Operating and dispensing cap connectable to an aerosol can

Abstract

An operating and dispensing cap connectable to an aerosol can containing pressurized fluid and provided with a valve for dispensing the product contained therein, the cap being snap-fixed to the aerosol can body, and an operating pushbutton, the pushbutton containing a seat to house a hollow stem for operating the valve. The seat presenting a first lead-in region, a second region for fixing the stem by an interference fit, and a port for dispensing the product in a direction substantially aligned with the stem axis. The pushbutton being hinged in a region substantially aligned with the stem base.

1 . An operating and dispensing cap connectable to an aerosol can containing pressurized fluid and provided with a valve for dispensing the product contained therein,
 said cap being formed of plastic material by moulding and comprising a cylindrical part substantially of the same diameter as the aerosol can body and provided with means for snap-fixing the cylindrical part to the can body, and an operating pushbutton formed integrally with the cylindrical part and hinged to the cylindrical part along a hinging portion, the pushbutton comprising a seat adapted to house a hollow stem for operating the valve, said seat presenting a converging lead-in region, a region for fixing the stem by an interference fit, and a port for dispensing the product in a direction substantially aligned with the stem axis, when the cap is mounted on the aerosol can the hinging region lies between the top of the stem and said snap-fixing means.   
     
     
         2 . A cap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said hinging portion is substantially aligned with the stem base. 
     
     
         3 . A cap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the seat presents an abutment step for said stem, the distance between the plane perpendicular to the stem axis and containing said abutment step, and the plane perpendicular to the stem axis and containing the hinging portion, is between 0 and 15 mm. 
     
     
         4 . A cap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the plane perpendicular to the stem axis and containing the abutment step, and said coupling means, is between 16 and 19.5 mm. 
     
     
         5 . A cap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pushbutton assumes, in longitudinal section, a convex shape with a first portion ascending from the hinging to the dispensing port, a crest portion at said dispensing port, and a portion descending towards a knurled resting region for a user's finger. 
     
     
         6 . A cap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hinging portion is achieved by a thickness reduction of the material from which the cap and the cylindrical part are formed. 
     
     
         7 . A cap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said port presents a first section of constant diameter, and a second section which diverges outwards. 
     
     
         8 . A cap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the seat presents an abutment step for said stem, the distance between the plane perpendicular to the stem axis and containing said abutment step, and the plane perpendicular to the stem axis and containing the hinging portion, is 7±0.3 mm. 
     
     
         9 . A cap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the plane perpendicular to the stem axis and containing the abutment step, and said coupling means, is preferably 18±0.2 mm.