Safety Closure Adaptor

Abstract

A childproof safety closure for an aerosol dispenser comprising a button depressor having a locking rim and arming lug arranged in cooperative relation with a mounting cup adaptor having a split locking ring wherein the locking ring and locking rim operatively engage each other to hold the button depressor out of operative engagement with the button actuator to prevent actuation of the dispenser when in the "locked"position and wherein rotation of the depressor and arming lug relative to the adaptor moves the locking ring out of operative engagement with the locking rim thereby "arming" the dispenser for actuation and on actuation the system automatically goes to the "locked" position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a childproof safety closure for an aerosol dispenser comprising a button depressor and a mounting cup adaptor which cooperatively engage each other to prevent actuation of the dispenser when the closure is in the "locked" position.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Since the introduction of aerosol dispensers, there has been a continuing problem of inadvertent actuation of the dispensers. Unless some means to prevent accidental discharge of the aerosol during transportation and storage is provided, the consumer is not assured of purchasing a fully charged aerosol.

Another, more serious, problem is that of young children discharging the aerosol contents. This is particularly critical when the product is a cleaning agent, insecticide or other potentially hazardous matter commonly found in the home.

Numerous attempts have been made to provide tamperproof and childproof dispensers. The earliest and simplest of these is the cup-like overcap configured to detachably attach over the mounting cup and button actuator of the dispenser. Unfortunately, the simplicity of operation allows young children to remove the protective overcap from the dispenser with little effort. In addition, the separate overcap may inadvertently be left off the dispenser thereby removing the safety feature.

One of the primary obstacles in developing an effective childproof dispenser has been to design a dispenser which is reasonably simple for an adult to use and still be beyond the capabilities of young children. Many existing tamperproof dispensers include elaborate locking mechanisms which are complex in structure and prohibitively expensive to manufacture. In addition, these mechanisms usually require changes or redesign of the basic dispenser and valve assembly structure thereby increasing production costs.

Thus, while numerous attempts have been made to design and manufacture an inexpensive, effective tamperproof/childproof aerosol dispenser, substantial room for development and improvement remains.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a childproof safety closure configured to fit over an aerosol valve assembly and button actuator. More specifically, the present invention comprises a button depressor attached to the mounting cup by a mounting cup adaptor.

The mounting cup adaptor comprises a circular base having an annular skirt depending therefrom. The lower portion of the skirt includes an inwardly projecting annular lip that engages the outer circumference of the mounting cup to secure the safety closure to the dispenser. A vertically disposed split locking ring is attached to the inner periphery of the base. The lower portion of the locking ring encircles the turret of the mounting cup while the upper portion comprises an interrupted locking ledge. The locking ledge is interrupted by a vertical channel formed in the side wall thereof. On the mid-point of each wall of the split locking ring adjacent to the space formed by the channel is a horizontally disposed elongated arming leg. These arming legs are normally disposed between a pair of retainer studs arranged on the upper surface of the base. A pair of horizontally disposed resilient flat retaining springs projecting inwardly from opposite sides of the inner periphery of the base extend through a corresponding pair of retaining slots formed in the depressor. The upper portion of the locking ring opposite the arming legs comprises a camming surface which operatively engages the button depressor as more fully described hereinafter.

The button depressor comprises a substantially cylindrical body including a centrally disposed button actuator recess formed therein to receive a button actuator attached to the valve stem. A spray port is formed in the side wall of the body immediately in front of the terminal orifice of the button actuator. A camming surface corresponding to the locking ring camming surface is formed on the side wall of the body immediately below the spray port. This camming surface operatively engages the camming surface of the locking ring as more fully described hereinafter. Disposed about at least a portion of the upper surface of the button depressor is an annular locking rim that operatively engages the locking ledge when the dispenser is in the "locked" position. An arming lug extends outwardly from the lower portion of the depressor body beneath and substantially between the arming legs.

To provide for automatic assembly, the button depressor includes an alignment lug formed on the interior of the button actuator recess which cooperatively engages a vertical disposed slot formed in the side of the button actuator.

To operate, the button depressor is rotated clockwise, then counterclockwise, expanding the locking ring outward under the pressure of the arming lug acting against the inner surface thereof. The locking ring is held in the "armed" position since during the arming the arming legs snap behind their respective retaining studs. At the same time, the orientation between the button actuator and button depressor is maintained by the cooperative engagement of the button slot and button depressor lug. Thus the terminal orifice of the button actuator is aligned with the button depressor spray port for actuation. The button depressor can now be depressed because the locking rim is clear to pass inside the locking ledge of the locking ring. Upon actuation, the button depressor travels downward flexing the flat springs until the clearance between the depressor and the button actuator decreases and button depressor rests on button actuator with terminal orifice centered in the spray port. As the actuation sequence continues, the button depressor forces the button actuator downward to dispense the product. At the same time, the camming surface of the button depressor rides against the camming surface of the locking ring rotating the locking ring forward and raising the arming legs over the retaining studs so that the locking ring will snap around the side wall of the button depressor with the locking rim below the locking ledge.

On de-actuation, the biasing spring in the valve forces the button actuator upward forcing the button depressor upward with the help of the flat springs. As the button actuator stops, the flat springs continue to force the button depressor upward and locking ring snaps under the locking rim with a clearance between the top of the button actuator and the bottom of the button depressor. The arming legs are again positioned between the retaining studs. The system is now locked until rearmed by rotating the button depressor clockwise and counterclockwise.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the safety closure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the safety closure mounted on an aerosol dispenser taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the mounting cup adaptor.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the mounting cup adaptor taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a button depressor.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the button depressor taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional front view of the safety closure taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the safety closure in the "locked" position.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the safety closure in the "actuated" position.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional rear view of an alternate embodiment of the safety closure.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional top view of the alternate embodiment taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a top view of still another alternate mounting cup adaptor.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of the alternate mounting cup adaptor taken along line 13--13 of FIG. 12.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the present invention comprises a substantially cylindrical button depressor 10 attached to a mounting cup 12 by a substantially cylindrical mounting cup adaptor 14.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mounting cup adaptor 14 comprises a horizontally disposed circular base 16 having aperture 17 formed therein. An annular skirt 18 depends from the outer periphery of the base 16. An inwardly projecting annular lip 20 is formed on the lower portion of skirt 18 whereby the adaptor 14 is snap fitted over the mounting cup 12. A cylindrical split locking ring (see FIG. 4) is attached to the inner periphery of the base 16 by means of the substantially U-shaped connecting strips 24 (see FIG. 2) formed on the lower portion 26 of the ring 22 on either side of slot 25. The lower portion 26 of locking ring 22 (see FIG. 2) encircles the turret 28 of the mounting cup 12; while upper portion 30 extneds upward through aperture 17 and terminates in its upper surface in a locking ledge 32 interrupted by expanding vertical channel 34. On the mid-point of each wall 36 and 38 of the split locking ring 22 adjacent to the channel 34 are horizontally disposed elongated arming legs 40 and 42 respectively (see FIG. 3). These arming legs 40 and 42 are normally disposed between a pair of retaining studs 44 and 46 arranged on the upper surface of the base 16. A pair of horizontally disposed resilient flat retaining springs 48 project inwardly into the aperture 17 from opposite sides of the inner periphery of the base 16. An arcuate spray channel 50 (see FIG. 4) is formed in the front portion of the locking ring 22 on either side of slot 25. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 8, the inner surface of the locking ring 22 immediately adjacent to the spray channel 50 comprises a camming surface 52 opposite the arming legs 40 and 42.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the button depressor 10 comprises a body 58 including a centrally disposed button actuator recess 60 formed therein to house the button actuator 62, usually attached to the valve stem 64. An open spray port 66 is formed in the side wall 68 of the body 58. A camming surface 70 is formed on the side wall 68 immediately below the spray port 66. The camming surface 70 operatively engages camming surface, as more fully described hereinafter. A pair of rectangular retaining slots 72 are formed on opposite sides of the lower portion of the side wall 74. Each retaining spring 48 extends through its perspective retaining slot 72 (see FIG. 2). Disposed about at least a portion of the upper portion of the body 58 is an annular locking rim 76 that operatively engages the locking ledge 32 (see FIG. 2) when the closure is in the locked position. An arming lug 78 extends outwardly from the lower portion of the body 58 beneath and substantially between the arming legs 36 and 38.

To provide for automatic assembly, an alignment lug 80 may be formed in the upper portion of button actuator 60. A corresponding vertical alignment slot 82 should then be formed in the side wall of the button actuator 62.

An alternate embodiment is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. In this embodiment, a pair of arming legs 40 and 42 are formed on the side walls 36 and 38 respectively. Both arming legs 40 and 42 are adjacent retaining studs 44 and 46 respectively. As shown in FIG. 13, a second camming surface 52 is formed on the upper rear portion 53 of locking ring 22. A pair of arming lugs 78 and 79 extend outwardly from the lower portion of said walls 36 and 38 respectively.

As shown in FIG. 10, alternately, the locking rim 100 may be formed on the inside of the button actuator recess 60. In this embodiment the locking ring 22 would be disposed within recess 60 to operatively engage the rim 100. An arming lug 101 is formed on the lower periphery of button depressor 10 adjacent each side of slot 25. In the locked position, lugs 101 extend into stepped recess 103 formed in the ring 22. As more fully described hereinafter, the safety closure of this embodiment is armed by compression of the ring 22 (see FIG. 11) rather than expansion as in the preferred embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, when assembled, the mounting cup adaptor 14 and button depressor 10 are attached to the mounting cup 12 by means of the annular lip 20 of the adaptor 14. The safety closure fits over the turret 28 and button actuator 62.

In the locked position, the button depressor 10 is held above the button actuator 62 by the resilient flat retaining springs 48 in cooperative engagement with the retaining slots 72 of the depressor 10 to provide clearance between the button actuator 62 and the depressor 10. As shown in FIG. 7, this clearance in combination with the cooperative engagement of the locking ledge 32 and locking rim 76 insures that when in the locked position there can be no preactuation by forcing the depressor 10 downward. Since the amount of clearance is not critical, extension of the valve stem above the mounting cup may vary over a wide range.

To arm, the button depressor 10 is rotated clockwise, expanding the locking ring 22 outward under the pressure of the arming lug 78 acting against the inner surface thereof until the arming leg 42 snaps over retaining stud 46. The button depressor 10 is then rotated counter-clockwise until the arming leg 40 snaps over retaining stud 44. As shown by the dotted lines of FIG. 7, when in the armed position the depressor 10 can be depressed because the locking arm 76 is clear to pass inside of the expanded position by the cooperative locking action of the studs 44 and 46 and the arming legs 40 and 42. It should be noted that the extent of rotational travel of the depressor 10 relative to the adaptor 14 is limited by the impingement of the retaining springs 48 against the sides of the retaining slots 72. This prevents the arming lug 78 from snapping arming legs 40 and 42 off.

The button depressor lug 80, in addition to aiding in assembly, insures that the terminal orifice of the button actuator 62 is aligned with the spray port 66 and spray channel 50 for actuation.

To actuate, the depressor 10 is depressed flexing the retaining springs 48 until the depressor 10 impinges on the button actuator 62. As depression continues, the depressor 10 forces the actuator 62 downward actuating the valve assembly thereby dispensing product. As shown in FIG. 9, at the same time the camming surface 70 rides against the camming surface 52 rotating the locking ring 22 forward and raising the arming legs 40 and 42 over the retaining studs 44 and 46 respectively so that the locking ring 22 will close around the side wall 68 of the depressor 10.

On de-actuation, the valve spring (not shown) within the dispenser forces the button actuator 62 and button depressor 10 upward. When the button actuator 62 reaches its upward extent of travel, the retaining springs 48 force the depressor 10 to continue upward until the locking ledge 32 snaps under locking rim 76. The safety closure is now again in the locked position with the arming legs 40 and 42 again positioned between the retaining studs 44 and 46.

Of course, a single arming leg 40 and retaining stud 44 combination may be used in place of the double set described above. In this embodiment, the button depressor 10 is rotated counterclockwise until arming leg 40 snaps over retaining stud 44 as previously discussed. However, the opposite side of the locking ring 22 would have to be offset to permit clearance of the button actuator 10 upon depression.

To operate the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the button depressor 10 is rotated counterclockwise, expanding the side walls 36 and 38 under the pressure of the arming lugs 78 and 79 acting against the inner surface thereof until the arming legs 42 and 44 snap over retaining studs 44 and 46 respectively. The actuation and deactuation is similar to the operation described above except both walls 36 and 38 are cammed inwardly to permit the arming legs 42 and 44 to return to their normal position.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the locking rim 100 is arranged within recess 60, the button depressor 101 is rotated clockwise and counterclockwise as in the preferred embodiment. This rotation causes ring 22 to be compressed inward under the force of lugs 101. As the ring 22 is compressed, legs 40 and 42 are moved inwardly toward one another and snap over studs 44 and 46 respectively to arm the device. The actuation and de-actuation of this embodiment is similar to that previously described.

It will thus be seen that the objects made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is

1. A childproof safety closure for an aerosol dispenser comprising a valve actuating means comprising a button depressor and button actuator, said button depressor having a button recess formed in the base thereof and a spray port formed in the side wall thereof, and a mounting cup adaptor operatively interconnected to said valve actuating means, said adaptor including attaching means to attach said safety closure to said dispenser, said valve actuating means including a first locking means comprising a locking rim formed about at least a portion of the periphery of said button depressor and said mounting cup adaptor including a second locking means comprising a locking ledge formed thereon, said locking ledge comprising the upper portion of a substantially cylindrical vertical split locking ring formed in said adaptor, said locking ring including at least one slot formed in periphery thereof, said locking rim and said locking ledge engaging each other to hold said button depressor out of operative engagement with said button to prevent vertical movement of said actuating means relative to said adaptor, said safety closure further including arming means to disengage said second locking means from cooperative engagement with said first locking means to permit vertical movement of said actuating means relative to said adaptor thereby to actuate said dispenser.

2. The safety closure of claim 1 wherein said arming means comprises at least one arming leg formed on said locking ring adjacent said slot said arming leg moved into operative engagement with a corresponding retaining stud formed on said adaptor by an arming lug formed on said button depressor.

3. The safety closure of claim 2 wherein said arming means comprises a pair of arming legs formed on opposite sides of said slot, said arming legs moved into operative engagement with a pair of corresponding retaining studs formed on said adaptor by said arming lug.

4. The safety closure of claim 3 further including disarming means to move said arming legs and said retaining studs out of operative engagement with one another.

5. The safety closure of claim 4 wherein said disarming means comprises at least one camming surface formed on said locking ring and a corresponding camming formed on said button depressor, said camming surfaces operatively engaging each other when said depressor is depressed to rotate said locking ring forward relative to said button depressor permitting said arming legs to flex inward relative to each other inside said retaining studs whereby said first and second locking means cooperatively engage each other.

6. The safety closure of claim 1 wherein said arming means comprises a pair of arming legs formed substantially 180.degree. apart on said locking ring, each said arming leg being arranged adjacent said slot whereby said arming legs are moved into operative engagement with a corresponding retaining stud formed on said adaptor by a corresponding arming lug formed on said button depressor.

7. The safety closure of claim 6 further including disarming means to move said arming legs and said retaining studs out of operative engagement with one another.

8. The safety closure of claim 7 wherein said disarming means comprises at least one camming surface formed on said locking ring and a corresponding camming formed on said button depressor, said camming surfaces operatively engaging each other when said depressor is depressed to rotate said locking ring forward relative to said button depressor permitting said arming legs to flex inward relative to each other inside said retaining studs whereby said first and second locking means cooperatively engage each other.

9. The safety closure of claim 1 wherein said adaptor comprises a mounting cup adaptor including a substantially circular base having an annular skirt depending therefrom and said attaching means comprises an annular lip projecting inwardly from the lower portion of said annular skirt.

10. The safety closure of claim 1 wherein said button depressor and said mounting cup adaptor are interconnected by at least one retaining spring formed on said mounting cup adaptor extending through at least one corresponding aperture formed in said button depressor.

11. The safety closure of claim 7 further including alignment means to align the terminal orifice of said button actuator relative to said spray port.

12. The safety closure of claim 1 wherein said locking ring is disposed about the outer periphery of said button depressor such that said locking ring expands outwardly to arm said safety closure.

13. The safety closure of claim 1 wherein said locking ring is disposed about the inner periphery of said button depressor such that said locking ring compresses inwardly to arm said safety closure.