Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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An adult friendly child-resistant package
''~5
Field of the invention
The presE:nt invention relates to a package which is resistant to
opening by 'the majority of children, yet which can be opened without
undue difficulty by adults, also by those whose manual dexterity may,
15 at least to a degree, be impaired.
Background of the invention
2o Child resistant packaging is understood to be a important concept for
preventing inadvertent access by children, for example, to potentially
dangerous liquid or dry products. However, inclusion of the child
resistant feature adds difficulty and frustration for the adult user when
attempting to open the package. Due to the difficulty in opening child
25 resistant packages, many persons, especially elderly adults which may
also have irepaired strength and dexterity, could prefer a non-child
resistant package substitute. Alternatively, when dangerous products
are purchased in child resistant packages by adults, the child resistant
package is often not reclosed in order to defeat the child resistant
30 feature. As a result, the danger of child poisonings may increase in the
homes.
The aforE:mentioned problems are generally recognised in the
packaging industry. Attempts to deal with these problems are also
35 disclosed in the patent literature. For example, U.S. Patent No.
4,948,002 issued to Thornock et al. on August 14, 1990 discloses a
package comprising a bottle, a collar which is secured in place over the
uppermost portion of the bottle and a closure which is secured to the
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finish portion of the bottle. The collar preferably includes a pair of
spring-like pushtabs containing vertical extensions which engage
interlocking teeth on the innermost surface of the closure skirt when the
closure is fully assembled onto the bottle. To remove the closure, the
opposed pushtabs must be manually depressed prior to applying
unscrewing torque to the closure to disengage the pushtab extensions
from the interlocking teeth on the closure.
The package disclosed in '002 exhibits highly improved child
1o resistance without significantly impeding access by adults. This has
been further improved in WO 92/07286, in which a package is
described whose child resistance is enhanced even further without
making the package more difficult to open by adults. This is achieved, if
the spring-like pushtabs containing vertical extensions are, at least to a
~5 degree, preloaded so as to exert a force against the innermost surface
of the closure skirt once the closure has been fully assembled onto the
package.
In both documents '002 and '286 the spring-like pushtabs containing
2o vertical extensions are part of a transition piece attached to the bottle,
like the collar of '002, or may be integral part of the bottle without any
transition piece. Nonetheless, the user has to use both hands to allow
him/ her to overcome the child resistant feature and unscrew the
closure. Indeed, firstly one hand has to hold the bottle and at the same
25 time depress the spring-like pushtabs. Secondly, the closure has to be
unscrewed with the other hand. This means that both hands are needed
to actually disengage said child resistant closure from the bottle, which
is called in the following a "two hand operation". We found that this
two hand operation is difficult for larger containers having an unwieldy
3o external shape, especially for elderly adults having impaired manual
strength and dexterity. Indeed, it is more difficult for one hand to hold a
large and/or heavy container and at the same time depress the
pushtabs, especially when said pushtabs are located in the upper
portion of said bottle.
It is therefore an object of the pre$ent invention to provide a child
resistant package which is resistant to opening by the majority of
CA 02225251 2002-02-18
3
children but which, at the same time, can readily be opened by adutts
wit#aout the need of a two hand operation.
. Summary oil a iny~ ng tion,
The present invention is a child-resistant package comprising a
container and a closure. Said package is suitable for storing and
dispensing potentially dangerous products. Said container comprises an
upper portion, said upper portion comprising a first engaging means for
releasably securing said closure to said container. Said closure
comprises an inner skirt which comprises second engaging means
corresponding to said first engaging means of said upper portion for
releasably securing said closure to said container. Said closure further
comprises an outer skirt, generally concenuically aligned with said inner
skirt. Said upper portion of said container further comprises at least an
interlocking tooth. and said closure further comprises at Isast one
resiliently deformable pushtab, and at least a part of said pushtab is
inwardly movable when a squeezing force is applied to said inwardly
movable part of said pushtab. Said pushtab has an exposed surface
contour which generally conforms to the exterior surface contour of the
adjacent portions of said outer skirt. Said interlocking tooth and said
pushtab are so formed and positioned to prevent removing of said
closure from said container to open said package unless said pushtab is
25 first depressed to disengage said pushtab from said interlocking tooth
byre said container is opened. At least part of said pushtab faces the
most surface of said intertocking toot vrhert std cktsure is
d' ed fin said container. Said upper portion comprises a neck portion
and a shoulder portion, sakl n~lc portia~n ding are open~g, s~i shlcar
portion comprising at least said interlocking tooth. Said shoulder portion
further
comprises a surrounding wall, said interlocking tooth being located between
the
innermost surface of said sanding wall and said neck porE'ron.
Figure 1 is an, exploded perspective view of a child resistant package
of the prior art.
Figures 2a to 2c are exploded perspective views of embodiments of
tip child resistant packages according to the present invention. Figures 2d
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and 2e are cross sectional top views of another child resistant package
according to the present invention. Figure 2f is a front view of a child
resistant package according to the present invention. Figures 2g and 2h '
are partial cross sectional views of the interlocking tooth and the
pushtab, the pushtab further comprising a guiding ramp. Figure 2i is a '
perspective view of an embodiment of a closure of a child resistant
package according to the present invention.
Figure 3a is a front view of the upper portion of another embodiment
of a child resistant package according to the present invention. Figure
3b illustrates cross sectional top view of the upper portion of another
child resistant package according to the present invention.
Figure 4a is a front view, partially cut through the thickness, of an
embodiment of a closure of a child resistant package according to the
present invention. Figure 4b is a cross sectional side view of an
embodiment of a closure of a child resistant package according to the
present invention.
2o Figure 5a shows a partial front view of another embodiment of a
closure of a child resistant package according to the present invention.
Figure 5b is a cross sectional top view taken along line (A,A') of Figure
5a.
Figure 6a shows a partial front view of another embodiment of a
closure of a child resistant package according to the present invention.
Figure 6b is a cross sectional top view taken along line (A,A') of Figure
6a.
3o Figure 7a shows a partial front view of another embodiment of a
closure of a child resistant package according to the present invention.
Figure 7b is a cross sectional top view taken along line (B,B') of Figure
7a.
Figures 8a and 8b show partial cross sectional front views of another
embodiment of a closure of a child resistant package according to the
present invention.
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Figure 9a is a cross sectional side view of another embodiment of a
closure of a child resistant package according to the present invention.
Figure 9b is a partial front view of the child resistant closure of Figure
, 5 9a.
Figure 10a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a closure of a
child resistant package according to the present invention. Figure 10b is
a cross section bottom view of the child resistant closure of Figure 10a.
Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a closure of
a child resistant package according to the present invention.
Figure 12 is a cross sectional front view of another embodiment of a
1 s closure of a child resistant package according to the present invention.
Figure 13a is a perspective front view of another embodiment of a
closure of a child resistant package according to the present invention
which is shown in more detail in partial cuts in Figures 13b and 13c.
2o Figure 13d its a partial cut of a variation of the closure of a child
resistant paclkage of Figures 13b and 13c.
25 Detailed description of the invention
An embodiment of a child resistant package (10) of the prior art is
shown in an exploded perspective view in Figure 1. This package (10) is
of the type gienerally disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,948,002 and comprises
3o a bottle (12), a collar (32) and a closure (52). Said collar (32) is
attached onto the shoulder portion (16) of said bottle, and said closure
is releasably secured to the finish portion (18) of said bottle. A possible
means for relfeasably secure said closure to said bottle is a combination
~ of lugs and screw threads. Said collar comprises at least a pushtab (34)
35 with a vertical extension (36) which projects above the top edge (40) of
said collar. Said vertical extension -of said pushtab interlock with
interlocking tooth (62) on the innermost surface of the outer skirt (60)
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of said closure (52) when said closure is in its closed rest position. In
the following, the " closed rest position" is the position in which said
closure is fully threaded onto said finish portion (18) of said bottle.
As described in WO 92/07286 on page 8, line 6 to page 10, line 17, .
said pushtab (34) may also be preloaded. This means that said pushtab
exerts a pressing force against the innermost surface of said outer skirt
(60) when said closure (52) is fully threaded onto said finish portion (18)
of said bottle (12). Indeed, in this manner the child resistance of the
1 o package ( 10) is increased without at the same time causing a substantial
increase of difficulty to open the package by adults.
In '002 as well as in '286, in order to unscrew closure (52) being in
its closed rest position from said finish portion (18), said pushtab (34)
~5 must be depressed first with one hand. Consequently, said extension
(36) of said pushtab is disengaged from said interlocking tooth (62).
Then the user is able to unscrew said closure from said bottle (12) with
the other hand. This two hand operation is necessary, since said
pushtab is located on said collar (32) which remains fixed onto said
2o finish portion during the unscrewing of said closure. Therefore, it is
impossible in practice to depress said pushtab and to unscrew said
closure together at the same moment with only one hand.
The need to squeeze the pushtabs with one hand holding also the
25 bottle, while the other hand is unscrewing the closure, may be
considered to be inconvenient and too complicated by the user. This
may be the case, for example, when a package, due to its unwieldy
external shape especially around said pushtabs in the upper portion of
said package, needs a whole hand just to firmly hold said package. The
3o difficulty to hold a package may be further increased by increasing the
dimension and/or weight of said package. Indeed, it may be more
difficult in this case to hold the package ( 10) at its upper portion and to
depress concurrently with the same hand said pushtab of the child
resistant closure as described in '002 and '286. We found that said
35 package may slip from the hand and fall on the ground, especially when
elderly adults having impaired manual strength and dextrity try to handle
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such a pack<3ge. Consequently, said package falling on the ground may
break with a partial or complete loss of the content.
To avoid the before mentioned inconveniences, the present invention
provides a package comprising a child resistant closure wtTich can be
opened with only one hand. In the following this is called "one hand
operation", in contrast to the "two hand operation" defined above. This
is achieved by the package ( 100) according to the present invention
comprising a container (Fig. 2a, 110) and a closure (Fig. 2a, 120). As
1 o depicted in I=figure 2a, the container ( 1 1 O) according to the present
invention comprises a hollow body (11 1 ). Said hollow body comprises a
base wall (not shown), a side wall (114) and an upper portion (115).
As a preferred option, said container may further comprise a handle.
Preferably, said container (Fig. 2a, 110) is made of thermoplastic
material. Such thermoplastic materials have been extensively described
in the art and include vinyl chloride based resins, polymers and co-
polymers derived from olefins, acrylic polymers and co-polymers,
polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate,
2o polyethylene terephthalate glycol, or mixtures thereof. Said container
can be made of single or multi-layer extrusion of such materials. It can
also comprise recycled thermoplastic materials. A preferred
thermoplastic material used herein is polyethylene. The form of said
hollow body may be cylindrical, whereby the cross section in a plane
parallel to the container's supporting plane is square or rectangular,
ovoid or circular. Said supporting plane is the plane on which said
container stands on its base wall in its upright position.
Said upper portion (115) is located opposite to said base wall. Said
upper portion comprises a shoulder portion (116), a neck portion (117)
and at least one interlocking tooth (119). As a preferred option, said
' upper portion may be a transition piece which is attached to said
container. Said neck portion of said upper portion defines an opening
(112). Said upper portion further comprises a first engaging means (118)
for releasably securing said closure to said container. Preferably, said
first engaging means for releasably securing said closure to said
container is located on said shoulder portion or on said neck portion.
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Preferably, said first engaging means for releasably securing said closure
to said container is a combination of lugs and screw threads located on
the outermost surface of said upper portion. Another preferred first '
engaging means for releasably securing said closure to said container is
a snapping mechanism comprising ribs and/or grooves also located on r
the outermost surface of said upper portion.
Said neck portion may further comprise a spout (113) defining a
reduced dispensing opening ( 151 ), as shown, for example, in Figure 4b.
1o Preferably, said spout is attached on said opening (112). Said spout
comprises a channel ( 152) and attachment means. Said channel
connects the interior of said container to said reduced dispensing
opening. Said spout may be preferably attached on the innermost or
outermost surface of said neck portion (117). Said attachment means
between said spout and said neck portion may be achieved by threading
or snapping mechanisms. When said spout is attached to the outermost
surface of said neck portion, said spout may further comprises said first
engaging means being a threading or snapping mechanism. Said spout
may further comprise the interlocking tooth (119).
Said shoulder portion (Fig. 2a, 116) may be an integral part of said
container. Said shoulder portion may also be a transition piece, like said
spout (113), additionally attached to said container around said opening
(112). Preferably, said interlocking tooth (119) is positioned on said
shoulder portion. Preferably, said interlocking tooth comprises an
inclined ramp (119a) and a radial wall (119b). Preferably, said shoulder
portion comprises at least a pair of interlocking teeth opposing each
other.
3o As a preferred option, said shoulder portion may further comprise a
surrounding wall (Fig. 2ii, 130). Preferably, said surrounding wall is
concentrically aligned to said opening (112). Said interlocking tooth
(119) may be a separate part, distanced from said surrounding wall (Fig.
2b), or may be part of the innermost or outermost surface of said
surrounding wall (Fig. 2c and Fig. 2e). As a preferred option, said
surrounding wall may be interrupted with a cut through the thickness of
said surrounding wall (Fig. 2d). The dimension of said cut is such to give
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complete access to said pushtab from the outside of said closure, at
least partially accommodating said pushtab (123). In this case, said cut
in said surrounding wall acts as an interlocking tooth, as illustrated in
Figure 2d. Indeed, said pushtab (123) has first to deflected inwardly
s towards said neck portion such that said pushtab is between said neck
portion and said surrounding wall. In this case, said pushtab extends
over the bottom edge ( 128) of said outer skirt ( 122) of said closure, as
shown in Figure 2f.
1 o Another essential feature of the present invention is said closure
(120). Said closure comprises an inner skirt (121 ), an outer skirt (122),
a top wall (129) and at least a resiliently deformable pushtab (123). As a
preferred option, said closure may be also a measuring and dispensing
cap. An example of a measuring and dispensing cap according to the
15 present invention is shown in Figure 12. The measuring chamber is
delimited by the surrounding wall (160). The part (161 ) of said
surrounding wall plunges into said opening (112) of said container when
said measuring and dispensing cap closes said container. Said measuring
and dispensing cap further comprises said inner (121) and outer (122)
2o skirt and at Feast a deformable pushtab (123). In the embodiment shown
in Figure 12, said second engaging means (118a) of said measuring and
dispensing cap is on the innermost surface of said inner skirt. As a
preferred option, said pushtab further comprises a downward extension
(127).
