CHILD-RESISTANT CLOSURE

Abstract

A child-resistant, squeeze-and-turn closure for a container is provided. The closure comprises a body having a side skirt and locking means carried on or by the skirt for releasably locking the closure on to the container. The closure further comprises one or more regions of reduced stiffness in the vicinity of the locking means.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from International Application Ser. No. PCT/GB2009/000378, filed Feb. 11, 2009, the entire contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference and which in turn claims priority from Great Britain Patent Application No. 0802995.1, filed Feb. 19, 2008; Great Britain Patent Application No, 0803433.2, filed Feb. 26, 2008; Great Britain Patent Application No, 0807889.1, filed Apr. 30, 2008.

FIGURE FOR PUBLICATION

FIG. 7.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a child-resistant closure and particularly to a squeeze-and-turn closure.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many different types of safety closure, or child-resistant closure, have been proposed. Amongst these is a class known as “squeeze-and-turn”. This has a threaded skirt for screw-threaded application to and removal from the neck of a container, and a deformable portion including one or more internal fins or lugs which cooperate with corresponding abutments on the container neck to resist the unscrewing operation until the deformable portion of the closure is deformed to move the fins or lugs clear of the abutments. Examples of this type of closure are disclosed in GB1521201, GB1387572 and EP0443868.

The present invention seeks to address the problems with known squeeze-and-turn closures.

What is not appreciated by the prior art is that when the closure is squeezed this does not always successfully cause the required movement of the fins or lugs because the deformable portion is not deformed sufficiently.

The present invention seeks to address the problems with known squeeze-and-turn closures with a closure comprising a body having a side skirt and locking means carried on or by the skirt for releasably locking the closure on to the container, in which the closure further comprises one or more regions of reduced stiffness in the vicinity of the locking means, and in which the side skirt comprises one or more ribs.

ASPECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a child-resistant, squeeze-and-turn closure for a container, the closure comprising a body having a side skirt and locking means carried on or by the skirt for releasably locking the closure on to the container, in which the closure further comprises one or more regions of reduced stiffness in the vicinity of the locking means, and in which the side skirt comprises one or more ribs.

By providing regions of reduced stiffness, the deformation/deflection of the skirt in the region of the locking means is improved.

The side skirt may comprise a side wall with each rib of the one or more ribs carried on or by the wall. Each rib may be carried on the interior and/or exterior of the wall. In some embodiments, the ribs are created as part of a ‘lightweighting’ exercise in which material is removed, in embodiments without a wall, the same lightweighting exercise could result in a skirt formed entirely from ribs with gaps therebetween. in one embodiment, a ‘basket-like’ or ‘lattice’ configuration is achieved with a crisscross array of ribs.

The body may be at least partly dome-shaped. For example, a body which is entirely dome-shaped is contemplated, as is a frusto-conical body.

The region of reduced stiffness may be provided by a variation in the material of the closure body. For example, a more deformable material could be used to form at least part of the skirt in the region of the locking means. The variation in the material may comprise a portion of reduced thickness, for example an internal or external channel. The ratio of the thickness of the portion of reduced thickness to the thickness of the body immediately adjacent may be in the range 1:5 to 4:5. The thickness of the portion of reduced thickness may be in the range 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

The variation may comprise one or more windows. The windows may comprise bounded apertures passing through the entire thickness of the body. Alternatively, the windows may comprise thinned wall section membranes. The windows/membranes may be transpersed with connecting webs or bridges to give stability. In addition to increasing flexibility of the closure skirt and helping to direct the pressing forces to the required area, the removal of material reduces costs.

The region of reduced thickness may be formed on a child resistant band provided by the closure. The band may be connected to the closure body by one or more of the ribs. The band may provide the region of reduced stiffness. The region of reduced stiffness may be enhanced by providing an absence of connecting ribs over selected regions of the bands.

The variation may be provided in the top plate and/or the side skirt. The variation may be provided in the region of the intersection between the top plate and the side skirt.

The closure may further comprise a defined top plate from which the side skirt depends. The closure may also include a bore seal depending from the top plate and the variation may be located between the bore seal and the skirt.

The present invention also provides a container having a closure as described herein.

The above, and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure formed according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the closure of FIG. 1 in the region of a lateral squeeze pad.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the closure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an under plan perspective view of the closure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an under plan view of the closure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the closure of FIG. 1 in the region of an internal locking lug.

FIG. 7 is a section of the closure of FIG. 6 taken along line A-A.

FIG. 8 is an under plan view of the closure of FIGS. 1 through 7 shown in a locked position.

FIG. 9 is an under plan view of the closure of FIG. 8 shown in an unlocked position.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a closure formed according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of the closure of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a section of the closure of FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of a closure formed according to an alternative embodiment shown in the region of a pressing pad.

FIG. 14 is a side elevation of the closure of FIG. 13 shown in the region of a locking lug.

FIG. 15 is an under plan view of the closure of FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 16 is a magnified view of the region of reduced stiffness formed in the closure of FIGS. 13 through 15.

FIG. 17 is an under plan view of the region of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a side elevation of a closure formed according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is an under plan view of the closure of FIGS. 18 and 19.

FIG. 21 is an under plan view of the closure of FIGS. 18 through 20 shown in a locked position.

FIG. 22 is an under plan view of the closure of FIG. 21 shown in and unlocked position.

FIG. 23 is a side elevation of a closure formed according to and alternative embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of the closure of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a closure formed according to a further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, up, down, over, above, and below may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The words “connect,” “couple,” and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections through mediate elements or devices.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 through 6, there is shown a closure 10. The closure 10 comprises a top plate 20 and a side skirt 30. The top plate 20 comprises a central disc 21 with an inclined annular wall 22 depending from the periphery thereof. At the other end of the annular wall 22 a shoulder 23 extends and merges into the side wall 30.

The closure further comprises an inner wall 35 which is concentric with the skirt 30. The inner wall 35 includes internal screw thread formations 36 for engagement on corresponding external screw thread formations on a container neck (not shown).

The exterior of the open end of the skirt is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed pressing pads. At the open end of the skirt 30 two diametrically opposed wedge-like lugs 40, 45 are internally positioned. The lugs 40, 45 are circumferentially positioned between the pressing pads 31, 32 on the side wall 30 so that the pads 31, 32 and lugs 40, 45 are spaced by 90° from each other, in the same way as the points on a compass.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the shoulder 23 is provided with two portions of reduced thickness in the form of a pair of diametrically opposed interior grooves 50, 55. The grooves 50, 55 are arcuate and extend over approximately 45° of the circumference, with in the region of the lugs 40, 45, with the lugs 40, 45 positioned approximately centrally with respect to the grooves 50, 55 when viewed from below.

The closure 10 also has an annular bore seal GO depending from the inclined wall 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown schematic under plan views of the closure 10.

The closure 10 is shown connected to a container neck 70, which includes external screw thread formations (not shown) for engaging the corresponding threads on the closure 10. The container neck 70 also comprises a pair of diametrically opposed abutment lugs 75, 80 positioned to engage the locking lugs 40, 45 of the closure.

FIG. 8 shows the closure in the locked position in which the closure is fully screwed on to the container neck 70 and the locking lugs 40, 45 engaged the abutment lugs 75, 80 on the container neck. In this position, the closure cannot be rotated relative to the container neck due to the abutment of the closure and container lugs. In order for the closure to be rotated, the lugs 40, 45 must be moved radially outward with respect to the abutment lugs 75, 80. This is effected by squeezing the closure at the pressing pads 31, 32. The closure skirt 30 is flexible and the squeezing action causes it to ovalize as shown in FIG. 9. The lugs 40, 45 can now pass around the outside of the abutment lugs 75, 80 so that with a combined squeeze and turn movement the closure can he unscrewed.

The grooves 50, 55 provide a region of reduced stiffness in the vicinity of the locking lugs 40, 45 which in turn reduces the pressure required on the pads 31, 32 in order to effect a sufficient deformation of the skirt 30 in those regions. In other words, the grooves 50, 55 reduce the resistance of the skirt 30 to flexing in the region of the locking lugs. The ‘hinging’ of the skirt relative to the top plate is therefore improved in these areas. Keeping the material thicker, particularly in the region of the pressing pads, is important for the transmission of force; hence, simply a complete thinning of the entire closure would not produce the desired effect.

The regions of reduced stiffness allow the pressing threes on the pads to be directed to where they are most needed.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 through 12, there is shown a closure 110 according to an alternative embodiment.

The closure 110 is very similar to the closure 10 shown in FIGS. 1 through 9. In this embodiment the portions of reduced stiffness are provided by a pair of diametrically opposed windows 180, 185 formed in the closure shoulder 123. The windows 180, 185 serve a similar purpose to the internal grooves of the closure 10 because they provide portions of reduced stiffness in the region of the locking lugs.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 through 17, there is shown a closure 210 formed according to an alternative embodiment.

The closure 210 is similar to the closure 10 of FIGS. 1 through 7 in that it includes a pair of internal grooves 250, 255 which provide increased flexibility to the skirt in the regions of two locking lugs 240, 245. In this embodiment, the skirt 230 is shorter and the closure includes an intermediate annular wall 290 between the shoulder 223 and the top plate 220. This gives it a more elongate appearance.

The closure 210 does not comprise both an inner wall and a bore seal, but rather a single bore seal 260 which depends from the intersection of the shoulder 223 and the intermediate wall 290. The seal 260 includes internal screw threads 236.

The shoulder region 223 of the closure 210 includes two diametrically opposed internal grooves 250, 255. In this embodiment the thickness of the material adjacent the grooves 250, 255 is approximately 1 mm and the thickness of the material defining the base of the groove is approximately 0.2 mm thick.

The closure operates in the same way as the closure 10 in that the pressing pads are used to ovalize the skirt 230 which moves the locking lugs 240, 245 radially outwards. The grooves 250, 255 promote this movement of the skirt.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 through 20, there is shown a closure 310. The closure 310 comprises a top plate 320 and a side skirt 330. The top plate 320 comprises a circular disc.

The closure further comprises an inner wall 335 (see FIG. 3) depending from the interior of the skirt 330. The inner wall includes internal screw thread formations for engagement on corresponding external screw thread formations on a container neck (not shown).

The skirt 330 depends from the periphery of the top plate 320. The skirt has two major components: (i) an underlying side wall 350; and (ii) a plurality of arcuate ribs 360.

The side wall 350 has three sections: (i) a domed upper section 351; (ii) an annular intermediate section 352; and (iii) an annular lower section 353. The upper section 351 joins the intermediate section 352 at a first step 354; and, similarly a second step 355 joins the intermediate and lower sections 352, 353.

The ribs 360 project from the exterior of the side wall 350. All of the ribs 360 extend from the top plate 320 and over the upper 351 and intermediate 352 side wall sections. in other embodiments (not shown), some or all of a set of ribs extend from a point on the side wall 350 below the top plate 320. Some of the ribs terminate at the second 355 step whereas others continue as described in more details below.

At the end of the skirt, opposite the top plate 320, a child resistant band 365 or hoop is provided. The exterior of the band is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed pressing pads 331, 332. In this embodiment, the pads 331, 332 are generally triangular; other shapes are, of course, possible.

The band 365 is annular and passes around the open end of the side wall annular lower section 353. The band 365 is coaxial with the open end, but with a greater diameter, so that a gap 366 is present.

The side wall 350 is connected to the band 365 by the ribs 360. More specifically, in this embodiment seven ribs 360a extend beyond the second step in the region of each pad 331 and connect to the pad/band. In other embodiments, the band 365 may be connected to the side wall 350 by different numbers of ribs, or by a window or membrane-like thinned wall section.

Two diametrically opposed wedge-like lugs 340,345 are internally positioned on the band 365. The lugs 340, 345 are circumferentially positioned between the pressing pads 331, 332 on the side wall 350 so that the pads 331, 332 and lugs 340, 345 are spaced by 90° from each other, in the same way as the points on a compass.

Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 22 there is shown schematic under plan views of the closure 310.

The closure 310 is shown connected to a container neck 370, which includes external screw thread formations (not shown) for engaging the corresponding threads on the closure 310. The container neck 370 also comprises a pair of diametrically opposed abutment lugs 375, 380 positioned to engage the locking lugs 340, 345 of the closure 310.

FIG. 21 shows the closure 310 in the locked position in which the closure 310 is fully screwed on to the container neck 370 and the locking lugs 340, 345 engaged the abutment lugs 375, 380 on the container neck 370. In this position, the closure 310 cannot be rotated relative to the container neck 370 due to the abutment of the closure 310 and the container lugs. In order for the closure to be rotated, the lugs 340, 345 must be moved radially outward with respect to the abutment lugs 375, 380.

This is effected by squeezing the band 365 at the pressing pads 331, 332. The band is flexible and the squeezing action causes it to ovalize as shown in FIG. 22. When the band 365 flexes, the ribs connected thereto are also caused to flex inwards; this, in turn, causes the side wall 350 to ovalize. The lugs 340, 345 can now pass around the outside of the abutment lugs 375, 380 so that with a combined squeeze and turn movement the closure 310 can be unscrewed.

Because the ribs 360 only connect to the band 365 in the region of the pads 331, 332, this creates regions of reduced stiffness in the vicinity of the lugs, where no extended ribs 360 are present. Accordingly, the force required on the pads 331, 332 is reduced. This has the same effect as localized windows or membrane wall sections.

Referring now to FIGS. 23 through 25, there is shown a closure 410 formed according to an alternative embodiment.

The closure 410 is very similar to the closure 310 shown in FIGS. 18 through 22. In this embodiment, all of the ribs 460 extend so as to connect the band 465. The gap 466 between the band 465 and the side wall provides a region of reduced stiffness on. the closure 410.

Referring now to FIG. 26, there is shown a closure 510 formed according to an alternative embodiment.

The closure 510 is very similar to the closure 410 shown in FIGS. 23 through 25. In this embodiment, additional ribs 561 are provided. The ribs 561 extend across the side wall 550 perpendicular to the ribs 560 to give a crisscross, lattice-like rib structure. All of the ribs 560, 561 connect to the band 565. The gap 566 provides a region of reduced stiffness.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its structure and its operation together with the additional aspects and advantages thereof will best be understood from the description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art or arts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification will specifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word or phrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in the Description is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6, are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s), the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or act in support of the function. Even when the claims recite a “means for” or “step for” performing a function, if they also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means of step, then the intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6, are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developed equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed function.

Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes, modifications, and adaptations may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1.-16. (canceled)

17. A child-resistant squeeze-and-turn closure for a container, said closure comprising:

(a) a body, said body further comprising: (i) a side skirt open at one end; and (ii) an annular child-resistant band passing around said open end, said band comprising: (A) a pair of pressing pads; and (B) locking means circumferentially positioned between said pair of pressing pads for releasably locking said closure onto said container; said side skirt being connected to said band only in the region of said pair of pressing pads to define a gap circumferentially between said pair of pressing pads which provides a region of reduced stiffness in the vicinity of said locking means.

18. A closure, according to claim 17, in which said side skirt comprises one or more ribs.

19. A closure, according to claim 18, in which said side skirt comprises a side wall and each of said one or more ribs is carried on or by said side wall.

20. A closure, according to claim 18, in which said one or more ribs are connected to said pair of pressing pads.

21. A closure, according to claim 17, in which said body is generally dome-shaped.

22. A closure, according to claim 19, in which said closure further comprises a top plate from which said side wall depends.

23. A closure, according to claim 22, in which said closure comprises:

a bore seal depending from said top plate.

24. A container, said container comprising a child-resistant, squeeze-and-turn closure, said closure comprising a body, said body further comprising:

(a) a side skirt open at one end, and wherein said side skirt comprises a side wall;

(b) an annular child-resistant band passing around said open end, said band comprising: (i) a pair of pressing pads; and (ii) locking means circumferentially positioned between said pair of pressing pads for releasably locking said closure onto said container;

said side skirt being connected to said band only in the region of said pair of pressing pads to define a gap circumferentially between said pair of pressing pads which provides a region of reduced stiffness in the vicinity of said locking means.

25. A container, according to claim 24, in which said closure further comprises a top plate from which said side wall depends.

26. A container, according to claim 24, in which said closure comprises a bore seal depending from said top plate.

27. A container, according to claim 24, wherein:

(a) said closure further comprises a shoulder, and wherein said shoulder is provided with two portions of reduced thickness characterized by a pair of diametrically opposed interior grooves; and

(b) said diametrically opposed interior grooves are arcuate and extend over approximately 45° of the circumference of said container.

28. A closure for a container, said closure comprising a body, said body further comprising:

(a) a side skirt open at one end, and wherein said side skirt further comprises: (i) a side wall; and (ii) one or more ribs, wherein said one or more ribs are carried on or by said side wall;

(b) an annular child-resistant band passing around said open end of said side skirt, said band comprising: (i) a pair of pressing pads; and (ii) locking means circumferentially positioned between said pair of pressing pads for releasably locking said closure onto said container;

said side skirt being connected to said band only in the region of said pair of pressing pads to define a gap circumferentially between said pair of pressing pads which provides a region of reduced stiffness in the vicinity of said locking means.

29. A container, according to claim 28, in which said closure further comprises a top plate from which said side wall depends.

30. A container, according to claim 28, in which said closure comprises a bore seal depending from said top plate.

31. A container, according to claim 28, wherein said closure is connected to a container neck, wherein said container neck comprises an external screw thread formation for engaging a set of corresponding threads on said closure.

32. A container, according to claim 28, wherein said closure further comprises a set of locking lugs.

33. A container, according to claim 32, wherein said container neck further comprises a pair of diametrically opposed abutment lugs positioned so as to engage said set of locking lugs.

34. A container, according to claim 28, wherein a second set of one or more ribs extends across said side wall perpendicular to said one or more ribs so as to give a crisscross, lattice-like rib structure, and wherein said one or more ribs and said second set of one or more ribs connect to said band.

35. A container, according to claim 28, wherein said closure further comprises a shoulder, and wherein said shoulder is provided with two portions of reduced thickness characterized by a pair of diametrically opposed interior grooves.

36. A container, according to claim 35, wherein said diametrically opposed interior grooves are arcuate and extend over approximately 45° of the circumference of said container.