Actuator Assembly For A Dispensing Container

Abstract

A dispensing container assembly ( 10 ) includes a container having a top end ( 14 ) at which a valve member is located, a bottom end and a circumferentially extending sidewall that is positioned between the top end and the bottom end. An actuator assembly ( 34 ) is advantageously provided for permitting actuation of the valve member by a user without requiring the user's hand or finger to be positioned immediately adjacent to the valve member and the top end of the container. The actuator assembly ( 34 ) may include a flexible elongated band ( 40 ) that is spaced outwardly from a portion of the sidewall of the container ( 12 ). The valve member is actuated by squeezing the container ( 12 ) and the flexible elongated band ( 40 ), which mechanically transmits force via the band ( 40 ) to the valve member.

1 . An actuator assembly for a dispensing container, comprising: an elongated actuating member; a valve connecting means for connecting the elongated actuating member to a valve of the container; characterised in that the elongated actuating member comprises an elongated flexible strap and the actuator assembly further comprises mounting means for mounting the elongated flexible strap to the container so that the elongated flexible strap is spaced outwardly from a portion of a sidewall of the container, wherein the actuator assembly is constructed and arranged to operate the valve member when a portion of the elongated flexible strap is displaced inwardly towards the portion of the sidewall. 
   
   
       2 . An actuator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting means is adapted such that the elongated flexible strap extends along the longitudinal axis of the container. 
   
   
       3 . An actuator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elongated flexible strap includes first and second elongated elements adapted for mounting to the opposing sides of the sidewall, the first and second elongated elements interconnected such that inward displacement of a portion of the first and second elongated elements towards the portion of the sidewall operates the valve member. 
   
   
       4 . An actuator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the actuator assembly is adapted such that inward displacement of the portion of the elongated flexible strap towards the portion of the sidewall tautens the elongated flexible strap and thereby operates the valve member. 
   
   
       5 . An actuator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elongated actuating member also comprises tensioning means that is actuatable by a user in order to tauten the elongated flexible strap prior to use. 
   
   
       6 . An actuator assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the tensioning means comprises a collar member that is slidably mountable to the sidewall such that it is located between the elongated flexible strap and the sidewall, wherein the elongated flexible strap co-operates with the collar member such that slidable movement of the collar member relative to the sidewall adjusts the tension in the elongated flexible strap. 
   
   
       7 . An actuator assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the tensioning means includes a releasable locking member movable from a first locked position to a second unlocked position, the actuator assembly constructed such that the elongated flexible strap is in a slackened state when the locking member is in the first locked position and in a taut state when the locking member is in the second unlocked position. 
   
   
       8 . An actuator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , the actuator assembly being suitable for use with a cylindrical container, wherein the mounting means is adapted to ensure that the elongated flexible strap is offset from the sidewall of the container at one or both ends of the container. 
   
   
       9 . An actuator assembly as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the actuator assembly comprises a first collar member and a second collar member, the first and second collar members mountable to the sidewall proximate opposing ends of the container such that the elongated flexible strap is stretched between the collar members to define a space between the elongated flexible strap and the sidewall. 
   
   
       10 . An actuator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a removable locking member which is beatable between the elongated flexible strap and the sidewall to inhibit accidental actuation of the elongated flexible strap and the valve member. 
   
   
       11 . A dispensing container comprising the actuator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 . 
   
   
       12 . A dispensing container as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the sidewall of the container is provided with a recessed portion, the elongated flexible strap positioned adjacent to the recessed portion such that the portion of the elongated flexible strap may be displaced inwardly into a space defined between the elongated flexible strap portion and the recessed portion. 
   
   
       13 . A dispensing container as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a dispensing attachment mounted to the container adjacent the valve member and wherein the actuator assembly is operable with the dispensing attachment in place.