Container for pills and a method of forming such a container

Abstract

A container for pills and the like, and comprising a shell ( 10 ), a closure ( 11 ) for that shell, a pivotal mounting ( 12 ) in the shell for the closure so that the closure is arranged for rotation on an axis to rock between a closed position in which the closure seals the shell, and an open position in which the closure can dispense a pill or the like from the interior of the shell through an aperture, in which there is a detent (engageable by button 17 ) arranged to secure the closure in its closed position, and a point on the surface of the shell to which pressure can be applied to release the detent and so allow the closure to be rocked from its closed position to its open position. The purpose of the container is to prevent access by children to pharmaceutical drugs within the container, while allowing elderly or infirm adults to have easy access to those drugs. An independent claim included for a method of forming such a container.

1 . A container for dosage units, the container having a closure which is released by a compressive force applied between two opposed locations on the exterior of the closure, and which closure, after release, is opened by application of pressure at right angles to the compressive force, the pressure causing the closure to rotate about an axis parallel to the direction of the compressive force and thereby opening an aperture leading to the interior of the container.  
   
   
       2 . A container for dosage units, the container comprising a shell; a closure for the shell; and a pivotal mounting in the shell for the closure so that the closure rotates on an axis to move between a closed position in which the closure seals the shell, and an open position in which the closure can dispense a dosage unit from the interior of the shell through an aperture, wherein a detent secures the closure in its closed position, and pressure applied to a point on the surface of the shell releases the detent and thereby allows the closure to be moved from its closed position to its open position.  
   
   
       3 . The container according to  claim 2 , wherein two opposed detents secure the closure in its closed position, and pressure applied to two opposed points on the surface of the shell releases the detents and thereby allows the closure to be moved from its closed position to its open position.  
   
   
       4 . The container according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the pressure to release the closure is applied directly to the surface of the closure.  
   
   
       5 . The container according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the pressure to release the closure is applied through at least one flexible point on at least one external part of the container or the container shell.  
   
   
       6 . The container according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the aperture is on the side of the closure which is opposite to the position of application of pressure.  
   
   
       7 . The container according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the container defines an associated small sealable space for safe retention of a dosage form or portion thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The container according to  claim 7 , wherein the small sealable space is located in the closure.  
   
   
       9 . The container according to  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising an additional button on the back of the closure member for increased child resistance.  
   
   
       10 . The container according to  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising a sleeve to hold the container together and to carry information relating to dosage units to be stored in the container.  
   
   
       11 . A method of forming the container according to  claim 1  or  2 , comprising the steps of: 
 arranging two half portions of the container in proximity with each other, with the closure trapped between parts configured for rocking movement of the closure, and    locking the two half portions together with a sleeve.    
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the two half portions are connected along a flexible hinge line and are arranged in proximity with each other by folding them together about the hinge line.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the two half portions are not connected prior to assembly of the container.  
   
   
       14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . The container according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the dosage unit is a pill, tablet, capsule, or portion thereof.  
   
   
       17 . The container according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the closure pivots between opened and closed positions.