WO2008154575A1

WO2008154575A1 - Child resistant cap and container assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2008154575A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/066542
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul D. Goebel; John Raymond Wolfe; Bradford E. Seaman
Original assignee: West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
Priority date: 2007-06-11
Filing date: 2008-06-11
Publication date: 2008-12-18

Abstract

A child resistant cap and container assembly requires two or more concurrent motions for removing the cap from the container The container has a center axis, an opening on the center axis and a first locking member that is proximate the opening The cap is removably mounted onto the container and covers the opening in a locked position and a disengaged position and is removable from the container in a released position The cap has a center portion disposed on the axis and an axially extending skirt radially spaced from the center portion

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION [0001] Child Resistant Cap and Container Assembly

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/943091 filed June 11 , 2007 entitled "Dual Material Child Resistant Cap".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a child resistant cap and container assembly, specifically a child resistant push and twist type cap which requires two or more concurrent motions for removing the child resistant cap from the container and accessing the contents within the container. [0004] Child-resistant caps or containers are important for ensuring that hazardous materials, or at least materials that not intended for children, are unreachable by children. Child-resistant containers provide a physical obstacle for denying access to the contents of the container by a child who cannot physically manipulate the cap of the container or who cannot determine the proper sequence of manipulations to open the container. A child's lack of strength, manual dexterity or experience with the container cap deters access to the contents of the container.

[0005] There are presently many different child-resistant container configurations. Of the most common containers, those which have proven to work well are containers that have caps which require two or more concurrent motions to remove the cap. Specifically, a "push-and-turn" cap is often used. Typically, the push-and-turn cap comprises an inner cap and an outer cap that are concentrically located and can each rotate axially with respect to the other. A plurality of lugs on one cap project toward a plurality of corresponding ramps on the other cap thereby engaging each other when turned in a fastening direction such that the two caps rotate in opposite directions with respect to each other. When removed, the lugs will slip over the ramps without the addition of a downward force to counteract the tendency of slipping over the opposing ramp. [0006] However, child resistant cap and container assemblies require the hand on the cap to push the cap downwardly, grip the outer periphery of the cap and twist the cap while pushing and squeezing. The second action of gripping the outer periphery of the cap, makes it difficult for certain individuals to sufficiently grip the cap such that the cap can be turned after pushing the cap down. Because the cap generally requires a generally rigid polymeric material for the locking features, the surface of the cap is often slippery and becomes increasingly slippery with the addition of moisture or hand creams. Texture or ridges are often added around the outer periphery of the cap but the user is still required to grip the outer periphery of the cap with their fingers. Certain individuals may have a limited range of motion in their fingers due to arthritis, injury, age or the like or utilize arthritis medication or other topical creams and have difficulty firmly gripping the outer periphery of the cap, especially for containers that are tightly or threadably sealed. As a result, conventional child resistant caps may, in effect, deny access to the contents of the bottle to such individuals.

[0007] There is therefore a need to provide a child-resistant cap and container assembly that allows for a sealed and locked cap mechanism while allowing for an easy to grip surface on the cap that is opened by the palm of a user's hand.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Briefly stated, the present invention is directed to a child resistant cap and container assembly which requires two or more concurrent motions for removing the cap from the container and accessing the contents within the container. The child resistant cap and container assembly includes a container that has a center axis, an opening on the center axis and a first locking member proximate the opening. A cap is removably mounted onto the container and covers the opening in a locked position and a disengaged position and is removable from the container in a released position. The cap has a center portion disposed on the axis and an axially extending skirt radially spaced from the center portion. The skirt at least partially extends further from the first locking member in a first axial direction than the center portion when the cap is in the locked position. A resilient member extends at least partially between the center portion and the skirt and biases the skirt at least in the first axial direction. The skirt includes a second locking member that is releasably engageable with the first locking member. The first and second locking members engage when the cap is placed on the container and twisted in a first rotational direction with respect to the container into the locked position. The first and second locking members prevent the cap from twisting in an opposite second rotational direction when in the locked position. Urging the skirt in the second axial direction disengages the first and second locking members and places the cap in the disengaged position. Twisting the cap relative to the container in the second rotational direction while in the disengaged position places the cap in the released position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0010] In the drawings:

[0011] Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a child resistant cap and container assembly in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Fig. 2 is a top perspective exploded view of a portion of the cap and container assembly shown in Fig. 1 ;

[0013] Fig. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of a portion the cap and container assembly shown in Fig. 1 taken mostly along line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and shown in a locked position; [0014] Fig. 4A is a top perspective view of the child resistant cap and container assembly shown in Fig. 1 with a user's hand illustrating the method of unlocking and twisting the cap into a released position;

[0015] Fig. 4B is a partial cross sectional view of a portion of the cap and container assembly shown in Fig. 3 in a disengaged position; [0016] Fig. 4C is a partial cross sectional view of a portion of the cap and container assembly shown in Fig. 1 shown in the released position;

[0017] Fig. 5 is a top perspective view of a child resistant cap and container assembly in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Fig. 6 is a top perspective exploded view of a portion of the cap and container assembly shown in Fig. 5;

[0019] Fig. 7 is a partial cross sectional view of a portion of the cap and container assembly shown in Fig. 5 taken mostly along line 7-7 of Fig. 5 and shown in a locked position;

[0020] Fig. 8 is a partial cross sectional view of a portion of the cap and container assembly shown in Fig. 7 in a disengaged and twisted position; and [0021] Fig. 9 is a partial cross sectional view of a portion of a child resistant cap and container assembly in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words "right", "left", "lower" and "upper" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a child resistant cap and container assembly in accordance with the present invention, and designated parts thereof. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms "a", "an" and "the" are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning "at least one". The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. [0023] Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in Figs. 1-4 a first preferred embodiment of a child resistant cap and container assembly, generally designated 10, in accordance with the pre^'sent invention. The child resistant cap and container assembly 10 includes a cap 12 for covering an opening 14a of a container 14. Similar numerals have been used in the description below and the drawings for the various embodiments except that a leading "2" or "3" has been used for the second and third embodiments, respectively.

[0024] Referring to Fig. 1, the container 14 is preferably a vessel for holding items such as medicine in liquid, powder, or pill form (not shown). The items in the container 14 are often prescription drugs or other material that is preferred to be kept out of the unsupervised reach of young children. The container 14 has a central axis 100 that extends through the general center of the container 14 and the opening 14a. The preferred container 14 has a generally cylindrical shape with a flat bottom and is comprised of a polymeric material but the container 14 may include any shape and be comprised of any material known in the art for holding items. [0025] Referring to Fig. 2, the preferred container 14 includes a neck 14b that extends from a container base 14c. The neck 14b is preferably spaced radially inwardly from the base 14c but the neck 14b may also be inline or flush with base 14c. The neck 14b preferably has a cylindrical shape and surrounds or forms the opening 14a of the container 14. At least a portion of the neck 14b is preferably slightly tapered radially inwardly as it extends upwardly from the container 14 to form a tapered surface 14d. Alternatively, the neck 14b may include snap groove and ridge seal or a threaded surface as described further below. The neck 14b preferably includes two tabs 16 diametrically opposed from each other and extending radially outwardly from the outer surface of the container neck 14b. The tabs 16 are preferably generally flat, rectangular and extend horizontally, or axially below the tapered surface 14d and are spaced axially upwardly from the container body 14c. Though generally horizontal and rectangular tabs 16 are preferred, the tabs 16 may have a different shape such as square, hemispherical or triangular or that tabs 16 be positioned at an angle.

[0026] The container neck 14b also preferably includes a first locking member 18 and preferably a pair of diametrically opposed first locking members 18. The first locking members 18 are preferably generally L-shaped and extend radially outwardly from the outer surface of the container neck 14b such that a first leg 18c extends radially outwardly from the container neck 14b and is positioned axially below the tapered surface 14d. A second leg 18d extends radially outwardly from the container neck 14b and is positioned perpendicular to the first leg 18c and extends from the first leg 18c toward and preferably in contact with the container base 14c. The first locking members 18 also preferably include a ramped lip 18a positioned on a distal end of the first leg 18c spaced from the second leg 18d and a groove 18b. The groove 18b is defined along and on the underside of the first leg 18c between the second leg 18d and the apex of the ramped lip 18a. The first locking members 18 are preferably diametrically opposed around the outside of the neck 14b and are evenly spaced from the tabs 16. However, any number of first locking members 18 may be included and may be spaced at any interval. The first locking members 18 preferably face in the same rotational direction as each other such that the ramped lips 18a are both pointing in a counter clockwise or second rotational direction 98 as seen from above the container 14 such that locking of the cap 12 with the container 14 occurs after turning or twisting the cap 12 in a clockwise or first rotational direction 96 and removal of the cap 12 occurs after turning or twisting the cap 12 in the second rotational direction 98 as discussed in further detail below. The second rotational direction 98 needed to release the cap 12 from the container 14 may be indicated on the cap 12 and/or container 14 so to be only recognized by an older, literate user. The first locking members 18 may alternatively be oriented to point in the first rotational direction 96 such that a counterintuitive motion, twisting the cap 12 in the second rotational direction 98, is used to lock the cap 12 to the container 14.

[0027] The tabs 16 help to secure the cap 12 to the container 14 but any number of tabs 16, no tabs 16 or first locking members 18 used in place of the tabs 16, may be implemented. Additionally, although the configuration of first locking members 18 having the ramped lip 18a and the groove portion 18b in a generally L-shaped configuration is preferred, a different configuration for the first locking members 18 may be used such as replacing the second leg 18b with a second ramped lip (not shown) such that the first leg 18c includes a pair of opposed ramped lips 18a. Such a configuration would allow bi-directional lock and release of the cap 12. [0028] Referring to Figs. 1-4, the cap 12 is sized to removably mount over the opening 14a of the container 14. The cap 12 covers the opening 14a in a locked position (Fig. 3) and a disengaged position (Fig. 4B) and is removable from the container in a released position (Fig. 4C). The disengaged position is similar to the released position except that the cap 12 in the disengaged position the cap 12 has not been rotated from the locked position with respect to the container 14 in the second rotational direction 98. The cap 12 is preferably comprised of an inner core 20 and an outer covering or resilient member 22. The inner core 20 is preferably constructed of a generally rigid polypropylene material or any generally rigid polymeric material known in the art for cap enclosures and may be the same material as the container 14. The resilient member 22 is preferably constructed of an elastomeric material such as a thermoplastic elastemer (TPE) having a higher degree of flexibility, resiliency and a higher friction coefficient than the material of the inner core 20. The cap 12 is preferably manufactured using a two shot injection molding process but may be constructed in any suitable matter such as a snap fit assembly or an assembly held together with an epoxy. [0029] The cap 12 includes a center portion 28 that is disposed on the axis 100 and an axially extending skirt 30. The skirt 30 is radially spaced from the center portion 28 and extends at least partially further from the first locking member 18 in a first axial direction 92 than the center portion 28 when the cap 10 is in the locked position. The skirt 30 is preferably generally cylindrical and has an upper outer periphery 30a (Fig. 3) that is preferably the portion that extends further from the first locking member 18 in the first axial direction 92 than the center portion 28 in the locked position.

Alternatively, the skirt 30 may only have segments (not shown) of the upper outer periphery 30a that extend axially further from the first locking member 18 than the center portion 28. The skirt 30 is preferably connected to the center portion 28 by a radially extending bridge 32. The bridge 32 is preferably constructed of the same material as the center portion 28 and the skirt 30 but preferably has a sufficiently thin cross section to allow the bridge 32 to flex in the axial direction but retains its rigidity in the circumferential direction. The skirt 30, the bridge 32 and the center portion 28 form the inner core 20. The resilient member 22 preferably extends from the center portion 28 over the bridge 32 and at least partially and preferably substantially over the skirt 30. The resilient member 22 may also cover the center portion 20 and need not cover all of the skirt 30. The resilient member 22 adds resiliency to the bridge 32 and may be used in place of the bridge 32 so long as the resilient member 22 has sufficient circumferential support.

[0030] Referring to Fig. 2, the inner core 20 also includes a rim 34 that extends axially downwardly from the center portion 28 and is spaced radially inwardly from the skirt 30. The rim 34 is preferably slightly tapered outwardly such that the rim 34 mates with and forms a seal with the tapered surface 14d of the container 14 in the locked position. Alternatively, the rim 34 may be threaded (not shown) to form a threaded engagement with threads on the tapered surface 14d. [0031] The skirt 30 includes a second locking member 24 and preferably four equally spaced second locking members 24 that project radially inwardly from the skirt 30. The second locking members 24 are preferably horizontal tabs that are sized and shaped to fit within the corresponding groove 18b of the first locking members 18 and in engagement with the tabs 16. [0032] The resilient member 22 is preferably over molded or injection molded on to the inner core 20 to form a single, unitary cap 12. The resilient member 22 is preferably generally concavely shaped between the center portion 28 and the skirt 30 but may have any desired shape. The resilient member 22 may increases in thickness toward the skirt 30 and add to or replace the upper outer periphery 30a of the skirt 30 extending axially further than the center portion 28 such that the skirt 30 is comprised of both a portion of the inner core 20 and the resilient member 22. In this manner, a portion of the resilient member 22 is essentially the skirt 30 such that a portion of the skirt 30 proximate the upper outer periphery of the cap 12 extends axially further from the first locking member 18 than the center portion 28. The skirt 30 is movable in the axial direction with respect to the center portion 28 and the bridge 32 is at least partially flexible in the axial direction. The resilient member 22 spring biases the skirt 30 in the first axial direction 92 when the skirt 30 is depressed in an opposite, second axial direction 94. The resulting shape of a top 12a of the cap 12 enables a generally flat surface such as a user's palm 102 (Fig. 4A) to push down on the cap 12 causing the outer periphery of the top surface of the cap 12a and outer covering 22 to flatten at least partially downwardly in the second axial direction 94 and displace the skirt 30 downwardly in the second axial direction 94 (Fig. 4B). [0033] Referring to Fig. 1, the top surface 12a, specifically the resilient member 22 is preferably textured to increase the friction between the cap 10 and the users palm 102. The top surface 12a of the cap 12 may include raised ridges (not shown) to increase grip on the user's palm 102. The center portion 28 may also include raised features 20a in a similar manner. A plurality of gaps 26 are preferably provided through the resilient member 22 and bridge 32 over where each second locking member 24 is located. The gaps 26 are formed as a result of the molding process 26 but may also be useful in determining the position of the second locking members 24 and for allowing greater flexibility of the bridge 32.

[0034] In use, the container 14 is filled with medicine or other items and the cap 12 is placed over the opening 14a. The cap 12 is then turned in the first rotational direction 96 until the second locking members 24 contact and are forced over the ramped lips 18a of the first locking members 18 locking the second locking members 24 in the corresponding grooves 18b in the locked position (Fig. 3). The flattened side of the ramped lips 18a and the second leg 18d cooperate to prevent the second locking members 24 from moving in either the first or second rotational directions 96, 98. The second locking members 24 which are not engaged with the first locking members 18 are held below the tabs 16. The resilient force provided by the resilient member 22 retains the second locking members 24 within the grooves 18b. To disengage the first and second locking members 18, 24, a user must press their palm 102 downwardly in the second axial direction 94 on the upper surface 12a, specifically over the skirt 30, such that the skirt 30 is forced downwardly thereby releasing the second locking members 24 from the first locking members 18 as shown in the disengaged position (Fig. 4B). Removing the user's palm 102 from the cap 12, without twisting the cap 12 would place the cap 12 back into the locked position. Once cap 12 is in the disengaged position, the cap 12 must then be twisted in the second rotational direction 98 such that the second locking members 24 are removed from underneath the first locking members 18 and away from the ramped lips 18b as shown in Fig. 4C. The cap 12 may then be released causing the spring bias of the resilient member 22 caused by the downward flexure of the resilient member 22 to return to its initial relaxed position and thereby allowing the cap 12 to be twisted in the second rotational direction 98 and re-locked to the container 14 or the cap 12 may be removed from the container 14 by pulling upwardly on the cap 12 in the first axial direction 92 away from the container 14. [0035] Referring to Figs. 5-8, there is shown a second preferred embodiment of the cap and container assembly, generally designated 210. The cap and container assembly 210 includes a cap 212 that covers an opening 214a of a container 214.

[0036] Referring to Fig. 6, the container 214 includes a neck 214b that extends from a container base 214c. The neck 214b is preferably spaced radially inwardly from the base 214c but the neck 214b may also be generally inline or flush with the base 214c. The neck 214b preferably has a cylindrical shape and surrounds or forms the opening 214a. The neck 214b is preferably threaded 214e for attachment to the cap 212. Alternatively, the neck 214b may include a tapered surface similar to the above described cap and container assembly 10 or a snap groove and ridge seal. [0037] The base 214c preferably includes a first locking member 218 and preferably four first locking members 218 that are equally spaced around the outer periphery of the base 214c proximate the neck 214b. The first locking members 218 are preferably ramped projections that each have a radially extending ridge 218a and a convex ramp 218b that extends from the base 214c and slopes radially and circumferentially to the ridge 218a such that the first locking members 218 are generally curved in the first rotational direction 296 and the ridges 218a form abutments the second rotational direction 298. The first locking members 218 may alternatively be positioned in the opposite rotational direction such that a counterintuitive motion, twisting the cap 212 in the first rotational direction 296, is used to release the cap 212 from the container 214. The first or second rotational direction 296, 298 needed to release the cap 212 from the container 214 may be indicated on the cap 212 and/or container 214 so to be only recognized by an older, literate user. [0038] The cap 212 is sized and shaped to removably mount over the opening 214a of the container 214. The cap 212 covers the opening 214a in a locked position (Fig. 7) and a disengaged position (not shown) and is removable from the container in a released position (Fig. 8). The disengaged position is similar to the released position except that the cap 212 in the disengaged position the cap 212 has not been rotated from the locked position with respect to the container 214 in the second rotational direction 298. The cap 212 is preferably comprised of an inner core 220 and an outer covering or resilient member 222. The inner core 220 is preferably constructed of a generally rigid polypropylene material or any generally rigid polymeric material known in the art for cap enclosures and may be the same material as the container 214. The resilient member 222 is preferably constructed of an elastomeric material such as a thermoplastic elastemer (TPE) having a higher degree of flexibility, resiliency and a higher friction coefficient than the material of the inner core 220. The cap 212 is preferably manufactured using a two shot injection molding process but may be constructed in any matter. [0039] The cap 212 includes a center portion 228 that is disposed on the axis 200 and an axially extending skirt 230. The skirt 230 is radially spaced from the center portion 228 and extends at least partially further from the first locking member 218 in a first axial direction 292 than the center portion 228 when the cap 210 is in the locked position. The skirt 230 is preferably generally cylindrical and has an upper outer periphery 230a (Fig. 7) that is preferably the portion that extends further from the first locking member 218 in the first axial direction 292 than the center portion 228 in the locked position. Alternatively, the skirt 230 may only have segments (not shown) of the upper outer periphery 230a that extend axially further from the first locking member 218 than the center portion 228. The skirt 230 is preferably connected to the center portion 228 by a radially extending bridge 232. The bridge 232 is preferably constructed of the same material as the center portion 228 and the skirt 230 but preferably has a sufficiently thin cross section to allow the bridge 232 to flex in the axial direction. The bridge 232 is preferably generally rigid in the circumferential directions. The skirt 230, the bridge 232 and the center portion 228 form the inner core 220. The resilient member 222 preferably extends from the center portion 228 over the bridge 232 and at least partially and preferably substantially over the skirt 230. The resilient member 222 may also cover the center portion 220 and need not cover the entire skirt 230. The resilient member 222 adds resiliency to the bridge 232.

[0040] Referring to Fig. 7, the inner core 220 also includes a rim 234 that extends axially downwardly from the center portion 228 and is spaced radially inwardly from the skirt 230. The rim 234 is preferably threaded 234a to form a threaded engagement with threads 214e on the neck 214b. The skirt 230 includes a second locking member 224 and preferably four equally spaced second locking members 224 that project radially inwardly from the skirt 230. The second locking members 224 are preferably similar to the first locking members 218 and are preferably ramped projections that each have a radially extending ridge 224a and a convex ramp 224b that extends from the skirt 230 and radially and circumferentially to the ridge 224a such that the second locking members 224 are generally curved in the second rotational direction 296 (looking down on the cap 212) and the ridges 224a form abutments in the first rotational direction 296 that mate with ridges 218a of the first locking members 218 in the locked position. A deflector 236 preferably extends from the base 214c proximate to each ridge 218a and includes an angled surface 236a to deflect the downwardly moving skirt 230 radially outwardly and disengage the first locking members 218 from the second locking member 224 as described further below. The deflector 236 is preferably a flange-like projection proximate each ridge 218a but may be in the form of a rim or ridge (not shown) that extends around the periphery of the base 214c. [0041] The resilient member 222 is preferably over molded or injection molded onto the inner core 220 to form a single, unitary cap 212. The resilient member 222 is preferably generally concavely shaped between the center portion 228 and the skirt 230 but may have any desired shape. The resilient member 222 may increases in thickness toward the skirt 230 and add to or replace the upper outer periphery 230a of the skirt 230 and the bridge 232 and extend axially further than the center portion 228 such that the skirt 230 is comprised of both a portion of the inner core 220 and the resilient member 222. In this manner, a portion of the resilient member 222 is essentially the skirt 230 such that a portion of the skirt 230 proximate the upper outer periphery of the cap 212 extends axially further from the first locking member 218 than the center portion 228. The skirt 230 is movable in the axial direction with respect to the center portion 228 and the bridge 232 is at least partially flexible. The resilient member 222 spring biases the skirt 230 in the first axial direction

292 when the skirt 30 is depressed in an opposite, second axial direction 294. The resulting shape of the top 212a of the cap 212 enables a generally flat surface such as a user's palm 102 (Fig. 4A) to push down on the cap 212 causing the outer periphery of the top surface of the cap 212a and the resilient member 222 to flatten at least partially downwardly in the second axial direction 294 and displace the skirt 230 downwardly in the second axial direction 294. [0042] Referring to Fig. 5, the top surface 212a, specifically the resilient member 222 is preferably textured to increase the friction between the cap 212 and the user's palm 102. The top surface 212a of the cap 212 may include raised ridges (not shown) to increase grip on the user's palm 102. A plurality of gaps 226 are preferably provided through the bridge 232. The gaps 226 are preferably covered by the resilient member 222 but may be at least partially exposed. The gaps s26 help allow for greater flexibility of the bridge 232 in the axial direction. [0043] In use, the container 214 is filled with medicine or other items and the cap 212 is placed over the opening 214a. The cap 212 is then turned in the first rotational direction 296 until the second locking members 224 contact and are forced over the first locking members 218 such that the ridges 218a, 224a of the first and second locking members 218, 224 are in abutting engagement in the locked position (Fig. 7). The ridges 218a, 224a prevent the second locking members 224 from moving in the second rotational direction 298. To disengage the first and second locking members 218, 224, a user must press their palm 102 (similar to Fig. 4A) downwardly on the upper surface 212a, specifically over the skirt 230, such that the skirt 230 is forced downwardly urging the skirt 230 against the deflectors 236 to deflect the skirt 230 radially outwardly thereby releasing the second locking members 224 from the first locking members 218 in the disengaged position (not shown). Removing the user's palm 102 from the cap 212, without twisting the cap 212 would place the cap 212 back into the locked position. Once cap is in the disengaged position, the cap 212 must then be twisted in the second rotational direction 298 such that the second locking members 224 are twisted over and past the first locking members 218 (Fig. 8). Continued rotation of the cap 212 releases the threads 214e, 234b and places the cap 212 into the released position. The first and second locking members 218, 214 may also be configured to disengage in the axial direction. [0044] Referring to Fig. 9, there is shown a third preferred embodiment of the cap and container assembly, generally designated 310. The cap and container assembly 310 is similar to the cap and container assembly 210 of the second embodiment except that the cap and container assembly 310 is preferably constructed of a single material. Rather than use a second material for spring biasing the skirt 330, the resilient member 322 integrally connects the center portion 328 and the skirt 330 and replaces the bridge 232. The resilient member 322, which extends at least partially from the center portion 328 to the skirt 330, preferably has a folded or accordion-like shape such that the resilient member 322 can expand and flex to allow the skirt 330 to move in the second axial direction 294 and return to its original position once the skirt 330 is released. The resilient member 322 is also preferably upwardly curved to give the top 312a a convex shape. At least a portion of the skirt 330 extends axially further from the first locking members 318 than the center portion 328 such that pressing on the cap 212 with a generally flat surface such as a user's palm 102 urges the skirt 330 in the second axial direction 294 and disengages the first and second locking members 318, 324. [0045] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS I/we claim:

1. A child resistant cap and container assembly which requires two or more concurrent motions for removing the cap from the container and accessing the contents within the container, the child resistant cap and container assembly comprising: a container having a center axis, an opening on the center axis and a first locking member proximate the opening; and a cap removably mounted onto the container and covering the opening in a locked position and a disengaged position and being removable from the container in a released position, the cap having a center portion disposed on the axis and an axially extending skirt radially spaced from the center portion, the skirt at least partially extending further from the first locking member in a first axial direction than the center portion when the cap is in the locked position, a resilient member extending at least partially between the center portion and the skirt and biasing the skirt in the first axial direction, the skirt including a second locking member releasably engageable with the first locking member, whereby the first and second locking members engage when the cap is placed on the container and twisted in a first rotational direction with respect to the container into the locked position, the first and second locking members preventing the cap from twisting in an opposite second rotational direction when in the locked position, urging the skirt in the second axial direction disengages the first and second locking members and places the cap in the disengaged position, and twisting the cap relative to the container in the second rotational direction while in the disengaged position places the cap in the released position.

2. The child resistant cap and container assembly of claim 1, wherein the container includes a neck extending in the first axial direction and forming the opening, the neck extending further in the first axial direction than the first locking member, the center portion of the cap being in contact with the neck when the cap is in the disengaged position.

3. The child resistant cap and container assembly of claim 2, wherein the cap includes a center sealing rim that extends from the center portion in the second axial direction and forms a seal with the neck in the locked position to seal the opening closed.

4. The child resistant cap and container assembly of claim 3, wherein the sealing rim and the neck include corresponding threads that are engaged in the locked position and disengaged in the released position.

5. The child resistant cap and container assembly of claim 1, wherein center portion and the skirt are connected by a bridge and form a generally rigid core and the resilient member forms a flexible cover covering and forming at least a portion of the bridge and at least partially covering and forming the skirt.

6. The child resistant cap and container assembly of claim 5, wherein the core is constructed of polypropylene material and the cover is constructed of an elastomeric material.

7. The child resistant cap and container assembly of claim 1, wherein the first locking member includes a radially outwardly extending member having a groove and the second locking member is a radially inwardly extending tab, the second locking member being received in the groove in the locked position.

8. The child resistant cap and container assembly of claim 7, wherein when in the disengaged position the first and second locking members are disengaged in the axial direction.

9. The child resistant cap and container assembly of claim 1 , wherein the center portion, the resilient member and the skirt are integrally formed.

10. The child resistant cap and container assembly of claim 9, wherein the resilient member has an accordion shape in the locked position, the resilient member expanding and flexing to release and bias the skirt in the disengaged position.

11. The child resistant cap and container assembly of claim 1 , wherein the skirt is generally cylindrical and has an upper outer periphery that is the portion that extends further from first locking member in a first axial direction than the center portion when the cap is in the locked position.

12. The child resistant cap and container assembly of claim 11 , wherein the resilient member extends from the center portion to the upper outer periphery of the skirt and is generally concave in shape.

13. The child resistant cap and container assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first locking member includes four first locking members spaced equally around the opening and the second locking member includes four second locking members spaced equally around an inner surface of the skirt.

14. The child resistant cap and container assembly of claim 1 , wherein the resilient member extends over and substantially covers the skirt.

15. The child resistant cap and container assembly of claim 1, wherein the container includes a slanted surface generally radially inline with the first locking member, the slanted surface deflecting the skirt radially outwardly when the cap is in the disengaged position disengaging the first and second locking members in the radial direction.