Activation mechanism for an aerosol dispenser

17:

• The activation mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first housing structure has a central axis and the actuation member is movable in a transverse plane relative to the central axis.

18:

• The activation mechanism as claimed in claim 17, wherein the actuation member is generally annular and arranged offset from the central axis when the activation member is in the non-triggering position.

19:

• The activation mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein the actuation member has a radially outwards extending protrusion configured to extend into the actuation member opening and wherein the actuation member narrows radially on both peripheral sides of the protrusion.

20:

• The activation mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein the actuation member is configured to be rotationally locked relative to the first housing structure.

21:

• The activation mechanism as claimed in claim 16, comprising an inner sleeve configured to be rotatably attached to the first housing structure.

22:

• The activation mechanism as claimed in claim 21, comprising a pump sleeve configured to be rotationally locked relative to the inner sleeve, wherein the pump sleeve is configured to be rotatable relative to the first housing structure and configured to move axially relative to the first housing structure and the inner sleeve, wherein the pump sleeve is configured to cooperate with the first housing structure such that rotation of the first housing structure relative to the inner sleeve causes axial displacement of the pump sleeve relative to the first housing structure and relative to the inner sleeve, the pump sleeve thereby moving from a default position to a loaded position.

23:

• The activation mechanism as claimed in claim 22, wherein the actuation member is configured to lock the pump sleeve in the loaded position, and wherein the actuation member is configured to release the pump sleeve from the loaded position when moved by the tab portion.

24:

• The activation mechanism as claimed in claim 21, wherein the inner sleeve has a radial flange surface, wherein the activation member is configured to rest on the flange surface, whereby rotation of the inner sleeve relative to the first housing structure causes movement of the activation member along the flange surface.

25:

• The activation mechanism as claimed in claim 24, wherein the flange surface has an axial recess configured to receive a portion of the activation member when the inner sleeve is rotated relative to the first housing structure, thereby allowing movement of the activation member from the non-triggering position to the triggering position.

26:

• The activation mechanism as claimed in claim 25, comprising a dose counter configured to be arranged coaxially with the first housing structure and the inner sleeve, wherein the dose counter is configured to rotate relative to the first housing structure and the inner sleeve, the dose counter having a remaining dose scale and the dose counter being provided with an axial tab configured to bear against the activation member when the remaining dose scale indicates that no further doses are available, to prevent the activation member to move from the non-triggering position to the triggering position.

27:

• The activation mechanism as claimed in claim 26, wherein the activation member has a guide heel arranged proximally relative to the axial tab, wherein the guide heel is configured to bear against the axial tab of the dose counter when the remaining dose scale indicates that no further doses are available.

28:

• The activation mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein the activation member is configured to be biased towards the triggering position.

29:

• The activation mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first housing structure is provided with an axially extending track and the activation member has wings (14) configured to run in the track to guide sliding movement of the activation member.

30:

• An aerosol dispenser comprising an activation mechanism as claimed in claim 16.

32:

• The activation mechanism of claim 31 further comprising a pump sleeve configured to be rotationally locked relative to the inner sleeve, wherein the pump sleeve rotates relative to the first housing structure and moves axially relative to both the first housing structure and the inner sleeve,

33:

• The activation mechanism of claim 32, wherein the pump sleeve is cooperates with the first housing structure such that rotation of the first housing structure relative to the inner sleeve causes axial displacement of the pump sleeve relative to the first housing structure and relative to the inner sleeve causing the pump sleeve to move from a default position to a loaded position.

34:

• The activation mechanism of claim 31, wherein the inner sleeve has a radial flange surface operatively engaged with the activation member such that rotation of the inner sleeve relative to the first housing structure causes movement of the activation member along the flange surface.

35:

• The activation mechanism of claim 34, wherein the flange surface has an axial recess that receives a portion of the activation member when the inner sleeve is rotated relative to the first housing structure, thereby allowing movement of the activation member from the non-triggering position to the triggering position.