Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
- -
~292958
BACRGRO~ND TO T~E INVENTION
a ? Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a closure
assembly for a container, in particular to a closure
assembly which is child resistant and which is
especially adaptable for use with a tamper evident
closure arrangement and/or to a closure assembly
including a new tamper evident closure arrangement.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
A variety of child resistant closures are known in
the art. Such closures rely on features designed to
make opening difficult for a child while at the same
time (in theory at lea~t) permitting relatively easy
access by a more knowledgeable adult. Thus, in one
widely used closure arrangement it is necessary to line
up two arrows before opening can be effected, and in
another widely used arrangement for screw caps the cap
must be pressed down while unscrewing, otherwise it
rotates freely without opening the closure.
As other examples there may be cited the closures
disclosed in British Specifications Nos. 1,442,216 and
2,166,423. In the former there is disclosed a child
resistant closure assembly for a container, shaped to
give the appearance of a conventional screw cap with
~5 longitudinal flutes, serrations, ribs or ridges on its
; outer surface. The assembly comprises a facslmile cap
and a snap on lid adapted both to open and to close an
opening in the top of the facsimile cap and to be
1292958
-- 4 --
retained in its closed position to give an integral
appearance to the top of the closure assembly. The
facsimile cap has a portion of its outer surface which
is displaceable inwardly to allow a finger of a user to
engage under the snap on lid to overcome the snap action
of the lid, the displaceable portion being a portion
that is not readily distinguishable from the remainder
of the facsimile cap. The child resistant feature of
the cap resides in the idea of designing a cap to
deceive the uninformed user to attempt to open it in a
particular manner i.e. by unscrewing the cap, when in
fact the cap is openable in another manner i.e. by
flipping open a snap on lid - a fact readily conveyed to
the informed (adult) user.
In the latter there is disclosed a two part child
resistant closure, which comprises a top cap hingedly
connected to an inner cap which is adapted to be semi-
permanently positioned over the mouth of an associated
container. On the inner cap there is a depending skirt
- 20 and a trigger forming part of the skirt, actuation of
the trigger norma1ly being prevented by engagement of
the trigger with an arcuate bead on the outside of the
associated c~ntainer whereby the trigger forms a locking
means to hold the top cap in its closed position untll
the closure is angularly displaced relatively to the
container into a predetermined position. In that
position the trigger on the inner cap can be depressed
lZ9Z958
tc~disengage the trigger from locking engagement with
the top cap.
At present it is well appreciated in the art that
child resistant closures can save life. The use of
known closures has shown that child safety is
considerably improved once a child resistant feature is
included in a closure. However, while known, and well
tested and approved, child resistant closures have
demonstrated the success of the concept, there remains
generally a concern that one or both of the degree of
child resistance and the ease of use by the elderly
could be enhanced.
Thus, for example, ~ith the closure where arrows
must be aligned before opening, such alignment can be
difficult for the elderly. Also, with the elderly
especially, there is a tendency to replace the lid or
cap with the arrows aligned for ease of opening next
time, but that immediately eliminates the safety
feature. Furthermore, the elderly often lack the
strength or manual control to press down that closure
; which requires to be pressed down as it is unscrewed
before it will open. Also again, once they have opened
such a closure they will often not close it sufficiently
to bring the safety feature into operation, thu5
negating the feature.
Accordingly, there remains in the art a need for a
child resistant closure which can be understood by the
adult, whlch is manageable by the elderly, and which
l~Z958
-- 6
when closed (however that may be effected) always
includes an operating child resistant feature. That is
to say the child resistant feature should operate on
closure irrespective of any subsequent twisting or
tightening of the lid or cap.
Furthermore, there remains in the art a need for a
child resistant closure which can afford an acceptable
level of child resistance while at the same time being
adaptable for use with a tamper evident closure
arrangement.
OBJECTS OF TRE INVENTION
A principal object of this invention is to provide
a child resistant closure which can be understood by the
adult, which is manageable by the elderly, and which
when closed always includes an operating child resistant
feature.
Another object of the invention is to provide a
closure with a child resistant feature which operates on
closure irrespective of any subsequent action by the
user such as by twisting or tightening.
A further object of the invention is to provide a
child resistant closure which can afford an acceptable
level of child resistance while at the same time being
adaptable for use with a tamper evident closure
arrangement.
Yet another obiect of the invention is to provide
a closure assembly not requiring in operation an initial
angular displacement of a cap portion.
129Z958
A still further object of the invention is to
provide a closure including a means of lifting the lid
which does not require initial engagement by a user's
finger with a liftable lid portion.
In addition, another object of the invention is to
provide a closure assembly with a novel tamper-evident
closure arrangement which may be employed, if desired,
independently of a child resistant feature.
In accordance with the foregoing objects, this
invention provides a closure assembly for a container,
the closure assembly comprising a first cap portion
hingedly connected to a second cap portion, the second
cap portion being adapted to be positioned over the
mouth of an associated container and including an
aperture to permit dispensing from the container, the
first cap portion being arranged whereby in one position
it overlies the aperture to close the container, and in
another position is lifted clear of the aperture to open
the container, the cap portions together including means
or being arranged such that they can be snapped together
and their separation from a closed to an open position
requires the exertion of a positive force by the user,
the first cap portion including at its periphery
opposite its hinged connection with the second cap
portion a lip which co-operates with an inwardly
displaceable section of the second cap portion, the
inwardly displaceable section including at its upper
edge face adjacent the lip a portion which is associated
~Z9Z958
with an outermost lower edge of the lip when the two cap
portions are in a closed position and raised above that
lower lip edge in a manner such that on inward
displacement of the said section the raised portion
first offers resistance to displacement in its
engagement with the lip edge and then, as displacement
pressure is increased, forces the lip upwards at least
to begin to overcome the snap action of the two cap
portions and positively to open the closure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ARRANGEMENTS
In order that the invention may be better
understood, it will now be described in greater detail,
with various preferred arrangements being given. Also,
specific closure assemblies of the invention and their
uses will be described by way of example only with
reference to the accompanying drawings as necessary. In
the drawings:
Figure 1 shows one form of closure assembly in
accordance with the invention viewed from above,
Figure 2 shows a cross-section along line A-A of
the assembly of Figure 1,
Figure 3(a) shows an enlarged detail to the
lefthand side of the cross-section of Figure 2,
Figure 3(b) shows a variant on the detail of
Figure 3(a),
Figures 4(a) to 4(c) show various perspective
views of the closure assembly as shown in Figures 1 to 3
12929~
to illustrate the removal of the tamper evident
arrangement, and
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the assembly
of Figures 1 to 4 disposed on a glass bottle.
As will be appreciated from the above general
definition, and as will be appreciated from the
description below, the closure assembly of the invention
has the advantage over closures such as that described
in Specification No. 2,166,423 of not requiring any
initial angular displacement of a cap portion. At the
same time, because of the inclusion of a raised portion
on the inwardly displaceable section, it has the
advantage over the closure of Specification No.
1,442,216 of providing a means of lifting the lid which
doe~ not require initial engagement by a user's finger
wlth a lid portion. Thus, the closure assembly is
operable either by simple application of finger pressure
to said section or by pressing said section on a surface
or with a simple tool, without the need to apply a lid
lifting action. Of course, as will be understood by
those familiar with the use of closures it may be that
in practice the finger movement to create finger
pressure inwards to overcome the snap action i.e. to
"pop up" the second cap portion, may be combined in a
continuous movement also to "flick up" the second cap
portion once the snap action is begun to be overcome.
In other words there may be to all intent~ and purposes
one movement to open the closure combining "pop up" and
lZ9Z9S8
-- 1 o --
"flick up" actions.
Furthermore, it will be appreciated that in the
open position the closure assembly permits dispensing
from the container. That is to say the second cap is so
disposed in relation to the first cap portion and the
aperture is so shaped and10r sized to permit the
consumer to avail himself of the product contained
within the container. Thus, the dispensing~permitted
may be of a liquid or suspension, for example, as drops,
or of a solid such as tablets, capsules or a powderO
While in theory the closure assembly of the
invention may be made in more than one piece, in
practice (if only for economic reasons) generally it
will be made as a one piece closure. Thus, the closure
generally will be formed ~usually by moulding) in a
manner whereby the two cap portions are joined together
at thelr hinge connections during the forming operation.
In the closure assembly of the invention the two
cap portions are preferably connected by a flexible
hinge connection which can hold the second closure
portion in an open position, particularly when the
~-container is inverted . Thus, preferably the hinge
connection is a toggle-action hinge, and more
preferably, the two cap portions are connected by a
;25 toggle-action hinge which permits the first cap portion
initially to be raised to a first (usually only ~ust)
open position and then to be raised to a ~econd (usually
lZ92~S~3
"
wide) open position. That is to say the hinge
preferably may be one which permits the first cap
portion to be flipped up open in two stages.
The closure assembly of this invention may be
formed of any suitable material, but preferably is
formed from a plastics material, most preferably
polypropylene. However, while polypropylene is the most
preferred plastics material, other materials of similar
properties may be employed if desired, for example, low,
medium or high density polyethylene, nylon or a
polypropylene copolymer.
A closure assembly according to the invention is
one which is especially adaptable for use with a tamper
evident closure arrangement. Preerably, therefore, the
closure assembly includes means associating the first
cap portion with the second cap portion whereby any
separation of the portions from a closed position to an
open position is made evident by the need first to
remove said tamper evident means. More preferably, the
ZO tamper evident means comprises a strip removably joined
to the second cap portion and which includes one or more
(and preferably two) portions, such as flanges,
overlying the first cap portion (preferably the lip
thereof) to retain the first cap portion in a closed
position. In such an arrangement, the sald strip
portions preferably overlie opposite edges of the lip.
Still more preferably, in the closure assembly of
the invention the said tamper evident means comprises a
12929S8
- 12 -
strip removably joined to the second cap portion which
includes flange portions overlying the lip of the first
portion to retain the first cap portion in a closed
position, the said flange portions extending from the
strip and overlying the two side ends of the lip to
prevent upward movement of the first cap portion, and
the strip being joined to the second cap portion at
least via the two overlying flange portions which are
each formed integral with a mounting pillar extending
from the periphery of the second cap portion to either
side of the lip.
By providing a tamper evident strip which is.
~oined to the second cap portion at least v~a the two
overlying flange portions which are each formed integral
with a mounting pillar, the strip can be so formed that
it is removable through lines of weakness across the
areas where the flanges and pillars are joined whereby
the pillars remain extending from the periphery of the
second cap on removal of the tamper evident strip to
protect the side edges of the lip. In that manner the
child resistance of the closure is enhanced.
Alternatively, of course, where such enhancement
of child resistance is not required - for example, in
the other aspect mentioned below - the lines of weakness
may be formed elsewhere than across the areas where the
flanges and pillars are ~oined. Thus, in one preferred
alternative the lines of weakness may be between the
129Z958
- 13 -
pillars and the second cap portion so that the pillars
are removed with the strip.
With such a tamper evident arrangement the two
side ends of the lip and the overlying flanges
preferably are configured so that they interlock as soon
as any lifting movement is imparted to the first cap
portion during any tampering. Thus, for example, the
lip may include on its upper face at its two side ends
upwardly extending beads which interengage with a
respective recess beneath each flange to provide said
interlocking. Furthermore, in any of the above
arrangement5 thè tamper evident strip also may be
removably ~oined to the inwardly displaceable section.
The above more preferred tamper evident means
besides being especially useful within the context of
the closure assembly of the first aspect of the
invention ls in itself new and applicable to other
closure assemblies which do not include the same child-
resistant features. Accordingly, in another aspect the
invention provides a closure assembly for a container,
the closure assembly comprising a first cap portion
hingedly connected to a second cap portion, the second
cap portion being adapted to be positioned over the
mouth of an associated container and including an
aperture to permit dispensing from the container, the
first cap portion being arranged whereby in one position
it overlies the aperture to close the container, and in
; another position i9 lifted clear of the aperture to open
lZ9Z9S8
- 14 -
the container, the cap portions together including means
or being arranged such that they can be snapped together
and their separation from a closed to an open position
requires the exertion of a positive force by the user,
S the first cap portion including at its periphery
opposite its hinged connection with the second cap
portion a lip which permits the first cap portion to be
forced upwards .to overcome the snap action of the two
cap portions and positively to open the closure, the
assembly including means associating the first cap
portion with the second cap portion whereby any
separation of the portions from a closed position to an
open position is made evident by the need first to
remove said means, the sald tamper evident means
comprising a strip removably joined to the second cap
portion which includes flange portions overlying the lip
of the first cap portion to retain the first cap portion
in a closed position, the said flange portions extending
from the strip and overlying the two side ends of the
lip to prevent upward movement of the first cap portion,
and the strip being joined to the second cap portion at
least via the two overlying flange portions which are
each formed integral with a mounting pillar extending
from the periphery of the second cap portion to either
side of the lip.
Of course, as will be appreciated from the
description herein the closure assembly of the second
lZ9Z9~3
aspect may include such one or more features of the
closure assembly of the first aspect as may be
applicable to it. Also, as will be appreciated ~y those
skilled in the art of designing closure assemblies, the
detalled design of eacn cap portion in each aspect as
defined above may vary ~o a considerable degree
depending on the intended use of the assembly. Thus,
for example, the first cap portion may be of a simple
lid design adapted merely to close the aperture of the
second cap portion by overlying the aperture.
Preferably, however, the cap portions are of a more
complex design whereby the first cap portion can be
fitted wlthin and/or around the second cap portion and
the second cap portion can be fitted within and/or
around the mouth of a container such as a glass or
plastics bottle or jar or the like.
In particular, it is preferred that the first cap
portion includes one or more annular skirt portions
engageable with the aperture in the second cap portion
and/or with at least a part of the outer periphery of
- the second cap portion. Where such an arrangement is
employed the first cap portion may include an outer
annular and peripheral s~irt which fits around and over
a recessed upper peripheral edge of the second cap
portion. Furthermore, the recessed upper peripheral
edge of the second cap portion preferably slopes
downwardly away from the outslde of the assembly and the
lower edge of the peripheral skirt portion of the fir~t
1~9Z9~B
- 16 -
cap portion is configured to mate with that edge, thus
providing a further safety feature in terms of entry
resistance. In addition, the lip of the first cap
portion may extend from said outer peripheral skirt
portion, preferably at or adjacent a lower edge thereof.
Also, the second cap portion preferably comprises
an outer annular and peripheral skirt portion and an
inner annular skirt portion defining between them an
annular space adapted to accommodate fitted therein the
upper wall defining the mouth of a container. In such
an arrangement the outer skirt portion is preferably
deeper than the inner skirt portion, and the two skirt
portions may depend from an upper wall which can either
extend inwardly of the inner skirt portion and include
the aperture of the second cap portion, or extend only
up to the inner skirt portion whereby that inner skirt
portion defines the said aperture. Of course, in the
former case the aperture may be of any convenient size
relative to the size of the inner s~irt portion annulus
and either concentric or eccentric with respect to the
annulus. Preferably, however, in the former case, the
aperture is eccentric with respect to the annulus and
disposed at or ad;acent that part thereof nearest the
said inwardly displaceable section.
Furthermore, in any or all of the above
arrangements the various interfitting portions or parts
may include such ribs, slots or the like as may be
~Z~Z9~8
- 17 -
necessary or desired to ensure that they can be fitted
together in a secure arrangement. In particular, the
closure assembly must be securable on an associated
container, although such securing may be achieved in a
number of ways. For example, the closure assembly may
be one which can be snapped onto a container or secured
on a container by a non-returnable screw thread. In
addition, the cap portions must be such that they can be
snapped together.
