Safety actuator for aerosol containers

Claim 2

A safety cap for an aerosol container, having a manually operable valve stem extending therefrom, said cap comprising: a body having a skirt portion and top wall, said top wall defining a radially-extending passageway therein; a depressible strip centrally positioned in said passageway, said strip being attached at one end to said body to form a hinge portion therewith and otherwise unattached to said body, said strip having a downwardly-extending actuator stem with a discharge passage formed therein; slide means extending across the interior of said cap and through said skirt portion; said slide means defining an opening to permit said actuator stem to pass therethrough; means for positioning the top surface of said slide means immediately below the lower end of said actuator stem; said slide means including an integrally formed double leaf spring for biasing said slide means to an inactive position, whereby said opening is disposed in eccentric axial relationship with said actuator stem to prevent depression of said actuator stem, said actuator stem being operable by pressing said slide means to an active position against said biasing means, whereby said opening is moved into coaxial relationship with said actuator stem.

Claim 3

A safety cap for an aerosol container, having a manually operable valve stem extending therefrom, said cap comprising: a body having a skirt portion and top wall, said top wall defining a radially-extending passageway therein; a depressible strip centrally positioned in said passageway, said strip being attached at one end to said body to form a hinge portion therewith and otherwise unattached to said body, said strip having a downwardly-extending actuator stem with a discharge passage formed therein; slide means extending across the interior of said cap and through said skirt portion; said slide means defining an opening to permit said actuator stem to pass therethrough; means for positioning the top surface of said slide means immediately below the lower end of said actuator stem, said positioning means including a column member attached to the underside of said top wall, and extending downwardly therefrom, said column acting as a cantilever spring to bias said slide means to an inactive position, whereby said opening is disposed in eccentric axial relationship with said actuator stem to prevent depression of said actuator stem, said actuator stem being operable by pressing said slide means to an active position against said biasing means, whereby said opening is moved into coaxial relationship with said actuator stem.

Claim 4

A safety cap for an aerosol container, having a manually operable valve stem extending therefrom, said cap comprising: a body having a skirt portion and top wall, said top wall defining a radially-extending passageway therein; a depressible strip centrally positioned in said passageway, said strip being attached at one end to said body to form a hinge portion therewith and otherwise unattached to said body, said strip having a downwardly-extending actuator stem with a discharge passage formed therein; slide means extending across the interior of said cap and through said skirt portion; said slide means defining an opening to permit said actuator stem to pass therethrough; means for positioning the top surface of said slide means immediately below the lower end of said actuator stem, said positioning means including a column member attached to the underside of said top wall, and extending downwardly therefrom, said column acting as a cantilever spring to bias said slide means to an inactive position, whereby said opening is disposed in eccentric axial relationship with said actuator stem to prevent depression of said actuator stem, said actuator stem being operable by pressing said slide means to an active position against said biasing means, whereby said opening is moved into coaxial relationship with said actuator stem.

Claim 5

The cap of claim 2, wherein said lever means further includes a notch opening into said slide means opening, said notch being adapted to receive said valve stem when the slide means is biased to the inactive position.

Claim 6

In combination with a container for dispensing product, having a manually operable valve stem projecting therefrom, said stem having a discharge opening therein for releasing the contents of said container; a cap assembly adapted to be retained on the top of said container by retaining means, comprising a body portion defining a radially-extending passageway in the top thereof; actuator means positioned in said passageway, said actuator means having a downwardly-extending actuator stem adapted to operate said valve stem when said actuator means is depressed, said actuator stem having a discharge passage formed therein adapted to be placed in communication with said valve stem to direct the dispensing of product when said strip is depressed; slide means positioned below said actuator stem and accessible through said body portion, said slide means defining an opening to permit said actuator stem to pass therethrough and including an integrally formed double leaf spring for biasing said slide means to an inactive position, whereby said opening is positioned in eccentric relationship with said actuator stem and said actuator stem will bear against said slide means; means for supporting said slide means against vertical movement; said actuator stem being operable by pressing said slide means to an active position against said spring, whereby said opening is moved into coaxial relationship with said actuator stem, said spring returning said opening to said eccentric relationship when said actuator means and slide means are released.

Claim 7

In combination with a container for dispensing product, having a manually operable valve stem projecting therefrom, said stem having a discharge opening therein for releasing the contents of said container; a cap assembly adapted to be retained on the top of said container by retaining means, comprising a body portion defining a radially-extending passageway in the top thereof; actuator means positioned in said passageway, said actuator means having a downwardly-extending actuator stem adapted to operate said valve stem when said actuator means is depressed, said actuator stem having a discharge passage formed therein adapted to be placed in communication with said valve stem to direct the dispensing of product when said strip is depressed; slide means positioned below said actuator stem and accessible through said body portion, said slide means defining an opening to permit said actuator stem to pass therethrough and including an integrally formed double leaf spring for biasing said slide means to an inactive position, whereby said opening is positioned in eccentric relationship with said actuator stem and said actuator stem will bear against said slide means; means for supporting said slide means against vertical movement; said actuator stem being operable by pressing said slide means to an active position against said spring, whereby said opening is moved into coaxial relationship with said actuator stem, said spring returning said opening to said eccentric relationship when said actuator means and slide means are released.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 4, wherein said slide means is supported against vertical movement by the top of said container.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 4, wherein said slide further defines a notch generally corresponding in shape to said valve stem, said notch being positioned adjacent to and opened into said opening, said notch being adapted to receive the upper portion of said valve stem when said slide means is in the inactive position.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 4 wherein said depressible actuator means includes a strip attached to said body at one portion to form a hinge therewith and otherwise unattached to said body portion.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 7 wherein said strip is integrally molded with said body portion.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 4, wherein said slide means is positioned within said cap by a column member extending downwardly from the top of said body portion.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 9, wherein said column member acts as a cantilever spring to further bias said slide means.