[0001] The present invention relates to closure members for containers, bottles and the
like, and, more particularly, to closure members which are particularly well adapted
for use on dispensing containers for medicinal agents.
[0002] Present medical drugs have a predetermined therapeutic range in which the effects
of taking the drug are beneficial. Under-utilization of a drug may endanger the user
with the drug's side effects without reaching levels necessary for a therapeutic action.
On the other hand, over-utilization may cause side effects or toxicity to a much greater
extent than any possible benefit. Thus, it is critically important that a patient
follows prescribed directions on medications; yet, frequently patients forget whether
they have taken medication and either omit doses or repeat them.
[0003] This problem is particularly severe for elderly patients who are generally beset
with multiple ailments requiring numerous drugs and directions. The fading memory
and confusion that come with age further compound the problem. Oftentimes, elderly
patients could well lead independent self-sufficient lives but for their inability
to follow a therapeutic regimen necessary to their health and well-being. Caps of
the "reminder" type will be an important adjunct in drug therapy as the number of
elderly people increases and new potent drugs are utilized.
[0004] The reminder cap of the present invention affords improvements over closure members
of the type known in the art.
[0005] US-A-4011829 (which corresponds to DE-A-2543251) discloses a reminder closure member
in which indicia means in the form of an indicia-bearing disc is located between inner
and outer closure members to turn relative to each other at each container opening/closing
operation.
[0006] My earlier US-A-4220247 discloses five different embodiments of reminder closure
member each of which has inner and outer housing portions that rotate together to
unscrew the closure member from its container and which allow a degree of relative
rotation between them when exceeding the fully closed position in the rescrewing of
the closure member on the container. By locating indicia on the inner housing and
some reference means (e.g. a sight opening) in the outer housing it can be arranged
that each closure member removal can be accompanied by a change in the referenced
indicia mark. In all the embodiments disclosed in US-A-4220247 the indicia are fixedly
marked on the indicia means constituted by the inner housing.
[0007] What constitutes the present invention is disclosed in the following claim 1 and
is distinguished from the prior art (disclosed in US-A-4220247) by having the indicia
means removably mounted on the inner housing in a relatively stationary manner.
[0008] A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of indicia disposed
upon an insertable disc removably mounted in a relatively stationary manner on the
inner housing.
[0009] Alternatively, indicia may be disposed upon an insertable indicia cylinder removably
mounted in a relatively stationary manner to vertical cylindrical walls of an inner
housing. The insertable indicia disc or cylinder may be held stationary by adhesive
means, interlocking or keyed holes and protrusions, tongue and grooves or other similar
means. The indicia may also be simply disposed upon paper or other thin material to
be secured around or adhered to the inner housing by adhesive.
[0010] The present invention can be readily adapted for use with dispensing containers of
different sizes and shapes. Removable inner and outer housings and the indicia means
can be modified to resemble the shape of the container opening to be sealed. The present
invention also has application to ophthalmic drop dispensing bottles wherein the pointed
projecting drop dispensing tips of the bottles make the use of closure members having
substantially conical portions advantageous. For these applications, a closure member
according to the present invention can have a removable conical indicia means and
an outer housing having an open top allowing the inner housing to project therethrough.
[0011] A further embodiment of the present invention includes closure members having multiple
openings disclosing different predetermined types of indicia. Each opening may represent
a different dose schedule. Unwanted regimens may be covered by opaque tape. Such an
embodiment permits the present invention to have a wide range of applications.
[0012] The present invention affords a reminder cap closure member which may be latched
to a container on which it is mounted to render it difficult for a young child to
open while providing a closure member that can be readily opened and closed by the
average adult.
[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the
following description read in association with the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a closure member in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention showing the closure member mounted on a container in closing
relation thereto;
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side view of a closure member in accordance with the present
invention which when mounted on a container in a closing relation thereto is difficult
for a young child to operate and open;
Fig. 3 is an exploded, side sectional view of the inner housing and indicia disc of
the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view taken substantially along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified insertable disc in accordance with the present
invention having an elongated slot therein for mounting;
Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side view of a closure member in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention which is difficult for a young child to operate and open;
Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of a container on which the embodiment of the closure
member illustrated in Fig. 6 is adapted to be mounted on;
Fig. 8 is a side view of a closure member in accordance with a further embodiment
of the present invention showing the closure member mounted on a container in closing
relation thereto;
Fig. 9 is an exploded, side sectional view of the embodiment of the present invention
illustrated in Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a sectional plan view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated
in Fig. 8 taken substantially along the line 10-10 of Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of still another closure member in accordance with
the present invention;
Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of the inner housing of the closure member illustrated
in Fig. 11
Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the insertable disc arrangement of the closure member
illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12 in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 14 is an exploded, side sectional view of a closure member in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention which is difficult for a young child to
operate and open;
Fig. 15 is an exploded, side sectional view of the outer housing of the embodiment
of the present invention illustrated in Fig. 14;
Fig. 16 is an exploded, side sectional view of the inner housing and indicia disc
of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Fig. 14;
Fig. 17 is an exploded, side sectional view of the inner cap member of the embodiment
of the present invention illustrated in Fig. 14;
Fig. 18 is an exploded, side sectional view of a closure member in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention which is difficult for a young child to
operate and open;
Fig. 19 is an exploded, side sectional view of the outer housing of the embodiment
of the present invention illustrated in Fig. 18;
Fig. 20 is an exploded, side sectional view of the inner housing and indicia disc
of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Fig. 18;
Fig. 21 is an exploded, side sectional view of the inner cap member of the embodiment
of the present invention illustrated in Fig. 18;
Fig. 22 is a fragmentary view of the abutment means and grooves of the closure member
of Figs. 14-21 in the outward at rest position in accordance with the present invention;
and
Fig. 23 is a fragmentary view of the abutment means and grooves of the closure member
of Figs. 14-21 in the inward untightening position in accordance with the present
invention.
[0014] A closure member embodying the principles of the present invention, generally designated
by numeral 11, as best seen in Fig. 1, is mounted on a container 12 in closing relation
thereto. As shown in Figs. 2-4, the closure member 11 is comprised of the following
major elements; an outer housing 21 having an aperture 23 and abutment means 25 positioned
inwardly of the inside corner thereof, an inner housing 41 having a projecting rim
44 thereon and groove means 42 therein, inner cap member 51 for securing the closure
member 11 to the container 12, and removable indicia 62 adapted to be affixed in a
relatively stationary manner to the inner housing 41.
[0015] The closure member 11 may have any cross- sectional shape; however, a number of factors
may influence the shape used. Closure members 11 having a cylindrical shape are well
adapted for use on bottles and vials having threaded openings, as shown in Fig. 1.
The cylindrical shape allows for the positioning of an aperture or apertures 23 upon
the top planar surface of the outer housing 21 or about the vertical cylindrical wall,
as shown in Fig. 11.
[0016] In the closure member 11, as depicted in Figs. 1-4 the removable indicia member is
comprised of a disc 62 secured to the inner housing 41 by suitable means, such as
an adhesive. As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the disc 62 is held relatively stationary
on the inner'housing 41 by a locking indentation 64 about the circumference of the
disc 62, which cooperates with a protrusion 65 about the projecting rim 44 of the
inner housing 41. Additionally, Fig. 5 illustrates a disc 62 having an elongated slot
63 therein which would fit upon a complementary protrusion (not shown) on the upper
surface 75 of the inner housing 41 to affix the disc 62 in a relatively stationary
manner to the inner housing 41. Fig. 13 illustrates a disc 62 having a square-keyed
opening 73 therein in its center which would fit upon a complementary protrusion (not
shown) extending from the upper surface 75 of the inner housing 41 to affix the disc
62 in a relatively stationary manner to the inner housing 41, in accordance with the
present invention.
[0017] In Figs. 2 and 3, the inner housing 41 includes an upwardly projecting rim 44 which
provides a circular space between the inner housing 41 and the outer housing 21 sufficient
to provide space for the disc 62 to prevent the disc 62 from interfering with the
relative rotation of the inner and outer housings 41 and 21, respectively, when the
outer housing 21 rotates relative to the inner housing 41, 51 to reveal a new indicium
in the aperture 23. Although Figure 3 shows the grooves 42 in the rim 44 as being
substantially perpendicular recessed openings, these are desirably of a depressed
ramp configuration (as shown in Figures 9 and 10 shortly to be discussed) or of a
trapezoidal shape configuration (as shown in Figures 22 and 23 yet to be discussed).
Additionally the abutment means 25 includes at least one projection extending inwardly
and downwardly from the corner of the outer housing 21 which engages in a respective
one of the grooves 42 in a manner to stop rotation of the inner and outer housings
relative to each other in one direction of rotation of the closure member 11 on the
container 12, but yieldingly resists rotation of the inner and outer housings relative
to each other in the opposite direction of rotation of the closure member on the container.
[0018] The closure member 11 of the present invention is equipped with threads or other
latching means 55 for securing to a container or bottle 12. Referring to Fig. 2, the
closure member 11 is mounted over an inner cap member 51 equipped with means for latching
and securing to the container 12, such as threads 55. The inner cap member 51 is nested
within the inner housing 41 of the closure member 11 and secured by a flange 45 extending
around the bottom portion of the inner housing 41 and snugly fitting into an indentation
52 on the inner cap member.
[0019] A plurality of spring fingers or elements 20 extend downwardly and rests upon the
top planar surface 76 of the inner cap member 51. Projection means 53 extend upwardly
from the top planar surface 76 of the inner cap member 51 and permit the spring fingers
20 to slideably deflect upwardly over the projection means 53 in one rotational direction,
and prevent the spring fingers 20 from rotatably moving past the projection means
53 in the opposite direction when the spring fingers 20 and the projection means 53
become engaged.
[0020] Downwardly projecting teeth 46 extend from the inner housing 41 and upwardly projecting
grooves 54 extend from the inner cap member 51 in a complementary spaced manner. The
teeth 46 and grooves 54 are prevented from meshing with each other by the upward force
exerted upon the inner housing 41 by the spring fingers 20 engaging the top planar
surface 76 of the inner cap member. Downward forces upon the outer housing 21 are
transferred to the inner housing 41 by engagement of abutment means 25 with the grooves
42 in the upwardly-projecting rim 44 on the inner housing. This engagement compresses
the spring fingers 20 and narrows the space between the inner cap member 51 and the
inner housing 41 thereby resulting in the engagement of teeth 46 of the inner housing
and grooves 54 of the inner cap member. When the teeth 46 and grooves 54 are so engaged,
and the abutment means 25 and grooves 42 of the inner and outer housings 41 and 21
are similarly engaged, the inner cap member can be rotated in unison with the inner
and outer housings in the direction in which the spring fingers 20 would otherwise
slideably deflect over the projection means 53. When the force upon the outer housing
21 is released, the spring fingers 20 again force the inner housing 41 upward, disengaging
the teeth 46 from grooves 54. In this position, rotation of the outer housing 21 and
the inner housing 41 is ineffective in rotating the inner cap member 51 in the untightening
direction, unless the cap member has already been loosened because of prior engagement
of the teeth 46 with the grooves 54. This construction is highly effective in preventing
the accidental opening of a container by a young child.
[0021] Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. The
container 12 in Fig. 7 includes locking ribs 14 projecting outwardly about the upper/outer
portions of the rim of the container 12. Each locking rib 14 includes a curved area
15 extending downwardly from the top of the locking rib 14 to a locking channel 18
extending upward perpendicularly to the rim of the container 12. The forward wall
of the channel 18 affords a forward stop 16. The rear wall of the locking channel
18 affords a rear stop 17 projecting downwardly parallel to the forward stop 16 and
below the curved area 15.
[0022] Referring now to Fig. 6, the inner housing 41 of the closure member 11 has lugs 48
projecting inwardly around the lower rim of the inner housing 41 in a spaced manner
corresponding to the spacings of the locking ribs 14 of the container 12 of Fig. 7.
A circular resilient seal 28 has a flange 29 extending radially outward around the
circumference beyond the inwardly projecting lugs 48 to retain the seal 28 within
the cavity formed by the cylindrical wall 57 and horizontal wall 47 of the inner housing
41. A rim 30 extends downwardly from the flange 29 for nesting securely against the
cylindrical inner wall of the container 12 illustrated in Fig. 7. The circular resilient
seal 28 projects upwardly to rest against projection 20 extending downwardly from
the bottom surface of the horizontal wall 47 of the inner housing 41. The container
12, illustrated in Fig. 7, can be forced upwardly into the cavity within the inner
housing 41 such that the rim of the container 12 rests against the flange 29. As the
flange 29 is forced upward by the container 12, the center area of the seal 28 forces
the seal rim 30 against the inner walls of the container 12. As the inner housing
is rotated in a clockwise direction, the lugs slide downwardly over the curved area
of the locking rib 14 and into the locking channel 18. The forward and rear stops
16 and 17 will prevent further movement of the lugs 48 of the inner housing 41 and
will secure the closure member upon the container when the closure member 11 and the
container 12 are no longer compressing. The lugs 48 are retained in the locking channel
18 by the upward force exerted on the inner housing 41 by the compressed seal 28 engaging
projection 20.
[0023] A removable indicia member in the form of a disc 62 is disposed upon the upper planar
surface of the inner housing 41. A circular space is provided between the outer housing
21 and the inner housing 41 by a vertically projecting portion 44 which prevents the
binding of the indicia member 62 when a downward force is exerted upon the outer housing
21 during an opening or closing operation. An abutment rib 25 extends inwardly from
the inner cylindrical wall of the outer housing 21 to engage with abutmemt grooves
(not shown) disposed upon the outer cylindrical wall 40 of the inner housing 41, as
illustrated by the abutment grooves 42 in Fig. 12. However, it should be noted that
it is within the scope of the present invention that the inner housing 41 may include
a projection portion 44 with grooves 42 therein (as shown in Fig. 3), which cooperate
with abutment means 25 extending inwardly and downwardly from the inside of the outer
housing 21 (as shown in Fig. 2). An aperture 23 is provided in the top surface of
the outer housing 21 for viewing the indicia disposed upon the disc 62. As the closure
member 11 is pushed down and turned counter-clockwise to open, the abutment means
of the inner and outer housings 21 and 41 engage to allow rotation of both housings
in unison. In closing, the abutment means are yieldingly engaged to allow the housings
21 and 41 to rotate in unison until the lugs 48 reach rear stop 17. Further rotation
of the outer housing 21 causes the abutment means 25 thereon to yield permitting the
outer housing 21 to rotate relative to the inner housing 21 and to reveal a new indicia
in the aperture 23. It will be seen that this construction of the present invention
is also highly effective in preventing a young child from accidentally opening the
closure while still providing a novel closure member having reminder features therein.
[0024] As shown in Figs. 8-10, another embodiment of the present invention has particular
application to ophthalmic drop dispensing bottles wherein the pointed projecting tip
portion of the bottles make the use of closure members having conical proportions
advantageous. Referring now to the exploded side view of the closure member 11 as
shown in Fig. 9, the closure member 11 includes an outer housing 21 and an inner housing
41 having an open bottom equipped with threads (not shown) for sealably mounting the
closure member onto threads 13 conveniently positioned near the top of the container
12, as is known in the art. An indicia disc or means 62, conforming to the dimensions
of the inner housing 41, is removably mounted thereto and secured by either adhesive
means (not shown) or by aligning the disc 62, having a cut-out recess 64 therein,
with a projection 65 extending upwardly from the inner housing 41. Such alignment
secures the indicia disc to the inner housing 41. However, it is within the scope
of the embodiments described in this specification, that a plurality of indicia 68
best shown in Fig. 12, may be disposed upon the upper surfaces of the inner housing
41 in a spaced manner. As shown in Fig. 9, an outwardly projecting ridge 43 extends
around the lower base of the inner housing 41. The outer housing 21 is rotatably mounted
to the inner housing 41 and is secured in place by a retaining groove 39 extending
around the base of the inner wall of the outer housing 21 for receiving the outwardly
projecting ridge 43 of the inner housing 41.
[0025] Abutment means 25 are disposed upon the vertical cylindrical wall of the outer housing
21. Referring now to Fig. 10, the abutment means of the inner housing 41 includes
triangular grooves 42 having one wall 42a which is substantially perpendicular to
the circumference of the housing and a second inclined wall 42b. Abutment means are
also disposed on the vertical cylindrical wall of the outer housing 21. The abutment
means includes a wedge-shaped rib 25 pojecting inwardly from the inner cylindrical
wall of the outer housing 21. As can best be seen in Fig. 10, the wedge-shaped rib
25 has one face 25a substantially perpendicular to the circumference of the housing
and an inclined face 25b extending from the housing which complements the shape of
the abutment means disposed on the inner housing 41. The abutment means on the inner
and outer housings, 21 and 41, are positioned to mutually engage during the relative
rotation of the inner and outer housings, in a manner effective to stop the relative
rotation of the inner and outer housings in one direction and yieldingly resist the
relative rotation of the inner and outer housing in the opposite direction.
[0026] An aperture 23 extends through the conical portion 24 of the outer housing 21. Indicia
68 are disposed on the indicia disc or means 62 in a spaced manner corresponding to
the spacings of the abutment members such that at least one of the indicia is visible
through the aperture when the abutment members are engaged. When the closure member
11 is rotatably mounted to the container 12, the wedge-shaped rib 25 on the outer
housing 21 engages a predetermined triangular groove 42 in the inner housing 41 to
indicate the desired indicia and that the closure member 11 is secured to the container
12.
[0027] A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 11-13. The
closure member 11 illustrated in Fig. 11 has a similar construction to that already
described previously but for the plurality of apertures 23a, 23b disposed upon the
top of the outer housing and apertures 23c and 23d disposed along the cylindrical
wall of the outer housing 21. Explanatory indicia 31 are disposed upon the surface
of the outer housing 21 about the apertures 23a through 23d. The different indicia
disposed upon the outer housing and their respective apertures represent different
regimens or schedules. At the time of dispensing, unwanted schedules or regimens may
be blocked out by masking the indicia 31 and apertures 23 with opaque tape or the
like.
[0028] Referring now to Fig. 12, the inner housing 41 of the closure member 11 is shown
having a removable indicia member in the form of a disc 62 disposed upon the upper
surface of the inner housing 41. An upwardly projecting rim 44 prevents the rotation
of the inner and outer housings 21 and 41 from binding the disc 62. Abutment means
in the form of depressed grooves 42 are disposed in a spaced vertical manner along
the cylindrical wall of the inner housing 41 for engaging abutment means or a wedge-shaped
rib, shown as 25 in Fig. 13, on the inner surfaces of the cylindrical wall of the
outer housing 21. A plurality of indicia members 68 are disposed upon the surfaces
of the cylindrical wall 40 of the inner housing 41. An outwardly projecting ridge
43 extends around the bottom of the cylindrical wall of the inner housing 41 to engage
the bottom portion 22 of the outer housing 21 to rotatably secure the inner housing
41 within the outer housing 21 and to permit the indexing of the indicia past the
apertures 23a and 23d, as desired, when the member 11 has been threaded onto a closure
(not shown) by threads 55. Again, it should be pointed out that it is within the scope
of the present embodiment that the inner housing 41 and the projecting rim 44 may
include grooves on the top thereof which cooperate with abutment means 25 extending
inwardly and downwardly from the outer housing, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
[0029] A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 14-17 wherein
the closure member 11 is comprised of an outer housing 21, an inner housing 41 and
an inner cap member 51. The inner housing 41 is shown having a removable indicia member
in the form of a disc 62 disposed upon the upper surface of the inner housing 41.
