Abstract: A spray can holding and actuation device comprises a rim engagement element and a locking mechanism for compressing the rim engagement element against the rim surrounding the push-button valve on the can. The rim engagement element includes a compressible collar that is joined to a shroud that depends downwardly from a front portion of the device. The collar is dimensioned to fit around the rim, and it has a pair of opposed ends separated by a gap. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a locking element that is attachable to the opposed collar ends when the ends are urged together to compress the collar against the rim. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a latch that is pivotably attached to one of the collar ends and that is pivotable to a position in which it engages the other collar end and rim, whereby the collar ends are urged together to compress the collar against the rim.

Abstract: A spray can holding and actuation device comprises a rim engagement element and a locking mechanism for compressing the rim engagement element against the rim surrounding the push-button valve on the can. The rim engagement element includes a compressible collar that is joined to a shroud that depends downwardly from a front portion of the device. The collar is dimensioned to fit around the rim, and it has a pair of opposed ends separated by a gap. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a locking element that is attachable to the opposed collar ends when the ends are urged together to compress the collar against the rim. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a latch that is pivotably attached to one of the collar ends and that is pivotable to a position in which it engages the other collar end and rim, whereby the collar ends are urged together to compress the collar against the rim.

Abstract: A spray can holding and actuation device comprises a rim engagement element and a locking mechanism for compressing the rim engagement element against the rim surrounding the push-button valve on the can. The rim engagement element includes a compressible collar tat is joined to a shroud that depends downwardly from a front portion of the device The collar is dimensioned to fit around the rim, and it has a pair of opposed ends separated by a gap. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a locking element that is attachable to the opposed collar ends when the ends are urged together to compress he collar against the rim In another embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a latch that is pivotably attached to one of the collar ends and that is pivotable to a position in which it engages the other collar end and rim, whereby the collar ends are urged together to compress the collar against the rim.

Abstract: A spray can holding and actuation device comprises a rim engagement element and a locking mechanism for compressing the rim engagement element against the rim surrounding the push-button valve on the can. The rim engagement element includes a compressible collar that is joined to a shroud that depends downwardly from a front portion of the device. The collar is dimensioned to fit around the rim, and it has a pair of opposed ends separated by a gap. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a locking element that is attachable to the opposed collar ends when the ends are urged together to compress the collar against the rim. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a latch that is pivotably attached to one of the collar ends and that is pivotable to a position in which it engages the other collar end and rim, whereby the collar ends are urged together to compress the collar against the rim.

Abstract: A spray can holding and actuation device comprises a rim engagement element and a locking mechanism for compressing the rim engagement element against the rim surrounding the push-button valve on the can. The rim engagement element includes a compressible collar that is joined to a shroud that depends downwardly from a front portion of the device. The collar is dimensioned to fit around the rim, and it has a pair of opposed ends separated by a gap. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a locking element that is attachable to the opposed collar ends when the ends are urged together to compress the collar against the rim. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a latch that is pivotably attached to one of the collar ends and that is pivotable to a position in which it engages the other collar end and rim, whereby the collar ends are urged together to compress the collar against the rim.

Abstract: A spray can holding and actuation device comprises a rim engagement element and a locking mechanism for compressing the rim engagement element against the rim surrounding the push-button valve on the can. The rim engagement element includes a compressible collar that is joined to a shroud that depends downwardly from a front portion of the device. The collar is dimensioned to fit around the rim, and it has a pair of opposed ends separated by a gap. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a locking element that is attachable to the opposed collar ends when the ends are urged together to compress the collar against the rim. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a latch that is pivotably attached to one of the collar ends and that is pivotable to a position in which it engages the other collar end and rim, whereby the collar ends are urged together to compress the collar against the rim.

Abstract: A spray can holding and actuation device comprises a rim engagement element and a locking mechanism for compressing the rim engagement element against the rim surrounding the push-button valve on the can. The rim engagement element includes a compressible collar that is joined to a shroud that depends downwardly from a front portion of the device. The collar is dimensioned to fit around the rim, and it has a pair of opposed ends separated by a gap. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a locking element that is attachable to the opposed collar ends when the ends are urged together to compress the collar against the rim. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a latch that is pivotably attached to one of the collar ends and that is pivotable to a position in which it engages the other collar end and rim, whereby the collar ends are urged together to compress the collar against the rim.

Abstract: A device for securing a dispensing tube to an aerosol spray can includes an apertured retention tab that is mountable to the side of the can, wherein the retention tab, when so mounted, is resiliently flexible from a first position, substantially parallel to the side of the can, to a radially-outward second position. When the retention tab is held in the second position, the aperture in the retention tab extends substantially parallel to the side of the can, thereby permitting a dispensing tube to be inserted through the aperture with an orientation substantially parallel to the axis of the can. When the retention tab is released, it resiliently returns to the first position, in which the retention tab clamps the tube against the side of the can. In a preferred embodiment, the retention tab is attached to an elastic band that may be placed around the can to mount the retention tab on the can.

Abstract: A lockable closure assembly is configured for an extensible spout container, of the type having a top with an elongate hollow extension extending distally from its surface and an extensible dispensing tube movable within the extension between a retracted position and an extended position, the tube having a distal end with an orifice for the dispensing of a liquid from the container. The closure assembly includes a closure that is internally dimensioned to fit onto the distal end of the tube so as to close the orifice, and a closure retainer element that is configured to seat against a portion of the closure when the closure is installed on the distal end of the tube, and that is internally dimensioned to frictionally engage the extension when the tube is in its retracted position while also engaging the closure. In a preferred embodiment, the closure has an open proximal end surrounded by a peripheral flange, and the closure retainer element is a hollow tubular sleeve having open proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: A squeeze bottle dispenser includes a squeezable container, a cap with a tubular nipple defining a central passage, and an extensible dispensing tube extending from the interior of the container through the passage, the tube having an outer end terminating in a dispensing orifice. The tube is movable between retracted and extended positions, and it is spring-biased toward its extended position when it is in its retracted position. A removable closure is sealingly engageable with both the outer end of the tube and the nipple, so as to seal both the passage and the dispensing orifice when the tube is in its retracted position, and the dispensing orifice separately when the tube is in its extended position. When the tube is in its retracted position, its inner end is pushed against an internal surface of the container, thereby causing it to bow. It is retained in this bowed configuration by the simultaneous engagement of the closure with both the outer end of the tube and the nipple.

Abstract: A convertible shipping/display carton, having a receptacle portion defined by a bottom, a front wall, a rear wall, a pair of opposed side walls, and a display panel extending vertically from the rear wall includes an extension section joined to the display panel. The extension section includes an extension section fold line adjacent and parallel to its juncture with the display panel, whereby the extension section is foldable along the extension section fold line between a first position in which it extends substantially vertically from the display panel, and a second position in which it extends substantially horizontally to overly the receptacle portion.

Abstract: A spray can holding and actuation device comprises a rim engagement element and a mechanism for compressing the rim engagement element against the rim surrounding the push-button valve on the can to attach the device to the rim. In a preferred embodiment, the compressing mechanism comprises a locking element that is selectively movable to a locking position in which it compresses the rim engagement element into a locking attachment to the rim. More specifically, the rim engagement element comprises a pair of opposed segments that together define a substantially annular interior surface that fits loosely around the exterior of the rim, and the locking element comprises a substantially annular member that is movable into and out of a compressing engagement with the exterior surface of the rim engagement element segments. As the locking element is moved into the compressing engagement with the segments, it presses them toward each other into a clamping engagement with the rim.

Abstract: A carton for shipping and displaying articles of merchandise includes a receptacle portion defined by a bottom, a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of opposed side walls. A display panel, extends vertically from the rear wall, and includes an inner display panel section and an outer display panel section joined together along a display panel fold line, whereby the inner display panel section and the outer display panel section are foldable together along the display panel fold line to form the display panel. An extension section is joined to the display panel and has an extension section fold line adjacent and parallel to its juncture with the display panel, whereby the extension section is foldable along the extension section fold line between a first position in which it extends substantially vertically from the display panel, and a second position in which it extends substantially horizontally to overly the receptacle portion.

Abstract: A display card for holding an item, wherein the item has an integral hinge joining a pair of molded item halves, each defining an interior surface, that are foldable along the hinge, wherein the card includes a bottom edge and an extended portion, contiguous with the bottom edge, configured for engaging the interior surface of one of the item halves when the item halves are folded together. In one embodiment, the integral hinge includes first and second hinge portions separated by a slot, and the extended portion includes a projection that is insertable through the slot. An aperture in the projection receives a post extending from the interior surface of one of the item halves. In other embodiments, the extended portion is insertable into a slot that is parallel to, or collinear with, the integral hinge, the extended portion including laterally-extending fingers that engage the interior of the item halves adjacent the ends of the slot.

Abstract: A display card for holding an item attached to the card for display has a flat surface defining a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the item is a butterfly-molded item having an integral hinge joining a pair of molded item halves that are foldable along the hinge, wherein the card includes a pair of opposed, inwardly-pointed attachment fingers defined by a notch that interrupts the bottom edge, one of the fingers being a foldable finger that is foldable along an angled crease between a folded position directed away from the notch and an extended position directed toward the other finger, whereby, when the foldable finger is in its extended position, the fingers are disposed and oriented so as to be capable of being removably captured between the item halves under the integral hinge, with a portion of the item fitting in the notch when the item is folded with the fingers disposed between the item halves.

Abstract: A molded plastic container top has an upper surface from which extends an extensible dispensing tube with a liquid dispensing orifice. The orifice is closed by a removable closure in the form of a cap-like, hollow, open-ended body. A plug is formed integrally with the upper surface and extends upwardly therefrom. Extending upwardly from the plug is an integral, cylindrical, rod-like stopper extension. In the preferred embodiment, the plug is axially fluted, with three radial vanes, dimensioned to be received into the interior of the closure to retain the closure thereon with a frictional fit. The stopper extension is dimensioned to be received within dispensing orifice with a fluid-tight fit, so as to provide an alternative closure for the orifice when the dispensing tube is extended to bring the orifice into the proximity of the stopper extension.

Abstract: A spray can actuation device includes a body that is removably attachable to the top of a spray can. The body includes a handle and a valve actuation lever, operated by a trigger, that engages the push-button valve on the can when the trigger is pressed. A locking plate is pivotally attached to the forward portion of the body for movement between an unlocked position, in which the actuation lever is allowed to engage the valve, and a locked position, in which the lever is locked out of engagement with the valve. The forward portion of the body includes a rim that is engageable with the channel that typically surrounds the valve on such spray cans. The rim is formed by a pair of rim halves, each with a reduced-thickness side wall portion, and joined at the front by an interlocking connection, preferably a pin-and-socket joint. Each of the side wall portions has an aperture arrangement that increases the flexibility of the side wall portion without significantly degrading its structural strength or integrity.

Abstract: A spray can actuation device includes a body that is removably attachable to the top of a spray can. The body includes a handle and a valve actuation lever, operated by a trigger, that engages the push-button valve on the can when the trigger is pressed. A locking plate is pivotally attached to the forward portion of the body for movement between an unlocked position, in which the actuation lever is allowed to engage the valve, and a locked position, in which the lever is locked out of engagement with the valve. The forward portion of the body includes a rim that is engageable with the channel that typically surrounds the valve on such spray cans. The rim is formed by a pair of rim halves, each with a thin-walled flexure point, and joined at the front by an interlocking connection, preferably a pin-and-socket joint.

Abstract: An improved spout assembly for a squeeze bottle or the like includes an extensible dispensing tube slidably disposed in an elongated, hollow cap member, with the distal end of the tube extending from an orifice at the tip of the cap member. The tube is extensible from the cap member to a selected extended position. The cap member has an improved structure which includes a plurality of discrete, spaced-apart, rib-like bearing elements extending radially inwardly from the interior wall surface of the cap near the tip. The bearing elements frictionally engage the extensible tube so as to maintain the tube in a selected position. The cap member is made of injection-molded plastic formed in a novel mold assembly comprising a solid core and a hollow cavity. The core has a cylindrical plug extending axially from its tip. The plug snugly seats in a socket at the bottom of the cavity.

Abstract: A spray can holding and actuating device includes a body that is removably attachable to the top of a spray can. The body includes a handle and a valve actuation lever, operated by a trigger, that engages the push-button valve of the spray can when the trigger is pressed. A locking plate is pivotally attached to the front of the body for movement between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the actuation lever has an unobstructed path for engagement with the valve. When the plate is in the locked position, it locks the actuation lever in a position disengaged from the valve. A trigger lock is advantageously provided selectively to disable the trigger. The trigger lock includes a pin movable between an unlocked position, in which it is received in an orifice in the body when the trigger is pressed, and a locked position, in which the pin engages the body before the trigger is moved sufficiently to bring the actuation lever into operable engagement with the valve.