GB2291412A

GB2291412A - Cap removal device

Info

Publication number: GB2291412A
Application number: GB9414583A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dean Walding
Original assignee: Dragon Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: Dragon Plastics Ltd
Priority date: 1994-07-19
Filing date: 1994-07-19
Publication date: 1996-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 2014-07-19
Also published as: GB9414583D0; WO1996002457A1; AU2987195A; GB2291412B

Abstract

A device for removing a screwthreaded cap comprises a body having a recess 12 within the body and an arm 16 extending to one side of the body, the recess including a plurality of equispaced, inwardly directed ribs 17 which are stepped inwardly to accommodate caps of successively smaller diameter and tapered to accommodate marginally different sized caps which are nominally of the same diameter. Preferably the inner edges 21 of the ribs are angled in the circumference direction to increase the purchase of the device on the cap. The arm may include concavities 13 to receive fingers and stiffening ribs 16 and the upper surface of the device may be adapted to the contours of a human hand. The device is preferably a one piece moulding. <IMAGE>

Description

CAP REMOVAL DEVICE This invention relates to a device for removing a screw-threaded cap and particularly to a device suitable for removing a cap of a child resistant container.

Many medicines are very dangerous if taken in excess of the prescribed quantity. For this reason it is essential to keep medicines away from young children, and in many countries legislation requires prescription medicines to be dispensed in a child resistant container (CRC). The usual kind of CRC for medicines is a conventional screw-threaded bottle having a special cap which can be opened only by applying a degree of dexterity and force. CRC caps are often of a push and twist variety where the user must push down an outer cap against a resilient member to engage unscrewing teeth of an inner cap. If the outer cap is not pushed down it rotates freely or may make a clicking noise as teeth ratchet over one another.

CRC's have reduced the danger to children substantially, but the elderly and infirm often have great difficulty in opening a push and twist CRC cap because they do not have the required dexterity. This is especially true of persons suffering from arthritis. Whilst it is possible for a patient to request a conventional cap when the medicine is dispensed, many patients accept a CRC because they do not know that conventional caps are sometimes permitted, or they are frightened that the medicine will not be secure if not in a CRC.

The present invention concerns a device to aid the elderly and infirm in opening a push and twist CRC cap. The device is also suitable for opening conventional screw caps which may have been tightly applied to a container.

According to the present invention there is provided a hand held device for removing a screw-threaded cap, the device having a recess adapted to receive at least a portion of the circumference of a cap, and a lever arm extending to one side of the recess, the recess having a plurality of substantially equispaced inwardly directed ribs extending generally axially thereof, the inner edges of said ribs defining a substantially circular boundary having a diameter equal to or less than the maximum diameter of the cap with which the device is to be used.

In the preferred embodiment six substantially identical equispaced ribs are provided. The device is preferably a one piece plastics moulding, e.g. of filled polypropylene, this material have the required degree of rigidity for the ribs.

Preferably the ribs are stepped inwardly to define a recess adapted to receive different diameters of cap.

Preferably the ribs taper slightly inwardly to accommodate marginally different cap diameters which are nominally of the same size. In the case of a stepped rib each step may taper inwardly.

In the preferred embodiment, the inner edge of the ribs is angled to increase the purchase of the device on the cap in use. The ribs may for example have substantially radial parallel sides terminating at a non-perpendicular inner edge, the ribs being wider on the side which leads in use. The knife edge formed thereby is adapted to engage the usual axially extending ribs of a cap. The ribs may alternatively be substantially triangular in section, the bisector of the apex pointing generally in the anticlockwise direction when viewed from above.

Preferably the device is adapted to be held in one hand, the recess being generally aligned with the users palm, and the lever arm being engageable by the ends of the users fingers. In the preferred embodiment the device has an upper side adapted to the contours of a human hand.

Preferably the lever arm includes one or more edge recesses adapted to receive one or more respective fingers.

In the preferred embodiment four such recesses are provided each comprising a generally semi-circular groove substantially parallel to the axis of said recess.

Preferably the device is symmetrical, and thus usable by left and right handed users. The recess is preferably blind.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment shown by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device; Fig. 2 is a view of the underside of the device; Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a partial section illustrating the device in use.

With reference to the drawings, the hand held cap removal device 10 comprises a one piece plastic moulding having a smooth and continuous outer surface 11 and a hollow underside. The outer surface is adapted to the contours of the human hand so as to be a generally comfortable fit.

A substantially circular cap receiving recess 12 is defined in the underside of the device at one side, the axis of the recess being generally aligned with the palm of a users hand in use.

One side of the device is formed with a series of four shallow grooves 13 which extend around the top of the device and merge gently into the region above the recess 12. The grooves 13 define finger recesses so that the device may be gripped comfortably in one hand.

Each side of the device is formed with two further grooves 14,15 which extend up the side of the device at an angle to merge into the palm region above the recess 12.

These additional grooves constitute additional finger or thumb receiving recesses.

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 3, a plurality of stiffening ribs 16 extend between the edge of the circular recess 12 and the node on either side of grooves 13.

The recess 12 has a gently tapering mouth and six equispaced and inwardly directed ribs 17. Each rib is identical and has four distinct steps so as to define at each step a substantially circular boundary sized to receive a cap of a bottle or other container. As illustrated the device can accommodate four different sizes of cap, though it is of course possible to mould the device with more or less steps.

Each step tapers inwardly at a shallow angle 18 (best shown in Fig. 4) so as to accommodate caps of nominally the same size but slightly different actual diameters. The arrangement of steps permits a more shallow angle than would be the case if a simple taper from the base to the mouth of the recess were provided for the ribs 17. The taper angle illustrated in Fig. 4 is exaggerated for illustration purposes.

The cap 19 illustrated in Fig. 4 has the usual axially extending ribs 20 with which the ribs 17 engage.

As shown in Fig. 2, each rib is angled at its inner edge to present a knife edge 21 which is better able to engage the edge of the cap in the cap removal (anticlockwise) direction. (Fig. 2 is a view of the underside).

The knife edge 21 has a relatively shallow angle since it is preferable not to reduce the rigidity of each rib more than necessary. The torque required to undo a cap may be quite high and thus a tight engagement of the ribs 17 and 20 which increases as the opening torque is applied is preferred.

The device has eight finger receiving recesses as illustrated and is thus likely to be adaptable to an aged or infirm user whose hands may have become distorted through arthritis or other illness, or who may be unable to hold small caps with a sufficient degree of grip. The smooth upper surface enables users to comfortably exert sufficient downward pressure on a CRC cap to open a container in cases where finger grip or pressure alone may be insufficient. It is a particular advantage of the device that the user does not need to push and turn a CRC cap using the fingers alone.

The device is of course also suitable for use by persons who would be capable of undoing a conventional CRC but find the operation difficult or awkward. The device may be used with conventional caps.

The recesses between the stiffening ribs may incorporate means to secure the device to a convenient surface where it can readily be found by the user. Such means may comprise for example a sucker or a magnet so that the device can be attached to e.g. the fridge door of-a refrigerator.

A particular advantage of the device is that its function is not apparent from the exterior, and it can be left in a prominent place without causing embarrassment to the user by appearing to be an obvious aid to the disabled or infirm.

Claims

1. A device for removing a screw threaded cap from a screw threaded necK of a vessel, the device having a recess adapted to receive at least a portion of the circumference of a cap, and a lever arm extending to one side of the recess, the recess having a plurality of substantially equispaced inwardly directed ribs extending generally axially thereof, the inner edges of said ribs defining a substantially circular boundary adapted to engage about the periphery of the cap with which the device is to be used.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the ribs are stepped inwardly to define a recess adapted to receive caps of different diameters.

3. The device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the ribs taper inwardly to accommodate marginally different cap diameters which are nominally of the same size.

4. The device of any preceding claim wherein the inner edge of the ribs is angled in the circumferential direction to increase the purchase of the device on the cap in use.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the ribs have substantially radial parallel sides terminating at a non-perpendicular inner edge thus forming a knife edge, the ribs being wider on the side which leads in use, the knife edge being adapted to engage axially extending ribs of a cap.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein the ribs are substantially triangular in section, the bisector of the apex pointing generally in the clockwise direction when viewed from the direction in which a cap is received.

7. The device of any preceding claim comprising six substantially identical equispaced ribs.

8. The device of any preceding claim and consisting of a one piece plastics moulding.

9. The device of claim 8 of polypropylene.

10. The device of any preceding claim adapted to be held in one hand, the recess being generally aligned with the palm of the hand, and the lever arm being engageable by the ends of the users fingers.

11. The device of claim 10 having an upper side adapted to the contours of a human hand.

12. The device of any preceding claim wherein the lever arm includes one or more concavities adapted to receive one or more respective fingers.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein four such concavities are provided each comprising a generally semi-circular groove substantially parallel to the axis of said recess.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the recess is substantially part-spherical.

14. The device of any preceding claim wherein said device is symmetrical.

15. The device of any preceding claim wherein the recess is blind.

16. A device substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings attached hereto.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. A device for removing a screw threaded cap from a screw threaded neck of a vessel, the device having a body, a recess within the body adapted to receive at least a portion of the circumference of a cap, and a lever arm extending to one side of the body, the recess having a plurality of substantially equispaced inwardly directed ribs extending generally axially thereof, the inner edges of said ribs defining a substantially circular boundary adapted to engage about the periphery of the cap with which the device is to be used, wherein the ribs are stepped inwardly to accommodate caps of successively smaller external diameters, and wherein the ribs taper inwardly to accommodate marginally different caps which are nominally of the same diameter.

2. The device of any preceding claim wherein the inner edge of the ribs is angled in the circumferential direct ion to increase the purchase of the device on the cap in use.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the ribs have substantially radial parallel sides terminating at a nonperpendicular inner edge, the ribs being wider on the side which leads in use.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the ribs are substantially triangular in section, the bisector of the apex of each rib pointing generally in the clockwise direction when viewed from the direction in which a cap is received.

5. The device of any preceding claim comprising six substantially identical equispaced ribs.

6. The device of any preceding claim and consisting of a one piece plastics moulding.

7. The device of any preceding claim adapted to be held in one hand, the recess being generally aligned with the palm of the hand, and the lever arm being engageable by the ends of the users fingers.

8. The device of claim 7 having an upper side adapted to the contours of a human hand.

9. The device of any preceding claim wherein the lever arm includes one or more concavities adapted to receive one or more respective fingers.

10. The device of claim 12 wherein four such concavities are provided each comprising a generally semicircular groove substantially parallel to the axis of said recess.

11. The device of any preceding claim wherein said device is symmetrical about a median axis.

12. The device of any preceding claim wherein the recess is blind.

13. The device of any preceding claim wherein the recess is circular in plan.