MXPA01010797A - Child-resistant threaded closure - Google Patents

Abstract

A closure cap (45) for a container outlet (20) is configured with a child-resistant feature involving a pair of abutment projections (29, 30) formed as part of the container outlet (20) and a pair of abutment ribs (46, 47) formed as part of the closure cap (45). The container outlet (20) includes an annular skirt (27) which provides a support surface for the pair of abutment projections (29, 30). The pair of spaced-apart abutment ribs (46, 47) are designed to ride over each abutment projection (29, 30) during threaded advance of the closure cap (45) onto the container outlet (20). During retrograde rotation of the closure cap (45) onto the container outlet (20), the abutment ribs (46, 47) are designed to abut up against the abutment projections (29, 30). The abutment ribs are manually movable in a radially inward directionfor taking each abutment rib out of abutting engagement with a corresponding abutment projection.

Description

THREADED RESISTANT CLOSURE FOR CHILDREN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is generally concerned with child-resistant closure covers and closures that are designed to close the dispensing outlet of a container wherein access to the contents within the container by the Young children will be limited or restricted in some way. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with such child resistant closures that are threaded and are designed for a two stage removal process. The removal procedure generally involves the manual release of tabs and portions of splicing or coupling. Related aspects of the present invention involve structural configurations that are specifically designed to restrict a young child's ability to remove the closure when using his teeth. These aspects of the present invention can be used with or without the two stage removal procedure. It is known that there are a variety of child-resistant closures, some of which include screw caps that cooperate with a corresponding container to prevent removal of the cap without first performing a manual manipulation that was designed to separate a portion of the lid of a portion of the container. For example, in U.S. Patent No. 3,989,152 issued November 2, 1976 to Juilian, child-resistant closure means are provided as part of a torsion-action cap for a container, the attachment means having two cooperating parts. There is a splice in the container near, but radially spaced from, the neck of the container and a tongue on the cap that engages the splice and prevents retrograde rotation of the cap. The tongue is bent inward so as to move beyond the splice, both when the cap is screwed onto the container neck and when it is desired to remove the neck cap from the container. In other closure designs, internal and external closure side walls are used to provide the child resistant feature. When the ratchet or splice portions on the closure and container are used to provide the child resistance characteristic, they are normally positioned 180 degrees apart. The two-step removal procedure for this design typically involves the manual release of one or more portions of the coupling or coupling between the closure and the container followed by the retrograde rotation of the closure followed by a second manual release manipulation (concurrent). . The key is to dimension one or more of the splice or coupling portions with an appropriate axial height to cause a second splice after rotation of the closure, usually 180 degrees. The thread pitch of the closure and the container also needs to be compatible with this attempt} since the step controls how much axial movement there is of closure in relation to the outlet of the container during the rotation of the closure of 180 degrees. What has been discovered is that with some closures of smaller diameter, children can cover the external diameter of the closure with their teeth. The upper and lower teeth of a small child, when they are placed around the diameter of the closure, are separated by approximately 180 degrees and thus would probably be aligned with the resistance characteristics of children oppositely disposed on the closure. Accordingly, there is a possibility that a small child could unintentionally release the splice or coupling of the closure of the container when using the teeth to treat and remove the closure of the container. If a two-stage removal procedure is designed in the container-closure combination, then the child has to rotate the closure and repeat the release procedure. In order to improve the. design of child resistant closure / container systems of the described type with 180 degree spacing for splice or coupling characteristics, the present invention provides a spacing on both sides of 160-200 degrees for the characteristic of resistance to children. In this way, the teeth of a small child that normally will be separated by 180 degrees when holding the outer diameter of the container, will not be aligned with the characteristics of resistance to children due to the displacement of 20 degrees. In larger closures, children can use their teeth to treat and leverage the closure of the container, but with these larger diameter closures, it is assumed that the closure can not be held between the upper and lower teeth. There are currently two modalities available to incorporate the 160/200 degree spacing. The splice tabs on the container and the tabs on the lid can both be adjusted to a spacing of 160/200 degrees. Alternatively, one of these two structural elements can be designed with a spacing of 180/180 degrees while the other element includes spacing of 160/200 degrees. However, only when both structural elements are at the same spacing will a simultaneous double release be required. The preferred two-sided spacing of 160/200 degrees for closure is selected to be far enough from 180/180 degrees that teeth can not be coupled with both, but close enough to allow relatively easy removal by adults. . As a further protection, the present invention incorporates a blocking cord located adjacent to each portion of a child-resistant splice on the closure which tongue needs to be manually depressed in order to release the closure and allow it to be removed from the outlet. of the container. Any attempt by a small child to squeeze the child-resistant tongue causes the corresponding and adjacent blocking cord to be contacted before the child-resistant tongue is pulled radially inwardly far enough for release and this prevents the tongue resistant to children be released. Based on the design improvements offered by the present invention, improvements are made to the state of the art for devices and designs of this type. What results is an improved child-resistant closure / container product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A combination lid closure and container that includes a child resistant feature according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a container outlet and a closure lid. The outlet of the container includes an externally threaded side wall defining a dispensing aperture and an outer annular skirt that is positioned at the base of the side wall. The closure lid is constructed and arranged for threaded mounting on the outlet of the container to close the dispensing opening, the closure cover includes an internally threaded external wall defining a hollow interior, an upper surface for closing an end of the hollow interior and a pair of circumferentially spaced spaced apart splice ribs formed integrally as part of the outer wall, each splice rib includes a free end and is constructed and arranged to travel over each splice projection during the threaded advance of the closure cap. on the outlet and for the coupling coupling against a corresponding projection of the splice projections during the attempted retrograde removal of the closure cap of the outlet, each of the pair of splice ribs is manually movable in a radially inward direction to the corresponding splice rib from the coupling of and in which the circumferential spacing between the pair of splicing ribs in a clockwise direction is different from the circumferential spacing in a direction contrary to clockwise rotation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top plan view of an outlet of the container that is designed to cooperate with a closure cap according to a typical embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the outlet of the container of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan view of a splice projection comprising a portion of the outlet of the container of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a top plan view of a closure cap that is designed to cooperate with the outlet of the container of Figure 1 according to the present invention. Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the lid of the closure of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a front elevation view in full section of the closure lid of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the closure cap of Figure 4. Figure 8 is an enlarged top plan view of the coupling by a splice tab of the closure cap of Figure 4 with the splice projection of Figure 3. Figure 9 is a schematic top plan illustration of the relationship between the two splice tabs of the closure cap of Figure 4 and the two splice projections of the container outlet of Figure 1. Figure 10 is a front elevational view of the closure lid of Figure 4 with the addition of a blocking cord in addition to each splice tab. Figure 11 is a top plan view of the closure cap of Figure 10 with the two locking cords and the coupling of this closure cap with the outlet of the container of Figure 1. Figure 12 is a top plan view of an outlet of the container that is designed to cooperate with a closure cap according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 is a schematic top plan view of the relationship between the two splice tabs of the closure cap of Figure 4 and the two splice projections of the outlet of the container of Figure 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the modality shown in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. However, it will be understood that this is not intended by any limitation of the scope of the invention, such alterations and further modifications to the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the present invention as illustrated are contemplated as would normally be presented to the experienced in the technique to which the invention belongs. With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated an outlet of the container 20 which is generally designed to be attached to a cooperating container body 21 (contour in partial solid lines) in a secure and sealed manner or alternatively may be molded as an integral portion of the container body. It is intended, consistent with the teachings of the present invention, that either one configuration or another of the outlet of the container 20 will be acceptable. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the outlet of the container 20 has been configured as a separate component that is to be attached to the raised neck opening of a container, the contents of which is preference not accessible to children without supervision and / or adult control. In the preferred embodiment, the outlet of the container 20 is designed as a unitary molded plastic dispensing spout with a tearing diaphragm 20a and an integral traction ring 20b. The lower edge portion 22 is constructed and arranged with an inverted U-shaped channel to place the outlet 20 on a raised annular rib (neck opening) of a container body). Several techniques are available to ensure the exit to the container body, which include electronic welding, friction adjustment, welding, thermal friction, adhesive bonding and mechanical crimping. The outer cylindrical wall 25 of the outlet of the container 20 is externally threaded to receive an internally threaded closure cap 45 (see Figures 4, 5 and 6). The outer cylindrical wall 25 defines the dispensing opening 26 which exists once the tearing diaphragm 20a is removed by pulling up the pull ring 20b. After this, the dispensing opening 26 is closed by threaded mounting of the lid 45 on the outlet of the container 20.

