Patent Publication Number: US-9889976-B2

Title: Child resistant dispenser

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. Ser. No. 62/212,125, filed Aug. 31, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments herein generally relate to child resistant dispensers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Dispensers for medicine often include child resistant features. Pill bottle dispensers, for example, often include child resistant lids or caps. Conventional child resistant lids and caps, however, can often be too difficult for seniors to open, can be complicated and costly to manufacture, or may include child resistant features that can be easily overcome by children. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments include a child resistant dispenser. The dispenser can be used to hold or retain medicine such as, for example, pills. The dispenser can include a bottle and a bottle cap. The cap can restrict access to the contents of the bottle based on one or more incorporated child resistant features. The cap can include a base and a lid. The base can be coupled to a top portion or neck of the bottle to secure the cap to the bottle. The lid can include one or more snaps for securing to the lid to the base when the cap is in a closed positioned. The base can include one or more corresponding recesses or slots for accepting and securing the snaps. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary dispenser. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the dispenser of  FIG. 1  having a cap in a closed position. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the cap of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in an open position. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary bottle. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the bottle of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bottle of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a first cross-sectional view of the dispenser of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a second cross-sectional view of the dispenser of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIGS. 9A-9G  illustrate various views of the cap of  FIG. 3  in a closed position. 
         FIGS. 10A-10G  illustrate various views of the cap of  FIG. 3  in an open position. 
         FIGS. 11A-11I  illustrate various views of a first exemplary bottle for use with the cap of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIGS. 12A-12I  illustrate various views of a second exemplary bottle for use with the cap of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIGS. 13A-13I  illustrate various views of a third exemplary bottle for use with the cap of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIGS. 14-22  illustrate exemplary views of the cap of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIGS. 23-27  illustrate exemplary views of the bottle of  FIGS. 11A-11I . 
         FIGS. 28-32  illustrate exemplary views of the bottle of  FIGS. 12A-12I . 
         FIGS. 33-37  illustrate exemplary views of the bottle of  FIGS. 13A-13I . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a dispenser  100 . The dispenser  100  can include a bottle  102  and a cap  104 . The cap  104  can be positioned at a top portion of the bottle  102  (e.g., proximate a neck of the bottle  102 ). The cap  104  can include a cap base  106  and a cap lid  108 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cap lid  108  can be in an open position and can provide access to an interior portion of the bottle  102  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) through an opening  110  of the bottle  102 . 
     According to various embodiments, the dispenser  100  can be a medicine dispenser. For example, the dispenser  100  can be a pill bottle capable of retaining one or more pills accessible through the opening  110  when the cap lid  108  is in an open position. 
     The cap base  106  can be attached to the cap lid  108  by a hinge  112 . The hinge  112  can be a flexible hinge. As an example, the hinge  112  can be a bi-stable living hinge. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cap lid  108  can include a sealing ring  114 . The sealing ring  114  can extend from a bottom surface  116  of the cap lid  108 . The sealing ring  114  can have a circular shape and can mate with the bottle opening  110 . Specifically, the sealing ring  114  can fit or be positioned inside an interior boundary of the opening  110 . In this way, the sealing ring  114  can function as plug for sealing the bottle  102 . The sealing ring  114  can interfere with the opening  110  to form a tight fit or seal to effectively retain contents of the bottle  102 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the cap lid  108  can include a first primary snap  118 , a second primary snap  120 , and a secondary snap  122 . The first primary snap  118 , the second primary snap  120 , and the secondary snap  122  can extend from the surface  116  of the cap lid  108 . The first and second primary snaps  118  and  120  can be longer and wider than the secondary snap  122 . Each of the snaps  118 ,  120  and  122  can be considered to be tabs. 
     Each of the snaps  118 ,  120  and  122  can include a top portion or finger that can be angled and can extend away from a center of the cap lid  108 . According to various embodiments, the first and second primary snaps  118  and  120  can be intended to be engaged by a user to open the cap lid  108  from a closed position. According to various embodiments, the secondary snap  122  can help secure the cap lid  108  to the cap base  106  but may not be directly engaged by a user when opening the cap lid  108 . 
     To close the cap lid  108  onto the cap base  106 , the first primary snap  118  can be positioned through an opening or space  124 . When the cap lid  108  is in a closed positioned, the first primary snap  118  can be positioned adjacent to bar or connector  126 . Further, the finger or angled portion of the primary snap  118  can be positioned below the bar  126  in the opening or space  128  such that the finger or angled portion of the primary snap  118  is retained by the bar  126 . The second primary snap  120  can be retained or connected to the cap base  106  in a similar manner. Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , the secondary snap  122  can fit or be positioned within a recess positioned within a front portion of a top surface  130  of the cap base  106 .  FIG. 10F  illustrates a recess of the secondary snap  122 . The recess for accepting and securing the secondary snap  122  can be considered to be a slot. 
