US3848778A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Childproof actuator assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-08-14
•
Granted: 1974-11-19
•
Expires: 1992-08-14
Abstract
Abstract An actuator button is mounted in a housing to form an actuator assembly which is secured to a valved aerosol or other container. The actuator button is rotatable between non-dispensing and dispensing positions. With the actuator button in the nondispensing position, cooperable portions of the actuator assembly form a locking means to positively prevent rotational movement of the actuator button and, simultaneously, blocking means prevent operation of the dispensing valve. While the locking means is disabled by disengaging the cooperable portions, the actuator button is simultaneously rotated free of the blocking means into the dispensing position for dispensing product from the container by operation of the valve as by depressing or tilting the actuator button. Limiting means restricts relative movement of the cooperable portions of the locking means to prevent permanent deformation thereof. A breakaway tab prevents disabling the locking means until the tab is removed. The actuator assembly is shaped to conceal the locking means to further prevent accidental operation of the valve by children. An alternative embodiment is adapted for use on large diameter containers.
Inventors
- 👤 P Meshberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:10
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D83/00; B65D83/14; B65D83/16; B65D83/22; B65D83/222; B65D83/145; B65D83/20; B65D83/204; B65D2215/00; B65D2215/02; B65D2215/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
In combination with a container, a dispensing valve assembly secured to the container, and a actuator assembly including a housing member mounted on the container, an actuator member mounted in the housing in operable connection with the valve, the actuator being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the container between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position, blocking means for preventing operation of the valve when the actuator is in the non-dispensing position, and means for deterring rotational movement of the actuator when the actuator is in the non-dispensing position, wherein the improvement comprises: A. the deterring means being a locking means for preventing rotational movement of the actuator when the actuator is in the non-dispensing position, the locking means having cooperable portions one of which is a resilient flap portion of the housing member radially movable between engaging and disengaging positions with respect to the other, whereby when the locking means is disabled by moving the one portion to the disengaging position, the actuator can be rotated free of the blocking means to the dispensing position for dispensing product by operating the actuator valve, and when rotated to the non-dispensing position the resilience of said flap will cause said locking means to engage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
In combination with a container, a dispensing valve assembly secured to the container, and a actuator assembly including a housing member mounted on the container, an actuator member mounted in the housing in operable connection with the valve, the actuator being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the container between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position, blocking means for preventing operation of the valve when the actuator is in the non-dispensing position, and means for deterring rotational movement of the actuator when the actuator is in the non-dispensing position, wherein the improvement comprises: A. the deterring means being a locking means for preventing rotational movement of the actuator when the actuator is in the non-dispensing position, the locking means having cooperable portions one of which is a resilient flap portion of the housing member radially movable between engaging and disengaging positions with respect to the other, whereby when the locking means is disabled by moving the one portion to the disengaging position, the actuator can be rotated free of the blocking means to the dispensing position for dispensing product by operating the actuator valve, and when rotated to the non-dispensing position the resilience of said flap will cause said locking means to engage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An actuator assembly for use in dispensing product from a valved container comprising: A. an actuator button having
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An actuator assembly for use in dispensing product from a valved container comprising: A. an actuator button having
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
3 words
a control member,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
3 words
a control member,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
3 words
a first slot,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
3 words
a first slot,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
a second position being defined by the nozzle being aligned with the unobstructed portion of the first slot and the control member being aligned with the second slot for dispensing product from the container whereby to move the actuator from the first to the second position the locking means must first be disabled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
a second position being defined by the nozzle being aligned with the unobstructed portion of the first slot and the control member being aligned with the second slot for dispensing product from the container whereby to move the actuator from the first to the second position the locking means must first be disabled.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The actuator assembly of claim 2 wherein the actuator button is rotatable from the first position to the second position only upon the simultaneous release of the locking means by moving the flap radially outwardly with one hand while a rotational force is applied to the control member with the other hand.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
3 words
a second slot,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
3 words
a second slot,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
a passageway for connecting the nozzle and the valve of the container, and B. a housing having
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
a passageway for connecting the nozzle and the valve of the container, and B. a housing having
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
4 words
a blocking portion and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
4 words
a blocking portion and
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The actuator assembly of claim 2 wherein the tongue is a flap portion and the groove is an actuator button portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
The actuator assembly of claim 4 wherein the attached end of the flap is located to the side of the nozzle toward the first position, the groove of the actuator button is located to the side of the nozzle away from the first position and the cooperating tongue is located adjacent the free end of the flap.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
70 words
a flap having a free end and an attached end a. the flap extending partially across the first slot, and b. the free end being flexible radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing, and C. tongue and groove locking means located on cooperable portions of the flap and the actuator button, D. the actuator button being mounted within the bore of the housing and being rotatable between
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
70 words
a flap having a free end and an attached end a. the flap extending partially across the first slot, and b. the free end being flexible radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing, and C. tongue and groove locking means located on cooperable portions of the flap and the actuator button, D. the actuator button being mounted within the bore of the housing and being rotatable between
