US3724724A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamperproof and childproof overcap for an aerosol can
Assignee: Silgan Plastic Food Containers Corp
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Filing: 1972-01-27
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1992-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A substantially tamperproof and childproof replaceable overcap for an aerosol spray can or the like which has a central dispensing valve at one end with an annular collar surrounding the dispensing valve. The cap is molded from a resilient material and has an inverted, cup-shaped, outer wall and an inner concentric skirt. The inner skirt is vertically slotted and has an inwardly turned retaining lip at its lower edge. The resiliency of the skirt biases the lip inwardly to engage beneath the collar of the can in order to retain the cap in place. A locking element which is manually rotatable between ''''Open'''' and ''''Locked'''' positions is mounted in an opening in the cap and extends downwardly between the cap wall and inner skirt to a position adjacent the lower end of the inner skirt. Engagement lugs are located on the outer side of the skirt at opposite sides of the slot in the skirt and near the bottom of the skirt. The lower end of the locking element extends between the engagement lugs on the skirt and is so shaped that rotation of the element to ''''Open'''' spreads the lower end of the skirt to reduce the degree of engagement of the retaining lip beneath the can collar so the cap can be removed. The upper end of the locking element extends upwardly through the top of the cap where it has a manually engageable head. A frangible tab on the upper end of the locking element is initially engaged in a recess in the body of the cap and prevents rotation of the locking element from ''''Locked'''' to ''''Open'''' position until it has been broken off.
Inventors
- 👤 Plastics Corp Sunbeam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:44
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D83/00; B65D83/14; B65D83/40; B65D55/00; B65D55/02; B65D55/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A substantially tamperproof and childproof replaceable overcap for an aerosol can, said can having a centrally located dispensing valve at one end and an annular collar surrounding the base of said valve, said overcap comprising an inverted cupshaped body formed of a resilient material and having an outer tubular skirt and an inner, concentric, depending, tubular skirt adapted to enclose the valve, said inner skirt being axially slotted, an inwardly directed lip at the lower end of said inner skirt that is engageable with such collar for resiliently retaining said cap on said can, lugs on the outer side of said inner skirt at opposite sides of such slot, means in the space between said skirts defining a well having an open top, a manually rotatable locking element mounted in said well, the upper end of said locking element protruding through the open top of such well and the lower end of said locking element extending downwardly between said lugs on said inner skirt, said locking element beinG rotatable between a ''''Locked'''' position and an ''''Open'''' position, and means on the lower end of said locking element for spreading said lugs and expanding the lower end of said inner skirt when said locking element is in ''''Open'''' position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A substantially tamperproof and childproof replaceable overcap for an aerosol can, said can having a centrally located dispensing valve at one end and an annular collar surrounding the base of said valve, said overcap comprising an inverted cupshaped body formed of a resilient material and having an outer tubular skirt and an inner, concentric, depending, tubular skirt adapted to enclose the valve, said inner skirt being axially slotted, an inwardly directed lip at the lower end of said inner skirt that is engageable with such collar for resiliently retaining said cap on said can, lugs on the outer side of said inner skirt at opposite sides of such slot, means in the space between said skirts defining a well having an open top, a manually rotatable locking element mounted in said well, the upper end of said locking element protruding through the open top of such well and the lower end of said locking element extending downwardly between said lugs on said inner skirt, said locking element beinG rotatable between a ''''Locked'''' position and an ''''Open'''' position, and means on the lower end of said locking element for spreading said lugs and expanding the lower end of said inner skirt when said locking element is in ''''Open'''' position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An overcap according to claim 1 in which the locking element has a manually engageable head on its upper end and there is a counterbore in the top of said overcap concentric with the well in which counterbore said head lies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
An overcap according to claim 1 in which the locking element has a tab on its upper end and there is a recess in the body of said overcap into which said tab engages at ''''Locked'''' position prior to initial removal of said overcap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An overcap according to claim 3 in which the tab is frangible and must be broken away in order for the locking element to be moved initially from ''''Locked'''' to ''''Open'''' position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
199 words
A substantially tamperproof and childproof replaceable overcap for an aerosol can, said can having a centrally located dispensing valve at one end and a collar surrounding the base of said valve; said overcap comprising an inverted, cup-shaped, resilient body having a tubular skirt and an inner, depending skirt adapted to enclose the valve, an inwardly directed lip at the lower end of said inner skirt that is engageable with said collar for resiliently retaining said overcap on said can, wall means located between said skirts and defining a well having an open top, a manually rotatable locking element mounted in said well, the upper end of said locking element protruding through the open top of said well and the inner end of said locking element extending inwardly adjacent the lower end of said inner skirt, said locking element being rotatable between a ''''Locked'''' position and an ''''Open'''' position, means on the lower end of said locking element cooperating with portions of said inner skirt for expanding said inner skirt when said locking element is in ''''Open'''' position and co-operating means on said locking element and the body of said overcap for initially retaining said locking element in locked position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
199 words
A substantially tamperproof and childproof replaceable overcap for an aerosol can, said can having a centrally located dispensing valve at one end and a collar surrounding the base of said valve; said overcap comprising an inverted, cup-shaped, resilient body having a tubular skirt and an inner, depending skirt adapted to enclose the valve, an inwardly directed lip at the lower end of said inner skirt that is engageable with said collar for resiliently retaining said overcap on said can, wall means located between said skirts and defining a well having an open top, a manually rotatable locking element mounted in said well, the upper end of said locking element protruding through the open top of said well and the inner end of said locking element extending inwardly adjacent the lower end of said inner skirt, said locking element being rotatable between a ''''Locked'''' position and an ''''Open'''' position, means on the lower end of said locking element cooperating with portions of said inner skirt for expanding said inner skirt when said locking element is in ''''Open'''' position and co-operating means on said locking element and the body of said overcap for initially retaining said locking element in locked position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An overcap according to claim 5 in which the cooperating means are a frangible tab on said locking element and a recess in the body of said overcap in which said tab is engaged for retaining said locking element in ''''Locked'''' position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |