Patent Publication Number: US-11377272-B2

Title: Device for closing a container by screwing, secured by a retractable lug

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a closure device intended to be borne by a tank-forming container. The container is for example intended to receive a pharmaceutical product in fluid form and can be provided with a dispensing pump, possibly metered. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As is known, the market offers pharmaceutical products sold in flasks comprising, more often than not, a tank-forming container onto which is added a dispensing end-fitting forming, for example, a metering pump. 
     Conventionally, the dispensing end-fitting is protected by a closure device comprising a cap intended to be fitted onto the container or be removed from this container by a movement of screwing/unscrewing the cap on the container. 
     With the regulations constantly changing, more and more countries are demanding that the pharmaceutical products in flasks put on sale in their territories have secured closure means, commonly called CRC, which stands for “child resistant closure packaging”. 
     Such secured means provide for example for allowing the cap to be removed only by movements that are a priori not linked to one another. 
     Already proposed in the prior art, notably in U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,280, is a medical device, intended for example to contain pills sold by the unit, comprising such secured means. In the example considered, the medical device comprises a tank-forming container bearing a coupling part with outer threading onto which is screwed a cap with inner threading. The coupling part comprises a bridge to which is linked a lug preventing the untimely unscrewing of the cap. The bridge is deformable so as to allow the lug to be retracted axially when there is a desire to judiciously screw or unscrew the cap. 
     Such secured means are usually associated with a container of relatively large diameter because they are generally too bulky to be able to be associated with a container of relatively small diameter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aim of the invention is to propose a secured closing device suited to a container that can have, if necessary, a reduced diameter. 
     To this end, the subject of the invention is a closure device for a tank-forming container, of the type comprising:
         a coupling member comprising an outer threading and intended to be borne by the container,   a cap comprising an inner threading and intended to be fitted onto the coupling member or to be removed from this coupling member by screwing or unscrewing,   safety means comprising:
           at least one circumferential locking abutment borne by the cap, and   at least one retractable complementary circumferential locking abutment borne by the coupling member,   
               

     characterized in that the coupling member comprises:
         a body of generally annular form,   a radial arm provided with a free end and a linking end with the body, the free end of the radial arm being able to be displaced according to at least one axial component by elastic deformation of this radial arm,   a radial forearm provided with a free end and a linking end with the free end of the radial arm such that the radial forearm and the radial arm each extend from their linking end to their free end in opposite directions,   a lug borne by the radial forearm,       

     this lug forming the retractable complementary circumferential locking abutment. 
     Thus, to separate the cap from the coupling member, the user presses axially on the free end of the radial arm, generally with the thumb of a first hand which grasps the container, so as to provoke a flexing in an axial plane of this radial arm. Because of this flexing:
         the free end of the radial arm and the linking end of the radial forearm are displaced according to the combination:
           of an axial movement of separation of the free end of the radial arm in relation to the cap, and   of a radial movement of convergence of the free end of the radial arm in relation to the cap, and   
           the free end of the radial forearm bearing the lug is displaced according to the combination:
           of an axial movement of separation or of convergence of the free end of the radial forearm in relation to the cap, and   of a radial movement of separation of the free end of the radial arm in relation to the cap, this radial separation movement scaled down by the presence of the radial forearm.   
               

     This allows the retraction of the complementary circumferential locking abutment borne by the coupling member. With his or her second hand, the user can then unscrew the cap by a standard motion. A child does not generally coordinate these two motions spontaneously, so that the closure of the container is secured effectively with respect to accidental handling by a child. 
     Through their opposite directions, the radial arm and the radial forearm linked together constitute circumferentially less bulky means that are therefore suited to containers of relatively small diameters. The particular configuration of the radial arm and of the radial forearm makes it possible, compared to the known devices, to one and the same axial stressing by the user, to scale down the radial releasing of the lug. 
     The invention can also comprise the following optional features. 
     Advantageously, the radial arm is generally U-shaped, the free end of the radial arm and the linking end of the forearm forming the web of the U. 
     In this way, the device offers the user a comfortable bearing surface for exerting the pressure which provokes the flexing of the radial arm, and in a manner relatively independent of the radial dimensions of the coupling member and of the cap and without the user having to exert an excessive force. 
     Advantageously, the lug extends axially from the radial forearm in a direction opposite to that of the axial displacement of the plug when it is screwed onto the coupling member. 
     Preferentially, the circumferential width of the lug increases in the direction of the radial displacement of the plug when it is screwed onto the coupling member. 
     Such a profile makes it possible to reduce the contact zones and therefore friction zones between the cap and the lug when the cap is screwed onto the coupling member. 
     Advantageously, the retractable complementary circumferential locking abutment borne by the coupling member delimits a straight edge substantially parallel to the axial component of the screwing or unscrewing of the cap on the coupling member. 
     The circumferential locking abutment borne by the cap can form a circumferential end of an indentation, or of a notch, formed in the cap. 
     Preferentially, the cap comprises an edge delimiting an open end of this cap, this edge being delimited by an outline forming an outer cam profile intended to cooperate, during the screwing or the unscrewing of the cap, with the lug to displace, or hold in its retracted position, the retractable complementary circumferential locking abutment borne by the coupling member. 
     The lug can comprise at least one radially internal chamfer to facilitate the cooperation with the cam profile-forming outline of the cap. 
     Another subject of the invention is a medical device comprising a container and a closure device for this container, characterized in that the closure device is according to the invention. 
     The medical device according to the invention can also comprise the following optional features:
         the container comprises a tank having a neck and the coupling member is mounted to rotate freely about the neck of the tank;   the container comprises a tank having a neck and the coupling member is made of a single piece with the tank of the container;   the container comprises a tank having a neck and the coupling member is mounted on the tank by screwing.       

