CA1038802A - Child-resistant closure - Google Patents
Child-resistant closureInfo
- Publication number
- CA1038802A CA1038802A CA217,574A CA217574A CA1038802A CA 1038802 A CA1038802 A CA 1038802A CA 217574 A CA217574 A CA 217574A CA 1038802 A CA1038802 A CA 1038802A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- closure
- container
- lug
- locking
- child
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D50/00—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures
- B65D50/02—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions
- B65D50/06—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions requiring the combination of different actions in succession
- B65D50/061—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions requiring the combination of different actions in succession being disengageable from container only after rotational alignment of closure, or other means inhibiting removal of closure, with container, e.g. tortuous path type
Abstract
IMPROVED CHILD-RESISTANT CLOSURE
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An improved child-resistant closure and container combination is provided wherein the container mouth includes a retaining rib with a narrow, deep slot and a wide, shallow slot formed therein. The closure has on its internal surface a narrow, thick lug and a wide, thin lug. The internal lugs on the closure must be aligned with the mating slots on the retaining rib in order to remove the closure from the container.
The closure also is provided with a removal tab which becomes aligned with a notched external flange on the container neck for access to the removal tab when the internal closure lugs are aligned with the retaining rib slots on the container.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An improved child-resistant closure and container combination is provided wherein the container mouth includes a retaining rib with a narrow, deep slot and a wide, shallow slot formed therein. The closure has on its internal surface a narrow, thick lug and a wide, thin lug. The internal lugs on the closure must be aligned with the mating slots on the retaining rib in order to remove the closure from the container.
The closure also is provided with a removal tab which becomes aligned with a notched external flange on the container neck for access to the removal tab when the internal closure lugs are aligned with the retaining rib slots on the container.
Description
CKGROIJND OF THE INVE~TIO~
14 This invention relates to a cni~d-resistant closure 16 and container combination whereby dangerous or hazardous 16 medications or the like carried within a container are safely q contained therein by locking features of the container clo-18 sure such tha~ the contents of the closure will not become 19 readily available to children. In other words~ the closure and container are so constructed that the closure may be 21 easily positioned on the container into a locking position, 22 but in order to remove the closure from the container, some 28 considerable thought and specific intent is necessary. The 24 closure is constructed with a removal ta~ access to which 26 may be gained only when the removal tab overlies a notch
14 This invention relates to a cni~d-resistant closure 16 and container combination whereby dangerous or hazardous 16 medications or the like carried within a container are safely q contained therein by locking features of the container clo-18 sure such tha~ the contents of the closure will not become 19 readily available to children. In other words~ the closure and container are so constructed that the closure may be 21 easily positioned on the container into a locking position, 22 but in order to remove the closure from the container, some 28 considerable thought and specific intent is necessary. The 24 closure is constructed with a removal ta~ access to which 26 may be gained only when the removal tab overlies a notch
2~ .in an external flange on the container neck. The closure 27 includes on its internal surface a narrow, thick lug and a 28 wide, thin lug which mate with a narrow, deep slot and a wide, 29 shallow slot in a retaining rib on the upper neck portion of So the container when the aforementioned removal tab is aligned For.~ 2.3 ' ~388(~2 with the notch in the external flange t:o allow rç~moval of 2 the closure from the container. ~hus" the closure must be 8 rotated to a predetermined circumferent:ial location in 4 order to remove it from locking engagement with the con-6 tainer.
q~he prior art has suggested many types of safety 7 caps and container configucations for keeping poisons, 8 dangerous chemicals, and other medications away from chil-9 dren or unsuspecting adults. ~xamples of such prior art safety caps include those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos.
11 3,170,585 (George H. O'Donnell), 3,627,160 (William Horvath), 12 3,7037974 ~Leo M. Boxer et al~, and 3,759,979 (Walter G.
18 Berghahn).
he prior art devices have heretofore suffered in 16 the respect that they have been difficult and expensive to ~ manufacture or have necessitated unduly complicated maneu-17 vers in order to place the cap into engagement with the 18 container after the desired portion of the contents of the 19 container have been removed.
In the safety cap ield, it is usually desirable 21 to require a relatively high degree of manual dexterity P2 in removing the cap, but once it is removed, it is desired 23 to replace it as quickly as possible without necessitating 24 complicated maneuvers. In addition, many of the prior art 26 safety closures have incorporated only one safety feature 2~ so that, through careful manipulation or the application 27 of excess force, this safety feature can be overcome and 28 becomes inoperative.
2~
Fors~ 2~
~388~
2 In its preferred form, this invention discloses 8 a safety cap or closure and container combination which ~ includes a cap member having top and depending wall por-6 tions, the interior surface of the cap member being adapted 6 to receive the mouth portion o a container having a coacting q or mating configuration. The interior surface of the clo-8 sure has a narrow, thick lug and a wide, thin lug formed 9 thereon in the same semicircular span and being separated lo from each other. The container mouth includes a retaining 11 rib which is interrupted by a narrow, deep slot and a wide, 1a shallow slot which are 5ized and spaced to mate with the 18 narrow, thick lug and wide, thin lug 9 respectively, on the 14 closure. ~he closure is adapted to slide over the mouth 16 portion of the container so that the lugs on the interior 16 of the closure will snap into engagement with the retaining 17 rib on the container mouth at any circumferential position.
18 However, the closure may be removed only when the closure 1~ has been rotated to a position where the respqctively sized lugs and slots are in a mating position so that the lugs 21 will slide through the slots.
22 The container mouth also includes an external flange 28 which extends radially outwardly beyond the skirt portion 24 of the closure when it is applied to the container. This 26 flange includes a deep access notch which is formed by a 26 recessed portion of smaller radial extent than the main 27 body of the flange. A removal tab is formed at the lower 28 edge of the closure skirt and extends radially outwardly 2~ therefrom to a position approximating the radial extent of the external flange on the container neck. Thus, access 8~ -3~
For:D 23 ~
~I-13245 ~0388~Z
1 to this removal tab may be had only when the removal tab 2 is positioned overlying the notch in the flange portion of 8 the container neck.
4 The closure and container combination of this 6 invention is formed so that the respective lugs on the clo-~ sure and slots in the retaining rib of the container are in 7 alignment at a circumferential position simultaneously with 8 the alignment of the removal tab with the notch in the ~ 1ange portion of the container. Thusg the removal tab is accessible only when the tab is positioned in ovexlying Il relationship with the notch in the container neck flange and, 12 simultaneously, the lugs are aligned with the 810ts in the 18 retaining rib. When the closuxe is rotated to any other 14 circumferential location, both lugs on the closure are locked lG beneath the retaining rib on the container and access to 18 the removal tab is made impossible by the flange on the con-17 tainer neck. Thus, the combination of the lug-retaining 8 rib slot and the tab-container neck flange safety features ~ provides a double safe child-resistant closure and container Combination.
21 In addition, the use of the two dissimilar lug 22 and slot configurations makes forced removal of the closure 28 from-the container at a position where only one lug is ad-jacent to a notch impossible. In other words, the wide, 2~ thin lug will not pass through the narrow, deep slot, and 26 ~he narrow, thick lug will not pass through the wide, shal-27 low notch. Thus, a third safety feature is incorporated 28 into ~he child-resistant closure of this invention.
2~ Thus, in accordance with the present teachings, a 8~ ~ -4-- ~3~ (1 Z
child-resistant closure and container combination is provided.
The combination comprises a flexible closure member which has a top portion and a depending peripherally continuous wall portion, the wall portion has an interior surface which has a pair of inwardly projecting locking lugs of dissimilar con-figuration and an inwardly projecting camming lug thereon. One of the locking lugs has a first configuration and the other of the locking lugs has a second configuration. The pair of locking lugs are of limited annular extent and contained within a separate semicircular span of the interior surface of the closure wall portion from the camming lug. The container has a mouth portion which has an outwardly projecting retaining rib adjacent an upper end thereof. The retaining rib is substantially continuous with a pair o slots of dissimilar coniguration formed therein, one o the slots having a irst configuration of suficient size to allow one of the locking lugs to pass through the rib and the other of the slots has a second configuration of sufficient size to allow the other of the locking lug to pass through the rib. The locking lugs and the camming lug engages the lower surface of the retaining rib upon application of the closure to the container to hold the closure on the container. The locking lug prevents removal of the closure from the container except when one locking lug is positioned adjacent one slot~and the other lug is positioned adjacent the other slot.
- 4a -~ ,,~
;,' For::l 233 3L~)3~38(1~2 1 Other objects, features, and advantages o~ the 2 subject invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon reference to the following detailed descrip-tion and t~le drawings illustrating a pre~erred embodiment 6 thereof.
6 IN THE DR~WINGS
7 FIG. l is a perspective view of a child-resistant 8 closure and container combination incorporating the unique g features of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the closure of 11 FIG. l;
12 FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cLosuxe of 18 FIG. 2 14 FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the neck portion o 16 the container of FIGo l;
1~ FIG. 5 is a partial front elevation view of the 17 container of FIG. 4;
18 FIG. 6 is a top sectional view of the closure and 19 container combination o this invention in a locked position;
~o and 21 FIG. 7 is a top sectional viPw o the closure and 82 container COm'DinatiOn of this invention in a position whsre 28 the ~embers are aligned for removal of the closure.
24 A DISCLOSURE OF A PREFERRED EMBODIME~T
26 In its preferred embodiment, this invention is 26 illustrated in FIG. l to include a combinakion child-re-87 sistant closure and container which are designated by the 28 numerals lO and 12, respectively. The closure l0, as 2~ can be seen in FIGS. l and 2, includes a top pane]. :L4 and a depending wall or skirt portion 16. The closure :L0 also i~s E'orr~ 2~3 388~
1 on its external surface a removal tab 18 which extends out-2 wardly from the lower edge of the ski~t 16. An arrow member 8 20 is formed to protrude upwardly from the top panel 14 ~ and outwardly from the skirt 16 adjacent to the removal tab C 18 to serve as a "touch and feel" locator or indicator for 8 the removal tab 18. The arrow member 20 is particularly 7 helpful when trying to find the removal tab in the dark or 8 for people with inferior eyesight, such as the blind or a aged.
As can be seen in FIG. 3, the closure 10 includes 11 on it~ interior surface a pair o locking lugs 22 and 24 12 and a camming lug 26. Each o~ the lugs 22, 24 and 26 18 are formed on the interior surface of the skirt 16 adjacent 14 the lower edge thereof. The locking lug 22 has a wide, thin 1~ configuration and, in contrast, the locking lug 24 has a 1~ narrow, thick configuration. The camming lug 26 has a con-l~ stant thickness and spans a larger circumferential portion 18 of the closure than do the locking lugs 22 and 24~ The 1~ ~unctions o each of these lugs will become apparent when the remainder o this description has been read.
21 The neck portion of the container 12 can be seen 22 in the drawings to include a relatively large external 1ange 28 28 which extends outwardly from the neck of the container 24 a distance equal to or greater than the radial extent of the removal tab 18 on the closure 10. A recessed portion 26 or notch 30 is formed in the flange 28 to provide access 27 to the removal tab 18 when the closure 14 is positioned in 28 engagement with the container 12. As can be seen in FIGS.
2~ 4 and 5, the container 12 includes a retaining rib 32 ad-jacent the upper edge of the container neck. This retaining Fo~.~ 233 ~38802 ::
1 rib 32 is adapted to cooperate with ~he lugs 22, 24 and 26 2 on the closure 10 to retain the closure 10 in locked engage-8 ment with the container 12. The retaining rib 32 has formed therein a wide, shallow slot 34 and a narrow, deep slot 36 ~ which are identical in size and shape with the locking lugs 6 22 and 24 respectively.
q The operation of the child-resistant closure and 8 container combination of this invention can best be under ~ ~tood by reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Initially, the closure 10 may be placed into engagement with the container 12 11 at any circumferential location as the lugs 22, 24 and 26 1~ on the closure 10 are adapted to slide over the retaining 18 rib 32 on the container 12 to lock thereunder. Once the 14 closure 10 has been placed into locking engagement with the 1~ container 12, three separate safety features are involved 16 in preventing the removal of the closure from the container.
17 Since the removal tab 18 is of the same radial 18 extent as the flange 28 on the container neck, access to 1~ this tab is prevented in all circumferential locations ex-cept when the tab 18 is rotated into overlying relationship 21 with respect to the notch 30 in the flange 28 (as shown in 22 FIG. 7). Secondly, the locking lugs 22 and 24 combine 28 with the camming lug 26 to retain the closure in locked 24 engagement in all circumferential positions except where 26 the wide, thin lug and narrow, thick lug are positioned 26 adjacent the wide, shallow notch and the narrow, deep notch 2q respectively. As stated previously, the circumferential 2~ position, where the locking lugs 22 and 24 are adjacent to 23 slots 34 and 36, is identical to that where the removal tab overlies the notch in the container flange~ The use ~ 233 ~!~)388~2 1 of dissimilar sized lugs and notches as disclosed by this 2 invention prevents the possibility of t:he alignment of 8 one notch with one lug and the subsequent application of 4 considerable force to overcome the remaining resistance 6 created by only one lug being positioned under the retain-6 ing ~ib. In this embodiment, the possibility of partial 7 alignment removal cannot occur, as the wide, thin lug can-8 not slide through the narrow, deep slot, nor can the nar-g row, thick notch be forced through the wide~ shallow slot.
o Thus, at all times except when the precise combination o ~1 ma~ing lugs and slots are positioned adjacent each other, 1~ both locking lu~s are retaining the closure in locking en-18 gagement with the container. The camming lug 26 also pro-14 vides additional locking engagement under the retaining bead 16 32; however, this camming lug 26 acts as a pivot or camming 1~ surface when the lu~s 22 and 24 are positione~ adjacent 17 their mating slots 34 and 36 and the removal tab 18 of the 18 closure is lifted so as to pivot the closure out of engage-1~ ment with the container.
Thus, it can be seen from the preceding descrip-21 tion that the child-resistant closure and container combina-~2 tion of this invention overcomes the disadvantages associated 28 with the prior art in that the closure may be removed at 24 only one circumferential position and in that posit~on it 26 may be removed very easily. In all other circumferential 26 locations, there is both no access to the removal tab and 27 a complete blocking action provided to prevent removal of 28 the closure. However, in the desired removal position, both access to the removal tab and ease of unlocking is pro-vided by the simultaneous alignment of the removal tab with Form ~ j3 ; ~9388~2 1 the flange notch and the alignment of the lock.ing lugs 2 ,with the respective slots in the retaining bead. It should 8 be understood that a variety of different lug and slot con-4 figurations may be utilized and are encompassed within the C scope of this invention.
.7 8 .
o Iq ~6 27 _ ~_ 2~
q~he prior art has suggested many types of safety 7 caps and container configucations for keeping poisons, 8 dangerous chemicals, and other medications away from chil-9 dren or unsuspecting adults. ~xamples of such prior art safety caps include those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos.
11 3,170,585 (George H. O'Donnell), 3,627,160 (William Horvath), 12 3,7037974 ~Leo M. Boxer et al~, and 3,759,979 (Walter G.
18 Berghahn).
he prior art devices have heretofore suffered in 16 the respect that they have been difficult and expensive to ~ manufacture or have necessitated unduly complicated maneu-17 vers in order to place the cap into engagement with the 18 container after the desired portion of the contents of the 19 container have been removed.
In the safety cap ield, it is usually desirable 21 to require a relatively high degree of manual dexterity P2 in removing the cap, but once it is removed, it is desired 23 to replace it as quickly as possible without necessitating 24 complicated maneuvers. In addition, many of the prior art 26 safety closures have incorporated only one safety feature 2~ so that, through careful manipulation or the application 27 of excess force, this safety feature can be overcome and 28 becomes inoperative.
2~
Fors~ 2~
~388~
2 In its preferred form, this invention discloses 8 a safety cap or closure and container combination which ~ includes a cap member having top and depending wall por-6 tions, the interior surface of the cap member being adapted 6 to receive the mouth portion o a container having a coacting q or mating configuration. The interior surface of the clo-8 sure has a narrow, thick lug and a wide, thin lug formed 9 thereon in the same semicircular span and being separated lo from each other. The container mouth includes a retaining 11 rib which is interrupted by a narrow, deep slot and a wide, 1a shallow slot which are 5ized and spaced to mate with the 18 narrow, thick lug and wide, thin lug 9 respectively, on the 14 closure. ~he closure is adapted to slide over the mouth 16 portion of the container so that the lugs on the interior 16 of the closure will snap into engagement with the retaining 17 rib on the container mouth at any circumferential position.
18 However, the closure may be removed only when the closure 1~ has been rotated to a position where the respqctively sized lugs and slots are in a mating position so that the lugs 21 will slide through the slots.
22 The container mouth also includes an external flange 28 which extends radially outwardly beyond the skirt portion 24 of the closure when it is applied to the container. This 26 flange includes a deep access notch which is formed by a 26 recessed portion of smaller radial extent than the main 27 body of the flange. A removal tab is formed at the lower 28 edge of the closure skirt and extends radially outwardly 2~ therefrom to a position approximating the radial extent of the external flange on the container neck. Thus, access 8~ -3~
For:D 23 ~
~I-13245 ~0388~Z
1 to this removal tab may be had only when the removal tab 2 is positioned overlying the notch in the flange portion of 8 the container neck.
