U.S. patent application number 11/004619 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-04 for child resistant package.
Invention is credited to Goldberg, Barry A., House, Randall F..
Application Number | 20050167387 11/004619 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34810325 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050167387 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
House, Randall F. ; et
al. |
August 4, 2005 |
Child resistant package
Abstract
The present invention discloses a maze type package that may be
child resistant. The package includes a cylindrical container
member that includes a plurality of mazes thereon. The coaxial
closure member includes studs for engaging the mazes and to
releasably secure the closure to the container.
Inventors: |
House, Randall F.; (Phoenix,
MD) ; Goldberg, Barry A.; (Highland Park,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John A. Parrish
Law Offices of John A. Parrish
Suite 300
Two Bala Plaza
Bala Cynwyd
PA
19004
US
|
Family ID: |
34810325 |
Appl. No.: |
11/004619 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60526794 |
Dec 4, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
215/208 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 50/043 20130101;
B65D 2215/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/208 |
International
Class: |
B65D 050/02 |
Claims
1. A maze type package comprising, cylindrical container 5 having a
body 19 and a plurality of identical, equally spaced mazes 21 on
the container 5, and closure 15 having a plurality of equally
spaced, identical studs 27 for engaging the mazes 21 to releasably
secure closure 15 to container 5, wherein maze 21 comprises a
plurality of ribs 23 configured to define a lowermost
circumferential groove A and upper circumferential grooves C, E and
G together with a plurality of axial grooves B, D, F, H and K
intersecting one or more of the circumferential grooves, wherein
groove C is disposed above groove A, groove G is disposed above
groove A and is laterally distal to groove C, groove E is disposed
above each of grooves A, C and G and wherein axial groove B
intersects grooves A and C, groove D intersects grooves C and B and
is lateral distal to groove B, and wherein groove F intersects
grooves B and G and is laterally distal to each of grooves B and D
and wherein groove F extends above groove B, and groove H
intersects groove G and is latterly distal to groove F, and wherein
groove A includes detent 35 therein.
2. The package of claim 1 wherein container 5 includes neck 17 of
reduced diameter and mazes 21 are located on neck 17.
3. The package of claim 2 wherein neck 17 has a diameter that is
smaller than the diameter of body 19.
4. The package of claim 1 wherein circumferential grooves C, E and
G are horizontal.
5. The package of claim 1 wherein circumferential grooves C, E and
G are angled in a range of about 1 degree to about 20 degrees to
horizontal.
6. The package of claim 1 wherein circumferential grooves C, E and
G are angled in a range of about 2 degree to about 3 degrees to
horizontal.
7. The package of claim 1 wherein detent has a trapezoidal cross
section.
8. The package of claim 1 wherein ribs 23 have a trapezoidal cross
section.
9. The package of claim 8 wherein ribs 23 further include
downwardly outwardly tapered portion 25 having an angle of taper
(.beta.) of about one degree to about 89 degrees to horizontal.
10. The package of claim 1 wherein the studs 27 have a trapezoidal
cross section including inwardly, downwardly tapered portion 28
having an angle (.alpha.) of taper of about 1 degree to about 89
degrees to horizontal.
11. The package of claim 10 wherein the angle (.alpha.) is about 30
degrees to about 60 degrees to horizontal.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application 60/526794 filed Dec. 4, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Pill containers, as well as certain types of liquid
containers and the like, involve snap-on and threaded closures.
Snap-on and threaded closures, which may be put on and off easily
on the container, are of great convenience to the user. Snap-on and
threaded closures, however, enable children to open such containers
easily and to be exposed to potentially harmful contents.
Containers which employ snap-on and threaded closures therefore
should be resistant to opening by children, especially children
under age 5.
[0003] A child resistant package must satisfy specific test
standards to comply with protocol specified by the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission ("CPSC"). These standards are child
resistance effectiveness (CRE) and older adult use effectiveness
('OAUE). CRE is the percentage of children in a group that are
unable to open the package within a specified time. CRE is measured
by asking pairs of children in a specified age group (30% aged
42-44 months, 40% aged 45-48 months, and 30% aged 49-51 months) to
open the package in a specified time period both before and after a
nonverbal demonstration. Currently, the CPSC requires a CRE of 85
percent before a demonstration and 80 percent after a
demonstration. OAUE is the percentage of adults in a group that is
able to open and close the package. OAUE is measured by asking
individual adults in a specified age group (typically 60-75 years)
to open and close a package using instructions supplied with it in
a specified time period. Currently, the CPSC requires an OAUE of
ninety percent based on pictorial or written instructions.
[0004] Maze type packages are known in the art. These types of
packages employ mazes formed of intersecting grooves. Two types of
motion typically are employed to open such a package: (1) rotation
and (2) linear (usually axial) motion. The sequence of steps
employed typically includes alternating a rotary motion with an
axial motion. Although maze type packages exist in the prior art, a
need continues for maze type packages which are both child
resistant and easily opened by adults, particularly elderly
adults.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a package having a container
and a closure;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a top view of the container of FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a top view of closure 15; FIG. 3a is a cross
sectional view of the closure shown in FIG. 1 taken on line
A-A;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a side view of the container of FIG. 1 that shows
a configuration of a maze of ribs on the neck of the container of
FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the container of FIG. 1
showing a rib 23;
[0010] FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of a rib of the maze shown in
FIG. 4;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a cross section view of an embodiment of stud 27
of closure 15;
[0012] FIGS. 7(a)-7(c) are cross sectional views of alternative
shapes of ribs 23;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional assembly view of the package of
FIG. 1 that shows the closure attached to the container.
[0014] The invention can be more clearly understood by reference to
the drawings forming a part of this disclosure wherein like
characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention relates to packages such as child
resistant packages which provide ease of use by older adults,
particularly adults over 60 years of age. The packages are
sufficiently child resistant to provide adequate protection of
child health yet not so complex as to be uneconomical or
excessively inconvenient for adults, particularly elderly adults
over 60 years of age. In particular, the present invention relates
to child resistant packages which employ a maze of intersecting
circumferential and axial grooves.
[0016] The packages include a generally cylindrical container
member and a coaxial closure member which may be rotated relative
to the container member. The container member and the closure
member engage to prevent relative axial movement there between
except in predetermined positions.
[0017] The closure member advantageously may be snap closed onto
the container by pushing the closure downwardly on to the
container. The package may be easily opened by people who are
slightly handicapped or lack total manual dexterity, such as those
who are arthritic. Further advantages of the invention will become
apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing detailed
description.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The closure and container components of the package may be
made from materials such as glass, metal, plastics such as
polyethylene and polypropylene, as well as paper and the like. The
container and the closure components need not be made from the same
material. The term package refers to the container with the
closure.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-8, there is shown an embodiment of
package 1 which includes container 5 and closure 15. Container 5
may be of any shape and dimension. Typically, container 5 is a
cylindrical receptacle of common diameter throughout its length, or
of bottle-like form with neck 17 of reduced diameter. Preferably,
and as illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, container 5 includes body 19 and
neck 17 joined to body 19. Neck 17 is dimensioned to receive
closure 15 thereover. Neck 17 includes opening 18 for permitting
access to the contents of container 5. Although neck 17 is shown in
FIG. 1 as having a narrower diameter than body 19, the
configuration of neck 17 is not so limited.
[0020] On the outer surface of neck 17 are molded or otherwise
provided elevated ribs 23. Ribs 23 form maze 21 of intersecting
axial and circumferential grooves (A)-(K) as shown in FIG. 4. Ribs
23 have lower surfaces 24 which are generally flat, preferably
within ten degrees of perpendicular to the circumferential surface
of neck 17. Ribs 23 may vary in cross-sectional shape. Preferably,
ribs 23 have a cross section that is generally trapezoidal as shown
in FIG. 7(a). Other possible cross sections include but are not
limited to hemispherical and stepped as shown in FIGS. 7(b) and
7(c), respectively. Ribs 23 preferably include downwardly,
outwardly tapered portion 25 as shown in FIG. 5A. The angle
(.beta.) of tapered portion 25 may vary from about one degree to
about 89 degrees, preferably about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees,
most preferably about 45 degrees.
[0021] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, maze 21 includes a number
of circumferential and axial grooves (A)-(K) defined by ribs 23.
Maze 21 includes lowermost circumferential groove (A), a series of
three upper, circumferential grooves (C), (E) and (G), and axial
grooves (B), (D), (F), (H) and (K). It is understood, however, that
the number of circumferential and axial grooves are not limited to
those shown in FIG. 4. Circumferential grooves such as grooves (C),
(E) and (G) may be horizontal or angled in a range of about 1
degree to about 20 degrees to the horizontal, preferably about 2 to
about 3 degrees to horizontal. Most preferably, the circumferential
grooves are horizontal.
[0022] In FIG. 4, lowermost groove (A) of maze 21 includes detent
35. Detent 35 functions to secure closure 15 from unnecessary
movement when studs 27 of closure 15 are in the locking region as
exemplified by dashed circle 9 groove A. Detent 35 preferably has a
trapezoidal cross section as shown in FIG. 4. Detent 35, however,
may have a variety of other cross sections such as hemi-spherical,
ellipsoidal, square, rectangular and triangular.
[0023] Groove (F) may extend above the upper surface of groove (E)
as shown in FIG. 4. Groove (F), alternatively, may terminate at the
upper surface of groove (E). Groove (C) may extend on each side of
the intersection with groove (B). Similarly, groove (E) may extend
to each side of the intersection of groove (D). Grooves such as
(A), (C) and (E), together with studs 27 described below, limit
unintended movement of closure 15. In addition, this minimizes the
likelihood that a child can forcibly pry closure 15 off of
container 5.
[0024] Closure 15 may be of generally conventional design which has
a closed top 16 and cylindrical sidewalls 22. Closure 15 has a
diameter sufficient to fit over neck 17. In this embodiment,
closure 15 is unlined. In other embodiments closure 15 may be lined
or linerless (e.g., plug seal). As shown in FIG. 3, two inwardly
projecting, diametrically opposed studs 27 are provided on sidewall
22. In this embodiment, there are two diametrically opposed,
individual mazes 21, preferably identical mazes 21, each of which
extend 180 degrees around the circumference of neck 17. In an
alternative embodiment, studs 27 may number four and may be located
at ninety degrees to each other. In this embodiment, there are four
mazes, preferably identical mazes, each of which extend 90 degrees
around the circumference of neck 17. However, this is not so
limited and any number of studs may be used, such as, 3, 5, 6 and
the like that preferably are equidistant from each other.
Preferably, there are an equal number of equally spaced, identical
mazes 21 on the container neck 17 as studs 27 on the closure
sidewall.
[0025] Studs 27 preferably have a trapezoidal cross section as
shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, stud 27 has an inwardly,
downwardly tapered portion 28 and a generally flat, horizontal
upper portion 29. Preferably, upper portion 29 is within thirty
degrees of perpendicular, most preferably perpendicular to sidewall
22 of closure 15. The tapered portion 28 of stud 27 enables studs
27 to ride over ribs 23 of maze 21 when closure 15 is pushed
downwardly onto container 5. This enables a user to easily snap
close closure 15 onto container 5 into a secured position in the
locking region. Studs 27 have a length L and a thickness T. The
length L of stud 27 is sufficient to prevent a child from manually
prying closure 15 from container 5. The thickness of stud 27
corresponds to the width of lowermost groove A so as to achieve a
snug fit of stud 27 in groove A. The snug fit is sufficient to
prevent child from rocking closure 15 off of container 5.
[0026] The angle (.alpha.) of tapered portion 28, as shown in FIG.
6, may vary from about 1 degree to about 89 degrees, preferably
about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, most preferably about 45
degrees.
[0027] Studs 27 preferably are of a depth and height which
correspond approximately with the depth and height, respectively,
of lowermost groove (A) of maze 21 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This
enables upper surfaces 29 of studs 27 to be in the preferred
position of being adjacent and generally parallel to the upper
surfaces of a groove of maze 21.
[0028] When securing closure 15 onto neck 17 of container 5,
closure 15 is first placed onto neck 17 to cause stud 27 of closure
15 to engage axial groove (K) as in FIG. 1. Axial groove (K) may be
identified by arrow 50. Downward pressure then is applied to
closure 15 to cause stud 27 on closure 15 to ride over ribs 23 to
engage the locking region in lowermost groove (A). Lowermost groove
(A) includes detent 35 to retain stud 27 in the locking region.
Studs 27 and ribs 23 cooperate to enable closure 15 to be snap
closed easily onto container 5. This encourages adults who lack
dexterity to secure closure 15 onto container 5 to prevent children
from gaining access to the contents of container 5.
[0029] The child resistant package is opened by rotating and
lifting closure 15 relative to container 5. In this way, studs 27
on closure 15 pass through maze 21 to separate closure 15 from
container 5. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, closure 15 first is
rotated counterclockwise to cause stud 27 to ride over detent 35 in
lowermost circumferential groove (A) to unlock closure 15. Closure
15 then is rotated counterclockwise to cause stud 27 to engage
first axial groove (B). Closure 15 then is lifted to cause stud 27
to engage first upper groove (C). Closure 15 is further rotated
counterclockwise in groove (C) to cause stud 27 to engage second
axial groove (D). Closure 15 then is lifted to cause stud 27 to
engage second upper groove (E). Closure 15 then again is rotated to
cause stud 27 to engage third axial groove (F). At this point,
closure 15 is lowered to cause stud 27 to engage third upper groove
(G). Subsequently, closure 15 is rotated to cause stud 27 to engage
fourth axial groove (H). Closure 15 then is lifted to remove
closure 15 from container 5. This series of rotary and lifting
motions provides the closure of the invention with high child
resistance. Moreover, adults with limited manual dexterity may
easily open the closure of the invention.
[0030] The child resistant package of the invention may be employed
in any application where child-resistant benefits are desired to
prevent access to the contents of a container. The package
therefore may be used for storing of pharmaceutical products,
agricultural products, toxic household chemicals, automotive
products and other products with certain levels of specific
ingredients which are covered within the CPSC guidelines that may
be harmful to children. The child-resistant concept also may be
used to prevent access to the operating mechanism of devices such
as butane lighters, household cleaners, and other devices.
[0031] Numerous modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is
therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims,
the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein.
* * * * *