NO792091L - COMBINED CHILD LOCK DISTRIBUTION AND CLOSING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Combined childproof dispensing and closing device.

Description

The present invention relates to child-resistant packaging of a portioning device and closure device and a container or bottle, and

more particularly, a combined child-resistant dispensing and closure device adapted to be mounted on a container to provide a child-resistant package capable of meeting the standards for special packaging under the "Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970", Title 15 United States Code Sections 1471-1475 and the regulations related thereto under Title 16

of the Code of Federal Regulations, 1700.1 in full and including the protocol for testing "Special Packaging" as set forth in the above-mentioned "Code" under section 1700.20 thereof entitled "Testing Procedure for Special Packaging".

Product dispensing and spraying devices combined with closing accessories and other closing means such as closing caps etc. apparatus-ture for attaching to a container and mounting the same by closably attaching the apparatus to this, has been known for a long time. A particularly representative device of this type is disclosed in US Patent 3,061,202, which device is a manually operated, trigger activated pump syringe or dispensing device having a rotatably 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. Partly for this reason, when devices of this type are marketed for sale to customers, they are not shipped mounted on the container. Thus, an additional and unnecessary cost is incurred, as a separate and additional closing cap etc. device for the container must be provided and installed to prevent spillage and unwanted leakage of the container's contents. t

Other patents are known which propose solutions to this problem to allow shipping of a dispensing apparatus while mounted on a filled or charged container. E.g. US Patent 3,630,473, which describes a combined trigger sprayer and closure device with a cap that screws down onto a container, deals with a solution consisting of a clip-off cover or nozzle that tightly covers the outlet of the syringe pump or dispensing pump. Two types of covers are discussed, the first of which has a dome-shaped element over the outlet which is held in place by means of a screwed-on nozzle. A seal is made at the outlet by means of the screwed-on nozzle against an annular flange of the dome-shaped element which is clamped between the nozzle and an end face or the nose of the spray device. The syringe device is made operative by cutting the dome part of the cover with a knife or other cutting instrument, after which pumping of the contents from the container on which the assembly is mounted can be carried out.

In the second type of cover, a permanent nozzle cap is provided at the end of the dispensing device above the outlet and a removable member, which is press-fit on the nozzle cap has a plug that blocks the outlet hole. The cover is attached to. the permanent nozzle cap by a unitary molded flange or hinge with a weakened portion that can be easily cut off or broken away to allow the cap to be tilted away from the outlet. After use, the cover can be fitted again if desired. Thus, the spray device is shippable while mounted on a container, as the nozzle outlet is sealed by the cover and in principle cannot be easily removed by a child. As soon as the weakened part breaks off, the cover is easily removed and is no longer childproof.

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, US patent 3,973,700, there is discussed an out-port ionization pump or spray device which is combined with a closing cap for attaching the assembled device to the neck of the container. The syringe device has a syringe outlet and a cover for this which is part of an operation trigger which is combined

with this one. The cover trigger device is rotated so that it can be swung away from a position covering the outlet of a trigger

in operating position and is intended to be in the covered pa-! sion for the outlet when not in use, such as during shipment 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 enable the removal of a tab which is also present, whereby a nozzle containing the outlet can be adjusted. However, the trigger can still be turned downwards to a small degree which is sufficient to uncover the outlet without breaking off the disk and spraying is possible by operating the trigger with the fingers, which action is relatively easy to carry out even by small children. This spray device is therefore not childproof as access to the container's contents can be achieved relatively easily simply by unscrewing the cap from the container.

Another patent, US Patent 3,957,181, discloses a child-resistant dispensing closure device in which a conventional push-on cap is combined with a pouring accessory characterized by a spout having a through passage, which spout is rotatably mounted on top of the closure device in a recess therein in such a manner as to pivot through an arc from a transverse or horizontal position relative to an outlet in the hood with its internal transverse passage not aligned with the outlet to thereby be in a closed position, to a vertical position in wherein the through passage in the spout is aligned with the outlet in the closure device and fluid is allowed to flow through the aligned passage and outlet to exhaust the contents of the container to which it is applied. A locking tab is provided at the outer end of the spout which can be bent down with a finger, pencil or other pointed object etc. when the latter is in its transverse or closed position before the spout can be lifted and turned to the open or vertical position. Thus, this patent relates to a child-resistant dispensing closure device in which a pouring spout resists opening due to the presence of the locking tab which must first be moved, such as by a finger or other object, a sufficient distance so that the end of the spout can be turned upon application of a downward force on the base of the accessory. However, there is a disadvantage to this device in that, although the pouring spout is child-resistant, the package containing it with a regular container (not shown) is not safe, as a child with relatively little effort

can gain access to the contents of the container by simply

to remove the cap containing the pouring spout. If, on the other hand, the cap is made to fit so that it cannot be removed at all, the container cannot be opened and refilled. Thus, with this patent, a disposable package is achieved.

Various other US patents have been issued dealing with combination trigger syringe devices and caps including screw-on and press-on types for attachment to the neck of containers. E.g. US patent 3,927,834 relates to a locking element for locking an activation member or a trigger in a non-operating position when the syringe device is out of use, in which position a valve is closed by means of a piston connected to the trigger for to prevent leakage from a container on which the device is used. However, this device, as with the previously mentioned devices, has the disadvantage that it is not childproof in that no means are 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 be clear from what follows, the present invention solves these aforementioned problems and overcomes the disadvantages arising from them by the provision of a composite combined closure means and pump or spray means for a container which, when packed with it, is completely childproof,

but can still be opened again for renewed filling.

In the description that follows, certain terms are used to help with the understanding and appreciation of the meaning of the invention. One of these "dispensing closure device" is applied to a relatively known type of device which is mounted on a container to provide a closure device or cover for this to seal the contents of the container, or to contain it without leakage in normal use, combined with other devices by means of which the contents of the container can be emptied. Under this designation, a two-part device utilizing a cap and one or more spouts or pouring accessories combined with this will be found and described, as previously mentioned in US Patent 3,957,181. What is not to be included in the above-mentioned definition, however, are so-called two-part devices which are exemplified in US patent 3,061,202, in which it has previously been referred to, which devices are characterized by having syringe pumps or syringe heads etc. devices with screwed-on closure caps etc. attached to these for mounting the combination on the mouth or neck of a container. These devices are usually better known as "trigger spray devices", and thus this term will be used here. All these devices generally use a dip tube or other inlet guiding means to lead the material contents from the container to the pump for spraying by spraying the same through an outlet in the exit nozzle carried by the pump. In addition, these devices usually have inlet and outlet check valves located in a housing in the pump or spray head to control the flow of the material contents from the container.

The terms "child resistant" and "child resistant capability" are also increasingly used both in the field of the present invention and in the field of closure and dispensing devices in general, to denote devices and packages that are designed to be significantly difficult for small children, particularly preschool children under the age of 5 to open within a reasonable time and at the same time not too difficult for average and normal adults to use correctly. Such

devices when used on containers of toxic, harmful, etc. hazardous materials also form "Special Packaging" as said term is defined in the previously mentioned Code of Federal Regulations, Title 16 under Part 1700.1 (4). To the extent that the ne/n.th regulations contain information that is relevant to and will improve the understanding of the present invention, they are included here by reference.

Other terms, unless otherwise defined, will be understood from the relevant, including by reference, regulations to which reference is made to include any and all standards established to protect children from serious illness and personal injury when handling, consuming or using substances that are in these packages and that are found in the average home or household. All test procedures to which constructions according to the present invention are described will refer to the protocol for testing "Special Packaging" in the regulations, particularly under Section 1700.20 of Title 16 CF.R., paragraphs (a), (b) and ( c) is also included

here by reference.

Among the objects of the present invention it is intended

to provide a safety seal for a combined portioning and closing device and a container, where material contents

that in this must be expelled such as with the help of a pump or spray device, etc.

Another object of the invention is to provide a removable child-resistant package of an assembly of a combined portioning section or part and a closing section or part and a container on which the assembly is mounted or packed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a separable package of a dispensing closure assembly and a container of the nature referred to in which the closure section or part includes a deformable cap having elements which cooperate with and form engagement with other elements on the container to prevent separation of the assembly from the container until a predetermined deforming force is applied to the cap in a predetermined direction while simultaneously unscrewing the cap.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device of the nature described in which the pump section or part is a manually operated pump which has an outlet through which the container's contents are expelled and which is provided with a child-proof cover or hood for the outlet.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device of the type referred to, in which the parts and components all, or almost all, consist of cheap, easily available synthetic and natural thermoplastic materials.

A further object is to provide a device of the foregoing type in which the pump section or part is a trigger pump or syringe device and the cooperating cap and container elements are respectively wedge-like rib elements and lugs, which form engagement with each other when the closing section or part mounted on the neck or mouth of the container.

A still further object is to provide a device of

the preceding type which can be cast from the thermoplastic materials referred to in an economical way and in which the elements of the cap and the container which form an engagement with each other are cast as unitary parts of the cap and the container respectively.

In order to achieve these and other purposes, there is provided, according to the present invention, an improvement in the packaging of child-proof dispensing closure devices and assemblies, in particular those assemblies or devices which comprise a dispensing pump or syringe device combined with, or otherwise attached to, a closure device adapted to be installed, mounted on or otherwise packaged by attaching this to a container in order to expel material products from this, which is characterized by having safety features with respect to to prevent unwanted, involuntary or accidental access to the contents of the container by small children. The improvements include, in the case of special packaging, the use and addition of child-resistant closure elements for the closure devices etc. items which, when combined with the dispensing pump or syringe device, result in a combined dispensing and closure assembly with at least 85% child-resistant capability for a container of hazardous materials, by which it is understood that these required procedures are followed and adhered to for removing or unpacking 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 accessing the contents of the container. In addition, the procedures are also effective in allowing at least 90% of normal adults aged 18 - 45 years to open the packages.

In a further and preferred embodiment, a child-resistant cover or overcap is provided for the outlet of the dispensing pump or spray device through which the material is dispensed in normal use, which cover or overcap is attached to, on or over the outlet in such a way that no may be removed or otherwise have its position altered unless certain given procedures are carefully followed to uncover the outlet and permit the passage of the material contents from the container.

in i

Fig. 1 is a vertical view, partly in section, of a child-resistant package for a combined dispensing and closing assembly in basic form, which view illustrates the internal working parts of both the dispensing device, which is in the form of a syringe pump or syringe section, and the closing section which is a threaded cap within a compliant outer skirt, and a container. Fig. 2 is a partial vertical view of the outlet end of a preferred form of the invention showing a preferred, linearly movable hood or cover for the outlet at the outlet or nozzle end of the pump or the spray head thereof. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section of the outlet end of the dispenser, pump or spray head part according to the invention along the line 3-3 in fig. 2, and illustrates the hood in its child-proof position with the outlet closed. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section corresponding to that in fig. 3, except that the hood is shown in a spray operation position with the outlet open. Fig. 5 is an inside perspective front vertical view of the top cap or cover in Figures 2, 3 and 4, viewed from the spray outlet or nozzle end. Fig. 6 is a perspective front end vertical view of a nozzle or nose sleeve used with the top cap in Figures 3, 4 and 5, in the spray head or pump section according to the invention, as viewed from said top cap or cover.

Fig. 7 is a cross-section along the line 7-7 in fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a vertical view, viewed from the left and corresponding to fig. 2 of another embodiment of the invention showing a rotatably movable hood or cover for the outlet at the outlet or nozzle end of the pump or the spray head thereof. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section of the outlet end of the dispenser, pump or spray head section according to the invention, seen along the line 9-9 in Fig. 8, and showing the cover or over the cap in its closed position, where the outlet is covered. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section, as in fig. 9, except that the hood or cover is in a spray operation position with the outlet open. Fig. 11 is an interior perspective front vertical view of the top cap or cover in Figures 8, 9 or 10 viewed from the spray outlet or nozzle end. Fig. 12 is a perspective front-end vertical view of a modified nozzle or nose sleeve used with the top cap of Fig. 8, 9 and 10, in the spray head between the pump section according to the invention, as seen from said top hood or cover. Fig. 13 is a vertical view, partly in section, which largely corresponds to fig. 1, of yet another embodiment of the combined child-proof portioning and closing assembly, the container in the package being omitted, and fig. illustrates certain of the internal working parts, such as in fig. 1, and a unitary molded closure cap and dispensing device connecting means.

A basic generalized form of the invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 where a package with a combined child-resistant dispensing pump or syringe pg closure assembly 10 and a container 11 is shown comprising a trigger-activated pump head or syringe section 12, where the particular section shown is selected from the production line of the popularly known trigger- syringes manufactured<p>g supplied by The AFA Corporation of Miami Lakes, Florida, USA, and"a closure section or part 14 is rotatably attached thereto.

The assembly 10 is preferably a molded object made entirely or fairly close to entirely of plastic material in order to thus provide a reasonably economically manufactured object. 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 applicable, e.g. castable thermoplastic 'polyester, polyurethane, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetate, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and synthetic and . natural rubber and mixtures of these materials. These materials have elasticity, have the necessary compliance and are, in addition, economical and can be obtained relatively easily and in large quantities, formed directly and easily by means of any of the well-known and widely used forming and. molding manufacturing processes, and are inert to practically all of the commonly used materials and liquids packaged in containers with these devices.

As previously mentioned, the assembly 10 forms a seal of the material when it is attached and mounted on a bottle or container 11 and mainly comprises a pump section, a syringe head or syringe part 12, and a closure section or part 14. The closure section 14 is connected to the syringe head section 12 by means of an intermediate intake stem or coupling member 16 and comprises an inner closure cap or cylinder 18 having an internally threaded surface, a compliant outer skirt or cylinder 20 concentrically spaced from the cap 18, and a top wall 2 2 from which these latter parts project down . The top wall 20 has a central perforation 24 through which the upper cylindrical end 26 of the coupling element 16 easily passes with some clearance to extend into the lower end of the body or housing 28 of the dispensing or spraying section 12

which is press-fitted into an outer ring-shaped recess or cavity 30 located therein. The cylindrical end 26 projects upwards from the top surface of a laterally extending disk-like collar or base 32, the latter being a radial extension of a central guide 34, which it supports, of the insertion member 16. The collar or base 32 is larger in diameter than the perforation 24 and forms a supportive engagement with the cap or skirt 18 on the underside or surface of the top wall 22 of the closure member 14. The upper end of the guide 34 terminates in a conical valve seat 36 which opens into a central cavity 38 in the housing 28 of the spray section 12 and thereby defines a valve chamber 40 in which an intake valve 42 is located. The guide 34 is press-fitted into the cavity 38, as it there forms an engagement in a fluid-tight relationship on its outer peripheral surface. j. : One. fluid supply guide or dip tube 44 projecting down from the lower end of the guide 34 passes centrally through the threaded filler neck 46 of the container or bottle 11 and terminates below the surface of the material contents (not shown) in said container or bottle.

The assembly 10 is packed together with the bottle or container 11 by engagement of the threaded cap or skirt 18 on the filling neck 46 when the closing section 14 is screwed down on this. When the threaded cap 18 and filler neck 46 fully engage, the closure member 14 assumes a closed position for the bottle or container 11 in which the base or support collar 32 is tightly clamped between the upper annular surface 48 of the container 11 and the lower annular surface 50 of the top wall 22. The respective clamping surfaces 48 and 50 are normally smooth enough to provide an effective seal for the container 11, particularly when the material content is fluid. In certain cases, a gasket or other sealing-improving device (not shown) can be used with advantage.

A pair of wedge-shaped locking tabs 52 project radially outward from the lower peripheral surface, as best seen in fig. 7, of the filler neck 46 on opposite sides of this and forms an engagement with in the locks, a child-proof relationship, with the cooperating vertically extending elements or ribs 54 which project radially inwards from the inner surface of the outer closing skirt or cylinder 20. One will understand,, particularly in light of the following description of the operation of the invention, that the act of closing the container 11 by screwing the cap 18 for the closing section 14 down

on the container 11 of the neck 46 will result in cooperation between the tabs 52 and the ribs 54 which impose child-proof capability for these parts which form a special seal which is considerably difficult for children under 5 years to open within a reasonable time.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the devices indicated by the previously described syringe head or dispensing sections 12 are in and of themselves not the invention here. In reality, any of the well-known trigger-operated, manual pumps and spray devices, which are now available in large numbers, can be used to great advantage, and will, when appropriate, be modified and combined. '- with' any closing device indicated by the closing portion 14 in accordance with the principles herein, result in a new and useful advance in the technique of child-resistant special packaging.

In fig. 1, the dispensing section or syringe head 12 comprises a spring-loaded piston 56 mounted for reciprocal movement in a bearing 58 caused by an activator, typically a finger-operated trigger 60. The trigger 60 is rotatably mounted on the syringe head 12 on the housing 20 below the front or the nozzle end of this. In the body 28, there is also an entrance or intake passage 62 in the wall of the part 6 3 thereof which leads into a pump chamber 64 from the intake valve chamber 40 below this an outlet guide or discharge passage 66 connects the chamber 64 with the outside through a discharge nozzle or nose sleeve 68 which is located in the discharge chamber 69' at the end of the guide 66. An outlet or discharge valve 70 is slidably located in an internal cavity in the nozzle or nose sleeve 68 to control the flow of the material, usually fluid content in the container 11 which is pumped from the chamber 6 4 for spraying through the spraying opening or outlet

72 in the end wall of the nozzle sleeve 68.

In order to ensure that the container 11 is vented correctly and that the pressure in it is equalized during pumping of the material contents from it, ventilation passages 74 and 76 are respectively formed in the base or support collar 32 of the coupling element 16 and in the wall or divider 63 of the bore 58, the latter being molded into the wall 63 at a point immediately below the piston 56. As shown in fig. 1, the piston 56 is in its normal non-pumping rest position and the vent passage 76 is closed and sealed against ambient air by the seal ring 77 on the piston 56 which is provided on both sides of the passage 76. During a pumping stroke of the piston 56, however, the vent passage 76 becomes exposed and ambient air enters the container 11 via the open passage 76, through the annular recess 30 and the passage 74 in the base 32.

In fig. 13 a further embodiment of the invention is shown, which uses an identical spray head or section 12 as for the embodiment previously described in connection with fig. 1. In this case, the sprayer 12 is attached to a modified closure section 78, which forms a new assembly 80 as in fig. 13, shown unpacked from container 11. Sealing bag- ! section 78 and the spray head or pump section 12 are connected together by any known method, e.g. rotational welding, adhesive fastening, etc. after the assembly of the respective parts by press fitting the one-piece molded intake stem 82 of the closing section 78 into the annular cavity or recess 30 in the housing 28. It will be understood that the one-piece molded stem 82 with the closing section 78 means a simplification by eliminating at least one discretely fabricated part, namely the intermediate intake stem 16. In this case, the central guide 34 is molded and supported directly on the top wall 84 of the closure section 78 through the unitary base or support collar 86 thereof, which replaces the base 32 The guide stem 82 extends upwards from the top wall 84 to the outer annular cavity or recess 30 in the housing 28 and the upper end of the guide 34 extends into the central cavity 38

and press fit into this as in the embodiment in fig. 1. The closure section 78 is otherwise structurally identical to the closure section 14 including an internal cap closure or cylinder 88 with an internally threaded surface (corresponding to

the skirt 18) and a yielding outer skirt 90 (corresponding to the skirt 20), both of which project down in a uniform, concentrically spaced relationship, from the top wall 84. In addition, the inner surface of the yielding outer skirt 90 carries a pair of identically shaped vertically extending, radially projecting ribs 92 which cooperate with and form an engagement with cooperating locking elements or paws 52 on the filling neck 46 of the container 11 when the latter is closed by screwing the cap 88 of the closing section 78 down on this, thereby forming a child-proof seal with the assembly 80, as

as in the embodiment described earlier in connection with fig. 1.

When mounting the assembly 80 on the container 11 to close the same, it should be noted that, due to the unitary construction of the closure member 78 and its press fit attachment to the sprayer 12, the entire assembly 80 will rotate as a unit when the cap 88 screwed down onto the filler neck 46; In contrast to this in the embodiments in fig. 1, due to the pivoting connection of the closing section 14 to the dispensing section 12, when the cap 18 is screwed onto the filler neck 46 by turning the closing section 14, to close the container 11, only the closing section 14 will turn.'

Reference is now made to Figures 2 - 6, and the invention will be described with reference to a particularly preferred embodiment shown there. When describing this embodiment, which is particularly high in terms of child-proof capability, reference should also be made to Norwegian patent application no. 79.0891. What is stated in the said patent application is included here by this reference.

Figures 2-6 in the present application, of which figures 3 and 4 largely correspond to figures 2 and 3 in the aforementioned Norwegian patent application, show the most preferred embodiment of the present invention■with a syringe head or section 12 in the assembly 10 in fig. 1 (or the assembly 80 iiifig. 13) with a flat child-resistant safety cover or top cap 94. The top cap 94 is attached to the end of the spray head 12 on a modified nozzle or nose sleeve 96 which is press-fit in the discharge chamber 69 in the housing 28 of the sprayer 12, and replaces the sleeve 68, and is connected to this by means of edge guides or flanges 98 which in an overlapping sliding relationship form an engagement with cooperating guide rails 100 formed in the top cap 94. The flanges 98 are parallel to each other and to the cooperating rails 100 and run in a vertical direction regarding the sprayers 12 when the latter is in its normal upright position as shown in fig. 1. The upper cap 94 on the sleeve 96 is allowed upward and downward linear movements on this within, borders on the guide rails 100 which slide on guides or flanges 98. The nose sleeve 96 has an outlet or passage opening 102 formed in the end wall thereof and an opening or port 104, larger than the exit opening or outlet 102 is formed in the upper hood 94 which, when the latter is in its lowest position, as shown in fig. 3, is not aligned, or does not fit perfectly with the outlet 10 2 and the hood 94 in its "outlet closed" position. On the other hand, when the upper hood 94 moves upwards to its highest position, as shown in fig. 4, the opening 104 is aligned, or aligned with the outlet 102 and the hood 94 in its "outlet open" position. As indicated earlier, the upper cap 94 is allowed upward and downward movement on the sleeve 96 within limits. In fig. 3, the lowest position of the top cap 94 is reached, and its outlet closed position is achieved, when a limit stop is provided by the horizontal inwardly extending shoulder 106 on the j upper end of the top cap 94, which extends towards the sleeve 9 6 -i in an overlapping relationship with this, and in adjacent relation with the end of the housing 28 in the spray section 12, contacts the upper surface of the sleeve 96, thereby limiting further downward movement of the top cap 94.

The overcap 94 is made of compliant material and has a compliant first bendable chin member 108 which is integrally connected to the cap vertically extending upwards, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, from a pair of narrow torsion bands or spring-rotating means 110 on the lower end of the top cap 94 on which it can be rotatably bent into the generally rectangular opening or through slot 112 in the top cap 94. The upper end of the bendable member 108, as best seen in fig. 5,

has a chin lip 114 formed on this which abuts a shoulder 116, as can best be seen from fig. 6, on the lower end of the nose sleeve 96. The shoulder 116 prevents upward movement of the hood 94 and, as shown in fig. 3ylåser mentioned hood 94

in its outlet closed position.

The bendable member 108 extends downwardly from the torsion bands 110 and has an actuation tab or depressor 118 on the lower end thereof which when depressed or forced to the right in fig; 3 such as when applying thumb pressure from an operator, will tilt or turn the torsion springs 110 about a sideways

axis through these which is sufficient for the chin lip 114 to clear the shoulder 116 in the sleeve 96. When the tab or depressor 118 is in its depressed position, the top cap 94 can be pushed upwards and moved to the outlet open position in fig. 4 with the guide rail 100 sliding on flanges 98 of the sleeve 96. A recess 120 in the nose sleeve 96 immediately above the shoulder 116 receives the chin lip 114 when the latter returns to its normal, untwisted and unbent condition under the force of the torsion springs 110. The foregoing will occur when the depressing force on the tab or depressor 118 is released and the top cap 94 is in its fig. 4 or the outlet open position, in which position the opening or port 104 will be aligned or in accordance with the outlet opening 102 and the material content delivered by the spray head 12 from the container 11 can be sprayed or expelled. IN

An inclined plane or chamfered surface 122 on the upper side

i of the shoulder 116 of the nose sleeve.96 enables closure of the outlet! 102 when the rounded front edge of the chin lip 104 moves downwards on this. As the top cap 94 moves into its outlet closed position, the chin lip 114 is pushed to the left as its rounded edge moves lightly on the inclined plane 122 and snaps back to its normal closed locked position under the limit stop 116. To perform this action, only -you to apply a gentle but firm downward pushing motion against the top end of the cap 94 to cause the cap 94 to slide into its closed position on the sleeve 96.

A further and important feature of the present invention rests in the provision of a seal against leakage between the inner surface of the upper cap 94 and the outer surfaces of the nose sleeve 96. As can best be seen from Figures 5 and 6, the outlet 102 in the sleeve 96 terminates in the outer the surface of an upright sealing knob 124 projecting from the bottom of a recess 125. When the top cap 94 is installed on the sleeve 96 and occupies its outlet-closed position, the knob 124 will collide with force in a sealing relationship with respect to the outlet 102, with a vertically extending upstanding surface or strip 126 projecting from the inside surface of the top cap 94. It will be understood that the part of the top cap 94 which contains said upstanding surface or strip 126 can be bent and is flexible due to the vertical through slits 128 adjacent the strip or surface 126 in the front surface of the top cap 94, which allow the part in question to bend outwards, as shown in fig. 3 at the contours of the outer surface thereof, when the hood 94 is moved downwards to the outlet closed position. This means, as it will. can be understood from figures 5 and 6, that when the upper hood 94 moves from its outlet open position in fig. 4 to its outlet closed position in fig. 3, the raised surface or strip 126 slides in the recess 125 and is forcibly wedged onto the knob 124 by the inclined top surface 130 of the knob 124 and similarly interacts with the chamfered surface 13 2 of the strip 126. The preceding wedging action causes a deflection or bending of the portion of the top cap 94 between the slot 128 which forcefully urges the strip 126 and its top surface. against the opposing top surface of the knob 124 thereby providing a forced seal for the outlet 102. Of Figures 8 through 12, figures 9 and 10 generally correspond to figures 8 and 10 in the aforementioned Norwegian patent application no. 79.0891; A further embodiment of the invention will now be described in connection with these figures. In this embodiment, a rotatable or rotating flat safety cover or top cap 134 is placed on a different, also modified nose or nozzle sleeve 136. The top cap 134 and the nose sleeve 136 can be used as previously described in connection with the top cap 94 and the sleeve 96 with the one or other of the also previously described combined child-resistant dispensing and closure assemblies, including assembly 10 and 80, to provide a special package with high child-resistant performance sufficient to meet or exceed the standards established for such special packages under the previous said Part 1700.20 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

In order to satisfy or exceed said standards, the combined child-proof portioning and closing assembly 10, as shown in fig. or the assembly 10 in fig. 13, equipped with a modified nose sleeve 136 by introducing the same into the discharge chamber 69 in the housing 28 of the spray head or section 12, the old sleeve 68 as shown in fig. 9 is replaced, and then to

. install the hood 134 on the output end of this. Alternatively, these parts can be pre-assembled and then mounted on the syringe head 12 with the top cap 134 held in place on the nose sleeve 136 by a set of upper annular lip sectors 138 and a bottom lip 139 after snapping it into place to connect said upper and lower sectors over an annular elevation or edge 140 of the nose sleeve 136. The overcap 134 is relatively permanently held on the sleeve 136 and is not easily removed such as with the help of fingers or even with the help of certain tools without damage. However, it is >: freely rotatable on this, within limits, between an outlet closed and an outlet open position, as will be explained. The sleeve 136 is provided with an exit opening or outlet 142 in the end wall thereof, which is centrally vertically offset with respect to the annular edge or elevation 140, as shown in fig. 12, and terminates in the top surface of a surrounding upstanding knob or protrusion 144. The top surface of the knob 144 is flat and sealingly abuts a corresponding flat surface of a centrally offset knob 146 projecting from

the generally round, inner central surface 147 of the upper cap 134. An opposite, centrally offset opening or through port 148 extends through the upper cap 13.4 in the surface 147 which is larger than the outlet 142 to ensure full passage of the material dispensed from the container 11 through this when the opening 148 and the outlet 142 are in accordance with each other and are at a lower vertical position, as can best be seen from fig. 11, than the top surface of the knob 146. An inclined plane 150 having an arcuate top surface extends between the top surface of the knob 146 and the surface 147 and terminates at a through port 148. The ramp 150 forms sliding engagement with the top surface of the outlet knob 144 of the sleeve 136 and moves further in a wedge-acting action when the cap 134 is rotated between its outlet open and outlet closed positions to provide a forced seal for the outlet 142. It will be understood that due to previously mentioned wedging action of the inclined plane 150 against the knob 144 and the compliance of the material of which the top cap 134 is made, sufficient force can be generated to thereby provide a fluid tight seal for the outlet 142 to prevent leakage between the surfaces of the two knobs 144 and 146 which are in contact with each other.

As indicated earlier, the top cap 134 is freely rotatable on the sleeve 136 within limits, one limit of which is provided by a limit stop 152, as can best be seen from fig. 11, on the inner surface of the upper cap 134. The boundary stopper 152 extends radially between the lower outer edge of a central raised surface 147 and the edge of a continuous slot in the lower circumference of the cap 134 and engages in an interfering relationship with a lower sleeve tops 154 on the end of the sleeve 136 when the top cap 134 is turned with the pointer, or in the direction of the closing arrow in fig. 8 to its "outlet closed" position, thereby preventing further rotation in this direction. In contrast, 180° opposite or counter-clockwise rotation in the direction of the open arrow in fig. 8 of the hood 134 move the hood 134 to its "outlet open" position. At this position, further turning in this direction is prevented by the engagement of the limit stopper 152 with the upper sleeve stopper 156 and the opening or port 148 will be aligned or in accordance with the outlet 142, as in fig. 10. In order to enable rotation of the top cap 134 on the sleeve 136, a uniform activation tab 158 is molded on the top cap 134 which extends below it in a flush, parallel and adjacent relationship with the front end of the housing 28 in the spray section 12, as can be seen from fig. . 9. The activation tab 158 is of generally flat construction and carries on its outer lower end a retracting wedge-shaped safety catch or latch 160 which is received and lockably engages a slot or slotted opening 162 in the upper front end of the trigger 60 when the latter is in its normal, non-pumping position on the housing 28 of the sprayer 12. As will be seen from fig. 9, rotation of the top cap 134 will not be possible until the latch 160 is brought out of engagement with the slot or slot 162, which engagement release can only be accomplished by partially operating the trigger 60 to rotate it away from the latch 160. The latch 160 and the slot or slot 162 is dimensioned in size to allow relatively free passage of the chin 160 into the slot 162 to ensure engagement between them. The chin lock 160 also projects rearwards a sufficient distance to ensure that the tab 158 is locked to prevent premature turning of the top cap 134.

An important feature of the invention just described is its ability to provide forced sealing over the outlet 142

in the knob 144 of the sleeve 136. When the top cap 134 is turned from its outlet open position in fig. 10 to its outlet closed position in fig. 9, it slides on the top surface of the raised knob 144 on the inclined plane 150 along the arcuate top surface thereof. A slight deformation of the cap 134 in the central region occurs due to the wedging action which takes place as the inclined plane 150 moves over the knob 144 on its top surface and reaches a position covering the outlet 142. It will therefore be understood that this wedging action which causes a slight deformation of the yielding cap 134 also causes a pressure to be generated which acts on the surface of the inclined plane 150 and the knob

144 and ensures a fluid tight seal between them.

Regarding the subsequent description of the operation of the present invention, reference shall be made 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 1700.20, Subchapter E-POISON PREVENT ION PACKAGING ACT OF 170-

REGULATIONS. !

IN

As indicated earlier, the invention is shown in figures 1 and 13

in its most basic and simplest respects. In order to provide a clear understanding of the operation of these basic forms, as well as the hereinafter described more preferred embodiments, reference should also be made to fig. 7, as most of the parts illustrated there are common to both embodiments.

The container 11, which has been described earlier, receives threaded engagement on the filler neck 46 of this assembly 10 (or assembly 80) via the closing cap 18 (or 88) thereof, which closes the container 11 in a child-proof or secure condition when the closing section 14 (or 78 ) is turned down on this to a sufficient extent to ensure that the ribs 54 (or 92) on the skirt 20 (or 90) engage with the locking tabs 52, as shown in fig. 7. It will be understood that in this position any attempt to remove assembly 10 (or assembly 80) by unscrewing cap 18 (or 88) from filler neck 46 will result in failure as ribs 54 (or 92) and the paws 52

which form an engagement with each other will resist such an action and certain alternative means must be found to gain access to the contents of the container 11. It has been found by testing that although most small children under the age of 5 cannot perform the actions necessary to open the container 11, most normal adults over the age of 18 will have little or no difficulty in doing so.

It is, of course, highly desirable to be able to open the container 11 in order to refill it when its contents have been dispensed and emptied by the dispensing pump or syringe section 12. To accomplish this purpose, it is necessary to compress the skirt 20 (or 90) as indicated by the arrows in fig. 7, by squeezing together the grooved side portions thereof to thereby deform the skirt 20 (or 90), as indicated by the dashed lines in fig. 7, which in turn causes the ribs or locking members 54 (or 92) to be displaced outwards a short distance sufficient to clear the tabs 52 on the filler neck 46 of the container 11. The assembly 10 (or 80) can then be rotated a short distance to the elements 54 j

(or 92) and 52 are completely out of engagement and the unit 10 (80) is removed. It will be understood from the foregoing that two discrete and simultaneous operations are required before the container 11 can be opened upon removal of the assembly 10 (or 80) therefrom, namely (1) a deforming compressive stress, such as by pinching . its deformed state while at the same time the closing section 14 (or 78) and the cap 18.

(or 88) is unscrewed a short distance or until the ribs 54 (or 92) come out of engagement with the tabs 52, after which the assembly 10 (or 80) can be unscrewed the rest of the way and removed.

Although the invention which is illustrated in figures 1 and 13, and is operated in accordance with the procedure described with reference to fig. 7 broadly speaking, is representative of a child-resistant package, especially with regard to to increase the difficulty for small children to gain direct access to the material contents of the container 11, without some means of preventing indirect access, such as by operation of the syringe section 12, its child-proof capability may be somewhat diminished. Accordingly, more preferred forms of the invention have been indicated, and the operation of one of these will be described with reference to these figures of the drawings and further with reference to Figures 2 to 1. 6.

As is well known, trigger operated syringe closure devices

for dispensing the material from bottles onto other containers by alternately pinching and releasing an activator such as the ejector 60 on the syringe head 12 to reciprocate a piston 56, thereby drawing some of the material contents into the container 11 up the pump chamber 6 4 through the suction supply pipe 44 into the guide 34 under a suction pressure which opens the inlet valve 42 in the chamber 40 to allow the material to enter the chamber 64 through the intake passage 62 in the pump chamber wall 63. Continued reciprocating movement of the piston 56 by squeezing the trigger 60 causes an increase in the pressure in the chamber 64, forcing the check valve 42 to close against the valve seat 36 and the material in the chamber 64 to move under pressure into the outlet guide 66 which causes the discharge valve 70 to

j to commute or to shift to the left and open, whereby rna-! the material will move around this and be discharged and sprayed out 1 through the discharge opening 74 in the nozzle sleeve 68 in the discharge chamber 69.

As previously mentioned, it is economically desirable to ship these devices already installed on their filled containers as gaskets. It is also desirable to ensure that when these packages are sent in this way they are leak-proof and child-proof. Until the present invention, however, there have not been available really effective child-proof syringe-container packages which are able to satisfy the standards given by the previously mentioned Federal Regulations for Special Packaging. In the present case, a combined child-resistant portioning and closing assembly 10 and/or assembly 80, packaged with a filled container 11 as in Figures 1 and 13 and equipped with a child-resistant cap 94 as indicated in Figures 3, 4 and 5 on the nozzle sleeve 36 in Fig. . 6 instead of the nozzle sleeve 68 in Figures 1 and 13, a first preferred embodiment which satisfies these standards. In addition, said assembly 10 and/or 80, when equipped with a child-proof hood 134 in figures 9, 10 and 11, forms on the sleeve 136 in fig. 12, a second preferred embodiment which are also able to meet these standards.

