CLOSURE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING PIVOTABLE HANDLE AND METHOD FOR SEALING A CONTAINER

Abstract

A closure assembly includes a cap having a radially outer wall surrounding a central axis and a handle having a first end portion and a second end portion. The cap also includes a threaded portion configured for threaded engagement with the container. The handle is pivotably coupled to the cap proximate the first end portion whereby the handle is configured to be movable between a stowed first position and a deployed second position relative to the cap. In the second position, the second end portion of the handle is positioned radially outward of the outer wall such that the handle is accessible for rotation in opposite directions about the central axis to loosen or tighten the cap relative to the container. The cap, when tightened relative to the container, maintains sealing of the opening during movement of the handle between the first position and the second position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to caps for use with containers, and, more particularly, to a closure assembly for use with a container to open and close an opening in the container.

BACKGROUND

It is common to close or seal an opening of a container with a threaded cap. In certain situations it is advantageous, and often even mandated, to require a certain amount of torque to remove the cap from the container. For example, where the container includes certain hazardous materials, caps and containers may be designed with minimum opening torque requirements, in order to prevent unwanted disengagement of the cap from the container which might allow escape of the materials from the container during shipment or handling, or to prevent unwanted access to the contents of the container by children, for example. While minimum opening torque requirements are generally effective at preventing such unwanted occurrences due to a tight fit between the cap and the container, there are undesired consequences when applying such requirements. For example, certain users may lack the strength to provide the requisite torque to remove the cap from the container. As the effective diameter of the cap increases, providing the requisite torque may become even more difficult for certain members of the general population, and especially for those who generally lack strength or have relatively small hands.

Consequently, there remains a need in the art for a closure assembly that overcomes the disadvantages identified above.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides improvements to overcome the shortcomings and drawbacks of containers, caps, and closure assemblies heretofore known. While the invention will be described in connection with an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to this embodiment. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

To that end, rather than relegating a user to rely on his or her general strength or hand size, in one embodiment, a closure assembly for use in sealing an opening provided in a container is provided for use with a variety of shapes and sizes of containers meant for containing a variety of materials including, but not limited to, laboratory chemicals. The closure assembly includes a cap having a radially outer wall surrounding a central axis. The cap also includes a threaded portion configured for threaded engagement with the container. The closure assembly also includes a handle having a first end portion and a second end portion. The handle is pivotably coupled to the cap proximate the first end portion whereby the handle is configured to be movable between a stowed first position and a deployed second position relative to the cap. In the second position, the second end portion of the handle is positioned radially outward of the outer wall such that the handle is accessible for rotation in opposite directions about the central axis to loosen or tighten the cap relative to the container. The cap, when tightened relative to the container, maintains sealing of the opening during movement of the handle between the first position and the second position.

In one embodiment, the cap includes a recess at least partially circumscribed by the outer wall. The handle extends into the recess when positioned in the first position.

In another embodiment, the cap and the handle are configured to frictionally engage one another to maintain the handle in the first position. In yet another embodiment, the cap includes a projection and the handle includes an aperture or receptacle portion. The projection is configured to extend into the aperture or receptacle portion when the handle is positioned in the first position.

In another embodiment, a closure assembly and a container are provided. The container includes a container body. The closure assembly includes a cap having a radially outer wall surrounding a central axis. The cap also includes a threaded portion configured for threaded engagement with the container. The closure assembly also includes a handle having a first end portion and a second end portion. The handle is pivotably coupled to the cap proximate the first end portion whereby the handle is configured to be movable between a stowed first position and a deployed second position relative to the cap. In the second position, the second end portion of the handle is positioned radially outward of the outer wall such that the handle is accessible for rotation in opposite directions about the central axis to loosen or tighten the cap relative to the container. The cap, when tightened relative to the container, maintains sealing of the opening during movement of the handle between the first position and the second position.

A method for sealing an opening provided in a container with a closure assembly is also provided. The closure assembly includes a cap defining a radially outer wall surrounding a central axis. The cap also includes a threaded portion configured for threaded engagement with a container, and a handle having a first end portion and a second end portion. The handle is pivotably coupled to the cap proximate the first end portion. The method includes moving the handle from a stowed first position relative to the cap to a deployed second position relative to the cap such that the second end portion is positioned radially outward of the outer wall. The cap, when tightened relative to the container, maintains sealing of the opening in the container during movement of the handle between the first position and the second position. The method further includes rotating the handle to rotate the cap about the central axis relative to the container to loosen or tighten the cap relative to the container.

Various additional aspects and features of the invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiment given below, serves to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, with a handle of the closure assembly positioned in a stowed position and a cap of the closure assembly being assembled with a container;

FIG. 2 is view similar to FIG. 1, showing the handle of the closure assembly positioned in an intermediate position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the handle of the closure assembly positioned in a deployed position and the cap of the closure assembly being disassembled from the container;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the closure assembly of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, showing the handle of the closure assembly positioned in the stowed position and the cap of the closure assembly being assembled with a container;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the handle positioned in the deployed position; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the closure assembly of FIG. 1, showing the handle of the closure assembly positioned in the stowed position.

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the sequence of operations as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes of various illustrated components, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiment may have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, a closure assembly 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown and includes a cap 12 and a handle 14. As shown, the cap 12 may be used to close and essentially seal an opening 16 of a container 18. In that regard, the cap 12 and the container 18 are configured to threadably engage one another and each includes complementary threads 20, 22, respectively. In order to engage or disengage the cap 12 relative to the container 18, the handle 14 may be moved from a stowed first position (FIGS. 1 and 4) to a deployed second position (FIGS. 3 and 5), as will be described in more detail below, and the handle 14 may then essentially be used as a moment arm to rotate the cap 12 relative to the container 18 to thereby loosen or tighten the cap 12 relative to the container 18.

In one embodiment, the cap 12 includes a radially outer lip 24 generally surrounding a central axis 26 and circumscribing at least part of a recess 28 in which part of the handle 14 may reside in the stowed position. The outer lip 24 may include a radially inner portion 30, a radially outer portion 32, and an upper, generally planar portion 34 extending between the inner and outer portions 30, 32. As shown, the inner portion 30 may be planar in cross-section and the upper portion 34 may lie along a first plane 35 (FIG. 4) that extends generally perpendicular to the central axis 26. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner portion 30 is sloped away from the central axis 26 toward the outer portion 32 such that the inner portion 30 is disposed at an angle α relative to central axis 26 and at an angle β relative to first plane 35. In the embodiment shown, the inner portion 30 defines a radially outward boundary of the recess 28. The upper portion 34 may define an upper boundary of the recess 28. The lower boundary of the recess 28 may be defined by a planar face 36 of the cap 12, part of which is circumscribed by the outer lip 24. As seen best in FIGS. 1 through 3, the outer lip 24 is partially circumferential such that it terminates at two ends 38a, 38b, with a space 40 between the two ends 38a, 38b that is essentially another portion of the planar face 36. As discussed below, the handle 14 may extend at least partially into the recess 28 when positioned in the stowed position.

The outer portion 32 may generally define a radially outward surface or radially outer wall 41 of the cap 12, which, as shown, radially surrounds the central axis 26 and may be generally polygonal in shape. More specifically, the outer portion 32 may be generally octagonal and include eight faces, three of which are planar faces 42a, one of which is planar face 42a′, and four of which are curved faces 42b. Planar faces 42a and curved faces 42b are substantially the same height. Planar face 42a′ (FIGS. 4-6) extends to a shorter height, due in part to the presence of space 40 between 38a, 38b. Each of the curved faces 42b is either positioned between an adjacent set of planar faces 42a, or between an adjacent set of planar faces 42a, 42a′. In alternative embodiments, the faces 42a and 42b may include different sizes and shapes than those shown. For example, the faces 42a, 42a′, and 42b may vary in height, length, and/or shape relative to one another.

In one embodiment, the outer portion 32 also includes an inner surface 44 which, in order to threadably couple or engage the cap 12 relative to the container 18, includes male threads 20 that extend radially inwardly for engaging corresponding female threads 22 formed on a neck 43 of the container 18. It will be appreciated that the shape and configuration of the outer lip 24 is not so limited to the configuration shown. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the outer lip 24 may include a different shape, which may or may not depend on the shape or configuration of the handle 14. Furthermore, the number and ordering of planar faces 42a and curved faces 42b may be reconfigured in other embodiments. Moreover, in other embodiments, the outer lip 24, rather than being a partially circumferential member, outer lip 24 may be a fully circumferential member, or may include at least one or a set of discrete flanges or lips (not shown) with spaces between adjacent flanges or lips. Alternatively, the cap 12 may not include any lip 24.

In the embodiment shown, the cap 12 also includes a projection 46 for engagement with the handle 14. As shown, the projection 46 extends upwardly and generally parallel to the central axis 26 and toward the first plane 35 from the planar face 36. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the projection 46 extends to a point relative to first plane 35 such that a top portion 48 of the projection 46 lies at a point below the first plane 35, but in alternative embodiments, the projection 46 may extend to different lengths and/or distances relative to the first plane 35. It will be appreciated that the projection 46, as shown, is generally cylindrical but is not so limited to such a shape.

In the embodiment shown, the handle 14 includes a first end portion 50 and a second end portion 52 and is configured to be used to actuate rotation of the cap 12 relative to the container 18. The handle 14 may be pivotably coupled to the cap 12 proximate the first end portion 50 by respective first and second hinge portions 53, 54 of the cap 12 and handle 14. The first hinge portions 53 of the cap 12 extend toward the first plane 35 from the planar face 36, while the second hinge portions 54 of the handle 14 extend from first end portion 50 of handle 14 and are essentially integral therewith. A hinge pin 56 may extend between adjacent first hinge portions 53 as well as between the first hinge portions 53 and adjacent ones of the ends 38a, 38b. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the second hinge portions 54 includes an aperture 54a, to which access is provided by access slots 57. In order to assemble the cap 12 and handle 14, the second hinge portions 54 may be directed into engagement with (i.e. snapped onto) the hinge pin 56 such that portions of the hinge pin 56 are disposed within apertures 54a of second hinge portions 54. As the second hinge portions 54 are snapped into engagement with hinge pin 56, access slots 57 provide initial access into the apertures 54a. In that regard, access slots 57 may expand to allow hinge pin 56 to be snapped into engagement with apertures 54a. Once the cap 12 and handle 14 are coupled or engaged, the handle 14 may be rotated to the stowed first position for shipping, storage, and use. It will be understood that while a single hinge pin 56 has been described in this embodiment, this hinge pin could be provided as separate hinge pins or separate pin portions in other embodiments.

In the embodiment shown, the handle 14 includes a first side 58 extending between the first and second end portions 50, 52 and a second side 60 opposite the first side 58 that also extends between the first and second end portions 50, 52. As shown, the first and second sides 58, 60 may be generally planar and parallel to one another. The handle 14 also includes a first edge 62 extending between the first and second end portions 50, 52 and a second edge 64 opposing the first edge 62, also extending between the first and second end portions 50, 52. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, at least a portion of each of the first and second edges 62, 64 tapers towards a middle of the handle 14 to provide gripping surfaces 65 for a user's fingers when moving the handle 14 from the stowed position. The handle 14 also includes a generally circular aperture 66, which includes a first, tapered portion 66a and a second, radially constant portion 66b. However, the shape and configuration of the aperture 66 is not so limited and may or may not depend on the shape of the projection 46. For example, rather than having an aperture 66, in an alternative embodiment, the handle 14 may include a receptacle portion (not shown) defined as a recess in the handle 14.

As shown, the handle 14 is movable between the stowed first position (FIGS. 1 and 4), where the handle 14 extends into the recess 28, and the deployed second position (FIGS. 3 and 5), relative to the cap 12. The features of the cap 12 and handle 14 allow for frictional engagement with one another that maintains the handle 14 in the stowed position. More particularly, in the stowed position, the projection 46 may extend into the aperture 66 and frictionally engage with the aperture 66 to provide a force sufficient to maintain the handle 14 in the stowed position. When in the stowed position, the first side 58 may generally face the first plane 35. As shown, the first side 58 extends along a plane that is below the first plane 35. However, in other embodiments, the first side 58 may be positioned to be coplanar with, or above, the first plane 35. Furthermore, as shown, the second side 60 generally abuts or contacts the planar face 36 of cap 12 and the first end portion 50 generally abuts or contacts the inner portion 30 of the outer lip 24. In that regard, the shape, slope, or angle of the second end portion 52 may be substantially similar to that of the inner portion 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the second end portion 52 extends between the first side 58 to the second side 60 away from the central axis 26 such that the second end portion 52 tapers at an angle γ relative to a second plane 68 that extends along and is coplanar with planar face 36.

Moreover, as shown in the stowed position (i.e., FIG. 4), the second end portion 52 is positioned within a circumferential periphery of the cap 12 defined by the outer wall 41. However, in other embodiments, the second end portion 52 may extend radially outward of the circumferential periphery of the cap 12 in the first position, depending on the length of the handle 14, for example.

In at least one embodiment, in order to move the handle 14 from the stowed position to the deployed position, a user may pull on the handle 14 to rotate the handle 14 in the direction of arrow 70 (FIGS. 2 and 4). Alternatively, an instrument (not shown) may be used to move the handle 14 to and from the stowed and deployed positions. The taper at the gripping surfaces 65 on each of the first and second edges 62, 64, as mentioned above, may assist the user in properly positioning his or her fingers (or an instrument), such that a force greater than the frictional force between the projection 46 and aperture 66 may be provided. After the frictional engagement between the aperture 66 and the projection 46 is essentially overcome, the handle 14 may be rotated about the hinge pin 56 to the deployed position. Notably, during movement of the handle 14 between the stowed position and the deployed position, the cap 12 continues to block access to the opening 16 in the container 18. In other words, moving the handle 14 from the stowed position to the deployed position does not effectuate opening, closing, tightening, or loosening of the cap 12 relative to the container 18 or opening 16.

In the embodiment shown, in the second, deployed position, a substantial portion of the handle 14 is positioned radially outward of the outer portion 32 such that at least the second end portion 52 of the handle 14 is positioned radially outward of radially outer wall 41 that is defined by outer portion 32. As shown most clearly in FIG. 5, the second side 60 of the handle 14 is positioned below and generally faces towards the first plane 35, while the first side 58 is positioned below and faces generally away from the first plane 35. In alternative embodiments, the second side 60 may be coplanar with or positioned above the first plane 35 when the handle 14 is in the deployed position.

Once the handle 14 is in the deployed position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the handle 14 may be rotated to thereby rotate the cap 12 in order to loosen or tighten the cap 12 relative to container 18. In order to loosen, or disassemble, the cap 12 relative to the container 18, the handle 14 is rotated in a first direction (indicated by arrows 72, FIG. 3) about the central axis 26. In order to tighten, or assemble, the cap 12 relative to the container 18, the handle 14 is rotated in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

In the embodiment shown, when the handle 14 is rotated to loosen the cap 12 relative to the container 18 to a point where the cap 12 is sufficiently loosened from the container 18, the cap 12 may then be removed from the container 18. In order to accomplish removal of the cap 12, a user may simply lift the handle 14 and rely on the hinged coupling between the cap 12 and the handle 14 in order to support the cap 12 during lifting from the container 18 to provide access to the container 18 via opening 16. Once the user no longer desires access to the opening 16 of the container 18, the user may grab the handle 14, which is still closely engaging the cap 12, and use the handle 14 to place the cap 12 onto the container 18. Then, the user may once again rotate the handle 14 in the appropriate direction to tighten the threaded engagement of the cap 12 relative to the container 18. The user may then return the handle 14 to the stowed position. During rotation of the handle 14 to loosen or tighten the cap 12 relative to the container 18, the position of the handle 14 relative to the cap 12 may be substantially constant. Of course, the relative angular position between the handle 14 and the cap 12 may differ slightly as the user rotates the handle 14 and the cap 12.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description of various embodiments and while those embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such details. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's invention.

Claims

1. A closure assembly for use in sealing an opening provided in a container, comprising: a cap having a radially outer wall surrounding a central axis and including a threaded portion configured for threaded engagement with the container; anda handle having a first end portion and a second end portion, the handle being pivotably coupled to the cap proximate the first end portion whereby the handle is configured to be movable between a stowed first position and a deployed second position relative to the cap, wherein in the second position, the second end portion of the handle is positioned radially outward of the outer wall such that the handle is accessible for rotation in opposite directions about the central axis to loosen or tighten the cap relative to the container, and further wherein the cap, when tightened relative to the container, maintains sealing of the opening during movement of the handle between the first position and the second position.

2. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein: the cap includes a recess at least partially circumscribed by the outer wall, the handle extending into the recess when positioned in the first position.

3. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap and the handle are configured to frictionally engage one another to maintain the handle in the first position.

4. The closure assembly of claim 3, wherein the cap includes a projection and the handle includes an aperture or receptacle portion, the projection configured to extend into the aperture or receptacle portion when the handle is positioned in the first position.

5. The closure assembly of claim 4, wherein the cap includes a recess at least partially circumscribed by the outer wall and the handle extends into the recess of the cap when positioned in the first position.

6. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap includes an upper portion defining at least part of a first plane, and the handle includes a first side extending between the first and second end portions, wherein the first side either faces toward or is coplanar with the first plane when the handle is positioned in the first position.

7. The closure assembly of claim 6, wherein in the second position, the first side is spaced from the first plane.

8. The closure assembly of claim 6, wherein in the second position, the first side faces away from the first plane.

9. The closure assembly of claim 6, wherein the handle includes a second side opposing the first side, wherein the second side either generally faces toward the first plane or is coplanar with the first plane when the handle is positioned in the second position.

10. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle includes a first side and a second side, wherein the first and second sides each extend between the first and second end portions and are generally parallel.

11. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle includes a first edge and a second edge, each of the first and second edges extending between the first and second end portions, wherein at least a portion of each the first edge and the second edge tapers towards a middle of the handle located between the first edge and the second edge to define at least one gripping surface.

12. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the second end portion of the handle is configured to be positioned radially inward of the outer edge when the handle is positioned in the first position.

13. In combination, a closure assembly and a container, the closure assembly being configured to seal an opening provided in the container, comprising: a container body having an opening;a cap having a radially outer wall surrounding a central axis and including a threaded portion configured for threaded engagement with the container body; anda handle having a first end portion and a second end portion, the handle being pivotably coupled to the cap proximate the first end portion whereby the handle is configured to be movable between a stowed first position and a deployed second position relative to the cap, wherein in the second position, the second end portion of the handle is positioned radially outward of the outer wall such that the handle is accessible for rotation in opposite directions about the central axis to loosen or tighten the cap relative to the container body, and further wherein the cap, when tightened relative to the container body, maintains sealing of the opening during movement of the handle between the first position and the second position.

14. A method for sealing an opening provided in a container with a closure assembly, the closure assembly comprising a cap defining a radially outer wall surrounding a central axis and including a threaded portion configured for threaded engagement with a container, and a handle having a first end portion and a second end portion, with the handle pivotably coupled to the cap proximate the first end portion, the method comprising: moving the handle from a stowed first position relative to the cap to a deployed second position relative to the cap such that the second end portion is positioned radially outward of the outer wall, wherein the cap, when tightened relative to the container, maintains sealing of the opening in the container during movement of the handle between the first position and the second position; androtating the handle to rotate the cap about the central axis relative to the container to loosen or tighten the cap relative to the container.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein rotating the handle further comprises: rotating the handle in a first direction to loosen the cap relative to the container; androtating the handle in a second direction to tighten the cap relative to the container.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: rotating the handle such that a position of the handle relative to the cap remains substantially constant during loosening or tightening of the cap relative to the container.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: lifting and removing the cap from the container using the handle once the cap is sufficiently loosened relative to the container.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the cap includes a projection and the handle includes an aperture or receptacle portion, and the method further comprises: moving the handle back to the first position such that the projection extends into the aperture or receptacle portion.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the cap includes a recess, and the method further comprises: moving the handle back to the first position such that the handle extends into the recess.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising: moving the handle from the second position to the first position such that second end portion is positioned within radially inward of the outer edge.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising: moving the handle from the second position back to the first position such that the handle and cap frictionally engage one another.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the cap includes an upper surface located along a first plane and the handle includes a first side between the first and second end portions, and the method further comprises: moving the handle from second position to the first position such that the first side either faces toward or is coplanar with the first plane.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the handle includes a second side opposing the first side, and the method further comprises: moving the handle from the first position to the second position such that the second side either generally faces toward the first plane or is coplanar with the first plane.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising: moving the handle from first position to the second position such that the first side faces away from the first plane.