Child resistant container
The child resistant container addresses accessibility issues by employing tactile alignment mechanisms that provide haptic feedback, enabling users to open the container through touch, thus improving usability for individuals with disabilities while maintaining safety.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- GB2024007770
- Authority / Receiving Office
- GB · GB
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-03
AI Technical Summary
Child resistant packaging poses challenges for individuals with disabilities, particularly those with visual impairments or dexterity issues, as existing designs often require visual cues for opening, making it difficult for them to access the contents safely.
A child resistant container with tactile features and alignment mechanisms that provide haptic feedback, allowing users to open the container through touch alone, ensuring alignment of alignment features without the need for visual inspection.
Enables individuals with disabilities to easily and safely open child resistant containers by using tactile feedback, enhancing accessibility and usability while maintaining child safety features.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
BACKGROUND The present specification relates to child resistant packaging. Child resistant packaging is a type of packaging used to reduce the risk of children ingesting hazardous material. This is often accomplished by the use of a special safety cap. It is required by regulation for prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, Nicotine Containing Electronic Cigarette devices or Refill containers that can contain Nicotine, pesticides, and household chemicals. Child resistant packaging including special safety caps may also be relevant to oral nicotine pouches. Child resistant packaging can be a problem for some individuals with disabilities. Regulations require designs to be tested to verify that most adults can access the package. For example, individuals with visual impairment may find it difficult to open child resistant packaging which use visual cues. It is an object of the present disclosure is to provide a child resistant product container for individuals with certain challenges to dexterity due to impairment or physical limitations. SUMMARY Aspects of the present disclosure are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Combinations of features from the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate and not merely as explicitly set out in the claims. According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a child resistant container comprising a container body for containing products, a first lid configured to cooperate with a first portion of the container body, wherein the container body comprises a first compartment, a first body alignment feature, and a body alignment zone, further the first lid is configured in a closed position so as to close the first compartment, wherein movement of the first lid from the closed position to an open position is facilitated on alignment of the first body alignment feature with a first lid alignment feature of the first lid within a region of the body alignment zone, the container body further comprising a first body tactile feature, and the first lid further comprising a first lid tactile feature, wherein, in the closed position, the first body tactile feature and the first lid tactile feature are configured to interact to provide a tactile feedback and indicate whether the first lid alignment feature is aligned with the first body alignment feature. In an arrangement it is optionally the interaction between the first body tactile feature and the first lid tactile feature occurs when the first lid alignment feature is unaligned with the first body alignment feature. It may be that the interaction between the first body tactile feature and the first lid tactile feature occurs when the first lid alignment feature is aligned with the first body alignment feature. There is provided a child resistant container comprising: a container body comprising: a first compartment for containing products; a first body alignment feature; and a first body tactile feature; and a first lid comprising: a first lid alignment feature; and a first lid tactile feature; wherein the first lid is configured to co-operate with a first portion of the container body such that the first lid is configured in a closed position to close the first compartment, wherein movement of the first lid from the closed position to an open position is facilitated on alignment of the first body alignment feature with the first lid alignment feature; and wherein, in the closed position, the first body tactile feature and the first lid tactile feature are configured to interact to provide a tactile feedback to indicate whether the first lid alignment feature is aligned with the first body alignment feature. In some embodiments, the interaction between the first body tactile feature and the first lid tactile feature occurs when the first lid alignment feature is unaligned with the first body alignment feature. In some embodiments, the interaction between the first body tactile feature and the first lid tactile feature occurs when the first lid alignment feature is aligned with the first body alignment feature. The first body tactile feature and the first lid tactile feature may be configured to interact to provide haptic feedback to a user on manipulation of the container to convey information relating to the relative positions of the container body and the first lid. Accordingly, the first body tactile feature and the first lid tactile feature may be haptic features. In this way, the user may manipulate the container based on haptic feedback to align the first body alignment feature and the first lid alignment feature in order to facilitate movement of the first lid from the closed position to the open position. In some embodiments, the first body alignment feature and / or the first lid alignment feature is configured to provide a distinctive tactile profile such that the alignment feature may be identified by touch alone. In this way, the user may not need to visually inspect the container in order to open the container. This may improve an ease of use of the container for the visually impaired. In some embodiments, the first body alignment feature and / or the first lid alignment feature comprises a recess and a protrusion disposed in the recess. By providing a protrusion in the recess, the alignment feature may provide a distinctive tactile profile that may be easy to identify by touch. In some embodiments, a height of the protrusion is less than or equal to a depth of the recess such that the protrusion is configured to protrude from a base of the recess but not protrude from the container body or first lid respectively. In this way, the alignment feature may be easy to find by touch but may not protrude from the container such that it may be vulnerable to becoming damaged, e.g., by impact. Further, the alignment feature may not present any risk of snagging, e.g., on clothing. By providing alignment features that do not protrude from the container, a pleasing look and feel of the container may be preserved. In some embodiments, the first lid comprises a notch disposed proximate the first lid alignment feature, the notch comprising an engagement surface arranged substantially perpendicular to an axis of movement of the first lid between the open and closed positions; wherein the engagement surface is configured to provide on the first lid purchase to a user such that the user may engage the engagement surface to urge the first lid from the closed position to the open position. The notch may allow the user to open the container easily. As with the alignment features, the notch may not protrude from the container. As such, the advantages discussed above with reference to the alignment features are also considered to be achieved here. In some embodiments, the first body alignment feature is disposed on an outer edge of the container body. In some embodiments, the first lid alignment feature is disposed on an outer edge of the first lid / outer surface of the first lid wall. In other words, opposite edges of the container may each comprise alignment features. By providing alignment features at opposite edges of the container, the user may find the alignment features easy to find and align by manipulating the container body and first lid to facilitate opening of the container. Optionally, the container further comprises a second lid configured to co-operate with a second portion of the container body, wherein the container body further comprises a second compartment, and a second body alignment feature, further the second lid is configured in a closed position so as to close the second compartment, wherein movement of the second lid from the closed position to an open position is facilitated on alignment of the second body alignment feature with a second lid alignment feature within a region of the body alignment zone, the container body further comprising a second body tactile feature, and the second lid further comprising a second lid tactile feature, wherein, in the closed position, the second body tactile feature is configured to interact with the second lid tactile feature to provide a tactile feedback, and wherein the interaction is inhibited when the second lid tactile feature is within a region of the body alignment zone. In some embodiments, the second lid is not a child-resistant lid. That is, the container may comprise a second lid configured to co-operate with a second portion of the container body, wherein the container body comprises a second compartment and the second lid is configured in a closed position so as to close the second compartment without alignment of respective alignment features. In some embodiments, the first lid further comprises a first lid compartment; and wherein the container further comprises a second lid; wherein the second lid is configured to co-operate with a portion of the first lid such that the second lid is configured in a closed position to close the first lid compartment. In this way, the first lid may be configured in a closed position so as to close the first compartment of the container body and the second lid may be configured in a closed position so as to close the second compartment of the first lid. In this way, the first lid may act as an intermediate body element between the container body and the second lid. That is, the first lid may act as both a container, comprising a compartment, and a lid, closing a compartment. The second lid configured to close the first lid compartment may be child resistant. In other embodiments, the second lid configured to close the first lid compartment is not child resistant. By providing the second compartment in the first lid, the first lid and the second lid may occupy the open position without contents of either compartment falling out. This may facilitate easy and swift placement of items in one compartment and removal of items from the other. Further, the user may open both the first lid and the second lid without re-orientating, e.g., inverting, the container. In this way, once the user has found the alignment features to facilitate opening of the first compartment, the user may immediately also be able to open the second compartment without needing to re-find the relevant alignment features. In some embodiments, the second lid comprises a second lid alignment feature; and wherein movement of the second lid from the closed position to an open position is facilitated on alignment of the first lid alignment feature with the second lid alignment feature. In some embodiments, the second lid is rotatable relative to the first lid between an unaligned position in which the first lid alignment feature and the second lid alignment feature are not aligned, and an aligned position in which the first lid alignment feature and the second lid alignment feature are aligned. The second lid may be rotated with respect to the first lid by simultaneously applying pressure perpendicular to a top surface of the second lid and torque about an axis perpendicular to a top surface of the second lid. For example, a user may, by hand, press on the second lid and rotate their hand to rotate the second lid relative to the first lid to align the second lid alignment feature with the first lid alignment feature. In some embodiments, the second lid comprises a tab configured to protrude at an outer edge of the second lid to provide leverage for movement of the second lid from the closed position by a user. For example, the user may pull on the tab using a fingernail or tool to open the second lid. The tab may be a second lid alignment feature configured to be aligned with an alignment feature on the first lid to facilitate movement of the second lid from the closed position to the open position. In some embodiments, the first lid comprises a recess disposed in a portion of the first lid configured to co-operate with the tab of the second lid such that, when the tab and recess are aligned, the recess enables a user to access an underside of the tab to initiate movement of the second lid from the closed position. The recess may allow the user to urge the tab using a finger or a finger nail, such that the tab may be used to open the second lid. When the tab is not aligned over the recess, an underside surface of the tab may be in very close proximity, or even in contact, with a top surface of the first lid. In this way, when the tab is not aligned over the recess, the user may not be able to access the underside of the tab and may not be able to lift the tab. Accordingly, the tab must be aligned before it can be used to open the second lid, providing an element of child resistance to the container. In some embodiments, the second lid comprises a chamfered outer edge configured to reduce a height of the second lid at the outer edge such that initiation of movement of the second lid from the closed position by the outer edge is inhibited. The chamfered edge may be in very close proximity, or even in contact, with a top surface of the first lid. Further, the chamfered edge may be recessed with respect to the top surface of the first lid such that the chamfered edge does not protrude above the top surface of the first lid. In this way, the user may find it very difficult to grip the chamfered edge such that the chamfered edge may not be used to open the second lid. This may force the user to open the second lid using the tab, which must be aligned with the recess before the user may find purchase on the tab to urge the lid towards the open position. Accordingly, the chamfered edge may not be used to open the second lid, providing an element of child resistance to the container. Optionally, the container body further comprises, a container body base plate comprising a first face and a second face, a first container body wall comprising a distal portion and proximal portion, and an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the first container body wall is attached perpendicularly to the first face of the base plate via the proximal portion of the first container body wall, and wherein the inner surface of the first container body wall and the first face of the base plate define the first compartment, and / or a second container body wall comprising a distal portion and proximal portion, and an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the second container body wall is attached perpendicularly to the second face of the base plate via the proximal portion of the second container body wall, and wherein the inner surface of the second container body wall and the second face of the base plate define the second compartment, wherein the body alignment zone is a vertical region within the first container body wall. Optionally, the first body alignment feature is located substantially towards the distal portion of the first container body wall and on the outer surface of the first container body wall, and / or the second body alignment feature is located substantially towards the distal portion of the second container body wall and on the outer surface of the second container body wall. Preferably here the second body alignment feature is located substantially towards the distal portion of the second container body wall. Then preferably the second body alignment feature is located on the outer surface of the second container body wall or the second body tactile feature is located on the inner surface of the second container body wall. Optionally, first body tactile feature is located within a region of the distal portion of the first container body wall. Further optionally the first body tactile feature is located on the outer surface of the first container body wall or the first body tactile feature is located on the inner surface of the first container body wall. Optionally, the first body tactile feature comprises a plurality of ridges spaced at constant separation or spaced at a varying separation. Further here optionally the plurality of ridges protrude radially away from the inner surface of the first container body wall, or in the alternative the plurality of ridges protrude radially away from the outer surface of the first container body wall. In an optional arrangement the second body tactile feature comprises a plurality of ridges and the plurality of ridges are spaced at a constant separation or spaced at a varying separation. The plurality of ridges of the container may optionally protrude radially away from the inner surface of the second container body wall or the plurality of ridges of the container may protrude radially away from the outer surface of the second container body wall. Optionally, the first body tactile feature is absent in a region of the distal portion of the first container body wall which overlaps with the body alignment zone, and / or wherein the second body tactile feature is absent in a region of the distal portion of the second container body wall which overlaps with the body alignment zone. Optionally, the distal portion of the first container body wall is recessed relative to the proximal portion of the first container body wall. Optionally, the first lid further comprises a first lid plate comprising a first face, and a first lid wall comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the first lid wall extends perpendicularly from the first face of the first lid plate. Optionally, the first lid alignment feature is located on the outer surface of the first lid wall. Optionally, the first lid tactile feature is located on the inner surface of the first lid wall. Optionally, the first lid tactile feature comprises a protrusion extending from the inner surface of the first lid wall wherein the first lid tactile feature is substantially, or preferably directly, in alignment with the first lid alignment feature on the outer surface, or wherein the first lid tactile feature is unaligned with the first lid alignment feature. Optionally, the first lid wall extends from the edge of the first face of the first lid plate. In some embodiments, the first lid comprises a circumferential seal disposed at an interface of the first lid wall and the first lid plate; wherein the circumferential seal is configured to co-operate with the container body when the first lid is in the closed position to provide a substantially air tight seal between the first lid and the container body. The circumferential seal may act to preserve a freshness of contents of the compartment. Optionally, the second lid further comprises a second lid plate comprising a first face, and a second lid wall comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the second lid wall is attached perpendicularly to the first face of the second lid plate. Optionally, the second lid alignment feature is proximate the edge of second face of the second lid plate, wherein the second face of the second lid plate is the opposite face to the first face of the second lid plate. Optionally, the second lid tactile feature is located on the outer surface of the second lid wall. Optionally, the second lid tactile feature comprises a protrusion extending from the outer surface of the second lid wall, wherein the second lid tactile feature is substantially, or preferably directly, in alignment with the second lid alignment feature on the second face of the lower lid plate, or optionally the second lid tactile feature is unaligned with the second lid alignment feature. Optionally, the second lid wall extends from a location proximate the edge of the second face of the second lid plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of this disclosure will be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference signs relate to like elements and in which: Figure 1a shows a front-facing view of a container 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 1b shows a bottom-up view of the container 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 2a shows a cross section view of a container body 110 of the container 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 2b shows a top-down view of the container body 110 according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 2c shows a bottom-up view of the container body 110 according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 2d shows a top-down view of the container body 110 according to an alternative embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 2e shows a bottom-up view of the container body 110 according to an alternative embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 3a shows a front-facing view of an upper lid 120 of the container 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 3b shows a bottom-up view of the upper lid 120 according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 4a shows a cross-section view of a lower lid 130 of the container 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 4b shows a top-down view of the lower lid 130 according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 4c shows a bottom-up view of the lower lid 130 according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 5a shows a cross section view of the container 100 with the upper lid 120 and the lower lid 130 in an open position according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 5b shows a cross section view of the container 100 with the upper lid 120 and the lower lid 130 in a closed position according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 6 shows a cross section view of the container 100 with the upper lid 120 and the lower lid 130 in an open position according to an alternative embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 7 shows a schematic isometric view of a container according to an embodiment of a first aspect of the invention; and Figure 8 shows a schematic cross sectional side view of a first lid of the container of Fig. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments of this disclosure are described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1a illustrates a front-facing view of a product container 100 (herein referred to as “the container 100”). The container 100 comprises a container body 110, an upper lid 120 and a lower lid 130. The embodiments illustrated herein represent the container 100 to have a substantially cylindrical shape with a rectangular vertical cross section and a circular horizontal cross section. However, the container 100 is not limited to a cylindrical shape and any suitable shape may be used. Figure 2a illustrates a cross section view of the container body 110 of the container 100. The container body comprises a container body base plate 111, an upper body wall 112, and a lower body wall 113. The container body base plate 111 comprises an upper face 111a and a lower face 111b. The embodiments illustrated herein represent the container body base plate 111 to have a substantially circular shape to correspond to the substantially cylindrical shape of the container 100. However, the container body base plate 111 is not limited to a circular shape and any suitable shape may be used. The upper body wall 112 comprises an outer surface 112a and an inner surface 112b. The upper body wall 112 further comprises a distal portion 112c and a proximal portion 112d. In an example, the distal portion 112c of the upper body wall 112 may be recessed relative to the proximal portion 112d of the upper body wall 112. The upper body wall 112 is attached, via the proximal portion 112d, to the upper face 111 a of the container body base plate 111. The attachment is such that the upper body wall 112 lies perpendicular to the plane of the container body base plate 111. Furthermore, the upper body wall 112 is attached along the circumference of the container body base plate 111 such that the inner surface 112b of the upper body wall 112 and the upper face 111a of the container body base plate 111 define an upper compartment 114 of the container 100. The lower body wall 113 comprises an outer surface 113a and an inner surface 113b. The lower body wall 113 further comprises a distal portion 113c and a proximal portion 113d. The distal portion 113c of the lower body wall 113 is recessed relative to the proximal portion 113d of the lower body wall 113. The lower body wall 113 is attached, via the proximal portion 113d, to the lower face 111b of the container body base plate 111. The attachment is such that the lower body wall 113 lies perpendicular to the plane of the container body base plate 111 in the opposite direction to the upper body wall 112. Furthermore, the lower body wall 113 is attached along the circumference of the container body base plate 111 such that the inner surface 113b of the lower body wall 113 and the lower face 111 b of the container body base plate 111 define a lower compartment 115 of the container 100. Still referring to figure 2a, the container body 110 further comprises an upper body alignment feature 116a and a lower body alignment feature 116b, and a body alignment zone 118. The body alignment zone 118 is a portion of the container body which runs vertically through the distal and proximal portions (112c, 112d, 113c, 113d) of both the upper body wall 112 and the lower body wall 113. It defines a region within which alignment features of the upper lid 120, container body 110 and lower lid 130 need to be aligned to facilitate movement of the upper lid 120 and lower lid 130 from a closed to an open position (described in further detail below). The body alignment zone 118 has a horizontal predefined width along the outer surfaces (112a, 113a) of the upper body wall 112 and the lower body wall 113. In this embodiment, the width is within the range of 6mm -17mm. It will be appreciated that the width is not limited to the above range, and any suitable width may be used. The upper body alignment feature 116a is located within the region of the body alignment zone 118 on the outer surface 112a of the proximal portion 112d of the upper body wall 112. The lower body alignment feature 116b is located within the region of the body alignment zone 118 on the outer surface 113a of the proximal portion 113d of the lower body wall 113. The upper body alignment feature 116a and the lower body alignment feature 116b serve as visual indicators to help align the upper lid 120 and lower lid 130 for movement from a closed to an open position (described in further detail below). In this embodiment, the upper body alignment feature 116a and the lower body alignment feature 116b are shown in figure 2b to have a half elliptical shape and a triangular shape respectively. As will be appreciated, the body alignment features (116a, 116b) may be represented by any suitable shape. Furthermore, the alignment features (116a, 116b) comprise a tactile element to help align the upper lid 120 and lower lid 130 for movement from a closed to an open position (described in further detail below). In this embodiment, the region of the outer surface (112a, 113a) of the proximal portion (112d, 113d) of the upper body wall 112 and lower body wall 113 where the body alignment features (116a, 116b) are located are recessed. The recessed body alignment features (116a, 116b) can be clearly differentiated by way of tactile sensation from the rest of the outer surface (112a, 112b) of the container body 110. In an alternative embodiment, the region of the outer surface (112a, 113a) of the proximal portion (112d, 113d) of the upper body wall 112 and lower body wall 113 where the body alignment features (116a, 116b) are located protrude. Referring to figures 2a - 2c, the container body 110 further comprises an upper body tactile feature 117a and a lower body tactile feature 117b. The upper body tactile feature 117a comprises a plurality of protrusions spaced equally apart, and which extend in a line along the outer surface 112a of the distal portion 112c of the upper body wall 112. As shown in figures 2a and 2b, the protrusions forming the upper body tactile feature 117a are not present within the body alignment zone 118. The lower body tactile feature 117b comprises a plurality of protrusions spaced equally apart, and which extend in a line along the inner surface 113b of the distal portion 113c of the lower body wall 113. As shown in figures 2a and 2c, the protrusions forming the lower body tactile feature 117b are not present within the body alignment zone 118. As shown in figures 2a - 2c, the upper body tactile feature 117a is located on the outer surface 112a of the of the upper body wall 112, and the lower body tactile feature 117b is located on the inner surface 117b of the lower body wall 113. However, the locations of the body tactile features (117a, 117b) are not limited to the arrangements as shown in figures 2a - 2c. In an example, both the tactile features (117a, 117b) may be on the outer surface (112a, 113a), or inner surface (112b, 113b). In a further example, the upper body tactile feature 117a may be located on the inner surface 112b of the of the upper body wall 112, and the lower body tactile feature 117b may be located on the outer surface 117a of the lower body wall 113. In an alternative embodiment as shown in figure 2d, the upper body tactile feature 117a comprises a plurality of protrusions which are located within a region of the outer surface 112a of the distal portion 112c opposite the region of the body alignment zone 118. The regions of the outer surface 112a of the distal portion 112c between the body alignment zone 118 and the region of the outer surface 112a comprising the plurality of protrusions comprise a continuous protrusion. Similarly, in an alternative embodiment as shown in figure 2e the lower body tactile feature 117b comprises a plurality of protrusions which are located within a region of the inner surface 113b of the distal portion 113c opposite the region of the body alignment zone 118. The regions of the inner surface 113b of the distal portion 113c between the body alignment zone 118 and the region of the inner surface 113b comprising the plurality of protrusions comprise a continuous protrusion. The body tactile features (117a, 117b) serve as tactile indicators to help align the upper lid 120 and lower lid 130 for movement from a closed to an open position. They are configured to interact with a corresponding tactile feature in the upper and lower lids (120, 130) to provide a tactile feedback in all but the body alignment zone (described in further detail below). In an alternative embodiment, the protrusions forming body tactile features (117a, 117b) are spaced apart unequally. For example, the protrusions are spaced closer to each other within a region either side of the body alignment zone 118 compared to a region further away from the body alignment zone 118. This is advantageous as the tactile sensation changes as the body alignment features move closer to being aligned. The shape of the protrusions may be any suitable shape for interaction with a corresponding protrusion on the upper and lower lids (120, 130). In an example, the protrusions may be vertical lines. In an alternative embodiment, the body tactile features (117a, 117b) are recessed features spaced equally apart (or unequally as described in the above example) rather than protruding features. In this embodiment, the recessed features extend in a line along the respective surface (112a, 112b, 113a, 113c) of the distal portion (112c, 113c) of the upper and lower body walls (112, 113). Figure 3a illustrates a cross-section view of the upper lid 120 of the container 100 and figure 3b illustrates a bottom-up view of the upper lid 120. The upper lid 120 comprises an upper lid plate 122 and an upper lid wall 123. The upper lid plate 122 comprises an upper face 122a and a lower face 122b. The embodiments illustrated herein represent the upper lid plate 122 to have a substantially circular shape to correspond to the substantially cylindrical shape of the container 100. However, the upper lid plate 122 is not limited to a circular shape and any suitable shape may be used. The upper lid wall 123 comprises an outer surface 123a and an inner surface 123b. The upper lid wall 123 is attached to the lower face 122a of the upper lid plate 122. The attachment is such that the upper lid wall 123 lies perpendicular to the plane of the upper lid plate 122. Furthermore, the upper lid wall 123 is attached along the circumference of the upper lid plate 122. Referring to figure 3a, the upper lid 120 further comprises an upper lid alignment feature 121 and an upper lid tactile feature 124. The upper lid alignment feature 121 is located on the outer surface 123a of the upper lid wall 123. The upper lid alignment feature 121 serves as a visual indicator to help align the upper lid 120 so as to facilitate movement of the upper lid from a closed to an open position (described in further detail below). As such, the upper lid alignment features 121 may be represented by any suitable shape. By way of example, the upper lid alignment feature 121 is shown in figure 3a to have a half elliptical shape. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper lid alignment feature 121 comprises a tactile element to help align the upper lid 120 so as to facilitate movement of the upper lid from a closed to an open position (described in further detail below). The region of the outer surface 123a of the upper lid wall 123 where the upper lid alignment feature 121 located is recessed. In this embodiment, the upper lid alignment feature 121 can be clearly differentiated by way of tactile sensation from the rest of the outer surface 123a of the upper lid wall 123. In an alternative embodiment, the region of the outer surface 123a of the upper lid wall 123 where the upper lid alignment feature 121 located is protruded. The upper lid tactile feature 124 comprises a protrusion on a location of the inner surface 123b of the upper lid wall 123 which corresponds to the location of the upper lid alignment feature 121 which is located on the outer surface 123a of the upper lid wall. The upper lid tactile feature 124 serves as a tactile indicator to help align the upper lid 120 so as to facilitate movement of the upper lid from a closed to an open position. It is configured to interact with the upper body tactile feature 117a in the container body 110 to provide a tactile feedback in all but the body alignment zone 118 (described in further detail below). The shape of the protrusion of the upper lid tactile feature 124 may be any suitable shape for interaction with the upper body tactile feature 117a. In an example, the protrusion may be a vertical line. Figure 4a illustrates a cross-section view of the lower lid 130 of the container 100, Figure 4b illustrates a top-down view of the lower lid 130, and Figure 4c illustrates a bottom-up view of the lower lid 130. The lower lid 130 comprises a lower lid plate 132 and an upper lid wall 134. The lower lid plate 132 comprises an upper face 132a and a lower face 132b. The embodiments illustrated herein represent the lower lid plate 132 to have a substantially circular shape to correspond to the substantially cylindrical shape of the container 100. However, the lower lid plate 132 is not limited to a circular shape and any suitable shape may be used. The lower lid wall 133 comprises an outer surface 133a and an inner surface 133b. The lower lid wall 133 is attached to the lower face 132b of the lower lid plate 132. The attachment is such that the lower lid wall 133 lies perpendicular to the plane of the lower lid plate 132. The lower lid wall 133 is attached near the perimeter of the lower lid plate 132. In this embodiment, the lower lid wall 133 is attached at a distance within the range of 2.0mm -4.25mm from the perimeter of the lower lid plate 132, however the distance is not limited to this range and any suitable distance may be used. Referring to figure 4a - 4c, the lower lid 130 further comprises a lower lid alignment feature 131 and a lower lid tactile feature 134. The lower lid alignment feature 131 is located on the upper face 132a of the lower lid plate 132. The lower lid alignment feature 131 serves as a visual indicator to help align the lower lid 130 so as to facilitate movement of the lower lid 130 from a closed to an open position (described in further detail below). In this embodiment, the lower lid alignment feature 131 is shown in figure 4b to have a triangular shape. However, the lower lid alignment feature 131 may be represented by any suitable shape. Furthermore, the lower lid alignment feature 131 comprises a tactile element to help align the lower lid 130 so as to facilitate movement of the lower lid 130 from a closed to an open position (described in further detail below), in this embodiment, the region of the upper face 132a of the lower lid plate 132 where the lower lid alignment feature 131 located is recessed. The recessed lower lid alignment feature 131 can be clearly differentiated by way of tactile sensation from the rest of the upper face 132a of the lower lid plate 132. In an alternative embodiment, the region of the upper face 132a of the lower lid plate 132 where the lower lid alignment feature 131 located is protruded. The lower lid tactile feature 134 comprises a protrusion on a location of the inner surface 133b of the lower lid wall 133 which corresponds to the location of the lower lid alignment feature 131 which is located on the upper face 132a of the lower lid plate 132. The lower lid tactile feature 134 serves as a tactile indicator to help align the lower lid 130 so as to facilitate movement of the lower lid 130 from a closed to an open position. It is configured to interact with the lower body tactile feature 117b in the container body 110 to provide a tactile feedback in all but the body alignment zone 118 (described in further detail below). The shape of the protrusion of the lower lid tactile feature 134 may be any suitable shape for interaction with the lower body tactile feature 117b. In an example, the protrusion may be a vertical line. Figure 5a illustrates a cross-section view of the container 100, wherein the upper lid 120 and the lower lid 130 are in an open position. Figure 5b illustrates a cross-section view of the container 100, wherein the upper lid 120 and the lower lid 130 are in a closed position. The upper lid 120 is configured to removably engage the container body 110 such that the upper lid wall 123 lies parallel to the distal portion 112c of the upper body wall 112 of the container body 110, and the upper lid plate 122 lies parallel to the body base plate 111. In this engagement, the upper lid 120 is in a closed position. In the closed position, the upper lid 120 may be rotated clockwise and anticlockwise, however the upper lid 120 is inhibited from being lifted off the container body 110 back to the open position except for when the upper lid alignment feature 121 is in line with the upper body alignment feature 116a within the region of the body alignment zone 118. The lower lid 130 is configured to removably engage the container body 110 such that the lower lid wall 133 lies parallel to the distal portion 113c of the lower body wall 113 of the container body 110, and the lower lid plate 132 lies parallel to the body base plate 111. In this engagement, the lower lid 130 is in a closed position. In the closed position, the lower lid 130 may be rotated clockwise and anticlockwise, however the lower lid 130 is inhibited from being lifted off the container body 110 back to the open position except for when the lower lid alignment feature 131 is in line with the lower body alignment feature 116b within the region of the body alignment zone 118. As shown in figure 5b, when the upper lid 120 engages the distal portion 112c of the upper body wall 112, the inner surface 123b of the upper lid wall 123 faces the outer surface 112a of the upper body wall of the container body 110. Furthermore, when the lower lid 130 engages the distal portion 113c of the lower body wall 113, the outer surface 133a of the lower lid wall 133 faces the inner surface 113b of the lower body wall of the container body 110. Although the upper lid 120 and the lower lid 130 are shown to engage the container body 110 in the configurations as described above, they are not limited to said configurations. For example, the lower lid 130 may have the same configuration as the upper lid 120. In this example, when the lower lid 130 engages the distal portion 113c of the lower body wall 113, the inner surface 133b of the lower lid wall 133 may face the outer surface 113a of the lower body wall of the container body 110. Furthermore, in this example, the lower lid tactile feature 134 may comprise a protrusion on a location of the outer surface 133a of the lower lid wall 133 in a similar way to the upper lid 120. Further still, in this example, the lower body tactile feature 117b may comprise a plurality of protrusions spaced equally apart, and which extend in a line along the outer surface 113a of the distal portion 113c of the lower body wall 113 in a similar way to the upper body tactile feature 117a. When rotated in the closed position, the lid tactile features (124, 143) interact with the corresponding body tactile feature (117a, 117b) of the container body 110. In this interaction, the protrusion of the lid tactile features (124, 130) slide over the plurality of protrusions of the body tactile features (117a, 117b). Where the protrusion of the lid tactile features (124, 134) meet a protrusion of the body tactile features (117a, 117b), the rotation of the lids (120, 130) are briefly slowed due to a frictional force between the protrusion of the lid tactile features (124, 134) and the protrusion of the body tactile features (117a, 117b). Once the protrusion of the lid tactile features (124, 134) has slid over a protrusion of the body tactile features (117a, 117b), there is no more frictional force. Therefore, the lids (120, 130) are once again free to rotate as before until the protrusion of the lid tactile features (124, 134) meet another of the plurality of protrusions of the body tactile features (117a, 117b). This constant “on and off” of the frictional force provides a tactile feedback to the user of the container when the lids (124, 143) are rotated - that is up until the lid alignment features (121,131) are in line with the body alignment features (116a, 116b) within a region of the body alignment zone 118. Since the protrusions of the body tactile features (117a, 117b) are not present within the region of the body alignment zone 118, the protrusion of the body tactile features (124, 134) would not encounter any protrusions of the body tactile features (117a, 117b) within the body alignment zone 118. Therefore, the lids (120, 130) are free to be rotated without being slowed due to the frictional force while the lid alignment features (121, 131) are substantially in alignment with the body alignment features (116a, 116b) whilst in the region of the body alignment zone 118. The constant tactile feedback whilst the lid alignment features (121, 131) are out of alignment with the body alignment features (116a, 116b) serve to provide a physical sensory indication that the lid alignment features (121, 131) is out of alignment with the body alignment features (116a, 116b). Therefore, the lack of the tactile feedback when the lid alignment features (121, 131) are substantially in alignment with the body alignment features (116a, 116b) whilst in the region of the body alignment zone 118 serve as an indicator to the user that the lids (120, 130) may be lifted to the open position without being inhibited. Figure 6 illustrates a cross section view of a container 200. The container 200, like the container 100 comprises a container body 210, an upper lid 220, and a lower lid 230. The container 200 is configured to operate in the same way as the container 100 in that the upper lid 220 is configured to engage an upper body wall 212, and the lower lid 230 is configured to engage the lower body wall 213. When in a closed position, the lids (220,230) are configured to provide a tactile feedback when rotated. When lid alignment features (221, 231) align with body alignment features (216a, 216b) in a body alignment zone 218, the tactile feedback stops, and the lids (220, 230) can be lifted to an open position. The difference between container 100 and container 200 is the configuration of an upper lid tactile feature 224, a lower lid tactile feature 234, and body tactile features (217a, 217b). The upper body tactile feature 217a comprises a protrusion on a location of an outer surface 212a of a distal portion 212c of an upper body wall 212 of the container body 210. The upper body tactile feature 217a is located within the body alignment zone 218 of the container body 210. The lower body tactile feature 217b comprises a protrusion on a location of an inner surface 213b of a distal portion 213c of a lower body wall 213 of the container body 210. The lower body tactile feature is 217b located within the body alignment zone 218 of the container body 210. The upper lid tactile feature 224 comprises a plurality of protrusions spaced equally apart, and which extend in a line along the inner surface 223b of the upper lid wall 223. The protrusions forming the upper lid tactile feature 224 are not present within a region of the upper lid wall 223 which corresponds to the location of an upper lid alignment feature 221. The lower lid tactile feature 234 comprises a plurality of protrusions spaced equally apart, and which extend in a line along the outer surface 233a of the lower lid wall 233. The protrusions forming the lower lid tactile feature 234 are not present within a region of the lower lid wall 233 which corresponds to the location of a lower lid alignment feature 231. With reference to Figure 7, there is illustrated a child resistant container 700 comprising: a container body 702 comprising: a first compartment for containing products; a first body alignment feature 704; and a first body tactile feature; and a first lid 706 comprising: a first lid alignment feature 708; and a first lid tactile feature; wherein the first lid 706 is configured to co-operate with a first portion of the container body 702 such that the first lid 706 is configured in a closed position to close the first compartment, wherein movement of the first lid 706 from the closed position to an open position is facilitated on alignment of the first body alignment feature 704 with the first lid alignment feature 708; and wherein, in the closed position, the first body tactile feature and the first lid tactile feature are configured to interact to provide a tactile feedback to indicate whether the first lid alignment feature 708 is aligned with the first body alignment feature 704. In Fig. 7, the first body alignment feature 704 and the first lid alignment feature 708 provide a distinctive tactile profile such that the alignment features 704, 708 may be identified by touch alone. As shown in Fig. 7, the first body alignment feature 704 and the first lid alignment feature 708 each comprise a recess 710 and a protrusion 712 disposed in the recess. In Fig. 7, each recess 710 comprises a plurality of protrusions 712. In Fig. 7, for both the first body alignment feature 704 and the first lid alignment feature 708, a height of the protrusions 712 is equal to a depth of the recesses 710 such that the protrusions are configured to protrude from bases of the respective recesses but not protrude from the container body or first lid respectively. In other embodiments, the height of the protrusions may be less than the depth of the recess. In some embodiments, the first body alignment feature and the first lid alignment feature may be different, comprising, for example, different numbers and heights of protrusions and different depths of recesses. In Fig. 7, the first lid 706 comprises a notch 714 disposed proximate the first lid alignment feature 708, the notch 714 comprising an engagement surface 716 arranged substantially perpendicular to an axis of movement of the first lid 706 between the open and closed positions. The engagement surface 716 is configured to provide on the first lid 706 purchase to a user such that the user may engage the engagement surface 716 to urge the first lid 706 from the closed position to the open position. The first lid 706 of container 700 further comprises a first lid compartment; and the container 700 further comprises a second lid 718. The second lid 718 is configured to cooperate with a portion of the first lid 706 such that the second lid 718 is configured in a closed position to close the first lid compartment. In Fig. 7, the second lid 718 comprises a second lid alignment feature 720. Movement of the second lid 718 from the closed position to an open position is facilitated on alignment of the first lid alignment feature 708 with the second lid alignment feature 720. The second lid 718 is rotatable relative to the first lid 706 between an unaligned position in which the first lid alignment feature 708 and the second lid alignment feature 720 are not aligned, and an aligned position in which the first lid alignment feature 708 and the second lid alignment feature 720 are aligned. The second lid alignment feature 720 comprises a tab 720 configured to protrude at an outer edge of the second lid 718 to provide leverage for movement of the second lid 718 from the closed position by a user. The first lid 706 comprises a recess (obscured by tab 720 in Fig. 7) disposed in a portion of the first lid 706 configured to co-operate with the tab 720 of the second lid 718 such that, when the tab 720 and recess are aligned, the recess enables a user to access an underside of the tab 720 to initiate movement of the second lid 718 from the closed position. In this way, when the second lid 718 is in the closed position, the user may only access an underside of the tab 720 to urge the second lid 718 into the open position when the tab 720 and the recess of the first lid 706 are aligned. In this way, a degree of child resistance is provided to the container 700. The second lid 718 comprises a chamfered outer edge 722 configured to reduce a height of the second lid 718 at the outer edge 722 such that initiation of movement of the second lid 718 from the closed position by the outer edge is inhibited. The user may find it difficult to initiate movement of the second lid 718 by means other than the tab 720 due to the chamfered outer edge 722. With reference to Figure 8, there is illustrated a first lid 706 of container 700. The first lid 706 comprises a circumferential seal 802 disposed at an interface of the first lid wall 804 and the first lid plate 806. The circumferential seal 802 is configured to co-operate with the container body (702 of Fig. 7) when the first lid 706 is in the closed position to provide a substantially air tight seal between the first lid 706 and the container body 702. In this way, the circumferential seal 802 may promote a preservation of freshness of content of the first compartment. The circumferential seal 802 may be formed integrally with the first lid 706 or may be separate part assembled to the first lid 706. For example, the circumferential seal 802 may be an elastomeric O-ring. Although the containers (100, 200) as described above are shown to comprise both upper and lower body tactile features (117a, 117b, 217a, 217b) which engage with a corresponding lid tactile feature (124, 134, 224, 234), they are not limited to said configurations. For example, in an embodiment, a container may comprise a single body tactile feature (either upper or lower body) which may engage with a single lid tactile feature (upper or lower lid). In further embodiments, a container body may only have a compartment and a single lid which is configured to engage the container body to close said compartment. As such, the container body may have a single tactile feature which is configured to engage the corresponding tactile feature of said lid. Accordingly, there has been described a child resistant product container, the container comprising a container body, an upper lid, and a lower lid, wherein the upper lid is configured in a closed position so as to close an upper compartment of the container body, wherein movement of the upper lid from the closed position to an open position is facilitated on alignment of a upper body alignment feature with an upper lid alignment feature within a region of a body alignment zone, wherein the lower lid is configured in a closed position so as to close a lower compartment of the container body, wherein movement of the lower lid from the closed position to an open position is facilitated on alignment of a lower body alignment feature with a lower lid alignment feature within a region of the body alignment zone, wherein, in the closed position, an upper body tactile feature is configured to interact with an upper lid tactile feature to provide a tactile feedback, and wherein the interaction is inhibited when the upper lid tactile feature is within a region of the body alignment zone, and wherein in the closed position, a lower body tactile feature is configured to interact with a lower lid tactile feature to provide a tactile feedback, and wherein the interaction is inhibited when the lower lid tactile feature is within a region of the body alignment zone. Although particular embodiments of this disclosure have been described, it will be appreciated that many modifications / additions and / or substitutions may be made within the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A child resistant container comprising:a container body for containing products;a first lid configured to co-operate with a first portion of the container body;wherein the container body comprises:a first compartment;a first body alignment feature; anda body alignment zone;further the first lid is configured in a closed position so as to close the first compartment, wherein movement of the first lid from the closed position to an open position is facilitated on alignment of the first body alignment feature with a first lid alignment feature of the first lid within a region of the body alignment zone;the container body further comprising a first body tactile feature; andthe first lid further comprising a first lid tactile feature;wherein, in the closed position, the first body tactile feature and the first lid tactile feature are configured to interact to provide a tactile feedback and indicate whether the first lid alignment feature is aligned with the first body alignment feature.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the interaction between the first body tactile feature and the first lid tactile feature occurs when the first lid alignment feature is unaligned with the first body alignment feature.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the interaction between the first body tactile feature and the first lid tactile feature occurs when the first lid alignment feature is aligned with the first body alignment feature.
4. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the first body alignment feature and / or the first lid alignment feature is configured to provide a distinctive tactile profile such that the alignment feature may be identified by touch alone.
5. The container of claim 4, wherein the first body alignment feature and / or the first lid alignment feature comprises a recess and a protrusion disposed in the recess.
6. The container of claim 5, wherein a height of the protrusion is less than or equal to a depth of the recess such that the protrusion is configured to protrude from a base of the recess but not protrude from the container body or first lid respectively.
7. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the first lid comprises a notch disposed proximate the first lid alignment feature, the notch comprising an engagement surface arranged substantially perpendicular to an axis of movement of the first lid between the open and closed positions;wherein the engagement surface is configured to provide on the first lid purchase to a user such that the user may engage the engagement surface to urge the first lid from the closed position to the open position.
8. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the container further comprises a second lid configured to co-operate with a second portion of the container body;wherein the container body further comprises:a second compartment; anda second body alignment feature;further the second lid is configured in a closed position so as to close the second compartment, wherein movement of the second lid from the closed position to an open position is facilitated on alignment of the second body alignment feature with a second lid alignment feature within a region of the body alignment zone;the container body further comprising a second body tactile feature; andthe second lid further comprising a second lid tactile feature;wherein, in the closed position, the second body tactile feature is configured to interact with the second lid tactile feature to provide a tactile feedback, and wherein the interaction is inhibited when the second lid tactile feature is within a region of the body alignment zone.
9. The container of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first lid further comprises a first lid compartment; and wherein the container further comprises a second lid;wherein the second lid is configured to co-operate with a portion of the first lid such that the second lid is configured in a closed position to close the first lid compartment.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the second lid comprises a second lid alignment feature; andwherein movement of the second lid from the closed position to an open position is facilitated on alignment of the first lid alignment feature with the second lid alignment feature.
11. The container of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the second lid is rotatable relative to the first lid between an unaligned position in which the first lid alignment feature and thesecond lid alignment feature are not aligned, and an aligned position in which the first lid alignment feature and the second lid alignment feature are aligned.
12. The container of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the second lid comprises a tab configured to protrude at an outer edge of the second lid to provide leverage for movement of the second lid from the closed position by a user.
13. The container of claim 12, wherein the first lid comprises a recess disposed in a portion of the first lid configured to co-operate with the tab of the second lid such that, when the tab and recess are aligned, the recess enables a user to access an underside of the tab to initiate movement of the second lid from the closed position.
14. The container of any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the second lid comprises a chamfered outer edge configured to reduce a height of the second lid at the outer edge such that initiation of movement of the second lid from the closed position by the outer edge is inhibited.
15. The container of any of claims 9 to 14, wherein the second lid further comprises:a second lid plate comprising a first face and a second face opposite the first face; and a second lid wall comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the second lid wall is attached perpendicularly to the first face of the second lid plate.
16. The container of claim 15, wherein the second lid alignment feature is proximate an edge of the second face of the second lid plate.
17. The container of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the second lid tactile feature is located on the outer surface of the second lid wall.
18. The container of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the second lid tactile feature comprises a protrusion extending from the outer surface of the second lid wall;wherein the second lid tactile feature is substantially in alignment with the second lid alignment feature on the second face of the lower lid plate; orwherein the second lid tactile feature is unaligned with the second lid alignment feature.
19. The container of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the second lid wall extends from a location proximate the edge of the second face of the second lid plate.
20. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the container body further comprises:a container body base plate comprising a first face and a second face;a first container body wall comprising a distal portion and proximal portion, and an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the first container body wall is attached perpendicularly to the first face of the base plate via the proximal portion of the first container body wall, and wherein the inner surface of the first container body wall and the first face of the base plate define the first compartment; and / ora second container body wall comprising a distal portion and proximal portion, and an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the second container body wall is attached perpendicularly to the second face of the base plate via the proximal portion of the second container body wall, and wherein the inner surface of the second container body wall and the second face of the base plate define the second compartment; andwherein the body alignment zone is a vertical region within the first container body wall.
21. The container of claim 20, wherein the second body alignment feature is located substantially towards the distal portion of the second container body wall.
22. The container of claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the second body tactile feature is located on the outer surface of the second container body wall; orwherein the second body tactile feature is located on the inner surface of the second container body wall.
23. The container of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the first body tactile feature is located within a region of the distal portion of the first container body wall.
24. The container of claim 23, wherein the first body tactile feature is located on the outer surface of the first container body wall; and / orwherein the first body tactile feature is located on the inner surface of the first container body wall.
25. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the first body tactile feature comprises a plurality of ridges;wherein the plurality of ridges are spaced at a constant separation; orwherein the plurality of ridges are spaced at a varying separation.
26. The container of claim 25 when dependent on any of claims 20 to 24, wherein the plurality of ridges protrude radially away from the inner surface of the first container body wall; or wherein the plurality of ridges protrude radially away from the outer surface of the first container body wall.
27. The container of any of claims 8 to 26, wherein the second body tactile feature comprises a plurality of ridges;wherein the plurality of ridges are spaced at a constant separation; or wherein the plurality of ridges are spaced at a varying separation.
28. The container of claim 27, wherein the plurality of ridges protrude radially away from the inner surface of the second container body wall; or wherein the plurality of ridges protrude radially away from the outer surface of the second container body wall.
29. The container of any of claims 20 to 28, wherein the first body tactile feature is absent in a region of the distal portion of the first container body wall which overlaps with the body alignment zone, and / orwherein the second body tactile feature is absent in a region of the distal portion of the second container body wall which overlaps with the body alignment zone.
30. The container of any one of claims 20 to 29, wherein the distal portion of the first container body wall is recessed relative to the proximal portion of the first container body wall.
31. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the first lid further comprises:a first lid plate comprising a first face; anda first lid wall comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the first lid wall extends perpendicularly from the first face of the first lid plate.
32. The container of claim 31, wherein the first lid tactile feature is located on the outer surface of the first lid wall; orwherein the first lid tactile feature is located on the inner surface of the first lid wall.
33. The container of claim 31 or claim 32, wherein the first lid tactile feature comprises a protrusion extending from the inner surface of the first lid wall;wherein the first lid tactile feature is substantially in alignment with the first lid alignment feature on the outer surface; orwherein the first lid tactile feature is unaligned with the first lid alignment feature.
34. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the first lid comprises a circumferential seal disposed at an interface of the first lid wall and the first lid plate;wherein the circumferential seal is configured to co-operate with the container body when the first lid is in the closed position to provide a substantially air tight seal between the first lid and the container body.30
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