Cap for an aerosol container

Abstract

 © A cap comprises a part (20) engageable with the body of an aerosol container (10) having an outlet pipe (23) which must be deflected sideways to eject the contents of the container (10). A resilient outlet tube (22) is mounted in the part (20) and surrounds the pipe (23). A button (24) is slidable in the part (20) and is operable to deflect the tube (22) and the pipe (23).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a cap for an aerosol container, and has as an object to provide such a cap which enables dispensing of the contents of the container to be regulated easily.

[0002] According to the invention there is provided a cap for an aerosol container having a valve which is operable by sideways deflection of an outlet pipe which extends axially from the container, said cap comprising a first part of the substantially circular section engageable with the body of the container, and a resilient outlet passage mounted on said first part, for receiving said outlet pipe, and an element slidably mounted in said first part and operable to deflect said outlet passage transversely of the axis thereof.

[0003] In a preferred embodiment said first part is integral with said outlet passage.

[0004] An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with particular reference to a cap for an aerosol container for dentrifice, said cap being adapted to be engaged by a toothbrush having a hollow stem which communicates with the outlet passage of the cap.

[0005] In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of an aerosol container with a cap according to the invention fitted, and a toothbrush mounted thereon;

Figure 2 is a section, to a larger scale, through the cap, and

Figure 3 is a part-section, generally on line 3-3 in Figure 2;

[0006] As shown in Figure 1 an aerosol container 10 is of a known type which includes a valve, commonly referred to as a tilt valve, which is opened by sideways deflection of an outlet tube extending axially from an upper end of the container 10. A cap 11 is engaged with the container 10 and has a screw threaded portion 12 engageable with a complimentary internal screw thread on a hollow-stemmed toothbrush 13 so that the contents of the container 10 can pass through the stem of the toothbrush 13 to the bristles 14 at its head. The brush 13 is provided with projections or serrations 15 which facilitate its being screwed on or off the cap 11.

[0007] As shown in Figures 2 and 3 the cap 11 comprises a first portion 20 of substantially circular section, moulded from medium or high density polypropylene. One end of the portion 20 is provided with a lip 21 which can engage a rim 22 of the container 10, by snap action. The wall of the portion 20 is of reduced thickness adjacent the lip 21, to facilitate deformation to engage the rim 22, but the remainder of the portion 20 has sufficient thickness to ensure that it is substantially rigid. An outlet passage is provided by a tube 22 is an interference fit in a recess in the top of the portion 20 and extends downwardly to surround the outlet pipe 23 of the container 10. The tube is of low density PVC, of the type available from British Industria Plastics under the designation UN 774, and the wall of the tube 22 is sufficiently thin that it may be resiliently deformed relative to the portion 20, and thereby tilt the outlet pipe 23 to allow the contents of the container 10 to pass upwardly through the tube 22.

[0008] A push button 24 is slidable in an aperture in the portion 20 and has an abutment surface 25 which engages the outside of the outlet passage 22. Preferably the abutment surface 25 is relieved as shown in Figure 2 so as not to impede flexing of the tube 22 when the button 24 is pressed. As shown more clearly in Figure 3 the push button 24 is provided with spring fingers 26 which secure the button 24 on the tube 22, and thereby retain the button 24 within the portion 20. A portion 26 of the button 24 rests on an upper surface 27 of the container 10 and co-operates with the aperture in the portion 20 to maintain the axis of the action of the button 24 at approximately 78° to the axis of the tube 22.

[0009] It has been determined that for satisfactory operation the line of action of the button 24 shouldbe between 75° and 81° to the axis of the tube 22.

[0010] The screw thread of the portion 12 corresponds to the standard screw thread on toothpaste tubes, so that the thread on the brush may interchangeably be attached to a toothpaste tube or to the cap 11 described herein. It will be understood, however, that the cap 11 may alternatively be provided with suitable means for engagement with other brushes or tools, as appropriate to the contents of the aerosol container.

Claims

1. A cap (11) for an aerosol container (10) having a valve operable by sideways deflection of an output pipe (23) which extends axially from the container (10), said cap (11) including a first part (20) of substantially circular section engageable with the body of the container (10), characterised in that there is provided a resilient outlet passage (22) mounted on said first part (20) for engaging the outlet pipe (23) of the container (10), and an element (24) slidably mounted in said first part (20) and operable to deflect said outlet pipe (23) transversely of the axis thereof.

2. A cap as claimed in claim 1 in which said outlet passage (22) comprises a tube of resiliently deformable plastics material.

3. A cap as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which said slidable element (24) is provided with means (26) for spring engagement with said outlet passage (22).

4. A cap as claimed in any preceding claim in which said slidable element (24) is mounted so as to have a line of action between 75° and 81° to the axis of said outlet passage (22).

5. A cap as claimed in claim 4 in which said slidable element (24) has a portion (26) slidably engageable with a surface (27) of said container (10).

Drawing