Abstract:
A closure for bottles having twist-type closure provision. The closure includes an inner member with a disk-like portion and a depending peripheral lip having an interior adapted to match the particular closure provision of the bottle. A neck projecting from the disk portion terminates in a closed flange having a slightly greater diameter than the neck. An outer member, rotatable with respect to the inner member, has a disk-like portion and a depending peripheral lip equally spaced from that of the inner member and has a central opening of a diameter intermediate that of the neck and the flange to permit snapping the flange through the opening to assemble the closure. A spring between the disk portions of the members normally maintain these portions separated but allows movement toward each other when pressure is applied to the outer member. Cooperating opening tabs between the members, when aligned and engaged by pressure upon the outer member, permit the outer member and the inner member to be turned counterclockwise in unison to effect removal of the closure from the bottle. Arrow indicia on the top surfaces of the flange and the outer member indicate the proper alignment of the opening tabs. Cooperating closure tabs carried by the members effect the clockwise turning of the components is unison to tighten the closure. Optionally, numerals are equally spaced about the opening in the outer member to provide information as to the time of the next dosage of a medicine, for example.

Description:
DESCRIPTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates generally to closures for bottles and similar objects having an opening provided with external threads or other twist type provision, and more particularly to closures for medicine bottles and the like for indicating the time for the next dosage, the closure being child-proof. 
     2. Background Art 
     Considerable background for this invention is set forth in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,370, issued on Feb. 26, 1985. Briefly, it is a common problem with many persons, especially the elderly, to forget the time to take the next dosage of a medicine. The prescription may indicate &#34;every four hours&#34;, but often the time of the last dosage cannot be remembered. Thus, it is desirable to indicate the next dosage time when a dose is taken. While there are devices for this indication, most are difficult to manufacture. Yet another problem with many closures for medicine bottles is the difficulty of opening them when the design is such as to make the bottle &#34;child-proof&#34;. In fact, many of such closures are also referred to as being &#34;adult-proof.&#34; 
     The closure of my above-identified patent was an improvement upon what was available. It has certain disadvantages, however, including the necessity of squeezing the closure to remove the same from a bottle (the child-proof feature) or to replace the closure. Some persons afflicted with arthritis have difficulty in this operation because of the soreness in the fingers or wrists, for example. 
     Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a bottle closure that can be used for medicine bottles which provides a &#34;child-proof&#34; feature that does not require a squeezing action for either opening or closing the bottle. 
     It is another object of the present invention to couple the improved child proof construction with an indicator for giving information as to the time of the next dosage. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon a consideration of the drawings and the detailed description that follows. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a two-piece closure for medicine bottles and the like having a top or neck provided with external threads or other twist-type surface. An inner member is provided with internal threads or other surface to mate with that of the bottle for sealing the bottle. The second piece or outer member, which generally surrounds the inner member, has a central aperture to receive an upstanding dial-like portion of the inner member, with a snap fit between the pieces at this aperture. Spring-like lift tabs are positioned between top flat surfaces of both the inner member and the outer member to urge them apart but to yield under pressure applied to the top of the outer member. Both the top surface of the dial-like portion of the inner member and the top surface of the outer member carry arrows or like signs that, when aligned, permit the closure to be removed if downward pressure is applied to the outer member. This is achieved through the use of a tab carried by one of the members that is inserted between two tabs in the other member when this pressure is applied. Thus, both of the members can be turned in unison counter-clockwise to remove the closure. A second set of tabs are provided upon the members that are engaged whenever the closure is turned in a clockwise direction, thus assuring tightening of the closure upon the bottle. In one embodiment, the top surface of the outer member also carries numbers (which may be raised) indicating the hours so that a specific time of day can be selected for the next dosage. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention taken at 1--1 of FIGS. 2 and 5 when the components shown in those figures are combined. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the inner member of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the indicator arrow, the lift tabs and the opening and closing tabs carried by that portion of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view, taken from the rear side, of the inner member of FIG. 2 showing an elevation of the opening tabs carried by that inner member. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view, taken from the front side, of the inner member of FIG. 2 showing an elevation of the closing tab carried by that inner member. 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the outer member of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the indicator arrow, the time numerals, and the opening tab and the closing tab carried by that portion of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a side view, taken from the rear side, of the outer member of FIG. 5 showing the elevation of the opening tab carried thereby. 
     FIG. 7 is a side view taken from the front side of the outer member of FIG. 5 showing the elevation of the closing tab carried by that outer member. 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing illustrating the operation of the opening tabs of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing illustrating the operation of the closing tabs of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention as taken at 10--10 of FIGS. 11 and 12 when the components of those figures are assembled together. 
     FIG. 11 is a top view of a modified inner member of the present invention showing the opening tabs positioned upon the top surface of that member. 
     FIG. 12 is a top view of a modified outer member of the present invention showing the position of the opening tab thereon. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, shown therein at 14 is one embodiment of the present invention. It is fabricated of two components: an inner member 16 and an outer member 18. The inner member 16 is generally cupped shaped, with a flat top or disk portion 20 and a depending lip 22. The interior surface of the lip 22 is provided with threads 24 to mate with threads on a bottle (not shown) that is to be closed. It will be understood that if the bottle has another type of twist type closure provision, the interior surface of the lip 22 will have a corresponding configuration. A neck portion 26 is upstanding from the disk portion 20, and terminates in a closed flange-like portion 28 that has a diameter slightly greater than that of the neck 26. This flange 28 optionally carries a raised arrow 30 (see FIG. 2). The exterior surface of the lip 22 carries opening tabs 32 and a closing tab 34 that are more clearly seen in FIG. 2. 
     The outer member 18 is also generally cupped shaped, with a flat disk-like upper portion 36 and a depending lip 38. The interior of the outer member 18 is dimensioned to encompass the exterior of the inner member 16, and the upper portion 36 is provided with a central aperture 40 to closely embrace the neck 26 of the inner member 16. The interior 42 of the lip portion 38 is provided, near the upper portion, with an opening tab 44; and, near the lower edge, with a closing tab 46. These are illustrated more clearly in FIG. 5. Interposed between the flat surfaces of the inner member 16 and the outer member 18, as shown, are a pair of spring-like members or lift tabs 48, 50, that urge these surfaces apart but allow them to be pressed toward each other. 
     A top view of the inner member 16 is shown in FIG. 2. This view illustrates the arrow 30 on the flange 28 as well as the opening tabs 32A, 32B, and the closing tab 34. It can be seen, for example, that the closing tab 34 is cantilevered from the outer surface of the lip 22 in a direction whereby a cooperating tab on the outer member engages the same so as to cause tightening the closure upon a bottle. This tab 34, however, has sufficient flexibility such that the cooperating tab on the outer member can pass by when the outer member is turned in a counter-closkwise direction. Furthermore, the lift tabs 48, 50 are shown as being attached at one end each to the flat disk portion 20. These lift tabs 48, 50 are essentially cantilevered spring units. 
     The opening tabs 32 associated with the inner member 16 are more clearly illustrated in FIG. 3. As also shown in FIG. 2, there are two portions 32A and 32B. Portion 32A has a raised portion 52 of uniform height with a flat face 54 and an angled face 56. (The purpose of these faces, and those of tab 32B will be described in connection with FIG. 8). Tab portion 32B has a central portion 58 of uniform height and angled faces 60, 62. By referring to both FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that all of the angled faces of both the opening tab units 32A and 32B slope in two directions in this embodiment. 
     FIG. 4 is another side view of the inner member 16. More clearly seen therein is the cantilevered closing tab 34 located at substantially the lower edge of the lip 22. Also, shown therein more clearly is the length of the neck 26 between the disk portion 20 of the inner member 16 and the flange 28. This length of the neck is selected to accommodate the thickness of the disk portion of the outer member 18 plus the movement necessary to engage the various components of the opening tabs. Typically the distance of this movement is about 1/16 inch. 
     The top surface 36 of the outer member 18 is shown in FIG. 5. The central aperture 40 can be seen; this aperture accepts the neck of the inner member 16 as shown in FIG. 1. Also, the opening tab 44 and the closing tab 46 are indicated so as to show their relative positions to the cooperating tabs of the inner member 16. This top is provided with an arrow 64 and, optionally, the word &#34;OPEN&#34; within the arrow. Around the periphery of the aperture 40 are twelve positions other than at the arrow; these optionally can have numerals 64 to indicate the hours for dosage. The numerals can, optionally, be raised (e.g., embossed) above the surface 36. In order to give instructions to a user of the bottle, brief instructions 66 can be imprinted on the top; these also optionally can be embossed on the surface. When the outer member is pushed down, as indicated by the instructions, counter-clockwise turning will open the bottle and clockwise turning will tighten the closure on the bottle. When no pressure is applied, counter-clockwise rotation will not effect any rotation of the inner member and clockwise rotation will tighten the closure. 
     Side or edge views of the outer member 18 are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIG. 6, the elevation of the opening tab 44 on the inside is shown, and in FIG. 7 is shown the closing tab 46. The external surface of the lip portion 38 can, optionally, be provided with ridges 68 to facilitate grasp during the turning of the outer member 18. 
     FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the operation of the opening tabs of the present invention. When no pressure is applied to the top surface 36 of outer member 18, the opening tab 44 attached thereto is in the position indicated by solid lines. It can be seen that if the outer member is turned in either direction, there is no interaction between the tab 44 and the opening tabs 32A and 32B on the inner member 16. However, when pressure is applied, movement to positon 70 occurs whereby, in dashed lines, it can be seen that the tab 44 is placed between tab 32A and tab 32B with flat surfaces in contact. Then when the outer member 18 is turned in the direction indicated by the arrow 72, this direction being counter-clockwise, the inner member will also be turned and thus the bottle will be opened. However, if the outer member 18 is turned in the direction indicated by the arrow 74, which is clockwise, the tab 44 will slip over tab 32B and the inner member 16 will not be turned. 
     A schematic drawing of the closing tabs 34 and 46 is shown in FIG. 9. As in FIG. 8, the solid lines indicate the positions when no pressusre is applied to the top 36 of outer member 18. When pressure is applied, the tab 46 moves to the position indicated by the dashed lines 76. Rotation of the outer member 18 in the direction indicated by the arrow 78 (clockwise) brings the tab 46 on the outer member 18 into contact with the end of tab 34 on the inner member 16. This is the position to cause tightening of the closure on the bottle. Rotation in the opposite direction, as indicated by the arrow 80, causes the tab 46 to move past the tab 34 by nature of the sloped surface 82. These relative movements of the tabs 34 and 46 occur in either position of the outer member 18; up with no pressure, or down with pressure. 
     The present invention can be fabricated with various changes that do not change the principles of operation. Another embodiment that includes several of the types of changes that can be made is illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10 at 14&#39;. Components that are identical with those of the prior embodiment carry the same number designations, and those that are changed utilize the same number with a prime. As in the prior embodiment, there is an inner member 16&#39; which has a neck portion 26 that penetrates and snaps in a central aperture 30 of an outer member 18&#39;. This inner member is provided with internal threads 24 to engage threads of a bottle upon which the present closure is to be used. The lip portion 22&#39; has been modified at a bottom edge to provide a radially extending flange 84. The outer member 18&#39; has been similarly modified to provide an inwardly directed ridge 86, with the flange 84 and the ridge 86 having complimentary curved configurations such that the outer member 18&#39; can be snapped over the inner member 16&#39; in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 3 of my above-referenced patent. 
     A further change illustrated in this embodiment can be seen by referring to FIGS. 11 and 12. It can be seen that the opening tabs 32A&#39; and 32B&#39; have been moved to the top surface of disk portion 20&#39; of the inner member 16&#39;. Correspondingly, the tab 44&#39; is moved to the underside of the top 36&#39; of the outer member 18&#39; at the same radius. In these positions, the opening tabs still function in the same manner as illustrated in FIG. 8. A minor modification illustrated in these FIGS. 10 through 12 is the removal of the word &#34;OPEN&#34; from the arrow 62&#39;, and the removal of numbers from the positions 64&#39;. As indicated, these are optional variations. 
     This second embodiment shown in FIG. 10 utilizes the same lifting tabs 48, 60 as in the prior embodiment. It will be understood that these lifting tabs could be attached to the underside of the top 36 of outer member 18&#39; rather than to the inner member 16&#39;. The invention is not limited to this particular type of biasing means, however. For example, an annular wave-type spring encircling the neck 26 could be used to accomplish the biasing apart of the inner member 16 (or 16&#39;) and the outer member 18 (or 18&#39;). Such a spring would also permit the movement of the outer member 18 toward the inner member 16 whereby the opening tab 44 (or 44&#39;) will engage the tabs 32A and 32B (or 32A&#39; and 32B&#39;). Other variations would include the reversal of the tab components: tabs 32A and 32B on the outer member 18, and tab 44 on the inner member. The closing tabs 34 and 46 can also be reversed in position on the two components as long as the correct direction of rotation is followed. 
     Although the operation of the present invention has been generally discussed hereinabove, the following will provide a more complete description. With regard to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 9, the present invention is assembled by snapping the neck 26 of the inner member 16 through the aperture 40 in the outer member 18. Thereafter, the closure can be applied to a bottle by turning the outer member 18 in a clockwise direction. The tab 46 will bear against the end of the tab 34 causing the inner member 16 to be screwed upon the bottle threads until tight. The outer member 18, with the pressure removed, can then be turned in a counter-clockwise direction by a user until one of the numerals 64 is aligned with the arrow 30; this giving, for example, the time for the next dosage of medicine. When a dosage is to be taken, the outer member is turned until the arrow 30 and the arrow 62 are aligned. With the arrows in this position, downward pressure upon the outer member 18 causes the opening tab 44 to be interlocked between tabs 32A and 32B. With continued pressure, the outer member is turned counter-clockwise and the closure is removed from the bottle. During this rotation, the closure tab 46 slips over the tab 34. To close the bottle, the above-cited closure procedure is followed. During closure, if pressure is applied to the outer member 18, the opening tab 44 will slip over the tabs 32A and 32B. 
     While only two embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure. Rather, it is intended to cover all modifications and all constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.