Patent Publication Number: US-9422091-B2

Title: Closure for container

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/918,502, filed Dec. 19, 2013, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to packaging, and particularly to child-resistant packaging. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to child-resistant packaging that includes a closure-release control mechanism used to release a closure from a container. 
     Child-resistant packaging is used to store products such as cleaning products. To prevent unwanted opening by children, such packaging is often configured to require multiple actions to remove a closure from a companion container. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to the present disclosure, a package includes a container and a closure. The container is formed to include a product-storage chamber and a mouth opening into the product-storage chamber. The closure is configured to mount on the container to assume an installed position closing the mouth formed in the container when rotated relative to the container about a vertical axis of rotation in a clockwise closure-installation direction. 
     In some embodiments, a child-resistant package further includes a closure-release control mechanism including a rotation-blocking stop, a movable release element, and an inclined locking tab. The rotation-blocking stop is coupled to the closure to rotate therewith about the vertical axis of rotation during installation of the closure on the container and removal of the closure from the container. The movable release element is mounted on the container for downward movement relative to the container away from the closure. The locking tab is coupled to the movable release element for movement therewith and arranged to engage the rotation-blocking stop to block rotation of the closure about the vertical axis of rotation in a counterclockwise closure-removal direction normally to retain the closure in the installed position on the container. 
     In some embodiments, the locking tab includes a sloped upper surface and a stop surface. The movable release element is mounted on the container such that the inclined locking tab pivots downwardly about a horizontal pivot axis during exposure to a first pivot-inducing force applied to the sloped upper surface included in the locking tab by the rotation-blocking stop during rotation of the closure about the vertical axis of rotation in the clockwise closure-installation direction. The inclined locking tab pivots downwardly to free the rotation-blocking stop to confront the stop surface included in the locking tab upon arrival of the closure at the installed position on the container. 
     In some embodiments, the movable release element is mounted on the container such that the inclined locking tab pivots downwardly about the horizontal pivot axis during exposure to a second pivot-inducing force applied to the locking tab by the movable release element during movement of the movable release element relative to the container in a downward direction away from the closure. The inclined locking tab pivots downward to move the stop surface included in the locking tab away from confronting relation with the rotation-blocking stop to free the closure for rotation about the vertical axis of rotation in the counterclockwise closure-removal direction relative to the container during removal of the closure from the container. 
     Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a child-resistant package in accordance with the present disclosure showing a container, a closure mounted on the container to cover a mouth opening into an interior formed in the container, and a closure-release control mechanism having an inclined locking tab and a movable release element (shown at six o&#39;clock on the container) that is coupled to the container and configured to disengage the inclined locking tab coupled to the movable release element from a rotation-blocking stop included in the closure-release control mechanism to permit the release of the closure from the container upon the application a downwardly directed push force to the movable release element by a consumer as suggested in  FIGS. 9A and 9B ; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the child-resistant package of  FIG. 1  showing the closure separated from the container to reveal a pair of blade-shaped rotation-blocking stops coupled to a perimeter edge of a rim of the closure and showing the movable release element coupled to generally horizontal platform included in the container and the inclined locking tab included in the closure-release control mechanism and configured to engage one of the rotation-blocking stops in the closure as suggested in  FIGS. 5-8B  to block removal of the closure from the container until a radially inwardly directed push force is applied to the movable release element; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged partial perspective view of one of the circled regions of  FIG. 2  showing one of the two blade-shaped rotation-blocking stops coupled to the perimeter edge of the rim of the closure; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the other circled region of  FIG. 2  showing the inclined locking tab coupled to an elastic flange of the movable release element and arranged to lie between a raised engagement ridge included in the movable release element and a neck included in the container and showing that the elastic flange of the movable release element is supported by a pliable web which interconnects the elastic flange for movement relative to the container in response to application of the downwardly directed push force to the movable release element; 
         FIGS. 5-8B  are a series of partial perspective views showing installation of the closure on the container to cause one of the blade-shaped rotation-blocking stops coupled to the closure to engage the inclined locking tab coupled to the container to limit rotation of the closure relative to the container in a counter-clockwise closure-removal direction; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged internal partial perspective view of the child-resistant package of  FIGS. 1-4  showing the blade-shaped rotation-blocking stop included in the closure-release control mechanism coupled to the closure moving to the right toward the inclined locking tab coupled to the movable release element to move downwardly as suggested in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  showing the rotation-blocking stop as it is moved toward and engages the locking tab of the closure-release control mechanism so that the locking tab is moved downwardly out of a travel path of the rotation-blocking stop during movement of the closure in a clockwise closure-installation direction to install the closure on the container; 
         FIG. 7A  is a view similar to  FIGS. 5 and 6  showing the rotation-blocking stop has continued to move the locking tab downwardly as the closure is rotated in the clockwise closure-installation direction; 
         FIG. 7B  is a sectional view taken along line  7 B- 7 B of  FIG. 7A  showing that rotation-blocking stop has engaged the locking tab causing the locking tab and the movable release element to move downwardly; 
         FIG. 8A  is a view similar to  FIGS. 5, 6, and 7A  showing the locking tab in a locked position in the pathway of the rotation-blocking stop coupled to the closure after the rotation-blocking stop has cleared the end of the locking tab and the elastic movable release element has snapped back (i.e., pivoted upwardly about a horizontal pivot axis) to resume its initial position to block rotation of the closure in the counter-clockwise closure-removal direction to remove of the closure from the container; 
         FIG. 8B  is a sectional view taken along line  8 B- 8 B of  FIG. 8A  showing that once the rotation-blocking stop moves past the locking tab, the elastic movable release element moves upwardly to locate the locking tab in the pathway of the rotation-blocking stop; 
         FIG. 9A  is a view similar to  FIGS. 5, 6, 7A, and 8A  during removal of the closure from the container showing downward movement of the locking tab in response to downward movement of the movable release element to cause the rotation-blocking stop on the closure to unmate from the locking tab so that subsequent counterclockwise rotation of the closure and the rotation-blocking stop is permitted after the stop disengages the locking tab and the closure is able to be removed from the container; and 
         FIG. 9B  is a sectional view taken along line  9 B- 9 B of  FIG. 9A  showing that application of a downward release force to the movable release element causes the locking tab to move therewith out of the removal pathway of the rotation-blocking stop during rotation of the closure in the counter-clockwise closure-removal direction. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A child-resistant package  10  in accordance with the present disclosure is shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Child-resistant package  10  includes a container  12  and a closure  14  mounted on container  12  to cover a mouth  18  opening into a product-storage chamber  28  formed in container  12 , as shown in the illustrative embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Child-resistant package  10  also includes a closure-release control mechanism  16  configured to control release of closure  14  from container  12 . Closure-release control mechanism  16  comprises a movable release element  20  coupled to container  12  for pivotable movement about a horizontal pivot axis  40  during installation of closure  14  on container  12 , an inclined locking tab  22  mounted on movable release element  20 , and a pair of downwardly extending rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  coupled to a rim  26  of closure  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 5-9B . 
     Removal of closure  14  from container  12  is blocked when inclined locking tab  22  included in closure-release control mechanism  16  and coupled to movable release element  20  is positioned to lie in the pathway of rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25 , as shown in  FIG. 8A . When a consumer pushes movable release element  20  in a downwardly direction  30 , inclined locking tab  22  moves out of the pathway of rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  to permit counterclockwise rotation and removal of closure  14  from container  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 8A-9B . 
     Child-resistant package  10  includes container  12 , closure  14 , and closure-release control mechanism  16  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Container  12  is formed to include mouth  18  opening into product-storage chamber  28  and is configured to store products such as, for example, cleaning products in product-storage chamber  28 . Closure  14  is mounted on container  12  to close mouth  18  and block access to product-storage chamber  28 . Closure-release control mechanism  16  is configured to control release of closure  14  from container  12 . 
