Restricted Access Container

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/294,249, filed Oct. 26, 2021, which is a U.S. National Phase of International Application No. PCT/US2019/061463 filed Nov. 14, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/767,960 filed Nov. 15, 2018, entitled “Child-Proof Container”, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The present invention generally relates to a container and, more particularly, to a child proof container.

Containers are used to store a variety of items and personal affects. For example, containers can be used to store items such as tobacco, cannabis, or cigarettes. It may be preferable to restrict access to these items for some people such as children. A lock or securing feature can be implemented in these containers to render them restricted access.

Current restricted access containers with locks and securing features tend to be cumbersome to open. Further, these existing restricted access containers prevent a child from accessing the container but do not allow for quick access by an adult. Accordingly, there is a need for a more effective and easily accessible restricted access container for storing items.

In one embodiment, a restricted access container may include an outer shell and an inner tray. The outer shell may define a recess. The outer shell may include a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and an opening. The first wall may include a hole and a notch. The second wall may be opposite the first wall. The third wall may be coupled to each of the first wall and the second wall. The opening may be opposite the third wall. The inner tray may define a receiving area. The inner tray may include a tab, a first protrusion, and a second protrusion. The first protrusion may be disposed on the tab. The inner tray may be inserted through the opening into the recess of the outer shell such that the first protrusion is disposed within the hole of the first wall to fix the inner tray to the outer shell and the second protrusion is disposed within the notch.

The hole may be defined by a hole sidewall and the first protrusion may engage the hole sidewall such that the inner tray is retained within the outer shell. The tab may flex toward the second wall when a force is applied to the tab. The first protrusion may disengage from the hole sidewall and the inner tray may be removed from the outer shell when the tab flexes toward the second wall. The first protrusion may include a first protrusion outer surface, the second protrusion may include a second protrusion outer surface, and the first wall may include a first wall outer surface. The first protrusion outer surface and the second protrusion outer surface may be flush with the first wall outer surface when the inner tray is within the outer shell.

The notch may be disposed proximate to the opening. The inner tray may include a tray top wall, a tray bottom wall, and a tray side wall. The tab may be disposed on the tray side wall proximate to the bottom wall. A distance from the tray top wall to the tray bottom wall may be less than a distance from the tray top wall to an end of the tab. The tab may be a cantilevered extension of the tray side wall. The first protrusion and the second protrusion may have the same shape. The second wall may include a second notch and a second hole. The inner tray may include a second tab, a third protrusion, and a fourth protrusion. The third protrusion may be disposed on the second tab. The third protrusion may be within the second hole and the fourth protrusion may be within the second notch when the inner tray is within the recess of the outer shell. The first protrusion, second protrusion, third protrusion, and fourth protrusion may have the same shape.

In one embodiment, a restricted access container includes a cover and a base. The cover may include a cover top wall, a cover side wall extending downwardly from the cover top wall, a leg extending outwardly from the cover side wall, and a protrusion extending inwardly from the cover side wall. The base may include a base bottom wall, a base side wall, a flange, a locking mechanism, and a biasing element. The base side wall may extend upwardly from the base bottom wall. The base side wall and base bottom wall may define a receiving area. The flange may extend outwardly from the base side wall. The locking mechanism may be disposed on the base side wall. The locking mechanism may include a recess. The biasing element may be disposed on the flange and moveable between a first position and a second position. The cover may be coupled to the base such that the biasing element moves from the first position to the second position and the protrusion is disposed within the recess of the locking mechanism.

The biasing element may biases the cover away from the flange of the base. The cover may be rotatable relative to the base to move the cover between a locked configuration wherein the protrusion is within the recess and an unlocked configuration wherein the protrusion is out of the recess. The locking element may include an angled portion and the protrusion may engage the angled portion as the cover is rotated relative to the base such that the cover is urged toward the flange of the base. The locking mechanism may include a lip extending from the locking mechanism toward the flange, wherein the lip engages the protrusion to prevent rotation of the cover when the protrusion is within the recess. The flange may include an opening and the biasing element may move at least partially into the opening as the biasing element moves from the first position to the second position. The base may include a plurality of biasing elements and a plurality of locking mechanisms alternatingly positioned about the perimeter of the base side wall.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a restricted access container. The container may be a child-resistant packing. Child resistant packaging may mean packaging that is designed and constructed to be significantly difficult for children underyears of age to open or obtain a toxic or harmful amount of the substance contained therein within a reasonable time, and that is not difficult for normal adults to use properly.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in. In use, restricted access containermay facilitate the storage and securement of pre-rolled cigarettes, tobacco, or cannabis. Restricted access containermay also facilitate storage and securement of other items, such as medicines, sharp objects, or objects where it is desirable to prevent persons (e.g., children) from accessing. Some users (e.g., children) may lack the cognitive and/or motor skills necessary to open the restricted access containerwhile other users (e.g., adults) may open and close restricted access containerwith relative ease.

Referring to, an embodiment of restricted access containermay include outer shelland inner tray. Outer shellmay include front wall, back wall, side walls, bottom wall, holes, upper openingand upper notches. Outer shellmay be configured to receive inner tray. For example, inner trymay be sized and shaped to be received by outer shell. In an embodiment, inner trayis disposed within and secured to outer shellin a manner preventing a child from accessing the contents stored within restricted access container. Inner traymay include back surface, side walls, bottom wall, flanges, top wall, and recess. Side wallsof inner traymay include upper protrusionsand tabs, which may include lower protrusions.

Referring to, outer shellmay be comprised of front wall, back wall, side walls, and bottom wall. Front wall, back wall, side wallsand bottom wallmay be comprised out of plastic or thermoplastic polymer (e.g., acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)). However, front wall, back wall, side wallsand bottom wallmay be comprised out of other materials. For example, front wall, back wall, side wallsand bottom wallmay be comprised out of other polymers, metal, wood, steel, composite, or any combination thereof.

Front walland back wallmay have a length of about 50 millimeters (mm) to about 200 mm, about 75 mm to about 175 mm, about 100 mm to 125 mm. For example, front walland back wallmay have length of about 98 mm. Front walland back wallmay have a width of about 20 mm to about 120 mm, about 40 mm to about 100 mm, or about 60 mm to about 8 mm. For example, front walland back wallmay have a length of about 68.5 mm. The material comprising front walland back wallmay have a thickness of about 0.5 mm, about 1.0 mm, about 1.5 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, or about 5 mm.

Cornersof front walland back wallmay be rounded with a radius of curvature Rbetween about 0 mm to about 10 mm, about 2 mm to about 8 mm, and about 4 mm to about 6 mm. For example, cornersof front walland back wallmay have a radius of curvature of about 6.35 mm. Although cornersare illustrated as having rounded corners, cornersof front walland back wallmay be non-rounded, such as at a right angle or a chamfer.

Referring to, holesmay be disposed between side wallsand bottom wall. In an embodiment, holesare semi-circular shaped. However, holesmay be circular, rectangular, or triangular. Holesmay be sized and shaped to receive and secure lower projectionsof inner tray. For example, holesmay be configured to receive lower projectionswhen inner trayis inserted into outer shell. At least a portion of holemay be defined by an arc segment having a radius of curvature of about 0 mm to about 10 mm, about 2 mm to about 8 mm, and about 4 mm to about 6 mm.

Side wallsmay further include upper notches. Upper notchesmay be disposed proximate to upper opening. Upper notchesmay be semi-circular having a radius of curvature of between about 0 mm to about 10 mm, about 2 mm to about 8 mm, and about 4 mm to about 6 mm. For example, upper notchesmay have a radius of curvature of about 6.5 mm. However, upper notchesmay circular, rectangular, or triangular. Upper notchesmay be sized and shaped to fit and secure upper protrusions. For example, upper notchesmay be configured to receive upper protrusionswhen inner trayis inserted into outer shell. In some embodiments, upper notchesand openingsmay have a similar or the same shape.

Front wall, back wall, and side wallsmay define a recess to receive inner tray. Outer shellmay further include upper opening. Inner traymay be moved into and out of the recess through upper opening. In practice, inner traymay be inserted into outer shellto secure contents stored within inner tray.

In reference to, inner traymay be comprised of back surface, side walls, bottom walland top wall. In an embodiment, back surface, side walls, bottom walland top wallform recess. Back surface, side walls, bottom walland top wallof inner traymay be comprised of plastic or thermoplastic polymer (e.g., acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)). However, back surface, side walls, bottom walland top wallmay be comprised of other materials, such as other polymers, metal, wood, steel, composite, or any combination thereof.

Inner traymay be sized and shaped to be received by outer shelland nested within outer shell. Inner traymay have a width of about 20 mm to about 120 mm, about 40 mm to about 100 mm, or about 60 mm to 80 mm. For example, inner traymay have a width of about 68.5 mm. Inner traymay have a length of about 80 mm to 140 mm, about 90 mm to 130 mm, or about 100 mm to about 120 mm. For example, inner traymay have a length of about 96.47 mm. Further, side wallsmay have a height of about 0 mm to about 25 mm, about 5 mm to about 20 mm, or about 10 mm to about 15 mm. For example, side wallsmay have a height of about 12.5 mm. Side wallsmay have a length of about 80 mm to about 140 mm, about 90 mm to about 130 mm, about 100 mm to about 120 mm. For example, side wallsmay have a length of about 96.47 mm. Back surfacemay have a length of about 80 mm to about 140 mm, about 90 mm to about 130 mm, or about 100 mm to about 120 mm, and a width of about 50 mm to about 100 mm, about 60 mm to about 90 mm, or about 70 mm to about 80 mm. For example, bottom surfacemay have a length of about 93 mm and a width of about 62 mm.