Said inner or outer skirt comprises on at least one of its surfaces
second engaging means (118a) complementary to said first engaging
means (118) of said upper portion (115) for reteasably securing said
closure to said container. Preferably, said second engaging means for
3o releasably securing said closure to said container is a combination of
lugs and screw threads or a snapping mechanism comprising ribs and/or
grooves, corresponding to said first engaging means on sand upper
portion. Preferably, said second engaging means for releasabiy securing
said closure 1to said container is located on the innermost surface of said
inner or outer skirt of said closure. The second engaging means for
releasably securing said closure to said container ensures that said
closure closEa said container in a leak tight manner. As a preferred
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option, said closure further comprises a plug (154) closing said reduced
opening ( 151 ) of said spout. Indeed, this plug fits into said reduced
opening of said spout, as shown in Figure 4b. The plug plonges at least -
partially into said channel (152). In this manner, said plug further
5 improves the leak tightness when said container is closed with said
closure.
As a preferred option, said inner skirt (121) may be interrupted in
correspondence of said pushtab (123) just behind said pushtab, as
1o shown in Figure 2i. The interruption corresponds in dimension to the
dimension of said pushtab. In this manner, said pushtab can be
deformed without being limited by an inner skirt which may act
otherwise as a stopper. We found that the interruption of said inner wall
just behind said pushtab provides a greater flexibility to said pushtab:
Consequently, said inner skirt comprises partial second engaging means.
Said inner skirt may be connected through the connecting walls (124) to
said outer skirt.
Another essential feature of said closure is said pushtab (123). Said
2o pushtab is the part of said closure interacting with said interlocking
tooth (119). Said pushtab may be part or attached to said inner skirt
(121) and/or to said outer skirt (122). Said pushtab has an exposed
outermost surface contour which generally conforms to the exterior
outermost surface contour of the adjacent portions of said outer skirt of
said closure. This minimises the chance of inadvertent depression of
said pushtab when said outer skirt is grasped. Said pushtab may be
positioned anywhere on said outer skirt, e.g. at different distances from
the top wall ( 129) of said closure. For example, said pushtab in Figure
4a is located away from said top wall, whereas in Figure 4b said
3o pushtab is further towards said top wall.
Figure 2a shows an embodiment of the present invention in which
said pushtab is part of said outer skirt, and whereby said pushtab is
formed by at least a pair of parallel slots (124, 124'). In this manner, '
said pushtab is fixed to said outer skirt along the drawn line (125)
perpendicular to said slots. Therefore, said pushtab is cantilevered to
said outer skirt of said closure. Another possibility is shown in Figure
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3a, in which said pushtab is also part of said outer skirt, formed by
three slots (124, 124' and 124") and connected to said outer skirt
through the transition portion (128).
As a prefs:rred option, a spring (126) may be located between said
inner skirt and said pushtab being part of said outer skirt, as illustrated,
for example, in Figure 3b. In this case, said spring is made of a flexible
and resilient arm (128). Preferably, said spring is attached to or part of
said inner skirt (121 ) at one end and attached to or leant against said
1o pushtab at the opposite end of said flexible and resilient arm. As another
preferred option, said pushtab (123) may be independent from said
outer skirt. Indeed, said pushtab and said inner skirt may be connected
together with said spring (126), as shown, for example, in Figure 4a.
Figure 4b illustrates an example in which at least the part of said inner
skirt attached to said pushtab (123) is formed into an S-shaped spring
(126). The S-shaped spring provides the flexibility and resiliency to said
pushtab. In this case, said outer skirt (122) comprises a cut through the
thickness of said outer skirt. Said cut has substantially the same
dimension of said pushtab, giving complete access to said pushtab from
2o the outside of said closure and fully accommodating said pushtab (123).
Said spring (126) according to the present invention is not limited by
any particular form of said spring. Indeed, said spring may be o$ several
different fornns, as shown in Figures 5 to 8. Figure 5a illustrates a
perspective front view of a closure without said outer skirt, but showing
said pushtab (123), said spring (126) and said inner skirt (121). In this
case, said spring comprises one flexible and resilient arm (128). This
same execution is shown in Figure 5b in a cross sectional view taken
across line (A-A') of Figure 5a. As a preferred alternative, said flexible
3o and resilient arm (128) may also be positioned perpendicularly, as
shown in Figure 7a, with respect to the flexible and resilient arm (128)
of Figure 5a. Figure 7b illustrates a cross sectional view across line (B-
B') of Figure '7a.
3s Figures 8a and 8b represent cross sectional views also across line (B-
B') of Figure 7a, illustrating a preloaded pushtab (123). Indeed, in a first
manufacturing process said flexible and resilient arm (128) us made
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substantially perpendicular to said inner skirt (121), as shown in Figure
8a. Than, in a second manufacturing process, said outer skirt is made
whereby said arm is bent downwards and kept by said outer skirt, as
shown in Figure 8b. In this manner, said outer skirt preloads said
pushtab. As another preferred option, said spring (126) may comprise '
more than one flexible and resilient arm, as shown, for example, in
Figures 6a and 6b. Preloading of said pushtab (123) may be achieved
with any form of pushtab and/or spring ( 126) described before in
Figures 5 to 7.
Another embodiment of a child resistant closure (200) with a
preloaded pushtab (123') is shown in Figures 9a and 9b. Said closure
(200) comprises said inner (221 ) and outer skirt (222). Said outer skirt
further comprises a hinged pushtab (123'), said pushtab being hinged-
along the drawn line (Fig. 9b, 224). Preferably, said pushtab may further
comprise a spring (226). Furthermore, said pushtab and/or said outer
skirt comprises at least a pair of lateral wings (Fig. 9b, 2251. Again, in
the manufacturing process said flexible and resilient pushtab is made
substantially perpendicular to said inner skirt (221 ), as shown in Figure
9a. Than, said pushtab can be pushed down towards said outer skirt
and locked within said outer skirt by said lateral wings, as shown in
Figure 9b. Indeed, said lateral wings impede that said pushtab springs
back to the initial position of Figure 9a, i.e. said lateral wings maintain
said pushtab locked within said outer skirt. Therefore, this allows to
provide a preloaded pushtab. When said lateral wings are located on
said outer skirt, said lateral wings are over the outermost surface of said
pushtab. Vice versa, when said lateral wings are located on said
pushtab, said lateral wings press on the innermost surface of said outer
skirt. To better conform to the exterior surface contour of the adjacent
3o portions of said outer skirt, said pushtab and/or said outer skirt may
preferably further comprise recesses (227) corresponding to said lateral
wings. Indeed, said lateral wings may seat within said recesses.
It is believed that preloading of said pushtab ensures positive locking
with said interlocking tooth ( 1 19) even in situations where
manufacturing tolerances drift beyond-specific limits. If no preloading of
said pushtab is present, drifts in manufacturing tolerance can reduce the
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-13
required annount of travel for said pushtab and thereby permit
disengaging of said closure (120) with less depression of said pushtab.
Furthermore, we found that adults having impaired manual strength and
dexterity do not find the preloading of said pushtab to pose any
~ 5 additional opening difficulty for them. Indeed, the level of preloading is
not so great as to significantly increase the total force required to
release said pushtab from said interlocking tooth and permit disengaging
of said closure. Therefore, the adults are more prone to reapply said
closure to said package once the desired amount of contents has been
1o removed ral:her than leaving said closure only partially secured to or
completely off of said package after initial opening.
On the contrary, we found an improved child resistance when
preloading said pushtab (123') and/or spring (126). While the precise
~ 5 phenomenon which produces said improved child resistance is not fully
understood, it is believed that preloading of said pushtab and/or spring
offers a degree of initial resistance to the depression exerted by
children. This may discourage children from attempting to further
depress saidl pushtab while concurrently applying an disengaging force
2o to said clo::ure (120). Thus, the chances that said closure will be
inadvertently opened by someone who does not understand the opening
mechanism is substantially reduced. Another benefit of a preloaded
pushtab is that the resiliency of said pushtab is better preserved,
especially v~rhen said pushtab and/or spring is made of a particular
25 material, like: polypropylene.
Said package ( 100) according to the present invention is closed and
opened in the following manner. In the simplest execution of Figure 2a
having screvv threads as first and second engaging means, the maximum
3o thickness of said pushtab (123) is greater compared to the thickness of
the outer skirt (122). When the closure is screwed on the container to
close the package, the innermost surface of the outer skirt passes in
front of the outermost surface of the interlocking tooth. However, the
pushtab, which has a greater thickness with respect to the outer skirt,
35 has to be deflected to pass around the interlocking tooth. In this case,
the deflection of the pushtab may be- helped by a guiding ramp (131 ).
The guiding ramp is an inclined ramp located between the innermost and
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the outermost surface of the pushtab and on the part of the pushtab
which first comes in contact with the interlocking tooth when the
closure is screwed in the closing direction. The direction along the
guiding ramp can be substantially parallel to the direction along the
inclined wall (119a), as shown in a cross section view of Figure 2g.
Alternatively, the. edge (119e) which is the interconnecting edge
between the inclined wall (119a) and the outermost surface (119c) of
the interlocking tooth may point towards the guiding ramp, as shown in
a cross section view of Figure 2h. When the guiding ramp is made like
1o in Figure 2g, then the pushtab is inwardly deflected towards said neck
portion (117) whenever said closure is turned in the closing rotation. On
the contrary, when the guiding ramp is like in Figure 2h, the pushtab is
outwardly deflected passing in front of the outermost surface ( 119c) of
the interlocking tooth whenever said closure is turned in the closing
rotation.
Figures 2d, 2e and 4a illustrate the position of said pushtab, when
said closure is fully threaded onto said container. Said radial wall (119b)
of said interlocking tooth impedes that said pushtab may rotate in the
2o reverse opening direction without first pushing inwardly onto said
pushtab. Indeed, to unscrew said closure from said container, once said
closure is fully assembled onto said shoulder portion (116), said
pushtabs must be inwardly depressed towards said dispensing opening
( 1 18) such that said pushtab disengage from said interlocking tooth.
2s Said pushtab must be depressed until the thickness of said pushtab
overcomes the innermost edge (119d) of said radial wall (119b). Now it
is possible to turn said closure in the opening direction and to unscrew
said closure from said container. Thereby at least part of said pushtab
faces the innermost surface of said interlocking tooth when said closure
3o is disengaged from said container. In other words, this means that at
least part of said pushtab passes adjacent to the innermost surface of
the interlocking tooth when disengaging said closure from said
container. In case said closure comprises two pushtabs interacting ,
correspondingly with two interlocking teeth on said shoulder portion of
35 said container, then both pushtabs must be depressed together to
unscrew said closure from said container.
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The unscrewing of said closure from said container needs only a one-
hand operatiion. Indeed, it is possible to grasp said closure (120) with
' one hand and at the same time to depress said pushtab(s) with one or
two fingers of the same hand grasping said closure before turning said
5 closure to open said package. This one-hand operation is allowed by the
fact that said pushtab is positioned on said closure itself. Therefore, the
other hand may be used only to hold said container without needing to
interact in the opening operation. We found that packages, which are
uneasy to hold due to their unwieldy shape, especially when these
1o packages have a large dimension and/or weight, comprising the child
resistant closure according to the present invention can be firmly
grasped and easily opened also by elderly adults having impaired manual
strength and dextrity. Therefore, the risk of having said package slipped
from the hand is substantially reduced.
The squeE:zing force required to depress said pushtab(s) (123) is
preferably great enough to be difficult for a child, yet low enough for
adults, especially for elderly adults having impaired manual strength and
dextrity, to readily depress said pushtab(s). The preferred squeezing
2o force for said pushtab(s) is believed to be in the range of about 2.2 N
(0.5 pounds) and about 22.2 (5 pounds). In addition, said pushtab(s) are
preferably substantially flush with the outermost surface of said outer
skirt (122) of said closure (120). In this manner, grasping said closure
about its outer skirt is unlikely to permit said pushtab(s) from
inadvertently disengaged from said interlocking teeth (119). Rather, a
conscious decision to squeeze said pushtab(s) must be made by the user
to initiate the opening process. This minimises the chance that a child
will be able 1:o remove said closure (120) simply by squeezing the entire
outermost surface of said outer skirt (122) in his or her hand while
3o trying to unscrew said closure.
Figure 2b illustrates an embodiment of said package according to the
present invention comprising a surrounding wall (130). Said interlocking
tooth is distanced and a separate part of said surrounding wall. Again,
said pushtab (123) has a greater thickness compared to the outer skirt
(122). ConsE:quently, the pushtab has to be deflected to pass around
the interlocking tooth, as described for Figure 2a. Again the deflection
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16
of the pushtab may be helped by the guiding ramp (131 ), preferably by
the guiding ramp as shown in Figure 2g. Consequently, the pushtab
deflects in such a manner that the outermost surface of the pushtab
passes behind the outermost surface (119c) of the interlocking tooth
along the inclined ramp (119a), herein referred to as inward deflection. '
This inward deflection is preferable, since a greater space for the
deflection of the pushtab is available. Indeed, the free space in front of
the outermost surface of the interlocking tooth is limited by the distance
to the innermost surface of the surrounding wall. Similarly as for the
1o embodiment of Figure 2a, when said closure is turned in the closing
position, said pushtab is deflected, whereas the outer skirt passes
between said surrounding wall and the outermost surface (119c) of said
interlocking tooth. To open said package, said pushtab has to be pushed
until the thickness of said pushtab overcomes said innermost edge
(119d) of said interlocking tooth, as described before in Figure 2a.
Said interlocking tooth (119) in Figure 2c is part of said surrounding
wall ( 130). In this case, said pushtab ( 123) comprises a downward
extension (127) instead of the guiding ramp (131 ) of Figures 2a and 2b.
Said downward extension projects over the bottom edge (128) of said
outer skirt ( 122) and is located between said outer and inner ( 121 ) skirt.
When said closure is screwed on said container, said downward
extension is deflected as usual by said inclined wall (119a) of said
interlocking tooth (119), whereby the rest of said pushtab and said
outer skirt remains above the top surface (129) of said surrounding wall.
To open said package, said downward extension has to be inwardly
pushed by depressing said pushtab until the thickness of said downward
extension overcomes said innermost edge (119d) of said interlocking
tooth. Figure 2e illustrates the same embodiment of Figure 2c further
3o comprising two opposing interlocking teeth (119 , 119'). This further
opposing interlocking tooth (119') limits the movement of said pushtab
once said closure is in its closing position. We found that this limited
movement allowed in the closing position further discourages childs to
open said closure.
Another preferred embodiment of- a child resistant closure (300)
according to the present invention is shown in Figure 10a. As shown in
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Figure 10b, I!eft half, said pushtab (323) comprises an outer wall (Fig.
10b, 310) and an inner wall (312). Said inner wall is connected with
° said outer wall. As a preferred option, said inner wall is connected
with
said outer wall through a connecting portion (314). A channel (315) is
' 5 delimited by ;said inner wall, said outer wall and said connecting
portion.
When said closure is screwed onto said container, mainly said inner wall
of said pushtab is deflected and locked by said interlocking tooth (119).
Said outer wall of said pushtab may also partially deflect being
connected to said inner wall of said pushtab. Said interlocking tooth
1 o passes betwE:en said inner and outer wall of said pushtab through said
channel (315). Another possibility is that said inner wall of said pushtab
is deflected principally upwards when pressing on said pushtab such
that said inner wall of said pushtab passes over said interlocking tooth.
As a preferred option, the radial wall ( 1 19b) of said interlocking tooth
15 has a height which decreases towards the edge (119d) of said radial
wall. This decrease of the height of said radial wall facilitates the
disengagement of said pushtab from said interlocking tooth.
As described above, said radial wall (119b) of said interlocking tooth
20 (119) impedes that said inner wall (314), and consequently said pushtab
(323), may rotate in the reverse opening direction without any action on
said pushtab. Indeed, to unscrew said closure (300) from said container,
once said clasure is fully assembled onto said shoulder portion (116),
said pushtab must be inwardly depressed towards said dispensing
25 opening (11Et) such that said inner wall (312) disengages from said
interlocking tooth. Said pushtab must be depressed until the thickness
of said inner wall overcomes the edge (119d) of said radial wall (119b).
Now it is possible to turn said closure in the opening direction and to
unscrew said closure from said container.
As a preferred option, said inner wall (314) may further comprise on
its innermost surface a lateral wall (Fig. 10b, right half, 316) an each
side of said inner wall (312). Said lateral wall is parallel to said inner
wall
and is located slightly behind said inner wall towards said neck portion
( 1 17) between said interlocking tooth and said neck portion ( 1 17) when
said closure is in its closing position. laid lateral wall ensures that said
inner wall of said pushtab passes on said inclined wall (119a) of said
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interlocking tooth when unscrewing said closure. Consequently, said
interlocking tooth is obliged to pass through said channel (315). This
may be especially useful when said shoulder portion (Fig. 2a, 116) does
not comprise a surrounding wall (Fig. 2b, 130). Indeed, it may happen
otherwise that said inner wall of said pushtab may pass on the
outermost surface (119c) of said interlocking tooth without having to
first deflect said pushtab bypassing the child resistance of said closure.
An example of a closure (310) according to the present invention
comprising as first and second engaging means a snapping mechanism
is shown in Figures 13a to 13d The outer shape of said closure in Figure
13a is similar to said closure shown in Figure 4a. Figure 13b illustrates
said closure of Figure 13a without said outer skirt (322). Said closure
comprises said inner skirt (321 ), said pushtab (323), an inner wall (312)
of said pushtab similar to the inner wall described in Figures 10a 10b, a
connecting part (325) connecting said pushtab to said inner wall of said
pushtab and a lug (327). Said lug is an extension of said inner wall
which interacts with said interlocking tooth (319), shown in Figure 13c,
to achieve a child resistant closure of the package according to the
2o present invention. Said interlocking tooth is located as before on the
upper portion of said container. Specifically, said lug interacts with said
interlocking tooth in such a manner that said closure cannot be pulled
off from the corresponding container before said pushtab is pressed.
Indeed, only when pushing on said pushtab allows said lug to get free
from said interlocking tooth, and consequently to pull off said closure
from said container.
