RESISTANT CONTAINER FOR CHILDREN
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a container for distributing and supplying a product. The invention also relates to a child resistant package. The invention still further relates to a closure element or cover for a child resistant package. Even, - still the invention relates additionally to a container for a child-resistant container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Child resistant containers have been developed for use in distributing products, considered potentially harmful to children if they are exposed or are otherwise improperly drunk. Such containers generally comprise a container and a closure element. The closure element generally requires mechanical manipulation to unscrew or disengage from the container. Some common types include push-and-spin, and press-and-spin. Such containers have been commonly used with tubular plastic dispensing containers. Some tubular plastic push-and-turn dispensing containers have used attachment lugs on the base or support of a container to couple portions of
REF. DO NOT. 172196 a closing element. Examples of such containers are shown in British Patent Application No. 2,030,970 Al and in US Patent Nos. 4,335,823; 4,413,743; 5,145,080; 5,988,412; 5,915,576; 6,112,921 and 6,357,615 Bl. Plastic tubular push-and-turn dispensing containers have not been available so far in small diameter sizes, ie, 1.27 to 1.91 cm (0.50 to 0.75 inches) in diameter of the base or support. Small diameter containers are difficult to design because of the relatively small circumference available to achieve the engagement between the lugs and the closure element. It will be convenient to have a container resistant to children of small diameter size. It will also be convenient to have a child-resistant container of the push-and-turn type. It will be even more convenient to have a child-resistant container that uses the fixing lugs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a tubular distribution container is provided. The package has a distribution container and a closure element that is fixed and coupled to the distribution container. The container has a body wall and a head. The head has a neck and a support. The body wall defines a chamber therein. The neck communicates with the body wall via the support. The neck has a hole therein and a passage therethrough which extends from the hole to the chamber. One or more lugs extend from the support adjacent the periphery of the support. The neck has a first thread that extends from it. The first thread has a clearance of about 0.20 cm (0.08 inches) to about 0.41 cm (0.16 inches) and an initial full thread generally aligned with the directional lug with the longitudinal extension of the neck. The closure element has an upper end having a generally circumferential outer skirt extending therefrom and a generally circumferential inner skirt extending therefrom. The inner skirt is located inside the outer skirt. The inner skirt has a second thread extending therefrom on an internal surface. The second thread is rotatably engageable with the first thread of the neck. The outer skirt ends at a first edge opposite the upper end. The inner skirt ends' on a second edge opposite the upper end. The outer skirt has a groove in it that extends inward from the edge. The slot here is adapted to receive a portion of the lug therein when the closure element is in the position of attachment to the head. In accordance further with the present invention, a distribution container is provided. The distribution container has a body wall and a head. The head has a neck and a support. The body wall defines a chamber therein. The neck communicates with the body wall via the support. The neck has a hole therein and a passage therethrough which extends from the hole to the chamber. One or more lugs extend from the support adjacent the periphery of the support. The neck has a first thread that extends from it. The first thread has a gap of about 0.020 inches (0.020 inches) to about 0.16 inches (0.16 inches) and an initial full thread generally aligned with the directional lug with the longitudinal extension of the neck. Also according to the present invention, a closing element is provided. The closure element has an upper end having a generally circumferential outer skirt extending therefrom and a generally circumferential inner skirt extending therefrom. The inner skirt is located inside the outer skirt. The inner skirt has a second thread extending therefrom on an internal surface. The second thread is rotatably engageable with the first thread of the neck. The outer skirt ends at a first edge opposite the upper end. The inner skirt ends at a second edge opposite the upper end. The outer skirt has a groove in it that extends inward from the edge. The slot defines a flat surface adjacent thereto. The planar surface is generally directional with the longitudinal extension of the outer skirt. The groove extends angularly from the edge therein to the flat surface. In accordance further with the invention, a dispensing package is provided. The package has a distribution container and a closure element. The container has a body wall and a head. The head has a neck and a support. The body wall defines a chamber therein. The neck communicates with the body wall via the support. The neck has a hole therein and a passage therethrough which extends from the hole to the chamber. There are two or more lugs that extend from the support adjacent to the periphery of the support. The neck has two or more intertwined threads extending from and along it. The threads have a gap of about 0.38 cm (0.15 inches) to about 0.76 cm (0.30 inches). Each of the two or more threads has an initial complete thread generally aligned with a directional lug with the longitudinal extension of the neck. The closing element is fixed and coupled to the distribution container. The closure element has an upper end having a generally circumferential outer skirt extending therefrom and a generally circumferential inner skirt extending therefrom. The inner skirt is located inside the outer skirt. The inner skirt has two or more intertwined threads extending from and along the same on an internal surface. Two or more interlocked threads are rotatably engageable with two or more interlocked neck threads. The outer skirt ends at a first edge opposite the upper end. The inner skirt ends at a second edge opposite the upper end. The outer skirt has a groove in it that extends inward from the edge. The slot here is adapted to receive a portion of two or more lugs therein when the closure element is in the position of fixing with the head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a dispensing package according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a closure element according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the closure element of Figure 2 along line 3-3. Figure 4 is a side view of the closure element of Figure 2. Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of a distribution container according to the present invention. Figure 6 is a top view of the distribution container of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a side view of the distribution container of Figure 5. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the package of Figure 1 throughout of line 8-8. Figure 9 is a close-up view of the threads of the closure element of Figure 3. Figure 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a closure element of the present invention. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the closure element of Figure 10 along the line 11-11. Figure 12 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a distribution container according to the present invention. Figure 13 is a partial side view of the distribution container of Figure 12. Figure 14 is another partial side view of the distribution container of Figure 12. Figure 15 is a top view of the distribution container of Figure 12. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of a package formed when the closure element of Figure 2 is assembled with the distribution container of Figure 12 in a manner similar to Figure 1. The cross section is seen from the same reference that line 8-8 in Figure 1. Figure 17 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a distribution vessel according to the present invention. Figure 18 is a partial side view of the distribution container of Figure 17. Figure 19 is a partial side view of the distribution container of Figure 17. Figure 20 is a top view of the distribution container of Figure 17. Figure 21 is a fragmentary perspective view of yet another embodiment of a distribution container according to the present invention. Fig. 22 is a fragmentary side view of the dispensing container of Fig. 21. Fig. 23 is a fragmentary perspective view of the dispensing container of Fig. 21 joined with a closure element to form a container. Figure 24 is a fragmentary side view of the dispensing container of Figure 21 joined with a closure element to form a container. Figure 25 is a side view of a closure element according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY The following are aspects and preferred features of the present invention. A preferred groove in the closure element can have substantially the same shape as the portion of the lug that will be received therein. The slot defines a vertical edge adjacent thereto, and the vertical edge is generally directional with respect to the longitudinal extension of the outer skirt. The slot extends angularly from the edge of the outer skirt thereon to the vertical edge. A preferred lug defines a generally directional planar surface with the longitudinal extension of the neck. The flat surface engages the vertical edge when the closure element is in the fixation position with the head. In one embodiment, the lug extends radially outwardly from the neck. The lug is substantially free of contact with the neck. In another embodiment, the lug has a slit therein in an outer portion thereof with the slit supporting a flat surface. In a preferred embodiment, there are two lugs that extend from the support with the two lugs