Abstract
The present invention relates to child-resistant cap and prescription pill bottle for dispensing prescription medications, such as tablets and capsules. The present inventions of push-down-and-turn child-resistant caps relate to two novel closure mechanisms and one improved mechanism using tapered detent in the camming latch that lead to the locking notch for smoother operation, as well as cap with ergonomic grip. All three mechanisms offer easier operation with a simple resilient disc member. The present invention of prescription pill bottle is a plurality of elliptical cylindrical shaped bottle which offers ergonomic grip compare to the circular cylindrical shape currently used. In addition, the bottles offer a relatively planar surfaces for prescription and auxiliary labels, which eliminate the action of rotating the bottle back-and-forth to read the labels.
Claims
1. A pharmacy bottle comprising: a container including: a plurality of generally elliptical cylindrically-shaped body defining a chamber therein;
2. The pharmacy bottle of claim 1 wherein the container comprises an opening disposed at the top center of the body via shoulder and neck, which is adapted to removably receive a cap to cover the opening;
3. The pharmacy bottle of claim 2 wherein the neck is circular cylindrical in shape and has a plurality of grooves circumferentially spaced on the neck in the shape of the capital letter J to engage with locking lugs located on the inner surface of the cap and guide the locking lugs to slide along the grooves into a locking position to cover the opening on the bottle where the grooves are sized and configured to receive the locking lugs;
4. The pharmacy bottle of claim 3 wherein the neck is circular cylindrical in shape and has a plurality of grooves circumferentially spaced on the neck with a wide entrance to the groove at the rim of the neck for easier engagement with locking lugs located on the inner surface of the cap and funnel the locking lugs to slide along the grooves into a locking position to cover the opening on the bottle where the grooves are sized and configured to receive the locking lugs;
5. The pharmacy bottle of claim 2 wherein the neck is circular cylindrical in shape and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending projections comprising tapered cam that leads to locking notches which has tapered detent where the projections are sized and configured to receive locking lugs on the cap to cover the opening on the bottle;
6. A plurality of cap with a relatively wide grip area comprised of top panel, an annular skirt forming the cap body and a resilient member, which is located in the top end of the cap body by the top panel;
7. The cap of claim 5 wherein there is a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking lugs on the inner surface of the annular skirt projecting inwardly, which are sized and configured to engage with the locking mechanisms on the neck of claims 3 and 4 to cover the opening on the bottle;
8. The cap of claim 6 wherein the cap body is in the shape of an upside down, truncated cone; and
9. The cap of claim 6 wherein, alternatively, the cap body is in the shape of a circular cylinder.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0014] In drawings, embodiments of the present invention is described as follows:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of generally elliptical cylindrically-shaped prescription pill bottle, one with the upside down, truncated, cylindrical cone shaped cap on and another with the traditional circular cylindrical cap on, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front view thereof of the bottle with caps separate illustrating the J-shaped groove on one side of the bottle with the opening of the groove at the rim of the neck, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a front view thereof of the bottle without cap on illustrating the wide opening of the groove at the rim of the neck on one side of the bottle, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a front view of the bottle without cap on illustrating the camming latch with tapered detent on the locking notch on the lower end of the neck on one side of the bottle, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a side view thereof of a plurality of the bottle with cap on, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a top view thereof of the neck of the bottle illustrating the top view of the J-shaped grooves that open at the rim of the neck and located diametrically opposite of each other, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a top view thereof of the neck of the bottle illustrating the top view of the wide opening of the grooves that open at the rim of the neck and located diametrically opposite of each other, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a top view thereof of the neck of the bottle illustrating the top view of the camming latch leading to the detent and the locking notch on the neck, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a perspective view thereof of the neck of the bottle illustrating the J-shaped groove on one side of the neck, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a perspective view thereof of the neck of the bottle illustrating the wide opening of the groove, a variant of the J-shaped groove, on one side of the neck, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 11 a perspective view thereof of the neck of the bottle illustrating the camming latch leading to the tapered detent and the locking notch on one side of the neck, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a perspective view thereof of a cap illustrating one of the lugs on the inner surface of the annular skirt and a resilient member, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a bottom view thereof of the cap illustrating the two lugs located diametrically opposite side of each other and a resilient member, according to an embodiment of the invention; and
[0028] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a cap, a resilient member and one of the bottles, according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a plurality of prescription pill bottles that are generally elliptical cylindrically-shaped in body. The shape conforms to the contour of the hand at relaxed state. As a result, there is less bending of the finger, hand, and forearm muscles when gripping the bottles, thereby reducing strain on the said muscles and hand-fatigue. The bottle has a relatively planar surfaces on the front and the back portions for the prescription and auxiliary labels, which will allow easier reading of the labels and eliminate the need to rotate the bottle back-and-forth to read them. The bottle has a relatively wide and circular cylindrically-shaped neck and a mouth for dispensing tablets, capsules and such. The new bottles do not require any changes to the existing labelling system used by pharmacies, which will make the transition from the traditional vials efficient.
[0030] In drawings, the following figures illustrate embodiments of the present invention:
[0031] In FIG. 1, in one embodiment, pharmacy bottle system 10 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of prescription pill bottle 12 that is generally elliptical cylindrical in shape with a wide, circular cylindrical neck 14, for dispensing tablets, capsules, and such. Bottle 12 comprises a container 16, which comprises a front portion 18 that is slightly curved, but relatively planar and a back portion 20 that is slightly curved, but relatively planarwhere prescription and auxiliary labels are affixedconnected by a side portion 22 that is curved to form a generally elliptical, cylindrical shape. The cap 24a is generally shaped of a truncated, upside down cone. Alternatively, it is shaped circular cylindrical similar to the traditional cap 24b.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a front view thereof of the prescription pill bottle 12, according to an embodiment of the invention. Bottle 12 comprises a container 16, which comprises shoulders 26, and a circular cylindrical neck 14 in the center of the shoulders 26. A circular mouth 28 is located at the upper end of the neck 14. The mouth 28 opens 30 to inside of the container 16. On the outward side of the neck 14, circumferentially spaced is a plurality of grooves 32 in the shape of the capital letter J that open 34 at the rim of the neck 14 configured and spaced to engage with locking lugs 36 located on the inner side of the cap 24a/b projecting inwardly. To cover the opening 30 in the mouth 28, the lugs 36 engage with the grooves 32 at the opening 34 at the rim of the neck 14. The cap is then pushed axially along the long vertical grooves 38 until the lugs reach the curvature of the grooves 40. The cap is then rotated clockwise until the lugs 36 reach the short grooves 42 and rest in the short grooves 42. The cap 24a/b is now in a locked position.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a front view thereof of the prescription pill bottle 12, according to an embodiment of the invention. On the outward side of the neck 14 of the bottle 12 is a plurality of circumferentially spaced grooves 44 that are a variation of the J-shaped grooves 32 in that the opening 46 of the grooves 44 at the rim of the neck 14 is wide for easier alignment of the grooves 44 with the locking lugs 36 from the cap 24a/b to cover the opening 30 in the mouth 28. Thereafter, the cap 24a/b is pushed axially along the longer vertical grooves 38, then turned clockwise when the lugs reach the bottom of the grooves 40 causing the lugs to slide along the curvature of the grooves 40 and then released into the locking position in the short vertical grooves 42.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a front view thereof of the prescription pill bottle 12, according to an embodiment of the invention. On the outward side of the neck 14 is a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending projections 48 comprising of tapered cam 50 that lead to locking notch 52 with tapered detent 54 therein, sized and configured to receive locking lugs 36 from the cap 24a/b. The tapered detents 54 allow smoother disengagement of the lugs 36 when the cap 24a/b is removed from the neck 14.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a side view thereof of a plurality of prescription pill bottle 12 illustrating a wide neck 14 and side portion 22 of the bottle 12 with cap on 24a/b, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a top view thereof of the prescription pill bottle 12, according to an embodiment of the invention, illustrating mouth 28 and opening 30, encompassing the front 18 and the back portion 20 of the container 12. The curved side portions 22 connect the slightly curved, but relatively planar front portion 18 to the slightly curved, but relatively planar back portion 20 forming a generally elliptical shape. The top view of the bottle 12 illustrates the opening 34 of the two J-shaped grooves 32 located diametrically from each other at the rim of the mouth. The grooves 32 are circumferentially spaced and engage with the lugs 36 from the cap 24a/b to form a child-resistant closure system. It is understood the neck may have a plurality of grooves 32 configured and spaced to receive a plurality of the lugs 36.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a top view thereof of the prescription pill bottle 12, according to an embodiment of the invention illustrating the top view of the mouth 28 with a circumferentially spaced grooves 44 with a wide opening 46 at the rim of the neck 14 for easier alignment with the lugs 36 from the cap 24a/b to engage and form a child-resistant closure system. It is understood the neck 14 may have a plurality of grooves 44.
