Child Resistant Dosing Adapter Cap

Abstract

A child resistant cap of the type where a first cap is threaded onto a medication bottle and a second cap is normally freely rotatable over the first cap is provided with an elastomeric closure penetrable by the orificed blunt end of a liquid transfer implement such as an oral syringe to allow a dose of medication to be drawn by the syringe from the bottle in an inverted condition of the bottle without significant leakage.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The novel concept is a combination of a self resealing elastomeric closure with a child resistant cap for use on medication bottles, in particular, bottles for liquid oral medications. The novel cap facilitates dosing of the liquid medication by means of an oral syringe.

2. State of the Prior Art

Child resistant caps are known and commonly used on medication bottles. One such cap has a knurled outer cap which is normally freely rotatable over an inner cap. The inner cap is threaded onto the neck of a medication bottle in a conventional manner. The top or outer cap turns freely on the inner cap until it is pressed down with some force onto the inner cap, at which point the rotary motion of the outer cap is transferred through a clutching action to the inner cap, causing the inner cap to turn and twist on or off the threaded neck of the bottle. This arrangement normally keeps a young child from opening the bottle, but an informed adult is able to remove the cap. This kind of child resistant cap in its basic form is conventional, but has not been used in combination with the self resealing elastomeric closure according to this invention.

In co-pending patent application Ser. No. 12/917,476 of Abner Levy filed Nov. 1, 2010 is disclosed a medication bottle provided with a self resealing closure for use with an oral syringe. In the '476 application the elastomeric closure is installed in a plug fitted within the mouth of the medication bottle and a conventional cap is threaded onto the neck of the medication bottle and over the elastomeric closure. Among the benefits and advantages of this earlier combination is that the elastomeric closure keeps the bottle normally closed against environmental contaminants, allows the bottle to be inverted onto the syringe for easier and more accurate dosing and keeps unsupervised children from drinking the medication through the self resealed elastomeric closure even if the outer cap is removed.

However, in the earlier arrangement the conventional cap has to be removed by unscrewing to gain access to the elastomeric closure with an oral syringe. This is typically a two handed operation and the cap, once removed could be forgotten, misplaced or lost, such that in subsequent use of the medication bottle some of the aforementioned advantages are lost. For example, environmental contaminants can deposit onto the exposed elastomeric closure during storage and may be later pushed into the bottle by the syringe neck.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disadvantages just mentioned of the prior combination are overcome by the present invention while retaining the aforementioned benefits.

The improved combination according to this application integrates the elastomeric closure with a child resistant cap. In one embodiment, the elastomeric self resealing septum in the present invention may be similar to the one disclosed in the co-pending patent application, i.e. a dished circular top surface and a planar bottom surface, the diameter of sufficient size to accept the neck of the oral syringe, and suspended on the rim of a hole in the plastic cap.

However, in the improved combination according to this invention, the elastomeric closure is fitted into an off center opening in the inner cap of the child resistant cap. The top or outer cap has an off center hole which can be turned into overlying alignment with the elastomeric closure. The oral syringe is used as in the previous concept, and as shown in the attached drawings, by pressing the neck of the syringe through the elastomeric septum until the open end of the syringe neck enters the interior of the bottle. Liquid contents of the bottle can be drawn into the syringe, and this process may be facilitated by inverting the bottle together with the syringe so that the liquid contents overlie the open syringe end while the plunger is pulled from the syringe barrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical oral medication bottle B provided with the child resistant dosing adapter cap 10 according to this invention and a typical oral syringe S for use with the same;

FIG. 2 is an elevational cross section taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 showing the stacked top cap and inner cap which together make up the child resistant dosing adapter cap, with the inner cap threaded onto the neck K of the medication bottle B.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the child resistant dosing adapter cap in which the top cap is shown in solid lining and the inner cap is indicated in phantom lining, and arrow a-a suggests rotation of the top cap relative to the inner cap for bringing the access hole into and out of overlying alignment with the self resealing closure;

