US2981446A - Dispensing caps and assemblies containing same - Google Patents

Description

April 25, 1961 A. B. CAMPBELL 2,981,446

DISPENSING CAPS AND ASSEMBLIES CONTAINING SAME Filed Jan. 5, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 @Weya A ril 25, 1961 A. B. CAMPBELL 2,931,446

DISPENSING CAPS AND ASSEMBLIES CONTAINING SAME Filed Jan. 5, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a0 3i .25 Z1 a 42 36 40 L 44 r I Z '37 I ll I as 44 41 33 32 f .20 35/, 61 ff 3i 4;; v r 7 g. 43 62 Z 2 1 66 a y (I f 64 Qfl/ZC727Z7Z7/ QZZeW-Z'Z QW United States Patent DISPENSING CAPS AND ASSEMBLIES CONTAINING SAME Albert B. Campbell, Glen Ellyn, Ill., assignor to Campbell Products Co., Bensenville, 11]., a corporation of linois Filed Jan. 5, 1959, Ser. No. 785,000

6 Elaims. (Cl. 222-494) This invention relates to dispensing caps that are adapted to be used primarily with aerosol dispensers, and the combination of said dispensing caps with components of dispenser assemblies.

My cap is made of a single piece of flexible plastic. The cap comprises a skirt having a fluid outlet, a depressible tab or diaphragm spaced at the top of the skirt,

and a rigid upstanding wall that extends above the diaphragm for preventing accidental depression of the dia-- phragm and valve stem and unintentional release of the contents of the container. This cap may be used in a dispenser assembly comprising a container having an upper opening for receiving and retaining a valve assembly, a valve assembly secured to the container having a vertically reciprocative valve stem, and the integral, flexible plastic cap.

The rigid upstanding Wall extends above the depressible diaphragm and rcciprocative valve stem, thereby preventing accidental depression of the diaphragm and dispensing valve stem. Therefore, (a) the diaphragm may be depressed independently of the upstanding wall, but only by selective pressure applied within the boundary of the upstanding wall, (b) the cap may be secured to the container without actuating the dispensing valve structure, and (c) dispenser assemblies may be stacked one upon another without causing unintentional depression of the diaphragm and valve stem.

There are essentially two general types of dispensing valve assemblies used today in aerosol type dispenser assemblies. In the first type of dispensing valve structure, the valve stem is a tubular member that may be depressed to unseat the valve. This depression causes the contents of the dispenser assembly to be discharged from the container proper through a tubular passage that extends along the longitudinal axis of said tubular stem. This type of valve structure is shown in- Abplanalps Patent 2,631,814 and is referred to in Abplanalps Patent 2,753,214 and his Reissue Patent 24,555. In the second type of valve assembly the contents of the dispenser assembly are dispensed by the vertical displacement of a valve stem, which causes the contents of the container to be ejected from the container through an annulus that circumscribes the periphery of the stem. This second type of valve structure is shown in Campbell Patents 2,755,973 and 2,766,915.

When the first type of valve assembly is used, caps of the type shown in either Patent 2,753,214 or Reissue Patent 24,555 may be used. The resilient plastic cap shown in Patent 2,753,214 is adapted to be secured to the container. This cap is provided with a resilient diaphragm or tab that overlies the tubular valve stem and has a chambered hub which forms a socket in which the upper end of the tubular valve stem is retained. A discharge passage leads from the cylindrical chamber in the hub to a spout. When the diaphragm is depressed by the operator, the valve is unseated, thereby enabling the contents of the container to' be dispensed out the dis- 2,981,446 Patented Apr. 25, 1961 lice penser assembly through the stem, chamber, passage, and spout.

It has been reported that the diaphragm of the cap shown in Patent 2,753,214 has many objectionable characteristics. One such objection attributed to this cap was deemed inherent in the fact that the hub had to fit over the tubular valve stem of the container and experience showed that, when enough'pressure was placed on the cap as a whole to force it over the'lip of the can in mounting the cap on the can, the application of such pressure to force the hub into engagement with the valve stem would cause discharge of the contents of the can through the nozzle of the cap and in order to produce a marketable product. The discharged material had to be wiped ofli, which meant extra labor costs and was altogether undesirable because the interior of the spout could not be entirely cleaned of the product which lodged therein. This problem of accidental depression of the diaphragm when the cap was secured to the container was alleviated to at least some degree by the use of the cap shown in Reissue Patent 24,555.

The cap shown in Reissue Patent 24,555 is substantially similar to the cap shown in Patent 2,753,214. However, the circular diaphragm of the cap shown in Patent 2,753,214 is secured to the skirt portion along its entire circular periphery, whereas the circular diaphragm shown in Reissue Patent M555 is hingedly attached to theskirt at the top thereof for a short distance along its periphery. From the customers standpoint, the cap shown in Reissue Patent 24,555 is much easier to install since it may be made with a substantially rigid peripheral Wall or skirt which may be forced down over the lip of a container with enough pressure to quickly and firmly secure it in place while the diaphragm is pivoted along its flexible hinge in an upward direction without exerting depressible pressure onthe valve stem. Pressure may then be applied to the diaphragm to seat the upper portion of the valve stem in the chambered hub at the center vof the diaphragm. Thus, when the cap of the reissue patent is secured to the container, the hinged diaphragm is moved in an upward direction more readily and a further distance than the diaphragm of the cap shown in Patent 2,753,214. However, despite the advantages that may result from the use of a hinged diaphragm, there is still some chance of. the stem being depressed when the cap is securely fitted to the container and the upper end of the tubular valve stem. My invention obviates this danger of unintended depression of the tubular valve stem.

When the second type of valve assembly is used, the

dispensing cap may be readily secured to the container without contacting the top end of the valve stem. For example, the Campbell patents referred to above show a cap wherein the depressible diaphragm is positioned above the upper end of the valve stem and the stern and diaphragm are not secured to each other. Campbells cap normally contacts the valve stem only when the diaphragm and stem are depressed, thereby causing the valve stem to be actuated to a dispensing position. However, when this type of valve assembly and valve stem are used, the ejected contents of the container fill the confines of the cavity that is formed between the cap and container. My present invention permits the depressible diaphragm of the type shown in the Campbell patents to be hinged along a part of its periphery in much the same manner as shown in Abplanalp Reissue Patent 24,555, thereby providing the diaphragm with freer depressible movement. At the same time, my invention permits the resulting hinged diaphragm to be normally free of the upper end of the valve stem.

My new dispensing caps and the combination of said caps with components of a dispenser assembly are illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, wherein: I

Figure 1 is a plan view of the cap structure shown in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure2 is an enlarged partial sectional elevational view of a dispenser assembly comprising a dispensing cap, dispensing valve assembly of the type shown in Abplanalp Patent 2,631,814, and container;

Figure 3 is an enlarged partial sectional elevational View, similar to that shown in Figure 2, showing the hinged diaphragm of the cap and associated tubular valve stem in a depressed, dispensing position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged bottom view of the dispensing cap shown in Figures 1-3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged partialsectional elevational view showing a second cap in combination with the same valve assembly shown in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 6 is an enlarged partialsectional elevational view showing the second cap embodiment and a second dispensing valve assembly of the type shown in Campbell Patent 2,755,973; and a Figure 7 is an enlarged partial sectional elevational view, similar to that of Figure 6, showing the second cap embodiment in a depressed position and the associated valve stem of the second valve assembly in a depressed, dispensing position.

The two embodiments of my dispensing cap structure shown in (a) Figures 1-4 and (b) Figures 5-7 are adapted to be used, interchangeably, with either a reciprocative, hollow, tubular valve stem, such as illustrated in Patent 2,631,814, or the solid, reciprocative valve stem, such as shown in accompanying Figures 6 and 7 (corresponds with Campbell Patent 2,755,973) or Campbell Patent 2,766,915.

The drawings show aerosol dispenser assemblies, each of which has (1) a container, (2) valve assembly, and (3) cap, which comprises: (1) a dispenser container having an upper opening for receiving a dispensing valve assembly; (2) a dispensing valve assembly fitted to the top opening of the container and retained thereat; said valve assembly having a substantially vertically extending fluid passage means with an upper outlet positioned above said container and a lower inlet communicating with the confines of said container; a vertically extending, vertically reciprocative valve stem having an upper portion extending above said container; and sealing means for selectively opening and sealably closing said fluid passage means; said sealing means, valve stem and passage means being operatively associated with each other so that (a) said sealing means normally closes said passage rneans -and thereby prevents the egress of contents of said container through said passage outlet, and (b) movement of said stem from its normal position permits the egress of contents or said container through said passage outlet; and (3) an integral, flexible plastic cap comprising a substantially cylindrical skirt portion normally secured to said container and normally circumscribing said passage means and said upper portion of the reciprocative valve stem; the lower end of said skirt having retaining means for permitting the cap to be secured to a valve support or cup, which is in turn secured to the container and becomes a part thereof; said skirt portion having a fluid outlet through which the contents of the container are adapted to spout; when the cap is secured to the container, said fluid outlet therein extends at an angle to the axis of said stem; said cap having a substantially fiat, flexible, circular, resiliently hinged diaphragm at the top of said skirt and overlying said upper portion of the valve stern which, when depressed, contacts said valve stem and depresses it from its normal position towards said container opening, thereby permitting the egress of contents of said container through said passage outlet; a substantially vertical, rigid upstanding wall extending from the skirt and projectingabove said skirt and depressible. diaphragm, thereby preventing accidentalde- 4. pression of said depressible diaphragm and said valve stem; said diaphragm being capable of being depressed independently of said upstanding wall but only by selective pressure applied within the boundary of the upstanding wall.

Referring first to the cap 10 shown in Figures 1-4, the cap 10 shown therein comprises a tubular skirt 11 that extends downwardly from the diaphragm opening 13 and diaphragm 14. A rigid upstanding wall 12 extends from the skirt 11 above the diaphragm opening 13 and diaphragm 14', and prevents accidental depression of the diaphragm. The lower portion of the skirt 11 is flared outwardly at 16 and is provided with an internal bead 17 so that the cap 10 may be sprung over and secured to the peripheral edge of the cup or support 8. The cup 8 supports the valve dispensing assembly 50, of the type shown in Abplanalp Patent 2,631,814, and is secured to and forms a part of the metal can or container 9. The valve assembly 50 has a rcciprocative tubular valve stem 51. The resiliently hinged, circular diaphragm 14 is entirely free from attachment to the skirt 11 except for a relatively narrow peripheral resilient hinge connection 13 which is shown in Figure 1. Although the diaphragm 14 is otherwise unattached to the skirt 11 and opening 13, its peripheral edge is positioned adjacent thereto. The hinge 18 permits the diaphragm 14 to be pivoted downwardly along its arcuate axis and to return to a raised position.

The inner or lower side of the diaphragm 14 has an integral, collapsible tubular hub 19 with tubular chamber 20 having an upper offset portion which forms an annular shoulder 21. The shoulder 21 and chamber 20 are shown positioned in spaced relation to the top and longitudinally extending sides of the dispensing valve stem 51 when the diaphragm 14 is in its normal position, such as shown in Figure 2. Thus, when the cap 11) is secured to the container 9, the cap can in no way cause or effect the unintended depression of the tubular valve stem 51. The lower tubular portion of the collapsible hub 19 has vertically extending slots 22 formed therein. The lower portion of the slotted hub 19 rests on the valve assembly 50 in the manner shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the slots 22 extend from the bottom of the hub 19 to about two-thirds the height of the hub, but below the upper end of the tubular valve stem 51. The lower slotted portion of the hub 19'has an upwardly and inwardly projecting taper 23.

When the operator wishes to actuate the valve assembly 50, thediaphragm 1 4 should be depressed from its position shown in Figure 2 to its pivoted position shown in Figure 3, during which the tapered portion 23 of the slotted hub 19 is moved downwardly and outwardly and the shoulder 21 is brought into engagement with the upper end of the stem 51. This pivotal movement of the diaphragm 14 depresses the stem 51 and causes the valve to be actuated to ,a dispensing position.

A rib 24 extends radially from the hub 19 to the skirt 11 directly below the hinge 18 and upstanding wall 12. The rib 24 is shown in Figures 2-4 to be integrally joined at its peripheral outer end to the skirt 11 and at its upper side to the diaphragm 14. The rib 24 is provided with an internal tubular passage 25 which communicates with the spout 15 and the chamber 20 of the hub 19 and the top open end of the tubular stem 51.

In operation, the contents of the container 9 shown in Figures 2 and 3 may be dispensed with the cap 10 by depressing the diaphragm 14 from its normal position shown in Figure 2 to its dispensing position shown in Figure 3. The depression of the diaphragm causes the annular shoulder 21 to contact the upper end of the tubular stem 51, which, in turn, depresses the stem to its dispensing position. The slots 22 at the lower end of the hub 19 and the lower tapered surface 23 thereof facilitate the depression of-the-shoulder 21 of-the collapsible hub 19,-asrshown in- Figure 3. Oncethevalve assembly SO hasbeenactuated, "the contents of the con: tainer 9 are ejected through the dip tube 7, through the tubular stem 51 into the tubular chamber in the hub 19, into the passage in the rib 24, and out of the cap through the spout 15. When the diaphragm 14 is depressed as shown in Figure 4, the upper portion of the chamber 20, adjacent the passage 25, sealably engages the stem 51, thereby preventingthe flow-back of, the ejected contents of the container 9 into the cavity defined by the cap 10 and cup 8. Once the fingers of the operatorare removed from the depressed diaphragm '14, the stem 51 will be urged to its upper, normal position, and the diaphragm will fiex back to a raised position. During this dispensing operation, the cap 10 contacts the stem 51 only when the diaphragm 14 is depressed.

The cap shown in Figures 6 and 7, and shown in part in Figure 5, may be used in conjunction with either the valvetassembly 50 as shown in Figure 5 or valve assembly 60fdisclosed in Figures 6 and 7. 'Irrespective of the par-ticul'ar valve assembly with which the cap 30 is used, the depression of the resiliently hinged diaphragm 34 causes the hub 39 to collapse and the cylindrical valve stem to be depressed. Figure 5 shows the cap 30 supported directly on the cup 8, whereas Figures 6' and 7 show the cap 30 resting on the cup 70. Withrespect to theassembly shown in Figure '5, th cap 30 operatesthe valve assembly 50 in the same manner describedjabove with respect to the cap 10, except 'that the weakened hub 39 is supported by'the cup 8 instead ofthe valve and itsdepressionis facilitated by means of thegroove 42 instead of "slots and a tapered "surface. Actuation of the valve assembly 50' causes the ejected materialto pass through the dip tube 7, through the stern 51a into the tubular chamber 40 in the hub 39, into the passage 44 in the rib 43, and out of the cap 30 through the spout that is shown. in Figures 6 and 7. When the diaphragm 34 of the cap 30 shown in Figure. 5 is depressed, the cap assumes the shape shown in Figure 7. v i

When thecap 30 is use d in conjunction with the valve assembly 60 shown in Figures 6 and 7, the diaphragm and valve stem 61 are depressed in the same manner as described above with respect to the assembly shown injFig'ur'e 5. However, the valveassembly 60,

which is ofthe type shown in Campbell Patent 2,755,973, operates 'in a somewhat different manner that that de- I scribed above with respect; to valve assembly 50.

More specificallyfthe skirt 31 of the cap30 extends downwardly from the diaphragm. opening 33 and hinged diaphragm 34. {An upstanding wall 32 extends from, the skirt 31 abovelthe diaphragm opening 33 and diaphragm.,34, and. prevents accidental depression of the diaphragm 34 The lower portion of the skirt 31 is flaredoutwardly at 36 .and is provided with an internal head 37 so that the cap can be'sprung over and secured to the peripheral edge of either the circular cup 8 shown in Figure S or cup 70 of Figures 6 and 7. The hinged diaphragm 34 is entirely-free from the attachment of the skirt 31 except for a narrowly peripheral resilient hinge connection38 that is similar'to the hinge 18 shown in Figure' lwith respect to the cap 10', .Although-thediaphragm 34 is otherwise unattached to the skirtSl and a diaphragm opening 33, its peripheral- 4186 is positioned adjacent thereto. 1 The. resilient hinge 38 permits, the diaphragmv 34 to be pivoted along its arcuate axis and to returnto a. raised position;

The inner on lower side of the diaphragm 34 has an integral tubular hub 39 .with a tubular chamber 40having an uppersoffset portion which forms anannular shoulder '41. The shoulder 41 and chamber 40 are positioned'in spaced relation to .the top and longitudinally extending sides ofthe dispensing valve stem (stem 51 of Figure 5 and stem 61 in Figures 6 and 7) when the diaphragm 34is in its normal position, such as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Thus, when the cap30 is secured to the container 9, the cap can in no way cause or afiect the unintended depression of the associated valve stem. The lower portion of the collapsible hub 39 has a triangular annular groove 42 therein. This groove 42 weakens the hub 39 and facilitates its radial extension when the hinged diaphragm is depressed as shown in Figure 7. The broken lines d in Figure 5 show the position of the outer wall of the hub 39 when it is depressed.

A rib 43 extends radially from the hub 39 of the skirt 31 below the hinge 38 and upstanding wall 32 in a manner somewhat similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 with respect to the cap 10. The rib 43 is shown in Figures 6 and 7- to be integrally joined at its peripheral outer end'to the skirt 31 and at its upper side to the diaphragm 34. The rib 43 is provided with'an internal tubular passage 44 which communicates with the. spout 35 and the chamber 40 of the hub 39. y

The dispensing valve assembly shown in Figures 6 and 7 comprises a cylindrical bonnet member 63 having a bottom opening witha dip tube 64 secured thereto for receiving .the contents of the container 9. The bonnet 63 is secured tothe'cup 70, which, in turn, is secured to the container.9'and;becomes a part thereof.

' The bonnet 63 has a lower internal shoulde'r-65. A resion until said gate element66 has been at least partially compressed in a downward "direction. The bottom surface of the gate 66 'is provided witha neck-like or cylindrical protruding portion 68 that is received by "the upper narrow portion of the spring 67. The valve stem 61 is inserted into the opening 62 in the gate element 66. I In operating the valve assembly 60, the first applied finger pressure against the depressible diaphragm 34 shown in Figure 6 causes the shoulder 41 to contact the upper end of the valve stem 61 and depress thesten'lv a slight distance to a dispensing position. The displacement of stem 61, as-shown in Figure 7, causes the resilient valve gate element'66 to be compressed slightly,

the pressure exerted through thestem'being insufficient to compressthe coiled spring 67 'until the g'ate" element 66 has been at least partially compressed; Thefcompres sioni'ofwalve' gate element 66 and'sprin'g, in tandem, results in displacing the sealing surface a short distance from the detent' or valve seat portion 720i the cup 70. The pressure within the aerosol container forces the contents up through the diptube ,64, through the coiled spring 67 and passageway between elem ent 66 and bonn'et 63, out of the bonnet 63 through the central opening 71 of the cup 70, around the stem 61.into the chamber 140 of the hub 39, through the passage-44 in the rib 43 and ultimately out'through the1jspout35r It can be readily seenfr'om the above drawings, that my dispensing capsmaylbe:readilysecured to the containerfwithout contacting the reciprocative valve stem until the depressible diaphragm isintentionally' depressed by the operatorto an actuating position. .-Further, it can be readily. seenj'that my c pam y be readily used with the types of reciprocative stem shown in Abplanalp -Patent 2,63l,814,]as well as the valve shown in Gampbelh Patents 2,766,9151and 2,755,973. On the other hand,

the caps shown in. Abplanalp Patent 2,753,214 and Abplanalp-Reissue Patent 24,555 may not. beeffectiv'ely' used with the type of valve *st Campbell patents. H r

The caps lfland- 39 may be-made of resilientplasticctureshown in said material such as polyethylene, or other suitable polymer or copolymer. The collapsible hubs 19 and 39 of caps and 30, respectively, may be weakened by means other than disclosed above, and may normally rest on the valve, such as shown in Figures 2 and 3, or may be supported by the cup or container as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. Although I prefer that chambers 20 and and shoulders 21 and 41 of caps 10 and 30 normally do not contact the valve stem, these caps may be modified so that their chambers contact the stem along its outer longitudinally extending surface; however, it is important that the shoulders 21 and 41 do not contact the valve stem until the diaphragm is depressed and actuation of the valve assembly is desired.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should'be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. An integral, flexible plastic dispensing cap for aerosol dispenser assemblies comprising: a substantially cylindrical skirt portion with a bottom portion engageable with a dispenser container; said skirt having a dispensing opening; a depressible diaphragm extending across an upper interior portion of said skirt and resiliently hinged thereto along a part only of the internalperiphcry of said skirt; a collapsible, resilient chambered hub projecting downwardly from the lower side of said diaphragm, said hub being collapsible upon selective depression of the diaphragm; said hub having a continuous chamber with an opening at the bottom of said hub; the lower portion of the hub contacting during operation of the cap a separate supporting surface of the dispenser that tends to restrain downward movement of the hub during depression of the diaphragm and collapsing of the hub; said hub having inwardly directed valve actuating means that is normally free of direct actuating contact with an underlying reciprocative valve stem of a valve assembly; means positioned below the diaphragm between said skirt and hub having a continuous passage communicating with said dispensing opening and said chamber in the hub; said depressible diaphragm being capable of being hingedly depressed by the application of pressure thereupon; said selective depression of the diaphragm etfecting the depression of said collapsible hub and depression of the valve actuating means to a position that then depresses the underlying reciprocativevalve stem, thereby causing the unseating'of valve means for the discharge ofcontents of the container through said dispensing openingof the cap. p

2. An integrahflexible plastic dispensing cap for aerosol dispenser assemblies comprising: a substantially cylindrical skirt portion with a bottom portion engageable with a dispenser container;;said skirt having a dispensing opening; a depressiblediaphragm extending across an upper interior portion of said skirt and resiliently hinged thereto along a part only of the internal periphery'of said skirt; an upstanding protective wall extending above the diaphragm, 'said wall preventing accidental depression of the diaphragm against an underlying reciprocative valve stem of a dispensing valve assembly; a collapsible, resilient chambered hub projecting downwardly from the lower side of said diaphragm, said hub being collapsible upon selective depression of the diaphragm; said 'hub having a downwardly extending continuous chamber with an opening at the bottom; said'hub having an offset valve actuating shoulder that normally free'of direct actuating contact with the underlying reciprocative valve stem;

the lower portion'of the hub contacting during operation 7 of the cap a separate supporting surfaceof the dispenser that tends to restrain downward movementof the hub duringldepression of-the diaphragm and collapsing of thehub; means positioned below the diaphragm between said skirt and hub having a continuous passage communicating with' said dispensing'opening and said chamber in the hub; said depressible diaphragm being capable of being hingedly depressed only by selective pressure applied within the boundary of said upstanding wall;;said selective depression of the diaphragm effecting the depression of said collapsible hub and depression of the offset shoulder into actuating contact with the underlying reciprocative valve stem, thereby causing the unseating of valve means for the discharge of contents of the container through said dispensing opening of the cap.

3. An integral, flexible plastic dispensing cap for aerosol dispenser assemblies comprising: a substantially cylindrical skirt portion with a bottom portion engageable with a dispenser container; said skirt having a dispensing opening; a depressible diaphragm extending across an upper interior portion of said skirt and resiliently hinged thereto along a part only of the internal periphcry of said skirt; an upstanding protective wall extending above the diaphragm, said wall preventing accidental depression of the diaphragm against an underlying reciprocative valve stem of a dispensing valve assembly;'a collapsible, resilient chambered hub projecting downwardly from the lower side of said diaphragm, said hub being collapsible upon selective depression of the diaphragm; said hub having a downwardly extending continuous chamber vw'th an opening at the bottom of said hub; the lower portion of the hubcontacting during operation of the cap a separate supporting surface of the dispenser that tends to restrain downward movement of the hub during depression of the diaphragm and collapsing of the hub; said hub having upwardly extending slots and an upwardly and inwardly extending taper extending from bottom thereof; said hub having inwardly directed valve actuating means that is normally free of direct actuating contact with the underlying reciprocative valve stem; means positioned below the diaphragm between said skirt and hub having a continuous passage communicating with said dispensing opening and said chamber in the hub; said depressible diaphragm being capable of being hingedly depressed only by selective pressure applied within the boundary of said upstanding wall; said selective depression of the diaphragm effecting the depression of said collapsible hub and depression of the valve actuating means to a position that then depresses the underlying reciprocative valve stem, thereby causing the unseating of valve means for the discharge of contents of the container through said dispensing opening of the cap.

4. An integral, flexible plastic dispensing cap for aerosol dispenser assemblies comprising: a substantially cylindrical skirt portion with a bottom portion engageable with a dispenser container; said skirt having a dispensing opening; a depressible diaphragm extending across an upper interior portion of said skirt and resiliently hinged thereto along a part only of the internal periphery of said skirt; an upstanding protective wall extending above the diaphragm, said wall preventing accidental depression of the diaphragm against an'underlying reciprocative valve stem of a dispensing valve assembly; a collapsible, resilient chambered hub projecting downwardly from the lower side of said diaphragm, said hub being collapsible upon selective depression of the diaphragm; said hub having a downwardly extending continuous chamber with an ope ing at the bottom of said hub; the lower portion of the hub contacting during operation of the cap a separate supporting surface of the dispenser that tends to restrain downward movement of the hub during depression of the diaphragm and collapsing of the hub; said hub having a weakened wall; said hub having inwardly directed valve actuating means that is normally free of direct actuating contact with the underlying reciprocative valve stem; means positioned below the diaphragm between said skirt and hub having a continuous passage communicating with said dispensing opening and said chamber in the hub; said depressible diaphragm being capable of beinghingedly depressed only by selective pressure applied within the boundary of said upstanding wall; said selective depression of the diaphragm effecting the depression of said collapsible hub and depression of the valve actuating means to a position that then depresses the underlying reciprocative valve stem, thereby causing the unseating of valve means for the discharge of contents of the container through said dispensing opening of the cap.

5. A dispenser assembly having a container, valve assembly and cap, which comprises: a dispenser container having an upper opening for receiving a dispensing valve assembly; a dispensing valve assembly fitted to the top opening of the container and retained thereat; said valve assembly having a substantially vertically extending fluid passage means with an upper outlet positioned above said container and a lower inlet communicating with the confines of said container; a vertically extending, vertically reciprocative valve stem having an upper portion'extending above said container; and sealing means for selectively opening and sealably closing said fluid passage means; said sealing means, valve stem and passage means being operatively associated with each other so that said sealing means normally closes said passage means and thereby prevents the egress of contents of said container through said passage outlet, and movement of said stem from its normal position permits the egress of contents of said container through said passage outlet; and an integral, flexible plastic dispensing cap comprising a substantially cylindrical skirt portion with a bottom portion engageable with the dispenser container; said skirt having a dispensing opening; a depressible diaphragm extending across an upper interior portion of said skirt and resiliently hinged thereto along a part only of the internal periphery of said skirt; a collapsible, resilient chambered hub projecting downwardly from the lower side of said diaphragm, saidhub being collapsible upon selective depression of the diaphragm; said hub having a continuous chamber with an opening at the bottom of said hub; the lower portion of the hub contacting during operation of the cap a separate supporting surface of the dispenser that tends to restrain downward movement of the hub during depression of the diaphragm and collapsing of the hub; said hub having inwardly directed valve actuating means that is normally free of direct actuating contact with the underlying reciprocative valve stem; means positioned below the diaphragm between said skirt and hub having a continuous passage communicating with said dispensing opening and said chamber in the hub; said depressible diaphragm being capable of being hingedly depressed by the application of pressure thereupon; said selective depression of the diaphragm efiecting the depression of said collapsible hub and depression of the valve actuating means to a position that then depresses the underlying reciprocative valve stem, thereby causing the unseating of said sealing means for the discharge of contielnts of the container through said dispensing opening of t e cap.

6. The dispenser assembly of claim 5 wherein the cap has an upstanding wall extending above the diaphragm, thereby preventing accidental depression of the diaphragm against the underlying valve stem.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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