GB2295609A

GB2295609A - Child proof powder dispensing closure

Info

Publication number: GB2295609A
Application number: GB9424092A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steve Purnell; Kevin Berkeley Vyse; Michelle May Johnston
Original assignee: Cow and Gate Nutricia Ltd
Current assignee: Nutricia Ltd
Priority date: 1994-11-29
Filing date: 1994-11-29
Publication date: 1996-06-05
Also published as: GB9424092D0

Abstract

A powder dispenser comprises a container body 4 and a two part closure assembly 7, 8 which can rotate as a unit relative to the container body, the closure assembly being openable into a dispensing position by movement of one part 7 relative to the other part 8 only when the closure assembly is in a predetermined alignment position relative to the container body. Preferably one part of the closure assembly comprises a cap 7 with dispensing openings 10 and the other part comprises a flexible cover member 8 having cross arms 12 connected to a band 11 fitting on a ring portion 7a of the cap and a slider 13 covering the dispensing openings and connected to the cross arms but not to the band 11. The slider 13 consists of a front portion 14 covering the openings 10 and a back portion which can slide into a recess (19, figure 4a) in the container body when the slider is pulled back by applying pressure to a grip 17. Thus the closure assembly must first be rotated relative to the container body until the slider is aligned with the recess before the slider can be slid back to uncover the dispensing openings 10, the arms 12 pivoting with respect to the band 11 as the slider is pulled back. Rotation of the cover member relative to the cap may be prevented by means of a raised portion 18 on the cap, and the cap may rotate in a groove 6 on the container body. <IMAGE>

Description

Closure Assemblv for Dispensers This invention relates to closure assemblies for powder dispensers, and in particular to child-resistant closure assemblies for powder dispensers.

Child-resistant closures are well known and are used widely in relation to containers containing potentially hazardous or harmful materials, for example pharmaceutical tablets or household chemicals.

In one type of child-resistant closure, a screw cap requires an extra pressing force to twist the cap from a locked position to an unlocked position from which it can then be further twisted to an open position.

In an alternative closure assembly, a squeezing force applied to opposite sides of the closure is required in addition to a twisting force to move the closure into an unlocked position.

Other containers have lids which may only be removed when the lid is rotated to a particular orientation with respect to the container.

According to the invention there is provided a powder dispenser comprising a body having an opening and a closure assembly mounted over the opening, the closure assembly including a closure member associated with an outlet and movable between a closed position in which the outlet is covered and an open position in which the outlet is exposed, wherein at least part of the closure assembly is rotatable with respect to the body between an operating configuration in which the closure member is free to move into the open position and a non-operating configuration in which the closure member is prevented from moving into the open position.

Thus, the opening of the closure according to the present invention requires that the closure must first be rotated to a particular orientation and can only then be operated to dispense the contents of the dispenser. The closure assembly may therefore be regarded as childresistant in view of the sequence of steps required for operation of the closure.

Advantageously the closure member and the outlet are rotatable with respect to the body. Preferably substantially all of the closure assembly is rotatable with respect to the body. In that way, the closure member may be formed as a single unit which may then be rotatably attached to the body, the body being of a conventional existing or only slightly modified design.

Advantageously the movement of the closure member between the closed and open positions is a sliding movement. Advantageously the movement of the closure member between the closed and open positions is a pivoting movement. The movement may be a movement along an arcuate path, in which case it may be both a sliding and a pivoting movement.

Advantageously the closure member is resiliently biased into the closed position and is movable, by an external force applied by a user, to the open position.

It is highly advantageous for the closure member to be in the closed position when no force is applied. The closure member therefore restricts entry of foreign bodies or moisture into the dispenser because the dispenser opening cannot be left open. Unwanted spillage of material from the dispenser is also reduced.

Advantageously the closure member is resiliently deformed when moved into the open position. In that way, the deformed section of the closure member acts as a spring assembly, returning the closure member to the closed position when the external force is removed. If, for example, the dispenser is dropped while the powder is being dispensed, the closure member will return to the closed position, reducing the amount of powder spilt.

Preferably the closure assembly, once rotated to the operating configuration, remains in that configuration without the application of an external force by the user.

The dispenser may therefore be used repeatedly without requiring rotation of the closure assembly to the operating configuration for each operation.

Advantageously the closure assembly comprises a first member mounted over the opening in the dispenser body for rotation around the opening, the first member having an outlet in communication with the opening, and a second member comprising the closure member mounted for rotation with the first member around the opening.

Advantageously the dispenser body is generally in the form of an upright cylinder of circular cross section and the opening is a circular opening centrally disposed in the top of the body. Preferably the first member includes a dome shaped portion mounted over the opening in the dispenser body. Preferably the second member includes at least two arms, each arm being attached at one end to a place in the region of the bottom of the dome shaped portion, and at the other end to a cover means. The cover means covers the outlet when the closure member is in the closed position.

Advantageously the dispenser body is dimensioned for holding in a user's hand and the closure member is arranged to be moved from the closed to the open position by a finger of the hand holding the dispenser body. The dispenser may therefore be conveniently operated, once in the operating configuration, using only one hand.

Preferably the closure member is arranged to be moved from the closed to the open position by a pulling back movement of a finger of the hand holding the dispenser body.

Advantageously the closure member is prevented from moving into the open position when in the non-operating configuration by interference of the closure member and the dispenser body. Preferably the interference is with the edge of a wall of the dispenser body. Advantageously the body and/or the closure assembly includes a recess and at least part of the closure member is displaceable into the recess only when the closure assembly is in the operating configuration. Preferably the recess is an indentation in the edge of the wall of the dispenser body. Preferably at least part of the cover means is displaceable into the recess only when the closure assembly is in the operating configuration.

Advantageously the opening comprises several small openings. Powder is therefore prevented from leaving the dispenser in the form of large agglomerates.

Advantageously there is one operating configuration.

The operating configuration may be only one of a multiplicity of possible orientations of the closure assembly.

The present invention also provides a closure assembly for use in a powder dispenser, the closure assembly being as described above.

The dispenser according to the invention may be used for dispensing powder materials, for example talcum powder or baby powder, or for materials comprising granules or crystals.

It will be understood that the word "childresistant" is used to indicate that the closure presents an enhanced barrier to opening by virtue of the increased dexterity and/or coordination of movements required, such that the closure is usually sufficient to resist opening by a child.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a view from the side of a dispenser including a closure assembly, Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the dispenser shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 shows, in cross-section, a detail of the region of attachment of the closure assembly to the body of the container.

Figures 4a and 4b show part of the closure assembly when in the operating configuration, Figures 5a and 5b show the operation of the closure assembly, and Figure 6 shows the dispenser in use.

Figure 1 shows a dispenser 1 having a body 2 and a closure assembly 3. The body 2 is generally in the form of an upright hollow cylinder of circular cross section having a curved side wall 4 closed at one end by a base portion 5, the other end of the body being open.

The powder material to be dispensed, for example talcum powder, is filled into the body 2 via the open end.

The closure assembly 3 encloses the open end of the body and comprises a cap 7 and a cover member 8. The cap 7 is generally dome-shaped with a ring portion 7a around its lower edge for attachment of the cap 7 to the body.

The ring portion 7a is of similar diameter to the body 2 and means is provided so that the cap may be securely but rotatably attached to the body 2. As can be seen from Figure 2, the side wall 4 of the body 2 includes a circumferential groove 6 in the region of the open end of the body into which is located a corresponding ridge 6a extending inwardly from the inner surface of the ring portion 7a of the cap. Figure 3 shows the cap 7 attached to the body 2. As can be seen from Figure 3, the diameters of the body, the ring portion 7a and the dome-shaped portion of the cap are such that, when the cap is rotatably attached to the body, the ring portion 7a defines a section of reduced diameter between the body and the domed portion of the cap.

The body 2 includes a further cylindrical wall portion 9 above the region of the groove 6, that further wall portion 9 being of smaller diameter than the wall 4.

The cap includes, in the dome-shaped portion, an outlet defined by several small openings 10 through which the material to be dispensed may pass.

The cover member 8 includes a band 11 which fits around the ring portion 7a of the cap 7, and because the ring portion 7a of the cap 7 is of reduced diameter as explained above, the band 11 is held in position between the body and the cap. As can be seen from Figure 3, the diameter of the wall 4 is larger than the diameter of the band 11 such that a ledge 4a is formed.

The cover member 8 also includes a cross-shaped configuration including two curved arm portions 12 which are of equal length and which extend substantially perpendicularly to the band 11 over the outer surface of the domed portion of the cap 7 and are connected to the band 11 at either end of a diameter A-A of the band 11.

The cover member 8 is formed from a flexible material, for example a flexible plastics material. At the points of attachment of the arms to the band 11, the band is of reduced width to increase the flexibility of the arms, so that the arm portions are able to be rotated about the axis A-A shown in Figure 2. The arms are of a resilient material such that, when the force causing the rotation is removed, the arms will return to their original position; thus the arms form a spring mechanism.

A curved slider 13 extends to either side of the arms 12 along the upper surface of the domed portion and is pivotable about the axis A-A by flexing of the arms 12. As can be seen from Figure 2, the slider includes a generally rectangular front portion 14 and a longer generally rectangular rear portion 15. The front portion 14 extends over the openings 10 in the cap 7 and the slider 13 also includes a grip 17 which facilitates the displacement of the slider when the closing mechanism is operated. The dimensions of the front portion 14 are such that when the slider is pulled back, that is when the arms pivot away from the opening, the openings are exposed.

The domed portion of the cap 7 includes a raised region 18 bounded by the band 11, the arms 12 and the front portion 14. The raised region prevents rotation of the cover 18 with respect to the cap 7 and also prevents forward displacement of the slider 13. The closure assembly 3 is therefore rotatable as one unit with respect to the body 2.

The band 11 includes a projection 16 which defines a hole into which the rear portion 15 of the slider 13 extends. The diameters the ring portion 7a and the wall 4 and the size of the projection 16 are such that, except when the cap is in the operating configuration as described below, the bottom of the hole in the projection 16 is covered by the ledge 4a. Therefore, when the cap is not in the operating configuration, displacement of the slider is not possible.

As can be seen in Figures 4a and 4b, the wall 4 of the body 2 includes a recess 19 of similar width to the rear portion of the slider 13. When the cap is in the operating configuration, with the recess 19 aligned with the hole in the projection 16, the slider 13 may be pulled back, the rear portion of the slider passing through the hole in the projection and into the recess 19. The recess is of sufficient length such that the slider may be pulled back to expose all the openings 10.

To operate the closure assembly and dispense the material, a user rotates the cap 7 and cover member 8 to the operating configuration with the hole in the projection 16 aligned with the recess 19 of the body as shown in Figure 4a. The user then grips the dispenser body as shown in Figure 6 and pulls back the slider 13 with one finger pressing on the grip 17. Figures 5a and 5b show the movement of the slider 13 through the hole in the projection 16. When the slider has been pulled back sufficiently for the openings 10 to be revealed, the powder may be dispensed through the openings when the dispenser is upturned.

Once sufficient powder material has been dispensed, the grip 17 is released by the user and the slider, by the action of the resilient arms, returns to its original position with the front portion 14 covering the openings 10, thus preventing the release of further material from the dispenser. The cap 7 and cover member 8 may then be rotated to a non-operable configuration.

It will be understood that, if the cap 7 and cover member 8 are rotated to a non-operable configuration, that is a configuration in which the projection 16 is not aligned with the recess 19, displacement of the slider 13 to reveal the openings will not be possible because the end of the rear section 15 cannot be displaced beyond the band 11.

Thus the closure assembly provided by the invention is rendered child-resistant since, in order to dispense the material, the closure assembly must first be rotated to the operable configuration before it may be operated by a pull-back action of the slider.

Claims

1. A powder dispenser comprising a body having an opening and a closure assembly mounted over the opening, the closure assembly including a closure member associated with an outlet and movable between a closed position in which the outlet is covered and an open position in which the outlet is exposed, wherein at least part of the closure assembly is rotatable with respect to the body between an operating configuration in which the closure member is free to move into the open position and a non-operating configuration in which the closure member is prevented from moving into the open position.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the closure member and the outlet are rotatable with respect to the body.

3. A dispenser according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the movement of the closure member between the closed and open positions is a sliding movement.

4. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the movement of the closure member between the closed and open positions is a pivoting movement.

5. A dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the closure member is resiliently biased into the closed position and is movable, by an external force applied by a user, to the open position.

6. A dispenser according to claim 5 in which the closure member is resiliently deformed when moved into the open position.

7. A dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the closure assembly comprises a first member mounted over the opening in the dispenser body for rotation around the opening, the first member having an outlet in communication with the opening, and a second member comprising the closure member mounted for rotation with the first member around the opening.

8. A dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the dispenser body is generally in the form of an upright cylinder of circular cross section and the opening is a circular opening centrally disposed in the top of the body.

9. A dispenser according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the first member includes a dome shaped portion mounted over the opening in the dispenser body.

10. A dispenser according to claim 9 wherein the second member includes at least two arms, each arm being attached at one end to a place in the region of the bottom of the dome shaped portion, and at the other end to a cover means.

11. A dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the dispenser body is dimensioned for holding in a user's hand and the closure member is arranged to be moved from the closed to the open position by a finger of the hand holding the dispenser body.

12. A dispenser according to claim 11 wherein the closure member is arranged to be moved from the closed to the open position by a pulling back movement of a finger of the hand holding the dispenser body.

13. A dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the closure member is prevented from moving into the open position when in the non-operating configuration by interference of the closure member and the dispenser body.

14. A dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the body and/or the closure assembly includes a recess and at least part of the closure member is displaceable into the recess only when the closure assembly is in the operating configuration.

15. A dispenser according to claim 14 when dependent on claim 10 wherein at least part of the cover means is displaceable into the recess only when the closure assembly is in the operating configuration.

16. A dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the opening comprises several small openings.

17. A dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein there is one operating configuration.

18. A dispenser substantially as herein described with reference to and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

19. A closure assembly for use in a powder dispenser according to any preceding claim.