EP3288845B1 - Device for closing a container by screwing, secured by a retractable lug - Google Patents

Description

Device for closing a container by screwing, secured by a retractable lug.

The present invention relates to a closure device to be carried by a reservoir container. The container is for example intended to receive a pharmaceutical product in the form of fluid and may be provided with a dispensing pump, optionally metered.

In known manner, it is proposed commercially pharmaceutical products sold in bottles, usually comprising a reservoir container on which is attached a dispensing tip forming for example a dosing pump.

Conventionally, the dispensing tip is protected by a closure device comprising a cap intended to be placed on the container or be removed from this container by a screwing movement / unscrewing of the cap on the container.

As regulations evolve, more and more countries are demanding that pharmaceutical products in bottles sold on their territories have secure means of closure, commonly known as CRC in accordance with the English acronym for "Child Resistant Closure Packaging".

Such secure means provide, for example, to allow the removal of a cap only by movements a priori unrelated to each other.

It has already been proposed in the state of the art, particularly in US 7,942,280 a medical device, intended for example to contain pills sold to the unit, comprising such secure means. In the example under consideration, the medical device comprises a reservoir container carrying an externally threaded connection portion to which is screwed an internally threaded cap. The connecting portion comprises a bridge which is connected a lug preventing inadvertent unscrewing of the cap. The bridge is deformable so as to axially retract the pin when it is desired to screw screw or unscrew the cap. US5899348 discloses a closure device according to the preamble of claim 1 of the invention.

Such secure means are usually associated with a relatively large diameter container because they are generally too bulky to be associated with a relatively small diameter container.

The invention aims to provide a secure closure device adapted to a container which may have, if necessary, a reduced diameter.

• un organe de raccordement comportant un filetage externe et destiné à être porté par le récipient,
• un capuchon comportant un filetage interne et destiné à être mis en place sur l'organe de raccordement ou à être retiré de cet organe de raccordement par vissage ou dévissage,
• des moyens de sécurité comprenant :
  • au moins une butée circonférentielle de verrouillage portée par le capuchon, et
  • au moins une butée circonférentielle de verrouillage complémentaire escamotable portée par l'organe de raccordement,

l'organe de raccordement comprend :

• un corps de forme générale annulaire,
• un bras radial muni d'une extrémité libre et d'une extrémité de liaison avec le corps, l'extrémité libre du bras radial étant déplaçable selon au moins une composante axiale par déformation élastique de ce bras radial,
• un avant-bras radial muni d'une extrémité libre et d'une extrémité de liaison avec l'extrémité libre du bras radial de façon que l'avant-bras radial et le bras radial s'étendent chacun depuis leur extrémité de liaison vers leur extrémité libre dans des sens opposés,
• un ergot porté par l'avant-bras radial,

cet ergot formant la butée circonférentielle de verrouillage complémentaire escamotable.For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a device for closing a container forming a reservoir, of the type comprising:

• a connection member comprising an external thread and intended to be carried by the container,
• a cap having an internal thread and intended to be put in place on the connecting member or to be removed from this connection member by screwing or unscrewing,
• security means comprising:
  • at least one circumferential locking stop carried by the cap, and
  • at least one retractable complementary locking circumferential abutment carried by the connecting member,

the connecting member comprises:

• a body of generally annular shape,
• a radial arm provided with a free end and a connection end with the body, the free end of the radial arm being displaceable in at least one axial component by elastic deformation of this radial arm,
• a radial forearm provided with a free end and a connecting end with the free end of the radial arm so that the radial forearm and the radial arm each extend from their connecting end to their free end in opposite directions,
• a lug carried by the radial forearm,

this lug forming the circumferential stop complementary locking retractable.

• l'extrémité libre du bras radial et l'extrémité de liaison de l'avant-bras radial se déplacent selon la combinaison :
  • d'un mouvement axial d'éloignement de l'extrémité libre du bras radial par rapport au capuchon, et
  • d'un mouvement radial de rapprochement de l'extrémité libre du bras radial par rapport au capuchon, et
• l'extrémité libre de l'avant-bras radial portant l'ergot se déplace selon la combinaison :
  • d'un mouvement axial d'éloignement ou de rapprochement de l'extrémité libre de l'avant-bras radial par rapport au capuchon, et
  • d'un mouvement radial d'éloignement de l'extrémité libre du bras radial par rapport au capuchon, ce mouvement radial d'éloignement étant démultiplié par la présence de l'avant-bras radial.

