Apparatus and method for a child-resistant oral nicotine can
Provided herein is a child-resistant can including a base and a lid. The base may include a bottom plate, a base circumferential wall, and an interior surface defined by the bottom plate and base circumferential wall. The lid may be configured to enclose the interior surface.
1 . A child-resistant can comprising:
a base comprising:
a bottom plate;
a base circumferential wall extending from the bottom plate,
the bottom plate and the base circumferential wall defining an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface,
the base circumferential wall comprising a groove in the exterior surface and
a lip extending outward from the base circumferential wall,
the groove comprising a vertical locking portion including a snap-fit connector, a horizontal portion, and a vertical inlet/outlet portion;
a lid configured to enclose the interior surface, the lid comprising:
a top plate; and
a lid circumferential wall extending from the top plate and configured to abut against the exterior surface of the base circumferential wall, the lid circumferential wall comprising a projection configured to be received within the groove and be engaged by the snap-fit connector; and
a ring configured to sit on the lip, wherein the ring is configured to provide a force to the lid circumferential wall to cause the projection to be engaged by the snap-fit connector.
2 . The child-resistant can of claim 1 , wherein a depth of the groove is within a range of about 1 mm to about 5 mm.
3 . The child-resistant can of claim 2 , wherein the depth is within a range of about 2 mm to about 3 mm.
4 . The child-resistant can of claim 1 , wherein a width of the groove is within a range of about 1 mm to about 5 mm.
5 . The child-resistant can of claim 4 , wherein the width is within a range of about 2 mm to about 3 mm.
6 . The child-resistant can of claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the can is within a range of about 50 mm to about 100 mm.
7 . The child-resistant can of claim 6 , wherein the diameter of the can is within a range of about 60 mm to about 100 mm.
8 . The child-resistant can of claim 1 , wherein a height of the can is within a range of about 10 mm to about 30 mm.
9 . The child-resistant can of claim 8 , wherein the height of the can is within a range of about 15 mm to about 25 mm.
10 . A method of closing the child-resistant can of claim 1 , comprising:
aligning the projection of the lid with the vertical inlet/outlet portion of the base;
moving the lid downwards to insert the projection into the vertical inlet/outlet portion;
translating the projection downwards along the vertical inlet/outlet portion;
rotating the lid such that the projection translates along the horizontal portion; and
translating the projection along the vertical locking portion such that the snap-fit connector engages with the projection.
11 . A method of opening the child-resistant can of claim 1 , comprising:
pressing the lid towards the base to disengage the projection from the snap-fit connector;
rotating the lid such that the projection translates along the horizontal portion;
lifting the lid away from the base such that the projection translates along the vertical inlet/outlet portion; and
removing the lid from the base.
12 . The child-resistant can of claim 1 , wherein the lid circumferential wall comprises an outer wall comprising the projection and an inner wall comprising an outward sealing lip, wherein the outer wall and the inner wall define a cavity therebetween, the cavity configured to receive the base circumferential wall.
13 . The child-resistant can of claim 12 , wherein the base circumferential wall further comprises an interior chamfered surface, the interior chamfered surface configured to abut against the outward sealing lip and cause the outward sealing lip to translate upward, and wherein the upward translation of the outward sealing lip causes the lid to translate upwards, thereby causing the projection to secure to the snap-fit connector.
14 . The child-resistant can of claim 1 , wherein the can is formed of a biodegradable material.
15 . The child-resistant can of claim 14 , wherein the biodegradable material comprises at least one of a plant-based plastic selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroalkanoates (PHAs), polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB), polyhdroxyvalerate (PHV), and polyhydroxy hexanoate (PHH); or a petroleum-based plastic selected from the group consisting of polyglycolic acid (PGA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), and oxo-degradable polypropylene (oxo-PP).
16 . The child-resistant can of claim 1 , wherein the ring is formed of at least one of rubber or silicone.