EP0001010A1 - Spiral lock safety closure - Google Patents

Spiral lock safety closure Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0001010A1
EP0001010A1 EP78300309A EP78300309A EP0001010A1 EP 0001010 A1 EP0001010 A1 EP 0001010A1 EP 78300309 A EP78300309 A EP 78300309A EP 78300309 A EP78300309 A EP 78300309A EP 0001010 A1 EP0001010 A1 EP 0001010A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cap
container
skirt
helical path
locking
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP78300309A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter Hedgewick
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
International Tools 1973 Ltd
Original Assignee
International Tools 1973 Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US05/826,493 external-priority patent/US4090629A/en
Priority claimed from US05/930,221 external-priority patent/US4159779A/en
Application filed by International Tools 1973 Ltd filed Critical International Tools 1973 Ltd
Publication of EP0001010A1 publication Critical patent/EP0001010A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B65D50/04—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 simultaneous actions, e.g. depressing and turning, lifting and turning, maintaining a part and turning another one
    • B65D50/043—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 simultaneous actions, e.g. depressing and turning, lifting and turning, maintaining a part and turning another one the closure comprising a screw cap whose threads are shaped to accommodate blocking elements and the closure is removed after first applying axial force to unblock it and allow it to be unscrewed

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to safety closure and container assemblies, and is particularly concerned with an improvement in safety closure and container assemblies wherein it is necessary to provide a liquid or moisture proof seal for the contents of the container.
  • the closure When the contents of the container is liquid, or is some substance that deteriorates in an atmosphere of high humidity, the closure must be capable of maintaining an adequate seal under a variety of conditions.
  • the contents of the container if liquid, may require vigorous shaking before being used, or the contents may be of the type that causes a pressure buildup within the container over a period of time.
  • a tight seal is also necessary in order to prevent the undesired escape of the contents from the container, and because the entrance of moisture and other containments into the container may cause deterioration of the contents.
  • the seal is inserted into and removed from the container primarily by the application of direct axial force between the cap and container.
  • the operator in applying the cap to the container, must first exert considerable axial pressure between the cap and container in order to force the seal into the mouth of the container before the cap is rotated into locked engagement with the container.
  • the operator in order to remove the cap from the container, after the cap has been unlocked from the container, the operator must pull the cap and seal axially from the container with a force sufficient to overcome the resistance of the seal to disengagement from the container. For the aged, arthritic or otherwise infirm user, the force required can cause considerable inconvenience.
  • An object of this invention is to provide a safety closure and container assembly wherein a moisture proof seal is provided by a sealing member that projects into the container mouth with cap and container locking means provided which will permit the cap to be applied to the container with a smooth, rotatable motion relative to the container to force the scaling member into tight engagement with the mouth of the container and wherein the locking means engage after the sealing member is pushed into the container such that the cap can be disengaged from the container only by first pushing the cap axially against a spring force on the sealing member and then rotating the cap relative to the container.
  • a further object is to provide a tight, moisture proof safety closure and container assembly having improved locking means that will permit the cap to be applied to the container with a smooth, rotatable motion requiring little strength on the part of the user.
  • a child resistant closure assembly includes a cap having an end.wall with a skirt projecting therefrom with locking means formed on and projecting from the inner wall of the skirt for selective engagement with and disengagement from complementary locking means formed on the container.
  • the cap locking means includes at least two sets of cap locking elements, each set being disposed in at least one helical path on the inner surface of the skirt.
  • Each of the cap locking elements includes an elongated thread-like rib having a trailing end located at the trailing end of the helical path and a leading end located near the free end of the skirt.
  • the cap locking elements further includes a pair of spaced locking lugs, the first one of which is located near the free end of the skirt and the second one of which is located between the first lug and the leading end of the thread-like rib.
  • the container locking means includes at least two sets of container locking elements. Each set of container locking elements includes an elongated guide rib located along a first container helical path on the outer surface of the mouth portion of the container. Each set of container locking elements further includes a pair of spaced stop members located in a second container helical path. When the cap is applied to the container, the cap locking elements are cammed downwardly by the elongated guide rib until the leading locking lug engages a connector portion to cam the locking lugs into locked engagement with the stop members.
  • the elongated thread-like member of the cap locking elements engages the underside of the guide rib on the container to prevent axial separation of the cap and container, the engagement of the locking lugs and stop members preventing rotary motion of the cap relative to the container.
  • the cap is pushed axially toward the container to disengage the locking lugs from the stop members to permit reverse rotation of the cap relative to the container.
  • a safety closure and container assembly according to the embodiment of FIGURES 1-6 includes a container designated generally by reference numeral 10 and having a neck or mouth portion 12 with an annular rim 14.
