Patent Application
20200102113
The present disclosure relates generally to child-resistant containers and methods of manufacturing the same.
Child resistant containers to house products to be kept out of the reach of children, such as medicines, are desired. Child resistant containers often have complex mechanisms to operate. A more robust child resistant container is desired.
In an example embodiment, a child-resistant container is provided. The child resistant container includes an outer housing defining a cavity, and an inner receptacle configured to be slidably received in the cavity of the outer housing and move between a closed position and an open position. The outer housing includes at least one locking member, and the inner receptacle includes at least one locking member configured to engage the at least one locking member of the outer housing when the inner receptacle is in the closed position. The outer housing also includes at least one flexible release mechanism configured to disengage the at least one locking member of the inner receptacle from the at least one locking member of the outer housing. In another example embodiment, the at least one release mechanism includes at least one score. In yet another example embodiment, the child resistant container also includes at least one notch in the outer housing, the at least one notch exposing a portion of the inner receptacle when the inner receptacle is in the closed position. In another example embodiment, one of the outer housing and the inner receptacle further includes a catch, and the other of the outer housing and the inner receptacle includes a stop member configured to engage the catch when the inner receptacle is in the open position. In one example embodiment, the entire outer housing is formed by bending a single piece of material. In a further example embodiment, the outer housing at least one locking member is a flap. In another example embodiment the entire inner receptacle is formed by bending a single piece of material. In yet another example embodiment, inner receptacle at least one locking member is a tab, rib, or flange. In yet another example embodiment where each of the outer housing and inner receptacle are entirely formed by bending a single piece of material, the outer housing includes one of a catch or stop member and the inner receptacle includes the other of the catch or stop member, and the catch is configured to receive at least a portion of the stop member for preventing the inner receptacle from completely separating from the outer housing. In any of the aforementioned example embodiments, the outer housing and the inner receptacle are formed from paper material.
In another example embodiment a child-resistant container is provided including an outer housing defining a cavity, the outer housing being entirely made by bending a single piece of material, and an inner receptacle configured to be slidably received in the cavity of the outer housing and move between a closed position and an open position, the inner receptacle being entirely made by bending a single piece of material. The outer housing includes at least one locking member, and the inner receptacle includes at least one locking member configured to engage the at least one locking member of the outer housing when the inner receptacle is in the closed position. In yet another example embodiment, the outer housing further includes at least one release mechanism configured to disengage the at least one locking member of the inner receptacle from the at least one locking member of the outer housing. In a further example embodiment, the at least one release mechanism includes at least one score. In yet a further example embodiment, the child-resistant container further includes at least one notch in the outer housing, the at least one notch exposing a portion of the inner receptacle when the inner receptacle is in the closed position. In one example embodiment, the outer housing at least one locking member is a flap. In another example embodiment, the inner receptacle at least one locking member is a tab, rib, or flange. In a further example embodiment, the outer housing includes one of a catch or stop member and the inner receptacle comprises the other of the catch or stop member, and the catch is configured to engage at least a portion of the stop member for preventing the inner receptacle from completely separating from the outer housing. In yet another example embodiment, the catch is configured to receive at least a portion of the stop member of preventing the inner receptacle from completely separating from the outer housing. In any of the aforementioned example embodiments, the outer housing and the inner receptacle are formed from paper material.
In a further example embodiment, a child-resistant container is provided. The child resistant container includes an outer housing defining a cavity, and an inner receptacle configured to be slidably received in the cavity of the outer housing and move between a closed position and an open position. The outer housing includes at least one locking member, and the inner receptacle includes at least one locking member configured to engage the at least one locking member of the outer housing when the inner receptacle is in the closed position. The outer housing also includes at least one flexible release section configured to disengage the at least one locking member of the inner receptacle from the at least one locking member of the outer housing. In another example embodiment, the at least one flexible release section includes at least one score to enhance its flexibility.
The features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The present disclosure is directed to various embodiments of a child-resistant container including an outer housing and an inner receptacle slidably received in the outer housing. The inner receptacle is configured to slide relative to the outer housing between a closed position in which the inner receptacle is fully inserted into an inner cavity of the outer housing and an open position in which at least a portion of the inner receptacle extends out of the inner cavity of the outer housing. In the open position, a user may retrieve the contents contained in the inner receptacle. In one or more embodiments, the inner receptacle and the outer housing include corresponding releasable locking members for retaining the inner receptacle in the closed position. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the outer housing includes one or more release mechanisms which, when engaged by a user, disengage the releasable locking members from each other and allow the inner receptacle to be slid into the open position. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the child-resistant container includes a stop member and a catch. The stop member is configured to engage the catch when the inner receptacle is in the fully open position and thereby prevent the inner receptacle from completely withdrawing, i.e., separating from the outer housing.
With reference now to
With reference now to
With continued reference to the embodiment illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the locking members 312, 313 extend outward from the outer surfaces 314, 315, respectively, away from the compartment 310. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking members 312, 313 are flaps formed by forming notches 316, 317 in the sidewalls 302, 303, respectively, and then bending or folding the flaps forwardly toward the front wall 307. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the locking members 312, 313 (e.g., the flaps) tapers between a relatively wider end 318 proximate to the back wall 306 and a relatively narrower end 319 distal to the back wall 306. In one or more embodiments, the locking members 312, 313 may have any other suitable configuration for securing the inner receptacle 300 in the closed position inside the outer housing 200. For instance, in one or more embodiments, the locking members 312, 313 may include tabs, ribs, flanges, or combinations thereof. Additionally, although in the illustrated embodiment the locking members 312, 313 are integrally formed with the sidewalls 302, 303, in one or more embodiments the locking members 312, 313 may be separately formed form the sidewalls 302, 303 and then attached to the outer surfaces 314, 315 of the sidewalls 302, 303, respectively, in any suitable manner (e.g., with adhesive).
With continued reference to the embodiment illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the stop member 320 extends downward from a lower surface 321 of the bottom wall 301 away from the compartment 310. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the stop member 320 is located in a portion of the bottom wall 301 proximate to the back wall 306 (e.g., the stop member 320 is proximate to the rear edge 308 of the bottom wall 301). In the illustrated embodiment, the stop member 320 is a flap formed by forming a notch 322 in the bottom wall 301 and then bending or folding the flap forwardly toward the front wall 307 of the inner receptacle 300. In one or more embodiments, the stop member 320 may have any other suitable configuration. For instance, in one or more embodiments, the stop member 320 may include a tab, a ridge, a flange, or combinations thereof. Additionally, although in the illustrated embodiment the stop member 320 is integrally formed with the bottom wall 301, in one or more embodiments the stop member 320 may be separately formed form the bottom wall 301 and then attached to the lower surface 321 of the bottom wall 301 in any suitable manner (e.g., with adhesive).
With reference now to
With continued reference to
In the illustrated embodiment, the locking members 216, 217 extend inward from the inner surfaces 218, 219, respectively, of the sidewalls 203, 206 into the cavity 214. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking members 216, 217 are spaced apart from the back wall 209 and recesses 220, 221 are defined along the sidewalls 203, 206 between rear edges 222, 223 of the locking members 216, 217, respectively, and the back wall 209. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking members 216, 217 are flaps that are bent downward toward the bottom wall 201. The locking members 216, 217 may have any suitable configuration. For instance, in one or more embodiments, the locking members 216, 217 may include tabs, ribs, flanges, or combinations thereof. Additionally, although in the illustrated embodiment the locking members 216, 217 are integrally formed with a remainder of the outer housing 200 by folding the flaps, in one or more embodiments the locking members 216, 217 may be separately formed and then attached to the inner surfaces 218, 219 of the sidewalls 203, 206, respectively, in any suitable manner (e.g., with adhesive).
The recesses 220, 221 are configured to receive the locking members 312, 313 when the inner receptacle 300 is in the closed position relative to the outer housing 200. Additionally, when the inner receptacle 300 is in the closed position, forward edges 323, 324 (see
Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer housing 200 includes release mechanisms 224, 225 on the sidewalls 203, 206, respectively, which, when engaged, cause the locking members 312, 313 of the inner receptacle 300 to disengage the locking members 216, 217 of the outer housing 200 and thereby permit the inner receptacle 300 to slide relative to the outer housing 200 into the open position. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the release mechanisms 224, 225 and/or the portions of the sidewalls 203, 206 on which the release mechanisms 224, 225 are located are resilient. For instance, in one or more embodiments, the release mechanisms 224, 225 are configured to move inward toward the sidewalls 302, 303, respectively, of the inner receptacle 300 when an inward force is applied to the release mechanisms 224, 225 to cause the locking members 312, 313 of the inner receptacle 300 to disengage the locking members 216, 217 of the outer housing 200, and the release mechanisms 224, 225 are configured to rebound outward away from the sidewalls 302, 303, respectively, of the inner receptacle 300 when the inward force is no longer applied to the release mechanisms 224, 225. In one or more embodiments, the release mechanisms 224, 225 and/or the portions of the sidewalls 203, 206 on which the release mechanisms 224, 225 are located may be formed of one or more resilient materials. For example, in one or more embodiments, the sidewalls 203, 206, or at least the portions of the sidewalls 203, 206 on which the release mechanisms 224, 225 are located, may be formed of a flexible material.
In the illustrated embodiment, the release mechanisms 224, 225 include scores in the sidewalls 203, 206 of the outer housing 200 that increase the deformability of the sidewalls 203, 206 in the areas of the scores. In the illustrated embodiment, the scores in each of the sidewalls 203, 206 are T-shaped and include a first score segment 226 extending widthwise across the respective sidewall 203, 206 and a second score segment 227 extending rearward toward the back wall 209 from an intermediate (e.g., middle) portion of the first score segment 226. In one or more embodiments, the scores 226, 227 may have any other configuration suitable for increasing the inward deformability of the sidewalls 203, 206, such as, for instance, an X-shaped configuration. Additionally, although in the illustrated embodiments the scores of the release mechanisms 224, 225 each include two score segments, in one or more embodiments, each of the scores may include any other suitable number of score segments, such as a single score segment or more than two score segments. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the release mechanisms 224, 225 may include any other feature or features suitable for enabling a user to depress the sidewalls 203, 206, or at least portions thereof, inward, such as, for instance, perforations. In one or more embodiments, the material and/or the thickness of the sidewalls 203, 206 may be selected to provide the sidewalls 203, 206 sufficient inward deformability (e.g., when pressed inward by a user) to disengage the locking members 312, 313 of the inner receptacle 300 from the locking members 216, 217 of the outer housing 200 and thereby allow the inner receptacle 300 to slide into the open position.
In the illustrated embodiment, the outer housing 200 also includes a catch 228 on an inner surface 229 of the bottom wall 201. The catch 228 has an open end facing the back wall 209 of the outer housing 200. The catch 228 is configured to receive at least portion of the stop member 320 on the bottom wall 301 of the inner receptacle 300 when the inner receptacle 300 is in the fully open position. The engagement between the catch 228 and the stop member 320 is configured to prevent the inner receptacle 300 from completely withdrawing, i.e., separating from the outer housing 200. In one or more embodiments, the stop member 320 may be provided on the bottom wall 201 of the outer housing 200 and the catch 228 may be provided on the bottom wall 301 of the inner receptacle 300.
Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the opposing sidewalls 203, 206 of the outer housing 200 include notches 230, 231, respectively. The notches 230, 231 are configured to expose portions of the sidewalls 302, 303 of the inner receptacle 300 when the inner receptacle 300 is in the closed position, which allows a user to engage (e.g., grasp with the user's index finger and thumb) these exposed portions of the sidewalls 302, 303 of the inner receptacle 300 to slide the inner receptacle 300 relative to the outer housing 200 into the open position. In the illustrated embodiment, the notches 230, 231 are hemispherical. In one or more embodiments, the notches 230, 231 may have any other suitable shape, such as, for instance, square or rectangular.
In use, when the inner receptacle 300 is slid into the cavity 214 of the outer housing 200, the locking members 312, 313 of the inner receptacle 300 engage the locking members 216, 217 of the outer housing 200, which causes the locking members 312, 313 of the inner receptacle 300 to deflect inward toward the compartment 310 and allows the locking members 312, 313 of the inner receptacle 300 to slide along the locking members 216, 217 of the outer housing 200. Once the locking members 312, 313 of the inner receptacle 300 have slid past the locking members 216, 217 of the outer housing 200 and are aligned with the recesses 220, 221, respectively, of the outer housing 200, the locking members 312, 313 resiliently rebound outward away from the compartment 310 and extend into the recesses 220, 221, respectively (e.g., when the inner receptacle 300 is received in the cavity 214 of the outer housing 200 and in the fully closed position, the locking members 312, 313 of the inner receptacle 300 are received in the recesses 220, 221, respectively, in the outer housing 200). In this position, an attempt to pull the inner receptacle 300 out of the cavity 214 of the outer housing 200 would cause the forward edges 323, 324 of the locking members 312, 313 of the inner receptacle 300 to slide forward and engage the rear edges 222, 223, respectively, of the locking members 216, 217 of the outer housing 200, which would prevent the inner receptacle 300 from sliding out of the outer housing 200 into the open position.
To slide the inner receptacle 300 into the open position, a user may engage the release mechanisms 224, 225 of the outer housing 200 (e.g., by depressing the release mechanisms 224, 225 inward with the index finger and the thumb of one hand), grasp the inner receptacle 300 (e.g., grasp the portions of the sidewalls 302, 303 exposed by the notches 230, 231 in the outer housing 200 with the index finger and the thumb of the other hand), and then pull on the inner receptacle 300 in a direction away from the back wall 209 of the outer housing 200. Engaging the release mechanisms 224, 225 moves the locking members 312, 313 of the inner receptacle 300 inward clear of the locking members 216, 217 of the outer housing 200 so the locking members 312, 313 of the inner receptacle 300 can slide past the locking members 216, 217 of the outer housing 200 as the inner receptacle 300 moves into the open position.
In the fully open position, the stop member 320 of the inner receptacle 300 engages the catch 228 of the outer housing 200, and this engagement prevents the inner receptacle 300 from being completely removed from the cavity 214 of the outer housing 200 (e.g., the engagement between the stop member 320 and the catch 228 is configured to prevent the inner receptacle 300 from being separated from the outer housing 200).
While this invention has been described in detail with particular references to exemplary embodiments thereof, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the exact forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of assembly and operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principles, spirit, and scope of this invention, as set forth in the following claims. Although relative terms such as “outer,” “inner,” “upper,” “lower,” “below,” “above,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and similar terms have been used herein to describe a spatial relationship of one element to another, it is understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the various elements and components of the invention in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Additionally, as used herein, the term “substantially” and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent deviations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, the tasks described above may be performed in the order described or in any other suitable sequence. Additionally, the methods described above are not limited to the tasks described. Instead, for each embodiment, one or more of the tasks described above may be absent and/or additional tasks may be performed. Furthermore, as used herein, when a component is referred to as being “on” another component, it can be directly on the other component or components may also be present there between. Moreover, when a component is referred to as being “coupled” to another component, it can be directly attached to the other component or intervening components may be present there between.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/737,781, filed on Sep. 27, 2018, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62737781 | Sep 2018 | US |
