U.S. patent application number 13/103203 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-10 for pharmaceutical product container with permanent locking mechanism.
This patent application is currently assigned to MALLINCKRODT INC.. Invention is credited to Vernon D. Ortenzi, Robert J. Ziemba.
Application Number | 20110272297 13/103203 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44901228 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110272297 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ziemba; Robert J. ; et
al. |
November 10, 2011 |
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT CONTAINER WITH PERMANENT LOCKING
MECHANISM
Abstract
Various embodiments of pharmaceutical product containers are
disclosed. Each pharmaceutical product container includes a cap, a
container body, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is
disposable from a locked state to an unlocked state at least when
the cap is in a closed position relative to the container body
(e.g., to define an enclosed space for pharmaceutical product).
Once in the locked state and with the cap being in a closed
position, the locking mechanism is unable to return to its unlocked
state. Pharmaceutical product enclosed within the container with
the locking mechanism being in its locked state may then be
disposed of in any appropriate manner (e.g., discarded in the
trash).
Inventors: |
Ziemba; Robert J.;
(Cincinnati, OH) ; Ortenzi; Vernon D.;
(Burlington, KY) |
Assignee: |
MALLINCKRODT INC.
Hazelwood
MO
|
Family ID: |
44901228 |
Appl. No.: |
13/103203 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61332969 |
May 10, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/1.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 45/00 20130101;
A61J 1/1437 20130101; E05B 73/0023 20130101; A61J 1/14 20130101;
A61J 1/03 20130101; B65D 55/12 20130101; B65D 2255/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/1.5 |
International
Class: |
A45C 13/10 20060101
A45C013/10 |
Claims
1. A pharmaceutical product container, comprising: a cap comprising
a cap body; a container body; and a locking mechanism disposable
from an unlocked state to a locked state at least when said cap is
in a closed position, with said cap body remaining in a fixed
position relative to said container body, and by moving said
locking mechanism relative to said cap body, wherein said locking
mechanism is unable to return to said unlocked state from said
locked state with said cap being in said closed position, and
wherein said cap is repeatedly movable relative to said container
body between said closed position and an open position prior to
said locking mechanism being disposed in said locked state.
2. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 1, wherein said
cap comprises said locking mechanism.
3. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 1, wherein said
container body comprises at least one locking segment, wherein said
cap comprises a first locking tab, wherein said first locking tab
is disposable in an unlocking position where said first locking tab
and said at least one locking segment are misaligned, and wherein
said first locking tab is disposable in a locking position where
said first locking tab and said at least one locking segment are
aligned.
4. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 3, wherein having
said first locking tab in said locking position inhibits rotation
of said cap relative to said container body in a direction that
would allow said cap to move to said open position.
5. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 3, wherein said
first locking tab is deflectable to move to said locking
position.
6. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 3, wherein said
cap comprises an aperture, wherein said first locking tab is
aligned with said aperture, and wherein said first locking tab is
directable through said aperture to move said first locking tab to
said locking position.
7. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 3, wherein said
cap further comprises a latch, wherein said first locking tab is
disposed on a first side of said latch when said first locking tab
is in said unlocking position, and wherein said first locking tab
is disposed on a second side of said latch when said first locking
tab is in said locking position.
8. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 3, wherein a
sidewall of said container body is disposed about a central axis,
and wherein said first locking tab is closer to said central axis
when in said locking position versus said unlocking position.
9. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 1, wherein
disposing said locking mechanism in said locked state provides a
geometric interference between said cap and said container body
that inhibits rotation of said cap relative to said container body
in a direction that would move said cap to said open position.
10. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 1, further
comprising: a seal between said cap and said container body,
wherein said locking mechanism interacts with said seal.
11. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 10, wherein said
locking mechanism comprises an open space that is aligned with said
seal, wherein said open space is accessible by said seal when said
locking mechanism is in said unlocked state, and wherein said open
space is inaccessible by said seal when said locking mechanism is
in said locked state.
12. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 11, wherein said
locking mechanism comprises a movable door, wherein said door is
out of alignment with said open space in a first door position, and
blocks access to said open space in a second door position.
13. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 12, wherein a
sidewall of said container body is disposed about a central axis,
and wherein said movable door moves along a movement axis that is
at least generally perpendicular to said central axis.
14. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 12, wherein a
sidewall of said container body is disposed about a central axis,
and wherein said movable door rotates about a rotational axis that
is at least generally collinear with said central axis.
15. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 12, wherein said
movable door comprises one of a notch and a projection, and said
cap comprises the other of said notch and said projection, and
wherein engagement of said notch with said projection limits said
movable door from moving from said second door position to said
first door position.
16. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 12, wherein said
movable door comprises a first surface that is adapted to face away
from an interior of said container body and a second surface that
is adapted to face towards said interior of said container body,
and wherein said first surface comprises a movement facilitation
feature.
17. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 12, wherein said
locking mechanism further comprises a door lock that is activated
when said door is disposed in said second door position.
18. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 10, wherein said
seal is compressible by a first amount when said locking mechanism
is in said unlocked state, wherein said seal is compressible by a
second amount when said locking mechanism is in said locked state,
and wherein said second amount is less than said first amount.
19. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 18, wherein said
second amount resists removal of the cap from the container
body.
20. A pharmaceutical product container, comprising: a cap
comprising first and second sides; a container body, wherein said
first side of said cap incorporates a first connector configuration
for interfacing with said container body to allow said cap to be
moved between said open and closed positions; and a locking
mechanism disposable from an unlocked state to a locked state,
wherein said second side of said cap incorporates a second
connector configuration for interfacing with said container body,
and wherein interfacing said second side of said cap with said
container body disposes said locking mechanism in said locked state
and said locking mechanism is thereafter unable to return to said
unlocked state.
21. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 20, wherein said
first and second connector configurations are different.
22. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 20, wherein said
second connector configuration comprises said locking
mechanism.
23. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 20, wherein
attaching said cap to said container body using said second
connector configuration disposes said locking mechanism in said
locked state.
24. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 20, wherein said
cap comprises a cap body and a removable cover, wherein removing
said cover from said cap body exposes said second connector
configuration.
25. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 20, wherein said
second connector configuration comprises at least one flexible
latch.
26. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 25, wherein each
said flexible latch comprises a camming section and a locking
section.
27. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 26, wherein each
said locking section comprises a free end of a corresponding said
flexible latch.
28. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 25, wherein each
said flexible latch comprises a cantilever.
29. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 25, wherein a
sidewall of said container body is disposed about a central axis,
wherein each said flexible latch moves at least generally away from
said central axis when positioning said cap on said container body
by a movement of said cap relative to said container body along
said central axis, and wherein each said flexible latch moves at
least generally toward said central axis to dispose said locking
mechanism in said locked state.
30. The pharmaceutical product container of claim 25, wherein said
container body comprises at least one catch, wherein a sidewall of
said container body is disposed about a central axis, wherein a
first segment of relative motion between said cap and said
container body along said central axis causes said catch to engage
an aligned said flexible latch and move said aligned flexible latch
at least generally away from said central axis, and wherein each
said flexible latch moves at least generally toward said central
axis after clearing an aligned said catch to dispose said locking
mechanism in said locked state.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority to co-pending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/332,969, entitled
"PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT CONTAINER WITH PERMANENT LOCKING
MECHANISM," and filed on May 10, 2010.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of
packaging for pharmaceutical products such as pills, capsules, and
the like and, more particularly, to packaging arrangements that
facilitate the disposal of pharmaceutical product (e.g., to reduce
the potential of illicit usage of unused pharmaceutical
product).
BACKGROUND
[0003] Abuse, misuse, and overdose of pharmaceutical products
(e.g., pain management drugs) are serious health concerns that
affect many people on a daily basis all over the world. For
instance, diversion and subsequent misuse or abuse may occur when a
patient gets a prescription for a pharmaceutical product and does
not use all of the pharmaceutical product for whatever reason
(e.g., a doctor may prescribe a pharmaceutical product for a
patient and advise the patient to take the pharmaceutical product
on an "as needed" basis; a patient may be advised to use an entire
prescribed amount of pharmaceutical product, but may unilaterally
decide to discontinue use of the pharmaceutical product as one or
more symptoms disappear). In any case, remaining pharmaceutical
product may be ultimately acquired by an individual other than for
whom the pharmaceutical product was originally prescribed (e.g.,
transferred by the original patient to another individual, such as
family member or friend; stolen). While unused pharmaceutical
product may be disposed of in the trash, this may not be viewed by
some as a secure method of disposal.
[0004] In the case of transdermal analgesic patches, a used patch
may still retain a significant amount of active ingredient in the
patch. A used patch can be very dangerous and can even lead to
death for people who have not been prescribed the patch. While some
patch manufacturers recommend flushing used patches down the
toilet, this practice has raised concerns about drug product
entering the water supply. In some states, "take back" programs
have been instituted, allowing users to request shipping materials
in order to ship used or unused pharmaceutical product (e.g.,
patches, pills, capsules) to a certified disposal company. These
programs are costly and require several actions by the patient at
multiple times.
SUMMARY
[0005] A first aspect of the present invention is embodied by a
pharmaceutical product container (e.g., standard medication bottle,
vessel, jar) that includes a cap (e.g., cover, lid), a container
body, and a locking mechanism. The cap includes a cap body, and is
movable relative to the container body between closed and open
positions. The locking mechanism is disposable from an unlocked
state to a locked state: 1) at least when the cap is in a closed
position; 2) with the cap body remaining in a fixed position
relative to the container body (i.e., the cap body need not be
moved relative to the container body to activate the locking
mechanism); and 3) by moving the locking mechanism relative to the
cap body. The locking mechanism is unable to return from its locked
state to its unlocked state at least when the cap is in its closed
position. The cap may be repeatedly moved relative to the container
body between its open and closed positions prior to the locking
mechanism being disposed in its locked state.
[0006] A number of feature refinements and additional features are
applicable to the first aspect of the present invention. These
feature refinements and additional features may be used
individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following
features that will be discussed may be, but are not required to be,
used with any other feature or combination of features of the first
aspect of the present invention. If the cap is in the closed
position and the lock is moved from its unlocked state to its
locked state, the lock cannot be moved back to its unlocked state
in the same general manner that it was moved into its locked
stated. This may be viewed as "permanently" locking the
pharmaceutical product container. Permanently locking the
pharmaceutical product container at the completion of a medication
regimen accommodates safer disposal of pharmaceutical product that
remains within the pharmaceutical product container.
[0007] The locking mechanism may be part of the cap. In such a
case, the "cap body" may be viewed as the remainder of the cap in
relation to the locking mechanism. That is, the locking mechanism
may be one part of the cap, and the cap body may be the remainder
of the cap. In any case, the locking mechanism may be movable
relative to the cap body to change from its unlocked state to its
locked state. In one embodiment, a force that is external to the
container (e.g., a manual force) is exerted on the locking
mechanism to change the same from its unlocked state to its locked
state.
[0008] The cap may be characterized as being detachably connectable
to the container body (e.g., such that the cap may be repeatedly
moved between its closed and open positions without damaging either
the cap or the container body). When the cap is in its closed
position, activation of the locking mechanism (by disposing the
same in its locked state), may prevent the cap from being removed
from the container body in its intended manner. That is, disposing
the locking mechanism in the locked state (e.g., via a simple
manual action) may attempt to permanently fix the cap to the
container body such that a user may be unable to thereafter gain
access to any pharmaceutical product within the enclosed space of
the pharmaceutical product container. The locking mechanism may be
actuated in any appropriate manner (e.g., mechanically,
electronically) and may be associated with or located in any
appropriate location (e.g., cap and/or container body). Numerous
manners of permanently locking the cap to the container body to at
least substantially limit access to pharmaceutical product within
the container body exist.
[0009] In one arrangement, disposing the locking mechanism in the
locked state provides a geometric interference between the cap and
the container body that inhibits rotation of the cap relative to
the container body in a direction and/or in an amount that would
detach the cap from the container body (or otherwise allow the cap
to be moved to its open position). In another variation of the
geometric interference arrangement, the container body may include
at least one locking segment (e.g., a single locking segment; a
plurality of radially-spaced locking segments), and the cap may
include a first locking tab (e.g., a rigid tab, a flexible or
deflectable tab). The first locking tab may be disposable in an
unlocking position where the first locking tab and the at least one
locking segment are misaligned (an unlocked state for the locking
mechanism), and a locking position where the first locking tab and
the at least one locking segment are aligned (a locked state for
the locking mechanism). The first locking tab may be closer to a
central axis around which a sidewall of the container body is
disposed when in the locking position versus the unlocking
position. Here, having the first locking tab in the locking
position inhibits rotation of the cap relative to the container
body in a direction and/or in an amount that would detach the cap
from the container body (or otherwise allow the cap to be moved to
its open position). Stated otherwise, an end of the first locking
tab may engage the locking segment when the first locking tab is
disposed in the locking position and while attempting to rotate the
cap relative to the container body in a direction that would detach
the cap from the container body (or otherwise allow the cap to be
moved to its open position). For instance, if a counterclockwise
rotation of the cap relative to the container body would tend to
detach the cap from the container body, the locking position of the
locking tab may inhibit an amount of counterclockwise motion of the
cap that would allow the same to be moved into its open
position.
[0010] The geometric interference arrangement may also be designed
such that the first locking tab is unable to return to the
unlocking position from the locking position, at least if the cap
is in its closed position when the locking mechanism is disposed in
its locked state. For instance, the cap may further include a latch
such that the first locking tab is disposed on a first side of the
latch when the first locking tab is in the unlocking position, and
such that the first locking tab is disposed on a second side of the
latch when the first locking tab is in the locking position. In
this regard, the first locking tab may be required to snap or
otherwise deflect past the latch to move into the locking position.
As a result, the first locking tab may be unable to return to the
unlocking position from the locking position (e.g., the latch may
block such a movement by the first locking tab). In one variation,
the first locking tab may be aligned with an aperture of the cap
such that the first locking tab may be directed through the
aperture to move the first locking tab to the locking position.
[0011] In another arrangement, the locking mechanism in the locked
state interacts with a seal disposed between the cap and the
container body so as to incapacitate the seal or otherwise render
the seal unusable in relation to allowing the cap to be moved to
its open position. As a result, the cap may be limited from being
pressed downwardly relative to the container body along a central
axis of the container body an amount that would thereafter allow
the cap to be rotated relative to the container body an amount such
that the cap could be disposed in its open position (e.g., via
being removed from the container body). Therefore, this
incapacitation of the seal may be viewed as permanently locking the
cap to the container body while in its closed position (e.g., by
precluding the cap from being moved to its open position in the
intended manner).
[0012] The locking mechanism may include an open space that is
aligned with the above-noted seal. The open space may be accessible
by the seal when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state,
and the open space may be inaccessible by the seal when the locking
mechanism is in the locked state. For instance, the locking
mechanism may be in the form of a movable plate, door, or slide,
and the movable door may be movable between at least first and
second door positions. In this regard, the door may be out of
alignment with the open space in the first door position such that
the open space is accessible by the seal, and may block access to
the open space in the second door position such that the open space
is inaccessible by the seal. Stated otherwise, the seal may be
compressible by a first amount when the locking mechanism is in the
unlocked state and by a second amount less than the first amount
when the locking mechanism is in the locked state. A door lock may
retain the door once moved into its second door position. Any
appropriate door locking configuration may be utilized.
[0013] The above-noted movable door may be movable between the
first and second door positions in a myriad of manners. In one
variation, a sidewall of the container body is disposed about a
central axis and the movable door moves along a movement axis that
is generally perpendicular to the central axis. As another example,
the movable door may rotate about a rotational axis that is
generally collinear with the central axis. In either case, the
movable door may include one of a notch and a projection, and the
cap may include the other of the notch and the projection. In this
situation, engagement of the notch with the projection may limit
the movable door from moving from the second door position back to
the first door position. In other words, this may aid in
permanently locking the cap to the container body. Additionally,
the movable door may include a first surface that is adapted to
face away from an interior of the container body and a second
surface that is adapted to face towards the interior of the
container body, and the first surface may include a movement
facilitation feature (e.g., tab, slot).
[0014] A second aspect of the present invention is embodied by a
pharmaceutical product container (e.g., standard medication bottle,
vessel, jar) that includes a cap (e.g., cover, lid), a container
body, and a locking mechanism. The cap includes first and second
sides or ends (e.g., oppositely disposed surfaces or structures).
The first side includes a first connector configuration for
interfacing with the container body to allow the cap to be moved
(e.g., repeatedly) between open and closed positions. The second
side of the cap incorporates a second connector configuration for
interfacing with the container body. The locking mechanism is
disposable from an unlocked state to a locked state. In this
regard, when the second side of the cap interfaces with the
container body, the locking mechanism is disposed in its locked
state and is unable to return from its locked state to its unlocked
state at this time.
[0015] A number of feature refinements and additional features are
applicable to the second aspect of the present invention. These
feature refinements and additional features may be used
individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following
features that will be discussed may be, but are not required to be,
used with any other feature or combination of features of the
second aspect of the present invention.
[0016] The first connector configuration associated with the first
side or end of the cap may be a threaded connection, a "press and
twist" arrangement, etc., while the second connector configuration
associated with the second side or end of the cap may include the
locking mechanism. Here, attaching the cap to the container body
using the second connector configuration disposes the locking
mechanism in its locked state. In this regard, the cap may be
considered a "flip and lock" type cap. For protection and
concealment, any appropriate cover (e.g., lid, hatch) may be
disposed over the locking mechanism such that removal of the cover
from a cap body of the cap exposes the second connector
configuration (e.g., the second connector configuration may be
concealed from view until use of the same is desired, at which time
the cover may be removed to expose the second connector
configuration). However, the locking mechanism could remain in an
exposed state until the cap is "flipped" to interface the second
connector configuration with the container body.
[0017] The second connector configuration and/or locking mechanism
may include any appropriate component or combination of components
that are selectively operable to permanently lock the cap to the
container body. As an example, the second connector configuration
may be in the form of at least one flexible latch (e.g., a
cantilever) that is operable to grip onto or otherwise attach or
connect to a corresponding structure on the container body. In one
variation, a plurality of flexible latches are located around a
perimeter of the cap. Each flexible latch may include a camming
section and a locking section (e.g., a free end of the flexible
latch). For instance and when a sidewall of the container body is
disposed about a central axis, each flexible latch may move at
least generally away from the central axis when positioning the cap
on the container body by a movement of the cap relative to the
container body at least generally along the central axis (e.g., via
the camming section engaging with a portion of the container body),
and then may move at least generally toward the central axis to
dispose the locking mechanism in the locked state (e.g., via the
locking section engaging with a portion of the container body). As
another example, the container body may include at least one catch
such that a first segment of relative motion between the cap and
the container body along the central axis causes the catch to
engage an aligned flexible latch (e.g., the camming section of the
flexible latch) and move the aligned flexible latch at least
generally away from the central axis. Continued relative motion
between the cap and the container body along the central axis may
result in the flexible latch moving at least generally toward the
central axis after clearing an aligned catch to dispose the locking
mechanism in the locked state (e.g., via the locking section of the
flexible latch engaging with the catch).
[0018] A first motion type may be used to interconnect the cap and
container body using the first connector configuration on the first
side or end of the cap (e.g., rotational). A second motion type may
be used to interconnect the cap and container body using the second
connector configuration on the second side or end of the cap (e.g.,
axial, for instance collinear or parallel with a long axis of the
container body). In one embodiment, the first and second motion
types are different from each other.
[0019] A third aspect of the present invention is embodied by a
pharmaceutical product container (e.g., standard medication bottle,
vessel, jar) that includes a cap (e.g., cover, lid), a container
body, and a locking mechanism disposable from an unlocked state to
a locked state. The cap is repeatedly movable relative to the
container body between closed and open positions when the locking
mechanism is in an unlocked state. The container body includes at
least one locking segment (e.g., a single locking segment; a
plurality of radially-spaced locking segments), and the cap
includes a first locking tab (e.g., a rigid tab, a flexible or
deflectable tab). The first locking tab may be disposable in an
unlocking position where the first locking tab and the at least one
locking segment are misaligned (an unlocked state for the noted
locking mechanism), and a locking position where the first locking
tab and the at least one locking segment are aligned (a locked
state for the noted locking mechanism). The features pertaining to
the locking segment and first locking tab, discussed above in
relation to the first aspect, may be utilized by the above-noted
combination that defines the third aspect. The locking mechanism,
utilized by the above-noted combination that defines the third
aspect, may be configured such that it is unable to return to its
unlocked state after being disposed in its locked state (at least
if the cap is in its closed position when the locking mechanism
changes from its unlocked state to its locked state).
[0020] A fourth aspect of the present invention is embodied by a
pharmaceutical product container (e.g., standard medication bottle,
vessel, jar) that includes a cap (e.g., cover, lid), a container
body, and a locking mechanism disposable from an unlocked state to
a locked state. The cap is repeatedly movable relative to the
container body between closed and open positions when the locking
mechanism is in an unlocked state. The pharmaceutical product
container further includes a seal between the cap and container
body, and the locking mechanism interacts with this seal, at least
when the locking mechanism is in its locked state, in a manner that
the cap cannot thereafter be moved to an open position. The
features pertaining to this seal and the locking mechanism,
discussed above in relation to the first aspect, may be utilized by
the above-noted combination that defines the fourth aspect. The
locking mechanism, utilized by the above-noted combination that
defines the fourth aspect, may be configured such that it is unable
to return to its unlocked state after being disposed in its locked
state (at least if the cap is in its closed position when the
locking mechanism changes from its unlocked state to its locked
state).
[0021] Any feature of any other various aspects of the present
invention that is intended to be limited to a "singular" context or
the like will be clearly set forth herein by terms such as "only,"
"single," "limited to," or the like. Merely introducing a feature
in accordance with commonly accepted antecedent basis practice does
not limit the corresponding feature to the singular (e.g.,
indicating that a locking mechanism includes "a latch" alone does
not mean that the locking mechanism includes only a single latch).
Moreover, any failure to use phrases such as "at least one" also
does not limit the corresponding feature to the singular (e.g.,
indicating that a locking mechanism includes "a latch" alone does
not mean that the locking mechanism includes only a single latch).
Use of the phrase "at least generally" or the like in relation to a
particular feature encompasses the corresponding characteristic and
insubstantial variations thereof (e.g., indicating that a container
body is at least generally cylindrical encompasses the container
body being cylindrical). Finally, a reference of a feature in
conjunction with the phrase "in one embodiment" does not limit the
use of the feature to a single embodiment.
[0022] Pharmaceutical product may be enclosed within the container
body by having the cap it its closed position. A "pharmaceutical
product" as used herein may generally define any material or
substance used in the course of a medical treatment, medical
diagnosis, therapy, or the provision of any other appropriate
medical care. A given material need not contain an active drug
compound or ingredient to be considered a "pharmaceutical product"
for purposes of the present invention.
[0023] A pharmaceutical product within the container may be in any
appropriate form, in any appropriate dose, and of any appropriate
type. A pharmaceutical product encompasses both a single-dose
configuration (e.g., a single pill) and a multiple dose
configuration (e.g., a plurality of pills). Pharmaceutical product
may be in any appropriate form such as (but not limited to) pills,
tablets, chewables, capsules, powders, fluids (e.g., liquids,
suspensions, emulsions), patches (e.g., transdermal patches), films
(e.g., transmucosal or buccal), strips (e.g., transmucosal or
buccal), or the like. Further, a "pharmaceutical product" may refer
to or include any "drug" as defined in Title 21 of the United
States Code, Section 321(g)(1).
[0024] All pharmaceutical product within the container may be of at
least substantially common dose. Alternatively, some pharmaceutical
product could be of one dose (e.g., a prescribed dose), while some
pharmaceutical product could be of a different dose (e.g., in the
form of a transdermal patch that has been used by a patient, such
that at least part of its original dosage has already been
transdermally administered to a patient). All pharmaceutical
product within the container could be in a common first condition.
For instance and in the case of transdermal patches, all
transdermal patches within the container could be contained within
individual primary packaging (e.g., within a sealed pouch, jacket,
foil wrapping, or the like), or all transdermal patches within the
container could be in an exposed state (e.g., where the individual
transdermal patches have been removed from their associated primary
packaging before being disposed within the container). Some
pharmaceutical product within the container could be in a common
first condition, such as contained within individual primary
packaging (e.g., within a sealed pouch, jacket, foil wrapping, or
the like), while some pharmaceutical product within the container
could be in a common second condition (e.g., in an exposed state or
where the individual transdermal patches have been removed from
their associated primary packaging before being disposed within the
container).
[0025] Each transdermal patch that may be used in conjunction with
the present invention may include any appropriate pharmaceutical
product. Examples of appropriate pharmaceutical products that may
be included in such transdermal patches include (but are not
limited to): U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) scheduled
(e.g., Schedule II) drugs such as fentanyl, lidocaine, tetracaine,
prilocaine, thebaine, buprenorphine, sufentanil, alfentanil,
codeine, dihydrocodeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, levorphanol,
methadone, morphine, nalbuphine, noscapine, opium, oxycodone, and
propoxyphene; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such
as ketoprofen, diclofenac, flurbiprofen, and ibuprofen; steroids
such as testosterone and estradiol; psychoactive drugs such as
buspirone; vitamins such as vitamin B12; vasodilators such as
nitroglycerin; vaccines; antiemetics; capsaicin; and nicotine.
Further, any transdermal patches utilized with the present
invention can function to provide drug delivery in any appropriate
manner. For instance, such transdermal patches may include those
functioning via a passive delivery mechanism (e.g., pharmaceutical
product located within the adhesive of the patch, within a
reservoir of the patch, within a semisolid matrix (e.g., a gel)) or
via an active delivery mechanism (e.g., iontophoresis,
sonophoresis, electroporation, microneedles, abrasion, needle-less
injection, suction, stretching, magnetophoresis, radio frequency,
lasers, photomechanical waves, temperature (e.g.,
heat-activation)).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a
pharmaceutical product supply.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a
pharmaceutical product supply.
[0028] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
pharmaceutical product container with a cap in a normal position
before being permanently locked to a container body using a
geometric interference locking arrangement.
[0029] FIG. 3b is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3a, but after
removing a removable cover from the cap to expose the geometric
interference locking arrangement.
[0030] FIG. 3c is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3b, but after
flipping the cap upside down and pressing the cap down over a
container body of the pharmaceutical product container.
[0031] FIG. 4a is a perspective view of the pharmaceutical product
container of FIG. 3c, showing the geometric interference locking
arrangement in the form of a plurality of flexible latches on the
cap engaging with a plurality of catches on the container body.
[0032] FIG. 4b is a sectional view along the line A-A of FIG. 4a,
showing a flexible latch of the cap before clearing a catch of the
container body.
[0033] FIG. 4c is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4b, but showing
the flexible latch of the cap after clearing the catch of the
container body, thus permanently locking the cap to the container
body.
[0034] FIG. 5a is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
pharmaceutical product container with a cap in a normal position
before being permanently locked to a container body using another
variation of a geometric interference locking arrangement.
[0035] FIG. 5b is a perspective view of the pharmaceutical product
container of FIG. 5a with a locking tab of the geometric
interference locking arrangement having been pressed past a latch
to permanently lock the cap to the container body.
[0036] FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B of FIG.
5a.
[0037] FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view along the line C-C of FIG.
5b.
[0038] FIG. 7a is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
pharmaceutical product container with a cap in a normal position
before being permanently locked to a container body using a seal
incapacitation locking arrangement.
[0039] FIG. 7b is a perspective view of the pharmaceutical product
container of FIG. 7a with a movable door of the seal incapacitation
locking arrangement being moved into an open space between the cap
and a seal to permanently lock the cap to the container body.
[0040] FIG. 8a is a cross-sectional view along the line D-D of FIG.
7a.
[0041] FIG. 8b is a cross-sectional view along the line E-E of FIG.
7b.
[0042] FIG. 9a is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
pharmaceutical product container with a cap in a normal position
before being permanently locked to a container body using another
variation of a seal incapacitation locking arrangement.
[0043] FIG. 9b is a perspective view of the pharmaceutical product
container of FIG. 9a with a coin being inserted into a slot on a
movable door of the seal incapacitation locking arrangement.
[0044] FIG. 10a is a plan view of the pharmaceutical product
container of FIG. 9a.
[0045] FIG. 10b is a plan view similar to FIG. 10a, but after the
movable door has been rotated to a second door position to
permanently lock the cap to the container body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] Various embodiments of pharmaceutical product containers
will be described in relation to the accompanying figures. A
pharmaceutical product container with pharmaceutical product
therein may be referred to as a "pharmaceutical product supply." In
any case, these pharmaceutical product containers are configured to
store "pharmaceutical product" as described herein (e.g., in any
appropriate form, in any appropriate dose, and of any appropriate
type), and furthermore include one or more features to selectively
"permanently lock" a pharmaceutical product container so as to
limit a cap of the pharmaceutical product container from being
removed from a container body of the pharmaceutical product
container. As used throughout, the terms "permanent," "limit,"
"inhibit" or the like and variations thereof are used in the sense
of at least substantially limiting or inhibiting access to an
interior of the container body (and any pharmaceutical product
inside the container body) in the manner traditionally used to gain
access to the interior of such containers (e.g., pressing down on
the cap and rotating the cap relative to the container body,
depressing a tab and rotating the cap relative to the container
body, flipping the cap upward relative to the container body). In
this regard, the "permanent" locking arrangements and mechanisms
discussed herein may not necessarily limit or inhibit access to the
interior of the container body in the case of non-traditional
access methods being used (e.g., via damaging one or more of the
cap and container body). Additionally, "selectively" as used herein
means that a user (e.g., patient) may voluntarily decide when to
manually, permanently lock the container.
[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a pharmaceutical
product supply 10 in the form of a pharmaceutical product container
12 (e.g., a standard medication bottle) that stores pharmaceutical
product 26. The container 12 may include a container body 14 and a
cap 20 (e.g., cover, lid) that may be interconnected with the
container body 14 in any appropriate manner. Exemplary detachable
interconnections include where an entirety of the cap 20 is
threaded onto the container body 14, where the cap 20 is "snap fit"
onto the container body 14, where there is an interference fit or
press fit between the cap 20 and the container body 14, where the
cap 20 is pivotally connected to the container body 14, or the
like.
[0048] Each of the container body 14 and the cap 20 may be of any
appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type, and
furthermore may be formed from any appropriate material or
combination of materials. Generally, the container body 14 includes
an open end 16 through which pharmaceutical product 26 may be
directed into and removed from an internal space 18 of the
container body 14 when the cap 20 is in an open position (e.g.
where the open end 16 of the container body 14 is exposed). When
the cap 20 is in a closed position (as shown in FIG. 1), the cap 20
may close or seal off the open end 16 to enclose the pharmaceutical
product 26 within the container 12 and/or limit access into and out
of the internal space 18.
[0049] FIG. 2 presents a schematic view of an embodiment of a
pharmaceutical product supply 99 including a pharmaceutical product
container 100 that is operable to be selectively permanently
locked, by, for instance, a patient after the patient has stopped
taking pharmaceutical product 112 within the container 100. For
instance, the patient could be instructed (e.g., on the prescribing
physician's instructions on a label on the container 100) to
manually move or position the container 100 into a permanently
locked position or configuration after a prescribed dosage period
has expired or terminated. Thereafter, the patient could dispose of
the container 100 in any appropriate trash or waste receptacle.
[0050] The container 100 generally may include a container body 104
and a cap 108, and pharmaceutical product 112 may be stored or
received within the container body 104. At least in this regard,
the container 100 may be similar to the pharmaceutical product
container 12 of FIG. 1. The container body 104 may be of any
appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type, and may be a
common type of container structure for storing the pharmaceutical
product 112. For example, the container body 104 may be in the form
of a pill bottle or vial, a transdermal patch case, or the like.
The cap 108 may also be of any appropriate design and may
incorporate common features allowing the cap 108 to be "detachably
interconnected" with the container body 104 (i.e., the cap 108 may
be moved relative to the container body 104 and into an open
position without damaging the cap 108, the container body 104, or
any "joint" therebetween). For instance, the cap 108 may be
threaded/screwed or press-fit onto the container body 104 (e.g., in
the case of a pill bottle or vial) and/or may be pivoted and
snapped onto the container body 104 (e.g., in the case of a
transdermal patch case). Additionally, the cap may include a seal
109 for sealing an interface between the cap 108 and the container
body 104, allowing the cap 108 to be pressed or moved downwardly
and rotated relative to the container body 104 to allow removal of
the cap 108 from the container body 104, etc. Generally, the cap
108 may be moved between open and closed positions in any
appropriate manner (including where it remains attached to the
container body 104 via a hinge or the like, or where it is totally
removable from the container body 104).
[0051] The container 100 may also include a permanent locking
mechanism 116 that can be selectively actuated or disposed by a
user (e.g., patient) from an unlocked state to a locked state such
that the locking mechanism 116 is unable to or is at least limited
from being able to return to the unlocked state from the locked
state; doing so permanently locks the container 100 (i.e.,
permanently affixes the cap 108 to the container body 104) to limit
access to an interior of the container body 104 and any
pharmaceutical product 112 thereinside. Stated otherwise, the
permanent locking mechanism 116 may "override" the above-described
common features that allow the cap 108 to be "detachably attached"
to the container body 104 such that the common features are at
least substantially inhibited from allowing the cap 108 to be moved
into an open position in relation to the container body 104. As
shown, the locking mechanism 116 may be contained within or at
least associated with the cap 108 instead of the container body 104
to allow the same to be used with standard medication bottles while
filling prescriptions, although the locking mechanism 116 could
also be contained within or at least associated with the container
body 104. The locking mechanism 116 may include one or more of a
geometric interference locking arrangement 120 and a seal
incapacitation locking arrangement 124. Each of these arrangements
will be discussed in more detail below.
[0052] The geometric interference locking arrangement 120 may be
any feature or combination of features operable to limit rotation
of the cap 108 in relation to the container body 104 in a manner
that would allow the cap 108 to be moved to an open position (e.g.,
in a direction and amount that would detach the cap 108 from the
container body 104) to thus permanently affix the cap 108 to the
container body 104. Some amount of relative movement between the
cap 108 and container body 104 may be allowed--just not enough to
allow the cap 108 to move to an open position. For instance, the
geometric interference locking arrangement 120 may include one or
more protrusions, latches, apertures, etc. that are operable to
interact with one or more protrusions, latches, apertures, etc. on
the container body 104. The seal incapacitation locking arrangement
124 may be used with caps 108 that include a compressible seal 109
that allows the cap 108 to be pressed downwardly before being
rotated to be removed from the container body 104. In this regard,
the seal incapacitation locking arrangement 124 may render the seal
109 at least substantially incompressible, or at least affects the
compressibility of the seal 109 in a manner that precludes the cap
108 from being compressed relative to the container body 104 to a
degree that would allow the cap 108 to be removed from the
container body 104. That is, the cap 108 may be limited from being
moved or pressed downwardly towards the container body 104, and may
thus be permanently locked to the container body 104. It should be
appreciated that the locking mechanism 116 may incorporate
mechanical and/or electrical features (e.g., activation buttons,
pre-set or programmable timers, wireless signals). In one
embodiment, the locking mechanism 116 is manually activated, for
instance by a user exerting a manual force to move the locking
mechanism 116 from a position associated with an unlocked state, to
a position associated with a locked state. While the various
geometric interference locking arrangements and seal incapacitation
locking arrangements will be described herein as being components
of a cap, it should also be appreciated that the geometric
interference locking arrangement and seal incapacitation locking
arrangement could be considered a combination of components of the
caps interacting with components of the container bodies.
[0053] In any event, FIGS. 3a-3c and 4a-4c illustrate perspective
and sectional views of a pharmaceutical product container 200
incorporating a geometric interference locking arrangement 220
(shown in FIGS. 4a-4c) according to one embodiment. Similar
reference numerals will be used when possible (e.g., container body
104 of FIG. 2 and container body 204 of FIG. 3a), which may imply
that the referenced component includes some or all of the features
of the earlier used reference numeral. The container 200 may
include a container body 204 having a sidewall 205 disposed about a
central axis 206. The container 200 may also include a cap 208
having a first side or end 228 with a first connector configuration
240 (e.g., a series of protrusions adapted to engage corresponding
apertures or slots on the container body 204; threads to interact
with corresponding threads on the container body 204) and a second
side or end 232 with a second connector configuration 244 different
from the first connector configuration 240 (shown in FIGS. 4a-4c).
The first and second connector configurations 240, 244 may be
contained or disposed within respective first and second cavities
241, 245 on the first and second sides 228, 232 such that each of
the first and second sides 228, 232 can be disposed over the
container body 204 and can at least partially extend along the
sidewall 205 of the container body 204.
[0054] For instance, the cap 208 may be detachably connectable with
the container body 204 when the first side 228 interfaces with the
container body 204 (e.g., if the cap 208 was interfaced with the
container body 204 in the orientation shown in FIGS. 3a-3b), and
interfacing the second side 232 of the cap 208 with the container
body 204 disposes the geometric interference locking arrangement
220 in the locked state (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3c, 4a and 4c). In
this regard, the cap 208 may be considered a "flip and lock" cap,
as a user may flip the cap 208 upside down such that the second
side 232 faces the container body 204 and press the second side 232
of the cap 208 onto the container body 204 to dispose the geometric
interference locking arrangement 220 into a locked state to
permanently lock the cap 208 to the container body 204.
[0055] The cap 208 may include a cap body 248 and a removable cover
252 (shown in FIGS. 3a-3b) that may be removed from the cap body
248 to expose the second connector configuration 244. Turning to
FIGS. 4a-4c, the second connector configuration 244 may include at
least one flexible latch 256 (e.g., cantilever) for interfacing
with a corresponding structure on the container body 204, and thus
resisting removal of the cap 208 from the container body 204. The
flexible latch 256 may be appropriately formed in the cavity 245 on
the second side 232 (e.g., integrally formed, press-fit), and may
be operable to interact with at least one catch 260 (e.g.,
medication bottle detent) on the container body 204. For instance,
the flexible latch 256 may include a camming section 264 and a
locking section 268 (e.g., a free end of the flexible latch 256).
In operation and with reference to FIG. 4b, the second side 232 of
the cap 208 may be pressed downwardly over the open end of the
container body 204 along the central axis 206 until the flexible
latch 256 engages the catch 260 (in some arrangements, this may
necessitate appropriately lining up the flexible latch 256 with the
catch 260).
[0056] Thereafter, continued movement of the cap 208 along the
central axis 206 causes the flexible latch 256 to move at least
generally away from the central axis 206 owing to the interaction
of the camming section 264 with the catch 260. Stated otherwise, a
first segment of relative motion between the cap 208 and the
container body 204 causes the catch 260 to engage an aligned
flexible latch 256 and move the flexible latch 256 at least
generally away from the central axis 206. In any event, continued
movement of the cap 208 along the central axis 206 results in the
locking section 268 eventually clearing the aligned catch 260,
which disposes the geometric interference locking arrangement 220
in the locked (i.e., permanently locked) state. That is, any
attempt to pull the cap 208 away from the container body 204 (e.g.,
along the central axis 206) would result in the locking section 268
contacting the catch 260, thus inhibiting movement of the cap 208
to its open position.
[0057] Although not shown, the catch 260 may include an aperture or
bore that is sized to snugly receive the locking section 268. Such
an aperture or bore may serve to further reduce both movement of
the cap 208 along the central axis 206 and rotational movement of
the cap 208 about the central axis 206 in a manner that would allow
the cap 208 to be moved into its open position. It should be
appreciated that as the cap 208 was already pressed or moved
downwardly along the central axis 206 for the locking section to
clear the catch 260, the cap 208 may be at least generally
inhibited from further movement downward along the central axis
206. This feature reduces the likelihood of disengagement of the
flexible latch 256 from the catch 260 and thus removal of the cap
208 from the container body 204. In one arrangement, a plurality of
flexible latches 256 may be disposed about a perimeter of the
cavity 245 of the second side 232 of the cap 208, one or more of
which may engage with one or more catches 260 disposed about a
periphery of the container body 204. For instance, the plurality of
flexible latches 256 may be appropriately formed or disposed on a
ring (not shown), and the ring may be, for instance, press-fit into
the cavity 245 on the cap 208.
[0058] FIGS. 5a-5b and 6a-6b illustrate partial perspective and
sectional views of a pharmaceutical product container 300
incorporating a geometric interference locking arrangement 320
according to another embodiment. Similar reference numerals will be
used when possible which may imply that the referenced component
includes some or all of the features of the earlier used reference
numeral. With initial reference to FIGS. 5a and 6a, the container
300 may include a container body 304 having a sidewall 305 disposed
about a central axis 306, the sidewall 305 having a plurality of
radially-spaced locking segments 360 disposed about the sidewall
305. The container 300 may also include a cap 308 disposable over
the container body 304 and having a cap body 348, and the geometric
interference locking arrangement 320 may be disposed within a
portion of the cap body 348 (e.g., a sidewall of the cap 308).
[0059] The geometric interference locking arrangement 320 may
include at least one first locking tab 356 (e.g., a deflectable
tab) on the cap body 348 that is disposable in at least unlocking
and locking positions. For instance, the unlocking position may be
when the first locking tab 356 and at least one of the locking
segments 360 are misaligned (see FIG. 6a), and the locking position
may be when the first locking tab 356 and the locking segment 360
are at least generally aligned (see FIG. 6b). As will be
appreciated with reference to FIG. 6b, having the first locking tab
356 in the locking position inhibits rotation of the cap 308
relative to the container body 304 in a manner so as to permanently
lock the cap 308 to the container body 304, as an attempt to rotate
the cap 308 relative to the container body 304 (in a
counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6b that would detach the cap 308
from the container body 304) would result in an end 368 of the
first locking tab 356 abutting or engaging the locking segment 360
and disallowing further rotation. It should be appreciated that
some amount of relative rotation may occur before the first locking
tab 356 engages a locking segment 360--just not an amount of
relative rotational movement that would allow the cap 308 to be
removed from the container body 304 or otherwise moved into its
open position.
[0060] Of course, the first locking tab 356 could be oriented or
disposed on the cap body 348 so as to protrude in an opposite
direction in the case where rotating the cap 308 in a clockwise
direction relative to the container body 304 would tend to detach
the cap 308 from the container body 304. In some arrangements, a
second or additional locking tabs 356 could be provided at various
radial positions in the cap body 348, all of which may protrude in
the same direction or some of which may protrude in one direction
and some of which may protrude in other directions. In some
arrangements, the locking tabs 356 may be arranged or designed so
as to protrude upwardly so that when pressed inwardly so as to at
least generally align with a corresponding locking segment 360 on
the container body 304, an attempt to move the cap 308 away from
the container body 304 along the central axis 306 would result in
the locking tabs 356 engaging the corresponding locking segment 360
and thus disallowing removal of the cap 308.
[0061] To move the first locking tab 356 from the unlocking
position to the locking position, the first locking tab 356 may be
pressed inwardly towards the central axis 306 of the container body
304 in any appropriate manner (e.g., using a fingernail or a key)
such that the first locking tab 356 is closer to the central axis
306 in the locking position than in the unlocking position. For
example, the first locking tab 356 may be disposed within or
aligned with an aperture 357 in the cap body 348 such that the
first locking tab 356 may be directed through the aperture 357 to
move the first locking tab 356 to the locking position.
[0062] Additionally, the geometric interference locking arrangement
320 may be designed such that the first locking tab 356 is unable
to return to the unlocking position from the locking position. For
instance, the cap body 348 may include a latch 358 (e.g., tab,
catch, protrusion), which may be disposed in or aligned with the
aperture 357 and which may be operable to limit or block the first
locking tab 356 from returning to the unlocking position from the
locking position (shown in FIGS. 5b and 6b). In operation and when
the first locking tab 356 is disposed on a first side of the latch
358 in the unlocking position (shown in FIGS. 5a and 6a), the first
locking tab 356 may be pressed inwardly past the latch 358 so as to
be disposed on a second side of the latch 358 in the locking
position. As the first locking tab 356 at this point generally is
unable to return to the first side of the latch 358, the first
locking tab 356 is aligned with the locking member 360 of the
container body 304, which limits rotation of the cap 308 relative
to the container body 304 and thus removal of the cap 308 from the
container body 304. Other arrangements for limiting the first
locking tab 356 from returning to the unlocking position are also
contemplated (e.g., one or more notches on the container body 304
that the end 368 of the first locking tab 356 fits into).
[0063] FIGS. 7a-7b and 8a-8b illustrate partial perspective and
sectional views of a pharmaceutical product container 400
incorporating a seal incapacitation locking arrangement 424
according to another embodiment. Similar reference numerals will be
used when possible which may imply that the referenced component
includes some or all of the features of the earlier used reference
numeral. With initial reference to FIGS. 7a and 8a, the container
400 may include a container body 404 having a sidewall 405 disposed
about a central axis 406. Additionally, the container 400 may
include a cap 408 disposable over the container body 404 and having
a cap body 448 and a seal 409 that is adapted to be disposed
between the cap 408 and the container body 404 (e.g., when the cap
408 is disposed over the container body 404), and the seal
incapacitation locking arrangement 424 may be disposed within or
associated with a portion of the cap body 448. A removable cover
452 may be included on the cap body 448 for selectively covering
and exposing the seal incapacitation locking arrangement 424.
[0064] As the name suggests, the seal incapacitation locking
arrangement 424 is adapted to interact with and incapacitate the
seal 409 to permanently lock the container 400 (i.e., limit the cap
408 from being removed from the container body 404). With
particular reference to FIG. 8a, the seal incapacitation locking
arrangement 424 may include an open space 472 that is aligned with
the seal 409 and that is accessible by the seal 409 when the seal
incapacitation locking arrangement 424 is in an unlocked state. As
discussed earlier, a cap of a container is sometimes required to be
first pushed or pressed downwardly towards the container body along
a central axis of the container body before the cap can be rotated
and finally removed from the container body. Here, as part of the
downward movement of the cap 408 relative to the container body
404, the seal 409 "accesses" the open space 472 and can be
compressed by the cap body 448 to allow such downward movement of
the cap 408 relative to the container body 404.
[0065] When the seal incapacitation locking arrangement 424 is in a
locked state, the seal 409 may be unable to access the open space
472, and thus the seal 409 may not be able to be compressed to a
degree that allows the cap 408 to be removed from container body
404. In this regard, the container 400 may be permanently locked
because the cap 408 may not be able to be moved downwardly along
the central axis 406. In one arrangement, the seal incapacitation
locking arrangement 424 may include a moveable door, slide, or
plate 476 disposed within or associated with the cap 408 that may
be operable to enter the open space 472. That is, the movable door
476 may be able to transition between at least a first door
position where the movable door 476 is out of alignment with the
open space 472 and the seal 409 is compressible by the cap body 448
by a first amount (as in FIGS. 7a and 8a), and a second door
position where the movable 476 door blocks access to the open space
472 by the seal 409 and the seal 409 is compressible by the cap
body 448 by a second amount that is less than the first amount (as
in FIGS. 7a and 8b). More specifically and with reference to FIG.
8b, because the movable door 476 has already compressed the seal
409 by an amount equal to the difference in thickness of the seal
409 between FIGS. 8a and 8b, the cap 408 may be generally unable to
further compress the seal 409 by an amount that allows the cap 408
to be removed from the container body 404. In other words, the
second amount that the seal 409 can be compressed by the cap 408
after the seal 409 has already been compressed by the movable door
476 resists removal of the 408 cap from the container body 404.
[0066] The movable door 476 need not be a single piece of generally
constant thickness as shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b. For instance, the
movable door 476 may include a thin strip of any appropriate
material that may be operable to be slid into the open space 472.
Additionally, the movable door 476 may in other embodiments be
moved or slid under the seal 409 instead of over or on top of the
seal 409 as shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b. Accordingly, the open space
472 would in this situation be located under the seal 409 as
well.
[0067] Further, and even though the movable door 476 may already be
wedged between the cap body 448 and the seal 409 and thus be
resistant to movement back to the first door position (e.g., as
shown in FIG. 8a), any appropriate mechanism or combination of
mechanisms can be included as part of the seal incapacitation
locking arrangement 424 to further limit the movable door 476 from
moving back to the first door position. For instance, the cap body
448 may include at least one projection 480 (or a protrusion,
tooth, etc.) and the movable door 476 may include at least one
notch 484 (or an aperture, bore, etc.) sized for receipt of the
projection 480. As shown, the movable door 476 may include a series
of notches 484. In operation, the movable door 476 may be moved
into the open space 472 such that the projection 480 moves or
ratchets into one of the notches 484. Once the projection 480 has
entered one of the notches 484, any attempt to move the movable
door 476 back to the first door position would result in the
projection 480 abutting a wall of a notch 484 which would further
resist movement of the movable door 476 back to the first door
position and possible removal of the cap 408 from the container
body 404. As seen in FIGS. 8a and 8b, the projection 480 may be
designed to protrude at least partially away from the first door
position which may further limit movement of the movable door 476
back to the first door position once the projection 480 has entered
one of the notches 484. Of course, the parts could be reversed such
that the one or more projection 480 are appropriately disposed on
the movable door 476 and the one or more notches are disposed on
the cap body 448.
[0068] Any appropriate movement facilitation feature may be
disposed and/or formed on the movable door 476 to aid a user in
moving the door into the second door position. For instance, the
movable door may include a tab 488 protruding therefrom which may
be gripped or pressed by a user to slide or otherwise move the
movable door 476. The tab 488 may be disposed on a first surface
that faces away from an interior of the container body 404 which
may face away from a second surface that faces towards the interior
of the container body 404.
[0069] Additionally, while the movable door 476 is shown as being
movable along a movement axis 492 that is generally perpendicular
to the central axis 406, other arrangements are also envisioned.
For example and with reference now to FIGS. 9a-9b and 10a-10b,
another embodiment of a pharmaceutical product container 400'
incorporating a seal incapacitation locking arrangement 424' is
shown. Corresponding components between the embodiments of FIGS.
7a-7b/8a-8b and 9a-9b/10a-10b are identified by common reference
numerals. Those corresponding components that differ in at least
some respect from the embodiment of FIGS. 7a-7b/8a-8b are
identified by a "single prime" designation in FIGS. 9a-9b/10a-10b.
As with the pharmaceutical product container 400, the one or more
components of the pharmaceutical product container 400' may be of
any appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type.
Differences between the container 400 of FIGS. 7a-7b/8a-8b and the
container 400' of FIGS. 9a/9b/10a/10b include: a) a seal
incapacitation locking arrangement 424' including a movable door
476' (e.g., dial) that rotates about a rotational axis 496 that is
at least generally collinear with the central axis 406 associated
with the container body 404; b) a movement facilitation feature in
the form of a slot 488' on the first surface of the movable door
476'; c) a seal 409' including at least two spaced seal segments
498; and d) an open space 472' including at least two spaced
portions 499 corresponding to the two spaced seal segments 498 of
the seal 409'.
[0070] In this embodiment, the movable door 476' may be rotated
(e.g., via a coin or the like being inserted into the slot 488')
either clockwise or counterclockwise from a first door position to
a second door position. In the first door position (FIG. 10a), the
movable door 476' is not disposed in the open space 472', and
thereby does not contact and/or compress the seal 409' which allows
the cap 408' to be pressed downwardly along the central axis 406
and opened. In the second door position (FIG. 10b), one or more
seal interface portions of the movable door 476' may move into the
open space 472' to compress the seal 409' and thereby permanently
lock the cap 408' to the container body 404 as discussed in the
embodiment of FIGS. 7a-7b/8-a8b. For instance, the movable door
476' may include a locking portion 477 with first and second seal
interface portions 479, 481 (e.g., end portions of the locking
portion 477) on an underside of the movable door 476'. The first
and second seal interface portions 479, 481 may be disposed out of
the spaced portions 499 of the open space 472' in the first door
position (FIG. 10a; e.g., the seal interface portions 479, 481 of
the door 476' are not aligned with the spaced portions 499 of the
open space 472' at this time). The first and second seal interface
portions 479, 481 may enter the spaced portions 499 of the open
space 472' in the second door position (FIG. 10b; e.g., the seal
interface portions 479, 481 of the door 476' are aligned with the
spaced portions 499 of the open space 472' at this time). In the
second door position of FIG. 10b, the seal interface portions 479,
481 of the door 476' now compress the spaced seal segments 498 of
the seal 409' to thereby lock the cap 408' to the container body
404. More than two seal interface portions may be used by the
locking portion 477 of the movable door 476'. More than two seal
segments 498 of the seal 409' and corresponding spaced portions 499
of the open space 472' may be used as well. Furthermore, a tab 488
could be used in place of the slot 488' to allow a user to twist
the movable door 476' from the first to the second door position
using, for instance, a thumb and an index finger.
[0071] It should be appreciated that any features of any of the
embodiments and arrangements may be used in conjunction with any of
the other embodiments. As merely one example, a container having a
container body and a cap may include both a geometric interference
locking arrangement 220 of FIGS. 3a-3c/4a-4c and a geometric
interference locking arrangement 320 of FIGS. 5a-5b/6a-6b. As
another example, any combination of the geometric interference
locking arrangements and the seal incapacitation locking
arrangements may be used to permanently lock a cap to a container
body.
[0072] The foregoing description of the present invention has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description.
Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention
to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and
modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and
knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present
invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further
intended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention
and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in
such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required
by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present
invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to
include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the
prior art.
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