SECURITY CONTAINER WITH SECURITY CLOSURE AND METHOD TO ENSURE CLOSURE
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a container that may contain tablets or liquids, for example, for use in the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries and in particular to an assurance arrangement for a container and / or a secondary region of containment for a container. Containers that have resistance characteristics against children are generally available now but these containers are typically very difficult for the elderly or disabled to open them. Reference should now be made to U.S. Patent No. 5908125 and to other patents in the same technology area. In general, child-resistant containers require the user to simultaneously tighten and rotate the closure, or to push and turn the closure, to release the closure of the container body. However, older people or people with dexterity problems find that the force required to tighten or push the closure and simultaneously turn the closure is too great or that they experience pain when attempting to open the closure. Those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis will find that they have to avoid any movement, which involves squeezing, twisting or bending the wrist. EEF.163157 The containers with resistance against known children comprise an arrangement for securing the lid so that the user has to rotate a lid and align two points on the respective external surfaces of the container and the lid. In this position the lid can be pushed and opened. However, we have found that after the lid has been placed back into the container, the user has to remember to rotate the lid again in such a way that the two points are no longer aligned, otherwise the container becomes easier to open and no longer has resistance against children. In addition, we have found that when this type of container is opened, the lid partially obscures the view of the contents of the container. In addition, for some pharmaceutical tablets, the patient only has to take a dose of half a tablet. A further disadvantage of the present containers is that once the tablet has been removed from the container, it has to be stored in a separate location or placed back into the container with the other tablets. In this arrangement, the half tablet can be difficult to find at the last minute. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container comprising a hollow body, a movable closure between a closed condition and an open condition, an assurance part for securing the closure in the closed condition, the securing part. it is movable between an assurance position and an unsecured position, and actuating means for moving the securing portion from the unsecured position to the secured position while the closure is transferred between the respective conditions. Preferably, the arrangement is such that while the closure moves to the open condition and the securing portion is in the unsecured position, the actuating means moves the securing portion to the secured position. Preferably, the arrangement is such that while the closure moves to the closed condition and the securing portion is in the unsecured position, the actuating means moves the securing portion to the secured position. The actuation means help to ensure that the securing part is in a secure position after the closure has been opened and / or closed. Preferably, the driving means automatically moves the securing part while the closure is open and / or closed; Thus . The resistance characteristic against children is automatically activated when necessary during the opening operation and the closing operation.
The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages we have found in prior art containers by providing an assurance arrangement for a container automatically placed in a secured condition. Preferably, the closure and the securing portion comprise the respective cooperating securing elements, the arrangement being such that while the closure is removed from the body to open the container, the actuating means moves one of the securing elements relative to the other. insurance element. Preferably, the arrangement of the cooperation securing elements located in the closure and the securing part is such that while the closure is pushed back on the body to close the container, the actuating means moves one of the securing elements with relationship to the other insurance element. Preferably, the securing part bears an indicator that must be aligned with an indicator on the hollow body and / or the closure, the arrangement being such that in use the indicators are moved from an aligned position to a misaligned position by the means of drive. In an alternative embodiment, the cooperation securing elements are located in the body and the securing part, the arrangement being such that while the closure is removed from the body to open the container, the actuating means moves one of the securing elements in relation to the other insurance element. Preferably, in this alternative embodiment, the arrangement of the cooperation securing elements located in the body and the securing part is such that the closure is pushed back on the body to close the container, the actuating means moves one of the elements of insurance in relation to the other insurance element. The securing part is preferably an annular securing ring. Preferably, the actuating means comprises an elongate member positioned inside the closure, and the securing ring comprises a ramp, the ramp being inclined in such a way that while the elongated member makes contact with the ramp and slides progressively as far as possible. Along a surface of the ramp, the rotation of the securing ring causes the indicators on the body and / or closure and the securing part are no longer aligned. Preferably, the arrangement of the elongate member and the ramp is such that while the closure is removed from the body to open the container, the elongate member contacts a first surface of the ramp and the rotation of the securing ring causes the indicators in the body and / or closure and the securing part are no longer aligned. Preferably, the arrangement of the elongated member and the ramp is such that while the closure is again placed on the body to close the container and the indicators are aligned, the elongated member contacts a second surface of the ramp and the rotation of the ring Ensuring causes that the indicators on the body and / or closure and the assurance part are no longer aligned. Preferably, the ramp projects from a radially internal surface of the securing ring. Alternatively, the ramp is a channel formed in the wall of the securing ring, the central axis of the channel being angled from the axis of the ring. Preferably, the elongated member is a flexible bracket. Preferably, the elongate member is a hook-shaped bracket, which extends from the internal surface of the closure. The securing part is preferably located between the body and the closure. The cooperation securing element located in the closure is preferably a projection. In a first embodiment of the present invention, the cooperating securing element located in the securing portion is a circumferential flange positioned on the inner surface of the securing portion and the protrusion is formed in the elongated member., the flange being formed with a hollow portion through which the protrusion can pass during closure and opening of the closure. The ramp is preferably positioned axially below the circumferential flange and generally in line with the hollow portion of the flange, the arrangement being such that there is a gap between the highest part of the ramp and the circumferential flange. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the cooperating securing element located in the securing portion is a circumferential groove attached to the inner surface of the securing portion and the projection is formed with a distal head portion, the projection extends from an internal surface of the closure, the groove is formed with an access hole through which the head of the projection may pass during closure and opening of the closure. The ramp is preferably positioned axially on the circumferential groove. Preferably, the arrangement of the ramp and flange is such that in the rotation of the securing portion in one direction, the protrusion first passes through the spacing and is generally aligned with the cavity before the elongate member contacts the spacer. the ramp.
Preferably, the body has an outlet, which can be sealed by a sealing element located in the closure. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the projection comprises a member formed with a serrated distal end. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for securing a closure to a container in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the method comprising moving an securing portion from an unsecured position to a position of assurance while a closure is transferred between the respective conditions. Preferably, the arrangement is such that while the closure moves to the open condition, the actuating means moves the securing portion to the secured position. Preferably, the arrangement is such that while the closure is moved to the closed condition, the actuating means moves the securing portion to the secured position. Preferably the method comprises automatically moving an assurance part during the closure operation and opening of the closure. The method ensures that the closure is secured to the container after the opening and / or closing of the container.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a closure for a container according to the first aspect of the invention is provided. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an assurance part for a container according to the first aspect of the invention is provided. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a hollow body for a container according to the first aspect of the invention is provided. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a drive means for a container according to the first aspect of the invention is provided. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a container is provided according to the above aspects of the invention and comprising a second containment region. Preferably, the second containment region is positioned in the upper region of the body and is sealed by the closure of the container. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the appended figures, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a container in a closed condition and in a secured position; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 when it is in the closed and unsecured position before the closure is opened; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 with the closure open; Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the container of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side view in X direction of the container of Figure 2; Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are flat bottom and top views, right side and left side, respectively of the container of Figure 5; Figure 10 shows slightly enlarged details of the ring in Figure 4; Figure 11 shows another perspective of the details of the securing mechanism within the ring in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the container in the closed and securing position; Figures 13 and 14 are perspective views of the container of Figure 12 with the closure open; Figure 15 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a container in the closed and unsecured position in accordance with the present invention; Figure 16 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 15 with the closure in an open condition; Figure 17 is a perspective view of the securing part of the container of Figure 15; Figure 18 is a detailed partial view X of the securing part of the container of Figure 16; Figure 19 is a detailed partial view Y of the closure and actuator of the container of Figure 16; Figure 20 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a container in the closed and unsecured position in accordance with the present invention; Figure 21 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 20 with the closure in an open condition; Figure 22 is a detailed partial view of the closure and actuator of the container in Figure 21; and Figure 23 is a partial detailed view of the securing portion of the container of Figure 21. In Figures 1 to 11, the first embodiment of a container according to the present invention is described. The container comprises a hollow body 1 for retaining solid or liquid contents and a closure 2, which closes the container. A securing part in the form of a securing ring 3 is provided between the body 1 and the closure 2. The securing ring 3 is rotatable in the body 1. An indicative arrow A is located in the body 1 and an arrow indicative B it is located in the closure 2. The securing ring 3 also bears an indicative arrow C and only when the indicative arrow C is aligned, when turning to the securing ring 3, with the arrows A and B (see Figure 2) the closure 2 can be opened by lifting or pushing the projecting edge 4 of the closure 2. Clearly, an indicative arrow needs only to be provided either by the body 1 or the closure 2, but the user's advantage is to be able to align the indicative arrow C on the ring Assurance 3 with the indicative arrow? or with the indicative arrow B. The container also comprises a driving means in the form of an elongate member 6 extending in a direction away from the inner surface of the closure 2. The member 6 comprises a hook-shaped distal end 6a . Positioned between the distal end 6a and the closure 2 is a wedge-shaped projection 10. The securing ring 3 is located in the body 1 by means of a pressure adjustment between the circular rim formed in an annular shoulder (not shown) in the body 1 and a corresponding circular cavity 12 formed adjacent the lower inner edge of the ring 3. The arrangement of the ring 3 and the body 1 is such that the ring 3 is secured to the body 1 but will rotate freely in the body 1. So that the closure 2 is secured on the body 1, the securing ring 3 has a circumferential flange 8 on its inner surface. This flange 8 is formed with a hollow portion 9 through which the hook 6 and the projection 10 can pass during the closing and opening of the closure 2 if the arrows A, B, C are aligned. The projection 10 will settle below the flange 8 when the arrows are not aligned, thus ensuring the closure 2 on the body 1. The securing ring 3 comprises a ramp 7 which is inclined from the axial direction of the ring 3 and extends from the inner surface of the ring 3. There is a gap 13 between the top of the ramp 7 and the flange 8 through which the projection 10 can pass when the arrows A, B, C are aligned. The ramp 7 comprises an upper inclined surface 14 and a lower inclined surface 16 (concealed in the Figures). The arrangement is such that if the arrows A, B, C are aligned and the closure 2 is open, the projection 10 passes through the opening 9 and the distal end 6a of the hook 6 will make contact with the lower inclined surface 16 of the ramp 7 and will turn the securing ring 3, that is, back to the securing position. Also, the arrangement is such that if the arrows A, B, C are aligned and the closure 2 is closed, the distal end 6a of the hook 6 will contact the upper inclined surface 14 of the ramp 7 and turn the securing ring 3 , that is, back to the secured position. In this regard, it should be noted that the securing ring 3 freely rotates in the body 1 once the hook 6 has traveled under the ramp 7. In the modes shown, the securing part is preferably in the form of a securing ring 3, however, the securing part can be a non-annular shape, for example a sliding element which is movable by the actuating means in an arch or a linear direction. As an alternative, the ramp 7 may include a channel, which captures the tip of the hook 6 at the bottom of the ramp 7 so that the hook 6 is released only when it has traveled towards the top of the ramp 7. With this arrangement, the indicative arrow C does not align when the closure 2 has been opened and the user can simply push the hook 6 over the tab 8 to close the closure 2. The distal end 6a acts as an actuator which ensures that the respective indicative arrows they are misaligned after the opening and / or closing of the container. The distal end 6a automatically moves the indicative arrows out of alignment during the opening operation and, if necessary, of the closing operation. Therefore the resistance characteristic against children is activated automatically during the opening operation and if necessary during the closing operation. It should be noted that the hook 6 is flexible so that it is possible to push the closed closure 2 without aligning the hook 6 with the hollow portion 9. The projection 10 is inclined in correspondence with the inclination in the flange 8 so that it can simply be pushed on the flange 8 until the projection 10 slides under the flange 8 to ensure the closure 2 on the body 1. The width of the hollow portion 9 is such that when the arrows?, B, C are aligned and the hook 6 sits on the bottom of the ramp 7, the projection 10 will be free to move out of the securing ring 3. The body 1 in this embodiment has an annular opening 11 which is sealed by an annular rim 12 in the closure 2. This sealing arrangement helps to prevent the entry of water vapor, which could affect the stability of the contents and also acts to prevent dripping if the contents are liquid. The flange 8 and the annular opening 11 form a secondary containment volume 17. The volume 17 and the internal volume of the body 1 are separated from each other by an annular wall (not shown in the Figures). The volume 17 can be used to store material, such as whole pharmaceutical tablets or parts that have been removed from the body 1 of the container. Containment volume 17 also provides an area that can be used to inspect the material that has been removed from the body. In Figures 12, 13 and 14, a second embodiment of a container according to the present invention is described. The container comprises a tubular hollow body 20 which retains solid or liquid contents and a closure 21, which closes the container. A securing ring 23 is provided between the body 20 and closure 21, which can rotate between the body 20 and closure 21. An indicative arrow D is located on the body 20 and an indicative arrow E is located on the securing ring 23. As with the first embodiment, this is only that when the indicative arrows are aligned, when turning the securing ring, the closure 21 can be opened by lifting or pushing the projecting edge 24 of the closure 21. In Figures 13 and 14, the Close 21 has been opened and the user can take the contents. Since the closure 21 is articulated to the body 20 at point 25, there is no obstruction to empty the contents while the closure 21 can be seated directly back to where the articulated point 25 permits. The closure 21 is formed with an annular collar 25 that extends around the perimeter of the closure 21. Extending from an internal surface of the closure 21, is an elongated member 26 formed with a frustoconical end 28 at the distal end thereof. A wedge-shaped securing projection 38 is formed on an external surface of the annular collar 25. The securing ring 23 comprises an outer annular collar 31 and a radially inner annular groove 32 formed with an inner annular channel and an upper annular groove 34. The inner annular channel is directly below the groove 34. The width of the slot 34 is smaller than the width of the annular channel. At a point in the groove 34 the width increases to form a circular access hole 36. The outer annular collar 31 is formed with a channel 37 that slopes from the axial direction of the ring 23. The securing ring 23 is located in the body 20 by means of a snap fit between a circular flange (not shown) formed in the body 20 and a corresponding circular cavity (not shown) formed adjacent the lower inner edge of the ring 23 so that the ring 23 is secured to the body 20 but it will rotate freely in the body. The arrangement is such that if arrows D and E are aligned, the end 28 will be adjacent the hole 36 and the projection 38 will be at the lower end of the channel 37 and the closure 21 will be able to be opened. While the closure 21 is open, the end 28 will pass through the hole 36 and the projection 38 will contact the upper inclined surface of the channel 37 and rotate the securing ring 23 for example, back to the secured position. Also, the arrangement is such that if the arrows D and E are aligned and the closure 21 is closed, the end 28 will pass through the hole 36 and then the projection 38 will contact the lower inclined surface of the channel 37 and turn the ring of insurance 23, that is, back to the insured position. In this regard, it should be noted that the securing ring 23 freely rotates in the body 20 once the projection 38 has traveled down the channel 37. The body 20 in this embodiment has an annular opening 40 formed in an upper wall 41. The opening 40 is sealed by an annular rim 42 in the closure 2. This sealing arrangement helps to prevent the entry of water vapor that affects the stability of the contents in cold and also acts to prevent dripping if the contents are liquid . The upper wall 41 and the annular groove 32 form a secondary containment volume 43. The volume 43 could be used to store material, such as whole pharmaceutical tablets or part that have been removed from the body of the container 20. The containment volume 43 also provides an area that could be used to inspect material that has been removed from the body. The projection 38 acts as an actuator which ensures that the respective indicative arrows are misaligned after the opening and / or closing of the container. The projection 38 automatically moves the arrows indicative of alignment during the opening operation and, if necessary, in the closing operation. Therefore, the resistance characteristic against children is automatically activated during the opening operation and if necessary during the closing operation. In Figures 15 to 19, a third embodiment of a container according to the present invention is described. The third embodiment comprises many common features such as the first embodiment herein described above and the same reference numerals have been used to describe these common features. The third embodiment of the container 50 comprises a hollow body 51 for retaining solid or liquid contents and a closure 52, which closes the container. A securing portion in the form of a securing ring 53 is provided between the body 51 and closure 52. The securing ring 53 is rotatable in the body 51. An indicative arrow B is located in the closure 52. The securing ring 53 it also bears an indicative arrow C and is only when the indicative arrow C is aligned, rotating to the securing ring 53, with the indicative arrows B (see Figure 15), that the closure 52 can be opened by raising or pushing the projection edge 54 of the closure 52. The container 51 also comprises an actuation means in the form of an elongated member 6 which extends in a direction away from the inner surface of the closure 52. The member 6 comprises a hook-shaped distal end 6a. Positioned between the distal end 6a and the closure 52 is a wedge-shaped projection 10. The securing ring 53 is located on the body 51 by means of a snap fit between the circular rim formed on an annular shoulder (not shown). ) on the body 51 and a corresponding circular cavity (not shown) formed adjacent the lower inner edge of the ring 53. The arrangement of the ring 53 and the body 51 is such that the ring 53 is secured to the body 51 but will rotate freely in the body 51. The operation and function of the securing ring 53 and the actuator 6 is substantially the same as the description of the corresponding features of Figures 1 to 11 of the first aspect of the invention. It will be noted however that the securing ring 53 is placed substantially around the central axis of the container 51. In this embodiment, the container 51 is formed with an opening 55 located on one side of the container 51. The opening 55 provides access to the internal volume of the container 51. A solid panel 63 seals a portion of the upper volume of the container 51. The panel 63 and a collar annular 61 form a second containment volume 64. A third containment volume 65 is formed by a portion of the panel 63, a portion of the radially outermost wall of the body 51 and the drive wall 67. The second and third containment volumes 64, 65 could be used to store liquid solids. The second and third containment volumes 64, 65 could be used to store pharmaceutical products such as pills or capsules and are particularly useful for storing pills or partial capsules. The containment volumes 64, 65 are sealed by the closure 52. The containment volumes 64, 65 also provide areas that could be used to inspect the material that has been removed from the body. In Figures 20 to 23, a fourth embodiment of a container according to the present invention is described. The fourth embodiment comprises many common features such as the first embodiment herein described above and the same reference numerals have been used to describe these common features. The container 70 of the third embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the closure 72 of the container 70 extends through the upper end volume of the hollow body 1. The horizontal cross section of the closure 72 is substantially the same as the section horizontal cross section of the body 1. A solid panel 74 seals a portion of the upper volume of the container 1. The panel 74 and an upwardly extending collar 76, form a second containment volume 68. The second containment volume 68 could be used for storing pharmaceutical products such as pills or capsules and is particularly useful for storing pills or partial capsules. The containment volume 68 is sealed by the closure 72. The containment volume 68 also provides an area that could be used to inspect the material that has been removed from the body. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.