CHILD RESISTANT CONTAINER

Abstract

The invention provides a device child resistant container assembly. In one aspect, the container assemblies include a body member for releasable attachment to the container over a seal on the container, and a puncture member for puncture of the seal wherein the body member has a slot arrangement of horizontal and vertical slots. In another embodiment, the cap is non-releasable from the container. The invention provides child resistant, tamper-proof containers which can easily be opened by handicapped adults and the elderly.

Description

CHILD RESISTANT CONTAINER

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08 657,799 filed on May 31, 1996 which in turn is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08 593,716 filed on Jan. 29, 1996 which in turn is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08 549,589 filed on Oct. 27, 1995 which in turn is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08 382,451 filed on Feb. 1, 1995.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to child resistant sealed containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is known that the contents in containers such as pharmaceutical containers are secured against tampering by providing a thin seal of a material such as paper or metal over the opening of the container. A container member of various configurations such as a cap can be joined to the container over the sealed opening. It is also known that a security tape can be provided around the joint of the cap and the container to discourage tampering with contents of the container. When desiring access to the contents in the container, the tape and the cap are removed and the seal is thereafter punctured or removed. Removal of the commonly configured tamper-resistant cap, however, can be difficult for the elderly, the impaired and the handicapped who lack manual dexterity.

[0004] Various devices have been used to puncture the sealed openings of containers. These devices vary from sharp instruments such as spikes and blades to blunt instruments such as rods and human fingers. Elderly and handicapped consumers who lack manual dexterity, however, may not be able to employ their fingers to puncture the seal. These consumers may also lack sufficient manual dexterity to employ devices such as spikes to puncture the sealed opening.

[0005] A need therefore exists for a seal puncturing device that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art. A further need exists for sealed containers which can easily be opened by the elderly and the handicapped, but which are tamper-proof and child resistant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention provides a seal puncture device for puncturing the sealed opening of a container member, and container assembly which employs the puncture device. The seal puncture device employs a body member having a slot arrangement therein to releasably engage a post member on the container member. In one aspect, the slot arrangement is L-shaped. In other aspects, the slot arrangement includes a plurality of intersecting vertical and horizontal slots. The body member is adapted to releasably engage the container member over the sealed opening of the container member. The body member includes a seal puncture member for puncturing a seal provided on the opening of the container member. In a tamper-resistant aspect, the container member is shrink-wrapped with a heat shrinkable plastic. The invention advantageously provides a sealed container assembly which can readily be opened by the elderly and handicapped, but yet is tamper-resistant and child resistant.

[0007] In a further aspect, a container assembly having a container member and a non-removable cap member joined to the container member is described. The container member includes a post member for engaging a closed slot arrangement in the cap member. The slot arrangement includes a closed vertical slot and at least one closed horizontal slot which intersects the vertical slot. The cap member and the container member each include an access port which can be superimposed over each other by moving the cap member relative to the container member to provide a window for removal of contents from the container member. The cap member may include a puncture member for puncturing a seal member on the container member.

[0008] In another aspect, the invention provides a container assembly having a non-removable cap member joined to a container member wherein the cap member can move and rotate in vertical and horizontal directions relative to the container member. In this aspect, the cap member includes a closed slot arrangement having a closed vertical slot and at least one closed horizontal slot intersecting the vertical slot. A pivot notch for engaging a post member on the container member is provided in the slot for rotation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout.

[0010] FIG. 1a is an elevational view of a sealed container assembly that includes a seal puncture device where the seal puncture device is in a secured position prior to puncture of the seal;

[0011] FIG. 1b is an elevational view of the container assembly of FIG. 1a showing the position of the seal puncturing device after puncture of the seal;

[0012] FIG. 1c is an exploded, partial cross-sectional view of the container member and seal puncture device of FIG. 1a;

[0013] FIG. 2a is an elevational view of a sealed, child resistant container assembly that includes a seal puncture device having an arrangement of a plurality of intersecting horizontal and vertical slots where the seal puncture device is in a secured position prior to puncture of the seal;

[0014] FIG. 2b is an elevational view of the container assembly of FIG. 2a showing the position of the seal puncturing device prior to puncture of the seal;

[0015] FIG. 2c is an elevational view of the container assembly of FIG. 2a showing the position of the seal puncture device after puncture of the seal;

[0016] FIGS. 2d and 2e are elevational views of the container assembly of FIG. 2a showing the puncture device prior to removal from the container member;

[0017] FIG. 2f is an exploded, partial cross-sectional view of the container member and seal puncture device of FIG. 2a after separation;

[0018] FIG. 3a is an elevational view of a child resistant container assembly having a non-removable cap member;

[0019] FIG. 3b is a side elevational view of the cap member of the container assembly of FIG. 3a showing a cap member having an access port;

[0020] FIG. 3c is a side elevational view of the cap member of the container assembly of FIG. 3a, rotated clockwise showing the completely closed slot arrangement in the cap member;

[0021] FIG. 3d is a top view of the cap member shown in FIGS. 3b and 3c;

[0022] FIG. 3e is an exploded view of the cap member with a puncture means and the container member with the seal;

[0023] FIG. 3f is an elevational view of the container member having a post member employed in the container assembly of FIG. 3a;

[0024] FIG. 3g is a top view of the container member with post member shown in FIG. 3f.

[0025] FIG. 3h is an elevational view of the container assembly shown in FIG. 3a wherein the cap member is positioned on the container member with aligned access ports to provide a window for removal of material from the container member;

[0026] FIG. 4a is an elevational view of a container assembly having a vertically moveable and horizontally rotatable, non-removable cap member thereon;

[0027] FIG. 4b is an elevational view of the container member with post member employed in the container assembly of FIG. 4a;

[0028] FIG. 4c is a top view of the container member with post member shown in FIG. 4b;

[0029] FIG. 4d is a elevational view, in partial cross-section, of the cap member with blade employed in the container assembly shown in FIG. 4a;

[0030] FIG. 4e is a top view of the cap member with blade shown in FIG. 4d;

[0031] FIGS. 4f-4i show positions of the cap member relative to the container member of FIG. 4a to achieve opening;

[0032] FIGS. 5a-5e are elevational views of a container assembly showing positions of a cap member moveable within a container member;

[0033] FIG. 5f is an elevational view of the container member show in the container assembly of FIG. 5a;

[0034] FIG. 5g is an elevational view of the cap member shown in the container assembly of FIG. 5a;

[0035] FIG. 6a is an elevational view of a cap member having an access port and a twist member for assembly into a container member having an access port in the container assembly of FIG. 6e;

[0036] FIG. 6b is a top view of the cap member with twist member shown in FIG. 6a;

[0037] FIG. 6c is a elevational view of the container member having an access port and an interior post member for joining to the cap member of FIG. 6a;

[0038] FIG. 6d is a top view of the container member with interior post member shown in FIG. 6c;

[0039] FIG. 6e is an elevational view of a container assembly showing the cap member of FIG. 6a having a closed slot arrangement which can be moved within the interior of the container member shown in FIG. 6c;

[0040] FIGS. 6f-6h are elevational views of the container assembly of FIG. 6e showing a cap member at various positions within the container member.

[0041] FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a container assembly showing the cap member of FIG. 4d wherein the container assembly includes a movable tube for dispensing material from the container assembly.

[0042] FIG. 7a is an enlarged drawing of the tube shown in FIG. 7.

[0043] FIG. 7b is an elevational view of the container assembly of FIG. 7 showing the tube in an extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] In one aspect, the invention provides a sealed, tamper-resistant container assembly which readily can be opened by the handicapped and the elderly who lack manual dexterity. As shown in FIGS. 1a-1c, seal puncture device 30 comprises puncture member 20 and body member 37. Puncture member 20 can have the shape of a cone suitable for puncturing seal 41 as shown in FIG. 1b. Puncture member 20 also may have the shape of, for example, chisel-shaped blades, crossed pointed blades, and the like. Body member 37 can be molded from plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene and the like by well known methods such as injection molding. Body member 37 also can be made from metals such as stainless steel, aluminum and the like.

[0045] Body member 37 can be in the form of a cap adapted to fit container member 40 by a post-in-slot attachment as shown in FIG. 1a. Body member 37 may be provided with roughened surfaces (not shown) to facilitate gripping thereof. The top surface of body member 37 typically has a thickness sufficient to be impervious to needles of hypodermic syringes.

[0046] FIG. 1a shows body member 37 in a secured position on neck 44 of container member 40 over seal 41 which preferably is secured around the opening of neck 44 of container member 40. This secured position can be maintained by security wrap 50 to prevent accidental puncture of seal 41 or tampering with the contents of container member 40. Security wrap 50 can be formed from well known transparent or substantially transparent plastics. Preferably, security wrap 50 is a well known heat shrinkable plastic which is shrink wrapped onto at least the joint region between body member 37 and neck 44 of container member 40. More preferably, security wrap 50 is shrink-wrapped over the entire surface of container 40 assembly 30. Well known methods can be employed to shrink wrap the plastic to form security wrap 50.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1a-1c, body member 37 is joined to container member 40 by a post-in-slot attachment. As more clearly shown in FIG. 1b, slot portions 32 and 34 of body member 37 can move over post member 43 of container member 40 to cause puncture member 20 to puncture seal 41. Post member 43 on the exterior surface of neck 44 preferably is a rigid member of the same composition as container member 40. After puncture of seal 41, and when access to the contents of container member 40 is desired, body member 37 is removed from container 40 by guiding slot 32 upwardly around post member 43 as shown in FIG. 1c. After accessing container member 40, body member 37 can be rejoined to container member 40 by causing slot 32 to move downwardly around post member 43 to a position opposite slot 34. Body member 37 then is rotated counterclockwise to cause slot 34 to move over post 43 to secure body member 37 to container member 40 as shown in FIG. 1a. Rejoining of body member 37 to container member 40 advantageously enables body member 37 to function as a removable cap to maintain the contents of container 40 in a sanitary condition.

[0048] In another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2a-2f, the invention provides a child resistant, tamper-resistant container assembly which can easily be opened by the handicapped and the elderly. In this aspect, as shown in FIG. 2a, seal puncture device 30 is in a secured position on container member 40 prior to puncture of seal 41. Puncture device 30 includes body member 37 having slot arrangement 39 of a plurality of intersecting horizontal and vertical slots. Slot arrangement 39, as shown in FIG. 2a, includes first vertical slot 38 and second vertical slot 32′ as well as lower horizontal slot 36 and upper horizontal slot 34′ that intersects second vertical slot 32′. Upper horizontal slot 34 has a closed end portion to retain puncture device 30 in a predetermined position during vertical movement of seal puncture device 30 relative to container member 40. Shrink-wrap 52, formed of well known transparent or substantially transparent heat shrinkable plastic, is provided over the container assembly. Well known methods can be employed to apply shrink-wrap 52.

[0049] Slot arrangement 39 includes slot portions 32′, 34′, 36 and 38. When intending to puncture seal 41, shrink-wrap 52 is removed and body member 37 rotated clockwise to cause slot 34′ to move over post member 43 whereby post member 43 engages slot 32′ as shown in FIG. 2b. Thereafter, body member 37 is moved downwardly to cause slot portion 32′ to move over post member 43 as shown in FIG. 2c to cause puncture member 20 to puncture seal 41. Puncture member 20 can be provided in a variety of shapes and sizes such as cones, crossed blades, and the like.

[0050] After seal 41 is punctured, body member 37 is removed from container member 40 by moving body member 37 upwardly to cause post member 43 to engage slot 36, and by rotating body member 32 counterclockwise to engage slot 38, and then by moving upward as shown in FIGS. 2d-2f. Body member 37 can be rejoined to container 40 by reversing the sequence of movements of body member 37 employed to remove body member 37 from container member 40. Although the movements required to guide post member 43 through slots 32′, 34′, 36 and 38 should not be difficult for handicapped or elderly adults who lack manual dexterity, it is expected that children will have substantial difficulty in guiding post member 43 through those slot portions.

[0051] In another embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 3a-3h, a child resistant container assembly is shown generally by reference number 100. This embodiment provides a child resistant container wherein a cap member can be manipulated relative to a container member to generate a window to enable removal of contents from the container member. The cap member can be equipped with a puncture device to puncture a seal provided over the opening of the neck of the container member.

[0052] Container assembly 100 includes cap member 102 and container member 120 as shown in FIG. 3a. Cap member 102 includes lower and upper horizontal slots 112 and 108, respectively as shown in FIG. 3c. Slots 112 and 108 intersect vertical slot 106 to provide closed slot arrangement 104. Although FIG. 3c shows cap member 102 as having two horizontal slots and one vertical slot, it is to be understood that additional horizontal and vertical slots may be added as desired to provide added child resistance since additional slots increase the possibility of choosing an incorrect pathway not resulting in generating a window.

[0053] Slots 112 and 108 are shown as open slots which extend through the thickness of cap member 102. Slots 112 and 108, however, may be positioned partially within the thickness of cap member 102 to provide a slot arrangement that opens to the interior of cap member 102.

[0054] Cap member 102 includes cap access port 114, as shown in FIG. 3b, to enable material to flow through cap 102. A similarly sized access port 124, as shown in FIG. 3f, is provided in container member 120. Access port 114 typically, but not necessarily, is located next to closed slot arrangement 104 on cap member 102 as shown in FIG. 3d. Similarly, access port 124 typically, but not necessarily, is located next to post member 126 of container member 102 as shown in FIG. 3f. Access ports 114 and 124 may be located at other convenient positions on cap member 102 and container member 120, respectively. Access ports 114 and 124 are shown as rectangularly shaped in FIGS. 3b and 3f. It is to be understood, however, that access ports 114 and 124 may be of any desired shape and size.

[0055] Assembly of cap member 102 and container member 120 to provide container assembly 100 shown in FIG. 3a entails placing vertical slot 106 over post member 126 of container member 120. Cap member 102 can be “snap fitted” by pressing vertical slot 106 over post member 126 of container member 120 to yield container assembly 100. Snap fitting procedures are well know in the art. Cap member 102 having closed slot arrangement 104 therein, as well as container member 120 having post member 126 thereon, can be made by injection molding from a variety of materials.

[0056] FIG. 3a shows container assembly 100 wherein cap member 102 is mounted in its resting position on container member 120, with post 126 protruding through upper horizontal slot 108 at the closed end nearest cap access port 114. In this position, access ports 114 and 124 of cap member 102 and container member 120, respectively, are misaligned. However, by turning cap member 102 through closed slot arrangement 104, cap access port 114 of cap member 102 can be aligned with container access port 124 of container member 120 to yield window 130 as shown in FIG. 3h to enable retrieval of material from the container. To illustrate, cap member 102 is moved relative to container member 120 by causing upper horizontal slot 108 to move relative to post member 126 until post member 126 engages vertical slot 106. Thereafter, cap member 102 is moved vertically downwardly to cause puncture member 122 to puncture seal 118 provided over the opening of container member 120. Thereafter, cap member 102 is moved vertically upwardly to engage lower horizontal slot 112, and rotated counterclockwise therein to align cap access port 114 of cap member 102 with access port 124 of container member 120 to form window 130. Thereafter, cap member 102 can be rotated through closed slot arrangement 104 to a resting position in upper horizontal slot 108. In this position, access ports 114 and 124 are misaligned to close window 130.

[0057] Manipulation of cap member 102 through closed slot arrangement 104 to align access ports 114 and 124 to yield window 130 can easily be performed by those who lack manual dexterity. Manipulation of cap member 102 to yield window 130, however, would be difficult for children.

[0058] In another embodiment of the invention, and as shown in FIGS. 4a-4i, a child resistant container having a moving and rotating, non-removable cap and having a spout for removal of contents from the container is provided. This container also may be easily opened by those who lack manual dexterity.

[0059] In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, and as shown in FIGS. 4a-4c, a child resistant container assembly 200 is provided. Container assembly 200 includes cap member 202 and container member 204. Cap member 202 can include a cutting member in the form of, for example, blade 222, as shown in FIG. 4d. Cap member 202, as shown in FIGS. 4d-4e, includes at least one vertical slot 206 as well as at least one each of lower and upper horizontal slots 208 and 210, respectively. These horizontal and vertical slots provide closed slot arrangement 211. Lower horizontal slot 208 is provided with pivot notch 212.

[0060] Slots 206, 208, and 210 are shown as open slots which extend through the thickness of cap member 202. Slots 206, 208, and 210, however, may be positioned partially within the thickness of cap member 202 to provide a slot arrangement that opens to the interior of cap member 202. As shown in FIG. 4b, container member 204 includes neck 216 having post member 214 thereon. Container member 204 has a curved opening 218 (FIG. 4g) over which seal 220 having a configuration corresponding to curved opening 218 is provided.

[0061] Assembly of cap member 202 and container member 204 to provide container assembly 200 entails placing vertical slot 206 of cap member 202 over post member 214 of container member 204. Cap member 202 can conveniently be “snap fitted” by placing slot 206 over post member 214.

[0062] FIG. 4a shows container assembly 200 wherein cap member 202 is mounted on container member 204 in its resting position in upper horizontal slot 210. Upper slot 210 can be provided with a notch (not shown) in end face 211 to provide positive locking engagement with post 214. When desiring access to contents within container member 204, cap member 202 is moved first through upper horizontal slot 210 over post member 214 until post member 214 engages vertical slot 206 as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4f. At this point, cap member 202 can be moved vertically downwardly to cause blade 222 to puncture seal 220 as shown in FIG. 4f. Thereafter, cap member 202 can be moved vertically upwardly to engage lower horizonal slot 208, and rotated counterclockwise in lower horizontal slot 208 until post member 214 engages pivot notch 212, as shown in FIGS. 4f-h. Thereupon, cap member 202 can be vertically rotated when engaged in pivot notch 212 on post member 214 in slot 208 to provide access to opening 218 in container 204 as shown in FIG. 4i. Opening 218, in this configuration serves as a spout.

[0063] The various movements required to engage pivot notch 212 onto post 214 provides a container assembly which would be difficult to open by children. This embodiment of the invention, however, can easily be opened by adults who lack manual dexterity.

[0064] In another embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 5a-5f, a child resistant container assembly 350 is provided wherein the cap member is positioned within the container member. This embodiment of the invention also can be easily manipulated by those who lack manual dexterity. In this embodiment, body member 300 is provided with an open slot arrangement of intersecting vertical and horizontal slots as shown in, for example, FIGS. 5a and 5f. Body member 300 includes open slot arrangement 312 having main vertical slot 306 and exit vertical slot 306A as well as lower horizontal slot 304 and upper horizontal slot 302. Cap member 300 includes serrated blade 322 for puncturing seal 316 provided on container member 310. Container member 310 includes interior post member 308 for engaging open slot arrangement 312.

[0065] Cap member 300 and container member 310 readily can be produced by well known techniques such as injection molding. Cap member 300 is provided with twist member 312 to enable a user to manipulate cap member 300 within container member 310. Twist member 312 conveniently can be provided with indentations 314 to assist a user in grasping twist member 312 for manipulation of body member 300.

[0066] Joining cap member 300 to container member 310 to provide the child resistant container assembly 350 of this embodiment entails positioning exit vertical slot 306A over post member 308, and thereafter moving cap member 300 vertically and horizontally to cause vertical slot 306 and then lower horizontal slot 304, respectively, to engage post member 308. After manipulating cap member 300 through vertical slot 306, cap member 300 is rotated counterclockwise to cause post member 308 to engage upper horizontal slot portion 302A to retain cap member 300 in a desired position, as shown for example in FIG. 5b. When desiring access to the contents of container member 310, and as shown in FIGS. 5b-5f, body member 300 is rotated and moved to cause open slot arrangement 312 to move over post 308 to remove cap member 300 from container member 310. This position of post member 308 in exit horizontal slot 306A enables removal of cap member 300. This embodiment of the invention also can be easily manipulated by those who lack manual dexterity.

[0067] In another embodiment of the container assembly of the invention as shown in FIGS. 6a-6h, cap member 300A shown in FIG. 6a and FIG. 6e, having closed slot arrangement 312A, is provided with cap member access port 320. Container member 310A is similarly provided with container member access port 322. Container member 310A also includes seal 316A. Container member 310A includes on the interior thereof post member 308A as shown in FIGS. 6c and 6d.

[0068] Cap member 300A is joined to container member 310A by snap fitting closed slot arrangement 312A over post member 308A above seal 316A as shown in FIG. 6e to provide container assembly 350. When desiring access to material within container member 310A, cap member 300A is moved downwardly in vertical slot 306 to cause serrated blade 322A to puncture seal member 316A. Cap member 300A then can be moved vertically upwardly as well as rotated horizontally counterclockwise in, for example, horizontal slot 306B while cap member 300A is contained within container member 310(FIG. 6f) to align access ports 320 and 322 to provide window 400(FIG. 6h), whereby material can be removed from container member 310A.

[0069] Slot arrangement 312A is shown as open slots which extend through the thickness of cap member 300A. Slot arrangement 312A, however, may be positioned partially within the thickness of cap member 312A to provide a slot arrangement that opens to the interior of cap member 300A.

[0070] In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7-7b, the container assembly of FIGS. 4-4a is modified to include tube 420. Tube 420, as shown in FIG. 7a, includes upper flange 422, tube body 424, and lower flange 426. Upper flange 422 engages opening 218 in neck portion 216 of body member 204. Tube opening 430 in upper flange 422 includes frangible seal 428 thereon.

[0071] Tube 420 may be formed from known material such as plastics such as polypropylene. Tube 420 may be provided in any convenient shape. When desiring access to contents within container member 204, cap member 202 is moved so that upper horizontal slot 210 moves over post member 214 until post member 214 engages vertical slot 206 in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 4a to 4f to puncture seal 428 when tube 420 is in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 7. Thereafter, cap member 202 can be moved vertically upwardly so that post member 214 engages lower horizonal slot 208, and rotated counterclockwise in lower horizontal slot 208 until post member 214 engages pivot notch 212, in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 4h. Thereupon, cap member 202 can be vertically rotated when engaged in pivot notch 212 to provide access to tube opening 430 of tube 420 as shown in FIG. 4i.

[0072] After rotation of cap member 202 as described above, tube 420 can be withdrawn from container body 204 as shown in FIG. 7b by pulling outwardly on flange 422 until tube 420 is fully extended as shown in FIG. 7b when lower flange 426 is seated against opening 218. Contents within container body 204 then may be withdrawn through tube 420.

[0073] FIGS. 8-12 are side elevational views of additional embodiments of the closure member of the invention.

[0074] In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 8, closure member 500 includes slot arrangement 502. Slot arrangement 502 includes first vertical sot 506, intermediate horizontal sot 501, intermediate vertical sot 503, second vertical sot 508, upper horizontal slot 514, and lower horizontal slot 519. Closure member 500 optionally may include puncture member 516.

[0075] Closure member 500 is assembled to container 40 by causing post 43 to engage first vertical slot 506 in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 2a-2d withe respect to slot arrangement 39. Thereafter, closure member 500 can be manipulated to cause post 43 to move within slot arrangement 502 to, for example, cause post 43 to engage uppermost horizontal slot 514. Intermediate horizontal slot 501, together with intermediate vertical slot 503, provides additional complexity for children, especially children of an age of about 42 to about 51 months, but without presenting difficulties for adults who may lack manual dexterity.

[0076] Further embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 9-12. Closure member 500 may be provided with any of slot arrangements 602, 702, 802, and 902 respectively. Each of slot arrangements 602, 702, 802, and 902 employ additional vertical slots such as intermediate vertical slots 604, 704, 804 and 904. These intermediate vertical slots preferably are located between the first and second vertical slots 606 and 608, 706 and 708, 806 and 808, and 906 and 908, respectively. Intermediate vertical slots 604, 704, 804 and 904 intersect upper horizontal slots 614, 714, 814, and 914 respectively as shown in FIGS. 9-12. Slot arrangements 602 and 702 also can include intermediate horizontal slots 610 and 710 located between horizontal slots 612 and 614 which intersect slots 604 and 704. Horizontal slot 914, as shown in FIG. 12, may extend on both sides of vertical slot 908. Each of closure members shown in FIGS. 8-12 optionally may include a puncture member such as puncture member 516.

[0077] Each of the closure members shown in FIGS. 8-12 can be assembled to a container such as container 40 shown in FIG. 2 by causing post 43 to engage first vertical slots such as any of slots 506, 606, 706, 806 and 906, respectively, in a manner similar to that described above in reference to slot arrangement 39 shown in FIGS. 2a-2d. Thereafter, the closure members can be manipulated to cause post 43 to move within the slot arrangement to, for example, engage any of the uppermost horizontal slots.

[0078] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 9-12 provide additional complexity for children, especially children of an age of about 42 to about 51 months, but without presenting difficulties for adults who may lack manual dexterity. The slot arrangements 502, 602, 702, 802, and 902 shown in FIGS. 8-12, respectively, may be made by methods known in the art, e.g., machining, injection molding, and the like.

[0079] In yet another embodiment of the invention, one or more of slots 34 and 36 shown in FIG. 2A, and slot 514 shown in FIG. 8 may be located at other than a right angle to vertical slot 32 and 502, respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, slot arrangement 330 includes vertical slot 32′ and angled slot 34 and horizontal slot 36′. Slot 34′ may be located at an angle of as much as about 35 degrees relative to the horizontal, preferably about 15 to about 35 degrees, most preferably about 1 to about 15 degrees relative to the horizontal. Slots 34′ and 36′ may be provided with one or more detente 99. Slot 514 similarly may be upwardly angled at as much as about 35 degrees relative to the horizontal preferably about 15 to about 35 degrees, most preferably about 1 to about 15 degrees relative to the horizontal. The slot arrangement 330 shown in FIG. 13, maybe made by methods known in the art, e.g., machining, injection molding, and the like.

[0080] Closure member 777 shown in FIG. 13 can be assembled to a container such as container 40 shown in FIG. 2 by causing post 43 to engage first vertical slot 38′ of slot arrangement 330 in a manner similar to that described above in reference to slot arrangement 39 shown in FIGS. 2a-2d. Thereafter, closure member 777 can be manipulated to cause post 43 to move within slot arrangement 333 to, for example, engage upper slot 34′. Post 43 then can be positioned in slot 34′ to engage detente 99 to secure post 43 in a locked position and to provide a more positive joining of closure member 777 to container 40. Similarly, detentes may be provided in slot 514, especially when slot 514 is upwardly angled to the horizontal direction.

[0081] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments desired above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A container assembly comprising in combination, a container member and a non-removable cap member joined to said container member,

said container member having a post member for engaging said cap member,

said cap member having a closed slot arrangement for engaging said post member.

2. The container assembly of

claim 1 wherein said slot arrangement comprises at least one closed vertical slot and at least one closed horizontal slot,

said horizontal slot intersecting said vertical slot.

3. The container assembly of

claim 2 where said slot arrangement comprises two closed horizontal slots.

4. The container assembly of 2 wherein said cap member further comprises a first access port.

5. The container assembly of

claim 4 wherein said container member further comprises a second access port.

6. The container assembly of

claim 5 wherein said second access port is superimposed over said first access port to create a window to enable removal of material form said container.

7. The container assembly of

claim 2 wherein said cap member further comprises a puncture member.

8. The container assembly of

claim 2 wherein said container member further comprises a seal member.

9. A container assembly comprising, in combination, a container member and a non-removable cap member joined to said container member,

said cap member movable in both vertical and horizontal directions relative to said container member.

10. The container assembly of

claim 9 wherein said cap member comprises a closed slot arrangement having a closed vertical slot and at least one closed horizontal slot intersecting said vertical slot,

said closed horizontal slot having a pivot notch for engaging a post member on said container member.

