One-Piece Squeeze And Turn Child-Resistant Closure And Container System

Abstract

A one-piece squeeze and turn child resistant closure for a container having a threaded neck and a top shoulder having a top surface with at least one locking recessed annulus slot or groove, the closure comprising a sidewall of a rigid material, the sidewall further comprising at least one flexible panel wherein, when depressed, allows the unscrewing of the closure from the bottle, wherein each flexible panel includes at least one vertical tab that engages a corresponding locking recessed slot or groove of the container.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative aspects of the invention relate to child resistant packages such as for pharmaceuticals.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,853 is directed to a child-resistant one-piece container and one-piece closure assembly.

There is a need for an improved one-piece squeeze and turn child-resistant one-piece container. There is a further need to provide a two-piece package with no third component. There is further a need to eliminate sharp edges from standing injection molded tabs.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the invention is directed to a one-piece squeeze and turn child resistant closure for a container.

A second aspect is directed to a child resistant package comprising a container and a one-piece squeeze and turn child resistant closure for the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1c illustrate a top view, side view, and bottom view, respectfully, of a closure for a container in accordance with one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 1d illustrates a sectional view of FIG. 1b taken along line A-A.

FIG. 1e illustrates a perspective view of the closure.

FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c illustrate a top view, side view, and bottom view, respectfully, of a container for use with the closure of FIG. 1 in accordance with one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2d illustrates another side view and FIG. 2e illustrates a sectional side view of FIG. 2c taken along line A-A.

FIG. 2f is an enlarged view of circle B in FIG. 2e.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a closure and container combination in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a closure and container combination in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a closure and container combination in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a top view of a closure in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative aspects of the present invention will be described. These aspects merely provide examples of the invention, and it is needless to say that the aspects can be suitably modified without departing from the gist of the invention.

Aspects of the invention include a child resistant package including a one-piece squeeze and turn child resistant closure of rigid or stiff material. As shown in FIG. 3, the closure 1 is placed on a container 10, such as a bottle. The bottle has a threaded neck 11 and a top shoulder 12 with recessed “blown” slots or grooves 13 formed from the upper surface of in the top shoulder. See also FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the closure 1 has at least one flexible (movable) panel 2 on the sidewall 3. FIG. 1 illustrates two flexible panels although any suitable number of flexible panels may be used. The flexible panels, when depressed, allow the unscrewing of the closure from the container. More particularly, each flexible panel includes at least one vertical tab 4 that engages a corresponding locking surface inside annulus slots or grooves 13 formed in a top shoulder 12 of on the container. This arrangement prevents removal of the closure without first depressing the flexible panels. Depressing the flexible panels releases the tabs from the locking surface. The locking surface is an integral part of the “blown” top shoulder and top surface of the container. See FIG. 3.

The sidewall 3 typically has an outside diameter to match the outside diameter of the bottle. The closure and tabs may have stiffening ribs 14 and 15 as shown in FIGS. 1e and 3.

The cap can be used on an easy-grip bottle having finger grips 17 such as shown in FIGS. 2b-2e and 3-6.

Aspects of the invention further include an optional plug seal ring 16 for “liquid tight” requirements and/or elimination of costly induction foil seals. However, liners with a foil seal may also be applied if desired.

The one-piece squeeze and turn closure is senior friendly. The present invention eliminates standing lugs with sharp edges by using recessed slots 13, eliminates angled sidewalls, and allows sleek vertical sidewalls to increase the top surface for better stacking of packages.

The shape of the closure and container provides a better store presence as the shape is maintained from the very bottom of the package to the very top. The package is also department store friendly since stores prefer packages that are easily stackable. Aspects of the invention further include optional stacking ring in top of closure to help with stacking.

The packages may be used for pharmaceuticals such as tablets and liquids. The packages may be used for holding other items as well.

While the various aspects of the invention have been described in conjunction with the example structures and methods described above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or may be presently unforeseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the example structures and methods, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative of the invention, not limiting it. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or later developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents

Claims

1. A one-piece squeeze and turn child resistant closure for a container having a threaded neck and a top shoulder having a top surface with at least one locking recessed annulus slot or groove, the closure comprising a sidewall of a rigid material, the sidewall further comprising at least one flexible panel wherein, when depressed, allows the unscrewing of the closure from the bottle, wherein each flexible panel includes at least one vertical tab that engages a corresponding locking recessed slot or groove of the container.

2. The one-piece closure of claim 1 further comprising at least two flexible panels.

3. The one-piece closure of claim 2 comprising two flexible panels located at opposite sides of the bottle.

4. The one-piece closure of claim 1 further comprising at least one vertical stiffening rib supporting the inside diameter of the sidewall.

5. The one-piece closure of claim 1 further comprising at least one stiffening rib supporting the at least one vertical tab.

6. The one-piece closure of claim 1 further comprising a plug seal to plug an opening in the container.

7. A child resistant package comprising a container and a one-piece squeeze and turn child resistant closure for the container; the container having a threaded neck and a top shoulder having a top surface with at least one locking annulus recessed slot or groove, the closure comprising a sidewall of a rigid material, the sidewall further comprising at least one flexible panel wherein, when depressed, allows the unscrewing of the closure from the container, wherein each movable panel includes a vertical tab that engages a corresponding locking recessed slot or groove of the container.

8. The package of claim 7 wherein the at least one annulus slot or groove in the bottle prevent removal of the closure without first depressing the flexible panel.

9. The package of claim 7 wherein the closure further comprises at least two flexible panels.

10. The package of claim 9 wherein the closure further comprises two flexible panels located at opposite sides of the bottle.

11. The package of claim 7 wherein the closure further comprises at least one vertical stiffening rib supporting the inside diameter of the sidewall.

12. The package of claim 7 wherein the closure further comprising at least one stiffening rib supporting the at least one vertical tab.

13. The package of claim 7 wherein the closure further comprises a plug seal to plug an opening in the container.

14. The package of claim 7 wherein the container further comprises at least one finger grip.

15. The package of claim 7 wherein the outside diameter of the closure matches the outside diameter of the container.