Patent ID: 8715722
Filing Date: 2014-05-06
Classification: A61J

Abstract:
1. A hard-shell capsule comprising: a hollow tubular body elongated in an axial direction, having a closed end and an open end, a hollow cap slidably and telescopically engageable on the body in the axial direction from a disengaged position into a fully closed final position, the body and the cap defining an inner volume therebetween and having a complementary snap-fit means for locking the cap on the body in the fully closed final position, the complementary snap-fit means comprising a locking ring formed by a channel on an axial section of the body, and a complementary ridge member formed on the inner surface of the cap so as to protrude inwardly, at least one air-vent formed as an axial recess on the outer surface of the body configured to allow air communication between the inner volume and the atmosphere over a range of engagement positions of the cap on the body, wherein the range of engagement positions includes a position when the cap first engages with the body to at least a pre-closed position, and excludes the fully closed final position in which the inner surface of the cap sealingly engages the outer surface of the body over a continuous circumferential contact section, wherein the capsule is configured such that, in the fully closed final position, the inner surface of the cap fits on the outer surface of the body over the continuous circumferential contact section, which is axially spaced from the locking ring toward the closed end, wherein the at least one air-vent axially extends from the open end of the body toward the contact section, and wherein the at least one air-vent depth is less than the locking ring depth.