IE922748A1 - Improvements in closures for containers - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: storage of materials. SUBSTANCE: container has threaded neck and threaded cap with inner threaded part and outer part held together with inner part. Parts of cap are made to transmit full torque to inner part only after axial displacement of outer part of cap in direction of inner part. Container has one holding device on container neck and other holding device on inner part of cap for engagement with holding device on neck when cap is turned into completely closed position on neck. Holding devices are made and arranged to resist releasing of cap from closed position until preset torque is applied to cap in direction of its opening. This torque should exceed limited torque built by friction interaction of inner and outer parts of cap when outer part is turned in direction of opening without axial displacement. EFFECT: provision of reliable closing of container. 13 cl, 8 dwg øøø1

Description

j IMPR0VEMBMT3IN CLOSURES FOR CONTAINERS Tp· invention relate· to closure· for containers, this specification* a so-called child-resistant oaurg (hereinafter referred to as a relevant chilflnt eloaure) comprise· an inner closure part adapted to be engaged with the neok of a container by rotation in one sense and to be disengaged therefrom by rotation in the other* sense; an outer closure pert capable of being moved relative to .the Inner eloaure part between a predetermined rest position and a displaced position) mean·!to rotate the inner closure part with the outer closure part on rotation of the latter in the said one sense when the outer closure pert ia in either of it· rest position and it· displaced position) and means to rotate!the inner eloaure pert with the outer closure part on {rotation of the latter in the said other aenae when the c^uter eloaure part is in its displaced . position, but wljen the outer closure part ls ia it· rest poaition only when any torque resisting rotation of the inner closure part ia below a predetermined threshold) wherein the out^r closure part ia capable of adopting its displaced position only when its angular displacement with'respect to|the inner closure part ia within any one of a number of predetermined discrete angular ranges.

It will be appreciated that the term discrete angular ranges covers the case where the ranges are sero, and the outer closure pert can adopt its displaced poaition only at disoret^ angles relative to the inner closure part. i The eloaure according to the invention ia particularly suitable for uae in the arrangement described in 0.6, Patent Application Mo. 70(891 and/or that described in O.S. Patent Application filed 30th September, 1991 corresponding tc} U.K. Patent Applciation Ho. 9114871.8, the disclosures iof which applications are inoluded herein by way of reference.

OFEHIO P NON SECPCPUO AiO. .OLE 25 • 7^6 JNL. No -jMany know» child-resistant closures inclod· a I plurality of equiidistsnt ramps on the outer eur face of a crown portion of) the inner closure pert which cooperate with a plurality of equidistant, resilient oblique blade· extending inwardly fro» a crown portion of the outer closure pajrt. When viewed frees the centre of the respective closure parts, the reaps have a right triangular section coaprising a horixomtsl base, a vertical left aide and a hypotenuse and the blades extend diagonally downward fro» the left towards a lower right free end. ! when the outer closure part ie rotated clockwise, i.e. in a right-handed sense, the free, ends of the blades abut the! vertical faces of the reaps, thereby driving the inner closure part with the outer closure part.

When rotation of the outer closure part is effected in the other, left-handed sense, i.e. anticlockwise, the blades eiaply trail over the reaps in the manner of a ratchet, the inner closure part being fixed on the container by its; closure torque.

Typically,: castellatioas are provided on both inner and outer closure parts vhich Bate when the outer closure part is fieprassed. Ths inner closure part is then bound to rotate vith the outer closure part. When the outer closure part is released, the blades act as leaf springe to Return it to its rest position, in whieh ths csstellationk are disengaged.

Child-resistant closure systems normally rely on the ability of the closure to spring apart, every time, after pressure haa been applied, generally at right angles to the plkne of the thread, if, even on rare occasions the twb parts of the closure, do not spring apart and disengage, the child-resistant feature of the closure no longer functions. It is therefore essential I I !E 922748 -3that the blade· acting aa leaf springe have and continue to retain aufficdent resilience to exert sufficient pressure to force the two parts of tha closure apart in order that there: la disengagement at all tinea, apaft from occasions when direct and sufficient pressure is applied to engage the dpsure ay at a». The main failure of aviating systems, to work properly at all times in duo to the weakness of |the leaf springe which in the past have typically been made of uniform thickness, with a sharp angle on the inakda edge where the leaf spring joins the ' flat faoe of thej underside of the top part of the olosure. This design is potentially unsatisfactory aa the leaf springs can weaken at the point of joining the flat plane of the underside) of the top part of the closure; and the leaves thamaalva|i tend to ba stiff and as a result do not flex along the length of the spring leaf. To overcome thie problem and: to ensure more flexibility and to ensure that the leaf springs retain their resilience and hence the ability to fprce the two parts of the closure apart, add ilao to ensure that whan being closed the planes of the top and lowef part of the closure remain in parallel planes, the invention provides a relevant child-resistant closure comprising a plurality of cantilever leaf springs extending obliquely from one part of the closure towards the other part of the closure, each cantilever leaf spring having a cross-station which tapers towards its free end, and the profile tt the acute angle between each cantilever leaf spring and pie closure part fron which said spring extends ia radioed.

Another problem arises where a closure is primarily intended for use ί by the elderly, and hence must be easy to open, hut whigh, for safety, must be child-res latent. The number of catenations provided on known child-resistant ^losures ie normally two, three or four, but this can require the closure to he rotated for up to 180* before engagement of the eaetelletione can take place. Engagement after a much «mailer rotation is desirable, and according.to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a container neck and closure therefor* wherein. the eloaure moves from fully closed to e fully open position by relative rotation through leaa tha^i 380*, preferably approximately 90* or leaa, the closurje being a relevant child-resistant closure end the number ojf said predetermined discrete angular ranges being such that angular displacement of the outer closure member relative to the inner closure member between adjacent' positions ia which the outer closure member can move to its displaced position is not greater than 45*, and preferably not greater than 25*. A preferred angulaf displacement ie 22.5*, in which ease, from a normal rest position, the outer closure would move to a position «here it could be moved with its displaced poaitipn by rotation through 12.25* relative to the inner eloaure member. Thia preferred arrangement is provided by the closure having sixteen castellations, in which the maximum turn required for engagement is onjly one sixteenth, i.e. 22.5*. This is an important feature when used in conjunction with the container and closure of O.S. Patent Application Ho. 706891, where, in the preferred embodiment, the closure can be removed in only a quarter turn, and the addition of tha child-resistant feature does not reduce 0>e capacity to open the closure ia approximately a quarter turn. Thia aspect particularly assiats and supports ease of opening for the elderly and frail with only e twist of the wrists, without the necessity to letjgo of the closure of the container, even .though beinfr child-resistant.

The numberiof ramps in known aloaures varies, but is commonly threat, four or six. The number of blades -5should be greater than two for stability, and should be a factor of the nuaher of rampa. in the past it baa .been arranged that the discrete angular ranges of angular displacement of the closure parte at whioh the caatellatione may engage one another is one in whioh the free ends of the blades on the outer oloeure part 11«' between reaps on the inner closure part.

A result of thia ia that it ia perfectly poaxlbla for a container bn which such a closure is installed to be left with the closure parts so oriented that the caatellatione any be engaged simply by immediate depression of thfc outer closure pert. Such a situation can occur where ft cloture has been installed with the outer olosure pajrt depressed# or where aa adult has depressed the outer closure part# but then changed hie dad about removing the closure.

The present invention seeks to overcome the above problem and according to a further aapaat of the invention provides a relevant ohild-roslatant closure ooopriaing means for blessing rotationally the outer closure pert relative to the inner closure part from each angular displacement at yhich tbe outer closure pert can adopt ita displaced position to a respective angular displacement et wnicn the outer closure part cannot adopt its displaced position. Preferably# the rotational biassing means ajeert a torque which is greater in absolute value tjian any frictional torque resisting relative rotation of the closure parts.

