GB2348191A

GB2348191A - Container with cup-shaped, child-proof closure

Info

Publication number: GB2348191A
Application number: GB9906877A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arne Bendix Nielsen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-01-23
Filing date: 1999-03-25
Publication date: 2000-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-25
Also published as: GB2348191B; FR2774663B1; GB9906877D0; DE29900714U1; FR2774663A1; DK9800023U4

Abstract

A container 1 with a neck 2 has a cup shaped closure (12). The neck of the container has at least one external screw-thread, each defining a channel 3 for co-operation with at least one radial projection (17) on the inner annular wall of the closure. Alternatively, the screwthread(s) may be on the closure, and the projection(s) on the neck 2. The channel has a first part 6 with a steep pitch, starting at the free end surface 5 of the neck and continuing towards the container body, and a second part 7, 8 which has a less steep pitch. Upon screwing the closure onto the container 1, the projection (17) slides along the first section 6 and into one section 7 of the second part 7, 8. Upon screwing the closure off the container, the closure is both turned and simultaneously pulled in an axial direction away from the container, so as to slide the projection (17) out of section 7, through the transition 10 and into part 6. Failure to pull the closure axially during unscrewing results in the projection (17) sliding into the other section 8 of the second part 7, 8. There may be more than one screw channel 3 with a distance between the ends of each channel; there may be three such channels. There may be a third part 11 of each screw channel which continues from, and in the same direction as the first part 6. There may be increased friction with the projection (17) provided in the first part 6 compared with that in second part 7, 8. There may be markings on the closure and the neck 2 to show the opening position.

Description

CONTAINER WITH A CHILDPROOF, CUP-SHAPED CLOSURE Area of application of the invention This invention concerns a container with a childproof, cup-shaped closure, the opening of said container being a neck with external thread in the form of at least one screw channel for co-operation with a radial projection on the internal, annular side-wall of the cup-shaped closure, and where the thread has a blocking arrangement in that side of the screw channel which by the screwing-off of the closure is in friction engagement with the projection, so that this can be gripped by the blocking arrangement and prevent the closure from being screwed off.

In order to protect children and others against the consumption of dangerous liquids such as acids, petroleum, cleaning agents and similar liquids which are to be found in households and which by their appearance can be mistaken for drinks, it is known to provide the containers with a childproof closure, for example in the form of a screw top or a similar arrangement. The containers of the kind described also find application in the protection of children and others against the consumption of pills, powders and similar materials or chemicals which can be dangerous to consume.

Such childproof closures can be achieved, for example, by arranging the containers and their associated closures in such a manner that they can only be opened by children who have reached such an age that their motory functions and/or their strength enables them to remove the closure.

Where the motory functions are concerned, this is often achieved when the children reach an age of 3-4 years, after which this childproofing can no longer be considered to be necessary, the reason being that the children have thus reached an age at which it is possible to explain the dangers involved in the removal of the closures. If the closures are arranged in such a manner that the removal of the closures is based on the question of strength, this will often give rise to the disadvantage that also adult people with little strength will not be able to remove the closures.

The known technique A container with a childproof, cup-shaped closure of the kind described above is known from US patent publication no. 3,497,096. The cup-shaped closure is provided with a single internal projection which, when the container is being closed, slides along a single, spirally-extending groove on the neck of the container towards a position where the closure seals the container. At a turned position shortly before the sealing position of the closure, it can be chosen to allow the projection to pass through a passage to a locking arrangement or locking groove, which in the opposite directions of rotation extends for a distance away from the passage. The thread and the locking groove have the same overall breadth. When the closure is screwed on, a force directed axially towards the container must be applied to the closure, whereby the projection slides into the locking groove when the projection is opposite the passage. When the closure is turned in opposite directions of rotation, the projection slides forwards and backwards in the locking groove, in that during the rotations the projection abuts against either the one or the other of the opposing ends of the locking groove. Since the locking groove extends in both directions of rotation away from the passage, when screwing off the closure it is necessary to know where the passage and the projection are lying on the thread and the closure respectively in order to be able to catch the passage with the projection and draw the projection out through the passage, so that the projection, by entering into engagement with the thread, can thereafter serve to effect the final screwing-off of the closure from the container. This known container requires a motory function such that children under 3-4 years of age are unable to open the container. Unfortunately, it is also difficult for persons with weak hands to apply the sufficient axial force which is necessary to draw the closure's projection through the passage in order for the closure to be screwed off the container.

Moreover, from DK patent publication no. 171 176 B1 there is known a container with a childproof, cup-shaped closure of the kind disclosed in the introduction. Here, the breadth of the screw channel at the last part of the rotation which is closest to the container is enlarged in the axial direction in relation to the breadth of the remaining part of the screw channel, and the transition between the enlarged part and the remaining part of the screw channel is configured as a stop to catch the closure's projection. With this known container, the user is advised concerning the position of the projection in relation to the passage, so that the user merely needs to screw the closure a short way back to draw the projection out through the passage. Persons with weak hands are thus able to remove the closure, while small children do not possess the necessary motory functions and/or understanding of the configuration of the container and the closure. In itself, the known container with the closure thus functions in an expedient manner, but is nevertheless encumbered with difficulties from the point of view of production.

Finally, from US patent publication no. 5,533,633 there is known a container with a childproof, cup-shaped closure where the external thread on the neck of the container comprises several screw channels, and where inside the closure there are a corresponding number of projections which are in engagement with their respective screw channels.

The technical problem which needs to be solved The childproof, cup-shaped closures on the known containers are therefore encumbered with disadvantages of different kinds, in that it is difficult for users to determine the mutual positions of the projection and the passage in the locking channel even though they are familiar with the way in which the locking arrangement works, and it is difficult to screw the closures on the containers.

On the basis of the known technique, it is the object of the invention to provide an improved type of the known containers with childproof, cupshaped closures, so that it is possible to unscrew the closure from the container irrespective of knowledge concerning the position of the locking channel in relation to the passage, merely providing that one is in command of the necessary motory functions. This shall also be able to be carried out by persons with weak hands.

The new technique This object is achieved with a container having a closure and of the kind discussed in the introduction, said container according to the invention being innovative in that the screw channel at the free end surface of the neck has a first part with relatively steep pitch, said first part continuing into a second part with a relatively smaller pitch, in that a section of the second part, from the transition between the first part and the second part of the screw channel, extends for so far in a first direction of rotation that the closure can be screwed on the neck and seal the opening, and for a shorter section in the opposite second direction of rotation, said shorter section forming an abutment at a distance from the transition which in co operation with the closure's projection prevents the closure from being turned in the second direction of rotation and herewith also the screwing-off of the closure, and that the breadth of the screw channel is the same in both the first part and the second part.

The technical effect By applying the new technique disclosed above in connection with the known technique, the removal of the closure from the container is based on motory functions, in that the user shall be able to turn the closure in the directions of rotation and at the same time herewith be able to draw the closure in the axial direction away from the container, whereby this motory function is also combined with knowledge concerning the arrangement of the mechanism. Small children, i. e. children under 3-4 years of age, are thus not in possession of the necessary motory functions, even though they are capable of applying the necessary axial force.

It is advantageous if the container is provided with several screw channels, in that a better control of the closure on the neck of the container is achieved hereby. A good control is achieved when there are three screw channels on the neck of the container.

When there are several screw channels, the neck of the container is configured in such a way that, seen in the turning direction of the screw channels, there is distance between the ends of a screw channel and the ends of an adjacent screw channel.

Moreover, it is advantageous for each screw channel at the free end surface of the neck to have a third part which from the first part continues in the second turning direction and ends at a distance from the first part of the subsequent screw channel. This third part of the screw channel at the free end surface of the neck makes it easier to place the closure on the neck, in that the closure's projections, by their disposition in the edge of the extended part of the screw channels, guide the closure into place.

With special applications, there can be a need to increase the security, so that the closure can be removed only if one is in command of both the necessary motory functions and a certain strength, e. g. in connection with containers for dangerous agents such as corrosive liquids and the like.

When used for this purpose, the container and closure according to the invention can be configured by the first part of the screw channel being provided with an area which gives increased friction against the closure's projection in relation to the friction between the projection and the second part of the screw channel. It is hereby achieved that the person desiring to remove the closure shall also be in possession of a certain strength in addition to the necessary motory function. The said increase in friction can, for example, comprise a blocking or the like in the form of a thickening of the material, a beam-shaped area or the like.

