Abstract:
A safety cap for a container including an outer cover having an end wall and a peripheral skirt depending therefrom with a band mounted in the cover. The band and cover are designed for rotatably fastening and unfastening the cap on a container. The band and cover include lock structure to permit rotation of the band and cover onto the container into the fastened position and to prevent rotation of the band and cover into the unfastened position with respect to the container. Furthermore, release structure is provided on the band and cover and is adapted to be shifted between an inactive position whereupon it does not effect the operation of the locking structure and an active position whereupon it deactivates the locking structure and permits the band and cover to rotate into the unfastened position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Safety caps or closures are in frequent use today particularly when harmful substances including medicaments are utilized in the home and are exposed to the public in glass or plastic containers. The danger of access to the containers by small children is of great concern and accordingly, it has been determined that a safety cap forms an effective deterrent against the danger of children gaining access to the contents of the containers. Naturally, the cap must be one that an adult can easily maneuver and utilize to permit ease of access for use. In many instances where small children are not present in the house, the presence of a safety cap can become a nuisance to adults or other persons who are not endangered by the contents of the container but who have to frequently open and close the container to gain access to the contents. With mass production and cost being of significance today, it is undesirable to have containers which are manufactured with different types of caps for different consumer uses. For example, it would be more expensive to manufacture a specific size and type container with two different types of caps. It is apparent that the manufacturing cost as well as handling and distribution cost would be increased. Therefore, it is of advantage if a cap could be provided which is convertible between a use as a safety cap and a use as a standard type cap which can be normally fastened and unfastened on the container. Also, the cap should be designed so that it can immediately automatically shift to the safety condition when it is placed on the container and directed toward the fastened position. While keeping in mind that such a convertible type of cap is desirable, it should also be kept in mind that the more complex the design of the cap, the greater the cost in manufacture, assembly and use. Consequently, the cap should be of a minimum number of parts and should be easy and efficient to use with the user being quickly able to shift between the safety cap use and the standard type of cap use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     With the above background in mind, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a convertible safety cap which is of a minimum number of components, is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble for use and which can be quickly and efficiently converted between a safety cap use with lock means to prevent a child getting access to the contents of the container and a use where the cap acts as a conventional type of cap which can be shifted between the fastened and unfastened positions in a standard manner. It should also be noted that the cap is structured so that it can be easily shifted between the two positions and also when it is in use as a safety cap, it is easy for an adult or other person entitled to access to the container to unlock the safety cap and gain access and then to return the cap to the container whereupon it will once again be in the safe and locked condition automatically. 
     In summary, a safety cap is provided for a container with an outer cover having an end wall and a peripheral skirt depending from the end wall. A band is mounted in the cover and means is in the band and in the cover for rotatably fastening and unfastening the band and cover on a container. Lock means is on the band and cover to permit rotating of the band and cover onto the container into the fastened position and to prevent rotating of the band and cover into the unfastened position. Release means is on the band and cover and is adapted to be shifted between an inoperative position whereupon it does not affect the operation of the lock means and an active position whereupon it activates the lock means and permits the band and cover to rotate into the unfastened position. 
     In a comtemplated embodiment of this invention, an automatic lock-out feature is incorporated where the cap may be converted to a structure where it acts as a conventional cap without the safety lock feature. In this and another embodiment structure is employed which permits the cap to be manually operated to unlock the cap in a manner which is disguised from the ease of operation by a child and is designed for ease of operation by an adult and the locking structure of both embodiments as well as the entire concept of the present invention includes the feature of a lock means which automatically takes effect when the cap is returned to the container either partially or into the fully fastened condition. It cannot once again be opened without actuation of the release means for the locking structure. 
