Tamper evident manually actuated pump sprayer

• US 4,946,074 A
• Filed: 06/15/1989
• Issued: 08/07/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Calmar Inc (Silgan Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Calmar Inc (Silgan Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Grogan, Richard P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rolla, Joseph J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Application Number:
  US07/366,633
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• Field of Search: 222/153, 222/541, 222/384, 222/402, 239/333
• US Class Current: 222/153.13
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0032 Manually actuated means located downstream the discharge nozzle for closing or covering it, e.g. shutters automatically removed during actuation of a spray pump B05B11/1053
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1057 Triggers, i.e. actuation means consisting of a single lever having one end rotating or pivoting around an axis or a hinge fixedly attached to the container, and another end directly actuated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1059 Means for locking a pump or its actuation means in a fixed position B05B11/1091 takes precedence

Abstract

A tamper evident manually actuated pump sprayer includes a locking device which, according to one embodiment, extends between the trigger actuator and a confronting portion of the pump body and abuts against a trigger flange. In another embodiment, the device engages the underside of the trigger and snap fits into the sprayer nozzle cap located adjacent the trigger.

Claims

1. A tamper evident manually actuated pump sprayer having a pivotable pump actuator movable upon application of a substantially horizontal finger force applied thereto, the sprayer having a pump body and a reciprocable pump piston, and the actuator comprising a lever having tongue means bearing against the piston, a locking device in combination comprising a flat element extending between and bearing against said lever and a portion of the pump body which confronts said lever, said element having at least one wing transversely extending from one side thereof and bearing against said tongue means, and said element having a weakened section adjacent said wing, whereby said device wedges the lever for locking the sprayer in an inoperative position, said device being manually removable for unlocking the sprayer to an operative position upon application of external force to said element causing said element to at least bend along said weakened portion thus indicating said locking device has been removed.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said element has a clawed end for retaining said device against said portion of the pump body.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the lever has a retaining lug against which an end of said element bears in said inoperative position.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said element has another wing transversely extending from a side thereof opposite said one side for facilitating manual removal of said device.

5. A tamper evident manually actuated pump sprayer having a pivotable pump actuator movable upon application of a substantially horizontal finger force applied thereto, the actuator comprising a lever, and the sprayer having a nozzle cap adjacent said lever, said nozzle cap containing a discharge orifice, a locking device in combination comprising a strap in engagement at one end with the lever and releasably connected at its other end to the nozzle cap for locking the lever into an inoperative position against movement, said device being manually removable by disengagement of said one end from said nozzle cap for thereby unlocking the sprayer to an operative position thus indicating said locking device has been removed.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said strap has a hooked end engaging the underside of the lever.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein said strap has at least one projection, and cooperating catch means on said projector and the nozzle cap for releasably connecting said strap to the cap.

8. The device according to claim 5, wherein said strap has a pull tab to facilitate manual removal of said device.

9. The device according to claim 5, wherein said strap has a foldline to permit bending adjacent the nozzle cap.