A container assembly that includes a container having a container top and a container floor, a lid affixed to said container top by a hinge, the lid being adapted to move between an open position and a closed position, an internal fastener being (1) attached to the inside of the container, (2) not accessible from the outside of the container when the lid is in its closed position, and (3) adapted to maintain the lid in its closed or locked position, an access hole in the container floor, a lever positioned within the container and above the access hole, and a tool adapted to be inserted into the access hole to activate the lever to release the internal fastening mechanism.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

There is a need for containers that are readily opened by adults, including older or infirm adults, but is not practically accessible by small children.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Disclosed is a user-friendly, child-resistant container assembly. It comprises a container having a container top and a container floor, an access hole in the container floor, a lid affixed to the container top by a hinge and adapted to move between an open position and a closed position. The container assembly also includes an internal fastener that is (1) attached to the inside of the container, (2) not accessible from the outside of the container when the lid is in its closed position, and (3) adapted to maintain the lid in its closed position. In some embodiments a lever is positioned within the container and above the access hole. The assembly may also include. a tool adapted to be inserted into the access hole, activating the lever and releasing the internal fastening mechanism. In other embodiments, there is an access hole in the lid, so that a tool may enter container and release the internal fastening mechanism.

It is quite difficult for a small child to open the container. On the other hand, even an adult with arthritic hands can readily open the container with the tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is a pill container1. Other embodiments include any type of container where it is desirable that a small child not have access, but that an adult, in position of both the container and the tool, have ready access even if the adult suffers from any sort of immobility of the fingers or hands, such as arthritis.

The container1may have substantially any general size and shape, dictated primarily by the intended contents of the container, for instance pills. The container1may be circular, oval or elliptical in cross-section. In certain preferred embodiments it has three vertical sides1aas inFIG. 1, more preferably four sides, most preferably three sides. The container also has a top area2and a bottom3, i.e., a floor3.

Affixed by a hinge4to the top2of the container1is a lid5which moves between open and closed position, allowing one to open and close the container. The term hinge4is to be broadly understood, encompassing any structure that holds the lid5to the container1and yet allows movement of the lid5so that the container1may be accessed. Moreover, there may be multiple hinges4, two being preferred.

The term lid5is also to be broadly understood encompassing any desired shape or size that may be used to close the top of the container1and moved to an open position to allow access to the inside of the container1. In a preferred embodiment, the lid5is a flat triangle corresponding to the preferred contained shape having three sides shown inFIGS. 4-5and7-9. Of course, other lid5and container1shapes and combinations thereof are possible.

Looking atFIGS. 3A and 3B, an internal fastening mechanism1dis used to maintain the lid5in its closed position, and in some embodiments, it is located at the opposite side of the lid5from the hinge4. The internal fastener1bmay be located inside of the container1, where it is not accessible from the outside of the container1when the lid5is in its closed position. Suitable design choices, such as a clasp, a snap, a hook, etc., for the internal fastener1bwill be evident to those skilled in the art from present disclosure. In the closed or locked position, the internal fastener1bengages a fastener projection1cof lid5.

In the floor3is an access hole9(FIG. 3B) through which a tool8may enter the inside of the container. A lever7is housed within the container and above an access hole9, so that the lever7is engaged, either directly or indirectly, by the tool8when the tool8enters the container1through the access hole9. The lever7then engages, either directly or indirectly, the internal fastener6, causing it to move from a closed position toward an open position. The lever7, in some embodiments, is housed within a vertical lever shaft10as inFIGS. 1,2and3A.

In preferred embodiments, the tool is in the shape of a base on or in which the container may be lodged or cradled. In some embodiments, the inner periphery of the tool8includes a ledge portion11on which the container may sit. In some embodiments, the shape of the tool8roughly corresponds to the shape of the container1, for instance, a triangular cross-section of the tool8corresponds to a triangular cross-section of the container1. In some embodiments, a projection8aof the tool8extends vertically from the tool8; it is aligned with the access hole9, for engagement with the lever7, as mentioned above. The projection8amay be integral with the tool or may be a separate component.

The bottom of the container may contain non-access holes or recesses12, adapted to receive knobs or similar projecting structures on the tool, to assist one to position the container on or in the tool.

In some embodiments, there is a lid access hole12in the lid, and a tool adapted to be inserted into the lid access hole12of the lid5(FIG. 8) to release the internal fastening mechanism1b.