U.S. patent application number 10/731926 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-28 for child-resistant, molded plastic closure, package incorporating same and container therefor.
Invention is credited to Philip J. Robinson.
Application Number | 20060213860 10/731926 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34677173 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060213860 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Robinson; Philip J. |
September 28, 2006 |
Child-resistant, molded plastic closure, package incorporating same
and container therefor
Abstract
A molded plastic closure (10) that is adapted to be removably
affixed to a neck (42) of a container (40). The closure is of the
squeeze and turn, C/R type with a top panel (12) an outer sidewall
(14) and an inner sidewall (16) that is radially spaced from the
outer sidewall. The outer sidewall is provided with an opposed pair
of locking lugs (20) each of which has a free end (20a) with a
generally U-shaped indentation (20b) therein, to thereby form a
radially innermost finger (20c) that is adapted to flex inwardly
under load with respect to other portions of the locking lug. The
closure (10) also has an opposed pair of squeeze pads (22) that are
circumferentially offset from the locking lugs, and squeezing of
the closure at the locations of the squeeze pads tends to ovalize
the closure to facilitate radial movement of the locking lugs
outwardly beyond the extent of locking lugs (46) of the associated
container (40) to thereby permit removal of the closure (10) from
the container in a C/R manner.
Inventors: |
Robinson; Philip J.;
(Sylvania, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OWENS-ILLINOIS, INC.
ONE SEAGATE, 25-LDP
TOLEDO
OH
43666
US
|
Family ID: |
34677173 |
Appl. No.: |
10/731926 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/216 ;
215/330; 215/331 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 50/046 20130101;
B65D 2501/0081 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/216 ;
215/330; 215/331 |
International
Class: |
B65D 55/02 20060101
B65D055/02; B65D 41/04 20060101 B65D041/04 |
Claims
1. A molded plastic, C/R squeeze and turn closure comprising, in
combination: a top panel; an outer peripheral sidewall joined at an
end to said top panel and extending to a lower free end;
diametrically opposed squeeze pressure application pads on said
outer peripheral sidewall; an inner sidewall also joined at an end
to said top panel and concentrically spaced radially inwardly of
said outer sidewall; an inwardly projecting and helically extending
thread on an inner surface of said inner sidewall, said thread
being adapted to engage a complimental, outwardly projecting and
helically extending thread on a neck of an associated container to
permit the closure to be applied to the container by a turning
action and removed from the container by a reverse turning action;
and a set of diametrically opposed and inwardly projecting locking
lugs on an inner surface of said outer sidewall adjacent said lower
free end, said locking lugs being adapted to engage locking lugs on
the container and being angularly offset from said squeeze pads of
said outer sidewall, each of said locking lugs of said closure
having a free end that is adapted to face a radially extending side
of a locking lug of the container, the free end of the locking lug
of the closure having a generally U-shaped recess or indentation
extending throughout the full axial height of said locking lug,
said recess or indentation forming a finger on a radially innermost
portion of said free end that is flexible under load with respect
to other portions of the locking lug of the closure.
2. A molded plastic closure according to claim 1 wherein such
closure is molded in a single piece from a squeezeable
thermoplastic material.
3. A molded plastic closure according to claim 2 wherein such
squeezeable thermoplastic material is a polypropylene-based
material.
4. A molded plastic closure according to claim 1 wherein a portion
of said outer sidewall that joins said top panel is tapered
inwardly with respect to an underlying portion of said outer
sidewall.
5. A molded plastic closure according to claim 4 wherein a portion
of said outer sidewall that underlies said underlying portion of
said outer sidewall tapers outwardly, said diametrically opposed
squeeze pressure application pads extending upwardly from said
portion of said outer sidewall that tapers outwardly.
6. A molded plastic closure according to claim 5 wherein said
portion of said outer sidewall that tapers outwardly is radially
thicker than said underlying portion of said outer sidewall.
7. A package comprising: a container having a body portion, a neck,
a finish on said neck, said finish having an outwardly projecting
and helically extending thread, a shoulder extending between said
body portion and said neck, and a spaced pair of ramp-shaped
locking lugs extending outwardly from the outer surface of said
neck of said container, each of said locking lugs having a tapered
side and a radially extending side, said radially extending side
extending from a radially outermost exterior inwardly to meet said
neck outer surface; and a molded plastic, C/R squeeze and turn
closure removably affixed to said neck of said container, said
closure comprising; a top panel; an outer peripheral sidewall
joined at an end to said top panel extending to a lower free end;
and diametrically opposed squeeze pressure application pads on said
outer peripheral sidewall, an inner sidewall joined at an end to
said top panel and concentrically spaced radially inwardly of said
outer sidewall, an inwardly projecting and helically extending
thread on an inner surface of said inner sidewall, said thread on
said inner sidewall being complimental to said thread on said
finish of said container and removably engaging said thread on said
neck of said container, a set of diametrically opposed and inwardly
projecting lugs on an inner surface of said outer sidewall adjacent
said lower free end, said locking lugs being positioned to contact
said ramp-shaped locking lugs of said container and being angularly
offset from said squeeze pads of said outer sidewall, each of said
locking lugs of said closure having a free end that faces the
radially extending side of the locking lug of the container, the
free end of the locking lug of the closure having a generally
U-shaped recess or indentation therein, said recess or indentation
forming a finger on a radially innermost portion of said free end
that is flexible under load with respect to other portions of the
locking lug of the closure.
8. A package according to claim 7 wherein said closure is molded in
a single piece squeezeable thermoplastic material.
9. A package according to claim 8 wherein said squeezeable
thermoplastic material is a polypropylene-based material.
10. A package according to claim 8 wherein said body portion of
said container is oval is cross-section, and wherein said locking
lugs of said container are positioned in diametrically opposed
locations on a minor diameter of said body portion.
11. A package according to claim 7 and further comprising: a gasket
positioned between an underside of said top panel of said closure
and a rim at and an end of said neck of said container, said gasket
sealingly engaging the rim when the closure is affixed to said neck
of the container to permit dry products to be packaged in said
package.
12. A unitary, one-piece molded plastic container, said container
comprising: a body portion, said body portion being oval-shaped in
cross-section, a neck with a closure receiving finish on an outer
surface of said neck, a shoulder extending between said body
portion and said neck, and a diametrically opposed pair of
ramp-shaped locking lugs extending outwardly from said neck portion
of said container, each of said locking lugs of said container
having a tapered side and a radially extending side extending
directly from said outer surface of said neck, said locking lugs
being positioned on said neck with the radially extending side of
each of the locking lugs being parallel to a minor diameter of said
body portion.
13. A container according to claim 12 and further comprising an
outwardly projecting and helically extending thread on said neck of
said container, said thread being positioned between a rim at a
free end of said neck and said locking lugs.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is directed to an invention whose aesthetic
characteristics are described and claimed in co-pending design
application No. D______ (attorney Docket No. 01692).
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a child-resistant, molded plastic
closure of the squeeze and turn type, to a package incorporating a
closure of such character removably applied to a suitably
configured finish of a container, and to a container that is
adapted for use in such a package.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Molded plastic, child-resistant closures of the squeeze and
turn type are described, for example, in my commonly-assigned U.S.
Pat. No. 5,915,576 (Robinson), the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein. Such closures impart
child-resistant opening characteristics to containers to which they
are applied without being unduly difficult to remove by adults,
under Poison Prevention Packaging Act standards, and have been
widely and successfully used in the packaging of dry products, for
example, consumable pills and tablets. Modifications of such
closures have also been successfully used in the packaging of
liquid products.
[0004] Closures according to the aforesaid '576 patent have been
manufactured in a variety of sizes, including 24 mm., 28 mm., 33
mm. and 38 mm., by injection molding a polypropylene-based
thermoplastic material. Some injection molding problems have
occasionally been encountered in injection molding such closures,
especially in smaller sizes, in getting the thermoplastic melt to
evenly flow, from a melt introduction point centrally located in
the top panel of the closure (element 26 of the aforesaid '576
patent), to locations on an outer sidewall (element 30 of the '576
patent) that are on an axis that extends perpendicularly to an axis
between the opposed squeeze pads (elements 90, 92 of the aforesaid
'576 patent). These are the locations that require extra melt to
fill the child-resistant locking lugs (elements 46, 48 of the
aforesaid '576 patent), and extra melt that must flow to these
locations creates the potential for outer wall cracking as a result
of shrink deformation in unfilled portions of the closure outer
wall.
[0005] The ramp-shaped locking lugs 46, 48 of the closure of the
aforesaid '576 patent, which have a straight locking ledge abutment
surface (element 54 of the aforesaid '576 patent), have structural
rigidity such that when the closure is applied to a container
finish as the closure locking lugs pass over container finish
locking lugs (70, 72 of the aforesaid '576 patent), an application
torque will be required that is somewhat higher than desired for
some applications, although still within applicable industry
standards.
[0006] Further, the ramp-shaped locking lugs 46, 48 of the closure
of the '576 patent, although in compliance with applicable industry
standards, can occasionally be overcome by a brute force unlocking
torque without deflecting the squeeze pads 90, 92 to remove a
closure in a proper, child-resistant fashion. Improvement in the
resistance of the closure of the '576 patent to improper brute
force removal is also, therefore, a desirable goal of any attempt
to improve the closure of the '576 patent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to the present invention there is provided an
improved, single piece, dual wall, molded plastic, squeeze and turn
child-resistant closure, a package that is made up of a container
with such a closure removably fixed to a suitably-configured finish
on a neck on such a container, and a container that is adapted for
use in such a package. The closure of the present invention is an
improved version of the closure that is described in the aforesaid
'576 patent, and the improvement resides in providing a generally
U-shaped recess or indentation in the locking ledge abutment
surface (element 54) of the ramp-shaped locking lugs (elements 46,
48) thereof. Such a recess or indentation reduces the amount of
thermoplastic melt that must flow to the portions of the outer wall
of the closure that are in alignment with the closure locking lugs,
and this helps to reduce the potential for outer wall cracking by
providing for a more even fill in the closure-forming mold and for
reduced shrink deformation in the closure outer wall.
[0008] The recess or indentation in each closure locking lug ledge
abutment surface, as heretofore described, also has the effect of
converting a radially innermost portion of the locking lug to a
finger that is flexible with respect to other structure of the
locking lug. Such a flexible finger is capable of resiliently
yielding in a radially outward direction when the closure locking
lug engages a container finish locking lug, during application of
the closure to the container, to desirably reduce the torque needed
to properly apply a closure to a container. The flexibility of the
flexible finger also also improves the resistance of the closure to
removal under brute force during an improper attempt to remove the
closure by a reverse torque.
[0009] Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to
provide an improved molded plastic, child-resistant closure of the
squeeze and turn type, and to provide a package that incorporates a
container with such a closure removably attached to a suitably
configured finish on a neck portion of the container. More
particularly, it is the object of the present invention to provide
a closure of the aforesaid character that can be injection molded
with less potential for outer wall cracking, and to provide a
package that is made up of a container with such a closure
removably affixed to a suitably-configured finish portion on the
neck thereof. Even more particularly, it is an object of the
present invention to provide a closure of the aforesaid character
that is capable of being removably affixed to a suitably configured
finish on a neck portion of a container with reduced application
torque and to be more resistant to improper removal from the
container under a brute force, reverse torque turning action.
[0010] For a further understanding of the present invention and the
objects thereof, attention is directed to the drawing and the
following brief description thereof, to the detailed description of
the invention and to the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a
closure according to the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a container to be used
with a closure of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the container of FIG.
2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top plane view of the container of FIGS. 2 and
3;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a bottom plane view of the container of FIGS.
2-4;
[0016] FIG. 6 is an elevation view, partly in cross-section and at
an enlarged scale of the closure of FIG. 1 applied to the container
of FIGS. 2-5;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6;
and
[0018] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view, at an enlarged scale, of a
portion of the structure that is shown in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] A generally cup-shaped, molded plastic, squeeze and turn
child-resistant (C/R) closure according to the preferred embodiment
of the present invention is identified generally by reference
numeral 10 in FIG. 1, where the closure 10 is illustrated in a
disassembled state, and in FIG. 6 where the closure 10 is shown as
being removably affixed to a container that is generally identified
by reference numeral 40. The closure 10 is preferably injection
molded in a single, integral piece, except for a separate sealing
liner 70 if and when required, and is preferably molded from a
suitable thermoplastic material that has a proper balance between
rigidity and squeezeability, for reasons that will be hereinafter
more fully described. In any case, polypropylene-based
thermoplastic materials have been found to be suitable for use in
the injection molding of closures in a wide variety of sizes,
including 24 mm., 28 mm., 33 mm. and 38 mm., which are popular
sizes for use in the packaging applications that require C/R
removal characteristics under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act
for removal of a closure from an associated container, and these
packaging applications include the packaging of various quantities
of dry prescription or over-the-counter medications.
[0020] The closure 10 is molded with a top panel 12 and
spaced-apart concentric inner and outer sidewalls, 14 and 16,
respectively, that depend from the top panel 12. The sealing liner
70, if required, as it is for most packaged dry products, is
loosely or adhesively affixed to an underside 12a of the top panel
12 of the closure 10. The liner 70 is adapted to seal against a rim
42a of a neck 42 of the container 40 when the closure 10 is
properly affixed to the container 40. Alternatively, in place of
the liner 70, the underside 12a of the top panel 12 of the closure
10 may be provided with an integral, depending plug (not shown) to
seal against an inside of the neck 42 of the container 40, and this
will be a suitable construction for a closure 10 that is designed
for the packaging of a liquid product in the container 40. Other
known types of both lined and unlined closure/container sealing
techniques are also contemplated.
[0021] The inner sidewall 14 has an inwardly projecting and
helically extending thread 18, and the neck 42 of the container 40
has a finish with a complimental, outwardly projecting and
helically extending thread 44, whereby the closure 10 may be
applied to the container 40 by a turning action and removed from
the container 40 by a reverse turning action. The outer sidewall 14
of the closure 10 has an inwardly tapered upper free end 14a, at
the juncture of the outer sidewall 14 and the top panel 12, and the
outer sidewall 14 extends downwardly from the juncture with the top
panel 12 beyond a depending free end 16a of the inner side wall 16
to terminate in an outwardly flared and thickened free end 14a. The
free end 14a of the outer side wall 14 of the closure 10 is
provided with a diametrically opposed pair of locking lugs 20 that
extend inwardly from the outer sidewall 14, and the locking lugs 20
are positioned on an axis that extends perpendicularly to a spaced,
opposed pair of pads 22 that project outwardly from the outer
sidewall 14 and extend upwardly from the thickened free end 14a of
the outer sidewall 14.
[0022] The closure 10 also has a circumferentially spaced plurality
of ribs 24 that project outwardly from the inner sidewall 16 to
reinforce the sidewall 16 against outward flaring loads. Further,
the outer sidewall has spaced pairs of ribs 26 that function as the
pairs of ribs 80, 82, 84 and 86 of the aforesaid '576 patent.
[0023] During application of the closure 10 to the container 40,
which is indicated by the directional arrow A in FIG. 2, the
locking lugs 20 of the closure 10 ride over tapered sides 46a of
ramp-shaped locking lugs 46 on the neck 42 of the container 40,
below the thread 44, and C/R opening characteristics is imparted to
the package that is made up of the closure 10 applied to the
container 40 by providing the locking lugs 46 with radially
extending sides 46b at the ends of the tapered sides 46a. Thus, any
attempt to remove the closure 10 from the container 40 simply by
unscrewing, in the direction of the arrow B in FIGS. 1 and 7, will
be blocked by interference between inner free ends 20a of the
locking lugs 20 of the closure 10 and the radially extending sides
46b of the locking lugs 46 of the container 40, it being noted that
a limited degree of overtravel, for example, 15.degree., is
desirably provided between the free end 20a of each of locking lug
20 and the adjacent radially extending side 46b of the locking lug
40 in the fully applied condition of the closure 10 on the
container 40.
[0024] The container 40 is preferably produced in a single,
integral piece by a conventional blow molding process from a
suitable thermoplastic material, for example, high density
polyethylene, it being noted that the thread 44 and the locking
lugs 46 are formed in a separate neck mold in a conventional
manner. When the cross section of a body portion 50 of the
container 40 is oval, as shown, for example, in FIG. 4, preferably
the locking lugs 46 are positioned with their radially extending
sides 46b on an axis that is parallel to the minor axis of the
oval. In such case, the pads 22 of the closure 10, when assembled,
will be on an axis that is parallel to the major axis of the
container 40, and this will result in maximum spacing of the pads
22 from an outside of the body portion 50 of the container 40,
which will enhance the C/R opening characteristics of the closure
10 from the container 40.
[0025] To properly remove the closure 10 from a container 40, the
closure 10 is squeezed at the locations of the pads 22, and this
will temporarily ovalize the outer sidewall 14 of the closure 10 at
the location of the locking lugs 20 to move each locking lug 20
radially outwardly so that its interior will lie outwardly beyond
the exterior of the adjacent locking lug 46 of the container 40.
Thereupon, while still squeezing the closure 10, as described, it
can be readily removed from the container 40 by turning it on the
container 40 in the direction of the arrow B. The free end 20a of
each locking lug 20 of the closure 10 that faces the radially
extending side 46b of the locking lug 46 of the container 10, in
the position of the closure 10 on the container 40 that is shown in
FIG. 7, has a generally U-shaped inwardly projecting recess or
indentation 20b therein, and the recess or indentation 20b thereby
forms a flexible finger 20c in a radially innermost portion of the
locking lug 20. The presence of the finger 20b in the locking lug
20 reduces the mass of thermoplastic melt that must flow from an
injection point, which will be at the center of the top panel 12 of
the closure 10, to the regions of the outer sidewall 14 of the
closure 10 from which the locking lugs 20 project, and this
difference from the locking lugs 46, 48 of the aforesaid '576
patent will help to more evenly fill the closure injection mold,
which will reduce shrink deformation in the outer sidewall 14 of
the closure 10; this difference will also reduce the potential for
cracking in the outer sidewall 14 of the closure 10, which is
higher in smaller diameter closures. Further, the flexibility of
the finger 20c of each locking lug 20 will help to reduce the
torque required to properly affix a closure 10 to an associated 40
by the ability of the finger 20c to flex radially outwardly during
application, and it will also improve the resistance of the closure
10 to improper, brute force removal from the container 40.
[0026] Although the best mode contemplated by the inventor for
carrying out the present invention as of the filing date hereof has
been shown and described herein, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that suitable modifications, variations and
equivalents may be made without departing from the scope of the
invention, such scope being limited solely by the terms of the
following claims and the legal equivalents thereof.
* * * * *