CA1060385A - Safety closure device - Google Patents
Safety closure deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1060385A CA1060385A CA142,003A CA142003A CA1060385A CA 1060385 A CA1060385 A CA 1060385A CA 142003 A CA142003 A CA 142003A CA 1060385 A CA1060385 A CA 1060385A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cap
- container
- locking elements
- neck
- base
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
- B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
- B65D41/06—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with bayonet cams, i.e. removed by first pushing axially to disengage the cams and then rotating
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
A safety package including a container having a neck or mouth portion with an annular rim and a one-piece, molded plastic, childproof safety cap. The cap includes an annular base portion, and an axially extending cylindrical outer flange projecting from the outer periphery of the annular base portion to fit over the neck of the container in telescoped relationship therewith. A
plurality of spaced cap locking elements, or locking formations, project inwardly from the inner surface of the outer flange for cooperation with complementary container locking elements, or for-mations, on the container neck such that combined axial and rotary motion is required when the cap is applied to and removed from the container. The cap is formed with an axially descending, resilient, flexible member enclosed by the outer flange for engaging the container when the cap is applied thereto and exert-ing a biasing force between the cap and container. The resilient flexible member includes first and second annular ends spaced from each other, the first annular end being integrally joined to the inner periphery of the annular base portion, and means closing the second annular end of the resilient flexible member.
A safety package including a container having a neck or mouth portion with an annular rim and a one-piece, molded plastic, childproof safety cap. The cap includes an annular base portion, and an axially extending cylindrical outer flange projecting from the outer periphery of the annular base portion to fit over the neck of the container in telescoped relationship therewith. A
plurality of spaced cap locking elements, or locking formations, project inwardly from the inner surface of the outer flange for cooperation with complementary container locking elements, or for-mations, on the container neck such that combined axial and rotary motion is required when the cap is applied to and removed from the container. The cap is formed with an axially descending, resilient, flexible member enclosed by the outer flange for engaging the container when the cap is applied thereto and exert-ing a biasing force between the cap and container. The resilient flexible member includes first and second annular ends spaced from each other, the first annular end being integrally joined to the inner periphery of the annular base portion, and means closing the second annular end of the resilient flexible member.
Description
-".`:i ; ~) ~` 106038S
~ This invention relates generally to ch~ldproo safety . .
closures and container assemblies and is particularly concerned ..
with safety closuring container assemblies of the type wherein ~' it is necessary to apply combined axial and rotary motions in ` ~ 5 order to remove the cap or closure from the container in order ~, to obtain access to the contents of the container.
~¦ The number of accidentàl poisonings resulting from ~ .
young children having access to unsafe medicines, drugs, house-hold chemicals and other products has reached unacceptable pro-10 portions. There has consequently been a considerable amount of q activity toward developing a childproof safety package, including a container closure that requires a type of manipulation in order ` ~ ~ to gain access to the contents of the container that a young ~ child is incapable of performing. It has been found that young ?
15 children are ~ncapable of manipulating a cap mounted on a con-`~ ~ tainer with bayonet-type locking means, that is, a type of lock-``~ ing means that requires that a cap be pushed axially relative t~
the container and then rotated relative to the container in order to separate the cap from the container. The cap must be pushed axially toward the containe~ against the biasing force of a n~ spring in order to disengag\e the bayonet locking means. See, for ~ ~ example, Hedgewick Canadian Patent 870,963 of May 18, 1971.
. ~
Canadian Patent 872,640 of June 8, 1971 discloses a safety package including a container having a neck, or mouth ~5 portion with an annular rim; a one~piece cap having a base with a peripheral flange projecting axially therefrom for receiving ~x ~ the mouth portion; interengageable locking elements on the outer wall of the mouth of the container and inner wall of the flange of the cap, the cap locking elements being spaced peripherially from each other and engagable.with and disengagable from the container locking elements by combined axial and rotat~ve motion ; of the cap relative to the container. A resilient flexible ~ , l -1-i ~;
10~0~85 member is formed on the base of the cap, the resilient flexible member having an inner annular end joined integrally to the base .~r ~
of the cap. The resilient flexible member extends axially from the base of the cap and terminates in an outer, annular free end, ~-~ S the inner annular end at the juncture with the base having a . ~ y ., `` ` diameter at least as large as that of the outer annular free end, ` the outer annular free end being engageable with the container to exert a biasing force in an axial direction between the cap and container when the locking elements are engaged.
The present invention çonstitutes a variation on the invention of Canadian Patent 872,640 in that the base portion of ~; ~ the cap is annular with the cylindrical outer flange of the cap project~ng from thè outer periphery of the annular base portion to fit over the mouth portion, or neck, of the container in telescoped relationship therewith, and the axially depending resilient flexible member for-exerting a biasing force between the cap and container being integrally joined to the inner per-; iphery of the annular base portion. The resilient flexible mem-ber of the cap according to the present invention has f~rst and second annular ends spaced from each other, the first annular end -- .
being integrally joined to th~ inner periphery of the annular base portion. Means in the form of a substantially flat disc is integrally ~oined at its periphery to th,e second annular ena to closQ the second annular end of the resilient flexible member.
~ This invention relates generally to ch~ldproo safety . .
closures and container assemblies and is particularly concerned ..
with safety closuring container assemblies of the type wherein ~' it is necessary to apply combined axial and rotary motions in ` ~ 5 order to remove the cap or closure from the container in order ~, to obtain access to the contents of the container.
~¦ The number of accidentàl poisonings resulting from ~ .
young children having access to unsafe medicines, drugs, house-hold chemicals and other products has reached unacceptable pro-10 portions. There has consequently been a considerable amount of q activity toward developing a childproof safety package, including a container closure that requires a type of manipulation in order ` ~ ~ to gain access to the contents of the container that a young ~ child is incapable of performing. It has been found that young ?
15 children are ~ncapable of manipulating a cap mounted on a con-`~ ~ tainer with bayonet-type locking means, that is, a type of lock-``~ ing means that requires that a cap be pushed axially relative t~
the container and then rotated relative to the container in order to separate the cap from the container. The cap must be pushed axially toward the containe~ against the biasing force of a n~ spring in order to disengag\e the bayonet locking means. See, for ~ ~ example, Hedgewick Canadian Patent 870,963 of May 18, 1971.
. ~
Canadian Patent 872,640 of June 8, 1971 discloses a safety package including a container having a neck, or mouth ~5 portion with an annular rim; a one~piece cap having a base with a peripheral flange projecting axially therefrom for receiving ~x ~ the mouth portion; interengageable locking elements on the outer wall of the mouth of the container and inner wall of the flange of the cap, the cap locking elements being spaced peripherially from each other and engagable.with and disengagable from the container locking elements by combined axial and rotat~ve motion ; of the cap relative to the container. A resilient flexible ~ , l -1-i ~;
10~0~85 member is formed on the base of the cap, the resilient flexible member having an inner annular end joined integrally to the base .~r ~
of the cap. The resilient flexible member extends axially from the base of the cap and terminates in an outer, annular free end, ~-~ S the inner annular end at the juncture with the base having a . ~ y ., `` ` diameter at least as large as that of the outer annular free end, ` the outer annular free end being engageable with the container to exert a biasing force in an axial direction between the cap and container when the locking elements are engaged.
The present invention çonstitutes a variation on the invention of Canadian Patent 872,640 in that the base portion of ~; ~ the cap is annular with the cylindrical outer flange of the cap project~ng from thè outer periphery of the annular base portion to fit over the mouth portion, or neck, of the container in telescoped relationship therewith, and the axially depending resilient flexible member for-exerting a biasing force between the cap and container being integrally joined to the inner per-; iphery of the annular base portion. The resilient flexible mem-ber of the cap according to the present invention has f~rst and second annular ends spaced from each other, the first annular end -- .
being integrally joined to th~ inner periphery of the annular base portion. Means in the form of a substantially flat disc is integrally ~oined at its periphery to th,e second annular ena to closQ the second annular end of the resilient flexible member.
2~ In one embodiment o th~ invention, the second annular end of the resilient flexible member is located in substantially co-planar relationship with the first annular end when the resilient flexible member is in an unstressed cond~tion. Conse-quently, the closure member joined to the periphery of the second annular end defines a part of the base portion such that the base of the cap includes a peripheral annular portion which surrounds a central disc-like portion, the central disc-like portion being ~` . 106()385 the closure mem~er ~oined $ntegrally to the second annular end of the res~l~ent flexible member. In this embodiment, the resilient ;` " ~ ?
flexible member is of dished cross section such that the resil-ient flexible member has spaced inner and outer wall portions ~oined respectively to the peripheral annular portion of the base and the central portion of the base.
In another embodiment of the invention, the second annular end of the resilient flexible member is of smaller dia-meter than the first annular end and is spaced axially from the first annular end, the resilient flexible member comprising a relatively thin, radially yieldable frusto-conical member extend-ing between the first and second annular ends. When the cap is applied to the container in locked relationship therewith, the ;` i frusto-conical resilient flexible member projects into the mouth portion of the container and is engaged intermediate the first ` and second annular ends of the-inner edge of the rim of the con-~` ~ tainer and is radially yieldably compressed thereby to exert a `~ ` biasing force in an axial direction between the cap and the container.
~`` 20 The objects, advantages and features of the i ~ ention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGUR~ 1 is a sectional view of a safety cap and con-` tainer according to a first form of the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 with the cap shown in a different position;
\ FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a safety cap and con-`~ tainer embodying the invention in a second form; and FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 with the cap in a different position.
. FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate a safety pac~age including a container 2 having a neck or mouth psrtion 4 with an annular rim `~' ~ ~3~
,~
10~ 85 r 6. The nec~ of the container 2 19 formed with container locking elements or formations 8a and 8b, there being a pair of diametri-~, ;~ cally opposed locking elements 8a and a pair of diametrically opposed locking elements 8b, each locking elements 8a being 5 located 90 from an adjacent locking element 8b. Each locking `~ element 8a is formed with a cam surface 10, a side wall 12, and a top wall 14. The locking elements 8b are identical to the locking elements 8a except that a stop wall 16 depends from the '-'? ~ .
`~j top wall 14 on the opposite end thereof from the side wall 12.
The loc~ing elements 8b thus~are formed with notches, the notches being defined by the vertical surfaces 12 and 16 and the top, horizontal surface 14. Alternatively, all of the locking forma-`~` ` ~ tions may be identical to the locking formations 8b as is the `, case in, for example, U.S. Patent 3,613,928.
~`I 15 Mounted on container 2 is a one-piece, molded plastic safety cap designated collectively by reference numeral 18. The ~ cap 18 comprises an annular base portion 20, and an axially ex-`~ ~ tending cylindrical outer flange 22 projecting from the outer periphery of the annular base portion 20 and sized to fit over 20 the neck 4 of the container 2 in telescoped relationship there-¦ with. A plurality of spaced cap locking elements or formations 24 project inwardly from the inner surface of the outer flange 22 ;~ for cooperation with the complementary formations 8a, 8b on the ` container 2 such that combined axial and rotary motion is requir-. . .
ed when the cap is applied to and removed from the container 2.
~ An axially depending resilient flexible member 24 is enGlosed by -~ the outer flange 22 for engaginq the container when the cap is applied thereto, and for exerting a biasing force between the cap and container. The resilient flexible member 24 has first and `'` `~`? ~
~`? 30 second annular ends 26 and 28 respectively, spaced from each other, the first annular end 26 being integrally joined to the J inner periphery of the annular base portion. Means 30 in the `"`1 4 ' :~ _ _ ; I
:~ ~ 8S
.. ~
, ", i form of a substantially flat disk is integrally ~oined at its periphery to the second annular end 28.
In order to apply the cap 18 to the container 2, the neck or mouth portion 4 of the container is inserted into the cylindrical flange 22 of the cap with the cap locking elements i 24 aligned with the spaces between the container locking elements 8a and 8b. The lower, free end 25 of the resilient flexible ` I m~mber 24 engages the annular rim 6 of the container to resil-. j ¦ ~ently resist further axial movement of the cap locking elements 24 in a direction toward the collar 18 formed on the container 2.
~ The cap is then rotated relative to thè container until the cap .~r~ ` locking elements 24 engage~ the cam surfaces 10 on the container , locking elements 8a and 8b. Further rotation of the cap causes the cap locking elements 24 to follow the cam surface 10 to re-siliently deflect the resilient flexible member 24 to the approx-imate position shown in FIGVRE 2 until the cap locking elements 24 ` ~ clear the lowermost point of the cam surface 10, after which, ~ 1 release of the cap results in the cap locking elements 24 being ~-~d biased upwardly into engagement with the top surfaces 14 of the respective container locking formations 8a, 8b due to the resil-~' ient action of the resiliant flexible member 24. Rotation of the `'~ cap 18 relative to the container is blocked by the stop surfaces 16 and 12 on the container locking elements 8b. Thus, in order to remove the cap 18 from the container, it is necessary to again depress the outer cylindrical wall 22 to the position shown in FIGURE 2 until the cap locking elements 24 clear ~he junction be-~ ~, ,j tween the surfaces 12 and 10 of the container locking elements 8a, 8b. The cap may then be rotated in a direction to move the cap locking elements 24 away from the stop wall until the cap locking elements 24 are again aligned with the spaces between the " ~¦ container locking elements permitting axial withdrawal of the cap ¦ from the container.
. I -5-L
; ~ :
`` ~` `: ~ 0385 ' In the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2, the second ~ ' - annular end 28 of the resilient flexible member 24 is of smaller diameter than the first annular end 26, and is located in sub-.-. stantially co-planar relationship with the first annular end 26 Y, 5 when the resilient flexible member is in its unstressed condi-tlon as shown approximately in FIGURE 1. The disk 30 thus may t be said to define a part of the base or end wall of the cap 18, the base or end wall consisting of a central disk-like portion 30 and a peripheral annular base portion 20 surrounding the cen-10 tral portion 30 and being spaced therefrom, and the resilient ~ ~;
flexible member can be said to have spaced inner and outer wall portions joined together at the outer annular free end 25, the ; outer wall portion`being joined at its inner end 26 to the inner periphery of the peripheral annular portion 20 of the base, the inner wall portion bein~ joined at its inner end to the peri- -~ phery of the central portion 30 of the base. The resilient `~` flexible member 24, in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2, com- -.
n j prises a relatively thin member of generally dished configura-~-~ ~ tion in cross section which extends between the first and second ends 26 and 28.
~`¦ The resiliency and deformability of the member 24 `' establishes both a resiliently preloaded seal against the rim 6 of the container as well as preloaded lo,cking action to render ; ¦ ~ t~e contents of the container 2 inaccessible to young children.
The annular base portion 20 is formed with openings 21 each of which overrides one of the cap locking elements 24. The upper surfaces of the lugs, or locking elements 24, may be formed flat by pins inserted through the base portion 20 during the mold-ing of the cap at 18 as is disclosed in Canadian Patent 870,963.
. 30 FIGURES 3 and 4 disclose a safety package including a ` container 102 having a mouth portion, or neck 104, and an annular rim 106. The container is formed with container loc~ing elements ~ ~45 1~ 8S
or formations 108 which project outwardly from the outer surface of the neck 104 and include a cam portion 110, and a notch de-fined by a top wall 114, a side wall 112, and a stop portion 116.
The locking elements 108 may be identical to the container lock-ing elements disclosed in Canadian Patent 870,963, for example.
Mounted on the container 102 is a one-piece, molded plastic saety cap 118 including an annular base portion 120, an axially extending cylindrical outer flange 122 projecting from the outer periphery of the annular base portion 120 to fit over the neck 104 of the container 102 in telescoped relation-ship ~herewith. A plurality of spaced cap locking elements or formations 124 project inwardly from the inner surface of the outer flange 122 for cooperation with the complementary forma-tions 108 on the container neck 104 such that combined axial and rotary motion is required when the cap is applied to and removed from the container 102. The cap 118 is formed with an axially depending resilient flexible member 125 enclosed by the outer flange 122 for engaging the container 102 when the cap is applied thereto and for exerting a biasing force between the cap and container. The resilient flexible member 125 has first and second annular ends 126 and 128 spaced from each other, the first annular end 126 being integrally joined to the inner periphery of the annular base portion 120. Means in the form ~f a substantially flat disk 130 is integrally joined at its periphery to the second annular end 128 to close the second annular end 128.
As is apparent from FIGURES 3 and 4, the second annular end 128 of the resilient flexible member 125 is of smaller diameter than the first annular end 126, and the second annular end 128 is spaced axially from the first annular end 126, the resilient flexible member 125 comprising a relatively thin, radially yieldable frusto-conical member 125 extending l()~ S
~'r 45 between the first and second annular ends 126 and 128.
In order to place the cap 118 onto the container 102 the container neck 104 is inserted into the peripheral outer flange 122 with the cap locking elements 124 aligned with the 5 spaces between the adjacent container locking elements 108.
The lower end of the tapered frusto-conical resilient flexible member 125 is received in the mouth portion of the container, the outer surface of t~e frusto-conical member 125 engaging the inner edge of the rim 106. Rotation of the cap relative to the container causes the cap locking elements 124 to engage the cam portions 110 of the respective container locking elements 108 such that continued rotation causes the cap locking elements 124 to ride down the cam surface 110 until the cap locking element clears the junction between the surface 112 and cam surface 110. The downward movement of the cap locking elements along the cam surface 110 causes the resilient flexible member to yield radially inwardly as illustrated in FIGURE 4 to exert a biasing force in an axial direction between the cap and con-tainer. When the container locking elements 124 are aligned 20 with the notches defined by the surfaces 112~ 114 and 116, the locking elements 124 are urged into engagement with the top sur-face 114 as illustrated in FIGURE 3.
Thus, FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate a safety package comprising a container 102 having a mouth portion 104 with an ~5 annular rim 106; a one-piece cap 118 having a base 120 with a peripheral flange 122 projecting axially therefrom for receiving the mouth portion 104; interengageable locking elements 108,124 on the outer wall of the mouth of the container 102 and inner wall of the flange 122 of the cap 118, the cap locking elements 30 124 being spaced peripherally from each other and engageable with and disengageable from the container locking elements 108 by combined axial and rotary motion of the cap relative to the iO~ 85 container, a resilient flexible member 125 formed on the base 120 of the cap 118 having an inner annular end 126 joined integrally to the base 120 of the cap 118 and extending axially therefrom and terminating in an outer annular free end-128, said inner an-nular end 126 at the juncture with the base 120 having a diameter at least as large as that of the outer annular free end 128 there-of, and a disk-like closure portion 130 having its periphery joined to the outer free end 128 of the flexible member 125, the resilient flexible member 125 being engageable with the container to exert a biasing force in an axial direction between the cap and container when the locking elements are engaged.
The resilient flexible member 125 of the embodiment o FIGURES 3 and 4 thus comprises a generally downwardly con-verging tapering section at an acute an~le to the direction of axis of the container neck, with the disk 130 comprising a closure of the bottom end of the tapering section. When the cap is applied to the container, the tapering section defined by the resilient flexible member 125 has an initial interfer-ence with the circular neck opening o the container prior to achieving the ultimate axial overlap which represents full securing of the cap to the neck, whereby when fully secured the tapering section 125 is resiliently and radially inwardly stressed into closing and sealing contact with the neck. The resilient flexible member 125 may also be defined as a generally downward and converging tapering flange at an acute angle to the axis of the cap, the disk 130 comprising an integral closure of the bottom end of the tapering flange, and the base portion 120 may also be defined as a flange extending inwardly from the upper end of the cylindrical annular wall to connect the outer wall 122 with the upper axial end of the tapering flange.
Obviously, modifications and variations of the present invention are possible and it will be- understood ~y those skilled _ 9 _ ~ 5 in the art that the invention is not limited to the exact con-struction shown in the illustrated embodiments and described in the foregoing specification.
flexible member is of dished cross section such that the resil-ient flexible member has spaced inner and outer wall portions ~oined respectively to the peripheral annular portion of the base and the central portion of the base.
In another embodiment of the invention, the second annular end of the resilient flexible member is of smaller dia-meter than the first annular end and is spaced axially from the first annular end, the resilient flexible member comprising a relatively thin, radially yieldable frusto-conical member extend-ing between the first and second annular ends. When the cap is applied to the container in locked relationship therewith, the ;` i frusto-conical resilient flexible member projects into the mouth portion of the container and is engaged intermediate the first ` and second annular ends of the-inner edge of the rim of the con-~` ~ tainer and is radially yieldably compressed thereby to exert a `~ ` biasing force in an axial direction between the cap and the container.
~`` 20 The objects, advantages and features of the i ~ ention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGUR~ 1 is a sectional view of a safety cap and con-` tainer according to a first form of the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 with the cap shown in a different position;
\ FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a safety cap and con-`~ tainer embodying the invention in a second form; and FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 with the cap in a different position.
. FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate a safety pac~age including a container 2 having a neck or mouth psrtion 4 with an annular rim `~' ~ ~3~
,~
10~ 85 r 6. The nec~ of the container 2 19 formed with container locking elements or formations 8a and 8b, there being a pair of diametri-~, ;~ cally opposed locking elements 8a and a pair of diametrically opposed locking elements 8b, each locking elements 8a being 5 located 90 from an adjacent locking element 8b. Each locking `~ element 8a is formed with a cam surface 10, a side wall 12, and a top wall 14. The locking elements 8b are identical to the locking elements 8a except that a stop wall 16 depends from the '-'? ~ .
`~j top wall 14 on the opposite end thereof from the side wall 12.
The loc~ing elements 8b thus~are formed with notches, the notches being defined by the vertical surfaces 12 and 16 and the top, horizontal surface 14. Alternatively, all of the locking forma-`~` ` ~ tions may be identical to the locking formations 8b as is the `, case in, for example, U.S. Patent 3,613,928.
~`I 15 Mounted on container 2 is a one-piece, molded plastic safety cap designated collectively by reference numeral 18. The ~ cap 18 comprises an annular base portion 20, and an axially ex-`~ ~ tending cylindrical outer flange 22 projecting from the outer periphery of the annular base portion 20 and sized to fit over 20 the neck 4 of the container 2 in telescoped relationship there-¦ with. A plurality of spaced cap locking elements or formations 24 project inwardly from the inner surface of the outer flange 22 ;~ for cooperation with the complementary formations 8a, 8b on the ` container 2 such that combined axial and rotary motion is requir-. . .
ed when the cap is applied to and removed from the container 2.
~ An axially depending resilient flexible member 24 is enGlosed by -~ the outer flange 22 for engaginq the container when the cap is applied thereto, and for exerting a biasing force between the cap and container. The resilient flexible member 24 has first and `'` `~`? ~
~`? 30 second annular ends 26 and 28 respectively, spaced from each other, the first annular end 26 being integrally joined to the J inner periphery of the annular base portion. Means 30 in the `"`1 4 ' :~ _ _ ; I
:~ ~ 8S
.. ~
, ", i form of a substantially flat disk is integrally ~oined at its periphery to the second annular end 28.
In order to apply the cap 18 to the container 2, the neck or mouth portion 4 of the container is inserted into the cylindrical flange 22 of the cap with the cap locking elements i 24 aligned with the spaces between the container locking elements 8a and 8b. The lower, free end 25 of the resilient flexible ` I m~mber 24 engages the annular rim 6 of the container to resil-. j ¦ ~ently resist further axial movement of the cap locking elements 24 in a direction toward the collar 18 formed on the container 2.
~ The cap is then rotated relative to thè container until the cap .~r~ ` locking elements 24 engage~ the cam surfaces 10 on the container , locking elements 8a and 8b. Further rotation of the cap causes the cap locking elements 24 to follow the cam surface 10 to re-siliently deflect the resilient flexible member 24 to the approx-imate position shown in FIGVRE 2 until the cap locking elements 24 ` ~ clear the lowermost point of the cam surface 10, after which, ~ 1 release of the cap results in the cap locking elements 24 being ~-~d biased upwardly into engagement with the top surfaces 14 of the respective container locking formations 8a, 8b due to the resil-~' ient action of the resiliant flexible member 24. Rotation of the `'~ cap 18 relative to the container is blocked by the stop surfaces 16 and 12 on the container locking elements 8b. Thus, in order to remove the cap 18 from the container, it is necessary to again depress the outer cylindrical wall 22 to the position shown in FIGURE 2 until the cap locking elements 24 clear ~he junction be-~ ~, ,j tween the surfaces 12 and 10 of the container locking elements 8a, 8b. The cap may then be rotated in a direction to move the cap locking elements 24 away from the stop wall until the cap locking elements 24 are again aligned with the spaces between the " ~¦ container locking elements permitting axial withdrawal of the cap ¦ from the container.
. I -5-L
; ~ :
`` ~` `: ~ 0385 ' In the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2, the second ~ ' - annular end 28 of the resilient flexible member 24 is of smaller diameter than the first annular end 26, and is located in sub-.-. stantially co-planar relationship with the first annular end 26 Y, 5 when the resilient flexible member is in its unstressed condi-tlon as shown approximately in FIGURE 1. The disk 30 thus may t be said to define a part of the base or end wall of the cap 18, the base or end wall consisting of a central disk-like portion 30 and a peripheral annular base portion 20 surrounding the cen-10 tral portion 30 and being spaced therefrom, and the resilient ~ ~;
flexible member can be said to have spaced inner and outer wall portions joined together at the outer annular free end 25, the ; outer wall portion`being joined at its inner end 26 to the inner periphery of the peripheral annular portion 20 of the base, the inner wall portion bein~ joined at its inner end to the peri- -~ phery of the central portion 30 of the base. The resilient `~` flexible member 24, in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2, com- -.
n j prises a relatively thin member of generally dished configura-~-~ ~ tion in cross section which extends between the first and second ends 26 and 28.
~`¦ The resiliency and deformability of the member 24 `' establishes both a resiliently preloaded seal against the rim 6 of the container as well as preloaded lo,cking action to render ; ¦ ~ t~e contents of the container 2 inaccessible to young children.
The annular base portion 20 is formed with openings 21 each of which overrides one of the cap locking elements 24. The upper surfaces of the lugs, or locking elements 24, may be formed flat by pins inserted through the base portion 20 during the mold-ing of the cap at 18 as is disclosed in Canadian Patent 870,963.
. 30 FIGURES 3 and 4 disclose a safety package including a ` container 102 having a mouth portion, or neck 104, and an annular rim 106. The container is formed with container loc~ing elements ~ ~45 1~ 8S
or formations 108 which project outwardly from the outer surface of the neck 104 and include a cam portion 110, and a notch de-fined by a top wall 114, a side wall 112, and a stop portion 116.
The locking elements 108 may be identical to the container lock-ing elements disclosed in Canadian Patent 870,963, for example.
Mounted on the container 102 is a one-piece, molded plastic saety cap 118 including an annular base portion 120, an axially extending cylindrical outer flange 122 projecting from the outer periphery of the annular base portion 120 to fit over the neck 104 of the container 102 in telescoped relation-ship ~herewith. A plurality of spaced cap locking elements or formations 124 project inwardly from the inner surface of the outer flange 122 for cooperation with the complementary forma-tions 108 on the container neck 104 such that combined axial and rotary motion is required when the cap is applied to and removed from the container 102. The cap 118 is formed with an axially depending resilient flexible member 125 enclosed by the outer flange 122 for engaging the container 102 when the cap is applied thereto and for exerting a biasing force between the cap and container. The resilient flexible member 125 has first and second annular ends 126 and 128 spaced from each other, the first annular end 126 being integrally joined to the inner periphery of the annular base portion 120. Means in the form ~f a substantially flat disk 130 is integrally joined at its periphery to the second annular end 128 to close the second annular end 128.
As is apparent from FIGURES 3 and 4, the second annular end 128 of the resilient flexible member 125 is of smaller diameter than the first annular end 126, and the second annular end 128 is spaced axially from the first annular end 126, the resilient flexible member 125 comprising a relatively thin, radially yieldable frusto-conical member 125 extending l()~ S
~'r 45 between the first and second annular ends 126 and 128.
In order to place the cap 118 onto the container 102 the container neck 104 is inserted into the peripheral outer flange 122 with the cap locking elements 124 aligned with the 5 spaces between the adjacent container locking elements 108.
The lower end of the tapered frusto-conical resilient flexible member 125 is received in the mouth portion of the container, the outer surface of t~e frusto-conical member 125 engaging the inner edge of the rim 106. Rotation of the cap relative to the container causes the cap locking elements 124 to engage the cam portions 110 of the respective container locking elements 108 such that continued rotation causes the cap locking elements 124 to ride down the cam surface 110 until the cap locking element clears the junction between the surface 112 and cam surface 110. The downward movement of the cap locking elements along the cam surface 110 causes the resilient flexible member to yield radially inwardly as illustrated in FIGURE 4 to exert a biasing force in an axial direction between the cap and con-tainer. When the container locking elements 124 are aligned 20 with the notches defined by the surfaces 112~ 114 and 116, the locking elements 124 are urged into engagement with the top sur-face 114 as illustrated in FIGURE 3.
Thus, FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate a safety package comprising a container 102 having a mouth portion 104 with an ~5 annular rim 106; a one-piece cap 118 having a base 120 with a peripheral flange 122 projecting axially therefrom for receiving the mouth portion 104; interengageable locking elements 108,124 on the outer wall of the mouth of the container 102 and inner wall of the flange 122 of the cap 118, the cap locking elements 30 124 being spaced peripherally from each other and engageable with and disengageable from the container locking elements 108 by combined axial and rotary motion of the cap relative to the iO~ 85 container, a resilient flexible member 125 formed on the base 120 of the cap 118 having an inner annular end 126 joined integrally to the base 120 of the cap 118 and extending axially therefrom and terminating in an outer annular free end-128, said inner an-nular end 126 at the juncture with the base 120 having a diameter at least as large as that of the outer annular free end 128 there-of, and a disk-like closure portion 130 having its periphery joined to the outer free end 128 of the flexible member 125, the resilient flexible member 125 being engageable with the container to exert a biasing force in an axial direction between the cap and container when the locking elements are engaged.
The resilient flexible member 125 of the embodiment o FIGURES 3 and 4 thus comprises a generally downwardly con-verging tapering section at an acute an~le to the direction of axis of the container neck, with the disk 130 comprising a closure of the bottom end of the tapering section. When the cap is applied to the container, the tapering section defined by the resilient flexible member 125 has an initial interfer-ence with the circular neck opening o the container prior to achieving the ultimate axial overlap which represents full securing of the cap to the neck, whereby when fully secured the tapering section 125 is resiliently and radially inwardly stressed into closing and sealing contact with the neck. The resilient flexible member 125 may also be defined as a generally downward and converging tapering flange at an acute angle to the axis of the cap, the disk 130 comprising an integral closure of the bottom end of the tapering flange, and the base portion 120 may also be defined as a flange extending inwardly from the upper end of the cylindrical annular wall to connect the outer wall 122 with the upper axial end of the tapering flange.
Obviously, modifications and variations of the present invention are possible and it will be- understood ~y those skilled _ 9 _ ~ 5 in the art that the invention is not limited to the exact con-struction shown in the illustrated embodiments and described in the foregoing specification.
Claims (6)
1. A safety package comprising: a container having a mouth portion with an annular rim; a one-piece cap having a base with a peripheral flange projecting axially therefrom for receiving said mouth portion; a plurality of container locking elements spaced peripherally from each other on the outer wall of said mouth portion; a plurality of cap locking elements spaced peripherally from each other on the inner wall of said flange;
said cap locking elements being engageable with and disengageable from said container locking elements by combined axial and rota-tive motion of the cap relative to the container; said cap lock-ing elements being located an equal axial distance from said base and said container locking elements being located an equal dis-tance from said rim such that said base has a fixed axial posi-tion relative to said rim when the locking elements are engaged;
a resilient flexible member formed on the base of the cap having an inner annular end joined integrally to the base of the cap and extending axially therefrom and terminating in an outer annular free end, a disc-like closure portion having its periphery joined to said outer free end of said flexible member, the diameters of the inner and outer ends of said resilient flexible member being respectively larger and smaller than the diameter of the opening of the mouth portion of the container such that said outer end is received in the mouth portion of the container when the cap and container locking elements are engaged, the resilient flexible member being radially compressed intermediate said inner and outer ends by the mouth portion of the container when the cap and container locking elements are engaged to exert a biasing force in an axial direction between the cap and container when the locking elements are engaged to resiliently maintain said base in said fixed axial position relative to said rim.
said cap locking elements being engageable with and disengageable from said container locking elements by combined axial and rota-tive motion of the cap relative to the container; said cap lock-ing elements being located an equal axial distance from said base and said container locking elements being located an equal dis-tance from said rim such that said base has a fixed axial posi-tion relative to said rim when the locking elements are engaged;
a resilient flexible member formed on the base of the cap having an inner annular end joined integrally to the base of the cap and extending axially therefrom and terminating in an outer annular free end, a disc-like closure portion having its periphery joined to said outer free end of said flexible member, the diameters of the inner and outer ends of said resilient flexible member being respectively larger and smaller than the diameter of the opening of the mouth portion of the container such that said outer end is received in the mouth portion of the container when the cap and container locking elements are engaged, the resilient flexible member being radially compressed intermediate said inner and outer ends by the mouth portion of the container when the cap and container locking elements are engaged to exert a biasing force in an axial direction between the cap and container when the locking elements are engaged to resiliently maintain said base in said fixed axial position relative to said rim.
2. A childproof safety package comprising: a con-tainer including a neck with a circular axial end opening, and a cap for selectively opening and closing said opening, said cap having a base with a peripheral flange projecting therefrom for receiving said neck; a plurality of container locking ele-ments spaced peripherally from each other on the outer wall of said neck; a plurality of cap locking elements spaced peripher-ally from each other on the inner wall of said flange; said cap locking elements being engageable with and disengageable from said container locking elements by combined axial and rotative motion of the cap relative to the container; said cap locking elements being located an equal axial distance from said base and said container locking elements being located an equal axial distance from the outer end of said circular end opening of said neck such that said base has a fixed axial position relative to the outer end of said end opening when the locking elements are engaged; and said cap and the bore of said neck having co-acting, telescoping parts including radially extend-ing, yieldable means having circumferentially continuous resi-liently loaded contact with said opening when said cap is in secured position to bias said locking elements into engagement;
said cap being of single-piece integral, molded plastic construc-tion, comprising an outer, generally cylindrical portion having the means for removably securing to the exterior of said neck, and a closure for which the cross section defines a continuous integral connection of elements between diametrical extremes at one end of said cylindrical portion; said connection including in succession a generally radially inward flange, a generally downward converging taper at an acute angle to the direction of the axis of said cap, and a closure of the bottom end of said taper; said taper being of radial inner and outer limits span-ning the circle of the neck opening and constituting the cap part having telescoping fit with the bore of said neck and said taper having substantially the same uniform relatively thin and yieldable thickness throughout, whereby radially inward resilient deflection of said taper takes place in the course of securing said cap in position to resiliently maintain said base in said fixed axial position relative to the outer end of said end open-ing.
said cap being of single-piece integral, molded plastic construc-tion, comprising an outer, generally cylindrical portion having the means for removably securing to the exterior of said neck, and a closure for which the cross section defines a continuous integral connection of elements between diametrical extremes at one end of said cylindrical portion; said connection including in succession a generally radially inward flange, a generally downward converging taper at an acute angle to the direction of the axis of said cap, and a closure of the bottom end of said taper; said taper being of radial inner and outer limits span-ning the circle of the neck opening and constituting the cap part having telescoping fit with the bore of said neck and said taper having substantially the same uniform relatively thin and yieldable thickness throughout, whereby radially inward resilient deflection of said taper takes place in the course of securing said cap in position to resiliently maintain said base in said fixed axial position relative to the outer end of said end open-ing.
3. A childproof safety package as claimed in claim 2 in which said tapering configuration is substantially frusto-conical.
4. A childproof safety package as claimed in claim 3 wherein said closure of the bottom end of said taper comprises a substantially flat radial wall integrally joined to the small end of the frusto-conical portion and closing the same.
5. A childproof safety package comprising a container including a neck with a circular axial end opening, and a cap for selectively opening and closing said opening, said cap hav-ing a base with a peripheral flange projecting therefrom for re-ceiving said neck; a plurality of container locking elements spaced peripherally from each other on the outer wall of said neck; a plurality of cap locking elements spaced peripherally from each other on the inner wall of said flange; said cap lock-ing elements being engageable with and disengageable from said container locking elements by combined axial and rotative motion of the cap relative to the container; said cap locking elements being located an equal axial distance from said base and said container locking elements being located an equal axial dis-tance from the outer end of said circular end opening of said neck such that said base has a fixed axial position relative to the outer end of said end opening when the locking elements are engaged; said cap being of single-piece, molded plastic construc-tion and having a closure wall which defines a continuous inte-gral connection of elements between diametrical extremes at one end of said cylindrical portion; said connections including in succession a generally radially inward flange, a generally down-wardly converging, tapering section at an acute angle to the direction of the axis of said neck opening, and a closure of the bottom end of said tapering section; said tapering section having initial interference with the circular neck opening prior to achieving the ultimate axial overlap which represents full secur-ing of the cap to the neck, whereby when fully secured, the taper ing section is resiliently and radially inwardly stressed into closing and sealing contact with said neck to bias the locking elements into engagement and resiliently maintain said base in said fixed axial position relative to the outer end of said end opening.
6. A combined closure cap and seal construction com-prising a single-piece of molded plastic having open and closed ends and outer generally cylindrical annular wall to fit over a container neck in telescoped relation therewith, the bore of said wall integrally including radially inward lug formations for removably securable connection to cooperating container neck formations, said lugs each having the same axial location on said cylindrical annular wall, the closed end of said cap com-prising a relative thin deformable closure section including a generally downward converging tapering flange at an acute angle to the axis of said cap for projecting into and engaging a con-tainer neck and being radially inwardly flexed thereby to re-siliently maintain the cap in a fixed axial position with re-spect to the container when the lug formations are engaged with the container neck formations, said cap including an integral closure of the bottom end of said tapering flange and a flange extending inwardly from the upper end of said cylindrica annular wall to connect said outer wall with the upper axial end of said section.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA142,003A CA1060385A (en) | 1972-05-12 | 1972-05-12 | Safety closure device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA142,003A CA1060385A (en) | 1972-05-12 | 1972-05-12 | Safety closure device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1060385A true CA1060385A (en) | 1979-08-14 |
Family
ID=4093258
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA142,003A Expired CA1060385A (en) | 1972-05-12 | 1972-05-12 | Safety closure device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1060385A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1992019136A1 (en) * | 1991-04-24 | 1992-11-12 | Shamis Neal B | Closure system for covered receptacles and the like |
-
1972
- 1972-05-12 CA CA142,003A patent/CA1060385A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1992019136A1 (en) * | 1991-04-24 | 1992-11-12 | Shamis Neal B | Closure system for covered receptacles and the like |
| AU655291B2 (en) * | 1991-04-24 | 1994-12-15 | Neal B. Shamis | Closure system for covered receptacles and the like |
| US5529202A (en) * | 1991-04-24 | 1996-06-25 | Shamis; Neal B. | Closure for containers and the like |
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