     With the above objectives among others in mind, reference is had to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the components of the safety cap of the invention with the top of the cover portion removed and showing the components in alignment with the top of a container to be capped; 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the safety cap mounted on a container; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional top view thereof showing the cap when it is being freely rotated to the fastened position on the container; 
     FIG. 4 is a top sectional view thereof showing the locking structure within the cap in effect when an attempt is made to unfasten the cap from the bottle without releasing the locking structure; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional top view thereof showing the releasing structure having been manually positioned to release the locking structure so that the cap can be rotated to the unfastened position; 
     FIG. 6 is a top sectional view thereof showing the release means having been shifted to a permanent lock-out position whereupon the cap acts as a conventional cap and can be rotated freely between the fastened and unfastened condition without actuating the locking structure; 
     FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation view thereof taken along the plane of line 7--7 of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation view thereof taken along the plane of line 8--8 of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a further embodiment of a safety cap according to the invention shown in alignment with a fragmentary portion of a container to which the cap is to be applied and with the top of the cover portion of the cap removed; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the further embodiment shown coupled with a fragmentary portion of a container; 
     FIG. 11 is a top sectional view of the further embodiment showing the cap in the normal relaxed position and when it is being freely rotated and fastened to the container; 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional top view of the further embodiment showing the locking structure being activated when an attempt is made to remove the cap without releasing the locking structure; 
     FIG. 13 is a top sectional view of the further embodiment showing the locking structure having been released permitting free rotation of the cap to the unfastened condition; 
     FIG. 14 is a top sectional view thereof showing the cap in the fully locked condition whereupon it cannot be shifted toward the unfastened condition with respect to the container; 
     FIG. 15 is a sectional elevational view thereof taken through the plane of line 15--15 of FIG. 13; and 
     FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional elevation view thereof taken along the plane of line 16--16 of FIG. 14. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Two depicted embodiments of the safety cap of the present invention are shown in the drawings. The first embodiment is represented in FIGS. 1-8 and the second embodiment is represented in FIGS. 9-16. 
     Safety cap 20 of FIGS. 1-8 includes a cover portion 22, a circular band 24 and a control ring 26. The cap 20 is designed for coupling with a container 28 having a reduced neck portion 30 with threads 32 on the outer surface of the neck portion. 
     The cover 22 includes an end wall 34 and a depending peripheral skirt 36 terminating in a rim 38 surrounding the central opening 40 in the cover. The inner peripheral surface of skirt 36 includes a number of surface portions which are used for specific purposes in operation of the cap. 
     Spaced about the periphery of the inner surface are four inwardly extending abutting surfaces or shoulders 44. Facing each shoulder is a corresponding inclined tapered cam surface 46 also tapering inwardly toward the center of the cover. Appropriate undercuts, slots or notches 48 are provided about the bottom peripheral portion of skirt 36 to form a shelf for receipt of control ring 26 to assist in maintaining the control ring and the band 24 in position within the cover. 
     An operational cutout 50 is provided at a predetermined point about the circumference of the cover which provides the access to the interior of the cover and which has surfaces to cooperate with the release and control mechanism for operating the safety features of the cap 20. Cutout 50 is formed with an open bottom portion 52 substantially rectangular in configuration and partially bisected by a downwardly extending tooth or keeper 54 separating opening 52 into two positions. The opening portion on one side of keeper or tooth 54 forms a slot for positioning of the release mechanism when the cap is in position for use as a safety cap. The portion of opening 52 on the other side of tooth or keeper 54 is in alignment with a lock-out shoulder 56 which is designed for permanent retention of the release mechanism and consequent deactivation of the lock means when the safety cap 20 is to be used as a conventional type cap for a container with no functioning lock mechanism. Manual shifting of the release structure between both positions on opposing sides of keeper 54 automatically converts the cap between its structure as a conventional cap and its structure as a safety cap. 
     The cover or overcap 22 can be designed of a conventional molded plastic or metal structure and can have the inner surface portions formed on the skirt 36 molded in position thereby forming the cover in a one-piece operation. This would include molded cam surfaces 46, shoulders 44, undercuts 48 and the structure forming access opening 50. 
     Band 24 is constructed of strong metal or plastic material being somewhat rigid but having some resiliency as well and can be preformed as a one-piece structure with appropriate surfaces thereon. Band 24 is circular in configuration and has an interrupted portion so as to form spaced opposing edges 58 and 60 so that the band can be compressed bringing edges 58 and 60 closer to one another and be permitted to return to its relaxed condition as shown in FIG. 1 with edges 58 and 60 spaced from one another. A number of interrupted threads 62 are formed in the band for interengagement with threads 32 on the top of container 28 to permit rotation of the cap between the fastened and unfastened conditions. Spaced about the periphery of band 24 are four annular projections 64 with each projection positioned for alignment between a shoulder 44 and cam 46 arrangement on the inner surface of the cover 22. The number of projections 64 and corresponding shoulders 44 and 46 are a matter of choice and four has been found to be an acceptable number and is the chosen depicted form. The height of circular band 24 is less than the height of skirt 36 so that it can comfortably be received within the skirt and the outer relaxed diameter of the band is accordingly dimensioned so that it can be received comfortably within the skirt. 
     The control ring 26 includes a circular base 66 with an interrupted portion to form opposing edges 68 and 70 and to thereby provide resilience to the ring 66 which can also be of a conventional metal or plastic material being somewhat rigid yet having some resiliency. Attached to base 66 of the control ring 26 is a control tab 72 which includes an upstanding wall portion 74 having an inwardly extending projection 76 on its inner upper surface portion. Projection 76 includes a slot 78 in one side thereof for receipt of an edge 58 of band 24 in a manner described below in relation to operation of the safety cap. Tab 74 is mounted to base 66 at its lower and includes double step portion extending outwardly from its lower end. The upper step portion 80 forms one control surface and the lower step portion 82 forms a second control or keeper surface which extends outwardly from base 66. 
     Band 24 and retainer ring are positioned within cover 22 so that base 66 is received within notches or undercuts 48 with band 24 resting on the upper surface of base 66 and control tab portion 82 extending outwardly from opening 52. 
     In addition to the inwardly projecting surface which forms undercut or notches 48 supporting the control ring and accordingly holding the band in place, it also transmits holding pressure to the underside of the cap when it is screwed down onto the container or bottle 28. The fact that the ring 26 is split or interrupted in its circular path, provides the effect that by pressing inwardly on tab structure 72, a springing action is achieved which returns the projection 82 and the remaining tab structure 72 to its original position upon release. The tab structure 72 is designed for two-position use with respect to opening 50. These positions can be identified as a temporary lock-out position and a permanent lockout position depending upon the location of the tab with respect to the portions of the aperture 52 spaced by tooth 54. Tab 72 may be moved readily between the two positions at the option of the user. 
     It has been found effective to form band 24 of a metal stamping which has pressed into it the threads 62 which mate with the threads 32 of bottle or container 28. As stated above, the longitudinal ribs or projections 64 on the outer surface of band 24 correspond in position and number to the cam surfaces 46 on the inner surface of skirt 36. These ribs or projections 64 may also be pressed into the metal and for this reason in the depicted embodiment, the threads 62 are shown interrupted. This in no way interferes with their efficient operation. To increase the traction surface on the inner surface of the band, it is possible to coat the inner surface with a rubber-like material such as neoprene. The material could be precoated on the steel before the band is formed. By providing a coating for the band one can combine the strength and flexibility of steel and a wide choice of coating, plus speed of manufacture with the coating being applied before the band is formed. As stated above, it is possible to form the band of plastic or other materials which by their nature would require no traction coating such as asbestos filled fiber which has a rough surface. 
     Since band 24 is split or interrupted in its circular configuration, it is free to expand and contract forward and away from its center. And, because of the traction coating, there is always present a slight amount of drag between the band and the neck 30 of the container or bottle 28 when the cap 20 is screwed and unscrewed. It should also be noted that the cap need not be screwed down completely onto the container to be effective. Partial threaded interengagement will still permit the locking function to be actuated should an attempt be made to reverse the direction of the cap and remove it once again from the container. 
     No special consideration may be given to placing the cap onto the bottle in a normal filling line, since the cap behaves in a conventional manner when rotated in a clockwise direction. Band 24 is free to rotate within the limits determined by the spaced cam surfaces 46 and shoulders 44. In the clockwise direction, the ribs or projections 64 on band 24 move until they abut the corresponding shoulders 44 opposite the cam surfaces and no contraction of the band takes place. The relative movement between the band and the cap is caused by the slight frictional drag mentioned above. This condition is depicted in FIG. 3 of the drawing with the arrow showing the direction of rotation of the cap with respect to the container. 
     Rotating the cap in a counterclockwise direction, as depicted in FIG. 4, will cause band 24 to rotate until the projections 64 contact the cam surfaces 46. Further movement in this direction forces band 24 to contract around the neck 30 of the container 28 until the traction surface takes full effect and further rotation of both cover 22 and band 24 is impossible. During the above action it is understood that the control tab 72 is in the safety position. This is true for both the action depicted in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 4 where portion 82 of tab 72 extends through opening 52 on the side of tooth 54 distal from locking shoulder 56. 
     In order to remove the cap 20, the user presses inward on tab 72 while rotating cap 20. After about 45°, the leading edge 58 of band 24 will be in contact with tab 72 and its further rotation will be stopped. This interengagement is facilitated by alignment of notch 78 with leading edge 58 so as to receive the leading edge therein. The notch also has the affect of interengaging the tab with the band so that the tab is retained in its depressed condition. Thereafter, the design of the notch and the remaining tab structure is such that continuous rotation in a counterclockwise direction will hold the tab 72 in. In this manner, the locking means as provided by the band and as depicted in FIG. 4 is released and overcome as shown in FIG. 5. Continued rotation in the counterclockwise direction will permit the cap to be fully unfastened and removed from the container. 
     The slightest movement in a clockwise direction will disengage notch 78 from edge 58 of the band and will permit the tab to spring outward freeing the band from the cap and returning the cap to its safety configuration with portion 82 projecting through opening 52 again as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. If the notch on the tab is still in engagement with the edge of the band when the cap is off the bottle, screwing the cap back on will automatically disengage it and the cap is once more in a safety operating condition for immediate effectiveness upon initiation of threading of the cap onto the container as depicted in FIG. 3. 
     When it is desired to permanently release the locking function of the locking means as provided by the band, cap 20 is provided with an overriding feature which causes it to work as a conventional ordinary cap for the bottle or container. In order to utilize this feature, the use removes the cap from the container, presses tab 72 inward and moves it to the second position within aperture 52 on the other side of tooth 54 and in alignment with keeper surface or shoulder 56. The second position with the tab in engagement with the keeper surface 56 holds the tab 72 depressed so that the band 24 is stopped from rotating before projections 64 reach cam surfaces 46. This condition is depicted in FIG. 6 of the drawings. In this condition, the release means in the form of the tab is fixed in release position to prevent the lock means as performed by the band from acting whether the cap is rotated in either the clockwise or the counterclockwise direction. Therefore, the cap will act as an ordinary cap in respect to its engagement and disengagement with the container. Should the user wish to return the cap to a safety configuration he merely moves the tab back to the first position on the other side of tooth 54 where it can be operated as described above and in connection with FIGS. 3-5. Tooth 54 prevents the tab from being accidentally moved from one position to the other when the cap is positioned on the container. No rotational movement of the tab can take place since there is not enough clearance to move the tab beyond the tooth or keeper 54 which divides the two positions. 
