GB2192385A

GB2192385A - Child-resistant closure

Info

Publication number: GB2192385A
Application number: GB08700654A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick John Doherty
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-01-14
Filing date: 1987-01-13
Publication date: 1988-01-13
Also published as: GB8700654D0

Abstract

A cap 2 and bottle neck 1 define formations 7, 8 which interengage when the cap is threaded or snapped onto the neck. One or both of the cap and neck are resiliently deformable to disengage the formations, for example, the neck may be compressed or extended by virtue of bellows portion 6, or the cap may be deformed to an elliptical shape. The cap can then be unthreaded or pulled off. The cap may incorporate a tamper-indicating band. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Two part container The present invention relates to a two part container and in particular to a container which has a closure that makes it difficult for children to open the container.

Many proposals have been made for container which are difficult for children to open.

In one known container a two part cap is provided which can be screwed onto a bottle intended for receiving for example tablets.

When the cap is screwed onto the bottle a safety mechanism is engaged which prevents removal of the cap unless the cap is pushed down onto the body at the same time as the cap is rotated relative to the body. Such an arrangement does achieve the desired objective but requires a two component cap the components of which must be manufactured to fairly tight tolerances. Such an arrangement is not suitable for use on relatively large moulded containers of the type used for example to distribute chemicals such as domestic bleach.

Other containers are known in which a one part cap is a snap fit on a spout of the container. If the force required to remove the cap is to be closely controlled the cap and container spout must be manufactured to fairly close tolerances and in any event even fairly small children are capable of exerting a considerable force on a container cap.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved container with a safety closure.

According to the present invention there is provided a two part container comprising a bottle defining an open spout and a cap which may be placed on the spout to seal the spout, wherein the cap and spout define formations which interengage when the cap is placed on the spout and prevent removal of the cap by the application of a force to the cap in a single direction or rotation of the cap relative to the spout, the cap and/or the spout are resiliently deformable by a force applied to the cap in a predetermined first direction to disengage the formations, and when the formations are disengaged by deformation of the cap and/or spout the cap is removable from the spout in a direction different from the said predetermined direction or by rotation of the cap relative to the spout.

The spout and cap may define threads such that the cap is screwed onto the spout by rotating it relative to the spout until the formations interengage. The spout may be deformable so that its length can be adjusted by application of a force to the cap in a direction parallel to the length of the spout. The cap is removed by applying a force to the cap which either stretches or compresses the spout, thereby disengaging the formations. The cap can then be screwed off. Alternatively the spout may be deformable so that it can be bent by applying a force to the cap in a direction perpendicular to the length of the spout.

The formations on the spout are located on one side only so that when the spout is bent the formations disengage, enabling subsequent removal of the cap.

In a further alternative arrangement the formations can be formed on the spout adjacent one or both ends of a single diameter of the spout. The cap can be deformable so that its cross section can be distorted from a circular shape to an ellipsoidal shape by squeezing the opposite sides of the cap towards each other.

The cap is removed by squeezing the cap sides towards each other in a direction perpendicular to the said diameter of the spout to disengage the formations. The interengaging formations may comprise a ratchet mechanism. Where the cap is a screw fit on the spout, the ratchet can be in the form of a series of teeth directed either parallel to the length of the spout or perpendicular to the length of the spout. Where the cap is a push fit rather than a screw fit on the spout the interengaging formations may comprise one or more teeth defined by for example the spout and adapted to engage behind a radially inwards extending flange on the cap.Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figs. 1 to 4 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention; Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention similar to that of Figs. 1 to 4; Fig. 7 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention; Figs. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the invention; Fig. 11 illustrates an alternnative spout structure to that shown in Fig. 8; Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate a fifth embodiment of the invention similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4; Figs. 15, 16 and 17 illustrate a sixth embodiment of the invention; Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate a seventh embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 20 and 21 illustrate an eighth embodiment of the present invention;; Figs. 22, 23 and 24 illustrate a nineth embodiment of the present invention; and Figs. 25 and 26 illustrate a tenth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 the container comprises a spout 1 onto which a cap 2 can be fitted, the spout 1 being the only opening into a container body 3. The spout supports a thread 4 adapted to engage in a mating thread 5 in the cap. A resiliently deformable spring portion 6 is provided in the spout so that the length of the spout can be increased or decreased by applying an axial force thereto. Rachet teeth 7 are provided around the base of the spout and are intended to interengage with ratchet teeth 8 provided adjacent the rim of the cap 2. A resilient sealing member 9 is also provided in the cap. When the cap is placed on the spout, it is screwed down until the ratchet teeth 7 and 8 interengage.The interengaging of these formations is felt as a series of clicks as the teeth 7 and 8 slide over each other.

