Child-resistant overcap

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for enclosing containers with a child-resistant overcap and preventing unauthorized access to containers are provided. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an overcap that can be placed onto a container or end closure, and the overcap may require a combination of forces to be removed from the container or end closure. Embodiments of the overcap can have a deflectable center portion where a force applied to the center portion deflects the center portion and causes snap features to release from a container or end closure. A second opposing force may then remove the overcap from the container or end closure. The forces and combination of features restricts the ability of a child or other to access potentially hazardous contents within the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flexible overcap to selectively prevent the opening of a container, comprising:
 a center portion that is deflectable between a first upper position and a second lower position, wherein said center portion is biased toward said first upper position;   a plurality of downwardly-oriented snap features arranged at least partially around a perimeter edge of said center portion, wherein each snap feature of said plurality of snap features has a distal end, and said distal ends form an inner diameter; and   wherein when said center portion is in said first upper position, said distal ends form a first inner diameter, and wherein when said center portion deflects to said second lower position, said distal ends move outwardly to a second inner diameter that is larger than said first inner diameter, wherein, in said second lower position, said overcap can be disengaged from said container.   
     
     
         2 . The overcap of  claim 1 , wherein each snap feature of said plurality of snap features has a first portion connected to a second portion at a connection angle. 
     
     
         3 . The overcap of  claim 2 , wherein when said center portion is in said first upper position, said first portion of each snap feature of said plurality of snap features forms a first angle with a horizontal plane between approximately 60 degrees and 90 degrees, and said second portion of each snap feature of said plurality of snap features forms a second angle with a horizontal plane between approximately 45 degrees and 90 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The overcap of  claim 2 , wherein when said center portion is in said second lower position, said first portion of each snap feature of said plurality of snap features forms a first angle with a horizontal plane between approximately 30 degrees and 60 degrees, and said second portion of each snap feature of said plurality of snap features forms a second angle with a horizontal plane between approximately 60 degrees and 120 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The overcap of  claim 1 , wherein a deflection force moves said center portion from said first upper position to said second lower position, and a holding force maintains said center portion in said second lower position. 
     
     
         6 . The overcap of  claim 5 , wherein said holding force is less than said deflection force. 
     
     
         7 . The overcap of  claim 1 , wherein each snap feature is connected to said center portion at an angle that remains substantially constant between said first upper position and said second lower position. 
     
     
         8 . An overcap system to prevent the unauthorized opening of a container, comprising:
 a container having a closed bottom portion, a sidewall extending upward from said closed bottom portion, and an upper portion of said sidewall that defines an opening end diameter;   an overcap having:
 a center portion that is deflectable between a first position and a second position, wherein, in said first position, said center portion is biased upwardly and away from said container to form a convex cross-sectional shape, and, in said second position, said center portion has a concave cross-sectional shape; 
 a plurality of snap features positioned about a perimeter edge of said center portion, wherein distal ends of said plurality of snap features form an inner diameter; 
   wherein, in said first position, said distal ends of said plurality of snap features engage said upper portion of said sidewall, and wherein, in said second position, said distal ends of said plurality of snap features disengage from said upper portion of said sidewall.   
     
     
         9 . The overcap system of  claim 8 , wherein an edge of said center portion forms a positive angle with a horizontal plane in said first position, and said edge of said center portion forms a negative angle with said horizontal plane in said second position. 
     
     
         10 . The overcap system of  claim 8 , wherein said plurality of snap features is connected to said center portion at an angle that is substantially constant between said first position and said second position of said center portion. 
     
     
         11 . The overcap system of  claim 8 , wherein said inner diameter is smaller than said opening end diameter in said first position, and said inner diameter is larger than said opening end diameter in said second position. 
     
     
         12 . The overcap system of  claim 8 , wherein said inner diameter is larger in said second position than said first position, and said inner diameter is less than said opening end diameter in said second position. 
     
     
         13 . The overcap system of  claim 8 , wherein a slot is formed between adjacent snap features of said plurality of snap features, and said slot extends from a lower end of adjacent snap features of said plurality of snap features to a point that is offset from an upper end of adjacent snap features of said plurality of snap features. 
     
     
         14 . An overcap system to prevent unauthorized opening of a container, comprising:
 a container having a closed bottom portion, a sidewall extending upward from said closed bottom portion, and an upper end having an end diameter;   an overcap having:
 a center portion that is deflectable from a first position and a second position in response to a downward force; 
 at least one snap feature positioned about a perimeter edge of said center portion, wherein distal ends of said at least one snap feature form an inner diameter; 
   wherein, in said first position, said inner diameter is smaller than said end diameter such that said at least one snap feature engages said upper end, and wherein, in said second position, said inner diameter is larger than said end diameter such that said overcap is removable from said upper end in response to an upward force applied to said at least one snap feature.   
     
     
         15 . The overcap system of  claim 14 , wherein said upward force is greater than said downward force. 
     
     
         16 . The overcap system of  claim 14 , wherein said center portion remains in said second position after removal of said downward force. 
     
     
         17 . The overcap system of  claim 14 , wherein said center portion reverts to said first position after removal of said downward force. 
     
     
         18 . The overcap system of  claim 14 , further comprising a pilfer band extending around said at least one snap feature to hold said at least one snap feature against said upper end, wherein said pilfer band breaks in response to a predetermined force caused by said center portion moving from said first position to said second position and said at least one snap feature moving outward. 
     
     
         19 . The overcap system of  claim 14 , further comprising an end closure seamed onto said upper end, wherein said end closure has a tab configured to deflect or remove part of said end closure to create an opening. 
     
     
         20 . The overcap system of  claim 14 , further comprising a sealable cover positioned on said upper end, wherein said sealable cover is selectively removable to provide access to contents in said container.