Child resistant package

Abstract

A reclosable child resistant package including a container having an open end and retention means on the internal surface of the container, adjacent the open end; and a closure having a top panel with a sidewall depending from the top panel with retention means on an exterior surface of the closure sidewall that cooperates with retention means in the container. The retention means may consist of cooperating screw threads on the closure sidewall and in the container near its open end. These threads are also used for opening the package. If alternate retention means are used to retain the closure within the container it may be necessary to include alternate opening means to elevate the closure from the container as the closure is rotated. When the package is closed the closure has little or no exposed vertical surface but the panel top surface on the closure is exposed. The package is opened by grasping the container with one hand and pressing the palm of the other hand against the exposed surface of the closure top panel, for frictional engagement, while rotating the palm in the counter clockwise direction to loosen and remove the closure. The top panel may have a slot, suitable for inserting a tool such as a coin, which may be used for opening and or closing the package. Sealing of the package is provided by continuous contact between an external surface on the closure with an internal surface in the container.

1 ) A package consisting of an assembly of: 
 a container composed of a generally cylindrical sidewall having an integral base wall at one end and an opening at the other end: and the interior surface of said container sidewall having retention means for retaining a closure at or near said other end;    and a closure composed of a generally cylindrical sidewall that is smaller in diameter than the interior surface of said container sidewall; has retention means on the outer surface of said closure sidewall that cooperates with said container retention means, and has a top panel integrally formed at one end; said top panel has a top surface that is smaller in diameter than the exterior diameter of the container, and has little or no projection above said container other end;    said closure being removable from said container by rotating said closure with respect to said container.    
   
   
       2 ) A package according to  claim 1  having sealing means such that when said closure is applied to said container such that the package is closed, a surface on the exterior of said closure and a surface on the interior of said container will be in continuous contact with each other so as to prevent or reduce the ingress or egress of moisture or water vapor to the package, along the area of contact.  
   
   
       3 ) A package according to  claim 2  where the sealing means is provided by continuous contact of a portion of said container sidewall top surface and a portion of the bottom surface of said closure top panel when said package is closed.  
   
   
       4 ) A package according to  claim 1  having a slot extending from the top surface of said closure top panel toward the bottom surface of said top panel.  
   
   
       5 ) A package according to  claim 1  having said closure and said container being composed of one or more plastic materials.  
   
   
       6 ) A package according to  claim 1  having the outer surface of said closure top panel being convex.  
   
   
       7 ) A package according to  claim 1  where the retention means on said container and closure are composed of screw threads.  
   
   
       8 ) A package according to  claim 1  where the retention means on the container and closure are composed of engaging beads.  
   
   
       9 ) A package according to  claim 8  where the said engaging bead on said closure is the periphery of said closure top panel and the retention means on the container consists of said engaging bead being at or near the said open end of the sidewall and a reduced diameter of said sidewall below said engaging bead to limit the distance the closure can be inserted into the container.  
   
   
       10 ) A package according to  claim 9  having an inclined surface protruding from the interior of said container sidewall near said other end and a generally vertical spline protruding from said closure sidewall a sufficient distance so that the bottom surface of said spline will contact and move up said inclined surface as said closure is rotated with respect to said container.  
   
   
       11 ) A package consisting of an assembly of: 
 a container having a first generally cylindrical sidewall having an integral base wall at one end and an integrally connected second generally cylindrical sidewall being larger in diameter at the other end; said second generally cylindrical sidewall being integral with said first generally cylindrical sidewall by a generally conical section at one of its ends and an opening at its other end; and said second generally cylindrical sidewall having retention means on its interior surface, for retaining a closure, at or near said opening;    a closure having a generally cylindrical sidewall that is smaller in diameter than the interior surface of said container second generally cylindrical sidewall; and having retention means on its outer surface that cooperates with said container second generally cylindrical sidewall retention means; and having a top panel at one end that has a top surface that is smaller than the exterior diameter, of said container second generally cylindrical sidewall, and has little or no projection above said second generally cylindrical sidewall;    said closure being removable from said container by rotating said closure with respect to said container.    
   
   
       12 ) A package according to  claim 11  having sealing means such that when said closure is assembled with said container such that the package is closed, cooperating surfaces on the closure and container will be in continuous contact with each other so as to prevent or reduce the ingress or egress of moisture or water vapor to the package along the area of contact.  
   
   
       13 ) A package according to  claim 12  where said sealing means is composed of a portion of the surface of said container second generally cylindrical sidewall contacting a portion of said closure sidewall such that it reduces or prevents the ingress or egress of moisture into or out of the package.  
   
   
       14 ) A package according to  claim 12  where said sealing means is composed of a portion of the surface of said container second generally cylindrical sidewall being in continuous contact with a portion of said closure top panel, when the package is closed.  
   
   
       15 ) A package according to  claim 11  having a slot extending from the top surface of said closure top panel toward the bottom surface of said closure top panel.  
   
   
       16 ) A package according to  claim 11  having said closure and said container composed of one or more plastic materials.  
   
   
       17 ) A package according to  claim 11  such that said retention means is composed of screw threads on the exterior of the closure sidewall and interior of said container second generally cylindrical sidewall.  
   
   
       18 ) A package according to  claim 1  I where the said retention means on said closure is the periphery of said closure top panel and the retention means on the container consists of a bead being at or near the said open end of the said second generally cylindrical sidewall and a reduced diameter of said second generally cylindrical sidewall below said engaging bead to limit the distance the closure can be inserted into the container.  
   
   
       19 ) A package according to  claim 18  having an inclined surface protruding from the interior of said container second generally cylindrical sidewall near said opening and a generally vertical spline protruding from said closure sidewall a sufficient distance so that the bottom surface of said spline will contact and move up said inclined surface as said closure is rotated with respect to said container to disengage said closure from said container to open the package.