Cutting device to disable a childproof container

Abstract

A method of removing locking tabs from a container or its closure, where the container has threading and locking tabs on an outer surface and its closure has locking tabs on its inner surface, by positioning an apparatus comprising a ring and at least one blade mounted on the ring over the threading on the container or inside the closure and rotating the ring relative to the container or its closure so that the blade removes the locking tabs from the container or its closure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to mechanisms for disabling child protector features in containers of phanmaceuticals or household chemicals.

2. Description of Related Art

Pharmaceuticals are generally provided in containers with child protector caps. These containers have closures which are difficult for small children to open, so as to prevent a curious child from swallowing the potentially dangerous contents. Frequently, such containers of medication are provided to patients by pharmacies. However, many patients who do not have small children dislike containers with child protector closures, as they make it more difficult to access the contents quickly. Other patients, particularly elderly or disabled patients, are unable to operate containers with child protector closures. Therefore, it is useful to modify such containers so as to remove child protector features upon request by the patient.

Some types of child protector closure assemblies are designed so that they are normally in a child-resistant mode and are provided with a mechanism for conversion of a closure to an operational mode. Typically, such closure assemblies employ an inner cap and an outer cap assembled in a nested configuration.

In one such embodiment, the inner cap is rotationally independent of the outer cap and fits over the mouth of a container. The outer cap has lugs on its inner surface which fit into downwardly-opening notches provided on the outer surface of the container. A spring-type mechanism biases the outer cap upwards away from the lower cap, moving the lugs on the upper cap upwards within the notches on the container. In this configuration, the upper cap cannot be disengaged from the bottle unless a user applies sufficient pressure to the outer cap to move it downward into a position in which the lugs no longer engage the notches on the container. If a patient requests that he be provided with medication in a bottle which lacks a child protector closure, the pharmacist may use a device which resembles a miniature crowbar to pry the inner cap away from the outer cap.

Another type of child protector closure which is becoming increasingly common comes on containers with locking tabs, which are provided by drug manufacturers to pharmacies with medications therein. These containers are frequently given to patients by the pharmacist. As shown in FIG. 1, such containers 5 include a mouth 1 having an inner surface and an outer surface, threading 2 positioned on the outer surface of mouth 1, and a plurality of wedge-shaped locking tabs 3 positioned on the outer surface of mouth 1, below the threading 2. Containers 5 typically come with caps 15, which include a round, generally planar top 6 with a flexible outer annular skirt 7 connected to the periphery of top 6 and an inner annular skirt 8 connected to the lower surface of top 6. Skirts 7 and 8 are coaxial. Threading 9 on the inner surface of skirt 8 mates with the threading 2 positioned on the outer surface of mouth 1, allowing inner skirt 8 of cap 15 to be screwed onto mouth 1. At least one wedge-shaped tab 10 is positioned on the inner surface of skirt 7. As cap 15 is screwed onto mouth 1, a sloped surface of tab 10 on the cap contacts a sloped surface of tab 3 on the mouth 1 (FIG. 2a; threading 2 and 9 not shown for clarity). As the user continues to screw cap 15 onto mouth 1, outer skirt 7 flexes outward in the direction of arrows A, allowing tab 10 to pass tab 3. At this point, an attempt to unscrew cap 15 would cause a flat surface of tab 10 to contact a flat surface of tab 3, in a manner that prevents rotation of the cap 15 relative to the mouth 1 (FIG. 2b). Cap 15 may be unscrewed by pressing inward on skirt 7 in the direction of arrows B, causing skirt 7 to flex so as to move tab 10 outward so that it no longer contacts tab 3. Cap 15 may then be unscrewed from mouth 1. Unlike the child protector closures having a nested inner and outer cap discussed previously, there is currently no convenient way to convert a one-piece closure such as cap 15 from a child protector closure to a non-child protector closure.

While the discussion herein is primarily concerned with pharmaceutical containers, closures of this type are also found on containers containing household chemicals such as detergents and other potentially harmful substances.

As noted previously, many patients, particularly the elderly, find such child protector closures difficult to manipulate. This forces pharmacists to remove the drugs from the child protector containers and place them in alternative containers lacking child protector features. Moving substances from one container to another creates extra work for the pharmacist and leads to significant increases in waste materials, because both the original child protector containers and the alternative containers are ultimately discarded. This problem may be alleviated by simply cutting tabs 3 away from container 5, so that cap 15 may be screwed and unscrewed from container 5 with no resistance or other interaction between tabs 3 and 10.

It is an object of various exemplary embodiments discussed herein to provide a tool for conveniently cutting tabs 3 away from container 5.

It is an additional object of various exemplary embodiments discussed herein to provide a simple method for removing tabs 3 from container 5.

The foregoing objects and advantages of the exemplary embodiments discussed herein are illustrative of those that can be achieved by the various exemplary embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the possible advantages which can be realized. Thus, these and other objects and advantages of the various exemplary embodiments will be apparent from the description herein or can be learned from practicing the various exemplary embodiments, both as embodied herein or as modified in view of any variation which may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention resides in the novel methods, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described in various exemplary embodiments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the present need for devices for removing child protector features from containers, a brief summary of various exemplary embodiments is presented. Some simplifications and omission may be made in the following summary, which is intended to highlight and introduce some aspects of the various exemplary embodiments, but not to limit its scope. Detailed descriptions of a preferred exemplary embodiment adequate to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention concepts will follow in later sections.

Various exemplary embodiments include an apparatus for use with a container for pills, tablets, capsules, and/or household chemicals such as detergents. The container has a threaded mouth with locking tabs on the external surface of the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a ring and at least one blade mounted on the ring. The ring fits over the mouth of the container so as to place the blade in proximity to the locking tabs. Rotation of the ring relative to the container causes the blade to sever at least a portion of said locking tabs from said container. After removal of at least a portion of the locking tabs, cap 15, as shown in FIG. 1, may be screwed onto the threaded mouth without tabs 10 on the cap contacting the locking tabs on the container.

Various exemplary embodiments include a kit containing several devices, each having a differently sized ring and at least one blade mounted on the ring. In various exemplary embodiments, each ring is adapted to fit over the mouth of a container, where the mouth of the container has one of a plurality of standardized sizes. In various exemplary embodiments, each ring is further sized to fit over a container mouth having a different one of the standardized sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand various exemplary embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a prior art child protector container with a cap.

FIGS. 2a-2c show the process by which the cap of FIG. 1 is screwed and unscrewed from the container of FIG. 1, with threading omitted for clarity.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show a first exemplary embodiment of the cutting device.

FIG. 3c shows the cutting device of FIG. 3a in use.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show a second exemplary embodiment of the cutting device.

FIG. 4c shows the cutting device of FIG. 4a in use.

FIG. 5 shows the effect of removing tabs from the container of FIG. 1 using the cutting device of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show further exemplary embodiments of the cutting device, where the cutting devices are fitted with handles.

FIGS. 8, 9, 10a, and 10b show exemplary embodiments of the cutting device, that have an adjustable size.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show exemplary embodiments of the cutting device, that have an adjustable size and handles to aid in size adjustment.

FIG. 13 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the cutting device, where the cutting device has an adjustable size and is fitted with a handle having a miniature crowbar.

FIG. 14 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the cutting device adapted to remove locking tabs from a container cap.

FIG. 15 shows a method of using the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 14 to remove locking tabs from a container cap.

FIG. 16 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the cutting device, where the cutting device is fitted with a handle having a miniature crowbar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like components or steps, there are disclosed broad aspects of various exemplary embodiments. FIG. 3a is a perspective view showing a first exemplary embodiment. Cutting device 20 includes a tubular wall 21 having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper edge and a lower edge. In various exemplary embodiments, optional threading 21a may be positioned on the inner surface of the wall 21; this threading, if present, mates with the threading 2 on the outer surface of mouth 1 of container 5. This allows tubular wall 21 to be screwed onto the mouth 1 of container 5.

A sharp blade 22 is positioned on the lower edge of wall 21, as seen in FIG. 3a and in the bottom view of FIG. 3b. In various exemplary embodiments, two blades 22 may be positioned at opposite sides of wall 21. The outer surface of wall 21 may be covered with a layer 21b of rubberized high-friction material to allow the user to get a better grip on the device (FIG. 3b). As shown in FIG. 3c, the cutting device is sized so that the wall 21 fits over the mouth 1 of container 5, with the inner surface of wall 21 fitting over threads 2. The lower edge of wall 21 rests on tabs 3, with the sharp edge of blade 22 being directed toward a tab 3. Rotation of wall 21 relative to container 5 allows blade 22 to cut at least a portion of tabs 3 away from container 5, preventing interaction between shortened tabs 3a on container 5 and tabs 10 on cap 15, as shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show two views of a second embodiment. In this embodiment, cutting device 20 includes a tubular wall 21 having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper edge and a lower edge. Three sides of a rectangular segment of wall 21 are cut away from the remainder of wall 21, and turned inward to form blade 22. The cutting edge of blade 22 is sharpened.

As shown in FIG. 4c, the cutting device is sized so that the wall 21 fits over the mouth of container 1, with the inner surface of wall 21 fitting over threads 2 and tabs 3. The sharp edge of blade 22 contacts a tab 3. Rotation of wall 21 relative to container 5 allows blade 22 to cut at least a portion of tabs 3 away from container 5.

In various exemplary embodiments, two blades 22 are formed on opposite sides of wall 21. Each blade can then rest against one of tabs 3. This helps prevent slippage of the cutting device relative to the container.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show further exemplary embodiments. As shown in FIG. 6, cutting device 20 includes a tubular wall 21 having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper edge and a lower edge. A sharp blade 22 is positioned on the lower edge of wall 21. In various exemplary embodiments, support 23 is fitted to wall 21; this support takes the form of a round top with wall 21 being connected to the periphery of the round top. In other embodiments, support 23 is a crossbrace running between opposite sides of wall 21. A handle 25 is fitted to support 23. In various exemplary embodiments, handle 25 is coaxial with the tubular wall 21, as seen in FIG. 6. In other embodiments, handle 25 is connected to support 23 through connector 24, so that the handle 25 is substantially perpendicular to the axis of wall 21, as seen in FIG. 7. In either embodiment, after fitting wall 21 over the mouth of container 5, so that the sharp edge of blade 22 is directed toward a tab 3, the user holds container 5 in one hand and holds handle 25 in the other hand. Thus, rotation of the handle 25 about the axis of wall 21 allows blade 22 to cut at least a portion of tabs 3 away from container 5.

Because a variety of standard sizes for the mouths of medicine containers exist, a plurality of cutting tools as shown in FIG. 3 are, in various exemplary embodiments, provided in the form of a kit. Each cutting tool in the kit has a ring 21 with an interior diameter which corresponds to the diameter of the threading on the outer surface of a medicine container having a given mouth size. In various exemplary embodiments, each cutting tool in the kit has an interior diameter which corresponds to a different mouth size. Thus, for example, a first cutting tool is designed to fit over a large mouth size on a first medicine container so as to cut off tabs 3 on the container. However, the first cutting tool is too large to fit snugly over a small mouth size on a second container. A second cutting tool present in the kit is designed to fit snugly over the small mouth size on the second container, but will not fit over the large mouth size on the first medicine container at all.

In each of the above exemplary embodiments, wall 21 is made of a metal material, which may be rigid. In other embodiments, wall 21 is made from a flexible material, which allows the diameter of wall 21 to be varied so as to fit over the multiple containers, each having a differently sized mouth. FIG. 8 shows such a cutting device formed from a flexible strip of material 26, with blade 22 mounted on the lower edge of strip 26. In various exemplary embodiments, strip 26 is made from a flexible metal strip. Mounted on one end of strip 26 is bracket 27. The other end of strip 26 forms a loop and passes slidably through bracket 27. A threaded screw 28 passes through a threaded hole 27a in bracket 27. When screw 28 is tightened, it presses against the end of strip 26 passing through bracket 27, fixing the strip 26 in the form of a loop having a preselected size adapted to fit over the threaded mouth of a first medicine container. Loosening screw 28 allows the size of the loop formed from strip 26 to be adjusted to a second preselected size adapted to fit over the threaded mouth of a second medicine container, where the threaded mouth of the second medicine container has a different size than the mouth of the first medicine container.

FIG. 9 shows another exemplary embodiment of a cutting device formed from a flexible strip of material 26. Mounted on one end of strip 26 is buckle 29. The other end of strip 26 forms a loop and passes through buckle 29, in the direction of arrow X. A tongue 30 of buckle 29 passes through a hole 31 in strip 26. The buckle 29 fixes the strip 26 in the form of a loop having a preselected size adapted to fit over the threaded mouth of a first medicine container. Undoing the buckle 29 allows the size of the loop formed from strip 26 to be adjusted to a second preselected size adapted to fit over the threaded mouth of a second medicine container. The strip 26 is rebuckled with the tongue passing through a different hole 31 in strip 26. Again, the threaded mouth of the second medicine container has a different size from the mouth of the first medicine container in the depicted exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10a shows an exemplary cutting device formed from a tubular ring 21 of a spring material. Two blades 22 are mounted on opposite sides of the lower edge of ring 21. The ring of the cutting device is sized so that the ring 21 fits over the mouth 1 of a first container 5, with the inner surface of ring 21 fitting over threads 2 (See FIG. 10b; threads omitted for clarity). The sharp edge of each blade 22 contacts a tab 3. Rotation of ring 21 in the direction of arrow Z relative to container 5 allows blade 22 to cut at least a portion of tabs 3 away from container 5. In various exemplary embodiments, the spring material allows the ring 21 to be reversibly flexed into an oval shape by compression in the direction of arrows Y, bringing blades 22 closer together. By flexing the ring 21 into an oval shape so that blades 22 are closer together, ring 21 of the cutting device may be adjusted to fit mouth 1, or positioned over the mouth of a second container, where the second container has a smaller mouth than the first container. The sharp edge of each blade 22 contacts a tab 3, allowing rotation of ring 21 to cut tabs 3 away from container 1.

In various exemplary embodiments, a handle is fitted to the flexible ring 21 of spring material. One exemplary method of doing this is shown in FIG. 11. A first bracket 32 is fitted to the upper edge of ring 21 above one of blades 22, and a second bracket 33 is fitted to the upper edge of ring 21 above the other blade 22. Bracket 33 has a threaded hole 33a therethrough, with a threaded rod 34 being screwed through hole 33a. There is a handle 35 on rod 34.

Bracket 32 has an unthreaded hole 32a therethrough, where the diameter of hole 32a is greater than the diameter of the threading on rod 34. Rod 34 passes through hole 31a, with a head 34a on the end of rod 34 preventing rod 34 from exiting hole 32a. When handle 35 is used to rotate rod 34 in the direction of arrow C, rod 32a moves in the direction of arrow D, relative to bracket 33. This moves bracket 32 in the direction of bracket 33, thus moving blades 22 closer together. This allows the distance between the blades 22 to be adjusted to fit the mouth of a particular medicine container.

Another exemplary method of fitting handles to a flexible ring 21 is shown in FIG. 12. A set of pliers-type handles 36 are fitted together by pivot 36a and connected to brackets 37 on ring 21. Squeezing handles 36 together in the directions of arrows E moves brackets 37 closer together in the direction of arrows F, thereby reducing the distance between blades 22. A further exemplary method of fitting handles to a flexible ring 21 is shown in FIG. 13. A set of pliers-type handles 36 and 46 are fitted together by pivot 36a and connected to brackets 37 on ring 21. Squeezing handles 36 and 46 together in the directions of arrows E moves brackets 37 closer together in the direction of arrows F, thereby reducing the distance between blades 22. As shown in FIG. 13, handle 46 is shaped like a miniature crowbar, and includes a gripping portion 45 which may be used when manipulating handle 46, and a bent portion 44 having a prying edge.

