GB2240542A - Container - Google Patents

Abstract

In a container comprising a hollow body (10 Fig. 1) and a cap (11) rotatable about an axis 13, one of the body and cap defines first and second axially-spaced circumferential channels 22, 25; a third channel 26 communicating with and transverse to the first and second channels; and a fourth channel 27 communicating with the second channel and leading away from the first channel; and a projection (21) on the other of the body and cap can pass in succession along the first, third, second and fourth channels. Preferably a ring (117 Fig. 3) is connected to the cap or body by a relatively weak formation and is provided with an elongate handle (118), the ring being formed with a fulcrum (131) engageable with the handle between the ends thereof. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: "Container" Description of the Invention The present invention relates to a container comprising a hollow body and a cap which fits onto the body to close the container, the body and the cap having respective formations which co-operate to hold the cap releasably on the body and the cap being releasable from the body by relative movement which includes turning of the cap relative to the body about an axis.

The container is closed sufficiently to prevent egress of contents which are to be retained inside the container. The container may be closed sufficiently to prevent ingress of foreign matter, for example dust or moisture. At least when initially closed, the container may be hermetically sealed. The cap may fit outside a wall of the body, inside a wall of the body or both inside and outside a wall of the body. In some known containers of the kind described, there are provided tamper-inhibiting means which restrains removal of the cap from the body and/or provides an indication of such removal. When the cap is initially fitted to the body, such tamper-inhibiting means may restrain turning of the cap relative to the body. However, after the container has been opened, turning of the replaced cap to release the cap from the body would be permitted.

An example of a container of the kind described is disclosed in GB 1,430,302. The body of this container has an interrupted male screw-thread and the cap has an interrupted female screw-thread.

The threads are so formed that the cap can be pushed onto the body without turning of the cap relative to the body. However, removal of the cap from the body requires relative turning. The cap incorporates a band which engages beneath a bead on the container to restrain removal of the cap until the band is separated from the remainder of the cap. Such removal provides clear indication that the container has been opened.

Once the band has been torn from the cap of the container described in GB 1,430,302, that container can readily be opened by turning the cap relative to the body through a part of one revolution.

There is a requirement for containers which cannot be opened by young children or which young children are unlikely to be able to open. One way in which this requirement has been satisfied is by the manufacture of containers described in GB 1,524,395. The container described in this specification has means for obstructing turning of the cap unless the cap is squeezed at pre-determined positions. This arrangement can be inconvenient, especially for persons who have difficulty squeezing small objects.

According to the present invention, there is provided a container comprising a hollow body and a cap which fits on to the body to close the container, the body and the cap having respective formations which co-operate to hold the cap releasably on the body and the cap being releasable from the body by relative movement which includes turning of the cap relative to the body about an axis, characterised in that the formations on one of the cap and the body define first and second channels which extend circumferentially of the axis and are spaced apart along the axis, a third channel which communicates with and extends transversely of both of the first and second channels and a fourth channel which extends transversely of and communicates with the second channel and leads from the second channel in a direction away from the first channel and characterised in that the or one of the formations on the other of the cap and the body is a projection having a size such that it can pass along the first, third, second and fourth channels in succession.

In a container embodying the present invention, at least one and preferably both of the first and second channels preferably extends completely around the axis. With this arrangement, the cap can be rotated continuously relative to the body without relative movement along the axis occurring.

The third channel is preferably inclined at an acute angle in a first direction to the axis. The fourth channel may be inclined at an acute angle in an opposite direction to the axis.

An example of a container embodying the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIGURE 1 shows a partial cross-section of the container in a plane containing an axis of the container, FIGURE 2 shows a part of a body of the container, viewed from the outside in a direction towards the axis of the body, and FIGURE 3 shows a partial cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of a modified container.

The container illustrated in the drawings comprises a hollow body 10 which is generally cylindrical in form and a generally cylindrical cap 11 for closing an opening at one end of the body, the upper end, as viewed in Figure 1. The bottom end of the body is permanently closed by a bottom wall 12 of the body. The container defines an axis 13 which extends through the centre of the bottom wall 12 and through the centre of the cap 11.

The cap comprises a substantially flat top wall 14 and a side wall 15 which is of sufficiently large diameter to be received outside an upper portion of a side wall 16 of the body. The cap may additionally include an internal wall portion which is received at the inside of the wall 16 of the body.

The container includes tamper-inhibiting means comprising a lower portion 17 of the side wall 15 of the cap. The portion 17 is connected with the remainder of the side wall 15 by a relatively weak wall portion which may, for example, be defined between respective grooves at the inside and outside surfaces of the side wall 15. The portion 17 extends completely around the axis 13 and is commonly referred to as a tear-strip. The portion 17 includes a handle 18 which can be grasped by a user to facilitate tearing of the portion 17 from the remainder of the cap.

The portion 17 of the cap lies beneath an external rib 19 on the body 10. This rib has an upper surface which is inclined to the axis 13 and a lower surface which is perpendicular to the axis.

Accordingly, the portion 17 can be pushed over the rib 19 during assembly of the cap with the body and is then trapped beneath the rib. Whilst the portion 17 remains connected with the remainder of the cap 11, it prevents removal of the cap from the body.

Preparatory to opening of the container, the portion 17 is torn from the remainder of the cap. This makes it readily evident that the container has been opened or otherwise tampered with.

To facilitate tearing of the portion 17 from the remainder of the cap, the portion 17 may include a weak region adjacent to the handle 18 and extending from the lower edge to the upper edge of the portion 17. Such weak region may be defined by an external groove (not shown) in the portion 17.

The body 10 and cap 11 are provided with respective formations 20 and 21 which co-operate to hold the cap releasably on the body after the portion 17 has been torn from the cap. In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the formations 20 on the body define a first channel 22 which extends completely around the exterior of the body at a position above and adjacent to the rib 19.

The formation 21 on the cap is an internal projection which extends into the channel 22 when the cap is fully seated on the body.

There is preferably a small clearance between the projection 21 and the boundary surfaces of the channel 22.

The cap 11 also includes a lip 24 which is at what becomes the lower edge of the side wall 15 when the portion 17 is torn from the cap. The lip 24 engages beneath the rib 19 on the body to inhibit axial movement of the cap relative to the body and hold the top wall 14 of the cap in engagement with the upper edge of the side wall 16. The dimensions of the cap and of the body are preferably such that the lip 24 engages the rib 19 under pressure which includes a component acting along the axis 13 and the top wall 14 engages the side wall 16 under pressure which includes a corresponding component acting in the opposite direction along the axis. The side wall 15 of the cap is preferably resiliently deformable so that the lip 24 can snap into position beneath the rib 19 during application of the cap to the body.The resilient flexibility of the cap is such that the lip 24 can expand radially to pass over the rib 19 both during application of the cap to the body and removal of the cap from the body. The axially directed force which is necessary to withdraw the lip 24 from beneath the rib 19 is small, as compared with the axially directed force which can be sustained by the projection 21 bearing on the upper boundary of the channel 22.

The formation 20 on the body defines a second circumferentially extending channel 25 which is spaced along the axis 13 from the channel 32 in a direction towards the open end of the body. The channel 25 also preferably extends completely around the circumference of the body. The dimensions of the channel 25 are such that, if the projection 21 is positioned in the channel 25, it can travel freely along the channel without significant interference between the projection and the boundary surfaces of the channel.

The formation 20 on the body defines a third channel 26 which is transverse to the first and second channels, communicates at one of its ends with the first channel 22 and communicates at its other end with the second channel 25. In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the third channel is inclined at an acute angle to the axis 13 and forms a part of a helix around that axis.

The formation 20 on the body further defines a fourth channel 27 which is transverse to the second channel 25 and communicates with that channel at one end of the fourth channel, a lower end when the container stands on its bottom wall 12. The opposite (upper) end of the channel 27 is open. The fourth channel is inclined to the axis 13 in a direction opposite to that in which the third channel is inclined to the axis. One of the third and fourth channels defines a right-hand helix and the other defines a left-hand helix. The helix angle may be the same in both cases.

The third channel 26 preferably subtends at the axis 13 an angle which does not exceed 900, but is at least 300. The fourth channel 27 also preferably subtends at the axis 13 an angle within the range 300 to 900. That end of the third channel 26 which communicates with the second channel 25 is offset in a direction around the axis 13 from the position where the fourth channel 27 communicates with the second channel.

The dimensions of the channels 22 and 25 to 27 are such that the projection 21 on the cap can be received in and pass freely along each of these channels in succession. Accordingly, the cap can be removed from the position illustrated in Figure 1 by turning the cap to move the projection 21 along the first channel until it is opposite to that end of the third channel which communicates with the first channel, then raising the cap slightly so that the projection 21 enters the third channel, turning the cap relative to the body in an appropriate direction to drive the projection 21 along the third channel to the opposite end thereof, turning the cap relative to the body without axial movement so that the projection 21 moves along the second channel to a position opposite that end of the fourth channel which communicates with the second channel, then raising the cap slightly relative to the body to move the projection 21 into the fourth channel and turning the cap relative to the body in a direction opposite to that direction during which the projection 21 moved along the third channel so that the projection is driven along the fourth channel to the upper end thereof. The cap can then be removed freely from the body.

The cap 11 is preferably provided with a number of projections, the body being provided with a corresponding number of helical channels. The angular separation is preferably the same between each pair of projections 21, the pitch of the left-hand helical channels and the pitch of the right-hand helical channels being uniform around the axis 13 so that axial movement of the cap relative to the body can be commenced with the cap in any one of several alternative angular positions relative to the body. The number of left-hand helical channels is preferably 4,5 or 6. The number of right-hand helical channels also is preferably 4,5 or 6 and may be equal to the number of left-hand helical channels. The number of projections on the cap may be equal also to this number or a smaller number.

It will be understood that, in a case where several projections 21 are provided in the cap, these projections all lie at the same distance from the top wall 14 and are therefore arranged in a row extending around the axis 13 with the length of the row perpendicular to that axis.

In a case where there are two or more left-hand helical channels, the respective positions where these communicate with the channel 25 are spaced along the channel 25 from the position or positions where the right-hand helical channel or channels communicate with the channels 25.

The cap 11 may be applied to the body 10 by reversing a sequence of movements necessary to remove the cap from the body.

Alternatively, the cap may be applied to the body by relative axial movement without any circumferential movement or by relative axial movement with a lesser degree of relative angular movement than is necessary during removal of the cap from the body. To facilitate application of the cap to the body by axial movement, the formation 20 on the body is asymmetrical as viewed in Figure 1. Thus, the upwardly facing surfaces of the formation 20 are inclined to the axis 13 at an acute angle, for example an angle within the range 300 to 600. The downwardly facing surfaces of the formation 20 may be perpendicular to the axis 13 or may be inclined thereto in the same direction as the upwardly facing surfaces are inclined, but at a considerably larger angle.

The or each projection 21 on the cap may be adapted by its shape to slide on the upwardly facing surfaces of the formation 20.

In the example represented in Figure 1, the projection has a rounded end. The flexibility of the cap 11 is such that, during application of the cap to the body 10 without relative turning, the side wall 15 of the cap can expand radially sufficiently to permit the or each projection 21 to pass over the formation 20.

The formation 20 can properly be described as a combination of two multi-start threads, one being a left-hand thread and the other being a right-hand thread. Since the or each projection 21 on the cap must be capable of being driven along a channel of the left-hand thread and along a channel of the right-hand thread, the projection does not have the handed characteristic of a thread. The projection 21 may be generally cylindrical with a rounded end.

Alternatively, the projection may be somewhat elongated in a direction around the circumference of the cap. In this case, it is appropriate for upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces of the projection to be inclined to the axis 13 at the helix angles of the threads of the body so that the projection can engage the formation 20 in face-to-face contact, rather than with the line contact which will occur in a case where the projection is cylindrical. The circumferential extent of the or each projection is limited by the need for the projection to pass along the channels of the body.

The formation 20 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 may be modified to define first and second channels which are perpendicular to the axis 13 and third and fourth channels which are parallel to that axis. It will then be understood that the sequence of movements required to remove the cap from the modified body would include turning movement without accompanying axial movement and axial movement without accompanying turning movement. The inclined channel illustrated in the drawings is preferred because reversing the direction of rotation of the cap after the projection 21 has reached the channel 26 will, unless the cap is drawn upwardly relative to the body, tend to return the cap to the fully applied position.

The formation 20 may include additional threads spaced along the axis 13 from the left-hand thread and the right-hand thread shown in the drawing. For example, left-hand and right-hand threads may alternate along the container with a transverse channel lying between each pair of adjacent threads.

It would also be within the scope of the invention to provide the channels on the cap and the or each projection on the body.

In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, tEe cbannels are defined by a formation on the outside of the body and the projections are at the inside of the cap. The formations may alternatively be provided at the inside of the body. In this case, the cap may have inner and outer annular walls, between which the side wall of the body is received. Alternatively, the cap may be formed to fit on to the end of and inside the body, the outside of the side wall of the body being entirely exposed when the cap is fully applied.

The container preferably incorporates tamper-inhibiting means and the provision of the portion 17 on the cap is a convenient way of incorporating such means. The portion 17 is connected with the remainder of the side wall of the cap 11 continuously along a line which extends completely around the axis 13. Alternatively, this connection may be made at intervals around the axis by means of legs extending between the portion 17 and the remainder of the side wall of the cap. The separable part may alternatively be moulded as an integral part of the body 10 and co-operate with a shoulder on the cap 11 to retain the cap on the body. Furthermore, the tamper-restraining means may comprise a ring which is connected with one of the body and the cap by a row of spaced legs which are ruptured when the cap is first removed from the body, the ring remaining on either the cap or the body.

Since removal of the cap from the body requires relative turning only through an angle which is less than 900, the second channel 25 may be blocked at one or more positions along its length against passage of the or each projection 21. There could be one or more similar obstructions in the channel 22. In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, where the first and second channels are unobstructed, the cap can be rotated continuously relative to the body without removal of the cap from the body occurring.

A further modification of the cap of Figures 1 and 2 is illustrated in Figure 3. The modification of Figure 3 relates only to the tamper-inhibiting means. This includes a ring 117 which is moulded integrally with the remainder of the cap to lie beneath a shoulder provided on the body, in the same manner as the portion 17 shown in Figure 1 lies beneath a shoulder on the body. The ring 117 is provided with an integrally moulded handle 118. This handle is elongated with its length extending around the circumference of the cap from a position where the handle merges with the ring 117.

At an opposite end, the handle incorporares a finger grip or head 130. The cap is so moulded that the head 130 normally rests on the external surface of the ring 117.

At a position a part of the way along the length of the handle 118, there is moulded integrally with the ring 117 a fulcrum 131. The handle either lies close to the fulcrum, or in contact with the fulcrum or is integral with the tip of the fulcrum so that there is a weak connection between the handle and the fulcrum.

When the ring 117 is to be torn from the cap, finger pressure is exerted on the handle 118 at a position between the fulcrum and the end of the handle remote from the head 130. This causes the handle to rock on the fulcrum so that the head 130 moves away from the ring 117 at can be grasped by the user. The handle is then moved further away from the ring so that the handle is separated from the fulcrum and the ring 117 is subjected to tensile stress in a region where the ring is weakened by a transverse groove 132.

The handle can thus be used to rupture tearing 117 the groove 132 and then to tear the ring from the remainder of the cap.

The arrangement illustrated in Figure 3 enables a convenient handle to be arranged normally to lie very close to the external surface of the ring 117 so that the handle does not protrude far beyond the general external surface of the cap. A handle which projects excessively from the outside of the cap impairs the appearance of the container and also interferes with movement of the container relative to other bodies, for example other containers or parts of a convenyor in a packing line.

The body 10 and cap 11 can conveniently be formed of a plastics material by moulding. Alternatively, one or both of the body and the cap may be formed of glass or of metal.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS:

1. A container comprising a hollow body and a cap which fits onto the body to close the container, the body and the cap having respective formations which co-operate to hold the cap releasably on the body and the cap being releasable from the body by relative movement which includes turning of the cap relative to the body about an axis, characterised in that the formation on one of the cap and the body defines first and second channels which extend circumferentially of the axis and are spaced apart along the axis, a third channel which communicates with and extends transversely of both the first and second channels and a fourth channel which extends transversely of and communicates with the second channel and leads from the second channel in a direction away from the first channel and in that the or one of the formations on the other of the cap and the body is a projection having a size such that it can pass along the first, third, second and fourth channels in succession.

2. A container according to Claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second channels extends completely around the axis.

3. A container according to Claim 1 wherein the projection lies, when the cap and the container are fully assembled with each other, in the first channel and wherein the first channel extends completely around the axis.

4. A container according to any preceding Claim wherein the third channel is inclined at an acute angle in a first direction to the axis and the fourth channel is inclined at an acute angle in an opposite direction to the axis.

5. A container according to Claim 4 wherein said projection, as viewed in a direction towards or away from the axis, is tapered in both circumferential directions.

6. A container according to any of the preceding claim wherein respective ends of the third and fourth channels which communicate with the second channel are spaced from each other along the second channel.

7. A container according to Claim 6 wherein there is a further channel at the same side of the second channel as is the third channel, the further channel is at least approximately parallel to the third channel, one end of the further channel opens into the second channel at a position spaced along the second channel from the end of the third channel which communicates with the second channel and wherein the fourth channel communicates with the second channel at a position between said ends of the third and further channels.

8. A container according to any preceding Claim wherein, as viewed in cross-section in a plane containing the axis, the formation which defines the channels has respective surfaces facing in opposite directions along the axis, which surfaces are inclined at respective different angles to the axis.

9. A container according to any preceding Claim wherein the cap includes a ring which is received beneath a shoulder of the body, which is connected with the remainder of the cap by a relatively weak connection and which has a handle to facilitate tearing of the ring from the cap, wherein the handle is elongated and is arranged with its length extending around the axis and wherein the ring incorporates a fulcrum on which a portion of the handle between opposite ends of the handle can bear.

10. A container comprising a hollow body and a cap which fits onto an end portion of the body to close the container, wherein the cap and the body have respective formations which co-operate to hold the cap releasably on the body and wherein one of the cap and the body further comprises a ring which provides further restraint against removal of the cap from the body, is connected with the remainder of the cap or the body by a relatively weak connection and is provided with an elongated handle, the length of which extends along the ring, and wherein the ring is formed with a fulcrum engageable with the handle at a position between its ends.

11. A container substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

12. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein or in the accompanying drawings.