     Container  12  includes a body  48  formed to include product-storage chamber  28  therein and a filler neck  34 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Filler neck  34  is adapted to accept closure  14  and close mouth  18  so that the contents of container  12  are trapped in product-storage chamber  28 . Product-storage chamber  28  is adapted to contain product, such as cleaning products, and is closed when closure  14  is coupled to filler neck  34  of container  12 . Closure  14  is arranged to be coupled to container  12  after rotation of closure  14  about axis of rotation  17 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 1 . Filler neck  34  is coupled to body  48  to extend upwardly away from body  48 . Body  48  includes floor (not shown) adapted to support container  12  on ground underlying container  12 , a side wall  49  coupled to the floor to extend upwardly, and a generally horizontal platform  50  coupled to side wall  49  to extend between and interconnect side wall  49  and filler neck  34  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . 
     Closure  14  includes a top surface  44 , a rim  26 , and a retainer ring  46  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Top surface  44  closes mouth  18  when closure  14  is mounted to container  12 . Rim  26  extends downwardly from top surface  44  and blocks access to inclined locking tab  22  and rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  of closure-release control mechanism  16  when closure is mounted to container  12 . Retainer ring  46  is configured to mate with filler neck  34  included in container  12  to couple closure  14  to container  12 . 
     Top surface  44  is generally flat and is about parallel with platform  50  of closure  14  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Top surface  44  includes an outer perimeter  54  and an inner body  56 . Top surface  44  has a generally rectangular shape and rounded corners. Top surface  44  is sized such that outer perimeter  54  extends beyond mouth  18  and inner body  56  completely covers mouth  18  to block access to product-storage chamber  28 , when closure  14  is coupled to container  12 . 
     Rim  26  extends downwardly from outer perimeter  54  of top surface  44  toward container  12  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As such, rim  26  is generally perpendicular to top surface  44 . Rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  are coupled to rim  26 . Rim  26  covers rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  and inclined locking tab  22  when closure  14  is coupled to container  12  to block access to rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  and inclined locking tab  22 . 
     Retainer ring  46  extends downwardly from inner body  56  of top surface  44  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Retainer ring  46  has a circular shape and is configured to mate with filler neck  34  included in container  12 . Retainer ring  46  includes an inner retainer surface  62 , closure threads  64 ,  65 , and an outer retainer surface  68 . Inner retainer surface  62  is sized to engage filler neck  34 . Closure threads  64 ,  65  are coupled to inner retainer surface  62  and are configured to engage corresponding container threads  66 ,  67  included in filler neck  34 . 
     Closure threads  64 ,  65 ,  66 ,  67  include first ends and second ends offset from the first ends on inner retainer surface  62  by about 180 degrees. Threads  64 ,  65 ,  66 ,  67  cooperate to allow a consumer to install closure  14  onto container  12  in either a first position, shown in  FIG. 2 , or a second position, in which closure  14  is rotated 180 degrees about axis of rotation  17  opposite of the first direction. Outer retainer surface  68  faces rim  26 . Rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  are coupled to and extend between rim  26  and outer retainer surface  68 . 
     Closure-release control mechanism  16  includes movable release element  20  coupled to container  12  for pivotable movement about horizontal pivot axis  40  during installation of closure  14  on container  12 , inclined locking tab  22  mounted on movable release element  20 , and downwardly extending rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  coupled to rim  26  of closure  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 5-9B . Rotation-blocking stop  24  is coupled to closure  14  to rotate therewith about vertical axis of rotation  17  during installation of closure  14  on container  12  and removal of closure  14  from container  12 . Movable release element  20  is mounted on container  12  for radial movement relative to container  12  toward vertical axis of rotation  17 . Inclined locking tab  22  coupled to movable release element  20 . Inclined locking tab  22  is arranged to engage rotation-blocking stop  24  to block rotation of closure  14  about vertical axis of rotation  17  in a counter-clockwise closure-removal direction  52 , also called a second closure-removal direction  52 , normally to retain closure  14  in the installed position on container  12 . Inclined locking tab  22  includes a sloped upper surface  88  and a stop surface  90 . 
     Rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  of closure-release control mechanism  16  are coupled to rim  26  of closure  14 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 3 . Rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  are positioned on rim  26  to extend downwardly away from top surface  44  so that rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  can engage with pivotable inclined locking tab  22  to block the counterclockwise rotation and removal of closure  14  from container  12 , as suggested in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . Rotation-blocking stop  24  is coupled to rim  26  and spaced apart by 180 degrees from rotation-blocking stop  25 . Rotation-blocking stop  25  is substantially the same as rotation-blocking stop  24 . As such, rotation-blocking stop  25  will not be discussed in detail. 
     Rotation-blocking stop  24  includes a stop body  84  and a stop arm  86  coupled to stop body  84  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Stop body  84  extends between rim  26  and retainer ring  46 . Stop body  84  extends downwardly away from top surface  44  toward platform  50 , but terminates above inclined locking tab  22 . Stop arm  86  is coupled to stop body  84  and extends downwardly from stop body  84  toward platform  50  to engage inclined locking tab  22 . 
     When closure  14  is being installed onto container  12 , stop arm  86  engages inclined locking tab  22  to push inclined locking tab  22  downwardly until stop arm  86  rotates past inclined locking tab  22 , at which point inclined locking tab  22  pivots upwardly into an unpivoted position as shown in  FIGS. 7A-8B . If a consumer rotates closure  14  in the counter-clockwise closure-removal direction  52  without pushing downwardly on closure-release control mechanism  16 , stop arm  86  engages inclined locking tab  22  and is blocked from further rotation. Thus, closure  14  is blocked from being removed from container  12 . To remove closure  14  from container  12  a consumer pushes movable release element  20  downwardly in direction  30  to move inclined locking tab  22  downward out of the pathway of rotation-blocking stop  24 . Once inclined locking tab  22  is positioned to lie downwardly of rotation-blocking stop  24 , closure  14  can be rotated in counter-clockwise closure-removal direction  52  to permit removal of closure  14  from container  12 . 
     Movable release element  20  of closure-release control mechanism  16  is coupled to platform  50  for pivotable movement relative to platform  50  about horizontal pivot axis  40  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Movable release element  20  includes a deformable flange  38  and a raised engagement ridge  32  coupled to deformable flange  38 . Deformable flange  38  and raised engagement ridge  32  cooperate to allow for downward movement of movable release element  20  to move inclined locking tab  22  in a downward direction to disengage rotation-blocking stop  24  as suggested in  FIGS. 9 and 9B . Downward movement of movable release element  20  about horizontal pivot axis  40  allows for the release of closure  14  from container  12 . 
     Deformable flange  38  is coupled to platform  50  and inclined locking tab  22  for pivotable movement about horizontal pivot axis  40  to move inclined locking tab  22  out of the pathway of rotation-blocking stop  24  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Deformable flange  38  includes a coupled end  72  coupled to container  12 , a ridge end  74  spaced apart from and opposite coupled end  72 , a tab side  76 , also called a first side  76 , extending between coupled end  72  and ridge end  74 , and a receiver side  78 , also called a second side  78 , spaced apart from and opposite tab side  76 . Deformable flange  38  further includes an upper surface  39  arranged to face upwardly toward closure  14 . Coupled end  72  is coupled to platform  50  and configured to deform elastically while pivoting about horizontal pivot axis  40 . 
     Platform  50  is formed to include a number of slots  70  that separate end  74  and sides  76  and  78  from platform  50  so that end  74  and sides  76  and  78  are free to pivot relative to platform  50  as shown in  FIG. 4 . In one example, slots  70  may be covered with a thin film extending between end  74  and sides  76  and  78  and platform  50 . 
     Raised engagement ridge is coupled to and extends along ridge end  74 . A first end  80  of inclined locking tab  22  is coupled to tab side  76 . Inclined locking tab  22  extends away from tab side  76  toward receiver side  78  such that a second end  82  of inclined locking tab  22  is positioned between tab side  76  and receiver side  78 . 
     Raised engagement ridge  32  is pressed in a downward direction by a consumer to cause deformable flange  38  to pivot downwardly about horizontal pivot axis  40  at coupled end  72  as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . As such, inclined locking tab  22  coupled to deformable flange  38  pivots downwardly out of the pathway of rotation-blocking stop  24 . 
     Inclined locking tab  22  includes a sloped upper surface  88  and a stop surface  90  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Sloped upper surface  88  is configured to be engaged by rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  of closure  14  during rotation of closure  14  in a clockwise closure-installation direction  36 , also called a first closure-installation direction  36 , on container  12  to cause inclined locking tab  22  to pivot downwardly in direction  30  about horizontal pivot axis  40  to allow rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  to move past inclined locking tab  22  during installation of closure  14  onto container  12 , as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 5-8B . 
     Inclined locking tab  22  is coupled to deformable flange  38  for downward pivotable movement about a horizontal pivot axis  40  during exposure to a first pivot-inducing force applied to sloped upper surface  88  included in inclined locking tab  22  by rotation-blocking stop  24  during rotation of closure  14  about vertical axis of rotation  17  in the clockwise closure-installation direction  36  as shown in  FIGS. 5A-7B . This downward pivotable movement of inclined locking tab  22  acts to free rotation-blocking stop  24  to confront stop surface  90  included in inclined locking tab  22  upon arrival of closure  14  at the installed position on container  12 . 
     Inclined locking tab  22  is coupled to movable release element  20  such that the first end of inclined locking tab  22  is proximate tab side  76  of movable release element  20  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Inclined locking tab  22  extends toward receiver side  78  such that the second end of inclined locking tab  22  is positioned about halfway between tab side  76  and receiver side  78 . Inclined locking tab  22  is coupled to movable release element  20  about halfway between coupled end  72  and ridge end  74 . 
     Inclined locking tab  22  is configured to engage one of rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  included in closure  14  to block removal of closure  14  from container  12  until a downwardly directed push  30  is applied to raised engagement ridge  32  of movable release element  20 , as shown sequentially in  FIGS. 9A-9B . Rotation of closure  14  in a clockwise closure-installation direction  36  causes rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  to engage inclined locking tab  22  to cause inclined locking tab  22  to deflect and move about horizontal pivot axis  40  in downward direction  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 5-8B . Downward movement of inclined locking tab  22  by rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  about horizontal pivot axis  40  causes movement of movable release element  20  relative to platform  50 . Application of downwardly directed push  30  to raised engagement ridge  32  by a consumer causes inclined locking tab  22  to move downwardly of rotation-blocking stops  24 ,  25  in direction  30  about horizontal pivot axis  40  to allow for removal of closure  14  from container  12 . 
     In use, a manufacturer fills product-storage chamber  28  of container  12  with cleaning products and screws closure  14  onto filler neck  34  of container  12  in clockwise closure-installation direction  36  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Rotation of closure  14  onto container  12  in clockwise closure-installation direction  36  causes rotation-blocking stop  24  to engage sloped upper surface  88  of inclined locking tab  22  and move inclined locking tab  22  in a downward direction  30 , out of the pathway of rotation-blocking stop  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 5-7B . Continued rotation of closure  14  in clockwise closure-installation direction  36  causes rotation-blocking stop  24  to move past inclined locking tab  22 , allowing inclined locking tab  22  to spring back and block the closure-removal pathway of rotation-blocking stop  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . 
     To remove closure  14  from container  12 , to allow access products stored within product-storage chamber  28  of container  12 , a consumer pushes with a first hand movable release element  20  downwardly in direction  30  as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 9B . Downward movement of movable release element  20  causes movable release element  20  to move inclined locking tab  22  downward in direction  30  to move inclined locking tab  22  out of the pathway of rotation-blocking stop  24 . Once inclined locking tab  22  is positioned to lie downwardly of rotation-blocking stop  24 , closure  14  can be rotated by a different second hand of the consumer in counter-clockwise closure-removal direction  52  to permit removal of closure  14  from container  12 . 
     In one illustrative example, the first closure-installation direction is a clockwise closure-installation direction while the second closure-removal direction is a counterclockwise closure-installation direction. In another example, the first closure-installation direction is a counterclockwise closure-installation direction while the second closure-removal direction is a clockwise closure-installation direction.