Selectively Openable Closure for a Container
A closure for a container, and more specifically a closure that is selectively openable and/or lockable providing, for example, one or more child resistant opening features is disclosed.
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This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/837,327 filed Apr. 23, 2019, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates generally to a closure for a container, and more specifically to a closure that is selectively openable and/or lockable providing, for example, one or more child resistant opening features.
BACKGROUNDIt is often desirable to make a container selectively openable by providing a closure for the container. For example, the closure may be selectively opened and closed and may include a locking or blocking feature that makes it more difficult or resistant to opening by a child.
SUMMARYCertain embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a selectively openable closure for a container. Some embodiments may provide a closure that is resistant to opening by including two separate motions or user inputs to open, for example.
In one aspect, for instance, a package may be provided, comprising a container defining a product storage region. A closure may be coupled to the container and have an opening in the closure that is in communication with the product storage region to allow contents of the product storage region to be dispensed through the closure opening. The closure may include a lid and a base. The lid may be selectively openable and closeable relative to the base by a first user input. A tab may be coupled to the base and having a tab attachment portion that forms a locked position with a lid locking protrusion coupled to the lid. The tab may include a pair of tab stems defining a tab aperture disposed between the tab stems, and the tab aperture is configured to receive the lid locking protrusion when the closure is in the closed and locked positions. The tab attachment portion may be movable by a second user input from the locked position to an unlocked position in which the lid is movable from a closed position to an open position relative to the base. The tab attachment portion may be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by deflecting the tab stems, and the tab stems are biased toward the locked position from the unlocked position.
In another aspect, for instance, a closure may be provided, comprising a lid and a base. The lid may be selectively openable and closeable relative to the base by a first user input. an opening in the base may be configured to allow contents of a container to be dispensed through the opening. A tab may be coupled to the base and having a tab attachment portion that forms a locked position with a lid locking protrusion coupled to the lid. The tab may include a pair of tab stems defining a tab aperture disposed between the tab stems, and the tab aperture is configured to receive the lid locking protrusion when the closure is in the closed and locked positions. The tab attachment portion may be movable by a second user input from the locked position to an unlocked position in which the lid is movable from a closed position to an open position relative to the base. The tab attachment portion may be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by deflecting the tab stems, and the tab stems are biased toward the locked position from the unlocked position.
In yet another aspect, for instance, a package is provided, comprising a container defining a product storage region. A closure may be coupled to the container and having an opening in the closure that is in communication with the product storage region to allow contents of the product storage region to be dispensed through the closure opening. The closure may include a lid and a base, wherein the lid is selectively openable and closeable relative to the base by a first user input. A tab may be coupled to the base and having a tab attachment portion that forms a locked position with a lid locking protrusion coupled to the lid. The tab attachment portion may be movable by a second user input from the locked position to an unlocked position in which the lid is movable from a closed position to an open position relative to the base. The tab attachment portion may be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by deflecting the tab, and the tab is biased toward the locked position from the unlocked position.
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures, in which:
Embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments are shown. As used in the specification, and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the”, include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The terms “substantial” or “substantially” may encompass the whole as specified, according to certain embodiments, or largely but not the whole specified according to other embodiments.
Some embodiments of a package 5 such as shown in
Closure 20 may include a lid 110 that is selectively openable relative to a closure base 120 by one or more user inputs, and/or selectively closeable relative to closure base to provide the closed and/or locked position shown in
Lid 110 may include a cover 111 and/or a lid skirt 112 that prevent, inhibit, and/or block access to product storage region 19 when in the closed position shown in
Lid 110 may open from an end or area opposite hinge 130, for example, diametrically opposed hinge 130, to facilitate opening of lid 110 relative to base 120, or for any other reason or combination of reasons. Lid 110 may include a lid locking protrusion 114 at or near the end or area opposite hinge 130, and/or locking protrusion 114 may project in a radial direction and/or be configured to form a mechanical stop with a corresponding feature of tab 140, such as a tab attachment portion 142 that may include, for example, a tab aperture, tab protrusion, and/or inward edge. While in the closed position and in a resting state, tab attachment portion 142 may radially overlap and/or extend radially inwardly over lid locking protrusion 114, and/or be provided in a locked position such that tab attachment portion 142 inhibits or prevents upward movement of lid locking protrusion 114 relative to tab attachment portion 142 and consequently inhibits or prevents lid 110 from rotating or moving to an open position relative to base 120. Tab 140 may be coupled, attached, and/or integrally formed with base 120 to facilitate locking of lid 110 in the closed position. Tab 140 may be coupled or attached to base 120, and/or integrally formed therewith, for example, by one or more tab stems 143, which may extend downwardly from tab 140 and/or be disposed radially between tab attachment portion 142 and a tab outer tip 141. A tab aperture may be formed between tab stems 143, which may form and/or be included in tab attachment portion 142, for example, by providing a location for insertion of lid locking protrusion 114 in combination with the inward edge of the top of tab 140.
As shown in
Base 120 may include an inner base rim 127 that may define an opening through base 120 into product storage region 19, via an opening in container neck 14, when base 120 is coupled to container 10, as shown for example in
Package 5 and/or closure 20 may be provided in an open position such as is shown in
The lid locking protrusion 114 may be disposed between the first bumper 121 and the second bumper 122, and/or may be located radially inwardly of an outer edge of either or both of first bumper 121 and second bumper 122. Either or both of first lip 128 and second lip 129 may extend in a vertical direction on at least one side of the tab 140. Either or both of first lip 128 and second lip 129 may be flush with an outer circumference of the closure base, such as at an outer edge or surface of outer skirt 123, may extend in the vertical direction, and/or may be disposed on opposite sides of the tab, as shown for example in the various figures. While the first lip 128 and second lip 129 are shown extending upwardly from the base, it is understood either or both may extend downwardly from the lid 110. The first lip 128 may partially block the first bumper 121 when in the closed position, as shown for example in
It is understood that package 5 and/or any component thereof may be made of any of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, any of a variety of suitable plastics material, any other material, or any combination thereof. Suitable plastics material may include, but is not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), crystallized polyethylene terephthalate (CPET), mixtures and combinations thereof, or any other plastics material or any mixtures and combinations thereof. It is understood that multiple layers of material may be used for any of a variety of reasons, including to improve barrier properties, or to provide known functions related to multiple layer structures. The multiple layers, if included, may be of various materials, including but not limited to those recited herein.
It is further understood that package 5 or any component thereof may be substantially rigid, substantially flexible, a hybrid of rigid and flexible, or any combination of rigid, flexible, and/or hybrid, such as having some areas be flexible and some rigid. It is understood that these examples are merely illustrative, are not limiting, and are provided to illustrate the versatility of options available in various embodiments of package 5.
It is further understood that any of a variety of processes or combination thereof may be used to form package 5 and/or bottle or container 10, any component thereof, or any layer or substrate used therein. For example, any component, layer, or substrate, or combination thereof, may be thermoformed, injection molded, injection stretch blow molded, blow molded, extrusion blow molded, coextruded, subjected to any other suitable process, or subjected to any combination thereof. In some embodiments, container 10 and/or any component thereof may be formed substantially of injection stretch blow molded PET, although other materials and forming processes may be used instead of or in addition to PET and injection stretch blow molding, respectively. Various materials and/or processes may be used to form package 5 and/or any component thereof as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, bottle 10 may be substantially a one-piece design and/or substantially formed as an integral or unitary structure.
These and other modifications and variations may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and it is not intended to limit the scope of that which is described in the claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the exemplary description of the versions contained herein.
Claims
1. A package, comprising:
- a container defining a product storage region; and
- a closure coupled to the container and having an opening in the closure that is in communication with the product storage region to allow contents of the product storage region to be dispensed through the closure opening;
- wherein the closure includes a lid and a base, wherein the lid is selectively openable and closeable relative to the base by a first user input; and
- a tab coupled to the base and having a tab attachment portion that forms a locked position with a lid locking protrusion coupled to the lid;
- wherein the tab includes a pair of tab stems defining a tab aperture disposed between the tab stems, and the tab aperture is configured to receive the lid locking protrusion when the closure is in the closed and locked positions;
- wherein the tab attachment portion is movable by a second user input from the locked position to an unlocked position in which the lid is movable from a closed position to an open position relative to the base; and
- wherein the tab attachment portion is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by deflecting the tab stems, and the tab stems are biased toward the locked position from the unlocked position.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein the lid is coupled to the base by a hinge that allows rotational movement of the lid relative to the base.
3. The package of claim 1, wherein the lid locking protrusion is disposed between a first bumper and a second bumper.
4. The package of claim 1, wherein at least one lip extends in a vertical direction on at least one side of the tab.
5. The package of claim 4, including a first lip and a second lip that are flush with an outer circumference of the closure base, extend in the vertical direction, and are disposed on opposite sides of the tab.
6. The package of claim 5, wherein the first lip and second lip extend upwardly from the base.
7. The package of claim 6, wherein the first lip partially blocks the first bumper when in the closed position.
8. The package of claim 7, wherein the second lip partially blocks the second bumper when in the closed position.
9. The package of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ribs adjacent the closure opening.
10. The package of claim 9, wherein the plurality of ribs is configured to funnel a pill away from the closure skirt and toward the closure opening.
11. A closure, comprising:
- a lid and a base, wherein the lid is selectively openable and closeable relative to the base by a first user input;
- an opening in the base that is configured to allow contents of a container to be dispensed through the opening; and
- a tab coupled to the base and having a tab attachment portion that forms a locked position with a lid locking protrusion coupled to the lid;
- wherein the tab includes a pair of tab stems defining a tab aperture disposed between the tab stems, and the tab aperture is configured to receive the lid locking protrusion when the closure is in the closed and locked positions;
- wherein the tab attachment portion is movable by a second user input from the locked position to an unlocked position in which the lid is movable from a closed position to an open position relative to the base; and
- wherein the tab attachment portion is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by deflecting the tab stems, and the tab stems are biased toward the locked position from the unlocked position.
12. The closure of claim 11, wherein the lid is coupled to the base by a hinge that allows rotational movement of the lid relative to the base.
13. The closure of claim 11, wherein the lid locking protrusion is disposed between a first bumper and a second bumper.
14. The closure of claim 11, wherein at least one lip extends in a vertical direction on at least one side of the tab.
15. The closure of claim 14, including a first lip and a second lip that are flush with an outer circumference of the closure base, extend in the vertical direction, and are disposed on opposite sides of the tab.
16. The closure of claim 15, wherein the first lip and second lip extend upwardly from the base.
17. The closure of claim 16, wherein the first lip partially blocks the first bumper when in the closed position.
18. The closure of claim 17, wherein the second lip partially blocks the second bumper when in the closed position.
19. The closure of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of ribs adjacent the closure opening, wherein the plurality of ribs is configured to funnel a pill away from the closure skirt and toward the closure opening.
20. A package, comprising:
- a container defining a product storage region; and
- a closure coupled to the container and having an opening in the closure that is in communication with the product storage region to allow contents of the product storage region to be dispensed through the closure opening;
- wherein the closure includes a lid and a base, wherein the lid is selectively openable and closeable relative to the base by a first user input; and
- a tab coupled to the base and having a tab attachment portion that forms a locked position with a lid locking protrusion coupled to the lid;
- wherein the tab attachment portion is movable by a second user input from the locked position to an unlocked position in which the lid is movable from a closed position to an open position relative to the base; and
- wherein the tab attachment portion is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by deflecting the tab, and the tab is biased toward the locked position from the unlocked position.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 22, 2020
Publication Date: Oct 29, 2020
Applicant: Berry Global, Inc. (Evansville, IN)
Inventors: Jordan Robert French (Evansville, IN), Seth A. Tempel (Evansville, IN), John A. Vassallo (Lititz, PA), Steven Daniel Gift (Lititz, PA)
Application Number: 16/855,743