# US 10,478,844 B2 · Ergonomic spray actuator, a sprayer comprising the ergonomic spray actuator, and a method of freshening the air or fabric

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,478,844 B2
- Document ID: US10478844B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/945,756
- Filed: 2018-04-05
- Published: 2018-10-25
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2017-04-19
- Assignees: The Procter & Gamble Company
- Applicants: The Procter & Gamble Company
- Inventors: Matthew Stephen Bauer; Linda Magenis Girard; Laura Lynn Heilman; James Alexander Morley
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478844B2

## CPC

- B05B 11/1057: {Triggers, i.e. actuation means consisting of a single lever having one end rotating or pivoting around an axis or a hinge fixedly attached to the container, and another end directly actuated by the user}
- B05B 11/1026: {the piston being deformable and its deformation allowing opening of the outlet}
- B05B 11/1056: {comprising rotatable or articulated levers (B05B11/1053 takes precedence; lever actuated piston pumps B05B11/1009; lever actuated pumps with deformable chamber B05B11/1029)}
- B05B 11/1073: {Springs}
- B05B 12/002: {Manually-actuated controlling means, e.g. push buttons, levers or triggers (for single units B05B11/00)}
- B65D 83/18: Hand lever actuators (attached to actuator caps B65D83/206)
- B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D)
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES

## Abstract

An actuator includes a nozzle; a valve; and a trigger operatively connected with the valve, wherein the trigger comprises an elastomeric material, wherein the trigger is configured to reciprocate from a forward position to a rearward position and back to a forward position upon actuation, wherein upon actuation from a forward position to a rearward position the trigger comprises a changing moment arm.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An actuator comprising:
a nozzle;
a piston;
a trigger operatively connected with the valve, wherein the trigger comprises a first zone and a second zone, wherein the first and second zones are joined by a hinge, wherein the hinge comprises a hinge axis that the first and second zones are movable about, wherein the trigger is configured to reciprocate from a forward position to a rearward position and back to a forward position upon actuation, wherein reciprocation of the trigger causes corresponding reciprocation of the piston, the reciprocation of the piston being able to draw a liquid from a reservoir, and discharging a liquid through the nozzle; and
a mechanical stop, wherein the mechanical stop is configured to engage with the first zone of the trigger, wherein movement of the trigger from a forward position to the mechanical stop causes the first and second zones to move about a common axis, wherein movement of the trigger from the mechanical stop to the rearward position causes the first and second zones to move in opposite directions about the hinge axis.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The actuator of claim 1, wherein the hinge is a living hinge.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The actuator of claim 1, wherein the first and second zones are separate elements connected at the hinge.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A sprayer comprising the actuator of claim 1 that is operatively connected with a container.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The sprayer of claim 4 further comprising an air freshening composition or a fabric freshening composition.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A method of freshening the air or fabric comprising the steps of:
providing a sprayer of claim 1;
spraying the composition into the air or onto a surface.

### Claim 7

An actuator comprising:
a nozzle;
a valve;
a trigger operatively connected with the valve, wherein the trigger comprises a first zone and a second zone, wherein the first and second zones are connected at a hinge, wherein the trigger is configured to reciprocate from a forward position to a rearward position and back to a forward position upon actuation, wherein applying a force to the hinge in the opposite direction of actuation causes the first and second zones to move in opposite directions about the same axis.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The actuator of claim 7, wherein the hinge is a living hinge.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The actuator of claim 7, wherein the first and second zones are separate elements connected at the hinge.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The actuator of claim 7, wherein the trigger comprises a cover, wherein the cover comprises an elastomeric material that surrounds the first and second zones of the trigger.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The actuator of claim 7, wherein the trigger comprises an elastic coupler that joins the first and second zones.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

A sprayer comprising the actuator of claim 7 that is operatively connected with a container.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The sprayer of claim 12 further comprising an air freshening composition or a fabric freshening composition.

### Claim 14 (depends on 7)

A method of freshening the air or fabric comprising the steps of:
providing a sprayer of claim 7;
spraying the composition into the air or onto a surface.