EP1976775B1 - Method for dispensing content from an aerosol container and operating device for carrying out such a method, an assembly, an aerosol container and a dispensing cap - Google Patents
Method for dispensing content from an aerosol container and operating device for carrying out such a method, an assembly, an aerosol container and a dispensing cap Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1976775B1 EP1976775B1 EP05822969A EP05822969A EP1976775B1 EP 1976775 B1 EP1976775 B1 EP 1976775B1 EP 05822969 A EP05822969 A EP 05822969A EP 05822969 A EP05822969 A EP 05822969A EP 1976775 B1 EP1976775 B1 EP 1976775B1
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- container
- knob
- force
- energy
- user interface
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
- B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
- B65D83/44—Valves specially adapted therefor; Regulating devices
- B65D83/52—Valves specially adapted therefor; Regulating devices for metering
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
- B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
- B65D83/16—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means
- B65D83/20—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means operated by manual action, e.g. button-type actuator or actuator caps
- B65D83/201—Lever-operated actuators
- B65D83/202—Lever-operated actuators combined with a hand grip
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
- Nozzles (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to a method for dispensing a food ingredient from an aerosol container, the container having a container knob which in a depressed state opens a valve of the container for dispensing the content of the container and in a non-depressed state releases said valve into a closed condition, the container knob being biased in the non-depressed state.
- The aerosol containers, which can be standard aerosol containers, are used for dispensing various food content, for example food like whipped cream. Such commonly known standard aerosol containers normally comprise a container knob, which opens a valve when being depressed by a user of the container. In that depressed state, the content of the container can be released from the container for using it.
- A disadvantage of a method like this for dispensing the content from the aerosol container is that the user is free to decide on the amount of the content, which is dispensed from the container. The container will become empty relatively quickly when users dispense large amounts of content, which consequently is relatively expensive. Furthermore, some container knobs are hard to depress and therefore ask a lot of force from the user, which makes it relatively difficult to operate the standard aerosol container.
- It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method that enables the user to dispense a defined amount of content from an aerosol container, which at the same time enables easy operating and dispensing content from said aerosol container.
- In order to achieve this object, the method according to the invention is characterized in that for dispensing a fixed amount of food ingredient from the container each time, the container is connected with an operating device comprising a user interface arranged for being brought from a first position to an actuated position by manual force, a knob actuator for actuating the container knob upon actuation of the user interface and an intermediate mechanism comprising force and movement transmitting elements and energy-storing elements of a mechanical nature only, operatively arranged between the user interface and the container knob actuator for controlling the knob actuator and for keeping the knob in a depressed state for a fixed time after actuating the user interface.
- When the knob is in a depressed state for a fixed time, the valve of the aerosol container is open for a fixed time to release food ingredient. Consequently, a fixed amount of content is dispensed. When the user interface is actuated, the intermediate mechanism controls the knob actuator that actuates the knob. For this method, to dispense equal amounts every time the user interface is operated, it is irrelevant how long it takes for the user to completely operate the user interface. The hand force the user uses to operate the user interface does not influence the time period that the knob is in a depressed state. The mechanism is adapted to overcome user influences on the depressed state of the container knob.
- A further advantage of the method according to the invention is that the user of the method for dispensing content from the aerosol container is not likely to get in contact with the food ingredient due to the position of the user interface in relation to the position of the nozzle, which is favourable in terms of hygienic standards. Furthermore, the food ingredient is not likely to soil the user interface because it preferably is situated at a distance from the nozzle and container knob. Consequently, the user interface does not experience any operating difficulties because of dirt.
- The mechanical nature of the intermediate mechanism enables that the method for dispensing content from a standard aerosol container can be carried out on many different places, also places where no electricity is available. The operating device can be placed on the most convenient operating place for the user, where the user can easily reach it and pick it up when necessary.
- It is noted that
JP 2001287782 - Furthermore it is noted that
US-A-4,570,824 discloses a doorbell actuated air freshener comprising an air freshener disperser that is connected to a doorbell transformer via a control wiring. The doorbell pushbutton is also connected to the doorbell transformer via a control wiring. The air freshener disperser comprises a means for holding and actuating an air freshener aerosol can. The can has centred at its top an aerosol push button. To provide aerosol spray, the aerosol can is actuated by actuation means that provides a downward mechanical force upon the aerosol pushbutton for a period of time while the doorbell is being pressed and releases the pushbutton after the doorbell is released. The actuation means comprises an electric motor, which in turn actuates a cam pusher that in fact actuates the pushbutton. The cam pusher comprises a rotating cam that is driven by the motor. A cam follower means translates the movement of the rotating cam into a push action directly contactingly driving the pushbutton in a periodically depressed direction. - In further elaboration of the invention, said container knob is brought into said depressed state by transmitting a first force to the knob actuator which transmits said first force to the container knob in a direction substantially parallel to a depressing direction, wherein the first force is transmitted in one go. If the first force is transmitted in one go, a large amount of energy is released at once thereby depressing the container knob entirely. This prevents the container knob from being only semi-depressed and therefore dispensing too little amount of content.
- Preferably, the first force is created by operating the user interface thereby storing energy in an energy-storing element and releasing the energy when a locking mechanism is released. The locking mechanism preferably comprises an aperture, for instance a tapered aperture and a locking element, for instance a locking pin or a locking ball, wherein the locking element is engaging the aperture with a locking force. When the first force exceeds the locking force the locking mechanism releases enabling the first force to be transmitted in one go. This kind of locking mechanism is a simple mechanism with little parts to release the first force and is therefore reliable.
- According to a further elaboration of the invention, the container knob is brought back in the non-depressed state by transmitting a second force to release the knob actuator from the first force and thereby releasing the container knob from the first force, the container knob moving in a direction substantially opposite to the depressing direction of said container knob.
- It is also possible that the container knob is brought back in the non-depressed state by transmitting a second force to the knob actuator, creating a resultant force on the container knob in a direction substantially opposite to the depressing direction of said container knob. Whether the knob actuator is released from the first force or a second force is applied to the knob actuator to create a resultant force, the knob actuator moves away from the container knob bringing the container knob in a non-depressed state. In both ways this is an automatic operation and a consequence of operating the user interface.
- According to a further elaboration of the invention, the second force is created by operating the user interface thereby storing energy in a second energy-storing element and thereafter releasing the energy in a dampened way. By releasing the energy in a dampened way, the fixed time is created. The second force is transmitted a little while after the first force, thereby defining the dispensing period and consequently the dispensing amount. It is clear that when the damping time is adjusted, the time of dispensing can be adjusted as well and consequently the dispensing amount is adjustable. Preferably, a timer device is provided in the mechanism and can be controlled by a user, for instance by a user control, to regulate said dampened way. The user can set a desired fixed amount for example taking cake size or mug or cup size into account.
- In further elaboration of the invention, energy is stored in the first energy-storing element substantially at the same time as energy is stored in the second energy-storing element. This is very favourable because it only takes the user one operation to dispense the content from the aerosol container. This makes the method easy to carry out, and saves the aerosol container user time.
- The invention also provides an operating device for an aerosol container, for use in a above described method, the container, containing a food ingredient, having a container knob which in a depressed state opens a valve of the container for dispensing the content of the container and in a non-depressed state releases said valve into a closed condition, the container knob being biased in the non-depressed state, the operating device comprising:
- connection elements for releaseably connecting said container to the operating device;
- a user interface arranged for being brought from a first position to an actuated position by manual force,
- a container knob actuator for actuating the container knob upon actuation of the user interface;
- an intermediate mechanism comprising force and movement transmitting elements and energy-storing elements of a mechanical nature only, the mechanism being operatively arranged between the user interface and the container knob actuator for controlling the knob actuator and for depressing the container knob and for keeping the container knob in a depressed state for a fixed period of time.
- This operating device provides similar advantages as mentioned with the above-described method.
- According to a further aspect of the invention, said user interface can comprise at least one of a handle, a knob and/or a button.
- According to a further aspect of the invention, the operating device can further comprise positioning means, for adequately positioning said standard aerosol container in the operating device, the container knob being opposed to the knob actuator.
- According to a further aspect of the invention, said positioning means can comprise at least one of a male part and a female part, said parts adapted to interlock with the container knob.
- The invention further relates to an aerosol container operating device assembly, comprising an aerosol container connected to an above mentioned operating device, wherein the assembly is adapted for dispensing a fixed amount of food content from said aerosol container.
- Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.
- The invention will be further elucidated by means of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
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Figs.1a-1c show a schematic view of a first embodiment; -
fig. 2a shows a perspective view of a second embodiment; -
figs. 2b-2f show additional views of the second embodiment; -
fig. 3a shows schematic view of a third embodiment; -
fig. 3b shows a cross sectional view of the third embodiment; -
fig. 4a shows a schematic view of fourth embodiment; -
fig. 4b shows a cross sectional view of the fourth embodiment; -
fig. 5 shows a schematic view of fifth embodiment; -
fig. 6 shows a schematic view of a sixth embodiment; -
fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the aerosol container; -
fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a dispensing cap; -
fig. 9 shows a further perspective view of the dispensing cap. -
Figures 1a-1c show anoperating device 1 with thereto connected anaerosol container 2. Theaerosol container 2, which can be a standard aerosol container, has acontainer knob 4 which in depressed state opens a valve of thecontainer 2 for dispensing the content of thecontainer 2 and in a non depressed state releases said valve into a closed condition. Thecontainer knob 4 is being biased in the non-depressed state. Theaerosol container 2 further has anozzle 3a through which the content leaves thecontainer 2. The operatingdevice 1 comprises auser interface 6, in this case a handle, aknob actuator 7 and anintermediate mechanism 8 arranged for keeping the knob in a depressed state for a fixed time after actuating theuser interface 6. Theuser interface 6 can also be a button, a knob or the like. - The operating
device 1 further comprises aframe 5 to releaseably mount theaerosol container 2 in a fixed position, thereby situating thecontainer knob 4 opposite theknob actuator 7. Asupport 23, in this embodiment designed as a strip provided with Velcro, is wrapped around thestandard aerosol container 2 to fix it to theframe 5. Thesupport 23 can also be a different kind of support like metal strips, rubbers, belts or the like. - The
intermediate mechanism 8 mechanically connects thehandle 6 to theknob actuator 7. Therefore, themechanism 8 is provided with force and movement transmitting elements like slides, levers, rack and pinions, gears, friction couplings, dampers, air pumps, and air cylinders. Themechanism 8 further comprises energy-storing elements, like mechanical springs, gas springs and hydraulic springs. - In
fig 1a the operating device is in a non-operated state, theknob actuator 7 is in a rest position and thecontainer knob 4 is in a non-depressed state. Thecontainer knob 4 can be brought into a depressed state by transmitting a first force F1 to theknob actuator 7. The first force F1 is then transmitted to thecontainer knob 4 in a direction substantially parallel to a depressing direction (indicate by arrow D). The first force F1 is preferably transmitted in one go, thereby depressing thecontainer knob 4 also in one go. -
Figure 1b shows theoperating device 1 being operated and thecontainer knob 4 being in a depressed state. The first force F1 is created by operating thehandle 6 in the O-direction (seefig. 1a ), thehandle 6 thereby pivoting aboutpivot axis 6a. During the movement of thehandle 6 in the O-direction, ahandle part 6b moves afirst slide 24 in direction A (indicated by arrow A). Aprojection 24a of thefirst slide 24 hooks behind afirst projection 25a of asecond slide 25. Thesecond slide 25 consequently moves along with thefirst slide 24 in substantially the same direction A. Thesecond slide 25 is connected with a first energy-storing element, in this embodiment aspring 9. During the movement of thesecond slide 25, thespring 9 will depress, thereby storing energy of the user force Fu that is transmitted by the user. Between thefirst slide 24 and thesecond slide 25 alocking mechanism 12 is provided. The locking mechanism comprises anaperture 13 and a lockingelement 14, in this embodiment the same element asprojection 25a. - The
second slide 25 has aprojection 25b that hooks behindprojection 26b of thethird slide 26. Thethird slide 26 therefore moves substantially in direction A as well, thereby depressing a second energy-storing element, aspring 10. When thespring 9 is depressed and thefirst slide 24 is moved further in direction A thelocking mechanism 12 releases. The first force F1 will become larger than the locking force FL of lockingelement 14 inaperture 13, therefore releasing lockingelement 14 from theelement 13. The locking force FL decreases becauseprojection 24b abuts withframe part 5a, theframe part 5a pushing the first slide away from the second slide. Consequently, thespring 9 relaxes and pushes thesecond slide 25 in direction B (indicated by arrow B). The second slide abuts with theknob actuator 7 thereby transmitting the first force F1 to theknob actuator 7. Theknob actuator 7 is hingedly connected to theframe 5. Theknob actuator 7 hinges aroundhinge 7a and transmits the first force F1 to thecontainer knob 4, which depresses in one go. The valve is opened and the container content is able to leave the container. - As mentioned before, the
third slide 26 depressesspring 10 during operation of thehandle 6. Connected to thethird slide 26, arack 11b is provided that engages with apinion 11a that is provided on atimer device 11, in this embodiment a damper, more specifically a rotation brake. A rotation brake comprises rotating blades in a housing filled with a viscous fluid, which viscous fluid is pressed through a groove between the rotating blades and a housing. The configuration is such that the damper only brakes in one direction of rotation. The characteristics ofdamper 11 are that it easily rotates clockwise, but dampens the rotation anti-clockwise. - During the movement of the
slide 26 in direction A and the depression of thespring 10, therack 11b slides in direction A as well, rotating thepinion 11a and thedamper 11 clockwise. When thelocking mechanism 12 of thefirst slide 24 releases, also the hooked connection between thesecond slide 25 and thethird slide 26 releases, thereby releasing the energy from thesecond spring 10 in a dampened way. Thethird slide 26 substantially moves in direction B and after a time period thethird slide 26, more specific theprojection 26a facing thesecond slide 25, abutsprojection 25c of thesecond slide 25, thereby removing thesecond slide 25 from the knob actuator 7 (seefig. 1c ). The second force F2 overcomes the force from theleaf spring 27. The first force F1 is removed from theknob actuator 7, which can return in the non-depressed state, thereby removing force F1 from thecontainer knob 4. It is also possible that instead of removing thesecond slide 25 from theknob actuator 7, the second force F2 is supplied to theknob actuator 7 as well, creating a resultant force FR in the direction opposite the depressing direction D. In this way, theknob actuator 7 moves away from thecontainer knob 4, bringing saidknob 4 back in the non-depressed state. The dispensing of the content from thecontainer 2 stops. It is clear that thismechanism 8 is not influenced by the speed or the force the user pulls the handle with or the time that the user takes to operate the handle. With every operation of the handle a same amount of content is dispensed. Thus, when more than one portion of food ingredient is needed, the handle has to be operated several times. - In
fig. 2a a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theoperating device 1 and anaerosol container 2 is shown. The operatingdevice 1 comprises aframe 5 holding theaerosol container 2. Thecontainer 2 is fixed in theframe 5 with aid of asupport 23, in this embodiment comprising atop part 23a and abottom part 23b for clamping the container there between. Thetop part 23a is adapted to receive the semi-sphericaltop part 2c of thecontainer 2. The operatingdevice 1 further comprises a grip G with ahandle 6 for operating thedevice 1. The grip G is positioned in an angle α to thecontainer 2, the angle α between thenozzle 3a and the end of the grip G preferably being smaller than 90° to obtain an ergonomic grip G for the user. This construction of the grip G enables an easy way of holding theoperating device 1 and consequently thecontainer 2 is always in the right dispensing position, i.e., the nozzle pointing downward. A user can hold the container and operate it with one hand. -
Figs. 2b-2d show cross-sections offig 2a , clarifying the method for dispensing content from thestandard aerosol container 2. - The operating
device 1 comprises aframe 5 with a grip G comprising a handle 6 (seefig. 2c ) that is pivotally connected to grip G and can pivot around apivot axis 6a. In theframe 5 acontainer 2 is releaseably connected between thetop part 23a and thebottom part 23b of thesupport 23. As can be seen, thebottom part 23 b comprises aprojection 23c that engages in therecess 2b of thecontainer 2a. Thebottom part 23b of thesupport 23 is hingedly connected to theframe 5. After placing thecontainer 2 with the containertop part 2c into thetop part 23a of thesupport 23, thebottom part 23b of thesupport 23 is hinged towards therecess 2b of the container, wherein thebottom part 23b clicks to a locked position. To remove thebottom part 23 b from thecontainer recess 2b, abutton 23b' has to be pushed to unlock it. - To dispense content from the
aerosol container 2, thehandle 6 has to be operated. When thehandle 6 is operated, handlepart 6b moves in direction A towards the end of grip G. Thehandle part 6b is connected to afirst slide 24 and moves thisslide 24 along direction A as well. Aprojection 24a hooks behindprojection 25a of asecond slide 25. Thesecond slide 25 is connected to a first energy-storing element,spring 9, which absorbs energy while thesecond slide 25 moves in direction A. Thesecond slide 25 hasprojections Projection 25c is stuck between rails (not shown), forcingsecond slide 25 to be close to thefirst slide 24 untilhandle 6 is fully operated into operation direction O. Thensecond slide 25 is forced away fromfirst slide 24 in order to disconnectprojection 24a fromprojection 25a. Consequently,second slide 25 is free to move in direction B, forced byspring 9.Projection 25c of thesecond slide 25 is forced through rails (not shown), thereby pushing a first part of anactuating element 29 into direction C pivoting aroundpivot axis 29a. A second part of theactuating element 29 consequently hooks behind aprojection 7a of the knob actuator, transmitting force F1 to theknob actuator 7, moving theknob actuator 7 in direction D, a depressing direction. Theknob actuator 7 transmits force F1 to thecontainer knob 4 thereby depressing theknob 4, which opens a container valve (not shown) to dispense food ingredient from thecontainer 2. - While the
handle 6 is operated in operating direction O, aprojection 25b of thesecond slide 25 hooks behind aprojection 26a of athird slide 26.Slide 26 moves in direction A as well, extending a second energy-storing element,spring 10. Arack 11b is connected to thethird slide 26 and a cooperatingpinion 11a is connected to adamper 11.Third slide 26 comprises aprojection 26a to disconnectsecond slide 25 from theactuating element 29 and hence moving theactuating element 29 from the actuated position to the rest position. - When the
second slide 25 is disconnected from thefirst slide 24, no force is transmitted to thedamper 11 anymore, sinceprojection third slide 26 moves in direction B thereby transmitting a second force F2 tosecond slide 25 in a dampened way, because of thedamper 11. Whenspring 10 has almost fully relaxed,projection 26a of thethird slide 26 abutsprojection 25b of thesecond slide 25 and pushesprojection 25c of thesecond slide 25 to the left part of the rail (not shown), removingsecond slide 25 from theactuating element 29. When thehandle 6 is released remote fromfirst slide 24,first slide 24 moves in directionB bringing projection 24a back to hook behindprojection 25a of thesecond slide 25 again, bringing theoperating device 1 back in its initial position. In the grip G auser control 15 is provided to set the distance of the damper relative to the pinion rack. The dampened time can be set by moving thedamper 11 towards the end of the grip G in direction A or by moving the damper in direction.B. When thedamper 11 is moved in direction B, the distance that therack 11b andpinion 11a are connected in operation is larger therefore elongating the dispensing time and thus the dispensing amount. Consequently, when thedamper 11 is moved in direction A, the damping time will be shorter, therefore dispensing a smaller amount of food ingredient. -
Figs. 2e and2f show adamper 11 displaced in direction A and a damper displaced in direction B, respectively. As can be seen, theuser control 15 can be set by, for example, a screwdriver. This way of setting theuser control 15 discourages users to set the user control themselves. Setting theuser control 15 can be reserved for certain users. -
Fig. 3a shows a schematic view of a third embodiment andfig. 3b shows a cross sectional view of said third embodiment. Anoperating device 1 comprises aframe 5 holding acontainer 2 with aid ofconnection elements 23. Theframe 5 further comprises ahandle 6, aknob actuator 7 and anintermediate mechanism 8 arranged for keeping theknob 4 in a depressed state for a fixed time after actuating the user interface, i.e. thehandle 6. - In order to release content such as food ingredient, from the
container 2, thecontainer knob 4 has to be depressed to open a valve (not shown) of thecontainer 2. Thecontainer knob 4 is biased in the non-depressed state and has to be actuated to depress. Thecontainer knob 4 is brought into said depressed state by transmitting a first force F1 to thecontainer knob 4 in a direction substantially parallel to a depressing direction D, wherein the first force F1 is transmitted in one go. The first force F1 is created by operating thehandle 6, thereby storing energy in an energy-storing element,spring 9. Whenhandle 6 is moved into the operating direction O, handlepart 6b moves an air pump part,plunger 16a of theair pump 16 into direction A (indicated by arrow A). The air that is situated in theair pump room 16b is pushed out of theair pump room 16b through aline 30 intoair cylinder room 11c of theair cylinder 11.Plunger 17 that is connected to thespring 9 consequently moves in direction A pulling thespring 9, therefore storing energy in saidspring 9. The other end ofspring 9 is connected to anend part 7a of theknob actuator 7. Theknob actuator 7 stays in place because of thelocking mechanism 12. Thelocking mechanism 12 comprises anaperture 13, for instance a tapered aperture and a lockingelement 14, for instance a locking pin or a locking ball. In non-operated state, the lockingpin 14 is engaging theaperture 13 with a locking force FL. When the first force F1 exceeds the locking force FL, thelocking mechanism 12 is released and then thespring 9 releases its stored energy. Consequently, theknob actuator 7 moves in direction A, thereby actuating thecontainer knob 4 in one go, thecontainer knob 4 opens a valve (not shown) and the content of thecontainer 2 leaves thecontainer 2 vianozzle 3a. - During the release of energy of the
spring 9, energy is stored in a second energy-storing element,spring 10.Spring 10 is provided aroundknob actuator 7 and is connected to theknob actuator 7 near thelocking mechanism 14. The other end of thespring 10 rests against aframe part 5a, theframe part 5a slidably receiving the end ofknob actuator 7a. Thecontainer knob 4 is brought back in the non-depressed state by transmitting a second force F2 to the knob actuator, creating a resultant force FR on thecontainer knob 4 in a direction substantially opposite to the depressing direction (arrow D) of saidcontainer knob 4. The second force F2 is created by storing energy inspring 10 and thereafter releasing that energy in a dampened way with aid of atimer device 11, the air cylinder. The air that is pumped intoair cylinder room 11c slowly leaks out of the room again thereby enablingspring 10 to moveplunger 17 in direction B and consequently movingknob actuator 7 in direction B. The operatingdevice 1 can provide a user control to regulate the dampened way. The control is able to lengthen the damping time so that a larger fixed amount of food ingredient will be dispensed every time the handle is actuated. But the control can also shorten the damping time to dispense a smaller amount of food ingredient. The user control can for instance be arranged as a device to vary the length of theair cylinder 11. The user control can also be a device to slide the end of thehandle part 6b that is connected to handle 6 along thehandle 6 to vary the stroke of theair pump 16. Themechanism 8 of the operating device container assembly as shown infigure 3b is adapted tot actuate thecontainer knob 4 when theuser interface 6 is operated, thereby always dispensing a fixed amount, regardless theuser interface 6 is kept in operating position or released after operating. Consequently, for dispensing more food ingredient than the fixed amount, it is necessary to operate thehandle 6 again. -
Fig. 4a shows a schematic view of a fourth embodiment andfig 4b shows a cross sectional view of said fourth embodiment. Anoperating device 1 comprises aframe 5 holding acontainer 2 with aid ofconnection elements 23. Theframe 5 further comprises ahandle 6, aknob actuator 7 and anintermediate mechanism 8 arranged for keeping theknob 4 in a depressed state for a fixed time after actuating the user interface, i.e. thehandle 6 that is provided on a grip G. The grip G enables the user to hold theoperating device 1 with thenozzle 3a pointing downwards, already in stand-by for releasing content. - To actuate the
container knob 4, thehandle 6 is moved in operating direction O (indicated by arrow O) with a user force Fu. Handlepart 6b is on one end connected to handle 6 and with the other end to theknob actuator 7. Thehandle part 6b moves theknob actuator 7 in direction A due to the operatedhandle 6. Consequently,plunger 16a ofair pump 16 will move in direction O as well thereby depressing the first energy-storing element,spring 9 that stores energy. When thehandle 6 is in operated state, alocking mechanism 12 locks thehandle 6 so that thecontainer 2 keeps on dispensing content. This means that the user has to push thehandle 6 far enough to enable thelocking mechanism 12 to lock. - The
locking mechanism 12 comprises anaperture 13, for instance a tapered aperture like a V-groove and a lockingelement 14, for instance a locking ball. The lockingelement 14 is engaging theaperture 13 with a locking force FL. When theplunger 16a moves in direction O, air from theair pump room 16b moves vialine 30 to theair cylinder room 11c of thetimer device 11. Theplunger 11d of the air cylinder moves towards apart 14a of the locking mechanism, thereby storing energy in asecond spring 10 and pushing lockingelement 14 with force FL in theaperture 13.Air cylinder room 11c comprises alittle aperture 11e, which enables the air to leave theroom 11c. When air is leaving theroom 11c, the force FL slowly decreases because theplunger 11d is moving from thelocking mechanism part 14a, thereby loosening the connection of the lockingelement 14 and the lockingaperture 13. When the first force F1 exceeds the locking force FL, thelocking mechanism 12 releases and thehandle 6 will return to its initial position due to force F1. Thecontainer knob 4 is then brought back to a non-depressed state, closing the valve and stopping the release of content from thecontainer 2. In this embodiment of the invention, themechanism 8 is adapted to actuate thecontainer knob 4 when thehandle 6 is operated, thereby dispensing a fixed amount when thehandle 6 is released after operating or continuing to dispense when thehandle 6 is kept in operating position, wherein the dispensing stops when thehandle 6 is released. If a desired amount to be dispensed is larger than the fixed amount that is set, the user can keep thehandle 6 in operating position. The dispensing continues until the user releases thehandle 6, releasing thespring 9 removing theknob actuator 7 from thecontainer knob 4, thecontainer knob 4 moving in a direction opposite the depressing direction D. -
Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of fifth embodiment that is based on the same mechanism as the fourth embodiment. However, in this embodiment, thetimer device 11 is a damper like the one that is provided in the first embodiment andspring 9 is connected to arack 11b that engages to pinion 11a that is connected tot the damper. It is clear that atimer device 11 can be constructed in different ways obtaining similar mechanical effects, for example shown infig. 6 . -
Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of a sixth embodiment that is based on the same mechanism as the fourth embodiment as well. This mechanism is provided with amill timer device 11. During actuating thehandle 6, the mill winds up. When thehandle 6 is released themill 11 starts turning and due to the resistance a certain time passes before themechanism 8 brings thecontainer knob 4 back in the non-depressed state, therefore defining the fixed amount of released food content. -
Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the aerosol container according to the invention. Theaerosol container 2 comprises acontainer housing 2a and a semi-sphericaltop part 2c. In thistop part 2c a valve is provided to release the content of thecontainer 2. This valve can have a depressible plunger (not shown) to engage on the valve.Container 2 comprises a ring member (not shown) extending around said valve, on which adispensing cap 3, preferably a plastic cap is mountable.Dispensing cap 3 is integrally formed for example by injection moulding. The dispensingcap 3 comprises abase part 18a and anupper part 18b.Upper part 18b is pivotable aboutpivot point 19. The upper part can also be hingedly connected to the base part for instance with a film hinge. Thecontainer 2 further comprises a dispensingcap 3 with acontainer knob 4 and anozzle 3a. The dispensingcap 3 is further provided with positioning means 20 for removably interlocking theaerosol container 2 to anoperating device 1. The positioning means 20 comprise at least one of a male 21' and a female part 22' for connecting to a counterpart provided on the operating device (not shownfig. 6 ). Themale part 21' preferably is provided on thenozzle 3a of the dispensingcap 3 and the female part 22' is provided in thecontainer knob 4, themale part 21' and the female part 22' being arranged on opposite sides of the dispensingcap 3. - In
fig. 8 a perspective view of a dispensingcap 3 is shown. The dispensingcap 3 is adapted to be used on an aerosol container, the dispensingcap 3 having abase part 18a for being mountable on acontainer 2 and anupper part 18b comprising aknob 4 and anozzle 3a.Upper part 18b is pivotable aboutpivot point 19. The upper part can also be hingedly connected to the base part for instance with a film hinge. The dispensingcap 3 further comprises positioning means 20 for removably interlocking an aerosol container to an operating device. The positioning means 20 are provided with at least one of a male 21' and female part 22' for connecting to acounterpart -
Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a detail of a dispensingcap 3 connected to an operating device. It is shown that the positioning means 20 of the dispensingcap 3 interlock with the male 21 and female 22 part of the positioning means 20 of the operating device. Themale part 21 provided on theknob actuator 7 and thefemale part 22 provided in thetop part 23a of thesupport 23. - Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various changes or modifications may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
Claims (24)
- Method for dispensing a food ingredient from an aerosol container (2), the container (2) having a container knob (4) which in a depressed state opens a valve of the container (2) for dispensing the content of the container (2) and in a non-depressed state releases said valve into a closed condition, the container knob (4) being biased in the non-depressed state, wherein for dispensing a fixed amount of food ingredient from the container (2) each time, the container (2) is connected with an operating device (1), wherein the method is characterized in that the operating device comprises a user interface (6) arranged for being brought from a first position to an actuated position by manual force, a knob actuator (7) for actuating the container knob (4) upon actuation of the user interface (6) and an intermediate mechanism (8) comprising force and movement transmitting elements and energy-storing elements of a mechanical nature only, operatively arranged between the user interface (6) and the container knob actuator (7) for controlling the knob actuator (7) and for keeping the knob (4) in a depressed state for a fixed time after actuating the user interface (6).
- Method according to claim 1, wherein said force and movement transmitting elements are chosen from the group consisting of slides, levers rack and pinions, gears, friction couplings, dampers, air pumps and air cylinders.
- Method according to any of claims 1-2, wherein said energy-storing elements are chosen from the group consisting of mechanical springs, gas springs and hydraulic springs.
- Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said container knob (4) is brought into said depressed state by transmitting a first force (F1) to the knob actuator (7) which transmits said first force (F1) to the container knob (4) in a direction substantially parallel to a depressing direction (D), wherein the first force (F1) is transmitted in one go.
- Method according to claim 4, wherein the first force (F1) is created by operating the user interface (6) thereby storing energy in an energy-storing element (9) and releasing the energy when a locking mechanism (12) is released.
- Method according to claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism (12) comprises an aperture (13), for instance a tapered aperture and a locking element (14), for instance a locking pin or a locking ball, wherein the locking element (14) is engaging the aperture (13) with a locking force (FL).
- Method according to at least claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism (12) is released when the first force (F1) exceeds the locking force (FL).
- Method according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the container knob (4) is brought back in the non-depressed state by transmitting a second force (F2) to release the knob actuator (7) from the first force (F1) and thereby releasing the container knob (4) from the first force (F1), the container knob moving in a direction substantially opposite to the depressing direction of said container knob (4).
- Method according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the container knob (4) is brought back in the non-depressed state by transmitting a second force (F2) to the knob actuator (7), creating a resultant force (FR) on the container knob (4) in a direction substantially opposite to the depressing direction of said container knob (4).
- Method according to claim 9, wherein the second force (F2) is created by operating the user interface (6) thereby storing energy in a second energy-storing element (10) and thereafter releasing the energy in a dampened way.
- Method according to any of claims 5-10, wherein the energy is stored in the first energy-storing element (9) substantially at the same time as the energy is stored in the second energy-storing element (10).
- Method according to at least claim 10, wherein a timer device (11) that is provided in the mechanism (8) is controlled by a user to regulate said dampened way.
- Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanism (8) is adapted to actuate the container knob (4) when the user interface (6) is operated, thereby always dispensing a fixed amount, regardless the user interface (6) is kept in operating position or released after operating.
- Method according to any of claims 1-13, wherein the mechanism (8) is adapted to actuate the container knob (4) when the user interface (6) is operated, thereby dispensing a fixed amount when the user interface (6) is released after operating or continuing to dispense when the user interface (6) is kept in operating position, wherein the dispensing stops when the user interface (6) is released.
- Operating device for an aerosol container, for use in a method according to any of claims 1-14, the container (2), containing a food ingredient, having a container knob (4) which in a depressed state opens a valve of the container (2) for dispensing the content of the container (2) and in a non-depressed state releases said valve into a closed condition, the container knob (4) being biased in the non-depressed state, the operating device comprising:- connection elements (23) for releaseably connecting said container (2) to the operating device (1); the device characterized in that is further comprises:- a user interface (6) arranged for being brought from a first position to an actuated position by manual force,- a container knob actuator (7) for actuating the container knob (4) upon actuation of the user interface (6);- an intermediate mechanism (8) comprising force and movement transmitting elements and energy-storing elements of a mechanical nature only, the mechanism being operatively arranged between the user interface (6) and the container knob actuator (7) for controlling the knob actuator and for depressing the container knob (4) and for keeping the container knob (4) in a depressed state for a fixed period of time.
