Abstract:
Child proof containers are provided. In some embodiments, the child proof container comprise: a removal tool having a first end; a pouch with a first edge and a second edge that together form an opening to the pouch; a first handle portion that is attached to the first edge and that includes an opening sized to receive the first end of the removal tool; a second handle portion that is attached to the second edge, that is configured to fit into a cavity in the first handle portion, that interlocks with the first handle portion when in the cavity, and that can be pushed out of the first handle portion using the first end of the removal tool.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosed subject matter relates to child proof containers which have an interlocking closure device and an opening tool. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     A wide variety of child proof containers exist today. For example, pill and chemical containers frequently come with caps that require a user to press the caps downward while simultaneously turning the caps in order to remove them and access the contents of the containers. 
     Unfortunately, however, these containers do not lend themselves to usage with larger items that are more suitably placed in a bag. Additionally, they are not readily labeled or displayable in a retail environment. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a new type of child proof container. 
     SUMMARY 
     Child proof containers are provided. In some embodiments, the child proof containers comprise: a removal tool having a first end; a pouch with a first edge and a second edge that together form an opening to the pouch; a first handle portion that is attached to the first edge and that includes an opening sized to receive the first end of the removal tool; a second handle portion that is attached to the second edge, that is configured to fit into a cavity in the first handle portion, that interlocks with the first handle portion when in the cavity, and that can be pushed out of the first handle portion using the first end of the removal tool. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed subject matter can be more fully appreciated with reference to the following detailed description of the disclosed subject matter when considered in connection with the following drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a closed child proof container incorporating a pouch, an interlocking closure device with multiple small arcuate slots, and an opening tool in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an opened child proof container incorporating a pouch, an interlocking closure device with multiple small arcuate slots, and an opening tool in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 3  is a fragmentary view showing an expanded view of an interlocking closure device of a child proof container in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary view showing an expanded view of an opening tool of a child proof container in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In accordance with various embodiments, as described in more details below, child proof containers which have a pouch, an interlocking closure device with multiple small arcuate slots, and an opening tool are provided. 
     In some embodiment, an interlocking closure device is intended for use with a pouch that can be closed and child-protected by the interlocking closure device. 
     In some embodiments, the interlocking closure device can comprise two fastening strips disposed along top edge portion of the opening of the pouch. In some embodiments, the two fastening strips can be interconnected by manual pressure for closing the pouch, and preventing a child from opening the pouch. 
     In some embodiments, the pouch can be formed of a durable material, such as plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, nylon, synthetic resin, polyamide resin, etc., or from a combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, an opening tool can be provided for opening the interlocking closure device. 
     Turning to  FIG. 1 , an example  100  of a closed child proof container incorporating a pouch, an interlocking closure device with multiple small arcuate slots, and an opening tool in a perspective view is shown in accordance with some embodiments. As illustrated, the child proof container  100  comprises a pouch  110 , an interlocking closure device  120  with multiple small arcuate slots  128 , and an opening tool  130 . 
     In some embodiments, pouch  110  can be in the form of any suitable top opening bag, such as a three-side seal pillow bag, a bottom filled gusset bag, a side gusset stand up bag, a fin/lap seal doy style bag, etc. In some embodiments, pouch  110  can be made of any suitable material, such as plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, nylon, synthetic resin, polyamide resin, etc. 
     In some embodiment, interlocking closure device  120  can comprise a base  122  and a carrying handle  124  and multiple small arcuate slots  128  on the handle&#39;s interior side. Interlocking closure device  120  can be made of any suitable material which is resilient and durable, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), etc. 
     In some embodiments, base  122  and carrying handle  124  can be integrated as a single body, which can result in an improved stress distribution in material of base  122  attended by an improved weight distribution between pouch  110  and carrying handle  124  when pouch  110  is filled and carrying handle  124  is stressed. 
     As illustrated, base  122  can be extended along the full width and partial sides of the pouch, which can provide tension support when pouch  110  is under load and hide entry seams. A carrying handle  124  with a rounded shape can be formed above base  122 . Between base  122  and carrying handle  124 , a hand opening  126  is formed in a central portion of interlocking closure device  120 . Hand opening  126  includes straight sides and multiple arcuate sides  128  (which may not be to scale in the figures) which are directed outwardly towards the opening. Arcuate sides  128  can improve friction between a user&#39;s hand and carrying handle  124  when the user is holding carrying handle  124 . In some embodiments, the diameter of each arcuate side  128  can be smaller than the size of a typical five years old child&#39;s fingertip (e.g., 0.25″). 
