초록 ▼

A dispensing actuator for use on a container having pressurized contents is configured for convenient one-handed manipulation and use by consumers. The dispensing actuator includes a hingedly moveable flip-open lid, and a laterally moveable opening element, which can be manipulated so that the openi

A dispensing actuator for use on a container having pressurized contents is configured for convenient one-handed manipulation and use by consumers. The dispensing actuator includes a hingedly moveable flip-open lid, and a laterally moveable opening element, which can be manipulated so that the opening element cooperates with the lid to move the lid from a closed position to an opened position. The present dispensing actuator further includes an inner, downwardly deflectable actuating element, operatively connected with a dispensing valve of the associated container. Resilient, downward deflection of the actuating element, after opening of the dispensing actuator lid, permits the contents of the container to be conveniently dispensed. In one embodiment, the contents of the container are dispensed generally laterally of the dispensing actuator, while in alternate embodiments, the container's contents are dispensed generally upwardly, through the actuating element of the dispensing actuator.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A dispensing actuator for a container that has a dispensing valve for dispensing a fluent product, wherein the dispensing valve is normally biased from an actuated, open dispensing position to a closed position, said dispensing actuator comprising: a dispensing actuator base for extending from sa

1. A dispensing actuator for a container that has a dispensing valve for dispensing a fluent product, wherein the dispensing valve is normally biased from an actuated, open dispensing position to a closed position, said dispensing actuator comprising: a dispensing actuator base for extending from said container at said dispensing valve;a lid including a hinge connecting said lid with said dispensing actuator base to accommodate movement of said lid between: (1) a closed position, and (2) an opened position to permit the dispensing of a product from said container;an opening element mounted on said dispensing actuator base for linear movement with respect thereto from a closed position to an opened position, said opening element being engageable with said lid, so that generally lateral movement of said opening element from said closed position to said opened position moves said lid from said closed position thereof toward said opened position thereof; andan actuating element on said dispensing actuator base, said actuating element being accessible when said lid is in said opened position thereof, said actuating element being resiliently deflectable, so that downward, deflecting movement of said actuating element operates said dispensing valve to thereby permit dispensing of the fluent product within said container through a dispensing orifice defined by said dispensing actuator;said opening element includes a proximal, button portion configured for manipulation to urge said opening element from said closed position toward said opened position thereof, said opening element including at least one distal, pusher portion, generally opposite said proximal portion, engageable with said lid as said opening element moves from said closed position to said opened position to move said lid from the closed position thereof toward the opened position thereof;said pusher portion being positioned in fixed relationship with respect to said proximal portion for linear movement with said proximal portion as said opening element is moved linearly with respect to said dispensing actuator base; wherein said hinge for said lid of said dispensing actuator includes a pair of spaced-apart hinge elements, said dispensing orifice being positioned on said dispensing actuator base to direct the substance being dispensed generally between said hinge elements; said opening element includes a pair of distal, pusher portions respectively engageable with said pair of hinge elements. 2. The dispensing actuator in accordance with claim 1 for use with a container that has an annular shoulder, and a mounting cup secured to said annular shoulder, said dispensing valve being mounted on said mounting cup, said dispensing valve being either a separate non-pump valve or a valve defined by or within a pump; said dispensing actuator being separate from, but attachable to, said annular shoulder of said container by a snap-fit so that said actuating element is operatively engageable with said dispensing valve. 3. The dispensing actuator in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said dispensing actuator base includes a deck, said opening element being positioned generally beneath said deck of said dispensing actuator base. 4. The dispensing actuator in accordance with claim 3, wherein: said opening element has a generally bifurcated configuration. 5. The dispensing actuator in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said actuating element is connected with said dispensing actuator base by a hinge region for deflectable, generally hinging movement of said actuating element about an axis which is generally parallel to a hinging axis of said lid of said dispensing actuator. 6. The dispensing actuator in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said actuating element defines an internal passageway that communicates with said dispensing orifice, and that can be joined in fluid communication with said valve, so that upon actuation of said dispensing valve by deflection of said actuating element, the fluent product within the container flows through said valve and into said passageway for dispensing out of said dispensing orifice. 7. The dispensing actuator in accordance with claim 6, wherein: said dispensing valve includes an outwardly projecting, movable, product-dispensing valve stem, said passageway extending generally at a right angle to an axis defined by said product-dispensing valve stem. 8. The dispensing actuator in accordance with claim 7, wherein: said hinge for said lid of said dispensing actuator includes a pair of spaced-apart hinge elements, said dispensing orifice being positioned on said dispensing actuator base to direct the product being dispensed generally between said hinge elements. 9. The dispensing actuator in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said actuating element includes said dispensing orifice, so that downward deflection of said actuating element dispenses said product through said actuating element. 10. The dispensing actuator in accordance with claim 9, wherein said actuating element includes a finger pad for manipulation to downwardly deflect the actuating element for dispensing the product. 11. A dispensing actuator for a container within which a fluent substance may be stored, said container having an annular shoulder, and a mounting cup secured to said annular shoulder, said container including a dispensing valve mounted on said mounting cup, the dispensing valve including an outwardly projecting, movable, product-dispensing valve stem that is normally biased from an actuated, open dispensing position to a closed position, said dispensing actuator comprising: a dispensing actuator base for extending from said container at said dispensing valve, said dispensing actuator base having (1) a deck, and (2) a skirt depending from said deck for snap-fitment to said annular shoulder of said container;a lid including a hinge connecting said lid with said dispensing actuator base to accommodate movement of said lid between: (1) a closed position, and (2) an opened position to permit the dispensing of a substance from said container;said hinge including at least one spring element extending between said lid and dispensing actuator base for biasing the movement of said lid with respect to said dispensing actuator base; andan opening element mounted on said dispensing actuator base, generally beneath said deck and extending inwardly relative to said skirt, for generally lateral movement with respect to said dispensing actuator base, said opening element being movable generally laterally of said dispensing actuator base from a closed position to an opened position,said opening element including a proximal, button portion configured for manipulation to urge said opening element from said closed position toward said opened position thereof, said opening element including at least one distal, pusher portion, generally opposite said proximal, button portion in fixed relationship for movement therewith, said pusher portion being engageable with said hinge as said opening element moves from said closed position to said open position to move said lid from the closed position thereof toward the opened position thereof; andan actuating element unitarily connected with said dispensing actuator base generally adjacent to said deck, said actuating element defining a valve stem pocket for receiving said valve stem when said dispensing actuator is mounted on said container,said actuating element being accessible when said lid is in said opened position thereof, said actuating element being resiliently deflectable, so that downward, deflecting movement of said actuating element operates the stem of said dispensing valve to thereby permit dispensing of the fluent substance within said container through a dispensing orifice defined by said dispensing actuator; wherein said at least one spring element includes a pair of spaced-apart hinge elements, said dispensing orifice being positioned on said dispensing actuator base to direct the substance being dispensed generally between said hinge elements; said opening element includes a pair of distal, pusher portions respectively engageable with said pair of hinge elements. 12. The dispensing actuator in accordance with claim 11, wherein: said actuating element defines an internal passageway that communicates with said valve stem pocket and said dispensing orifice, said passageway extending at generally a right angle to an axis defined by said product-dispensing stem, so that upon actuation of said dispensing valve by deflection of said actuating element, the fluent substance within the container flows through valve stem and into said passageway for dispensing out of said dispensing orifice. 13. The dispensing actuator in accordance with claim 11, wherein: said actuating element includes said dispensing orifice, with said valve stem pocket communicating with said dispensing orifice, so that actuation of said valve by manipulation of said actuating element dispenses said substance through said actuating element. 14. The dispensing actuator in accordance with claim 13, wherein: said actuating element defines a finger pad for manipulation to downwardly deflect the actuating element for dispensing the product. 15. A dispensing actuator for a container that has a dispensing valve for dispensing a fluent product, wherein the dispensing valve is normally biased from an actuated, open dispensing position to a closed position, said dispensing actuator comprising: a dispensing actuator base for extending from said container at said dispensing valve;a lid including a hinge connecting said lid with said dispensing actuator base to accommodate movement of said lid between: (1) a closed position, and (2) an opened position to permit the dispensing of a product from said container;an opening element mounted on said dispensing actuator base for movement with respect thereto from a closed position to an opened position, said opening element being engageable with said lid, so that generally lateral movement of said opening element from said closed position to said opened position moves said lid from said closed position thereof toward said opened position thereof;an actuating element on said dispensing actuator base, said actuating element being accessible when said lid is in said opened position thereof, said actuating element being resiliently deflectable, so that downward, deflecting movement of said actuating element operates said dispensing valve to thereby permit dispensing of the fluent product within said container through a dispensing orifice defined by said dispensing actuator; andsaid opening element includes a proximal, button portion configured for manipulation to urge said opening element from said closed position toward said opened position thereof, said opening element including at least one distal, pusher portion, generally opposite said proximal portion, wherein said pusher portion is guided for only linear movement and has a configuration which is undeformed when said lid is in said closed position and when said lid is in said opened position, and wherein said pusher portion is engageable with said lid as said opening element moves from said closed position to said opened position to move said lid from the closed position thereof toward the opened position thereof; wherein said hinge for said lid of said dispensing actuator includes a pair of spaced-apart hinge elements, said dispensing orifice being positioned on said dispensing actuator base to direct the substance being dispensed generally between said hinge elements; said opening element includes a pair of distal, pusher portions respectively engageable with said pair of hinge elements.