Abstract:
Dual-mode container assemblies ( 30, 110 ) are provided which include an open-top container ( 32, 112 ) with a closure assembly ( 34, 114 ) having a skirt ( 36, 116 ) and a reversible lid ( 38, 118 ) presenting first and second opposed faces ( 82, 84, 160, 162 ) hingedly coupled to the skirt ( 36, 116 ). In the child-resistant configuration of the assemblies ( 30, 110 ), the lid ( 38, 118 ) is latched to the skirt ( 36, 116 ) by a latching arrangement ( 60, 100, 136, 177 ). In order to convert the container assemblies ( 30, 110 ) to an adult configuration, the lid ( 38, 118 ) is opened and rotated 180° while the lid ( 38, 118 ) remains connected to the skirt ( 36, 116 ). This reverses the lid face adjacent the open top of the container ( 32, 112 ). Closure of the reversed lid ( 38, 118 ) occurs without any latching function between the skirt ( 36, 116 ) and the lid ( 38, 118 ), so that the lid ( 38, 118 ) can be readily opened. The connection between the lid ( 38, 118 ) and skirt ( 36, 116 ) can be effected by hinged connection of rear segment ( 64 ) and rotational coupling of a forward reversible body ( 75 ), or by a ball joint connection between a ball ( 170 ) and ball mount ( 150 ). In either case, the lid ( 38, 118 ) is moveable about respective transverse axes to permit changeover between the child-resistant and adult configurations of the container assemblies ( 30, 110 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention is broadly concerned with container assemblies for medicaments or the like which are readily convertible between a latched, child-resistant configuration and an unlatched, adult configuration. More particularly, the invention is concerned with such container assemblies and corresponding methods wherein a closure assembly is provided for securement to the open top of a container, with the closure assembly including a lid presenting opposed faces and rotatably mounted so as to permit full rotation of the lid to the child-resistant or adult orientation thereof while the lid remains coupled to the closure assembly. Thus, the lid changeover is accomplished without separation of the lid from the container and closure assembly. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Numerous child-resistant closure devices for preventing access to containers storing dangerous substances such as medicaments, poisons, or household cleaners have been developed in the past. While such devices provide a measure of safety for children, they can be difficult to manipulate by older or disabled persons of limited dexterity. Accordingly, convertible closure devices have also been provided in the past, so that the devices can be alternately configured in a child-resistant or easy-open adult orientations. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,450 discloses a cap assembly which has one side providing a child-resistant closure, whereas the other provides a non-child-resistant closure. In order to change between the configurations, it is necessary to bodily remove the cap from the vial and reverse it for re-attachment to the vial in the new configuration. Similarly, U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2007/0062901 and 2007/0267379 disclose reversible, dual-function vial caps which again require cap removal and inversion in order to switch between the alternate configurations. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,904 describes a reversible closure wherein the closure includes an outer cap and a coaxial, nested inner cap. In order to convert the closure from the child-resistant mode to the non-child-resistant mode, the outer cap is removed, inverted and re-attached. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,691 describes a child-resistant closure having an easy-open feature. In this design, the closure is rotatably attached to a container and has a depending skirt and a hinged lid carrying a latching member. The lid latches only if the closure is turned to a positioned such that the latch is aligned with a slot in the latching flange. Rotation of the closure relative to the slot, once the latch has been engaged through the slot, locks the lid against opening. 
         [0007]    Other references include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,759,455; 4,782,964; 4,809,874; 5,031,784; 5,083,671; 5,137,260; 5,180,072; 5,238,130; 5,765,705; 5,860,543; 5,927,535; 6,161,711; 6,171,711; 6,772,902; 7,108,447; 7,198,161; and US Published Application No. 2006/0219727. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides an improved container assembly comprising an open-top container adapted to hold a medicament or other potentially dangerous substance and a lid selectively openable to allow access to the interior of the container. The lid is alternately positionable without detachment of the lid from the container between a first child-resistant position wherein the lid is latched and a second easy-open adult position wherein the lid is unlatched. In the invention, an improved lid connection assembly is employed which allows the lid to be rotated between a first lid position where one face of the lid is adjacent the container opening and the lid is latched, and a second lid position where the other face of the lid is adjacent the container opening and the lid is unlatched. Preferably, the lid connection assembly includes a skirt secured to the container about the open top thereof, with the lid operably coupled with the skirt. In use, the lid is opened and rotated 180° to change the container assembly configuration. 
         [0009]    In more detail, a preferred closure assembly in accordance with the invention comprises a skirt section configured to be secured to the open top of a container and presenting an opening allowing access to the interior of the container, together with a lid moveable between a closed position covering the container opening, and an open position allowing access to the interior of the container through the opening. Connection apparatus operably couples the lid to the skirt section and permits movement of the lid about a first pivot axis between the container closed and container open positions thereof, and also includes structure permitting rotation of the lid about a second rotational axis transverse to the first pivot axis, while the lid remains connected to the skirt. In one embodiment, the reversible lid includes a rear section hingedly secured to the skirt, with a forward section rotationally mounted to the rear section. In an alternative embodiment, the connection structure is in the form of a ball joint between the lid and skirt. 
         [0010]    Latching structure in the form of interengaging latching components on the lid and skirt is used to secure the lid in the closed position, when the closure assembly is in the child-resistant mode. Upon reversal of the lid to the adult position, no latching function is provided. Accordingly, the lid can be readily opened in this configuration. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention, illustrating a dual-mode closure assembly secured to a container, with the closure assembly in the child-resistant orientation thereof; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view similar to that of  FIG. 1 , but illustrating the hinge construction of the closure assembly; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment, illustrating the internal design of the closure assembly; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view in partial vertical section and with parts broken away, and illustrating the closure assembly latch; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged, perspective view in vertical section depicting the initial step involved in opening of the latch; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged, perspective view in vertical section illustrating the next step in opening of the latch; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged, perspective view in vertical section illustrating the latch fully opened and allowing the closure assembly lid to be pivoted upwardly; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating the lid of the closure assembly fully pivoted open in an orientation permitting rotation of the lid to the non-child-resistant orientation of the closure assembly; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view similar to that of  FIG. 9 , and illustrating rotation of the lid to the non-child-resistant orientation of the closure assembly; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the lid rotated as depicted in  FIG. 10  and pivoted downwardly to the closed, non-child-resistant orientation of the closure assembly; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged, perspective view in vertical section depicting the closure of the lid in the non-child-resistant orientation of the closure assembly, and permitting easy opening of the lid without the need for de-latching; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention, illustrating a dual-mode closure assembly secured to a container, with the closure assembly in the child-resistant orientation thereof; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of the  FIG. 13  embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view in partial vertical section and with parts broken away, and illustrating the closure assembly latch in the  FIG. 13  embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is an enlarged, perspective view in vertical section depicting the initial step involved in opening of the latch; 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is an enlarged, perspective view in vertical section illustrating the next step in opening of the latch; 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is an enlarged, perspective view in vertical section illustrating the latch fully opened and allowing the closure assembly lid to be pivoted upwardly; 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view illustrating the lid of the closure assembly fully pivoted open in an orientation permitting rotation of the lid to the non-child-resistant orientation of the closure assembly; 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view similar to that of  FIG. 9 , and illustrating rotation of the lid to the non-child-resistant orientation of the closure assembly; 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the lid rotated as depicted in  FIG. 20  and pivoted downwardly to the closed, non-child-resistant orientation of the closure assembly; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 22  is an enlarged, perspective view in vertical section depicting the closure of the lid in the non-child-resistant orientation of the closure assembly, and permitting easy opening of the lid without the need for de-latching. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 12   
       [0033]    Turning now to the drawings and particularly to  FIGS. 1-5 , a container assembly  30  is illustrated broadly including an open-top vial or container  32 , with a closure assembly  34  secured to the open top of the container. The closure assembly has a skirt  36  and a reversible lid  38 . A principal objective of the invention is the provision of a container assembly which can be readily shifted between a latched, child-resistant configuration and an unlatched, adult or non-child-resistant configuration. 
         [0034]    In more detail, the container  32  is integrally formed of an appropriate synthetic resin material and has a base  40 , an upstanding, continuous sidewall  42 , and a reduced diameter neck  44  defining the open top of the container. The neck  44  is provided with outwardly extending spiral threading  46  as well as a lowermost circular rib  48  having a pair of opposed, outwardly extending abutments  50 . The container  32  is especially for holding medicaments such as pills or capsules, but could be used for holding any substance potentially injurious to children. 
         [0035]    The skirt  36  is designed to be threaded onto neck  44 , and is provided with a depending, internal sidewall  51  having internal threading  52  which mates with threading  46 . A pair of opposed stops  54  are provided beneath the threading  52 . The overall skirt  36  further includes an outer depending sidewall  53  which defines the outer perimeter of the skirt  36 . The skirt  36  also includes an annular upper wall  55  terminating in an inboard, upstanding, circular sealing wall  55   a . A plate-like latching component  56  is secured to the internal sidewall  51  by means of a medial connector  58  ( FIG. 6 ) which allows the component  56  to pivot or rock to a limited degree about the connector. The upper edge of the component  56  is provided with a pair of laterally spaced apart, inwardly extending latching elements  60 , whereas the lower extent of the component is notched and provided with knurl projections  62 . As illustrated, annular wall  55  is relieved at  63  so as to allow the upper end of component  56  and latching elements  60  to move inwardly and outwardly about connector  58 . 
         [0036]    The lid  38  includes two basic components, namely a hinged section  64  and a reversible body  75 . The section  64  is attached to the upper edge of outer skirt sidewall  53  opposite latching component  56  by means of three flexible hinge members, i.e., a pair of outer hinge members  68  and a central hinge member  70 . The section  64  is frustocircular in plan configuration and has a substantially flat inboard surface  71 . The surface  71  has a central opening  72  as well as a pair of side marginal concavities  74 . 
         [0037]    Lid  38  is somewhat oval-shaped and has a rear, flat surface  76  configured to mate with surface  71  of section  64 . To this end, the surface  76  has a central, bifurcated pin  78  as well as a pair of detent projections  80 . The pin  78  is designed to fit within opening  72  with the detent projections  80  being located within the concavities  74 . The lid  38  has a body  75  which is designed to mate with upstanding skirt wall  55   a  in order to close container  32 . The body  75  further has a projecting portion  75   a  which extends outboard over the latching component  56 . The body  75  presents a pair of differently configured first and second opposed faces  82  and  84 , and an outer defining sidewall  85 . 
         [0038]    The face  82  includes a central section  86  and an outer segment  88  cooperatively defining circular recess  90 . The sidewall  85  is flush with skirt outer sidewall  53  around the majority of the periphery thereof, but is outboard of the sidewall  53  at the region of portion  75   a . A cut-out or notch  92  is provided in face  82  at the region of projecting portion  75   a , as best seen in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , opposed face  84  presents an inner annular segment  94  as well as an outer segment  96  merging into sidewall  85 . A circular recess  98  is defined between the segments  94  and  96 . The face  84  has a notch  99  and an inner latching slot  100  at the overhang region  75   a  which is adapted to mate with the latching elements  60  of component  56 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the surface of body  75  within inner segment  94  bears the legend “CAUTION NOT CHILD SAFE.” This legend may be embossed as shown or the central section  87  bounded by inner annular segment  94  may be substantially filled in with resin (similar to face  82 ) and the legend imprinted thereupon. 
         [0040]    The child-resistant orientation of closure assembly  34  is illustrated in  FIG. 1-8 , with the first face  82  of lid  38  showing upwardly, and with second face  84  downwardly, facing the open top of container  32 . In this orientation, the inner wall  55   a  of skirt  36  is received within the recess  98  of second face  84 , and the latching elements  60  of component  56  are received within the slot  100 . This serves to lock the lid  38  in place and makes it difficult for a child to open the container assembly  30 . However, an adult can readily open the container by pressing the component  56  inwardly at the area of the knurl projections  62 . This serves to rock or pivot the upper end of the component  56  and latching elements  60  outwardly, away from the inner sidewall  51 . Such action is illustrated in  FIG. 6  by arrow  102  illustrating inward movement of the lower region of component  56  and by arrow  104  illustrating the corresponding outward movement of the latching element  60 . At this point the user can apply upward thumb pressure to the area of notch  99  in order to pivot the lid  38  about the hinge members  68  and  70  (see  FIGS. 7 and 8 ). The lid  38  can then be fully opened in the usual fashion to allow access to the contents within container  32 . 
         [0041]    If it is desired to convert the container assembly  30  to the adult orientation thereof, it is only necessary to open the lid  38  as described, followed by rotation of the reversible body  75  about the axis of pin  78  as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . This can be readily done manually, after the resistance of the detent projections  80  is overcome. Such rotation is continued until the face  82  is adjacent the open top of container  32 , and the detent projections  80  are again located within the concavities  74 . The now-reversed lid  38  can then be closed simply by pivoting the lid downwardly until the sealing wall  55   a  is received within the recess  90  of first surface  82 . It will be observed that in this orientation that there is no latching function because there is no structure engaging the latching elements  60 . The warning notice of second face  84  is readily visible in this orientation, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . Opening of the lid  38  requires only upward thumb pressure to the projecting portion  75   a.    
         [0042]    It will thus be seen that the lid  38  is coupled to skirt  36  about a first pivot axis defined by the hinge members  68  and  70 , and is further rotatable about a second rotational axis defined by pin  78  which is transverse to the first pivot axis. This permits the changeover between the child-resistant and adult configurations of the container assembly  30 , while the lid  38  remains connected to skirt  36 . As such, there&#39;s no possibility of loss of the lid during the changeover. 
       Embodiment of FIGS.  13 - 22   
       [0043]    This embodiment of the invention is conceptually similar to the first embodiment in that a reversible lid is provided permitting a rapid, easy changeover between child-resistant and adult orientations. The principal differences between the first embodiment and that of  FIGS. 13-22  is in the specific design of the closure assembly. 
         [0044]    In particular, a container assembly  110  is provided including a container  112  and closure assembly  114 , the latter including skirt  116  and reversible lid  118 . As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the container  112  is integrally formed of an appropriate synthetic resin material and has a base  120 , a continuous circular sidewall  122 , and a reduced diameter neck  124 . The neck  124  has a continuous, outwardly extending connection lip  126  (see  FIG. 16 ). 
         [0045]    The skirt  116  includes a primary sidewall  128  of circular configuration, with an inwardly extending lip  130  on the inner surface thereof, so that the skirt  116  can be snapped into place and held on neck  124  by engagement between the lips  126  and  130 . The skirt  116  also has a latching assembly  132  including an arcuate latching wall  134  extending outwardly from primary sidewall  128  and having a free edge  135  and an upwardly extending locking lug  136  of inverted, L-shaped configuration. The assembly  132  also has a short, outwardly projecting mating wall  138  which extends into close proximity with the free edge  135  of latching wall  134 . 
         [0046]    The upper surface of skirt  116  includes an annular top wall  140  and an innermost, upstanding sealing wall  142  defining an access opening  144  (see,  FIG. 19 ). It will be observed that the sealing wall  142  includes a generally straight rear section  146  and an arcuate forward section  148 . A lid mount  150  extends upwardly from top wall  140  and merges with primary sidewall  128 , adjacent the rear section  146  of wall  142 , and directly opposite the latching assembly  132 . The mount  150  includes a central opening  152  defined by side panels  154 , the latter each having a frustospherical depression  156  formed therein. 
         [0047]    The lid  118  includes a main body  158  presenting first and second opposed faces  160 ,  162  with an outer defining sidewall  164 . The main body  158  has a generally straight rear section  166  and a forwardly projecting arcuate section  168 . A bifurcated mounting ball  170  extends outwardly from the rear section  166 . The arcuate section  168  includes a front portion  172  disposed to overlie the latching assembly  138 , and has a pair of through-slot openings  174  and  176  formed therein, with the slot opening  176  having a recessed latching surface  177 . 
         [0048]    The first face  160  has a central segment  178  and an outboard shoulder  180  merging with sidewall  164 . The segment  178  and shoulder  180  cooperatively define a recess  182  adapted to receive sealing wall  142 . The second face  162  is similarly configured, with a central segment  184  and shoulder  186  cooperatively defining recess  188 , again shaped to receive sealing wall  142 . The central segment  184  bears the inscription “CAUTION NOT CHILD RESISTANT.” 
         [0049]    The assembly  110  is illustrated in the child-resistant configuration in  FIGS. 13-16 . In this orientation, the first surface  160  faces upwardly and second surface  162  is adjacent the open top of container  112 . The mounting ball  170  is received within the opening  152 , such that the spherical sidewalls of the ball are received by the depressions  156 . Additionally, the sealing wall  142  is received within recessed  182  of second face  162 , and the locking lug  136  is in latching engagement with the surface  177  of through-slot  176 , in order to secure lid  118  in place. 
         [0050]    When it is desired to open lid  118 , it is only necessary to press latching wall inwardly as illustrated by arrow  190  of  FIG. 16 , so as to inwardly shift locking lug  136  away from the latching surface  177 . At this point the lid  118  can be pivoted upwardly to open the container assembly  110 , such being permitted by virtue of mounting ball  170  pivoting within the mount  150 . 
         [0051]    When it is desired to convert the assembly  110  to the adult configuration, the lid  118  is opened as described whereupon the lid  118  is pivoted 180° (see  FIGS. 19 and 20 ) until the first face  160  is adjacent the open top of container  112 . The lid can then be closed such that the sealing wall  142  is received within the recess  182  of first face  160  and the locking lug  136  is received within through-slot  174 . However, owing to the fact that the through-slot  174  has no latching recess, no latching connection is established between skirt  116  and lid  118 . As such, the closure assembly  114  can be readily opened. Also, in this orientation the cautionary legend on second face  162  is visible. 
         [0052]    As in the case of the first embodiment, the lid  118  is pivotal about respective transverse axes during opening of the lid and changeover between the child-resistant and adult configurations of the container assembly  110 .