The disclosure relates generally to child-resistant containers. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for preventing child access to a container, such as a medication container.
A container may be configured for a user to apply pressure, which may include unidirectional or bidirectional (e.g., opposing) pressure, to the top and/or bottom of the device to engage features of the container.
Substances have been stored, distributed, and sold in various types of containers. One type of container is known as a pillbox, often with a flip-top opening for manual breaking of a seal or otherwise clear an opening for pouring and consuming the contents.
In some cases, people do not want containers to be easily opened by children or unauthorized individuals when the containers carry a substance that is harmful, controlled, dangerous, or costly.
Some substances are subject to legal restrictions, such as most notably, mind-altering substances, like marijuana and derivatives. Another type of consumable that is restricted is pharmaceuticals and marijuana-based or hemp-based products. Casual consumption can be dangerous if consumed to excess or without proper administration. A chief concern is limiting access to minors (individuals under the local legal age of majority) to avoid harmful consequences. Also, governments institute laws and regulations mandating child-protective barriers to use to prevent minors from accessing controlled substances, such as cannabis and cannabis products.
The European Union and the United States maintain regulations as to child-resistant packaging for drugs and other substances. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulated child-resistant packaging based on the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA). The special packaging requirements under the PPPA are directed towards designing packaging to make it significantly difficult for children under five years old to open the packaging or obtain a toxic or harmful amount of the substance therein within a reasonable amount of time. The requirements also maintain that it should not be difficult for ordinary adults to use the packaging properly. The PPPA requirements do not dictate that the packaging should be designed such that 100 percent of children cannot open the packaging or obtain a toxic or hazardous amount within a reasonable time. The U.S. child-resistant packaging performance specifications are found in the regulation cited as 16 C.F.R. § 1700.15. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration guidance on child-resistant packaging is available at https://www.fda.gov/media/70788/download. In the United States, individual states usually have their own child-resistant packaging regulations and guidance.
To prevent minors from accessing and consuming controlled substances and to avoid mistaken consumption by people unfamiliar with consumption of cannabis-based beverages, an apparatus to limit and control opening such containers would be useful.
Several have tried to create child-resistant container lids. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0315535 A1 to Nicholas Patrick Karll discloses a locking container and lid assembly incorporating a metal plate inside the outer cap or under the outer cap for interacting between the outer cap and a lower cap that are closed by a lock engagement of the lid. However, this document does not disclose a lid fitted for a top of a container without the costly metal plate for preventing child access to container. This metal plate is costly, heavy, and requires excess labor in manufacture, such that a design like the one described below, which can avoid requiring a metal plate insert and thus, be advantageous.
Thus, it would be advantageous to have a device and a method that prevents minor access for safety and waste control.
As will be seen more fully below, the present invention is substantially different in structure, function, and approach from that of the child-resistant containers previously disclosed.
In one aspect of the present invention, a child resistant container, may comprise; a container body having a central longitudinal axis, a closed base, an open top and an exterior wall; and a cap assembly configured to couple to the container body for closing the container; wherein the cap assembly comprises; a metal inner cap configured to couple to the container body and a metal outer cap coupled to the inner cap, each of the inner and outer caps having a top with a top surface and a bottom surface; a metal plate disposed between the inner cap and the outer cap, wherein the plate is rotationally and axially fixed relative to the outer cap; a first coupler coupled to the inner cap, wherein the first coupler comprises a groove having sides that extend downwardly from the top of the inner cap; and a second coupler coupled to the plate and configured to optionally engage the first coupler, wherein the second coupler comprises a tongue having sides that extend downwardly from a bottom surface of the metal plate; wherein the inner cap is disposed at least partially within the outer cap; wherein at least a portion of the top of the outer cap is configured to optionally move among first and second positions relative to the inner cap along the central longitudinal axis, the first position being farther away from the top of the inner cap than the second position; wherein the outer cap is configured to rotate relative to the inner cap when the top of the outer cap is in the first position; and wherein the second coupler is configured to engage the first coupler when the top of the outer cap is in the second position for rotationally fixing the inner and outer caps relative to one another.
In another aspect of the present invention, a child resistant container, may comprise a container body having a central longitudinal axis, a closed base, an open top and an exterior wall; and a cap assembly configured to couple to the container body for closing the container; wherein the cap assembly may comprise, a metal inner cap configured to couple to the container body and a metal outer cap coupled to the inner cap, each of the inner and outer caps having a top with a top surface and a bottom surface, a metal plate disposed between the inner cap and the outer cap, wherein the metal plate is rotationally and axially fixed relative to the outer cap, a first coupler coupled to the inner cap, wherein the first coupler comprises a plurality of grooves that extend radially outwardly from the central longitudinal axis, each of the plurality of grooves having sides that extend downwardly from the top of the inner cap, and a second coupler coupled to the plate and configured to optionally engage the first coupler, wherein the second coupler comprises a plurality of tongues, each of the plurality of tongues having sides that extend downwardly from the bottom surface of the metal plate; wherein the inner cap is disposed at least partially within the outer cap and comprises a radially outwardly rolled lip that is retained within the outer cap by a radially inwardly rolled lip of the outer cap, wherein at least a portion of the top of the outer cap is configured to optionally move among first and second positions relative to the inner cap along the central longitudinal axis, the first position being farther away from the top of the inner cap than the second position, wherein the outer cap is configured to rotate relative to the inner cap when the top of the outer cap is in the first position and the radially inwardly rolled lip of the outer cap is in contact with the radially outwardly rolled lip of the inner cap, and wherein the second coupler is configured to engage the first coupler when the top of the outer cap is in the second position for rotationally fixing the inner and outer caps relative to one another.
