BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a prior art closure commonly used with a large container;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of one component, the “primary cap” of a prior art closure commonly used on a large container;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a complimentary component, the “secondary cap”, used in conjunction with the component embodied in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the assembly of the components shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as applied to the neck of a large container;
FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 4 after being inverted and mounted on a prior art dispensing apparatus;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another prior art “non-spill” closure used with large containers;
FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view showing the closure of FIG. 6 inverted and mounted on a typical probe of a dispensing apparatus;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an improved closure according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 9 is a magnified view of a portion of the closure of FIG. 8, taken substantially from the perspective of the encircled region identified as C-C of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIG. 9 showing an alternate embodiment for the functional structure of a “non-spill” closure;
FIG. 11
a is an embodiment showing another closure incorporating a projecting member, namely a bead-like structure, in the well;
FIG. 11
b is an embodiment showing another closure incorporating a upwardly projecting member in the well;
FIG. 11
c is an embodiment showing another closure incorporating a downwardly projecting member in the well;
FIG. 12 is an illustration of a probe inserted in the well that has a projecting member;
FIG. 13
a is a top view of an embodiment showing a pair of frangible lines disposed on a base structure with scored sections positioned at the ends of the frangible lines;
FIG. 13
b is a top view of an embodiment showing a single frangible line disposed on a base structure with scored sections positioned at the ends of the frangible line;
FIG. 13
c is a top view of an embodiment showing frangible lines disposed on a base structure with scored sections defined as arcuate frangible lines
FIG. 14
a is a plan view of an embodiment showing two deformable sections with one dominant section positioned to overlap a portion of a subservient section;
FIG. 14
b is a partial side view of FIG. 14a;
FIG. 14
c is a partial side view similar to FIG. 14b but now showing one dominant deformable section coincident with a subservient deformable section; and
FIG. 15 is a plan view of an embodiment showing multiple deformable sections.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The aspects of the instant invention will now be described in detail in conjunction with the descriptive figures. While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention and/or the embodiments illustrated.
Prior art FIGS. 1 and 2 show closures currently used with large containers. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a “flat-roof” closure. This type of closure is removed from the container prior to mounting on the dispensing apparatus. The closure 1 has a roof portion 2 and has a shoulder portion disposed outwardly from the roof portion 2. The shoulder portion includes a rounded corner 3, below which is a downwardly depending side wall 4. Depending from the side wall 4 is a skirt portion 5. The roof portion 2 is in the form of an annular disc. A tension ring, or snap bead 8, is located on the inside of the closure 1. The snap bead 8 is in a position to fit under the snap formation on the neck of a container (not shown in FIG. 1) and to draw the internal surface of the corner 3 towards the snap formation of the neck. The internal surface of the corner 3 is provided with an internal seal bead 9, which engages a lip (not shown) defined by the container to seal against leakage. A release tab 7 extends downwardly from the bottom edge of the skirt portion 5 for removal of the closure 1 from the neck of the container. By pulling upwards on the tab 7, the skirt portion 5 may be torn along score lines 6 so that the skirt portion releases its grip on the container neck. The closure 1 also is shown to have narrow “application ramps” 54 projecting slightly above the internal surface formed by the tension ring 8. These application ramps were first taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,316 which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. In the '316 patent, such ramps on the tension bead are used to accommodate bottles of varying structural geometries. It was subsequently found that the ramps serve an additional function in facilitating capping of the container. The raised ramps also serve to remove the surface of the tension bead 8 slightly from the surface of the container neck locking bead (not shown in FIG. 1) as the cap 1 is pushed onto the neck. Without the ramps 54 the tension bead and container locking bead may form an airtight seal during expansion of the tension bead 8 over the outwardly directed container locking bead. The airtight seal prevents venting of air still remaining in the head space of the container, creating an internal pressure which can impede facile capping.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a “non-spill” closure 1a. Many of the features of the “non-spill” type closure 1a are similar to those of the “flat roof” closure 1 depicted in FIG. 1. In this specification, similar features among embodiments will be identified by the same numeral plus a letter designation indicative of the particular embodiment. In the FIG. 2 closure 1a, it is seen that the roof portion 2a is in the form of an annular disk, with a central well 60 formed therein. The well 60 has a cylindrical side wall 62 which extends down into the closure 1a to an open end 75. Fitted snugly within the well 60 is a displaceable plug 11, illustrated in FIG. 3. The plug 11 has a bottom 12 and a side wall 13 which when placed in the well 60 of closure 1a closes the open end 75.
The assembly of plug 11 and closure 1a is illustrated in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the plug 11 has been inserted into the originally open end 75 of well 60 in order to the seal the well 60 and complete the closure system. The completed closure is further shown mounted to a typical neck 14 of a container.
FIG. 5 illustrates the situation which results when the assembly of FIG. 4 is inverted and lowered onto a dispensing apparatus equipped to cooperatively function with the “non-spill” type closures. In FIG. 5, the container has been lowered into receptacle 15 whose dimensions help position the container neck 14 axially over a hollow probe 16. The probe 16 enters the well 60 of the closure 1a as the container is lowered onto the dispensing apparatus. Eventually, complimentary features on the plug 11 and probe 16 interact to result in attachment of the plug 11 to the probe 16. In its final position, the probe 16 has penetrated into the container neck 14 sufficiently to displace the plug 11 and expose ports 17 to the contents of the container. Fluid is then able to enter the inside region of probe 16 through the ports 17 and flow downwardly for dispensing.
A more detailed description of the structural details and function of the closure, container, and dispensing features embodied in FIGS. 2 through 5 are presented in U.S. Pat. No 5,232,125.
Turning now to FIG. 6, there is shown another prior art closure of the “non-spill” type. Many of the structural features present in the closure embodied in FIG. 6 are similar or identical to those of the closure of FIG. 4. Thus, many like features will be identified with the same numeral followed by a letter to designate the particular embodiment.
A major distinction between the closures of FIGS. 4 and 6 is in the functional aspects of the central well 60 depending from the closure roof. In the FIG. 6 embodiment, the well 60 comprises a short cylindrical portion 62b sized to form a slideable sealing surface with a standard diameter probe 16 of a dispenser. Extending downward from this short cylindrical portion is a lower base portion comprising a generally conical section 80 merging at its lower end with a truncated spherical-like portion 82. At least one frangible line 84 extends downward on the conical section 80, across the spherical portion 82, and continuing back upward on the conical portion 80.
FIG. 7 shows the condition resulting when the closure of FIG. 6, applied to a standard container (not shown), is inverted and placed on a “non-spill” dispensing device. Insertion of the probe 16 into the well 60 causes the initially integral well to split open along the frangible line 84 and open like a “clam shell” as the probe, and its exit ports 17 pass into the container. Obviously, if the well 60 were to comprise multiple score lines, a number of deformable sections would be formed as compared to the “clam-shell” description associated with a single line. When the probe 16 is eventually removed, the “clam shell” arrangement will close somewhat because of the tendency of the plastic material to return to its original molded shape. The functional and structural aspects of the closure depicted in FIG. 6 are taught in much greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,865.
Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a sectional view of a novel closure which can be categorized as a “frangible valve non-spill” variety. One important aspect of the novel closure embodied in FIG. 8 is incorporated in the central well 60c of the closure. This region of the well is encircled as identified as C-C of the FIG. 8 and this encircled region C-C is reproduced in the magnified depiction of FIG. 9. In FIGS. 8 and 9, it is seen that the well 60c is closed off by an inventive base structure. The base structure 89 comprises an annular rim 90 extending inwardly from the wall 62c of the well 60c. As with prior art closures the internal diameter of the well wall 62c is sized to sealingly engage a standard probe of a dispensing apparatus. The annular rim 90 extends inwardly to an upward directed frusto-conical member 92. The frusto-conical member 92 extends back into the well 60c and is truncated at it upper end, connecting at the upper end to a disk shaped member 94.
