Patent Application
20200361664
Many food and beverage containers can dispense their contents into the mouth of a user. Such containers can include features that encourage users to place a dispensing portion of the container directly into their mouths, such as a straw or mouthpiece. But even where containers are designed to discourage a user from placing a part of the container into his mouth, infants and small children can nonetheless swallow small parts of the container, such as a container closure.
This invention relates to closures or caps that are designed to be mounted onto containers, or onto fitment portions of such containers, particularly onto containers that dispense their contents directly into the mouth of a user. For example, single-sized pouches of liquid or food sometimes use such closures.
It is important that closures and caps not pose a choking hazard to the user after they are removed from their containers, especially components associated with food and beverage containers. It is also important that the caps not pose a choking hazard to another individual, especially a toddler or infant, who encounters a discarded cap and swallows it.
Presently, some caps include openings to allow the flow of air through the cap when the cap is lodged in the throat of an individual. It is desirable for a closure to have passageways that are sufficient in number and size to facilitate the flow of sufficient air to that individual in distress, so that the individual continues to get enough air until efforts to remove the cap are successful. Particularly desired are closures with multiple ventilation passageways configured to allow airflow even when one side of the closure is completely obstructed. And perhaps even more desired, are closures whose multiple passageways are configured to allow airflow even when any one side of the closure (top side, bottom side, or lateral side) is completely obstructed. Also desired are closures whose multiple passageways are configured to allow airflow where more than one side of the closure is partially blocked, or where every side of the closure is partially blocked.
It is also desired for multiple ventilation passages to be configured within the cap in such a way as to allow the flow of air through at least one of the ventilation passages in the cap, regardless of the orientation of the cap in the individual's airway. There is a need for a cap having multiple ventilation passages in oriented in multiple directions, to allow air flow through the cap whether it is lodged topside-up, upside-down, or sideways, or lies at an angle with the individual's airway. It is also important that the cap support be configured to provide continued air flow to accommodate changes in the orientation of the affected individual, such can occur in moving the affected individual from an upright to a prone position to administer aid, or when unsuccessful attempts to dislodge the closure instead result in shifting the closure to a different position or orientation within the individual's airway.
It is desired that such ventilation passages that are designed in such a way that air flow through the closure is possible even where different portions of the closure are completely obstructed. There is a particular need for closures whose ventilation passages are designed to allow vertical, horizontal, and indirect paths of airflow through the cap regardless of its position within an individual's airway, and regardless of the orientation of the individual.
It is also desirable for a closure to include a tamper-evident band that can be attached to the cap such that when the cap is removed from a container, the tamper-evident band changes conformation in a way that signals that the cap has been unsealed, but remains connected to the closure so that that tamper-evident band does not pose a different choking hazard to a user.
There is a need for closures that helps individual identify food and beverage containers that might not be safe for consumption, and to minimize the choking risk that exists for every closure (and every closure component) component small enough to fit in a person's mouth.
A main aspect of the invention relates to a closure for engaging a container, the closure comprising: (a) a cap member having a top wall, and a peripheral wall depending from the top wall, the cap member for engaging the container; (b) a handling wall member disposed around the peripheral wall, the handling wall member comprising: (i) first and second ends, each end having an aperture bounded by a rim, a perimeter of the first end being smaller than a perimeter of the second end; and (ii) a plurality of openings, each opening providing a passageway through a portion of the handling wall member; (c) a plurality of septa connecting the handling wall member to the peripheral wall; (d) a first vertical ventilation passage extending in a straight vertical line between the peripheral wall and the handling member, the first vertical ventilation passage for conveying air through a top end of the closure, between the top and peripheral walls, and through a bottom end of the closure bottom; (e) a plurality of second vertical ventilation passages, each second vertical ventilation passage extending in a straight vertical line, each second vertical ventilation passage for conveying air through a corresponding opening, between the handling wall member and the peripheral wall, and through the second end of the handling wall member; and (f) a plurality of horizontal ventilation passages, each first horizontal ventilation passage extending in a horizontal path between a first opening and a second opening, for conveying air into the closure via the first opening and out of the closure via the second opening; such that when any one side of the closure is fully obstructed, air can flow through the closure through at least one of the ventilation passages.
An additional aspect includes the closure comprising a plurality of transverse ventilation pathways, wherein at least one transverse ventilation pathway is for conveying air in an indirect path between the first and second openings; such that the indirect path includes conveying the air around the septum. Further aspects relate to the closure such that the septum includes an upper surface and a lower surface; such that the transverse ventilation pathway is for conveying air around the upper and lower surfaces of the septum.
Another aspect of the closure includes a tamper-evident band proximate to a bottom of the peripheral wall, comprising: a) a plurality of segments joined together to form the band, each end of each segment defining an indentation on an outer surface of the tamper-evident band, each segment attached to the peripheral wall bottom by at least one connecting element; b) the at least one connecting element; and c) at least one engagement element i) extending inward from an inner surface of the tamper-evident band and ii) adapted to engage a receptive portion of the container, thereby to cause the tamper-evident band to i) tear along the indentation and ii) separate the segments, for indicating that the container has been disengaged from the closure.
Additional aspects of the closure include each segment attached to the peripheral wall bottom by at least one of the following: the at least one connecting element and the septum.
Other aspects of the closure include the connecting elements connecting an inner surface of the tamper-evident band to an outer surface of the peripheral wall.
Still other aspects of the closure include each indentation located on the outer surface of the band, and each indentation extending between an upper and lower edge of the band.
Yet other aspects of the closure include the tamper-evident band defining a continuous surface surrounding the bottom end of the peripheral wall.
Another main aspect of the invention relates to a closure adapted to be engaged to a fitment, the closure having a top side, a bottom side, and a lateral side between the top and bottom sides, the closure comprising: (a) a cap member having a top wall, and a peripheral wall depending from the top wall, the cap member for engaging the fitment; (b) a handling member having: i) a handling wall surrounding the peripheral wall; ii) a top end having an upper handling member rim surrounding a first aperture, and a bottom end having a lower handling member rim surrounding a second aperture, a circumference of the upper handling member rim being smaller than a circumference of the lower handling member rim; and iii) an opening being located in the handling wall, each opening extending between the interior and exterior surfaces of the handling wall, each opening bounded by the handling wall, each opening being located between the top and bottom ends of the handling member, and each opening defining a passageway for conveying air between the inner and outer surfaces of the handling wall; wherein the peripheral wall and the handling wall provide define first and second lateral boundaries of a cavity within the closure, an upper end of the cavity defined by the upper handling member rim, and a lower end of the cavity defined by the lower handling member rim; (c) a septum connecting the handling wall and the peripheral wall to each other; (d) a first ventilation passage extending in a direct line between the peripheral wall and the handling member, the first ventilation passage for conveying air through the closure top side, the cavity, and the closure bottom side; (e) a second ventilation passage extending in a direct line through the opening, the at least second ventilation passage for conveying air through the handling wall, the cavity, and the closure bottom side, the first and second ventilation passages extending parallel to each other; and (f) a third ventilation passage extending in an indirect path between a first opening and a second opening, for conveying air in the first opening into the cavity, around a septum, to the second opening, the third ventilation passage extending in a direction transverse to first and second ventilation passages; such that when any closure side is fully obstructed, air can flow through the closure through at least one of the first, second, and third ventilation passages.
Another aspect of the closure includes the first ventilation passage for conveying air through the upper handling member rim, the cavity, and the lower handling member rim.
An additional aspect of the closure includes the second ventilation passage for conveying air through the opening in the handling wall, the cavity, and the lower handling member rim.
Other aspects of the closure include the septum comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; such that the third ventilation passage is for conveying air around the upper and lower surfaces of the septum.
An additional aspect of the closure includes a fourth ventilation passage extending in a direct line between a pair of the openings.
Other aspects of the closure include the septum dividing the first ventilation passage into a plurality of first ventilation passages.
Still other aspects of the closure include a tamper-evident band proximate to the bottom end of the peripheral wall, comprising: i) a plurality of segments joined together to form a ring, the band having an outer surface and an inner surface; ii) at least one indentations, each indentation defining an end of the segment; iii) a plurality of connecting elements; each segment attached to at least one of the following: the connecting element and the septum; and iv) at least one engagement element extending toward the peripheral wall and adapted to engage a receptive portion of the fitment, thereby to cause breakage of the tamper-evident band along the at least one indentation, for indicating that the fitment has been disengaged from the fitment.
Further aspects of the closure include the connecting elements connecting an inner surface of the tamper-evident band to an outer surface of the peripheral wall. Other further aspects of the closure include each indentation located on the outer surface of the band, and each indentation extending between an upper and lower edge of the band. Yet other further aspects of the closure include the tamper-evident band defining a continuous surface surrounding the bottom end of the peripheral wall.
Another main aspect of the invention relates to a closure for engaging a fitment, the closure comprising: (a) a cap member having a top wall, and a peripheral wall depending from the top wall; (b) a handling wall member encircling the peripheral wall, the handling wall member comprising: first and second ends, a perimeter of the first end being smaller than a perimeter of the second end; and a plurality of openings, each opening located within the handling wall member and between the first and second ends; (c) a plurality of septa connecting the handling wall member to the peripheral wall, each septa having an upper surface and a lower surface; (d) at least one first ventilation passage extending between the peripheral wall and the handling member, the first ventilation passage for conveying air through an upper portion of the closure, between the top and peripheral walls, and through a lower portion of the closure; (e) a plurality of second ventilation passages, the second ventilation passage for conveying air through a corresponding opening, between the handling wall member and the peripheral wall, and through the second end of the handling wall member; (f) a plurality of transverse ventilation pathways, each transverse ventilation pathway for conveying air in an indirect path between a first pair of openings, the pathway for conveying air around the upper and lower surfaces of the septa; and (g) a tamper-evident band proximate to the bottom of the peripheral wall, comprising: i) a plurality of segments, each segment defined by an indentation on an outer surface of the tamper-evident band, each segment attached to the peripheral wall bottom by at least one connecting element; ii) plurality of connecting elements; and iii) at least one engagement element adapted to engage the fitment, thereby to cause the indentations to tear and the tamper-evident band to separate into segments, for indicating that the closure has been disengaged from the fitment; such that when any one outer surface of the closure is fully obstructed, air can flow through the closure through at least one of the ventilation passages.
Other aspects of the closure include a plurality of third ventilation passages, each third ventilation passage extending between a second pair of openings, for conveying air between the second pair of openings.
Embodiments of the present invention can be used for any type of container or for any type of fitment that facilitates an indirect connection of a closure to a container.
The closure can include a tamper-evident band located around an end of the cap member.
Exemplary of fitments which are contemplated, and so illustrated in
An exemplary fitment can have an outer surface facing the ambient environment, and an inner surface facing an internal space or cavity or duct which is used to transfer a flowable material, such as a fluid or a particle, into or out of a connected container. The fitment can have a portion for connecting to the container and a portion for connecting with the closure. The closure-connecting portion can include a mouth or opening for dispensing the flowable material. The container-connecting portion can be part of a container, or can be a separate element which is separately connected to or mounted onto the container.
As particularly shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In some other embodiments, a stopping element can define a protruding structure extending from the outer surface of the cap member, extending toward the container or fitment. The stopping element can define a structure that communicates with the container or fitment. Stopping elements can take a variety of shapes and sizes, for example, a bead, a hook, a shelf, and the like. Where there are multiple stopping elements, it is preferred that they have the same size and shape, are located on a common plane that is preferably perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cap member, are oriented in the same direction, and/or are regularly or equally spaced apart from each other.
The closure can include a handling member situated to surround the cap member. The handling member can include a generally flat, continuous handling wall surrounding an open space or cavity, the cavity in turn surrounding the cap member. The handling wall can have a top end and bottom end, and an interior surface that faces toward the cap member and an exterior surface that faces away from the cap member. The handling wall can have a diameter or perimeter that is greater than the diameter or perimeter of the peripheral wall of the cap member. When viewed from above or below, the handling member can define a ring or band outside the cap member, where the handling and cap members do not directly contact each other.
Opposite ends of the handling wall can define upper and lower handling member rims. For example, as shown in
The cavity can occupy a space whose volume can bounded on a first or top end by the upper handling member rim, and can be defined on a second or bottom end by the lower handling member rim. An outer boundary of the cavity can be defined by the handling wall, particularly the inner surface of the handling wall, and an inner boundary of the cavity can be provided by the peripheral wall, particularly the outer surface of the peripheral wall.
One or more septum/septa extending between the handling wall and the peripheral wall can provide define first and second lateral boundaries of a smaller sub-cavity within the cavity within the closure.
It is preferred that the height of the handling wall be a height that is greater than the height of the cap member. As shown in
The cap and handling members can be connected to each other by one or more septa. Each septum can define a generally flat, wall-like surface that spans between the cap and handling members. Each pair of neighboring septa can divide a portion of the cavity between the handling wall and the peripheral wall of the cap member from a primary vertical ventilation passage, into smaller or narrower sub-passages. The primary vertical ventilation passage can define a straight or direct pathway for conveying air flow from the top end of the closure to the bottom end of the closure, when viewed from above or below as shown in
It is preferred that the septa be arranged on radial paths, the lines defined by the septa meeting at a common point if the lines extended inward. It is also preferred that the septa be spaced apart at regular distances, for example, arranged to be equidistant from each other. Where the septa have a radial arrangement, it is preferred that their connection sites to the cap member be equidistant from each other. Where the septa have a radial arrangement, it is preferred that their connection sites to the handling member be equidistant from each other.
In some embodiments, the septa can be arranged in a transverse, non-radial orientation between the peripheral wall and the handling wall.
As shown in
The outer segment can have an interior end that joins or connects to the inner segment and an opposite end, the exterior end, that joins or connects to the inner surface of the handling wall. Each segment can have a top end (the end nearest the upper handling member rim) and a bottom end (the end nearest the lower handling member rim or the cap rim). The top end of the inner segment can be located at the same elevation or height as the top wall, or proximate to the top wall. The bottom end of the inner segment can be located at the same elevation as the cap rim or proximate to the cap rim. The top end of the outer segment can join the upper handling member rim (and can have the same elevation or height as the upper handling member rim. The bottom end of the outer segment can be located at the same elevation or height as the cap rim. The outer segment can include a wall-like surface that extends between the inner segment and the inner surface of the handling wall in one plane, and extends between the cap rim to the lower handling member rim.
As shown in
While the septa can generally divide the cavity into a group of smaller cavities (preferably of similar sizes, shapes, and volumes), it is preferred that the septa not extend all the way up to the level of the upper handling member rim and that it not extend all the way down to the level of the lower handling member rim. It is preferred that there is an absence of obstructions in an uppermost portion of the cavity and/or a lowermost portion of the cavity. In some embodiments, a tamper-evident band can occupy the lowermost portion of the cavity, but its presence preferably does not impede or block airflow in the lowermost portion of the cavity. It is preferred that air be able to flow freely through the uppermost and lowermost portions of the cavity, that these areas define spaces through which air can flow in a direct path or line.
The septa can be similarly-sized and similarly-shaped, and where there are, for example, four septa as shown in
The handling wall can define a structure that is generally ring-like or annular, particularly when viewed from above or below. The diameter (or perimeter) of the upper handling member rim can have a length greater than that of the lower handling member rim (or vice-versa). Thus, the closure can be provided with a shape like the frustum of a cone or pyramid, like a cone or pyramid whose tip has been cut off parallel to its base. The closure can be provided with a shape like a hemisphere whose tip end has been cut off parallel to its base. The handling wall can flare outward from the upper handling member rim and downward toward the lower handling member rim. When viewed in profile, the handling wall can define an outward-reaching slope or an outward-reaching curve.
The handling wall can have one or more openings that extend through the handling wall, each opening set within a portion of the handling wall, and each opening bounded on all sides by the handling wall. These openings can provide pathways for the passage of air through the handling wall, from the environment outside of the closure into the cavity or interior portion of the closure. It is preferred that the openings be spaced apart at regular intervals, and it is preferred that the openings be of the same size and shape. In particularly preferred embodiments, the handling wall contains a plurality of openings in each portion of the handling wall between a pair of neighboring septa.
The openings can have a longitudinal axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cap member, handling member, and/or closure. It is preferred that the vertical length (or length along the longitudinal axis) of each opening be greater than one half of the distance between the upper and lower handling member rims.
Where the handling wall curves downward and outward from the upper handling member rim toward the lower handling member rim, each opening can define a secondary vertical ventilation passage, where each secondary vertical ventilation passage defines an unobstructed pathway for air flow from the outer surface of the handling member, through the handling member, and into the cavity between the cap and handling members, when viewed from above or below as shown in
As shown in
It is also believed that these grooves can also allow the closure to flex when pressure is applied to the closure. Thus, the closure can resist crushing pressures. By maintaining its structure and shape, some (or preferably all) of the various ventilation passages can remain intact while the closure is retrieved from the airway of an individual. It also believed that the longitudinal orientation of the grooves, especially when placed between neighboring openings, can encourage the closure to flex in such a way as to keep the various vertical ventilation passages unobstructed and conducive to allowing the movement of air.
As shown in
The tamper-evident band can be disposed between the peripheral wall and the lower handling member rim, with an upper portion of the tamper-evident band paralleling the lower handling member rim and a portion of the peripheral wall closest to the lower handling member rim. The lower portion of the tamper-evident band can extend downward and outward (away from the top wall) past the cap rim and past the lower handling member rim.
Similar to the handling wall, the tamper-evident band can directly or indirectly connect to the cap member via one or more connecting structures. The connectors can join the inner face of the tamper-evident band to the outer surface of the peripheral wall. As shown in
As shown in
The tamper-evident band can be joined or connected to one or some or all of the septa. It is preferred that the septa contact an upper surface of the tamper-evident band (the surface closest to the upper handling member rim), rather than a lower surface of the tamper-evident band (the surface furthest from the upper handling member rim). As shown in
When viewed from above or below, a central portion of the closure can be occupied by the cap member, which is surrounded or encircled by the tamper-evident band, which is in turn surrounded or encircled by the handling wall. These elements can define concentric rings or shapes around each other, preferably not touching each other directly.
Each tamper-evident ring can include one or more indentations that extend from the inner or outer surface of the tamper-evident ring almost to the inner surface of the tamper-evident ring. It is preferred that these indentations traverse more than half of the thickness of the tamper-evident ting. As shown in
When taken together in an intact tamper-evident band, the band segments can encompass the full circumference or perimeter of the tamper-evident band. That is, the band segments can join together to make up the tamper-evident band. As desired, the tamper-evident band can have as few as a single band segment, or as many band segments as desired, for example 2 band segments, 3 band segments, 4 band segments, 5 band segments, 6 band segments, or more. Each band segment has a length, and is associated on a first, inner surface connected to the peripheral wall, and is associated on a second, opposite, outer surface facing the interior surface of the handling wall.
For each portion of the tamper-evident band located between two neighboring septa, that portion can contain at least one indentation located between a septa and a connecting element. It is preferred that portion include at least one indentation between every neighboring septa and connecting element.
The tamper-evident band can also include, preferably on its inner face, one or more engagement elements, the engagement elements for engaging corresponding structures on a fitment or container when the closure (and the tamper-evident band) is rotated around the fitment or container to unseal the closure from the fitment or container. Each engagement element can include a protrusion extending outward from a face of the tamper-evident band, preferably toward another structure. As shown in
The tamper-evident band can include at least one engagement element that results in the breakage of the band into band segments, when the closure is disconnected from such receptive portion of such fitment or such container, thus to indicate that the fitment or the container has been unsealed, opened, or breached.
For example, the closure can be disconnected from the fitment by rotating or unscrewing the closure. As the closure is moved in this manner, the engagement elements on the tamper-evident band can engage corresponding receiving elements on the coupling or receptive portion of the fitment such that the tamper-evident band is prevented from rotating with the closure beyond the point where the engagement elements engage with the receiving members. The resistance between the engagement elements and the receiving elements on the coupling is stronger than the indentations that score the surface of the tamper-evident band. Accordingly, as the closure is rotated, one or more of the indentations tears or breaks, and the tamper-evident band can separate into several band segments. These band segments can remain attached to the peripheral wall via the connection provided by the connecting elements and/or the septa.
The disruption of the physical integrity of the tamper-evident band and the appearance of the band segments can provide a clear visual indicator that the tamper-evident band has been broken, that the seal or connection between closure and fitment has been breached, and that the integrity of the corresponding container contents has been compromised.
Where there is a plurality of engagement elements, it is preferred that they are located on the tamper-evident band so as not to interfere with the tearing of the tamper-evident band into band segments. That is, it is preferred that the engagement elements be located so as not to interfere with the tearing of the indentations on the tamper-evident band, when the opening or unsealing of the closure engages the tamper-evident band feature. It is preferred that each septa have an engagement element located proximate to it.
As shown in
Closures are routinely used as devices for closing or sealing a fitment or container; the risk that they pose as a choking hazard is well-known. As shown in
If the closure is lodged right-side-up or upside-down, it is expected that the individual's airway can block some or all of the openings in the handling wall of the handling member. Thus, the side or lateral surfaces of the closure can contact (and be obstructed by) an individual's airway. In such situations, where the top and bottom of the closure are unobstructed (or a portion of those surfaces are unobstructed), air can flow through at least one of a primary or first vertical ventilation passage (between the cap member and the handling member); if a portion of the handling wall is unobstructed, one or more secondary vertical ventilation passages (through unobstructed openings in the handling wall and through the lower handling member rim) can provide air flow through the closure in a vertical direction. In these configurations, vertical ventilation passages can support airflow to the individual through the interior of the closure, even in some cases where the top and/or bottom of the closure is also partially unobstructed.
As shown for example in
At least one secondary vertically-oriented ventilation passage can be provided if the bottom of the closure is unobstructed and at least one opening is unobstructed. Here, air can flow in a linear, straight, vertical path through the closure, but instead of entering and exiting through the top and bottom ends of the closure, the air can flow in a linear, straight, vertical path through structures in the lateral or side portions of the closure. That is, the openings in the handling wall can define pathways for air to enter through at least one unobstructed opening, travel through the interior space or cavity within the closure, and exit the bottom of the closure through the lower handling member rim (if the bottom surface of the device is at least partially unobstructed).
Where the lower handling member rim has a larger diameter or circumference than the upper handling member rim, and the top surface of the device is at least partially unobstructed, the exact opposite does not hold true; that is the geometry of such embodiments of the closure do not support vertical airflow into an opening, into the cavity, and out through the upper handling member rim. Instead, the closure can support a non-linear pathway that allows air to exit through the upper handling member rim. For example, in the situation where the bottom surface of the device is blocked or obstructed, air can flow into an unobstructed opening in the handling wall in a lateral or horizontal or transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the closure, travel through the cavity, and exit through the upper handling member rim; however, this route or conduit will not be a linear and vertical path, but a circuitous pathway that curves or angles or changes direction.
In some embodiments, a vertically-oriented ventilation passage can define a ventilation passageway that is not strictly straight or linear, where the airflow is generally vertical in the sense that a passageway for airflow is provided through a vertical axis of the closure. For example, a primary vertical ventilation passage can provide air flow into the top end of the closure, through an interior portion of the closure, and out the bottom end of the closure, following a continuous or unbroken, but not necessarily straight or direct, path through the closure. The primary and secondary vertical ventilation passages can support air flow in a vertical direction, but following an indirect pathway through the closure.
Where at least one of the openings in the handling wall are partially or fully clear, horizontal or lateral air flow can be made available by air passing in through a first unobstructed opening in the handling wall of the handling member, through the cavity between the handling wall and the peripheral wall, and out through a second unobstructed opening in the handling wall of the handling member, (e.g., in a direct or straight path between two or more openings located between the same neighboring septa). Such horizontal ventilation passages can provide another direct route of air flow into and through the closure, such as shown in
Neighboring septa can divide the handling wall into handling wall portions. Where openings are located in the same handling wall portion, a primary horizontal ventilation passage can extend in a straight or direct line through the interior (e.g., the cavity) of the closure, air flowing into the closure through a first opening and exiting the closure via a second opening. Whereas the primary vertical ventilation passages can define pathways generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cap member, handling member, and/or closure, the primary horizontal ventilation passages can define pathways generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cap member.
In some embodiments, the horizontally-oriented ventilation passages can define a ventilation passageway that is not strictly straight or linear, where the airflow is generally horizontal in the sense that a passageway for airflow is provided through a horizontal axis of the closure. For example, a primary horizontal ventilation passage can provide air flow into a first opening in the handling member wall, through an interior portion of the closure, and out through a second opening in the handling member wall, following a contiguous or uninterrupted, but not necessarily straight or direct, path through the closure. The horizontal ventilation passages can support air flow in a horizontal direction, but following an indirect pathway through the closure.
As shown in
As the air travels through the cavity, it can take an indirect or non-linear path by traversing a pathway over a septum that separates the cap and handling members, and/or by traversing a pathway under a septum that separates the cap and handling members. In some embodiments, air can travel through an opening or aperture penetrating a portion of the septum; providing additional avenues for direct and indirect horizontal ventilation through the closure.
As another example, if the top side of the closure were obstructed, air could enter the cavity via the bottom of the primary vertical ventilation passage through the lower handling member rim, and then exit the cavity via: i) a neighboring or nearby unobstructed opening in the handling wall, ii) traversing past the outer surface of the top wall and/or the lower surface of the septa to exit via the lower handling member rim or an opening removed from the air's entry site into the closure (e.g., if a portion of the bottom and side surfaces of the closure were simultaneously obstructed), or iii) traversing along the outer surface of the peripheral wall and past the upper surfaces of a septum to exit via the upper handling member rim or an opening removed from the air's entry site into the closure. Similarly, air could flow through the same structures in opposite directions.
As another example, if both the top and bottom sides of the closure were fully obstructed, air could flow in a lateral direction, in direct or indirect paths into and out of the openings in the handling walls. In some situations, where first and second openings are not separated by a septum, air could enter through a first opening, travel through the cavity, and exit through the second opening. Where first and second openings are separated by a septum, air could enter through a first opening into the cavity, then travel around the peripheral wall, and above or below the septa, to exit via a second opening. Where the septa includes an opening or aperture, air can travel between septa via such an opening or aperture.
The indirect, non-linear ventilation pathways present in the closure define pathways for air flow that facilitate both horizontal and vertical movement of the air as it travels through the closure. Where air flow is described moving in a first direction or pathway, air can also travel flow through the same structures in a second, opposite direction.
The components of the closure can be made with a generally rigid material, such as plastic, whereby the entire closure, including the tamper-evident band, where used, can optionally be injection molded as a unitary element.
The closure, and its individual components, can be made in any number of shapes, although it is preferred that the closure be made to have a generally compact or convex shape. Extensive or elaborate surface protrusions or projections are disfavored, so that if the closure is swallowed, then the absence of such structures can make it easier to retrieve the closure from an individual's airway.
As shown in
Various features of the closure can minimize the amount of material needed to make a closure. Certain features create negative spaces in the overall structure of the closure, such as grooves in the handling wall and indentations in the tamper-evident ring, and define portions of the closure where the material is replaced with space. Thus, less material is required overall in manufacturing the closure, providing a closure that is less expensive to make.
Other features, such as a plurality of small, thin connectors in the tamper-evident band, compared to a single band encompassing the area, can provide for a version of a closure that requires less materials to make. Similarly, openings can be made in other structures, such as the handling member, septa, or tamper-evident band, to decrease the amount of material required in the closure, as well as for increasing the number of ventilation pathways for air through the device.
The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. From this description, persons skilled in the art will understand that many modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended. The present invention is intended to be covered by the appended claims, including all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
