Patent Publication Number: US-6708849-B1

Title: Actuator and tube overcap assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to actuator and tube overcap assemblies adapted for installation onto a pressurized container and more particularly to actuator and tube overcap assemblies that can be installed onto the pressurized container with automated machinery. 
     A wide variety of actuators and tubes for selectively releasing material from a pressurized container and conducting that material to a selected destination are known. One specific application for these actuators or valves and tubes is tire inflator containers that contain various tire inflator and sealant products. 
     Modern pneumatic tires are designed for extended use on vehicles, such as automobiles and trucks, over many miles. Regardless of how well these tires are designed, they can still be punctured by sharp objects inadvertently left on the roadway and go flat. When the tire is punctured, the motorist must change the tire if he has a spare or have another tire put on the vehicle. In some instances, it is difficult to change the tire due to the location of the vehicle, such as when the puncture occurs on roadway which is not flat and the vehicle cannot be safely raised with a jack to change the tire. Other instances are dangerous to change the tire, such as for example, when the tire is punctured on a heavily traveled roadway and there is insufficient space to change the tire safely. 
     Various tire inflator and sealant products have been developed for both sealing the puncture in a tire and also inflating the tire so that it can be used to resume travel. These tire inflator and sealant products generally include a container having a inflator and sealant composition contained therein under pressure. This composition is releasable through an upstanding valve in the discharge end of the container. These compositions in the container typically include a liquefied gas in a sufficient quantity to reinflate the tire to a driveable condition and a sealant material for sealing the puncture when introduced into the tire. 
     An actuator is provided for attachment to the pressurized container to activate the upstanding valve of the container so that the inflator and sealant composition passes through the valve and then through the actuator to a discharge tube attached to the valve on the tire. In operation, the motorist attaches the discharge tube to the valve on the punctured tire and then properly positions the canister to maximize the flow of the inflator and sealant composition into the tire. 
     Since such tire inflator products contain the tire inflator and sealant material in the pressurized container under high-pressure, it is desirable to attach the discharge tube to the actuator when the actuator and tube product is manufactured. By providing a secure connection between the discharge tube and actuator, a connection is provided that prohibits leakage of material at that connection when material is discharged from the pressurized container. 
     One such design is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,784, issued to one of the inventors of the present invention, and provides for the attachment of a flexible tube to a valve. Another such design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,466. Another design for attaching the tube to the valve includes positioning the tube over a barbed outlet of the valve and then fitting a non-flexible sleeve over the end of the tube attached to the barbed outlet. 
     The actuator and tube product is then provided to the manufacturer of the tire inflator product where the actuator and tube product is assembled with a pressurized canister having tire inflator and sealant material therein. General this assembly process is performed by hand since automation of the assembly process is difficult due to the nonsymmetrical shape of the actuator and tube assembly. The flexible tube extending from the actuator creates this nonsymmetrical configuration that makes it difficult to automatically assemble the actuator tube product to the pressurized container. Accordingly, these actuator tube products have necessarily been mounted on the pressurized container manually. 
     Additionally, the flexible tube requires additional manufacturing operations. Since the tube is not secured, it is free to move. To avoid this problem, the tube has been temporarily secured to the pressurized container by manually putting a rubber band around both the container and the tube. After this assembly process, the assembled tire inflator product must be hand packed for shipping since the temporarily attached tube prevents automated packaging. Then, when the assembled tire inflator product is displayed in a store on shelves, it can be difficult to arrange them neatly on the shelves and they can also take up more shelf space due to the tube secured to the side of the container. After the consumer purchases the tire inflator product, it is generally placed in the trunk where the tube can get tangled up with other objects in the trunk and damage the connection between the tube and the actuator or the actuator and the pressurized container. 
     It is desirable to provide an actuator and tube overcap assembly which can be assembled with a pressurized canister by automatic machinery. It is also desirable to provide an actuator and tube overcap assembly which contains the tube in a position that allows for automated packing, ease of display on store shelves, and avoids tangling the tube with other objects. 
     Known designs have provided overcap assemblies that can be assembled with a pressurized container by automatic machines, generally referred to as “capping machines”. Generally, overcap assemblies that can be readily assembled with automatic machinery have a symmetrical configuration and a top surface that can be used to urge the overcap assembly into engagement with the pressurized canister without actuating the actuator. 
     Wells, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,601, describes a valve and tube assembly in which a conduit is attached to the actuator body and a protective cap is preassembled onto the actuator body in overlying relationship to the conduit. The conduit described in Wells extends axially away from the pressurized container when mounted thereon and may be coiled or of other nonlinear configurations. The conduit provided by Wells is relatively short and is made from a resilient material, typically a polymer, such as polyvinyl chloride, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, or polypropylene. The protective cap described in Wells fits over the conduit, which is free to move inside the protective cap, and is attached to the actuator. The cap disclosed in Wells is attached to the actuator and not the canister with a limited amount of space which accordingly limits the length of the conduit. 
     Another known overcap assembly is described in Hsiao, U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,739 B1. The Hsiao design provides a base having a skirt that extends over the lower rim of the canister when they are mounted together. The base is bulky and large in size and in fact is the diameter of the entire cannister. A valve is provided in the top of the base with a flexible tube attached to the outlet of the valve. A cap is attached to the base with the tube positioned between the base and the cap and free to move in that space. In other embodiments, Hsiao discloses not providing an overcap and affixing the tube to the base with an adhesive, mechanical fasteners, such as flexible wires, or a shrink sleeve. Attaching the tube around the exterior of the valve without a base and cap is also disclosed. Such alternative embodiments without an overcap are difficult to use with automated machinery due to the unsymmetrical configuration thereof and the need for a top surface to press the assembly into engagement with a pressurized canister. 
     The known art does not disclose an actuator and tube overcap assembly in which the tube is removably secured to the inside of an overcap to allow automatic assembly thereof and subsequently allow automated machinery to assemble it with a pressurized container. It is desirable to provide an actuator and tube overcap assembly that provides for securing the tube to the overcap without the need for additional components, such as a adhesives, mechanical fasteners or shrink sleeves or the like. Such additional components do not lend themselves to automatic assembly of the actuator and tube and also increase the costs of such a product. It is desirable to provide an actuator and tube overcap assembly in which the actuator, tube and overcap can be assembled with automatic equipment. 
     It is also desirable to provide an actuator and tube overcap assembly which has a top surface that can be used to urge the overcap assembly into engagement with a pressurized canister without actuating the actuator. It is desirable to provide an actuator and tube overcap assembly that effectively transmits the force exerted on the top surface of the overcap to the actuator. 
     Various applications in which an actuator and tube overcap assembly is used require tubes of differing lengths. For example, some tire inflator products require the pressurized container to be inverted and other tire inflator products require the pressurized container to be in an upright position. Yet other tire inflator products use different actuators or valves to release the pressurized contents from the pressurized container. Another application for an actuator and tube overcap assembly is for use with an air conditioning recharge container. Depending on the design of the application, differing lengths of tubes are preferable. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an actuator and tube overcap assembly where the tube can be of differing lengths depending on the specific application. 
     After the actuator and tube overcap assembly is assembled with the pressurized canister, it is desirable to avoid discharge of the contents of the pressurized container until the tube is attached to the tire and the actuator is intentionally actuated. It should be recognized that a variety of circumstances exist in which the pressurized contents of the container are inadvertently or accidentally released. Accordingly it is desirable to provide a secondary valve in addition to the actuator to seal the pressurized contents in the container. 
     The known overcap art strives to keep the fluid passage of the tube open when it is assembled with the actuator and overcap. In fact, Hsiao even provides a stress relief spring to be affixed around the hose to avoid kinking. Due to the high pressures in the pressurized container, the tube must have sufficient strength to handle these pressures and allow the pressurized material to flow through the tube. The known art, as described in Wells, has provided a tube of resilient material, typically a polymer, such as polyvinyl chloride, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene or polypropylene. These materials when bent, take a permanent set and resist the flow of pressurized material therethrough. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a tube that can be deformed to seal the passageway therethrough and when no longer deformed allows the pressurized material to flow therethrough. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention provides the above described desirable features with an improved actuator and tube overcap assembly for automated installation onto a pressurized container. In addition, the actuator and tube overcap assembly of the present invention is capable of assembly with automated equipment. 
     The actuator or valve of the assembly of the present invention has an inlet end for attachment to the pressurized container. When the actuator is activated, material is released from the container and flows through the actuator and out the outlet end of the actuator. The flexible discharge tube has an inlet end fluidically connected to the outlet of the actuator and an extension portion extending from the inlet end of the tube. The extension portion terminates in an outlet end that has a connector attached thereto. The connector is provided for attachment to a fitting on the destination of the pressurized material, such as a tire or air conditioning system. 
     An overcap is removably affixed to the actuator with a latch which allows for attachment and detachment of the overcap from the actuator. When the overcap is to be affixed to the actuator, an axial force urges the overcap and actuator together so that the latch engages and holds the actuator and overcap together. The overcap has stabilizer portions extending from the overcap which contact the actuator to restrain movement of the overcap in the attached position. These stabilizer portions effectively transmits the force exerted on the top surface of the overcap to the actuator when the actuator and tube overcap assembly is assembled with the container. Such a design allows for automated assembly of the actuator and overcap without the need for other components. As will be hereinafter more fully described, in the assembled position the tube is removably attached to the overcap. 
     The latch allows for disengagement of the actuator and overcap so that the overcap may be unattached from the actuator. In the unattached position, the tube may be removed from the overcap, the connector attached to a fitting on the destination of the pressurized material and pressurized material transferred from the pressurized container. 
     To secure the tube to the overcap when the actuator, tube and overcap are assembled, the overcap has a top and a side extending at an angle from the top to a bottom edge. The top and side of the overcap both have inner surfaces contiguous with each other. The overcap has internal tube retaining portions, each of which have a tube retaining surface. The tube retaining surfaces extend away from the inner surface of the top and are spaced from the inner surface of the side. The tube is positioned between the tube retaining surface and the inner surface of the side of the overcap. The tube has an undeformed diameter and the tube retaining surfaces are spaced from the the side a distance less than the undeformed diameter of the tube extension portion to hold the tube therebetween. 
     Accordingly, when the tube is positioned between the internal tube retaining portions and the side of the overcap, it is removably affixed to the overcap. By so removably affixing the tube to the overcap, an actuator and tube overcap assembly is provided without the need for additional components, such as a base, adhesives, mechanical fasteners or shrink sleeves or the like. Such a design allows for automatic assembly of the actuator and tube overcap assembly. 
     Another feature of the present invention that provides for the automatic assembly of the actuator and tube overcap assembly is restraining the movement of the connector on the tube outlet end with either the overcap or actuator and without additional components. The connector has a circumference greater than the circumference of the tube. When the tube is positioned between the tube retainers and the side with the connector above the actuator, the connector is held in position by contact with the top of the actuator and the side of the overcap. When it is desirable to position the connector in other positions, a tube holding protrusion is provided on the inner surface of the overcap side which holds the connector in position. Such designs in the present invention provides for constraining movement of the connector on the tube to with the overcap and/or the actuator without additional components. 
     Another feature of the present invention that provides for the automatic assembly of the actuator and tube overcap assembly of the present invention is that the overcap side and the tube retaining surface diverge as they extend away from the inner surface of the top to the bottom of the tube retaining surface. The tube is automatically assembled between the space between the tube retaining surface and the overcap side by positioning the tube adjacent the bottom of the tube retaining surface. The tube extension is then urged towards the top of the overcap in the space therebetween. As the tube extension moves towards the top of the overcap, the converging tube retaining surface and overcap side grip the tube so that it is removably retained therein. Since the space is greater between the bottom of the tube retaining surface and the side, automatic assembly of the tube and the overcap is more readily provided. 
     The actuator and tube overcap assembly of the present invention allows for the use of tubes of differing lengths so that it can be used in a variety of different applications. By changing the height of the overcap or the outside periphery of the overcap or in other instances simply using additional tube lengths, tubes of widely varying lengths can be removably attached to the overcap. 
     The actuator and tube overcap assembly of the present invention provides a secondary valve, in addition to the actuator, to seal the pressurized contents in the container. This secondary valve is provided by the tube which can be deformed to seal the passageway therethrough and when no longer deformed allows the pressurized material to flow therethrough. To achieve this secondary valve feature, the side of the overcap is positioned adjacent the outlet of the actuator a distance that closes the fluid passageway of the tube positioned between the overcap side and the outlet of the actuator. It has been found that plastic material having particular material characteristics achieves the above described features of providing a secondary valve and is also capable of handling the pressures exerted thereon when the material is discharged from the container. A tube having these particular material characteristics is sufficiently flexible to seal when deformed by the overcap forcing the tube against the actuator outlet. In addition, when such a tube is disassembled from the overcap it allows pressurized material to flow therethrough and has sufficient strength to handle the pressure of the pressurized material. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the actuator and tube overcap assembly of the present invention attached to a pressurize container. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the actuator and tube overcap assembly shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the actuator shown in the actuator and tube overcap assembly shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the actuator and tube overcap assembly shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the actuator and tube overcap assembly shown in FIG.  4  and take along lines  5 — 5  thereof. 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the actuator and tube overcap assembly shown in FIG.  4  and take along lines  6 — 6  thereof. 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the actuator and tube overcap assembly shown in FIG.  4  and take along lines  7 — 7  to the thereof. 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the actuator and tube overcap assembly shown in FIG.  4  and take along lines  8 — 8  to the thereof. 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the actuator and tube overcap assembly shown in FIG.  4  and take along lines  9 — 9  to the thereof. 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a second embodiment of the actuator and tube overcap assembly of present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a second embodiment of the actuator and tube overcap assembly of present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the actuator and tube overcap assembly shown in FIG.  11  and take along lines  12 — 12  thereof. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  for automated installation onto a pressurize container  12 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  is capable of assembly with automated equipment. 
     The pressurized container  12  on which the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  is mounted may be of a wide variety of constructions and designs and for different purposes. The container  12  contains pressurized material, such as for example, tire inflator and sealant compositions, air conditioning recharge material and other aerosol dispensing applications. For purposes of illustration, the pressurize container  12  will be described as a tire inflator product in which the pressurize container  12  has an inflator and sealant composition contained therein under pressure. This composition is releasable through an upstanding valve  14  in the discharge end  16  of the container  12 , as shown in FIG.  3 . These compositions typically include a liquefied gas in a sufficient quantity to reinflate the tire to a driveable condition and a sealant material for sealing the puncture when introduced into the tire. 
     The pressurize container  12  shown is generally recognized as an aerosol can and has an outer peripheral surface  18  which generally extends the length of the container from its bottom  20  to the discharge end  16  of the container. The outer peripheral surface  18  terminates at an upper rim  22  of the discharge end  16 . The discharge end  16  includes a discharge end surface  24  extending generally upwardly and radially inwardly of the upper rim  22 . The discharge end surface  24  terminates in a top rim  26  having a radially inward depression  28  formed therein. The valve  14  of the container  12  is generally centrally located in and extends from the top rim  26 . It should be understood that the valve  14  in the discharge end  16  of the pressurize container  12  and the construction of the discharge end may be of a variety of known constructions and designs and for different purposes and applications. 
     The improved actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  of the present invention has an actuator  30 , a flexible discharge tube  32  and an overcap  34 , as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The actuator  30  may be of any design, such as the actuator described in applicants allowed copending United States Patent Application entitled “Tire Inflation Actuator”, Ser. No. 09/919,548, filed Jul. 31, 2001 which describes the operation thereof and movement of the actuator between a closed and a discharge position and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The actuator  30  has a generally cylindrical body  35  having an inlet end  36  for attachment to the discharge end  16  of the container  12  and is in fluid communication with the valve  14  of the container as will hereinafter be more fully described. It should be understood that the actuator  30  includes any valve movable between a closed and a discharge position in which the contents of the pressurized container  12  are discharged therefrom. 
     The actuator  30  has a valve portion  38  housed in a finger tab  40 . The valve portion  38  has an inlet  42  and an outlet  44  with a fluid passageway  46  connecting the inlet and outlet of the valve portion. When the actuator  30  is mounted on the container  12 , as will be hereinafter described, the finger tab  40  is depressed and the actuator is activated. The valve  14  of the canister  12  is thereby activated so that pressurized material flows through the passageway  46  and out the outlet end of the actuator. 
     It is within the contemplation of this invention to utilize the invention with a variety of different actuators that are securable to the discharge end  16  of the container  12  and are operable to discharge the contents of the container into the tube  32 . It is also within the contemplation of this invention to utilize the invention with a variety of different canister valves. 
     The flexible discharge tube  32  has an inlet end  48 , an extension portion  50  and an outlet end  52  with a fluid passageway  54  passing between the ends  48 ,  52 . To connect the tube  32  to the outlet  44  of the actuator  30  so that the passageways  46  and  54  are connected, the inlet end  48  of the tube is slid over the outside surface  56  of the barbed connector portion  58  defining the outlet  44 . The inner wall  60  defining the passageway  54  contacts the outside surface  56  of the barbed connector portion  58 . The outside surface  56  has barbs  62  thereon which allow for movement of the inlet end  48  of the tube  32  onto the barbed connector portion  58  and restrain movement in the opposite direction. 
     The outside surface  56  is larger than the passageway  54  and the barbs  62  are even larger. The tube  32  is flexible and is deformed when it is moved over the barbed connector portion  58 . In this assembled position, the tube  32  is frictionally attached by frictional force to the barbed connector portion  58 . A securing ring  64  is then positioned around the outside  66  of the tube  32  to secure the tube and actuator  30  together. Accordingly, the passageways  46  and  54  are connected. Known automatic equipment provides for accomplishing this connection between the actuator  30  and tube  32 . It is within the contemplation of this invention to attach the tube  32  and actuator  30  in any known manner in which the fluid passageways  46  and  54  are connected. 
     The extension portion  50  of the flexible discharge tube  32  terminates in an outlet end  52  that has a connector  68  attached thereto. The connection between the outlet end  52  of the tube  32  and a connector  68  is similar to that described above in connection with the connection between the outlet  44  of the actuator  30  and the inlet end  48  of the tube. The connector  68  is provided for attachment to a fitting on the destination of the pressurized material, such as a tire or air conditioning system. The connector  68  is adapted to connect with a tire valve and fluidically connect the tire valve to the outlet end  52  of the tube  32 . The connector  68  is provided for conducting the material passing through the tube  32  into the destination of the pressurized material, such as the tire valve. 
     The connector  68  as an outer periphery  70  which is larger than the outer periphery  72  of the tube  32 , defined by the outside  66  of the tube  32 . The outer periphery  70  of the connector  68  is generally knurled to allow ready gripping thereof by the operator so that the inner threaded surface  74  can threadedly engage the tire valve, not shown. In an undeformed condition, the outer periphery  72  of the tube  32  is generally circular, as is the outer periphery  70  of the connector  68 . Known automatic equipment provides for assembling the connection between the connector  68  and tube  32 . It is within the contemplation of this invention to attach the tube  32  and connector  68  in any known manner in which the fluid passageway  54  it is connected to the connector  68 . It should be understood that it is also within the contemplation of this invention to utilize connectors of a wide variety of designs and constructions, for example tire inflator and sealant compositions, air conditioning recharge material and other aerosol dispensing applications. 
     The overcap  34  of the present invention is provided to hold the tube  32  in an assembled position  76  when the overcap  34  is removably attached to the actuator  30 . Accordingly, the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  may be automatically assembled with the pressurize container  12  without requiring additional components to hold the tube  32  in an assembled position as will hereinafter be more fully described. 
     As shown in the drawings, the overcap  34  is preferably made from transparent or translucent material so that the consumer can identify the product. Of course, the overcap  34  may be of any other material. The overcap  34  has a top  78  and a side  80  extending at an angle from the top  78  to a bottom edge  82 . The top  78  of the overcap has an outer and inner surface  84 ,  86  respectively and the side  80  has an inner and outer surface  88 ,  90  respectively. The inner surface  88  of the side  80  is contiguous with the inner surface  84  of the top  78  and extends at an angle thereto. 
     The overcap  34  has internal tube retaining portions  92 ,  94 ,  96 , and  98  as shown in FIGS. 1-8 to hold the tube  32  in an assembled position  76 . The internal tube retaining portions  92 ,  94 ,  96 , and  98  are positioned about the periphery of and adjacent to the inner surface  88  of the side  80  to hold the tube  32  in the assembled position  76 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 2,  4  and  6 , the internal tube retaining portion  92  is formed integrally with the overcap  34  and has a tube retaining surface  100  which extends from the inner surface  86  of the overcap top and terminates at an unattached lower edge  102 . The tube retaining surface  100  has a width  103  that spreads the retaining force over a distance of the tube that is sufficient to avoid kinking of the tube and hold it in position as described below. It is within the contemplation of this invention that the tube retaining surface  100  may be of any width. 
     The tube retaining surface  100  is spaced from the inner surface  88  of the side  80 . The distance between the surfaces  100 ,  88  is greater at the unattached lower edge  102  than at the inner surface  86  of the overcap top. The tube retaining surface  100  extends at substantially  90  degrees from the inner surface  86  of the top while the inner surface  88  of the side  80  extends at substantially  90  degrees plus the angle A, shown in FIG. 6, from the inner surface  86  of the overcap top. Accordingly, the inner surface  88  of the side  80  extends at an angle greater than  90  degrees from the inner surface  86  of the overcap top. 
     It should be understood that it is within the contemplation of this invention to provide any combination of angles at which the tube retaining surface  100  and inner surface  88  of the side  80  extends from the inner surface  86  of the overcap top so that the distance between the surfaces  100 ,  88  is greater at the lower edge  102  than where those surfaces  100 ,  88  are closer to the inner surface  86  of the overcap top. The surfaces  100 ,  88  diverge in a direction away from the inner surface  86  of the overcap top. It should also be understood that while it is preferable for the surfaces  100 ,  88  to so diverge, it is within the contemplation of this invention that they may be parallel to each other or even converge with respect to each other. It is also within the contemplation of this invention that the inner surface  88  of the side  80  may extend at a range of both obtuse or acute angles with respect to the inner surface  86  of the overcap top. 
     The extension portion  50  of the tube  32  has an undeformed diameter D as shown in FIG.  6 . The distance between the surfaces  100 ,  88  is greater than the undeformed diameter D at the lower edge  102  of the internal tube retaining portion  92 . The lower edge  102  of the internal tube retaining portion  92  defines the beginning of the lower portion  101  of the tube retaining surface. The lower portion  101  of the tube retaining surface is spaced from the inner side  88  of the overcap a distance greater than the undeformed diameter D. It should be understood that the lower portion  101  may extend upwardly from the lower edge  102  of the internal tube retaining portion  92  a small distance so as to allow entry of the tube extension  50  into the space between the surfaces  100 ,  88 . 
     The distance between the surfaces  100 ,  88  as they are closer to the inner surface  86  of the overcap top are less than the undeformed diameter D to hold the tube in an assembled position. The upper portion  105  of the tube retaining surface  100  is defined by the portion of the tube retaining surface that is spaced from the inner surface  88  a distance less than the undeformed diameter D. The upper portion  105  of the tube retaining surface  100  extends from the inner surface  86  of the overcap top to the lower portion  101  and includes the portion of the tube retaining surface  100  that contacts the tube extension  50  when in an assembled position  76 . 
     To assemble the tube and the overcap, the tube  32  is positioned in an assembly position  104  in a perimeter to fit in the space between the surfaces  100 ,  88  and is positioned adjacent the lower edge  102  and the lower portion  101  of the tube retaining surface. The tube  32  may be positioned between the surfaces  100 ,  88  by urging the tube towards the overcap top. As the tube is so moved, it is compressed from its undeformed diameter D when in the upper portion  105  of the tube retaining surface  100  to a deformed diameter E and frictional forces hold the tube in the space between the surfaces  100 ,  88 . 
     When the tube is so positioned between the internal tube retaining portion  92  and the side  88  of the overcap, it is removably affixed to the overcap. By so removably affixing the tube to the overcap, an actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  is provided without the need for additional components, such as adhesives, mechanical fasteners or shrink sleeves or the like. Furthermore, this design and assembly process provides an actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  which may be assembled with automated equipment. 
     The other internal tube retaining portions  94 ,  96 , and  98  are shown in FIGS. 2,  4 ,  7  and  8  and are similar in construction to the tube retaining portion  92 . For ease of description, the tube retaining portions  94 ,  96 , and  98  are numbered with the same numerals as used in connection with the internal tube retaining portion  92  to denote common portions where appropriate and followed by a the suffixes a, b, c respectively. 
     The internal tube retaining portions  94 ,  96 , and  98  are formed integrally with the overcap  34  and have tube retaining surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  respectively which extend from the inner surface  86  of the overcap top and terminate at the unattached lower edges  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  respectively. The tube retaining surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  have a width  103   a ,  103   b ,  103   c  respectively, that spreads the retaining force over a like distance of the tube that is sufficient to avoid kinking of the tube and hold it in position as described herein. It is within the contemplation of this invention that the tube retaining surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  may be of any width. 
     The tube retaining surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  are spaced from the inner surface  88  of the side  80  wherein the distance between the surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  and the inner surface  88  of the side  80  is greater at the lower edges  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  than at the inner surface  86  of the overcap top. The tube retaining surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  extend at substantially 90 degrees from the inner surface  86  of the top  78  while the inner surface  88  of the side  80  extends at substantially 90 degrees plus the angle A from the inner surface  86  of the overcap top. 
     It should be understood that it is within the contemplation of this invention to provide any combination of angles at which the tube retaining surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  and the inner surface  88  of the side  80  extends from the inner surface  86  of the overcap top wherein the distance between the surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  and the inner surface  88  of the side  80  is greater at the lower edges  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  than as the surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  and the inner surface  88  are closer to the inner surface  86  of the overcap top. The tube retaining surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  and the inner surface  88  diverge in a direction away from the inner surface  86  of the overcap top. 
     It should also be understood that while it is preferable for the surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  and the inner surface  88  to so diverge, it is within the contemplation of this invention that they can be parallel to each other or even converge with respect to each other. It is also within the contemplation of this invention that the tube retaining portions are formed integrally with the side of the overcap, for example where they extend upwardly toward the top of the overcap and terminating at the unattached lower edges. 
     The distance between the tube retaining surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  and the inner surface  88  of the side  80  is greater than the undeformed diameter D at the lower edges  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  respectively. The lower edges  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  of the internal tube retaining portions  94 ,  96 , and  98  define the beginning of their respective lower portions  101   a ,  101   b ,  101   c  of their tube retaining surfaces. The lower portions  101   a ,  101   b ,  101   c  of the tube retaining surfaces are spaced from the inner side  88  of the overcap a distance greater than the undeformed diameter D. It should be understood that the lower portions  101   a ,  101   b ,  101   c  may extend upwardly from their respective lower edges  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  of the internal tube retaining portions  94 ,  96 , and  98  a small distance so as to allow ready entry of the tube extension  50  into the space between the surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  and the inner surface  88  of the overcap. 
     The distance between the surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  and the inner surface  88  as they are closer to the inner surface  86  of the overcap top are less than the undeformed diameter D to hold the tube in an assembled position. The upper portions  105   a ,  105   b ,  105   c  of the tube retaining surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  are defined by the portion of the tube retaining surface that is spaced from the inner surface  88  a distance less than the undeformed diameter D. The upper portions  105   a ,  105   b ,  105   c  of the tube retaining surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  extend from the inner surface  86  of the overcap top to the lower portions  101   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  respectively and includes the portion of the tube retaining surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  respectively and inner surface  88  of the overcap side that contacts the tube extension  50  when in an assembled position  76 . 
     To assemble the tube and the overcap, the tube  32  is positioned in an assembly position  104  in a perimeter to fit in the space between the surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  and the inner surface  88  and is positioned adjacent the lower edges  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  and the lower portions  101   a ,  101   b ,  101   c  respectively, of the tube retaining surfaces. The tube  32  may be positioned between the surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  and the inner surface  88  of the side  80  by urging the tube towards the overcap top. As the tube  32  is so moved, it is compressed from its undeformed diameter D to its deformed diameter E and frictional forces hold the tube in the space between the surfaces  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  and the inner surface  88  of the side  80 . 
     When the tube is so positioned between the internal tube retaining portions and the side of the overcap, it is removably affixed to the overcap. By so removably affixing the tube to the overcap, an actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  is provided without the need for additional components, such as adhesives, mechanical fasteners or shrink sleeves or the like. Furthermore, this design and assembly process provides an actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  which may be assembled with automated equipment. 
     The overcap  34  is removably attached to the actuator  30  and is supported thereon. When the overcap  34  is so attached to the actuator  30 , movement between the overcap and actuator is stabilized. The overcap  34  has actuator stabilizer portions  92   a ,  94   a ,  96   a , and  98   a  formed integrally with the internal tube retaining portions  92 ,  94 ,  96 , and  98  respectively. The stabilizer portions  92   a ,  94   a ,  96   a , and  98   a  have stabilizer surfaces  92   b ,  94   b ,  96   b , and  98   b , respectively which contact the outer surface  106  of the actuator body  35 . The outer surface  106  has upper and lower surfaces  108 ,  110  respectively, which are generally in alignment with the central axis  112  of the actuator with the upper surface  108  having a smaller periphery than the lower surface  110  as shown in FIGS. 3,  5 - 8 . The upper and lower surfaces  108 ,  110  are interconnected with a radial surface  114  of the outer surface  106  which extends generally upwardly and away from the lower surface  110  to the upper surface  108 . The stabilizer surfaces  92   b ,  94   b ,  96   b , and  98   b  are formed to contact the outer surface  106  of the actuator body  35  when the overcap  34  is attached to the actuator  30 . It should be understood that it is within the contemplation of this invention to alternatively form stabilizers with the side of the overcap  34  or with the actuator  30  to contact the overcap. 
     The overcap  34  also has interconnecting stabilizer portions  116 ,  118  which stabilize movement between both the overcap and actuator  30  and the internal tube retaining portions  92 ,  94 ,  96 , and  98  as seen in FIG. 2 and 6. The interconnecting stabilizer portion  116  is formed integrally with the top  78  of the overcap and interconnects the tube retaining portions  92 ,  94 . The interconnecting stabilizer portion  116  has a stabilizing surface  120  which contacts the radial surface  114  of the outer surface  106  of the actuator body  35 . 
     The interconnecting stabilizer portion  118  is similarly formed, interconnecting the tube retaining portions  96 ,  98  and having a stabilizing surface which contacts the radial surface  114  of the actuator body  35 . When the overcap  34  is mounted on the actuator  30 , the stabilizer surfaces  92   b ,  94   b ,  96   b , and  98   b ,  120  restrict and restrain relative movement of the overcap and actuator. It is within the contemplation of this invention that the outer surface  106  of the actuator body  35  may have a wide variety of configurations and that the stabilizer surfaces  92   b ,  94   b ,  96   b , and  98   b ,  120  are formed to contact at least a portion of the outer surface of the actuator body. Is also within the contemplation of this invention to position the stabilizer surfaces  92   b ,  94   b ,  96   b , and  98   b  so as to accommodate various configurations of the actuator body. 
     When the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  of the present invention is assembled with the container  12  with automated machinery, a force is exerted on outer surface  84  the top  78  and the container  12  urging them together. The stabilizers  92   a ,  94   a ,  96   a ,  98   a  are formed integrally with the top of the overcap and their stabilizer surfaces  92   b ,  94   b ,  96   b , and  98   b  are in contact with the actuator. The stabilizers transmit the force exerted on the top of the cap to the actuator and provide rigidity to the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10 . Such rigidity in the direction of relative movement of the assembly  10  and the container  12  during assembly provides a more predictable distance of movement for the automated machinery. This predictability in the distance of movement allows automated machinery to be more accurately set and assures assembly of the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  with the container  12 . For example, if there is flexure between the overcap  34  and the actuator  30 , the automated assembly machine must accommodate the range of flexure. 
     The overcap  34  is removably affixed to the actuator  30  with a latch device  122  which allows for attachment and detachment of the overcap from the actuator as shown in FIGS. 2-5. The latch device  122  includes a locking depression  124  in the lower attachment skirt  126  of the actuator body  35 . The locking depression  124  has a locking surface  128 . The latch device  122  also has a movable latch portion  130  formed integrally with inner surface  86  of the top  78  of the overcap and extending from the inner surface thereof and terminates in a retaining portion  132 . The retaining portion has a locking surface  134  for engagement with the locking surface  128  of the actuator body  35 . A chamfered surface  136  is provided on the unattached end  138  of the retaining portion  132 . 
     When the actuator and overcap are moved from an unlatched position in which the retaining portion  132  is disengaged from the locking surface  128 , to the latched position  139 , the chamfered surface  136  contacts the outer surface  106  of the actuator to move the movable latch portion  130  along the outer surface of the actuator. When the locking surfaces  128 ,  134  of the actuator  30  and overcap  34  respectively are adjacent each other, the movable latch portion  130  moves radially inwardly so that the locking surfaces  128 ,  134  are in engagement and are in the locked or latched position  139 . In the latched position  139  the overcap  34  is removably attached to the actuator  30 . 
     The movable latch portion  130  has reinforcing members  140  formed integrally with the top  78  of the overcap and the movable latch portion  130 . These reinforcing members  140  create resistance to movement of the movable latch portion  130  as it is moved along the outer surface  130  of the actuator body  35 . These reinforcing members  140  operate to urge the locking surfaces  128 ,  134  into the locking position  139  so that they are in engagement with each other. 
     It should be understood that the size and number of the reinforcing members  140  are dependent on the amount of resistance desired to be created on the retaining portion  132 . This amount of resistance must be sufficient to hold the overcap  34  and actuator  30  in the locked or latched position  139  even against incidental impacts yet not so much resistance so as to prohibit intentional removal of the overcap from the actuator. In the locking position  139 , the overcap  34  and actuator  30  are releasably stabilized with each other with the stabilizer surfaces  92   b ,  94   b ,  96   b , and  98   b ,  120  in contact with the outer surface  106  of the actuator body  35 . Such a design holds the overcap and actuator in the locked or latched position  139  against incidental impacts. 
     The latch  122  also allows for disengagement of the actuator  30  and overcap  34  so that the overcap may be detached from the actuator. The overcap  34  is detached from the actuator  30  by relative movement of the overcap and actuator which deforms the latch  122 , thereby allowing detachment of the actuator and overcap. Such relative movement may occur by bending the actuator and overcap so the locking surfaces  134 ,  128  are no longer in engagement with each other. 
     In the unattached position, the tube  32  may be removed from the overcap  34 . The connector  68  may then be attached to a fitting on the destination of the pressurized material and pressurized material transferred from the pressurized container. Such a design also allows for automated assembly of the actuator and overcap without the need for other components. 
     The actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  of the present invention is particularly adapted for automated assembly thereof. As described above, the actuator  30  and the tube  32  may be assembled by automated equipment. After this assembly is completed, the actuator and tube assembly  142 , shown in FIG. 3, may be assembled with the overcap  34  by an automated process. 
     To accomplish this assembly, the extension portion  50  of the tube  32  is positioned in the assembly position  104  in a perimeter to fit in the space between the surfaces  100 ,  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  and the inner surface  88  of the overcap  34 . The tube is then held in that assembly position after wrapping the tube to that perimeter. The connector  68  is positioned above the radial surface  114  of the outer surface  106  of the actuator. The tube  32  is then positioned adjacent the lower edges  100 ,  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  of the tube retaining surfaces  100 ,  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  respectively. The actuator  30  is positioned in axial alignment with the overcap  34  so the outer surface  106  of the actuator body  35  is in alignment with the stabilizer surfaces  92   b ,  94   b ,  96   b , and  98   b ,  120 . In addition, the latch device  122  is in the unlatched position in which the retaining portion  132  is disengaged from the locking surface  128  and the chamfered surface  136  of the latch device is spaced from and in alignment with the outer surface  106  of the actuator and the locking depression  124  of the actuator. 
     The tube  32  is then moved toward the top of the overcap to the assembled position  76 . As the tube is so moved, it is compressed from its undeformed diameter D to its deformed diameter E and frictional forces hold the tube in the space between the surfaces  100 ,  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c  in the overcap surface  88 . In the assembled position  76  the extension portion  50  of said tube  52  is positioned substantially above the valve portion  38  of the actuator  30  and substantially between the valve portion and the top  78  of said overcap  34 . 
     The actuator  30  is moved toward the top  78  of the overcap  34  to the assembled position  76 . As the actuator is so moved, the locking surfaces  128 ,  134  of the actuator  30  and overcap  34  respectively, are positioned adjacent each other and the movable latch portion  130  moves radially inwardly so that the locking surfaces  128 ,  134  are in engagement and in the locking position  139 . The movement of the tube and actuator toward the top of the overcap may be performed either sequentially or simultaneously. 
     The present invention provides a method for assembling an actuator and tube overcap assembly by attaching the inlet end of the tube to the outlet of the actuator, positioning the tube in the assembly position within a perimeter to fit between the space between the tube retaining surfaces and the side of said overcap, holding the tube in the assembly position, and positioning the tube between the side and the tube retaining surfaces of the overcap. The step of positioning the tube between the side and the tube retaining surfaces of the overcap includes the step of deforming the tube by contact between the side and the tube retaining surfaces of the overcap. The step of removably affixing the actuator to the overcap is performed after the step of positioning the tube in the assembly position and preferably is performed simultaneously with the step of positioning the tube between the side the tube retaining surfaces of the overcap but may be performed either before or after the step of positioning the tube between the side of the tube retaining surfaces of the overcap. 
     Accordingly the actuator  30  is removably affixed to the overcap  34 . In the locked position  139 , the overcap  34  and actuator  30  are releasably stabilized with each other and the stabilizer surfaces  92   b ,  94   b ,  96   b , and  98   b ,  120  are in contact with the outer surface  106  of the actuator body  35 . In the affixed or locking position  139 , the tube extension extension portion  50  is positioned substantially above the valve portion  38  of the actuator  30 . It should be understood that it is within the contemplation of this invention to position the tube  32  at any position with respect to the actuator  30  and the overcap  34  and in the space between the surfaces  100 ,  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c , and the inner surface  88  of the overcap side  80 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  of the present invention provides a secondary valve  144 , in addition to the valve portion  38  of the actuator  30 , to seal the pressurized contents in the container of  12  when the actuator and tube overcap assembly is in the assembled position  76 . This secondary valve  144  is provided by the tube  32  which can be deformed to seal the passageway  54 . When the tube  32  is disassembled from the overcap  34  for use, the tube recovers from its deformed position  146  and allows the pressurized material to flow therethrough. It has been found that a tube  32  having a particular combination of physical characteristics will achieve this feature and also meet the other requirements of a tube used with the assembly  10 . 
     To achieve this secondary valve feature, the inner side  88  of the side  80  of the overcap is positioned adjacent the outlet  44  of the actuator  30  a distance that the substantially or completely closes the fluid passageway  54  of the tube positioned between the overcap side and the outlet  52  of the actuator. When the actuator and tube assembly  142  is assembled with the overcap  34 , the valve portion  148  of the tube  32  is deformed so that its outer surface  66  contacts the inner side  88  of the overcap. As the actuator and tube assembly  142  is moved to the assembled position  76 , the side  80  of the overcap being at an angle as described above, continues to deformed the valve portion  148  of the tube so that the inner wall  60  defining the passageway  54  in the tube is sealed in its deformed position  146 . In the deformed position  146 , pressurized material is restricted from flowing through the tube. 
     The distance that the inner side  88  of the side  80  is spaced from the outlet  52  of the actuator may be modified for the particular tube being used, such as tubes having different diameters and tube thicknesses. It should also be understood that for purposes of describing the deformation of the tube to the deformed position  146 , the term overcap includes other devices that are used to deformed the valve portion  148  of the tube so that the inner walls  60  defining the passageway  54  in the tube are sealed or substantially sealed in the deforming position. It is also within the compilation of this invention that such other devices could be attached to either the actuator  30 , pressurized canister  12  or other component of the assembled product. 
     When it is desirable to use the tube  32 , it is disassembled from the overcap  34  and extended for use. When so disassembled it is desirable that the valve portion  148  no longer be deformed and allow pressurized material to flow therethrough. A tube having these material characteristics is sufficiently flexible to seal when deformed by the overcap which forces the tube against the actuator outlet. Is within the contemplation of this invention for the overcap to force the tube against another component so that this secondary valve  144  is accordingly provided. When used in connection with the secondary valve  144 , the term outlet of the actuator includes such other components. In addition, when such a tube is disassembled from the overcap it allows pressurized material to flow therethrough and also has sufficient strength to handle the pressure of the pressurized material and sufficient flexure to attach to the actuator. The tube must be made from a material that has recovery characteristics that allow material to flow therethrough when removed from the overcap. 
     It has been found that plastic material having the following material characteristics achieves the above described features of providing a secondary valve  144  and is also capable of handling the pressures exerted thereon when the material is discharged from the container  12 . The thermoplastic tube material having this combination of material characteristics has a specific gravity from between about 0.98 glcc and 1.21 g/cc using the ASTM D 792 test method, a durometer hardness of from between about 50 Shore A to 55 Shore D using the ASTM D 2240 test method, and ultimate elongation (%@Break) of from between about 250% to 2,000% using the ASTM D 412 test method, a compression set (after 22 hours@approximately 75 degrees Fahrenheit) of from between about 2% to 38% using the ASTM D 395 method B test method and a low temperature brittle point of from between about −22 degrees Fahrenheit and −110 degrees Fahrenheit using the ASTM D 746 test method. One such thermoplastic material that may be formulated to meet these physical characteristics is polyurethane. 
     A tube having this combination of material characteristics is sufficiently flexible to seal when deformed by the overcap forcing the tube against the actuator outlet. In addition, when such a tube is disassembled from the overcap, it allows pressurized material to flow therethrough and has sufficient strength to handle the pressure of the pressurized material. 
     It has been found that a material having these material characteristics may also be used in other actuator and tube overcap assembly designs in which the tube is bent. In the past, designs have recognized the problem created by kinking the tube and have taken various steps to avoid that kinking. 
     The present invention provides for removably securing the connector  68  to either the overcap  34  or the actuator  30  without additional components. In the assembled position  76 , the tube extension portion  50  and the connector  68  are positioned substantially above the valve portion  38  of the actuator  30  as seen in FIG.  8 . As described above, the connector  68  has an outer periphery  70  greater than the outer periphery  72  of the tube  32 . A tube holding protrusion  150  is formed on the inner surface  88  of the side  80  of the overcap and extends towards the actuator  30  to contact the outer periphery  70  of the connector  68 . The outer periphery  70  of the connector  68  also contacts outer surface  106  of the actuator body  35 . 
     It should be understood that it is within the contemplation of this invention to form the tube holding protrusion on the tube retaining surfaces  100 ,  100   a ,  100   b , or  100   c . It should also be understood that it is within the contemplation of this invention that the outer periphery  70  of the connector  68  may be held in position by contact with the inner surface  88  and the outer surface  106  of the actuator body  35  without a protrusion  150 . In this case, the space between the inner surface  88  and the outer surface  106  where the connector is positioned is less than the size of the outer periphery  70  of the connector  68 . Accordingly, the connector  68  is releasably secured between the actuator  30  and the side  88  when the actuator and tube overcap assembly is in the assembled position. This design provides a unitary assembly  10  which can be handled by automatic equipment for assembly to the pressurized container  12 . 
     The assembly of the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  to the pressurized container  12  is dependent on the connection between the assembly  10  and container  12 . The embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1-9 provides a container  12  that has the upper rim  22  and the top rim  26 , as seen in FIGS. 2,  3  and  5 . The top rim  26  has a generally circular side portion  152  with the radially inward depression  28  formed therein. The upstanding valve  14  in the container  12  is centrally located with respect to the top rim  26 . 
     The cylindrical body  35  of the actuator  30  has a lower attachment skirt  126  having an inner surface  156 . The inner surface  156  has a circumference slightly larger than the circumference of the circular side portion  152  and is formed to mate therewith. The inner surface  156  of the actuator&#39;s attachment skirt  126  is formed to be received by the side portion  152  of the rim  26 . The attachment skirt  126  of the actuator has an inwardly extending flange  158  adjacent the bottom edge  160  for attaching the actuator  30  to the container  12 . 
     The actuator and tube assembly  10  of the present invention is particularly adapted to the assembled with the container  12  with automatic machinery. To connect the actuator and tube assembly  10  to the container  12 , the assembly  10  is oriented in a predetermined position that allows for automatic assembly with the container  12 . As can be seen, the uniform shape of the assembly  10  readily allows for such automated orientation. Likewise, the container  12  may also be oriented by automated equipment. 
     The inner surface  156  of the actuators attachment skirt  126  is then aligned with the side portion  152  of the top rim  26 , and the valve  14  of the container  12  is aligned with the inlet  42  of the valve portion  38 . A force is then exerted on the top  78  of the overcap  34  and the bottom  20  of the pressurized container  12 . This force is transmitted from the top  78  to the actuator  30  by the stabilizer surfaces  92   b ,  94   b ,  96   b , and  98   b , and  120  which are in contact with the outer surface  106  of the actuator body  35 . The stabilizer portions and their complementary surfaces provide an overcap assembly  10  that effectively transmit the forces exerted on the top of the overcap to the actuator. 
     Due to the flexibility of the lower attachment skirt  126 , the inwardly extending flange  158  expands when it is pressed onto the top rim  26 . The assembly  10  moves toward the container  12  and the inwardly extending flange  158  slides across the side portion  152  of the top rim  26  until it is received in the depression  28  thereof. When the flange  158  is so engaged by the depression  28 , the assembly  10  is secured to the container  12 . When the assembly  10  and canister  12  are assembled, the bottom edge  82  of the overcap is adjacent the upper rim  22  and is spaced therefrom. It is within the contemplation of this invention that the bottom edge  82  of the overcap may also be in contact with or attached to the upper rim  22  as will hereinafter be more fully described. It should be understood that the actuator may be attached to the container with a wide variety of connector designs. 
     The finished product resulting from the assembly of the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  and the container  12  has a uniform configuration that can easily automatically packed, efficiently stored on shelves and does not get tangled up with other objects in a vehicle&#39;s trunk and damage the connection between the tube and the actuator or the actuator and the pressurized container. 
     The actuator and tube overcap assembly of the present invention allows for the use of tubes of differing lengths so that it can be used in a variety of different applications such as tire inflator products, air conditioning recharge products and other aerosol applications. The present invention provides an actuator and tube assembly  10  in which the tube can be of differing lengths depending on the specific application. By changing the height of the overcap or the outside periphery of the overcap, tubes of widely varying lengths can be removably attached to the overcap. For example if the overcap height is increased, additional coils or partial coils of the tube can be secured by the overcap as described above. 
     Another embodiment of the actuator and tube overcap assembly of the present invention is shown in FIG.  10 . For ease of description, the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10 ′ is numbered with the numerals the same as used in connection with the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  to denote common parts where appropriate and followed by a prime (′) mark to denote the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10 ′. 
     The present invention provides an actuator and tube overcap assembly which allows the tube to be wrapped in opposite directions with the connector above or below the tube. The actuator and tube overcap assembly  10 ′ provides a tube  32 ′ that is wrapped in the opposite direction, counter clockwise as viewed from the top  78 ′ of the overshell  34 ′, than the tube  32  which is wrapped in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     The actuator and tube assembly  10 ′ positions the connector  68 ′ above the tube  32 ′. The tube  32 ′ has an inlet end  48 ′, extension portion  50 ′ and outlet end  52 ′. The inlet end  48 ′ of the tube is fluidically connected to the outlet  44 ′ of the actuator  30 ′. In the assembled position  76 ′, the extension portion  50 ′ is secured in the assembled position by being positioned between and in contact with the tube retaining surfaces  100 ′,  100   a ′,  100   b ′,  100   c ′ and the inner surface  88 ′ of the side  80 ′ of the overcap  34 ′. The outlet end  52 ′ has the connector  68 ′ attached thereto. 
     In the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10 ′, the connector  68 ′ is positioned above the extension portion  50 ′ of the tube and adjacent the top  78 ′ of the overshell  34 ′ when in the assembled position  76 ′. The connector  68 ′ is held in the assembled position  76 ′ by the extension portion  50 ′ of the tube. The extension portion  50 ′ of the tube is held in the assembled position by the frictional forces exerted on the extension portion by the retaining surfaces  100 ′,  100   a ′,  100   b ′,  100   c ′ and the inner surface  88 ′ of the overcap  34 ′ as described above in connection with the assembly  10 . 
     A protrusion  150 ′ is formed in the overcap  34 ′ and extends from the inner surface  88 ′ thereof The protrusion  150 ′ is formed to contact the extension portion  50 ′ of the tube so that stays in the assembled position  76 ′. It should be understood that it is within the contemplation of this invention that the frictional forces exerted by the retaining surfaces  100 ′,  100   a ′,  100   b ′,  100   c ′ and the inner surface  88 ′ may hold the tube  32 ′ and connector  68 ′ in place. 
     Another embodiment of the actuator and tube overcap assembly of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 11-12. For ease of description, the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10 ″ is numbered with the numerals the same as used in connection with the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10  to denote common parts where appropriate and followed by a double prime (″) mark to denote the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10 ″. 
     As seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, the present invention provides an actuator and tube overcap assembly  10 ″ which provides a tube  32 ″ that is wrapped in the counter clockwise direction as viewed from the top  78 ″ of the overcap  34 ″. The connector  68 ″ is positioned below the tube  32 ″. The tube  32 ″ has an inlet end  48 ″, extension portion  50 ″ and outlet end  52 ″. The inlet end  48 ″ of the tube is fluidically connected to the outlet  44 ″ of the actuator  30 ″. In the assembled position  76 ″, the extension portion  50 ″ is secured in the assembled position by being positioned between and in contact with the tube retaining surfaces  100 ″,  100   a ″,  100   b ″,  100   c ″ and the inner surface  88 ″ of the overcap  34 ″. The outlet end  52 ″ has the connector  68 ″ attached thereto. 
     In the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10 ″, the connector  68 ″ is positioned below with the extension portion  50 ″ of the tube. The extension portion  50 ″ of the tube is positioned between the connector  68 ″ and the top  78 ″ of the overshell  34 ″ when in the assembled position  76 ″. The extension portion  50 ″ of the tube is held in the assembled position by the frictional forces exerted on the extension portion by the retaining surfaces  100 ″,  100   a ″,  100   b ″,  100   c ″ and the inner surface  88 ″ of the side  80 ″ of the overcap  34 ″ as described above in connection with the assembly  10 . 
     A protrusion  150 ″ is formed in the overcap  34 ″ and extends from the inner surface  88 ″ thereof The protrusion  150 ″ is formed to contact with the outer periphery  70 ″ of the connector  68 ″ so that the connector is secured in the assembled position  76 ″. The outer periphery  70 ″ of the connector  68 ″ is also in contact with the outer surface  106 ″ of the actuator body  35 ″. By so securing the connector  68 ″ in the assembled position  76 ″, the tube extension portion  50 ″ is also held in the assembled position  76 ″. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the overcap  34 ″ of the actuator and tube overcap assembly  10 ″ has a top  78 ″ and a side  80 ″ which terminates in the bottom edge  82 ″. Container engaging protrusions  162  are provided adjacent the bottom edge  82 ″ for engaging the depression  161 of the upper rim  22 ″ of the container  12 ″ and provide an additional mechanism to hold the overcap  34 ″ to the container. 
     While the latch device  122 ″ is shown in FIG. 11, it is within the contemplation of this invention to hold the actuator  30 ″ in the assembled position  76 ″ by securing the connector and tube to the overshell with the retaining surfaces and the inner surfaces of the overcap and the protrusion as described above. In such a design, the actuator is removably attached to the overcap with a friction fit therebetween. For example, the stabilizer would frictionally engage the actuator. In such a design, the overcap is removably attached to the pressurized container  12  by the container engaging protrusions  162  engaging the upper rim  22 ″. 
     The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the specification. It is our intention to include all modifications and alterations in so far as they are within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof.