WO2000032491A1 - Child resistant closure and container - Google Patents

Child resistant closure and container Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000032491A1
WO2000032491A1 PCT/US1999/028262 US9928262W WO0032491A1 WO 2000032491 A1 WO2000032491 A1 WO 2000032491A1 US 9928262 W US9928262 W US 9928262W WO 0032491 A1 WO0032491 A1 WO 0032491A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
lug
neck
container
retention formation
hinge
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/028262
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Nicholas Charles Farside
Original Assignee
Kerr Group, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kerr Group, Inc. filed Critical Kerr Group, Inc.
Priority to AU17477/00A priority Critical patent/AU1747700A/en
Publication of WO2000032491A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000032491A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D50/00—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures
    • B65D50/02—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions
    • B65D50/06—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions requiring the combination of different actions in succession
    • B65D50/061—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions requiring the combination of different actions in succession being disengageable from container only after rotational alignment of closure, or other means inhibiting removal of closure, with container, e.g. tortuous path type

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to child resistant closures and containers, and in particular to closures and containers having a child resistant mode and a non- child resistant mode.
  • Container closures often include some sort of child resistant mechanism to minimize the chance of access by children.
  • the child resistant mechanism requires manipulation of the closure by the user in a certain way before the closure can be rotated off the container. This manipulation may include, for example, axial depression of the closure or squeezing of the closure before or during rotation of the closure.
  • Child resistant closures or containers are often difficult to open, especially for elderly persons or those suffering from debilitating conditions such as arthritis. For these individuals, child resistant closures that are simple to open or require relatively small forces are particularly beneficial. In addition, it is often unnecessary for child resistant features to be present in certain households, and closures or containers in which the child resistant mechanisms are permanently present and active create an unnecessary barrier to the user.
  • a container according to the present invention includes a neck having an external thread and a lug.
  • the lug may be connected to the neck via a hinge, with the hinge biasing the lug away from the neck.
  • a retention formation may be disposed on the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position remote from the neck.
  • Figure 1 is a side partial cross -sectional view of an exemplary child resistant closure and container according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the child resistant container of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a side view of an exemplary child resistant container according to the present invention in an exemplary molded configuration.
  • Figure 4 is a top view of the container of Figure 3 taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3.
  • Figure 5 is a side view of another exemplary child resistant container according to the present invention.
  • Figure 6 is a side view of another exemplary child resistant container according to the present invention.
  • Figure 7 is a side view of an exemplary lug according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary closure and container according to the present invention.
  • a closure 10 includes at least one abutment 19 on the inner surface of skirt 13. Abutment 19 cooperates with lug 31 on container 20 to restrict rotation of closure 10 to thereby retain closure 10 on container 20.
  • lug 31 is retained in a locking position, in which lug 31 engages abutment 19, by at least one vertical member 41a.
  • Lug 31 may be biased to the locking position by hinge 37, but may be depressed by the user to a releasing position, in which abutment 19 clears lug 31.
  • closure 10 may be freely rotated off container 20.
  • closure 10 preferably includes a top wall 11 and skirt 13.
  • Top wall 11 may be circular in shape, and skirt 13 may be annular in shape, depending from the outer edge of top wall 11.
  • top wall 11 may be formed in any suitable shape, and skirt 13 may depend from any suitable portion of top wall 1 1, as desired.
  • An internal thread 15 may be provided on an inner surface of skirt 13, and if desired multiple threads (not shown) may be provided.
  • the inner surface of skirt 13 also includes at least on abutment 19, which is preferably disposed at a bottom edge 17 of skirt 13.
  • closure 1 1 includes a series of abutments 19, arranged in a band around bottom edge 17 of skirt 13.
  • each abutment 19 is in the form of a sawtooth disposed on the inner surface of skirt 13, either projecting from skirt 13 or formed as a depression in skirt 13 (or a combination thereof).
  • a plurality of abutments 19 formed as sawtooth projections extend, for example, around the inner surface of bottom edge 17.
  • Container 20 includes a neck 21 surrounding an opening 23 (shown in Figure 2).
  • neck 21 is annular and includes an external thread 25 that cooperates with internal thread 15 of closure 10 to retain closure 10 on container 20
  • Lug 31 is connected to container 20 at a point below external thread
  • lug 31 includes a lug body 33 and a lug tooth 35.
  • Lug body 33 may be substantially L-shaped, extending upwardly and inwardly (when in the orientation illustrated in Figure 1). Lug tooth 35 may then extend upward from the upward and inward tip of lug body 33.
  • This exemplary configuration of lug 31 allows easy depression by the user (described further below), but any suitable configuration of lug 31 may be employed.
  • Lug tooth 35 may be formed to include a camming surface 36, if desired. This camming surface 36 allows application of closure 10 to container 20 without manual depression of lug 31 by the user, as described below.
  • Lug 31 is connected to neck 21 via a hinge 37.
  • Any suitable hinge may be employed, but preferably hinge 31 should bias lug 31 to a position away from neck 21, meaning hinge 31 biases lug 31 counter-clockwise in Figure 1, for example towards the position shown in dashed lines in Figure 1.
  • hinge 37 may include a hinge base 38, which may maintain the lower end of lug 31 at a small distance from neck 21, and hinge detent surface 40, which may cooperate with a lug detent surface 40 to bias lug 31 away from neck 21.
  • hinge 37 may include a frangible line 39, which may connect hinge 37 to lug 31.
  • Frangible line 39 may be any suitable type of frangible connection formed in any suitable manner, for example small bridges integrally formed with hinge 37 or a thin line of material formed by scoring.
  • frangible line 39 is a thin line of material integrally formed with hinge 37.
  • Lug 31 is separable from hinge 37 along frangible line 39. It should be understood that the action of the lug, in cooperation with other elements of a container 20 and closure 10 of the present invention, provides the child resistant features. In some households, the child resistant feature may be unnecessary or even detrimental to use. In this case, lug 31 may be separated entirely from hinge 37 by tearing or separating along frangible line 39, permanently eliminating the child resistant feature if desired.
  • neck 21 may include a notch 51 below lug 31, as shown in Figure 5.
  • Lug 31 may then be rotated to a "downward position," in which lug 31 is facing substantially downward, and secured in notch 51.
  • at least one lower locking member 53 may be provided in the vicinity of lug 31, for example connected to at least one of vertical members 41a, 41b. Lower locking member 53 is shaped to engage lug 31 and retain lug 31 in the downward position, out of the way of the user.
  • a retention formation may be provided on neck 21.
  • at least one vertical member 41a may be provided on neck 21 in the vicinity of lug 31.
  • two vertical members 41a, 41b are provided on opposite sides of lug 31.
  • the exemplary vertical members 41a, 41b are formed integrally with hinge 37, but any suitable number of vertical members and any suitable positioning of those members may be employed.
  • Vertical members 41a, 41b preferably include vertically-extending side walls 43a, 43b, respectively, which may protect lug 31 and provide lateral stability to lug 31.
  • Vertical members 41a, 41b also may include flanges 45a, 45b connected to side walls 43a, 43b. Flanges 45a, 45b may retain lug 31 in the substantially vertical position illustrated in solid lines in Figures 1 and 2.
  • flexible tabs 47a, 47b may be provided on lug 31 to engage flanges 45a, 45b.
  • Flexible tabs 47a, 47b are preferably ramped on an inner face, allowing easy rotation of lug 31 into a position within vertical members 41a, 41b (as described below).
  • An inner face 46a, 46b of each flange 45a, 45b may likewise be constructed at an angle to facilitate rotation of lug 31 into its substantially vertical position within vertical members 41a, 41b.
  • These ramped surfaces 46a, 46b, 47a, 47b are best illustrated in Figure 2.
  • lug 31 and hinge 37 are formed integrally with neck 25 and the remainder of container 20.
  • Any suitable molding process may be used, for example injection molding or injection blow molding.
  • Preferred materials for container 20 include polypropylene, polyethylene, and poly-terephthalate, but any suitable material may be used.
  • any suitable materials and molding process may be employed for closure 10, but preferably closure 10 is formed from high-density polypropylene using an injection molding process.
  • lug 31 may be rotated (against the biasing force of hinge 37) into the substantially vertical position within vertical members 41a, 41b, as illustrated in Figure 4 and in solid lines in Figure 1.
  • This position may also be referred to as the "locking position.”
  • lug 31 When in the locking position, lug 31 should also be remote from neck 21, so that lug 31 may be depressed inwardly by a user (to the right in Figure 1).
  • the biasing force provided by hinge 37 maintains lug 31 in the locking position, and returns lug 31 to the locking position when it has been depressed and then released by a user.
  • Vertical members 41a, 41b prevent lug 31 from rotation too far away from neck 21.
  • lug 31 when lug 31 is in the locking position, it engages one of the abutments 19 (or the single abutment 19) on the inner surface of skirt 13 Because abutments 19 need not form a continuous series of projections or depressions on the inner surface of skirt 13, lug 31 may not actually contact an abutment 19 when in the locking position, and so the phrase "engaging an abutment” includes a position in which lug 31 is in the line of travel of abutment 19 and would contact an abutment 19 if closure 10 were rotated
  • closure 10 With lug 31 in the locking position, closure 10 may be applied to container 20 If lug 31 is provided with camming surface 36, then any abutments 19 will force lug 31 inwardly against the bias of hinge 37 as closure 10 is applied, allowing application of the closure without manual depression of lug 31 by the user When closure 10 is rotated in the opposite direction for removal, however, lug 31 will contact a stop surface 18 on abutment 19 to retain closure 10 on container 20 Only when lug 31 is depressed by a user to a "releasing position," in which any abutments 19 may clear lug 31, may closure 10 be freely rotated to remove closure 10 from container 20
  • FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of lug 31 , which includes a resilient arm 36
  • Resilient arm 36 is preferably shaped and sized to contact the outer surface of neck 21 when lug 31 is in the locking position The resulting deformation of resilient arm 36 creates a biasing force urging lug 31 away from neck 21
  • resilient arm 36 is preferably molded integrally with the remainder of lug 31
  • lug 31 may be permanently separated from hinge 37 or neck 21. This separation may take place in any manner, but is particularly assisted by frangible line 39, if present. With tab 31 entirely removed, closure 10 may be freely applied and removed from container 20.
  • lug 31 may be withdrawn by the user from vertical members 41a, 41b to, for example, the position shown in dashed lines in Figure 1 or to the position shown in Figure 5. Hinge 37 will then bias lug 31 away from neck 21 so that lug 31 is outside skirt 13 when closure 10 is applied. As noted above, notch 51 or lower locking member 53 (or both) may be provided to stabilize lug 31 in the downward position, if desired. Closure 10 may then be applied and removed without any further manipulation of the lug 31. If child resistant features are again desired, the user may rotate lug 31 back to a position within vertical members 41a, 41b as shown in Figure 3 and in solid lines in Figure 1.
  • closure 10 could include an annular sealing ring on the inner surface of top wall 11, or a liner could be added to seal opening 23 in container 20.
  • a container 20 according to the present invention may include multiple lugs 31 and corresponding retention formations, for example a pair of lugs disposed radially opposite one another on container 20. It is understood that these and other modifications are within the teaching of the present invention, which is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

A child resistant closure and container includes a closure (10) having at least one abutment (19) on the inner surface of a closure skirt (13). The container (20) includes a lug (31) connected to the container neck by a hinge (37), which biases the lug (31) away from the neck. The lug (31) is retained in a locking position by at least one vertical member (41a, 41b), where in the locking position the lug (31) engages the abutment (19) when the closure (10) is applied to the container (20). Once the closure (10) is applied, the lug (31) must be depressed inwardly by a user to remove the closure (10). The lug (31) may also be removed from the locking position by the user, either temporarily or permanently, to suspend or eliminate the child resistant features.

Description

CHILD RESISTANT CLOSURE AND CONTAINER
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to child resistant closures and containers, and in particular to closures and containers having a child resistant mode and a non- child resistant mode.
Background Information
Container closures often include some sort of child resistant mechanism to minimize the chance of access by children. Often the child resistant mechanism requires manipulation of the closure by the user in a certain way before the closure can be rotated off the container. This manipulation may include, for example, axial depression of the closure or squeezing of the closure before or during rotation of the closure.
One problem created by child resistant closures or containers is that such closures are often difficult to open, especially for elderly persons or those suffering from debilitating conditions such as arthritis. For these individuals, child resistant closures that are simple to open or require relatively small forces are particularly beneficial. In addition, it is often unnecessary for child resistant features to be present in certain households, and closures or containers in which the child resistant mechanisms are permanently present and active create an unnecessary barrier to the user.
Summary of the Invention
A container according to the present invention includes a neck having an external thread and a lug. The lug may be connected to the neck via a hinge, with the hinge biasing the lug away from the neck. In addition, a retention formation may be disposed on the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position remote from the neck.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a side partial cross -sectional view of an exemplary child resistant closure and container according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the child resistant container of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side view of an exemplary child resistant container according to the present invention in an exemplary molded configuration.
Figure 4 is a top view of the container of Figure 3 taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a side view of another exemplary child resistant container according to the present invention.
Figure 6 is a side view of another exemplary child resistant container according to the present invention. Figure 7 is a side view of an exemplary lug according to the present invention.
Detailed Description
Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary closure and container according to the present invention. In general, a closure 10 includes at least one abutment 19 on the inner surface of skirt 13. Abutment 19 cooperates with lug 31 on container 20 to restrict rotation of closure 10 to thereby retain closure 10 on container 20. Preferably, lug 31 is retained in a locking position, in which lug 31 engages abutment 19, by at least one vertical member 41a. Lug 31 may be biased to the locking position by hinge 37, but may be depressed by the user to a releasing position, in which abutment 19 clears lug 31. When lug 31 is in the releasing position, closure 10 may be freely rotated off container 20.
As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, closure 10 preferably includes a top wall 11 and skirt 13. Top wall 11 may be circular in shape, and skirt 13 may be annular in shape, depending from the outer edge of top wall 11. However, top wall 11 may be formed in any suitable shape, and skirt 13 may depend from any suitable portion of top wall 1 1, as desired. An internal thread 15 may be provided on an inner surface of skirt 13, and if desired multiple threads (not shown) may be provided.
The inner surface of skirt 13 also includes at least on abutment 19, which is preferably disposed at a bottom edge 17 of skirt 13. In the illustrated embodiment, closure 1 1 includes a series of abutments 19, arranged in a band around bottom edge 17 of skirt 13. Preferably each abutment 19 is in the form of a sawtooth disposed on the inner surface of skirt 13, either projecting from skirt 13 or formed as a depression in skirt 13 (or a combination thereof). Thus in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of abutments 19 formed as sawtooth projections extend, for example, around the inner surface of bottom edge 17. Container 20 includes a neck 21 surrounding an opening 23 (shown in Figure 2). Preferably, neck 21 is annular and includes an external thread 25 that cooperates with internal thread 15 of closure 10 to retain closure 10 on container 20
Lug 31 is connected to container 20 at a point below external thread
25. In the illustrated embodiment, lug 31 includes a lug body 33 and a lug tooth 35. Lug body 33 may be substantially L-shaped, extending upwardly and inwardly (when in the orientation illustrated in Figure 1). Lug tooth 35 may then extend upward from the upward and inward tip of lug body 33. This exemplary configuration of lug 31 allows easy depression by the user (described further below), but any suitable configuration of lug 31 may be employed. Lug tooth 35 may be formed to include a camming surface 36, if desired. This camming surface 36 allows application of closure 10 to container 20 without manual depression of lug 31 by the user, as described below.
Lug 31 is connected to neck 21 via a hinge 37. Any suitable hinge may be employed, but preferably hinge 31 should bias lug 31 to a position away from neck 21, meaning hinge 31 biases lug 31 counter-clockwise in Figure 1, for example towards the position shown in dashed lines in Figure 1. In particular, hinge 37 may include a hinge base 38, which may maintain the lower end of lug 31 at a small distance from neck 21, and hinge detent surface 40, which may cooperate with a lug detent surface 40 to bias lug 31 away from neck 21.
In addition, hinge 37 may include a frangible line 39, which may connect hinge 37 to lug 31. Frangible line 39 may be any suitable type of frangible connection formed in any suitable manner, for example small bridges integrally formed with hinge 37 or a thin line of material formed by scoring. Preferably, however, frangible line 39 is a thin line of material integrally formed with hinge 37.
Lug 31 is separable from hinge 37 along frangible line 39. It should be understood that the action of the lug, in cooperation with other elements of a container 20 and closure 10 of the present invention, provides the child resistant features. In some households, the child resistant feature may be unnecessary or even detrimental to use. In this case, lug 31 may be separated entirely from hinge 37 by tearing or separating along frangible line 39, permanently eliminating the child resistant feature if desired.
Other mechanisms may also be provided to temporarily eliminate the child resistant feature. For example, neck 21 (or the body of container 20) may include a notch 51 below lug 31, as shown in Figure 5. Lug 31 may then be rotated to a "downward position," in which lug 31 is facing substantially downward, and secured in notch 51. In addition to or alternative to notch 51, at least one lower locking member 53 may be provided in the vicinity of lug 31, for example connected to at least one of vertical members 41a, 41b. Lower locking member 53 is shaped to engage lug 31 and retain lug 31 in the downward position, out of the way of the user.
In order to maintain lug 31 in the substantially vertical position of Figure 1 against the outward biasing force applied by hinge 37, a retention formation may be provided on neck 21. In particular, at least one vertical member 41a may be provided on neck 21 in the vicinity of lug 31. In the illustrated configuration, two vertical members 41a, 41b are provided on opposite sides of lug 31. In addition, the exemplary vertical members 41a, 41b are formed integrally with hinge 37, but any suitable number of vertical members and any suitable positioning of those members may be employed.
Vertical members 41a, 41b preferably include vertically-extending side walls 43a, 43b, respectively, which may protect lug 31 and provide lateral stability to lug 31. Vertical members 41a, 41b also may include flanges 45a, 45b connected to side walls 43a, 43b. Flanges 45a, 45b may retain lug 31 in the substantially vertical position illustrated in solid lines in Figures 1 and 2. If desired, flexible tabs 47a, 47b may be provided on lug 31 to engage flanges 45a, 45b. Flexible tabs 47a, 47b are preferably ramped on an inner face, allowing easy rotation of lug 31 into a position within vertical members 41a, 41b (as described below). An inner face 46a, 46b of each flange 45a, 45b, may likewise be constructed at an angle to facilitate rotation of lug 31 into its substantially vertical position within vertical members 41a, 41b. These ramped surfaces 46a, 46b, 47a, 47b are best illustrated in Figure 2.
This preferred arrangement of lug 31 and vertical members 41a, 41b allows lug 31 to be molded in a position shown in dashed lines in Figure 1.
Preferably lug 31 and hinge 37 are formed integrally with neck 25 and the remainder of container 20. Any suitable molding process may be used, for example injection molding or injection blow molding. Preferred materials for container 20 include polypropylene, polyethylene, and poly-terephthalate, but any suitable material may be used. Likewise, any suitable materials and molding process may be employed for closure 10, but preferably closure 10 is formed from high-density polypropylene using an injection molding process.
Once formed, for example in the position shown in Figure 3 and by dashed lines in Figure 1, lug 31 may be rotated (against the biasing force of hinge 37) into the substantially vertical position within vertical members 41a, 41b, as illustrated in Figure 4 and in solid lines in Figure 1. This position may also be referred to as the "locking position." When in the locking position, lug 31 should also be remote from neck 21, so that lug 31 may be depressed inwardly by a user (to the right in Figure 1). The biasing force provided by hinge 37 maintains lug 31 in the locking position, and returns lug 31 to the locking position when it has been depressed and then released by a user. Vertical members 41a, 41b prevent lug 31 from rotation too far away from neck 21.
As seen in Figure 1 , when lug 31 is in the locking position, it engages one of the abutments 19 (or the single abutment 19) on the inner surface of skirt 13 Because abutments 19 need not form a continuous series of projections or depressions on the inner surface of skirt 13, lug 31 may not actually contact an abutment 19 when in the locking position, and so the phrase "engaging an abutment" includes a position in which lug 31 is in the line of travel of abutment 19 and would contact an abutment 19 if closure 10 were rotated
With lug 31 in the locking position, closure 10 may be applied to container 20 If lug 31 is provided with camming surface 36, then any abutments 19 will force lug 31 inwardly against the bias of hinge 37 as closure 10 is applied, allowing application of the closure without manual depression of lug 31 by the user When closure 10 is rotated in the opposite direction for removal, however, lug 31 will contact a stop surface 18 on abutment 19 to retain closure 10 on container 20 Only when lug 31 is depressed by a user to a "releasing position," in which any abutments 19 may clear lug 31, may closure 10 be freely rotated to remove closure 10 from container 20
Elements other than to hinge 37 may be provided to bias lug 31 away from neck 21, either as an alternative to the biasing force of hinge 37 (i e hinge 37 provides no biasing force) or in addition to the biasing force of hinge 37 Figure 7 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of lug 31 , which includes a resilient arm 36 Resilient arm 36 is preferably shaped and sized to contact the outer surface of neck 21 when lug 31 is in the locking position The resulting deformation of resilient arm 36 creates a biasing force urging lug 31 away from neck 21 If provided, resilient arm 36 is preferably molded integrally with the remainder of lug 31
If the child resistant features of a closure 10 and container 20 according to the present invention are not desired by a user, the user may eliminate the features either permanently or temporarily If the user wishes to permanently eliminate the child resistant features of closure 10 and container 20, lug 31 may be permanently separated from hinge 37 or neck 21. This separation may take place in any manner, but is particularly assisted by frangible line 39, if present. With tab 31 entirely removed, closure 10 may be freely applied and removed from container 20.
For temporary suspension of the child resistant features, lug 31 may be withdrawn by the user from vertical members 41a, 41b to, for example, the position shown in dashed lines in Figure 1 or to the position shown in Figure 5. Hinge 37 will then bias lug 31 away from neck 21 so that lug 31 is outside skirt 13 when closure 10 is applied. As noted above, notch 51 or lower locking member 53 (or both) may be provided to stabilize lug 31 in the downward position, if desired. Closure 10 may then be applied and removed without any further manipulation of the lug 31. If child resistant features are again desired, the user may rotate lug 31 back to a position within vertical members 41a, 41b as shown in Figure 3 and in solid lines in Figure 1.
The device according to the present invention has been described with respect to several exemplary embodiments. It can be understood, however, that there are many other variations of the above-described embodiments which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, even where elements have not explicitly been designated as exemplary. For example, closure 10 could include an annular sealing ring on the inner surface of top wall 11, or a liner could be added to seal opening 23 in container 20. In addition, a container 20 according to the present invention may include multiple lugs 31 and corresponding retention formations, for example a pair of lugs disposed radially opposite one another on container 20. It is understood that these and other modifications are within the teaching of the present invention, which is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1 A container, comprising: a neck having an external thread; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge, the hinge biasing the lug away from the neck; and a retention formation disposed on the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position remote from the neck.
2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the retention formation includes at least one vertical member having a side wall and a flange.
3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the at least one vertical member includes a first vertical member having a first flange and a second vertical member having a second flange, the first and second flanges being directed toward one another.
4. The container according to claim 3, wherein the lug includes at least one flexible side tab, the at least one flexible side tab engaging one of the first and second flanges to retain the lug in the substantially vertical position.
5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the hinge includes a frangible line.
6. The container according to claim 1, wherein the lug includes a lug body and a radially outwardly facing lug tooth.
7. The container according to claim 1, wherein the lug is formed integrally with the container in a position outside the retention formation, the lug being rotated into engagement with the retention formation.
8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container includes a notch disposed below the lug, the lug being rotatable to a downward position in which the lug engages the notch, the notch retaining the lug in the downward position.
9. The container according to claim 1, further comprising a lower locking member disposed on the container in the vicinity of the lug, the lug being rotatable to a downward position in which the lug engages the lower locking member, the lower locking member retaining the lug in the downward position.
10. A child resistant closure and container system, comprising: a closure, including: a top wall; and a skirt depending from the top wall, an interior surface of the skirt including at least one abutment; and a container, including: a neck surrounding a container opening; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge, the hinge biasing the lug away from the neck; and at least one retention formation disposed on the neck in the vicinity of the lug, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a locking position remote from the neck, the lug being movable from the locking position to a releasing position; wherein when the lug is in the locking position, the lug engages the abutment to prevent removal of the closure, and wherein when the lug is in the releasing position, the closure is freely rotatable on the container.
1 1. The system according to claim 10, wherein the lug is integrally formed with the container, the lug being formed in a position outside the retention formation and rotated into engagement with the retention formation.
12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the retention formation includes at least one vertical member having a side wall and a flange.
13. The system according to claim 12. wherein the at least one vertical member includes a first vertical member having a first flange and a second vertical member having a second flange, the first and second flanges being directed toward one another.
14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the lug includes at least one flexible side tab, the at least one flexible side tab engaging the flange to retain the lug in the locking position.
15. The system according to claim 14, the lug being integrally formed with the container in a position outside the retention formation, the lug being rotated into the locking position, the at least one flexible tab flexing during rotation to allow rotation of the lug past the flange.
16. The system according to claim 10, wherein the hinge includes a frangible line.
17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the lug is separable from the container along the frangible line, the closure being freely removable from the container when the lug is separated from the container.
18. The system according to claim 10, wherein the lug includes a lug body and a radially outwardly facing lug tooth, the lug tooth engaging the abutment when the lug is in the locking position.
19. The system according to claim 10, wherein the abutment includes a s awtooth proj ection .
20. The system according to claim 10, wherein the abutment includes a series of sawtooth projections arranged around the interior surface of the skirt.
21. The container according to claim 10, wherein the container includes a notch disposed below the lug, the lug being rotatable to a downward position in which the lug engages the notch, the notch retaining the lug in the downward position.
22. The container according to claim 10, further comprising a lower locking member disposed on the container in the vicinity of the lug, the lug being rotatable to a downward position in which the lug engages the lower locking member, the lower locking member retaining the lug in the downward position.
23. A child resistant closure and container system, comprising: a closure, including: a top wall; and a skirt depending from the top wall, an interior surface of the skirt including an internal thread and a series of sawtooth projections disposed below the thread; and a container, including: a neck surrounding a container opening, the neck including an external thread cooperating with the internal thread to retain the closure on the container; a lug integrally formed with the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge, the hinge biasing the lug away from the neck, and the hinge including a frangible line, the lug being separable from the neck along the frangible line; and at least one retention formation disposed on the neck in the vicinity of the lug, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a locking position remote from the neck, the lug being movable from the locking position to a releasing position; wherein when the lug is in the locking position, the lug engages the abutment to prevent removal of the closure, wherein when the lug is in the releasing position, the closure is freely rotatable on the container, and wherein when the lug is separated from the neck along the frangible line, the closure is freely rotatable on the container.
24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the retention formation includes a first vertical member having a first flange and a second vertical member having a second flange, and wherein the lug includes a first flexible tab and a second flexible tab, the first flexible tab engaging the first flange and the second flexible tab engaging the second flange when the lug is in the locking position.
25. A container, comprising: a neck having an external thread; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge and the lug including a resilient arm; and a retention formation disposed on the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position; wherein when the lug is in the substantially vertical position, the resilient arm contacts the neck, biasing the lug away from the neck.
26. The container according to claim 25, wherein the retention formation includes at least one vertical member having a side wall and a flange.
27. The container according to claim 26, wherein the at least one vertical member includes a first vertical member having a first flange and a second vertical member having a second flange, the first and second flanges being directed toward one another.
28. The container according to claim 27, wherein the lug includes at least one flexible side tab, the at least one flexible side tab engaging one of the first and second flanges to retain the lug in the substantially vertical position.
29. The container according to claim 25, wherein the hinge includes a frangible line.
30. The container according to claim 25, wherein the lug includes a lug body and a radially outwardly facing lug tooth.
31. The container according to claim 25, wherein the lug is formed integrally with the container in a position outside the retention formation, the lug being rotated into engagement with the retention formation.
32. The container according to claim 25, wherein the container includes a notch disposed below the lug, the lug being rotatable to a downward position in which the lug engages the notch, the notch retaining the lug in the downward position.
33. The container according to claim 25, further comprising a lower locking member disposed on the container in the vicinity of the lug, the lug being rotatable to a downward position in which the lug engages the lower locking member, the lower locking member retaining the lug in the downward position.
34. A method of forming a container including a lug connected to a neck of the container via a hinge, the hinge biasing the lug away from the neck, and a retention formation engagable with the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position remote from the neck, comprising: molding the neck, hinge, and lug as an integral unit, the lug being in a position outside the retention formation; rotating the lug to the substantially vertical position, the retention formation retaining the lug in the substantially vertical position.
35. A container, comprising: a neck having an external thread; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge and being biased away from the neck; and a retention formation disposed on the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position remote from the neck.
36. The container according to claim 35, wherein the retention formation includes at least one vertical member having a side wall and a flange.
37. The container according to claim 36, wherein the at least one vertical member includes a first vertical member having a first flange and a second vertical member having a second flange, the first and second flanges being directed toward one another.
38. The container according to claim 37, wherein the lug includes at least one flexible side tab, the at least one flexible side tab engaging one of the first and second flanges to retain the lug in the substantially vertical position.
39. The container according to claim 35, wherein the hinge includes a frangible line.
40. The container according to claim 35, wherein the lug includes a lug body and a radially outwardly facing lug tooth.
41. The container according to claim 35, wherein the lug is formed integrally with the container in a position outside the retention formation, the lug being rotated into engagement with the retention formation.
42. The container according to claim 35, wherein the container includes a notch disposed below the lug, the lug being rotatable to a downward position in which the lug engages the notch, the notch retaining the lug in the downward position.
43. The container according to claim 35, further comprising a lower locking member disposed on the container in the vicinity of the lug, the lug being rotatable to a downward position in which the lug engages the lower locking member, the lower locking member retaining the lug in the downward position.
44. A method of forming a container including a lug connected to a neck of the container via a hinge, the lug being biased away from the neck, and a retention formation engagable with the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position remote from the neck, comprising: molding the neck, hinge, and lug as an integral unit, the lug being in a position outside the retention formation; rotating the lug to the substantially vertical position, the retention formation retaining the lug in the substantially vertical position.
AMENDED CLAIMS
[received by the International Bureau on 21 February 2000 (21.02.00); original claims 1, 5, 8-10, 17, 21, 22, 25, 32-35, 39 and 42-44 amended; original claims 2, 12, 26, and 36 cancelled; remaining claims unchanged(l 1 pages)]
1. A container, comprising: a neck having an external thread; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge, the hinge biasing the lug away from the neck; and a retention formation disposed on the neck, the retention formation including at least one vertical member extending from the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position remote from the neck.
2. [Deleted]
3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the at least one vertical member includes a first vertical member having a first flange and a second vertical member having a second flange, the first and second flanges being directed toward one another.
4. The container according to claim 3, wherein the lug includes at least one flexible side tab, the at least one flexible side tab engaging one of the first and second flanges to retain the lug in the substantially vertical position.
5. A container, comprising: a neck having an external thread; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge, the hinge biasing the lug away from the neck; wherein the hinge includes a frangible line, the lug being separable from the neck along the frangible line; and a retention formation disposed on the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position remote from the neck;. 6 The container according to claim 1 , wherein the lug includes a lug body and a radiallv outwardh facing lug tooth
7 The container according to claim 1, wherein the lug is formed integrally with the container in a position outside the retention formation, the lug being rotated into engagement with the retention formation
8 A container, comprising a neck having an external thread, a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge, the hinge biasing the lug awav from the neck, and a retention formation disposed on the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position remote from the neck, wherein the container includes a notch disposed below the lug, the lug being rotatable to a downward position in which the lug engages the notch, the notch retaining the lug in the downward position
9 A container, comprising a neck having an external thread, lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge, the hinge biasing the lug awav from the neck, a retention formation disposed on the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position remote from the neck, and a lower locking member disposed on the container in the vicinity of the lug, the lug being rotatable to a downward position in which the lug engages the lower locking member, the lower locking member retaining the lug in the downward position
10 A child resistant closure and container svste comprising a closure, including a top wall; and a skirt depending from the top wall, an interior surface of the skirt including at least one abutment; and a container, including. a neck surrounding a container opening; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge, the hinge biasing the lug away from the neck; and at least one retention formation disposed on the neck in the vicinity of the lug, the retention formation including at least one vertical member extending from the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a locking position remote from the neck, the lug being movable from the locking position to a releasing position; wherein when the lug is in the locking position, the lug engages the abutment to prevent removal of the closure, and wherein when the lug is in the releasing position, the closure is freely rotatable on the container.
1 1. The system according to claim 10, wherein the lug is integrally formed with the container, the lug being formed in a position outside the retention formation and rotated into engagement with the retention formation.
12. [Deleted]
13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the at least one vertical member includes a first vertical member having a first flange and a second vertical member having a second flange, the first and second flanges being directed toward one another.
14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the lug includes at least one flexible side tab, the at least one flexible side tab engaging the flange to retain the lug in the locking position.
15. The system according to claim 14, the lug being integrally formed with the container in a position outside the retention formation, the lug being rotated into the locking position, the at least one flexible tab flexing during rotation to allow rotation of the lug past the flange.
16. The system according to claim 10, wherein the hinge includes a frangible line.
17. A child resistant closure and container system, comprising: a closure, including: a top wall; and a skirt depending from the top wall, an interior surface of the skirt including at least one abutment; and a container, including: a neck surrounding a container opening; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge, the hinge biasing the lug away from the neck; and at least one retention formation disposed on the neck in the vicinity of the lug, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a locking position remote from the neck, the lug being movable from the locking position to a releasing position; wherein when the lug is in the locking position, the lug engages the abutment to prevent removal of the closure, and wherein when the lug is in the releasing position, the closure is freely rotatable on the container; and wherein the hinge includes a frangible line, the lug being separable from the container along the frangible line, the closure being freely removable from the container when the lug is separated from the container.
18. The system according to claim 10, wherein the lug includes a lug body and a radially outwardly facing lug tooth, the lug tooth engaging the abutment when the lug is in the locking position.
19. The system according to claim 10, wherein the abutment includes a sawtooth projection.
20. The system according to claim 10, wherein the abutment includes a series of sawtooth projections arranged around the interior surface of the skirt.
21. A child resistant closure and container system, comprising: a closure, including: a top wall; and a skirt depending from the top wall, an interior surface of the skirt including at least one abutment; and a container, including: a neck surrounding a container opening; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge, the hinge biasing the lug away from the neck; and at least one retention formation disposed on the neck in the vicinity of the lug, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a locking position remote from the neck, the lug being movable from the locking position to a releasing position; wherein when the lug is in the locking position, the lug engages the abutment to prevent removal of the closure, and wherein when the lug is in the releasing position, the closure is freely rotatable on the container; and wherein the container includes a notch disposed below the lug, the lug being rotatable to a downward position in which the lug engages the notch, the notch retaining the lug in the downward position.
22. A child resistant closure and container system, comprising: a closure, including: a top wall; and a skirt depending from the top wall, an interior surface of the skirt including at least one abutment; and a container, including: a neck surrounding a container opening; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge, the hinge biasing the lug away from the neck; and at least one retention formation disposed on the neck in the vicinity of the lug, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a locking position remote from the neck, the lug being movable from the locking position to a releasing position; wherein when the lug is in the locking position, the lug engages the abutment to prevent removal of the closure, and wherein when the lug is in the releasing position, the closure is freely rotatable on the container; and wherein the container further comprises a lower locking member in the vicinity of the lug, the lug being rotatable to a downward position in which the lug engages the lower locking member, the lower locking member retaining the lug in the downward position.
23. A child resistant closure and container system, comprising: a closure, including: a top wall; and a skirt depending from the top wall, an interior surface of the skirt including an internal thread and a series of sawtooth projections disposed below the thread; and a container, including: a neck surrounding a container opening, the neck including an external thread cooperating with the internal thread to retain the closure on the container; a lug integrally formed with the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge, the hinge biasing the lug away from the neck, and the hinge including a frangible line, the lug being separable from the neck along the frangible line; and at least one retention formation disposed on the neck in the vicinity of the lug, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a locking position remote from the neck, the lug being movable from the locking position to a releasing position; wherein when the lug is in the locking position, the lug engages the abutment to prevent removal of the closure, wherein when the lug is in the releasing position, the closure is freely rotatable on the container, and wherein when the lug is separated from the neck along the frangible line, the closure is freely rotatable on the container.
24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the retention formation includes a first vertical member having a first flange and a second vertical member having a second flange, and wherein the lug includes a first flexible tab and a second flexible tab, the first flexible tab engaging the first flange and the second flexible tab engaging the second flange when the lug is in the locking position.
25. A container, comprising: a neck having an external thread; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge and the lug including a resilient arm; and a retention formation disposed on the neck, the retention formation including at least one vertical member extending from the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position; wherein when the lug is in the substantially vertical position, the resilient arm contacts the neck, biasing the lug away from the neck.
26. [Deleted]
27. The container according to claim 26, wherein the at least one vertical member includes a first vertical member having a first flange and a second vertical member having a second flange, the first and second flanges being directed toward one another.
28. The container according to claim 27, wherein the lug includes at least one flexible side tab, the at least one flexible side tab engaging one of the first and second flanges to retain the lug in the substantially vertical position.
29. The container according to claim 25, wherein the hinge includes a frangible line.
30. The container according to claim 25, wherein the lug includes a lug body and a radially outwardly facing lug tooth.
31. The container according to claim 25, wherein the lug is formed integrally with the container in a position outside the retention formation, the lug being rotated into engagement with the retention formation.
32. A container, comprising: a neck having an external thread; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge and the lug including a resilient arm; and a retention formation disposed on the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position; wherein when the lug is in the substantially vertical position, the resilient arm contacts the neck, biasing the lug away from the neck; and wherein the container includes a notch disposed below the lug, the lug being rotatable to a downward position in which the lug engages the notch, the notch retaining the lug in the downward position.
33. A container, comprising: a neck having an external thread; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge and the lug including a resilient arm; and a retention formation disposed on the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position; wherein when the lug is in the substantially vertical position, the resilient arm contacts the neck, biasing the lug away from the neck; and wherein the container further comprises a lower locking member in the vicinity of the lug, the lug being rotatable to a downward position in which the lug engages the lower locking member, the lower locking member retaining the lug in the downward position.
34. A method of forming a container including a lug connected to a neck of the container via a hinge, the hinge biasing the lug away from the neck, and a retention formation engageable with the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position remote from the neck, the retention formation including at least one vertical member extending from the neck, comprising: molding the neck, hinge, and lug as an integral unit, the lug being in a position outside the retention formation; rotating the lug to the substantially vertical position, the retention formation retaining the lug in the substantially vertical position.
35. A container, comprising: a neck having an external thread; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge and being biased away from the neck; and a retention formation disposed on the neck, the retention formation including at least one vertical member extending from the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position remote from the neck.
36. [Deleted]
37. The container according to claim 36, wherein the at least one vertical member includes a first vertical member having a first flange and a second vertical member having a second flange, the first and second flanges being directed toward one another.
38. The container according to claim 37, wherein the lug includes at least one flexible side tab, the at least one flexible side tab engaging one of the first and second flanges to retain the lug in the substantially vertical position.
39. A container, comprising: a neck having an external thread; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge and being biased away from the neck; wherein the hinge includes a frangible line, the lug being separable from the neck along the frangible line; and a retention formation disposed on the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position remote from the neck.
40. The container according to claim 35, wherein the lug includes a lug body and a radially outwardly facing lug tooth.
41. The container according to claim 35, wherein the lug is formed integrally with the container in a position outside the retention formation, the lug being rotated into engagement with the retention formation.
42. A container, comprising: a neck having an external thread; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge and being biased away from the neck; and a retention formation disposed on the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position remote from the neck; wherein the container includes a notch disposed below the lug, the lug being rotatable to a downward position in which the lug engages the notch, the notch retaining the lug in the downward position.
43. A container, comprising: a neck having an external thread; a lug disposed on the neck, the lug being connected to the neck via a hinge and being biased away from the neck; and a retention formation disposed on the neck, the retention formation engaging the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position remote from the neck; wherein the container further comprises a lower locking member in the vicinity of the lug, the lug being rotatable to a downward position in which the lug engages the lower locking member, the lower locking member retaining the lug in the downward position.
44. A method of forming a container including a lug connected to a neck of the container via a hinge, the lug being biased away from the neck, and a retention formation engageable with the lug to retain the lug in a substantially vertical position remote from the neck, the retention formation including at least one vertical member extending from the neck, comprising: molding the neck, hinge, and lug as an integral unit, the lug being in a position outside the retention formation; rotating the lug to the substantially vertical position, the retention formation retaining the lug in the substantially vertical position.
PCT/US1999/028262 1998-12-01 1999-12-01 Child resistant closure and container WO2000032491A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU17477/00A AU1747700A (en) 1998-12-01 1999-12-01 Child resistant closure and container

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US20366798A 1998-12-01 1998-12-01
US09/203,667 1998-12-01

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WO (1) WO2000032491A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4036385A (en) * 1976-05-28 1977-07-19 Morris Glenn H Safety closure for containers
US4948002A (en) * 1988-12-29 1990-08-14 The Procter & Gamble Company Package exhibiting improved child resistance without significantly impeding access by adults
US5413233A (en) * 1994-08-30 1995-05-09 The Procter & Gamble Company Child resistant bottle closure

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4036385A (en) * 1976-05-28 1977-07-19 Morris Glenn H Safety closure for containers
US4948002A (en) * 1988-12-29 1990-08-14 The Procter & Gamble Company Package exhibiting improved child resistance without significantly impeding access by adults
US5413233A (en) * 1994-08-30 1995-05-09 The Procter & Gamble Company Child resistant bottle closure

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