EP1727738B1 - A container for pills and a method of forming such a container - Google Patents

A container for pills and a method of forming such a container Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1727738B1
EP1727738B1 EP05722240A EP05722240A EP1727738B1 EP 1727738 B1 EP1727738 B1 EP 1727738B1 EP 05722240 A EP05722240 A EP 05722240A EP 05722240 A EP05722240 A EP 05722240A EP 1727738 B1 EP1727738 B1 EP 1727738B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
closure
shell
pressure
closed position
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.)
Active
Application number
EP05722240A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1727738A1 (en
Inventor
Peter Hanssen
Zoran Vasiloski
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.)
AstraZeneca AB
Original Assignee
AstraZeneca AB
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
Application filed by AstraZeneca AB filed Critical AstraZeneca AB
Publication of EP1727738A1 publication Critical patent/EP1727738A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1727738B1 publication Critical patent/EP1727738B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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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
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/04—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, or spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills
    • B65D83/0409—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, or spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills the dispensing means being adapted for delivering one article, or a single dose, upon each actuation
    • 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
    • B65D50/066—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 whereby parts of the container or closure having to be deformed, i.e. bi-stable movement

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a container for pills, and to a method of forming such a container.
  • 'child resistant' containers have been successful in reducing the death rate from accidental poisoning among young children who have gained access to containers holding pharmaceutical drugs prescribed for others.
  • the opening of such 'child resistant' containers has required both manual dexterity and some physical force; and may use a cognitive skill, like two step handling (e.g. push and turn).
  • the combined requirement for dexterity and strength has put the opening of such containers beyond the capabilities of young children.
  • US-5,709,318 which is considered as the closest prior art, there is disclosed a container having a dispensing closure with a locking switch located on the exterior.
  • the closure is openable by applying a compression force on the switch.
  • the invention provides a container for pills and the like, and having a closure which may be released by a compressive force applied between two opposed locations on the exterior, and which, after release, may be opened by application of pressure acting at right angles to the compressive force, the pressure causing the closure to rotate about an axis parallel to the direction of he compressive force, so to open an aperture leading to the interior of the container.
  • the invention also provides a container for pills and the like, and comprising a shell, a closure for that shell, a pivotal mounting in the shell for the closure so that the closure is arranged for rotation on an axis to rock between a closed position in which the closure seals the shell, and an open position in which the closure can dispense a pill or the like from the interior of the shell through an aperture, in which there is a detent arranged to secure the closure in its closed position, and a point on the surface of the shell to which pressure can be applied to release the detent and so allow the closure to be rocked from its closed position to its open position.
  • pressure to release the closure member is applied directly.
  • pressure to release the closure is applied though a suitably flexible point or points on an external part or parts of the container or container shell.
  • the aperture is on the opposite side of the axis to the position of application of pressure.
  • the container has an associated small sealable space for safe retention of a pill or a portion of a pill.
  • the small sealable space is located in the closure.
  • a sleeve or channel is used both to hold the container together and to carry notices or directions relating to pills to be stored in the container.
  • the invention also provides a method of forming a container as described above, the method comprising the steps of arranging two half portions of the container in proximity with each other, with the closure trapped between parts adapted to allow rocking movement of the closure, and then locking the two half portions together with a sleeve or channel.
  • the two half portions are connected together along a flexible hinge line, so that they can be arranged in proximity with each other by folding them together about the hinge line.
  • the two half portions are brought into proximity with each other as separate entities.
  • a container for pills, capsules, tablets or the like is shown in Figures 1 to 6 .
  • the container has a hollow shell 10, surmounted by a closure member 11.
  • the closure member 11 is arranged to rock on an axis between trunnions 12 (best seen in Figures 6 and 7 ), so that it is movable between a closed position, in which it seals the shell, and an open position, in which it is possible for a pill or the like to be dispensed from the interior of the shell.
  • the container is standing on a flat horizontal surface, and the trunnions 12 lie on a horizontal axis.
  • a shield portion 14 on the member 11 blocks a notch 15 in the top of the shell 10.
  • the shield portion 14 is raised to allow access to the interior of the shell 10 through the notch 15.
  • the container has a locking mechanism.
  • the locking mechanism comprises two opposed points 16 on the surface of the shell 10.
  • the points 16 are formed as very thin layers of the plastic shell, and are sufficiently flexible to permit inward deflection (i.e. towards each other).
  • On the closure member 11 there are dependent buttons 17, which are supported from the member 11 by short flexible strips 18.
  • the flexibility of the strips 18 allows pressure on the points 16 to deflect the buttons 17 inwardly within the shell 10.
  • Inward deflection of the buttons 17 allows the buttons to disengage from detents (not shown in Figures 1 to 7 , but well illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 relating to a variant of the container).
  • the points 16 are formed as open holes which allow direct access to the buttons 17.
  • the end of the closure member 11 nearer to the shield portion 14 has a small sealable space 20.
  • the space 20 is closed by a lid 19.
  • the lid 19 is hingedly mounted on the closure member 11 by a short flexible strap 21.
  • the strap 21 allows the lid 19 to be moved upwardly away from the space 20 to allow insertion or removal of a pill or half a pill as the user may require.
  • Figures 8 and 9 show a shell 30 associated with a closure member 31, which is rockable on trunnions 32.
  • the shell has a notch 35, and the closure member 31 has a shield portion 34.
  • Unlocking of the closure member 31 (not shown in Figures 8 and 9 ), followed by depression of the closure member by pressure B', allows the dispensing of a pill from within the shell 30. In the absence of a locking mechanism, this variant is less child resistant.
  • Figures 10 and 11 show a second variant of a container according to the invention, having an additional child resistant feature.
  • a shell 40 has a closure member 41, and after unlocking, and depression of additional button 50, pressure B" rocks the closure member anticlockwise (as seen in figure 11 ) to allow the dispensing of a pill from within the shell 40.
  • the shell 40 has apertures 46a, through which buttons 47 can be pushed inwardly through the shell 40 to release the closure member 41.
  • Figure 12 shows the buttons 47 being pushed together by pressure A
  • Figure 13 shows the closure member 41 being pushed down by pressure B".
  • the flexible points 16 of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7 are not required, as pressure A" is applied directly to the buttons 47.
  • buttons are not essential to the operation of the container according to the invention.
  • the shell 10 is moulded in two halves 10a and 10b, joined along a flexible hinge line 22.
  • the container is assembled by pivoting the halves 10a and 10b upwardly together.
  • the closure member 11 is positioned between them, so that trunnions 12 engage with pivot holes (not shown) on the inside of the shell 10.
  • the two halves 10a and 10b are forced together, so trapping the buttons 17 in proximity with the flexible points 16.
  • a 'U' shaped channel 23 is then forced over the halves 10a and 10b (as shown in Figure 16 ) to keep those halves permanently on contact with each other.
  • the 'U' shaped channel 23 may be used to carry promotional material, and/or written description of the contents and dosage of the pills to be kept in the container.
  • a single shell 10 formed as a single moulding could be used for many different pills, with the channel 23 being used to identify the particular pills within the container.
  • FIG. 17 to 19 An alternative method of assembly is shown in Figures 17 to 19 .
  • the two halves of the shell are formed as discrete parts (i.e. un-joined by any hinge line 22).
  • the two half shells 10a and 10b are brought together around the closure member 11.
  • a 'U' shaped channel 23 is then forced over the halves to keep those halves permanently in contact with each other.
  • the purpose of the container is to prevent access by children to pharmaceutical drugs within the container, while allowing elderly or infirm adults to have easy access to those drugs.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Silver Salt Photography Or Processing Solution Therefor (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Cosmetics (AREA)
EP05722240A 2004-03-19 2005-03-17 A container for pills and a method of forming such a container Active EP1727738B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE0400714A SE0400714D0 (sv) 2004-03-19 2004-03-19 Container
PCT/SE2005/000396 WO2005090187A1 (en) 2004-03-19 2005-03-17 A container for pills and a method of forming such a container

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1727738A1 EP1727738A1 (en) 2006-12-06
EP1727738B1 true EP1727738B1 (en) 2008-02-13

Family

ID=32067468

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05722240A Active EP1727738B1 (en) 2004-03-19 2005-03-17 A container for pills and a method of forming such a container

Country Status (13)

Country Link
US (1) US20070170185A1 (sv)
EP (1) EP1727738B1 (sv)
JP (1) JP2007529376A (sv)
CN (1) CN1934011A (sv)
AT (1) ATE385965T1 (sv)
AU (1) AU2005223720B2 (sv)
CA (1) CA2554093A1 (sv)
DE (1) DE602005004768T2 (sv)
ES (1) ES2300004T3 (sv)
HK (1) HK1100212A1 (sv)
NO (1) NO20064663L (sv)
SE (1) SE0400714D0 (sv)
WO (1) WO2005090187A1 (sv)

Families Citing this family (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7556173B2 (en) * 2006-01-30 2009-07-07 J.L. Clark, Inc. Container having pivoting lid
US20090032547A1 (en) * 2007-07-31 2009-02-05 Theresa Litherland Three button actuated pill holder/dispenser
US9914564B2 (en) * 2011-08-08 2018-03-13 Csp Technologies, Inc. Dispenser
DE102013110997A1 (de) 2013-10-02 2015-04-02 Sanner Gmbh Behälter mit Kindersicherung
US9902533B2 (en) * 2015-03-11 2018-02-27 Runway Blue, Llc Lid for a container
USD786086S1 (en) 2015-08-31 2017-05-09 Cvs Pharmacy, Inc. Bottle with cap
USD786674S1 (en) 2015-08-31 2017-05-16 Cvs Pharmacy, Inc. Bottle cap
USD792233S1 (en) 2015-08-31 2017-07-18 Cvs Pharmacy, Inc. Bottle with cap
USD786683S1 (en) 2015-08-31 2017-05-16 Cvs Pharmacy, Inc. Bottle with cap
USD780589S1 (en) 2015-09-10 2017-03-07 Cvs Pharmacy, Inc. Bottle
USD779955S1 (en) 2015-09-10 2017-02-28 Cvs Pharmacy, Inc. Bottle
USD780588S1 (en) 2015-09-10 2017-03-07 Cvs Cvs Pharmacy, Inc. Bottle
CN105947386A (zh) * 2016-06-28 2016-09-21 李红彪 可自动打开或关闭出液口的容器
USD931101S1 (en) 2018-03-02 2021-09-21 Berlin Packaging, Llc Closure
USD900606S1 (en) 2018-03-02 2020-11-03 Berlin Packaging, Llc Closure

Family Cites Families (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1326885A (en) * 1919-12-30 Nathaniel b
US3425578A (en) * 1967-09-05 1969-02-04 Nicoli Owens Pill container
US3907103A (en) * 1973-07-16 1975-09-23 Howard G Shaw Safety container
US3995765A (en) * 1974-12-18 1976-12-07 Vca Corporation Safety closure for containers
US3923180A (en) * 1975-02-26 1975-12-02 Mack Robert Fields Safety closure
IT8353532V0 (it) * 1983-06-30 1983-06-30 Ferrero Spa Contenitore per piccoli oggetti particolarmente pastiglie e simili prodotti dolciari
US4789057A (en) * 1988-03-18 1988-12-06 William Fisher Tamper resistant containers
US4795056A (en) * 1988-03-31 1989-01-03 Gerber Products Company Microwave dish cover
GB9021075D0 (en) * 1990-09-27 1990-11-07 Frontier Plastics South Wales Improvements relating to sharps disposal containers
US5205424A (en) * 1992-06-10 1993-04-27 Merck & Co., Inc. Child resistant cap and container assemblage
US5346069A (en) * 1992-09-24 1994-09-13 Intini Thomas D Container
GB9302790D0 (en) * 1993-02-12 1993-03-31 Frontier Plastics South Wales Improvements relating to closure devices
US5709318A (en) * 1996-01-31 1998-01-20 The Procter & Gamble Company Dispensing closure with integral locking switch and tamper evidency structure
US5829595A (en) * 1997-03-03 1998-11-03 Trienda Corporation Thin sheet thermoformed pallet sleeve
US5819968A (en) * 1997-03-06 1998-10-13 Jones; William Thomas Senior friendly child resistant medication containers
US5894965A (en) * 1997-07-29 1999-04-20 Edward S. Robbins, III Measuring dispensing cap with spring biased flip top
US5887736A (en) * 1997-10-06 1999-03-30 Mar; Bob Safety container requiring two simultaneous movements to effect opening
US6003700A (en) * 1998-04-01 1999-12-21 Rexam Plastics Inc. Safety closure and container
US6068126A (en) * 1998-05-06 2000-05-30 Valley Design Inc. Press to lift flat pill pack
AU2253201A (en) * 1999-12-03 2001-06-12 Sussex Technology, Inc. Toggle action dispensing closure with locking means
US6112920A (en) * 2000-02-14 2000-09-05 Lahaussois; Pierre Child-proof, senior-friendly pill bottle closure
US6343725B1 (en) * 2000-12-19 2002-02-05 Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. Disk-type toggle-action dispensing closure, package and method of assembly
US6283333B1 (en) * 2001-01-17 2001-09-04 Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc. Toggle-action dispensing closure with an actuation-prevention abutment and a recessed striker rib
ES1049184Y (es) * 2001-05-09 2002-03-16 Autonell Josep Maria Janes Dosificador de grageas
US6866164B2 (en) * 2002-04-26 2005-03-15 Rexam Medical Packaging Inc. Child resistant dispenser
US20060151496A1 (en) * 2002-05-17 2006-07-13 Visual Graphic Systems Inc. Multi-receptacle drinking cup and straws
US20020179644A1 (en) * 2002-05-30 2002-12-05 Evans Christopher T. Toggle action dispensing closure with locking means
US6772902B1 (en) * 2003-06-20 2004-08-10 Colin White One-piece molded child-proof container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO20064663L (no) 2006-10-13
AU2005223720A1 (en) 2005-09-29
SE0400714D0 (sv) 2004-03-19
DE602005004768D1 (de) 2008-03-27
AU2005223720B2 (en) 2009-02-26
CA2554093A1 (en) 2005-09-29
WO2005090187A1 (en) 2005-09-29
JP2007529376A (ja) 2007-10-25
CN1934011A (zh) 2007-03-21
ATE385965T1 (de) 2008-03-15
ES2300004T3 (es) 2008-06-01
US20070170185A1 (en) 2007-07-26
HK1100212A1 (en) 2007-09-14
EP1727738A1 (en) 2006-12-06
DE602005004768T2 (de) 2008-12-24

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