Continuous spray device for aerosol valves

Mushroom-shaped actuator has depending latch of sufficient flexibility so that the actuator may be pressed to cause the latch to engage the edge of the aerosol valve mounting cup lip and hold the valve "on". Conversely, by finger pressure on the opposite side of the actuator, the latch may be disengaged from the edge permitting the valve to return to the non-dispensing condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to actuators for aerosol dipsensers. More 
specifically, this invention relates to actuators designed to hold the 
aerosol valve in a discharging condition. The invention finds use in the 
field of dispensers for fumigators, insecticides, room deodorants, and has 
other uses. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The prior art includes disclosures of continuous spray devices for aerosol 
valves. Many different arrangements have been disclosed. However, the 
arrangement closest to the present structure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
3,081,918, issued to Scoggin, Jr. et al on Mar. 19, 1963. 
In Scoggin, a sleeve fits over the standard aerosol valve structure, the 
sleeve having a hook integrally molded with it with a hinging connection 
between the sleeve and the hook. In use, the prior art device is slipped 
over the stem and the valve is tilted so that the hook is able to engage 
over the mounting cup lip or bead. The hooking as described holds the 
valve in the "on" condition but the hook may be disengaged to permit the 
valve stem to return to vertical position, turning the valve off. The 
unhooking is accomplished by pressing the valve further in the direction 
in which it is tilted and simultaneously maneuvering the hook away from 
the mounting cup lip. This is generally a two-handed operation. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Under the present invention, the actuator is in the form of a more or less 
rigid mushroom-shaped structure, the hub of the mushroom extending over 
the valve stem, and the actuator having a downward latch integrally molded 
with the actuator and adapted to flex so that its lower end, comprising a 
hook, engages over the lip of the mounting cup when the actuator is tilted 
in the direction of the latch. The latch thus holds the actuator in tilted 
condition, keeping the valve in dispensing condition. 
Under the present invention, all that is necessary to disengage the latch 
is to press the actuator on its side opposite the latch. This pulls the 
latch hook away from the lip and permits the valve stem to return to 
vertical "off" condition.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, a dispenser embodying the 
invention is generally indicated 10 in FIG. 1. It comprises a container 12 
having at the upper end thereof a valve mounting cup 14 which is crimped 
over an opening at the top of the can and terminates downwardly in an edge 
14a. Extending upwardly from the center of the mounting cup 14 is a 
conventional valve stem 16 (FIG. 3). The valve with which the stem 16 is 
associated is preferably of the tilt-type exemplified in the U.S. Pat. No. 
3,158,298, issued Nov. 24, 1964 to Joseph Briechle. 
Mounted on the valve stem 16 is the actuator 18 which is generally of 
mushroom-shape and has a central downward hub 20 formed with an inlet 
passage 22 connected to a dispensing orifice 24. The inlet passage in the 
use of the actuator fits snugly over the stem 16 with the result that 
pressure on one side of the actuator 18 causes the tilting of the valve 
stem 16 to actuate the valve, dispensing product through the orifice 24. 
The actuator is of the same general type as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
Des. 216,950, issued Mar. 24, 1970 to Theodore Beck. 
Now focusing on the portion of the structure shown embodying the invention, 
as shown best in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 6, the actuator is formed under its 
skirt with a depending latch 30. As shown, the latch is formed integrally 
with the mushroom-shaped actuator. Preferably, the actuator and latch are 
molded from a plastic that is somewhat resilient in thin unsupported 
sections but rigid in supported or thick sections. An example of such a 
plastic is polypropylene. 
As shown, the latch has a generally cylindrical base but is reduced in 
dimension as its distal end is approached so that it presents a quite 
flexible downward leg having at its distal end an inwardly-facing hook or 
nib 32, the upper surface of which presents an upwardly-facing hooking 
section 34. 
In operation, the side of the actuator above the latch which may be marked 
"Lock On" is pressed causing the end of the latch to engage the top of the 
curved lip 14 (FIG. 3) and to slide down the outside of it as the actuator 
is further pressed. The tilting of the actuator to this degree, of course, 
turns the valve "on" causing liquid to spray out through the orifice 24. 
When the nib or hook 32 snaps past the underside of the edge 14a and even 
after removal of finger pressure, the actuator is held in the "on" 
condition with the valve tilted, continuously dispensing product through 
orifice 24. 
Often, it is desired to hold the aerosol valve in the "on" condition until 
the contents of the container are exhausted. This is often the case with 
fumigants and insecticides. However, if it is desired to interrupt the 
flow of product, it is only necessary to apply finger pressure to the 
opposite side of the actuator which may be marked "Release". This causes 
the somewhat flexible latch structure to yield permitting the rib 32 to 
slide over the edge 14a. The actuator is thus permitted to return to its 
original condition as shown in FIG. 2 wherein the valve is off. 
An important benefit of the invention over the prior art is the ability of 
the actuator to be released by simple finger pressure without the need for 
two-handed operation. In addition, of course, the actuator is steamlined 
and attractive in appearance. 
Other variations of the invention are possible and will be readily 
perceived by those skilled in the art. The present invention is limited 
only by the following claim language or its equivalents: