US3450313A - Holding clip for pressurized fluid spray container - Google Patents

Description

June 17, 1969 c. F. JONAS HOLDING CLIP FOR PRESSURIZED FLUID SPRAY CONTAINER Filed JuI Ly 24, 1967 Rm MN o u WP ME 0 N E R A L C United States Patent U.S. Cl. 222402.13 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This spring metal holding clip for aerosol type containers has a generally U-shaped hooked end on the extremity of the substantially right angle bent upper end portion that is made to fit snugly inthe annularly recessed top of the metallic Spray container hooking under an annular shoulder to resist upward displacement, a plastic cap which fits closely around the top portion of the container having a slot on one side diametrically opposite the opening spray nozzle that forms a part of an integral depressible central plunger part of the cap, the main body portion of the spring clip projecting through this slot downwardly alongside the wall of the container, so that after the spring clip has been hooked into the annularly recessed top of the container, the plastic cap can be assembled on the container over the main body portion of the clip upwardly into place and pressed down, the cap then serving to hold the clip in place on the container, and vice versa. With the clip in this position relative to the spray nozzle the user, who for example may carry the container, filled with dog repellent under pressure, in his shirt pocket or coat pocket, Where it is ready for instant use if a dog attacks him, can quickly slip the container out of the pocket and, by feel, use the clip as an indicator in directing the spray from the nozzle into the face of the onrushing animal by pressing the plunger part of the cap down, The clip, therefore, besides serving to hold the container in place in the pocket, also serves as a spray direction indicator and prevents accidental removal and possible loss of the cap with the spra nozzle in it.

This invention relates to a holding spring clip for a pressurized fluid spray container of the type commonly referred to as aerosol containers.

Regardless of what fluid is to be sprayed from such a container it is obviously important for the operator when he or she picks up the container to spray liquid therefrom to be certain which way the nozzle is directed. This becomes particularly important where the container is filled with a dog repellent for personal protection from dog attack. In that case the container is generally carried in a pocket on a shirt front or coat front and held by a spring clip as a precaution against loss without interfering with its instant removal when needed, but it is doubly important that the operator know the instant the container is removed that he can direct the spray in the right direction. It is, therefore, the principal object of my invention to incorporate a holding spring clip on the upper end of the container in diametrically opposed relation to the spray nozzle so that the user in one motion of removing the container for use can, by feel of the clip, direct the nozzle correctly for instant protection from dog attack.

The clip is so designed that the end portion that is anchored to the container by entry of a hooked extremity in an annular groove in the upper end thereof behind an annular shoulder, serves by extension through a slot in the cap in which the plunger with the spray nozzle thereon is provided to hold the cap in assembled relation to the container, while the cap cooperates with the clip in holding it in place on the container, the clip meanwhile by 3,450,313 Patented June 17, 1969 virtue of its extending from the cap on the dimetrically opposite side from the nozzle opening serving not only to hold the container in place in the pocket but also as a spray direction indicator.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a pressurized fluid spray container incorporating the holding clip of my invention serving as a spray direction indicator, FIG. 1 showing the front of the container with the spray nozzle, which is in diametrically opposed relation to the spring clip on the back, and FIG. 2 showing the spring clip on the back;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the container showing the spring clip of my invention applied thereto;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section of the line 44 of FIG. 3 showing how the cap and spring clip cooperate so that the spring clip holds the cap on and the cap holds the spring clip in place;

FIG. 5 shows how the spring clip is assembled through the slot in the cap, and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing how the cap is adapted to be applied to the top of the container after the hook end of the spring clip has been inserted under the annular shoulder in the recess upper end of the container.

The same reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring first to FIG. 4, the numeral 7 designates a pocket size aerosol type metallic container for fluid 8 to be sprayed under pressure from nozzle 9 when the plungor 10, that is flexibly connected to the cap as indicated at 11, on the same side thereof as spray nozzle 9, is depressed in relation to cap 12 to depress the hollow stem 13 of the shutoff valve 14 against the action of the return spring 15 and thus allow some of the fluid 8 to 'be sprayed from the nozzle 9. The fluid flows upwardly through a flexible rubber or plastic tube 16 into plastic housing 17 under pressure of the compressed air in the head space 18 above the liquid 8, and passes through a number of radial holes 19 at the base of the stem 13 and out through the stem 13 and an L-shaped passage 20 in plunger 10 to be sprayed from the nozzle 9.