     To open the cap lid  108  from a closed position, a user can first engage the first and second primary snaps  118  and  120 . Specifically, a user can unsnap or release the first and second primary snaps  118  and  120  from the cap base  106 . For example, a user can press on the first primary snap  118  such that the angled portion of the first primary snap  118  clears the bar  126 . Once the angled portion of the first primary snap  118  clears the bar  126 , a user can pull up on the cap lid  108  to open it by pulling the first primary snap  118  up from the space or opening  124 . A user can engage and operate the second primary snap  120  in a similar manner to unlock or unsnap the second primary snap  120  from a similar bar or retaining feature. 
     The secondary snap  122  can also be retained by a portion of the recess in the top surface  130  of the cap base  106 . The secondary snap  122  may not be directly engaged or accessible by a user when the cap lid  108  is in a closed position. Further, the secondary snap  122  may not be directly engaged by a user during a process of opening the cap lid  108 . For example, a user may engage the first and second primary snaps  118  and  120  by pressing and pulling up on the first and second primary snaps  118  and  120  while overcoming the retention of the secondary snap  122  (e.g., by an additional force to overcome a retention or friction fit of the secondary snap  122 ). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the dispenser  100  with the cap lid  108  in a closed position (see also  FIG. 11C ). As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first primary snap  118  is retained or positioned in a stable or locked position by the bar  126 . The finger or angled portion  118 -A of the first primary snap  118  is positioned below and retained by the bar  126 . The second primary snap  120  can be positioned or retained in a similar manner although not shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     To open the cap lid  108 , the first primary snap  118  can be pressed by a user. In doing so, the first primary snap  118  can move towards a center of the dispenser  100 . When the angled portion  118 -A of the first primary snap  118  has cleared the bar  126 , a user can pull the cap lid  108  upwards. The second primary snap  120  can be similarly pressed and lifted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cap lid  108  can include a top surface  132 . The outer rim of the top surface  132  can include a raised portion or lip  134 . The cap base  108  can include a front portion  136 . The front portion  136  can be a raised portion (with respect to the top surface  130  of the cap base  106 ). The front portion  136  can be considered to be a winged protrusion. The front portion  136  can be coupled by the bar  126  to a first back portion  138 . The first back portion  138  can also be a raised portion (with respect to the top surface  130  of the cap base  106 ). Similarly, the front portion  136  can be coupled by a bar (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) to a second back portion  140 . The second back portion  140  can also be a raised portion (with respect to the top surface  130  of the cap base  106 ). 
     The first and second back portions  138  and  140  can be positioned adjacent to a back portion  142  of the cap lid  108  when the cap lid  108  is in a closed position. The back portion  142  can be formed as a unitary element or single piece. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the front portion  136 , the first and second back portions  138  and  140 , the back portion  142 , the raised portion  134  and the first and second primary caps  118  and  120  can form a seal. Further, the top surface  132  of the cap lid  108  and the raised portion  134  can form a recessed lid. In doing so, the cap lid  108  and the cap base  106 , when in a closed position, can form a seamless fit which can reduce leverage points or areas for opening the lid  104 , thereby reducing the ability of a child from opening the cap lid  108 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the cap  104  (e.g., unattached from a bottle and in an open position). As shown in  FIG. 3 , across from the bar  126  is a partial view of bar  144  which, as mentioned above, can secure or retain second primary snap  120 . As further shown in  FIG. 3 , the cap base  106  can include second lower bars  146  and  148 . Lower bars  146  and  148  can be spaced below bars  126  and  144 , respectively. Further, lower bars  146  and  148  can couple the front portion  136  of the cap base  106  to the first back portion  138  and the second back portion  140 , respectively. The lower bars  146  and  148 , along with a portion of the bottom of the cap base  106 , can rest on or come into contact with (or be positioned in close proximity to) an associated bottle (e.g., the bottle  102  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
     Positioned on either side of secondary snap  122  can be first protrusion  158  and second protrusion  160 . When the lid  108  is in a closed position, the first and second protrusions  158  and  160  can be positioned or can fit behind the front portion  136 . The first and second protrusions  158  and  160  can help guide and orient the lid  108  during closing and can help form a tight seal between the base  106  and the lid  104  to further reduce tampering or opening by a child. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 3 , an opening  162  is positioned within the surface  130  of the base  106 . The opening  162  can be circular in shape. The opening  162  can be large enough to accommodate the opening  110  of the bottle  102 . That is, a size of the top of the bottle  102  can fit within the size of the opening  162  such that the base  106  can be positioned over the neck of the bottle  102  with opening  110  accessible though opening  162 . 
       FIG. 3  also shows features of the cap base  106  that can function to attach, connect or couple the cap base  106  to a bottle (e.g., the bottle  102  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). These features can include a first portion  150 , a second portion  152 , a third portion  154 , and a fourth portion  156  (only partially shown in  FIG. 3 ). The features can be symmetrically arranged around the cap base  106  but are not so limited. The first portion  150  can be considered to be part of a key system and can be considered to be a male key component. The first male key component  150  can be positioned diametrically opposite the second portion  152  which can be considered to also be part of the key system and can be considered to also be a male key component. The male key component  150  can be spaced apart from the third portion  154  and the fourth portion  156 . Similarly, although not shown in  FIG. 3 , the male key component  152  can be spaced apart from the third portion  154  and the fourth portion  156 . 
     The male key components  150  and  152  can be shaped and arranged to mate or fit into corresponding female key counterpart components positioned and arranged on a bottle (not shown in  FIG. 3 ). The third and fourth portions  154  and  156  can each be considered to be a cap to bottle snap. The cap to bottle snaps  154  and  156  can be shaped and arranged to fit over a snap bead positioned on the bottle (e.g., the top or neck of a bottle, not shown in  FIG. 3 ) to connect or couple and retain the cap base  106  to the bottle. 
     The male key components  150  and  152 , and the cap to bottle snaps  154  and  156 , can extend from the surface  130  of the cap base  106 . The cap to bottle snaps  154  and  156  can be L-shaped to provide a lip or edge that can fit below and be retained by a snap bead arranged on a bottle neck (not shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
     The cap to bottle snaps  154  and  156  can be symmetrically arranged and can be similar in size and shape but are not so limited. Similarly, the male key components  150  and  152  can be symmetrically arranged and can be similar in size and shape but are not so limited. Further, the cap  104  can include more or less male key components. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the portions  150 ,  152 ,  154  and  156  extend from the surface  130  and can be positioned around an interior of the opening  162 . The portions  150 ,  152 ,  154  and  156  can therefore follow a curved profile—i.e., each of the portions  150 ,  152 ,  154  and  156  can be curved based on a profile of the opening  162  (e.g., a perimeter of the opening  162 ). 
       FIG. 3  shows that a slot or open space (e.g., the open space  124 ) can be positioned between an interior portion of the base  106  and the first bar  126 .  FIG. 10B  illustrates the space  124  between the front portion  136  and the back portion  138  and above the bar  126 . The open space  124  can form a slot for accepting and securing the first primary snap  118 . As discussed above, the angled portion of the first primary snap  118  can be secured or held into place by the bar  126 . The second primary snap  120  can also be received and retained by a corresponding slot in a similar manner. 
     The cap  104  can be made from a variety of plastic material and be made in a variety of colors. Labeling, designs, stickers or other indicia or marks can be formed into or on the cap  104 . As an example,  FIG. 9A  illustrates the cap  104  with lettering or text molded into the top surface  132 . 
     The cap  104  can include one or more child resistant features. For example, the arrangement for securing and releasing the first and second primary snaps  118  and  120  using the bars  126  and  144  can be a first child resistant feature. Additionally, the seamless closure and sealing of the lid  108  to the base  106  when the cap  104  is in a closed position can be a second child resistant feature. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary bottle  400  that can be used in conjunction with the cap  104 . The bottle  400  can be implemented as the bottle  102  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the bottle  400  can include a base portion  402  and a top portion or neck  404 . The bottle  400  can include a transition portion  406  that can be part of the base portion, the top portion  404 , or a combination thereof. The transition portion  406  can be a portion of the bottle  400  where the size or diameter of the bottle  400  at the base  402  narrows to meet the smaller size or diameter of the bottle top or neck  404 . 
     The bottle  400  can include an opening or mouth  408  (corresponding, e.g., with the opening  110 ). Internally, the bottle  400  can be hollow and can be designed, for example, to hold or retain pills. The top portion  404  of the bottle  400  can include two beads—a snap bead  410  and a transfer bead  412 . The beads  410  and  412  can be rings that wrap around or encircle the top portion  404  of the bottle  400 , with the snap bead  410  including one or more breaks. According to some embodiments, the snap bead  410  can include four breaks (two breaks are shown in  FIG. 4 ). The breaks in the snap bead  410  can be symmetrically arranged. The snap bead  410  can have a triangular shape but is not so limited. The snap bead  410  can operate in conjunction with cap to bottle snaps (e.g., cap to bottle snaps  154  and  156 ) to couple the bottle  400  to a cap (e.g., the cap  104 ). 
     The breaks in the snap bead  410  can be considered to be part of a keying system. As an example, the breaks in the snap bead  410  can be considered to be female key components that can operate in conjunction with male key counterparts (e.g., the male key components  150  and  152 ) of a cap base. The breaks or female key counterparts of the snap bead  410  can be used to properly align a cap base onto the neck  404  of the bottle  400 . 
     The transfer bead  412  can be used to aid a manufacturing process for making the bottle  400 . For example, the bottle  400  can be formed by way of an injection and blow mold process. According to some embodiments, the bottle  400  is formed into a first state by an injection molding process. During the injection molding process, the transfer bead  412  can be formed. The transfer bead  412  can then be used or grabbed onto by a mechanism for a subsequent blow molding process whereby, for example, the shape of the base portion  402  of the bottle  400  is formed. 
     The bottle  400  can be made from a variety of plastic material and be made in a variety of colors. Labeling, designs, or other indicia or marks can be formed into or on the bottle  400  (e.g., the base portion  404 ) or stickers can be affixed thereto (e.g., a dosage calendar or product label sticker). 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the bottle  400  depicted in  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , only a single break is shown within the snap bead  410 . 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrates cross-sectional views of the bottle  400 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , the bottle  400  includes an interior portion  602  that can be hollow or open. The interior portion  602  can be filled with items (e.g., pills) that can be accessed or dispensed through the opening  408 .  FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate the shapes of the snap bead  410  and the transfer bead  412 . In particular,  FIG. 6B , which provides a close-up view of a portion of the bottle  400  shown in  FIG. 6A , shows that the snap bead  410  and its cross-section can have a generally triangular shape while the transfer bead  412  and its cross-section can have a generally rectangular shape. As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the transfer bead  412  can extend out further from the bottle neck  404  than the snap bead  410  but is not so limited. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  provide cross-sectional views of the coupling or connection between the cap  104  and the bottle  102 . In particular,  FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of the front of the bottle  102  and the cap  104  (e.g., when viewing in the direction of the front portion  136  of the cap base  106 ).  FIG. 7  shows the interaction and arrangement of the left and right lower bars  146  and  148 , the left and right upper bars  126  and  144 , and the first and second primary snaps  118  and  120 .  FIG. 7  also shows the sealing ring  114  positioned inside and abutting against the top portion of the bottle  102 . 
       FIG. 7  further shows the snap bead  410  and the transfer bead  412  relative to the cap to bottle snaps  154  and  156 . In particular, the L-shaped cap to bottle snap  154  is positioned adjacent and beneath a portion of the snap bead  410  and the L-shaped cap to bottle snap  156  is positioned adjacent and beneath another portion of the snap bead  410 . The interaction and arrangement of the cap to bottle snaps  154  and  156  with the snap bead  410  can restrict or prevent vertical movement of the cap  104 —i.e., can keep or maintain the cap  104  coupled to the bottle  102 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a cross-sectional view of a side of the bottle  102  and the cap  104  (e.g., when viewing in the direction of the first primary snap  118 ). As shown in  FIG. 8 , the secondary snap  122  is positioned adjacent and beneath a portion  802  that secures or retains the secondary snap  122 . The retaining portion  802  can limit movement of the secondary snap  122  but can be overcome by a user when opening the cap lid  108 . As with the bars  126  and  144 , the retaining portion  802  can help secure the cap lid  108  to the cap base  106 . 
     The male key components  150  and  152  are shown as positioned within a break of the snap bead  410  of the bottle  102 . Bottom portions of the male key components  150  and  152  can rest against the transfer bead  412 . The interaction between the male key components  150  and  152  and the transfer bead  412  can help ensure a tight fit between the cap to bottle snaps  154  and  156  and the snap bead  410  by biasing the cap  104  upwards—e.g., the transfer bead  412  can push up on the male key components  150  and  152  to thereby help establish a snug fit between the cap to bottle snaps  154  and  156  and the snap bead  410  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Additionally, the male key components  150  and  152 , based on interaction with the breaks or female key components of the snap bead  410 , can help orient the cap  104  relative to the bottle  102 . That is, the cap  104  can be properly aligned relative to the bottle  102  when the male key components  150  and  152  are positioned within appropriate breaks of the snap bead  410 . For example, when the cap  104  is placed onto a bottle  102 , such that the cap to bottle snaps  154  and  156  are snapped under the snap bead  410 , the cap  104  can still be rotated around the top or neck of the bottle  102 . The male key components  150  and  152  can move around the neck of the bottle  102  and can come into contact with the snap bead  410  but may not be restricted from moving by the snap bead  410 . When the male key components  150  and  152  are moved to a position where they each find a break in the snap bead  410 , tactile feedback can inform a user that the male key components  150  and  152  are so positioned. In this way, a user can quickly connect the cap  104  to the bottle  102  and then properly orient the cap  104  to the bottle  102 . 
     Further, the cap  104  can be designed to not be intended to be removed from a bottle  102  once attached thereto. That is, the cap  104  can be retained and coupled to the bottle  102  based on the above described mechanism and can be intended to stay coupled throughout the lifetime of the use of the dispenser  100 . For example, the cap  104  can be intended to be coupled to the bottle  102  for the entire duration of its use such that removal occurs only in an extreme situation or an emergency—and is removed only by a lab technician or pharmacist or other health worker—e.g., when the wrong cap  104  is attached to the wrong bottle  102 . 
     To provide additional detail on the cap  104  according to some embodiments,  FIGS. 9A-9G  illustrate the cap  104  in a closed position or state in an isometric view, a first side view, a second side view, a front view, a rear view, a top view, and a bottom view (which is not normally visible when in use in conjunction with a bottle), respectively. 
     To provide additional detail on the cap  104  according to some embodiments,  FIGS. 10A-10G  illustrate the cap  104  in an open position or state in an isometric view, a first side view, a second side view, a front view, a rear view, a top view, and a bottom view (which is not normally visible when in use in conjunction with a bottle), respectively.  FIG. 10B  illustrates the space  124  between the front portion  136  and the back portion  138  and above the bar  126 .  FIG. 10B  also illustrates the space  128  below bar  126  and in front of bar  146 .  FIG. 10F  illustrates a recess  1002 . The recess  1002  can be formed in the top surface  130  of the base  106 . The recess  1002  can be positioned in alignment with the secondary snap  122 . The recess  1002  can include a mechanism to secure the secondary snap  122  and to require a user to use sufficient force to open the lid  108 . 
     According some embodiments, the cap  104  can be coupled to bottles of different sizes or volumes. That is, a variety of different bottle sizes (e.g., that may vary by size, shape, volume, height, width, and/or depth) can be formed to be able to mate or be coupled to the cap  104 . As an example, the various bottle designs can have similar bottle tops or necks (e.g., having the same or approximately the same shapes and dimensions) with a snap bead and/or a transfer bead to support coupling to the cap  104 . As a result, the same cap  104  can be used in conjunction with a variety of different bottle designs. 
       FIGS. 11A-11I  illustrate a first bottle design—e.g., corresponding to bottle  102 —that can be coupled to cap  104  in a variety of views: isometric (with the cap  104  in an open position), isometric (without the cap  104 ), isometric (with the cap  104  in a closed position), a first side view, a second side view, a front view, a rear view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively. 
       FIGS. 12A-12I  illustrate a second bottle design—a bottle  1200 —that can be coupled to cap  104  in a variety of views: isometric (with the cap  104  in an open position), isometric (without the cap  104 ), isometric (with the cap  104  in a closed position), a first side view, a second side view, a front view, a rear view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively. The bottle  1200  is shown to be larger than the bottle  102 .  FIGS. 13A-13I  illustrate a second bottle design—a bottle  1300 —that can be coupled to cap  104  in a variety of views: isometric (with the cap  104  in an open position), isometric (without the cap  104 ), isometric (with the cap  104  in a closed position), a first side view, a second side view, a front view, a rear view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively. The bottle  1300  is shown to be larger than the bottles  1200  and  102 . 
       FIGS. 14-22  illustrate several different views of an exemplary configuration of the cap  104 . 
       FIGS. 23-27  illustrate several different views of an exemplary configuration of the bottle  102 . 
       FIGS. 28-32  illustrate several different views of an exemplary configuration of the bottle  1200 . 
       FIGS. 32-37  illustrate several different views of an exemplary configuration of the bottle  1300 . 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention were described above. It is, however, expressly noted that the present invention is not limited to those embodiments, but rather the intention is that additions and modifications to what was expressly described herein are also included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it is to be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein were not mutually exclusive and can exist in various combinations and permutations, even if such combinations or permutations were not made express herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In fact, variations, modifications, and other implementations of what was described herein will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. As such, the invention is not to be defined only by the preceding illustrative description.