A SAFETY LOCKING CAP

Abstract: A safety locking cap (10) for a container, the cap comprising: a threaded portion (16) for engagement with a corresponding thread on the container; a locking portion (24) for locking the cap (10) to the container when in contact therewith; the cap defining a discontinuity (20) between the threaded portion (16) and the locking portion (24) which permits the locking portion (24) to flex relative to the threaded portion (16) thereby to separate the locking portion from the container and to permit removal of the cap.

Description: A SAFETY LOCKING CAP The present invention relates to a safety locking cap for a container. It is known to provide a safety lock for a container which comprises a ratchet mechanism having a first ratchet component located on an externally screw threaded opening portion of the container and a second ratchet component located on an internally screw threaded cap connected with the container. When the cap is screwed onto the externally screw threaded portion of the opening portion, the ratchet components engage with each other so as to lock the cap on the container. To unlock the cap it is necessary to exert pressure on an external surface of the cap so as to distort the cap and thereby disengage the ratchet components from each other. In general, this distortion has been achieved by providing the cap with an additional wall separate from a wall of the cap which is provided with the internally screw threaded portion. However, in order to accommodate the additional cap wall it is necessary to reduce the size of the container opening. This is particularly disadvantageous in the case of non-circular shaped caps, where the size of the container opening is required to be less than the smallest dimension of the cap. In accordance with the present invention there is provided a safety locking cap for a container, the cap comprising: a threaded portion for engagement with a corresponding thread on the container; a locking portion for locking the cap to the container when in contact therewith; the cap defining a discontinuity between the threaded portion and the locking portion which permits the locking portion to flex relative to the threaded portion thereby to separate the locking portion from the container and to permit removal of the cap. In one embodiment, the threaded portion is provided on a body portion and the locking portion is provided on a skirt portion, the skirt portion being separate from and connectable to the body portion. Preferably, the body portion and the skirt portion are provided with snap-fit connecting means. In one embodiment, a cross-section of the safety locking cap is substantially elliptical. In such a case, at least one cavity could be provided between the screw threaded portion and the external surface of the body portion of the cap. Alternatively, a cross-section of the safety locking cap could be substantially circular. Preferably, the skirt portion includes a plurality of compression points. The invention extends to the combination of such a safety locking cap and a container portion. In one embodiment, the container portion bears the corresponding thread and the locking portion is arranged to lock the cap to the container portion. Preferably, the container portion is a nozzle. In one embodiment, the locking portion comprises a first ratchet component and the container portion is provided with a second corresponding ratchet component. In an alternative embodiment, the locking portion comprises at least one lug and the container portion is provided with a corresponding recess or recesses for receiving the or each lug. More preferably, two lugs are provided on opposite sides of the safety locking cap. In such an embodiment, the recesses are preferably formed in an oval boss of the container portion, more preferably off-set from the axis of the oval boss. The boss may define an exposed corner which is chamfered. If the or each lug is similarly chamfered, smoother closing of the cap on the container portion can result. If a ledge is included which separates the or each recess from the threaded portion, the or each lug will not snap into its corresponding recess until the ledge has been overcome and the cap is fully engaged on the container portion. If such a ledge is provided, it is preferably formed on the boss. According to another apsect of the present invention, there is provided a container having an outlet and a threaded portion for receiving a cap to close the outlet, wherein guide means are provided to prevent fluid leaving the outlet from entering the threaded portion. The guide means may comprise a channel which crosses the threaded portion. If so, the channel is preferably deeper than the depth of the threaded portion, thereby allowing excess fluid to pass the threaded portion without contaminating the threaded portion. The guide means may comprise guides molded with the container between the outlet and the threaded portion. If so, the guides are preferably shaped as chevrons to redirect excess fluid from the outlet towards the channel through the threaded portion. If the outlet is formed at an end of a tapered nozzle, the threaded portion is preferably formed towards the base of the nozzle. Although an arrangement for avoiding contamination of a threaded portion of an outlet nozzle as described herein is applicable to any container outlet, it is particularly useful for containers which store cyanoacrylate (super glue). Specific embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of a safety locking cap in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of an end view of the safety locking cap shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken along the line III - III of Figure 2 in the direction of the arrows, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IN - IN of Figure 2 in the direction of the arrows, Figures 5a to 5d are diagrammatic representations of views of a cap body portion of another embodiment of a safety locking cap in accordance with the present invention, Figures 5e and 5f are cross-sectional views of the cap body portion of Figures 5a to 5d taken respectively along the lines V - V and NI - NI of Figure 5 d in the directions of the respective arrows, Figure 6a is a diagrammatic representation of an end view of a skirt portion for use with the cap body portion shown in Figures 5 a to 5 f, Figure 6b is a diagrammatic representation of a plan view of the skirt portion shown in Figure 6a partly in cross-section taken along the line NH - Nπ in the direction of the arrows, Figure 6c is a diagrammatic representation of a side view of the skirt portion shown in Figures 6a and 6b partly in cross-section taken along the line Nm - Nm in the direction of the arrows, Figure 7a is a diagrammatic representation of an end view of a nozzle, Figure 7b is a diagrammatic representation of a front view of the nozzle of Figure 7a partly in cross-section taken along the line IX - IX in the direction of the arrows, Figure 7c is a diagrammatic representation of a side view of the nozzle of Figures 7a and 7b partly in cross-section taken along the line X - X in the direction of the arrows, Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation partly in cross-section of the cap body portion, the skirt portion and the nozzle of Figures 5 to 7 connected together in use, Figure 9 is a diagrammatic representation of an end view of another nozzle, Figure 10 is a diagrammatic representation of the kind shown in Figure 6b but this time relating to a skirt portion for use with a nozzle of the kind shown in Figure 9, Figure 11 is a diagrammatic representation of the front view of the nozzle of Figure 9 with the skirt portion of Figure 10 in position, and Figure 12 is a diagrammatic representation of a section along the line XI-XI shown in Figure 11. The following embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to a known container which includes an externally screw threaded opening portion, and a container ratchet component, for use in locking a cap on the container. With reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is shown a safety locking cap in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The Figures show a safety locking cap 10 having a body portion 12 and an aperture 14. The cap 10 is substantially cone shaped, the cross-section of the cone from the base at the aperture 14 to the apex being substantially elliptical. The body portion 12 comprises an external wall 15, an internally threaded portion 16, a skirt portion 18 defining the aperture 14 and a slit 20 located on the body portion between the internally threaded portion 16 and the skirt portion 18. Provided on the skirt portion 18 are compression points 22 and skirt projections 24. The skirt projections 24 form a cap ratchet component which cooperates with a container ratchet component located on an opening portion of a container. When the cap 10 is screwed onto the opening portion of the container, the skirt projections 24 engage with the container ratchet component so as to lock the cap onto the container opening portion. To remove the cap 10 from the opening portion of the container, pressure is applied to the compression points 22 on the skirt portion 18 which, by virtue of the slit 20, causes the skirt portion to bow outwards of the internally threaded portion. The effect of this is to cause the skirt projections 24 to disengage from the container ratchet component on the opening portion of the container, and thereby unlock the cap 10 from the container opening portion. The cap 10 can then be unscrewed from the container opening portion. It will be appreciated that providing a slit intermediate the internally threaded portion 16 and the skirt portion 18 facilitates deformation of the skirt portion 18 when pressure is applied to the compression points 22. In order to further facilitate deformation of the cap 10 on application of pressure to compression points 22, cavities 26 are provided between the screw threaded portion 16 and a portion of the external wall 15 adjacent the compression points. It will be appreciated, however, that the cavities 26 are not essential for enabling the skirt 18 to deform when pressure is applied to the compression points 22. With reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, there is shown an alternative embodiment of a safety locking cap. Features which correspond to features of the previous embodiment are designated with the same reference numerals. The structure of the safety locking cap of this embodiment is similar to the structure of the previous embodiment, except that the cap comprises a skirt portion 28 which is separate from and connectable to a cap body portion 30. The cap body portion 30 comprises ridges 32 located in the cavities 26 which engage with projections 34 located on upstanding members 36 of the skirt portion 28. The arrangement is such that each upstanding member 36 is receivable in a cavity 26 and each projection 34 engages with a ridge 32 so as to permanently lock the skirt portion to the cap body portion. It will be appreciated that any such "snap-fit" configuration is suitable for locking the skirt portion to the cap body portion. It will also be appreciated that the colour of the skirt portion may be different from the colour of the cap body portion so that the skirt portion may be readily identified. It will also be appreciated that, since the skirt portion and the cap body portion are separate and, in particular, are not connected together adjacent the skirt projections 24, the skirt projections 24 on the skirt portion will readily bow outwards and disengage with the container ratchet component when pressure is applied to the compression points 22. The cap body portion 30 may also be provided with slots 38 so as to reduce the amount of material necessary to construct the cap body portion. The above embodiments have been described with reference to a container having a ratchet component located on an external surface of an opening of the container. For containers which comprise a circumferential recess on an external surface of an opening of the container, a nozzle 40 as shown in Figures 7a to 7c may be provided. The nozzle 40 comprises an elongate spout portion 42 provided with an externally threaded portion 44 and a nozzle projection 46. The nozzle 40 also comprises a base portion 48 provided with a circumferential ridge 50 which is engageable with a corresponding circumferential recess on an external surface of an opening of a container. The nozzle 40 also comprises a spill deflector 52 which helps prevent fluid which has passed through aperture 54 in the nozzle 40 from lodging on the threaded portion 44. The skirt portion 28, the cap body portion 30 and the nozzle 40 are shown connected together in Figure 8. The skirt projections 24 on the skirt portion 28 engage with the nozzle projection 46 on the nozzle 40 to lock the skirt and cap body portion to the nozzle. To remove the skirt portion 28 and the cap body portion 30 from the nozzle, pressure is applied to the compression points 22 which causes the skirt portion to bow outwards and thereby cause the skirt projections 24 to disengage with the nozzle projections 46. In use, the nozzle 40 is permanently connected to a container by engaging the circumferential ridge with a corresponding circumferential recess on the surface of the opening of the container. It will be appreciated that the circumferential ridge and the circumferential recess provided on the nozzle and container respectively together form a snap-fit connection. With reference to Figures 9-12, a further embodiment of nozzle 40 and cap skirt portion 28 are shown. In these Figures, components which appear in the previous embodiments are given the same reference numerals. In the embodiment of Figures 9-12, rather than having a series of ratchet projections 46, an oval boss 60 formed towards the base of the nozzle 40 incorporates recesses 62 for receiving corresponding projections (or lugs) 64 of a skirt portion 28 of a safety locking cap. The recesses 62 are off-set on opposite sides of the axis of the oval boss 62, as shown in the Figures. Further, both the skirt projections 64 and the oval boss 60 have chamfered surfaces to assist in location of the safety locking cap on the nozzle 40. A ledge 66 formed on the boss 60 extends over each recess 62 such that the skirt projections 64 only engage the recesses 62 once the safety locking cap is fully engaged with the threaded portion 44 of the nozzle 40. The ledge 66 can be seen most clearly in Figure 12. As will be appreciated, when the safety locking cap is screwed down onto the nozzle 40, the chamfered surfaces of the oval boss 60 and skirt projections (or lugs) 64 come into contact and drive the skirt 28 from an oval to a more circular shape, thereby allowing it to slip over the ledge 66 of the boss 60 until the skirt projections (or lugs) 64 snap into the recesses 62. To remove the cap from the nozzle 40, it is simply necessary to apply pressure to the compression points 22 of the skirt portion 28 such that the skirt portion 28 bows outwardly, thereby withdrawing the lugs 64 from the recesses 62. The cap can then be turned about the threaded portion 44 to separate the cap from the nozzle 40. The embodiment shown in Figures 9-12 also incorporates a novel spillage handling arrangement which is particularly useful when products, such as cyanoacrylate (super glue), are stored in the container. In such a case, if excess super glue is discharged by the nozzle, it can run down the outside of the elongate spout portion 42 of the nozzle and engage the threaded portion 44, thereby causing the cap to be stuck to the nozzle. This problem is overcome by a nozzle as shown in Figures 9-12 herein. With particular reference to Figures 9 and 11, the nozzle 40 incorporates a channel 68 which crosses the threaded portion 44. The channel 68 has a greater depth than the depth of the threaded portion 44, such that any fluid which enters the channel 68 will pass through the threaded portion 44 rather than engage the threads of the threaded portion 44. Further, the nozzle 40 includes moulded guides 70 which redirect any fluid travelling down the elongate spout portion 42 into the channel 68. These guides 70 preferably take the form of chevrons. Although the