US3756445A - Safety closure assembly - Google Patents

Safety closure assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
US3756445A
US3756445A US00161815A US3756445DA US3756445A US 3756445 A US3756445 A US 3756445A US 00161815 A US00161815 A US 00161815A US 3756445D A US3756445D A US 3756445DA US 3756445 A US3756445 A US 3756445A
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Prior art keywords
cap
container
annular
base portion
engaging
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US00161815A
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P Hedgewick
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Reflex Corp of Canada Ltd
Pac-Tec Inc
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Reflex Corp of Canada Ltd
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Assigned to CHASE COMMERCIAL CORPORATION reassignment CHASE COMMERCIAL CORPORATION ASSIGNS THE ENTIRE INTEREST , SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS IN SECURITY AGREEMENT RECITED. Assignors: PAC-TEC, INC., A MI CORP.
Assigned to PAC-TEC, INC. reassignment PAC-TEC, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: INTERNATIONAL TOOLS (1973) LTD., A CORP OF ONTARIO, ITL INDUSTRIES, INC., A CORP OF MI.
Assigned to PAC-TEC, INC. reassignment PAC-TEC, INC. RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CHASE COMMERCIAL CORPORATION
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
    • B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
    • B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
    • B65D41/06—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with bayonet cams, i.e. removed by first pushing axially to disengage the cams and then rotating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
    • B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
    • B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
    • B65D41/0435—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with separate sealing elements

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A one-piece safety closure sealing member adapted to be interposed between a safety cap and container of the type wherein the cap is applied to and removed from the container by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion of the cap relative to the container.
  • the sealing member includes a base portion for overlying the opening of the mouth of the container, an annular container rim engaging sealing portion, an annular cap engaging portion for engaging the end wall of the cap, and a resilient annular biasing member projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion for biasing the sealing portion and cap engaging portion to axially spaced positions.
  • the distance between the sealing portion and the cap engaging portion in the unstressed condition of the annular biasing member is greater than the fixed axial distance between the safety cap end wall and the container rim so that the cap is biased into locked engagement with the container by the biasing member.
  • This invention relates generally to containers and closure assemblies and is particularly concerned with a safety closure assembly for medicines and other potentially dangerous substances that can also provide a liquid and moisture-proof seal for the contents of the container.
  • Hedgewick U.S. Pat. No. 3,344,942 discloses a safety cap and container wherein a plurality of container locking elements are spaced peripherally from each other on the outer wall of the mouth portion of the container for engagement with complementary cap locking elements on the inner wall of the peripheral skirt projecting axially from the base of the cap.
  • the cap and container locking elements are of the type wherein the cap must be engaged with and disengaged from the container by combined axial and rotative motion of the cap relative to the container.
  • the cap locking elements are biased against disengagement from the container locking elements by a spring member in the form of an integral annular web formed on the cap.
  • the closure When the vial or container contains liquid, the closure must be capable of maintaining an adequate seal under a variety of conditions.
  • the container may contain liquid medicines or the like that require vigorous shaking before being used, and additionally is frequently carried on the person in a pocket or in a pocketbook which may be subject to vigorous motion.
  • the entrance of moisture into the container may cause deterioration of the contents, both liquid and solid, over a period' of time.
  • One prior art device includes a concavoconvex base member having inherent spring characteristics such that forces tending to flatten the convavoconvex member are resiliently resisted.
  • the concavoconvex base member overlies the opening of the container mouth and is of a construction such that a substantial portion of the load or forces between the cap and the sealing edge of the concavo-convex member must be transmitted in a direction transverse to the surface of the concave-convex base member.
  • the biasing force for applying the pressure to the seal and for maintaining the cap in locked engagement with the container is provided by the tendency of the base portion of the sealing member that overlies the container opening to maintain a particular shape thereby requiring the base portion to have inherent spring characteristics of a high degree of reliability since such closures must be expected to be applied to and removed from a container many times.
  • An object of this invention is to provide an efficient, economical construction for a safety closure seal wherein the biasing force may be applied directly in an axial direction near the container rim to provide a more efficient sealing construction and a construction having greater structural efficiency and less likelihood of functional deterioration upon repeated use.
  • a further object is to provide a safety closure assembly including a cap of the type adapted to be applied to and removed from a container by combined axial and rotative motion of the cap relative to such container, and a sealing member received in the skirt of the cap, such sealing member including a base portion for overlying the opening of the mouth of the container with an annular resilient biasing member projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion for biasing the cap toward locked engagement with the container and at the same time providing a sealing pressurefor the sealing portion of the sealing member which engages with the container rim.
  • Another object is to provide a one-piece safety closure sealing member adapted to be interposed between a safety cap and container of the type in which the cap is applied to and removed from the container by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion of the cap relative to such container and is biased to a fixed axial position relative to the container
  • the sealing member includes a base portion for overlying the container opening with an annular container rim engaging sealing portion, an annular cap engaging portion for engaging the end wall of a cap, and a resilient annular biasing member projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion and extending between the sealing portion and cap engaging portion for biasing the sealing portion and cap engaging portion to axially spaced positions.
  • a more specific object lies in the provision of a safety container and closure assembly for medicines and other potentially toxic substances including a container having a mouth portion with an annular rim, a cap having an end wall with a peripheral skirt projecting axially therefrom and receiving the mouth portion with a plurality of container locking elements spaced peripherally from each other on the outer surface of the mouth portion of the container for engaging complementary cap locking elements spaced peripherally from each other on the inner surface of the skirt such that the cap and container locking elements are engageable and disengageable by combined axial and rotative motion of the cap relative to the container with the sealing member interposed between the cap and container and received in the skirt of the cap and having a base portion for overlying the container opening, a cap engaging portion engaging the inner surface of the end wall of the cap and a sealing portion engaging the container rim with a resilient annular biasing member projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion biasing the cap engaging portion and sealing portion apart at distance corresponding to the fixed axial position to seal the container and maintain the locking elements engaged
  • a safety closure assembly includes a cap having an end wall with a peripheral skirt projecting axially therefrom for receiving the mouth of the container with a plurality of cap locking elements spaced peripherally from each other on the inner surface of the skirt for engaging complementary container locking elements on a container in bayonet fashion, or by combined axial and relative motion of the cap relative to the container.
  • a sealing member is received in the skirt and includes a base portion overlying the opening of the container mouth, a cap engaging portion for engaging the inner surface of the end wall of the cap, a container rim engaging sealing portion, and a resilient annular biasing member projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion which biases the cap engaging portion and container rim engaging sealing portion to axially spaced positions such that when the cap is placed on a container, the annular biasing member urges the cap to a fixed axial position relative to the container and simutaneously applies pressure to the sealing portion.
  • the frictional resistance of the cap to rotation relative to the cap engaging portion of the sealing member is less than the frictional resistance to rotation of the container rim engaging sealing portion to the container rim such that the cap can be rotated be tween its locked and unlocked positionS relative to the container without causing rotation of the sealing portion relative to the container rim.
  • F IG. 1 is a sectional view of a safety closure assembly and a portion of a container embodying one form of the invention with the cap of the safety closure assembly in its locked position relative to the container;
  • FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the cap of the safety closure assembly axially depressed to an unlocked position relative to the container;
  • FIG. 3 is an end view of a safety container suitable for use with the safety closure assembly of the present invention
  • FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the container of FIG.
  • FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 including a second form of a safety closure assembly embodying the invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 including a third form of safety closure assembly embodying the invention.
  • a safety container and closure assembly includes a container designated collectively by reference numeral 2 having a mouth portion 4 with an annular rim 6.
  • the container 2 may be of the configuration disclosed in Hedgewick US. Pat. No. 3,344,942 and as illustrated includes a bozy portion 3 of general cylindrical configuration.
  • a plurality of container locking elements 8 spaced peripherally from each other and including a notch 10 formed between a cam surface 14 and a depending stop portion 12.
  • the cap locking elements 22 are aligned with the spaces 8a between the adjacent container locking elements 8 with the mouth portion 4 received in the skirt 20. Rotation of the cap relative to the container 2 causes the cap locking elements 22 to engage the respective cam surfaces 14 until the locking elements 22 come into axial alignment with the notches 10. With the upper surfaces of the lugs or locking elements 22 engaged with the upper surface of the respective notch 10, the end wall 18 of cap 16 has a fixed axial position relative to rim 6 since the cap locking elements'are located an equal axial distance from the end wall 18 on skirt 20 and the container locking elements 8 are located an equal axial distance from rim 6.
  • a sealing member designated collectively by reference numeral 24 and which is received in the skirt 20.
  • the sealing member 24 comprises a base portion 26 for overlying the open end of the mouth of the container, a cap engaging portion 28 engaging the inner surface 30 of the end wall 18 of the cap, a sealing portion 32 engaging the container rim 6, and a resilient annular biasing member 34 projecting axially from the periphery of base portion 26 biasing the cap engaging portion 28 and sealing portion 32 apart a distance corresponding to the fixed axial position of the cap 18 relative to the container rim 6 when the cap is in locked engagement with the container to seal the container 2 and maintain the locking elements 22 and 8 engaged.
  • the frictional resistance to rotation between the cap contacting portion 28 and end wall surface 30 is less than the frictional resistance to rotation between the sealing portion 32 and the container rim 6 such that the sealing member 24 remains stationary with respect to the container 2 when the cap is rotated relative to the container.
  • the container 2 may further include a rib 36 projecting radially inwardly on the inner surface of the container adjacent the rim 6.
  • the sealing portion 32 includes a radially outwardly extending flange 38 overlying rim 6, and an axially extending portion 40 engaging the rib 36.
  • the radially outwardly extending flange 38 of the sealing portion 32 extends from the end of the outer side wall 40 opposite its juncture with the intermediate side.wall 44, and an annular bead 46 is formed on flange 38 and extends axially therefrom, the flange 38 overlying the rim, and bead 46 engaging the rim when the locking elements 8 and 22 are engaged.
  • the lnterengageable snap fastening attachment means 48 is formed on the end wall of cap 16 and on the base portion 26 of sealing member 24 for detachably securing the sealing member 24 to the cap 16 in such a manner that the sealing member is rotatable relative to the cap and is frictionally restrained against axial separation from the end wall of the cap.
  • the cap attachment element 50 of the snap fastening means 48 comprises a stud projecting from the inner surface 30 of the end wall 18 and formed integrally therewith. Stud 50 has an enlarged outer end.
  • the sealing member attachment element 52 of the attachment means 48 includes a socket member formed integrally on the base portion, 26 for receiving the stud 50. Socket member 52 has a flexible wall and is of hollow cross-section with an outer end 54 smaller than the enlarged end of stud 50 so that the base portion 26 can be snapped onto and off of stud 50.
  • the unstressed configuration of the sealing member 24 is indicated in phantom lines in FIG. 1.
  • the vcap contacting portion 28 is spaced from the container rim engaging lower surface of the bead 46 a distance greater than the axial distance between the end wall 18 and container rim 6 when the locking elements 8 and 22 are in locked engagement with each other. Consequently, when the cap is applied to the container, the annular biasing member 34 is resiliently distorted as illustrated in FIG. 1 so that it exerts a constant biasing force between the cap and container rim to maintain the cap in its fixed axial position relative to the container, and at the same time apply a sealing force between the sealing portion 32 and the container.
  • the configuration is such that when the cap is in the locked position as shown in FIG. 1, the outer side wall 40 of the reversed loop portion exerts a radial force against the inner surface of the container 2, or against rib 36, due to the action of the annular biasing member 34 and the distortion of the intermediate side wall 44. Furthermore, an axial force is applied to urge the bead 46 into sealing contact with rim 6.
  • the relative sizes of the stud 50 and socket member 52 are such that there is little frictional resistance to rotation between the stud and socket 50 and 52.
  • the frictional forces between the cap contacting portion 28 and the inner surface 30 of the end wall 18 of the cap 16 is substantially less than the frictional forces between the contacting surfaces of the sealing portion 32 with the rim 6 and with the rib 36, or inner surface of the container. Consequently, when the cap 16 is pushed axially toward the container rim 6 to the position shown in FIG. 2 to permit disengagement of the cap locking elements 22 from the notch 10 of the container locking elements 8, the cap can be rotated to bring the cap locking elements 22 into alignment with the space 8a between the container locking elements 8 without causing rotation of the sealing portion 38 relative to the container.
  • the frictional resistance to rotation between the cap 16 and sealing portion 24 is such that the cap contacting portion 28 of the sealing member slides relative to the inner surface 30 of the end wall 18 during rotation of the cap relative to the container, and the sealing member 24 remains stationary with respect to the container.
  • the base portion 26 is substantially planar, and 4 the sealing flange 38 overlies the upper surface of the cap locking lugs 22 when the closure assembly including cap 16 and sealing member 24 is removed from the container 2.
  • the sealing member 24 is constructed in such a manner that it can be molded in one piece from suitable plastic materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and similar materials.
  • the cap may be also molded in one-piece from the same materials.
  • the container 2 may also be of molded plastic material, however, the closure assembly including cap 16 and sealing member 24 may also be used with containers of glass and other materials.
  • the cap and container are of identical construction to the cap and container shown in the assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 and, consequently, the same reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts of the cap and container.
  • the sealing portion 66 includes a radially outwardly extending flange 70 overlying the rim 6 of the container, and an axially extending portion 72, the outer surface of which engages the rib 36 projecting radially inwardly on the inner surface of the container adjacent rim 6.
  • the biasing member 68 is in the form of an annular resilient web having an inner annular end 74 joined integrally to the base portion 62. The web extends Axially from the base portion and terminates in an outer annular free end 64 which defines the cap engaging portion.
  • the diameter of the outer annular free end 64 is larger than the diameter of the inner annular end 74, and the web is curved outwardly from the inner end 72 to the outer end 64 so that the outer end moves substantially solely axially toward the inner end, or toward the base 62, upon flexure of the web without circumferentially and radially stretching the outer annular free end. This action is illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 5.
  • the unstressed position of the outer annular free end of web 68 is illustrated at 64a, and the approximate position of the outer annular free end when the cap is depressed to disengage the cap locking elements 22 from the container locking elements 8 is illustrated at 64b.
  • the web as it is depressed, folds backwards toward base 62 without radially and circumferentially stretching the free end 64, which would subject the web to circumferential or hoop stresses tending to crack the web. There is substantially no change in the radial or circumferential dimension of the web when it is flexed toward the sealing portion 66 from its unstressed position as illustrated at 64a.
  • the biasing force applied by the annular biasing web 68 tends to cause the axially dependingportion 72 of the sealing portion 66 to apply a radially outward pressure against the inner surface of the container, or against rib 36, due to the engagement of flange 70 with rim 6.
  • the axial force exerted by the annular web 68 also causes a sealing pressure to be applied between flange 70 and rim 6.
  • the base portion 62 may be planar with the web 68 projecting axially from its periphery.
  • the sealing member 60 is formed with a centrally located snap fastening socket element 80 for receiving the stud 50.
  • Element 80 is of substantially identical construction to the socket member 52 of FIGS. 1 and 2 and therefore will not be described in detail.
  • the frictional contact between the cap contacting portion 64 and the inner surface 30 of the end wall l8 of the cap provides substantially less resistance to sliding movement between the two surfaces than the frictional contact between the sealing portion 66 and the container 2.
  • Sealing member 60 of FIG. 5 is constructed to be molded in one-piece from suitable plastic materials such as polyproplyene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and the like.
  • cap and container constructions are also of substantially identical construction to the cap and container of the previously described embodiments and will therefore not be described in detail.
  • a sealing member 82 is interposed between the cap 16 and container 2 and is received in the skirt 20 of the cap.
  • Sealing member 82 comprises a base portion 84 for overlying the open end of the mouth of container 2, a cap engaging portion in the form of annular ribs 86, 88 and 90 projecting axially from the upper surface of the base portion 84, a sealing portion 92 engaging the container rim 6, and a resilient annular biasing member 94 projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion 84 and extending between the cap engaging portion 86 and sealing portion 92 for biasing the cap engaging portions 86 and sealing portion 92 apart a distance corresponding to the fixed axial position of the cap relative to the container when the locking elements 8, 22 are engaged to seal the container and maintain the locking elements 8 and 22 in engagement with each other.
  • the sealing member 82 of FIG. 6 is also of one-piece construction and may be of resilient elastomeric material such as rubber, or of synthetic organic plastic having rubber-like characteristics.
  • the annular biasing member 94 comprises a resilient elastomeric ring having an inner annular end 96 molded integrally with the base portion, the ring 94 projecting axially from the base portion and tenninating in an outer annular free end 92 which defines the container rim engaging sealing portion.
  • the diameter of the outer annular free end 92 of the elastomeric ring 94 is greater than the diameter of the inner annular end 96 such that the ring 94 is of frusto-conical configuration.
  • Cap 16 in the FIG. 6 embodiment is provided with a stud 98 which is of similar construction to the stud 50 shown in the previously described embodiments with the exception that stud 98 is of somewhat less length.
  • Stud 98 is received in a frusto-conical socket 100 formed in the central portion of base portion 84 of the sealing member 82 so that the stud 98 and socket 100 comprise interengageable snap fastening elements for detachably securing the sealing member 82 to the cap 16 in such a manner that the sealing member is rotatable relative to the cap and is frictionally restrained against axial separation from the end wall of the cap due to the fact that the stud 98 has an enlarged outer end and the socket member 100 is of complementary shape.
  • the sealing portion 92 of the axially projecting ring 94 overlies the rim 6 of the container as well as the upper edges of the container locking elements 8.
  • the unstressed length of the ring 94 is, of course, greater than the axial distance between the inner surface 30 of the end wall 18 and the rim 6 when the locking elements 8 and 22 are engaged so that the ring 94 biases the cap 16 to the fixed axial position relative to rim 6 illustrated in FIG. 6.
  • the compression force applied in the axially extending ring 94 also applies a sealing pressure between the contacting surfaces 92 and 6 of the ring 94 and container rim, respectively.
  • each of the three embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 include a safety closure assembly comprising a cap 16 of the type adapted to be applied to and removed from a container 2 by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion of the cap relative to the container 2.
  • the cap of each embodiment includes an end wall 18 with a peripheral skirt 20 projecting axially from the end wall 18 for receiving the mouth portion 4 of the container 2.
  • Cap locking elements 22 are spaced peripherally from each other on the inner surface of the skirt 20 for engaging the complementary container locking element 8 on the container 2 in bayonet fashion.
  • FIG. 1 includes a sealing member 24 received in the skirt 20 having a base portion 26 for overlying the opening of the mouth portion 4 of container 2, a cap engaging portion 28 for engaging the inner surface 30 of the end wall 18 of the cap, a container rim engaging sealing portion 32, and a resilient annular biasing member 34 projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion 24 for biasing the cap engaging portion 28 and container rim engaging sealing portion 32 to axially spaced positions such that when the cap is placed on the container 2,'the annular biasing member 34 biases the cap to a fixed axial position relative to the container and simultaneously applies pressure to the sealing portion.
  • a sealing member 60 is received in the skirt and includes a base portion 62 for overlying the opening of the container mouth 4, a cap engaging portion 64 for engaging the inner surface 30 of the end wall 18 of the cap, a container rim engaging sealing portion 66, and a resilient annular biasing member 68 projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion for biasing the cap engaging portion and container rim engaging sealing Portion to axially spaced positions such that when the cap is placed on a container, the annular biasing member biases the cap to a fixed axial position relative to the container and simultaneously applies pressure to the sealing portion 66.
  • a sealing member 82 is received in the skirt 20 and includes a base portion 84 for overlying the container opening, a cap engaging portion 86, 88, for engaging the inner surface 30 of the end wall 18 of the cap, a container rim engaging sealing portion 92, and a resilient annular biasing member 92 projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion for biasing the cap engaging portion and container rim engaging sealing portion 92 to axially spaced positions such that when the cap is placed on a container 2, the annular biasing member 94 biases the cap 16 to a fixed axial position relative to container 2 and simultaneously applies pressure to the sealing portion 92.
  • a one-piece safety closure sealing member adapted to be interposed between a safety cap and container of the type wherein the cap is applied to and removed from the container by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion of the cap relative to the container and wherein the cap is biased to a fixed axial position relative to the container when applied thereto such that the end wall of the cap is spaced axially a fixed distance from the container rim in the locked position of the cap,
  • said sealing member comprising: a base portion of substantially uniform thickness for overlying the opening of the mouth of a container; an annular container rim engaging sealing portion; an annular cap engaging portion for engaging the end wall of a cap; a resilient annular biasing member projecting axially from the periphery of said base portion for biasing said sealing portion and cap engaging portion to axially spaced positions,'the distance between said sealing portion and cap engaging portion in the unstressed condition of said annular biasing member being greater than said fixed distance between a safety cap end wall and container rim of the type between
  • annular biasing member comprises an annular looped portion molded integrally with said base portion at the periphery thereof, the outer free end of said annular looped portion constituting said cap engaging portion.
  • a one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 4 further including an annular bead formed on said rim engaging sealing flange and projecting axially therefrom in a direction to engage a container rim.
  • annular biasing member comprises a resilient web of annular cross-section having an inner annular end joined integrally to said base portion at the periphery thereof, said web extending axially from said base portion and terminating in an outer annular free end defining said cap engaging por- 12 tion.
  • annular biasing member comprises an annular resilient web having an inner annular end joined integrally to said base portion, said web extending axially from said base portion and terminating in an outer annular free end, said free end defining said cap engaging portion.
  • a one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 8 wherein the diameter of said outer annular free end is larger than the diameter of said inner annular end, and said web is curved outwardly from said inner end to said outer end so that said outer end is movable solely axially toward said inner end upon flexure of said web without circumferentially and radially stretching said outer annular free end.
  • Safety closure means including a one-piece plastic sealing member having a substantially planar base portion, a reversed looped portion molded integrally with said base portion and extending generally axially from the periphery of said base portion, said reversed looped portion including: an inner annular side wall portion extending axially and radially outwardly from the periphery of said base portion, an intermediate annular side wall portion extending axially and radially outwardly from the outer end of said inner side wall in the opposite direction with respect to said base portion, and an'outer annular side wall extending axially and radially outwardly from the remote end of said intermediate side wall with respect to the adjacent ends of the inner and intermediate side walls and in the opposite direction from said intermediate side wall with respect to said base portion, and a radially outwardly projecting flange on the end of said outer annular side wall remote from its juncture with the intermediate annular side wall.

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Abstract

A one-piece safety closure sealing member adapted to be interposed between a safety cap and container of the type wherein the cap is applied to and removed from the container by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion of the cap relative to the container. The sealing member includes a base portion for overlying the opening of the mouth of the container, an annular container rim engaging sealing portion, an annular cap engaging portion for engaging the end wall of the cap, and a resilient annular biasing member projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion for biasing the sealing portion and cap engaging portion to axially spaced positions. The distance between the sealing portion and the cap engaging portion in the unstressed condition of the annular biasing member is greater than the fixed axial distance between the safety cap end wall and the container rim so that the cap is biased into locked engagement with the container by the biasing member.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Hedgewick l l SAFETY CLOSURE ASSEMBLY [75 Inventor: Peter l-ledgewick, Windsor, Ontario,
Canada [73 Assignee: Reflex Corporation of Canada Limited, Windsor, Ontario, Canada [22] Filed: July 12, I971 [21] Appl. No.1 161,815
Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 855,503, Sept. 5, [969, Pat. No.
[451 Sept. 4, 1973 536,266 ll/l955 ltaly ..2l5/40 Primary ExaminerDonald F. Norton Att0rney-Gerald E. McGlynn, Jr. et al.
[57] ABSTRACT A one-piece safety closure sealing member adapted to be interposed between a safety cap and container of the type wherein the cap is applied to and removed from the container by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion of the cap relative to the container. The sealing member includes a base portion for overlying the opening of the mouth of the container, an annular container rim engaging sealing portion, an annular cap engaging portion for engaging the end wall of the cap, and a resilient annular biasing member projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion for biasing the sealing portion and cap engaging portion to axially spaced positions. The distance between the sealing portion and the cap engaging portion in the unstressed condition of the annular biasing member is greater than the fixed axial distance between the safety cap end wall and the container rim so that the cap is biased into locked engagement with the container by the biasing member.
10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures minnow 4 ms 3.75 ;445
INVEN TOR.
ATTORNEYS PATENTEDSEP '4 ms SHEET 2 BF. 2
INVEN TOR. Fer frkagezz/xfi ATToRgs SAFETY CLOSURE ASSEMBLY This application is a division of the co-pending application Ser. No. 855,503 of Sept. 5, 1969 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,764.
This invention relates generally to containers and closure assemblies and is particularly concerned with a safety closure assembly for medicines and other potentially dangerous substances that can also provide a liquid and moisture-proof seal for the contents of the container.
The number of accidental poisonings resulting from young children having access to unsafe medicines, drugs, and other products is rapidly approaching unacceptable proportions. There has been a longstanding need for child-proof safety closures and containers constructed for economical production in large quantities by mass production techniques. A child-proof safety container and closure must be constructed in such a manner that the type of manipulation required to remove the cap from the container is one that a young child is incapable of performing. It has become increasingly apparent that most small children are capable of unscrewing a conventional screw cap from a container. However, it has also been found that a young child is incapable of manipulating a cap that is mounted on a container in such a manner that the cap must be pushed axially relative to the container and then rotated relative to the container in order to remove the cap from the container and provide access to the contents of the container.
Hedgewick U.S. Pat. No. 3,344,942 discloses a safety cap and container wherein a plurality of container locking elements are spaced peripherally from each other on the outer wall of the mouth portion of the container for engagement with complementary cap locking elements on the inner wall of the peripheral skirt projecting axially from the base of the cap. In the device disclosed in the l-ledgewick patent, the cap and container locking elements are of the type wherein the cap must be engaged with and disengaged from the container by combined axial and rotative motion of the cap relative to the container. When the cap is mounted on the container, the cap locking elements are biased against disengagement from the container locking elements by a spring member in the form of an integral annular web formed on the cap.
When the vial or container contains liquid, the closure must be capable of maintaining an adequate seal under a variety of conditions. For example, the container may contain liquid medicines or the like that require vigorous shaking before being used, and additionally is frequently carried on the person in a pocket or in a pocketbook which may be subject to vigorous motion. Moreover, the entrance of moisture into the container may cause deterioration of the contents, both liquid and solid, over a period' of time.
In order to maintain a good seal at the rim of the container, it is desirable that the seal engaging the container rim remain stationary with respect to the rim since a good seal is difficult to maintain when the seal is slidable relative to the container rim. Furthermore, it is desirable that a sealing force or pressure be provided near the rim of the container in order to maintain a secure and adequate seal. Therefore, with safety closures of the type wherein a cap is applied to and removed from the container by combined axial and rota tive motion of the cap relative to the container, it is desirable to provide a seal that will remain stationary with respect to the container rim during rotation of the cap relative to the container.
Several attempts have been made in the prior art to provide an efficient, economic construction to perform both the function of providing a liquid seal which is maintained in sealing engagement with the rim of the cap during rotation of the cap relative to the container, while at the same time providing adequate biasing means to bias the cap toward its locked position with the container. One prior art device includes a concavoconvex base member having inherent spring characteristics such that forces tending to flatten the convavoconvex member are resiliently resisted. The concavoconvex base member overlies the opening of the container mouth and is of a construction such that a substantial portion of the load or forces between the cap and the sealing edge of the concavo-convex member must be transmitted in a direction transverse to the surface of the concave-convex base member. Other prior art devices include a flat plate or base member with an upstanding central portion engageable with the base of the cap so that when the cap is applied to the container, the central portion of the plate or base member is depressed. The generally flat plate or base members are constructed to have inherent spring characteristics so that a resilient force is applied to bias the cap toward locked engagement with the container by the tendency of the flat base portion or plate member to resume its flattened position. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,072,276; 3,348,717; and 3,432,065. In each case, the biasing force for applying the pressure to the seal and for maintaining the cap in locked engagement with the container is provided by the tendency of the base portion of the sealing member that overlies the container opening to maintain a particular shape thereby requiring the base portion to have inherent spring characteristics of a high degree of reliability since such closures must be expected to be applied to and removed from a container many times.
An object of this invention is to provide an efficient, economical construction for a safety closure seal wherein the biasing force may be applied directly in an axial direction near the container rim to provide a more efficient sealing construction and a construction having greater structural efficiency and less likelihood of functional deterioration upon repeated use.
A further object is to provide a safety closure assembly including a cap of the type adapted to be applied to and removed from a container by combined axial and rotative motion of the cap relative to such container, and a sealing member received in the skirt of the cap, such sealing member including a base portion for overlying the opening of the mouth of the container with an annular resilient biasing member projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion for biasing the cap toward locked engagement with the container and at the same time providing a sealing pressurefor the sealing portion of the sealing member which engages with the container rim.
Another object is to provide a one-piece safety closure sealing member adapted to be interposed between a safety cap and container of the type in which the cap is applied to and removed from the container by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion of the cap relative to such container and is biased to a fixed axial position relative to the container wherein the sealing member includes a base portion for overlying the container opening with an annular container rim engaging sealing portion, an annular cap engaging portion for engaging the end wall of a cap, and a resilient annular biasing member projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion and extending between the sealing portion and cap engaging portion for biasing the sealing portion and cap engaging portion to axially spaced positions.
A more specific object lies in the provision of a safety container and closure assembly for medicines and other potentially toxic substances including a container having a mouth portion with an annular rim, a cap having an end wall with a peripheral skirt projecting axially therefrom and receiving the mouth portion with a plurality of container locking elements spaced peripherally from each other on the outer surface of the mouth portion of the container for engaging complementary cap locking elements spaced peripherally from each other on the inner surface of the skirt such that the cap and container locking elements are engageable and disengageable by combined axial and rotative motion of the cap relative to the container with the sealing member interposed between the cap and container and received in the skirt of the cap and having a base portion for overlying the container opening, a cap engaging portion engaging the inner surface of the end wall of the cap and a sealing portion engaging the container rim with a resilient annular biasing member projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion biasing the cap engaging portion and sealing portion apart at distance corresponding to the fixed axial position to seal the container and maintain the locking elements engaged, wherein the frictional resistance between the cap contacting portion and cap end wall is less than the frictional resistance between the sealing portion and container rim such that the sealing member remains stationary with respect to the container when the cap is rotated relative to the container.
In achieving the foregoing, and other objects, a safety closure assembly according to the present invention includes a cap having an end wall with a peripheral skirt projecting axially therefrom for receiving the mouth of the container with a plurality of cap locking elements spaced peripherally from each other on the inner surface of the skirt for engaging complementary container locking elements on a container in bayonet fashion, or by combined axial and relative motion of the cap relative to the container. A sealing member is received in the skirt and includes a base portion overlying the opening of the container mouth, a cap engaging portion for engaging the inner surface of the end wall of the cap, a container rim engaging sealing portion, and a resilient annular biasing member projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion which biases the cap engaging portion and container rim engaging sealing portion to axially spaced positions such that when the cap is placed on a container, the annular biasing member urges the cap to a fixed axial position relative to the container and simutaneously applies pressure to the sealing portion. The frictional resistance of the cap to rotation relative to the cap engaging portion of the sealing member is less than the frictional resistance to rotation of the container rim engaging sealing portion to the container rim such that the cap can be rotated be tween its locked and unlocked positionS relative to the container without causing rotation of the sealing portion relative to the container rim.
Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following descrip tion of several embodiments of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
F IG. 1 is a sectional view of a safety closure assembly and a portion of a container embodying one form of the invention with the cap of the safety closure assembly in its locked position relative to the container;
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the cap of the safety closure assembly axially depressed to an unlocked position relative to the container;
FIG. 3 is an end view of a safety container suitable for use with the safety closure assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the container of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 including a second form of a safety closure assembly embodying the invention; and
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 including a third form of safety closure assembly embodying the invention.
A safety container and closure assembly according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a container designated collectively by reference numeral 2 having a mouth portion 4 with an annular rim 6. The container 2 may be of the configuration disclosed in Hedgewick US. Pat. No. 3,344,942 and as illustrated includes a bozy portion 3 of general cylindrical configuration. Formed on the outer surface of the mouth portion 4 and projecting outwardly therefrom is a plurality of container locking elements 8 spaced peripherally from each other and including a notch 10 formed between a cam surface 14 and a depending stop portion 12.
The safety closure assembly for container 2 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a cap 16 having an end wall 18 with a peripheral skirt 20 projecting axially therefrom for receiving the mouth portion 4 of the container 2. A plurality of cap locking elements 22 are spaced peripherally from each other on the inner surface of skirt 20. The cap locking elements 22 are in the form of radially inwardly projecting lugs integrally molded with a skirt 20. The cap locking elements 22 are complementary with the container locking elements 8 such that the locking elements or lugs 22 are engageable with the notches 10 in the'container lock-' ing elements 8. More specifically, the cap locking elements 22 are engageable with and disengageable from the container locking elements 8 by combined axial and rotative motion of the cap 16 relative to the container 2. In order to apply the cap 16 to the container 2, the cap locking elements 22 are aligned with the spaces 8a between the adjacent container locking elements 8 with the mouth portion 4 received in the skirt 20. Rotation of the cap relative to the container 2 causes the cap locking elements 22 to engage the respective cam surfaces 14 until the locking elements 22 come into axial alignment with the notches 10. With the upper surfaces of the lugs or locking elements 22 engaged with the upper surface of the respective notch 10, the end wall 18 of cap 16 has a fixed axial position relative to rim 6 since the cap locking elements'are located an equal axial distance from the end wall 18 on skirt 20 and the container locking elements 8 are located an equal axial distance from rim 6.
interposed between the cap 16 and container 2 is a sealing member designated collectively by reference numeral 24 and which is received in the skirt 20.
The sealing member 24 comprises a base portion 26 for overlying the open end of the mouth of the container, a cap engaging portion 28 engaging the inner surface 30 of the end wall 18 of the cap, a sealing portion 32 engaging the container rim 6, and a resilient annular biasing member 34 projecting axially from the periphery of base portion 26 biasing the cap engaging portion 28 and sealing portion 32 apart a distance corresponding to the fixed axial position of the cap 18 relative to the container rim 6 when the cap is in locked engagement with the container to seal the container 2 and maintain the locking elements 22 and 8 engaged. The frictional resistance to rotation between the cap contacting portion 28 and end wall surface 30 is less than the frictional resistance to rotation between the sealing portion 32 and the container rim 6 such that the sealing member 24 remains stationary with respect to the container 2 when the cap is rotated relative to the container.
The container 2 may further include a rib 36 projecting radially inwardly on the inner surface of the container adjacent the rim 6. The sealing portion 32 includes a radially outwardly extending flange 38 overlying rim 6, and an axially extending portion 40 engaging the rib 36. Molded integrally with the base portion 26 is a reversed looped portion defining the annular biasing member 34 and including an inner annular side wall 42 extending axially from the periphery of the base portion 26, an intermediate annular side wall 44 extending from the outer end of the inner side wall 42 to the opposite side of the base portion 26, and an outer annular side wall 40 extending in a return direction from the end of the intermediate side wall 44 which is located on the opposite side of base portion 26 from the inner side wall 42 toward the base portion 26. The inner and intermediate side walls 42 and 44, respectively, define an annular looped portion the free end of which is defined by the adjoining ends of walls 42 and 44, and which free end defines the cap engaging portion 28. The outer side wall defines an axially extending container wall engaging portion of. the sealing portion 32 for engaging the' inner surface of the container wall adjacent the container rim.
The radially outwardly extending flange 38 of the sealing portion 32 extends from the end of the outer side wall 40 opposite its juncture with the intermediate side.wall 44, and an annular bead 46 is formed on flange 38 and extends axially therefrom, the flange 38 overlying the rim, and bead 46 engaging the rim when the locking elements 8 and 22 are engaged.
lnterengageable snap fastening attachment means 48 is formed on the end wall of cap 16 and on the base portion 26 of sealing member 24 for detachably securing the sealing member 24 to the cap 16 in such a manner that the sealing member is rotatable relative to the cap and is frictionally restrained against axial separation from the end wall of the cap. in the embodiment of F IGS. l and 2, the cap attachment element 50 of the snap fastening means 48 comprises a stud projecting from the inner surface 30 of the end wall 18 and formed integrally therewith. Stud 50 has an enlarged outer end. The sealing member attachment element 52 of the attachment means 48 includes a socket member formed integrally on the base portion, 26 for receiving the stud 50. Socket member 52 has a flexible wall and is of hollow cross-section with an outer end 54 smaller than the enlarged end of stud 50 so that the base portion 26 can be snapped onto and off of stud 50.
The unstressed configuration of the sealing member 24 is indicated in phantom lines in FIG. 1. In the unstressed configuration of the sealing member, the vcap contacting portion 28 is spaced from the container rim engaging lower surface of the bead 46 a distance greater than the axial distance between the end wall 18 and container rim 6 when the locking elements 8 and 22 are in locked engagement with each other. Consequently, when the cap is applied to the container, the annular biasing member 34 is resiliently distorted as illustrated in FIG. 1 so that it exerts a constant biasing force between the cap and container rim to maintain the cap in its fixed axial position relative to the container, and at the same time apply a sealing force between the sealing portion 32 and the container. The configuration is such that when the cap is in the locked position as shown in FIG. 1, the outer side wall 40 of the reversed loop portion exerts a radial force against the inner surface of the container 2, or against rib 36, due to the action of the annular biasing member 34 and the distortion of the intermediate side wall 44. Furthermore, an axial force is applied to urge the bead 46 into sealing contact with rim 6. The relative sizes of the stud 50 and socket member 52 are such that there is little frictional resistance to rotation between the stud and socket 50 and 52.
The frictional forces between the cap contacting portion 28 and the inner surface 30 of the end wall 18 of the cap 16 is substantially less than the frictional forces between the contacting surfaces of the sealing portion 32 with the rim 6 and with the rib 36, or inner surface of the container. Consequently, when the cap 16 is pushed axially toward the container rim 6 to the position shown in FIG. 2 to permit disengagement of the cap locking elements 22 from the notch 10 of the container locking elements 8, the cap can be rotated to bring the cap locking elements 22 into alignment with the space 8a between the container locking elements 8 without causing rotation of the sealing portion 38 relative to the container. That is to say, the frictional resistance to rotation between the cap 16 and sealing portion 24 is such that the cap contacting portion 28 of the sealing member slides relative to the inner surface 30 of the end wall 18 during rotation of the cap relative to the container, and the sealing member 24 remains stationary with respect to the container.
In the unstressed configuration of the sealing member 24, the base portion 26 is substantially planar, and 4 the sealing flange 38 overlies the upper surface of the cap locking lugs 22 when the closure assembly including cap 16 and sealing member 24 is removed from the container 2.
The sealing member 24 is constructed in such a manner that it can be molded in one piece from suitable plastic materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and similar materials. The cap may be also molded in one-piece from the same materials. The container 2 may also be of molded plastic material, however, the closure assembly including cap 16 and sealing member 24 may also be used with containers of glass and other materials.
In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the cap and container are of identical construction to the cap and container shown in the assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 and, consequently, the same reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts of the cap and container.
In the FIG. 5 embodiment, a sealing member 60 is interposed between the cap 16 and container 2 and is received in skirt 20 of the cap. Sealing member 60 comprises a base portion 62 for overlying the open end of the mouth of container 2, a cap engaging portion 64 engaging the inner surface of the end wall 18 of the cap, a sealing portion 66 engaging the container rim, and a resilient annular biasing member 68 projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion and extending between the cap engaging portion 64 and sealing portion 66 for biasing the cap engaging portion 64 and sealing portion 66 apart a distance corresponding to the fixed axial position of the cap relative to the container when the cap is in locked engagement with the container to seal the container and maintain the locking elements 8 and 22 engaged.
The sealing portion 66 includes a radially outwardly extending flange 70 overlying the rim 6 of the container, and an axially extending portion 72, the outer surface of which engages the rib 36 projecting radially inwardly on the inner surface of the container adjacent rim 6. The biasing member 68 is in the form of an annular resilient web having an inner annular end 74 joined integrally to the base portion 62. The web extends Axially from the base portion and terminates in an outer annular free end 64 which defines the cap engaging portion. The diameter of the outer annular free end 64 is larger than the diameter of the inner annular end 74, and the web is curved outwardly from the inner end 72 to the outer end 64 so that the outer end moves substantially solely axially toward the inner end, or toward the base 62, upon flexure of the web without circumferentially and radially stretching the outer annular free end. This action is illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 5. The unstressed position of the outer annular free end of web 68 is illustrated at 64a, and the approximate position of the outer annular free end when the cap is depressed to disengage the cap locking elements 22 from the container locking elements 8 is illustrated at 64b. The web, as it is depressed, folds backwards toward base 62 without radially and circumferentially stretching the free end 64, which would subject the web to circumferential or hoop stresses tending to crack the web. There is substantially no change in the radial or circumferential dimension of the web when it is flexed toward the sealing portion 66 from its unstressed position as illustrated at 64a.
The biasing force applied by the annular biasing web 68 tends to cause the axially dependingportion 72 of the sealing portion 66 to apply a radially outward pressure against the inner surface of the container, or against rib 36, due to the engagement of flange 70 with rim 6. The axial force exerted by the annular web 68 also causes a sealing pressure to be applied between flange 70 and rim 6. The base portion 62 may be planar with the web 68 projecting axially from its periphery. As is the case in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the sealing member 60 is formed with a centrally located snap fastening socket element 80 for receiving the stud 50. Element 80 is of substantially identical construction to the socket member 52 of FIGS. 1 and 2 and therefore will not be described in detail.
The frictional contact between the cap contacting portion 64 and the inner surface 30 of the end wall l8 of the cap provides substantially less resistance to sliding movement between the two surfaces than the frictional contact between the sealing portion 66 and the container 2. Thus, when the cap 16 is depressed axially toward the container rim 6 from the position shown in FIG. 5 to disengage the cap locking elements 22 from the container locking elements 8, and is then rotated to bring the cap locking elements 22 into alignment with the spaces 8a (FIG. 3) between the container locking elements 8, the sealing member 60 remains stationary with respect to the container, the cap rotating with respect to the sealing member 60 as well as the cap carries the container 2.
Sealing member 60 of FIG. 5 is constructed to be molded in one-piece from suitable plastic materials such as polyproplyene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and the like.
In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the cap and container constructions are also of substantially identical construction to the cap and container of the previously described embodiments and will therefore not be described in detail. In the FIG. 6 embodiment, a sealing member 82 is interposed between the cap 16 and container 2 and is received in the skirt 20 of the cap. Sealing member 82 comprises a base portion 84 for overlying the open end of the mouth of container 2, a cap engaging portion in the form of annular ribs 86, 88 and 90 projecting axially from the upper surface of the base portion 84, a sealing portion 92 engaging the container rim 6, and a resilient annular biasing member 94 projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion 84 and extending between the cap engaging portion 86 and sealing portion 92 for biasing the cap engaging portions 86 and sealing portion 92 apart a distance corresponding to the fixed axial position of the cap relative to the container when the locking elements 8, 22 are engaged to seal the container and maintain the locking elements 8 and 22 in engagement with each other.
The sealing member 82 of FIG. 6 is also of one-piece construction and may be of resilient elastomeric material such as rubber, or of synthetic organic plastic having rubber-like characteristics. The annular biasing member 94 comprises a resilient elastomeric ring having an inner annular end 96 molded integrally with the base portion, the ring 94 projecting axially from the base portion and tenninating in an outer annular free end 92 which defines the container rim engaging sealing portion. The diameter of the outer annular free end 92 of the elastomeric ring 94 is greater than the diameter of the inner annular end 96 such that the ring 94 is of frusto-conical configuration. The thickness of the wall of the ring decreases slightly from the inner annular end 96 to the outer annular free end 92. As stated previously, the annular ribs 86, 88 and 90 projecting from the upper-surface of base 84 define the cap contacting portion of the sealing member and reduce the frictional engagement between the sealing member and inner surface 30 of the end wall 18. Cap 16 in the FIG. 6 embodiment is provided with a stud 98 which is of similar construction to the stud 50 shown in the previously described embodiments with the exception that stud 98 is of somewhat less length. Stud 98 is received in a frusto-conical socket 100 formed in the central portion of base portion 84 of the sealing member 82 so that the stud 98 and socket 100 comprise interengageable snap fastening elements for detachably securing the sealing member 82 to the cap 16 in such a manner that the sealing member is rotatable relative to the cap and is frictionally restrained against axial separation from the end wall of the cap due to the fact that the stud 98 has an enlarged outer end and the socket member 100 is of complementary shape.
The sealing portion 92 of the axially projecting ring 94 overlies the rim 6 of the container as well as the upper edges of the container locking elements 8. The unstressed length of the ring 94 is, of course, greater than the axial distance between the inner surface 30 of the end wall 18 and the rim 6 when the locking elements 8 and 22 are engaged so that the ring 94 biases the cap 16 to the fixed axial position relative to rim 6 illustrated in FIG. 6. The compression force applied in the axially extending ring 94 also applies a sealing pressure between the contacting surfaces 92 and 6 of the ring 94 and container rim, respectively. The resistance to rotation between the annular ribs 86, 88, 90 and the inner surface 30 of the end wall of the cap is less than the resistance to rotation between the contacting surfaces 92 and 6 of the ring and container, respectively, with the result that depression of the cap in an axial direction to disengage the cap locking lugs 22 from the container locking elements 8 followed by rotative motion of the cap relative to the container does not cause the sealing member 82 to rotate with respect to the container. Additional frictional resistance to rotationof the sealing member relative to the container is provided by the tendency of the elastomeric material to extend slightly axially into the spaces 8a (FIG. 3) between the container locking elements 8 to provide a direct mechanical restraint against rotation of the sealing surface 92 with respect to the rim 6.
Thus, each of the three embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 include a safety closure assembly comprising a cap 16 of the type adapted to be applied to and removed from a container 2 by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion of the cap relative to the container 2. The cap of each embodiment includes an end wall 18 with a peripheral skirt 20 projecting axially from the end wall 18 for receiving the mouth portion 4 of the container 2. Cap locking elements 22 are spaced peripherally from each other on the inner surface of the skirt 20 for engaging the complementary container locking element 8 on the container 2 in bayonet fashion.
The embodiment of FIG. 1 includes a sealing member 24 received in the skirt 20 having a base portion 26 for overlying the opening of the mouth portion 4 of container 2, a cap engaging portion 28 for engaging the inner surface 30 of the end wall 18 of the cap, a container rim engaging sealing portion 32, and a resilient annular biasing member 34 projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion 24 for biasing the cap engaging portion 28 and container rim engaging sealing portion 32 to axially spaced positions such that when the cap is placed on the container 2,'the annular biasing member 34 biases the cap to a fixed axial position relative to the container and simultaneously applies pressure to the sealing portion.
In the FIG. embodiment, a sealing member 60 is received in the skirt and includes a base portion 62 for overlying the opening of the container mouth 4, a cap engaging portion 64 for engaging the inner surface 30 of the end wall 18 of the cap, a container rim engaging sealing portion 66, and a resilient annular biasing member 68 projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion for biasing the cap engaging portion and container rim engaging sealing Portion to axially spaced positions such that when the cap is placed on a container, the annular biasing member biases the cap to a fixed axial position relative to the container and simultaneously applies pressure to the sealing portion 66.
Similarly, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, a sealing member 82 is received in the skirt 20 and includes a base portion 84 for overlying the container opening, a cap engaging portion 86, 88, for engaging the inner surface 30 of the end wall 18 of the cap, a container rim engaging sealing portion 92, and a resilient annular biasing member 92 projecting axially from the periphery of the base portion for biasing the cap engaging portion and container rim engaging sealing portion 92 to axially spaced positions such that when the cap is placed on a container 2, the annular biasing member 94 biases the cap 16 to a fixed axial position relative to container 2 and simultaneously applies pressure to the sealing portion 92.
While specific forms of the invention have been illustrated and described in the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction shown, but that various alternatives in the construction and arrangement of parts, all falling within the scope and spirit of the invention, will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
I claim:
1. A one-piece safety closure sealing member adapted to be interposed between a safety cap and container of the type wherein the cap is applied to and removed from the container by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion of the cap relative to the container and wherein the cap is biased to a fixed axial position relative to the container when applied thereto such that the end wall of the cap is spaced axially a fixed distance from the container rim in the locked position of the cap, said sealing member comprising: a base portion of substantially uniform thickness for overlying the opening of the mouth of a container; an annular container rim engaging sealing portion; an annular cap engaging portion for engaging the end wall of a cap; a resilient annular biasing member projecting axially from the periphery of said base portion for biasing said sealing portion and cap engaging portion to axially spaced positions,'the distance between said sealing portion and cap engaging portion in the unstressed condition of said annular biasing member being greater than said fixed distance between a safety cap end wall and container rim of the type between which said sealing member is adapted to be interposed, said sealing portion including a radially outwardly extending rim engaging sealing flange for overlying a container rim and an axially extending container wall engaging portion of annular cross section projecting axially from said base portion for engaging the inner surface of a container wall adjacent the container rim; and means defining a centrally located, integral attach-' ment element on said base portion for rotatably and detachably securing said base portion to the end wall of a safety cap, said attachment element comprising a hollow socket member of annular cross section projecting axially from said base portion, said socket member being tapered inwardly as it extends from the base portion such that the outer end of the socket opening is smaller than the inner end thereof adjacent said base portion.
2. A one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 1 wherein said annular biasing member comprises an annular looped portion molded integrally with said base portion at the periphery thereof, the outer free end of said annular looped portion constituting said cap engaging portion.
3. A one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 1 wherein a reversed looped portion is molded integrally with said base portion and includes an inner annular side wall extending axially from the periphery of said base portion, an intermediate annular side wall extending from the outer end of said inner side wall to the opposite side of said base portion, and an outer annular side wall extending from the end of said intermediate side wall located on said opposite side in a return direction toward said base portion, said inner and intermediate side walls defining said annular biasing member with the adjoining ends thereof defining said cap engaging portion, said outer side wall defining a container wall engaging portion of said sealing portion for engaging the inner surface of a container wall adjacent the container rim.
4. A one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 3 wherein said sealing portion further includes a radially outwardly extending rim engaging sealing flange on the end of said outer side wall opposite its juncture with said intermediate side wall for overlying a container rim.
5. A one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 4 further including an annular bead formed on said rim engaging sealing flange and projecting axially therefrom in a direction to engage a container rim.
6. A one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 1 wherein said annular biasing member comprises a resilient web of annular cross-section having an inner annular end joined integrally to said base portion at the periphery thereof, said web extending axially from said base portion and terminating in an outer annular free end defining said cap engaging por- 12 tion.
7. A one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 6 wherein the diameter of said outer annular free end is larger than the diameter of said inner annular end.
8. A one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 1 wherein said annular biasing member comprises an annular resilient web having an inner annular end joined integrally to said base portion, said web extending axially from said base portion and terminating in an outer annular free end, said free end defining said cap engaging portion.
9. A one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 8 wherein the diameter of said outer annular free end is larger than the diameter of said inner annular end, and said web is curved outwardly from said inner end to said outer end so that said outer end is movable solely axially toward said inner end upon flexure of said web without circumferentially and radially stretching said outer annular free end.
10. Safety closure means including a one-piece plastic sealing member having a substantially planar base portion, a reversed looped portion molded integrally with said base portion and extending generally axially from the periphery of said base portion, said reversed looped portion including: an inner annular side wall portion extending axially and radially outwardly from the periphery of said base portion, an intermediate annular side wall portion extending axially and radially outwardly from the outer end of said inner side wall in the opposite direction with respect to said base portion, and an'outer annular side wall extending axially and radially outwardly from the remote end of said intermediate side wall with respect to the adjacent ends of the inner and intermediate side walls and in the opposite direction from said intermediate side wall with respect to said base portion, and a radially outwardly projecting flange on the end of said outer annular side wall remote from its juncture with the intermediate annular side wall.
# t i ll

Claims (10)

1. A one-piece safety closure sealing member adapted to be interposed between a safety cap and container of the type wherein the cap is applied to and removed from the container by an axial motion followed successively by a rotative motion of the cap relative to the container and wherein the cap is biased to a fixed axial position relative to the container when applied thereto such that the end wall of the cap is spaced axially a fixed distance from the container rim in the locked position of the cap, said sealing member comprising: a base portion of substantially uniform thickness for overlying the opening of the mouth of a container; an annular container rim engaging sealing portion; an annular cap engaging portion for engaging the end wall of a cap; a resilient annular biasing member projecting axially from the periphery of said base portion for biasing said sealing portion and cap engaging portion to axially spaced positions, the distance between said sealing portion and cap engaging portion in the unstressed condition of said annular biasing member being greater than said fixed distance between a safety cap end wall and container rim of the type between which said sealing member is adapted to be interposed, said sealing portion including a radially outwardly extending rim engaging sealing flange for overlying a container rim and an axially extending container wall engaging portion of annular cross sEction projecting axially from said base portion for engaging the inner surface of a container wall adjacent the container rim; and means defining a centrally located, integral attachment element on said base portion for rotatably and detachably securing said base portion to the end wall of a safety cap, said attachment element comprising a hollow socket member of annular cross section projecting axially from said base portion, said socket member being tapered inwardly as it extends from the base portion such that the outer end of the socket opening is smaller than the inner end thereof adjacent said base portion.
2. A one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 1 wherein said annular biasing member comprises an annular looped portion molded integrally with said base portion at the periphery thereof, the outer free end of said annular looped portion constituting said cap engaging portion.
3. A one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 1 wherein a reversed looped portion is molded integrally with said base portion and includes an inner annular side wall extending axially from the periphery of said base portion, an intermediate annular side wall extending from the outer end of said inner side wall to the opposite side of said base portion, and an outer annular side wall extending from the end of said intermediate side wall located on said opposite side in a return direction toward said base portion, said inner and intermediate side walls defining said annular biasing member with the adjoining ends thereof defining said cap engaging portion, said outer side wall defining a container wall engaging portion of said sealing portion for engaging the inner surface of a container wall adjacent the container rim.
4. A one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 3 wherein said sealing portion further includes a radially outwardly extending rim engaging sealing flange on the end of said outer side wall opposite its juncture with said intermediate side wall for overlying a container rim.
5. A one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 4 further including an annular bead formed on said rim engaging sealing flange and projecting axially therefrom in a direction to engage a container rim.
6. A one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 1 wherein said annular biasing member comprises a resilient web of annular cross-section having an inner annular end joined integrally to said base portion at the periphery thereof, said web extending axially from said base portion and terminating in an outer annular free end defining said cap engaging portion.
7. A one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 6 wherein the diameter of said outer annular free end is larger than the diameter of said inner annular end.
8. A one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 1 wherein said annular biasing member comprises an annular resilient web having an inner annular end joined integrally to said base portion, said web extending axially from said base portion and terminating in an outer annular free end, said free end defining said cap engaging portion.
9. A one-piece safety closure sealing member as claimed in claim 8 wherein the diameter of said outer annular free end is larger than the diameter of said inner annular end, and said web is curved outwardly from said inner end to said outer end so that said outer end is movable solely axially toward said inner end upon flexure of said web without circumferentially and radially stretching said outer annular free end.
10. Safety closure means including a one-piece plastic sealing member having a substantially planar base portion, a reversed looped portion molded integrally with said base portion and extending generally axially from the periphery of said base portion, said reversed looped portion including: an inner annular side wall portion extending axially and radially outwardly from the periphery of said base portion, an intermEdiate annular side wall portion extending axially and radially outwardly from the outer end of said inner side wall in the opposite direction with respect to said base portion, and an outer annular side wall extending axially and radially outwardly from the remote end of said intermediate side wall with respect to the adjacent ends of the inner and intermediate side walls and in the opposite direction from said intermediate side wall with respect to said base portion, and a radially outwardly projecting flange on the end of said outer annular side wall remote from its juncture with the intermediate annular side wall.
US00161815A 1969-09-05 1971-07-12 Safety closure assembly Expired - Lifetime US3756445A (en)

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US16181571A 1971-07-12 1971-07-12

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Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3942630A (en) * 1974-11-22 1976-03-09 International Tools (1973) Limited Sliding cover safety package
US3974928A (en) * 1975-05-07 1976-08-17 International Tools (1973) Ltd. Child resistant safety closure and container assembly
DE2749308A1 (en) * 1977-01-26 1978-07-27 Owens Illinois Inc VAPOR SEAL LATCH AND CONTAINER
US4128184A (en) * 1978-05-15 1978-12-05 Northup John D Child-proof container and cap
FR2514329A1 (en) * 1981-10-09 1983-04-15 Sunbeam Plastics Corp CLOSURE INDICATOR OF SPOLIATION
US4444327A (en) * 1983-03-11 1984-04-24 Peter Hedgewick Tight vial assembly with one-piece cap
US4446979A (en) * 1981-10-09 1984-05-08 Sunbeam Plastics Corporation Tamper indicating closure
US5111948A (en) * 1988-06-28 1992-05-12 Microplast B.V. Cap assembly and method for producing such an assembly
US5437382A (en) * 1994-09-30 1995-08-01 Gluckman; Jerome D. Safety lock pill container
US5934492A (en) * 1997-03-06 1999-08-10 Jones; William Thomas Senior friendly child resistant medication containers
US5967350A (en) * 1997-03-06 1999-10-19 Jones; William Thomas Medication containers
US6056136A (en) * 1995-11-30 2000-05-02 White Cap, Inc. Lug closure for press-on application to, and rotational removal from, a threaded neck container
US20060273061A1 (en) * 2005-06-06 2006-12-07 Mark Fricke Method and device for a child resistant dropper closure

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1025273A (en) * 1950-09-29 1953-04-13 Seal for jars, jars, bottles or others
US2989204A (en) * 1956-05-29 1961-06-20 Ciba Ltd Containers having removable closure caps
FR1439265A (en) * 1965-04-13 1966-05-20 Adjustable leakage seal
US3331523A (en) * 1965-02-15 1967-07-18 Gilbert Mfg Company Container closure member and liner therefor
US3432065A (en) * 1967-06-26 1969-03-11 Bantox Safety Closures Ltd Tamper-proof fluid-tight containers
FR1580979A (en) * 1968-06-12 1969-09-12

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1025273A (en) * 1950-09-29 1953-04-13 Seal for jars, jars, bottles or others
US2989204A (en) * 1956-05-29 1961-06-20 Ciba Ltd Containers having removable closure caps
US3331523A (en) * 1965-02-15 1967-07-18 Gilbert Mfg Company Container closure member and liner therefor
FR1439265A (en) * 1965-04-13 1966-05-20 Adjustable leakage seal
US3432065A (en) * 1967-06-26 1969-03-11 Bantox Safety Closures Ltd Tamper-proof fluid-tight containers
FR1580979A (en) * 1968-06-12 1969-09-12

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3942630A (en) * 1974-11-22 1976-03-09 International Tools (1973) Limited Sliding cover safety package
US3974928A (en) * 1975-05-07 1976-08-17 International Tools (1973) Ltd. Child resistant safety closure and container assembly
DE2749308A1 (en) * 1977-01-26 1978-07-27 Owens Illinois Inc VAPOR SEAL LATCH AND CONTAINER
US4128184A (en) * 1978-05-15 1978-12-05 Northup John D Child-proof container and cap
US4446979A (en) * 1981-10-09 1984-05-08 Sunbeam Plastics Corporation Tamper indicating closure
FR2514329A1 (en) * 1981-10-09 1983-04-15 Sunbeam Plastics Corp CLOSURE INDICATOR OF SPOLIATION
FR2541241A1 (en) * 1983-02-14 1984-08-24 Sunbeam Plastics Corp CLOSURE INDICATOR OF SPOLIATION
US4444327A (en) * 1983-03-11 1984-04-24 Peter Hedgewick Tight vial assembly with one-piece cap
US5111948A (en) * 1988-06-28 1992-05-12 Microplast B.V. Cap assembly and method for producing such an assembly
US5437382A (en) * 1994-09-30 1995-08-01 Gluckman; Jerome D. Safety lock pill container
US6056136A (en) * 1995-11-30 2000-05-02 White Cap, Inc. Lug closure for press-on application to, and rotational removal from, a threaded neck container
US5934492A (en) * 1997-03-06 1999-08-10 Jones; William Thomas Senior friendly child resistant medication containers
US5967350A (en) * 1997-03-06 1999-10-19 Jones; William Thomas Medication containers
US20060273061A1 (en) * 2005-06-06 2006-12-07 Mark Fricke Method and device for a child resistant dropper closure

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