Container cap having safety locking means

A one piece molded closure cap for a material dispensing container having a material dispensing valve and nozzle such as an aerosol can. The cap comprises a ring member securely mounted to the can, a closure member hingedly connected to the ring member and a tamper guard which is positioned over the dispensing nozzle and is connected to the ring member by frangible fingers. The tamper guard prevents manipulation of the dispensing valve prior to the removal thereof. In another embodiment, the ring member and closure member are molded with a nozzle which is connected to the ring member by frangible means such that the nozzle functions as a tamper guard. In another embodiment a latch is provided which has two operable positions with one position allowing the closure lid to be opened easier than by the other position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to material dispensing containers and particularly 
to closure caps positioned on the container. The closure cap has a 
hingedly connected closure member and includes a tamper guard integrally 
molded therewith to prevent dispensing of the material prior to the use by 
the ultimate user. 
There are many types of material dispensing can caps which have been 
integrated with a tamper guard. Such guards usually have comprised a 
frangible tab portion which retainingly engages a lip of the can and which 
when broken or removed from the cap allows the cap to be easily removed 
from the can. Also, many caps have been developed that are of the 
child-proof type in that they require multiple or complex manipulations to 
allow the removal thereof. 
One of the drawbacks in the prior art is that in tamper-proof and 
child-proof caps, the cap lid is not attached to the structure itself and 
once removed is either accidentally or purposely misplaced to allow the 
easy opening thereof without manipulating the child-proof device. 
Another drawback in the prior art is that the child-proof caps have not 
been capable of being converted from an easy opening type cap to a 
child-proof type cap. Yet another drawback in the prior art is that the 
cap assembly has been fabricated apart from the material dispensing nozzle 
which necessitates two operations, first, placing the nozzle into operable 
relationship with the container and secondly placing the cap on the 
container. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
Therefore, the principle objects of the present invention are: to provide a 
material dispensing container closure cap that is integrally molded and 
which has the closure member hingedly connected to a ring member, which 
ring member is adapted to be securely attached to the material dispensing 
container; to provide such a closure cap which has integrally molded 
therewith a tamper proof guard member; to provide such a guard member 
which is frangibly attached to the closure cap; to further provide a cap 
which has integrally attached thereto a material dispening nozzle; to 
provide such a nozzle which is attached to the closure cap by frangible 
means to provide a tamper guard; to provide such a closure cap having a 
latch which makes the closure cap child-proof; to provide such a latch 
which is selectively manipulative into two positions, with one position 
being harder to open than the other position; to provide such a closure 
cap which is simple in design, molded in one piece, and attachable to an 
associated material dispensing can in one step; to provide such a closure 
cap which is easy to manufacture, capable of extended useful life, and 
particularly well adapted for the intended use thereof. 
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from 
the following description taken in connection with the accompanying 
drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example certain 
embodiments of this invention. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An intergrally molded closure cap is provided for a material dispensing 
container such as an aerosol can having a material dispensing valve and 
nozzle. A ring member is mounted on the container and has hingedly 
attached thereto a closure member. Latching means are provided on the 
closure member and ring member to selectively retain the closure member in 
covered relation to the material dispensing nozzle. To open the closure 
member it is necessary to move the closure member toward the ring member 
prior to releasing the closure member latching means. A tamper guard is 
provided which is molded integrally with the closure cap to prevent 
manipulation of the material dispensing valve prior to the initial use by 
the intended user. 
In a modified embodiment, an aerosol actuator nozzle is integrally molded 
with the cap and is attached thereto by frangible means which is broken 
when the valve is first used, thereby providing an additional tamper 
guard. 
In another modified embodiment, the associated cap latching means comprises 
mechanism which may be selectively manipulated between two positions, one 
being easier to open than the other. 
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary 
embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and 
features thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
As required detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed 
herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are 
merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. 
Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are 
not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims 
and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to 
variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately 
detailed structure. 
As used herein, the term "front" in describing closure caps of the present 
invention, refers to that portion of the caps which is to the left in 
FIGS. 5, 9, 12, and 18. Other directional terms have the normal meaning 
thereof relative to the term "front". 
Referring now in detail to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 6: 
The reference numeral 1 generally refers to a closure cap. As shown, the 
closure cap 1 is positioned on an associated material dispensing container 
shown here as an aerosol can 3. The aerosol can 3 comprises a body portion 
5, a domed top portion 7, an outwardly extending annular shoulder portion 
9, as seen in FIG. 5, and a material dispensing member such as aerosol 
nozzle 11. 
The closure cap 1 comprises a ring portion 13, a closure member 15 which is 
hingedly connected to the ring portion and a tamper guard 17 which is 
positioned inside the ring portion 13 and which is connected to the ring 
portion 13 by frangible means such as fingers 19. 
The ring portion 13 has radially inward projecting arcuate lip members 21 
circumferentially spaced around a lower end thereof. The lip members 21 
securely engage the can shoulder portion 9 when the closure cap 1 is 
positioned thereon. 
The closure member 15 pivots about a hinge point 23 which, as shown in FIG. 
4, is defined by groove 25 on a lower surface 27 of a web 29 which 
connects the ring member 13 and the closure member 15. The closure member 
15 comprises generally vertical side wall portions 31 and 32, a front wall 
portion 34, a rear wall portion 35, a top portion 36 and semi-circular 
flanges 37 which extend outwardly from a bottom edge of the side walls 31 
and 32. The closure member walls 31 and 32, top portion 36 and front and 
rear portions 34 and 35 define therein a chamber 38 which, when the 
closure member is in a closed position thereof as shown in FIG. 2, 
non-engagingly receives the tamper guard 17, thereby preventing 
inadvertent manipulation of such a tamper guard. 
On the closure member side walls 31 and 32 near a front portion thereof are 
notches 40 which, when the closure member is in a closed position, abut 
against a lip 41 of ring 13 to limit or prevent the closure member 15 from 
being depressed so as to come in contact with the tamper guard 17 or the 
aerosol nozzle 11. To further prevent the closure member 15 from 
contacting tamper guard 17 and the aerosol nozzle 11, stop members 42 are 
provided which project inwardly from the ring member 13 and are positioned 
to allow contact therewith by the closure member flanges 37. The stop 
members 42 each connect a respective frangible finger 19 to the ring 
member 13. Release notches 43 are also provided which allow the closure 
member front wall 34 to flexibly but resiliently pivot forwardly under 
manipulation by a user to allow opening of the closure member 15. 
The tamper guard 17 comprises a closed end cylindrical member having a 
cavity 44 therein which non-engagingly receives the aerosol nozzle 11, as 
shown in FIG. 5 in phantom lines. When in operable position, so as to 
prevent unnoticed tampering with the nozzle 11, the tamper guard 17 
neither contacts the aerosol nozzle 11 nor the closure member 15. In this 
way the tamper guard 17 prohibits manipulation of the aerosol nozzle prior 
to breaking of the fingers 19 and the removal thereof by the intended 
user. 
Latching means such as the illustrated latch 46 are provided which comprise 
two cooperating parts, a first 48, on the closure member 15, and a second 
52, on the ring member 13. The first cooperating means 48 comprises a tang 
50 which includes a first surface 56 and a second surface 57. The tang 50 
is spaced apart from the closure member front wall 34 defining 
therebetween a slot 49, FIG. 4. The ring member cooperating part 52 
comprises an associated outwardly projecting shoulder 54 including a first 
inclined surface 53a and a second inclined surface 53b. The shoulder 54 is 
spaced apart from ring member 13, forming a channel 51 therebetween, FIG. 
4. When the closure member 15 is in closed position as shown in FIG. 5, 
tang 50 is received in channel 51 and shoulder 54 is received in slot 49. 
The closure cap 1 is preferably made of a resilient molded plastic such as 
high density polyethylene or polypropylene which is sufficiently stiff to 
allow the tang 50 and the shoulder 54 to be retained in closing engagement 
until the opening thereof by a user is desired. 
The geometry of the latch is such that, upon closing, the tang first 
surface 56 engages the shoulder first surface 53a urging the tang 48 and 
closure member front wall 34 outwardly. Upon latching, because of the 
resilient nature of the closure cap 1, the tang 50 is biased inwardly such 
that tang second surface 57 overlaps the shoulder second surface 53b. 
Further, the tang second surface 57 will operably engage the shoulder 
second surface 53b and be retainedly engaged therewith. It is noted that 
when a force is exerted downwardly on the closure member front wall 34 the 
tang 50 will not be biased outwardly from the ring member shoulder 54, but 
will still overlap same thereby preventing inadvertent opening of the 
closure cap 1. 
The depth of the slot 49 and channel 51 can be of any appropriate depth. It 
has been found that if both depths are in the area of 0.090 inches the 
closure cap is relatively difficult to open. In order to open the closure 
cap 15, when the depth of slot 49 and channel 51 is 0.090 inches, a 
downward force must be exerted on the closure member 15 at a front portion 
thereof 55 near an aperture 58 thereby vertically separating the closure 
member tang 50 and the ring member shoulder 54. The aperture 58 has a 
ridge 59 therearound which functions to provide a place of abutment for a 
user's finger necessary to depress the closure member front portion 55. It 
is noted that downward movement of the closure member 15 is limited by the 
ring lip 41 and stop members 42. Grasping members 60 extend outwardly from 
the closure member 15 near the tang portion 50, and, in order to complete 
opening of the closure cap 1, a force must be exerted on the grasping 
members 60 to pull the closure member tang 50 outwardly away from the ring 
member shoulder 54 thereby allowing the closure member 15 to be open. The 
cap closure member is illustrated in the open position thereof in FIGS. 1 
and 3. 
If the depth of the slot 49 and channel 51 are in the nature of 0.030 
inches it is found that the cap 1 can be opened solely by exerting an 
outward force on the grasping members 60 without exerting a downward 
pressure on the closure member front portion 55. 
When the depth of the slot 49 and channel 51 is in the nature of 0.090 
inches the closure cap 1 can be effectively used as a child-proof cap for 
materials such as insecticides and oven cleaners. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, the closure cap 1 is a one piece molded 
assembly that can be snapped onto an existing aerosol can 3 that has the 
actuator nozzle 11 already positioned therein. To dispense material the 
tamper guard 17 is removed from the closure cap by fracturing the 
frangible fingers 19 by either depressing or twisting the tamper guard 17. 
Vertical ridges 62 are provided around the tamper guard 17 to allow a user 
to grip the same and thereby twist such a tamper guard from the 
surrounding structure when the closure member 15 is in the open position 
thereof. 
As shown in FIG. 5 the direction of the aerosol nozzle 11 is normal to the 
hinged motion of the closure member 15, such that when the closure member 
15 is in the open position thereof, same does not interfere with placement 
of a user's finger on the nozzle 11, therefore allowing the user to 
depress the nozzle 11 as he normally would if there were no cap 1. 
In FIGS. 7 through 10, a first modified embodiment of a closure cap 63 is 
shown. Since there are many elements in the closure cap 63 which are 
similar to the elements of cap 1, similar elements appearing in the latter 
figures have the same number as the earlier figures except the latter 
include the suffix "a". 
In FIG. 7, the reference numeral 63 generally designates the first modified 
embodiment of the closure cap. The closure cap 63 is shown as positioned 
on an aerosol can 3a, which comprises a body portion 5a, a domed portion 
7a and an annular shoulder portion 9a, FIG. 9. The closure cap 63 
comprises a ring portion 13a, a closure member 15a hingedly connected to 
the ring portion 13a and an integrally molded aerosol nozzle 66. The 
nozzle 66 is initially connected to the ring member 13a by frangible means 
such as tabs 68. The nozzle 66 has extending downwardly therefrom to the 
can 3a, a tubular passage 70 which operably communicates with an aerosol 
valve (not shown) positioned in can 3a. 
By placing the aerosol nozzle 66 on frangible tabs 68 which must be broken 
before the nozzle 66 can be depressed so as to engage and open the aerosol 
valve (not shown) in the can 3a, the nozzle 66 effectively functions as a 
tamper guard. Prior to fracturing the tabs 68 the tubular passage 70 is 
prohibited from movement relative to the can 3a. Upon fracturing the tabs 
68, by depressing the nozzle 66, the passage 70 engages the aerosol valve 
thereby allowing the dispensing of the material within the can 3a. By 
molding the nozzle 66 with the closure cap 63 such a nozzle and cap can be 
positioned on the aerosol can 3a with only one operation during 
manufacture thereof thereby saving labor relative to placement of separate 
parts. 
It is noted in the first modified embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a closure 
member latch tang 50a and an associated ring member latch shoulder 54a are 
of such depth as to require a minimal amount of outwardly exerted pressure 
to disengage same and allow for opening of the closure member 15a. 
A second modified embodiment of a closure cap 75 is shown in FIGS. 11 
through 14. The closure cap 75 is adapted to fit on a top portion of a 
material dispensing can which incorporates therein a pump assembly. 
Since many of the features of the second modified embodiment are the same 
as in the first embodiment of FIG. 1 through 6, the same numbers will be 
utilized for similar elements in both embodiments with the letter "b" 
after the number to designate elements of structure which are in the 
second modified embodiment. 
In the second modified embodiment of FIGS. 11 through 14 the closure cap, 
generally designated by the reference numeral 75, is shown mounted on the 
top of a material dispensing container such as can 3b, which can comprises 
a body 5b, a top portion 80 and a material dispensing member such as pump 
actuator 82. Circumscribing the top portion 80 of the can body 5b is an 
inwardly projecting groove 84. A ridge 85 projects inwardly from an inner 
cylindrical surface 86 of cap 75 and is received in groove 84 to securely 
retain the cap 74 on the can body 3b. 
The closure cap 75 comprises a ring member 13b and a hingedly connected 
closure member 15b. Latch mechanism 46b comprises a closure member 
cooperating part 48b which is an inwardly and upwardly projecting tang 50b 
and a ring member cooperating part 52b comprises a downwardly projecting 
shoulder 54b which interlockingly engages the tang 50b thereby securing 
the closure member 15b in covering relation with the pump actuator member 
82. The closure cap 75, as set out in FIGS. 11 through 14, is designed to 
be used with material dispenser cans such as 3b that are relatively large 
sized such as insect spray repellant cans and the like. Usually in these 
cans the pump actuator 82 is much larger in size than in a regular aerosol 
can and therefore a chamber 38b defined by the closure member 15b is much 
larger in size although its function is the same as in the first 
embodiment. 
A third modified embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 15 
through 19. Elements of the structure disclosed in the third modified 
embodiment which is the same as in the first embodiment are delineated by 
the same reference numerals as the first embodiment with addition of the 
suffix "c" thereto. 
The reference numeral 88 generally refers to a closure cap comprising a 
ring member 13c, having projecting inwardly from an inner surface thereof 
an annular lip member 21c which engages an associated circumferential 
groove (not shown) on an associated material dispensing can (not shown), a 
closure member 15c, as seen in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 and securing means such 
as latch 46c. 
A latch ring member cooperating part 52c includes a tab 90 which tab is 
selectively positioned in one of two positions. The tab 90 is integrally 
molded with the ring member 13c and is hingedly attached along one edge 92 
thereof so as to allow pivotal movement upward to a first locking position 
as shown in FIG. 18 whereby a top notch portion 96 of tab 90 is retainedly 
engaged by an upper lip 98 of ring member 13c. When the tab 90 is in this 
position an associated closure member tang 50c retainingly engages a lower 
surface 100 of the tab 90 at the point where a tab 90 is pivotally hinged 
to the ring member 13c. 
In order to release the closure member 15c from its retained engagement 
with the ring member 13c when the tab 90 is in the first locking position 
it is preferable to exert a downward force on the closure member 15c near 
a front portion 102 thereof, while simultaneously exerting an outwardly 
acting force on a closure member cooperating part 48c thereby disengaging 
the closure member tang 50c from the ring member 13c. 
When the tab 90 is rotated downwardly to a second locking position as shown 
in FIG. 19, the closure member tang 50c is retainingly engaged by a tab 
104 near the hinged end of the tab 90. When the tab 90 is in the second 
locking position thereof only an outward force exerted on the closure 
member cooperating part 48c is necessary to disengage the closure member 
15c from the ring member 13c. 
It is noted that when the tab 90 is in the first locking position as shown 
in FIG. 18, the closure cap 88 is substantially child proof and when the 
tab 90 is in the second locking position as shown in FIG. 19 the closure 
cap 88 is relatively easy to open. 
In a fourth modified embodiment shown in FIG. 20, many elements or portions 
of the structure are essentially the same as shown in the first embodiment 
and other modified embodiments and therefore will be referred to by the 
same numeral with the suffix "d" added thereto. 
The fourth modified embodiment comprises a closure cap generally designated 
as 110 which comprises a ring member 13d and a closure member 15d. An 
aerosol actuator nozzle 66d is connected to the ring member 13d by 
frangible tabs 68d which function the same as tabs 68 in the first 
modified embodiment. A tab 90d functions the same as tab 90 in the third 
modified embodiment. 
Thus it is seen that the closure cap 110, as set forth in FIG. 20, can 
provide a tamper guard nozzle 66d and a bipositioned tab 90 thereby making 
a tamper proof closure cap which is selectively child proof. 
A fifth modified embodiment of a closure cap 120 comprising a closure 
member 124, a ring member 126 and a latch 122 is shown in FIG. 21. A tang 
128 extends radially inwardly of a front wall 130 of closure member 124 
and retainingly engages shoulder 132 which extends radially outwardly from 
ring member 126. As seen in FIG. 21, the shoulder 132 and tang 128 are 
formed such that mating surfaces thereof 136 and 138 respectively are not 
locked together so as to prohibit outward movement of tang 128 with 
respect to shoulder 132. The closure cap is thus easily opened. It is 
noted that the latch 122 as shown in FIG. 21 could be utilized with tamper 
guard 17 as shown in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 or the 
aerosol nozzle 66 as shown in FIGS. 7-10. 
A sixth modified embodiment of a closure cap 150 is shown in FIGS. 22 and 
23. The closure cap 150 is constructed such that a ring member 152 of the 
closure cap 150 has protruding outwardly therefrom a ring member latch 
means 154 which has defined therein a passageway of channel 156 which 
operably receives a closure cap lower portion 158. Projecting radially 
outwardly from the closure cap lower portion 158 is an upwardly and 
outwardly projecting tang 160 which operably engages an inclined shoulder 
162 formed in a lower edge 164 of the ring member latch means 154. 
In order to open the closure cap 150 a force must be exerted inwardly on a 
front wall 166 of the closure member 168 to thereby separate the tang 160 
from the shoulder 152. 
It is noted that the bi-positional tab 90, as shown in FIGS. 15 through 20, 
can be incorporated in any of the embodiments as shown. Also, the depth of 
the ring member shoulder and the closure member tang can be varied as 
indicated before on any of the embodiments as shown herein. 
A seventh modified embodiment of a closure cap is shown in FIGS. 24 through 
26 and is generally designated by the reference numeral 200. 
The closure cap 200 comprises a closure member 202 and a ring member 204. 
The ring member 204 is retained on an associated material dispensing can 
(not shown) in a manner similar to that which holds the ring member 13 
onto can 5 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. 
The closure cap 200 includes a latch mechanism 210 which functions to 
retain the closure member 202 in covering relation relative to the ring 
member 204. 
The latch mechanism 210 comprises two cooperating parts, a first part 212 
formed on a front wall 214 of closure member 202 and a second part 216 
formed on an adjacent portion of ring member 204. 
The closure member cooperating part 212 comprises an upwardly projecting 
(upwardly when the closure member 202 is closed as shown in FIG. 25) 
shoulder 220 which angles outwardly from a side wall 222 of closure member 
206 defining therebetween a slot 224. 
The ring member cooperating part 216 comprises a tang 228 which depends 
downwardly and inwardly from flanges 230 which flanges extend outwardly 
from a front cylindrical surface 232 of ring member 204. A groove 234 is 
defined between tang 228 and a side wall 236 of flange 230. 
When the closure cap 202 is biased toward a closed position as shown in 
FIG. 25, a lower inclined surface 240 of shoulder members 220 abuts 
against a similarly inclined upper surface 242 of tang 228. Since the 
closure cap 200 is made of a resilient material similar to that which is 
used to fabricate the closure cap 1 in FIGS. 1 through 6, and since there 
is a relief groove 246 in a lower portion 248 of the closure cap front 
wall 214, upon further urging of the closure member 202 to a closed 
position, the translation of inclined shoulder surface 240 over inclined 
tang surface 242 urges opposing portions 250 and 251 of the front wall 
lower portion 248 inwardly, thereby allowing the closure member 202 to 
close. Because of the resiliency of the closure member 202, the opposing 
portions 250 and 251 spring outwardly such that shoulder 220 is received 
in groove 234 and tang 228 is received in slot 224, thereby securing the 
closure member 202 in closed position. 
In order to open the closure member 202, a force must be exerted downwardly 
on a front portion 254 of a closure member top wall 255, thereby 
separating the closure member shoulder 220 from groove 234. Upon such a 
separation, inward force is applied to grasping members 258 to urge the 
front wall lower portion opposing portions 250 and 251 inwardly removing 
shoulders 220 from vertical alignment with tang 228 and thereby allowing 
the closure member 202 to open. 
As stated before in regard to previous embodiments, the depth of groove 234 
and slot 224 can vary to provide for a desired ease (or hardness) of 
opening of closure member 202. 
An eighth modified embodiment of a closure cap is shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 
and is generally designated by the reference numeral 270. The closure cap 
270 comprises a closure member 272, a ring member 274 and a latch 
mechanism 276 which functions to selectively retain closure member 272 in 
closed relationship relative to ring member 274. The ring member 274 
includes means (not shown) to securely retain the closure cap 270 on an 
associated material dispensing can (not shown). 
The latch mechanism 276 is similar to the latch mechanism as shown in FIGS. 
1 through 14, except that the cooperating latch mechanism parts of the 
closure member and ring member, 278 and 280 respectively, do not extend 
completely across a front wall 282 of closure member 272. Rather, the 
closure member cooperating parts are positioned on two tag members 284 
which depend circumferentially outwardly from the closure member front 
wall 282. The tag members 284 mate with ring member cooperating parts 280 
much in the same way as previously described. 
A ninth modified embodiment of a closure cap is shown in FIGS. 29-31 and is 
generally designated by the reference numeral 300. The closure cap 300 
comprises a ring member 302 and a closure member 304, and is shown being 
securely retained on an associated container 305. The closure member 304 
is hingedly connected to the ring member 302 as set out in the prior 
embodiments. The closure cap 300 includes a latch mechanism comprising 
cooperating parts on the closure member and ring member, 306 and 308 
respectively. The design of the closure member latch mechanism and ring 
member latch mechanism could be any of those as set out in the prior 
embodiments. 
Hingedly connected to the ring member 302 is a directionally oriented 
actuator 310 which includes a tubular member 312 which tubular member 
communicates at one end thereof with an associated valve (not shown) in 
the container 305 and which communicates at another end thereof with a 
passageway 314 which is formed in the actuator 310. An insert 316 having a 
bore 318 therein is received in the passageway 314 such that when the 
actuator 310 is activated, which in turn activates the associated 
container valve (not shown), material which is contained in the container 
305 passes through the tubular member 312 to the passageway 314 and is 
dispersed through the insert 316. It is noted that the closure cap 300 can 
be unitarily molded without the insert 316, with an insert 316 having a 
desired bore size to accommodate varying materials placed therein after 
the molding of the closure cap 300. 
The actuator 310 has a surface 317 which is contoured to that of a user's 
finger when placed thereon. Because of this a user will be able to feel if 
he is holding the can 305 correctly such that material dispensed from the 
can is directed away from the user. This prevents the user substantially 
from inadvertently spraying an undesired object such as himself. 
As shown in FIG. 31, the closure cap 300 could include frangible members 
320 which would function as a tamper guard similar in operation to those 
set out before. 
FIGS. 32 through 34 show a tenth modified embodiment of a closure cap 
generally designated by the reference numeral 350. The closure cap 350 
comprises a ring member 352, a closure member 354 hingedly attached to 
ring member 352 and a latch mechanism comprising ring member and closure 
member cooperating parts 356 and 358 respectively. The latch mechanism can 
be of any type as set out in previous embodiments. 
The closure member 354 is cylindrical in shape having a side wall portion 
360 and a top portion 362. A diameter of the closure member 354 is 
commensurate with that of the ring member 352. 
The closure member 354 has projecting inwardly and downwardly when the 
closure member is closed from an inner cylindrical surface 364 thereof 
step members 366, of which a lower surface 368 thereof engages resilient 
tabs 370, which tabs are positioned inwardly of an inner surface 372 of 
ring member 352. As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, upon closing the stop member 
lower surfaces 368 engage the tabs 370. The tabs 370 function to prevent 
the closure member 354 from being depressed such as to inadvertently 
engage an associated actuator nozzle (not shown) and to bias the closure 
member 354 and ring member 352 apart after the latch mechanism has been 
closed. This assures that the latch mechanism functions properly. 
It is to be understood that while certain embodiments of the present 
invention have been illustrated and described herein it is not to be 
limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.