Child resistant closure system including reversible cap and container

Abstract

A reversible closure system for containers is disclosed. A cap is adapted as a closure that may be reversibly affixed to a container in either a child-resistant configuration or a non-child resistant configuration. An upper portion of the cap is adapted to function in a non-child resistant closure mode, and a lower portion of the cap adapted to function in a child-resistant closure mode. The upper portion of the cap functions in a non-child resistant configuration to secure the cap to the container by inserted engagement of a cylindrical plug section having a side wall provided with threads that mate with corresponding threads on the inner surface of the mouth of the container. An outer skirt is disposed in surrounding relation with the plug section to shield and protect the threads from damage. The lower portion of the cap functions in a child-resistant configuration to secure the cap to the container by engagement of locking lugs on the cap with lug receiving cam structures defined on the outer surface of the container. The cap further includes a resilient insert that functions in the child-resistant mode to provide resilient sealing contact with the upper end of the container without deforming the neck of the container.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] N / A STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] N / A COPYRIGHT NOTICE [0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights rights whatsoever. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] 1. Field of the Invention [0005] The present invention relates to pharmaceutical containers, and more particularly to a pharmaceutical container having a reversible cap adapted for removable attachment to a container in a first configuration wherein removal of the cap is child resistant, and a second, reverse configuration wherein removal of the cap is non-child resistant. [0006] 2. Description of Related Art [0007] Various safety closures for co...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings present in the art by providing a reversible closure system for containers wherein a cap is adapted as a closure that may be reversible affixed to the container in either a child-resistant configuration or a non-child resistant configuration. In a preferred embodiment the closure system of the present invention includes a generally cylindrical container and mating reversible cap. The cap includes an upper portion adapted to function in a non-child resistant closure mode, and a lower portion adapted to function in a child-resistant closure mode. The upper portion of the cap functions in a non-child resistant configuration to secure the cap to the container by inserted engagement of a cylindrical plug section having a side wall provided with threads that mate with corresponding threads on the inner surface of the mouth of the container. The upper portion further includes an outer skirt in surrounding relation with the plug section to shield and protect the threads on the plug section from damage. The lower portion of the cap functions in a child-resistant configuration to secure the cap to the container by engagement of locking lugs on the cap with lug receiving cam structures defined on the outer surface of the container. The cap further includes a resilient insert that functions in the child-resistant mode to provide resilient sealing contact with the upper end of the container without deforming the neck of the container.

[0014] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved closure system for containers.

[0016] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a closure system wherein a cap is provided with an upper portion adapted for non-child resistant engagement with a container wherein the engaging threads are protected from damage by a surrounding shield.

[0017] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a closure system wherein a cap is adapted with a resilient insert for providing sealing engagement with a container without deforming the mouth of the container in a child-resistant configuration.

Problems solved by technology

In fact, many senior citizens find child-resistant safety closures difficult to open and close, particularly those suffering from arthritis and other abnormalities affecting manual dexterity.

To these people, child-resistant safety closures can be a source of frustration.

Since most, if not all, of the closure systems disclosed are fabricated from plastic material, they are generally fragile and easily damaged.

With that in mind it is apparent that the Kusz closure system provides threads on the external surface of the upper plug wall that are unprotected when the cap is affixed to the container in the child-proof configuration thereby exposing the threads to damage.

Damage to the exposed threads is likely to render the non child-resistant structure incapable of functioning such that the cap will not threadably engage the container.

In addition, the closure system disclosed by Miceli et al. suffers from a similar design flaw.

The relatively flimsy outer skirt is also vulnerable to impact damage or permanent deformation thereby rendering the non-child resistant structure difficult to attach to the container.

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