US3844407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Child resistant safety container
Assignee: Child Resistant Packaging Corp
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Filing: 1973-01-11
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1993-01-11
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight, plastic two-part telescopic safety container or child resistant prescription type vial requiring a special technique to open, thus precluding small children from gaining undesirable access to the contents thereof. The inner and outer cylindrical containers each have a closed end disposed remotely opposite one another for preferably thumb and forefinger compression together against an internal combined locking and moisture-seal spring device. A pair of diametrically opposed lugs coact with a corresponding pair of diametrically opposed specially inclined bayonet type slotways and offset seats to constitute complemental locking means on the telescopic tubular container members. Aligning the lugs with the entry to the inclined slotways, followed by merely squeezing or compressing the container members by the thumb and forefinger at opposite ends, results in their effectively being relatively rotated and locked together with flush ends so that the inner container is inaccessible from the standpoint of not projecting from or being accessible for grasping with fingers and/or teeth and moving relative to the outer container member. Opening is effected by those aware of the special technique, by axially fully compressing the members, again as between the thumb and forefinger, and then imparting an unlocking relative rotation thereto by the other hand. The novel safety vial of this type provides a substantially complete moisture-proof seal by a combination of the resilient spring device at the inner end of the outer container member, and by a syringe-like telescopic fit of the inner and outer container members.
Inventors
- 👤 R Buie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:17
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D41/00; B65D41/02; B65D41/04; B65D41/06; B65D50/00; B65D50/02; B65D50/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S206/00; Y10S206/807
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
284 words
A safety type container for medicines and the like having child resistant closure means, comprising in combination: a. an outer cylindrical container member having a longitudinal axis, a closed end and an open end transverse to said axis; b. an inner cylindrical container member also having a corresponding longitudinal axis, a closed end and an open end, and being sized to closely telescopically fit both axially and rotatively within said outer container; c. said container members adapted to fit together with their closed ends remotely opposite one another to form a completely closed container, and so that in closed assembly the closed end of the inner member is essentially flush with and does not project beyond the open end of said outer member; d. said container members having resiliently biased complementally coacting interengaging locking means, including a pair of lugs spaced peripherally apart on one of said members and projecting radially from said axis, a corresponding pair of specially inclined bayonet type slotways spaced peripherally apart on the other of said members to operatively receive said lugs therein; said slotways having major linear portions and an open end constituting basic initial entry portions, each of said major linear portions disposed at a pronounced inclined angle relative to a line parallel to the longitudinal axis, said slotways further having lug-retaining seats offset therefrom and at an acute angle relative thereto and being oriented generally parallel to said axis; and e. said container members and interengaging locking means being so constructed and related so as to effect both automatic and positive but releasable interlocking thereof responsive to the application and subsequent release of moderate axially applied pressure to the opposite closed ends of said container members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
284 words
A safety type container for medicines and the like having child resistant closure means, comprising in combination: a. an outer cylindrical container member having a longitudinal axis, a closed end and an open end transverse to said axis; b. an inner cylindrical container member also having a corresponding longitudinal axis, a closed end and an open end, and being sized to closely telescopically fit both axially and rotatively within said outer container; c. said container members adapted to fit together with their closed ends remotely opposite one another to form a completely closed container, and so that in closed assembly the closed end of the inner member is essentially flush with and does not project beyond the open end of said outer member; d. said container members having resiliently biased complementally coacting interengaging locking means, including a pair of lugs spaced peripherally apart on one of said members and projecting radially from said axis, a corresponding pair of specially inclined bayonet type slotways spaced peripherally apart on the other of said members to operatively receive said lugs therein; said slotways having major linear portions and an open end constituting basic initial entry portions, each of said major linear portions disposed at a pronounced inclined angle relative to a line parallel to the longitudinal axis, said slotways further having lug-retaining seats offset therefrom and at an acute angle relative thereto and being oriented generally parallel to said axis; and e. said container members and interengaging locking means being so constructed and related so as to effect both automatic and positive but releasable interlocking thereof responsive to the application and subsequent release of moderate axially applied pressure to the opposite closed ends of said container members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A safety type container as defined in claim 1 wherein said lugs are disposed diametrically apart and adjacent to the closed end of said inner container member, and said complemental slots are correspondingly formed in the outer container member adjacent to its open end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A safety type container as defined in claim 1 wherein said coacting interengaging locking means of paragraph (d) further include resilient spring like means disposed inwardly of and against the closed inner end of said outer container member for sealing engagement by said open end of said inner member; said resilient means constituting in part both moisture sealing means and means together with said inclined slotway for effecting said automatic and positive interlocking engagement of said interengaging locking means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A safety type container as defined in claim 1 wherein said telescopically interfitting members are fabricated so that at least certain coacting portions thereof fit together and coact in a piston-like syringe manner to at least help moisture seal said container members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A safety type container as defined in claim 1 wherein said inclined initial entry portions of said slotways adjoin a camming or bearing surface for said lug which surface near the innermost end changes its angle of inclination toward said lug seats to help direct said lugs sufficiently over said seats so that upon said release of said axially applied pressure during assembly thereof, said lugs are forced positively into said lug seat portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
A safety type container as defined in claim 1, wherein said inclined linear portions of said slotways constitute lug guiding and camming surfaces and include innermost portions which extend slightly beyond deepest portionS of said lug seats so that upon said release of said axially applied pressure during closing assembly of said container members, said lugs will be biased into said seats notwithstanding certain potentially inherent retrograde movement of said lugs within said inclined portions of the slotways.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A safety type container as defined in claim 1 wherein said lugs and slotways are respectively disposed diametrically apart on said container members, and with said lugs disposed respectively on and near the open end of said inner container, and the seats of said slotways being near the closed end of said outer container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A safety type container as defined in claim 1 wherein said lugs and slotways are respectively disposed diametrically apart on said members, and with said lugs disposed respectively on outer peripheral portions of said inner container and at portions intermediate the ends thereof; and said slotways being correspondingly disposed on intermediate inner peripheral portions of said outer member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A safety type container as defined in claim 1 wherein said container members are fabricated of a lightweight plastic material which is non-transparent at least in the area of said interlocking inclined slotways and lugs, to thereby reduce the likelihood of a child inadvertantly deciphering the required special technique to unlock and separate said container members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
251 words
In a safety container of the child resistant type embodying one-open-end telescopically interfitting inner and outer cylindrical members having their respective closed ends disposed remotely opposite one another, and embodying complemental interengaging locking means selectively movable axially and rotatively to operably interlock and releasably separate said members, the improvement in said interlocking means comprising in combination therewith a. a pair of locking lugs spaced peripherally apart on one of said cylindrical members, said lugs projecting radially from a common central longitudinal axis of said container; b. a corresponding pair of specially inclined bayonet type slotways spaced peripherally apart on and near the open end of said other member so as to operatively receive said lugs and for coaction therewith; c. said slotways each having a major linear portion and an open end constituting an initial entry portion, each of said major linear portions disposed at an angle of pronounced inclination relative to a line parallel to said axis and relative to the transverse ends of said members, and further having lug-retaining-and-seat portions offset from an inner portion of and at an acute angle relative to said slotway for cooperative receipt of said lugs; and d. said container members having resilient means interposed internally therebetween for resiliently spring-loading said members, and together with said interengaging locking means being so related as to effect both automatic and positive but releasable interlocking thereof responsive to the application and subsequent release of moderate axially applied pressure to said opposite closed ends of said container members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
251 words
In a safety container of the child resistant type embodying one-open-end telescopically interfitting inner and outer cylindrical members having their respective closed ends disposed remotely opposite one another, and embodying complemental interengaging locking means selectively movable axially and rotatively to operably interlock and releasably separate said members, the improvement in said interlocking means comprising in combination therewith a. a pair of locking lugs spaced peripherally apart on one of said cylindrical members, said lugs projecting radially from a common central longitudinal axis of said container; b. a corresponding pair of specially inclined bayonet type slotways spaced peripherally apart on and near the open end of said other member so as to operatively receive said lugs and for coaction therewith; c. said slotways each having a major linear portion and an open end constituting an initial entry portion, each of said major linear portions disposed at an angle of pronounced inclination relative to a line parallel to said axis and relative to the transverse ends of said members, and further having lug-retaining-and-seat portions offset from an inner portion of and at an acute angle relative to said slotway for cooperative receipt of said lugs; and d. said container members having resilient means interposed internally therebetween for resiliently spring-loading said members, and together with said interengaging locking means being so related as to effect both automatic and positive but releasable interlocking thereof responsive to the application and subsequent release of moderate axially applied pressure to said opposite closed ends of said container members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
A safety type container as defined in claim 1 wherein said coacting interengaging locking means of paragraph (d) further include complemental coacting biasing means including first means on the interior of said outer cylindrical container and adjacent the inner closed end thereof, and resiliently deformable second means on the open end of said inner cylindrical container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
102 words
A safety type container as defined in claim 11, wherein said first means comprises a generally open conical shaped combined side and end wall surface which is open toward the open end of said outer container; and said resilient deformable second means include a plurality of longitudinally extended spring-finger members spaced around the circumferential periphery of said open end of said inner cylindrical container; said spring-finger members adapted to be resiliently convergingly deformed when forced against said conical side and end wall surface responsive to said axially applied pressure to thereby resiliently spring-load said container members when in the closed assembled condition.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |