U.S. patent number 3,749,230 [Application Number 05/248,889] was granted by the patent office on 1973-07-31 for child-proof pill box.
Invention is credited to John A. Foster.
United States Patent |
3,749,230 |
Foster |
July 31, 1973 |
CHILD-PROOF PILL BOX
Abstract
A child-proof container for aspirin tablets and the like
comprises a flanged body of resilient plastic and a sheet metal
cover hinged thereon and having a hook positively interlocking with
a ledge on a flange of the body as the cover is swung closed. By
squeezing the assembly edgewise with a pressure greater than a
small child can exert, the plastic body is deflected enough to
release the ledge from the hook and allow the cover to be opened by
the user's other hand while the squeezing pressure is
maintained.
Inventors: |
Foster; John A. (Rockford,
IL) |
Family
ID: |
22941123 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/248,889 |
Filed: |
May 1, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/1.5;
220/283 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
43/164 (20130101); B65D 50/045 (20130101); B65D
2251/1041 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
43/16 (20060101); B65D 50/00 (20060101); B65D
50/04 (20060101); A45c 013/10 (); B65d
083/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/1.5,42 ;215/9
;220/31S,43P,6R ;229/44R,44M,45 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Rothberg; Samuel B.
Assistant Examiner: Lipman; Steven E.
Claims
I claim:
1. A child-proof container for pills and the like having, in
combination, a body composed of resilient plastic and having a
generally flat bottom and an upstanding peripheral flange with
opposite generally parallel sides, a cover composed of rigid
material having a depending flange adapted to partially telescope
down over and around the upper portion of said body flange to a
limit closing position, a hinge joining said body and cover along
adjacent sides of said flanges for swinging of the cover to and
away from said closed position, formations on the opposite free
sides of said body and cover flanges interengaging as the cover
reaches said closed position and acting positively to latch the
cover against reverse swinging, and a second flange integral with
the free side of the body flange and spaced outwardly from said
free side of the cover flange, the parts of said plastic body being
sufficiently yieldable and deflectable in response to oppositely
directed forces of predetermined magnitude exerted on said hinge
and said second flange of the closed assembly to deflect the latter
edgewise, shift said formations edgewise relative to each other,
and disengage the two enough to release said cover for upward
swinging to open the assembly.
2. A child-proof container as defined in claim 1 in which said
hinge and said second flanges of said body are bendable toward each
other in response to edgewise squeezing of said closed
assembly.
3. A child-proof container as defined in claim 2 in which said
hinge and said second flange are joined to opposite sides of said
body flange between the upper and lower edges thereof.
4. A child-proof container as defined in claim 1 in which said
rigid cover is composed of metal and said body is a single piece
molding of resilient plastic.
5. A container as defined in claim 1 in which said cover is
composed of metal and said latching formation on the free edge
flange thereof is a narrow portion of such flange bent inwardly and
toward the top of the cover to form a hook coacting with a
generally horizontal ledge on the opposed side wall of the body
flange.
6. A container as defined in claim 5 in which said hook extends
along the central edge portion of the free side of the cover flange
and is substantially shorter than the length of such side so that
said ledge may be released from the hook by inward bowing of the
central part of the free side of the body flange.
7. A container as defined in claim 4 in which the bent portion of
said cover flange forms a substantially acute included angle with
the flange.
8. A container as defined in claim 1 in which the pintle of said
hinge is an integral part of the flange of said plastic body.
9. A container as defined in claim 1 including a formation
projecting outwardy and edgewise from the exposed top of said cover
to facilitate upward swinging of the cover by one hand of the user
while said required edgewise squeezing force is being exerted by
the user's other hand to hold said latch released.
10. A container as defined in claim 1 in which said second flange
is extended around the adjacent ends of the box so as to cover the
peripheral line of abutment between the edges of said body and
cover flange in said closed position of the cover.
11. A container as defined in claim 1 in which said hinge includes
a pintle integral at opposite ends with and spaced outwardly from
said body flange and a portion of said cover flange curled around
said pintle, said hinge being substantially shorter than said body
and operable during said edgewise squeezing to bow the cover flange
inwardly.
12. A container as defined in claim 11 including between said hinge
curl and said pintle a small clearance which allows for some
edgewise shifting of said cover and inward bowing of the body
flange during said edgewise squeezing of the closed assembly.
13. A container as defined in claim 5 in which upright nibs molded
integral with the hinge side of said body flange beyond opposite
ends of said hinge extend across the upper portion thereof and
reinforce the flange whereby to assist in holding said ledge in
engagement with the edge of said hook in the closed position of
said cover.
14. A container as defined in claim 13 in which said nibs taper
downwardly so as not to engage the lower edge of the cover flange
and interfere with upward swinging of the cover.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a box for aspirin tablets or the like
comprising a shallow generally rectangular and flanged body and a
flanged cover hinged to one side flange of and adapted to telescope
with the body flange as the cover is swung to closed position in
which it is held releasably by the interengagement of formations on
the box and cover flanges at the free edge of the latter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The general object of the present invention is to render a pill box
of the above character child-proof, as contemplated by existing
Federal regulations, by providing for positive latching of the
cover against opening in the normal way even by an adult while
providing for release of the latch and opening of the cover by a
combination of forces capable of being applied by separate hands of
a normal adult but greater than a small child is able to exert.
This objective is achieved by making one of the parts of rigid
construction and the other of material such as resilient plastic
adapted to yield and be deflected sufficiently under edgewise
squeezing pressure of predetermined magnitude to release a hook
type latch which acts positively in holding the cover closed. While
the squeezing pressure, beyond the strength capabilities of a small
child, is being exerted by one hand of the adult user to hold the
latch released, the cover may be lifted by the user's other hand
and swung upwardly to open the box.
The invention also resides in the novel construction of the cover
latch and the flanges of the plastic body to provide for the
deflection required for releasing the cover only while edgewise
pressure of the proper magnitude is being applied.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying the present
invention and illustrating the manner of applying the combination
of forces required for opening the container.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the open container.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are plan views of the inside and outside of the
container after opening thereof.
FIGS. 5 and 6 are double size sections taken along the lines 5--5
and 6--6 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is an enlargement of a part of FIG. 5.
FIGS. 8 and 9 are elevational views of the front and rear edges of
the closed container.
FIG. 10 is a plan top view of the open container body while
deflected by edgewise squeezing, the deflection being shown on an
exaggerated scale.
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-section taken along the line 11--11
of FIG. 10 while the closed container is being squeezed edgewise as
illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 but
showing a modified construction.
FIG. 14 is a section taken along the line 14--14 of FIG. 12.
FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the line
15--15 of FIG. 12.
FIG. 16 is a section taken along the line 16--16 of FIG. 13.
FIG. 17 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 17--17 of
FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the drawings, the invention is shown for purposes of
illustration incorporated in a shallow and generally rectangular
container of the type commonly used for aspirin tablets and the
like and comprising a rectangular body 10 having a flat bottom 11
and an upstanding peripheral flange 12 and a cover 13 having a
generally flat top 14 and a depending peripheral flange 15 joined
along one side to the body flange by a hinge 16 and adapted to
telescope down over and around the upper portion of the body flange
to form a closed assembly as shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6.
In accordance with the present invention, the body 10 and the cover
13 incorporate numerous novel features which coact in unique ways
to render the closed assembly "child-proof" in the sense
contemplated by Federal regulations, that is to say, virtually all
small children, for example four years old, are not capable of
reading and understanding instructions marked for adults on
containers and do not possess the strength or dexterity required
for opening of the container. On the other hand, a normal adult is
capable by using both hands to apply the combination of forces
needed to open the container.
Among these features is the making of the cover 13 of rigid
construction, preferably of sheet metal and the body 10 as a single
piece molding of resilient plastic material such as polypropylene
which is capable of being compressed and deflected by edgewise
squeezing of the closed assembly.
Secondly, provision is made for holding the cover closed positively
so that it cannot be swung open in the normal way even by an adult.
For this purpose, a narrow and preferably flat length 17 of the
flange 15 at the free edge of the cover is bent inwardly and
somewhat reversely so as to form a latch in the form of a hook 18
having an acute included internal angle. The hook is considerably
shorter than the free side of the cover flange 15 and extends along
the central portion thereof. The free edge 19 of the hook is
located so that, in the final closing of the cover, the hook
engages a ledge 21 formed by the upper surface of a shallow rib 20
extending along the outer surface of the body flange 12 near the
upper edge thereof. As the hook moves across the rib 20, the body
flange is cammed inwardly until the hook edge passes. The rib then
snaps inwardly beneath the edge 19 of the hook (FIGS. 5 and 7) as
the cover reaches fully closed position. This position is
determined herein by engagement of the rounded end of the hook with
a peripheral web 30 extending around the flange 12 between opposite
ends of the hinge 16 and disposed parallel to the bottom 11 about
midway between the upper and lower edges of the flange 12. To
facilitate molding, the ledge 21 is inclined upwardly somewhat from
the bottom 11 of the body as shown in FIG. 7. Preferably, a shallow
rib 22 is formed along the inner surface of the body flange 12 on
the inner side thereof opposite the ledge 21 to strengthen this
portion of the flange.
Release of the latch hook 18 to permit upward swinging of the cover
is effected in accordance with the present invention by exerting,
on opposite edges of the closed assembly in the manner illustrated
in FIG. 1, forces indicated by the arrows c and d in FIG. 10 and of
sufficient magnitude to deflect the plastic body edgewise and move
the ledge 21 inwardly beyond the free edge 19 of the hook.
Preferably, such deflection is achieved by inward bending of
opposite sides of the body flange 12 as illustrated in FIG. 10 in
response to edgewise squeezing of the closed assembly between the
face of the thumb 32 and the forefinger 33 of one of the user's
hands, the force c being applied to the hinge 16 preferably near
the center thereof while the force d is applied to an auxiliary
flange 34 spaced outwardly from and connected through the web 30
with the free edge side of the flange 15. When the hook 18 is of
substantially uniform width throughout its length (FIGS. 1 to 10),
the force d is preferably exerted on the flange 34 at a point
spaced from the center of this flange. To guide the adult user,
areas 16.sup.b and 34.sup.b of colors contrasting with that of the
cover 13 may be printed on the cover and its flange 15 to indicate
the lines along which the forces c and d are to be applied to the
closed assembly in order to insure consistent release of the
cover.
To facilitate the desired inward bowing of the flange 12 on the
hinge side of the body, the hinge 16 includes a pintle 23 integral
with and spaced outwardly from the body flange 12 and spaced
somewhat above the bottom 11 of the body. Opposite ends of the
pintle are integral with outwardly projecting lugs 24 on the body
flange. To complete the hinge, an edge portion 25 of the cover
flange 15 is inserted between the body flange and the plastic
pintle 23 and rolled around the latter in the final assembly
operation. The hinge curl 25 is held in centered position by
arcuate ribs 26 which are integral with the lugs 24 and extend
partially around the hinge axis. The length of the hinge is
substantially less than the body 10 and a small radial clearance
indicated at a in FIG. 10 is provided between the curl and the
pintle. It will be observed that the hinge is disposed between
upper and lower edges of the body flange 12 so as to allow for
inward bending of the latter by the force c.
The ledge 21 on the opposite or free side of the body flange 12 is
also disposed well above the bottom 11 of the body (See FIGS. 7 and
11) so that by bowing this side of the flange inwardly relative to
the bottom 11 as illustrated on an exaggerated scale in FIG. 10,
the central portion of the ledge engaging the hook 18 will be moved
inwardly from the edge 19 of the hook and beyond the latter as
shown in FIG. 11 and out of engagement with the full length of hook
thus releasing the cover for upward swinging. For this purpose, the
web 30 is spaced above the bottom 11 of the body and is joined to
the auxiliary flange 34 intermediate the upper and lower edges of
the latter. Thus, under the force d applied to the flange 34, the
central portion of the flange 12 will be bent inwardly relative to
the bottom 11 and about the rounded junction between the latter and
the flange 12. As a result, the full length of the flange 12 will
be bowed inwardly far enough to move the ledge 21 beyond the hook
edge 19 over the full length of the latter. To facilitate the
desired inward bowing of flange 12, the lower edge portion 34a of
the axiliary flange 34 is reinforced by crosspieces 36 (FIGS. 4 and
11) integrally joining the two flanges at spaced points along their
lengths.
To insure holding of the ledge 21 securely in engagement with the
hook 18 while permitting inward bowing under the edgewise
squeezing, the hinge side of the body flange 12 is stiffened by the
molding on the outer side thereof of two upright nibs 37 (FIGS. 3
and 17) extending partially across the flange 12 starting near the
upper edge thereof. These ribs stiffen the upper edge portion of
the flange on the side of the body opposite the ledge 21 and assist
in holding the ledge securely in engagement with the hook while the
cover is in closed position. Preferably, each nib tapers downwardly
as shown in FIG. 17 so as not to engage the edge 15a of the flange
15 and block the swinging of the cover to fully closed
position.
The rigidity of the cover 13, resiliency of the plastic of the body
10, the thickness of the flange 12, the spacing of the web 34 above
the bottom 11 of the body, and the required inward bowing of the
flange for releasing the hook 18 are correlated with each other so
that the magnitude of the edgewise squeezing required to be exerted
on the hinge 16 and the auxiliary flange 34 as illustrated in FIGS.
1 and 10 for disengaging the ledge 21 from the edge 19 of the hook
18 is capable of being applied by a normal adult but is greater
than the expected strength capability and dexterity of a four year
old child. Under the required squeezing pressure, the clearance a
in the hinge is taken up, the pintle 16 and its supportig flange
are shifted inwardly and the flange 12 at the free edge of the body
are shaped and bowed inwardly approximately as shown in FIG. 10
with the result that the ledge 21 is moved inwardly relative to the
cover hook 18 beyond the edge 19 of the latter over the full length
thereof. Upward swinging of the cover thus released from the body
may be effected by upward pressure exerted by a digit 42 of the
other hand of the user on one or both of two tabs 41 formed on and
projecting outwardly from the cover preferably near the corners and
the top thereof. Indicia 41a on the top of the cover indicate the
location of the tabs 41.
The closed position of the cover is limited as shown in FIG. 6 by
abutment of the hook end 38 (FIG. 7) and the edge 15a of the flange
15 with a flange 43 which is a continuation of the web 30 and
extends around the ends of the body 10 (FIGS 2, 6 and 9). If
desired, access to the abutment joint between the cover edge 15a
and the web 30 and the flange 43 may be prevented by a flange 39 of
lesser depth than the auxiliary flange 34 and integral with the
outer edge of the abutment flange 42 all around the ends of the
body as shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 9.
In some containers, the protective flange 39 and the lift tabs 41
may be omitted in order to reduce the overall size of the container
and simplify its manufacture. Such a modification is shown in FIGS.
12 to 16 in which the parts corresponding to those above described
are indicated by the same reference numerals. In this modification,
the bottom 11 of the sheet metal cover 13 is domed somewhat as
shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 and the edge flange 39 above described is
omitted leaving the abutment joint between the body flange 43 and
the cover edge 15a exposed around the ends of the closed
assembly.
Release of the cover hook 18 in response to edgewise squeezing of
the closed assembly may be achieved by applying the force d near
the center of the flange 34 and closed assembly as illustrated in
FIG. 12. To insure consistency of the release, it is desirable to
make the central portion 19a of the cover flange 17 defining the
hook 18 somewhat narrower, usually on the order of 0.010 of an
inch, as illustrated on an exaggerated scale in FIG. 16. By thus
changing the shape of the hook edge 19, the primary engagement
between the ledge and the hook is at and near the ends of the edge
19 so that the inward bowing of the flange 12 in response to the
force d when applied near the center of the flange 34 effectually
disengages the ledge from the hook thus releasing the cover in the
desired way.
It will be apparent from the foreoging foregoing the container
contemplated by the present invention is child-proof as defined
above in that the cover is held positively against opening in the
normal way either by an adult or a child, that access to the
container contents cannot be gained by the application of any
combinations of the forces within the strength capabilities and
expected dexterity of a four year old child but, by edgewise
squeezing of the closed container with sufficient force and by one
hand, a normal adult may release the cover and, while continuing
the edgewise squeezing, swing the cover open using his other
hand.
* * * * *