Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
  • B65D83/16—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means
  • B65D83/20—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means operated by manual action, e.g. button-type actuator or actuator caps
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
  • B65D83/16—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means
  • B65D83/20—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means operated by manual action, e.g. button-type actuator or actuator caps
  • B65D83/205—Actuator caps, or peripheral actuator skirts, attachable to the aerosol container
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
  • B65D83/16—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means
  • B65D83/20—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means operated by manual action, e.g. button-type actuator or actuator caps
  • B65D83/205—Actuator caps, or peripheral actuator skirts, attachable to the aerosol container
  • B65D83/206—Actuator caps, or peripheral actuator skirts, attachable to the aerosol container comprising a cantilevered actuator element, e.g. a lever pivoting about a living hinge
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2215/00—Child-proof means
  • B65D2215/02—Child-proof means requiring the combination of simultaneous actions
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2215/00—Child-proof means
  • B65D2215/04—Child-proof means requiring the combination of different actions in succession

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a button assembly for controlling the discharge of fluid from " a pressurised container.
• Closures of this type are used on for example medicine containers to prevent children gaining access to the container contents.
• Such closures generally rely on an authorised user being able to apply greater force to the closure than a child can apply, or a degree of manual dexterity which is supposedly difficult for a child to learn.
• Dispensers of various pressurised sprays such as insecticides, polish and the like., are very widely used and are generally referred to as aerosols.
• the cover described in Specification No. 2044735 has its attractions in that it is very simple to manufacture and it is difficult to remove without use of a tool.
• the very need for a tool to remove the cover is disadvantageous as the cover becomes an inconvenience to people wishing to use the aerosol who are not equipped with an appropriate tool.
• a button assembly for controlling the discharge of fluid from a pressurised container having a displaceable valve actuating member which when moved relative to the container in at least one predetermined direction opens a valve in a discharge passage communicating with the interior of the container and its surroundings
• the button assembly comprising means for permanently securing the assembly to the container, a manually movable actuator movable, relative to the securing means from a first position to a second position so as to displace the valve actuating member in said predetermined direction and connect the discharge passage to the said surroundings, and means for automatically returning the actuator to the first position when the button assembly is released, the actuator defining surfaces which interengage with surfaces of the remainder of the button assembly such that movement of the actuator from the first to the second position requires relative movement between the portions of the button assembly defining the said surfaces in at least two mutually inclined directions.
• the movements in relatively inclined directions may be linear or involve twisting of one part of the button assembly relative to the other, for example sequential twist and press movements, or sequential push and press movements. Three or more sequential movements may be provided for to further increase safety. Each movement may be achieved without exerting undue force, it being the combination of movements rather than the strength or dexterity required to effect them that proves difficult for children to perform.
• buttons assembly are produced in the form of a single piece integral moulding incorporating resilient sections to provide the required automatic return to a safe condition.
• Figs. 1 to 3 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention in which operation of the button assembly requires sequential push, twist and press movements;
• Figs. 4 to 6 illustrate an integrally moulded
• Figs. 7 to 9 illustrate a third embodiment of 5 " the invention requiring simple twist and press movements
• Figs. 10 to 12 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the invention requiring unlocking and press movements
• Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate a fifth embodiment of 10 the invention requiring unlocking and push movements
• Figs. 15 to 23 show respective further embodiments of the invention each requiring a different combination of movements to operate the 5 button assembly.
• a first button assembly embodying the present invention is illustrated.
• the assembly is fitted to the top of a conventional aerosol container which comprises a main 0 tubular body 1 to which an upper closure member 2 is secured by a folded joint 3.
• a .mounting cup 4 supporting a conventional valve stem 5 is sealed to the upper closure member 2 by a further folded joint 6. Only the outline of the container and valve stem 5 are shown as these components are entirely conventional.
• a button assembly embodying the present invention is fitted on the head of the container.
• the assembly comprises an inner generally tubular 0 member 7 the lower end of which, is a tight fit inside the mounting cup 4 of the container. The fit is sufficiently tight to preclude rotation of the tubular member 7 relative to the mounting cup 4 unless a great deal of force is applied thereto..
• the tubular member 7 supports three lugs 8 spaced apart around its periphery and defines a slot 9 extending parallel to the axis of the stem 5.
• the assembly also comprises a cover 10 which is a relatively loose snap fit over the folded joint 3 so that the cover is rotatable relative to the container body 1 but cannot be easily removed therefrom.
• a spring 11 is arranged between a flange 12 on the tubular member 7 and the underside of a button member 13 which is integrally moulded as part of the cover 10. Although it is not clearly illustrated in the drawings one end of the spring 11 is engaged in slot 9 in the tubular member and the other end of the spring 11 is engaged in a corresponding groove in the underside of the button member 13.
• the spring 11 is pretensioned so as to bias the cover 10 in the anticlockwise direction so that lugs 14 (Fig. 3) moulded on the interior of the cover 10 contact the lugs 8 supported on the periphery of the tubular member 7.
• the button member 13 is secured to the rest of the cover 10 by a flexible hinge 15 so as to be readily movable in the plane of Fig. 2.
• the underside of the button member supports a downwardly extending tube 17 which is located around but does not engage the valve stem 5.
• the tube 17 communicates with an outlet 18 from which in use fluid is dispensed from the container body 1.
• the button member 13 also defines a skirt 19 which when the button member is in its rest position is located on the top edge of the tubular member 7. Thus the button member 13 cannot be pressed down in the position shown- in Fig. 2. If however the button member 13 is pushed forward the skirt 19 clears the )
• a second embodiment of a button assembly in accordance with the invention is illustrated.
• the assembly is 5 adapted for fitting to a conventional aerosol container of the type described in outline with reference to Figs. 1 to 3, the only difference in the structure of the container according to Figs. 4 to 6 other than minor dimensional variations being the provision of a valve stem 21 the outer surface of which is knurled as best seen in Fig. 5.
• Figs. 4 to 6 The assembly of Figs. 4 to 6 is produced as a single piece moulding comprising a central hub 22 defining a knurled aperture which is a relatively tight fit on the knurled valve stem 21 so as to prevent relative rotation between the two.
• the valve stem is also prevented from rotating relative to the rest of the container body.
• the hub 22 defines two slots 23 and is connected to a button member 24 by a resilient arm 25 and a hinge member 26.
• the button member 24 comprises a finger socket 27 into which a user's finger may be inserted. Beneath the socket 27 is an outlet jet assembly 28 which communicates with a cavity 29 into which the upper tip of the aerosol valve stem 21 extends. An arm 30 extends radially outwards fr.om below the jet assembly. The button member also supports a key 31 which is located above the hub 22. The arm 30 engages against a stop 32 supported by the resilient arm 25 as best seen from Fig. 6.
• the design of the button assembly of Figs. 4 to 6 is particularly advantageous in that a single piece moulding provides a high degree of safety at reasonable cost.
• the illustrated button assembly comprises a washer 33 supporting a spring arm 34 and a cover 35.
• the cover 35 is a tight snap fit over the top of a conventional aerosol container so that it cannot be removed from the container without exerting great force upon it but nevertheless is rotatable relative to the container.
• Beneath the cover the aerosol valve stem supports a simple button 36 which apart from the provision of a slot 37 in its head is identical to the type of simple push button found on conventional aerosols.
• the slot 37 is engaged by a key 38 supported by the cover so that the button 36 rotates with the cover.
• the spring arm 34 is normally engaged between stops 39 supported by the washer 33. In its normal position as shown in Fig. 9 the spring arm 34 cannot be pressed downwards. Rotation of the spring arm relative to the washer from the position shown in Fig. 9 however brings the end of the spring arm over a cutout 40 thereby enabling the spring arm to move downwards relative to the washer 33.
• the illustrated button assembly is actuated by the user inserting a finger into a finger socket defined on either side by surfaces 41 of the cover and defined at its base by a button member 42 which is connected by a hinge 43 at one end to the rest of the cover.
• the button member 42 defines an aperture 44 located in front of the outlet defined by the button 36.
• the member 42 supports a downwardly extending skirt 45 which rests on top .of the spring arm 34. In the normal position of the assembly the spring arm 34 obstructs downward movement of the button member 42 and thus, of the button 36. If the user inserts a finger onto the member 42 however and rotates the cover relative to the canister using his inserted finger as a lever a downwardly extending lug 46 supported by the cover engages the spring arm 34 and moves it over the cutout. 40. The button member 42 can then move downwards, actuating the aerosol valve and releasing fluid from the container. Thus actuation of the described aerosol requires two movements in mutually inclined directions, that is firstly a twisting movement and secondly an axially downwards movement.
• the cover again comprises a single piece moulding which is adapted for fitting on a conventional aerosol container from which fluid can be released by axial movement of a valve stem.
• the button assembly comprises an outer body 47 to which a button member 48 is connected by a hinge 49.
• the button member 48 is supported on spring legs 50 which bear against a surface 51 defined by a lower portion of the outer body 47.
• the button member 48 is prevented from moving out of engagement with the top of the outer body 47 under the influence of the spring legs 50 by the provision of small flanges 52 along the top edges o ' f the outer body 47.
• Fluid can be released from the container by a simple downwards motion of the button member 48.
• a simple downwards motion of the button member 48 is normally prevented by a hook 53 which engages a notch 54 defined in the top edge of the outer body 47.
• the hook 53 can only be disengaged from the notch 54 by pressing a spring arm 55 inwards.
• actuation of the aerosol requires a movement transverse to the axis of the aerosol container of the spring arm 55 followed by a movement of the button member 48 parallel to the container axis.
• the button assembly may be easily secured to an aerosol body either by engagement inside the aerosol mounting cap (not shown) or by engagement around the top folded joint of the container body (not shown) .
• a safety button assembly for an aerosol is illustrated adapted for fitting to an aerosol in which a valve stem 56 must be tilted relative to the aerosol container body to release fluid from the container.
• the button assembly is again a one piece moulding comprising a body 57 which is dimensioned to be a tight permanent fit inside the mounting cap (not shown) of an aerosol container and a button member 58 which is connected to the body 57 by a flexible hinge 59.
• the button member 58 supports an integral spring arm 60 which biases the button member towards the righthand side as shown in Fig. 13.
• Operation of the aerosol requires a forward movement of the button member as a result of the positioning of a user's finger in a finger socket 61 and the exertion of a force towards the lefthand side of Fig. 13. As shown in Fig. 14 however such movement is prevented by engagement of a flange 62 extending sideways from the button member 58 with a flexible stop 63.
• a flange 62 extending sideways from the button member 58 with a flexible stop 63.
• a finger socket 64 is provided into which a user inserts a finger.
• To operate the aerosol it is necessary to lift up the button member 65 which defines the socket 64 so as to lift the button member 65 over a step 66. It is then necessary to push the button member 65 forwards so that a member 67 depending therefrom engages against a simple button 68 supported on a valve stem 69. This causes the valve stem 69 to tilt, opening the container valve and allowing fluid to issue therefrom.
• the button member 65 must be first lifted and then pushed forwards to release .fluid from the aerosol.
• a finger socket 70 is provided into which a user inserts his finger.
• a finger socket 75 in the illustrated arrangement the user inserts his finger into a finger socket 75. Fluid can only be released from a valve stem 76 by first moving the button member 77 defining the socket 75 forwards so that a depending actuator 78 is located above the valve stem 76. Once this has been done the actuator 78 can be pressed down into contact with the valve stem 76, thereby releasing fluid through a jet assembly 79. Forward movement of the button member 77 is however prevented by a locking arm 80 until that locking arm has been lifted clear of the forward movement of the button member 77.
• a finger socket 81 is defined by a button member 82. Fluid can only be released from the aerosol container by first pulling the button member 82 backwards so as to clear a step 83 and then pressing the button member 82 downwards into contact with a simple button 84 mounted on a valve stem 85.
• a button member 87 which defines the socket moves downwards to clear a stop 88, and then pushes the button member 87 forwards until an actuator body 89 is located above a button 90.
• the button member 87 can then be pressed downwards so as to cause fluid to issue from the button jet 91.
• a button member 92 defines a front flap 93 which enables the button member 92 to be lifted so as to move a depending body 94 over a stop 95. Insertion of a finger into a socket 96 defined by the button member then enables the user to push the button member 92 forwards and then downwards into engagement with a button 97 so as to actuate a valve stem 98 and cause fluid to issue through a jet 99.
• a user inserts his finger into a finger socket 100 defined by a button member 101.
• the button member 101 is then rotated relative to the aerosol container against the force of a return spring 102, thereby aligning keys 103 supported on the button member with slots 104 supported on a body 105 which is a tight fit in the mounting cup of the aerosol container.
• the button member 101 can then be pressed down against a spring force exerted by a spring leg 106 so a- ⁇ to operate the aerosol.
• a button member 108 in the illustrated arrangement the user inserts his finger into a finger socket 107 defined by a button member 108.
• the button member is then rotated relative to the container against the force of a return spring 109 until keys 110 are aligned with slots 111.
• the button member 108 can then be pressed down against a spring force provided by the return spring 109 so as to operate the aerosol.
• a cover 112 is rotatably supported on the head of the canister so as to be rotatable relative to a button member 113 secured by a hinge 114 to a spring 115 and a body 116 which is a tight fit around the central portion of the mounting cup of the aerosol container.
• a button member 113 secured by a hinge 114 to a spring 115 and a body 116 which is a tight fit around the central portion of the mounting cup of the aerosol container.
• To operate the aerosol it is necessary first to press down a flexible top portion 117 of the cover so as to engage a slot 118 over a projection 119 defined by the button member.
• the cover and button member 113 can then be rotated together against the force provided by the spring 115 until a key 121 supported by the button member is axially aligned with a slot 122.
• the button member can then—be depressed so as to release fluid from the jet assembly 123.

Applications Claiming Priority (14)

Publications (1)

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ID=27562715

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Country Status (3)

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Family Cites Families (7)

• 1985
  • 1985-09-20 AU AU49553/85A patent/AU4955385A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1985-09-20 WO PCT/GB1985/000435 patent/WO1986001787A1/en unknown
  • 1985-09-20 EP EP19850904838 patent/EP0195061A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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