4 The closure and container combination of this 6 invention is formed so that the respective lugs on the clo-~ sure and slots in the retaining rib of the container are in 7 alignment at a circumferential position simultaneously with 8 the alignment of the removal tab with the notch in the ~ 1ange portion of the container. Thusg the removal tab is accessible only when the tab is positioned in ovexlying Il relationship with the notch in the container neck flange and, 12 simultaneously, the lugs are aligned with the 810ts in the 18 retaining rib. When the closuxe is rotated to any other 14 circumferential location, both lugs on the closure are locked lG beneath the retaining rib on the container and access to 18 the removal tab is made impossible by the flange on the con-17 tainer neck. Thus, the combination of the lug-retaining 8 rib slot and the tab-container neck flange safety features ~ provides a double safe child-resistant closure and container Combination.
21 In addition, the use of the two dissimilar lug 22 and slot configurations makes forced removal of the closure 28 from-the container at a position where only one lug is ad-jacent to a notch impossible. In other words, the wide, 2~ thin lug will not pass through the narrow, deep slot, and 26 ~he narrow, thick lug will not pass through the wide, shal-27 low notch. Thus, a third safety feature is incorporated 28 into ~he child-resistant closure of this invention.
2~ Thus, in accordance with the present teachings, a 8~ ~ -4-- ~3~ (1 Z
child-resistant closure and container combination is provided.
The combination comprises a flexible closure member which has a top portion and a depending peripherally continuous wall portion, the wall portion has an interior surface which has a pair of inwardly projecting locking lugs of dissimilar con-figuration and an inwardly projecting camming lug thereon. One of the locking lugs has a first configuration and the other of the locking lugs has a second configuration. The pair of locking lugs are of limited annular extent and contained within a separate semicircular span of the interior surface of the closure wall portion from the camming lug. The container has a mouth portion which has an outwardly projecting retaining rib adjacent an upper end thereof. The retaining rib is substantially continuous with a pair o slots of dissimilar coniguration formed therein, one o the slots having a irst configuration of suficient size to allow one of the locking lugs to pass through the rib and the other of the slots has a second configuration of sufficient size to allow the other of the locking lug to pass through the rib. The locking lugs and the camming lug engages the lower surface of the retaining rib upon application of the closure to the container to hold the closure on the container. The locking lug prevents removal of the closure from the container except when one locking lug is positioned adjacent one slot~and the other lug is positioned adjacent the other slot.
- 4a -~ ,,~
;,' For::l 233 3L~)3~38(1~2 1 Other objects, features, and advantages o~ the 2 subject invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon reference to the following detailed descrip-tion and t~le drawings illustrating a pre~erred embodiment 6 thereof.
6 IN THE DR~WINGS
7 FIG. l is a perspective view of a child-resistant 8 closure and container combination incorporating the unique g features of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the closure of 11 FIG. l;
12 FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cLosuxe of 18 FIG. 2 14 FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the neck portion o 16 the container of FIGo l;
1~ FIG. 5 is a partial front elevation view of the 17 container of FIG. 4;
18 FIG. 6 is a top sectional view of the closure and 19 container combination o this invention in a locked position;
~o and 21 FIG. 7 is a top sectional viPw o the closure and 82 container COm'DinatiOn of this invention in a position whsre 28 the ~embers are aligned for removal of the closure.
24 A DISCLOSURE OF A PREFERRED EMBODIME~T
26 In its preferred embodiment, this invention is 26 illustrated in FIG. l to include a combinakion child-re-87 sistant closure and container which are designated by the 28 numerals lO and 12, respectively. The closure l0, as 2~ can be seen in FIGS. l and 2, includes a top pane]. :L4 and a depending wall or skirt portion 16. The closure :L0 also i~s E'orr~ 2~3 388~
1 on its external surface a removal tab 18 which extends out-2 wardly from the lower edge of the ski~t 16. An arrow member 8 20 is formed to protrude upwardly from the top panel 14 ~ and outwardly from the skirt 16 adjacent to the removal tab C 18 to serve as a "touch and feel" locator or indicator for 8 the removal tab 18. The arrow member 20 is particularly 7 helpful when trying to find the removal tab in the dark or 8 for people with inferior eyesight, such as the blind or a aged.
As can be seen in FIG. 3, the closure 10 includes 11 on it~ interior surface a pair o locking lugs 22 and 24 12 and a camming lug 26. Each o~ the lugs 22, 24 and 26 18 are formed on the interior surface of the skirt 16 adjacent 14 the lower edge thereof. The locking lug 22 has a wide, thin 1~ configuration and, in contrast, the locking lug 24 has a 1~ narrow, thick configuration. The camming lug 26 has a con-l~ stant thickness and spans a larger circumferential portion 18 of the closure than do the locking lugs 22 and 24~ The 1~ ~unctions o each of these lugs will become apparent when the remainder o this description has been read.
21 The neck portion of the container 12 can be seen 22 in the drawings to include a relatively large external 1ange 28 28 which extends outwardly from the neck of the container 24 a distance equal to or greater than the radial extent of the removal tab 18 on the closure 10. A recessed portion 26 or notch 30 is formed in the flange 28 to provide access 27 to the removal tab 18 when the closure 14 is positioned in 28 engagement with the container 12. As can be seen in FIGS.
2~ 4 and 5, the container 12 includes a retaining rib 32 ad-jacent the upper edge of the container neck. This retaining Fo~.~ 233 ~38802 ::
1 rib 32 is adapted to cooperate with ~he lugs 22, 24 and 26 2 on the closure 10 to retain the closure 10 in locked engage-8 ment with the container 12. The retaining rib 32 has formed therein a wide, shallow slot 34 and a narrow, deep slot 36 ~ which are identical in size and shape with the locking lugs 6 22 and 24 respectively.
q The operation of the child-resistant closure and 8 container combination of this invention can best be under ~ ~tood by reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Initially, the closure 10 may be placed into engagement with the container 12 11 at any circumferential location as the lugs 22, 24 and 26 1~ on the closure 10 are adapted to slide over the retaining 18 rib 32 on the container 12 to lock thereunder. Once the 14 closure 10 has been placed into locking engagement with the 1~ container 12, three separate safety features are involved 16 in preventing the removal of the closure from the container.
17 Since the removal tab 18 is of the same radial 18 extent as the flange 28 on the container neck, access to 1~ this tab is prevented in all circumferential locations ex-cept when the tab 18 is rotated into overlying relationship 21 with respect to the notch 30 in the flange 28 (as shown in 22 FIG. 7). Secondly, the locking lugs 22 and 24 combine 28 with the camming lug 26 to retain the closure in locked 24 engagement in all circumferential positions except where 26 the wide, thin lug and narrow, thick lug are positioned 26 adjacent the wide, shallow notch and the narrow, deep notch 2q respectively. As stated previously, the circumferential 2~ position, where the locking lugs 22 and 24 are adjacent to 23 slots 34 and 36, is identical to that where the removal tab overlies the notch in the container flange~ The use ~ 233 ~!~)388~2 1 of dissimilar sized lugs and notches as disclosed by this 2 invention prevents the possibility of t:he alignment of 8 one notch with one lug and the subsequent application of 4 considerable force to overcome the remaining resistance 6 created by only one lug being positioned under the retain-6 ing ~ib. In this embodiment, the possibility of partial 7 alignment removal cannot occur, as the wide, thin lug can-8 not slide through the narrow, deep slot, nor can the nar-g row, thick notch be forced through the wide~ shallow slot.
o Thus, at all times except when the precise combination o ~1 ma~ing lugs and slots are positioned adjacent each other, 1~ both locking lu~s are retaining the closure in locking en-18 gagement with the container. The camming lug 26 also pro-14 vides additional locking engagement under the retaining bead 16 32; however, this camming lug 26 acts as a pivot or camming 1~ surface when the lu~s 22 and 24 are positione~ adjacent 17 their mating slots 34 and 36 and the removal tab 18 of the 18 closure is lifted so as to pivot the closure out of engage-1~ ment with the container.
Thus, it can be seen from the preceding descrip-21 tion that the child-resistant closure and container combina-~2 tion of this invention overcomes the disadvantages associated 28 with the prior art in that the closure may be removed at 24 only one circumferential position and in that posit~on it 26 may be removed very easily. In all other circumferential 26 locations, there is both no access to the removal tab and 27 a complete blocking action provided to prevent removal of 28 the closure. However, in the desired removal position, both access to the removal tab and ease of unlocking is pro-vided by the simultaneous alignment of the removal tab with Form ~ j3 ; ~9388~2 1 the flange notch and the alignment of the lock.ing lugs 2 ,with the respective slots in the retaining bead. It should 8 be understood that a variety of different lug and slot con-4 figurations may be utilized and are encompassed within the C scope of this invention.
.7 8 .
o Iq ~6 27 _ ~_ 2~
Claims (8)
1. A child-resistant closure and container combination comprising a flexible closure member having a top portion and a depending peripherally continuous wall portion, the wall portion having an interior surface, the interior surface having a pair of inwardly projecting locking lugs of dissimilar configuration and an inwardly projecting camming lug thereon, one of said locking lugs having a first configuration and the other of said locking lugs having a second configuration, said pair of locking lugs being of limited annular extent and contained within a separate semicircular span of the interior surface of said closure wall portion from said camming lug, and a container having a mouth portion, the mouth having an outwardly pro-jecting retaining rib adjacent an upper end thereof, said retaining rib being substantially continuous with a pair of slots of dissimilar configuration formed therein, one of said slots having a first configuration of sufficient size to allow said one locking lug to pass through said rib and the other of said slots having a second configuration of sufficient size to allow said other locking lug to pass through said rib, said locking lugs and said camming lug engaging the lower surface of said retaining rib upon appli-cation of the closure to the container to hold the closure on the container, and said locking lug preventing removal of said closure from said container except when said one lock-ing lug is positioned adjacent said one slot and said other lug is positioned adjacent said other slot.
2. A child-resistant closure and container com-bination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said container mouth further includes an outwardly projecting external flange which is substantially continuous and has a notch formed therein, said closure includes a removal tab project-ing outwardly from said wall portion, the radial extent of said tab being greater than the radial extent of said notch but not greater than the radial extent of the remainder of said flange, said closure being rotatable relative to the container mouth to effect registration of the removal tab with the notch for removal of the closure from the con-tainer.
3. A child-resistant closure and container combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein the registra-tion of the removal tab with the notch coincides simulta-neously with the alignment of said one locking lug with said one slot and said other locking lug with the other slot.
4. A child-resistant closure and container combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said camming lug is of sufficient size so as to be larger than said slots in the retaining rib.
5. A child-resistant closure and container com-bination comprising a flexible closure member having a top portion and a depending peripherally continuous wall por-tion, the wall portion having an interior surface, the interior surface having a pair of inwardly projecting lock-ing lugs and an inwardly projecting camming lug thereon, one of said locking lugs having a narrow, thick configuration and the other of said lugs having a wide, thin configuration, said pair of locking lugs and said camming lug being of limited annular extent and contained within a separate semicircular span of the interior surface of said closure wall portion, the container having a mouth portion, the mouth having an outwardly projecting retaining rib adjacent an upper end thereof, said retaining rib being substantially continuous with a pair of slots formed therein, one of said slots having a narrow, deep configuration of sufficient size to allow said one locking lug to pass through said rib and the other of said slots having a wide, shallow configuration of sufficient size to allow said other locking lug to pass through said rib, said locking lugs and said camming lug engaging the lower surface of said retaining rib upon application of the closure to the container to hold the closure on the container, and said locking lug preventing removal of said closure from said container except when said one locking lug is positioned adjacent said one slot and said other lug is positioned ad-jacent said other slot.
6. A child-resistant closure and container com-bination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said container mouth further includes an outwardly projecting external flange which is substantially continuous with a notch formed therein and said closure includes a removal tab projecting outwardly from said wall portion, the radial extent of said tab being treater than the radial extent of said notch but not greater than the radial extent of the remainder of said flange, said closure being rotatable relative to the con-tainer mouth to effect registration of the removal tab with the notch for removal of the closure from the container.
7. A child-resistant closure and container com-bination as set forth in claim 2, wherein the registration of the removal tab with the notch coincides simultaneously with the alignment of said one locking lug with said one slot and said other locking lug with the other slot.
8. A child-resistant closure and container combina-tion as set forth in claim 7, wherein said camming lug is of sufficient size so as to be larger than said slots in the retaining rib.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US432527A US3871662A (en) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-01-11 | Child-resistant closure |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1038802A true CA1038802A (en) | 1978-09-19 |
Family
ID=23716534
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA217,574A Expired CA1038802A (en) | 1974-01-11 | 1975-01-08 | Child-resistant closure |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US3871662A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1038802A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1492822A (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA748249B (en) |
Families Citing this family (30)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3980194A (en) * | 1976-01-22 | 1976-09-14 | Allan Costa | Safety closure cap for a container having a neck portion |
| US4071156A (en) * | 1976-08-13 | 1978-01-31 | The West Company | Child resistant container-closure assembly |
| US4087016A (en) * | 1977-07-22 | 1978-05-02 | Lermer Packaging Corporation | Tightly sealing safety cap |
| US4405045A (en) * | 1981-05-01 | 1983-09-20 | Villa Real Antony Euclid C | Automatic two-component medication time-interval reminder cap and container |
| US4375859A (en) * | 1981-11-09 | 1983-03-08 | Owens-Illinois, Inc. | Child-resistant package |
| US4754418A (en) * | 1984-03-27 | 1988-06-28 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Combined electronic calculator and credit card |
| US4828805A (en) * | 1987-10-05 | 1989-05-09 | Aquality, Inc. | Child resistant top for a swimming pool chemical dispenser |
| US4925041A (en) * | 1988-02-26 | 1990-05-15 | Pehr Harold T | Closure for container |
| US5013073A (en) * | 1988-02-26 | 1991-05-07 | Pehr Harold T | Automatic reset window latch |
| US5137260A (en) * | 1988-02-26 | 1992-08-11 | Pehr Harold T | Child resistant container with flush latched closure |
| US4809874A (en) * | 1988-02-26 | 1989-03-07 | Pehr Harold T | Hinged closure for containers |
| US4787526A (en) * | 1988-02-26 | 1988-11-29 | Pehr Harold T | Container closure having child protective fastening means |
| US5520296A (en) * | 1992-03-12 | 1996-05-28 | Freed; Anna B. | Virtual hinge |
| US5702013A (en) * | 1992-03-12 | 1997-12-30 | Freed; Anna B. | Virtual hinge |
| EP0641277B1 (en) | 1992-05-12 | 2000-04-19 | E.R. SQUIBB & SONS, INC. | Method of moulding plastics articles and articles produced thereby |
| US5636756A (en) * | 1995-01-12 | 1997-06-10 | Lermer Packaging Corp. | Childproof closure with means for facilitating authorized removal |
| US5826738A (en) * | 1995-06-05 | 1998-10-27 | Minh; Do Le | Child-restraint combination of a container and a one-piece closure |
| US5862948A (en) * | 1996-01-19 | 1999-01-26 | Sc Johnson Commerical Markets, Inc. | Docking station and bottle system |
| US5779072A (en) * | 1997-02-19 | 1998-07-14 | Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. | Squeeze and turn flip top child resistant package |
| US6161711A (en) * | 1998-01-20 | 2000-12-19 | Tri State Distribution, Inc. | Container and closure system |
| US6364101B1 (en) * | 2000-10-19 | 2002-04-02 | S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Easily opened wipes canister |
| US6763960B2 (en) | 2002-07-16 | 2004-07-20 | Delta Plastics, Inc. | Child resistant closure and container |
| WO2004063025A2 (en) | 2003-01-08 | 2004-07-29 | Tri State Distribution, Inc. | Shellable child resistant closure container with positive lock mechanism |
| US20060124501A1 (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2006-06-15 | Mcneely Kevin | Dosage reminder cap |
| US8733582B2 (en) | 2010-09-13 | 2014-05-27 | David Fioritto | Drinking assembly with integral straw |
| US20120111821A1 (en) * | 2010-09-15 | 2012-05-10 | Wilton Industries, Inc. | Container |
| RU2581000C2 (en) * | 2011-10-25 | 2016-04-10 | Сосьете Лоррейн Де Капсулс Металликс-Манфактур Де Бушаж (Солокап-Маб) | Packaging system and its use |
| US9718510B2 (en) * | 2014-07-14 | 2017-08-01 | Saul D. Jacobson | Water bottle and cage system for bicycles |
| US11089939B2 (en) * | 2018-02-21 | 2021-08-17 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Dishwasher with detergent storage |
| WO2020219536A1 (en) | 2019-04-23 | 2020-10-29 | Berry Global, Inc. | Selectively openable closure for a container |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3393816A (en) * | 1967-02-06 | 1968-07-23 | Sterling Drug Inc | Container and double lock safety cap therefor |
| US3432058A (en) * | 1967-06-12 | 1969-03-11 | Henry A Burgess | Safety cap for medicine bottle or the like |
| US3627160A (en) * | 1970-10-08 | 1971-12-14 | Diamond Int Corp | Safety cap |
-
1974
- 1974-01-11 US US432527A patent/US3871662A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1974-12-30 ZA ZA00748249A patent/ZA748249B/en unknown
-
1975
- 1975-01-08 CA CA217,574A patent/CA1038802A/en not_active Expired
- 1975-01-09 GB GB909/75A patent/GB1492822A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ZA748249B (en) | 1975-12-31 |
| GB1492822A (en) | 1977-11-23 |
| US3871662A (en) | 1975-03-18 |
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