Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CHILD-RESISTANT PACKAGE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the invention
The invention relates to a package for dispensing and delivering
product. The invention further relates to a child-resistant package. The
invention still further relates to a closure for a child-resistant package.
The
invention still yet further relates to a container for a child-resistant
package.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Child-resistant packages have been developed for use in dispensing
products deemed potentially harmful to children if imbibed or otherwise
exposed. Such packages typically comprise a container and a closure. The
closure typically requires mechanical manipulation to unscrew or decouple
is from the container. Some common types include push-and-turn and
squeeze-and-turn. Such packages have commonly been employed with
tubular plastic dispensing containers.
Some squeeze-and-turn tubular plastic dispensing containers have
employed locking lugs on the base or shoulder of a container to engage
portions of a closure. Examples of such packages are shown in Great
Britain Patent Application 2,030,970 A1 and U.S. Patent Nos. 4,335,823;
4,413,743; 5,145,080; 5,988,412; 5,915,576; 6,112,921 and 6,357,615 B1.
Squeeze-and-turn tubular plastic dispensing containers have
heretofore been unavailable in small diameter sizes, i.e., 0.50 to 0.75 inch
in base or shoulder diameter. Containers of small diameter are difficult to
design because of the relatively small circumference available to achieve
mating between lugs and the closure.
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It would be desirable to have a child-resistant package of small
diameter size. It would further be desirable to have a child-resistant
package of the squeeze-and-turn type. It would further be desirable to have
a child-resistant package employing locking lugs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is a dispensing tube
package. The package has a dispensing container and a closure
engageable and lockable with the dispensing container. The container has
a body wall and a head. The head has a neck and a shoulder. The body
wall defines a chamber therein. The neck communicates with the body wall
via the shoulder. The neck has an orifice therein and a passageway
therethrough extending from the orifice to the chamber. One or more lugs
extend from the shoulder adjacent the periphery of the shoulder. The neck
has a first thread extending therefrom. The first thread has a pitch of about
0.08 to about 0.16 inch and an initial full thread generally in alignment with
the lug directional with the longitudinal extension of the neck. The closure
has a top end having a generally circumferential outer skirt extending
therefrom and a generally circumferential inner skirt extending therefrom.
The inner skirt is situated inside the outer skirt. The inner skirt has a
second thread extending therefrom at an inner surface. The second thread
is rotatably engageable with the first thread of the neck. The outer skirt
terminates at a first edge opposite the top end. The inner skirt terminates
at a second edge opposite the top end. The outer skirt has a slot therein
extending inward from the edge. The slot therein is adapted to receive a
portion of the lug therein when the closure is in locking position with the
head.
Further according to the present invention, there is a dispensing
container. The dispensing container has a body wall and a head. The
head has a neck and a shoulder. The body wall defines a chamber therein.
The neck communicates with the body wall via the shoulder. The neck has
an orifice therein and a passageway there through extending from the
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orifice to the chamber. One or more lugs extend from the shoulder
adjacent the periphery of the shoulder. The neck has a first thread
extending therefrom. The first thread has a pitch of about 0.08 to about
0.16 inch and an initial full thread generally in alignment with the lug
directional with the longitudinal extension of the neck.
Further according to the present invention, there is a closure. The
closure has a top end having a generally circumferential outer skirt
extending therefrom and a generally circumferential inner skirt extending
therefrom. The inner skirt is situated inside the outer skirt. The inner skirt
has a second thread extending therefrom at an inner surface. The second
thread is rotatably engageable with the first thread of the neck. The outer
skirt terminates at a first edge opposite the top end. The inner skirt
terminates at a second edge opposite the top end. The outer skirt has a
slot therein extending inward from the edge. The slot defines a flat surface
adjacent thereto. The flat surface is generally directional with the
longitudinal extension of the outer skirt. The slot extends angularly from
the edge therein to the flat surface.
Further according to the invention, there is a dispensing packaging.
The package has a dispensing container and a closure. The container has
a body wall and a head. The head has a neck and a shoulder. The body
wall defines a chamber therein. The neck communicates with the body wall
via the shoulder. The neck has an orifice therein and a passageway
therethrough extending from the orifice to the chamber. There are two or
more lugs extending from the shoulder adjacent the periphery of the
shoulder. The neck has two or more intertwining threads extending
therefrom and therealong. The threads have a pitch of about 0.15 to about
0.30 inch. Each of the two or more threads have an initial full thread
generally in alignment with a lug directional with the longitudinal extension
of the neck. The closure is engageable and lockable with the dispensing
container. The closure has a top end having a generally circumferential
outer skirt extending therefrom and a generally circumferential inner skirt
extending therefrom. The inner skirt is situated inside the outer skirt. The
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inner skirt has two or more intertwining threads extending therefrom and
therealong at an inner surface. The two or more intertwining threads are
rotatably engageable with the two or more intertwining threads of the neck.
The outer skirt terminates at a first edge opposite the top end. The inner
skirt terminates at a second edge opposite the top end. The outer skirt has
a slot therein extending inward from the edge. The slot therein is adapted
to receive a portion of the two or more lugs therein when the closure is in
locking position with the head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a dispensing
package according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a closure
according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the closure of Figure 2 along
the line 3-3.
Figure 4 is a side view of the closure of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a perspective partial view of an embodiment of a
dispensing container according to the present invention.
Figure 6 is a top view of the dispensing container of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a side view of the dispensing container of Figure 5.
Figure 8 is a cross-section view of the package of Figure 1 along line
8-8.
Figure 9 is a closeup view of the threads of the closure of Figure 3.
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Figure 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a closure
of the present invention.
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the closure of Figure 10 along
the line 11-11.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a
dispensing container according to the present invention.
Figure 13 is a partial side view of the dispensing container of Figure
12.
Figure 14 is another partial side view of the dispensing container of
Figure 12.
Figure 15 is a top view of the dispensing container of Figure 12.
Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of a package formed when the
closure of Figure 2 is engaged with the dispensing container of Figure 12 in
the same manner as in Figure 1. The cross-section is viewed from the
same reference as line 8-8 in Figure 1.
Figure 17 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a
dispensing container according to the present invention.
Figure 18 is a partial side view of the dispensing container of Figure
17.
Figure 19 is a partial side view of the dispensing container of Figure
17.
Figure 20 is top view of the dispensing container of Figure 17.
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Figure 21 is a fragmentary, perspective view of still yet another
embodiment of a dispensing container according to the present invention.
Figure 22 is a fragmentary, side view of the dispensing container of
Figure 21.
Figure 23 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the dispensing
container of Figure 21 joined with a closure to form a package.
Figure 24 is a fragmentary, side view of the dispensing container of
Figure 21 joined with a closure to form a package.
Figure 25 is a side view of a closure according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The following are preferred aspects and features of the present
invention.
A preferred slot in the closure can be substantially the same shape
as the portion of the lug to be received therein. The slot defines a vertical
edge adjacent thereto, and the vertical edge is generally directional with
respect to the longitudinal extension of the outer skirt. The slot extends
angularly from the edge of the outer skirt therein to the vertical edge.
A preferred lug defines a flat surface generally directional with the
longitudinal extension of the neck. The flat surface is engaged with the
vertical edge when the closure is in locking position with the head. In one
embodiment, the lug extends from the neck radially outward. The lug is
substantially free of contact with the neck. In another embodiment, the lug
has a notch therein at an outer portion thereof with the notch bearing a flat
surface. In a preferred embodiment, there are two lugs extending from the
shoulder with the two lugs being positioned oppositely about the neck.
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Preferably, the height of the lug is about one-half of the pitch of the thread
on the outer surface of the neck.
In a preferred closure, the outer surface of the outer skirt defines
knurls therein extending generally from the bottom edge toward the top end
of the closure. The inner surface of the outer skirt has one or more ribs
extending from about the middle thereof toward the top end to mechanically
strengthen the closure. Most preferably, there are three to six ribs. The
shoulder has a more preferred diameter of about 0.5 to about 0.75 inch and
a most preferred diameter of about 0.6 inch. The inner and outer skirts are
most preferably tapered inward about 0.5° (degrees) with respect to the
longitudinal extension of the closure to enhance moldability during injection
molding of the closure. The closure preferably has a plug seal extending
circumferentially from the top end generally directional to the longitudinal
extension of the closure. The plug seal is adapted to fit within and seal the
orifice when the closure is in locking position with the head. In lieu of a
plug seal, the closure may have a foam layer situated at a central area of
an inner surface of the top end thereof. The foam layer would be adapted
to fit over and seal the orifice when the closure is in locking position with
the head. The shoulder can be sloped or flat in shape. The thread on the
neck preferably has a pitch of about 0.1 to about 0.12 inch and most
preferably a pitch of about 0.1 inch. In addition to having an initial full
thread generally in alignment with a lug directional with the longitudinal
extension of the neck, a preferred dispensing container also has a terminal
full thread generally in alignment same.
An embodiment of a dispensing tube package is shown in Figure 1
and is generally referenced by the numeral 10. Package 10 has a
dispensing container 20 and a closure 12 engageable and lockable with
container 20. Closure 12 is shown in isolation in Figure 2. As shown in
Figure 5, container 20 has a body wall 16 and a head 22. Head 22 has a
neck 24 and a shoulder 26. Body wall 16 defines a chamber 28 therein.
Neck 24 communicates with body wall 16 via shoulder 26. Neck 24 has an
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orifice 28 therein and a passageway 30 therethrough extending from orifice
28 to chamber 28.
As shown in Figures 6 and 7, lugs 32 and 34 extend from shoulder
26 radially outward from neck 24 to adjacent the periphery of shoulder 26.
Lugs 32 and 34 are situated generally oppositely about neck 24. Lugs 32
and 34 define flat surfaces 52 and 54 and angled surfaces 56 and 58,
respectively. In lug 32, angled surface 56 slopes upward from shoulder 26
to intersect with flat surface 52, which extends generally directionally with
the longitudinal extension of neck 24. In lug 34, angled surface 58 slopes
upward from shoulder 26 to intersect with flat surface 54, which extends
generally directionally with the longitudinal extension of neck 24. Lugs 32
and 34 take the general shape of a triangloid or a wedge.
Thread 36 extends from an upper portion of neck 24. Thread 36 has
a pitch of about 0.08 to about 0.16 inch. Thread 36 has an initial full thread
60 and a terminal full thread 62 generally in alignment with flat surface 52
of lug 32 directional with the longitudinal extension of neck 24.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, closure 12 has a top end 38 having a
generally circumferential outer skirt 40 extending therefrom. Closure 12
also has a generally circumferential inner skirt 42 extending therefrom
inside outer skirt 40. Inner skirt 42 has a thread 46 extending from its inner
surface. Thread 36 of neck 24 can be screwed into thread 46 of inner skirt
42. Outer skirt 40 terminates at a first edge 48 opposite top end 38. Inner
skirt 42 terminates at a second edge 50 opposite top end 38. Outer skirt 40
has a slot 14 and another slot 15 oppositely situated thereabout that extend
inwardly therein from first edge 48. Slot 14 has an angled edge 62 that
angles and curves inward into outer skirt 40 and intersects a vertical edge
64 that is generally directional with respect to the longitudinal extension of
outer skirt 40. Slot 15 has an angled edge 66 that angles and curves
inward into outer skirt 40 and intersects a vertical edge 68 that is generally
directional with respect to the longitudinal extension of outer skirt 40.
Slots
14 and 15 are adapted to receive an outer portion of each of lugs 32 and
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34, respectively, when closure 12 is in locking position with head 22 as
shown in Figures 1 and 8. Slots 14 and 15 slide over and/or around the
outer portion of lugs 32 and 34 as closure 12 is screwed on container 20.
In locking position, verticle edge 64 is generally in abutment with or
adjacent to vertical surface 52 and vertical edge 68 of slot 15 is generally
in
abutment with or adjacent to vertical surface 54. Further in locking
position, angled edge 62 is generally in abutment with or adjacent to angled
surface 56 and a corresponding angled edge (not shown) of slot 15 is
generally in abutment with or adjacent to angled surface 58.