Finally, symbols or markings can be provided in a commonly-known manner on the neck of the container and the outside of the closure, e. g. arrows, small dots or points, colour markings, Braille type symbols or the like, and such markings shall stand in a certain manner in relation to one another, e. g. opposite one another when the closure is in a position where its pin or pins can be led from the second part to the first part of the screw, i. e. to show or indicate how the closure is to be removed. Small children will not, however, understand such markings, so these will not result in a reduction of the security so far as security concerning small children is involved.

The drawing In the following, the invention and particularly advantageous embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, where Fig. 1 shows a side view of a part of a container according to the invention, said container having a neck with three external screw channels for co-operation with a cup-shaped closure, and Fig. 2 shows a side view of a section through a cup-shaped closure for use on the container shown in fig. 1.

Example embodiment In fig. 1 is shown a container which in its entirety is indicated by the reference figure 1. The container 1 has a neck 2 which is provided with an external thread which, in the form of at least one screw channel 3, extends in a helical manner on the outer side 4 of the neck 2. The free end surface on the neck 2 is indicated with the reference figure 5.

In a preferred embodiment, there are three screw channels 3 which are positioned at mutually equal angular distances, i. e. at mutual angles of 120 . Each of the screw channels 3 has a first part 6 which extends from the free end surface 5 of the neck 2 and in a direction towards the container 1. The first part 6 has a relatively steep pitch, which for example is in the region of 45 in relation to the longitudinal axis 9 of the neck 2. At a distance from the free end surface 5 of the neck 2, the first part 6 of the screw channel 3 continues in a second part 7,8, the pitch of which is relatively smaller than the pitch of the first part 6. For example, the pitch of the second part 7,8 is about 8 , similarly in relation to the longitudinal axis 9 of the container 1.

The second part 7,8 of the screw channel 3 extends in opposite turning directions to each side of the transition 10 between the first part 6 and the second part 7,8, whereby the second part consists of two parts 7 and 8.

The part 7 extends in the same turning direction as the first part 6, while the part 8 thus extends in the opposite turning direction.

Finally, the first part 6 of the screw channel 3 continues in a third part 11 which, along with and/or in the free end surface 5, extends in the same turning direction as part 8 of the screw channel 3 and ends at a small distance from the first part 6 of the adjacent screw channel 3.

For better understanding of fig. 1 and the extent of the screw channels 3, the individual parts of the screw channel 3, which in fig. 1 is shown in its entirety, are provided with the suffix a, and the part 8 and third part 11 of the preceding screw channel 3, which is all that can be seen in fig. 1, are provided with the suffix b, while the part 7 of the subsequent screw channel 3, which is all that can be seen in fig. 1, is provided with the suffix c.

The course of the turning directions depends on whether the container and the closure are provided with right-or left-hand thread. The container 1 in fig. 1 is shown with right-hand thread, whereby the turning direction for the first part 6 and the part 7 of the screw channels 3 extends clockwise when the container 1 is observed along its longitudinal axis 9 and in the direction towards the container.

The closure 12, which is shown in fig. 2, is cup-shaped and has an annular side wall 13 with an inner side 14. The closure 12 also has an end wall 15 which is preferably provided with a seal 16. The inner side 14 has three radial projections 17, each of which is arranged to be able to engage in and co-operate with its individual screw channel 3 on the neck 2 of the container 1, so that the closure 12 can be screwed on the container 1 and seal the container opening.

The projections 17 are positioned at equally large angular distances, i. e.

120 , and are preferably configured with a circular cross-section, The projections 17 are arranged at such a distance from the end wall 15 and seal 16 of the closure 12 that the seal 16 is compressed for the sealing of the container's 1 contents when the closure 12 is screwed so far in around the neck 2 of the container 1 that the projections 17 have passed the first part 6 of the screw channels 3 and have reached into the part 7 in each screw channel 3, but without having reached so far into the part 7 that the projections 17 abut up against the end of the part 7 during the screwing-on of the closure 12.

When the closure 12 is screwed onto the neck 2 of the container 1, the projections 17 will within a broad angular area initially come into contact against the third parts 11a, 11b and 11c of the screw channels, so that the closure 12 is correctly guided in relation to the neck 2 and the screw channels 3. A turning in a direction which will result in the screwing-on of the closure 12 on the neck 2 brings the projections 17 into contact against the edge of the first part 6 of each screw channel 3, and with further turning will draw the closure 12 in the direction towards the container 1, in that the projections 17 move under friction engagement with that side of the screw channels 3 which is furthest from the container 1.

A continued turning in the same direction of rotation brings the projections 17 into the second part 7 of the screw channels 3, until the seal 16 on the end wall 15 of the cup-shaped closure 12 makes contact against the neck opening or free end surface 5 of the container 1. Hereafter, during compression of the seal 16, the projections 17 will enter into increased friction engagement with the said side of the screw channels 3, in that this hereby results in the necessary sealing of the container 1.

When the closure 12 is screwed off the container 1, to begin with the projections 17 will continue to be in friction engagement with the same side of the screw channels 3, this being a consequence of the elasticity of the seal 16 which seeks to regain its original thickness. After a certain turning of the closure 12, the tension which originates from the elasticity of the seal 16 will be released, after which the projections 17 will move freely in the screw channels 3. Therefore, the projections 17 will be incline to slide past the transition 10 opposite the first parts 6 of the screw channels 3, whereby the projections 17 are caught in the parts 8 in the second parts 8 of the screw channels 3, where the projections 17 abut up against the end of the parts 8.

In order to prevent this, it is necessary simultaneously with the turning of the closure 12, with the object of removing the closure 12, to draw the closure 12 in the axial direction away from the container 1, which requires such motory functions that this cannot be carried out by small children, but which can nevertheless be done by persons having very little strength in their hands. When this axial pull is exerted on the closure 12 during the turning, the projections 17 will slide into the first parts 6 of the screw channels 3 so that the closure 12 can be screwed completely off the neck 2 of the container 1.

With the preferred example embodiment, the container 1 with the childproof, cup-shaped closure 12 is described as having external screw channels 3 and projections 17 which are provided on the inner wall 14 of the closure 12. However, it will be obvious to those familiar with the art that the screw channels can instead be configured inside the cup-shaped closure and the projections on the neck of the container.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Container with a childproof, cup-shaped closure, the opening in said container (1) being a neck (2) with external thread in the form of at least one screw channel (3) for co-operation with a radial projection (17) on the inside, annular side wall (14) of the cup-shaped closure (12), where the thread has a blocking arrangement in that side of the screw channel (3) which, during the screwing-off of the closure (12), is in friction engagement with the projection (17), so that this can be gripped by the blocking arrangement and prevent the screwing-off of the closure, characterized in that the screw channel (3) at the free end surface (5) of the neck (2) has a first part (6) with relatively steep pitch, said first part (6) continuing into a second part (7, 8) with a relatively smaller pitch, in that a section of the second part (7,8), from the transition (10) between the first part (6) and the second part (7,8) of the screw channel (3), extends for so far in a first turning direction that the closure (12) can be screwed on the neck (2) and seal the opening, and for a shorter section in the opposite second turning direction, said shorter section forming an abutment at a distance from the transition (10) which, in co-operation with the projection (17) of the closure (12), prevents the closure (12) from being turned in the second turning direction, and herewith also the screwing-off of the closure (12), and that the breadth of the screw channel (3) is the same in both the first part (6) and the second part (7,8).
2. Container according to claim 1, where there is more than one screw channel (3) which co-operates with each its projection (17) in the closure (12), characterized in that, seen in the turning direction of the screw channels (3), there is distance between the ends of a screw channel (3) and the ends of an adjacent screw channel (3).
3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that there are three screw channels (3).
4. Container according to claims 2-3, characterized in that at the free end surface (5) of the neck (2), each screw channel (3) has a third part (11) which continues from the first part (6) in the second turning direction and ends at a distance from the first part (6) of the subsequent screw channel (3).
5. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the first part (6) in the screw channel is configured with an area which provides increased friction against the projection (17) in the closure (12) in relation to the friction between the projection (17) and the second part (7,8) of the screw channel.
6. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that markings which are arranged to show the opening position for the closure (12) are configured on the neck (2) and on the outside of the closure (12).