Closure and container package with child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation

• US 8,757,407 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2006
• Issued: 06/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rexam Prescription Products Incorporated (Gerresheimer AG)
• Original Assignee: Rexam Prescription Products Incorporated (Gerresheimer AG)
• Inventors: Konefal, Robert S., Wolfe, Steven R., Shingle, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathew, Fenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smalley, James N
• Application Number:
  US11/443,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20060213861A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,947 Days
• Field of Search: 215/43, 215/222, 215/228, 215/332, 220/293, 220/298, 220/300, 220/301
• US Class Current: 215/222
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2215/02 requiring the combination of simultaneous actions
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/09 Reversible caps or lids, e.g. with threads on one side and a plug on the other
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 41/06 with bayonet cams , i.e. removed by first pushing axially to disengage the cams and then rotating

Abstract

A package that has both child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation. A container has an end with an open mouth surrounded by a container wall with a central axis and at least one first lock element extending radially outwardly from the wall. A closure includes an annular base wall having inner and outer peripheral edges. A cylindrical skirt extends from the outer peripheral edge of the base wall, and at least one second lock element is disposed on the skirt. A projection extends axially from the inner peripheral edge of the base wall in a direction opposite from the skirt. The projection has an annular sidewall spaced radially inwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the skirt. The closure is adapted to be secured to the container in a child-resistant mode of operation with the second lock element on the skirt releasably engaged with the first lock element on the container wall, and with the inner peripheral edge of the base wall in resilient engagement with the outer surface of the container wall to bias the lock elements in engagement with each other and to seal the package. The closure is adapted to be inverted and secured to the container in a non-child-resistant mode of operation with the annular sidewall of the projection received in plug-sealing engagement within the container mouth.

Claims

1. A package having child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation, which includes:

a container having an end with an open mouth surrounded by a container wall with a central axis and an outer surface surrounding said mouth, and at least one first lock element extending radially outwardly from said wall, and

a closure that includes an annular base wall having inner and outer peripheral edges, a cylindrical skirt extending from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall, at least one second lock element on said skirt, and a projection extending axially from said inner peripheral edge of said base wall in a direction opposite from said skirt, said projection having an annular sidewall spaced radially inwardly from said outer peripheral edge of said skirt,

said closure being adapted to be secured to said container in a child-resistant mode of operation with said at least one second lock element on said skirt releasably engaged with said at least one first lock element on said container wall, and with said inner peripheral edge of said base wall in engagement with said outer surface of said container wall to bias said lock elements in engagement with each other and to seal said package,

said closure being adapted to be secured to said container in a non-child-resistant mode of operation with said annular sidewall of said projection received in plug-sealing engagement within said container mouth,

said closure including a wall extending from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall, said wall being of sufficient length to radially outwardly cover said at least one first lock element on said container by extending axially below said at least one first lock element when said projection is received within the container mouth,

said container wall being radially resiliently flexible around said mouth, flexing radially inwardly from engagement with said inner peripheral edge of said base wall in said child-resistant mode of operation and radially outwardly from engagement with said annular wall in said non-child-resistant mode of operation,

said container including an internal channel in said container wall adjacent to an end of said container wall to facilitate inward flexure of said wall around said mouth.

2. The package set forth in claim 1 wherein said base wall is flat lying in a plane between said inner and outer peripheral edges, and wherein said inner and outer peripheral edges are circular and concentric.

3. The package set forth in claim 1 wherein said container wall tapers in radial thickness surrounding said mouth.

4. A package having child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation, which includes:

a container having an end with an open mouth surrounded by a container wall with a central axis and an outer surface surrounding said mouth, and at least one first lock element extending radially outwardly from said wall, and

a closure that includes an annular base wall having inner; and

outer peripheral edges, a cylindrical skirt extending from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall, at least one second lock element on said skirt, and a projection extending axially from said inner peripheral edge of said base wall in a direction opposite from said skirt, said projection having an annular sidewall spaced radially inwardly from said outer peripheral edge of said skirt,

said closure being adapted to be secured to said container in a child-resistant mode of operation with said at least one second lock element on said skirt releasably engaged with said at least one first lock element on said container wall, and with said inner peripheral edge of said base wall in engagement with said outer surface of said container wall to bias said lock elements in engagement with each other and to seal said package,

said closure being adapted to be secured to said container in a non-child-resistant mode of operation with said annular sidewall of said projection received in plug-sealing engagement within said container mouth,

said closure including a wall extending from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall, said wall being of sufficient length to radially outwardly cover said at least one first lock element on said container by extending axially below said at least one first lock element when said projection is received within the container mouth,

said container wall being radially inflexible around said mouth, and said closure being adapted to flex radially outwardly around said base wall for urging said second lock element against said first lock element,

said wall of said container wall including a radially outwardly extending external bead surrounding said mouth and stiffening said container wall against radial flexure around said mouth, said bead having a conical outer surface for engagement by said inner peripheral edge of said base wall in said child-resistant mode of operation to flex said base wall radially outwardly.

5. The package set forth in claim 4 wherein said closure includes a flexible resilient wall spaced radially outwardly from said annular wall of said projection for resiliently embracing said bead on said container wall in said non-child-resistant mode of operation.

6. A package having child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation, which includes:

a container having an end with an open mouth surrounded by a container wall with a central axis and an outer surface surrounding said mouth, and at least one first lock element extending radially outwardly from said wall, and

a closure that includes an annular base wall having inner and outer peripheral edges, a cylindrical skirt extending from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall, at least one second lock element on said skirt, and a projection extending axially from said inner peripheral edge of said base wall in a direction opposite from said skirt, said projection having an annular sidewall spaced radially inwardly from said outer peripheral edge of said skirt,

said closure being adapted to be secured to said container in a child-resistant mode of operation with said at least one second lock element on said skirt releasably engaged with said at least one first lock element on said container wall, and with said inner peripheral edge of said base wall in engagement with said outer surface of said container wall to bias said lock elements in engagement with each other and to seal said package,

said closure being adapted to be secured to said container in a non-child-resistant mode of operation with said annular sidewall of said projection received in plug-sealing engagement within said container mouth,

said closure including a wall extending from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall, said wall being of sufficient length to radially outwardly cover said at least one first lock element on said container by extending at least axially even with said at least one first lock element when said projection is received within the container mouth,

wherein said wall extends from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall in a direction opposite from said skirt for engaging said at least one first lock element on said container in said non-child-resistant mode of operation.

7. The package set forth in claim 6 wherein said at least one first lock element includes a plurality of projections on said container wall, said projections having shoulders in a common plane, and wherein said wall extending from said outer peripheral edge has an internal bead for engagement over said shoulders in said non-child-resistant mode of operation.

8. A package having child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation, which includes:

a container having an end with an open mouth surrounded by a container wall with a central axis and an outer surface surrounding said mouth, and at least one first lock element extending radially outwardly from said wall, and

a closure that includes an annular base wall having inner and outer peripheral edges, a cylindrical skirt extending from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall, at least one second lock element on said skirt, and a projection extending axially from said inner peripheral edge of said base wall in a direction opposite from said skirt, said projection having an annular sidewall spaced radially inwardly from said outer peripheral edge of said skirt,

said closure being adapted to be secured to said container in a child-resistant mode of operation with said at least one second lock element on said skirt releasably engaged with said at least one first lock element on said container wall, and with said inner peripheral edge of said base wall in engagement with said outer surface of said container wall to bias said lock elements in engagement with each other and to seal said package,

said closure being adapted to be secured to said container in a non-child-resistant mode of operation with said annular sidewall of said projection received in plug-sealing engagement within said container mouth,

said closure including a wall extending from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall, said wall being of sufficient length to radially outwardly cover said at least one first lock element on said container by extending axially below said at least one first lock element when said projection is received within the container mouth.