Patent Application
20080073312
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, a presently preferred embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
With reference to the drawings, therein is illustrated a composite closure 10 embodying the principles of the present invention. Composite closure 10 includes a molded plastic closure cap 12, and an outer gripping layer 14 of relatively soft material which is applied to at least an outer periphery of the closure cap 12. Closure cap 12 can be efficiently formed from polypropylene or polyethylene, while outer gripping layer 14 is preferably formed from relatively soft, thermoplastic elastomeric material.
Closure cap 12 is preferably of unitary, one-piece construction, and includes a top wall portion 16, and an annular, depending skirt portion 18 having an internal thread formation 20.
In order to enhance gripping and manipulation of closure 10 by consumers, the outer gripping layer 14 preferably extends at least generally along the height of skirt portion 18. Because the outer gripping layer 14 typically exhibits a relatively high frictional coefficient, in comparison to the closure cap 12, the closure cap 12 includes at least one projecting portion which extends at least to the surface of the outer gripping layer 14.
In the illustrated embodiment, two such projecting elements are provided which extend beyond the surface of the outer gripping layer, and desirably act to facilitate handling of closures by automated equipment, by providing sliding surfaces for contact with the equipment, while avoiding contact with the outer gripping layer.
In particular, an outwardly-projecting annular element 22 is provided at the free edge of skirt portion 14, with annular element 22 projecting beyond the outer surface of outer gripping layer 14. In a presently preferred form, another outwardly projecting element is provided in the form of annular projection 24 which projects outwardly from the top wall portion 16 of the closure cap, again, beyond the outer surface of outer gripping layer 14. Thus, the annular projecting element 22 and 24 are positioned along respective margins of the gripping layer 14.
Notably, the free edge of the skirt portion 18 is preferably configured so as to minimize damage to the outer gripping layer 14, which can otherwise occur attendant to storage and transport of closures. In particular, the relatively soft, outer gripping layer 14 can be subject to scratching, abrasion, or other damage in the event that the outer gripping layer of one closure contacts the relatively hard closure cap 12 of another one of the closures, such as during storage or handling (see diagrammatic view of
To this end, the inner free edge of the skirt portion 18 defines a radius, at R, which is sufficient to avoid damage to the outer gripping layer of other like ones of the composite closures during handling. This radius is illustrated in
While projecting portions of the closure cap 12 of the present closure are preferably provided to facilitate handling by automated equipment, another aspect of the present invention contemplates that one or more projecting portions be provided in the form of graphical elements which extend outwardly from the skirt portion 18 of the closure cap through the outer gripping layer 14. To this end, the closure cap includes outwardly projecting portions in the form of graphical elements 26 which project through the outer gripping layer 14 and are preferably coextensive with the outer surface of the outer gripping layer. The colors of the closure cap 12 and outer gripping layer 14 are preferably selected to be suitably contrasting, whereby the graphical elements 26 are not only aesthetically pleasing, but can further desirably function to alert consumers to the presence of the outer gripping layer to facilitate closure manipulation.
As illustrated, graphical elements 26 are preferably each provided with an open configuration, that is, there are no regions of the graphical elements which would otherwise be closed to the flow of the plastic material from which outer gripping layer 14 is formed (note the open configuration of the letters “R” and “P” in the illustrated embodiment). By this arrangement, the outer gripping layer contacts all side surfaces of each of the graphical elements 26.
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiment illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
