U.S. patent number 3,830,394 [Application Number 05/324,258] was granted by the patent office on 1974-08-20 for locking device for containers.
Invention is credited to Pierre J. Lestaevel.
United States Patent |
3,830,394 |
Lestaevel |
August 20, 1974 |
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.
Inventors: |
Lestaevel; Pierre J.
(Washington, DC) |
Family
ID: |
26930236 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/324,258 |
Filed: |
January 17, 1973 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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236933 |
Mar 22, 1972 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
215/206; 215/220;
70/232; 215/225 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
55/145 (20130101); Y10T 70/5867 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
55/02 (20060101); B65D 55/14 (20060101); B65d
055/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;215/9,98 ;70/232 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hall; George T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn &
Macpeak
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.
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.
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.
* * * * *