One or more frangible lines 86 extend over the base structure 89. Other arrangements, placements, and quantities of frangible lines are clearly within the scope of the inventive structure embodied here. The sectional view of FIGS. 8 and 9 is taken through one such frangible line. In this embodiment the frangible line begins at the junction of the well side wall 62c and the annular rim 90 at arrow 88. The line then extends over the annular rim 90, up the conical member 92, across the disk shaped member 94, down the conical member 92 and finally across the annular rim 90 to the wall 62c at arrow 91.
In actual use, a dispensing probe (not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) enters the well and contacts the top disk shaped member 94. Continued insertion of the probe turns the frusto-conical structure 92 “inside-out” to a highly deformed position. The high deformation results in facile rupturing of the frangible lines on the base structure 89 allowing the probe to fully penetrate the base structure 89 and expose the exit ports to the fluid contents. Another aspect of the embodiments illustrated in the inventive structures herein (FIGS. 8 to 15) is that the frangible lines are designed for use with blunt dispensing probes, while some prior art references (as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,699,188 and 4,022,258) require sharp probes for penetration.
Upon removal of the probe, the base structure 89 is vigorous in its attempts to reseal. This is not only a result of the high degree of deformation for its original molded geometry, but also because the removal action of the probe tries to reinvert the structure, thereby assisting in pulling it closed.
FIG. 10 is a view, similar to FIG. 9, of another embodiment for the well structure of a “frangible valve non-spill” closure. In the FIG. 10 embodiment, the “truncated cone/disk end” of the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 is replaced with a spherical-like body 96 extending upward back into the well. It is not required that the spherical-like body 96 has the exact surface of a sphere. The distinguishing characteristic is that the member is domed upward, like that shown. As with the FIG. 9 embodiment, one or more frangible lines 86a are positioned on the base structure 89a to facilitate penetration by a blunt probe of a dispensing apparatus. These lines 86a may extend across the annular rim 90a, over the spherical-like body 96, and then back across the annular rim 90a to the well wall. Other arrangements for the weakened line(s) may be chosen.
In practice, the operation of the FIG. 10 embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9. The probe enters the well to push the spherical-like body and frangible structure “inside out”. The extensive deformation involved easily ruptures the frangible lines to permit facile probe penetration. Removal of the probe results in a very effective amount of re-closure.
Referring now to FIGS. 11a through 11c there is shown another embodiment for the well structure of a closure. While the closure is shown similar to the closure in the FIG. 10 embodiment, the closure in FIGS. 11a through 11c may be any type of closure and should not be limited to the illustrations shown. The well structure 60g extends from the roof portion 2g into the closure. The well 60g has a wall structure 62g that terminates at a base structure 89g. The base structure 89g may further include one or more frangible lines 86g disposed thereon such that it may be penetrated by the probe from the dispensing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 11a, the well 60g further includes a projecting member 200 (the function of which is explained below). The projecting member 200 may be a bead-like structure 202 that extends annularly around the well. The projecting member 200 may be positioned anywhere along the wall structure 62g, and preferably closer to the roof portion 2g. The projecting member 200 may also be an upwardly projection 205 that extends radially inward towards the center of the well 60g and that extends at an angle φ towards the roof portion 2g (illustrated in FIG. 11b). The projecting member 200 may also be an downwardly projection 210 that extends radially inward towards the center of the well 60g and that extends at an angle γ towards the base structure 89g.
Referring now to FIG. 12, once the probe 16 is inserted into the well 60g and the frangible line(s) 86g are broken, the base structure 89g becomes deformed as it wraps against the probe 16. The projecting member 200 (or as illustrated the bead-like structure 202) becomes positioned against the probe 16 acting as a means for sealing the well 60g against the probe 16 and aid in preventing and/or reducing the amount of liquid from seeping down the probe 16 past the broken base structure 89g and then entering into the reservoir of the dispenser.