placed opposite on the neck. Preferably, the height of the lug is approximately one half of the thread clearance on the external surface of the neck. In a preferred closure element, the external surface of the outer skirt defines channels therein that extend generally from the bottom edge to the top end of the closure element. The inner surface of the outer skirt has one or more flanges extending from about the center thereof to the upper end to mechanically strengthen the closure element. More preferably, it has three to six ridges. The support has a preferred diameter of about 1.27 cm (0.5 inches) to about 1.91 cm (0.75 inches) and a preferred diameter of about 1.52 cm (0.6 inches). The inner and outer skirts are preferably tapered inwardly approximately 0.5 ° (degrees) with respect to the longitudinal extent of the closure element to improve its molding ability during the injection molding of the closure element. The closure element preferably has a hermetic seal extending circumferentially from the upper end generally directional to the longitudinal extension of the closure element. The seal is adapted to fit within and seal the hole when the closure element is in the fixation position with the head. Instead of an airtight seal, the closure element may have a foam layer located in a central area of an inner surface of the upper end thereof. The foam layer will be adapted to fit over and seal the hole when the closure element is in the head-locked position. The support can be inclined or flat. The thread in the neck preferably has a gap of about 0.25 cm (0.1 inches) to about 0.30 cm (0.12 inches) and more preferably a gap of about 0.25 cm (0.1 inches). In addition to having an initial complete thread generally aligned with a directional lug with the longitudinal extension of the neck, a preferred dispensing container also has a terminal complete thread generally in the same alignment. One embodiment of a tubular dispensing package is shown in Figure 1 and generally referred to as No. 10. The package 10 has a dispensing container 20 and a closure element 12 which engages and fixes with the container 20. closure 12 is shown in isolation in figure 2. According to what is shown in figure 5, the container 20 has a body wall 16 and a head 22. The head 22 has a neck 24 and a support 26. The wall 22 body 16 defines a camera 28 therein. The neck 24 communicates with the body wall 16 via the support 26. The neck 24 has a hole 28 therein and a passage 30 therethrough which extends from the hole 28 to the chamber 28. According to shown in Figures 6 and 7, the lugs 32 and 34 extend from the support 26 radially outward of the neck 24 adjacent to the periphery of the support 26. The lugs 32 and 34 are generally opposite on the neck 24. The lugs 32 and 34 define the planar surfaces 52 and 54 and angled surfaces 56 and 58, respectively. In the lug 32, the angled surface 56 slopes upwardly from the support 26 to intersect the flat surface 52, which extends generally directionally with the longitudinal extension of the neck 24. On the lug 34, the angled surface 58 it inclines upwards from the support 26 to intersect the flat surface 54, which generally extends in a directional manner with the longitudinal extension of the neck 24. The lugs 32 and 34 take the general form of a triangle or a wedge. The thread 36 extends from an upper portion of neck 24. "Thread 36 has a clearance of about 0.20 cm (0.08 inches) to about 0.41 cm (0.16 inches). Thread 36 has an initial full thread 60 and a terminal complete thread 62 generally in alignment with the planar surface 52 of the directional ear 32 with the longitudinal extension of the neck 24. According to that shown in Figures 3 and 4 the closure element 12 has an upper end 38 having a generally circumferential outer skirt 40 extending The closure member 12 also has a generally circumferential inner skirt 42 extending therefrom within the outer skirt 40. The inner skirt 42 has a thread 46 extending from its inner surface. The collar 24 can be screwed into the thread 46 of the inner skirt 42. The outer skirt 40 terminates at a first edge 48 opposite the upper end 38. The inner skirt 42 terminates at a second edge 50 opposite the upper end 38. The outer skirt 40 has a groove 14 and another groove 15 opposite thereon which extends internally therein from the first edge 48. The groove 14 has an angled edge 62 that forms a angle and curves inwardly in the outer skirt 40 and intersects a vertical edge 64 which is generally directional with respect to the longitudinal extension of the outer skirt 40. ' The slot 15 has an angled edge 66 that forms an angle and curves inwardly into the outer skirt 40 and intersects a vertical edge 68 that is generally directional with respect to the longitudinal extension of the outer skirt 40. Slots 14 and 15 adapted to receive an external portion of each of the lugs 32 and 34, respectively, when the closure element 12 is in the fixation position with the head 22 according to that shown in figures 1 and 8. The slots 14 and 15 slide on and / or around the outer portion of the lugs 32 and 34 as the closure element 12 is screwed into the container 20. In the fixing position, the vertical edge 64 is generally abutting with or adjacent the vertical surface 52 and the vertical edge 68 of the slot 15 is generally abutting with or adjacent to the vertical surface 54. Further in the fixing position, the angled edge 62 is generally abutting with or adjacent the angled surface 56 and a corresponding angled edge (not shown) of the slot 15 is generally abutting with or adjacent to the the angled surface 58. The closure element 12 defines channels 18 and 19 therein on the outer surface of the outer skirt 40 extending from the first edge 48 towards the upper end. 38. The channels 18 and 19 provide a gripping surface for the fingers (not shown) when tightening, turning and removing the closing element 12 from the container 20. When the closing element 12 is pressed in the channels 18 and 19, the portions of the outer skirt 40 having the slots 14 and 15 therein are forced outward, in such a way that the lugs 32 and 34 are released from their fixing position with the slots 14 and 15. A mode of a container of distribution is shown in Fig. 12 and is generally referred to by the number 80. The closure element 12 is shown in isolation in Fig. 2. The container 80 has a body wall 88 and a head 82. The head 82 it has a neck 84 and a support 86. The body wall 88 defines a chamber 89 therein. The neck 84 communicates with the body wall 88 via the support 86. The neck 84 has a hole 94 therein and a passage 98 extending therethrough from the orifice 94 to the chamber 89. As indicated in FIG. shown in Figures 13 to 16, the lugs 90 and 92 extend radially from the support 86 of the neck 84 adjacent the periphery of the support 86. The lugs 90 and 92 are generally opposite on the neck 84. The lugs 90 and 92 define flat surfaces 100 and 102, normal surfaces 104 and 106, and angled surfaces 108 and 110, respectively. In the lug 90, the angled surface 108 slopes upwardly from the abutment 86 to generally intersect the flat surface 100, which extends generally directionally with the longitudinal extension of the neck 84. The normal surface 104 also generally extends from directional shape with the longitudinal extension of the neck 84 and also generally is perpendicular with respect to the flat surface 108. On the lug 92, the angled surface 110 slopes upwardly from the abutment 86 to generally intersect the flat surface 102, which is generally extends in a directional manner with the longitudinal extension of the neck 84. The normal surface 106 also generally extends in a directional manner with the longitudinal extension of the neck 84 and is also generally perpendicular with respect to the flat surface 102. The relative configuration of the surfaces flat 100 and 102 and normal surfaces 104 and 106. provides the lugs 90 and 92 with "grooved" appearance. The thread 96 extends from an upper portion of the neck 84. The thread 96 has a spacing of about 0.20 cm (0.08 inches) to about 0.41 cm (0.16 inches). The thread 96 has an initial full thread 112 and a terminal complete thread 114 generally in alignment with the flat surface 100 of the directional lug 90 with the longitudinal extension of the neck 84. The closure element 12 engages and attaches to the container 80. The slots 14 and 15 of the closure element 12 are adapted to receive an external portion of each of the lugs 90 and 92, respectively, when the closure element 12 is in the fixation position with the head 82. The grooves 14 and 15 slide on and / or around the outer portion of the lugs 90 and 92 as the closure element 12 is screwed in. in the container 80. In the fixing position, the vertical edge 64 of the closure element 12 is generally abutting with or adjacent the flat surface 100 and the vertical edge 68 of the slot 15 is generally abutting with or adjacent to the flat surface 102. Further in the fixing position, the angled edge 62 is generally abutting with or adjacent the angled surface 108 and a corresponding angled edge (not shown) of the groove 15 is generally abutting with or adjacent the angled surface 110. Other The embodiment of a dispensing container is shown in FIG. 17 and is generally referred to by the numeral 130. The container 130 has a body wall 138 and a head 132. head 132 has a neck 134 and a support 136. Body wall 138 defines a chamber 139 therein. The neck 134 communicates with the body wall 138 via the support 136. The neck 134 has a hole 144 therein and a passage 148 therethrough which extends from the orifice 144 to the chamber 139. As indicated in FIG. shown in Figures 18 to 20, the lugs 140 and 142 extend radially from the support 136 adjacent the periphery of the support 136. The lugs 140 and 142 generally have the shape of a wedge and are insulated from and not integral with the collar 134. The lugs 140 and 142 are generally opposite on the neck 134. The lugs 140 and 142 define the flat surfaces 150 and 152 and the angled surfaces 154 and 156, respectively. In the lug 140, the angled surface 154 slopes upwardly from the abutment 136 to intersect the flat surface 150, which extends generally directionally with the longitudinal extension of the neck 134. On the lug 142, the angled surface 156 tilts up from the support 136 to intersect the flat surface 152, which extends generally directionally with the longitudinal extension of the neck 134. The thread 146 extends from an upper portion of the neck 134. The thread 146 has a spacing of about 0.20 cm (0.08 inches) to about 0.41 cm (0.16 inches). The thread 146 has an initial full thread 158 and a terminal complete thread 160 generally in alignment with the flat surface 150 of the directional lug 140 with the longitudinal extension of the neck 134. The closure element 12 of FIG. 2 engages and is fixed to the container 130. The slots 14 and 15 of the closure element 12 are adapted to receive an external portion of each of the lugs 140 and 142, respectively, when the closure element 12 is in the fixation position with the head 132. The slots 14 and 15 slide on and / or around the outer portion of the lugs 140 and 142 as the closure element 12 is screwed into the container 130. In the fixing position, the vertical edge 64 of the closure element 12 is generally abutting with or adjacent the flat surface 150 and the vertical edge 68 of the slot 15 is generally abutting with or adjacent the flat surface 152. Also in the fixing position, and The angled edge 62 is generally abutting with or adjacent the angled surface 154 and a corresponding angled edge (not shown) of the slot 15 is generally abutting with or adjacent the angled surface 156. As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, there is a closure element 170 having an upper end 172 having a generally circumferential outer skirt 174 extending therefrom. The closure element 170 also has a generally circumferential inner skirt 176 extending therefrom within the outer skirt 174. The inner skirt 176 has a thread 178 extending from its inner surface. The threads of any of the dispensing containers shown herein can be screwed into the thread 178. The outer skirt 174 terminates at a first edge 180 opposite the upper end 172. The inner skirt 176 terminates at a second edge 182 opposite the end upper 172. The outer skirt
174 has a groove 184 and another groove 186 located opposite thereto which extends internally therein from the first edge 180. Groove 184 has an angled edge.
188 that forms an angle and curves inwardly in the outer skirt 174 and intersects a vertical edge 192 that is generally directional with respect to the longitudinal extension of the outer skirt 174. The slot 186 has an angled edge 190 that forms an angle and it curves inwardly into the outer skirt 174 and intersects a vertical edge 194 which is generally directional with respect to the longitudinal extension of the outer skirt 174. The slots 184 and 186 are adapted to receive an outer portion of and be fixed with the lugs of any of the distribution containers shown herein. The slots 184 and 186 slide on and / or around the outer portion of such lugs. In the fixing position, the vertical edges 192 and 194 are generally abutting with or adjacent to the vertical surface of such lugs. The closure element 170 has a hermetic seal 200 extending circumferentially from the upper end 172 generally directional to the longitudinal extension of the closure element 170. The seal 200 is adapted to fit within and seal a hole in a head of a container of distribution when the closure element 170 is in the fixation position therewith. One embodiment of a dispensing container is shown in Figure 21 and is generally referred to by the numeral 210. The container 210 has a body wall 218 and a head 212. The head 212 has a neck 214 and a support 216. The wall of body 218 defines a chamber 219 therein. The neck 214 communicates with the body wall 218 via the support 216. The neck 214 has a hole 224 therein and a passage 228 therethrough - which extends from the hole 224 to the chamber 219. According to As shown in Figures 21 to 23, the lugs 220 and 222 extend radially from the shoulder 216 of the neck 214 adjacent the periphery of the support 216. The lugs 220 and 222 are generally opposite on the neck 214. The lugs 220 and 222 define the planar surfaces 230 and 232, protuberances 234 and 236 and the internally tapered surfaces 238 and 240, and 242 and 244, respectively. The internally tapered surfaces on the outer portion of the lugs 220 and 222 function to slowly lower the flat surfaces 230 and 232 which are generally planar in the surface contour and extend from the generally directional support 216 with and generally radial to the neck extension 214. A preferred height for the lugs 220 and 222 is 0.25 cm (0.1 inch) as measured from the support 216 to the top of the flat surfaces 230 and 222. The protuberances 234 and 236 extend from the support 21 and the lugs 220 and 222, respectively. The distribution tube 210 has a double guide screw. That is, there are two interengaged threads 225 and 226 extending from and spirally transverse to the neck 214. The threads have a gap of about 0.38 cm (0.15 inches) to about 0.76 cm (0.3 inches) and preferably about 0.51 cm ( 0.2 inches). The thread 225 has an initial full thread 233 and a terminal complete thread 231. The thread 226 has an initial full thread 234 and a terminal complete thread 232. An important feature of the invention is that the initial full threads 233 and 234 are generally aligned with the directional lugs 220 and 222 with the longitudinal extension of the neck 214. Although the complete terminal threads 231 and 232 are also generally aligned with the directional lugs 220 and 222 with the longitudinal extension of the neck 214, this is not important in the present invention . Other possible modes of the distribution tube may have multiple guide screws, for example, triple guides, quad guides, and the like. The dispensing tube 210 engages with the closure member 246 to form the dispensing tube container 248, which is shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. The closure member 246 engages and attaches to the dispensing containers of the dispenser. present invention, including container 210. As shown in Figures 23 to 25, closure element 246 has opposed slots 250 and 252, which are adapted to receive an external portion of each of the lugs 220 and 222 , respectively, when the closure element 246 is in the fixation position with the head 212. The slots 250 and 252 slide on and / or around the internally tapered surfaces of the outer portion of the lugs 220 and 222 according to the element 246 is screwed into the container 210. The internally tapered surfaces on the outer portion of the lugs 220 and 222 function to delay the rotation speed of the closure element 246 such that the lugs 220 and 222 will snap into slots 250 and .252. The outer portions of the lugs 220 and 222 protrude through the slots 250 and 252 when the closure element 246 is in the fixation position with the head 212. The slots 220 and 222 define the opposite vertical edges 254 and 256 ( not shown) at their conductive edges. During the fixing position, the vertical edge 254 of the closure element 246 is generally abutting with or adjacent the planar surface 230 and the vertical edge 256 of the groove 222 is generally abutting with or adjacent the planar surface 232. lock 246 has channels 258 and 260 to assist in pressing, turning, and removing it. The protuberances 234 and 236 provide a support surface against which the interior surface (not shown) of the closure element 246 can rest. Apart from the aforementioned structure mentioned, the closure element 246 has an additional structure corresponding to the other closure element embodiments described herein, including, but not limited to, the internal and external skirts, coupling threads, hermetic seals, and Similar. The package, including the distribution container and closure element, can be produced by any method known in the art such as extrusion or lamination. In extrusion, the plastic tubes are continuously extruded then cut into discrete lengths to form the tubular body walls for the internal and external containers. Tubes of different diameters are used in internal and external vessels. The heads are then welded by heat or adhered to the tube lengths of both diameters to form the internal and external vessels. The inner container is inserted into the open end of the outer container and attached to or inserted into the head and / or neck of the outer container. A closure, cap or top element is applied to the head of the outer container. The open ends of internal and external containers are generally filled with functional and / or decorative products that will be distributed and then sealed by heat or mechanical means. Overlapping ends and heat sealing are preferred. In lamination, the sheets of plastic material are rolled into tubes and sealed along the edges of the sheet to form continuous tubes. The continuous tubes are cut into discrete tube lengths and further processed in a similar manner as when the extruded dispensing vessels are formed. The closure element and head can be manufactured according to any method known in the art such as injection molding, compression molding or stamping with a plastic material. Injection molding is preferred. The package can be manufactured from any plastic material known in the art. Representative plastic materials include ethylene polymers, polymers of propylene, polyesters and polyamides. Useful ethylene polymers include low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene. A suitable propylene polymer is polypropylene. Useful polyesters include polyethylene terephthalate. The preferred plastic materials are polyethylene and low density polypropylene. Various parts of the container can be manufactured from the same or from different materials. A preferred plastic material for the tubular body walls is low density polyethylene. The preferred plastic materials for the head and closure element are polyethylene and high density polypropylene. It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention. The various alternatives and modifications may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to encompass all such alternatives, modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.