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Title:
CHILD PROOF CLOSURE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/127849
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A child proof closure for closing a container, comprising: - a closure capsule (2) for closing the container, the capsule (2) being screwable/unscrewable with respect to the container; - a capsule cover (3); the capsule (2) and the capsule cover (3) in a first configuration being axially moved towards one another along an axial direction, in a second configuration being moved away from one another along the axial direction; the axial direction being identified by an axis (4) along which the unscrewing/screwing of the capsule (2) with respect to the container takes place; - a disengageable means(5) for transmitting an unscrewing torque from the capsule cover to the capsule, said unscrewing torque allowing the unscrewing of the capsule (2) from the container; said disengageable means (5) being afforded in part on the capsule (2) and in part on the capsule cover (3); said disengageable means (5) for the unscrewing of the capsule (2) being mutually engaged in the first configuration and mutually disengaged in the second configuration; - an elastic means (6) that exerts an axial force for moving the capsule cover (3) away from the capsule (2) to allow the passage from the first to the second configuration and that may be integrated into the capsule (2) and/or the capsule cover (3). The elastic means (6) comprises a Belleville spring (60).

Inventors:
PAGANUZZI VALERIO (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2018/050107
Publication Date:
July 12, 2018
Filing Date:
January 08, 2018
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
BORMIOLI PHARMA S R L (IT)
International Classes:
B65D50/04
Domestic Patent References:
WO1985000344A11985-01-31
Foreign References:
US4319690A1982-03-16
US3968894A1976-07-13
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
MONELLI, Alberto (IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1 . A child proof closure for closing a container, comprising:

- a closure capsule (2) for closing the container, the capsule (2) being screwable/unscrewable with respect to the container;

- a capsule cover (3); the capsule (2) and the capsule cover (3) in a first configuration being axially moved towards one another along an axial direction, in a second configuration being moved away from one another along the axial direction; the axial direction being identified by an axis (4) along which the unscrewing/screwing of the capsule (2) with respect to the container takes place;

- a disengageable means(5) for transmitting an unscrewing torque from the capsule cover to the capsule, said unscrewing torque allowing the unscrewing of the capsule (2) from the container; said disengageable means (5) being afforded in part on the capsule (2) and in part on the capsule cover (3); said disengageable means (5) for the unscrewing of the capsule (2) being mutually engaged in the first configuration and mutually disengaged in the second configuration;

- an elastic means (6) that exerts an axial force for moving the capsule cover (3) away from the capsule (2) to allow the passage from the first to the second configuration and that may be integrated into the capsule (2) and/or the capsule cover (3);

characterised in that said elastic means (6) comprises a Belleville spring (60).

2. The closure according to claim 1 , characterised in that said Belleville spring (60) defines an annular cavity (61 ), in the first configuration the cavity (61 ) being more pronounced than in the second configuration.

3. The closure according to claim 2, characterised in that said cavity (61 ) faces the capsule cover (3).

4. The closure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said Belleville spring (60) is integrated into the capsule (2).

5. The closure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said Belleville spring (60) defines a monolithic single body with the remaining parts of the capsule (2).

6. The closure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the Belleville spring (60) comprises a cylindrical symmetry about the screwing/unscrewing axis (4) of the capsule (2).

7. The closure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the Belleville spring (60) comprises:

- a top (62) in contact with the capsule cover (3);

- a base (63);

- an elastically deformable slope (64) which connects the top (62) and the base (63).

8. The closure according to claim 7, characterised in that the base (63) comprises an annular step (65) which is raised towards the capsule cover (3) moving from a radially more external position to a radially more internal position.

9. The closure according to claim 8, characterised in that the slope (64) starting from the step (65) and moving radially towards the top (62) first defines a descent and then an ascent.

Description:
DESCRIPTION

CHILD PROOF CLOSURE

Technical field

The present invention relates to a child proof closure applicable to a container. Child proof closures are closures that are equipped with special features to minimise the risk of a child under the age of 3 being able to open them. For example, for opening the closure the user must apply axial compression and simultaneous unscrewing on the closure. In fact, it has been demonstrated that the combined action is unnatural and unlikely to be implementable by a child aged under 3.

Only twisting the capsule (even if it is performed in the correct unscrewing direction) is therefore not sufficient for opening the closure. The aim of this feature is the optimisation of safety in order to prevent a curious child from being able to accidentally take medicinal products from a container left unsupervised.

Background art

A child proof closure is known in which there is a capsule applicable to the neck of the container for occluding the opening hole. Such capsule is enveloped by a capsule cover applicable by a user to prevent the latter being able to access the capsule below.

To allow the opening, the user must exert an axial thrust on the capsule cover and at the same time unscrew it. In this way the capsule cover transmits the opening torque to the capsule below, which can therefore be unscrewed from the container. The axial thrust allows the teeth afforded on the capsule cover to be engaged in relevant seats afforded on the capsule. The capsule cover further comprises an elastic means that allows the capsule cover to be moved axially away from the capsule by disengaging the teeth from the relevant seats. Such elastic means comprises tabs that protrude from a top (which extends orthogonally to the axial direction) of the capsule cover. By bending, such tabs allow the capsule cover to be screwed onto the capsule. When the axial thrust exerted by the user is stopped, the tabs return to the non-deformed position, moving the capsule cover away from the capsule.

The capsule and capsule cover further comprise lateral straps that can interact with each other. In particular, when the capsule cover is screwed, these straps interact with each other, transmitting the torque to the capsule, which is screwed onto the container. When, instead, the capsule cover is unscrewed the straps slide onto each other (due to their specific geometry) and no torque is transmitted to the capsule (unless an axial thrust is also applied, which would cause the engagement not of the straps, but of the aforementioned teeth).

A drawback of this constructive solution is recognised when small containers are to be made and the closure is opened and closed again many times. In fact, in this situation the tabs risk being weakened, hence penalising the correct operation of the elastic means. This means that the "child proof" operation of the closure could be comprised and therefore also its safe use. In fact, if the elastic means is not working correctly, the limit case could be reached in which it is sufficient to apply only an opening torque on the capsule cover in order to unscrew the capsule (a significant axial thrust on the capsule cover no longer being necessary).

Disclosure of the invention

In this context, it is an object of the present invention to provide a closure that can optimise the "fatigue" behaviour of the closure so as to have correct "child proof" operation over time. This allows the safe operation of the closure over time.

The stated technical task and specified objects are substantially achieved by a closure comprising the technical features disclosed in one or more of the appended claims.

Brief description of drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following indicative, and hence non- limiting, description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a closure as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

-figure 1 shows a closure according to the present invention;

-figures 2 and 3 show a component of the closure of figure 1 .

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In the appended figures, reference number 1 denotes a child proof closure for closing a container. Such container is, for example, intended to contain pharmaceutical products. Such closure 1 comprises a closure capsule 2 for closing the container.

The capsule 2 can be screwed/unscrewed with respect to the container. The capsule 2 defines a cap that allows an opening of the container to be occluded.

The closure 1 further comprises a capsule cover 3. The capsule cover 3 is superimposed with and envelops the capsule 2. It prevents a user from accessing the capsule 2. The capsule 2 and the capsule cover 3 in a first configuration (not illustrated) are moved towards each other along an axial direction. In a second configuration (see figure 1 ) they are moved away from each other along the axial direction. The axial direction is identified by an axis 4 along which the capsule 2 is unscrewed/screwed with respect to the container. Such axial direction is therefore defined by an axis of the helix of the threading with which the capsule 2 is screwed to the container. The axial direction is orthogonal to the outlet mouth of the container. More specifically, it is defined by a cylindrical axis of symmetry of the container. The closure 1 comprises a disengageable means 5 for transmitting an unscrewing torque from the capsule cover to the capsule. The unscrewing torque allows the unscrewing of the capsule 2 from the container. The dispensing opening of the container can therefore be opened. Preferably, the disengageable means 5 is afforded partially on the capsule 2 and partially on the capsule cover 3. The means 5 is therefore partially solidly constrained to the capsule 2 and partially solidly constrained to the capsule cover 3. Preferably, but not necessarily, the disengageable means 5 is partially in a monolithic single body with the capsule 2 and partially in a monolithic single body with the capsule cover 3. The disengageable means 5 for unscrewing the capsule 2 is reciprocally engaged in the first configuration and reciprocally disengaged in the second configuration. Therefore, in the first configuration, by acting on the capsule cover 3, it is possible to unscrew the capsule 2 and remove it from the dispensing opening of the container. In the second configuration the rotation of the capsule cover in any one of the two directions does not allow the unscrewing of the capsule 2 from the container. Appropriately, the disengageable means 5 comprises at least one tooth 9 (preferably afforded on the capsule cover 3) which is engaged in a corresponding slot 90 (preferably afforded on the capsule 2).

Appropriately, the closure 1 comprises an elastic means 6 that exerts an axial force for moving the capsule cover 3 away from the capsule 2 to allow the passage from the first to the second configuration and that may be integrated into the capsule 2 and/or the capsule cover 3.

The capsule cover 3 comprises a disc 31 and a lateral wall 32 that extends from the disc 31 . For example, the lateral wall 32 of the capsule cover 3 is substantially shaped like a cylindrical lateral wall.

Likewise, the capsule 2 comprises an upper cap 21 and a lateral wall 22. The lateral wall 32 of the capsule cover 3 faces and surrounds the lateral wall 22 of the capsule 2. The cap 21 of the capsule 2 faces the disc 31 of the capsule cover 3.

The elastic means 6 comprises a Belleville spring 60. Appropriately, it is made of plastic.

The Belleville spring 60 defines an annular cavity 61 . In the first configuration the cavity 61 is more pronounced with respect to the second configuration. In the first configuration the Belleville spring 60 is therefore more deformed with respect to the second configuration.

As exemplified in the appended figures, the Belleville spring 60 is integrated into the capsule 2.

The cavity 61 is turned towards the capsule cover 3. The Belleville spring 60 defines a monolithic single body with the remaining parts of the capsule 2.

The Belleville spring 60 comprises a cylindrical symmetry about the unscrewing/screwing axis 4 of the capsule 2.

The Belleville spring 60 appropriately comprises:

- a top 62 in contact with the capsule cover 3;

- a base 63;

- an elastically deformable slope 64 which connects the top 62 and the base 63.

As exemplified in the appended figures the base 63 comprises an annular step 65 which is raised towards the capsule cover 3 moving from a radially more external position to a radially more internal position.

Appropriately the Belleville spring 60 (in particular the slope 64) is made of polyethylene.

The slope 64 starting from the step 65 and moving radially towards the top 62 first defines a descent and then an ascent.

Advantageously the capsule 2 and the capsule cover 3 comprise straps 91 , 92 which in the second configuration are reciprocally engaged to allow the transmission from the capsule cover 3 to the capsule 2 of a torque that allows the screwing of the capsule onto the container. In the second configuration the straps 91 , 92 instead slide on each other whenever the capsule cover 3 turns in the opposite direction (not transmitting to the capsule 2 an unscrewing torque thereof from the container). Such straps 91 , 92 are afforded on an internal lateral surface of the capsule cover 3 and on an external lateral surface of the capsule 2.

The present invention provides important advantages.

First of all, this allows the "fatigue" operation of the closure to be optimised. In this way a closure can be obtained that maintains its child proof behaviour over time.

The invention as it is conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept characterising it. Further, all the details can be replaced with other technically-equivalent elements. Further, any dimensions are possible, according to requirements.