Patent Application
20080169263
The present disclosure relates to a tamper-indicating child-resistant package and to a container for such a package.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,899,348, 6,039,195 and 6,327,770 disclose child-resistant containers and packages that include a manually deflectable release element cantilevered from the container to prevent unthreading of a closure from the container absent deflection of the release element. Although the containers and packages disclosed in the noted patents have enjoyed substantial commercial acceptance and success, improvements remain desirable. It is particularly desirable, for example, to provide for indication that the package has been opened, thereby evidencing possible tampering with the contents of the package. A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a child-resistant package of the type having a manually deflectable release element to permit unthreading of the closure from the container and including means for indicating that the package has been opened. Another general object of the present disclosure is to provide a container for such a package.
The present disclosure embodies a number of aspects that can be implemented separately from or in combination with each other.
A tamper-indicating child-resistant package, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, includes a container having a cylindrical finish with at least one external thread segment, a manually deflectable release element externally cantilevered from the finish, and a tear band frangibly connected to the finish and having an upstanding locking lug. A closure has a skirt with at least one internal thread segment for mating engagement with the external thread segment on the container finish, a first lock element on the skirt for engagement with the manually deflectable release element and second lock element on the skirt for engagement with the locking lug on the tear band. Engagement between the second lock element on the closure skirt and the locking lug on the tear band prevents unthreading of the closure from the container finish until the tear band is frangibly removed from the finish, whereupon deflection of the manually deflectable release element releases the closure for unthreading from the finish. The tear band preferably extends in a plane partway around the finish and has ends adjacent to the release element. The tear band preferably is frangibly connected to the finish by angularly spaced frangible bridges.
The disclosure, together with additional objects, features, advantages and aspects thereof, will best be understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:
A tear band 30 extends around container finish 14. Tear band 30 preferably is planar and disposed in an arc with spaced ends 32,33 adjacent to release element 24. The plane of tear band 30 preferably is substantially perpendicular to the axis of finish 14. Tear band ends 32,33 preferably are enlarged, as best seen in
Closure skirt 22 has a second lock element 42, preferably in the form of an axially facing pocket, that is generally diametrically opposed to first lock element 28. When closure 12 is first applied to container finish 14, the closure skirt rides over cam face 38 of locking lug 36 until locking lug 36 snaps into pocket 42 and lock element 28 engages locking lug 26 on release element 24. Depression of release element 24 disengages lug 26 from lock element 28, but closure 12 cannot be unthreaded because locking lug 36 is in engagement with pocket 42 on closure skirt 22. To release the closure skirt for unthreading, tear band 30 is manually grasped at one or both ends 32,33 and frangibly removed from the container finish. This frangible removal of tear band 30 simultaneously removes locking lug 36 from the container inasmuch as locking lug 36 is carried by tear band 30. With locking lug 36 and tear band 30 so removed from the container, closure 12 can be removed by depression of release element 24 and simultaneous unthreading of the closure from the container finish. Partial or complete fracture of tear band 30 provides indication that the package has been opened.
Container 16, including tear band 30, preferably are of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction and can be molded in any suitable type of molding operation. U.S. patent document 2005/0167889, for example, discloses techniques for making blow molded containers having a finish 14 and a deflectable release element 24, and which can be employed to implement the present disclosure. The container also can be made by injection molding.
There thus have been disclosed a tamper-indicating child-resistant package and a container for such a package that fully satisfy all of the objects and aims previously set forth. The disclosure has been presented in conjunction with an exemplary embodiment, and modifications and variations have been discussed. Other modifications and variations readily will suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the foregoing disclosure. The disclosure is intended to embrace all such modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
