EP0052260A1 - Child-resistant closure - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Child-safe lock (10) for containers (16), in particular medicine and/or chemical bottles, with an inner cap (18; 118), which can be fastened to the mouth of the container by turning and released by turning in the opposite direction, with an essentially cylindrical peripheral surface, on which, overlapping it, rotatable relative to it and displaceable axially to it by a specified dimension, is arranged an outer lock part (22) with an essentially complementary, cylindrical inner peripheral surface, coupling projections (30; 38; 130; 138) which can be brought complementarily into engagement being provided at the inner cap (18; 118) and at the outer lock part, which coupling projections (30; 38; 130; 138) can be brought into engagement with one another by axially displacing the outer lock part on the inside cap (18; 118) towards the inside of the container, or conversely can be disengaged by axially displacing the lock part in the opposite direction, the outer closure part having an essentially cylindrical ring wall (22; 122) enclosing the peripheral surface of the inner cap, and its end turned away from the container and directed obliquely backwards towards the container having an elastically deformable ring flange (32; 132), the free, inside terminating edge of which is supported on a radial surface (26; 126) of the inner cap (18; 118), characterised in that the elastically deformable ring flange (32; 132) directed radially inwards is attached directly to the upper edge, which is turned away from the container, of the cylindrical ring wall (22; 122) and runs continuously, that the inner cap (18; 118), at its upper end farthest away from the container and adjoining at its peripheral surface (20; 120), has a ring-like end face (26; 126) directed radially inwards, the inside diameter of which is dimensioned slighty smaller than the diameter of the free terminating edge of the resilient ring flange (32; 132) of the outer ring wall (22; 122), and that the free passage of the elastic ring flange (32; 132) is penetrated by a shoulder portion (34; 134) adjoining the ring-like end face of the inner cap (18; 118), the shoulder portion (34; 134) having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface and a closed end wall (36; 136).

Description

The invention relates to a child-resistant closure for containers, in particular pharmaceutical and / or chemical bottles with an inner cap which can be fastened to the mouth of the container by turning and can be released by turning in the opposite direction and has a substantially cylindrical peripheral surface on which a cross-over, rotatable relative to it and is arranged at right angles to the direction of rotation by a predetermined amount axially displaceable outer closure part with a substantially complementary cylindrical inner circumferential surface, wherein on the inner cap and the outer closure part complementary engaging coupling projections are provided, which by axial displacement of the outer closure part on the inner cap in the direction of the interior of the container in coupling engagement with one another, but can be disengaged by means of opposite axial displacement.

In known closures of this type (DE-PS 21 15 741; DE-PS 23 03 020; DE-PS 24 23 803), the outer cap part consists of an outer cap completely overlapping the inner cap, with between the outer end face of the inner cap and the inner end face the outer cap resilient elements in the form of several molded onto one of the caps elastic tongue or lugs are provided, which keep the caps axially apart by the predetermined amount and thereby ensure that engagement of the coupling projections when unscrewing the closure only by exercising an additional, the tongues resilient compressive axial pressure is possible when turning. By integrally molding resilient tongues on one of the caps, the disadvantages with regard to the manufacturing and assembly costs of older known closures having a similar function (for example US Pat. No. 3,394,829 and US Pat. No. 3,260,393) are eliminated with spring elements arranged separately between the caps Metal avoided, but the injection mold required for the production of the locking parts provided with the resilient tongues are structurally complex and complicated. In. an older proposal (DE-OS 29 27 339) was therefore completely dispensed with resilient elements in a closure basically similar safety function and method of operation, the safety function in the unscrewing direction being obtained in that the coupling projections acting in this unscrewing direction of the inner and outer caps with such inclined deflecting surfaces are provided that when turning in the opening direction one of the coupling projections out of engagement pushing seeking axial force component arises. The opening of this closure is only possible in that the user simultaneously exerts an opposing axial force on the outer cap, which is greater than the axial force component generated by the coupling projections. The closure formed in this way has a reliable securing function. Due to the lack of spring elements, however, the outer cap is loosely arranged on the inner cap by the predetermined amount of axial displacement, which surprises unprepared users and leads to the assumption that the closure is not properly closed. The pharmaceutical manufacturers in particular therefore prefer child-resistant closures in which there is no such lots and the closure, when the outer cap part is turned, also acoustically indicates by a ratchet sound that the closure has a special securing function.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a child-resistant closure, in which the outer closure part is arranged without axial slack on the inner cap, without complicated tools with slides being required for this purpose in the production of the closure parts from plastic, which allow the mold parts to be removed from the mold enable with molded resilient tongues.

Starting from a closure of the type mentioned at the outset, this object is achieved according to the invention by that the outer closure part is designed as an essentially cylindrical ring element surrounding the peripheral surface of the inner cap part, at the end facing away from the container an radially inward and obliquely backwards directed towards the container is attached an elastically deformable ring flange, the free inner boundary edge of which is on a radial surface of the Inner cap is supported. Instead of an outer cap, a cylindrical ring element is therefore used according to the invention as the outer closure part. The end wall of the outer caps used in the known closures is therefore omitted or is transformed into a thin elastic ring flange, which takes over the function of the resilient tongues of the known closures, but without requiring complicated injection molds, if the ring element is injection-molded in one piece with the elastic ring flange made of plastic becomes.

In a preferred development of the invention, the inner cap at its upper end remote from the container has a radially inwardly directed annular end face following its circumferential surface, the inside diameter of which is slightly smaller than or at most approximately equal to the diameter of the free boundary edge of the resilient ring flange of the outer ring element is, and the free passage of the elastic ring flange is penetrated by an approach to the annular end face of the inner cap with a cylindrical outer peripheral surface and a closed end wall. It is then recommended to measure the height of the cylindrical peripheral surface of the approach so that the the outer end face of its substantially flat end wall is aligned approximately flush with the upper boundary edge of the ring element when the ring flange is not deformed. The cylindrical extension therefore does not protrude beyond the upper boundary edge of the ring element and therefore cannot be gripped by a child in order to avoid the securing function of the ring element. However, the end face should not be lower than the upper boundary edge of the ring element either, in order to avoid pre-deformation of the elastic ring flange, for example in packaging stacks.

The fit between the inner cap and the mouth of the associated container is preferably dimensioned tighter than the fit of the ring element on the inner cap. This ensures that the securing function is retained even with the inner cap loosely rotated somewhat on the container mouth, ie the axial pressing in of the ring element for unscrewing the container closure must not only be applied during the breakaway of the firmly tightened closure, but must be maintained during the entire unscrewing process. Compared to closures, in which the axial force is only required during the breakaway, the security against unwanted opening by children is increased, since the securing function is provided even if the closure has not been closed with great force.

In the closure according to the invention, the coupling projections can, in the radially outer region of the annular end face of the inner cap, have locking teeth formed at regular intervals between locking recesses provided on the one hand and locking teeth arranged on the end of the inner circumferential surface of the ring element that is further away from the container, each with a locking tooth that extends essentially in the axial direction and a ramp-like slope be inclined to the axial direction engaging surface, the arrangement being made such that the axially extending engaging surfaces of the locking teeth of the inner cap and the ring element in the closure-twisting direction and the inclined engaging surfaces in the closure-unscrewing direction for closing or opening the container on the Apply lock applied torque.

Low projections can then be provided on the upper side of the area of the inner cap end face located radially inside the locking teeth, which cooperate with at least one knob projection on the underside of the elastically deformable ring flange and when the ring element rotates relative to the inner cap, i.e. if the ring element is out of clutch engagement with the inner cap, make a ratchet sound and so acoustically draw attention to the fact that it is a safety lock,. which requires special manipulation to open.

In a modified embodiment of the closure according to the invention, the coupling projections are in the radially inner region of the annular End face of the inner cap between locking teeth provided at regular intervals and locking teeth arranged on the underside of the elastically deformable ring flange facing the inner cap, each with an engagement surface that runs approximately in the axial direction and an engagement surface that slopes obliquely to the axial direction, the arrangement also being made again. that the approximately axially extending engagement surfaces of the locking teeth of the inner cap and on the ring flange in the closure-turning direction and the ramp-like inclined engagement surfaces in the closure-opening direction transmit the torque exerted on the closure for closing or opening the container.

In this embodiment, the mutually facing front ends of the locking teeth of the inner cap and on the ring flange can be designed and arranged so that they already overlap somewhat in the undeformed starting position of the ring flange in the axial direction, in the direction of rotation the ring element then takes the inner cap in any case even without exercise an axial pressure, while when rotating in the direction of rotation the ramp-like sloping engagement surfaces then slide onto one another and the locking teeth jump over when no axial pressure is exerted. This also creates the desired ratchet sound. Separate projections on the inner cap and knob projections on the ring element are therefore not necessary in this embodiment.

Expediently, the engagement surfaces of the locking teeth of the inner cap and on the ring flange, which interact in the direction of rotation, are in this case slightly inclined to the exact axial direction in the same sense as the engagement surfaces assigned to the opening direction, so as to produce a force component which keeps the engagement surfaces in clutch engagement when the locking mechanism is closed.

The inner cap and the ring element are preferably injection-molded in one piece with their locking teeth made of plastic, and the ring element has at its mouth open on the container side a radially inwardly projecting molded-on ring projection which engages under the container-side end edge of the peripheral wall of the inner cap. Alternatively, a circumferential or interrupted projection could be provided on the circumferential surface of the inner cap, which engages in an associated annular groove in the inner circumferential wall of the ring element.

• Fig. 1 eine Seitenansicht eines mit einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen kindersicheren Verschlusses versehenen Medikamentenfläschchens;
• Fig. 2 eine Draufsicht auf den Verschluß, gesehen in Richtung des Pfeils 2 in Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 eine Teilschnittansicht durch den oberen Abschnitt des Medikamentenfläschchens entlang der Linie 3-3 in Fig. 1, wobei lediglich der äußere Verschlußteil des erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses im Schnitt, die Innenkappe und das Medikamentenfläschchen jedoch ungeschnitten dargestellt ist;
• Fig. 4 eine in der Schnittführung der Fig. 3 entsprechende Teilschnittansicht durch den oberen Abschnitt dss Medikamentenfläschchens, wobei jedoch zusätzlich auch die Innenkappe des erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses geschnitten dargestellt ist;
• Fig. 5 eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite der Innenkappe des in den Figuren 1 bis 4 gezeigten kindersicheren Verschlusses;
• Fig. 6 eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie 6-6 in Fig. 3 durch den äußeren Verschlußteil des erfindungsgemäßen Behälterverschlusses;
• Fig. 7 eine teilweise aufgebrochene Seitenansicht der Innenkappe eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen kindersicheren Verschlusses;
• Fig. 8 eine Draufsicht auf die Innenkappe, gesehen in Richtung des Pfeils 8 in Fig. 7;
• Fig. 9 eine in der Schnittführung den Figuren 3 und 4 entsprechende Schnittansicht durch den äußeren Verschlußteil des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels des kindersicheren Verschlusses; und
• .Fig. 10 eine Schnittansicht, gesehen in Richtung der Pfeile 10-10 in Fig. 9.

The invention is explained in more detail in the following description of two exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing, which shows:

• 1 is a side view of a medication bottle provided with a first embodiment of the child-resistant closure according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a plan view of the closure, seen in the direction of arrow 2 in Fig. 1.
• 3 shows a partial sectional view through the upper section of the medication vial along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1, only the outer closure part of the closure according to the invention being shown in section, but the inner cap and the medication vial being shown uncut;
• FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view corresponding to the sectional view of FIG. 3 through the upper section of the medication bottle, but in addition the inner cap of the closure according to the invention is also shown in section;
• 5 shows a plan view of the top of the inner cap of the childproof closure shown in FIGS. 1 to 4;
• 6 shows a sectional view along the line 6-6 in FIG. 3 through the outer closure part of the container closure according to the invention;
• 7 shows a partially broken side view of the inner cap of a second exemplary embodiment of the childproof closure according to the invention;
• 8 shows a plan view of the inner cap, seen in the direction of arrow 8 in FIG. 7;
• 9 shows a sectional view corresponding to FIGS. 3 and 4 through the outer closure part of the second exemplary embodiment of the child-resistant closure; and
• .Fig. 10 is a sectional view seen in the direction of arrows 10-10 in FIG. 9.

The designated in its entirety with 10, shown in Figures 1 to 6 from exemplary embodiment of a child-resistant closure designed in the manner according to the invention is shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 shown screwed on the screw thread 12 neck 14 of a medication bottle 16. The closure 10 is thus a screw closure in the case shown, but this is not essential to the invention, since it or the like as a bayonet closure. could be trained. It is only essential that it is a fastener which can be fastened to the container by turning and can be removed and removed again by turning in opposite directions. The closure 10 consists of two parts, namely an inner cap 18 which can be screwed onto the screw thread 12 and has a cylindrical outer circumferential surface 20 and an essentially likewise cylindrical outer closure part in the form of a ring element 22 which surrounds the circumferential surface 20 of the inner cap 18 and which increases the grip speed is provided on its outer cylindrical circumferential surface in a conventional manner with longitudinal low ribs 24.

The inner cap 18 has at its upper end in connection with the peripheral surface 20 a radially inwardly directed annular end face 26, in the outer area directly adjoining the peripheral surface 20, at regular intervals, locking recesses 28 are provided, the locking teeth in the material remaining between them 30 form.

At its end facing away from the medication bottle 16, the ring element 22 has an elastically deformable ring flange 32, which is attached in one piece and is directed radially inwards and obliquely backwards to the bottle, the free inner boundary edge of which is supported radially within the locking teeth 30 on the annular end face 26. The free passage of the ring element 22 formed within the ring flange 32 is penetrated by a cylindrical extension 34 adjoining the annular end surface 26 of the inner cap 18 with a substantially flat closed end wall 36, the extension 34 having such a height that the outer surface of its end wall 36 is aligned approximately flush with the upper boundary edge of the ring element 22.

At the upper end of the inner circumferential surface of the ring element, ie facing away from the medication bottle 16, are elastically deformed directly below the Bearing ring flange 32 in the locking recesses 28 between the locking teeth 30 of the inner cap 18 matching locking teeth 38 are provided, which are held in the position shown in Figures 3 and 4 by the ring flange 26 supported on the annular end face out of engagement with the locking teeth 30. When an axial pressure directed in the direction of the medicament bottle is exerted, the elastic ring flange 32 deforms and the locking teeth 38 come into engagement with the locking teeth 30. The locking teeth 30 and 38 have - as in the closure according to the above-mentioned older proposal - each have an essentially axially extending and a ramp-like obliquely inclined to the axial engagement surface, the arrangement being such that the axially extending engagement surfaces of the locking teeth Inner cap of the ring element in the direction of closure and the inclined engagement surfaces in the direction of closure of the transmission transmit the torque exerted on the closure for closing or opening the container. When the closure 10 is closed, the relatively small axial force required to deform the annular flange 32 is sufficient to couple and hold the axially extending engagement surfaces. In contrast, when the closure is rotated in opposite directions, the inclined engagement surfaces of the locking teeth 30, 38 interact. Since for the first loosening of the connector 10, which is firmly screwed onto the medication bottle, the static frictional force in the screw thread of the bottle neck and the inner cap is overcome must be - as with all twist locks - must first be exerted a relatively high torque in order to break loose. In this case, however, the inclined engagement surfaces of the locking teeth 30, 38 try to slide onto one another, an axial force which seeks to move the ring element back into the undeformed position of the ring flange 32, which has to be counteracted by a correspondingly greater axial pressure exerted on the ring element 22. However, this additional axial pressure in the direction of the medication vial 16 is only applied by initiated persons who are informed about the closure function by a print on the closure itself or a package insert, while an uninitiated child will not exert this axial pressure due to the ignorance of the closure function . When trying to open the closure, the locking teeth 30, 38 will therefore slide on their inclined engagement surfaces and the locking teeth come out of engagement. The ring element 32 cannot take the inner cap 18 with it and the closure 10 remains closed. The desired child protection is therefore guaranteed.

If the fit between the inner cap and the neck 14 of the medication vial 16 is chosen to be sufficiently tight, the desired securing function is achieved not only at the moment the closure is released, but during the entire unscrewing process.

Additional low projections 40 are provided on the top of the area of the inner cap end face 26 located radially within the locking teeth 30, which cooperate with knob projections 42 on the underside of the elastically deformable ring flange 32 and then also produce a ratchet noise when the ring element rotates relative to the inner cap. if no axial pressure is exerted on the ring element.

In Figures 7 and 8, the inner cap and in Figures 9 and 10 the ring element of a modified embodiment of a child-resistant closure according to the invention is shown, which corresponds to the previously described closure 10 in the assembled state in appearance, so that Figures 1 and 2 thus at the same time Illustration of this second embodiment can be used. Since the second exemplary embodiment in construction corresponds in part to the child-resistant closure 10 already described, only the differences in design and function of the second exemplary embodiment are shown below, in order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, while reference can be made to the preceding description with regard to the matching features. The same or functionally corresponding parts of the second exemplary embodiment are numbered with the same reference numerals as in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 6 but preceded by 1.

In contrast to the child-resistant closure 10, the locking teeth 130 of the inner cap 118 in the annular end face 126 are arranged offset radially inward, specifically in the area in which the elastically deformable ring flange 132 is supported on the end face 126. The locking teeth 138 assigned to the ring element 122 are accordingly provided on the underside of the ring flange 132 and project in the axial direction so far from its lower boundary edge that the facing front ends of the locking teeth 130, 138 already overlap somewhat in the undeformed normal position of the ring flange 122. In this case too, the latching teeth 130, 132 have mutually associated engagement surfaces, of which the engagement surfaces which come into contact with one another in the direction of rotation when the ring element rotates are inclined in a ramp-like manner. When a pure torque is exerted on the ring element, these engagement surfaces slide onto one another and, because the ring flange 132 allows an axial displacement due to its elasticity, pass over one another, the desired ratchet noise also being generated at the same time, and without additional protrusions and knob protrusions as in the case of previously described embodiment. In the direction of rotation, the engagement surfaces of the locking teeth 130, 138 can in turn be designed to be inclined in the axial direction or also slightly in the same sense as the engagement surfaces assigned to the opening direction, in order to ensure that these engagement surfaces are held in engagement with one another when the ring element 122 is rotated in the direction of rotation without additional axial pressure being exerted.

Instructions on the function of the two above-described exemplary embodiments of the child-resistant closure according to the invention are expediently printed or molded onto the outer surface of the end wall 36 or 136 of the inner cap 18 or 118, which has the advantage over a functional explanation in an instruction leaflet that these instructions cannot be lost.

Claims (10)

1. Childproof closure (10) for containers (16), in particular pharmaceutical and / or chemical bottles, with an inner cap (18; 118) which can be fastened to the mouth of the container by turning and can be released by turning in the opposite direction, with an essentially cylindrical peripheral surface, on which is arranged an overlapping, relatively rotatable relative to .ihr and perpendicular to the direction of rotation by a predetermined amount axially displaceable outer closure member with a substantially complementary cylindrical inner peripheral surface, with the inner cap (18; 118) and the outer closure member in complementary engagement bringable coupling projections (30; 38; 130; 138) are provided, which can be brought into engagement with one another by axial displacement of the outer closure part on the inner cap (18; 118) in the direction of the interior of the container, but can be disengaged by opposite axial displacement, characterized in that that the outer closure part than in essentially cylindrical, the peripheral surface of the inner cap (18; 118) surrounding ring element (22; 122) is formed, at the end facing away from the container (16) there is an elastically deformable annular flange (32; 132) directed radially inwards and obliquely backwards towards the container (16), the free inner boundary edge of which is on a radial surface (26; 126) of the inner cap (18; 118) is supported. 2. Container closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner cap (18; 118) has at its upper end remote from the container following its peripheral surface (20; 120) a radially inwardly directed annular end face (26; 126), the inner diameter is slightly smaller than or at most approximately equal to the diameter of the free boundary edge of the resilient ring flange (32; 132) of the outer ring element (22; 122), and that the free passage of the elastic ring flange (32; 132) from one to the annular end face (26; 126) of the inner cap (18; 118) adjoining extension (34; 134) with cylindrical outer circumferential surface and closed end wall (26; 136) is penetrated. 3. Container closure according to claim 2, characterized in that the height of the cylindrical peripheral surface of the extension (34; 134) is dimensioned such that the outer end face of the substantially flat end wall (36; 136) with undeformed ring flange (32nd ; 132) is aligned approximately flush with the upper boundary edge of the ring element (22; 122). 4. Container closure according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fit between the inner cap (18; 118) and the mouth of the associated container (16) is tighter than the fit of the ring element (22; 122) on the Inner cap (18; 118) 5. Container closure according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coupling projections in the radially outer region of the annular end face (26) of the inner cap (18) between latching recesses (28) provided at regular intervals formed locking teeth (30) on the one hand and at the end of the inner circumferential surface of the ring element (22) remote from the container, on the other hand there are locking teeth (38), each with a substantially axially extending and a ramp-like obliquely inclined to the axial engagement surface, the arrangement being such that the axially extending engagement surfaces of the locking teeth (30; 38) of the inner cap (18) and the ring element (22) in the direction of closure closure and the inclined engagement surfaces in the direction of closure unscrew the torque exerted on the closure (10) for closing or opening the container (12). 6. Container closure according to claim 5, characterized in that on the top of the radially inside the locking teeth (30) located area of the inner cap end face (26) low projections (40) are provided, which with at least one knob projection (42) interact on the underside of the elastically deformable ring flange (32) and, when the ring element (22) rotates relative to the inner cap (18), produce a ratchet sound. 7. Container closure according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coupling projections in the radially inner region of the annular end face (126) of the inner cap (118) between locking recesses (128) provided at regular intervals formed locking teeth (130) and on the underside of the elastically deformable ring flange (132) facing the inner cap, locking teeth (138) are arranged, each with an engagement surface that extends approximately in the axial direction and an engagement surface that slopes obliquely to the axial direction, the arrangement being such that the approximately axially extending engagement surfaces of the locking teeth (130; 138) of the inner cap (118) and on the ring flange (132) in the direction of closure and the ramp-like inclined engagement surfaces in the direction of closure of the closure transmit the torque exerted on the closure for closing or opening the container. 8. Container closure according to claim 7, characterized in that the mutually facing front ends of the locking teeth (130; 138) of the inner cap (118) and on the ring flange (132) in the undeformed initial position of the ring flange (132) already overlap somewhat in the axial direction . 9. Container closure according to claim 8, characterized in that the cooperating in the direction of rotation engaging surfaces of the locking teeth (130; 132) of the inner cap (118) and on the ring flange (132) against the exact axial direction slightly in the same sense as the engagement surfaces assigned to the opening direction are inclined. 10. Container closure according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the inner cap (18; 118) and the ring element (22; 122) are injection molded in one piece with their locking teeth (30; 38; 130, 138) made of plastic , and that the ring element (22; 122) has at its mouth open on the container side a radially inwardly projecting, the container-side end edge of the peripheral wall of the inner cap (118) molded ring projection.

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