CHILD RESISTANT DISPENSING CLOSURE

Abstract: A child resistant dispensing closure comprising a first part (11) having a base wall (12) and a peripheral skirt (13) adapted to be threaded onto a container. The peripheral skirt includes interengaging portions (26) that engage portions of the container to prevent removal from the container. The closure also includes a second part or lid (15) connected to the first part by an integral hinge (16) and having a base wall (17), peripheral skirt (18) and a closing portion (19) adapted to extend into a nozzle (20) on the base wall of the first part when the second part is moved into overlying relationship to the first part. Snap lugs (21) on the second part engage bead segments (22) on the first part to hold the second part in closed position. The diameter of the skirt of the first part includes a radial flange (13a) that extends circumferentially about most of the periphery of the skirt. The flange is connected integrally to an outer radially deflectable wall panel (23). The skirt (18) of the second part is smaller than the diameter of the flange (13a) so that the flange projects radially beyond the lid skirt and the lid skirt cannot be raised readily. A shoulder projects axially from the flange to center the lid and support the skirt against radial deflection. By pressing the deflectable wall panel (23) radially inwardly the panel engages an axial rib (25) on the skirt of the lid camming the skirt of the lid upwardly and exposing it so that it may be opened.

Description: This invention relates to hinged dispensing closures and particularly to child resistant hinged dispensing closures. Background and Summary of the Invention One type of closure that is commonly used is of the hinged dispensing closure type comprising a first part which is interengaged with the container and a second part connected to the first part by integral hinge and adapted to close against the first part to cover a dispensing opening. It has heretofore been difficult to provide a child resistant closure of this type. One type that has heretofore been suggested utilizes a double skirt which has the disadvantage of being easily filled with dirt or the product being dispensed. Another type of closure previously suggested is illustrated and described in US patent no. 4209100. The closure includes an inverted cup-shaped body member formed of resilient plastic material and an integrally molded locking flap connected by an integral hinge to the top periphery of the body member. The locking flap folds into a conforming recess in the top surface of the body portion and, in its folded position, all edges of the locking flap are flush with the adjacent top surface of the body portion. Cooperating latching surfaces are provided on the flap and the body portion to retain the flap in its folded position. A portion of the annular wall of the body portion is recessed so as to permit manual inward depression of a segment of the outer wall of the body portion. Such depression effects a camming action on the locking flap to force at least an edge portion of the locking flap out of flush engagement with the body portion to permit the locking flap to be lifted to a fully open position. Among the objectives of the present invention are to provide a child resistant hinged dispensing closure which utilizes a single flange skirt and effectively resists efforts of a child to remove and lift the lid; which can be readily manufactured; and which is pleasing in appearance. In accordance with the invention, a child resistant dispensing closure is provided as defined in claim 1. Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of the closure embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the closure shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing the closure in closed position. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the closure shown in Fig. 4 on an enlarged scale. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 5 showing the opening of the closure. Description Referring to Figs. 1-4 the child resistant dispensing plastic closure 10 embodying the invention, comprises a first part having a base wall 11 and a peripheral skirt 13. The peripheral skirt 13 includes interengaging portions in the form of threads 14 engage complementary threads of the container C (Fig. 5) to secure the child resistant dispensing closure to the container C. The closure 10 also includes a second part or lid 15 connected to the first part by a integral hinge 16. Part 15 has a base wall 17, peripheral skirt 18 and a tubular closing portion 19 adapted to extend into a nozzle 20 on the base wall of the first part when the second part 15 is moved into overlying relationship to the first part 11. Arcuate snap lugs 21 on the second part 15 engage bead segments 22 on the first part 11 to hold the second part 15 in closed position. The skirt 13 of the first part 11 includes a radial flange 13a that extends circumferentially about most of the periphery of the skirt 13. The flange is connected integrally to a radially deflectable wall panel 23. The deflectable wall panel 23 is positioned diametrically opposite the hinge 16 and has an arcuate extent that defines an acute angle on the order of 60°. The diameter of the skirt 18 of the second part 15 is smaller than the diameter of the flange 13a so that the flange 13a projects beyond the lid skirt 18 and the lid skirt 18 cannot be raised readily. A flange or shoulder 24 on skirt 13 projects axially from the flange 13a to center the lid 18 and support the skirt against radial deflection. The skirt 13 further includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced assymetrical teeth 26 which are adapted to engage serrations 27 on the neck 28 of the container C to prevent removal of the closure from the container when it is applied. As shown in Fig. 5, when the closure is applied to the container and the lid 15 is in closed position relative to the part 11, the closing portion 19 is engaged with the nozzle 20, sealing the nozzle. A seal is provided between the first part 11 and the finish 28 by an annular plug portion 29 engaging the inner surface of the neck and an annular bead 30 engaging the upper surface of the neck. The closure may be made of plastic such as polypropylene. It can thus be seen that there has been provided a child resistant hinged dispensing closure which utilizes a single flange skirt and effectively resist efforts of a child to remove and lift the lid, which can be readily manufactured, and which is pleasing in appearance.

Claims: A child resistant dispensing closure (10) comprising a first plastic part (11) having a base wall (12) and a peripheral skirt (13) adapted to be threaded onto a container (c), said peripheral skirt (13) including interengaging portions (14) that are adapted to engage portions of the container (c) to resist removal from the container, said closure (10) including a second plastic part (15) connected to the first part by an integral hinge (16), said base wall of said first part (11) having a dispensing opening (20), said first part (11) having a deflectable wall panel (23) spaced radially outwardly of said skirt (13) and extending upwardly and axially outwardly and integrally joined to said skirt (13) of said first part (11) adjacent its free edge and along circumferentially spaced axes of said skirt, said radially deflectable wall panel (23) having an upper free edge said second part (15) having an axial rib (25) which extends between the deflectable wall panel (23) on the first part (15) and the skirt (18) of the first part when said second part is in a closed position such that when the deflectable wall panel (23) is pressed radially inwardly, the panel (23) engages the rib (25) camming the second part (15) upwardly and exposing it so that it may be opened, said base wall (12) of said first part (11) including a shoulder (24) projecting axially for engaging and centering the second part (15), characterized by said skirt (13) of said first part (11) including a radial flange (13a) that extends circumferentially about most of the periphery of said skirt (13), said second part (15) including a base wall (17) and a peripheral skirt (18), said skirt (18) of said second part (15) having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the flange (13a) so that the flange (13a) projects radially beyond the skirt (18) of said second part (15) and the skirt (18) of said second part (15) cannot be raised readily when the second part (15) is in closed position with the skirt (18) of said second part (15) engaging said flange (13a) on the first part, at least a portion of the upper free edge of the deflectable wall panel (23) underlying the free edge of said skirt (18) of said second part (15) when the second part (15) is in a closed position, said flange (13a) extending along said radially deflectable wall (23), said axial rib being formed on said skirt of the second part, and said shoulder (24) supporting the skirt (18) of said second part (15) against radial deflection. The child resistant dispensing closure set forth in claim 1 including interengaging snap lugs (21,22) between said first part (11) and said second part (15) to hold the second part (15) a in closed position.

Inventors: FILLMORE, WILLIAM E., FUCHS, TIMOTHY J.
Applicants: OWENS-ILLINOIS CLOSURE INC.,
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B65D47
IPC codes: B65D47, B65D50