A trigger overcap assembly includes a housing having a body, a cap secured to an upper end of the body, and a trigger at least partially disposed within the body. The trigger includes a manifold having a fluid passageway, and a pivot rod of the trigger is pivotally coupled with a pivot notch of the cap.

Not applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a trigger overcap assembly including a housing and cover, and more particularly, to a trigger that is pivotally coupled with the cover.

2. Description of the Background of the Invention

Pressurized containers are commonly used to store and dispense volatile materials, such as air fresheners, deodorants, insecticides, germicides, decongestants, perfumes, and the like. The volatile materials are typically stored in a pressurized and liquefied state within the container. The product is forced from the container through an aerosol valve by a hydrocarbon or non-hydrocarbon propellant. A release valve with an outwardly extending valve stem may be provided to facilitate the release of the volatile material at a top portion of the container, whereby activation of the valve via the valve stem causes volatile material to flow from the container through the valve stem and into the outside atmosphere. The release valve may typically be activated by tilting, depressing, or otherwise displacing the valve stem. A typical valve assembly includes a valve stem, a valve body, and a valve spring. The valve stem extends through a pedestal, wherein a distal end extends upwardly away from the pedestal and a proximal end is disposed within the valve body.

Pressurized containers frequently include an overcap assembly that covers a top end of the container. Typical overcap assemblies are releasably attached to the container by way of an outwardly protruding ridge, which circumscribes the interior lower edge of the trigger overcap assembly and interacts with a bead or seam that circumscribes a top portion of the container. When the trigger overcap assembly is placed onto the top portion of the container, downward pressure is applied to the trigger overcap assembly, which causes the ridge to ride over an outer edge of the seam and lock under a ledge defined by a lower surface of the seam.

Typical overcap assemblies include a mechanism for engaging the valve stem of the container. Some actuator mechanisms may include linkages that apply downward pressure to depress the valve stem and open the valve within the container. Other actuating mechanisms may instead apply radial pressure where the container has a tilt-activated valve stem. In any case, these actuating mechanisms provide a relatively convenient and easy to use interface for end users.

Conventional actuating mechanisms include either an actuating button or an actuating trigger. Traditional actuating triggers may include a discharge orifice along a portion of the trigger, or at a separate location along a housing of the trigger overcap assembly. Regardless of the positioning of the discharge orifice, after actuation by a user, the volatile material typically travels through a fluid passageway. Portions defining the passageway typically engage the valve stem of an associated container. Thus, when dispensement is desired, a user may actuate the trigger, which in turn depresses the valve stem and opens the valve within the associated container, thereby releasing the contents of the container through the fluid passageway and out of the discharge orifice.

In other containers, the valve stem is tilted or displaced in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis to radially actuate the valve stem. When the valve assembly is opened, a pressure differential between the container interior and the atmosphere forces the contents of the container out through an orifice of the valve stem.

Numerous problems arise with prior art trigger actuation systems utilized in combination with containers. In particular, many prior art trigger actuation systems require complex manufacturing processes requiring overly burdensome alignment and engagement steps. Further, prior art trigger actuation systems have historically required a number of moving parts or linkages to actuate the valve stem after actuation by a user. These and other disadvantage of the prior art are overcome by the trigger assembly described hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, a trigger overcap assembly includes a housing having a body, a cap secured to an upper end of the housing, and a trigger at least partially disposed within the body. The trigger defines a manifold comprising a fluid passageway, and a pivot rod of the trigger is pivotally coupled with a pivot notch of the cap.

According to a different aspect, a four piece trigger overcap assembly consists of a housing, a cap secured to an upper end of the housing, a trigger at least partially disposed within the housing, and a nozzle insert disposed within a nozzle chamber of the trigger actuator. The trigger defines a fluid passageway, and a pivot rod of the trigger actuator is pivotally coupled with the cap.

According to another aspect, a trigger overcap assembly includes a housing defined by a waisted body from which extends a lower sidewall, a cap secured to an upper end of the body, and a trigger at least partially disposed within the body. The trigger includes a trigger pad from which a first arm and a second arm extend into the housing. The trigger defines a manifold comprising a fluid passageway, and a pivot rod connecting the first and second arms of the trigger is pivotally coupled with a pivot notch within a leg depending from the cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1depicts a product dispensing system100including a trigger overcap assembly102and a container104. The trigger overcap assembly102includes a cap106, a housing108, a trigger110, and a nozzle insert112. The trigger110is at least partially disposed within the housing108and facilitates the product being dispensed from the dispensing system100. In use, the trigger overcap assembly102is adapted to release a product from the container104upon the occurrence of a particular condition, such as the manual activation of the trigger110by a user of the dispensing system100. The product discharged may be a formulation, carrier, or substance for use in the cleaning of surfaces or objects in a household, commercial, or industrial environment. The product is discharged through an outlet orifice114of the nozzle insert112.

In other embodiments, the product comprises a fragrance or insecticide disposed within a carrier liquid, a deodorizing liquid, or the like. The product may also comprise other actives, such as sanitizers, air fresheners, cleaners, odor eliminators, mold or mildew inhibitors, insect repellents, and/or the like, and/or that have aromatherapeutic properties. The product alternatively comprises any solid, liquid, or gas known to those skilled in the art that may be dispensed from a container. It is contemplated that the container104may contain any type of pressurized or non-pressurized product, such as compressed gas that may be liquefied, non-liquefied, or dissolved, including carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, neon, oxygen, xenon, nitrous oxide, or nitrogen. The container104may alternatively contain any type of hydrocarbon gas, including acetylene, methane, propane, butane, isobutene, halogenated hydrocarbons, ethers, mixtures of butane and propane, otherwise known as liquid petroleum gas or LPG, and/or mixtures thereof. The product dispensing system100is therefore adapted to dispense any number of different products.

The container104and/or trigger overcap assembly102may each be independently made of any appropriate material, including multiple layers of the same or different material, such as a polymer, a plastic, metal such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or tin plated steel, glass, a cellulosic material, a laminated material, a recycled material, and/or combinations thereof. The trigger overcap assembly102may be formed from a wide variety of well-known polymeric materials, including, for example, polyethylene (PE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), crystalline PET, amorphous PET, polyethylene glycol terephthalate, polystyrene (PS), polyamide (PA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), poly(styrene:acrylonitrile) (SAN), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene naphthalene (PEN), polyethylene furanoate (PEF), PET homopolymers, PEN copolymers, PET/PEN resin blends, PEN homopolymers, overmolded thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), fluropolymers, polysulphones, polyimides, cellulose acetate, and/or combinations thereof. It is further envisioned that the container104may include an interior and/or exterior lining or coating to further strengthen the container104structurally, as well as make the container104resilient to harsh chemicals. The lining(s) and/or coating(s) may be made of any one of the preceding polymeric materials or may further be made of ethylenevinyl alcohol (EVOH). The container104may be opaque, translucent, or transparent.

As best illustrated inFIG. 2, the container104includes a lower end116and a substantially cylindrical body118, which terminates at a groove120disposed at an upper end122of the container104. The overcap assembly102may be attached to the container104via the groove120, as discussed below. A rim124is disposed adjacent and above the groove120, and joins a platform128that partially defines the upper end122of the container104. The platform128is generally annular. It is contemplated that the container104of the present disclosure may be a conventional aerosol container, which includes features that are externally or internally crimped to portions of the body118and/or the rim124. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 2, a mounting cup or crown130may be externally crimped to the container104at the rim124.

Still referring toFIG. 2, the crown130of the container104is centrally interrupted by a pedestal136. The pedestal136extends upwardly from the platform128of the crown130. A valve pedestal138extends from a central portion of the pedestal136, and includes a conventional valve assembly (not shown in detail) having a valve stem140, which is connected to a valve body (not shown) and a valve spring (not shown) disposed within the container104. The valve stem140extends upwardly through the valve pedestal138, wherein a distal end142of the valve stem140extends upwardly away from the valve pedestal138and is adapted to interact with a fluid inlet of the trigger110of the trigger overcap assembly102. A longitudinal axis A extends through the valve stem140. It is also contemplated that other types of containers104or bottles may be used with the trigger overcap assembly102disclosed herein.

