Locking Device For Containers

Abstract

A cover for a container is provided with a fastener for engagement with a complementary fastener on a container or an intermediate adapter ring. A locking ring is slidably mounted on the ring or container for axial movement into and out of locking engagement with the cover. One or more combination type rings are rotatably mounted on the adapter ring or container below the locking ring. One or more coaxially extending projections are mounted on each combination type ring for engagement with an annular surface of the locking ring to hold the locking ring in engagement with the cover or for engagement in complementary recesses formed in the annular surface of the locking ring to allow axial movement of the locking ring out of locking engagement with the cover. A spring is provided to bias the combination type rings in opposite directions to frictionally hold the locking ring out of engagement with the cover and to scramble the combination type rings upon return of the locking ring into locking engagement with the cover.

Parent Case Text

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 236,933, filed Mar. 22, 1972 and now abandoned.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a locking device for containers and more specifically to a combination locking arrangement for locking a screw type or snap type cover on a container.

2. Prior Art

It is often desirable to provide some type of locking arrangement on a container especially if the container is used to hold medicines, poisons or the like which would be extremely dangerous to any unauthorized person taking or using the same. Numerous deaths and serious illnesses are caused every year as a result of children having access to bottles having medicines, cleaning liquid, poisons and the like therein. Even adults sometimes take medicine which has been prescribed for another person or accidently grab a bottle containing a substance dangerous to them instead of the bottle they are looking for.

Numerous attempts have been made in the past to provide locking devices for containers to prevent the unauthorized access to the contents thereof. One type of prior art locking device involves the provision of an over cover for the cover which is threaded onto the bottle with the over cover normally being freely rotatable relative to the regular cover. Upon performing a specific manipulative movement of the over cover, such as pushing, pulling or squeezing the over cover relative to the regular cover, it is possible to grip the regular cover to apply a turning torque thereto. Such an arrangement is generally effective to prevent the unauthorized opening of the bottle by a small child but is generally ineffective to prevent an unauthorized adult from having access to the contents of the bottle.

Another prior art locking device utilizes a locking member which is freely mounted on the regular screw type cover and which is normally disposed in locking engagement with the portion of the container to prevent turning movement of the cover when the container is in the upright position. Upon inverting the container, the locking member will move to a non-locking position thereby allowing turning movement of the cover relative to the container. Such an arrangement however, is unsuitable for containers having liquids therein since the unscrewing of the cover must take place while the container is in the inverted position.

Still another prior art locking arrangement involves the use of combination type rings in combination with a screw cap. With this type of device it is necessary to rotate the combination rings to specific relative positions with respect to each other and the container to allow the cover to be unscrewed from the container. This type of locking arrangement not only prevents the unauthorized opening of the container by children but also prevents unauthorized adults from opening the container. The present invention is broadly directed to this type of locking arrangement for a container cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a combination type locking arrangement which is suitable for use with a screw type or snap type cover for a container to prevent the unauthorized removal of the cover from the container.

The present invention is directed to a combination type locking arrangement for a cover which is suitable for use with a standard container having a plurality of screw threads about the opening thereof or with any customized container having specific elements of the locking arrangement formed integrally therewith.

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a container closure arrangement having an adapter ring provided with internal screw threads adapted for cooperation with the screw threads on a standard container. The adapter ring is also provided with external screw threads and a cover member having internal sscrew threads is threaded thereon to close the container opening. An annular locking ring is mounted on the adapter ring by a plurality of axially extending splines to prevent rotation of the locking ring relative to the adapter ring while permitting axial movement of the locking ring relative to the adapter ring toward and away from the cover. The locking ring is further provided with a plurality of projections adapted to cooperate with a plurality of complementary projections on the cover to prevent rotation of the cover relative to the locking ring when the projections are engaged with each other. The annular surface of the locking ring remote from the cover is provided with one or more axially extending apertures. One or more combination type rings are mounted for rotation on the adapter ring adjacent the apertured surface of the locking ring. One or more axially extending projections are formed on the surface of the combination type ring for engagement in the apertures in the locking ring. When the combination type rings are rotated to a position wherein the projections thereon are aligned with the apertures in the locking ring, the locking ring may be moved axially of the adapter ring out of interfering engagement with the cover to allow the same to be unscrewed from the adapter ring. When the projections on the combination type rings are not aligned with the apertures in the locking ring, the locking ring will be held in interfering locking engagement with the cover to prevent turning movement thereof relative to the adapter ring. On a customized container the cover may be threaded directly onto the container and the locking ring and combination type rings will be mounted directly on the container.

A variation of the foregoing embodiment contemplates the use of spring means bebtween two combination type rings to normally bias the combination rings to a position where the projections thereon are not simultaneously aligned with apertures in the locking rings. Tab means are provided on each of the locking rings and upon squeezing the tabs towards each other against the bias of the spring, the projections can be brought into simultaneous alignment with the apertures in the locking ring. The projections are formed as cam teeth having one side perpendicular to the locking ring and the opposite side beveled at an angle relative to the surface of the locking rings. The apertures formed in the locking ring are complementary in shape to the cam teeth such that upon release of the spring means after engagement of the teeth in the apertures, the spring means will bias the straight sides of the teeth into frictional engagement with the straight sides of the apertures in the locking ring to frictionally hold the locking ring against axial movement relative to the combination type rings. When it is desired to re-engage the locking ring with the closure cover, it is only necessary to push one of the tabs against the force of the spring means and the relative movement between one of the cam teeth and the recess will force the locking ring upwardly into engagement with the cover. As soon as the other cam tooth clears its complementary aperture, the spring will expand and shift the other tooth into a position of misalignment with its aperture thereby effectively scrambling the combination.

It is also contemplated that the present invention could be utilized with snap-on covers as well as covers having screw threads. In such a situation, the locking ring in either of the above embodiments would be provided with a circumferential flange. When the locking ring is disposed in the locking position, the flange will overlap the downwardly extending flange of the cover to prevent movement thereof radially away from the adapter ring and thereby prevent removal of the snap-on cover from the adapter ring.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view in section of a locking device according to the present invention for locking a screw type cover on a container having a threaded neck portion.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the locking arrangement shown in FIG. 1 with the locking ring disposed in locking engagement with the cover.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 4 with the locking ring disposed in the unlocked position relative to the cover.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 1 showing the locking ring moved to the unlocked position relative to the cover.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing the cover in the detached position relative to the adapter ring.

FIG. 8 is a partial side elevation view in section of a mofified form of cover locking arrangement.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of still another modified form of cover locking arrangement.

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of another modified cover locking arrangement minus the adapter ring.

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view of another modified cover locking arrangement suitable for use with a pill box type container.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line 12--12 in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a modified locking device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a transverse sectional view through a portion of the locking device shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line 15--15 in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line 16--16 in FIG. 14 showing the entire circumference of the locking device.

FIG. 17A is a sectional view taken along the line 17--17 showing the entire circumference of the locking device.

FIG. 17B is a partial view similar to FIG. 17A showing a modified biasing means.

FIG. 18A is a sectional view taken along the line 18--18 in FIG. 14 showing the locking ring disposed in locking engagement with the cover.

FIG. 18B is a view similar to 18A showing the locking ring released from the cover with the cam teeth disposed in the apertures of the locking ring.

FIG. 18C is a view similar to FIG. 18A showing the locking ring in the process of being cammed upwardly into engagement with the cover.

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 14 but including biasing means for the locking ring which is shown in the unlocked position.

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 showing a mofified form of the invention for use with a snap-on cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the first embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 inclusive a container cover locking arrangement is provided for use with a container or bottle having a standard threaded neck opening thereon. The glass bottle 20 is provided with glass screw threds 22 on the neck thereof and an adapter ring 24 of any suitable material such as plastic or the like is threaded thereon. One end of the adapter ring is provided with a lip 26 which extends over the edge of the glass bottle opening to provide the smooth continuous surface with the internal surface of the neck of the bottle to aid in dispensing the contents of the bottle, especially if the contents are fluid in nature. Adjacent the same end of the adapter ring, screw threads 28 are provided for receiving the internal screw threads 30 formed on a cover member 32 which may be formed of any suitable material such as plastics or the like. Suitable gasket means 34 may be interposed between the cover 32 and the adapter ring 24. The cover 32 may be provided with a plurality of axially extending grooves 36 on the external surface thereof to aid in gripping the cover to apply a turning torque thereto.

An annular locking ring 38 is provided about the adapter ring 24 immediately below the cover member 32. The innermost surface of the locking ring 38 is formed with a plurality of splines 40 which are disposed in meshing engagement with a plurality of complementary splines 42 formed integrally on the external surface of the adapter ring 24. The radially outermost surface of the locking ring 38 is provided with a depending flange 44 having a plurality of axially extending grooves 46 which are aligned with the grooves 36 when the locking ring is disposed in locking engagement with the cover 32. In order to accomplish this locking, the cover 32 is provided with a plurality of downwardly and radially inwardly directed teeth 48 which are arranged for cooperation with a plurality of complementary radially outwardly directed teeth 50 formed on the locking ring 38.

A shoulder 52 is provided on the adapter ring 24 which is spaced from the lower end of the splines 42 a sufficient distance to allow the locking ring 38 to be moved axially away from the cover 32 to separate the teeth 48 and 50 from each other. When the locking ring 38 is disposed in the position shown in FIG. 1 with the splines 40, 42 and the teeth 48, 50 disposed in meshing engagement, the cover 32 will be locked against rotating movement relative to the adapter ring 24. When the locking ring 38 is moved donwardly away from the cap 32 as shown in FIG. 6, the splines 40 and 42 will still be disposed in meshing engagement but the teeth 48 and 50 will be free of engagement from each other thereby allowing the cap 32 to be unscrewed from the adapter ring 24.

In order to selectively control the movement of the locking member 38 relative to the cover 32 when the latter is threaded into engagement with the adapter ring 24, a pair of combination rings 54 and 56 are provided. The combination ring 54 is journaled on a shoulder 58 formed in the adapter ring 24 and is retained against axial movement relative thereto by means of a lip 60 which overlies the edge of the ring 54. The ring 54 is provided with a radial projection 62 which provides support for the other combination ring 56 which is journaled for relative rotary movement thereon. The combination ring 56 is also provided with a radially extending projection 64 which has the same radial extent as the projection 62 on the ring 54. The external surfaces of both rings are provided with serrations and suitable indicia to aid in the rotation of the combination ring and the identification of their relative positions with respect to each other and the locking ring 38. A pair of axially projecting pins 66 and 68 are formed on or secured to the upper surface of the combination rings 54 in diametrically opposed relation. Similarly, a pair of pins 70 and 72 are formed on or secured to the upper surface of the combination ring 56 in diametrically opposed positions. A first pair of diametrically opposed recesses 74 and 76 are formed in the locking ring 38 for the reception of the pins 66 and 68. A second pair of recesses 78 and 80 are also formed in the lower surface of the locking ring 38 for receiving the pins 70 and 72. The two sets of recesses may be angularly offset with respect to each other as long as the recesses of each pair are diametrically opposed to each other and are disposed on a circle having the same radius as the circle radius of the pins which they are adpated to receive. As shown in FIG. 1, all four recesses are illustrated as being on a common diameter of the locking ring but it is obvious that this can be varied. For example, in FIG. 3, the recesses 78' and 80' are disposed on a diameter which is perpendicular to the diameter on which the recesses 74' and 76' are disposed. FIG. 3 illustrates a section along the line 3--3 in FIG. 1 with the exception of the relative positions of the pins and recesses. In FIG. 3, the pins 66, 68, 70 and 72 are angularly offset from the recess locations in the locking ring 38 and thus, the pins will bear against the undersurface of the locking ring 38 to hold the same up adjacent the cover 32 with the teeth 48 and 50 disposed in locking engagement with each other. Thus, with the pins and recesses positioned as shown in FIG. 3 it will be impossible to unscrew the cap cover 32 from the adapter ring 24. FIG. 4 is a view showing the external appearance of the locking arrangement when the locking ring 38 is disposed in locking engagement with the cover 32. The indicia shown on the combination rings 54 and 56 will not be in the proper unlocking positions relative to each other and with an additional marking indicia on the locking ring 38.

Assuming the correct combination for opening the container is number 6 for the upper combination ring and number 12 for the lower combination ring, the two rings 54 and 56 will be turned relative to each other and the locking ring 38 to bring the number 6 and number 12 markings on the upper and lower rings into alignment with the special marking indicia 82 on the locking ring 38. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 5. With the locking ring 38 and the combination rings 54 and 56 disposed in this position, the pins on the combination rings will be aligned with the recesses in the locking ring, thereby allowing the locking ring 38 to be moved axially downward away from the cover 32 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Once the locking ring is moved to this position and the teeth 48 and 50 are not longer disposed in engagement with each other, it is possible to unscrew the cover 32 from the adapter ring 24 as shown in FIG. 7.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is very similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with the exception of the configuration of the adapter ring 84. The upper portion of the adapter ring 84 is provided with an outwardly projecting flange 86 which extends outwardly beyond the splined connection 88, 90 between the locking ring 92 and the adapter ring 84. The arrangement of the cover 94 relative to the locking ring 92 and the combination rings 96 and 98 is similar to that described with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1 and therefore, a detailed description of the same will not be entered into at this time. The adapter ring 84 having the outwardly extending flange 86 is more suitable for use with a bottle or jar having a liquid therein. When pouring the liquid from the jar, there is a possiblity that some of the liquid might run down the outside of the adapter ring and by moving the outer edge 100 of the flange 86 radially outwardly from the spline connection 88 and 90, there is less chance of fouling the sliding connection between the locking ring and the adapter ring.

The embodiment of FIG. 9 is identical with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the exception that the lip or flange 60 is removed from the adapter ring 102. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the lip 60 retains the combination ring 54 against axial movement relative to the adapter ring 24. Thus, it was necessary to obtain the proper relative positions between the combination rings 54 and 56 and the locking ring 38 before the locking ring 38 could be axially moved. Since the lip 60 is not present on the adapter ring 102 in the embodiment of FIG. 9, it is possible to invert the jar 20 and turn the combination rings 54 and 56 until pins thereon drop into the respective recesses in the locking ring 38. The bottle or jar 20 could then be turned upright and the locking ring 38 along with the combination rings 54 and 56 would move donwardly to bring the teeth on the locking ring 38 out of engagement with the teeth on the cap 32. Thus, the combination arrangement shown in FIG. 1 could be described as a parallel arrangement inasmuch as both combination rings must be turned and held in the proper relative position to enable the locking ring to move downwardly, whereas the arrangement shown in FIG. 9 could be described as a serial arrangement inasmuch as the ring 56 could be turned first until it drops into position and then the ring 54 could be turned until it also drops into position. Thus, in the latter type arrangement, it would not be necessary to accurately hold ring 56 in the correct position while manipulating the ring 54 since the ring 56 would engage immediately upon being correctly positioned.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is also very similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with the exception that the adapter ring 24 is not necessary due to the fact that the bottle itself is formed with the necessary projections and shoulders for engaging the locking ring 38 and the combination rings 54 and 56. Since the cover 32, the locking ring 38 and the combination rings 54 and 56 are identical in this embodiment they are given the same reference numerals. The bottle 110 may be formed of a plastic material or any other suitable material and has a plurality of integrally formed threads 112 adjacent the upper end of the neck for receiving the cover 32. A plurality of longitudinal splines 114 are formed on the neck of the bottle for meshing engagement with the splines 40 on the locking ring 38. The bottle 110 is provided with a shoulder 116 upon which the combination ring 54 is journaled for relative rotation. A lip 118 is provided to retain the combination ring 54 against axial movement relative to the neck of the bottle. The operation of this embodiment is identical to the operation of the embodiment shown and described with respect to FIG. 1.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is directed to a shallow container 120 such as a pill box or the like. It is obvious that the shape of the container may take any form and that the form of the container is not critical to the present invention. In this embodiment, the cover 122 is provided with a radially outer downwardly depending flange 124 having a plurality of locking teeth 126 integrally formed therewith. The cover 122 is also provided with a radially inward downwardly extending flange 128 having screw threads thereon which mate with complementary screw threads formed on the container 120. The external surface of the container is provided with a plurarality of axially extending splines 130 which cooperate with splines 132 formed on the inner surface of the locking ring 134. The locking ring 134 is provided with a plurality of teeth 136 which are adapted to mate with the teeth 126 on the cover to prevent relative rotation therebetween. Three combination rings 140, 142 and 144 are journaled for rotation upon each other and upon a shoulder 146 integral with the container 120. Each of the combination rings is provided with a plurality of upwardly extending projections which are adapted to mate with complementary recesses formed in the lower surface of the locking ring 134. The projections 148 are best shown in FIG. 12 and are in the form of arcuate projections. Upon engagement of the projections 148 in the complementary recesses (not shown) in the undersurface of the locking ring 134, the locking ring 134 can be lowered to allow relative rotation of the cover 122 relative to the container 120 for removal of the cover. Although locking arrangements utilizing two combination rings and three combination rings have been illustrated in the present application, it is possible that a locking arrangement utilizing the same principles could be provided with only a single combination or a plurality of combination rings in excess of three. Likewise, the projections are not limited to the pins and projections shown in the present application but take any desirable form.

In assembling the cover and adapter ring 24 on a bottle, it is contemplated that a much higher turning torque would be applied to the adapter ring then to the cover and an adhesive may be applied on the threads between the adapter ring and the bottle. In this way, the securement of the adapter ring to the bottle will be much more permanent in nature than the securement of the cover 32 to the adapter ring. The cover 32 is threaded onto the adapter ring 24 by applying a torque comparable to one normally applied by an adult person and sufficient to ensure a proper seal. The application of the higher torque to the adapter ring, plus the use of adhesives prevents the removal of the locking device from the bottle in the event an attempt is made to unscrew the cover without unlocking the device first and allows the unscrewing of the cover 32 from the adapter ring when the parts are in the unlocked position without also having the adapter ring begin to turn.

Preferably, the whole locking device including the adapter ring, cover, locking ring and combination rings would be placed on the bottle with the component parts in the lock position as shown in FIG. 1. As a result, the entire assembly is eadily adapted to known bottling methods. The only change necessary for switching from "unsafe" to "safe" closing means would involve the adaptation of the cap applying apparatus to handle a slightly larger size cap and the adjustment of the torque applying means for the cap. If the use of adhesives was also desired it would be necessary to provide some means for applying cement to the bottle threads or to the complementary threads on the adapter ring.

The adapter ring 24 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is provided with serrations 25 which would assist in applying torque to the ring 24 by means of a mechanical turning device. The axial length of the serrations 25 is insufficient to allow a person to get a good grip on the adapter when the combination rings are in place thus adding to the safety of the closing arrangement. These serrations 25 would also assist in holding the adapter ring 24 during the assembly of the combination rings, locking ring and cover thereon. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the exposed part of the adapter ring 84 is smooth and beveled to prevent gripping thereof. It is also contemplated that the neck of the bottle and the internal portion of the adapter could have a configuration other than screw threads.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 13-20 are very similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-8 inclusive with the primary differences residing in the mode of operation of the combination rings, the shape and alignment of the teeth between the cover and the locking ring and the configuration of the projections and recesses on the combination rings and the locking ring. As best shown in FIG. 13, the combination rings 200 and 202 are provided with outwardly extending tabs 204 and 206 respectively to facilitate the manual turning of the combination rings. Numerical or other identifying indicia are provided on the locking ring 208.

As in the previous embodiment, an adapter 210 is provided for engagement with the neck of the bottle and such an adapter may be provided with threads, projections or the like which are complementary with the standard threads or projections on the neck of the bottle 212. As is shown in FIG. 14, the adapter is provided with a circumferential projection 214 similar to that provided in FIG. 8 but the adapter could also have a configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 1. As in the previous embodiment, a cover 216 is disposed in threaded engagement with the adapter. However, in the present embodiment, the cover 216 is provided with downwardly projecting saw tooth type projections 218 which are adapted to interfit with complementary saw tooth projections 220 formed on the locking ring 208. By disposing the saw tooth projections so that they extend axially relative to the bottle, the re-engagement of the projections 220 on the locking ring 208 with the projections 218 on the cover 216 is greatly facilitated As is the previous embodiments, the locking ring 208 is connected for axial movement relative to the adapter 210 by means of splines 222 which mesh with a considerable amount of play with the splines 224 on the adapter 210. The plan between the splines 22 on locking ring 298 and splines 224 on adapter ring 210 is shown as radial clearances C in FIG. 15 between the noted arrows. The provision of the clearances C allows meshing of the teeth 218 and 220 regardless of the circumferential position of the locking ring 298 relative to the cover 216.

As best shown in FIG. 16, the combination ring 200 has a pair of axially projecting lugs 226 and 228 formed on or secured to the upper surface thereof. These lugs are offset from being diametrically opposed by a small angle .gamma..sub.1. Similarly, a pair of axially projecting lugs 230 and 232 are formed on or secured to the upper surface of combination ring 202. Lugs 230 and 232 are offset from being diametrically opposed by a small angle .gamma..sub.2 comparable to but not necessarily equal to .gamma..sub.1.

The locking ring 208 is provided with two pairs of recesses. One pair of recesses 234, 236 are disposed at a radial position corresponding to the radial position of lugs 226 and 228. In addition, recesses 234 and 236 are offset from being diametrically opposed by the same small angle .gamma..sub.1 preventing lugs 226 and 228 from being diametrically opposed. Similarly, the other pair of recesses 238 and 240 are disposed at a radial position corresponding to the radial of lugs 230 and 232 and these recesses 238 and 240 are offset from being diametrically opposed by the same small angle .gamma..sub.2 preventing lugs 230 and 232 from being diametrically opposed. Also shown in FIG. 16, angle .gamma. defines the angular relationship between one pair of recesses relative to the other pair of recesses. In the specific example illustrated, angle .gamma. equals 90.degree. but could possibly assume any other value.

Upon further examination of FIG. 16 and in consideration of the geometrical relationships defined above, it now becomes apparent that a manipulation of combination ring 200 will bring lugs 226 and 228 into axial alignment with corresponding recesses 234 and 236 while a similar and simultaneous manipulation of combination ring 202 will bring lugs 230 and 232 into axial alignment with corresponding recesses 238 and 240. Since the lugs and recesses of each pair are offset by a small angle .gamma..sub.1 or .gamma..sub.2 it also becomes apparent that there exists only one arrangement of combination rings relative to the locking ring that will allow the simultaneous axial alignment of all the lugs with their corresponding recesses.

As seen in FIG. 17A, a biasing means which may be in the form of a coil spring 242 is located in an annular groove 244 formed jointly in combination rings 200 and 202. Each of the combination rings 200 and 202 has a stop projection 246 and 248, respectively, extending into the annular groove 244 to form an abutment against which the ends of the biasing means of spring 242 will bear. The length of the coil spring or biasing means 242 and the location of the stop projections 246 and 248 relative to the lugs on their respective combination rings are such that adjacent lugs such as 226 and 232 of combination rings 200 or 202, respectively, are normally separated by an angle .beta., when the coil spring biasing means is in the relaxed state. In other words the arrangement is such that angle .beta. is normally greater than .alpha. with the result that, while one pair of lugs might be brought accidentally in axial alignment with its corresponding pair of recesses the other pair of lugs is prevented from assuming similar alignment with its own pair of recesses due to the pressure of the spring.

Referring again to FIG. 16, slots 250 and 252 opening into the annular groove 244 are provided in each of the combination rings 200 and 202, respectively, for the insertion of the biasing spring 242. During initial assembly, the combination rings 200 and 202 are positioned so as to align the slots 250 and 252 with each other. The length of slots 250, 252 is such that spring 242 held in a compressed state can be inserted through the passage thus formed and into annular groove 244 where it recovers its extended shape. An alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17B shows the biasing means in the form of a piece of resilient material 242' such as a block of resilient rubber, plastic or the like.

As seen in FIG. 18A, the axially projecting lugs 226 and 232 or combination rings 200 and 202, respectively, are formed with a sloping surface, as are the corresponding recesses 234 and 238 formed in the locking ring 208. The sloping surfaces on the lugs 226 and 232 (and 228, 240 not shown in this Figure) and the corresponding recesses 234 and 238 (and 236, 240 not shown in this Figure) provide a camming action for automatically relocking the locking ring 298 to the cover 216 after the cover has been replaced on the bottle top.

Referring first to FIG. 18A, the upstanding lugs 226, 228, 230 and 232 are in contact with the bottom of the locking ring 208 to maintain the saw tooth projections 218 and 220 in engagement with each other. The outwardly extending tabs 204 and 206 are grasped and pressed toward each other in such manner that spring 242 becomes progressively compressed. Such manipulation can be facilitated by having one of the sides or faces of tabs 204 and 206 darkened as shown in FIG. 13 so as to easily identify which sides or faces have to be brought closer to each other. As tabs 204 and 206 are pressed toward each other, it can be seen in FIG. 18A that the distance between lugs 226 and 232 decreases or, referring to FIG. 16, the angle .alpha. beomes smaller and closer in value to angle .alpha..

As shown in FIG. 18B, when the index marks on the combination rings 200 and 202 have been aligned with the proper indicia on the locking ring 298, each of the axially projecting lugs on combination rings 200 and 202 will align with its respective recess formed in the locking ring 208 to allow the locking ring 208 to drop down and disengage the saw teeth 220 formed thereon from the saw teeth projections 218 on the cover 216, thereby allowing the cover 216 to be removed from the bottle 212.

In addition to the sloping surfaces which provide a camming action, the lugs and recesses are alsp provided with vertical mating surfaces. As shown in FIG. 18B when, subsequent to the unlocking of locking ring 208, manual pressure on tabs 204 and 206 is released, spring 242 tends to separate stop projection 246 from stop projection 248 and, in turn lug 226 from lug 232. The obvious result is that the locking ring 208 and the combination rings 200 and 202 are now locked to one another in their position of engagement by the pressure now exerted on opposite vertical surfaces in the recesses by the mating corresponding vertical surfaces of the lugs that engage them. It is also obvious that, with the parts assuming such a locked relationship, it is possible to invert the container without disturbing the arrangement which will subsequently permit the replacement of cover 216 on bottle 212 without interference from the locking ring.

After the cover 216 has been replaced on the adapter 210, the operator can further compress the coil spring preferably by moving one of the two outwardly extending tabs toward the other. Referring to FIGS. 13 and 18C, the operator may for instance decide to move tab 204 toward tab 206 which results in the movement of combination ring 200 in the direction of arrow F.sub.1. In turn, this causes the sloping surface on lug 226 (and on lug 228 not shown) to slide along the corresponding sloping surface of recess 234 (and sloping surface of recess 236 not shown) in such manner that locking ring 208 is cammed upwardly in the direction of a arrow F.sub.2 to engage the saw teeth projections 218 and 220. As such action takes place, it should be noted that lug 232 (and lug 230 not shown) is simultaneously removed from its correspondiing recess 238 (while lug 230 is removed from its rcess 240 not shown) while their respective vertical mating surfaces remain in contact. When the locking ring 208 has been raised a sufficient amount to cause the end of the lug 226 to become disengaged from the recess 234 and contact the bottom surface of the locking ring 208, the tip of lug 232 will also be brough level with the bottom surface of locking ring 208. Simultaneously spring 242, not restrained any longer, forces combination ring 202 to move in the direction of arrow F.sub.1. As there is abruptly no more resisting action to the manual pressure exerted on tabe 204, combination ring 200 also tends to move further in the direction of arrow F.sub.1. Thus, manual pressure applied, as described, to tab 204 results in the locking of locking ring 208 with cover 216, the scrambling of combination ring 202 and the scrambling of combination ring 200.

FIG. 19 illustrates the position assumed by the different parts of the device after the locking ring 208 has been released for engagement with cover 216 and as similarly shown in FIG. 18B. It further discloses the use of additional biasing means 254, preferably in the form of pieces of resilient material such as sponge robber, or the like, retained in recesses such as 256 formed in the circumferential projection 214 to bias the locking ring 208 in the unlocking direction when the proper combination has been registered by the combination rings 200 and 202 to allow easy removal of the cover 216.

A further embodiment of the subject invention for use with snap-on caps or covers is illustrated in FIG. 20. The cover 216' is of the "snap-on" type employing a radially inwardly extending circumferential lip 260 which snaps over and engages with a corresponding radially outwardly extending circumferential lip 262 formed on the circumferential projection 214' of the adapter 210'. The locking ring 208.degree. has an axially projecting flange 264 formed around the outer circumference thereof which closely contacts the outer surface of the side of the cover 216' when in the locked position to prevent the cap from being removed from the container.

In all of the embodiments it is possible to locate the lugs on the locking ring and the recesses on the combination ring. It is also possible to incorporate specific features of one embodiment in the other embodiments. For example, the biasing means in FIG. 14 and FIG. 19 could be used with all of the embodiments disclosed. The use of other fastening means for the cover such as a bayonet fastener or the like is also possible.

In all of the embodiments of the present invention, the general operation of the locking device is very similar. In order to remove the cover to obtain access to the contents of a container, it is necessary to move the combination rings to the correct position relative to each other and the locking ring. The projections on the combination rings would then be properly aligned with the recesses in the locking ring to allow the axial movement of the locking ring away from the cover toward the combination rings. Such a movement will unlock the cover to allow the same to bemanipulated for the removal of the cover.

The locking device according to the present invention also allows the container to be readily closed and relocked with a minimum amount of time and effort thereby encouraging the users of the bottle to take advangage of the locking ability of the cover. If the relocking procedure is too time consuming or intricate, people might be tempted to merely replace the screw cover without locking the same to the container. According to the present invention it is only necessary to move the locking ring upwardly toward the cover to bring the teeth on the locking ring into engagement with the teeth on the cover and to rotate the combination rings. In the embodiments of FIGS. 13-20, the upward movement of the locking ring also releases a spring to automatically scramble the combination. By using a large number of teeth on the locking ring and cover it is only necessary to rotate the cap or locking ring a small angular distance relative to each other to obtain the meshing of the teeth. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, 36 teeth are provided around the circumference of the locking ring and on the cover. Thus, it will only be necessary to rotate the cover amaximum of 5.degree. in order to obtain meshing of the teeth. The teeth may be beveled as in the embodiments of FIGS. 13-20 to assist their meshing engagement by movement in the axial direction relative to each other and the necessary play may be provided between the splines on the adapter and the locking ring. Once the teeth on the locking ring are in meshing engagement with the teeth on the cover, the projections on the combination rings will be out of engagement with the recesses on the locking rings. It is only necesary then to rotate the combination rings in a random manner to scramble the combination and prevent unauthorized opening of the cover.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with referenced to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container having cover means, complementary fastening means on said cover means and said container for securing said cover means to said container, locking ring means disposed on said container adjacent said cover means, spline means operatively connecting said locking ring means to said container for movement toward and away from said cover means, complementary locking means formed on said locking ring means and said cover means to prevent disengagement of said fastening means, combination ring means rotatably mounted on said container adjacent said locking ring means, complementary projection means and recess means disposed on the opposed surfaces of said combination ring means and said locking ring means whereby said projection means will hold said locking ring means in locking engagement with said cover means when said projection means are not disposed in alignment with said recess means and will allow movement of said locking ring means out of locking engagement with said cover means when said projection means are aligned with said recess means.

2. A container as set forth in claim 1 futher comprising adapter ring means having internal fastening means engaged with the fastening means on said container and external fastening means engaged with the fastening means on said cover means, said spline means being located on said locking ring means and said adapter ring means and said combination ring means being directly mounted for rotation on said adapter ring means.

3. A container as set forth in claim 1 further comprising means for holding said combination ring means against movement toward and away from said cover means while permitting rotation of said combination ring means relative to said locking ring means.

4. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said combination ring means is comprised of two annular rings, each of said rings having a pair of diametrically opposed lugs thereon extending toward said locking ring means, said locking ring means having two pair of recessed formed therein with each pair being located on a diameter of said locking ring means with said diameters being angularly offset from each other.

5. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said combination ring means includes at least two annular rings and biasing means for biasing said annular rings in opposite circumferential directions.

6. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said combination ring means is comprised of two annular rings, said projection means includes at least one lug on each of said annular rings extending toward said locking ring means, said recess means includes at least two recesses in said locking means for receiving said lugs, said recesses being angularly offset from each other by a predetermined angle, and biasing means operatively disposed between said annular rings for normally maintaining said lugs on said annular rings separated by an angle greater than the angle between said recesses in said locking ring means.

7. A container as set forth in claim 6 further comprising an outwardly directed tab connected to each of said annular rings, complementary groove means formed in said annular rings, said biasing means comprising an elongated resilient member disposed in said groove means, a stop member formed on each ring and extending into said groove means at opposite ends of said resilient member whereby upon moving said tabs toward each other and rotating said tabs simultaneously in the same circumferential direction, said lugs will be brought toward each other against the bias of the resilient member and will be brought into alignment with said recesses.

8. A container as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of said lugs is provided with a straight axially extending surface perpendicular to said rings and a sloping surface disposed at an acute angle relative to said straight surface with the sloping surface of the lugs on one ring facing in the opposite circumferential direction from the sloping surfaces of the lugs on the other ring and complementary sloping surfaces being provided in said recesses whereby the complementary sloping surfaces of said projection means and said recess means will provide a camming action to shift said locking ring means into locking engagement with the cover upon relative circumferential movement between at least one of said rings and said locking ring means.

9. A container as set forth in claim 1 further comprising resilient biasing means disposed between said container and said locking ring means to bias said locking ring means toward said combination ring means.

10. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fastening means is comprised of screw thread means and said locking means is comprised of interengaging teeth to prevent relative rotation of said cover and said container.

11. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fastening means is comprised of a circumferential ridge on said container and a circumferential ridge on said cover adapted to snap over the ridge on said container and said locking means is comprised of a circumferential upstanding flange on said locking ring means arranged to fit closely about said ridge on said cover to prevent flexure of said cover to disengage said ridges.

12. A closure device for a container comprising adapter ring means having an internal configuration compatible with the external configuration of a container to allow the adapter ring means to be secured thereon, cover means, fastening means for securing said cover means to said adapter ring means, locking ring means disposed on said adapter ring means adjacent said cover means, spline means operatively connecting said locking ring means to said adapter ring means for movement toward and away from said cover means, complementary locking means formed on said locking ring means and said cover means to prevent disengagement of said fastening means, combination ring means rotatably mounted on said adapter ring means adjacent said locking ring means, complementary projection means and recess means disposed on the opposed surfaces of said combination ring means and said locking ring means whereby said projection means will hold said locking ring means in locking engagement with said cover means when said projection means are not disposed in alignment with said recess means and will allow movement of said locking ring means out of engagement with said cover means when said projection means are aligned with said recess means.

13. A closure as set forth in claim 12 further comprising means for holding said combination ring means against movement toward and away from said cover means while permitting rotation of said combination ring means relative to said locking ring means.

14. A closure as set forth in claim 12 wherein said combination ring means is comprised of two annular rings, each of said rings having a pair of diametrically opposed lugs thereon extending toward said locking ring means, said locking ring means having two pair of recesses formed therein with each pair being located on a diameter of said locking ring means with said diameters being angularly offset from each other.

15. A closure as set forth in claim 12 wherein said combination ring means includes at least two annular rings and biasing means for biasing said annular rings in opposite circumferential directions.

16. A closure as set forth in claim 12 wherein said combination ring means is comprised of two annular rings, said projection means includes at least one lug on each of said annular rings extending toward said locking ring means, said recess means includes at least two recesses in said locking ring means for receiving said lugs, said recesses being angularly offset from each other by a predetermined angle, said biasing means operatively disposed between said annular rings for normally maintaining said lugs on said annular rings separated by an angle greater than the angle between said recesses in said locking ring means.

17. A closure as set forth in claim 16 further comprising an outwardy extending tab connected to each of said annular rings, complementary groove means formed in said annular ring, said biasing means comprising an elongated resilient member disposed in said groove means, a stop member formed on each ring and extending into said groove means at opposite ends of said resilient member whereby upon moving said tabs toward each other and rotating both tabs simultaneously in the same circumferential direction, said lugs will be brought toward each other against the bias of the resilient member and will be brought into alignment with said recesses.

18. A closure device as set forth in claim 16 wherein each of said lugs is provided with a straight axially extending surface perpendicular to said rings and a sloping surface disposed at an acute angle relative to said straight surface with the sloping surfaces of the lugs on one ring facing in the opposite circumferential direction from the sloping surfaces of the lugs on the other ring and complementary sloping surfaces being provided in said recesses whereby the complementary sloping surfaces on the projection means and the recess means will provide a camming action to shift said locking ring means into locking engagement upon relative circumferential movement between at least one of said rings and said locking ring means.

19. A closure device as set forth in claim 12 further comprising resilient biasing means disposed between said adapter ring means and said locking ring means to bias said locking ring means toward said combination ring means.

20. A container as set forth in claim 12 wherein said fastening means is comprised of screw thread means and said locking means is comprised of interengaging teeth to prevent relative rotation of said cover and said container.

21. A container as set forth in claim 12 wherein said fastening means is comprised of a circumferential ridge on said container and a circumferential ridge on said cover adapted to snap over the ridge on said container and said locking means is comprised of a circumferential upstanding flange on said locking ring means arranged to fit closely about said ridge on said cover to prevent flexure of said cover to disengage said ridges.