11. The container assembly of

claim 10 wherein said container member further comprises a seal member and said cap member further comprises a puncture member.

12. The container assembly of

claim 11 wherein said slot arrangement comprises a closed vertical slot and two closed horizontal slots.

13. A container assembly comprising, in combination, a container member and a cap member moveable relative to said container member to remove said cap member from said container member,

said cap member having an open slot arrangement for engaging a post member on said container member to releasably attach said body member to said container member,

said open slot arrangement comprising first and second substantially parallel vertical slots as well as lower and upper substantially parallel horizontal extending slots,

wherein at least one horizontal upper slot intersects said second vertical slot,

said upper slot having a closed end portion to retain said body member in a predetermined position during vertical movement of said body member relative to said container member.

14. The container assembly of

claim 13 wherein,

said first vertical slot intersects said lower horizontal slot,

said first vertical slot having an open end for receiving said post member therein to join said body member to said container member,

said second vertical slot having a closed end for limiting downward movement of said body member relative to said container member,

said lower horizontal slot intersecting each of said vertical slots and said upper horizontal slot intersecting said second vertical slot.

15. The container assembly of

claim 14 further comprising a seal member over said opening.

16. The container assembly of

claim 15, wherein said body member further comprises a puncture member for puncturing said seal member.

17. The container assembly of

claim 16, wherein said cap member further comprises a twist member.

18. The container assembly of

claim 17, wherein said cap member is moveable within said container member.

19. A container assembly comprising, in combination, a container member and a non-removable cap member moveable relative to said body member,

said cap member having a closed slot arrangement having a closed vertical slot and at least one closed horizontal slot intersecting said vertical slot,

said closed horizontal slot having a pivot notch for engaging a post member on said container member, and

wherein said cap member and said container member each includes an access port.

20. The container assembly of

claim 19, wherein movement of said cap member relative to said body member enables alignment of each of said access ports to provide a window to enable removal of material from said container member.

21. The container assembly of

claim 20 wherein said container further comprises a seal member and a post member for engaging said slot arrangement.

22. The container assembly of

claim 21, wherein said cap member further comprises a puncture member for puncturing said seal member.

23. A container assembly comprising, in combination, a container member and a non-removable cap member joined to said container member, said cap member movable in both vertical and horizontal directions relative to said container member, and

a hollow tube member within an opening in said container member for communicating with said container member.

24. The container assembly of

claim 23 comprising wherein said tube member includes a tube opening and a seal member over said tube opening.

25. The container assembly of

claim 23, wherein said cap member comprises a closed slot arrangement having a closed vertical slot and at least one closed horizontal slot intersecting said vertical slot, said closed horizontal slot having a pivot notch for engaging a post member on said container member.

26. The container assembly of

claim 23, wherein said container member further comprises a sell member and said cap member further comprises a puncture member.

27. The container assembly of

claim 26, wherein said cap member further comprises a puncture member, and said slot arrangement comprises a closed vertical slot and tow closed horizontal slots.

28. The container assembly of

claim 23, wherein said tube member comprises flange members for engaging said opening in said container.

29. A closure for a container member having an opening for receiving flowable material therein, said closure comprising,

a hollow body member having an upper surface and a lower edge,

said body member having a slot arrangement for engaging a post member on a container member to releasably attach said body member to said container member,

said slot arrangement comprising a plurality of vertical sots and a plurality of horizontal slots intersecting said vertical slots, said plurality of vertical slots including first, second, and third parallel vertical slots,

said plurality of horizontal slots including lower, intermediate, and upper parallel horizontal slots,

said first vertical slot intersecting said edge of said body member and said intermediate horizontal slot,

said intermediate horizontal slot intersecting said first and second vertical slots

said upper horizontal slot intersecting said third vertical slot,

said third vertical slot extending above said upper horizontal slot,

said upper horizontal slot having a closed end portion to retain said body member in a predetermined vertical position relative to said container member,

said lower horizontal slot intersecting said second and third vertical slots.

30. The closure of

claim 29 further comprising a puncture member.

31. The closure of container member having an opening for receiving flowable material therein said closure comprising,

a hollow body member having an upper surface and a lower edge,

said body member having a slot arrangement for engaging a post member on a container member to releasably attach said body member to said container member,

said slot arrangement comprising,

a plurality of vertical sots and a plurality of horizontal slots intersecting said vertical slots,

said plurality of vertical slots including first and second parallel vertical slots,

said plurality of horizontal slots including lower and upper parallel horizontal slots,

said first vertical slot intersecting said edge of said body member and said lower horizontal slot,

said lower horizontal slot intersecting said first and second vertical slots,

said upper horizontal slot intersecting at least one intermediate vertical slot between said first and second vertical slots.

32. The closure of

claim 31 wherein said upper horizontal slot comprises a closed end portion to retain said body member in a predetermined vertical position relative to said container member.

33. The closure of

claim 31 further comprising an intermediate horizontal slot between said upper horizontal slot and said lower horizontal slot, said intermediate horizontal slot intersecting said intermediate vertical slot.

34. The closure of

claim 31 further comprising a puncture member.

35. The closure member of

claim 33 wherein said upper horizontal slot includes a first portion that extends on side of said second vertical slot.

36. The closure member of

claim 35 further comprising a fourth vertical slot intersecting said upper horizontal slot.

37. A closure for a container member having an opening for receiving flowable material therein, said closure comprising,

a hollow body member having an upper surface and a lower edge,

said body member having a slot arrangement for engaging a post member on a container member to releasably attach said body member to said container member,

said slot arrangement comprising a plurality of vertical slots, a horizontal slow and at least one upwardly angled slot intersecting one of said vertical slots,

said plurality of vertical slots including first and second parallel vertical slots,

said first vertical slot intersecting said edge of said body member and said horizontal slot,

said horizontal slot intersecting said first and second vertical slots,

said angled slot intersecting said second vertical slot.

38. The closure of

claim 37 wherein said angled slot is angled upwardly up to about 35 degrees from said horizontal slot.

39. The closure of

claim 37 wherein said angled slot is angled upwardly from about 15 degrees to about 35 degrees from said horizontal slot.

40. The closure of

claim 37 wherein said angled slot is angled upwardly from about 1 degree to about 15 degrees from said horizontal slot.

41. A closure for a container member having an opening for receiving flowable material therein, said closure comprising,

a hollow body member having an upper surface and a lower edge,

said body member having a slot arrangement for engaging a post member on a container member to releasably attach said body member to said container member,

said slot arrangement comprising a plurality of vertical sots and a plurality of horizontal slots intersecting said vertical slots, said plurality of vertical slots including first, second, and third parallel vertical slots,

said plurality of horizontal slots including lower, intermediate, and upper parallel horizontal slots,

said first vertical slot intersecting said edge of said body member and said intermediate horizontal slot,

said intermediate horizontal slot intersecting said first and second vertical slots

said upper horizontal slot intersecting said third vertical slot, said third vertical slot extending above said upper horizontal slot,

said upper horizontal slot having a closed end portion to retain said body member in a predetermined vertical position relative to said container member, said lower horizontal slot intersecting said second and third vertical slots.

42. The closure of

claim 41 further comprising a puncture member.

43. A closure for a container member having an opening for receiving flowable material therein, said closure comprising,

a hollow body member having an upper surface and a lower edge,

said body member having a slot arrangement for engaging a post member on a container member to releasably attach said body member to said container member,

said slot arrangement comprising a plurality of vertical sots and a plurality of horizontal slots intersecting said vertical slots,

said plurality of vertical slots including first and second parallel vertical slots,

said plurality of horizontal slots including lower and upper parallel horizontal slots,

said first vertical slot intersecting said edge of said body member and said lower horizontal slot,

said lower horizontal slot intersecting said first and second vertical slots,

said upper horizontal slot intersecting at least one intermediate vertical slot between said first and second vertical slots.

44. The closure of

claim 43 wherein said upper horizontal slot comprises a closed end portion to retain said body member in a predetermined vertical position relative to said container member.

45. The closure of

claim 43 further comprising an intermediate horizontal slot between said upper horizonal slot and said lower horizontal slot, said intermediate horizonal slot intersecting said intermediate vertical slot.

46. The closure member of

claim 43 further comprising a puncture member.

47. The closure member of

claim 45 wherein said upper horizontal slot includes a first portion that extends on side of said second vertical slot.

48. The closure member of

claim 47 further comprising a fourth vertical slot intersecting said upper horizontal slot.

49. A closure for a container member having an opening for receiving flowable material therein, said closure comprising,

a hollow body member having an upper surface and a lower edge,

said body member having a slot arrangement for engaging a post member on a container member to releasably attach said body member to said container member,

said slot arrangement comprising a plurality of vertical slots, a plurality of horizontal slots and at least one upwardly angled slot located above said horizontal slots,

said plurality of vertical slots including first, second and intermediate parallel vertical slots,

said plurality of horizontal slots including upper and lower horizontal slots,

said first vertical slot intersecting said edge of said body member and said upper horizontal slot,

said upper horizontal slot intersecting said first and intermediate vertical slots,

said lower horizontal slot intersecting said intermediate vertical slot and said second vertical slots,

said angled slot intersecting said second vertical slot.

50. The closure of

claim 49 wherein said upper horizontal slot comprises a closed end portion to retain said body member in a predetermined vertical position relative to said container member.