U.S. patent application number 10/593400 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for container for pills and a method of forming such a container.
Invention is credited to Peter Hanssen, Zoran Vasiloski.
Application Number | 20070170185 10/593400 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32067468 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070170185 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hanssen; Peter ; et
al. |
July 26, 2007 |
Container for pills and a method of forming such a container
Abstract
A container for pills and the like, and comprising a shell (10),
a closure (11) for that shell, a pivotal mounting (12) in the shell
for the closure so that the closure is arranged for rotation on an
axis to rock between a closed position in which the closure seals
the shell, and an open position in which the closure can dispense a
pill or the like from the interior of the shell through an
aperture, in which there is a detent (engageable by button 17)
arranged to secure the closure in its closed position, and a point
on the surface of the shell to which pressure can be applied to
release the detent and so allow the closure to be rocked from its
closed position to its open position. The purpose of the container
is to prevent access by children to pharmaceutical drugs within the
container, while allowing elderly or infirm adults to have easy
access to those drugs. An independent claim included for a method
of forming such a container.
Inventors: |
Hanssen; Peter; (Kullavik,
SE) ; Vasiloski; Zoran; (Eslov, SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WHITE & CASE LLP;PATENT DEPARTMENT
1155 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
10036
US
|
Family ID: |
32067468 |
Appl. No.: |
10/593400 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
March 17, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE05/00396 |
371 Date: |
September 19, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/259.2 ;
220/254.3; 220/825 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 50/066 20130101;
B65D 83/0409 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/259.2 ;
220/254.3; 220/825 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/18 20060101
B65D043/18; B65D 51/18 20060101 B65D051/18; B65D 43/14 20060101
B65D043/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 19, 2004 |
SE |
0400714-2 |
Claims
1. A container for dosage units, the container having a closure
which is released by a compressive force applied between two
opposed locations on the exterior of the closure, and which
closure, after release, is opened by application of pressure at
right angles to the compressive force, the pressure causing the
closure to rotate about an axis parallel to the direction of the
compressive force and thereby opening an aperture leading to the
interior of the container.
2. A container for dosage units, the container comprising a shell;
a closure for the shell; and a pivotal mounting in the shell for
the closure so that the closure rotates on an axis to move between
a closed position in which the closure seals the shell, and an open
position in which the closure can dispense a dosage unit from the
interior of the shell through an aperture, wherein a detent secures
the closure in its closed position, and pressure applied to a point
on the surface of the shell releases the detent and thereby allows
the closure to be moved from its closed position to its open
position.
3. The container according to claim 2, wherein two opposed detents
secure the closure in its closed position, and pressure applied to
two opposed points on the surface of the shell releases the detents
and thereby allows the closure to be moved from its closed position
to its open position.
4. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure to
release the closure is applied directly to the surface of the
closure.
5. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure to
release the closure is applied through at least one flexible point
on at least one external part of the container or the container
shell.
6. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aperture is
on the side of the closure which is opposite to the position of
application of pressure.
7. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container
defines an associated small sealable space for safe retention of a
dosage form or portion thereof.
8. The container according to claim 7, wherein the small sealable
space is located in the closure.
9. The container according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an
additional button on the back of the closure member for increased
child resistance.
10. The container according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a
sleeve to hold the container together and to carry information
relating to dosage units to be stored in the container.
11. A method of forming the container according to claim 1 or 2,
comprising the steps of: arranging two half portions of the
container in proximity with each other, with the closure trapped
between parts configured for rocking movement of the closure, and
locking the two half portions together with a sleeve.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the two half portions
are connected along a flexible hinge line and are arranged in
proximity with each other by folding them together about the hinge
line.
13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the two half portions
are not connected prior to assembly of the container.
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dosage
unit is a pill, tablet, capsule, or portion thereof.
17. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the closure
pivots between opened and closed positions.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a container for pills, and to a
method of forming such a container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Concerns for the safety of young children have led to the
development of numerous `child resistant` containers for
pharmaceutical drugs in the form of pills, capsules or tablets.
Examples of such containers are described and illustrated in UK
Patent Specifications 1,527,812 and 2,319,244 and U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,923,180 and 5,575,399.
[0003] Known examples of `child resistant` containers have been
successful in reducing the death rate from accidental poisoning
among young children who have gained access to containers holding
pharmaceutical drugs prescribed for others. The opening of such
`child resistant` containers has required both manual dexterity and
some physical force; and may use a cognitive skill, like two step
handling (e.g. push and turn). The combined requirement for
dexterity and strength has put the opening of such containers
beyond the capabilities of young children.
[0004] Notwithstanding this success, many patients for whom
pharmaceutical drugs have been prescribed are elderly, infirm, or
suffering from a condition (e.g. arthritis) which reduces their
ability to open `child resistant` containers. This has led to
concerns about easy access to pharmaceutical drugs for elderly
people having insufficient dexterity and/or strength in their hands
to extract medication from known `child resistant` containers.
[0005] These concerns have been addressed in two U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,934,492 and 6,112,920. Both these specifications deal with the
opening of a cap to give access to the body of a container. In
'492, the cap is removable by the application of an adult sized
finger. The finger of a young child would be too small to actuate a
mechanical locking device to release the cap. In '920, the cap is
removable by a combined downward pressure and counter clockwise
rotation. With both specifications, access to the pills is achieved
by the application of significant pressure to remove the whole of a
cap, which seals the container. Neither of these specifications
discloses provision for dispensing pills by an elderly person while
restricting access to those pills by a young child.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention provides a container for pills and the like,
and having a closure which may be released by a compressive force
applied between two opposed locations on the exterior, and which,
after release, may be opened by application of pressure acting at
right angles to the compressive force, the pressure causing the
closure to rotate about an axis parallel to the direction of he
compressive force, so to open an aperture leading to the interior
of the container.
[0007] The invention also provides a container for pills and the
like, and comprising a shell, a closure for that shell, a pivotal
mounting in the shell for the closure so that the closure is
arranged for rotation on an axis to rock between a closed position
in which the closure seals the shell, and an open position in which
the closure can dispense a pill or the like from the interior of
the shell through an aperture, in which there is a detent arranged
to secure the closure in its closed position, and a point on the
surface of the shell to which pressure can be applied to release
the detent and so allow the closure to be rocked from its closed
position to its open position.
[0008] It is preferred that there are two opposed detents to secure
the closure in its closed position, and two opposed points on the
surface of the shell to which pressure can be applied to release
the detents and so allow the closure to be rocked from its closed
position to its open position.
[0009] In one form, pressure to release the closure member is
applied directly. In an alternative form, pressure to release the
closure is applied though a suitably flexible point or points on an
external part or parts of the container or container shell.
[0010] It is preferred that the aperture is on the opposite side of
the axis to the position of application of pressure.
[0011] It is preferred that the container has an associated small
sealable space for safe retention of a pill or a portion of a
pill.
[0012] It is further preferred that the small sealable space is
located in the closure.
[0013] In one preferred configuration there is an additional button
on the back of the closure member to increase child resistance.
[0014] In another preferred configuration, a sleeve or channel is
used both to hold the container together and to carry notices or
directions relating to pills to be stored in the container.
[0015] The invention also provides a method of forming a container
as described above, the method comprising the steps of arranging
two half portions of the container in proximity with each other,
with the closure trapped between parts adapted to allow rocking
movement of the closure, and then locking the two half portions
together with a sleeve or channel.
[0016] In one preferred form of the method, the two half portions
are connected together along a flexible hinge line, so that they
can be arranged in proximity with each other by folding them
together about the hinge line.
[0017] In an alternative form of the method, the two half portions
are brought into proximity with each other as separate
entities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] A specific embodiment of the invention and variants thereof
will now be described by way of example with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a view from one side and slightly above a
container for pills or the like;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a view from one end and above that container with
a small sealable space open;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side elevation;
[0022] FIG. 4 is an end elevation;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a similar end elevation showing operability of the
container;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a transparent view of the container, showing
operable parts;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a closure for the
container;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a sketch of a top portion of a non child-resistant
variant of the container;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view showing a vertical section
through that container;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a sketch of a top portion of another variant of
the container, showing an additional child resistant feature:
[0029] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view showing a vertical section
through the top of the variant shown in FIG. 10;
[0030] FIGS. 12 and 13 are cross sectional views showing transverse
cross sections through a container, and illustrating operability of
detents to secure the container in a closed condition;
[0031] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a first stage in assembly of
the container shown in FIGS. 1 to 6;
[0032] FIG. 15 is another diagram showing that stage in assembly of
the container;
[0033] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a second stage in the assembly
of the container; and
[0034] FIGS. 17 to 19 are diagrams corresponding to FIGS. 14 to 16,
and showing another method of assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0035] A container for pills, capsules, tablets or the like is
shown in FIGS. 1 to 6. The container has a hollow shell 10,
surmounted by a closure member 11. The closure member 11 is
arranged to rock on an axis between trunnions 12 (best seen in
FIGS. 6 and 7), so that it is movable between a closed position, in
which it seals the shell, and an open position, in which it is
possible for a pill or the like to be dispensed from the interior
of the shell. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the container is standing
on a flat horizontal surface, and the trunnions 12 lie on a
horizontal axis.
[0036] When the closure member 11 is in its closed position, a
shield portion 14 on the member 11 blocks a notch 15 in the top of
the shell 10. When the member 11 is in its open position, the
shield portion 14 is raised to allow access to the interior of the
shell 10 through the notch 15. Thus by rocking the closure member
11, pills can be dispensed from the interior of the shell 10.
[0037] To prevent unauthorised access to the pills by young
children, the container has a locking mechanism. The locking
mechanism comprises two opposed points 16 on the surface of the
shell 10. The points 16 are formed as very thin layers of the
plastic shell, and are sufficiently flexible to permit inward
deflection (i.e. towards each other). On the closure member 11
there are dependent buttons 17, which are supported from the member
11 by short flexible strips 18. The flexibility of the strips 18
allows pressure on the points 16 to deflect the buttons 17 inwardly
within the shell 10. Inward deflection of the buttons 17 allows the
buttons to disengage from detents (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, but
well illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 relating to a variant of the
container). In another form, the points 16 are formed as open holes
which allow direct access to the buttons 17.
[0038] Thus operation of the container to dispense pills is a two
stage process as illustrated in FIG. 5. First the opposed points 16
are pressed towards each other by pressure A. This releases the
buttons 17 from the detents. Second, downward pressure B on the end
of the closure member 11 nearer to the points 16 allows the member
11 to rock on the trunnions 12, and so opens the notch 15 to allow
a pill to be dispensed. In a specific mode of operation, a person
wishing to dispense a pill would lift the container in one hand,
exert pressure A using thumb and middle finger, and then, when the
closure member was unlocked, open the closure member 11 by applying
downward pressure B with their fore finger. Inversion of the
container then dispenses a pill.
[0039] Sequential application of two gentle pressures at right
angles to each other requires the mental process of an adult which
would be beyond the competence of most young children, while
allowing single handed operation. Two handed operation is also
possible.
[0040] To allow for circumstances in which a user may only require
the dose contained in one half of a normal sized pill, provision is
made for the temporary retention of an unused half pill. As shown
particularly in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, the end of the closure member 11
nearer to the shield portion 14 has a small sealable space 20. The
space 20 is closed by a lid 19. The lid 19 is hingedly mounted on
the closure member 11 by a short flexible strap 21. The strap 21
allows the lid 19 to be moved upwardly away from the space 20 to
allow insertion or removal of a pill or half a pill as the user may
require.
[0041] Two variants of containers according to the invention are
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and FIGS. 10 and 11 respectively.
[0042] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a shell 30 associated with a closure
member 31, which is rockable on trunnions 32. The shell has a notch
35, and the closure member 31 has a shield portion 34. Unlocking of
the closure member 31 (not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9), followed by
depression of the closure member by pressure B', allows the
dispensing of a pill from within the shell 30. In the absence of a
locking mechanism, this variant is less child resistant.
[0043] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a second variant of a container
according to the invention, having an additional child resistant
feature. In this case a shell 40 has a closure member 41, and after
unlocking, and depression of additional button 50, pressure B''
rocks the closure member anticlockwise (as seen in FIG. 11) to
allow the dispensing of a pill from within the shell 40.
[0044] In FIGS. 12 and 13, the shell 40 has apertures 46a, through
which buttons 47 can be pushed inwardly through the shell 40 to
release the closure member 41. FIG. 12 shows the buttons 47 being
pushed together by pressure A'', and FIG. 13 shows the closure
member 41 being pushed down by pressure B''. In this case the
flexible points 16 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 are not
required, as pressure A'' is applied directly to the buttons
47.
[0045] It will be understood that the provision of two opposed
points with two dependent buttons is not essential to the operation
of the container according to the invention. A single point with
sufficient flexibility to allow a button to be released from a
detent, or a single direct acting button which could be released
from a detent, could be used to unlock the closure member in
respective containers.
[0046] Two methods of assembly for containers according to the
invention are shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 and 17 to 19 respectively.
Both methods will be described with reference to the container
shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the shell 10 is moulded in two
halves 10a and 10b, joined along a flexible hinge line 22. The
container is assembled by pivoting the halves 10a and 10b upwardly
together. As the two halves are nearly in contact with each other,
the closure member 11 is positioned between them, so that trunnions
12 engage with pivot holes (not shown) on the inside of the shell
10. The two halves 10a and 10b are forced together, so trapping the
buttons 17 in proximity with the flexible points 16. A `U` shaped
channel 23 is then forced over the halves 10a and 10b (as shown in
FIG. 16) to keep those halves permanently on contact with each
other. As shown particularly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the `U` shaped
channel 23 may be used to carry promotional material, and/or
written description of the contents and dosage of the pills to be
kept in the container. Thus a single shell 10 formed as a single
moulding could be used for many different pills, with the channel
23 being used to identify the particular pills within the
container.
[0048] An alternative method of assembly is shown in FIGS. 17 to
19. In this case, the two halves of the shell are formed as
discrete parts (i.e. un-joined by any hinge line 22). As with the
method shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the two half shells 10a and 10b are
brought together around the closure member 11. A `U` shaped channel
23 is then forced over the halves to keep those halves permanently
in contact with each other.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0049] The purpose of the container is to prevent access by
children to pharmaceutical drugs within the container, while
allowing elderly or infirm adults to have easy access to those
drugs.
* * * * *