The metallic top 21 of the container is dished and has its outer rim portion 22 spun over the enlarged rim 23 of the metallic container, thereby defining an annular internal shoulder 24 to which reference will be made later when describing the spring clip. The central portion 25 of the top 21 is embossed to cylindrical form and has the rim of the housing 17, previously refererd to, clinched therein, compressing a rubber gasket 26, both to form a seal against leakage of pressure from the compressed air chamber 18 and to form a seat for valve 14 against leakage of liquid around the stem 13 when the valve 14 is closed. The joint at 22-23 also defines an annular external shoulder 27 on the top of the container over which the inwardly inclined flexible lower edge portion 28 of the plastic cap 12 fits to form a friction hold for the cap. The annular groove 29 defined in the recessed top 21 together with the annular internal shoulder 24 previously mentioned are utilized in carrying out my invention as will soon appear, but no invention is claimed in any of the details thus far described, except to'the extent to which the novel metallic spring clip 30 of my invention cooperates therewith in the novel manner hereinafter described.

The spring clip 30 for holding the container 7 securely in place in a shirt pocket or coat pocket has a transversely bent upper end potrion 31, the extremity of which is bent into a U-shaped hook 32 that is adapted to be snapped under the annular shoulder 24 on the top 21 when the hooked end 32 is entered in the annular groove 29, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. with the outwardly curved end potrion 33 of the clip pressed against the side wall of the container, as best seen in FIG. 4. The ample arcuate intermediate portion 34 leaves an ample generally triangular shaped space 35 between the clip 30 and the side wall of the container 7 at the top portion for maneuvering the ring shaped lower end portion 36 of the cap 12 below the slot 37 into telescoping relationship to the upper end portion of the container as illustrated in FIG. 6. In assembling the cap 12 and clip 30 on the container 7, the clip can be applied to the container first and then the cap can be assembled over the clip and onto the container, or the lower end portion 33 of the clip is first inserted through the slot 37 as shown in FIG. 5, and then the clip is applied to the container by snapping the hooked end 32 under the shoulder 24 in the annular groove 29, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, and, finally, the cap 12, which at that juncture is in the position of FIG. 6, is applied over the top rim 22 snapping the inturned edge potrion 28 under the shoulder 27 as it appears in FIG. 4. Now, inasmuch as the slot 37 is on the diametrically opposite side of the cap from the nozzle 9, it makes no difference in what patricular position of rotation with respect to container 7 the clip 30 and cap 12 happen to be applied to the container; the clip 30 will always serve its three functions; namely:

(1) To hold the container in place in the pocket of the user;

(2) To serve usually just by feel as a spray direction indicator, although in some cases the user may depend more upon sight when using the clip as a direction indicator, and

(3) To serve to prevent accidental removal and possible loss of the cap and spray nozzle.

In operation, the user, who may for example carry the container filled with a dog repellent fluid under pressure in his shirt pocket or coat pocket, where it is ready for instant use if a dog attacks him, can quickly slip the container out of the pocket and, by feel, use the clip as a direction indicator in directing the spray from the nozzle into the face of the onrushing animal by pressing the plunger down. However, the containers may contain other fluids under pressure where the Spring clip is not necessarily used to hold the container in a pocket, but where its function as a spray direction indicator is still greatly appreciated.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understading of the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims have been drawn to cover all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

1. In an aerosol type container comprising a container for fluid under air pressure, a cap on the top of said container having a spray nozzle on one lateral side thereof communicating through a shut-off valve with the fluid in the container, said cap being free to turn relative to said container, and a manually operable plunger element in said cap adapted to be depressed for opening said valve, the improvement which consists of a substantially vertical Spring clip adapted for holding said container on a support, said clip applied to the cap and the top portion of said container on the lateral side thereof diametrically opposite the spray nozzle said clip being free to turn relative to said container with said cap whereby said clip serves also as a spray direction indicator in any position of rotation of said cap.

2. An aerosol type container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said container has a recessed top on the substantially vertical outer rim of which there is an annular internal shoulder, said clip having a transversely extending upper end portion connected with said cap and projecting over said rim, said upper end portion having thereon a downwardly projecing hook portion disposed in the recess on top with a radially outwardly extending extremity that engages under said annular internal shoulder maintai g he c ip and hook bo h. und r sp g en- .4 sion so the clip is spring pressed inwardly toward the side of the container while the extremity of the hook is spring pressed equally outwardly under the shoulder.

3. An aerosol type container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said container has a recessed top on the substantially vertical outer rim of which there is a annular internal shoulder, said clip having a transevrsely extending upper end portion projecting over said rim, said upper end portion having thereon a downwardly projecting hook portion disposed in the recess on top with a radially outwardly extending extremity that engages under said annular internal shoulder maintaining the clip and hook both under spring tension so the clip is spring pressed inwardly toward the side of the container while the extremity of the hook is spring pressed equally outwardly under the shoulder, said cap having a lower end portion telescoping on the rim of said container, said lower end portion having an opening provided therein through which the transversely extending upper end portion of said spring clip extends for connection with said cap.

