Safety closure

Claim 2

A cap adapted for closure of the opening of a container which has a neck portion with the container opening formed therein, said cap comprising a unitary deformable base comprising a lower skirt portion forming a downwardly opening first chamber to receive the container neck and an upper wall portion forming an upwardly opening second chamber to receive a core, said skirt portion having a neck engaging portion which, when the neck is received in said neck receiving chamber, engages the neck to prevent removal of said base from the neck, said upper wall portion having a finger engaging surface located directly above said neck engaging portion, said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response to inwardly directed pressure applied to said finger engaging surface to deform said finger engaging surface substantially toward the center of said core receiving chamber thereby deforming said neck engaging portion of said skirt portion in a direction away from the center of said neck receiving chamber, so that when the container neck is received in said neck receiving chamber, deformation of said base to assume said release configuration disengages said neck engaging portion from said container neck to permit removal of said base therefrom, a core movable relative to said core receiving chamber between a lock position and an unlock position; and said lock position characterized by location of said core within said core chamber in a position obstructing substantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may not be deformed to assume said release configuration, and said unlock position characterized by location of said core in a position not obstructing substantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may be deformed to assume said release configuration.

Claim 3

A cap as recited in claim 1 wherein said core has an offset portion and is rotatable within said core receiving chamber of said base between said lock and said unlock positions, said offset portion of said core aligned adjacent said finger engaging surface of said wall portion of said base when said core is in said unlock position.

Claim 4

A cap as recited in claim 1 wherein said core is at least partially withdrawn from said core receiving chamber of said base in said unlock position.

Claim 5

A cap as recited in claim 3 wherein the outer surface of said core and the inner surface of said side wall portions are correspondingly helically threaded so that said core may be moved between said lock and unlock position by screw motion.

Claim 6

A cap as recited in claim 3 wherein said closure member has at least one flange portion projecting into said core receiving chamber from said upper wall and wherein said core has at least one flange portion projecting outwardly and located beneath said base flange when said core is in lock position so that said core and base are interlocked at said flange portions when said core is in said lock position.

Claim 7

A cap as recited in claim 5 wherein said base flange extends about only a portion of the interior surface of said upper wall of said base; wherein said core flange extends about only a portion of the outer surface of said core; and wherein said core is rotatable within said core chamber between said lock position and an intermEdiate position, said intermediate position characterized by said core flange, not being beneath said base flange so that said core may be withdrawn from said base to assume said unlock position.

Claim 8

A cap as recited in claim 5 wherein said cap is deformable in the interlocking region of said base flange and core flange so that said core may be snap-fitted into said lock position, said core movable between said lock and said unlock positions only by deformation of said cap in said interlocking region.

Claim 9

A cap as recited in claim 3 wherein said cap further comprises means connecting said core to said base when said core is in said unlock position.

Claim 10

A cap adapted for closure of the opening of a container which has a neck portion with the container opening formed therein, said neck provided with a radially outwardly projecting lip portion, said cap comprising a unitary deformable base comprising a central transverse web portion a lower skirt portion extending downwardly from said transverse web portion to form a downwardly opening first chamber for receiving the container neck, and an upper wall portion extending upwardly from said transverse web portion to form an upwardly opening second chamber for receiving a core, said skirt portion having a radially inwardly projecting rib adapted to extend beneath the outwardly projecting lip portion of the container to prevent removal of said base from the container neck, said upper wall portion having a finger engaging surface located directly above said inwardly projecting rib, said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response to inwardly directed pressure applied to said finger engaging surface to deform said finger engaging surface substantially inwardly thereby deforming said skirt portion to move said inwardly projecting rib outwardly so that when said container neck is received in said neck receiving chamber, deformation of said base to assume said release configuration withdraws said inwardly projecting rib from beneath said outwardly projecting lip portion to permit removal of said base from said container; and a core movable relative to said core receiving chamber between a lock position and an unlock position, said lock position characterized by location of said core within said core chamber in a position obstructing substantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may not be deformed to assume said release configuration, and said unlock position characterized by location of said core in a position not obstructing substantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may be deformed to assume said release configuration.

Claim 11

A cap adapted for closure of the opening of a container which has a neck portion with the container opening formed therein, said neck provided with a radially outwardly projecting lip portion, said cap comprising a unitary deformable base comprising a central transverse web portion a lower skirt portion extending downwardly from said transverse web portion to form a downwardly opening first chamber for receiving the container neck, and an upper wall portion extending upwardly from said transverse web portion to form an upwardly opening second chamber for receiving a core, said skirt portion having a radially inwardly projecting rib adapted to extend beneath the outwardly projecting lip portion of the container to prevent removal of said base from the container neck, said upper wall portion having a finger engaging surface located directly above said inwardly projecting rib, said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response to inwardly directed pressure applied to said finger engaging surface to deform said finger engaging surface substantially inwardly thereby deforming said skirt portion to move said inwardly projecting rib outwardly so that when said container neck is received in said neck receiving chamber, deformation of said base to assume said release configuration withdraws said inwardly projecting rib from beneath said outwardly projecting lip portion to permit removal of said base from said container; and a core movable relative to said core receiving chamber between a lock position and an unlock position, said lock position characterized by location of said core within said core chamber in a position obstructing substantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may not be deformed to assume said release configuration, and said unlock position characterized by location of said core in a position not obstructing substantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may be deformed to assume said release configuration.

Claim 12

A cap as recited in claim 9 wherein said core has an offset portion and is rotatable within said core receiving chamber of said base between said lock and said unlock positions, said offset portion of said core aligned adjacent said finger engaging surface of said wall portion of said base when said core is in said unlock position.

Claim 13

A cap as recited in claim 9 wherein said core is at least partially withdrawn from said core receiving chamber at said base in said unlock position.

Claim 14

A cap as recited in claim 11 wherein the outer surface of said core and the inner surface of said side wall portions are correspondingly helically threaded so that said core may be moved between said lock and unlock positions by screw motion.

Claim 15

A cap as recited in claim 11 wherein said base has at least one flange portion projecting into said core receiving chamber from said upper wall and wherein said core has at least one flange portion projecting outwardly and located beneath said base flange when said core is in lock position so that said core and base are interlocked at said flange portions when said core is in said lock position.

Claim 16

A cap as recited in claim 13 wherein said base flange extends about only a portion of the interior surface of said upper wall of said bAse; wherein said core flange extends about only a portion of the outer surface of said core; and wherein said core is rotatable within said core chamber between said lock position and an intermediate position, said intermediate position characterized by said core flange not being beneath said base flange so that said core may be withdrawn from said base to assume said unlock position.

Claim 17

A cap as recited in claim 13 wherein said cap is deformable in the interlocking region of said base flange and core flange so that said core may be snap-fitted into said lock position, said core movable between said lock and said unlock positions only by deformation of said cap in said interlocking region.

Claim 18

A cap as recited in claim 11 wherein said cap further comprises means connecting said core to said base when said core is in said unlock position.

Claim 19

A cap as recited in claim 16 wherein said connecting means is integrally formed with said core, projecting from the lower surface thereof and comprising a narrow elongated body portion and an enlarged tip; and wherein an aperture is formed in the said transverse portion to slidingly receive said connecting means, said aperture being smaller than the tip of said connecting means to anchor said connecting means therein.

Claim 20

A closure comprising the combination of the cap and container recited in claim 9.

