Child-resistant aerosol spray valve

Abstract

A valve for an aerosol spray can comprises a valve body and a valve stem. Alignment apparatus comprising a post member and a cutout is associated with the valve body and valve stem whereby axial alignment of the post member and the cutout allows relative axial motion between the valve body and the valve stem. Any other axial alignment of the post member and the cutout prevents axial movement of the valve stem relative to the valve body. A stop member is provided which limits the relative rotational movement between the valve stem and the valve body and axially aligns the post member with the cutout when the post member is located up against one side of the stop member

I claim:  
     
         1 . Valve apparatus adapted to be fitted to an aerosol spray can, comprising 
 a valve body,    a valve stem positioned within said valve body, moveable in an axial direction relative thereto, and moveable in a rotational direction relative thereo,    alignment members associated with said valve body and said vale stem, respectively arranged to allow axial movement between said valve body and said valve stem when said alignment members are in one relative position.    
     
     
         2 . The valve apparatus of    claim 1    including a second relative position of said alignment members to prevent axial movement between said valve body and said valve stem.  
     
     
         3 . The valve apparatus of    claim 1    wherein said alignment members comprise a post member and a cutout, said cutout being configured to fit said post member therewithin.  
     
     
         4 . The valve apparatus of    claim 3   , wherein said axial movement is allowed to occur when said post member is positioned within said cutout.  
     
     
         5 . The valve apparatus of    claim 2   , wherein said alignment members comprise a post member and a cutout, said cutout being configured to fit said post member therewithin.  
     
     
         6 . The valve apparatus of    claim 5   , wherein said axial movement is prevented when said post member is not positioned within said cutout.  
     
     
         7 . The valve apparatus of    claim 3    including a stop member associated with said valve body and said valve stem, said stop member limiting the amount of relative rotational movement between said valve body and said valve stem.  
     
     
         8 . The valve apparatus of    claim 5    including a stop member associated with said valve body and said valve stem, said stop member limiting the amount of relative rotational movement between said valve body and said valve stem.  
     
     
         9 . Valve apparatus adapted to be fitted to an aerosol spray can, comprising 
 a valve body,    a valve stem positioned within said valve body, moveable in an axial direction relative thereto, and moveable in a rotational direction relative thereto,    alignment members associated with said valve body and said valve stem, and respectively arranged to allow axial movement between said valve body and said valve stem when said alignment members are in one relative rotational position, and to prevent axial movement between said valve body and said valve stem when said alignment members are in a second relative rotational position.    
     
     
         10 . The valve apparatus of    claim 9   , wherein said alignment members comprise a post member and a cutout, said cutout being configured to fit said post member therewithin.  
     
     
         11 . The valve apparatus of    claim 10   , including a stop member associated with said valve body and said valve stem, said stop member limiting the amount of relative rotational movement between said valve body and said valve stem.  
     
     
         12 . The valve apparatus of    claim 11   , wherein said stop member is located adjacent to said cutout, said post member being axially aligned with said cutout only when said post member is positioned against one side of said stop member.  
     
     
         13 . The valve apparatus of    claim 11   , including a plurality of post members, a plurality of cutouts and a plurality of stop members.  
     
     
         14 . The valve apparatus of    claim 11   , wherein said alignment members comprise at least one post member and at least one cutout, said at least one cutout being configured to fit said at least one post member therewithin, and said stop member comprises at least one stop member.