Abstract:
An aerosol capacity indicator that utilizes a novel and inexpensive display that can be installed in the actuator of an aerosol can to display the amount of product remaining therein. The novel accumulative pressure indicator display is imbedded in the actuator which is attached to the valve of an aerosol can and activated by pressure applied directly by the user in the form of finger contact with the actuator. The total amount of pressure applied to the indicator and transferred to the aerosol valve by means of direct user contact both intermittent and continuous renders a relevant reading equivalent to the amount of product released from the aerosol can without any contact with the actual dispensed material. Another embodiment of the invention utilizes the pressure of the actual aerosol product as it passes through the actuator making intermittent and continuous contact with the novel accumulative pressure indicator display imbedded in the flow path of the aerosol product in the actuator rendering an actual reading equivalent to the amount of product released from the aerosol can.

Description:
This application claims benefit of application Ser. No. 60/717,816 filed Sep. 16, 2005. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Products such as hair spray and shaving cream that are sold in containers such as aerosol cans are usually opaque because the pressure required to facilitate the dispensing of the product must be contained in a strong container. The container must be strong enough to withstand substantial internal pressures that are used to force the product out of the container via an outlet that is opened and closed by means of a valve that is activated by the user of the product. Opaque metal cans are generally used instead of transparent materials such as glass to insure that the container can withstand the internal pressure and external handling. Unlike a transparent container you cannot see how much product is remaining in the can after you begin dispensing the product. It is desirable to know how much product remains in a can. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the invention is to use a novel and inexpensive display that can be installed in the actuator of an aerosol can to display the amount of product remaining therein. The actuator is the component of an aerosol that is attached to the valve opening of an aerosol so that pressure can be applied to overcome the valve allowing material inside the can to escape through a tunnel formed in the actuator. The invention utilizes a novel accumulative pressure indicator display imbedded in the actuator which is attached to the valve of an aerosol can and activated by pressure applied directly by the user in the form of finger contact with the actuator. The total amount of pressure applied to the indicator by means of direct user contact both intermittent and continuous renders a relevant reading equivalent to the amount of product released from the aerosol can without any contact with the actual dispensed material. 
   Another embodiment of the invention is to utilize the total amount of pressure of the actual aerosol product as it passes through the actuator making intermittent and continuous contact with the novel accumulative pressure indicator display imbedded in the actuator rendering an actual reading equivalent to the amount of product released from the aerosol can. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a cross section view of a flexible gel filled blister and the capillary extending from the flexible gel filled blister. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of a flexible gel filled blister and capillary extending from the flexible gel filled blister. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross section view of the flexible gel filled blister and the capillary extending from the flexible gel filled blister with a flat support member resting on the blister. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross section view of the flexible gel filled blister and the capillary extending from the flexible gel filled blister with a flat support member holding a small weight partially compressing the blister. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross section view of the flexible gel filled blister and the capillary extending from the flexible gel filled blister with a flat support member holding a heavy weight completely compressing the blister. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross section view of the wide flexible gel filled blister and the capillary extending from the flexible gel filled blister. 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the wide flexible gel filled blister and the capillary extending from the flexible gel filled blister. 
       FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10  &amp;  11  are cross sectional views of an aerosol actuator button containing the indicator and outlet tunnel of which a portion of the walls are elastic and is parallel to the gel blister or the product that is connected to the valve output opening. 
       FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  14  &amp;  15  are top and cross sectional views of an aerosol actuator button containing the indicator and product outlet tunnel of which a portion of the output tunnel is partially blocked by a gel blister and capillary assembly which interacts and records movement of the product as it passes through the tunnel. 
       FIGS. 16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  20  &amp;  21  are top and cross sectional views of an aerosol actuator button containing the indicator and product outlet tunnel with a gel blister and capillary assembly located above the product outlet tunnel in between the actuator button and the product output tunnel which interacts and records intermittent and continuous pressure applied to the actuator by the user. 
       FIGS. 22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27  &amp;  28  are top and cross sectional views of an aerosol actuator button containing the indicator and product outlet tunnel with a small diameter compressible thick gel blister assembly located above the product outlet tunnel in between the actuator button and the product output tunnel which interacts and records intermittent and continuous pressure applied to the actuator by the user. 
       FIGS. 29 ,  30 ,  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35  &amp;  36  are top and cross sectional views of an isolated aerosol capacity indicator with the gel reservoir, capillary channel and other components formed and molded in a solid housing which records intermittent and continuous pressure applied to the indicator. 
       FIGS. 37 &amp; 38  are cross sectional views of an aerosol capacity indicator with the gel reservoir, capillary channel and other components formed and molded into an actuator rendering a self contained indicator and actuator which records intermittent and continuous pressure applied to the indicator. 
       FIGS. 39 ,  40 ,  41  &amp;  42  are cross sectional and top views of another aerosol capacity indicator with the gel reservoir, capillary channel and other components formed and molded into an actuator rendering a self contained indicator and actuator which records intermittent and continuous pressure applied to the indicator. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  show a cross sectional and plane view of an enclosed system comprised of a gel filled flexible film blister  61  and a narrow capillary tube  63  extended from said blister with the gel partially entering the capillary  62 . The end of the capillary  64  is left open to allow air to escape when necessary.  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  are cross sectional views of the effect of weight or pressure  65  on the flexible gel blister  61  which forces the edge of the gel supply  62  to advance through the capillary  63 . In  FIG. 3  there is a small weight or pressure  65  on the flexible gel blister  61  forcing only a small amount of the gel supply to advance through the capillary  63  to a position  62  close to the blister  61  representing low weight or pressure. In  FIG. 4  there is a larger weight or pressure  65  on the flexible gel blister  61  forcing a larger amount of the gel supply to advance through the capillary  63  to a position  62  further from the blister  61  representing a larger weight or pressure. In  FIG. 5  there is a maximum weight or pressure  65  on the flexible gel blister  61  forcing the maximum amount of the gel supply to advance through the capillary  63  to a position  62  furthest from the blister  61  representing the maximum weight or pressure. The flexible gel blister  61  is substantially larger than the capillary  63  wherein a very small amount of weight or pressure  65  on the blister  61  renders a large movement of the gel  62  in the capillary  63  rendering a system than can detect and display small changes in the weight or pressure  65  applied to the blister  61 .  FIGS. 6 and 7  show a cross sectional and plane view of an enclosed system comprised of a very wide gel filled flexible film blister  66  and a narrow capillary tube  68  extended from said blister with the gel partially entering the capillary  67 . The end of the capillary  69  is left open to allow air to escape when necessary. The enclosed system shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  is the same as the system in shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  except that with the wider and larger blister  66  the system renders a more sensitive movement of the gel  67  through the capillary  68 . The combination of a large blister  66  and a small capillary  68  creates a visual amplifier that detects small changes in the weight and pressure placed on the blister. 
   The next step is to use the indicating system described above and install it in a actuator on an aerosol can to record intermittent and continuous discharge of product from an aerosol can. In  FIGS. 8 through 11  a cross sectional view of one embodiment is shown which shows the gel reservoir of the gel capillary indicator sharing and interacting in an enclosure in an actuator assembly with an elastic section of the aerosol output tunnel. The viscosity of the gel material will be high enough to offer resistance and a memory effect in that once the gel is moved by a given force or pressure it will remain in place until it is moved again. In  FIG. 8  the gel reservoir blister  71  which is full of gel is in contact with the elastic wall section  72  of the aerosol output tunnel which is between the ninety degree turn  74  and the narrow tunnel opening  74 . The gel reservoir blister  71  is full and there is no pressure present in the elastic section of the tunnel  73  and no expansion of the wall  72  in that there is no product moving through the tunnel from the input section of the tunnel  77  resulting in no movement of the leading edge of the gel  76  through the capillary  75 . In  FIG. 9  the product is introduced into the tunnel input  77  causing the wall  72  of the elastic section  73  of the tunnel to expand as a result of back pressure developed by the product pushing against the narrow tunnel opening  70  which in turn presses against the gel reservoir blister  71  resulting in movement of gel  76  a certain distance into the capillary  75 . The gel  76  location in the capillary  25  renders a visual representation of the accumulative amount of product that passed through the tunnel from the source  77 . In  FIG. 10  the product continues into the tunnel input  77  causing the wall  72  of the elastic section  73  of the tunnel to expand further as a result of back pressure developed by the product pushing against the narrow tunnel opening  70  which in turn continues to press against the gel reservoir blister  71  resulting in movement of gel  76  a greater distance into the capillary  75 . The gel  76  location in the capillary  25  renders a visual representation of the accumulative amount of product that passed through the tunnel from the source  77 . In  FIG. 11  the remaining product continues into the tunnel input  77  causing the wall  72  of the elastic section  73  of the tunnel to expand a maximum amount as a result of back pressure developed by the product pushing against the narrow tunnel opening  70  which in turn continues to press against the gel reservoir blister  71  resulting in movement of gel  76  a maximum distance into the capillary  75 . The gel  76  location in the capillary  25  renders a visual representation of the total accumulative amount of product that passed through the tunnel from the source  77 . In  FIGS. 12 through 15  a top and cross sectional view of another embodiment is shown which is an aerosol actuator with a capacity indictor installed therein. 
   Another embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 12 through 15  which show a more detailed variation of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8 through 11 . The viscosity of the gel material will be high enough to offer resistance and a memory effect in that once the gel is moved by a given force or pressure it will remain in place until it is moved again. In  FIG. 12  the cross section view shows the actuator  81  with the gel reservoir blister  83  and capillary installed in the aerosol product tunnel  82  in direct line with the tunnel input  84  and parallel with the tunnel output  78 . There is no product passing through the tunnel  84 ,  82  which results in no pressure on the blister  83  and no movement of the gel  80 . The top view shows the actuator  81  with an output opening  78  and a long narrow window  79  which reveals the leading edge of a gel  80  positioned at one end of the capillary in the long narrow window. The long narrow window  79  in conjunction with the position of the leading edge of the gel  80  renders and a visual representation of the amount of product that has been discharged from the aerosol can and passed through the actuator to the outside. In  FIG. 13  the cross section view shows the actuator  81  with the gel reservoir blister  83  and capillary installed in the aerosol product tunnel  82  in direct line with the tunnel input  84  and parallel with the tunnel output  78 . There is now product passing through the tunnel  84 ,  82  which results in pressure on the blister  83  and movement of the gel  80 . The top view shows the actuator  81  with an output opening  78  and a long narrow window  79  which reveals the leading edge of a gel  80  positioned further into the capillary in the long narrow window. The long narrow window  79  in conjunction with the position of the leading edge of the gel  80  renders and records a visual representation of the amount of product that has been discharged from the aerosol can and passed through the actuator to the outside. In  FIG. 14  the cross section view shows the actuator  81  with the gel reservoir blister  83  and capillary installed in the aerosol product tunnel  82  in direct line with the tunnel input  84  and parallel with the tunnel output  78 . The product continues to pass through the tunnel  84 ,  82  which results in pressure on the blister  83  and additional movement of the gel  80 . The top view shows the actuator  81  with an output opening  78  and a long narrow window  79  which reveals the leading edge of a gel  80  positioned further into the capillary in the long narrow window. The long narrow window  79  in conjunction with the position of the leading edge of the gel  80  renders and records a visual representation of the amount of product that has been discharged from the aerosol can and passed through the actuator to the outside. In  FIG. 15  the cross section view shows the actuator  81  with the gel reservoir blister  83  and capillary installed in the aerosol product tunnel  82  in direct line with the tunnel input  84  and parallel with the tunnel output  78 . The remaining product continues to pass through the tunnel  82 ,  84  which results in pressure on the blister  83  and additional movement of the gel  80 . The top view shows the actuator  81  with an output opening  78  and a long narrow window  79  which reveals the leading edge of a gel  80  positioned at the end of the capillary in the long narrow window. The long narrow window  79  in conjunction with the position of the leading edge of the gel  80  renders and records a visual representation of the amount of product that has been discharged from the aerosol can and passed through the actuator to the outside. 
   Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 16 through 21 . In this embodiment the gel in the blister reservoir is compressed directly by the pressure of the force applied to the actuator to overcome the valve pressure that releases product relevant to the amount of pressure. In this embodiment it is not necessary for product to come into direct contact with the product and compress the gel in the reservoir. The pressure required to compress the gel in the reservoir is simultaneously applying the same pressure to the aerosol valve. If the pressure required to overcome the valve and release product is substantially the same as the pressure required to move gel from the reservoir and into the capillary a history of valve activity will be rendered by the position of the leading edge of the gel in the capillary. The history of valve activity as shown in the position of the gel in the capillary is an indication of product released from the aerosol can. The viscosity of the gel material will be high enough to offer resistance and a memory effect in that once the gel is moved by a given force or pressure it will remain in place until it is moved again. In  FIG. 16  there is no pressure applied to the hinged  89  actuator activation mechanism point  88  which results in no pressure applied to the valve opening  92  and no movement of product through the actuator tunnel  90 . The gel reservoir blister  91  and capillary  86  are located above the tunnel and below the actuator activation point  88 . The leading edge  87  of the gel in the capillary  86  is at the start position in that there is no pressure on the actuator activation point  88  resulting in no pressure on the gel reservoir blister  91  rendering a recording of no movement of product through the actuator. In  FIG. 17  there is pressure applied to the hinged  89  actuator activation mechanism point  88  which results in pressure applied to the valve opening  92  and movement of product through the actuator tunnel  90 . The gel reservoir blister  91  and capillary  86  are located above the tunnel and below the actuator activation point  88 . The leading edge  87  of the gel in the capillary  86  moves into the capillary  86  due to the pressure on the actuator activation point  88  resulting in pressure on the gel reservoir blister  91  rendering a recording of movement of product through the actuator. In  FIG. 18  there is no pressure applied to the hinged  89  actuator activation mechanism point  88  which results in no pressure applied to the valve opening  92  and no additional movement of product through the actuator tunnel  90 . The gel reservoir blister  91  and capillary  86  are located above the tunnel and below the actuator activation point  88 . The leading edge  87  of the gel in the capillary  86  does not continue to move in that there is no pressure on the actuator activation point  88  resulting in no pressure on the gel reservoir blister  91  rendering a recording of no additional movement of product through the actuator. In  FIG. 19  there is pressure applied to the hinged  89  actuator activation mechanism point  88  which results in pressure applied to the valve opening  92  and movement of additional product through the actuator tunnel  90 . The gel reservoir blister  91  and capillary  86  are located above the tunnel and below the actuator activation point  88 . The leading edge  87  of the gel in the capillary  86  moves further into the capillary  86  due to the pressure on the actuator activation point  88  resulting in pressure on the gel reservoir blister  91  rendering a recording of movement of additional product through the actuator. In  FIG. 20  there is no pressure applied to the hinged  89  actuator activation mechanism point  88  which results in no pressure applied to the valve opening  92  and no additional movement of product through the actuator tunnel  90 . The gel reservoir blister  91  and capillary  86  are located above the tunnel and below the actuator activation point  88 . The leading edge  87  of the gel in the capillary  86  does not continue to move in that there is no pressure on the actuator activation point  88  resulting in no pressure on the gel reservoir blister  91  rendering a recording of no additional movement of product through the actuator. In  FIG. 21  there is pressure applied to the hinged  89  actuator activation mechanism point  88  which results in pressure applied to the valve opening  92  and additional movement of product through the actuator tunnel  90 . The gel reservoir blister  91  and capillary  86  are located above the tunnel and below the actuator activation point  88 . The leading edge  87  of the gel in the capillary  86  continues to move in that there is pressure on the actuator activation point  88  resulting in pressure on the gel reservoir blister  91  rendering a recording of additional and final movement of product through the actuator. 
   Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 22 through 28 . The actuator design is the same as the actuator in  FIGS. 16 through 21  with the exception of the gel mechanism. The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 22 through 28  does not have a capillary channel but only a mound of gel  96  positioned under the hinged actuator activation point  97  which contains a transparent window  95 . The mound of gel  96  is designed to compress and expand under the window  98  creating the visual effect of small circle getting larger and larger as the product is dispensed from the aerosol can containing the actuator. The viscosity of the gel material will be high enough to offer resistance and a memory effect in that once the gel is moved by a given force or pressure it will remain in place until it is moved again. In  FIG. 22  there is no pressure applied to the hinged actuator activation mechanism point  97  which results in no pressure applied to the valve opening  100  and no movement of product  93  through the actuator tunnel  98 . The gel mound  96  is located above the tunnel  99  and below the transparent window  95  in the actuator activation point  97 . The leading edge of the gel mound circumference in the window  95  is at the start position in that there is no pressure on the actuator activation point  97  resulting in no pressure on the gel mound  96  rendering a recording of no movement of product  93  through the actuator. In  FIG. 23  there is pressure applied to the hinged actuator activation mechanism point  97  which results in pressure applied to the valve opening  100  and movement of product  93  through the actuator tunnel  90 . The gel mound  96  is located above the tunnel  99  and below the transparent window  95  in the actuator activation point  97 . The leading edge of the gel mound circumference in the window  95  moves outward due to the pressure on the actuator activation point  97  resulting in pressure on the gel mound  96  rendering a recording of movement of product  93  through the actuator. In  FIG. 24  there is no pressure applied to the hinged actuator activation mechanism point  97  which results in no pressure applied to the valve opening  100  and no movement of product  93  through the actuator tunnel  98 . The gel mound  96  is located above the tunnel  99  and below the transparent window  95  in the actuator activation point  97 . The leading edge of the gel mound circumference in the window  95  is at the previous position in that there is no pressure on the actuator activation point  97  resulting in no pressure on the gel mound  96  rendering a recording of no movement of product  93  through the actuator. In  FIG. 25  there is pressure applied to the hinged actuator activation mechanism point  97  which results in pressure applied to the valve opening  100  and movement of product  93  through the actuator tunnel  90 . The gel mound  96  is located above the tunnel  99  and below the transparent window  95  in the actuator activation point  97 . The leading edge of the gel mound circumference in the window  95  moves further outward due to the pressure on the actuator activation point  97  resulting in pressure on the gel mound  96  rendering a recording of additional movement of product  93  through the actuator. In  FIG. 26  there is no pressure applied to the hinged actuator activation mechanism point  97  which results in no pressure applied to the valve opening  100  and no movement of product  93  through the actuator tunnel  98 . The gel mound  96  is located above the tunnel  99  and below the transparent window  95  in the actuator activation point  97 . The leading edge of the gel mound circumference in the window  95  is at the previous position in that there is no pressure on the actuator activation point  97  resulting in no pressure on the gel mound  96  rendering a recording of no movement of product  93  through the actuator. In  FIG. 27  there is pressure applied to the hinged actuator activation mechanism point  97  which results in pressure applied to the valve opening  100  and movement of product  93  through the actuator tunnel  90 . The gel mound  96  is located above the tunnel  99  and below the transparent window  95  in the actuator activation point  97 . The leading edge of the gel mound circumference in the window  95  moves further outward due to the pressure on the actuator activation point  97  resulting in pressure on the gel mound  96  rendering a recording of additional movement of product  93  through the actuator. In  FIG. 28  the aerosol is empty and there is no pressure applied to the hinged actuator activation mechanism point  97  which results in no pressure applied to the valve opening  100  and no movement of product  93  through the actuator tunnel  98 . The gel mound  96  is located above the tunnel  99  and below the transparent window  95  in the actuator activation point  97 . The leading edge of the gel mound circumference in the window  95  is at the final position in that there is no pressure on the actuator activation point  97  resulting in no pressure on the gel mound  96  rendering a recording of no movement of product  93  through the actuator. 
   Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 29 through 36  which is an indicator in isolation in that it is not a component of an aerosol actuator. This embodiment can be installed in an actuator as well as a variety of other devices that require a record of applied pressure. The indicator is composed of two parts as shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 . In  FIG. 29  a dimensional top and cross section view is shown. In  FIG. 30  a top view of the two component indicator is shown and in  FIG. 31  a top and cross sectional view of the two component system is shown. The indicator is based on the embodiments described above wherein a gel and capillary system are employed in a design that utilizes a housing which contains a reservoir cavity and capillary channel molded into said housing. In  FIGS. 30 and 31  the indicator is made up of a housing  111  with a cavity  116  and an inclined capillary channel  117  formed out of the housing with a thin transparent film with a button adhered to the film placed over the housing  111  with the button  112  positioned over the gel reservoir cavity  116 . In  FIGS. 32 and 33  a high viscosity gel is installed and sealed in the indicator. In the top and cross sectional view of  FIG. 34  the button  112 ,  118  is pressed applying pressure to the gel cavity  116  forcing the gel to enter the capillary channel  114  a given distance depending on the amount of pressure applied to the button rendering a visual indication of amount and duration of pressure applied. In the top and cross sectional view of  FIG. 35  the button  112 ,  118  continues being pressed applying pressure to the gel cavity  116  forcing additional gel to enter the capillary channel  114  a given distance depending on the amount of pressure applied to the button continuing to render a visual indication of amount and duration of pressure applied. In the top and cross sectional view of  FIG. 36  the button  112 ,  118  is pressed applying pressure to the gel cavity  116  forcing the remaining gel to enter the capillary channel  114  filling the remaining distance rendering a visual indication of amount and duration of pressure applied. 
   Another embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 37 and 38  which shows cross sectional views of the indicator designed as part of an aerosol actuator. An exploded view is shown in  FIG. 37  showing the indicator components molded into a hinged  119  assembly  123  that is part of the actuator shell  123 ,  126  incorporating the transparent window seal  119 , the gel  120 , the inclined capillary channel  121  and a separate trapped button  122  installed in the actuator that is placed over an aerosol valve  124 .  FIG. 38  shows all the components in place and ready for operation. 
   Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 39 through 42 . The figures show a novel system that eliminates the requirement of a separate button by use of a flexible thin wall which is in contact with a bump molded in the actuator.  FIGS. 39 and 40  is a cross sectional and top view of an indicator designed as part of an aerosol actuator. In  FIG. 39  the components are shown in preassembled state. The indicator contains all the features of the embodiments described above with a hinged  129  actuator activation site  132 , the gel cavity  131  with an ultra thin wall extending out to the inclined capillary channel  130  and the gel  128  which will be sealed by the transparent cover  127 .  FIG. 40  is the top view showing the indicator components such as the gel cavity  131  and capillary channel before the gel and transparent cover  127  are installed.  FIGS. 41 and 42  are a cross sectional and top view of the indicator showing the gel  131  and transparent cover  127  installed in the indicator. The indicator records pressure applied to the actuator and aerosol valve when the bump in the actuator presses on the thin wall of the cavity  131  due to pressure applied at the actuator activation site  132 . The total amount of pressure and duration of pressure applied to the actuator is representative of the amount of product released from the aerosol.