Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02549310 2006-05-31
[36559/481]
REVERSIBLE VIAL CLOSURE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a reversible child-
resistant~closure. More particularly, the invention relates
to a cap, which may be applied i~o vial or other container in
both a child-resistant and.a non-child-resistant manner.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Many different types of vial closures are disclosed in
the art. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,449,078, which is
expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference
thereto, describes the combination of a container and a
safety cap therefor in which the safety cap has a closure
plane and a circumferential outer skirt for engaging a
container and has a circumferential resilient depending
inner member. The container has a rigid wall having an end
a for engagement with the cap internally of the outer skirt.
The wall is tapered from a smaller diameter portion adjacent
the closure plane of the cap to a larger diameter portion
remote from the closure plane of the cap. The tapered wall
of the container engages internally the resilient inner
member of the cap and the larger diameter portion of the
wall is stated to expand the resilient inner member
outwardly to provide a working seal of the container as well
as a bias on the cap in a direction of removal of the cap.
The combination also includes means disposed on the
container remotely from the end of the rigid wall and
cooperative means on the cap for preventing the cap from
being removed from the container without depression of th.e
cap on the container and rotation of the cap on the
container.
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While the child-resistant cap described in U.S. Patent
No, 5,449,078 may prevent children from accessing the
contents of a vial or container, the cap may also present
removal difficulties for an unintended subset of the
population, .including the elderly, that lack the strength
and/or manual dexterity to remove the cap.
Accordingly;, it is an aspect of the present invention
r
to provide~a reversible child-resistant closure, which may
be applied to a vial or container in both a child-resistant
and a non-child-resistant manner.
SUMMARY
An example embodiment of the container system of the
present invention includes a container and a cap configured
to mate with the container in a.first position, e.g., a
child-resistant position, and a second position, e.g., a
non-child-resistant position. The container includes a top
end and a plurality of container projections. The cap
- includes a circumferential skirt and a resilient lip
disposed within the cap and spaced apart from the
circumferential skirt. A plurality of first cap projections
are spaced along a first plane and project from an inner
surface of the circumferential skirt. A plurality of second
cap projections are spaced along a second plane and project
from an inner surface of the circumferential skirt. In the
child-resistant position each of the container projections
are wedged between the resilient-lip and one of the first
cap projections. The container projections, resilient lip,
and first cap projections are configured such that removal
of the cap from the container requires that the cap and
container be forced towards each-other. while rotating one of
the cap and container. zn the non-child-resistant position
each of.the container projections are wedged between one of
the second cap projections and a holding unit connected to
the circumferential skirt. The second cap projections,
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container projections and holding unit are configured such
that a predetermined threshold rotation force is necessary
to remove the cap from the container. The holding unit lies
between the second cap projections and the resilient lip.
In an example embodiment of the present invention, a
container system includes: a container having a top end and
a plurality of container projections; a cap configured to
mate with the container in a child-resistant position and a
non-child-resistant position, the cap including a
circumferential skirt and a resilient lip disposed within
the cap and at least partially spaced apart from the
circumferential skirt; a plurality of first cap projections
spaced along a first plane and projecting radially inwardly
from an inner surface of the circumferential skirt; and a
plurality o.f second cap projections spaced along a second
plane and projecting radially inwardly from an inner surface
of the circumferential skirt, the second plane spaced from
the first plane, the resilient lip between the first and
second cap projections. In the child-resistant position,
each of the container projections are wedged between the
resilient lip and one of the first cap projections; said
. cantainer.projections, resilient lip, and first cap
projections configured such that removal of the cap from the
container requires that the cap and container be forced
.. 25 towards each other during rotation of the cap and container
relative to each other. In the non-child-resistant
position, each of the container projections are wedged
between one of the second cap projections and a holding unit
connected to the circumferential skirt, said second cap
projections, container projections and holding unit
configured such that.a predetermined threshold rotation
force is necessary to remove the cap from the container,
said holding unit lying between the second cap projections
and the resilient lip.
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The resilient lip may be.configured to engage one of an
outer surface, an inner surface and a top of the container
in the child,res~istant position.
The holding unit may include a cover disposed within
the circumferential skirt and arranged to cover an opening
of the container in both the child-resistant and-non-child-
resistant positions.
The cover may be bowl-shaped, and the resilient lip may
for a lip of the bowl-shaped cover. The cover may be
connected to the-circumferential skirt adjacent the
resilient lip.
The resilient lip may project from the cover.
Each of the first cap projections may include a first
cap projection tab, each of the second cap projections may
include a second aap projection tab, and each of the
container projections may include a latch.
The first cap projection tabs and the second cap
projection tabs may have different widths.
The latch may include a sloped catch portion, a stop
portion, and a central portion between the sloped catch
portion and the stop portion; -and a height of the stop
portion and the sloped catch portion may be larger than that
of the central portion. In the child-resistant position,
each first cap projection tab may be arranged between the
stop portion and sloped catch portion of one of the latches.
The latch may include a sloped catch portion, a stop
portion, and a central portion between the sloped catch
portion and the stop portion, and a height of the stop
portion and the sloped catch portion larger than that of the
central portion. In the non-child-resistant position, a
longer one of the first cap projection tabs and the second
cap projection tabs may each contact the sloped catch
portion of one latch and may be too long to fit between the
stop portion and the sloped catch portion of said latch.
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Each of the first and second projections may include a
latch, and each of the container projections may include a
tab.
Each of the first projections may include a latch, each
of the second projections may include a modified latch, and
each of the container projections may include a tab. Each
latch may include a sloped catch portion, a stop portion,
and a central portion between.the sloped catch portion and
the stop portion, and a height of the stop portion and the
sloped~catch portion may be larger than that of the central
portion. In the child-resistant position, each tab may be
located between the stop portion and sloped catch portion of
one of the latches. Each modified latch may include a stop
portion, a ramp portion, and a central portion between the
stop portion and the ramp portion, and .the ramp portion may
include a sloped portion. The stop portion~may be higher
than. the central portion and the ramp portion. In the non-
child-resistant position, each tab may contact the central
portion. -
. . Each of the first projections may_include a latch, each
of the second projections may.include a modified latch, and
each of the container projections may include a tab. Each
latch and modified latch may include a sloped catch portion,
a stop portion, and a central portion between the sloped
catch portion and the stop portion, for both the latch and
modified latch a height of the stop portion and the sloped
catch portiommay be larger than that of the central
portion. The central portion o.f the modified latch may have
a shorter length than that of the central portion of the
30~ latch.. In the child-resistant position, each tab may be
located between the stop portion and sloped catch portion of
one latch, and in the non-child-resistant position, each t-ab
-may contact the sloped catch portion of one modified latch
and may be too long to fit between the stop portion and the
sloped catch portion of said modified latch.
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In the non-child-resistant position, the top end of the
container may be disposed in a circumferential channel at
least partially defined by at least a portion of the
cirCumferential skirt and at least a portion of the cover.
- The container system may include a second resilient lip
projecting from the cover in an opposite direction to the
resilient lip.
The cap is integrally formed.
In an example embodiment of the present invention, a
cap may be configured to mate with a container in child-
resistant and non-child-resistant positions. The cap may
imclude:.a circumferential skirt and a resilient lip
disposed within the cap and at least partially spaced apart
from the circumferential skirts a plurality of first cap
projections spaced along a first plane and projecting
radially inwardly from an inner surface of the
circumferential skirt; a plurality of second cap projections
spaced along a second plane and projecting radially inwardly
from an inner surface of the circumferential skirt,, the
second plane spaced from the first plane, the resilient~lip
located between the first and second cap projections; a
holding unit connected to the inner surface of the
circumferential skirt and arranged between the second cap
projections and the resilient lip; and a plurality of
channels, each channel defined by at least a portion of the
holding unit; one of the second cap projections, and at
least a portion of the circumferential skirt.
The holding unit may include a cover disposed within
the circumferential skirt and configured to cover an opening
in a container in both the child-resistant and non-child-
resistant positions.
The cover may be bowl-shaped, the resilient lip forming
a lip of the bowl-shaped cover. The cover may be connected
to the circumferential skirt adjacent the resilient lip.
The resilient lip may project from the cover.
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Each of the first cap projections may include a first
cap projection tab, each_of the second.cap projections may
include a.second cap projection tab, and each of the
container projections may include a latch.
The first cap projection tabs and the second cap -
projection tabs may have di-fferent widths.
The latch may include a sloped catch portion, a stop
portion, and a central portion between the sloped catch
portion and the stop.portion, and a height of the stop
portion and the sloped catch portion may be larger than that
of the central portion. In the child-resistant position,
each first cap projection tab may be located between the
stop portion~and sloped catch portion of one latch.
The latch may include a sloped catch portion, a stop
portion, and a central portion between the sloped catch
portion and the stop portion, and a height of the stop
portion and the sloped catch portion may be larger than that
of the central portion. In the non-child-resistant
position, a longer one of the first cap projection tabs and
~ the second cap projection tabs may each contact the sloped
catch-portion of one latch and may be too long to fit
. between the stop portion and the sloped catch portion of
said latch.
Each of the first and second projections may include a
latch, and each of the container projections may include a
tab.
Each of the first projections may include a latch, each
of the second projections may include a modified latch, and
each~of the container projections may include a tab, each
latch including a sloped catch portion, a stop portion, and
a central portion between the sloped catch portion and the
stop portion. A height of the.stop portion and the sloped
catch portion may be larger than that of. the central
portion. In the child-resistant position, each tab may be
located between the stop portion and.sloped catch portion of
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one latch. Each modified latch may include a stop portion;
a ramp portion, and a central portion between the ramp
portion and the stop portion, the ramp portion including a
sloped portion. The stop portion may be higher than the
central portion and the ramp portion. In the non-child-
resistant position, each~tab may contact the central portion
of one modified latch.
Each of the first projections may include a latch, each
of the second projections may include a modified latch, and
each of the container projections may include a tab, each
latch and modified latch including a sloped catch portion,~a
stop portion, and a central portion between the sloped catch
portion and the stop portion. A height of the stop portion
and the sloped catch portion may be larger than that of the
central portion; and the central-portion of the modified
latch may have a shorter length than that of the central
portion of the latch. In the child-resistant position, each
tab~may be located between the stop portion and sloped catch
portion of one latch, and in the non-child-resistant
positi-on, each tab may contact the sloped catch portion and
may be too long to fit between the stop portion and the
sloped catch portion of the modified latch.
The cap may include a second resilient lip projecting
from the cover ,in an opposite direction to the resilient
lip.
The cap may be integrally formed.
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present
invention, container system includes: a container having a
top end and a plurality of cap retaining means; a cap
configured to mate with the container in a child-resistant
position and a non-child-resistant position, the cap
including a circumferential skirt and a resilient lip
disposed within the cap and at least partially spaced apart
from the circumferential skirt; a plurality of first
container retaining means spaced along a first plane and
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projecting from an inner surface of the circumferential
skirt; and a plurality of second container retaining means
spaced along a second plane and projecting from an inner
surface of the circumferentia_1 skirt, the second plane being
spaced from the first plane, the resilient. lip being between
the first and second cap projections.. In,the child-
resistant.position, each of the cap retaining means are
wedged between the resilient lip and one o.f the first
container retaining means, said cap retaining means and
first container retaining means being configured such that
removal of the cap from the container requires that the cap
' and container be forced towards each other while rotating
the cap and container relative to each other. In the non-
child-resistant position, each of the cap retaining means
are wedged between one of the second container retaining
means and a holding unit connected to the circumferential
skirt, said second container retaining means, cap retaining
means and holding unit being configured such that a _
predetermined threshold rotation force is necessary to free
the cap retaining means from its wedged position, said
holding unit lying between the second container retaining
means and the resi-lient lip.
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present
invention, a method for closing a container with a cap
having child-resistant and non-child-resistant positions may
include: (a) disposing a top end of the container having a
plurality of container projections within a circumferential
skirt of the cap by passing each of the container
projections between adjacent second cap projections
projecting radially inwardly from the.circumferential skirt,
the cap including a resilient lip, disposed within the cap
and at least partially spaced apart from the circumferential
skirt,- and a plurality of first cap projections spaced along
a first plane and projecting from an inner surface of the
circumferential skirt, the second cap projections spaced
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along a second plane and projecting from an inner surface of
the circumferential skirt, the second plane being spaced
from the-first plane, the resilient lip lying between the
first and second cap projections; and (b) rotating the cap
and container relative to each other so as to wedge each of
the container projections between a holding unit and one of
the second cap projections, said holding. unit projecting
inwardly from the circumferential skirt and lying between
the resilient lip and the second cap projections.
The second cap projections may include one of tabs,
modified latches, and latches. The modified latches each
may include a sloped portion, stop portion and a central
portion between the sloped portion and the stop portion, and
the latches may each include a sloped catch portion, a stop
portion, and a central portion between the stop portion and
the sloped catch portion. The container projections may
include one of tabs, modified latches, and latches.
The holding unit may include a cover disposed within
- the circumferential skirt and covering an opening in the
container in both the child-resistant and non-child-
resistant positions.
The cover may be bowl-shaped, the resilient lip forming
a lip of the bowl-shaped cover, and the cover may be
connected to the circumferential skirt adjacent the
resilient lip.
Example embodiments of the present invention may be
embodied in the form. illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that
the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are
contemplated as being part of the present invention, limited
only by the scope of the appended.claims.
In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like
reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as
follows.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side view of an exemplary container
system of the present invention.
Figure 2 is side view of the vial of Figure 1 and a
partial side view and partial cross-sectional view of the
cap of Figure 1 locked onto the vial in a child-resistant
position.
Figure 2A is a top perspective view of the cap of
Figure 2.
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the vial of Figure
1 and a partial side view and partial cross-sectional view
of the cap of Figure 1 inverted and locked onto the vial in
a non-child-resistant position.
Figure 3A is a top perspective view of the cap of
Figure 3.
Figure 4 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment
of the container system of the present invention.
Figure 5 is side view of the vial of Figure 4 and a
partial side view and partial cross-sectional view of the
cap of Figure 4 locked onto the vial in a child-resistant
position.
Figure 5A is a top perspective.view..of the cap of
Figure 5.
Figure 6 illustrates a side view of the vial of Figure
4 and a partial side view and partial cross-sectional view
of the cap of Figure 4 locked onto the vial in a non-child-
resistant position.
Figure 6A is a top perspective view of the cap of
Figure 6.
Figure 7 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of
the container system of the present invention with an
inwardly projecting resilient.lip.
Figure 8 illustrates an another exemplary embodiment of
the container system of the present invention with two
resilient lips.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figure 1 is a side view of. an exemplary container
system 10 of the present invention including a container,
e.g., vial 12, and mating cap 14. The cap 14 includes a
circumferential skirt 16 having a ribbed exterior surface
18, which facilitates gripping and rotation of the cap 14.
The vial 12 includes four tabs 20 (only three visible) which
mate with caroming latches 22, in a child-resistant position
of the cap 14 (Figure 2), and with modified latches 24, in a
non-child-resistant position (Figure 3). It should be
understood that although four tabs 20 are mentioned any
number of tabs 20 may be.provided. The caroming latches 22
and modified latches 24 project from an inner surface 30 of
the circumferential skirt 16, and thus, are shown in ghost
lines.
The cap l.4 is locked onto to the vial 12 in the child-
resistant position by first rotating approximately 45
degrees clockwise from the position shown in Figure 1,
lowering the cap 14 onto the vial 12 such that a tapered top
end 26 of the vial 12 is disposed within the circumferential w
skirt 26 and such that each camming latch 22 is between two
tabs 20 (one of the tabs 20 is in the position labeled A, as
seen in Figure 2), and rotating the cap 14 by approximately
45 degrees in a counter clockwise direction. Note that the
necessary degrees of rotation is dependent on the number and
arrangement of latches 22 and 29 disposed in the vial 12.
More o.r less than the four latches 22 and 24, and
corresponding tabs 20, shown may be provided. The cap 14 is
locked in a similar manner onto the vial 12 in the non-
child-resistant position except the cap l4 is in an inverted
or flipped position prior to~disposing it over the top end
26 of the vial 12.
Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the vial 12 and a
partial side view and partial cross-sectional view of the
cap 14, which is locked onto the vial 12 in the child-
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resistant position. The cap 14 includes a bowl-shaped cover
28 connected to the inner surface 30.of the-cap 14 by a ring
portion 32 of the cover 28, which projects inward from the
cap 14 and outward from the cover.28. The circumferential
skirt 16 is selectively torn away to expose each camming
latch 22 and modified latch 24, which project inward from
the circumferential skirt 16. As such, the camming latch 22
and modified latch 24 are. shown in a "floating" state. The
circumferential skirt 16, which normally supports latches 22
and 24, has been torn away so as to expose the mating action
of the tabs 20 and the camming latches 22 (Figure 2) and the
modified latches 24 (Figure 3). The sides of the cap 14 are
shown in cross-section. The transverse section taken is
down the center of each of the latches 22 and 24. A top
perspective view of the cap 14 of Figure 2 is illustrated in
Figure 2A, without the vial 12 for clarity.
The camming latch 22 includes a stop portion 34, a
center detent portion 36, and a sloped catch portion 38.
The modified latch 24 includes a stop portion 40, a flat
center portion 42, and a ramp portion 44. In the child-
resistant position illustrated in Figure 2, as the cap 14 is
rotated counter clockwise, the camming latch 22, initially
in position A, slides along the path labeled 29 such that
tab 20. slides up the sloped catch portion 38 and then falls
into..the center detent portion 36. A resilient lip 46 of
the bowl-shaped cover 28 is bent as the tab 20 and top end
26 of vial 12 slides upward over the sloped catch portion 38
and applies a downward force on the vial 12 and tabs 20.
The stop portion 34 prevents further rotation of the cap in
the clockwise direction. The sloped cateh.portion 38
prevents rotation of the cap in the counterclockwise
direction, i.e., prevents removal of the cap 14, unless the
cap 14 and via1.12 are first pressed towards each other,
further bending the resilient lip 46 and raising the tab 20
higher than the sloped catch portion 38. This extra step in
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removing the cap 14 adds effective child-resistance to the
container system 10.
The cross-section of the cap 14 is taken down the
center of the latches 22 and 24. Therefore, center detent
portions 36 can be seen directly underneath the tabs 20 on
either side of the cap 14. In contrast to sides of the cap
. 14, the vial 12 is not shown in cross-section, therefore,
tabs 20 can be seen wrapping around either side of vial 12.
.Although not shown (given the~cross-sectional presentation
of the sides of the cap 14) stop portion 34 and sloped catch
portion 38 surround or sandwich these side tabs 20, in an
analogous manner as the fully shown camming latch 22 in the
middle of the cap 14.
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the vial 12 and a
partial side view and partial cross-sectional view of the
cap 14, which is locked onto the vial 12 in the non-child-
resistant position. The top end 26 of the vial sits in a
channel 27 at least partially defined by the ring portion
32, the cover 28 and the circumferential skirt 16. The cap
14 is rotated from position A (in which the vial 12 is
covered but the cap 14 is not locked) clockwise such that
modified latch 24 (the center one for illustration purposes)
slides along path 29 such that the flat central portion 42
sits under tab 20. The container system 10 is configured
~ such that in this locked. position the tabs 20 are held
snugly between the modified latches 24 and the ring portion
32; which functions as a holding unit. Up and down movement
-of the cap 14 relative to the via1.12 is prevented in this
locked position by the ring portion 32.and the modified
latches 24, which sandwich the tabs 20 from the top and
bottom. Unlike in the child-resistant-position, however,
rotation of the cap 19 is not prevented by a catch. Rather,
rotation of the cap 14 may be accomplished by applying at
least a predetermined level of rotating force to the cap 14
to overcome the friction between the flat center portions 92
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of the modified latches 24 and the tabs 20 and between the
top end 26 of the vial 12 and the ring portion 32.
A top perspective view of the cap 14 of Figure 3 is
illustrated in Figure 3A, without the vial 12 for clarity.
Ghost lines 33 are added to more clearly show the resilient
lip 46 and the ring portion 32.
Alternatively, the container system 10 may further
include an alternate projecting ring or other projection
(not shown). from the inner surface 30 of the circumferential
skirt 16 between~t~he cover 28 and the camming latches 22 to
function as a holding unit. In which case, the tabs 20
would be held snugly and wedged between the modified latches
24 and said alternate projecting ring or other projection in
the closed non-child-resistant position of the cap 14.
Figures 4 to.6 illustrate another exemplary embodiment
,of the container system 10 of the present invention. To the
extent that parts or elements in Figures 1 to 3 match those
in Figures 4 to 6, consistent numbering is maintained.
Figure 4 is a side view of the container system 10.
