Actuator cap for a fluid dispenser

Abstract

A method and actuator cap for opening a valve stem on a pressurised aerosol container, said method and actuator cap comprising the use of an actuator button that pivots about its front edge such that downward force on the rear edge of the actuation button causes an increased downward force on the valve stem, the total downward force on the valve stem being at least 10 N, characterised in that the downward force on the actuator button forces it downwards across its full length.

1 . A method for opening a valve stem on a pressurised aerosol container, said method comprising the use of an actuator button that pivots about its front edge such that downward force on the rear edge of the actuation button causes an increased downward force on the valve stem, the total downward force on the valve stem being at least 10 N, characterised in that the downward force on the actuator button forces it downwards across its full length and thereby opens the valve stem. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the downward force upon the actuation button is translated to downward force upon the valve stem via a vertical section of a spray channel, said spray channel being in fluid communication with the contents of the aerosol container when the valve stem is depressed. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the vertical section of the spray channel passes through a snugly fitting gap in a chassis sat above the valve stem. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear edge of the actuation button is raised relative to its front edge when it is depressed to cause opening of the valve stem. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivot point at the front edge of the actuator button is a sliding, rather than fixed, pivot point. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein downward pressure is exerted by a user on the rear edge of the actuator button and is translated into downward pressure on the valve stem of the associated aerosol can and is increased by 10% or greater in said translation. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the downward pressure exerted by the user on the rear edge of the actuator button is translated into downward pressure on the valve stem of the associated aerosol can and is increased by 25% or greater in said translation. 
     
     
         8 . An actuator cap for a pressurised aerosol container comprising an actuator button that, during actuation, pivots about its front edge such that downward force upon the rear edge of the actuation button is capable of causing an increased downward force of at least 10 N upon a valve stem of an associated aerosol container, the actuation button also moving downwards across its full length during actuation. 
     
     
         9 . An actuator cap according to  claim 8 , comprising a vertical section of a spray channel which translates the downward force on the actuator button into downward force on the valve stem and which is in fluid communication with the contents of the aerosol container when the valve stem is depressed. 
     
     
         10 . An actuator cap according to  claim 9 , comprising a chassis sat above the valve stem, said chassis comprising a snugly fitting gap through which the vertical section of the spray channel passes. 
     
     
         11 . An actuator cap according to any of  claims 8  to  10 , wherein the actuator button sits within a gap in an over-cap. 
     
     
         12 . An actuator cap according to  claim 11 , wherein the over-cap comprises a gap in its sidewall through which a section of the spray channel having a radial component is able to release the contents of the pressurised aerosol container when the valve stem is opened. 
     
     
         13 . An actuator cap according to any of  claims 8  to  12 , wherein the pivot point at the front edge of the actuator button is a sliding, rather than fixed, pivot point. 
     
     
         14 . An actuator cap according to  claim 13 , wherein the front edge of the actuator button typically abuts a wall, against which it is able to both pivot and slide downwards as the actuator button is depressed. 
     
     
         15 . An aerosol composition comprising a liquefied propellant contained in a pressurised aerosol container in combination with an actuator cap according to any of  claims 8  to  14 .