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US5040691A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Child-resistant, easy opening package

Assignee: Anchor Hocking Packaging Co
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Filing: 1989-12-13
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Granted: 1991-08-20
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Expires: 2009-12-13
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Abstract

Abstract Disclosed is a package having a closure which provides child resistance with optional easy opening and closing features. The closure is permanently but rotatably attached to the container finish, and is held on the container by snap engagement with the container or with an adapter which is separately attached to the container. The closure has a depending skirt which encircles a latching flange on the container or on the adaptor. A hinged lid on the closure has a latch which is latchable beneath the latching flange only if the closure is turned to a position such that the latch is aligned with a latch slot in the latching flange. Rotation of the closure relative to the slot, once the latch has been engaged through the slot, locks the lid against opening.

Inventors

  • 👤 Thomas H. Hayes
  • 👤 Lewis C. LoMaglio

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 06:40
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D50/00; B65D50/02; B65D50/06; B65D50/061; B65D2401/00; B65D2401/15

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim 167 words
A child-resistant, easy open and close package comprising, a container having a top opening and a closure mounted on said container for closing said opening, said container and said closure having interengaging means securing the closure on the container, means separate from said closure presenting a latching flange around said opening, said closure having an annular skirt which extends around said latching flange, said closure including a lid hinged to it for closing said opening, means separate from said closure presenting a top flange having a top surface against which said lid facially engages when said lid is closed, said lid having a latch projecting from it for latching engagement with said latching flange to secure said lid over said opening, said latching flange being interrupted by a slot, said closure being rotatable with respect to said latching flange to align or disalign said latch with said slot, said latch securing said lid if said latch is passed through said slot and then turned from said slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 167 words
A child-resistant, easy open and close package comprising, a container having a top opening and a closure mounted on said container for closing said opening, said container and said closure having interengaging means securing the closure on the container, means separate from said closure presenting a latching flange around said opening, said closure having an annular skirt which extends around said latching flange, said closure including a lid hinged to it for closing said opening, means separate from said closure presenting a top flange having a top surface against which said lid facially engages when said lid is closed, said lid having a latch projecting from it for latching engagement with said latching flange to secure said lid over said opening, said latching flange being interrupted by a slot, said closure being rotatable with respect to said latching flange to align or disalign said latch with said slot, said latch securing said lid if said latch is passed through said slot and then turned from said slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 45 words
The package of claim 1 wherein said interengaging means comprise detents on an inside surface of said skirt, and an attaching surface which is not removable from said container, said detents engaged with said attaching surface to secure said closure against removal from said container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 14 words
The package of claim 2 wherein said attaching surface is integral with said container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
The package of claim 2 wherein said attaching surface is presented by an adapter which is secured to said container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 17 words
The package of claim 2 wherein said attaching surface is a lower surface of said latching flange.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 36 words
The package of claim 1 further wherein said container includes a blocking flange, said blocking flange sized and positioned to block access to said interengaging means and thereby hinder removal of said closure from said container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 13 words
The package of claim 1 further wherein said lid seats within said skirt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 25 words
The package of claim 1 further wherein said skirt includes a bridge which extends across said slot, said bridge preventing said skirt from being spread.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 23 words
The package of claim 1 further wherein said latch includes a lifting rib which is accessible in said slot to lift said lid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 12 words
The package of claim 1 wherein said hinge is a living hinge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 18 words
The package of claim 1 further wherein a series of rupturable bridges connect said lid to said skirt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 15 words
The package of claim 11 wherein said bridges lie in the plane of said lid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 15 words
The package of claim 11 wherein said bridges are around the periphery of said lid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 19 words
The package of claim 1 further including a tearable seal which is secured across said lid and said skirt.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 181 words
A child-resistant, easy open and close package comprising a container and a closure unremovably mounted onto said container, said container having a top opening a latching flange, said closure having a hinged lid for closing said top opening, and an annular skirt around said latching flange, a top flange against which said lid facially engages when said lid is closed, interengaging means on an inside surface of said skirt, said interengaging means engaged beneath said latching flange and securing said closure against removal from said container, said lid being openable with respect to said skirt and having a flexible latch projecting downwardly from it for latching engagement with said latching flange to secure said lid over said opening, said latching flange being interrupted by a slot in which said latch is receivable, said closure being rotatable with respect to said container to align or disalign said latch with said slot, said latch if aligned with said slot not locking said lid, said latch securing said lid when said latch has been passed through said slot and then turned from said slot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 181 words
A child-resistant, easy open and close package comprising a container and a closure unremovably mounted onto said container, said container having a top opening a latching flange, said closure having a hinged lid for closing said top opening, and an annular skirt around said latching flange, a top flange against which said lid facially engages when said lid is closed, interengaging means on an inside surface of said skirt, said interengaging means engaged beneath said latching flange and securing said closure against removal from said container, said lid being openable with respect to said skirt and having a flexible latch projecting downwardly from it for latching engagement with said latching flange to secure said lid over said opening, said latching flange being interrupted by a slot in which said latch is receivable, said closure being rotatable with respect to said container to align or disalign said latch with said slot, said latch if aligned with said slot not locking said lid, said latch securing said lid when said latch has been passed through said slot and then turned from said slot.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 41 words
The package of claim 15 further wherein said container includes a blocking flange below said latching flange, said blocking flange sized and positioned to block access to said interengaging means and thereby prevent said closure from being removed from said container.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 27 words
The package of claim 15 further wherein said interengaging means comprises a series of detents on an inside surface of said skirt engageable beneath said latching flange.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 32 words
The package of claim 15 further wherein said skirt includes a bridge which extends across said slot, said bridge preventing said skirt from being opened to remove said closure from said container.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 17 words
The package of claim 15 further wherein said latch includes a lifting rib for lifting said lid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 12 words
The package of claim 15 wherein said hinge is a living hinge.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 10 words
The package of claim 15 wherein said hinge is bi-stable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 21 words
The package of claim 15 further wherein a series of rupturable bridges connect said lid to said skirt around the lid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 19 words
The package of claim 15 further including a severable seal which is secured across said lid and said skirt.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 19 words
The package of claim 15 wherein said latch is a spring latch which is cantilevered downwardly from said lid.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 22 words
The package of claim 15 wherein said container has a bottom which is shiftable upwardly to reduce the volume within said container.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

GB307196A Cited
US3633779A Cited
US4099639A Cited
US4467931A Cited
US4629081A Cited
US4533058A Cited
US4613051A Cited
US4669622A Cited
US4700858A Cited
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US4941580A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-08-19 1995-02-18 1995-08-20 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-08-19 1999-02-18 1999-08-20 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-08-19 2003-02-18 2003-08-20 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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