WO1999026854A1

WO1999026854A1 - A closure device

Info

Publication number: WO1999026854A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/003559
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Leslie Carmichael; Julian Davidson Taylor
Original assignee: Byron Mediplastics Ltd.
Priority date: 1997-11-25
Filing date: 1998-11-25
Publication date: 1999-06-03
Also published as: AU1342499A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closure device comprising inner and outer closure members (10, 20). The closure members (10, 20) are moveable with respect to each other such that when an attempt is made to remove the closure device from the container, a prjection (14) on the inner closure member (10) extends into an aperture (23) on the outer closure member (20). The aperture (23) has a cover (24) which is frangibly attached within the aperture (23) such that the projection (14) causes the cover (23) to separate at least partially from the closure device to indicate that an attempt has been made to open the container. The cover (24) comprises a plurality of sections (a, b, c) which are frangibly connected to each other to ensure that no harm may come to a small child if the cover (24) is accidentally swallowed.

Description

A CLOSURE DEVICE

The present invention relates to a closure device for a bottle or other container which has a screw- threaded cylindrical opening or neck.

A number of closure devices for bottles or other containers are now available which are resistant to being opened by children, with the intention of using these bottles for holding medicine or pills, for example. Reference should be made to WO 94/03372 which describes a closure device having an inner member which is screw-threaded to engage the screw- threaded neck of the bottle, and an outer member which serves to drive the inner member in order to remove the closure device from the bottle. The outer member must be pushed into engagement with the inner member and then turned to unscrew the inner member from the neck of the bottle. However, this often proves difficult, especially for the elderly or those who suffer from arthritis who are unable to push the outer member in and turn it at the same time. In order to solve this problem, a manually operable tool or a fixed bracket can alternatively be used to remove the closure device.

There is also a demand for evidence on purchase or first use that the container has not already been opened, i.e. evidence that the contents are the original contents and have not been substituted in any way.

It is with the above-mentioned problems in mind that the present invention has been developed. Accordingly, the present invention provides a closure device for a container comprising inner and outer closure members, the closure members being moveable with respect to each other such that when an attempt is made to remove the closure device from the container, a projection on the inner closure member will extend into an aperture on the outer closure member, the aperture having a cover which is frangibly attached within the aperture, the projection thus causing the cover to separate at least partially from the closure device wherein the cover comprises a plurality of sections which are frangibly connected to each other.

Preferably, a positioning means is located between the inner and outer closure members which prevents the projection extending into the aperture unless a combined pushing and turning force is applied to the closure device.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closure device for a container having a screw-threaded neck, the closure device comprising an inner closure member and an outer closure member, each closure member having an end face and a skirt portion, there being first drive means between the inner and outer closure members which operate to apply the closure device to the container and second drive means between the inner and outer closure members which operate to remove the closure device from the container only when a combined pushing and turning force is applied to the end face of the outer closure member, the end face of the inner closure member having a projection on its end face which is slidable within an aperture in the end face of the outer closure member, the projection being slidable from first position where it sits below the aperture to a second position where it extends into the aperture, the movement to the second position taking place only when a combined pushing and turning force is applied to the end face of the outer closure member, the aperture in the outer closure member having a cover which is frangibly connected to the end face such that when the closure device is first removed from the container by applying a combined pushing and turning force, the projection causes the cover to separate at least partially from the outer closure member to indicate that the closure device has been removed from the container, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of sections which are frangibly connected to each other.

Preferably, a positioning means is located between the inner and outer closure members which prevents the second drive means operating unless a combined pushing and turning force is applied.

Preferably, the first drive means comprises at least one finger on the outer closure member which is held by the positioning means on the inner closure member.

Preferably, the positioning means comprises one or more pairs of spaced abutments, between which the finger is held in order to apply the closure device to the container and to locate the second drive means in a non-operational position.

Preferably, the second drive means comprises a set of teeth on the outer closure member which are engageable with a set of teeth on the inner closure member only when a combined pushing and turning force is applied to the end face of the outer closure member which releases the finger from between the spaced abutments and enables engagement between the teeth.

The closure device can be unscrewed by applying a combined pushing and turning force to the end face of the outer closure member. When the closure device has been removed for the first time and the frangible cover has been released, the closure device can subsequently be removed either by applying a combined pushing and turning force or by means of a separate tool which is able to engage the inner closure member to unscrew the closure device.

Preferably, the sections are connected to each other and the perimeter of the aperture by frangible tabs .

Preferably, one of the sections is connected to the perimeter of the aperture by a tab which is less frangible than the other tabs.

Preferably, the underside of the section connected by the less frangible tab has a lip which urges the section away from the inner closure member and thus away from the end face of the outer closure member .

Preferably, the projection has a socket which can engage with a separable tool thus enabling the closure device to be removed without applying a pushing force to the closure device. Preferably, the cover comprises a plurality of sections in shapes which can serve as indicia for the contents of the container.

Preferably, the cover comprises a plurality of sections, each of which is small enough not to damage a small child if swallowed.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an axial section through a closure device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the inner closure member of the closure device;

Figure 3 is a side view of the inner closure member of the closure device; Figure 4 is an underside view of the outer closure member of the closure device;

Figure 5 is an axial section through the outer closure member of the closure device on the line V-V of Figure 4 ; Figure 6 is a plan view of the end face of the outer closure member in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the underside of the cover in Figure 4 ;

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the top view of the cover in Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a top view of the inner closure of a further embodiment of the closure device;

Figures 10, 11 and 12 depict detail of the dogs and ramps on the top surface of the inner closure in Figure 9; Figure 13 is a side view in section of the closure device depicting the positioning means for the fingers;

Figure 14 is a front view of a bracket for use in unscrewing the closure device from a bottle; and

Figure 15 depicts a user unscrewing the closure device from a bottle using the bracket of Figure 14 when fixed to the underside of a shelf or the like.

Referring to Figures 1 to 12 of the drawings, there is shown a closure device for the screw-threaded cylindrical opening or neck of a bottle or other container. The closure device comprises an inner closure member 10 having an end face 11 and a depending cylindrical skirt portion 22. The end face 21 of the outer closure member 20 is formed with a circular aperture 23 at its centre. The aperture 23 is partially closed by a cover 24 integral with the end face 21 and frangibly connected thereto. The end face 11 of the inner closure member 10 is formed at its centre with a cylindrical projection 14, the top end of which is formed with a socket 15 of square section.

The inner closure member 10 is received within the outer closure member 20 and held captive by snap- engagement of its outer rim 16 past an annular ridge 26 on the inside of the skirt portion 22 of the outer closure member 20.

Four flexible fingers 27 project from the inside of the end face 21 of the outer closure member 20 in a peripheral direction. When the outer closure member 20 is turned in a clockwise direction, these fingers 27 abut respective dogs 17 on the end face 11 of the inner closure member, to turn the inner closure member 10 for tightening it onto the bottle or container neck. However, when the outer closure member 20 is turned in the opposite i.e. counter-clockwise direction, the flexible fingers 27 are angled such that they ride over the tops of the dogs 17. The outer closure member 20 thus turns freely relative to the inner member 10, which remains tightly closed on the bottle or container neck. However, the outer closure member 20 can be pushed in the axial direction towards the bottle or container. The outer closure member 20 will slide on the inner closure member 10, the fingers 27 being urged towards the underside of the end face 21 of the outer closure member 20 and the cover 24 being broken away by penetration of the projection 14 of the inner closure member into the aperture 23 of the outer closure member 20. This brings a series of teeth 28, formed around the inside of the skirt portion 22 of the outer closure member 20, into engagement with a series of teeth 18, which are formed around the outside of the inner closure member 10 adjacent its rim 16. The outer closure member 20 can now be turned in the counter-clockwise direction in order to turn the inner closure member 10 and unscrew it from the bottle.

With a view to ensuring that the closure device does not suffer temporary or permanent distortion, for example, during transportation, packaging or display, a further feature can be incorporated which avoids the teeth on the inner and outer closure members permanently engaging.

A problem encountered is that when the outer closure member 20 is screwed onto the container neck, the teeth 28 on the outer closure member 20 can come to rest above the gaps between the teeth 18 on the inner closure member 10 and consequently, compression of the container during transportation could result in the outer closure member 20 being pushed into the inner closure member 10, the fingers 27 being permanently distorted and the cover 24 being broken away. This problem can be avoided by ensuring that when the outer closure member 20 has been screwed onto the container neck (the fingers 27 having abutted dogs 17a and 17b) , the teeth 28 and the teeth 18 come to rest directly in line with each other and therefore, cannot engage. In this way, if compression occurs during transportation, the teeth 28 and 18 will not engage and fingers 27 cannot be distorted. This can be achieved by positioning means in the form of four additional ramps 33 as depicted in Figure 9. Each ramp 33 is located adjacent to a dog 17a or 17b. When the outer closure member 20 has been screwed into position on the container neck as a result of fingers 27 abutting dogs 17a and 17b, the outer closure member 20 is then held in position due to the location of the ramps 33. Each finger 27 is held between a dog 17a or 17b and a respective ramp 33 arranged such that the teeth 28 and 18 rest directly in line. Therefore, it is only when a user applies a pushing force together with a turning force that the fingers 27 will flex away from between the dogs and ramps allowing the teeth 28 and 18 to move out of line and engage as intended. The configuration of the dogs 17a and 17b and ramps 33 is depicted on an enlarged scale in Figures 10, 11 and 12. The dogs 17a and 17b differ slightly in configuration and dimensions to ensure smooth operation of the closure device. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the closure device may alternatively be removed from the bottle B using a fixed bracket 30. For example, the bracket 30 could be fixed to the underside of a shelf. The bracket 30 comprises a flat plate having a square section projection 32 on its front face. In use, the bottle B is offered to the bracket so that the projection 32 is received within the socket 15 of the inner closure member 10 (assuming that the cover 24 of the outer closure member 20 has previously been broken away) . The bracket 30 thus holds the inner closure member 10 against rotation, whilst the user rotates the bottle in a counter-clockwise direction, and so loosens the screw-threaded engagement between the bottle and the closure device. Preferably, the projection 32 of the bracket 30 is an interference fit into the socket 15 of the closure device, so that the bottle B can be unscrewed from the closure device, leaving the closure device held in place on the bracket. In this way, the user can open the bottle with only one hand. The closure device will remain on the bracket whilst the user removes some of the contents of the bottle, the user then being able to re- fit the closure device using only one hand by returning the bottle to the bracket.

Alternatively, the closure device can be removed by a manually operable tool which can be in any form, the only requirement being a projecting part which will fit into the socket 15 in the end face 11 of the inner closure member 10.

The cover 24 is intact when the container is purchased or first used and, therefore, serves to indicate that tampering has not taken place. However, as is depicted in Figures 6 to 8 , the cover 24 is constructed such that it comprises a plurality of sections a, b, c which are frangibly connected to each other and the perimeter of the aperture in end face 21 by tabs 25. Therefore, the cover 24 can not only separate from the outer closure member 20 but can also collapse should a small child try to swallow it, thus reducing the risk of harm. It has been established that even if the cover 24 were to remain uncollapsed (with sections a, b and c interconnected) and enter an air passage of a small child, the cross-sectional area of the air passage blocked by the cover 24 would be at most 50%. Moreover, the cover 24 is of such a size that it would pass through the digestive system of a small child without causing any noticeable side effects .

It should be noted with reference to Figure 7 that one of the tabs 25 is much stronger than the others with the intention of retaining the cover 24 on the end face 21, if possible. The section a which is connected by the stronger tab has on its underside a lip 26 which acts like a spring and urges the section a upwardly once sections b and c have broken away from the aperture in end face 21. In this way, it is very clear to an observer that the container concerned has been tampered with or simply opened. This is very advantageous when batches of the containers are inspected, since it is obvious which containers cannot be used. In contrast, containers using known tamper evident devices had to be inspected individually thus necessitating the return of complete batches.

The cover 24 can be constructed such that the sections a, b, c, serve as indicia to the user. For example, a manufacturer may want to use its trade mark or a logo on the closure device to help to distinguish the product from those of other manufacturers . Clearly, the sections a, b, c could form a letter or a particular shape which breaks down into sufficiently small pieces to ensure that no harm can come to a small child if swallowed. The cover 24 will, therefore be very advantageous in that it can serve to indicate tampering, it will not harm a small child if swallowed and finally can identify the contents or the manufacturer of the contents of the container.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A closure device for a container comprising inner and outer closure members, the closure members being moveable with respect to each other such that when an attempt is made to remove the closure device from the container, a projection on the inner closure member will extend into an aperture on the end face of the outer closure member, the aperture having a cover which is frangibly attached within the aperture, the projection thus causing the cover to separate at least partially from the closure device wherein the cover comprises a plurality of sections which are frangibly connected to each other.

2. A closure device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a positioning means is located between the inner and outer closure members which prevents the projection extending into the aperture unless a combined pushing and turning force is applied to the closure device.

3. A closure device for a container having a screw-threaded neck, the closure device comprising an inner closure member and an outer closure member, each closure member having an end face and a skirt portion, there being first drive means between the inner and outer closure members which operate to apply the closure device to the container and second drive means between the inner and outer closure members which operate to remove the closure device from the container only when a combined pushing and turning force is applied to the end face of the outer closure member, the end face of the inner closure member having a projection on its end face which is slidable within an aperture in the end face of the outer closure member, the projection being slidable from first position where it sits below the aperture to a second position where it extends into the aperture, the movement to the second position taking place only when a combined pushing and turning force is applied to the end face of the outer closure member, the aperture in the outer closure member having a cover which is frangibly connected to the end face such that when the closure device is first removed from the container by applying a combined pushing and turning force, the projection causes the cover to separate at least partially from the outer closure member to indicate that the closure device has been removed from the container, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of sections which are frangibly connected to each other.

4. A closure device as claimed in Claim 3, wherein a positioning means is located between the inner and outer closure members which prevents the second drive means operating unless a combined pushing and turning force is applied.

5. A closure device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the first drive means comprises at least one finger on the outer closure member which is held by the positioning means on the inner closure member.

6. A closure device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the positioning means comprises one or more pairs of spaced abutments, between which the finger is held in order to apply the closure device to the container and to locate the second drive means in a non-operational position.

7. A closure device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the second drive means comprises a set of teeth on the outer closure member which are engageable with a set of teeth on the inner closure member only when a combined pushing and turning force is applied to the end face of the outer closure member which releases the finger from between the spaced abutments and enables engagement between the teeth.

8. A closure device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sections of the cover are connected to each other and the perimeter of the aperture by frangible tabs.

9. A closure device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein one of the sections is connected to the perimeter of the aperture by a tab which is less frangible than the other tabs.

10. A closure device as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the underside of the section connected by the less frangible tab has a lip which urges the section away from the inner closure member and thus away from the end face of the outer closure member.

11. A closure device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the projection has a socket which can engage with a separable tool thus enabling the closure device to be removed without applying a pushing force to the closure device.

12. A closure device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of sections in shapes which can serve as indicia for the contents of the container.

13. A closure device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of sections, each of which is small enough not to damage a small child if swallowed.

14. A closure device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.