US5082129A — Snap-lock for screw-cap container

Claim 1

Independent Claim 318 words

A screw-cap container comprising a container having a neck terminating at a dispensing opening, first screw thread means and an annular flange formed externally and extending circumferentially on said neck, said flange being positioned vertically below and having an annular outer surface disposed radially outwardly from an outer surface of said first screw thread means and being discontinuous to define a locking slot between opposite ends thereof, a closure cap having second screw thread means formed internally thereon for engaging said first screw thread means in threaded engagement therewith whereby said closure cap can be rotated to a fully tightened condition on said container when said first and second screw thread means are fully engage, and lock tab means, having an inner surface disposed radially between the outer surface of said flange and outer surface of said first screw thread means, secured to said closure cap for flexing radially outwardly when its inner surface engages the outer surface of said flange in response to a screwing-down of said closure cap on said container and for automatically flexing radially inwardly into engagement within said locking slot when said closure cap is in its fully tightened condition on said container to prevent relative rotation between said container and said closure cap and exhibiting sufficient flexibility to permit said lock tab means to be moved radially outwardly from its engagement within said locking slot for permitting said closure cap to be unscrewed and removed from said container, said lock tab means comprising a vertically disposed lock tab extending downwardly from said closure in close proximity to the neck of said container and wherein said closure cap further comprises a vertically disposed cylindrical outer wall having a predetermined thickness and wherein said lock tab is formed integrally with said outer wall and has a thickness at least substantially the same as the thickness of said outer wall and is vertically aligned therewith.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 318 words

A screw-cap container comprising a container having a neck terminating at a dispensing opening, first screw thread means and an annular flange formed externally and extending circumferentially on said neck, said flange being positioned vertically below and having an annular outer surface disposed radially outwardly from an outer surface of said first screw thread means and being discontinuous to define a locking slot between opposite ends thereof, a closure cap having second screw thread means formed internally thereon for engaging said first screw thread means in threaded engagement therewith whereby said closure cap can be rotated to a fully tightened condition on said container when said first and second screw thread means are fully engage, and lock tab means, having an inner surface disposed radially between the outer surface of said flange and outer surface of said first screw thread means, secured to said closure cap for flexing radially outwardly when its inner surface engages the outer surface of said flange in response to a screwing-down of said closure cap on said container and for automatically flexing radially inwardly into engagement within said locking slot when said closure cap is in its fully tightened condition on said container to prevent relative rotation between said container and said closure cap and exhibiting sufficient flexibility to permit said lock tab means to be moved radially outwardly from its engagement within said locking slot for permitting said closure cap to be unscrewed and removed from said container, said lock tab means comprising a vertically disposed lock tab extending downwardly from said closure in close proximity to the neck of said container and wherein said closure cap further comprises a vertically disposed cylindrical outer wall having a predetermined thickness and wherein said lock tab is formed integrally with said outer wall and has a thickness at least substantially the same as the thickness of said outer wall and is vertically aligned therewith.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 29 words

The screw-cap container of claim 1 wherein said closure cap and said lock tab means are molded together and are at least essentially formed from the same plastic material.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 27 words

The screw-cap container of claim 1 further comprising adjustable reminder means for visually displaying information to a user relating to periodic use of contents of said container.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 75 words

The screw-cap container of claim 3 wherein said adjustable reminder means comprises an outer housing mounted on said closure cap, indicia means disposed between said outer housing and said closure cap for sequentially visually displaying said information in response to relative rotation between said outer housing and said closure cap, and indexing means for only permitting said relative rotation in one direction when said closure cap is in its fully tightened condition on said container.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 18 words

The screw-cap container of claim 4 wherein said indicia means comprises indicia circumferentially spaced on said closure cap.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 20 words

The screw-cap container of claim 4 wherein said indicia means comprises indicia on a disc positioned on said closure cap.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The screw-cap container of claim 1 wherein a thumb tab extends radially outwardly from a distal end of said lock tab.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 38 words

The screw-cap container of claim 7 wherein a generally vertically disposed outer tab is secured on a distal end of said thumb tab to form a generally inverted U-shaped hook with said lock tab and said thumb tab.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 48 words

The screw-cap container of claim 7 wherein a lever arm is secured to a distal end of said thumb tab and is spaced radially outwardly from said lock tab and from said container, said lever arm extending upwardly to terminate adjacent to a top of said closure cap.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 24 words

The screw-cap container of claim 1 wherein a knob is secured to said lock tab to extend radially outwardly therefrom and from said container.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-01-20	1995-07-22	1996-01-21	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-01-20	1999-07-22	2000-01-21	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-01-20	2003-07-22	2004-01-21	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Snap-lock for screw-cap container

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