Hexagonal Safety Container

Abstract

The hexagonal packaging unit includes a container adapted to hold contents, wherein the contents are on or more of pharmaceutical composition or medical devices. The hexagonal packaging unit includes a lid pivotally connected and configured to slideably rotate on a pivot and engage a top of the container, wherein the lid is rotatable in a first direction between a closed position resulting in the lid covering an opening in the container, and an open position resulting in the opening of the container at least being partially open. The hexagonal packaging unit includes a first latch portion associated with the lid comprising a first release lever and a second release lever. The hexagonal packaging unit includes a second latch portion associated with the container positionable to engage the first latch portion when the lid is in the closed position, and disengage when the lid is in the open position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a child resistant medical package for enclosing pharmaceutical composition or for enclosing medical devices.

BACKGROUND

Medicate or pharmaceutical products, such as pills, capsules, tablets and/or liquid medicine, are typically packaged in child-resistant medicate containers having a generally cylindrical base or housing with an open first end and an opposite closed second end. A cap or cover is rotatably mounted to the open end of the base and typically requires the user to perform a distinct finger and/or hand motion to remove the cap from the base. Unfortunately, conventional containers have several drawbacks.

There has been a long felt need for child-resistant packaging units that are used to store a dispensable product in a protected manner such that the product can be dispensed by an intended user, yet be safeguarded against dispensing of the product by a child. The dispensable product (e.g., a medicine, supplement, herbal remedy, etc.) in tablet, caplet, capsule or powder form could be hazardous if ingested in uncontrolled quantities. The child-resistant packaging unit incorporates features that discourage or prevent children from opening the unit. The child-resistant packaging unit often takes the form of a container device moveably coupled to a closure member. The closure member may be moved and/or removed from the container device in order to dispense the dispensable product.

It has been long discussed by law-makers the issues surrounding protecting medications, pills, tablets, and capsules, while also ensuring that children are not able to easily access these medications. As such, law-makers have passed regulations concerning child resistant packaging. The use of child resistant packaging is well known throughout the art, and has been utilized for goods ranging from household items to pharmaceutical products.

Accordingly, there remains in the art a need for a packaging system that is economical to manufacture and assemble, lightweight, and provides child-resistant security features. There also remains a need for a packaging system that permits withdrawal of the item stored therein without the use of a tool, and with little manipulation of a user.

Hence, an improved medical package would be advantageous, and in particular a medical package with improved child safe features would be advantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a child resistant and safety equipped packaging unit that is operable to hold pharmaceutical devices and medications.

The present invention relates to a child safety container for dangerous goods storage. In particular, the present invention is open to provide a child protection container having a cover which requires two independent operations, which is well suited for long-term clinical treatment housing containing a number of drugs.

Thus, the above described object and several other objects are intended to be obtained in a first aspect of the invention by providing a packaging unti comprising a container adapted to hold contents, wherein the contents are on or more of pharmaceutical composition or medical devices. Additionally, the packaging unit can comprise a lid pivotally connected and configured to slideably rotate on a pivot and engage a top of the container, wherein the lid is rotatable in a first direction between a closed position resulting in the lid covering an opening in the container, and an open position resulting in the opening of the container at least being partially open. The packaging unit can further comprise of a first latch portion associated with the lid comprising a first release lever and a second release lever. The packaging unit can further comprise of a second latch portion associated with the container positionable to engage the first latch portion when the lid is in the closed position, and disengage when the lid is in the open position.

In one embodiment, as a result of the first release lever and the second release lever being depressed, the first latch portion engages the second latch portion and the lid locks relative to the container, latching the first latch portion with the second latch portion.

In one embodiment, as a result of the first release lever and the second release lever being depressed, the first latch portion engages the second latch portion and the lid locks relative to the container, latching the first latch portion with the second latch portion.

In one embodiment, the lid and container each comprise of trapezoidal base panels located at two opposing parallel sides thereof.

In one embodiment, the container and the lid are child resistant.

In one embodiment, the container comprises of side walls extended from a base panel to the opening of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The packaging unit according to the invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of implementing the present invention and is not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set.

FIG. 1 depicts a top and side perspective view of a hexagonal container, in accordance with an example;

FIG. 2 depicts a top and front perspective view of a hexagonal container, in accordance with an example;

FIG. 3 depicts a bottom and front perspective view of a hexagonal container, in accordance with an example;

FIG. 4 depicts a top plan view of a hexagonal container, in accordance with an example;

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom plan view of a hexagonal container, in accordance with an example;

FIG. 6 depicts a top perspective view of a hexagonal container in an open configuration, in accordance with an example; and

FIG. 7 depicts a bottom perspective view of a hexagonal container in an open configuration, in accordance with an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “lower,” “upper,” “top” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “first” and “second” designate an order of operations in the drawings to which reference is made, but do not limit these steps to the exact order described. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the container and designated parts thereof. Additionally, the terms “a,” “an” and “the,” as used in the specification, mean “at least one.” The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring to the drawings and detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1-7 a first preferred embodiment of a child-resistant medicate container, generally designated 14 and hereinafter referred to as the “container” 14 in accordance with the present invention. The container 14 is preferably sized and shaped to hold, store, transport and/or dispense medicate or pharmaceutical products, such as pills, tablets, capsules (i.e., oral solids) and/or liquid medicine or the like. Although the container 14 is preferably generally resistant to being opened by a child, as described in detail below, it is understood by those skilled in the art that the container 14 is not so limited, and may simply be a container designed to be openable by a user of any age.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that the item(s) and/or contents to be held within the container 14 can be something other than the pills, tablets, capsules and/or liquid discussed above. For example, granular pharmaceuticals, contact lenses suspended in liquid, dental implant components (i.e., screws, inserts, etc.), small hardware and/or electronic parts, cosmetics or similar items potentially hazardous to children or adults can be safely contained in a relatively accessible and convenient manner using the container 14 of the present invention. Likewise, candies, breath mints or any relatively small item generally needing singular dispensing may be stored within the container 14. Thus, the container 14 can be used to contain other contents without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The container 14 is preferably formed of a high-strength, light-weight material, such as an opaque, translucent, amber or transparent die-formable polymeric material. For example, the container 14 may be formed of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, acrylic or styrene. However, a wide variety of materials, including but not limited to metals, such as aluminum and stainless steel may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. To preserve and/or protect the at least one item stored inside the container 14, the material used to form the container 14 is also preferably generally impenetrable and/or resistant to ultraviolet (U.V.) light.

The present invention provides a child-resistant box for storage of medicine and similar products or medical devices such as insulin pens, which is readily opened by an adult but is inaccessible to a child.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the container 14 preferably includes a generally flat or five-sided shape that at least partially encloses a storage cavity 14 to hold the pharmaceutical product. Preferably, the pentagon-shaped housing has first, second, third, fourth and fifth corners, each of which have a generally arcuate shape and a generally equal radius of curvature. Those of ordinary skill in the art understand that the generally pentagon shape of the container 14 is more efficient for shipping/transporting and automated manufacturing than cylindrical or circular containers.

FIGS. 1-5 show schematically 3-diminisional views of a packaging unit operable for concealing medical device, pharmaceutical devices, herbal supplies, medicinal natural devices, and medication, in its folder or closed state. In its folded or closed state, the packaging unit has two means for opening the lid of the packaging unit, located on the top and bottom of the side portion of the lid 12.

The packaging unit has means for opening comprising a first latch portion 18 that includes at least two opening elements 20 as discussed above, on the top and the bottom of the side portion of the lid 12. Each opening elements 20 comprises of one or more release levers. When each of the release levers are pressed, by an adult hand squeezing the release levers simultaneously, the first latch portion 18 is released from a second latch portion 16 that is attached or associated with a container 14 portion of the packaging unit.

When the packaging unit is in the closed position as indicated in FIG. 1-5, each of the first latch portion 18 and the second latch portion 16 are positionable to be engaged with the other. Further, in the instance where any combination of the release levers are depressed, the first latch portion 18 and the second latch portion 16 engaged with one another and the lid 12 locks relative to the container 14. That is, the first latch and the second latch are interconnected with one another, and the lid 12 is securably locked, preventing the lid 12 from disengaging with the container 14 portion.

In some embodiments, a plurality of two or more finger-actuated latches or tool-actuated latches may be released in a certain sequence so as to allow opening of the medical package. In addition, these pluralities of latches can be operable in various combination or simultaneous releases in order to facilitate the opening and closing of the packaging unit. In one example, it may be that two or more sets of latches may have to be released in a certain sequence so as to allow opening, thus requiring two adult hands to actuate the two or more set of latches.

In one embodiment, the lid 12 and the container 14 each comprise of a trapezoidal shaped base panel located at the two opposing parallel sides thereof. The container 14 portion further comprises of side walls that extend from the base panel upward, leading to an opening of the container 14, that when packaging unit is closed, creates a fluid connection with the lid 12.

Additionally, upon the closing of the container 14 and the lid 12 portion, and the locking of the lid 12 relative to the container 14, the container 14 and the lid 12 can be child resistant, making the packaging unit resistant to tampering and opening with adult operation.

When the packaging unit is in the open position as indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inner portion of the container 14 is exposed, where the one or more medicinal or pharmaceutical devices will be enclosed.

In one embodiment, the lid 12 is pivotally connected and configured to slideably rotate on a pivot and engage the top of the container 14, where the sidewalls end. Additionally, the lid 12 is rotatable in a first direction between a closed position resulting in the lid 12 covering an opening in the container 14, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, and an open position resulting in the opening of the container 14 at least being partially open, as shown in FIGS. 6-7. The lid 12 can be rotated on an axis in a full 180 degree rotation, to fully expose the inside of the container 14, or slightly opened in order to be partially ajar, depending on the user's preference.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a hinge interconnecting the lid and the container. The hinge allows for a user to selectively move the lid between an open, neutral, and closed position. Further, the latching mechanism comprises a selective means and the hinge axis to the deviation are disposed on both sides perpendicular to the box towards the closed position when the lid is in the closed position. Additionally, each latching mechanism can include a latching element also cooperating with an additional latching element coupled on one or more sides of the container, which can be one or more of the other side of the lid, or one of the remaining sides of the container. Accordingly, each latching element is adapted to mutual engagement with one of the cooperative elements to maintain the box in the closed position. Each latching element is adapted to the released position again, only after having the cap rotated toward the neutral position in the closed position releasing the cooperating latching element.

As understood by those of ordinary skilled in the art, the latching mechanism generally locks the cover 12 in the first position (FIGS. 1-4) and provides the child-resistant feature of the container 14 such that the user must depress one or both locking mechanisms (depending on the particular embodidment), generally with a thumb and index finger, and then slide the cover toward the second position (FIG. 5) to dispense the contents from within the container 14.

In one embodiment, as a result of the first release lever and the second release lever being simultaneously pressed, the lid 12 can unlock, resulting in the first latch portion 18 disengaging from the second latch portion 16.

In one embodiment, the second latch portion 16 that is associated with the container 14 can be configured to be positioned within an indention in one of the sides of the container 14. This indention can house the latch, and be configured to receive the second latch portion 16 associated with the lid 12. Additionally, the first latch portion 18 can comprise of a first shoulder located at the top of the first latch portion 18, and a second shoulder located at the bottom of the first latch portion 18.

In addition, the first latch portion 18 that is associated with the lid 12, can be configured to be positioned relative to the first latch portion 18 associated with the container 14. The second latch portion 16 is configured to be the width of the lid 12 and the container 14 if in the closed position. Additionally, the first latch portion 18 comprises a first opening elements 20 and a second opening elements 20 located at the top and bottom of the first latch portion 18 respectively. Each of the first and second opening elements 20 comprise of a first lip and a second lip, respectively, on one end, and a first and second release lever, respectively, on the opposite end.

In the instance where the packaging unit is in the closed position, the first and the second lip of the first latch portion of the lid 12, are configured to securably enclose around the first and second shoulders of the container 14. In essence, the lid 12 and the container 14 are retained in place, and locked from being opened when each of the first and second lip, and the first and second shoulders are in securable connection with each other. In order to transition the packaging unit to the open position, the first and the second release lever of the lid 12 portion, are pressed simultaneously, in order to release the first and second lips of the lid 12, from the first and second shoulders of the container 14. Accordingly, the lid 12 is able to be rotated along the axis in order to expose the contents within the container 14.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented examples. The scope of the present invention is set out by the accompanying claim set. In the context of the claims, the terms “comprising” or “comprises” do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Also, the mentioning of references such as “a” or “an” etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs in the claims with respect to elements indicated in the figures shall also not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, individual features mentioned in different claims, may possibly be advantageously combined, and the mentioning of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and advantageous.

It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only one particular configuration has been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A hexagonal packaging unit, comprising: a container adapted to hold contents, wherein the contents are one or more of a pharmaceutical composition or medical devices;a lid pivotally connected and configured to slideably rotate on a pivot and engage a top of the container, wherein the lid is rotatable in a first direction between a closed position resulting in the lid covering an opening in the container, and an open position resulting in the opening of the container at least being partially open;a first latch portion associated with the lid comprising a first release lever and a second release lever;a second latch portion associated with the container positionable to engage the first latch portion when the lid is in the closed position, and disengage when the lid is in the open position.

2. The hexagonal packaging unit of claim 1, wherein as a result of the first release lever and the second release lever being depressed, the first latch portion engages the second latch portion and the lid locks relative to the container, latching the first latch portion with the second latch portion.

3. The hexagonal packaging unit of claim 1, wherein as a result of the first release lever and the second release lever being depressed, the first latch portion engages the second latch portion and the lid locks relative to the container, latching the first latch portion with the second latch portion.

4. The hexagonal packaging unit of claim 1, wherein the lid and container each comprise of trapezoidal base panels located at two opposing parallel sides thereof.

5. The hexagonal packaging unit of claim 1, wherein the container and the lid are child resistant.

6. The hexagonal packaging unit of claim 1, wherein the container comprises of side walls extended from a base panel to the opening of the container.

7. The hexagonal packaging unit of claim 1, wherein the container is configured to be positioned within an indention in the container.

8. The hexagonal packaging unit of claim 7, wherein the indention is configured with a first latch positioned to receive a second latch associated with the lid.

9. The hexagonal packaging unit of claim 3, wherein the first latch portion comprises of: a first shoulder located at the top of the first latch portion; anda second shoulder located at the bottom of the first latch portion.

10. The hexagonal packaging unit of claim 3, wherein the first latch portion comprises a first opening element and a second opening element located at the top and bottom of the first latch portion.

11. The hexagonal packaging unit of claim 10, wherein each of the first and second opening elements comprise of a first lip and a second lip on one end, and a first and second release lever, on an opposite end.

12. The hexagonal packaging unit of claim 3, wherein as a result of the first release lever and the second release lever being simultaneously pressed, the lid unlocks, resulting in the first latch portion disengaging from the second latch portion.

13. The hexagonal packaging unit of claim 1, wherein the lid is configured to be rotated along an axis resulting in at least a partial exposure of contents within the container.