Claim 21

A cap and container combination where the container has a cavity with the opening to the container cavity formed in a container neck portion, and wherein the improvement comprises a cap comprising a unitary deformable base comprising a lower skirt portion forming a first upwardly opening chamber to receive the container neck and an upper wall portion forming a second downwardly opening chamber for receiving a core, said skirt portion having a neck engaging portion which, when the neck is received in said neck receiving chamber, engages the neck to prevent removal of said base from the neck, said upper wall portion having a finger engaging surface located directly above said neck engaging portion, said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response to inwardly directed pressure applied to said finger engaging surface to deform said finger engaging surface substantially toward the center of said core receiving chamber thereby deforming said neck engaging portion of said skirt portion in a direction away from the center of said neck receiving chamber so that said neck engaging portion is disengaged from said container neck to permit removal of said base from said container; and a core movable relative to said core receiving chamber between a lock position and an unlock position, said lock position characterized by location of said core within said core chamber in a position obstructing substantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may not be deformed to assume said release configuration, and said unlock position characterized by location of said core in a position not obstructing substantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may be deformed to assume said release configuration.

Claim 22

A cap and container combination where the container has a cavity with the opening to the container cavity formed in a container neck portion, and wherein the improvement comprises a cap comprising a unitary deformable base comprising a lower skirt portion forming a first upwardly opening chamber to receive the container neck and an upper wall portion forming a second downwardly opening chamber for receiving a core, said skirt portion having a neck engaging portion which, when the neck is received in said neck receiving chamber, engages the neck to prevent removal of said base from the neck, said upper wall portion having a finger engaging surface located directly above said neck engaging portion, said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response to inwardly directed pressure applied to said finger engaging surface to deform said finger engaging surface substantially toward the center of said core receiving chamber thereby deforming said neck engaging portion of said skirt portion in a direction away from the center of said neck receiving chamber so that said neck engaging portion is disengaged from said container neck to permit removal of said base from said container; and a core movable relative to said core receiving chamber between a lock position and an unlock position, said lock position characterized by location of said core within said core chamber in a position obstructing substantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may not be deformed to assume said release configuration, and said unlock position characterized by location of said core in a position not obstructing substantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may be deformed to assume said release configuration.

Claim 23

A closure as recited in claim 19 wherein said core has an offset portion and is rotatable within said core receiving chamber of said base between said lock and said unlock positions, said offset portion of said core aligned adjacent said finger engaging portion of said wall portion of said base when said core is in said unlock position.

Claim 24

A closure as recited in claim 19 wherein said core is at least partially withdrawn from said core receiving chamber of said base in said unlock position.

Claim 25

A closure as recited in claim 21 wherein said cap further comprises means connecting said core to said base when said core is in said unlock position.

Claim 26

A closure comprising a cap and a container in combination, where the container has a cavity with the opening to the container cavity formed in a neck portion, aNd where the improvement comprises a lip portion projecting outwardly from said neck portion of said container; and a cap comprising a unitary deformable base comprising a central transverse web portion, a lower skirt portion extending downwardly from said portion to form a first downwardly opening chamber enclosing the container neck, and an upper wall portion extending upwardly from said web portion to form a second upwardly opening chamber for receiving a core, said skirt portion having an inwardly projecting rib extending beneath the outwardly projecting lip portion of the container to prevent removal of said base from the container neck, said upper wall portion having a finger engaging surface located directly above said inwardly projecting rib, said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response to inwardly directed pressure applied to said finger engaging surface to deform said finger engaging surface substantially inwardly thereby deforming said skirt portion to move said inwardly projecting rib outwardly, so that said inwardly projecting rib is withdrawn from beneath said outwardly projecting lip portion to permit removal of said base from said container; and a core movable relative to said core receiving chamber between a lock position and an unlock position, said lock position characterized by location of said core within said core chamber in a position obstructing substantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may not be deformed to assume said release configuration, and said unlock position characterized by location of said core in a position not obstructing substantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may be deformed to assume said release configuration.

Claim 27

A closure comprising a cap and a container in combination, where the container has a cavity with the opening to the container cavity formed in a neck portion, aNd where the improvement comprises a lip portion projecting outwardly from said neck portion of said container; and a cap comprising a unitary deformable base comprising a central transverse web portion, a lower skirt portion extending downwardly from said portion to form a first downwardly opening chamber enclosing the container neck, and an upper wall portion extending upwardly from said web portion to form a second upwardly opening chamber for receiving a core, said skirt portion having an inwardly projecting rib extending beneath the outwardly projecting lip portion of the container to prevent removal of said base from the container neck, said upper wall portion having a finger engaging surface located directly above said inwardly projecting rib, said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response to inwardly directed pressure applied to said finger engaging surface to deform said finger engaging surface substantially inwardly thereby deforming said skirt portion to move said inwardly projecting rib outwardly, so that said inwardly projecting rib is withdrawn from beneath said outwardly projecting lip portion to permit removal of said base from said container; and a core movable relative to said core receiving chamber between a lock position and an unlock position, said lock position characterized by location of said core within said core chamber in a position obstructing substantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may not be deformed to assume said release configuration, and said unlock position characterized by location of said core in a position not obstructing substantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may be deformed to assume said release configuration.

Claim 28

A closure comprising a container provided with a radial recession at the container mouth; and a cap comprising a base having a downwardly opening first chamber enclosing the container mouth, an upwardly opening second chamber, and a radially projecting portion locating in said radial recession in said container tending to prevent removal of said base from said container, said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response to pressure applied radially inwardly at the side of said base above said container, said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response to pressure applied radially inwardly at the side of said base above said container, said release configuration characterized in that said radially projecting portion is retracted from said radial recession to permit removal of said base from said container, and a core movable relative to said second chamber between a lock position and an unlock position, said lock position characterized by location of said core within said second chamber in a position obstructing deformation of said base to assume said release configuration, and said unlock position characterized by location of said core in a position not obstructing deformation of said base to assume said release configuration.

Claim 29

A closure comprising a container provided with a radial recession at the container mouth; and a cap comprising a base having a downwardly opening first chamber enclosing the container mouth, an upwardly opening second chamber, and a radially projecting portion locating in said radial recession in said container tending to prevent removal of said base from said container, said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response to pressure applied radially inwardly at the side of said base above said container, said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response to pressure applied radially inwardly at the side of said base above said container, said release configuration characterized in that said radially projecting portion is retracted from said radial recession to permit removal of said base from said container, and a core movable relative to said second chamber between a lock position and an unlock position, said lock position characterized by location of said core within said second chamber in a position obstructing deformation of said base to assume said release configuration, and said unlock position characterized by location of said core in a position not obstructing deformation of said base to assume said release configuration.

Claim 30

A closure comprising a container provided with a radial recession on its inner surface at the container mouth; and a cap comprising a base having a downwardly opening first chamber enclosing the container mouth, an upwardly opening second chamber, and a radially projecting portion locating in said radial recession in said container tending to prevent removal of said base from said container, said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response to pressure applied radially inwardly at the side of said base above said container, said release configuration characterized in that said radially projecting portion is retracted from said radial recession to permit removal of said base from said container; a core removably pop-fitted in said second chamber to obstruct deformation of said base to assume said release configuration so that when said pop-fitted base is removed frOm said second chamber, said core does not obstruct deformation of said base to assume said release configuration; and a flexible tab integrally connecting one side of said core to one side of said base.

Claim 31

A closure comprising a container provided with a radial recession on its inner surface at the container mouth; and a cap comprising a base having a downwardly opening first chamber enclosing the container mouth, an upwardly opening second chamber, and a radially projecting portion locating in said radial recession in said container tending to prevent removal of said base from said container, said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response to pressure applied radially inwardly at the side of said base above said container, said release configuration characterized in that said radially projecting portion is retracted from said radial recession to permit removal of said base from said container; a core removably pop-fitted in said second chamber to obstruct deformation of said base to assume said release configuration so that when said pop-fitted base is removed frOm said second chamber, said core does not obstruct deformation of said base to assume said release configuration; and a flexible tab integrally connecting one side of said core to one side of said base.

Claim 32

A closure as recited in claim 25 wherein said core is provided with a narrow upwardly opening aperture in said core for receiving a prying tool for use in removal of said core from said second chamber.

Claim 33

A closure as recited in claim 25 wherein said base is provided with a generally upwardly facing inclined surface forming at least a portion of the side wall surface defining said second chamber, so that when radially inwardly directed pressure is applied to the outer side surface of said base adjacent said inclined surface, said inclined surface tends to force said core upwardly out of said second chamber to facilitate removal of said core from said second chamber.

Claim 34

A closure as recited in claim 27 wherein said core is provided with a generally downwardly facing inclined side surface adjacent said upwardly facing inclined surface on said base; wherein said core is further provided with a narrow offset seat directly above said inclined core side surface; and wherein said base is provided with a narrow radially inwardly projecting lip portion fitting said narrow offset seat on said core.

Claim 35

A closure comprising a container provided with a radial recession on its inner surface at the container mouth; and a cap comprising a base having a downwardly opening annular first chamber enclosing the container mouth, an upwardly opening second chamber having a lower generally cylindrical portion locating in the center of said annular first chamber and an enlarged upper portion and a radially projecting portion locating in said radial recession in said container tending to prevent removal of said base from said container, said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response to pressure applied radially inwardly at the side of said base above said container, said release configuration characterized in that said radially projecting portion is retracted from said radial recession to permit removal of said base from said container; a core removably pop-fitted in said second chamber to obstruct deformation of said base to assume said release configuration so that when said pop-fitted base is removed from said second chamber, said core does not obstruct deformation of said base to assume core does not obstruct deformation of said base to assume said release configuration; and a flexible tab integrally connecting one side of said core to one side of said base.

Claim 36

A closure comprising a container provided with a radial recession on its inner surface at the container mouth; and a cap comprising a base having a downwardly opening annular first chamber enclosing the container mouth, an upwardly opening second chamber having a lower generally cylindrical portion locating in the center of said annular first chamber and an enlarged upper portion and a radially projecting portion locating in said radial recession in said container tending to prevent removal of said base from said container, said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response to pressure applied radially inwardly at the side of said base above said container, said release configuration characterized in that said radially projecting portion is retracted from said radial recession to permit removal of said base from said container; a core removably pop-fitted in said second chamber to obstruct deformation of said base to assume said release configuration so that when said pop-fitted base is removed from said second chamber, said core does not obstruct deformation of said base to assume core does not obstruct deformation of said base to assume said release configuration; and a flexible tab integrally connecting one side of said core to one side of said base.

Claim 37

A closure as recited in claim 29 wherein said core is provided with a narrow upwardly opening aperture in said core for receiving a prying tool for use in removal of said core from said second chamber.

Claim 38

A closure as recited in claim 29 wherein said base is provided with a generally upwardly facing inclined surface forming at least a portion of the side wall surface defining said upper second chamber portion so that when radially inwardly directed pressure is applied to the outer side surface of said base adjacent said inclined side surface, said inclined surface tends to force said core upwardly out of said second chamber to facilitate removal of said core from said second chamber.

Claim 39

A closure as recited in claim 31 wherein said core is provided with a generally downwardly facing inclined side surface adjacent said upwardly facing inclined surface on said base; wherein said core is further provided with a narrow offset seat directly above said inclined core side surface; and wherein said base is provided with a narrow radially inwardly projecting lip portion fitting said narrow offset seat on said core.

Claim 40

A closure as recited in claim 26 wherein said core is removably pop-fitted in said second chamber.

Claim 41

A closure as recited in claim 27 wherein said core is removably pop-fitted in said second chamber.

Claim 42

A closure as recited in claim 28 wherein said core is removably poP-fitted in said second chamber.

Claim 43

A closure as recited in claim 28 wherein said core is provided with a radial projection and said base is provided with a radial recession receiving said radial projection on said core to maintain said core removably pop-fitted in said second chamber.

Claim 44

A closure as recited in claim 29 wherein said core is provided with a radial projection and said base is provided with a radial recession receiving said radial projection on said core to maintain said core removably pop-fitted in said second chamber.