In operation of said preferred embodiment, a special seal of the desired character is formed when the assembly 10 mounted on the container 11 to close the same, as previously described, is equipped with the upper cap 94, which is in its outlet closed position on the end of the nose sleeve 96 as shown in fig. 3. In this position, the raised surface of the strip 136 presses against the knob 124 in sealing relationship with the outlet 102 and can be opened or loosened on the seal only by the simultaneous performance of at least two discrete actions that children under 5 years of age will find difficult, if not impossible to perform, while which normal adults would perform with relatively little difficulty.

To open or uncover the outlet 102 and allow dispensing of the material from the container 11 by alternately squeezing and releasing the trigger 60 to activate the pump section 12, the hood 94 must first be moved to its outlet open position, as shown in fig. 4. To edf ear. the displacement to the said position, the activation tab or depressor 118 is first pressed inwards towards the trigger 60 to bend down the first deflection element 108 to the left as it turns on torsion springs 110. The chin lip 114 is thereby displaced a sufficient distance to the left to clear the shoulder 116 of the sleeve 96. At the same time, an upward pushing force is applied to the top cap 9 4 and it moves upwards, as guide rails 100 slide on flanges 98 of sleeve 96, until it reaches the position shown in fig. 4. In this position, the port or opening 104 is aligned and is in accordance with the outlet

102 and the pumped material can be discharged or sprayed out.

To move the top cap 134 back to its closed position in FIG. 3, the top cap 94 is pushed downward as the lip 114 rides up the inclined plane 122 on its rounded end surface and then,

due to its compliance, snaps back into position under the stopper 116. At the same time, a forced seal is achieved between the top surface of the knob 124 and the strip 126 when the latter slides in the recess 125 of the sleeve 96 and is wedged on the knob 124 aided by the chamfered surface 13.2 of this . Such wedging action causes a deflection of the central region of the cap 94 between the slots 128 and due to its compliance the material under stress forces the strip 126 under constant pressure against the knob 124 to provide a positive seal over the outlet 102.

During operation of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hood 134 in fig. 11 on the sleeve 136 as previously described and introduced into the discharge chamber 69 in the housing 28 of the sprayer 12, the sleeve 68 being replaced. In fig. 9, the top cap 134 is in its outlet closed position with the latch or catch 160 of the rotatable activation tab 158 in secure engagement in locking relationship with the slot or slot 162 in the trigger 60. To move the top cap 134 to its outlet open position on the sleeve 136, which shown in fig. 10, the trigger 60 is pressed down by clamping action, whereby the hook 160 comes out of engagement with the slot 162. The rotating tab 158 is then turned 180° anti-clockwise in the direction of the open arrow in fig. 8, until a radial stopper 152 abuts the upper sleeve stopper 1.58 on the sleeve 136, thereby

brings the opening 148 in line with the outlet 142 in the outlet

the knob 144. To bring the top cap 134 back to its outlet closed position, the rotating tab 158 is turned clockwise in the direction of the closing arrow in fig. 8, until the radial stopper 152 abuts the lower sleeve stopper 154 and the top cap 134 stops. When the top cap 134 is fully rotated to the stopped position, the inner knob 146 is forced against the knob 144 by yielding pressure from the top cap 134, which

produced by the wedge action of the arc-shaped inclined plane 150 against the knob 144 as the top cap 134 rotates to the closed position, forcefully sealing the outlet opening 142. In addition, the hook 160 in this position engages the slot or groove 162 in the release 60 and locks the top cap 134 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 the standards that are. stated in the aforementioned

"Title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 1700 through 1700.20", special packages of the assemblies 10 and container 11 were provided in sufficient numbers to be tested in accordance with Part 1700.20 of said regulations, "Testing Procedure for Special Packaging", under section (a) up to and including (c) in this. The tested devices were made in accordance with previously mentioned first preferred embodiments of the assembly 10, as shown in fig. 1, comprising combined closure section 14 and trigger-activated spray head or pump section 12 equipped with the top cap 94 and nose sleeve 96 according to figures 2 to 6.

The package described above was tested and judged for its child-resistant ability and its ability to adult use of panels consisting of 200 children and 100 adults who came from kindergartens, day care centers and municipal groups. The 200 children who were used as panel participants for the trial were between the ages of 4 2 and 51 months and essentially evenly distributed in terms of age and gender as follows: 1. 20 children (plus or minus 10%) whose nearest age was 42 months, 20 whose nearest age was 43 months, 20 at 44 months etc. up to and including 20 at 31 months of age, and in 2. The children were divided into groups of two each and given five minutes, to open the containers and/or uncover the syringe outlet 102 by.. I to move the hood 94 to its outlet open position. For each trial, the same pair of children received the same particular package at the same time without any demonstration or instructions and were asked to open the packages in the time allotted. The results of these tests are given in the following table I.

From Table I it appears that none of the panelists were successful in either activating the spray device, which requires being able to slide the cap 94 to its outlet open position, or removing the assembly 10 from the container 11, which requires applying a deforming force against the skirt 20 of sufficient magnitude and direction to allow the ribs 54 to come out of engagement with the tabs 52 to release the locking of the closing section 14.

The tests were repeated with the same panelists, except that in this case a demonstration was given of the proper way to open the container 11 and move the hood 94 to its

open position.

The results for these tests, which were given to the same panel participants, are given in Table II below. -IN

Based on the standards of child-resistant proficiency of not less than 85% without demonstration and not less than 80% after demonstration of the proper means of opening a special package, as established in the protocol for testing such special package, it will it appears that the present combined child-resistant portioning and closing assembly 10, equipped with a child-resistant hood 94 and packaged with a container 11 easily meets the requirements for "Poison Prevention Packaging" set forth in "Part 1700 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations". The skill measured as a percentage of unsuccessful openings without demonstration (table I) and with demonstration (table II) is as follows:

Without demonstration

100% in terms of both opening and gaining access to the package's contents by removing the assembly 10 or moving over

in

cap 94 to its fully open position.

With demonstration

100% with respect to the assembly 10, 99% with respect to the hood 94 and 99.5% with respect to the entire unit.

The same trials of the.same special packing as in

Tables I and II were given for a group of panelists composed of 100 adults aged from 18 to 45 years, of whom 70 were female and 30 were male. No demonstration was given, however the following guidelines and instructions were given:

The closing cap

To open

Press opposite sides of the cap at the bottom of the grooved part with your thumb and forefinger and turn the bottle clockwise.

Overheat syringe tab

To open

1. The top cap must be flush with the top of the sprayer.

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

Instructions to the test takers

The interrogators or testing personnel were directed to perform the evaluation of the devices in strict accordance with the aforementioned protocol. To make sure that these people followed the above, they were periodically observed during the entire testing program.

The results for the adult group are given in the table below

III.

With demonstration

The two panelists who were unable to operate and move the hood 94 to its fully open position were able to activate it after a demonstration of the proper way to do so.

Four of the seven panelists who were unable to open the screw cap of the closure device to move the assembly 10 were still unable to open it after a demonstration.

Based on the standard for the device's effectiveness in adult use to be no less than 90%, the present invention meets the requirements for "Poison Prevention Packaging" based on the protocol and standards set forth for the same in "Part 1700 of Title 16 -of the COde of Federal Regulations".

Claims (25)

1. Combined safety dispensing and closing device for expelling material, characterized by in combination a container for the material, closing means including means for removably connecting said device to said container and outlet containing dispensing means including means for withdrawing the material content from the container and dispensing this through said outlet, safety means operatively connected to one of the said closing means and said retainer<,> and interacting safety means connected to the other of said <1> closing means and container which cooperates with said safety means in a child-proof, locking condition when said device is connected to said container. 2. Device as stated in claim 1, in which said closing means is a section of said device and said container has an opening for renewed filling of the container, said section including a cap element adapted to form an engagement with said . container on said opening when said device is connected to said container. 3. Device as stated in claim 1, characterized in that said closing means and portioning means are releasably connected together by means of an introduced stem connection element. 4. Device as stated in claim 1, characterized in that said closing means and portioning means are inseparably connected together in a uniform integrated construction. 5. Device as stated in claim 3, characterized in that said introduced stem coupling element is a uniform part of said closure means. 6. Device as stated in claim 1, characterized in that the safety means is connected to the closing means and said cooperating safety means is connected to the container. 7. Device as stated in claim 1, characterized in that the safety means is connected to the container and the cooperating safety means is connected to said closing means.. 8. Device as stated in claim 1, characterized in that the closing means is a closing section and the safety means comprises at least one radially inwardly extending rib extending from an inner surface of said closing section. 9. Device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the cooperating safety means comprises at least one wedge-shaped locking tab extending radially outwards from said container. 10. Device as stated in claim 2, characterized in that the container includes a filling neck, the opening of the container being placed in the filling neck and the cap element forming an engagement with said container on said filling neck. 11. Device as stated in claim 8, characterized in that the closing means further includes a yielding outer skirt which has an inside surface and the safety means projects inwards from said surface. Device as stated in claim 10, characterized in that the cooperating safety means projects radially outwards from said filling neck and engages with said safety means when said cap engages with said filling neck and closes said opening. 13. Device as stated in claim 1, characterized in that the safety means is associated with said closing means and comprises at least one rib which has a vertical, "overall essentially flat" surface and said cooperating safety means comprises at least one wedge-shaped locking tab which has an over all essentially flat surface arranged on said container in juxtaposed, contacting relationship with said vertical rib surface when said device is connected to the container. 14. Combined child-resistant portioning and closing device for a container which has a filling neck, at least one locking element on one of the aforementioned devices and container filling neck, characterized in that said device comprises (a) dispensing means including a pump to expel the material from the container; (b) closing means connected to said portioning means including a cap, said cap being adapted to form an engagement with said container filling neck in the device holders and container closing conditions, and (c) locking means on the other of said device and container filling neck adapted to form engagement with said locking element to lock said container in a child-proof condition when said cap is in said container closed condition and to release the engagement from said locking element when a predetermined compressive stress is directed against said closing part with sufficient force to deform at least a part of said closing part in order thereby to release the engagement between said locking element and locking means and enable release of the engagement of said cap from said filling neck for removal of said device from said container. 15. Device as stated in claim 14, characterized in that the deformed part of said closing section is a yielding, circumferentially extending skirt which has an inside surface and one of said locking means and locking element is carried on said surface. 16. Device' as stated in claim 15, characterized in that said locking means is worn on said inner surface of said skirt. 17. Device as stated in claim 16, characterized in that the locking means is a vertically extending rib which projects radially inwards from said inner surface of said skirt. 18. Device as stated in claim 14, characterized in that said locking element is carried on said container filling neck. 19. Device as stated in claim 18, characterized in that said locking element is a wedge-shaped locking tab which projects radially outwards from a surface of said container filling neck. 20. Device as stated in claim 14, characterized in that the closing section cap is threaded into engagement on said container filling neck. • 21. Combined safety portioning and closing device for portioning out material from a container having an opening, characterized by a pump section including means for drawing the material from the container and expelling the samej and a closing section connected to said pump section including fastening means for installing said device on said ber holder and cap means for closing the container, and safety holding means which form an engagement with each other on each of said closing section and said container adapted to form a child-proof seal when said device is installed on and closes said container. 22. Safety dispensing and closing device adapted to be attached to a container to expel the material therefrom, characterized by closure means including means for removably connecting said device to said container, and outlet containing dispensing means including means for withdrawing said material from said container and portion out said material through said outlet, and safety means which are operatively associated with said closing means adapted to engage said container in a child-proof condition when said device is attached to the container. 23. Child-resistant portioning and closing device adapted to be mounted on a container, the contents of which are to be expelled, characterized by (a) dispensing means including a pump for expelling said container contents, and (b) closure means associated with said portioning means, inclusive i. a deformable cap, said cap being adapted to engage with said container in device-holding and container-closing conditions, and ii. locking means adapted to lock said container in a child-proof condition and to cancel the locking of said container when a predetermined stress, directed at said cap, deforms said cap and enables release of the engagement of said cap and removal of said device from said container. 24. Device as stated in claim 23, characterized in that said cap has a yielding, circumferentially continuous skirt, the inner surface of which carries said locking means. 25.. Safety dispensing and closing device for an open container adapted to be mounted on said container in order to dispense the material contents thereof, characterized by a pump section including means for drawing the material from the container and expelling the same and a closing section connected to said pump section and including means for mounting said device on said container, said closing section including cap means for closing the container, and safety holding means on said closing section adapted to engage with said container and form a child-proof seal with this when said device is installed on the container.