Patent Abstract:
A closure includes a one-piece integrally molded plastic shell having a shell portion that is engageable with a container such that said closure is adapted to function in cooperation with the container in a first predetermined mode of operation, such as a child-resistant mode of operation. The shell portion is selectively removable by a user such that the closure is then adapted to function in cooperation with the container in a second predetermined mode of operation different from said first mode of operation, such as a non-child-resistant mode of operation.

Full Description:
The present invention is directed to plastic closures, and more particularly to a closure that can be modified by a user to change the functionality of the closure. In the specific embodiment disclosed, for example, the closure can be modified by a user from child-resistant to non-child-resistant operation. 
   BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a general object of the present invention to provide a plastic closure that can be modified by a user to alter its functionality or mode of operation. 
   A closure in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes a one-piece integrally molded plastic shell having a shell portion that is engageable within a container such that the closure is adapted to function in cooperation with the container in a first predetermined mode of operation. The shell portion is selectively removable by a user so that the closure is adapted to function in cooperation with the container in a second predetermined mode of operation different from the first mode of operation. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention the shell portion is frangibly connected to the shell and includes structure that is cooperable with the container in a child-resistant mode of operation. Removal of the shell portion by a user thus converts the closure for operation in a non-child-resistant mode of operation. 
   In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of making a closure that is adapted to be converted by a user between first and second differing modes of operation in cooperation with a container. A one-piece integrally molded closure shell is provided with a portion frangibly connected to the shell, such as a band having child-resistance structure frangibly connected to the shell. The portion is adapted to cooperate with a container to operate in a first mode of operation—e.g., a child-resistant mode of operation—and the closure shell is adapted to cooperate with the container in a second mode of operation—e.g., a non-child-resistant mode of operation—when the portion is removed by a user. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention, together with additional objects, features, advantages and aspects thereof, will be best understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a child-resistant package according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of a closure of the child-resistant package of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded partial cross-sectional view of the closure of  FIG. 2 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a child-resistant package  10  that is substantially similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,348, except for the inventive features of the present invention, which will be described in detail below. U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,348 is assigned to the assignee hereof and is incorporated by reference herein. The child-resistant package  10  includes a cylindrical plastic vial or container  12  which has one or more surface manifestations or external threads  14  on a finish  16 , and optionally has a radial flange  18  below the threads  14 . The present invention discloses the use of threads  14 , but it is contemplated that any surface manifestations may be used, including bayonet features and the like. A child-resistant element, such as a deflectable tab or release element  20 , is formed on the container  12 , preferably at a circumferential interruption or space in the radial flange  18 . The deflectable release element  20  includes an integral cantilevered stop element or lug  22  that extends axially upwardly from the release element  20 . The cantilevered lug  22  also extends generally circumferentially in the same direction as a downward-threading spiral direction of the threads  14 , and terminates in an axial stop surface  24 . As defined herein, threading and unthreading generally corresponds to the terms applying and removing, and more specifically corresponds to the terms rotating, pulling, and the like. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the child-resistant package  10  further includes a plastic closure  26 . Closure  26  in the illustrated embodiment includes a one-piece integrally molded shell having a base wall  28  and a skirt  30  with one or more internal manifestations or threads  32 . The axial edge of skirt  30  is integrally connected—i.e., as molded—to a band  38 . This integral connection is a frangible connection, such as by a frangible web or a circumferential array of frangible bridges  44 . A child-resistant element, such as a locking lug  48 , extends axially downwardly from the ledge  40  of band  38  and radially inwardly from the band skirt  42 . More than one locking lug  48  may be provided, but the quantity preferably corresponds to the quantity of threads on the container finish and closure skirt. The locking lug  48  also includes a chamfered surface  50  to facilitate application of the closure  26  to the container  12 . 
   Closure  26  is applied to container  12  by downwardly rotating the closure over the finish  16  of the container  12  so as to engage the threads  32  of the closure  26  with the threads  14  of the container  12 . Before the closure  26  abuts the finish  16  of the container  12 , the locking lug  48  traverses freely over the cantilevered lug  22  and deflects the cantilevered lug  22  downwardly in the process. Once the locking lug  48  has deflected and passed over the cantilevered lug  22 , the cantilevered lug  22  snaps back to its original upwardly extending orientation. Thus, if one attempts to open the child-resistant package by rotating the closure  26  in an unscrewing or upward threading direction, the locking lug  48  will confront the axial stop surface  24  of the cantilevered lug  22  and thereby prevent the closure  26  from rotating any further. Accordingly, the closure  25  will not be removable from the container  12 , unless the child-resistant feature is defeated. The child-resistant feature of the present invention may be temporarily defeated by first depressing the release element  20  with a user&#39;s thumb or finger. Depressing the release element  20  in a radially inward and axially downward direction tends to pull the cantilevered lug  22  in an axial direction out of engagement or confrontation with the locking lug  48  of the closure  25 . Once this is done, the closure  25  may be further rotated in the upward threading direction until the threads  32  of the closure  25  disengage from the threads  14  of the container  12  to remove the closure  26  and thereby open the container  12 . 
   There are, however, circumstances in which it may be desired permanently to defeat the child-resistant feature of the present invention, such that the child-resistant package  10  is converted to a non-child-resistant package. In other words, the child-resistant package  10  is capable of operating in two modes: a child-resistant mode as originally provided and a non-child-resistant mode as modified. The child-resistant feature may be permanently defeated by removing or separating the band  38  from the skirt  30  of the closure  26 , with the closure removed from the container, as depicted in the exploded view of  FIG. 3 . After the band is removed or separated from the closure  26 , the closure  26  will function in a non-child-resistant manner. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the band  38  may be separated from the skirt  30  of the closure  26  in any desired manner. For example, in one method, the band  38  may be separated by removing the closure  26  from the container  12 , gripping the base wall  28  and/or skirt  30  with one hand, gripping the band  38  with another hand, and pulling in opposite directions to break the frangible bridges  44  and thereby separate or remove the band  38  from the closure shell. Band  38  may also be severed from the shell. 
   There has thus been disclosed a closure, a closure and container package, and a method of manufacture that satisfy all of the objects and aims previously set forth. The present invention has been disclosed in conjunction with one exemplary embodiment thereof, and a number of modifications and variations have been discussed. Other modifications and variations will readily suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the foregoing description. For example, the invention has been disclosed in conjunction with a one-piece closure. However, additional closure elements, such as liners or other sealing elements, can be provided without departing from the disclosure. Furthermore, the invention has been disclosed in conjunction with converting a child-resistant closure to a non-child-resistant closure; however other implementations are contemplated. Indeed, the invention is intended to embrace all modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1