U.S. patent application number 16/208494 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-09 for child resistant lid and packaging.
The applicant listed for this patent is Eric Harvey. Invention is credited to Eric Harvey.
Application Number | 20190135491 16/208494 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56110448 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-09 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190135491 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harvey; Eric |
May 9, 2019 |
Child Resistant Lid and Packaging
Abstract
Aspects of the invention include a child resistant packaging
system that makes use of a container, a protective sleeve and a two
part child resistant lid with inner lid and an outer lid that are
co-axially aligned. The protective sleeve has a recessed groove
that substantially matches a corresponding lip on the container
enabling the protective sleeve to retain the container without a
stretch fit. Also provided is a sleeve for protecting a container
that is constructed from a molded silicone and has a recessed
groove for retaining a container.
Inventors: |
Harvey; Eric; (Bend,
OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Harvey; Eric |
Bend |
OR |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56110448 |
Appl. No.: |
16/208494 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14968358 |
Dec 14, 2015 |
10160578 |
|
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16208494 |
|
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62091750 |
Dec 15, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 23/0857 20130101;
B65D 2251/0018 20130101; B65D 2251/009 20130101; B65D 43/0225
20130101; B65D 51/18 20130101; B65D 2215/02 20130101; B65D
2251/0081 20130101; B65D 25/34 20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101;
B65D 2251/0028 20130101; B65D 77/0486 20130101; B65D 50/041
20130101; B65D 65/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/34 20060101
B65D025/34; B65D 43/02 20060101 B65D043/02; B65D 50/04 20060101
B65D050/04; B65D 51/18 20060101 B65D051/18 |
Claims
1. A protective sleeve for use with a container, the container
having a container proximal open top and a container distal closed
bottom, the container having a container exterior annular lip
nearer to the container proximal open top than to the container
distal closed bottom, said protective sleeve comprising: (a) a body
having a body interior surface and a body exterior surface, a body
proximal end and a body distal end opposite said body proximal end,
and a body interior annular recessed groove nearer to said body
proximal end than to said body distal end; (b) said body proximal
end being a body open top for receiving the container; (c) said
body distal end being a closed bottom; and (d) said body interior
annular recessed groove for receiving the container exterior
annular lip of the container.
2. The protective sleeve of claim 1, wherein the container exterior
annular lip fits securely within said body interior annular
recessed groove when the container is within said protective
sleeve.
3. The protective sleeve of claim 1, wherein the container exterior
annular lip is nested within said body interior annular recessed
groove when the container is nested within said protective
sleeve.
4. The protective sleeve of claim 1, wherein said body interior
annular recessed groove is C-shaped in cross-section, and when the
container is positioned within said protective sleeve an annular
upper portion of said body interior annular recessed groove is
above the container exterior annular lip and an annular lower
portion of said body interior annular recessed groove is below the
container exterior annular lip.
5. The protective sleeve of claim 1 further comprising a body
exterior annular lip that is annularly coextensive with said body
interior annular recessed groove.
6. The protective sleeve of claim 1 wherein said body is a molded
tubular silicone body.
7. The protective sleeve of claim 1 wherein said body has an
interior taper such that said body proximal is wider than said body
distal end.
8. A protective sleeve for use with a container, the container
having a container exterior surface, the container having a
container proximal open top and a container distal closed bottom,
the container having a container exterior annular lip on the
container exterior surface, the container exterior annular lip
positioned nearer to the container proximal open top than to the
container distal closed bottom, said protective sleeve comprising:
(a) a body having a body interior surface and a body exterior
surface, a body proximal end and a body distal end opposite said
body proximal end, and a body interior annular recessed groove on
said body interior surface nearer to said body proximal end than to
said body distal end; (b) said body proximal end being a body open
top for receiving the container; (c) said body distal end being a
closed bottom; (d) said body interior surface contoured to fit the
container exterior surface of the container; and (e) said body
interior annular recessed groove for receiving the container
exterior annular lip of the container; (f) wherein the container
exterior annular lip fits securely within said body interior
annular recessed groove when the container is within said
protective sleeve.
10. The protective sleeve of claim 8, wherein the container
exterior annular lip is nested within said body interior annular
recessed groove when the container is nested within said protective
sleeve.
11. The protective sleeve of claim 8, wherein said body interior
annular recessed groove is C-shaped in cross-section, and when the
container is positioned within said protective sleeve an annular
upper portion of said body interior annular recessed groove is
above the container exterior annular lip and an annular lower
portion of said body interior annular recessed groove is below the
container exterior annular lip.
12. The protective sleeve of claim 8 further comprising a body
exterior annular lip that is annularly coextensive with said body
interior annular recessed groove.
13. The protective sleeve of claim 8 wherein said body is a molded
tubular silicone body.
14. The protective sleeve of claim 8 wherein said body has an
interior taper such that said body proximal is wider than said body
distal end.
15. A protective sleeve for use with a container, the container
having a container proximal open top and a container distal closed
bottom, the container having a container exterior annular lip
nearer to the container proximal open top than to the container
distal closed bottom, said protective sleeve comprising: (a) a body
having a body interior surface and a body exterior surface, a body
proximal end and a body distal end opposite said body proximal end,
and a body interior annular recessed groove nearer to said body
proximal end than to said body distal end; (b) said body proximal
end being a body open top; (c) said body distal end being a closed
bottom; and (d) a body exterior annular lip that is annularly
coextensive with said body interior annular recessed groove.
16. The protective sleeve of claim 15, wherein the container
exterior annular lip fits securely within said body interior
annular recessed groove when the container is within said
protective sleeve.
17. The protective sleeve of claim 15, wherein the container
exterior annular lip is nested within said body interior annular
recessed groove when the container is nested within said protective
sleeve.
18. The protective sleeve of claim 15, wherein said body interior
annular recessed groove is C-shaped in cross-section, and when the
container is positioned within said protective sleeve an annular
upper portion of said body interior annular recessed groove is
above the container exterior annular lip and an annular lower
portion of said body interior annular recessed groove is below the
container exterior annular lip.
19. The protective sleeve of claim 15 wherein said body is a molded
tubular silicone body.
20. The protective sleeve of claim 15 wherein said body has an
interior taper such that said body proximal is wider than said body
distal end.
Description
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/968,358, filed Dec. 14, 2015. U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/968,358 is an application claiming the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/091,750,
filed Dec. 14, 2014. The present application is based on and claims
priority from these applications, the disclosures of which are
hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention is in the field of child resistant
lids and associated packaging.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Examples of child resistant packaging are common in the form
of child resistant pill bottles. Typically, these pill bottles have
lids that screw onto a container via standard threads. The child
resistant functionality is accomplished via a lid that does not
unscrew via a standard left turning motion. Rather the lid is
designed to unscrew when two or more motions are performed.
Typically these motions are either push and turn, or squeeze and
twist.
[0004] In the conventional child resistant lids, there are inner
and outer lids that are not rotationally fixed relative to one
another. This allows an outer lid to twist while the inner lid
remains stationary. The requisite steps required to couple the
twisting motion of the outer lid to the inner lid are what make the
lid child resistant. Conventional models use a plurality of ridges
and ramped features on the inside of the outer lid and the top of
the inner lid, respectively. These types of features are difficult
to produce and require precision molds for the inner and outer lid
to work effectively.
[0005] Additionally, with conventional lids that use a push and
turn approach to child resistance, once a lid is pushed down, the
outer and inner lid are coupled. It may be desirable to have a
design that would allow for an outer and inner lid to slip relative
to one another if sufficient downward pressure is not maintained on
the outer lid. Such a system would provide an additional level of
resistance to unintended openings.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention is an article of manufacture that is
particularly adapted for storing materials or compounds that
require storage in a child resistant package. Other aspects of the
invention are directed toward a container system that utilizes a
glass container with a lip and a silicone protective sleeve with a
recessed groove. Still further aspects of the invention are
directed toward a silicone protective sleeve that has a taper and a
recessed groove and is adapted for receiving a container.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment
of the invention, a protective sleeve and a lid assembly being
visible.
[0008] FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of the embodiment of the
invention depicted in FIG. 1 with the lid assembly removed to
expose a container.
[0009] FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of the invention depicted in
FIG. 1 showing the lid assembly, container, and protective
sleeve.
[0010] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment
of a lid assembly according to the invention.
[0011] FIG. 5 depicts a sectional view of the lid assembly shown in
FIG. 4 and taken at plane A.
[0012] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the
inner portion of the lid assembly.
[0013] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the
outer portion of the lid assembly.
[0014] FIG. 8 depicts a top view of an embodiment of the inner
portion of the lid assembly.
[0015] FIG. 9 depicts a sectional view of the lid assembly shown in
FIG. 8 and taken at plane B.
[0016] FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the
protective sleeve.
[0017] FIG. 11 depicts a sectional view of the protective sleeve
shown in FIG. 10.
[0018] FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a
container.
[0019] FIG. 13 depicts a side view of magnified side view of a
plurality of grooves on an inner lid.
[0020] FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of a magnified
perspective view of an inner lid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a child resistant
container 10. In the exemplary embodiment, the child resistant
container 10 is comprised of a lid assembly 12 and protective
sleeve 14. As further shown in the exploded views in FIG. 2 and
FIG. 3, the lid assembly 12 threads onto a container 13 that is
located within the protective sleeve 14. FIG. 3 particularly points
out the relationship of the protective sleeve 14, container 13, and
lid assembly 12. When assembled as in FIG. 1, the protective sleeve
14 and lid assembly 12 prevent any view of the contents of the
container 13 in embodiments where the container 13 is constructed
from a transparent material such as glass or plastic. In some
embodiments, it may be desirable to prevent viewing of the
container 13 contents in order to comply with federal or state
regulations for product packaging. However, in other embodiments,
the combination of protective sleeve 14 and lid assembly 13 may
permit the contents of the container 13 to be visible.
[0022] FIG. 4 depicts the lid assembly 12 in greater detail. The
lid assembly 12 is comprised of an inner lid 22 and an outer lid
20. The inner lid 22 and outer lid 20 each have a central axis
defined by their respective cylindrical faces. The central axis for
the inner lid 22 and the outer lid 20 are substantially co-axial.
The lid assembly 12 is preferably constructed from a fiber filled
plastic material such as a poly-propylene that is 30% flax fiber by
volume. However, the designs described herein permit the lid
assembly 12 to be constructed from wood, metal, composites,
ceramics, or any other material that is substantially rigid.
[0023] FIG. 5 provides a cross sectional view of the lid assembly
12 as shown in FIG. 4 taken at plane A. FIG. 5 shows the threads
26, the retaining lip 24, and the retaining groove 30. The
retaining lip 24 is molded into the inner lid 22 and the retaining
groove 30 is molded into the outer lid 20. During assembly, the
inner lid 22 is pressed into the outer lid 20 whereby the retaining
lip 24 seats in the retaining groove 30. The retaining groove 30 is
sized such that the retaining lip 24 is capable of moving up and
down within the retaining groove 30. Preferably, the retaining
groove 30 permits movement of approximately 1/8''. As little
movement as 1/16'' may be also suitable. In general, the outer lid
20 is permitted limited movement in the co-axial direction
previously described relative to the inner lid 22.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows the inner lid 22 with the retaining lip 24 and
a plurality of grooves 28 being visible. The plurality of grooves
28 is located circumferentially about the outermost top edge of the
inner lid 22. The plurality of grooves 28 extend into the inner lid
22 without fully penetrating the inner lid 22. The grooves 28 are
located at a substantially 45 degree angle relative to the top
surface of the inner lid 22 and a substantially 45 degree angle
relative to the cylindrical side surface of the inner lid 22. The
edges of the plurality of grooves 28 are filleted such that the
transition between the outermost edge 29 of the inner lid 22 and
the plurality of grooves 28 is substantially continuous. The
details of the plurality of grooves 28 are further shown in the top
view of the inner lid 22 shown in FIG. 8 and the cross section view
of the inner lid 22 shown in FIG. 9. Particularly, the fillets on
the grooves are shown in FIG. 8. Additionally, the 45-degree groove
angle is visible in the cross section view of FIG. 9 taken at plane
B that intersects the centerline of 2 of the plurality of grooves
28. The exact number of grooves 28 may vary by application and the
quantity of grooves depicted is exemplary only. The fewest suitable
number of grooves is three.
[0025] The plurality of grooves 28 provide an engagement means for
the plurality of ribs 32 that are located on the outer lid 20. FIG.
7 shows the outer lid 20 in greater detail. The outer lid 20
contains a plurality of ribs 32 that are located in the corner
defined by the inner top surface 34 of the outer lid 20 and the
inner side surface 33. The exact number of the plurality of ribs 32
will vary by application, in a larger diameter lid, 3 may be
sufficient, in a smaller diameter lid more may be necessary to
provide sufficient engagement between the inner lid 22 and the
outer lid 20. The number of ribs depicted in the figures is
intended expressly to be exemplary and non-limiting. The plurality
of ribs 32 have a substantially 45 degree angle relative to the
inner side surface and the inner top surface 34. The ribs 32 in the
preferred embodiment have a thickness of about 0.1'' and are
filleted so that the plurality of ribs 32 each has a substantially
smooth contour about the central axis defined by the inner side
surface of the outer lid 20.
[0026] In operation, the inner lid 22 is located within the outer
lid 20 via the retaining lip 24 and retaining groove 30. The outer
lid 20 is constrained to move up and down relative to the inner lid
22 within a fixed range according to the dimension of the locating
groove 30. When a user places the lid assembly 12 on a container,
the user presses on the outer lid 20 and turns the lid assembly to
thread the threads on the inner lid 22 on the threads of the
container. When the user pushes down on the outer lid 20, the outer
lid 20 moves relative to the inner lid 22 allowing the plurality of
ribs 32 to engage the plurality of grooves 28. When the plurality
of ribs 32 are engaged with the plurality of grooves 28 the inner
lid 22 and outer lid 20 become coupled.
[0027] To remove the lid assembly 12 from a container, a user must
press down on the outer lid 20 to engage the plurality of ribs 32
with the plurality of grooves 28 thereby coupling the inner lid 22
to the outer lid 20. This allows the user to rotate the inner lid
22 for removal of the lid assembly 12 from the container. As a
result of the smooth contours of the outer edge 29 of the inner lid
22 and the smooth contours of the plurality of ribs 32, if positive
pressure is not maintained on the lid assembly, the outer lid 20
will tend to move up from the inner lid 22 when rotated which
results in decoupling the inner lid 22 from the outer lid 20. Thus,
the lid assembly 12 provides a child resistant functionality by
requiring a user to apply positive pressure continuously while
rotating the lid assembly 12 for the inner lid 22 to rotate.
[0028] In some embodiments, a piece of foam or compressible
material may be located between the top surface of the inner lid 22
and the inner top surface 34 of the outer lid 20. This material
will provide additional child resistant functionality by increasing
the force necessary to couple the inner lid 22 and outer lid
20.
[0029] FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of the protective sleeve 14 in
more detail. The protective sleeve is useful for preventing the
viewing of the contents of the container 13 and for protecting the
container 13 from impacts. The protective sleeve 14 is sized to fit
the contours of the container 13 closely and has a recessed groove
35 that fits securely over a corresponding lip 40 on the container
13. FIG. 11 provides a cross section of the protective sleeve 14
taken at an arbitrary plane parallel and coincident to the central
axis. This view helps to show the tubular construction of the
protective sleeve 14. Notably, because the taper of the container
13 substantially matches the taper of the protective sleeve 14 the
protective sleeve 14 does not need to be stretched over the
container 13 in order to remain secure on the container 13.
Instead, in some embodiments the combination of the recessed groove
35 positively resting on the container's 13 corresponding lip 40,
and the substantially similar taper permits the protective sleeve
to remain secure on the container 13. In other embodiments, the
corresponding lip 40 may be the sole means of retaining the
protective sleeve 14 on the container 13. The protective sleeve 14
can be constructed from a compression-molded silicone, a liquid
injection molded silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer.
[0030] FIG. 12 depicts one embodiment of a container 13 constructed
according to aspects of the inventions. The threads that would
typically be located near the opening of the jar have been omitted
for clarity. The container 13 has a corresponding lip 40 near the
open end of the container. The container 13 may be constructed out
of materials including glass, plastic, metal, and wood.
Additionally, the container may have a wide range of volumes,
including 4 oz, 8 oz, 12 oz, and 16 oz. As the size of the
container 13 increases or decreases, the protective sleeve 14 will
change in size to match the dimensions of the container 13 in the
manner described above. The use of a protective sleeve 14 as part
of a child resistant packaging system enables the container 13 to
be made out of a transparent and/or fragile material that would
otherwise be unsuitable for a child resistant packaging system.
[0031] FIG. 13 depicts a magnified side view of the inner lid. FIG.
13 specifically shows the various aspects of the embodiment of the
groove 28 as depicted in FIGS. 5, 6, 8, and 9. Particularly, FIG.
13 shows a dashed line (which represents the edge of a plane) S0
about which the groove 28 is symmetrical, the groove bottom 46, the
groove sidewall 44 and the groove edge 42. Referring to the groove
bottom 46 in more detail, the groove bottom 46 has an approximately
45-degree angle relative to the top surface of the inner lid 22 and
an approximately 45-degree angle relative to the cylindrical side
surface of the inner lid 22. In the embodiment shown, the groove
bottom 46 is flat, but it can also be curved. Referring to the
groove sidewall 44 in more detail, the groove sidewall 44 indicates
the transition region between the groove bottom 46 and the groove
edge 42. The groove sidewall 44 smoothly transitions from the
groove bottom 46 to the groove edge 42. Notably, across the line
S0, the groove 28 is generally symmetrical. Thus, the groove
sidewall 44 is substantially the same on either side of the groove
bottom 46. Focusing on line S0, the plane that this line depicts is
the plane that is defined by a line resting on the center of the
groove bottom 46 (such as S1 and S2 in FIG. 14) and the center axis
of the inner lid 22. Each groove 28 is symmetrical about the plane
defined for that groove 28 as just described.
[0032] Referring to the groove edge 42 in more detail, the groove
edge 42 refers to the transition region between the groove bottom
46 and the groove sidewall 44 and the other surfaces of the inner
lid 22. The groove edge 42 is smooth such that the transition
between the outermost edge 29 of the inner lid 22 and the plurality
of grooves 28 is substantially continuous. In practice, this means
that in use, relative to the direction of rotation, the plurality
of ribs 32 on the outer lid 20 will only contact a ramped or
horizontal surface on the inner lid 22.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 14 in more detail, FIG. 14 is a magnified
view of a plurality of grooves 28 on the inner lid 22. Lines S1 and
S2 depict the lines that when combined with the center axis of the
inner lid 22 define a plane about which an instance of a groove 28
is symmetrical. In operation, a rib 32 from the outer lid 20 will
generally rest within a groove 28. As a user attempts to twist the
outer lid 20, the rib 32 will contact the groove sidewall 44 and
create a force that pushes the inner lid 22 and outer lid 20 apart.
If the user does not provide a downward force, the outer lid will
continue to rise and rotate and eventually the rib 32 will be
resting on the outer edge 29 of the inner lid 22. Further rotation
will move the rib 32 along the outer edge 29. As previously
described, the groove 28 is designed with a continuous nature such
that a rib 32 will not contact a perpendicular face on the inner
lid 22 as the rib 32 contacts the groove 28 and outer edge 29 of
the inner lid 28. Moreover, due to the symmetrical nature of the
groove 28 the foregoing is true, regardless of which direction the
user turns the outer lid 20.
[0034] While the foregoing written description of the invention
enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered
presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will
understand and appreciate the existence of variations,
combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method,
and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited
by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all
embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the
invention.
* * * * *