Abstract:
A combination includes a product container having a longitudinal dimension and a valve oriented to discharge product generally longitudinally therefrom. Valve actuating apparatus extends laterally from the valve in a direction transverse to the longitudinal dimension and terminates at an outer peripheral surface. A housing has a wall that tapers to a discharge opening, and the discharge opening has a size larger than a radius of the container but smaller than the greatest lateral extent of the valve actuating apparatus. The outer peripheral surface is disposed in interfering relationship with the wall when the container is disposed in the housing.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to housings that hold containers, and more particularly to housings that hold containers and actuators that actuate valve apparatus to dispense product from the container. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various apparatus for dispensing product from a container or reservoir of product have been developed. Smrt U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,998 discloses an actuator fitted to a container and including an axially extending passage therethrough for discharging product. The actuator includes a pair of wings that extend transversely from the actuator. The container may be moved axially within a device such that the wings bear against a surface defining a passage, thereby discharging product through the passage. 
     Brotspies et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,397 discloses a spray bottle grip used with a nasal spray bottle. The grip is coupled to a reciprocating nozzle of the spray bottle, and two arms extend downwardly along the spray bottle. The arms include finger flanges that provide an ergonomic means of reciprocating the nozzle to dispense product from the spray bottle. 
     Haas U.S. Pat. No. 3,318,492 discloses a disc-shaped actuator attached to a nozzle of a container. A user may depress the actuator with her finger to dispense product from the container. 
     Scheindel et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,103 discloses a handle extending along a container body. When a user pulls the handle toward the container body, a portion of the handle pushes downwardly upon a nozzle portion of the container to dispense product from the container. 
     Micallef U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,039 discloses a container having a vertically reciprocating tubular pump. A cap is fitted to the container and includes an actuator button extending from a sidewall of the cap. Movement of the actuator button in a direction toward the sidewall of the cap is translated into perpendicular reciprocating movement of the pump. 
     Other patents disclose devices having a container of product disposed at a first end of a rod and having a trigger mechanism at a second end of the rod wherein a user may actuate the container from a distance. Discharging product from a distance can be an advantage for many purposes, such as accessing hard-to-reach places or perhaps for discharging an insecticide into a hornet nest without placing oneself too close to the nest. Smrt U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,148 discloses a device where an actuating rod has a trigger on a first end and a container on a second end. Pulling the trigger moves the actuating rod longitudinally such that the second end of the rod moves a bell crank, which in turn, moves an additional rod that actuates a valve on the container. Aberegg et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,001, assigned to the assignee of the present application and the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, discloses a cleaning device having a trigger at a first end of a rod and a mop cleaning head and a container at a second end of the rod. Pulling the trigger moves a pivot link, which in turn actuates a valve of the container, thereby discharging product from the container onto the surface to be cleaned by the mop cleaning head. 
     Adams et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,147, assigned to the present assignee and also incorporated herein by reference, discloses a container of air freshener inserted into a shroud. The shroud includes a nozzle that is fitted over a valve stem of the container. The combination of the container and the shroud is placed within a housing. When a user wishes to spray air freshener into ambient air, the user pushes the housing, which in turn pushes the shroud and the valve stem to dispense the air freshener out of the housing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a combination includes a product container having a longitudinal dimension and a valve oriented to discharge product generally longitudinally therefrom. Valve actuating apparatus extends laterally from the valve in a direction transverse to the longitudinal dimension and terminates at an outer peripheral surface. A housing has a wall that tapers to a discharge opening, and the discharge opening has a size larger than a radius of the container but smaller than the greatest lateral extent of the valve actuating apparatus. The outer peripheral surface is disposed in interfering relationship with the wall when the container is disposed in the housing. 
     A further aspect of the present invention comprehends an actuator cap having a main wall that extends generally along an axial dimension thereof and has a varying cross sectional size. An actuator member extends transversely to the axial dimension and ends in an outer peripheral surface that extends laterally beyond a portion of the main wall, but does not extend beyond a greatest lateral extent of the main wall. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, an actuator cap includes a main wall that extends generally along an axial dimension thereof and has a varying cross sectional size. An actuator member is movable relative to the main wall and has an outer peripheral surface extending laterally beyond the main wall at the axial location of the outer peripheral surface. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, an actuator cap includes a main wall having an axial dimension and tapering between first and second ends. An actuator member extends transversely to the axial dimension and ends in an outer peripheral surface that extends laterally beyond a portion of the main wall at the axial location of the outer peripheral surface. The actuator member is disposed intermediate the first and second ends. 
     A further aspect of the present invention comprehends a method of dispensing including the step of selecting a container of product having a longitudinal dimension, a valve actuable to dispense product generally parallel to the longitudinal dimension, and valve actuating apparatus extending from the valve in a direction transverse to the container&#39;s longitudinal dimension and terminating at an outer peripheral surface. A housing is selected having a wall that reduces in cross sectional size to a discharge opening that has a size larger than a radius of the container. However, the opening is small enough so that the wall provides an interfering relationship with the outer peripheral surface when the container is placed into the housing. A relative movement of the container and the housing is provided in a direction along the longitudinal dimension such that the outer peripheral surface contacts a surface of the wall, thereby displacing the valve actuating apparatus to dispense product from the housing. 
     A further aspect of the present invention envisions a method of providing apparatus to an end user that includes the step of providing a container of product having a longitudinal dimension and valve actuating apparatus extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal dimension and terminating at an outer peripheral surface. The container is delivered or caused to be delivered to the end user. The container and the valve actuating apparatus are identified as suitable for placement within a housing that has a wall that tapers to a discharge opening having a size larger than a radius of the container but small enough to provide an interfering relationship between the wall and the valve actuating apparatus. Product can be dispensed by moving the container and the housing relative to each other in a direction along the longitudinal dimension to displace the valve actuating apparatus against a surface of the wall. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is an exploded isometric view of a container and valve actuating apparatus; 
         FIG. 1B  is an exploded isometric view showing a container having a female-type receiver valve; 
         FIG. 1C  is an isometric view of valve actuating apparatus; 
         FIG. 1D  is an isometric view of a valve stem having an arm extending therefrom; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded isometric view of a housing into which the container of  FIG. 1A  may be placed; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the housing of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken generally along the lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  further illustrating the container of  FIG. 1  in elevation; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 5A  is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the lines  5 A- 5 A of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary exploded isometric view illustrating a nozzle that may be fitted to a valve stem; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged bottom elevational view of the nozzle of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevational view showing a rod and trigger mechanism in combination with the housing of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a fragmentary partial sectional view taken generally along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the apparatus of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  are top and bottom isometric views, respectively, of the actuator cap of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of the actuator cap of  FIG. 9  showing an optional cover in phantom lines; 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional view taken generally along the lines  14 - 14  of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  are front and rear isometric views, respectively, of a second actuator cap; 
         FIGS. 17 and 18  are rear and side elevational views, respectively, of the cap of  FIGS. 15 and 16 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a sectional view taken generally along the lines  19 - 19  of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIGS. 20 and 21  are isometric and elevational views, respectively, of a third actuator cap; 
         FIG. 22  is a sectional view taken generally along the lines  22 - 22  of  FIG. 21 ; and 
         FIG. 23  is a side elevational view of a fourth actuator cap disposed on a container. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a container  50  and a valve actuating apparatus  52  actuable to dispense product from the container  50 . The container  50  includes a main container body  56  that contains product. Referring to  FIG. 2 , a housing  60  is provided, in which the container  50  may be placed. The housing  60  includes a wall  61  that decreases in cross sectional size, tapering to a discharge opening  62 . The discharge opening  62  has a cross sectional size greater than a radius R of the container  50 . The container  50  includes a valve stem  66  that actuates a valve (not shown) disposed within the container body  56 , and product flows from the valve stem  66  in a direction substantially parallel to an axial dimension of the container  50 . The valve stem  66  could be either a vertically depressible valve stem or a tilt valve stem. As will be appreciated hereinafter, if a tilt valve stem is utilized such stem could also alternatively be depressed vertically without tilting to dispense product therethrough. Referring to  FIG. 1B , one could substitute the valve stem  66  with a female valve  68  that receives a suitable insertion tube  69 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , the insertion tube  69  could be integral with or secured to the valve actuating apparatus  52 . Alternatively, the valve actuating apparatus  52  could be separable from the insertion tube  69 . Similarly, it should be evident that the valve actuating apparatus  52  could be separable from the valve stem  66  or could be secured in fixed relation thereto or could be integral therewith. Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the housing  60  may include first and second wall portions  70 ,  72  that may be joined together to house the container  50 . The portion  70  may include three bayonet slots  76   a - 76   c  disposed on an end  77  of the portion  70  and equally spaced from one another by 120 degrees. To join the portions  70 ,  72 , a user inserts pins  78   a - 78   c  carried by an end  79  of the portion  72  into the slots  76   a - 76   c  and provides a relative rotation of the portions  70 ,  72  to seat the pins  78   a - 78   c  within recessed regions  80   a - 80   c  of the slots  76 . 
     Either of the portions  70 ,  72  may include protrusions  82  such as guide fins  84  having edges  85  that abut an exterior surface  86  of the container  50  when the container  50  is placed therein to center the container  50  within the housing  60 . Either of the portions  70 ,  72  may include elongate openings or windows  88  that allow a user to see the container  50  when the container is disposed within the housing  60 . The windows  88  further provide an advantage in that the user may see written directions or graphics disposed on the container  50 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the valve actuating apparatus  52  extends in a direction transverse to a longitudinal dimension of the container  50 . The valve actuating apparatus  52  has a length L defined between a center of the valve stem  66  and an outer peripheral surface  90  of the valve actuating apparatus  52 . As seen in  FIG. 5 , the length L is selected relative to the inner dimensions of the wall  61  such that the outer peripheral surface  90  is disposed in interfering relationship with the wall  61 . Relatively moving the container  50  and the housing  60  such that the main body  56  of the container  50  and the discharge opening  62  are moved toward each other causes the outer peripheral surface  90  to contact a surface  92  of the wall  61 , thereby displacing the valve actuating apparatus  52  and dispensing product out of the discharge opening  62 . It should be appreciated that the valve actuating apparatus  52  could be of any suitably shaped structure. For example, referring to  FIG. 1D , the valve actuating apparatus  52  could include a single arm  94  having at least a portion of length L and extending from a tilt-type valve stem  96 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , a nozzle  98  may be fitted to the valve stem  66  and the nozzle  98  may be fitted within a bore defined by a circumferential wall  100  of the valve actuating apparatus  52 . The nozzle  98  includes a shoulder  102  that abuts a bearing surface  104  of the valve actuating apparatus  52 . Referring to  FIG. 5A , the wall  100  may include ribs  101  extending therefrom that engage the wall  108 . In addition, the wall  100  may be tapered to facilitate insertion of the nozzle  98  therein. The nozzle  98  may include an inner circumferential wall  106  defining a flow passage and surrounded by an outer circumferential wall  108  connected to the inner circumferential wall  106  by radially extending members  110 . The nozzle  98  may also have a flange  111  that abuts a lower periphery of the circumferential wall  100  as seen in  FIG. 5 . An outlet  112  is located at a discharge orifice  114  of the nozzle  98 . Various conventional internal features can be selected so as to impart a desired spray characteristic to product discharged from the nozzle  98 . Nozzles such as nozzle  98  are commercially available from Summit Packaging Systems, Inc. of Manchester, N.H. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the housing  60  includes a sleeve  116  attached by any suitable means to a first end  117  of a hollow tube  118  of a rod and trigger mechanism  120 . A handle assembly  121  is secured by any suitable means to a second end  122  of the hollow tube  118 . Pulling a trigger  123  of the handle assembly  121  advances a push rod  124  ( FIG. 9 ) disposed within the tube  118  against a bottom surface  126  of the container  50 , thereby advancing the valve actuating apparatus  52  toward the discharge opening  62  to dispense product from the housing  60 . If necessary or desirable, an end  127  of the push rod  124  may be shaped and/or fitted with a plate or other member to distribute forces more evenly across the bottom surface  126  of the container  50 . Further, if desired, rather than moving the container  50  relative to the housing  60  by using one or more intermediate members one could manually move the container  50  and/or the housing  60  relative to one another to dispense product. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , a main region  129  of the wall portions  70  and  72  may have an inner cross sectional size Cl of about 66 mm, and thus the container  50  could have a cross sectional size of up to about 66 mm. In this regard, while a range of sizes is available for the container  50  one might wish to provide a container sized at or near maximum to provide a maximum useful life for the container  50  given the available space within the housing  60 . One could select any suitable size for the discharge opening  62 , such as a cross sectional size of about 34 mm, and suitable values of L might range between about 18 mm and about 33 mm to provide the above-described interfering relationship. A preferred value for L is about 25 mm. 
     The product stored within the container body  56  could be any of a broad variety of products such as an air freshener, an insect control agent, a hair spray, a cleaning agent, a polishing agent, a fragrance, or other any other product stored in a container. Further, the product may be pressurized by a suitable propellant disposed within the container  50 . 
