Aerosol valve trigger actuator

Abstract

Aerosol valve trigger actuator with a plastic shroud, a linearly acting trigger member having at least one camming surface, a fluid conduit for connection to a vertical aerosol valve stem and with at least one cam follower, the trigger actuation camming the plastic conduit and valve stem downwardly to dispense product, an elongated bendable plastic spring molded to the shroud, the trigger member having at least one rearward extension extending through at least one opening in the spring. In a first embodiment, the rearward extension is locked by one or more hooks to the free end of the plastic spring on assembly. In a second embodiment, a protrusion on the trigger locks it against removal. The plastic spring biases the trigger member forwardly on trigger release.

1 . An aerosol valve trigger actuator, comprising in combination: a plastic shroud; means for mounting the shroud in relation to an aerosol valve container having an aerosol valve; a finger engageable linearly acting trigger member extending into the shroud, said trigger member including at least one camming surface or at least one cam follower; a fluid conduit member in the shroud for connection to a valve stem of an aerosol valve, said fluid conduit having associated therewith a corresponding at least one cam follower or at least one camming surface; said camming surface and cam follower on said trigger member and said fluid conduit acting together, upon finger actuation of said trigger member toward the shroud, to lower said fluid conduit member and valve stem to dispense product from the aerosol container through the said fluid conduit; a plastic spring member integrally connected to a shroud surface; said trigger member having at least one rearward extension engaged with said spring member; whereby finger actuation of said trigger member biases said plastic spring member rearwardly, said spring member biasing said trigger member forwardly upon release of the trigger member.  
   
   
       2 . The trigger actuator of  claim 1 , wherein said plastic spring is an elongated bendable spring having first and second ends, the said spring being integrally connected to the shroud interior adjacent the first spring end and the second end being movable; said plastic spring adjacent its second end having at least one opening through which said at least one rearward extension of the trigger member extends.  
   
   
       3 . The trigger actuator of  claim 2  wherein said at least one rearward extension of the trigger member has a hook at its end locked into said at least one opening.  
   
   
       4 . The trigger actuator of  claim 2 , said trigger member having a protrusion on a surface thereof to interact with a shroud surface to prevent trigger disengagement after assembly into the actuator.  
   
   
       5 . The trigger actuator of  claim 2 , said trigger member rearward extension having a surface against which said plastic spring presses upon finger trigger actuation to bias the trigger member forwardly upon release of the trigger member.  
   
   
       6 . The trigger actuator of  claim 1 , wherein said aerosol valve is a vertically acting valve and said camming surface acts in an essentially vertical plane.  
   
   
       7 . The trigger actuator of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid conduit has an upwardly extending portion and an outwardly extending portion.  
   
   
       8 . The trigger actuator of  claim 7 , wherein said outwardly extending portion of the fluid conduit terminates and is fixed in position adjacent a nozzle, said outwardly extending portion being flexible in an up and down direction rearwardly of the nozzle.  
   
   
       9 . The trigger actuator of  claim 7 , including a locking member which in locking position restrains downward movement of the fluid conduit.  
   
   
       10 . The trigger actuator of  claim 1 , wherein said plastic spring is molded to a shroud surface.  
   
   
       11 . The trigger actuator of  claim 10 , wherein said plastic spring has a reverse curve adjacent its first end.  
   
   
       12 . The trigger actuator of  claim 1 , having two rearward extensions straddling the fluid conduit and each rearward extension containing a camming surface or a cam follower.