Patent Application
20200198857
Many container assemblies include selective closures to maintain a cover on a container, and therefore, to maintain items within the container during periods of storage. Container assemblies are often configured with a selectively locking closure to allow a user to unlock the container to access the contents of the container and to lock the container to protect the contents within the container from undesired dispensing. In one example, such container assemblies are configured to be unlocked by adults, but to be difficult to unlock by children, for example, containers with child-resistant closures, especially in the case of container assemblies holding medication or other substances not suitable for unmetered access by children. Conventional container assemblies with locking enclosures often become difficult to access by intended users, especially users of advanced age and/or having disabilities.
A container assembly according to the present invention includes a container and a closure. The container includes a body defining a storage chamber and a neck. The neck extends away from the body and defines an open mouth providing access to the storage chamber. The neck further defines an exterior surface and at least two latching protrusions extending radially outwardly from the exterior surface. The closure includes a top wall, a cylindrical wall extending downwardly from the top wall, a first lug extending radially inwardly from the cylindrical wall, and a second lug extending radially inwardly from the cylindrical wall. A top surface of the first lug and a top surface of the second lug are each positioned a substantially identical distance away from the top wall and the first lug and the second lug are each configured to selectively lock with a common one of the at least two latching protrusions. Other containers, closures, assemblies, and associated methods are also described herein.
Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:
The following detailed description of the invention provides example embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention. Relational terms herein such a first, second, top, bottom, etc. may be used herein solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying an actual such relationship or order. In addition, as used herein, the terms “about” or “substantially” apply to all numeric values or descriptive terms, respectively, and generally indicate a range of numbers or characteristics that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values or terms, that is, having the same function or results.
This innovation provides a container assembly with locking closure configured to be grasped and selectively locked and unlocked for opening. In one embodiment, the container assembly is characterized by having at least two, in one example, only two latching interactions between the container and the closure around a neck of the closure and/or utilizing at least about a 60° rotation, and in one embodiment, at least about an 80° rotation, of the closure relative to the container to lock and unlock the closure to or from the container. In one example, each latching interaction includes an elongated rail leading to a ramp and latching recess of the container as well as a latching lug and a balance lug extending radially inwardly from a cylindrical wall of the closure. When attaching or removing the closure from the container, both the latching lug and the balance lug interface with a bottom surface of the elongated rail and the latching lug interfaces with the substantially colinear bottom surface of a stop in a manner providing a stable closure-to-container coupling with little undesired closure tilt facilitating alignment and closure, while requiring a signification degree of turn to remain at least partially child resistant. These and other embodiments, methods, assemblies, and advantages are described below.
Turning to the Figures,
Neck 22 extends away from body 20, for example, upwardly from top wall 38, in a substantially cylindrical form and includes a primary exterior surface 40, a rim 42, and at least two latch protrusions 44, in one example, two latch protrusions 44. Rim 42 extends radially outwardly and circumferentially around, in one embodiment, substantially continuously around, a lower portion of primary exterior surface 40 of neck 22. Rim 42 defines a top surface 76 facing upwardly. Rim 42 is configured to add rigidity to neck 22 and to serves as a stop for movement of closure 14 downwardly relative to container 12, as will be further described below. Each latch protrusion 44 extends outwardly from primary exterior surface 40 of neck 22, for example, a similar distance as rim 42 extends away from primary exterior surface 40 of neck 22. Each latch protrusion 44 is configured to selectively interact with features of closure 14 to selectively lock closure 14 to container 12 in a manner covering open mouth 24. In one example, each latch protrusion 44 is sized to extend along an arc defined by exterior surface 40 of neck 22 measuring at least 75° and, in one instance, measuring at least about 90° from end to end.
In one embodiment, two or more of latch protrusions 44 are each substantially identical such that the below description of one latch protrusion 44 is meant to describe each of the two or more latch protrusions 44. Latch protrusion 44 includes a rail 50, a ramp 52, a first stop 54, a second stop 56, and/or a brace protrusion 58, in one example. Rail 50 is circumferentially linear, meaning rail 50 extends along a portion of a circumference of neck 22 in a narrow and elongated manner. Rail 50 is spaced between rim 42 and a top edge 60 of neck 22 defined adjacent open mouth 24, for instance, to be closer to top edge 60 than rim 42. Rail 50 defines a bottom surface 62 facing rim 42. Rather than being continuous about an entire circumference of neck 22 like rim 42, in one example, rail 50 defines a leading end 64 positioned on a right side thereof and circumferentially extends away from, for example, leftward in the orientation of
First stop 54 extends vertically from rim 42 to a location substantially even with bottom surface 62 of rail 50. First stop 54 defines a leading surface 72 facing ramp 52 and, in one example, extending substantially vertically upwardly from rim 42. In one embodiment, second stop 56 is circumferentially colinear with rail 50 defining a bottom stop surface 74 at a substantially even height with bottom surface 62 of rail 50.
In one embodiment, second stop 56 extends substantially continuously between ramp 52 and first stop 54. Second stop 56 and rail 50 are substantially similar in width and are circumferentially colinear in one embodiment being each positioned so bottom surface 62 of rail 50 is positioned a substantially identical distance away from either one or both of rim 42 and top edge 60 of neck 22 as compared to bottom stop surface 74 of second stop 56. A latch recess 80 is defined outside of exterior surface 40 of neck 22, between rim 42 and second stop 56, and between trailing edge 68 of ramp 52 and leading surface 72 of first stop 54. In one example, rail 50 is significantly longer than second stop 56, and in one instance, rail 50 is more than about 20% longer than second stop 56, and in another instance, rail 50 is more than about 50% longer than second stop 56.
In one embodiment, a brace protrusion 58 extends from a top of a trailing side of first stop 54 downwardly and to the left to rim 42. Brace protrusion 58 provides additional rigidity to first stop 54. In one embodiment, brace protraction 58 is eliminated.
The at least two latch protrusions 44 are, in one example, equally spaced about a circumference of neck 22. In one embodiment, only two latch protrusions 44 are included on container 12, and each of the two latch protrusions 44 is positioned substantially one hundred and eighty degrees offset from the other of the two latch protrusions 44. In one embodiment, where two latch protrusions 44 are included on neck 22, each latch protrusion 44 is substantially identical and is offset about 180° from the other of the two latch protrusions 44. In this example, leading end 64 of one latch protrusion 44 is positioned about half way around neck 22, or about 180°, from leading end 64 of the other one of latch protrusions with a similar correspondence being made between each part of one latch protrusion 44 as compared to the corresponding part of the other one of latch protrusions 44.
In one example, each latch protrusion 44 is positioned so that each latch recess 80 is substantially laterally centered relative to one of planar front surface 30 and planar rear surface 32 of container 12 as illustrated in
Closure 14 includes a cylindrical wall 100, a top closure wall 102, a first or latching lug 104, and a second or balance lug 106, in one embodiment. Cylindrical wall 100 is sized and shaped to extend around neck 22 of container 12. Top closure wall 102 extends over a top of cylindrical wall 100 capping a top of cylindrical wall 100 and forming a reception cavity 110 therein adjacent a bottom surface 108 of top closure wall 102. In one embodiment, top closure wall 102 is substantially similar in overall diameter as cylindrical wall 100.
In another embodiment, as illustrated in
Cylindrical wall 100 provides the coupling means of the closure for selectively coupling with container 12. Cylindrical wall 100 extends downwardly from top closure wall 102 to define an outside surface 120 facing radially outwardly from and an inside surface 122 facing a center of closure 14. Cylindrical wall 100 includes one pair lugs, including first lug 104 and second lug 106, for every latch protrusion 44 included on a corresponding container 12. More specifically, in one embodiment, each of first lug 104 and second lug 106 extends inwardly from inside surface 122 of cylindrical wall 100, for example, generally in the shape of a rectangular prism at a position spaced downwardly from top closure wall 102. First lug 104 defines a bottom surface 124, a top surface 126 opposite bottom surface 124, a leading edge 128 extending between bottom surface 124 and top surface 126, and a trailing edge 130 extending between bottom surface 124 and top surface 126 opposite leading edge 128. Leading edge 128 is positioned to be the first portion of the pair of lugs that interacts with latch protrusion 44 when closure 14 is coupled with container 12. First lug 104 is sized with a length measured between leading edge 128 and trailing edge 130 substantially similar to, but slightly smaller than a length of latch recess 80 of container 12, as will be further described below. First lug 104 further defines an inner surface 132 opposite inside surface 122 of cylindrical wall 100.
Second lug 106 is formed with a similar cross-section as first lug 104 but a different length, such as a longer length, in one embodiment. Second lug 106 defines a bottom surface 134, a top surface 136 opposite bottom surface 134, a leading edge 138 extending between bottom surface 134 and top surface 136, and a trailing edge 140 extending between bottom surface 134 and top surface 136 opposite leading edge 138. Leading edge 138 is positioned to be the first part of second lug 106 that interacts with latch protrusion 44 when closure 14 is coupled with container 12. Second lug 106 further defines an inner surface opposing inside surface 122 of cylindrical wall 100. In one embodiment, second lug 106 has a length, as measured between leading edge 138 and trailing edge 140, that is longer than a length of first lug 104, for example at least 30% longer than a length of first lug 104, to provide added stability to closure 14 to container 12 interaction.
In one example, each of first lug 104 and section lug 106 are positioned on inside surface 122 of cylinder wall 100 at a similar distance away from each of bottom surface 108 of top closure wall 102 and from a bottom edge of cylindrical wall 100. More specifically, in one embodiment, each of top surface 126 of first lug 104 and top surface 136 of second lug 106 are positioned a similar distance away from each of bottom surface 108 of top closure wall 102 and from a bottom edge of cylindrical wall 100. In one embodiment, trailing edge 140 of first lug 104 is spaced from leading edge 138 of second lug 106 a distance substantially identical to a circumferential length of ramp 52.
Closure 14 additionally includes a spring member 150 configured to facilitate selectively locking closure 14 to container 12. In one embodiment, spring member 150 is generally circular defining a top panel 152, a dome panel 154, a skirt 156. Top panel 152 is substantially planar defining a top surface 158. Dome panel 154 extends radially outwardly and curvilinearly downwardly from a perimeter of top panel 152 in all directions such that spring member 150 is formed in a largely domed shape. Skirt 156 extends downwardly from an outer perimeter of dome panel in a downward manner to a bottom edge 164 thereof, defining an exterior facing surface 160 and an interior surface 162 facing a center of spring member 150.
Referring primarily to
Closure 14 is placed on and manipulated to selectively lock with container 12. In one embodiment, closure 14 is rotated to be offset from container 12 between about 45°and about 90°, which misaligns each pair of lugs 104/106 with any of latch protrusions 44 on neck 22 of container 12. Referring to the linear representations of
As illustrated in
Continued movement of closure 14 in a clockwise movement relative to container 12 to the position shown in
The dual lug interaction with latch protrusion 44, namely, first lug 104 with second stop 56 and second lug 106 with rail 50, introduces two elongated points of contact between closure 14 and container 12, thereby, providing a more stable and level closure 14 to container 12 interaction by decreasing tilt or rotation about a non-vertical axis of closure 14 relative to container 12 that would likely be introduced if only a single lug-to-protrusion interaction and/or similar engagement between closure 14 and container 12 were present. The additional stability of each pair of lugs 104/106 and latch protrusion 44 interaction allows for fewer pairs of lugs 104/106 and fewer latch protrusions 44 to be included container assembly 10 while still providing a stable and easily to use closure 14 as compared to prior art closures, which typically include more than two points of locking engagement between a container and its closure.
The positioning shown in
In order to release closure 14 from its locked position with container 12, bias of spring member 150 is overcome by a user applying a downward force and subsequent counterclockwise rotation to closure 14 relative to container 12, as generally indicated by arrow “O” in
The amount of rotation needed to transition from the position of
Closure 214 is largely similar to closure 14 described above, except for the specific difference recited herein, with like reference numeral depicting like parts and features. In
As part of closure 214, cylindrical wall 100 includes a closure rib 280 continuously or non-continuously extending circumferentially around outside surface 120 of cylindrical wall 100. Closure rib 280 is configured to snap lock with ring 284, which includes corresponding features for receiving and locking ring 284 to cylindrical wall 100 and closure rib 280. In one embodiment, ring 284 is annular and defines an outside surface 286 facing radially outwardly from a center of ring 284 and an inside surface 288 opposite outside surface 286 and facing a center of ring 284. Ring 284 additionally defines a top edge 290 and a bottom edge 292 opposite top edge 290.
In one example, ring 284 includes means for coupling with cylindrical wall 100 in the form of top protruding ramps 294 and bottom protruding ramps 296. Referring primarily to the exploded view of
Ring 284 slides around cylinder wall 100 and snaps onto closure 14 via closure rib 280. More specifically, in one embodiment, as ring 294 is slid onto cylinder wall 100, top protruding ramps 294 slide along closure rib 280 slightly deforming ring 284 outwardly until ring 284 is slid into position around cylinder wall 100 by closure rib 280 over a bottom end of top protruding ramps 294 moving closure rib 280 into gap 302. The raised nature of top protruding ramps 294 and bottom protruding ramps 296 interact with either side of closure rib 280 coupling ring 284 with a remainder of closure 14, that is around cylinder wall 100, for example, as shown in
According to embodiments described above, a container assembly according to the present invention provides for a two or more latch interfaces between a closure and a container having features configured to limit tilt of the closure relative to the container and utilize a large angle of rotation for coupling and removing the closure from the container. In one example, the combination of features of the closure of the container assembly results in a child-resistant closure. In one embodiment, the closure utilizes two lugs of similar vertical position on closure, that is of similar location as measured downwardly from a top wall of the closure, and an elongated rail of the container to selectively lock the closure to the container.
Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments, such embodiments are meant for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered to limit the invention. Various alternatives and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. Other modifications within the scope of the invention and its various embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.
