WO2018134304A1

WO2018134304A1 - Container assembly, container and closure

Info

Publication number: WO2018134304A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/051209
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kate FERRIE; Edward Ross SHENTON
Original assignee: Nerudia Ltd
Priority date: 2017-01-19
Filing date: 2018-01-18
Publication date: 2018-07-26
Also published as: GB2560690B; GB201700949D0; GB2560690A

Abstract

A container assembly (100) comprising a container (101) comprising one or more sides (104) forming a receptacle and an aperture (103) for the egress of contents from said receptacle; and a closure member (102) moveable to open and close said aperture (103); said one or more sides (104) and said closure member (102) comprising mutually complementary engagement members (114, 116) said mutually complementary engagement members (114, 116) configured to engage with each other to inhibit movement of said closure member (102) to open said aperture (103); and wherein said mutually complementary engagement members (114, 116) are movable relative to each other so as to not engage with each other. A container assembly comprising a tray with a first and a second apertures disposed in the container aperture and an assembly closed by a barrier member movable by acting on the container lid are also disclosed.

Description

Container assembly, container and closure

Field

The present invention relates to a container assembly, a container and a closure for such an assembly. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a container assembly for potentially harmful contents.

Background

Containers for dangerous or harmful substances generally include a safety feature associated with the lid or cap of the container which inhibits removal of the lid or cap by requiring a sequence of movements or simultaneous movements to be performed on the lid or cap in order to remove it. Typically the movements are difficult to perform, for example because two movements in transverse or naturally opposing or counterintuitive directions are required simultaneously. Such additional or secondary safety features are generally referred to as "childproof or "child resistant" since they were developed in order to inhibit a child's access to dangerous contents within a bottle such as medicines whether in solid or liquid form. However, children may learn to remove such "child resistant" lids or caps and users having weak hand strength such as the aged or infirm may be unable to remove "child resistant" lids or caps. Perversely, this leads to some users leaving the lids or caps off the bottles or at least in an intermediate configuration which is not childproof and easy to remove thereby making the contents accessible to children or other persons who may not be aware of the dangerous nature of the contents of the bottle. Aspects and embodiments in accordance with the present invention were devised with the foregoing in mind.

Summary

Viewed from a first aspect there is provided a container assembly comprising:a container comprising one or more sides forming a receptacle and an aperture for the egress of contents from said receptacle; and a closure member moveable to open and close said aperture; said one or more sides and said closure member comprising mutually complementary engagement members, said mutually complementary engagement members configured to engage with each other to inhibit movement of said closure member to open said aperture; and wherein said mutually complementary engagement members are movable relative to each other so as to not engage with each other.

One or more embodiments in accordance with the first aspect will comprise a secondary safety feature which will need to be released for access to the container contents. Consequently, inadvertent access to the container contents, in particular by child whose motor skills in control may not be so well advanced as to complete the actions necessary to release the secondary safety feature is inhibited.

Typically, a one of said mutually complementary engagement members is movable against a resilient bias to move said mutually complementary engagement members relative to each other so as to not engage with each other. Such an arrangement reduces the likelihood of the engagement members disengaging inadvertently and also assists in real engagement with a closure is moved from the open to the closed position.

Suitably, said one or more sides are deformable to move said mutually complementary engagement members relative to each other so as to not engage with each other. Thus, the engagement members may be relatively easily moved with respect to each other the simple action of applying force to one or more sides. Typically, deformation of one or more of said sides causes said one or more sides to move inwards of the container and to engage with said one of said mutually complementary engagement members to move said one of said mutually complementary engagement members against said resilient bias.

In one embodiment, said one of said mutually complementary engagement members is disposed on said closure member and said closure member is resiliently deformable to permit movement of said one of said mutually complementary engagement members relative to another of said mutually complementary engagement members disposed on said one or more sides. Such resilience of said closure member assists in the relative movement of the mutually complementary engagement members back to engage with each other and or inhibits their inadvertent separation.

Suitably, one other or both of said one or more sides and said closure member is a plastics material.

Generally, said mutually complementary engagement members disposed on said one or more sides are disposed around a perimeter region of said aperture. In particular, said mutually complementary engagement members disposed on said one or more sides are disposed around the perimeter of said aperture.

In one or more embodiments, said mutually complementary engagement members comprise a flange extending outwardly from said closure member and one or more lips extending inwardly of the container from said one or more sides.

Typically, the container assembly further comprises a releasable clasp mechanism comprising first and second clasp parts, a first clasp part disposed on a one of said one or more sides and a second clasp part disposed on said closure member said first clasp part and said second clasp part engageable with each other to form said clasp mechanism for securing said closure member to said container to close said opening. Such a clasp mechanism provides a suitably straightforward primary or first safety feature. In such a clasp mechanism, said first and second clasp parts are disposed on respective said one or more sides and said closure member such that said clasp mechanism is disposed outside said container when said first and second clasp parts are engaged.

In one or more embodiments, said complementary engagement members disposed on respective said one or more sides and said closure member are configured to define a space between opposing mutually complementary engagement members for said clasp mechanism securing said closure member to said container to close said opening. Such a spacing allows for a user's fingers to be inserted between the lid and the wall so that the lid may be moved upwards to assist in releasing the secondary safety feature. In such one or more embodiments, said closure member is movable within said space defined by opposing mutually complementary engagement members for said first and second clasp parts disengaged from one another. Generally, said closure member is hinged ly mounted to a one of said one or more sides.

Suitably, one or other or both of said mutually complementary engagement members comprises a cam surface configured to ease sliding contact movement of said mutually complementary engagement members relative. Such a cam surface makes good use of the spacing between opposing mutually complementary engagement members as the user may apply a force to the lid is lifted upwards in the direction of movement encouraged by the cam surface thereby easing release of the secondary safety feature comprising the mutually complementary engagement members.

Viewed from a second aspect there is provided a container for use in an assembly such as set out above, said container comprising one or more sides forming a receptacle and an aperture for the egress of contents from said receptacle, said one or more sides comprising engagement members configured to engage with complementary engagement members of a closure member to inhibit movement of said closure member to open said aperture when said closure member is engaged to close said aperture; and wherein said engagement members are movable relative to said complementary engagement members of said closure member so as to not engage with said complementary engagement members.

Viewed from a third aspect there is provided a closure member for use in an assembly such as set out above, said closure member comprising engagement members configured to engage with complementary engagement members of a container comprising an aperture to inhibit movement of said closure member to open said aperture when said closure member is engaged to close said aperture; and wherein said engagement members are movable relative to said complementary engagement members of said container so as to not engage with said complementary engagement members. Viewed from a fourth aspect there is provided a container assembly, comprising: a container comprising one or more sides forming a receptacle and an aperture for the egress of contents from said receptacle; a tray member disposed in said aperture to close said aperture; said tray member comprising a first tray aperture comprising a frangible closure and a second tray aperture comprising a movable closure member, said movable closure member movable between a closed position in which position the egress of contents from said receptacle are inhibited and an open position. The fourth aspect provides another approach embodiment to providing a secondary safety feature.

Typically, said movable closure member is biased towards said closed position to avoid inadvertent or unintentional release of the secondary safety feature to an open position.

Suitably, said tray member comprises a biasing mechanism to bias said movable closure member towards said closed position because this is a convenient place to base a biasing mechanism as it is close to the tray member which it is designed to bias.

The safety feature may be enhanced by said movable closure member comprising a flat surface on an actuatable side of said movable closure because this reduces and preferably removes any physical features that may provide an easy or simple grip such as would be required by a child to move the closure.

Said movable closure being slidably movable between said closed position and said open position may assist in the closure being made conformal with the tray or at least recessed below the upper surface of the tray to inhibit actuation by a child..

Typically, said flat surface comprises a recess on said actuatable side of said movable closure member which assists in providing a grip to a user with sufficient motor skills and control to utilise a recess to move the movable closure.. To enhance the safety aspect, said recess is sized so as to frustrate engagement with a human finger and or thumb thereby inhibiting application of a force sufficient to move said movable closure between said closed position and said open position.

The safety aspect may be enhanced optionally or additionally by said recess being configured to receive a key member for applying said force sufficient to move said movable closure member between said closed position and said open position. Suitably, said recess comprises a hole or slot which may be actuatable by a key yet at the same time be sufficiently small not to be actuatable by user's fingers or hands alone. Use of a slot particularly beneficial in that a specific but dedicated key the not be utilised . Instead, a simple coin or other edged article could be used. Said hole or said slot and said key member are mutually complementary for engagement therebetween.

Regulated movement of said movable closure member may be achieved if said tray member comprises a guide member for guiding movement of said movable closure member between said closed position and said open position. Such a guide member may be disposed on a side of said tray member opposite said actuatable side of said movable closure member. Arranging the closure member to be supported on the opposite side of the tray member further inhibits inadvertent actuation or actuation by a child or the like.

Suitably, said guide member comprises a bias mechanism for biasing said movable closure member toward said closed position which assists in avoiding inadvertent or unwanted opening. Inadvertent or unwanted opening or movement of the closure member may be enhanced when said guide member is configured to apply a friction force to said movable closure member to inhibit slidable movement thereof. In such an arrangement greater force is required to move the closure member than would otherwise be the case thereby enhancing the safety feature.

A particularly helpful arrangement is one in which said guide member is configured to apply said friction force so as to act in a direction to inhibit movement of said movable closure member toward said open position. Such a preferential fiction direction may be utilised to inhibit opening of the movable closure yet comparably ease closing of the movable closure. Suitably, said guide member comprises a groove configured to accommodate an edge of said movable closure member, !t may be particular useful if said groove of said guide member is deformable responsive to pressure applied to said tray member at one or more sides of said second tray aperture to reduce said friction force. Such defamation may provide a further control and activity or action required to allow the movable closure member to be slidably moved. In particular, the groove may be configured such that a high friction force is applied unless the pressure is applied to the tray member thereby requiring a further action of applying pressure before the slidably movable closure member can be moved. Typically, said groove opens responsive to said pressure which will naturally act to relieve or reduce frictional forces.

Typically, the container assembly, further comprises a lid, wherein generally said lid is hingedly mounted to a one of said one or more sides.

Viewed from a fifth aspect there is provided a tray member for a container assembly such as referred to above, said tray member comprising a first tray aperture comprising a frangible closure and a second tray aperture comprising a movable closure member, said movable closure member movable between a closed position in which position the egress of contents from said receptacle are inhibited and an open position. Viewed from a fifth aspect there is provided a container for a container assembly such as referred to above, said container comprising one or more sides forming a receptacle and an aperture for the egress of contents from said receptacle; said container configured to support a tray member in a position to close said aperture.

Viewed from a sixth aspect there is provided a container assembly, comprising: a container comprising one or more sides forming a receptacle and an aperture for the egress of contents from said receptacle, and a lid movably mounted to a one of said one or more sides for movement between a lid closed position in which said aperture is closed and a lid open position in which said aperture is open; and a barrier member disposed within said container relative to said lid, said barrier member movable from a barrier closed position whereat egress of container contents from said aperture is inhibited and movable to a barrier open position whereat egress of container contents from said aperture is facilitated; said barrier member and said lid comprising mutually complementary engagement members in a first configuration to retain said barrier member in said barrier closed position and movable to a second configuration to release said barrier from said barrier closed position; and wherein movement between said first and second configurations is responsive to movement of said lid from said lid closed position to said lid open position.

Again, the barrier member provides a secondary safety feature to further inhibit access to the contents of the container.

In one or more embodiments, said mutually complementary engagement members comprise a slot and a tab arranged in said first configuration such that said tab extends into said slot and is movable to said second configuration in which said tab is outwith said slot. Such a tab and slot arrangement represents a relatively simple complementary engagement arrangement which may have relatively high manufacturing tolerances making it suitable for use in mass production.

Suitably, said lid is hingedly mounted to said one of said one or more sides. In one or more embodiments, said tab is disposed on said lid and said slot is disposed in said barrier member.

Suitably, said tab is of a length requiring said lid to be open a sufficient amount to permit access by a human hand at least for said tab to be outwith said slot. Thus, a human may be able to access the barrier member to remove it once the tab and slot have been disengaged. If said tab is of a length requiring said lid to be open at least perpendicular to said aperture for said tab to be outwith said slot there is greater space for human to access the barrier member to remove it thereby making it easier to remove.

In further one or more embodiments, said tab is of a length requiring said lid to be over centre for said tab to be outwith said slot. Requiring the lid to be over centre places a further requirement on the actions necessary to allow release of the barrier member thereby improving the safety feature.

In another one or more embodiments, said tab is distended at an end distal said lid and said slot is configured in two sections a first section shaped to inhibit passage of said distended end of said tab and a second section shaped to permit passage of said distended end of said tab, said barrier member and said lid disposed such that said distended end of said tab engages with said first section of said slot responsive to movement of said lid about said hinge; and wherein said barrier member is deformable responsive to a force exerted on a one or more of said sides to bring said second section of said slot into a position such that said distended end of said tab may pass through said second section. Such another one or more embodiments require a positive action on the tab to move the barrier member into position where it may be released from its closure configuration. The requirement of a positive action enhances the safety aspects of the embodiment. Suitably, said slot is formed in a one of said one or more sides and said tab extends from said barrier member into said slot, said tab movable out of said slot towards said container interior under the influence of a force applied externally of the container. The application of an external force avoids any inadvertent release of a tab by virtue of the contents themselves whilst in the container.

In a particularly useful configurations, said side walls are resilient!y deformable and said tab is arranged to be movable by said resiliently deformable one or more of said side walls as they are deformed to engage with said tab. Thus, an existing part of the container assembly may be utilised to activate disengagement of the tab with the slot. Optionally or additionally, said barrier member is resiliently deformable and said tab is arranged to be movable against said resiliently deformable barrier member. A resiliently deformable barrier member provides another degree of freedom for the movement of the tab. In a particular embodiment, said slot is open at both ends. Such a particular embodiment may be used in a configuration wherein said lid is movable to a position where the lid may be utilised to apply said force to said tab.

Suitably, said lid is hinged ly mounted to the one said one or more side walls in which said slot is formed and movable about hinged position to said position to apply said force. Thus, an element of the container assembly itself may be utilised to apply the force to the tab is to remove them from the slots and in a configuration which may require sufficient motor control skills to prove difficult for a child to perform. In particular, nodules or protrusions may be provided on the lid which are coincident with the open end of the slots when the lid is hinged right over such that the nodules or protrusions may be utilised to push the tab from the slot.

Viewed from a seventh aspect, there is provided a container for a container assembly such as referred to above, comprising one or more sides forming a receptacle and an aperture for the egress of contents from said receptacle, and a lid movably mounted to a one of said one or more sides for movement between a lid closed position in which said aperture is closed and a lid open position in which said aperture is open; said lid comprising an engagement member configured to cooperate with a complementary engagement member disposed on a barrier member locatable in said container in a first configuration to retain said barrier member in a barrier closed position in said container; said engagement member movable to a second configuration to release said barrier from a barrier closed position in said container; and wherein movement between said first and second configurations is responsive to movement of said lid from said lid closed position to said lid open position.

A barrier member for a container assembly such as referred to above, positionable within said container and configured to be movable from a barrier closed position in said container assembly inhibiting the egress of container contents to a position to facilitate egress of container contents from said aperture; said barrier member comprising an engagement member configured to cooperate with a complementary engagement member disposed on a lid of a container of said assembly in a first configuration to retain said barrier member in said barrier closed position and movable to a second configuration to release said barrier from said barrier closed position.

List of Figures

One or more embodiments in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings and in which: Figure 1 illustrates a view through a cross-section of a container comprising a secondary safety feature in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a detail of the secondary safety feature engagement mechanism in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 illustrates a dual access tray providing a secondary safety feature in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a trapped barrier providing a secondary safety feature in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 illustrates a trapped barrier providing a secondary safety feature in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Description

In general overview embodiments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention seek to provide a supplementary or "secondary" safety feature for containers which may contain hazardous contents. The secondary safety feature provides a further barrier for accessing the contents of a container and typically requires a relatively complex operation requiring good control of motor skills in order to release the further barrier to gain access to the contents.

Turning now to figure 1 there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of a container 100 assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The container assembly 100 comprises a container 101 typically used for containing detergent or detergent capsules. The container 100 comprises a lid 102 hinged to a side wall 104 of the container. The container 101 comprises a base and four walls which extend upwards from the container enclosing a space ending in an aperture, 103, which is closed by lid 102. In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in figure 1 container 100 is assembled with a closure member 106 providing a secondary safety feature. Lid 102 is secured shut by use of a conventional clasp arrangement (not shown).

The closure member 106 is engaged with container 102 at the top of one of the sidewalls, 104, and the engagement arrangement is generally indicated with reference 108.

Details of the engagement arrangement 108 are illustrated in expanded view in figure 2. Figure 2 illustrates the lid 102 and the closure member 106. A side wall 104 of container 101 is also illustrated. Side wail 104 comprises a lip 1 16 extending along the interior periphery of the top of side wall 104. In the described embodiment a clasp mechanism, 1 10, is illustrated disposed at the top of side wall 104. Clasp 1 10 provides a first and conventional safety feature, namely a locking arrangement which maintains lid 102 closed until access to the contents of container 101 is required. Lid 102 has an internal wall member 1 12 which extends a short way into the aperture, 103, of the container. In the described embodiment internal wall member 1 12 comprises an abutment member 1 14 which extends to a position opposing the lower surface of the internal lip 116 of side wall 104. Abutment member 114 is spaced apart from lip 1 16 by space 1 18. Space 118 is sufficient to permit a user's finger or fingertip to gain a grip on lid 102 to lift it up further.

As can be seen in figure 2, abutment member 1 14 comprises a chamfered or sloped end 1 17.

When the clasp 1 10 is released, lid 102 may be moved slightly upwards, through space 1 8, until abutment member 14 impinges against the lower surface of internal lip 1 16. Thus, abutment member 1 14 and a lower surface of internal lip 1 16 provide mutually complementary engagement members which cooperate to provide a secondary safety feature that inhibits removal or release of lid 102.

Wall 104, and typically the container generally, is made from a plastics material. In the described embodiment, wall 104 is resiliently deformable as is the opposing wall. In order to release lid 102, a force may be applied to side wall 104 deforming it such that it engages with abutment member 1 14 and further force and deformation of wall 104 urges abutment member 1 14 away from its position opposing the lower surface of internal lip 1 16. Chamfered end 1 17 may act as a cam surface to assist in abutment member 1 14 passing over the lower surface of internal lip 1 16 such that lid 102 may be lifted upwards to open container 101 . Optionally or additionally, sidewall 104 may be deformed sufficiently such that abutment member 1 14 is closed entirely away from opposition with the lower surface of internal lip 1 16 to permit complete lifting of lid 102.

Turning now to figure 3, there is illustrated a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention. A dual access tray 200 provides a barrier member which may be placed within the aperture, 103, of a container 103 and having a lid 102 such as illustrated in figure 1. In this second embodiment, the dual access tray 200 is used as a secondary safety feature instead of the closure member 106 illustrated in figure 1 and figure 2. Dual access tray 200 is fitted into the aperture 103 of container 101 .

Dual access tray 200 comprises a frangible seal 202, which may be ruptured to expose a dispensing aperture. In the described embodiment, the frangible seal 202 comprises a plastics cover extending over an aperture and attached to the size of the aperture by series of thin ribs. Dual access tray 200 is made of a plastics material and consequently the frangible seal 202 may be ruptured easily. Frangible seal 202 may be ruptured to provide a permanent dispensing aperture if the user has no need for secondary safety feature, for example they do not have young children who may look to play with the container and access its contents. Optionally, frangible seal 202 may be left unruptured in order to inhibit access to the contents of the container 101 . A second aperture, 204, is formed in the dual access tray 200. The second aperture 204 may be closed by a slidable cover 206. In the described embodiment, the siidable cover slides within grooves 208 which guide the cover between an open configuration and a closed configuration. Cover 206 is recessed into dual access tray 200 in order to avoid exposure of any edges of the slidable cover 206 which may be used to gain a grip on the slidable cover so that it may be moved to an open position. Additionally, slidable cover 206 has a generally flat and smooth surface again to avoid a person gaining a grip on the slidable cover 206.

In order to facilitate controlled sliding of cover 206 two holes, 210, are provided at one end of the cover and into which may be inserted a complimentary key so that the slidable cover may be easily moved between the closed and open configuration. The key may be kept separate from the container 101 so that unauthorised or unsupervised opening of side will cover 210 may be avoided. In the described embodiment, slidable cover 206 is moved from the closed position to the open position against a spring bias provided by the spring 212. The spring 212 is schematically illustrated in dotted outline indicating that it is disposed on the underside of the dual access tray 200 and is not visible in the view illustrated in figure 3.

A third embodiment in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to figure 4 of the drawings. A container 301 for containing detergent capsules or the like is fitted with a lid 302 hinged to a top side of a wall of the container 301. A barrier member 306 is disposed in the dispense aperture of container 301 to provide a secondary safety feature when the lid 302 is opened. The barrier member inhibits access to the container contents when the lid 302 is opened.

Barrier 306 is mounted in the container 301 and engaged with the lid 302 by mutually complementary engagement formations in such a way so as to inhibit removal of barrier member 306 unless the lid 302 is in a specific position. Such an arrangement may inhibit removal of the barrier member 306 by young children thereby protecting them from what may be harmful contents. A tab 304 extends from the lower side of lid 302 such that it follows an arcuate path as the lid 302 is open and closed. In the lid 302 closed configuration tab 304 extends into slot 308 in the barrier member 306. Tab 304 has a length such that unless lid 302 is opened at least a minimum amount tab 304 is still engaged with slot 308 and removal of barrier 306 is inhibited or preferably prevented.

Various configurations and lengths of tab 304 may be employed. For example, tab 304 may be sized so that the lid has to be moved to at least a vertical position or even right over so that it lays near to or against the side of container 301 . Thus, a small child for example would have to have sufficient motor skills and control to move the lid 302 to such an extent.

A variation of the embodiment illustrated in and described with reference to figure 4 utilises a tab with a distended end. A "T" shaped tab may be such a tab where the head of the "T" is at the distal end of the tab away from the lid 302. Slot 308 would be complementarily shaped to have at least a cross-section to accommodate the head of the "T" as well as a narrow slot section to prevent the passage of the head of the "T". In this variation the head of the "T"-shaped slot is closest to the tab. In this variation, the side wall on which the lid is mounted and the barrier member 306 are sufficiently flexible that the sidewall may be deformed inward to push the barrier member 306 and hence the slot 308 inwards so that the "T-shaped head of the slot is coincident with the "T"-shaped head of the tab and the tab can pass through the slot to release the barrier member to provide access to the container contents.

In operation of such a variation, the "T"-shaped tab is guided by a user into the "T- shaped slot. When opening the container, as lid 302 moves so the "T"-shaped tab head engages with the narrow part of the "T-shaped slot and inhibits removal of barrier member 306. Movement of the sidewall causes movement of the tab and slot relative to each other to bring the "T-shaped tab head into coincidence with the "T- shaped head of the slot so that the tab may pass through the slot.

A fourth embodiment is illustrated in figure 5. This may be considered to be a reverse implementation of the third embodiment. In the embodiment illustrated in figure 5 container 401 has a lid 402 hingedly mounted at the top of a side wall and a barrier member 406 mounted in its aperture and providing a secondary safety feature. Barrier member 406 comprises tabs 408 which are upstanding and shaped, typically arcuate, so as to engage with slots 410 formed in top of inner wall 404 of the container. When the lid is opened the outer wall opposite the inner wall 404 where slots 410 are located is pushed inwards so that the tabs 308 are pushed back through slots 410 in inner wall 404 and the barrier member 406 can be removed.

As used herein any reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" or the phrase "in an embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

In addition, use of the "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and components of the invention. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, sidewall 104 has been described to be made of plastics and being resiliently deformab!e. However, one or more embodiments of the invention may be implemented in which only the region of sidewall 104 actuatable against abutment member 1 14 need be resiliently deformable. Optionally or additionally, internal wall 1 12 may be resiliently deformable to effect in the movement of abutment member 1 14 away from its opposing position with the lower surface of inner lip 1 6. Optionally or additionally, lid 102 may be formed of resiliently deformable material to effect in the movement of abutment member 1 14 away from its opposing position with the lower surface of inner lip 1 6. With respect to the dual access tray of the second embodiment, the two "keyholes" 210 may be replaced by or augmented by a low-profile recess which is difficult for user to gain a grip on but with care may be assessed in sliding the final cover, or the two keyholes may instead be a simple slot into which a coin may be inserted to assist in moving the slidable cover. Additionally, although the second embodiment embodiment has been described utilising a leaf spring other biasing arrangement may be used such as a helical spring arrangement or other such biasing mechanism or material. The term "slot" has been used in the foregoing description but embodiments in accordance with the present invention are not limited to using slot shaped apertures. For example, circular, elliptical, square and other shaped apertures may be utilized. The scope of the present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed therein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof irrespective of whether or not it relates to the claimed invention or mitigate against any or all of the problems addressed by the present invention. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features during prosecution of this application or of any such further application derived therefrom. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claims may be combined with those of the independent claims and features from respective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in specific combinations enumerated in the claims.

Claims

Claims:

1 . A container assembly comprising:

a container comprising one or more sides forming a receptacle and an aperture for the egress of contents from said receptacle; and

a closure member moveable to open and close said aperture;

said one or more sides and said closure member comprising mutually complementary engagement members, said mutually complementary engagement members configured to engage with each other to inhibit movement of said closure member to open said aperture; and wherein

said mutually complementary engagement members are movable relative to each other so as to not engage with each other.

2. A container assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a one of said mutually complementary engagement members is movable against a resilient bias to move said mutually complementary engagement members relative to each other so as to not engage with each other.

3. A container assembly according to claim 2, wherein said one or more sides are deformable to move said mutually complementary engagement members relative to each other so as to not engage with each other.

4. A container assembly according to claim 3, wherein deformation of one or more of said sides causes said one or more sides to move inwards of the container and to engage with said one of said mutually complementary engagement members to move said one of said mutually complementary engagement members against said resilient bias.

5. A container assembly according to claim 4, wherein said one of said mutually complementary engagement members is disposed on said closure member and said closure member is resiliently deformable to permit movement of said one of said mutually complementary engagement members relative to another of said mutually complementary engagement members disposed on said one or more sides.

6. A container assembly according to any preceding claim wherein one other or both of said one or more sides and said closure member is a plastics material.

7. A container assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said mutually complementary engagement members disposed on said one or more sides are disposed around a perimeter region of said aperture.

8. A container assembly according to claim 7, wherein said mutually complementary engagement members disposed on said one or more sides are disposed around the perimeter of said aperture.

9. A container assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said mutually complementary engagement members comprise a flange extending outwardly from said closure member and one or more lips extending inwardly of the container from said one or more sides.

10. A container assembly any preceding claim, further comprising a releasable clasp mechanism comprising first and second clasp parts, a first clasp part disposed on a one of said one or more sides and a second clasp part disposed on said closure member said first clasp part and said second clasp part engageable with each other to form said clasp mechanism for securing said closure member to said container to close said opening.

1 1 .A container assembly according to claim 10, wherein said first and second clasp parts are disposed on respective said one or more sides and said closure member such that said clasp mechanism is disposed outside said container when said first and second clasp parts are engaged.

12. A container assembly according to claim 10 or claim 1 1 , wherein said complementary engagement members disposed on respective said one or more sides and said closure member are configured to define a space between opposing mutually complementary engagement members for said clasp mechanism securing said closure member to said container to close said opening.

13. A container assembly according to claim 12, wherein said closure member is movable within said space defined by opposing mutually complementary engagement members for said first and second clasp parts disengaged from one another.

14. A container assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said closure member is hingedly mounted to a one of said one or more sides.

15. A container assembly, wherein one or other or both of said mutually complementary engagement members comprises a cam surface configured to ease sliding contact movement of said mutually complementary engagement members relative.

16. A container for use in an assembly according to any preceding claim, said container comprising one or more sides forming a receptacle and an aperture for the egress of contents from said receptacle, said one or more sides comprising engagement members configured to engage with complementary engagement members of a closure member to inhibit movement of said closure member to open said aperture when said closure member is engaged to close said aperture; and wherein

said engagement members are movable relative to said complementary engagement members of said closure member so as to not engage with said complementary engagement members.

17. A closure member for use in an assembly according to any of claim 1 to claim 15, said closure member comprising engagement members configured to engage with complementary engagement members of a container comprising an aperture to inhibit movement of said closure member to open said aperture when said closure member is engaged to close said aperture; and wherein said engagement members are movable relative to said complementary engagement members of said container so as to not engage with said complementary engagement members.

18. A container assembly, comprising:

a container comprising one or more sides forming a receptacle and an aperture for the egress of contents from said receptacle;

a tray member disposed in said aperture to close said aperture;

said tray member comprising a first tray aperture comprising a frangible closure and a second tray aperture comprising a movable closure member, said movable closure member movable between a closed position in which position the egress of contents from said receptacle are inhibited and an open position.

19. A container assembly according to any of claim 18, wherein said movable closure member is biased towards said closed position.

20. A container assembly according to claim 19, wherein said tray member comprises a biasing mechanism to bias said movable closure member towards said closed position.

21. A container assembly according to any of claim 18 to claim 20, wherein said movable closure member comprises a flat surface on an actuatable side of said movable closure.

22. A container assembly according to any of claim 18 to claim 21 , wherein said movable closure is slidably movable between said closed position and said open position.

23. A container assembly according to claim 22 when dependent on claim 20, wherein said flat surface comprises a recess on said actuatable side of said movable closure member.

24. A container assembly according to claim 23, wherein said recess is sized so as to frustrate engagement with a human finger and or thumb thereby inhibiting application of a force sufficient to move said movable closure between said closed position and said open position.

25. A container assembly according to claim 23 or claim 24, wherein said recess is configured to receive a key member for applying said force sufficient to move said movable closure member between said closed position and said open position.

26. A container assembly according to any of claim 23 to claim 25, wherein said recess comprises a hole or slot.

27. A container assembly according to claim 26, wherein said hole or said slot and said key member are mutually complementary for engagement therebetween.

28. A container assembly according to any of claim 18 to claim 27, wherein said tray member comprises a guide member for guiding movement of said movable closure member between said closed position and said open position.

29. A container assembly according to claim 28, wherein said guide member is disposed on a side of said tray member opposite said actuatable side of said movable closure member.

30. A container assembly according to claim 28 or claim 29, wherein said guide member comprises a bias mechanism for biasing said movable closure member toward said closed position.

31 . A container assembly according to any of claim 28 to claim 30, wherein said guide member is configured to apply a friction force to said movable closure member to inhibit slidable movement thereof.

32. A container assembly according to claim 31 , wherein said guide member is configured to apply said friction force so as to act in a direction to inhibit movement of said movable closure member toward said open position.

33. A container assembly according to any of claim 28 to claim 32, wherein said guide member comprises a groove configured to accommodate an edge of said movable closure member.

34. A container assembly according to claim 33, wherein said groove of said guide member is deformable responsive to pressure applied to said tray member at one or more sides of said second tray aperture to reduce said friction force.

35. A assembly container according to claim 34, wherein said groove opens responsive to said pressure.

36. A container assembly according to any of claim 18 to claim 35, further comprising a lid.

37. A container assembly according to claim 36, wherein said lid is hingedly mounted to a one of said one or more sides.

38. A tray member for a container assembly according to any of claim 18 to claim 37, said tray member comprising a first tray aperture comprising a frangible closure and a second tray aperture comprising a movable closure member, said movable closure member movable between a closed position in which position the egress of contents from said receptacle are inhibited and an open position.

39. A container for a container assembly according to any of claim 18 to claim 37, said container comprising one or more sides forming a receptacle and an aperture for the egress of contents from said receptacle; said container configured to support a tray member in accordance with claim 37 in a position to close said aperture.

40. A container assembly, comprising:

a container comprising one or more sides forming a receptacle and an aperture for the egress of contents from said receptacle, and a lid movably mounted to a one of said one or more sides for movement between a lid closed position in which said aperture is closed and a lid open position in which said aperture is open; and

a barrier member disposed within said container relative to said lid, said barrier member movable from a barrier closed position whereat egress of container contents from said aperture is inhibited and movable to a barrier open position whereat egress of container contents from said aperture is facilitated;

said barrier member and said lid comprising mutually complementary engagement members in a first configuration to retain said barrier member in said barrier closed position and movable to a second configuration to release said barrier from said barrier closed position; and wherein

movement between said first and second configurations is responsive to movement of said lid from said lid closed position to said lid open position.

41 .A container assembly according to claim 40, wherein said mutually complementary engagement members comprise a slot and a tab arranged in said first configuration such that said tab extends into said slot and movable to said second configuration in which said tab is outwith said slot.

42. A container assembly according to claim 41 , wherein said lid is hinged ly mounted to said one of said one or more sides.

43. A container assembly according to any of claim 40 to claim 42, wherein said tab is disposed on said lid and said slot is disposed in said barrier member.

44. A container assembly according to claim 43, dependent upon claim 42, wherein said tab is of a length requiring said lid to be open a sufficient amount to permit access by a human hand at least for said tab to be outwith said slot.

45. A container assembly according to claim 44, wherein said tab is of a length requiring said lid to be open at least perpendicular to said aperture for said tab to be outwith said slot.

46. A container assembly according to claim 45, wherein said tab is of a length requiring said lid to be over centre for said tab to be outwith said slot.

47. A container assembly according to any of claim 43 to claim 46, wherein said tab is distended at an end distal said lid and said slot is configured in two sections a first section shaped to inhibit passage of said distended end of said tab and a second section shaped to permit passage of said distended end of said tab, said barrier member and said lid disposed such that said distended end of said tab engages with said first section of said slot responsive to movement of said lid about said hinge; and wherein said barrier member is deformable responsive to a force exerted on a one or more of said sides to bring said second section of said slot into a position such that said distended end of said tab may pass through said second section.

48. A container assembly according to any of claim 40 to claim 42, wherein said slot is formed in a one of said one or more sides and said tab extends from said barrier member into said slot, said tab movable out of said slot towards said container interior under the influence of a force applied externally of the container.

49. A container assembly according to claim 48, wherein one or more of said side walls are resiliently deformable and said tab is arranged to be movable against said resiliently deformable one or more of said side walls.

50. A container assembly according to claim 48 or claim 49, wherein said barrier member is resiliently deformable and said tab is arranged to be movable against said resiliently deformable barrier member.

51 . A container assembly according to any of claim 48 to claim 50, wherein said slot is open at both ends.

52. A container assembly according to any of claim 48 to claim 51 , wherein said lid is movable to a position where the lid may be utilised to apply said force to said tab.

53. A container assembly according to claim 52, wherein said lid is hingedly mounted to the one said one or more side walls in which said slot is formed and movable about hinged position to said position to apply said force.

54. A container for a container assembly according to any of claim 40 to claim 53, comprising one or more sides forming a receptacle and an aperture for the egress of contents from said receptacle, and a lid movably mounted to a one of said one or more sides for movement between a lid closed position in which said aperture is closed and a lid open position in which said aperture is open; said lid comprising an engagement member configured to cooperate with a complementary engagement member disposed on a barrier member locatable in said container in a first configuration to retain said barrier member in a barrier closed position in said container; said engagement member movable to a second configuration to release said barrier from a barrier closed position in said container; and wherein movement between said first and second configurations is responsive to movement of said lid from said lid closed position to said lid open position.

55. A barrier member for a container assembly according to any of claim 40 to claim 47, positionable within said container and configured to be movable from a barrier closed position in said container assembly inhibiting the egress of container contents to a position to facilitate egress of container contents from said aperture; said barrier member comprising an engagement member configured to cooperate with a complementary engagement member disposed on a lid of a container of said assembly in a first configuration to retain said barrier member in said barrier closed position and movable to a second configuration to release said barrier from said barrier closed position.

56. A container assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

57. A container substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

58. A closure member substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

59. A container assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to figure 3 of the drawings.

60. A container substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to figure 3 of the drawings.

61 . A barrier member substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to figure 3 of the drawings.

62. A container assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to figure 4 of the drawings.

63. A container substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to figure 4 of the drawings.

64. A barrier member substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to figure 4 of the drawings.

65. A container assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to figure 5 of the drawings.

66. A container substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to figure 5 of the drawings.

67. A barrier member substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to figure 5 of the drawings.