In a preferred embodiment said lug and said interlocking tooth are
made as shown in Figures 13c and 13d. Said lug comprises a lateral
3o extension (328) comprising a flat upper wall (329). Said extension may
have a cylindrical shape. Preferably, said extension has a semi-rounded _
cylindrical shape as shown in Figures 13b and 13c which facilitates an
easy snapping on of said closure on said container. Said interlocking ,
tooth further comprises a roof (330) extending from the upper portion of
said interlocking tooth. Said roof and said lug interact with each other in
such a manner that said lug is located-under said roof when said closure
is in its closed position on said container. Consequently, in this position _
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said closure cannot be simply pulled off from said container. Indeed,
when trying to pull off said closure with an upward movement, said flat
' upper wall of said lug comes in interaction with the lower surface of
said roof. Thereby a further upward movement of said closure is
prevented.
The only v~~ay to open said container is first to push on said pushtab
(323), thereby inwardly deflecting said inner wall (312) towards the
inner skirt (3:21 ) of said closure. Indeed, said inner wall is connected to
o said pushtab by said connecting part (325). Consequently, also said lug
(327) is pushed away from said roof (330). Said closure can be easily
pulled off once said lug is not vertically aligned, i.e. not under said roof.
We found that this provides child resistance to said closure according to
the present inivention. When said closure is snapped onto said container,
1 s said lug passes on one side of said roof. Thereby said inner wall is
deflected inwardly towards said inner skirt or outwardly away from said
inner skirt. Once said lug has overpassed said roof, said inner wall
returns to the undeflected position where said lug is positioned under
said roof as shown in Figure 13c.
Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in
Figure 13d. In this case at least a lug (327) is located on said closure on
the lower portion of said inner wall (312) between said pushtab (323)
and said inner wall (312) and under said connecting part (325). Said lug
interlocks in between the arc (340). The arc comprises a roof (341
limited by tvvo colums (342). Said lug is again under said roof in
between said columns when said closure is in its closed position on said
container. To open said container the same principle as discussed before
apply also in 'this case. When said closure is pushed onto said container
3o for closing, said spring deflects inwardly towards said container, such
that said lug snaps under said roof.
Another possible embodiment of a closure for said child resistant
package according to the present invention is shown in Figure 11. Said
3s closure (400) comprises a housing (410) and a fitment (420). Said housing
comprises said outer skirt and cuts through the thickness of said housing
corresponding to the location of said two pushtabs (423). Said fitment further
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comprises said inner skirt (421 ) and said two pushtabs. Said fitment is
inserted inside said housing to complete the closure (400) which can be
applied onto a container according to the present invention. Preferably, said
housing has an upper hole (407) and said fitment comprises a hat (421 )
s passing at least partially through said upper hole (407). In this case, said
fitment provides the closure of said container. Each feature described until
here with the help of Figures 2 to 13 can be put in different combinations
with any of the other features for a child resistant package according to the
present invention.
Preferably, said closure (120) is made of thermoplastic material. Such
thermoplastic materials have been extensively described in the art and
include vinyl chloride based resins, polymers and co-polymers derived
from olefins, acrylic polymers and co-polymers, polyethylene;
polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene
terephthalate glycol, or mixtures thereof. Said closure can be made of
single or multi-layer extrusion of such materials. It can also comprise
recycled thermoplastic materials. A preferred thermoplastic material
used herein is polypropylene. Different parts of said closure, like said
pushtab (123) or said spring (126), may be made of a different
thermoplastic material than said inner (121 ) or outer skirt (122). Parts of
different thermoplastic material may be co-injected together. Indeed, we
found that said pushtab or spring of different forms or of a different
material with respect to the rest of said closure allows to vary the
flexibility of said pushtab, i.e. to vary the force needed to be applied on
said pushtab.
As a preferred option, said package (100) according to the present
invention may further comprise a pilferproof system. The pilfer-proof
3o system enables the user to check when buying the package according
to the present invention filled with a product that said package has not
been opened before by someone else. Said pilferproof system may be
achieved with break-off spurs (140) or with a pull-out ring (145). Said ,
break-off spurs attach said closure ( 120) to said shoulder portion ( 1 16).
This attachment achieved with said break-off spurs is easily broken off
when said package is opened for the first time. Said pull-out cover is a
cover over said opening (1 12) or reduced opening (151 ). Consequently,
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21
the access to the content of said package can be achieved only after
uncovering said opening from said pull-off cover. As a preferred option,
said pull-off cover further comprises a ring extending from said pull-off
cover. Said ring facilitates the uncovering of said opening from said pull-
' 5 off cover. Indeed, the user may insert a finger in said ring, and
consequently pull-off said cover.
Said pack<jge (100) according to the present invention is suitable for
storing and dispensing potentially dangerous products. Potentially
1o dangerous products are products which may hurt the health of children
and adults when not used in a conscious manner and with the. correct
dosage. Medicaments and cleaning products are, for example, such
products. These products may be in solid, tablet, granular, powdered,
semi-solid, paste or liquid form. Preferably, said package according to
1s the present invention contains liquid cleaning products, (ike a hard
surface cleaner or a toilet bowl cleaner.
