Abstract:
A tamper-resistant pill bottle for securely storing a quantity of medication. The pill bottle includes a receptacle, a cap for fitting over the receptacle, and a combination lock integral with the cap for releasably locking the cap to the receptacle. The combination lock includes a series of combination wheels that partially protrude through a sidewall of the cap and can be rotatably manipulated by a user. The combination for the combination lock can be set by a user upon receipt of the pill bottle. The pill bottle further includes an inconspicuous defeat mechanism integral with the cap for allowing the pill bottle to be opened, preferably by a pharmacist, if a user forgets the combination of the combination lock.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to receptacles for holding medications and more particularly to a tamper-resistant, tamper-evident pill bottle with an integrated combination lock and a method for using the same. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Over the past several decades and over the last several years in particular, the incidence of prescription drug abuse has increased at an alarming rate. It has become a regular occurrence for young people to steal prescription medications such as pain relievers, stimulants, and sedatives from family members and to subsequently distribute and abuse such medications for pecuniary gain, recreational use, and for perceived benefits such as weight loss or improved brain function. It is commonly believed by those who engage in such activities that prescription medications are safer than illicit drugs because they are regulated by the government and are dispensed by pharmacies. In reality, prescription medications can be, and often are, addictive, physically harmful, and even deadly when abused by individuals who come into possession of such medications without an appropriate prescription. 
         [0005]    One factor that has contributed to the rise of prescription drug abuse is ease of accessibility. Surreptitiously acquiring prescription medications typically requires no more effort than locating a pill bottle in the medicine cabinet of a friend or a family member. If there is a significant quantity of medication left in a particular bottle, it can be very easy for a perpetrator to remove several pills from the bottle without arousing the suspicion of the owner, who will generally not notice the missing quantity. It would therefore be advantageous to have a means for effectively deterring the theft of prescription medications. It would further be advantageous to have a means for making the theft of prescription medications evident to the owners of such medications. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an adult tamper-resistant pill bottle, also referred to as a “tamper evident pill bottle”, having a receptacle for holding a quantity of medication, a cap for fitting over the receptacle, and a combination lock integral with the cap for releasably locking the cap to the receptacle. The combination lock includes a series of combination wheels that partially protrude through a sidewall of the cap and can be manipulated by a user. 
         [0007]    Each combination wheel is defined by an annular outer ring that radially surrounds a substantially circular inner ring. A plurality of circumferentially spaced combination indicia, and preferably indicia representing the integers 0-9, are marked on a radially outwardly-facing surface of each outer ring. A plurality of circumferentially spaced grooves are formed in the radially inwardly-facing surface of each outer ring. The inner ring of each combination wheel has at least one tooth extending radially outwardly therefrom that is radially movable between a retracted position, in which the one tooth cannot radially engage a groove in the outer ring, and an extended position, in which the tooth can radially engage a groove of the outer ring. When the tooth is in the retracted position, the outer ring can be rotated relative to the inner ring. When the tooth is in the extended position and is in radial engagement with a groove in the outer ring, the outer ring is prevented from being rotated relative to the inner ring. Each inner ring further includes a key channel extending axially therethrough having a central shaft portion and a lobe portion extending radially therefrom. 
         [0008]    Each inner ring preferably also includes a biasing means, and preferably a pair of flexible serpentines that are integral with the inner ring, for biasing the tooth of the inner ring toward the extended position. An elongated, removable retaining pin extends longitudinally through a pin channel in each of the inner rings and engages a radially-extending detent of each ring for forcibly holding the tooth of each ring in the retracted position. An end of the retaining pin preferably protrudes through a sidewall of the cap. Upon withdrawal of the retaining pin by a user, the teeth of inner rings of the combination wheels are allowed to move to the extended position. 
         [0009]    The combination lock of the pill bottle further includes a primary catch that is movable between a locked position, in which the primary catch holds the cap to the receptacle, and an unlocked position, in which the primary catch does not hold the cap to the receptacle. The primary catch is connected to a longitudinally-movable key shaft that extends through the shaft portions of the key channels of the inner rings of the combination wheels. A biasing means, and preferably a conventional coil spring, biases the key shaft and the primary catch toward the locked position. A primary catch button is preferably mounted to the key shaft and protrudes through a sidewall of the cap for engagement by a user. The key shaft has a plurality of key lobes extending radially therefrom. When each of key lobes is longitudinally aligned with a lobe portion of the key channel of an adjacent inner ring, the key lobes can be longitudinally shifted into the lobe portions of the key channels, thus allowing the key shaft and the primary catch to be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position, such as by a user applying force to the primary catch button, and allowing the cap to be removed from the receptacle. If any of the key lobes is not aligned with a lobe portion of its adjacent key channel, the unaligned key lobes are prevented from being shifted into the lobe portions of the key channels, thus preventing the key shaft and the primary catch from being moved from the locked position to the unlocked position and preventing the cap from being removed from the receptacle. 
         [0010]    To use the locking pill bottle, a user first receives the locking pill bottle with the teeth of the inner rings of the combination wheels held in their retracted positions by the retaining pin and with the key lobes of the key shaft longitudinally aligned with the lobe portions of the key channels of the inner rings. The user then sets a combination for the integrated lock by rotating the outer rings relative to the inner rings until the indicia representing a desired four digit combination are aligned at the 9 o&#39;clock positions of their respective combination wheels. The user then pulls the retaining pin out of the cap through the pin aperture, thereby allowing each of the teeth to move into radial engagement with a groove in an outer ring, thus locking the rotational movement of each outer ring to the rotational movement of its respective inner ring. Thereafter, the key lobes of the key shaft will be aligned with the lobe portions of the key channels only when combination indicia representing the combination set by the user are rotated to the 9 o&#39;clock position. If any of the indicia representing the correct combination are not at the 9 o&#39;clock position, the key shaft and the primary catch will be prevented from moving longitudinally and the user will not be able to unlock and open the bottle by pressing the primary catch button. 
         [0011]    The pill bottle of the present invention preferably also has a defeat mechanism integral with the cap for allowing the pill bottle to be opened if a user forgets the combination of the combination lock. The defeat mechanism includes a defeat catch that is movable between a locked position, in which the defeat catch holds the cap to the receptacle, and an unlocked position, in which the defeat catch does not hold the cap to the receptacle. A biasing means, and preferably a serpentine that is integral with the defeat mechanism, biases the defeat catch toward the locked position. To open the pill bottle, a pharmacist can insert a narrow implement through a small, inconspicuous defeat aperture formed in a sidewall of the cap to engage and forcibly move the defeat catch from the locked position to the unlocked position, thus allowing the pharmacist or the user to remove the cap and access the contents of the receptacle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view illustrating the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a detail view illustrating the integrated lock of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a detail view illustrating an alternative embodiment of integrated lock of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view illustrating the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an exploded detail view illustrating a combination wheel of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is front detail view illustrating a combination wheel of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an exploded detail view illustrating the key shaft, retaining pin, and a combination wheel of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is front perspective view illustrating the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  with the retaining pin being removed. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a cut-away view illustrating the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a front perspective view illustrating the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  with the cap being removed from the receptacle. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a front perspective view illustrating two alternative embodiments of the present invention with receptacles of smaller and larger volumes. 
       
    
    
       [0024]    In describing the embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific term so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word “connected” or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection, but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a tamper evident, locking pill bottle, indicated generally at  10 , is shown. The pill bottle includes a receptacle  12 , a cap  14 , and an integrated lock  16 . Unless otherwise noted, all components of the pill bottle  10  are fabricated from a plastic such as Polystyrene (PS), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), or Polypropylene (PP). Although plastic is preferred, it is contemplated that all other sufficiently rigid, food-grade, and water-impermeable materials, such as aluminum, stainless steel, and Delrin, can be used in fabricating the pill bottle  10 . The various components of the pill bottle  10  can be formed by injection molding, casting, blow molding, or similar processes that are well known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0026]    For the sake of convenience and clarity, terms such as “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “lateral,” and “longitudinal” will be used herein to describe the relative placement and orientation of components of the invention, each with respect to the geometry and orientation of the pill bottle as it appears in  FIG. 1  with the cap  14  mounted to the receptacle  12 . Particularly, “front” shall refer to the rightmost longitudinal side of the pill bottle  10  as it appears in  FIG. 1 , and “rear” shall refer to the leftmost longitudinal side of the pill bottle  10  as it appears in  FIG. 1 . Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  11 , the receptacle  12  of the pill bottle  10  is a generally box-shaped vessel having four sidewalls  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24 , a floor  26  (not within view), and an open top  28 . The receptacle  12  preferably has rounded edges for comfortable handling. The rounded-rectangular shape of the receptacle  12  is preferred, although it is contemplated that the receptacle  12  can be any suitable shape, such as circular cylindrical, pyramidal, or irregular. A recessed neck  30 , defined by four adjoining sidewalls, extends inwardly and upwardly from the top edges of the sidewalls  18 - 24  for fitting within the cap  14 . The retaining flange  32  extends inwardly from the top edges of the recessed neck  30  as best shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  5 , the cap  14  is a generally box-shaped member having four sidewalls  34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 , a top wall  42 , and an open bottom  44  (not within view). Like the receptacle  12 , the cap  14  preferably has rounded edges for comfortable handling. The rounded-rectangular shape of the cap  14  is preferred, although it is contemplated that the cap  14  can be any suitable shape for fitting over the receptacle  12 , such as cylindrical, pyramidal, or irregular. The cap  14  has substantially the same length and width as the receptacle  12 , and the lower edges of the sidewalls  34 - 40  define an opening that receives the recessed neck  30  of the receptacle  12  in a laterally and longitudinally close clearance relationship. 
         [0029]    The sidewall  36  of the cap  14  has a button aperture  44  formed therethrough for allowing pass-through of the primary catch button  180  of the lock  16  (described below). The sidewall  34  of the cap  14  has a series of wheel apertures  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  formed therethrough in an evenly-spaced, side-by-side relationship for allowing pass-through of the combination wheels  88 - 94  of the lock  16  (described below). Pairs of rounded flanges  53 ,  55 ,  57 , and  59  preferably extend from the lateral edges of each of the wheel apertures  46 - 52  for providing the combination wheels  88 - 94  of the lock  16  with longitudinal support and for reducing the likelihood of accidental manipulation of the combination wheels  88 - 94 . The sidewall  40  of the cap  14  has a pin aperture  54  formed therethrough for allowing the retaining pin  102  of the lock  16  to be removed from the cap  14  as further described below. The sidewall  38  of the cap  14  has a defeat aperture  56  formed therethrough for allowing insertion of an implement into the cap  14  to manipulate the defeat mechanism  66  of the lock  16  as further described below. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the integrated lock  16  of the pill bottle  10  includes a base plate, indicated generally at  60 , a key mechanism, indicated generally at  64 , and a defeat mechanism, indicated generally at  66 . The base plate  60  of the lock  16  includes a generally planar floor  68  that has a length, width, and perimeter contour that are substantially similar to the length, width, and perimeter contour of the opening  44  in the cap  14  as defined by the lowermost interior edges of the cap&#39;s sidewalls  34 - 40 . The floor  68  is positioned within the cap  14  with the downwardly-facing surface of the floor  68  vertically flush with the bottom edges of the cap sidewalls  34 - 40  and with the perimeter of the floor  68  in a continuous, close clearance relationship with the interior surfaces of the cap sidewalls  34 - 40 . 
         [0031]    Three longitudinally-spaced, cylindrical mounting posts  70 ,  72 , and  74  extend upwardly from the floor  68 . A topmost portion of each mounting post fits axially within the central channel of a corresponding mounting cylinder (not within view) that extends downwardly from the top wall  42  of the cap  14 . The mounting posts  70 - 74  are firmly held within the mounting cylinders by frictional engagement between the interior wall of each mounting cylinder and the exterior wall of a corresponding mounting post  70 - 74 . The mounting posts  70 - 74  and mounting cylinders thereby provide the means by which the entire lock  16  is mounted within the cap  14 . It is contemplated that the mounting posts  70 - 74  can additionally or alternatively be held within the mounting cylinders by other means of secure affixation, such as by snap fit or by conventional adhesives or fasteners. It is further contemplated that the mounting posts  70 - 74  and the mounting cylinders can be omitted and that the integrated lock  16  can be held within the cap  14  by any other suitable means of affixation, such as those described above. 
         [0032]    Still referring to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , a locating collar  76 , defined by four adjoining sidewalls, extends downwardly from the floor  68  of the base plate  60  into the opening  28  of the recessed neck  30  of the receptacle  12 . The locating collar  76  has a length, width, and perimeter contour that are substantially similar to the length, width, and perimeter contour of the opening  28  in the top of the receptacle  12  as defined by the inwardly-facing surface of the retaining flange  32 . The retaining flange  32  thus surrounds the locating collar  76  with the inwardly-facing surfaces of the retaining flange  32  in a continuous, close clearance relationship with the perimeter of the locating collar  76  when the cap  14  is in place on the receptacle  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0033]    A series of planar support brackets  78 ,  80 ,  82 ,  84 , and  86  extend upwardly from the floor  68  in a longitudinally-spaced, parallel configuration. Each support bracket  78 - 86  is shaped generally like an inverted “U” and has an inner contour that defines a vertically-elongated shaft channel (only the shaft channel  80  of the forward-most support bracket  86  is shown in  FIG. 5  and is representative of the shaft channels of the other support brackets  78 - 84 ) that is longitudinally aligned with the similar shaft channels of the other support brackets. Each of the support brackets  78 - 86  also has a pin notch formed in its topmost surface that extends longitudinally across the top of each support bracket (only the pin notch  82  of the forward-most support bracket  86  is shown in  FIG. 5  and is representative of the pin notches of the other support brackets  78 - 84 ) and that is longitudinally aligned with the similar pin notches in the other support brackets. 
         [0034]    The key mechanism  64  of the integrated lock  16  generally includes four combination wheels  88 ,  90 ,  92 , and  94 , a J-shaped drive bar, indicated generally at  96 , a primary catch  98 , a spring  100 , and a retaining pin  102 . Each of the combination wheels  88 - 94  of the key mechanism  64  is positioned between an adjacent pair of the support brackets  78 - 86  in a generally coaxial relationship with the channel of the pair of support brackets. Each of the combination wheels  88 - 94  is seated on a respective one of the shelves  104 ,  106 ,  108 , and  110  that is integral with the floor  68  of the base plate  60  and that has a concave top surface that conforms to the curvature of the radially-outermost surface of the respective combination wheel  88 - 94  seated thereon. Flexible detent arms  111  extend upwardly from the shelves  104 - 110  (only the detent arm  111  of the rear-most shelf  104  is indicated in  FIG. 3  and is representative of the detent arms of the other shelves  106 - 110 ) for engaging the outer rings  114  of the combination wheels  88 - 94  in a manner that will be described below. 
         [0035]    Although the locking pill bottle  10  is provided with four combination wheels  88 - 94 , it is contemplated that there can be as few or as many combination wheels as can be practically implemented. Having a greater number of combination wheels generally reduces the likelihood that one who does not know the correct combination to the key mechanism  64  will be able to open the locking pill bottle  10 , as will become apparent below. The combination wheels  88 - 94  are substantially identical and will now be described with reference to the forward-most combination wheel  94  only. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-8 , the combination wheel  94  includes an inner ring  112  and an outer ring  114 . The outer ring  114  of the combination wheel  94  is generally annular and has a radially-outermost surface that is marked with combination indicia  116 . The combination indicia  116  are preferably the integers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 as shown in  FIG. 4  (the indicia  0  and  5 - 9  are not within view), although it is contemplated that various other indicia can additionally or alternatively be used, such as letters, roman numerals, braille symbols and other symbols or pictures. The combination indicia  116  are formed as impressions in the radially-outermost surface of the outer ring  114 , although it is contemplated that the combination indicia  116  can be marked on the outer ring  114  in any suitable manner, such as by embossing, painting, or by affixing decals to the outer ring  114 . The combination indicia  116  are evenly spaced about the perimeter of the outer ring  114 . 
         [0037]    Longitudinally-oriented grooves  118  are preferably formed in the radially-outermost surface of the outer ring  114  with each groove positioned circumferentially-intermediate a pair of combination indicia  116  for providing easily identifiable, tactile lines of demarcation that separate the combination indicia  116  from one another. The grooves  118  are also provided for matingly receiving the detent arms  111  of the shelves  104 - 110  described above. Each detent arm  111  is flexibly held in firm radial engagement with the outer surface of a corresponding outer ring  114  and thus snaps into a groove  118  of the outer ring  114  when the detent arm  111  moves into radially alignment with a groove  118 . The engagement between the detent arms  111  and the outer rings  114  thereby provides a palpable “clicking” sensation to a user as the user rotates the combination wheels  94  in a manner that will be described in greater detail below. Preferably, each of the grooves  118  is radially separated from one of the combination indicia  116  by an angle of 90 degrees relative to the axis of the outer ring  114  for reasons that will become apparent below. Longitudinally oriented grooves  120 , similar to the grooves  118 , are formed in the radially-innermost surface of the outer ring  114 , with each groove  120  preferably radially-aligned with one of the grooves  118 . 
         [0038]    The inner ring  112  of the combination wheel  94  fits axially within the outer ring  114 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , and is in a radially close clearance relationship therewith. The inner ring  112  includes a vertically-extending central bracket  122  ( FIG. 7 ) that defines a key channel  124  and a pin channel  126 , both of which extend longitudinally through the inner ring  112 . The key channel  124  is generally keyhole-shaped with a circular shaft portion  128  and a downwardly-extending lobe portion  130 . The pin channel  126  is generally rectangular in shape and has a partially open top that is defined by two laterally-opposing, inwardly-extending claws  132  and  134 . 
         [0039]    The inner ring  112  further includes a tooth  136  that extends radially-outwardly from the 12 o&#39;clock position of the inner ring  112 , and a T-shaped detent  138  that extends radially inwardly from the 12 o&#39;clock position of the inner ring  112 . The T-shaped detent  138  is defined by a vertically-extending leg  140  and two laterally-extending arms  142  and  144 . 
         [0040]    The outer contours of the inner ring  112  define two flexible serpentines  146  and  148  at the 3 o&#39;clock and 9 o&#39;clock positions of the inner ring  112 , respectively in the orientation of  FIG. 7 . The serpentines  146  and  148  act as springs that bias the inner ring  112  toward a vertically-expanded “set” configuration with the T-shaped detent  138  nearer the top of the pin channel  126  and with the tooth  136  in engagement with one of the grooves  120  in the outer ring  114 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The serpentines  146  and  148  can be forcibly compressed, thus causing the inner ring  112  to be held in a vertically-collapsed “unset” configuration with the T-shaped detent  138  nearer the bottom of the pin channel  126  and with the tooth  136  out of engagement with the grooves  120  of the outer ring  114  ( FIG. 7 ). Although the integrated serpentines  146  and  148  are preferred for biasing the inner ring  112  toward the set configuration, it is contemplated that a variety of other biasing means can be employed, including, but not limited to coil springs, planar springs, or electrical solenoids. 
         [0041]    Still referring to  FIGS. 4-7 , the retaining pin  102  is an elongated, U-shaped member that resembles a conventional hair pin having two parallel arms  150  and  152 , a first end  154  that is closed, and a second end  156  that is open. The arms  150  and  152  of the retaining pin  102  are seated within the aligned pin notches  82  of the support brackets  78 - 86  and extend longitudinally through the aligned pin channels  126  of the inner rings  112  of the combination wheels  88 - 94 . The closed end  154  of the retaining pin  102  protrudes from the pin aperture  54  in the cap  14  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0042]    The arms  150  and  152  of the retaining pin  102  laterally sandwich the legs  140  of the T-shaped detents  138  of each of the inner rings  112  and are vertically interposed between the laterally-extending arms  142  and  144  of the T-shaped detents  138  and the inwardly-extending claws  132  and  134  that define the partially open tops of the pin channels  126 , as best shown in  FIG. 7 . The arms  150  and  152  of the retaining pin  102  thereby hold the arms  142  and  144  of the T-shaped detents  138  down, when the inner ring  112  is in the “unset” configuration, near the bottoms of their respective pin channels  126  in opposition to the upwardly-directed spring force exerted by the serpentines  146  and  148 . The inner rings  112  of the combination wheels  88 - 94  are thus forcibly held in their vertically-collapsed, unset configurations by the inserted retaining pin  102  with their respective teeth  138  out of engagement with the grooves  120  of the outer rings  114  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0043]    With the inner rings  112  held in their unset configurations by the retaining pin  102 , the outer rings  114  of the combination wheels  88 - 94  can be rotated about their respective axes relative to the inner rings  112 . Because the laterally-opposing sidewalls of the pin notches  82  prevent the arms of the retaining pin  102  from moving significantly laterally, the T-shaped detents  138  are held in the unset configuration while the laterally opposing sidewalls of the pin channels  126  are kept from moving significantly laterally, which in-turn prevents the inner rings  112  from being rotated by any significant degree relative to the support brackets  78 - 86 . Thus, despite moderate frictional engagement between the inwardly-facing surfaces of the outer rings  114  and the outwardly-facing surfaces of the inner rings  112 , the inner rings  112  are held substantially stationary while the outer rings  114  can be rotated. 
         [0044]    If the retaining pin  102  is removed from the inner rings  112 , such as by pulling the retaining pin  102  longitudinally out of the cap  14  through the pin aperture  54  (see  FIG. 9 ), the T-shaped detents  138  of the inner rings  112  are vertically released, and the serpentines  146  and  148  vertically expand the inner rings  112  to their set positions (see  FIG. 8 ). The teeth  136  of the inner rings  112  thereby move into radial engagement with one of the grooves  120  of the respective outer ring  114 , subsequently preventing the outer rings  114  from being rotated relative to the inner rings  112 . However, once the retaining pin  102  is removed, both the inner rings  112  and the outer rings  114  can be rotated relative to the support brackets  78 - 86 . 
         [0045]    Referring again to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the drive bar  96  includes a generally cylindrical key shaft  160  and a generally cylindrical rebound shaft  162  that are parallel to one another and that are interconnected at their forward-most ends by a laterally-extending crossbar  164 . The key shaft  160  extends longitudinally through and between the shaft channels of the support brackets  78 - 86  and through and between the key channels  124  of the combination wheels  88 - 94 . Four key lobes  166 ,  168 ,  170 , and  172  extend downwardly from the 6 o&#39;clock position of the key shaft  160  in a longitudinally-spaced relationship. Each key lobe  166 - 172  is positioned longitudinally forward of an adjacent key channel  124  of a combination wheel  88 - 94  and is longitudinally-aligned with the lobe portion  130  of the inner ring  112  of the adjacent key channel  124 . Each key lobe  166 - 172  has a lateral cross-section with a shape and size that is substantially similar to, but slightly smaller than, the shape and size of the lateral cross-section of the lobe portions  130  of its respective adjacent key channel  124  to permit movement of the key lobes  166 - 172  through the lobe portions  130 . 
         [0046]    A primary catch button  180  extends longitudinally-forward from the crossbar  164  of the drive bar  96  and protrudes through the button aperture  44  of the cap  14 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The primary catch button  180  is rigidly mounted to the crossbar  164  by conventional snap-fitting, although it is contemplated that the primary catch button  180  can be mounted to the crossbar  164  using any suitable means of affixation, such as with conventional fasteners or adhesives. It is further contemplated that the primary catch button  180  can be formed as an integral extension of the drive bar  96 . 
         [0047]    Still referring to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the rebound shaft  162  of the drive bar  96  extends longitudinally through the shaft channel  182  of an inverted U-shaped rebound bracket  184  that extends upwardly from, and is preferably integral with, the floor  68  of the base plate  60 . An annular rebound collar  186  extends radially from the rebound shaft  162  at a position longitudinally forward of the rebound bracket  184 . A conventional coil spring  100  is mounted on the rebound shaft  162  between the rebound collar  186  and the rebound bracket  184 . The spring  100  is held in axial compression between the rebound collar  186  and the rebound bracket  184  and thus biases the drive bar  96  longitudinally away from the rebound bracket  184  and toward a forward-most “locked” position (described in greater detail below). A tooth  188  extends upwardly from the rearward-most end of the rebound shaft  162  for longitudinally engaging the rebound bracket  184  and preventing the spring  100  from moving the rebound shaft  162  forward beyond a predetermined limit. A vertically-elongated support bracket  190  extends downwardly from the forward-most end of the rebound shaft  162  and rests on the floor  68  for providing the rebound shaft  162  with vertical support. By applying a sufficient amount of longitudinally-directed force to the primary catch button  180 , a user can overcome the resistance of the spring  100  and longitudinally shift the rebound shaft  162  rearward, thereby moving key lobes  166 - 172  of the key shaft  160  into the lob portions  130  of their respective adjacent key channels  124  and moving the drive bar  96  to a rearward-most “unlocked” position (described in greater detail below). 
         [0048]    The primary catch  98  is a generally L-shaped member having a vertical leg  194  that extends downwardly from the drive bar  160 , through a longitudinally-elongated notch (not within view) in the front edge of the base plate  60 , and into the recessed neck  30  of the receptacle  12 . The primary catch  98  includes an angled tooth  196  that extends longitudinally forward from a lower end of the vertical leg  194 . When the drive bar  96  is in the locked position (described above), the tooth  196  is longitudinally positioned directly below, and is in close vertical proximity to, the downwardly-facing surface of the retaining flange  32  as best shown in  FIG. 10 . Positioned thusly, the top edge of the tooth  196  is prevented from moving upwardly beyond the lower edge of the retaining flange  32 , which in-turn prevents the front side of the cap  14  from being lifted vertically away from the receptacle  12 . Thus, when the drive bar  96  is moved in this manner, the cap  14  is removed and the contents of the receptacle  12  are exposed for use. 
         [0049]    When the drive bar  96  is moved to the unlocked position, the tooth  196  is positioned longitudinally rearward of the retaining flange  32 . With the tooth  196  in such a position, the retaining flange  32  does not impede vertical movement of the tooth  196  and the front side of the cap  14  can therefore be freely lifted away from the receptacle  12 . 
         [0050]    Still referring to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the defeat mechanism  66  of the integrated lock  16  is preferably a unitary structure that includes a slide plate  200 , a defeat catch  202 , a push tab  204 , and a pair of flexible, laterally opposing serpentines  206  and  208 . The slide plate  200  of the defeat mechanism  66  is a substantially planar member that rests on the floor  68  of the base plate  60 . Laterally-opposing L-shaped brackets  210  and  212  extend from, and are preferably integral with, the floor  68  on either lateral side of the slide plate  200  for preventing vertical and lateral movement of the slide plate  200  while allowing the slide plate  200  to be moved longitudinally along the floor  68 . A longitudinally-elongated guide rail  214  preferably extends upwardly from the floor  68 , through a longitudinally-elongated aperture  216  in the slide plate  200  for providing the slide plate  200  with additional lateral stability while allowing the slide plate  200  to be moved longitudinally. 
         [0051]    A rebound wall  218  extends from, and is preferably integral with, the floor  68  at a position longitudinally forward of the defeat mechanism  66 . The serpentines  206  and  208  are longitudinally compressed between the slide plate  200  and the rebound wall  218  and thereby bias the slide plate  200  longitudinally away from the rebound wall  218 , toward a rearward-most “locked” position (described in greater detail below). A sufficient amount of longitudinally-directed force can be applied to the slide plate  200 , such as by inserting a pin or a similarly narrow implement laterally through the defeat aperture  56  in the cap  14  and using the implement to move the push tab  204  forward. By applying sufficient force, a user (most preferably the pharmacist, who is aware of the defeat aperture&#39;s purpose) can overcome the resistance provided by the serpentines  206  and  208  and shift the slide plate  200  longitudinally forward, toward the rebound wall  218  to a forward-most “unlocked” position (described in greater detail below). 
         [0052]    The defeat catch  202  is a generally L-shaped member having a vertical leg  220  that extends downwardly from the rear edge of the slide plate  200 , through an aperture  222  in the base plate  60 , and into the recessed neck  30  of the receptacle  12 . The defeat catch  202  includes an angled tooth  224  that extends longitudinally rearward from a lower terminus of the vertical leg  220 . When the slide plate  200  is in the locked position (described above), the tooth  224  is longitudinally positioned directly below, and is in close vertical proximity to, the downwardly-facing surface of the retaining flange  32 , as best shown in  FIG. 10 . In this position, the top edge of the tooth  224  is prevented from moving upwardly beyond the lower edge of the retaining flange  32 , which in-turn prevents the rear side of the cap  14  from being lifted vertically away from the receptacle  12 . 
         [0053]    When the slide plate  200  is moved forward to the unlocked position, the tooth  224  is positioned longitudinally forward of the retaining flange  32 . With the tooth  224  in such a position, the retaining flange  32  does not impede vertical movement of the tooth  224  and the rear side of the cap  14  can therefore be freely lifted away from the receptacle  12 . 
         [0054]    When the cap  14  is operatively mounted to the receptacle  12  with the drive bar  96  and the slide plate  200  both in their locked positions (as shown in  FIG. 10 ), the cap  14  is prevented from being manually removed from the receptacle  12  by a human user of average physical strength. However, if either the drive bar  96  or the slide plate  200  is moved to its unlocked position, the cap  14  can be easily removed from the receptacle  12  in the manner described above by pivoting the cap  14  about the tooth that is not retracted from the flange  32 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an alternative embodiment of the invention is contemplated in which the locking pill bottle  300  is provided with a defeat mechanism  302  having a proprietary defeat key  304  that can be inserted through a defeat aperture in the lid (not shown) of the locking pill bottle  300  that is similar to, but generally larger than, the defeat aperture  14  described above. When the defeat key  304  is inserted into the lid, the shaft  305  of the defeat key  304  laterally engages a pair of key brackets  306  and  308  and is rotatably held therein. A key tooth (not within view) extends downwardly from the key shaft  304  longitudinally adjacent the push tab  310  of the defeat mechanism  302 . By rotating the defeat key  304  clockwise, a user can cause the key tooth to engage the push tab  310 . If a sufficient amount of torque is applied to the defeat key  304 , the user can overcome the resistance provided by the serpentines  314  and  316  and shift the slide plate  318  longitudinally forward, toward the rebound wall  320  to a forward-most “unlocked” position in a similar manner to that described above for the defeat mechanism  66 . 
         [0056]    In order to use the locking pill bottle  10  a user, such as a pharmacist or a consumer, typically first receives the locking pill bottle  10  with the inner rings  112  of the combination wheels  88 - 94  held in their unset positions by the retaining pin  102  as described above. The user then sets a combination for the integrated lock  16  by manually engaging the portion of each of the outer rings  114  of the combination wheels  88 - 94  that protrude through the wheel apertures  46 - 52  of the cap  14 , such as with a thumb or a forefinger, and rotating the outer rings  114  relative to the inner rings  112  (in the manner described above) by pushing upwardly or downwardly until the indicia  116  representing a desired four digit combination are longitudinally aligned at the 9 o&#39;clock positions of their respective combination wheels  88 - 94 . With the selected indicia  116  positioned thusly, a groove  118  of each outer ring  114  is at the 12 o&#39;clock position by virtue of the 90 degree separation between each indicia  116  and a groove  118  (described above). Next, the user withdraws the retaining pin  102  from the cap  14  through the pin aperture  56  as shown in  FIG. 9 , thereby allowing each of the inner rings  112  to expand to their set positions (as described above) with the tooth  136  of each inner ring  112  moving into radial engagement with a groove  120  in its respective outer ring  114  as best shown in  FIG. 8 . Thereafter, the rotational movement of each outer ring  114  is locked to the rotational movement of its respective inner ring  112 , and the lobe portion  130  of the key channel  124  of each inner ring  112  will be in the 6 o&#39;clock position, and thus longitudinally aligned with an adjacent key lobe  166 - 172  of the key shaft, only when the correct indicium (as set by the user in the manner described above) on the corresponding outer ring  114  is at the 9 o&#39;clock position. 
         [0057]    After setting the combination in the manner described above, the user then preferably rotates at least one of the combination wheels  88 - 94  until the correct indicium on the combination wheel  88 - 94  is moved out of the 9 o&#39;clock position. Positioned thusly, the lobe portion  130  of the inner ring  112  of the rotated combination wheel  88 - 94  is longitudinally misaligned with the adjacent key lobe  166 - 172  of the key shaft  160 . If a user subsequently pushes the primary catch button  180 , the misaligned key lobe  166 - 172  will longitudinally engage the periphery of the rotated key channel  124  (as opposed to moving longitudinally into the lobe portion  130  of the key channel  124 ). This prevents the key lobe  166 - 172  from moving longitudinally-rearward, beyond the forward-most edge of the key channel  124 , which in-turn prevents the drive bar  96  from being longitudinally moved to the unlocked position. Those who do not know the correct combination for the lock  16  are thus prevented from opening the locking pill bottle  10  through use of the primary catch button  180 , or at least the likelihood of such a person being able to open the locking pill bottle  10  without inflicting evident damage to the locking pill bottle  10  is greatly reduced. 
         [0058]    In order to open the locking pill bottle  10 , a user with knowledge of the correct combination rotates the combination wheels  88 - 94  until the correct indicium on each wheel  88 - 94  palpably “clicks” into place (see the description of the detent arm  111  above) at the 9 o&#39;clock position. With the combination wheels  88 - 94  positioned thusly, the lobe portions  130  of the key channels  124  of the inner rings  112  are longitudinally aligned with the key lobes  166 - 172  of the key shaft  160 . If a user subsequently pushes the primary catch button  180  with a sufficient amount of force to overcome the resistance of the spring  100 , each key lobe  166 - 172  will move longitudinally-rearward, into the lobe portion  130  of an adjacent key channel  124 , and the drive bar  96  will thereby be moved to the unlocked position. While keeping the primary catch button  180  depressed, the user can lift the front side of the cap  14  away from the receptacle  12  and thereby gain access to the contents of the receptacle  12 . 
         [0059]    The correct combination for the lock  16  of the locking pill bottle  10  is preferably known only to the user who set the combination. If the user forgets the combination after setting it, the locking pill bottle  10  can be opened by inserting a narrow implement through the defeat aperture  56  in the cap  14  and manipulating the defeat mechanism  66  in the manner described above. The existence and method of operating the defeat mechanism  66  are preferably kept secret from all but the manufacturer and the users of the locking pill bottle  10 . Although it is preferred that the locking pill bottle  10  be provided with a means for circumventing the key mechanism  64  to open the locking pill bottle  10 , it is contemplated that the defeat mechanism  66  can be omitted. 
         [0060]    The receptacle  12  of the locking pill bottle  10  has an interior volume of 30 drams, although it is contemplated that receptacles having smaller or larger interior volumes can alternatively be used. It is preferred that only the height of such receptacles be varied to achieve smaller or larger interior volumes, and that the length and width of such receptacles remain consistent, regardless of the receptacles&#39; interior volume, for allowing a single size of cap  14  to fit over receptacles of any volume. For example, referring to  FIG. 12 , it is contemplated that the locking pill bottle can have a taller, 60 dram receptacle  400 , or a shorter, 15 dram receptacle  402 , each receptacle having a length and a width that are substantially equal to those of the 30 dram receptacle  12  described above. The precise volume each receptacle can hold is not critical, and the larger and smaller receptacles are described for the purpose of showing that alternative receptacle sizes are contemplated. 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it is preferred that the top wall  42  of the cap  14  of the locking pill bottle  10  be formed with a raised crown  230 , and that the bottom surface of the floor (not shown) of the receptacle  12  of the locking pill bottle  10  have a corresponding recess formed therein that is of similar size and shape to the crown  230 . A plurality of locking pill bottles similar to the locking pill bottle  10  can thereby be stacked one atop another, such as in a medicine cabinet, with the recess and crown of each vertically adjacent pair of bottles in mating engagement with one another. Stacked thusly, the likelihood of the bottles being shifted laterally relative to one another and thereby being caused to fall over is mitigated. 
         [0062]    This detailed description in connection with the drawings is intended principally as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention and that various modifications may be adopted without departing from the invention or scope of the following claims.