FLIP TOP CLOSURE

Abstract

A package for a product includes a container, a closure adapted for assembly to the container, a first child-resistant feature incorporated into the closure and a second child-resistant feature integrated between the container and the closure. The first child-resistant feature includes a push-to-release tab which is inserted into a slot. The second child-resistant feature includes a securing ring with first formations and being adapted to threadedly attach to the container. A closure body includes engaging formations such that the closure body is used to advance the securing ring onto the container and to remove the securing ring from the container.

Claims

1. A package for a product comprising: a container; a closure adapted for assembly to said container; a first child-resistant feature incorporated into said closure; and a second child-resistant feature configured between said container and said closure.

2. The package of claim 1 wherein defeating said first child-resistant feature allows said closure to be opened.

3. The package of claim 1 wherein defeating said second child-resistant feature allows said closure to be removed from said container.

4. The package of claim 1 wherein said closure includes a closure body, a flip top lid and a securing ring.

5. The package of claim 4 wherein said flip top lid is hinged to said closure body.

6. The package of claim 4 wherein said securing ring is constructed and arranged for being secured to a neck of said container.

7. The package of claim 6 wherein said securing ring includes engagement teeth and said closure body includes cooperating engagement teeth.

8. The package of claim 1 wherein said first child-resistant feature includes a tab and a slot combination with the tab inserted into said slot.

9. The package of claim 8 wherein said first child-resistant feature includes a push-to-release tab manipulation as a part of defeating said first child-resistant feature.

10. The package of claim 1 wherein said second child-resistant feature includes a push-to-engage closure manipulation as a part of defeating said second child-resistant feature.

11. The package of claim 1 wherein said first child-resistant feature requires first and second manipulations in order to defeat said first child-resistant feature.

12. The package of claim 11 wherein said second child-resistant feature requires third and fourth manipulations in order to defeat said second child-resistant feature.

13. The package of claim 12 wherein said first and second manipulations are independent of said third and fourth manipulations.

14. The package of claim 12 wherein said first, second, third and fourth manipulations are each of a different type as compared to each other.

15. The package of claim 5 wherein the flip top lid is hinged to said closure body by a snap-fit construction.

16. The package of claim 5 wherein the flip top lid is hinged to said closure body by a living hinge.

17. The package of claim 4 wherein said closure body and said flip top lid are formed as a single-piece component.

18. A flip top closure for a container with an externally threaded neck, said flip top closure comprising: a closure body; a flip top lid hinged to said closure body; a securing ring captured by said closure body; a first child-resistant feature integrated into said lid and closure body combination; and a second child-resistant feature created by engagement between said closure body and said securing ring.

19. The flip top closure of claim 18 wherein said closure body includes engagement formations and said securing ring includes cooperating formations.

20. The flip top closure of claim 19 wherein said closure body and said securing ring are constructed and arranged for rotation of the closure body to impart rotation to the securing ring when said engagement formations and said cooperating formations are in engagement with each other.

21. The flip top closure of claim 18 wherein said first child-resistant feature includes a tab as a part of the lid and a slot defined by the closure body.

22. The flip top closure of claim 18 wherein the flip top lid is hinged to said closure body by a snap-fit construction.

23. The flip top closure of claim 18 wherein the flip top lid is hinged to said closure body by a living hinge.

24. The flip top closure of claim 18 wherein said closure body and said flip top lid are formed as a single-piece component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flip top closure assembled to a container and comprising a package for product according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 package.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 package.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 1 package.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the FIG. 1 package.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of the FIG. 1 package.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view of the FIG. 1 package.

[0013] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the FIG. 1 package.

[0014] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the FIG. 1 package.

[0015] FIG. 10 is a right side elevational view, in full section of the FIG. 1 package.

[0016] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a flip top lid which comprises one part of the FIG. 1 flip top closure.

[0017] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the FIG. 11 flip top lid.

[0018] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the FIG. 11 flip top lid.

[0019] FIG. 14 is a partial, right side elevational view of the FIG. 11 flip top lid.

[0020] FIG. 15 is partial, left side elevational view of the FIG. 11 flip top lid.

[0021] FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 11 flip top lid.

[0022] FIG. 17 is a rear elevational view of the FIG. 11 flip top lid.

[0023] FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the FIG. 11 flip top lid.

[0024] FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the FIG. 11 flip top lid.

[0025] FIG. 20 is a perspective of a securing ring which comprises one part of the FIG. 1 flip top closure.

[0026] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the FIG. 20 securing ring.

[0027] FIG. 22 is a bottom plan view of the FIG. 20 securing ring.

[0028] FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the FIG. 20 securing ring.

[0029] FIG. 24 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 20 securing ring wherein the left and right side elevational views and the rear elevational view are the same.

[0030] FIG. 25 is a front elevational view, in full section, of the FIG. 20 securing ring.

[0031] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a closure body which comprises one part of the FIG. 1 flip top closure.

[0032] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the FIG. 26 closure body.

[0033] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the FIG. 26 closure body.

[0034] FIG. 29 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 26 closure body.

[0035] FIG. 30 is a rear elevational view of the FIG. 26 closure body.

[0036] FIG. 31 is a top plan view of the FIG. 26 closure body.

[0037] FIG. 32 is a bottom plan view of the FIG. 26 closure body.

[0038] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of an alternate flip top closure member according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 34 is a left side elevational view of the FIG. 33 flip top closure member.

[0040] FIG. 35 is a right side elevational view of the FIG. 33 flip top closure member.

[0041] FIG. 36 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 33 flip top closure member.

[0042] FIG. 37 is a rear elevational view of the FIG. 33 flip top closure member.

[0043] FIG. 38 is a top plan view of the FIG. 33 flip top closure member.

[0044] FIG. 39 is a bottom plan view of the FIG. 33 flip top closure member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 1-10 there is illustrated a flip top, child-resistant package 20 for receipt and holding of a product. Package 20 is an assembly of flip top closure 22 and container 24. For the purposes of disclosure, it will be assumed that in the original condition and prior to the initial opening of the package by the end user or another, that the package includes some quantity of product (i.e., the contents of the container) for subsequent dispensing.

[0047] For the exemplary embodiment, the illustrated container 24 is a bottle with an externally threaded neck 26 which defines a neck opening 28. In the exemplary embodiment the illustrated container is a single-piece, unitary molded plastic construction. As for the disclosed invention, closure 22 includes three component parts which are assembled together into the assembly which is illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, as flip top closure 22.

[0048] For the purposes of this disclosure and with reference to the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein, terms such as up, upwardly, down and downwardly have their conventional meanings and orientations based on the direction of gravity, i.e. vertical with a normal or customary orientation. The terms radially and radial are substantially perpendicular to the up and down directions. The terms lateral and laterally have the same direction and meaning as radial and radially and are substantially horizontal in the context of this disclosure when the direction of gravity is vertical. Axial and axially are substantially perpendicular to radial and radially. These terms are all consistent with package 20 being positioned in an upright orientation on a support surface such as a countertop or table.

[0049] The three component parts of closure 22 include a flip top lid 34, an annular securing ring 36 and a closure body 38. The flip top lid 34 is hinged to the closure body 38 with a snap-together hinge 40. As an alternate embodiment, a living hinge is used such that the lid, closure body and hinge are all a unitary, single-piece component. The securing ring 36 is internally-threaded for threaded assembly onto externally-threaded neck 26. The outer surface of 42 of ring 36 is constructed and arranged with an annular series of ratchet-like teeth 44. An inner surface of closure body 38 includes an annular series of cooperating ratchet-like teeth 46. In lieu of a series or continuous series of ratchet-like teeth for teeth 44 and/or for teeth 46, a plurality of discrete teeth or segments of teeth can be used. The flip top lid 34 is illustrated in FIGS. 11-19. The securing ring 36 is illustrated in FIGS. 20-25. The closure body 38 is illustrated in FIGS. 26-32. An alternate is closure member construction incorporating a living hinge is illustrated in FIGS. 33-39.

[0050] As will be described in greater detail herein, the securing ring 36 and the closure body 38 are assembled together in such a way that the closure body 38 is able to be used to threadedly advance the securing ring 36 into secure threaded engagement with the externally threaded neck 26 of the container 24. The closure body 38 is also constructed and arranged to be used to unscrew the securing ring 36 from the neck 26 in order to remove the entire closure 22 from container 24. Removal of the closure 22 from the container 24 allows dispensing of product. Closure removal is one option for filling the container, at least in part, with product once the previous product supply, either partially or entirely has been dispensed. The threaded engagement of the securing ring 36 to the neck 26 allows the entire closure 22 to be removed and under normal circumstances allows the container 24 to be refilled. However, certain types of products would not be deemed refillable, such as prescription medications and the like. In these instances, while the entire closure may be removed for dispensing product from the container, and once the product supply is exhausted, the closure and container combination would be discarded.

[0051] The flip top lid 34 has a press-to-release tab 52 which downwardly inserts into a slot 54 which is formed in the closure body at a location which is generally diametrically opposite to the location of hinge 40. Tab 52 extends from the lid body 56 by means of post 58, see FIGS. 14 and 15. Tab 52 may be set at an angle or incline such that the upper edge 52a is radially outwardly of lower edge 52b. A series of raised ribs 60 are formed into the outwardly facing surface 52c of tab 52. The formed slot 54 is defined by the closure body and is positioned between inner wall 38a of the closure body and outer wall portion 38b. As illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28, slot 54 is sized, shaped and contoured so as to essentially match in a cooperating fashion, the size, shape and contour of tab 52. Outer wall portion 38b defines opening 38c which exposes the raised ribs 60 after insertion of tab 52 downwardly into slot 54.

[0052] The shape and positioning of tab 52 relative to slot 54 and closure body 38 causes the upper edge 52a of tab 52 to pivot or deflect radially inwardly when extending through slot 54 and then to spring back (radially outwardly) when opening 38c is reached. This then locks the upper edge 52a of tab 52 beneath the lower edge 38d of outer wall portion 38b into an abutting relationship. Any attempt to lift lid 34 is prevented unless tab 52 is pushed inwardly so as to clear lower edge 38d while at the same time, pushing upwardly on the tab 52 so as to be able to lift the lid (hinged, pivoting action around hinge 40) for enabling access to the contents of container 24.

[0053] Hinge 40 is created by snap-fit assembly of a rod or pin-like bar 62 which is integrally formed as a part of lid 34 (see FIG. 12) into the receiving socket 64 which is integrally formed as a part of closure body 38 (see FIG. 26). The upper clearance openings 66 of socket 64, one on each side, includes a pair of opposed lips 68 whose separation is slightly smaller than the diameter of bar 62. As part of the snap-fit assembly of bar 62 into socket 64, bar 62 must be forced through these smaller openings thereby deflecting the lips 68 so as to permit passage of bar 62. This then is the procedure for establishing the snap-fit assembly of bar 62 into socket 64. As bar 62 is fully seated into socket 64, each of the four lips 68 extend over edge portions of the bar 62 keeping the bar captured in the socket 64 thereby creating the described hinge 40.

[0054] One unique aspect of package 20 is the providing as a part of package 20 two separate and distinct child-resistant constructions. These two separate child-resistant constructions are independent of each other and alternative package designs could include only one or the other of these child-resistant constructions. These two child-resistant constructions include the tab 52 and slot 54 combination which has been described. The other child-resistant construction includes the combination of securing ring 36 and closure body 38. By pushing axially downwardly on the closure body 38 its teeth 46 are able to be moved into engagement with the teeth 44 of the securing ring 36. The tooth-to-tooth engagement enables the user to either threadedly advance the securing ring 36 onto the neck 26 or alternatively to threadedly remove the securing ring 36 from the neck 26. After the initial assembly of closure body 38 and securing ring 36, these two components remain together as a unit with the securing ring essentially captured in the closure body. Relative rotation of one component (closure body 38 or securing ring 36) relative to the other component is permitted as long as there is no tooth-to-tooth engagement maintained. In the normal state there is no tooth-to-tooth engagement. Engagement only occurs when a downward force is applied to closure body 38.

[0055] Each tooth 44 and 46 has a substantially triangular shape in the exemplary embodiment with an axially extending upright wall 44a and 46a, respectively.

[0056] The direction and orientation of the upright walls 44a and 46a of each tooth as compared to the direction of the ramp side 44b and 46b of each tooth means that less downward force on closure body 38 is required for threaded advancement of securing ring 36 onto neck 26. When it is desired to unscrew the closure 22 from the container 24 for access to the contents via neck opening 26, the ramp sides 44b and 46b need to be engaged and their abutment permits removal. An understanding of the relevant and applicable force vectors acting on the engaged ramp sides 44b and 46b reveal that a greater downwardly applied force on the closure body 38 is required in order to remove the securing ring 36 from neck 26 compared to the required downwardly applied force to advance the securing ring 36 onto the neck 26.

[0057] A closure construction is typically considered to be child-resistant in one of two ways. One way is to require two different manipulations to be performed either at the same time or in a sequential manner while perhaps maintaining a first manipulation. Another way is to require the application of a force level which is in excess of what a young child would be capable of applying. In the case of the first way, a young child is not typically capable of making the required manipulations in a simultaneous or sequential manner. Both of the child-resistant constructions disclosed herein are based on this child-resistant approach. The engagement of the ratchet-like teeth fits within this description of requiring two different manipulations but further requires a level of force to be applied which is in excess of what a young child can be expected to effect. The engagement of the two sets of teeth 44 and 46 requires the application of a downward force on the closure body 38 while concurrently turning the closure body 38 to unscrew the securing ring 36 from neck 26.

[0058] The tab 52 and slot 54 engagement requires two different manipulations for the lid 34 to be released. The user must first push radially inwardly on tab 52 in order to clear the outer wall portion 38b. Then, while still pushing inwardly on tab 52, the user needs to push upwardly on the tab so as to actually push the tab 52 free of slot 54 and importantly, free of any engagement with the outer wall portion 38b. This upward pushing on the tab is akin to a sliding action and actually results in a hinged pivoting of the lid relative to the closure body.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 26-32, additional structural details of the closure body 38 are illustrated. In addition to what has already been described, closure body 38 defines an opening 70 for dispensing a product and recessed ledge 72 surrounding the opening 70 and a raised wall 74 in two sectors 74a and 74b positioned around ledge 72. The clearance space for slot 54 provides one point of separation between sectors 74a and 74b while hinge 40 provides the second point of separation between sectors 74a and 74b.

[0060] The extent or depth of ledge 72 from upper edge 76 is approximately equal to the thickness of lid 34. Following these construction details, when the lid 34 is properly hinged to the closure body 38 and fully closed and seated, the upper surface 78 of lid 34 will be flushed with to slightly recessed below upper edge 76. If the lid is recessed too much below the upper edge, there will be a potential for debris to accumulate at that edge offset. If the lid is raised too much above the upper edge a lower edge of the lid could be exposed and potentially expose a clearance gap at that location between the lid and closure body. This is why a flush or near-flush fit is provided so that this consideration can be addressed.

[0061] Prior to package 20 being available to the end user, the selected product is placed in the container and the neck opening may be sealed over closed with a removable liner. While this type of liner may be provided as a way to maintain freshness for the product, this type of liner also serves as a tamper-evident feature. Until such time as the liner is punctured or removed, the product within the container cannot be accessed. Initial removal of the closure 22 from the container 24 allows the end user to then remove the liner and thereafter reassemble the closure 22 to the container 24. At this point, with that reassembly completed, the child-resistant constructions are able to provide safety for young children. As for being elderly-friendly, neither child-resistant construction which is disclosed herein is seen as being a problem or concern in that regard. The release of the tab 52 within the slot is the easier opening option for the elderly and thus one reason for including opening 70 for the dispensing of product. With regard to the elderly-friendly aspects of the exemplary embodiment, it is to be noted that the neck 26 of container 24 may have an enlarged annular construction causing closure body 38 to have a similar enlarged annular structure. In terms of this disclosure the idea or concept of enlarged means something in excess of two inches in diameter so that gripping of the closure body becomes easier for an elderly individual whose hands have arthritic issues. By creating a larger closure body the act of gripping becomes easier and thus the act of rotating the closure body so as to open or close the container also becomes easier, particularly for the elderly.

[0062] Another unique aspect of the disclosed package is that the various manipulations required to gain access to the contents of the container, i.e. the product, are all four different. For the tab slot construction a radially inwardly pushing force coupled with an upward pushing or sliding action as part of pivoting the lid off of the ledge 72 is required. For the ratchet-like tooth engagement, there is a downward force to be applied combined with a twisting or turning action (i.e. rotational motion). There are then two child-resistant constructions associated with package 20 which are separate and independent of each other with a total four different types of manipulations. Accordingly, even if a young child might be capable of effecting one type of manipulation, providing four different manipulations incorporated into the design of package 20, presents a much greater challenge.

[0063] The lid 34, securing ring 36 and closure body 38 are each preferably molded out of a suitable plastic. The concept or idea of suitable encompasses a material selection with sufficient rigidity and durability for fabricating component parts with these shapes. The selection also takes into consideration the type of product to be placed into container 24 and dispensed through closure 22. By preferably fabricating each component part 34, 36 and 38 as a single-piece, unitary part, fabrication and assembly costs can be kept low. In the event a selected portion of any one component part might benefit from fabrication from a different material than the rest of the part, insert molding can be used as well as ultrasonic welding to make the two parts integral.

[0064] Referring now to FIGS. 33-39, an alternative construction for the hinge portion which is positioned between the lid and the closure body is illustrated. Hinge 40 as described above is a snap-fit hinge with bar 62 being snapped into socket 64, as described, and with an interference fit. The alternative construction of FIGS. 33-39 is represented by the addition of a living hinge 90 as an alternative to the use of snap-fit hinge 40. The use of living hinge 90 allows the flip top lid 92 and the closure body 94 to be integrally molded, along with hinge 90, all preferably from plastic, as a unitary, single-piece component. This single-piece component part is identified as closure member 96. The alternative closure which includes closure member 96 and securing ring 36 is referenced in this manner, noting that securing ring 36 is to be received by and captured within closure member 96 as described herein. The remainder of the alternative closure (i.e. the combination of closure member 96 and securing ring 36) is the same as closure 22 in terms of form, fit and function as well as utilization. The only material change is to exchange the snap-fit hinge 40 for living hinge 90. The combination of this alternative closure with a suitable container then creates an alternative package the same as described above, with the exception of the change in hinge design. It is to be noted though that this change in hinge design allows the fabrication of a single-piece component identified herein as closure member 96. As for these two alternate packages, the two child-resistant features or arrangements associated with closure 22 and with its container 24 for package 20 are the same two child-resistant features which are included in this new closure and its cooperating container. The container 24 construction is the same whether being used with closure 22 or with the new closure which is a combination of closure member 96 and securing ring 36.

[0065] Various aspects of the disclosed invention and exemplary embodiment are listed as follows:

[0066] Aspect 1 covers a package for a product comprising:

[0067] a container;

[0068] a closure adapted for assembly to said container;

[0069] a first child-resistant feature incorporated into said closure; and

[0070] a second child-resistant feature configured between said container and said closure.

[0071] Aspect 2 covers the package of aspect 1 wherein defeating said first child-resistant feature allows said closure to be opened.

[0072] Aspect 3 covers the package of aspect 1 wherein defeating said second child-resistant feature allows said closure to be removed from said container.

[0073] Aspect 4 covers the package of aspect 1 wherein said closure includes a closure body, a flip top lid and a securing ring.

[0074] Aspect 5 covers the package of aspect 4 wherein said flip top lid is hinged to said closure body.

[0075] Aspect 6 covers the package of aspect 4 wherein said securing ring is constructed and arranged for being secured to a neck of said container.

[0076] Aspect 7 covers the package of aspect 6 wherein said securing ring includes engagement teeth and said closure body includes cooperating engagement teeth.

[0077] Aspect 8 covers the package of aspect 1 wherein said first child-resistant feature includes a tab and a slot combination with the tab inserted into said slot.

[0078] Aspect 9 covers the package of aspect 8 wherein said first child-resistant feature includes a push-to-release tab manipulation as a part of defeating said first child-resistant feature.

[0079] Aspect 10 covers the package of aspect 1 wherein said second child-resistant feature includes a push-to-engage closure manipulation as a part of defeating said second child-resistant feature.

[0080] Aspect 11 covers the package of aspect 1 wherein said first child-resistant feature requires first and second manipulations in order to defeat said first child-resistant feature.

[0081] Aspect 12 covers the package of aspect 11 wherein said second child-resistant feature requires third and fourth manipulations in order to defeat said second child-resistant feature.

[0082] Aspect 13 covers the package of aspect 12 wherein said first and second manipulations are independent of said third and fourth manipulations.

[0083] Aspect 14 covers the package of aspect 12 wherein said first, second, third and fourth manipulations are each of a different type as compared to each other.

[0084] Aspect 15 covers the package of aspect 5 wherein the flip top lid is hinged to said closure body by a snap-fit construction.

[0085] Aspect 16 covers the package of aspect 5 wherein the flip top lid is hinged to said closure body by a living hinge.

[0086] Aspect covers the package of aspect 4 wherein said closure body and said flip top lid are formed as a single-piece component.

[0087] Aspect 18 covers a flip top closure for a container with an externally threaded neck, said flip top closure comprising:

[0088] a closure body;

[0089] a flip top lid hinged to said closure body;

[0090] a securing ring captured by said closure body;

[0091] a first child-resistant feature integrated into said lid and closure body combination; and

[0092] a second child-resistant feature created by engagement between said closure body and said securing ring.

[0093] Aspect 19 covers the flip top closure of aspect 18 wherein said closure body includes engagement formations and said securing ring includes cooperating formations.

[0094] Aspect 20 covers the flip top closure of aspect 19 wherein said closure body and said securing ring are constructed and arranged for rotation of the closure body to impart rotation to the securing ring when said engagement formations and said cooperating formations are in engagement with each other.

[0095] Aspect 21 covers the flip top closure of aspect 18 wherein said first child-resistant feature includes a tab as a part of the lid and a slot defined by the closure body.

[0096] Aspect 22 covers the flip top closure of aspect 18 wherein the flip top lid is hinged to said closure body by a snap-fit construction.

[0097] Aspect 23 covers the flip top closure of aspect 18 wherein the flip top lid is hinged to said closure body by a living hinge.

[0098] Aspect 24 covers the flip top closure of aspect 18 wherein said closure body and said flip top lid are formed as a single-piece component.

[0099] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by following claims are desired to be protected. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein.