GB2213476A

GB2213476A - Childproof closure

Info

Publication number: GB2213476A
Application number: GB8811382A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Serge Desjardins; John H Whyte
Original assignee: CCL Industries Inc
Current assignee: CCL Industries Inc
Priority date: 1987-12-10
Filing date: 1988-05-13
Publication date: 1989-08-16
Also published as: GB8811382D0; DE3818127A1; AU1582888A; FR2624482A1

Description

T- --- 1 1 22 1 347b

TITLE OF INVENTION CHIIDPROOF CAP FOR AEROSOL CAN

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a childproof cap for use with aerosol spray cans.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Aerosol containers have been used for dispensing a variety of substances as a fine spray or as mousses.

Many of the substances are toxic and unrestricted access can lead to accidental poisoning, particularly in young children. A variety of childproof safety closures have been suggested for aerosol containers. For a childproof safety package, the closure assembly must be constructed in such a manner that the type of manipulation required to gain access to the contents of the container is one that a young child is incapable of performing. A number of structures have been suggested in the 20 prior art. U.S. Patent No. 3,729,120 discloses an aerosol can cap which is captive to the can and requires rotation, axial depression and further rotation to permit the substance to be dispensed from the can. U.S. Patent No. 3,866,802 discloses a two-part structure in which one part is permanently affixed to the aerosol container and the other is a detachable cap. The cap is required to be axially depressed and then rotated relative to the fixed part for disengagement.

U.S. Patent No. 4,315,576 discloses an aerosol container cap arrangement which has a flange structure which engages the container rim and which permits removal of the cap only by the application of a pivotal force.

U.S. Patent No. 4,576,315 discloses a safety closure for aerosol containers comprising two parts. one part, provided with a vertical slit to permit flexure, is mounted to the container lip. A screwthreaded cap threadedly engages the one part. In order 2 to remove the cap, axial pressure must be applied during unscrewing of the cap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a novel childproof aerosol container closure is provided which is relatively simple in construction and yet is effective. As discussed above, the approach in the prior art has been to require the application of axial pressure to permit opening of the closure. The structure provided by the present invention does not require such action.

The childproof aerosol container closure of the present invention comprises two parts, a ring element and a cap element. The ring element is constructed to be mounted on the aerosol container so as to rotate relative thereto and to resist dismounting from the container upon the application of an average axiallydirected force thereto. The cap element is constructed to be releasably engaged by the ring element by relative rotation of the cap element and the ring element.

Since the ring element is rotatable relative to the container, rotation of the cap element also rotates the ring element and the cap cannot thereby be released from the ring element. Only by securing the ring element against rotation can the cap element be rotated relative to the ring element and thereby the cap released from the ring element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an elevational view of an aerosol container provided with a childproof closure constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention and shown in section; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the components of the aerosol container of Figure 1; 35 Figure 3 is a sectional detail view of a portion of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the childproof closure of Figure 1; 1 1 3 ke Figure 5 is a plan view from above of the sealing ring member of the childproof closure of Figure 4; and Figures 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate the childproof aspect of the closure and the manner of opening of the 5 same.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, a childproof closure 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention is mounted at the upper end of an aerosol container 12 to enclose the valve assembly 14.

The closure 10 comprises a ring member 16 and a cap member 18 which is intended to be disassembled from the ring member 16 to permit access to the valve assembly 14 to permit discharge of material from the aerosol container 12.

The ring member 16 is provided with a snap ring 20 which permits the ring member to be snapped into a complimentary groove 22 formed in the aerosol container 12. Assembly of the ring member 14 with the aerosol container 12 in this way permits the ring 16 to be rotated relative to the aerosol container 12. At the same time, removal by an axial pull of average force is prevented. Any other convenient functional equivalent may be employed.

The ring element 16 has an annular radiallyextending surface 24 which is provided with radiallydirected reinforcing ribs 26 on its underside. Such ribs 26 may be omitted in some applications and/or any other form of reinforcement may be employed. At the radially-inner extremity of the surface 24 is a depending skirt 28 which supports the snap ring 20.