As best shown inFIG. 3, prior to use, the trigger110is placed in fluid communication with the distal end142of the valve stem140. A user may manually or automatically actuate the trigger110to open the valve assembly, which causes a pressure differential between an interior144of the container104and the atmosphere to force the contents of the container104out through an orifice146of the valve stem140, through the trigger overcap assembly102, and into the atmosphere. The nozzle insert112is shown removed from the cross-sectional views included herein for purposes of clarity.

Now turning toFIGS. 4-8, the trigger overcap assembly102is described with greater particularity. The housing108of the trigger overcap assembly102is defined as having a front portion200and a rear portion202. The housing108includes a waisted body204that extends upward and inward toward the longitudinal axis A from a lower sidewall206. As previously noted, the longitudinal axis A is defined through the valve stem140of the container104. The lower sidewall206is generally cylindrical in the present embodiment; however, the lower sidewall206may also be tapered. The lower sidewall206also defines a lower edge208of the housing108. A plane P is defined by the lower edge208of the housing108. As illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10, the lower edge208of the lower sidewall206is generally circular and defines a lower opening210of the housing108. The lower sidewall206may optionally include a lip.

Referring again toFIGS. 4-8, the body204tapers or bows inwardly, toward the axis A from the lower sidewall206toward a waist212. From the waist212, the body204extends upward, away from plane P, and outward, away from axis A, toward an upper opening214(seeFIGS. 12 and 13) defined by an upper edge216of the body204. The upper opening214is covered by the cap106when the cap106is affixed to the body204. Referring specifically toFIG. 7, the upper edge216slopes downward, toward plane P, moving from the front portion200of the housing108toward the rear portion202thereof. The upper edge216is slightly curved, and the cap106follows the curvature thereof such that a seam218circumscribes the intersection between the cap106and the upper edge216of the housing108. The upper opening214is adapted to receive the cap106, as will be described in more detail hereinafter below. The housing108further includes a trigger opening220disposed at least partially above the waist212along the front portion200of the housing108, which allows for the placement of the trigger110therethrough.

Turning toFIGS. 9 and 10, the lower opening210of the housing108is shown positioned adjacent the lower edge208for receiving portions of the container104. As best seen inFIGS. 10-12, the housing108includes a plurality of inwardly protruding guiding ribs230disposed along an inner surface232of the body204of the housing108. The guiding ribs230are radially spaced from one another and extend from the lower edge208in an inward and upward manner from an intersection of the lower sidewall206with the body204along the inner surface232to a medial wall234that is disposed within the housing108. The medial wall234extends circumferentially about the inner surface232of the body204. A valve stem opening236is provided in a central portion of the medial wall234through which an inlet240of a first or vertical conduit242of the trigger110extends to join the valve stem140, resulting in a fluid connection between the trigger110and the container104. As further shown inFIGS. 10-12, a lower surface244of each of the guiding ribs230is depicted, wherein such lower surfaces244are fashioned to engage with the rim124of the container104when the trigger overcap assembly102is coupled thereto.

Referring toFIGS. 9-12, a plurality of equidistantly spaced securement protrusions250are disposed circumferentially about an interior surface252of the lower sidewall206and are adapted to secure the trigger overcap assembly102to the container104and/or to allow for variances of different container sizes for use with the trigger overcap assembly102. In a preferred embodiment, the protrusions250limit rotation of the housing108with respect to the container104because the protrusions250have a light interface with the groove120adjacent the rim124of the container104. The protrusions250may also relieve pressure on the lower sidewall206of the housing108in the event that a container having a larger diameter, i.e., a diameter that is substantially similar to that of the housing, is inserted into the housing108of the trigger overcap assembly102.

As best seen inFIGS. 3, 11 and 12, upon placement of the trigger overcap assembly102onto the container104, the securement protrusions250are fittingly retained within the groove120in a snap-fit type manner. Any number and size of protrusions250may be included that circumscribe the interior surface252of the lower sidewall206to assist in attaching the trigger overcap assembly102to the container104. Alternatively, other methods may be utilized to secure the trigger overcap assembly102to the container104as are known in the art. Additional stabilizing ribs (not shown) and/or additional securement protrusions may also provide additional structural integrity and/or alignment assistance to the trigger overcap assembly102for allowing for secure retention of the trigger overcap assembly102. Such alignment assistance helps to ensure that the trigger110is positioned correctly onto the valve stem140.

Still referring toFIGS. 11 and 12, the vertical conduit242is shown extending upward, to an intersection260with a second or horizontal conduit262. The horizontal conduit262extends from the intersection260toward a spray chamber264that receives the nozzle insert112(not shown in cross-sectional views for clarity). The vertical conduit242, the horizontal conduit262, and the spray chamber264generally define a fluid passageway266. When a user actuates the trigger110for dispensement, fluid travels through the valve stem140, into the vertical conduit242, and into the spray chamber264, where the pressurized fluid exits the assembly102into the surrounding atmosphere. In some embodiments, a cross section of the passageway within the vertical conduit242is greater than a cross section of the passageway within the horizontal conduit262, which may necessarily result in a higher fluid pressure in the horizontal conduit262than the vertical conduit242during dispensement of the fluid. As a result, pressure of the fluid at different points along the fluid passageway266can be adjusted based on varying cross-sectional areas of different portions of the fluid passageway266, as would be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art. The vertical conduit242, the horizontal conduit262, and the spray chamber264define a manifold268.

The medial wall234is also depicted as being interrupted by the valve stem opening236and a rear opening270. The rear opening270is disposed adjacent a pivot casing300, which is a part of the housing108. The pivot casing300includes opposing casing sidewalls302, a casing front wall304, and the rear portion202of the body206of the housing108. The pivot casing300partially surrounds a pivot rod310of the trigger110, and retains the cap106in place. The casing front wall304also defines a casing aperture312through which an engaging step314of the cap106extends to retain the cap106in place once the cap106has been coupled with the housing108. The pivot rod310of the trigger110is pivotally coupled with a pivot leg320depending downward from the cap106. A trigger bar322is also shown in the cross-sectional view ofFIGS. 11 and 12, which operates to provide stability by statically connecting a first trigger arm324with a second trigger arm326(seeFIG. 15).

Referring now toFIG. 13, the pivot casing300is shown in greater detail. As illustrated, the pivot casing300includes the casing front wall304that defines the casing aperture312through which the engaging step314of the cap106can extend to retain the cap106in place. The walls302,304of the pivot casing300provide structural integrity to the pivot casing300and provide the necessary support to keep the cap106fixedly secured to the housing108after the cap106has been assembled thereto. Because the trigger110is pivotally coupled with the cap106, when the trigger110is actuated by a user, an upward force is applied to the cap106. However, the cap106remains in place, in part, by the engaging step314being fixed within the casing aperture312, i.e., the engaging step314is held in place within the casing aperture312by a lower ledge330of the casing front wall304. In some embodiments, the pivot casing300may comprise alternative forms.

With reference toFIG. 14, the body204along the front portion200of the housing108is interrupted by the trigger opening220. The trigger opening220of the body206is defined by rounded corners and generally straight sides, however, the trigger opening220may have any configuration that allows the trigger110to move freely within the trigger opening220between actuated and non-actuated states. The trigger opening220may have other shapes or truncated shapes, such as an oval, a square, a triangle, a rectangle, a circle, or any other shape. A portion of the cap106disposed at an upper end of the trigger opening220operates as a stop to prevent upward vertical translation or rotation of the trigger110, as will be described in further detail hereinafter below. The shape of the trigger opening220may be different depending on the desired function of the housing108.

Now referring toFIGS. 15 and 16, the trigger110and the cap106are shown pivotally coupled together without the other components of the trigger assembly102. The trigger110is defined by a trigger pad350that is generally concave or inwardly bowed. The first and second trigger arms324,326extend from an underside352of the trigger pad350toward the pivot rod310. The pivot rod310is received within a pivot notch354of the pivot leg320of the cap106, as will be discussed in greater detail below. The pivot rod310is provided between the first and second trigger arms324,326, which provides structural support to the trigger110. A center arm360also extends from the underside352of the trigger pad350inwardly toward the longitudinal axis A, and terminates at an end of the spray chamber264. Additional arms or structure may be provided along the underside352of the trigger pad350to provide additional structural support, to aid with alignment of the trigger pad350, or for some other reason.

