RECLOSABLE CONTAINER WITH EASILY OPENABLE CLOSURE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[01] This application is related to and claims priority from earlier

filed provisional patent application Serial No. 60/718,669, filed

September 20, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[02] The invention relates generally to product containers. More

specifically, the present invention relates to an easily openable

closure that has particular use for reclosable containers, such as pill

boxes and any other container that is capable of containing articles

and objects therein. For example, such containers are capable of

storing objects, such as pills, whereby the container can be easily

opened for access to some of the pills therein and then easily dosed

to store the remaining pills for later access.

[03] Moreover, the present invention relates to an easily openable

closure that can be used on a container of any size that can contain

and house articles and objects therein. As a further example, the

closure can be used on a container that can be a laundry hamper for

containing clothing or a garbage container for housing trash therein.

[04] Easily openable closures for redosable containers, such as pill

boxes, pill cases, laundry hampers and garbage containers, for

example, are well known in the art. These closures and containers

can include one or more compartments therein. Typically, a

garbage container, for example, has a single main compartment for

storage one full bag of trash. Alternatively, a garbage container

may have multiple compartments for storing different types of

recyclable materials. Similarly, a laundry hamper may have one or

more compartments. For example, a hamper may be provided with

multiple compartments for sorting dark colored and light colored

clothing from each other.

[05] Further, a pill box with a closure thereon similarly can have a

single main storage compartment or an array of compartments,

such as an array of seven with one compartment for each day of the

week or can be a single compartment stand alone box. A rail box

many also have 31 compartments where each compartment

corresponds to each day of the month for a full month of pill

storage. The multiple day compartment boxes are simply an array

of the single box where each compartment is constructed in the

same fashion and respective closures are provided for each

compartment.

[06] Therefore, for purposes herein, the discussion will relate to a

- single device with a. closure for closing a single compartment for

ease of illustration but it should be understood that multiple arrays

of compartments that are closed by respective multiple closures can

be provided.

[07] A good example of prior art easily openable closure with

container is a typical pill box that includes a main storage

compartment area and with snap cover to keep the pills inside the

compartment. The cover closure typically has a living hinge and

snap closure on the front side. The user must pull on the closure to

release it and then pull it open to gain access to the pills in the

compartment. Thus, the construction of this snap-type closure is

difficult to operate, particularly by elderly people. Also, another

common closure in pill box is a simple threaded cap which is

threadably connected to a female threaded cylindrical pill box

storage housing is similarly difficult to operate.

[08] Therefore, there is a need for a easily openable closure and

container that is very easy to operate where it is easy to gain access

to the compartment. For example, there is a need for a pill box with

an easily openable closure that can be reclosed when desired.

[09] There have been a number of prior art efforts to address this

need. For example, resilient members, such as rubber or metal

plates, have been used to spring-bias a cover closure to a container

into an open condition. Also, rubber bands have been provided

laterally across a container within a hinge construction to engage

with an impact member to, in turn, urge a cover to a container into

an opened condition. With these prior structures to spring-bias the

cover closure to the container into an open condition, the cover can

be moved into a dosed condition against the forces of the spring-

biased and then secured in place by a conventional closure. Also,

snap closures can be built into the hinge to urge it opened or closed,

as desired.

[1OJ However, these prior art closures and container constructions

are complicated and difficult and expensive to manufacture. These

prior art containers are also difficult to operate.

[11] Therefore, there is a need for a reclosable container with an

easily openable closure that is easy to open and close to store and

gain access to the contents therein. There is a need for a reclosable

container with an easily openable closure that is well suited for use

as a pill box or other storage container. There is a need for a

reclosable container that is safe to operate. There is another need

for a redosable container that is easy to manufacture yet operates

better than prior art redosable containers, such as prior art pill

boxes. In fact, there is a need for a new closure in general, whether

or not it is attached to a storage compartment or not, that can be

easily opened and closed when desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[121 The present invention preserves the advantages of prior art

closures and redosable containers. Ih addition, it provides new

advantages not found in currently available closures and containers

and overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available

dosures and redosable containers.

[13] The present invention solves the problems in prior art

redosable containers and easily openable dosures by providing a

new and unique dosure and container that can be easily opened by

the user without having to struggle with pulling open a friction-fit

snap dosure or other prior art closure to gain access to object or

articles contained therein. The present invention provides a

redosable container with a unique easily openable closure that has a

construction that allows a user to easily open the cap. A snap

release button tab is provided to release the cover. Most

importantly, the cover is spring-biased into an open condition.

Thus, when the button tab is depressed, the cover pops open to

permit easy and immediate access to the compartment in the

container therein.

[14] In accordance with the present invention, a piece of elastic

material (e.g. rubber) is overmolded (or insert molded) into the

container when the closure is in an open condition. Thus, the elastic

member is at rest when the cover closure is open and spring-biases

the closure to an open condition. When the closure is closed against

the spring-biasing of the elastic material, the elastic member is

stretched and held stretched when the closure in the front of the

closure is engaged, such as by a snap closure or any other releasable

connection. As can be understood, when the closure is released by

pressing a release tab, for example, the closure pops open by

contraction of the elastic member. Any type of snap closure may be

employed by the present invention. This construction and method

of manufacturing of the closure and container is new and novel.

[15] Therefore, the present invention provides a new redosable

container and easily openable closure with an improved

construction with a unique method of manufacturing such

construction. As a result, the redosable container and easily

openable dosure is provided that is easier to use than prior art

container and closures and is, as a result, well suited for use as a pill

box or other containers that require a reclosable closure, cover or

Ud.

[16] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an

improved reclosable container.

[17] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an

improved reclosable container that includes an easily openable

closure.

[18] Another object of the present invention is to provide an

improved reclosable container that easily pops open for access to

the compartment therein.

[19] A further object of the present invention is to provide an

improved reclosable container with an easily openable closure that

is more effective and easier to manufacture than prior art reclosable

containers.

[20] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an

improved reclosable container with an easily openable closure that

is well suited for storing pills and other objects and articles.

[21] Another object of the present invention is to provide an

improved reclosable container with an easily openable closure that

is easy to open and close.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[22] The novel features which are characteristic of the present

invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the

invention's preferred embodiments, together with further objects

and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to

the following detailed description taken in connection with the

accompanying drawings in which:

[23] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the reclosable container with

easily openable closure of the present invention;

[24] Fig. 2 is a left side elevational view of the reclosable container

with easily openable closure of Fig. 1;

[25] Fig. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the reclosable container

with easily openable closure of Fig. 1;

[26] Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the reclosable container

with easily openable closure of Fig. 1;

[27] Fig.5 is a rear elevational view of the reclosable container with

easily openable closure of Fig. 1;

[28] Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the reclosable container with easily

openable closure of Fig. 1;

[29] Fig. 7 is a top perspective view of the reclosable container with

easily openable closure of Fig. 1 in an open condition;

[30] Fig.8 is a side elevational view of the redosable container with

easily openable closure in an open condition, as shown in Fig. 7;

[31] Fig. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the redosable container

with easily openable dosure in an open condition, as shown in Fig.

7;

[32] Fig. 10 is a close-up perspective view of the lock tab in

accordance with the present invention;

[33] Fig. 11 is a dose-up perspective view of the lock tab and

protrusion in accordance with the present invention;

[34] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an array of seven redosable

containers in the form of a pill box for storing a week's worth of

pills therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[35] The present invention generally relates to a redosable device

that indudes a lid hingedly connected to a main housing. As will be

described in detail below, the easily openable dosure employed in

the present invention is uniquely spring-biased into an open

condition. It may be used in any environment or in any device or

apparatus that has use for a dosure that can be easily opened. By

way of example only, the present invention is shown in connection

with the environment of a pill box for ease of illustration and

description. This in no way limits the scope and breadth of use of

the present invention. All such uses are intended to be within the

scope of the present invention.

[36] Turning first to Fig. 1, a front perspective view of the device 10

of present invention is shown in the configuration and environment

of a small container box, which can be used to store pills, and the

like. The redosable container 10 of the present invention is shown

to generally include a main housing 12 with a lid 14 hingedly

connected thereto. The main housing 12 serves as housing

container for storing pills, and the like therein. The lid 14 is

hingedly connected at one end 14a to the main housing container 12

by a hinge 16, which will be shown and described in more detail

below in connection with Figs. 7-9. This enables the lid 14 closure to

pivot about a pivot axis.

[37] The opposing end 14b of the lid 14 communicates with a

locking mechanism, generally referred to as 18, that keeps the lid 14

closed when desired. The locking mechanism 18 is preferably a

friction-fit snap structure, which will be shown and described in

connection with Fig. 10 and 11 below. The locking mechanism 18

may also be a latch, or the like. This locking mechanism 18 may be

made child proof to make it more difficult for a child to open the lid

14. Any type of child proofing configuration may be employed to

carry out this purpose.

[38] A front elevational view of the device 10 showing the

preferred locking mechanism 18 is illustrated in Fig. 4. Pressing on

the locking mechanism 18 causes the free end 14b of the lid 14 to be

released so that that it can quickly and easily pop open. This is

particularly helpful for users, such as the elderly, that do not have

good motor skills or strength with their hands and fingers. As a

result, the lid 14 can be easily opened so the user can gain access to

the contents of the main housing 12.

[39] Turning now to Fig. 2, a side elevational view of the redosable

device 10 of the present invention. As can be seen, the lid 14 is held

adjacent to the main housing 12 by the locking mechanism 18 at the

free end 14b of the lid 14. The lid 14 is hingedly connected to the

main housing 12 by a hinge 16. For example, for ease of

manufacturing, the hinge 16 may be a living hinge that is integrally

formed, such as by injection molding, with the lid 14 and main

housing 12. An elastic member 20 is also provided to spring-bias

the lid 14 into an open position, namely, in the direction indicated

by the arrow in Fig. 8. In Figs. 1 and 2, the size and configuration of

the present invention can be selected to accommodate any type of

object or article to be stored therein.

[40] In Fig.3, a rear perspective view of the device 10 of the present

invention is shown. The lid 14 hingedly connected to the main

housing by a hinge 16, such as a living hinge, can be dearly seen.

The elastic spring-biasing member 20 has two ends 20a and 20b. A

first end 20a of the elastic member 20 is connected to the main

housing 12 while the second end 20b is connected to the lid 14.

Referring back to Fig. 2, the elastic member 20 is routed outside of

and over the hinge 16. The elastic member 20 is under tension

when the lid 14 is in a dosed position and at rest when the lid 14 is

open. Since the elastic member 20 is connected to the lid 14 and the

main housing 12 when it is in an open condition and is routed about

and over the hinge 16, as in Fig. 2, the lid 14 is spring-biased to an

open position to ensure that it pops open when the locking

mechanism 18 is not engaged.

[41] During the manufacturing process, the elastic member 20 is

connected to the lid 14 and main housing 12, as described above,

when the lid 14 is open. For example, the elastic member 20 is

preferably connected by insert or injection molding. Alternatively,

the elastic member 20 may be connected as described above by

adhesive, rivets or any other fasteners.

[42] Referring to Figs. 7-9, the device 10 of the present invention is

shown in an open condition. The elastic member 20 in this position

is preferably completely at rest or at a tension less than when the lid

14 is in a closed position. In Fig. 7, a perspective view of the device

10 in an open position is shown where a compartment 22 defined by

the main housing 12 is now fully accessible so the contents therein,

such as pills and other items, can be accessed. The lid 14 pops open

in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 8 shows a side elevational view of

the device 10 of Fig. 7 where the lid 14 is open. The lid 14 of the

present invention conveniently pops open up actuating release of

the locking mechanism 18. Fig. 9 further shows a rear perspective

view of the device 10 in an open condition. As can be clearly be

seen, the connection of the first end 20a of the elastic member 20 to

the main housing 12 and the connection of the second end 20b of the

elastic member 20 to the lid 14 is outside of the pivot axis 24 and

away from the main housing 12. As a result, the tensioning of the

elastic member 20 causes the lid 14 to be urged in a

counterclockwise direction to open rather than in a clockwise

direction to further close. Thus, a soon as the locking mechanism 18

releases the Hd 14, it will immediately pop open under the spring-

biasing forces of the elastic member 20.

[43] Figs. 3, 5 and 6 show further detail of the interconnection of

the elastic member 20 to the lid 14 and the main housing 12. As

seen in Fig.6, the elastic member 20 preferably extends substantially

the entire length of bottom surface 12a of the main housing 12 but it

can be of a shorter length, if desired. Depending on the material

selected for the elastic member 20, the length thereof can be

modified to suit the desired amount spring-biasing for a given lid 14

and main housing 12.

[44] Turning now to Figs. 10 and 11, details of the preferred

construction of the locking mechanism 18 is shown. It should be

understood that the locking mechanism 18 is merely a preferred

construction, other constructions that serve to maintain the lid 14 in

a closed position are considered within the scope of the present

invention. For example, the locking mechanism 18 may be located

anywhere on the Md 14 and main housing 14, although preferred on

the free end 14b of the lid 14 and on one side of the main housing

12. Also, the locking mechanism 18 may be modified to achieve

different pop open action where the lid 14 is released slower or

faster from locking or to achieve different sounds of popping open

to confirm to the user that a successful opening of lid 14 has

occurred.

[45] Referring specifically to the preferred embodiment of the

locking mechanism 18, reference is made to Figs. 10 and 11. In Fig.

10 a close-up view of the main housing 12 is shown with a spring-

loaded tab 18a which moves freely relative to the main housing 12.

The elastic member 20 is shown in broken lines for illustration

purposes only to indicted that it preferably runs under the main

housing 12 on the bottom surface 12a thereof. The spring-loaded

tab 18a is configured to be depressed by a user's finger, such as a

thumb. The tab 18a may be easily formed by integral molding

during formation of the main housing 12. In Figs. 10 and, the

spring-loaded tab 18a is in a resting condition but can actuate down

and outward, as indicated by the arrows.

[46] As best seen in Fig. 11, the lid 14 closes against the forces of

the spring-biasing elastic member 20 so that a radiused protrusion

26 can ride into a recessed seat 28 in the tab 18a in the housing 12 by

simply pressing downwardly on the lid 14 when in a closed

position. Thus, the protrusion 26 can be seated within the seat 28 in

the tab 18a without pressing down on the tab 18a. The tab 18a will

spring outward temporarily while to permit the protrusion 26 to

dear into the seat 28 and then the tab 18a will snap back to secure

the protrusion 26 within the seat 28. As a result, the lid 14 is

releasably secured into a closed condition. As stated above, this

construction is one of many different types of locking mechanisms

18 that can be used and still be within the scope of the present

invention. Although, it is preferred the locking mechanism 18

requires little skill or dexterity to release it so the lid 14 can be

popped open very easily, such a by a simple downward press.

[47] Fig. 12 illustrates a perspective view of an application 100 of

the redosable container and easily openable dosure of the present

invention. Figs. 1-11 illustrated a single main housing 12 with a

single lid 14 hingedly connected thereto that can be easily opened to

provide a single compartment pill box container. Fig. 12 illustrates

an array of containers 112 that are preferably integrally formed to

provide a set of seven containers 112 so that the user can further

sort objects for storage, such as pills for each day of a week. As a

further alternative, a number of single containers 10 may be

provided side by side so that they may be clipped together to form

an array, as desired. For example, clips or bands may be employed

for this purpose within the scope of the present invention.

[48] In this example, single main housing, generally referred to as

102 is provided with an array of compartments 104. An array of

corresponding lids 114 are respectively hingedly connected to the

portions of the main housing 112 proximal to the each of the

compartments 104. Each of the lids 114 are retained in a closed

position by respective locking mechanisms 118 against the forces of

respective elastic members (not shown in Fig. 12). Thus, the device

100 of Fig. 12 is simply an array of multiple containers 112 of that

which is shown in Figs. 1-11. Of course, more or less compartments

104 can be provided and in different arrays, such as 31

compartments for each day of the month or other aesthetic

configurations, such as circular arrays. Each of the these alternative

configurations are deemed to be within the scope of the present

invention.

[49] It has been shown that the main housing 12 provides an

enclosed storage compartment 22 for storing items therein. In fact,

the easily openable closure 10 of the present invention can be

employed to releasably secure and closure, such as a door or lid 14

to any housing or structure. For example, the present invention

may be used to protect accidental activation of a light switch. In

tihis example, a spring-biased lid 14, according to the present

invention, may be positioned over a switch plate (not shown)

whereby the lid is closed and secured in place by a locking

mechanism 18. When the light switch needs to be used, the lid 14

can be popped open, as described above.

[50] The main housing 12, lid 14 and hinge 16 are preferably made

of plastic, which can be easily formed by injection molding, and the

like. The elastic member 20 is preferably rubber but could be other

materials, such as stretchable nylon and other elastic materials.

[51] In view of the foregoing, a new and unique reclosable

container 10, 100 with an easily openable closure is provided, which

greatly facilitates access to storage compartments 22, 104 by causing

the lid 14, 114 to pop open when the locking mechanism 18, 118 is

actuated.

[52] It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various

changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated

embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present

invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be

covered by the appended claims.