Whatever the detailed design of the second cap
portion it includes in said one aspect an inwardly
displaceable section which co-operates with the lip of
the first cap portion. That section may be a section of
the outer ~urface of the second cap portlon either
formed as an integral part of that surface or disposed
on or over or in association with that surface. The
only requirement is that the section should be inwardly
displaceable and accessible to be so displaced.
Preferably, however, the inwardly displaceable
section is formed externally of any part or parts of the
second cap portion adapted to be disposed associated
with a container mouth. In particular, the inwardly
displaceable section is preferably one which is external
of any outer annular skirt portion. Thus, for example,
the inwardly displaceable section may be an inwardly
displaceable flexible section formed externally of and
over part of such an outer skirt portion, and may
include flexible side walls integral therewith. More
129Z9S8
preferably, however, the inwardly displaceable section
is connected to the remainder of the second cap portion
only at its lower periphery, thereby effectively
pivoting about a hinge between the cap portion and the
section. Furthermore, in one preferred design the
inwardl~ displaceable section tapers from its upper to
its lower edge thereby to afford more purchase to the
finger in the opening operation.
In the closure assembly of the invention, the
effectiveness of the child resistant feature depends on
the association between the raised portion at the upper
edge face of the inwardly displaceable section and the
outermost ~dge of the llp. That association is such
that on inward displacement of the said section the
raised portion first offers resistance to displacement
in its engagement with that lip edge and then, as
displacement pressure is increased, forces the lip
upwards to overcome the snap action of the two cap
portions. Therefore, as will readily be appreciated by
those skilled in the art, the association can be
designed such that the degree of initial resistance is
sufficiently high to deter a curious child but not so
high as to make opening of the closure assembly too
difficult for an adult. Furthermore, the child
resistance level of the closure can be enhanced by
ensuring that the two cap portions snap fit together in
a manner which does not permit easy opening by insertion
1~9Z9~iB
- 19 -
of a finger nail or the like between the two portions,
for example, by employing the sloping recessed upper
peripheral edge feature for the second cap portion as
mentioned above. In that manner opening should be
achievable generally only by an adult via the inwardly
displaceable section.
As to the degree of initial resistance, that will
depend on the shape or configuration and size of the
raised portion, the degree to which it is raised above
the lower edge of the lip, and on the shape or
configuration of the lip edge face. Preferably, the lip
edge face is shaped so as to present a sharp lower edge
to the raised portion of the displaceable section, and
preferably may slope back from that raised portion
either as a planar or as a curved face. Preferably
also, the raised portion is set back from the edge of
the upper edge face of the inwardly displaceable
section. In that manner a strip along the edge face can
sit under the lip of the first cap portion and the lip
edge can rest on the thus-formed step disposed away from
the base of the raised portion. In addition, it is
preferred that the raised portion should have a smoothly
curved surface profile upwards and away from said step,
and also that the raised portion should run along
essentially the whole of the upper edge face of the
inwardly displacea~le section.
Furthermore, it is preferred that the lip has a
lower face which slopes downwardly away from the raised
lZ9Z3~8
- 20 -
portion of the inwardly displaceable section. In that
manner, the initial opening impetus given to the first
cap portion can be enhanced to overcome the snap action.
Such enhancement is obtained provided the lower face is
at least planar and is not concave. HoweYer, the
enhancement can also be made more pronounced by
including a convex surface portion e.g. a "bump", in the
lower face, which preferably extends across at least a
major portion of the face.
In addition, the degree of resistance to opening
can be varied by increasing or decreasing the ease with
which the displaceable section as such can be displaced
lnwardly. Thus, for example, the preferred connection
of the inwardly displaceable section to the remainder of
the second cap portion only at its lower periphery may
be arranged so that a linear hinge is formed (as
illustrated below) or alternatively the connection may
be through a curved hinge portion with the two ends of
the hinge curving upwards away from the said periphery,
thus varying the resistance of the section to
displacement and consequently the pressure necessary to
displace the section. As a further alternative, walls
may be formed extending upwardly from the lower
periphery part way along the displaceable section either
at the two sides of the section or just inwardly of
those two sides, again to vary the resistance of the
section to displacement and consequently the pressure
129Z958
necessary to displace the section.
As will be appreciated from the above descriptionr
the invention also provides a container including a
closure assembly according to the invention, the
container typically being a glass or plastics bottle or
jar. Furthermore, the invention includes a container
having a closure assembly according to the invention
either formed separately of the container or as one
piece therewith. Thus, the latter embodiment would
provide a closure assembly of the invention together
with a container as an integral unit.
Referring now to the drawings, in particular
Flgures 1 and 2 in the first instance, the assembl~
shown comprises a first cap portion 11 connected to a
second cap portion 12 via hinge elements 13 and 14. In
the closed position shown the first cap portion 11
overlies the second cap portion 12 and closes an
aperture 15 which in the open position permits
dispensing from an associated container.
The first cap portion 11 comprises a lid section
16 having an outer annular and peripheral skirt 17
depending therefrom, and an inner annular skirt 18 also
depending therefrom. At its rear edge 19 the skirt 17
includes hinge elements 13 and 14, and at its front
lower edge 21 a lip 22. Also at its rear edge 19 the
skirt 18 in that part thereof disposed between the
hinges 13 and 14 is split into an inner part 23 and an
outer part 24 which is ~oined to the second cap portlon
129Z9S8
- 22 -
12. In that manner the outer part 24 can be formed
i~ntegrally with cap portion 12 such that it can provide
a toggle action to bias the portions 11 and 12 about the
hinge elements 13 and 14 to urge those portions from a
S first (just) open position (not shown) to a second
(wide) open position (also not shown), and to hold them
in that second open position.
As can be se.en more specifically from Figure 3(a),
the lip 22 of the first cap portion11 extends outwardly
from the front lower edge 21 of the skirt 17. The lip
includes a front edge face 25 which slopes slightly
towards the skirt 17 and thus provides a relatively
sharp lower edge 26. Also, the lower face 27 of the lip
22 slopes downwardly towards the skirt 17 and may
include, as shown in Figure 3(b), a convex "bump" 27'.
As shown in Figure 2, the second cap portion 12
comprises an upper wall 28 which is an annulus defining
at its inner edge aperture 15. More specifically,
aperture 15 is defined by an inner skirt 29 depending
from wall 28 at that inner edge thereof, and an
upstanding wall 31 surrounding the aperture 15 which in
turn is formed to provide a pouring spout 32. In
addition, the wall 28 has depending from its outer
periphery an outer skirt 33.
2S On the face of skirt 29 nearest skirt 33 there are
ribs 34 and 35. Also, on the face of skirt 33 nearest
skirt 29 there is a rib 36. As shown the ribs 34 to 36
~Z9;~5B
- 23 -
and annular space 37 defined between the skirts 29 and
:33 are shaped or configured such that the closure
assembly can be disposed mounted on a container at its
rnouth in a secure manner. Thus, in the arrangement
shown the closure assembly can effectively be snapped
onto a container at its mouth to provide the closure
therefor.
Furthermore, on the face of skirt 29 nearest the
aperture15 and at about the level of wall 28 there is a
rib 38 which is engageable with a rib 39 on the outer
face of inner skirt 18 of the first cap portion 11. The
ribs 38 and 39 are engaged together in the closed
position shown to provide the overall snap closuré
actlon of the assembly. The sizes of ribs 38 and 39 and
the form of their inter-relationship are chosen so that
the desired or required snap action is provided. Also,
at its rear the skirt 33 includes a split part
corresponding to the inner part 23 and outer part 24 of
the first cap portion 11.
In addition, as can be seen from Figures 3(aJ and
3~b) especially, at its lower front edge the skirt 33
carries a section 41 connected by a hinge strip 42 to
that edge. The section 41 extends upwardly to the lip
22 and carries on its upper edge face a raised rib 43
disposed outwardly of the inner upper edge 44 so as to
form a step 45 on which the lip 22 rests. Also, the
section 41 carries a tamper-evident strip 46 attached to
its outer upper edge 47 by frangible ribs 48.
lZ~ 8
-- 24 --
As can be seen in more detail with reference to
Figures 4(a) to 4(c), the tamper-evident strip 46
includes flanges 49 and 51 disposed above the lip 22 at
opposite side ends thereof so that the flanges overlie
5 the lip and prevent upward movement until the strip 46
is removed. The flanges 49 and 51 are themselves
integral with pillars 52 and 53 extending from the
periphery of the second cap portion 12. In addition,
the two side ends of the lip 22 include beads 54 and 55
10 which interengage with respective recesses 56 (only one
shown in Figure 4(b)) beneath each flange 49 and 51 so
that the two side ends of the lip 22 and the overlying
~langes interlock as 50011 as any ~unwanted) movement is
imparted to the first cap portion, that is during
15 potential tampering.
Also, the strip 46 is so formed that it is
removable through lines of weakness across areas where
the flanges 49 and 51 and the pillars 52 and 53 are
joined to permit the pillars to remain as shown in
20 Figure 4(c) on removal of the strip 46. In that manner,
as can be seen from Figure 4(c), the side edges of the
lip 22 are protected from unwanted interferance.
Furthermore, the second cap portion 12 provides in the
closed position shown in Figures 4(a) to 4(c) a recessed
25 upper peripheral edge 57, which can slope downwardly
(not shown) from the outside of the assembly and the
lower edge of the peripheral skirt portion of the first
l;~9Z958
- 25 -
cap portion may be configured (not shown~ to mate with
that edge.
In use, the closure assembly is disposed on a
container 62, for example, as shown in Figure 5. The
container and closure together are thus sultable for
original pack dispensing in a tamper-evident arrangement
which readily reveals any tampering with the product
dispensed in the container. However, subsequent to
dispensing the strip 46 can be torn away in the sequence
as shown in Figures 4(a) to 4(c), thus rendering the
container suitable for use in providing access to the
d product therein. For example, with the aperture
arrangement shown the product typically may be a liqui*
product which can be poured out via spout 32.
When opening the container the ùser applles
pressure to outer ~ace 63 of section 41 (usually in the
upper part thereof). That pressure causes the raised
rlb 43 to engage lower edge 26 of the lip 22, which in
turn causes a resistance to further inward displacement
of sectlon 41. Such resistance is a deterrent to casual
users such as children, but may be overcome by applying
greater pressure to face 63, either with the finger or
by pressing on a surface or with a tool, whereby rib 43
is forçed under lip 22 and slides beneath the lip and
down face 27 to overcome the snap action between the
closure portions 11 and 12 provided by ribs 38 and 39.
In that manner, the portion 11 can be forced open to a
first (just) open position, after which it can be raised
- 129Z9S8
- 26 -
to a second (wide) open position determined by the
toggle spring action of part 24.
In the second (wide) open position of the closure,
and with the portion 11 held in that position, product
can be poured out of the container via spout 32. Then
portion 11 can be returned to the snapped closed
position as shown with ribs 38 and 39 interengaged to
secure the container after use.
As will be appreciated from the above description,
in one aspect, the invention provides a child resistant
closure assembly, which is especially adaptable for use
with a tamper-evident closure arrangement. Furthermore,
the degree of child resistance can be ad~usted as
desired or required by altering the shape or
configuration of the arrangement as between the raised
rib portion 43 and the lip 22. Also, as will be
appreciated, in accordance with a second aspect of the
invention there is provided a closure assembly with a
tamper-evident closure arrangement which may be
employed, if desired, independently of the child
resistant feature.
In addition, it will be appreciated that the
~- invention is not limited to the details specifi~ally
described above. Thus, numerous variations and
modifications may be made to the described structures to
obtain a variety of closure assemblies within the ~cope
of the invention as defined by the claims which follow.
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