Patent Publication Number: US-6991138-B2

Title: Spray head for a container with a valve

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable. 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
   Not applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a spray cap for discharging a fluid or a similar medium via a spray container. 
   Spray caps are sufficiently well known. They frequently comprise a container attachment, overlapping the mounting cup, which is placed on the container, for example a can. The container attachment generally comprises a displaceably mounted actuating element which transfers a force applied onto the valve via an extension pipe. By pressing on the actuating surface the latter is displaced into the container attachment and exerts a force on the valve via the extension pipe. The depressed valve opens and the contents of the container enters a discharge channel via the extension pipe from where it then discharges and is released into the surrounding area. After using the spray cap the latter is closed by a generally cylindrical overcap. 
   The object of the present invention is to provide a cap which by simple means prevents inadvertent actuation of the valve and simultaneously effectively closes a discharge aperture. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The cap according to the invention comprises a container attachment, a cover element and a channel element. The container attachment comprises an actuating surface, an extension pipe for receiving the valve and a discharge channel connected to the extension pipe. The cover element is hinged on the container attachment and can be pivoted into a first and second position. In the first position the cover element covers the actuating surface at least partially, whilst in the second position the cover element protrudes from the container attachment. 
   The channel element has a substantially cylindrical form and is rotatably mounted in the container attachment about its cylinder longitudinal axis. Furthermore the channel element comprises a passage channel for the medium to be dispensed. The channel element is coupled to the cover element in such a manner that in the first position of the cover element the passage channel is rotated into a position connected to the discharge channel. In the second position of the cover element the passage channel is rotated into a position blocking the discharge channel. With the cap according to the invention the pivotable cover element has two functions: on the one hand the actuating element is protected from inadvertent actuation and thus secured, at the same time the discharge aperture is closed by rotating the channel element. In its open position the cover element uncovers the actuating surface and rotates the channel element into a position in which the passage channel forms an extension of the discharge channel and as a whole the medium to be dispensed reaches the discharge channel and the passage channel via the valve and the extension pipe. 
   A particular advantage of the cap according to the invention is that in the unused state, ie with the cover element closed, it is particularly well secured against an inadvertent discharge of the medium and for example can therefore be perfectly easily transported in luggage. 
   In a preferred embodiment the discharge channel is arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the extension pipe. The discharge channel thus extends radially outwards, when referring to a spray container with round cross section. 
   The cylindrical channel element comprises recesses on its ends and on the cover element corresponding projections which engage in the recesses to rotate the channel element together with the cover element. Via the engagement of the projections in the channel element the cover element is pivotally mounted relative to the container attachment. 
   The projections for fastening the cover element to the channel element preferably have a substantially rectangular form which in particular facilitates using the cover element. 
   The cover element has a substantially circular form with two heads protruding parallel to one another from which the projections for mounting the cover element to the channel element protrude. Of course the channel element can also be provided with projections and the ribs of the cover element with recesses. 
   The cover element comprises a semi-circular recess between the ribs. 
   The container attachment comprises an annular attachment region for connecting to the container. This connection takes place for example via a latching mechanism. 
   The container attachment further comprises a terminal region from which the extension pipe protrudes centrally into the container attachment. A portion of the terminal region comprising the actuating surface is not connected to the attachment region along an edge portion. The portion facing the actuating surface comprises a free edge portion which is pressed by pressing onto the actuating surface in the container attachment. 
   The attachment region comprises a cylindrical receiver for the channel element which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the container attachment. The receiver for the channel element is preferably arranged at a distance from the centre of the container attachment. The channel element is preferably peripherally arranged on the container attachment. The receiver for the channel element preferably protrudes partially from the terminal region, the protrusion relating to the axial direction of the container attachment. The discharge channel appropriately leads into the receiver, a discharge aperture being arranged for the passage channel in a straight extension of the discharge channel. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A preferred embodiment of the cap according to the invention will be described hereinafter in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a cross section through the cap according to the invention, 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the cap according to the invention, 
       FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of the cap according to the invention, 
       FIG. 4  is a three quarter perspective view of the cap according to the invention, 
       FIG. 5  is a cross section through the container attachment, 
       FIG. 6  is the container attachment in a front perspective view, 
       FIG. 7  is a three quarter perspective view of the container attachment, 
       FIG. 8  is the cover element in a three quarter perspective view, 
       FIG. 9  is the cover element in side view, 
       FIG. 10  is the channel element in side view, 
       FIG. 11  is a front view of the channel element and 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the channel element. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein a specific preferred embodiment of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment illustrated  FIGS. 1 to 4  show the cap according to the invention with a container attachment  10 , a cover element  12  and a receiver  14  for a channel element. The container attachment  10  comprises an annular attachment region  16  which on its inner face comprises a peripheral shoulder  18  Between the shoulder  18  and the free end of the attachment region  16  a plurality of latching lugs  20  are provided which can also be constructed as a peripheral ring. The internal diameter of the attachment region  16  corresponds to the internal diameter of the container. When in place the shoulder  18  is located on the upper edge of the container and the latching lugs  20  grip for example the valve mounting cup or the beaded edge of the can from behind. 
   The attachment region  16  is sealed by a terminal region  22  which, originating approximately near the discharge channel  14 , extends as far as the edge  24 . In the terminal region a hollow extension pipe  26  is located centrally which is connected to the discharge channel  28 . The extension pipe  26  comprises a gradually enlarging receiver aperture  30  which comprises a peripheral recess  32  and a shoulder  34 . In the assembled position the extension pipe  26  is placed on the valve stem which protrudes through the inlet aperture  30  and fits tightly on the shoulder  34 . The medium to be dispensed is discharged from the valve stem into the discharge channel  28 , which in the region  36  is angled at 90°. The angled region  36  comprises a convex recess to divert the flow of the medium to be discharged. 
   The receiver  14  for the channel element (see  FIGS. 10 to 12 ) is attached as a cylindrical bead on the face of the container attachment  10 . The cylindrical receiver is of open construction on the front faces of the cylinder. The discharge channel  28  leads centrally between the ends of the receiver  28  therein and points centrally to the centre line axis thereof. 
   The cover  12  is shown in  FIG. 1  in its closed position and with one outer edge region  38  fits tightly onto the attachment ring  16 . 
   The opened position A of the cover element  12  is shown in  FIG. 3  together with the closed position B of the cover element  12 . The cover element  12  is moved from position B into position A by a pivoting movement to be able to actuate the spray cap. 
     FIGS. 5 to 7  show the container attachment without the cover element. The container attachment  10  comprises an actuating surface  40  which is arranged in a portion  42  (see  FIG. 7 ). The portion  42  comprises an approximately round or slightly elliptical surface which is displaceably mounted in the container attachment  10 . The connection takes place substantially in the region of the discharge channel  28  and the receiver  14  for the channel element. The actuating button  42  comprises an approximately round to slightly elliptical upper face which merges laterally with one edge  44 . 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  show the cover element  12  according to the invention alone. The cover element  12  has a slightly domed upper face  48  which merges with a downwardly protruding edge  46 . The cover element  12  has a slightly domed form with a substantially circular periphery. Connected to the cover element  12  are two cylindrical heads  50  and  5  which extend away from the cover element. The cylindrical heads  50  comprise a spacing which approximately corresponds to the width of the receiver  14 . On their front faces facing one another the heads  50  and  52  comprise rectangular projections  54  (projection on head  52  not visible). The rectangular projections  54  have a slightly less prominent latching lug  56  which together with the projection  54  forms a T-shape. 
     FIGS. 10 to 12  show the channel element  58  with the passage channel  60 . The channel element  58  has a cylindrical shape and in its external diameter corresponds to the internal diameter of the receiver  14 . Of course the channel element can also have any other form—which is rotatable in the receiver  14 . On the front faces of the channel element  58  recesses  62  are provided which in their form correspond to the projection  54 . In addition to the recess  62  a recess ( 64 ) is provided on the respective front faces which in its dimensions corresponds to the smaller latching lug  56 . The channel element is either manufactured from hard plastics or a flexible plastics material, such as for example Santoprene, to improve the seal. 
   During assembly the channel element  58  is introduced into the receiver  14  of the container attachment  10 . The cover element  12  is placed on the receiver  14 , the projections  54  and  56  engaging in the recesses  62  and  64 . The heads  50  and  52  are slightly separated when positioning the cover element which is made easier by the recess  66  in the cover element  12 . 
   During operation the cover element  12  rotates the channel element  58  in the receiver  14 . In position B shown in  FIG. 3  the cover element is rotated in such a manner that the channel element  58  closes the discharge channel  8 , the through channel being approximately perpendicular to the discharge channel. In position A in  FIG. 3  the channel element  58  with its through channel  60  is arranged in precisely such a manner that the through channel  60  extends the discharge channel  28 . The cover  12  is secured in the closed position by the recess  64  and the projection  56 , whilst the projection  56  engages in the recess  64 . 
   The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”. Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims. 
   Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim  1  should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below. 
   This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.