Multiple Functional Medicine Container with Childproof and Non-Childproof Locking Mechanism

A vial with a child-resistant mechanism includes a vial body, wherein the vial body includes an opening portion, a first thread and at least one first snap member, wherein the opening portion has an inner side wall and an outer side wall, wherein the first snap member is provided on the outer side wall for a child-resistant purpose, the first thread is provided the inner side wall of the opening portion and the first thread has a vertical projection length L1 smaller than a circumference L of said inner wall of said opening portion.

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Description
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to any reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a vial, and more particularly to a vial with a child-resistant arrangement, wherein the vial is capable of being used in conjunction with a variety of covers.

2. Description of Related Arts

Existing child-resistant vials which are used by drugstores or pharmaceutical manufacturers to receive medicines therewithin can be divided into two types: one vial is as shown in FIG. 1D, wherein the vial body of the vial is straight, and a child-resistant arrangement is provided on the outer wall of the vial body, wherein this kind of vials are able to employ two kind of covers as shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C. But this kind of vial cannot work coordinating with the cover with an outer thread, which is as shown in FIG. 1A. Another vial used in drugstores comprises a vial body having an inner thread provided on the inner wall of the vial body, wherein the vial bodies of this kind of vial have a child-resistant arrangement provided on the outer wall thereof, and the inner wall is provided with at least one inner thread. This kind of vial can only employ the kind of covers shown in FIG. 1A. And this kind of vial cannot use the easy-open cover show in FIG. 1B and the cover show in FIG. 1C.In other words, because the cover shown in FIG. 1A has an outer thread and only fits a vial body having an inner thread provided on the inner wall thereof, the cover shown in FIG. 1A cannot be used for the vial body shown in FIG. 1D At the same time, because the cover shown in FIG. 1B comprises a ring sealing rib 2511B, so when the cover shown in FIG. 1B covers on a vial body having an inner thread provided on the inner wall thereof, the inner thread of the vial body will prevent the ring sealing rib 2511B being sealedly attaching on the inner wall of the vial body and results in that the cover shown in FIG. 1B cannot seal the opening thereof. So the vial bodies of the existing vials are non-generic, and both of the two vial bodies cannot use all of three covers shown in FIG. 1A to FIG. 1B in general.

The above vial bodies of the vial are uncompatible, so they are not convenience in use. And the drugstores have to provide more than two kinds of vial for meeting different needs of users.

Moreover, people often use a vial without pills and tablet as a small container for receiving small stuff therewithin. The incompatibility of the vial bodies of the existing vials results in that the existing vial is not convenient to use.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a vial/vial body with a child-resistant arrangement, wherein the vial body of the invention is able to use multiple covers, and all of the covers can sealed cover on the opening portion of the vial body.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a vial/vial body with a child-resistant arrangement, wherein the vial body comprises a first thread provided on an inner wall of the opening portion such that the cover shown in FIG. 1A is able to be connected to the opening portion of the vial body, wherein the first thread is an interrupted thread/incomplete thread, and the first thread has a vertical projection length L1 smaller than a circumference L of the inner wall of the opening portion.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a vial/vial body with a child-resistant arrangement, wherein the vial body comprises a first thread provided on an inner wall of the opening portion, and the vial body has a straight structure/cylinder-shaped main structure. In other words, when the auxiliary components of the vial body, for example the first snap member is removed from the vial body, the remaining main structure of the vial body is cylinder-shaped.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a vial/vial body with a child-resistant arrangement, wherein the vial body comprises a first thread provided on an inner wall of the opening portion such that the cover shown in FIG. 1B can be covered on the opening portion of the vial body of the present invention, and when the cover shown in FIG. 1B is interlocked on the opening portion of the vial body of the present invention, the ring sealing rib of the cover is coupled on the terminal end of the first thread and sealedly attached on the inner wall of the opening portion. At the same time, because the interlocking between the sealing rib of the cover shown in FIG. 1B and the first thread results in the deformation of the vial body, so during the process of being covered of the cover, they lead to a click sound to provide a reminding signal for a user.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a vial/vial body with a child-resistant arrangement, wherein the vial body comprises a first thread provided on an inner wall of the opening portion, and at least one first snap member for childproofing is provided on the outer wall of the opening portion such that the cover shown in FIG. 1C can sealedly interlock with the opening portion of the vial body, and when the cover shown in FIG. 1C is interlocked with the opening portion of the vial body, the sealing portion of the resilient sealing member can be located above the first thread or just arrive at the first thread so as to make the resilient sealing member be attached sealedly and tightly on the inner wall of the opening portion.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a vial/vial body with a child-resistant arrangement, wherein the first snap member has an top edge provided horizontally and the outer wall of the opening portion of the vial body defines a shoulder groove surrounding the outer wall, wherein the shoulder groove is extended from the top edge of the first snap member.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a vial/vial body with a child-resistant arrangement, wherein the first thread of the vial body of the vial defines a guiding gap provided between the beginning end and the terminal end thereof.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a vial/vial body with a child-resistant arrangement, wherein the vial body comprises a first thread and at least one second thread provided on the inner wall of the opening portion, wherein both of the vertical projection length L1 of the first thread and the vertical projection length L2 of the second thread are smaller than the circumference L of the inner wall of the opening portion.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a vial/vial body with a child-resistant arrangement, wherein the vial body comprises a first thread and at least one second thread provided on the inner wall of the opening portion, wherein the first thread and the second thread are respectively provided on the inner wall of the opening portion along the inner wall of the opening wall from top to bottom, wherein each of the first thread and the second thread is an interrupted thread/incomplete thread, wherein the total length of the vertical projection length L1 of the first thread and the vertical projection length L2 of the second thread is smaller than the circumference L of the inner wall of the opening portion. Preferably, when the cover shown in FIG. 1B is interlocked the opening portion of the vial body, the ring sealing rib of the cover snaps with the terminal end of the second thread. At the same time, because the snapping between the sealing rib of the cover shown in FIG. 1B and the second thread results in the deformation of the vial body, so during the process of being covered of the cover, they lead to a click sound to provide a reminding signal for a user.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a vial/vial body with a child-resistant arrangement, wherein the first thread of the vial body of the vial and the second thread neighboring to the first thread define a guiding gap for deforming therebetween, and the two neighboring second threads define another guiding gap for deforming therebetween such that the user is able to interlock or interlock easily the cover shown in FIG. 1B with the opening portion of the vial body by pressing the cover.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a vial/vial body with a child-resistant arrangement, wherein both the first thread and the second thread each have a proper length and can be seen as different sections of a complete thread, which are respectively located at different heights, so the first thread and the second thread of the vial body are provided at different heights from top to bottom.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a vial/vial body with a child-resistant arrangement, wherein the first thread and the second thread are respectively and helically provided on the inner wall of the opening portion.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a cover with a child-resistant arrangement, wherein the cover is able to be sealedly covered on various vial bodies.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a cover, wherein the cover is adapted to be covered on the opening portion of the vial body of the present invention, wherein the cover comprises a cover body, at least one second snap member and a resilient sealing member, wherein the cover body has a top side, a bottom side and an outer edge, wherein the second snap member is extended from the outer edge, the resilient sealing member is extended from the bottom side, wherein each of the first snap members defines a locking groove having a down-facing opening, the second snap member comprises at least one protrusion extended inwardly, wherein when the cover is covered on the opening portion, the protrusion is engaged with the locking groove.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a cover, wherein the cover comprises a cover body, an elongated member and a embracing sleeve and an outer edge, wherein the embracing sleeve is extended from the outer edge of the cover body, the elongated member is extended the top side of the cover body, wherein the embracing sleeve has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the opening end of the opening portion of the vial body such that when the top side of the cover faces towards the opening portion and the cover is covered on the opening portion, the embracing sleeve of the cover is connected with the opening portion in the shoulder groove by a interference fitting and the embracing sleeve is capable of ensuring the first thread and/or the second thread is tightly engaged with the groove of the threaded portion of the cover.

In other words, when the opening portion of the vial body is screwed with the thread portion of the cover, the embracing sleeve of the cover is provided to embrace the outer side wall of the opening portion of the vial body and is able to imply a constraint force on the outer wall of the opening portion to minimize the deformation of the opening portion of the vial body, so as to ensure the he first thread and/or the second thread is tightly engaged with the groove of the threaded portion of the cover. Further, when the cover is covered on the opening portion of the vial body, the embracing sleeve of the cover tightly is bias against the outer side wall of the opening portion, so as to define a damp-proof mechanism for sealing the opening portion of the vial body.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a cover, wherein the embracing sleeve of the cover has a height equal to a height of the shoulder groove, so as to make the top edge of the first snap member of the vial body provide a limiting effect to prevent the thread portion of the cover being over-turned or idly turned and damaging the first thread, the second thread of the vial and the thread of the threaded portion of the cover.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by a vial with a child-resistant mechanism, comprising a vial body, wherein the vial includes a vial body, wherein the vial body includes an opening portion, a first thread and at least one first snap member, wherein the opening portion has an inner side wall and an outer side wall, wherein the first snap member is provided on the outer side wall for a child-resistant purpose, the first thread is provided on the inner side wall of the opening portion and the first thread has a vertical projection length L1 smaller than a circumference L of the inner wall of the opening portion.

The present invention further provides a cover, which comprises a cover body, an embracing sleeve and a threaded portion, wherein the cover body has a top side, a bottom side and an outer edge, wherein the embracing sleeve is downwardly extended from the outer edge of the cover body, the threaded portion is downwardly extended form the top side of said cover body, and wherein the embracing sleeve has an inner side.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of an existing vial, illustrating the cover of the existing vial.

FIG. 1B is a front view of an existing vial, illustrating the cover of the existing vial.

FIG. 1C is a front view of an existing vial, illustrating the cover of the existing vial.

FIG. 1D is a front view of an existing vial, illustrating the vial body of the existing vial.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vial according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vial body of the vial according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the vial according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the cover of the vial according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the cover of the vial according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the cover of the vial according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the vial according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a vial, wherein the vial comprises an existing cover shown in FIG. 1B and a vial body according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a vial, wherein the vial comprises an existing cover shown in FIG. 1C and a vial body according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments are provided in the following description only as examples and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined in the following description would be applied to other embodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 9 of the drawings, the vial according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the vial comprises a vial body 10, wherein the vial body comprises an opening portion 11, a first thread 12 and at least a first snap member 13 for child anti-security, wherein the opening portion 11 has an inner side wall 111 and an outer side wall 112, the first thread 12 is provided on the inner side wall 111 of the opening portion 11 and the first thread 12 has a vertical projection length L1 smaller than a circumference L of the inner side wall 111 of the opening portion 11, and the first snap member 13 is provided on the outer side wall 112 of the opening portion 10. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the first thread 12 comprises a beginning end 121 and a terminal end 122, wherein the beginning end 121 and the terminal end 122 of the first thread 12 define a guiding gap 1110 therebetween. In other words, the vial body 10 of the vial has a straight structure or a cylinder-shaped structure, and after the accessory components, for example the first snap member 13 is removed, the remaining structure is cylindrical or cylinder-shaped. Preferably, the vial body 10 has a straight outer wall 100, and the opening portion 11 defines an opening 110. More preferably, the first snap member 13 is integrally provided on the outer side wall 112 of the opening portion 11 such that the opening portion 11 and the first snap member 13 define a strengthening portion 15. Most preferably, the vial body 10 comprises at least three first snap members 13 spacedly and respectively, so the vial body 10 comprises at least three strengthening portions 15, wherein the three strengthening portions 15 are capable of defining a stable endure force structure to preserve an original shape of the opening 110 of the opening portion 11 such that when an existing cover, for example an easy-open cover shown in FIG. 1B, is provided on the opening portion 11, the sealing component (if any) of the cover is able to be coupled sealedly with the inner side wall 111 of the opening portion 11. In other words, the three strengthening portions are capable of minimizing the deformation of the opening portion 11 to enable the sealing component attach tightly on the inner side wall 111 so as to seal the opening portion 11.

It is worth mentioning that because the first thread 12 has a vertical projection length L1 smaller than a circumference L of the inner side wall 111 of the opening portion 11, the beginning end 121 and the terminal end 122 of the first thread 12 define a guiding gap 1110 therebetween such that when a user makes the existing cover shown in FIG. 1B cover on the opening portion 11 of the vial 10, a sealing rib 2511 B of the cover is able to slide downwardly along the first thread 12 and is located below the terminal end 122 of the first thread 12 and is engaged with the terminal end 122 of the first thread 12. At the same time, the guiding gap 1110 is provided to ensure ease of deformation of the vial body and make the sealing rib 2511 B engage easily with the lower edge of the first thread 12. Further, the first thread 12 is provided to enable the cover 20A shown in

FIG. 1A to be screwed with the opening portion 11 of the vial body 10 and the first snap member 13 is provided to enable the cover shown in FIG. 1C be engaged with the vial body 10. Moreover, it is appreciated that the fitting deformation is needed during the process of using the vial, so the vial body 10 is preferably made of deformable plastic material.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first snap member 13 has a top edge 131 provided horizontally, the outer side wall 112 of the opening portion 11 of the vial body 10 defines a shoulder groove 1120 surrounding the outer side wall 112, wherein the shoulder groove 1120 is upwardly extended from the top edge 131 of the first snap member 13. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the vial body further comprises at least one second thread 14, wherein the second thread 14 is provided on the inner side wall 111 of the opening portion 11 and the second thread 14 has a vertical projection length L2 smaller than a circumference L of the inner side wall 111 of the opening portion 11. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the second thread 14 comprises a beginning end 141 and a terminal end 142.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the second thread 14 of the opening portion 10 is provided on the inner side wall 111 of the opening portion 11 and the first thread 12 and the second thread 14 neighboring with the first thread 12 define a guiding gap 1110 extended therebetween downwardly and vertically, and every two neighboring second threads 14 define a guiding gap 1110 extended therebetween downwardly and vertically.

Preferably, each of the first thread 12 and the second thread 14 is helically provided on the inner side wall 111 of the opening portion 11, and a total length of the vertical projection length L1 of the first thread 12 and the vertical projection length L2 of the second thread 14 is smaller than the circumference L of the inner wall 111 of the opening portion 11. More preferably, each of the first thread 12 and the second thread 14 has a suitable length and can be seen as a fragment coming from a complete thread, so the first thread 12 and the second thread 14 are respectively provided on the inner side wall 111 of the opening portion 11 such that each of the first thread 12 and the second thread 14 can be engaged with a groove of a threaded portion 25 of a cover 20.

It is worth mentioning that each of the first thread 12 and the second thread 14 is a incomplete thread/fragmented threadfin other words, both of the first thread 12 and the second thread 14 do not finish a complete coil. The complete thread herein means a continuous thread having at least one complete helix.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, the vial of the present invention further comprises a cover 20 adapted to cover on the opening portion 11 of the vial body 10, wherein the cover 20 comprises a cover body 21, at least one second snap member 22 and a resilient sealing member 23, wherein the cover body 21 has a top side 211, a bottom side 212 and an outer edge 213, wherein the resilient sealing member 23 comprises a resilient pressing portion 231 and a sealing portion 232 extended inwardly and upwardly from the resilient pressing portion 231, and the opening portion 11 of said vial body 10 has a top end 113, wherein the second snap member 22 is extended upwardly from the outer edge 213 of the cover body 21, the resilient pressing portion 231 of the resilient sealing member 23 is extended upwardly from the bottom side 212, wherein each of the first snap members 13 of the vial body defines a locking groove 130 having a downward opening, the second snap member 14 comprises at least one protrusion 221 protruded inwardly, wherein when the bottom side 212 of the cover faces towards the opening portion 11 and the cover 20 covers on the opening portion 11, the protrusions 221 are respectively engaged with the locking groove 130. Preferably, when the bottom side 212 of the cover 20 faces towards the opening portion 11 of the vial body 10 and the cover covers on the opening portion 11, the sealing portion 232 of the resilient sealing member 23 of the cover 20 is positioned above the first thread 12 or substantially reaches the first thread 12 such that the resilient sealing member 23 of the cover 20 is able to attach sealedly on the inner side wall 111 of the opening portion 11. In order to enable the sealing portion 232 of the resilient sealing member 23 to tightly attach on the inner side wall 111 of the opening portion 11, the sealing portion 232 can be selectively made of resilient material and the sealing portion 232 is connected with the inner side wall 111 of the opening portion 11 via an interference fitting connection.

The first snap member 13 of the vial body 10, the second snap member 22 of the cover 20 and the resilient sealing member 23 define a child-resistant mechanism for the vial of the present invention, wherein when the bottom side 212 of the cover body 21 of the cover 20 faces towards the opening portion 11 and the cover 20 covers on the opening portion 11, the resilient sealing member 23 is able to provide an upward resilient force and maintain the second snap member 22 of the cover 20 to engage with the first snap member 13. In other words, because of the upward resilient force of the resilient sealing member 23 and the first snap member 13, the second snap member 22 is forced to engage tightly with the first snap member 13 such that the cover 20 is difficult to be removed from the vial body 10 by a child. The resilient sealing member 23 plays an important role in the process in that the cover 20 is covered on the opening portion 11 of the vial body 10 by a user. When the user makes the cover 20 be covered on the opening portion 11 of the vial body 10, the user can apply a suitable force to make the opening end 113 of the opening portion 11 be biased against the resilient pressing portion 231 of the resilient sealing member 23 to deform the resilient pressing portion 231 of the resilient sealing member 23; and at that moment, the user is able to rotate the cover 20 to make the protrusion 221 of the second snap member 22 align with the locking groove 130 of the first snap member 13. Then, the user can stop providing the suitable force implied on the cover 20, the cover 20 is forced to move upwardly by the resilient force from the resilient sealing member 23 thereby engaging the first snap member 13 with the second snap member 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, every two neighboring first snap members 13 of the vial body define a guiding channel 1121, wherein the protrusion 221 of the second snap member 22 of the cover 20 is able to slide along the guiding channel 1121 and move downwardly.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, the cover 20 further comprises an embracing sleeve 24 and a threaded portion 25, wherein the embracing sleeve 24 is downwardly extended from the outer edge 213 of the cover body 21, the threaded portion 25 is downwardly extended form the top side 211 of the cover body 21, wherein the embracing sleeve 24 has an inner side 241, wherein when the top side 211 of the cover 20 faces towards the opening portion 11 and the cover 20 covers the opening portion 11, the embracing sleeve 24 is capable of being fittedly provided in the shoulder groove 1120 such that the inner side 241 of the embracing sleeve 24 is able to attach sealedly on and biased against the outer side wall 112 of the opening portion 11. In other words, when the embracing sleeve 24 of the cover 20 is provided to embrace the outer side wall 112 of the opening portion 11 of the vial body 10 and is able to apply a constraining force on the outer side wall 112 of the opening portion 11 to minimize the deformation of the opening portion 11 of the vial body 10, this ensures the first thread 12 and/or the second thread 14 are/is tightly engaged with the groove 250 of the threaded portion 25 of the cover 20. Preferably, the embracing sleeve 24 of the cover 20 has a height H1, and the shoulder groove 1120 has a height H2, wherein the height H1 is the same as the height H2 such that when the top side 211 of the cover 20 faces towards the opening portion 11 and the cover 20 is provided to cover on the opening portion 11, the top edge 131 of the first snap member 13 of the opening portion 11 is capable of providing a limit location for the embracing sleeve 24 so as to prevent the thread portion 25 of the cover 25 being excessively rotated or idly rotated and damaging the first thread 12, the second thread 14 and the thread of the threaded portion 25 of the cover 20. In other words, when the top side 211 of the cover 20 faces towards the opening portion 11 and the cover 20 is provided on the opening portion 11, the embracing sleeve 24 is capable of being fittedly provided in said shoulder groove 1120 such that the inner side 241 of the embracing to sleeve 24 embraces sealedly on and is biased against the outer side wall 112 of the opening portion 11 to enable the opening portion 11 to hold the cover 20 provided sealedly on the opening portion 11.

It is worth mentioning that when the top side 211 of the cover 20 faces towards the opening portion 11 and the cover 20 is provided to cover the opening portion 11, the embracing sleeve 24 of the cover 20 is provided to embrace the outer side wall 112 of the opening portion 11 by an interference fitting such that the inner side 241 of the embracing sleeve 24 is tightly attached on and biased against the outer side wall 112 of the opening portion 11 so as to ensure that the embracing sleeve 24 is able to make the opening 110 of the opening portion 11 of the vial body 10 be sealed and the first thread 12 and/or the second thread 14 be tightly engaged with the threaded portion 25 of the cover 20.

As shown in FIG. 7, the embracing sleeve 24 and the threaded portion 25 defines a guiding groove 240 therebetween, wherein the threaded portion 25 defines a thread groove 250, wherein the first thread 12 and/or the second thread 14 is capable of being engaging with the thread groove 250. Preferably, the threaded portion 25 of the cover 20 comprises a complete thread 2511.

In summary, the vial body 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention can use the existing covers shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the cover 20A is a conventional threaded cover, wherein the threaded cover 20A is able to be connected to a vial body 20A via a threaded portion 21 A thereof, wherein the cover 20A can be used for the vial body 10 of the present invention. When the cover 20A is used for the vial body 10 of the present invention by a user, the user can align the cover 20A with the opening portion 11 of the vial body 10 and rotate the cover 20A to make the first thread 12 and/or the second thread 14 be engaged with a screw groove 210A of the thread portion 21A of the cover 20A and the cover 20A be covered on the vial body 10.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the cover 20B is a conventional easy-open cover, wherein the sealing portion 20B of the easy-open cover 20B comprises a ring-shaped sealing rib 20B. As shown in FIG. 9, When the cover 20B is used for the vial body 10 of the present invention by a user, the user can align the cover 20B with the opening portion 11 of the vial body 10 and downwardly presses the cover 20B to enable the cover 20B and/or deform such that the sealing portion 25B is able to downwardly slide and make the first thread 12 and/or the second thread 14 be engaged with a ring sealing rib 2511B of the sealing portion 25B of the cover 20B.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the cover 20C is a conventional child-resistant cover, wherein the cover 20C is able to be engaged with the first snap member 11C of the vial body 10C via the second snap member 25C of the cover 20C, wherein the cover 20C can be used for the vial body 10 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, When the cover 20C is used for the vial body 10 of the present invention by a user, the user can align the cover 20C with the opening portion 11 of the vial body 10 and downwardly press the cover 20C to enable the protrusion 2511C of the second snap member 25C of the cover 20C slide along the guiding channel 1121 of the opening portion 11 of the vial body 10 and move to a suitable position, at the moment, the user is able to rotate the cover 20C to align the protrusion 2511C with the locking groove 130 of the first snap member 13 of the vial body 10. And then, the user can stop providing the press force implied on the cover 20C, the cover 20C is forced to move upwardly by the resilient force from the resilient sealing member 23 make the protrusion 2511C of the second snap member 25C of the cover 20C slide into the locking groove 130 and be engaged with the locking groove 130 of the first snap member 13 of the vial body 10.

It is worth mentioning that the embodiment of the present invention described above is exemplary only, which can be understood by those skilled in the art. The existing covers shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C and the cover shown in FIG. 6 can be used for the vial body 10 of the present invention.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A vial, comprising a vial body having a straight outer wall, wherein said vial body comprises an opening portion defining an opening, and at least one first snap member, wherein said opening portion has an inner side wall and an outer side wall, wherein said first snap member is integrally provided on said outer side wall of said opening portion such that said opening portion and said first snap member define a strengthening portion.

2. The vial, as recited in claim 1, wherein said vial body comprises at least three first snap members provided spacedly and respectively, so said vial body comprises at least three strengthening portions, wherein said three strengthening portions are capable of defining a stable enduring force structure to preserve an original shape of said opening of said opening portion.

3. The vial, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a cover adapted to be provided on said opening portion of said vial body, wherein said cover comprises a cover body and an embracing sleeve, wherein said cover body has a top side, a bottom side and an outer edge, wherein said embracing sleeve is downwardly extended from said outer edge of said cover body, wherein said embracing sleeve has an inner side, wherein said opening portion defines a shoulder groove surrounding said outer side wall, wherein said shoulder groove is upwardly extended from said first snap member, wherein when said top side of said cover faces towards said opening portion and said cover is provided on said opening portion, said embracing sleeve is capable of being fittedly provided in said shoulder groove such that said inner side of said embracing sleeve embraces sealedly on and is biased against said outer side wall of said opening portion to enable said opening portion to hold said cover provided sealedly on said opening portion.

4. The vial, as recited in claim 2, further comprising a cover adapted to be provided on said opening portion of said vial body, wherein said cover comprises a cover body and an embracing sleeve, wherein said cover body has a top side, a bottom side and an outer edge, wherein said embracing sleeve is downwardly extended from said outer edge of said cover body, wherein said embracing sleeve has an inner side, wherein said opening portion defines a shoulder groove surrounding said outer side wall, wherein said shoulder groove is upwardly extended from said first snap member, wherein when said top side of said cover faces towards said opening portion and said cover is provided on said opening portion, said embracing sleeve is capable of being fittedly provided in said shoulder groove such that said inner side of said embracing sleeve embraces sealedly on and is biased against said outer side wall of said opening portion to enable said opening portion to hold said cover provided sealedly on said opening portion.

5. The vial, as recited in claim 1, wherein said vial body further comprises at least one first thread, wherein said first thread is provided on and extended from said inner side wall of said strengthening portion, wherein said first thread has a vertical projection length L1 smaller than a circumference L of said inner side wall of said opening portion.

6. The vial, as recited in claim 4, wherein said vial body further comprises at least one first thread and said cover further comprises a threaded portion, wherein said first thread is provided on and extended from said inner side wall of one of said three strengthening portions, and said threaded portion is downwardly extended from said top side of said cover body, wherein said first thread is capable of being sealedly engaged with said threaded portion of said cover.

7. The vial, as recited in claim 5, wherein said first thread has a vertical projection length L1 smaller than a circumference L of said inner side wall of said opening portion.

8. The vial, as recited in claim 6, wherein said first thread has a vertical projection length L1 smaller than a circumference L of said inner side wall of said opening portion.

9. The vial, as recited in claim 3, wherein said first snap member has a top edge provided horizontally, said shoulder groove is upwardly extended from said top edge of said first snap member, wherein said embracing sleeve has a height H1, and said shoulder groove has a height H2, wherein said height H1 is equal to said height H2 such that when said top side of said cover faces towards said opening portion and said cover is provided on said opening portion, said top edge of said first snap member of said opening portion is capable of providing a limit location for said embracing sleeve so as to prevent said thread portion of said cover being excessively rotated.

10. The vial, as recited in claim 8, wherein said first snap member has a top edge provided horizontally, said shoulder groove is upwardly extended from said top edge of said first snap member, wherein said embracing sleeve has a height H1, and said shoulder groove has a height H2, wherein said height H1 is equal to said height H2 such that when said top side of said cover faces towards said opening portion and said cover is provided on said opening portion, said top edge of said first snap member of said opening portion is capable of providing a limit location for said embracing sleeve so as to prevent said thread portion of said cover being excessively rotated.

11. A vial, comprising a vial body having a straight outer wall, wherein said vial body comprises an opening portion, a first thread and at least one first snap member, wherein said opening portion has an inner side wall and an outer side wall, wherein said first snap member is provided on said outer side wall of said opening portion, said first thread is provided on said inner side wall, wherein said first thread has a vertical projection length L1 smaller than a circumference L of said inner side wall of said opening portion.

12. The vial, as recited in claim 11, wherein said first snap member has a top edge provided horizontally, and said outer side wall of said opening portion of said biased body defines a shoulder groove surrounding said outer side wall, wherein said shoulder groove is upwardly extended from said top edge of said first snap member.

13. The vial, as recited in claim 11, wherein said vial body further comprises at least one second thread, wherein said second thread is provided on said inner side wall of said opening portion, and said second thread has a vertical projection length L2 smaller than a circumference L of said inner side wall of said opening portion.

14. The vial, as recited in claim 12, wherein said vial body further comprises at least one second thread, wherein said second thread is provided on said inner side wall of said opening portion, and said second thread has a vertical projection length L2 smaller than a circumference L of said inner side wall of said opening portion.

15. The vial, as recited in claim 11, wherein said first thread comprises a beginning end and a terminal end, wherein said beginning end and said terminal end of said first thread define a guiding gap therebetween.

16. The vial, as recited in claim 14, wherein said first thread and said second thread neighboring with said first thread define a guiding gap extended therebetween downwardly and vertically, and every two neighboring said second threads define a guiding gap extended therebetween downwardly and vertically.

17. The vial, as recited in claim 12, wherein each of said first thread and said second thread is helically provided on said inner side wall of said opening portion, and a total length of said vertical projection length L1 of said first thread and said vertical projection length L2 of said second thread is smaller than said circumference L of said inner side wall of said opening portion.

18. The vial, as recited in claim 16, wherein each of said first thread and said second thread is helically provided on said inner side wall of said opening portion, and a total length of said vertical projection length L1 of said first thread and said vertical projection length L2 of said second thread is smaller than said circumference L of said inner side wall of said opening portion.

19. The vial, as recited in claim 11, further comprising a cover adapted to cover on said opening portion of said vial body, wherein said cover comprises a cover body, an embracing sleeve and a threaded portion, wherein said cover body has a top side, a bottom side and an outer edge, wherein said embracing sleeve is downwardly extended from said outer edge of said cover body, said threaded portion is downwardly extended form said top side of said cover body, wherein said embracing sleeve has an inner side, wherein when said top side of said cover faces towards said opening portion and said cover covers on said opening portion, said embracing sleeve is capable of being fittedly provided in said shoulder groove such that said inner side of said embracing sleeve is able to attach sealedly on and biasing against said outer side wall of said opening portion to ensure that said embracing sleeve makes said first thread to be engaged tightly with said threaded portion of said cover.

20. The vial, as recited in claim 18, further comprising a cover adapted to cover on said opening portion of said vial body, wherein said cover comprises a cover body, a embracing sleeve and a threaded portion, wherein said cover body has a top side, a bottom side and an outer edge, wherein said embracing sleeve is downwardly extended from said outer edge of said cover body, said threaded portion is downwardly extended form said top side of said cover body, wherein said embracing sleeve has an inner side, wherein when said top side of said cover faces towards said opening portion and said cover covers on said opening portion, said embracing sleeve is capable of being fittedly provided in said shoulder groove such that said inner side of said embracing sleeve is able to attach sealedly on and bias against said outer side wall of said opening portion to ensure that said embracing sleeve makes said first thread and/or said second thread to be engaged tightly with said threaded portion of said cover.

21. The vial, as recited in claim 19, wherein said embracing sleeve has a height H1, and said shoulder groove has a height H2, wherein said height H1 is the same as said height H2 such that when said top side of said cover faces towards said opening portion and said cover covers said opening portion, said top edge of said first snap member of said opening portion is capable of providing a limit location for said embracing sleeve so as to prevent said thread portion of said cover from being excessively rotated.

22. The vial, as recited in claim 20, wherein said embracing sleeve has a height H1, and said shoulder groove has a height H2, wherein said height H1 is the same as said height H2 such that when said top side of said cover faces towards said opening portion and said cover covers said opening portion, said top edge of said first snap member of said opening portion is capable of providing a limit location for said embracing sleeve so as to prevent said thread portion of said cover from being excessively rotated.

23. The vial, as recited in claim 21, wherein said cover further comprises at least one second snap member and a resilient sealing member, wherein said resilient sealing member comprises a resilient pressing portion and a sealing portion extended inwardly and upwardly from said resilient pressing portion, and said opening portion of said vial body has a top end, wherein said second snap member is extended upwardly from said outer edge of said cover body, said resilient pressing portion of said resilient sealing member is extended upwardly from said bottom side, wherein each of said first snap members of said vial body defines a locking groove having a downward opening, said second snap member comprises at least one protrusion protruded inwardly, wherein when said bottom side of said cover faces towards said opening portion and said cover covers said opening portion, said protrusions are respectively engaged with said locking groove.

24. The vial, as recited in claim 22, wherein said cover further comprises at least one second snap member and a resilient sealing member, wherein said resilient sealing member comprises a resilient pressing portion and a sealing portion extended inwardly and upwardly from said resilient pressing portion, and said opening portion of said vial body has a top end, wherein said second snap member is extended upwardly from said outer edge of said cover body, said resilient pressing portion of said resilient sealing member is extended upwardly from said bottom side, wherein each of said first snap members of said vial body defines a locking groove having a downward opening, said second snap member comprises at least one a protrusion protruded inwardly, wherein when said bottom side of said cover faces towards said opening portion and said cover covers said opening portion, said protrusions are respectively engaged with said locking groove.

25. The vial, as recited in claim 23, wherein when said bottom side of said cover faces towards said opening portion and said cover covers said opening portion, said sealing portion of said resilient sealing member of said cover is positioned above said first thread or substantially reaches said first thread such that said resilient sealing member of said cover is able to attach sealedly on said inner side wall of said opening portion.

26. The vial, as recited in claim 24, wherein when said bottom side of said cover faces towards said opening portion and said cover covers said opening portion, said sealing portion of said resilient sealing member of said cover is positioned above said first thread or substantially reaches said first thread such that said resilient sealing portion of said cover is able to attach sealedly on said inner side wall of said opening portion.

27. The vial, as recited in claim 12, wherein each of said first thread and said second thread has a proper length and is defined from a complete screw thread, and said first thread and said second thread are respectively located at different areas having different heights from top to bottom.

28. The vial, as recited in claim 26, wherein each of said first thread and said second thread has a proper length and is defined from a complete screw thread, and said first thread and said second thread are respectively located at different areas having different heights from top to bottom.

29. A cover, comprising a cover body, an embracing sleeve and a threaded portion, wherein said cover body has a top side, a bottom side and an outer edge, wherein said embracing sleeve is downwardly extended from said outer edge of said cover body, said threaded portion is downwardly extended form said top side of said cover body, wherein said embracing sleeve has an inner side.

30. The cover, as recited in claim 29, further comprising at least one second snap member and a resilient sealing member, wherein said resilient sealing member comprises a resilient pressing portion and a sealing portion extended inwardly and upwardly from said resilient pressing portion, and said opening portion of said vial body has a top end, wherein said second snap member is extended upwardly from said outer edge of said cover body, said resilient pressing portion of said resilient sealing member is extended upwardly from said bottom side.

Patent History
Publication number: 20150246755
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 14, 2014
Publication Date: Sep 3, 2015
Inventor: Keming Wang (Shanghai)
Application Number: 14/252,761
Classifications
International Classification: B65D 41/04 (20060101);