Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6338425
-
Patent Number
6,338,425
-
Date Filed
Thursday, October 5, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, January 15, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Shaver; Kevin
- Nicolas; Frederick
Agents
- Silverman, Cass & Singer, Ltd.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 222 182
- 222 15306
- 222 519
- 222 520
- 222 521
- 222 522
- 222 523
- 222 524
- 222 525
- 222 542
- 220 256
- 220 257
- 220 566
- 220 276
- 215 250
- 215 253
- 215 258
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A dispensing closure for a product container including a base positioned on the container and a cap operable on the base between a closed and an open position. The base includes an upstanding plug engageable within an aperture formed in a top platform of the cap to seal the aperture when the cap is moved to closed position on the base. An annular generally U-shaped sealing flange is formed on the aperture and depends below the top platform of the cap. The flange moves into compression engagement with the plug when the cap is in its closed position so as to seal the contents of the container and prevent product and/or carbonated gas leakage therefrom until the cap is moved to open position.Also disclosed is an overcap positioned over the cap. The internal configuration of the overcap is in substantial conformity with the external configuration of the cap so that the cap can be moved to its opened and/or closed positions by movement of the overcap and without touching the external surface of the cap.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to dispensing closures for containers, and more particularly, to such closures which include a self-sealing spout, and also which may include a control member or overcap for operation of the spout.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Twist top and pull/push closures for containers are known in which a cap or spout with a central aperture cooperates with an upstanding post formed on a base to open or close the closure. The base is affixed to the mouth of a product container, such as a water bottle, and when the cap is moved, such as by twisting or pulling relative to the base, the post on the base is withdrawn from engagement with the aperture in the cap to permit product, such as water, in the container to be dispensed by passing through the aperture. After dispensing of the product is completed, the cap is returned to its closed position by reverse-twisting or pushing on the cap to re-engage the post in the aperture and thereby close the closure and prevent product from being dispensed from the container.
Examples of twist top and pull/push closures of the type referred to above are shown in the following U.S. patents which are owned by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the assignee of the present application: U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,063 issued Jul. 12, 1994 entitled “Venting Closure Cap”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,941 issued Nov. 6, 1990 entitled “Twist Lock Adjustable Metering Closure Cap.” The disclosures of said two patents which illustrate structure and operational features of examples of twist top and pull/push closures hereby are incorporated herein by reference.
Attention also is directed to copending application Ser. No. 09/415,797, filed Oct. 11, 1999, entitled “Universal Base Pull/Push-Twist Closure”, owned by the same assignee as the assignee of the present application, and disclosing a base similar to the base of the present invention. The disclosure of said copending application hereby is incorporated herein by reference.
The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,063 shows a pull/push closure in which a cap is mounted on its associated base and the closure is opened/closed by assertion of a pull/push force upon the cap with respect to the base. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,941 shows a twist type closure in which the cap rides on a ramp formed in the associated base when the cap is twisted with respect to the base to effect the open/close operation of the cap with respect to the base. The disclosure of application Ser. No. 09/415,797 shows both pull/push and twist type closures which are movable to open/closed portions by either twisting or pull/push operation.
Interengagement between the aperture in the cap and the post formed on the base is intended to seal the closure and prevent product from being dispensed or escaping from the container on which the base is affixed. In instances where such closure are installed on liquid containers which retain a carbonated beverage product, such as carbonated water, it is desiralbe to incorporate a seal between the cap and the base which will prevent escape of the gas contained in such carbonated product for a maximum time period. Seal constructions of prior art closures have not been as successful as desired in preventing escape of carbonation gas from containers which retain such products so as to increase shelf life and to prevent such products from becoming stale. The seal construction of the present invention reduces the amount of torque required to open and close the closure. The seal construction also allows for greater interferences between the orifice in the cap and an interengaging plug on the base post which enables the sealing of greater pressure in the container which was not possible in prior art structures. Such greater interferences provide wider tolerance range to improve high volume manufacturing feasibility.