FIG. 4 is a view as in FIG. 3 but with the top cap rotated relative to the inner cap so as to bring the access hole into overlying alignment with the self resealing closure on inner cap;

FIG. 5 is a view as in FIG. 4 but also showing the neck of an oral syringe S in spaced apart axial alignment with access hole and elastomeric closure of the child resistant dosing adapter cap;

FIG. 6 is a view as in FIG. 5 showing the elastomeric closure penetrated by the syringe neck N thereby placing the syringe S in fluidic communication with the interior of oral medication bottle B;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the inverted oral medication bottle B and with neck N of oral syringe S aimed upwardly towards the access hole of the dosing adapter cap in a relationship similar to that seen in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view as in FIG. 7 but with the neck N of oral syringe S penetrating the slit of self resealing elastomeric closure as in the cross section of FIG. 6 for drawing a dose L of liquid medication from bottle B into the barrel of syringe S as suggested by the arrow b-b.

FIG. 9 is an elevational cross section of an improved version of the child resistant dosing adapter cap;

FIG. 10 is a cross section taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9 showing an elastomeric closure pre-punched through a center point; and

FIG. 11 is a section as in FIG. 10 showing an alternate embodiment of the elastomeric closure pre-cut with a slit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate like elements, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical oral medication bottle B provided with the child resistant dosing adapter cap 10 according to this invention and a typical oral syringe S for use with the same.

FIG. 2 is an elevational cross section taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 showing the top cap 12 and inner cap 14 which together make up the child resistant dosing adapter cap 10, with the inner cap 14 threaded onto the neck K of the medication bottle B and the top cap 12 rotatably supported on the inner cap 14. This sectional view also shows the self resealing elastomeric closure 20 supported in an opening 16 defined in the inner cap 14 and an access hole 22 defined in the top cap 12, which in this FIG. 2 is shown rotated relative to inner cap 14 so that access hole 22 is circumferentially located away from overlying alignment with closure 20 and the self resealing elastomeric closure 20 is covered and protected by a solid portion of the top cap 12.

This invention is not limited to a particular closure 20 provided that the closure is self resealing to a substantially liquid tight condition following penetration by and subsequent withdrawal of the neck N of an oral syringe S, and is able to make a substantially liquid tight seal against the neck of an oral syringe while it is pressed through the self-resealing closure and into the capped bottle or container B.

In the presently preferred embodiment the elastomeric closure 20 is a unitary structure molded onto inner cap 14 to form an oversized exterior lip 26 about the mounting hole 16 and an interior liner 28 covering the undersurface 38 of the inner cap 14. Lip 26 and liner 28 are interconnected by, and integral with, the central body of closure 20 which extends through mounting hole 16 such that the rim of the mounting hole 16 is captive between the exterior lip 26 and interior liner 28, thereby fixing and securely supporting the elastomeric closure 20 to the inner cap 14.

The elastomeric closure has a concavely dished septum 34 and the underside 36 of interior liner 28 is planar, such that the closure 20 has a minimum thickness at the center 32 of septum 34. In the presently preferred embodiment, the self resealing elastomeric closure 20 is pre-punched, pre-slit or perforated with either a point perforation or a slit through the area of minimum thickness 32 of the closure. Other kinds of cuts and perforations can be made through the elastomeric septum, including cross-cuts, star cuts, among still others, depending on the size of the septum and syringe neck or other liquid transfer implement being used. The combination of elastomer and perforation/slit are chosen such as to admit the typically blunt, orificed end of the syringe neck N through the minimum thickness area 32 of elastomeric closure 20 by causing the elastomer to stretch and encompass the circumference of syringe neck N while forming a substantially liquid tight seal against the neck N. For example, the length of slit 30 may be slightly shorter than the diameter of the syringe neck N near the orificed end of the neck. This permits the bottle B to be inverted over the syringe S without leakage of the bottle contents.

The integral cap liner 28 of closure 20 performs a dual function. It serves to retain closure 20 to cap 14 as previously explained, and also serves as a compressible gasket between cap 14 and top rim R of bottle B when inner cap 14 is tightened by screwing onto the thread T of bottle neck K, thereby to help provide a positive air tight seal of the capped bottle contents.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the child resistant dosing adapter cap 10 in which the top cap 12 is shown in solid lining and the inner cap 14 is indicated in phantom lining, and arrow a-a suggests rotation of the top cap 12 relative to the inner cap 14 for bringing the access hole 22 into and out of overlying alignment with the self resealing closure 20;

FIG. 4 is a view as in FIG. 2 but with the top cap 12 rotated relative to the inner cap 14 so as to bring the access hole 22 into overlying alignment with the self resealing closure 20 on inner cap 14, so that the neck N of oral syringe S may be applied through access hole 22 for penetrating the elastomeric closure 20;

FIG. 5 is a view as in FIG. 4 but also showing the neck of an oral syringe S in spaced apart axial alignment with access hole 22 and elastomeric closure 22 of the child resistant dosing adapter cap 10;

FIG. 6 is a view as in FIG. 5 showing the elastomeric closure 20 penetrated by the syringe neck N thereby placing the barrel of syringe S in fluidic communication with the interior of oral medication bottle B;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the inverted oral medication bottle B, with neck N of oral syringe S aimed upwardly towards the access hole 22 of the dosing adapter cap 10 in a relationship similar to that seen in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view as in FIG. 7 but with the neck N of oral syringe S penetrating the slit 30 of self resealing elastomeric closure 20 as in the cross section of FIG. 6 for drawing a dose L of liquid medication from bottle B into the barrel of syringe S as suggested by the arrow b-b, while the penetrated elastomeric closure 20 on the inverted bottle B maintains a substantially leak-tight fit about the exterior circumference of the syringe neck N. Once the desired dose L is drawn into syringe S, syringe neck N is withdrawn from the elastomeric closure 20 which then reverts to a sealed substantially liquid tight condition of slit 30 in response to elastic forces inherent within the elastomeric material constituting the self resealing closure 20.

In another embodiment of the invention, the design and construction of elastomeric closure 20 may include the teachings of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,030,582, 6,351,744 and 6,752,965, the specifications of which are hereby incorporated by this reference. In such embodiment the self resealing elastomeric closure 20 has a thinner central area of minimum thickness with the elastomeric material increasing in thickness in a radially outward direction of the closure 20. A preferred structure for achieving this geometry may include a concavely dished depression 34 on one side, e.g. the exterior side, of the inner cap 14, and an opposite convexly curved inner surface 36 of lesser curvature than the concave outer depression 34, including a planar inner surface, on the opposite side of cap 14. In the illustrated embodiment the interior or inner surface 36 of the elastomeric closure 20 is substantially planar. In this embodiment the self resealing action of the elastomeric closure 20 is at least partly derived from the geometry of the closure. The central area of dished depression 34 may be pre-cut with a slit 30 such that the central area is more easily penetrable by the blunt open end of syringe neck N when the neck is applied against the closure 20 with relatively modest manual pushing force. The greater thickness and shape of the surrounding elastomeric material about the dished depression 34 is such as to promote re-closing of the slit 30 to a substantially liquid tight condition following penetration by and subsequent withdrawal of the syringe neck N.

An improved embodiment of the above described child resistant dosing adapter cap 10 is shown in FIGS. 9 through 11 and generally designated by the numeral 10′. The dosing adapter cap 10′ adds the following two features over the previously described dosing adapter cap 10 of FIGS. 1 through 8. Firstly, the elastomeric closure has a raised edge 52 above the upper surface 14a of the inner cap 14 for containing any residual liquid remaining on the central dished area of the elastomeric seal 32, e.g., following the drawing of a dose of liquid medication M from bottle B with a syringe S. Preferably, the raised edge 14a has an upper rim 52a which is near to or in actual contact with the underside 12a of the upper cap 12, so as to form a generally enclosed space 55 over the elastomeric seal. The raised rim 52a not only helps contain liquid within the central area of the elastomeric closure 32, but also provides a support for the upper cap 12 which may be somewhat loosely assembled to the lower cap 14

Secondly, a protrusion or post 54 which may be integrally formed with the inner cap 14 rises from the upper surface 14a of the inner cap to a height similar to that of the raised edge 52a of the closure 32. The post 54 is preferably located diametrically opposite to the elastomeric closure 32 on the circular upper surface 14a of the inner cap 14 and provides a second support for stabilizing the upper cap 12 against excessive wobble. The preferred shape of post 54 is generally disc shaped as seen in top plan view, as in FIGS. 10 and 11, and is located so as to align with the access opening 22 in the top cap 12 when the top cap is rotated approximately 180 degrees away from the elastomeric closure 32, such that the closure 32 is covered by a solid portion of top cap 12 and the closure 32 is not accessible through opening 22. In this condition the post 54 when seen through the access opening provides visual indication of a closed state of the dosing adapter cap 10′, and also enhances the aesthetic appeal of the cap 10′ by providing a surface immediately underlying the access opening 22 and generally blocking the view into the space between the upper and inner caps 12, 14. The access opening 22 has a tapered or chamfered edge 22a on the underside 12a of the top cap 12 and the top rim 54a of post 54 is rounded, to facilitate travel of the access hole 22 across post 54 by avoiding friction between sharp edges.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the diametrically opposed relationship between the elastomeric closure 32 and the bearing post 54 on the circular upper surface 14a of the inner cap 14.

FIGS. 10 and 11 also illustrate two alternate forms of pre-cutting or pre-perforating the elastomeric closure 54 to facilitate penetration of the blunt orificed end of the neck N of oral syringe S and into the medicine bottle B for drawing a dose of medication.

FIG. 10 shows the elastomeric closure 32 punctured or punched with a small generally circular central perforation 30a made with an awl-type tool or equivalent, such that in a normal condition of the closure 32 the perforation 30a is closed to a liquid tight point against leakage of liquid from the medicine bottle by the inherent elastic force of the closure's elastomer, yet perforation 30a will expand under the urging of the blunt ended neck N of the oral syringe S to admit and pass the syringe neck N through the thickness of the closure 32 and into the neck space K of the medication bottle where the syringe S may draw liquid when the bottle B is inverted over the upward pointing syringe S, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 shows the elastomeric closure pre-cut with a slit 30b oriented generally diametrically across the center of the closure 32 and preferably cutting through the full thickness of the elastomeric closure. The slit 30b of FIG. 11 is formed with a blade-like tool of narrow width, such that in a normal condition of the closure 32 the slit 30b is held closed by the inherent elastic force of the elastomer against leakage of liquid contents of the bottle B. The length of slit 30b is such as to admit passage of the neck N of the syringe S when the blunt end of the neck is pressed against the slit.

The round or circular point-type perforation 30a of FIG. 10 is preferred for larger bottles B and for relatively low viscosity fluids because the circular or cylindrical shape of the distended hole more closely encompasses the cylindrical or slightly tapering neck N of the syringe S. The elongated slit 30b of FIG. 11 is helpful with smaller bottles B and more viscous liquids because the slit 30b leaves small, generally triangular openings or passages at each end of the distended slit after admitting the tubular neck N of the syringe. These end openings allow passage of air into and out of the capped bottle B and permit the pressure in the bottle to equilibrate with ambient atmospheric pressure so as to facilitate drawing of relatively viscous fluid into the syringe S, because ambient air flows into the bottle as the fluid is drawn. The small end openings in the distended slit 30b do not create a significant leakage problem even when the bottle B is upended over the syringe S because viscous liquid will not flow easily through the small passages.

The improved child resistant dosing cap of this invention is not limited to use with oral syringes; and that other liquid transfer implements such as laboratory pipettes, particularly disposable plastic pipettes, may be used as well. In general, the self-resealing dosing cap 10 can be used with liquid transfer implements having a blunt tip of suitable size and shape for penetrating the elastomeric closure of the dosing cap.

While particular embodiments have been described and illustrated for purposes of clarity and example, it will be understood that many changes, substitutions and modifications to the described embodiments will be apparent to those having only ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of this invention which is defined only by the following claims:

What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A child resistant self-resealing dosing adapter cap comprising: an inner cap having a thread engageable to a threaded bottle neck, a top cap rotatably retained to said inner cap, said top cap being engageable for transferring rotation to said inner cap thereby to screw or unscrew said inner cap to and from a said threaded bottle neck, a self sealing closure through said inner cap and penetrable with the blunt orificed end of a liquid transfer implement such as an oral syringe, and an access hole in said top cap and rotatable therewith into overlying relationship with said closure thereby to permit access to said closure by a said oral syringe.

2. The child resistant self-resealing dosing adapter cap of claim 1 wherein said self sealing closure is of elastomeric material and has a septum including a dished central area of minimum thickness sized, shaped and configured to substantially self-reseal following penetration with the blunt orificed end of a liquid transfer implement where said orificed end is of diameter smaller than said septum.

3. The child resistant self-resealing dosing adapter cap of claim 2 wherein said closure is pre-slit or pre-cut through said central area of minimum thickness to facilitate penetration by said blunt orificed end.

4. The child resistant self-resealing dosing adapter cap of claim 1 wherein said closure is pre-punched or pre-slit through said elastomeric closure from an outer surface of said septum to an undersurface of said closure.

5. The child resistant self-resealing dosing adapter cap of claim 1 wherein said closure has a disk shaped interior end operative as a liner between said inner cap and a rim of a said bottle neck.

6. The child resistant self-resealing dosing adapter cap of claim 1 wherein said closure has a top rim near to or in contact with an underside of said top cap to help contain any residual liquid against spillage from said closure.

7. The child resistant self-resealing dosing adapter cap of claim 1 further comprising a post rising from said cap for generally blocking said access hole in a closed position of said top cap.

8. The child resistant self-resealing dosing adapter cap of claim 7 wherein said post is diametrically opposed to said closure on said inner cap to help support said top cap against wobbling on said inner cap.

9. The child resistant self-resealing dosing adapter cap of claim 7 wherein said post has a tapered upper edge and said access hole has a tapered inner edge complementing said tapered upper edge for facilitating turning displacement of said top cap over said post.

10. The child resistant self-resealing dosing adapter cap of claim 1 wherein said self sealing closure has an upper portion above a top side of said inner cap and a lower portion below an underside of said inner cap, said upper and said lower portion being of diameter larger than said closure hole for fastening said closure to said inner cap.

11. The child resistant self-resealing dosing adapter cap of claim 10 wherein said upper and said lower portions are integrally formed with each other as by molding of said closure onto said inner cap.

12. The child resistant self-resealing dosing adapter cap of claim 1 wherein said lower portion of said cap is enlarged to serve as a liner between said inner cap and a rim of said threaded bottle neck.

13. A child resistant self-resealing dosing adapter cap comprising: an inner cap having a thread mateable to a threaded bottle neck and a self-sealing elastomeric closure through said inner cap, said closure being penetrable with a blunt tipped liquid transfer implement such as a pipette or the neck of an oral syringe for drawing liquid from a bottle or container mated to said cap, an upper cap rotatably retained to said inner cap, an access hole in said upper cap overlying said closure in a first position of said upper cap; and a post rising from said upper cap for generally blocking said access hole in a second position of said upper cap, wherein said upper cap is normally locked against rotation in one direction relative to said inner cap and releasable from said lock by lifting said upper cap away from said inner cap.

14. The child resistant self-resealing dosing adapter cap of claim 13 wherein said closure has a top rim in proximity to or contact with an underside of said upper cap for containing any residual liquid against spillage from said closure.

15. The child resistant self-resealing dosing adapter cap of claim 14 further comprising a post rising from said inner cap and diametrically opposed to said closure for generally blocking said access hole in a closed position of said top cap and help support said top cap against wobbling on said inner cap.