FLIP TOP CLOSURE

A package for a product includes a container, a closure adapted for assembly to the container, a first child-resistant feature incorporated into the closure and a second child-resistant feature integrated between the container and the closure. The first child-resistant feature includes a push-to-release tab which is inserted into a slot. The second child-resistant feature includes a securing ring with first formations and being adapted to threadedly attach to the container. A closure body includes engaging formations such that the closure body is used to advance the securing ring onto the container and to remove the securing ring from the container.

BACKGROUND

Closures for containers containing product may be secured to the container neck or to a neck opening of the container by various construction techniques, including snap-on constructions, threaded constructions and plug-in constructions, as some examples. The act of opening the closure for access to the product (i.e., the contents of the container) may be accomplished by removal of the closure from the container or may alternatively be accomplished by simply opening some portion of the closure while it remains on the container as two examples of the options available. For each of the closure-container constructions and combinations as represented by the examples set forth above, further design options and variations are contemplated. For example, a tamper-evident construction may be integrated into the closure-container assembly as a way to is alert the customer or intended end user of possible tampering attempts which may have occurred prior to purchase. Often tamper-evident rings or tear strips are used and must be removed before initial opening of the closure. In this context, “opening” may include removal of the closure from the container or alternatively may include simply opening a portion of the closure while it remains assembled to the container. Another design option or variation which has been employed for closure-container assemblies is to integrate a child-resistant feature into the assembly as a way to try and restrict access to the product contents. Typical child-resistant features require either simultaneous manipulations or sequential manipulations which young children can usually not effect. Other child-resistant features might include or require the application of a level of force which is in excess of what a young child can normally effect. One concern with the level of force style of child-resistant feature is that it may restrict access for the elderly. Arthritis can affect both manipulative dexterity as well as the level of force which can be applied. Limitations on manipulative dexterity may limit access for the elderly if the child-resistant feature is too intricate or complicated.

The use herein of the term “package” is intended to cover and refer to the container and closure combination as a completed assembly with the desired product included within the container. The use herein of the term “container” is intended to include a variety of receptacles such as cartons, cans, bottles, vials, dispensing containers and jars and these varieties can be fabricated out of virtually any material, including materials such as plastic, glass, cardboard, metal, etc.

The present invention, as represented by the disclosed exemplary embodiment, provides a closure-container assembly concept with two child-resistant features, both of which are considered to be elderly-friendly while still effective as child-resistant features.

SUMMARY

A flip top closure includes a closure body with a flip top lid which is hinged to the closure body. An inner ring is captured by the closure body and is threaded to a container. The inner ring includes a series of ratchet teeth or similar mating formations. A first child-resistant feature is incorporated into the flip top lid. A second child-resistant feature is incorporated into the closure body and inner ring combination. These two child-resistant features are separate and independent and are considered to be elderly-friendly.

Current child resistant closure designs on the market require the end-user to completely remove/install the closure in order to access product contents. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows the user to perform an alternative action in order to access product contents within the container, while still being child resistant and elderly friendly. The oversized curved exterior walls of the closure aid in gripping the closure to screw on/off and a large tab to release the flip top closure lid is designed to be easy to locate and operate. There is a reason for having both child-resistant constructions incorporated into the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. If only the flip top lid feature was to be incorporated for access to the product, then the closure could be constructed and arranged for a snap-fit onto the bottle However, by adding the securing ring and allowing the entire closure to be threaded onto and off of the container, the present invention provides a direct replacement for current screw/unscrew only designs found with current users and to be installed using the same equipment found in existing filler production lines as well as bottle capping machine designs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIGS. 1-10there is illustrated a flip top, child-resistant package20for receipt and holding of a product. Package20is an assembly of flip top closure22and container24. For the purposes of disclosure, it will be assumed that in the original condition and prior to the initial opening of the package by the end user or another, that the package includes some quantity of product (i.e., the contents of the container) for subsequent dispensing.

For the exemplary embodiment, the illustrated container24is a bottle with an externally threaded neck26which defines a neck opening28. In the exemplary embodiment the illustrated container is a single-piece, unitary molded plastic construction. As for the disclosed invention, closure22includes three component parts which are assembled together into the assembly which is illustrated inFIGS. 1-10, as flip top closure22.

For the purposes of this disclosure and with reference to the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein, terms such as “up”, “upwardly”, “down” and “downwardly” have their conventional meanings and orientations based on the direction of gravity, i.e. vertical with a normal or customary orientation. The terms “radially” and “radial” are substantially perpendicular to the up and down directions. The terms “lateral” and “laterally” have the same direction and meaning as “radial” and “radially” and are substantially horizontal in the context of this disclosure when the direction of gravity is vertical. “Axial” and “axially” are substantially perpendicular to “radial” and “radially”. These terms are all consistent with package20being positioned in an upright orientation on a support surface such as a countertop or table.

The three component parts of closure22include a flip top lid34, an annular securing ring36and a closure body38. The flip top lid34is hinged to the closure body38with a snap-together hinge40. As an alternate embodiment, a living hinge is used such that the lid, closure body and hinge are all a unitary, single-piece component. The securing ring36is internally-threaded for threaded assembly onto externally-threaded neck26. The outer surface of42of ring36is constructed and arranged with an annular series of ratchet-like teeth44. An inner surface of closure body38includes an annular series of cooperating ratchet-like teeth46. In lieu of a series or continuous series of ratchet-like teeth for teeth44and/or for teeth46, a plurality of discrete teeth or segments of teeth can be used. The flip top lid34is illustrated inFIGS. 11-19. The securing ring36is illustrated inFIGS. 20-25. The closure body38is illustrated inFIGS. 26-32. An alternate is closure member construction incorporating a living hinge is illustrated inFIGS. 33-39.

As will be described in greater detail herein, the securing ring36and the closure body38are assembled together in such a way that the closure body38is able to be used to threadedly advance the securing ring36into secure threaded engagement with the externally threaded neck26of the container24. The closure body38is also constructed and arranged to be used to unscrew the securing ring36from the neck26in order to remove the entire closure22from container24. Removal of the closure22from the container24allows dispensing of product. Closure removal is one option for filling the container, at least in part, with product once the previous product supply, either partially or entirely has been dispensed. The threaded engagement of the securing ring36to the neck26allows the entire closure22to be removed and under normal circumstances allows the container24to be refilled. However, certain types of products would not be deemed refillable, such as prescription medications and the like. In these instances, while the entire closure may be removed for dispensing product from the container, and once the product supply is exhausted, the closure and container combination would be discarded.

The flip top lid34has a press-to-release tab52which downwardly inserts into a slot54which is formed in the closure body at a location which is generally diametrically opposite to the location of hinge40. Tab52extends from the lid body56by means of post58, seeFIGS. 14 and 15. Tab52may be set at an angle or incline such that the upper edge52ais radially outwardly of lower edge52b. A series of raised ribs60are formed into the outwardly facing surface52cof tab52. The formed slot54is defined by the closure body and is positioned between inner wall38aof the closure body and outer wall portion38b. As illustrated inFIGS. 27 and 28, slot54is sized, shaped and contoured so as to essentially match in a cooperating fashion, the size, shape and contour of tab52. Outer wall portion38bdefines opening38cwhich exposes the raised ribs60after insertion of tab52downwardly into slot54.

The shape and positioning of tab52relative to slot54and closure body38causes the upper edge52aof tab52to pivot or deflect radially inwardly when extending through slot54and then to spring back (radially outwardly) when opening38cis reached. This then locks the upper edge52aof tab52beneath the lower edge38dof outer wall portion38binto an abutting relationship. Any attempt to lift lid34is prevented unless tab52is pushed inwardly so as to clear lower edge38dwhile at the same time, pushing upwardly on the tab52so as to be able to lift the lid (hinged, pivoting action around hinge40) for enabling access to the contents of container24.

Hinge40is created by snap-fit assembly of a rod or pin-like bar62which is integrally formed as a part of lid34(seeFIG. 12) into the receiving socket64which is integrally formed as a part of closure body38(seeFIG. 26). The upper clearance openings66of socket64, one on each side, includes a pair of opposed lips68whose separation is slightly smaller than the diameter of bar62. As part of the snap-fit assembly of bar62into socket64, bar62must be forced through these smaller openings thereby deflecting the lips68so as to permit passage of bar62. This then is the procedure for establishing the snap-fit assembly of bar62into socket64. As bar62is fully seated into socket64, each of the four lips68extend over edge portions of the bar62keeping the bar captured in the socket64thereby creating the described hinge40.

One unique aspect of package20is the providing as a part of package20two separate and distinct child-resistant constructions. These two separate child-resistant constructions are independent of each other and alternative package designs could include only one or the other of these child-resistant constructions. These two child-resistant constructions include the tab52and slot54combination which has been described. The other child-resistant construction includes the combination of securing ring36and closure body38. By pushing axially downwardly on the closure body38its teeth46are able to be moved into engagement with the teeth44of the securing ring36. The tooth-to-tooth engagement enables the user to either threadedly advance the securing ring36onto the neck26or alternatively to threadedly remove the securing ring36from the neck26. After the initial assembly of closure body38and securing ring36, these two components remain together as a unit with the securing ring essentially captured in the closure body. Relative rotation of one component (closure body38or securing ring36) relative to the other component is permitted as long as there is no tooth-to-tooth engagement maintained. In the normal state there is no tooth-to-tooth engagement. Engagement only occurs when a downward force is applied to closure body38.

Each tooth44and46has a substantially triangular shape in the exemplary embodiment with an axially extending upright wall44aand46a, respectively.

The direction and orientation of the upright walls44aand46aof each tooth as compared to the direction of the ramp side44band46bof each tooth means that less downward force on closure body38is required for threaded advancement of securing ring36onto neck26. When it is desired to unscrew the closure22from the container24for access to the contents via neck opening26, the ramp sides44band46bneed to be engaged and their abutment permits removal. An understanding of the relevant and applicable force vectors acting on the engaged ramp sides44band46breveal that a greater downwardly applied force on the closure body38is required in order to remove the securing ring36from neck26compared to the required downwardly applied force to advance the securing ring36onto the neck26.

A closure construction is typically considered to be child-resistant in one of two ways. One way is to require two different manipulations to be performed either at the same time or in a sequential manner while perhaps maintaining a first manipulation. Another way is to require the application of a force level which is in excess of what a young child would be capable of applying. In the case of the first way, a young child is not typically capable of making the required manipulations in a simultaneous or sequential manner. Both of the child-resistant constructions disclosed herein are based on this child-resistant approach. The engagement of the ratchet-like teeth fits within this description of requiring two different manipulations but further requires a level of force to be applied which is in excess of what a young child can be expected to effect. The engagement of the two sets of teeth44and46requires the application of a downward force on the closure body38while concurrently turning the closure body38to unscrew the securing ring36from neck26.

The tab52and slot54engagement requires two different manipulations for the lid34to be released. The user must first push radially inwardly on tab52in order to clear the outer wall portion38b. Then, while still pushing inwardly on tab52, the user needs to push upwardly on the tab so as to actually push the tab52free of slot54and importantly, free of any engagement with the outer wall portion38b. This upward pushing on the tab is akin to a sliding action and actually results in a hinged pivoting of the lid relative to the closure body.

Referring toFIGS. 26-32, additional structural details of the closure body38are illustrated. In addition to what has already been described, closure body38defines an opening70for dispensing a product and recessed ledge72surrounding the opening70and a raised wall74in two sectors74aand74bpositioned around ledge72. The clearance space for slot54provides one point of separation between sectors74aand74bwhile hinge40provides the second point of separation between sectors74aand74b.

The extent or depth of ledge72from upper edge76is approximately equal to the thickness of lid34. Following these construction details, when the lid34is properly hinged to the closure body38and fully closed and seated, the upper surface78of lid34will be flushed with to slightly recessed below upper edge76. If the lid is recessed too much below the upper edge, there will be a potential for debris to accumulate at that edge offset. If the lid is raised too much above the upper edge a lower edge of the lid could be exposed and potentially expose a clearance gap at that location between the lid and closure body. This is why a flush or near-flush fit is provided so that this consideration can be addressed.

Prior to package20being available to the end user, the selected product is placed in the container and the neck opening may be sealed over closed with a removable liner. While this type of liner may be provided as a way to maintain freshness for the product, this type of liner also serves as a tamper-evident feature. Until such time as the liner is punctured or removed, the product within the container cannot be accessed. Initial removal of the closure22from the container24allows the end user to then remove the liner and thereafter reassemble the closure22to the container24. At this point, with that reassembly completed, the child-resistant constructions are able to provide safety for young children. As for being elderly-friendly, neither child-resistant construction which is disclosed herein is seen as being a problem or concern in that regard. The release of the tab52within the slot is the easier opening option for the elderly and thus one reason for including opening70for the dispensing of product. With regard to the elderly-friendly aspects of the exemplary embodiment, it is to be noted that the neck26of container24may have an enlarged annular construction causing closure body38to have a similar enlarged annular structure. In terms of this disclosure the idea or concept of “enlarged” means something in excess of two inches in diameter so that gripping of the closure body becomes easier for an elderly individual whose hands have arthritic issues. By creating a larger closure body the act of gripping becomes easier and thus the act of rotating the closure body so as to open or close the container also becomes easier, particularly for the elderly.

Another unique aspect of the disclosed package is that the various manipulations required to gain access to the contents of the container, i.e. the product, are all four different. For the tab slot construction a radially inwardly pushing force coupled with an upward pushing or sliding action as part of pivoting the lid off of the ledge72is required. For the ratchet-like tooth engagement, there is a downward force to be applied combined with a twisting or turning action (i.e. rotational motion). There are then two child-resistant constructions associated with package20which are separate and independent of each other with a total four different types of manipulations. Accordingly, even if a young child might be capable of effecting one type of manipulation, providing four different manipulations incorporated into the design of package20, presents a much greater challenge.

The lid34, securing ring36and closure body38are each preferably molded out of a suitable plastic. The concept or idea of “suitable” encompasses a material selection with sufficient rigidity and durability for fabricating component parts with these shapes. The selection also takes into consideration the type of product to be placed into container24and dispensed through closure22. By preferably fabricating each component part34,36and38as a single-piece, unitary part, fabrication and assembly costs can be kept low. In the event a selected portion of any one component part might benefit from fabrication from a different material than the rest of the part, insert molding can be used as well as ultrasonic welding to make the two parts integral.

Referring now toFIGS. 33-39, an alternative construction for the hinge portion which is positioned between the lid and the closure body is illustrated. Hinge40as described above is a snap-fit hinge with bar62being snapped into socket64, as described, and with an interference fit. The alternative construction ofFIGS. 33-39is represented by the addition of a living hinge90as an alternative to the use of snap-fit hinge40. The use of living hinge90allows the flip top lid92and the closure body94to be integrally molded, along with hinge90, all preferably from plastic, as a unitary, single-piece component. This single-piece component part is identified as closure member96. The alternative closure which includes closure member96and securing ring36is referenced in this manner, noting that securing ring36is to be received by and captured within closure member96as described herein. The remainder of the alternative closure (i.e. the combination of closure member96and securing ring36) is the same as closure22in terms of form, fit and function as well as utilization. The only material change is to exchange the snap-fit hinge40for living hinge90. The combination of this alternative closure with a suitable container then creates an alternative package the same as described above, with the exception of the change in hinge design. It is to be noted though that this change in hinge design allows the fabrication of a single-piece component identified herein as closure member96. As for these two alternate packages, the two child-resistant features or arrangements associated with closure22and with its container24for package20are the same two child-resistant features which are included in this new closure and its cooperating container. The container24construction is the same whether being used with closure22or with the new closure which is a combination of closure member96and securing ring36.

Various aspects of the disclosed invention and exemplary embodiment are listed as follows:

Aspect 1 covers a package for a product comprising:

a container;

a closure adapted for assembly to said container;

a first child-resistant feature incorporated into said closure; and

a second child-resistant feature configured between said container and said closure.

Aspect 2 covers the package of aspect 1 wherein defeating said first child-resistant feature allows said closure to be opened.

Aspect 3 covers the package of aspect 1 wherein defeating said second child-resistant feature allows said closure to be removed from said container.

Aspect 4 covers the package of aspect 1 wherein said closure includes a closure body, a flip top lid and a securing ring.

Aspect 5 covers the package of aspect 4 wherein said flip top lid is hinged to said closure body.

Aspect 6 covers the package of aspect 4 wherein said securing ring is constructed and arranged for being secured to a neck of said container.

Aspect 7 covers the package of aspect 6 wherein said securing ring includes engagement teeth and said closure body includes cooperating engagement teeth.

Aspect 8 covers the package of aspect 1 wherein said first child-resistant feature includes a tab and a slot combination with the tab inserted into said slot.

Aspect 9 covers the package of aspect 8 wherein said first child-resistant feature includes a push-to-release tab manipulation as a part of defeating said first child-resistant feature.

Aspect 10 covers the package of aspect 1 wherein said second child-resistant feature includes a push-to-engage closure manipulation as a part of defeating said second child-resistant feature.

Aspect 11 covers the package of aspect 1 wherein said first child-resistant feature requires first and second manipulations in order to defeat said first child-resistant feature.

Aspect 12 covers the package of aspect 11 wherein said second child-resistant feature requires third and fourth manipulations in order to defeat said second child-resistant feature.

Aspect 13 covers the package of aspect 12 wherein said first and second manipulations are independent of said third and fourth manipulations.

Aspect 14 covers the package of aspect 12 wherein said first, second, third and fourth manipulations are each of a different type as compared to each other.

Aspect 15 covers the package of aspect 5 wherein the flip top lid is hinged to said closure body by a snap-fit construction.

Aspect 16 covers the package of aspect 5 wherein the flip top lid is hinged to said closure body by a living hinge.

Aspect covers the package of aspect 4 wherein said closure body and said flip top lid are formed as a single-piece component.

Aspect 18 covers a flip top closure for a container with an externally threaded neck, said flip top closure comprising:

a closure body;

a flip top lid hinged to said closure body;

a securing ring captured by said closure body;

a first child-resistant feature integrated into said lid and closure body combination; and

a second child-resistant feature created by engagement between said closure body and said securing ring.

Aspect 19 covers the flip top closure of aspect 18 wherein said closure body includes engagement formations and said securing ring includes cooperating formations.

Aspect 20 covers the flip top closure of aspect 19 wherein said closure body and said securing ring are constructed and arranged for rotation of the closure body to impart rotation to the securing ring when said engagement formations and said cooperating formations are in engagement with each other.

Aspect 21 covers the flip top closure of aspect 18 wherein said first child-resistant feature includes a tab as a part of the lid and a slot defined by the closure body.

Aspect 22 covers the flip top closure of aspect 18 wherein the flip top lid is hinged to said closure body by a snap-fit construction.

Aspect 23 covers the flip top closure of aspect 18 wherein the flip top lid is hinged to said closure body by a living hinge.

Aspect 24 covers the flip top closure of aspect 18 wherein said closure body and said flip top lid are formed as a single-piece component.