FR3032692A1 - DEVICE FOR CLOSING A CONTAINER WITH SECURITY MEANS PREVENTING UNINTENDED OPENING. - Google Patents

Abstract

A cap assembly (24) having an outer cap member (26) and an inner cap member (25) for placement on the container (21). The outer cap member (26) is movably mounted on the inner cap member (25) to evolve security means between protection and release configurations. The inner cap member (25) and the outer cap member (26) each include a side wall (27, 28) closed by an end wall (29, 30). A safety stop (48) integral with the inner cap member (25) remains or protrudes through the end wall (30) of the outer cap member (26) when the security means evolves from their protection configuration to their release configuration.

Description

The present invention relates to a closure device intended to be attached to a container neck, also called a reservoir. 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 in the trade pharmaceutical products sold in bottles including, most of the time, a reservoir having a neck on which is attached a dispensing tip forming for example dosing pump. Conventionally, the dispensing tip is protected by a closure device having a cap assembly which includes an outer cap member surrounding an inner cap member. This internal cap member is intended to be placed on the container or to be removed from this container by a relative movement between it and the container. This displacement conventionally comprises an axial component. However, more and more countries are demanding that the pharmaceutical products in bottles sold in their territories have secure closing means, commonly known as CRC in accordance with the English acronym for "Child Resistant Closure Packaging". Indeed, it is desired that a child does not have access to the dispensing tip and therefore the contents of the tank, because this can, in some cases, be dangerous.

Thus, provision has been made in the state of the art to equip the closure device of the container with security means that can evolve between two configurations: a so-called protective configuration which prevents the withdrawal of the cap assembly from the container and a so-called release configuration which allows removal of the cap assembly from the container. This configuration change is conventionally done thanks to the external cap member: it is mounted axially displaceable on the inner cap member and its actuation makes it possible to change the security means between the protection and release configurations. Such security means are described, for example, in US 8,474,634. However, it may happen that a child, playing with the bottle and tapping the floor with the outer cap member of the vertically oriented hood assembly, can unlock the security means and thereby allow the evolution to occur. 3032692 - 2 - security means to their release configuration. The object of the invention is to propose a closure device comprising security means that are protected as much as possible against an accidental risk of unlocking by a child performing, for example, the action mentioned above.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for closing a container, of the type comprising: a cap assembly comprising an external cap member and an internal cap member, this internal cap member being intended for placed on the container or removed from this container by a relative displacement between the inner cap member and the container having an axial component, - security means that can move between a protective configuration preventing the withdrawal of the internal cap member of the container and a release configuration for removal of the inner cap member from the container, the outer cap member being axially displaceable on the inner cap member to evolve the security means between the protection and release configurations, the inner cap member and the outer cap member each having a wall ateral closed by an end wall, characterized in that it comprises a safety stop secured to the inner cap member which remains or becomes protruding through the end wall of the outer cap member when the means of security evolve from their protection configuration to their release configuration.

Thanks to the invention, if a child attempts to press the end wall of the outer cap member against a surface such as, for example, the floor or a table, the safety stop comes into contact with the area. This prevents axial displacement of the end wall of the outer cap member toward the release configuration of the security means, so that the closure device will not be open. The closure device according to the invention may also include the following optional features. Preferably, the closure device comprises axial resilient biasing means connected to the inner cap member or to the outer cap member, so as to bias the outer cap member to an engaging position. configuration of protection of the security means. If desired, the axial resilient biasing means may comprise at least one resilient member interposed between the end walls of the inner cap member and the outer cap member. The elastic member may be formed by a puncture formed in the end wall of the inner cap member.

The elastic member may also be formed by a projecting resilient tongue integral with the end wall of the inner cap member. Preferably, the closure device comprises at least one axial stroke limiting stop between the inner cap member and the outer cap member interposed between the two end walls.

The side wall may be of revolution and have a general cylinder shape or a general shape of shells converging towards the end wall. Advantageously, the inner cap member is provided with an inner thread for cooperating with an outer thread carried by the container such that relative movement between the inner cap member and the container allowing the inner cap member to be placed on the container or to be removed from this container, is a relative screwing so that, in addition to the axial component, this relative movement comprises a rotating component. Where appropriate, the safety means comprise complementary interconnection means provided on the inner cap member and the outer cap member for coupling between the inner cap member and the outer cap member by axial relative displacement. between the inner cap member and the outer cap member. Advantageously, the security means comprise a security element carried by the outer cap member and provided with a locking abutment movable radially between: - a so-called cooperation position, favored by an elastic return, in which the abutment of locking is intended to cooperate with a complementary locking abutment carried by the container to maintain the internal cap member on the container, - a so-called separation position, in which the locking stop is intended to be separated from the stop of complementary locking carried by the container to allow the release of the inner cap member relative to the container; and means for transforming the axial displacement of the outer cap member on the inner cap member in radial displacement of the outer cap member relative to the container; the security element, allowing the radial position of the locking abutment to change its position. co-operating with its position of separation by axial displacement of the outer cap member with respect to the inner cap member in a direction identical to a direction of travel of the axial component of displacement of the organ internal cap towards the container during the introduction of this internal cap member on the container.

The invention also relates to a medical device comprising a container and a device for closing this container, characterized in that the closure device is according to the invention. The invention will be better understood on reading the appended figures, which are provided by way of example and are in no way limiting in nature, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medical device comprising a closure device according to a first embodiment of the invention reported on a container; Figures 2 and 3 are views in axial section of the closure device of Figure 1 in different configurations of use of this closure device; Figure 4 is an axial sectional view of an outer cap member of the closure device of Figure 1; Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of the outer cap member of the closure device of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a perspective view of an inner cap member of the closure device of Figure 1; Figure 8 is an axial sectional view of the inner cap member of the closure device of Figure 1; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a medical device having a closure device according to a second embodiment of the invention attached to a container; Figures 10 and 11 are figures similar to Figures 2 and 3 of the closure device according to the second embodiment of the invention; Figures 12 and 13 are figures similar to Figures 7 and 8, according to the second embodiment of the invention; Figure 14 is a figure similar to Figure 4, according to the second embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 1 to 8 show a medical device 20 according to the invention. This medical device 20 comprises a container 21 forming a reservoir, for example of a general shape of revolution about an axis A. A dispensing nozzle 22 of a product contained in the reservoir is attached to the container 21. As a variant, this The tip 2232692 - 5 - distribution 22 could have come from material with the container 21. In what follows, a direction will be qualified as axial, radial or orthogonal with reference to the axis A. An axial direction is therefore parallel to the axis A. The medical device 20 also comprises a device 23 for closing the container 21 according to a first embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8. This closure device 23 comprises a set 24 forming a cap of protection comprising an inner cap member 25 and an outer cap member 26. The inner cap member 25 is intended to be placed on the container 21 or to be removed by a displacement. relative nt between the inner cap member 25 and the container 21 having an axial component, that is to say substantially parallel to the axis A. As shown in Figures 1, 4 and 7, the cap member 25 and the outer cap member 26 each comprise a side wall 27, 28 for example substantially of revolution about the axis A. It will be noted that the side wall 28 of the outer cap member 26 surrounds the side wall 27 of the inner cap member 25. In the example described, each of these side walls 27, 28 has a general cylinder shape and is closed by an end wall 29, 30. These end walls 29, 30 are substantially perpendicular to the axis A.

The cap assembly 24 also includes security means capable of evolving between a protective configuration preventing withdrawal of the inner cap member 25 from the container 21 and a release configuration for removal of the inner cap member 25 of the container 21. To accommodate this configuration change, the outer cap member 26 is mounted axially displaceable on the inner cap member 25. Thus, the movement of the outer cap member 26 allows for the evolution of the means. between the protection and release configurations. These security means comprise a security element 32 carried by the outer cap member 26 and provided with a locking abutment 33 movable radially between: - a so-called cooperation position, favored by an elastic return, in which the stop locking device 33 is intended to cooperate with a complementary locking abutment 34 carried by the container 21 to hold the inner cap member 25 on the container 21, and - a so-called separation position, in which the locking abutment 33 is intended to be separated from the complementary locking abutment 34 carried by the container 21 to allow the release of the inner cap member 25 relative to the container 21. These security means also comprise transformation means 35 which transform the displacement. axial direction of the outer cap member 26 on the inner cap member 25 in a radial displacement of the 32. Thus, when a user manipulates the closing device 23, this displacement allows the radial position of the locking abutment 33 to change from its cooperation position to its position of separation by axial displacement (according to A). of the outer cap member 26 with respect to the inner cap member 25. This displacement is in a direction identical to a direction of travel of the axial component (according to A) of movement of the inner cap member. 25 to the container 21 when the cap assembly 24 is placed on the container 21. The cap assembly 24 also includes centering means 36 of the outer cap member 26 around the dispensing member 24. These centering means 36 comprise, for example, four centering ribs 36, 15 carried by the lateral wall 28 of the outer cap member 26. The cap assembly 24 also comprises means stroking the inner cap member 25 and the outer cap member 26 therebetween. These locking means in particular visible in Figures 4 to 6 are activated during the release of the inner cap member 25 relative to the container 21 by the action of the fingers of a user. These locking means comprise firstly two slots 37 for positioning the fingers of the user. These two lumens 37 are substantially diametrically opposed and formed in the side wall 28 of the inner cap member 26, between the centering ribs 36. On the other hand, these locking means comprise two resilient tongues 38 for contact with the 25 fingers of the user respectively extending in the two slots 37 for positioning the fingers of this user. Each resilient tongue 38 is provided with a radial locking projection 40 engageable in a complementary locking hole 41 formed in the side wall 27 of the inner cap member 25.

It will be appreciated that each resilient tongue 38 is provided with gripping projections 42 to optimize contact with the user's fingers. The internal and external cap members 25 also include complementary means for axial guidance and limitation of axial travel therebetween. In this example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, these complementary means 35 for axial guidance and for limiting the axial stroke comprise at least one axial guide projection 44 carried by the outer cap member 26 sliding axially in an orifice in order to prevent the axial displacement (according to A) of the outer cap member 26 on the inner cap member 25 and thereby to prevent the closing device 23 to evolve from its protective position to its release configuration, the closure device 23 further comprises a safety stop 48 secured to the inner cap member 25. This safety stop 48, of substantially cylindrical shape is secured of the end wall 29 of the inner cap member 25 and is complementary to a slot 50 in the end wall 30 of the outer cap member 26. A insi, this safety stop 48 remains or protrudes through the end wall 30 of the outer cap member 26 as the security means evolves from their protective configuration to their release configuration under the action of an user. In the illustrated example, when the safety means 48 are in the protective configuration, the safety stopper 48 is flush with the end wall 30. As a variant, in this protection configuration, the safety stop 48 could be slightly protruding relative to the end wall 30. In order to return the outer cap member 26 to a protective configuration setting position of the security means 32, the cap assembly 24 has resilient biasing means 52. Axially connected to the inner cap member 25 or to the outer cap member 26. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the biasing means 52 with axial elastic effect comprise three elastic elements 52 interposed between the walls of the wall. end 29, 30 and three axial travel limiting stops 54 between the inner cap member 25 and the outer cap member 26 interposed between the two end walls 25. 29, 30 of the inner cap member 25 and the outer cap member 26. More particularly, the three elastic members 52 are here each formed by a puncture 52 formed in the end wall 29 of the organ The number of stops 54 of axial stroke limitation could alternatively be different from three, for example equal to one. The main steps of handling the medical device 20 according to the invention will be described below. The medical device 20 is first considered in its closed configuration as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the internal cap member 25 is snapped onto the dispenser tip 22, the safety means are activated. and the locking abutment 33 of the security element 32 cooperates with the complementary locking abutment 34 carried by the receptacle 21, maintaining the inner cap member 25 on the receptacle 21. As can be seen in FIG. FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the safety stopper 48 is flush with the end wall 30 of the outer cap member 26. Thus, when a user wishes to move axially (according to A) the outer cap member 26 to deactivate the safety means and open the medical device 20, it must exert an axial pressure on the end wall 30 (see arrows 31) of the outer cap member 26 without exerting pressure on the safety stop 48. Only in this case, the cap member 26 will be moved axially and allow the radial displacement of the locking abutment 33, allowing the evolution of the closure device 23 to its release position. Furthermore, a user handling the medical device 20, grasps the cap member 25 through the locking means of the cap assembly 24. Thus, by exerting lateral pressure on the elastic tongues 38 of the cap With the outer cap member 26, the user engages each radial locking protrusion 40 in the complementary locking hole 41 in the inner cap member 25 and thereby allowing the internal cap member to be pinched. 25 in order to be able to remove it from the container 21 according to an axial component. As will be seen in FIG. 3, when the closure device 23 is in its release configuration, the safety projection 48 protrudes through the lumen 50 of the end wall 30 of the cap member. 26. To close the medical device 20, the user snaps the inner cap member 25 on the dispensing nozzle 22 by moving it substantially axially (parallel to the axis A) towards the dispensing nozzle 22. The protrusion safety 48 25 then resumes its outcrop position. A further embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14. In these Figures 9 to 14, elements similar to those of the preceding figures are designated by identical references. Thus, FIGS. 9 to 14 show a medical device 20 comprising a closure device 23 according to a second embodiment of the invention. This closure device 23 is attached to the container 21. Unlike the first embodiment, in this case, the closure device 23 according to this second embodiment comprises an internal cap member 25 provided with an internal thread 54 This inner thread 54 is intended to cooperate with an outer thread 56 carried by the container 21 so that the relative displacement between the inner cap member 25 and the container 21 which allows the inner cap member 25 to to be put in place or to be removed from the container 21, is a relative screwing if, in addition to the axial component (according to A), this relative displacement comprises a rotating component. Thus, as can be seen in FIGS. 12 and 14, the safety means here comprise complementary means of interconnection 58, 60, respectively, arranged on the internal cap member 25 and the outer cap member 26. These interconnection means 58, 60 allow the coupling between the inner cap member 25 and the outer cap member 26 by axial relative displacement (along A) between the inner cap member 25 and the outer cap member 26. The side walls 27, 28 of the inner cap member 25 and the outer cap member 26, moreover, have a general shape of shells converging towards the conventional dog clutch, for example in US 10 8 474 634. the end wall. As for the previous embodiment, the cap assembly 24 according to this second embodiment also comprises complementary means for axial guidance and limitation of the axial stroke between them, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 14. These means In this case, additional axial guiding and axially limiting means comprise an axial guiding protrusion 44 carried by the inner cap member 25 axially sliding in a complementary axial guiding orifice 46 in the outer cap member 26. Furthermore, the end wall 29 of the inner cap member 25 also comprises three elastic members 52. However, in this case, each of these elastic elements 52 is formed by a projecting resilient tongue 52 secured to the wall of the wall. end 29 of the inner cap member 25.

The main steps of handling the medical device 20 according to this second embodiment will be described below. The medical device 20 is first considered in its closed configuration as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In this case, the internal cap member 25 is screwed onto the dispensing nozzle 22.

To separate the cap assembly 24 from the dispensing tip 22, a user moves the outer cap member 26 on the inner cap member 25 in the direction of the arrows 31 in FIG. 11 corresponding to the direction of the cap. axial component of displacement of the cap assembly 24 to the container 21 upon screwing of the cap assembly 24 to the container 21.

To carry out this movement, the user must exert a pressure according to the arrows 31 on the end wall 30 of the outer cap member 26 without exerting on the safety stop 48. The safety stop 48 which was flush with the 30 end wall 30 of the outer cap member 26, then protrudes through the lumen 50 of the end wall 29 of the outer cap member 25. Performs the axial displacement (according to A ) of the outer cap member 26 on the inner cap member 25, the user thereby activates the dog clutch means 58, 60 and, in accordance with a usual gesture, can unscrew (while maintaining a pressure in the direction of the arrows 31 on the outer cap member 26) the inner cap member 25 of the dispensing tip 22. To facilitate unscrewing (or screwing), the outer cap member 26 and the container 21 have hooks 42.

It should be noted that as soon as the user stops exerting stress on the outer cap member 26 in the direction 31, he instantly returns, by elastic return effect, in his protective configuration and the safety projection 48 resumes. then its outcrop position. The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is in particular possible to envisage a safety stop 48 projecting through the end wall 30 of the outer cap member 26 even when the security means are in protective configuration.

Claims (11)

REVENDICATIONS1. Closure device (23) for a container (21), of the type comprising: - a cap assembly (24) having an outer cap member (26) and an inner cap member (25), said inner cap member (25) being intended to be placed on the container (21) or to be removed from this container (21) by a relative displacement between the inner cap member (25) and the container (21) having an axial component, security means (32, 33, 34, 35, 58, 60) capable of evolving between a protective configuration preventing removal of the inner cap member (25) from the container (21) and a release configuration allowing the removing the inner cap member (25) from the container (21), the outer cap member (26) being axially displaceable on the inner cap member (25) for changing the security means (32, 33, 34, 35; 58, 60) between the protection and release configurations, the organ e of the inner cap (25) and the outer cap member (26) each comprising a side wall (27, 28), closed by an end wall (29, 30), characterized in that it comprises an abutment safety member (48) integral with the inner cap member (25) which remains or protrudes through the end wall (30) of the outer cap member (26) when the security means (32, 33 , 34, 35; 58, 60) evolve from their protection configuration to their release configuration. 2. Closure device (23) according to the preceding claim, comprising biasing means (52) axially resiliently connected to the inner cap member (25) or the outer cap member (26), so recalling the outer cap member (26) to a protective setting configuration position of the security means (32, 33, 34, 35; 58, 60). 3. Closure device (23) according to the preceding claim, wherein the biasing means (52) axial elastic effect comprise at least one elastic element (52) interposed between the end walls (29, 30) of the inner cap member (25) and outer cap member (26). 4. Closure device (23) according to the preceding claim, wherein the elastic element (52) is formed by a puncture (52) formed in the end wall (29) of the inner cap member (25). . 3032692 -12- 5. Closure device (23) according to claim 3, wherein the elastic element (52) is formed by a protruding resilient tongue (52) integral with the end wall (29) of the inner cap member ( 25). The closure device (23) according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein at least one axial stroke limiting stop (54) between the inner cap member (25) and the cap member outer portion (26) is interposed between the two end walls (29, 30). Closure device (23) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall (27, 28) is of revolution and has a general cylinder shape or a general shape of shells converging towards the wall. end (29, 30). The closure device (23) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner cap member (25) is provided with an internal thread (54) for cooperating with an outer thread (56) carried by the container (21) so that the relative displacement between the inner cap member (25) and the container (21), allowing the inner cap member (25) to be placed on the container ( 21) or to be removed from this container (21), is a relative screwing so that, in addition to the axial component, this relative movement comprises a rotating component. 20 9. Closing device (23) according to the preceding claim, wherein the safety means comprise complementary clutch means (58, 60) provided on the inner cap member (25) and the outer cap member (26). ) allowing coupling between the inner cap member (25) and the outer cap member (26) by axial relative displacement between the inner cap member (25) and the outer cap member (26). The closure device (23) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the security means (32, 33, 34, 35; 58, 60) comprise a security element (32) carried by the locking member. external cap (26) and provided with a locking abutment (33) movable radially between: - a so-called cooperation position, favored by an elastic return, in which the locking abutment (33) is intended to cooperate with an abutment complementary locking device (34) carried by the container (21) to hold the inner cap member (25) on the container (21), a so-called separation position, in which the locking stop (33) ) is intended to be separated from the complementary locking abutment (34) carried by the receptacle (21) to allow release of the inner cap member (25) from the receptacle (21), and transformation of the axial displacement of the organ outer cap (26) on the inner cap member (25) in radial displacement of the safety member (32), allowing the radial position of the locking abutment (33) to move from its co-operating position to its separation position by axial displacement of the outer cap member (26) relative to the inner cap member (25) in a direction identical to a direction of travel of the axial component of displacement of the cap member internal (25) to the container (21) during the introduction of this internal cap member (25) on the container (21). 11. Medical device (20) comprising a container (21) and a closure device (23) for this container (21), characterized in that the closure device (23) is according to any one of claims 1 to 10.