Patent CA-3122968-A1 (CA)
Title: Child-proof jar
Inventor: CHANG JOHN
IPC: B65D1/10
Filed: 2021-06-21
Abstract: This invention relates to an assembly of jars with a two-fold protection system. The assembly has a child-proof lid that closes an inner jar and an outer jar. The inner jar is locked into the outer jar in such a way that it defines a concealment space or false bottom space that is difficult to access for children.   VPP002-CA1.    A system for containing one or more products comprising: an outer jar having a first opening, an inner jar with a second opening, the inner jar connected to the outer jar and closing the first opening, and a lid with a safety lock closing the second opening. 2.    The system of claim 1, wherein the inner jar when connected to the outer jar defines a false bottom space inside the outer. jar. 3.    The system of claim 1, wherein the outer jar has a series of posts that support the inner jar. 4.    The system of claim 1, wherein the inner jar is connected to the outer jar using an ultraviolet cured adhesive. 5.    The system of claim 1, wherein the inner jar is made of glass. 6.    The system of claim 1, wherein the inner jar has: a solid cylindrical shaped base and is connected to the outer jar by the solid cylindrical base, and a hollow cylinder abutting onto and above the solid cylindrical base, with threads located on an outer face of the hollow cylinder. 7.    The system of claim 1, wherein the safety lock comprises: an liner that freely rotates inside the lid, the liner having internal threads that engage with corresponding threads on an outer wall of the inner jar; and io Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-21 projections on an inner surface of a top of the lid that engage with recesses in a top surface of a top of the liner when the top surface of the lid is deformed towards a centre of the system; wherein when the projections and recesses are engaged, the liner rotates with the lid. 8.    The system of claim 7, wherein the liner and the inner jar form an airtight seal. 9.    The system of claim 1, wherein the lid and inner jar form an airtight seal therebetween. 10.    The system of claim 1, wherein the outer jar is made of plastic. 11.    The system of claim 1, wherein the outer jar is made of hardened plastic. 12.    The system of claim 1, wherein: the inner jar comprises a cylindrical base; the outer jar clips around the cylindrical base. 13.    The system of claim 12, wherein the clips project inwardly from an inner wall of the outer jar in a first layer from a rim of the outer jar and in a second layer below the rim. 14.    The system of claim 13, wherein a distance between the first layer and the second layer is equal to a height of the cylindrical base.   Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-21 CHILD-PROOF JAR TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This application relates to jars. More specifically, it relates to jars with child-proof locks. BACKGROUND [0002] With many countries legalizing the recreational use of cannabis, a larger part of the population has access to cannabis and its derived products. However, their consumption is not suitable for a certain part of the population, such as children, and may be responsible for some severe and long-lasting side effects. [0003] Regulations in terms of packaging, concealment for the products, or warnings are usually a request by governments or national healthcare agencies in order to prevent children from using the products. Thus, new forms of packaging are developed to respond to this request. [0004] This background information is provided to reveal information the applicant believes to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0005] An improved container design as well as the method of manufacturing is provided herein, which in one aspect provides an inner jar to safely hold a product, such as medicinal cannabis, while in another aspect provides an outer jar with space for warning labels to meet regulatory guidelines. This allows for the contents of the inner jar to be protected from unauthorised access through placement within a child-proof safety lock.   Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-21 [0006] Disclosed herein is a system for containing one or more products comprising: an outer jar having a first opening, an inner jar with a second opening, the inner jar connected to the outer jar and closing the first opening, and a lid with a safety lock closing the second opening. [0007] In some embodiments, the safety lock comprises: an liner that freely rotates inside the lid, the liner having internal threads that engage with corresponding threads on an outer wall of the inner jar; and projections on an inner surface of a top of the lid that engage with recesses in a top surface of a top of the liner when the top surface of the lid is deformed towards a centre of the system; wherein when the projections and recesses are engaged, the liner rotates with the lid. [0008] In some embodiments, the inner jar comprises a cylindrical base and the outer jar clips around the cylindrical base. The clips project inwardly from an inner wall of the outer jar in a first layer from a rim of the outer jar and in a second layer below the rim. A  distance between the first layer and the second layer is equal to a height of the cylindrical base. [0009] This summary does not necessarily describe all features of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0010] The following drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention, which should not be construed as restricting the scope of the invention in any way. [0011] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional drawing of the jar's assembly seen from the side, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of the inner jar, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 3 is a drawing representing the inner jar seen from the side, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 4 is a drawing representing the inner jar seen from above, according to an embodiment of the present invention.   Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-21 [0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional drawing representing the inner jar seen from the side, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional drawing representing the jar's lid seen from the side, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective drawing representing the jar's lid, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 8 is a drawing representing the jar's lid seen from underneath, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective drawing representing the inner liner of the jar's lid, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 10 is a drawing representing the inner liner of the jars lid seen from above, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0021] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional drawing representing the inner liner of the jar's lid seen from the side, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective drawing representing the outer jar, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0023] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional drawing representing the outer jar seen from the side, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0024] FIG. 14 is a perspective drawing of the outer jar according to another embodiment of the present invention. [0025] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional drawing representing the outer jar seen from the front according to the other embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION A. Glossary [0026] Child-proof locks, child-resistant locks, or safety locks are the mechanisms used to make it difficult for children to open containers that contain substances which can be potentially harmful for them.   Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-21 [0027] Liners or liner materials are used in combination with caps to provide a moisture barrier, chemical resistance and/or prevent leakage. They are also sometimes used as components in child resistant caps or lids. B. Exemplary Embodiment [0028] Referring to FIG. 1, an assembly 10 (or system) of an inner jar or inner container 14, an outer jar 18, a jar lid 22 and an inner liner of the jar lid 26 is shown. The inner jar 14 rests and/or is locked into the outer jar 18. The jar's lid 22 has a freely movable inner liner 26 positioned in contact with its inner wall 30. [0029] The inner jar or inner container 14 has a solid cylindrical base section 34 and a hollow cylindrical top section 38. The top section 38 forms a receptacle or container via a wall 42, an aperture at the top and the bottom or floor 46, which is formed by the top surface of the base section 34. In some embodiments, the shape of the base section 34 and/or the shape of the top section 38 vary. The diameter of the base section 34 is larger than the diameter of the top section 38. This difference in diameters between the top 38 and the base section 34 forms a shoulder 50. The wall 42 of the top section has a thread 54 on its outer surface. [0030] The inner jar 14 is made of an odour resistant material such as glass.  In some embodiments, the inner jar 14 is made of a clear glass without marking, which allows for the ready visual inspection and identification of the contents inside the inner jar, while the outer jar 18 carries important information, including safety warnings. In some embodiments, the bottom section 34 is a hollow, closed-end cylinder that is continuous with the cavity of the top section 38 of the inner jar. [0031] The outer jar or outer container 18 has a hollow cylindrical shape with a cylindrical central cavity. The inner face 58 of the wall of the outer jar has a series of posts or ridges 62 that protrude inwards from the inner face of the wall. The height of the posts 62 is smaller than the height of the outer jar 18. Therefore, the difference in height between the posts 62 and the outer jar 18 results in the formation of several shoulders, stands, or shelf-like edges 64 which support the bottom surface 66 of the inner jar. The diameter of the base section 34 of the inner jar is smaller than the diameter of the upper Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-21 part 68 of the central cavity of the outer jar. When the base section 34 of the inner jar is inserted into the upper part 68 of the central cavity, the outer wall of the inner jar 14 (around base section 34) is in contact with the inner wall of the upper part 68 of the central cavity. The position of the inner jar 14 in the outer jar 18 is locked using ultraviolet cured adhesive and forms an enclosed empty cavity, or false bottom space, inside the outer jar and under the inner jar. The ultraviolet cured adhesive is applied between the outer wall of the base section 34 of the inner jar and the inner wall of the upper part 68 of the central cavity of the outer jar. [0032] The outer jar 18 is made of a material that may be lighter or more economic than glass such as plastic. For example, the type of plastic may be a medical or food grade plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polycarbonate. In some embodiments, the outer jar 18 is made of a hardened plastic in order to resist or absorb shocks. [0033] The jar's lid or cap 22 is combined with an inner liner 26 in contact with its inner wall. The jar's lid 22 has a hollow cylindrical shape with a central cavity, an aperture at its bottom, and a ceiling 70 at the top part of its cavity. The ceiling 70 of the jar's lid has several teeth or pins 74 located in an equidistant manner around the circumference of the ceiling and projecting radially inwards therefrom. The thickness of the wall 23 of the jar's lid is larger at the bottom than in its mid part. The difference in thicknesses between the bottom part 78 of the wall 23 and the mid part of the wall 23 forms an internal shoulder 82.  [0034] In some embodiments, the internal shoulder 82 forms an angle with the inner wall 30 of the jar's lid that may be different than a 90  angle. When the inner liner 26 is inserted into the cavity of the jar's lid 22, the shoulder 82 locks the position of the inner liner inside the jar's lid. The shoulder 82 prevents the inner liner 26 from sliding out of the jar's lid 22. Rotation of the liner and some vertical movement is possible within the lid. The jar's lid 22 has rugosities on the surface of its outer wall 23 designed to improve the efficiency of torque transfer to the jar's lid when a user applies a rotational force to the surface. [0035] The inner liner 26 has some threads 86 on its inner wall. On the top or outer surface of the roof 90 of the inner liner, there are several projections, pins, or splines 94 that are placed around the circumference of the roof. Between each projection 94 there is Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-21 a space, groove, or recess that can host or engage with one of the pins 74 from the ceiling of the jar's lid when pressure is applied on the top surface of the jar's lid 22 and the positions of the pins are aligned with the positions of the grooves. [0036] The inner jar 14 is screwed into the jar's lid 22 with the inner liner 26. The inner liner 26 has a thread 86 projecting inward from its inner wall that supports or engages with the thread 54 from the wall 42 of the inner jar. To open the inner jar 14, pressure on the top of the lid 22 and a rotational movement are applied to the lid until the pins 74 from the ceiling of the jar's lid slide into the grooves between the projections 94 from the roof of the inner liner. Then the conjunction of the pressure and the rotational movement engage the rotation of the inner liner 26 around the inner jar 14. [0037] When the inner jar 14 is set in the outer jar 18, the top surface of the shoulder 50 of the bottom section of the inner jar is flush with the top rim of the outer jar 18. [0038] The combination of the child-proof locking mechanism in the jar's lid 22 and the false bottom results in a "two-fold" protection of the contents of the inner jar 14 and the false bottom. This configuration is of particular benefit where the component is required to be protected from access from children for practical and/or legal reasons, such as medicinal cannabis or components containing cannabis derivatives. [0039] Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the inner jar 14 of the jar's assembly is shown (not necessarily with the same proportions as FIG. 1). The inner jar 14 has a cylindrical shape with a top hollow cylinder or top section 104, formed by wall 42, mounted on a bottom solid cylinder or base section 34 which has a larger diameter than the top hollow cylinder.  The outer wall of the hollow cylinder has a thread 54 protruding from its surface. In some embodiments, the thread 54 is embedded in the surface of the outer wall. The height of the top section 104 is longer than the height of the base section 34. The bottom of the top section 104 has a rounded bottom corner 116 which facilitates the collection of the content in the inner jar 14. [0040] Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the jar's lid 22 of the assembly is shown (not necessarily with the same proportions as FIG. 1). The jar's lid 22 is a hollow cylinder with an aperture at the bottom and a ceiling 70 at the top. The jar's lid 22 has a series of pins 74 located along the circumference of its ceiling 70. The wall 23 of the jar's lid is thicker at the bottom Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-21 part 78 compared to the mid-section. This difference in thicknesses forms an internal shoulder 82 on the inner face of the wall. [0041] Referring to FIGS. 9-11, the inner liner 26 of the assembly is shown (not necessarily with the same proportions as FIG. 1). The inner liner 26 is a hollow cylinder with an aperture at its bottom and an enclosure, roof, or top face 90 at its top. On the roof 90 of the inner liner, there are projections, splines, or pins 94 positioned along the circumference of the top face. Recesses or gaps 95 are shown between the pins 94. The inner liner 26 has a protruding thread 86 on the inner face of the wall 216.  The dimension of the thread 86 is chosen in such a way that it corresponds to the thread 54 of the inner jar. When the threaded part of the inner jar is screwed into the inner liner 26, humidity is prevented from being introduced into the inner jar by the threads and/or by the aperture of the inner jar being closed by the roof 90 of the inner liner ¨ the seal is air-tight. [0042] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the outer jar 18 of the assembly 10 is shown (not necessarily with the same proportions as FIG. 1). The outer jar 18 has a hollow cylindrical shape with a closed bottom or base 254. The inner face 58 of the wall 258 has a series of vertical posts 62 located along most of the height of the wall from the base 254. The top edge of the posts 62 and the top section 68 of the inner wall form a locating support 266 for the base section of the inner jar. [0043] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, another embodiment of the outer jar 300 is shown.  In this embodiment, the outer jar 300 has a cylindrical shape with an aperture at its top and a bottom face or base 304 at its bottom. At the top of the inner wall 306, two sets of shelf-like protrusions 308 and 312 are present. The first set 308 is located at the top edge or rim of the wall while the second set 312 is positioned underneath the first set. The height between the two sets 308 and 312 is equal to the height of the bottom section 34 of the inner jar. This way, when the inner jar is slid into the outer jar 300, the bottom section 34 of the inner jar gets locked between the two sets of protrusions 308 and 312. Each set has 4 protrusions. In some embodiments, the dimensions and the number of protrusions 308 and 312 vary. In addition, ultraviolet cured adhesive is applied on the inner face 306 of the wall between the two sets of protrusions 308 and 312 in order to firmly secure the position of the inner jar into the outer jar 300. When the inner jar is locked into the outer Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-21 jar 300, the hollow cavity of the outer jar is closed by the bottom face of the bottom section of the inner jar and thus the bottom section of the inner jar forms a false bottom.  The false bottom may be permanently closed, or in other embodiments, openable. [0044] In use, neither the inner jar nor the outer jar are openable by the normal forces that a child can exert. As the lid is rotated, while holding the outer jar, neither the inner jar nor the outer jar can be opened, as the lid will rotate freely, relative to the remainder of the assembly. Once the lid is removed, then the inner jar is open, and, depending on the embodiment (i.e. if the outer jar is not permanently sealed to the bottom section 34), the outer jar may also be openable. C. Variations [0045] A further optional feature is to utilize the large space on the wall of the outer jar for the purposes of placing warning labels which may be required by law, advertising, or other written material. The outer jar can thus provide a place for meeting regulatory compliance, while the inner jar can practically and aesthetically store material without direct labeling. Some or all of the liner and lid may be clear plastic. [0046] Depending on the embodiment, the outer jar 18 may be removable from the bottom section 34 of the inner jar 14, with a force that is too great for a child to exert, but that an adult can exert. [0047] In some embodiments, the jar's lid with the inner liner is directly screwed onto the outer jar which has a thread on the outer face in its top section. The diameter of the cavity in the jar's lid is therefore larger than the diameter at the top section of the outer jar. [0048] In some embodiments, the chamber of the inner jar may project down through the bottom section of the inner jar to use some of the volume enclosed by the outer jar. [0049] Other adhesives may be used. [0050] In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in the plural and vice versa with no loss of generality. [0051] Throughout the description, specific details have been set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced without these particulars. In other instances, well known elements have not been shown Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-21 or described in detail and repetitions of steps and features have been omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Accordingly, the specifications and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense. [0052] It will be clear to one having skill in the art that further variations to the specific details disclosed herein can be made, resulting in other embodiments that are within the scope of the invention disclosed. [0053] All parameters, dimensions, materials, quantities and configurations described herein are examples only and may be changed depending on the specific embodiment.  Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.   Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-21