A child-resistant container that includes a cap and a bottle portion. The cap includes several inner engagement features protruding radially inwardly and the finish of the bottle portion includes a protrusion disposed about the opening with an overhanging ledge. Slots in the ledge correspond to the engagement features. In one particular embodiment, the cap includes two different length circumferential engagement features and two triangular engagement features.

BACKGROUND

Field

This disclosure generally relates to devices and systems for preventing access to the contents of a container by one or more mechanisms, commonly referred to as child-resistant or child-proof containers.

Description of the Related Art

Many types of containers are designed to prevent access to the contents thereof by children or others. Commonly, a bottle includes a cap that is difficult to remove to open the bottle portion of the container if the person manipulating the cap doesn't understand the mechanism for removing the cap. However, removal of the cap should not be too difficult and the mechanism should not be too complex or delicate to prevent simply breaking any of the child-resistant features of the cap. Accordingly, improvements are needed for existing child-resistant cap features.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the disclosure includes a child-resistant container. The child-resistant container includes a cap having an upper surface and a wall having an interior surface. The interior surface of the wall includes a first engagement feature, a second engagement feature, a third engagement feature, and a fourth engagement feature protruding radially inwardly. A bottle portion includes an outer surface and a finish having an opening into the container defined by a rim, the finish includes a tapered protrusion disposed about the rim with a ledge on an underside thereof. The tapered protrusion has gaps in the ledge including a first slot corresponding to the first engagement feature, a second slot corresponding to the second engagement feature, a third slot corresponding to the third engagement feature, and a fourth slot corresponding to the fourth engagement feature. The first, second, third, and fourth engagement features each include an upper horizontal surface. In a locked configuration, the cap is attached to the finish with the wall disposed radially outwardly around the tapered protrusion and the first, second, third, and fourth engagement features are aligned below the ledge of the tapered protrusion such that the cap is locked against removal from the finish in a vertical direction by engagement of the horizontal surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth engagement features with the ledge. In an unlocked configuration, the first, second, third, and fourth engagement features are aligned vertically with the corresponding first, second, third, and fourth slots such that the cap can be removed from the finish vertically with the first, second, third, and fourth engagement features passing through the gaps in the ledge. The first engagement feature has a first thickness in a radial direction and a first length in a circumferential direction, and the first slot has the first thickness and the first length. The second engagement feature has a second thickness in the radial direction and a second length in the circumferential direction. The first thickness is equivalent to the second thickness. The first length is less than the second length. The second slot has the second thickness and the second length. The first engagement feature is disposed opposite the second engagement feature. The third engagement feature has a first triangular shape when viewed normal to the vertical direction. The third slot having the first triangular shape. The fourth engagement feature has a second triangular shape when viewed normal to the vertical direction. The fourth slot having the first triangular shape. The third engagement feature is disposed opposite the fourth engagement feature.

According to a second aspect, a child-resistant container includes a cap including a wall having an interior surface. The interior surface of the wall includes a first engagement feature protruding radially inwardly. A bottle portion including a finish has an opening into the container. The finish includes a protrusion disposed about the opening with an overhanging ledge, a first slot corresponding to the first engagement feature disposed in the ledge. In a locked configuration, the cap is attached to the finish with the wall disposed radially outwardly around the finish and the first engagement feature is aligned below the ledge of the protrusion such that the cap is locked against removal from the finish in a vertical direction by engagement of the first engagement feature with the ledge. In an unlocked configuration, the first engagement feature is aligned vertically with the first slot such that the cap can be removed from the finish vertically with the first engagement feature passing through the first slot in the ledge.

According to another aspect, the protrusion includes an outer tapered surface. According to another aspect, a second slot is disposed in the ledge corresponding to a second engagement feature on the interior surface of the cap. According to another aspect, in the locked configuration, the second engagement feature is aligned below the ledge of the protrusion such that the cap is locked against removal from the finish in the vertical direction by engagement of the second engagement feature with the ledge.

According to another aspect, in the unlocked configuration, the second engagement feature is aligned vertically with the second slot such that the cap can be removed from the finish vertically with the second engagement feature passing through the second slot in the ledge. According to another aspect, a third slot is disposed in the ledge corresponding to a third engagement feature on the interior surface of the cap. According to another aspect, in the locked configuration, the third engagement feature is aligned below the ledge of the protrusion such that the cap is locked against removal from the finish in the vertical direction by engagement of the third engagement feature with the ledge. According to another aspect, in the unlocked configuration, the third engagement feature is aligned vertically with the third slot such that the cap can be removed from the finish vertically with the third engagement feature passing through the third slot in the ledge. According to another aspect, a fourth slot is disposed in the ledge corresponding to a fourth engagement feature on the interior surface of the cap. According to another aspect, in the locked configuration, the fourth engagement feature is aligned below the ledge of the protrusion such that the cap is locked against removal from the finish in the vertical direction by engagement of the fourth engagement feature with the ledge. In the unlocked configuration, the fourth engagement feature is aligned vertically with the fourth slot such that the cap can be removed from the finish vertically with the fourth engagement feature passing through the fourth slot in the ledge. According to another aspect, the first engagement feature has a first thickness in a radial direction and a first length in a circumferential direction, the first slot having the first thickness and the first length. According to another aspect, the second engagement feature has a second thickness in the radial direction and a second length in the circumferential direction, the first thickness being equivalent to the second thickness, and the first length being less than the second length, the second slot having the second thickness and the second length. According to another aspect, the third engagement feature has a first triangular shape when viewed normal to the vertical direction, the third slot having the first triangular shape. According to another aspect, the fourth engagement feature has a second triangular shape when viewed normal to the vertical direction, the fourth slot having the first triangular shape. According to another aspect, the first engagement feature is disposed opposite the second engagement feature. According to another aspect, the third engagement feature is disposed opposite the fourth engagement feature. According to another aspect, the first, second, third, and fourth engagement features each include an upper horizontal surface configured to engage with the ledge in the locked configuration.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the systems, devices, and methods and/or other subject matter described in this application will become apparent in the teachings set forth below. The summary is provided to introduce a selection of some of the concepts of this disclosure. The summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of any subject matter described herein

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various features and advantages of the systems, devices, and methods of the technology described herein will become more fully apparent from the following description of the examples illustrated in the figures. These examples are intended to illustrate the principles of this disclosure, and this disclosure should not be limited to merely the illustrated examples. The features of the illustrated examples can be modified, combined, removed, and/or substituted as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the principles disclosed herein.

Various types of child-resistant containers are commonly available. A common design is a cap that is detachable from a finish portion of bottle or other type of container. The present disclosure is primarily directed to a container assembly that includes child-resistant features that are easy to manufacture and structurally reliable. In addition, the cap can be easily opened by an adult or other person with knowledge of the mechanism for removing the cap from the bottle but is also likely too difficult for most children to open.

FIGS.1A-2Cshow a cap110assembly for a container with child-resistant features. The cap110can include an outer wall112and an upper wall111. The outer wall112, can have a generally circular or circular profile, although this is not required. The outer wall112can extend downwardly from the upper wall111. The upper wall111can enclose an upper end of the outer wall112. The outer wall112can be a generally cylindrical portion and/or include gripping features on an outer surface thereof.

An interior side of the outer wall112can include one or more engagement features that engage with a bottle portion discussed below. The engagement features can include a first engagement feature121, a second engagement feature122, a third engagement feature123, and/or a fourth engagement feature124. The number and positioning of the engagement features can be varied depending on the particular design. The first engagement feature121can be disposed opposite the second engagement feature122. The third engagement feature123can be disposed opposite the fourth engagement feature124. The first, second, third, and fourth engagement features can be located around the circumference of the interior surface of the outer wall112(e.g., at equally spaced 90° positions). The engagement features can extend radially inwardly towards a center of the outer wall112. The engagement features can project from the interior wall of the outer wall112. One or more of the engagement features can include an upper horizontal surface that extends perpendicular to the interior surface of the outer wall112. The engagement features can be spaced upwardly above a lower rim of the outer wall112.

The first engagement feature121can have a thickness in a radial direction relative to the outer wall112. The first engagement feature121can include a circumferential length in a circumferential direction around the interior surface of the outer wall112. The first engagement feature121can be generally block shaped. The second engagement feature122can have a thickness in the radial direction and a length in the circumferential direction. The thickness of the first engagement feature121can be equivalent to the thickness of the second engagement feature122. The circumferential length of the first engagement feature121can be less than the length of the engagement feature122.

The third engagement feature123can have a triangular shape when viewed normal to the vertical direction as shown inFIG.2A. The triangular shape can be a right triangle or other triangular shape. The fourth engagement feature124can have a triangular shape. The triangular shape can be a right triangle or other triangular shape. The triangular shape of a third engagement feature123can be a mere image of the triangular shape of the fourth engagement feature124. Optionally an lower face of the third and fourth engagement features123,124can be chamfered as shown inFIG.2B. A length of the third engagement feature123in the circumferential direction can be equivalent less than or greater than a length of the fourth engagement feature124in the circumferential direction. Optionally, the length of the third engagement feature123and/or the fourth engagement feature124can be greater than the length of the first engagement feature121and less than the length of the second engagement feature122.

FIGS.3A-5shows a bottle130or a container portion of the container assembly. The bottle130can include an outer wall131enclosing an interior space. The outer wall131can have various shapes and sizes. As illustrated, the outer wall131can include a generally frustro-conical shape terminating in a bottom wall.

An upper end of the outer wall131can include a finish portion132. The finish portion132can include an opening133into the interior of the outer wall131. The opening133can be defined by an upper rim of the finish132. The finish132can include a tapered protrusion134. The tapered protrusion134can extend around a circumference of the opening133. The tapered protrusion134can have a smaller diameter at the rim of the finish portion of132that gets broader as the tapered protrusion134extends downwardly. A groove138can be disposed between the tapered protrusion134and a top surface of the container wall131(e.g., at the base of the finish. A height of the groove138can be sized to receive the engagement features of the cap110as described further below.

The tapered protrusion134can include a lower ledge. The lower ledge can be disposed generally perpendicularly with a longitudinal access of the bottle130(e.g., facing the groove138). The ledge can be generally horizontal. The ledge can extend around a circumference of the tapered protrusion134.

The ledge139can be broken by one or more vertical slots therein. The slots can extend entirely through the tapered protrusion134to the groove138and extend upwardly to the rim of the opening133. The vertical slots can include a first slot141, a second slot142, a third slot143, and a fourth slot144. The first slot141can have a length in a circumferential direction of the finish portion132. The length of the first slot141can correspond to the length of the first engagement feature121. A depth of the first slot141in the radial direction can correspond to the width of the first engagement feature of121. The second slot142can generally correspond to the second engagement feature122. The second slot142can have a length in the circumferential direction and a depth in the radial direction that correspond to the length and the width of the second engagement feature122. The third slot,143can generally correspond to the third engagement feature143. The third slot can have a generally triangular shape when viewed from a top view or a view normal to the vertical direction as shown inFIG.5. A length and depth of the third slot143can correspond to the length and width of the third engagement feature123. The third slot143can have a triangular shape. The fourth slot144can generally correspond to the fourth engagement feature124. A length and a depth of the fourth slot144can correspond to the length and width of the fourth engagement feature124. The fourth slot144can have a triangular shape. The first, second, third and fourth slots can be disposed about the circumference of the tapered protrusion134so as to correspond with the positions of the first, second, third, and fourth engagement features respectively.

As shown inFIGS.6A-7the cap110can be assembled with the finish portion132of the container130to form the assembled container150. The cap110can be assembled over the protrusion134such that the engagement features of the cap110are within the slot128. To assembly the cap110, the engagement features can either be forced downward over the tapered protrusion134into the groove138of the engagement features can be aligned with the respective slots and passed through said slots into the groove138. The upper horizontal surfaces of the engagement features can engage with the ledge of the protrusion134.

As assembled, the engagement features can be disposed within the groove138. The cap110can be rotatable relative to the bottle130. Accordingly, the slot extends around the circumference of the finish portion132so that the rotation of the cap110is enabled without interference from the engagement features. In a locked configuration, the engagement features of the cap110are either not aligned at all with the slots that are within the tapered protrusion134or they are aligned with non-corresponding slots. One or more of the engagement features may be unable to pass vertically through the non-corresponding slots. This locked configuration can prevent the cap110from being removed from the finished132. The mechanical engagement between the engagement features and the ledge can prevent the removal of the cap110by a child.

