Container with a child-proof lock

A container having a container body (2) comprises a container wall (3) and forms a receiving space (4) for goods to be packaged (5). The container comprises a discharge opening (6) for discharging the goods to be packaged (5) and a container closure (10) for closing the discharge opening (6). The container closure (10) comprises a lid (12) which can assume a closed position for closing the discharge opening (6) and an open position for opening the discharge opening (6). The container further comprises a child-proof lock (30) including first and second locking elements (18, 19). The first and second locking elements (18, 19) can assume a mutual locked position in which the lid (12) is fixed in the closed position, and wherein the first and second locking elements (18, 19) can be moved to a release position in which the lid (12) can be moved to the open position.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Stage of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2014/070908, filed Sep. 30, 2014, which claims priority to and all the advantages of German Patent Application No. DE 10 2013 110 997.7, filed on Oct. 2, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a container having a child-proof lock for medicinal products, such as tablets, or other goods to be packaged in a particularly child-proof manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

DE 28 28 065 A1 describes a synthetic material lid closure for containers. The closure comprises a lock member, which can be unlocked by pressing onto the deformable outer wall of the lid support.

A further container with a child-proof lock is known from US 2003/0201283 A1. This document describes a container with a cap. The lid of the cap comprises two hooks, which, when the lid is closed, can protrude into the lower part thereof and latch at that position.

GB 2 082 552 A describes a child-proof container, which has an upper part which is provided with catch arms which lie against protrusions. The catch arms can be moved inwardly by means of a tab in order to release the upper part. A disadvantage of this design is that handling is not as simple as would be desired because the upper part cannot be grasped easily. Furthermore, the receiving space can only be inadequately sealed. This can lead to problems in the case of tablets being sensitive to moisture.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A container with a child-proof lock is secure and simple to handle and can also be produced in a cost-effective manner. One non-limiting example of the container body comprises a container wall and forms a receiving space for goods to be packaged. The container comprises a discharge opening for discharging the goods to be packaged and a container closure for closing the discharge opening. The container closure comprises a lid which can assume a closed position, in which the lid closes the discharge opening, and the lid can be moved from the closed position to an open position in which the discharge opening is open. The container further comprises a child-proof lock, which includes a first locking element arranged on the lid, and a second locking element situated adjacent to the container. The second locking element is arranged outside of the container wall and at a radial distance from the container wall. The first and second locking elements cooperate with one another in a mutual locked position in which the lid is fixed in the closed position, and the first and second locking elements can be moved relative to each other from the locked position to a release position in which the lid can be moved to the open position. Such a container with the child-proof lock is particularly suitable for medicinal products, such as tablets. However, the container is equally suitable for other goods to be packaged, which need to be packaged in a particularly child-proof manner.

This design allows the container and child-proof lock to be handled in a particularly simple manner. By virtue of the second locking element being arranged outside of the container wall and at a radial distance therefrom, the child-proof lock can be designed such that this is simple and intuitive to operate for adults. Nevertheless, effective protection against being opened by children can be achieved. Furthermore, the container is suitable for securely packaging even sensitive goods to be packaged, such as tablets. The container can also be produced in a cost-effective manner.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, provision is made that a recess is provided on a side of the second locking element facing the container wall, in which the first locking element is at least partially received in the closed position of the lid. Such a recess can be arranged, for example, between the second locking element and the container wall. Such a design can be produced effectively and in a cost-effective manner and is also particularly simple to operate. In accordance with one development of this inventive concept, provision can be made that the container wall comprises an aperture in the region of the recess. Producability is also improved hereby.

In an advantageous manner, a projecting holding section is provided which extends outwardly from the container wall, wherein the second locking element is arranged on the holding section. The holding section can be arranged in particular on the container edge and can extend outwardly therefrom. In this manner, the second locking element can be arranged in a particularly favourable manner at a radial distance from the container wall.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the second locking element comprises a bar, which is attached to the holding section by means of a first connecting section. In this case, the bar can be connected to the container wall by means of a second connecting section. In an advantageous manner, the bar, holding section and container wall can thereby delimit the recess.

One non-limiting embodiment of the container further comprises a resilient tongue provided on the holding section, the actuating element being arranged on the resilient tongue. The resilient tongue can permit an easy actuation of the actuating element. Owing to the resilient properties of the resilient tongue, the actuating element can be moved to its actuating position and then automatically return to its rest position.