Back surfacemay include top corners. Top cornersof back surfacemay be rounded and may have a radius of curvature between about 0 mm to about 10 mm, about 2 mm to about 8 mm, or about 4 mm to about 6 mm. For example, top cornermay have a radius of curvature of about.mm. In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in, bottom wallof inner trayinclude flanges. Flangesmay be comprised of the same material as bottom walland may extend from the ends of bottom wallto engage with side walls. In an embodiment, flangesextend from the lateral ends of bottom wallto engage with side wall. Flangesmay curve from bottom wallto side wallto engage with side walls.

In an embodiment, side wallsinclude upper protrusionsdisposed proximate to top wallof inner tray. Upper protrusionsmay be sized and shaped to fit within holes. Upper protrusionsmay be semi-circular in shape and be disposed on the top of side wallsadjacent to top wall. In an embodiment of the present invention, upper protrusionsinclude ridges. For example, upper protrusionsmay include multiple ridgesto allow a user to securely grip upper protrusionsof inner tray. Upper protrusionsmay be rigid such that the protrusions do not flex when an inward force (e.g., a force applied on one upper protrusiontoward another upper protrusion) is applied to upper protrusion.

Side wallsmay further include tabs, which may be disposed proximate to bottom wall. Tabsmay extend from side wallstowards bottom wall. Tabsmay be a cantilevered extension of side walls.

Tabsmay be comprised of the same material as side wallsor a different material. Tabsmay be comprised of a semi-rigid material to allow for bending and flexing of tabs. The material may be selected such that a child does not have enough grip strength to manually flex tabs. As shown in, tabsmay extend towards bottom wallfurther than where flangeengages with side wall. Tabsmay be offset from flangesat a selected angle. For example, tabsmay be offset from flangesat an angle of about 0° to about 18°, about 4° to about 14°, or about 8° to about 10°. For example, tabsmay be offset from flangesat an angle of about 7.13°. In an embodiment, tabsare configured to be moved inwards towards flanges. For example, a user may apply pressure to tabs(e.g., manually) to move tabsinwards toward flanges. Tabsmay be biased to be straight and/or parallel to side wallswhen no pressure is applied to tabs. In an embodiment of the present invention, tabsinclude lower protrusions, which may be semi-circular in shape and may include ridges. Lower protrusionsmay be sized and shaped to be disposed and secured within holesof outer shell. The distance from the top wallto the end of the tabmay be greater than the distance between the top walland the bottom wall. The end of the tabmay be the lowermost portion of the container when the bottom wallis placed on a horizontal surface and the top wallis positioned above the bottom wall.

Referring to, outer shellmay be configured to receive inner tray. For example, inner traymay be inserted and disposed within outer shell. Inner trayand outer shellmay be configured to couple together in a manner that prevents a child from removing inner trayfrom outer shell. For example, when inner trayis inserted within outer shell, lower protrusionof tabsengage with holessuch that lower protrusionsare secured within holesto lock and secure inner traywithin outer shell. Upper protrusionsmay be secured and disposed within upper notches. For example, inner traymay be placed within outer shellsuch that lower protrusionsof tabsof inner trayare disposed within holesof outer shell, and upper protrusionsare received by upper notches, thereby ensuring that inner trayis secured within outer shell.

Lower protrusionsmay have the same general appearance as upper protrusions. Upper protrusionsand lower protrusionsmay have the same general appearance when the inner trayis within outer shell(e.g., when viewed from the front or the side). Lower protrusionsmay have the same shape as upper protrusions. Lower protrusionsmay have the same texture as upper protrusions. Lower protrusionsand upper protrusionshaving the same general appearance or texture may help prevent unauthorized persons (e.g., a child) from visually determining how to open the container. The tabsmay extend below the bottom wallsuch that the end of the tabsare coplanar with the bottom wall of the outer shellwhen the inner trayis positioned within the outer shell.

In practice, during insertion of inner traywithin outer shell, tabsmay flex and bend towards flangeswhen inner trayis inserted into outer shellas tabsmay be pushed inwards by side wallsof outer shell. When inner trayis fully inserted within outer shell, tabsare no longer restricted and pushed inwards by side wallsof outer shell, and lower protrusionsof tabsare at least partially disposed within holesthereby securing inner traywithin outer shell. To remove inner trayfrom outer shell, pressure must be applied to lower protrusionsof tabscausing tabsto flex or bend inward toward flangeof inner tray. When tabsare bent or flexed towards flange, lower protrusionsare no longer disposed within holesallowing inner trayto be easily pulled out of outer shell. As a result, a child may not be able to remove inner trayfrom outer shell, as a child may not be able to exert enough force on lower protrusionsto bend and flex tabsinward enough towards flangeto allow lower protrusionto be completely removed from holesfor removal of inner trayfrom outer shell. This prevents a child from accessing the contents disposed within recessof inner tray. A child may also lack the cognitive skills to determine how to open the package even if they have the requisite grip strength.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, inner traymay be configured to receive an insert (not shown). The insert may be configured to hold and secure rolled cigarettes (e.g., tobacco or cannabis cigarettes). The insert may include rows or columns for holding and securing multiple cannabis filled items or cigarettes. For example, the insert may include several rows for securing multiple rolled cigarettes. The insert may be placed within recessof inner tray. In an embodiment, the insert is removably coupled to back surfacewithin recess. For example, the insert may be removably coupled to bottoms surfacevia a magnet, hook and loop fasteners, Velcro, adhesives, etc. However, the insert may be coupled to any part of inner tray. For example, the insert may be removably coupled to side walls, bottom wall, or top wall. In another embodiment of the present invention, the insert may be fixedly coupled to inner tray. For example, the insert may be fixedly coupled to back surfaceof inner tray. The insert may be adjustable within the recessto accommodate different sizes of rolled cigarette.

Referring to, an embodiment of restricted access containermay include coverand base or inner receptacle. Covermay include outer circumference, side wall, inner surface, protrusions, recess, and legs. Covermay be configured to couple to inner receptacle. In an embodiment, coveris coupled and secured to inner receptaclein a manner that prevents some persons (e.g., a child) from accessing the contents stored within restricted access container. Inner receptaclemay include side wall, inner surface, biasing elements, flange, locking mechanism, and recess.

Referring to, covermay include side wallwhich may extend along outer circumferenceof cover. Covermay be circular in shape and may have a radius between about 10 mm to about 80 mm, about 20 mm to about 60 mm, about 30 mm to 50 mm. For example, covermay have a radius of about 42.5 mm. Covermay also have an outer circumference, which may be between about 10 mm to about 120 mm, about 30 mm to about 90 mm, or about 50 mm to about 70 mm. For example, outer circumferencemay be about 89 mm. Side wallmay have a height between about 5 mm to about 35 mm, about 10 mm to about 30 mm, or about 15 mm to about 20 mm. For example, side wallmay have a height of about 17 mm. In an embodiment of the present invention, side walland inner surfaceform recess. Side walland inner surfacemay be comprised of plastic or thermoplastic polymer (e.g., acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)). However, side walland inner surfacemay be comprised of any material desired, such as other polymers, metal, wood, steel, composite, or any combination thereof.

Covermay include protrusionswhich may be disposed on side wall, along outer circumference. Covermay include protrusionsthat engage a feature (e.g., a recess or protrusion) on the inner receptacleto couple the coverto the inner receptacle.

Protrusionsmay extend radially toward the interior of cover. In an embodiment, coverincludes legs. Legsmay allow coverto stand upright when placed on a flat surface. For example, legsmay include proximal endcoupled to coverand distal end, which has a flat portion allowing coverto be placed upright on flat surfaces. Legsmay be disposed on outer circumference. In an embodiment, legsare integrally formed with side wall. In another embodiment, legsmay be removably coupled to side wallof cover. Legsmay include openingextending therethrough. Openingmay be configured to receive a string, rope, chain, or other device capable of allowing restricted access containerto be carried. A user may engage (e.g., manually engage) legsto apply a torque to the coverto rotate the coverrelative to the inner receptacleor resist rotation of the coverwhile the inner receptacleis rotated relative to the cover.

Referring to, inner receptaclemay include side walland inner surface. Side walland inner surfacemay form recessof inner receptacle. Side wallmay have a height between about 0 mm to about 30 mm, about 5 mm to about 25 mm, or about 10 mm to about 20 mm. For example, side wallmay have a height of about 10 mm. Inner surfacemay be circular with a radius between about 10 mm to about 80 mm, about 20 mm to about 70 mm, about 30 mm to about 60 mm, or about 40 mm to about 50 mm. For example, inner surface may have a radius of about 39.25 mm.

Side wallmay extend along the circumference of inner receptacle. Inner receptaclemay further include flangewhich may be disposed along the outer circumference of inner receptacleand may extend outward from side wall. Side wallmay include locking mechanismand flangemay include biasing element. Locking mechanismmay include retainerand recessand may be disposed on the exterior side of side wall. Recessof locking mechanismmay be configured to receive and engage with protrusionsof coverto secure coverto inner receptacle, preventing a child from accessing the contents stored within inner receptacle.

Biasing elementof flangemay keep coverslightly raised relative to inner receptaclepreventing coverfrom engaging and disengaging with inner receptacle. For example, biasing elementmay be biased to keep coverslightly raised such that protrusionis unable move into and out of recessof locking mechanism.

Biasing elementmay be flexible. Biasing elementmay flex from a first or relaxed position toward the flangeto a second or flexed position as the coveris coupled to the inner receptacle. Biasing elementmay move from the second position away from the flangeand toward the first position once the protrusionis within recess. Protrusionmay engage an upper wall of the recesssuch that the biasing element is in a third position between the first position and the second position when the protrusionis within recessand the coveris coupled to the inner receptacle. An openingmay extend through the flange. The openingmay be sized and shaped to receive the biasing element as the biasing elementflexes from the first position to the second position. The inner receptaclemay include a plurality of biasing elementsand a plurality of locking mechanisms. The biasing elementsand locking mechanismsmay be alternatingly positioned about the perimeter of the inner receptacle.

Referring to, covermay be placed on top of inner receptaclesuch that side wallof coveris disposed around side wallof inner receptacle. Covermay then be pushed down, via pressure applied to cover, and rotated relative to inner receptacle(e.g., by engaging legs) to lock and secure coverto inner receptacle. Covermay need to be pushed down relative to inner receptacleto overcome the biasing force of biasing elementpushing against side wall, causing coverto be slightly raised relative to inner receptacle. Side wallof coverbeing disposed around side wallof inner receptacleand coverbeing pushed down and rotated relative to inner receptacleallow protrusionsto engage with locking mechanism. For example, when coveris placed on top of inner receptacle, and rotated relative to inner receptacle, protrusionsmay engage retainerof locking mechanism.

In some embodiments, the engagement of the angled surface of protrusionson retainerautomatically forces coverdownward as coveris rotated relative to the inner receptacle. In other embodiments, coveris manually pushed down, overcoming the biasing force of biasing element, and rotated relative to inner receptacle, such that protrusionof inner receptaclegoes down and around retainerof locking mechanismand becomes disposed within recessof locking mechanism. Once protrusionis within recessof locking mechanism, covermay not be able to be further rotated relative to inner receptacle. Covermay then no longer need to be pushed down. When protrusionis within recessof locking mechanismand coveris no longer being pushed down relative to inner receptacle, then covercan no longer be rotated. Covermay not be rotatable once protrusionis secured with recessof locking mechanism and the biasing force of biasing elementcauses coverto be slightly raised, further securing protrusionwithin recess.

In practice, some persons (e.g., children) cannot access the contents of restricted access containerunless they have the cognitive ability to determine that coverneeds to be pushed down relative to inner receptacleto overcome the biasing force of biasing element, and have the requisite manual strength and dexterity to rotate coverrelative to inner receptacle. To remove coverand access the contents of inner receptacle, covermust be pushed down relative to inner receptacleto overcome the biasing force of biasing elementthat is keeping coverslightly raised, thus keeping protrusionwithin recess. Once the biasing force of biasing elementhas been overcome, protrusionof covermay be pushed down and may no longer be disposed within recessof locking mechanism. This allows coverto be rotated relative to inner receptacleso that protrusioncan be moved away from locking mechanismvia rotation of cover. Once coverhas been rotated and protrusionno longer engages with locking mechanismof inner receptacle, covercan be decoupled from inner receptacleto access the contents within inner receptacle. Therefore, a child will not be able to access the contents stored within inner receptacleas a child would not be able to easily remove coverfrom inner receptacle, thereby preventing inadvertent access and use of items within restricted access container.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the exemplary embodiments shown and described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. For example, specific features of the exemplary embodiments may or may not be part of the claimed invention and various features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined. The words “proximal”, “distal”, “upper” and “lower” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”.

It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and descriptions of the invention have been simplified to focus on elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate may also comprise a portion of the invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not necessarily facilitate a better understanding of the invention, a description of such elements is not provided herein.

Further, to the extent that the methods of the present invention do not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the particular order of the steps should not be construed as limitation on the claims. Any claims directed to the methods of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the steps may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.