Tamperproof Aerosol Dispenser

Abstract

A tamperproof aerosol dispenser comprising a container for liquids, said container having a dispensing device such as a pump or valve which includes a movable part. When the movable part is actuated it effects a discharge of the liquid contents of the container. An actuator cap is mounted on the container in such a manner that it can be freely turned while still being held captive. The cap movably mounts a turnable actuator button, which is positioned in operative relation with respect to the movable part or valve of the container. The actuator button can be moved between discharge and non-discharge positions, and its movement to the discharge position requires the use of both hands of the user, one hand holding the cap body against turning movement on the container. The container and cap body have adjoining surfaces which enable these parts to be simultaneously grasped by the one hand and held against turning while the actuator button is being shifted to its discharging position. By virtue of the cap body normally having free rotation on the container there is minimized the likelihood of a child being able to actuate or operate the dispenser. Usually a child will hold the container with one hand and endeavor to operate the actuator button with the other hand as he has seen an adult do. However, this will only result in failure to cause actuation of the button, since the free turning of the cap body defeats his efforts, so that no discharge occurs. To effect a discharge, it is necessary to actuate the discharge button while the cap body is simultaneously held against turning with respect to the container (and the button). A locking device is provided in the illustrated embodiment, which becomes unlocked when this proper action is taken, after which the button may be shifted or depressed in the necessary manner to effect the discharge. After use, the user employs a reverse operation to return the actuator button to its non-discharging position which, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, constitutes a locked position wherein depressing movement of the button is prevented.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Copending application of Wolf Steiman, Ser. No. 1,343, filed Jan. 8, 1970, entitled "Locking Actuator Cap For Hand-Held Dispenser", and having common ownership with the present application.

PRIOR PATENTS

1. patent No. 3,245,588

2. Patent No. 3,253,749

3. Patent No. 3,263,868

4. Patent No. 3,276,641

5. Patent No. 3,348,740

6. Patent No. 3,367,540

7. Patent No. 3,403,823

8. Patent No. 3,422,996

9. Patent No. 3,460,719

10. Patent No. 3,474,939

BACKGROUND

In the past various types of aerosol dispenser devices have been proposed and produced, wherein the actuator button is locked in a non-discharging position, being released by turning it with one hand while holding the container with the other hand. Such action is easily done, and can be carried out readily by young children as well as by adults. Accordingly, if the aerosol dispenser contained a fluid or liquid considered to be dangerous to children, there existed a potential hazardous situation. Some types of liquids, such as oven cleaners and the like, can seriously harm a person if allowed to remain on the skin, or if sprayed in the face, etc. Prior locking-type actuator caps thus had the defect that they were not proof against unauthorized actuation or operation by a young person or child, even though they served their originally intended purpose of preventing inadvertent operation during shipping, handling, etc.

SUMMARY

The above drawbacks and disadvantages of prior locking-type dispensing devices are obviated by the present invention, which has for its object the provision of a novel and improved lockable or tamperproof dispenser which normally cannot be readily operated by a young person or small child whereby there is had a greater degree of safety than was possible by the use of prior devices of this general type. This is accomplished, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, by the provision of a locking device between a depress button and a cap body, which requires the depress button to first be turned from a locked position to an unlocked position, and by the provision of an unusual mounting means between the cap body and the container whereby the cap body is completely free to easily turn on the container while at the same time being held captive thereon. Accordingly, in order to turn the depress button relative to the cap body so as to unlock it, the user must first firmly hold the cap body itself and not merely the more easily grasped container on which the cap body is carried. For a grown person or a person with large hands this is easily accomplished by simultaneously grasping both the cap body and the container with one hand, thereby to prevent the turning of the cap body. However, with a young person or a small child, it is not readily apparent that the cap body must be prevented from turning in order to unlock the depress button. Accordingly, the child in attempting to turn the button and unlock the same, will not normally be able to do so, since no unlocking occurs in consequence of the cap body turning freely on the container as the depress button is being turned. Cooperable shoulders and lugs on the cap body and depress button are arranged to effect the aforesaid locking of the latter so as to prevent any depressing movement thereof for the locking condition.

Other features and advantages of the invention reside in the provision of an improved safety type tamperproof aerosol dispenser with locking cap as above characterized, wherein the construction of the cap body and depress button are especially simple and inexpensive, and wherein these parts may be economically molded in simple cavities, thereby to not unnecessarily increase the cost of the actuator cap. A further advantage is that the locking and unlocking of the depress button may be easily and quickly effected when the cap body is being held in the proper manner according to directions supplied with the dispenser. Therefore, no inconvenience is experienced by a user due to the incorporation of the safety device, yet there is had the added protection of a lock which cannot be easily solved or released by children of tender age.

Still other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of the upper portion of a pressurized aerosol dispenser having mounted on it the improved locking-type actuator cap, said actuator cap being shown mostly in section.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the actuator cap and dispenser of FIG. 1, with the depress button in the unlocked or capable-of-discharging position.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the actuator cap and dispenser, showing the depress button in the locked position as effected by turning it counterclockwise through a quarter revolution.

FIG. 4 is a transverse or horizontal section, taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view on a reduced scale, of the cap body part of the actuator cap.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the cap body part of the actuator cap.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the depress button part of the actuator cap, shown on a larger scale.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the depress button.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the depress button.

FIG. 10 is a vertical section, taken on the line 10--10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of an inner portion of the cap body, revealing further details of construction. Also shown in FIG. 11 is a lug portion of the depress button, the latter being in the locked position.

As shown, the dispenser comprises a pressurized container 10 having a crimped annular seal 12 presenting a top shoulder in the form of an annular groove 14. The pressurized container 10 has a domed top end or closure 16 which carries the usual aerosol valve 18 and dip tube 20. The valve mechanism 18 includes a hollow valve stem 22 of conventional type, projecting from a dished circular top closure member which presents an undercut shoulder 24, also of usual type. When the hollow valve stem 22 is depressed, a discharge of the aerosol substance will occur through the bore of the valve stem, as is well understood.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a novel actuator cap comprising a large or jumbo size cap body 26 and an actuator button 28, the cap body comprising an outer cylindrical wall 30 having a bottom edge which rests in the annular groove 14 of the pressurized can 10. The cap body 26 has an inner, depending and generally cylindrical mounting skirt 32 which is provided at its bottom rim with a retainer bead 34 adapted to be engaged under the shoulder 24 of the container, thereby to position the cap body 26 on the top closure 16 as illustrated in FIG. 1, and to hold the body captive. However, the engagement of the bead 34 with the shoulder 24 in accordance with the present invention is a loose one, and this same is true of the engagement between the outer wall 30 of the cap body and the walls of the annular groove 14 of the container whereby the body is freely turnable about a vertical central axis which coincides with the axis of the valve stem 22. The button 28 is shown as of the depress type, being vertically movable in the inner skirt 32 of the cap body and engageable with the inner walls of the latter.

The button 28 has a depending hollow boss 36 adapted to be press-fitted on the hollow valve stem 22 so as to enable the button to actuate or depress the stem. The button 28 is provided with a vertical bore or discharge passage 38 communicating with a horizontal discharge passage 40 which in turn communicates with an orifice piece or button 42 in the usual manner. Aerosol substance being discharged through the valve stem 22 will thus pass through the passages 38, 40 and will be discharged as a spray from the orifice button 42 in a known manner.

The cap body 26 has a front depressed wall 44 provided with a clearance slot 46 through which the discharging spray from the orifice 42 can pass. Also, the cap body 26 has a deep finger groove 48 opposite the front depressed wall 44, to accommodate the forefinger of the user and to enable the finger to engage and depress the button 28. The button 28 is not only vertically movable in the depending skirt 32, but is also turnable therein, and is provided with a pair of upstanding wings 50 to facilitate the turning thereof.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cap body 26 is provided with a central, transverse or horizontal wall 52 which has a central opening 54 adapted to accommodate the depending boss 36 of the depress button. A small annular bead 56 at the bottom end of the boss 36 of the depress button can be forced through the opening 54 of the transverse wall; thereafter it serves to hold captive the depress button 28 and prevent it from accidental or unintentional removal. The wall 52 of the cap body is connected to the depending skirt 32 by three radially extending webs 58, 60, 62 which are joined to a depending flange 64 extending downward from the periphery of the wall 52. Between the flange 64 and the depending skirt 32 are clearance spaces 66, 68 and 70. The skirt 32 also has oppositely located shoulders or tracks 72 provided with sloped or camming portions 64 (see FIG. 11) and with diametrically opposite stop shoulders 76. The depress button 28 has a pair of oppositely disposed depending lugs 78 which are adapted to ride on the tracks 72 and to engage the stop shoulders 76 as seen in FIG. 11. Such engagement occurs for the locked position of the depress button 28, as seen in FIG. 3. When the depress button is turned 90.degree. from the locked position of FIG. 3 in a clockwise direction to the position of FIG. 2, the lugs 78 will be disengaged from the stop shoulders 76 and also from the tracks 74, and that one of the lugs 78 which is disposed under the orifice button 42 can be accommodated in the clearance space 66 of the cap body when the button is depressed. The remaining opposite lug 78 of the depress button can be accommodated in a clearance space 80 between the flange 64 and the depending skirt 32, as seen in FIG. 1. Thus, for the positions of the parts shown in FIG. 1, the button 28 can be depressed, thereby shifting downward the valve stem 22 so as to effect a discharge. However, if the button 28 should be turned from the position of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 through an angle of 90.degree., the lugs 78 will ride up on the tracks 72 and engage the oppositely disposed stop shoulders 76 carried by the depending skirt 32. The button 28 will thus be halted in locking position, since the tracks 72 by their engagement with the lugs 78 will prevent the button 28 from being depressed and effecting a discharge.

Such relative turning movement of the button with respect to the cap body can only be effected if the cap body is held stationary. Normally, if a user attempts to turn the button 28 while holding only the container 10, the free turning of the cap body will enable it to turn with the button so that there will be no relative movement between the button and cap body and therefore no locking or unlocking of the button can occur. In order for the button to be either locked or unlocked, the user while holding the container 10 must grasp the cap body 26 and more particularly the adjoining surfaces of the wall 30 of the cap body. This may be done in a very convenient manner, and while the dispenser is so held the button 28 can be turned to either lock it or unlock it. On the button 28 there is provided a small nib or bead 82, and in the inside wall of the depending skirt 32 there are provided grooves 84, 86 adapted to accommodate the bead 82. A slight relief or clearance space 88 is provided on the depending skirt 32 for the bead 82 whereby the latter, in conjunction with the grooves 84, 86 will accomplish a detent action, tending to retain the depress button 28 in either its locked, non-discharging position or else its unlocked, capable-of-discharge position. The provision of the detent bead 82 makes the tamperproof feature more secure in that it prevents accidental turning of the depress button which might occur if the button were only loosely carried in the cap body 26.

As a further safety measure, the cap body 26 is provided with a raised guard rim 90, having the effect of recessing the button 28 whereby the wings 50 are less accessible, and thus there is less tendency for a young child to discover the proper mode of release of the button and operation of the dispenser.

It will now be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a novel and improved tamperproof aerosol dispenser comprising a container and a locking-type actuator cap which latter is not only held captive on the container but is also freely turnable with respect to the same. The actuator cap carries a depress button which is also turnably mounted in the body about the same axis as the axis of turning of the body. Locking means between the button and cap body either permit or else prevent depressing movement of the depress button. In order to turn the depress button to lock or unlock it, the cap body must be prevented from turning and this normally does not occur if the user holds only the container. Thus, to make use of the dispenser the user must first hold both the container and cap body with one hand before attempting to turn the depress button with the other hand to shift the button to its unlocked, capable-of-discharge position.

It will be seen that the parts of the actuator cap are relatively simple, and that they may be economically molded of plastic materials, in relatively simple mold cavities.

Variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. An aerosol dispenser comprising, in combination:

a. a container having a dispensing device including a movable part adapted to be actuated to effect discharge of the container contents, and having means for mounting an actuator cap in operative relation to said movable part,

b. a cap body having mounting means cooperable with the mounting means of the container, for securing to the latter the cap body in said operative relation while enabling the body to have unrestricted and free turning movement on the container,

c. a depress button rotatably mounted on the cap body essentially about the axis of rotation thereof and movable thereon between discharge and non-discharge positions,

d. means for actuating the movable part of the container in response to movement of the button with respect to the cap body to its discharge position, thereby to effect a discharge of the container contents,

e. said cap body having surfaces adjoining other surfaces on the container to enable a user to grasp both surfaces simultaneously with one hand so as to optionally prevent relative turning movement of the cap body and container, and

f. restraining cooperable means on the cap body and depress button, tending to restrain movement of the button on the cap body to the discharging position, thereby to minimize the likelihood of unauthorized or accidental actuation of said movable part for effecting a discharge,

g. said cooperable restraining means being adapted to be rendered ineffective when the button is forcibly turned toward its discharge position with respect to the cap body while the latter is grasped and held by the user against relative movement.

2. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:

a. the restraining means comprises a lug on the button and a discontinuous track in the cap body,

b. said lug travelling along said track when the button is turned in the cap body,

c. said cap body having a clearance space at the end of the track, for receiving the lug of the button to enable the button to be depressed in the body.

3. A dispenser as in claim 2, wherein:

a. the track has a sloping surface adjacent said clearance space, to facilitate movement of the lug onto the track when the lug leaves the clearance space as the button is turned to bring the lug back on the track.

4. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:

a. the cap body has a transverse centrally apertured wall,

b. said depress button having a tubular depending boss passing through the aperture of the wall and constituting a pivot for the button, and

c. an annular bead on the bottom end of the depending boss, engageable with the underside of the wall to hold the button captive in the cap,

d. said movable part of the dispensing device comprising a hollow valve stem received in said depending boss.

5. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:

a. the depress button has a pair of upstanding wings to be engaged by the fingers of the user, to facilitate turning of the button in the cap.

6. A dispenser as in claim 5, wherein:

a. the cap body has a deep finger notch,

b. said wings of the depress button extending at right angles to the direction of the finger notch when the button is in the discharging position.

7. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:

a. the container has an annular shoulder disposed within the cap body,

b. said body having a depending skirt surrounding the shoulder and having an internal annular retainer bead loosely engaged with the shoulder,

c. said shoulder, skirt and bead comprising part of the means for mounting the actuator cap on the container for free turning movement thereon.

8. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:

a. the cap body has a cylindrical outer wall spaced outwardly of said depending skirt,

b. said container having an annular shoulder loosely engaged by the bottom end of said cylindrical outer wall.