Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6769563
-
Patent Number
6,769,563
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, October 30, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, August 3, 200420 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 220 284
- 220 285
- 220 724
- 220 915
- 220 286
- 215 215
- 215 302
- 215 303
- 215 304
- 222 1531
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A one-piece aerosol can cap formed of molded plastic has a top wall with an outside edge. A skirt depends from the outside edge of the top wall to a lower perimeter edge. A plurality of arcuate segments depends from the top wall inside the skirt. Each arcuate segment has an inwardly protruding detent. Each arcuate segment has an inner wall and an outer wall coupled to each other so as to define a space between the walls. An opening is provided in the top wall leading to the space between the walls of an arcuate segment for receiving a tool capable of moving the lower end of the arcuate segment outward sufficiently to release the detent so that the cap can be removed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to tamper-resistant caps for containers and particularly to molded lids and caps for covering the top of aerosol cans that are typically employed to contain paint, lacquer, and other similar materials with a propellant to permit dispensing of the same through a dispensing valve and nozzle after removal of the lid or cap. The present invention is more particularly focused on a cap that is easily attached to a ridge or lip that is present at the top of a necked-in container, but resists removal except with the aid of a simple removal tool such as a screwdriver or other flat bladed instrument.
A typical form of an aerosol can is the so-called “necked-in” can that is usually made of steel and includes a cylindrical body. A dome-shaped shoulder portion is coupled to the top of the cylindrical body to form an annular lip around the top edge of the cylindrical body. The dome-shaped shoulder portion includes a necked-in portion defining a small opening at an upper end that receives a dispensing valve. The dispensing valve is generally coupled to the dome-shaped shoulder portion by a cup shaped metal flange having an outer edge that is secured to the necked-in portion by a rolled over collar that forms a ridge. A spray button is coupled to the dispensing valve to control discharge of pressurized material in the can.
A plastic cap is typically mounted on top of the aerosol can to cover the aerosol spray button of the dispensing valve. To release the pressurized contents of the can in a controlled manner, it is necessary to remove the cap to access the aerosol spray button. Such caps are typically formed in a mold using a plastics material such as polypropylene or high-density polyethylene. The caps are often molded to include a shell conforming generally to the outside diameter of the aerosol can and various internal ribs and flanges adapted to secure the cap to the top of the aerosol can. Molded caps of this general construction can also be used to cover the discharge openings provided in containers other than aerosol cans.
Some plastic caps simply engage an inner or outer edge created around the top edge of the cylindrical body by the annular lip coupling the dome-shaped shoulder portion to the top of the cylindrical body. Such plastic caps are generally easily removed and replaced, even without the use of any tools, thus contributing to possible tampering with, or unauthorized dispensing of, the contents of the aerosol can. Some plastic caps of this type do require a removal tool, such as a screwdriver, be inserted between the lower edge of the cap and the annular lip coupling the dome-shaped shoulder portion to the top of the cylindrical body. Examples of such caps are to be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,334,769 and 3,414,167.
Some other caps include a shell conforming generally to the outside diameter of the aerosol can and an internal structure that engages the ridge presented by the rolled collar junction of the cup shaped metal flange around the dispensing valve and the top of the dome-shaped shoulder portion. Examples of such caps are to be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,633,789; 3,802,607; 3,854,622; 3,807,187; 3,934,751; 4,165,014; 4,303,175; and 5,040,694. While such plastic caps are usually designed to be more difficult for children to remove, the designs do little to deter product tampering and unauthorized dispensing by adults.
Some still more secure plastic caps having the internal structure that engages the ridge presented by the rolled collar junction do require the use of a removal tool, such as a screwdriver, to remove the cap from the aerosol container. Examples of such caps are to be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,532,249; 5,788,107; and 6,112,933. However, a potential hazard is presented by such caps that require use of the removal too in that the act of removal of the cap from the aerosol container can cause damage to, and can even puncture, the dome-shaped shoulder portion of the container.
Despite the enhanced security provided by the caps in the prior art, there is still a need for a one piece cap that requires the use of a removal tool, such as a screwdriver, to disengage the cap from the ridge presented by the rolled collar junction, but requires the removal tool to be inserted and used in a manner that will lessen the likelihood of any damage to the aerosol container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An aerosol can cap of the present invention is formed by one piece of molded plastic having a top wall with an outside edge. A skirt depends from the outside edge of the top wall to a lower perimeter edge. A plurality of arcuate segments depends from the top wall inside the skirt. Each arcuate segment has an inwardly protruding detent. Each arcuate segment is formed by an inner wall and an outer wall coupled to each other so as to define a space between the walls. An opening is provided in the top wall leading to the space between the walls of an arcuate segment for receiving a removal tool.
The aerosol can cap of the present invention can have a top wall that is substantially planar, but other configurations for the top are also possible such as upwardly domed and cone shaped. The outside edge of the top wall is typically substantially circular and the skirt is typically cylindrical, although other shapes would be possible when desired to conform to or complement the shape of the container to which the cap is to be applied. The lower perimeter edge of the skirt preferably defines a plane so that one seeking to remove the cap from any aerosol can to which the cap has been applied will be discouraged from attempting to insert a removing tool below the skirt lower perimeter edge.
