GB2345898A

GB2345898A - Safety container

Info

Publication number: GB2345898A
Application number: GB9901103A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gurmej Kaur; Balbir Raj; Ian Jobling
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-01-20
Filing date: 1999-01-20
Publication date: 2000-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2019-01-20
Also published as: GB9901103D0; GB2345898B

Abstract

A child resistant container has a cap 304, the container comprising a chamber having an aperture for access to the chamber, and a cover 303 extending over the aperture, the cover 303 comprising a plurality of sealing members defining a port. At least one sealing member is resiliently biased to a first configuration where the contents, e.g. pills, are retained in the chamber and resiliently biased away from a second configuration where a portion of the cap 304 can pass through the port, the portion including an open mouthed receptacle 305. Removal of the cap 304 with the aperture directed downwardly and the open mouth of the receptacle 305 directed upwardly allows solid content received in the receptacle 305 to be removed from the container, remaining solid material being retained in the chamber by the sealing members of the cover 303. The cover 303 may be formed by sectors, resilient bristles, a spring member or an iris structure and a plurality of covers may be provided. An insert may be received in the receptacle 305.

Description

SAFETY CONTAINER Technical Field This invention relates to safety containers provided with a child resistant closure. It is well known that on occasion children manage to open containers of toxic material and ingest the contents thereby poisoning themselves. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has published statistics showing that as many as 8,500 children under five are admitted to accident and emergency units every year with suspected poisoning by medicines, (Chemist & Druggist 10th October 1998). Historically, attempts to address this issue have generally encompassed modifications to the cap of these containers. Such modifications result in the necessity for the individual to perform numerous co-ordinated actions on the cap in order to remove the contents therein. These containers function well, however, problems still remain. For example on the occasion were a child succeeds in removing the cap from such a container or the cap is not replaced correctly, the child has access to the entire contents within. Also some child resistant closures are difficult for elderly as well as those afflicted with arthritis to open.

Background Art US (Glanz, US 5,111,946) describes a safety container comprising a chamber having an aperture for access thereto and a cover extending over the aperture, the cover comprising a plurality of sealing members defining a port, the sealing members being resiliently biased to a first configuration where content is retained in the container and resiliently biased away from a second position where a tool can pass through the port.

Disclosure of the Invention According to the invention there is provided a child resistant container with a cap, the container comprising a chamber having an aperture for access to the chamber, a cover extending over the aperture, the cover comprising a plurality of sealing members defining a port at least one sealing member being resiliently biased to a first configuration where a solid content is retained in the chamber and resiliently biased away from a second configuration where a portion of the cap can pass through the port, the portion including an open mouthed receptacle, the arrangement being such that removal of the portion with the aperture directed downwardly and the open mouth directed upwardly allows solid content received in the open mouth to be removed from the container, remaining solid material being retained in the chamber by the sealing members. The invention will result in a reduction in the incidence of children gaining access to a significant number of pills from safety containers.

Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the invention will be described by way of non-limiting example by reference to the accompanying figures of which Fig. 1-Section through neck of container with cover and sealing members in closed position, (first configuration).

Fig. 2-Top view of Fig. 1 showing one arrangement of sealing members.

Fig. 3-Section through neck of container with cap in place showing sealing members in second configuration.

Fig. 4-Alternative portion on cap with groove to allow sealing members to return to first configuration with cap in place.

Fig. 5-Container in inverted position showing how pills enter the open mouthed receptacle.

Fig. 6-Cap being removed from container.

Fig. 7-Section through cover with multiple layers of sealing members.

Fig. 8-Top view of Fig. 7 showing one configuration of offset sealing members.

Fig. 9-Cover consisting of bristles.

Fig. 10-Top view of Fig. 9 Fig 11-Cover consisting of spring in first configuration.

Fig. 12-Cover consisting of spring in second configuration with cap in place.

Description of Preferred Embodiments The invention seeks to provide a means for restricting the access to solid material for example drugs in the form of pills, tablets or capsules within a bottle or container. In the context of the present invention the term'pill' will be used to describe any drug in a solid or semi-solid form including tablets, capsules and the like. Other materials may include those which are not necessary prescribed for illness yet are available for an individual's general fitness and well being. These can be presented to the consumer as pills containing for example vitamins, oils, and plant extracts. Harmful effects can arise if large quantities of these compounds are ingested and hence restricted access of these substances is also desirable. Within the context of the present invention the term'container'will be used to describe any bottle or vessel utilised to store such pills. Containers generally have a single opening through which the contents can be removed. The term'cap'will be used in the context of the present invention to include lids and the like being used to block the opening (s) of containers however, being removable either wholly or partially to enable the individual to remove the contents from within the container.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a barrier or cover positioned over the opening of the container, and will be referred to herein as a'cover'. The cover comprises a plurality of sealing members defining a port. At least one sealing member is resiliently biased to a first configuration where a solid content received in the container is retained therein. The sealing member is resiliently biased away from a second configuration in which a portion of the cap can pass through the port.

Those skilled in the art will have no difficulty in devising suitable methods of fixing the cover to the container. For example the cover can be fixed to the body of the container in a permanent manner by being glued or welded into position or indeed moulded as part of the container itself.

Other means for attaching the cover to the container in a non-permanent manner may exist such as a'click fit'type mechanism. Suc'click fit' type contacts can be made to be quite effective so that it is very difficult to remove the cover from the container by hand. If the container is inverted or indeed shaken the pills inside will not fall out, and hence access to the pills within is denied to all users. Such covers can be prepared from semi rigid material such as plastics which allow some flexibility of the material on the application of pressure but return to their original configuration when the pressure is released.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the cover is formed by a plurality of sealing members 103 and 203. The sealing members are arranged such they allow the cover to deform if an object is pushed through it. If the object traverses the cover completely and falls into the container, the cover returns back to its original shape and continues to block the opening of the container. Whatever has been placed inside the container can no longer be removed from the container even if the container is inverted or shaken. If the object remains partly inside the container and partly outside, the cover remains in the deformed state, (Fig.

3). Since the sealing members are biased to a first configuration this ensures they remain in contact with an object partially inserted into the container. In this situation the sealing members continue to provide a barrier and prevent the removal of contents from within the container.

When the object is removed from the cover, the sealing members return to the first configuration and continue to function to occlude the opening to the container.

Placing a traditional cap onto the container will not allow access to the pills within as this would generate an additional cover over the opening of the container. In order to gain access to the pills within the container a cap which is typical of those that are available on the market already is used however, with one very important modification shown in Fig. 3: a portion of the cap 304 which is capable of passing through the cover 303 and comprises an open mouthed receptacle 305. When the cap is secured onto the body of the container, the portion 304 deforms the cover 303 which then remains in this position. Solid material can be received in the receptacle 305. The size of the receptacle determines the maximum number of pills which can be received therein.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the portion on the cap is cylindrical in shape, however, any other shape such as square, cone or hexagonal can be used. The size of the receptacle can be varied such that only pills of a specific size can enter into it. On placing the cap onto the container the portion on the cap pushes the cover into the second configuration. Once the cap is seated on the container the cover remains in this position. Alternatively, the portion can be designed such that it allows the cover to return to its first configuration when the cap is placed on the container, (Fig. 4). This can be achieved by providing a groove 406 within the portion 404 into which the length of the sealing members 403 can be accommodated once the cap 407 is placed onto the container. This can be advantageous as it allows the utilisation of sealing members prepared from materials which may deform on long term storage in the second configuration.

In order to remove a pill (s) from the container with its cap, a number of co-ordinated actions have to be performed in sequence. First the container must be inverted, (Fig. 5). The container must remain inverted for the rest of the process. Inversion of the container is essential since it allows a specific number of pills 508 to fall by gravity into the open mouthed receptacle 505. This allows one or more pills to enter the open mouthed receptacle and these pill (s) remain within the open mouthed receptacle as long as the container is inverted. The cap is removed from the container whilst maintaining the container in the inverted position as shown in Fig.

6. In some embodiments of the invention it may be necessary to conduct further actions in order to remove a cap that incorporates safety features that are currently available. The open mouthed receptacle 605 pulls out of the cover carrying within it the pills 608 that have entered into it. As the portion pulls out of the container, the cover returns to the first configuration and closes the opening to the container, stopping any other pills from falling out of the container. The user is now left with the cap containing a pill (s) which are removed by simply inverting the cap into the palm of the hand. Having successfully removed the pill (s), from the container, the cap can be replaced onto the container by being screwed or pressed into position.

It is important to realise that once the cap has been removed from the container the cover present on the container prevents pills from falling out. Further drugs can only be removed from the container firstly by the application of the cap onto the container and secondly by holding the container in the inverted position whilst removing the cap as described above. One can appreciate these co-ordinated actions would have to be repeated numerous times before a substantial number of pills could be removed, hence the likelihood of a child obtaining enough pills to cause serious harm is reduced. In the instance where a child finds a container without the cap in position the child still has reduced access to the drugs within the container. In this situation the child cannot remove the drugs by shaking the container as the cover prevents the passage of the pills out.

The child may endeavour to insert his/her fingers into the cover but finds either the fingers become stuck or on the removal of the fingers the cover returns to the first configuration and none or very few pills fall out. The benefit offered by the present invention is hence a further level of safety once the cap has been removed, or replaced improperly. This is in contrast to the safety containers available today where the removal of their caps means all the contents are accessible. A further benefit is that the present invention can be used in combination with a cap that does not have the traditional child resistant features. This is important when considering medication for elderly individuals who find it hard to open the traditional caps that require numerous co-ordinated actions.

Removal of the cap from such containers held in the upright position would not result in the removal of pills from the container. Here the action of gravity would mean that the pills would not enter into the open mouthed receptacle. In this situation the individual would be left with an empty cap on its removal from the container.

On inversion of a container it is possible that pills may get caught in the space between the cover and the body of the container. The incidence of this occurring can be reduced or eliminated by a variety of means. The size of the pills, the number and length of sealing members within the cover, the length and width of the portion and the design of the body of the container are factors that influence this issue. The cover could bend in a manner that prevents this. Further structures could be inserted into the container that act to bridge this gap and reduce the likelihood of pills being trapped. This additional feature could be moulded as part of the cover structure itself or may be a separate entity. By way of example, in Figs. 1,3,4,5,6,7,9,11 & 12 this feature is formed as part of the cover assembly. Here it functions to help prevent pills being trapped in the void between the body of the container and the cover itself, thus ensuring that the last pill is as easy to remove as the first by the prescribed method. In addition, this feature can also act as a retaining mechanism for example as shown in Fig. 1, where it prevents the cover assembly being withdrawn from the container 109. One skilled in the art would be able to devise suitable methods of reducing the probability of pills being trapped in the void as described above. The cover can be made from a range of materials for example including but not limited to plastics, such as PVC, nylon, polyurethane, which in some embodiment are being clear, opaque or matched to the colour of the container itself. In a preferred embodiment the cover is prepared from an opaque, flexible plastics material being permanently fixed to the neck of the container by an adhesive or weld. It can also be secured to the container by a'click fit'type mechanism prepared as part of the mould itself. Since removal of the cover from the container is very difficult to perform by an adult it should be virtually impossible for a child to remove the cover from the container. The thickness and rigidity of the cover material can be selected such that it does not allow pills to fall out in the event of the container being shaken when its cap is not in place. A relatively rigid cover can make it difficult to push a finger into the cover.

When in its first configuration, the structure of the cover can be flat or be inclined at an appropriate angle. A plurality of covers may be used which can be formed from the same or different materials. This embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 7 where the cover comprises a laminate of individual covers 703. The sealing members within the individual covers may be offset, (Fig. 8), such that the functioning of the cover improves since it becomes more difficult for a child to push a finger (s) into the container and the seal around anything inserted into the container is generally more effective. In addition the sealing members present on the individual covers can vary in their shape and size.

Other means of occluding the opening of the container can also be considered such as the use of brushes. In one example shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the cover may be prepared from brushes or bristles 903 arranged in a manner to cover the opening of the container either partially or totally. These brushes can be prepared from either synthetic or natural materials which are resilient. Alternatively rigid but pivotally mounted bristles could be used. The brushes are flexible enough to bend into the container on the insertion of the portion. The brushes can be arranged in a structure that is separate from the container itself. This structure could be a ring within which the brushes are anchored by either an adhesive, weld or by a gripping action. The ring can be attached to the body of the container by adhesives, weld or by a simple click fit type mechanism. Other means for providing a cover can include the use of a spring (s) which are prepared from metal or other suitable materials. In one embodiment, shown in Fig. 11 a spring 1103 is arranged into a circle and placed in the opening of the container. Here in the first configuration the spring reduces the opening to the container such that the contents cannot be removed by inversion or shaking of the container. The insertion of a portion 1204 spreads the spring and allows the portion to enter into the container, (Fig. 12). The means by which pill (s) can be removed from such containers is already described above. Removal of the cap and hence the portion results in the spring returning to the first configuration and hence continue to block the opening of the container. One skilled in the art is aware that the number and the orientation of the springs can be altered to provide various means of providing a cover over the opening of the container.

In another example the cover may be formed from a series of overlapping plastic covers arranged into an iris like structure. The iris could be formed as a separate structure held for example within a ring which is then attached to the body of the container. There are a number of ways of causing the opening and closing of the iris, including mechanisms that are driven by the cap itself, or portions on the cap be they hollow cylinders or other structures. In one example the cap has a portion that has one or more notches. These notches engage grooves present on the iris in a locking mechanism. On placing the cap onto the container, notches on the portion link into the grooves on the iris. The action of screwing the cap into place allows the portion to rotate and in doing so turns the iris into an open position. As the cap is screwed into position, the iris is now open and able to allow a pill (s) into the portion. Removing pills from this type of container is conducted in a similar manner as already described above.

The action of screwing the cap off the body of the container, results in the turning of the portion. Since the portion is attached to the iris by the notches described earlier, the turning action of the portion means the iris is returned to its closed position, or the iris may be biased towards the closed position. Once the cap is removed from the body of the container, the iris is in its closed position and prevents the passage of pills out of the container. One skilled in the art could design the mechanism such that the iris could not be operated without the cap.