     An alternative depicted form of the invention appears in FIGS. 9-16 and is similar in some respects as the initially discussed embodiment and similar parts are identified with the same numerals with the addition of the subscript a added thereto. There are changes in structure particularly in regard to the release means for operating the lock structure provided by the band 24a. Skirt 36a of cover 22a has a different arrangement at the location of the portion of the skirt where the release means is activated The structure of cap 20a is designed so that there is no lock-out feature so that the cap can operate as a conventional cap for a container without the safety mechanism. The safety operation is essentially the same as in the previously discussed embodiment, however, a control ring is not employed. Instead, a portion of the skirt 36a for example a portion of cam surface 46a is detached from the remaining portion of the skirt so as to form a cantilever tab section 84 as part of the wall. The cantilever tab can be pressed due to the natural resiliency of the material of the cover inward to lock the band to the cap and prevent activation of the locking means when the cap 20 is rotated counterclockwise. Similar to the previous embodiment upon release of tab 84 it will return to its relaxed configuration, due to the natural resiliency of the material of the cover, substantially contiguous with the remaining skirt structure 36a thereby automatically converting cap 20a into a safety cap which immediately will take effect upon positioning of cap 20a on the threaded container 28 and initiation of rotation in the clockwise direction. Thereafter, any attempts to move in the counterclockwise direction will cause projections 64a to engage with cam surfaces 46a and tighten band 24a around the neck of the container thereby locking the cap in position. 
     The sequence of operations can be depicted in FIGS. 11-14. In FIG. 11 the cap is initially placed on the container neck and as depicted by the arrow is rotated in a clockwise direction. Band 24a will have its projection 64a come into contact with shoulders 44a thereby causing band 24a to rotate with cover 22a until the cap is in the fully fastened position. Should any attempt be made during the fastening operation to rotate cap 20a in a counterclockwise direction an effect will occur as depicted in FIG. 12. Projection 64a will come in contact with cam surfaces 46a tending to contract band 24a about the neck of the bottle. Continued attempts to rotate in the clockwise direction will tighten the band constriction about the container and prohibit further movement of the cap in the direction of unfastening with respect to the container. The operation of cap 20a is virtually the same as the operation of the previously discussed embodiment in respect to operation of the safety feature of the cap as depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12. 
     The release operation of the embodiment of cap 20a is somewhat different although the actual resultant effect on the band 24a is the same. This structural arrangement is depicted in FIG. 13. Cantilever tab 84 is depressed inward until it is in position to engage with the free L-shaped leading edge 86 of band 24. This overlapping interengagement causes band 24a to be retained in position and prevents it from advancing onto cam surfaces 46a so as to be contracted about the container neck. Instead it is rotated along with cover 22a as the cover is rotated in the counterclockwise direction due to the direction of cantilever tab 24 against L-shaped receiving edge 86 of the band 24a. 
     Thereafter, clockwise rotation of the cap 20a will free tab 84 from interengagement with L-shaped leading edge 86 and the resilient nature of the cantilever tab will permit it to return to its initial configuration in substantial continuous alignment with skirt wall 36. The cap can then be continuously rotated clockwise until it is fastened completely on the container again. However, any attempt to rotate the cap in a co counterclockwise direction will cause projection 64a to follow cam surfaces 46a and constrict band 24a around the neck of the bottle thereby locking the cap in position. In conclusion, operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-16 is quite similar to the operation of the initially discussed embodiment. There are some changes in structure which have been discussed above including specifically the elimination of the third component, a control ring and, the elimination of a lock-out feature on the structure to permit the cap to operate as a standard cap for a container independent of a safety lock feature. It should be noted that the band 24a is retained in position within cover 22a by means of an appropriate ledge or undercut 48a in a similar fashion as the components are retained within cover 22a in regard to the initially discussed embodiment. The materials for the various component parts are the same as the materials employed for the component parts of the initially discussed embodiment. This is also true for other structural features of the similar components parts. 
     In connection with both of the depicted embodiments when the cap is stopped intermediate a full twist, the user must turn the cap slightly clockwise for permitting it to be released. It should also be stated that in regard to both embodiments depicted and described, basic capping equipment well known in the trade can be utilized to apply the cap to the neck of the container or bottle. 
     It should be also be noted that in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the three piece cap, a full bearing friction surface is provided whereas in the embodiment of FIG. 9, the two piece cap a point bearing arrangement is provided. 
     Thus the several aforenoted objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although several somewhat preferred embodiments have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.