Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a lid arrangement for a container with a hinged mating lid. The disclosed lid arrangement avoids inadvertently opening the lid, while at the same time allows easy opening when opening the lid is desired. The lid arrangement is configured to be used with a wide variety of different types of containers with hinged lids. In some embodiments, the lid arrangement is incorporated into a multiple compartment pill container.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present disclosure relates generally to containers with hinged mating lids and a method of using and manufacturing the containers. The containers commonly include multiple compartments for storing pills. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Containers with hinged mating lids are known. One type of such containers includes multiple compartments therein. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,546 titled Lockable Pill Container assigned to Apothecary Products, Inc. Such multiple compartment containers are commonly used as pill containers, as each compartment can be marked to correspond to a different day of the week or time of the day when the pills are to be consumed. A multiple compartment container which is easy to use, has sufficient capacity for the patient&#39;s needs, and which can be conveniently carried by the user increases the likelihood that the user will take the correct medicine at the correct time. The present disclosure provides an improved lid configuration for a variety of containers including multiple compartment pill containers. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present disclosure provides a lid arrangement for a container with a hinged mating lid. The disclosed lid arrangement avoids inadvertently opening the lid, while at the same time allows easy opening when opening the lid is desired. The lid arrangement is configured to be used with a wide variety of different types of containers with hinged lids. In some embodiments, the lid arrangement is incorporated into a multiple compartment pill container. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a two-compartment container in a closed position according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  in an open position; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the container of  FIG. 1  in a closed position; 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the container of  FIG. 1  in an open position; 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the container of  FIG. 1  in a closed position; 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of the container of  FIG. 1  in a closed position; 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of the container of  FIG. 1  in a fully opened position; 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the container along lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the container along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the container along lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the tab of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a top view of the tab of  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 13  is an end view of the tab of  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a seven-compartment container in a closed position according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 14  in an open position; 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a portion of the container of  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a fourteen compartment container in a closed position according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a base of the container of  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a portion of the lid of the container of  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the lid of  FIG. 19 ; 
       FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a twenty eight compartment container in a closed position according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a base of the container of  FIG. 21 ; 
       FIG. 23  is a top view of the container of  FIG. 21 ; 
       FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the container along line  24 - 24  of  FIG. 23 ; 
       FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a lid assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 26  is a side view of the lid assembly of  FIG. 25  in a closed position; 
       FIG. 27  is a side view of the lid assembly of  FIG. 25  in an open position; 
       FIG. 28  is a top view of the lid assembly of  FIG. 25  in a closed position; 
       FIG. 29  is a top view of the lid assembly of  FIG. 25  in an open position with the tab removed; 
       FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly along line  30 - 30  of  FIG. 28 ; 
       FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 29 ; and 
       FIG. 32  is a perspective view of the tab of the lid assembly of  FIG. 25 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-13 , a first embodiment of a container according to the present disclosure is shown. In the depicted embodiment, the container  10  includes two compartments, otherwise referred to as cavities. The first cavity  12  and second cavity  14  are shown separated by a partition wall  16 . A first cap member  18  is shown with the surface markings AM, and a second cap member  20  is shown with the surface markings PM. The cap members are also referred to herein interchangeably as caps, lids, lid members, and covers. In the depicted embodiment, the container is a pill or vitamin container configured to store pills for consumption in the morning and in the evening. The markings indicate that morning pills are housed within the first cavity  12 , and the evening pills are housed within the second cavity  14 . In the depicted embodiment, the cavities  12 ,  14  can be selectively accessed because the caps  18 ,  20  are movable independent of each other. In other words, cap  18  can be in the opened position whether or not cap  20  is opened or closed. In the depicted embodiment the caps  18 ,  20  can be unlocked by depressing tabs  46 ,  48 . 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 1-13 , the lid assembly of the container  10  is described in greater detail. In the depicted embodiment the cavities  12  and  14  are defined within base member  22  of the container  10 . The base member  22  includes a front end portion  24  and a rear end portion  26 . The front end portion  24  is the end of the base member  22  closest to front ends  28 ,  30  of the lids  18 ,  20 , and the rear end portion  26  is the portion of the base member  22  is the end of the base member  22  closest to the rear ends  32 ,  34  of the lids  18 ,  20 . In the depicted embodiments the rear end portion  26  of the base  22  is connected to the rear ends  32 ,  34  of the lids  18 ,  20 . In the depicted embodiment, the base  22  and the lids are integrally molded into a single piece, and are connected by a flexible living hinge. It should be appreciated that many alternative embodiments of the lid assembly exist. For example, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the lid may not be integral with the base. Some of such embodiments will be described in greater detail below. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8-10 , the front ends  28 ,  30  of the lids  18 ,  20 , and the front end  24  of the base member  22  are described in greater detail. In the depicted embodiment the front ends  28 ,  30  of lids  18 ,  20  are identical, therefore, only front end  30  will be described in further detail. The front end  30  of lid  20  is configured to mate with a front wall of the base member  22 . In the depicted embodiment the front end  30  of the lid  20  includes a lip member  36  that extends across the front end  30  of the lid  20 . The lip member  36  engages the inside surface  38  of the front wall of the base member  22 . In the depicted embodiment the engagement of the lip member  36  and the inside surface  38  of the front wall of the base member  22  contact each other and substantially seals the front end  30  of the lid  20  with the front end  24  of the base member  22 . In the depicted embodiment the sides of the lids  18 ,  20  are configured to engage a side wall of the container  10  or the partition wall  16  of the container. The lids  18 ,  20  are configured such that a portion of the lids  18 ,  20  fit within the cavity when the lids  18 ,  20  are in the closed potion. 
   In the depicted embodiment, the front end  30  of the lid  20  also includes a downwardly extending locking arm  38  that is configured to engage the outside surface  40  of the front wall. The downwardly extending locking arm  38  includes a hooked end and is configured to deflect and engage a catch  42  on the outside surface  40  of the front wall. In the depicted embodiment the locking arm  38  and catch  42  are aligned with the center of the cavity  14 . The front end  30  of lid  20  further includes a forwardly extending foot portion  44  that is configured to rest on the tab  48 . The foot portion  44  includes a stepped front and side profile. The stepped profile makes the foot portion  44  less likely to inadvertently catch on something and pull the lid  20  to an unlocked position. In the depicted embodiment the underside of the foot portion  44  includes two spaced apart stand offs  50 ,  52  that are configured to extend towards and contact the top surface of the tab  48 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 11-13 , the tab  48  is described in greater detail. In the depicted embodiment the tab  48  includes a top surface  54 , a first end portion  56 , and a second end portion  58 . The top surface  54  includes front portion  60  and a back portion  62 . The back portion  62  is configured to pivot upwards when the front portion  60  is moved downwards. The back portion  62  is configured to raise the foot portion  44  of the lid  20  and release the locking arm  38  from the catch  42  when the front portion  60  is depressed. In the depicted embodiment the back portion  62  includes two end portions separated by a center member  64 . The center member is configured to contact the bottom of the locking arm  38  and move from the engaged position to a disengaged position. The end portions on either side of the center member  64  are configured to contact the stand offs  50 ,  52  and move them upwards when the front portion  60  of the tab is depressed. 
   In the depicted embodiment the first end portion  56  and the second end portion  58  include recesses that are configured to engage pivot protrusions  66  on the front end portion  24  of the base member  22 . The recesses are configured to slide into and snap into engagement with the pivot protrusions  66 . In the depicted embodiment, the tab  48  is configured such that that front portion does not extend farther than the front end  24  of the base member  22 . The top surface  54  of the tab  48  does not extend above the front end  24  of the base member  22 . The disclosed configuration prevents the tab  48  from being inadvertently actuated. In the depicted embodiment front end  24  of the base member includes tab guard wall that extend from the cavity to house the tab. In the depicted embodiment tab  48  is shielded from the sides by vertical guard walls  68 ,  70  and from the bottom by a horizontal guard wall  72 . In the depicted embodiment the vertical guard walls  68 ,  70  include stops  74  to limit the rotation of the tab  48 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 14-16 , a seven-compartment container  80  according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is described. In the depicted embodiment, the container  80  is configured to store one week&#39;s worth of pills. The lids  81 - 87  are marked with the first letter of the day of the week as well as with raised bumps in particular orientations. The raised bumps can employ the braille coding system for marking the dates of the weeks.  FIG. 15  shows the seven-compartment container  80  in an open position.  FIG. 16  depicts a section of the seven compartment container showing a portion of a vertical guard wall  88 , horizontal guard wall  91 , stop  89 , and tab  90 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 17-20  a 14-compartment container  92  according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is described. In the depicted embodiment, the 14-compartment container  92  is configured to store two weeks worth of pills. The fourteen compartment container  92  is similar to the seven-compartment container  80  and the two-compartment container  10 . One difference is that the lids  96 ,  98  are not integral with the base  94 . Instead, the lids  96 ,  98  are separate components that are connected to the base  94 . The lids  96 ,  98  include a connector strip  100  that connects a number of individual covers or caps together. The connector strip  100  includes recesses and protrusions thereon. The connector strip  100  fits within a channel  102  in the base. In the depicted embodiment two connectors strips  100  are fitted together back-to-back and are slidably snapped into engagement with the channel  102 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 21-24  a 28-compartment container  104  is described. The 28-compartment container  104  is configured to store at least two types of pills. For each day of the week, two compartments are designated to store evening pills, one compartment is for storing bedtime pills, and another compartment is for storing noon pills. The twenty eight compartment container  104  includes a base  106  that is connected to four rows of lids  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 25-32  a lid assembly  120  according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure is described. In the depicted embodiment, the lid assembly  120  is configured to connect to the open end of a bottle  130 . The lid assembly  120  includes a hinged lid  122 , a tab  124 , and a base  126 . The lid includes an inner periphery lip  128  that fits within the opening of the base  126  and a lock arm member  130  that includes hook member. The base  126  includes a cylinder shaped threaded lower portion  132  and an upper portion  134  that mates with the lid  122  and supports the tab  124 . The upper portion  134  includes two opposed side walls that include channels  140  that pivotally support opposed protrusions  136  on the tab  124 . The tab  124  is arranged such that depressing the tab  124  releases the lid  122  from the locked position. 
   It should be appreciated that many alternative embodiments of the lid assembly are possible. Some alternative embodiments may include combining different features from any one of the above described embodiments. For example the first through fourth embodiments can include the circular shaped lids disclosed of the fifth embodiment or the rectangular lids of the first through fourth embodiment can replace the circular shaped lids of the fifth embodiment. Also, the lids of the fifth embodiment could include standoffs shown in the first through fourth embodiments or the single lid of the fifth embodiment can be replaced with multiple lids. Moreover, in alternative embodiments the lids can be attached to the bases differently (e.g., different hinge arrangements, different sealing arrangements, etc.). For example, in some embodiments the lids can form a water tight seal with the base when in a closed state. 
   Some embodiment are directed to a container that includes a base, a cap and a tab. The base defines a cavity that includes a front portion and a back portion. The cap is configured to mate with the base. The cap includes a first end secured to the back portion of the base and a second end configured to engage the front portion of the base. The tab is pivotally connected to the front portion of the base and is configured and arranged such that depressing a portion of the tab disengage the second end of the cap from the front portion of the base and positions the cap in an open state. 
   Other embodiments are directed at a multiple compartment container that includes a base, a first lid, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The base defines at least a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the first and second compartments are separated by a partition. The first lid includes a pivot end and a free end. The second lid includes a pivot end and a free end, the second lid being configured such that it can be in an open position when the first lid is in a closed position. The first actuator is connected to the base, and includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is covered by the first lid when the first lid is in a locked position. The second actuator is connected to the base and includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the second actuator is covered by the second lid when the second lid is in a locked position. The first actuator is configured to release the first lid from the locked position when the second portion of the first actuator is depressed, and the second actuator is configured to release the second lid from the locked position when the second portion of the second actuator is depressed. 
   Still other embodiments are directed a lid assembly configured for use with a bottle. The lid assembly includes a base portion, a cap, and a tab. The base portion defines an opening figured to mate with the bottle, and includes a front portion and a back portion. The cap is configured to mate with the base portion and includes a first end secured to the back portion of the base portion and a second end configured to engage the front portion of the base portion. The tab is pivotally connected to the front portion of the base portion and is configured and arranged such that depressing a portion of the tab disengage the second end of the cap from the front portion of the base portion and positions the cap in an open state. 
   The present disclosure is also directed at a method of storing and dispensing pills from a pill container. The method includes placing one or more pills within separate pill compartments in a single pill container, depressing a lid corresponding to the pill compartment to lock the one or more pills within a pill compartment, and depressing a tab adjacent the lid to unlock the one or more pills within the pill compartment. 
   The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.