EP3743351B1 - A child-resistant closure - Google Patents

A child-resistant closure Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3743351B1
EP3743351B1 EP19704551.1A EP19704551A EP3743351B1 EP 3743351 B1 EP3743351 B1 EP 3743351B1 EP 19704551 A EP19704551 A EP 19704551A EP 3743351 B1 EP3743351 B1 EP 3743351B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
closure
top panel
cap
caps
inner cap
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
EP19704551.1A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3743351A1 (en
Inventor
Stephen Faragher
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.)
Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH
Original Assignee
Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH
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 US15/881,115 external-priority patent/US10676256B2/en
Application filed by Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH filed Critical Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH
Publication of EP3743351A1 publication Critical patent/EP3743351A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3743351B1 publication Critical patent/EP3743351B1/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
    • 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
    • B65D50/041—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 nested inner and outer caps or an inner cap and an outer coaxial annular member, which can be brought into engagement to enable removal by rotation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to child-resistant closures for containers. More particularly the invention relates to a child-resistant safety closure having an improved application/removal drive mechanism.
  • Child resistant safety closures comprising two nested closure members are well known.
  • outer and inner cap members are provided with cooperating sets of lugs which engage each other when the outer closure is rotated in the direction to remove the closure from a container.
  • a plurality of spring fingers on the inner surface of a top panel of the outer closure member urge the outer closure member away from the inner closure member and prevent engagement of the lugs.
  • the outer surface of the top panel of the inner closure member is formed with ramps which are associated with the outer cap member spring fingers so that when the outer cap member is rotated relative to the inner cap member in a direction to apply the closure to a container the spring fingers engage the ramps to cause the cap members to rotate together. When the outer cap member is rotated in the opposite, or unscrewing, direction the spring fingers ride over the ramps to prevent accidental or unwanted removal of the closure.
  • US 2016/251127 discloses a child resistant closure according to the preamble of claim 1, and an inner cap for a child-resistant container closure according to the preamble of claim 15.
  • the present invention seeks to provide improvements in or relating to such closures.
  • a child-resistant closure for a container comprising outer and inner nested caps each having a top panel and a side skirt depending generally peripherally therefrom, said outer cap loosely generally encompassing said inner cap to allow relative rotary and axial movement there between, the outer and inner caps having corresponding drive formations which can be brought into driving engagement when the caps are moved axially towards one another to a first axial position, the outer cap comprising a plurality of spring member for urging the inner and outer caps axially away from each other to a second axial position, the inner cap comprising a top panel provided with a plurality of ramps, the spring members providing a biasing force to maintain said outer and inner caps in the second axial position and drivingly engaging the ramps in the second axial position so as to drive the outer and inner caps together in an screwing direction, but slipping over the ramps freely in an unscrewing direction, downward pressure on the outer cap overcoming the spring finger bias to move the caps to the first axial position to allow
  • the castellations comprise a first radially extending side wall upstanding from the top panel and a second radially extending side wall upstanding from the top panel, said first and second side walls being located at or towards the periphery of the top panel and being mutually spaced, the first and second side walls are joined at one end by an arcuate cross wall which upstands from the top panel, spaced from the periphery thereof.
  • the closure may further comprise a plurality of non-full height axial ribs provided on the inner cap sidewall and alternate with the full height ribs.
  • the castellations may be generally U-shape in plan.
  • the full height axial ribs may extend from the first side walls of the castellations.
  • the first side walls may be joined to the respective assembly ribs by an inclined wall section.
  • the castellations may be thinned in non-functioning areas.
  • the full height axial ribs may be mutually spaced around the external surface of the inner cap side skirt, and the circumferential extent of the ribs may be less than the circumferential extent of the spacing therebetween.
  • a respective detent projection is provided which projects above the plane of the top panel and lies in the path of travel of the spring member, the projection supports the spring member when in driving engagement with the ramp to resist deformation of the spring member as it transmits force to the ramp face, the profile of the projection matches the profile of the region of the spring member in contact therewith.
  • Each ramp may be generally wedge shape.
  • Each ramp may be generally trapezium-shape in plan.
  • an indentation is provided in the inner cap top panel.
  • Each ramp may be profiled to support the spring member substantially continuously as the member passes over it in the unscrewing direction.
  • the profile of each ramp may change constantly as the ramp height increases.
  • Each ramp may have a variable section sweep with a section that varies as the ramp height increases.
  • Each ramp may therefore be a feature that sweeps along a specified trajectory
  • Each ramp may have a variable section sweep with a generally constant radius trajectory and a section that sweeps along the radius that constantly changes whereby the spring member/s are in maximum contact with the ramp through rotation.
  • the ramps may be profiled to support the spring member substantially continuously as the member passes over it in the unscrewing direction, in which the ramp has a variable section sweep with a generally constant radius trajectory and a section that sweeps along the radius that constantly changes whereby one or more spring members are in maximum contact with one or more ramps through rotation.
  • the present invention also provides an inner cap for a child-resistant container closure of the type comprising outer and inner nested caps each having a top panel and a side skirt depending generally peripherally therefrom, said outer cap loosely generally encompassing said inner cap to allow relative rotary and axial movement there between, the outer and inner caps having corresponding drive formations which can be brought into driving engagement when the caps are moved axially towards one another to a first axial position, the outer cap comprising a plurality of spring members for urging the inner and outer caps axially away from each other to a second axial position, the inner cap comprising one or more ramps, the spring members providing a biasing force to maintain said outer and inner caps in the second axial position and drivingly engaging the ramps in the second axial position so as to drive the outer and inner caps together in an screwing direction, but slipping over the ramps freely in an unscrewing direction, downward pressure on the outer cap overcoming the spring finger bias to move the caps to the first axial position to allow unscrewing of the closure using the inner and outer cap
  • the present invention also provides a closure as described herein in combination with a container.
  • the closure of this embodiment is made up of two components: an outer cap 15, shown in Figures 1 to 9 and an inner cap 25, shown in Figures 10 to 20 .
  • the outer cap 15 is formed with a circular top panel 16 integrally moulded with a depending cylindrical skirt 17.
  • a plurality of finger-like spring members 18 Formed on the underside of the top panel 16 and extending into the interior of the outer cap 15 are a plurality of finger-like spring members 18.
  • the embodiment illustrated shows four curved, arcuate spring members 18, but as few as one or two members may operate satisfactorily, and more than four, such as six members may be employed if desired.
  • the spring members 18 take the form of inclined tabs integrally formed with the underside of the top panel 16.
  • the spring members 18 are inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the vertical axis of the outer member 10; however, the angle of inclination may be varied as long as a ratcheting function, to be described later, can be properly performed. It will also be noted that the spring members 18 are positioned radially inwards of the periphery of the panel 16. The fingers are curved along their length with generally the same radius of curvature as the sidewall 17.
  • a plurality (eight, in this embodiment) of drive lugs 19 are also moulded into the underside of the top panel 16 and depend downwardly.
  • the drive lugs 19 are located adjacent to the extreme outer portion of the inside diameter of the outer cap 15 adjacent the depending skirt 17.
  • the drive lugs 19 then extend inwardly toward the springs 18 but their edges terminate before reaching the spring members 18.
  • the illustration of eight drive lugs 19 is by way of example and a single drive lug would function properly; but multiple drive lugs may be preferred to allow a number of different removal engagement positions.
  • a retention bead 21 is moulded into the interior wall of the depending skirt 17 near the open end of the depending skirt 17.
  • the bead 21 is continuous about the entire circumference of the depending skirt 17.
  • the outer cap 15 may be manufactured of any material sufficiently resilient to provide the necessary spring quality for the integrally moulded spring members 18, for example polyethylene or propylene.
  • the inner cap 25 is also formed as an integral unit having a circular top panel 26 and a depending skirt 27 attached thereto.
  • the interior of the depending skirt 27 is provided with a screw thread 28 for engagement with a threaded neck finish of a container (not shown).
  • ribs 20 On the outer surface of the side skirt 27 a plurality of full height assembly ribs 20 are provided.
  • the ribs 20 extend axially along the skirt and project outwardly therefrom.
  • the ribs 20 extend along substantially the full height of the skirt 26.
  • a plurality of half (approximately) height ribs 22 are provided.
  • the ribs 20 and ribs 22 are evenly distributed alternately around the skirt
  • the ribs 20, 22 allow for the venting of pressure build up as the inner and outer caps are assembled together (see below for further details).
  • the ribs provide additional strength to support the edges of the drive lugs (castellations) used for engagement when unscrewing the closure. This additional strength allows, in this embodiment, for a thinning of the drive lugs in non-functioning areas.
  • the upper portion of the inner cap member 25 is of a general configuration that may be considered to be castellated. Spaced at intervals around the periphery of the top panel are upwardly or axially extending castellation-like drive projections 34. In the assembled closure, the drive lugs 19 on the interior of the outer cap 15 are sized such that they may mesh into the openings between the drive projections 34. This imparts a driving force to the inner cap member 25 so that it may be driven by the outer cap 15.
  • the top panel 26 is provided with a plurality (in this embodiment eight) upstanding castellations 34.
  • Each castellation 34 comprises a first radially extending side wall 34a upstanding from the top panel and a second radially extending sidewall 34b upstanding from the top panel.
  • the first and second side walls are located at the periphery of the top panel and are mutually spaced.
  • the first and second side walls are joined at one end by an arcuate cross wall 34c.
  • An assembly rib 20 extends from a respective first side wall 34a.
  • the assembly rib 20 connects to the edge of each of the castellation to provide extra strength to support the edge used for engagement when unscrewing.
  • the first side wall 34a is joined to the assembly rib 20 by an inclined wall section 34d.
  • the ribs 20 therefore extend into and merge with the inner cap drive lugs, each connecting to the leading edge (i.e. the edge which is used to provide drive in use) of a respective castellated drive lug.
  • Weight is removed by thinning the castellation in non-functioning areas 60.
  • the top panel 26 is also provided with four ramps 30.
  • the ramps 30 are connected to the arcuate walls 34d of alternate castellations 34 by an extension part 36.
  • the ramps are generally wedge-like, with a curved leading face 30a and a trailing abutment face 30b.
  • each ramp 34 is a shallow groove 31, depression, dent or the like.
  • the shape of the ramps 30 is designed and profiled so that they support the fingers 18 of the outer cap 15 during the entire time it is in contact with these features.
  • the ramp portion 30 is shaped and profiled so as to be sympathetic to the trajectory of the spring fingers as they pass over in use.
  • the portion has a variable section sweep with a section that varies as the ramp height increases i.e. the ramp face is not flat.
  • the trajectory of the portion has a constant radius; the section that sweeps along the radius is constantly changing (in both X and Y planes). This allows the spring finger to be in maximum contact with the ramp through rotation so that there is no time at which there is only a point contact between them. This allows for a ramp to be formed with the minimum amount of material whilst providing maximum contact with the finger during rotation.
  • a retention bead 35 is moulded into the exterior surface of the depending skirt 27.
  • the retention bead 35 extends about the entire circumference of the depending skirt 27 and is of a diameter greater than that of the retention bead 21 formed in the depending skirt 17 of the outer cap 15.
  • the ribs 20, 22 extend from the bead 35.
  • the inner cap 25 is an independent closure in itself for a container.
  • the inner 25 therefore may be made of any suitable material and need not necessarily be made of the same material as that of the outer cap 15; a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene may, for example, be used.
  • the closure 10 is formed by assembling the outer cap 15 and the inner cap 25. To assemble the completed closure, the retention bead 21 is forced over the retention bead 35, in the process causing the depending skirt 17 of the outer closure cap member 10 to spring outwardly slightly.
  • the assembly ribs 20 allows for the venting of pressure build-up as the inner 25 is assembled into the outer 15 (or vice versa).
  • the depending skirt 17 springs back inwardly trapping the inner cap 15 within the outer cap 25.
  • the fit between the outer cap 15 and the inner cap 25 is not tight.
  • the outer cap 15 may both rotate and axially slide with respect to the inner cap 25.
  • the inner cap 25 is threadably engaged on an exteriorly threaded finish of a container.
  • a sealing disk (not shown) may be provided in the inner cap 25 and will be trapped between the upper portion of the finish and the lower portion of the top panel of the inner cap 25.
  • these two functions provide a one-way ratchet drive for the inner cap 25.
  • the outer cap 15 thus can rotate freely with respect to the inner cap 25 in the unscrewing direction. It is this feature which makes the closure child-resistant, since it is impossible to unscrew the combined closure without an additional motion.
  • the ramps 30 are shaped and profiled so that they support the edge/tip of the spring fingers 18 during substantially the entire time they are in contact with these features.
  • the outer cap 15 To remove the closure from a container finish, the outer cap 15 must be compressed downwardly over the inner cap 25.
  • the spring members 18 serve normally to keep the outer cap 15 and the inner cap 25 in their axially spaced relationship, in which removal of the closure from the container is impossible. However, utilising the spring function of the springs 18, the outer cap 15 may be pressed downwardly over the inner cap 25. The downward displacement of the outer cap 15 brings the drive lugs 19 into engagement with the spaces between the drive castellations 34.
  • Alignment of the drive lugs 19 and the spaces between the drive projections 34 may not be perfect at the time the outer cap 15 is pressed downwardly. However, slight rotation of the outer cap 15 in the loosening direction will bring these members into proper drive engagement. With the drive lugs 19 properly engaged, the outer cap 15 may be rotated and the inner cap 25 will rotate with it as a unit through this driving engagement.
  • the combined closure will spring back under the influence of the spring member 18, thereby placing the closure in configuration suitable for reapplication.
  • the user may then screw the closure back onto the container finish utilising the driving engagement of the springs 18 and the ratchet faces 30b.
  • the combined closure may not be removed again without the downward compression of the outer cap 15 over the inner cap 25.
  • an audible warning sound is produced.
  • the springs 18 slipping over the ratchet lugs 29 and hitting the top panel 26 produces a loud and distinctive "clicking" sound. This sound may be heard for some distance and can serve as a warning to parents that children are tampering with a container whose contents may be harmful to them.
  • closure of this invention assembled from the outer cap 15 and the inner cap 25 may be applied by conventional capping machinery, since there is no need for any manipulation of the closure during the tightening procedure.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
EP19704551.1A 2018-01-26 2019-01-25 A child-resistant closure Active EP3743351B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/881,115 US10676256B2 (en) 2013-10-30 2018-01-26 Child-resistant closure
PCT/EP2019/051887 WO2019145495A1 (en) 2018-01-26 2019-01-25 A child-resistant closure

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3743351A1 EP3743351A1 (en) 2020-12-02
EP3743351B1 true EP3743351B1 (en) 2022-04-27

Family

ID=65365923

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19704551.1A Active EP3743351B1 (en) 2018-01-26 2019-01-25 A child-resistant closure

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3743351B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN111971234B (zh)
BR (1) BR112020015171B1 (zh)
MX (1) MX2020007809A (zh)
WO (1) WO2019145495A1 (zh)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11827433B1 (en) 2023-04-17 2023-11-28 Sood Plastics Private Limited Child-resistant cap and a method to operate the same

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2298194A (en) * 1995-02-24 1996-08-28 Beeson & Sons Ltd Child resistant closures for containers
CN2356000Y (zh) * 1998-09-25 1999-12-29 岑捷维 安全盖
US8474634B1 (en) * 2010-04-30 2013-07-02 Rexam Healthcare Packaging Inc. Child resistant closure with vents
US8857638B2 (en) * 2010-12-03 2014-10-14 Bprex Healthcare Packaging Inc. Push-and-turn child-resistant closure, shells, and package
CN202728827U (zh) * 2012-07-23 2013-02-13 一帆生物科技集团有限公司 一种防小孩误开启的农药瓶
GB201319118D0 (en) * 2013-10-30 2013-12-11 Obrist Closures Switzerland A child-resistant closure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR112020015171A2 (pt) 2021-01-26
MX2020007809A (es) 2021-07-12
CN111971234B (zh) 2023-02-17
CN111971234A (zh) 2020-11-20
EP3743351A1 (en) 2020-12-02
WO2019145495A1 (en) 2019-08-01
BR112020015171B1 (pt) 2023-11-07

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