inclusion of the channel 68 provides a useful advantage in the form of a drain for excess fluid, it also results in significantly less thread being present for contamination by the fluid. Hence, a markedly improved nozzle is thereby produced. The present embodiments have been described with reference to a safety locking cap having an elliptical cross-section. However, it will be appreciated that the cross- section of the safety locking cap could be rectangular or circular or any other suitable shape. It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A safety locking cap for a container, the cap comprising: a threaded portion for engagement with a corresponding thread on the container; a locking portion for locking the cap to the container when in contact therewith; the cap defining a discontinuity between the threaded portion and the locking portion which permits the locking portion to flex relative to the threaded portion thereby to separate the locking portion from the container and to permit removal of the cap. 2. A safety locking cap as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the threaded portion is provided on a body portion and the locking portion is provided on a skirt portion, the skirt portion being separate from and connectable to the body portion. 3. A safety locking cap as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the body portion and the skirt portion are provided with snap-fit connecting means. 4. A safety locking cap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein a cross- section of the safety locking cap is substantially elliptical. 5. A safety locking cap as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein at least one cavity is provided between the screw threaded portion and the external surface of the body portion. 6. A safety locking cap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein a cross- section of the safety locking cap is substantially circular. 7. A safety locking cap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the skirt portion includes a plurality of compression points. 8. A safety locking cap as claimed in any preceding Claim in combination with a container portion bearing said corresponding thread, the locking portion of the cap being arranged to lock the cap to the container portion. 9. A safety locking cap as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the container portion comprises a spill deflector for restricting flow of fluid to said corresponding thread. 10. A safety locking cap as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein the container portion is a nozzle. 11. A safety locking cap as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the locking portion comprises a first ratchet component and the container is provided with a second corresponding ratchet component. 12. A safety locking cap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the locking portion comprises at least one lug and the container portion is provided with a corresponding recess for receiving the lug. 13. A safety locking cap as claimed in Claim 12, wherein two lugs are provided on opposite sides of the safety locking cap. 14. A safety locking cap as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the recesses are formed in an oval boss of the container portion. 15. A safety locking cap as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the recesses are off-set from the axis of the oval boss. 16. A safety locking cap as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15, wherein the boss defines an exposed corner which is chamfered. 17. A safety locking cap as claimed in any one of Claims 12 to 16, wherein each lug is chamfered. 18. A safety locking cap as claimed in any one of Claims 12 to 17, wherein a ledge separates the or each recess from the threaded portion. 19. A safety locking cap as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the ledge is formed on the boss. 20. A safety locking cap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. 21. A container having an outlet and a threaded portion for receiving a cap to close the outlet, wherein guide means are provided to prevent fluid leaving the outlet from entering the threaded portion. 22. A container as claimed in Claim 21 , wherein the guide means comprise a channel which crosses the threaded portion. 23. A container as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the channel is deeper than the depth of the threaded portion. 24. A container as claimed in any one of Claims 21 to 23, wherein the guide means comprise guides moulded to the container between the outlet and the threaded portion. 25. A container as claimed in Claim 24, wherein the guides are shaped as chevrons. 26. A container as claimed in any one of Claims 21 to 25, wherein the outlet is formed at an end of a tapered nozzle and the threaded portion is formed towards the base of the nozzle. 27. A container as claimed in any one of Claims 21 to 26, wherein the container stores cyanoacrylate. 28. A container as claimed in any one of Claims 21 to 27 in combination with a safety locking cap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 20. 29. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: GRANT QUENTIN SHOLTO, GRANT, QUENTIN, SHOLTO
Applicants: CROSSCO 262 LIMITED, GRANT QUENTIN SHOLTO, CROSSCO (262) LIMITED, GRANT, QUENTIN, SHOLTO
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B65D50
IPC codes: B65D23, B65D41, B65D47, B65D50