4. In an aerosol type container comprising a pocket size cointainer for fluid under air pressure, a cap on the top of said container having a spray nozzle on one lateral side thereof communicating through a shut-off valve with the fluid in the container, and a manually operable element for opening said valve, the improvement which consists of a substantially vertical spring clip for holding said container in an operators pocket, said clip applied to the top portion of said container on the lateral side thereof diametrically opposite the spray nozzle, whereby said clip serves also as a spray direction indicator, said container having a recessed top on the substantially vertical outer rim of which there is an annular internal shoulder, said clip having a transvesrely extending upper end portion projecting over said rim, said upper end portion having thereon a downwardly projecting hook portion disposed in the recess on top with a radially outwardly extending extremity that engages under said annular internal shoulder maintaining the clip and hook both under spring tension so the clip is spring pressed inwardly toward the side of the container while the extremity of the hook is spring pressed equally outwardly under the shoulder, said container being of cylindrical form and said rim being circular in form and said cap having a circular lower end portion telescoping on the rim of said container with freedom to turn relative thereto, said caps lower end portion having an opening provided therein through which the transversely extending upper end portion of said spring clip extends, said clip being free to turn relative to said container with said cap, the opening in said cap being spaced above the lower edge portion of said caps lower end portion, whereby said clip retains said cap in connected relation to said container should it he slipped off.

5. An aerosol type container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said container has a recessed top on the substantially vertical outer rim of which there is an annular internal shoulder, said recessed top including a substantially cylindrical hollow central boss portion in which the shut-off valve is disposed, leaving an annular recess around it between it and said outer rim, said clip having a transversely extending upper end portion connected with said cap and projecting over said rim, said upper end portion having thereon a downwardly projecting hook portion fitting closely in said annular recess with a radially outwardly extending extremity that is snapped into place under said annular internal shoulder maintaining the clip and hook both under spring tension so the clip is spring pressed inwardly toward the side of the container while the extremity of the hook is spring pressed equally outwardly under the shoulder.

6. A aerosol type container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said container has a recessed top on the substantially vertical outer rim of which there is an annular internal shoulder, said recessed top including a substani l y ylindrical ho low central boss po tion in which the shut-01f valve is disposed, leaving an annular recess around it between it and said outer rim, said clip having a transversely extending upper end portion projecting over said rim, said upper end portion having thereon a downwardly projecting hook portion fitting closely in said annular recess with a radially outwardly extending extremity that is snapped into place under said annular internal shoulder maintaining the clip and hook both under spring tension so the clip is spring pressed inwardly toward the side of the container while the extremity of the hook is spring pressed equally outwardly under the shoulder, said cap having a lower end portion telescoping on the rim of said container, said lower end portion having an opening providing therein through which the transversely extending upper end portion of said spring clip extends for connection with said cap.

7. In an aerosol type container comprising a pocket size container for fluid under air pressure, a cap on the top of said container having a spray nozzle on one lateral side thereof communicating through a shut-off valve with the fluid in the container, and a manually operable element for opening said valve, the improvement which consists of a substantially vertical spring clip for holding said container in an operators pocket, said clip applied to the top portion of said container on the lateral side thereof diametrically opposite the spray nozzle, whereby said clip serves also as a spray direction indicator, said container having a recessed top on the substantially vertical outer rim of which there is an annular internal shoulder, said recessed top including a substantially cylindrical hollow central boss portion in which the shut-off valve is disposed, leaving an annular recess around it between it and said outer rim, said clip having a transversely extending upper end portion projecting over said rim, said upper end portion having thereon a downwardly projecting hook portion fitting closely in said annular recess With a radially outwardly extending extremity that is snapped into place under said annular internal shoulder maintaining the clip and hook both under spring tension so the clip is spring pressed inwardly toward the side of the container while the extremity of the hook is spring pressed equally outwardly under the shoulder, said cap having a lower end portion telescoping on the outer rim of said container and having an opening provided therein through which the transversely extending upper end portion of said spring clip extends, the opening in said cap being spaced above the lower edge portion of said caps lower end portion, whereby said clip retains said cap in connected relation to said container should it be slipped off.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,768,775 10/1956 Houser 224- 2,838,148 6/1958 Fox-Williams et al. 2,903,959 9/ 1959 Wagner et al. 3,151,740 10/1964 Simon 220-27 X 3,206,081 9/1965 Sagarin 222402.13 3,252,679 5/1966 Bell.

FOREIGN PATENTS 24,667 1908 Great Britain.

1,041,399 5/1953 France.

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 222

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