IP Verse

Metal Child Resistant Container

Patent No. US11040808 (titled "Metal Child Resistant Container") was filed by Ecosafe Packaging Llc on Jun 18, 2018.

What is this patent about?

’808 is related to the field of child-resistant packaging, specifically metal containers designed to be resealable and recyclable. The background acknowledges the need for such containers, especially for products like combustibles, solvents, and medications, where child safety is paramount. Existing child-resistant packaging often suffers from limitations such as being non-resealable, not easily recyclable, or unsuitable for preserving the contents for extended periods.

The underlying idea behind ’808 is to create a metal container with a screw-top lid that is difficult for children to open but easy for adults. This is achieved by requiring the user to apply downward pressure on the outer cap while simultaneously twisting it. This pressure engages indentations on the inner and outer caps, effectively locking them together so that the inner cap can be unscrewed from the container body.

The claims of ’808 focus on a container comprising a body with a threaded neck, an inner cap with threads and indentations, and an outer cap with indentations that mate with the inner cap's indentations. The key feature is that applying pressure to the outer cap engages the indentations, allowing the inner cap to be screwed on or off. Some claims further specify a multilayer seal with a viewing window and desiccant material.

In practice, the container body has a recessed lip and a threaded neck to accommodate the inner cap. The inner cap screws onto this neck, creating an airtight seal. The outer cap fits over the inner cap, and the indentations on both caps are designed to interlock when pressure is applied. This interlocking mechanism prevents the inner cap from rotating freely unless the outer cap is pressed down, making it difficult for children to open. The addition of a foil seal with desiccant further enhances preservation and provides tamper evidence.

This design differentiates itself from prior approaches by using a combination of pressure and rotation to achieve child resistance, while also ensuring the container is resealable and recyclable. The metal construction avoids chemical leaching and allows for laser etching of tracking information. The viewing window in the seal allows inspection of the contents without compromising the airtight seal, a feature not commonly found in existing child-resistant containers.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the late 2010s when ’808 was filed, child-resistant packaging was typically implemented using multi-step opening mechanisms or specialized closures. At a time when regulations regarding child-resistant containers were becoming more stringent, systems commonly relied on plastic materials, although metal containers were also used for certain applications. Hardware or software constraints made creating a fully recyclable, resealable, and child-resistant metal container with advanced preservation features non-trivial.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner allowed the claims because the prior art did not explicitly disclose a multilayer seal with a window for viewing the product without breaking the seal. Additionally, for another claim, the prior art did not disclose specific indentation configurations on the inner and outer caps that engage when pressure is applied.

Claims

This patent includes 33 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 15, 20, 29, and 32. The independent claims are directed to child resistant containers comprising a container body, inner cap, and outer cap with specific features like a multilayer seal with a window and indentations for coupling the caps. The dependent claims generally add further detail and limitations to the features described in the independent claims, such as the composition of the seal, the configuration of the indentations, and the materials used.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Indentations Stamped Into
(Claim 1, Claim 15, Claim 20, Claim 29, Claim 32)		“Manufactured into the superior exterior surface plane of the locking cap “closed” top piece is a series of depressions that compliment and accommodate a matching set of depressions manufactured into the superior plane of the locking plate. The locking plate is a cylindrical plate that fits between the locking cap and the container lid. Depressions identical in size and dimension to those on the locking cap are manufactured into the surface of the plate.”Depressions or features manufactured into the inner and outer caps that allow them to couple and move together when pressure is applied.
Inner Cap
(Claim 1, Claim 15, Claim 20, Claim 29, Claim 32)		“This application relates to a child resistant container. The container requires the user to apply opposing pressure to the top and bottom of the device to engage embossed features located on the outer and inner cap to lock. Once engaged, the user twists and places complimentary angled screw threads engineered into the interior walls of the inner cap and exterior walls of the container body into contact with each other.”A component with threads that engage the container body and indentations for coupling with the outer cap.
Multilayer Seal
(Claim 1, Claim 15)		“A high barrier sealing or lidding film can also be affixed on the top of the body of the container to maintain the specific atmosphere even after the lid is removed. This allows for the contents of the container to be visually inspected without disturbing the specific atmosphere of the container. Once this sealing or lidding film is removed the specific atmosphere of the container is no longer contained.”A seal with multiple layers that seals the mouth of the container body and includes a window for viewing the product inside without breaking the seal.
Outer Cap
(Claim 1, Claim 15, Claim 20, Claim 29, Claim 32)		“This application relates to a child resistant container. The container requires the user to apply opposing pressure to the top and bottom of the device to engage embossed features located on the outer and inner cap to lock. Once engaged, the user twists and places complimentary angled screw threads engineered into the interior walls of the inner cap and exterior walls of the container body into contact with each other.”A component that rests over the inner cap and has indentations to couple with the inner cap, enabling the two caps to move together when pressure is applied.
Recessed Lip
(Claim 1, Claim 15)		“A main body, which holds the product. A recessed lip is manufactured into the open top of the container body. This recessed lip has screw threads manufactured into the side walls that compliment and accommodate matching threads manufactured into the locking cap.”A feature of the container body's open top that includes screw threads for engaging with the locking cap.

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US11040808

ECOSAFE PACKAGING LLC
Application Number
US16011267
Filing Date
Jun 18, 2018
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Sep 6, 2038
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents