Container with lid

Abstract

To provide a container with a lid which has a child resistance function, is unlikely to be damaged even when the lid is repeatedly changed from a locked state to an unlocked state, and has excellent strength. [Solution] A container with a lid comprises a container body 1 and a lid 2 which screws into its mouth, with teeth 8 on the container body 1 and pawls 9 on the lid 2 forming a ratchet mechanism. The teeth 8 protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the mouth of the container body 1, which has a male thread 6. The lid 2 has a oscillating part 12 which protrudes outward and whose upper end is connected to the peripheral wall 4, between notches 11 extending from the lower end of the peripheral wall 4, which has a female thread 7 which screws into the male thread 6. Pawls 9 protrude from the inner surface of the oscillating part 12, and a lever 14 extends upward from the outer end of the oscillating part 12. When the lever 14 is pressed from a state in which the teeth 8 and pawls 9 are engaged to lock the lid 2, the oscillating part 12 thrusts outward and the engagement between the teeth 8 and pawls 9 is released.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a child-resistant container with a lid. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 listed below describes a container with a lid that has a child resistance function to prevent small children from mischievously opening the lid and putting the contents in their mouths, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0003] 9, this container with lid comprises a container body 51 and a lid 52 that screws onto the top of the container body 51, and when the lid 52 is rotated in a direction to tighten it relative to the container body 51, the lid 52 is locked so that it cannot be opened. When the upper and lower parts of a pair of levers 53 provided on the lid 52 are pressed, the lid 52 is unlocked, and when the lid 52 is rotated in a direction to loosen it relative to the container body 51 while maintaining this state, the lid 52 can be opened.

[0004] The child resistance function takes advantage of the developmental stage in which young children have difficulty in achieving the goal of opening lid 52 by combining two actions: pressing lever 53 and turning lid 52.

[0005] 10, in this container with lid, container body 51 has a shape in which mouth 55 is tapered via a stepped shoulder 54, and lid 52 has an inner peripheral wall 57 spaced inward from an outer peripheral wall 56. Male threads 58 on the outer periphery of mouth 55 of container body 51 and female threads 59 on inner peripheral wall 57 of lid 52 are adapted to screw together.

[0006] Lever 53 is formed by cutting into outer peripheral wall 56 of lid 52, and swings about connecting part 62 located in the vertical middle as a fulcrum. Locking and unlocking of container body 51 and lid 52 are performed by a ratchet mechanism consisting of teeth 60 rising from shoulder part 54 of container body 51 and pawl 61 hanging down from the inner flange of lever 53 of lid 52. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7316852 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Incidentally, in the above-mentioned container with lid, which is a molded plastic product, when the lever 53 is repeatedly pressed, a twisting force is repeatedly applied to the thin connecting part 62, which serves as the fulcrum for the swing, and there is a risk that the connecting part 62 will break early. In addition, if one tries to forcefully open the lid 52 in the locked state, there is a risk that the teeth 60 and the claws 61 will break.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a lidded container that has a child resistance function, is less likely to break even when the lid is repeatedly switched from a locked state to an unlocked state, and has excellent strength. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a container having a container body and a lid that is screwed onto the opening of the container body, wherein teeth on the container body and pawls on the lid form a ratchet mechanism, In a container with a lid, when the lid is rotated in a direction to tighten the lid relative to the container body, the teeth and the claw engage with each other to lock the lid so that it cannot be opened, and when a lever integrated with the claw is pressed, the lid is unlocked, and the lid can be opened by rotating the lid in a direction to loosen the lid relative to the container body while maintaining this state, The teeth are provided on an outer peripheral surface of the mouth of the container body, the outer peripheral surface being provided with a male thread, The cover has a swivel portion whose upper end is connected to the peripheral wall and which projects outward between a notch extending from a lower end of the peripheral wall having a female thread which screws into the male thread, the claw protruding from an inner surface of the swivel portion, and the lever extending upward from an outer end of the swivel portion, When the lever is pressed from a state in which the teeth and the pawls are engaged and the lid is locked, the oscillating part pushes outward around its upper end as an axis, and the engagement between the teeth and the pawls is released (configuration 1).

[0011] In the lidded container of configuration 1, protective protrusions that smoothly protrude outward toward both sides of the lever are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall of the lid (configuration 2).

[0012] Furthermore, in the lidded container of configurations 1 and 2, the teeth form a row of multiple consecutive teeth in the circumferential direction of the container body, and the claws form a row of multiple consecutive claws in the circumferential direction of the lid so as to mesh with these teeth (configuration 3).

[0013] In addition, in the lidded container of configuration 3, the tooth row is provided at multiple locations circumferentially spaced around the outer periphery of the mouth of the container body, and the claw row is provided on a oscillating portion formed at only one location on the peripheral wall of the lid (configuration 4). Effect of the Invention

[0014] In the lidded container of this invention, the claws of the lid which form the ratchet mechanism together with the teeth of the container body are protruded from the inner surface of a oscillating part whose upper end is connected to the peripheral wall of the lid and which protrudes outward, a lever extends upward from the outer end of the oscillating part, and the base of the oscillating part which serves as a hinge extends long in the circumferential direction of the lid. Therefore, even if the lever which releases the lock is repeatedly pressed, the oscillating part is unlikely to break at the base, resulting in excellent durability of the ratchet mechanism.

[0015] Furthermore, if protective protrusions that smoothly protrude outward on both sides of the lever are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall of the lid, the lever is prevented from being damaged when it is separated from the peripheral wall of the lid and inadvertently struck against something, or when a force is applied to the lever from the side.

[0016] Furthermore, by forming a row of teeth on the container body and a row of claws on the swinging portion of the lid, large forces are not repeatedly applied to specific teeth and claws even when the lid is repeatedly opened and closed, and damage to the teeth and claws can be prevented.

[0017] In addition, if tooth rows are provided at multiple locations spaced apart around the circumference of the container body and a claw row is provided at only one location on the peripheral wall of the lid, the lid can be locked by simply rotating it slightly relative to the container body, ensuring the child resistance function. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lid of a container with a lid according to an embodiment of the present invention is closed; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of the container body from above and the lid from below, with the lid opened and separated from the container body; FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the container body and the lid from the opening side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view of the lid taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the cover side of the ratchet mechanism from below; [Figure 6]1A and 1B are partially enlarged plan views showing the ratchet mechanism of the above-mentioned embodiment in a state before being locked, in a state during being locked, and in a state locked, respectively; [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view of the outer surface of the container body and the lid, showing a state in which the lever of the lid is pressed to unlock the ratchet mechanism of the above-mentioned embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged plan view showing the ratchet mechanism in an unlocked state; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lid of the container with lid described in Patent Document 1 is closed. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view showing the container body from above and the lid from below. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] <Overall composition> This container with lid is made of plastic, and as shown in Figures 1 to 3, is composed of a container body 1 and a lid 2. The container body 1 has a closed bottom surface and a cylindrical peripheral wall 3, and the lid 2 has a closed top surface and a cylindrical peripheral wall 4. The outer periphery of the peripheral wall 4 of the lid 2 is knurled to prevent slipping.

[0021] The upper portion of the peripheral wall 3 of the container body 1 serves as an opening 5 into which the lid 2 is screwed, and a male thread 6 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the opening 5. The inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 4 of the lid 2 has a female thread 7 which screws into the male thread 6. The male thread 6 and the female thread 7 are double-start threads so that the lid 2 can be securely fastened even if the rotation angle of the lid 2 relative to the container body 1 is small.

[0022] <Ratchet mechanism> The lid 2 is locked and unlocked to the container body 1 by a ratchet mechanism consisting of teeth 8 provided on the container body 1 and a pawl 9 provided on the lid 2, as shown in FIG.

[0023] (Container body side) Teeth 8, which are one element of the ratchet mechanism, are provided to protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the mouth 5 of the container body 1, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. One side of the teeth 8 is an inclined surface, and the other side is an engagement surface along the radial direction. A plurality of teeth 8 (four in the illustrated example) are arranged in succession in the circumferential direction of the container body 1 to form a tooth row 10.

[0024] The tooth rows 10 are provided at a plurality of locations (two locations in the illustrated example) on the outer periphery of the mouth portion 5 of the container body 1 at intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0025] (Lid side) As shown in Figs. 2 to 5, the cover 2 has a swinging portion 12 formed at only one location between a cut 11 extending from the lower end of the peripheral wall 4, the upper end of which is continuous with the peripheral wall 4 and which protrudes outward.

[0026] The other element of the ratchet mechanism, the pawl 9, is provided to protrude from the lower part of the inner surface of the swinging part 12. One side of the pawl 9 is an inclined surface facing the inclined surface of the tooth 8 of the container body 1, and the other side is an engagement surface along the radial direction. A plurality of the pawls 9 (two in the illustrated example) are connected in series in the circumferential direction of the lid 2 to form a pawl row 13.

[0027] 1 and 4, a lever 14 is provided at the outer end of the swinging part 12, extending upward at a distance from the peripheral wall 4. The surface of the lever 14 is provided with letters indicating that it is the part to be pressed when releasing the lock, and is treated with an anti-slip coating. The lever 14 swings integrally with the swinging part 12 below in a direction in which its upper part approaches and moves away from the peripheral wall 4 of the lid 2.

[0028] In addition, protective protrusions 15 that smoothly protrude outward toward both sides of lever 14 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of peripheral wall 4 of cover 2. The portion of protective protrusion 15 adjacent to lever 14 protrudes from peripheral wall 4 to the same extent as the surface of lever 14.

[0029] <effect> (Closing and locking the lid) When the dispensed medicine or other contents are placed into the container body 1 of such a lidded container and the lid 2 is closed, as shown in Figure 6 (I), the lid 2 is rotated in the direction of tightening against the container body 1, causing the claw row 13 to approach the tooth row 10.

[0030] Then, as shown in FIG. 6(II), the inclined surfaces of teeth 8 and pawls 9 come into sliding contact with each other, the pawl rows 13 are pushed outward, and the top surfaces of teeth 8 and pawls 9 come into sliding contact with each other.

[0031] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6 (III), when the claws 9 overcome the teeth 8, the tooth row 10 and the claw row 13 mesh with each other, and even if an attempt is made to rotate the lid 2 in the direction to loosen it relative to the container body 1, the engagement surfaces of the teeth 8 and the engagement surfaces of the claws 9 engage with each other, preventing the lid 2 from being rotated in the direction to loosen it relative to the container body 1, and the lid 2 is locked so that it cannot be opened.

[0032] (Unlocking and opening the lid) On the other hand, when the lid 2 is in this locked state, pressing the upper part of the lever 14 in a direction approaching the peripheral wall 4 of the lid 2 as shown in Figure 7 causes the oscillating part 12 to swing outward around its upper end as an axis, and as shown in Figure 8, the engagement between the teeth 8 and the claws 9 is released, and the lid 2 is unlocked. By maintaining this state and rotating the lid 2 in a direction that loosens it relative to the container body 1, the lid 2 can be opened.

[0033] <Effects> In the above-mentioned lidded container, the claws 9 of the lid 2 which form the ratchet mechanism together with the teeth 8 of the container body 1 are protruded from the inner surface of the oscillating part 12 which has its upper end connected to the peripheral wall 4 of the lid 2 and protrudes outward, and a lever 14 extends upward from the outer end of the oscillating part 12, with the base of the oscillating part 12 which serves as a hinge extending long in the circumferential direction of the lid 2. Therefore, even if the lever 14 which releases the lock is repeatedly pressed, the oscillating part 12 is unlikely to break at its base, resulting in a ratchet mechanism with excellent durability.

[0034] Furthermore, protective protrusions 15 that smoothly protrude outward toward both sides of lever 14 are provided on the outer circumferential surface of peripheral wall 4 of lid 2, thereby preventing damage to lever 14 caused by inadvertently hitting lever 14 that has moved away from peripheral wall 4 of lid 2 against something or by application of a force that forcibly pushes lever 14 from the side.

[0035] Furthermore, since a tooth row 10 is formed on the container body 1 and a claw row 13 is formed on the swinging part 12 of the lid 2, even if the lid 2 is repeatedly opened and closed, a large force is not repeatedly applied to a particular tooth 8 and claw 9, and damage to the tooth 8 and claw 9 can be prevented.

[0036] In addition, the tooth rows 10 are provided at multiple locations spaced apart around the circumference of the container body 1, and the claw row 13 is provided at only one location on the peripheral wall 4 of the lid 2, so that the lid 2 can be locked simply by rotating the lid 2 slightly relative to the container body 1, ensuring a child-resistant function.

[0037] <Other> In the above embodiment, the container body 1 is exemplified as one having a cylindrical peripheral wall 3, but the container body 1 may have a narrowed mouth portion 5.

[0038] In addition, although the tooth row 10 is provided at a plurality of locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the container body 1 in the above example, the tooth row 10 may be provided at only one location in the circumferential direction of the container body 1.

[0039] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Container body 2 lid 3,4 Surrounding wall 5 Mouth 6 Male thread 7 Female thread 8 Teeth 9 Claws 10 Dentition 11 Cutting 12 Swinging part 13 Claw row 14 Lever 15 Protective protrusion

Claims

1. The container comprises a container body (1) and a lid (2) which is screwed onto the mouth (5) of the container body (1). Teeth (8) on the container body (1) and a pawl (9) on the lid (2) form a ratchet mechanism. When the lid (2) is rotated in a direction to fasten the lid (2) relative to the container body (1), the teeth (8) and the claw (9) engage with each other to lock the lid (2) so that it cannot be opened, and when a lever (14) integrated with the claw (9) is pressed, the lid (2) is unlocked. While maintaining this state, the lid (2) can be rotated in a direction to loosen the lid (2) relative to the container body (1), thereby allowing the lid (2) to be opened. The teeth (8) are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion (5) of the container body (1) having the male thread (6) and form a row of teeth (10) in a continuous manner in the circumferential direction of the container body (1). The lid (2) has a swaying portion (12) whose upper end is connected to the peripheral wall (4) and which projects outward between notches (11) extending from the lower end of the peripheral wall (4) having a female thread (7) which screws into the male thread (6), and the claws (9) protrude from the inner surface of the swaying portion (12). The claws (9) form a row of claws (13) in a continuous manner in the circumferential direction of the lid (2) so as to mesh with the row of teeth (10) of the container body (1). The lever (14) extends upward from the outer end of the swaying portion (12). the tooth row (10) is provided at a plurality of locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the mouth portion (5) of the container body (1), and the claw row (13) is provided on a swinging portion (12) formed at only one location on the peripheral wall (4) of the lid (2); When the lever (14) is pressed from a state in which the teeth (8) and the pawls (9) are engaged with each other and the lid (2) is locked, the oscillating portion (12) pushes outward about its upper end as an axis, and the engagement between the teeth (8) and the pawls (9) is released.

2. 2. A container with a lid as described in claim 1, characterized in that a protective protrusion (15) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall (4) of the lid (2) so as to smoothly protrude toward both sides of the lever (14).

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