Patent Publication Number: US-11040809-B1

Title: Push button tilt top closure and locking system for a container

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application relates to child-resistant closure and locking device for containers, and in particular, a child-resistant tilt-top closure and push button locking device for a container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A typical standard disk top closure is comprised of two parts, a body and a disk. The main body consists of a closure feature, such as threading or a snap for a container providing a single dispense orifice, which is disposed below the disk. The body provides the structure and disk pivot features, which hold the disk in position to either seal the container orifice, or to be pivoted to the dispense position, which allows the contained product to flow out of the orifice and pass through the disk and out of the dispense port. However, most disk-top closures do not include any child-resistant locking mechanism, or may include a locking mechanism that is overly complicated and too difficult for some elderly users to open. What is needed is a child resistant closure and locking mechanism integrating a disk top that addresses these shortcomings in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application relates to a child resistant (“CR”) closure and dispenser for a container, which combines the standard function of a typical pivoting tilt-top type closure, and a CR system which uses an automatic locking element comprising a push button that locks the disk top in a closed position. The closure mechanism includes an actuator on the disk surface that can be depressed by the user to pivot the top to expose a dispensing orifice into the container for dispensing the substance. The closure mechanism also includes an opening through a body portion supporting the disk-top, through which a push button extends outwardly from a central axis of the closure mechanism. The push button is biased outwardly, into the opening and away from a central axis, and when the button extends out from the opening, it prevents the closure mechanism from opening. In this position, a lower edge of the button abuts an edge of a cutout on the main body of the system, preventing the pivoting of the disk-top closure mechanism to expose the dispensing orifice. In order to open the dispenser, the button must be depressed into the opening, to bring the button out of contact with the cutout edge, while pressing down on the actuator. This actuation process may require the use of two hands simultaneously, thus making the system child resistant. 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the present application, a closure system for a dispensing container is provided comprising a body member and an actuator. The body member comprises an outer circumferential wall comprising a recess in the wall. The actuator comprises a dispensing orifice; a disk top comprising an actuating portion configured to be depressed to pivot the disk top between an open configuration providing access to the dispensing orifice and a closed configuration concealing the dispensing orifice; an actuator wall extending from and around the perimeter of the disk top having the dispensing orifice formed through a first section of the actuator wall and a wall opening formed through a second section of the actuator wall, the wall opening arranged adjacent to the actuating portion; and a push button member arranged within the actuator wall comprising a projecting button biased outwardly through the wall opening. In the closed configuration, the projecting button abuts an edge of the recess of the outer circumferential wall of the body member, which prevents depression of the actuating portion and pivoting of the disk top into the open configuration. The projecting button is configured to be pushed inwardly through the wall opening to position the projecting button out of abutment with the edge of the recess to enable depression of the actuating portion and pivoting of the disk top into the open configuration. 
     In various embodiments of the closure system of the first aspect of the application, in the open configuration, a portion of the disk top opposite the actuating portion can be depressed to pivot the disk top from the open configuration into the closed configuration, and in the open configuration, the outwardly biased projecting button is retained within the outer circumferential wall of the body member, and pivoting the disk top from the open configuration into the closed configuration enables the outwardly biased projecting button to extend back through the wall opening into abutment with the edge of the recess of the outer circumferential wall of the body member. 
     Further in accordance with one or more embodiments of the closure system of the first aspect of the application, the body member further comprises two opposing dimples on an inner surface of the outer circumferential wall configured to engage projecting members of the actuator to secure the actuator to the body member in a manner that permits the pivoting of the actuator. 
     In further embodiments of the closure system of the first aspect of the application, the outer circumferential wall is configured to conceal the dispensing orifice in the closed configuration. 
     In various embodiments of the closure system of the first aspect of the application, the body member comprises a tubular passageway projecting from a shelf within the body member configured to deliver a substance to the dispensing orifice. The actuator may further comprise a sealing member configured to engage the tubular passageway of the body member in the closed configuration to seal the tubular passageway from the dispensing orifice. 
     Further, in embodiments of the closure system of the first aspect of the application, the body member comprises a base section configured to be connected to a bottle or a container. 
     In various embodiments of the closure system of the first aspect of the application, the push button member comprises a spring configured to bias the projecting button outwardly through the wall opening and engaging the actuator at a side of the spring opposite the projecting button. The spring of the push button member may be a flexible ring comprising the push button on one side and a slot on another side opposite the push button. The actuator may further comprise a wall segment within the actuator wall comprising a finger configured to be received in the slot of the push button member to engage the push button member to the actuator. The wall segment of the actuator may comprise a beveled edge adjacent to a tubular passageway within the body member. 
     In embodiments of the closure system of the first aspect of the application, the actuating portion comprises raised indicia identifying the actuating portion. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments of the closure system of the first aspect of the application, the first section of the actuator wall comprising the dispensing orifice is arranged opposite the second section of the actuator wall comprising the wall opening. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the closure system of the first aspect of the application, pivoting of the disk top into the open configuration comprises simultaneously pushing inwardly the projecting button to position the projecting button out of abutment with the edge of the recess and depressing the actuating portion of the disk top. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the application, a closure system for a dispensing container is provided comprising a body member and an actuator. The body member comprises an outer circumferential wall comprising a recess in the wall. The actuator comprises a dispensing orifice; a disk top comprising an actuating portion configured to be depressed to pivot the disk top between an open configuration providing access to the dispensing orifice and a closed configuration concealing the dispensing orifice; and a push button member comprising a projecting button biased outwardly into the recess of the outer circumferential wall of the body member and arranged adjacent to the actuating portion of the disk top. In the closed configuration, the projecting button abuts an edge of the recess of the outer circumferential wall of the body member, which prevents depression of the actuating portion and pivoting of the disk top into the open configuration. The projecting button is configured to be pushed inwardly to position the projecting button out of abutment with the edge of the recess to enable depression of the actuating portion and pivoting of the disk top into the open configuration. In the open configuration, a portion of the disk top opposite the actuating portion can be depressed to pivot the disk top from the open configuration into the closed configuration, and further in the open configuration, the outwardly biased projecting button is retained within the outer circumferential wall of the body member, and pivoting the disk top from the open configuration into the closed configuration enables the outwardly biased projecting button to extend back into abutment with the edge of the recess of the outer circumferential wall of the body member. The push button member may also comprise a spring configured to bias the projecting button outwardly and engaging the actuator at a side of the spring opposite the projecting button. 
     In accordance with a third aspect of the application, a system is provided comprising a container for dispensing a substance and a closure system for the container. The closure system includes a body member comprising an outer circumferential wall comprising a recess in the wall. The closure system further comprises an actuator comprising a dispensing orifice, a disk top comprising an actuating portion configured to be depressed to pivot the disk top between an open configuration providing access to the dispensing orifice and a closed configuration concealing the dispensing orifice, an actuator wall extending from and around the perimeter of the disk top having the dispensing orifice formed through a first section of the actuator wall and a wall opening formed through a second section of the actuator wall, the wall opening arranged adjacent to the actuating portion; and a push button member arranged within the actuator wall comprising a projecting button biased outwardly through the wall opening. In the closed configuration, the projecting button abuts an edge of the recess of the outer circumferential wall of the body member, which prevents depression of the actuating portion and pivoting of the disk top into the open configuration. The projecting button is configured to be pushed inwardly through the wall opening to position the projecting button out of abutment with the edge of the recess to enable depression of the actuating portion and pivoting of the disk top into the open configuration. The body member of the closure system may comprise either or both of a base section configured to be connected the container, and an annular seal configured to be received in a neck of the container to seal the container and direct the substance of the container into a tubular passageway configured to deliver the substance to the dispensing orifice. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  shows a rear perspective view of a container closure and dispensing device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present application, in a locked and closed configuration; 
         FIG. 1B  shows a front perspective view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in a locked and closed configuration; 
         FIG. 1C  shows a top view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in a locked and closed configuration; 
         FIG. 1D  shows a bottom view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in a locked and closed configuration; 
         FIG. 1E  shows a rear view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in a locked and closed configuration; 
         FIG. 1F  shows a side view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in a locked and closed configuration; 
         FIG. 1G  shows a front view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in a locked and closed configuration; 
         FIG. 1H  shows a cross-sectional view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in a locked and closed configuration, along axis A-A identified in  FIG. 1G ; 
         FIG. 1I  shows a cross-sectional view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in a locked and closed configuration, along axis B-B identified in  FIG. 1F ; 
         FIG. 2A  shows a rear perspective view of a container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in an unlocked and open configuration; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a front perspective view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in an unlocked and open configuration; 
         FIG. 2C  shows a top view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in an unlocked and open configuration; 
         FIG. 2D  shows a bottom view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in an unlocked and open configuration; 
         FIG. 2E  shows a rear view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in an unlocked and open configuration; 
         FIG. 2F  shows a side view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in an unlocked and open configuration; 
         FIG. 2G  shows a front view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in an unlocked and open configuration; 
         FIG. 2H  shows a cross-sectional view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in an unlocked and open configuration, along axis A-A identified in  FIG. 2G ; 
         FIG. 2I  shows a cross-sectional view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in an unlocked and open configuration, along axis B-B identified in  FIG. 2F ; 
         FIGS. 3A-3D  show various perspective views of a body section of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 3E  shows a bottom view of the body section of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in an unlocked and open configuration; 
         FIG. 3F  shows a front view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in an unlocked and open configuration; 
         FIG. 3G  shows a side view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in an unlocked and open configuration; 
         FIG. 3H  shows a cross-sectional view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in an unlocked and open configuration, along axis A-A identified in  FIG. 3F ; 
         FIG. 3I  shows a cross-sectional view of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, in an unlocked and open configuration, along axis B-B identified in  FIG. 3G ; 
         FIGS. 4A-4F  show various views of a button of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 5A  shows a perspective view of an actuator of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 5B  shows a rear view of the actuator of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application; 
         FIGS. 5C-5D  show bottom perspective views of the actuator of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 5E  shows a top view of an actuator of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 5F  shows a bottom view of the actuator of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 5G  shows a side view of an actuator of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 5H  shows a front view of the actuator of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 5I  shows a cross-sectional view of the actuator of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, along axis A-A identified in  FIG. 5H ; 
         FIG. 5J  shows a cross-sectional view of the actuator of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, along axis B-B identified in  FIG. 5G ; and 
         FIG. 5K  shows a cross-sectional view of the actuator of the container closure and dispensing device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present application, along axis C-C identified in  FIG. 5G . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The container closure system of the present application will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-5K . 
     A child resistant (“CR”), push button tilt top closure and dispensing system  100  in accordance with the present application combines a disk top closure for a container with a push button CR system, which uses an automatic locking element and requires a simultaneous actuation of a button while depressing an actuator to move the container closure from a dispense-disabled position, to a dispense-enabled position. The CR flip top closure system  100  comprises a main body section  110 , a push button member  120  and a pivotable actuator  130 . 
     The main body  110  acts as a means of attachment of the closure system  100  to a container or a bottle (not shown) storing a substance to be dispensed. The main body  110  includes an open top section  111 , into which the actuator  130  and button member  120  can be inserted and secured to the main body  110 . The main body  110  further includes an outer circumferential wall  112 . Along the top of the outer circumferential wall  112 , the wall  112  includes a recess  113  cutout of the outer wall  112 , which comprises an edge  114  along the bottom of the recess  113 . 
     The main body  110  includes an open bottom, such that the outer wall  112  at the base of the main body  110  is dimensioned to fit over a neck of the bottle or container, and to engage the neck of the bottle or container. In the embodiment illustrated in the Figures, one or more locking elements  119   a  are arranged within the base of the outer wall  112  that may snap over and engage a circumferential bead on the neck of the bottle or container. However, the main body section  110  can be secured to the bottle or container using alternative mechanisms, including for example with internal threading inside the outer wall  112  to engage a threaded neck on the bottle or container, which may further comprises locking teeth on the bottom of a screw thread that “lock” with corresponding teeth on the shoulder of the bottle or container, or floating teeth, wherein one must push down on the closure system  100  in order to engage the teeth on bottom of a screw thread with corresponding teeth on shoulder of the bottle or container. 
     In between the open top section  111  and the base of the main body  110 , a shelf  115  is provided in the form of a substantially flat disk-like surface. On the undersurface of the shelf  115  (facing the base of the main body  110 ), an annular seal  119   b  is provided. The annular seal  119   b  is configured to fit inside of the neck of the bottle or container to provide prevent leakage of the substance from the bottle or container out of the open base of the main body  110 . An opening is formed through the shelf  115  that extends through a tubular passage  116  projecting from the upper surface of the shelf  115 . The passage  116  is in fluidic communication with the container or bottle through the opening in shelf  115  when the main body  110  is affixed to the bottle or container. The passage  116  provides the substance from the container or bottle to be dispensed by the dispensing orifice  132  of the dispensing and closure system  100 . 
     An actuator  130  is provided, which has a push button member  120  arranged therein. The actuator  130  is configured to fit within the outer wall  112  of the main body  110  and to cover the open top section  111  of the main body  110 . The actuator  130  includes an upper surface in the form of a disk  131 , which covers the open section  111  of the main body  110 , and is configured to pivot between an open and closed configuration. The actuator  130  also includes a wall  134  extending down from the upper surface and disk  131 , which extends around the perimeter of the disk  131 . 
     On one side of the actuator  130 , below the upper surface  131 , a dispensing orifice  132  is provided through the wall  134 . When the closure and dispensing system  100  is in the closed position, the dispensing orifice  132  is arranged within the outer wall  112  of the main body  110 , and cannot dispense any of the substance from the container. When the closure and dispensing system  100  is in the open position, the disk  131  of the actuator  130  has pivoted from the closed position, such that the dispensing orifice  132  is arranged above the outer wall  112  of the main body  110 , and is exposed to dispense the substance from the container. The wall  134  of actuator  130  also includes two opposing projections  135  arranged thereon, upon which the actuator  130  pivots. The projections  135  can be rounded as shown in the Figures, or in alternative embodiments make take other forms such as a peg, extension or other structure which enables the pivoting of the actuator  130 . The main body  110  includes two opposing dimples  118  or channels that are configured to receive the projections  135 , upon which the actuator  130  can pivot, and also which aid in securing the actuator  130  to the main body  110 . 
     On the side of the actuator  130  opposite the dispensing orifice  132 , an actuating portion  133  is provided on the upper surface of the actuator  130 , where the actuator  130  can be depressed by the user to pivot the actuator  130  from the closed position to the open position, thereby exposing the dispensing orifice  132 . In the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, the actuating portion  133  of the actuator  130  may include markings or indicia, such as raised lettering allowing the actuating portion  133  to be identified by touch, but in other embodiments, the actuating portion  133  can have no marking or indicia, or may take the form of a tab or other extension off of the disk top  131 . The actuator  130  is positioned in the main body  110  such that actuating portion  133  is arranged adjacent to the recess  113  in the outer wall  112  of the main body  110 . 
     The wall  134  further comprises an opening  136  formed through the wall  134  opposite the dispensing orifice  132  and adjacent to the actuating portion  133 . The wall opening  136  is shaped and dimensioned to receive a button projection  122  of the push button member  120 . The push button member  120  comprises a ring  121  having a button projection  122  on one side of the ring  121  and a slot  123  on the ring  121  opposite the button projection  122 . In the embodiments shown in the Figures, the wall opening  136  and the button projection  122  have a substantially square or rectangular shape, but in other embodiments, the shape may vary and can take any number of forms, such as triangular, circular, hexagonal or any other irregular or regular shape. The button projection  122  is configured to pass through the wall opening  136 . In alternative embodiments, the button projection  122  may be utilized without the actuator including a wall  134  or opening  136 . The underside of the disk  131  of the actuator includes an interior wall segment  138   a , which includes a finger  138   b . The finger  138   b  is configured to be received in the slot  123  of the push button member  120 , to engage the push button member  120  with the actuator  130 . The ring  121  of the push button member  120  is configured to bias the button projection  122  outwardly (i.e., away from the slot  123 ) but is made of a material having adequate pliability to allow the button projection to be pushed inwardly (i.e., toward the slot  123 ), flexing the ring into a more ovular shape. In other embodiments of the system  100 , a biasing spring, such as a helical spring, can be provided in lieu of the ring  121 . 
     The operation of the dispensing and closure system  100  will now be described. As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1I , when the system  100  is in the closed configuration, the button projection  122  is disposed in the recess  113  in the outer wall  112  of the main body  110 . The button projection  122  abuts the edge  114  of the recess  113 , such that when the actuating portion  133  of the actuator  130  is depressed, the button projection  122  comes into direct contact with the edge  114  and blocks any downward movement of the actuating portion  133  of the actuator  130 . As a result, the actuator  130  cannot pivot into the open configuration while the button projection  122  of the push button member  120  is projected outwardly through the wall opening  136  of the actuator  130 . This effectively locks the system  100  in a closed configuration and prevents it from being opened by a simple depression of the actuator  130 . The substance in a container to which the system  100  is connected cannot be dispensed in the closed configuration. To prevent leakage of any of the substance out of the dispensing orifice  132  when the system  100  is closed, the actuator comprises a sealing cap  137  that is configured to fit inside of the tubular passage  116  of the main body to prevent leakage of the substance from the bottle or container through the tubular passage  116  of the main body  110 . 
     In order to unlock and open the dispensing system  100 , the button projection  122  must be pushed inward while depressing the actuating portion  133  of the actuator  130 . When the user presses the button projection  122  inward towards the center of the system  100 , the push button member  120  remains engaged with the actuator  130  by way of the engagement of the interior wall segment  138   a  and slot  123 , and the ring  121  flexes at the sides to allow the push button member  120  to be pushed through the wall opening  136 , so that it is either flush with the wall  134  of the actuator  130  or within the wall  134 . In this pushed-in position, the push button  122  is no longer in abutment with the edge  114  of the recess  113  of the outer wall  112  of the body member  110 , and the push button  122  no longer obstructs downward movement of the actuating portion  133  by the user. The actuator  130  can therefore be pivoted into the open configuration, shown for example in  FIGS. 2A-2I  which exposes the dispensing orifice  132  and removes the cap  137  from the tubular passage  116  to allow dispensing of the substance from the container. 
     Because the push button  122  is biased outwardly, when it is released, it will have a tendency to extend itself back outwardly. As a result, the actions of the pushing in of the push button  122  and the depressing of the actuating portion  133  may require simultaneity by the user in order to open the system  100 , thus making it more difficult for a child to open the system  100 . When the system  100  is in the open configuration, the push button  122  remains biased outward, but is blocked from fully extending by abutting against an inner surface of the outer wall  112  of the main body  110 . 
     So that the interior wall segment  138   a  of the actuator  130  does not interfere with the pivoting of the actuator  130 , the interior wall segment  138   a  may include a beveled edge  138   c  opposite the finger  138   b , which may come into contact with a portion of the passage  116  when the actuator  130  is pivoted into the open configuration, as shown for example in  FIG. 2H . The dispensing orifice  132  may also include a beveled edge  132   a  for a similar purpose, which may come into contact with a portion of outer wall  112  of the main body  110  when the actuator  130  is pivoted into the open configuration, as shown for example in  FIG. 2H . To further aid in the pivoting action of the actuator  130  with respect to the main body  110 , the main body  110  may comprise one or more support members  117   a  on the shelf  115  that are configured to engage one or more wall members  139  on the under surface of the disk  131 . The support members  117   a  may also comprise a notch  117   b  configured to receive the wall  139 . 
     In order to return the system  100  from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the upper surface of the disk  131  of the actuator  130  can be depressed at the dispensing orifice  132  and opposite the actuating portion  133 , to push the dispensing orifice  132  back into a position where it is concealed by the outer wall  112  of the main body  110 . As the push button  122  is outwardly biased, once the push button  122  is raised above the edge  114  of the wall  112  of the main body  110 , it can fully extend out through the wall opening  136  of the actuator  130  and the system  100  is relocked into the closed configuration. 
     As used herein, directional or positional terms such as “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, etc., are used for explanatory purposes only to describe the closure system  100  as illustrated in the figures, with the dispensing side of the system  100  being designated the “front” for explanatory purposes. 
     While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice.