Patent ID: 7128244

Claim:
A safety cap ( 10 ) for a fluid dispensing cartridge of the type that dispenses ink for automated printing presses, the cartridge having a body that holds a supply of ink, the body having a dispensing end fitted with a nozzle ( 34 ) and a plunger end into which is inserted a moveable plunger ( 16 ), the nozzle ( 34 ) capable of moving from a closed position to an open position in response to increased pressure within the cartridge created by movement of the plunger toward the dispensing end, thereby allowing ink to be dispensed from the cartridge, the safety cap ( 10 ) comprising: a hub portion ( 50 ) adjacent the nozzle ( 34 ) and comprising a top wall ( 60 ) and a downwardly extending skirt portion ( 62 ), the skirt portion having a distal end located away from the top wall ( 60 ); means for attaching the safety cap ( 10 ) to the cartridge; a cylindrical outer wall ( 54 ) surrounding the hub portion ( 50 ) and having a top rim ( 66 ) upon which the cartridge can stand, the top rim ( 66 ) defining a plane above which the hub portion ( 50 ) does not extend when the cartridge is positioned with its dispensing end up; and an annular wall ( 52 ) extending radially outward from and connecting the distal end of the skirt portion ( 62 ) to the outer wall ( 54 ).