     In some embodiments, opening tool  130  can be connected with base  122  by one or more connecting bridges  132 . Opening tool  130  can be made of the same material as that used for interlocking closure device  120 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an opened child proof container  200  incorporating pouch  110 , interlocking closure device  120 , and opening tool  130  in accordance with some embodiments. As illustrated, interlocking closure device  120  has two fastening strips  240  and  250 , which can be interlocked with each other. In some embodiments, both of the fastening strips  240  and  250  have a smooth and flat outer surface, and a concave inner surface which contains a plurality of protruding embossments. 
     In fastening strip  250 , a plurality of protruding embossments  256  are male type (e.g., as a small cylinder shape), while in fastening strip  240 , a matching plurality of protruding embossments are female type (e.g., as a small hollow cylinder shape). The positions of the male type protruding embossments  256  are distributed inside of the concave inner surface of fastening strip  250 , and correspond to the positions of the female type protruding embossments distributed inside of the concave inner surface of fastening strip  240 . 
     In some embodiments, the male type protruding embossments  256  can be pressed into the cavities of the matching female type protruding embossments by pressing on the outsides of fastening strip  240  and  250 . The material from which male type protruding embossments  256 , as well as the matching female type protruding embossments, is made can possess sufficient resiliency to permit adequate flexing during engagement, in some embodiments. 
     Fastening strips  240  and  250  are adapted to be interlocked between a first end  262  and a second end  264 . To perform the locking operation for interlocking closure device  120 , a user can simply press the flat outer surfaces of the two fastening strips  240  and  250  from the first end  262  to the second end  264  to make all of plurality of male type protruding embossments  256  be pressed into the cavities of the matching female type protruding embossments. 
     In some embodiments, fastening strip  250  has an enlarged outer edge  252  and a contracted inner edge  254  compared respectively to the outer edge  242  and inner edge  244  of fastening strip  240 , so that the opening of the concave inner surface of fastening strip  250  is oversized compared to the size of fastening strip  240  in order to allow the entire fastening strip  240  to be embedded into the opening in the concave inner surface of fastening strip  250 . 
     In some embodiment, the child-resistant feature in accordance with the disclosed subject matter is readily illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In an interlocked position, fastening strip  240  is entirely embedded into fastening strip  250 , where the only exposed surface of fastening strip  240  is the smooth and flat outer surface which does not provide a force-focusing area that can be applied force in order to separate the two fastening strips  240  and  250 . Thus, for a child, it would be difficult to open interlocking closure device  120 . 
     In the closure unlocking operation, the first step is to release opening tool  130  from interlocking closure device  120 . For example, in some embodiments, opening tool  130  is connected to interlocking closure device  120  by one or more connecting bridges  132 . In such an example, a user can release opening tool  130  from interlocking closure device  120  by breaking one or more connecting bridges  132  (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 4 ). 
       FIG. 4  shows an expanded view of a released opening tool of a child proof container in accordance with some embodiments. As illustrated, opening tool  130  has two pointed ends  332 . In some embodiments, the material of two pointed ends  332  gradually gets thinner toward the point of ends  332  and is more flexible than the material of the rest part of opening tool  130 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, in each of arcuate sides  128  at the inner side of hand opening  126 , a small slit  364  is formed. An insertion of a pointed end  332  of opening tool  130  into one of slits  364  can provide a force-focusing point to apply force or twist in order to separate the two fastening strips  240  and  250 . Thus, to open an interlocking closure device  120  from the locked position, a user can insert a pointed end  332  of opening tool  130  into one of slits  364 , and use opening tool  130  as a pry bar to separate fastening strips  240  and  250 . 
     In some embodiments, interlocking closure device  120  may be manufactured by injection molding. Generally, interlocking closure device  120  may be formed from any suitable thermoplastic material including, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, or the like, or from a combination thereof. Thus, resins or mixtures of resins such as high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, and low density polyethylene may be employed to prepare the fastening strips of the present invention. The selection of the appropriate thermoplastic material can be related to the particular size design of the interlocking closure device, the Young&#39;s Modulus of the thermoplastic material, and the desired elasticity and flexibility of the fastening strips. 
     The provision of the examples described herein (as well as clauses phrased as “such as,” “e.g.,” “including,” and the like) should not be interpreted as limiting the claimed subject matter to the specific examples; rather, the examples are intended to illustrate only some of many possible aspects. 
     Accordingly, child proof containers which have an interlocking closure device and an opening tool are provided. 
     Although the invention has been described and illustrated in the foregoing illustrative embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of implementation of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the claims that follow. Features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined and rearranged in various ways.