At the radially-outer extremity of the surface 24 is provided a second skirt 30 which extends dependingly and also extends above the surface 24. Four undercuts 32 and cutaways 34 are provided in the skirt 30 to permit assembly with the cap 18 in the manner described below.

The cap 18 is generally dome-shaped, although other shapes are possible, to enclose the valve 14 and is 4 provided at its Periphery with four flanges or lugs 36, corresponding to the four undercuts 32 and cutaways 34. The number four is chosen f or ease of construction And convenience. It will be apparent that greater or lesser numbers may be employed.

In assembling the cap elements 18 to the ring element 16, the flanges 36 are aligned with the cutaways 34 which are flange- or lug-receiving openings and inserted therein. By holding the ring element 16 against rotation and then rotating the cap element 18 relative to the ring element 16, the flanges 36 enter the undercuts 32 which are flange- or lug-receiving recesses and are prevented from detachment from the ring element 16. The ends of the undercuts 32 remote from the cutaways 34 constitute flange or lug stops 38.

If desired, the undercuts 32 may be formed with a taper towards the lug stops 38 to secure further the cap is in place. Alternatively, a cooperating pair of projections and recesses may be provided on the lugs 36 in the undercuts 32_ to provide such additional securement.

As may be seen from Figure 6A, if a child attempts to open the container like a bottle, i.e. screwing off the cap element 18, then the whole assembly of cap element 18 and ring element 16 rotate relative to the container 12 and removal of the cap 18 does not occur. Similarly, if a child tries to pull the cap off, assembly of the closure 10 with the container 12 prevents this from occurring.

As may be seen from Figures 6B and 6C, removal of the cap element 18 requires first that the ring member 16 be secured against rotation. The cap element 18 then may be rotated relative to the ring element 16 to bring the lugs 36 into alignment with the openings 34,so that the cap element 18 then may be removed.

The use of the lugs 36 in combination with the undercuts 32 and cutaways 34 is a convenient manner of permitting release of the cap element 18 from the ring 7 l> element 16 by relative rotation. Any other functional equivalent may be employed.

Each of the ring element 16 and cap element 18 preferably are of one-piece molded construction.

The childproof closure structure provided herein is simple yet very effective. The child is prevented from removing the cap element 18 by reason of its assembly with the ring element 16. However, an older person may readily open and close the closure.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

In summary of this disclosure, the present invention provides a novel childproof container closure wherein relative rotation of elements is employed.

Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

6

Claims

CLAIMS _1. A closure for -an-a-erosol conta-irie-r, comprising (a) a ring

element constructed to be mounted on the aerosol container for rotation relative thereto and to resist dismounting from the container upon the application of -an axiallydirected force thereto, and (b) a cap element constructed to be releasably engaged by the ring element by relative rotation of the cap element and the ring element.
2. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the ring element is provided with a radially- inwardly directed snap ring to be received by a complimentarily-shaped groove in the container to permit the mounting of the ring element to the container and the relative rotation.
3. A closure as claimed in claL-n 1 or 2,in which the ring element is provided with a plurality of flangereceiving recesses and a plurality of flange receiving openings located one at one longitudinal extremity of each of the flangereceiving recesses and the cap element is provided with a plurality of radiallydirected flanges corresponding in number with the number of the flange-receiving openings, whereby upon insertion of the flanges into the flange-receiving openings and rotation of the cap element relative to the ring element, the flanges enter the flange-receiving recesses and the cap element thereby is prevented from disassembly from the ring element unless the cap element is rotated relative to the ring element to align the flanges and the flange-receiving openings.
4. - A closure as claimed in claim 3, in which the other end of each of the flange-receiving recesses is provided with a. stop to limit relative rotation of the_ cap element and the ring element.
5. - A closure as- claimed in claim 3 cr 4, silien appendant to claim, 2, in wich the ring element includes an annular vall, an integral radially-inner depending skirt in which is formed the snap ring and an integral radially-outer skirt in which the flange-receiving recesses and flange-receiving openings are formed.

ll 7
6. A closure for an aerosol container substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Published 1989 at The Patent Office, Stave House, 66171 High Holl>orn, IondonWClR4TF. Further copies maybe obtainedfrom The PatentOffice. Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BRS 33R.D. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St MarY Cray, Kent, Con- 1/87