US3608785A

US3608785A - Aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor

Info

Publication number: US3608785A
Application number: US886264A
Authority: US
Inventors: August J Durso; Frank C Maurer; John F Mcenery; George A Panczyszyn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-12-18
Filing date: 1969-12-18
Publication date: 1971-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 1988-09-28

Abstract

An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor are provided for closing an aerosol container and operating the valvecontrolled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member of an aerosol container, and includes means for actuating the valvecontrolled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member and the valve means therefor; a generally cylindrical closure cap housing mounted on the top wall of the generally cylindrical body of the said aerosol container, and including a top wall and a depending generally annular sidewall; manually operable control means movably mounted in the generally cylindrical closure cap housing for moving the said actuating means into engagement with the said valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member including a first manually operable control means mounted at one point on the wall of the closure cap housing, and a second manually operable control means mounted at another point on the wall of the closure cap housing. The valve-controlled aerosolconducting and discharge nozzle member is moved into engagement with the valve means therefor to open the latter by simultaneously manipulating both of the manually operable control means and the valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member cannot be operated without operating both of such manually operable control means simultaneously. The construction and arrangement of the closure cap unit are such that the valvecontrolled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member cannot be manipulated into open or discharge position by small children since it has been found that small children cannot operate simultaneously both of the manually operable control means as is required for manipulating the actuating means for the valvecontrolled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member into effective or discharge position.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventors August J. Durso 1604 Blackthorn Drive, Glenview, Ill. 60025; Frank C. Maurer, Skoltie; John F. McEnery, Niles; George A. Panczyszyn,

[54] AEROSOL CONTAINER AND CLOSURE CAP UNIT THEREFOR 12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 222/182, 222/402.1 l, ZZZ/402.13, ZZZ/402.15

[51] Int. Cl 865d 83/4 [50] Field of Search 222/402.1, 402.11, 402.12, 402.13, 402.15, 182

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,954,904 10/l960 Potoczky ZZZ/402.1 1 3,252,626 5/1966 Belka 222/402.ll 3,272,390 9/1966 Horwitt..... ZZZ/402.1 l X 3,323,690 6/1967 Monahon ZZZ/402.13

Primary Examiner- Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Thomas E. Kocovsky Attorney-Charles B. Cannon housing for moving the said actuating means into engagement with the said valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member including a first manually operable control means mounted at one point on the wall of the closure cap housing, and a second manually operable control means mounted at another point on the wall of the closure cap housing. The valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member is moved into engagement with the valve means therefor to open the latter by simultaneously manipulating both of the manually operable control means and the valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member cannot be operated without operating both of such manually operable control means simultaneously. The construction and arrangement of the closure cap unit are such that the valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member cannot be manipulated into open or discharge position by small children since it has been found that small children cannot operate simultaneously both of the manually operable control means as is required for manipulating the actuating means for the valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member into effective or discharge position.

PATENTED SEP28 l9?! 3:608 7 8 5 sum 2 OF 2 M/ VENTORS AUGUSTJ. ounso FRANK c. M RER JOHN E MCENER .1 GEORGE 4. PA NCZXSZYN AEROSOL CONTAINER AND CLOSURE CAP UNIT THEREFOR OBJECTS An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved aerosol container and safety closure cap unit therefor which cannot be opened by small children.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved safety closure cap unit for aerosol containers which includes means for actuating the aerosol-conducting and discharge nonle valve means of the aerosol container; manually operable control means including a first manually operable control means movably mounted at one point on the wall of the safety closure cap housing for moving the actuating means for the valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member into position to be moved into engagement with the valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member; and a second manually operable control means movably mounted at another point on the wall of the said closure cap housing and coacting with the said first manually operable control means for moving the said actuating means into engagement with the said valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member when the said first manually operable control means is moved into position to be engaged with the aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved safety closure cap unit which may readily be adapted to aerosol containers of various types and sizes.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of an aerosol container and a safety closure cap unit therefor embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view on line 22 in FIG. 1, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the parts of the new safety closure cap unit in their normal position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view, similar to FIG. 2, but showing the actuating means for the valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle and the first manually operable control means moved into position above and in registration with the aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member, and into position for the said actuating means to be moved into engagement with the said aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member by the second manually operable control means;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view, similar to FIG. 3, but showing the activating means for the valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member moved by the first and the second manually operable control means into engagement with the said valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge noule member;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the parts embodied in the new aerosol container and safety closure cap unit therefor;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged central vertical sectional view on line 66 in F IG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional plan view on line 7--7 in FIG. 2 showing the mounting of one of the first manually operable control members in the sidewall of the closure cap housing; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of an aerosol container showing, in central vertical section, the closure cap housing thereon with the valve-actuating means removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A preferred embodiment of the new aerosol container and safety closure cap unit therefor is illustrated in the drawings, where it is generally indicated at 10, and embodies a generally cylindrical aerosol container 11 of conventional design, which includes a top wall portion 12 having an annular mounting groove 13 provided therein. The new aerosol safety closure cap unit is generally'indicated at 14, and includes a generally cylindrical closure cap housing 15 which is preferably molded of a single unitary body of rubber or other suitable synthetic plastic resinous material, and includes a top wall I6 and a vertically extending generally cylindrical or annular-shaped side wall 17 having a lower end portion 18 which is adapted to be frictionally fitted into the annular mounting groove 13 in the top wall portion 12 of the aerosol container 11 so as to removably mount the closure cap housing unit 14 thereon, as is well understood in the art.

The aerosol container 11 includes aerosol nozzle valve means, generally indicated at 19, and which is of conventional design, and includes a tubular valve member 20 which is movably mounted centrally in the top wall 12 of the aerosol container 1 l, and has a centrally arranged passage 21 therein (FIG. 6). The aerosol container 11 includes a valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle, generally indicated at 22, and which valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle 22 may be molded of rubber or synthetic plastic resinous material, or other suitable material, and includes a body 23 having a depending portion 24 which has a centrally arranged vertically extending passage 25 therein (FIG. 6). The body portion 23 of the nozzle 22 has a centrally arranged horizontal passage 26 therein which communicates at its inner end with the centrally arranged vertically extending passage 25 (FIG. 6). The horizontal passage 26 has a discharge outlet or orifice 27 which is formed in the outer end portion 28 of the body 23 and the outer end portion 28 of the body 23 is arranged in an opening 29 which is formed inthe sidewall 17 of the closure cap housing 15. Thus, the passages 21-25-26-27 provide a nozzle outlet and discharge passage for the flow of aerosol from the body of the aerosol container 11 to the exterior of the closure cap housing 15.

The new aerosol safety container closure unit 14 includes an operating unit, which is generally indicated at 30, and which embodies actuating means for actuating the valve-controlled nozzle 22 and the operating unit 30 also embodies manually operable control means for manually controlling and manipulating the said actuating means. Thus the operating unit 30 includes a body 46 (FIG. 5) which may be molded from a single piece of suitable flexible, resilient material such as rubber, or flexible, resilient synthetic plastic resinous material, or the like. The body 45 of the operating unit 30 is generally U-shaped in form (FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5) and a transversely extending bridge portion 32 which extends between the supporting arms 31 at the top of the latter. Each of the supporting arms 31 has formed integrally therewith on its inner surface a right-angularly (in use) radially inwardly and horizontally extending actuating member 34 for the valvecontrolled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle 22. Each of the supporting arms 31 has formed integrally therewith on its radially (in use) outer surface a first manually operable control means for the actuating member 34, and this first manually operable control means includes a pair of manually operable control members 35, each of which is provided with a pair of vertically extending slots or keyways 36. Each of the first manually operable control members 35 has a lower end portion 37 which extends below the lower end of the corresponding supporting am 31. A pair of circumferentially spaced vertically extending openings or slots 38 are provided in the generally annular sidewall 17 of the closure cap housing 15 and are preferably spaced circumferentially lapart thereon. Each of these openings or slots 38 opens at its lower end onto the bottom edge 39 of the sidewall I7 of the closure cap housing 15, and each of the openings or slots 38 is defined by a marginal edge portion 45 which is formed in the sidewall 17 (FIG. 7).

The operating unit 30 embodies a second manually operable control means for the actuating members 34 and this second manually operable control means for the actuating members 34 is in the form of a buttonlike manually operable control member 41 which is mounted in a centrally arranged generally annular opening 42 which is formed in the top wall 16 of the closure cap housing I5. This second manually operable and buttonlike control member 41 has a depending neck portion 43 of reduced diameter, which provides a third and vertically extending actuating member for the valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle 22 and this third actuating member 41 projects downwardly centrally of the top wall 16 of the closure cap housing and is normally disposed above and out of engagement with the first actuating members 34-34 as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 7, each of the first manually operable control members 35 has a side marginal edge portion 33 which projects laterally beyond the marginal edge portions 45 of the openings or slots 35, and each of the said first manually operable control member 35 has an upper end portion 44 which projects above the upper end of the corresponding vertically extending opening or slot 38 in the sidewall 17 of the closure cap housing 15 so that when the second manually operable control members 35-35 are moved radially inwardly, into effective position, as in FIGS. 3 and 4, the

marginal edge portions

33 and 44 thereof engage the marginal edge portions 45 which define the openings or slots 38 in the sidewall 17 of the closure cap housing 15.

OPERATION In the use of the new aerosol container and safety closure cap unit therefor the closure cap housing 15 and the operating unit 30 may be assembled by inserting the body 46 of the operating unit 30 into the interior of the generally cylindrical body of the closure cap housing 15 while, at the same time, engaging the marginal edge portions 45 of the openings or slots 38 in the sidewall 17 of the closure cap housing'lS in the keyways 36, and thereupon inserting the second manually operable and buttonlike control member 41 through the central opening 42 in the top wall 16 of the closure cap housing 15. The entire safety closure cap unit 14 may then be assembled on the top wall portion 12 of the aerosol container 11 by frictionally mounting the lower marginal edge portions 18 of the sidewall 17 of the safety closure housing 15 into the annular mounting groove 13 in the top wall 12 of the aerosol container l 1.

When the parts are thus assembled, the depending neck portion 43 of the second manually operable control member 41, and which provides the third actuating member for the aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle 22, is normally disposed centrally above the valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle 22 and above the radially inwardly and horizontally extending actuating members 3434, and in alignment with the space therebetween, and in vertical registration with the body 23 of the aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle 22 therebelow. Accordingly, in order to operate the valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle 22, and its valve means 19-20, the user must simultaneously manually press, as with one finger, on each of the first manually operable control members 35-35, thereby forcing the supporting arms 31 and the radially inwardly and horizontally extending actuating members 3434 carried thereby radially inwardly toward each other while, at the same time, the operator must manually press simultaneously downwardly or inwardly, as with another finger or the thumb, on the second manually operable control member 41 and the third actuating member 43 attached thereto. During these two simultaneous manual operations the actuating members 34- 34 move radially inwardly from their normal position, as in FIG. 2, into the position in which they are shown in FIG. 3, and as and when the second manually operable control member 41 and its attached third actuating member 43 are thus manually pressed downwardly and inwardly the third actuating member 43 moves downwardly into the position in which it is shown in FIG. 4. During this movement, the third actuating member 43 engages the first actuating members 34-34 whereupon, as further manual pressure is applied to the second manually operable control member'41, the actuating members 34-34 engage the body 23 of the aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle 22 and thereby urge the latter downwardly into engagement with the nozzle valve means 19-20, thus moving the nozzle valve means 19-20 into open position. The aerosol contents of the aerosol container 11 will then flow upwardly through the central passage 21 in the tubular nozzle valve member 20, through the passage 25 in the depending portion 24 of the body 23 of the nozzle 22, and then through the horizontal passage 26 therein and through the orifice 27 to the exterior of the closure cap housing unit 15.

It will be noted that when the first manually operable control members 35-35 for the actuating members 3434 are disposed in their normal position, as in FIG. 2, the bridge member 32 is disposed in a generally horizontal or single plane and the first manually operable control members 35-35 project radially outwardly of the sidewall 17 of the closure cap housing 15. However, when the first manually operable control members 35-35 and the supporting arms 31 of the operating unit 30 are manually moved radially inwardly into effective position, as in FIG. 4, and the second manually operable control member 41 and its attached third acting member 43 are manually moved downwardly or inwardly into engagement with the first actuating members 34-34, the bridge member 32 flexes somewhat and assumes the position in which it is shown in FIG. 4.

After the simultaneous manual pressure is released from the first manually operable control members 35-35, and from the second manually operable control member 41, the innate resiliency of the flexible resilient bridge member 32, as it returns to its normal position, as in FIG. 2, raises the second manually operable control member 41 and the third actuating member or neck portion 43 thereof in the central opening 42 in the top wall 16 of the closure cap housing 15 while, at the same time, the innate resiliency of the flexible, resilient bridge member 32 acts, through the supporting arms 31-31, to move the first manually operable control members 35-35 radially outwardly in the openings or slots 38 in the sidewall 17 of the closure cap housing 15, into their normal position, as in FIG. 2, thereby also moving the first actuating members 34-34 radially outwardly into their normal position, as in FIG. 2.

It will thus be noted that the new safety closure cap unit for an aerosol container embodies an actuating means for the valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle and two manually operable control means for the said actuating means which are arranged at different points on the wall of the safety closure cap housing so as to necessitate simultaneous manual operation of both the first and second manually operable control means to move the actuating means into position to engage and open the valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle for discharge of the aerosol contents of the aerosol container to the atmosphere.

It will thus be seen that the new aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor provides an aerosol safety closure cap unit which is so designed and constructed that young children cannot manipulate the first manually operable control means 35-35, and the second manually operable control means 41 simultaneously so that the new aerosol container closure unit thus provides a safety closure cap unit for aerosol containers which is tamperproof against opening by small children but may be readily operated by adults.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description, considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, that the present invention provides a new and improved aerosol container and safety closure cap unit therefor embodying the desirable advantages and characteristics and accomplishing its intended objects including those hereinbefore pointed out and others which are inherent in the invention.

We claim:

1. An aerosol container and closure'cap unit therefor comprising a. an aerosol container including 1. a generally cylindrical container body having a. an upperend portion;

b. 2. aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle in the said upper end portion of the said container body;

c. valve means in the said upper end portion of the said container body for controlling the discharge of aerosol from the said container body through the said nozzle to the exterior of the said container body;

d. a closure cap unit including 2. a generally cylindrical closure cap housing mounted on the said upper end portion of the said container body; and including a. a generally annular sidewall; and b. a top wall;

. actuating means movably mounted in the said closure cap housing above the said nozzle and manually movable radially inwardly relative to the said generally annular sidewall of the said closure cap housing from a position radially outwardly of the said valve means into a position to engage the said valve means;

5. a second manually operable control member movably mounted on the said top wall of the said closure cap housing and manually movable longitudinally inwardly of the longitudinal axis of the said closure cap housing 5 into engagement with the said actuating means so as to move the said actuating means into engagement with the said valve means when the said first manually operable control means is manually moved radially inwardly and is manuallyheld in radially inwardly extended position against the force of the innate resiliency of the said flexible, resilient supporting means for the said actuating means.

3. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor as defined in claim 2, in which the said actuating means includes a. a pair of actuating members movably mounted in spaced relationship in the said closure cap housing and movable radially inwardly toward each other into a position above and in registry with the said valve means; and in which the 3. operating means for the said actuating means including said closure cap unit includes a. a first manually operable control means mounted on b. a pair of the said first manually operable control means the said generally annular sidewall of the said closure mounted at circumferentially spaced points on the said cap housing for moving the said actuating means sidewall of the said closure cap housing for moving the radially inwardly relative to the said generally annusaid operating means radially inwardly against the force lar sidewall of the said closure cap housing into posiof the innate resiliency of the said flexible, resilient suption to engage the said valve means; and porting means into a position to move the said pair of acb. a second manually operable control means movably tuating members radially inwardly into registry with the mounted on the said top wall of the said closure cap said valve means; and in which housing and manually movable longitudinally inc. the said second manually operable control member is wardly of the said closure cap housing relative to the manually movable longitudinally inwardly of the longitusaid longitudinal axis thereof into engagement with dinal axis of the said closure cap housing into engagement the said actuating means so as to move the said acwith the said pair of actuating members so as to move the tuating means into engagement with the said valve said pair of actuating members into engagement with the means when the said first manually operable control said valve means when the said pair of first manually means is manually moved radially inwardly relative operable control members are manually moved radially to the said generally annular sidewall of the said cloinwardly and are manually held in radially inwardly exsure cap housing and the said closure cap housing tended position against the force of the innate resiliency and the said first manually operable control means is of the said flexible resilient supporting means for the said manually held in radially inwardly extended position. actuating members. 2. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor com- 4. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor comprising a. an aerosol container including prising a. an aerosol container including 1. a container body having a. a n upper end portion;

. an aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle in the said upper end portion of the said container body;

. valve means in the said upper end portion of the said aerosol container body for controlling the discharge of aerosol from the said aerosol container body through the said nozzle to the exterior of the said container body;

. a closure cap unit including 2. a generally cylindrical closure cap housing mounted on the said upper end portion of the said aerosol container body; and including a. a generally annular sidewall; and b. a top wall;

2. actuating means movably mounted in the said closure cap housing above the said nozzle and movable radially inwardly relative to the said generally annular sidewall of the said closure cap housing from a position radially outwardly of the said valve means into a position in registry with and above the said valve means;

. operating means for the said actuating means including a. flexible, resilient supporting means for the said actuating means normally urging the said actuating means radially outwardly in the said closure cap housing into a position radially outwardly of and out of registry with the said valve means.

. a first manually operable control means mounted o the said sidewall of the said closure cap housing for moving the said operating means radially inwardly against the force of the innate resiliency of the said flexible, resilient supporting means into a position to move the said actuating means radially inwardly into registry with the said valve means; and

l. a container body having a. an upper end portion; an aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle in the upper end portion of said container body; c. valve means in the said upper end portion of the said aerosol container body and below and in communication with the said aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle for controlling the discharge of an aerosol from the said aerosol container body through the said nozzle to the exterior of the said container body; a closure cap unit including 1. a closure cap housing mounted on the said upper end portion of the said aerosol container body; and including e. actuating means in the said closure cap housing above the said nozzle and movable radially inwardly relative to the said closure cap housing for actuating the said nozzle and the said nozzle valve means; a first manually operable control means for the said actuating means including 1. a first manually operable control member movably mounted at one point on the said sidewall of the said closure cap housing and movable radially inwardly relative to the said sidewall of the said closure cap housing for manipulating the said actuating means radially inwardly relative to the said closure cap housing into position above and in axial alignment with the said nozzle and the said nozzle valve means; and a second manually operable control means including 1. a second manually operable control member movably mounted on the said top wall of the said closure cap housing and manually movable simultaneously with the said first manually operable control member for moving the said actuating means downwardly into engagement with the said nozzle and for moving the said nozzle into engagement with the said nozzle valve means to open the said nozzle and the said nozzle valve means d. valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge means carried by the said generally cylindrical body of the said aerosol container for conducting the aerosol contents of the said aerosol container to the said discharge outlet;

therefor for discharge of the said aerosol from the said .Sa d closure cap unit including aerosol container body through the said nozzle to th l. for actuating the said valve-controlled aerosol conductexterior of the said aerosol container when the said first ing means into position to conduct the aerosol content manually operable control membe i manuall moved of the said aerosol container to the said discharge outinto and is manually held in its radially inwardly extended position. 10 2. a plurality of simultaneously manually operable control 5. An aerosol container and closure cap 7 unit therefor as means cal'l'led y the Said c1051" e p housmg at spaced defined i lai 4, i hi h intervals thereon and simultaneously manually operaa. the said actuating means includes a pair of actuating ble 8 t Said actuatmg means Into g members n disposed radially outwardly f the said ment with the said valve-controlled aerosol-conducting nozzle and of the said nozzle valve means within the said and ffhj g 531d Valve closure cap housing and above the said nozzle and the F f" aeroso "ctmg an 'g meahs said nozzle valve means h f and in which the Said into position to conduct the aerosol contents of the said first manually operable control means includes container to h sa'ld dlstfhalge Outlet; a pair of the said first manually operable control members the Sam closure f f movably mounted in spaced relationship on the said agenerany Qhndncal body mcludmg sidewall of the said closure cap housing for moving the z atop and l n d d, f th said pair of actuating members radially inwardly toward $05 32]? Y at 6W3 P 8 Tom e I each other and into a position above and in axial alignment with the said nozzle and above the said nozzle for 2 5 Sald manually optfrable comm! l for the movement of the Said pair of first actuating m emb ers by said actuating means intoengagementwlth the said valvethe said second manually Op rable control means :fifiggg aerosolconductmg and d'scharge means downwardly into engagement with the said nozzle to 1 a p of first manuany operable comm] members move the said nozzle into engagement with the said noz- 'movabl mounted on the said genera annular zle valve means therefor when the said pair of first sidewall), of the said closure p housin g circum manually operable control members are manually moved feremiany Spaced points theme and g into and alielmanuany held in their radially mwardly ex- 2. a second manually operable control member movably tended posmon' carried by the said top wall of the said closure cap aerqsol cfmtauier and closure cap therefor as housing and simultaneously manually movable with the defined m (Flam m whlcl? said pair of first manually operable control members a. the said top wall portion of the said closure cap housing for moving the Said actuating means into engagement has a centrally arranged opening therem; and m which with the said valve aerosol-conducting and discharge b. the said second manually operable control member is means.

movably mounted m the sald centrally arranged openmg 40 h. the said generally cylindrical body of the said aerosol in the said top wall of the said closure cap housing. container having 7. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor as an upper end portion; defined in Claim 6, in which i. the said valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and a. the said pair of first manually operable control members discharge means including and the Said Second manually operable control member l. a nozzle valve unit mounted centrally on the said upper are formed as integral Parts of a one'piece molded and end portion of the said generally cylindrical body of the generally U-shaped operating unit for the said closure cap said aerosol container; unit and in which the said Operating unit is arl'anged 2. an aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member Within the Said closure p housingmounted centrally on the said upper end portion of the 8. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor as Said generally cylindrical body fth Said aerosol defined in claim 5 in which tainer above the said nozzle valve unit;

a. the Said P of actuating members are movably mounted j. the said actuating means for the said valve-controlled on the inner surface of the said sidewall of the said closure cap housing for movement radially inwardly thereof aerosol-conducting and discharge means including 1. a first actuating member attached to each one of the into a position above and in registration with the said nozid i f fi ll bl n- 1 members i zle; and in which the said actuating means includes wardly of the said closure cap housing and normally a third actuating member movably mounted in the Said projecting radially inwardly from the said sidewall of top wall of the said closure cap housing and movable the aid closure cap housing to a point radially o rdownwardly therein into engagement with the Said P 0f wardly of the said aerosol conducting and discharge actuating members when the said pair of actuating mem- 0 nozzle member; bers are manually moved into and held in radially in- .the said first actuating members being manually movable wardly extended position by the said pair of first manually by the said pair of first manually operable control memoperable control members. bers radially inwardly into a radially inwardly extended 9. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor composition above and in axial alignment with the said prising aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member relative a. an aerosol container including to the longitudinal axis of the said generally cylindrical l. a generally cylindrical body; body of the said aerosol container; b. a closure cap unit including 1. the said actuating means including 1. a closure cap housing attached to the said generally 1. a third actuating member attached to the said second cylindrical body of the said aerosol container and inmanually operable control member below the said top eluding a top wall portion; wall of the said closure cap housing and in axial alignc. the said aerosol container having ment with the said aerosol-conducting and discharge 1. a discharge outlet for the discharge of the aerosol connozzle member relative to the longitudinal axis of the tents thereof to the exterior of the said aerosol consaid'generally cylindrical body of the said aerosol container; tainer; and

m. the said third actuating member being movable by and with the said second manually operable control member in and relative to the said top wall of the said closure cap housing axially inwardly and downwardly into engagement with the said first actuating members when the said first actuating members are disposed in radially inwardly extended position so as to move the said first actuating members into engagement with the said aerosol-conducting and discharge noule member.

10. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor comprising a. an aerosol container including 1. a generally cylindrical body including a. a top wall;

b. aerosol valve means mounted centrally in the said top wall of the said generally cylindrical body;

c. a closure cap unit mounted on the said generally cylindrical body of the said aerosol container and including 1. a housing having a. a top wall; and

b. a generally annular sidewall depending from the said top wall and having therein 1 a discharge outlet opening; and 2. a pair of circumferentially spaced openings;

d. a valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member mounted upon and controlled by the said aerosol valve means and having I. an aerosol-conducting and discharge passage therein,

and the said aerosol-conducting and discharge passage having 2. an inner end portion in communication with the said aerosol valve means, and 3. having communication at its outer end with the said discharge outlet opening; the said closure cap unit including e. actuating means movably mounted in the said closure cap housing for actuating the said valve-controlled aerosolconducting and discharge nozzle member and the said aerosol valve means therefor;

f. a first manually operable control means for the said actuating means including l. a pair of first manually operable control members each movably mounted in one of the said circumferentially spaced openings in the said generally annular sidewall of the said closure cap housing; and

g. a second manually operable control member movably mounted in the said top wall of the said closure cap housing and simultaneously manually movable with the said pair of first operable control members for moving the said actuating means;

h. the said top wall of the said closure cap housing having therein 1. a centrally arranged opening;

i. the said second manually operable control member being movably mounted in the said centrally arranged opening in the said top wall of the said closure cap housing;

j. the said pair of first manually operable control members being formed as integral parts of a one-piece molded and generally U-shaped operating unit for the said closure cap unit and being arranged with the said closure cap housing;

k. the said one-piece molded and generally U-shaped the same general plane toward but having 2. radially inner end portions terminating radially outwardly of the longitudinal axis of the said aerosol container body; and

m. each of the said pair of first manually operable control members being formed integrally with one of the said supporting arms on the radially outer side thereof relative to the longitudinal axis of the said generally annular sidewall of the said closure cap housing.

11. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor as defined in claim 10, in which a. the said second manually operable control member has 1. a third actuating member formed integrally therewith on its inner side and arranged centrally of and extending below the said bridge member into a position to engage the said radially inner end portions of the said pair of actuating members when the said second manually operable control member and the said third actuating member are moved downwardly and inwardly relative to the said top wall of the said closure cap housing.

12. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor as defined in claim 11 in which a. the said bridge member is composed of flexible, resilient material; and in which b. the said flexible, resilient bridge member is flexed downwardly and inwardly when the said second manually operable control member is manually moved downwardly and inwardly relative to the said top wall of the said closure cap housing and the said first manually operable control members and attached supporting arms and actuating members are moved radially inwardly; and in which c. when manual pressure is released from the said first manually operable control members and from the said second manually operable control member the flexed flexible, resilient bridge member acts, under the force of its own innate resiliency, to return itself and the said first manually operable control members and attached supporting arms and the said first actuating members radially outwardly to their normal positions while, at the same time, returning the said second manually operable control member and attached said third actuating member to their normal upwardly extended or raised position relative to the said top wall of the said closure cap housing.

Claims

1. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor comprising a. an aerosol container including 1. a generally cylindrical container body having a. an upper end portion; b. an aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle in the said upper end portion of the said container body; c. valve means in the said upper end portion of the said container body for controlling the discharge of aerosol from the said container body through the said nozzle to the exterior of the said container body; d. a closure cap unit including 1. a generally cylindrical closure cap housing mounted on the said upper end portion of the said container body; and including a. a generally annular sidewall; and b. a top wall; 2. actuating means movably mounted in the said closure cap housing above the said nozzle and manually movable radially inwardly relative to the said generally annular sidewall of the said closure cap housing from a position radially outwardly of the said valve means into a position to engage the said valve means; 3. operating means for the said actuating means including a. a first manually operable control means mounted on the said generally annular sidewall of the said closure cap housing for moving the said actuating means radially inwardly relative to the said generally annular sidewall of the said closure cap housing into position to engage the said valve means; and b. a second manually operable control means movably mounted on the Said top wall of the said closure cap housing and manually movable longitudinally inwardly of the said closure cap housing relative to the said longitudinal axis thereof into engagement with the said actuating means so as to move the said actuating means into engagement with the said valve means when the said first manually operable control means is manually moved radially inwardly relative to the said generally annular sidewall of the said closure cap housing and the said closure cap housing and the said first manually operable control means is manually held in radially inwardly extended position.

2. actuating means movably mounted in the said closure cap housing above the said nozzle and manually movable radially inwardly relative to the said generally annular sidewall of the said closure cap housing from a position radially outwardly of the said valve means into a position to engage the said valve means;

2. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor comprising a. an aerosol container including

2. a plurality of simultaneously manually operable control means carried by the said closure cap housing at spaced intervals thereon and simultaneously manually operable for moving the said actuating means into engagement with the said valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge means so as to actuate the said valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge means into position to conduct the aerosol contents of the said aerosol container to the said discharge outlet; f. the said closure cap housing including

2. a second manually operable control member movably carried by the said top wall of the said closure cap housing and simultaneously manually movable with the said pair of first manually operable control members for moving the said actuating means into engagement with the said valve aerosol-conducting and discharge means; h. the said generally cylindrical body of the said aerosol container having

2. an aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member mounted centrally on the said upper end portion of the said generally cylindrical body of the said aerosol container above the said nozzle valve unit; j. the said actuating means for the said valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge means including

2. a pair of spaced supporting arms depending from the said bridge member; l. said actuating means for the said valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member including

2. radially inner end portions terminating radially outwardly of the longitudinal axis of the said aerosol container body; and m. each of the said pair of first manually operable control members being formed integrally with one of the said supporting arms on the radially outer side thereof relative to the longitudinal axis of the said generally annular sidewall of the said closure cap housing.

2. a pair of circumferentially spaced openings; d. a valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member mounted upon and controlled by the said aerosol valve means and having

2. an inner end portion in communication with the said aerosol valve means, and

3. having communication at its outer end with the said discharge outlet opening; the said closure cap unit including e. actuating means movably mounted in the said closure cap housing for actuating the said valve-controlled aerosol-conducting and discharge nozzle member and the said aerosol valve means therefor; f. a first manually operable control means for the said actuating means including

3. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor as defined in claim 2, in which the said actuating means includes a. a pair of actuating members movably mounted in spaced relationship in the said closure cap housing and movable radially inwardly toward each other into a position above and in registry with the said valve means; and in which the said closure cap unit includes b. a pair of the said first manually operable control means mounted at circumferentially spaced points on the said sidewall of the said closure cap housing for moving the said operating means radially inwardly against the force of the innate resiliency of the said flexible, resilient supporting means into a position to move the said pair of actuating members radially inwardly into registry with the said valve means; and in which c. the said second manually operable control member is manually movable longitudinally inwardly of the longitudinal axis of the said closure cap housing into engagement with the said pair of Actuating members so as to move the said pair of actuating members into engagement with the said valve means when the said pair of first manually operable control members are manually moved radially inwardly and are manually held in radially inwardly extended position against the force of the innate resiliency of the said flexible resilient supporting means for the said actuating members.

3. operating means for the said actuating means including a. flexible, resilient supporting means for the said actuating means normally urging the said actuating means radially outwardly in the said closure cap housing into a position radially outwardly of and out of registry with the said valve means.

3. operating means for the said actuating means including a. a first manually operable control means mounted on the said generally annular sidewall of the said closure cap housing for moving the said actuating means radially inwardly relative to the said generally annular sidewall of the said closure cap housing into position to engage the said valve means; and b. a second manually operable control means movably mounted on the Said top wall of the said closure cap housing and manually movable longitudinally inwardly of the said closure cap housing relative to the said longitudinal axis thereof into engagement with the said actuating means so as to move the said actuating means into engagement with the said valve means when the said first manually operable control means is manually moved radially inwardly relative to the said generally annular sidewall of the said closure cap housing and the said closure cap housing and the said first manually operable control means is manually held in radially inwardly extended position.

4. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor comprising a. an aerosol container including

4. a first manually operable control means mounted on the said sidewall of the said closure cap housing for moving the said operating means radially inwardly against the force of the innate resiliency of the said flexible, resilient supporting means into a position to move the said actuating means radially inwardly into registry with the said valve means; and

5. a second manually operable control member movably mounted on the said top wall of the said closure cap housing and manually movable longitudinally inwardly of the longitudinal axis of the said closure cap housing into engagement with the said actuating means so as to move the said actuating means into engagement with the said valve means when the said first manually operable control means is manually moved radially inwardly and is manually held in radially inwardly extended position against the force of the innate resiliency of the said flexible, resilient supporting means for the said actuating means.

5. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor as defined in claim 4, in which a. the said actuating means includes a pair of actuating members normally disposed radially outwardly of the said nozzle and of the said nozzle valve means within the said closure cap housing and above the said nozzle and the said nozzle valve means therefor; and in which the said first manually operable control means includes b. a pair of the said first manually operable control members movably mounted in spaced relationship on the said sidewall of the said closure cap housing for moving the said pair of actuating members radially inwardly toward each other and into a position above and in axial alignment with the said nozzle and above the said nozzle for movement of the said pair of first actuating members by the said second manually operable control means downwardly into engagement with the said nozzle to move the said nozzle into engagement with the said nozzle valve means therefor when the said pair of first manually operable control members are manually moved into and are manually held in their radially inwardly extended position.

6. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor as defined in claim 4, in which a. the said top wall portion of the said closure cap housing has a centrally arranged opening therein; and in which b. the said second maNually operable control member is movably mounted in the said centrally arranged opening in the said top wall of the said closure cap housing.

7. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor as defined in claim 6, in which a. the said pair of first manually operable control members and the said second manually operable control member are formed as integral parts of a one-piece molded and generally U-shaped operating unit for the said closure cap unit and in which the said operating unit is arranged within the said closure cap housing.

8. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor as defined in claim 5 in which a. the said pair of actuating members are movably mounted on the inner surface of the said sidewall of the said closure cap housing for movement radially inwardly thereof into a position above and in registration with the said nozzle; and in which the said actuating means includes b. a third actuating member movably mounted in the said top wall of the said closure cap housing and movable downwardly therein into engagement with the said pair of actuating members when the said pair of actuating members are manually moved into and held in radially inwardly extended position by the said pair of first manually operable control members.

9. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor comprising a. an aerosol container including

10. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor comprising a. an aerosol container including

11. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor as defined in claim 10, in which a. the said second manually operable control member has

12. An aerosol container and closure cap unit therefor as defined in claim 11 in which a. the said bridge member is composed of flexible, resilient material; and in which b. the said flexible, resilient bridge member is flexed downwardly and inwardly when the said second manually operable control member is manually moved downwardly and inwardly relative to the said top wall of the said closure cap housing and the said first manually operable control members and attached supporting arms and actuating members are moved radially inwardly; and in which c. when manual pressure is released from the said first manually operable control members and from the said second manually operable control member the then flexed flexible, resilient bridge member acts, under the force of its own innate resiliency, to return itself and the said first manually operable control members and attached supporting arms and the said first actuating members radially outwardly to their normal positions while, at the same time, returning the said second manually operable control member and attached said third actuating member to their normal upwardly extended or raised position relative to the said top wall of the said closure cap housing.