Four camming latches 22 are shown projecting from the vial
12. The camming latches 22 on either side of the vial 12
can be seen wrapping around the vial 12. The cap 14
includes four tabs 20 and four modified tabs 48, shown in
ghost lines, each projecting from the inner surface 30 of
the cap 14. .
The cap 14 is locked. onto to the vial 12 in the child-
resistant position by first rotating approximately 45
degrees counter clockwise from the position shown in Figure
4, lowering the cap 14 onto the vial 12 such that the
tapered top end 26 of the vial 12 is disposed within the
circumferential skirt 16 and such that each tab 20 is
between two camming latches 22..(one of the tabs 20 is in the
position labeled A), and rotating the cap 14 by 45 degrees
in a.clockwise direction. The cap 14 is similarly locked
onto the vial 12 in the non-child-resistant position except
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the cap 14 is first inverted or flipped prior to disposing
it over the top end 26 of the vial 12. Note that the
necessary degree of rotation for closure of the cap 14 is
dependent on the number of ramming latches 22 disposed on
the surface of the vial and the number of corresponding tabs
20. More or less than four ramming latches 22 and
corresponding tabs 20 may be provided.
Figure 5.~i-llustrates a side view of the vial 12 and a
partial side view and partial cross-sectional view of the
cap 14 of Figure 4, which is locked onto the vial 12 in the
child-resistant position. The circumferential skirt 16 is
selectively torn away to expose each of the tabs 20 and
modified tabs 48, which project inward from the
circumferenti.al skirt 16. As such, the tabs 20 and modified
tabs 48 are shown in-a "floating" state. The
circumferential skirt 16, which normally supports tabs 20
and modified tabs 48, has been torn away so as to expose the
mating action of the ramming latch 22 with the tabs 20
(Figure 5) and modified tabs (Figure 6). As in Figures 2 to
4, the sides of the cap 14 are shown in cross-section. The
transverse section taken is down the center of each of the
tabs 20 and modified tabs 48. A top perspective view of the
cap 14 of Figure 5 is illustrated in Figure 5A without the
vial 12 for clarity.
As seen in Figure 5, rotation of the cap 14 forces tabs
20 to slide along path 50 downward along the sloped catch
portions 38 and under the center detent portions 36.
Further, rotation of the cap 14 forces the top end 26 of the
vial 12 against the resilient lip 46 causing the lip 46 to
bend, thus creating a downward bias on vial 12 and forcing
~camming latches 22 against tabs 20. The stop portion.34 of
the ramming latch 22 prevents further counter clockwise
rotation of the cap 14. Further, the sloped catch portion
38 prevents rotation of the cap 14 in the clockwise
direction, i.e., opening of the cap, unless the cap 19 and
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the vial 12 are first forced towards each other, further
bending resilient lip 96, so as to lower, and thus, clear
the sloped catch portion 38.
Figure 6 illustrates a side view of the vial 12 and a
partial side view and partial cross-sectional view of the
cap 14 of Figure 9, which is locked onto the vial 12 in the
non-child-resistant position. A top perspective view of the
cap 14 of Figure 6 is illustrated in Figure 6A without the
vial 12 for clarity. Ghost lines 33 are used to more
clearly show the outlines of the resilient lip 46 and the
ring 32, which is hidden.behind the resilient lip 46 from
this perspective. As seen in Figure 6, the top end 26 of
the vial sits in a chamber 27 at least partially defined by
the ring portion 32, the cover 28 and the circumferential
skirt 16. The cap 14 is rotated from position A (in which
the vial 12'is covered but the cap 14 is not locked)
clockwise such that modified tabs 48 slides down the sloped
catch portion 38 and, at least partially, under the center
detent portion 36. The modified tabs 48 are too wide to fit
between the stop portion 34 and the center detent portion
36. However, the container system 10 is configured such
that in this locked position the modified tabs 48 are held
snugly between the camming latches 22 and the ring portion
32. Up and down movement of the cap 14 relative to the vial
12 is prevented by the camming latches 22 and the ring
portion 32, which sandwich the modified tabs 48 from the top
and bottom. Unlike in the child-resistant position,
however, rotation of the cap 14 is not prevented by the
sloped catch portion 38 because, as indicated above, each of
the modified tabs 98 is too wide to fit between the stop
portion 34 and the sloped catch portion 38 of each camming
latch 22. Rather, rotation of the cap 14 may be
accomplished by applying at least a predetermined level of
rotating force to the cap l4.to overcome the friction
between the sloped catch portion 38 and the modified tab 20
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and between the top end 26 of the vial 12 and the ring
portion 32.
Figure 7 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of
the container system 10 of the present invention, identical
to the embodiment of Figures 4 to 6, except for the
configuration of the resilient lip 46. The resilient lip 46
projects .further inwards and is configured to be disposed
inside the top end 26 of the vial 12. Further, as in the
embodiment of Figures 4 to 6, the resilient lip 46 is
configured to maintain a downward bias on top end 26 of vial
12 when.bent. Alternatively, the position of the tabs and
latches may be swapped as in Figures 1 to 3, i.e., the
latches 22 and/or 24 may project inwardly from the
circumferential skirt 16 and the tabs 20 or 48 may project
outwardly from the vial 12.
In-.another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the resilient lip 46 may be configured, e.g., L-
shaped, to engage a top edge of the vial 12.
Figure 8 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of
the container system 10 of the present invention. Figure 8
is a side view of the vial 12 and a partial side view and
partial cross-sectional view of the cap 14, which is locked
onto the vial 12 in the non-child-resistant position. The
circumferential skirt 16 is selectively torn away to expose
each of the caroming latches 22 and modified latches 24,
which project inward from the circumferential skirt 16. As
such, the caroming latches 22 and modified latches 24 are
shown in a "floating" state. The circumferential skirt 16,
which normally supports the caroming latches 22 and modified
latches 24, has been torn away so as to expose the caroming
latches 22 and the mating action of the modified latches 24
and tabs 20.~ The sides of the cap 14 are shown in cross-
section. The transverse section taken is down the center of
the side caroming latches 22 and modified latches 24.
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The cap 14 includes a central cover 56 dividing the
circumferential skirt 16 down the center. Top and bottom
resilient lips 46 and 54 project in opposite directions from
the central cover 56. On one side of the central cover 56
the camming latches 22 project inwardly from the
circumferential skirt 16 and on the opposite side of the
central cover 56 the modified latches 24 project inwardly
from the circumferential skirt 16.
Clockwise rotation of the cap 14 forces.tabs 20 to
slide upward along the ramp portion 38 and over the flat
center portion 42, along the path labeled 52. The rotation
of the cap 14 forces the top end 26 of the vial 12 against
the resilient lip 46 causing the lip 46 to bend, creating a
downward vial 12 bias. The stop portion 34 of the camming
latch 22 prevents further clockwise rotation of the cap 14.
Further, the friction between the resilient lip 46 and the
top end 26 of the vial 12 and between the modified latch 24
and the tab 20 resists rotation of the cap 14 in the
counterclockwise direction, i.e., opening of the cap.
However, the container system 10 is configured such that
application of a threshold rotation force to the cap 19
overcomes this friction. In the child-resistant position
(with the cap 14 inverted) the configuration and locking
action of the cap 14 is identical to that of Figure 2.
Rotation of the cap l4 forces tab 20 over sloped catch
portion 38 and down over center detent portion 36, fixing
tab 20 between stop portion 34 and sloped catch portion 38.
In this locked position rotation of the cap 14 in one
direction is prevented by stop portion 34 and rotation of
the cap 14 in the opposite direction may only be
accomplished by squeezing the cap 14 and the vial 12 towards
each other, so as to raise the tab 20 relative to the
camming latch 22, while rotating the cap 14.
Alternatively, the modified latches 24 may have the
same configuration as the camming latches 22 but have a
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shorter center detent portion 36. Further, the position of
the tabs and latches may be swapped as in Figure 4, i.e.,
the latches may project inwardly from the circumferential
skirt i6 and the tabs may project outwardly from the vial
12.
Cap 14, in all of the embodiments detailed above, may
be integrally formed and made from a plastic, e.g., high
density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene
(LDPE), and polypropylene. Further, in all of the exemplary
embodiments above a larger or smaller number of latches and
corresponding tabs may be used.
As many apparently widely different embodiments of the
present invention may be made without departing from the
- spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the
present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments
thereof except as defined in the appended claims.
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