A child resistant container may include a container body having a central longitudinal axis, a closed base, an open top, and an exterior wall, and a cap assembly configured to couple to the container body for closing the container. A cap assembly may include an inner cap configured to couple to a container body, and an outer cap coupled to the inner cap, optionally each of the inner and outer caps having a top, a first coupler coupled to the inner cap, and a second coupler coupled to the outer cap and configured to optionally engage the first coupler. An inner cap may be disposed at least partially within an outer cap. At least a portion of the top of an outer cap may be configured to optionally move among first and second positions or other positions relative to the inner cap, such as along the central longitudinal axis or otherwise. A first position or other position may be farther away from a top of the inner cap than a second position or other position. An outer cap may be configured to rotate relative to an inner cap, such as when the top of the outer cap is in one or more positions, and a second coupler or other coupler may be configured to engage a first coupler or other coupler, such as when a top of an outer cap is in a second position or other position.
A container may include a cap disposed at least partially between the top of the inner cap and the top of the outer cap, and a second coupler or other coupler may be coupled to the cap. One or more caps may be rotationally fixed relative to an outer cap or other component or portion of a container. A top of an outer cap may be in a second position or other position and an outer cap may be adapted to rotate relative to an inner cap, such as before a second coupler or other coupler engages a first coupler or other coupler, which may include rotating a partial rotation such as less than 45 degrees or less than 90 degrees or less than 180 degrees or otherwise. At least a portion of a top or other portion of an outer cap may be configured to elastically deform and a first or other position relative to a top of an inner cap may be a rest position of the top portion or other portion of an outer cap. At least a portion of an inner cap may be retained within an outer cap, such as by a wholly or partially radially inwardly rolled or otherwise disposed lip of the outer cap. An inner cap may include a radially outwardly rolled or otherwise disposed lip and may have a height or other dimension less than, greater than, or equal to a height or other dimension of an outer cap. A radially outwardly rolled lip of an inner cap may be configured to contact at least optionally a radially inwardly rolled lip of an outer cap.
A first or other coupler may include a groove and a second coupler or other coupler may include a tongue configured to engage the groove. A first coupler or other coupler may include a plurality of grooves and a second coupler or other coupler may include a plurality of tongues configured to engage corresponding ones of the plurality of grooves. A number of grooves, tongues, or other couplers may be the same or different. A first or other coupler may include a plurality of grooves and a second coupler or other coupler may include a tongue adapted to engage two or more of the plurality of grooves. A first coupler or other coupler may include a plurality of grooves that extend radially outwardly from a central longitudinal axis or other point of reference. Two or more of a plurality of grooves may intersect or not intersect. Two or more of a plurality of grooves may be at least partially perpendicular to one another. A first coupler or other coupler may include a groove having a rotationally leading side and a rotationally trailing side in a clockwise direction or other direction and a second coupler may include a tongue having a rotationally leading side and a rotationally trailing side in a clockwise direction or other direction. A leading side or other side of a tongue may be configured to engage a leading side or other side of a groove, such as for coupling a cap assembly to a container body. A trailing side or other side of a tongue may be configured to engage a trailing side or other side of a groove, such as for uncoupling a cap assembly from a container body.
Leading sides or other sides of a tongue and/or a groove may be disposed at a first angle or other angle(s) and trailing sides of a tongue and/or a groove may be disposed at a second angle or other angle(s). In at least one embodiment, first and second angles, or other angles, may be the same. In at least one embodiment, first and second angles, or other angles, may be different. In at least one embodiment, a first angle may be 60 degrees relative to horizontal and a second angle may be 65 degrees relative to horizontal. A first coupler or other coupler may include two or more grooves and a second coupler or other coupler may be configured to skip out of one or more grooves and into one or more grooves, such as when the cap assembly reaches a fully closed position. One or more couplers may be adapted for at least partially minimizing a chance of overtightening. One or more couplers may be adapted for signaling or indicating to a user that a container is fully or otherwise closed, such as audibly, or mechanically, or both, which may include generating one or more sounds, vibrations, or other mechanical attributes or indicators, such as by way of skipping or another noticeable cooperation or result of cooperation among one or more container components.
In at least one embodiment, a child resistant container may include a container body having a central longitudinal axis, a closed base, an open top, and an exterior wall, and a cap assembly configured to couple to the container body for closing the container. A cap assembly may include an inner cap configured to couple to the container body and an outer cap coupled to the inner cap, each of the inner and outer caps having a top, a first coupler coupled to the inner cap, wherein the first coupler may include a plurality of grooves that extend radially outwardly from the central longitudinal axis, and a second coupler coupled to the outer cap and configured to optionally engage the first coupler, wherein the second coupler may include a plurality of tongues, wherein the inner cap may be disposed at least partially within the outer cap and may include a radially outwardly rolled lip that may be retained within the outer cap by a radially inwardly rolled lip of the outer cap, wherein at least a portion of the top of the outer cap may be configured to optionally move among first and second positions relative to the inner cap along the central longitudinal axis, the first position being further away from the top of the inner cap than the second position, wherein the outer cap may be arranged to rotate relative to the inner cap when the top of the outer cap is in the first position and the radially inwardly rolled lip of the outer cap is in contact with the radially outwardly rolled lip of the inner cap, and wherein the second coupler may be configured to engage the first coupler when the top of the outer cap is in the second position.
These and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are specifically set forth in or will become apparent from, the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Although the invention is often referred to herein as an apparatus and method for restricting child access to containers, it is understood that such description is not limiting, such that the technology in this invention may be applied in numerous other products and methods, including but not limited to, beverage containers, non-metallic containers, and similar structures.
The container of the invention cannot be easily opened in a conventional manner by a child, yet is easily opened by an adult, especially senior adults, or disabled adults. Another advantage is protecting the container contents from exposure or leakage.
In at least one embodiment, a container may be made largely or completely out of metal. Exemplary metals may include steel, tin, copper, aluminum, and alloys thereof, separately or in combination, in whole, or in part.
Herein is disclosed a three-piece container lid for containers that children will find difficult to open but adults, especially senior adults, and disabled adults, will be able to open the lid readily and easily.
A container may be configured for a user to apply pressure, which may include unidirectional or bidirectional (e.g., opposing) pressure, to the top and/or bottom of the device to engage features on one or more caps or other components, such as on outer and inner caps or inserts, to lock or otherwise couple for opening and/or closing the container. Once engaged, a user may rotate or twist one or more container components and thereby rotate or twist one or more other container components, and in at least one embodiment, place complimentary angled screw threads on an interior wall of a cap and an exterior wall of a container body into threading communication with each other for opening and/or closing a container or one or more caps relative to a container body. When opposing force or pressure is applied to a container cap and body and features, bumps, or indentations of a cap or insert may be aligned with those of another cap or other component, one or more components may depress, deflect, bend, or move and a user may rotate or twist a container cap and/or body for causing one or more threads to engage and separate the lid from the body or attach it thereto. Without such a force by a user or pressure, an outer container lid may be configured to spin around an inner cap without moving or rotating the inner cap or insert. In at least one embodiment, a container may be at least partially air-tight when closed, which may allow the container to safely, or otherwise satisfactorily, store contents for an extended period of time. In at least one embodiment, gas or other fluid inside a container may be altered or treated to have a less reactive gas inside, which may help prevent decay or otherwise preserve a state of a substance stored within the container.
One or more seals, such as a high barrier sealing or lidding film, may be affixed on the top or on another portion of a container body, such as for maintaining a specific or desired atmosphere even after the lid is removed. This may allow, for example, for the contents of a container to be visually inspected without disturbing the atmosphere within the container. Once the seal is initially removed, the atmosphere of the container may no longer be contained or maintained in the same state, but in at least one embodiment a container according to the disclosure may be structured for at least partially preserving or maintaining such an atmosphere.
In at least one embodiment, a container may be made largely or completely out of metal. Exemplary metals may include steel, tin, copper, aluminum, and alloys thereof, separately or in combination, in whole, or in part.
In at least one embodiment, a container according to the disclosure may be configured for a user to apply pressure, which may include unidirectional or bidirectional (e.g., opposing) pressure, to the top and/or bottom of the device to engage couplers on one or more caps or other components, such as on outer and inner caps, to lock or otherwise couple for opening and/or closing the container. Once engaged, a user may twist one or more container components and thereby twist one or more other container components, and in at least one embodiment, place complimentary angled screw threads on an interior wall of a cap and an exterior wall of a container body into threading communication with each other for opening and/or closing a container or one or more caps relative to a container body. When opposing force or pressure is applied to a container cap and body and couplers or indentations of a plate or cap are aligned with those of another cap, one or more components may depress, bend, or move and a user may twist a container cap and/or body for causing one or more threads to catch and separate the lid from the body or attach it thereto. In the absence of such user force or pressure, an exterior container lid may be configured to spin about an inner cap without moving or rotating it. In at least one embodiment, a container may be at least partially airtight when closed, which may allow the container to safely or otherwise satisfactorily store its contents for an extended period of time.
In at least one embodiment, gas or other fluid inside a container may be altered or treated to have a less reactive gas inside, which may help prevent decay or otherwise preserve a state of a substance stored within the container. One or more seals, such as a high barrier sealing or lidding film, may be affixed on the top or another portion of a container body, such as for maintaining a specific or desired atmosphere even after the lid is removed. This may allow, for example, for the contents of a container to be visually inspected without disturbing the atmosphere within the container. Once the seal is initially removed, the atmosphere of the container may no longer be contained or maintained in the same state, but in at least one embodiment a container according to the disclosure may be adapted for at least partially preserving or maintaining such an atmosphere. In at least one embodiment, a container according to the disclosure may be made largely or completely out of metal. Exemplary metals may include steel, tin, copper, aluminum, and alloys thereof, separately or in combination, in whole, or in part. A container according to the disclosure may, in at least one embodiment, prevent or minimize Bisphenol A (BPA) leaching or chemical leaching into a stored product. A container according to the disclosure may be configured for having track and trace information laser etched or otherwise applied onto or into the container in a manner not easily removed or altered. In at least one embodiment, a container according to the disclosure may be at least substantially completely recyclable.
In at least one embodiment, container body 101 may have a neck 103, such as an extension or collar, for cooperating with one or more other components of container 100. Neck 103 may, but need not, have a diameter or other dimension less than that of another portion, such as a lower portion, of body 101. Neck 103 may be formed integrally with one or more other portions of body 101 or may be formed separately and otherwise coupled thereto. In at least one embodiment, container 100 may include a lip 124, such as a rim, stop, or collar, that extends radially inwardly from an exterior surface 126 of body 101. In such an embodiment outer cap 102 or one or more components coupled thereto may contact or rest on or against lip 124 (e.g., when outer cap 102 is in one or more closed positions), separately or in combination, in whole or in part. As other examples, outer cap 102 or one or more components coupled thereto may be disposed adjacent to, above, or otherwise relative to lip 124 when outer cap 102 is in one or more closed positions. In at least one embodiment, container body 101 or a portion thereof, such as a top portion or neck 103 (if present), may include an inwardly rolled edge 107 for cooperating with one or more other components of container 100 as described in further detail below. Edge 107 may be rolled or otherwise disposed radially inwardly (e.g., about central longitudinal axis X) from an exterior surface of body 101 or neck 103, in whole or in part, and may extend or otherwise exist about all or a portion of the mouth 128 or opening of body 101. Edge 107 may include a partial roll or a full roll and may be continuous or comprise one or more segments about mouth 128, separately or in combination, in whole or in part.
Container 100 may include an inner cap 105, such as a cover or lid, for removably coupling to body 101 to enclose or cover at least a portion thereof, such as an interior 118 volume or space and/or one or more other components or portions of body 101 (e.g., neck 103 or edge 107). Inner cap 105 may be coupled to outer cap 102, which may include being disposed at least partially therein, and configured to couple outer cap 102 and/or one or more other components of container 100 to container body 101. In at least one embodiment, inner cap 105 may have one or more dimensions (e.g., height and diameter or other radial dimension) smaller than one or more corresponding dimensions of outer cap 102 and inner cap 105 may be retained or otherwise disposed within outer cap 102 (see, e.g.,
Inner cap 105 and outer cap 102, together with one or more other cap components, such as cap 110, if present, may be configured for optionally coupling with one another in one or more positions to optionally translate opening and/or closing force from one to the other. Inner cap 105 and outer cap 102 may collectively form or be part of a cap assembly 114. More specifically, inner cap 105 and outer cap 102 may have one or more positions relative to one another (e.g., in an axial direction along axis X) and may cooperate with one another and/or one or more other components of container 100 to form a child resistant opening/closing mechanism or otherwise accomplish child resistant functionality. In this regard, each of outer cap 102 and inner cap 105 may include one or more couplers 134, 136 for optionally coupling with one another to engage outer cap 102 and inner cap 105 for at least partially simultaneous rotation (e.g., about axis X) relative to one or more other components of container 100, such as container body 101. In at least one embodiment, couplers 134, 136 may be, or include, one or more mating indentations, depressions, or other formations as further described below. In at least one embodiment, one or more of caps 102, 105 may include gripping material (not shown), such as silicone, rubber, or another elastomeric or sticky material, coupled thereto for increasing friction between or otherwise supporting rotational engagement of caps 102, 105 in one or more positions. For example, gripping material may be included on one or more of the undersides of outer cap 102 (or, e.g., cap 110 further described below) and the top side of cap 105, separately or in combination with the presence of one or more other couplers 134, 136 and, in at least one embodiment, may be included on one or more couplers 134, 136.
For example, as seen in
As shown in an exemplary embodiment of
Couplers 134, 136 may take various forms, separately or in combination, in whole or in part. In at least one embodiment, one or more couplers 134, 136 may be, or include, one or more indentations stamped, molded, debossed, or otherwise formed in or on outer cap 102 or inner cap 105, such as, for example, into one or more sheets or other piece(s) of material from which all or a portion of outer cap 102 or inner cap 105 may be made. Accordingly, couplers 134, 136 may be referred to herein as indentations (and collectively as indentations 106) for purposes of convenience of illustration, but it will nonetheless be understood that such references may apply to couplers 134, 136 of numerous other types or forms, such as couplers machined into material or couplers formed separately and coupled to one or more other pieces of material mechanically or otherwise.
Each of outer cap 102 and inner cap 105 may have one or more indentations 106 on one or more of its surfaces, such as in a top surface and/or protruding or otherwise extending downwardly from a bottom or interior surface. One or more of the indentations 106 may match one or more indentations 106 present on the other cap and may be disposed at a point or points where force(s) or pressure from a user is converted into friction or other actuation force(s) for allowing container 100 to be opened or closed. The number, shape, size, location, and pattern of one or more indentations 106 may vary from embodiment to embodiment. The embodiment depicted in
With continuing reference to the figures and particular reference to
With continuing reference to the figures and particular reference to
As shown in
In at least one embodiment, outer cap 102 may be stamped or otherwise outfitted with one or more indentations 106, 111 instead of (or alongside) using one or more center caps 110. In such an embodiment, one or more indentations 106, 111 may be manufactured into outer cap 102 and may interact directly (or indirectly) with one or more indentations on inner cap 105 (and/or center cap 110, if present). The same open and working angles may, but need not, be used in the case where outer cap 102 does not have indentations therein or thereon. In at least one embodiment, such as an embodiment wherein outer cap 102 does not require a smooth superior exterior surface plane, center cap 110 may be absent and one or more indentations 106, 111 may be embossed or otherwise manufactured into the superior exterior surface plane of outer cap 102 for matching or coupling with one or more indentations 106, 111 of inner cap 105. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure may have lid or cap assemblies (or units) comprising a number of cap components coupled to one another, such as a two-piece lid or a three-piece lid (e.g., with a locking center cap included); however, embodiments having more or fewer components are also possible.
In at least one embodiment, container 100 may include one or more seals 115, such as a lidding film, sealing film, or other closure for creating an at least partially airtight seal, whether initially, repeatedly, or otherwise (see, e.g.,
In at least one embodiment, seal 115 may be, or include, a multi-layered seal, such as a multi-layer aluminum foil seal or other type of seal having a plurality of layers (which may be of the same or different material(s)). Seal 115 may be disposed at least partially over the opening of container body 101 and may be attached to inwardly rolled edge 107. In at least one embodiment, seal 115 may be, or include, one or more annular silicone or otherwise elastomeric seals, such as a gasket, coupled to one or more of caps 102, 105 (or center cap 110, if present). Seal 115 may be sealed or otherwise coupled to container body 101 in any manner according to an implementation of the disclosure, such as by way of a heat-activated adhesive coating, induction sealing, conduction sealing, or otherwise. In at least one embodiment, seal 115 may be, or include, one or more desiccant materials and/or oxygen scavenging materials 116. For instance, one or more materials 116 may be applied or otherwise coupled to one or more sides of seal 115, such as a product facing side 142 of seal 115 disposed at least partially within or toward the bottom interior of container body 101 or a product disposed within container body 101 (e.g., when seal 115 is at least partially coupled to edge 107). In at least one embodiment, seal 115 may be, or include, a tamper-evident seal, which may be used alone or, for example, in addition to one or more tamper-evident seals or packaging on the outside of container 100. In at least one embodiment, seal 115 may be configured to provide an at least partial barrier to light, oxygen, air, water, odors, and/or one or more other environmental or other conditions in an atmosphere surrounding container 100. In at least one embodiment, seal 115 may be contact-conduction sealed to inward rolled edge 107 of container body 101 of a metal child-resistant container 100. One or more seals 115 may be either flat or recessed, separately or in combination, in whole or in part. In at least one embodiment, one or more seals 115 may have at least one of a protective lacquer layer, an aluminum foil layer, an extrusion coating layer (e.g., with a heat-activated adhesive), and a combination thereof.
In at least one embodiment, desiccant material and/or oxygen scavenging material 116 may be, or include, at least one of activated alumina, aerogel, benzophenone, bentonite clay, calcium chloride, calcium oxide, calcium sulfate (gypsum), cobalt(II) chloride, copper(II) sulfate, lithium chloride, lithium bromide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium perchlorate, molecular sieve, potassium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, silica gel, sodium, sodium chlorate, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfate, sucrose, or sulfuric acid, ferrous carbonate, metal halide catalyst, ascorbate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, citrus, ascorbic acid, and a combination thereof. The amount and material makeup of desiccant material and/or oxygen scavenging material 116 may vary from embodiment to embodiment. In at least one embodiment, material 116 may be configured to maintain a relative humidity (RH) inside container 100 of between 50-65% or so. In at least one embodiment, desiccant material and/or oxygen scavenging material 116 may be applied to a portion of seal 115 or otherwise configured for allowing a heat-activated adhesive layer of seal 115 to still function properly, which may, for example, at least partially reduce as need for nitrogen flushing or separate desiccant packets in one possible implementation of the disclosure. In at least one embodiment, desiccant material and/or oxygen scavenging material 116 may be coupled to one or more seals 115 by heat staking and/or adhesive, whether separately or in combination with one or more other couplers or coupling manners.
In at least one embodiment, a container body may be cup-shaped with a recessed neck at the top portion where it will meet the outer cap and may have a threaded portion extending upwardly for contacting and removably coupling with one or more caps, such as inner cap, outer cap, and/or one or more other caps, or other components (if present). In at least one embodiment, a container body may be at least partially bowl-shaped (i.e., having a mouth larger than a base), which may make for more efficient packaging, shipping, and/or storage by way of nestability of containers 100 or one or more components thereof, such as container bodies 101 and/or caps or cap assemblies. In at least one embodiment, one or more caps according to the disclosure may be configured to couple with a container body comprising a base or bottom cap coupled to a spiral wound tube or spiral wound tubing, such as tubing comprised in whole or in part of metal, paper, cardboard, chipboard and/or one or more other materials (e.g., plastic). The base or bottom cap may be of the same or a different material(s). In at least one embodiment, a spiral wound container body 101 may include a top cap, such as an open top cap, having threading thereon for coupling with one or more caps according to the disclosure (e.g., in place of neck 103). In at least one embodiment, any one or more of outer cap 102, inner cap 105, center cap 110, body 101, or combination thereof may include one or more ports for allowing product stored inside container 100 to be viewed without opening the container. In at least one embodiment, container 100 may be hermetically sealed, which may include one or more multi-piece lid assemblies of the present disclosure coupled to a hermetically sealed container body 101. In at least one embodiment, container 100 may be at least partially resealable, such as by having one or more reusable seals or sealing mechanisms.
In at least one embodiment, container 100 may have a height between 25 mm and 200 mm (inclusive) and a diameter of between 60 mm and 120 mm (inclusive) in a closed configuration, such as but not limited to a fully closed position. In at least one embodiment, container 100 or a portion thereof (e.g., body 101 or cap 102) may have a diameter of 68 mm and a height of the body before the inward rolled edge may be 30.72 mm. The threaded neck 103 may be smaller (but need not) and may have, for example, a diameter of 61.67 mm. The shape and size of an inwardly rolled edge may vary based on, e.g., the diameter or other size of a container 100. In at least one embodiment, one or more ends, edges, lips, or other portions may be rolled at least 25%, or more or less. In at least one embodiment, one or more caps (or lids) 102, 105 and/or center caps 110 may be rolled or otherwise formed or deformed together or simultaneously. One or more holes or openings or other spaces may be disposed in one or more locations on an interior surface or other portion of any of caps (or lids) 102, 105 and/or center caps 110 for allowing lateral or other movement of one or more components relative to one or more other components of container 100, which may include one another. In at least one embodiment, one or more couplers 134, 136 or indentations 106, 111 may have a depth of 0.85 mm and a width of 5.27 mm, and a length of 16.62 mm. In at least one embodiment, a diameter or other major dimension of a center cap 110 may be 66 mm. In at least one embodiment, cap 110 and/or one or more caps 102, 105 may include one or more indentations extending from the center outward in a cross or other pattern and one or more of the indentations may be 4.79 mm in width and 15.82 mm in length. The indentations may vary in size, number, and shape from embodiment to embodiment, and the size, number, and/or shape of the indentations may vary depending on, e.g., the number of indentations or the size of the container. In at least one embodiment, container body 101 and/or one or more other components of container 100 may be comprised at least partially of aluminum; however, other metals may be used as well, including steel, tin, copper, and alloys of any of the foregoing materials, separately or in combination, in whole or in part. Other exemplary materials include plated metals, such as tin-plated steel and copper-plated steel. While the exemplary embodiments of some of the figures have round or circular exterior shapes, this need not be the case and other shapes of container 100 are possible. For instance, container 100 or a portion(s) thereof may be square (see, e.g.,
In at least one embodiment, a child resistant container may include a container body having a central longitudinal axis, a closed base, an open top, and an exterior wall, and a cap assembly configured to couple to the container body for closing the container. A cap assembly may include an inner cap configured to couple to a container body and an outer cap coupled to the inner cap, each of the inner and outer caps having a top, a first coupler coupled to the inner cap, and a second coupler coupled to the outer cap and configured to optionally engage the first coupler. An inner cap may be disposed at least partially within an outer cap. At least a portion of the top of an outer cap may be configured to optionally move among first and second or other positions relative to the inner cap, such as along the central longitudinal axis or otherwise. A first or other position may be farther away from a top of the inner cap than a second or other position. An outer cap may be configured to rotate relative to an inner cap, such as when the top of the outer cap is in one or more positions, and a second or other coupler may be configured to engage a first or other coupler, such as when a top of an outer cap is in a second position or other position.
A child resistant container may include a container body having a closed base, an open top, and an exterior wall, wherein the exterior wall may include a lower portion and an upper portion and wherein the upper portion may include a threaded neck that extends upwardly from a lip that extends radially inwardly from a lower portion of a wall, an inner cap, wherein the inner cap may include threads configured to couple with a threaded neck and one or more indentations that protrude downwardly from a top of the inner cap, and an outer cap coupled to the inner cap and configured to selectively engage the inner cap for rotation of the inner cap about a threaded neck, wherein the outer cap has a top disposed at least partially over a top of the inner cap and may include one or more indentations that protrude downwardly from a top of the outer cap, and wherein one or more indentations of the outer cap may be configured to engage one or more indentations of the inner cap when pressure is applied to a top of the outer cap in a direction toward a top of the inner cap.
A child resistant container may include a container body having a closed base, an open top and an exterior wall, wherein the exterior wall may include a lower portion and an upper portion and wherein the upper portion may include a threaded neck that extends upwardly from a lip that extends radially inwardly from the lower portion of the wall, an inner cap, wherein the inner cap may include threads configured to couple with the threaded neck and one or more indentations that protrude downwardly from a top of the inner cap, an outer cap coupled to the inner cap and configured to selectively engage the inner cap for rotation of the inner cap about the threaded neck, wherein the outer cap has a top disposed at least partially over the top of the inner cap, and a locking center cap coupled to the outer cap and disposed at least partially between the top of the inner cap and the top of the outer cap, wherein the locking center cap may include one or more indentations that protrude downwardly, and wherein the one or more indentations of the locking center cap may be configured to engage the one or more indentations of the inner cap when pressure is applied to the top of the outer cap in a direction toward the top of the inner cap.
A child resistant container may include a container body having a closed base, an open top and an exterior wall, wherein the exterior wall may include a lower portion and an upper portion and wherein the upper portion may include a threaded neck that extends upwardly from a lip that extends radially inwardly from the lower portion of the wall, an inner cap, wherein the inner cap may include threads configured to couple with the threaded neck and one or more indentations that protrude downwardly from a top of the inner cap, an outer cap coupled to the inner cap and configured to selectively engage the inner cap for rotation of the inner cap about the threaded neck, wherein the outer cap has a top disposed at least partially over the top of the inner cap, and a locking center cap coupled to the outer cap and disposed at least partially between the top of the inner cap and the top of the outer cap, wherein the locking center plate may include one or more indentations that protrude downwardly, and wherein the one or more indentations of the locking center cap may be configured to engage the one or more indentations of the inner cap when pressure is applied to the top of the outer cap in a direction toward the top of the inner cap, wherein the inner cap may be retained within the outer cap by an inwardly rolled edge of the outer cap, and wherein the inner cap may be configured to selectively rest on the inwardly rolled edge of the outer cap.
A container may include a center cap disposed at least partially between the top of the inner cap and the top of the outer cap, and a second or other coupler may be coupled to the center cap. One or more caps may be rotationally fixed relative to an outer cap or other component or portion of a container. A top of an outer cap may be in a second position or other position and an outer cap may be adapted to rotate relative to an inner cap, such as before a second or other coupler engages a first or other coupler, which may include rotating a partial rotation such as less than 45 degrees or less than 90 degrees or less than 180 degrees or otherwise. At least a portion of a top or other portion of an outer cap may be configured to elastically deform and a first position or other position relative to a top of an inner cap may be a rest position of the top or other portion of an outer cap. At least a portion of an inner cap may be retained within an outer cap, such as by a wholly or partially radially inwardly rolled or otherwise disposed lip of the outer cap. An inner cap may include a radially outwardly rolled or otherwise disposed lip and may have a height or other dimension less than, greater than, or equal to a height or other dimension of an outer cap. A radially outwardly rolled lip of an inner cap may be configured to contact at least optionally a radially inwardly rolled lip of an outer cap.
A first or other coupler may include a groove and a second or other coupler may include a tongue configured to engage the groove. A first or other coupler may include a plurality of grooves and a second or other coupler may include a plurality of tongues configured to engage corresponding ones of the plurality of grooves. A number of grooves, tongues, or other couplers may be the same or different. A first or other coupler may include a plurality of grooves and a second or other coupler may include a tongue adapted to engage two or more of the plurality of grooves. A first or other coupler may include a plurality of grooves that extend radially outwardly from a central longitudinal axis or other point of reference. Two or more of a plurality of grooves may intersect or not intersect. Two or more of a plurality of grooves may be at least partially perpendicular to one another. A first or other coupler may include a groove having a rotationally leading side and a rotationally trailing side in a clockwise or other direction and a second coupler may include a tongue having a rotationally leading side and a rotationally trailing side in a clockwise or other direction. A leading or other side of a tongue may be configured to engage a leading or other side of a groove, such as for coupling a cap assembly to a container body. A trailing or other side of a tongue may be configured to engage a trailing or other side of a groove, such as for uncoupling a cap assembly from a container body.
Leading or other sides of a tongue and/or a groove may be disposed at a first or other angle(s) and trailing sides of a tongue and/or a groove may be disposed at a second or other angle(s). In at least one embodiment, first and second angles, or other angles, may be the same. In at least one embodiment, first and second angles, or other angles, may be different. In at least one embodiment, a first angle may be 60 degrees relative to horizontal and a second angle may be 65 degrees relative to horizontal. A first or other coupler may include two or more grooves and a second or other coupler may be configured to skip out of one or more grooves and into one or more grooves, such as when the cap assembly reaches a fully closed position. One or more couplers may be adapted for at least partially minimizing a chance of overtightening. One or more couplers may be adapted for signaling or indicating to a user that a container is fully or otherwise closed, such as audibly or mechanically or both, which may include generating one or more sounds, vibrations, or other mechanical attributes or indicators, such as by way of skipping or another noticeable cooperation or result of cooperation among one or more container components.
In at least one embodiment, a child resistant container may include a container body having a central longitudinal axis, a closed base, an open top, and an exterior wall, and a cap assembly configured to couple to the container body for closing the container. A cap assembly may include an inner cap configured to couple to the container body and an outer cap coupled to the inner cap, each of the inner and outer caps having a top, a first coupler coupled to the inner cap, wherein the first coupler may include a plurality of grooves that extend radially outwardly from the central longitudinal axis, and a second coupler coupled to the outer cap and configured to optionally engage the first coupler, wherein the second coupler may include a plurality of tongues, wherein the inner cap may be disposed at least partially within the outer cap and may include a radially outwardly rolled lip that may be retained within the outer cap by a radially inwardly rolled lip of the outer cap, wherein at least a portion of the top of the outer cap may be configured to optionally move among first position and second positions relative to the inner cap along the central longitudinal axis, the first position being further away from the top of the inner cap than the second position, wherein the outer cap may be configured to rotate relative to the inner cap when the top of the outer cap is in the first position and the radially inwardly rolled lip of the outer cap is in contact with the radially outwardly rolled lip of the inner cap, and wherein the second coupler may be configured to engage the first coupler when the top of the outer cap is in the second position.
A child resistant container may include a container body having a closed base, an open top, and an exterior wall, wherein the exterior wall may include a lower portion and an upper portion and wherein the upper portion may include a threaded neck that extends upwardly from a lip that extends radially inwardly from the lower portion of the wall, an inner cap, wherein the inner cap may include threads configured to couple with the threaded neck and one or more indentations that protrude downwardly from a top of the inner cap, an outer cap coupled to the inner cap and configured to selectively engage the inner cap for rotation of the inner cap about the threaded neck, and a seal configured to enclose the open top of the container body. An outer cap may have a top disposed at least partially over a top of an inner cap and may include one or more indentations that protrude downwardly from the top of the outer cap. One or more indentations of an outer cap may be configured to engage one or more indentations of an inner cap, such as when a force or pressure is applied to a top or other portion of the outer cap in a direction toward the top of the inner cap or otherwise. A threaded or other neck may include a radially inwardly rolled edge and one or more seals may be configured to couple to the radially inwardly rolled edge of the threaded neck. A child resistant container may include a container body having a closed base, an open top, and an exterior wall, wherein the exterior wall may include a lower portion and an upper portion and wherein the upper portion may include a threaded neck that extends upwardly from a lip that extends radially inwardly from the lower portion of the wall, an inner cap, wherein the inner cap may include threads configured to couple with the threaded neck and one or more indentations that protrude downwardly from a top of the inner cap, an outer cap coupled to the inner cap and configured to selectively engage the inner cap for rotation of the inner cap about the threaded neck, and a seal configured to enclose the open top of the container body. An outer cap may have a top disposed at least partially over the top of the inner cap and may include one or more indentations that protrude downwardly from the top or another portion of the outer cap. One or more indentations of the outer cap may be configured to engage one or more indentations of the inner cap, such as when force or pressure is applied in one or more directions, such as to the top or other portion(s) of the outer cap in a direction toward the top or another portion of the inner cap. A container may include a container body having a closed base, an open top and an exterior wall, wherein the exterior wall may include a lower portion and an upper portion and wherein the upper portion may include a threaded neck that extends upwardly from a lip that extends radially inwardly from a lower portion of a wall, an inner cap, wherein the inner cap may include threads configured to couple with a threaded neck and one or more indentations that protrude downwardly from a top of the inner cap, and an outer cap coupled to the inner cap and configured to selectively engage the inner cap for rotation of the inner cap about a threaded neck, wherein the outer cap has a top disposed at least partially over a top of the inner cap and may include one or more indentations that protrude downwardly from a top of the outer cap, and wherein one or more indentations of the outer cap may be configured to engage one or more indentations of the inner cap when pressure is applied to a top of the outer cap in a direction toward a top of the inner cap.
Another embodiment is shown in
A side view of one configuration of a bottom cover 208 is shown in
The crown cap 206 may be fitter to nest inside the top 202. The crown cap 206 may mate with the bottom cover 208 for accessing the bottom 204. The top 202 and the crown cap 206 may be configured in relation to the bottom cover 208 when the crown cap 206 is in one or more positions and to engage the bottom cover 208 when the crown cap 206 is in one or more positions.
The container 200 may be configured for a user to apply pressure, which may include unidirectional or bidirectional (e.g., opposing) pressure, to the top 202 and/or bottom 204 of the container 200 to engage features on one or more components (e.g., 206, 208) to lock or otherwise couple for opening and/or closing the container 200. Once engaged, a user may rotate or twist one or more container components and thereby rotate or twist one or more other container components, and in at least one embodiment, place complimentary angled screw threads on an interior wall of a cap and an exterior wall of a container body into threading communication with each other for opening and/or closing a container or one or more caps relative to a container body.
When opposing force or pressure is applied to a container cap and body and features, bumps, or indentations of a cap or insert may be aligned with those of another cap or other component, one or more components may depress, deflect, bend, or move and a user may rotate or twist a container cap and/or body for causing one or more threads to engage and separate the lid from the body or attach it thereto. Without such a force by a user or pressure, an outer container lid may be configured to spin around an inner cap without moving or rotating the inner cap or insert. In at least one embodiment, a container may be at least partially air-tight when closed, which may allow the container to safely, or otherwise satisfactorily, store contents for an extended period of time. In at least one embodiment, gas inside a container may be altered or treated to have a less reactive gas inside, which may help prevent decay or otherwise preserve a state of a substance stored within a container.
One or more seals, such as a high barrier sealing or lidding film, may be affixed on the top or on another portion of a container body, such as for maintaining a specific or desired atmosphere even after the lid is removed. This may allow, for example, for the contents of a container to be visually inspected without disturbing the atmosphere within the container. Once the seal is initially removed, the atmosphere of the container may no longer be contained or maintained in the same state, but in at least one embodiment a container according to the disclosure may be structured for at least partially preserving or maintaining such an atmosphere.
In at least one embodiment, a container may be made largely or completely out of metal. Exemplary metals may include steel, tin, copper, aluminum, and alloys thereof, separately or in combination, in whole, or in part.
A child resistant container, comprising; a container body having a central longitudinal axis, a closed base, an open top and an exterior wall; and a cap assembly configured to couple to the container body for closing the container; wherein the cap assembly comprises, an inner cap configured to couple to the container body and an outer cap coupled to the inner cap, each of the inner and outer caps having a top, a first coupler coupled to the inner cap, and a second coupler coupled to the outer cap and configured to optionally engage the first coupler, wherein the inner cap is disposed at least partially within the outer cap; wherein at least a portion of the top of the outer cap is configured to optionally move among first and second positions relative to the inner cap along the central longitudinal axis, the first position being farther away from the top of the inner cap than the second position, wherein the outer cap is configured to rotate relative to the inner cap when the top of the outer cap is in the first position, and wherein the second coupler is configured to engage the first coupler when the top of the outer cap is in the second position.
The container may further comprise a plate disposed at least partially between the top of the inner cap and the top of the outer cap, wherein the second coupler is coupled to the plate. In another embodiment, the container may comprise a plate wherein the plate is rotationally fixed relative to the outer cap.
Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the systems and methods disclosed herein may be devised without departing from the spirit of Applicant's disclosure. For example, the systems and methods disclosed herein may be used alone or to form one or more parts of other containers, container components, and/or container systems. The locking and/or child resistant mechanisms of the disclosure may be applied to various forms of containers. As another example, although the embodiments shown in the figures for illustrative purposes reflect one or more exemplary shapes of containers, caps, plates, and indentations, this is in no way intended to be limiting or exhaustive as, in use, various embodiments and modifications may be implemented using different configurations, whether for various types of products or otherwise. Further, the various methods and embodiments of the containers and components may be included in combination with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments.
Discussion of singular elements may include plural elements and vice-versa. References to at least one item followed by a reference to the item may include one or more items.
The apparatuses and methods described herein may be modified or altered to comprise more aspects, concurrently steps, simultaneous steps, or other variations.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. Furthermore, a method herein described may be performed in one or more sequences other than the sequence presented expressly herein.
Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.
The word “exemplary” is used exclusively herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
In this document, relational terms such as first and second, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Numerical ordinals such as “first,” “second,” “third,” and such simply denote different singles of a plurality and do not imply any order or sequence unless specifically defined by the claim language. The sequence of the text in any of the claims does not imply that steps must be performed in a temporal or logical order according to such sequence unless it is specifically defined by the language of the claim. The steps may be interchanged in any order without departing from the scope of the invention as long as such an interchange does not contradict the claim language and is not logically nonsensical.
Furthermore, depending on the context, two elements may be connected to each other physically or in any other manner, through one or more additional elements.
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiments. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.
The application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/983,532, filed on Feb. 28, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62983532 | Feb 2020 | US |