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, spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills
  • B65D83/0445—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills all the articles being stored in individual compartments
  • B65D83/0463—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills all the articles being stored in individual compartments formed in a band or a blisterweb, inserted in a dispensing device or container
• • 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
  • B65D2215/00—Child-proof means
  • B65D2215/02—Child-proof means requiring the combination of simultaneous actions

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates generally to child-resistant lockable containers.
• the present disclosure relates to a deactivation clip for use with a releasably lockable container.
• BACKGROUND Child-resistant or lockable containers wherein multiple movements are required to open the container, have many uses.
• One use for a lockable container is to control the dispensing of medicine and medicaments in the form of pills and tablets.
• locking caps on medicine bottles are well known.
• the typical locking cap mechanism requires a coordinated alignment and tipping, or axial pressure, or inward radial squeezing while turning the cap to remove it from its container in order to access the medicaments.
• medicines are packaged in convenient flat boxes, which are often difficult to secure with child-resistant features.
• Many medicaments in the form of tablets are sold in blister packs - blisters formed on a sheet sealed by a barrier that is punctured when extracting a tablet from a blister.
• a typical cardboard flat box holding one or more blister packs is opened the entire contents of the package is exposed, making all of the tablets immediately available.
• the dangers posed by children with access to a large quantity of tablets not intended for their consumption is self evident.
• the illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a child- resistant lockable container for storage and dispensing of medications packaged with a slideable member that holds items, for example, a tray, a drawer with compartments, a blister card, a blister pack, or the like ("slideable card").
• the slideable card is illustrated as a conventional blister package, but the slideable member can be a tray, a slideable package, or any other packaging, as is known to those skilled in the art.
• the lockable container is illustrated as a two-piece molded plastic container closed on three sides to form a void that receives the slideable card. The slideable card slideably translates through the open forth side of the lockable container.
• Posts molded on one piece of the lockable container are connected, and in some embodiments sealed or welded, with the corresponding hollow cylinders molded on the other piece of the lockable container.
• Energy directors may weld side edges.
• the slideable card includes at least one receiving aperture that, when fully inserted within the container, engages at least one detent or catch (“detent") formed on one or both of the two pieces of the lockable container.
• a release button is located on the lockable container, and is positioned proximate to the detent. Ribs, springs, or other biasing mechanisms, are located proximate the detent to exert a compressive force upon, and thereby urge, the slideable card to engage the detent at the receiving aperture.
• a deactivation clip can be attached to the lockable container. When the deactivation clip is attached to the appropriate location on the lockable container, the deactivation clip engages the release button so that the receiving aperture does not engage the detent.
• the blister card is placed in the sleeve opening and pushed inward past the limit spring and on sliding guides of the base, between guiding cylinders. Springs or ribs formed in the top urge the blister card toward the base and a detent. The detent or catch engages one or more apertures formed in the slideable card to lock the slideable card in the sleeve.
• an embodiment of the disclosure includes a storing and dispensing system includes a case and a slideable card.
• the slideable card includes at least one detent receiver.
• the case includes a first side matingly connected to a second side to form a void for receiving the card. When the first and second sides are joined together to form a case, the opposite closed edges and a closed end formed by the mated connection further define the void for receiving the card.
• An open end opposite the closed end is configured to permit the card to translate between a first position and a second position.
• One or more detents extend from one of the sides toward the void for engaging the detent receiver of the slideable card.
• the case includes a release proximate to the detent configured to disengage the detent receiver and the detent, whereby engaging the detent and detent receiver locks the card within the case, and manipulating the release to disengage the detent and detent receiver unlocks the card.
• the storage and dispensing system can also include a deactivation clip configured to engage the release.
• the card comprises a blister card holding one or more items.
• the deactivation clip of the storing and dispensing system includes a first arm configured to attach to a first side of the container and a second arm configured to attach to a second, opposite side of the container.
• the deactivation clip includes at least one edge connected to the first arm at a first end and the second arm at a second end, and is configured to hold the arms in a spaced apart configuration.
• a key is positioned on one of the arms and configured to engage a release button of the container.
• the blister card contains pharmaceutical products.
• the container further comprises one or more springs, the springs being configured to exert a compressive force on the slideable card to urge the slideable card to engage the detent.
• the container further comprises one or more ribs for creating a space between one or more sides of the container and the slideable card.
• a selectably engaging child-resistant apparatus includes a base matingly connected to a top to form a void for receiving a card holding items.
• the opposite sides and a closed end formed by the mating of the base and the top further define the void.
• An open end of the apparatus, opposite the closed end, is configured to permit translating motion of the card.
• One or more detents are positioned within the void to engage the card in a first, substantially received, position.
• One or more biasing mechanisms is positioned within the void. One or more of these biasing mechanisms is located adjacent the detent, and is/are configured to urge the card to engage the detent when the card is in the first, substantially received, position.
• a release is located proximate to the detent, and is configured to disengage the card from the detent.
• One or more retainers are positioned within the void to engage the card in a second, substantially extended, position.