In the preferred case# at no time can the closure of the invention; be left in a condition at which immediate movement of the outer closure p«rt froa ite rest position to its displaced position ia possible. The outer closure peft must first be rotated against some restoring force before such displacement can be effected.

I I In the cast where the friction between closure pert· is sufficient toi resist the restoring torque* enabling the closure to b^ left iq a prised" condition as it were, an advantage etill obtains. Subsequent handling of the closure of t|ie contsiner to which the closure is attached, such as setting the container down, dropping it, picking it up, casting it into a medicine box", will in most oasts be sufficient to cause the outer closure pert to φαν somewhat relative to the inner closure part. The outer closure part will then come to rest hearer to, if not actually at, the said respective angular displacement.

Xt ie therefore extremely difficult, in normal usage, to leave the closure in e primed" condition.

Preferably^ the means to rotate the inner closure part with the outer closure part comprises a ratchet mechanism which Restricts rotation of the outer closure part relative tol the inner closure part in the aaid one . sense, but permits such rotation in the said other sense.

Preferably, the rotational blasslng means oomprises the ratchet mechanism.

Preferably^ the number of the said discrete angular ranges ip equal to the number of stable positions of thej ratchet mechanism. When the closure is for use in an;arrangement as discloeed in O.S. Patent Application Ho. 70689b it is advantageous for the number of the eaid discrete angular ranges tp be at least eight, preferably sixteen.

» This preserves the ability of the closure to be removed with a relatively small amount of rotation.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a container and closure as claimed in U.S. Patent Application Ho. 706891 or according to the invention of this 'application wherein the container neck and the container -7closure have fully engaging thread profile· to prevent play between the container and closure and ensure axial movement of the closure on the container. The threads may be of square section, rathdr than conventional 'V action threads to provide maximum stability when the threads first engage, and increasingly thereafter, whereby in conjunction vith the four threads as described in D.fi, Patent Application No. 706891, the square section thread ensures that ths closure ie pushed, wound down to its closed position on a parallel plane, thereby making it easier, for the engagement of the childresistant closure in one simple turn of the wrist. Ths same applies when opening.

According to this further aspect of the invention, there is provided a container and closure therefor wherein the closure and container includes means for retaining the closure in a;closed position on the container neck, the ulukui* bating * relevant child-re*i«fc*nt clweure and the retaining mesne holding, in use, the closure in the closed position sufficiently strongly for the outer closure part to be rotatable in said other sense relative to said; inner-closure part when said inner part la in said rest position.

The closure system preferably includes means for ensuring that the closure closes in the same position, every time of closure. This closure system ensures the functioning of the obiId-reslatent closure, whereby when closed, the resiptance to opening is sufficiently strong for the child-reslatent feature to operate, but is sufficiently weak as to be overcome by the childresistant system:when properly engaged; by en adult. The relevant child-resistant closure may be as claimed in u.s. Application No. 706891, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by way of reference. Thia feature provides the advantage that, upon engagement of the closure system, the closure is held on thg container such that the child-resistant closure mechanism operates -8affactivaly but that the closure can be released, once the closure outer pert le moved to the displaced position# by application of a predetermined torque. Conventional spring blades type child-resistant closures are screwed onto a neck threjad with more then e 380* turn for closure. In ord^er for all conventional spring blades type child-resistant iayatms to operate it le essential that they are screwed up very tightly, when being closed# otherwise the child-resistjant system does not become operable at all# thus obviating the purpose of the child-resistant system. The weakness of conventional child-resistant systems ia therefore obvious# aa arthritic# weak and elderly users axis unable to close such containers sufficiently tlgjhtly# either to close them properly# or# even if they wezje closed tightly, perhaps by somebody else, then to open them. The preferred embodiment of this invention Overcomes this problem,, whereby the closure does not have to be closed tightly in order for the child-resistant system te become operable# and therefore is particularly effective for the arthritic, weak and elderly, as this combination of new closure systems enables the containers# bottles and closures to be opened and closed easily# in approximately a quarter of e turn# with an effective child-resistant system.

A still farther aspect concerns the combination of a child-resiatanle closure system# together with s tamper-evident ring, λ ohild-resietent closure has not previously been {combined with a tamper-evident ring# because of the difficulty of opening using conventional child-resistant oloaura aysterna. According to this aspect of the indention# there is provided a relevant child-resistant closure in combination with e tamperevident ring. The relevant child-resistant closure is preferably according to one or more aspects of the invention definejd herein. Additionally, the closure prafarably includes the feature of additional support for the means ©£j opening ineluding an upstanding flange, IS 922748 I or side flanges, to assist in applying torque vhen opening the closure. Preferably, tha closure and container neok ia as defined in th4 invention of D.8. Application Mo. 706891, tha disclosure otf vhich is incorporated herein by Vay of reference, giving the advantage that as the retaining force of tha closure suites is overcoat, and the turning of the closure relative ito the oontainar neck starts, oonbinod vith tbs angle of the ifcur threads and the quarter turn required to open, whereby ithe closure is given sufficient rotational acceleration and thrust to shear through tha connections betveen tha tanpjtt-evident ring and tha olosura in such a aannsr ss to overcoat easily the resistance necessary for tbe tanper-evident ring to be eeparated from the closure even vith the incorporation of tbe child-resistant eysten. is Xn a further j aspect the invention provides a container neck and closure therefor, tha closure being a eaid relevant obild-realatant jslosura, -the number of said. predetermined d1 turret*· angular being such that angular diaplaeaaant of the outer closure nanber relative to tha inner closure neaber betveen adjacent positions in vhich the outer olosura rnenber oan nova ito its displaced position is not greater than 45·, tha ; eloeura including naans for biassing rotationally the; outer closure part relative to tho inner closure part avay each angular poeition at vhich the outer closure part cansove to ita displaced position.

Xn a further:aspeat tha invention provides a container neck and closure^ tha closure being a said relevant childresistant closure, the closure having an upstanding dlanetrln handle, rbe iwnMr of said predetermined dieorete angular ranges being such that tha angular displacement of the outer closure nanber relative to the inner closure nenber betveen adjacent positions in vhich tha outer closure neaber ean nova ito its displaced position ia not greater than about 22.5·, and thereafter tha closure can be noved from a fully eloised to a fully open position by relative rotation of approxiaately 90·. .

Xn a further: aspect tha invention provides a container neck end olosura# tha eloeura being a said relevant childIE 922748 reeietant elosur·, the neok and oloeura having a temperevident ring, and the closure having an, upstanding diametric handle, in use, to enable a user to hatter grip the closure to apply a torque to break the taapar-iavidant ring.

Zn a further aspect the invention provide· a container neck and cloeurp, the closure being a eaid relevant child resistant closure, the container end closure having fully engaging thread) profile· to prevent play between the container and qloeure and ensure axial movement of the closure on the container, the eleeure being movable from a fnlly opened to · fully oleeod poeitien by relative rotation of approximately 90·, and the container and closure further comprising retaining means for retaining the closure in the closed position. in a further aspect the invention provides a relevant child-resistant closure, comprising at least two cantilever leaf springs extending obliquely from one of the inner and outer closure parts towards the other of the parte, each said leaf spring Shaving a croee-seotion which tapers towards its free end, said other part haying a number of angularly spaced ratchet famps against which leaf springs bear to restrict rotation of the outer closure part relative to the inner closure part in the said one senee, but to permit much rotation in eaid; other sense.

In a further; aspect the invention provides a container neck and closure therefor, the closure being a said relevant child-resistant closure, wherein the angular positions at which the outer ί closure member can move to its displaced position are defined by castellatione on each of the inner end outer closure members, there being sixteen equally angularly spaced oaatellationa on at least one of the inner and outer closure membere, which castelletions mete when the outer' closure member ie depressed, the closure further comprising resiliently biased ratchet means for biasing the inner and outer closure manbera apart end for restricting rotation of the -outer closure part relative to the inner cloeure part in {the said one senee, but permitting euch rotation in the other senee when eaid oastellationa ere net I Ε 922748 XX engaged, aaid ratchet mana further biasing said outer closure member in a rotational direction avay from eaid angular positions et which the outer closure member can move to ita displaced position, In use, said closure being movable from e' fully open to a fully closed position by relative rotatipn of approximately 90·, and mid container neok and eloaure further comprising retaining mana for holding, In use, the cloeure in the dosed position sufficiently strongly for the outer, closure pert to be rotatable in mid other sense relative to said inner closure part when mid pmer pert is in said feet position.

A preferred embodiment of a cloeure according to the present invention vill now be described with reference to figures 1 to 8 gf the accompanying drawings, in which:IS Figure 1 iej a longitudinal sectional view of the outer closure pert of the closure; Figure 2 is an underneath view of the outer cloeure part of Figure l; Figure 3 ia a plan view of tha inner closure pert. of the 20 cloeure; Figure 4 is ian underneath view of the inner closure part i of Figure 3; Figure 5 is.a longitudinal sectional view of the inner eloaure part of Figures 3 and 4; Figure β is a aide view of the inner closure part of Figures 3 to 8/; Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the aaeeshled closure retained on a container neck; and Figure 8 is;a side view shoving the profile of a I I -12blade in the form of a leaf spring.

Aa ean be seen from Figure 1, an outer closure part 10, constructed of moulded plasties (other suitable materials may be; used), consists of a crown portion*12 and a skirt portion 14. The crown portion is provided oh ita outer surface with a diametric handle 1C. The particular form of handle shown includes s central opening IB. Towards the lower, free end of the skirt portion 14, there ia provided an Inwardly extending bead 20, whose purpose is to retain tha outer closure pert on the inner closure part as will be described below.

Both Figures 1 and 2 illustrate that the inner surface of the down portion 12 is provided with sixteen equidistant castellations 22 of substantially rectangular fora and four equidistant oblique resilient blades 24. resilient or^aes xe extend oxreumcerentiaiiy tram an upper, left-hand end 26, when viewed from the centre of the closure part, to a lower, right-hand free end 2B.

As can be seen from Figures 3 to 6, an inner closure part 50,, constructed of moulded plastics (other suitable materials may be used), which includes a crown portion 52 and a; skirt portion 54. The inner surface of the akirt portion 54 is provided with coarsely pitched threads 56 of square section 56 and vertical ribs 58, the function and! purpose of which ere described in detail in 0.8. patent Application Ho. 706691. Tha top of the ekirt portion -54 ie provided with a tapered surface, the function and purpose of which are described in detail in 0.8. Patent Application filed 30th September,' 1991 corresponding to 0.x. Patent supplication No. 9114871.8.

Depending from the lower end of the inner closure part akirt portion 54 le e tamper-evident ring 70 which will*be described below.

The crown portion 52 is provided around its periphery with sixteen upstanding, substantially -13rectangular castellations CO. Theae castellations ¢0 are adapted to engage the complementary castellations 22 on the outer cloaure part (see Figure 2) 10. The outer periphery of the skirt portion* 54 includes an outstanding ridge C2 below which, when the inner SO and outer 10 cloaure parte azie assembled, the bead 20 on the outer cloaure part 10 is retained, λ degree of axial movement of the outer closure part 10 with respect to the inner closure part ia permitted to engage and disengage the two eats of castisllatione CO,* 22.

Partly shewn in Figure 5, but fully in Figure 3, are sixteen equidistant ramps 64, provided on the upper surface of the ipner elesure part crown portion 52.

When viewed fros( the centre of ths alosure part, each ramp €4 ia of substantially right triangular section having a horisontal base,! a vertical left-hand side 66 and e hypotenuse, terminating ia a right-hand side 66.

When the opter closure part 10 is installed on th· inner closure part 50, and the outer closure part 10 rotated clockwish, the free ends 26 of the. resilient blades 24 abut against the vertical aide 66 of their respective rampsi, thus rotating the inner closure part SO with the outer closure part 10. BOwever, assuming that the inner cloaure part 50 is reasonably tightly held in-Place, e.g. by S nlromr· torque, then rotation of the outer closur# part 10 anticlockwise will merely result in the resilient blades 24 trailing over the rampe 64 In the manner of a ratchet mechaniaw.

Zn order for the inner alosure pert 50 to be rotated anticlockwise, it ie necessary for the cuter closure part 10 to be depressed against the action of the resilient blades 24 to allow the complementary castellations 22 p 60 to engage.

The handle 16 enables the elderly and frail more easily to apply the force required to puah down and SE 922748 -14engage the two part* of the closure, whilst st the same time the handle;IS sakes it easy to tern the oloeure to open it. When ^losing the earn· principle* and advantages apply. The handle 1C therefore stakes the closure much easier to operate^ in spite of the childresistant feature, compared with standard child-resletant closures which many people, not Just children find difficult to op$n.

Alternatively, the handle 1C may be substituted by four side flanges to the outer closure part 10 which again enables easier opening and closing, or e standard cap with ribbed'outer edges.

The relative angular displacements at vhich the complementary c^atellationa 22, 60 may be engaged correspond to positions in which the free ends 28 of the resilient bladed 24 have already travelled some distance along and up th Th· resilience <|f the blades 24 la such that, when the outer closure p^rt 10 ia released in such a displacement, the free ends 2 Thue, ell (the rotationally stable positions of the outer closure pert 10 with respect to the inner closure pert 50 correspond to orientations of the oaatellations 22, 60 in which (they cannot immediately be engaged only by depression of the outer closure part 10.

Tbe tamper-evident ring 70 carried by the inner I closure part 50 la shown in detail in Figures 4 te 6.

( Attached to the jtop of the ring and integral therewith are eight connecting members 72 which taper upwards from a relatively tblclij lower region into a relatively thin frangible bridge 74 attached to the inaerClosure part !E 922748 -15skirt portion 54. On the inside of the tamper-evident ring 70, extending between the connecting member* are eight triangular section ring retaining clips 76 which ere adapted to engage a circumferential projection on the outer surface of · container neck.

The assembled cloeure ie shown in Figure 7, end specific details of tbe thread 56 and vertical rib 51 and the seal between eloaure and container 100 may be found in our two Patent specifications cited herein. Aa can I be aeen in Figure 7, the thread ie essentially square in section, providing positive and axial alignment of the two eloaure iparts. The container 100 includes an outstanding circumferential projection 120 which la engaged by the sing retaining clips 76. Unscrewing the eloaure will result in the frangible bridge· 74 being stretched and broken.

Figure 8 shows a preferred profile of. a blade la the fora of e leaf spring 24*.

As can be 'seen, the leaf spring 24* le thicker at its base, becoming progressively thinner. towards its free edge 90. The joint of tbe leaf spring 24* with the remainder of the outer closure part 10 ia radiused to provide extra; strength. This profile gives sufficient resilience and strength to the leaf spring 24' to ensure thjst the outer closure part 10 and inner closure part 50 Are always separated until axial pressure is applied to counteract the bias of the springs 24*.

An important advantage of this embodiment of the invention ia that, in conjunction with features of the container end elbsure described in PCX/GB91/00850, this is the only child-resistant closure which opens in under half a turn, i.a. 180!·, and «Ore generally In approximately a quarter turn ii.e. 90* or leaa, also in conjunction with the container of British Patent Application No. 9114871.8 it! is the only child-resistant closure I -16system which ean ba used in conjunction with either both a tamper-evident ring and a foil seal wbaraby tha seal of the closure is air and liquid proof after tha foil baa been removed or broken.

Thia embodiment of the invention is by way of example only; modifications and alterations may be made within the scope of the Invention.

Claims (26)

1. A relevant child-res la tent eloaure comprising a plurality of cantilever leaf springe extending obliquely from one pert o< the eloaure towards the other part of the closure, each cantilever leaf spring having a croas-section which taper· toward· its free end, and the profile at the Acute angle between each cantilever leaf spring and the Closure part from which said spring extends being r^diused.

2. λ container neck and eloaure therefor wherein the closure moves from fully closed to a fully open position by relative rotation through less than 360, the closure being a relevant child-resistant eloaure and the number of said predetermined discrete angular ranges being such that angular displacement of the outer closure member relative to the >inner eloaure member between adjacent positions in which the outer eloaure member can move to its displaced position ia not greater than 45*.

3. A container neck and closure therefor as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the closure moves from s fully closed to a fully open ,poaition by relative rotation of approximately 90*.

4. A container neck and eloaure therefor as claimed in Claiai 2, whefein said angular displacement is not greater than 25*t

5. A container neck and eloaure aa claimed in Claim 4 wherein said angular displacement ls 22.5*.

6. A container neck and eloaure as claimed in Claim 5, including oaatellatlona on the inner and outer closure parte, which oaStellatlone mate when the outer part ia depressed, the Closure having sixteen said castellatlona.

7. λ relevant child-resistant closure comprising means for Massing rotationally the outer closure part relative to the inner closure part from each angular disposition at .Which the outer eloaure part can adopt -ιβits displaced position to a respective angular displacement at which the outer closure part cannot adopt ita displaced position. Λ. A olosure ie· elsimeS ie Clelai 7 whoiroln Wleeeing mesne exert a torque which is greater in absolute value than any frictional torque resisting relative rotation of the closure j^arts.

8. 9. A closure >as cl lamed in Claim 7 wherein at no time can the olosure of the invention be left in a condition at which inmedlqte movement of the outer closure part froa its rest position to its displaced position is possible. j

9. 10. A closure ita claimed in Claim 7 wherein the means I to rotate the inner closure part with the outer closure part comprises 4 ratchet mechanism which restricts rotation of tha iouter closure part relative to the inner closure part in the said one sense, but permits such rotation in the said other sense.

10. 11. A closure ias claimed in Claim 10 wherein the rotational blasting means comprises the ratchet mechanism.

11. 12. A container and closure wherein the container neck and the container closure have fully engaging thread profiles to present play between the container and closure and ensure axial movestant of tha closure on the container.

12. 13. A container and closure therefor, ae claimed in Claim 12 wherelh the threads are of square section, to provide maximum stability when the threads first engage, and increasingly thereafter.

13. 14. A container and closure therefor nomprlalng four thread starts.

14. 15. A container and closure therefor wherein the closure and container includes means for retaining tha closure in a closed poslton on the container neck, the closure being a Relevant child-resistant closure and tha retaining moans holding, in use, tha closure in the -19closed position sufficiently strongly for the cuter closure part to be rotatable in eaid other sense relative to said inner closure part when eaid inner part ia in aaid rest position.

15. 16. λ container and closure therefor as claimed in Claim 15 including means for ensuring that the closure closes in the eame position, every time of closure.

16. 17. A container and closure therefor ae claimed in Claim 15 wherein the retaining means comprise stop elements on one of the container neok and cloeure, and rib meant oo the other of the neck and closure, the rib means being engageable with the etop means such that the child-resistant closure mechanism eperatea effectively but that the closure can be released, once the closure outer part ia moved te the displaced position, by application of a predictable torque.

17. 18. A relevant child-resistant closure in coabination with a tamper-evident ring.

18. 19. λ eloaure as claimed in Claim 18 in coabination witn a container neck, wherein the closure moves from a fully closed to a fully open position on the container neck by relative,'rotation through 90*. i

19. 20. A container peek and closure therefor, the closure being a said relevant ehild-reeietant closure, the number of said predetermined discrete 'angular ranges being auch that angular displacement of the outer closure part relative to the inner oloeurj* part betveen adjacent poeitione in which the outer closure part can move to its displaced position | is not greater ihan 45·, the cloaure including means for I biassing rotationally the outer closure pert relative to the inner closure pairt avay from each angular position at which the outer closure part can move to its displaced position.

20. 21. A container: neck and closure according to oleim 20, including castellations on the inner and outer closure parts, vhich castellations define the angular poeitione at which the outer ipart can move to ite displaced position, and further including ratchet means between the inner and outer closure ^>arts, which ratchet mesne forme the rotational blessing means.

21. 22. A container heck and closure, the closure being a eaid relevant chi Id -fee ie tant closure, the closure having an upstanding diametric handle, ths number of said predetermined dibarete angular ranges being such that the angular displacement of the outer closure part relative to the inner closure pert betveen adjacent poeitione in which the outer eloeurie pert can move to ite displaced position ie not greater ttyah about 32.1·, end thereafter the alosure can be moved from a fully closed to e fully open position by relative rotation of approximately 90·,

22. 23. A Container neck and closure, the closure being e said relevant child-resistant cloaure, the neck and closure having a tamper -evident ring, end the cloaure having an upstanding diametric handle, in use, to enable a user to better grip thei aloeure to apply a torque to break the taapar-avident ring.

23. 24. A container heck and aloeure, the cloaure being a said relevant child rbaiatant aloeure, the container and closure having fully engaging thread profiles ,to prevent play between the container and alosure end ensure axial movement ι i I I I of the oicsure cti the container, ths closure being movable from a fully opened to a fully oloaad poeition by relative rotation of approximately 90·, and the container and eloeura further comprising retaining means for retaining the eloeura in the eloeed poeition, 5 2B. λ relevant child-resistant olosura, comprising at least tvo cantilever leaf* springs extending obliquely froa one of tha inner and outer olosura parts towards tha other of the parte, each eaid leaf spring having s eross-seetion vhioh tapers towards its free sad, said ether part having a number 10 of angularly spaced ratchet ramps against vhioh leaf springs bear to restrict rotation of tha outer closure part relative to the inner closure part ia tbe said one sense, but to permit such rotation in said other sansa. 36. λ closure according te claim 25, vherein* there are 15 sixteen ratcheti ramps. 37. A container ineok and olosura therefor, tha olosura being a said relevant phild-reeistant closure, vherein the angular positions at vhjLeh tha outer olosura part oan move to ita displaced position are defined by eastallations on each of 20 tha inner and butar closure parts, there being sixteen equally angularly spaced eastallations on at least one of the inner and outer olosura parts, vhioh castellatiens mate vhen tha outer; closure part is depressed, tha closure further comprising resiliently biased ratchet maans for 35 biasing the inner end outer closure parts apart and for restricting rotation of tha outer olosura part relative to the inner closuzb part in the said one sense, but permitting such rotation in tha other sense vhen said eastallations are not engaged, said ratchet means further biasing said outer 30 closure part ip a rotational direction avay from said angular positions at vhioh tha outer closure part oan move to its displaced position, in use, said olosura being movable froa m ifully open to a fully oloeed position by relative rotation of approximately 904, end aaid container 35 neck and closure further coaprieing retaining means for holding, in use, tha closure in tha Oloeed poeition suffioiently stirongly for the outer closure part to ba , rotatable in said othar senes relative to eaid inner olosura xx part when eaid Inner part ia in said reat position.

24. 28^ A relevant child-resistant closure according to any preceding claim substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

25. 29. A container neck and closure according to any preceding claim substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

26. 30. A container and closure therefor according to any preceding claim substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.