The outer annular skirt 27 defining the inverted U-shaped channel includes as part of its upper surface 28 two integral splice projections 29 and 30 which are located at a spacing of 160 degrees / 200 degrees, using the splice edge lines 31 and 32 respectively. The angle alpha (a) positions line 32 in relation to the center line of 180/180 degrees and in the illustrated modality alpha (a) is 20 degrees. As it should be so clear, distance in the clockwise direction from the edge line 32 to the edge line 31 is 160 degrees. The distance in the clockwise direction from the edge line 31 to the edge line 32 is 200 degrees. Using the upper surface 28 as the reference frame and the upper edge 35 of the opening 26 being in an "upward" direction, each splice projection 29 and 30 includes a lower portion 36 that is integral with the upper surface 28, a surface vertical 37, an upper surface 38 and an inclined surface 39. In figure 2, these three surfaces (37, 38 and 39) appear as edges. On the radially inward side of each splice projection, a ramp portion 40 is provided which cooperates with and intersects the splice surface 37 (see Figure 3). The arrow 41 denotes the forward direction of rotation of the lid 45. The arrow 42 denotes the direction of retrograde rotation of the lid 45 relative to the outlet of the container 20. The lid of the closure 45 is illustrated in figures 4, 5 , 6 and 7 and includes a pair of spaced-apart splice tabs 46 and 47 which are located at a spacing of 160 degrees / 200 degrees, using radial edge lines 46a and 47a, respectively, as the lines defining the spacing or spacing circumferential between tabs 46 and 47. The angle alpha (a) is 20 degrees in the illustrated mode. The cover 45 is generally a unitary, generally cylindrical plastic component with a substantially straight annular side wall 50 and a closed top or end portion 51. The side wall 50 in cooperation with the closed top portion 51 defines a hollow interior 52 which is constructed and arranged to receive the outlet 20. The inner surface 53 of the side wall 50 is formed with integral threads having a size and pitch compatible with the external threads on the outer surface of the cylindrical wall 25. As long as the side wall 50 is described as being annular and while the cover 45 is described as being generally cylindrical, the two splice ribs 46 and 47 are integrally formed as part of the side wall 50. Each rib 46 and 47 has a slightly curved body attached at an end 54 to the side wall 50 while the opposite end 55 is free and designed to be spliced between the splice surface 37 of a splice projection corresponding 29, 30. With the spacing of 160/200 degrees for both the closure cap and for the outlet of the container, the coupling coupling of the free end 55 of the connecting rib 46 against the connecting surface 37 of the projection of splice 29 occurs simultaneously with the same style of splice coupling between the free end 55 of the splice rib 47 and the surface 37 of the splice projection 30. The threaded assembly of the closure cap 45, that is, the cap that advancing threaded 45 over the outlet 20, causes each splice rib 46 and 47 to travel up and over each ramp portion 40, causing a radially inward deflection of each rib 46 and 47 as it passes through each portion of ramp 40. When attempting to remove in a threaded manner (retrograde rotation) the cover of the closure 45 of the outlet 20, each rib 46 and 47, assuming an alignment (i.e., superposition in a radiological position). al) with the corresponding splicing surface of each splice projection, it is spliced against the splice projection (that is, end 55 against surface 37). The releasing technique is to manually deflect each rib in a radially inward direction such that there is no additional splice. This allows each rib 46 and 47 to move past each splice projection 29 and 30. The recessed area 46a behind (ie, inwardly) of the rib 46 provides a gap for radially inward movement of the a. rib 46. A similar recess area 47a is positioned behind the rib 47 to provide the necessary spacing for the rib 47. The number of times this release step needs to be carried out depends in part on the spacing intervals between the two splice projections 29 and 30 and between the two ribs 46 and 47 and part of the thread pitch. The thread pitch controls how much movement there is of the closure cap 45 in the axial direction with each revolution of the cap on or displaced from the outlet of the container 20. The axial height of the two integral splice projections 29 and 30 is also of consideration. Of course there will be no splicing if the ribs 46 and 47 of the closure cap 45 are axially raised above the upper end of the projections 29 and 30. The coupling of the rib 47 (free end 55) against the projection 30 (surface 37) ) is illustrated in Figure 8.

With reference to the schematic illustration of Figure 9, the mutual and concurrent splice coupling between the closure lid and the outlet of the container as illustrated in detail in part by Figure 8 is shown in full. In Figure 9, the two splice ribs 47 and 46 and the two splice projections 30 and 29 are identified as items or features A, B, C and D respectively. This short notation makes the explanation of the removal sequence of the closure lid a bit easier to follow and should help with an explanation of the alternative mode as will be described later herein. In this mode, the angle alpha (a) measures 20 degrees. When the closure cap is fully threaded on the outlet of the container, the ribs A and B are positioned in relation to the projections C and D in such a way that the free end of A is adjacent to the junction surface of C and the end Free of B is adjacent to the splice surface D. If the ribs A and b are pushed inwardly for the concurrent release of the splice coupling with C and D respectively, the closure cap can be turned in a direction opposite to the hands of the spindle. clock (retrograde), initiating by this the procedure of removing the closing lid of the container outlet. Once the projections C, D are clear, the ribs A, B can be released and the closure cap is free to rotate, until the next point of splice coupling. Under the circumstances illustrated herein with respect to this particular embodiment, the retrograde rotation in the counterclockwise direction of 160 degrees is allowed until the rib B is spliced against the projection C. This then requires the manual release of the rib B of the projection C. After this, another 40 degrees of rotation in the counter-clockwise direction positions the rib A over the projection D and the rib B over the projection C. The previous sequence would be repeated then by itself, since the closure cap moves axially away from the upper surface 28 (see FIG. 2), the axial height of each joint projection 29, 30 (D and C) may not be sufficient for the rib A is coupled with projection D, after the release of B of C and the additional rotation of 40 degrees. Whether or not there is a continuous splicing coupling is a design choice that depends on the axial length or height of each rib 46 and 47, the position of each rib on the side wall 50 of the closure cap 45 and the height axial of each splice projection 29 and 30. Also involved in this design choice is the selected thread pitch that controls the axial distance of movement in each 360 degree rotation. In the preferred embodiment, there is an initial coupling from A to C and B to D. Thus, both coupling points need to be released concurrently. After 160 degrees of counterclockwise rotation of the closure cap 45, there is a splice coupling of B over C. After the release of B of C, the cap of the closure can be unscrewed without any splicing coupling additional. Thus, in the preferred embodiment of Figures 1-8, there is a two stage removal procedure which means two release manipulations separated by a retrograde rotation in the counterclockwise direction. A rib spacing and projection of something other than 180/180 degrees is also provided for the two splice projections and the two splice ribs. Specifically, there is a 160 degree / 200 degree spacing in the preferred embodiment that has been illustrated and described which applies to both the outlet projections of the container and the ribs or tabs of the closure cap. With respect to the preferred spacing, the 160/200 degree selection is a desirable intermediate solution between the 180 degree / 180 degree spacing that includes the discussed risk of inadvertent opening by children who use their teeth and something less than 160 and more than 200 (such as 120). / 240) that may prove to be more difficult to open for elderly and arthritic users. With continuing reference to Figures 4-7 and with reference to Figures 10 and 11, another feature of the present invention is illustrated. In Figures 10 and 11 an additional structure has been added in two places on the cover 45. Adjacent to each splice rib 46 and 47, there is located a blocking cord 59 and 60, respectively. Each blocking cord 59 and 60 is integrally molded as part of the unitary closure cap 45 and is spaced from the free end 55 of the corresponding and adjacent splice rib. The separation distance (D) is approximately 2 mm (0.079 inches). Each blocking cord has an axial length of approximately 6 mm (0.236 inches) which extends substantially parallel to the straight axial edge 55a of the end 55. In addition, the axial length of each blocker 59 and 60 extends over most of the axial length of the corresponding splice rib and is positioned between the upper and lower edges 55b and 55c respectively, the radial distance of each blocking cord away from the outer surface of the side wall 50 measures approximately 1.5 mm (0.059 inches). However, the radial dimension required for each blocking cord 59 and 60 is a dimension that substantially coincides with the external