Tamper-proof Closure For Spray Cans

Abstract

A tamper-proof closure for enclosing and sealing the valve structure of a spray can. The closure is adapted to be held in position on the can by engagement of an external circumferential snap-in flange of the closure with an annular wall of the can and valve assembly. The closure comprises a tubular skirt section having an external circumferential snap-in flange formed at its lower edge. A valve covering body section is interconnected with the skirt section. A radially extending flange projects from the skirt section. The axial distance between the flange and the lower edge of the skirt section is such that with the closure in place on the can a clearance is defined between the flange and the bead of the can. Such clearance defines a tool access opening or recess. The closure is removed from the spray can as by inserting the end of a tool in the tool access opening and thereafter lifting a portion of the closure from the can.

Parent Case Text

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 99,593, filed Dec. 18, 1970 now abaondoned.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to closures and more particularly to a tamper-proof closure or safety closure adapted to be applied to the top of a pressurized spray can of the type commonly employed for spraying various substances including paint, insecticides, cleaning materials, cosmetics, pharmeceuticals and the like. As used herein, the term spray can is intended to be generic to dispensing containers of the type wherein the contents are dispensed through a valve by means of a pressurizing agent such as carbon dioxide, fluorocarbons, hydrocarbons and the like. A common type of container utilizing a pressurizing agent as a propellent is the aerosol can wherein the dispensed material expelled from the can is a mixture of material and propellent. This invention is also directed to the dispensing container of the type wherein the dispensed material is forced from the can by the pressurizing agent without interaction of the pressurizing agent and the dispensed material. This invention, therefore, is broadly applicable to dispensing containers of the spray or aerosol type.

Typically, pressurized spray cans are provided with a manually operable spray valve projecting endwise from the top of the can and along the can axis. In order to prevent accidental discharge of the can, it is a common practice to provide a closure for the can which comprises an element which frictionally or otherwise coengages with the can. Closures of the prior art have taken two different forms: the overcap and undercap designs.

The overcap design fastens to an external circumferential portion of the can end and is of a diameter approximating the can diameter. Thus, the overcap type of closure is a highly visible part of the total can-closure package.

The undercap design is adapted to be received within the mounting cup of the valve assembly adjacent the bead defined in the dome of the can.

Can closures of either design, however, may be readily subject to removal and misuse of the contents of the can. An easily removable closure also leads to frequent testing or sampling of spray cans in the store prior to purchase. This testing or sampling may result in damage to the retailer's property as well as a considerable loss of contents of the can prior to the purchase thereof by another customer.

Many attempts have been made in the prior art to render spray can closure members of either the overcap or undercap design tamper-proof. The general intent of the prior art tamper-proof closures has been to provide a closure that is somewhat difficult to remove. Prior art overcap closures of the tamper-proof design have included various locking mechanisms adapted to be disengaged as by rotation of the closure or insertion of a tool. Tamper-proof undercap closures of the prior art have used interconnecting flangible means adapted to be broken as by twisting, tearing, or pressing of the closure. Other undercap closures have utilized locking structures adapted to be dislodged by means of a tool.

This invention provides a tamper-proof closure of the undercap design for use with a spray can and wherein the closure is provided with a generally radially extending flange which is adapted to cooperate with bead of the can to define a tool receiving access opening or recess for easy removal of the closure from the can.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, the tamper-proof closure of this invention comprises a valve covering body section. A tubular skirt section is interconnected with the body section. The skirt section is adapted to be received within the recess of a valve mounting cup. Holding means are provided at the external surface of the skirt section for retainig the closure on the spray can. A radially extending flange projects from the skirt section. The axial distance between the flange and the lower edge of the skirt is such that with the closure in place on the can a clearance is defined between the flange and the bead of the can providing a tool access opening or recess within which a tool end may be disposed so as to remove the closure from the can.

THE INVENTION DESCRIBED

The preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded elevational view of a spray can and a tamper-proof closure according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tamper-proof closure according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tamper-proof closure according to the present invention as positioned in place on a spray can and showing a tool end in place;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 and showing the removing of the tamper-proof closure according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the tamper-proof closure according to the present invention.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a spray can 10 having a cylindrical upright body 12. A domed top 14 is secured to the upper end of the can by means of an annular rim 16. A cup member 18 including a valve 20 is crimped into the domed top at a circumferentially extended bead 22. As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the cup member 18 is defined by a bottom wall 24, an inside wall 26 and an outside wall 28. A generally annular groove 30 is defined in the outside wall 28 and cooperates with the tamper-proof closure 32 of this invention in a manner to be described more fully hereafter.

The valve 20 as mounted on the cup member 18 includes a valve actuator 34 having a dispensing opening 36. It is to be understood that with the tamper-proof closure 32 removed, the valve 20 is actuated as by depressing valve actuator 34 whereupon material will be dispensed through the opening 36. Although the dispensing container 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a pressurized container, the present invention is not limited to a tamper-proof closure for a pressurized container but is suitable for use on non-pressurized containers.

Attention will now be directed to the tamper-proof closure 32 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the closure includes a tubular valve covering body section 38 with an integral end wall 40. A tubular skirt section 42 is provided at the lower portion of the body section 38 and is of substantially less height than the body section 38 having an internal diameter somewhat greater than the external diameter of body section 38. A radial shoulder 44 interconnects the skirt section 42 with the body section 38. Radial shoulder 44 is generally annular in shape extending circumferentially about the body section 38. It will be observed from FIGS. 1 and 3 that the body section 38 and the skirt section 42 are coaxial.

Holding means are provided integral with the skirt section 42 for retaining the tamper-proof closure in a position shown in FIG. 3. In the preferred embodiment of this invention as shown in FIG. 3, said holding means comprises a snap-in flange 46 defined on the exterior surface of the skirt section 42 near its lower edge 47. Snap-in flange 46 is adapted to be received within the groove 30 defined in the outside wall of the cup member 18. Thus, the cooperating snap-in flange 46 and groove 30 frictionally retain the tamper-proof closure 32 in the position shown in FIG. 3 thereby rendering more difficult the removal of the tamper-proof closure 32 in the absence of a suitable tool.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5, snap-in flange 46 extends substantially circumferentially about the skirt section 42. Within the scope of this invention should also be considered snap-in flanges with multiple interruptions or skirt sections with multiple detent members extending therefrom.

It will be observed that the cup member 18 as defined by the bottom wall 24, inside wall 26, and outside wall 28, generally defines a recess in the domed top 14 of the can 10 inasmuch as the bottom wall 24 is disposed substantially below the bead 22. It is in this recess defined by the walls 24, 26, and 28 that the tamper-proof closure 32 of this invention is adapted to be received and frictionally retained against inadvertent displacement. A generally radially extending flange 49 projects from skirt section 42. As will be observed in FIG. 3 the axial distance between flange 49 and the lower edge 47 of skirt section 42 exceeds the depth of the cup member 18 such that with the closure in place a clearance is provided between shoulder 54 of flange 49 and bead 22. Such clearance defines a tool access opening or recess 48.

The tamper-proof closure 32 of the invention may be removed from the spray can as by the insertion of the end 52 of a screwdriver or other tool into the recess 48. subsequent engagement of the tool with shoulder 54 produces a tilting or cocking of the closure 42 within the recess defined by the walls 24, 26 and 28 as shown in FIG. 4. With a substantial portion of the snap-in flange 46 thus removed from the groove 30, the closure 32 may be readily removed from the can. Replacement of the closure 32 on the can simply requires a coaxial alignment of the closure and the can as shown more clearly in FIG. 1 with subsequent snap-in engagement of the respective members.

As is shown in FIG. 3, the relative positions of the bead 22 and the shoulder 54 are such that the tool end 52 may be pivoted or rotated on the bead 22 in order to secure mechanical advantage in tilting or cocking the closure 32 into the position of FIG. 4. While it is not necessary that the bead 22, or indeed any portion of the can, act as a pivot point or fulcrum for the tool end, the relationship of the bead 22 to the recess 48 is such that, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the tamper-proof closure 32 may be quickly and effortlessly removed.

The skirt section 42, from which flange 49 extends, acts to prevent the entry of the tool into the interior of the closure in the vicinity of the valve 20. There is no danger of the screwdriver accidentally touching the valve 20 at the time the closure is removed.

As will be observed from FIG. 1, flange 49 is continuous about the skirt section 42. Thus recess 48 is continuous about the circumference of the bead 22 with the closure in place and a tool end may be inserted into the recess at any point on the circumference of the bead. No prior orientation of the can is necessary prior to removal of the closure.

While in the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, flange 49 is in the same plane as shoulder 44, it should be recognized that this condition is present when the flange 49 is located at the upper edge of the skirt section 42. In alternate embodiments, flange 49 may be located at different locations in the skirt section 42; not necessarily in the same plane as shoulder 44.

As shown in FIG. 3 lower edge 47 of skirt section 42 bottoms on wall 24 with the closure in place. This relationship of the lower edge of the closure and the wall of the cup member enhances the sealing characteristics of the enclosure. It should be understood, however, that in alternate embodiments the lower edge need not bottom on the cup member so long as the axial distance between the snap-in flange 46 and shoudler 54 exceeds the axial distance between the groove 30 and the bead 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, flange 49 extends radially outwardly to an extent such that approximately one-half of the bead 22 is covered by such flange. Variations in the extent to which the bead 22 is covered by the flange should be considered within the spirit of this invention.

While flange 49, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, extends from skirt section 42, it is possible through the use of an extremely short skirt section that the flange 49 could extend from the body section 38. Such a variation in the positioning of the flange 49 should be considered within the scope of the invention.

An alternate embodiment of the tamper-proof closure of this invention is shown in FIG. 5.

The principal distinction between the embodiment of FIG. 5 and that shown in FIG. 2 is with respect to the shape of the body section 38. Whereas in FIG. 2, body section 38 is generally tubular in shape including an integral end wall 40, the body section 60 of FIG. 5 is generally dome shaped and is interconnected to the skirt section 42 by means of shoulder 44 in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 2. The skirt section 42 of the closure of FIG. 2 is similar to that described with reference to FIG. 3.

In the preferred embodiment, the closure of this invention is made of polyethylene plastic. Other materials well known to those skilled in the art may similarly be used.

The closure of this invention provides several distinct advantages.

The closure cannot be removed in stores without the use of a tool. Thus, the troublesome problem experienced by store managers of in-store spraying by potential customers will be eliminated.

Since the closure of this invention is relatively small and covers only the valve structure of the spray can, this invention may be used in combination with a conventional overcap where it is desirable to completely enclose the entire end portion of the spray can. With the closure of this invention in place, a potential customer may remove the overcap of the can to make sure the can is equipped with a spray button if he so desires. The closure of this invention will prohibit the customer from actuating the button while in the store.

where the closure of this invention is provided on automobile paint touch-up spray cans, the customer may take the lid or overcap of the can out to his automobile to compare colors. The closure of this invention remains in place during the color comparison by the customer ensuring that the customer will not otherwise actuate the can and remove some of the contents thereof.

The closure of this invention can be removed from the can without danger of puncturing the can or damaging the spray button or valve assembly.

The closure of this invention seals the spray head against dirt and moisture.

Since the closure of this invention prohibits in-store spraying, a full measure is assured to each customer at each sale. Furthermore, the closure of this invention prevents preclogged nozzles resulting from customer tampering in the store.

The stepped design of the closure itself, wherein a radial shoulder 44 interconnects the valve covering body section and the skirt section, permits the closure to be machine installed on the spray can during filling and packaging of the can.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A tamper-proof closure for spray cans having a manually operable spray valve projecting from the top of the can, an annular recess surrounding the valve defined by a bottom wall and an inside and outside wall, a groove defined in the outside wall, and a circumferentially extended bead surrounding the recess adjacent the outside wall, said closure comprising:

a valve covering body section;

a tubular skirt section of larger cross-section than said body section and interconnected to said body section by means of a radial shoulder;

said skirt section adapted to be received within the recess of such spray can;

holding means integral with said skirt section seatable within said groove for retaining said closure on such spray can;

an annular flange integral with said closure and projecting from said skirt section in substantially the same plane as said shoulder, said flange extending radially a distance sufficient to overlie at least a portion of the bead of such spray can;

the relationship of said flange to the bead of such spray can being such that with said closure in place an axial clearance is defined between said flange and the bead as the axial distance from said holding means to said flange exceeds the axial distance from the can groove to the top of the can bead when the holding means is seated in said groove;

said clearance defining a tool access recess of sufficient dimension to provide a space for entry of a prying tool from above the bead;

whereby a tool end may be disposed within said recess to remove said closure from said spray can.