  • the safety closure assembly of FIGURES 1-6 includes a cap 16 having an end wall 18 with a peripheral skirt 20 projecting axially therefrom for receiving the mouth portion 12 of the container 10.
  • the skirt 20 has a free end 22 opposite the end wall 18 of the cap 16.
  • cap 16 When the cap 16 is mounted on the container 10 in the closed and locked position shown in FIGURE 3, it is biased against movement from locked engagement with the container 10 by a one piece plastic spring and sealing member designated collectively by reference numberal 25.
  • the inner surface of the skirt 20 of the cap is formed with retention means for the sealing member 25, as well as cap locking means.
  • the retention means is in the form of a pair of semicircular ribs 24 projecting inwardly from the skirt 20.
  • the sealing member 25 engages the retention ribs 24 to prevent axial separation of the spring and sealing member 25 from the cap 16.
  • the cap locking means includes at least two sets of cap locking elements. Each set of cap locking elements is disposed in a helical path on the inner surface of the skirt 20. Each set of cap locking elements includes an elongated rib 26 having a trailing end 26a and a leading end 26b (FIGURE 1). The trailing end 26a is located axially between the retention ribs 24 and the leading end 26b. The trailing end 26a of each rib 26 defines the trailing end of the helical path of each set of locking elements on the cap 16.
  • the cap locking elements also include a pair of spaced locking lugs 28 and 30, the locking lug 30 being located at the leading end of the helical path. The locking lug 28 is located between locking lug 30 and the leading end 26b of the rib 26.
  • the spring and sealing member 25 comprises a one piece molded plastic body having an annular sealing portion which, when the closure assembly is applied to the container 10 as illustrated in FIGURE 3, engages the rim 14 and the inner surface 27 of the mouth portion of the container 10.
  • the sealing portion of the member 25 includes a cylindrical sealing wall 34 having an outer surface 35 for engaging the inner surface of the mouth of the container 10, and a flange 36 projecting radially outwardly from the upper or outer end of the sealing wall 34 for overlying the container rim 14.
  • a pair of axially spaced ribs 37 are formed on the surface 35 of the sealing wall 34.
  • the spring and sealing member 25 includes a dome-shaped plunger portion 32 having a cylindrical base portion 42 which is concentric with the sealing wall 35.
  • the base portion 42 engages the inner surface of the end wall 18 of the cap 16.
  • a cylindrical projection 44 is formed on the inner surface of the end wall 18 of the cap 16 for cooperating with the base portion 42 to maintain the spring member 25 centered with respect to the cap 16.
  • the base portion 42 is formed with a closure portion 40 at the inner end of the cylindrical wall of the base portion 42.
  • the side wall 38 is of annular cross- section, and flares outwardly in bell-shaped configuration from the periphery of the lower end of the base portion 42 to the periphery of the lower, inner end of the sealing wall 34.
  • the outer surface of the mouth portion 12 of the container 10 is formed with container locking means.
  • the container locking means includes at least two sets of container locking elements.
  • Each set of container locking elements includes an elongated helical guide rib 50, and a pair of spaced stop members 52 and 54 located at the leading end of the guide rib 50.
  • the stop members 52 and 54 are located in a second helical path on the container 10 offset from the helical path of the guide rib 50.
  • a locking ramp or connector portion 56 connects the leading end of the guide rib 50 with the stop member 52.
  • the mouth portion 12 is received in the skirt 20 of the cap 16.
  • the locking lugs 28 and 30 each engage one of the guide ribs 50 beginning at the trailing end thereof opposite the locking ramp 56.
  • the guide ribs 50 cause the locking lugs 28 and 30 to pull the cap 16 axially toward the container 10 and simultaneously force the sealing member 25 into the mouth portion 12 of the container 10 so that the surface 35 and ribs 37 engage the mouth portion 12 of the container 10 with a tight fit.
  • the sealing member 25 is in tight, sealing relationship with the container 10 with the ribs 37 and the sealing wall surface 35 in tight sealing engagement with the inner surface of the container mouth portion 12.
  • the engagement of the locking lugs 28 and 30 with the stop members 52 and 54 prevents rotation of the cap 16 relative to the container 10.
  • the engagement of ribs 26 with the guide ribs 50 as shown in FIGURE 3 prevents axial separation of the cap 16 from the container 10.
  • FIGURE 7 illustrates a modified form of the cap 16 having the same components but made of metal.
  • the cap 116 includes an end wall 118 with a skirt 120 projecting from the periphery thereof to an outer free end 122.
  • the retention ribs 124 in FIGURE 7, corresponding to ribs 24 of FIGURE 1, are deformed out of the material of the skirt 120 by a stamping or pressure forming operation.
  • the ribs 126 and lugs 128 and 130 are stamped or otherwise depressed out of the material of the skirt 120.
  • a projection 144 is punched out of the end wall 118 of the metal cap 116 and surrounds an opening.
  • a second safety closure and container assembly according to the embodiment of FIGURES 8-12 includes a container designated generally by reference numeral 210 and having a neck or mouth portion 212 with an annular rim 214.
  • the safety closure assembly of FIGURES 8-12 includes a cap 216 made of molded plastic material and having an end wall 218 with a peripheral skirt 220 projecting axially therefrom for receiving the mouth portion 212 of the container 210.
  • the skirt 220 has a free end 222 opposite the end wall 218 of the cap 216.
  • cap 216 When the cap 216 is mounted on the container 210 in the closed and locked position shown in FIGURE 9, it is biased against movement from locked engagement with the container 210 by a one piece plastic. spring and sealing member designated collectively by reference numeral 225.
  • the inner surface of the skirt 220 of the cap is formed with retention means for the sealing member 225, as well as cap locking means.
  • the retention means is in the form of a plurality of retention nibs 224 projecting inwardly from the skirt 220.
  • the sealing member 225 engages the retention nibs 224 to prevent axial separation of the spring and sealing member 225 from the cap 216.
  • the cap locking means includes at least two sets of cap locking elements. Each set of cap locking elements is disposed in two helical paths on the inner surface of the skirt 220. Each set of cap locking elements includes an elongated rib 226 having a trailing end 226a and a leading end 226b (FIGURE 8). The trailing end 226a is located axially between the retention ribs 224 and the leading end 226b. The trailing end 226a of each rib 226 defines the trailing end of the-first helical path of each set of locking elements on the cap 216.
  • the cap locking elements also include a pair of spaced locking lugs 228 and 230, the locking lug 230 being located at the leading end of the second helical path.
  • the locking lug 228 is located between the locking lug 230 and the leading end 226b of the rib 226 and is integrally formed with the rib 226 at the leading end 226b.
  • the locking lug 228 and the rib 226 together define a z-thread or rib.
  • the spring and sealing member 225 comprises a one piece molded plastic body having an annular sealing portion which, when the closure assembly is applied to the container 210 as illustrated in FIGURE 9, engages the rim 214 and the inner surface 227 of the mouth portion of the container 210.
  • the sealing portion of the member 225 includes a cylindrical sealing wall 234 having an outer surface 235 for engaging the inner surface of the mouth of the container 210, and a flange 236 projecting radially outwardly from the upper or outer end of the sealing wall 234 for overlying the container rim 214.
  • a pair of axially spaced ribs 237 are formed on the surface 235 of the sealing wall 234.
  • the spring and sealing member 225 includes a dome-shaped plunger portion 232 having a cylindrical base portion 242 which is concentric with the sealing wall 235.
  • the base portion 242 engages the inner surface of the end wall 218 of the cap 216.
  • a cylindrical projection 244 is formed on the inner surface of the end wall 218 of the cap 216 for cooperating with the base portion 242 to maintain the spring member 225 centered with respect to the cap 216.
  • the base portion 242 is formed with a closure portion 240 at the inner end of the cylindrical wall of the base portion 242. Extending between the lower end of the base portion 242 and the inner end of the sealing wall 234 opposite flange 236 is a side wall 238.
  • the side wall 238 is of annular cross- section, and flares downwardly and outwardly in a bell-shaped configuration from the periphery of the lower end of the base portion 242 to a flange portion 245 which integrally connects the side wall 238 to the periphery of the lower, inner end of the sealing wall 234.
  • the outer surface of the mouth portion 212 of the container 210 is formed with container locking means.
  • the container locking means includes at least two sets of container locking elements.
  • Each set of container locking elements includes an elongated helical guide rib 250, and a pair of spaced stop members 252 and 254 located at the leading end of the guide rib 250.
  • the stop members 252 and 254 are located in the first helical path on the container 210.Offset above the helical path of the guide rib 250 are a pair of spaced vertical stop members 253 and 255.
  • the stop members 253 and 255 are located at the leading end of the guide rib 250 and in a second helical path on the container 210.
  • the stop member. 253 is integrally formed with the stop member 252.
  • Each set of container locking elements also includes a stop means or a check member 257 also located at the leading end of the guide rib 250.
  • the check member 257 is located in a third helical path of the container 210 offset below the helical path of the guide rib 250.
  • a connector portion 256 also disposed in the first helical path integrally connects the leading end of the guide rib 250 with the stop. member 252.
  • the mouth portion 212 is received in the skirt 220 of the cap 216.
  • the locking lugs 228 and 230 each engage one of the guide ribs 250 beginning at the trailing end thereof opposite the connector portion 256.
  • the guide ribs 250 cause the locking lugs 228 and 230 to pull the cap 216 axially toward the container 210 and simultaneously force the sealing member 225 into the month portion 212 of the container 210 so that the surface 235 and ribs 237 engage the mouth portion 212 of the container 210 with a tight fit.
  • the sealing member 225 When the locking lug 230 reaches the connector portion 256, the sealing member 225 is in tight, sealing relationship with the container 210 with the ribs 237 and the sealing wall surface 235 in tight sealing engagement with the inner surface of the container mouth portion 212. As the lugs 230 and 228 are moved passed the connector portion 256, (the position illustrated in FIGURE 12), the sealing member is flexed downwardly because of the reaction between the flange 236 and rim 214 of the container 210. When the locking lugs 228 and 230 reach the position illustrated in FIGURE 12, further movement of the lugs 230 and 228 is stopped by the check member 257 which engages the lug 230 if the cap 216 is further rotated.
  • the stop member 254 is located between lugs 228 and 230, and lug 228 is located between the stop members 252 and 254, the spring portion of the member 225 urges the lugs 228 and 230 into the locked position illustrated in FIGURE 9.
  • the locking lugs 228 and 230 engage the stop members 253 and 255 to prevent the cap 216 from cocking or tilting on the container 210 when locked.
  • the engagement of the locking lugs 228 and 230 with the stop members 252 and 254 prevents rotation of the cap 216 relative to the container 210.
  • the engagement of ribs 226 with the guide ribs 250 and the engagement of the lugs 228 and 230 with the stop members 253 and 255, respectively, as shown in FIGURE 9 prevents axial separation of the cap 216 from the container 210.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
EP78300309A 1977-08-22 1978-08-21 Spiral lock safety closure Withdrawn EP0001010A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US826493 1977-08-22
US05/826,493 US4090629A (en) 1977-08-22 1977-08-22 Spiral lock safety closure
US930221 1978-08-07
US05/930,221 US4159779A (en) 1978-08-07 1978-08-07 Safety package with threaded stop lock

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0001010A1 true EP0001010A1 (en) 1979-03-07

Family

ID=27125004

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP78300309A Withdrawn EP0001010A1 (en) 1977-08-22 1978-08-21 Spiral lock safety closure

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0001010A1 (it)
JP (1) JPS54130287A (it)
AU (1) AU3914978A (it)
IT (1) IT1157165B (it)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7434703B2 (en) 2004-09-27 2008-10-14 Rexam Prescription Products Inc. Child-resistant tamper-indicating package
CN110316465A (zh) * 2019-07-05 2019-10-11 赫蕾雪(上海)科技有限公司 一种儿童安全瓶

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS62171446U (it) * 1986-04-18 1987-10-30
JPS62171445U (it) * 1986-04-18 1987-10-30
JPH072421Y2 (ja) * 1987-08-29 1995-01-25 豊國樹脂工業株式會社 容 器

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3610454A (en) * 1969-07-24 1971-10-05 Dell M Malick Safety container and closure structures
FR2107839A1 (it) * 1970-09-21 1972-05-12 Reflex Corp Canada Ltd
US4032028A (en) * 1976-09-13 1977-06-28 Apl Corporation Safety cap
US4049148A (en) * 1976-05-19 1977-09-20 International Tools (1973) Ltd. Child resistant closure assembly

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3610454A (en) * 1969-07-24 1971-10-05 Dell M Malick Safety container and closure structures
FR2107839A1 (it) * 1970-09-21 1972-05-12 Reflex Corp Canada Ltd
US4049148A (en) * 1976-05-19 1977-09-20 International Tools (1973) Ltd. Child resistant closure assembly
US4032028A (en) * 1976-09-13 1977-06-28 Apl Corporation Safety cap

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7434703B2 (en) 2004-09-27 2008-10-14 Rexam Prescription Products Inc. Child-resistant tamper-indicating package
CN110316465A (zh) * 2019-07-05 2019-10-11 赫蕾雪(上海)科技有限公司 一种儿童安全瓶

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT7850813A0 (it) 1978-08-22
JPS54130287A (en) 1979-10-09
IT1157165B (it) 1987-02-11
AU3914978A (en) 1980-02-28

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

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17P Request for examination filed
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

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Effective date: 19831207

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Inventor name: HEDGEWICK, PETER