Actuator for an aerosol container

An actuator for a hand-held aerosol container having a top fitted centrally with a dispensing valve and having contents to be dispensed, said actuator comprising:

• (i) a cup-shaped over-cap
• (ii) a spray channel and
• (iii) an actuator button,
• wherein:
• the over-cap is attachable to the container and comprises a sidewall defining a spray aperture through which a spray can be directed and a top wall defining a gap through which the spray channel passes, said gap restricting lateral movement of the spray channel, the top wall having a top face and a projection that rises from said top face;
• the spray channel is adapted to spray through the spray aperture in the sidewall of the over-cap;
• the actuator button interacts with the top wall of the over-cap and comprises a finger pad from which a keel depends;
• and
• wherein when the container is associated with the actuator, the spray channel is in fluid connection with the valve and actuation requires a first slide movement of the button and an independent second depression movement of the button, the keel dependent from the finger pad of the button being able to press down onto the spray channel and the spray channel onto the valve after the first slide movement of the button, but not before;
• characterised in that:
• the actuator button has a distinct first slide movement that puts the button into an orientation in which a second depression movement causes release of the contents of the associated— container;
• the keel is prevented from pressing down onto the spray channel before the first slide movement of the button by a projection that depends from the finger pad of the actuator button and interacts with the projection that rises from the top face of the top wall, said projection depending from the finger pad being able to slide downwardly past the projection that rises from the top face of the top wall after the first slide movement of the actuator button;
• and in that the force required for the first slide movement of the actuator button is at least 5N.