Locking aerosol dispenser

Abstract

A locking aerosol dispenser is disclosed having an actuator rotatably secured to the aerosol container. The actuator is rotatable into a first rotational position for enabling an actuator to discharge an aerosol product from the aerosol container. The actuator is rotatable into a second rotational position for inhibiting the actuator from discharging the aerosol product from the aerosol container. The actuator may be incorporated into an aerosol overcap or an aerosol undercap.

1 . A locking aerosol dispenser for an aerosol dispensing device having an aerosol valve for controlling the flow of an aerosol product from an aerosol container, comprising: 
 an actuator secured to the aerosol valve for displacing the aerosol valve from a biased closed position to an open position to discharge the aerosol product;    said actuator being rotatable into a first rotational position relative to the aerosol container for enabling said actuator to open said aerosol valve upon movement of said actuator for discharging the aerosol product; and    said actuator being rotatable into a second rotational position relative to the aerosol container for inhibiting said actuator from opening said aerosol valve.    
     
     
         2 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , including a key aperture cooperating with a key for enabling movement of said actuator to open said aerosol valve for discharging the aerosol product.  
     
     
         3 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , including a key defined by one of the aerosol container and said actuator; and 
 a key aperture defined by the other of the aerosol container and said actuator for cooperating with said key aperture for enabling movement of said actuator to open the aerosol valve for discharging the aerosol product.    
     
     
         4 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said actuator extends from a valve button secured to said aerosol valve.  
     
     
         5 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said actuator is integral with an aerosol overcap.  
     
     
         6 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said actuator is integral with an aerosol undercap.  
     
     
         7 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , including a container locator for locating said actuator in said first rotational position relative to the aerosol container.  
     
     
         8 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , including a container locator for providing an audible sound upon said actuator being located in said first rotational position relative to the aerosol container.  
     
     
         9 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 11 , including a container locator for providing a rotational stop upon said actuator being located in said first rotational position relative to the aerosol container.  
     
     
         10 . A lock for an aerosol dispensing device, comprising: 
 an aerosol container for containing an aerosol product and an aerosol propellant therein;    an aerosol valve mounted to said aerosol container;    a key aperture defined by said aerosol container;    an actuator for displacing said aerosol valve from a biased closed position to an open position to discharge the aerosol product;    a key defined by the actuator;    said actuator being rotatable into a first rotational position relative to said aerosol container whereat said key is aligned with said key aperture for enabling movement of said actuator to open said aerosol valve for discharging the aerosol product; and    said actuator being rotatable into a second rotational position relative to said aerosol container whereat said key is misaligned with said key aperture for inhibiting said actuator from opening said aerosol valve.    
     
     
         11 . A lock for an aerosol dispensing device, comprising: 
 an aerosol container for containing an aerosol product and an aerosol propellant therein; 
 an aerosol valve mounted to said aerosol container;  
   an aerosol cap;    a mounting for rotatably securing said aerosol cap to said aerosol container;    an actuator movably mounted relative to said aerosol cap for displacing said aerosol valve from a biased closed position to an open position to discharge the aerosol product;    a key aperture defined by one of said aerosol container and said aerosol cap;    a key defined by the other of said aerosol container and said aerosol cap;    said actuator being rotatable into a first rotational position relative to said aerosol container whereat said key is aligned with said key aperture for enabling movement of said actuator to open said aerosol valve for discharging the aerosol product; and    said actuator being rotatable into a second rotational position relative to said aerosol container whereat said key is misaligned with said key aperture for inhibiting said actuator from opening said aerosol valve.    
     
     
         12 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 11 , including a container locator defined by said aerosol container; and 
 an aerosol cap locator defined by said aerosol cap for cooperating with said container locator for locating said aerosol cap in said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container.    
     
     
         13 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 11 , including a container locator defined by said aerosol container; and 
 an aerosol cap locator defined by said aerosol cap for cooperating with said container locator for providing an audible sound upon said aerosol cap being located in said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container.    
     
     
         14 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 11 , including a container locator defined by said aerosol container; and 
 an aerosol cap locator defined by said aerosol cap for cooperating with said container locator for providing a rotational stop upon said aerosol cap being located in said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container.    
     
     
         15 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said aerosol container comprises a container neck terminating in an annular rim; 
 said aerosol valve including a mounting cup secured to said annular rim of said aerosol container; and    a container locator defined by said container neck of said aerosol container for locating said aerosol cap in said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container.    
     
     
         16 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 11 , including a container locator extending radially outwardly from said aerosol container; and 
 said aerosol cap locator extending radially inwardly from said aerosol cap.    
     
     
         17 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 11 , including a first and a second container locator for cooperating with an aerosol cap locator for locating said first and second rotational positions of said aerosol cap relative to said aerosol container.  
     
     
         18 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said aerosol cap is an undercap located at a bottom end of said aerosol container.  
     
     
         19 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said aerosol cap is an overcap located at a top end of said aerosol container.  
     
     
         20 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein one of said aerosol cap and said actuator engaging is non-symmetric for enabling said actuator to displace said aerosol valve into an open position when said aerosol cap is rotated into said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container and for failing to displace said aerosol valve into said open position when said aerosol cap is rotated into said second rotational position relative to said aerosol container.  
     
     
         21 . An aerosol dispensing device, comprising: 
 an aerosol container for containing an aerosol product and an aerosol propellant therein; 
 aerosol valve having a valve stem secured to said aerosol container;  
   an aerosol cap having a resilient cap mounting;    said aerosol cap including an actuator movably mounted relative to said aerosol cap;    a valve button having a button socket for frictionally receiving said valve stem therein;    said button socket communicating with a terminal orifice of said valve button;    a frangible bridge interconnecting said valve button to said aerosol cap;    said aerosol cap and said valve button being initially simultaneously mounted relative to said aerosol container with said aerosol cap being resiliently mounted to said aerosol container concomitantly with said button socket of said valve button frictionally receiving said valve stem;    said frangible bridge being severed upon said aerosol cap being completely resiliently mounted to said aerosol container concomitantly with said button socket of said valve button frictionally completely receiving said valve stem for separating said valve button from said aerosol cap;    said aerosol cap being rotatable into a first rotational position relative to said aerosol container for enabling said actuator to move said valve button for displacing said aerosol valve into an open position upon movement of said actuator for discharging the aerosol product from said terminal orifice of said valve button; and    said aerosol cap being rotatable into a second rotational position relative to said aerosol container for inhibiting said actuator from moving said valve button.    
     
     
         22 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said aerosol cap is an undercap located at a bottom end of said aerosol container.  
     
     
         23 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said aerosol cap is an overcap located at a top end of said aerosol container.  
     
     
         24 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said actuator is integrally formed with aerosol cap; and 
 said valve button being integrally formed with aerosol cap by said frangible bridge.    
     
     
         25 . A locking aerosol dispenser for an inverted aerosol dispensing device, comprising: 
 an aerosol container containing an aerosol product and an aerosol propellant with said aerosol container defining a container axis extending between a top portion and a bottom portion of said aerosol container;    an aerosol valve having a valve stem secured to said aerosol container;    a valve button defining a terminal orifice secured to said valve stem of said aerosol valve;    said valve button displacing said aerosol valve from a biased closed position to an open position to discharge the aerosol product from said terminal orifice of said valve button;    an aerosol cap rotatably secured to said aerosol container with said the bottom portion of said aerosol cap supporting the aerosol container on a supporting surface in an inverted position;    an actuator movably mounted relative to said aerosol cap;    said aerosol cap being rotatable between a first and a second rotational position relative to said aerosol container.    one of said valve button and said aerosol cap being non-symmetric about said container axis for enabling said actuator to move said valve button when said aerosol cap is rotated into said first rotational position for displacing said aerosol valve into an open position to discharge the aerosol product from the valve stem; and    said aerosol cap being rotatable into a second rotational position relative to said aerosol container for inhibiting said actuator from moving said valve button.    
     
     
         26 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said valve button includes a valve button flange extending from said valve button for enabling said actuator to move said valve button flange when said aerosol cap is rotated into said first rotational position and for inhibiting said actuator from moving said valve button flange when said aerosol cap is rotated into said second rotational position.  
     
     
         27 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said valve button includes a valve button flange extending from said valve button; and 
 said valve button flange being non-symmetric about said container axis for enabling said actuator to move said valve button flange when said aerosol cap is rotated into said first rotational position and for inhibiting said actuator from moving said valve button flange when said aerosol cap is rotated into said second rotational position.    
     
     
         28 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said valve button includes a valve button flange extending from said valve button; and 
 said valve button flange being non-symmetric about said terminal orifice for enabling said actuator to move said valve button flange when said aerosol cap is rotated into said first rotational position and for inhibiting said actuator from moving said valve button flange when said aerosol cap is rotated into said second rotational position.    
     
     
         29 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said valve button includes a valve button flange extending from said valve button; 
 said actuator engaging with said valve button flange for displacing said aerosol valve into an open position when said aerosol cap is rotated into said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container; and    said actuator failing to engage with said valve button flange when said aerosol cap is rotated into said second rotational position relative to said aerosol container.    
     
     
         30 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said valve button includes a valve button flange extending from said valve button; 
 said valve button flange being non-symmetric about said container axis;    said actuator engaging with said valve button flange for displacing said aerosol valve into an open position when said aerosol cap is rotated into said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container; and    said actuator failing to engage with said valve button flange when said aerosol cap is rotated into said second rotational position relative to said aerosol container.    
     
     
         31 . A locking aerosol dispenser for an inverted aerosol dispensing device, comprising: 
 an aerosol container extending between a top portion and a bottom portion for containing an aerosol product and an aerosol propellant therein;    an aerosol valve located at said bottom portion of said aerosol container;    said aerosol valve having a valve stem for displacing said aerosol valve from a biased closed position to an open position upon a movement of said valve stem to discharge the aerosol product from the valve stem;    an undercap having a sidewall extending between a top portion and a bottom portion;    a mounting for rotatably securing said undercap to said aerosol container with said top portion of said undercap being adjacent to said bottom portion of said aerosol container;    said bottom portion of said undercap terminating in a base surface for supporting said aerosol container on a supporting surface to store the aerosol dispensing device in an inverted position;    an actuator located in said sidewall of said undercap and being movably mounted relative to said undercap;    said undercap being rotatable into a first rotational position relative to said aerosol container for enabling said actuator to move said valve stem upon movement of said actuator for discharging the aerosol product from the valve stem in a generally downwardly direction; and    said undercap being rotatable into a second rotational position relative to said aerosol container for inhibiting said actuator from moving said valve stem.    
     
     
         32 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 31 , including a container locator defined by said aerosol container; and 
 an aerosol cap locator defined by said aerosol cap for cooperating with said container locator for locating said aerosol cap in said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container.    
     
     
         33 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 31 , including a container locator defined by said aerosol container; and 
 an aerosol cap locator defined by said aerosol cap for cooperating with said container locator for providing an audible sound upon said aerosol cap being located in said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container.    
     
     
         34 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 31 , including a container locator defined by said aerosol container; and 
 an aerosol cap locator defined by said aerosol cap for cooperating with said container locator for providing a rotational stop upon said aerosol cap being located in said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container.    
     
     
         35 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 31 , wherein said aerosol container comprises a container neck terminating in an annular rim; 
 said aerosol valve including a mounting cup secured to said annular rim of said aerosol container; and    a container locator defined by said container neck of said aerosol container for locating said aerosol cap in said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container.    
     
     
         36 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 31 , including a container locator extending radially outwardly from said aerosol container; and 
 said aerosol cap locator extending radially inwardly from said aerosol cap.    
     
     
         37 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 31 , including a first and a second container locator for cooperating with an aerosol cap locator for locating said first and second rotational positions of said aerosol cap relative to said aerosol container.  
     
     
         38 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 31 , wherein said aerosol cap is an undercap located at a bottom end of said aerosol container.  
     
     
         39 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 31 , wherein said aerosol cap is an overcap located at a top end of said aerosol container.  
     
     
         40 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 31 , wherein one of said aerosol cap and said actuator engaging is non-symmetric for enabling said actuator to displace said aerosol valve into an open position when said aerosol cap is rotated into said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container and for failing to displace said aerosol valve into said open position when said aerosol cap is rotated into said second rotational position relative to said aerosol container.  
     
     
         41 . A locking aerosol dispenser for an aerosol dispensing device, comprising: 
 an aerosol container extending between a top portion and a bottom portion for containing an aerosol product and an aerosol propellant therein;    an aerosol valve located at said top portion of said aerosol container;    said aerosol valve having a valve stem for displacing said aerosol valve from a biased closed position to an open position upon a movement of said valve stem to discharge the aerosol product from the valve stem;    an overcap;    a mounting for rotatably securing said overcap to said top portion of said aerosol container;    an actuator located in said overcap and being movably mounted relative to said overcap;    said overcap being rotatable into a first rotational position relative to said aerosol container for enabling said actuator to move said valve stem upon movement of said actuator for discharging the aerosol product from the valve stem; and    said overcap being rotatable into a second rotational position relative to said aerosol container for inhibiting said actuator from moving said valve stem.    
     
     
         42 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 41 , including a container locator defined by said aerosol container; and 
 an aerosol cap locator defined by said aerosol cap for cooperating with said container locator for locating said aerosol cap in said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container.    
     
     
         43 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 41 , including a container locator defined by said aerosol container; and 
 an aerosol cap locator defined by said aerosol cap for cooperating with said container locator for providing an audible sound upon said aerosol cap being located in said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container.    
     
     
         44 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 41 , including a container locator defined by said aerosol container; and 
 an aerosol cap locator defined by said aerosol cap for cooperating with said container locator for providing a rotational stop upon said aerosol cap being located in said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container.    
     
     
         45 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 41 , wherein said aerosol container comprises a container neck terminating in an annular rim; 
 said aerosol valve including a mounting cup secured to said annular rim of said aerosol container; and    a container locator defined by said container neck of said aerosol container for locating said aerosol cap in said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container.    
     
     
         46 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 41 , including a container locator extending radially outwardly from said aerosol container; and 
 said aerosol cap locator extending radially inwardly from said aerosol cap.    
     
     
         47 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 41 , including a first and a second container locator for cooperating with an aerosol cap locator for locating said first and second rotational positions of said aerosol cap relative to said aerosol container.  
     
     
         48 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 41 , wherein said aerosol cap is an undercap located at a bottom end of said aerosol container.  
     
     
         49 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 41 , wherein said aerosol cap is an overcap located at a top end of said aerosol container.  
     
     
         50 . A locking aerosol dispenser as set forth in  claim 41 , wherein one of said aerosol cap and said actuator engaging is non-symmetric for enabling said actuator to displace said aerosol valve into an open position when said aerosol cap is rotated into said first rotational position relative to said aerosol container and for failing to displace said aerosol valve into said open position when said aerosol cap is rotated into said second rotational position relative to said aerosol container.