Additionally, it is desirable to provide an overcap component for such closures which protects the cap or spout from germ, dust and/or dirt contamination. Such an overcap also can provide a tamper-evident feature for such closures. An example of such an overcap is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,611 issued Nov. 3, 1998 entitled “Tamper-Evident Overcap,” owned by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Assignee of the present application. The disclosure of said patent hereby is incorporated herein by reference. In instances where such an overcap is used with a closure for a container retaining a carbonated beverage, the overcap serves an additional function of preventing carbonated liquid from spraying the user upon initial opening of the container. Further, it is desirable to provide an overcap which is capable of moving the cap over which the overcap is positioned relative to the base without the necessity for the user to touch the spout with his fingers, as in prior art constructions. For this purpose, it is desirable to provide an overcap which conforms in shape to the cap which is positioned under the overcap so as to facilitate movement of the cap to its open position upon movement of the overcap.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is characterized by a closure including a cap movable with respect to its associated base between a closed sealed position and an open unsealed position in which product can be dispensed from a container upon which the base is secured. A generally U-shaped flange formed of resilient material such as plastic is positioned about the peripheral opening of an aperture formed in the cap which moves adjacent to a plug formed on the upstanding post of the associated base of the closure. One end of the U-shaped flange is secured to the aperture opening and the other end forms a terminal free end. The flange is in interference engagement with the plug when the cap is moved to its closed position. When so engaged, the terminal free end of the flange is moved into compression engagement with the wall of the plug. Also, the entire flange is moved to be spaced a greater circumferential distance about the plug than when the cap was in open or unsealed disposition with respect to the plug. Such spacing of the resilient flange adds or contributes to the sealing pressure of the flange about the plug.
The invention also is characterized, alternately, by a removable overcap positioned upon said base and disposed over the cap. The overcap preferably has an interior configuration which conforms to the exterior configuration of the cap to facilitate movement of the cap to open unsealed position without touching of the cap when the overcap is moved.
Various objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in accordance with the above and ensuing disclosure in which the preferred embodiments are described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is contemplated that minor variations may occur to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view showing the closure of the invention with the cap illustrated in closed position with respect to its associated base;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view similar to that of
FIG. 1
but illustrating the cap moved to its open position;
FIG. 3
is a top plan view of the closure of the invention;
FIG. 4
is a sectional view taken along the line
4
—
4
in
FIG. 3
, in the direction indicated generally;
FIG. 5
is a perspective longitudinal sectional view of the closure with the cap illustrated in its open position;
FIG. 6
is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the upper portion of the cap when disposed in its fully open position;
FIG. 7
is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to that of
FIG. 6
, but showing the cap moved toward its closed position;
FIG. 8
is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to that of FIGS.
6
and
7
,but showing the cap moved to a partially closed position;
FIG. 9
is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to that of
FIGS. 6-8
, but showing the cap moved to its fully closed position;
FIG. 10
is a bottom perspective view of the cap of the invention;
FIG. 11
is a bottom plan view of the cap of the invention;
FIG. 12
is a perspective view of the overcap of the invention;
FIG. 13
is a perspective view illustrating the closure of the invention with the overcap of
FIG. 12
shown installed over the cap, the cap being shown in closed position with respect to its associated base;
FIG. 14
is a perspective view similar to that of
FIG. 13
, but illustrating the cap and overcap moved to the open position of the cap;
FIG. 15
is a sectional view taken along the line
15
—
15
of
FIG. 13
, in the direction indicated generally; and
FIG. 16
is a sectional view taken along the line
16
—
16
of
FIG. 14
, in the direction indicated generally.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to
FIGS. 1-11
, the closure
10
, preferably formed of an appropriate food-compatible plastic material, comprises base
12
and spout or cap
14
. The preferred form of closure
10
is illustrated as a twist top closure, but other closures, such as pull/push closures, may function within the intended scope of the invention.
The base
12
is adapted for attachment to a container top (not shown) in known manner, such as by screw threads
18
formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall
20
of the base which mate with like threads on a container neck. The base also includes a top panel
22
extending inwardly from the base side wall
20
. A vertically elongate post
24
, integrally molded with the top panel
22
, extends vertically therefrom coaxial with and inwardly spaced from the surrounding wall
20
. The post
24
has a cylindrical side wall
26
defining a product flow passage
28
vertically therethrough and opening through the top panel
22
. The post
24
, having a radial dimension less than that of base side wall
20
, forms a concentric channel
30
about the post and between the post wall
26
and a flange
32
defined from the upper portion of the base side wall
20
peripherally thereabout and extending upwardly from the base top panel
22
. The external surface of the post wall
26
includes a lower portion
34
and an upper portion
36
with an annular abutment surface or shoulder
38
formed therebetween.
