Reference will be made herein in particular to sprayers for liquid, it being understood that said sprayers can also be employed to spray any type of fluid, such as foams or the like.

A sprayer of this type generally comprises a base with a threaded locking ring to be applied to the mouth of a container for liquid, a dispensing nozzle from which the liquid is sprayed and a trigger lever operated manually by the user, to draw the liquid from the container and spray it through the dispensing nozzle. Rotatably mounted on the dispensing nozzle is a nozzle cap which can be rotated by the user to be brought into an operating position in which it allows spraying and a safety position in which it does not allow spraying.

Sprayers of the type specified have some disadvantages because they do not offer sufficient guarantees from the point of view of safety.

In fact the nozzle cap can easily be rotated by a child who can bring it into the spraying position. Consequently there is a risk of children being able to use the spray, spraying their bodies with the liquid contained in the container.

The problem proves somewhat serious if it is considered that the liquid contained in spray containers often contains solvents and active principles that are irritating and harmful on contact with the skin, eyes, nose or mouth of the user.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art, providing a childproof locking device for locking of the nozzle cap of a sprayer that is extremely reliable and makes it possible to avoid any attempt by children to operate the nozzle cap.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a locking device for the nozzle cap of a sprayer that is practical and easy for the user to use.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a locking device for the nozzle cap of a sprayer that is extremely versatile and suitable for application to all the types of sprayer currently on the market.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a locking device for the nozzle cap of a sprayer that is economical and simple to make.

These objects are achieved in accordance with the invention with the characteristics listed in appended independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are apparent from the dependent claims.

The childproof locking device for locking the nozzle cap of a sprayer for liquids according to the invention comprises a slide slidably mounted on the covering shell of the body of the sprayer in order to be able to pass from a forward position in which it engages the nozzle cap, preventing it from rotating, to a retracted position in which it disengages the nozzle cap, allowing it to rotate.

The slide is advantageously mounted on the upper outside surface of the shell and to cause it to pass from the locking position to the unlocking position of the nozzle cap, the user must apply vertical pressure on the slide whilst simultaneously pushing it horizontally.

In this manner the locking device according to the invention proves extremely safe and childproof. In fact it is extremely improbable for a child to be able exert a simultaneous pressing and pushing action on the slide to disengage it from the nozzle cap and then a rotation of the nozzle cap to bring it into the spraying position.

Further characteristics of the invention will be made clearer by the detailed description that follows, referring to a purely exemplary and therefore non-limiting embodiment thereof, illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view illustrating the neck of a container for liquid, shown broken off, and a sprayer according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a broken-away enlarged sectional view of the part of the sprayer of Figure 1 bearing the nozzle cap; Figure 3 is a view from the inside of a half shell of the sprayer of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an axial sectional view of a nozzle cap according to the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the nozzle cap taken along the plane V-V of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a top plan view of the locking device according to the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the locking device taken along sectional plane VII-VII of Figure 6 ; Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the locking device according to the invention; Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of the locking device taken along the sectional plane IX-IX of Figure 6 ; Figure 10 is a broken-away perspective view illustrating a runner of the locking device.

Figure 11 is a view, like Figure 2, illustrating a sprayer according to a second embodiment of the invention with a locking device in a locked position and an intact guarantee seal; Figure 12 is a sectional view of the sprayer of Figure 11, in which the guarantee seal is broken and the trigger of the sprayer is retracted; Figure 13 is a sectional view of the sprayer of Figure 11, in which the guarantee seal is removed and the locking device is in the unlocked position;

Figure 14 is a rear view of the nozzle cap of the sprayer according to the second embodiment of the invention; Figure 15 is an axial sectional view of the nozzle cap taken along sectional plane XV-XV of Figure 14; Figure 16 is a front view of the nozzle cap according to the second embodiment of the invention; Figure 17 is a perspective view of the guarantee seal of the sprayer according to the second embodiment of the invention; Figure 18 is a view, like Figure 3, illustrating from the inside a half shell of the sprayer according to the second embodiment of the invention; Figure 19 is a perspective view of the locking device according to the second embodiment of the invention; Figure 20 is a bottom plan view of the locking device of Figure 19; Figure 21 is a cross sectional view along sectional plane XXI-XXI of Figure 20.

The locking device for the nozzle cap of a sprayer according to a first embodiment of the invention will be described with the aid of figures 1-10.

With reference to Figure 1, the upper part of a container 1 and a sprayer, indicated as a whole with reference numeral 10, are shown.

The container 1, suitable for containing a liquid, such as household cleaning liquids, has a mouth 2 with an outer thread. The mouth 2 has a cylindrical base 3 with inclined outwardly protruding projections 4.

A locking ring 11 which has an inner thread able to engage with the outer thread of the mouth 2 is mounted at the base of the spray 10. The ring 11 has inclined inwardly protruding projections 12 on the inside and at its lower end.

The inclination of the projections 12 of the ring 11 is opposite to the inclination of the projections 4 of the base of the mouth 2, so that when they are in contact, rotation of the ring 11 is allowed only in the direction of screwing and not in the direction of unscrewing. In this manner possible attempts to tamper with the sprayer 10 are avoided.

The ring 11 is mounted on a cylindrical body base connected to the body proper 14 (Figure 2) of the sprayer, which is substantially L-shaped and ends in a dispensing nozzle 15 with an opening from which the liquid is dispensed. The spray operating mechanisms, per se known and therefore not described, are integrated in the body 14. The body 14 is covered by a protective shell 9, also substantially L-shaped, and generally consisting of two substantially symmetrical half-shells 9'.

The sprayer 10 comprises a trigger 29 hinged to the body 14 and to a stem of a plunger (not shown because per se known) slidable inside a chamber of the body to cause suction of the fluid from the container 1 and discharge of the fluid from the dispensing nozzle 15.

Above the front end of the body 14 in which the dispensing nozzle 15 is situated, a nozzle cap 16 is rotatably mounted. The nozzle cap 16 has a hole 19 for passage of the liquid to be sprayed. When the nozzle cap is positioned in the spraying position, discharge of the liquid to the outside is allowed. When, on the other hand, the nozzle cap 16 is positioned in the non-spraying position, discharge of liquid from the dispensing nozzle 15 is prevented by the wall of the nozzle cap 16.

The locking device for the nozzle cap 16 according to the invention will now be described.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the nozzle cap 16 has, at the opposite end to the hole or dispensing aperture 19, an annular hollow space or gap 30 defined between a first inner cylindrical wall 31 with a smaller diameter and a second outer cylindrical wall 32 with a larger diameter.

The inner 31 and outer 32 cylindrical walls are connected to each other by two bridges 33 and 34 which delimit a seat 35 defined between the two bridges 33 and 34 and the corresponding sectors of the inner wall 31 and the outer wall 32. A tooth 36 protrudes

outward from the outer cylindrical wall 32. The tooth 36 is disposed at an angular distance slightly greater than 90° with respect to the seat 35.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a locking device 40 to lock the rotation of the nozzle cap 16 is mounted on the upper surface of the shell 9, near the nozzle cap 16.

As shown in Figures 6-9, the locking device 40 is in the form of a slide with a body comprising a substantially concave central part 41, a slightly downwardly inclined rear part 42 and a rectangular plate-shaped front part 43.

The concave part 41 has a substantially ellipsoid shape complementary to a fingertip to facilitate pressure thereon by a finger. The inclined rear part 42 is slightly flexible with respect to the central part 41.

Beneath the central part 41 two runners 44 are provided that can slide in respective guide tracks 45 (Figure 3) formed in the inner opposite walls of the shell 9. In this manner the end of the inclined or rear part 42 abuts against the outer surface of the upper wall of the shell 9, the runners 44 engage in the guides or guide tracks 45 formed in the inner surface of the upper wall of the shell 9 and the front part 43 of the slide protrudes forwardly from the shell 9.

As shown in Figure 3, the guide track 45 is a substantially horizontal surface disposed at the front end of the inside upper wall of the shell 9. The track 45 ends in two steps which define a first vertical abutment surface 60 and a second vertical abutment surface 61, disposed a short distance from the first abutment surface 60.

The runners 44 are formed by two rectangular walls disposed parallel to each other, so that the locking device or slide 40, seen in cross section (Figure 9) is substantially shaped as a"n".

As shown in Figure 10, each runner 44 has in its bottom part an externally protruding part 48. The protruding part 48 has a horizontal sliding surface 46 at the top and a slanting surface 47 that slants with respect to the horizontal surface 46. The slanting surface 47 ends in a first vertical abutment surface 49. A step that provides a second vertical abutment surface 50 is defined between the horizontal surface 46 and the slanting surface 47.

In this manner the horizontal surface 46 of the runner 44 can slide on the guide track 45 of the shell 9, until the first vertical abutment surface 49 of the runner 44 abuts against the first vertical abutment surface 60 of the shell 9. If the user applies finger pressure on the central part 41 of the slide 40, bending of the slanting wall or rear part 42 and thus lowering of the runners 44 of the slide 40 are caused. Consequently the first abutment surface 49 of the runner passes beneath the first abutment surface 60 of the shell and thus the slide 40 can be moved vertically rearward, so as to pass the first step of the shell until the second abutment surface 50 of the slide abuts against the first abutment surface 60 of the shell and the first abutment surface 49 of the runner abuts against the second abutment surface 61 of the shell.

Beneath the front part 43 is a locking tongue 70 that protrudes forward, parallel to the front part 43 and at a certain distance therefrom so as to form a hollow space or gap 71 therewith.

The width of the locking tongue 70 of the slide is equal to or slightly less than the width of the seat 35 of the nozzle cap. The thickness of the locking tongue 70 of the slide is equal to or slightly less than the width of the seat 35 of the nozzle cap. The width of the hollow space 71 of the slide is equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the outer cylindrical wall 32 of the nozzle cap.

In this manner, by positioning the nozzle cap 16 in the non-spraying position and making the slide 40 translate forward, the locking tongue 70 of the slide engages in the seat 35 of the nozzle cap, locking the nozzle cap which cannot be rotated, since the bridges 33 and 34 of the nozzle cap abut against the side walls of the locking tongue 70 of the slide.

In order to unlock the nozzle cap 16, the user must exert pressure on the key-shaped central part 41, so as to lower the runners 44 of the slide 40. Thus the user must push horizontally backward, causing a translation of the slide 40, so that the first abutment surface 49 of the runner 44 passes the first abutment surface 60 of the shell 9 and abuts on the second abutment surface 61 of the shell. In this situation the locking tongue 70 is disengaged from the seat 35 of the nozzle cap, thus the nozzle cap 16 can be turned freely.

The presence of the tooth 36 allows a rotation of the nozzle cap by about 90°, with respect to the non-spraying position, so as to be able to position the cap 16 exactly in the spraying position. In fact the tooth 36 abuts against the front part 43 of the slide 40, preventing further rotation of the cap 16.

A sprayer 110 according to a second embodiment of the invention is described with reference to Figures 11-21, wherein like or corresponding elements to those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

The sprayer 110 of the second embodiment differs from the sprayer 10 of the first embodiment in having a guarantee seal 160, which in any case could also be present in the first embodiment. Furthermore the sprayer 110 has a nozzle cap 116 and a locking device 140 having a slightly different structure with respect to the nozzle cap 16 and the locking device 40 of the sprayer 10 according to the first embodiment.

As better shown in Figures 14-16, the nozzle cap 116 of the sprayer 110 comprises a semispherical cover 126 wherein a cylindrical cap body 117, hollow on the inside to be fitted on the nozzle 15 of the sprayer 110, is disposed axially. The body 117 of the nozzle cap has axially in its front end wall an opening 119 for discharge of the liquid.

An annular gap 130 is defined in the rear part of the cover 126 of the nozzle cap, around the body 117. A recess or seat 135 defined by a first stop wall or bridge 133 and a second stop wall or bridge 134 is formed in the annular gap 130 (Figure 14). Further in the annular gap 130 of the nozzle cap, in a position diametrically opposite the recess 135, a through slot 137 communicating with the front part of the nozzle cap is provided. Further in the annular gap 130 of the nozzle cap, between the recess 135 and the slot 137, a third stop wall 136 is formed. The third stop wall 136 is situated at an angular distance of slightly less than 90° with respect to the first stop wall 133.

As better shown in Figure 17, the guarantee seal 160 has a substantially cylindrical body 161, hollow on the inside. A tab 162 is provided in the front part of the body 161. Two tongues 163 protruding radially and acting as an anchor are provided in the rear part of the body 161.

Behind the tongues 163, the guarantee seal 160 comprises a plate 164, having a transverse weakening or score line 165 which defines a rear part wherein a substantially rectangular through hole 166 is formed.

As shown in Figure 11, the guarantee seal 160 is applied between the nozzle cap 116 and the trigger 29. In this manner the body 161 and the tab 162 of the seal protrude forward from the nozzle cap 116 and the anchoring tongues 163 abut against the front surface of the cover 126 of the nozzle cap. The plate 164 of the guarantee seal 160 extends through the slot 137 of the nozzle cap and is constrained to the trigger 29 by means of a pin 180 of the trigger which engages in the hole 166 of the plate 164 of the guarantee seal.

In this manner the guarantee seal 160 performs a dual function, that is, it prevents rotation of the nozzle cap 116 and at the same time prevents movement of the trigger 29.

Once the sprayer 110 has been bought, on first use the user by operating the trigger 29 causes the plate 164 to break along the score line 165 and therefore can remove the guarantee seal 160 by pulling the tab 162. Part of the plate 164, on the other hand, can remain constrained to the trigger 29, since it does not interfere with the movement of the trigger 29.

As better shown in Figures 19-21, the locking device 140 is made in the shape of a sliding button or slide which can pass from a locking position in which it blocks rotation of the nozzle cap 116 to an unlocking position in which it frees rotation of the nozzle cap 116.

The locking device 140 comprises a central body 141 on which a concave seat able to accommodate a fingertip is formed. A substantially arched flexible tail 142 protrudes rearwardly downward from the body 141. The flexibility of the tail 142 is improved by a slot 154. Beneath the tail 142 a rear abutment surface is provided in the form of a step defining a first rear abutment surface 145 and a second rear abutment surface 145'.

Two runners 144 having a substantially L-shaped cross section protrude downward from the side walls of the central body, so that each runner 144 defines an upward facing horizontal sliding surface 146. At the front, the central body 141 has a smaller-sized head or tongue 170, lowered with respect to the body 141 and parallel thereto.

The locking device 140 is slidably mounted in the upper front part of the sprayer; for this purpose, as shown in Figure 18, each half shell 9 of the sprayer 110 has in its upper front part a seat 150 defined by a front abutment surface 151, a rear abutment surface 152 and a lower guide track 153.

The safety or locking device 140 is mounted in the seats 150 of the two half-shells 9. In this manner the tail 142 of the locking device rests on the half shell 9, the rear abutment surface 145 of the safety device abuts against the rear abutment surface 152 of the half shell and the head 170 of the safety device engages inside the recess or seat 135 of the nozzle cap 116. In this condition of safety, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the nozzle cap 116 cannot be rotated into the spraying position since the head 170 of the locking device 140 is retained between the first and second abutment surface 133 and 134 of the recess 135 of the nozzle cap.

As shown in Figure 13, to enable rotation of the nozzle cap 116, the user must first push the locking device 140 downward, causing elastic bending of the tail 142. In this manner the first rear abutment surface 145 of the safety device goes under the rear abutment surface 152 of the half shell 9. The user then performs a retraction of the locking device 140, making the sliding surface 146 of the runners of the locking device slide under the guide tracks 153 of the shell halves 9, until the second rear abutment surface 145'of the slide 140 abuts against the rear abutment surface 152 of the half-shells 9.

At this point, the head 170 of the locking device is no longer retained between the stop walls 133 and 134 of the recess 135 of the nozzle cap and therefore the nozzle cap can be rotated into the spraying position. Exactly when the head 170 of the safety device comes into abutment against the third stop wall 136 of the nozzle cap, the nozzle cap is in the spraying position.

After having used the sprayer 110, the user turns the nozzle cap 116 into the non spraying position and advances the locking device 140, so that the head 170 of the locking device 140 engages inside the recess 135 of the nozzle cap preventing rotation of the nozzle cap.

Numerous variations and modifications of detail within the reach of a person skilled in the art can be made to the present embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the appended claims.