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  Closure systemUSPTO Application #: 20070228047Title: Closure system Abstract: A latching mechanism for containers includes a catch member having a tongue on a container lid, for engaging an aligned nub on a container. The catch member includes a relaxation area, formed of an opening, proximate to the tongue. The relaxation area allows the catch member to retain its original shape, inhibiting it from softening or wearing out, and proving it with long life, such that the catch member is able to maintain the frictional engagement over numerous uses and for long time periods. (end of abstract)
Agent: Polsinelli Shalton Flanigan Suelthaus PC - Kansas City, MO, US Inventors: Harold T. Pehr, Janice B. Bramen USPTO Applicaton #: 20070228047 - Class: 220524000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Receptacles, Compartmented Container, Closure For Compartment, Separate Closure For Each Compartment The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070228047. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention is directed to closure systems for container apparatus. In particular, the present invention is directed to closure systems with lids or caps that cover containers, compartments of containers, and the like, and keep these structures closed as a portion of the lid remains frictionally engaged to a portion of the container, compartment or the like. BACKGROUND [0002] Latch closures are used in devices such as pill dispensers, that normally have multiple compartments, each compartment typically corresponding to a day of the week. These closures are typically associated with lids, that are hinged at one end of the body of the dispenser, to cover and enclose each compartment in a frictional engagement. The frictional engagement is such that a nub, on the side of the compartment, is engaged by a nub fastener. The nub fastener is normally on the lid of the compartment. [0003] The lid and compartment are made of a resilient material, such as plastic. As the nub fastener moves over the nub, it snaps back to its original position once it has completed its movement over the nub. The nub fastener has now moved over the nub, with a portion of the nub fastener frictionally engaging the nub, whereby the lid is closed over the compartment. [0004] This latch closure of the contemporary art exhibits drawbacks, for over the course of repeated lid openings and closings, the nub fastener wears by becoming soft, bending and stretching out of shape, typically away from the lid, to which it is attached. The softening, with its resultant bending and stretching, may also lead to tearing, such that the compartment can not be properly closed, and the pill dispenser is rendered useless. [0005] Specifically, the portion of the nub fastener, that frictionally engages the nub on the container, is moved outward, whereby it is unable to maintain the aforementioned frictional engagement with the nub. As a result, the lid can not close completely, causing air, moisture, and light to enter the compartment, damaging the contents therein. SUMMARY [0006] The present invention improves on the contemporary art by providing a catch member having a tongue, for engaging an aligned nub on a container, with the catch member including a relaxation area, formed by an opening, proximate to the tongue. The relaxation area allows the catch member to elastically relax and recover after each engagement or disengagement between the tongue of the catch member and the nub. The catch member, and in particular, the tongue, retains its original shape and resiliency. The relaxation area also allows the catch member to relax and recover, inhibiting it from softening or wearing out. This structure for the catch member renders it extremely durable, with a long usable life, allowing the catch member to maintain the frictional engagement, and its spring-like behavior, over numerous uses and for long time periods. As a result, the compartments remain closed over longer time periods, only openable by manually applied force, when compared to closures on other contemporary compartmentalized containers. [0007] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a container apparatus. The container apparatus may be, for example, for pills and the like, and has a body including at least one compartment and oppositely disposed first and second ends, a closure lid for the at least one compartment, and a nub. The closure lid is designed for moving between closed and open positions, and includes oppositely disposed first and second ends, the first end being hingedly attached to the first end of the body, and the second end including a flange extending from the second end of the closure lid. There is also a tongue protruding from the flange, with the flange including at least one opening intermediate the tongue and the second end of the closure lid. The nub extends from the second end of the body, and is for frictionally contacting the tongue when the closure lid is being moved to the closed position. The nub also frictionally engages and retains the tongue when at least a portion of the tongue has moved beyond the nub, such that the closure lid is in the closed position. [0008] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a closure for a container. The closure includes a catch member that engages a nub. The catch member is for attachment to a first support, and includes an outwardly extending flange having oppositely disposed first and second ends. The flange includes an opening extending from an edge of the first end toward the second end, and a tongue protruding from the second end beyond the opening. The nub receives the catch member by engaging the tongue in a frictional engagement, with the nub designed for attachment to a second support. [0009] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for storing an item in a container. The method includes, providing a container apparatus. The container apparatus has a body, with at least one compartment and oppositely disposed first and second ends; a closure lid for the at least one compartment, for moving between closed and open positions, the closure lid including oppositely disposed first and second ends, the first end being hingedly attached to the first end of the body, and the second end including a flange extending from the second end of the closure lid, and a tongue protruding from the flange, the flange including at least one opening intermediate the tongue and the second end of the closure lid; and, a nub. The nub extends from second end of the body, and is for frictionally contacting the tongue when the closure lid is being moved to the closed position, and is also for frictionally engaging and retaining the tongue when at least a portion of the tongue has moved beyond the nub, such that the closure lid is in the closed position. The closure lid is moved to the open position, and at least one object, for example, a pill, is placed into the compartment, with the closure lid in the open position. The closure lid is then moved into the closed position, such that at least a portion of the tongue has moved beyond the nub. A pill or the like may also be removed from the pill dispenser, for example, one or more compartments thereof, by a similar procedure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] Attention is now directed to the drawing figures, where like numerals or characters indicate corresponding or like components. In the drawings: [0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pill dispenser that supports an embodiment of the invention; [0012] FIG. 2 is a view of a compartment in the pill dispenser showing an embodiment of the invention with the closure cap in the open position; [0013] FIG. 3 is a view of a compartment in the pill dispenser showing an embodiment of the invention with the closure cap in the closed position; [0014] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 3, taken along line 4'-4'; [0015] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the closure system taken along line 4'-4'; and, [0016] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the pill dispenser taken along line 6'-6' of FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] The present invention is directed to a latching mechanism for containers, with a catch member having a tongue on a container lid, for engaging an aligned nub on a container. The catch member includes a relaxation area, formed of an opening, proximate to the tongue. The relaxation area allows the catch member to recover after each engagement or disengagement with the nub, to retain its original shape, preventing the catch member from softening or wearing out. The relaxation area provides the catch member with a long usable life, such that it is able to maintain frictional engagements over numerous uses and for long time periods. As a result, the compartments remain closed over longer time periods, only openable by manually applied force. [0018] Throughout this document, references to directions, such as upward, downward, upper, lower, up, down, top, bottom, and the like, are made. These directional references are to typical orientations for the pill dispenser 1 and/or components thereof. They are exemplary only, and not limiting in any way, as they are for description and explanation purposes. [0019] FIGS. 1-3 show the closure system 100 of the invention in an exemplary application on a pill dispenser 1. The pill dispenser 1 includes a body or tray 5 having a plurality of pill receiving cavities or compartments 6, a dispenser closure lid 7 having a hinge 8, and a latch mechanism 9. The closure lid 7 can have its inner side 7a configured to accommodate and retain inserts, such as papers and the like. Continue reading... Full patent description for Closure system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Closure system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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