Abstract:
A child-resistant and elder-friendly vial/cap system in which a locking ledge located on either the vial or the cap is engaged by a latch located on the other of the vial or the cap. The latch is located on one end of a lever and a pressure tab is located on the other end. A fulcrum is located between the latch and the pressure tab. Pressing in an inward radial direction on the pressure tabs disengages the latch from the locking ledge and allows the cap to be removed from the vial. The cap has a plug on its opposite end so that it may be readily reversed make the cap easily removable when the child-resistant feature is not needed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS: 
     (Not Applicable) 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to closures or caps for vials or bottles, and more particularly to a combination vial and cap that is both child-resistant and elder-friendly. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Child-resistant bottles and caps are known generally in the art. Most of these involve screw-type caps in which a separate motion, such as a downward axial movement, to disengage the locking mechanism, followed by rotation. Others require a radial inward (squeezing) motion, followed by rotation. Some of these prior art designs are shown by the following patents: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,920 (Moretti, issued Jul. 11, 2000) describes a child-resistant closure for bottles with easier operation. The child-resistant closure comprises a metal cap connected to a hood and an outer cap which engages the hood to prevent accidental removal. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,752 (Meyer, issued Jul. 6, 1999) describes a tamper-evident squeeze-and-turn child-resistant closure. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,545 (King, issued Dec. 31, 1996) describes another child-resistant and elderly friendly closure for containers. The closure comprises an inner part and an outer part, each having castellations which lock when the outer part is displaced axially. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,694 (Gambello, issued Aug. 20, 1991) describes a child-resistant cap comprising a lower cap and an upper cap. The lower cap and the upper cap must be aligned in a certain way to remove the cap from the container. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,459 (DeJonge, issued Aug. 8, 1991) describes another vial and closure design which may be rendered non-child-resistant. Downward pressure is required to engage ratchet type segments to permit removal of the cap. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,882, (Wright, Jul. 12, 1999) describes a bottle closure having a raised helical thread. Rotation of the closure followed by pushing in a downward direction is required to remove the closure from the bottle. 
     However, these devices, while achieving the objective of making the closure child-resistant, still tend to be difficult for seniors, those with arthritis, or individuals with other hand debilitations, to manipulate and open. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a combination vial/cap or bottle/cap system in which the closure is both child-resistant and elder-friendly. The cap is removable from the vial or bottle. 
     Because the physical elements of the vial and closure of the present invention have sidewalls parallel to their vertical axis, without protrusions which break the vertical plane, these elements are particularly adapted for efficient and effective use with high speed automatic filling and capping equipment. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a locking ledge is located on the vial and two levers are located on the cap. A latch on one end of each lever engages the locking ledge to lock the cap onto the vial. A pressure tab is located at the other end of each lever. Two fulcra are located on each lever between the pressure tab and latch. Pressing. both pressure tabs simultaneously in a radial inward direction unlocks the cap from the vial by releasing the latch from the locking ledge. The cap may then be removed from the vial by simply lifting it off in an axial (vertical) direction, with no other coordinated motion being required. 
     In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the cap can also be flipped over and secured to the vial with a plug seal located on the opposite side of the cap. In this orientation, the cap is easily removed even by a person with limited strength and dexterity, although it is not child-resistant. 
     In a second embodiment of the invention, two locking ledges are located on a snap-cap and two levers are located on the collar of the vial. Each lever has a pressure tab at one end and a latch on the other end. Pressing both pressure tabs simultaneously in an radial inward direction unlocks the cap from the vial by releasing the latch from the locking ledge. The cap can then be lifted off the vial in an axial (vertical) direction. 
     In this second embodiment of the invention, the cap can also be flipped over and locked to the vial via the latches in a fashion that can be more easily removed. The direction of the taper on the locking ledge on the cap when the cap is flipped over allows the cap to be more easily removed. In this orientation, the vial and cap combination is not child resistant. 
     In either embodiment, even in the child-resistant orientation, because there is no orientation of the cap or the vial, or turning needed, the cap is easier to manipulate for senior adults who may suffer from arthritis, or other individuals with hand debilitations, or with difficulty manipulating small items. However, because both pressure tabs must be pressed simultaneously while pulling or lifting the cap in an axial direction, the cap is difficult for children to manipulate. 
     Thus, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a vial and cap system which is both child-resistant and elder-friendly. 
     It is also an object of this invention to provide a vial and cap system in which, with the cap in one orientation, the cap is child-resistant, and with the cap in a flipped-over orientation, the child-resistant feature may be temporarily disabled. 
     It is also an object of this invention to provide a vial and cap system in which the locking mechanism can be located on either the cap or on the vial. 
     It is also an object of this invention to provide a vial and cap combination in which no rotation, orientation, alignment, torque, downward force or inordinate amount of manual pressure is required to remove the cap from the vial. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a design in which the physical elements of the vial and closure have sidewalls parallel to their vertical axis, without protrusions which break the vertical plane, simplifying their manufacture and making them particularly adapted for efficient and effective use with high speed automatic bottling and capping equipment. 
    
    
     THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevation view in cross-section of the preferred embodiment of the cap of the present invention joined with a vial; 
     FIG. 1 a  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section of the edge of the cap of FIG. 1 showing the sealing edge of the cap about to engage the corresponding edge of the vial; 
     FIG. 1 b  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section similar to FIG. 1 a  showing the cap in sealing engagement with a vial; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross section showing the cap being disengaged by grasping the cap and applying finger pressure to rotate the locking lugs about their fulcra into released position; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of cap of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the locations of the levers and the fulcra (the dashed line represents the inner wall of the cap) 
     FIG. 4 is side elevation view in cross section similar to FIG. 2 showing the cap of the present invention intentionally attached in inverted position to avoid engaging the locking lugs, when the child-resistant feature of the invention is not required; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the vial of the preferred embodiment of the invention showing the location of the locking ledge; 
     FIG. 6 is a partially cut-away side elevation of the preferred embodiment of the vial and cap of the present invention showing the location of the secondary ridge on the vial below the cap. The locking ledge on the vial and the levers on the cap are not shown. 
     FIG. 7 is a partially cut-away side elevation of the preferred embodiment of the cap of the present invention showing the internal vertical ribs on the inside of the cap. The levers on the cap are not shown. 
     FIG. 8 is a partially cut-away side elevation of the preferred embodiment of the cap of the present invention showing the tapered plug, and one lever and latch; 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the vial and cap of the present invention showing the cap separated from the vial. 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the vial and cap of the present invention showing the pressure tabs pushed in an inward radial direction and the latches released from the locking ledge. 
     FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the vial and cap of the present invention showing the cap in the inverted non-child-resistant orientation and also showing how the taper of the locking ledge secured by the latch will allow for easier removal of the cap. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A First (Preferred) Embodiment 
     The Cap In Child-Resistant Orientation 
     Turning to the drawings, FIGS. 1-8 show the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a cap  10  attached to a vial  12 . The cap  10  and vial  12  have a common central axis. The cap  10  is generally circular in shape and has an inner wall  14  and an outer wall  16 . The outer wall is best shown in FIG.  8 . Integral with the outer wall  16  are preferably two side panels, or levers  18  spaced preferably 180 degrees apart. Preferably two fulcra  20  connect each lever  18  to the inner wall  14 . The lever  18  terminates in a pressure tab or region  22  for applying manual pressure to release the cap  10  from the vial  12 . At the other end of the lever  18  is a latching ridge  24 . 
     As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the vial  12  has a circumfrential locking ledge  26 . The locking ledge  26  is a peripheral extension of the vial  12 , and is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the vial  12  and the cap  10 . 
     The vial is preferably made of a tough, flexible and resilient material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene. The cap is preferably made of polypropylene or a similar modified polymer. 
     The cap  10  has a first sealing surface  28  for securing the cap  10  to the vial  12  via the latches  24 , and a second sealing surface  30  which preferably is a tapered plug on the opposite side of the cap  10  for securing the cap  10  to the vial  12  by frictional engagement. The cap  10  can be pushed onto the vial  12  to engage and retain the vial  12  in a push-on sealing relationship with either the first sealing surface  28  or the tapered plug  30 . 
     As shown in FIG. 1, when the vial  12  and cap  10  are in the locked position, the latch  24  is engaged with the locking ledge  26  and prevents removal of the cap  10  from the vial  12  when the cap  10  is pulled in the axial direction. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, when the pressure tabs  22  are pressed simultaneously using, for example, a thumb and forefinger in an inward radial direction, the levers  18  pivot on the fulcra  20 , and the latches  24  are caused to move in an outward radial direction away from the locking ledge  26 . Once the latches  24  are disengaged from the locking ledge  26 , the cap  10  can then be removed from the vial  12  by lifting upwards in an axial direction. 
     FIG. 3 shows the top view of the cap  10  showing the levers  18  integral with the outer wall  16  as well as the location of the two fulcra  20  attached to each lever  18 . FIG. 5 shows the location of the locking ledge  26  around the circumference of the vial  12 . 
     As shown in FIG. 6, the vial  12  preferably has a secondary ridge  32  below and parallel to the locking ledge  26 . (The locking ledge on the vial and the levers on the cap are not shown.) The secondary ridge  32  prevents access to the cap  10  from underneath and makes it difficult for a child to pry off the cap  10  with either fingers or teeth. Optimally, the clearance between the secondary ridge  32  and the bottom of the cap  10  should be as small as practical. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, the cap  10  also preferably has internal vertical ribs  34  on the inside of the cap  10 . (The levers on the cap are not shown.) The internal vertical ribs  34  require that a vertical lift be used to remove the cap  10  from the vial  12 . The internal vertical ribs  34  also provide a snug fit of the cap  10  to the vial  12 . Preferably, the clearance between the outer surface of the vial  12  and the internal vertical ribs  34  should be as tight as is functionally feasible. 
     The Cap In Non-Child-Resistant Orientation 
     The cap  10  is reversible, i.e., it can be flipped over and used as a cap in the opposite orientation. FIG. 5 shows the cap  10  in the inverted non-child-resistant position. The tapered plug  30  is adapted to be received and retained by the opening in the vial  12  by frictional engagement. 
     A Second Embodiment 
     The Cap In Child-Resistant Orientation 
     FIGS. 9-11 show a second embodiment of the vial and cap of the present invention. In this second embodiment, at least one locking ledge is located on the cap, while two levers are located on the vial. 
     FIG. 9 shows a cap  110  and a vial  112 . The cap  110  and the vial  112  have a common central axis. The cap  110  is a snap-on type cap and is generally circular in shape and has two locking ledges  126 , one at the top  128  and one at the bottom  130  of the circumference of cap  110 . Each locking ledge  126  is a peripheral extension of the cap  110  and is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the cap  110  and the vial  112 . 
     The outer edges of each locking ledge  126  are tapered. The locking ledge  126  around the circumference around the top  128  of the cap  110  is tapered in the same direction as taper of the locking ledge  126  around the circumference around the bottom  130  of the cap  110 . 
     Around the top of the vial  112  is a collar  117 . Integral with the collar  117  are preferably two side panels or levers  118  spaced preferably 180 degrees apart around the circumference of the vial  112 . Preferably two fulcra  120  connect each lever  118  to the vial  112 . At one end of each lever  118  is a pressure tab  122 . At the other end of each lever  118  is a latch  124 . 
     As with the first embodiment, the vial is preferably made of a tough, flexible and resilient material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene, and the cap is preferably made of polypropylene or a similar modified polymer. 
     When the vial  112  and cap  110  are in the locked position, the latch  124  is engaged with the locking ledge  126  and prevents removal of the cap  110  from the vial  112  when the cap  110  is pulled in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 10, when the pressure tabs  122  are moved simultaneously using a thumb and finger in an inward radial direction the levers  118  pivot on the fulcra  120 , and latches  124  are caused to move in an outward radial direction away from the locking ledge  126 . Once the latches  124  are disengaged from the locking ledge  126 , the cap  110  can then be removed from the vial  112  by lifting upwards in an axial (vertical) direction. 
     Preferably, the vial additionally has a secondary ridge  132  under the collar  117  and in alignment with the fulcra  120 . The secondary ridge  132  prevents access to the cap  110  from underneath and makes it difficult for a child to pry off the cap  110  with either fingers or teeth. Optimally, the clearance between the secondary ridge  132  and the bottom of the cap  110  should be as small as is functionally feasible. 
     The cap  110  has a mid-point  134 . At the mid-point is a solid plane of material which forms the top of the cap in either orientation. As shown in FIG. 10, when the cap  110  is connected to the vial  112 , the mid-point  134  is in alignment with the top of the vial. 
     The Cap In Non-Child-Resistant Orientation 
     The cap  110  is reversible, i.e., it can be flipped over and used as a non-child-resistant cap in the opposite orientation. FIG. 11 shows the cap  110  in the inverted non-child-resistant position. As shown in FIG. 11, when the cap  110  is flipped over and used as non-child-resistant cap, the direction of the taper of the locking ledge  126  around the top  128  of the cap locked by the latches  124  allows the cap to be more easily removed from under the latches  124  when the vial  112  and cap  110  combination is in the locked position. 
     Also in this second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, when the cap  110  is connected to the vial  112 , the mid-point  134  is in alignment with the top of the vial. 
     Other embodiments of the invention are contemplated which do not depart from the scope of the invention claimed. While the preferred form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be taken as limited to the specific form described herein, and that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true concept of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the foregoing teachings and the appended claims define the present invention and any and all changes and modifications.