Patent Application
20220089336
The present invention generally relates to a container and, more particularly, to a child proof container.
Containers are used to store a variety of items and personal affects. For example, containers can be used to store items such as tobacco, cannabis, or cigarettes. It may be preferable to restrict access to these items for some people such as children. A lock or securing feature can be implemented in these containers to render them restricted access.
Current restricted access containers with locks and securing features tend to be cumbersome to open. Further, these existing restricted access containers prevent a child from accessing the container but do not allow for quick access by an adult. Accordingly, there is a need for a more effective and easily accessible restricted access container for storing items.
In one embodiment, a restricted access container may include an outer shell and an inner tray. The outer shell may define a recess. The outer shell may include a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and an opening. The first wall may include a hole and a notch. The second wall may be opposite the first wall. The third wall may be coupled to each of the first wall and the second wall. The opening may be opposite the third wall. The inner tray may define a receiving area. The inner tray may include a tab, a first protrusion, and a second protrusion. The first protrusion may be disposed on the tab. The inner tray may be inserted through the opening into the recess of the outer shell such that the first protrusion is disposed within the hole of the first wall to fix the inner tray to the outer shell and the second protrusion is disposed within the notch.
The hole may be defined by a hole sidewall and the first protrusion may engage the hole sidewall such that the inner tray is retained within the outer shell. The tab may flex toward the second wall when a force is applied to the tab. The first protrusion may disengage from the hole sidewall and the inner tray may be removed from the outer shell when the tab flexes toward the second wall. The first protrusion may include a first protrusion outer surface, the second protrusion may include a second protrusion outer surface, and the first wall may include a first wall outer surface. The first protrusion outer surface and the second protrusion outer surface may be flush with the first wall outer surface when the inner tray is within the outer shell.
The notch may be disposed proximate to the opening. The inner tray may include a tray top wall, a tray bottom wall, and a tray side wall. The tab may be disposed on the tray side wall proximate to the bottom wall. A distance from the tray top wall to the tray bottom wall may be less than a distance from the tray top wall to an end of the tab. The tab may be a cantilevered extension of the tray side wall. The first protrusion and the second protrusion may have the same shape. The second wall may include a second notch and a second hole. The inner tray may include a second tab, a third protrusion, and a fourth protrusion. The third protrusion may be disposed on the second tab. The third protrusion may be within the second hole and the fourth protrusion may be within the second notch when the inner tray is within the recess of the outer shell. The first protrusion, second protrusion, third protrusion, and fourth protrusion may have the same shape.
In one embodiment, a restricted access container includes a cover and a base. The cover may include a cover top wall, a cover side wall extending downwardly from the cover top wall, a leg extending outwardly from the cover side wall, and a protrusion extending inwardly from the cover side wall. The base may include a base bottom wall, a base side wall, a flange, a locking mechanism, and a biasing element. The base side wall may extend upwardly from the base bottom wall. The base side wall and base bottom wall may define a receiving area. The flange may extend outwardly from the base side wall. The locking mechanism may be disposed on the base side wall. The locking mechanism may include a recess. The biasing element may be disposed on the flange and moveable between a first position and a second position. The cover may be coupled to the base such that the biasing element moves from the first position to the second position and the protrusion is disposed within the recess of the locking mechanism.
The biasing element may biases the cover away from the flange of the base. The cover may be rotatable relative to the base to move the cover between a locked configuration wherein the protrusion is within the recess and an unlocked configuration wherein the protrusion is out of the recess. The locking element may include an angled portion and the protrusion may engage the angled portion as the cover is rotated relative to the base such that the cover is urged toward the flange of the base. The locking mechanism may include a lip extending from the locking mechanism toward the flange, wherein the lip engages the protrusion to prevent rotation of the cover when the protrusion is within the recess. The flange may include an opening and the biasing element may move at least partially into the opening as the biasing element moves from the first position to the second position. The base may include a plurality of biasing elements and a plurality of locking mechanisms alternatingly positioned about the perimeter of the base side wall.
The following detailed description of embodiments of the restricted access container, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings of an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a restricted access container. The container may be a child-resistant packing. Child resistant packaging may mean packaging that is designed and constructed to be significantly difficult for children under 5 years of age to open or obtain a toxic or harmful amount of the substance contained therein within a reasonable time, and that is not difficult for normal adults to use properly.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Front wall 104 and back wall 106 may have a length of about 50 millimeters (mm) to about 200 mm, about 75 mm to about 175 mm, about 100 mm to 125 mm. For example, front wall 104 and back wall 106 may have length of about 98 mm. Front wall 104 and back wall 106 may have a width of about 20 mm to about 120 mm, about 40 mm to about 100 mm, or about 60 mm to about 8 mm. For example, front wall 104 and back wall 106 may have a length of about 68.5 mm. The material comprising front wall 104 and back wall 106 may have a thickness of about 0.5 mm, about 1.0 mm, about 1.5 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, or about 5 mm.
Corners 118 of front wall 104 and back wall 106 may be rounded with a radius of curvature R1 between about 0 mm to about 10 mm, about 2 mm to about 8 mm, and about 4 mm to about 6 mm. For example, corners 118 of front wall 104 and back wall 105 may have a radius of curvature of about 6.35 mm. Although corners 118 are illustrated as having rounded corners, corners 118 of front wall 104 and back wall 106 may be non-rounded, such as at a right angle or a chamfer.
Referring to
Side walls 108 may further include upper notches 116. Upper notches 116 may be disposed proximate to upper opening 114. Upper notches 116 may be semi-circular having a radius of curvature of between about 0 mm to about 10 mm, about 2 mm to about 8 mm, and about 4 mm to about 6 mm. For example, upper notches 116 may have a radius of curvature of about 6.5 mm. However, upper notches 116 may circular, rectangular, or triangular. Upper notches 116 may be sized and shaped to fit and secure upper protrusions 216. For example, upper notches 116 may be configured to receive upper protrusions 216 when inner tray 202 is inserted into outer shell 102. In some embodiments, upper notches 116 and openings 112 may have a similar or the same shape.
Front wall 104, back wall 106, and side walls 108 may define a recess to receive inner tray 102. Outer shell 102 may further include upper opening 114. Inner tray 202 may be moved into and out of the recess through upper opening 114. In practice, inner tray 202 may be inserted into outer shell 102 to secure contents stored within inner tray 202.
In reference to
Inner tray 202 may be sized and shaped to be received by outer shell 102 and nested within outer shell 102. Inner tray 202 may have a width of about 20 mm to about 120 mm, about 40 mm to about 100 mm, or about 60 mm to 80 mm. For example, inner tray 202 may have a width of about 68.5 mm. Inner tray 202 may have a length of about 80 mm to 140 mm, about 90 mm to 130 mm, or about 100 mm to about 120 mm. For example, inner tray 202 may have a length of about 96.47 mm. Further, side walls 206 may have a height of about 0 mm to about 25 mm, about 5 mm to about 20 mm, or about 10 mm to about 15 mm. For example, side walls 206 may have a height of about 12.5 mm. Side walls 206 may have a length of about 80 mm to about 140 mm, about 90 mm to about 130 mm, about 100 mm to about 120 mm. For example, side walls 206 may have a length of about 96.47 mm. Back surface 204 may have a length of about 80 mm to about 140 mm, about 90 mm to about 130 mm, or about 100 mm to about 120 mm, and a width of about 50 mm to about 100 mm, about 60 mm to about 90 mm, or about 70 mm to about 80 mm. For example, bottom surface 205 may have a length of about 93 mm and a width of about 62 mm.
Back surface 204 may include top corners 215. Top corners 215 of back surface 204 may be rounded and may have a radius of curvature between about 0 mm to about 10 mm, about 2 mm to about 8 mm, or about 4 mm to about 6 mm. For example, top corner 215 may have a radius of curvature of about 6.35 mm. In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
In an embodiment, side walls 206 include upper protrusions 216 disposed proximate to top wall 210 of inner tray 202. Upper protrusions 216 may be sized and shaped to fit within holes 212. Upper protrusions 216 may be semi-circular in shape and be disposed on the top of side walls 206 adjacent to top wall 210. In an embodiment of the present invention, upper protrusions 216 include ridges 217. For example, upper protrusions 216 may include multiple ridges 217 to allow a user to securely grip upper protrusions 216 of inner tray 202. Upper protrusions 216 may be rigid such that the protrusions do not flex when an inward force (e.g., a force applied on one upper protrusion 216 toward another upper protrusion 216) is applied to upper protrusion 216.
Side walls 206 may further include tabs 212, which may be disposed proximate to bottom wall 208. Tabs 212 may extend from side walls 206 towards bottom wall 208. Tabs 212 may be a cantilevered extension of side walls 206.
Tabs 212 may be comprised of the same material as side walls 206 or a different material. Tabs 212 may be comprised of a semi-rigid material to allow for bending and flexing of tabs 212. The material may be selected such that a child does not have enough grip strength to manually flex tabs 212. As shown in
Referring to
Lower protrusions 218 may have the same general appearance as upper protrusions 216. Upper protrusions 216 and lower protrusions 218 may have the same general appearance when the inner tray 202 is within outer shell 102 (e.g., when viewed from the front or the side). Lower protrusions 218 may have the same shape as upper protrusions 216. Lower protrusions 218 may have the same texture as upper protrusions 216. Lower protrusions 218 and upper protrusions 216 having the same general appearance or texture may help prevent unauthorized persons (e.g., a child) from visually determining how to open the container. The tabs 212 may extend below the bottom wall 208 such that the end of the tabs 212 are coplanar with the bottom wall of the outer shell 102 when the inner tray 202 is positioned within the outer shell 102.
In practice, during insertion of inner tray 202 within outer shell 102, tabs 212 may flex and bend towards flanges 209 when inner tray 202 is inserted into outer shell 102 as tabs 212 may be pushed inwards by side walls 108 of outer shell 102. When inner tray 202 is fully inserted within outer shell 102, tabs 212 are no longer restricted and pushed inwards by side walls 108 of outer shell 102, and lower protrusions 218 of tabs 212 are at least partially disposed within holes 112 thereby securing inner tray 202 within outer shell 102. To remove inner tray 202 from outer shell 202, pressure must be applied to lower protrusions 218 of tabs 212 causing tabs 212 to flex or bend inward toward flange 209 of inner tray 202. When tabs 212 are bent or flexed towards flange 209, lower protrusions 218 are no longer disposed within holes 112 allowing inner tray 202 to be easily pulled out of outer shell 102. As a result, a child may not be able to remove inner tray 202 from outer shell 102, as a child may not be able to exert enough force on lower protrusions 218 to bend and flex tabs 212 inward enough towards flange 209 to allow lower protrusion 218 to be completely removed from holes 112 for removal of inner tray 202 from outer shell 102. This prevents a child from accessing the contents disposed within recess 214 of inner tray 202. A child may also lack the cognitive skills to determine how to open the package even if they have the requisite grip strength.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, inner tray 202 may be configured to receive an insert (not shown). The insert may be configured to hold and secure rolled cigarettes (e.g., tobacco or cannabis cigarettes). The insert may include rows or columns for holding and securing multiple cannabis filled items or cigarettes. For example, the insert may include several rows for securing multiple rolled cigarettes. The insert may be placed within recess 214 of inner tray 202. In an embodiment, the insert is removably coupled to back surface 204 within recess 214. For example, the insert may be removably coupled to bottoms surface 204 via a magnet, hook and loop fasteners, Velcro, adhesives, etc. However, the insert may be coupled to any part of inner tray 202. For example, the insert may be removably coupled to side walls 206, bottom wall 208, or top wall 210. In another embodiment of the present invention, the insert may be fixedly coupled to inner tray 202. For example, the insert may be fixedly coupled to back surface 204 of inner tray 202. The insert may be adjustable within the recess 214 to accommodate different sizes of rolled cigarette.
Referring to
Referring to
Cover 302 may include protrusions 310 which may be disposed on side wall 306, along outer circumference 304. Cover 302 may include protrusions 310 that engage a feature (e.g., a recess or protrusion) on the inner receptacle 402 to couple the cover 302 to the inner receptacle 402.
Protrusions 310 may extend radially toward the interior of cover 302. In an embodiment, cover 302 includes legs 312. Legs 312 may allow cover 302 to stand upright when placed on a flat surface. For example, legs 312 may include proximal end 311 coupled to cover 302 and distal end 313, which has a flat portion allowing cover 302 to be placed upright on flat surfaces. Legs 312 may be disposed on outer circumference 304. In an embodiment, legs 312 are integrally formed with side wall 306. In another embodiment, legs 312 may be removably coupled to side wall 306 of cover 302. Legs 312 may include opening 316 extending therethrough. Opening 316 may be configured to receive a string, rope, chain, or other device capable of allowing restricted access container 300 to be carried. A user may engage (e.g., manually engage) legs 312 to apply a torque to the cover 302 to rotate the cover 302 relative to the inner receptacle 402 or resist rotation of the cover 302 while the inner receptacle 402 is rotated relative to the cover 302.
Referring to
Side wall 404 may extend along the circumference of inner receptacle 402. Inner receptacle 402 may further include flange 410 which may be disposed along the outer circumference of inner receptacle 402 and may extend outward from side wall 404. Side wall 404 may include locking mechanism 412 and flange 410 may include biasing element 408. Locking mechanism 412 may include retainer 414 and recess 416 and may be disposed on the exterior side of side wall 404. Recess 416 of locking mechanism 412 may be configured to receive and engage with protrusions 310 of cover 302 to secure cover 302 to inner receptacle 402, preventing a child from accessing the contents stored within inner receptacle 402.
Biasing element 408 of flange 410 may keep cover 302 slightly raised relative to inner receptacle 402 preventing cover 302 from engaging and disengaging with inner receptacle 402. For example, biasing element 408 may be biased to keep cover 302 slightly raised such that protrusion 310 is unable move into and out of recess 416 of locking mechanism 412.
Biasing element 408 may be flexible. Biasing element 408 may flex from a first or relaxed position toward the flange 410 to a second or flexed position as the cover 302 is coupled to the inner receptacle 402. Biasing element 408 may move from the second position away from the flange 410 and toward the first position once the protrusion 310 is within recess 416. Protrusion 310 may engage an upper wall of the recess 416 such that the biasing element is in a third position between the first position and the second position when the protrusion 310 is within recess 416 and the cover 302 is coupled to the inner receptacle 402. An opening 409 may extend through the flange 410. The opening 409 may be sized and shaped to receive the biasing element as the biasing element 408 flexes from the first position to the second position. The inner receptacle 402 may include a plurality of biasing elements 408 and a plurality of locking mechanisms 412. The biasing elements 408 and locking mechanisms 412 may be alternatingly positioned about the perimeter of the inner receptacle 402.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the engagement of the angled surface of protrusions 310 on retainer 414 automatically forces cover 302 downward as cover 302 is rotated relative to the inner receptacle 402. In other embodiments, cover 302 is manually pushed down, overcoming the biasing force of biasing element 408, and rotated relative to inner receptacle 402, such that protrusion 310 of inner receptacle 402 goes down and around retainer 414 of locking mechanism 412 and becomes disposed within recess 416 of locking mechanism 412. Once protrusion 310 is within recess 416 of locking mechanism 412, cover 302 may not be able to be further rotated relative to inner receptacle 402. Cover 302 may then no longer need to be pushed down. When protrusion 310 is within recess 416 of locking mechanism 412 and cover 302 is no longer being pushed down relative to inner receptacle 402, then cover 302 can no longer be rotated. Cover 302 may not be rotatable once protrusion 310 is secured with recess 416 of locking mechanism and the biasing force of biasing element 408 causes cover 302 to be slightly raised, further securing protrusion 310 within recess 416.
In practice, some persons (e.g., children) cannot access the contents of restricted access container 300 unless they have the cognitive ability to determine that cover 302 needs to be pushed down relative to inner receptacle 402 to overcome the biasing force of biasing element 408, and have the requisite manual strength and dexterity to rotate cover 302 relative to inner receptacle 402. To remove cover 302 and access the contents of inner receptacle 402, cover 302 must be pushed down relative to inner receptacle 402 to overcome the biasing force of biasing element 408 that is keeping cover 302 slightly raised, thus keeping protrusion 310 within recess 416. Once the biasing force of biasing element 408 has been overcome, protrusion 310 of cover 302 may be pushed down and may no longer be disposed within recess 416 of locking mechanism 412. This allows cover 302 to be rotated relative to inner receptacle 402 so that protrusion 310 can be moved away from locking mechanism 412 via rotation of cover 302. Once cover 302 has been rotated and protrusion 310 no longer engages with locking mechanism 412 of inner receptacle 402, cover 302 can be decoupled from inner receptacle 402 to access the contents within inner receptacle 402. Therefore, a child will not be able to access the contents stored within inner receptacle 402 as a child would not be able to easily remove cover 302 from inner receptacle 402, thereby preventing inadvertent access and use of items within restricted access container 300.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the exemplary embodiments shown and described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. For example, specific features of the exemplary embodiments may or may not be part of the claimed invention and various features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined. The words “proximal”, “distal”, “upper” and “lower” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”.
It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and descriptions of the invention have been simplified to focus on elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate may also comprise a portion of the invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not necessarily facilitate a better understanding of the invention, a description of such elements is not provided herein.
Further, to the extent that the methods of the present invention do not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the particular order of the steps should not be construed as limitation on the claims. Any claims directed to the methods of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the steps may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/767,960 filed Nov. 15, 2018 entitled “Child-Proof Container,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2019/061463 | 11/14/2019 | WO | 00 |