An upwardly projecting rim 44 prevents the rotation of the inner and outer housings
21 and 41 from binding the disc 62. Although not shown, the disc 62 includes an opening
64 therein which cooperates with a projection 65 to prevent movement of the disc with
respect to the inner housing 41. Although not shown in the drawings, abutment means
in the form of depressed grooves 42 are disposed and spaced in a vertical manner along
the cylindrical wall of the inner housing 41 for engaging a wedge-shaped abutment
means, similar to element 25 in Fig. 10, on the inner surfaces of the cylindrical
wall of the outer housing 21. Additionally, the outer housing 21 includes an opening
23 therein which cooperates with the indicia disc 62 to reveal indicia thereon. When
the inner housing 41 is nested within the outer housing 21, an outwardly projecting
ridge 43 extends around the bottom of the cylindrical wall of the inner housing 41
to engage the bottom portion 22 of the outer housing 21 to rotatably secure the inner
housing within the outer housing and to facilitate indexing of the indicia past the
aperture 23 when the closure member 11 is threaded onto a closure (not shown) by threads
55.
[0030] A plurality of spring fingers 20 extend downwardly from the inside of the inner housing
41 and rest upon the top planar surface 76 of the inner cap member 51. Abutment means
46. (Fig. 16) extend downwardly from the inside corner of the inner housing and are
engageable with complementary grooves 54 (Fig. 23) located in the rim 56 of the inner
cap member 51. Preferably, the abutment means 46 and grooves 54 are of a trapezoidal
shaped configuration, as shown in Figs. 22 and 23.
[0031] The abutment means 46 and grooves 54 are only partially meshed with each other when
the outer housing 21 is in the outward "at rest" position because of the outward force
exerted upon the outer housing 21 by the spring fingers 20 engaging the top planar
surface 76 of the cap member 51. Importantly, the abutment means 46 and grooves 54
of the inner housing and inner cap member, respectively, are normally only partially
engaged and the inner cap can be rotated in unison with the outer housing in the direction
in which the inner cap is tightened upon the container. A downward force upon the
outer housing 21 is transferred to the inner cap member 51 by compressing the spring
fingers 20 and narrowing the space between the inner cap member 51 and outer housing
21 thereby fully engaging the abutment means 46 of the housing and grooves 54 of the
inner cap member, a position as shown in Fig. 23. When the force upon the outer housing
21 is released, the spring fingers 20 again force the outer housing 21 upward, partially
disengaging the abutment means 46 from grooves 54, the position as shown in Fig. 22.
In this relaxed position, rotation of the outer housing 21 with respect to the inner
housing 41 is effective in tightening the inner cap member 51 onto the closure.
[0032] This results because the projection end 46d is engaged with groove side 54b, as shown
in Fig. 22. However, if it is desired to unscrew the closure member 11 from the container,
when the cap member is in a fully tight condition, the rotation of the outer housing
21 in the untightening direction results in the abutment means 46 deflecting past
the groove 54 such that such rotation of the outer housing is ineffective in removing
the inner cap member 51 from the closure.
[0033] Thus, the closure member Will close to a fully tight condition about the closure
but will not open from its fully tight condition unless the outer housing is downwardly
forced against the inner cap member to fully engage the abutment means 46 with the
grooves 54, a position as shown in Fig. 23. When the inner cap member has been released
from its fully tight condition even the partial engagement of the abutment means 46
with the grooves 54 which arises when the outer housing is in the relaxed position,
is sufficient to rotate the inner cap member and remove the same from the closure.
This results because the corner 54a of the groove 54 (Fig. 23) is rounded to permit
partial engagement with the end surface 46a of the abutment means 46 (Fig. 22) to
permit the outer housing 21 to rotate the inner cap member when the inner cap member
is in the untight condition about the container. Such a construction is highly effective
in preventing the accidental opening of the container by a young child and provides
the valuable child-proof function for a closure member in accordance with the present
invention.
[0034] The combination of elements shown in Figs. 15 and 16 describe a structure which provides
for the reminder function of the closure member 11, and Figs. 16 and 17, together
with the abutment means 46 and the grooves 54, describe a structure which provides
the child-proof function for the closure member 11.
[0035] Still another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 18-21 wherein
the closure member 11 is comprised of an outer housing 21, an inner housing 41 and
an inner cap member 51. The outer housing 21 includes a recess 59 therein which is
adapted to receive a removable indicia member in the form of a disc 62. A shoulder
61 on the inner housing 41 prevents the rotation of the inner and outer housings 21
and 41 from binding the disc 62. Although not shown, the disc 62 includes an opening
64 therein which cooperates with projection 65 to prevent movement of the disc with
respect to the inner housing 41. The outer housing 21 includes an opening 23 therein
which cooperates with the indicia disc 62 to reveal indicia thereon. When the inner
housing 41 is nested within the outer housing 21, an outwardly projecting ridge 43
extends around the bottom of the cylindrical wall of the inner housing 41 to engage
the bottom portion 22 of the outer housing 21 to rotatably secure the inner housing
within the outer housing and to facilitate indexing of the indicia past the aperture
23 when the closure member 11 is threaded onto a closure (not shown), by threads 55.
[0036] A plurality of spring fingers 20 extend downwardly from the inside of the inner housing
41 and rest upon the top planar surface 76 of the inner cap member 51. Abutment means
25, 46 (Fig. 19 and 20) extend downwardly from the inside corner of both the outer
and inner housings and are engageable with complementary grooves 54 (Fig. 23) located
in the rim 56 of both the inner housing 41 and the inner cap member 51. The downwardly
projecting abutment means 46 and the grooves 54 are positioned in a complementary
spaced manner, such that the abutment means 46 and grooves 54 only partially mesh
with each other when the outer housing is in an outward relaxed position. In this
relaxed position, rotation of the outer housing 21 and inner housing 41 is ineffective
to untighten the inner cap member 51 when the inner cap member is in the tight position.
A downward force upon the outer housing 21 pushes downwardly the inner housing 41
and compresses the spring fingers 20 and narrows the space between the inner housing
41 and the inner cap member 51 thereby fully engaging the abutment means 46 of the
inner housing with the grooves 54 of the inner cap member, a position as shown in
Fig. 23. When the abutment means 25, 46 and grooves 54 of the outer housing, the inner
housing and the inner cap member are so engaged, the inner cap member may be untightened
and rotated in unison with the outer housings. When the force upon the outer housing
is released, the spring fingers 20 again force the inner housing 41 upward partially
disengaging the abutment means 46 from the grooves 54. In this relaxed position, further
rotation of the outer housing 21 with respect to the inner housing 41 is effective
in rotating the inner cap member 51 because the inner cap member is loosely affixed
to the closure. The elements shown in combination with respect to Figs. 19 and 20
illustrate a structure which provides for the reminder function of the closure member
11 and the elements shown in Figs. 20 and 21, together with the abutment means 46
and the grooves 54, provide the child-proof function for the closure member 11. Preferably,
the abutment means 46 and grooves 54 are of a trapezoidal shape configuration, as
shown in Figs. 22 and 23, which provide the unique child-proof function of the closure
member 11.
[0037] As is well understood from the above disclosure, the closure member 11 includes an
inner housing 41 having abutment members thereon comprised of grooves in either the
projecting rim 44 of the inner housing or positioned substantially lengthwise upon
the outer horizontal wall surface thereof. As previously mentioned, these grooves,
although shown in Figs. 3 to be substantially perpendicular recessed openings may
be of a depressed ramp configuration, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, or of a trapezoidal
shape configuration, as shown in Figs. 22 and 23. Additionally, the abutment means
25 preferably incIudes a projection or projections extending either inwardly from
the inner cylindrical wall of the outer housing 21 or inwardly and downwardly from
the upper wall or corner of the outer housing 21 which engage the grooves 42 in the
rim 44, a castle-like structure, or grooves in the side-wall to permit the outer housing
to rotate relative to the inner housing to reveal indicia in the aperture 23 of the
outer housing 21.
[0038] Also, a closure member in accordance with the present invention may be constructed
to either include an inner cap member to provide child- proofing features, or include
only an inner and outer housing member, as shown in Figs. 8-10 and 11-13, wherein
the inner cap member includes threads 55 thereon which permit attachment of the closure
member 11 to the container 12.
[0039] It will be readily seen that in any of the above- described embodiments a removable
indicia means such as a disc may be mounted in a relatively fixed, stationary manner
on the inner housing. Thus any set of desired indicia may be inserted without changing
the fundamental structure of the cap. Thus, one molded structure can be custom adapted
to any schedule at a minimum cost. At the time the medication is placed in the bottle
by a manufacturer, a pharmacist, or even a patient, a disc or other insertable and
removable indicia means with the appropriate schedule for that medication may be inserted.
[0040] As shown in my previous US-A-4,220,247, the abutment means including grooves and
ribs may be positioned on either the inner or outer housings. It is only sufficient
that the grooves and ribs eliminate play between the inner and outer housings when
the abutment means are engaged, yet permit the inner and outer housings to yieldingly
rotate relative to each other in one direction and are effective to stop the relative
rotation of the inner and outer housings in the opposite direction, while predeterminedly
controlling the positioning of the indicia disc mounted in the inner housing with
respect to the opening in the outer housing to convey information to the patient and
user.
[0041] It is also within the scope of the present invention to include an outer housing
structure having an indicator viewing station or means which cooperates with the indicia
means on the inner housing to indicate the desired indicia. For example, the outer
housing may be composed of a transparent plastic material and include arrow means
thereon which indicate the desired indicia. Also, it is within the scope of the present
invention that the length, of the side wall of the outer housing may be less than
the length of the side wall of the inner housing such that the indicia on the inner
housing may be exposed to cooperate with indicator viewing means on the side wall
of the outer housing.
1. A closure member (11) for a container (12), including in combination: an inner
housing (41, 51) having means (55) for mounting to the container (12), an outer housing
(21) rotatably mounted on and adapted to nest about said inner housing (41, 51), at
least one first abutment means (25) mounted on one of said inner or outer housings
(41, 21), between said inner and outer housings (41, 51; 21), and at least one second
abutment means (42), mounted to the other of said inner, (41,51) or outer (21) housings
opposite said one of said housings having at least one first abutment means (25),
said second abutment means (42), positioned to engage each of said first abutment
means (25) during rotation of said outer housing (21) in a manner effective to stop
rotation of said inner (41, 51) and outer (21) housings relative to each other in
one direction when said first (25) and second (42), abutment means are engaged, and
yieldingly resist rotation of said inner (41, 51) and outer (21) housings relative
to each other in the opposite direction when said second abutment means (42), is so
engaged with at least one of said first abutment means (25), the closure member (11)
including indicia means (62) on said inner housing (41, 51) and adapted to rotate
with said inner housing (41, 51), said outer housing (21) having at least one indicator
station means (23) thereon aligned with said indicia means (62) on said inner housing
(41, 51), said indicia (68) being so disposed on said indicia means (62) on said inner
housing (41), that said indicia (68) are visible through and aligned with said indicator
station means (23) when said first (25) and second (42), abutment means are engaged,
characterised in that the indicia means (62) is removably mounted on said inner housing
(41) in a relatively stationary manner.
2. A closure member (11) in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that said indicia
means (62) is an insertable disc member having a plurality of indicia thereon positioned
and affixed in a relatively stationary manner to said inner housing (41,51).
3. A closure member (11) in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that
said inner and outer housings each include cylindrical wall portions and one of said
abutment means is comprised of a plurality of depressed grooves (42), said grooves
having two walls projecting substantially radially into the cylindrical wall portion
of the housing, and the other of said abutment means is comprised of wedge-shaped
ribs (25) on said cylindrical wall of said housing in position to engage each of said
depressed grooves (42) during the rotation of said housings (21, 41, 51) relative
to each other.
4. A closure member (11) in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that
said means (55) for mounting to the container (12) comprises threads and said inner
housing (41) has a portion thereof substantially conical in shape for extending over
a drop dispensing means on said container (12); in that said indicia means (62) is
substantially conical in shape and is removably secured to said conical portion of
said inner housing (41) and in that said outer housing (21) substantially conforms
in shape to said inner housing (41) and said indicia means (62) is openended and visible
through an opening (23) in the conical portion of said outer housing (21).
5. A closure member (11) in accordance with any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in
that said inner housing further includes an inner cap member (51) nesting therein,
said inner cap member (51) including projecting rim means having grooves (54) therein
extending upwardly therefrom and selectively engageable with abutment means (20) extending
downwardly from said inner housing (41), said inner cap member (51) further including
means (55) for mounting to the container (12), said inner cap member (51) being rotatably
mounted within said inner housing (41) such that upon the downward movement and rotation
of said outer housing (21) against said inner housing (41), at least one of said first
abutment means (25) engages at least one of said second abutment means (42) to rotate
said inner housing (41) and selectively engage said abutment means (20) on said inner
housing (41) with said grooves (54) on said projecting rim on said inner cap member
(51) to rotate said inner cap member (51) to provide a twist-type child resistant
closure member.
6. A closure member (11) in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that said inner
housing (41) further includes a spring means (20) extending downwardly and an inner
cap member (51) nested therein, said inner cap member (51) comprising a top planar
surface (76) having projection means (53) extending upwardly therefrom and means (55)
for mounting to said container (12), said inner cap member (51) being rotatably mounted
within said inner housing (41) with said spring means (20) resting upon said top planar
surface (76) of said inner cap member (51), such that upon rotation of said inner
housing (41) said spring means (20) slidably deflect past said projection means (53)
in one rotational direction and said spring means (20) engage said projection means
(53) upon rotation of the inner housing (41) in the opposite direction to rotate said
inner cap member (51), in that said inner housing (41) further comprises downwardly
projecting teeth (46) and said inner cap member (51) further comprises grooves (54)
spaced in an opposed manner thereon, said teeth (46) being prevented from meshing
with said grooves (54) by the upward force exerted upon the inner housing (41) by
the spring means (20) engaging said surface (76) of said inner cap member (51), and
in that said spring means (20) yield to downward force upon said outer housing (21)
thereby permitting said teeth (46) and said grooves (54) to mesh and mutually engage
permitting said inner cap member (51) and said inner housing (41) to be rotated in
unison.
7. A closure member (11) in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that said inner
housing (41) includes a cylindrical wall, an upper wall (47) and lugs (48) projecting
inwardly from the lower portion of said inner housing cylindrical wall in a spaced
manner, in that said means for mounting to the container (12) comprises a resilient
seal (28) positioned within the cylindrical wall of said inner housing (41) and extending
radially outward beyond the inwardly projecting lugs (48), said seal (28) projecting
upwardly and selectively engageable with said upper wall (47) of said inner housing
(41), said lugs (48) being engageable with the container (12) when said resilient
seal (28) is compressed between said rim of the container (12) and said inner housing
(41) upon the downward force on said outer housing (21) against said inner housing
(41) to mount the closure member (11) to'the container (12).
8. A closure member (11) in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that
one of said at least one first abutment means and said at least one second abutment
means are of trapezoidal-shaped structure (25) and the other of said at least one
first abutment means and said at least one second abutment means are comprised of
grooves (54) of a trapezoidal-shaped complementary design to provide cooperation between
said structure and said grooves to rotate said inner (51) and outer (21) housings
relative to each other.
9. A closure member (11) in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that said means
for mounting to said container (12) includes a twist-type child resistant mounting
means.
1. Verschlußelement (11) für einen Behälter (12), in kombinierter Ausführung umfassend:
ein Innengehäuse (41,51) mit Vorrichtungen (55) zur Befestigung am Behälter (12),
ein Außengehäuse (21), kas in drehbarer Ausführung am genannten Innengehäuse (41,
51) in entsprechender Anpassung befestigt ist, zumindest eine erste Auflagevorrichtung
(25), die an einem der genannten Innen- oder Außengehäuse (41,21) zwischen den genannten
Innen- und Außengehäusen (41, 51; 21) montiert ist, und zumindest eine zweite Auflagevorrichtung
(42), die am anderen der genannten Innen- (41, 51) oder Außengehäuse (21) gegenüber
dem genannten einen der genannten Gehäuse mit zumindest einer ersten Auflagevorrichtung
(25) montiert ist, wobei die genannte zweite Auflagevorrichtung (42) so angeordnet
ist, daß sie in jede der genannten ersten Auflagevorrichtungen (25) während einer
Drehung des genannten Außengehäuses (21) so eingreift, daß dadurch in wirksamer Weise
eine Drehung der genannten Innen- (41,51) und Außengehäuse (21) im Verhältnis zueinander
in einer Richtung unterbunden wird, wenn die genannten ersten (25) und zweiten (42)
Auflagevorrichtungen miteinander in Eingriff stehen, und einer Drehung der genannten
Innen- (41, 51) und Außengehäuse (21) im Verhältnis zueinander in entgegengesetzter
Richtung in nachgebender Weise entgegengewirkt wird, wenn die genannte zweite Auflagevorrichtung
(42) mit zumindest einer der genannten ersten Auflagevorrichtungen (25) in beschriebener
Weise in Eingriff steht, wobei das Verschlußelement (11) eine Kennziffernvorrichtung
(62) am genannten Innengehäuse (41, 51) umfaßt, die so ausgeführt ist, daß sie sich
mit dem genannten Innengehäuse (41, 51) dreht, wobei das genannte Außengehäuse (21)
zumindest eine daran vorgesehene Anzeigestationsvorrichtung (23) umfaßt, die zur genannten
Kennziffernvorrichtung (62) am genannten Innengehäuse (41, 51) entsprechend ausgerichtet
ist, wobei die Kennziffern (68) an der genannten Kennziffernvorrichtung (62) . am
genannten Innengehäuse (41) so angeordnet sind, daß die genannten Kennziffern (68)
durch die genannte Anzeigestationsvorrichtung (23) hindurch sichtbar und dazu entsprechend
ausgerichtet sind, wenn die genannten ersten (25) und zweiten (42) Auflagevorrichtungen
in Eingriff stehen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Kennziffernvorrichtung (62) am
genannten Innengehäuse (41) in abnehmbarer Ausführung in relativ stationärer Weise
befestigt ist.
2. Verschlußelement (11) gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es sich bei
der genannten Kennziffernvorrichtung (62) um ein einsetzbares Scheibenelement handelt,
auf dem eine Vielzahl von Kennziffern entsprechend positioniert sind, und das in relativ
stationärer Weise am genannten Innengehäuse (41, 51) befestigt ist.
3. Verschlußelement (11) gemäß Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die genannten Innen- und Außengehäuse jeweils zylindrische Wandabschnitte umfassen,
daß eine der genannten Auflagevorrichtungen aus einer Vielzahl vertiefter Nuten (42)
besteht, wobei die genannten Nuten zwei Wände aufweisen, die im wesentlichen radial
in den zylindrischen Wandabschnitt des Gehäuses ragen, und daß die andere der genannten
Auflagevorrichtungen aus keilförmigen Rippen (25) an der genannten zylindrischen Wand
des genannten Gehäuses besteht, die jeweils in die genannten vertieften Nuten (42)
während der Drehung der genannten Gehäuse (21, 41, 51) im Verhältnis zueinander eingreifen.
4. Verschlußelement (11) gemäß Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die genannte Vorrichtung (55) zur Befestigung am Behälter (12) Gewindegänge umfaßt
und das genannte Innengehäuse (41) einen im wesentlichen konisch ausgeführten Abschnitt
aufweist, um damit eine Tropfenspendervorrichtung am genannten Behälter (12) zu überdecken;
daß die genannte Kennziffernvorrichtung (62) eine im wesentlichen konische Form aufweist
und in abnehmbarer Weise am genannten konischen Abschnitt des genannten Innengehäuses
(41) befestigt ist, daß das genannte Außengehäuse (21) im wesentlichen der Form des
genannten Innengehäuses (41) entspricht, und daß die genannte Kennziffernvorrichtung
(62) offen ausgeführt und durch eine Öffnung (23) im konischen Abschnitt des genannten
Außengehäuses (21) hindurch sichtbar ist.
5. Verschlußelement (11) gemäß irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß das genannte Innengehäuse weiterhin ein darin eingepaßtes Innenkappenelement (51)
umfaßt, wobei das genannte Innenkappenelement (51) vorstehende Randvorrichtungen mit
darin vorgesehenen Nuten (54) aufweist, die von dort aus nach oben verlaufen und wahlweise
in Eingriff mit den Auflagevorrichtungen (20) gebracht werden können, die vom genannten
Innengehäuse (41)'aus nach unten verlaufen, wobei das genannte Innenkappenelement (51) weiterhin Vorrichtungen
(55) zur Befestigung am Behälter (12) umfaßt, wobei das genannte Innenkappenelement
(51) in drehbarer Ausführung so innerhalb des genannten Innengehäuses (41) montiert
ist, daß bei nach unten gerichteter Bewegung und Drehung des genannten Außengehäuses
(21) gegenüber dem genannten lnnenge-' häuse (41) zumindest eine der genannten ersten
Auflagevorrichtungen (25) mit zumindest einer der genannten zweiten Auflagevorrichtungen
(42) in Eingriff gebracht wird, um das genannte Innengehäuse (41) zu drehen und die
genannten Auflagevorrichtungen (20) am genannten Innengehäuse (41) mit den genannten
Nuten (54) am genannten vorstehenden Rand am genannten Innenkappenelement (51) wahlweise
in Eingriff zu bringen, um so das genannte Innenkappenelement (51) zu drehen, damit
auf diese Weise ein kindersicheres Drehverschlußelement entsteht.
6. Verschlußelement (11) gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das genannte
Innengehäuse (41) weiterhin eine nach unten verlaufende Federvorrichtung (20) und
ein darin eingepaßtes Innenkappenelement (51) umfaßt, wobei das genannte Innenkappenelement
(51) eine obere planare Fläche (76) mit vorstehenden Vorrichtungen (53), die von dort
aus nach oben verlaufen, und Vorrichtungen (55) zur Befestigung am genannten Behälter
(12) umfaßt, wobei das genannte Innenkappenelement (51) in drehbarer Ausführung innerhalb
des genannten Innengehäuses (41) montiert ist, wobei die genannte Federvorrichtung
(20) auf der genannten oberen planaren Fläche (76) des genannten Innenkappenelements
(51) so ruht, daß bei einer Drehung des genannten Innengehäuses (41) die genannten
Federvorrichtungen (20) in gleitender Weise an der genannten vorstehenden Vorrichtung
(53) vorbei in einer Drehrichtung abgelenkt werden und die genannten Federvorrichtungen
(20) in die genannten vorstehenden Vorrichtungen (53) bei einer Drehung des Innengehäuses
(41) in entgegengesetzter Richtung eingreifen, um so das genannte Innenkappenelement
(51) zu drehen, daß das genannte Innengehäuse (41) weiterhin nach unten vorstehende
Zähne (46) umfaßt, und daß das genannte Innenkappenelement (51) weiterhin Nuten (54)
aufweist, die daran in gegenüberliegender Anordnung mit Abstand vorgesehen sind, wobei
die genannten Zähne (46) durch die nach oben gerichtete Kraft, die auf das Innengehäuse
(41) durch die Federvorrichtung (20) ausgeübt wird, die in die genannte Fläche (76)
des genannten Innenkappenelements (51) eingreift, daran gehindert werden, in die genannten
Nuten (54) einzugreifen, und daß die genannten Federvorrichtungen (20) der nach unten
gerichteten und auf das genannte Außengehäuse (21) einwirkenden Kraft nachgeben, um
es so den genannten Zähnen (46) und den genannten Nuten (54) zu ermöglichen, ineinander
einzugreifen, damit dem genannten Innenkappenelement (51) und dem genannten Innengehäuse
(41) auf diese Weise eine gemeinsame Drehbewegung ermöglicht wird.
7. Verschlußelement (11) gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das genannte
Innengehäuse (41) eine zylindrische Wand, eine obere Wand (47 und Zapfen (48) umfaßt,
die vom unteren Abschnitt der genannten zylindrischen Wand des Innengehäuses aus mit
entsprechendem Abstand nach innen ragen, daß die genannte Vorrichtung zur Befestigung
am Behälter (12) eine elastisch nachgebende Dichtung (28) umfaßt, die innerhalb der
zylindrischen Wand des genannten Innengehäuses (41) angeordnet ist und radial nach
außen über die nach innen verlaufenden Zapfen (48) hinausragt, wobei die genannte
Dichtung (28) nach oben verläuft und wahlweise mit der genannten oberen Wand (47)
des genannten Innengehäuses (41) in Eingriff gebracht werden kann, wobei die genannten
Zapfen (48) mit dem Behälter (12) in Eingriff gebracht werden können, wenn die genannte
elastisch nachgebende Dichtung (28) zwischen dem genannten Rand des Behälters (12)
und dem genannten Innengehäuse (41) durch die nach unten auf das genannte Außengehäuse
(21) einwirkende und auf das genannte Innengehäuse (41) drückende Kraft zusammengedrückt
wird, um so das Verschlußelement (11) am Behälter (12) zu befestigen.
8. Verschlußelement (11) gemäß Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine
der genannten zumindest einen ersten Auflagevorrichtungen und der genannten zumindest
einen zweiten Auflagevorrichtungen eine trapezförmige Konstruktion (25) aufweisen,
und daß die andere der genannten zumindest einen ersten Auflagevorrichtungen und die
genannten zumindest einen zweiten Auflagevorrichtungen aus Nuten (54) in trapezförmiger
ergänzender Ausführung bestehen, um so ein Zusammenwirken zwischen der genannten Konstruktion
und den genannten Nuten zu ermöglichen, damit sich die genannten Innen- (51) und Außengehäuse
(21) im Verhältnis zueinander drehen können.
9. Verschlußelement (11) gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die genannte
Vorrichtung zur Befestigung am genannten Behälter (12) eine kindersichere Drehbefestigungsvorrichtung
umfaßt.
1. Bouchage (11) pour un récipient (12), comprenant, en combinaison: une coiffe intérieure
(41, 51) comportant des moyens (55) pour le montage sur le récipient (12), une coiffe
extérieure (21) montée à rotation sur la coiffe intérieure (41,51 ) et propre à s'ajuster
autour de celle-ci, au moins un premier moyen d'arrêt (25) prévu sur une des deux
coiffes (41, 51; 21), entre celles-ci, et au moins un second moyen d'arrêt (42) prévu
sur l'autre des deux coiffes (41, 51; 21) en opposition à la dite première coiffe
comportant au moins un premier moyen d'arrêt (25), le second moyen d'arrêt (42) étant
positionné afin d'attaquer chaque premier moyen d'arrêt (25) pendant la rotation de
la coiffe extérieure (21) d'une manière propre à arrêter la rotation des coiffes intérieure
(41, 51) et extérieure (21) l'une par rapport à l'autre dans un sens lorsque le premier
(25) et le second (42) moyen d'arrêt sont engagés, et à résister élastiquement à la
rotation des coiffes intérieure (41, 51) et extérieure (21) l'une par rapport à l'autre
dans le sens opposé lorsque le second moyen d'arrêt (42) est ainsi engagé avec au
moins un des premiers moyens d'arrêt (25), le bouchage (11) comprenant un moyen à
signes (62) prévu sur la coiffe intérieure (41,51) et propre à tourner avec celle-ci,
la coiffe extérieure (21) portant au moins un poste indicateur (23) en ligne avec
le moyen à signes (62) sur la coiffe intérieure (41, 51), les signes (68) étant disposés
sur le moyen à signes (62) prévu sur la coiffe intérieure (41) d'une manière telle
qu'ils soient visibles à travers le poste indicateur (23) et en ligne avec celui-ci
lorsque le premier moyend d'arrêt (25) et le second moyen d'arrêt (42) sont engagés,
caractérisé en ce que le moyen à signes (62) est monté de manière amovible sur la
coiffe intérieure (41) d'une façon relativement fixe.
2. Bouchage (11) suivant la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le moyen à signes
(62) est un disque rapporté qui porte un grand nombre de signes et qui est positionné
et fixé à la coiffe intérieure (41, 51) d'une manière relativement fixe.
3. Bouchage (11) suivant la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que les coiffes
intérieure et extérieure comprennent chacune des parties de paroi cylindriques et
un des moyens d'arrêt est formé de plusieurs encoches (42), ces encoches comportant
deux parois qui s'étendent en substance radialement dans la partie de paroi cylindrique
de la coiffe, et l'autre moyen d'arrêt est formé de nervures cunéiformes (25) sur
la paroi cylindrique de la coiffe en position pour s'engager dans chacune des encoches
(42) pendant la rotation des coiffes (21,41, 51) l'une par rapport à l'autre.
4. Bouchage (11) suivant la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le moyen (55)
pour le montage sur le récipient (12) comprend des filets de vis et la coiffe intérieure
(41) comporte une partie de forme en substance conique. qui s'étend au-dessus d'un
distributeur de gouttes sur le récipient (12); en ce que le moyen à signes (62) est
de forme en substance conique et est fixé de manière amovible à la partie conique
de la coiffe intérieure (41) et en ce que la coiffe extérieure (21) épouse en substance
la forme de la coiffe intérieure (41) et le moyen à signes (62) est ouvert à son extrémité
et est visible par une ouverture (23) prévue dans la partie conique de la coiffe extérieure
(21).
5. Bouchage (11) suivant l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en
ce que la coiffe intérieure comprend, en outre, un chapeau intérieur (51) qui y est
emboîté, le chapeau intérieur (51) comprend un bord saillant comportant des encoches
(54) qui s'ouvrent vers le haut et qui peuvent être engagées sélectivement avec des
moyens d'arrêt (20) s'étendant vers le bas à partir de la coiffe intérieure (41),
le chapeau intérieur (51) comprenant, en outre, des moyens (55) pour le montage sur
le récipient (12), le chapeau intérieur (51) étant monté à rotation dans la coiffe
intérieure (41), de sorte que, lors du déplacement vers le bas et de la rotation de
la coiffe extérieure (21) contre la coiffe intérieure (41), au moins un des premiers
moyens d'arrêt (25) attaque au moins un des seconds moyens d'arrêt (42) pour faire
tourner la coiffe intérieure (41) et engager sélectivement les moyens d'arrêt (20)
prévus sur la coiffe intérieure (41) avec les encoches (54) prévues dans le bord saillant
du chapeau intérieur (51) afin de faire tourner ce chapeau intérieur (51) pour obtenir
un bouchage du type à torsion résistant aux enfants.
6. Bouchage (11) suivant la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la coiffe intérieure
(41) comprend, en outre, un moyen à ressorts (20) qui s'étend vers le bas et un chapeau
intérieur (51) qui y est inséré, le chapeau intérieur (51) comprenant une surface
plane supérieure (76) comportant des saillies (53) qui s'étendent vers le haut et
des moyens (55) pour le montage sur le récipient (12), le chapeau intérieur (51) étant
monté à rotation dans la coiffe intérieure (41) et le moyen à ressorts (20) reposant
sur la surface plane supérieure (76) du chapeau intérieur (51), de sorte que, lors
de la rotation de la coiffe intérieure (41), le moyen à ressorts (20) fléchit à coulissement
en franchissant les saillies (53) dans un sens de rotation et attaque ces saillies
(53) lors de la rotation de la coiffe intérieure (41) dans le sens opposé afin de
faire tourner le chapeau intérieur (51), en ce que la coiffe intérieure (41) comprend,
en outre, des dents (46) en saillie vers le bas et le chapeau intérieur (51) comprend,
en outre, des encoches (54) espacées de manière opposée l'une à l'autre, les dents
(46) étant empêchées de venir en prise avec les encoches (54) par la force exercée
vers le haut sur la coiffe intérieure (41) par le moyen à ressorts (20) qui attaque
la surface (76) du chapeau intérieur (51), et en ce que le moyen à ressorts (20) cède
élastiquement à une force exercée vers le bas sur la coiffe extérieure (21) de manière
à permettre aux dents (46) et aux encoches (54) de venir en prise et de s'engager
mutuellement pour permettre la rotation conjointe du chapeau intérieur (51) et de
la coiffe intérieure (41).
7. Bouchage (11) suivant la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la coiffe intérieure
(41) comprend une paroi cylindrique, une paroi supérieure (47) et des oreilles (48)
qui s'étendent vers l'intérieur depuis la partie inférieure de la paroi cylindrique
de la coiffe intérieure et qui sont espacées l'une de l'autre, en ce que les moyens
pour le montage sur le récipient (12) comprennent un joint d'étanchéité élastique
(28) installé dans la paroi cylindrique de la coiffe intérieure (41) et s'étendant
radialement vers l'extérieur au-delà des oreilles (48) en saillie vers l'intérieur,
le joint d'étanchéité (28) s'étendant vers le haut et pouvant être engagé sélectivement
avec la paroi supérieure (47) de la coiffe intérieure (41), les oreilles (48) pouvant
être engagées avec le récipient (12) lorsque le joint d'étanchéité élastique (28)
est comprimé entre le bord du récipient (12) et la coiffe intérieure (41) sous l'effet
de la force exercée vers le bas sur la coiffe extérieure (21) contre la coiffe intérieure
(41) pour monter le bouchage (11) sur le récipient (12).
8. Bouchage (11) suivant la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que soit le
ou les premiers moyens d'arrêt présents, soit le ou les seconds moyens d'arrêt présents
ont une structure de forme trapézoïdale (25) et, selon le cas, le ou les premiers
ou seconds moyens présents et de l'autre type sont constitués d'encoches (54) de forme
trapézoïdale complémentaire pour garantir une coopération entre la structure et les
encoches afin de faire tourner les coiffes intérieure (51) et extérieure (21) l'une
par rapport à l'autre.
9. Bouchage (11) suivant la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le moyen de montage
sur le récipient (12) comprend un moyen de montage du type à torsion à l'épreuve des
enfants.