Locking container cap

Abstract

A locking container cap is provided that includes a closure positionable over the top of a container, and a locking ring engaged with the container below the closure and releasably engageable with the closure. The locking member includes a number of lugs that can be engaged within notches formed in the lower end of the closure to securely hold the closure on the container and prevent the removal of the closure by a child. To disengage the closure, the lugs must be disengaged from the notches in the closure prior to rotating either the closure or locking ring with regard to the container.

1 . A locking container cap comprising: 
 a) a closure adapted to be secured to an upper end of a neck on a container and including a lower end and a flange including a number of notches disposed adjacent the lower end; and    b) a locking ring defining a central aperture therein that is positionable around the neck of the container and including a number of lugs selectively engageable within the notches in the closure.    
   
   
       2 . The cap of  claim 1  wherein the lugs extend upwardly from a peripheral rim between pairs of slots formed in the rim.  
   
   
       3 . The cap of  claim 1  further comprising an interior thread on the locking ring that is threadedly engageable with a thread on the neck of the container.  
   
   
       4 . The cap of  claim 3  further comprising pairs of slots formed in the locking ring on either side of each of the number of lugs to define deflectable sections on the locking ring.  
   
   
       5 . The cap of  claim 3  wherein the number of lugs are spaced equidistant from one another on the locking ring.  
   
   
       6 . The cap of  claim 3  further comprising a number of gripping members disposed on the locking ring opposite the interior thread.  
   
   
       7 . The cap of  claim 1  further comprising a number of braces on the locking ring that are engagable with the neck of the container.  
   
   
       8 . The cap of  claim 7  wherein the central aperture has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the neck of the container.  
   
   
       9 . The cap of  claim 8  wherein the braces extend at least partially into the aperture.  
   
   
       10 . The cap of  claim 1  further comprising a number of outwardly extending tabs disposed on the locking ring adjacent each of the number of lugs.  
   
   
       11 . A method of securing a locking container cap to a container, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a locking container cap including a locking ring having a number of upwardly extending lugs thereon, and a closure including a number of downwardly extending notches therein;    b) engaging the locking ring with a neck of the container;    c) engaging the closure with the container; and    d) engaging the lugs on the locking ring within the notches in the closure.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of engaging the lugs with the notches comprises rotating the locking around the neck to move the lugs into engagement with the notches.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the locking ring includes an interior thread engagable with an exterior thread on the neck of the container, and wherein the step of rotating the locking ring comprises moving the locking ring upwardly along the threads to engage the lugs within the notches.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the steps of: 
 a) disengaging the lugs from within the notches after engaging the lugs within the notches; and    b) disengaging the closure from the container.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of disengaging the lugs from within the notches comprises deflecting the lugs out of engagement with the notches.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the locking ring includes a number of pairs of slots formed on opposite sides of each of the number of lugs to define deflection portions on the locking ring, and wherein the step of deflecting the lugs comprises pressing downwardly on the deflecting portions of the locking ring.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the locking ring includes a number of outwardly extending tabs disposed adjacent each of the number of lugs, and wherein the step of deflecting the lugs comprises pulling downwardly on the tabs of the locking ring.  
   
   
       18 . A locking container comprising: 
 a) a body including a lower containment portion and an upper neck portion, the upper neck portion including an upper, open end and an exterior thread disposed around the upper neck portion;    b) a closure including an open, lower end and a flange including a number of notches disposed adjacent the lower end and an interior thread engagable with the exterior thread on the neck portion; and    c) a locking ring defining a central aperture therein that is engagable around the neck of the container and including a number of lugs selectively engageable within the notches in the closure.    
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 18  wherein the locking ring includes an aperture thread in the central aperture engagable with the exterior thread on the neck portion of the container.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 18  wherein the locking ring includes a number of braces extending partially into the central aperture and engagable with the neck portion.