Locking System for Containers

Abstract

A locking security device including an outer collar and an inner collar wherein the inner collar rotates freely within the outer collar and wherein the locking security device is may be used with numerous genres of existing jars, mason jars and particularly wide mouth mason jars. The locking system provides an elderly-friendly, child-resistant pill locking mechanism which can be utilized in numerous capacities, and particularly fit for mason jars and wide mouth mason jars.

Claims

1. A locking device comprising: an outer collar; an inner collar wherein the inner collar rotates freely within the outer collar.

2. The locking device of claim 1 wherein the inner collar is disposed to fit circumferentially over the top of the container to secure the lid so it cannot be removed without disengaging the outer collar and the inner collar.

3. The locking device of claim 1 wherein the outer collar further comprises a set of locking teeth.

4. The locking device of claim 1 wherein the inner collar further comprises a set of locking teeth.

5. The locking device of claim 4 wherein the inner collar further comprises a set of locking teeth wherein the set of locking teeth on inner portion of the upper region of the outer collar are design to engage with the set of locking teeth on outer portion of the upper region of the inner collar.

6. The locking device of claim 4 wherein the locking teeth of the outer collar and the locking teeth of the inner collar are designed with angularly displaced rearward support sections of the mating faces in order to add support and rigidity while retained lighter weight qualities.

7. The locking device of claim 4 wherein the locking teeth of the outer collar and the locking teeth of the inner collar are substantially rectangular.

8. The locking device of claim 1 wherein the outer collar further comprises a removably attached lanyard, a lanyard hole, and a removably attached name plate, and the name plate retaining portion.

9. The locking device of claim 1 wherein the inner collar further comprises a lanyard hole.

10. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the outer collar further comprises a lower retaining mechanism for securely retaining the inner collar within the outer collar and upper retaining mechanism for securely retaining the inner collar within the outer collar.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an upper side perspective view of the container locking system in a disassembled state illustrating the outer collar and the inner collar of the instant system and the constituent components of the outer collar including the lanyard, the lanyard hole, the removably attached label plate or name plate, and the name plate retaining portion, with the removably attached name plate disengaged of the invention as disclosed;

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of the container locking system, including the outer collar and the inner collar of the system, fully engaged to securely lock the lid of an ordinary mason jar and the adaptation of the container system to the sealing mechanism of the normal mason jar.

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of the container locking system in a fully assembled from including the outer collar and the inner collar of the system. Further illustrated is the removably attached nameplate engaged.

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of the overall container locking system with inner collar below the outer collar, illustrating the aligning of the lanyard hole of the inner collar and outer collar.

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the outer collar illustrates the locking teeth on inner portion of the upper region of the outer collar are design to engage with the set of locking teeth on outer portion of the upper region of the inner collar.

[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates the corresponding upper side of the inner collar, exemplifying the locking teeth located on the outer portion of the upper region of the inner collar.

[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates side perspective view of a cutaway of the container locking system illustrating the outer collar and gauge of the inner caller. For the illustrated upper portion of the outer collar in the rim size portion of the outer collar.

[0030] FIG. 8A illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the container locking system illustrating a customizable silicon band including an outer surface comprising ridges for ease of grip and rotation.

[0031] FIG. 8B illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of the container locking system illustrating a customizable silicon band including an outer surface comprising ridges for ease of grip and rotation and the loop for hanging attachments.

[0032] FIG. 8C illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of the container locking system illustrating a customizable silicon band including an outer surface comprising ridges for ease of grip and rotation, the loop for hanging attachments and the area for advertisements or labels.

[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates a side perspective view of a portion of one embodiment of the container locking system further illustrating the element and for the illustrating some examples of replaceable signs illustrating company names or logos for products or goods.

[0034] FIG. 18 illustrates an upper side perspective view of one embodiment of the container locking system.

[0035] FIG. 11 is an inverted view of the outer collar and inner collar.

[0036] FIG. 12 illustrates a top perspective view of the container locking system, including the outer collar and the inner collar of the system, fully engaged to securely lock the lid of an ordinary mason jar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of several embodiments of the apparatus and does not represent the only forms in which the present apparatus may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the apparatus in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0038] For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this specification. All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term about, whether or not explicitly indicated. The term about generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the terms about may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

[0039] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term or is generally employed in its sense including and/or unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0040] The following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative embodiments of the claimed invention.

[0041] The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates an upper side perspective view of one embodiment of the container locking system 10 in a disassembled state, including the outer collar 20 and the inner collar 30 of the system. Illustrated in depth are the outer collar 20 and its constituent components including the removably attached lanyard 22, the lanyard hole the removably attached or replaceable Co-brand tag, label plate or name plate 21, and the name plate 21 retaining portion 22, with the removably attached name plate 21 disengaged. The label plate can be used to advertise company names or even to act as a marker indicating what substance is stored in the specific bottle.

[0043] Addressing the inner collar 30 of the system, illustrated are the set of locking teeth 35 on outer portion of the upper region 39 of the inner collar 30. Additionally illustrated is the inner collar 30 which is contained within and floats freely inside the outer collar 20. Further illustrated are the inner collar 30 constituent components including the lanyard hole 34 the set of locking teeth 35, which are located on outer portion of the upper region of the inner collar 30. Further illustrated is the threaded portion 38 of the inner collar 30.

[0044] FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of the container locking system 10, including the outer collar 20 and the inner collar 30 of the system, fully engaged to securely lock the lid of an ordinary mason jar 50. In addition, illustrated is the adaptation of the container system 10 to the sealing mechanism 51 of the normal mason jar of all sizes, here a wide mouth mason jar 50 is utilized, without any need for altering the normal sealing mechanism 51 and threading arrangement. Concurrently illustrated is the threaded portion 58 of the jar 50 which mates with the threaded portion 38 of the inner collar 30. Thus, the system provides a highly useful, and seamlessly implemented system for providing security for a normal household jar.

[0045] Further illustrated is the removably attached nameplate 21 prominently displayed in the engaged position. The removably attached nameplate 21 can be removed and installed without any loss of security or removal of the container locking system 10.

[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates front perspective view of the container locking system 10 in a fully assembled from including the outer collar 20 and the inner collar 30 of the system. Further illustrated is the removably attached nameplate 21 engaged and prominently displayed.

[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of the overall container locking system 10 with inner collar 30 below the outer collar 20. And further illustrating the lining up of the lanyard hole 34 of the inner collar 30 and the lanyard hole 24 of the outer collar 20. Further illustrated is the removably attached nameplate 21 engaged and prominently displayed.

[0048] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the outer collar illustrates the locking teeth 25 on inner portion of the upper region 28 of the outer collar 20 are design to engage with the set of locking teeth 35 on outer portion of the upper region of the inner collar 30. Further illustrated is the lower retaining mechanism 29 for securely retaining the inner collar 30 within the outer collar 20.

[0049] FIG. 6 illustrates the corresponding upper side of the inner collar 30, exemplifying the locking teeth 35 located on the outer portion of the upper region 38 of the inner collar 30.

[0050] In operation, in order to initially secure the container locking system 10 to the 50, the user mates the threaded area 38 of the inner collar 30 with the threaded area 58 of the jar. The user next rotates clockwise while simultaneously applying a quantity of force downward until reaching the stop point of the mated threads and releasing the outer collar 20 of the container locking system 10. At this point, the inner collar will float axially inside the outer collar and retain the security of the jar.

[0051] When the user desires to remove the container locking device, the user applies a quantity of force downward while simultaneously rotating counterclockwise, which engages the locking teeth 28 of the outer collar 20 and the locking teeth 38 of the inner collar 30 in order to allow complete rotation of the container locking system and then simultaneously rotate counterclockwise and the inner collar will ride upward on the threads, thus unlocking the jar.

[0052] Thus, due in part to the amount of downward pressure or force, and the corresponding user hand and arm strength required to activate and deactivate the locking teeth, the system provides a simple, low maintenance, yet extremely effective manner to keep goods secure from children and possibly elderly co-habitators.

[0053] As illustrated throughout the Figures, the locking teeth 28 of the outer collar 20 and the locking teeth 38 of the inner collar 30 are both designed with mating faces set perpendicular to the interior portion of the outer collar 20 and the exterior portion of the inner collar 30 in order to provide the greatest possible mating surface area and in order that the teeth mesh and slippage can never occur.

[0054] Also illustrated throughout the Figures, the locking teeth 28 of the outer collar 20 and the locking teeth 38 of the inner collar 30 are designed with angularly displaced rearward support sections of the mating faces in order to add support and rigidity while retained lighter weight qualities. The angle of the rearward support sections may range from ten (10) degrees to forty five (45) degrees.

[0055] FIG. 7 illustrates a side perspective view of a cutaway container locking system 10 illustrating the outer collar and gauge of the inner caller 30. For the illustrated upper portion of the outer collar in the rim size portion 25 of the outer collar. Additionally illustrated are the threaded portions 38 of the inner collar, the lanyard hole of the inner collar 37, the outer collar lower retaining mechanism 29 for securely retaining the inner collar 30 within the outer collar 20 and further illustrated is the outer collar upper retaining mechanism 27 for securely retaining the inner collar 30 within the outer collar 20. The lower retaining mechanism 29 and the upper retaining mechanism 27 guide the inner collar 30 and ensure that the inner collar 30 freely the floats, but cannot break free from the outer collar 20.

[0056] FIG. 8A illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the container locking system illustrating a customizable silicon band 60 including an outer surface comprising ridges 65 for ease of grip and rotation.

[0057] FIG. 8B illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of the container locking system illustrating a customizable silicon band 60 including an outer surface comprising ridges 65 for ease of grip and rotation and the loop for hanging attachments 37.

[0058] FIG. 8C illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of the container locking system illustrating a customizable silicon band 60 including an outer surface comprising ridges 65 for ease of grip and rotation, the loop for hanging attachments 37 and the area for advertisements or labels 61.

[0059] This configuration limits the possibility for mishandling the device, jar, or the enclosed contents and speeds up the locking/unlocking process overall. In one embodiment, the exterior surface of the lock includes gripping elements to further facilitate the mounting and removal of the lock. Plastic normally has a greater risk of slippage compared to other materials like rubber, for example. Ridges, or other similar gripping and holding elements, assist the user in maintaining secure grip while handling the jar. Because the device is directed for use on glass jars, additional elements to prevent slippage or drops are highly desirable.

[0060] FIG. 9 illustrates a side perspective view of a portion of one embodiment of the container locking system 10 illustrating the element 21 and for the illustrating some examples of replaceable signs 80 illustrating company names or logos for products or goods.

[0061] FIG. 10-FIG. 12 illustrate an additional embodiment of instant system wherein the mating teeth of the outer casing and the mating teeth at the inner casing comprise a substantially rectangular shape wholly perpendicular mating, as well as providing optimal strength characteristics as opposed to those utilizing the angularly displaced rearward support sections of the mating faces, which add support and rigidity, while retained lighter weight qualities. Further illustrated is an identification or co-branding label which is more permanently etched into the outer collar in two places.

[0062] FIG. 10 illustrates an upper side perspective view of one embodiment of the container locking system 70 in a disassembled state, including the outer collar 80 and the inner collar 90 of the system. Illustrated in depth are the outer collar 80 and its constituent components including the co-brand tag, label p late or name plate 81, and the name plate which is etched into the material utilized. The label plate 81 can be used to advertise company names or even to act as a marker indicating what substance is stored in the specific bottle.

[0063] Addressing the inner collar 90 of the system, illustrated are the set of locking teeth 95 on outer portion of the upper region 99 of the inner collar 90. Additionally illustrated is the inner collar 90 which is contained within and floats freely inside the outer collar 80. Further illustrated pare the inner collar 90 constituent components including the set of locking teeth. 95, which are located on the outer portion of the upper region of the inner collar 90. Further illustrated is the threaded portion 98 of the inner collar 90.

[0064] FIG. 11 is an inverted view of the outer collar 80 and inner collar 90. Additionally illustrated are the threaded portions 98 of the inner collar, the lanyard hole of the inner collar 97, the outer collar lower retaining mechanism 87 for securely retaining the inner collar 90 within the outer collar 80 and further illustrated is the outer collar upper retaining mechanism 89 for securely retaining the inner collar 90 within the outer collar 80.

[0065] The outer collar lower retaining mechanism 89 and the upper retaining mechanism 87 guide the inner collar 90 and ensure that the inner collar 90 freely the floats but cannot break free from the outer collar 80. Further illustrated are the locking teeth 85 of the outer collar 80 which match in a perpendicular fashion with the locking teeth 95 of the inner collar 90.

[0066] FIG. 12 illustrates a top perspective view of the container locking system 70, including the outer collar 80 and the inner collar 90 of the system, fully engaged to securely lock the lid of an ordinary mason jar 50. In addition, illustrated is the adaptation of the container system 10 to the sealing mechanism 51 of the normal mason jar of all sizes, here a wide mouth mason jar 50 is utilized, without any need for altering the normal sealing mechanism 51 and threading arrangement. The threaded portion 58 of the jar 50 mates with threaded portion 98 of the inner collar 90 and thus, the system provides a highly useful, and seamlessly implemented system for providing security for a normal household jar.

[0067] It will be appreciated that the specific mechanisms for each stage of locking/unlocking are possible configurations and are not limiting. Although the dual sets of mating locking teeth are illustrated numerous mechanical systems and embodiments could be employed to accomplish the objectives of the present system.