Each arcuate segment preferably includes a bottom wall joining lower ends of the inner wall and outer wall that is of sufficient strength as to successfully resist attempts at puncturing the lower wall by any cap removing tool. The bottom wall joining the lower ends of the inner and outer walls also acts to transfer to the inner wall any force or torque applied to the outer wall by any cap removing tool, which can be used to disengage the inwardly protruding detent on the arcuate segment from any aerosol can to which the cap has been applied. Preferably, the inwardly protruding detent is positioned at a lower end of each arcuate segment inner wall so that outward displacement of any arcuate segment will be sufficient to release the cap from any aerosol can to which the cap has been applied. Each arcuate segment preferably also includes end walls joining the inner wall to the outer wall to contain any cap removing tool within the opening defined by the arcuate segment and inhibit debris from entering between the cap and the top of the aerosol can to which the cap has been applied.
The cap of the present invention is quickly and easily snapped onto the top of an aerosol container. Once in place, the cap of the present invention resists removal except when a removal tool, such as a screwdriver, is inserted substantially vertically downward through an opening in the top wall into one of the plurality of arcuate segments. The removal tool handle is then displaced toward the axis of the aerosol container and cap, which causes an outward movement of the lower end of the arcuate segment in which the removal tool is engaged, thereby releasing the inwardly protruding detent from below the ridge presented by the rolled collar junction between the dispensing valve flange and the dome-shaped shoulder portion of the container. The displacement of the removal tool handle also causes a torque to be applied to the cap that promotes the separation of the cap from the container.
One feature of the present invention is the generally vertically oriented openings in the top wall leading down into the closed end arcuate segments that are intended to receive a removal tool such as a screwdriver. The closed end arcuate segments advantageously restrict the downward movement of the removal tool so that the puncturing or other damage to the top of the aerosol container is significantly inhibited or prevented.
Another feature of the present invention is the positioning of the openings in the top wall leading down into the closed end arcuate segments outward from the axis of the aerosol container. The positioning of the openings advantageously translates the displacement force exerted by the removal tool that moves the inwardly protruding detent from below the rolled collar junction ridge into a torque lifting one side of the cap, thus quickly releasing the cap from engagement with the top of the aerosol container.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion of the preferred embodiments as depicted in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of an aerosol container and cap of the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a sectional view of an aerosol container and cap of the present invention.
FIG. 3
is a perspective view of a cap of the present invention.
FIG. 4
is a schematic view showing the use of a removal tool to remove a cap of the present invention from an aerosol container.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
An aerosol can
10
is shown in
FIG. 1
with a cap
12
of the present invention. The can
10
has a sidewall
14
having an upper edge
16
that is included in a rolled seam
18
. The cap
12
is formed by one piece of molded plastic and has a top wall
20
with an outside edge
22
. A skirt
24
depends from the outside edge
22
of the top wall
20
to a lower perimeter edge
26
that is situated just below and inside the rolled seam
18
. Four arcuate segments
28
depend from the top wall
20
inside the skirt
24
. Each arcuate segment
28
is formed by an inner wall
30
and an outer wall
32
. The walls
30
and
32
are coupled to each other by side walls
34
so as to define a space
36
between the walls
30
and
32
. Openings
38
are provided in the top wall
20
leading to the space
36
between the walls of the arcuate segments
28
for receiving a removal tool shown in FIG.
4
.
A typical form of an aerosol can
10
is shown in greater detail in FIG.
2
. The illustrated can
10
is the so-called “necked-in” can that is usually made of steel and includes a cylindrical sidewall
14
forming a cylindrical body. A dome-shaped shoulder portion
40
is coupled to the top
16
of the cylindrical sidewall
14
by the rolled seam
18
forming an annular lip around the top edge of the cylindrical body. The dome-shaped shoulder portion
40
includes a small opening at an upper end that receives a dispensing valve
42
. The dispensing valve
42
is coupled to the dome-shaped shoulder portion
40
by a cup shaped metal flange
44
having an outer edge that is secured in the opening by a rolled over collar
46
that forms an outwardly protruding ridge
48
. A spray button
50
is coupled to the dispensing valve
42
to control discharge of pressurized material in the can
10
.
A cap
12
of the present invention is shown in
FIG. 2
coupled to the aerosol can
10
. The cap
12
of
FIG. 2
, like the cap of
FIG. 1
, has a top wall
20
with an outside edge
22
. The skirt
24
depends from the outside edge
22
of the top wall
20
to the lower perimeter edge
26
that is situated just below and inside the rolled seam
18
. The arcuate segments
28
depend from the top wall
20
inside the skirt
24
. Each arcuate segment
28
is formed by an inner wall
30
and an outer wall
32
. The walls
30
and
32
are coupled to each other by a bottom wall
52
. Each arcuate segment
28
has a detent
54
formed on the lower edge of the inner wall
30
that extends under the outwardly protruding ridge
48
of the rolled over collar
46
so as to secure the cap
12
onto the container
10
.
The inwardly extending detent
54
is more easily seen in
FIG. 3
, which shows a cap
12
having only two arcuate segments
28
. The inwardly extending detent
54
is confined to only a minor lateral portion of the inner wall
30
of each segment
28
. A joining portion
56
joins the inner walls
30
of the arcuate segments
28
together to form a continuous band adapted to surround the rolled over collar
46
of the aerosol container to which the cap is attached. The detent
54
is seen to have a tapered lower edge
58
that facilitates the coupling of the cap
12
to a can
10
. The cap
10
is quickly and easily snapped onto the top of an aerosol container
10
. Once in place, the cap
12
resists removal, except when a removal tool
60
, such as a screwdriver, is inserted substantially vertically downward through the opening
38
in the top wall
20
into one of the plurality of arcuate segments
28
as shown in FIG.
4
.
When the removal tool
60
is inserted substantially vertically downward through the opening
38
in the top wall
20
, the tool handle
62
is positioned above the top wall
20
and the tool blade
64
is positioned between the inner wall
30
and the outer wall
32
of one of the plurality of arcuate segments
28
. The removal tool handle
62
can then displaced toward the axis Y of the aerosol container
10
and cap
12
, which causes an outward movement of the bottom wall
52
by virtue of the center of the top wall
20
acting as a fulcrum. The movement of the handle
62
in the direction of arrow A causes an outward movement in the direction of arrow B of the inner wall
30
including the detent
54
, thereby releasing the inwardly protruding detent
54
from below the ridge
48
presented by the rolled collar
46
. The displacement of the removal tool handle
60
also causes a torque to be applied to the cap in the direction of arrow C that promotes the separation of the cap
12
from the container
10
. The bottom wall
52
also acts to inhibit the removal tool
60
from contacting dome-shaped shoulder portion
40
, thus reducing the likelihood of damage to the container
10
by the removal tool
60
.
Of course, numerous modifications can be made to the exemplified embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, including all equivalents, which are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.
Claims
- 1. A one piece molded plastic cap comprising:a top wall having an outside edge, a skirt depending from the outside edge of the top wall to a lower perimeter edge, and a plurality of arcuate segments depending from the top wall inside the skirt, each arcuate segment having an inwardly protruding detent, each arcuate segment being further defined by an inner wall, an outer wall, and a bottom wall joining lower ends of the inner wall and outer wall so as to define a space between the walls, an opening in the top wall leading to the space between the walls of an arcuate segment for receiving a removal tool.
- 2. The molded plastic cap of claim 1 wherein the top wall is substantially planar and the outside edge of the top wall is substantially circular.
- 3. The molded plastic cap of claim 1 wherein the skirt is cylindrical and the lower perimeter edge of the skirt defines a plane.
- 4. The molded plastic cap of claim 1 wherein the inwardly protruding detent is positioned at a lower end of each arcuate segment inner wall.
- 5. The molded plastic cap of claim 1 further comprising a joining portion joining the inner walls of all the arcuate segments together.
- 6. The molded plastic cap of claim 1 wherein the bottom wall of each arcuate segment is parallel to said top wall.
- 7. A one piece molded plastic cap comprising: a top wall having an outside edge, a skirt depending from the outside edge of the top wall to a lower perimeter edge, and a plurality of arcuate segments defined by an inner wall and an outer wall, the arcuate segment inner and outer walls depending from the top wall inside the skirt, each arcuate segment having an inwardly protruding detent positioned at a lower end of each inner wall, the inner and outer walls of each arcuate segment being coupled to each other so as to define a space between the walls, an opening in the top wall leading to the space between the walls of an arcuate segment for receiving a removal tool.
- 8. The molded plastic cap of claim 7 wherein the top wall is substantially planar and the outside edge of the top wall is substantially circular.
- 9. The molded plastic cap of claim 7 wherein the skirt is cylindrical and the lower perimeter edge of the skirt defines a plane.
- 10. The molded plastic cap of claim 7 wherein each arcuate segment further comprises an end wall joining the inner wall to the outer wall.
- 11. The molded plastic cap of claim 7 further comprising a joining portion joining the inner walls of all the arcuate segments together.
- 12. A one piece molded plastic cap comprising: a top wall having an outside edge, a skirt depending from the outside edge of the top wall to a lower perimeter edge, and a plurality of arcuate segments depending from the top wall inside the skirt, each arcuate segment having an inwardly protruding detent, each arcuate segment being further defined by an inner wall and an outer wall coupled to each other so as to define a space between the walls, a joining portion joining the inner walls of all the arcuate segments together, and an opening in the top wall leading to the space between the walls of an arcuate segment for receiving a removal tool.
- 13. The molded plastic cap of claim 12 wherein the top wall is substantially planar and the outside edge of the top wall is substantially circular.
- 14. The molded plastic cap of claim 12 wherein the skirt is cylindrical and the lower perimeter edge of the skirt defines a plane.
- 15. The molded plastic cap of claim 12 wherein each arcuate segment further comprises an end wall joining the inner wall to the outer wall.
US Referenced Citations (13)