Child-Resistant Closure

Abstract

A child-resistant cap for closing an externally threaded neck of a container body, the cap comprising: an inner member having an internal thread for engaging the neck external thread; and an outer member encircling the inner member for gripping by a user, wherein: the outer member comprises a sidewall bearing a first engagement feature; and an upper web having an underside bearing a second engagement feature; and the inner member comprises: an inner sidewall bearing the internal thread; an outer sidewall spaced-apart from the inner sidewall and having an outer surface bearing a third engagement feature, the third engagement feature engagable to the first engagement feature responsive to inward compression of the outer member sidewall so as to allow the outer member to transmit a removal rotation to the inner member; and an upper web joining the inner sidewall and outer sidewall and having an upper surface bearing a fourth engagement feature, the fourth engagement feature engagable to the second engagement feature to transmit an installing rotation to the inner member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A child-resistant cap for closing an externally threaded neck of a container body, the cap comprising:
 an inner member having an internal thread for engaging the neck external thread; and   an outer member encircling the inner member for gripping by a user, wherein:   the outer member comprises:
 a sidewall bearing a first engagement feature; and 
 an upper web having an underside bearing a second engagement feature; and 
   the inner member comprises:
 an inner sidewall bearing the internal thread; 
 an outer sidewall spaced-apart from the inner sidewall and having an outer surface bearing a third engagement feature, the third engagement feature engagable to the first engagement feature responsive to inward compression of the outer member sidewall so as to allow the outer member to transmit a removal rotation to the inner member; and 
 an upper web joining the inner sidewall and outer sidewall and having an upper surface bearing a fourth engagement feature, the fourth engagement feature engagable to the second engagement feature to transmit an installing rotation to the inner member. 
   
     
     
         2 . The child-resistant closure of  claim 1  wherein:
 the outer member upper web has a central aperture exposing the inner member upper web. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 a lower end of the outer member sidewall is formed by partially radially-inwardly directed petals. 
 
     
     
         4 . A container comprising:
 the child-resistant cap of  claims 1 ; and   a container body having an externally threaded neck engaged to the inner member internal thread.   
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4  further comprising:
     
 
     
     
         6 . A method for using the container of  claim 4 , the method comprising:
 inwardly compressing the outer member sidewall; and   rotating the outer member sidewall in a direction to unscrew the internal thread from the external thread.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein:
 the inwardly compressing causes the third engagement feature to engage the first engagement feature. 
 
     
     
         8 . A method for manufacturing the container of  claim 4 , the method comprising:
 downwardly installing the outer member over the inner member, the downward installation outwardly flexing a lower rim portion of the outer member and then relaxing to capture the inner member.   
     
     
         9 . A child-resistant cap for closing an externally threaded neck of a container body, the cap comprising:
 an inner member having an internal thread for engaging the neck external thread; and   an outer member encircling the inner member for gripping by a user, wherein:   the outer member comprises:
 a sidewall bearing a first engagement feature and having a lower end formed by partially radially-inwardly directed petals; and 
 an upper web having an underside bearing a second engagement feature; and 
   the inner member comprises:
 a sidewall having an outer surface bearing a third engagement feature, the third engagement feature engagable to the first engagement feature responsive to inward compression of the outer member sidewall so as to allow the outer member to transmit a removal rotation to the inner member; and 
 an upper surface bearing a fourth engagement feature, the fourth engagement feature engagable to the second engagement feature to transmit an installing rotation to the inner member. 
   
     
     
         10 . A method for manufacturing the closure of  claim 9 , the method comprising:
 downwardly installing the outer member over the inner member, the downward installation outwardly flexing the petals of the outer member and then relaxing to capture the inner member.