DE3342884A1 - Child-resistant protective cap for aerosol spray cans - Google Patents

Abstract

A protective cap which can be connected permanently to the upper end of an aerosol spray can, having a lateral spraying opening assigned to the spraying valve, is provided on its upper side with an opening through which an actuating member is accessible which is guided movably in the cap. The actuating member can be moved counter to a restoring force firstly from a position of rest horizontally into an intermediate position and, from the intermediate position, counter to the restoring force of the spraying valve of the aerosol spray can in its direction of actuation. As a tamper-proof closure, the actuating member is blocked by a destructible blocking device in its position of rest.

Description

Childproof protective cap for aerosol spray cans.

The invention relates to a child-resistant protective cap for aerosol spray cans with one for permanent connection with the upper one having the spray valve End of the can suitable connection section and one of the spray opening of the spray valve associated, side opening, the spray valve by pressurization can be converted into its spraying position in the direction of the upper end of the can.

The problem of securing aerosol spray cans so that on the one hand their Handling for authorized use is not noticeably difficult, but on the other hand Preventing misuse by smaller children has long been known. Various possible solutions have been proposed without one of these solutions has prevailed in practice. There are several for this Reasons recognizable. In some cases, the outlay on tools for production is too great, in some cases the assembly of the protective cap is complicated and time-consuming, or problems arise when connecting the protective cap to the aerosol spray can. But it also exists the problem that simple solutions in particular are essential for sales success do not take into account the important overall aesthetic impression of the spray can, while on the other hand too cumbersome handling is unfavorable.

The invention is based on the object of a childproof protective cap of the type mentioned at the beginning train them to be relatively easy can be produced and assembled, the cap in particular as a unit on aerosol spray cans should be easy to disengage so that it is easy to use and yet childproof and that it enables an aesthetically pleasing design. Finally supposed to the protective cap can also be designed as a guarantee lock, who recognize tells whether the spray can is unopened or already opened.

The solution to the problem is that in the cap a spring element that can be operated from the top of the cap and counteracts a resetting spring element from a rest position to an intermediate position approximately horizontally movable actuator is stored, which engages over the spray valve and at least in the intermediate position that from the intermediate position against the spray valve and together with this in the direction is movable to the spray position and that the actuator is in its rest position is blocked by a destructible lock.

This solution results in a relatively simple cap shape, wherein the actuating member is latched into the cap from above and the cap as a unit can be pressed onto the spray can, with an aesthetically pleasing, largely closed cap shape can be achieved. The handling is very easy and still represents an obstacle for smaller children because the actuator do not press down at first, but along a horizontal tal Leadership must be postponed. Then the direction of actuation must be changed and that Actuator are depressed.

There is a particularly expedient and advantageous embodiment in that on the cap an upwardly open, with a horizontal guide designed for the actuating member provided receptacle for the actuating member is that the actuator with guide lugs only on part of the guide length engages in the horizontal guide and the horizontal guide intermittently is provided for the passage of the guide approaches in the vertical direction, opposite which the management approaches are aligned when the actuator is in its intermediate position.

Preferably, the cap has two in the horizontal direction of movement of the actuating member extending parallel to one another on both sides of the actuating member in vertical planes running guide links, in which each at least two spaced apart in the guide direction on the actuator Intervene guide approaches, the guide links each one horizontal Guide section and, based on this, the number of guide approaches at each Side of the actuator corresponding to the guide approaches running vertically downwards has associated sections in the intermediate position of the actuator.

It is particularly advantageous if the guide links are made of elastic, formed on the cap guide cheeks and the free ends the guide lugs are beveled in such a way that the inclined surfaces meet each other in pairs Converge downwards of the guide approaches assigned transversely to the guide direction.

Further advantageous refinements emerge from the subclaims in connection with the description.

Based on the following description of one shown in the drawing Embodiment of the invention this is explained in more detail.

E shows: FIG. 1 a section through an inventive, on a Childproof protective cap arranged in the aerosol container in the delivery state, Fig. 2 a plan view of the cap according to Fig. 1 Fig. 3 is a section along the line III-III in Fig. 1.

4 shows a section corresponding to FIG. 1 during actuation of the spray valve, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the cap in that shown in FIG Operating position, Fig. 6, the actuating member before assembly in the direction of the arrow VI seen from below in FIG. 7, FIG. 7 a side view of FIG. 6, FIG. 8 a View in the direction of arrow VIII in FIG. 7, FIG. 9 a plan view of the cap before the assembly of the actuator 10 shows a section according to the line X-X in Fig. 9, Fig. 11 shows a section along the line XI-XI in Fig. 9, Fig. 12 a section along the line XII-XII in Fig.

10 and 13 a section along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12.

On a commercial type aerosol container 10 is a total with 12 designated cap made of plastic erart snapped on that they only can be resolved in the event of improper handling and the use of force. The protective cap 12 consists of two parts, namely the cap body 14, below briefly referred to as cap 14, and an actuator 16.

The cap 14 has a fastening bead at its lower edge 18 provided, the inner surface 20 tapers upwards to conically and below Formation of a shoulder 22 is undercut so that the cap 14 over an annular shoulder 24 can be pressed on the aerosol container 10 such that the shoulder 22 the Ring shoulder 24 engages behind so that the cap 14 is rotatable, but inextricably linked to the Container 10 is connected.

The cylindrical side wall 26 of the cap 14 is through a spray funnel 28 interrupted, which extends radially inward and tapers conically inward and finally at a distance from the axis 30, which will be explained in more detail later of the container 10 ends in a cylindrical nozzle 32 which extends to the spray valve 34 of the container 10 is brought up. This spray valve 34 sits on a vertical, towards the Axis 30 movable, for the spraying process according to valve stem 33 to be pressed down. It is in the area of the spray opening with a parallel to the axis 30 and to the diameter running through the spray opening Provided at right angles to the contact surface up to which the connecting piece 32 is guided is so that its inner end rests against this contact surface and thus the cap 14 and the spray valve 34 couples to a common rotary movement. So it is always ensures that the spray opening of the spray valve 34 in the spray funnel 28 opens. This is only one of the possible couplings between cap 14 and spray valve 34. Other couplings are possible, however, a design should be selected the movement between the cap 14 and the spray valve 34 in the direction of the axis 30 not obstructed, on the one hand to enable the valve movement and on the other hand the assembly of the cap 14 by pressing it onto the container 10 in the direction of the axis 30th

By suitably designing the top of the cap 14, e.g. shown at 36, the direction of spray can be displayed in a recognizable manner to the user.

To actuate the spray valve 34, the cap 14 is the actuating member 16 connected in such a way that it is only possible if improperly handled and with force from the cap 14 can be separated. To accommodate the actuator 16 is on the cap 14 is integrally formed with an upwardly opening slide housing 38, the upper of which Opening 40 essentially the outline of a slide plate 42 with molded thereon Guarantee tongue 44 des Actuator 16 is adapted as particularly can be clearly seen in FIG.

The actuating member 16 and the slide housing 38 are designed so that da3 to actuate the spray valve 34, the actuating member 16 initially in a horizontal position Direction towards the spray funnel 28 and then subsequently in the direction of the axis 30 must be moved downwards, this movement taking place against restoring forces, which are suitable for returning the actuator 16 to its rest position.

The actuating member 16 will now be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6-8. It has an upper, already mentioned grip plate 42 of approximately rectangular shape with rounded corners, which in the rest position of the actuator 16 with its top 46 is arranged flush with the top 48 of the cap 14 (Fig. 1- 3). So that the actuation of the actuator 16 is facilitated, the top 46 of the grip plate 42 is provided with a corrugation 50 (Fig. 2, 4).

A guide body connects to the grip plate 42 at the bottom 52 with a rectangular cross-section, over which the grip plate 42 protrudes on all sides (Fig. 6).

The two parallel, in the direction of the horizontal movement of the actuator 16 extending side surfaces 54a and 54b of the guide body 52 are close to her lower end with two opposite pairs and one horizontal Distance from one another in the guide direction, molded, laterally protruding guide pins 56a and 58a on the side surface 54a and 56b and 58b provided on the side surface 54b. The outer free ends of the guide pins 5Sa-58b are beveled so that the faces of each pair of guide pins 56a, 56b and 58a, 58b converge downwards. In the same way are they lower longitudinal edges 60a and 60b of the side surfaces 54a and 54b beveled to the Pressing the actuator 16 into the slide housing 38 of the cap 14 in the To facilitate assembly.

At the end facing away from the spray funnel 28 is the guide body 52 is provided with a downwardly protruding, cross-sectionally T-shaped stop bar 62, wherein the transverse web 64 of the T faces the spreader funnel 28 and extends transversely to the horizontal direction of movement of the actuator 16 extends.

At the end of the grip plate 42 facing the spray funnel 28 a transverse to the horizontal movement 5-direction of the actuating member 16 extending Guarantee tongue 44 via a film connection 66 and another, easy to tear off the guarantee tongue 44 from the grip plate 42 enabling, weakened connection connected to the handle plate 42. The guarantee tongue 44 protrudes on one side the grip plate 42 and is provided there with a grip tab 68 through which lifted the guarantee tongue 44 and then breaking the film connection 66 can be released from the handle plate 42. Only then can the grip plate 42 in the horizontal direction against Hen spray funnel 28 and then closes a downward angled section. In one the distance between the guide pins 56a and 5 or 56b and 58b from the section is a second distance downwardly extending portion 80 is provided so that the actuating member 16, when it has reached sf intermediate position, it can be pushed vertically downwards, where it hits the spray valve 34 and this at the same time with down into the spray position move The restoring force that pushes the spray valve 34 upwards lifts after completion of the spraying process and the actuator 16 in the intermediate position.

To the actuator 15 also in the horizontal Richtu in the rest position to transfer, is on the slide housing 38 is designated a total of 82 Shapes the spring (Fig. 9-13). As can be clearly seen in FIGS. 9-11, the Rear wall 72 of slide housing 58 pulled further down than the guide cheeks 70a and 70b. Of these guide cheeks 70a and 70b each through a slot 84a and 84b separated and offset somewhat inwardly with respect to the guide cheeks 70a and 70b are below the guide cheeks 70a and 70b two in the rest position to each other parallel spring strips 86a and 86b, which are connected to the rear wall 72 and on the other hand with the outer surface of the spray funnel 28 are connected. from the spring strips S6a and S6b run two curved, connected by a cross yoke 88 Fedel-buõel 90a and 90b against the rear wall 72, with the cross yoke 88 being the crosspiece 64 the stop bar 62 is adjacent or rests against this when si = h the actuator 16 in its rest position to actuate the spray valve 34 according to move down.

As long as the guarantee tongue 44 is intactly connected to the grip plate 42 is, so there is certainty that the spray valve 34 has not yet been actuated.

In about the material thickness of the grip plate 42 of the guarantee tongue 44 and the slightly weaker grip tab 68 corresponding to the distance from the top 48 of the cap 14, the cross section of the slide valve housing narrows 38 essentially on the cross section of the guide body 52 and that below that position which the guide body 52 assumes when the handle plate 42 the end position of its horizontal movement facing the spray funnel 28 or has taken the intermediate position when changing the direction of movement. This narrowed cross-sectional area of the valve body 38 is through the inner end of the spray funnel 28, by two parallel guide cheeks 70a and 70b and limited by a rear wall 72. The guide cheeks 70a and 70b each contain a guide slot 74a or 7b (Fig. 10), in which the guide pins 56a and 56b or 58a and 58b engage after the actuating member 16 from above the opening 40 of the slide valve housing 38 has been pressed in, the guide cheeks 70a and 70b can give way elastically.

The guide slots 74a and 74b have a horizontal section 76, which guides the actuator 16 during its horizontal movement. To the the end of the guide slides 74a and 74b facing the spray funnel 28 is located. The curvature of the spring clips 90a and 90b provides a sufficiently large spring deflection enables.

When the actuator 16 from the rest position to the intermediate position is moved, the stop bar 62 detects the cross yoke 88 and presses it in the direction of the spray funnel 28, with the spring clips 90a and 90b and also the spring strips 86a and 86b are elastically deformed (FIG. 12). The saved Formsnderunsarbeit presses this stop bar 62 and thus the actuator 16 back to the rest position as soon as the actuator is released and by the pressure of the spray valve 34 on the actuator 16, the guide pins 56a-58b again in the area of the horizontal sections 76 of the guide slots 74a and 74b have been raised.

The closure cap described has a clear, elnfold, aesthetic attractive shape, easy to operate, relatively easy to manufacture, whereby for assembly only the actuating member 16 from above into the slide valve housing 38 pressed in and then the entire closure cap 12 is pressed onto the container 10 must be, and by the composition of the actuation movement from a horizontal and subsequent vertical movement is unauthorized use prevents small children. In addition, the cap has a clearly visible guarantee element Sintered against premature, unauthorized use.

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Claims (14)

Child-safe protective cap for aerosol spray cans Claims: 1. Child-safe Protective cap for aerosol spray cans with a permanent connection to the das Spray valve having, upper end of the can and suitable connection section one of the spray opening of the spray valve associated, lateral opening, wherein pressurize the spray valve towards the top of the can can be converted into its spray position, characterized in that in the cap (14) one that can be operated from the top of the cap (48) and one that can be reset Spring element (82) from a rest position to an intermediate position approximately horizontally movable actuating member (16) is mounted, at least in the intermediate position the spray valve (34) oversized and from the intermediate position against the spray valve (34) and together with this in the direction of its spray position is movable and that the actuator (16) in its rest position by a Destructible lock (44) is blocked. 2. Protective cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating member (16) in its rest position with its upper side (46) approximately flush with the upper side (48) of the cap (14) is inserted. 3. Protective cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the actuator (16) via a destructible connection (66) with an in its direction of movement from the rest position to the intermediate position, the locking member (16) in its rest position positively against the cap (14) supporting locking member (44) is connected. 4. Protective cap according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking member (44) inserted with its upper side approximately flush into the upper side (48) of the cap (14) is. 5. Protective cap according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that that the locking member (4) has a tear-off connection (66) with the actuating member (16) is connected and provided with a grip tab (68). 6. Protective cap according to claim 5, characterized in that the grip tab (68) into the surface of the cap (14) is embedded. 7. Protective cap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the Cap immovable in the vertical direction, but attached to the spray can so that it can be rotated is, characterized in that on the cap (14) an on the outer shape of the spray valve (32) adapted for the anti-twist coupling of spray valve (32) and cap (14) suitable, a relative movement between cap (14) and spray valve (32) in the direction of actuation of the spray valve (32) permitting entrainment member is arranged. 8. Protective cap according to one of the preceding claims. characterized in that on the cap (14) an upwardly open, with a horizontal guide (76) for the actuating member (16) provided (38) is designed for the actuator (16) that the actuator with Guide approaches (56a, 56b, 5usa, 58b) only on part of the guide length in the horizontal guide engages and the horizontal guide (76) with interruptions (78, 80) for the passage of the guide lugs (56a, 56b, 58a, 58b) in a vertical Direction is provided, opposite which the guide lugs (56a, 56b, 58a, 58b) are aligned when the actuator (16) is in its intermediate position is located. 9. Protective cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the resetting of the actuating member (16) serving spring element (82) the cap (14) is marked. 10. Protective cap according to claim 8, characterized in that the cap (14) two running in the horizontal direction of movement of the actuating member (16), mutually parallel on both sides of the actuator (16) extending in vertical planes Has guide links (74a, 74b), in each of which at least two in the guide direction at a distance from one another on the actuating member (16) arranged guide lugs (56a, 58a; 56b, 58b) engage, and that the guide links (74a, 74b) each have one horizontal guide section (76a, 76b) and, starting from this, the number of Management approaches (56a. 56b, 58a, 58b) on each side of the actuating member (16) accordingly, vertically downwards, the guide lugs (56a, 56b, 58a, 58b) in the intermediate position of the actuating member (16) has associated sections (78, 80). 11. Protective cap according to claim 10, characterized in that the Guide links (74a, 74b) in elastic guide cheeks formed on the cap (14) (70a, 70b) are formed and the free ends of the guide lugs (56a, 56b, 58a. 58b) are beveled in such a way that the inclined surfaces cross each other in pairs guide lugs (56a, 56b; 58a, 58b) assigned to the guide direction downwards converge. 12 protective cap according to claims 9 and 11, characterized in that that below the guide cheeks (70a, 70b) parallel to these spring strips (86a, 86b) are arranged, which have a Cross yoke (88, 90a 9Ob) are connected to each other, which in the rest position of the actuating member (16) in its path of movement on a stop formed on the actuating member (16) (62) is applied. 13. Protective cap according to claim 12, characterized in that the Cross yoke (88, 90a, 90b) to extend the spring travel in the direction of the movement path is curved. 14. Protective cap according to claim 7, characterized in that as a driving member on the cap (14) one running in the actuation direction of the spray valve (32) Profiling (28) defining contact plane is formed, which is a lateral Is assigned contact surface on the spray valve (32).