Patent Description:
Tamper-proof or child-resistant containers, such as those used, for example, for distributing pharmaceutical medications, are widely used to restrict access to the contents. To provide greater security, especially for controlled substances, locking caps with selectively-programmable rings may be used. For example, <CIT> ("Container having a Programmable Combination Locking Cap"), issued to Secure Medication System, LLC of Fort Collins, Colorado, describes a number of embodiments of containers that include individually programmable combination locking caps. In some embodiments, the locking cap includes a number of rotatable rings that may be aligned adjacent to one another on the cap. An example of a cap available from Secure Medication System, LLC can be seen in the video currently available at https://www. com/watch?v=1B3aQOa0jd4. It shows a lockable container with rotating rings allowing the selection of a code, the rings being supported by a cap-shaped cylindrical element. This element is made in one piece, the cylindrical part having relief cuts so as to allow them to flex to fit the rings onto.

According to some embodiments of the '<NUM> patent, tabs formed on the inner surface of these rings operate in conjunction with projections formed on a canister portion of the container to allow/prevent the cap from being removed from the canister portion. Access to the contents contained in the canister portion is made possible, however, by removing one tab on each ring, so that there is nothing to interfere with the projections when the plural rings are positioned so that the removed tabs are aligned along a vertical axis associated with the projections. To facilitate aligning the rings to unlock the cap and canister portion, alphanumerical indicia may be formed on the outer surface of the ring. The indicia that position the removed tabs along the vertical axis associated with the projections on the canister portion correspond to the combination code for unlocking the container. In some implementations, the consumer may create her own combination code; in other implementations, the pharmacist may create the combination code.

In some implementations (e.g., containers for medications), the corresponding industry and customary sizes that consumers are familiar with may dictate the size of future canister and cap combinations. As a result, whereas a combination code having three or more digits (on three or more rings) may be more secure than a combination code having just two digits (on two rings), because the size of the container and the portion of that overall size that may be available for the rotatable rings may be standardized, having more rings may mean that the rings are less wide than solutions with fewer rings. Problematically, some consumers may find it more difficult to see the alphanumerical indicia on the less wide rings than on wider rings. These same and other consumers may also find it more difficult to manipulate the less wide rings than the wider rings. Furthermore, rotating three or more rings requires aligning a combination code that includes an equal number of alphanumerical indicia. Disadvantageously, rotating one ring may affect the alignment of adjacent rings (e.g., due to "sticky" rings), requiring the process to take longer and the rings having to be moved back and forth to provide an exact alignment.

Tolerances in manufacturing of, for example, the caps, the rotatable rings, the tabs on the rings, the flanges, and the canister portion, as well as the number of rotatable rings, may make unlocking the cap and canister combination, as well as opening the container, more difficult. This phenomenon may be referred to as ring indexing tolerance. Ring indexing tolerance may manifest among senior consumers whose eyesight or digital dexterity may not permit or may prolong a perfect alignment of the combination code. Alternatively, or in addition, the relative alignment of the alphanumerical indicia on outer surface of the ring with the tabs on the inner surface of the ring during manufacture may be off sufficiently, such that, even if combination code is properly aligned along the vertical axis of the projections formed on the canister portion, one or more tabs may interfere with the projections, preventing removal of the cap from the canister portion.

Finally, single-piece caps for containers often include, for holding the rings, a cylindrical member that is slightly tapered. In some instances, the tapering may induce some free play in the rings, affecting the ability to exactly align the appropriate combination code.

Advantageously, it would be beneficial to provide a container having a locking programmable feature that does not suffer from ring indexing tolerance and/or that eliminates the tapering of the cylindrical member holding the rotatable rings by providing a cylindrical member having a uniform diameter.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lockable container according to claim <NUM>. In some applications, the height of the first element is greater than the height of the second element. In other applications, the height of the first element is substantially equal to the height of the second element. While, in still other applications, the height of the first element is less than the height of the second element.

In some variations, the first element may be a canister and the second element may be a cap, such that the cap closes the second open end when the canister and cap are mated, while, in other variations, the first element may be the cap and the second element may be the canister, such that the cap covers an open end of the canister when the canister and the cap are mated.

In some implementations, the cylindrical member may include an annular flange formed at the second open end for retaining the rings. Rings may be provided on the cylindrical member for setting a combination code for locking the cylindrical member to the second element and each ring includes an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface, wherein identification elements are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rings and corresponding selectively removable tabs are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rings.

In some variations, the retainer may include: a sidewall portion having a proximal end and a distal end; a closed end formed at the proximal end; an open end at the distal end; and an annular flange formed at the open end for retaining the rings.

In some implementations, the second element may be structured and arranged to slidingly fit inside the cylindrical member. In some variations, the second closed end may include a belled portion and a lower portion of the belled portion may be structured and arranged to rest on an annular flange formed at the second open end of the cylindrical member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling access to contents within a lockable container in accordance with claim <NUM>. In some variations, the second element may be structured and arranged to slidingly fit inside the cylindrical member of the first element and/or a first second element of a first container is structured and arranged to slidingly fit inside a second element of a second container.

The method may further include one or more of: forming multiple alignment openings in the cylindrical member, and/or forming an annular flange on the second open end of the cylindrical member to retain the rings. The rings may be for setting a combination code for locking the cylindrical member to the second element, each ring having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface, wherein plural identification elements are formed on the outer peripheral surface and plural selectively removable tabs are formed on the inner peripheral surface.

In some applications, providing the retainer may include providing a sidewall portion having an open end at a distal end thereof, forming a closed end at a proximal end of the sidewall portion, and/or forming an annular flange at the open end of the sidewall portion for retaining the ring.

Various features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the invention itself, can be more fully understood from the following description of the various embodiments, when read together with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, respectively, isometric and exploded views of a first embodiment of a lockable programmable container <NUM> are shown. In some embodiments, the lockable programmable container <NUM> may include a first element <NUM>, a plurality of rotatable rings <NUM>, and a second element <NUM>. Preferably, the first element <NUM> includes multiple portions, e.g., a retainer <NUM> and a cylindrical member <NUM>. Advantageously, for this first embodiment, the multi-piece (i.e., two-piece) first element <NUM> may be structured and arranged to be used as the cap of the container <NUM>. While any number of rotatable rings <NUM> may be used, two rings <NUM> are shown in the figures and are preferred. For the first embodiment, the rotatable rings <NUM> are operatively disposed on the cap portion of the container <NUM>; for the second embodiment, discussed below, the rotatable rings <NUM> are operatively disposed on the canister portion of the container <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotatable rings <NUM> are annular, having an inner surface <NUM> and an outer surface <NUM>. In some implementations, a plurality of removable tabs <NUM> may be formed on the inner surface <NUM> of each ring <NUM>, while an alphanumeric character <NUM> may be located on the outer surface <NUM> of each ring <NUM>. The alphanumerical characters <NUM> enable the consumer, pharmacist, or authorized third party to create a multi-digit (e.g., a two-digit) combination code for the purpose of locking and selectively unlocking the container <NUM> (by re-entering the appropriate combination code). Preferably, the size and location of each alphanumerical character <NUM> on the outer surface <NUM> of the ring <NUM> corresponds to a discrete removable tab <NUM> formed on the inner surface <NUM> of the ring <NUM>. The inner diameter of the ring <NUM> may be designed so that, once the rings <NUM> are placed on the cylindrical member <NUM>, the rings <NUM>, and especially the removable tabs <NUM> on the inner surface <NUM>, will rotate smoothly about the circumference of the cylindrical member <NUM>. Removal of the tabs <NUM> and creation of a combination code are discussed below.

<FIG> show an illustrative first element <NUM> that functions as the cap of a container <NUM> in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. According to the first embodiment, the first element <NUM> includes a retainer <NUM> and a cylindrical member <NUM>. Preferably the height of the retainer <NUM> is the same, substantially the same, or less than the height of the cylindrical member <NUM>. The retainer <NUM> may be manufactured (e.g., by extrusion, molding, 3D-printing, casting, and the like) from, for example, plastic, metal, composites, or other materials while the cylindrical member <NUM> may be manufactured (e.g., by extrusion, molding, 3D-printing, casting, of the like) from, for example, plastic, metal, composites, or other materials. In some implementations, the retainer <NUM> may be fixedly attached to the cylindrical member <NUM> adhesively, by ultrasonic welding, by solvent bonding, and the like.

In some applications, the retainer <NUM> includes a fully closed first end <NUM> and an open second end <NUM> created by a (e.g., annular) sidewall <NUM> extending perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly from the closed first end <NUM>. Alignment indicia (e.g., an arrow, a line, a triangle, and the like) may be formed on the sidewall <NUM> and/or on the closed first end <NUM> for the purpose of aligning the first element <NUM> with the second element <NUM> to lock/unlock the canister <NUM>. In some variations, a flange <NUM> may be formed on the sidewall <NUM> about the open second end <NUM>. Advantageously, the flange <NUM> may be provided to retain the rotatable rings <NUM> on the cylindrical member <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the cylindrical member <NUM> includes an annular sidewall <NUM> having a first opening <NUM> (e.g., at a distal end thereof) and a second opening <NUM> (e.g., at an opposing, proximal end thereof). Advantageously, in some applications, the cylindrical member <NUM> may be configured to provide a uniform diameter between the openings <NUM>, <NUM>. For some applications, however, the annular sidewall may be slightly tapered towards the first opening <NUM>. Because the diameter of the cylindrical member <NUM> is configured to be uniform (rather than to taper), the shrink rate of a flange during manufacture may become inconsequential.

In some variations, a flange <NUM> may be formed on the sidewall <NUM> about the second opening <NUM>. Advantageously, the flange <NUM> may be provided to retain the rotatable rings <NUM> on the cylindrical member <NUM>. In some embodiments, breaks <NUM> may be provided in the flange <NUM>, so that the flange <NUM> is discontinuous. In some variations, the breaks <NUM> in the flange <NUM> are configured to be mateable with corresponding protrusions, projections, ribs <NUM>, and the like formed in the second element <NUM>.

A first notch <NUM> and a second notch <NUM> may be formed in the sidewall <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM>, such that the notches <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to extend (e.g., in an axial or longitudinal direction) from the first opening <NUM> towards the second opening <NUM>. Although <FIG> shows two first notches <NUM>, <NUM>, that is done for the purpose of illustration rather than limitation. More or fewer notches may be formed in the sidewall <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM>. Moreover, although the first notch <NUM> and the second notch <NUM> shown in <FIG> appear to be diametrically opposed to one another about the sidewall <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM>, that is also done for the purpose of illustration rather than limitation. The first notch <NUM> and the second notch <NUM> may be formed on the sidewall <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM> anywhere about the first opening <NUM>.

In some variations, the first notch <NUM> and second notch <NUM> are structured and arranged to be mateable with corresponding projections, protrusions, or the like formed on the inner surface of the sidewall <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> and may provide points for fixedly joining (e.g., adhesively, by ultrasonic welding, by solvent bonding, and the like) the retainer <NUM> and the cylindrical member <NUM>.

In some implementations, an unlocking opening <NUM> may also be formed in the sidewall <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM>. The unlocking opening <NUM> is structured and arranged to provide a window or channel in the cylindrical member <NUM> that is adapted to accommodate a plurality of projections <NUM>, <NUM> formed on the second element <NUM>. The interaction between the projections <NUM>, <NUM> and the removable tabs <NUM> located on the inner surface <NUM> of the rotatable rings <NUM> may be used to securely lock the first element <NUM> and the second element <NUM>. Preferably, the unlocking opening <NUM> is structured and arranged to extend (e.g., in a longitudinal or axial direction) from the second opening <NUM>, through the flange <NUM>, towards the first opening <NUM>, terminating at a location close to, near, or proximate the first opening <NUM>. More preferably, the unlocking opening <NUM> extends from the second opening <NUM>, through the flange <NUM>, to a location in the sidewall <NUM> that just permits the consumer, pharmacist, or other authorized third party to access (as is described in greater detail below) the corresponding tabs <NUM>, so as to allow the consumer, pharmacist, or other authorized third party to remove the tabs <NUM> corresponding to the combination code from the inner surfaces <NUM> of the rotatable rings <NUM>. As shown in FIG. 3B, the unlocking opening <NUM> may also be configured to be proximate one of the notches <NUM>. However, this is done for the purpose of illustration only. Indeed, the unlocking opening <NUM> may be formed anywhere in the sidewall <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM>.

In some variations, the unlocking opening <NUM> may be structured and arranged so as to align with the alignment indicia disposed on the sidewall <NUM> or on the closed first end <NUM> of the retainer <NUM>. The unlocking opening <NUM> may also be designed to provide a constant thickness (i.e., width) and a constant height (i.e., length).

Referring to <FIG>, an illustrative embodiment of a second element <NUM> for use with a first element <NUM> and rotatable rings <NUM> in connection with a locking container <NUM> is shown. Although the embodied second element <NUM> is shown as having a cylindrical shape, that is done for illustrative purposes only. In any of its various implementations, portions of the second element <NUM> may take on any practical structural or aesthetic shape. In some embodiments, the second element <NUM> includes an open first end <NUM>, a sidewall <NUM>, and a completely closed second end <NUM> to provide a hollow canister that provides a plenum <NUM> for storage of the contents of the container <NUM>.

In some applications, the sidewall <NUM> may include an upper (e.g., cylindrical) portion 42a and a lower portion 42b. Preferably, the outer diameter of the upper portion 42a of the sidewall <NUM> is designed to be slightly less than the inner diameter of the second opening <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM> of the first element <NUM>, so that the second element <NUM>, and more specifically, the upper portion 42a of the sidewall <NUM> of the second element <NUM> may slide or slip, without excessive frictional resistance, within the second opening <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM> of the first element <NUM>. Although the lower portion 42b may also be cylindrical in shape, it does not have to be.

In some variations, a plurality of projections <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed on the upper portion 42a of the sidewall <NUM>, so as to project therefrom. The number of projections <NUM>, <NUM> may correspond to the number of rotatable rings <NUM>; hence, for the two-ring container <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the total number of projections <NUM>, <NUM> is two. In some embodiments, the projections <NUM>, <NUM> are cubical or substantially cubical, C-shaped (as shown), I-shaped, or a combination thereof.

Optionally, to prevent unauthorized personnel from looking between the first element <NUM> and the second element to observe when empty tab spaces on the rotatable rings <NUM> are aligned within the unlocking opening <NUM>, a belled portion <NUM> may be formed to project out from the sidewall <NUM> of the second element <NUM>, e.g., at a short distance below the final projection <NUM>. The belled portion <NUM> may, in some variations, provide a delineation between the upper portion 42a and the lower portion 42b of the sidewall <NUM> of the second element <NUM>. In some applications, a plurality of protrusions, projections, ribs <NUM>, and the like may be formed within the belled portion <NUM> for the purpose of mating with corresponding breaks <NUM> in the flange <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM> of the first element <NUM>.

The belled portion <NUM> may serve as or provide a blocking function to prevent unauthorized personnel from looking between the first element <NUM> and the second element <NUM> to try to align the open or empty spaces, corresponding to where tabs <NUM> have been removed, on the inner surface <NUM> of the rotatable rings <NUM> within the unlocking opening <NUM>. As an alternative to a belled portion, if the shape and size of the lower portion 42b of the sidewall <NUM> is much greater than that of the upper portion 42a, then the lower portion 42b may provide the blocking function to prevent unauthorized personnel from looking between the first element <NUM> and the second element <NUM> to try to align the open or empty spaces in the rotatable rings <NUM> within the unlocking opening <NUM>. Alternatively, an additional projection (e.g., a blocker) may be formed on the upper portion 42a of the sidewall <NUM> of the second element <NUM>.

In normal operation, some portion of the projections <NUM>, <NUM> formed on the upper portion 42a of the second element <NUM> may be provided to (e.g., structurally) engage (i.e., interfere with) tabs <NUM> disposed on the inner surface <NUM> of the rotatable rings <NUM> to securely lock the first element <NUM> to the second element <NUM> until the appropriate combination code has been dialed up (e.g., entered) on the rotatable rings <NUM>. Once the appropriate combination code has been dialed up (e.g., entered) on the rotatable rings <NUM>, the open or empty spaces provided by the tabs removed when establishing the combination code should be properly aligned within the unlocking opening <NUM>, so that the cylindrical member <NUM> of the first element <NUM> may be removed from about the upper portion 42a of the sidewall <NUM> of the second element <NUM>.

In some implementations, alignment indicia <NUM> (e.g., an arrow, a triangle, a line, and the like) may also be formed on the lower portion 42b of the sidewall <NUM> of the second element <NUM> and/or on the belled portion <NUM>. In some embodiments, the alignment indicia <NUM> aligns with and points towards the projections <NUM>, <NUM> formed in the upper portion 42a of the second element <NUM>. In some variations, once the upper portion 42a of the sidewall <NUM> of the second element <NUM> is inserted into the second opening <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM> of the first element <NUM>, such that the projections <NUM>, <NUM> and the unlocking opening <NUM> are aligned for either locking or unlocking the container <NUM>, the alignment indicia formed on the closed first end <NUM> and/or formed on the sidewall <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> of the first element <NUM> and the alignment indicia <NUM> formed on the sidewall <NUM> and/or on the belled portion <NUM> of the second element <NUM> may themselves be aligned. Scrambling or rotating the rings <NUM> from this alignment position securely locks the container <NUM>, preventing unauthorized personnel from accessing the contents of the container <NUM>. In order to unlock the container <NUM> to access the contents, the consumer or authorized user may merely rotate the rings <NUM> to dial up (e.g., enter) the appropriate combination code between the alignment indicia formed on the retainer <NUM> of the first element <NUM> and alignment indicia <NUM> formed on the sidewall <NUM> and/or on the belled portion <NUM> of the second element <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, respectively, isometric and exploded views of a second embodiment of a locking programmable container <NUM>' are shown. In the second embodiment, the locking programmable container <NUM>' may include a first element <NUM>, a plurality of rotatable rings <NUM>, and a second element <NUM>. Preferably, the first element <NUM> may include a cylindrical member <NUM> and a retainer <NUM>. Advantageously, for this second embodiment, the multi-piece (i.e., two-piece) first element <NUM> may be structured and arranged to be used as the canister of the container <NUM>'. While any number of rotatable rings <NUM> may be used, two rings <NUM> are shown in the figures and are preferred. In this variation, the rotatable rings <NUM> may be adapted for use on the canister portion of the container <NUM>'.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotatable rings <NUM> may be annular, having an inner surface <NUM> and an outer surface <NUM>. In some implementations, a plurality of removable tabs <NUM> may be formed on the inner surface <NUM> of each ring <NUM>, while an alphanumeric character <NUM> may be located on the outer surface <NUM> of each ring <NUM>. The alphanumerical characters <NUM> enable the consumer, pharmacist, or authorized third party to create a multi-digit (e.g., a two-digit) combination code for the purpose of locking and selectively unlocking the container <NUM>' (by re-entering the appropriate combination code). Preferably, the size and location of each alphanumerical character <NUM> on the outer surface <NUM> of the ring <NUM> corresponds to the size and location of a discrete tab <NUM> formed on the inner surface <NUM> of the ring <NUM>. The inner diameter of the ring <NUM> may be designed or selected so that, once the rings <NUM> are placed on the cylindrical member <NUM> of the first element <NUM>, the rings <NUM>, and especially the removable tabs <NUM> on the inner surface <NUM> of each ring <NUM>, will rotate smoothly about the circumferential surface or periphery of the cylindrical member <NUM> of the first element <NUM>.

<FIG> show, respectively, isometric and exploded views of an illustrative first element <NUM> that functions as the canister of a container <NUM>' in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. According to the second embodiment, the first element <NUM> may include a retainer <NUM> and a cylindrical member <NUM>. The height of the retainer <NUM> may be the same, substantially the same, or greater than the height of the cylindrical member <NUM>. The retainer <NUM> may be manufactured (e.g., by extrusion, molding, 3D-printing, casting, and the like) from, for example, plastic, metals, composites, and the like, while the cylindrical member <NUM> may be manufactured (e.g., by extrusion, molding, 3D-printing, casting, and the like) from, for example, plastic, metals, composites, and the like. In some implementations, the retainer <NUM> may be fixedly attached to the cylindrical member <NUM> adhesively, by ultrasonic welding, by solvent bonding, and the like. Optionally, a plurality of notches, such as the notches shown in connection with the cylindrical member <NUM> (e.g., shown in <FIG>) may also be provided on the cylindrical member <NUM>.

In some applications, the retainer <NUM> may include a fully closed first end <NUM> and an open second end <NUM>. A (e.g., annular) sidewall <NUM> may extend perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly from the closed first end <NUM> towards the open second end <NUM>. The hollow portion of the retainer <NUM> created by the sidewall <NUM> may provide a plenum <NUM>' for storage of the contents of the container <NUM>'. Although the embodied retainer <NUM> is shown as having a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape, that is done for illustrative purposes only. In any of its various implementations, portions of the retainer <NUM> may take on any practical structural or aesthetic shape.

In some implementations, a belled portion <NUM>, having a projecting sidewall <NUM> that projects out and away from the sidewall <NUM> of the retainer <NUM>, may be formed to project out from the sidewall <NUM> of the first element <NUM>, e.g., at, close to, near, or proximate the open second end <NUM> of the retainer <NUM>. The belled portion <NUM> may serve as or provide a blocking function to prevent unauthorized personnel from looking between the first element <NUM> and the second element <NUM> to try to align the open or empty spaces, corresponding to where tabs <NUM> have been removed, on the inner surface <NUM> of the rotatable rings <NUM> within the unlocking opening <NUM>. As an alternative to a belled portion <NUM>, if the shape and size of the sidewall <NUM> are large enough, the sidewall shape may serve as or provide the blocking function. Alignment indicia <NUM> (e.g., an arrow, a line, a triangle, and the like) may be formed on the sidewall <NUM> and/or on the belled portion <NUM> for the purpose of aligning the first element <NUM> with the second element <NUM> to lock and selectively unlock the container <NUM>'.

As shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the cylindrical member <NUM> may include an annular sidewall <NUM> having a first opening <NUM> (e.g., at a distal end thereof) and a second opening <NUM> (e.g., at an opposing, proximal end thereof). A flange <NUM> may be formed on the sidewall <NUM>. In some variations, the flange <NUM> may be formed midway or approximately midway between the first opening <NUM> and the second opening <NUM>. Advantageously, the flange <NUM> may be provided to retain the rotatable rings <NUM> on the cylindrical member <NUM> and to prevent the second element <NUM> from interfering with rotation of the rings <NUM>. An unlocking opening <NUM> may be structured and arranged to bisect the cylindrical member <NUM>, extending (e.g., in a longitudinal or axial direction) from the second opening <NUM>, through the flange <NUM>, to the first opening <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM>. The width of the unlocking opening <NUM> may be designed or selected to be slightly larger than the circumferential dimension of projections <NUM>, <NUM> formed on the second element <NUM> and used to lock the first element <NUM> and the second element <NUM>, so that, when an appropriate combination code has been dialed up (e.g., entered) on the rotatable rings <NUM>, the projections <NUM>, <NUM> may slide unhindered into the unlocking opening <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM>. The width of the unlocking opening <NUM> may have a constant dimension; alternatively, the width of the unlocking opening <NUM> may taper slightly towards the first opening <NUM>.

Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the cylindrical member <NUM>' may include an annular sidewall <NUM> having a first opening <NUM> (e.g., at a distal end thereof) and a second opening <NUM> (e.g., at an opposing, proximal end thereof). A flange <NUM>' may be formed on the sidewall <NUM> at, near, or proximate the second opening <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM>'. Advantageously, the flange <NUM>' may be provided to retain the rotatable rings <NUM> on the cylindrical member <NUM> and also to prevent the second element <NUM> from interfering with the rotation of the rings <NUM>. An unlocking opening <NUM>' may be structured and arranged to extend (e.g., in a longitudinal or axial direction) from the second opening <NUM>, through the flange <NUM>', to the first opening <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM>'. The width of the unlocking opening <NUM>' may be designed or selected to be slightly larger than the circumferential dimension of projections <NUM>, <NUM> formed on the second element <NUM> and used to lock the first element <NUM> and the second element <NUM>, so that, when an appropriate combination code has been dialed up (e.g., entered) on the rotatable rings <NUM>, the projections <NUM>, <NUM> may slide unhindered into the unlocking opening <NUM>' of the cylindrical member <NUM>'. The width of the unlocking opening <NUM>' may have a constant dimension; alternatively, the width of the unlocking opening <NUM>' may taper slightly towards the first opening <NUM>. Although the unlocking opening <NUM>' may also be adapted to bisect the sidewall <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM>', as shown in <FIG>, the length of the unlocking opening <NUM>' may only extend up some portion of the height of the sidewall <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an illustrative embodiment of a second element <NUM> for use with a first element <NUM> and rotatable rings <NUM> in connection with a locking programmable container <NUM>' is shown. Although the embodied second element <NUM> is shown as having an annular shape, this is done for illustrative purposes only. Optionally, the second element <NUM> may have a belled or mushroom shape. The second element <NUM>, which in the second embodiment may function as a cap to the canister of the container <NUM>' may take on any practical structural or aesthetic shape. Advantageously, the annular, belled, and mushroom shapes may serve a blocking function to prevent unauthorized personnel from observing the location where the tabs to the combination code have removed.

In some embodiments, the second element <NUM> may include an open first end <NUM>, a (e.g., cylindrical) sidewall <NUM>, and a top portion <NUM> that includes a completely closed second end <NUM>. Preferably, the outer diameter of the sidewall <NUM> may be designed to be slightly less than the inner diameter of the second opening <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM>, <NUM>' of the first element <NUM>, so that the second element <NUM> may slip or slide, without excessive frictional resistance, within the second opening <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM>, <NUM>' of the first element <NUM>.

In some variations, a plurality of projections <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed on the sidewall <NUM> of the second element <NUM>. Preferably, the number of projections <NUM>, <NUM> may correspond to the number of rotatable rings <NUM> retained on the cylindrical member <NUM>, <NUM>'; hence, for the two-ring container <NUM>' shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the total number of projections <NUM>, <NUM> is two. In some embodiments, the projections <NUM>, <NUM> may be cubical or substantially cubical in shape. In other embodiments, the projections <NUM>, <NUM> may be C-shaped (as shown), I-shaped, or a combination thereof. Because the top portion <NUM> of the second element <NUM> is annular, belled, or mushroom-shaped, an additional (e.g., blocker) protrusion may not be not necessary, as the top portion <NUM> may be designed to extend sufficiently beyond the outer surface of the sidewall <NUM> to cover the second opening <NUM> and unlocking opening <NUM>, <NUM>' of the cylindrical member <NUM>, <NUM>' of the first element <NUM>. An optional additional (e.g., blocker) protrusion, however, may be formed on the outer surface of the sidewall <NUM> for that purpose.

A portion of the projections <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided to (e.g., structurally) engage tabs <NUM> disposed on the inner surface <NUM> of the rotatable rings <NUM> to securely lock the first element <NUM> to the second element <NUM> until the appropriate combination code has been dialed up (e.g., entered) on the rotatable rings <NUM>. Once the appropriate combination code has been dialed up (e.g., entered) on the rotatable rings <NUM>, the open or empty spaces resulting after the corresponding tabs <NUM> were removed should be properly aligned at the unlocking opening <NUM>, <NUM>', so that the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> and the second element <NUM> may be slidingly removed from within the second opening <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM>, <NUM>' of the first element <NUM>.

Alignment indicia <NUM> (e.g., an arrow, a triangle, a line, and the like) may also be formed on the top portion <NUM> of the second element <NUM>. In some variations, once the sidewall <NUM> of the second element <NUM> is (e.g., slidingly) inserted into the second opening <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM>, <NUM>' of the first element <NUM>, such that the projections <NUM>, <NUM> and the unlocking opening <NUM>, <NUM>' are aligned for either locking or unlocking the container <NUM>', the alignment indicia <NUM> on the sidewall <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> of the first element <NUM> and the alignment indicia <NUM> on the top portion <NUM> of the second element <NUM> may themselves be aligned. Scrambling or rotating the rings <NUM> from this alignment position should result in securely locking the container <NUM>', preventing unauthorized personnel from accessing the contents of the container <NUM>'. In order to unlock the container <NUM>' to access the contents, the consumer, pharmacist, or authorized third party may merely rotate the rings <NUM> to dial up the appropriate combination code between the alignment indicia <NUM>, <NUM> on the retainer <NUM> of the first element <NUM> and the top portion <NUM> of the second element <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, isometric and exploded views of a third example of a locking programmable container <NUM>' (which is not according to the claimed invention);', respectively, are shown. In some examples, the locking programmable container <NUM>" may include a first element <NUM>, a plurality of rotatable rings <NUM>, and a second element <NUM>. While any number of rotatable rings <NUM> may be used, two rings <NUM> are shown in the figures and are preferred. In this variation, the rotatable rings <NUM> may be adapted for use on the canister portion of the container <NUM>".

As shown in <FIG>, the rotatable rings <NUM> may be annular, having an inner surface <NUM> and an outer surface <NUM>. In some implementations, a plurality of removable tabs <NUM> may be formed on the inner surface <NUM> of each ring <NUM>, while an alphanumeric character <NUM> may be located on the outer surface <NUM> of each ring <NUM>. The alphanumerical characters <NUM> enable the consumer, pharmacist, or authorized third party to create a multi-digit (e.g., a two-digit) combination code for the purpose of locking and selectively unlocking the container <NUM>" (by re-entering the appropriate combination code). Preferably, the size and location of each alphanumerical character <NUM> on the outer surface <NUM> of the ring correspond to the size and location of a discrete tab <NUM> formed on the inner surface <NUM> of the ring <NUM>. The inner diameter of each ring <NUM> may be designed or selected so that, once the rings <NUM> are placed on an upper sidewall portion <NUM> of the canister portion <NUM>, the rings <NUM>, and especially the tabs <NUM> on the inner surface <NUM> of the rings <NUM>, will rotate smoothly about the circumferential surface or periphery of the upper sidewall portion <NUM>. In some applications, a plurality of protrusions <NUM> formed on and about the upper sidewall portion <NUM> of the canister element <NUM> may be used to retain the rings <NUM> on the upper sidewall portion <NUM>. Alternatively, a flange may be formed on the upper sidewall portion <NUM> to retain the rings <NUM> thereon.

<FIG> and <FIG> show an illustrative cap element <NUM> that functions as the cap of a container <NUM>" in accordance with the third example (which is not according to the claimed invention);. According to the example (which is not according to the claimed invention), the cap element <NUM> may include a retainer <NUM> (<FIG>) and a cylindrical member <NUM> (<FIG>). Preferably the height of the retainer <NUM> may be configured to have the same, substantially the same, or less than the height of the cylindrical member <NUM>. The retainer <NUM> may be manufactured (e.g., by extrusion, molding, 3D-printing, casting, and the like) from, for example, plastic, metals, composites, and the like, while the cylindrical member <NUM> may be manufactured (e.g., by extrusion, molding, 3D-printing, casting, and the like) from, for example, plastic, metals, composites, and the like. In some implementations, the retainer <NUM> may be fixedly attached to the cylindrical member <NUM> adhesively, by ultrasonic welding, by solvent bonding, and the like.

In some applications, the retainer <NUM> may include a fully closed first end <NUM> and an open second end <NUM>. A (e.g., annular) sidewall <NUM> may extend perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly from the closed first end <NUM> to the open second end <NUM>. Although the embodied retainer <NUM> is shown as having a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape, that is done for illustrative purposes only. In any of its various implementations, portions of the retainer <NUM> may take on any practical structural or aesthetic shape.

Alignment indicia <NUM> (e.g., an arrow, a line, a triangle, and the like) may be formed on the sidewall <NUM> for the purpose of aligning the cap element <NUM> with the canister element <NUM> to lock and selectively unlock the container <NUM>". In some variations, a flange <NUM> may be formed on the sidewall <NUM> of the cap portion <NUM>, e.g., at, near, close to, or proximate and/or about the open second end <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in some examples, the cylindrical member <NUM> of the cap element <NUM> may include an annular sidewall <NUM> having a first opening <NUM> (e.g., at a distal end thereof) and a second opening <NUM> (e.g., at an opposing, proximal end thereof. Multiple notches <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed in the sidewall <NUM> at the first opening <NUM>, for example, for the purpose of fixedly attaching the retainer <NUM> to the cylindrical member <NUM>. Although <FIG> shows a first notch <NUM> and a second notch <NUM>, that is done for the purpose of illustration rather than limitation. More or fewer notches may be formed in the sidewall <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM>. Moreover, although the first notch <NUM> and the second notch <NUM> shown in <FIG> appear to be diametrically opposed to one another, that is also done for the purpose of illustration rather than limitation. The first <NUM> and the second notch <NUM> may be formed on the sidewall <NUM> anywhere about the first opening <NUM>. In some variations, the first notch <NUM> and second notch <NUM> may be mateable with corresponding projections, protrusions, or the like formed on the inner surface of the sidewall <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> and may provide points of connection between the retainer <NUM> and the cylindrical member <NUM>.

In some variations, a plurality of projections <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed on the sidewall <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM> of the cap element <NUM>. In some embodiments, the projections <NUM>, <NUM> may be cubical or substantially cubical in shape, C-shaped (as shown), I-shaped, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the number of projections <NUM>, <NUM> may correspond to the number of rotatable rings <NUM> disposed or disposable on the canister element <NUM>; hence, for the two-ring container <NUM>" shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the total number of projections <NUM>, <NUM> is two. In some variations, however, an additional (e.g., blocker) protrusion may be formed on the sidewall <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM> to block the combination code from visual discovery. Because the retainer <NUM> of the cap element <NUM> includes a flange <NUM> that projects sufficiently from the sidewall <NUM>, a blocker protrusion is not necessary, as the flange <NUM> may extend sufficiently beyond the outer peripheral surface of the sidewall <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM> to cover an unlocking opening <NUM> formed in the canister element <NUM>.

A portion of the projections <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided to (e.g., structurally) engage tabs <NUM> located on the inner surface <NUM> of the rotatable rings <NUM> to securely lock the cap element <NUM> to the canister element <NUM> until the appropriate combination code has been dialed up (e.g., entered) on the rotatable rings <NUM>. Once the appropriate combination code has been dialed up (e.g., entered) on the rotatable rings <NUM>, the open or empty spaces provided after the corresponding tabs were removed should be properly aligned at the unlocking opening <NUM>, so that the cylindrical member <NUM> of the cap element <NUM> may be slidingly removed from within the unlocking opening <NUM> of the canister element <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an illustrative example of a canister element <NUM> for use with the cap element <NUM> and rotatable rings <NUM> in connection with a locking programmable container <NUM>" is shown. In some examples, the canister element <NUM> may include an open first end <NUM>, an upper sidewall portion <NUM>, a lower sidewall portion <NUM>, and a completely closed second end <NUM>. The canister element <NUM>, which in the third example (which is not according to the claimed invention) may function as a canister for the container <NUM>", may take on any practical structural or aesthetic shape. For example, as shown, in some applications, the canister element <NUM> may have a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape that, on the exterior surface of the sidewall <NUM>, <NUM>, is broken up by a projecting or belled portion <NUM>. The projecting or belled portion <NUM> formed on the canister element <NUM> may serve as or provide a blocking function to prevent unauthorized personnel from visually aligning the open or empty spaces resulting from removed tabs at or within the unlocking opening <NUM> to unlock the lockable container <NUM>".

In some implementations, the upper sidewall portion <NUM> may be designed to provide a surface having a constant circumferential dimension for holding the rotatable rings <NUM>. In some variations, however, the circumferential dimension may taper slightly towards the first open end <NUM> of the canister element <NUM>. In order to retain the rotatable rings <NUM> on the upper sidewall portion <NUM>, a plurality of (e.g., four) protrusions <NUM> may be formed in the upper sidewall portion <NUM>. In placing the rings <NUM> on the canister element <NUM>, force applied to the inner surface <NUM> of the rings <NUM> may force the protrusions <NUM> to displace radially towards the plenum of the canister element <NUM>. Once the ring <NUM> has passed over the protrusions <NUM>, the protrusions <NUM> may return to their original locations. Preferably, the inner diameter of the upper sidewall portion <NUM> may be designed or selected to be slightly greater than the outer diameter of the second opening <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM> of the cap element <NUM>, so that the cap element <NUM> may slide, without excessive frictional resistance, within the first opening <NUM> of the canister element <NUM>.

In order to set a combination code and, subsequently, to lock and selectively unlock the cap element <NUM> and the canister element <NUM>, an unlocking opening <NUM> may be formed in the upper sidewall portion <NUM> of the canister element <NUM>. Preferably, the unlocking opening <NUM> may be structured and arranged to extend (e.g., in a longitudinal or axial direction) from the first opening <NUM> towards the lower sidewall portion <NUM>. More preferably, the unlocking opening <NUM> may be structured and arranged to extend from the first opening <NUM> to a location in the upper sidewall portion <NUM> that just permits the consumer, pharmacist, or other authorized third party to access (as is described in greater detail below) the corresponding tabs <NUM>, so as to allow the consumer, pharmacist, or other authorized third party to remove the tabs <NUM> corresponding to the combination code from the inner surfaces <NUM> of the rotatable rings <NUM>. The width of the unlocking opening <NUM> should be designed to be slightly larger than the circumferential dimension of the projections <NUM>, <NUM> used to lock the cap element <NUM> and the canister element <NUM>, so that, when an appropriate combination code has been dialed up (e.g., entered) on the rotatable rings <NUM>, projections <NUM>, <NUM> formed on the cap element <NUM> may slide unhindered into the first opening <NUM> of the canister element <NUM>.

Alignment indicia <NUM> (e.g., an arrow, a triangle, a line, and the like) may also be formed, for example, on the lower sidewall portion <NUM> and/or the belled portion <NUM> of the canister element <NUM>, so as to align with the unlocking opening <NUM>. In some variations, once the cylindrical member <NUM> of the cap element <NUM> is inserted into the first opening <NUM> of the canister element <NUM>, such that the projections <NUM>, <NUM> and the unlocking opening <NUM> are aligned for either locking or unlocking the container <NUM>", the alignment indicia <NUM> on the sidewall <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> of the cap element <NUM> and the alignment indicia <NUM> on the canister element <NUM> may themselves be aligned. Scrambling or rotating the rings <NUM> from this alignment position should result in securely locking the container <NUM>", preventing unauthorized personnel from accessing the contents of the container <NUM>". In order to unlock the container <NUM>" to access the contents, the consumer, pharmacist, or authorized third party may merely rotate the rings <NUM> to dial up the appropriate combination code between the alignment indicia <NUM> on the retainer <NUM> of the cap element <NUM> and the alignment indicia <NUM> on the canister element <NUM>.

Costs associated with the shipment of lightweight canisters and containers may far exceed the costs of manufacturing, increasing the total cost of the canisters and containers. Advantageously, as shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments, multiple canisters 140a, 140b, 140c may be stacked, one inside the other, to minimize the overall volume to be shipped. In some variations, bottom portions of each of the canisters 140a, 140b, 140c may be tapered 120a, 120b, 120c, so that the tapered portion 120a of a first canister 140a is able to be slidingly inserted through a first opening 141b of a second canister 140b, while the tapered portion 120b of the second canister 140b is able to be slidingly inserted through a first opening 141c of a third canister 140c, and so forth. Although only three canisters 140a, 140b, 140c are shown in <FIG>, this is done for the purpose of illustration rather than limitation. In some variations, the tapered portions 120a, 120b, 120c of the canisters 140a, 140b, 140c may be tapered at an angle less than about ten (<NUM>) degrees, e.g., between about five (<NUM>) degrees and about ten (<NUM>) degrees. In other variations, the tapered portions 120a, 120b, 120c of the canisters 140a, 140b, 140c may be tapered at an angle greater than about ten (<NUM>) degrees.

Having described various embodiments and examples of a locking programmable container, a method of establishing a combination code and of opening and/or securing a first element to a second element of a locking container will be described. In order to lock and unlock the container, a combination code must be dialed in (e.g., entered) on the rotatable rings, such that the alphanumerical characters, on the plurality of rings and that make up the combination code, are aligned within an alignment axis defined by alignment indicia formed on the first element and alignment indicia formed on the second element and, moreover, the alphanumerical characters are aligned with an unlocking opening formed, for example, in the cylindrical member of the first element.

Recall that each ring may include a plurality of alphanumerical characters on its outer surface and a corresponding plurality of removable tabs on its inner surface. Thus, a discrete tab on the inner surface of the ring may correspond to a discrete alphanumerical character on the outer surface of the ring. The interaction between or engagement of the tabs on the inner surface of the rotatable rings, which are disposed on the first element, and a plurality of projections, which are disposed on the second element, provide the locking mechanism that secures the first element to the second element. In short, the rings, tabs, and projections, in combination, may create a programmable locking container that requires a combination code to secure and to selectively open the container. Advantageously, if R represents the number of rings and n represents the number of alphanumerical characters (and hence the number of tabs) on each ring, then the number of possible combination codes (C) for the locking container may be determined by the equation:<MAT>.

Thus, for two rings (i.e., n = <NUM>) and ten alphanumerical characters (i.e., R = <NUM>) per ring, there would be <NUM> possible combination codes (C). Increasing the number of rings (R) and/or increasing the number of alphanumerical characters (n) provide a greater number of possible combination codes.

Once the tabs corresponding to the digits of the combination code have been removed from the inner surfaces of each rotatable ring, the void, empty space, or opening left in place of the removed tab is not able to interact with the projections. As a result, when the alphanumerical characters corresponding to the tab openings are aligned between the alignment indicia on the first element and the alignment indicia on the second element, the void or empty tab openings is no longer present to obstruct movement of the projections as the second element is slidingly removed from inside of the cylindrical member of the first element.

The selective removal of tabs and the creation of a combination code can be performed at the time of manufacture (e.g., by the manufacturer) or, alternatively, the combination code may be created by the consumer, the pharmacist, or some other authorized third party. The creation process requires, first, determining what the combination code will be and then, with the first element removed from the second element, dialing in (i.e., entering) the appropriate combination code of the rings, such that the combination code is aligned with the alignment indicia on the retainer of the first element.

Aligning the combination code within the alignment position defined by the alignment indicia on the retainer of the first element and the alignment indicia on the second element ensures that the corresponding tabs for the combination code are aligned and exposed within the unlocking opening on the cylindrical member of the first element. The exposed tabs may then be removed, e.g., using a sharp instrument (e.g., a penknife, a safety razor blade, an X-ACTO® knife, nail clippers, and the like).

Alternatively, the consumer, pharmacist, authorized third party, and the like may use an encoder <NUM> to set the combination code for a locking container <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an illustrative first example of an encoding device or encoder <NUM> for programming a combination code in the rotatable rings disposed on the first element of a locking container is shown. In some examples, the encoder <NUM> may include a base portion <NUM> and a plunger portion <NUM>. In some implementations, the base portion <NUM> of the encoder <NUM> may be configured to include a base element <NUM> (e.g., to provide support and stability) to which a post portion <NUM> is fixedly attached (e.g., via unitary construction). In some variations, the post portion <NUM> may be structured and arranged to be a hollow cylinder having a first, closed end at a proximal end thereof (e.g., at the base element <NUM>) and a second, open end <NUM> at a distal end thereof. In some variations, the post portion <NUM> may include a plurality of concentric, coaxial hollow cylinders. The second, open end <NUM>, as well as the inner plenum of the hollow cylinder, may be designed and dimensioned to accommodate a biasing element <NUM> (e.g., a spring) within the inner plenum of the hollow post portion <NUM>.

A pair of retaining projections <NUM> may be formed on the sidewall of the post portion <NUM>. Preferably, the retaining projections <NUM> may be configured to be diametrically opposed to one another on the sidewall of the post portion <NUM>. Furthermore, on the sidewall of the post portion <NUM>, for example, equidistant from the retaining projections <NUM>, an upper projection <NUM> and a lower projection <NUM> may be formed. In some applications, the upper projection <NUM> may be structured and arranged to fixedly retain a cutting element <NUM> for cutting the removable tabs <NUM>. Preferably, the width dimension of the upper projection <NUM> is designed to pass through the unlocking opening <NUM> in the cylindrical member <NUM> of the first element <NUM> without significant frictional resistance.

To cover the cutting element <NUM> (e.g., to prevent injury from an otherwise exposed cutting element <NUM>), a cantilevered element <NUM> may be provided. In some implementations, the cantilevered element <NUM> may be rotatably attached to the base element <NUM> near, close to, or proximate where the lower projection <NUM> joins the base element <NUM>, such that the cantilevered element <NUM> may flex out and away from the upper projection <NUM> and the cutting element <NUM> during the encoding process. In some variations, alignment indicia <NUM> may be formed at a distal end of the cantilevered element <NUM> for use in aligning the first element <NUM> and, more particularly, the unlocking opening <NUM> on the encoder <NUM>.

In some examples, the plunger portion <NUM> may be configured as a hollow cylinder that includes an open first end <NUM>, a partially closed second end <NUM>, and a sidewall <NUM> disposed therebetween. Preferably, the inner diameter of the open first end <NUM> may be designed or selected to be slightly greater than the outer diameter of the post portion <NUM> of the base portion <NUM>, so that the inner surface of the plunger portion <NUM> may translate over the outer surface of the post portion <NUM> without excessive frictional resistance. Optionally, an opening <NUM> may be formed in the partially closed second end <NUM>. Advantageously, the optional opening <NUM> promotes a constant wall thickness during plastic injection molding and, also, enables users to view the biasing element <NUM> disposed within the post portion <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> and the plunger portion <NUM>.

To accommodate the upper projection <NUM> and the lower projection <NUM>, a longitudinal opening <NUM> may be configured or formed in the sidewall <NUM> of the plunger portion <NUM>. A plurality (e.g., a pair) of longitudinal openings <NUM> for receiving the retaining projections <NUM> on the post portion <NUM> may also be provided or formed in the plunger portion <NUM>. The openings <NUM> may be structured and arranged to cooperate with the pair of retaining projections <NUM> to slidingly connect the plunger portion <NUM> to the post portion <NUM> of the base portion <NUM>. Preferably, the openings <NUM> may be configured to be diametrically opposed to one another on the sidewall <NUM> of the plunger portion <NUM>. More preferably, the openings <NUM> may be designed or dimensioned to accommodate the necessary translation of the plunger portion <NUM> during the encoding process to produce the combination code on the rings <NUM>.

In some applications, in order to properly position the first element <NUM> on the encoder <NUM> and/or to properly maintain the position of first element <NUM> during the encoding process, a plurality of (e.g., longitudinal or axial) ribs <NUM> may be provided about the sidewall <NUM> of the plunger portion <NUM>. Advantageously, in some examples, the locations of the ribs <NUM> may be structured and arranged on the sidewall <NUM> so that the ribs <NUM> may be mateable with corresponding breaks <NUM> in the flange <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM> of the first element <NUM>. Mating of the ribs <NUM> and the breaks <NUM> in the flange <NUM> may minimize the rotation of the first element <NUM> during the encoding process.

Having described a first example of an encoding device <NUM>, a process for encoding the rings <NUM> of the canister <NUM> using the encoding device <NUM> will now be described. In a first step, encoding the rings <NUM> disposed on the first element <NUM> includes dialing up (e.g., entering) the combination code on the alphanumerical characters <NUM> on the rings <NUM> disposed on the first element <NUM>. Preferably, the desired combination code is aligned with alignment indicia formed on the first element <NUM>. In a next step, the first element <NUM> with the desired combination code may be placed over and on the plunger portion <NUM>. Advantageously, the ribs <NUM> on the plunger portion <NUM> and the breaks <NUM> in the flange <NUM> of the cylindrical member <NUM> of the first element <NUM> may facilitate placing and properly aligning the first element <NUM> on the plunger portion <NUM>. In a next step, the user should ensure that the desired combination code is now properly aligned between the alignment indicia on the retainer <NUM> of the first element <NUM> and the alignment indicia <NUM> on the cantilevered element <NUM>.

Once the user is comfortable with the combination code and its proper alignment on the encoding device <NUM>, the user may apply an axial force to the closed end <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> of the first element <NUM> (e.g., by using the palm of the user's hand), compressing the biasing element <NUM> and driving the first element <NUM> and the plunger portion <NUM> downwards towards the base element <NUM>. In some applications, as the first element <NUM> is driven downwards, the rings <NUM> may cause or force the cantilevered element <NUM> to flex out and away from the cutting element <NUM>, while the upper projection <NUM> and the cutting element <NUM> slide into the unlocking opening <NUM> in the cylindrical member <NUM> of the first element <NUM>, removing the tabs <NUM> associated with the alphanumerical characters <NUM> of the desired combination code.

Once the encoding is completed, the user may remove the load or force applied to the closed end <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> of the first element <NUM>, allowing the biasing element <NUM> to return the plunger portion <NUM> to its initial (e.g., at rest) position. The first element <NUM> may then be removed from the plunger portion <NUM> and inspected to ensure that the tabs <NUM> associated with the combination code were completed removed from the inner surface <NUM> of the rings <NUM>. The user may then want to ensure that the locking feature and the combination code work by, first, scrambling the rotating rings <NUM> and by, then, dialing up (i.e., entering) the appropriate combination code on the rings <NUM>. Once the appropriate combination code is dialed up (e.g., entered), the user may again visually inspect the inner surfaces <NUM> of the rings <NUM> through the second opening <NUM> and the unlocking opening <NUM> in the cylindrical member <NUM> of the first element <NUM> to ensure that the void or empty space left by the removed tabs <NUM> appears within the unlocking opening <NUM>. The verification process may also be repeated after the first element <NUM> and second element <NUM> have been joined and the rings <NUM> scrambled again.

Referring to <FIG>, a second example of an encoding device or encoder <NUM>' is shown. In some embodiments, the encoder <NUM>' may be structured and arranged as a hollow or substantially hollow cylinder having a sidewall <NUM>' and at least one open end <NUM>'. The opposing end may be opened or closed or a combination of the two. In some applications, a cutting device <NUM>' may be formed at, near, close to, or proximate an opening <NUM> in the sidewall <NUM>' of the encoder <NUM>'. In some variations, the cutting device <NUM>' may include an upper projection <NUM>', a lower projection <NUM>', and a cantilevered element <NUM>', which may be configured to operate as previously described in connection with the first embodied encoder <NUM>. A cutting element <NUM>' may be fixedly attached to the upper projection <NUM>'.

Having described a second example of an encoding device <NUM>', a process for encoding the rings of the container <NUM> using the encoding device <NUM>' will now be described. In a first step, encoding the rings <NUM> disposed on the first element <NUM> includes dialing up (e.g., entering) the combination code on alphanumerical characters <NUM> on the rings <NUM> disposed on the first element <NUM>. Preferably, the desired combination code may be aligned with alignment indicia formed on the first element <NUM>. In a next step, the first element <NUM> with the desired combination code may be placed over the open end <NUM>' about the sidewall <NUM>' of the encoder <NUM>'. In a next step, the user should ensure that the desired combination code is now properly aligned between the alignment indicia on the retainer <NUM> of the first element <NUM> and the cantilevered element <NUM>'.

Once the user is comfortable with the combination code and its proper alignment on the encoding device <NUM>', the user may apply an axial force to the closed end <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> of the first element <NUM> (e.g., by using the palm of the user's hand), driving the first element <NUM> downwards. In some applications, as the first element <NUM> is driven downwards, the rings <NUM> may force or cause the cantilevered element <NUM>' to flex out and away from the cutting element <NUM>', while the upper projection <NUM>' and the cutting element <NUM>' slide into the unlocking opening <NUM> in the cylindrical member <NUM> of the first element <NUM>, removing the tabs <NUM> associated with alphanumerical characters <NUM> of the desired combination code.

Once the encoding is completed, the user may remove the first element <NUM> from the encoder <NUM>' and inspect it to ensure that the tabs <NUM> were completed removed from the inner surface <NUM> of the rings <NUM>. The user may then want to ensure that the locking feature and the combination code work by, first, scrambling the rotating rings <NUM> and by, then, dialing up (i.e., entering) the appropriate combination code on the rings <NUM>. Once the appropriate combination code is dialed up (e.g., entered), the user may again visually inspect the inner surfaces <NUM> of the rings <NUM> through the second opening <NUM> and the unlocking opening <NUM> in the cylindrical member <NUM> of the first element <NUM> to ensure that the void or empty space left by the removed tabs <NUM> appears within the unlocking opening <NUM>. The verification process may also be repeated after the first element <NUM> and second element <NUM> have be joined and the rings <NUM> scrambled again.

Claim 1:
A lockable container (<NUM>) comprising:
a first element (<NUM>) comprising:
a cylindrical member (<NUM>) having a first open end (<NUM>) at a proximal end thereof and a second open end (<NUM>) at a distal end thereof;
at least two rings (<NUM>) rotatably supported by the cylindrical member (<NUM>); and a retainer (<NUM>) for capturing the rings (<NUM>) on the cylindrical member (<NUM>) and covering the first open end (<NUM>); and
a second element (<NUM>) mateable with the first element (<NUM>) and comprising structure that cooperates with the rings to close the second open end (<NUM>) to control access to an interior of the container (<NUM>),
wherein the retainer (<NUM>) is fixedly attached to the cylindrical member (<NUM>),
wherein the second element (<NUM>) comprises: a cylindrical member having a first open end (<NUM>) and a second closed end (<NUM>), and a plurality of projections (<NUM>, <NUM>) formed on an exterior surface thereof, and
wherein the projections (<NUM>, <NUM>) are structured and arranged to slidingly pass through an unlocking opening (<NUM>) formed in the cylindrical member (<NUM>) when a combination code is selected on the rings.