Child-resistant squeeze-and-turn closure, package and method of manufacturing
First Claim
1. A child-resistant closure for a container having a finish with an external thread and an axial lug on a shoulder spaced from the thread, said closure being of integrally molded plastic construction and comprising:
- a base wall,a peripheral outer wall, andan inner wall spaced from said outer wall and having an internal thread for securement to the container finish,said outer wall having diametrically opposed circumferential gaps,said inner wall extending axially in radial alignment with said gaps for circumferential abutment with the container lug,said inner wall being flexible inwardly for clearing the lug and permitting removal of the closure from the container finish.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A child-resistant closure that includes a base wall, a peripheral outer wall extending from the base wall, and an inner wall spaced radially inwardly from the outer wall and having an internal thread for securement to a container finish. The outer wall of the closure has diametrically opposed circumferential gaps, and the inner wall extends axially in radial alignment with the gaps in the outer wall for circumferential abutment with lugs on a shoulder of the container. The inner wall is flexible inwardly for clearing the container lugs and permitting removal of the closure from the container finish. The outer wall thus protects the force application area of the inner wall by reason of the fact that such force application area is recessed inwardly with respect to the circumference of the outer wall. The closure resists application of planer force to the removal area of the inner wall, such as by a child biting the closure. Furthermore, the modified dual-wall construction of the present invention may be constructed in small sizes suitable for use in conjunction with containers having small finish diameters.
80 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A child-resistant closure for a container having a finish with an external thread and an axial lug on a shoulder spaced from the thread, said closure being of integrally molded plastic construction and comprising:
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a base wall, a peripheral outer wall, and an inner wall spaced from said outer wall and having an internal thread for securement to the container finish, said outer wall having diametrically opposed circumferential gaps, said inner wall extending axially in radial alignment with said gaps for circumferential abutment with the container lug, said inner wall being flexible inwardly for clearing the lug and permitting removal of the closure from the container finish. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A child-resistant package that comprises:
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a container having a finish with an external thread and at least one axial lug on a shoulder spaced from said thread, and a closure of integrally molded plastic construction and comprising; a base wall, a peripheral outer wall, and an inner wall spaced from said outer wall and having an internal thread for securement to the container finish, said outer wall having diametrically opposed circumferential gaps, said inner wall extending axially in radial alignment with said gaps for circumferential abutment with the container lug, said inner wall being flexible inwardly for clearing the lug and permitting removal of the closure from the container finish. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of making a child-resistant closure that comprises the steps of:
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(a) molding a closure of plastic construction comprising a base wall, a peripheral outer wall, and an inner wall spaced from said outer wall and having an internal thread, (b) forming diametrically opposed circumferential gaps in said outer wall, and (c) forming diametrically opposed flexible tabs that axially extend from said inner wall in radial alignment with said gaps.
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Specification