Child resistant package
The present invention discloses a maze type package that may be child resistant. The package includes a cylindrical container member that includes a plurality of mazes thereon. The coaxial closure member includes studs for engaging the mazes and to releasably secure the closure to the container.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 60/526794 filed Dec. 4, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPill containers, as well as certain types of liquid containers and the like, involve snap-on and threaded closures. Snap-on and threaded closures, which may be put on and off easily on the container, are of great convenience to the user. Snap-on and threaded closures, however, enable children to open such containers easily and to be exposed to potentially harmful contents. Containers which employ snap-on and threaded closures therefore should be resistant to opening by children, especially children under age 5.
A child resistant package must satisfy specific test standards to comply with protocol specified by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”). These standards are child resistance effectiveness (CRE) and older adult use effectiveness ('OAUE). CRE is the percentage of children in a group that are unable to open the package within a specified time. CRE is measured by asking pairs of children in a specified age group (30% aged 42-44 months, 40% aged 45-48 months, and 30% aged 49-51 months) to open the package in a specified time period both before and after a nonverbal demonstration. Currently, the CPSC requires a CRE of 85 percent before a demonstration and 80 percent after a demonstration. OAUE is the percentage of adults in a group that is able to open and close the package. OAUE is measured by asking individual adults in a specified age group (typically 60-75 years) to open and close a package using instructions supplied with it in a specified time period. Currently, the CPSC requires an OAUE of ninety percent based on pictorial or written instructions.
Maze type packages are known in the art. These types of packages employ mazes formed of intersecting grooves. Two types of motion typically are employed to open such a package: (1) rotation and (2) linear (usually axial) motion. The sequence of steps employed typically includes alternating a rotary motion with an axial motion. Although maze type packages exist in the prior art, a need continues for maze type packages which are both child resistant and easily opened by adults, particularly elderly adults.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 7(a)-7(c) are cross sectional views of alternative shapes of ribs 23;
The invention can be more clearly understood by reference to the drawings forming a part of this disclosure wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to packages such as child resistant packages which provide ease of use by older adults, particularly adults over 60 years of age. The packages are sufficiently child resistant to provide adequate protection of child health yet not so complex as to be uneconomical or excessively inconvenient for adults, particularly elderly adults over 60 years of age. In particular, the present invention relates to child resistant packages which employ a maze of intersecting circumferential and axial grooves.
The packages include a generally cylindrical container member and a coaxial closure member which may be rotated relative to the container member. The container member and the closure member engage to prevent relative axial movement there between except in predetermined positions.
The closure member advantageously may be snap closed onto the container by pushing the closure downwardly on to the container. The package may be easily opened by people who are slightly handicapped or lack total manual dexterity, such as those who are arthritic. Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing detailed description.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe closure and container components of the package may be made from materials such as glass, metal, plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene, as well as paper and the like. The container and the closure components need not be made from the same material. The term package refers to the container with the closure.
Referring to
On the outer surface of neck 17 are molded or otherwise provided elevated ribs 23. Ribs 23 form maze 21 of intersecting axial and circumferential grooves (A)-(K) as shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In
Groove (F) may extend above the upper surface of groove (E) as shown in
Closure 15 may be of generally conventional design which has a closed top 16 and cylindrical sidewalls 22. Closure 15 has a diameter sufficient to fit over neck 17. In this embodiment, closure 15 is unlined. In other embodiments closure 15 may be lined or linerless (e.g., plug seal). As shown in
Studs 27 preferably have a trapezoidal cross section as shown in
The angle (α) of tapered portion 28, as shown in
Studs 27 preferably are of a depth and height which correspond approximately with the depth and height, respectively, of lowermost groove (A) of maze 21 as shown in
When securing closure 15 onto neck 17 of container 5, closure 15 is first placed onto neck 17 to cause stud 27 of closure 15 to engage axial groove (K) as in
The child resistant package is opened by rotating and lifting closure 15 relative to container 5. In this way, studs 27 on closure 15 pass through maze 21 to separate closure 15 from container 5. In the embodiment shown in
The child resistant package of the invention may be employed in any application where child-resistant benefits are desired to prevent access to the contents of a container. The package therefore may be used for storing of pharmaceutical products, agricultural products, toxic household chemicals, automotive products and other products with certain levels of specific ingredients which are covered within the CPSC guidelines that may be harmful to children. The child-resistant concept also may be used to prevent access to the operating mechanism of devices such as butane lighters, household cleaners, and other devices.
Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
Claims
1. A maze type package comprising,
- cylindrical container 5 having a body 19 and a plurality of identical, equally spaced mazes 21 on the container 5, and
- closure 15 having a plurality of equally spaced, identical studs 27 for engaging the mazes 21 to releasably secure closure 15 to container 5,
- wherein maze 21 comprises a plurality of ribs 23 configured to define a lowermost circumferential groove A and upper circumferential grooves C, E and G together with a plurality of axial grooves B, D, F, H and K intersecting one or more of the circumferential grooves,
- wherein groove C is disposed above groove A,
- groove G is disposed above groove A and is laterally distal to groove C,
- groove E is disposed above each of grooves A, C and G and
- wherein axial groove B intersects grooves A and C, groove D intersects grooves C and B and is lateral distal to groove B, and
- wherein groove F intersects grooves B and G and is laterally distal to each of grooves B and D and
- wherein groove F extends above groove B, and groove H intersects groove G and is latterly distal to groove F,
- and wherein groove A includes detent 35 therein.
2. The package of claim 1 wherein container 5 includes neck 17 of reduced diameter and mazes 21 are located on neck 17.
3. The package of claim 2 wherein neck 17 has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of body 19.
4. The package of claim 1 wherein circumferential grooves C, E and G are horizontal.
5. The package of claim 1 wherein circumferential grooves C, E and G are angled in a range of about 1 degree to about 20 degrees to horizontal.
6. The package of claim 1 wherein circumferential grooves C, E and G are angled in a range of about 2 degree to about 3 degrees to horizontal.
7. The package of claim 1 wherein detent has a trapezoidal cross section.
8. The package of claim 1 wherein ribs 23 have a trapezoidal cross section.
9. The package of claim 8 wherein ribs 23 further include downwardly outwardly tapered portion 25 having an angle of taper (β) of about one degree to about 89 degrees to horizontal.
10. The package of claim 1 wherein the studs 27 have a trapezoidal cross section including inwardly, downwardly tapered portion 28 having an angle (α) of taper of about 1 degree to about 89 degrees to horizontal.
11. The package of claim 10 wherein the angle (α) is about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees to horizontal.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 3, 2004
Publication Date: Aug 4, 2005
Inventors: Randall House (Phoenix, MD), Barry Goldberg (Highland Park, IL)
Application Number: 11/004,619