US3788523A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Overcap safety mechanism for an aerosol container
Assignee: Reckitt and Colman Subsidiary Corp
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Filing: 1973-01-29
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1993-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A childproof, safety overcap for aerosol containers is disclosed which has a closed end slotted conduit connected to the fixed member so that the movable member must pass through the slot to actuate the valve. A ball is free to roll in the conduit and to move in or out of the slot depending on the position of the container. The position of the ball in the slot permits or prevents the actuation of the valve and discharge of the contents. In a normally vertical discharge position, discharge of the contents is prevented, but is accomplished by rotating the container to an inverted position to roll the ball out of the slot and simultaneously depressing the first movable member into the slot and then righting the container to permit the discharge of the contents from the vertical position.
Inventors
- 👤 D Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:35
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D83/00; B65D83/14; B65D83/16; B65D83/20; B65D83/206; B65D2215/00; B65D2215/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
An overcap for use in combination with an aerosol container having a valve biased to the closed position through which the contents are dispensed, comprising: A. A first member fixably connected to the aerosol container adjacent the valve; B. A second member movably connected to said first member and adapted to move the valve to the open position and having at least one wall defined in it; C. A conduit closed at both ends connected to said first nonmovable member at a predetermined angular relation to the direction of movement of the valve; D. A slot defined in said conduit and located to intersect the path of travel of said wall of said second member; E. A plug member movably disposed within said conduit and adapted to be moved by gravity into and out of said slot whereby when said plug member is interposed in said slot, said second member is prevented from entering said slot and actuation of the valve to discharge the contents is prevented and when said plug member is moved out of said slot said second member can enter said slot permitting actuation of the valve and discharge of the contents.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
An overcap for use in combination with an aerosol container having a valve biased to the closed position through which the contents are dispensed, comprising: A. A first member fixably connected to the aerosol container adjacent the valve; B. A second member movably connected to said first member and adapted to move the valve to the open position and having at least one wall defined in it; C. A conduit closed at both ends connected to said first nonmovable member at a predetermined angular relation to the direction of movement of the valve; D. A slot defined in said conduit and located to intersect the path of travel of said wall of said second member; E. A plug member movably disposed within said conduit and adapted to be moved by gravity into and out of said slot whereby when said plug member is interposed in said slot, said second member is prevented from entering said slot and actuation of the valve to discharge the contents is prevented and when said plug member is moved out of said slot said second member can enter said slot permitting actuation of the valve and discharge of the contents.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
102 words
A slot defined in said tube into which said movable portion must enter in order to release the contents of the aerosol container, and B. A sphere disposed within said tube, said sphere being free to roll from one end to the other of said tube under the influence of gravity so as to fill said slot and prevent full movement of said movable element when said container is in an attitude in which discharge is to be restricted and to roll out of said slot and permit full movement of said movable element when said container is in a predetermined attitude.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
102 words
A slot defined in said tube into which said movable portion must enter in order to release the contents of the aerosol container, and B. A sphere disposed within said tube, said sphere being free to roll from one end to the other of said tube under the influence of gravity so as to fill said slot and prevent full movement of said movable element when said container is in an attitude in which discharge is to be restricted and to roll out of said slot and permit full movement of said movable element when said container is in a predetermined attitude.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An overcap as defined in claim 1 in which said conduit is of a thickness equal to the distance of travel of said valve from the full closed to the full open position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An overcap as defined in claim 1 in which the angle between the axis of movement of the valve and the axis of said cylinder is about 45 degrees.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An overcap as defined in claim 1 in which said plug member is a sphere.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
In an overcap having a non-movable element and a movable element for actuating the release of contents from an aerosol container the improvement comprising: A. A cylindrical tube closed at both ends,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
In an overcap having a non-movable element and a movable element for actuating the release of contents from an aerosol container the improvement comprising: A. A cylindrical tube closed at both ends,
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2954904A
Cited
US3419187A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |