ES2275326T3 - CHILD RESISTANT CONTAINER. - Google Patents

Abstract

A childproof container, comprising: a base (12), a cover (14), a joint (16) that integrally joins said cover with said base, along side edges of said base and cover , a closure means on the front edge of the container, a safety means (32, 34) located on one of the side faces of the container.

Description

Child resistant container

This invention relates to containers or boxes manuals, used to store items, and more specifically to a box of tablets, or a child-resistant powder box, for store items such as medicinal tablet containers, of type alveolated container.

The use of childproof packaging is fine known in the art and used for different types of items.  Such packages are mainly used for those products. that present a potential danger in the hands of the child - that is, medications and the like, as well as problematic content but less dangerous, such as ingredients of a cosmetic powder. Many pharmaceutical products are packaged in the form of pills or tablets, sealed in honeycomb containers. A container for store and distribute pills from a honeycomb container, should have a low aspect ratio, typically a shape rectangular and generally, for convenience, be of manual size. The same is true if the container is going to be used as a box  of cosmetic powder.

In the design of childproof packaging, it is also important that the container can be opened without a unnecessary difficulty on the part of the typical consumer for whom the product is conceived, and in particular by the elderly. Thus, the container that depends on a certain amount of strength to be open, is often counterproductive, because the interested user may find it difficult or impossible to open at container. Additionally, the elderly often find it difficult open honeycomb containers to access the contained tablets in these. Therefore, such containers and distributors for tablets, can have open the floor of the container, and the container be designed to receive a pack of pills multi-honeycomb, with the bubbles aligned with the openings This allows the distribution of individual tablets from its compartments in the honeycomb container, pushing towards down from above, to break the protective film that way provided on the underside of the honeycomb container, and thus expel the tablet through the associated hole of the lower wall of the container. The base of the container thus has a plurality of holes that make up the separation and size of each container individual socket, and container compartments alveolate.

Typically, such containers are designed with a base, and a cover connected to it along a edge, by means of an articulated structure, and they are also provided with closure systems, in which various types of closures they need the application of predetermined forces by using of fingers of both hands, either simultaneously, or successively of coordinated way thus making the container difficult to open For the children. Examples of such structures in the prior art, are found in U.S. Pat. 4 219 116; 5,275,291; 5 346 069; and 5,740,938, as well as in many of the references cited as prior art, in these.

Specifically, the document US-A-5 346 069 discloses a container comprising a means of frontal locking, and a pair of means of Side locking involving locking tabs.

Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention provide an improved childproof container to be used as a powder box, or as a tablet box, and a improved method to store and distribute a number of different elements, in a similar container or container, in which no you need a substantial amount of force to open the container, but it continues to provide an improved closing feature to child test

Another aspect is to provide a container improved childproof, of the aforementioned character, that is of Easy construction and design and thus easily adaptable for the injection molding of plastic materials, as a product of a single piece, which is easily adaptable to be manufactured as a self-distribution container for a product pharmaceutical packaged in honeycomb containers, and in which, if you want, you only need to provide two lock insurance releasable, in the construction of the container, and the container follow without being able to be opened easily, unless the fingers of both hands are used simultaneously to handle insurance, and inspect the container.

The solution is provided by a container according to claim 1, and a method according to the  claim 5.

Such an improved container resistant to children, in general it has the shape of a dust box, or a box tablet, single-molded plastic construction piece, manufactured from a rectangular base generally flat and an upper deck, interconnected by a integral "live" joint. The base and cover have, each, an edge of the edge that extends at least along from the leading edge of the base and cover, that is the edge remote with respect to the joint. Each flange has a recess arched, and these recesses are mutually offset from each other, when the box is closed, with the flanges remaining one against other. Consequently, a thumb can move in the recess of the upper edge of the cover, and the tip of the index finger on the recess of the base flange, and then manipulate them in directions opposite to apply an inspection force to the flanges, and so on easily open the fridge. However, due to displacement of the flanges one in relation to the other, only one or more are visible  another of the recesses, when you look at the box from the sides of above or below. Therefore, this way of opening the box is not immediately apparent to a baby or a small child, but it is very easy, for an elder or an older adult, to understand and use the opening of the dust box, simply by the touch of the finger.

Additionally, the base has a pair of fingers spring arranged on opposite sides laterally, near the edge front of the base, which are aligned laterally with each other. These fingers protrude upward from the bottom wall of the base, in the form of a cantilever, so that its upper ends are shaped as insurance spikes, and usually end leveled with the upper outer wall of the upper deck. The cover have a pair of cooperative pockets, which receive the ends of the spring finger pins, in the condition closed from the box. The outer edges of these pockets form the locksmith part of an insurance system. Internal edges of these pockets are separated at a given distance, regarding of the lockside part, to allow only an oscillating movement enough of the free end of the fingers, which allows the unlocking the spike of the finger, from the lockside part of the associated upper opening.

To open the box, pressure of squeeze with one hand, simultaneously to both spring fingers, to move them to the unlocked position, and then hold them in this condition while, also simultaneously, with the other hand is applied opening pressure for inspection, to both front edge flanges, in the mentioned off-center recesses. This two-handed operation opposes the attempt to open by a child, due to its complex coordination requirement.

Additionally, preferably the two fingers of spring are spatially separated, at a distance of at least three to four inches, to thus exceed the normal space between the thumb and middle finger (heart) of a child. Prominence free end of level elastic finger with cover superior, it also serves as a barrier to prevent lifting the cover by using a nail to grab the innermost edge of the pocket openings, at the top of the cover.

Preferably, a box of tablets according with the preferred embodiment, it lends itself to be Built as a honeycomb container distributor. With this object, a set of holes or openings is provided, in the base of the box, which are sized to conform to the size and separation of the compartments of the honeycomb container, which individually contain items to be distributed from the honeycomb container. The box is sized so that the insert of the honeycomb container retains it in its position, oriented properly so that, when it will be distributed a compressed, the box is opened and pressure is applied to a tablet to break the plastic seal at the bottom of the honeycomb container, thereby pushing the tablet through the corresponding opening in the bottom wall of the box, which is aligned with such compressed in the honeycomb container.

If desired, a third system of safe to the edges of the box edge, latch type by snap fit.

Brief description of the drawings

The precedent, as well as other objectives, Features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent.  from the following detailed description of an embodiment preferred, but only exemplary, in the best contemplated way currently to carry out the invention, from the attached claims and with reference to the attached drawings, in those who:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a preferred but only exemplary embodiment of a container of type distributor by means of falling pressure of the tablet in the bubble, child resistant, of the invention, shown with the part top of the container cover turned back to the fully open position in relation to the base of the container;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the open container in figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view, of the container of figures number 1 and 2, with the top from the closed and secured cover to the base;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the container in the closed condition of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view from one end, in elevation, of the container in the closed condition of figures 3 and 4; Y

Figures 6 and 7 are incomplete views, in cross section, taken respectively in the lines 6-6 of Figure 5, and 7-7 of the figure 4.

In more specific reference to the drawings, a preferred but exemplary embodiment of the construction of Childproof container, according to the invention, is designated in general as 10, in figures 1 through 7. The container 10 is preferably sized to be conveniently manual, and is of a one-piece molded plastic construction, adapted for mass production using processes and devices Conventional plastic injection molding. Vessel 10 includes a base 12 and a stop to cover 14, these two being main components interconnected through an articulation of 16 "live" spring, integral, designed to derive, so normally elastic, the cover towards the open position of the Figure 1.

As is evident from the drawings of the Figures 1 to 5, the container 10 is preferably of a profile rectangular seen in plan and elevation, and of a depth relatively sparse, to have a low aspect ratio appropriate for use as a tablet box or a powder box, manual. The base 12 of has a flat bottom wall 18, with a four-sided peripheral wall 20 that rises integrally from that one and ends, on all four sides, on an upper edge peripheral 22 coplanar.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the edge 22 widens along the front edge of the base 12, to form a cutting edge 24 of the closing flange. There is formed a cutting edge 26 of the closing flange corresponding to length of the leading edge of the cover 14 which, in the condition closed from the container, it is adapted to be flat against, and in general with the same extension as, the edge 24 of the base. The closing edges 24 and 26 each have an arcuate recess 28 and 30 respectively, which are displaced laterally remaining by completely misaligned with each other, when the box or the container are closed (figures 3 and 4). Therefore, an adult's thumb informed can be placed in the recess 30 of the edge of the roof to rest on the edge 24 of the base, while the tip of a middle finger of the same hand can be placed in recess 28 of the edge of the base, to force up the edge 26 of the cover, in order to easily inspect the powder 10 in this way open However, the edge 26 of the cover conceals the recess 28 on the edge 24 of the base, when the container 10 is closed, seen in general from above, and vice versa.

The cover 14 is kept closed releasable but safe, against base 12, through a pair of insurance  32 and 34, arranged respectively on each side opposite of the container 10. Each latch 32, 34 comprises a finger elastic latch, and a catch striker, cooperative, oriented to align with each other in the closed condition of the container. As best seen in Figures 1, 5 and 6, each insurance 32  and 34 thus respectively comprises an elastic finger 38 and 36, which is integrally formed (i.e. molded from one piece) with the base 12. Each lock 32 and 34 also includes a pocket opening 40 and 42 cooperative, properly formed respectively in the cover 12, so that the end 44 of each spike finger 36, 38 protrudes in opening 40, 42, in the closed position of the container (figures 3, 5 and 6). Spring fingers 36 and 38 are integrally cantilever from the bottom wall 18 of the base, they are elastic, and are designed to slightly tension when the nail edge 46 (figure 6) of each finger pin 44, is locked on a part of locksmith 48 of a cooperative insurance, of the peripheral side wall 50 of the cover 14, which strikes against the part 48 separating through the pocket opening 40, 42 associated, as best seen in figures 3, 5 and 6. The surface edge 52 facing up (figure 6), of each pin 44 of the finger, is angled to provide a cam action, when effect of diverting inward the associated elastic finger, when the cover 14 is being completely closed and strike 48 of the retainer thus leads down the shank surface 52.

Preferably, the upper edge 54 of each finger pin 44, is sized to be oriented so substantially level with the upper outer surface 57 (Figure 6), of the smooth upper wall 56 of the cover 14, in the closed-secured container condition 10. When constructed and oriented in this way, pin 44 provides a barrier obstruction to the innermost edge 60 of the stop, of each opening 40, 42 of the wall pocket, when the elastic finger 36, 38 of the insurance is turned freeing the strike 48, and prevents the tip of a finger from grasping the edge 60 and trying, in that way, an inspection opening cover 14. In addition to For this purpose, each edge 60 is offset (seen in the plane of Figure 6 of the drawings) in relation to the inner edge of the locksmith 48, associated, in a sufficient distance just to provide the right space for the spike end 44 of Each elastic finger, can activate the blocking movement and Unlock this.

According to another feature of the present invention, to open the cover 14 when it is in its closed-secured position is necessary (1) apply inward pressure on both spring fingers 36 and 38 to flex them together so that both clear their respective catch locks 48, and (2) simultaneously apply pressure opposite opening for inspection, to edges 24 and 26. That is, a thumb and typically a middle finger of one hand, would be used to lean respectively against each other, and squeeze each other the upper pin parts 44 of the finger springs 36 and 38, while the thumb and index finger of the other hand should be inserted respectively, simultaneously, in recesses 30 and 28 of the edges 26 and 24, to apply opposite pressure of separation for inspection, on these edges.

It is also necessary to keep the edge 46 of the secure spring finger pin retainer, clear with respect to the associated strike part 48, until the cover 14 has been open enough for inspection, as for clear the edge of the retainer 46 of the elastic finger. Otherwise yes the clamping pressure of the spring fingers is released prematurely, the stop 14 will remain secured in the position closed. On the other hand, if the spring fingers 36 and 38 do not squeeze each other when applying opening forces to inspection of edges 24 and 26, the container cannot be open, due to the secured coupling of the spring fingers, individually with your associated catch hammer.

It will be seen that the previous sequence and manipulation of the opening procedure of the container, you need a two-handed concrete operation, which strongly opposes the opening by a baby or small child.

The preferred orientation of the upper edge 54 of each elastic finger, protruding at least until leveling with the upper surface 57 of the cover wall 56, ensures also additionally that cover 14 cannot be lifted, using the fingertips to grab the edges 60 of the openings 40 and 42, after squeezing the fingers together until the unlocked condition while the other hand is out of container, that is, it is also greatly difficult in the One-handed opening operation.

It will also be understood that the container 10 is preferably sized so that the spring fingers 36 and 38 are spatially separated at a sufficient distance (preferably of the order of 3 or more inches, for example 3.60 inches approximately in the illustrated embodiment), so that the separation between the two exceeds the maximum separation that can be obtained between the thumb and the longest finger, of at least the Most babies and young children. This further prevents the opening by a baby, to add to the character proof of children, from the container 10.

In the unlikely case of a child use a hand to flex an elastic finger inward, and the other hand to simultaneously flex inwards the other elastic finger, with this there would be no hands available to apply the opening action for inspection, along the edges front 26 and 24.

As a further embodiment, insurance is included to pressure (not shown) that may be located on the front of the container as a third insurance, to further secure the cover 14 to base 12, and thus work together as a system, with locks by tightening 32 and 34 on the sides of the container. The snap tab, and the lace closure, can be located respectively in the upper edges or lower body, or vice versa. Such a third system of safe on the edge, it is thus manageable to prevent the opening of the polvera 10 in the case of the simultaneous release of both insurance 36 and 38, by using the thumb and index of each hand, due to the additional securing of edges 24 and 26 together, by such third conventional construction of pressure insurance. With this additional insurance provided along the front edge of the dust, the front edge cannot be opened for inspection because both hands, in this unlikely situation, would be occupied simultaneously to unlock the fingers of both locks  36 and 38 coupled, trying to lift the cover 14 to open it in these lateral locations.

Such prominence in one of the edges, and a incoming receptacle or recess by pressure on the other edge, positioned to adjust together under pressure, can be located centered laterally between recesses 28 and 30. Similar Snap closure construction and snap tab shown, for example, in US Pat. number 4 219 116, incorporating this in its entirety as a reference.

As best seen in Figures 1 and 7, the container 10 is well adapted for use in the storage of a honeycomb tablet container, to be dispensed through aligned openings provided in the bottom wall of the base of the container 12. Thus, a predetermined plurality of holes or openings 61 can be provided, in an organized assembly as shown in Figure 1, in the bottom wall of the base 12, designed to align individually with the tablets 62 (Figure 7) individually contained within the associated honeycomb container compartments 64, of a typical honeycomb container 66. The honeycomb tablet container 66 to be distributed, can be placed flat, inside the base 12 and retained therein by means of four tabs 70, 72, 74 and 76 (figures 1 and 7). When a tablet 62 is to be distributed, the powder container 10 is opened and pressure is applied to a tablet from above, in order to break open the sheet of the bottom liner of the construction of the honeycomb container, to thereby allow a compressed through the associated opening 61 of the bottom wall, which is aligned with such a particular tablet in the container
alveolate.

From the previous description it will be seen that the entire structural characteristics of the container 10, are adapted to be mass produced economically, by conventional injection molding processes, in that the entire container 10 is molded integrally, i.e. one piece factory during the molding process, from appropriate thermoplastic material. Additionally, the container in accordance with the present invention has the advantage of being resistant to children while, however, it can be easily opened by an adult, even by an elder or a sick adult.

One more advantage of the containers that incorporate the principles of this invention, is that users intended adults, from the recipient, can gain access Convenient and without frustration. The locks or locks 32 and 34 of the vessel do not need a lot of strength or dexterity to be activated, because this resistance characteristic to children depends on the simultaneous activation of insurance, and not resist the strength of a child's curious fingers. Additionally, the opening recesses for inspection 28 and 30 of the front edges facilitate, for an adult, the action of opening for inspection of the container, with the thumb and another finger of one hand, while the two fingers of the other hand are holding locks 32 and 34 in their release mode. So, the The present invention allows access to medication for most  of those people who, due to the absence of strength, dexterity and / or vision, are prevented from obtaining such access.

Claims (8)

1. A childproof container, which understands:

one base (12),

a cover (14),

a joint (16) that integrally joins the aforementioned cover with the aforementioned base, along side edges of the mentioned base and cover,

a half of closure on the front edge of the container,

a half of safe (32, 34) located on one of the side faces of the container,

and where the mentioned base and cover are each configuration rectangular and generally one of the same length as the other, when the mentioned base and cover are closed together, and where the mentioned insurance means is located adjacent to a corner of the container, which is closest to the aforementioned front edge, and where said insurance means (32, 34) comprises a finger elastic (36, 38) integrally attached, at one end, to the said base, and an opening (40, 42) in said cover, aligned with said elastic finger in the closed condition of said container, said elastic finger having a shank end (44) and a sharp cam edge (52), oriented towards the outside of the container, and a retaining edge (46) adapted to cooperate with a part of the strike (48) of the roof, which defines a part of the aforementioned opening, and is operative to be coupled by said retaining edge of said finger, where the mentioned base and cover both have an edge (24, 26) extending along a side edge, those mentioned edge of the cover and edge of the base, attached to each other with the same extension, when base and cover are in position closed, and have external edges that are generally level each other, when the base and cover are closed, having the mentioned cooperative recesses edges (28, 30), one on each side of the aforementioned edges, which are offset from each other longitudinally with respect to the edges when the base and the cover are closed, so that the mentioned recess (28) of the base edge provides access to a surface of the mentioned edge (26) of the cover, opposite to the aforementioned edge (24) of the base, and the mentioned recess (30) of the edge of the cover provides access to a surface of said edge (24) of the base, opposite to the aforementioned edge (26) of the cover,

understanding the mentioned insurance means (32, 34), a part of insurance means identical (32, 34), arranged in lateral alignment on sides opposite adjacent to the corners closest to the front edge of base,

having each one of the aforementioned insurance (32, 34), an elastic finger (36, 38) with a pin end (44) protruding upwards level, in general, with the outer surface of said cover and the aforementioned part (48) of strike, and an opposite edge (60) of the mentioned opening of the cover, being spatially separated only in an amount that allows sufficient oscillating movement of said free end (44) of said finger, for allow the unlocking of the same from the part of the locksmith of the cover, so that the aforementioned end of the finger pin it is operative to thereby block access from the tip of the finger, to the opposite edge of the cover opening, when the mentioned elastic finger is pivoted to the position of unlock

2. The container of claim 1, in the that the aforementioned edges (24, 26) are additionally provided with third-party means of insurance aligned, pressure opening. 3. The container of claim 1 or 2, adapted to contain a honeycomb container (66), of the type that Contains a plurality of honeycomb container compartments closed, separated, containing each of the mentioned closed compartments of the honeycomb container a small article, the honeycomb container having an inner surface of the container honeycomb, through which the small item, the bottom surface of the container being honeycomb positioned, when in use, in the mentioned container, on a lower wall of said base, said container having a plurality of holes (61) of distribution of the article, formed in said wall bottom of the mentioned base, and being sized to conform the size and separation of the container compartments honeycomb, whereby when a part of a surface bottom of the honeycomb container, for one of the compartments of the alveolated container, is perforated by the article to force the exit of the small article through a corresponding hole article distribution, the small article in a compartment of the honeycomb container can thus be distributed through the corresponding hole of distribution of the article, by means of the application of pressure with the finger, on a top of said honeycomb container compartment. 4. The container of claim 3, in the that the aforementioned edges are additionally provided with third-party means of insurance aligned, pressure opening. 5. A method to store and contain items in a manual type container, which makes the items inaccessible in general for children, which includes the stages from:

to)

provide a base (12) that has a edge (24) extending along a side edge,

b)

provide a cover (14) that it has an edge (26) that extends along an edge side,

C)

provide a joint (16) that integrally joins said cover with said base, to along side edges of the mentioned base and cover, opposite to the aforementioned edges,

those mentioned edges are built to collide with each other with the same extension, when the base and cover are closed, and for have outer edges that are generally level with each other, when the base and cover are closed, and those mentioned cutting edges are provided with cooperative recesses (28, 30), one in each of the aforementioned edges, which are sized for the insertion of the tip of an adult finger and the tip of a thumb as an adult, and are displaced longitudinally with respect to each other of the edges, when the cover and base are closed,

d)

provide insurance means first and second (32, 34), each located at one end longitudinally opposed, of the aforementioned base and cover,

and)

build the base and cover, each one of rectangular configuration and generally one of the same extension than the other, when the mentioned base and cover are close together, and locate the mentioned means first and second insurance means, adjacent to the corners of the container which are closer to the aforementioned edges, and

F)

provide each of the mentioned first and second insurance means, shaped like a finger  elastic (36, 38) integrally attached at one end to the aforementioned base, and provide an opening (40, 42) in said cover, aligned with the mentioned elastic finger in the condition closed of said container, the elastic finger having a spike end (44) protruding upward, at least level  in general with the outer surface of the roof, and having a edge (52) facing outward from the container, and a retaining edge (46) adapted to cooperate with a part of strike (48) of the roof, defining a part of the mentioned opening, and operative to be coupled by the edge of retainer of the aforementioned finger, the striker part (48) and an edge opposite (60) of the cover opening, being separated especially only in an amount that allows enough pivoting movement of said free end (44) of the mentioned finger, to allow the unlocking of it with respect to the striker part of the cover, so that the end of finger pin is operative to thereby block access to opposite edge of the cover opening, when the finger Elastic is pivoted to its unlocked position.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the aforementioned edges (24, 26) are additionally provided with third-party means of insurance aligned, pressure opening. 7. The method of claim 5 or 6, comprising the additional step of providing said container with a honeycomb container (66) housed therein, and containing a plurality of closed, separated honeycomb container compartments containing each one of the aforementioned closed compartments of the honeycomb container a small article, providing the said honeycomb container with a lower surface of the honeycomb container, through which the small article is normally distributed, placing said lower surface of the honeycomb container in the container, on a bottom wall of said base, providing a plurality of holes (61) for distributing the article in the bottom wall of the base, sized to shape the size and separation of the compartments of the honeycomb container, whereby when a part of a lower surface of the honeycomb container, for one of the compartments of the alv container Eolated, it is perforated by the article in order to force the small article through a corresponding distribution hole of the article, the small article in a compartment of the honeycomb container, can thus be distributed through the corresponding distribution hole of the article , by applying pressure with your finger on a stop of a container compartment
alveolate. 8. The method set forth in claim 7, in which the aforementioned edges are additionally provided with third-party means of insurance aligned, pressure opening.