JP2815703B2 - Child safe package with preloaded locking mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A package for storing and dispensing potentially dangerous materials, such as medicament tablets or the like, said package being resistant to opening by children but readily openable by adults, particularly adults having impaired manual dexterity of their hands and/or fingers. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the package comprises a bottle (12), a collar (32) which is secured in place over the uppermost portion of the bottle (12) and a closure (52) which is secured to the finish portion of the bottle by means of complementary screw threads. The collar (32) preferably includes a pair of resiliently deformable spring-like pushtabs (34) containing vertical extensions (36) which engage interlocking teeth (62) on the innermost surface of the closure skirt (60) when the closure (52) is fully assembled onto the bottle (12). To remove the closure (52), the opposed pushtabs (34) must be manually depressed prior to applying unscrewing torque to the closure (52) to disengage the pushtab extensions (36) from the interlocking teeth (62) on the closure (52). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the spring-like pushtabs (34) are generally outwardly directed prior to application of the closure to the package. Advancing the closure (52) onto the package until the teeth (62) on the innermost surface of the closure's skirt (60) interlock with the vertical extensions (36) of the spring-like pushtabs (34) causes a degree of resilient deformation of the spring-like pushtabs (34) so that the vertical extensions (36) of the pushtabs (34) are in contact with and exert a preloading force against the corresponding innermost surfaces of the closure skirt once the closure has been securely applied to the package. Quite unexpectedly, it has been learned that preloading the vertical extensions of the reiliently deformable spring-like pushtabs against the corresponding innermost surfaces of the closure skirt in the foregoing manner considerably enhances the child resistance of the package without increasing the difficulty of opening for older adults or those having impaired manual dexterity. Methods for producing the improved package are also disclosed.

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an improved package for storing and dispensing harmful materials, especially if improperly ingested.
Such materials are in solid form, tablet form, granular form, powder form, semi-solid form, paste form, or liquid form.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a package for storing and dispensing a medicament, such as an analgesic tablet or the like.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a package which resists opening to the majority of children in contact with the package, but which can be opened without difficulty to adults with at least some impaired hand dexterity.

The invention further relates to a package that can be manufactured inexpensively so that the package can be disposable once the contents are completely subdivided from the package. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing such a package.

BACKGROUND ART Children's safe packaging has been known to have both good and bad points. This is a good idea to keep children from opening potentially dangerous materials, such as drugs, apart from the fact that such packages are cumbersome for adults, especially the elderly. is there.

Older people are more likely to rely on medication than the average person due to poor health. However, making the package of medicines easy for the elderly to take out may pose a danger to the child's access to the contents of the package, and the child may ingest the medicine contained in the package by approaching the contents of the package of the medicine. This can cause serious injury.

The above problems are generally recognized in the packaging industry, especially in the pharmaceutical industry. Many articles have been written about this. See, for example, "Dual Bias" published in Stout Magazine's Fall 1988 issue.

One package that has achieved great success in providing child safety without unduly opening difficulties for adults with at least some impaired hand dexterity,
No. 4,949,002, commonly assigned to Solnock et al. On Aug. 14, 1990. By reference to this patent, the disclosure of that patent is hereby incorporated by reference. Packages of the type disclosed in the above commonly assigned patents such as Solnock et al. Have been found to be quite excellent in test protocols involving both children and adults with impaired hand dexterity, but are quite unexpected. Notwithstanding, a spring-loaded push tab on the innermost surface of the lid skirt and having a vertical extension that engages the interlocking teeth, whenever the lid is mounted to the package in a fully assembled interlocked state. If the package is designed to require a certain degree of deformation of the spring-like push tab to attach the lid to the package, the child of the package can be used without further increasing the difficulty of opening the package by adults. It was found that the safety against This is usually done by forming the spring-loaded tabs such that the top end of the spring-loaded tabs protrudes to some extent before the lid is assembled on the package. The practical effect of this configuration is that once the lid is fully assembled on the package, the vertical extension provided on the spring-loaded push tab, at least to some extent, extends over the innermost surface of the lid skirt. It is preloaded.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a package with improved safety for children without significantly increasing the difficulty of opening by adults with impaired hand dexterity.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for providing such an improved package.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In a particularly preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a package for dispensing potentially dangerous materials, such as tablets of drugs, such as painkillers. The package is preferably a U.S. Pat.
4,948,002 or "Adults for Containers Used to Store Potentially Hazardous Materials," filed on January 28, 1992 under the names of Peter W. Hamilton, Robert S. Dirksing, and Reuben E. Odell. US Patent Application No. 826,74 entitled "Easy-to-Use, Child-Safe Attachment"
It has a bottle, a collar that snaps over the top of the bottle, and a screw-on lid, as disclosed in a child-safe attachment of the type disclosed in No. 7. Preferred child-safe attachments of the type disclosed in co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 826,747 are formed separately from bottles or containers used to contain drugs or other potentially dangerous materials. After that, it may be fixed to the container or molded integrally with the container.
The collar, regardless of its exact configuration and how it is formed, preferably has a pair of spring-like push tabs with a vertical extension at the top end. The lid has a skirt that includes a pair of interlocking teeth, sometimes called claws, which, once the lid is fully attached to the bottle, push in by pushing the opposing push types provided on the collar. Unless the tab is disengaged from the vertical extension and the interlocking teeth provided on the innermost surface of the lid skirt,
Resists untwisting the lid.

