U.S. patent application number 12/176494 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-06 for method and apparatus for forming a closure device and a container.
Invention is credited to Thomas A. Berman, Sean M. Brennan, Vincent J. Brennan, John Yurglic.
Application Number | 20080272515 12/176494 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39764151 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080272515 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brennan; Sean M. ; et
al. |
November 6, 2008 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING A CLOSURE DEVICE AND A
CONTAINER
Abstract
A method for forming a closure device for a container is
disclosed including providing a first mold component having a first
annular groove. The first annular groove is configured to form a
skirt of the closure device. A plurality of ejector blades are
provided and are positioned within the mold component. The blades
include a notch for forming a lug on an inner surface of the skirt.
The lug is back-locked relative to the mold component. A moldable
material is introduced into a mold cavity to form the closure
device. The device is removed from the mold component by moving the
blades along a path defined by tracks formed in the mold component
that is generally along a vertical axis of the mold component,
wherein the path includes a radially outward component, and the
moving of the blades relieves the back-lock of the lug formed on
the closure device.
Inventors: |
Brennan; Sean M.; (Avon,
OH) ; Brennan; Vincent J.; (Orange Park, FL) ;
Berman; Thomas A.; (Lorain, OH) ; Yurglic; John;
(Huron, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MACMILLAN SOBANSKI & TODD, LLC
ONE MARITIME PLAZA FIFTH FLOOR, 720 WATER STREET
TOLEDO
OH
43604-1619
US
|
Family ID: |
39764151 |
Appl. No.: |
12/176494 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10932155 |
Sep 1, 2004 |
7427373 |
|
|
12176494 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
264/299 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 45/44 20130101;
B29L 2031/565 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
264/299 |
International
Class: |
B28B 1/00 20060101
B28B001/00 |
Claims
1. A method of molding a closure device for a container comprising:
providing a first mold component having a first annular groove,
wherein the first groove is configured to form a skirt of the
closure device; providing a second mold component configured to
cooperate with the first mold component to form a complete mold
assembly, the mold assembly defining a mold cavity, wherein
cooperating faces of the first mold component and the second mold
component define a parting line; and introducing a moldable
material into the mold cavity to form an upper portion of the
closure device and the skirt of the closure device, wherein the
skirt is substantially wholly formed below the parting line of the
mold assembly within the first mold component.
2. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising a second
annular groove that is substantially concentric with the first
annular groove, the second annular groove being configured to form
a spring of the closure device.
3. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the upper portion of the
closure device is formed above the parting line of the closure
device.
4. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the upper portion of the
closure device is formed below the parting line of the closure
device.
5. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the upper portion is one
of flat and curved.
6. The method defined in claim 1 wherein an outer surface of the
upper portion further comprises a snap ring configured to cooperate
with an inner surface of the container for releasably securing the
closure device with the container.
7. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising the step of
providing a container having a bayonet portion formed on an open
end of the container, the bayonet portion being configured to
correspond with the skirt of the closure device for releasably
locking the closure device to the container.
8. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the upper portion forms a
web between upper edges of the skirt.
9. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
tracks in the first mold component, wherein the tracks are
positioned generally perpendicular to the first annular groove, and
the tracks are configured to receive a plurality of ejector blades
for movement therein.
10. The method defined in claim 9 further comprising the step of
providing a plurality of ejector blades within the tracks of the
mold component, the blades including a notch thereon for forming a
lug on an inner surface of the skirt of the closure device, the lug
being back-locked relative to the mold component.
11. The method defined in claim 10 further comprising the step of
removing the closure device from the mold assembly by sliding the
ejector blades along a path that is oriented generally along a
vertical axis of the first mold component, wherein the path
includes a radially outward component, and the sliding of the
blades relieves the back-lock of the lug formed on the closure
device.
12. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the spring is formed
below the parting line of the mold assembly.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation patent application of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/932,155, filed Sep. 1, 2004,
the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates in general to medicine containers
having lockable closures, and more particularly, to such containers
wherein the lockable closures are both child-resistant (CR) and
non-child-resistant (NCR), or easily opened by the elderly.
[0003] Due to the potential damaging ramifications of children
consuming or having access to medications and other dangerous
materials not intended for children's use, certain medications and
other substances are packaged in CR containers. There are a
multitude of containers available to package such medication and
materials. Among these containers is a closure mechanism that
requires a user to rotate the cap with respect to the container
until two marks (e.g. arrows) align, at which point a finger tab
may be moved upward and the cap pried from the container to an open
position.
[0004] Another type of CR container is a push and turn type and
includes a cap having an outer shell and an inner sealing threaded
cap. The outer shell freely rotates about the inner sealing
retainer until a predetermined downward force is applied by the
adult user. The downward force engages the outer shell with the
inner threaded cap and must be maintained throughout the opening
procedure. The retainer includes conventional threads and once
engaged with the outer shell, its rotation by the adult user will
open the container.