Thus, to separate the cap from the connecting member, the user presses axially on the free end of the radial arm, with generally the thumb of a first hand that grips the container, so as to cause a deflection in a plane axial of this radial arm. Due to this decline:

• the free end of the radial arm and the connecting end of the radial forearm move according to the combination:
  • an axial movement away from the free end of the radial arm relative to the cap, and
  • radial movement of approaching the free end of the radial arm relative to the cap, and
• the free end of the radial forearm carrying the pin moves according to the combination:
  • an axial movement away from or approaching the free end of the radial forearm relative to the cap, and
  • a radial movement away from the free end of the radial arm relative to the cap, this radial movement of distance being multiplied by the presence of the radial forearm.

This allows the retraction of the complementary circumferential locking stop carried by the connecting member. With his second hand, the user can then unscrew the cap as usual. A child usually does not coordinate these two actions spontaneously, so that the closure of the container is effectively secured against accidental manipulation by a child.

By their opposite directions, the radial arm and the radial forearm interconnected together are means that are not bulky circumferentially and therefore suitable for containers of relatively small diameters. The particular configuration of the radial arm and radial forearm allows, compared to known devices, for the same axial stress of the user, to increase the radial clearance of the lug.

The invention may also include the following optional features.

Advantageously, the radial arm has a general U-shape, the free end of the radial arm and the connecting end of the forearm forming the core of the U.

In this way, the device offers the user a comfortable support surface for exerting the pressure which causes the radial arm to sag, this relatively independently of the radial dimensions of the connecting member and the cap and without the the user does not have to exert too much force.

Advantageously, the lug extends axially from the radial forearm in a direction opposite to that of the axial displacement of the plug during its screwing on the connecting member.

Preferably, the circumferential width of the lug increases in the direction of the radial displacement of the cap during its screwing on the connecting member.

Such a profile reduces the contact areas and therefore friction between the cap and the lug when screwing the cap on the connecting member.

Advantageously, the retractable complementary locking circumferential abutment carried by the connecting member defines a straight edge substantially parallel to the axial component of the screwing or unscrewing of the cap on the connecting member.

The circumferential locking abutment carried by the cap may form a circumferential end of a recess, or notch, formed in the cap.

Preferably, the cap comprises an edge defining an open end of this cap, this edge being delimited by a contour forming an external cam profile intended to cooperate, when screwing or unscrewing the cap, with the pin to move or hold in its retracted position circumferential stop complementary retractable locking carried by the connecting member.

The lug may include at least one radially inner bevel to facilitate cooperation with the cam contour of the cap.

The invention also relates to a medical device comprising a container and a closure device of this container, characterized in that the closure device is according to the invention.

• le récipient comporte un réservoir ayant un col et l'organe de raccordement est monté en libre rotation autour du col du réservoir ;
• le récipient comporte un réservoir ayant un col et l'organe de raccordement est venu de matière avec le réservoir du récipient ;
• le récipient comporte un réservoir ayant un col et l'organe de raccordement est monté sur le réservoir par vissage.

The medical device according to the invention may also include the following optional features:

• the container comprises a reservoir having a neck and the connecting member is mounted for free rotation around the neck of the reservoir;
• the container comprises a reservoir having a neck and the connecting member is integral with the container tank;
• the container comprises a tank having a neck and the connecting member is mounted on the tank by screwing.

In the case where the connecting member is mounted for free rotation around the neck of the reservoir, any attempt to unscrew the cap without radial retraction of the locking tongue causes a rotation of the entire closure device around the neck of the reservoir. container, decreasing the risk of applying inappropriate forces on the locking tongue and the circumferential locking stop.

• la figure 1 est une vue partielle en perspective d'un dispositif médical comportant un dispositif de fermeture muni d'un capuchon en position vissée, selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue éclatée montrant une partie des éléments du dispositif médical de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective du capuchon du dispositif médical de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue partielle en coupe axiale du dispositif médical de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue partielle en élévation du dispositif médical de la figure 1, la butée circonférentielle complémentaire portée par l'organe de raccordement étant en position escamotée ;
• la figure 6 est une vue partielle en élévation du dispositif médical de la figure 1 en cours de dévissage, la butée circonférentielle complémentaire portée par l'organe de raccordement étant en position escamotée ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en élévation du dispositif médical de la figure 1, le capuchon étant en début de vissage ;
• la figure 8 est une vue similaire à la figure 7, le vissage ayant progressé ;
• la figure 9 est une vue similaire aux figures 5 et 6, le vissage étant presque terminé ;
• les figures 10 et 11 sont des schémas de profils d'ergots possibles ;
• la figure 12 est une vue en coupe semblable à la figure 4 d'un dispositif médical comportant un dispositif de fermeture selon un second mode de réalisation de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended figures, in which:

• the figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a medical device comprising a closure device provided with a cap in the screwed position, according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 is an exploded view showing some of the elements of the medical device of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a perspective view of the cap of the medical device of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 4 is a partial view in axial section of the medical device of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 5 is a partial elevation view of the medical device of the figure 1 , the complementary circumferential abutment carried by the connecting member being in the retracted position;
• the figure 6 is a partial elevation view of the medical device of the figure 1 during unscrewing, the complementary circumferential abutment carried by the connecting member being in the retracted position;
• the figure 7 is an elevation view of the medical device of the figure 1 , the cap being at the beginning of screwing;
• the figure 8 is a view similar to the figure 7 screwing having progressed;
• the figure 9 is a view similar to Figures 5 and 6 screwing is almost complete;
• the Figures 10 and 11 are diagrams of possible pin profiles;
• the figure 12 is a sectional view similar to the figure 4 of a medical device comprising a closure device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

We now refer to Figures 1 and 2 . These figures show a medical device 20 according to the invention. This medical device 20 comprises a reservoir container 21 of general shape of revolution about an axis A.

In what follows, any reference to an axial direction will be made with reference to the axis A.

This reservoir 21 has a neck on which is attached a nozzle 22 for dispensing a product contained in the reservoir 21. In a variant, this dispensing nozzle 22 could be integral with the neck of the reservoir 21.

The medical device 20 also comprises a device 24 for closing the reservoir 21.

This closure device 24 comprises a cap 26 having an open end 27 and a connecting member 28 comprising a body 29 of generally annular ring shape.

As visible on the figure 2 , the connecting member 28 is intended to be carried by the neck of the container 21. In the embodiment described, the connecting member 28 is rotatably mounted around the neck of the reservoir 21.

Alternatively, the connecting member 28 could be integral with the tank 21.

The container 21 and the connecting member 28 are for example made of polypropylene (PP). The cap 26 is for example made of Polypropylene (PP) or High Density Polyethylene (HDPE).

The body 29 of the connecting member 28 has an external thread 30 for cooperating an internal thread 32 of the cap 26 (see FIG. figure 3 ). These external and internal threads 30 allow the insertion of the cap 26 on the connecting member 28 by screwing or the removal of the cap 26 of the connecting member 28 by unscrewing. Preferably, the cap 26 has an annular gripping zone 33, comprising axial grooves, for example equidistributed around the circumference of the cap 26, on which a user can place his fingers to screw or unscrew the cap 26.

As visible on the figure 3 a depression 34 is formed in the open end 27 of the cap 26.

The body 29 of the connecting member 28 comprises, after the external thread 30, considering the axial screwing direction, a flange 36 forming a screw end stop. As visible on the figure 4 in particular, this screw end stop is intended to cooperate with a complementary surface 38 formed by the edge of the cap 26 defining the open end 27 thereof.

As visible on Figures 1 and 2 the flange 36 of the connecting member 28 is extended by a radial arm 40 having the general shape of U. This radial arm 40 is provided with a free end 42 and two connecting ends 44 with the body 29 of the connecting member 28.

Moreover, as visible on Figures 1 and 4 , the radial arm 40 is extended by a radial forearm 46. This radial forearm 46 is provided with a free end 48 and a connecting end 50 with the free end 42 of the radial arm 40. In this way, the radial forearm 46 and the radial arm 40 each extend from their connecting end 44, 50 towards their free end 42, 48 in opposite directions. It will be noted that the U core is formed by the free end 42 of the radial arm 40 and the connecting end 50 of the radial forearm 46.

The free end 42 of the radial arm 40 is displaceable in at least one axial component (parallel to the axis A) by elastic deformation of this radial arm 40.

In the embodiment described, and as visible on the Figures 1, 2 and 4 the radial forearm 46 carries on its free end 48 a lug 52.

This lug 52 extends from the radial forearm 46 axially (parallel to the axis A) in a direction opposite to that of the axial displacement of the cap 26 when it is screwed onto the connecting member 28. The circumferential width this lug 52 increases in the direction of axial displacement of the cap 26 during its screwing on the connecting member 28. Thus the lug 52 is circumferentially wider at its connecting end with the radial forearm 46 that at its free end. In the example shown, the lug 52 has a triangular shape whose height increases in the unscrewing direction of the cap 26.

• une butée circonférentielle de verrouillage 54 portée par le capuchon 26 (voir figure 3), et
• une butée circonférentielle de verrouillage complémentaire escamotable 56 portée par l'organe de raccordement 28 (voir figures 1 et 2).

Furthermore, to protect the medical device 20 against inadvertent opening, in particular by a child, the closure device 24 comprises security means. These security means include:

• a circumferential locking stop 54 carried by the cap 26 (see figure 3 ), and
• a circumferential abutment of retractable complementary locking 56 carried by the connecting member 28 (see Figures 1 and 2 ).

The circumferential locking abutment 54 carried by the cap 26 forms a circumferential end of the recess 34 formed in the open end 27 of the cap 26. In a variant, it could be provided that this circumferential locking abutment 54 forms a circumferential end of a notch.

The lug 52 forms the circumferential abutment of retractable complementary locking 56. In fact, the circumferential stop complementary retractable locking 56 carried by the connecting member 28 delimits a straight edge of the lug 52. This straight edge is substantially parallel to the axial component (parallel to the axis A) of the screwing or unscrewing of the cap 26 on the connecting member 28.

This circumferential stop complementary retractable locking 56 is retractable by displacement of the free end 42 of the radial arm 40 according to at least one axial component (parallel to the axis A) by elastic deformation.

When the cap 26 is in the screwed-in position, the retractable complementary locking circumferential stop 56 formed by the lug 52 of the connecting member 28 cooperates with the circumferential locking stop 54 of the depression 34 of the cap 26.

In the embodiment described and as visible on the figures 1 and 5 , the recess 34 formed in the cap 26 has a shape substantially similar to that of the lug 52 to facilitate the engagement of the lug 52 in the recess 34. Thus, in the example shown, the circumferential stop retractable complementary locking device 56 has a triangular shape complementary to that of the lug 52.

Moreover, the edge of the cap 26 delimiting its open end 27 is delimited by a contour forming an external cam profile 58. This contour 58 is intended to cooperate, during screwing or unscrewing of the cap 26, with the pin 52 to move or maintain in its retracted position the retractable complementary locking circumferential stop 56 carried by the connecting member 28.

For this purpose, the lug 52 may comprise a radially internal chamfer to facilitate cooperation with the cam profile contour 58 of the cap 26.

The main steps of handling the medical device 20 according to the invention will be described below.

First of all, the medical device 20 is considered in closed configuration, as shown in FIG. figure 1 . A user wishing to open the medical device 20 must, as visible on the figure 5 exerting pressure on the free end 42 of the radial arm 40 to cause a deflection in an axial plane of this radial arm 40, by elastic deformation towards the reservoir 21. This pressure may for example be exerted with the thumb.

• d'un mouvement axial d'éloignement de l'extrémité libre 42 du bras radial 40 par rapport au capuchon 26, et
• d'un mouvement radial de rapprochement de l'extrémité libre 42 du bras radial 40 par rapport au capuchon 26.

Due to this deflection, the free end 42 of the radial arm 40 and the connecting end 50 of the radial forearm 46 move according to the combination:

• an axial movement away from the free end 42 of the radial arm 40 relative to the cap 26, and
• a radial movement of approximation of the free end 42 of the radial arm 40 with respect to the cap 26.

• d'un mouvement axial d'éloignement de l'extrémité libre 48 de l'avant-bras radial 46 par rapport au capuchon 26, et
• d'un mouvement radial d'éloignement de l'extrémité libre 42 du bras radial 40 par rapport au capuchon 26.

Moreover, the free end 48 of the radial forearm 46 carrying the lug 52 moves according to the combination:

• an axial movement away from the free end 48 of the radial forearm 46 with respect to the cap 26, and
• a radial movement away from the free end 42 of the radial arm 40 relative to the cap 26.

This last radial movement of distance is multiplied by the presence of the radial forearm 46.

Thus, when the free end 42 of the radial arm 40 is moved towards the reservoir 21, it drives the connecting end 50 of the radial forearm 46 with it. Or the radial forearm 46 does not deform and its free end 44 is thus raised axially (parallel to the axis A) in the unscrewing direction of the cap 26. As a result, the pin 52 is moved out of the depression 34 formed in the cap 26. Thus, the retractable complementary locking circumferential stop 56 carried by the lug 52 of the connecting member 28 is retracted and it no longer cooperates with the circumferential locking stop 54 carried by the hood 26.

The user can then, as illustrated in figure 6 unscrew the cap 26 according to a usual gesture.

During unscrewing, the contour 58 of the cap 26 cooperates with the lug 52 to maintain the retractable complementary locking circumferential stop 56 in its retracted position during the entire operation.

To screw the cap 26 on the connecting member 28, the user performs a usual gesture of screwing. When the cap 26 is axially close enough to the free end of the lug 52 so that the edge of the open end 27 of the cap 26 comes into contact therewith, the contour 58 forming a cam profile cooperates with the 52 and allows the retraction of the retractable complementary locking circumferential stop 56 formed by the pin 52. Thus the screwing continues conventionally until the complementary surface 38 formed by the edge of the cap 26 delimiting the open end 27 of it cooperates by abutment with the flange 36 end of stroke screwing. The lug 52 is then in front of the recess 34 formed in the cap 26 and resumes its rest position. Thus, the circumferential locking stopper 54 carried by the cap 26 and the circumferential complementary retractable locking stopper 56 carried by the connecting member 28 cooperate again and prevent any unwanted unscrewing of the cap 26.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art. In particular, it is possible to provide the lug 52 between the connecting end 44 and the free end 42 of the radial arm 40.

It is also possible, as visible on the Figures 10 and 11 , to give different shapes to ergot 52. Indeed, on the figure 10 , the pin 52 is amputated from its point so that it is less fragile. On the figure 11 , the lug 52 has a rounded edge which facilitates cooperation with the cap 26 during screwing.

We will describe below, referring to the figure 12 , a medical device 20 according to a second embodiment of the invention. In this case, elements similar to those of the preceding figures are designated by identical references.

In this embodiment, the closure device 24 is mounted on the reservoir 21 by screwing. The screwing means of the closing device 24 on the reservoir 21 comprise first and second threads 60 and 62 respectively formed on the reservoir 21 and on the closure device 24.

Claims (11)

1. Device (24) for closing a container (21) forming a reservoir, of the type comprising:

   - a connecting member (28) having an external thread (30) and intended to be carried by the container (21),

   - a cap (26) having an internal thread (32) and intended to be placed on the connecting member (28) or to be removed from this connecting member (28) by screwing or unscrewing,

   - safety means comprising:

   - at least one circumferential locking stop (54) carried by the cap (26), and

   - at least one complementary retractable circumferential locking stop (56) carried by the connecting member (28),

   the connecting member (28) comprises

   - a body (29) of generally annular shape,

   - a radial arm (40) provided with a free end (42) and an end (44) for connecting with the body (29), the free end (42) of the radial arm (40) being movable in at least one axial component by elastic deformation of this radial arm (40),

   - a radial forearm (46),

   - a lug (52) carried by the radial forearm (46), this lug (52) forming the complementary retractable circumferential locking stop (56),

   characterised in that the forearm is provided with a free end (48) and an end (50) for connecting with the free end (42) of the radial arm (40) so that the radial forearm (46) and the radial arm (40) each extend from their connecting end (44, 50) to their free end (42, 48) in opposite directions.
2. Closing device (24) according to the preceding claim, wherein the radial arm (40) is generally U-shaped, the free end (42) of the radial arm (40) and the connecting end (50) of the radial forearm (46) forming the web of the U.
3. Closing device according to the preceding claim, wherein the lug (52) extends axially from the radial forearm (46) in a direction opposite to that of the axial displacement of the cap (26) when it is screwed onto the connecting member (28).
4. Closing device (24) according to the preceding claim, wherein the circumferential width of the lug (52) increases in the direction of the axial displacement of the cap (26) when it is screwed onto the connecting member (28).
5. Closing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the complementary retractable circumferential locking stop (56) carried by the connecting member (28) defines a straight edge substantially parallel to the axial component of the screwing or unscrewing of the cap (26) onto the connecting member (28).
6. Closing device (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circumferential locking stop (54) carried by the cap (26) forms a circumferential end of a recess, (34) or of a notch, formed in the cap (26).
7. Closing device (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap (26) comprises an edge defining an open end (27) of this cap (26), this edge being defined by a contour forming an external cam profile (58) intended to cooperate, when screwing or unscrewing the cap (26), with the lug (52) to move or keep in its retracted position the complementary retractable circumferential locking stop (56) carried by the connecting member (28).
8. Medical device (20) comprising a container (21) and a device (24) for closing this container (21), characterised in that the closing device (24) is according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
9. Medical device (20) according to the preceding claim, wherein the container (21) comprises a reservoir having a neck and wherein the connecting member (28) is mounted so as to rotate freely about the neck of the reservoir.
10. Medical device (20) according to claim 8, wherein the container (21) comprises a reservoir having a neck and wherein the connecting member (28) is made in one piece with the reservoir of the container.
11. Medical device (20) according to claim 8, wherein the container (21) comprises a reservoir having a neck and wherein the connecting member (28) is mounted on the reservoir (21) by screwing.

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