An annular sealing rib
40
is formed proximate to the upper terminal end of the upper portion
36
of the post
24
and extends circumferentially about the external surface of the post. A sealing plug
42
is centrally positioned within the upper terminal end portion of the post
24
and projects vertically therefrom in radially inwardly spaced relation to the post wall. The plug is supported by a support spider formed of spaced radially extending spokes
44
(see
FIG. 5
) which minimally restrict the flow of discharging product annularly about the plug
42
when cap
14
is in its open position, as will be described subsequently. The lower portion
34
of the post wall is formed with a pair of diametrically opposed helical groove channels
46
.
Twist cap
14
is formed with an upstanding wall
62
having a top platform
64
with aperture
66
therethrough extending between upper surface
103
and lower surface
105
of platform
64
, and a lower terminal end
68
with circumferentially projecting flange
70
formed proximate thereto. The external surface
72
of cap
14
preferably is of generally oval or elliptical configuration with relatively flat side walls
74
,
76
to facilitate grasping of the cap by a user to effect a twist motion thereto.
The inner surface
78
of cap
14
is adapted for cooperative engagement upon post
24
of base
12
, and is formed with a pair of oppositely disposed, radially inwardly projecting drive threads
79
,
80
. Respective drive threads
79
,
80
are equally spaced around the cap circumference from each other, and are matingly engageable within respective helical grooved channels
46
formed on post
24
. Twisting of cap
14
causes threads
79
,
80
to ride in channels
46
and thereby draw the cap downwardly upon post
24
to the closed position of cap
14
shown in
FIGS. 1
,
4
and
9
. In said closed position, sealing plug
42
of post
24
engages within aperture
66
to seal the aperture and prevent dispensing of product therethrough.
Opening of twist cap
14
is accomplished by counter-turning same on base
12
thereby causing threads
79
,
80
to reverse-ride in channels
46
and move the cap upwardly on post
24
to the opened position shown in
FIGS. 2
,
5
and
6
. When cap
14
is moved to its opened position, plug
42
is withdrawn from engagement with aperture
66
, and product thereby may be dispensed from the container through the passageway
28
in base
12
and out aperture
66
in cap
14
.
Annular sealing flange
100
is formed on aperture
66
in order to enhance the sealing characteristics between plug
42
and its engagement within aperture
66
when cap
14
is moved to its closed position. Flange
100
is of generally U-shaped configuration and includes a first leg portion
102
which is formed integral with and extends downwardly from the circumferential periphery
104
of aperture
66
and below the lower surface
105
of top platform
64
of cap
14
. A second leg portion
106
is connected to first leg portion
102
at a connecting portion
108
and is reverse-bent with respect to first leg portion
102
and terminates at free end
110
. A crease
135
is formed above connecting portion
108
between legs
102
and
106
.
As best seen in
FIGS. 6-9
, the dimensional proportions of aperture
66
and sealing flange
100
are such that, prior to engagement of flange
100
with plug
42
(FIGS.
6
and
7
), leg
106
interferes with the external surface
120
of plug
42
. When cap
14
is moved toward its closed position upon base
12
(FIGS.
7
and
8
), leg
106
is moved into interference engagement with surface
120
and is forced radially away from surface
120
(see arrow F
1
in FIG.
8
), but is maintained in compression engagement therewith by reason of the resilient nature of the plastic material from which closure
10
is formed. Simultaneously, leg
102
also is forced radially away from surface
120
(see arrow F
2
in FIG.
8
), such that both legs
102
and
106
maintain compression engagement against surface
120
.
When cap
14
is moved to its completely closed position on base
12
(FIG.
9
), leg
106
is in full engagement with surface
120
and complete compression is achieved between the sealing flange
100
and the plug
42
. Also, the leg
102
is moved to be spaced a greater circumferential distance about plug
42
than when cap
14
was in its open or unsealed position (
FIGS. 6 and 7
) with respect to the plug. Such spacing of the resilient flange
100
adds to or contributes to the sealing pressure of the flange about the plug. A projection line X—X between
FIGS. 7
,
8
and
9
shows the relative movement of legs
102
,
106
with respect to surface
120
of plug
42
as the cap
14
is moved from its open to closed position.
