Patent ID: 12208946

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, where depictions are made, by way of illustration, of specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments, whether these features, elements and or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present. The term “and or” means that “and” applies to some embodiments and “or” applies to some embodiments. Thus, A, B, and or C can be replaced with A, B, and C written in one sentence and A, B, or C written in another sentence. A, B, and or C means that some embodiments can include A and B, some embodiments can include A and C, some embodiments can include B and C, some embodiments can only include A, some embodiments can include only B, some embodiments can include only C, and some embodiments include A, B, and C. The term “and or” is used to avoid unnecessary redundancy.

While exemplary embodiments of the disclosure may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Thus, nothing in the foregoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or inventions disclosed herein. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

Turning now to the figures,FIG.1illustrates a cross-sectional, exploded view of a childproof jar in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. More specifically,FIG.1depicts childproof jar100, which is shown comprising a childproof cap (cap101) and a jar102adapted to receive cap101. As mentioned above, childproof jar100may be utilized for many purposes, and thus childproof jar100may be suitable for storing items such as prescription medication, non-prescription medication, supplements, edibles or consumables and other items that may be desirably restricted from children and desirably stored in a container such as a jar, which in exemplary embodiments is typically a glass jar.

Cap101may be constructed of various materials without limiting the scope of the present invention, although typically constructed of plastics. Moreover, as is shown in the exploded view ofFIG.1, cap101comprises an exterior or outer cap103that houses an interior or inner cap104. The structural components of cap101, and more specifically of outer cap103and inner cap104, make up the mechanism requiring a heighten dexterity to operate and thereby open childproof jar100.

Jar102may also comprise of plastics or glass materials without limiting the scope of the present invention; in some embodiments jar102is constructed of a plastic or bioplastic resin. In exemplary embodiments however, jar102is constructed of glass such as soda-lime glass or soda-lime-silica glass that is suitable for consumables as discussed above. Moreover, in addition to being constructed of glass, in exemplary embodiments jar102is treated with a uv-coating that limits the light passing through into its cavity123. In some embodiments, the uv-coating only limits some lights, while in other exemplary embodiments virtually all light is blocked so that no light rays reach cavity123. Limiting or restricting light helps preserve the contents of jar102, and is typically helpful in preserving the potency of certain consumables that may be stored therein.

Outer cap103is generally an outer shell of cap101, which includes a top or outer surface105, an interior surface106(including a plurality of protrusions107), exterior wall108and interior wall109, which may include an interior ridge110that in part defines a cavity111of outer cap103. Exterior wall108may be smooth or may include ridges or other elements that add a frictional factor to aid in gripping outer cap103during operation of the safety cap101. Interior wall109is generally smooth and flat throughout the interior cavity111of outer cap103. As will be explained further below, inner cap104is typically loosely secured inside of cavity111of outer cap103between interior surface106and interior ridge110when the childproof cap is not operational.

As can be seen in the drawings, and particularly in FIG.1, interior ridge110extends inward towards the interior of cavity111constantly along a bottom edge110aof outer cap103. Inner surface106of outer cap103includes a plurality of downward projections107, which may be radially situated along a circumference of interior surface106, each of the plurality of downward projections comprising a flat base with parallel protrusions separated by a single narrow elongated gap (further described below with reference to at leastFIG.3,FIG.5(a)andFIG.5(b)).

Inner cap104is generally an inner shell of cap101, which includes top surface112, bottom surface113(which may be generally smooth and flat), exterior wall115, and interior wall116; top surface112comprises of a plurality of upward projections114radially situated along a circumference of top surface112(further described below at least with reference toFIG.2,FIG.4(a)andFIG.4(b)). Interior wall116typically includes at least a single thread117—generally defined as an interior ridge protruding from inner wall116towards the interior of inner cap104and running along wall116gradually from a lower edge117ato a higher edge177b—that engages or registers with a threaded rim mouth of jar102. In exemplary embodiments, thread117is a single continuous thread. Such design is particularly compatible with the several types of threads that may be implemented on jar102, particularly where jar102is a glass jar. For example, where jar102is made of glass, complex designs implementing notches, tabs, or other engaging and disengaging components may not be practical to implement on a glass rim mouth; such designs may be prohibitively expensive and or simply not work due to the material limitations of glass in general. Thus, because the present invention preferably implements a glass jar102(i.e. as will be discussed below, for preservation purposes of the items stored therein) in preferred embodiments, interior wall116of inner cap104employs a single continuous thread. In exemplary other embodiments however, a thread such as thread117may comprise of sections without limiting the scope of the present invention, which do not require jar102to implement auxiliary notches, tabs or similar structures.