In a further improvement, provision is made that the actuating element comprises a contact surface, which is pressed against the first locking element in the actuating position. In this manner, the first locking element can be moved to the release position. In the rest position, the actuating element can be spaced apart from the first locking element. However, in the rest position, it can also lie against the first locking element with a low amount of force, wherein the first locking element is still located in the locked position. It is particularly preferred, if the contact surface faces the container wall. The actuating element can then be actuated by applying pressure from the outside to the inside.

A high level of safety and intuitive operation of the child-proof lock are achieved if a first locking element and a second locking element having an actuating element are provided in each case on two sides of the container. The first and second locking elements with their respective actuating element can be arranged in particular opposite each other, i.e. in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to a central plane of the container.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, provision is made that the container closure comprises a section situated adjacent to the container, which is arranged on the container body. In this manner, it is possible to produce the container closure as a separate part and then connect it to the container body. However, the section situated adjacent to the container can also be part of the container body.

In an advantageous manner, the section situated adjacent to the container is arranged on a container opening formed by the container wall. In this case, the discharge opening can be formed in the section situated adjacent to the container. It is particularly advantageous if the section situated adjacent to the container comprises an insert which is inserted into the container opening. Such a design is not only particularly easy and cost-effective to produce, but is also simple to operate.

Simple operability is achieved if the lid is movably articulated on the section situated adjacent to the container. Movable articulation can be achieved by a film hinge. Alternatively, the lid can also be movably articulated on the container wall.

In an advantageous manner, the first locking element is formed as a resiliently movable spring arm.

Good operability is also inter alia achieved by virtue of the fact that the first and second locking elements are formed as latching elements which latch together in the closed position of the lid.

Further objectives, features, advantages and possible applications of the present invention will be apparent from the description hereinafter of an exemplified embodiment with reference to the drawings. All of the described and/or figuratively illustrated features form the subject matter of the invention in their own right or in any meaningful combination, even irrespective of the combination in individual claims or dependency reference thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2A to 2Eshow a container1, which comprises a container body2having a container wall3. The container body2forms a receiving space4for goods to be packaged5. This can be seen particularly clearly in the sectional view ofFIG. 2C. The container is particularly suitable for goods to be packaged, which are in the form of tablets. It can, however, also be used for other goods to be packaged.

FIGS. 2C and 2Eclearly show that the container1comprises a discharge opening6for discharging the goods to be packaged5. The discharge opening6is sized such that isolated goods to be packaged are discharged. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that the clear width of the discharge opening6is slightly larger than the smallest diameter of the goods to be packaged. Furthermore, a pouring aid7is provided on the discharge opening6. This is formed by a region having a diameter, which tapers towards the discharge opening6. In this respect, bars, which extend in an inclined manner are provided below the discharge opening6. The discharging of individual tablets is facilitated by the pouring aid7and counteracts clogging in front of the discharge opening6.

The container body2is designed in the form of a beaker. It comprises an upwardly facing container opening8. The container wall3extends in an inclined manner from the base surface9and expands upwardly.

Furthermore, the container1comprises a container closure10. In the illustrated exemplified embodiment, this closure has a section11situated adjacent to the container and a lid12. The section11situated adjacent to the container is formed as an insert, which is inserted into the container opening8. In the illustrated embodiment, the discharge opening6is arranged in the section11situated adjacent to the container. The discharge opening6is closed by the lid12. In this respect, the lid comprises a protruding section13, which protrudes into the discharge opening6and closes the same in a sealing manner in the closed position of the lid12illustrated inFIG. 2C. The lid12can be moved from the illustrated closed position to an open position in which the discharge opening is open. In the illustrated exemplified embodiment, the lid12is, in this respect, articulated on the section11situated adjacent to the container. In this respect, a film hinge14is provided which allows the lid12to move. In this manner, the container closure is formed as a flip-top closure.

Furthermore, the container closure10comprises a desiccant chamber15. This is provided towards the receiving space4with a cover16made of moisture-permeable material, e.g. cardboard. A known desiccant can be accommodated in the desiccant chamber15in order to protect the goods to be packaged from moisture.

The section11situated adjacent to the container is formed as an insert, which is inserted into the container body2. A seal17is provided in the connecting region between the container body2and section11situated adjacent to the container of the container closure10. In the illustrated exemplified embodiment, this seal is formed as a circumferential sealing bead.

The container closure10comprises a child-proof lock30in order to protect the container1from unauthorized opening by children. In this respect, a first locking element18is provided on the lid. In the illustrated exemplified embodiment, this locking element is formed as a resiliently movable spring arm which extends downwards from the lid12. A second locking element19is provided on the side situated adjacent to the container. A hook-like protrusion is formed on the first locking element18and engages behind the second locking element19in the closed position of the lid. In this manner, the first and second locking elements can latch together and assume a mutual locked position, in which the lid12is fixed in the closed position. The first and second locking elements18,19can be moved relative to each other from the locked position to a release position, in which the lid12can be moved to the open position. In the illustrated exemplified embodiment, the first locking element18formed as a resilient spring arm can be moved, in this respect, inwardly towards the container body1until the hook-like protrusion is moved past the second locking element. In order to be able to operate the child-proof lock30simply and intuitively, an actuating element20is provided. This can be moved inwardly from the rest position illustrated inFIG. 2Dto an actuating position in order to move the first locking element18from the locked position to the release position. In this respect, the actuating element20comprises a contact surface21, which can be pressed against the first locking element. In the actuating position, the actuating element20is then pressed against the first locking element18.

FIGS. 2B and 2Eclearly show that the container1has two actuating elements20, wherein first and second locking elements18,19are allocated to each actuating element20. The actuating elements20are arranged on opposite sides of the container1. The actuating elements20can thus be pressed inwardly simply and at the same time, in order to simultaneously unlock the locking elements18,19.

FIGS. 1 and 2A to 2Ealso show that the second actuating element19is arranged outside of the container body2or container wall3and at a radial distance therefrom. In this respect, a holding section22is provided which is described in more detail in conjunction with the following figures. The first actuating element18is also arranged outside of the container body2at a radial distance therefrom.

In the further figures, the same parts are provided with the same reference signs as inFIG. 1. The corresponding description made in relation toFIGS. 1 and 2A to 2Eapplies accordingly.

FIGS. 3 and 4A to 4Cshow the container1without the container closure10. The container body2which forms the receiving space4in its interior can again be clearly seen. In particular,FIG. 4Ashows that the container body2has an oval cross-section in the illustrated exemplified embodiment.

FIGS. 3 and 4Aclearly show the holding section22. The holding section22is formed to be projecting and extends outwardly from the container wall3. It allows in particular for the second locking element19to be arranged outside of the container body2and at a radial distance therefrom. The second locking element19is arranged on the holding section22. In the illustrated exemplified embodiment, the second locking element19comprises a bar23. The bar23is connected to the holding section22by means of a first connecting section24. The bar23is connected to the container wall3via a second connecting section25.

A recess26arranged outside of the container body2is provided on the side of the second locking element19facing the container wall3. The first locking element18can be at least partially received in this recess in the closed position of the lid12in order to latch with the second locking element19.

The container wall3comprises an aperture27in the region of the recess26. The aperture27is arranged above the seal17(FIG. 4C) so that moisture cannot penetrate through the aperture27into the receiving space4.

Furthermore, a resilient tongue28is provided on the holding section22for each actuating element20. The resilient tongue28is resiliently movable so that the actuating element20can be pressed inwardly against the first locking element18. Owing to the resilient properties of the resilient tongue28, the actuating element20returns to its rest position when there is no more pressure on the actuating element.

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating element20is formed as an actuating button. In the illustrated exemplified embodiment, this button has an approximately circular shape. The actuating elements20can thereby be easily grasped and compressed using two fingers. The contact surface21of the actuating element20faces inwards in each case.

The actuating elements20are arranged beneath the bars23. The holding section22comprises a downwardly facing support section29. The resilient tongues28are arranged on both sides of the support section. The resilient tongues28extend from the support section29towards the container body2.

FIGS. 5 and 6A to 6Dshow the container closure10in detail. The design of the first locking elements18, which are formed as resiliently movable spring arms, can be particularly seen herein.

The container1can most preferably be produced from synthetic material. The illustrated exemplified embodiment is formed as an injection moulded synthetic material part. The container1can be assembled from two injection moulded parts. The first injection moulded part comprises the container body2and the second injection moulded part comprises the section11situated adjacent to the container and the lid12.