The cap110can be rotated into a unlocked configuration with the corresponding engagement features aligned with the corresponding slots in the ledge. In the unlocked configuration, a vertical force on the cap110relative to the bottle130can enable the engagement features to pass upwardly though the corresponding slots for removal of the cap110. Optionally, the cap110and/or the bottle130can include markings that indicate a correct alignment for removal and/or replacement of the cap110.

The cap110can be reattached with the finished132of the bottle130. This can be accomplished either by aligning the engagement features with the corresponding slots or forcing the engagement features over the tapered protrusion134and into the groove138. After assembling the cap110with the finish132, the cap110can be rotated into the locked configuration to misalign the engagement features with the corresponding slots.

Certain Terminology

Terms of orientation used herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “proximal,” “distal,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” and “end,” are used in the context of the illustrated example. However, the present disclosure should not be limited to the illustrated orientation. Indeed, other orientations are possible and are within the scope of this disclosure. Terms relating to circular shapes as used herein, such as diameter or radius, should be understood not to require perfect circular structures, but rather should be applied to any suitable structure with a cross-sectional region that can be measured from side-to-side. Terms relating to shapes generally, such as “circular,” “cylindrical,” “semi-circular,” or “semi-cylindrical” or any related or similar terms, are not required to conform strictly to the mathematical definitions of circles or cylinders or other structures, but can encompass structures that are reasonably close approximations.

Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain examples include or do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more examples.

Conjunctive language, such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain examples require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

SUMMARY

Several illustrative examples of child-resistant containers have been disclosed. Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain illustrative examples and uses, other examples and other uses, including examples and uses which do not provide all of the features and advantages set forth herein, are also within the scope of this disclosure. Components, elements, features, acts, or steps can be arranged or performed differently than described and components, elements, features, acts, or steps can be combined, merged, added, or left out in various examples. All possible combinations and subcombinations of elements and components described herein are intended to be included in this disclosure. No single feature or group of features is necessary or indispensable.

Any portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in one example in this disclosure can be combined or used with (or instead of) any other portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in a different example or flowchart. The examples described herein are not intended to be discrete and separate from each other. Combinations, variations, and some implementations of the disclosed features are within the scope of this disclosure.

Further, while illustrative examples have been described, any examples having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, and/or combinations are also within the scope of this disclosure. Moreover, although certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein, not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular example. For example, some examples within the scope of this disclosure achieve one advantage, or a group of advantages, as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages taught or suggested herein. Further, some examples may achieve different advantages than those taught or suggested herein.

Some examples have been described in connection with the accompanying drawings. The figures are drawn and/or shown to scale, but such scale should not be limiting, since dimensions and proportions other than what are shown are contemplated and are within the scope of the disclosed invention. Distances, angles, etc. are merely illustrative and do not necessarily bear an exact relationship to actual dimensions and layout of the devices illustrated. Components can be added, removed, and/or rearranged. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with various examples can be used in all other examples set forth herein. Additionally, any methods described herein may be practiced using any device suitable for performing the recited steps.

For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages and features of the inventions have been described herein. Not all, or any such advantages are necessarily achieved in accordance with any particular example of the inventions disclosed herein. No aspects of this disclosure are essential or indispensable. In many examples, the devices, systems, and methods may be configured differently than illustrated in the figures or description herein. For example, various functionalities provided by the illustrated modules can be combined, rearranged, added, or deleted. In some implementations, additional or different processors or modules may perform some or all of the functionalities described with reference to the examples described and illustrated in the figures. Many implementation variations are possible. Any of the features, structures, steps, or processes disclosed in this specification can be included in any example.

In summary, various examples of child-resistant containers and related methods have been disclosed. This disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed examples to other alternative examples and/or other uses of the examples, as well as to certain modifications and equivalents thereof. Moreover, this disclosure expressly contemplates that various features and aspects of the disclosed examples can be combined with, or substituted for, one another. Accordingly, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited by the particular disclosed examples described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims.