US20070144997A1 - Locking container cap - Google Patents
Locking container cap Download PDFInfo
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- US20070144997A1 US20070144997A1 US11/644,163 US64416306A US2007144997A1 US 20070144997 A1 US20070144997 A1 US 20070144997A1 US 64416306 A US64416306 A US 64416306A US 2007144997 A1 US2007144997 A1 US 2007144997A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- container
- lugs
- locking ring
- closure
- cap
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D50/00—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures
- B65D50/02—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions
- B65D50/04—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions requiring the combination of simultaneous actions, e.g. depressing and turning, lifting and turning, maintaining a part and turning another one
- B65D50/043—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions requiring the combination of simultaneous actions, e.g. depressing and turning, lifting and turning, maintaining a part and turning another one the closure comprising a screw cap whose threads are shaped to accommodate blocking elements and the closure is removed after first applying axial force to unblock it and allow it to be unscrewed
Definitions
- the present invention relates to containers, and more specifically to a locking cap for a container, such as a container for holding medication.
- the majority of the safety caps include members that are rotatably engaged with the container through the use of a thread disposed on the container that is engageable with the cap.
- a suitable locking member is disposed on the cap or on the container to securely engage the cap to the container until such time as it is desired to remove the cap from the container.
- the locking members have various forms, but each is designed to prevent a child from easily disengaging the locking member and separating the cap from the container.
- a number of child-proof caps also include a locking ring formed separately from the cap and positioned on the container. These rings have various functions with regard to the cap, but in virtually every circumstance form a portion of the locking mechanism designed to hold the cap on the container until such time as an adult disengages the locking mechanism.
- the locking container cap should also be easily removable by an adult, including adults that are elderly or handicapped.
- a locking cap for a container includes a locking ring threadedly engaged with the container and a closure engaged with the locking ring and the container.
- the locking ring is formed of a deformable, thermoplastic material and is adapted to be threadedly engaged with a wide variety of containers.
- the locking ring includes a number of lugs that are engageable within notches formed within the closure that can be conventionally formed and is also threadedly engaged with the container.
- the lugs are positioned within the closure in a manner that prevents the rotation of the closure with regard to the container until the lugs are displaced from the notches in the closure, allowing the closure to be rotated with respect to the threads on the container.
- the closure can be formed as a conventional push and turn locking closure, with the locking ring having a configuration adapted to conform to the closure for utilization therewith.
- the locking ring can be utilized as an add-on feature to existing closures, such as push-to-turn closures, in order to enhance the ability of the closure to prevent children from removing the closure from the container.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a locking container cap constructed according to the present invention secured to a container;
- FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of the locking container cap of FIG. 1 secured to another type of container;
- FIG. 3 is an exploded, isometric view of a second embodiment of the locking container cap of FIG. 1 secured to a container;
- FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the locking ring of the locking container cap of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the locking ring and closure of the locking container cap of FIG. 3 .
- a container for holding various types of items, such as medication or pills is indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 1 .
- the container 10 such as a standard container in FIG. 1 or an aerosol container in FIG. 2 , includes a neck 12 having an open, upper end 13 and a lower end 14 at which is formed a retainer ring 15 that is integrally molded with or fixedly secured to the container 10 .
- the neck 12 also includes an exterior thread 16 extending from the upper end 13 downwardly to the retainer ring 15 .
- a locking container cap 18 Attached to the neck 12 is a locking container cap 18 that includes a locking ring 20 and a closure 22 .
- the locking ring 20 is formed of a suitably compressible or deformable material, such as a plastic or rubber material.
- the ring 20 is generally cylindrical in shape, and defines central aperture 21 that is dimension to be complementary to the diameter of the neck 12 , and preferably slightly less than the diameter of the neck 12 , such that the ring 20 can be adequately secured to the neck 12 .
- the ring 20 includes an interior thread 24 extending around the interior surface of the aperture 21 and mateable with the exterior thread 16 disposed on the neck 12 of the container 10 .
- the ring 20 includes an outwardly curving upper end 25 that forms a grippable rim 26 from which extend a number of spaced lugs 28 .
- the lugs 28 can have and suitable shape and size, such as the small rectangular shape shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , and extend upwardly from the rim 26 and are located between vertical slots 30 that are cut, or otherwise formed directly in the rim 26 .
- the slots 30 are present such that when a downward force is exerted by an individual on the rim 26 between the slots 30 , the section of the rim 26 located between the slots and supporting the lug 28 , and consequently the lug 28 , is moved downwardly and outwardly with regard to the remainder of the rim 26 .
- the number of lugs 28 located on the ring 20 is preferably selected to be more than one, with at least three lugs 28 being especially preferred, though a ring 20 including only one lug 28 can be utilized in the construction for the cap 18 .
- the lugs 28 are spaced from one another around the periphery of the ring 20 , most preferably at intervals of ninety (90) degrees with respect to one another.
- the lugs 28 integrally with the ring 20 of the soft material, if necessary, one or more of the lugs 28 can be severed from the ring 20 in order to reduce the number of positions at which the ring 20 must be depressed to displace the lugs 28 .
- the ring 20 also includes a number of gripping members 27 disposed on the ring 20 opposite the thread 24 .
- the gripping members 27 are preferably integrally formed with the ring 20 and provide locations here an individual utilizing the cap 18 can easily grip the ring 20 to disengage the cap 18 from the container 10 in a manner to be described.
- the closure 22 is formed with an open lower end 31 and a closed upper end 32 and is employed to enclose the open end 14 of the neck 12 .
- the closure 22 also includes an interior thread (not shown) that is engageable with the thread 16 disposed on the exterior of the neck 12 to securely engage the closure 22 with the neck 12 .
- the closure 22 also includes a retaining structure (not shown) normally located within the closure 22 adjacent the lower end 31 that engages a locking structure (not shown) disposed on the neck 12 .
- the retaining and locking structures on the closure 22 and the neck 12 can be any well known mechanism for holding a cap or closure on a container, such as a mechanism that is operable in a conventional press and turn manner such that the retaining structure on the closure 22 can be disengaged from the locking structure on the neck 12 by pressing the closure 22 downwardly onto the neck 12 , and subsequently rotating the closure 22 in a specified direction to release the closure 22 from the neck 12 .
- the closure 22 also includes a peripheral flange 34 located adjacent the lower end 31 and extending outwardly or inwardly from the lower end 31 .
- a number of notches 36 that extend upwardly into the flange 34 from a lower end thereof.
- the notches 36 are formed to have a size and shape complementary to the size and shape of the lugs 28 on the locking ring 20 , such that the notches 36 are engageable with the lugs 28 located on the locking ring 20 .
- the notches 36 are present around the entire flange 34 , and preferably are spaced equidistant from one another, with between twenty-five ( 25 ) and four ( 4 ) notches 36 being present on the flange 34 in preferred embodiments.
- the locking ring 20 is threadedly engaged with the exterior thread 16 on the container neck 12 , such that the locking ring 20 abuts the retainer ring 14 .
- the closure 22 is then engaged with the neck 12 above the locking ring 20 in a threaded and/or press and turn manner.
- the locking ring 20 can then be rotated around the neck 12 along the thread 16 in order to engage the lugs 28 and locking ring 20 with a number of the notches 36 on the flange 34 of closure 22 .
- the lugs 28 can be compressed by the engagement of the ring 20 with the closure 22 until the lugs 28 are completely aligned with the notches 36 , such that the lugs 28 expand back into their original configuration within each of the respective notches 36 .
- the positioning of the slot 30 on opposite sides of each lug 28 enables the ring 20 to deform more easily when the lugs 28 are positioned against the flange 34 , but prior to the lugs 28 being positioned within the notches 36 .
- the locking ring 20 is prevented from being rotated away from the closure 22 , such that the safety cap 18 securely closes the container 10 . Additionally, the closure 22 cannot be rotated or pushed downwardly onto the neck 12 to disengage the retaining member on the closure 22 from the locking member on the neck 12 due to the engagement of the closure 22 with the locking ring 20 .
- the cap 18 in a second embodiment of the cap 18 of the present invention, includes a locking ring 20 ′ and a closure 22 .
- the closure 22 is formed similarly to the previous embodiment, but the locking ring 20 ′ is formed with a relatively thin, plate-like body 100 that defines an aperture 102 therein.
- the aperture 102 is dimensioned to have an inner diameter slightly smaller than the exterior diameter of the container neck 12 , such that the aperture 102 tightly engages the neck 12 when the body 100 is positioned around the neck 12 .
- the body 100 also includes a number of braces 104 disposed on a lower surface 106 of the body 100 immediately adjacent the aperture 102 , and preferably extending slightly into the aperture 102 .
- the braces 104 contact the neck 12 when the body 100 is positioned thereon, and, due to the high coefficient of friction of the material used to form the body 100 and braces 104 , securely holds the body 100 in position on the neck 12 .
- the body 100 On an upper surface 108 of the body 100 are located a number of lugs 28 formed generally similarly to the lugs 28 on the prior embodiment of the locking ring 20 , with the exception of an optional sloping surface 120 disposed along one side of the lug 28 . Additionally, instead of slots disposed in the body 100 on each side of the lugs 28 , the body 100 includes a tab 110 extending radially outwardly from the body adjacent each lug 28 . The tabs 110 can be grasped and pulled downwardly to deflect the body 100 and lugs 28 , consequently disengaging the lugs 28 from within the associated notches 36 on the closure 22 when the closure 22 is secured to the ring 20 ′.
- the ring 20 ′ is positioned with the aperture 102 around the upper end of the neck 12 and pulled downwardly along the neck 12 until the body 100 is located below the thread 16 on the neck 12 , so the ring 20 ′ does not interfere with the engagement of the closure 22 with the neck 12 , such as in the press-to-turn manner, or the like.
- the closure 22 can be engaged with the neck 12 and the lugs 28 on the ring 20 ′ in a manner similar to that for the previous embodiments.
- each of the tabs 110 is deflected downwardly with respect to the closure 22 to disengage the lugs 28 from within the associated notches 36 , and allow rotation of the closure 22 with regard to the neck 12 and ring 20 ′.
Abstract
A locking container cap is provided that includes a closure positionable over the top of a container, and a locking ring engaged with the container below the closure and releasably engageable with the closure. The locking member includes a number of lugs that can be engaged within notches formed in the lower end of the closure to securely hold the closure on the container and prevent the removal of the closure by a child. To disengage the closure, the lugs must be disengaged from the notches in the closure prior to rotating either the closure or locking ring with regard to the container.
Description
- This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/753,548, filed Dec. 23, 2005, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to containers, and more specifically to a locking cap for a container, such as a container for holding medication.
- In order to prevent children from accessing the interior of a number of containers, such as medication or pill containers, a wide variety of child-proof or safety caps for containers of this type have been developed. The majority of the safety caps include members that are rotatably engaged with the container through the use of a thread disposed on the container that is engageable with the cap. A suitable locking member is disposed on the cap or on the container to securely engage the cap to the container until such time as it is desired to remove the cap from the container. The locking members have various forms, but each is designed to prevent a child from easily disengaging the locking member and separating the cap from the container.
- A number of child-proof caps also include a locking ring formed separately from the cap and positioned on the container. These rings have various functions with regard to the cap, but in virtually every circumstance form a portion of the locking mechanism designed to hold the cap on the container until such time as an adult disengages the locking mechanism.
- However, a significant number of child-proof and safety caps of this type are designed with locking mechanisms that are easily defeated by children of an insufficient age to safely access the contents of containers of this type. Additionally, these various child-proof and safety caps often provide significant difficulties to older individuals who wish to gain access to the contents of the container. As a result, often the individual cannot remove the cap, or because of the difficulty in removing the cap, does not adequately replace the cap to avoid having to remove it again, thereby defeating the purpose of the cap.
- Therefore, it is desirable to develop a locking container cap that can be positioned on a suitable container and that easily confounds a child attempting to remove the cap from the container. However, the locking container cap should also be easily removable by an adult, including adults that are elderly or handicapped.
- According to a primary aspect of the present invention, a locking cap for a container includes a locking ring threadedly engaged with the container and a closure engaged with the locking ring and the container. The locking ring is formed of a deformable, thermoplastic material and is adapted to be threadedly engaged with a wide variety of containers. The locking ring includes a number of lugs that are engageable within notches formed within the closure that can be conventionally formed and is also threadedly engaged with the container. The lugs are positioned within the closure in a manner that prevents the rotation of the closure with regard to the container until the lugs are displaced from the notches in the closure, allowing the closure to be rotated with respect to the threads on the container. The closure can be formed as a conventional push and turn locking closure, with the locking ring having a configuration adapted to conform to the closure for utilization therewith.
- According to still another aspect of the present invention, the locking ring can be utilized as an add-on feature to existing closures, such as push-to-turn closures, in order to enhance the ability of the closure to prevent children from removing the closure from the container.
- Numerous other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawing figures.
- The drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated as practicing the present invention.
- In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a locking container cap constructed according to the present invention secured to a container; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of the locking container cap ofFIG. 1 secured to another type of container; -
FIG. 3 is an exploded, isometric view of a second embodiment of the locking container cap ofFIG. 1 secured to a container; -
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the locking ring of the locking container cap ofFIG. 3 ; and -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the locking ring and closure of the locking container cap ofFIG. 3 . - With reference now to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the disclosure, a container for holding various types of items, such as medication or pills (not shown), is indicated generally at 10 in
FIG. 1 . Thecontainer 10, such as a standard container inFIG. 1 or an aerosol container inFIG. 2 , includes aneck 12 having an open,upper end 13 and alower end 14 at which is formed aretainer ring 15 that is integrally molded with or fixedly secured to thecontainer 10. Theneck 12 also includes anexterior thread 16 extending from theupper end 13 downwardly to theretainer ring 15. - Attached to the
neck 12 is alocking container cap 18 that includes alocking ring 20 and aclosure 22. Thelocking ring 20 is formed of a suitably compressible or deformable material, such as a plastic or rubber material. Thering 20 is generally cylindrical in shape, and definescentral aperture 21 that is dimension to be complementary to the diameter of theneck 12, and preferably slightly less than the diameter of theneck 12, such that thering 20 can be adequately secured to theneck 12. Thering 20 includes aninterior thread 24 extending around the interior surface of theaperture 21 and mateable with theexterior thread 16 disposed on theneck 12 of thecontainer 10. Thering 20 includes an outwardly curvingupper end 25 that forms a grippable rim 26 from which extend a number of spacedlugs 28. Thelugs 28 can have and suitable shape and size, such as the small rectangular shape shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 , and extend upwardly from the rim 26 and are located betweenvertical slots 30 that are cut, or otherwise formed directly in the rim 26. Theslots 30 are present such that when a downward force is exerted by an individual on the rim 26 between theslots 30, the section of the rim 26 located between the slots and supporting thelug 28, and consequently thelug 28, is moved downwardly and outwardly with regard to the remainder of the rim 26. - The number of
lugs 28 located on thering 20 is preferably selected to be more than one, with at least threelugs 28 being especially preferred, though aring 20 including only onelug 28 can be utilized in the construction for thecap 18. Further, in the preferred embodiment, thelugs 28 are spaced from one another around the periphery of thering 20, most preferably at intervals of ninety (90) degrees with respect to one another. By placing thelugs 28 around thering 20 in this configuration, thering 20 requires that pressure be applied to multiple and separate discrete areas of thering 20 in order to displace all of thelugs 28 simultaneously. Also, by forming thelugs 28 integrally with thering 20 of the soft material, if necessary, one or more of thelugs 28 can be severed from thering 20 in order to reduce the number of positions at which thering 20 must be depressed to displace thelugs 28. - To assist in displacing the
lugs 28 with regard to the remainder of thering 20, thering 20 also includes a number of gripping members 27 disposed on thering 20 opposite thethread 24. The gripping members 27 are preferably integrally formed with thering 20 and provide locations here an individual utilizing thecap 18 can easily grip thering 20 to disengage thecap 18 from thecontainer 10 in a manner to be described. - The
closure 22 is formed with an openlower end 31 and a closedupper end 32 and is employed to enclose theopen end 14 of theneck 12. Theclosure 22 also includes an interior thread (not shown) that is engageable with thethread 16 disposed on the exterior of theneck 12 to securely engage theclosure 22 with theneck 12. Theclosure 22 also includes a retaining structure (not shown) normally located within theclosure 22 adjacent thelower end 31 that engages a locking structure (not shown) disposed on theneck 12. The retaining and locking structures on theclosure 22 and theneck 12 can be any well known mechanism for holding a cap or closure on a container, such as a mechanism that is operable in a conventional press and turn manner such that the retaining structure on theclosure 22 can be disengaged from the locking structure on theneck 12 by pressing theclosure 22 downwardly onto theneck 12, and subsequently rotating theclosure 22 in a specified direction to release theclosure 22 from theneck 12. - The
closure 22 also includes aperipheral flange 34 located adjacent thelower end 31 and extending outwardly or inwardly from thelower end 31. Within theflange 34 are disposed a number ofnotches 36 that extend upwardly into theflange 34 from a lower end thereof. Thenotches 36 are formed to have a size and shape complementary to the size and shape of thelugs 28 on thelocking ring 20, such that thenotches 36 are engageable with thelugs 28 located on thelocking ring 20. When thelugs 28 are engaged within thenotches 36, thelugs 28 prevent the rotation or other movement of theclosure 22 with regard to theneck 12 and/orlocking ring 20. Thenotches 36 are present around theentire flange 34, and preferably are spaced equidistant from one another, with between twenty-five (25) and four (4)notches 36 being present on theflange 34 in preferred embodiments. - To secure the
closure 22 on thecontainer 10 with thelocking ring 20, initially thelocking ring 20 is threadedly engaged with theexterior thread 16 on thecontainer neck 12, such that thelocking ring 20 abuts theretainer ring 14. Theclosure 22 is then engaged with theneck 12 above thelocking ring 20 in a threaded and/or press and turn manner. Thelocking ring 20 can then be rotated around theneck 12 along thethread 16 in order to engage thelugs 28 and lockingring 20 with a number of thenotches 36 on theflange 34 ofclosure 22. Due to thering 20 andlugs 28 being formed of a deformable material, thelugs 28 can be compressed by the engagement of thering 20 with theclosure 22 until thelugs 28 are completely aligned with thenotches 36, such that thelugs 28 expand back into their original configuration within each of therespective notches 36. In addition the positioning of theslot 30 on opposite sides of eachlug 28 enables thering 20 to deform more easily when thelugs 28 are positioned against theflange 34, but prior to thelugs 28 being positioned within thenotches 36. - When the
lugs 28 are engaged within thenotches 36, thelocking ring 20 is prevented from being rotated away from theclosure 22, such that thesafety cap 18 securely closes thecontainer 10. Additionally, theclosure 22 cannot be rotated or pushed downwardly onto theneck 12 to disengage the retaining member on theclosure 22 from the locking member on theneck 12 due to the engagement of theclosure 22 with the lockingring 20. - To disengage the locking
ring 20 from theclosure 22, pressure is simultaneously applied to the rim 26 between each of the pairs ofslots 30 which moves thelugs 28 disposed above theslots 30, thereby disengaging thelugs 28 from within thenotches 36. The lockingring 20 can then be rotated away from theclosure 22, such that theclosure 22 can subsequently be disengaged from thecontainer 10. - Referring now to
FIGS. 3-5 , in a second embodiment of thecap 18 of the present invention, thecap 18 includes a lockingring 20′ and aclosure 22. Theclosure 22 is formed similarly to the previous embodiment, but the lockingring 20′ is formed with a relatively thin, plate-like body 100 that defines anaperture 102 therein. Theaperture 102 is dimensioned to have an inner diameter slightly smaller than the exterior diameter of thecontainer neck 12, such that theaperture 102 tightly engages theneck 12 when thebody 100 is positioned around theneck 12. To assist in maintaining the position of thebody 100 on theneck 12, thebody 100 also includes a number ofbraces 104 disposed on alower surface 106 of thebody 100 immediately adjacent theaperture 102, and preferably extending slightly into theaperture 102. Thebraces 104 contact theneck 12 when thebody 100 is positioned thereon, and, due to the high coefficient of friction of the material used to form thebody 100 and braces 104, securely holds thebody 100 in position on theneck 12. - On an upper surface 108 of the
body 100 are located a number oflugs 28 formed generally similarly to thelugs 28 on the prior embodiment of the lockingring 20, with the exception of an optional sloping surface 120 disposed along one side of thelug 28. Additionally, instead of slots disposed in thebody 100 on each side of thelugs 28, thebody 100 includes atab 110 extending radially outwardly from the body adjacent eachlug 28. Thetabs 110 can be grasped and pulled downwardly to deflect thebody 100 and lugs 28, consequently disengaging thelugs 28 from within the associatednotches 36 on theclosure 22 when theclosure 22 is secured to thering 20′. - To attach the
ring 20′ to theneck 12 of thecontainer 10, thering 20′ is positioned with theaperture 102 around the upper end of theneck 12 and pulled downwardly along theneck 12 until thebody 100 is located below thethread 16 on theneck 12, so thering 20′ does not interfere with the engagement of theclosure 22 with theneck 12, such as in the press-to-turn manner, or the like. - Once the
ring 20′ positioned around theneck 12 below thethread 16, theclosure 22 can be engaged with theneck 12 and thelugs 28 on thering 20′ in a manner similar to that for the previous embodiments. When theclosure 22 is to be removed from thecontainer 10, each of thetabs 110 is deflected downwardly with respect to theclosure 22 to disengage thelugs 28 from within the associatednotches 36, and allow rotation of theclosure 22 with regard to theneck 12 andring 20′. - Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.
Claims (20)
1. A locking container cap comprising:
a) a closure adapted to be secured to an upper end of a neck on a container and including a lower end and a flange including a number of notches disposed adjacent the lower end; and
b) a locking ring defining a central aperture therein that is positionable around the neck of the container and including a number of lugs selectively engageable within the notches in the closure.
2. The cap of claim 1 wherein the lugs extend upwardly from a peripheral rim between pairs of slots formed in the rim.
3. The cap of claim 1 further comprising an interior thread on the locking ring that is threadedly engageable with a thread on the neck of the container.
4. The cap of claim 3 further comprising pairs of slots formed in the locking ring on either side of each of the number of lugs to define deflectable sections on the locking ring.
5. The cap of claim 3 wherein the number of lugs are spaced equidistant from one another on the locking ring.
6. The cap of claim 3 further comprising a number of gripping members disposed on the locking ring opposite the interior thread.
7. The cap of claim 1 further comprising a number of braces on the locking ring that are engagable with the neck of the container.
8. The cap of claim 7 wherein the central aperture has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the neck of the container.
9. The cap of claim 8 wherein the braces extend at least partially into the aperture.
10. The cap of claim 1 further comprising a number of outwardly extending tabs disposed on the locking ring adjacent each of the number of lugs.
11. A method of securing a locking container cap to a container, the method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a locking container cap including a locking ring having a number of upwardly extending lugs thereon, and a closure including a number of downwardly extending notches therein;
b) engaging the locking ring with a neck of the container;
c) engaging the closure with the container; and
d) engaging the lugs on the locking ring within the notches in the closure.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of engaging the lugs with the notches comprises rotating the locking around the neck to move the lugs into engagement with the notches.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the locking ring includes an interior thread engagable with an exterior thread on the neck of the container, and wherein the step of rotating the locking ring comprises moving the locking ring upwardly along the threads to engage the lugs within the notches.
14. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of:
a) disengaging the lugs from within the notches after engaging the lugs within the notches; and
b) disengaging the closure from the container.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of disengaging the lugs from within the notches comprises deflecting the lugs out of engagement with the notches.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the locking ring includes a number of pairs of slots formed on opposite sides of each of the number of lugs to define deflection portions on the locking ring, and wherein the step of deflecting the lugs comprises pressing downwardly on the deflecting portions of the locking ring.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the locking ring includes a number of outwardly extending tabs disposed adjacent each of the number of lugs, and wherein the step of deflecting the lugs comprises pulling downwardly on the tabs of the locking ring.
18. A locking container comprising:
a) a body including a lower containment portion and an upper neck portion, the upper neck portion including an upper, open end and an exterior thread disposed around the upper neck portion;
b) a closure including an open, lower end and a flange including a number of notches disposed adjacent the lower end and an interior thread engagable with the exterior thread on the neck portion; and
c) a locking ring defining a central aperture therein that is engagable around the neck of the container and including a number of lugs selectively engageable within the notches in the closure.
19. The container of claim 18 wherein the locking ring includes an aperture thread in the central aperture engagable with the exterior thread on the neck portion of the container.
20. The container of claim 18 wherein the locking ring includes a number of braces extending partially into the central aperture and engagable with the neck portion.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/644,163 US20070144997A1 (en) | 2005-12-23 | 2006-12-22 | Locking container cap |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US75354805P | 2005-12-23 | 2005-12-23 | |
US11/644,163 US20070144997A1 (en) | 2005-12-23 | 2006-12-22 | Locking container cap |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20070144997A1 true US20070144997A1 (en) | 2007-06-28 |
Family
ID=38192375
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US11/644,163 Abandoned US20070144997A1 (en) | 2005-12-23 | 2006-12-22 | Locking container cap |
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US (1) | US20070144997A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10414561B1 (en) | 2018-07-03 | 2019-09-17 | Pascal Holdings, LLC | Safety cap |
US11472613B2 (en) | 2019-04-23 | 2022-10-18 | Berry Global, Inc. | Selectively openable closure for a container |
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US5727704A (en) * | 1996-07-23 | 1998-03-17 | Ideal Ideas, Inc. | Child resistant cap and safety collar ring having unique boss arrangements |
US5788098A (en) * | 1997-01-23 | 1998-08-04 | Mader; Stanley C. | Child resistant container closure system with locking ring, hook element, and cap |
US5819967A (en) * | 1996-06-12 | 1998-10-13 | Pfizer Inc. | Child-resistant, senior friendly container |
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US5884788A (en) * | 1997-12-17 | 1999-03-23 | Wilde; Sheldon L. | Tamper-indicating closure |
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US20080197102A1 (en) * | 2004-06-23 | 2008-08-21 | Dubois Limited | Beverage Container |
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US5819967A (en) * | 1996-06-12 | 1998-10-13 | Pfizer Inc. | Child-resistant, senior friendly container |
US5727704A (en) * | 1996-07-23 | 1998-03-17 | Ideal Ideas, Inc. | Child resistant cap and safety collar ring having unique boss arrangements |
US5927529A (en) * | 1996-08-19 | 1999-07-27 | Magenta Corporation | Child resistant container |
US5865330A (en) * | 1996-10-21 | 1999-02-02 | Van Blarcom Closures, Inc. | Child resistant cap |
US5788098A (en) * | 1997-01-23 | 1998-08-04 | Mader; Stanley C. | Child resistant container closure system with locking ring, hook element, and cap |
US5884788A (en) * | 1997-12-17 | 1999-03-23 | Wilde; Sheldon L. | Tamper-indicating closure |
US6988642B2 (en) * | 2002-10-29 | 2006-01-24 | Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies | Tamper-evident dispenser bottle |
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US20080197102A1 (en) * | 2004-06-23 | 2008-08-21 | Dubois Limited | Beverage Container |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10414561B1 (en) | 2018-07-03 | 2019-09-17 | Pascal Holdings, LLC | Safety cap |
US11148859B2 (en) | 2018-07-03 | 2021-10-19 | Pascal Holdings, LLC | Safety cap |
US11472613B2 (en) | 2019-04-23 | 2022-10-18 | Berry Global, Inc. | Selectively openable closure for a container |
US11691794B2 (en) | 2019-04-23 | 2023-07-04 | Berry Global, Inc. | Selectively openable closure for a container |
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Legal Events
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
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Owner name: HICKEY IP, LLC,WYOMING Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HICKEY, CHARLES P.;REEL/FRAME:024451/0808 Effective date: 20100527 |