U.S. patent application number 14/938591 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-12 for child resistant tube.
The applicant listed for this patent is Blake St. Clair. Invention is credited to Blake St. Clair.
Application Number | 20160130050 14/938591 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55911648 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160130050 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
St. Clair; Blake |
May 12, 2016 |
Child Resistant Tube
Abstract
A container for small objects, including medical and
pharmaceutical products. The container has a body that is closable
in a secure fashion by a cap. The cap includes a movable locking
tab for engaging with an opening in the body and protrusion for
engaging a slot or channel formed in the body. Removal of the cap
from the body requires pushing the tab as well as twisting the cap
before pulling the cap from the body.
Inventors: |
St. Clair; Blake;
(Englewood, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
St. Clair; Blake |
Englewood |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55911648 |
Appl. No.: |
14/938591 |
Filed: |
November 11, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62078164 |
Nov 11, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/206 ;
215/213 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2215/02 20130101;
A61J 1/1437 20130101; A61J 1/03 20130101; B65D 50/046 20130101;
B65D 39/0023 20130101; B65D 51/242 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 50/04 20060101
B65D050/04; B65D 39/10 20060101 B65D039/10; B65D 83/04 20060101
B65D083/04 |
Claims
1. A container, comprising: a body, comprising: a cylindrical
portion, having a longitudinal axis associated therewith; an open
end on the cylindrical portion; a slot, having a first section, at
least a portion of which extends along an arc on the cylindrical
portion having its center point on the longitudinal axis, and
having a second section; and an opening adjacent to the slot; and a
cap adapted to close the open end, comprising: a protrusion adapted
to fit in the slot, and a movable tab adapted to fit in the opening
and spaced from the protrusion such that the tab engages the
opening when the protrusion is in an end portion of the first
section of the slot.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the second section of the slot
extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein the slot is "L" or backwards
"L" shaped.
4. The container of claim 2, wherein the slot is "J"-shaped.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the tab comprises a sloped
surface such that height of the tab increases from a lower edge of
the tab to an upper edge of the tab.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical portion
further comprises a closed end, such that the cylindrical portion
makes up the entirety of the body.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is
substantially rectangular.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a
first indication providing a first instruction for removal of the
cap from the body, comprising an instruction to push on the movable
tab.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein the cap further comprises a
second indication providing a second instruction for removal of the
cap from the body, comprising an instruction to move the cap such
that the protrusion travels along the first section of the
slot.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the cap further comprises a
third indication providing a third instruction for removal of the
cap from the body, comprising an instruction to move the cap such
that the protrusion travels along the second section of the
slot.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the third instruction is
obscured by the body when the protrusion is in the first section of
the slot but is visible when the protrusion enters the second
section of the slot.
12. The container of claim 1, further comprising an o-ring that
provides a seal between the cap and the body.
13. A container, comprising: a body, comprising: a longitudinal
axis; an open end; a slot having a section, at least a portion of
which extends along an arc on the cylindrical portion having its
center point on the longitudinal axis; and an opening adjacent to
the slot; and a cap, comprising: a protrusion adapted to fit in the
slot; and a movable tab adapted to fit in the opening and spaced
from the protrusion such that the tab engages the opening when the
protrusion is in the section of the slot that is substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
14. The container of claim 13, wherein the slot further comprises a
second section that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal
axis.
15. The container of claim 13, wherein the body further comprises a
cylindrical portion that includes the open end, the slot, and
opening.
16. The container of claim 13, wherein the cap further comprises a
lid portion and a sleeve portion and wherein the protrusion and tab
are formed on the sleeve portion.
17. A container, comprising: a body, comprising: a longitudinal
axis; an open end; a slot having a first section, at least a
portion of which extends along an arc on the cylindrical portion
having its center point on the longitudinal axis and a second
section connecting the first section to the open end; and an
opening adjacent to the slot; a cap, comprising: a lid portion; and
a sleeve portion, including a protrusion adapted to fit in the slot
and a movable tab adapted to fit in the slot and spaced from the
protrusion such that the tab engages the opening when the
protrusion is in an end portion of the first section of the
slot.
18. The container of claim 17, wherein the first section is sized
such that the cap must be twisted approximately 30 degrees to move
the protrusion from the end portion of the first section to the
second section.