[0005] Still another type of CR container includes a push and turn
type that includes a cap having an outer shell and an inner seal.
The outer shell includes a skirt having lugs formed thereon. The
lugs are adapted to cooperate with a bayonet structure formed on an
outer surface of the container. The downward and rotational force
on the cap causes the lugs to slide around a cam surface on the
bayonets. The lugs then engage a recess on the bayonet to lock the
cap to the container.
[0006] Although these conventional containers discourage children
from gaining access to the medicine or chemicals located within the
container while providing fair access to adults, the operations
required to open these containers have proven to be very difficult
to perform by elderly, disabled, or injured users, or by those
otherwise lacking in hand coordination.
[0007] A problem with the conventional "push and turn" containers
is that during opening, the user must force the cap towards the
container body to ensure that the outer skirt remains engaged with
the inner retainer, while the cap is rotated away from the
container body. This opposing mechanical action required to open
the conventional push and turn CR containers can be very
uncomfortable to the user and adds to the difficulty and
frustration in opening the container.
[0008] Owing to the difficulties in opening conventional CR
containers, many users may deliberately leave the container open so
that they may readily access their medicine in the future. An
obvious problem resulting in leaving a medicine container open or
effectively open (i.e., disabling any CR lock) is that children
also may gain access to the medicine. Such action could also cause
degradation of the medication due to moisture or other substances
coming into contact with the medication. People may also transfer
their medications to other containers for storage. The problem
therein is that the medications would be kept separate from their
instructions, safety information, and dosage information.
Additionally, the medications could be intermixed with other
medications. One reason to have NCR containers is for people who
have no children that could accidentally access the dangerous
substances and might not want to have a CR container when a NCR
container would suffice.
[0009] Therefore, there recently has been an interest in providing
new types of containers for those adults who have difficulty in
manipulating conventional CR containers or even regular, NCR
containers. For the most part, these "senior-friendly" containers
have provisions which allow the elderly (or those otherwise lacking
in hand coordination and dexterity) to easily open the container,
but unfortunately do not also include CR features to prevent access
to the drugs by children. Although there are closure devices having
both CR and NCR features, there is a need for improved closure
devices and containers, and a method for making them.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] This invention relates to a method for forming a closure
device for a container. The method includes providing a first mold
component having a first annular groove, wherein the first annular
groove is configured to form a skirt of the closure device;
providing a plurality of ejector blades positioned within the first
mold component, each of the blades including a notch thereon for
forming a lug on an inner surface of the skirt of the closure
device, each lug being back-locked relative to the first mold
component; providing a second mold component configured to
cooperate with the first mold component to define a mold cavity;
introducing a moldable material into the mold cavity to form the
closure device; and removing the closure device from the first mold
component by moving the blades along a path defined by a plurality
of tracks formed in the first mold component that is generally
along a vertical axis of the first mold component, wherein the path
includes a radially outward component, and the moving of the blades
relieves the back-lock of the lugs formed on the closure
device.
[0011] The invention also relates to a method of molding a closure
device for a container including providing a first mold component
having an annular groove, wherein the groove is configured to form
a skirt of the closure device; providing a second mold component
configured to cooperate with the first mold component to form a
complete mold assembly, the mold assembly defining a mold cavity,
wherein cooperating faces of the first mold component and the
second mold component define a parting line; and introducing a
moldable material into the mold cavity to form an upper portion of
the closure device and the skirt of the closure device, wherein the
skirt is formed below the parting line of the mold assembly.
[0012] The invention also relates to a generally cylindrical
container having an open end portion and a closed end portion that
includes an intermittent ridge having a tapered profile formed on
an inner surface of the open end portion of the container, the
ridge being configured to cooperate with a snap ring formed on a
first closure device to releasably secure the first closure device
to the container.
[0013] The invention also relates to a method of forming a
generally cylindrical container including the steps of providing a
generally cylindrical male mold component having a plurality of
intermittent grooves having a tapered profile formed thereon,
providing a female mold component defining a generally cylindrical
recess, positioning the male mold component substantially coaxially
within the recess of the female mold component with the space
between the male mold component and the female mold component
defining a mold cavity, introducing a moldable material into the
mold cavity, molding the moldable material into the container,
separating the male mold component from the female mold component,
and removing the molded container from the mold cavity.
[0014] The invention also relates to a system for providing
containers and closure devices for the containers that includes
providing a plurality of containers, each of the containers having
a lip portion having a substantially similarly sized diameter, the
lip portion being configured to cooperate with a closure device,
the lip portion having an intermittent ridge on an inner surface of
the lip portion, and having a bayonet closure mechanism on an outer
surface of the lip portion; providing a first closure device, the
first closure device being configured to cooperate with both the
snap ring and the bayonet closure mechanism to releasably retain
the closure device with the container so that the closure device
can be attached to the container in either a child-resistant or a
non-child-resistant mode; providing a second closure device, the
second closure device being configured to cooperate with the
intermittent ridge to releasably retain the closure device with the
container; providing a third closure device, the third closure
device being configured to cooperate with the bayonet closure
mechanism to releasably retain the closure device with the
container; selecting one of the first closure device, the second
closure device and the third closure device, each closure device
being configured to releasably seal the container; and assembling
the selected closure device and container.
