CHILD RESISTANT AND TAMPER EVIDENT CAP
A cap for use on a bottle or other container provides child resistant features and tamper evident features while simplifying packaging. The cap includes a collar that will slide over a bead of the container and resist removal after installation. The outer diameter of the collar is preferably substantially the same diameter as that of the bottom of an outer cap element to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
The present application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/204,578 filed Aug. 13, 2015 entitled CHILD RESISTANT AND TAMPER EVIDENT CAP, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUNDField of the Disclosure
The present application relates to a cap that is child resistant and tamper evident. In particular, the present application is related to a cap, preferably for use with a container for storing liquid for use in a vaping device, that is child resistant, tamper evident and easy to install and a container for use therewith.
Relate Art
Recently, the popularity of vaping devices has increased rapidly. These devices vaporize a vaping liquid, sometimes referred to as an e-liquid, which is then inhaled by a user. The vaping liquid may be flavored and may include nicotine. The liquid is generally available in a variety of flavors and nicotine levels. The vaping devices generally allow different vaping liquids to be used as desired by the user and are refillable. The replacement vaping liquid is typically provided in bottles or vials. The recent increase in popularity of vaping has prompted increased regulation in the industry, including regulations related to storing and selling replacement vaping fluid. In many jurisdictions, regulations require that replacement vaping fluid be sold in containers with child resistant caps. In addition, for safety purposes, it is beneficial to also provide caps that are tamper evident to discourage tampering with the product.
Some conventional caps used in the vaping industry provide for child resistance, however, few caps provide for an indication of tampering. Those caps that do provide evidence of tampering typically include a band or collar that remains affixed to the neck of the bottle or container below the cap and under a bead extending outward from the neck of the bottle or container. This band or collar has an inner diameter that this smaller than the diameter of the bead of the bottle or other container, which makes packaging difficult since the collar will not fit over the collar during assembly.
Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a cap for a bottle or container that is child resistant and tamper evident as well as easy to install.
SUMMARYIt is an object of the present invention to provide a cap that includes child resistant properties and also includes tamper evident features while allowing for easy installation such that packaging is simplified.
A container in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a body including a bottom and sidewalls extending upward therefrom, a neck formed at a top of the sidewalls, a locking bead extending outward around the neck, and a cap mounted on top of the neck. The cap includes an inner element releasably secured to the neck, an outer element mounted on the inner element and selectively rotatable relative thereto, wherein the outer element rotates with the inner element when downward pressure is applied to the outer element while rotating and a collar releasably connected to the inner element and positioned at least partially below the locking bead, the collar configured to slide downward over the locking bead while resisting upward movement over the locking bead.
A cap for use on a container including a body with a bottom and sidewalls extending upward therefrom, a neck formed at a top of the sidewalls and a locking bead extending outward around the neck in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an inner element releasably secured to the neck, an outer element mounted on the inner element and selectively rotatable relative thereto, wherein the outer element rotates with the inner element when downward pressure is applied to the outer element while rotating and a collar releasably connected to the inner element and positioned at least partially below the locking bead, the collar configured to slide downward over the locking bead while resisting upward movement over the locking bead.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The cap 10 is child resistant, that is, structured to make easy opening of the container 12 difficult and discourage children from accessing the container. The cap 10 is also tamper evident, that is, structured to indicate that it has been previously opened. The cap 10 preferably includes an outer cap element 10a and an inner cap element 10b mounted inside the outer cap element. The inner cap element 10b preferably includes an inner thread 20 formed around an inner wall thereof. The thread 20 preferably interacts with a thread 30 formed on an outer surface of the neck area 12b of the container 12 to removably secure the inner and outer cap elements 10b, 10a to the container and to seal the container. The outer cap element 10a is mounted on the inner cap element 10b such that the outer cap element will spin relatively freely about the inner cap element when rotated unless downward pressure is applied at the same time. This configuration is common in child resistant caps. As can be seen in
As the inner cap element 10b rotates with the outer cap element 10a, the threads 20 interact with the threads 30 on the container 12 to release or secure the inner and outer cap elements 10b, 10a from the container 12, depending on the direction of rotation. In addition, the inner sidewall of the outer cap element 10a includes one or more inclined protrusions 10e extending inward, while the outer sidewall of the inner cap element 10b includes one or more shaped protrusions 10f extending outward. The protrusions 10e and 10f also interact with each other when the outer cap element 10a is pressed downward such that the outer cap element and inner cap element 10b rotate together. While a specific structure to provide child resistance is discussed herein, other child resistance structures or methods may be used as desired. The inner and outer cap elements 10b, 10a also preferably include a central opening O through which the bulb 14 and pipette 16 extend (See
A collar or ring 18 preferably is connected to the bottom of the inner cap element 10b via one or more ribs 18a. When the cap 10 is installed on a container 12, the collar or ring 18 is positioned at least partially under the locking bead 12c in the neck area 12b of the container 12. In order to remove inner and outer cap elements 10b, 10a from the container 12 such that the interior thereof is accessible, it is necessary to separate the collar 18 from the inner cap element 10b. This separation can only take place if the ribs 18a are broken. As can be seen in
In order to prevent the collar 18 from simply sliding upward over the bead 12c after packing of the substance inside is complete, a plurality of locking protrusions 18b extend inward from the inner surface of the collar 18. These protrusions 18b are flexible upward such that the collar 18 may be lowered down over the bead 12c of the container 12. The protrusions 18b do not flex downward, however, such that, the collar 18 cannot slide upward back over the bead 12c.
While
When the protrusions 100c are separated from the posts 100d, the annular snap bead 102, formed around the inner surface of the outer cap 100a is adjacent and below the blocking bead 104 formed along the outer surface of the inner cap element 100b. When downward pressure is applied to the outer cap 100b, the annular snap bead 102 separates from the blocking bead 104 and the protrusions 100c move down to contact the posts 100d as the tabs 100e bend, such that the outer cap 100a and inner cap 100b will rotate together when a rotational force is applied to the cap 100.
In an embodiment, the cap 100 includes a collar or ring 118 connected to the bottom of the inner cap element 100b via one or more ribs 118a.
In order to prevent the collar 118 from simply sliding upward over the bead 12c after packing of the substance inside is complete, an annular locking flange 118b extends inward from the inner surface of the collar 118. The flange 118b is flexible upward such that the collar 118 may be lowered down over the bead 12c of the container 12. The flange 118b does not flex downward, however, such that, the collar 118 cannot slide upward back over the bead 12c.
In an embodiment, the cap 100 need not include the flexible tabs 100e discussed above.
The cap 10,100 of the present application provides for a reliable seal and easy removal from the container 12 while providing an overall aesthetically pleasing appearance. In addition, the wide collar 18, 118 used with the cap 10,100 makes packaging faster, simpler and less expensive since the cap 10,100, including the collar, can simply be positioned on top of the container 12 with the collar sliding over the bead 12c of the container 12. The protrusions 18b, 118b resist removal of the collar 18,118 such that the collar can still be used to provide evidence of tampering.
While the cap 10,100 preferably provides for child resistant features as described above, other structures may be used if desired to limit children from accessing the contents of the container 12. Further, while child resistance is preferred, it is not necessary. As noted above, the cap 10,100 may be used with or without a bulb and pipette. The cap 10 may also be modified in size to accommodate containers of various sizes, as desired.
Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
Claims
1. A container comprises:
- a body including a bottom and sidewalls extending upward therefrom;
- a neck formed at a top of the sidewalls;
- a locking bead extending outward around the neck; and
- a cap mounted on top of the neck, the cap including: an inner element releasably secured to the neck; an outer element mounted on the inner element and selectively rotatable relative thereto, wherein the outer element rotates with the inner element when downward pressure is applied to the outer element while rotating; and a collar releasably connected to the inner element and positioned at least partially below the locking bead, the collar configured to slide downward over the locking bead while resisting upward movement over the locking bead.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the collar further comprises at least one protrusion extending inward from an inner surface thereof and flexible in an upward direction only.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the collar further comprises a flange extending inward from an inner surface thereof and flexible in an upward direction only.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the collar has an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of the locking bead.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the collar is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the outer element of the cap.
6. The container of claim 1, further comprising:
- a blocking bead formed around an outer surface of the inner element of the cap; and
- a mating lip formed around an inner surface of the outer element below the blocking bead such that the blocking bead is adjacent to the mating lip, the outer element is freely rotatable relative to the inner element.
7. The container of claim 6, wherein the outer element rotates with the inner element when the mating lip is separated from the blocking bead by downward pressure on the outer element.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein the inner element further comprises a top surface with at least one recess formed therein and positioned adjacent to an open center portion thereof.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein the outer element further comprises at least one tooth extending downward from a top surface thereof such that downward pressure on the outer element moves the tooth into the recess and the inner element and outer element rotate together when a rotational force is applied to the outer element.
10. The container of claim 1, wherein the inner element further comprises at least one post extending upward therefrom around an open center portion thereof.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the outer element further comprises at least one tooth extending downward from a top surface thereof such that downward pressure on the outer element moves the at least one tooth toward the at least one upward extending post such that the inner element and outer element rotate together when a rotational force is applied to the outer element.
12. The container of claim 10, wherein the inner element further comprises at least one flexible and resilient tab extending upward from a top surface thereof and in contact with the bottom surface of the outer element and the outer element further comprises at least one tooth extending downward from a top surface thereof such that downward pressure on the outer element bends the at least one flexible and resilient tab and moves the at least one tooth toward the at least one upward extending post such that the inner element and outer element rotate together when a rotational force is applied to the outer element.
13. The container of claim 8, wherein the at least one tooth is ramp-shaped and the at least one recess is ramp shaped and receives the at least one tooth.
14. The container of claim 8, wherein the at least one tooth is rectangular in shape and the at least one recess is rectangular in shape and receives the at least one tooth.
15. The container of claim 1, wherein the inner element is connected to the collar via at least on rib, wherein the rib is visible from an exterior of the container and is disconnected from one of the collar and the inner element after the inner element rotates.
16. A cap for use on a container including a body with a bottom and sidewalls extending upward therefrom, a neck formed at a top of the sidewalls and a locking bead extending outward around the neck, the cap comprising:
- an inner element releasably secured to the neck;
- an outer element mounted on the inner element and selectively rotatable relative thereto, wherein the outer element rotates with the inner element when downward pressure is applied to the outer element while rotating; and
- a collar releasably connected to the inner element and positioned at least partially below the locking bead, the collar configured to slide downward over the locking bead while resisting upward movement over the locking bead.
17. The cap of claim 16, wherein the collar further comprises at least one protrusion extending inward from an inner surface thereof and flexible in an upward direction only.
18. The cap of claim 16, wherein the collar further comprises a flange extending inward from an inner surface thereof and flexible in an upward direction only.
19. The cap of claim 16, wherein the collar has an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of the locking bead.
20. The cap of claim 16, wherein an outer diameter of the collar is substantially the same as an outer diameter of the outer element of the cap.
21. The cap of claim 16, further comprising:
- a blocking bead formed around an outer surface of the inner element; and
- a mating lip formed around an inner surface of the outer element below the blocking bead such that when the blocking bead is adjacent to the mating lip, the outer element is freely rotatable relative to the inner element.
22. The cap of claim 21, wherein the outer element rotates with the inner element when the mating lip is separated from the blocking bead by downward pressure.
23. The cap of claim 16, wherein the inner element further comprises a top surface with at least one recess formed therein.
24. The cap of claim 23, wherein the outer element further comprises at least one tooth extending downward from a top surface thereof such that downward pressure on the outer element moves the tooth into the at least one recess of the inner element and the inner element and outer element rotate together when a rotational force is applied to the outer element.
25. The cap of claim 16 further comprising at least one post extending upward therefrom around an open center portion thereof.
26. The cap of claim 25, wherein the outer element further comprises at least one tooth extending downward from a top surface thereof such that downward pressure on the outer element moves the at least one tooth toward the at least one upward extending post such that the inner element and outer element rotate together when a rotational force is applied to the outer element.
27. The cap of claim 25 wherein the inner element further comprises at least one flexible and resilient tab extending upward from a top surface thereof and in contact with the bottom surface of the outer element and the outer element further comprises at least one tooth extending downward from a top surface thereof such that downward pressure on the outer element bends the at least one flexible and resilient tab and moves the at least one tooth toward the at least one upward extending post such that the inner element and outer element rotate together when a rotational force is applied to the outer element.
28. The cap of claim 23, wherein the at least one tooth is ramp-shaped and the at least one recess is ramp shaped and receives the at least one tooth.
29. The cap of claim 23, wherein the at least one tooth is rectangular in shape and the at least one recess is rectangular in shape and receives the at least one tooth.
30. The cap of claim 16, wherein the inner element is connected to the collar via at least on rib, wherein the rib is visible from an exterior of the container and is disconnected from one of the tamper ring and the inner element after the inner element rotates.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 15, 2016
Publication Date: Feb 16, 2017
Inventor: Bei Guo (Roslyn Heights, NY)
Application Number: 15/237,245