Child-resistant closure, container and package convertible to non-child-resistant operation

#The present disclosure relates to a child-resistant package that is convertible to non-child-resistant operation, and to a closure and a container for such a package.

#U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/682,608 discloses a child-resistant package that includes a container having at least one external thread segment adjacent to the container mouth and an external deflectable locking element spaced from the container mouth. The closure has a peripheral skirt with a first portion having at least one internal thread segment for threaded engagement with the container, and a second portion frangibly connected to the first portion with a locking element for engagement with the deflectable locking element on the container. With the second portion of the closure skirt connected to the first portion, the package is adapted for child-resistant operation requiring deflection of the locking element on the container to release the closure for threaded disengagement from the container. When the second portion of the closure skirt is removed by a user, the closure may be merely threaded on to and off of the container in a non-child-resistant mode of operation. A general objective of the present disclosure is to provide a child-resistant package, closure and container that are adapted for snap-cap operation in a non-child-resistant mode.

#The present disclosure embodies a number of aspects or inventions that can be implemented separately from or in combination with each other.

#The disclosure, together with additional objects, features, advantages and aspects thereof, will best be understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a child-resistant package in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

#FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package in FIG. 1;

#FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a package 20 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure as including a container 22 and a closure 24 secured to the container in a child-resistant mode of operation. Container 22 (FIGS. 1-5) includes a generally cylindrical finish 26 that extends from a sidewall 28 of any suitable construction and geometry. Finish 26 preferably includes a cylindrical wall 30, from the upper end of which extends a radially inwardly tapering conical wall section 32. (Directional words such as “upper” and “lower” are employed by way of description and not limitation with respect to the upright orientation of the package, container and closure illustrated in the drawings. Directional words such as “radial” and “axial” are employed by way of description and not limitation with respect to the axis of the container finish and/or the closure skirt as appropriate.) Conical wall section 32 has an external conical surface 34 that widens away from the open mouth at the upper end of the container. An internal bead 36, preferably a circumferentially continuous internal bead, may extend around the inner periphery of the container mouth adjacent to the open upper end of conical wall section 32. External engagement elements 38 are disposed around the outer surface of finish wall 30 for engagement by the container closure in a child-resistant mode of operation. The specific engagement elements 38 illustrated in the drawings are similar to those illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,059,198 and 4,485,932, although other chid-resistant engagement elements can be employed. Container 22 preferably is of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction. By way of example only, container conical surface 34 may be at a nominal angle of 25° to the axis of the container finish.

#Closure 24 is of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction, and includes a base wall 40 and a peripheral skirt 42. Peripheral skirt 42 has a first or upper portion 44 adjacent to base wall 40 and a second or lower portion 46 remote from base wall 40. Second skirt portion 46 is frangibly coupled to first skirt portion 44, such as by leaders 48 that are made frangible by scoring along the line 50 (FIGS. 2, 6 and 7). Skirt portions 44, 46 alternatively can be molded as elements spaced from each other and interconnected by frangible leaders 48. Engagement elements 52 are disposed on second skirt portion 46 for engagement with elements 38 on container 22. In the specific embodiment illustrated in the drawings, engagement elements 52 are in the form of internal lugs that selectively engage pockets in container engagement elements 38.

#A circumferentially continuous annular first wall 54 extends from base wall 40 within first skirt portion 44. First wall 54 is flexible and resilient, and preferably extends at a radially inward and axially downward conical angle from base wall 40 as molded. An annular second wall 56 extends from base wall 40 radially inward from first wall 54. Second wall 56 is of shorter axial dimension than wall 54, and preferably extends at an axially inward and radially outward conical angle with respect to base wall 40. (Base wall 40 is illustrated as flat in the exemplary embodiment, but can be contoured if desired.) Walls 54, 56 preferably are circumferentially continuous, concentric with each other and concentric with first skirt portion 44. Walls 54, 56 preferably are of uniform thickness, such as 0.010 inch nominal thickness for example. By way of example only, wall 54 may be at a nominal angle of 10° with respect to the axis of closure skirt 42 as molded, and wall 56 may be at a nominal angle of 20° to the closure axis as molded.