GB2023556A - Child-Resistant Dispenser and Closure - Google Patents

Abstract

A combined child-resistant dispenser and closure assembly for a container 11 has a spraying section 12 and a closure 14 which can be removed for refilling the container. The closure section 14 includes a threaded closure cap 18. The container neck has a pair of radial locking lugs 52 which engage cooperating projections 54 on the cap when the latter is screwed onto the container neck. The closure section can be opened by distorting the skirt 20 to disengage the projections and unscrewing the cap from the container neck. Closure section 14 and coupling members 16 may comprise a unitary moulding, Figure 13 (not shown). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Child-resistant Dispenser and Closure Package Background of the Invention Field of the Invention This invention relates to child-resistant packaging of a dispenser and closure and a container or bottle, and more particularly to a combined child-resistant dispenser and closure assembly adapted to be installed on a container to produce child safe packaging capable of complying with the standards for special packaging under the "Poison Prevention Packaging Art of 1970", Title 1 5 United States Code Sections 1471-1475 and the regulations appertaining thereto under Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 1700.1 through and including the protocol for testing "Special Packaging" as set forth in the above code under Part 1700.20 thereof entitled "Testing Procedure for Special Packaging".

Description of the Prior Art Product dispensers and sprayers combined with closing fitments and other closure means such as closure caps and like apparatus for attachment to a container and installing the same by closeably securing the apparatus thereon have long been known. A particularly representative device of this type is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,061,202, issued on October 1962, which is a manually operated, trigger actuated pump sprayer or dispenser having a swivably attached screw-on cap for mounting the assembled device on the neck of a container.However, until the present invention, it has been relatively easy for a child to gain access to the liquid contents of the container by the simple act of unscrewing the cap and removing the entire apparatus or assembly. in part for this reason, when devices of this kind are shipped to market for sale to customers, they are shipped uninstalled on the container. Thus, an extra and needless expense is incurred since a separate and additional closure cap or like device for the container must be supplied and installed to prevent spillage or unwanted leakage of its contents.

Other patents are known which propose solutions to this problem to permit shipping of a dispenser apparatus while installed on a filled or loaded container. For example, U.S. Patent 3,650,473, issued on March 21, 1972, which is for a combined trigger sprayer and closure apparatus with a cap which screws down onto a container, discloses a solution which consists of a snippable cover or nozzle which sealingly covers the outlet of the sprayer or dispenser pump. Two types of covers are disclosed, the first of which has a dome shaped member over the outlet which is held in place by a screwed-on nozzle. A seal is effected at the outlet by action of the screwed-on nozzle against an annular flange of the dome shaped member which is clamped between the nozzle and an end surface or nose of the sprayer.The sprayer is rendered operative by snipping the dome portion of the cover with a knife or other cutting instrument after which pumping of the contents from the container on which the assembly is installed can be effected.

In the second type of cover, a permanent nozzle cap is provided for the end of the dispenser over the outlet and a removable member, which is press-fitted on the nozzle cap has a sealing nub which blocks the outlet hole. The cover is-attached to the permanent nozzle cap by an integrally molded flange or hinge with a weakened portion which can be easily snipped or broken off the allow the cover to be hinged away from the outlet. After use the cover can be reinstalled if desired. Thus the sprayer is shippable while installed on a container since the nozzle outlet is sealed by the cover and initially, is not easily removed by a child. Once the weakened portion is broken off, however, the cover is easily removed and is no longer child-resistant.In addition, nothing is provided to prevent a child from gaining access to the contents of the container by simply unscrewing the entire assembly.

In another patent, U.S. 3,973,700, issued August 10, 1976, a dispensing pump or sprayer is disclosed which is combined with a closure cap for attaching the assembled device to the neck of a container. The sprayer has a spray outlet and a cover therefor which is part of an operating trigger being combined therewith. The cover-trigger device is pivoted so that it can be swung away from a position covering the outlet to a trigger operating position and is intended to be in the outlet covered position when not in use as in shipping or storage. A projection on the outer end of the trigger covers the pump outlet when the trigger is in an up position. A break off disc is provided to make it impossible to move a tab also present, whereby a nozzle containing the outlet can be adjusted.However, the trigger can still be rotated downwardly a slight amount enough to uncover the outlet without breaking off the disc and spraying is possible by operating the trigger with the fingers, which action is relatively easily accomplishable even by small children. This sprayer is therefore not child-resistant since access to the container contents can be gained relatively easily simply by unscrewing the close cap from the container.

In another patent, U.S. 3,957,181, issued May 18, 1976, a child-resistant dispensing closure is disclosed in which a conventional pressed on cap is combined with a pouring fitment characterized by a spout having a through passage, which spout is rotatably mounted on the top of the closure in a recess therein in such a way that it can rotate through an arc from a transverse, or horizontal position relative to an outlet in the cap with its internal, transverse passage not in alignment with the outlet thereby being in a closed position, to a vertical position in which the through passage in the spout is aligned with the outlet in the closure and fluid is permitted to flow through the aligned passage and outlet to empty the contents of the container on which it is used.A locking tab is provided at the outer end of the spout which can be deflected with a finger, pencil or other pointed object and the like when the latter is in its transverse, or closed position before the spout can be lifted and rotated to the open, or vertical position. Thus in this patent, a child-resistant dispensing closure is disclosed in which a pouring spout resists opening owing to the presence of the locking tab which must first be moved, as by a finger or other object, a sufficient distance so that the end of the spout can be rotated by application of a downward force on the base of the fitment.However, a disadvantage of this device is that although the pouring spout is child-resistant, the package containing it with a conventional container (not shown) is not since with relatively little effort, a child may gain access to the contents of the container by simply removing the cap which contains the pouring spout. If, on the other hand, the cap is made to fit so that it cannot be removed at all, then the container cannot be opened and refilled. Hence, a nonreusable package is obtained.

Various other U.S. patents have issued which disclose combined trigger sprayers and caps including screw on and pressed on types for attachment to the necks of containers. For example, U.S.

Patent 3,927,834, issued December 23, 1 975, discloses a locking member for locking an adtuator or trigger in a non-operating position when the sprayer is out of use, in which position a valve is closed by a piston connected to the trigger to prevent leakage from a container on which the device is used.

However, this device, as with previously mentioned devices, has the disadvantage of not being childresistant in that no means is provided to prevent a child from gaining access to the contents of the container by unscrewing the cap and removing the entire assembly.

As will become more clearly apparent from what follows the present invention resolves these aforementioned problems and overcomes the disadvantages arising therefrom by the provision of an assembled combined closure means and pump or spraying means for a container which when packaged therewith is truly and fully child-resistant, yet can be reopened for refilling.

In the description which follows certain terms are employed to assist in understanding and appreciating the importance of the invention. One of these, "dispensing closure" is applied to a relatively well-known type of device which is fitted to a container to provide a closure or cover therefor to seal the contents of the container, or to contain them without leakage in normal usage, combined with other devices by which the contents of the container may be emptied. Under this designation, a two-part device employing a cap and one or more spouts or pouring fitments combined therewith will be found and described, as in previously mentioned U.S. 3,957,181. Not to be included within the above definition, however, are so-called, two-part devices exemplified in U.S.Patent 3,061,202, previously referred to, which are characterized by having sprayer pumps or spray heads and like devices with screw on closure caps and the like attached thereto for installing the combination on the mouth or neck of a container. These devices are more commonly better known as "trigger sprayers, hence, this designation will be used herein. All of these devices generally employ a dip tube, or other inlet conduit means to conduct the material contents from the container to the pump for spraying by ejecting the same through an outlet in the exit nozzle carried by the pump. In addition, these devices commonly feature inlet and outlet check valves contained in a housing of the pump or spray head to control the flow of the material contents from the container.

The terms "child-resistant" and "child-resistant effectiveness" are also increasingly being used both in the field of the present invention and in the field of closures and dispensers, in general, to designate devices and packages that are constructed to be significantly difficult for young children, particularly pre-school children under 5 years of age to open within a reasonable time and at the same time not difficult for average and normal adults to use properly. Such devices when used on containers of toxic, harmful and other hazardous materials also constitute "Special Packaging" as that term is defined in the previously mentioned Code of Federal Regulations, Title 16 under Part 1700.1 (4).

Inasmuch as the regulations referred to contain information pertinent to and will promote understanding of the present invention, they are, by reference, incorporated herein.

Other terms, sunless otherwise stated, will take their meaning from the appertaining, incorporated by reference, regulations referred to including any and ail standards established for protecting children from serious illness or personal injury from handling, ingesting or using substances contained in these packages and found in the average home or household. All testing procedures to which constructions according to the present invention, are described as being subjected will refer to the protocol for testing "Special Packaging" in the Regulations, specifically under Section 1700.20 of Title 16 C.F.R., paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) thereof, also, by reference, incorporated herein.

Summary of the Invention Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a safety package of a combined dispenser and closure assembly and a container, the material content of which is to be expelled, as by a pump or spraying device and the like.

Another object is to provide a removable child-resistant package of an assembly of a combined dispenser section or portion and a closure section or portion and a container on which the assembly is installed or packaged.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a separable package of a dispenser-closure assembly and a container of the character referred to in which the closure section or portion includes a deformable cap having members which coact with and engage other members on the container to prevent separation of the assembly from the container until a predetermined deforming force is exerted against the cap in a predetermined direction while simultaneously unscrewing the cap.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described in which the pumping section or portion is a manually operated pump having an outlet through which the container's contents are expelled and which is provided with a child-resistant cover or overcap for the outlet.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a device of the type referred to wherein the parts and components are all, or nearly all comprised of low cost readily available synthetic and natural thermoplastic materials.

An additional object is to provide a device of the preceding type in which the pump section or portion is a trigger pump or sprayer and the coacting cap and container members are wedge-like rib elements and lugs respectively, which interengage when the closure section or portion is installed on the neck or mouth of the container.

A still additional object is to provide a device of the preceding type which may be molded of the thermoplastic materials referred to in an economical way and in which the interengaging members of the cap and the container are molded as integral parts of the cap and container respectively.

In accomplishing these and other objects there is provided according to the present invention, an improvement in packaging of child-resistant dispenser-closure devices and assemblies, particularly those assemblies or devices comprising a dispenser, pump or sprayer combined with, or otherwise attached to a closure adapted to be installed, mounted on or otherwise packaged by attachment thereof to a container for expelling material products therefrom, which is characterized by its possession of safety features with respect to preventing unwanted, inadvertent or accidental gaining of access to the contents of the container by small children.The improvements involve, in special packaging, the use and addition of child-resistant closing elements to the closures and like members which, when combined with a dispensing pump or spraying device, result in a combined dispenser and closure assembly of at least 85% child-resistant effectiveness for a container of hazardous materials, by which is meant that certain prerequisite procedures be followed and adhered to remove or unpackage the device from and open the container, which procedures are effective to prevent at least 85% of normal children under 5 years of age from gaining access to the contents of the container. In addition, the procedures are also effective to permit at least 90% of normal adults of the ages of 18 to 45 to open the packages.

In a further and preferred improvement, a child-resistant cover or overcap is provided for the outlet of the dispenser, pump or sprayer through which material is ejected in normal use which is fitted to, on, or over the outlet in such a manner that it cannot be removed, or otherwise have its position altered unless certain prerequisite procedures are strictly followed to uncover the outlet and permit passage of the material contents from the-container.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is an elevation, partially sectioned, of a child-resistant package of a combined dispenser and closure assembly in basic form illustrating the interior working parts of both the dispenser, which is in the form of a spray pump or sprayer section, and the closure section which is a threaded cap within a resilient outer skirt, and a container; Figure 2 is a partial elevation of the outlet end of a preferred form of the invention showing a preferred, linearly movable overcap or cover for the outlet in the exit or nozzle end of the pump or spray head thereof; Figure 3 is a fragmentary, elevational section of the outlet end of the dispenser, pump or sprayer head portion of the invention taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2, illustrating the overcap in its outlet closed and child-safe position;; Figure 4 is a fragmentary, elevational section corresponding to Figure 3 except that the overcap is shown in an outlet open, sprayer operating position; Figure 5 is an inside perspective front elevation of the overcap or cover in Figures 2, 3 and 4, viewed from the sprayer outlet or nozzle end; Figure 6 is a perspective front end elevation of a nozzle or nose bushing used with the overcap of Figures 3, 4 and 5, in the sprayer head or pump section of the invention as viewed from said overcap or cover; Figure 7 is a transverse section taken along line 7. 7 of Figure 1; Figure 8 is an elevation, viewed from the left and corresponding to Figure 2 of another embodiment of the invention showing a rotatably movable overcap or cover for the outlet in the exit or nozzle end of the pump or spray head thereof;; Figure 9 is a fragmentary, elevational section the outlet end of the dispenser, pump or sprayer head section of the invention, taken along line 9-9 of Figure 8, illustrating the cover or overcap in its outlet covering or closed position; Figure 10 is a fragmentary, elevational section, as in Figure 9, except that the overcap or cover is in an outlet open, sprayer operating position; Figure 11 is an inside perspective front elevation of the overcap or cover of Figures 8, 9 or 10, viewed from the sprayer outlet or nozzle end; Figure 1 2 is a perspective front end elevation of a modified nozzle or nose bushing used with the overcap of Figures 8, 9 and 10, in the sprayer head or pump section of the invention as viewed from said overcap or cover; and Figure 13 is an elevation, partially sectioned, generally corresponding to Figure 1, of still another embodiment of the combined child-resistant dispenser and closure assembly, the container of the package omitted, illustrating some of the interior working parts, as in Figure 1, and an integrally molded closure cap and dispenser connecting means.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments A basic, generalized form of the invention will be described with reference to Figure 1 wherein a package of a combined child-resistant dispenser pump, or sprayer and closure assembly 10 and a container 11 is depicted comprising a trigger actuated pump head or sprayer section 12, the particular one illustrated being selected from the line of popularly known trigger sprayers manufactured and supplied by the AFA Corporation of Miami Lakes, Florida, U.S.A., and a closure section or portion 14 swivably attached thereto.

Assembly 10 is preferably a molded article made entirely, or very nearly entirely, of plastic materials so as to provide a low cost, economical item of manufacture. Particularly, good examples of such materials are any of the synthetic plastics and thermoplastics such as polyolefins, among which a particularly preferred one is polypropylene, although others of this class or group including polyethylene and polyisobutylene can also be used. Other synthetic and natural materials are also usable, for example, moldable thermoplastic polyester, polyurethane, nylon, polyvinylchloride, polyacetate, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and synthetic and natural rubber and mixtures of these materials.These materials possess elasticity, have the necessary resiliency and in addition, are economical, in relatively available and plentiful supply, are readily and easily formed by any of the well-known and widely used molding and casting manufacturing processes, and are inert to almost all of the commonly used materials and fluids which are packaged in containers with these devices.

As mentioned previously, assembly 10 forms a package of material when attached and installed on bottle or container 11 and basically comprises pumping section, spray head or sprayer portion 12, and closure section or portion 14. Closure section 14 is coupled to spray head section 12 by an intermediate intake stem or coupling member 1 6 and comprises an inner closure cap or cylinder 1 8 having an internal threaded surface, a resilient outer skirt or cylinder 20 concentrically spaced from cap 18, and a top wall 22 from which these last named parts depend.Top wall 22 has a central perforation 24 through which the upper, cylindrical end 26 of coupling member 1 6 easily passes with some clearance to extend into the lower end of the body or housing 28 of dispenser or sprayer section 12 being pressed fitted into an outer annular recess or cavity 30 contained therein. Cylindrical end 26 projects upwardly from the top surface of a laterally extending, disc-like support collar or base 32, the latter being a radial extension of a central conduit 34, which it supports, of insert member 1 6. Collar or base 32 is larger in diameter than perforation 24 and supportably engages cap or skirt 1 8 on the underside or surface of top wall 22 of closure 14.The upper end of conduit 34 terminates in a conical valve seat 36 opening into central cavity 38 in housing 28 of sprayer section 1 2 and defines therewith a valve chamber 40 in which an intake valve 42 is housed. Conduit 34 is press fitted into cavity 38 being engaged therein in fluid tight relation on its peripheral outer surface.

A fluid supply conduit or dip tube 44 which depends from the lower end of conduit 34 passes centrally through the threaded filler neck 46 of container or bottle 11 and terminates below the surface of the material contents (not shown) therein.

Assembly 10 is packaged together with bottle or container 11 by engagement of threaded cap or skirt 18 on filler neck 46 when closure section 14 is screwed down thereon. When threaded cap 1 8 and filler neck 46 are fully engaged closure 14 assumes a closed position on bottle or container 11 in which base or support collar 32 is clamped tightly between the upper, annular surface 48 of container 11 and the under, annular surface 50 of top wall 22. The respective clamping surfaces 48 and 50 normally being smooth enough to provide an effective seal for container 11, particularly when the material contents are fluid. In some instances a gasket or other seal enhancing device (not shown) may be advantageously used.

A pair of wedge-shaped locking lugs 52 radially outwardly project from the lower peripheral surface, as best seen in Figure 7, of filler neck 46 on opposite sides thereof and engage in locking, child-resistant relation, the cooperating vertically extending members or ribs 54 which radially inwardly project from the inside surface of outer closure skirt or cylinder 20. It will be appreciated, particularly in the light of the hereinafter following description of the operation of the invention, that the act of closing container 11 by screwing cap 18 of closure section 14 down on container 11 of neck 46 will result in coaction between lugs 52 and ribs 54 which imparts child-resistant capability to these parts forming a special package significantly difficult for children under 5 years of age to open within a reasonable time.

It should be understood from the foregoing that the device typified by previously described sprayer head or dispensing section 12 is per se not the invention herein. In fact, any of the well-known trigger operated, manual pumps and sprayers, now in plentiful supply, can be used to good advantage and, when suitably modified and combined with a closing device typified by closure portion 1 4 in accordance with the principles herein, will result in a new and useful advance in the art of childresistant special packaging.

Turning again to Figure 1, dispenser section or sprayer head 12 comprises a spring loaded piston 56 mounted for reciprocation in a bore 58 in housing 28 as by an actuator, a typical one being the finger operated trigger 60. Trigger 60 is pivotably mounted on spray head 12 on housing 28 below the forward or nozzle end thereof. Also housed in body 28 is an entrance or intake passage 62 in the wall on portion 63 thereof leading into a pump chamber 64 from intake valve chamber 40 therebelow. An exit conduit or discharge passage 66 connects chamber 64 with the outside through a discharge nozzle or nose bushing 68 contained in the discharge chamber 69 at the end of conduit 66.

An outlet or discharge valve 70 is slidably positioned in an internal cavity in nozzle or nose bushing 68 to control the flow of the material, usually fluid contents in container 11 pumped from chamber 64 for ejection through the ejection orifice or outlet 72 in the end wall of nozzle bushing 68.

To insure container 11 is properly vented and the pressure therein equalized during pumping of the material contents therefrom vent passages 74 and 76 are respectively formed in base or support collar 32 of coupling member 16 and in wall or partition 63 of bore 58, the latter being molded in wall 63 at a point immediately under piston 56. As shown in Figure 1, piston 56 is in its normal, nonpumping, at rest position and vent passage 76 is closed and sealed against ambient air by the seal rings 77 on piston 56 which are arranged on either side of passage 76. During a pump stroke of piston 56, however, vent passage 76 is uncovered and ambient air enters container 11 via open passage 76, through annular recess 30 and passage 74 in base 32.

