U.S. patent application number 11/391663 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for closure system.
Invention is credited to Janice B. Bramen, Harold T. Pehr.
Application Number | 20070228047 11/391663 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38557293 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070228047 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pehr; Harold T. ; et
al. |
October 4, 2007 |
Closure system
Abstract
A latching mechanism for containers includes a catch member
having a tongue on a container lid, for engaging an aligned nub on
a container. The catch member includes a relaxation area, formed of
an opening, proximate to the tongue. The relaxation area allows the
catch member to retain its original shape, inhibiting it from
softening or wearing out, and proving it with long life, such that
the catch member is able to maintain the frictional engagement over
numerous uses and for long time periods.
Inventors: |
Pehr; Harold T.; (Overland
Park, KS) ; Bramen; Janice B.; (Overland Park,
KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POLSINELLI SHALTON FLANIGAN SUELTHAUS PC
700 W. 47TH STREET
SUITE 1000
KANSAS CITY
MO
64112-1802
US
|
Family ID: |
38557293 |
Appl. No.: |
11/391663 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/524 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2251/0084 20130101;
A61J 7/04 20130101; B65D 83/0445 20130101; B65D 2251/105 20130101;
A61J 7/0069 20130101; B65D 2251/0021 20130101; B65D 51/18
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/524 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/04 20060101
B65D025/04 |
Claims
1. A container apparatus comprising: a body including at least one
compartment and oppositely disposed first and second ends; a
closure lid for the at least one compartment, for moving between
closed and open positions, the closure lid including oppositely
disposed first and second ends, the first end being hingedly
attached to the first end of the body, and the second end including
a flange extending from the second end of the closure lid, and a
tongue protruding from the flange, the flange including at least
one opening intermediate the tongue and the second end of the
closure lid; and a nub extending from second end of the body, the
nub for frictionally contacting the tongue when the closure lid is
being moved to the closed position and for frictionally engaging
and retaining the tongue when at least a portion of the tongue has
moved beyond the nub, such that the closure lid is in the closed
position.
2. The container apparatus of claim 1, wherein at the tongue
protrudes from the flange, such that at least a portion of the
tongue is at least substantially perpendicular to a plane defined
by the flange.
3. The container apparatus of claim 2, wherein the opening extends
at least along the width of the tongue.
4. The container apparatus of claim 3, wherein the tongue includes
a curved portion for frictionally engaging and retaining the tongue
when the tongue has moved beyond the nub, such that the closure lid
is in the closed position.
5. The container apparatus of claim 4, wherein the nub includes a
portion of a rounded cross-section.
6. The container apparatus of claim 5, wherein the tongue and the
nub are aligned such that the tongue extends along at least
substantially all of the nub.
7. The container apparatus of claim 4, wherein the body and closure
lid are of a resilient material.
8. The container apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one
opening includes one opening and the opening is rectangular in
shape.
9. The container apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body, closure
lid and nub are an integral member.
10. A closure for a container comprising: a catch member for
attachment to a first support, the catch member including an
outwardly extending flange having oppositely disposed first and
second ends, the flange including an opening extending from an edge
of the first end toward the second end, and, a tongue protruding
from the second end beyond the opening; and, a nub for receiving
the catch member by engaging the tongue in a frictional engagement,
the nub for attachment to a second support.
11. The closure of claim 10, wherein the tongue protrudes from the
flange, such that at least a portion of the tongue is at least
substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the flange.
12. The closure of claim 11, wherein the opening extends at least
along the width of the tongue.
13. The closure of claim 12, wherein the tongue includes a curved
portion for frictionally engaging and retaining the tongue when the
tongue has moved beyond the nub.
14. The closure of claim 13, wherein the nub includes a portion of
a rounded cross-section.
15. The closure of claim 14, wherein the tongue and the nub are
aligned such that the tongue extends along at least substantially
all of the nub.
16. The closure of claim 15, wherein the catch member is of a
resilient material.
17. The closure of claim 10, wherein the open area includes one
opening and the opening is rectangular in shape.
18. A method for storing an item in a container comprising:
providing a container apparatus comprising: a body including at
least one compartment and oppositely disposed first and second
ends; a closure lid for the at least one compartment, for moving
between closed and open positions, the closure lid including
oppositely disposed first and second ends, the first end being
hingedly attached to the first end of the body, and the second end
including a flange extending from the second end of the closure
lid, and a tongue protruding from the flange, the flange including
at least one opening intermediate the tongue and the second end of
the closure lid; and a nub extending from second end of the body,
the nub for frictionally contacting the tongue when the closure lid
is being moved to the closed position and for frictionally engaging
and retaining the tongue when at least a portion of the tongue has
moved beyond the nub, such that the closure lid is in the closed
position; moving the closure lid to the open position; placing at
least one object into the compartment with the closure lid in the
open position; and, moving the closure lid into the closed
position, such that at least a portion of the tongue has moved
beyond the nub.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention is directed to closure systems for
container apparatus. In particular, the present invention is
directed to closure systems with lids or caps that cover
containers, compartments of containers, and the like, and keep
these structures closed as a portion of the lid remains
frictionally engaged to a portion of the container, compartment or
the like.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Latch closures are used in devices such as pill dispensers,
that normally have multiple compartments, each compartment
typically corresponding to a day of the week. These closures are
typically associated with lids, that are hinged at one end of the
body of the dispenser, to cover and enclose each compartment in a
frictional engagement. The frictional engagement is such that a
nub, on the side of the compartment, is engaged by a nub fastener.
The nub fastener is normally on the lid of the compartment.
[0003] The lid and compartment are made of a resilient material,
such as plastic. As the nub fastener moves over the nub, it snaps
back to its original position once it has completed its movement
over the nub. The nub fastener has now moved over the nub, with a
portion of the nub fastener frictionally engaging the nub, whereby
the lid is closed over the compartment.
[0004] This latch closure of the contemporary art exhibits
drawbacks, for over the course of repeated lid openings and
closings, the nub fastener wears by becoming soft, bending and
stretching out of shape, typically away from the lid, to which it
is attached. The softening, with its resultant bending and
stretching, may also lead to tearing, such that the compartment can
not be properly closed, and the pill dispenser is rendered
useless.
[0005] Specifically, the portion of the nub fastener, that
frictionally engages the nub on the container, is moved outward,
whereby it is unable to maintain the aforementioned frictional
engagement with the nub. As a result, the lid can not close
completely, causing air, moisture, and light to enter the
compartment, damaging the contents therein.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention improves on the contemporary art by
providing a catch member having a tongue, for engaging an aligned
nub on a container, with the catch member including a relaxation
area, formed by an opening, proximate to the tongue. The relaxation
area allows the catch member to elastically relax and recover after
each engagement or disengagement between the tongue of the catch
member and the nub. The catch member, and in particular, the
tongue, retains its original shape and resiliency. The relaxation
area also allows the catch member to relax and recover, inhibiting
it from softening or wearing out. This structure for the catch
member renders it extremely durable, with a long usable life,
allowing the catch member to maintain the frictional engagement,
and its spring-like behavior, over numerous uses and for long time
periods. As a result, the compartments remain closed over longer
time periods, only openable by manually applied force, when
compared to closures on other contemporary compartmentalized
containers.
[0007] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a
container apparatus. The container apparatus may be, for example,
for pills and the like, and has a body including at least one
compartment and oppositely disposed first and second ends, a
closure lid for the at least one compartment, and a nub. The
closure lid is designed for moving between closed and open
positions, and includes oppositely disposed first and second ends,
the first end being hingedly attached to the first end of the body,
and the second end including a flange extending from the second end
of the closure lid. There is also a tongue protruding from the
flange, with the flange including at least one opening intermediate
the tongue and the second end of the closure lid. The nub extends
from the second end of the body, and is for frictionally contacting
the tongue when the closure lid is being moved to the closed
position. The nub also frictionally engages and retains the tongue
when at least a portion of the tongue has moved beyond the nub,
such that the closure lid is in the closed position.
[0008] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a closure
for a container. The closure includes a catch member that engages a
nub. The catch member is for attachment to a first support, and
includes an outwardly extending flange having oppositely disposed
first and second ends. The flange includes an opening extending
from an edge of the first end toward the second end, and a tongue
protruding from the second end beyond the opening. The nub receives
the catch member by engaging the tongue in a frictional engagement,
with the nub designed for attachment to a second support.
[0009] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method
for storing an item in a container. The method includes, providing
a container apparatus. The container apparatus has a body, with at
least one compartment and oppositely disposed first and second
ends; a closure lid for the at least one compartment, for moving
between closed and open positions, the closure lid including
oppositely disposed first and second ends, the first end being
hingedly attached to the first end of the body, and the second end
including a flange extending from the second end of the closure
lid, and a tongue protruding from the flange, the flange including
at least one opening intermediate the tongue and the second end of
the closure lid; and, a nub. The nub extends from second end of the
body, and is for frictionally contacting the tongue when the
closure lid is being moved to the closed position, and is also for
frictionally engaging and retaining the tongue when at least a
portion of the tongue has moved beyond the nub, such that the
closure lid is in the closed position. The closure lid is moved to
the open position, and at least one object, for example, a pill, is
placed into the compartment, with the closure lid in the open
position. The closure lid is then moved into the closed position,
such that at least a portion of the tongue has moved beyond the
nub. A pill or the like may also be removed from the pill
dispenser, for example, one or more compartments thereof, by a
similar procedure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Attention is now directed to the drawing figures, where like
numerals or characters indicate corresponding or like components.
In the drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pill dispenser that
supports an embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a view of a compartment in the pill dispenser
showing an embodiment of the invention with the closure cap in the
open position;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a view of a compartment in the pill dispenser
showing an embodiment of the invention with the closure cap in the
closed position;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 3, taken along line
4'-4';
[0015] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the closure system taken along
line 4'-4'; and,
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the pill dispenser taken
along line 6'-6' of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The present invention is directed to a latching mechanism
for containers, with a catch member having a tongue on a container
lid, for engaging an aligned nub on a container. The catch member
includes a relaxation area, formed of an opening, proximate to the
tongue. The relaxation area allows the catch member to recover
after each engagement or disengagement with the nub, to retain its
original shape, preventing the catch member from softening or
wearing out. The relaxation area provides the catch member with a
long usable life, such that it is able to maintain frictional
engagements over numerous uses and for long time periods. As a
result, the compartments remain closed over longer time periods,
only openable by manually applied force.
[0018] Throughout this document, references to directions, such as
upward, downward, upper, lower, up, down, top, bottom, and the
like, are made. These directional references are to typical
orientations for the pill dispenser 1 and/or components thereof.
They are exemplary only, and not limiting in any way, as they are
for description and explanation purposes.
[0019] FIGS. 1-3 show the closure system 100 of the invention in an
exemplary application on a pill dispenser 1. The pill dispenser 1
includes a body or tray 5 having a plurality of pill receiving
cavities or compartments 6, a dispenser closure lid 7 having a
hinge 8, and a latch mechanism 9. The closure lid 7 can have its
inner side 7a configured to accommodate and retain inserts, such as
papers and the like.
[0020] The tray 5 is elongate and as shown, for example, includes
seven compartments 6, in a side by side relationship to each other.
These compartments 6 typically correspond to each day of the week,
in order to hold the user's medication for that particular day. The
tray 5 has a bottom 10, a pair of parallel side walls, 11a (first),
11b (second), and end walls 13, 14. Dividing walls 15 are between
the compartments 6. A ring 18 encircles the tray 5, about halfway
between the top and bottom of the tray 5, except in the region of
the latch mechanism 9 and hinge 8. The ring 18 provides strength to
the tray 5. It serves as a limit of travel and a resting area for
the closure lid 7.
[0021] Each of the compartments 6, has a floor 20 and encircling
side walls 21, that terminate in an upper rim 21a. The dividing
walls 15 form a portion of the sidewalls 21. The floor 20 and
sidewalls 21, when coupled with a closure cap 23, that sits on the
rim 21a, form a completely enclosed chamber, for holding pills and
the like. Adjacent closure caps 23 sit partially on the dividing
walls 15, that are between the respective compartments 6. Although
the compartments 6 having a generally rectangular shape are shown,
the compartments 6 may have a square, ovular, circular or other
shape.
[0022] The closure cap 23 includes indicia 24, for example, in
letter and number characters as well Braille, typically protruding
from the outer side 23a (the surface thereof) of the closure cap
23. The closure cap 23 also includes a catch member 102 attached to
it at a wall 23b (on the outer side 23a), for frictionally engaging
a nub 104 in an aligned position, on the first sidewall 11a of the
tray 5. The catch member 102 and cooperatingly aligned nub 104
define the closure system 100 of the invention, detailed below. The
closure cap 23 is hinged to a portion of the ring 18, by a hinge
25, proximate to the second tray wall 11b. The second tray wall 11b
is oppositely disposed from the first tray wall 11a.
[0023] The remainder of the tray 5, closure lid 7, hinge 8, and
latch mechanism 9, are detailed in commonly owned and assigned U.S.
Pat. No. 6,631,805 to Bramen. U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,805, is
incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
[0024] The latch mechanism 9, as discussed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,631,805, is useful in "child proofing" the dispenser 1. In a
first position, where the tongue 68 (of the latch mechanism 9) is
at an angle at least substantially parallel to the vertical, it is
within the bar 85 and the body of the closure lid 7, the pill
dispenser 1 is locked in a "child proof" manner. In a second
position, where the tongue 68 is at an angle at least substantially
parallel to the horizontal (moved counterclockwise, in accordance
with the arrow Q), and is not within the bar 85 and the opening
85a, formed between the bar 85 and the body of the closure lid 7,
the dispenser is closed, but not locked in a "child proof" manner.
With the latch mechanism 9, outside of the opening 85a of the lid
7, the pill dispenser 1 is easy to manipulate or "senior friendly",
as defined above.
[0025] Turning also to FIGS. 4-6, the closure system 100 of the
invention is shown in detail. The closure system 100 includes a
catch member 102, for attachment to a first support, for example, a
wall 23b on the outer side 23a of the closure cap 23, a portion of
which engages a nub 104, for attachment to a second support, for
example, the first tray wall 11a. The catch member 102, and nub 104
are spring like in their behavior, as they are made, for example,
of a resilient plastic material, as detailed below. This resilient
material allows the catch member 102 to move over the nub 104 and
then return (spring back) to its original orientation, when moved
into and out of a frictional engagement, when the closure cap 23 is
being moved to a closed position (into the frictional engagement),
and when the closure cap 23 is being moved to an open position (out
of the frictional engagement), detailed further below.
[0026] The catch member 102 includes a flange 110, that protrudes
outward from the closure cap 23, and a tongue 112, extending
downward from the flange 110. The flange 110 is typically parallel
to the plane formed by the horizontal. The tongue 112 joins to the
flange 110 proximate its midpoint, at least at an approximately
right angle. As shown in FIG. 5, the flange 110 includes an opening
or open area 120, typically extending from the wall 23b into the
interior of the flange 110, terminating at approximately the middle
of the flange 110. The opening 120 is bounded by the flange 110 on
three sides, such that the flange 110 is, for example, "C" shaped,
and the closure cap wall 23b on the fourth side. Lateral sides 110a
of the flange 110 are the attachment points of the flange 110 to
the closure cap wall 23b.
[0027] The opening 120 is typically rectangular in shape, to
provide relaxation for the catch member 102 (flange 110 and tongue
112), upon the engagement and disengagement of the tongue 112 and
nub 104, for example, during opening and closing of the closure cap
23. While a rectangular opening 120 is shown, other shaped openings
such as, for example, circular or ovular openings are also
suitable, provided that they provide the relaxation for the catch
member 102 upon opening and closing of the closure cap 23.
[0028] The tongue 112, is typically "J" shaped, as it is formed by
a substantially straight portion 112a and a curved portion 112b.
The straight portion 112a attaches to the flange 110, typically at,
or just beyond the edge 120a of the opening 120. The curved portion
112b is curved, such that the end 112c, terminating in an edge
112e, sits beneath the nub 104, when the closure cap 23 is in the
closed position, as its edge 112e has moved beyond the nub 104, and
the curved portion 112b is in a frictional engagement with the nub
104, as shown in FIGS. 3-5. The curvature of the curved portion
112b is designed to frictionally engage the nub 104, whereby when
in this frictional engagement, the closure cap 23 remains in the
closed position.
[0029] Other shapes and/or configurations are also possible for the
tongue 112, provided they frictionally engage the nub 104, whereby
when in this frictional engagement, the closure cap 23 remains in
the closed position.
[0030] The nub 104 typically protrudes from, and attaches to, the
first tray wall 11a, typically at a point proximate to the rim 21a
of the sidewalls 21. The nub 104 is formed of a rounded surface
104a, that terminates in a flat surface 104b. The rounded surface
104a allows for the edge 112e of the tongue 112 to slide over the
rounded surface 104a, while the closure cap 23 is being moved to
the closed position, until the edge 112e reaches the end of the
rounded surface 104a. The edge 112e then snaps over the flat
surface 104b, to form a frictional engagement of the end 112c of
the tongue 112 with the flat surface 104b of the nub 104, keeping
the closure cap 23 in a closed position.
[0031] The nub 104 extends laterally and is aligned with the tongue
112. In this manner, there is sufficient area of both the nub 104
and the tongue 112 for frictional engagement, necessary for the
closure cap 23 to remain in the closed position during the
aforementioned frictional engagement. The nub 104 may extend beyond
the width of the tongue 112, and conversely, the tongue 112 may be
of a width that extends beyond the nub 104, provided that there is
sufficient area in frictional contact to maintain the
aforementioned frictional engagement.
[0032] The catch member 102 also includes one or more ribs, with a
single rib 124 shown, between the flange 110 and the tongue 112
(FIG. 5). The ribs provide support for the flange 110 and tongue
112.
[0033] The closure cap 23, at its inner side 23d, includes a
shoulder 130 formed of edge surfaces 132a, 132b. The shoulder 130
is dimensioned to be of a tolerance such that it engages the rim
21a of the sidewalls 21 of the compartment 6 in a frictional
engagement, to prevent the closure cap 23 from coming open absent
force from a user (manual force), yet allow for the opening of the
closure cap 23 with minimal manual force.
[0034] The shoulder 130 is such that the closure caps 23 are flush
with the respective sidewalls 11a, 11b. The closure caps 23 at the
ends of the pill dispenser 1 are flush with the respective end
walls 13, 14. The portions of the shoulder 130 that sit over the
end walls 13, 14 and tray walls 11a, 11b are of a greater width
than the portions of the shoulder 130 that sit on the dividing wall
15, when the adjacent closure caps 23 are in the closed position,
as shown in FIG. 6.
[0035] The flange 110 also protrudes from the outer side 23a, for
example, from the sidewall 23b, of the closure cap 23, a sufficient
distance, that allows for ease in gripping by fingers. Coupled with
the frictional fit of the closure cap 23 against the rim 21a of the
respective compartment, the respective closure cap 23 is easily
opened for access to the respective compartment 6.
[0036] The tray 5, that includes the compartments 6 and closure
caps 23 and closure system 100, is typically a one-piece integral
member formed of a resilient material such as plastic or the like.
The resilient material is typically translucent, but could also be
transparent, to allow the contents of the compartments 6 to be
viewed. If desired, the tray 5 may be also opaque, to prevent any
light penetration. The tray 5 is typically formed by molding
techniques such as injection molding, and the like.
[0037] The lid 7 is typically opaque and also a one-piece integral
member formed of a resilient material such as plastic or the like.
However, the lid 7 may also be transparent or translucent. The lid
7 is typically formed by molding techniques such as injection
molding, and the like. In other embodiments, the lid 7 is a
separate member that is hingedly connected to the compartment
6.
[0038] While the closure system 100 has been shown on a pill
dispenser 1, this is exemplary only. The closure system 100 may be
employed on numerous types of containers such as lunch boxes, first
aid boxes, medication containers, fishing tackle boxes, and the
like.
[0039] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been described, so as to enable one of skill in the art to practice
the present invention, the preceding description is intended to be
exemplary only. It should not be used to limit the scope of the
invention, which should be determined by reference to the following
claims.
* * * * *