The prying edge on bent portion 44 of handle 46 is used on child protector closure assemblies employing an inner cap and an outer cap assembled in a nested configuration. In such closures, the inner cap is rotationally independent of the outer cap and fits over the mouth of a container; the child protector features are incorporated only into the outer cap. Child protector closure assemblies employing an inner cap and an outer cap assembled in a nested configuration may be readily converted into non-child protector closures by inserting the prying edge on bent portion 44 of handle 46 between the edges of the inner and outer caps, and prying the inner cap away from the outer cap. The inner cap may then be placed over the mouth of the container.

In various further embodiments, a device 40 for removing locking tabs from a container cap is contemplated (See FIG. 14). As previously noted, the container cap 15 includes a round, generally planar top 6 with a flexible outer annular skirt 7 connected to a periphery of said top 6 and an inner annular skirt 8 connected to a lower surface of said top 6, said outer annular skirt 7 having locking tabs 10 on an inner surface thereof. The device 40 for removing locking tabs 10 includes a ring 38 and at least one blade 39 mounted on the ring 38. Each blade 39 is capable of removing at least a portion of said locking tabs 10 from the outer annular skirt 7. The outer diameter of the ring 38 is less than an inner diameter of the outer annular skirt 7. The ring 38 is sized so as to fit within the outer annular skirt 7, while positioning at least one of the blades 39 against one of the locking tabs 10 on the outer annular skirt 7, as shown in FIG. 15. Rotation of the container cap 15 relative to the ring 38 then causes the blade 39 to cut through and remove the locking tabs 10 on the outer annular skirt 7, thereby removing the locking tabs 10 from the container cap 15.

FIG. 16 shows a further exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, cutting device 20 includes a tubular wall 21 having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper edge and a lower edge. A sharp blade 22 is positioned on the lower edge of wall 21. In various exemplary embodiments, support 23 is fitted to wall 21; this support takes the form, of a round top with wall 21 being connected to the periphery of the round top. In other embodiments, support 23 is a crossbrace running between opposite sides of wall 21. A handle 43 is fitted to support 23. As shown in FIG. 16, handle 43 is shaped like a miniature crowbar, with a straight rod 41 extending from support 23 through a connector 24, and a bent portion 42 having a prying edge. In various exemplary embodiments, handle 43 is connected to support 23 through connector 24, so that the handle 43 is substantially perpendicular to the axis of wall 21, as seen in FIG. 16. In other exemplary embodiments, handle 43 may be coaxial with the tubular wall 21. In either embodiment, after fitting wall 21 over the mouth of container 5, so that the sharp edge of blade 22 is directed toward a tab 3, the user holds container 5 in one hand and holds the straight portion 41 of handle 43 in the other hand. Thus, rotation of the handle 43 about the axis of wall 21 allows blade 22 to cut at least a portion of tabs 3 away from container 5.

The prying edge on bent portion 42 of handle 43 is used on child protector closure assemblies employing an inner cap and an outer cap assembled in a nested configuration. In such closures, the inner cap is rotationally independent of the outer cap and fits over the mouth of a container; the child protector features are incorporated only into the outer cap. Child protector closure assemblies employing an inner cap and an outer cap assembled in a nested configuration may be readily converted into non-child protector closures by inserting the prying edge on bent portion 42 of handle 43 between the edges of the inner and outer caps, and prying the inner cap away from the outer cap. The inner cap may then be placed over the mouth of the container.

Although the various exemplary embodiments have been described in detail with particular reference to certain exemplary aspects thereof, it should be understood that the invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects. As is readily apparent to those skilled in the art, variations and modifications can be affected while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure, description, and figures are for illustrative purposes only, and do not in any way limit the invention, which is defined only by the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with a container, said container having locking tabs on an external surface of the container, said apparatus comprising a ring and at least one blade mounted on the ring, said at least one blade being capable of removing at least a portion of said locking tabs from said container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said ring is sized so as to fit over a mouth of said container.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said ring is sized so as to fit over a mouth of said container so as to position said blade so as to enable said blade to remove at least a portion of said locking tabs from said container.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said blade is positioned on a lower edge of said ring.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said blade is positioned on an inner surface of said ring.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means for adjusting a size of said ring.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said ring is fabricated from a strip of flexible metal, and the means for adjusting the size of said ring is a means for adjusting a circumference of the ring.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said ring comprises two blades mounted on opposite sides of the ring.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a means for adjusting a distance between said two blades.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a handle connected with said ring.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for adjusting a distance between said two blades includes at least one handle connected with said ring.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said ring is connected with a first end of said handle, and a second end of said handle includes a prying edge.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said ring is connected with a first end of said handle, and a second end of said handle includes a prying edge.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising threading on the inner surface of said ring, said threading being adapted to screw onto threading provided on the outer surface of a mouth of said container

15. A method of removing locking tabs from a container, said container having threading on an outer surface and locking tabs on said outer surface, comprising the steps of:

a) positioning an apparatus comprising a ring and at least one blade mounted on the ring over the threading on the container;

b) rotating the ring relative to the container so that the blade removes the locking tabs from the container.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the blade removes the locking tabs from the container without cutting the threads.

17. A combination of a container having locking tabs and an apparatus for removing said locking tabs from said container, the combination comprising;

a container comprising a mouth having an outer surface with threading and an inner surface and locking tabs on the outer surface of the mouth below the threading; and

an apparatus for removing said locking tabs including a ring and at least one blade mounted on the ring,

wherein said ring fits over the mouth of the container so as to position said blade in proximity to said locking tabs, said blade being capable of removing at least a portion of said locking tabs from said container.

18. The combination of claim 17, wherein the apparatus for removing said locking tabs has a means for engaging said threading on the outer surface of the mouth.

19. The combination of claim 18, wherein the means for engaging said threading on the outer surface of the mouth is threading on an inner surface of the ring.

20. A kit comprising:

a first device for removing locking tabs from a first container having a mouth of a first size, said first device including a ring having a diameter which enables the first device to fit over said mouth of a first size, and at least one blade mounted on the ring, said at least one blade being capable of removing at least a portion of said locking tabs from said first container; and

a second device for removing locking tabs from a second container having a mouth of a second size, said second device including a ring having a diameter which enables the second device to fit over said mouth of a second size, but not over said mouth of a first size, and at least one blade mounted on the ring, said at least one blade being capable of removing at least a portion of said locking tabs from said second container.

21. An apparatus for use with a container cap, said container cap including a round, generally planar top with an outer annular skirt connected to a periphery of said top and an inner annular skirt connected to a lower surface of said top, said outer annular skirt having locking tabs on an inner surface thereof, said apparatus comprising a ring and at least one blade mounted on the ring, said at least one blade being capable of removing at least a portion of said locking tabs from said outer annular skirt.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein an outer diameter of said ring is less than an inner diameter of said outer annular skirt.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said ring is sized so as to position said blade so as to enable said blade to remove at least a portion of said locking tabs from said outer annular skirt.

24. A method of removing locking tabs from a container cap, said container cap including a round, generally planar top with a flexible outer annular skirt connected to a periphery of said top 6 and an inner annular skirt connected to a lower surface of said top, said outer annular skirt having locking tabs on an inner surface thereof, comprising the steps of:

a) positioning an apparatus comprising a ring and at least one blade mounted on the ring within the outer annular skirt so that said at least one blade contacts at least one of said locking tabs;

b) rotating the container cap relative to the ring so that the blade removes the locking tabs from the container.