Multiple spray actuator overcap
An actuator overcap for producing multiple spray patterns includes a cap having a hub with a lower surface defining a socket and an upper surface defining a chamber fluidly communicating with the socket. First and second barrels extend between the hub and a side wall of the cap to define first and second flow paths. A trigger is pivotably coupled to the cap and includes a seal support. A selector is coupled to the trigger, and includes a user-engageable pad and a seal. The seal is configured to closely fit within the hub chamber and defines a central aperture fluidly communicating with the hub chamber and a first notch extending radially outwardly from and fluidly communicating with the central aperture. The trigger and selector are pivotable with respect to the cap to place the first notch in fluid communication with one of the first and second flow paths.
1. An actuator overcap for use with a canister having a stem valve, the actuator overcap comprising:
a cap having a bottom edge configured to engage the canister, the cap including a hub having a lower surface and an upper surface, the hub lower surface defining a socket configured to engage the stem valve, the hub upper surface defining a chamber fluidly communicating with the socket, a first barrel extending between the hub and a side wall of the cap and defining a first flow path and a first discharge orifice fluidly communicating with the first flow path, and a second barrel extending between the hub and the cap side wall and defining a second flow path and a second discharge orifice fluidly communicating with the second flow path;
a trigger pivotably coupled to the cap and having a side wall, a top wall, and a boss extending through the trigger top wall, the boss having a lower edge defining a seal support; and
a selector coupled to the trigger, the selector including a user-engageable pad disposed above the trigger top wall and a seal disposed below the trigger top wall, the seal being configured to closely fit within the hub chamber, the seal further defining a central aperture fluidly communicating with the hub chamber and a first notch extending radially outwardly from and fluidly communicating with the central aperture;
wherein the trigger and selector are pivotable with respect to the cap to place the first notch in fluid communication with one of the first and second flow paths.
2. The actuator overcap of claim 1 , in which the seal support engages at least a portion of the seal so that downward pressure applied to the selector pad deflects the trigger top wall, which in turn presses the seal into engagement with the hub upper surface, thereby to energize the seal.
3. The actuator overcap of claim 1 , in which the first notch includes diametrically opposed lateral edges, and in which the seal support includes a first pair of support surfaces positioned to engage the seal adjacent the first notch lateral edges.
4. The actuator overcap of claim 1 , in which the first barrel is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the second barrel.
5. The actuator overcap of claim 1 , in which the selector further includes a second notch extending radially outwardly from and fluidly communicating with the central aperture, wherein the trigger and selector are pivotable with respect to the cap to place the second notch in fluid communication with one of the first and second flow paths.
6. The actuator overcap of claim 5 , in which the second notch includes diametrically opposed lateral edges, and in which the seal support includes a second pair of support surfaces positioned to engage the seal adjacent the second notch lateral edges.
7. The actuator overcap of claim 5 , in which the first barrel is disposed substantially parallel to the second barrel.
8. The actuator overcap of claim 1 , in which the selector is formed of a material selected from a group of selector materials consisting of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic urethane (TPU), thermoplastic rubbers (TPR), Buna-N, Neoprene, and silicone.
9. The actuator overcap of claim 1 , further comprising a nozzle insert coupled to the first discharge orifice.
10. An actuator overcap for use with a canister having a stem valve, the actuator overcap comprising:
a cap having a bottom edge configured to engage the canister, the cap including a hub having a lower surface and an upper surface, the hub lower surface defining a socket configured to engage the stem valve, the hub upper surface defining a chamber fluidly communicating with the socket, a first barrel extending between the hub and a side wall of the cap and defining a first flow path and a first discharge orifice fluidly communicating with the first flow path, and a second barrel extending between the hub and the cap side wall and defining a second flow path and a second discharge orifice fluidly communicating with the second flow path, the first barrel being disposed at an acute angle with respect to the second barrel;
a trigger pivotably coupled to the cap and having a side wall, a top wall, and a boss extending through the trigger top wall, the boss having a lower edge defining a seal support; and
a selector coupled to the trigger, the selector including a user-engageable pad disposed above the trigger top wall and a seal disposed below the trigger top wall, the seal being configured to closely fit within the hub chamber, the seal further defining a central aperture fluidly communicating with the hub chamber, and first and second notches extending radially outwardly from and fluidly communicating with the central aperture;
wherein the trigger and selector are pivotable with respect to the cap to place one of the first and second notches in fluid communication with a respective one of the first and second flow paths.
11. The actuator overcap of claim 10 , in which the seal support engages at least a portion of the seal so that downward pressure applied to the selector pad deflects the trigger top wall, which in turn presses the seal into engagement with the hub upper surface, thereby to energize the seal.
12. The actuator overcap of claim 10 , in which the first notch includes diametrically opposed lateral edges, and in which the seal support includes a first pair of support surfaces positioned to engage the seal adjacent the first notch lateral edges.
13. The actuator overcap of claim 12 , in which the second notch includes diametrically opposed lateral edges, and in which the seal support includes a second pair of support surfaces positioned to engage the seal adjacent the second notch lateral edges.
14. The actuator overcap of claim 10 , in which the selector is formed of a material selected from a group of selector materials consisting of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic urethane (TPU), thermoplastic rubbers (TPR), Buna-N, Neoprene, and silicone.
15. The actuator overcap of claim 1 , further comprising a nozzle insert coupled to the first discharge orifice.
16. An actuator overcap for use with a canister having a stem valve, the actuator overcap comprising:
a cap having a bottom edge configured to engage the canister, the cap including a hub having a lower surface and an upper surface, the hub lower surface defining a socket configured to engage the stem valve, the hub upper surface defining a hub chamber fluidly communicating with the socket, a first barrel extending between the hub and a side wall of the cap and defining a first flow path and a first discharge orifice fluidly communicating with the first flow path, and a second barrel extending between the hub and the cap side wall and defining a second flow path and a second discharge orifice fluidly communicating with the second flow path;
a trigger pivotably coupled to the cap and having a side wall, a top wall, and a boss extending through the trigger top wall, the boss having a lower edge defining a seal support; and
a selector coupled to the trigger, the selector including a user-engageable pad disposed on top of the trigger top wall and a seal disposed in the hub, the seal being configured to closely fit within the hub chamber, the seal including an upper portion and a sloped seal surface portion disposed below the upper portion, the sloped seal surface portion defining a central aperture fluidly communicating with the hub chamber and defining a notch fluidly communicating with the central aperture, the notch confined to the sloped seal surface portion of the seal, wherein the trigger and selector are pivotable with respect to the cap to place the notch in fluid communication with one of the first and second flow paths.