Abstract:
A container assembly including a container and a cap disposed on the container. The cap is moveable between a closed condition and an open condition. The cap has two opposing side wall regions and an end region disposed between the two opposing side wall regions. At least one of the side wall regions has a container-engaging portion moveable between a closed position where the container-engaging portion engages the container to resist opening of the cap, and a second position where the container-engaging portion is disengaged from the container to allow opening of the cap. The end region of the cap is in a snap-fit relationship with the container. Also included is a cap having these features.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     Containers for products which could be harmful to children (such as medicines, pharmaceuticals, nutriceuticals, etc.) have been designed to make it difficult for children to open them, while allowing access by adults. These containers are often referred to as “child-resistant” containers. A challenge in the past, however, is that many such products are used by older adults, or adults with disabilities. The extent of dexterity loss, through age or disability or otherwise, makes the use of these child-resistant containers difficult for some.  
         [0002]     Various attempts have been made, therefore, to provide a child-resistant container which is difficult for a child to open but easy for an adult to open, even where the adult has diminished dexterity for any reason. Many of these designs, however, can be difficult to manufacture cheaply, and some require multiple parts or difficult molding techniques.  
         [0003]     There exists a need to provide a child-resistant container that can be easily and cheaply manufactured, while remaining difficult for a child to open but easy for an adult to open.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention provides a container comprising a container and a cap disposed on the container. The cap is moveable between a closed condition and an open condition. The cap has two opposing side wall regions and an end region disposed between the two opposing side wall regions. At least one of the side wall regions has a container-engaging portion moveable between a closed position where the container-engaging portion engages the container to resist opening of the cap, and a second position where the container-engaging portion is disengaged from the container to allow opening of the cap. The end region of the cap is in a snap-fit relationship with the container wherein the cap is moveable from the closed condition to the open condition by a user moving the container-engaging portion to its second position and applying a force to the end region sufficient to overcome the snap fit.  
         [0005]     The present invention further provides a cap for a container comprising an upper portion and a base. The base is configured to be attached to, or form part of, a container. The upper portion and base are joined by a hinge. The upper portion is moveable between a closed condition and open condition. The upper portion has two opposing side wall regions and an end region disposed between the two opposing side wall regions. At least one of the side wall regions has a base-engaging portion moveable between a closed position wherein the base-engaging portion engages the base to resist opening of the container, and a second position wherein the base-engaging portion is disengaged from the base to allow opening of the container. The end region of the upper portion is in a snap-fit relationship with the base. The upper portion is moveable from its closed condition to the open condition by a user moving the base-engaging portion to its second position and applying a force to the end region sufficient to overcome the snap fit.  
         [0006]     The present invention also provides a method of opening the cap described above. The method comprises the steps of grasping the container with a first hand; urging the container-engaging portion toward its second position with a thumb or finger of the second hand; and using the thumb of the first hand to contact the end region and urge the cap to its open condition.  
         [0007]     The present invention also provides a cap assembly comprising a lower cap portion adapted to be connected to a container. The lower cap portion is adapted to be connected to a container. The lower cap portion comprises two opposing lower side wall regions and a lower end region disposed between the two opposing lower side wall regions. At least one of the opposing lower side wall regions include a lower engagement portion. An upper cap portion is adapted for releasable engagement with the lower cap portion. The upper cap portion comprises two opposing upper side wall regions and an upper end region disposed between the two opposing upper side wall regions. At least one of the upper side wall regions has a lower cap-engaging portion moveable between a closed position wherein the upper cap portion engages the lower cap-engaging portion to resist opening of the cap assembly, and a second position wherein the upper cap portion is disengaged from the lower cap-engaging portion to allow opening of the cap assembly. The upper end region is in a snap-fit relationship with the lower end region in the closed condition.  
         [0008]     The present invention further includes a method of opening a cap having a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion has a lower engagement portion and the upper portion has two opposing side wall regions and an end region disposed between the side wall regions. At least one of the side wall regions includes an upper engagement portion operable between a closed position wherein the upper engagement portion engages the lower engagement portion and a second position wherein the upper engagement portion is disengaged from the lower engagement portion to allow opening of the cap. The method comprises the steps of urging the upper engagement portion toward the second position with at least one of the thumb and a finger of a hand and using the thumb of another hand to urge the end region of the upper portion away from the lower portion. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0009]     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification. For the purposes of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are employed for designating the same elements throughout the several figures. In the drawings:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side profile view of a container and cap assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with the assembly in an open condition;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the interior of the container and cap assembly of  FIG. 1  showing connection details of the cap with the container and cap shown;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cap of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the cap of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side profile view of the cap of Sig.  1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the cap of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is side profile view of the top portion of the container and cap assembly of  FIG. 1 , with the assembly in a closed condition;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a cap according to a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the cap taken along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 5 , showing optional springs connecting side plates to a top of the cap; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is a side profile view showing a grip for opening the cap of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION  
       [0020]     Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. As used herein, the term “top” is defined to mean closer to the top of the page when the container is oriented in a position as shown in  FIG. 1 . The following describes preferred embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood based on this disclosure that the invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments of the invention.  
         [0021]     Referring to the Figures in general, a child-resistant container and cap assembly  100  according to the several embodiments of the present invention is shown. Referring specifically to  FIG. 1 , assembly  100  includes a container  102  that receives and retains a medicament or other dispensable article. The article may be in tablet, liquid, or other form suitable for dispensing from assembly  100  through a cap  110  located at the top of container  102 . Assembly  100  may be sized for use as a travel-size container. Alternatively, assembly  100  may be sized for standard dispensing volumes.  
         [0022]     Container  102  may be transparent to allow a user to see the volume of dispensable article within container  102 . Alternatively, container  102  may be opaque to preclude light from reaching articles within container  102  that may be susceptible to light damage. Container  102  is constructed from a polymer, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, or blend of polymers in order to maintain its shape and rigidity. Container  102  includes an opening  104  in fluid communication with cap  110  in order to allow the dispensable article to be dispensed from container  102  through cap  110 .  
         [0023]     Cap  110  is also constructed from a polymer, such as HDPE, polypropylene, or a blend of polymers. Cap  110  may be opaque and may be optionally contain certain colorants to enable a user to associate a specific type of article in the container  102  with the color of the cap  110 .  
         [0024]     Referring in particular to  FIGS. 1-6 , cap  110  includes a lower, or base, portion  112  that is attached to container  102  at or near the opening  104 . Although in the embodiments shown herein, lower portion  112  is a separate element from container  102 , those skilled in the art will recognize that lower portion  112  may be part of, or integrally formed with, container  102 . Cap  110  also includes an upper, or lid, portion  140  that is hingedly connected to lower portion  112  by a flexible hinge  113 .  
         [0025]     Cap  110  may be retained on container  102 , such as with an adhesive (not shown), or alternatively, in a frictional fit. Alternatively or additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , cap  110  may include a retaining well  106  that extends inwardly from an inside surface a wall of cap  110 . Retaining well  106  accepts and retains bayonet clips  108  that are formed in container  102  to provide additional retaining strength between cap  110  and container  102 . Further, in this particular embodiment, a rib  109  extends at least partially around the inner perimeter of cap  110  and fits into a groove  111  in container  102  to further retain cap  110  onto container  102 .  
         [0026]     In the exemplary embodiments shown in the Figures, lower portion  112  is generally oblong in plan view, with two major, opposing, generally parallel side wall regions  114 ,  116 , connected by a curved front region  118  and a curved rear region  120 . Curved front region  118  includes a finger relief  121  that is used to assist in opening cap  110 . Hinge  113  extends from curved rear region  120  and connects curved rear region  120  to upper portion  140 .  
         [0027]     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 3-6 , lower portion  112  includes a peripheral lip  122  that extends around a perimeter of lower portion  112 . A raised planar top surface  124  extends across the top of lower portion  112  within the perimeter of lip  122 , defining lip  122 . A connecting wall  126  circumscribes top surface  124  and connects top surface  120  to lip  122 . Connecting wall  126  includes lower engagement portions in the form of recesses  128 ,  130 ,  132  formed therein, with recesses  128 ,  130  aligned with side wall regions  114 ,  116  and recess  132  aligned with front portion  118 .  
         [0028]     Top surface  124  includes an opening  134  that allows communication between the interior of container  102  and the exterior of container  102 . Opening  134  is generally circular, with a raised lip  136  circumscribing opening  134 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , a retainer plate  135  extends from the inside top surface  124  proximate to opening  134 . Retainer plate  135  extends approximately the height of lower portion  112 . Retainer plate  135  restricts the flow of articles from container  102  through opening  134  particularly when container  102  is full or nearly full, so that excess articles are not dispensed from container assembly  100 . Retainer plate  135  forms a “tunnel effect” to limit flow of articles into opening  134  so that only one article is presented through opening  134  at a time.  
         [0029]     Upper portion  140  is generally oblong in plan view, with two major, opposing, generally parallel side wall regions  144 ,  146 , connected by a curved front region  148  and a curved rear region  150 . Upper portion  140  further includes a top  151  that connects side wall regions  144 ,  146 , front region  148 , and rear region  150 . Hinge  113  connects lower portion  112  to rear portion  150  and allows upper portion  140  to move between a first, or open, position and a second, or closed position. Upper portion  140  has approximately the same perimeter dimensions as lower portion  112  so that when cap  110  is in a closed condition, the perimeter of lower portion  112  generally aligns with the perimeter of upper portion  140 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . However, finger relief  121  forms a gap between lower portion  112  and upper portion  140 . The gap assists in moving cap  110  from a closed condition to an open condition.  
         [0030]     Referring back to  FIGS. 3-6 , each of side wall regions  144 ,  146  includes a container-engaging portion comprised of a hinged plate  152 ,  154 , respectively. Plates  152 ,  154  are hinged on hinges  155  approximately half way along a height of the plate. Each plate  152 ,  154  includes a base-engaging portion in the form of a protrusion  156 ,  158  that extends inwardly. Protrusions  156 ,  158  are sized to fit within recesses  128 ,  130 , respectively in a male/female relationship. Plates  152 ,  154  are moveable about their respective hinges between the closed position, wherein each protrusion  156 ,  158  engages its respective recess  128 ,  130  to resist opening of cap  110  when cap  110  is in a closed condition, and the open position, wherein protrusions  156 ,  158  are withdrawn from their respective recesses  128 ,  130  to allow opening of cap  110 .  
         [0031]     The interior of upper portion  140  at front region  148  includes a circular male pintle  160  that extends into opening  134  in top surface  124  of lower portion  112  when cap  110  is in a closed condition. Pintle  160  engages the wall defining opening  134  in a frictional fit sufficient to require additional force to be applied to open cap  110  when plates  152 ,  154  are in their open position. Further, the engagement between pintle  160  and the wall defining opening  134  provides a fluid-tight seal to preclude moisture from entering container  102  when cap  110  is in the closed condition. Such a seal is beneficial for medicaments that may be stored within container and cap assembly  100  for extended periods of time to prevent caking of the medicaments.  
         [0032]     Although both opening  134  and pintle  160  are shown in the Figures to be generally circular, those skilled in the art will recognize that opening  134  and pintle  160  may be other shapes, so long as the shapes are complementary to each other and pintle  160  can be inserted into opening  134  such that pintle  160  engages the wall forming opening  134  in a frictional fit. A plurality of support ribs  162  extend along the interior of upper portion  140  to provide structural support for upper portion  140 .  
         [0033]     Although the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-6  includes recesses  128 ,  130  formed in connecting wall  126  and protrusions  156 ,  158  extending from plates  152 ,  154 , in an alternative embodiment of cap  210  as shown in  FIG. 8 , recesses  228 ,  230  may be formed in plates  252 ,  254 , and protrusions  256 ,  258  may extend from a connecting wall  226 .  
         [0034]     Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 10 , springs  164 ,  166  extend from top  151  to plates  152 ,  154  respectively. Springs  164 ,  166  may be molded as part of cap  110  and are, consequently, constructed form the same material as cap  110 . Springs  164 ,  166  urge plates  152 ,  154  toward the closed position. Springs  164 ,  166  require an additional amount of force to urge plates  152 ,  154  toward the open position. Such additional force may frustrate small children from opening cap  110 . Springs  164 ,  166  also provide a quick return of plates  152 ,  154  toward the closed position, which typically must be able to fully cycle at least 50 times between the open position and the closed position in order to be considered to properly operate.  
         [0035]     The opening of the container and cap assembly  100  during proper use requires two hands and an amount of dexterity not normally exhibited by small children, in order to frustrate small children from opening container and cap assembly  100 . In an exemplary method of opening cap  110  to dispense an article from container  102 , shown in  FIG. 10 , a first hand H 1  grasps assembly  100  around container  102 . A second hand H 2  grips top portion  140  such that the thumb T 2  of second hand H 2  engages plate  152  above its hinge and a finger F 2  of second hand H 2  engages plate  154  above its hinge. The finger F 2  and thumb T 2  of second hand H 2  press toward each other, urging the plates  152 ,  154  from the closed position to the open position by overcoming springs  164 ,  166  and pivoting plates  152 ,  154  about their respective hinges, and freeing protrusions  156 ,  158  from their respective recesses  128 ,  130 . Generally simultaneously, the thumb T 1  of first hand H 1  is inserted into the gap formed by finger relief  121  and against the front region  148 . Thumb T 1  is urged against top portion  140 , overcoming the frictional fit of pintle  160  within opening  134  and urging top portion  140  upward, thereby moving cap  110  from the closed to the open condition.  
         [0036]     To close cap  110 , the user grasps container  102  with first hand H 1  and urges front region  148  of top portion  140  about hinge  113  and toward front region  118  of lower portion  112  with second hand H 2 . Pintle  160  is forced into opening  134  and protrusions  156 ,  158  enter respective recesses  128 ,  130 , locking top portion  140  to lower portion  112 .  
         [0037]     Those skilled in the art will recognize that pivoting plate  152  may be eliminated, leaving only pivoting plate  154 , such that only one of finger F 2  and thumb T 2  of second hand H 2  is required to pivot plate  152  about its hinge, removing protrusion  156  from recess  128 , and allowing thumb T 1  of first hand H 1  to urge top portion  140  upward and opening cap  110 . However, in all embodiments described above, it is recognized that two hands are required to act in concert to open the inventive cap.  
         [0038]     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.