Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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CONTAINER WITH LOCKING DEVICE
The present invention relates to containers, and in particular to
devices for retaining containers closed. The invention is particularly
concerned with containers for pharmaceutical tablets and the like, but it is
generally applicable to containers having other uses.
A first aspect of the invention provides a container which comprises
a container body comprising first and second parts which may be brought
together to close the container and separated to open the container, and a
retaining device comprising a retaining member and a release member,
wherein the retaining member is securable in a retaining position in which
it retains the first and second parts of the container body together and
thereby retains the container closed, the retaining member being
manually disengageable from its retaining position by movement of the
release member with respect to the retaining member.
Preferably, such movement of the release member with respect to
the retaining member either disengages the retaining member from its
retaining position, or enables the retaining member to be disengaged from
its retaining position. Advantageously, subsequent movement of the
retaining member with respect to at least one of the parts of the container
body preferably either opens the container or allows the container to be
opened.
A second aspect of the invention provides a container which
comprises a container body comprising first and second parts which may
be brought together to close the container and separated to open the
container, and a retaining device comprising a retaining member and a
release member, the release member being engageable, by manually
releasable interlocking, with the container body or a component thereof
such that when so engaged it secures the retaining member in a retaining
position in which the first and second parts of the container body are
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retained together and when disengaged it enables the retaining member
to be moved from its retaining position to release the first and second
parts of the container body.
(At least in the second aspect of the invention, the release member
may be regarded as a securement member, or a securement and release
member.)
The invention has the advantage that the function of retaining the
container closed (which is carried out by the retaining member) is
separated from the function of releasing the retaining member from its
securement in its retaining position in which it retains the container in its
closed state (which is carried out by the release member). This is
advantageous for several reasons.
Firstly, the separation of functions can provide a child-proof or
child-resistant opening mechanism for the container, which may be
important, for example, when the container is used for pharmaceutical
tablets and the like, This is because small children will typically be unable
to carry out both (or all) of the actions required to open the container, or
they may be unable to appreciate that the two (or more) actions are
required.
Secondly, the fact that at least two separate actions (namely
releasing the retaining member and opening the container, or
alternatively releasing the retaining member, moving the retaining
member, and opening the container) are required to open the container
generally provides a degree of security against accidental opening of the
container.
Thirdly, the separation of the retaining and securing functions can
enable the container to be designed for ease of use by the elderly or
disabled. This is because, by physically separating the actions required
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firstly to enable the container to be opened and secondly actually to open
the container, the opening of the container (which initially is securely
closed) can be made easier for people with manual dexterity difficulties
(for example the arthritic). For example, the physical spacing and/or the
size of container components arranged to carry out the two actions may
be made sufficiently large to facilitate their use by such people.
It was mentioned above that the container body comprises first
and second parts which may be brought together to close the container
and separated to open the container. The first and second parts may be
entirely separate, and only brought together, and retained together, when
the container is closed. Alternatively, the first and second parts of the
container body may be connected to each other even when the container
is open. For example, the first and second parts may be connected by
means of one or more hinges or the like by which they may be rotated
with respect to each other in order to open or close the container.
The first part of the container may comprise a lid or outer sleeve
of the container, and the second part of the container may comprise a
base of the container or a tray of the container arranged to be received in
the sleeve. The base may be larger than the lid, or the lid may be larger
than the base, but in a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is
particularly suitable for holding pharmaceutical tablets and the like, the
base and the lid are of substantially the same size and shape.
In addition to the first and second parts of the container body, the
container body may comprise one or more additional parts. For example,
some embodiments of the invention include a third part of the container
body forming a hinge region of the container between the first and second
pa rts.
It was also mentioned above that the retaining device comprises a
retaining member and a release member. In its retaining position, the
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retaining member retains the first and second parts of the container body
together such that the container cannot be opened. In this position, the
r etaining member preferably therefore engages with both the first and
second parts of the container body to prevent their separation.
Advantageously, the retaining member may comprise an integral part of
either the first or the second part of the container body (e.g. the second
part, especially if it is in the form of a base or tray). Alternatively, the
retaining member may comprise two (or more) spaced apart arms, each
of which is arranged to engage with a respective part of the container
body to prevent their separation. Such engagement of the retaining
member arms with the container body parts may comprise the insertion of
the arms into corresponding slots or other apertures in the respective
body parts, or it may comprise location of the arms on corresponding
ledges of the respective body parts, for example.
In some embodiments of the invention, the release member of the
retaining device comprises a securement member which not only causes
the retaining member to be released from its retaining position but which
also secures the retaining member in its retaining position prior to causing
such release when moved. In such embodiments, the release member
preferably is manually releasably interlockable with the container body or
a component thereof, for example by being manually depressed. For
example, the release member may comprise a projection, preferably a
resiliently flexible projection, arranged to interlock with a corresponding
recess or other aperture, or with a corresponding projection, in or on the
container body. Additionally or alternatively, the release member may
comprise a recess or other aperture arranged releasably to receive a
projection (e.g. a resiliently flexible projection) of the container body
therein. For example, the release member may comprise a resiliently
flexible detent arranged to form a snap-fit in a recess or other aperture,
or with a corresponding projection, in or on the container body.
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In such embodiments, the release member is preferably engageable
with the first and/or second part of the container body. In preferred
embodiments, the release member is engageable .with only one of either
the first part or the second part of the container body. For example, the
release member may be engageable with a lid of the container.
In other embodiments of the invention, the release member of the
retaining device does not itself secure the retaining member in its
retaining position (i.e. the release member is not also a securement
member) but instead functions merely to release the retaining member
from its retaining position. In such embodiments, actuation of the release
member by moving the release member relative to the retaining member
causes the retaining member to be released from its retaining position.
This may be achieved, for example, by the release member disengaging
the retaining member from an interlocking engagement with one or more
of the parts of the container body. For example, the retaining member
may be resiliently biased to interlock with one or more parts of the
container body (thereby to retain the container closed); actuation of the
release member by moving it relative to the retaining member may cause
the release member to act against such resilient biasing to release the
retaining member. This may, for example, be achieved by means of one
or more wedges or chamfered surfaces of the release member.
The release member may itself be accessible from the exterior of
the container. Alternatively, the release member may not be directly
accessible from the exterior of the container, but instead may be indirectly
accessible, for example by means of a button or the like, or a depressible
membrane. However, even though the release member may be only
indirectly accessible, the expression "manually disengageable" is intended
to mean that the retaining member does not require the use of a tool to
release it from its engagement with the container body (or a component
thereof).
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The release member and the retaining member of the retaining
device are preferably spaced apart from each other but physically
interconnected. This may be achieved, for example, by means of another
member forming part of the retaining device, to which both the release
member and the retaining member are joined.
The container body and/or the retaining device is/are preferably
formed from a polymer material, for example a polyolefin (e.g.
polypropylene), a polyacrylate, Nylon (trade mark) or the like. The
container body and preferably also the retaining device, is/are preferably
moulded, more preferably injection moulded. Advantageously, the
container body may be injection moulded as a single integral article.
Additionally or alternatively, other materials, for example metals and/or
card may, be used.
As already mentioned, a preferred use of the container according to
the invention is for containing pharmaceutical tablets, pills, capsules, or
the like. The expression "pharmaceutical tablets" is used in this
specification to include any kind of pharmaceutical, medicinal
(conventional or alternative), homeopathic, nutritional (including vitamins
and minerals etc) or similar tablet, pill, capsule, etc., or any other
discrete
dose, whether solid, liquid, or semi-liquid, Preferably such tablets are
themselves held in one or more generally flat packs, for example formed
from metal foil and/or flexible polymeric material and/or card and/or
paper. Such packs include so-called "blister packs" comprising a vacuum
formed tray provided with depressions for the tablets, the tray being
sealed (normally heat sealed) by means of a covering layer, normally of
metal foil or polymeric material or paper or card. For such embodiments
of the invention, the interior of the container preferably includes means
for holding the or each pack of tablets, for example one or more retaining
clips, e.g. arranged to engage one or more respective apertures provided
in the, or each, pack of tablets.
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Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by
way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a container according to the
invention, including a retaining device shown separately from the body of
the container;
Figure 2 shows a detail of the exterior of the container of Figure 1,
with the retaining device partly inserted into the container;
Figure 3 shows a detail of the interior of the container of figure 1
and 2, with the retaining device fully inserted into the container;
Figure 4 (views a and b) shows two details of retaining clips for
holding packs of tablets within a container according to the invention;
Figure 5 (views a to c) shows two details of an alternative form of
retaining clip for holding packs of tablets within a container according to
the invention;
Figure 6 shows the various major components of a second
embodiment of a container according to the invention;
Figure 7 shows, separately, the tray (or second part of the
container body) of the container of Figure 6;
Figure 8 shows the tray of Figure 7 immediately subsequent to its
removal from the sleeve (or first part of the container body);
Figure 9 shows the container of Figures 6 to 8 fully closed; and
Figure 10 (views (a) and (b)) shows a third embodiment of
container according to the invention.
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Figure 1 shows a container 1 suitable for pharmaceutical tablets,
which comprises a container body comprising a first part 3 in the form of
a lid, and a second part 5 in the form of a base, The container, which is
formed form a polymer material, for example polypropylene, is generally
rectangular in plan view and has a thin, flat, shape, making it suitable to
contain one or more generally flat foil packs of tablets, for example.
The first and second parts 3 and S of the container body are
connected to each other by means of hinge region comprising a third part
7 of the container which forms one thin edge of the container and which is
itself joined to both the first and second container body parts by means of
webs 9 of the polymer material. The polymer webs act as hinges,
allowing the first and second parts 3 and 5 of the container body to be
brought together (at their opposite edges) to close the container and
separated (at their opposite edges) to open the container. As shown in
Figure ~., the container is closed.
Figure 1 also shows a retaining device 11 that also forms part of
the container, and which is formed from Nylon (trade mark). The
retaining device i1 comprises a retaining member 13 and a release
member 15 which are interconnected by means of an elongate member
17. The retaining member comprises a pair of spaced apart arms 19
which are sized and shaped to locate with corresponding ledges 21 formed
in the opposing first and second container body parts 3 and 5 in the thin
edge 23 of the container opposite to the hinged edge 7. When the arms
19 of the retaining member are so located on the ledges 21, i.e. the
retaining member is in its retaining position, the container is prevented
from being opened.
The elongate member 17 of the retaining device 11 is joined to one
of the spaced apart arms 19 of the retaining member of the device, and
extends away from the arm in substantially the same direction as that in
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which the arm extends. The elongate member 17, which has the form of
a substantially rigid strip, is sized and shaped to be received in a slot 25
provided in a recess formed to accommodate the ledge 21 in the lid 3
when the retaining member 13 is in its retaining position (i.e. located on
the ledges 21).
When the retaining member 13 is in its retaining position, and the
elongate member 17 is received within the slot 25 so that it extends into
the interior of the container, the release member 15, which is in the form
of a resiliently flexible projection or detent carried by the elongate
member, is releasably engaged with an aperture 27 provided in the
container lid 3. In this way, the release member 15 secures the retaining
member 13 in its retaining position in which the first and second parts 3
and 5 of the container body are retained together. The release member
15 is disengageable from the aperture by pressing down upon the release
member from the exterior of the container 1. When disengaged, the
release member 15 enables the retaining member 13 to be moved from
its retaining position to release the first and second parts of the container
body, thereby allowing the container to be opened. It will thus be
appreciated that the functions of retaining the container closed, and
securing the container in its closed state, are separated, and in order to
open the container, two separate actions (prior to actually opening the
container) are required.
Figure 2 shows a detail of the retaining member 13 of the retaining
device 11, with the elongate member partially inserted into the slot 25 in
the container lid 3 (which in this view is shown beneath the base 5 of the
container).
Figure 3 shows a detail of the interior of the container, and in
particular a detail of the interior underside 29 of the lid 3 (the base 5 is
not shown). The retaining member 13 is in its retaining position
(although it is located on the ledge of the lid 3 only, since the base is not
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shown, for clarity). The elongate member 17 of the retaining device 11 is
shown extending through the slot 25 in the lid, and extending along the
underside 29 of the lid. The elongate member 17 is guided by means of a
pair of guide members 31 formed on the underside 29 of the lid 3, the
guide members being shaped and sized to guide a bevelled end region 31
of the elongate member. The release member 15, which as already
mentioned comprises a resiliently flexible projection or detent is received
within the aperture 27 in the lid 3.
Figure 4(a) shows a detail of the interior of a modified form of the
container shown in figures 1 to 3. Specifically, the detail shows one ena
of the hinge region of the container, including the edge portion 7 of the
container. The interior of the edge portion includes a plurality (three as
shown) of retaining clips 33 for holding a pack 35 of tablets (as herein
defined) to be stored in the container. There will be a corresponding set
of three retaining clips at the opposite end of the hinge portion (not
shown). The retaining clips 33 are arranged to be received in apertures
37 provided in an edge region of the tablet pack. As shown, alternate
clips are arranged in opposing orientations, and as shown in Figure 4(b)
the opposing clips are arranged to overlap slightly in profile, so that each
tablet pack is trapped and therefore held by the clips. However, the clips
are curved, thereby allowing the tablet packs to be pivoted while being
held by the clips, for ease of access and removal of tablets from each
pack.
Figure 5 (views a to c) shows an alternative form of retaining clip
38 for a tablet pack, in which an overhanging clip portion 39 extending
substantially parallel to the interior of the base 5 of the container has a
downwardly projecting spur 41 which projects into an aperture 43
provided in the base 5 below the overhanging clip portion 39. The spur
41 has an inclined leading edge 45 to facilitate the insertion of an edge of
a tablet pack so that an aperture 37 in the tablet pack can engage with
the spur. Removal of the tablet pack from the retaining clip is more
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difficult than its insertion, because the back edge of the spur 41 is not
inclined. Figure 4(a) is a perspective view of the retaining clip 38 and
tablet pack 35, Figure 4(b) is a side view, and Figure 4(c) is a plan view of
the underside of the base 5.
Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of the invention, comprising a
sleeve 51 (or first part) and a tray 53 (or second part) which together
comprise a container. Also shown is a blister pack 55 of tablets which is
sized and shaped to be received and retained in the tray 53 under detents
57 provided in side walls of the tray (as shown in Figure 8). Additionally,
a card inlay 59 (which may be printed with a design and/or information
pertaining to the tablets, for example) is also shown. The card inlay 59 is
also sized and shaped to be retained in the tray 53 under the detents 57,
and includes apertures 61 through which the tablet ~~blisters" and other
projections on the blister pack may project (also as shown in Figure 8).
The sleeve 51 is sized and shaped to receive the tray 53 (containing
the blister pack and the card inlay) as a snug fit therein. The sleeve
(which preferably is formed from card, but may be formed from a plastics
material for example) comprises a generally rectangular box which is
closed except for an open end 63 through which the tray may be inserted
into, and removed from, the sleeve. The tray 53 preferably is formed
from a plastics material (and preferably is injection moulded).
Figure 7 shows the tray 53 of Figure 6 alone. The tray 53
comprises a containment portion 65 in which, for example, a pack of
tablets (as shown in Figure 6) may be contained. The tray 53 also
comprises a retaining device 67 which is an integral part of the tray (and
preferably moulded as such). The retaining device 67 comprises a pair of
retaining members 69 and a release member 71. Each retaining member
69 comprises a pivoted flap of part of a side wall of the tray, the flap
being resiliently biased (by means of an injection moulded relive" hinge 73)
outwardly as shown in Figure 7. The release member 71 comprises a
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plate joined to an end wall 75 of the tray by means of an injection
moulded live hinge such that the plate is resiliently biased to extend in a
direction away from the remainder of the tray, as shown in Figure 7.
Opposite ends of the release member 71 include projections 77, each of
which has a chamfer 79 extending from an end thereof on an inwardly
facing surface of the projection. These projections 77 and chamfers 79
are arranged to fit into corresponding chamfered apertures 81 provided on
the interior surface of each retaining member 69, as will be explained with
reference to Figure 8.
Figure 8 shows the container of Figures 6 and 7 with the tablet
blister pack 55 and inlay card 59 contained in the tray 53, and retained
under detents 57. The tray 53 is shown immediately subsequent to its
removal from the sleeve 51 (or alternatively immediately prior to its
insertion in the sleeve). The release member 71 has been folded over a
low part of the end wall 75 of the tray to which it is joined by means of a
live hinge, so that the plate of the release member lies generally parallel
to the plane of the tray and overlies an end region of the tray. With the
release member 71 in this orientation, the tray may be inserted into the
sleeve 51 so that the tray is fully contained within the sleeve.
When the tray 53 is fully inserted into the sleeve 51, the retaining
members 69 (which are biased outwardly against the side wall of the
sleeve) interlock with projections and/or recesses (e.g. cut outs - not
shown) provided on the internal surfaces of the side walls of the sleeve.
In this manner, the tray is prevented from being removed from the
sleeve. An end region of an upper surface of the sleeve (at the opposite
end of the sleeve to the open end 63) contains a slot which provides a
depressible flap 83 in the upper surface of the sleeve. This depressible
flap 83 (which preferably includes a marking, e.g. as shown, to indicate
that it should be depressed) is arranged to be in alignment with the
release member 71 when the tray is contained in the sleeve. If the flap
83 is depressed, this causes the release member 71 also to be depressed
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relative to the remainder of the tray. The depression of the release
member causes the projections 79 to extend into the apertures 81 of the
retaining members 69, and the chamfered surfaces of the projections 79
and the apertures 81 cooperate to pull the retaining members inwards,
thereby releasing them from their interlocking engagement with the
interior of the sleeve. The tray 53 may then be withdrawn from the
sleeve 51 with the aid of a "finger pull" recess 85 provided at the opposite
end of the tray, which is accessible via a corresponding cut-out portion 87
of the sleeve.
The tray 53 may therefore be removed from the sleeve 51 only by
means of a two step procedure, whereby retaining members on the tray
(which retain the container closed) are firstly released from their retaining
position by means of a release member of the tray, and subsequently the
tray may be withdrawn from the sleeve.
Figure 10 (views (a) and (b)) shows a third embodiment of a
container according to the invention. This embodiment also comprises a
tray 93 which is slidingly received within a sleeve 91. In this
embodiment, however, the retaining device 95 comprises a sheet (for
example of card or plastics material) which has a groove 97 formed across
its width and which causes the sheet to be resiliently biased towards a
contracted configuration. Additionally, in this embodiment the retaining
device forms part of the sleeve 91 (rather than the tray 93) and
preferably is adhered to an interior surface of the sleeve by means of
adhesive 99.
When the tray 93 is fully inserted in the sleeve 91 and the retaining
device 95 is in its relaxed (contracted) configuration, the groove 97
interlocks with corresponding grooves 101 (only one of which is shown) in
the sidewalls of the tray 93, thereby preventing the withdrawal of the tray
from the sleeve. In order to withdraw the tray from the sleeve, it is
necessary to pull the sheet retaining device 95 relative to the tray and the
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sleeve in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 10(a). A portion
102 of the retaining device 95 is accessible from the exterior of the
container via a cut out portion 103 of the sleeve, and the accessible
portion 102 constitutes the release member of the retaining device.
Pulling the sheet retaining device with respect to the remainder of the
container in this way straightens the sheet, thereby releasing the groove
97 (which constitutes the retaining member of the retaining device) from
the corresponding grooves 101 (i.e. releasing the retaining member from
its retaining position) and allowing the tray 93 subsequently to be
withdrawn from sleeve 91.
