Method and device for a child resistant dropper closure

Abstract

An apparatus includes a closure plane having an annular opening, a circumferentially depending outer skirt having on a radially inward side a plurality of first child-resistant engaging arrangements, and a circumferentially depending inner member arranged parallel to, and radially inward from, the circumferentially depending outer skirt. A dropper is provided which includes a bulb and pipette arranged in the annular opening of the closure plane, the pipette extending axially from the closure plane in a first direction of the outer skirt, the bulb forming an airtight seal with the pipette. A container is provided which includes a base and a sidewall. The sidewall extends circumferentially from the base and an edge of the sidewall away from the base forms a container neck. The container neck includes on an outward side a plurality of second child-resistant engaging arrangements. The closure is molded from one piece. Each of the first child-resistant engaging arrangements is adapted to engage with a corresponding second child-resistant engaging arrangement on the container neck. The circumferentially depending inner member is adapted to engage the container neck to bias the closure into an open position. A closure is provided which includes a closure plane having an annular opening, a circumferentially depending outer skirt having on a radially inward side a plurality of evenly spaced lugs, and a circumferentially depending inner member arranged parallel to, and radially inward from, the circumferentially depending outer skirt. Each of the lugs is adapted to engage with a corresponding bayonet on a container neck, the corresponding bayonet having a notch configured to accept the lug.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a closure including (a) a closure plane having an annular opening, (b) a circumferentially depending outer skirt having on a radially inward side a plurality of first child-resistant engaging arrangements, and (c) a circumferentially depending inner member arranged parallel to, and radially inward from, the circumferentially depending outer skirt;    a dropper including a bulb and a pipette arranged in the annular opening of the closure plane, the pipette extending axially from the closure plane in a first direction of the outer skirt, the bulb forming an airtight seal with the pipette; and    a container including a base and a sidewall, the sidewall extending circumferentially from the base, an edge of the sidewall away from the base forming a container neck, the container neck including on an outward side a plurality of second child-resistant engaging arrangements;    wherein the closure is molded from one piece;    wherein each of the first child-resistant engaging arrangements is adapted to engage with a corresponding second child-resistant engaging arrangement on the container neck; and    wherein the circumferentially depending inner member is adapted to engage the container neck to bias the closure toward an open position.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the bulb and the pipette are arranged in the annular opening of the closure plane by at least one of a friction fit and an annular groove fitment.  
     
     
         3 . A device, comprising: 
 a closure including (a) a closure plane having an annular opening, (b) a circumferentially depending outer skirt having on a radially inward side a plurality of evenly spaced lugs, and (c) a circumferentially depending inner member arranged parallel to, and radially inward from, the circumferentially depending outer skirt; and    a dropper including a bulb and a pipette arranged in the annular opening of the closure plane, the pipette extending axially from the closure plane in a first direction of the outer skirt, the bulb forming an airtight seal with the pipette;    wherein the closure is molded from one piece;    wherein each of the lugs is adapted to engage with a corresponding bayonet on a container neck, the corresponding bayonet having a notch configured to accept the lug; and    wherein the circumferentially depending inner member is adapted to engage the container neck to bias the closure toward an open position.    
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , further comprising a container including a base and a sidewall, the sidewall extending circumferentially from the base, an edge of the sidewall away from the base forming the container neck, the container neck including on an outward side the corresponding bayonets.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the container neck includes an extended tapered wall adapted to engage the circumferentially depending inner member of the closure.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the extended tapered wall is adapted to engage the circumferentially depending inner member on a radially inward side of the circumferentially depending inner member of the closure.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the extended tapered wall is adapted to engage the circumferentially depending inner member on a radially outward side of the circumferentially depending inner member of the closure.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the closure and the container are configured so that arranging the closure on the container causes: 
 each of the lugs to engage the corresponding bayonet; and    the circumferentially depending inner member to engage the container neck to bias the closure into the open position, the biasing of the closure causing each lug to be received in the notch of the corresponding bayonet.    
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the bulb of the dropper is molded together with the closure.  
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the bulb and the closure are molded in a two-material molding machine.  
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the bulb of the dropper is molded separately from the closure and assembled with the closure and the pipette after molding.  
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the lugs are rectangular, and wherein the notches are rectangular.  
     
     
         13 . A method for securing a dropper closure to a container, the closure molded in one piece and including (a) a closure plane having an annular opening, (b) a circumferentially depending outer skirt having on a radially inward side a plurality of evenly spaced lugs, each of the lugs adapted to engage with a corresponding bayonet on a container neck, the corresponding bayonet having a notch configured to accept the lug, and (c) a circumferentially depending inner member arranged parallel to, and radially inward from, the circumferentially depending outer skirt, the circumferentially depending inner member adapted to engage the container neck to bias the closure into an open position, the closure including a dropper including a bulb and a pipette arranged in the annular opening of the closure plane, the pipette extending axially from the closure plane in a first direction of the outer skirt, the bulb forming an airtight seal with the pipette, the container including a base and a sidewall, the sidewall extending circumferentially from the base, an edge of the sidewall away from the base forming the container neck, the container neck including on an outward side the corresponding bayonets, comprising: 
 pressing a closure onto a container causing the circumferentially depending inner member to engage the container neck;    rotating the closure causing each lug to engage with the corresponding bayonet; and    locking the closure in a child-resistant position by causing the lugs to be received in the notch of the corresponding bayonet.    
     
     
         14 . A method for securing a dropper closure to a container, comprising: 
 providing a closure which is molded in one piece which includes (a) a closure plane having an annular opening, (b) a circumferentially depending outer skirt having on a radially inward side a plurality of evenly spaced lugs, each of the lugs adapted to engage with a corresponding bayonet on a container neck, the corresponding bayonet having a notch configured to accept the lug, and (c) a circumferentially depending inner member arranged parallel to, and radially inward from, the circumferentially depending outer skirt, the circumferentially depending inner member adapted to engage the container neck to bias the closure toward an open position;    providing a dropper including a bulb and a pipette arranged in the annular opening of the closure plane, the pipette extending axially from the closure plane in a first direction of the outer skirt, the bulb forming an airtight seal with the pipette;    providing a container including a base and a sidewall, the sidewall extending circumferentially from the base, an edge of the sidewall away from the base forming the container neck, the container neck including on an outward side the corresponding bayonets;    pressing the closure onto the container causing the circumferentially depending inner member to engage the container neck;    rotating the closure causing each lug to engage with the corresponding bayonet; and    locking the closure in a child-resistant position by causing the lugs to be received in the notch of the corresponding bayonet.