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
The actuator assembly of claim 4 wherein the tongue is spaced a short distance from the free end of the flap to provide a ledge against which the operator may place his fingernail for moving the flap radially outwardly to disengage the tongue from the groove.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
89 words
The actuator assembly of claim 4 wherein the tongue is shaped with the side wall away from the first position being slanted toward the first position and a cooperable corner of the actuator button located toward the first position being rounded whereby the flexible flap, the slanted side wall and rounded corner cooperate to provide minimum resistance to the movement of the actuator button from the second to the first position which can be accomplished by the operator applying a rotational force to the control member with one hand.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The actuator assembly of claim 2 wherein the control member extends radially beyond the housing and is serrated to provide an easily accessible, non-slip surface for application of rotational forces.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The actuator assembly of claim 2 wherein the walls of the actuator assembly are inclined and conceal the locking means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
51 words
The actuator assembly of claim 2 wherein the housing further comprises a breakaway tab connected by thin breakaway ribs to the free end of the flap on one side and to the wall of the housing on the other side preventing disabling the locking means until the breakaway tab is removed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
200 words
In combination with a container, a dispensing valve assembly secured to the container, and an actuator assembly including a housing mounted on the container, an actuator mounted in the housing in operable connection with the valve, the actuator being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the container between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position, blocking means for preventing operation of the valve when the actuator is in the non-dispensing position, and a means for deterring rotational movement of the actuator when the actuator is in the non-dispensing position, wherein the improvement comprises: A. the deterring means being a locking mechanism for preventing rotational movement of the actuator when the actuator is in the non-dispensing position, the locking mechanism having a flexible flap portion which is part of the housing movable between engaging and disengaging positions with respect to the actuator, said flexible flap being resilient so as to snap into an engaging position when said actuator is in a non-dispensing position whereby when the locking mechanism is disabled by moving the flap to its disengaging position, the actuator can be rotated free of the blocking means to the dispensing position for dispensing product by operating the actuator and valve.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
200 words
In combination with a container, a dispensing valve assembly secured to the container, and an actuator assembly including a housing mounted on the container, an actuator mounted in the housing in operable connection with the valve, the actuator being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the container between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position, blocking means for preventing operation of the valve when the actuator is in the non-dispensing position, and a means for deterring rotational movement of the actuator when the actuator is in the non-dispensing position, wherein the improvement comprises: A. the deterring means being a locking mechanism for preventing rotational movement of the actuator when the actuator is in the non-dispensing position, the locking mechanism having a flexible flap portion which is part of the housing movable between engaging and disengaging positions with respect to the actuator, said flexible flap being resilient so as to snap into an engaging position when said actuator is in a non-dispensing position whereby when the locking mechanism is disabled by moving the flap to its disengaging position, the actuator can be rotated free of the blocking means to the dispensing position for dispensing product by operating the actuator and valve.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
67 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein the locking mechanism further comprises cooperable wedge and groove portions of the actuator assembly, one of the cooperable portions being carried by a housing portion and the other being carried by an actuator portion and wherein one of the carrying portions is the flexible flap so that the locking mechanism is disabled by flexing the flap to disengage the cooperable portions.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
98 words
An actuator assembly adapted to dispense product from a valved container comprising A. a housing mounted on the container, B. an actuator mounted in the housing in operable connection with the valve, the actuator being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the container between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position, C. blocking means for preventing operation of the valve when the actuator is in the non-dispensing position, D. tongue and groove locking means comprising cooperable portions of the housing and actuator which together prevent rotational movement of the actuator when the actuator is in the non-dispensing position
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
98 words
An actuator assembly adapted to dispense product from a valved container comprising A. a housing mounted on the container, B. an actuator mounted in the housing in operable connection with the valve, the actuator being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the container between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position, C. blocking means for preventing operation of the valve when the actuator is in the non-dispensing position, D. tongue and groove locking means comprising cooperable portions of the housing and actuator which together prevent rotational movement of the actuator when the actuator is in the non-dispensing position
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The actuator assembly of claim 13 wherein the cooperable portions are a wedge and detent.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
The actuator assembly of claim 13 wherein the flexible flap is a housing portion which is offset radially inwardly from the adjacent underlying portion of the housing and thereby overlies an open area of the housing.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The actuator assembly of claim 13 further comprising means for concealing the cooperable portions in the engaged position.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The actuator assembly of claim 13 further comprising limiting means for preventing radial movement of the one portion beyond the point where the flexible flap is permanently deformed.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The actuator assembly of claim 17 wherein the limiting means is an extended portion of the flap for engaging a portion of the housing.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
43 words
The actuator assembly of claim 13 further comprising the housing having a slot, and a breakaway tab in the slot and connected to the adjacent portions thereof by thin ribs to prevent relative movement between the cooperable portions until the tab is removed.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The actuator assembly of claim 19 further comprising a removable cover frictionally secured to the housing for keeping the assembly free of outside contamination during periods of non-use.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |