DE19859102A1 - Container with a child-proof closure system has an additional element allowing a coupling element to be operated for activation/deactivation of the child-proof function, or itself taking the role of a coupling element - Google Patents

Abstract

The closure system comprises an additional operating element. This element allows a coupling element to be blocked to activate the child-proof function, or to be unblocked to deactivate the child-proof function.

Description

The invention relates to a container according to the Oberbe handle of claim 1.

Containers for potentially dangerous household chemicals, but also drugs or the like, require a child-safe ren closure. Such childproof closures are required a certain manual dexterity to open, mostly to covert coupling means by a certain Engaging handling. This handling is so designed that - if the function is known - by an additional actuation without additional handles in the Coping with everyday life at the same speed can.

EP 0 369 166 describes a detergent or dish soap container known with a childproof screw cap, in which a radially to be pressed-in zone is part of a around a tangent to the screw axis Is tilting cheek. By pushing in radially on the pressure points in the upper area of the tilting cheek will be the corresponding corresponding jacket section of the tilting cheek in the lower area pivoted outwards and the locking of the cap against over a locking ring molded onto the neck of the container loosened, whereupon the screw cap (simultaneous) turning can be opened.

From EP 0 631 943 A2, a container is also identical timely turning and exerting an axial pressure active child-proof closure of the above be already mentioned type known, with a screw cap on the outside specially shaped lid section and egg ne on this attachable, on the inside accordingly  shaped and by elastic deformation in or out Engagement with the screw cap includes outer cap. The screw cap can also be used as the sole, not kin the secure closure can be used.

Furthermore, EP 0 623 522 A1 is also two partially assembled screw cap with child lock knows, with the outer and inner cap by radial pressure can be frictionally engaged and the closure opened in this state by turning at the same time can be.

Older people can use such childproof closures due to weakening strength and dexterity of the hands de often no longer open. This large and in the course of demographic development will continue to increase in the future Group of people is therefore unintentional and unnecessary when using appropriately packaged products different.

The invention has for its object a container with improved performance characteristics, the egg on the other hand, elderly people easy handling and on the other hand, a child-proof version of the Be container closure should allow and where the off Management of this attitude is understandable for adults and should be executable.

The task is accomplished by a container with the in the claim 1 or in the features specified in claim 9.

The basic idea of the invention is therefore vessels with ge dangerous content (medication, household chemicals) to close that the buyer of the product decide  can, whether he wants a child lock and active it makes or holds, or whether he doesn't want them and them makes or keeps inactive. This is why it is usually without an restrictions feasible because nowadays mostly in the Households of older people do not have toddlers at the same time lives that should be protected.

This happens because a fundamentally provided Child lock with a mechanical lock, one in the key to be pushed in or another key suitable device is activated or deactivated. This activation or deactivation represents an additional process that can be more time-consuming than that pure opening or closing process, since it is only once must be carried out. But it is also for children not understandable. Since no special manual here Dexterity, but rather planning is required such a process of older people (unique) we are much easier to accomplish than a difficult one Handling with every single opening.

The manufacturer of the product can then decide whether he has the product from the outset with childproof Ver conclusion (and enclosed or e.g. on a tear-off tab key for deactivation attached to the lock) supplies or ready with non-childproof closure then the locking element (key, cotter pin, etc.) would have to be removed to activate the child lock four. By the principle of a usable as needed Locking element is also ensured that the closure in Children as needed over the life of the container can be switched safely or not childproof. The  would be z. B. useful if children in an otherwise children loose household are temporarily visiting.

The invention therefore closes in a first variant basic consideration, one easy for adults as such recognizable and manageable locking element for "Switching" between a childproof and a not childproof design of a container closure to provide which considerations he intended to use calls, which also from old people without further ado can be achieved - but blocked for small children are. This way, small children are not spotted from the start Lich, what purpose an enclosed tool serves, wel ches is to be introduced in a certain way.

There is another useful variant of the invention rin, the container both with a childproof as well to be delivered with a closure that is not childproof, where with the closure currently not attached beige is packed so that the end user of the product at Be may use this instead of the patch.

The possibility exists in all embodiments of the invention through the catchy colors of the closures and / or locking elements (approximately - using the deep embossed signal effect of these colors - in green / red) and embossed or printed references to the current the condition of the container or closure. So when removing the locking element z. B. the note "childproof" appear when the key is inserted sels is covered, with the key additionally one embossed warning "Caution, not childproof!" or the like.  

The actuator is in a first function stood, (which for security reasons usually also the Delivery state will be), with the output section connected or opposite this in a first position arranged and in engagement with the closure in such a way that the child safety function is activated. It is detachable from the discharge section or opposite this in a second position can be brought, after its release or in the second position deactivates the child safety function is fourth.

In another embodiment, the actuating element is in a first functional state (especially in the off again delivery condition) separated from the closure or this opposite in a first position, so that the child safety function is activated, and the bet Cleaning element can be connected to the closure or the opposite in a second position in engagement with the sem bringable such that in the connected state or in the second position deactivates the child safety function is fourth.

Particularly common containers with dangerous contents are screw top bottles. Here, the closure includes in egg ner advantageous version with an inner screw cap Internal screw thread and a first engagement device and an outer cap with a second engagement device device, which together with the first engagement device ei ne manually operated clutch to activate the kin the safety function forms, and the actuator has means for rigid locking of the interior Screw cap with the outer cap in the connected state or in the second position.  

In another appropriate version for this type of Be the closure is a screw cap with an inner Screw thread and a first engagement device, and the actuating element has a second engagement device tion in the connected state or in the first Position together with the first engagement device manually operated clutch for activating the child safety forms safety function.

In these variants, the clutch is especially for Ak Child safety function activated by axial and / or radial pressure on the closure, in particular producing an elastic restoring force, and trained simultaneously rotating the same.

Other advantageous developments of the invention marked in the dependent claims or are after standing together with the description of preferred execution stations with reference to the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1 as a preferred embodiment of a container OF INVENTION to the invention a plastic bottle with screw closure in a perspective view;

FIGS. 1a and 1b are cross sectional views through the screw cap for explaining the operation of the shutter in cooperation with the actuating element for the container according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 2, as a further preferred embodiment of a glass vial with a screw cap and the actuating element in a schematic view (partially sectional side view),

Fig. 2a is an exploded perspective view of the parts of the closure and the actuating element of the embodiment of Fig. 2 and

Fig. 3 shows a container according to another Ausfüh runsgform in a schematic perspective view.

Fig. 1 shows a plastic bottle 1 , which has a basic body by 3 and a bottle neck 5 with an external thread 7 , with a screw cap 9 . The screw cap 9 is (in a known manner) from an inner hollow cylinder 11 , which carries an internal thread 13 , and an outer hollow cylinder 15 with a predetermined elastic deformability speed and outside corrugation 17 , which are connected to one another via a common bottom surface 19 , which seals the bottle opening in the closed state.

In the transition area between the base body 3 and the bottle neck 5 of the bottle 1 , a receptacle 23 limited by two lateral elevation areas 21 a, 21 b is formed with two recessed grips 24 a, 24 b for an octagonal locking plate 25 in the basic shape. The locking plate 25 , which carries two molded wedges 27 a, 27 b on one of its surfaces (in the figure, the surface facing upwards), is loosely inserted into the receptacle 23 and is held in a rotationally fixed manner by the elevation regions 21 a, 21 b.

The screw cap 9 has on the lower edge of the inner wall of the outer hollow cylinder 15 also two molded wedges 29 a, 29 b, which can best be seen in FIGS. 1a and 1b. The wedges 27 a, 27 b on the actuating element and the wedges 29 a, 29 b on the screw cap are formed in mutually corresponding form and position such that a locking is achieved in a direction of rotation of the screw cap; see further below. 90 ° offset from these wedges 29 a, 29 b are in the lower part of the outer wall of the screw cap 9 two areas ("pressure points") 31 a, 31 b optically and tactile highlighted by omission of the corrugation. The surface of the locking plate 25 , which carries the wedges 27 a, 27 b, is likewise optically emphasized by a coloring which clearly differs from the base body and bottle neck 5 .

The components described above form a Be container with childproof closure.

The bottle 1 is closed in the usual manner by placing and rotating the screw cap 9 in the clockwise direction, with the wedges 29 a, 29 b on the outer hollow cylinder 15 via the correspondingly aligned corresponding wedges 27 just before reaching the end position of the screw cap (closed position) a, 27 b slide on the locking plate. If the screw cap, starting from the closed position, is rotated counter-clockwise, this rotation is inhibited by the interlocking wedges 27 a / 29 b and 27 b / 29 b, as can be seen in FIG. 1a. Only by additional, radially inwardly directed pressure on both pressure points 31 , 31 b, this inhibition can be overcome by the outer hollow cylinder 15 of the cap 9 being elastically deformed into an elliptical cross-sectional shape, whereby the molded wedges 29 a, 29 b are moved outwards and disengage from the wedges 27 a, 27 b of the locking plate 25 , as shown in FIG. 1b. In this state - ie with the accordingly complex handling - the first piece of the opening path can be rotated with the help of the screw cap 9 and the bottle 1 can thus be opened.

If the locking plate 25 is removed from the receptacle 23 or turned over so that the wedges 27 a, 27 b come to rest in the recessed grip 24 a, 24 b, there is no counterpart for the locking of the wedges 29 a, 29 b of the closure are available so that the screw cap 9 can be opened just as easily, without special handling, as it is closed. The childproof lock is deactivated in this state.

Figs. 2 and 2a are schematic illustrations as a further preferred embodiment of a vial 101 having a body 103 and a neck 105 with external thread 107, with an internal screw cap 109 which carries a formed for engagement with the external thread 107 internal threads 111 , and a limited elastic outer screw cap 113 , which sits with play over the inner screw cap 109 and has a corrugation 115 on its outer wall for easier turning.

Further to this version includes a cross-sectionally circular, circumferentially also corrugated locking plate 117 , on one surface of which four pins 119 a to 119 d are formed. Corresponding to the shape and arrangement of these pins 119 a to 119 d, the inner screw cap 109 and the outer screw cap 113 each have four bores 121 a to 121 d and 123 a to 123 d, in which the pin 119 a to 119 d intervene when the locking plate 117 is placed on the outer screw cap 113 . In this state, the inner screw cap 109 and the outer screw cap 113 are locked in a rotationally fixed manner, and the bottle cap can be opened and closed by simply turning the outer cap. A child safety function does not exist in this state.

The inner screw cap 109 and the outer screw cap 113 also have coupling means which can only be brought into engagement by special handling: the inner screw cap 109 has an integrally formed front toothed ring 125 on the outside of its end face, and this corresponds to the bottom surface the outer screw 113 inside a front ring gear 127 integrally formed, which are connected miteinan of at correct angular orientation and axial pressure on the outer cap 113 in engagement with the end of the inner cap 109 toothed ring 125 comes, whereby the inner and outer caps 109, 113 frictionally rotationally fixed. The elasticity of the outer cap 113 creates a restoring force that tends to release this water connection, unless this is maintained by continued application of the axial pressure force.

If the locking plate 117 is not attached, the bottle 101 can only be opened by simultaneous axial pressure and rotation, which implements a child safety function. In the illustrated simple version, the bottle can also be closed only by an analog handling. A facilitated closing can, if necessary, be made possible by an additional coupling device which can only be brought into engagement in the closing direction, for example by an additional ratchet device between the inner and outer cap.

An advantageously particularly user-friendly design of the container described last provides a clearly signal-like distinguishable coloring of the locking plate on the one hand and the screw cap (s) on the other hand, for example the color combination red (for the locking plate, which activates the child safety function de) / green (for the screw cap, which is childproof without a locking plate). In this context, it is an additional advantage that the inner cap 109 is colored, but the outer cap 113 is transparent, in order to facilitate the correct positioning of the locking plate 117 with respect to the holes in the inner cap 109 .

Fig. 3 shows a detergent bottle 201 , the base body 203 has a neck portion 205 and a molded handle 207 . The bottle 201 is closed in the delivery state shown with a first, kin dersicherer cap 209 , the outside has a relatively fine corrugation 211 with a pressure point 213 . In the upper area of the handle 207 , a recess 215 is formed, into which, held by the elasticity of the bottle wall, a second cap PE 217 without child safety function and with much coarser corrugation 219 - for easier handling for older people - is used, which optionally against the cap 209 originally fitted can be replaced. Preferably, the two caps 209 , 217 in clearly different colors and possibly with an inscription, so that on the safety-relevant functional difference both visually and verbally and (by the different Kappenoberflä Chen) is also emphasized tactile.

The invention is not restricted in its implementation to the preferred embodiment given above examples. Rather, a large number of variants are possible Lich, which of the solution shown also in different make use of any design.

Claims (11)

1. Container ( 1 ; 101 ) for a product to be kept safe from access by children with a base body ( 3 ; 103 ) for receiving the product and an output section ( 5 ; 105 ) for optional output of the product from the container and one with connect the dispensing section, this opposite movable and this depending on its position relative to the dispensing section ver closing or releasing closure ( 9 ; 109 , 113 ), which means ( 27 a, 27 b, 29 a, 29 b; 125 , 127 ) for activating a child safety function by engaging or disengaging coupling means, characterized in that a ver with the closure or the output portion bindable or attachable additional actuating element ( 25 ; 117 ) is provided, with the connection or add an activation of the child safety function and with removal or removal a deactivation of the child safety function n can be effected by blocking or unlocking the coupling means by means of the additional actuating element or that the additional actuating element itself forms the coupling element. 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element ( 25 ) in a first functional state, in particular in the delivery state, connected to the dispensing section ( 5 ) or arranged opposite it in a first position and with the closure ( 9 ) in Intervention is such that the child safety function is activated via the coupling means, and that the actuating element can be detached from the dispensing section or can be brought in a second position where, after being released or in the second position, the child safety function was in a second functional state the coupling means is deactivated. 3. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator in a first function stood, especially in the delivery state, by the Ver finally separately or opposite this in a first butt sition out of engagement with this is such that the Kin the safety function is activated via the coupling means is, and that the actuator ver with the closure bindable or opposite to this in a second position Engagement with this can be brought about in such a way that in combination childproof or in the second position unit function in a second functional state via the Coupling agent is deactivated. 4. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the dispensing section is designed as a bottle neck ( 105 ) with an external screw thread ( 107 ) and the closure ei ne internal screw cap ( 109 ) with an internal screw thread ( 111 ) and a first engagement device ( 125 ) and an outer cap ( 113 ) with a second engagement device ( 12 /), which together with the first engagement device in the manner of a key forms manually operable coupling means for activating the child safety function, and in that the actuating element ( 117 ) has means ( 119 a to 119 d) for rigid locking of the inner screw cap with the outer cap in the connected state or in the second position. 5. A container according to claim 2, characterized in that the dispensing section is designed as a bottle neck ( 5 ) with an external screw thread ( 7 ) and the closure is a screw cap ( 9 ) with an internal screw thread ( 13 ) and a first engagement device ( 29 a, 29 b) and the actuating element ( 25 ) has a second engagement device ( 27 a, 27 b) which, in the connected state or in the first position together with the first engagement device, forms manually operable coupling means for activating the child safety function. 6. Container according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the coupling means ( 27 a, 27 b; 125 , 127 ) for activating the child safety function by axial and / or radial pressure on the closure ( 9 ; 113 ), in particular in particular Generation of an elastic restoring force, and simultaneous rotation of the same is formed. 7. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by means for visually differentiating the states with active and deactivated child safety function in normal use of the container ( 1 ; 101 ) enabling coloring of the actuating element ( 25 ; 117 ) and / or at least one area of the ver circuit ( 9 ; 19 , 113 ) or the output section ( 5 ; 105 ) which can be covered by the actuating element. 8. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body ( 3 ) or the closure ( 9 ) means, in particular a recess ( 23 ) for receiving the actuating element ( 25 ) in the state not connected to the dispensing section ( 5 ) having. 9. container ( 201 ) for a potentially hazardous product, with a base body ( 203 ) for receiving the product and an output section ( 205 ) for optional delivery of the product from the container and a connectable to the output section, this movable and opposite this depending on its position relative to the dispensing section closing or releasing first closure ( 209 ) with a child safety function, characterized in that in addition to the first closure and independently of this an alternative to this connectable to the dispensing section second closure ( 217 ) without Child safety function is provided. 10. A container according to claim 9, characterized in that in the delivery state, the first closure ( 207 ) with the dispensing section ( 205 ), which closes the verbun and the second closure ( 217 ) is enclosed. 11. A container according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the base body ( 203 ) or the first or second closure ( 209 , 217 ) in the delivery state connected to the output section means, in particular a recess ( 215 ), for receiving the non connected to the output section other closure ( 217 , 209 ).