Referring now to FIGS. 13a and 13b, there is illustrated a top view of a well 60h, drawn in accordance to having a wall 62h that terminates to a base structure 89h. The base structure 89h includes an annular rim 90h extending inwardly from the wall 62h of the well 60h. The annular rim 90 extends inwardly to an upward directed member 92, which may have a spherical shape (as shown) or a frusto-conical shape (as shown in the other figures). The member 92 extends back into the well 60c. Two frangible lines 86h are disposed on the base structure 89h and are positioned to cross or overlap each other. As a preferred element of this embodiment, the frangible lines 86h begin and end approximately at the wall 62h. Adjoining these approximate points, where the frangible line 86h meet the wall 62h, are scored sections 220. The scored sections 220 may preferably be positioned to cross the ends of the frangible lines 86h. In addition a portion of the scored sections 220 may traverse not only a portion of the base structure 89h but also may traverse a portion of the wall 62h (such a portion would extend perpendicularly from the view as shown). While the scored sections 220 are shown at each end of the frangible lines 86h, it is possible to provide scored sections 220 at less than all of the ends of the frangible lines 86h. The scored sections 220 by definition have thinner cross sections then the surrounding base structure 89h (and the wall 62h). During rupturing of the frangible lines 86h by insertion of the probe 16, the ruptured sections 222 are forced out of the way by the probe 16 which may further deform the well 60h and the wall 62h. The scored sections 220 aid in allowing the well 60h to become slightly deformed without further rupturing or breaking the well 60h where the wall 62h terminates at the base structure 89h.
As shown in FIG. 13b, it is further possible to provide a single frangible line 86h disposed on the base structure 89h and provided with a pair of scored sections 220. Similarly, the scored section 220 may preferably be positioned to cross the ends of the frangible line 86h. In addition a portion of the scored sections 220 may traverse not only a portion of the base structure 89h but also may traverse a portion of the wall 62h.
In addition, it is contemplated by the present invention and included in the definition of a scored section 220 that the scored section 220 is an arcuate frangible line 225 (FIG. 13c) that is disposed transversely to the frangible lines 86h that are disposed on the base structure 89h. The arcuate frangible line 225 is similarly positioned approximately at the ends of the frangible lines 86h near or at the wall 62h. However, it further is contemplated that the scored sections 220 may be positioned at a point that crosses the frangible lines 86h but not at the ends thereof such that the frangible lines overlap the scored sections 220.
Referring now to FIGS. 14a and 14b there is shown a base structure 89i shown with a well 60i and the wall structure 62i that would extend and terminate at the base structure 89i. In this embodiment the base structure 89i includes two deformable sections 250 and 252 that overlap one on top of the other such that the base structure 89i includes a dominate deformable section 250 positioned to overlap, or to be coincident with an edge of, the subservient deformable section 252. In the partial side view of FIG. 14b, the overlap of the two sections is preferably made to include only a portion 260 of the section 250 to lay over section 252. The overlap portion 260 is considered to be a frangible area such that when a blunt probe is pushed through the base structure 89i it causes the two deformable sections 250 and 252 to separate, thus allowing the blunt probe to enter and permit liquid in the container to dispense. In FIG. 14c, coincident portion 260a is a common frangible line shared between the dominant deformable section 250 and the subservient deformable section 252. Hence in the overlap of FIG. 14b, the overlap of the dominant deformable section 250 laps over, extends over, or covers at least a portion of the subservient deformable section 252 whereas in the coincident connection of FIG. 14c, the coincident portion 260a is a common frangible line between the dominant section 250 and the subservient section 252 wherein the sections coincide in part with or have an edge in common with each other.
As illustrated in FIG. 14a there are only two deformable sections, however, multiple deformable sections may be present. Referring now to FIG. 15, there is shown a base structure 89j that includes four deformable sections two of which would be dominate deformable sections 250 positioned to overlap or be coincident with two subservient deformable sections 252.
From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.
Patent Application
20070278175