The cap is then in the position relative to the spout as illustrated in Fig. 3. The seal member 9 has engaged in the open end of the spout to provide an effective seal. The interengagement of the ratchet teeth 7 and 8 prevents the cap from being unscrewed and the interengagement between the threads 4 and 5 prevents the cap from being simply pulled off. To remove the cap it is necessary to disengage the ratchet teeth 7 and 8. This is achieved by pulling hard on the cap so as to increase the length of the spout by stretching the deformable spring portion 6 as shown in Fig. 4. Extension of the spring portion 6 lifts the ratchet teeth 8 out of contact with the ratchet teeth 7 and the cap can then be unscrewed. Thus to remove the cap it is necessary to apply a force to the cap in the direction of the axis of the spout and then to rotate the cap relative to the spout.This combination of movements is difficult for a child to perform unaided.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, the illustrated arrangement is similar to that of Figs. 1 to 4 and the same reference numerals are used for equivalent components. In the case of the embodiment of Figs. 5 and 6 however the ratchet teeth 7 project radially outwards and the ratchet teeth 8 project radially inwards. Removal of the cap again requires extension of the spring portion 6 to lift the teeth 8 clear of the teeth 7.

Referring now to Fig. 7, which illustrates a third embodiment of the invention, again the same reference numerals are used for compo nents equivalent to those of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4. In the case of the embodiment of Fig. 7, the ratchet formations 7 and 8 are disengaged not by pulling axially on the cap but by pushing the cap sideways so as to cause the spout to bend. Fig. 7 shows the relative positions of the cap and spout after the spout has been bent by apply ing a force in the direction of arrow 10, bend ing of the spout causing the teeth 8 to lift out of engagement with the teeth 7. For this ar rangement to work it is necessary for the ratchet teeth 7 and 8 to be located at one side only of the spout and for pressure to be applied to the cap from that side of the spout.Accordingly a projecting marker 11 is moulded into the container body 3 at the side of the spout adjacent the ratchet teeth 7.

Referring now to Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the illustrated embodiments of the present inven tion differ significantly from that of Figs. 1 to 4 in that neither the spout nor the cap are threaded. The container comprises a spout 12 extending from a container body 13 and a cap 14. The spout comprises resilient deformable spring portion 15 and is connected to the container body 13 by a portion defining flat surfaces 16 on opposed sides and ratchet teeth 17 midway between the flat surfaces 16. A marker 18 is moulded into the container body 13.

The cap 14 comprises a sealing member 19 and a radially inwards extending flange 20.

When the cap is placed on the container it is pushed downards until the flange 20 engages the teeth 17 as shown in Fig. 10. It will be seen that there are two sets of teeth 17 located at opposite ends of a diameter of the spout. The spring portion 15 is partially compressed when the cap is engaged on the teeth 17 and as a result the open end of the spout is resiliently pressed against the underside of the cap, improving the sealing effect of the cap.

The cap positioned as shown in Fig. 10 cannot be removed either by rotation or by pulling in a direction parallel to the axis of the spout. The cap is however deformable and its sides may be pushed towards each other by exerting pressure between a finger and thumb.

When such a pressure is applied the cap is distorted from its free state circular cross section into an ellispoidal cross section or shape.

Providing the force is applied along a diameter perpendicular to that with which the teeth 17 are aligned this distortion of the cap pushes the flange 20 radially outwards and out of engagement with the teeth 17. The cap can then be pulled off the spout. The marker 18 indicates the direction in which the cap should be pressed and the flat surfaces 16 provide clearance to enable a substantial distortion of the open end of the cap. Fig. 11 shows an alternative structure to that of Fig. 8, the three ratchet teeth 1 7 of Fig. 8 being replaced by a single tooth 17. Referring now to Figs.

12, 13 and 14, the illustrated embodiment is similar to that of Figs. 8, 9 and 10 and the same reference numerals are used for equivalent component parts. In the embodiment of Figs. 12 to 14 however the cap incorporates an annular tear off anti-tamper band 21, the anti-tamper band being connected to the body of the cap by a thinned portion 22. The band supports a pull tab 23 and is broken by a small gap 24. When the cap is first placed on the spout the anti-tamper band 21 engages tightly around an annular rim 25 formed around the base of the spout. If an attempt is made to squeeze the sides of the cap to gether to enable removal of the cap from the spout the anti-tamper band 21 engages the rim 25 and prevents distortion of the open end of the cap into an ellipsoidal shape. Accordingly the flange 20 remains in engagement with the tooth 17.Once the anti-tamper band 21 has been removed however the operation is as described with reference to Figs. 8 to 10. Referring now to Figs. 15 to 17, an embodiment similar to that of Figs. 8 to 9 is illustrated and the same reference numerals are used for equivalent components. In the case of the embodiment of Figs. 15 to 17 however the spout 12 does not incorporate a spring portion and an effective sealing of the bottle is achieved by the engagement of the open end of the bottle in an annular socket 26 defined between the wall of the cap 14 and a tubular resilient sealing member 27. An annular projection 28 bears against the inner surface of the spout. Removal of the cap is by squeezing the cap body to assume an ellipsoidai cross section as in the case of the embodiments of Figs. 8 to 10 and 12 to 14.

The embodiment of Figs. 15 to 17 also incorporates a tear off anti-tamper band 21. Referring now to Figs. 18 and 19, the illustrated container comprises a substantially non-deformable spout 29 supporting a thread 30 intended to engage in a thread 31 provided inside a cap 32. Arranged around the base of the spout is a rim 33 corresponding to the rim 25 of Fig. 12 and flat surfaces 34 corresponding to the flat surfaces 16 of Fig. 12.

Ratchet teeth 35 are also provided extending parallel to the spout axis. The cap incorporates an anti-tamper band 36 corresponding to the band 21 of Fig. 13 and an inwardly projecting formation 37. When the cap is screwed onto the spout the formation 37 engages the ratchet teeth 35. To remove the cap it is necessary to squeeze the sides of the cap together towards the surfaces 34 so as to cause the open end of the cap to assume an ellipsoidal cross section and thereby lift the formation 37 out of engagement with the teeth 35. Referring now to Figs. 20 and 21, the illustrated arrangement is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 and the same reference numrals are used for equivalent components. In the case of the embodiment of Figs. 20 and 21 however an additional antitamper band 38 is provided which defines ratchet teeth 39 intended to engage in ratchet teeth 40 on the spout.The anti-tamper band 38 must be removed before the closure can be taken off the spout as the axial length of the teeth- 39 is too great for the teeth 39 to be pulled out of engagement with the teeth 40 by pulling on the cap to increase the length of the spout. As a further modificiation to the arrangement of Figs. 1 to 4, in the arrangement of Figs. 20 and 21 flat surfaces 41 enable the cap to be distorted by squeezing its sides- together after removal of the anti-tamper band so as to move the teeth 8 clear of the teeth 7. Thus once the anti-tamper band has been removed the cap can be taken from the spout either by pulling and rotating or by squeezing and rotating the cap.

Referring to Figs. 22 to 24, an embodiment similar to that of Figs. 15 to 17 is illustrated.

In the embodiment of Figs. 22 to 24, the cap incorporates a flexible membrane 42 which is pressed against and distorted by the open end of the spout when the cap is pushed down onto the spout as shown in Fig. 24.

Removal of the cap is by squeezing the open end of the cap together after removal of an anti-tamper band. Referring finally to Figs. 25 and 26, an embodiment is illustrated which is similar to that of Figs. 5 and 6 and the same reference numerals are used for corresponding components. In the case of the embodiment of Figs. 25 and 26 however the teeth 8 are arranged such that once engaged with the teeth 7 they can only be disengaged by pushing the cap downwards so as to compress the spring portions 6 and reduce the length of the spout. The cap cannot be pressed downwards until an anti-tamper band 43 has been removed. The stiffness of the spring portion 6 and the disposition and axial lengths of the teeth 7 and 8 are such that the spout cannot be increased in length sufficientiy by pulling on the cap so as to disengage the teeth 7 and 8.

The term "spout" is used herein simply to identify that portion of the bottle through which the contents of the bottle is dispensed, and is not intended to indicate that the "spout" is of smaller diameter than the rest of the body. If desired the bottle could be of substantially cylindrical form with the spout being that portion of the cylinder over which the cap engages.

Claims

1. A two part container comprising a bottle defining an open spout and a cap which may be placed on the spout to seal the spout, wherein the cap and spout define formations which interengage when the cap is placed on the spout and prevent removal of the cap by the application of a force to the cap in a single direction or rotation of the cap relative to the spout, the cap and/or the spout are resiliently deformable by a force applied to the cap in a predetermined first direction to disengage the formations, and when the formations are disengaged by deformation of the cap and/or spout the cap is removable from the spout in a direction different from the said predetermined direction or by rotation of the cap relative to the spout.

2. A two part container according to claim 1, wherein the spout and cap define threads and the cap is screwed onto the spout by rotating the cap relative to the spout until the formations interengage, the spout is deformable so that its length can be-adjusted by application of a force to the cap in a direction parallel to the length of the spout, and the cap is removable by applying a force to the cap in the said parallel direction to disengage the formations and then by unscrewing the cap from the spout.

3. A two part container according to claim 2, wherein the spout is stretchable by pulling on the cap to disengage the formations.

4. A two part container according to claim 2, wherein the spout is compressible by pushing down on the cap to disengage the formations.

5. A two part container according to claim 1, wherein the spout and cap define threads and the cap is screwed onto the spout by rotating the cap relative to the spout until the formations interengage, the formations on the spout are located on one side only of the spout, the spout is deformable so that it can be bent by application of a force to the cap in a direction perpendicular to the length of the spout, and the cap is removable by applying a force to the cap in the said perpendicular direction from the said one side of the spout to disengage the formations and then by unscrewing the cap from the spout.

6. A two part container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising an anti-tamper band secured to the cap and adapted to prevent rotation of the cap unless the antitamper band has been removed from the cap.

7. A two part container according to claim 1, wherein the formations on the spout are located adjacent a single diameter of the spout, the cap is deformable so that its cross section can be distorted from a circular shape to an ellipsoidal shape by squeezing the opposite sides of the cap towards each other, and the cap is removable by squeezing the cap sides towards each other in a direction perpendicular to the said diameter to disengage the formations and then removing the cap from the spout.

8. A two part container according to claim 7, wherein the cap and spout are threaded and the cap is placed on the spout by rotating the cap relative to the spout.

9. A two part container according to claim 7, wherein the cap is a push fit on the spout.

10. A two part container according to claim 7, 8 or 9, comprising an anti-tamper band secured to the cap and adapted to prevent distortion of the cap to an ellipsoidal shape unless the anti-tamper band has been removed from the cap.

11. A two part container according to any preceding claim, wherein the interengaging formations comprise a ratchet mechanism.

12. A two part container according to any preceding claim, wherein portions of the cap and/or spout are resiliently deformed when the formations are interengaged to provide a sealing force between interengaging sealing surfaces of cap and spout.

13. A two part container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

1 to 4, Figs. 5 and 6, Fig. 7, Figs. 8 to 10, Fig. 11, Figs. 12 to 14, Figs. 15 to 17, Figs.

18 and 19, Figs. 20 and 21, Figs. 22 to 24, or Figs. 25 and 26.