Turning now to Figure 13, an additional embodiment of the invention is illustrated which utilizes identical sprayer head or section 12, as in the Figure 1 previously prescribed embodiment. In this instance, sprayer 12 attached to a modified closure section 78, forming a new assembly 80 which in Figure 13, is shown unpackaged from container 11. Closure section 78 and spray head or pumping section 1 2 are connected together by any known method, for example, spin welding, adhesive bonding or the like after assembly of the respective parts by press fitting of the integrally molded intake stem 82 of closure section 78 into annular cavity or recess 30 in housing 28.It will be appreciated that integrally molding stem 82 with closure section 78 involves a simplification by eliminating at least one discrete manufactured part, namely intermediate intake stem 1 6. In this instance, central conduit 34 is molded and supported directly on the top wall 84 of closure section 78 through integral base or support collar 86 thereof, replacing base 32. Insert stem 82 extends upwardly from top wall 84 into outer, annular cavity or recess 30 in housing 28 and the upper end of conduit 34 extends into central cavity 38 being press fitted therein as in the Figure 1 embodiment.Closure section 78 is otherwise structurally identical to closure section 1 4 including an inner cap closure or cylinder 88 with an internal threaded surface (corresponding to skirt 18) and a resilient outer skirt 90 (corresponding to skirt 20), both of which depend in integral, concentrically spaced apart relation, from top wall 84. In addition, the inner surface of outer resilient skirt 90 carries a pair of identically formed, vertically extending, radially projecting ribs 92 which coact with and engage cooperating lock members or lugs 52 on filler neck 46 of container 11 when the latter is closed by screwing cap 88 of closure section 78 down thereon, thereby forming a child-resistant package with assembly 80, as in the previously described Figure 1 embodiment.

In installing assembly 80 on container 11 to close the same, it should be noted that, owing to the unitary integral structure of closure 78 and its press fitted attachment to sprayer 12, entire assembly 80 will turn as a unit when cap 88 is screwed down onto filler neck 46. In contrast, in the Figure 1 embodiment, owing to the swivel connection of closure section 14 to dispenser section 12, when cap 1 8 is screwed down on filler neck 46 by turning closure section 14 to close container 11, only closure section 14 will rotate.

Referring now to Figures 2 through 6, the invention will be described with respect to a particularly preferred embodiment there depicted. In describing this embodiment, which is particularly high in child-resistant effectiveness, reference should also be had to our copending Patent Application No. 79091 37 entitled "Child-Resistant Closure Caps of Spray Dispensers", the disclosure thereof which, by reference, is incorporated herein.

Figures 2 through 6 of the present application, of which Figures 3 and 4 generally correspond to Figures 2 and 3 of said aforementioned, incorporated by reference application, depict the most preferred embodiment of the present invention with sprayer head or section 12 of assembly 10 in Figure 1 (or assembly 80 in Figure 13) with a planar child-resistant safety cover or overcap 94.

Overcap 94 is attached to the end of sprayer head 1 2 on a modified nozzle or nose bushing 96 which is press fitted in discharge chamber 69 in housing 28 of sprayer 12, replacing bushing 68, and is coupled thereto by means of the edge guides of flanges 98 engaged in overlapping sliding relation with cooperating guide rails 100 formed in overcap 94. Flanges 98 are parallel to each other and to cooperating rails 100 and extend in a vertical direction with respect to sprayer 1 2 when the latter is in its normal upright position as shown in Figure 1. Overcap 94 on bushing 96 is permitted up and down linear movement thereof, within limits, on guide rails 100 sliding on guides or flanges 98.Nose bushing 96 has an outlet or exit orifice 102 formed in the end wall thereof and an opening or port 104, larger than exit orifice or outlet 102, is formed in overcap 94 which, when the latter is in its lowest position, as shown in Figure 3, is unaligned, or out of register with outlet 102 and overcap 94 is in its "outlet closed" position. On the other hand, when overcap 94 is moved upwardly to its highest position, as shown in Figure 4, opening 104 is aligned, or in register with outlet 102 and overcap 94 is in its "outlet open" position. As indicated previously, overcap 94 is permitted up and down movement on bushing 96 within limits.In Figure 3, the lowest position of overcap 94 is reached, and its outlet closed position obtained, when a limit-stop provided by the horizontally inwardly extending shoulder 106 on the upper end of overcap 94, which extends toward bushing 96 in overlapping relation therewith and in abutting relation with the end of housing 28 of sprayer section 12, contacts the upper surface of bushing 96, thereby limiting further downward movement of overcap 94.

Overcap 94 is made of resilient material and has a resilient first deflective detent member 108 integrally connected thereto which vertically upwardly extends, as seen in Figures 3,4 and 5, from a pair of narrow torsion bands or spring pivots 110 on the lower end of overcap 94 on which it may be rotatably deflected into the generally rectangular opening or through slot 112 in overcap 94. The upper end of deflective member 108, as best seen in Figure 5, has a detent lip 11 4 formed thereon which abuts a shoulder 11 6, as best seen in Figure 6, on the lower end of nose bushing 96. Shoulder 11 6 prevents upward movement of overcap 94 and, as shown in Figure 3, locks said overcap 94 in its outlet closed position.

Deflective member 108 extends downwardly from torsion bands 110 and has an actuating tab or depressor 118 on the lower end thereof which when depressed or forced to the right in Figure 3, as by the application of thumb pressure by an operator, will pivot or rotate on torsion springs 110 about a lateral axis therethrough sufficiently for detent lip 11 4 to clear shoulder 11 6 of bushing 96. With tab or depressor 11 8 in its depressed position, overcap 94 may be shoved upwardly and moved to the outlet open position of Figure 4 with guide rails 100 sliding on flanges 98 of bushing 96. A recess 120 in nose bushing 96 immediately above shoulder 11 6, receives detent lip 114 when the latter returns to its normal unrotated and undeflected state under urging of torsion springs 110.The preceding will occur when the depressing force on tab or depressor 11 8 is released and overcap 94 is in its Figure 4 or outlet open position, in which position opening or port 104 will be aligned or in register with outlet orifice 102 and the material contents delivered by spray head 1 2 from container 11 can be ejected or expelled.

A ramp or chamfered surface 122 on the upper side of shoulder 1 16 of nosebushing- 96 facilitates closing of outlet 102 when the rounded front edge of detent lip 114 moves downwardly thereon. As overcap 94 moves into its outlet closed position, detent lip 114 is displaced leftwardly as its rounded edge moves easily on ramp 1 22 and snaps back into its normally closed, locked position under limit stop 11 6. To effect this action it is only necessary to apply a gentle, but firm downward push against the top end of overcap 94 to slide overcap 94 into its closed position on bushing 96.

A further and important feature of the invention lies in the provision for sealing against leakage between the interior surface of overcap 94 and the outer surfaces of nose bushing 96. As best seen in Figures 5 and 6, outlet 102 in bushing 96 terminates in the outer surface of a raised sealing boss 124 which prcjects from the bottom of a recess 125. When overcap 94 is installed on bushing 96 and takes up its outlet closed position, boss 134 forcibly abuts, in sealing relation with respect to outlet 102, a vertically extending raised surface or spline 1 26 projecting from the inside surface of overcap 94.It will be appreciated that the portion of overcap 94 containing raised surface or spline 1 26 is deflective and flexible by virtue of the vertical through slots 128 adjacent spline or surface 126 in the front face of overcap 94 which permits the portion in question to flex outwardly, as shown in Figure 3 by the contoured outer surface thereof, when overcap 94 is moved downwardly to the outlet closed position.

That is to say, as will be appreciated from Figures 5 and 6, when overcap 94 is moved from its outlet open position in Figure 4 to its outlet closed position in Figure 3, raised surface or spline 126 slides in recess 125 and is forcibly wedged up onto boss 1 24 by the chamfered top surface 1 30 of boss 124 and cooperating, similarly chamfered surface 132 of spline 126. The preceding wedging action causes a deflection or flexing of the portion of overcap 94 between the slots 1 28 which forcibly urges spline 126 and its top surface against opposed to surface of boss 124, thereby providing a forced seal for outlet 102.

Turning now to Figures 8 through 12, Figures 9 and 10 of which generally corresponding to Figures 8 and 10 of said incorporated by reference application, an additional embodiment of the invention will be described. In this embodiment, rotatable, or rotary planar safety cover or overcap 134 is positioned on a different, also modified nose or nozzle bushing 1 36. Overcap 1 34 and nose bushing 136 can be used as was previously described overcap 94 and bushing 96 with either of the also previously described combined child-resistant dispenser and closure assemblies, including assembly 10 and 80, to provide a special packaging of high child-resistant effectiveness sufficient to meet or exceed the standards established for such special packaging under previously mentioned Part 1 700.20, of Title 1 6 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

To meet or exceed said standards combined child-resistant dispenser and closure assembly 10, as shown Figure 1, or assembly 80, of Figure 13, is equipped with modified nose bushing 136 by inserting the same in discharge chamber 69 in housing 28 of sprayer head or section 12 replacing old bushing 68, as shown in Figure 9, and thereafter installing overcap 134 on the exit end thereof.

Alternatively, these parts can be preassembled together and then installed on sprayer head 12 with overcap 134 held in place on nose bushing 136 by a set of upper annular lip sectors 1 38 and a bottom lip sector 139 after snapping it into place to couple said upper and lower sectors over annular ridge or rim 140 of nose bushing 136. Overcap 1 34 is relatively permanently retained on bushing 136 and not easily removed as by the fingers or even by means of some implement without damage; however, it is freely rotatable thereon, within limits, between an outlet closed and an outlet open position, as will be explained.

Bushing 136 is provided with an exit orifice or outlet 142 in the end wall thereof, which is centrally vertically offset with respect to annular rim or ridge 140, as is shown in Figure 12, and terminates in the top surface of a surrounding raised boss or projection 1 44. The top surface of boss 144 is flat and sealingly abuts a corresponding flat surface of a centrally offset boss 146 projecting from the generally round, inner central surface 1 47 of overcap 134. An opposite, centrally offset opening or through port 148 extends through overcap 134 in surface 147 which is larger than outlet 142 to insure full passage of material dispensed from container 11 therethrough when opening 148 and outlet 142 are in register and is at a lower elevation, as best seen in Figure 11, than the top surface of boss 146.A ramp 1 50 having an arcuate top surface extends between the top surface of boss 146 and surface 147 and terminates at through port 148. Ramp 1 50 slidably engages the top surface of outlet boss 144 of bushing 1 36 and moves thereover in a wedging action when overcap 1 34 is rotated between its outlet open and outlet closed positions to provide a forced seal for outlet 142. It will be appreciated that, owing to the aforementioned wedging action of ramp 1 50 against boss 144 and the resiliency of the material of which overcap 134 is made, sufficient force can be generated thereby to provide a fluid tight seal for outlet 142 to prevent leakage between the contacting surfaces of the two bosses 1 44 and 146.

As indicated previously, overcap 134 is freely rotatable on bushing 1 36 within limits, one of which limits is provided by a limit stop 1 52, as best seen in Figure 11, on the inner surface of overcap 1 34. Limit stop 1 52 extends radially between the lower-outer edge of central raised surface 147 and the edge of a through slot in the lower periphery of cap 1 34 and engages in interfering relation with a lower bushing stop 1 54 on the end of bushing 136 when overcap 134 is rotated clockwise, or in the direction of the CLOSE arrow in Figure 8, to its "outlet closed" position, thereby preventing further rotation in this direction.Conversely, 1800 opposite, or counter clockwise rotation in the direction of the OPEN arrow in Figure 8 of overcap 1 34 will move overcap 134 to its "outlet open" position. At this position, further rotation in this direction is prevented by engagement of limit stop 1 52 with the upper bushing stop 1 56 and opening or port 148 will be aligned or in register with outlet 142, as in Figure 10.

To facilitate rotating overcap 134 on bushing 136, an integral actuating tab 1 58 is molded on overcap 1 34 which extends therebelow in flush, parallel and adjacent relation to the front end of housing 28 of sprayer section 12, as seen in Figure 9. Actuating tab 1 58 is a generally flat construction and carries on its extreme lower end an inwardly projecting wedge shaped safety detent or latch 1 60 which is received and lockably engaged in a notch or slotted opening 1 62 in the upper front end of trigger 60 when the latter is in its normal, non-pumping position on housing 28 of sprayer 12.As will be appreciated from Figure 9, rotation of overcap 1 34 will not be possible until detent latch 1 60 is disengaged from notch or opening 1 62 which disengagement can only be effected by partially operating trigger 60 to pivot it away from detent 1 60. Detent latch 1 60 and notch or slot 1 62 are dimensionally sized to permit relatively free passage of detent 1 60 into slot 1 62 to insure engagement thereof. Detent latch 1 60 also projects rearwardly a sufficient distance to insure that tab 1 58 is locked to prevent premature rotation of overcap 1 34.

An important feature of the invention just described, is its capability of providing a forcible seal over outlet 142 in boss 144 of bushing 136. When overcap 134 is rotated from its outlet open position of Figure 10 to its outlet closed position of Figure 9, it slides on the top surfaces of raised boss 144 on ramp 1 50 along the arcuate top surface thereof. A slight deformation of overcap 134 in its central region occurs owing to the wedging action which takes place as ramp 1 50 moves over boss 144 on its top surface and reaches a position covering outlet 142. It will be appreciated therefore that this wedging action which causes a slight deformation of resilient overcap 134, also causes a pressure to be generated which acts on the surfaces of ramp 1 50 and boss 144 ensuring a fluid tight seal therebetween.

Operation of the Invention With respect to the hereinafter description of the operation of the present invention, reference will be had to packaging and/or special packaging as these terms are used and defined in Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1700.1 through 1700.2.0, Subchapter Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 170--Regulations.

As indicated previously, in its basic and simplest aspects, the invention is shown in Figures 1 and 13. To give a clear understanding of the operation of these basic forms, as well as the hereinafter described more preferred embodiments, reference should be had also to Figure 7, since most of the parts there illustrated are common to both embodiments.

Container 11, as described hereinbefore, receives in threaded engagement on filler neck 46 thereof, assembly 10 (or assembly 80) through the medium of closure cap 1 8 (or 88) thereof, which closes container 11 in a child-resistant or safe condition when closure section 1 4 (or 78) is turned down thereon sufficiently to ensure ribs 54 (or 92) on skirt 20 (or 90) engage locking lugs 52, as shown in Figure 7.It will be appreciated that in this position any attempt to remove assembly 10 (or assembly 80) by unscrewing closure cap 1 8 (or 88) from filler neck 46 will result in failure since engaged ribs 54 (or 92) and lugs 52 will resist such action and some alternative means must be found to gain access to the contents of container 11. lt has been found by test that while most small children under the age of 5 years cannot perform the acts necessary to open container 11, most normal adults over 1 8 years of age will have little or no difficulty.

It is, of course, highly desirable to be able to open container 11 for refilling when its contents have been dispensed and expelled by dispenser pump or spraying section 12. To accomplish this objective, it is necessary to compress skirt 20 (or 90), as indicated by the arrows in Figure 7, by squeezing the grooved side portions thereof thereby deforming skirt 20 (or 90), as indicated by the dash lines in Figure 7, which in turn, causes ribs or locking members 54 (or 92) to be displaced outwardly a short distance sufficient to clear lugs 52 on filler neck 46 of container 11. Assembly 10 (or 80) can then be turned or rotated a short way until members 54 (or 92) and 52 are fully disengaged and assembly 10 (or 80) removed.It will be appreciated from the foregoing that two discrete and simultaneously performed operations are required before container 11 can be opened by removal therefrom of assembly 10 (or 80); namely, (1) a deforming compressive stress, as by squeezing, must be applied to skirt 20 (or 90) sufficient to cause a radial displacement of lockings members 54 (or 92) to disengage them from lugs 52 and, (2) skirt 20 (or 90) must be maintained in its deformed state while simultaneously, closure section 14 (or 78) and cap 1 8 (or 88) is unscrewed a short distance or until ribs 54 (or 92) disengage from lugs 52 after which assembly 10 (or 80) can be unscrewed the rest of the way and removed.

While the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 13, and operated in accordance with the procedure described with reference to Figure 7 is, broadly speaking, respresentative of a child-resistant package, particularly with respect to increasing the difficulty for small children to gain direct access to the material contents of container 11, without some means to prevent indirect access, as by operation of sprayer section 12, its child-resistant effectiveness may be lessened somewhat. Accordingly, more preferred forms of the invention has been devised, the operation of one of which will be described with respect to these figures of the drawings and further with respect to Figures 2 through 6.

As is well-known, trigger sprayer-closure devices for dispensing material from bottles on other containers are operated by alternately squeezing and unsqueezing an actuator such as trigger 60 of sprayer head 12 to reciprocate piston 56, thereby drawing some of the material contents of container 11 up into pump chamber 64 through suction supply tube 44 into conduit 34 under a section head which opens inlet valve 42 in chamber 40 to permit the material to enter chamber 64 through intake passage 62 in pump chamber wall 63.Continued reciprocation of piston 56 by squeezing trigger 60 causes an increase in pressure in chamber 64, forces check valve 42 to close against valve seat 36 and material in chamber 64 to move under pressure into exit conduit 66 which causes discharge valve 70 to shuttle or shift leftwardly and open whereupon the material will move therearound and be discharged and ejected through outlet orifice 72 of nozzle bushing 68 in discharge chamber 69.

As previously mentioned, it is economically desirable to ship these devices already installed on their filled containers as packages. It is also desirable to insure that when so shipped, the packages are leak proof and child-resistant. Until the present invention, however, really effective child-resistant sprayer-container packages capable of meeting the standards prescribed in the aforesaid Federal Regulations for Special Packaging have not been made available. In the present instance, combined child-resistant dispenser and closure assembly 10 and/or assembly 80, packaged with filled container 11 of Figures 1 and 13 and equipped with child-resistant overcap 94 of Figures 3, 4 and 5 on nozzle bushing 36 of Figure 6 in place of nozzle bushing 68 of Figures 1 and 1 3 constitutes a first preferred embodiment meeting these standards.In addition, said assembly 10 and/or 80 when equipped with child-resistant overcap 1 34 of Figures 9, 10 and 11, on bushing 1 36 of Figure 12 constitutes a second preferred embodiment also capable of meeting these standards.

In operation of said preferred embodiment of special packaging of the character desired is created when assembly 10 mounted on container 11 to close the same, as previously described, is equipped with overcap 94 which is in its outlet closed position on the end of nose bushing 96 as shown in Figure 3. In this position the raised surface of spline 126 presses against boss 124 in sealing relation with outlet 102 and can be opened or unsealed only by the simultaneous performance of at least two discrete actions or acts which children under 5 years of age will find difficult if not impossible to perform, yet which normal adults will perform with relatively little difficulty.

To open or uncover outlet 102 and permit dispensing of material from container 11 by alternately squeezing and unsqueezing trigger 60 to actuate pumping section 12, overcap 94 must be moved to its outlet open position as shown in Figure 4. To effect the shift to that position actuating tab or depressor 11 8 is first depressed inwardly toward trigger 60 to deflect first deflective member 108 to the left as it rotates on torsion springs 11 0. Detent lip 114 is thereby displaced a sufficient distance leftwardly to clear shoulder 11 6 on bushing 96. Simultaneously, an upwardly directed pushing force is applied to overcap 94 and it moves upwardly, guide rails 100 sliding on flanges 98 of bushing 96, until it reaches the position shown in Figure 4.In this position port or opening 104 is aligned and in register with outlet 102 and the pumped material can be expelled or ejected.

To reshift overcap 134 to its closed position of Figure 3, overcap 94 is pushed downwardly as lip 114 rides up on ramp 122 on its rounded end surface and thereafter, owing to its resiliency, snaps back into position under stop 11 6. At the same time a forcible seal is obtained between the top surface of boss 124 and spline 126 when the latter slides in recess 125 of bushing 96 and is wedged onto boss 124 aided by chamfered surface 1 32 thereof. Such wedging action causes a deflection of the central region of overcap 94 between slots 1 28 and owing to its resiliency the stressed material urges spline 126 under constant pressure, against boss 1 24 to provide a positive seal over outlet 1 02.

In operation of second preferred embodiment of the invention, overcap 1 34 of Figure 11 is assembled on bushing 1 36 as hereinbefore described and inserted in discharge chamber 69 in housing 28 of sprayer 12, replacing bushing 68. In Figure 9, overcap 134 is in its outlet closed position with latch or detent 1 60 of rotary actuator tab 1 58 safely engaged in locking relation with notch or slot 162 of tripper 60.To shift overcap 1 34 to its outlet open position or bushing 136, as shown in Figure 10, trigger 60 is depressed by squeezing, thereby disengaging detent 1 60 from notch 1 62. Rotary tab 1 58 is thereafter rotated 1 800 counter clockwise in the direction of the OPEN arrow in Figure 8, until radial stop 1 52 abuts upper bushing stop 1 58 on bushing 136, thereby bringing opening 148 into register with outlet 142 in outlet boss 144.To return overcap 1 34 to its outlet closed position rotary tab 1 58 is turned clockwise in the direction of the CLOSE arrow in Figure 8 until radial stop 1 52 abuts lower bushing stop 1 52 and overcap 1 34 stops.When overcap 1 34 is fully rotated to the stopped position, inside boss 146 is urged against boss 144 by resilient pressure of overcap 134, which is induced by the wedging action of arcuate ramp 1 50 against boss 144 as overcap 1 34 rotates to the closed position, and forcibly seals outlet orifice 1 42. In addition, in this position detent 1 60 engages slot or notch 1 62 of trigger 60 and locks overcap 1 34 in said outlet closed position.

To determine whether the present invention packaged with a polyethylene bottle would satisfy the Consumer Product Safety Commission standards for Poison Prevention Packaging according to the protocol and standards set forth in aforementioned Title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 1 700 through 1700.20, special packagings of assemblies 10 and container 11 were prepared in sufficient number to test in accordance with Part 1700.20 of said Regulations, "Testing Procedure for Special Packaging", sub-section (a) through (c) thereof. The tested devices were made in accordance with the aforementioned first preferred embodiment of assembly 10, as illustrated in Figure 1, comprising combined closure section 14, and trigger actuated sprayer head or pump section 12 equipped with overcap 94 and nozzle bushing 96 of Figures 2 through 6.

The above described package was tested and evaluated for its child-resistant effectiveness and its adult use effectiveness by panels consisting of 200 children and 100 adults obtained from nursery schools, day care centers and civic groups.

The two hundred children employed as panelists for the tests were between the ages of 42 and 51 months and substantially evenly distributed by age and sex as follows: (1) Twenty children (plus or minus 10 per cent) whose nearest age was 42 months, 20 children whose nearest age was 43 months, 20 at 44 months etc., up to and including 20 at 51 months of age; and, (2) The children were divided into groups of two each and given five minutes to open the containers and/or uncover sprayer outlet 102 by moving overcap 94 into its outlet open position. For each test the paired children received the same special package simultaneously with no demonstration or instructions and were asked to open the packages in the time allotted. Results of these tests are given in Table I.

Table I No Demonstration Ages of Successful Openings Panelists Panelists Tested Assembly 10 Overcap 94 Months Male Female Total Male 8 Female Male 8 Female 42 9 11 20 0 0 43 11 9 20 0 0 44 10 10 20 0 0 45 10 10 20 0 0 46 10 10 20 0 0 47 10 10 20 0 0 48 10 ' 10 20 0 o 49 10 10 20 0 0 50 10 10 20 0 0 51 10 10 20 0 0 Totals 100 100 200 0 0 Per Cent Unsuccessful 100% 100% From Table I none of the panelists were successful in either activating the spray, which requires being able to slide overcap 94 to its outlet open position, or removing assembly 10 from container 11, which requires applying a deforming force against skirt 20 sufficient in magnitude and direction to disengage ribs 54 from lugs 52 to unlock closure section 14.

The tests were repeated with the same panelists except in this instance a demonstration of the correct way to open container 11 and move overcap 94 to its open position was given.

The results for these tests given the same panelists are presented in Table II.

Table II With Demonstration Ages of Successful Openings Panelists Panellists Tested Assembly 10 Overcap 94 Months Male Female Total Male Female Male Female Total 42 9 11 20 0 0 0 0 0 43 11 9 20 0 0 0 0 0 44 10 10 20 0 0 0 0 0 45 10 10 20 0 0 0 0 0 46 10 10 20 0 0 0 0 0 47 10 10 20 0 0 0 0 0 48 10 10 20 0 0 0 0 0 49 10 10 20 0 0 0 0 0 50 10 10 20 0 0 1 0 1 51 10 10 20 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 100 100 200 0 0 1 0 1 Percent Unsuccessful 100% 98% 99.5% Based upon the standards of child-resistant effectiveness of not less than 85% without demonstration and not less than 80% after demonstration of the proper means of opening a special packaging as established in the Protocol for testing such special packaging, the present combined child-resistant dispenser and closure assembly 10, equipped with child-resistant overcap 94 and packaged with container 11 easily fulfilis the requirements for Poiston Prevention Packaging prescribed in Part 1700 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The effectiveness as measured by the percent of unsuccessful openings Without Demonstration (Table 1) and Without Demonstration (Table II) is as follows: Without Demonstration 100% with respect to both opening and gaining access to the package contents by removing assembly 10 or shifting overcap 94 to its outlet open position.

With Demonstration 100% with respect to assembly 1 0, 99% with respect to overcap 94 and 99.5% with respect to entire unit.

The same tests of the same special packaging as in Tables I and li were given to a group of panelists composed of 100 adults ranging in age from 1 8 to 45, 70 of whom were women, and 30 of whom were men. No demonstration was made, however, directions and instructions were given as follows: Closure Cap To Open Press opposite sides of cap at bottom of grooved portion with thumb and forefinger and twist bottle clockwise.

Overcap Spray Tab To Open 1. Overcap must be flush with top of sprayer.

2. With thumb or finger, press in and up on tab.

Instructions to the Testing Persons The interviewers, or testing personnel were directed to conduct the evaluation of the devices in strict accordance with the cited protocol. To make certain these persons adhered to the above, they were periodically observed throughout the testing program.

Results for the adult group are given in Table III.

Table Ill Successful Panelists Without Demonstration Closure Panelists Tested Overcap 94 Section 14 (Number) Female 70 68 63 Male 30 30 30 Total 100 98 93 Percent Successful 98.0 93.0 With Demonstration The two panelists who were unable to operate and shift overcap 94 to its outlet open position were able to activate it after a demonstration of the correct way to do so.

Four of the seven panelists unable to open the screw cap of the closure to remove assembly 10 were still unable to open if after a demonstration.

Based upon the standard of adult-use effectiveness of not less than 90 percent, the present invention, as described herein, fulfills the requirements for Poison Prevention Packaging based upon the protocol and standards set forth for same in Part 1 700 of Title 1 6 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Claims (26)

Claims

1. A combined safety dispenser and closure assembly for expelling material comprising in combination; a container for the material; closure means including means for removably connecting said assembly to said container and outlet containing dispenser means including means for drawing the material contents from the container and dispensing them through said outlet; safety means operatively associated with one of said closure means and said container; and, coacting safety means associated with the other of said closure means and container which cooperate with said safety means in child-resistant, locking relationship when said assembly is connected to said container.

2. The assembly as specified in Claim 1 in which said closure means is a section of said assembly and said container has an opening for refilling the container, said section including a cap member adapted to engage said container on said opening when said assembly is connected to said container.

3. The assembly as specified in claim 1 in which said closure means and dispenser means are separably coupled together by an insert stem coupling member.

4. The assembly as specified in claim 1 in which said closure means and dispenser means are inseparably connected together in a unitary integrated structure.

5. The assembly as specified in claim 3 in which said insert stem coupling member is an integral part of said closure means.

6. The assembly as specified in claim 1 in which the safety means is associated with the closure means and said coacting safety means is associated with the container.

7. The assembly as specified in claim 1 in which the safety means is associated with the container and the coacting safety means is associated with said closure means.

8. The assembly as specified in claim 1 in which closure means is a closure section and the safety means comprises at least one radially inwardly projecting rib extending from an inside surface of said closure section.

9. The assembly as specified in claim 1 in which the coacting safety means comprises at least one wedge shaped locking lug radially outwardly extending from said container.

10. The assembly as specified in claim 2 in which the container includes a filler neck, the opening of the container is located in the filler neck and the cap member engages said container on said filler neck.

11. The assembly as specified in claim 8 in which the closure means further includes a resilient outer skirt having an inside surface and the safety means projects inwardly from said surface.

12. The assembly as specified in claim 10 in which the coacting safety means radially outwardly projects from said filler neck is engaged by said safety means when said cap engages said filler neck and closes said opening.

13. The assembly as specified in claim 1 in which the safety means is associated with said closure means and comprises at least one rib having a vertical, substantially flat surface and said coacting safety means comprises at least one wedge shaped locking lug having a substantially flat surface arranged on said container in juxtaposed, contacting relation with said vertical rib surface when said assembly is connected to said container.

14. A combined child-resistant dispenser and closure assembly for a container having a filler neck, at least one locking member on one of said assembly and container filler neck, said assembly comprising: (a) dispenser means including a pump for expelling material from the container; (b) closure means connected to said dispenser means including a cap, said cap adapted to engage said container filler neck in assembly retaining and container closing relation; and (c) locking means on the other of said assembly and container filler neck adapted to engage said locking member to lock said container in child-resistant relation when said cap is in said container closed relation and to disengage from said locking member when a predetermined compressive stress is directed against said closure portion of sufficient strength to deform at least a part of said closure portion thereby effecting disengagement of said locking member and locking means and enabling disengagement of said cap from said filler neck for removal of said assembly from said container.

1 5. The assembly as specified in claim 14 wherein the deformed part of said closure section is a resilient, circumferentially extending skirt having an inside surface and one of said locking means and locking member is carried on said surface.

1 6. The assembly as specified in claim 1 5 wherein said locking means is carried on said inside surface of said skirt.

1 7. The assembly as specified in claim 1 6 wherein said locking means is a vertically extending rib radially inwardly projecting from said inside surface of said skirt.

1 8. The assembly as specified in claim 14 wherein said locking member is carried on said container filler neck.

19. The assembly as specified in claim 18 wherein said locking member is a wedge shaped locking lug radially outwardly extending from a surface of said container filler neck.

20. The assembly as specified in claim 14 wherein the closure section cap is threadabiy engaged on said container filler neck.

21. A combined safety dispenser and closure assembly for dispensing material frorn a container having an opening comprising: a pumping section including means for drawing the material from the container and expelling the same and a closure section connected to said pumping section including attachment means for installing said assembly on said container and cap means for closing the container; and interengaging safety retaining means on each of said closure section and said container adopted to form a child-resistant package when said assembly is installed on and closes said container.

22. A safety dispenser and closure assembly adapted to be attached to a container for expelling material therefrom comprising: closure means including means for removably connecting said assembly to said container, and outlet containing dispenser means including means for drawing said material from said container and dispensing said material through said outlet; and, safety means operatively associated with said closure means adapted to engage said container in child-resistant relation when the said assembly is attached to said container.

23. A child-resistant dispenser and closure assembly adapted to be mounted on a container, the contents of which are to be expelled, comprising: (a) dispenser means including a pump for expelling said container contents; (b) closure means connected to said dispenser means, including: i. a deformable cap, said cap adapted to engage said container in assembly retaining and container closing relation; and ii. locking means adapted to lock said container in child-resistant relation and to unlock said container when a predetermined stress, directed against said cap, deforms said cap and enables disengagement of said cap and removal of said assembly from said container.

24. The assembly as specified in claim 23 in which said cap has a resilient, circumferentially extending skirt the inside surface of which carries said locking means.

25. A safety dispenser and closure assembly for an open container adapted to be mounted on said container for dispensing the material contents thereof, comprising: a pumping section including means for drawing the material from the container and expelling the same and a closure section connected to said pumping section including means for mounting said assembly on said container, said closure section including cap means for closing the container; and, safety retaining means on said closure section adapted to engage said container and form a childresistant package therewith when said assembly is installed thereon.

26. A safety dispenser and closure assembly for a container, constructed and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.