• the apparatus further includes a releasable deactivation clip engaged with the release.
• the card is a tray that holds items, in another aspect the card is segmented into compartments.
• the card holds any portable article.
• the deactivation clip of the apparatus includes a first arm configured to attach to a first side of the container and a second arm configured to attach to a second, opposite side of the container.
• the deactivation clip includes at least one edge connected to the first arm at a first end and the second arm at a second end, and is configured to hold the arms in a spaced apart configuration.
• a key is positioned on one of the arms and configured to engage a release button of the container.
• the selectably engaging child- resistant apparatus further includes one or more springs. The springs are configured to exert a compressive force on the slideable card to urge the card to engage one or more detents.
• a deactivation clip includes a first arm configured to attach to a first side of the container and a second arm configured to attach to a second, opposite side of the container.
• the deactivation clip includes at least one edge connected to the first arm at a first end and the second arm at a second end, and is configured to hold the arms in a spaced apart configuration.
• a key is positioned on one of the arms and configured to engage a release button of the container.
• FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a lockable container, according to the present disclosure.
• FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the lockable container of FIG. 1, from the opposite side.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the assembled lockable container of FIGs. 1 and 2.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative lockable container showing a partially removed blister card, according to the present disclosure.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the lockable container of FIG. 4.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a disengaged deactivation clip for a lockable container, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 7 shows the deactivation clip and lockable container of FIG. 6, engaged.
• FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the engaged deactivation clip and lockable container of FIG. 7.
• FIG. 9 is a transparent view of the engaged deactivation clip and lockable container of FIG. 7, as viewed from the opposite side.
• FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative deactivation clip and lockable container, according to the present disclosure.
• FIG. 11 shows the deactivation clip and lockable container of FIG. 10, engaged.
• the present disclosure is not limited to the pharmaceutical-related goods referenced with the illustrated embodiments, but is applicable to any small, delicate, sensitive, or portable item.
• examples of such items include all manner of consumable products such as candy, food, vitamins, and the like; all manner of personal care products such as contact lens, birth control devices, smoking cessation patches, hearing aid batteries, and the like; and any item and that can fit within a lockable container.
• the present disclosure is not limited to the blister packs referenced with the illustrated embodiments, but is applicable to any tray, card, rack, pack, pouch, and the like to which an item of any sort may be held, stored, attached, secured or otherwise associated with the item.
• FIGs. 1 and 2 there are shown exploded views of an exemplary lockable container 10.
• the lockable container 10 holds a slidable element, for example, a tray or blister card 12 ("card") within a locking sleeve 14.
• the locking sleeve 14 comprises a base 16 and a top 18.
• a release button 20 is surrounded by a release button surround aperture 21 (“aperture”), except along a hinge 22 that connects the release button 20 to the base 16.
• the inside edge of the free end 24 includes an extended rim 25.
• the illustrated blister card 12 includes blisters 30 arranged in two columns 32. This particular arrangement permits the blisters 30 to avoid certain internal features of the illustrated embodiments when the card 12 is translated inwardly or outwardly.
• the card 12 is constructed in the manner well known by those skilled in the art, and includes one or more apertures 34 for engaging internal features of the lockable container 10.
• the illustrated card 12 has one aperture 34, configured to act as both a detent receiver and a retainer receiver, which cooperatively engages the card 12 and prevents removal of the card 12 from the sleeve 14. In the illustrated embodiments, this aperture 34 is positioned beyond the blisters 30 and cooperates with the detent 29 to prevent movement or translation of the card 12 until the card 12 is intentionally released by pressing or otherwise properly manipulating the release button 20.
• Openings 46 in the sleeve top 18 allow the forming of one or more springs 48 that press the card 12 so as to urge the aperture 34 into engagement with the retaining detent 29.
• the springs can be substituted for, or complimented by, additional biasing mechanisms such as ribs, leaf springs, dagger springs, combinations thereof, or the like, to exert a compressive force on the card 12 to engage or remain engaged with the detent 29.
• the biasing mechanism 48 does not have to be opposite the detent 29, rather the biasing mechanism 48 and the detent 29 are merely configured to cooperatively engage the detent retainer 34 of the card 12.
• a rib 38 (best shown in FIG. 3) at the end of the card 12 closes the open end 40 of the sleeve 14 when the card 12 is fully recessed within the container 10, further preventing access to the blisters 30.
• the rib 38 fits within cutout 28 and aids in outward sliding of the card 12. In the closed position, the rib 38 closes the open end 40 of the sleeve 14 by pressing against the inside of the top 18.
• cylinders 50 located proximate the side walls 52 of the base 16 receive pins 51 extending downwardly from the top 18.
• a retainer 54 such as the dagger spring centered in the top 18 near the open end 40 proximate the recess 28, is captured by the retainer receiver as represented by the aperture 34, to prevent complete removal of the card 12 from the container 10.
• the detent 29 projects through the detent retainer illustrated here as the aperture 34, to lock the card 12 in the sleeve 14.