When cap
14
is moved to its fully closed position shown in
FIG. 9
, the seal flange
100
conforms to surface
120
of plug
42
to maintain contact therebetween. Arrows P indicate the forces of the contents of the container upon which closure
10
is positioned to maintain constant sealing pressure against flange
100
. As the sealing pressure of the container contents increases, the sealing forces P increase. The external channel above crease
135
between legs
102
and
106
is exposed to atmosphere which permits the legs
102
,
106
to conform to surface
120
with minimized effect from the pressure of the contents of the container. The pressure forces are transmitted through connecting portion
108
to contribute to the forces from the container contents which reinforce leg
106
and maintain the seal as pressures increase.
Optimal performance of pressure seal
100
is achieved when the proportional dimensions of legs
102
and
106
are as follows (see FIG.
9
):
Thickness A of leg
102
is less than or equal to the distance B between lower surface
105
of cap platform
64
and crease
135
proximate connecting portion
108
between legs
102
and
106
.
Thickness A of leg
102
is less than the thickness C of platform
64
between upper surface
103
and lower surface
105
.
The length E of leg
106
between free end
110
and the lower surface
140
of connecting portion
108
is more than the combined dimension B and D, where D is the distance between crease
135
and lower surface
140
of connecting portion
108
.
The distance D is less than or equal to the thickness A.
In tests over an extended time period of the closure
10
of the invention having sealing flange
100
in comparison to prior art closures which do not include such a sealing flange, the prior art closures maintained a 20 psi pressure in only 60% of the samples; closures of the invention including the sealing flange
100
maintained such pressure in 97% of the samples, thus demonstrating a substantially improved seal. Prior art closures performed at a 15% success rate holding at or above 10 psi; closures of the invention successfully hold 15 psi or above at a success rate of 89%. Based upon these tests, the closure of the invention with sealing flange
100
averaged a six-fold performance advantage over the prior art closures.
An additional and alternate feature of the invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 12-16
of the drawings. The same closure
10
shown in
FIGS. 1-11
is shown in
FIGS. 12-16
, and therefore, identical reference numbers are used to identify the same parts with reference thereto.
FIGS. 12-16
illustrate closure
10
with overcap
200
illustrated in association therewith. Although overcap
200
is shown in association with closure
10
, it is to be understood that the overcap can be used with other types of closures within the contemplation of the present invention.
Base
12
is provided with circumferential channel
190
disposed concentrically with respect to channel
30
and spaced radially outwardly with respect thereto.
Overcap
200
includes a domed top portion
210
having a lower edge
212
connected by frangible connections
214
to circumferential skirt
216
which is permanently retained by the force-fit within channel
190
. The interior surface configuration
220
of domed portion
210
is chosen to be substantially conforming to the exterior surface configuration
222
of closure
10
. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, this configuration is generally oval or elliptical at the extreme upper end
224
thereof and also in the transitional area
226
above a generally cylindrical lower portion
228
. Although a specific generally elliptical configuration is shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that other configurations are within the scope and contemplation of the invention.
When overcap
200
is installed upon closure
10
, the closure is in its closed position illustrated in
FIGS. 13 and 15
. When it is desired to move cap
14
to its open position with respect to base
12
, a twisting force is asserted on the overcap external surface. By reason of the conforming interior surface configuration
220
of over cap
200
to the exterior surface configuration
222
of cap
14
, twisting of the overcap results also in twisting of cap
14
. Upon such twisting movement, frangible connections
214
are severed and the overcap moves the cap
14
upwardly to its open position shown in
FIGS. 14 and 16
. Reverse operation can be effected to move the cap to its closed position.
The overcap
200
can be formed of opaque, translucent or transparent material, the latter being illustrated in the drawings. The illustrated construction is such that the closure can be opened without touching the cap. Also, the overcap redirects any leakage or spray from the container on which the closure is positioned so as to minimize contact by the container contents to the user.
Other configurations and variations in the structure, arrangement and size of the various parts may occur to those skilled in the art without department from the spirit or circumventing the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, the overcap may be provided with an interior projecting flange
250
to engage under the exterior projecting flange
70
formed on the cap (see
FIGS. 13 and 14
) to retain the overcap on the closure after the overcap has been initially opened and thereby to prevent same from inadvertently falling off the closure when it is re-positioned after initial opening.
Claims
- 1. A container closure comprising, a base adapted to be secured to a mouth of the container for controlled dispensing of a product from the container, the base including a top panel and a side wall depending peripherally from said top panel, a central post projecting axially upward from said top panel centrally thereof in radially inwardly spaced relation to said side wall, said post defining a product flow passage vertically therethrough and opening through said top panel, said product flow passage having an open upper end vertically remote from said top panel, a sealing plug centrally positioned relative to said product flow passage at said upper end and arranged to allow for product movement past said plug, means for mounting said plug to said product flow passage with minimal restriction of the passage outward of the plug, a cap including a peripheral wall received over said post, said cap having a top platform closing off said peripheral wall, a central aperture formed in said top platform and aligned with said plug, said cap being telescopically adjustable on said post between a lower closed position with said plug engaged in said aperture and an upper open position with said plug spaced below said aperture to allow product discharge through said aperture, an annular generally U-shaped sealing flange formed on said aperture, said flange including a first leg and a second leg formed integral with each other, said legs extending substantially below the circumferential periphery of the aperture and below the top platform of the cap.
- 2. A container closure as claimed in claim 1 in which said first leg is formed integral with the circumferential periphery of said aperture, said second leg being connected to said first leg by a connecting portion, said second leg terminating at a free end.
- 3. A container closure as claimed in claim 1 including an overcap positioned over said cap, said overcap having in internal configuration substantially conforming in cross-sectional dimensions to the external configuration of said cap.
- 4. A container closure as claimed in claim 2 in which a crease is formed proximate to said connecting portion between said first and second legs.
- 5. A container closure as claimed in claim 3 in which the top platform of said cap is of generally non-circular cross-sectional configuration.
- 6. A container closure as claimed in claim 4 in which the plug has an external surface which is engaged by said second leg in interference fit when said cap is moved to its lower closed position.
- 7. A container closure as claimed in claim 3 in which said base includes a circumferential channel disposed on said top panel concentrically with respect to said side wall, said overcap including a domed top portion having a lower edge and a circumferential skirt connected to said lower edge, said lower edge being retained in said circumferential channel, the cross-section configuration of said cap and said overcap being generally elliptical at their respective extreme upper ends and being generally cylindrical at their respective lower ends.
- 8. A container closure as claimed in claim 6 in which the first leg is forced radially away from said external surface of the plug when said cap is moved to its lower closed position.
- 9. A container closure as claimed in claim 7 in which rotational movement of said overcap imparts rotational movement to said cap.
- 10. A container closure as claimed in claim 8 in which the second leg is in full engagement with said external surface of the plug when said cap is moved to its lower closed position.
- 11. A container closure as claimed in claim 10 in which the top platform has an upper surface and a lower surface, said legs extending below said lower surface.
- 12. A container closure as claimed in claim 11 in which the thickness of the first leg is less than or equal to the distance between said lower surface and said crease.
- 13. A container closure as claimed in claim 12 in which the thickness of the first leg is less than the thickness of the platform between said upper surface and said lower surface.
- 14. A container closure as claimed in claim 13 in which said connecting portion has a lower surface, the length of said second leg between said free end and the lower surface of said connecting portion is more than the combined distance between the lower surface of said platform and the distance between said crease and the lower surface of the connecting portion.
- 15. A container closure as claimed in claim 14 in which the distance between said crease and the lower surface of said connecting portion is less than or equal to the thickness of said first leg.
- 16. A container closure comprising, a base adapted to be secured to a mouth of a container for dispensing of a product from the container, a cap positioned on said base and moveable telescopically thereon between an open and a closed position with respect to the base, an overcap positioned over the cap, the overcap having an internal configuration substantially conforming in cross-sectional dimensions to the external configuration of the cap and wherein said base has a top panel and a side wall depending peripherally from said top panel, a circumferential channel disposed on said top panel concentrically with respect to said side wall, said overcap including a domed top portion having a lower edge and a circumferential skirt connected to said lower edge, said lower edge being retained in said circumferential channel, the cross-sectional configuration of said cap and said overcap being generally non-circular at their respective extreme upper ends and being generally cylindrical at their respective lower ends.
- 17. A container closure as claimed in claim 16 in which the cross-sectional configuration of the cap and overcap at their extreme upper ends is generally elliptical.
- 18. A container closure as claimed in claim 16 in which rotational movement of said overcap impacts rotational movement to said cap.
US Referenced Citations (21)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
324547 |
Nov 1957 |
FR |
943452 |
Dec 1963 |
GB |