Closure 12 defines knurls 18 and 19 therein at the outer surface of
outer skirt 40 extending from first edge 48 toward top end 38. Knurls 18
and 19 provide a gripping surface for the fingers (not shown) to squeeze,
turn and remove closure 12 from container 20. When closure 12 is
squeezed at knurls 18 and 19, the portions of outer skirt 40 having slots 14
and 15 therein are forced outward, thereby releasing lugs 32 and 34 from
their locking position with slots 14 and 15.
An embodiment of a dispensing container is shown in Figure 12 and
is generally referenced by the numeral 80. Closure 12 is shown in isolation
in Figure 2. Container 80 has a body wall 88 and a head 82. Head 82 has
a neck 84 and a shoulder 86. Body wall 88 defines a chamber 89 therein.
Neck 84 communicates with body wall 88 via shoulder 86. Neck 84 has an
orifice 94 therein and a passageway 98 therethrough extending from orifice
94 to chamber 89.
As shown in Figures 13 to 16, lugs 90 and 92 radially extend from
shoulder 86 from neck 84 to adjacent the periphery of shoulder 86. Lugs
90 and 92 are situated generally oppositely about neck 84. Lugs 90 and 92
define flat surfaces 100 and 102, normal surfaces 104 and 106 and angled
surfaces 108 and 110, respectively. In lug 90, angled surface 108 slopes
upward from shoulder 86 to generally intersect with flat surface 100, which
extends generally directionally with the longitudinal extension of neck 84.
Normal surface 104 also extends generally directionally with the
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longitudinal extension of neck 84 and is also generally perpendicular with
respect to flat surface 108. In lug 92, angled surface 110 slopes upward
from shoulder 86 to generally intersect with flat surface 102, which extends
generally directionally with the longitudinal extension of neck 84. Normal
surface 106 also extends generally directionally with the longitudinal
extension of neck 84 and is also generally perpendicular with respect to flat
surface 102. The relative configuration of flat surfaces 100 and 102 and
normal surfaces 104 and 106 provides lugs 90 and 92 with a "notched"
appearance.
Thread 96 extends from an upper portion of neck 84. Thread 96 has
a pitch of about 0.08 to about 0.16 inch. Thread 96 has an initial full thread
112 and a terminal full thread 114 generally in alignment with flat surface
100 of lug 90 directional with the longitudinal extension of neck 84.
Closure 12 is engageable and lockable with container 80. Slots 14
and 15 of closure 12 are adapted to receive an outer portion of each of lugs
90 and 92, respectively, when closure 12 is in locking position with head
82. Slots 14 and 15 slide over and/or around the outer portion of lugs 90
and 92 as closure 12 is screwed on container 80. In locking position,
verticle edge 64 of closure 12 is generally in abutment with or adjacent to
flat surface 100 and vertical edge 68 of slot 15 is generally in abutment with
or adjacent to flat surface 102. Further in locking position, angled edge 62
is generally in abutment with or adjacent to angled surface 108 and a
corresponding angled edge (not shown) of slot 15 is generally in abutment
with or adjacent to angled surface 110.
Another embodiment of a dispensing container is shown in Figure 17
and is generally referenced by the numeral 130. Container 130 has a
body wall 138 and a head 132. Head 132 has a neck 134 and a shoulder
136. Body wall 138 defines a chamber 139 therein. Neck 134
communicates with body wall 138 via shoulder 136. Neck 134 has an
orifice 144 therein and a passageway 148 therethrough extending from
orifice 144 to chamber 139.
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As shown in Figures 18 to 20, lugs 140 and 142 radially extend from
shoulder 136 adjacent the periphery of shoulder 136. Lugs 140 and 142
generally have the shape of a wedge and are isolated from and non-
integral with neck 134. Lugs 140 and 142 are situated generally oppositely
about neck 134. Lugs 140 and 142 define flat surfaces 150 and 152 and
angled surfaces 154 and 156, respectively. In lug 140, angled surface 154
slopes upward from shoulder 136 to intersect with flat surface 150, which
extends generally directionally with the longitudinal extension of neck 134.
In lug 142, angled surface 156 slopes upward from shoulder 136 to
intersect with flat surface 152, which extends generally directionally with
the longitudinal extension of neck 134.
Thread 146 extends from an upper portion of neck 134. Thread 146
has a pitch of about 0.08 to about 0.16 inch. Thread 146 has an initial full
thread 158 and a terminal full thread 160 generally in alignment with flat
surface 150 of lug 140 directional with the longitudinal extension of neck
134.
Closure 12 of Figure 2 is engageable and lockable with container
130. Slots 14 and 15 of closure 12 are adapted to receive an outer portion
of each of lugs 140 and 142, respectively, when closure 12 is in locking
position with head 132. Slots 14 and 15 slide over and/or around the outer
portion of lugs 140 and 142 as closure 12 is screwed on container 130. In
locking position, verticle edge 64 of closure 12 is generally in abutment with
or adjacent to flat surface 150 and vertical edge 68 of slot 15 is generally
in
abutment with or adjacent to flat surface 152. Further in locking position,
angled edge 62 is generally in abutment with or adjacent to angled surface
154 and a corresponding angled edge (not shown) of slot 15 is generally in
abutment with or adjacent to angled surface 156.
As shown in Figures 10 and 11, there is a closure 170 having a top
end 172 having a generally circumferential outer skirt 174 extending
therefrom. Closure 170 also has a generally circumferential inner skirt 176
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extending therefrom inside outer skirt 174. Inner skirt 176 has a thread 178
extending from its inner surface. The threads of any of the dispensing
'containers shown herein can be screwed into thread 178. Outer skirt 174
terminates at a first edge 180 opposite top end 172. Inner skirt 176
terminates at a second edge 182 opposite top end 172. Outer skirt 174
has a slot 184 and another slot 186 oppositely situated thereabout that
extend inwardly therein from first edge 180. Slot 184 has an angled edge
188 that angles and curves inward into outer skirt 174 and intersects a
vertical edge 192 that is generally directional with respect to the
longitudinal extension of outer skirt 174. Slot 186 has an angled edge 190
that angles and curves inward into outer skirt 174 and intersects a vertical
edge 194 that is generally directional with respect to the longitudinal
extension of outer skirt 174. Slots 184 and 186 are adapted to receive an
outer portion of and lock with the lugs of any of the dispensing containers
shown herein. Slots 184 and 186 slide over and/or around the outer
portion of such lugs. In locking position, verticle edges 192 and 194 are
generally in abutment with or adjacent to the vertical surface of such lugs.
Closure 170 has a plug seal 200 extending circumferentially from top end
172 generally directional to the longitudinal extension of closure 170. Plug
seal 200 is adapted to fit within and seal an orifice of a head of a
dispensing container when closure 170 is in locking position therewith.
An embodiment of a dispensing container is shown in Figure 21 and
is generally referenced by the numeral 210. Container 210 has a body
wall 218 and a head 212. Head 212 has a neck 214 and a shoulder 216.
Body wall 218 defines a chamber 219 therein. Neck 214 communicates
with body wall 218 via shoulder 216. Neck 214 has an orifice 224 therein
and a passageway 228 therethrough extending from orifice 224 to chamber
219.
As shown in Figures 21 to 23, lugs 220 and 222 radially extend from
shoulder 216 from neck 214 to adjacent the periphery of shoulder 216.
Lugs 220 and 222 are situated generally oppositely about neck 214. Lugs
220 and 222 define flat surfaces 230 and 232, knobs 234 and 236 and
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inwardly tapered surfaces 238 and 240 and 242 and 244, respectively. The
inwardly tapered surfaces at the outer portion of lugs 220 and 222 function
to slow down the Flat surfaces 230 and 232 are generally planar in surface
contour and extend from shoulder 216 generally directional with and
generally radial to the extension of neck 214. A preferred height for lugs
220 and 222 is 0.1 inch as measured from shoulder 216 to the top of flat
surfaces 230 and 222. Knobs 234 and 236 extend from shoulder 21 and
lugs 220 and 222, respectively.
Dispensing tube 210 has a double-lead screw. In other words, there
are two intermating threads 225 and 226 that extend from and spirally
traverse neck 214. The threads have a pitch of about 0.15 to about 0.3
inch and preferably about 0.2 inch. Thread 225 has an initial full thread
233 and a terminal full thread 231. Thread 226 has an initial full thread 234
and a terminal full thread 232. An important feature of the invention is that
initial full threads 233 and 234 are generally in alignment with lugs 220 and
222 directional with the longitudinal extension of neck 214. Although
terminal full threads 231 and 232 are also generally in alignment with lugs
220 and 222 directional with the longitudinal extension of neck 214, this is
not important to the present invention. Other possible dispensing tube
embodiments could have multiple-lead screws, such as triple-lead,
quadruple lead, and the like.
Dispensing tube 210 is mated with closure 246 to form dispensing
tube package 248, which is shown in Figures 22 and 23. Closure 246 is
engageable and lockable with dispensing containers of the present
invention, including container 210. As shown in Figures 23 to 25, closure
246 has oppositely situated slots 250 and 252, which are adapted to
receive an outer portion of each of lugs 220 and 222, respectively, when
closure 246 is in locking position with head 212. Slots 250 and 252 slide
over and/or around the inwardly tapered surfaces of the outer portion of
lugs 220 and 222 as closure 246 is screwed on container 210. The
inwardly tapered surfaces at the outer portion of lugs 220 and 222 function
to slow down the rotation speed of closure 246 such that lugs 220 and 222
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will snap into slots 250 and 252. The outer portions of lugs 220 and 222
protrude through slots 250 and 252 when closure 246 is in locking position
with head 212. Slots 220 and 222 define oppositely situated vertical edges
254 and 256 (not shown) at their leading edges. When in locking position,
vertical edge 254 of closure 246 is generally in abutment with or adjacent to
flat surface 230 and vertical edge 256 of slot 222 is generally in abutment
with or adjacent to flat surface 232. Closure 246 has knurles 258 and 260
to aid in squeezing, turning, and removal of same. Knobs 234 and 236
provide a support surface against which the inside surface (not shown) of
closure 246 may rest. Apart from the aforementioned recited structure,
closure 246 has additional structure corresponding to the other disclosed
closure embodiments herein, including, but not limited to inner and outer
skirts, mating threads, plug seals, and the like.
The package, including dispensing container and closure, may be
produced by any method known in the art such as extrusion or lamination.
In extrusion, plastic tubes are extruded continuously then cut into discrete
lengths to form tubular body walls for the inner and outer containers.
Tubes of different diameters are used the inner and outer containers.
Heads are then heat welded or adhered to the tube lengths of both
diameters to form the inner and outer containers. The inner container is
inserted into the open end of the outer container and attached to or
inserted into the head and/or neck of outer container. A closure, cap or top
is applied to the head of the outer container. The open ends of inner and
outer containers are typically filled with functional and/or decorative
products to be dispensed and then sealed by heat or mechanical means.
Overlapping the ends and heat sealing is preferred. In lamination, sheets
of plastic material are rolled into tubes and sealed along the sheet edges to
form continuous tubes. The continuous tubes are cut into discrete tube
lengths and further processed in the same manner as when forming
extruded dispensing containers.
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The closure and head may be manufactured according to any
method known in the art such as injection molding, compression molding or
stamping with a plastic material. Injection molding is preferred.
The package may be manufactured from any plastic material known
in the art. Representative plastic materials include ethylene polymers,
propylene polymers, polyesters, and polyamides. Useful ethylene
polymers include low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene,
high density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene. A useful
propylene polymer is polypropylene. Useful polyesters include
polyethylene terephthalate. Preferred plastic materials are low density
polyethylene and polypropylene. Different parts of the package may be
manufactured from the same or different materials. A preferred plastic
material for tube body walls is low density polyethylene. Preferred plastic
materials for the head and the closure are high density polyethylene and
polypropylene.
It should be understood that the foregoing description is only
illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications
can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the
invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all
such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of
the appended claims.
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