       FIGS. 10-14  illustrate a further embodiment of valve actuating apparatus  146  wherein structures common to previous embodiments are assigned like reference numerals.  FIG. 11  shows the valve actuating apparatus  146  incorporated in an actuator cap  148  that may be fitted onto the container  50 . A main wall  149  of the cap  148  decreases in cross sectional size along an axial dimension defined between first and second ends  150 ,  152 , tapering from the end  150  to the end  152 . Referring also to  FIG. 10 , a first arm  154   a  is integral with the wall  100  surrounding the nozzle  98  and has a length L as measured between the surface  90  and the center of the valve stem  66 . The center of the valve stem  66  is substantially coincident with the center of the actuator cap  148 .  FIG. 10  shows that a portion of the inner circumferential wall  106  of the nozzle  98  may be tapered to facilitate insertion of the valve stem  66  therein. The arm  154   a  extends in a direction transverse to the axial dimension such that the surface  90  is disposed beyond a portion  158  of the main wall  149 . When the cap  148  is fitted to the container  50 , one or both of the cap  148  and the container  50  define an outermost periphery  162 , and the arm  154   a  preferably (although not necessarily) does not extend beyond the outermost periphery  162 . A flexible strap member  164   a  extends from the circumferential wall  100  in a direction opposite the arm  154   a . Referring to  FIG. 11 , additional arms  154   b ,  154   c  may be provided, and the arms  154   a - 154   c  are spaced apart by 120°. Strap members  164   b ,  164   c  extend in diametrically opposite directions to the arms  154   b ,  154   c . The arms  154   a - 154   c  are cantilevered from the circumferential wall  100 , and the arms  154  and the straps  164  form a monolithic structure attached to the main wall  149  only at areas  166   a - 166   c  of the main wall  149 . The straps  164  and the arms  154  are disposed in recesses defined between upright portions  167 - 172  of the cap  148 . The actuator cap  148  provides a useful centering function in that exterior surfaces  173   a - 173   f  of the upright portions  167 - 172 , respectively, maintain the point of discharge  112  of the actuator cap  148 , best seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , in a centrally located position relative to the discharge opening  62 , thereby minimizing the potential for product impingement against the surface  92  of the wall  61 . Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a cover  175  may be placed over the cap  148  to prevent inadvertent actuation during shipment. 
       FIG. 14  shows that the actuator cap  148  may include a circumferential inwardly-tapered flange  180  and a plurality of spaced apart inwardly-directed beads  182 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the flange  180  and the beads  182  are snap fitted over a rim  184  of the container  50  such that the rim  184  is captured between the flange  180  and the beads  182  so that the actuator cap  148  is captured on the container  50 . 
       FIGS. 12 and 14  show arcuate gussets  186  that provide rigidity to the wall portions  167 - 172 .  FIG. 14  shows ribs  188  that may be provided within the circumferential wall  100  to engage the exterior surface of the valve stem  66  or of the nozzle  98  fitted to the valve stem  68 . The ribs  188  aid in centering the nozzle  98  and also provide slightly flexible contact points between the circumferential wall  100  and the nozzle  98 , accommodating minor variances in the size of either part. 
       FIGS. 15-19  show an alternative actuator cap  200  having an arm in the form of a lever member  204 . The lever member  204  extends in a direction transverse to the axial dimension and terminates at the outer peripheral surface  90 , which is disposed beyond a portion  208  of the wall  149  of the cap  200 . However, the lever member  204  preferably does not extend transversely beyond an outer diameter of the first end  150 . Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 19 , the lever member  204  is pivotable about a hinge portion  212  connected to the wall  149 . The surface  90  of the lever member  204  traverses an arcuate path as the lever member  204  is pivoted downwardly. At a point represented by a phantom line  210 , the surface  90  does not extend beyond any portion of the wall  149  such that the lever member  204  cannot move downwardly more than a particular distance owing to the fact that the lever member  204  is shielded by the wall  149 . Therefore, when the cap  200  is disposed on the container  50  it is not possible to deflect the lever member  204 , and hence the valve stem  66 , more than the particular distance. 
       FIGS. 20-22  show another actuator cap  220  having a plurality of arms  224  radiating from the circumferential wall  100 , and thus a plurality of the surfaces  90  are provided at circumferentially spaced positions. Providing a plurality of the surfaces  90  at spaced apart positions, such as 180°, ensures substantially axial reciprocating movement of the valve stem  66 , rather than tilting movement, potentially minimizing product discharge against the wall  61  of the housing  60 . Each of the plurality of the arms  224  may be connected to the cap  220  by any suitable means such as flexible tethers or straps  226  that flex outwardly or inwardly when the arms  224  are pushed toward the container  50 . 
       FIG. 23  illustrates an actuator cap  230  having an arm  232  that extends laterally beyond the exterior surface  86  of the container  50  and also laterally beyond the maximum radial dimension of the actuator cap  230 . It should be evident from  FIG. 23  that the valve actuating apparatus  52  could extend laterally beyond either or both of the maximum radial dimension of the actuator cap  230  and the container  50 . 
     The foregoing embodiments may provide one or more of the following advantages. First, because the valve actuating apparatus  52  has a sufficiently large value of L, preferably having any suitable value greater than about one half the container radius R, the valve actuating apparatus  52  is usable with the housing  60  to dispense product therefrom even though the discharge opening  62  is large. (As noted above, the cross sectional size of the discharge opening  62  is greater than the container radius R.) Containers lacking an actuating apparatus of the length L as defined previously are not usable with the housing  60 . This may be useful because containers lacking the required valve actuating apparatus  52  may not be designed for use with the housing  60  or the housing  60  may not be marketed for use with a particular container of product that lacks the valve actuating apparatus  52 . For example, the housing  60  may be marketed for use with a container of a specific type of insecticide sold with the valve actuating apparatus  52 . In addition, a longer L value may be advantageous from a manufacturing tolerance standpoint because it may be easier to control tolerances of L for a large valve actuating apparatus rather than a small valve actuating apparatus having a smaller tolerance range. A further advantage of the large discharge opening  62  and large value of L is that contact near the outlet  112  is avoided. Because the wall  61  contacts the outer peripheral surface  90  at the distance L from the orifice of the valve stem  66 , the potential for product obstruction or impingement minimized. This feature could be especially advantageous for some products that fan out while discharging from the container  50  as the product gets farther away from the container  50 . The large cross sectional size of the wall  61  would accommodate such fanning out while minimizing product impingement or deposition thereupon. A further advantage of the large discharge opening  62  is that the surface  92  of the wall  61  may be easily manually accessed for cleaning. Regarding the embodiment of  FIGS. 15-19 , because the length L is selected relatively long, the lever arm  204  has significant mechanical advantage at least according to this embodiment. A further optional advantage of the large value of L is that the valve actuating apparatus  52  may be easily displaced by hand if a user removes the container  50  from the housing  60  and manually displaces same. In this regard, the relative large value of the length L allows the user to maintain her hands away from product discharging from the container  50  in the event of such manual actuation. Also, the large size of the discharge opening  62  may require less material to construct the housing  60 , and hence less cost. 
     A dispensing method may include providing the container  50  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and placing same within the interior space defined by the housing  60 . The container  50  is advanced axially toward the discharge opening  62  such that the peripheral surface  90  pushes against the wall  61 , thereby actuating the valve apparatus  52  and dispensing product from the housing  60 . 
     In addition, one might also practice methods of providing actuating apparatus to an end user. In a first method of providing apparatus to an end user, one may provide the container  50  and the valve actuating apparatus  52  and then deliver these to an end user through any suitable form of delivery or distribution, whether by distribution through stores, promotional events, United States mail, common carrier, or other suitable sales or distribution channels. It should be noted that the container  50  and the valve actuating apparatus  52  need not be sold to a consumer in every instance, but either or both of these items could instead be given away without charge for promotional purposes. It should also be noted that while the container  50  and valve actuating apparatus  52  are preferably distributed at the same time, these items could be distributed at different times so long as at some point in time the end user is in possession of both the container  50  and the valve actuating apparatus  52  for use with the housing  60 . A further optional step includes identifying the container  50  as usable within the housing  60 . This identification may take many forms sufficient to indicate to the end user that the container  50  and the valve actuating apparatus  52  are suitable for placement within the housing  60 . For example, the container  50  could simply be affirmatively identified as intended or suited for use in an existing commercial product that is equipped with the housing  60 . The identification could include written directions for using the container  50  and the valve actuating apparatus  52  and these directions could be sold with the container  50  and/or the valve actuating apparatus  52 . Alternatively, the identification may be in the form of one or more pictorial diagrams that illustrate a housing having a tapered wall or diagrams of the container  50  and the valve actuating apparatus  52  in the housing  60  having the wall  61  and/or the large discharge opening  62 . 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The foregoing embodiments are useful for dispensing a variety of products such as insecticides, cleaning products, air treatment products (e.g., air fresheners), or other products. 
     Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as merely exemplary of the inventive concepts taught herein and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out the same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.