Tamper evident cover for an aerosol can

Abstract

A cover comprising a first cap section for covering the dispenser valve and a second annular section having at least two mounting members configured to engage a circular lip on the aerosol can and firmly attach the second section to the aerosol can. The second annular section further comprises a removable portion that is less than the entire thickness of the second section and includes at least one of the mounting members, such that removal of the removable portion permits the cover to be detached from the can. The cover further includes a tamper evident portion between the first and second sections. An opening force exerted on the first cap section prior to removing the removable portion causes either the tamper evident portion or the removable portion to at least partially separate from the second section.

1 . A cover for an aerosol can having a dispenser valve including a cup forming a generally circular lateral surface with a downwardly facing lip, the cover comprising:
 a cap section having an opening for receiving the dispenser valve;   an annular mounting section surrounding the opening of the cap section, the mounting section having a sidewall adapted to extend over the generally circular lateral surface of the cup on the aerosol can, and a plurality of engagement members for engaging the downwardly facing lip on the can to secure the cover on the can, the sidewall of the annular mounting section including a removable section carrying at least one but not all of the engagement members so that when the removable portion is removed the cover can be removed from the can, the removable section configured so that the removal of the removable section leaves a remnant portion of the sidewall intact sufficient to engage the lateral wall of the cup over a portion of the circumference for the mounting section from which the removable section is removed.   
   
   
       2 . The cover according to  claim 1  wherein the removable section includes at least two engagement members, and wherein the removable portion is configured to leave a remnant portion of the sidewall between two removed engagement members intact, to overlie the generally circular lateral wall of the cup. 
   
   
       3 . The cover according to  claim 2  wherein the removable section is defined at least in part by a wavy line of weakness, with crests corresponding to the locations of the at least two engagement members, and a trough corresponding to the remnant portion of the sidewall between the two engagement members. 
   
   
       4 . The cover for an aerosol can according to  claim 1  further comprising a line of weakness that causes at least partial separation of the cap section from the annular mounting section before the annular mounting ring will release from the can, if the removable portion has not been removed. 
   
   
       5 . A cover for an aerosol can having a dispenser valve, comprising:
 a first cap section for covering the dispenser valve;   a second annular section having at least two mounting members configured to engage a circular lip on the aerosol can to firmly attach the second annular section to the aerosol can, the second annular section comprising a removable portion that includes less than the entire thickness of the second annular section and at least one of the mounting members;   a tamper evident portion that is formed integrally with the first and second sections and is defined by lines of weakness between the first and second sections;   wherein removing the removable portion permits the cover to be detached from the lip on the aerosol can.   
   
   
       6 . The cover of  claim 5 , wherein the removable portion extends over less than half of the circumference of the second annular section. 
   
   
       7 . The cover of  claim 6 , wherein removing the removable portion leaves at least one mounting member and a remaining portion of the second annular section, the at least one mounting member and remaining portion being configured to fit around the circular lip to permit the cover to be releasably attached to the aerosol can. 
   
   
       8 . The cover of  claim 7 , wherein the remaining portion of the second annular section further comprises a mounting member for engaging the circular lip on the aerosol can. 
   
   
       9 . The cover of  claim 8 , wherein an opening force exerted on the first cap section prior to removing the removable portion causes the tamper evident portion to at least partially separate the first cap section from the second annular section to provide a tamper evident condition. 
   
   
       10 . The cover of  claim 7 , wherein the second annular section comprises a remaining portion and at least two mounting members that engage a lip on the aerosol can, for releasably retaining the cover on the aerosol can after the removable portion has been removed. 
   
   
       11 . The cover of  claim 10 , wherein the at least two mounting members comprise cleats that circumferentially fit around and engage the circular lip on the aerosol can to firmly secure the second annular section to the can. 
   
   
       12 . A cover for a dispenser valve on an aerosol can, comprising:
 a first cap section covering the valve on the aerosol can; and   a second annular section having a removable portion that includes less than the entire thickness of the second annular section, the removable portion being configured to secure the second section to the can when not removed;   a tamper evident portion that is formed integrally with the first and second sections and is defined by lines of weakness between the first and second sections, wherein an opening force exerted on the first cap section prior to removing the removable portion causes the tamper evident portion to at least partially separate the first cap section from the second annular section and provide a tamper evident condition, and wherein removal of the removable portion permits the cover to be removed from the aerosol can.   
   
   
       13 . The cover of  claim 12 , wherein the removable portion comprises one or more cleats that engage a circular lip on the can to secure the second annular section to the can. 
   
   
       14 . The cover of  claim 12 , wherein removing the removable portion from the second annular section leaves at least one mounting member and a remaining portion of the second annular section, the at least one mounting member and remaining portion being configured to fit around the circular lip to permit the cover to be releasably attached to the aerosol can. 
   
   
       15 . The cover of  claim 12 , wherein an opening force exerted on the first cap section prior to removing the removable portion causes the removable portion to at least partially separate from the second annular section to provide a tamper evident condition. 
   
   
       16 . The cover of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more ribs within the first cap section, wherein a downward force exerted on the first cap section presses the ribs against of the lip of the can to support the first cap section such that the downward force does not cause the tamper evident portion to separate the first and second sections. 
   
   
       17 . A cover for an aerosol can having a dispenser valve, comprising:
 a cap for covering the dispenser valve;   an annular ring having at least two cleats configured to engage a circular lip on the aerosol can dispenser valve assembly to firmly attach the annular ring to the aerosol can dispenser valve assembly, the annular ring comprising a removable portion that extends over less than half of the circumference of the annular ring and includes less than the entire thickness of the annular ring and at least one of the cleats;   a tamper evident portion that is formed integrally with the cap and annular ring and is defined by lines of weakness between the cap and annular ring;   wherein removing the removable portion permits the cover to be detached from the lip on the aerosol can; and   wherein an opening force exerted on the cap prior to removing the removable portion causes either the tamper evident portion to at least partially separate the cap from the annular ring, or the removable portion to at least partially from the annular ring, to provide a tamper evident condition.   
   
   
       18 . The cover of  claim 17 , wherein the removable portion comprises one or more cleats that engage the circular lip on the aerosol can dispenser valve assembly to secure the annular ring to the aerosol can. 
   
   
       19 . The cover of  claim 18 , wherein removing the removable portion leaves at least one cleat and a remaining portion of the annular ring, the at least one cleat and remaining portion being configured to fit around the circular lip to permit the cover to be releasably attached to the aerosol can dispenser valve assembly. 
   
   
       20 . The cover of  claim 19  further comprising one or more ribs within the cap, wherein a downward force exerted on the cap presses the ribs against of the lip of the can to support the cap such that the downward force does not cause the tamper evident portion to separate the cap and annular ring.