispensers is in the dispensing of fragrance. 
         [0003]    Liquid spray dispensers typically utilize a reciprocating pump that is manually operated by an external force applied against a restorative force, such as an expansion spring, with the application and removal of the external force being sufficient to generate pressure changes in the liquid chamber of the dispenser to alternately cause liquid dispensation and intake of liquid for the next pumping cycle. Liquid forced under pressure through a spray nozzle generates a dispersed mist of very small liquid droplets. Typically, liquid spray dispensers of this type comprise a pump mechanism which contains a liquid chamber, and a piston that is manually reciprocated in the pump mechanism. The piston is mounted for reciprocating movement in the liquid chamber, such that movement of the pump against a spring force causes the piston to move in the liquid chamber to thereby exert a compression force on the liquid in the chamber. Such force causes the liquid to move through a liquid passage to the spray outlet. Release of the external downward force to the pump permits the spring to expand under its restorative force, and to thereby return the pumping mechanism to its extended position. This movement of the pump mechanism causes the piston to move in the liquid chamber in a manner which expands the interior volume of the chamber. The negative pressure created by such movement draws liquid into the liquid chamber. Valve assemblies are typically employed in controlling the flow of liquid into the liquid chamber as its interior volume is increased by the movement of the pump mechanism. 
         [0004]    Small atomizers are advantageous for conveniently carrying liquids, such as perfumes, in a pocketbook, pocket, car, etc. The disadvantage to the prior art small atomizers is the need for a top to prevent unwanted dispensing of the liquid. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is front view of the atomizer in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the atomizer; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a cutaway side view of the actuator with the top of the piston tube in place, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a cutaway side view of the atomizer in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a cutaway side view of the actuator without the piston tube, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a cutaway side view of an alternate embodiment of the actuator, without the piston tube, have a locking projection, in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is an alternate embodiment with the actuator rotating in a single direction, in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    A liquid atomizer has an actuator, cap, piston unit and body. The actuator consists of an exterior casing, a locking block within the case, a nozzle and a piston receiving area that is in liquid communication with the nozzle. A tab extends between the exterior casing and the piston receiving area opposite said nozzle, extending into said stop channel during compression of the actuator. 
         [0013]    The cap consists of an open body having at least one locking flange with an adjacent locking channel. In some embodiments, where only one locking flange to permit rotation in a single direction, the stop extends to the locking channel. In embodiments where there are a pair of locking flanges they are separated by the locking channel. The locking channel is dimensioned to receive the locking block as the actuator is depressed. In embodiments where two locking flanges are used for bi-directional rotation, a pair of stops, separated by a stop channel opposite the locking channel, prevent over rotation of the actuator. In embodiments with a single direction of rotation only one stop is required. One or two rims, depending on the number of locking flanges and stops, separate the locking flanges and stops. A central tube receiving area is dimensioned to receive the piston from the piston unit. When two locking flanges are used they extend into the actuator on either side of the locking block and are dimensioned to prevent the locking block from inadvertent rotation. With a single locking flange it extends into the actuator on the side of rotation. Intentional lateral movement to the actuator rotates the locking block the locking flanges to slide along the rim and contact one of the stops. 
         [0014]    The piston unit has a piston, a spring housing and a transfer tube. The proximal end of the piston is dimensioned to be received in the tube receiving area and has ribs that interact with rings within the piston receiving area in a juxtaposed manner. The dimensioning between the rings and the piston ribs permit disengagement, by the piston tilting under the rotational pressure enough to permit the actuator to lift slightly in order to clear the locking flanges. 
         [0015]    The body is being configured to contain liquid with an open first end and sealed second end. The open first end receives the transfer tube and is sealed by the spring housing. One method of sealing the open end of the body is to have interlocking rings on the exterior of the spring housing and the interior of the open end of the body. The interlocking rings permit the spring housing and body to be snapped together. A vent permits the escaping of air during the snapping action. 
         [0016]    To use the atomizer liquid is placed in the body and the transfer tube inserted. The spring housing and the body are snapped, or otherwise sealed together to prevent leakage. The actuator is depressed and liquid is transferred, through the piston to the nozzle. To prevent dispensing of the liquid the actuator is rotated causing a locking block to contact a locking flange. The application of rotational pressure causes the ribs at the proximal end of the piston unit to disengage with the rings within the piston receiving area, tilting and lifting the actuator. This permits the locking block to pass over the locking flange to rest on the rim with further rotation halted by the locking block contacting one of the stops. This position prevents downward movement of the actuator by said locking block contacting said rim. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Glossary 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 100 
                 atomizer 
               
               
                   
                  10 
                 actuator 
               
               
                   
                  11a 
                 actuator Interlocking rings 
               
               
                   
                  11b 
                 body interlocking rings 
               
               
                   
                  12 
                 nozzle 
               
               
                   
                  13 
                 vent 
               
               
                   
                  14 
                 Receiving hole 
               
               
                   
                  18 
                 Piston receiving area 
               
               
                   
                  20 
                 Dispensing area 
               
               
                   
                  22 
                 Locking block 
               
               
                   
                  24 
                 tab 
               
               
                   
                  26 
                 Ringed receiving area 
               
               
                   
                  30 
                 cap 
               
               
                   
                  32 
                 Open body 
               
               
                   
                  36a 
                 stop 
               
               
                   
                  36b 
                 stop 
               
               
                   
                  37 
                 Stop channel 
               
               
                   
                  38a 
                 Locking flange 
               
               
                   
                  38b 
                 Locking flange 
               
               
                   
                  40 
                 Locking channel 
               
               
                   
                  42 
                 Tube receiving area 
               
               
                   
                  44 
                 rim 
               
               
                   
                  52 
                 Spring housing 
               
               
                   
                  54 
                 piston 
               
               
                   
                  55 
                 Transfer tube 
               
               
                   
                  56 
                 Piston proximal end 
               
               
                   
                  57 
                 ribs 
               
               
                   
                  90 
                 body 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 actuator 
               
               
                   
                 122 
                 Nozzle support 
               
               
                   
                 128 
                 Locking protrusion 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    Atomizers are used to dispense a number of viscous materials and a number of locking mechanisms have been developed to prevent accidentally dispensing the contents. However, most locking mechanisms have been design for larger dispensers and many do not have integral locking mechanisms as part of the structure. The herein is closed locking mechanism can be used on small sample atomizers, as well as full sized atomizers, and eliminates the need for a cap to prevent leakage. 
         [0018]    Definitions: 
         [0019]    As used herein the term “atomizer” shall refer to any device for emitting water, perfume or other liquids as a fine spray. 
         [0020]    As used herein the term “actuator” shall refer to the portion of an atomizer that, when pressed, forces the liquid out the nozzle. 
         [0021]    The assembled atomizer  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  with the actuator  10 , containing the nozzle  12 , mounted on the body  90 . The cap  50  is snap fitted to the body  90  at juxtaposed interlocking rings  11   a  on the cap and  11   b  on the body  90 . In order to facilitate snapping together the caps  10  and the body  90 , a vent  13  is used. The vent  13  is a space, generally perpendicular to the interlocking rings  11   a  and  11   b,  without rings that permits air to escape from the body  90 . The dimensioning of the interlocking rings  11   a  and  11   b  must be such that the two units snap into one another without damage and prevent unintentional separation. 
         [0022]    In  FIG. 2 , the interaction between these parts is more clearly illustrated. The actuator  10  is provided with a receiving hole  14  into which the nozzle  12  is secured. The interior of the actuator  10  and its locking mechanism, is described hereinafter in detail. 
         [0023]    The open body  32  of the cap  30  illustrated in this embodiment contains the locking flanges  38   a  and  38   b  on either side of the actuator locking channel  40  and serves to lock the actuator  10  in the open or closed position as will be described herein. In the alternate embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 7 , only one locking flange is used, restriction rotation to a single direction. Additionally, the stops  36   a  and  36   b  prevent the actuator  10  from rotating 360°. Between the stops  36   a  and  36   b  is the stop channel  37  that provides receiving space for the tab  24  ( FIG. 3 ) during actuation. Without the clearance provided by the stop channel  37 , the tab  24  would prevent the actuator  10  from full depression thereby limiting, or eliminating entirely, the quantity of liquid to be expelled. At the distal end of the cap  30  are the interlocking rings  11   a  that fit into the interlocking rings  11   b  of the body  90 . 
         [0024]    In the center of the open body  32  is the tube receiving area  42  that receives the piston  54  that in turn connects to the nozzle  12 . The transfer tube  55 , which is part of the piston unit  50 , extends down into the body  90  and transfers the liquid contained therein to the nozzle  12 . The proximal end  56  of the piston  54  contains ribs  57  to enable proximal end  56  to engage in a snap fit with the within the ringed receiving area  26  (illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) of the piston receiving area  18 . It is critical that the ribs  57  and the ringed receiving area  26  are dimensioned so that the receiving rings juxtapose the ribs  57  to lock the two pieces together. The spring housing  52  contains the spring mechanism that returns the piston  54  to the extended position. The depression of the actuator  10  compresses the piston  54 , expelling the liquid within the transfer tube  55  out the nozzle  12  as known in the art. 
         [0025]    The actuator  10  locking mechanism is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 5 . As noted heretofore, the piston receiving area  18  is provided with a ringed receiving area  26  that is dimensioned to receive the ribs  57  of the proximal end  56  of the piston  54 . The ringed receiving area  26  interacts with the ribs  57  to enable the actuator  10  to move along with the piston  54  without falling off. Although the ringed receiving area  26  prevents the actuator  10  from inadvertent removal, the dimensioning must not be so tight as to prevent the actuator&#39;s  10  ease of assembly onto, or removal from, the piston  54 . The piston receiving area  18  is dimensioned to receive the piston  54  in a friction fit to prevent leakage. 
         [0026]    The piston receiving area  18  extends into the dispensing area  20  which is in liquid communication with the nozzle  12 . The locking block  22  surrounds the dispensing area  20  and is dimensioned to interact with the locking flanges  38   a  and  38   b  during rotation. The tab  24  serves as an aid in the molding of the actuator  10  and can have a different configuration, or be eliminated entirely, dependent on the method of manufacture. As noted above, however, if the tab  24  is used as a molding aid, its presence must be accommodated for by the stop channel  37 . 
         [0027]    As illustrated in the exploded view of  FIG. 2  and assembled view of  FIG. 5 , the locking flanges  38   a  and  38   b  extend from the rim  44  of the body  32 . The locking flanges  38   a  and  38   b  have a height dimensioned to enable the locking block  22 , through slight disengagement from the piston stem  54 , to pass over one of the locking flanges  38   a  or  38   b  and onto the rim  44  with intentional lateral movement. This lateral movement is allowed by the geometry and size of the opposing and interlocking between the ringed receiving area  26  ( FIG. 5 ) in the piston receiving area  18  and the ribs  57  on the piston proximal end  56 . The height preferably also provides the user with a tactile feeling of release upon return from the locked to the unlocked position. The dimensioning between the locking flanges  38   a  and  38   b  must also enable the locking block  22  to slide down while in an unlocked position, without unintended lateral movement, within the locking channel  40 . The intentional lateral movement, in either direction as indicated by arrow A, should present only enough opposition to a lateral motion, intended to move the actuator to a locked position, to create ergonomic memory for the user. The dimensions of the locking channel  40  must be such that the locking block  22  can fully depress while still remaining compact. 
         [0028]    Additionally, the height of the interference between flanges  38   a  and  38   b  and the locking block  22  is such that a lateral motion of the actuator is permitted by a simultaneous upward vertical motion of said actuator. 
         [0029]    The tolerances between the parts involved with the locking of the actuator  10  are critical. If the interference is too great, it will not be able to be turned, but if it is too small, there is no lock, or a very poor lock. 
         [0030]    The dimensions between the locking block  22  and the locking flanges  38   a  and  38   b  is important, as is the ability of the piston  54  to disengage from the actuator  10 . The locking block  22  must be able to clear the rim  44  to enable the rotation of the actuator  10 , however to prevent accidental locking or unlocking, the locking flanges  38   a  and  38   b  must provide some level of resistance. The resistance of the locking flanges  38   a  and  38   b  is overcome by the ability of the piston  54  to disengage from the actuator  10 . 
         [0031]    As the actuator  10  rotates, in either direction as indicated by arrow A, and the locking block  22  contacts the locking flanges  38   a  and  38   b  a resistance is met however continued slight pressure causes the piston  54  to tilt slightly and the actuator  10  to rise up slightly. This permits the locking block  22  to move beyond the locking flanges  38   a  and  38   b  to the rim  44 . 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 6 , rather than employing the locking block  22  of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a nozzle support  122  and locking protrusion  128  are incorporated to prevent unwanted rotation of the actuator  110 . The locking protrusion  128  is dimensioned to contact the locking flanges  38   a  and  38   b,  as noted heretofore, with a slight resistance that is overcome with sufficient pressure to cause the piston  154  to tilt slightly and the actuator  110  to rise up slightly. This permits the locking protrusion  122  to move beyond the locking flanges  38   a  and  38   b  to the rim  44 . The nozzle support  122  is now a structural piece within which the nozzle  112  and dispensing area  120  are held. The remaining structure remains as described heretofore. 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 7  the actuator  110  only rotates in a single direction, arrow B, making it more user friendly. The open body  132  of the cap  130  illustrated in this embodiment contains a single locking flange  138  on one side of the actuator locking channel  140  to rotate the actuator  110  in only one direction from the open to the closed position and back. The use of a single locking flange  138  prevents bi-rotational movement and simplifies not only use but manufacturing. The side rim  144  is a single edge extending from the locking channel  140  to the stop channel  137  and at the same height as the stop  136 . Between the stop  136  and the side rim  144  is the stop channel  137  that provides receiving space for the tab  24  ( FIG. 3 ) during actuation. Without the clearance provided by the stop channel  137 , the tab  24  would prevent the actuator  110  from full depression thereby limiting, or eliminating entirely, the quantity of liquid to be expelled. 
         [0034]    In operation, the cap  130  the same as the cap  30  described heretofore with the only difference being the rotation. This is advantageous in that only one part, the cap  30  or  130 , needs to be changed in manufacture as the actuator  10 ,  110 , piston unit  50  and body  90  remain the same. The only change in the actuator  110  of  FIG. 7  and the actuator  10  is the arrow indicating the rotation direction which has been included for ease of illustration and is not a necessary element. 
         [0035]    The assembled atomizer  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 4  showing the in between the parts. 
       EXAMPLE I 
       [0036]    Diameter of activator—0.483+/−0.005 
         [0037]    Height of locking flanges—0.020+/−0.010 from rim 
         [0038]    Height of locking channel area 0.211+/−0.010 
         [0039]    Width of locking channel area—0.261+/−0.010 
         [0040]    Although initially designed for small sample bottles, the foregoing can be applied to larger atomizers by increasing the dimensions. Thus, the dimensions set forth in the above example can be varied proportionally for various sizes of atomizers. The tolerances can remain the same, or adjusted slightly, but would not change proportionally with atomizer size variations in order to maintain clearances, as required. 
       Broad Scope of the Invention 
       [0041]    While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the present invention is not limited to the various preferred embodiments described herein, but includes any and all embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the present disclosure. The limitations in the claims (e.g., including that to be later added) are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” is non-exclusive and means “preferably, but not limited to.” In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly recited; and c) structure, material or acts that support that structure are not recited. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “present invention” or “invention” may be used as a reference to one or more aspect within the present disclosure. The language of the present invention or inventions should not be improperly interpreted as an identification of criticality, should not be improperly interpreted as applying across all aspects or embodiments (i.e., it should be understood that the present invention has a number of aspects and embodiments), and should not be improperly interpreted as limiting the scope of the application or claims. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “embodiment” can be used to describe any aspect, feature, process or step, any combination thereof, and/or any portion thereof, etc. In some examples, various embodiments may include overlapping features. In this disclosure, the following abbreviated terminology may be employed: “e.g.” which means “for example.” 
         [0042]    While in the foregoing we have disclosed embodiments of the invention in considerable detail, it will understood by those skilled in the art that many of these details may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.