[0015] Various objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first mold component according to
the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the first mold component of
FIG. 1 through Line 2-2 and a sectional view of a second mold
component according to the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the mold component of FIG. 1
through Line 3-3.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the first mold component shown
in FIG. 2 with the blades according to the invention in an extended
position.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a first closure
device formed by the first and second mold components according to
the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first male mold component
for forming a container according to the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the container formed using
the mold of FIG. 6 according to the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of the container of FIG. 7
showing the ridge profile according to the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a second closure device
according to the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a third closure device
according to the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a partial plan view of a prior art container
showing a ridge profile of the container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] Preliminarily, it should be noted that certain terms used
herein, such as "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "front", "back",
"backward", "forward", "left", "right", "height", "width",
"length", and "side", are used to facilitate the description of the
preferred embodiments of the invention. Unless otherwise specified
or made apparent by the context of the discussion, such terms
should be interpreted with reference to the figure under
discussion. Such terms are not intended as a limitation on the
position in which the components of the invention may be used or
oriented during use. Indeed, it is contemplated that the components
of the invention may be easily positioned in any desired
orientation for use. In addition, the terms "inboard", "outboard",
"upward", and "downward" are also used in conjunction with the
description of the preferred embodiments of the invention. For the
purpose of facilitating this description the term "inboard" is
intended to mean that a component is at a position closer to the
axis 52 of the apparatus. The term "outboard" is intended to mean
that a component is at a position farther away from the axis 52 of
the apparatus.
[0028] Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG.
1 a plan view of a first mold component, indicated generally at 10.
The first mold component 10 is configured to cooperate with a
second mold component 12 (shown in FIG. 2) to define a mold cavity
14. The process of molding a part is generally known in the art and
includes introducing a moldable material into the mold cavity 14.
The moldable material is generally in the form of a molten or
semi-solid material, such as metal or plastic, when it is
introduced into the mold cavity 14. Enough material is introduced
into the mold cavity 14 so that the mold cavity 14 is substantially
filled with the material. The material is then allowed to cool.
During cooling, the moldable material substantially takes the shape
of the mold cavity 14. The first mold component 10 and second mold
component 12 are then separated and the molded component is removed
from the first mold component 10. As shown, the molded component is
shown to be retained with the first mold component 10 after the
molding operation is completed. It should be appreciated that the
molding apparatus can have any suitable configuration so that the
molded component is retained with either the first mold component
10 or second mold component 12.
[0029] The first mold component 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is
substantially cylindrical having an upper outer cylindrical surface
17 and a lower outer cylindrical surface 19 that is in a stepped
relation to the upper outer cylindrical surface 17. It should be
appreciated that the first mold component 10 can have any suitable
configuration that facilitates the design and operation of the
molding apparatus. The first mold component also includes a first
annular groove 16 and a second annular groove 18. The first annular
groove 16 and second annular groove 18 are substantially concentric
and are also preferably concentric with the upper outer cylindrical
surface 17 of the first mold component 10. The first annular groove
16 and the second annular groove 18 each have a depth (more clearly
shown in FIG. 2). The first annular groove 16 and second annular
groove 18 therefore also define a portion of the mold cavity 14.
That is, the first and second grooves 16 and 18 are configured to
receive the moldable material therein. Intersecting the first
annular groove 16 are a plurality of tracks 20. The tracks 20 are
equally spaced about the circumference of the first annular groove
16 and intersect the groove 16 in a substantially perpendicular
manner. As will be described in greater detail below, each of the
plurality of tracks 20 is configured to receive an ejector blade 22
that is used to block a portion of the first annular groove 16 from
receiving the moldable material. In addition, the ejector blades 22
are used to remove the molded component from the mold component 10
(shown in FIG. 4). The first mold component 10 and second mold
component 12 can be made of any suitable material, although it is
anticipated that the mold components 10, 12 will be made of metal,
plastic, or any other material that is capable of withstanding the
pressures and temperatures that will be experienced by the mold
components 10 and 12 during the molding process. It can be
appreciated that the first mold component 10 can be formed from
different materials than the second mold component 12.
[0030] Illustrated in FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the first mold
component 10 through Line 2-2 of FIG. 1. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a
section through the second mold component 12. As explained above,
the first mold component 10 and the second mold component 12
cooperate to define the mold cavity 14. The first mold component 10
includes a first cooperating face 24 and the second mold component
12 includes a second cooperating face 26. When the mold components
are assembled, the first cooperating face 24 and the second
cooperating face 26 are positioned adjacent each other and define a
parting line 28 of the mold assembly 13. The mold cavity 14 is
shaped to form a first closure device 30. The first closure device
30 has an outer skirt 50 and an inner spring portion 58 (shown in
FIG. 2) which are formed, respectively, by the first annular groove
16 and second annular groove 18. The first closure device 30 will
be shown and described in greater detail below with respect to FIG.
5. The first annular groove 16 is illustrated as having a slightly
greater depth than that of the second annular groove 18. Therefore,
the outer skirt 50 of the closure device 30 will extend lower than
the spring portion 58. The tracks 20 which are adapted to receive
the ejector blades 22 are more clearly shown in FIG. 2.
[0031] The ejector blades 22 are substantially flat components
configured to slide within the tracks 20. Therefore, it is
preferred that the blades 22 be slightly smaller than the tracks 20
so that the sides of the blades 22 do not frictionally engage the
sides of the tracks 20 so much that the friction prevents or
inhibits the motion of the blades 22. Each blade 22 is polygonal in
shape having a pair of opposed substantially parallel sides 32
(upper and lower sides). Each of those sides 32 is designed to be
substantially flush with the respective upper surface 36 and lower
surface 38 of the first mold component 10 while the blades 22 are
positioned entirely within the tracks 20. A second pair of opposed
sides 34 (inboard side and outboard side) of the blade 22 are also
substantially parallel to each other and connect with the first
pair of sides 32 at their respective ends. However, the second pair
of opposed sides 34 are angled relative to an upper outer
cylindrical surface 17 of the first mold component 10. Thus, the
tracks 20 are tapered axially inwardly at upper end 11 of the first
mold component 10. An upper portion 40 of the inboard side 34 of
each blade 22 includes a notch 44 formed in the side 34 (shown in
FIG. 3). A lower portion 42 of the inboard side 34 below the notch
44 is substantially parallel with the entire outboard side 34. The
upper portion 40 of the inboard side 34 of the blade 22 that is
above the notch 44 is substantially parallel with the upper outer
cylindrical surface 17 of the first mold component 10, and is not
parallel with the outboard side 34. The upper inboard portions 40
of the blades 22 preferably engage the first annular groove 16 at
intermittent positions around the circumference of the first
annular groove 16 because of the circumferential positioning of the
tracks 20 as shown in FIG. 1. In addition, the notches 44 of each
of the blades 22 are also in engagement with the first annular
groove 16. Therefore, where the upper inboard portions 40 of the
blades 22 are in engagement with the first annular groove 16, the
moldable material is blocked from entering that portion of the
first annular groove 16. However, the notch 44 allows the moldable
material to enter that portion of the first annular groove 16 (at
those intermittent positions). Thus, the upper inboard portions 40
of the blades 22 create substantially vertical slits or openings 54
in the first closure device 30, as is shown more clearly in FIG. 5.
These openings 54 are also spaced around the circumference of the
skirt 50 at intermittent positions.
[0032] The second mold component 12 defines a portion of the mold
cavity 14 that forms the cap portion 46 of the first closure device
30. It is also preferred that a portion of the mold cavity 14
allows a substantially horizontal web 48 to be formed inwardly from
the upper edges of the skirt 50. Although the closure device 30 is
shown as having a skirt 50 and a cap portion 46, it can be
appreciated that the web 48 can be a continuous section of material
connecting the entire periphery of the skirt 50 (in which case the
web 48 and the cap 46 would be the same), or can only connect the
edges of the skirt 50 to the cap portion 46 as is shown in FIGS. 2
and 5.
[0033] A sectional view of the first mold component 10 through Line
3-3 of FIG. 1 is illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the
section is through one of the tracks 20 and depicts a blade 22
similar to that shown in FIG. 2. Also shown is a section through
the first annular groove 16 and the second annular groove 18. This
illustrates more clearly the relative depths of the annular grooves
16 and 18 and their positions relative to each other. Although the
depth of the first annular groove 16 is greater than that of the
second annular groove 18, it can be appreciated that the relative
depths can depart from that which is shown according to the
requirements of the particular closure device that is to be
manufactured.
[0034] Illustrated in FIG. 4, the first mold component 10 is shown
with the blades 22 in an at least partially extended position. It
can be appreciated that the blades 22 would be moved into the
extended position by the use of an ejector (not shown) for forcing
the blades 22 in a path 31 that is generally along a generally
vertical axis 52 of the first mold component 10. The path 31 of
motion of the blades 22 preferably also includes a radially outward
component. The angle of the radially outward orientation of the
tracks 20 can be established to a degree necessary to relieve a
back-lock of the closure device 30 in the first mold component 10.
A back-lock is a condition where a portion of a molded component
(in this case, the skirt 50 of the closure device 30) is formed
about a portion of the mold such that either the mold or the molded
component would have to be moved, deformed, or flexed to remove the
molded component from the mold. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4,
the back-lock of the closure device 30, and more specifically the
lug 60 of the skirt 50, is relieved by moving the blades 22 in an
axially upward and radially outward direction. Therefore, the
motion of the blades 22 is upward and outward relative to the first
mold component 10. Since the closure device 30 is back-locked with
the blades 22, the notches 44 of the blades 22 will apply an upward
force to the lugs 60 and skirt 50 of the closure device 30. In
addition, the more axially upward (and thus, radially outward) the
blades 22 move, the more spacing will be created between the
closure device 30 and the mold assembly 13. Therefore, the blades
22 will reach a point where the back-lock is relieved as the blades
22 move to a radially outward position that creates a sufficient
separation between the notches 44 and lug 60 and skirt 50. When
this sufficient spacing occurs, the closure device 30 can be
removed from the first mold component 10 without deforming or
flexing the closure device 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper
portions 44 of the blades 22 will be substantially simultaneously
withdrawn from the openings formed in the closure device 30. It can
be appreciated that there are other methods for relieving a
back-lock in a molded component. Typically, this would require
deforming the molded component. However, the disadvantage of this
is that the molded component can become damaged by that process.
Therefore, relieving the back-lock in this manner alleviates that
problem.
[0035] Illustrated in FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the closure
device 30 formed by the mold assembly 13. As stated above, the
closure device 30 includes a cap portion 46 and a skirt 50. The cap
portion 46 is upper portion of the closure device as shown in FIG.
5. The top 56 of the cap portion 46 is a substantially continuous
surface and can be flat, curved or have any suitable configuration.
For use with a container (such as the container 100 shown in FIG.
7) in the orientation shown in FIG. 5, the skirt 50 and spring
portion 58 will cooperate with the container 100 to releasably
secure the closure device 30 to the container (therefore, the
closure device is used in the CR position), as will be described
below. Formed on the skirt 50 of the closure device 30 is a lug 60.
The lug 60 is the portion of the closure device 30 formed by the
notch 44 of the blade 22 due to the positioning of the blade 22 in
the first annular groove 16. The upper portion 40 of the blade 22
blocks that portion of the first annular groove 16 so that the
opening 54 is formed within the skirt 50. However, since the
moldable material is permitted to flow into the notch 44 area, the
skirt 50 will be formed having a continuous lower edge. Due to the
position of the blades 22 in intermittent locations (i.e. tracks
20) about the circumference of the first annular groove 16, the
lugs 60 will also be spaced intermittently about the inner surface
of the skirt 50. The purpose of the lugs 60 will be described in
greater detail below.
[0036] Also formed on a lower portion of the closure device 30 is
the spring 58. The spring is an annular flange that extends down
from the cap portion 46 of the closure device 30. The spring acts
to provide a moisture tight seal between the closure device 30 and
the container 100 to substantially exclude the intrusion of
moisture and other contaminants. The sealing surface of the spring
is adapted to engage the inner wall 103 of the container 100 at a
predetermined distance axially downwardly from the upper open end
of the container 100, as will become more apparent below. It is
preferred that the spring 58 be formed of a plastic material having
greater flexibility than the plastic material used for the skirt 50
and cap portion 46 of the closure device 30. This flexibility is
preferably achieved by controlling the thickness of the spring
portion 58 relative to that of the cap portion 46 and the skirt 50.
The outer surface of the spring 58 and the inner surface of the
skirt 50 define an annular slot between the spring 58 and the skirt
50 wherein the slot is sized to accommodate the thickness of the
lip 102 of the container 100. To close the container 100 (as shown
in FIG. 7), the spring 58 of the closure device 30 is positioned
within the opening of the container 100.
[0037] The cap portion 46 of the closure device 30 is preferably
substantially cylindrical and includes a side wall 62 connected
about its circumference with the top 56. Formed around the side
wall 62 is a snap ring 64. The snap ring 64 preferably is a
continuous ring (or rings) around the side wall 62, but can be an
intermittent ring (or rings) if so desired. The snap ring 64 is
configured to engage a ridge 108 on the container 100 to releasably
lock the closure device 30 to the container, as will be described
below. The closure device 30 as shown can therefore be reversible
to close the container 100 by either a CR or an NCR mechanism as
will be described below. The use of the snap ring 64, however,
causes the closure device 30 to be a NCR closure mechanism.
[0038] Illustrated in FIG. 6 is a male mold component 66 for
forming a container such as the container 100 shown in FIG. 7. As
can be understood by one skilled in the art, a female mold
component (not shown) would be configured to cooperate with the
male mold component 66 to define a mold cavity between the two mold
components. The male mold component 66 has a generally cylindrical
arm portion 68 formed at a first end 72 that is used to connect the
mold component 66 to a molding apparatus (not shown). A second end
74 of the male mold component 66 is shaped to form the container
100 according to the present invention. The formed container 100
includes an upper portion or lip 102 having a first diameter D, an
intermediate frustoconical portion or neck 104, and a lower portion
or body 106 having a second diameter d. Therefore, the male mold
component 66 includes a first portion 82 that has a slightly
reduced outer diameter relative to the arm 68 and corresponds to
the lip 102 of the container 100. This stepped down portion forms a
stop 70 against which the female mold component would abut to
define the upper edge of the mold cavity. The first portion 82 of
the mold component 66 is generally cylindrical in shape. A second
portion 84 of the male mold component 66 is tapered to form the
neck portion 104 of the container 100 and to connect the outer
diameter of the first portion 82 to the outer diameter of a third
portion 86 of the male mold component 66. The third portion 86 of
the male mold component forms the body portion 106 of the container
100. As shown, the diameter of the third portion 86 is less than
the diameter of the first portion 82. The length L of the third
portion 86 is preferably larger than that of the first portion 82
because the third portion 86 will form the body 106 of the
container 100. The body 106 of the container 100 will primarily be
used to hold the contents of the container 100. However, it should
be appreciated that the dimensions of the container 100, and
therefore the mold components, can be other than those shown
depending on the desired configuration of the container and its
desired function (e.g. the amount of material for the container to
hold, the size of the materials held in the container, etc.).
[0039] Formed on the first portion 82 of the male mold component 66
are a plurality of recesses 88 formed at intermittent positions
about the circumference of the first portion 82. During the molding
process the recesses 88 receive a moldable material such that
intermittent ridges 108 are formed on the inner surface of the
upper open portion 110 of the container. It is known to form ridges
on an inner surface of a container. However, in the preferred
embodiment, the ridges 108 are formed from the recesses 88 cut into
the first portion 82 of the male mold component 66. The recesses 88
have a tapered profile such that the thickness of the recesses 88
is greater at the center of the recesses 88 than at the edges. The
profiles of the ridges 108 formed by the recesses 88 are more
clearly shown in FIG. 8. The profile of the recesses 88 allows for
greater ease in removing the male mold component 66 from the molded
part. Using a recess 88 that is formed having the same depth around
the circumference of a mold component will create a back-lock
situation similar to that which was described above. Using the
profile of the recesses 88 (and thus the profile of the ridges 108
formed on the container 100) as shown and described herein, the
molded component (the container 100) will be easier to remove
(eject, strip or relieve) from the male mold component 66 because
of the thermal properties of the moldable material at the thickest
portion of the container 100 (at the ridges 108) during the cooling
stage of the molding process. The inner and outer surfaces of the
formed container will cool first thereby forming an outer and inner
skin. The material between the inner and outer skins will remain
partially molten for a slightly longer period of time. Only the
portion of the container 100 that has the ridges 108 formed thereon
will have to deflect during the removal step of molding the
container 100. Therefore, the non-ridge portion of the container
100 can deflect less, which reduces the likelihood of permanent
deformation of the container 100. In addition, the profile of the
ridges 108, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, on the container 100 also
allows for a better releasable fit between the snap ring 64 of the
closure device 30 and the formed ridges 108. This is due to a
reduced frictional interference between the snap ring 64 and the
ridges 108 at the edges of the ridges 108.
[0040] Illustrated in FIG. 7 is the container 100 formed using the
male mold component 66 of FIG. 6. As described above, the container
100 has a upper or lip portion 102, an intermediate or neck portion
104 and a lower or body portion 106. As it is shown, the second
diameter d (diameter of the body) is less than the first diameter D
(diameter of the lip), it can be appreciated that such a
configuration can be reversed, or that the container 100 has a
substantially constant diameter. The body 106 defines the primary
portion of the container 100 that will be used to hold the
materials the container 100 is designed to hold. In the embodiments
described herein, the container 100 is configured to be used for
holding prescription or other medicine. Thus, the container 100 is
shaped and sized to hold a plurality of pills, capsules, powder,
liquid, etc. The lip 102 of the container 100 is configured to
cooperate with a closure device such as the closure device 30
described above with respect to FIG. 5. According to the present
invention, the container 100 can also be used with the closure
devices 112 and 124 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, as will be described
in greater detail below.
[0041] The lip 102 of the container 100 includes an inner surface
103 and outer surface 105. As described above, the inner surface
103 includes a plurality of intermittent ridges 108. The ridges 108
are configured to cooperate with the snap ring 64 formed on the
side wall 62 of the cap portion 46 of the closure device 30 shown
in FIG. 5. The snap ring configuration is designed to form a
non-child-resistant (NCR) closure mechanism for the closure device
30 with the container 100. Particularly, the snap ring 64 engages
the inner surface 103 of the container 100 below the ridges 108.
Therefore, when a user is closing the container 100 using the
closure device 30, the snap ring 64 of the closure device 30 is
pushed past the intermittent ridges 108. Similarly, when the
container 100 is opened, the user applies pressure to the closure
device 30 in an upward manner to overcome the interference between
the snap ring 64 and the intermittent ridges 108. The amount of
force required to open and close the container 100 can be varied
according to the size and shape of the snap ring 64, the size and
shape of the intermittent ridges 108, the diameter of the container
100 and the corresponding closure device 30, the number of ridges
108, and the materials used to form the ridges 108 and snap ring
64. It would be preferred that the force required to open and close
the container 100 be such that the container 100 can be easily
opened and closed by someone with a handicap, the elderly, or
someone with limited manual dexterity.
[0042] Formed on the outer surface 105 of the lip 102 of the
container 100 are a plurality of bayonets 107. The bayonets 107 are
radially outward projections formed on the lip 102 of the container
100 adjacent the upper, open end thereof to releasably attach the
closure device 30 to the container 100. Each bayonet 107 includes a
recess 109 on a lower surface of the bayonet 107. The recess 109 is
configured to receive the locking lug 60 of the closure device 30
to secure the closure device 30 to the container 100. The lower
surface of the bayonets 107 also define a cam wall 111 and a stop
113. The upper surface 115 of each bayonet 107 is a substantially
continuous wall that connects the cam wall 111, the recess 109 and
the stop 113. To use the closure device 30 to close the container
100, the closure device 30 is positioned so that the locking lugs
60 are moved between the spaced apart bayonets 107 and to a point
adjacent the cam wall 111 of the bayonet 107. At the same time, the
closure device 30 is pressed downwardly (towards the container 100)
and rotated to engage the lugs 60 with the recesses 109 of the
bayonets 107. Moving the lugs 60 into such a position is
facilitated by sliding the lugs 60 along the curved surface of the
cam wall 111. The shape and orientation of the cam wall 111 assists
the user in applying downward pressure to move the lugs 60 into
engagement with the recesses 109. To release the closure device 30
from the container 100, the motion is reversed with downward
pressure releasing the lugs 60 from the recesses 109. The cam wall
111 will facilitate the movement of the lugs 60 towards the space
between adjacent bayonets 107. The method of operating such a child
resistant closure mechanism is generally known in the art. As
described above, the spring 58 can deflect slightly when the
closure device 30 is pressed onto the container 100. It is
preferred that the spring 58 acts to form a seal against the inner
surface 103 of the container 100 to protect the contents of the
container 100 from moisture and other possible contaminants.
Conventionally, a separate, resilient plastic member is connected
with a closure device to provide such a seal as well as to provide
a compressive surface against which the force to press the closure
device onto the container can be applied. The embodiment according
to the present invention removes the need for a two-piece closure
device, thereby simplifying the manufacturing and production
processes while maintaining the integrity of the sealing
mechanism.
[0043] Illustrated in FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of the upper
portion 102 of the container 100. The view has been simplified to
essentially show the upper portion or lip 102 of the container 100
and the ridges 108 formed on the inner surface 103 of the container
100. Therefore, the bayonets 107 have been removed from the outer
surface 105 of the lip 102 for the purposes of clarity. Each ridge
108 has a profile that has a tapered thickness across the length of
the ridge 108. Thus, at a first end 76 the ridge 108 has a narrow
thickness. The ridge 108 reaches its greatest thickness at
approximately the center 78 of the ridge 108. The thickness then
tapers at a second end 80 to a narrow thickness. The snap surface
109 that is configured to engage a snap ring of a closure device is
therefore formed as a chord. In plane geometry, a chord is a line
segment joining two points on a curve. The term is often used to
describe a line segment whose ends lie on a circle, such as is
shown in FIG. 8. It is preferred that the ridges 108 have the shape
described herein. However, it can be appreciated that the ridges
108 can have a shape that does not define a chord while maintaining
a tapered thickness profile. Illustrated in FIG. 11 is a prior art
container 150 having ridges 152 formed on an inner surface 154 of
the container 150. The profile of the ridges 152 shown in FIG. 11
have a substantially constant thickness across their lengths. As
stated above, the advantage of having the ridge profile as shown
with respect to the preferred embodiments is that the container 100
is more easily removed from the male mold component 66 as was
described above. In addition, the ridge design, as shown and
described, can be used to control and more consistently regulate
the force required by a user to remove and attach a closure device
30 to a container 100.
[0044] An alternate closure device is shown in sectional view in
FIG. 9. This second closure device 112 is designed to perform
substantially as described above with respect to the snap ring and
intermittent ridge design. The second closure device 112 shown in
FIG. 9 includes an outer skirt 114 that fits around the lip 102 of
the container 100, and defines a first diameter. The edges of the
skirt 114 are connected by a cap portion 120. A cylindrical inner
flange member 116 extends from the cap portion 120 of the second
closure device 112 and has a snap ring 118 formed thereon. The
inner flange 116 is also generally cylindrical and defines a second
diameter that is less than the first diameter. The inner flange
member 116 and outer skirt 114 are preferably concentric. The outer
surface of the inner flange member 116 and the inner surface of the
skirt 114 define a slot 121 that is sized to accommodate the
thickness of the lip 102 of the container 100. To close the
container 100, the inner flange member 116 is positioned within the
opening of the container 100. The closure device 112 is preferably
sized so that the outer surface of the flange member 116 engages
the inner wall 103 of the container 100. Thus, the snap ring 118
formed on the inner flange 116 would cooperate with the
intermittent ridges 108 formed on the container 100, in the same
manner as described above with respect to the snap ring 64 of the
closure device 30 in FIG. 5. If so desired, the outer skirt can
also include a tab 122 that extends from a portion of the skirt 114
to provide the user a lever against which a force can be applied to
overcome the frictional interference between the snap ring 118 and
the ridges 108 of the container 100. The tab 122 can have any
suitable size and shape depending on the anticipated user and their
ability to operate the closure device 112.
[0045] A third closure device 124 is shown in a sectional view in
FIG. 10. This closure device 124 is designed to perform
substantially as described above with respect to the
child-resistant closure device. The third closure device 124
includes an outer skirt 126, an inner spring member 128 and a
plurality of lugs 132 formed about the inner surface of the skirt
126. The lugs 132 are used to engage the recesses 109 of the
bayonets 107 formed on the outer surface 105 of the lip 102 of the
container 100. The closure device 124 can also include a plurality
of openings 130 that are similar to the openings 50 shown with
respect to the first closure device 30.
[0046] The invention also pertains to a system for providing
containers and closure devices for the containers. Conventionally,
a retail outlet of CR and NCR containers and closure devices
(pharmacies, for example) maintain a stock of differently sized
containers and closure devices. The size of the container for each
prescription will depend on such factors as the size of the pills,
the total number of pills to fill the prescription, etc. However,
such a practice typically requires that for each differently sized
container, the retail outlet must maintain an inventory of both CR
containers with corresponding CR closure devices, and NCR
containers with corresponding NCR closure devices. Therefore,
depending on the needs of the customer, a proper type of container
and closure device can be provided. However, such a practice
requires the maintenance of a large amount of empty containers and
closure device. Additionally, in some situations, a customer could
require both a CR closure device and an NCR closure device, a
situation not addressed by conventional methods of medicine
dispensing.
[0047] Therefore, the system according to the present invention
alleviates some of the problems encountered with the conventional
methods of medicine dispensing. The system of the present invention
includes providing a plurality of containers 100 wherein each of
the containers 100 has a lip 102 defining substantially similarly
sized diameters as each other. The lips 102 of the containers 100
are configured to cooperate with a closure device. The system also
includes providing a first closure device 30, a second closure
device 112, and a third closure device 124. The second closure
device 112, substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 9, is
configured to cooperate with the intermittent ridges 108 formed on
the inner surface 103 of the container 100 to releasably retain the
closure device 112 with the container 100. The third closure device
124, substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 10, is configured
to cooperate with a bayonet 107 closure mechanism formed on an
outer surface 105 of the container 100 to releasably retain the
closure device 124 with the container. The first closure device 30
is configured to cooperate with either the intermittent ridges 108
or the bayonet 107 closure mechanism to releasably retain the
closure device 30 with the container 100. The system also allows
the user (such as a pharmacist) to select one of the first closure
device 30, the second closure device 112 and the third closure
device 124. After filling the prescription, the user can assemble
the selected closure device and container 100. As can be
appreciated by the description of the closure devices above, the
first closure device 30 is reversible so that it can be used as
either an NCR closure device or a CR closure device. The second
closure device 112 is an NCR closure device and the third closure
device 124 is a CR closure device.
[0048] The system according to the present invention also provides
an advantage for medicine dispensing according to automated
dispensing systems. It is anticipated that one method of automated
medicine dispensing would include a pharmacist or other user
inputting the desired medicine information into a computer. An
automated mechanism would then select the proper size container,
fill the container with the appropriate medicine, print a label for
the container and affix it thereto, and provide the filled
container to the pharmacist. The pharmacist can then identify that
the proper medicine was dispensed and select the proper closure
device (CR, NCR, reversible) for the end user of the container.
Thus, it would be advantageous for the automated system to be
supplied with containers that can be used with either CR, NCR, or
reversible closure devices, or all three, such as is described
above. Therefore, the system according to the present invention can
be easily adapted to be used in an automated medicine dispensing
system.
[0049] It should be appreciated that either or both the container
100 and closure devices 30, 112, and 124 can be made of any
suitable material. Additionally, the materials used to form the
above components can be opaque so that sunlight or other light does
not react with the medicine or other materials contained within the
container 100. However, the above components can also be
translucent so that the contents can be more easily seen without
having to remove the closure device 30, 112, 124. Also, the
container 100 could be opaque and the closure device 30, 112, 124
used with the container 100 can be translucent so that a user can
look through the cap to see what the contents are. Alternatively,
the closure device 30, 112, 124 could be opaque with the container
100 being translucent. Finally, the container 100 and closure
device 30, 112, 124 can be made of any color. Using various colors
for medicine containers 100 can help a user to identify one
medication from a variety of medicines or identify which medicines
are to be taken at what times. The various colors for the
containers can also be used as identifying indicia for various
other characteristics of the medicines as well.
[0050] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes,
the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been
explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it
must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise
than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing
from its spirit or scope.
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