Referring toFIG. 16, the engaging step314is shown, which extends outward from the pivot leg320that depends from the cap106. The engaging step314extends from the pivot leg320, inwardly, toward the longitudinal axis A. The engaging step314is formed to fit within the pivot casing aperture312, as described above and shown inFIG. 13. The engaging step314may be formed to be snugly received within the casing aperture312. Referring again toFIG. 13, rod cut-outs366are formed within the casing sidewalls302, the rod cut-outs366being formed to allow the pivot rod310and portions of the pivot arms324,326adjacent the pivot rod310to be able to move freely within and/or adjacent the pivot casing300.

Referring toFIG. 17, the cap106is shown in greater detail. A plurality of engagement cylinders380extend downward from an underside382of the cap106. The engagement cylinders380are formed to engage with protrusions or rods384that extend upward from the housing108and are received within the engagement cylinders380. The rods384are shown, for example, inFIG. 13. The rods384may have any type of cross section, however, in some embodiments the rods384have a plus-sign cross-section, as presently depicted. The rods384may have rounded or tapered upper portions to allow for better fitting engagement with the engagement cylinders380depending from the cap106.

Turning again toFIG. 17, the pivot leg320is shown in greater detail. As shown, the engaging step314extends outward from the pivot leg320, and the pivot notch354is formed within a lower end400of the pivot leg320. The pivot notch354is formed to fittingly receive the pivot rod310, in such a way that when the pivot notch354is pressed against the pivot rod310, the pivot rod310snaps into place within the pivot notch354. A plurality of structural support ribs402are also shown, which are included for the purpose of providing additional structural integrity to the underside382of the cap106. The support ribs402may be formed in a criss-cross pattern along the underside382of the cap106.

As further shown inFIG. 17, two flanges404extend downward from the underside382of the cap106, which are formed to interact with portions of the trigger110. The flanges404include grooves406that retain knubs or protrusions408(seeFIG. 19where only arm326is shown) along the arms324,326of the trigger. The grooves406extend along a portion of the flanges404, but may extend along an entire width of the flanges404. The protrusions408form a secondary retention mechanism, which assists in holding the trigger110in place during assembly and/or transport of the assembly102. The trigger110is held within the cap106during assembly so that both the cap and the trigger110may be seated onto the housing108at the same time.

Now referring toFIGS. 18-23, the trigger110is shown in greater detail. The trigger110includes the trigger arms324,326that extend from the trigger pad350toward the pivot rod310. The trigger bar322also extends between the pivot arms324,326and provides structural support therebetween. The manifold268is also shown, which includes the horizontal conduit262and the vertical conduit242. InFIG. 18the vertical conduit242is shown coupled with the valve stem140. Referring now toFIG. 19, a cross-sectional view of the trigger110is shown taken through lines19-19ofFIG. 21. As shown, one of the protrusions408is provided along interior sides414of the trigger arms324,326. As discussed above, the protrusions408may be included to assist in retaining the trigger110in place during assembly102of the trigger overcap assembly102.

Referring now toFIG. 20, the pivot rod310, the trigger bar322, and the manifold268are shown in greater detail. As discussed above, a diameter of the passageway within the vertical conduit242is larger than a diameter of the passageway within the horizontal conduit262of the manifold268, which can result in a pressure differential that increases pressure within the horizontal conduit262and/or the spray chamber264that is formed to receive the nozzle insert112(not shown in cross-section). The concave nature of the trigger pad350is also shown in FIG.20.FIGS. 21-23generally depict plan and elevation views of the trigger110separated from the other components of the trigger overcap assembly102.