     In the case where the coupling member is mounted to rotate freely about the neck of the tank, any attempt to unscrew the cap without prior radial retraction of the locking tab provokes a rotation of all of the closure device about the neck of the container, reducing the risk of application of inappropriate efforts on the locking tab and the circumferential locking abutment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given purely as an example and with reference to the attached figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is partial perspective view of a medical device comprising a closure device provided with a cap in screwed position, according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view showing a part of the elements of the medical device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cap of the medical device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial view in axial cross section of the medical device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial view in elevation of the medical device of  FIG. 1 , the complementary circumferential abutment borne by the coupling member being in retracted position; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial view in elevation of the medical device of  FIG. 1  during unscrewing, the complementary circumferential abutment borne by the coupling member being in retracted position; 
         FIG. 7  is a view in elevation of the medical device of  FIG. 1 , the cap being at the start of screwing; 
         FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7 , the screwing having advanced; 
         FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the screwing being almost finished; 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  are profile diagrams of possible lugs; 
         FIG. 12  is a view in cross section similar to  FIG. 4  of a medical device comprising a closure device according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In these figures a medical device  20  according to the invention is represented. This medical device  20  comprises a tank-forming container  21  of general form of revolution about an axis A. 
     Hereinbelow, any reference to an axial direction will be made with reference to the axis A. 
     This tank  21  comprises a neck onto which is added an end-fitting  22  for dispensing a product contained in the tank  21 . As a variant, this dispensing end-fitting  22  could be made of a single piece with the neck of the tank  21 . 
     The medical device  20  also comprises a closure device  24  for the tank  21 . 
     This closure device  24  comprises a cap  26  comprising an open end  27  and a coupling member  28  comprising a body  29  of generally ring-forming annular form. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the coupling member  28  is intended to be borne by the neck of the container  21 . In the embodiment described, the coupling member  28  is mounted to rotate freely about the neck of the tank  21 . 
     As a variant, the coupling member  28  could be made of a single piece with the tank  21 . 
     The container  21  and the coupling member  28  are for example produced in polypropylene (PP). The cap  26  is for example produced in polypropylene (PP) or in high-density polyethylene (HDPE). 
     The body  29  of the coupling member  28  comprises an outer threading  30  intended to cooperate with an inner threading  32  of the cap  26  (see  FIG. 3 ). These outer  30  and inner  32  threadings make it possible to fit the cap  26  onto the coupling member  28  by screwing or remove the cap  26  from the coupling member  28  by unscrewing. Preferably, the cap  26  comprises an annular gripping zone  33 , comprising axial grooves, for example evenly distributed over the circumference of the cap  26 , on which a user can place his or her fingers to screw or unscrew the cap  26 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , an indentation  34  is formed in the open end  27  of the cap  26 . 
     The body  29  of the coupling member  28  comprises, after the outer threading  30  considering the axial direction of screwing, a flange  36  forming an end-of-screwing travel abutment. As can be seen in  FIG. 4  in particular, this end-of-screwing travel abutment is intended to cooperate with a complementary surface  38  formed by the edge of the cap  26  delimiting the open end  27  thereof. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the flange  36  of the coupling member  28  is prolonged by a radial arm  40  having a general U shape. This radial arm  40  is provided with a free end  42  and two linking ends  44  with the body  29  of the coupling member  28 . 
     Moreover, as can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the radial arm  40  is prolonged by a radial forearm  46 . This radial forearm  46  is provided with a free end  48  and a linking end  50  with the free end  42  of the radial arm  40 . In this way, the radial forearm  46  and the radial arm  40  each extend from their linking end  44 ,  50  to their free end  42 ,  48  in opposite directions. It will be noted that the web of the U is formed by the free end  42  of the radial arm  40  and by the linking end  50  of the radial forearm  46 . 
     The free end  42  of the radial arm  40  can be displaced according to at least one axial component (parallel to the axis A) by elastic deformation of this radial arm  40 . 
     In the embodiment described, and as can be seen in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 , the radial forearm  46  bears, on its free end  48 , a lug  52 . 
     This lug  52  extends from the radial forearm  46  axially (parallel to the axis A) in a direction opposite to that of the axial displacement of the cap  26  when it is screwed onto the coupling member  28 . The circumferential width of this lug  52  increases in the direction of axial displacement of the cap  26  when it is screwed onto the coupling member  28 . Thus, the lug  52  is circumferentially wider at its linking end with the radial forearm  46  than at its free end. In the example illustrated, the lug  52  has a triangular form whose height increases in the direction of unscrewing of the cap  26 . 
     Moreover, to protect the medical device  20  against untimely opening, in particular by a child, the closure device  24  comprises safety means. These safety means comprise:
         a circumferential locking abutment  54  borne by the cap  26  (see  FIG. 3 ), and   a retractable complementary circumferential locking abutment  56  borne by the coupling member  28  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ).       

     The circumferential locking abutment  54  borne by the cap  26  forms a circumferential end of the indentation  34  formed in the open end  27  of the cap  26 . As a variant, provision could be made for this circumferential locking abutment  54  to form a circumferential end of a notch. 
     The lug  52  forms the retractable complementary circumferential locking abutment  56 . In effect, the retractable complementary circumferential locking abutment  56  borne by the coupling member  28  delimits a straight edge of the lug  52 . This straight edge is substantially parallel to the axial component (parallel to the axis A) of the screwing or unscrewing of the cap  26  on the coupling member  28 . 
     This retractable complementary circumferential locking abutment  56  can be retracted by displacement of the free end  42  of the radial arm  40  according to at least one axial component (parallel to the axis A) by elastic deformation. 
     When the cap  26  is in screwed position, the retractable complementary circumferential locking abutment  56  formed by the lug  52  of the coupling member  28  cooperates with the circumferential locking abutment  54  of the indentation  34  of the cap  26 . 
     In the embodiment described and as can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the indentation  34  formed in the cap  26  has a form substantially similar to that of the lug  52  in order to facilitate the fitting of the lug  52  into the indentation  34 . Thus, in the example illustrated, the retractable complementary circumferential locking abutment  56  has a triangular form complementing that of the lug  52 . 
     Moreover, the edge of the cap  26  delimiting its open end  27  is delimited by an outline forming an outer cam profile  58 . This outline  58  is intended to cooperate, in the screwing or the unscrewing of the cap  26 , with the lug  52  to displace, or hold in its retracted position, the retractable complementary circumferential locking abutment  56  borne by the coupling member  28 . 
     To this end, the lug  52  can comprise a radially inner chamfer to facilitate the cooperation with the cam profile-forming outline  58  of the cap  26 . 
     The main steps in handling the medical device  20  according to the invention are described hereinbelow. 
     Consider first of all the medical device  20  in closed configuration, as represented in  FIG. 1 . A user wanting to open the medical device  20  must, as can be seen in  FIG. 5 , exert a pressure on the free end  42  of the radial arm  40  to provoke a flexing in an axial plane of this radial arm  40 , by elastic deformation, toward the tank  21 . This pressure can for example be exerted by the thumb. 
     Because of this flexing, the free end  42  of the radial arm  40  and the linking end  50  of the radial forearm  46  are displaced according to the combination:
         of an axial movement of separation of the free end  42  of the radial arm  40  in relation to the cap  26 , and   of a radial movement of convergence of the free end  42  of the radial arm  40  in relation to the cap  26 .       

     Moreover, the free end  48  of the radial forearm  46  bearing the lug  52  is displaced according to the combination:
         of an axial movement of separation of the free end  48  of the radial forearm  46  in relation to the cap  26 , and   of a radial movement of separation of the free end  42  of the radial arm  40  in relation to the cap  26 .       

     The latter radial separation movement is scaled down by the presence of the radial forearm  46 . 
     Thus, when the free end  42  of the radial arm  40  is displaced toward the tank  21 , it drives the linking end  50  of the radial forearm  46  with it. Now, the radial forearm  46  is not deformed and its free end  44  is thus raised axially (parallel to the axis A) in the direction of unscrewing of the cap  26 . The lug  52  is displaced thereby out of the indentation  34  formed in the cap  26 . Thus, the retractable complementary circumferential locking abutment  56  borne by the lug  52  of the coupling member  28  is retracted and it no longer cooperates with the circumferential locking abutment  54  borne by the cap  26 . 
     The user can then, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , unscrew the cap  26  by a standard motion. 
     During the unscrewing, the outline  58  of the cap  26  cooperates with the lug  52  to hold the retractable complementary circumferential locking abutment  56  in its retracted position throughout the operation. 
     To screw the cap  26  onto the coupling member  28 , the user performs a standard screwing motion. When the cap  26  is axially close enough to the free end of the lug  52  for the edge of the open end  27  of the cap  26  to enter into contact therewith, the cam profile-forming outline  58  cooperates with the lug  52  and allows the retraction of the retractable complementary circumferential locking abutment  56  formed by the lug  52 . Thus, the screwing continues conventionally until the complementary surface  38  formed by the edge of the cap  26  delimiting the open end  27  thereof cooperates by abutment with the end-of-screwing travel flange  36 . The lug  52  is then located facing the indentation  34  formed in the cap  26  and reverts to its position of rest. Thus, the circumferential locking abutment  54  borne by the cap  26  and the retractable complementary circumferential locking abutment  56  borne by the coupling member  28  cooperate once again and prevent any untimely unscrewing of the cap  26 . 
     The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will become clearly apparent to a person skilled in the art. It is in particular possible to provide for the lug  52  to be placed between the linking end  44  and the free end  42  of the radial arm  40 . 
     It is also possible, as can be seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , to give different forms to the lug  52 . In effect, in  FIG. 10 , the lug  52  has its tip cut off so that it is less fragile. In  FIG. 11 , the lug  52  has a rounded edge which facilitates the cooperation with the cap  26  during the screwing. 
     Below is a description, with reference to  FIG. 12 , of a medical device  20  according to a second embodiment of the invention. In this case, the elements similar to those of the preceding figures are denoted by identical references. 
     In this embodiment, the closure device  24  is mounted on the tank  21  by screwing. The means for screwing the closure device  24  onto the tank  21  comprise first  60  and second  62  threadings formed respectively on the tank  21  and on the closure device  24 .