GB2034289A

GB2034289A - Improvements Relating to Screw-capped Containers

Info

Publication number: GB2034289A
Application number: GB7939356A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Ryford Ltd
Current assignee: Ryford Ltd
Priority date: 1978-11-18
Filing date: 1979-11-14
Publication date: 1980-06-04

Abstract

To reduce inadvertent or unauthorized opening of a container, a cap is provided at least with a left hand screw-threaded portion adapted to be inter-engaged with a complementary screw-threaded portion on the neck of the container. Preferably in addition the cap (22) comprises a second, axially-spaced screw-threaded portion (15) adapted to be inter-engaged with a complementary formation (21) on the neck (18) of the container, the further screw-threaded portion being either left or right hand threaded. Alternatively, two axially separated, screw-threaded formations which are right-handed may be utilised. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements Relating to Screw-capped Containers This invention is concerned with containers of the kind (hereinafter referred to as being of the kind specified) comprising a hollow body having an integral neck, the neck being provided with an exterior threaded formation, and a closure member which may be screwed onto the neck to close the container. The invention is initially concerned with containers of the kind specified, known as "squeeze to use tubes", which may (as in the case of toothpaste tubes) be collapsible, or (as in the case of certain cosmetic liquids) be resiliently deformable. It will however be appreciated that, in its broader context, the invention may be applied to screw-capped containers, as are used to contain drugs in pellet form.

Containers of the kind specified as are at present available, invariably comprise a closure member having a right-handed thread: that is, looking down onto the cap, release of the cap is effected by anti-clockwise movement thereof relative to the nozzle or neck.

Certain squeeze to use tubes are utilised to contain and dispense hazardous compounds, for example, very fast setting adhesive of the kind commonly known as "super glue".

A problem has been encountered by such compounds being dispensed inadvertently, with unfortunate consequences. For example, a common place to use tubes of super glue is in a garage, where lighting conditions are often poor.

There is therefore a possibility that a person working in a garage, requiring to dispense from a squeeze to use tube a non-hazardous compound, may inadvertently pick up a tube containing hazardous compound, and dispense the hazardous compound inadvertently.

An additional problem is where containers are used to contain hazardous compounds, for example dangerous drugs. Suggestions have been made to incorporate in the neck of the container and in the closure member, locking mechanism which must be operated manually to effect release. However, such containers are expensive, and it has been found that the degree of complexity needed to prevent a child opening the container approaches a level where elderly or infirm people find opening difficult.

It is to be appreciated therefore that it is not the primary object of this invention to provide a container comprising a child-proof closure member: rather, it is an object of this invention to provide a container, the closure member of which is not of conventional operation. Such a container may be manufactured inexpensively, and provides immediate tactile indication that the container holds a hazardous compound.

According to this invention there is provided a container for a hazardous compound, the neck and closure member of which are provided with complimentary left-handed screw-threaded formations.

The term hazardous compound includes both fluid compounds (such as super glue) and solid compounds, such as dangerous drugs in pellet form.

By the use of the invention, when a user picks up the tube for use, the very fact that it comprises a left-hand thread closure member will alert him to the fact that the container contains a hazardous compound, and there is thus little likelihood of the user (for example) dispensing a hazardous compound inadvertently.

Additionally, the invention provides a degree of protection against unauthorised opening of the container by children, who having been familiar only with right-hand screw-threaded caps (e.g.

tubes of toothpaste) will not immediately appreciate the correct means for undoing the cap for application of the composition contained therein, or for sampling the substance contained in the container.

The invention may incorporate additional means to render access to the container by a child more difficult.

Thus, advantageously the neck and/or the closure member may be provided with second complimentary formations which are advantageously arranged so that relative axial movement between the neck and the closure member must be effected between the first and second screw-threaded formations being screwed up unscrewed.

The second screw-threaded formation may be of the same hand as the first screw-threaded formation (viz., left-hand) or may be of opposite hand.

This invention also provides a container comprising a hollow body, a hollow neck extending from the body and a closure member, wherein one of the neck and the closure member is provided with two, axially separated, screwthreaded formations, and the other of the neck and the closure member is provided with a single inter-engaging formation adapted to be received in screw-threaded engagement with both the first said screw-threaded formations successively.

Where the inter-engaging formation on the other of the neck and the closure member is provided by a continuous helix, the two, axially separated, screw-threaded formations on the one of the neck and the closure member will be of the same hand.

Alternatively however, the inter-engaging formation on the said other of the neck and closure member may be provided by a pair of diametrically opposed protrusions which are spaced apart axially by the pitch, or an integral multiple of the pitch, of the screw-threaded formations on the one of the neck and the closure member. Thus, the screw-threaded formations on the one of the neck and the closure member may be of opposite hand, and the opposed protrusions may be engageable in sequence with both these screw-threaded formations.In such a construction, on rotation of the closure member in one direction, the protrusions will enter into screw-threaded engagement with the first of said screw-threaded formations,-and when the closure member is subsequently rotated in the opposite direction, said protrusions will enter into screwthreaded engagement with the second of the screw-threaded formations.

The invention will more readily be understood from the following description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of three embodiments of this invention which have been selected to illustrate the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings:- Figure 1 shows a container of the kind specified, specifically a collapsible "squeeze to use" tube; Figures 2 and 3 are views of the second embodiment specifically a collapsible "squeeze to use" tube; and Figure 4 shows the third embodiment of the invention, specifically a glass bottle.

The first embodiment of this invention is specifically a collapsible container for "super glue" comprising a collapsible hollow body 6 having a neck or nozzle 8, which is provided with an exterior screw-threaded helix 10, which is lefthanded. The nozzle 8 comprises an extension 9, affording an applicator for the contents of the container.

The container comprises a closure member afforded by a screw cap 12, provided with an interior screw-threaded formation 14 which is complimentary to the screw-threaded formation 10.

The container shown in Figure 1 may be closed by placing the screw cap 12 over the nozzle 8, and rotating the screw cap in an anti-clockwise direction until an interior seal 1 6 of the screw cap seats on the opening of the applicator.

By use of the invention as shown in Figure 1, when a user picks up the tube for use, the very fact that it comprises a left-hand thread cap will allert him to the fact that the tube contains a hazardous compound, and there is thus little likelihood of the user dispensing the hazardous compound inadvertently.

Additionally, the construction illustrated in Figure 1 provides a degree of protection against unauthorised use by children, who having been familiar only with right-hand screw-threaded caps will not immediately appreciate the correct means for undoing the cap for application of the composition contained in the tube.

In the construction illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the neck 1 8 of the container is provided, in addition to a first screw-threaded formation 20 which is right-handed, with a second screwthreaded formation 21 which is left-handed, which is spaced axially from the first screwthreaded formation. Similarly, the screw cap 22 is provided with a first, interior screw-threaded formation 14, which is right-handed, and a second interior screw-threaded formation 1 5 which is left-handed.

In unscrewing the cap 21, from the position shown in Figure 3, the cap is first turned in an anti-clockwise direction. When the screwthreaded formation 14 leaves the screw-threaded formation 20, the cap is moved axially away from the body 16, allowing the second screw-threaded formation 1 5 of the cap to be engaged with the second screw-threaded formation 21 of the neck.

The cap is now turned in a clockwise direction to complete removal of the cap from the neck.

In the construction illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the body 16 and the cap 22 are moulded of plastics material; to provide an airtight seal between the cap and the neck, to avoid leakage of the constituents of the container should the body be placed under compression, the cap 22 is provided with an insert 22a, of somewhat less rigid plastics material, to provide a snug seating with the lid of the neck 1 8, as is shown in Figure 3.

It will be appreciated that, as distinct from the two screw-threaded portions on the neck and cap being of opposite hands, they may if desired be of similar (e.g. left) hands.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the container comprises a body 26, formed by glass blowing, and which is provided on its neck 28 with two axially separated screw-threaded formations 30 and 31, which are of right-hand.

The screw cap 32 of the container, which is of moulded plastics material, is provided with a single interior screw-threaded formation 34, which is likewise right-handed.

Thus, the male thread on the neck of the body is merely interrupted to provide a gap in which the cap will rotate without moving axially. To remove the cap, it must first be unscrewed from the threaded portion 30, and then pulled towards the screw-threaded portion 31, to pass through engagement therewith.

As with the second embodiment, the cap 32 comprises a central portion 32a which is of less rigid plastics material, to effect and airtight seal with the neck 28 of the container.

As an alternative to the construction illustrated in Figure 4, all three screw-threaded portions 30, 31 and 34 may be left-handed.

As a second alternative to the construction illustrated in Figure 4, in place of the screwthreaded formation 34, the cap 32 may be provided on its interior with two diametrically spaced protrusions, which are spaced apart in an axial direction a distance equal to the pitch of the threads 30 and 31, or an integral multiple thereof.

With such a construction, the screw-threaded portions 30 and 31 may be of opposite hand. On screwing the cap 32 onto the neck 28, the lowermost of said protrusions will iead through both the screw-threaded formations 30 and 31, albeit the cap will be rotated in opposite directions.

Claims

1. A container for a hazardous compound, the neck and closure member of which are provided with complimentary left-handed screw-threaded formations.

2. A container according to Claim 1 wherein both the neck and the closure member are provided with second screw-threaded formations requiring further turning of the closure member to effect screwing up or unscrewing of the closure member.

3. A container according to Claim 2 wherein the first said and the second screw-threaded formations on the neck are separated axially, requiring axial relative movement between the neck and the closure member between respective engagement of first and second screw-threaded formations.

4. A container according to one of Claims 2 and 3 wherein the second screw-threaded formation is of the same hand as the first said screw-threaded formation.

5. A container according to one of Claims 2 and 3 wherein the second screw-threaded formation is of opposite hand to the first said screw-threaded formation.

6. A container according to Claim 1 wherein only the neck is provided with a second screwthreaded formation which is spaced axially from the said first said screw threaded formation, whereby axial relative movement between the neck and the closure member is required between engagement of the screw-threaded formation of the closure member with the first and second screw-threaded formations of the neck.

7. A container according to Claim 1 wherein only the closure member is provided with a second screw-threaded formation which is spaced axially from the first said screw-threaded formation thereof, whereby axial relative movement between the closure member and the neck is required between engagement of the screw-threaded formation of the neck with the first and second screw-threaded formations of the closure member.

8. A container comprising a hollow body, a hollow neck extending from the body and a closure member, wherein one of the neck and the closure member is provided with two, axially separated, screw-threaded formations, and the other of the neck and the closure member is provided with a single inter-engaging formation to be received in screw-threaded engagement with both the first screw-threaded formations successively.

9. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said inter-engaging formation is provided by two diametric projections, which are spaced apart axially a distance equal to the pitch of, or an integral multiple of the pitch of, the screw-threaded formation with which it is to co-operate.

10. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the closure member of the container is moulded from plastics material, and comprises a portion of semi-rigid material adapted to seat against the neck under compression to seal the neck.

11. A container according to any one of the preceding claims being a "squeeze to use" tube.

12. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, for use in the dispensing of -"super glue".

1 3. A container of the kind specified, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to (a) of Figure 1, (b) to Figures 2 and 3, or (c) to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.