Inner cap104, as mentioned above, rests loosely inside of outer cap103whenever cap101is not being used (i.e. either because cap101is off jar102, or because cap101is securely attached to jar102). That is, inner cap104is of a smaller size and more specifically of a smaller diameter and height than cap103so that inner cap104may fit inside cavity111of outer cap104, leaving sufficient space between the two caps so that outer cap103may rotate independently of inner cap104whenever a user—for example a child—twists outer cap103in either opening direction124or closing direction125, without properly pressing down or exerting a force along an axis of rotation126of cap101.

Jar102may be defined by a rim mouth119, outside wall120, inner wall121and thread122, which runs typically along a circumference of rim mouth119in a spiraling form. Thread122may be a single continuous thread, or in alternative embodiments, thread122may comprise of multiple threads that make up a continuous path. As mentioned above, jar102may exclude notches, tabs or auxiliary structures for engaging with cap101and more specifically for engaging with a corresponding thread117of interior wall116of inner cap104.

Turning to the next figure,FIG.2illustrates an exploded, perspective top view of childproof cap for a childproof jar in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. More specifically,FIG.2depicts outer cap103above inner cap104, which is normally inserted inside outer cap103within cavity111as shown in its fully assembled cross-sectional view ofFIG.6(a)andFIG.6(b). From this view, it may be appreciated that outer cap103has a smooth outer surface105. Without limiting the scope of the present invention, this smooth surface may be utilized to imprint or label with instructions, trademarks, or other desirable indicia on the smooth outer surface105. Exterior wall108may include a plurality of uniform ridges108ato add a frictional element or grip to outer cap103of cap101.

FIG.2depicts a clearer view of top surface112of inner cap104, which includes upward projections114radially situated along an outer edge or outer circumference of the top surface112of inner cap104. In exemplary embodiments, each of the upward projections114are evenly spaced apart and shaped in a particular structure. Along a bottom edge of inner cap104, an exterior ridge118projects uniformly outward or away from exterior wall115, which aids in keeping inner cap104inside cavity111of outer cap103. Notably from this view, it may be appreciated that in exemplary embodiments each of the upward projections114rise smoothly from exterior wall115, which facilitates the manufacturing process of inner cap104. Moreover, in exemplary embodiments, each of the upward projections114comprise of c-shaped protrusions, which will be further discussed in more detail with reference toFIG.4(b), for example.

Turning to the next figure,FIG.3illustrates an exploded, perspective bottom view of childproof cap for a childproof jar in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. From this view, it may be appreciated that interior surface106of outer cap103, although generally smooth, includes a plurality of downward projections107radially situated along a circumference of the interior surface106, which register with upward projections114of inner cap104. In exemplary embodiments, each of the downward projections107comprise of a flat base with parallel protrusions separated by a single narrow and elongated gap, which will be further discussed in more detail with reference toFIG.5(b), for example. Moreover, interior ridge110can be seen protruding inward towards an interior or cavity111of outer cap103, interior ridge110of outer cap103for supporting exterior ridge118and keeping inner cap104inside cavity111of outer cap103.

From this view, it may be further appreciated that inner cap104has a smooth interior or bottom surface113, and that the inner cap further includes an interior threaded wall that engages the threaded rim mouth of the uv-coated jar during operation of the childproof cap by application of the pressing force on the outer cap. In exemplary embodiments, as the one shown, a single continuous thread117runs from a bottom edge of inner cap104along interior wall116gradually from a lower edge117ato a higher edge177b. As mentioned above, thread117engages or registers with a complementary thread122of threaded rim mouth119of jar102.

Turning now to the next figures,FIG.4(a)illustrates a top view of an inner cap for a childproof cap in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, andFIG.4(b)illustrates a close-up of a top surface of the inner cap shown therein. More specifically,FIG.4(a)is a top view of inner cap104along line B-B, andFIG.4(b)is a close-up view depicting two of the plurality of upward projections114on top surface112of inner cap104.

From these views, it may be appreciated that in an exemplary embodiment as shown, the plurality of upward projections114radially situated along the circumference of top surface112, comprise of a plurality of c-shaped protrusions. In such embodiment, each of the plurality of c-shaped protrusions (upward projections114) may be defined by a posterior protrusion or base114aextending from an outer surface of exterior wall115of inner cap104, and a pair of anterior protrusions or legs114bextending from the posterior protrusion, which are separated by a gap114cin-between each of the legs114b. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the plurality of c-shaped protrusions rise smoothly from exterior wall115, which facilitates the manufacturing process of inner cap104. Each of the pair of legs114bform outer walls114dof the plurality of upward projections114of inner cap104, which register with the outer walls107dof the parallel protrusions107bof the interior surface106of outer cap103during operation of childproof cap101. This construction makes for a sturdier cap mechanism that is efficient, more cost effective and easier to manufacture; each of the legs114bextending from base114aand separated by gap114cprovide adequate lateral support for engaging with downward projections107when cap101is in operation, but minimizes the material required to construct inner cap104.

The next set of figures shows the downward projections in greater detail;FIG.5(a)illustrates a bottom view of outer cap103along line C-C, andFIG.5(b)is a close-up view depicting two of the plurality of downward projections107on interior surface106of inner cap103. From these views, it may be appreciated that in an exemplary embodiment as shown, the plurality of downward projections107are situated radially along an outer circumference of interior surface106, extending from interior wall109of outer cap103. Moreover, each of the plurality of downward projections107comprises of a flat base107a, from which a pair of elongated and parallel protrusions107bextend. Each of the parallel protrusions107bmay be attached or otherwise extend from the interior wall109. Furthermore, each of the parallel protrusions107bmay terminate with a rounded edge127, which facilitates longevity of the cap101components as inner cap104and outer cap103constantly make repeated contact against each other. Moreover, the rounded edges facilitate the upward projections and downward projections registering with each other whenever a user presses down on outer cap103to operate cap101.

Accordingly, outer walls107bof downward projections107register in-between upward projections114and not within, for example gap114cso that upon application of a force along the rotational axis of cap101, a twist of cap101will cause outer walls114dto contact outer walls107d, which facilitates the otherwise loosely secured inner cap104to twist along with outer cap103and hence engage both the outer cap103and the inner cap104so that rotating outer cap103engages inner cap104with the threading122of the jar and the entire cap101twists to open or close jar102. Operation of inner cap104and outer cap103are further discussed in turn with reference to the following figures.

Turning now toFIG.6(a)andFIG.6(b), cross-sectional views of childproof jar100are shown, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the former view illustrating cap101in a resting position and the latter illustrating cap101during operation of the device.

As depicted inFIG.6(a), when cap101is in a resting position or not being used, inner cap104rests loosely secured within cavity111of outer cap103so that outer cap103is free to rotate about rotational axis126without causing inner cap104to move and thus engage with thread122of jar102. Loosely secured means that there is a spacing D between inner cap104and outer cap103when cap101is in a resting position. Spacing D is large enough to allow outer cap103to freely rotate about rotational axis126without engagement of downward projections107with upwards projections114of the complementary caps of cap101. More specifically, inner cap104rests loosely secured within outer cap103forming spacing D between interior surface106of outer cap103and interior ridge110of outer cap103. Inner cap104's exterior ridge118along a bottom edge of inner cap104helps secure inner cap104inside cavity111of outer cap103as it rests therein.

As depicted inFIG.6(b), when cap101is in an active position or being used, typically a force F is applied substantially along rotational axis126(i.e. by pressing down on outer cap103) and a user further rotates or twists outer cap103, which causes downward and upward projections of outer and inner caps to register as described below and shown in the current view. When this occurs, inner cap104is engaged with outer cap103and thus outer cap103no longer turns freely or separately from inner cap104—meaning that as outer cap103turns so does inner cap104, which in turn engages thread122of jar102.

Turning to the last figure in this set,FIG.6(c)illustrates a cross-sectional view along the line segment E-E, depicting the engagement between inner cap104and an outer cap103in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. From this view, the interposition of downward projections107in-between the upward projections114of outer cap103and inner cap104, respectively is depicted. Accordingly, outer walls107bof downward projections107register in-between upward projections114so that a twist of cap101will cause outer walls114dto contact outer walls107d, which facilitates the otherwise loosely secured inner cap104to twist along with outer cap103and hence engage the cap with the threading of the jar.

Turning finally, to the last set figures,FIG.7(a)illustrates a childproof jar in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, andFIG.7(b)illustrates a childproof jar in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG.7(c)illustrates a bottom view thereof.

In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG.7(a), jar102may include inner side wall128, which does not contour to the shape of exterior wall120of jar102. In an alternative exemplary embodiment however, inner side wall128amay substantially contour to the shape of exterior wall120as shown inFIG.7(b). In some embodiments, a base129may be formed as a bottom of the container, and other known shapes in containers may be implemented without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

Finally,FIG.7(c)depicts an exemplary bottom surface of jar102, including a plurality of protrusions130that facilitate the jar's manufacture as well as the container's stability, particularly when jar102comprises glass.

A childproof jar has been described. The foregoing description of the various exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the spirit of the invention.