BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to aerosol actuators and connections for the same to containers.

2. State of the Art

Aerosol actuators include designs from simple finger actuated buttons to more complex and aesthetically pleasing trigger actuated devices. The more complicated trigger actuated devices offer many advantages over the button actuated alternatives; however, the cost associated with using a trigger actuated device may be prohibitive.

Furthermore, consumers may perceive the size of the trigger actuated devices as being a negative when it comes to disposal of the package. In many instances, an aerosol trigger actuator is attached to a container and when the container is empty, both the container and trigger actuator are disposed.

Therefore, it may be advantageous to develop devices and methods for reducing the overall cost of trigger actuated devices. It may also be advantageous to develop designs and methods for reducing waste associated with the use of trigger actuated aerosol devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to certain embodiments of the invention, an aerosol trigger actuator may be removably connected to an aerosol container. In some instances, an attachment adapter may be fixed to an aerosol container and a trigger actuator may be configured to snap onto, twist onto, or otherwise attach to the attachment adapter so that the trigger actuator is attached to the container. In other embodiments, an attachment adapter and trigger actuator may be assembled together and then assembled to a container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the present invention, various embodiments of the invention can be more readily understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the following descriptions of various embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol package according to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an aerosol container and valve according to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an attachment adapter according to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an attachment adapter according to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an attachment adapter according to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an unassembled aerosol package according to various embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an assembled aerosol package according to various embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to embodiments of the invention, an aerosol package 100 may include a conventional aerosol container 900 and valve 910, an attachment adapter 200 attached to the container 900, and a trigger actuator 800 attached to the attachment adapter 200 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

According to various embodiments of the invention, a conventional aerosol container 900 and valve 910 may be used. A container 900 may include an aerosol valve 910 and a can rim or chime 920 about a circumference of the container as illustrated in FIG. 2.

According to various embodiments of the invention, a trigger actuator 800 may include any trigger actuated aerosol distribution system desired. For example, a trigger actuator 800 such as those described in PCT Application PCT/US11/048816, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, may be used with various embodiments of the invention. In other embodiments of the invention, a pushbutton-type actuator may be used with various embodiments of the invention.

A blown-up view of an attachment adapter 200 according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. An attachment adapter 200 may include a circular ring having at least one exterior surface and at least one interior surface. As illustrated, an attachment adapter 200 may include a screw feature 210, thread, or other attachment feature on an outer surface of the attachment adapter 200 which may be used to attach a trigger actuator 800 to the attachment adapter 200. In other embodiments, a bayonet or bayonet and lug feature may be integrated with the attachment adapter 200. In still other embodiments, a snap-fit feature or a latch and snap-fit feature may be used with, or integrated with, an attachment adapter 200.

A cross-sectional view of an attachment adapter 200 according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. As illustrated, an interior portion or surface of an attachment adapter 200 may include one or more channels 250 and one or more latches 255. The one or more channels 250 and latches 255 may be configured to snap against or around a chime 920 of a container 900 such that the attachment adapter 200 may be secured to the container 900. While a single, circumferential latch 255 is illustrated in FIG. 4, other embodiments of the invention may include more than one latch 255 or an interrupted latch 255.

In other embodiments of the invention, an attachment adapter 200 may include one or more snap-fit or bayonet connections 220 configured to removably snap fit with a trigger actuator 800. For example, one or more bayonet connections 220 such as those used with trigger sprayers and bottles may be included on an outer radius of the attachment adapter 200. A trigger actuator 800 having one or more lugs or corresponding bayonet connections may then be snapped onto the attachment adapter 200 and used. When use is complete, the trigger actuator 800 may be twisted or rotated off of the attachment adapter 200.

The components of an unassembled aerosol package 100 are illustrated in FIG. 1. During assembly or filling, a container 900 may be filled with a product. In some embodiments of the invention, an attachment adapter 200 may then be attached to the container 900 about a chime 920 on the container 900. A trigger actuator 800 may then be snap-fit or rotated onto the attachment adapter 200 to assemble the trigger actuator 800 to the container 900. During such attachment, a trigger actuator 800 may engage with a valve 910 of the aerosol package 100.

In other embodiments of the invention, an attachment adapter 200 may first be assembled with a trigger actuator 800 and the combination of the attachment adapter 200 and trigger actuator 800 may be attached to a chime 920 on the container 900.

Upon completion of use, a user may remove the trigger actuator 800 from the container 900 and reattach the trigger actuator 800 to another container 900 having an attachment adapter 200 assembled therewith. Alternatively, a user may attach a new attachment adapter 200 to the trigger actuator 800 and snap the combined trigger actuator 800 and attachment adapter 200 to a container 900.

Cross-sectional views of an aerosol package 100 according to various embodiments of the invention are illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. An unassembled view is illustrated in FIG. 6 and an assembled view is illustrated in FIG. 7. As illustrated, an attachment adapter 200 may be secured to a chime 920 of a container 900 such that the chime 920 fits within the one or more channels 250 and the one or more latches 255 may hold the attachment adapter 200 on the container 900.

While a particular trigger actuator 800 is illustrated, any trigger actuator 800 or button-type actuator may be used with various embodiments of the invention. In addition, the trigger actuator 800 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 includes one or more twist features 810 on an interior portion of the trigger actuator 800 so that the trigger actuator 800 may be assembled to an attachment adapter 200. In other embodiments of the invention, a trigger actuator 800 may include tabs or bayonet connections to mate with an attachment adapter 200 having one or more bayonet connections 220.

According to various embodiments of the invention, an attachment adapter 200 may also include features to assist with alignment of a trigger actuator 800 on a container 900. In some embodiments, an attachment adapter 200, a chime 920, or both an attachment adapter 200 and chime 920 may include features to prevent rotation of the attachment adapter 200 about the chime 920 once snap fit or otherwise secured to the chime 920.

Having thus described certain particular embodiments of the invention, it is understood that the invention defined by the appended claims is not to be limited by particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are contemplated. Rather, the invention is limited only be the appended claims, which include within their scope all equivalent devices or methods which operate according to the principles of the invention as described.