CHILD-RESISTANT OVERCAP

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for enclosing containers with a child-resistant overcap and preventing unauthorized access to containers are provided. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an overcap that can be placed onto a container or end closure, and the overcap may require a combination of forces to be removed from the container or end closure. Embodiments of the overcap can have a deflectable center portion where a force applied to the center portion deflects the center portion and causes snap features to release from a container or end closure. A second opposing force may then remove the overcap from the container or end closure. The forces and combination of features restricts the ability of a child or other to access potentially hazardous contents within the container.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to systems, methods, and apparatuses for enclosing containers. More specifically, this disclosure provides a child-resistant overcap for use with containers that have a seamed end closure and/or curled neck.

BACKGROUND

Modern containers are used to store a variety of products including beverages and food contents, and containers can have a variety of shapes and configurations depending on the contents. For instance, beverage containers may have a neck that is double seamed with a peripheral curl of an end closure to seal pressurized contents within the container. Other containers may have an open end that is configured to receive a deflectable lid or screw-on lid to enclose non-pressurized contents within the container.

While current containers can store pressurized contents, non-pressurized contents, wet contents, dry contents, etc., these containers can present a security issue. Current containers are often easily opened and in some cases easily closed with a lid. However, young children and those with developmental disabilities may not be able to appreciate that the contents of the container may be hazardous or able to read a warning label on the container or closure that indicates the hazardous nature of the contents. In addition, current containers and closures are often made from plastic material that is not always recyclable and can take hundreds or thousands of years to decompose.

Due to the limitations and shortcomings associated with current containers and closures, there is an unmet need for a safety closure that can enclose a container and that is not readily removed from the container to prevent unauthorized access to the contents within the container.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a child-resistant overcap that can be used with a container that has an end closure or a container that has an open end without an end closure. In some embodiments, the overcap requires two forces simultaneously applied to the overcap in opposing directions to remove the overcap from the container. This configuration is counterintuitive to a child or others who cannot appreciate the potentially hazardous contents and thus prevents unauthorized access of the container. The container can be used for hazardous materials, cannabis products, alcoholic products, etc.

It is thus an aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a center portion of the overcap that can deflect between a first position where the overcap is secured to an outermost diameter of an end of a container and a second position where the overcap may be removed from the container. In some embodiments, the center portion can be deflected from the first position to the second position and remain in the second position. In other embodiments, the center portion can be deflected from the first position to the second position but then automatically deflect back to the first position in the absence of a force on the center portion. In various embodiments, the same downward force is required to both deflect the center portion from the first position to the second position and hold the center portion in the second position. In some embodiments, a deflection force moves the center portion from the first position to the second position, and then a smaller holding force maintains the center portion in the second position. In these embodiments, the deflection force can be a first downward force and the holding force can be a second downward force. The deflection force and/or holding force can also be referred to as a downward force. A subsequent upward force that is larger than the downward force, or at least the holding force, removes the overcap from the container. This combination of forces is not intuitive to a child or others, and therefore inhibits a child or other from accessing potentially hazardous materials within the container.

It is an aspect of various embodiments of the present disclosure to provide at least one snap feature about a perimeter edge of the center portion of the overcap to selectively connect the overcap to the container or end closure. Slots between adjacent snap features allow the individual snap features to freely move. The snap features may be connected to the perimeter edge of the center portion at an angle that remains substantially constant as the center portion deflects between the first and second positions. As a result, distal or lower ends of the snap features define an inner diameter when the center portion is in the first position that is less than an inner diameter when the center portion is in the second position. Thus, the distal ends of the snap features can tuck under an outermost diameter of an end of the container such as a double seam or a curl when the center portion is in the first position. Then, the distal ends of the snap features move outward and release from the outermost diameter when the center portion is in the second position. Alternatively, the container may not have a distinct outermost diameter, and the snap features press into a neck or body of the container when the center portion of the overcap is in the first position.

It is another aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure to provide different configurations of snap features. The snap feature may have a first portion connected to the center portion of the overcap at an angle and have a second portion that is connected to the first portion at an angle. These angles allow the snap feature to secure the overcap to the container or end closure when the center portion is in the first position and then release the overcap from the container or end closure when the center portion is in the second position. It will be appreciated that the snap features can have other configurations. For example, each snap feature may be a single, continuous portion that is connected to the center portion of the overcap and allows the snap feature to provide the selective connection with the container or end closure. In a further embodiment, the overcap may have a single, continuous snap feature arranged about the perimeter edge of the center portion. Deflection of the center portion causes the continuous snap feature to move and provide the selective connection functionality.

It is an aspect of various embodiments of the present disclosure to provide an overcap that can be made from a variety of materials. For instance, the overcap, including the center portion and the snap features, can be made from a metal material such as aluminum or aluminum alloy, a plastic material such High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, Vinyl), etc. Generally, different materials provide different advantages to the overcap. Metals like aluminum can be recycled an infinite number of times while plastics can be recycled only a limited number of times. However, plastics can have a higher resistance to corrosive materials and other chemicals that can degrade the overcap. In terms of the construction of the overcap using different materials, a metal overcap may have a smaller inner diameter formed by the snap features when compared to a plastic overcap due to the lower elasticity of metal. In addition, the present disclosure describes the structure of an overcap, but for example, embodiments of the overcap can include reinforcing structures or supporting features that help a metal overcap revert to an original shape. For instance, an inner surface of a snap feature can have a rib that is oriented along a longitudinal length to help the snap feature revert back to an original shape and position when a downward force is removed from a center portion of the overcap.

It is a further aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a method of manufacturing and using an overcap as described herein. The manufacturing process can at least partially depend on the material of the overcap. For instance, an injection molding process may be preferred for a plastic overcap. In this embodiment, the overcap is molded in a structure as shown in the below figures. Then, the plastic overcap is pressed onto the end closure or neck of a container to enclose the container. Subsequent actions can be performed on the overcap and/or container such as applying a pilfer band to the overcap. In the instance of a metal overcap, the overcap can be impact extruded, cut and bent, etc. In one embodiment, a planar piece of metal is cut in a circular shape where the outer perimeter of the shape corresponds to the distal ends of the snap features. Then, the slots between the snap features are cut into the piece of metal. The piece of metal is positioned on the end closure or neck of the container, and a roller or other similar device bends the snap features downward around a portion of the container to both create the shape of the overcap and secure the overcap to the container.

Next, a sequence of forces is required to operate the overcap. First, a downward force is applied to the center portion of the overcap to move the center portion from a first position to a second position. This force causes the snap feature to move outward from the container, and this force can be generated by the index finger of a user's hand. In some embodiments, after initial deflection a lesser holding force is required to maintain the center portion in the second position. Next, one or more of the remaining fingers of a user's hand can grasp and pull the overcap with an upward force that is at least greater than a holding force to remove the overcap from the container and access the contents of the container.

A particular embodiment of the present disclosure is a flexible overcap to selectively prevent the opening of a container, comprising a center portion that is deflectable between a first upper position and a second lower position, wherein the center portion is biased toward the first upper position; a plurality of downwardly-oriented snap features arranged at least partially around a perimeter edge of the center portion, wherein each snap feature of the plurality of snap features has a distal end, and the distal ends form an inner diameter; and wherein when the center portion is in the first upper position, the distal ends form a first inner diameter, and wherein when the center portion deflects to the second lower position, the distal ends move outwardly to a second inner diameter that is larger than the first inner diameter, wherein, in the second lower position, the overcap can be disengaged from the container.

In some embodiments, each snap feature of the plurality of snap features has a first portion connected to a second portion at a connection angle. In various embodiments, when the center portion is in the first upper position, the first portion of each snap feature of the plurality of snap features forms a first angle with a horizontal plane between approximately 60 degrees and 90 degrees, and the second portion of each snap feature of the plurality of snap features forms a second angle with a horizontal plane between approximately 45 degrees and 90 degrees. In some embodiments, when the center portion is in the second lower position, the first portion of each snap feature of the plurality of snap features forms a first angle with a horizontal plane between approximately 30 degrees and 60 degrees, and the second portion of each snap feature of the plurality of snap features forms a second angle with a horizontal plane between approximately 60 degrees and 120 degrees.

In various embodiments, a deflection force moves the center portion from the first upper position to the second lower position, and a holding force maintains the center portion in the second lower position. In some embodiments, the holding force is less than the deflection force. In various embodiments, each snap feature is connected to the center portion at an angle that remains substantially constant between the first upper position and the second lower position.

Another particular embodiment of the present disclosure is an overcap system to prevent the unauthorized opening of a container, comprising a container having a closed bottom portion, a sidewall extending upward from the closed bottom portion, and an upper portion of the sidewall that defines an opening end diameter; an overcap having: a center portion that is deflectable between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position, the center portion is biased upwardly and away from the container to form a convex cross-sectional shape, and, in the second position, the center portion has a concave cross-sectional shape; a plurality of snap features positioned about a perimeter edge of the center portion, wherein distal ends of the plurality of snap features form an inner diameter; wherein, in the first position, the distal ends of the plurality of snap features engage the upper portion of the sidewall, and wherein, in the second position, the distal ends of the plurality of snap features disengage from the upper portion of the sidewall.

In various embodiments, an edge of the center portion forms a positive angle with a horizontal plane in the first position, and the edge of the center portion forms a negative angle with the horizontal plane in the second position. In some embodiments, the plurality of snap features is connected to the center portion at an angle that is substantially constant between the first position and the second position of the center portion. In various embodiments, the inner diameter is smaller than the opening end diameter in the first position, and the inner diameter is larger than the opening end diameter in the second position. In some embodiments, the inner diameter is larger in the second position than the first position, and the inner diameter is less than the opening end diameter in the second position. In various embodiments, a slot is formed between adjacent snap features of the plurality of snap features, and the slot extends from a lower end of adjacent snap features of the plurality of snap features to a point that is offset from an upper end of adjacent snap features of the plurality of snap features.

Yet another particular embodiment of the present disclosure is an overcap system to prevent unauthorized opening of a container, comprising a container having a closed bottom portion, a sidewall extending upward from the closed bottom portion, and an upper end having an end diameter; an overcap having: a center portion that is deflectable from a first position and a second position in response to a downward force; at least one snap feature positioned about a perimeter edge of the center portion, wherein distal ends of the at least one snap feature form an inner diameter; wherein, in the first position, the inner diameter is smaller than the end diameter such that the at least one snap feature engages the upper end, and wherein, in the second position, the inner diameter is larger than the end diameter such that the overcap is removable from the upper end in response to an upward force applied to the at least one snap feature.

In some embodiments, the upward force is greater than the downward force. In various embodiments, the center portion remains in the second position after removal of the downward force. In some embodiments, the center portion reverts to the first position after removal of the downward force. In various embodiments, the system further comprises a pilfer band extending around the at least one snap feature to hold the at least one snap feature against the upper end, wherein the pilfer band breaks in response to a predetermined force caused by the center portion moving from the first position to the second position and the at least one snap feature moving outward. In some embodiments, the system further comprises an end closure seamed onto the upper end, wherein the end closure has a tab configured to deflect or remove part of the end closure to create an opening. In various embodiments, the system further comprises a sealable cover positioned on the upper end, wherein the sealable cover is selectively removable to provide access to contents in the container.

Although generally referred to herein as a “bottle,” “beverage bottle,” “metallic beverage bottle,” “metallic container,” “beverage container,” “aluminum bottle,” “can,” and “container,” it should be appreciated that the methods and apparatus described herein may be used with containers of any size or shape and that are formed of any material, including, but not limited to metal, plastic, and glass containers including, without limitation, beverage cans and beverage containers. Further, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the methods and apparatus of the present disclosure may be used for any type of container and are not specifically limited to a beverage container such as a soft drink or beer can.

The terms “metal” or “metallic” as used hereinto—refer to any metallic material that may be used to form a container, including without limitation aluminum, steel, tin, and any combination thereof. However, it will be appreciated that the apparatus and methods of the present disclosure may be used with threaded containers formed of any material, including paper, plastic, and glass.

The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or,” as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, dimensions, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.”

The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.

The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof can be used interchangeably herein.

It shall be understood that the term “means” as used herein shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials, or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, Abstract, and Claims themselves.

The Summary is neither intended, nor should it be construed, as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, references made herein to “the present disclosure” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present disclosure and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The present disclosure is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description and no limitation as to the scope of the present disclosure is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements or components. Additional aspects of the present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the Summary given above and the Detailed Description given below serve to explain the principles of these embodiments. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Additionally, it should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1A is a side elevation view of a child-resistant overcap in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a side elevation view of a child-resistant overcap in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the child-resistant overcap in FIG. 1 showing a first position and a second position of a center portion of the overcap in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a further cross-sectional side elevation view of the child-resistant overcap in FIG. 1 showing a first position and a second position of a center portion of the overcap in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C is another cross-sectional side elevation view of the child-resistant overcap in FIG. 1 showing a first position and a second position of a center portion of the overcap in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional side elevation view of a snap feature of a child-resistant overcap in a first position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side elevation view of a snap feature of a child-resistant overcap in a second position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a side elevation view of the child-resistant overcap in FIG. 1 with a first downward force applied to the overcap in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a side elevation view of the child-resistant overcap in FIG. 1 with a first downward force and a second upward force applied to the overcap in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a side elevation view of a container in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5B is a side elevation view of another container in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

To assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present disclosure the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:

Number Component
10     Container
12     Body
14     Neck
16     Overcap
18     Center Portion
20     Snap Feature
22     Slot
24     First Portion
26     Second Portion
28     Longitudinal Axis
30     First Position
31     Pilfer Band
32     Second Position
34     Horizontal Plane
36     First Angle
38     Second Angle
40     First Inner Diameter
42     Outermost Diameter
44     Second Inner Diameter
46     First Position Angle
48     Second Position Angle
50     First Portion Angle
52     Second Portion Angle
54     First Downward Force
56     Second Upward Force
58     Flared End
60     Curled End

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure has significant benefits across a broad spectrum of endeavors. It is the Applicant's intent that this specification and the claims appended hereto be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the disclosure being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed. To acquaint persons skilled in the pertinent arts most closely related to the present disclosure, a preferred embodiment that illustrates the best mode now contemplated for putting the disclosure into practice is described herein by, and with reference to, the annexed drawings that form a part of the specification. The exemplary embodiment is described in detail without attempting to describe all of the various forms and modifications in which the disclosure might be embodied. As such, the embodiments described herein are illustrative, and as will become apparent to those skilled in the arts, may be modified in numerous ways within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, a side elevation view of a container 10 and a child-resistant overcap 16 is provided. As shown, the container 10 has a body 12 that transitions into a neck 14. An end closure may be doubled seamed onto the end of the neck 14 in some embodiments. In other embodiments, a curl or flared end may be formed at the end of the neck 14 without seaming an end closure onto the neck 14. The overcap 16 has a center portion 18 and a resilient liner or sealing material can be connected to an underside of the center portion 18 to provide a seal against the container 10 seal contents within the container 10. At least one snap feature 20 is arranged around a perimeter edge of the center portion 18. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments the snap features 20 may be directly connected to the center portion 18, and in other embodiments the snap features 20 may be connected to one or more intermediate portions that are connected to the center portion 18. Further, in various embodiments, a continuous snap feature 20 may extend around the entire perimeter edge of the center portion 18.

Each snap feature 20 in FIG. 1A has a first portion 24 and a second portion 26 connected at an angle. Moreover, adjacent snap features 20 form a slot 22 that allow individual snap features 20 to freely move inward and outward. The slots 22 extend from a lower end of the snap features 20, past the second portions 26, and partially into the first portions 24. This arrangement allows the snap features 20 to move outward, but the portion of the first portions 24 that connect to adjacent portions promote the return of the snap features 20 to the inward position. However, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure encompass embodiments, with slots 22 that extend only partially into the second portions 26 or extend fully to the top end of the first portions 24.

Some embodiments may include a snap feature with a single portion or more than two portions. In addition, the container 10 and the overcap 16 are generally oriented along a longitudinal axis 28. In addition, one or more components of the overcap 16 may be made from metal that has sufficient rigidity to enclose an end of a container, but flexible enough to transition between positions to be selectively removed from the container. A structure such as a peripheral curl may also add rigidity to the container.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, a side elevation view of a container 10 and a child-resistant overcap 16 with a pilfer band 31 is provided. In some embodiments, a pilfer band 31 may be included to indicate whether the container 10 has been opened or compromised. For instance, the pilfer band 31 may have a serrated lateral line that breaks when subjected to a predetermined force. Initially, the pilfer band 31 secures the overcap 16 in a first position to prevent access to the container. During operation, the center portion 18 deflecting from a first position to second position, and the snap features 20 moving outwardly can impose the predetermined force on the pilfer band 31 to remove or break the pilfer band 31. The pilfer band 31 may be completely removed when subjected to the predetermined force, and a user will appreciate that an overcap 16 without a pilfer band 31 has been opened at least once before. Similarly, the pilfer band 31 may break along the serrated line such that the part of the band 31 below the line remains with the container 10, and the part above the line is removed. Therefore, a user will appreciate that an overcap 16 and container 10 that retains only a portion of the pilfer band 31 has been opened at least once before.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, a cross-sectional view of the container 10 and the child-resistant overcap 16 is provided. The center portion 18 of the overcap 16 can be slack material in a dome shape that is deflectable between a first position 30 shown with a solid line and a second position 32 shown with a broken line. In some embodiments, the center portion 18 can deflect from the first position 30 to the second position 32 when subjected to a downward force and remain in the second position 32 in the absence of the downward force. Similarly, the center portion 18 can deflect from the second position 32 to the first position 30 and remain in the first position 30 in the absence of a force. However, in other embodiments, the center portion 18 can deflect from the first position 30 to the second position 32 when subjected to a downward force and remain in the second position 32 only if the downward force is applied to the center portion 18. Otherwise, the center portion 18 is biased toward the first position 30 and will deflect back to the first position 30 from the second position 32 in the absence of the downward force. Biased can include a linear or non-linear response.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, a further cross-sectional view of the container 10 and child resistant overcap 16 is provided where the first and second positions 30, 32 of the center portion 18 of the overcap 16 are described in relation to a horizontal plane 34 that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 28. In the first position 30, an edge of the center portion 18 forms a first angle 36 with the horizontal plane 34 that is positive such that the center portion 18 is generally positioned above the horizontal plane 34. In the second position 32, an edge of the center portion 18 forms a second angle 38 with the horizontal plane 34 that is negative such that the center portion 18 is generally positioned below the horizontal plane 34. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the first angle 36 may be between approximately 5 and 35 degrees, and the second angle 38 may be between approximately −5 and −35 degrees. In various embodiments, the first angle 36 may be approximately 20 degrees, and the second angle may be approximately −20 degrees. It will also be appreciated that the first and second angles 36, 38 may be the same or different in various embodiments. Further, it will be appreciated that the midpoint of the center portion 18 may deflect by a distance of between approximately 0 and 2 inches as center portion 18 moves between the first position 30 and the second position 32. In a preferred embodiment, the midpoint of the center portion 18 may deflect by a distance of between approximately 0.9 and 0.5 inches.

Next, distal ends of the snap features 20 define an inner diameter that changes between the first and second positions 30, 32. As shown in the first position 30, the distal ends of the snap features 20 define a first inner diameter 40 that is less than the outermost diameter 42 of an end of the container, which may be defined by, for example, a curled end or an end closure. As shown in the second position 32, the distal ends of the snap features 20 define a second inner diameter 44 that is both larger than the first inner diameter 40 and the outermost diameter 42 of an end of the container. In the second position 32, the overcap 16 may be removed from the container 10 with an upward force applied to, for example, the lower ends of the snap features 20. In some embodiments, the second inner diameter 44 is smaller than the outermost diameter 42 and an additional force is required to deflect the snap features 20 and pull the overcap 16 off of the container. The combination of forces required to remove the overcap 16 from the container 10 serves the childproof aspect of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 2C, another cross-sectional view of the container 10 and the child-resistant overcap 16 is provided. As shown, the center portion 18 of the overcap 16 connects to the snap features 20, and this connection forms a first angle 46 when the center position 18 is in the first position 30 and forms a second angle 48 when the center position 18 is in the second position 32. In some embodiments, the first angle 46 is substantially the same as the second angle 48. It will be appreciated that the term substantially can indicate a 0% to 5% relative difference in the angles 46, 48 as measured in degrees. It will be further appreciated that the term substantially can indicate a less than 2% relative difference in the angles 46, 48 as measured in degrees. In addition, the angles 46, 48 may each be between 45 and 135 degrees in some embodiments. In various embodiments, the angles 46, 48 are each approximately 90 degrees. The term approximately can indicate a less than 10% relative difference. Moreover, the angles 46, 48 may each be between 90 and 180 degrees in some embodiments. In various embodiments, the angles 46, 48 are each approximately 135 degrees.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, a cross-sectional view of a snap feature 20 of an overcap is provided. In this figure, the center portion 18 of the overcap is in a first position 30, and the first portion 24 and the second portion 26 of the snap feature 20 can be described relative to horizontal planes 34a, 34b. In some embodiments, an angle 50 between the first portion 24 and a horizontal plane 34a is between approximately 60 degrees and 90 degrees. In various embodiments, the angle 50 is approximately 75 degrees. In some embodiments, an angle 52 between the first portion 24 and a horizontal plane 34b is between approximately 45 degrees and 90 degrees. In various embodiments, the angle 52 is approximately 60 degrees.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, a cross-sectional view of a snap feature 20 of an overcap is provided. In this figure, the center portion 18 of the overcap is in a second position 30, and the first portion 24 and the second portion 26 of the snap feature 20 can be described relative to horizontal planes 34a, 34b. In some embodiments, an angle 50 between the first portion 24 and a horizontal plane 34a is between approximately 30 degrees and 60 degrees. In various embodiments, the angle 50 is approximately 45 degrees. In some embodiments, an angle 52 between the first portion 24 and a horizontal plane 34b is between approximately 60 degrees and 120 degrees. In various embodiments, the angle 52 is approximately 85 degrees.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, a side elevation view of the container 10 and the overcap 16 is provided. A first downward force 54 has been applied to the center portion 18 of the overcap 16 to deflect the center portion 18 to a second position 32. Thus, the distal ends of the snap features 20 define a larger inner diameter as described above. It will be appreciated that the force required to deflect the center portion 18 to a second position 32 and the force required to maintain the center portion 18 in the second position 32 may be different. For example, the force required to maintain the center portion 18 in the second position 32, when the center portion 18 is biased toward the first position, may be less than the force needed to deflect the center portion 18 to the second position 32.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, another side elevation view of the container 10 and the overcap 16 is provided. A second upward force 56 is applied to the underside of the overcap 16 to lift the overcap 16 off of the container 10. In some embodiments, the second force 56 is applied while the first force 54 maintains the center portion 18 in the second position 32. While the second force 56 is depicted as applied to an underside of the overcap 16, it will be appreciated that the second force 56 may be applied to other portions of the overcap 16, such as the outer surfaces of the snap features 20. Generally, the second force 56 is oriented in an upward direction along the longitudinal axis 28, and the first force 54 is oriented in an opposing downward direction along the longitudinal axis 28. In embodiments where the center portion 18 is biased toward the first position 30, the two forces 54, 56 can be applied simultaneous. This combination of forces makes the overcap 16 difficult to remove from the container 10 or end closure by a child or other who cannot appreciate potentially hazardous contents stored in the container 10. In some embodiments, the second upward force is greater than the first downward force such to remove the overcap 16 from the container 10. In some embodiments, the second upward force is simply greater than a holding force that maintains the center portion 18 in the second position, and not necessarily greater than a force that initially deflects the center portion 18 from the first position to the second position. In one example of operation, a user could depress the center portion of the overcap 16 with a downward force from an index finger, and then pull with an upward force on the overcap 16 with a larger upward force from the other fingers or thumb to remove the overcap 16 from the container 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, cross-sectional side elevation views of different containers 10 are provided. The container in FIG. 5A has a body 12, a neck 14, and an end 58 that flares outwardly. An end closure may be double-seamed onto the end 58 to enclose contents within the container 10, and the contents may be pressurized. The double seam can define the outermost diameter of the end of the sealed container where the overcap may selectively attach. End closures can have a variety of forms and features. In one example, the central portion of the end closure is a pull top where a user pulls a tab to remove all or part of the central portion to access the contents of the container 10. An overcap as described herein can be used to selectively cover and/or seal the container 10.

The container 10 in FIG. 5B has a body 12, a neck 14, and a curled end 60. This container 10 does not receive an end closure and stores non-pressurized contents. The curl 60 defines the outermost diameter of the container 10 where the overcap may selectively attach. A peelable, tin, or foil cover can be positioned on top of the curled end 60 to seal the contents within the container. A user can remove the cover to access the contents of the container 10. An overcap as described herein can be used to selectively cover and/or seal the container 10. It will be appreciated that the container 10 may have a variety of shapes and configurations such as pressurized, non-pressurized, wet contents, dry contents, etc.

The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the disclosure to the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments described and shown in the figures were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure, the practical application, and to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Moreover, references made herein to “the present disclosure” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present disclosure and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A flexible overcap to selectively prevent the opening of a container, comprising: a center portion that is deflectable between a first upper position and a second lower position, wherein said center portion is biased toward said first upper position;a plurality of downwardly-oriented snap features arranged at least partially around a perimeter edge of said center portion, wherein each snap feature of said plurality of snap features has a distal end, and said distal ends form an inner diameter; andwherein when said center portion is in said first upper position, said distal ends form a first inner diameter, and wherein when said center portion deflects to said second lower position, said distal ends move outwardly to a second inner diameter that is larger than said first inner diameter, wherein, in said second lower position, said overcap can be disengaged from said container.

2. The overcap of claim 1, wherein each snap feature of said plurality of snap features has a first portion connected to a second portion at a connection angle.

3. The overcap of claim 2, wherein when said center portion is in said first upper position, said first portion of each snap feature of said plurality of snap features forms a first angle with a horizontal plane between approximately 60 degrees and 90 degrees, and said second portion of each snap feature of said plurality of snap features forms a second angle with a horizontal plane between approximately 45 degrees and 90 degrees.

4. The overcap of claim 2, wherein when said center portion is in said second lower position, said first portion of each snap feature of said plurality of snap features forms a first angle with a horizontal plane between approximately 30 degrees and 60 degrees, and said second portion of each snap feature of said plurality of snap features forms a second angle with a horizontal plane between approximately 60 degrees and 120 degrees.

5. The overcap of claim 1, wherein a deflection force moves said center portion from said first upper position to said second lower position, and a holding force maintains said center portion in said second lower position.

6. The overcap of claim 5, wherein said holding force is less than said deflection force.

7. The overcap of claim 1, wherein each snap feature is connected to said center portion at an angle that remains substantially constant between said first upper position and said second lower position.

8. An overcap system to prevent the unauthorized opening of a container, comprising: a container having a closed bottom portion, a sidewall extending upward from said closed bottom portion, and an upper portion of said sidewall that defines an opening end diameter;an overcap having: a center portion that is deflectable between a first position and a second position, wherein, in said first position, said center portion is biased upwardly and away from said container to form a convex cross-sectional shape, and, in said second position, said center portion has a concave cross-sectional shape;a plurality of snap features positioned about a perimeter edge of said center portion, wherein distal ends of said plurality of snap features form an inner diameter;wherein, in said first position, said distal ends of said plurality of snap features engage said upper portion of said sidewall, and wherein, in said second position, said distal ends of said plurality of snap features disengage from said upper portion of said sidewall.

9. The overcap system of claim 8, wherein an edge of said center portion forms a positive angle with a horizontal plane in said first position, and said edge of said center portion forms a negative angle with said horizontal plane in said second position.

10. The overcap system of claim 8, wherein said plurality of snap features is connected to said center portion at an angle that is substantially constant between said first position and said second position of said center portion.

11. The overcap system of claim 8, wherein said inner diameter is smaller than said opening end diameter in said first position, and said inner diameter is larger than said opening end diameter in said second position.

12. The overcap system of claim 8, wherein said inner diameter is larger in said second position than said first position, and said inner diameter is less than said opening end diameter in said second position.

13. The overcap system of claim 8, wherein a slot is formed between adjacent snap features of said plurality of snap features, and said slot extends from a lower end of adjacent snap features of said plurality of snap features to a point that is offset from an upper end of adjacent snap features of said plurality of snap features.

14. An overcap system to prevent unauthorized opening of a container, comprising: a container having a closed bottom portion, a sidewall extending upward from said closed bottom portion, and an upper end having an end diameter;an overcap having: a center portion that is deflectable from a first position and a second position in response to a downward force;at least one snap feature positioned about a perimeter edge of said center portion, wherein distal ends of said at least one snap feature form an inner diameter;wherein, in said first position, said inner diameter is smaller than said end diameter such that said at least one snap feature engages said upper end, and wherein, in said second position, said inner diameter is larger than said end diameter such that said overcap is removable from said upper end in response to an upward force applied to said at least one snap feature.

15. The overcap system of claim 14, wherein said upward force is greater than said downward force.

16. The overcap system of claim 14, wherein said center portion remains in said second position after removal of said downward force.

17. The overcap system of claim 14, wherein said center portion reverts to said first position after removal of said downward force.

18. The overcap system of claim 14, further comprising a pilfer band extending around said at least one snap feature to hold said at least one snap feature against said upper end, wherein said pilfer band breaks in response to a predetermined force caused by said center portion moving from said first position to said second position and said at least one snap feature moving outward.

19. The overcap system of claim 14, further comprising an end closure seamed onto said upper end, wherein said end closure has a tab configured to deflect or remove part of said end closure to create an opening.

20. The overcap system of claim 14, further comprising a sealable cover positioned on said upper end, wherein said sealable cover is selectively removable to provide access to contents in said container.