[0038] FIG. 8 is a top view thereof of the prescription pill bottle 12, according to an embodiment of the invention illustrating the top view of the mouth 28 and of the two circumferentially spaced around the neck 14, radially extending projections 48 comprising of tapered cam 50 that lead to locking notch 52 with tapered detent 54 therein, sized and configured to receive locking lug 36 from the cap 24a/b. It is understood the neck may have a plurality of camming latches 50 with locking notches 52 sized and configured to engage with lugs 36 from the cap 24a/b.
[0039] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the neck 14, according to an embodiment of the invention, illustrating the J-shaped groove 32 on the outer side of the neck 14 with the opening 34 at the rim of the neck 14 where the locking lug 36 engages, the long vertical groove 38 along which the cap is pushed axially and the curvature of the groove 40 where the cap 24a/b is rotated clockwise into the short vertical groove 42, the locked position. It is understood the neck may have a plurality of grooves 32 circumferentially spaced and configured to receive lugs 36 from the cap 24a/b.
[0040] FIG. 10 is a perspective view thereof of the neck 14, according to an embodiment of the invention, illustrating a variant of the J-shaped groove 44 on the outer side of the neck 14 with a wide opening 46 at the rim of the neck 14 where the locking lug 36 engages with the groove 44, the longer vertical groove 38 along which the cap 24a/b is pushed axially and the curvature of the groove 40 where the cap 24a/b is rotated clockwise into the short vertical groove 42, the locked position. It is understood the neck may have a plurality of grooves 44 circumferentially spaced and configured to receive locking lugs 36 from the cap 24a/b.
[0041] FIG. 11 is a perspective view thereof of the neck 14, according to an embodiment of the invention, illustrating circumferentially spaced, radially extending projections 48 comprising of the tapered camming latches 50 that engage with the lug 36 and upon rotating the cap 24a/b clockwise leads the lug 36 into the locking notch 52 via the tapered detent 54. The tapered detent 54 on the notch 52 allows smooth disengagement of the lug 36 from the notch 52 when the cap 24a/b is rotated counter clockwise to remove the cap from the bottle. It is understood the neck 14 may have a plurality of projections 48 spaced and configured to receive a plurality of lugs 36 from the cap 24a/b.
[0042] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cap 24a, according to an embodiment of the invention, illustrating the top panel 56 and an annular skirt 58 depending downward from the periphery of the top panel 56 forming the cap body 60. On the inner surface of the annular skirt 58 is a plurality of inward projections that form the locking lugs 36, which engage with the locking systems on the neck 14 on the bottle 12. In the upper end of the cap body 60 is a resilient member 62. The resilient member 62 allows the cap 24a to be pressed axially against the neck 14 to disengage the lugs 36 from the locking notches 52 or from the short vertical groove 42 prior to the removal of the cap 24a from the bottle 12. It is understood the cap 24a may have a plurality of lugs 36 spaced and configured to engage with the closure systems on the neck 14.
[0043] FIG. 13 is a bottom view thereof of a cap 24b, according to an embodiment of the invention, illustrating the two inward projecting lugs 36 located on the inner surface of the annular skirt 58 and a resilient member 62 in the upper end of the cap body. It is understood the cap 24b may have a plurality of lugs 36 spaced and configured to engage with the closure systems on the neck 14.
[0044] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the pharmacy bottle system 10 illustrating a cap 24a, a resilient member 62 and a prescription pill bottle 12 with one of the three aforementioned child-resistant closure systems, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0045] While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, the scope of the present invention encompasses a plurality of prescription pill bottles that are generally elliptical cylindrical in shape, a plurality of cap that has a relatively wide grip area with the cap body shaped of an upside down, truncated cone and, alternatively, circular cylinder. The scope of the present invention also encompasses a child-resistant closure mechanism comprising of a plurality of circumferentially spaced grooves on the outward side of the neck of the bottle that engage with the locking lugs from the cap to provide bottle closure system. The scope of the present invention also encompasses a child-resistant closure mechanism comprising of circumferentially spaced, radially extending projections on the outward side of the neck comprised of tapered camming latch leading to tapered detent and the locking notch. The tapered detent results in a smoother disengagement of the lugs from the cap when the cap is removed from the bottle. The grooves and the outward projections on the neck are spaced and configured to receive the locking lugs on the cap. The shapes of the bottle and the cap are not new per se. However, their application to prescription pill bottle and cap is. The shape of the grooves on the neck is new and the detent on the locking notch is tapered, which is new. Both child-resistant mechanisms offer easier and smoother operation of child-resistant closure system than the existing push-down-and-turn closure mechanisms.