radial position of the free end 55. In this way, when there is an attempt to manually push inward (radially inward) the end 55, as part of the release manipulation, the adjacent blocking cord 59, 60 serves to block the movement of the free end 55. In order to satisfy this design goal, it is important that the blocking cord be positioned to the free end. , having a sufficient axial length and having an outward radial position that generally coincides with the radial position of the free end. If the axial length of the blocking cord is too short, it may be possible to free the free end 55 by a finger or by using the teeth without interference with the blocking cord, such as by placing the pressure point either above or below. of the blocking cord. If the release of the closing lid of the outlet is attempted by a small child who uses his teeth, the blocking cord interferes and will prevent movement radially inward of the splicing ribs. If the ribs can not be propelled inward, the splice coupling on the splice projections can not be released and the closure cap remains on the outlet of the container.

When an adult wishes to remove the closure cap from the outlet of the container, it is possible to manipulate the splice ribs 46 and 47 without interference with the blocking cords, but this requires a mental awareness of the issue and a sufficient level of manual dexterity to be able to properly handle the splicing ribs without interference with the blocking cords. None of these abilities are probably possessed by young children. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiment provides a combination closure / outlet cap of the child-resistant container. Referring now to Figure 12, another preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In the embodiment of Figure 12, the outlet of the container 65 includes a pair of spaced apart splice projections 66 and 67 that are located at a 180 degree spacing on the outer annular skirt 68. The matching centerlines 66a and 67a denote the 180 degree spacing between these two splice projections. It will be understood that the outlet of the container 65 is identical to the outlet of the container 20 with the exception of the circumferential spacing of the two splice projections which is changed from a spacing of 160 degrees / 200 degrees to a spacing of 180 degrees / 180 degrees. Each of the splice projections 66 and 67 have a size and shape identical to the splice projections 29 and 30. The only difference between this embodiment and the embodiment of Figures 1-8 is the spacing of the two splice projections 66. and 67. Thus, the lid of the closure 45 is used in combination with the outlet of the container 65 for the second embodiment (Figure 12) of the present invention. This means that the manner of the splice coupling between the splice projections 66 and 67 by the splice ribs 46 and 47 is the same in the second embodiment as in the first embodiment, except for the differences in the splice sequence caused by the splice. change in the spacing of the two splice projections 66 and 67. With reference to figure 13, a schematic illustration is provided along the same line as that provided by figure 9. The illustration of figure 13 is included for the second embodiment of the present invention for the purpose of explaining the splice coupling points and the retrograde degrees of rotation in the counterclockwise direction between the splice coupling points. With the closure cap 45 fully threaded on the outlet of the container 65, the splice rib 46 (B) is positioned against the splice projection 66 (D), preventing the removal of the closure cap 45. The splice rib 47 (A) is spaced apart from the joint projection 67 (C) by approximately 20 degrees. The two-stage removal procedure includes the manual release of B from the splice against D. Then, after 20 degrees of counterclockwise rotation of the closure cap 45 relative to the outlet of the container 65, A is spliced against C. The manual release of A and 160 degrees of rotation counterclockwise from the closure cap positions B over C. When deciding selectively with respect to the axial dimension of each splice projection in relation to With the size of each splice rib and the thread pitch for the closure cap and the outlet of the container, the number of individual release stages can be predetermined and controlled. In this second embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated by FIG. 12 and as schematically explained in part by FIG. 13, three release steps are required separated by two rotations counterclockwise. After this, the closure cap 45 has been moved to an axial height that is high enough above the splice projections to avoid any additional splice coupling. This second embodiment of the present invention also includes the option to include virtually identical blocking cords 5960 as part of the closure cap 45 with the same use, operation and structural configuration and positioning as the blocking cords 59 and 60 previously described. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and description above, they are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it will be understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that it is desired to protect all changes and modifications that enter into the spirit of the invention. It is noted that, in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following claims: 1. A combination, characterized in that it comprises (a) an outlet for a container comprising: an externally threaded side wall defining a dispensing opening, the side wall having a base portion; an outer annular skirt positioned on the base portion of the side wall and a pair of circumferentially spaced apart splice projections formed integrally as part of the outer annular skirt, each splice projection includes a splice surface and (b) ) a closure cap constructed and arranged for a threaded mounting on the outlet to close the dispensing opening, the closure lid comprising: an internally threaded external wall defining a hollow interior; an upper surface for closing one end of the hollow interior and a pair of circumferentially spaced spaced apart splice ribs formed integrally as part of the outer wall, each splice rib includes a free end and is constructed and arranged to travel over each splice projection during the threaded advance of the closure cap on the outlet and for a splice coupling against a corresponding projection of the splice projections during retrograde rotation of the closure cap from the outlet, each of the pair of ribs The splice is manually movable in a radially inward direction to take the corresponding splice rib out of the splice coupling, wherein the circumferential spacing between the pair of splice ribs in a clockwise direction is different from the circumferential spacing in a direction contrary to the hands of the clock j. The combination according to claim 1, characterized in that the circumferential spacing between the pair of splice ribs is about 160 degrees clockwise and about 200 degrees in a counterclockwise direction. The combination according to claim 2, characterized in that the circumferential spacing between the pair of splice projections is about 160 degrees clockwise and about 200 degrees in the counterclockwise direction. The combination according to claim 3, characterized in that the closure cap includes a blocking cord positioned adjacent to each splice rib, the blocking cord is constructed and arranged to block the radially inward deflection of the splice rib. The combination according to claim 2, characterized in that the circumferential spacing between the pair of splice projections is approximately 180 degrees in the clockwise direction and approximately 180 degrees in a counter-clockwise direction. The combination according to claim 5, characterized in that the closure cap includes a blocking cord positioned adjacent to each splice rib, the blocking cord is constructed and arranged to block the radially inward deflection of the splice rib. 7. A closure cap constructed and arranged for use in combination with a container outlet that includes at least one splice projection, the closure cap comprises an internally threaded external wall defining a hollow interior, characterized in that it comprises: a surface upper to close one end of the hollow interior and at least one splice rib attached to the outer wall that includes a free end that is spaced outwardly from the outer wall, the splice rib is constructed and arranged to travel over the projection of splice during the threaded feed of the closing cover on the outlet of the container and for a coupling coupling against the splice projection during the retrograde rotation of the closing cover of the container outlet, the splice rib is manually movable in a radially inward direction to remove the splice rib from the splice coupling with the splice projection and a blocking cord positioned adjacent to the splice ribs with spacing between them and integral with the wall externally, the blocking cord has a radial extension generally co-located with the free end, the blocking cord is constructed and arranged to block the radially inward deflection of the splice rib by providing a splice surface for any means used in a attempt to deflect radially inward the splice rib. 8. The combination according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure cap includes a blocking cord positioned adjacent to each splice rib, the blocking cord is constructed and arranged to block the radially inward deflection of the splice rib. The combination according to claim 1, characterized in that the circumferential spacing between the pair of splice projections is about 160 degrees in a clockwise direction and about 200 degrees in a counter-clockwise direction. The combination according to claim 1, characterized in that the circumferential spacing between the pair of splice projections is approximately 180 degrees in a clockwise direction and approximately 180 degrees in a counterclockwise direction.