US3848780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety cap
Assignee: STULL ENGRAVING CO
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Filing: 1974-02-13
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Granted: 1974-11-19
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Expires: 1994-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A safety cap for hand-held dispensers comprising a tubular cap body having a top discharge opening, a captive closure cap adapted to fit over the opening of the cap body so as to seal the same, and cooperable yieldable retainer means on the cap body and cap tending to hold the latter firmly in a closed, sealing position on the cap body. The cap is held captive on the body by means of a flexible hinge web structure which enables the cap to be swung from a sealing position closing off the body to a discharge position removed from the opening thereof. An interference lug and a lifting tab are disposed respectively on the cap body and cap. The lug and tab normally overlie and register with each other when the cap has been swung about the web structure and forced down to its sealing position on the body. In such a position, the cap can be turnably shifted on the body within limits determined by the web structure. The cap body and cap have cooperable detent lugs which can by-pass one another when the cap is turned, to yieldably retain the cap in a position wherein its lifting tab is out of registration with the interference lug on the cap body, such that the user''s finger can then be easily applied to the underside of the lifting tab for the purpose of removing the cap.
Inventors
- 👤 M Stull
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:26
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D50/00; B65D50/02; B65D50/06; B65D47/00; B65D47/04; B65D47/06; B65D47/12; B65D47/14; B65D47/147; B65D47/148
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
300 words
A safety cap for small dispensers of the hand-held type and the like, comprising in combination: a. a tubular cap body having a top discharge opening, b. a captive closure cap adapted to fit the opening of the cap body so as to seal the same, c. cooperable yieldable retainer means on the cap body and cap, tending to hold the latter firmly on said body in sealing position, d. a flexible hinge web structure connecting said cap body and closure cap for holding the latter captive while enabling it to be swung from the sealing position closing off the body to a discharge position removed from the opening of the body, e. said cap and body having cooperable bearing means enabling the cap to be turnably shifted on the body within limits as determined by the web structure, f. an interference lug and a lifting tab disposed respectively on the cap body and cap so as to overlie and be in registration with one another when the cap has been swung about the web structure to its sealing position on the body, g. said hinge web structure being sufficiently long to enable the cap, when in its sealing position, to be turned within said limits so as to shift the lifting tab thereof out of registration with the interference lUg on the cap body, and h. detent means for yieldably holding the cap in a turned position on the cap body wherein the lifting tab is out of registration with the interference lug so that a user''s finger can be applied to the underside of the lifting tab for the purpose of removing the cap, thereby enabling the user to readily remove the cap without tending to return to the registration position under the action of the web structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
300 words
A safety cap for small dispensers of the hand-held type and the like, comprising in combination: a. a tubular cap body having a top discharge opening, b. a captive closure cap adapted to fit the opening of the cap body so as to seal the same, c. cooperable yieldable retainer means on the cap body and cap, tending to hold the latter firmly on said body in sealing position, d. a flexible hinge web structure connecting said cap body and closure cap for holding the latter captive while enabling it to be swung from the sealing position closing off the body to a discharge position removed from the opening of the body, e. said cap and body having cooperable bearing means enabling the cap to be turnably shifted on the body within limits as determined by the web structure, f. an interference lug and a lifting tab disposed respectively on the cap body and cap so as to overlie and be in registration with one another when the cap has been swung about the web structure to its sealing position on the body, g. said hinge web structure being sufficiently long to enable the cap, when in its sealing position, to be turned within said limits so as to shift the lifting tab thereof out of registration with the interference lUg on the cap body, and h. detent means for yieldably holding the cap in a turned position on the cap body wherein the lifting tab is out of registration with the interference lug so that a user''s finger can be applied to the underside of the lifting tab for the purpose of removing the cap, thereby enabling the user to readily remove the cap without tending to return to the registration position under the action of the web structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said closure cap and cap body have external annular surfaces which are substantially flush with each other whereby no protrusions are accessible on the cap for lifting it directly off the body by means of finger pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said cooperable retainer means comprises an internal bead disposed on the underside of the cap, and b. a second bead disposed on the cap body adapted to be engaged by said cap bead.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention as set forth in claim 3, wherein: a. said internal cap bead is discontinuous, b. said detent means comprising an upstanding lug on the cap body, c. said internal cap bead having a notch for receiving said upstanding lug when the cap is turned in one direction to a predetermined position on the cap body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as set forth in claim 4, wherein: a. said internal cap bead has a camming portion adjacent the notch, adapted to facilitate the by-pass of the upstanding lug and the seating thereof into the notch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention as set forth in claim 4, wherein: a. said internal cap bead has an additional notch circumferentially spaced with respect to said first notch and adapted to receive said upstanding lug when the cap is turned in the opposite direction to another predetermined position on the cap body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as set forth in claim 6, wherein: a. said internal cap bead has an additional camming portion adjacent said additional notch to facilitate by-pass of the upstanding lug and the seating thereof into said additional notch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. the cap has oppositely disposed shoulders constituting a finger grip to facilitate turning of the cap by the fingers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. the tab and lug on said cap and cap body have planar surfaces facing and closely juxtaposed to one another to prevent insertion of a tool therebetween for lifting the cap off the body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said cap has a smooth external surface for reducing grip capability thereof by the fingers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1, and further including: a. fillet portions integral with said web structure at the juncture of the latter with the cap body and closure cap for increasing the stiffness of the web structure and minimizing the likelihood of breakage thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, and further including: a. a raised shield portion of the interference lug, covering the edge of the lifting tab to prevent insertion of a fingernail thereunder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. said cap has a cup-shaped configuration comprising a top wall outer portion and an annular side wall portion, and b. radial stiffening ribs extending between said top wall center and annular side wall portions of the cap to provide added rigidity thereto, and minimize deformation of the cap during its removal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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 |