- An operating device according to claim 15, wherein the force and movement transmitting elements are chosen from the group consisting of slides, levers, rack and pinions, gears, friction couplings, dampers, air pumps and air cylinders.
- An operating device according to any of claims 15-16, wherein the energy-storing elements are chosen from the group consisting of mechanical springs, gas springs and hydraulic springs.
- An operating device according to any of claims 15-17, wherein the mechanism (8) comprises an energy-storing element (9) for storing energy when the user interface (6) is operated and releasing energy.
- An operating device according to at least claim 18, wherein the mechanism (8) comprises a locking mechanism (12) adapted for releasing energy from the energy-storing element (9) in one go.
- An operating device according to claim 19, wherein the locking mechanism (12) comprises an aperture (13), for instance a tapered aperture and a locking element (14), for instance a locking pin of a locking ball, adapted to engage in the aperture (13) with a locking force (FL).
- An operating device according to any of claims 15-20, wherein the mechanism (12) further comprises a second energy-storing element (10) which is adapted to store and release energy and create a second force (F2) to obtain a resultant force (FR) on the container knob (4) in a substantially opposite depressing direction.
- An operating device according to any of claims 15-21, wherein the mechanism (8) further comprises a timer device (11) to release the energy from the second energy-storing element (10) in a dampened way.
- An operating device according to claim 22, wherein the timer device (11) comprises a user control (15) to regulate said dampened way.
- An aerosol container operating device assembly, comprising an aerosol container (2) connected to an operating device (1) according to any of the claims 15-23, wherein the assembly is adapted for dispensing a fixed amount of food content from said aerosol container (2).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PL05822969T PL1976775T3 (en) | 2005-12-21 | 2005-12-21 | Method for dispensing content from an aerosol container and operating device for carrying out such a method, an assembly, an aerosol container and a dispensing cap |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/NL2005/000880 WO2007073148A1 (en) | 2005-12-21 | 2005-12-21 | Method for dispensing content from an aerosol container and operating device for carrying out such a method, an assembly, an aerosol container and a dispensing cap |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1976775A1 EP1976775A1 (en) | 2008-10-08 |
EP1976775B1 true EP1976775B1 (en) | 2010-07-21 |
Family
ID=36677123
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP05822969A Active EP1976775B1 (en) | 2005-12-21 | 2005-12-21 | Method for dispensing content from an aerosol container and operating device for carrying out such a method, an assembly, an aerosol container and a dispensing cap |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1976775B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE474797T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602005022509D1 (en) |
DK (1) | DK1976775T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2349473T3 (en) |
PL (1) | PL1976775T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007073148A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9108782B2 (en) | 2012-10-15 | 2015-08-18 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Dispensing systems with improved sensing capabilities |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130068788A1 (en) | 2011-09-19 | 2013-03-21 | Thomas P. Gasper | Spray Dispenser |
DE202012008778U1 (en) | 2012-09-13 | 2012-10-18 | Herbafood Ingredients Gmbh | Holding device for a hand-operated foamer |
BE1024437B9 (en) * | 2016-10-24 | 2018-06-06 | Giuseppe Pascariello | Universal device for the active cooling or heating and distribution of food from aerosol cans |
WO2019067418A1 (en) * | 2017-09-27 | 2019-04-04 | Dippin' Dots, L.L.C. | Whipped ice cream mix |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4570824A (en) * | 1983-09-12 | 1986-02-18 | Yvonne Bolling | Doorbell actuated air freshener |
JP4272797B2 (en) * | 2000-04-11 | 2009-06-03 | 株式会社ダイゾー | Aerosol products |
US20040188473A1 (en) * | 2003-03-25 | 2004-09-30 | Groh David M. | Hand-held product dispensers having pressurized delivery |
-
2005
- 2005-12-21 AT AT05822969T patent/ATE474797T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-12-21 DK DK05822969.1T patent/DK1976775T3/en active
- 2005-12-21 DE DE602005022509T patent/DE602005022509D1/en active Active
- 2005-12-21 EP EP05822969A patent/EP1976775B1/en active Active
- 2005-12-21 PL PL05822969T patent/PL1976775T3/en unknown
- 2005-12-21 ES ES05822969T patent/ES2349473T3/en active Active
- 2005-12-21 WO PCT/NL2005/000880 patent/WO2007073148A1/en active Application Filing
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9108782B2 (en) | 2012-10-15 | 2015-08-18 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Dispensing systems with improved sensing capabilities |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DK1976775T3 (en) | 2010-10-25 |
ATE474797T1 (en) | 2010-08-15 |
WO2007073148A1 (en) | 2007-06-28 |
DE602005022509D1 (en) | 2010-09-02 |
PL1976775T3 (en) | 2011-04-29 |
ES2349473T3 (en) | 2011-01-03 |
EP1976775A1 (en) | 2008-10-08 |
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