• the inner ribs 58 inside the top 18 stabilize the card 12 as it is slideably extended and retracted.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a lockable container 110, showing a partially extended blister card 12.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the lockable container of FIG. 4, showing a blister card 12 immediately prior to loading and immediately prior to removal.
• the free end 24 of the release button 20 is aligned between the ribs or springs 48 so that when the release button 20 is pushed, the rim 25 pushes the card 12 against the springs 48 and over the detent 29.
• the guides 64 located on the inside of the base 16, facilitate sliding of the card 12.
• the release button 20 is pressed, the rim 25 lifts the card 12 until the detent receiver 34 is lifted over the detent 29.
• the card end 26 is grasped and pulled to access at least the first set of blisters 30.
• the card 12 can continue to be extracted until the retainer receiver 34 engages the retainer 54.
• the detent 29 includes an engaging edge 76 that engages the aperture 34 when the card 12 is fully inserted within the container 10, 110, and holds the card 12 to prevent outward movement until the release button 20 and rim 25 disengage the aperture 34 from the detent 29. After an item is removed from the container 10, 110, the card 12 can be slid inwardly and returned to a position within the sleeve 14.
• the sloping upper face 78 of the detent 29 lifts and urges the aperture 34 to engage the detent 29 as the card 12 is fully reinserted into the container 10, 110.
• the aperture 34 substantially surrounds and engages the detent 29.
• FIGs. 6 — 11 teach a lockable container 200 and a deactivation clip 210, 310.
• the lockable container 200 can be substantially identical to the lockable containers 10, 110 described above.
• the contents such as a blister card 12
• the clip 210, 310 is removable to selectably provide a deactivation feature, while in other embodiments, the clip 210, 310 is permanently engaged.
• FIG. 6 there is shown an exemplary lockable container 200, including a base 16, a top 18, and a release button 20.
• the exemplary deactivation clip 210 includes a base engaging arm 212 and a top engaging arm 214.
• a first edge 216 and a second edge 220 connect the engaging arms 212, 214.
• a spline or key 222 (“key”) extends inwardly from the base engaging arm 212.
• the spline or key 222 is slightly thicker than the width of the keyway 221, which surrounds the release button 20 and was earlier referred to as the surround aperture 21.
• FIG. 7 shows the base arm 212 and the top arm 214 as viewed from the top of the container. Thereafter, the contents of the container 200 can be removed, as described above, without further manipulation of the release button 20.
• the key 222 is positioned on whichever arm 212, 214 engages the release button 20.
• the deactivation clip 210 can be removed from the container by rotating back one of the arms 212, 214, that is, pushing back an arm 212, 214 from the edge of the container 200, lifting out the key 222, and pushing off the clip 210.
• FIG. 10 there is shown another exemplary lockable container 200, including a base 16, a top 18, and a release button 20.
• the exemplary deactivation clip 310 includes a base engaging arm 312, a top engaging arm 314, an edge 316 that connects the engaging arms 312, 314, and a spline or key 322 that extends inwardly from the base engaging arm 312.
• the base arm 312 contacts the base 16
• the top arm 314 contacts the top 18, and the key 322 holds the release button 20 inwardly so that the detent retainer 34 is pushed inwardly and disengaged from the detent 29.
• Attaching the clip 310 to the container 200 forces the release button 20 inwardly such that the detent retainer 34 is disengaged from the detent 29 and the release button 20 is held in that position. Thereafter, the contents of the container 200 can be removed, as described above, without further manipulation of the release button 20.
• the detent 29 is only an exemplary engaging mechanism. Accordingly, the concepts of this disclosure can include any engaging mechanism, for example, a latch, a lip, a leaf spring, a pin, a notch, a catch, a hook, an adhesive, a VELCRO ® fastener, a magnet, a metallic surface, combinations thereof, or the like.
• the detent retainer 34 is only an exemplary receiving mechanism for interacting with the engaging mechanism.
• the concepts of this disclosure can include any receiving mechanism, for example, an aperture, a catch, a latch, a hook, a lip, an adhesive, a VELCRO ® fastener, a magnet, a metallic surface, combinations thereof, or the like.
• the disclosed deactivation clips 210, 310 can be used with any suitable lockable container, and that use thereof is not limited to deactivating the illustrated lockable containers. It would be impossible to illustrate all possible embodiments of lockable containers that are suitable for use with the disclosed deactivation clips 210, 310. Reference is hereby made to the following non-exhaustive list of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Numbers as illustrating additional examples of suitable containers with which the disclosed concepts can be employed. U.S. Prov. Pat. App. No. 60/912,849; U.S. Prov. Pat. App. No. 60/939,484; U.S. Prov. Pat. App. No. 60/938,623; U.S. Prov. Pat. App. No. 60/955,492; and PCT App. No. US2007/062693.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=39608188

Family Applications (1)

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• 2008
  • 2008-01-03 US US11/969,100 patent/US20080251410A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2008-04-09 EP EP08745342A patent/EP2139789A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2008-04-09 WO PCT/US2008/059709 patent/WO2008127931A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2008-04-09 JP JP2010504163A patent/JP2010524787A/ja not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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