In the improved package or attachment of the present invention, the lid is packaged with the collar portion including the spring-like push tab to which the vertical extension is fixed, and the vertical extension provided on the spring-like push tab is not deformed. Alternatively, it is first formed so that it is farther than the corresponding innermost surface of the lid skirt when fully attached to the attachment. As a result, when the lid is attached to the package, the spring-loaded push tabs and / or the vertical extensions attached to these spring-loaded push tabs are at least partially elastically deformed, so that the package or attachment is safe for the child. When in the upright position, the vertical extension is preloaded against the innermost surface of the lid skirt.

The vertical extension of the spring-shaped push tab is pre-loaded against the innermost surface of the lid skirt, so that even if manufacturing tolerances exceed certain limits, the interlocks provided inside the lid skirt may be provided. In order to positively interlock with the pawl, i.e., to allow the lid to be untwisted, sufficient inward enough to exceed the interlocking teeth provided inside the skirt of the lid It is believed that the movement of the spring push tab must always be added to the vertical extension. If the spring tab is not preloaded, manufacturing errors reduce the amount by which the vertical extension of the tab must be moved, thereby eliminating the need to force the spring tab. The lid can be removed by twisting.

In addition, the level of preload is not so great as to avoid increasing the overall force required to unlock and allow the lid to be disengaged, thus reducing hand dexterity. Impaired adults do not feel the preload force, which causes the vertical extension provided on the spring-loaded push tabs to extend to the innermost surface of the lid skirt, giving them any additional difficulty in opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While this specification ends with the following claims that particularly point out the invention, the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Would.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a particularly preferred package of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a bottle of the package shown generally in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view after assembly at a point perpendicular to the anti-rotation lug 28 provided on the bottle 12; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view passing through the anti-rotation lug 28 provided on the bottle 12; FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the package of FIG. 2 taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a view of a spring before the lid is attached to the package; A first indicating the position of the vertical extension provided on the embossing tab;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the package of FIG. 6; FIG. 6 is a side view of a particularly preferred child-safe attachment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a view of the attachment shown in FIG. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the child-safe attachment of FIG. 6 taken along the line II-II of FIG. 6; FIG. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the attachment of FIG. 6 taken along the line II of FIG. 6 in a folded state, FIG. 8A is a view of the child-safe attachment of FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 6; FIG. 9 is a side view of the child-safe attachment of the present invention in which the mouth is integrally formed with the vial; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the child safe attachment and vial of the figure.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an improved child-safe package according to the invention.
100 is an exploded perspective view. The basic package is 1990
A package of the type disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 4,948,002, issued to Solnock et al. By reference to this patent, the disclosure of that patent is hereby incorporated by reference. However, the disclosure of packages such as Solnock in this application is a non-limiting example. Package 100 is particularly suitable for home-use drugs. The package 100 is particularly suitable for household medications such as painkiller tablets 20. However, the advantageous use of the package according to the invention is not limited to the field of medicine, much less the field of tablets. The package of the present invention can be used to store and store almost any potentially hazardous material in any of solid, tablet, granular, powder, semi-solid, paste, or liquid forms. Can also be used for subdivision. The following description in the context of a package for a drug tablet is merely to assist in a thorough understanding of a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a bottle 12, which is preferably made of polyethylene, the most common and inexpensive bottle material for analgesics. Bottle 12 is preferably between about 0.381 mm and about 1.27 mm (about 0.015 inches to about
Injection blow molded to a wall thickness in the range of 0.050 inches). The particular bottle 12 shown in FIG. 1 has a base 14 with a substantially constant elliptical cross section. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the ratio of the elliptical minor axis dimension to the major axis dimension is about 0.7.

The upper shoulder 16 of the bottle 12 is preferably oval cone shaped. The cone angle of the upper shoulder 16 is preferably between about 36 ° and about 70 ° as measured around the periphery of the bottle 12. In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the long axis of the base 14 is about 44.45 m
m (about 1.75 inches), the minor axis is about 31.75 mm (about 1.25 inches), and the overall height is about 28.45 (1.12 inches).
In this exemplary embodiment, the height of the frustoconical of the shoulder 16 is about 1
9.05 mm (0.75 inch).

Provided on the shoulder 16 of the bottle 12 is a cylindrical mouth 18, which has a height of about 1 in the illustrated embodiment.
2.7 mm (0.5 inch). The three parts of the bottle 12, namely the base 14, the shoulder 16 and the mouth 18, are preferably centered on a common vertical axis.

The inner diameter of the mouth 18 is a function of the diameter of the tablet 20 (or the dimension of the major axis if not circular) and the filling rate of the tablet. In particular, the inside diameter of the mouth 18 must be large enough to minimize bridging of the tablet 20 entering the mouth 18 from the tapered filling chute. Once mouth 18
The inner diameter of the frustoconical shape determines the diameter of the upper end of the frustoconical shape including the shoulder 16, ie, this diameter is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the mouth 18. In this case, the cone angle selected for shoulder 16 determines the major and minor axis dimensions of base 14. For an analgesic tablet 20 having a diameter of about 0.375 inches, the major dimension of the base 14 is typically about 38.1 inches.
mm to about 63.5 mm (1.5 inches to 2.5 inches). The height of the base portion 14 is selected to provide whatever overflow volume is desired in the package 100.

Although any suitable means can be used to rotatably and removably secure the lid 52 to the mouth 18 of the bottle 12, for example, a combination of lugs and screws, complementary screws are particularly preferred.

The screws 22 provided on the mouth 18 are preferably two-lead screws, each with a lead angle that provides a thread pitch of about 0.1 inch to about 0.13 inch per half turn. . A mating recess 24 in the base of the shoulder 16 of the bottle 12 and an outwardly projecting ring 26 at the upper end of the shoulder 16 of the bottle 12 are provided with a collar 32 (also shown in FIG. 1). (Shown) are provided. As will be described in more detail in the following paragraphs, the anti-rotation lugs 28 extending from the shoulder 16 of the bottle 12 just below the outwardly projecting ring 26
When the removal torque is applied to the
In order to prevent rotation with respect to 12, the collar 32 is interlocked with the collar 32.

The collar 32 is preferably an injection molded part having a frusto-conical outer shape that intersects a cylinder of elliptical cross section of the same shape as the base 14 of the bottle 12. The collar 32 is preferably
It is made of a polymer having an appropriate flexural modulus to form a pair of elastically deformable spring-loaded tabs 34. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the spring-like push tabs 34 are shaped such that in the rest position, their bases are cantilevered on the conical opposing sides of the collar 32. .
Preferably, the thickness of the spring-like push tab is approximately equal to the thickness of the wall of the collar 32, for example, from about 1.016 mm to about 1.524 mm (about 0.040 inches to about 0.060 inches).

At the top of each spring-like push type 34 is provided a vertical extension 36 that projects above the upper edge of the collar 32.
The push tab vertical extension 36 attaches the lid 52 to the mouth of the bottle 12.
When fully screwed into 18, it interlocks with teeth 62 provided on the inner surface of outer skirt 60 of lid 52.

As can be seen most clearly from the perspective view of FIG. 5 and the cross-sectional view of FIG.
The vertical extension 36 projecting above the upper edge of 32
In an undeformed state, it is formed so that the dimension measured over the outermost surface is X1. This dimension is equivalent to the vertical extension 36 when the lid 52 is fully assembled into the package.
And corresponding inner dimensions corresponding to the point of contact between the innermost opposing surface of the lid skirt 60 immediately adjacent the lid teeth 62
Slightly larger than X2. Since the dimension X1 is slightly larger than the dimension X2, the lid skirt
When the teeth 62 provided on the 60 pass, the spring-like pushing tab 34
And / or the vertical extension 36 attached to this push tab deforms to some extent, so that whenever the lid is in its fully engaged position, the vertical extension
The outermost surface of 36 is pre-pressed against the innermost surface corresponding to skirt 60. This is represented by the outward force F1, as shown in the cross section of FIG.

If the dimensional difference between X1 and X2 is relatively small, for example, from about 0.025 mm to about 1.27 mm (from about 0.001 inch to about 0.25 mm).
050 inches),
It has been found that the improved package of the present invention using a preloaded spring-like push tab 34 greatly enhances child safety without making the package difficult to open for adults with impaired hand dexterity. Was.

A force is applied to the spring-like member 34 that fits in the palm of the user and faces with the user's thumb and forefinger to release the teeth 62 provided on the lid skirt 60, thereby twisting the lid 52 out of the package. For packages that have been opened by being able to open, the amount of preload force that the vertical extension 36 exerts on the corresponding innermost surface of the lid skirt 60 need not be very high. For example, a force of about 0.01 pounds to about 2.00 pounds, measured by pressing on the upper end of one of the opposed spring-like push tabs 34, achieves the objectives of the present invention.
It has been found to work well. A particularly preferred embodiment relates both to improving safety for children and to the fact that adults with at least some impaired hand dexterity do not have any particular difficulty in opening the package. , Approximately 113.398 g (0.
It has been found that a preload force F1 of 25 lbs) works very well.

Although the precise phenomena that lead to the improved results described above are not completely known, a vertical extension 36 was provided on the lid skirt 60 because the spring-like tabs 34 were preloaded in the manner described above. Vertical extension to remove from teeth 62
It is believed that at least enough movement must always be added to 36. Specifically, if the outermost surface of the vertical extension 36 is always maintained in physical contact with the corresponding innermost surface of the lid skirt 60, then the vertical extension 36 Interlocking teeth 62 provided on the innermost surface
At least sufficient movement must always be applied to the opposing spring-loaded tabs 34.

In addition, typically the preloading of the spring-like push tab 34, which initially provides some resistance to the indentation, is due to the children's lack of understanding of the mechanism that opens the package safe for the child. However, it is believed that the children will not be tempted to apply a force to remove the screws at the same time as pushing the opposing push tabs further. This means
A person who does not understand the opening mechanism is less likely to open the lid accidentally.

Perhaps most importantly, since the improved package of the present invention does not provide opening difficulties for the elderly or those with some impaired hand dexterity, these individuals may once be in a desired dose. Remove the contents of the package after initial opening, the lid tends to be reattached to the package instead of leaving the lid only partially fixed or completely removed from the package It is.

Finally, in an improved package of the present invention that uses a preloaded spring-loaded push tab 34, the teeth 62 on the lid member 52 pass through the vertical extension 36 on the spring-loaded push tab 34. You hear the "click" that occurs when you move forward. This is an elastically deformable spring-like push tab 34.
The distance between the vertical extensions 36 provided on the skirt 60 of the lid is minimized shortly before passing over the teeth 62 provided on the skirt 60 of the lid. Therefore, the elastically deformable spring-like push tab 34 is
It deforms to a maximum just before 62 crosses the edge of vertical extension 36. In this state, the vertical extension 36 is
Without the 52, coupled with the fact that it returns to the undeformed dimension X1, which is larger than the corresponding X2 inside the lid skirt, the `` click '' occurs as soon as the vertical extension 36 passes over the teeth 62. To increase the sound.

Once the lid 52 is fully assembled on the mouth 18 of the bottle 12, the push dove is placed on the vertical extension 36 and the innermost surface of the lid skirt 60 to twist the lid off the mouth 18. The push tabs 34 must be pushed in so that they are disengaged from the lid teeth 62 that have been set. The squeezing force required to depress the push tab 34 is preferably large enough to be difficult for children, but it is difficult for people such as arthritic patients using drug therapy to depress the opposing push type 34 and simultaneously It is low enough that the force to twist off 52 can be easily applied to the lid. The preferred squeezing method for the push tab is from about 226.796 g to about 2267.962 g.
(About 0.5-5 pounds) is considered good.

Further, the push tab 34 is preferably substantially flush with the outermost surface of the collar 32 when the lid 52 is fully assembled into the package, so that merely grasping the collar around its entire circumference, Vertical extension 36 of push tab 34 and lid teeth 62
Does not accidentally come off. Rather, to initiate the opening process, the user must make a conscious decision to squeeze the opposing push tab.
This means that the child can squeeze the entire circumference of the collar 32 by hand and
Make sure that the lid 52 does not come off simply by twisting it off.

To ensure that the package 12 maintains its function until its contents are exhausted, the thickness and length of the spring-like push tab 34 may be the initial preload or vertical extension of the push tab.
If the thickness and length are such that the bending stress applied by any of the flexures required to disengage 36 from lid teeth 62 is less than or equal to the yield strength of the polymer comprising collar 32. No. The flexural modulus and yield strength of a material such as polypropylene is typically lower than that of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (commonly referred to as "ABS"), although a draw force at the lower end of the above force range can be applied. Such materials can be used to apply a squeezing force at the upper end of the force range described above.

As best seen in FIG. 4, each push tab extension 36
The edge 44 of the lid 52 has teeth 62 on the lid to prevent the lid 52 from twisting off unless both spring-like push tabs 34 are pushed in.
Interlock with one of the When these two surfaces are torqued in the direction in which the lid 52 is unscrewed (indicated by arrow 3), the push tab 34 is not pushed in before the untwist torque is applied, unless the push tab 34 is pushed in. Tab extension 36 is skirt 60
Are in contact so as to be pulled outwardly toward the inner surface of the body. This feature is because the push dove extension 36 does not come off the lid teeth 62 just by applying a large removal torque to the lid,
Further increase safety for children.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the color
32 has an inwardly projecting ring 38 on its lowermost inner surface and an inwardly projecting ring 40 on its uppermost inner surface. Further, the inwardly projecting ring 40 has an inwardly projecting lip 41 on its lowermost surface. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ring 38 of the collar 32
The inwardly projecting lip 41 snap-fits with 24 and snaps over the outwardly projecting ring 26 of the bottle 12.
A recess 42 provided on the side of the collar 32 opposite the ring 40
Once the collar snaps into place on the bottle 12 once, to prevent the collar 32 from rotating on the bottle 12 as described above, an anti-rotation lug 28 provided on the shoulder 16 of the bottle 12 is provided. Mesh with each other.

The lid 52 shown in FIG. 1 preferably has an outer skirt 60 having the same outer diameter as the top of the frusto-conical surface of the collar 32. The two teeth 62 projecting from the inside of this skirt 60 are preferably 180 ° from each other. The teeth 62 preferably have a gentle slope, which slopes the lid 52 to the bottle 12
When screwed into the mouth 18, the vertical extension 36 of the spring-shaped push tab 34 is pressed inward by cam action, but the lid 52 is once assembled to the bottle 12 and then twisted in the removal direction. And a sharp edge interlocking with the push tab vertical extension 36.

The outer skirt 60 of the lid 52 has a chamfer at its inner bottom edge, as shown in FIG. 2, so that during installation of the lid the skirt 60 extends vertically Department
Serves as an introduction when first contacting the top of 36.
The second skirt 54 of the lid 52 inside the skirt 60 has a female screw 56 complementary to the male screw 22 provided on the mouth 18 of the bottle 12.
Having.

By designing the lid with dual skirts, a relatively wide and annular ring 40 projecting inward can be used at the top of the collar 32. This relatively wide and annular ring 40 provides stiffness to the collar 32 so that the collar can be easily snapped onto the bottle 12.

Lid 52 is preferably made of polypropylene.
This is because the friction characteristics between the female screw 56 of the lid and the preferable male screw 22 made of polyethylene provided at the mouth 18 of the bottle 12 are excellent. Inside the lid 52 is provided a liner 58, preferably made of paperboard or other suitable material, which, when the lid 52 is attached to the bottle,
The top of the mouth 18 of the bottle 12 is sealed. Due to the varying thickness and compressibility of the liner 58, the position of the teeth 62 relative to the beginning of the female threads 56 on the lid is preferably such that when the lid 52 is fully assembled into the bottle, the teeth 62 It extends slightly beyond the vertical extension 36. by this,
Minimize the need for tightening tolerances for intermeshing parts.

The relationship of the mating parts of the package 100 is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, which are vertical cross-sectional views of the bottle 12, collar 32, and lid 52 in a fully assembled state. The cross section of FIG. 3 has been rotated 90 ° with respect to the cross section of FIG. 2 to better illustrate the anti-rotation lug 28.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along section line IV-IV of FIG. 2, which shows the teeth 62 provided on the skirt 60 of the lid 52 once the lid is fully mounted on the bottle. Better illustrates how they interlock with the vertical extension 36 of the spring-like push tab 34.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the preload of the spring push tab 34 described in connection with the embodiment of the package of FIG. 1 of the present invention is generally assigned to Sol Knock et al. The invention is also applicable to many of the other embodiments of the package disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,948,002. By reference to this patent, the disclosure of that patent is hereby incorporated by reference.

Of course, the particular method of preloading the elastically deformable spring-like push tab 34 must be adjusted to the particular package configuration. For example, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elastically deformable spring-like push tabs 34 are shaped such that their top ends project slightly beyond the outermost surface of the shroud 32 before attaching the lid 52 to the package. It is just done. By attaching the lid 52 to the package, the spring-loaded push tab 34 is moved to a predetermined extent such that the top end of the spring-loaded push tab 34 is substantially flush with the outermost surface of the shroud 32 in the assembled package. To be elastically deformed.

For embodiments of the shroud that use a simple hinged connection between the spring-like push tab and the shroud or collar, a secondary that is used to apply a spring-like resistance during use to the innermost surface of the push tab. The support member may extend outwardly to such an extent that the push tab is initially slightly outwardly oriented with respect to the surrounding shroud prior to attaching the lid to the package.

The particular method used to create the resiliently deformable spring-like push tab configuration that serves to preload the outermost surface of the vertical extension 36 against the corresponding innermost surface of the lid skirt 60 is not critical.

As pointed out earlier in the specification, the present invention provides:
If desired, filed on January 28, 1992, under the names of Peter W. Hamilton, Robert S. Dirksing, and Reuben E. Odell, "for containers used to store potentially hazardous materials. It can be very advantageously implemented with a child-safe attachment of the type disclosed in the ongoing commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 826,747, entitled "Easy-to-Use, Child-Safe Attachment." A child-safe attachment of the type disclosed in co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 826,747 is formed separately from a bottle or container used to contain a drug or other potentially dangerous material, Then fixed to a bottle or container,
Alternatively, it may be formed integrally with the bottle or container.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a preferred child-safe attachment 2100 of the type disclosed in co-pending commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application No. 826,747, which further embodies the invention. I do. attachment
The 2100 is particularly suitable for use in connection with typical cylindrical drug bottles and vials for dispensing drug products such as tablets. However, the invention is advantageous, even if a container having a non-cylindrical cross-section, e.g., elliptical cross-section, rectangular cross-section, etc., measured in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the container, if desired. Can be implemented. The attachment 2100 includes a mouth 2001 and a lid 2002. Mouth
2001 and lid 2002 are preferably molded articles made of polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, and the like. The mouth 2001 has a mounting ring 2004 and a tab ring or annular collar 2005. The annular collar shown in FIG. 6 has a generally cylindrical cross-section, but if desired,
Other cross-sectional shapes, such as elliptical, may be used, in which case the cantilevered push tabs (described in more detail below) are located at both ends of the long axis of the ellipse. Is done. Beads 2003 on mounting ring 2004 are used to secure attachment 2100 to a drug package (not shown). Tab color 2005 with slot 2006
, Thereby providing a pair of opposed cantilever supported push tabs as shown in FIG.
2007 is formed.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. The lid securing ring has first means for rotatably and removably securing the lid 2002 to the mouth 2001. In the illustrated embodiment, the first means comprises a helical screw 2009 provided on the outermost surface of the screw ring 2010. The lid 2002 has a second means complementary to the first means for rotatably and removably fixing the lid to the lid fixing ring. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the second means comprises a screw 2018 provided on the innermost surface of a screw collar 2017 provided on the lid 2002.
Although any suitable releasable securing means, such as a lug or screw combination, can be used to rotatably and detachably secure the lid 2002 to the mouth 2001,
As shown in FIG. 7, each of the complementary screws 2009 and 2018 is particularly preferred.

The screw 2009 provided on the outer surface of the screw ring 2010 is preferably a two-lead screw. Complementary screws 2009 and 20
The pitch of 18 is preferably such that the lid 2002 is fully seated in the mouth 2001 when the lid 2002 is rotated about 180 °.

Collar 2005, screw ring 2010, and mounting ring 20
The 0s are preferably integrally molded and are substantially concentric with each other. The section of each spring-shaped push tab 2007 is provided with a vertical extension 2008 projecting above the plane of the upper edge of the collar 2005. Vertical extension 2008 covers 20
When 02 is fully screwed into the mouth 2001, it interlocks with the claw 2015 provided on the innermost surface of the locking ring 2016 of the lid 2002.
A channel 2011 formed between the inner surface of the tab collar 2005 and the screw ring 2010 receives the screw collar 2017 when the lid 2002 is screwed into the mouth 2001.

During assembly of the lid 2002 to the mouth 2001, the pawl 2015 must rotate through the vertical extension 2008. However, the vertical extension 2008 interferes with the rotation of the pawl 2015, causing the push tab 2007 to elastically flex inward. A gentle introduction ramp on the claw 2015 facilitates this flexing. In general, a gentle taper inwardly directed to the introduction ramp to prevent the sudden increase in re-torque torque required to fully seat the lid 2002 over the mouth 2001 Is preferably provided. If desired, the mating surface of the vertical extension 2008 can be adjusted as shown in FIGS.
8A, attach the lid 2002 to the attachment 2100
The re-torque torque required to fully seat on the mouth 2001 is minimized. With both of these features,
The user can properly reattach the lid and regain the safety of the package to the child after opening the package.

If you keep turning the lid 2002, the nail 2015 will extend vertically
Through which the vertical extension 2008 and the push tab 2007 can resiliently return to the latched state shown in FIGS. 7 and 7A. The mouth 2001 has a vertical extension 20
08 is shaped such that the maximum unconstrained outer dimensions are somewhat larger than the inner diameter of the lid locking ring 2016. In this state, when the lid 2002 is attached to the mouth 2001,
When the lid 2002 is fully seated as shown in FIG. 7A, the vertical extension 2008 is preloaded against the inner surface of the locking ring 2016.

The configuration of the screws 2009 and 2018 associated with the vertical extension 2008 and the claw 2015 is such that the lid 2002 is seated on the mouth 2001 and the claw 2015 passing through the vertical extension 2008 is hooked on the vertical extension 2008. In this case, preferably, the point seal lip 2020 engages the finished taper 2025 to form a seal. This is a push tab
2007, a vertical extension 2008, and a finish 2001 with a pair of tapered 2025 formed mouths 2001 and screws 2009 integrally molded with a lid 2002 including claws 2015 and seal lip 2020
Since the screw and the screw 2018 are integrally formed, it can be easily performed.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the attachment 2100 taken along the line II-II of FIG. With the push tab 2007 in the position shown in FIGS. 7 and 7A, the vertical extension
The edge 2030 of 2008 prevents the pawl 2015 from rotating counterclockwise and prevents attempts to reopen the attachment by rotating the lid 2002 counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow "T". .

Due to the clearance of the channel 2011 between the outer surface of the screw collar 2017 and the inner surface of the push tab 2007, indicated by an "X" in FIG.
The push tab 2007 can be fully deformed inward from the position shown in FIGS. 7 and 7A, so that the user pushes the push tab 2007 and simultaneously twists the lid 2002 in the direction of arrow "T" to remove the torque. Adds the vertical extension 2008 over the claw 2015.

FIG. 8 is a view of the attachment 2100 at a location corresponding to the sectional line II of FIG. 6, but the push tab 2007 is deformed inward. In order to twist the lid 2002 away from the mouth 2001 when the lid 2002 is fully assembled, it is provided on the innermost surface of the vertical extension 2008 provided on the push tab 2007 and the locking ring 2016 of the lid 2002 Apply sufficient pressure to the opposing push tab 2007 so that it disengages from the claw 2015
It must be added in the direction indicated by the arrow "P" in the figure. The squeezing force required to push the push tab 2007 is preferably large enough to be difficult for a child, but people, such as arthritic patients using medication, may have to push the push tab 2007 in opposition. At the same time, the untwisting torque is low enough to easily apply the lid 2002 in the direction of arrow "P" in FIG. The preferred squeezing force "P" for a push tab that is safe for children without causing difficulties for adults with impaired hand dexterity is about 226.796 g
It is believed to be in the range of about 0.5 to 5 pounds.

Furthermore, the push tab 2007 is preferably substantially flush with the outermost surface of the tab ring or collar 2005 when the lid 2002 is fully locked in place, so that the collar is gripped around its entire circumference. By simply squeezing, both the vertical extension 2008 provided on the opposing push tab 2007 and the claw 2015
Is not accidentally disengaged at the same time that the untwisting torque is applied to the lid 2002. Instead, the user must make a conscious decision to squeeze the opposing push tab 2007 when starting the opening process. This must involve applying untwisting torque to lid 2002 at the same time. This is because the child squeezes with the hand around the entire circumference of the tab collar 2005 and the lid 2002
The lid 52 cannot be removed simply by twisting it and trying to remove it.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the attachment 2100 at a location corresponding to the cross-sectional line II of FIG. 6, but this figure shows the attachment in the state shown in FIG. It is shown in a deformed state. Thus, the vertical extension 2008 has moved to a position where the edge 2030 no longer prevents the pawl 2015 provided on the locking ring 2016 from rotating counterclockwise in the direction indicated by the arrow "T". . In this case, the user of the child-safe attachment 2100 is
02 can be further rotated in the counterclockwise direction, thereby lifting the lid 2002 above the vertical extension 2008 to engage the screws 2009 and 2018 provided on the screw ring 2010 and the screw collar 2017. Release each one. As a result, the lid 2002 is completely removed from the mouth 2001.

FIG. 9 is a side view of yet another embodiment 2500 of a child-safe attachment of the present invention in a partially separated state. However, as can be seen from FIGS. 9 and 9A, the mouth 2501 of the child-safe attachment 2500
It is integrally formed as a single component with a vial 2550. In FIG. 9, the lid 2502 is shown detached from the mouth 2501. Tab collar 2505 to expose channel 2511 that accepts screw collar 2517 on lid 2502
Is partially cut away and shown. To form a pair of opposed spring-loaded push tabs 2507 supported in a cantilevered manner,
The tab ring or collar 2505 is provided with a slot 2506. The push tab 2507 has a vertical extension 2508 protruding above the plane of the top surface of the tab collar 2505.

FIG. 9A shows a cross section of the child-safe attachment 2500 and vial 2550 with the lid 2502 fully assembled, which is through the opposing push tab 2507. The lowermost end of the mounting ring 2504 is integrally formed with the uppermost end of the vial 2550. Complementary screws 2509 and 2518 provided on the outermost surface of the screw ring 2501 and the innermost surface of the screw collar 2517 respectively secure the lid 2502 to the mouth 2501.
The vertical extension 2508 interlocks with a claw 2515 provided on the innermost surface of the locking ring 2516. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8A, the mouth 2501 is such that the maximum external dimension of the vertical extension 2508 in an unconstrained state is somewhat larger than the inner diameter of the lid locking ring 2516. It is molded into. In general, operation of the child-safe attachment 2500 is similar to that described for the child-safe attachment 2100.

It is believed that the design of the package, the design of the attachments, and the processes described herein and the intended advantages of these processes will be understood from the foregoing description. Of course, various changes may be made in form, structure and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications within the scope of the invention are included in the appended claims. That will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Dirk Thing, Robert Stanley, Ohio, USA, Cincinnati, Wyandotte, Drive, 7188 (72) Inventor Oder, Ruben Earl, Kentucky, United States, Union, Hampstead, Drive, 10091 (56) References U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,002 (US, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65D 39/00-55/16

Claims (18)

(57) [Claims] 1. A package suitable for storing and dispensing potentially dangerous materials that is resistant to opening by children but easily opened by adults, comprising: (a) a base and a mouth. A bottle for containing a potentially dangerous material; and (b) a second cap for securing the lid to the mouth of the bottle releasably secured in a predetermined relationship around the periphery of the mouth. (C) a collar fixed with respect to the base portion of the bottle, the collar having at least a pair of elastically deformable push tabs, each push tab protruding above a top surface of the collar. A collar having a vertical extension, wherein a top end of the push tab is movable inward relative to a remaining portion of the collar when a squeezing force is applied to the top end of the push tab; ) At least one ska And a lid having a second means cooperating with the first means for rotatably and removably securing the lid to the bottle, the lid comprising: Furthermore, at least one interlocking tooth is provided on the innermost surface of the skirt, wherein the interlocking tooth comprises:
When the lid is rotatably fixed to the mouth of the bottle, the vertically extending portion of the elastically deformable push tab is deformed, but the elastically deformable push tab provided on the collar is first moved. Rotating the lid in the opposite direction so that the lid does not come off the mouth of the bottle, unless the vertical extension of the push tab is disengaged from the interlocking tooth. Wherein the push tabs are, in an undeformed configuration, the distance measured between their outermost surfaces being the innermost surface of the vertical extension and the opposing lid skirt. Are configured to be slightly larger than the distance measured between the contacts adjacent to the locking teeth of the lid when the lid is fully locked in its final locked position, so that The vertical extension portion provided on the push tab exerts a preload force to the innermost surface of said skirt of said lid package. 2. A package suitable for storing and dispensing potentially dangerous materials, which is resistant to opening by children but easily opened by adults, comprising: (a) a base and a mouth. A bottle for containing a potentially dangerous material; and (b) the base and the mouth are interconnected by a shoulder tapering in the direction of the mouth, and around the periphery of the mouth. First means for removably securing a lid to the mouth of the bottle, the collar being fixed in a predetermined relationship to: (c) a collar fixed with respect to the shoulder of the bottle, at least one pair of Wherein each of the push tabs has a vertical extension protruding above a top surface of the collar, and a top end of the push tab is squeezed into the top end of the push tab. When you apply force,
A collar movable inward with respect to the remainder of the collar; and (d) a lid having at least one skirt, the lid for removably securing the lid to the bottle. A second means cooperating with the first means, wherein the lid further has at least one interlocking tooth on an innermost surface of the skirt, wherein the interlocking tooth connects the lid to the bottle. Deform the vertical extension of the elastically deformable push tab when advanced over the mouth, but first push in the elastically deformable push tab provided on the collar to release the push tab. The lid is shaped and positioned so that the lid does not disengage from the mouth of the bottle unless the vertical extension is disengaged from the interlocking teeth, and the push tab is deformed. Not in the form The distance measured between their outermost surfaces is the point of contact between the vertical extension and the innermost surface of the skirt of the lid facing it, the lid when the lid is completely fixed in its final fixed position Is configured to be slightly larger than the measured distance between the contacts adjacent to the locking teeth of the lid, so that the vertical extension provided on the push tab is preformed on the innermost surface of the skirt of the lid. Exert a load force,
package. 3. A package suitable for dispensing tablets of drugs, etc., which is resistant to opening by children but can be easily opened by adults. (A) A package having a base portion for containing tablets of said drugs. (B) the base and the mouth are interconnected by a shoulder tapering in the direction of the mouth and secured in a predetermined relationship around the periphery of the mouth; First means for releasably securing the bottle to the mouth of the bottle; and (c) a collar fixed with respect to the shoulder of the bottle, at an angle of 180 ° with respect to the periphery of the collar. Having a pair of elastically deformable spring-like push tabs arranged,
Each of the resiliently deformable spring-like push tabs has a vertical extension projecting above a top surface of the collar, and a top end of the push tab has a drawing force opposing the top end of the push tab. And (d) a lid with at least one skirt, said lid being removable to said bottle when added to the bottle. And a second means cooperating with said first means for securing to the skirt, said lid further comprising a pair of interlocking teeth disposed on the innermost surface of said skirt at an angle of about 180 ° from each other. Said interlocking teeth deform said vertical extension of said elastically deformable spring-like dove when said lid is advanced over said mouth of said bottle, but said elastically deformable First press the spring-like push tab As long as the vertical extension of the hub is not disengaged from the interlocking teeth,
The lid is shaped and positioned so that it does not come off the neck of the bottle, and the push tabs, in an undeformed configuration, measure the distance between their outermost surfaces in the vertical direction. The distance measured between the extension and the contact point on the innermost surface of the skirt of the lid facing it adjacent to the locking teeth of the lid when the lid is fully fixed in its final locking position. Package wherein the vertical extension provided on the push tab exerts a preload force on the innermost surface of the skirt of the lid. 4. A child-safe attachment for a container suitable for storing and dispensing potentially hazardous materials that resists opening by children but can be easily opened by adults. An opening having a fixing ring, wherein the lid fixing ring has first means for rotatably and removably fixing the lid to the lid fixing ring on at least one of its surfaces, The lid securing ring further comprises means for securing the mouth to the container, and an annular collar substantially concentrically aligned with the lid securing ring, wherein the collar is provided with at least one pair of slots, By
Forming at least one cantilevered, elastically deformable push tab that is adjacent to the annular collar so as to eliminate the chance of accidentally pushing the push tab when grasping the annular collar; Having an exposed surface profile substantially identical in shape to the outer surface profile of the defined portion, wherein the push tab has a vertical extension protruding above the top surface of the annular collar, The upper end is movable inward relative to the remainder of the annular collar when applying a squeezing force to the uppermost end of the push tab; (b) having a lid having a first skirt; A skirt having on at least one of its surfaces second means complementary to the first means for rotatably and removably fixing the lid to the lid fixing ring provided on the mouth; The lid is connected to the first skirt. The second outside the seat
A skirt and at least one interlocking claw provided on the innermost surface of the second skirt, wherein the interlocking claw is configured to resiliently lock the lid to the mouth when the lid is rotatably fixed to the mouth. The vertical extension of the deformable push tab is deformed, but the cantilevered elastically deformable push tab provided on the annular ring is first pushed into the vertical extension of the push tab. The lid is shaped and positioned so that it does not come off the mouth by rotating the lid in the opposite direction unless the extension and the interlocking pawl are disengaged. The resiliently deformable cantilevered push tab with no feature is provided on the second skirt of the lid whenever the lid is fully secured to the mouth of the container. The innermost surface and the hanging Causing a interference between the outermost surface of the side extension portion, the attachment. 5. The mounting means for securing the mouth to the container includes a mounting ring including a securing means, the securing means providing a child-safe attachment to the container once and completely. 5. A child-safe attachment according to claim 4, wherein when assembled, the child-safe attachment engages with corresponding securing means provided on the container to resist separation from the container by the child. . 6. The securing means comprises means for rotating the child-safe attachment relative to the container over an unrestricted 360 ° about a vertical axis passing through the center of the child-safe attachment. 6. The child according to claim 5, wherein the mouth is kept fixedly attached to the container while at the same time frustrating attempts by the child to access the contents of the container. Attachment that is safe. 7. The child-safe attachment of claim 4, wherein the mouth of the child-safe attachment is permanently secured to the container. 8. The child-safe attachment of claim 7, wherein the mouth of the child-safe attachment is permanently fixed to the container by being molded integrally with the container. 9. The first and the second for rotatably and removably fixing the lid to the lid fixing ring.
Means consists of complementary screws, said annular collar,
Having two pairs of slots, the slots forming a pair of opposed resiliently deformable push tabs having a vertical extension, wherein the lid includes a pair of opposed claws;
A child-safe attachment according to claim 4. 10. The squeezing force required to push the opposed elastically deformable push tabs a sufficient distance to disengage the vertical extension from the interlocking claw is about 22.
10. The child-safe attachment of claim 9, wherein the attachment is in the range of about 0.5 to 5 pounds. 11. The preload force exerted by the vertical extension of each of the opposed elastically deformable push tabs on the innermost surface of the slot of the lid is from about 4.536 g to about 907.185 g.
1, between about 0.01 pounds to about 2 pounds.
The structure according to 2, 3, or 4. 12. Each of the elastically deformable push tabs provided on the collar has its lowermost end joined to the collar via a cantilever type connecting portion, whereby the elastically deformable push tab is provided. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the possible push tabs resists the squeezing force applied to its uppermost end by acting as a beam beam through its cantilevered connection to the rest of the collar. The structure according to 2, 3, or 4. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first and second means for removably securing said lid to said mouth of the bottle comprise complementary screws. Structure. 14. The collar is secured to the bottle by at least one groove in the bottle or the collar and at least one complementary ring on the other of the bottle or the collar. Yes,
The structure according to claim 1, 2, or 3. 15. The system according to claim 15, further comprising at least one anti-rotation lug provided on said bottle, and a complementary recess provided in a mating portion of said collar, whereby each of said elastically deformable push tabs is provided. When the collar is first removed and torqued to the lid without disengaging the vertical extension of the push tab and the interlocking teeth on the skirt of the lid, the collar will 15. The structure of claim 14, wherein the structure is adapted to prevent rotation. 16. The interlocking teeth provided on the innermost surface of the skirt of the lid define a cam-shaped surface with a gradually decreasing radius, the cam-shaped surface connecting the lid to the mouth of the bottle. When advanced over the portion, the vertical extension of the elastically deformable push tab is gradually deformed, but when the interlocking teeth pass beyond the vertical extension of the push tab, the vertical extension Allowing the extension to immediately snap back to its undeformed state, thereby giving the user an audible signal that has made the package child-safe for the next dispensing cycle Item 5. The structure according to item 1, 2, 3, or 4. 17. The interlocking teeth provided on the vertical extension of the resiliently deformable push tab and the skirt of the lid are provided with interlocking surfaces, these surfaces being first the said interlocking teeth. If the removal torque is applied to the lid without pushing the top end of the push tab,
17. The structure of claim 16, wherein the teeth and the vertical extension interlock more closely with each other. 18. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the skirt of the lid including the interlocking teeth has an outermost skirt.