AU2018238194A1

AU2018238194A1 - An actuator cap

Info

Publication number: AU2018238194A1
Application number: AU2018238194A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael Martin; David SEYCHELL
Original assignee: TROUPERDALE Pty Ltd
Current assignee: TROUPERDALE Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2017-03-22
Filing date: 2018-03-22
Publication date: 2019-09-26
Also published as: WO2018170551A1; PE20191623A1; BR112019019794A2

Abstract

Provided is an actuator cap for an aerosol canister that includes a base that defines a longitudinal axis and is for engaging an end portion of the aerosol canister, a control member hingedly mounted to the base at a pivot point, and a first locking element for retaining the control member in the activated position. The control member is configured for internal pivotable movement relative to the base from a retracted position at which the control member is not engaged with the first locking element to an activated position at which the control member engages the first locking element. An aerosol canister including the aforementioned actuator cap and methods of using same are also provided.

Description

AN ACTUATOR CAP

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an actuator cap for aerosol cans. More particularly, the invention relates to actuator cap for aerosol cans for the inflation of borehole plugs.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Any reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

In mining for minerals and other elements, the removal of earth to gain access to these elements is required. Typically the ground is competent and difficult to remove, and explosives have been used to make this process easier. These explosives must be placed in the ground and so a plurality of boreholes are drilled and charged with explosives. These explosive charges are commonly supported within the borehole at a desired depth by an inflatable plug. Inflatable borehole plugs usually comprise a sealed gas tight flexible bag containing a source of pressurized fluid which, when actuated has a time delay property to enable the flexible bag to be lowered into a borehole to a predetermined depth before expanding against the borehole wall to form a deck.

Typically the source of pressurized fluid comprises an aerosol canister with a conventional valve stem and a mechanical actuator which, when actuated, holds the valve in an open position to discharge the entire contents of the canister in a manner similar to insecticide “bombs” or other aerosol fumigants. One form of actuator cap for controlling discharge of an aerosol canister is described in AU2007216888. The arrangement disclosed therein relies upon the use of a valve control mechanism that includes a control member transversely positioned to the canister. This control member is transversely slidable relative to

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PCT/AU2018/050264 the canister so as to engage the discharge nozzle and effect discharge of the canisters contents. The sliding control member, however, has an inherent problem when subjected to extremes in environmental temperature commonly encountered on mine sites. By way of example, under hot conditions, the pedestal of the valve may protrude as a result of the increased internal pressure of the canister and subsequently engage the underside of the sliding control member and thereby expelling the contents of the canister. Additionally, under cold conditions the ease with which a user actuates the slidable control member may be adversely affected such that it is more difficult to push in and activate the canister to discharge its contents.

Accordingly, an actuator cap that overcomes or at least ameliorates some of the above disadvantages is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest aspect, the invention resides in an actuator cap for an aerosol canister comprising:

a base for engaging an end portion of the aerosol canister, the base further defining a longitudinal axis;

a control member hingedly mounted to the base at a pivot point; and a first locking element for retaining the control member in the activated position, wherein the control member is configured for internal pivotable movement relative to the base from a retracted position at which the control member is not engaged with the first locking element to an activated position at which the control member engages the first locking element.

In one embodiment, the control member comprises a base wall angularly attached to an outer wall so as to define an angled juncture therebetween, the angled juncture hingedly mounted to the base at the pivot point.

Suitably, the actuator cap of the present aspect further comprises a second locking element for retaining the control member in a primed position

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PCT/AU2018/050264 adjacent the activated position, wherein the second locking element prevents or inhibits external pivotable movement of the control member while allowing for internal pivotable movement thereof to the activated position. Preferably, the second locking element comprises a pair of second locking elements disposed at spaced positions on the base and between which is disposed the first locking element.

In one embodiment, the first and/or second locking elements are positioned on the base opposite the control member.

In certain embodiments, the first and/or second locking elements extend axially from a projection extending inwardly from the base.

Suitably, the first and/or second locking elements include a hooked portion for engaging an end portion of the control member when in the respective activated and/or primed positions. Preferably, the end portion of the control member comprises a lip portion adapted to receive the hooked portion of the first and/or second locking elements.

Suitably, the control member further comprises a recessed portion positioned to engage a discharge nozzle of the aerosol canister when the control member is internally pivoted to the activated position. Preferably, the recessed portion is recessed from an outer surface of the base wall.

In one embodiment, the control member comprises an aperture configured to substantially overlie an outlet of the aerosol canister upon internal pivotable movement thereof to the activated position.

In particular embodiments, the actuator cap of the present aspect further comprises a skirt extending axially from the base, said skirt extending around a portion of the base so as to define a pair of free ends between which is disposed the control member and the pivot point.

Suitably, the actuator cap is of a unitary structure.

In a second aspect, the invention resides in an aerosol dispenser for inflation of a borehole plug comprising:

an aerosol canister including a discharge nozzle at an end portion thereof and having an outlet, wherein the discharge nozzle is biased to a closed position; and

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PCT/AU2018/050264 an actuator cap including:

a base engaged to the end portion of the aerosol canister and defining a longitudinal axis;

a control member hingedly mounted to the base at a pivot point; and a first locking element for retaining the control member in the activated position, wherein the control member is configured for internal pivotable movement relative to the base from a retracted position at which the control member is not engaged with the discharge nozzle to an activated position at which the control member engages the discharge nozzle to move said discharge nozzle to an open position and facilitate discharging of the aerosol canister.

Suitably, the actuator cap is that of the first aspect.

In a third aspect, the invention resides in a method of inflating a borehole plug, including the steps of:

(a) providing an aerosol canister having an actuator cap operably connected thereto, said actuator cap comprising:

a base for engaging an end portion of the aerosol canister, the end portion including a discharge nozzle having an outlet, wherein the discharge nozzle is biased to a closed position, the base further defining a longitudinal axis;

a control member hingedly mounted to the base at a pivot point and configured for internal pivotable movement relative to the base from a retracted position at which the control member is not engaged with the discharge nozzle to an activated position at which the control member engages the discharge nozzle to move said discharge nozzle to an open position; and a first locking element for retaining the control member in the activated position (b) placing the aerosol canister within the inflatable borehole plug;

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PCT/AU2018/050264 (c) actuating the control member of the actuator cap to the activated position to thereby actuate the discharge nozzle to an open position and activate discharge of the aerosol canister so as to inflate the borehole plug.

Suitably, the actuator cap is that of the first aspect.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To assist in understanding the invention and to enable a person skilled in the art to put the invention into practical effect, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an actuator cap of the invention;

FIG 2 is a further perspective view of the actuator cap of Figure 1;

FIG 3 is a further perspective view of the actuator cap of Figure 1;

FIG 4 is a further perspective view of the actuator cap of Figure 1; and

FIG 5 is a further perspective view of the actuator cap of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention reside primarily in an actuator cap. Accordingly, the actuator cap has been illustrated in concise schematic form in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are necessary for understanding the embodiments of the present invention, but so as to not obscure the disclosure with excessive detail that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present description.

In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or

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PCT/AU2018/050264 action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual relationship or order. Words such as “comprises” or “includes” are intended to define a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an actuator cap that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed, including elements that are inherent to such an arrangement or method. Further, it will be appreciated that the indefinite articles “a” and “an” are not to be read as singular indefinite articles or as otherwise excluding more than one or more than a single subject to which the indefinite article refers.

Referring to FIG 1 there is a shown an actuator cap 100 having a unitary structure adapted to be mounted on an aerosol canister to control the discharge from the discharge nozzle thereof. The actuator cap 100 includes a hollow or open ended cylindrical base 110 which is configured to be able to be rigidly and reversibly mounted to the upper rim of an aerosol canister. To this end, it is envisaged that the actuator cap 100 is of dimensions to be operably coupled to one or more of the various designs of aerosol canister known in the art that include a standard aerosol gas release valve disposed in the upper end wall or pedestal of the body of the canister. To this end, the upper end wall of the canister typically includes a rim which surrounds the release valve for reversibly receiving and engaging the cylindrical base 110 of the actuator cap 100.

The actuator cap 100 further includes a triangular prism-shaped control member 120 comprising a base wall 121 having a first end 121a and a second end 121b and a planar outer wall 122 extending substantially perpendicularly from the first end 121a of the base wall 121 so as to define a substantially right angled juncture 123 therebetween. As can be observed in Figures 1 to 5, the right angled juncture 123 between the base wall 121 and the outer wall 122 is hingedly or pivotably connected to an outer edge portion of the cylindrical base 110 at a pivot point 130 so as to allow for pivotable movement of the control member 120 relative to the cylindrical base 110 between open, primed and activated positions, as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 respectively. The actuator cap 100 is preferably composed of a resiliently deformable material, including suitable plastic materials as are known in the art, like polypropylene, such that

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PCT/AU2018/050264 the control member 120 is resiliently biased towards the open position by the pivot point 130. From the embodiment provided in Figures 1 to 5, the control member 120 further includes a pair of opposed side walls 124a-b connecting outer edge portions of the base wall 121 and the outer wall 122 so as to define an opening therebetween.

