Childproof Actuator

Abstract

A childproof actuator for an aerosol container includes a collar having a blocking portion resting on the container valve pedestal and extending part way around the stem, and a button having a finger adapted to engage the blocking portion when the button is in the "off" position so that the button cannot be depressed.

Parent Case Text

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 318,016, filed Dec. 26, 1972, now abandoned.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to actuators for valves of aerosol containers and features a structure which is difficult for persons of immature mentality to operate. As a result, it is in the category of so-called "childproof" aerosol actuators.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the prior art, there are a number of patents which disclose two-piece aerosol actuators comprising a collar fitting about the mounting cup seam on the container and an actuator button. The collar and the button in the prior art are often arranged so that the button and collar must be brought into proper relative position in order to depress or tilt the actuator to actuate the aerosol valve and discharge the container. In the prior art, such two-piece childproof actuators generally feature structure portions of the ring and button which interfere, so that the button structure hits the collar structure blocking further depression of the button when the button and collar are not in the operating position.

One of the drawbacks inherent in such prior art structures is that often the ring comprising the mounting cup seam on which the collar is mounted is not necessarily at a uniform height with respect to the valve stem. As a consequence, if the ring is low with respect to the stem and valve, it may be possible to depress the button far enough to actuate the valve notwithstanding the "locked" or "inoperative" relative position of the collar and button. In other words, even in the locked position there may be sufficient vertical play between button and collar as to permit actuation of the valve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the present invention, there is provided a childproof actuator having a more or less conventional collar and button but additionally providing a button blocking portion on the collar which rests on the mounting pedestal of the aerosol valve. As a result, the relationship between the top of the blocking portion and the stem from valve to valve is always the same, invariably precluding any actuation of the valve while the actuator is in the locked or "off" position. The blocking portion is normally on an inward extension of the collar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from a study of the following specification, including the drawings, all of which show a non-limiting embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows in side elevation, partly in section, the actuator of FIG. 1 installed on the mounting cup seam of an aerosol container;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing an actuator assembly embodying the invention and in perspective;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of a button embodying the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an inverted button embodying the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 and generally designated 10. It comprises a collar 12 and a button 14. As is conventional, the button may be in the shape of a truncated cone and is formed with a discharge passage 16 which extends upwardly from the center of the lower end of the button to an orifice 18, as is conventional. In use, the button 14 sits on the stem S of the aerosol valve in frictional engagement, relative rotation between the stem and button 14 being possible. As shown in FIG. 2, the button 14 is mounted on the container C having a mounting cup MC, pedestal P, and a mounting cup seam CS. The stem S, as shown, extends upwardly from the center of the mounting cup MC.

The collar 12 comprises an annular platform from the outer periphery of which depends a skirt 20 having inward nibs 22 adapted to snap over the mounting cup seam CS, or ring. Such installation permits the rotation of the collar with respect to the container C. The collar platform includes an inward extension 24 which, in installation, terminates adjacent the stem S in a blocking portion 26 having a lower surface which sits on the mounting cup pedestal P. The upper surface of the blocking portion 26 provides a sloping cam surface 28 (FIG. 3) and a plateau 30.

Surrounding the passage 16 (FIG. 2) the lower end of the button 14 is provided with a downward boss having a radial finger 32. As shown, irrespective of the height of the ring CS, the button 14 cannot be pressed in the position shown in FIG. 2 beyond the interference of the finger 32 with the blocking portion 26. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the button 14 which is turnable on stem S and the collar 12 which is turnable on the ring CS, may be relatively rotated so that the finger 32 and the blocking portion 26 do not interfere, making possible the depression of the button 14 and actuation of the valve.

Additional elements of the collar 12 and the button 14 are provided, which effect the relative rotation of the two parts. First, button 14 is provided wtih a downward stop 34 (FIG. 2) and the collar 12 has a partial upward cowl 36 which is formed with a pair of inward ribs 38 and 40 respectively. By virtue of this structure, the rotation of the button 14 is limited as it is turned by the hitting of the stop 34 on the ribs 38 and 40 respectively.

It will be noted that when the button is in the position shown in FIG. 4 with the stop 34 engaging the rib 40 at the most clockwise position of the button, the finger 32 is non-aligned with the blocking portion 36 therefore permitting actuation of the valve. When, however, the button 14 is turned counterclockwise until the stop 34 meets the rib 38, the finger 32 has been cammed up slope 28 and is on the plateau 30 blocking depression of the button and actuation of the valve.

As shown in FIG. 3, the collar 12 is formed with an inward nib 44. The button, at the level of the nib 44, is formed with a peripheral flange 46 which extends as shown in FIG. 3, for instance, an arcuate length of perhaps one-third of the periphery of the button. This peripheral flange 46 comprises cam means and increases in pronouncement toward one of its ends at which is disposed a notch 48 adapted to receive the nib 44 of the collar when the actuator is in the locked position.

By virtue of the slow-rising flange 46, it is relatively easy to turn the button 14 in a counterclockwise direction relative to the collar 12 to the position shown in FIG. 3 whereat the nib 44 snaps into the notch 48. On the other hand, in the reverse direction, turning the button 14 relative to the collar 12 so that the nib 44 is displaced out of the notch 48, is a more difficult proposition. The result is that even if children discover the secret of the operation of the actuator, they may not have the strength or necessary determination to relatively turn the button and collar from the locked position. It is easy, however, to turn the two parts to the relative locked position as the nib 44 slides up cam 46.

A retainer flange 50 on the button cooperates with the top portion of the cowl 36 in holding the button in the collar.

As a result of the structure, the owner of the actuator disclosed may be confident that the collar 12, when in the locked position relative to the button 14, will not permit the depression of the button to an actuating position. This is because of the height of the blocking portion 26 which, resting on the top of pedestal P, sets a uniform button stop level for the depression of the button irrespective of the height of the ring CS. A special feature of the invention is the locking means, including the nib 44 and notch 48, which make the relative rotation of the collar and the button 14 virtually impossible without the two-handed holding of the actuator with the collar in one hand and the button in the other, and the forcible turning in the proper direction. A simple turning of the button 14 or collar 12 while the actuator is in locked position will result in a rotation of the complete actuator with respect to the container as the button and the collar turn on their respective mountings.

It will thus be seen that the invention provides a unique, effective, childproof, actuator of simple construction and low cost.

Variations of the structure disclosed may be possible within the scope of the invention which may be defined by the following claim language:

Claims

I claim:

1. An aerosol container having at one end a vertically reciprocable or tiltable valve mounted in a mounting cup having a valve pedestal, the valve having an upwardly directed cylindrical discharge means, the pedestal being surrounded by a ring defined by the rolled end portions of the valve mounting cup and the container, and an actuator, the actuator comprising:

a. a plastic molded collar having an annular wall engaging the ring and attached thereto, the collar having a blocking portion of a predetermined height engaging on its bottom with the top of the valve pedestal, the blocking portion being disposed only on one side of the stem;

b. a molded plastic actuator button having a discharge passage inlet in the underside thereof and interfitting with the cylindrical discharge means and rotatably but frictionally engaged therewith, the button having a depending finger adjacent the discharge passage inlet adapted when the finger is in vertical alignment with the blocking portion to block depression of the button; and

c. a releasable lock for locking the collar and button with the finger and blocking portion in such relatively aligned blocked relation, the lock comprising a cooperating cam element and follower element, one of said elements being disposed on the inner surface of the collar and the other of said elements being disposed on the outer surface of the button, the cam element comprising a peripheral rib on one of the surfaces extending toward the other of the surfaces and gradually increasing in pronouncement toward one of the ends of the cam element and having a notch adjacent said end, the follower element comprising a projection from the other of the surfaces directed toward the said one surface, the projection being disposed in the notch at a relative position of rotation of the collar and button at which the finger is vertically aligned with the blocking portion.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cam element is disposed on the outer surface of the button and the follower element is disposed on the inner surface of the collar.