CHILD-RESISTANT COVER

Abstract

Child-resistant covers for a lid are presented including: a planar surface; arcuate side surfaces disposed perpendicular to the planar surface, the arcuate side surfaces positioned equidistant from one another and creating gaps that provide fingertip access to the lid; and a number of locking tabs disposed along a lower edge of each of the arcuate side surfaces to capture the lid. In some embodiments, child-resistant covers further include: a number of tamper-evident seals disposed along the gaps.

Description

BACKGROUND

Child-resistant lids are utilized to keep children out of containers that may have harmful substances. Since the widespread use of child-resistant lids, accidental poisonings have reduced dramatically. While the effectiveness and use of child-resistant lids is well-know, there are no known solutions for converting a standard lid into a child-resistant lid. One problem in the industry is that there is little uniformity in size and thread of lids so a universal child-resistant lid is not practical. Another problem is that the cost of changing over to a child-resistant lid may be overly burdensome and thus lack support among manufacturers. Still another issue is that child-resistant lids may limit advertising space on a lid—an iconic logo, for example, may not be printable in a child-resistant lid. Yet another problem is that in re-using a container, a user may wish to store dangerous materials in a container that has only a standard lid.

As such, child-resistant covers are presented herein.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below.

Child-resistant covers for a lid are presented including: a planar surface; arcuate side surfaces disposed perpendicular to the planar surface, the arcuate side surfaces positioned equidistant from one another and creating gaps that provide fingertip access to the lid; and a number of locking tabs disposed along a lower edge of each of the arcuate side surfaces to capture the lid. In some embodiments, child-resistant covers further include: a number of tamper-evident seals disposed along the gaps. In some embodiments, child-resistant covers further include: a lower band disposed along a bottom edge of each of the arcuate side surfaces and bridging the arcuate side surfaces. In some embodiments, child-resistant covers further include: a support ring embedded in the lower band. In some embodiments, child-resistant covers further include: an opening formed in the planar surface such that a top of the lid is visible. In some embodiments, child-resistant covers further include: a low-friction layer disposed along an inner surface of the arcuate surfaces. In some embodiments, the child-resistant cover is manufactured from a material selected from: a biodegradable polymeric material, a polymeric material, a wood material, a plant-based polymeric material, and a silicone material. In some embodiments, the planar surface is domed.

In other embodiments, child-resistant closures are presented including: a lid; and a child-resistant cover coupled with the lid including: a planar surface; arcuate side surfaces disposed perpendicular to the planar surface, the arcuate side surfaces positioned equidistant from one another and creating gaps that provide fingertip access to the lid; and a number of locking tabs disposed along a lower edge of each of the arcuate side surfaces to capture the lid.

In other embodiments, methods of using a child-resistant cover for a lid are presented including: providing the child-resistant cover, the child-resistant cover including: a planar surface; arcuate side surfaces disposed perpendicular to the planar surface, the arcuate side surfaces positioned equidistant from one another and creating gaps that provide fingertip access to the lid; and a number of locking tabs disposed along a lower edge of each of the arcuate side surfaces to capture the lid; coupling the child-resistant cover with the lid of a container; grasping the lid through the gaps; turning the lid and child-resistant cover to open the container; and removing the lid and child-resistant cover from the container. In some embodiments, the child-resistant cover further includes a number of tamper-evident seals disposed along the gaps, and where the method further includes removing the tamper-evident seals before the grasping the lid through the gaps. In some embodiments, child-resistant covers further include: placing the lid and child-resistant cover on the container; grasping the lid through the gaps; and turning the lid and child-resistant cover to close the container.

The features and advantages described in the specification are not all inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative representation of child-resistant covers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative representation of child-resistant covers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative representation of methods for using child-resistant covers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative representation of methods for using child-resistant covers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an illustrative representation of child-resistant cover in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

In still other instances, specific numeric references such as “first material,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first material” is different than a “second material.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative representation of child-resistant covers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated, child-resistant cover 100 includes planar surface 102. In some embodiments, planar surface may further include a surface treatment or layer, an instructional label, or raised or embossed instructions without limitation. In some embodiments, the planar surface is domed (see FIG. 5). Child-resistant cover 100 further includes arcuate side surface 104, which is disposed substantially perpendicular to planar surface 102. Arcuate side surfaces are further positioned equidistant from one another and create gaps 106 to provide fingertip access to a lid or cap. In embodiments and as illustrated here, two or more arcuate side surfaces may be utilized without limitation. Furthermore, in some embodiments a low-friction layer may be disposed along an inner surface of the arcuate side surface. A low-friction surface is utilized to impede a user from grasping the arcuate side surface to open a lid. Low-friction surface embodiments may be applied in any manner known in the art without limitation.

In addition, not illustrated here are a number of locking tabs. Locking tabs function to secure child-resistant cover embodiments with a lid of a container. Locking tabs will be discussed in further detail below for FIG. 2. Further illustrated is child-resistant cover 110 having tamper-evident seal 112 that covers gap 106. Tamper-evident seals are utilized to indicate whether child-resistant covers have been used or modified. In some examples, tamper-evident seals may be “tear away.” That is, they may be removed by a user to access the gap and therefore the underlying lid. Any tamper-evident seal known in the art may be utilized without limitation. Furthermore, in embodiments, child-resistant covers may be manufactured from a variety of materials including without limitation: a biodegradable polymeric material, a polymeric material, a wood material, a plant-based polymeric material, and a silicone material.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative representation of child-resistant covers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated, child-resistant cover 200 includes planar surface 202. In some embodiments, planar surface may further include a surface treatment or layer, an instructional label, or raised or embossed instructions. In some embodiments, the planar surface is domed (see FIG. 5). Child-resistant cover 200 further includes arcuate side surface 204, which is disposed substantially perpendicular to planar surface 202. Arcuate side surfaces are further positioned equidistant from one another and create gaps 206 to provide fingertip access to a lid or cap. In embodiments and as illustrated here, three arcuate side surfaces are utilized. Furthermore, in some embodiments a low-friction layer may be disposed along an inner surface of the arcuate side surface. A low-friction surface is utilized to impede a user from grasping the arcuate side surface to open a lid. Low-friction surface embodiments may be applied in any manner known in the art without limitation. Child-resistant cover 200 further includes lower band 208 disposed along a bottom edge of each of the arcuate side surfaces. Lower bands are useful to bridge the arcuate side surfaces and provide additional strength and support for child-resistant cover embodiments. In some embodiments, a support ring may be embedded in the lower band for additional strength and support. Although not specifically illustrated, an embedded support structure is well-known in the art and one skilled in the art will readily recognize its structure and manufacture.

Further illustrated is child-resistant cover 210 having opening 212 formed in the planar surface. In embodiments, an opening allows the lid to be visible. It may be appreciated that a lid may contain identifying indicia that may readily inform a user as to the container's content. Child-resistant cover 210 further includes locking tab 214. Locking tabs function to secure child-resistant cover embodiments with a lid of a container. Locking tab 214 is additionally shown in cross section 230 for clarity in understanding embodiments disclosed herein.

Further illustrated is child-resistant cover 220 having tamper-evident seal 222 that covers gap 206. Tamper-evident seals are utilized to indicate whether child-resistant covers have been used or modified. In some examples, tamper-evident seals may be “tear away.” That is, they may be removed by a user to access the gap and therefore the underlying lid. Any tamper-evident seal known in the art may be utilized without limitation. Furthermore, in embodiments, child-resistant covers may be manufactured from a variety of materials including without limitation: a biodegradable polymeric material, a polymeric material, a wood material, a plant-based polymeric material, and a silicone material.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative representation of methods for using child-resistant covers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. At a first step 300, child-resistant cover 302 is provided for container 306 having lid 304. At a next step 310, child-resistant cover 302 is coupled with lid 304. At a next step 320, child-resistant closure 308 (which includes child-resistant cover and lid) is removed from the container. Referring to FIG. 4, which is an illustrative representation of methods for using child-resistant covers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, it may be seen that the child-resistant closure may be rotated counter-clockwise 400 and clockwise 410 by grasping the lid 402 through gaps 404.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative representation of child-resistant cover 500 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In particular, child-resistant cover 500 includes dome surface 502, which may be formed over planar surface or replace planar surface in embodiments.

The terms “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean one or more (but not all) embodiments unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including”, “comprising”, “having” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise. The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. Furthermore, unless explicitly stated, any method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence. Further, the Abstract is provided herein for convenience and should not be employed to construe or limit the overall invention, which is expressed in the claims. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A child-resistant cover for a lid comprising:

a planar surface;

at least two arcuate side surfaces disposed perpendicular to the planar surface, the at least two arcuate side surfaces positioned equidistant from one another and creating at least two gaps that provide fingertip access to the lid; and

a plurality of locking tabs disposed along a lower edge of each of the at least two arcuate side surfaces to capture the lid.

2. The child-resistant cover of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of tamper-evident seals disposed along the at least two gaps.

3. The child-resistant cover of claim 1, further comprising:

a lower band disposed along a bottom edge of each of the at least two arcuate side surfaces and bridging the at least two arcuate side surfaces.

4. The child-resistant cover of claim 3, further comprising:

a support ring embedded in the lower band.

5. The child-resistant cover of claim 3, further comprising:

an opening formed in the planar surface such that a top of the lid is visible.

6. The child-resistant cover of claim 1, further comprising:

a low-friction layer disposed along an inner surface of the at least two arcuate surfaces.

7. The child-resistant cover of claim 1, wherein the child-resistant cover is manufactured from a material selected from: a biodegradable polymeric material, a polymeric material, a wood material, a plant-based polymeric material, and a silicone material.

8. The child-resistant cover of claim 1, wherein the planar surface is domed.

9. A child-resistant closure comprising:

a lid; and

a child-resistant cover coupled with the lid comprising: a planar surface; at least two arcuate side surfaces disposed perpendicular to the planar surface, the at least two arcuate side surfaces positioned equidistant from one another and creating at least two gaps that provide fingertip access to the lid; and a plurality of locking tabs disposed along a lower edge of each of the at least two arcuate side surfaces to capture the lid.

10. The child-resistant closure of claim 9, further comprising:

a plurality of tamper-evident seals disposed along the at least two gaps.

11. The child-resistant closure of claim 9, further comprising:

a lower band disposed along a bottom edge of each of the at least two arcuate side surfaces and bridging the at least two arcuate side surfaces.

12. A method of using a child-resistant cover for a lid comprising:

providing the child-resistant cover, the child-resistant cover comprising:

a planar surface;

at least two arcuate side surfaces disposed perpendicular to the planar surface, the at least two arcuate side surfaces positioned equidistant from one another and creating at least two gaps that provide fingertip access to the lid; and

a plurality of locking tabs disposed along a lower edge of each of the at least two arcuate side surfaces to capture the lid;

coupling the child-resistant cover with the lid of a container;

grasping the lid through the at least two gaps;

turning the lid and child-resistant cover to open the container; and

removing the lid and child-resistant cover from the container.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein

the child-resistant cover further comprises a plurality of tamper-evident seals disposed along the at least two gaps, and wherein

the method further comprises removing the tamper-evident seals before the grasping the lid through the at least two gaps.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

placing the lid and child-resistant cover on the container;

grasping the lid through the at least two gaps; and

turning the lid and child-resistant cover to close the container.