US20220081174A1

US20220081174A1 - Child-resistant, airtight container

Info

Publication number: US20220081174A1
Application number: US17/242,959
Authority: US
Inventors: Mollie Culligan; Bradley Melshenker; Ian Skelly
Original assignee: Matomato LLC
Current assignee: Matomato LLC
Priority date: 2020-04-28
Filing date: 2021-04-28
Publication date: 2022-03-17

Abstract

The invention described herein generally relates to airtight and child-resistant forms of packaging for various products. In particular, the invention relates to forms of packaging for products which can be negatively affected by atmospheric conditions and changes to the same.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein generally relates to forms of packaging for various products. In particular, the invention relates to forms of packaging for products which can benefit from a packaging system which is airtight and/or watertight, while also being child-resistant.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/016,858, CHILD-RESISTANT, AIRTIGHT CONTAINER, filed on Apr. 28, 2020, which is currently co-pending herewith and which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Secure containers are commonly utilized for storage and distribution of products and substances which can have some degree of safety risk to humans and/or the environment. For example, child-resistant caps, such as screw top and pop top child-resistant caps, have been designed to prevent opening by a child, while still allowing adults to open the container, with some varying degree of effort. These caps are widely used for various products, such as, for example, pharmaceutical products, chemicals, cleaning supplies, etc., to keep children safe and to provide extra security in general.
Certain products are also sensitive to atmospheric conditions, and to changes in atmospheric conditions, within the container. For example, products can experience adverse effects due to interior oxygen, moisture, temperature, pressure, light, bacteria, microorganism growth, or other elements, components, or factors, or any changes in those parameters.
Accordingly, there is a need for product container solutions which are both child-resistant and airtight and/or watertight. Such containers can preserve freshness and improve shelf life of products, while maintaining product security when necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention encompass airtight and child-resistant containers, including: a container body comprising a closed container base at a bottom end of the container body, with an exterior container base surface and an interior container base surface, an open container top at a top end of the container body, an interior surface of the container body, an exterior surface of the container body, and one or more cap engagement elements, wherein the one or more cap engagement elements are disposed on the exterior surface of the open container top at the top end of the container body; a disc element configured to be reversibly disposed on and creating a seal with the open top end of the container body, to provide a substantially airtight interior environment when disposed on and creating a seal with the open top end of the container body; and a container cap comprising one or more body engagement elements on an interior surface of the container cap, wherein each of the one or more body engagement elements is configured to engage and reversibly couple to the cap engagement element of the container base, to substantially provide a child-resistant container when in a closed configuration.
In some embodiments, the interior surface, of the container body can be straight, rounded, angled, ridged, indented, textured, patterned, or regular or irregular. In some embodiments, the interior surface of the container body can be straight. In some embodiments, the interior surface of the container body meets the interior surface of the container base at a right angle, at a substantially right angle, or with a curve. In some embodiments, the interior surface of the container body meets the interior surface of the container base with a curve.
In some embodiments, the exterior surface of the container body can be straight, rounded, angled, ridged, indented, textured, patterned, or regular or irregular. In some embodiments, the exterior surface of the container body can be straight. In some embodiments, the exterior surface of the container body meets the exterior surface of the container base at a right angle, at a substantially right angle, or with a curve. In some embodiments, the exterior surface of the container body meets the exterior surface of the container base with a curve.
In some embodiments, the disc has a thickness of about 0.5 mm, about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, or about 10 mm, or greater.
In some embodiments, the top end of the container body has a diameter, and the disc has a diameter which is identical to the diameter of the top end of the container body or which is within 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, or greater of the diameter of the top end of the container body.
In some embodiments, the disc includes one or more metal, metal oxide, or metal alloy, rubbers, polymers (such as, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETE), polyacrylate, polymethacrylate (e.g. PMMA), polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), biopolymers, and the like, and derivatives, combinations, and copolymers thereof), wood materials, cardboards, silicone rubbers, silicones, foams, gels, materials formulated from plant fibers, such as hemp, bamboo, and the like, materials formulated from organic matter, such as mushroom, and the like, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the disc includes one or more metal, metal oxide, or metal alloy. In some embodiments, the disc includes tin.
In some embodiments, the disc includes a layer, design, logo, label, or marking printed with ink.
In some embodiments, the disc includes a rim along the outer edge of the disc. In some embodiments, the disc rim includes a different material from the disc. In some embodiments, the disc rim includes a rubber, polymer, copolymer, or silicone. In some embodiments, the disc further includes a coating. In some embodiments, the disc coating includes a rubber, polymer, copolymer, or silicone. In some embodiments, the disc coating includes polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
In some embodiments, the container body includes glass, one or more metals, metal oxides, or metal alloys (such as, for example, aluminum, tin, alloys, and the like, and combinations thereof), one or more rubbers, one or more polymers (such as, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETE), polyacrylate, polymethacrylate (e.g. PMMA), polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), biopolymers, and the like, and derivatives, combinations, and copolymers thereof), one or more wood materials, one or more cardboards, one or more silicone rubbers, one or more silicones, silicone rubbers, gels, foams, materials formulated from plant fibers, such as hemp, bamboo, and the like, materials formulated from organic matter, such as mushroom, and the like, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the container body includes glass. In some embodiments, the container body includes clear glass, colored glass, coated glass, or pure white glass. In some embodiments, the container body includes one or more metals, metal oxides, metal alloys, or polymers.
In some embodiments, the closed bottom end of the container body can be generally round, oval, square, or rectangular and wherein the open top end of the container body is generally round, oval, square, or rectangular. In some embodiments, the one or more cap engagement elements of the container body joins with the one or more body engagements of the container cap via a push down and turning mechanism.
In some embodiments, the open container top includes one or more anti-rotation locks disposed on the exterior surface radially between one or more cap engagement elements. In some embodiments, the engagement of the container body with the container cap enables the one or more body engagement elements to lockably secure with the one or more cap engagement elements.
In some embodiments, the disc and container cap are generally round. In some embodiments, the container body, the disc, and the container cap are generally round.
In some embodiments, the container can be substantially airtight and resistant to intrusion from atmospheric changes, moisture, light, and/or bacteria or other microorganisms. In some embodiments, the container is greater than 20%, greater than 30%, greater than 40%, greater than 50%, greater than 60%, greater than 70%, greater than 80%, greater than 90%, greater than 95%, greater than 98%, or 100% opaque.
In some embodiments, the container body or container cap can be labelled, printed, stamped, coated, etched, engraved, embossed, debossed, and/or otherwise adorned (e.g. silkscreen, frosting, stamping, electroplating, spraying, sticker application, etc.), or any combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the container can be used for storing a product comprising one or more cannabis-related product, tobacco or nicotine-related product, plant part, plant seed, consumable product (such as foods and beverages), pharmaceutical product, nutraceutical product, vitamin product, health supplement, beauty/cosmetic product, alcohol-containing product (such as mouthwash), chemical product (such as laboratory chemicals, automotive chemicals, and the like), cleaning product, gardening compound, fertilizer, fungicide/insecticide, or liquid fuel. In some embodiments, the container can be used for storing a cannabis product. In some embodiments, the container can be used for storing a quantity of cannabis flower, cannabis concentrate, cannabis water hash, cannabis terpenes, cannabis rosin, cannabis wax, cannabis seeds, cannabis plant part, live cannabis plants or plant parts in soil, edible cannabis products, or cannabis pre-rolled joints.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the container is a jar. In some embodiments, the container is a jar, and the product comprises cannabis flower, cannabis concentrate, cannabis water hash, cannabis rosin, cannabis wax, one or more cannabis seeds, one or more cannabis plant parts, one or more live cannabis plant or plant part in soil, one or more edible cannabis products, or two or more cannabis pre-rolled joints.
In further embodiments of the present invention, the container can be used for storing a tobacco or nicotine-related product. In some embodiments, the container can be used for storing a consumable food or beverage product. In some embodiments, the container is for storing a pharmaceutical product, nutraceutical product, vitamin product, health supplement, or beauty/cosmetic product. In some embodiments, the container can be used for storing a chemical product (such as laboratory chemicals, automotive chemicals, and the like), cleaning product, gardening compound, fertilizer, fungicide/insecticide, or liquid fuel.
In some embodiments, the container contains one or more features as depicted in any of FIGS. 1-5, or any combination of features from FIGS. 1-5.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Those of skill in the art will understand that the drawings, described below, are for illustrative purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.

In particular, it will be appreciated that the precise sizes, size ratios, angles, etc., depicted in FIGS. 1-5 are exemplary and that other sizes, size ratios, angles, dimensions, etc., as appropriate, are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts various representations of exemplary presently described child-resistant, airtight jars, such as could be used with cannabis flower products, or other types of products. FIG. 1A depicts various exemplary jar heights, diameters, and cap sizing. FIG. 1B depicts a dieline showing detail and dimensions specific to a 3 oz flower jar. FIG. 1C depicts further exemplary detail and dimensions for the flower jar, indicating the location and sizing of the disc. FIG. 1D depicts exemplary dimensions for the flower jar cap. FIG. 1E depicts an exemplary mold for the flower jar disc. FIG. 1F depicts sizing and configuration of regulatory information, for a cannabis flower jar.

FIG. 2 depicts various representations of exemplary presently described child-resistant, airtight jars, such as could be used with cannabis concentrate products, or other types of products. FIG. 2A depicts various exemplary jar heights, diameters, and cap sizing. FIG. 2B depicts a dieline showing detail and dimensions specific to a concentrate jar. FIG. 2C depicts exemplary dimensions for the concentrate jar cap. FIG. 2D depicts an exemplary mold for the concentrate jar disc.

FIG. 3 depicts various representations of exemplary presently described child-resistant, airtight jars, such as could be used with cannabis water hash products, or other types of products. FIG. 3A depicts various exemplary jar heights, diameters, and cap sizing. FIG. 3B depicts a dieline showing detail and dimensions specific to a water hash jar. FIG. 3C depicts exemplary dimensions for the water hash jar cap. FIG. 3D depicts an exemplary mold for the water hash jar disc. FIG. 3E depicts images of exemplary water hash jars.

FIG. 4 depicts various representations of exemplary presently described child-resistant, airtight jars, such as could be used with two or more cannabis pre-rolled joint products, or other types of products. FIG. 4A depicts a dieline showing detail and dimensions specific to a pre-rolled joint jar. FIG. 4B depicts exemplary dimensions for the pre-rolled joint jar cap. FIG. 4C depicts an exemplary mold for the pre-rolled joint jar disc. FIG. 4D depicts images of exemplary pre-rolled joint jars.

FIG. 5 depicts an alternative cap design which can be used in various embodiments of child-resistant, airtight jars, such as could be used with cannabis flower products, cannabis concentrate products, cannabis water hash products, cannabis pre-rolled joint products, or other types of products.

FIG. 6 depicts results from running shake tests and terpenes tests on an exemplary jar according to the present invention and containing a cannabis waterhash or terpenes product, as compared to representative jars which are commonly used in the industry, in order to determine the degree of water intrusion into the respective jar, if any. FIG. 6A depicts the results from shaking jars containing cannabis waterhash for various durations, at different temperatures. FIG. 6B depicts a graph comparing the 20-minute shake test results, as measured by level of dryness/crumbling of the cannabis waterhash product inside the respective jar. FIG. 6C depicts the results from the leaving the jars containing cannabis terpenes undisturbed for 5 days. FIG. 6D depicts a graph comparing the terpenes test results, as measured by level of dryness/crumbling.

FIG. 7 depicts results from running shake tests and submersion tests on an empty exemplary jar according to the present invention, as compared to representative jars which are commonly used in the industry, in order to determine the degree of water intrusion into the respective jar, if any. FIG. 7A depicts the results from the shake test, as measured by the level of moisture on the respective jar/cap. FIG. 7B depicts the results from the submersion test, as measured by the level of moisture on the respective jar/cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless otherwise noted, terms are to be understood according to conventional usage by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
The present invention relates to containers that combine the functionality of a security feature with an additional component that can be used to maintain an airtight interior. Embodiments of the invention encompass containers in various shapes and sizes that combine the functionality of a security feature, such as a child-resistant top, with an additional component that keeps a product stable by maintaining an airtight and/or watertight interior, such as, for example, via a disc that can be popped off, or otherwise readily removed from, the top of the container. The presently described child-resistant, airtight and/or watertight containers can be, for example, jars, tubes, canisters, tubes, vessels, boxes, tins, and the like, which can be used for maintaining stable, airtight and/or watertight products. In some embodiments, and airtight environment can also be watertight.
Containers such as Ball jars, wet jars, and the like, have shown the ability to maintain an airtight environment. However, these containers do not incorporate any security feature, such as a child-resistant cap, which is necessary for various types of products and industry areas. There is accordingly a need for containers which are both airtight and/or watertight as well as secure (e.g. child-resistant).
Currently available child-resistant containers with an airtight component attempt to achieve this by incorporating the airtight (and/or watertight) aspect inside the cap or lid of the container. This is problematic because it is impossible to open the cap without immediately compromising the interior atmosphere. In addition, when the airtight aspect is integrated into a child-resistant cap or lid, the cap or lid will inherently never sit flush to the container body. This is due to the child-resistant functionality, which requires some additional space in order to allow for the cap to be pushed down and twisted during opening due to the manner in which the child-resistant threading grabs or otherwise couples with the threading on the container body. Child-resistant containers with an airtight component inside the cap or lid of the container therefore incorporate some amount of space between the container and the cap, to provide some “play” between these elements. This additional space leads to additional atmospheric interaction with the container contents and also can allow a degree of intrusion from external atmosphere which would not be present if the airtight seal were on top of the container body itself, rather than within the lid.
To address this problem, the present invention relates to containers which are configured to be airtight as well as child-resistant. Accordingly, the containers as described herein provide an improved solution for packaging and storage of products in airtight manner. As used herein, the term “airtight” or “substantially airtight” refers to a controlled environment, which minimizes changes to the interior atmosphere due to one or more parameters, such as: intrusion of oxygen, moisture, bacteria or other microorganisms, heat, light, etc. In some embodiments, “airtight” can refer to a seal which is 100% effective at preventing changes to the interior atmosphere due to one or more parameters, such as: intrusion of oxygen, moisture, bacteria or other microorganisms, heat, light, etc. In other embodiments, “airtight” or “substantially airtight” can refer to a seal which minimizes changes to the interior atmosphere due to one or more parameters, such as: intrusion of oxygen, moisture, bacteria or other microorganisms, heat, light, etc., but may be less than 100% effective. In the latter case, “airtight” or “substantially airtight” can refer to a seal which minimizes changes to a product from the interior atmosphere due to one or more parameters listed above, over a standard storage time for the product. In some embodiments, this may be a time period ranging from 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years or longer.
The containers as described herein are thus substantially airtight, while incorporating the necessary security for packaging potentially harmful products. Some embodiments of the invention as described herein are further designed in order to reduce the amount of interior atmosphere to which a contained product is exposed, in order to minimize changes to the product due to interior of oxygen, moisture, bacteria or other microorganisms, heat, light, etc.
In some embodiments in accordance with the present invention, the airtight component is incorporated into the container in a manner wherein the airtight component includes a disc, or other airtight component, which is on top of the open container body and can be removed from the container independently, and separately, from the child-resistant cap. In this way, at least a portion of the airtight component or disc is flush to the open container body, and any inherent motion and/or play, or any removal and/or replacement of the child-resistant cap, does not disturb the interior atmosphere in any way, such that the contained products are not affected. In some embodiments, the airtight component or disc acts as a seal on top of the container body.
The airtight component or disc can be maintained flush to the open container body by virtue of a seal and/or surface tension and/or suction and/or vacuum which is created between the airtight component or disc and the open container body, and/or the airtight component or disc can optionally be maintained flush to the open container body by physical means, such as a latch, screw, clamp, or other mechanism in order to abut or adhere the airtight component or disc to the open container body. The contact between the airtight component or disc and the open container body can be continuous around the open container top when the airtight component or disc is placed, pressed, and/or compressed into place onto the top of the open container body. In some embodiments, the disc can be removed by “popping off”, lifting, prying, pulling, or otherwise separating it from the container.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the airtight component of the container has the ability to be removed or pop off, independent of the child-resistant cap. Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, the child-resistant cap can be removed, independent of the airtight component of the cap.
Such containers are particularly useful for maintaining a product or combination of products in an airtight environment, for example, to preserve the stability and/or integrity of the product or combination of products. For example, certain products may be sensitive to one or more conditions within a container, such as oxygen, moisture, growth of bacteria or other microorganisms, temperature fluctuations (e.g. transitory or longer lasting hot or cold conditions), light of various spectra (such as, for example, visible, ultraviolet, infrared, etc.), interior microclimates, etc., and may “go off” and/or lose freshness and/or change consistency and/or change color and/or be otherwise altered and/or inferior to its original state if not stored under original and/or stable conditions. Such products include, for example, pharmaceutical products, food and beverage products, cannabis products (such as, for example, cannabis products, such as concentrates, water hash, flower, plant parts, seeds, pre-rolled joints, edible cannabis products, and the like), beauty products, health and wellness products, nutritional products, etc. Further, for certain products, it is desirable to maintain a certain atmosphere in the jar, with respect to oxygen, moisture, etc., in order to maintain specific product characteristics, e.g. freshness of a stored product.
In the exemplary case of cannabis products, such as, for example, cannabis concentrate and water hash products, when the concentrate is packaged into a jar, it is important to minimize the level of oxygen in the jar relative to the cannabis product in order to avoid undesirable formation of interior microclimates. Such microclimates can have negative impacts on the product quality, such as, for example, loss of flavor, off gassing of terpenes, and/or degradation of quality. One skilled in the art would appreciate which products and product categories could be sensitive to atmospheric conditions and which could benefit from airtight packaging solutions. In some embodiments of the invention, a container size and volume can be selected in view of a quantity or product to be contained in order to minimize the atmospheric conditions within the container to which the product is exposed. In particular embodiments of the invention, a container size and volume for a product, such as a cannabis concentrate product, can be selected such that the container, when filled or partially filled with the product (e.g. cannabis product, pharmaceutical product, food or beverage product, beauty product, health and wellness product, nutritional product, etc.), has a reduced amount of headspace below the airtight component or disc, thus minimizing the atmospheric conditions within the container to which the product is exposed.
Such containers are additionally particularly useful for maintaining a product or combination of products in an airtight environment, for example, to preserve the stability of the product or combination of products, where the product or combination of products should preferably be kept away from children. Such products include, for example, cannabis-related products (such as, for example, cannabis products, such as concentrates, water hash, flower, plant parts, seeds, pre-rolled joints, edible cannabis products, and the like), nicotine-related products, plant parts and seeds, consumable products such as foods and beverages, pharmaceutical products, nutraceutical and vitamin products, health supplements, beauty/cosmetic products, alcohol-containing products (such as mouthwash, and the like), certain chemicals (such as laboratory chemicals, automotive chemicals, and the like), cleaning products, gardening compounds, fungicides/insecticides/pesticides, liquid fuels, and the like. In some industries and for certain products, child-resistant packaging is legally mandated. Some embodiments in accordance with the present invention can therefore be used to meet packaging and/or distribution regulations for such products. One skilled in the art would appreciate which products and product categories would require secure packaging and which would therefore benefit from child-resistant packaging solutions.
In some embodiments, the security feature includes, for example, a child-resistant top, such as a “push down and turn” style screw top, as is commonly known by those skilled in the art. Other types of child-resistant cap solutions are known by those skilled in the art and are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. These include, for example, spring loaded mechanisms, press down locks, screw caps, lockable caps, pop tops, and palm-to-turn, push-to-turn, pinch-and-pull mechanisms, and others, or any such commercially available or readily conceived child-resistant cap systems as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the child-resistant cap can be further equipped with a feature designed to maintain an airtight environment, where the airtight component is located within the cap, as described previously and as is known by those skilled in the art.
Containers in accordance with the present invention can be filled and/or sealed according to standard practices and processes, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, and as appropriate for the specific industry and/or product being packaged.
Various exemplary packaging solutions according to the present invention are depicted in FIGS. 1-5.

Container Components

Any suitable materials can be used for components of the child-resistant, airtight containers in accordance with the present invention. In some embodiments, one or more components can be made entirely or partially from recycled materials, such as recycled plastic(s) or recycled metal(s). In some embodiments, one or more components is itself recyclable and/or biodegradable. In some embodiments, all of the components are recyclable and/or biodegradable.
Body
Various materials can be used to prepare the body of the containers in accordance with the present invention. An exemplary preferred body material is glass, such as, for example, clear glass, colored glass, coated glass, pure white glass, etc. Alternate materials can be used to prepare the body of the containers in accordance with the present invention, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art. These include, for example, various types of metals, metal oxides, or metal alloys (such as, for example, aluminum, tin, alloys, and the like, and combinations thereof), rubbers, polymers (such as, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETE), polyacrylate, polymethacrylate (e.g. PMMA), polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), biopolymers, and the like, and derivatives, combinations, and copolymers thereof), wood materials, cardboards, silicone rubbers, silicones, foams, gels, materials formulated from plant fibers, such as hemp, bamboo, and the like, materials formulated from organic matter, such as mushroom, and the like, etc. In some embodiments, the body is partially or fully biodegradable. An appropriate material can be selected based on the product intended to be stored in the container and/or the use and distribution of the same.
A coating can optionally be added to the interior or exterior container body, where various materials can be used to prepare the container body coating in accordance with the present invention. The coating can be utilized, for example, to provide opacity to the container body, such that a reduced amount of light is permitted, to wholly or partially prevent light penetration of the interior product. The opacity of the container body can range from 0% opacity (i.e. fully transparent) to 100% opaque, and can be any value in between. An appropriate opacity can be selected based on the product being contained and based on the desired packaging design.
The container body can be single-walled, double-walled, or otherwise multi-walled. In the case, for example, of a double-walled container body, an inner container body is placed within an outer container body. In double-walled embodiments, the inner and outer container bodies can be made of identical or different materials. For example, a double-walled embodiment using different materials can have a metal outer wall and a glass inner wall; a double walled embodiment using the same materials can have glass inner and outer walls. In some embodiments in accordance with the present invention, the container is single walled. In some embodiments in accordance with the present invention, the container is single walled and is made from glass. In some embodiments in accordance with the present invention, the container is single walled and is made from opaque glass.
One skilled in the art will appreciate that the container can be of various sizes, as determined to be appropriate for the intended purpose.
Disc
Various materials can be used to prepare the disc of the containers in accordance with the present invention. An exemplary preferred disc material is metal, such as tin. Alternate materials can be used to prepare the disc of the containers in accordance with the present invention, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art. These include, for example, glass, such as, for example, clear glass, colored glass, coated glass, pure white glass, various types of metals, metal oxides, or metal alloys (such as, for example, aluminum, tin, alloys, and the like, and combinations thereof), rubbers, polymers (such as, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETE), polyacrylate, polymethacrylate (e.g. PMMA), polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), biopolymers, and the like, and derivatives, combinations, and copolymers thereof), wood materials, cardboards, silicone rubbers, silicones, foams, gels, materials formulated from plant fibers, such as hemp, bamboo, and the like, materials formulated from organic matter, such as mushroom, and the like. In some embodiments, the disc is partially or fully biodegradable.
In some embodiments, the disc has a rim made of a different material from the rest of the disc, which can contribute to the airtight characteristics. The disc rim can likewise include glass, such as, for example, clear glass, colored glass, coated glass, pure white glass, various types of metals, metal oxides, or metal alloys (such as, for example, aluminum, tin, alloys, and the like, and combinations thereof), rubbers, polymers (such as, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETE), polyacrylate, polymethacrylate (e.g. PMMA), polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), biopolymers, and the like, and derivatives, combinations, and copolymers thereof), wood materials, cardboards, silicone rubbers, silicones, foams, gels, materials formulated from plant fibers, such as hemp, bamboo, and the like, materials formulated from organic matter, such as mushroom, and the like. Exemplary preferred disc rim materials include rubber and/or polymer.
One or more coatings can optionally be added to the disc, where various materials can be used to prepare the disc coating(s) in accordance with the present invention. An exemplary preferred disc coating material is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Alternate materials can be used to prepare the disc coating in accordance with the present invention, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art. These include, for example, glass, such as, for example, clear glass, colored glass, coated glass, pure white glass, various types of metals, metal oxides, or metal alloys (such as, for example, aluminum, tin, alloys, and the like, and combinations thereof), rubbers, polymers (such as, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETE), polyacrylate, polymethacrylate (e.g. PMMA), polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), biopolymers, and the like, and derivatives, combinations, and copolymers thereof), wood materials, cardboards, silicone rubbers, silicones, foams, gels, materials formulated from plant fibers, such as hemp, bamboo, and the like, materials formulated from organic matter, such as mushroom, and the like. In some embodiments, the coating is partially or fully biodegradable.
In some embodiments, the disc can have a thickness of less than about 0.5 mm, about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, or about 10 mm, or greater. Intermediate quantities between the values in the preceding list are contemplated as well.
Cap
Various materials can be used to prepare the child-resistant cap of the containers in accordance with the present invention, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The cap can be made from the same material, or combination of materials, as the body, or from a different material, or combination of materials, from the body. An exemplary preferred cap material includes plastic. Alternate materials can be used to prepare the disc coating in accordance with the present invention, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art. These include, for example, glass, such as, for example, clear glass, colored glass, coated glass, pure white glass, various types of metals, metal oxides, or metal alloys (such as, for example, aluminum, tin, alloys, and the like, and combinations thereof), rubbers, polymers (such as, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETE), polyacrylate, polymethacrylate (e.g. PMMA), polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), biopolymers, and the like, and derivatives, combinations, and copolymers thereof), wood materials, cardboards, silicone rubbers, silicones, foams, gels, materials formulated from plant fibers, such as hemp, bamboo, and the like, materials formulated from organic matter, such as mushroom, and the like. In some embodiments, the cap is partially or fully biodegradable.
Various features can be added to the child-resistant cap. For example, a liner and/or seal and/or gasket and/or padding and/or O-ring can optionally be added to the inside of the cap. In preferred embodiments, the shape of the liner (and/or seal and/or gasket) generally conforms to the shape of the cap. For example, a circular cap could have a circular liner and/or seal and/or gasket and/or cushioned padding. An exemplary preferred cap liner and/or seal and/or gasket material is metal, such as aluminum. Exemplary preferred cushioned padding materials include polymers, such as, for example, fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), and paper. Alternate materials can be used to prepare the cap liner and/or seal and/or gasket and/or padding and/or O-ring in accordance with the present invention, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art. These include, for example, various other types of metals, wood products, corks, rubbers, polyresins, polymers, silicone rubbers, silicones, foams, gels, glass, materials formulated from plant fibers, such as hemp, bamboo, and the like, materials formulated from organic matter, such as mushroom, and the like. In some embodiments, the cap liner and/or seal and/or gasket and/or padding and/or O-ring is partially or fully biodegradable.
One skilled in the art will appreciate that the child-resistant cap can be of various sizes, as determined to be appropriate for the intended purpose and in view of the container body sizing.
Printing/Labelling
Any of the above-described container components can optionally be labelled, printed, stamped, coated, etched, engraved, embossed, debossed, and/or otherwise adorned (e.g. via silkscreening, inking, frosting, stamping, electroplating, spraying, sticker application, etc.), or any combination of these processes, according to standard techniques as would be known by those skilled in the art. For example, ink can be used to print/paint a component and/or print a logo. Ink can also be used to print a logo onto a previously printed or otherwise labeled component. A coating, such as a rubber coating, can optionally be added to a component, before or after a previous labelling and/or printing and/or stamping and/or decorative process.
One or more labels can be added to comply with government regulations regarding product labeling, or to provide branding information, tracking information, product information, barcode, QR code, RFID tag, etc.

Types of Products

Child-resistant, airtight containers in accordance with the present invention can be used for various types of products, in various industries. Government regulations require child-resistant packaging for certain product categories. For example, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and Food and Drug Administration provide guidance on requirements with respect to child-resistant packaging for various types of products. Such products include, for example, cannabis-related products, nicotine-related products, plant parts and seeds, consumable products such as foods and beverages, pharmaceutical products, nutraceutical and vitamin products, health supplements, beauty/cosmetic products, alcohol-containing products (such as mouthwash, and the like), certain chemicals (such as laboratory chemicals, automotive chemicals, and the like), cleaning products, gardening compounds, fungicides/insecticides, liquid fuels, and the like. One skilled in the art will recognize which products will benefit from containers having airtight and/or child-resistant features, and the use of the presently described containers can be envisaged with all such products.
As an example, such containers are particularly useful for the storage and distribution of cannabis-related products. Such products include, but are not limited to, cannabis flowers, live cannabis plants or plant parts in soil, cannabis concentrates, rosins, waxes, cannabis seeds, cannabis plant parts, edible cannabis products pre-rolled joints, and the like. One skilled in the art would appreciate which other types of cannabis related products would benefit from storage in the presently described containers.
As yet another example, such containers are particularly useful for the storage and distribution of pharmaceutical products, nutraceutical and vitamin products, and health supplements. Such containers are also particularly useful for the storage and distribution of beauty/cosmetic products.

Container Shapes and Sizes

Containers in accordance with the present invention can be manufactured in various shapes and sizes, with various diameters and heights.
An appropriate shape and size can be utilized depending on the intended product or combination of products. For example, embodiments of the invention which relate to products which can be affected by interior microclimates (such as, for example, cannabis concentrate products, and the like) can be specifically engineered and crafted in sizes which are appropriate for such products. In some embodiments, the container has a base which is circular, square, triangular, polygonal, or any other manufacturable shape. In preferred embodiments, standard base shapes are circular or square. Standard base shapes in accordance with the present invention are circular, square, but other shapes can be used, e.g. with straight sides, angled sides, textured sides, etc.
The exterior of the container can include a plurality of planar surfaces, each more or less vertical when the container is in an upright position. The exterior surface, or exterior walls, of the container body and/or cap can be straight, rounded, angled, or otherwise shaped, and can additionally be ridged, indented, textured, patterned, or otherwise regular or irregular. The exterior walls of the container body and/or cap can be straight, rounded, angled, or otherwise shaped, and can additionally be ridged, indented, textured, patterned, or otherwise regular or irregular. In preferred embodiments in accordance with the present invention, the exterior walls are straight.
The interior of the container can include a plurality of planar surfaces, each more or less vertical when the container is in an upright position. The interior surface, or interior walls, of the container body and/or cap can be straight, rounded, angled, or otherwise shaped, and can additionally be ridged, indented, textured, patterned, or otherwise regular or irregular. The interior walls of the container body and/or cap can be straight, rounded, angled, or otherwise shaped, and can additionally be ridged, indented, textured, patterned, or otherwise regular or irregular. In addition, the interior walls can meet the interior surface of the container base at a right angle, at a substantially right angle, or with a curve. In preferred embodiments in accordance with the present invention, the interior walls meet the interior surface of the container base with a curve.
Further, the interior and the exterior need not be the same shape. In addition, the thickness of the walls need not be uniform.
An appropriate interior geometry can be selected according to the type of product to be stored in the container. For example, it can be difficult to fully extricate non-solid products which can settle into corners of an angled interior base or angled interior walls. Therefore, for such products, it is preferable to use a curved interior base and straight interior walls, where the interior walls meet the interior surface of the container base with a curve, rather than with any acute, right, or obtuse angle. Such a configuration is particularly useful for cannabis products, such as cannabis concentrates and water hash products, or beauty products where the curved interior base and straight interior walls, where the interior walls meet the interior surface of the container base with a curve, in order to facilitate removal of the maximum quantity of product.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include containers with base diameter ranging from less than about 0.5″, 1″, 1″, 2″, 3″, 4″, 5″, 6″, 7″, 8″, 9″, 10″, 11″, 12″, or greater. Intermediate quantities between the values in the preceding list are contemplated as well. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include containers with total height (including the container body in combination with the cap) ranging from less than about 0.5″, 1″, 1″, 2″, 3″, 4″, 5″, 6″, 7″, 8″, 9″, 10″, 11″, 12″, or greater. Intermediate quantities between the values in the preceding list are contemplated as well. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other container sizes can be prepared in accordance with the present disclosure, and such sizes are within the scope of the present invention.
Containers in accordance with the present invention can be manufactured to contain various quantities of products, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art. An appropriate quantity can be utilized depending on the intended product or combination of products, and the intended means and location of product distribution. For example, embodiments of the invention which relate to products which are subject to interior microclimates (such as, for example, cannabis concentrate products) can be specifically engineered and crafted in sizes which are appropriate for such products.
In some embodiments, container capacity can range from less than 0.5 g to 1 kg, or greater. Container capacity can thus be approximately less than about 0.1 g, 0.2 g, 0.3 g, 0.4 g, 0.5 g, 1 g, 2 g, 3 g, 4 g, 5 g, 6 g, 7 g, 8 g, 9 g, 10 g, 15 g, 20 g, 25 g, 30 g, 35 g, 40 g, 50 g, 60 g, 70 g, 80 g, 90 g, 100 g, 150 g, 200 g, 250 g, 300 g, 350 g, 400 g, 450 g, 500 g, 450 g, 600 g, 650 g, 700 g, 750 g, 800 g, 850 g, 900 g, 950 g, or 1 kg, or greater, including any intermediate capacity falling within these values. Container capacity can also range from less than 0.5 ml to 1 L, or greater. Intermediate quantities between the values in the preceding list are contemplated as well. Container capacity can thus be approximately less than about 0.5 ml, 1 ml, 2 ml, 3 ml, 4 ml, 5 ml, 6 ml, 7 ml, 8 ml, 9 ml, 10 ml, 15 ml, 20 ml, 25 ml, 30 ml, 35 ml, 40 ml, 50 ml, 60 ml, 70 ml, 80 ml, 90 ml, 100 ml, 150 ml, 200 ml, 250 ml, 300 ml, 350 ml, 400 ml, 450 ml, 500 ml, 450 ml, 600 ml, 650 ml, 700 ml, 750 ml, 800 ml, 850 ml, 900 ml, 950 ml, or 1 L, or greater. Intermediate volumes between those in the preceding list are contemplated as well. Container capacity can thus be approximately less than about 0.1 oz, 0.2 oz, 0.3 oz, 0.4 oz, 0.5 oz, 0.6 oz, 0.7 oz, 0.8 oz, 0.9 oz, 1 oz, 1.5 oz, 2 oz, 2.5 oz, 3 oz, 3.5 oz, 4 oz, 4.5 oz, 5 oz, 5.5 oz, 6 oz, 6.5 oz, 7 oz, 7.5 oz, 8 oz, 8.5 oz, 9 oz, 9.5 oz, 10 oz, 11 oz, 12 oz, 13 oz, 14 oz, 15 oz, 1 lb, 1.5 lb, 2 lb, 2.5 lb, 3 lb, 5 lb, or greater, including any intermediate capacity falling within these values. Intermediate volumes between those in the preceding list are contemplated as well.
In some embodiments, containers are designed to hold two or more units of a given product. For example, containers can be designed to hold 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more discrete units of a given product, such as, for example, cannabis pre-rolled joints.
Some preferred embodiments relating to shapes, sizes, and dimensions of the containers in accordance with the present invention are depicted in FIGS. 1-4.
In some embodiments, the containers in accordance with the present invention can incorporate graduation marks or other volume or quantity indicators.
One skilled in the art will also appreciate that various colors and color combinations can be used with the various container components, and the invention is not limited to any particular color(s), color combination(s), or other design or aesthetic features.
Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications, variations, and equivalent embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that all examples in the present disclosure are provided as non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES

The following non-limiting examples are provided to further illustrate embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the techniques disclosed in the examples that follow represent approaches that have been found to function well in the practice of the invention, and thus can be considered to constitute examples of modes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments that are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Example 1

Exemplary Manufacturing Process for Child-Resistant, Airtight Jars and Tubes

Child-resistant, airtight jars and tubes were prepared according to the following processes.

Jars

A series of glass jars, in various sizes, was prepared to serve as exemplary containers in accordance with the present invention. The bodies of the jars were prepared by pouring pure white glass into a mold, according to conventional processes.
Each jar was then fitted with an airtight disc. The disc was prepared by pouring tin metal into a mold to make a disc. A polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating was then added. Ink was used to paint the coating white, and a black logo was then printed with ink. A rubber coating was then added.
An appropriate child-resistant cap was then prepared for each jar. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) was poured into a mold to make the cap. An aluminum circular liner was then placed inside the cap. Alternatively, in some configurations, a PTFE circular liner was then placed inside the cap.

Example 2

Child-Resistant, Airtight Jars for Use in Storing Cannabis Products

Child-resistant, airtight jars were prepared in accordance with the process described in Example 1, and used to store cannabis products, as shown in FIGS. 1-4.
FIG. 1 depicts various configurations and specifications for child-resistant, airtight jars prepared in accordance with the process described in Example 1, and used to store cannabis flowers.
FIG. 2 depicts various configurations and specifications for child-resistant, airtight jars prepared in accordance with the process described in Example 1, and used to store cannabis concentrates.
FIG. 3 depicts various configurations and specifications for child-resistant, airtight jars prepared in accordance with the process described in Example 1, and used to store cannabis water hash.
FIG. 4 depicts various configurations and specifications child-resistant, airtight jars prepared in accordance with the process described in Example 1, and used to store two or more cannabis pre-rolled joints.
FIG. 5 depicts various alternative cap configurations which can be used in various embodiments of child-resistant, airtight jars.

Example 3

Shake Testing Using Presently Described Child-Resistant, Airtight Jars

Child-resistant, airtight jars were prepared in accordance with the process described in Example 1, and as shown in FIGS. 1-5, and were used to store waterhash.
In the present example, 1 g of waterhash was subjected to a cold and warm shake test to determine the effect of the disc's ability to maintain preservation of the product, by placing the product in an exemplary jar according to the present invention (labeled as “710”) as compared to other containers commonly used in the art, namely jars of similar sizes: Rx Twist (The Vial Store, Chicago, Ill.), Kush (Kush Supply Co., Cypress, Calif.), Miron (Miron Violetglass USA, Inc., Carson, Calif.), Calyx (Calyx Containers, Allston, Mass.), and Qube (MMC Depot, Denver, Colo.). To quantify the analysis, the effect was scored as: 1 point per ball/crumble of product, 1 point for small traces on cap, 1 point for ‘caking’ on side of jar. Shake testing was conducted for time period of 5 minutes, at warm and cold temperatures, 10 minutes, and 20 minutes.
The results of the various shake tests are shown in FIG. 6A, which shows how the conditions affected the waterhash product in the various jars.
As described herein, the 710 jar including the airtight disc according to the present invention was demonstrated to help maintain the product form to avoid “balling” from atmospheric, temperature, and physical conditions, which eventually leads to caking around the edges and cap, and general spillage for potential waste of product. These results are shown in FIG. 6B, which shows comparative results based on level of dryness/crumbling with a representative product container according to the present invention (“710LABS”) alongside results from other containers commonly used in the art, namely Rx Twist, Kush, Miron, Calyx, and Qube, when subject to the 20 minute shake test. The images in FIG. 6A and the data in FIG. 6B demonstrate that the 710 jar according to the present invention outperforms the other containers.

Example 4

TERP Testing Using Presently Described Child-Resistant Airtight Jars

Child-resistant, airtight jars were been prepared in accordance with the process described in Example 1, and as shown in FIGS. 1-5, was used to store a cannabis terpenes product.
In the present example, the cannabis terpenes product was left in all test jars for 5 days to determine the added level of preservation provided to the product by the airtight seal as compared to other containers commonly used in the art, namely Rx Twist, Kush, Miron, Calyx, and Qube. To quantify the analysis, the effect was scored as: 1 point for slight trace of dryness (+2/+3 for subsequent levels of dryness), 1 point per ball/crumble of product (large to medium).
The results of these tests are shown in FIG. 6C, which shows how the conditions affected the cannabis terpenes product in the various jars.
As described herein, the 710 jar including the airtight disc according to the present invention was demonstrated to help maintain freshness/avoid dryness of the product by not allowing air to penetrate it over time. The disc was further demonstrated to help maintain the product form to avoid “balling” from atmospheric, temperature, and physical conditions, which eventually leads to caking around the edges and cap, and general spillage for potential waste of product. These results are shown in FIG. 6D, which shows comparative results based on level of dryness/crumbling with a representative product container (“710LABS”) alongside results from other containers commonly used in the art, namely Rx Twist, Kush, Miron, Calyx, and Qube. The images in FIG. 6C and the data in FIG. 6D demonstrate that the 710 jar according to the present invention outperforms the other containers.

Example 5

Non-Cannabis Shake Testing Using Presently Described Child-Resistant, Airtight Jars

Child-resistant, airtight jars were prepared in accordance with the process described in Example 1, and as shown in FIGS. 1-5, containing water were tested to compare the presently described child-resistant, airtight jars to other containers commonly used in the art, namely Rx Twist, Kush, Miron, Calyx, and Qube.
In the present example, each jar was filled halfway with water and rotated 180 degrees ten times. To quantify the analysis, the effect was scored as: 1 point for each water drop on the cap and jar before and after opening the respective container; large drops of water were scored as 5 points; and medium drops were scored as 3 points.
Visible amounts of water escaped all jars on the cap and/or side of jar, with the exception of the 710LABS jar, as shown by the data in FIG. 7A. This indicates the superiority of the inventive airtight jar including the presently described disc to maintain conditions inside the jar, as compared to representative containers commonly used in the art, for optimal preservation.

Example 6

Submersion Testing Using Presently Described Child-Resistant, Airtight Jars

Child-resistant, airtight jars were prepared in accordance with the process described in Example 1, and as shown in FIGS. 1-5, and were tested in an empty state to compare the presently described child-resistant, airtight jars to other containers commonly used in the art, namely Rx Twist, Kush, Miron, Calyx, and Qube.
In the present example, all empty jars were closed/sealed and submerged into water for 10 minutes, after which point the jars were analyzed for traces of moisture which may have penetrated the ‘air-tight’ seal before and after opening. To quantify the analysis, the effect was scored as: 1 point for each water drop on cap and jar before and after opening container; large drops of water were scored as 5 points; and medium drops of water were scored as 3 points.
As described herein, water was found inside all plastic caps and even inside the jar of some samples. Upon opening jars for review, moisture entered some jar samples. In conclusion, the metal disk added an additional layer of protection from air and other contaminates for optimal preservation. These results are shown in FIG. 7B, which shows comparative results based on level of moisture inside the jar/cap with a representative product container (“710LABS”) alongside results from other containers commonly used in the art, namely those manufactured by Rx Twist, Kush, Miron, Calyx, and Qube, showing the superiority of the inventive airtight jar including the presently described disc to maintain conditions inside the jar, as compared to representative containers commonly used in the art, for optimal preservation.
The various methods and techniques described above provide a number of ways to carry out the invention. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all objectives or advantages described can be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment described herein. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods can be performed in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objectives or advantages as taught or suggested herein. A variety of alternatives are mentioned herein. It is to be understood that some preferred embodiments specifically include one, another, or several features, while others specifically exclude one, another, or several features, while still others mitigate a particular feature by inclusion of one, another, or several advantageous features.
Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize the applicability of various features from different embodiments. Similarly, the various elements, features and steps discussed above, as well as other known equivalents for each such element, feature or step, can be employed in various combinations by one of ordinary skill in this art to perform methods in accordance with the principles described herein. Among the various elements, features, and steps some will be specifically included and others specifically excluded in diverse embodiments.
Although the application has been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses and modifications and equivalents thereof.
In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the application are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the application are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable.
In some embodiments, the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar references used in the context of describing a particular embodiment of the application (especially in the context of certain of the following claims) can be construed to cover both the singular and the plural. The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (for example, “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the application and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the application otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the application.
Preferred embodiments of this application are described herein. Variations on those preferred embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. It is contemplated that skilled artisans can employ such variations as appropriate, and the application can be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, many embodiments of this application include all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the application unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
All patents, patent applications, publications of patent applications, and other material, such as articles, books, specifications, publications, documents, things, and/or the like, referenced herein are hereby incorporated herein by this reference in their entirety for all purposes, excepting any prosecution file history associated with same, any of same that is inconsistent with or in conflict with the present document, or any of same that may have a limiting affect as to the broadest scope of the claims now or later associated with the present document. By way of example, should there be any inconsistency or conflict between the description, definition, and/or the use of a term associated with any of the incorporated material and that associated with the present document, the description, definition, and/or the use of the term in the present document shall prevail.
In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the application disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the embodiments of the invention. Other modifications that can be employed can be within the scope of the application. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations of the embodiments of the application can be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, embodiments of the present application are not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

Claims

1. An airtight and child-resistant container comprising:

a container body comprising a closed container base at a bottom end of the container body, with an exterior container base surface and an interior container base surface, an open container top at a top end of the container body, an interior surface of the container body, an exterior surface of the container body, and one or more cap engagement elements, wherein the one or more cap engagement elements are disposed on the exterior surface of the open container top at the top end of the container body;

a disc element configured to be reversibly disposed on and creating a seal with the open top end of the container body, to provide a substantially airtight interior environment when disposed on and creating a seal with the open top end of the container body; and

a container cap comprising one or more body engagement elements on an interior surface of the container cap, wherein each of the one or more body engagement elements is configured to engage and reversibly couple to the cap engagement element of the container base, to substantially provide a child-resistant container when in a closed configuration.

2. (canceled)

3. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the interior surface of the container body meets the interior surface of the container base at a right angle, at a substantially right angle, or with a curve.

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the disc has a thickness of about 0.5 mm, about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, or about 10 mm, or greater.

8. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the top end of the container body has a diameter, and wherein the disc has a diameter which is identical to the diameter of the top end of the container body or which is within 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, or greater of the diameter of the top end of the container body.

9. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the disc comprises one or more metal, metal oxide, or metal alloy, rubbers, polymers (such as, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETE), polyacrylate, polymethacrylate (e.g. PMMA), polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), biopolymers, and the like, and derivatives, combinations, and copolymers thereof), wood materials, cardboards, silicone rubbers, silicones, foams, gels, materials formulated from plant fibers, such as hemp, bamboo, and the like, materials formulated from organic matter, such as mushroom, and the like, and combinations thereof.

10. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 9, wherein the disc comprises one or more metal, metal oxide, or metal alloy.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the disc comprises a rim along the outer edge of the disc.

14. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 13, wherein the disc rim comprises a different material from the disc.

15. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 13, wherein the disc rim comprises a rubber, polymer, copolymer, or silicone.

16. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the disc further comprises a coating.

17. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 16, wherein the disc coating comprises a rubber, polymer, copolymer, or silicone.

18. (canceled)

19. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the container body comprises glass, one or more metals, metal oxides, or metal alloys (such as, for example, aluminum, tin, alloys, and the like, and combinations thereof), one or more rubbers, one or more polymers (such as, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETE), polyacrylate, polymethacrylate (e.g. PMMA), polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), biopolymers, and the like, and derivatives, combinations, and copolymers thereof), wood materials, cardboards, silicone rubbers, silicones, foams, gels, materials formulated from plant fibers, such as hemp, bamboo, and the like, materials formulated from organic matter, such as mushroom, and the like, and combinations thereof.

20. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 19, wherein the container body comprises glass.

21. (canceled)

22. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 19, wherein the container body comprises one or more metals, metal oxides, metal alloys, or polymers.

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the open container top comprises one or more anti-rotation locks disposed on the exterior surface radially between one or more cap engagement elements.

26. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the engagement of the container body with the container cap enables the one or more body engagement elements to lockably secure with the one or more cap engagement elements.

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the container is substantially airtight and resistant to intrusion from atmospheric changes, moisture, and/or bacteria or other microorganism(s).

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the container is for storing a product comprising one or more cannabis-related product, tobacco or nicotine-related product, plant part, plant seed, consumable product (such as foods and beverages), pharmaceutical product, nutraceutical product, vitamin product, health supplement, beauty/cosmetic product, alcohol-containing product (such as mouthwash), chemical product (such as laboratory chemicals, automotive chemicals, and the like), cleaning product, gardening compound, fertilizer, fungicide/insecticide, or liquid fuel.

33. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 32, wherein the container is for storing a cannabis product.

34. (canceled)

35. (canceled)

36. (canceled)

37. The airtight and child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the container is for storing a tobacco or nicotine-related product, a consumable food or beverage product, a pharmaceutical product, a nutraceutical product, a vitamin product, a health supplement, or a beauty/cosmetic product, a chemical product (such as laboratory chemicals, automotive chemicals, and the like), a cleaning product, a gardening compound, a fertilizer, a fungicide/insecticide, or a liquid fuel.

38. (canceled)

39. (canceled)

40. (canceled)

41. (canceled)