U.S. patent application number 14/326849 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-15 for senior friendly child resistant closure.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE PACKAGING DESIGN GROUP. The applicant listed for this patent is THE PACKAGING DESIGN GROUP. Invention is credited to Kenneth GILLMAN.
Application Number | 20150014269 14/326849 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52276304 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150014269 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GILLMAN; Kenneth |
January 15, 2015 |
SENIOR FRIENDLY CHILD RESISTANT CLOSURE
Abstract
A child-resistant closure for a container having an externally
threaded neck finish includes an assembly of an inner cap and an
outer shell. The inner cap includes internal threads for engaging
the externally threaded neck finish of the container. The inner cap
and outer shell include mutually engageable stops to allow closing
rotation of the closure relative to the container and prohibit
opening rotation of the closure relative to the container. The
inner cap and outer shell also include mating components that, when
aligned and engaged, will allow opening rotation of the closure
relative to the container when a compressive force is applied to a
flexible area on the outer shell.
Inventors: |
GILLMAN; Kenneth;
(Lutherville, MD) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THE PACKAGING DESIGN GROUP |
Hunt Valley |
MD |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
THE PACKAGING DESIGN GROUP
Hunt Valley
MD
|
Family ID: |
52276304 |
Appl. No.: |
14/326849 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61845478 |
Jul 12, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
215/206 ;
215/217 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 50/041
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/206 ;
215/217 |
International
Class: |
B65D 50/04 20060101
B65D050/04 |
Claims
1. A closure for a container having threads and an open end, said
closure comprising: an inner cap, said inner cap including a top
for covering the open end of the container and a sidewall, the
sidewall including a lower edge portion and extending between the
top and the lower edge portion, the sidewall including an outer
surface and an inner surface, wherein a portion of the inner
surface is threaded, said inner cap being detachably securable to
the container by rotational engagement of the threads of the
container and the threaded portion of the inner surface of the
inner cap sidewall; an outer shell, said inner cap residing within
said outer shell, said outer shell including a sidewall, the outer
shell sidewall including a bendable area, an outer surface and an
inner surface, the inner surface facing, at least in part, the
outer surface of the inner cap sidewall, wherein said inner cap and
said outer shell include mutually engageable stops preventing
opening rotation of said inner cap relative to the container
without compression of the bendable area, and wherein compression
of the bendable area engages the inner surface of the outer shell
sidewall with the outer surface of the inner cap sidewall to allow
opening rotation of said closure relative to the container.
2. The closure of claim 1, wherein said inner cap is concentrically
mounted and retained within said outer shell by a snap bead formed
on the inner surface of said outer shell.
3. The closure of claim 1, wherein said outer shell includes a
lower edge portion and the bendable area is in close proximity to
the lower edge portion of said outer shell.
4. The closure of claim 3, wherein the lower edge portion of said
outer shell is radially opposite the lower edge portion of said
inner cap.
5. The closure of claim 1, wherein said outer shell includes a top
portion, wherein the top portion of said outer shell covers a
portion of the top of said inner cap.
6. The closure of claim 1, wherein said mutually engageable stops
of said inner cap and said outer shell include a ratchet tooth on
the inner surface of the outer shell sidewall and a ratchet tooth
on the outer surface of the inner cap sidewall, wherein rotation of
said outer shell in one direction relative to said inner cap
engages the ratchet tooth on the inner surface of the outer shell
sidewall and the ratchet tooth on the outer surface of the inner
cap sidewall and rotation of said outer shell in an opposite
direction relative to said inner cap does not engage the ratchet
tooth on the inner surface of the outer shell sidewall and the
ratchet tooth on the outer surface of the inner cap sidewall.
7. The closure of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the outer
shell sidewall and the outer surface of the inner cap sidewall
include mating components, wherein when the mating components are
aligned and engaged by compression applied to the bendable area,
the closure is more easily rotated opened relative to the container
than when the mating components are not aligned and engaged by
compression applied to the bendable area.
8. The closure of claim 1, wherein the mating components comprise a
dovetail on the inner surface of the outer shell sidewall opposite
the bendable area and a pin notch formed in the outer surface of
the inner cap sidewall.
9. The closure of claim 1, wherein the mating components comprise a
lug projecting from the inner surface of the outer shell sidewall
opposite the bendable area and a notch formed in the outer surface
of the inner cap sidewall.
10. The closure of claim 1, wherein a flange extends radially
outward from the inner cap sidewall below the lower edge portion of
the outer shell sidewall, the flange including a first indicator
and a lower edge portion of the outer shell sidewall including a
second indicator, wherein alignment of the first indicator with the
second indicator provides indication of a location where mating
components of the inner surface of the outer shell sidewall and the
outer surface of the inner cap sidewall are aligned and engageable
when compression is applied to the bendable area to assist in
rotating said closure in relation to the container.
11. A closure for a container, said closure comprising: an inner
cap, said inner cap including a top and a sidewall, the sidewall
including a lower edge portion and extending between the top and
the lower edge portion, the sidewall including an outer surface and
an inner surface, wherein a portion of the inner surface is
configured to engage with a container to prevent access to contents
within the container; an outer shell, said inner cap residing
within said outer shell, said outer shell including a top portion
and a sidewall extending between the top portion and a lower edge
portion, the outer shell sidewall including an outer surface and an
inner surface, the inner surface facing, at least in part, the
outer surface of the inner cap sidewall, wherein said inner cap and
said outer shell include mutually engageable stops allowing
rotation of said inner cap relative to said outer shell in one
direction and preventing rotation of said inner cap relative to
said outer shell in an opposite direction when compression is not
applied to the outer shell sidewall outer surface, and wherein,
when compression is applied to the outer shell sidewall outer
surface, the inner surface of the outer shell sidewall engages with
the outer surface of the inner cap sidewall to allow rotation of
said inner cap and said outer shell together in the opposite
direction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to container closures and, more
particularly, to a closure for use on, for example, a container
capable of holding, for example, liquids, powders and solids
including, for example, capsules, caplets, tablets, and gel
caps.
[0002] Safety or child resistant closures are used to reduce the
risk of children accessing and ingesting dangerous or toxic items,
including prescription and non-prescription drugs, pool chemicals
and any other contents of a container that is regulated by the
Consumer Product Safety Commission or U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. Prior attempts at designing and engineering a
safety or child resistant closures to prevent access to the
contents in a container are either insufficiently childproof or too
difficult for an older adult to open. For example, existing child
resistant closures require a simultaneous push down and turn
manipulation with one hand holding the container and the other hand
pushing down on the closure while turning the closure in the
unscrewing direction. Another example requires holding the
container in one hand and with the other hand squeezing the skirt
from the opposite sides and simultaneously unscrewing the closure
from the container. These prior attempts, however, require an
interaction between the neck finish of a container and a closure
where the container may require a lug or some special safety
feature to interact with the closure. Also, these prior attempts
are insufficient for larger diameter bottles because a senior has
difficulty holding larger bottle, such as a container holding pool
chemicals, and push down and turn the top at the same time.
Generally, the prior attempts require dexterity and strength for
users to open the containers, and provide stress on the container
itself. There is, therefore, a need for a child resistant closure
that is easier for seniors to open.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and
additional advantages are provided through use of a cap constructed
in accordance with one or more principles of the present invention.
The closure constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of
the present invention may be used with any type of container
containing, for example, but not limited to, liquids, powders and
solids including, for example, capsules, caplets, tablets, and gel
caps. Additionally, other uses may be made of the invention that
fall within the scope of the claimed invention but when are not
specifically described below.
[0004] In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a closure
for a container having threads and an open end. The closure
comprises an inner cap and an outer shell. The inner cap includes a
top for covering the open end of the container and a sidewall. The
sidewall includes a lower edge portion and extends between the top
and the lower edge portion. The sidewall also includes an outer
surface and an inner surface. A portion of the inner surface is
threaded. The inner cap is detachably securable to the container by
rotational engagement of the threads of the container and the
threaded portion of the inner surface of the inner cap sidewall.
The inner cap resides within the outer shell. The outer shell
includes a sidewall. The outer shell sidewall includes a bendable
or flexible area, an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner
surface facing, at least in part, the outer surface of the inner
cap sidewall. The inner cap and the outer shell include mutually
engageable stops preventing opening rotation of the inner cap
relative to the container without compression of the bendable area.
When compression is applied to the bendable area, the inner surface
of the outer shell sidewall engages with the outer surface of the
inner cap sidewall to allow opening rotation of said closure
relative to the container.
[0005] In one embodiment, the mutually engageable stops include a
ratchet tooth on the inner surface of the outer shell sidewall and
a ratchet tooth on the outer surface of the inner cap sidewall.
Rotation of the outer shell in one direction relative to the inner
cap engages the ratchet tooth on the inner surface of the outer
shell sidewall and the ratchet tooth on the outer surface of the
inner cap sidewall and rotation of the outer shell in an opposite
direction relative to the inner cap does not engage the ratchet
tooth on the inner surface of the outer shell sidewall and the
ratchet tooth on the outer surface of the inner cap sidewall.
[0006] In another embodiment, the inner surface of the outer shell
sidewall and the outer surface of the inner cap sidewall include
mating components. When the mating components are aligned and
engaged by compression applied to the flexible or bendable area,
the closure is more easily rotated opened relative to the container
than when the mating components are not aligned and engaged by
compression applied to the flexible or bendable area. In one
example, the mating components comprise a dovetail on the inner
surface of the outer shell sidewall opposite the flexible of
bendable area and a pin notch formed in the outer surface of the
inner cap sidewall. In another example, the mating components
comprise a lug on the inner surface of the outer shell sidewall
opposite the flexible or bendable area and a notch formed in the
outer surface of the inner cap sidewall
[0007] Additional features and advantages are realized through the
techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects
of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered
a part of the claimed invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] One or more aspects of the present invention are
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed as examples in the
claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and
objects, features, and advantages of one or more aspects of the
invention are apparent from the following detailed description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a
closure constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of a
closure constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a longitudinal cross sectional view of the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 depicts a cross section view of the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 taken along the plane A-A showing an
example of a child resistant safety feature;
[0013] FIG. 5 depicts a cross section view of the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 taken along the plane B-B showing one
example of a child resistant safety feature;
[0014] FIG. 6 depicts a cross section view of the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 taken along the plane B-B showing
another version of the child resistant safety feature illustrated
in FIG. 5;
[0015] FIG. 7 depicts an enlarged detailed cross section view of
the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 taken along the plane
B-B showing another version of the child resistant safety feature
illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6;
[0016] FIG. 8 depicts a top perspective view of an embodiment of a
closure constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present invention illustrating one example of alignment of
alignment indicators.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of a closure designed and constructed in accordance with
one or more aspects of the present invention, reference will now be
made to the embodiments, or examples, illustrated in the drawings
and specific language will be used to describe these. It will
nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the
invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further
modifications in the described embodiments, and any further
applications of the principles of the invention as described herein
are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art
to which the closure invention relates.
[0018] Presented herein is a closure comprising, in one embodiment,
multiple features that may be attached to or integrated into the
closure to, for example, prevent access of the contents of a
container to a child while making it easier for a senior to
operate. Generally, in one aspect, the closure includes a two piece
assembly that mounts onto and closes the open end of a container
having, for example, a threaded raised neck finish. To ensure that
a child cannot simply unscrew the closure from the container,
opening of the container may require proper orientation and
alignment of one or more corresponding features of the closure
assembly, as well as, application of pressure to the sides and
turning of the closure assembly to disengage by, for example,
unscrewing the closure assembly from the top of the container.
[0019] A closure assembly constructed in accordance with one or
more aspects of the present invention is mounted onto a neck of
conventional container to cover the open end of a container.
Container neck may include a series of external threads which
extend around the outer circumference of a container neck.
Container neck is typically substantially cylindrical and of
unitary construction with the remainder of container. For purposes
of this invention, the size and shape of the container, container
neck and opening of the container is not critical. A closure
constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present
invention can be used on, for example, a large diameter bottle such
as, for example, a container holding pool chemicals where
conventional closures that require a push down and turn procedure
for removing the closure are impractical due to the size of the
container.
[0020] A closure constructed in accordance with one or more aspects
of the present invention may be formed in a variety of different
sizes and shapes, as illustrated in the examples depicted in FIGS.
1 and 2, to accommodate the container neck and opening. In one
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, closure 100 may be tall to
provide, for example, more surface area for a senior to grip, while
moving the activation or squeeze areas, as described herein,
further away from the top of the closure to keep children from
opening with their small hands or using their teeth to open. A
closure assembly constructed in accordance with one or more aspects
of the present invention may be mounted onto any container capable
of holding, for example, liquids, powders and solids including, for
example, capsules, caplets, tablets, and gel caps, and also
including prescription and non-prescription drugs, without
requiring any safety features or a special neck finish on the
container itself.
[0021] In one example, FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 depict a closure assembly
100 constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present invention. Closure assembly 100 includes an inner cap 110
and an outer shell 150. Inner cap 110 is concentrically located
within outer shell 150. Inner cap is retained within outer shell
120 in one embodiment by, for example, a snap bead connection 180.
When assembled, inner cap 110 and outer shell 150 cooperate with
each other in order to achieve child-resistant capabilities.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 3, inner cap 110 includes a top 113 with a
downwardly extending side wall 111. Side wall 111 includes an outer
peripheral surface 120 and an inner surface 112. Inner surface 112
of side wall 111 of inner cap 110 includes internal threads 114
formed in inner surface 112 that, when mounted to a container,
engage the externally threaded neck of container in a conventional
manner. When proper closed, an upper wall 116 of inner cap 110
seals, abuts against or is in close proximity with an upper edge
forming the opening in a container prohibiting access to the
contents of container.
[0023] Outer shell 150 of closure assembly 100 includes a side wall
151 having an inner surface 152 and an outer surface 154. In one
embodiment, outer shell 150 is a unitary, molded plastic cap of a
substantially cylindrical shape with an annular top wall 156
completely covering top 113 of inner cap 110. In an alternative
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a circular center portion of top
wall 156 of outer shell 150 is open, leaving an annular ring
portion 158 extending radially inwardly from sidewall 151 of outer
shell 150 and over a portion of top 113 of inner cap 110.
[0024] One of the child resistant features in accordance with one
aspect of the present invention is provided by mutually engageable
stops associated with inner cap 110 and outer shell 150 preventing
counterclockwise or opening rotation of inner cap 110 in relation
to container. In one embodiment providing this feature illustrated
in FIG. 4, a ratchet teeth engagement is employed including one or
more ratchet-like teeth 122 protruding radially from outer surface
120 of inner cap 110 engaging one or more ratchet-like teeth 160
protruding radially inward from inner surface 152 of outer shell
150. In one example, closure assembly includes a circumferential
series of ratchet teeth 122 on outer surface 120 that engage a
circumferential series of ratchet teeth 160 on inner surface 152 of
outer shell 150. Each tooth 122 may include a wedge-like or
triangular shape in the axial direction including an axial wall 124
and an inclined ramp portion 126. Each tooth 160 also includes a
wedge-like shape in the axial direction including an axial wall 162
and an inclined ramp portion 164. The wedge-like shape of each
tooth 122 of inner cap 110 is oriented with inclined ramp portion
126 in the opposite axial direction as inclined ramp portion 164 of
each tooth 160.
[0025] The ratchet tooth engagement embodiment permits free
rotation of outer shell 150 in one direction in relation to inner
cap 110 due to the orientation of ratchet teeth 122 and teeth 160
while causing outer shell 150 and inner cap 110 to rotate together
in the opposite direction. For example, when rotated counter
clockwise, the inclined ramp portions 164 of teeth 160 skip past or
pass over each axial wall 124 of teeth 122 to allow outer shell 150
to rotate and inner cap 110 not to rotate. However, any clockwise
rotation of outer shell 150 results in abutment of the
corresponding axial walls 124, 162 of ratchet teeth 122 and 160,
respectively, thereby allowing outer shell 150 and inner cap 110 to
rotate together, and therefore, allowing closure assembly to be
rotated onto a container neck. The orientation of teeth 122 and 160
may also be reversed in other examples where the design permits
free clockwise rotation of outer shell 150 in relation to inner cap
110.
[0026] In an alternative embodiment, the ratchet-tooth engagement
may be employed with, for example, teeth 160 being formed, instead,
as an annular series of receiving wedge-like or triangular
depressions being molded into inner surface 152 of outer shell 150
for receiving teeth 122 of inner cap 110. In this embodiment, the
wedge-like depressions would be oriented in the same direction as
teeth 122 to permit free rotation of outer shell 150 in the counter
clockwise direction in relation to inner cap 110 while rotating
outer shell 150 and inner cap 110 together with clockwise rotation.
Alternatively, teeth 122 may be molded down into outer surface 120
of inner cap 110 for receiving teeth 160 of outer shell 150.
[0027] Another child resistant feature in accordance with another
aspect of the present invention is provided by another engagement
of inner cap 110 and outer shell 150. One example of this aspect is
illustrated in FIG. 5. In accordance with this aspect of the
present invention, closure assembly 100 includes one or more
squeeze, bendable or flexible areas 190, such as, for example,
designated squeeze area 190, on outside surface 154 of outer shell
150. Designated squeeze, bendable or flexible areas 190 on outside
surface 154 of outer shell 150 allow inward compression or pressure
by the manual application of inwardly directed compressive forces
or pressure which are substantially 180 degrees apart from sidewall
151 of outer shell 150. In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2,
squeeze, bendable or flexible areas 190 are partially severed
between a pair of vertical cuts in outer shell sidewall 151. In
alternative embodiments depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, flexible or
bendable areas 190 may include a portion of outer shell sidewall
where the wall thickness is thinner than other portions allowing
deflection inward upon application of pressure or compressive
force. When such compressive forces are applied to designated
squeeze areas 190, outer shell 150 and inner cap 110 are permitted
to rotate together counterclockwise, superseding the ratchet teeth
engagement of outer shell 150 and inner cap 110 described above, to
remove closure assembly 100 from a container neck and allow access
to the contents of the container.
[0028] In one embodiment utilizing this child resistant feature,
mating components associated with inner surface 152 of the outer
shell sidewall and outer surface 120 of peripheral wall 111 of
inner cap 110 may be used to assist a user to more easily rotate
closure assembly 100 open in relation to a container to gain access
to the contents of a container. In one example depicted in FIG. 5,
outer shell 150 includes at least one lug 170 protruding radially
inward from inner surface 152 of outer shell 150 opposite the
designated squeeze area 190 towards outer surface 120 of inner cap
110. In one example, lug(s) 170 are wedge or triangular shaped and
each include an axial wall 172, an inclined wall 174 and outer wall
176. However, lugs 170 may be formed in other shapes and sizes.
Outer surface 120 of inner cap 110 forms at least one corresponding
notch 180 for receiving lug 170 when an inward compressive force or
pressure is applied to flexible or bendable area(s) 190. Notch 180
formed in outer surface 120 of peripheral wall 111 includes an
axial wall 182, recessed wall 184 and inclined surface 186. In
alternative embodiments, lugs may project from outer surface 120 of
inner cap 110 and corresponding notches may be formed in inner wall
152 of outer shell 150.
[0029] When notch 180 and lug 170 are aligned and inward
compressive force or pressure is applied to the designated
squeezing or flexible or bendable areas 190, lug 170 is received by
notch 180 until outer wall 176 of lug 170 contacts recessed surface
184 of notch 180 and, if rotated counterclockwise, axial wall 172
of lug 170 engages axial wall 182 of notch 180. The compressive
forces on the designated squeeze areas 190 ovalizes the sidewalls
of outer shell 150 and, as a result, places the two oppositely
disposed recessed wall 184 and outer wall 176 in contact or at
least close proximity with each other to allow, with frictional
force in a radial direction between the contacting surfaces to
remove, by unscrewing, the closure assembly, e.g. inner cap, from
the neck of a container.
[0030] In another embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, lug 300 is
surrounded by two recesses 302 formed in inner wall 152 of outer
shell 150 and notch 310 is formed in outer surface 120 of
peripheral wall 111 of inner cap 110. Lug 300 includes axial walls
304 and outer wall 306. Lug 300 is received by notch 310 formed in
the outer surface 120 of inner cap 110 when lug 300 is aligned with
notch 310 and the designated squeezing or flexible or bendable
areas 190 are compressed. Notch 310 includes axial walls 312 and
recessed wall 314. In one embodiment, outer side walls 322 of
recesses 320 are inclined to prevent outer shell from catching on
notch 310 during rotation without compression or squeezing. In an
alternative embodiment, lug(s) 300 may project radially outward
from inner surface 152 of outer shell 150 and include inclined
axial walls. While this lug and notch engagement is not ratchet
tooth engagement because it is not unidirectional in nature, it is
still helpful and lessens to some degree the extent of compressive
forces which are required in order to obtain sufficient frictional
contact for inner cap 110 to be removed by the counterclockwise
rotation of outer shell 150.
[0031] In yet another embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the mating
components associated with inner surface 152 of the outer shell
sidewall and outer surface 120 of peripheral wall 111 of inner cap
110 may be a dovetail lock mechanism. In this embodiment, outer
shell 150 includes at least one dovetail 700 protruding radially
inward from inner surface 152 of outer shell 150 opposite the
designated squeeze area towards outer surface 120 of peripheral
wall 111 of inner cap 110. In one example, dovetail(s) 700 are
trapezoidal shaped having outer surfaces 702, angled or sloped
outer walls 704, and a space 706 between resilient projections 708
that are capable of spreading or flaring outwardly when compressed
against a surface. Outer surface 120 of inner cap 110 forms at
least one corresponding pin area or notch 710 shaped to receive
dovetail 700. Pin area or notch 710 formed in outer surface 120 of
peripheral wall 111 includes recessed wall 710 and inclined side
surfaces 714 angled to receive sloped outer walls 704 of dovetail
700. When dovetail 700 is aligned with pin area or notch 710 and an
inward compressive force or pressure is applied to designated
squeeze or flexible or bendable area 190, pin area or notch 710
receives dovetail 700. When outer surfaces 702 of dovetail 700
contacts and compresses against recessed wall 712 of pin area or
notch 710, resilient projections 708 of dovetail 700 spread or
flare axially outward until angled or slope outer walls 704 of
dovetail 700 engage inclined side surfaces 714 of pin area or notch
710. The engagement of angled or slope outer walls 704 of dovetail
700 with inclined side surfaces 714 of pin area or notch 710 allows
a user to more easily rotate closing assembly 100 open in relation
to container 200. In one embodiment, dovetail 700 may be recessed
into inner surface 152 of outer shell 150 with a portion of inner
surface 152 also recessed on either side of dovetail 700. In
alternative embodiments, dovetail(s) may project from outer surface
120 of inner cap 110 and corresponding pin area(s) or notch(es) may
be formed in inner wall 152 of outer shell 150.
[0032] Conventional squeeze or push down and turn closure designs
require an interaction and engagement between the neck finish of a
container and the closure. For example, a conventional push down
and turn closure design requires a bottle or container be capable
of handling the downward pressure or force on its neck. Also, these
conventional containers may require a special lug or some other
safety feature be incorporated into the neck finish or on the
container itself to interact with the closure. By incorporating the
safety features, such as, for example, the ratchet-like teeth
and/or mating engagements, on outer surface 120 of inner cap 110
and on inner surface 152 of outer shell 150 instead of the
conventional placement of one series of corresponding ratchet-like
teeth or lug/notch on the neck finish of a container, there is no
need to require a special neck finish on a container to function
since squeezing outer shell 150 engages inner cap 120 when removing
closure assembly 100 from the container 200. Accordingly, a closure
constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present
invention may be used or fit on conventional containers that do not
have any special neck finishes or safety features incorporated
therein or on.
[0033] By incorporating the safety features on outer surface 120 of
inner cap 110 and on inner surface 152 of outer shell 150 instead
of the conventional placement of some safety features on the neck
finish of a container, a closure constructed in accordance with one
or more aspects of the present invention can be used on thin or
soft walled containers without risk of collapsing or pressurizing
the container by the application of compression or downward
vertical pressure on the container itself.
[0034] Since inner cap 110 is not loosened or opened by simply
counterclockwise turning of outer shell 150, closure assembly 100
constructed in accordance with aspects of the present invention is
made child-resistant. While there is a way to remove closure
assembly 100 from a container, e.g. removing inner cap 110 from a
container neck by way of outer shell 150 and thereby open container
200, the manual manipulations which are required to perform this
task are not able to be performed by children. Closure assembly 100
constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present
invention also requires limited strength to remove the closure,
thus making it a better system for seniors. Due in part to hand
size limitations and due in part to strength limitations, the
required opening procedures are something which children cannot
normally perform. While the age of the child is a consideration,
the older the child, presumably, the more mature and the risks of
improper opening are less.
[0035] Closure assembly 100 may be childproof because the
application of inward compressive force, pressure or squeezing
outer shell 150 is required to engage inner cap 110 allowing inner
cap 110 to be unscrewed from a container. Closure assembly 100 also
may include a ratchet mechanism between outer surface 120 of inner
cap 110 and inner surface 152 of outer shell 150 for tightening
closure assembly 100 onto a container while preventing opening of
the same. In operation, a closure assembly 100 is installed onto a
container by mating and screwing threaded portion 114 on inner
surface 112 of inner cap 110 onto a threaded neck finish of a
container. The ratchet tooth mechanism, or alternative embodiments
described herein or known to those of skill in the art, associated
with inner surface 154 of outer shell sidewall 152 and outer
surface 120 of inner cap sidewall 111 prevent closure assembly from
being unscrewed from a container. In order to remove closure
assembly 100 from a container, compressive forces or pressure are
applied to designated squeezing or flexible or bendable areas 190
such that inner surface 154 of the outer shell sidewall 152 engages
outer surface 120 of the inner cap sidewall 111. In one embodiment,
the alignment of lug(s) 170 with mating recess(es) 180 or dovetails
710 with mating pin notches 710 when inward compressive force or
pressure is applied to designated squeezing, bendable or flexible
area 190 provides assistance in allowing a user to more easily
rotate the closure assembly in relation to the container.
[0036] A closure assembly 100 constructed in accordance with one or
more aspects of the present invention may also include alignment
indicators to assist a senior in aligning the mating components
discussed above. Examples of some alignment indicators 800 are
illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8. Alignment indicators 900 provide
visual and/or tactile indication of alignment of mating components
associated with the inside surface of the outer shell sidewall and
the outer surface of the inner cap sidewall illustrated, for
example, in FIGS. 5-7. In one embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, inner
cap 110 may include an optional flange 900 extending radially
outward from the base of peripheral wall 111 outside of outer shell
150. Flange 900 may include one or more indicators of alignment 800
such as, for example, a tab or arrow, that aligns with
corresponding indicators 800 on the outside of outer shell 150 at
the point(s) where lug(s) 170 is aligned with recess(es) 180,
illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, or where dovetail 700 aligns with pin
notch 710, illustrated in FIG. 7, to alert a user that compressive
forces may be applied to designated flexible or bendable areas 190
in order to remove the closure assembly from a container. In this
embodiment, flange 900 should be small enough to prevent being held
by a user to unscrew the closure assembly from the container by
surpassing the safety mechanisms.
[0037] While the invention has been described in detail in
connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be
readily understood that the invention is not limited to such
disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to
incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or
equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are
commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention.
Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been
described, it is to be understood that aspects of the disclosure
may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly,
the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing
description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended
claims.
[0038] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ
from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal language of the claims.
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