Now referring toFIGS. 24 and 25, operation of the trigger overcap assembly102will be described in greater detail. As an initial matter, after a first use of the trigger overcap assembly102, the protrusions408provided along the interior sides414of the trigger arms324,326disengage from the grooves406provided within the flanges404that depend from the underside382of the cap106. The disengagement of the protrusions408from the grooves406allows the trigger110to be free to move without interacting with the flanges404. Further, after a first use of the trigger overcap assembly102, the vertical conduit242of the manifold268becomes fully seated on the valve stem140of the aerosol container104. The trigger110is then free to pivot within the pivot notch354of the cap106.

The trigger overcap assembly102is shown in a non-actuated configuration inFIG. 24and an actuated configuration inFIG. 25. To place the trigger overcap assembly102into an operable condition, the trigger110is coupled with the cap106and the combination of the trigger110and cap106is slid through the upper opening214of the housing108. The pivot leg320that depends downwardly from the underside382of the cap106slides into the pivot casing300, the engaging step314snaps into the casing aperture312, and the engaging step314engages with the casing front wall404to retain the cap106in position on the housing108. Further, the plurality of engagement rods384may form a friction fit with the corresponding plurality of engagement cylinders380. Before or after the cap106and trigger110have been secured to the housing108, the nozzle insert112is slid into the spray chamber264. After the four main components have been coupled together, i.e., the housing108, the trigger110, the cap106, and the nozzle insert112, the trigger overcap assembly102is ready for use.

In use, the product or fluid is sprayed from the dispensing system100by exerting a force on the trigger110. Referring toFIG. 25, which shows the trigger overcap assembly102during actuation, the vertical conduit242is forced downward, and presses down on the valve stem140to cause the valve assembly to allow product or fluid to enter into the manifold268. In a preferred embodiment, the valve stem140translates between about 0.5 mm and about 10 mm, or between about 1 mm and about 8 mm from the non-actuation position to the actuation position. Upon removal of force from the trigger110, the manifold268returns to the non-actuation position, as shown inFIG. 24. The trigger110is moved to the non-actuation position by the force of the valve stem140moving upwardly by the valve spring to close the valve assembly within the container104.

It should also be noted that the trigger overcap assembly102depicted inFIG. 25in the actuation state is shown in a fully actuated state. However, depending on the tolerance or specific characteristics of the container and/or valve stem and accompanying valve assembly, it is possible that spraying may be effected either fully or partially by pressing the actuator downward somewhere between the two positions shown inFIG. 24(non-actuated) andFIG. 25(fully actuated). However, for purposes of explaining the functionality and interaction of the trigger110with the housing108, the term “actuation state” as it relates to the trigger overcap assembly102shown inFIG. 25refers to what is, in fact, a fully actuated state of the trigger overcap assembly102.

With reference still toFIGS. 24 and 25, when a user exerts a force on the trigger pad350to translate the trigger110from its non-actuation state, the outlet orifice114of the trigger110is moved from a first position to a second position. As shown inFIG. 24, when the trigger overcap assembly102is in the non-actuation state, portions of the trigger110are in contact or engaged with surfaces defining the trigger opening220of the body206of the housing108. Further, the pivot rod310of the trigger110is disposed within the pivot notch354of the pivot leg320depending from the underside382of the cap106. The trigger110remains in the non-actuation state due to the force of the valve spring (not shown) until a user presses inwardly and/or downwardly on the trigger pad350of the trigger110to translate the trigger110from the non-actuation state to the actuation state. Referring now toFIG. 25, the trigger110is shown translated vertically downward to the actuation state. The trigger110remains in the actuation state until a user releases the trigger pad350of the trigger110to allow translation of the trigger110from the actuation state (FIG. 25) back to the non-actuation state (FIG. 24).

It is contemplated that the trigger overcap assembly102disclosed herein may be mated with a container that has a non-vertical valve assembly or with a valve stem that requires angular motion for actuation. Further, while the teachings of the present overcap assemblies are particularly beneficial to containers having smaller footprints, the present embodiments could be utilized with any size container.

Any of the embodiments described herein may be modified to include any of the structures or methodologies disclosed in connection with different embodiments. Further, the present disclosure is not limited to aerosol containers of the type specifically shown. Still further, the overcaps of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be modified to work with any type of aerosol or non-aerosol container.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY