U.S. patent application number 09/794157 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-01 for reversible child resistant cap and combination of a container and a reversible child resistant cap.
Invention is credited to Miceli, David A., Miceli, Joseph A..
Application Number | 20010035388 09/794157 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22682128 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010035388 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miceli, David A. ; et
al. |
November 1, 2001 |
Reversible child resistant cap and combination of a container and a
reversible child resistant cap
Abstract
The present invention relates to a reversible child resistant
cap and a closure system having two positions, the first being a
child resistant position and the other being a non-child resistant
position. The cap is characterized in that it has a closure plane,
a circumferential outer skirt for engaging a container, and a
circumferential resilient depending inner member.
Inventors: |
Miceli, David A.; (Spencer,
TN) ; Miceli, Joseph A.; (Spencer, TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHANKS & HERBERT
TransPotomac Plaza
Suite 306
1033 N. Fairfax St.
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
22682128 |
Appl. No.: |
09/794157 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60185706 |
Feb 29, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
215/228 ;
215/222; 215/329; 215/332 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 50/043 20130101;
B65D 2215/02 20130101; B65D 41/36 20130101; B65D 2251/09 20130101;
B65D 41/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/228 ;
215/222; 215/332; 215/329 |
International
Class: |
B65D 050/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A reversible child resistant cap for use with a container, the
cap having a child resistant mode when applied to the container in
a first child resistant position and having a non-child resistant
mode when applied to the container in a second non-child resistant
position, the cap comprising: a closure plane; a circumferential
outer skirt comprising an upper portion extending in an upward
direction from the closure plane and a lower portion extending in a
downward direction from the closure plane, wherein the upper
portion of the circumferential outer skirt comprises a non-child
resistant engaging means for engaging the container and the lower
portion of the circumferential outer skirt comprises a child
resistant engaging means for engaging the container; and a
circumferential resilient depending inner member comprising an
outer surface, wherein the outer surface is tapered from a larger
diameter portion adjacent the closure plane to a smaller diameter
portion remote from the closure plane.
2. The reversible child resistant cap according to claim 1, wherein
the circumferential outer skirt further comprises a gripping
means.
3. The reversible child resistant cap according to claim 2, wherein
the gripping means comprises a plurality of knurlments.
4. The reversible child resistant cap according to claim 1, wherein
the non-child resistant engaging means is an endless closure
bead.
5. The reversible child resistant cap according to claim 1, wherein
the non-child resistant engaging means is a thread bead.
6. The reversible child resistant cap according to claim 1, wherein
the non-child resistant engaging means is a double entry thread
bead.
7. The reversible child resistant cap according to claim 1, wherein
the non-child resistant engaging means extends from an inner
surface of the upper portion of the circumferential outer
skirt.
8. The reversible child resistant cap according to claim 1, wherein
the child resistant engaging means is a locking lug.
9. The reversible child resistant cap according to claim 8, wherein
the cap further comprises a molding hole positioned above the
locking lug between an outer surface of the circumferential outer
skirt and a position on the closure plane at which position the
closure plane intersects with a top edge surface of the container
when the cap is applied to the container in the second non-child
resistant position.
10. The reversible child resistant cap according to claim 1,
wherein the locking lug has a top surface plane about perpendicular
to an inner surface of the lower portion of the circumferential
outer skirt.
11. The reversible child resistant cap according to claim 1,
wherein the cap is molded from polypropylene.
12. A closure system comprising a reversible child resistant cap
and a container, having a child resistant mode when the cap is
applied to the container in a first child resistant position and
having a non-child resistant mode when the cap is applied to the
container in a second non-child resistant position; wherein the cap
comprises: (i) a closure plane; (ii) a circumferential outer skirt
comprising an upper portion extending in an upward direction from
the closure plane and a lower portion extending in a downward
direction from the closure plane, wherein the upper portion of the
circumferential outer skirt comprises a non-child resistant
engaging means for engaging the container and the lower portion of
the circumferential outer skirt comprises a child resistant
engaging means for engaging the container; and (iii) a
circumferential resilient depending inner member comprising an
outer surface, wherein the outer surface is tapered from a larger
diameter portion adjacent the closure plane to a smaller diameter
portion remote from the closure plane; and the container comprises:
(i) a neck portion, wherein the neck portion of the container has
an inner surface for engaging the tapered outer surface of the cap
to provide a seal and a bias on the cap in a direction of removal
of the cap when the closure system is used in the first child
resistant position; a top edge surface for engaging the closure
plane of the cap to provide a seal when the closure system is used
in the second non-child resistant mode; and a non-child resistant
engaging means disposed on an outer surface of the neck portion for
engaging the cap when the closure system is used in the second
non-child resistant position; and (ii) a child resistant engaging
means disposed on the container remotely from said neck
portion.
13. The closure system according to claim 12, wherein the non-child
resistant engaging means of the cap is an endless closure bead and
the non-child resistant engaging means of the container is an
endless closure bead positioned to engage the endless closure bead
of the cap when the closure system is used in the second non-child
resistant position.
14. The closure system according to claim 12, wherein the non-child
resistant engaging means of the cap is a thread bead and the
non-child resistant engaging means of the container is a thread
bead positioned to engage the thread bead of the cap when the
closure system is used in the second non-child resistant
position.
15. The closure system according to claim 12, wherein the non-child
resistant engaging means of the cap is a double entry thread bead
and the non-child resistant engaging means of the container is a
double entry thread bead positioned to engage the double entry
thread bead of the cap when the closure system is used in the
second non-child resistant position.
16. The closure system according to claim 12, wherein the child
resistant engaging means of the cap and the child resistant
engaging means of the container engage to prevent the cap from
being removed from the container without depression of the cap and
rotation of the cap on the container, when the closure system is in
its first child resistant position.
17. The closure system according to claim 16, wherein the child
resistant engaging means of the container comprises a camming latch
having a cam-receiving notch therein and in which the child
resistant engaging means of the cap comprises a locking lug which
is guided into the notch upon rotation of the cap on the container
when the cap is applied to close and seal the container in the
first child resistant position.
18. The closure system according to claim 17, wherein the cap
further comprises a molding hole positioned above the locking lug
between an outer surface of the circumferential outer skirt and a
position on the closure plane at which position the closure plane
intersects with the top edge surface of the container when the cap
is applied to the container in the second non-child resistant
position.
19. The closure system according to claim 17, wherein the locking
lug has a top surface plane about perpendicular to an inner surface
of the lower portion of the circumferential outer skirt.
20. The closure system according to claim 12, wherein the container
is molded from polypropylene.
21. The closure system according to claim 12, wherein the container
is selected from the group consisting of a vial and a bottle.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0001] The present invention relates to a reversible child
resistant cap. Specifically, the invention relates to a cap which
may be applied to a vial or other container in one of two
positions, the first being a child resistant position and the
second being a non-child resistant position. The child resistant
position provides an obstacle to children being able to remove the
cap from the container, whilst the non-child resistant position
allows for ready removal of the cap from the container. The present
invention also provides a reversible child resistant cap and
container assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are many varying types of child resistant closure
systems disclosed in the art. An example of a particular type of
child resistant closure system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,449,078, which relates to a combination of a container and safety
cap. The aforementioned patent is herein incorporated by
reference.
[0003] While many child resistant caps effectively provide
protection against the danger of small children being able to
remove potentially harmful pills from vials or other containers,
they also provide a problem for a considerable portion of the adult
population that require medication, however, lack the manual
dexterity or strength to remove the child resistant cap. This is of
a particular concern to the elderly population or people suffering
from arthritis and other disabilitating diseases.
[0004] Accordingly, this problem has been addressed by the
development of closure systems having a child resistant mode and a
non-child resistant mode such that, in the non-child resistant
mode, the caps are more easily opened by adults. However, many such
caps have a complex, multi part, structure making the caps
expensive or the closure systems suffer from the problem of
providing an inferior moisture and air barrier when used in the
non-child resistant mode. Further, other attempts to develop
reversible child resistant closure systems have resulted in caps
that when used in their non-child resistant mode tended to come off
from the vial or container inadvertently, for example, when being
carried in a bag with other articles.
[0005] In light of the foregoing, there is a need for a reversible
child resistant closure that overcomes the aforementioned
deficiencies of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a
reversible child resistant cap and closure system that
substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to
limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0007] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention
will be realized and attained by the system particularly pointed
out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the
appended drawings.
[0008] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described,
the invention provides a reversible child resistant cap. In the
first position, or child resistant position, the cap when applied
to a container provides an effective protection against children
being able to remove the closure, whilst at the same time allow
ready removal of the cap by normal adults. In the second position,
or the non-child resistant position, the cap allows for easy
removal of the cap from the container even by persons whose ability
to use their hands is severely limited.
[0009] In another embodiment, the present invention also provides a
reversible child resistant closure system, comprising the
combination of a container and reversible child resistant cap.
[0010] In accordance with the invention, the reversible child
resistant cap comprises a closure plane, a circumferential outer
skirt for engaging a container, and a circumferential resilient
depending inner member. The circumferential outer skirt comprises
an upper portion extending in an upward direction from the closure
plane and a lower portion extending in a downward direction from
the closure plane. The upper portion of the circumferential outer
skirt comprises a non-child resistant engaging means for engaging a
container. The lower portion of the circumferential outer skirt
comprises a child resistant engaging means for engaging a
container. The circumferential resilient depending inner member has
an outer surface that is tapered from a larger diameter portion
adjacent the closure plane to a smaller diameter portion remote
from the closure plane.
[0011] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the
reversible child resistant closure system comprises a cap and a
container. The cap comprises a closure plane and a circumferential
outer skirt for engaging the container and having a circumferential
resilient depending inner member. The circumferential outer skirt
comprises an upper portion extending in an upward direction from
the closure plane and a lower portion extending in a downward
direction from the closure plane. The upper portion of the
circumferential outer skirt comprises a non-child resistant
engaging means for engaging the container. The lower portion of the
circumferential outer skirt comprises a child resistant engaging
means for engaging the container. The circumferential resilient
depending inner member has a tapered outer surface that is tapered
from a larger diameter portion adjacent the closure plane to a
smaller diameter portion remote from the closure plane. The
container has a rigid wall having an engaging end for engagement
with the cap. The engaging end of the container has an outer
surface for engaging the non-child resistant engaging means of the
cap. The engaging end of the container also has an inner surface
for engaging the tapered outer surface of the cap to provide a seal
and a bias on the cap in a direction of removal of the cap. The
container also includes means disposed on the container remotely
from the engaging end of the container in cooperative means with
the child resistant engaging means of the cap.
[0012] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of
the invention as claimed.
[0013] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several
embodiments of the invention and together with the description
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
reversible child resistant cap and container assembly in its first
child resistant position.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 1 in its
first child resistant position.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 1 in its
second non-child resistant position.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a top view of the cap of FIG. 1 in its first child
resistant position.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the cap of FIG. 1 in its first
child resistant position.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the cap of FIG. 4 as
viewed along line A-A.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the cap of FIG. 4 as
viewed along line B-B.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the cap of FIG. 4 as
viewed along line C-C.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a more detailed view of FIG. 6.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a top view of a first embodiment of the container
of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a side view of the first embodiment of the
container of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the first embodiment of the
container of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the container depicted
in FIG. 10 as viewed along line E-E.
[0027] FIG. 14 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in
sectional, of the container and the neck thereof with the cap
thereon in a locked and sealed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT
INVENTION
[0028] Referring now to the drawings of the present disclosure in
which like numbers represent the same structure in the various
views, a perspective view of an embodiment of the reversible child
resistant closure system of the present invention is shown
generally at 1 in FIG. 1 and comprises a reversible child resistant
cap 2 and a container 3. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows the reversible
child resistant closure system in the first child resistant
position. Thus, when the closure system is in the first child
resistant position the child resistant engaging means of the cap
mates with the child resistant engaging means on the container.
However, the cap 2 may also be used in an inverted orientation, as
shown in FIG. 3, i.e. in a second non-child resistant position. In
this second non-child resistant position the non-child resistant
engaging means of the cap engage with the non-child resistant
engaging means of the container.
[0029] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are cross sectional views of a preferred
embodiment of the cap 2 depicted in FIG. 4. taken along lines A-A,
B-B, and C-C respectively. A more detailed view of FIG. 6 is
provided by FIG. 9. As shown in FIGS. 4-9, the reversible child
resistant cap 2 a closure plane 5, a circumferential outer skirt
10, and a circumferential resilient depending inner member 15.
[0030] The circumferential outer skirt 10 comprises an upper
portion 20 extending in an upward direction from the closure plane
5. The outer skirt 10 also comprises a lower portion 25 extending
in a downward direction from the closure plane 5. The upper portion
20 of the circumferential outer skirt comprises a non-child
resistant engaging means for engaging the container. Any suitable
non-child resistant engaging means may be used. Suitable examples
include an endless closure bead, a thread bead, and a double thread
bead. FIGS. 4-9 depict a thread bead 30 as the non-child resistant
engaging means, however, a double entry thread bead is preferred.
The lower portion 25 of the circumferential outer skirt 10
comprises a child resistant engaging means for engaging the
container 3. Any suitable child resistant engaging means may be
used. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-9 the suitable
child resistant engaging means comprises one or more locking lugs
35.
[0031] The circumferential outer skirt 10 may also comprise a
gripping means to facilitate rotation of the cap 2 to aid in both
putting the cap onto the container and then the subsequent removal
of the cap 2. Any suitable gripping means may be utilized. In a
preferred embodiment, knerlments 37 are disposed about the outer
surface of the outer skirt 10.
[0032] The circumferential resilient depending inner member 15 has
an outer surface 40 which is tapered from a larger diameter portion
adjacent the closure plane 5 to a smaller diameter portion remote
from the closure plane 5.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 11-13, the container 3 has a neck portion
45 having an inner surface 50 for engaging the tapered outer
surface 40 of the cap 2. When the closure system of the present
invention is used in the first child resistant position, the inner
surface 50 engages the tapered outer surface 40 of the cap to
provide a seal. Further, the neck portion 45 is preferably made
such that when the inner surface 50 engages the outer surface 40,
the neck portion 45 bends of flexes in an outward direction to
provide a bias on the cap 2 in a direction of removal of the cap 2.
The neck 45 may have any suitable construction to provide the bias
on the cap 2. For example, the neck 45 may have a thickness
sufficiently thin such that the neck 45 flexes or bends in an
outward direction when the cap 2 is locked in the first child
resistant position. The neck 45 of the container 3 also comprises a
top edge surface 55 which contacts the closure plane 5 of the cap 2
when the closure system is in the second non-child resistant
position. This contact of the top edge surface 55 and the closure
plane 5 is sufficient to form a seal. A non-child resistant
engaging means is disposed about the outer surface 60 of the neck
45 to engage the non-child resistant engaging means of the cap 2.
Any suitable engaging means may be used. Suitable engaging means
may include an endless bead, a thread bead, and a double entry
thread bead. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in a preferred embodiment
a double entry thread bead 65 is used.
[0034] The container 3 also comprises a child resistant engaging
means disposed on the container remotely from the neck 45 to
cooperate with the child resistant engaging means of the cap 2. In
a preferred embodiment, the child resistant engaging means disposed
on the container cooperates with the child resistant engaging means
on the cap 2 to prevent the cap 2 from being removed from the
container without the simultaneous depression and rotation of the
cap 2 on the container 3. Referring now to FIG. 11 the child
resistant engaging means on the container 3 comprises a camming
latch 70 having a cam receiving notch 75 therein and in which the
child resistant engaging means on the cap 2 comprises a locking lug
35 which is guided into the notch 75 upon rotation of the cap 2 on
the container 3 when the cap 2 is applied to close and seal the
container 3 in the first child resistant position.
[0035] FIG. 14 represents the cap 2 on the container 3 in is first
child resistant position with the locking lug 35 seated in notch 75
so that the cap 2 is locked on the container 3. The tapered outer
surface 40 of the cap is disposed inside the inner surface 50 of
the neck 45 of the container 3 causing an upward bias on the cap 2.
Accordingly, the cap cannot be removed from the container merely by
rotating the cap 2. Instead, the cap 2 must be depressed on the
container to unseat the lock lug 35 from the notch 75 and then
rotated in a counter clockwise direction so that the lock lug can
be positioned between camming latch 70 and the next adjacent
camming latch, so that the cap 2 can be removed by then directly
upward motion.
[0036] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cap 2 and the
container 3 of the present invention have the following dimensions
7/.sub.1, 7/.sub.2, 8/.sub.1, 8/.sub.2, 8/.sub.3, 8/.sub.4,
8/.sub.5, 8/.sub.6, 9/.sub.1, 9/.sub.2, 9/.sub.3, 9/.sub.4,
9/.sub.5, 9/.sub.6, 9/.sub.7, 9/.sub.8, 9/.sub.10, 11/.sub.1,
11/.sub.2, 11/.sub.3, 13/.sub.1, and 13/.sub.2 as depicted in FIGS.
7, 8, 9, 11 and 13. In a more preferred embodiment angle .alpha. as
depicted in FIG. 6 is about 3 degrees. In an even more preferred
embodiment, some or all dimensions 7/.sub.1, 7/.sub.2, 8/.sub.1,
8/.sub.2, 8/.sub.3, 8/.sub.4, 8/.sub.5, 8/.sub.6, 9/.sub.1,
9/.sub.2, 9/.sub.3, 9/.sub.4, 9/.sub.5, 9/.sub.6, 9/.sub.7,
9/.sub.8, 9/.sub.10, 11/.sub.1, 11/.sub.2, 11/.sub.3, 13/.sub.1,
and 13/.sub.2 are 0.125, 1.184, 1.313, 1.254, 1.010, 1.160, 1.314,
1.204, 1.020, 0.950, 0.040, 0.230, 0.615, 0.075, 0.230, 0.345,
0.150, 1.076, 0.090, 1.190, and 1.190 mm respectively.
[0037] Any suitable method known to one of ordinary skill in the
art may be used to manufacture the cap 2 and container 3 of the
present invention. However, to aid in the manufacture of the cap 2
of the present invention, comprising a locking lug 35, the cap 2
preferably comprises molding holes 90 positioned above each locking
lug 35 such that portions of an upper mold may pass through the
molding holes to form the top surface 80 of the locking lug 35. To
retain the moisture and air barrier properties of the closure
system, the molding holes 90 are positioned between the outer
surface of the skirt 10 and the position at which the closure plane
5 contacts the top edge surface 55 of the container 3 when the cap
2 is applied to the container 3 in the second non-child resistant
position. The use of molding holes 90 also enables the locking lug
35 to protrude a greater amount from the inner surface 85 of the
lower portion 25 of the skirt 10 than would otherwise be
achievable. In addition, the molding holes also allows the locking
lug 35 to have a top surface 80 that is substantially perpendicular
to the inner surface 85 of the lower portion 25 of the outer skirt
10.
[0038] Preferably, the cap is linerless, but liners may be provided
if desired. The cap is preferably made from a plastic material,
such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene. The
container is preferably made from a plastic material, such as low
density polyethylene (LDPE) or polypropylene. More preferably, the
container is made from polypropylene. The skilled artisan, having
the benefit of the instant disclosure, will readily appreciate that
the caps and containers may be made from other suitable
materials.
[0039] Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will
be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. However, it is
understood that the present disclosure relates to preferred
embodiments of the invention for the purposes of illustration only
and should not be construed as to be a limitation of the invention.
All such modifications and alterations which do not depart from the
spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the
appended claims.
* * * * *