The iris itself can be flexible such that it bends into the container as the portion is inserted. Alternatively, the portion may well retract and reduce in length to allow it to be accommodated within the container and not bend the cover formed by the iris structure. Other assemblies can be envisaged, whereby a structure remains attached to the iris. On screwing the cap onto the container, the structure is rotated and in-turn so is the iris into an open position. When removing pills from the container, the individual again holds the container in the inverted position and screws the cap off. The action of screwing the cap off rotates the structure and in doing so allows the iris to close. On the removal of the cap from the body of the container, the individual is left with a pill (s) in the cap however, the remaining pills are protected from falling out by the closure of the iris.

Yet another variant of the present invention includes an example where the portion does not contact or only partially contacts the cover when the cap is in place on the container. In this situation one can envisage that pill (s) do not enter the open mouthed receptacle within the portion. On removing contents, the design of the cap is such that a push of the cap into the container is required to enable the portion to traverse into the cover. This action parts the cover such that pill (s) can now enter into the open mouthed receptacle. One can envisage an individual removing pill (s) from such a container using essentially the procedure already described above, however, with the requirement to push the cap into the container before it is removed.

Those skilled in the art will have no difficulty in devising other covers such as simple trap door type arrangements. These covers serve the purpose to block the opening to the container in the absence of the cap, hence denying access to the pills inside. Biasing the opening and closing of these covers can be achieved in numerous ways.

The portion may be a separate entity which is pushed into the cap for example by being glued in or being held in place through a'click fit' mechanism. Alternatively, the portion may be formed as part of the cap itself. The portion may be tapered to form a cone at the end that is inserted into the container or at the end that is attached to the cap. The opening of the open mouthed receptacle can vary according to the size and shape of the pills prescribed. In addition the size of the open mouth receptacle can vary to allow entry to a pre-determined number of pills and hence no more than that number to be removed from the container at any one time. This modification allows access to the pills in a restricted manner and also may be used as a means of providing the patient with the exact number of pills that are required on each dose. Provision of the exact number of pills required for a single dose is important for elderly or partially sighted people.

Having open mouthed receptacles of a constant length, the volume of the open mouth receptacle can be varied by the insertion of blocking pieces.

This would allow control of the number of pills removed from the container.

Claims

Claims 1. A child resistant container with a cap, the container comprising a chamber having an aperture for access to the chamber, a cover extending over the aperture, the cover comprising a plurality of sealing members defining a port at least one sealing member being resiliently biased to a first configuration where a solid content is retained in the chamber and resiliently biased away from a second configuration where a portion of the cap can pass through the port, the portion including an open mouthed receptacle, the arrangement being such that removal of the portion with the aperture directed downwardly and the open mouth directed upwardly allows solid content received in the open mouth to be removed from the container, remaining solid material being retained in the chamber by the sealing members.
2. A child resistant container with cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sealing members comprise a plurality of resilient sectors extending over the aperture.
3. A child resistant container with cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a plurality of resilient bristles.
4. A child resistant container with cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a flap mounted for pivotal movement.
5. A child resistant container with cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of covers.
6. A child resistant container with cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover comprises plastics material.
7. A child resistant container with cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover comprises material possessing or arranged to have properties of a spring.
8. A child resistant container with cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover is arranged as an iris type structure.
9. A child resistant container with cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a insert is received in the open mouthed receptacle.
10. A child resistant container with cap substantially as described herein by reference to any one or more of the figures.

10. A child resistant container with cap substantially as described herein by reference to any one or more of the figures.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows l. A child resistant container with a cap, the container comprising a chamber having an aperture for access to the chamber, a cover extending over the aperture, the cover comprising one or more sealing members defining a port at least one sealing member being resiliently biased to a first configuration where a solid content is retained in the chamber and resiliently biased away from a second configuration where a portion of the cap can pass through the port, the portion including an open mouthed receptacle the arrangement being such that removal of the portion with the aperture directed downwardly and the open mouth directed upwardly allows for a pre-determined amount of solid content received in the open mouth to be removed from the container, remaining solid material being retained in the chamber by the sealing members.

2. A child resistant container with cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sealing members comprise one or more resilient sectors extending over the aperture.

3. A child resistant container with cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a plurality of resilient bristles.

4. A child resistant container with cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a resiliently biased flap (s) mounted for pivotal movement.

5. A child resistant container with cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of covers.

6. A child resistant container with cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover comprises plastics material.

7. A child resistant container with cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover comprises resilient material.

8. A child resistant container with cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover is arranged as an iris type structure being resiliently biased towards the closed state.

9. A child resistant container with cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a insert is received in the open mouthed receptacle.