In referring to the Figures, the base wall 121 further includes a recessed portion 126 disposed therein. The recessed portion 126 is recessed from an outer surface 121c of the base wall 121 and positioned adjacent an end portion of the second end 121b thereof so as to define a semicircular or triangular step or lip 127 at a portion of a free end 128 of the base wall 121. As provided in Figures 1 to 5, the recessed portion 126 includes a bottom portion 126a being substantially planar and having a through-hole or aperture 129 therein, which is configured to be aligned with or overlie the opening of a valve of an associated aerosol canister (not shown) upon movement of the control member 120 to the activated position.

The actuator cap 100 further includes an outer skirt 140 proximally or axially extending from a portion the cylindrical base 110. The skirt 140 circumferentially extends around a substantial portion of the outer diameter of the cylindrical base 110 so as to define a pair of free ends 141a-b thereof, between which is disposed the control member 120 and the pivot point 130. As illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, respective end portions of the skirt 140 flare outwardly so to define a pair of opposed skirt wall portions, between which is defined a space to allow for uninterrupted pivotal movement of the control member 120 therein. The skirt 140 is suitably of dimensions to inhibit or prevent accidental pivotal movement of the control member 120, such as during transport, from the open or primed position to the activated position.

As can be observed in Figures 1 to 5, the actuator cap 100 further comprises a semi-circular planar projection 150 extending radially inward from a portion of the base 110. Extending axially or upwardly from the upper surface of the projection 150 are a pair of first latch elements 160,170, which are at spaced

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PCT/AU2018/050264 positions along an inner edge portion of the projection 150 and positioned opposite the control member 120. Each of the first latch elements 160, 170 includes a respective hook portion 161, 171 at a distal end thereof adapted to slide over and engage a respective portion of the free end 128 of the base wall 121 when the control member 120 is internally pivoted to the primed position. To this end, the respective hook portions 161, 171 of first latch elements 160, 170 will be caused to abut or bear on outer surface 121c of the base wall 121 of the control member 120 as a result of the resilient biasing of the control member 120 to the open position. To this end, the first latch elements 160, 170 act to retain the control member 120 in the primed position (i.e., prevent external pivotable movement of the control member 120 to the open position), but allow for further internal (i.e., inward and/or downward) pivotable movement of the control member 120 to the activated position. In this regard, each of the first latch elements 160, 170 include a first portion 162, 172 and a second portion 163, 173 said second portion 163, 173 angularly disposed relative to said first portion 162, 172 so as to allow for passage of the control member 120 from the primed to the activated position without further contacting the first latch elements 160, 170.

Disposed between the pair of first latch elements 160, 170 is a second latch element 180 extending axially or upwardly from the projection 150. As can be observed from Figures 1 to 5, the second latch element 180 is shorter in height and wider in dimension than each of the first latch elements 160, 170, such that further internal pivotal movement imparted on the control member 120 results in the control member 120 disengaging from the first latch elements 160, 170 and the lip 127 subsequently contacting and sliding over a leading face of a hook portion 181 of the second latch element 180 and then underneath so as to abut a lower surface of the hook portion 181 and be engaged thereby and retained in the activated position.

With respect to the first and second latch elements 160, 170, 180, it is envisaged that other locking means or locking elements, such as pawl elements, cam locks, locking rods or bars, that are configured to abut and/or engage the control member 120, may be used as alternatives or in addition to said latch

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PCT/AU2018/050264 elements 160, 170, 180 when retaining said control member 120 in the primed and/or activated positions.

Upon the control member 120 being internally pivoted to the activated position, an inner channel 126c provided in an inner surface 126b of the bottom portion 126a of the recessed portion 126 contacts and exerts downward pressure on the nozzle of the release valve of the associated aerosol canister (not shown). It will be appreciated that the release valve of an aerosol canister generally includes a tubular nozzle open at its upper end and associated with a valve element disposed within the upper end wall of the canister which is operably coupled to a valve seat further provided therein. Typically, the valve and nozzle are biased upwardly by a spring element within the canister such that the valve interacts with the valve seat to keep it in closed position and in so doing define a deactivated state. When the nozzle is contacted and depressed by internal pivotable movement of the control member 120 against the action of the spring element, the valve element disengages from the valve seat, thereby allowing the contents of the aerosol canister, which comprises a pressurized or liquefied gas or similar, to pass through the open upper end of the nozzle. As noted earlier, release of the contents from the aerosol canister is further facilitated by the aperture 129, which is configured to overlie the opening of the nozzle when the control member 120 has been internally pivoted to the activated position.

In use, the actuator cap 100 is attached to a suitable aerosol canister as required. Prior to use, the control member 120 is preferably in the primed position so as to not only allow for easy actuation to the activated position, but also to inhibit or prevent accidental activation by virtue of the encompassing skirt 140. The aerosol canister together with the actuator cap 100 may then be placed into a bag which is subsequently closed or sealed that would be understood to comprise the borehole plug. Prior to lowering the borehole plug into a borehole, the control member 120 of the actuator cap 100 is manipulated through the flexible sides of the still deflated borehole plug by a user to pivotably move the control member 120 from the primed position to the activated position. The

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PCT/AU2018/050264 borehole plug is then inserted into the borehole to fall freely with the second latch element 180 ensuring that the control member 120 is retained in the activated position and by extension the discharge nozzle remains depressed thereby so that discharge from the aerosol canister continues until it is exhausted.

One particular advantage of the above described embodiment is that it allows for single-handed activation of the actuator cap 100 and subsequent discharge of the aerosol canister. A further advantage of the present embodiment is that if the valve stem of the canister to which the actuator cap 100 is engaged rises under hot conditions or lowers under cold conditions, there is typically sufficient flexibility in the position of the control member 120 when in the primed position to allow for this up and down movement of the valve stem with such temperature changes without activating the aerosol canister to discharge its contents.

The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

Claims

1. An actuator cap for an aerosol canister comprising:

2. The actuator cap of Claim 1, wherein the control member comprises a base wall angularly attached to an outer wall so as to define an angled juncture therebetween, the angled juncture hingedly mounted to the base a the pivot point.

3. The actuator cap of Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising a second locking element for retaining the control member in a primed position adjacent the activated position, wherein the second locking element prevents or inhibits external pivotable movement of the control member while allowing for internal pivotable movement thereof to the activated position.

4. The actuator cap of Claim 3, wherein the second locking element comprises a pair of second locking elements disposed at spaced positions on the base and between which is disposed the first locking element.

5. The actuator cap of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or second locking elements are positioned on the base substantially opposite the control member.

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6. The actuator cap of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or second locking elements extend axially from a projection extending inwardly from the base.

7. The actuator cap of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or second locking elements include a hooked portion for engaging an end portion of the control member when in the respective activated and/or primed positions.

8. The actuator cap of Claim 7, wherein the end portion of the control member comprises a lip portion adapted to receive the hooked portion of the first and/or second locking elements.

9. The actuator cap of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control member further comprises a recessed portion positioned to engage a discharge nozzle of the aerosol canister when the control member is internally pivoted to the activated position.

10. The actuator cap of Claim 9, wherein the recessed portion is recessed from an inner surface of the base wall.

11. The actuator cap of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control member comprises an aperture configured to substantially overlie an outlet of the aerosol canister upon internal pivotable movement thereof to the activated position.

12. The actuator cap of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a skirt extending axially from the base, said skirt extending around a portion of the base so as to define a pair of free ends between which is disposed the control member and the pivot point thereof.

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13. The actuator cap of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator cap is of a unitary structure.

14. An aerosol dispenser for inflation of a borehole plug comprising:

an aerosol canister including a discharge nozzle at an end portion thereof and having an outlet, wherein the discharge nozzle is biased to a closed position;

an actuator cap including:

15. The aerosol canister of Claim 14, wherein the actuator cap is that of any one of Claims 1 to 13.

16. A method of inflating a borehole plug, including the steps of:

a control member hingedly mounted to the base at a pivot point and configured for internal pivotable movement relative to the base

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PCT/AU2018/050264 from a retracted position at which the control member is not engaged with the discharge nozzle to an activated position at which the control member engages the discharge nozzle to move said discharge nozzle to an open position; and

5 a first locking element for retaining the control member in the activated position (b) placing the aerosol canister within the inflatable borehole plug;

(c) actuating the control member of the actuator cap to the activated position to thereby actuate the discharge nozzle to an open position and activate

10 discharge of the aerosol canister so as to inflate the borehole plug.

17. The method of Claim 1, wherein the actuator cap is that of any one of Claims 1 to 13.