19. The container of claim 17, wherein the second section is
substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
20. The container of claim 17, wherein the tab is movable toward a
center of the cap and is biased to return to a starting position.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a container. In particular, the
invention relates to child resistant ("CR") containers for small
objects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is well known that the storage of various types of small
objects must sometimes be accomplished in a manner that prevents
children from obtaining and handling the objects. An obvious
example of such small objects is pharmaceutical pills and capsules.
Various government regulatory bodies throughout the world require
pharmaceutical manufacturers to package their products in CR
packages. An example of such a regulatory body is the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission, which has historically regulated CR
packaging in the United States. Various other organizations provide
design and manufacturing standards for compliant CR packaging. One
example of such an organization is the American Society for Testing
and Materials ("ASTM"), which has created the ASTM D3475 Standard
Classification for Child-Resistant Packages.
[0003] In recent years, there has been increasing demand for CR
ASTM certified packages for small objects that have a more modern
or trendy design. Many companies and individuals have expressed a
desire for pill bottles that do not look like traditional pill
bottles. Such traditional pill bottles are viewed by some as being
unattractive and requiring use and storage behind closed doors. At
present, while there are over a hundred variations of pill bottles
for packaging pharmaceutically driven products, each having CR ASTM
certification, there are very few new and modern packages of this
type available in ASTM's listings that are not obviously pill
bottles. Accordingly, there is a need for a modern, attractively
designed container suitable for pills or other small objects.
[0004] Further, some have believed there are no acceptable options
for new CR ASTM package designs. Many traditional pill bottle
designs have been in use for many decades and there has been little
advancement in the design of such packages. In order to diversify
the options available to pharmaceutical companies and others who
market small objects, there is a need for new CR designs that are
ASTM certified.
[0005] Finally, it is necessary to minimize the packaging cost
associated with pharmaceutical products. It is believed that low
cost of traditional pill bottles has deterred market participants
from utilizing new and different designs. Accordingly, it is
desired to provide a package or container design that will offer a
favorable cost relative to known CR packaging.
[0006] There have been attempts to provide updated CR packaging.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,333,288 discloses a child resistant
container that includes a locking ring and a cap. The locking ring
and cap are a two-piece closure system for a separate body of the
container. This design is complex and therefore costly to produce
and assemble.
[0007] PCT application No. WO96/23705 also discloses a child
resistant container. The container has a post near its opening for
engaging a slot on the cap, which also has a feature for puncturing
a seal on the container. The slot is convoluted to varying degrees
across the embodiments disclosed. However, the container has the
appearance of a traditional pill bottle and the post and slot
design may not provide sufficiently robust child-proofing.
[0008] Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,182 discloses a child resistant
container, which includes a cap that screws onto a container and
has push tabs that are biased outwardly or downwardly. Again, this
container has the look of a traditional pill bottle.
[0009] Accordingly, there is a need for a child resistant container
that has a modern and sleek appearance, that is usable for storing
pharmaceutical pills but that does not have the appearance of a
traditional pill bottle. What is further desired is such a
container that can be manufactured and assembled for a cost that is
comparable to traditional pill bottles. Finally, it is desired that
such a container be suitable for certification as a child resistant
container by one or more regulatory bodies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
container that is child resistant, but which has a modern and sleek
appearance.
[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
container that is cost effective to manufacture and assemble.
[0012] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a container suitable for certification as a child resistant
container.
[0013] These and other objects are accomplished by provision of a
container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The container comprises a body and a cap. The body includes a
cylindrical portion, having a longitudinal axis associated
therewith, an open end on the cylindrical portion, a slot, having a
first section, at least a portion of which extends along an arc on
the cylindrical portion having its center point on the longitudinal
axis, and having a second section, and an opening adjacent to the
slot. The cap is adapted to close the open end, and comprises a
protrusion adapted to fit in the slot and a movable tab adapted to
fit in the opening and spaced from the protrusion such that the tab
engages the opening when the protrusion is in an end portion of the
first section of the slot.
[0014] In some embodiments, the second section of the slot extends
substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. In some
embodiments, the slot is "L" or backwards "L" shaped. In some
embodiments, the slot is "J"-shaped.
[0015] In some embodiments, the tab comprises a sloped surface such
that height of the tab increases from a lower edge of the tab to an
upper edge of the tab. In some embodiments, the cylindrical portion
further comprises a closed end, such that the cylindrical portion
makes up the entirety of the body. In some embodiments, the
protrusion is substantially rectangular.
[0016] In some embodiments, the body further comprises a first
indication providing a first instruction for removal of the cap
from the body, comprising an instruction to push on the movable
tab. In some embodiments, the cap further comprises a second
indication providing a second instruction for removal of the cap
from the body, comprising an instruction to move the cap such that
the protrusion travels along the first section of the slot. In some
embodiments, the cap further comprises a third indication providing
a third instruction for removal of the cap from the body,
comprising an instruction to move the cap such that the protrusion
travels along the second section of the slot. In some embodiments,
the third instruction is obscured by the body when the protrusion
is in the first section of the slot but is visible when the
protrusion enters the second section of the slot.
[0017] In some embodiments, the container further comprises an
o-ring that provides a seal between the cap and the body.
[0018] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a
container is provided that comprises a body and a cap. The body
comprises a longitudinal axis, an open end, a slot having a
section, at least a portion of which extends along an arc on the
cylindrical portion having its center point on the longitudinal
axis, and an opening adjacent to the slot. The cap comprises a
protrusion adapted to fit in the slot and a movable tab adapted to
fit in the opening and spaced from the protrusion such that the tab
engages the opening when the protrusion is in the section of the
slot that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis.
[0019] In some embodiments, the slot further comprises a second
section that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. In
some embodiments, the body further comprises a cylindrical portion
that includes the open end, the slot, and opening. In some
embodiments, the cap further comprises a lid portion and a sleeve
portion and wherein the protrusion and tab are formed on the sleeve
portion.
[0020] According to a third embodiment of the present invention, a
container is provided that comprises a body and a cap. The body,
comprises a longitudinal axis, an open end, a slot having a first
section, at least a portion of which extends along an arc on the
cylindrical portion having its center point on the longitudinal
axis and a second section connecting the first section to the open
end, and an opening adjacent to the slot. The cap comprises a lid
portion and a sleeve portion, including a protrusion adapted to fit
in the slot and a movable tab adapted to fit in the slot and spaced
from the protrusion such that the tab engages the opening when the
protrusion is in an end portion of the first section of the
slot.
[0021] In some embodiments, the first section is sized such that
the cap must be twisted approximately 30 degrees to move the
protrusion from the end portion of the first section to the second
section. In some embodiments, that the second section is
substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. In some
embodiments, the tab is movable toward a center of the cap and is
biased to return to a starting position.
[0022] According to a fourth embodiment, a container is provided
that comprises a body and a cap connectable to the body and
requiring a first, a second, and a third movement to remove the cap
from the body. The container also comprises a first indication on
either the cap or the body providing a first instruction for the
first movement for removal of the cap from the body. The container
further comprises a second indication on either the cap or body
providing a second instruction for the second movement for removal
of the cap from the body and a third indication on the cap
providing a third instruction for the third movement for removal of
the cap from the body, the third indication only becoming visible
upon completion of the first movement and second movement.
[0023] Other objects and features of the invention described herein
and its particular features and advantages will become more
apparent from consideration of the following drawings and
accompanying detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a container according to a
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a second isometric view of the container shown in
FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a third isometric view of the container shown in
FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a fourth isometric view of the container shown in
FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b are close-up isometric views of the
container shown in FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 6a is a side view of the container shown in FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 6b is a cross-section view of the container shown in
FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 7a is an isometric view of a container according to a
second embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 7b is a second isometric view of the container of FIG.
7a.
[0033] FIGS. 8a and 8b are schematic views of alternative slot
shapes for use with the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a container according to a
third embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIGS. 10a and 10b are isometric views of alternative tab
designs for use with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention. The
container 10 includes a body 11 and a cap 12. The body 11 is
substantially cylindrical in shape and has an open end 13 and a
closed end 14. The cap 12 is sized to close the open end 13. In the
embodiment shown, the body 11 is almost entirely a cylindrical
tube, but in other embodiments the body has other shapes. For
example, in some embodiments, only the portion of the body 11 near
the open end 13 is cylindrical.
[0037] The body 11 has associated with it a longitudinal axis 17.
The axis 17 is the center axis of the cylinder that forms the body
13 or is the center axis of the cylinder associated with the
cylindrical portion of the body 13. In the embodiment shown, the
cap 12 also has a round cross section and the axis 17 would pass
through the radial center of the cap 12 when it is aligned with the
open end 13 of the body 11.
[0038] The body 11 also includes a slot 15 formed at the open end
13 and an opening 16 adjacent to the slot 15 and the end 13. As
shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the slot 15 is generally in an "L" or
backwards "L" shape. The slot 15 has a first section 18 that
extends along a line is in a plane that is substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 17. In other words, the
first section extends along an arc the center point of which is on
the longitudinal axis 17. The slot 15 also has a second section 19
that extends substantially parallel to the axis 17. Each of the
sections 18 and 19 of the slot 15 have a generally rectangular
shape in the embodiment shown. The opening 16 is a generally
rectangular hole in the body 11, in the embodiment shown, and is
adjacent to but spaced apart from the slot 15.
[0039] The slot 15 and the opening 16 are adapted to interact with
features on the cap 12 to securely close the body 11. In the
embodiment shown, the cap 12 is made up of a lid portion 20 and a
sleeve portion 21. The sleeve portion 21 is sized to fit closely
within the open end 13 of the body 11. In many advantageous
embodiments, the sizing of the sleeve portion (or another portion
of the cap) is selected to provide some degree of friction fit
within the body 11. This provides a better seal of the interior of
the container and reduces the likelihood of the cap being removed
from the body unexpectedly. The lid 20 is sized to cover and close
the open end 13. The sleeve portion 21 has a protrusion 22 formed
thereon. The protrusion 22 is sized to fit in the slot 15 of the
body 11. The sleeve portion 21 also includes a movable tab 23. The
movable tab 23 is depressible in the direction of arrow 24, or, in
other words, in the direction radially inward toward the axis
17.
[0040] The movable tab 23 is sized to fit within the opening 16 on
the body 11. In the embodiment shown, the tab 23 is also generally
rectangular and is sized such that it will fit snugly in the
opening. In preferred embodiments, the movable tab is biased in the
position in which it is shown in FIG. 1 such that when the tab is
moved inwardly of the sleeve portion 21, it will automatically
return to the position shown. This is accomplished in a variety of
ways depending on the embodiment, including mounting the tab on a
leaf spring or forming the cap using a flexible, elastic material
and creating a movable tab on a portion of the cap made by
selectively cutting the cap. FIGS. 10a and 10b show these possible
designs.
[0041] In FIG. 10a, the tab 523 is mounted on a leaf spring 540
that is shown in dotted lines, as it is on the inside of the sleeve
portion 521. The spring 540 is welded, riveted, or otherwise
suitably attached at 541 to allow the tab 523 to move toward the
inside of the sleeve portion 521. The leaf spring can be made out
of any suitable material to bias the tab 523 into the position
shown in FIG. 10a, but permit movement with sufficient ease that an
adult can depress the tab.
[0042] FIG. 10b shows a cap having a sleeve portion that is made of
a single, unitary piece of material. The tab 623 is formed on a
spring 640, which is formed by making a "U"-shaped cut 642 in the
sleeve portion. The sleeve portion 621 is formed of a material
having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to bias the tab 623
into the desired position. Also shown in FIG. 10b, the tab 623 has
a round shape, which would correspond to a round opening in the
body of the container (as opposed to the rectangular opening 16
shown in FIG. 1). Those of skill in the art will appreciate that
the movable tab can have any suitable shape, such as a rectangle,
circle, triangle, etc.
[0043] The protrusion 22, slot 15, tab 23, and opening 16 cooperate
to securely lock the cap 12 onto the body 11. To lock the cap 12 on
the body 11, the cap is positioned near the open end 13 as shown in
FIG. 2. In this position, the protrusion 22 is aligned with the
second section 19 of the slot 15. Also in this position, the tab 23
is angularly offset from the opening 16--meaning that the two are
not aligned. The sleeve portion 21 of the cap 12 can then be moved
into the body 11 so long as the protrusion 22 travels along the
second portion 19 of the slot 15.
[0044] In some embodiments, such as the one shown in the figures,
the movable tab 23 has a sloped profile so that it will not hinder
insertion of the sleeve portion 21 into the body 11. The sloped
profile means that the height of the tab 23 increases from its
lower edge 25 to its upper edge 26. The tab 23 is also movable in
the radially inward direction so that, as the sleeve portion 21 is
inserted, the rim of the open end 13 pushes the tab 23 inward.
[0045] FIG. 3 shows the cap 12 having been inserted far enough into
the body 11 that the protrusion 22 reaches the end of the second
section 19 of the slot 15. In this position, the protrusion 22
bears against the edge of the slot 15 and the cap is fully seated
in the body 11. To complete the process of closing the container,
the user then twists the cap 12 so that the protrusion travels
along the first section 18 of the slot 15 to the end 32 of the
first section 18 of the slot. When the protrusion 22 reaches the
end of the first section 18, the movable tab 23 will engage the
opening 16. Because the movable tab 23 is biased, it will
automatically snap into position in the opening 16. An advantageous
feature of this embodiment is that the tab 23 will make an audible
"snap" sound once it is in its secured position. This provides
confirmation to the user that the cap has been properly secured.
Because the tab 23 fits snugly in the opening 16, it will prevent
rotation or removal of the cap from the body. This position of the
cap 12 relative to the body 11 is shown in FIG. 4.
[0046] To remove the cap 12 from the body 11, the user pushes the
movable tab 23 inwardly until it clears the opening 16. Although
the protrusion 22 and slot 15 prevent the cap from being pulled out
of the body 11, once the tab 23 is pushed inwardly, the user can
then twist the cap 12 so that the protrusion 22 moves along the
first section 18 of the slot 15 toward the second section 19 of the
slot 15. Once the protrusion 22 reaches the second section 19, the
user can pull the cap off of the body. The first section of the
slot 15, though it may take varying shapes, is nevertheless
designed such that a twisting movement must be applied to the cap
at some point before it can be fully removed from the body.
[0047] FIGS. 1-6 thus show a container that can be securely closed
in a child resistant fashion. The slot+protrusion and opening+tab
provides multi-layer protection against accidental opening or
opening by a small child. If the movable tab is accidentally
depressed in a purse, for example, the cap will not be likely to be
removed from the body since two additional, precise movements are
still required: twisting the cap in the direction of the first
section of the slot and pulling the cap out of the body along the
second section of the slot. This sequence is not likely to occur
randomly, as the movable tab is, in most preferable embodiments,
biased to return to its engaged position and retain the cap in
place.
[0048] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, the slot is sized so
that the cap must be turned 30 degrees about the longitudinal axis
17 in order to move the protrusion 22 from the first section 18 to
the second section 19. In other embodiments, larger or smaller
angular displacements are required, depending on the size of the
slot 15.
[0049] FIGS. 5a and 5b, along with FIG. 1, show other advantageous
features of this embodiment of the present invention. The body 11
and/or cap 12 include markings that provide instructions for proper
removal of the cap from the body. In preferred embodiments, these
instructions provide a step-by-step guide that is understandable by
most adults but not by children. FIG. 5a shows a first set of
markings 27a and 27b that indicate the first step for removal of
the cap. The marking "PUSH" at 27a is provided along with a
prominent "1" marking at 27b that instructs the user that the first
step to removal is to push the tab 23. FIG. 5b shows a second set
of markings 28a, 28b, and 28c. The prominent "2" at 28a is
associated with the arrows at 28b and the marking "TURN" at 28c and
indicates to the user that the second step is to turn the cap 12
relative to the body 11 in the direction of the arrows 28b. The
markings 28b and 28c are formed on the cap 12 (specifically the
protrusion 22 and sleeve portion 21). Finally, the third marking is
shown in FIG. 3. An arrow 29, which is formed on the sleeve portion
21 of the cap 12, points in the direction that the cap 12 should be
moved in order to remove it from the body 11. Notably, the third
marking 29 is not visible to the user until the second step for
removal (twisting the cap) has been completed. Those of skill in
the art will understand that the instructive markings in other
embodiments are provided on one or the other or both of the cap and
body components of the container.
[0050] The embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 also includes a feature for
attaching a clip or lanyard for the user's convenience. The lid
portion 20 of the cap 12 is formed to include a pass-through
opening 31 (see FIG. 1). The opening 31 is adapted for connection
to a lanyard or clip (not shown) to assist the user in carrying the
container 10.
[0051] In preferred embodiments, the container is adapted to be
sealed against the intrusion of moisture when closed. This is
particularly important when the container is intended as a package
for pharmaceutical or medical products. In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1-5, an o-ring is provided on the cap 12 to create such a
seal. As shown in FIG. 2, the o-ring 30 is provided at the junction
between the lid portion 20 and the sleeve portion 21. As is typical
of o-ring seals, the o-ring is constructed of a flexible,
resilient, and elastic material such as rubber or other elastomeric
materials. The o-ring is typically formed of a softer, more
deformable material than the cap 12 and body 11. In other
embodiments, as described below, an o-ring can be positioned lower
on the sleeve portion 21. In still other embodiments, the body 11
can include an o-ring or other sealing component.
[0052] In most embodiments, the cap 12 and body 11 are formed from
plastic materials. In preferred embodiments, the materials are
certified as medical grade, suitable for packaging pharmaceutical
products. In some embodiments, the materials are sufficiently
opaque to protect the contents of the container from interaction
with ultraviolet or other light and/or to shield the contents from
visibility to the naked eye. As will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art, however, the components of the container
can be formed from any material that is suitable for the intended
application of the container.
[0053] FIG. 6a shows a side view of the first embodiment. This view
shows clearly the pass-through opening 31. The line and arrows
designated "B" show the location of the section and viewing
direction for the cross-section view shown in FIG. 6b. This view
shows the hollow interior of the body 11, where objects are
stored.
[0054] FIG. 7a shows an alternative embodiment of a container 110
according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the slot
115 has a curved shape, similar to the shape of the letter "J".
This embodiment includes other modifications to accommodate the
different slot 115 design. First, the protrusion 122 is round in
this embodiment to enable it to travel along the curved path while
also being sized close to the size of the slot 115.
[0055] Second, the o-ring seal 130 is on the lower part of the
sleeve portion 121 of the cap 112, instead of near the junction of
the sleeve portion 121 and the lid portion 120 as in other
embodiments. This is because the cap 112 must travel first into the
body 111 when being secured to the body, and then moved back a
certain distance out of the body 111 in order to seat the
protrusion 122 at the end 132 of the slot 115. The result, shown in
FIG. 7b, is that the secured position of the cap 112 is such that
the open end 113 and the lid portion 120 are separated by a short
distance. Achieving a proper seal with this embodiment, therefore,
requires the o-ring 130 to be on the lower part of the sleeve
portion 121. The o-ring positioning shown in FIG. 7a works equally
well with embodiments similar to the one shown in FIGS. 1-6.
[0056] The design of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b also
requires that the distance between the tab 123 and the protrusion
122--and consequently the distance between the opening 116 and the
slot 115--be carefully selected. In securing the cap 112 to the
body 111, while the protrusion 122 is moved through the slot 115,
it is important that the tab 123 be able to slide on the inside of
the body 111 without becoming hung up on parts of the slot 115 or
the opening 116. Accordingly, proper spacing is important.
[0057] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b is opened and closed
in substantially the same manner as the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6.
Further, the embodiment of FIGS. 7a and 7b also provides similar
security against unwanted opening of the container. Although the
first section 118 of the slot 115 is curved, it still extends along
an arc that has its center point on the longitudinal axis of the
cylindrical portion of the body. In other words, even though the
first section 118 has components that extend outside of the arc, it
still extends along an arc that has its center point on the
longitudinal axis.
[0058] FIGS. 8a and 8b show alternative slot shapes usable in some
embodiments of the invention. Slot 215 is in the shape of an
upside-down "7." Slot 315 is in the shape of a hockey stick.
Numerous other slot shapes are usable in embodiments of the
invention. Slots 215 and 315 each include first sections 218, 318
that extend along arcs that would have their center points on the
longitudinal axis of the container, and second sections 219,
319.
[0059] As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, the
container of the present invention need not be entirely
cylindrical. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, one advantageous
embodiment includes a body 411 that has a cylindrical portion 434
adjacent its open end 413 as shown in FIGS. 1-6, but a boxy storage
section 433 in which the small objects are stored. Virtually any
shape can be chosen for the storage section 433 of the container,
including spheres, ovoids, or any suitable polyhedron. In
embodiments in which only a portion of the body is cylindrical, a
longitudinal axis 417 is associated with that cylindrical
portion.
[0060] The invention can be applied to containers of a variety of
sizes. With respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, the size
can be easily varied by elongating the cylindrical body 11, which
will permit the same cap size to be usable with the variously sized
bodies.
[0061] Some embodiments of the invention, including the one
depicted in FIGS. 1-6, have a smooth exterior that is amenable to a
graphic wrap. Such a graphic wrap can provide information relevant
to the contents of the container, the manufacturer of the product,
or container, or any desired information.
[0062] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide
modern looking containers that meet ASTM requirements. These
containers are inexpensive to manufacture and assemble and durable
for extended use. Although the invention is particularly
well-suited to use with medical or pharmaceutical products, it is
also advantageous for use with switches, bolts, screws, or any
other object for which secure packaging and storage is desired.
[0063] Although the invention has been described with reference to
particular embodiments and arrangements of parts, features and the
like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible embodiments,
arrangements, or features, and indeed many other modifications and
variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.
* * * * *