Positive orientation systems for closures and containers

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6431381
  • Patent Number
    6,431,381
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, October 11, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, August 13, 2002
    22 years ago
Abstract
Positive orientation systems are provided for packages formed by the combination of a container and closure. In one embodiment, the invention provides a closure having a plug seal with at least one plug seal lug that cooperates with a container neck lug formed on a shoulder on an interior surface of the container neck. In another embodiment, at least one neck lug is provided on an end of the container neck and the closure body is provided with at least one closure deck lug extending from the closure deck and adapted to engage a corresponding one of the at least one neck lug.
Description




CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)




Not applicable.




STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT




Not applicable.




REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX




Not applicable.




TECHNICAL FIELD




This invention relates to closure assemblies and to packages in the form of a combination of a container and a closure assembly for the container. More particularly, the invention relates to closure assemblies and packages that provide positive-orientation of the closure assembly relative to the container.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART




Positive orientation systems for packages in the form of a container and a closure assembly for the container are generally known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,080, the subject matter and entire writing of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a closure assembly that includes a closure body having a closure skirt with one or more recesses on an interior surface of the closure skirt. The closure assembly is adapted to engage a container neck finish that includes a threaded container neck with protuberances formed on a base portion thereof. Each recess is adapted to receive a protuberance. As the closure is rotated and threaded onto the container neck, the closure skirt is initially engaged by and deformed somewhat by the protuberances. Either the container neck or the closure skirt, or both, must be sufficiently resilient to deform as the closure is threaded onto the container neck so as to accommodate relative movement of the protuberance and skirt until the protuberance is received in the recess. When the recesses become aligned with the protuberances, the container skirt or protuberance, or both, return to their undeformed shape, thereby retaining the closure in a predetermined orientation on the container.




Positive-orientation systems of the prior art are characterized by a number of disadvantages. For example, systems such as those described above require that the closure skirt have a wall thickness that is sufficient to accommodate the formation of recesses. On the other hand, such closures require the closure body skirt wall or the protuberance, or both, to be of such dimension to permit deformation without requiring undue rotational force. Thus, the positive orientation features of prior art closure systems impose limitations on the dimensional characteristics of the closure body skirt wall and on the container neck finish protuberances and associated limitations on the manufacturing techniques and aesthetic appearance of closure assemblies.




It would therefore be desirable to provide a positive orientation system in the form of a closure and container combination that avoid these limitations. It would also be advantageous if such an improved closure system could accommodate bottles, containers, or packages which have a variety of shapes and that are constructed from a variety of materials. Further, it would be desirable if such an improved system could accommodate efficient, high-quality, large volume manufacturing techniques with a reduced product reject rate to produce a system with consistent operating characteristics.




BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The benefits and advantages described above are realized by the present invention which provides a package, including a closure and container combination having positive-orientation features which do not require deformation during installation and which therefore eliminate the limitations imposed by prior art positive orientation systems.




In a broad sense, the invention comprises a positive orientation container and closure combination comprising: (A) a container defining an interior and having a neck defining an opening to the interior, the neck having at least one male neck thread with a predetermined root diameter; (B) a closure cooperatively associated with the container neck for closing the opening, the closure comprising a deck, a skirt extending from the deck and having at least one female skirt thread for threadingly engaging the neck thread; and (C) an orientation structure on said closure and an orientation structure on said container for engaging said orientation structure on said closure to establish a positive orientation of the closure in an installed position relative to the container, said orientation structure on said container being located within the container male neck thread root diameter and being operable without deformation of the closure as the closure is screwed on to the container neck.




In one preferred embodiment, the invention provides a closure having a plug seal with at least one plug seal lug that cooperates with a container neck lug formed on a shoulder on an interior surface of the container neck. This aspect of the invention may be defined as a positive orientation container and closure combination comprising: (A) a container body defining an interior and having a neck including an interior neck surface and defining an opening to the interior, the neck having at least one neck thread and at least one container neck lug extending from the interior neck surface, the at least one container neck lug having a container neck lug abutment surface; and (B) a positive-orientation closure cooperatively associated with the container neck for closing the opening, the closure including: (1) a closure deck, (2) a skirt extending from the deck and having at least one skirt thread formed thereon for threadingly engaging the at least one neck thread, (3) a plug seal extending from the deck for sealingly engaging an interior surface of the neck, and (4) at least one plug seal lug formed on the plug seal and adapted to engage the at least one container neck lug abutment surface when the closure is rotated to an installed position to thereby positively orient the closure with respect to the container. As the closure is screwed onto the container neck, the at least one plug seal abutment surface eventually engages the at least one neck lug abutment surface to prevent further rotation of the closure relative to the container and thereby defines an installed position in which the closure is positively oriented relative to the container.




In another preferred embodiment, at least one neck lug is provided on an end of the container neck and the closure body is provided with at least one closure deck lug extending from the closure deck and adapted to engage a corresponding one of the at least one neck lug. This feature of the invention may be defined as a positive-orientation container and closure combination comprising: (A) a container body defining an interior and having a neck defining an opening to the interior, the neck having (1) at least one neck thread formed thereon, (2) a neck end surface extending around the opening, and (3) at least one neck lug extending from the end surface; and (B) a positive-orientation closure rotatably cooperating with the container neck for closing the opening, the closure including: (1) a closure deck; (2) a skirt extending from the closure deck and having at least one skirt thread formed thereon for threadingly engaging the at least one neck thread; and (3) at least one closure deck lug extending from the closure deck and adapted to engage a corresponding one of the at least one neck lug when the closure is rotated to an installed position to thereby positively orient the closure with respect to the container. As the closure is screwed onto the container neck, the closure deck lug eventually engages the neck lug to prevent further rotation of the closure relative to the container and thereby define an installed position in which the closure is positively oriented relative to the container.




The novel positive orientation features provided by the invention can easily be provided in closures and containers manufactured by injection molding of thermoplastic materials. These features permit positive-orientation without undue limitations on the dimensions of the closure skirt and without requiring the relatively complicated manufacturing steps associated with the formation of protuberances extending from the base of the container neck.




Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The accompanying drawings form part of the specification, and like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.




In the accompanying drawings that form part of the specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,





FIG. 1

is a fragmentary, exploded, perspective view of an exemplary closure and container assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a fragmentary, perspective view of the closure and container of

FIG. 1

with the closure mounted on the container and with the closure lid in an opened position;





FIG. 3

is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane


3





3


in

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 4

is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane


4





4


in

FIG. 3

;





FIG. 5

is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane


5





5


in

FIG. 3

;





FIG. 6

is a fragmentary, exploded, perspective view of an exemplary closure and container assembly according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 7

is a fragmentary, perspective view of the closure and container of

FIG. 6

with the closure mounted on the container and with the closure lid in an opened position;





FIG. 8

is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane


8





8


in

FIG. 7

;





FIG. 9

is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane


9





9


in

FIG. 7

;





FIG. 10

is an enlarged, fragmentary, side view of exemplary first and second abutment surfaces of the embodiment shown in

FIG. 7

; and





FIG. 11

is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane


11





11


in FIG.


10


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, however. The scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.




For ease of description, most of the figures illustrating the invention show a positive orientation system in the typical orientation that it would have at the top of a container when the container is stored upright on its base, and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, etc., are used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that the positive orientation systems of this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in an orientation other than the position described.




Some of the positive-orientation systems provided by this invention include closures which are intended for use with threaded containers having a special finish configuration, while some other systems of the invention are suitable for use with threaded containers having a conventional finish.




As used herein, the term “neck” is intended to mean any part of a container in which threads or other fastening means for a closure are formed or defined. The term “neck” is not necessarily limited to a container part which is of a reduced diameter or reduced lateral dimension compared to the container body. Thus, a container which has a threaded portion that is of an equal or similar width or diameter to the container body will also be considered to have a “neck” in accord with the definition used herein.




Some of the figures illustrating the preferred embodiment of the container and closure show conventional structural details and features that will be recognized by one skilled in the art. However, a detailed description of such details and features are not necessary for an understanding of the invention, and accordingly, are not herein presented.




With reference to

FIGS. 1-5

, an exemplary positive-orientation system is illustrated in a package, generally designated with the number


10


and comprising a container


20


and a closure


30


. Those of ordinary skill will recognize that

FIG. 1

illustrates only the neck portion of the container


20


. The container


20


typically includes a body portion or receptacle portion (not visible in the figures) which may have any suitable special or conventional configuration and from which neck


21


extends to receive the closure


30


. The container neck


21


includes a neck finish having at least one male thread


24


form on an outer surface thereof. The bottom or root of the thread form (i.e., the innermost radial extent of the thread on the container neck) defines a predetermined minor diameter or root diameter.




According to the present invention, features of a novel positive orientation system are provided on the container neck


21


and the closure


30


for establishing a predetermined orientation of the closure


30


relative to the container


21


when they are assembled together. In particular, the container neck


21


is provided with an orientation structure, such as at least one container neck lug


28


, and preferably a pair of container neck lugs


28


, which extend from a container neck shoulder


27


(

FIG. 1

) formed on the interior of the container neck


21


and which extend from an interior surface


25


of the container neck wall


26


. The shoulder


27


defines a smaller diameter portion of the neck


21


and an enlarged diameter plug-receiving portion


22


. The container neck lugs


28


are preferably spaced about 180 degrees apart, and each have a generally vertically extending container neck lug abutment surface


29


for engaging a respective plug seal lug


54


formed on the closure


30


as will be described below. The lugs


28


are preferably located within the container neck within the container thread root diameter.




The closure


30


includes a closure body


32


which is of a generally cylindrical shape and which includes a closure skirt


34


that extends downward from substantially planar closure deck


35


. A female thread


40


(

FIGS. 1 and 3

) is formed on an interior surface of the closure skirt


34


. The closure deck


35


includes a spout


38


which defines a dispensing orifice


44


for permitting flow of contents from the container


20


. The closure body


32


also includes a plug seal


50


extending downward from the closure deck


35


and having a rounded end surface


52


(

FIGS. 3 and 5

) to permit ease of insertion of the plug seal into the enlarged diameter portion


22


of the container neck


21


.




A lid


80


is pivotally attached to the closure body


32


by a hinge


82


and includes a lid sidewall or skirt


84


which extends to a lid seating surface


86


from a lid end wall


88


. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the lid


80


is connected to the closure body by a suitable means, such as a snap-action hinge


82


. Such a snap-action hinge


82


is formed integrally with the closure body


32


and lid


80


. The snap-action hinge


82


may be a conventional or special type such as described in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,712 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,824. The lid


80


includes an internal spud or ring seal


90


for entering into and sealing the dispensing orifice


44


. The lid


80


is adapted to be moved between an open position (

FIGS. 2 and 3

) for permitting the dispensing of the container contents and a closed position (

FIG. 1

) in which the dispensing orifice


44


(

FIG. 2

) is occluded. In an alternate embodiment (not illustrated), the hinge


82


could be omitted, and the lid


80


may be completely removable from the closure body


32


.




Preferably, the closure body


32


, lid


80


, and hinge


82


are molded as a unitary structure from suitable thermoplastic materials compatible with the container and its contents. The details of the particular hinge structure, lid structure, and closure body deck structure form no part of the present invention. The closure


30


may include other dispensing features instead of the spout


38


and dispensing orifice


44


. For example, a special discharge structure, such as a nozzle, spray device, or the like may be provided. Alternatively, a plurality of dispensing orifices, or other structures for discharging the container contents, may be provided in the closure body


32


. Depending upon the type of discharge structure incorporated, the full lid


80


may be entirely eliminated.




In accordance with the positive-orientation features of the invention, the plug seal


50


is provided with an orientation structure, such as one, or preferably two plug seal lugs


54


about 180 degrees apart (only one plug seal lug


54


being visible in the figures), each having a plug seal lug abutment surface


56


for engaging a respective container neck lug abutment surface


29


. As

FIG. 3

illustrates, when the closure body


32


is screwed onto the container neck


21


in a clockwise direction as viewed from above, the plug seal lug abutment surfaces


56


of the plug seal lugs


54


will come into eventual engagement with the container neck lug abutment surfaces


29


, thereby resulting in a positive orientation of the closure


30


relative to the container


20


.

FIG. 4

illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line


4





4


in FIG.


3


and shows one of the plug seal abutment surfaces


56


engaging one of the neck lug abutment surfaces


29


and resisting further rotation of the closure


30


in the direction of arrow (A).

FIG. 5

is a cross-sectional view taken along line


5





5


in FIG.


3


and shows the rounded end surface


52


of the plug seal


50


and the axial extent (L) of one of the plug seal lugs


56


. As will be recognized, the axial extent (L) of the plug seal lugs


56


and their radial position on the plug seal are selected, dependent upon the slope of the neck thread


24


and, therefore, the slope of the closure skirt thread


40


, to permit maximal engagement of the plug seal lugs


54


with the container neck lugs


28


.




With reference to

FIGS. 6-11

, another exemplary positive-orientation system is illustrated in a package, generally designated with the number


110


and comprising a container


120


and the closure


130


. In this embodiment, an orientation structure is provided on the underside of the closure deck and includes, in the illustrated preferred form, a pair of closure deck lugs


154


in an annular space


152


(

FIG. 3

) between the plug seal


150


and closure body skirt


134


of the closure body


132


. In this embodiment, the container


120


includes a container neck


121


having a container neck end surface


123


. An orientation structure is provided in the container neck, and in the illustrated preferred form, the orientation structure comprises a pair of neck lugs


128


which extend from the container neck end surface


123


. Each lug


128


includes a generally vertical neck lug abutment surface


129


. Each closure deck lug


154


is adapted to engage a respective one of the two neck lugs


128


extending from the neck end surface


123


.




The container neck


121


includes a neck finish having at least one male thread


124


or thread form on an outer surface thereof. The bottom or root of the thread form (i.e., the innermost radial extent of the thread


124


on the container neck


121


) defines a predetermined minor diameter or root diameter. The container neck lugs


128


are preferably located within the predetermined root diameter of the container neck thread


124


. That is, the container neck lugs


128


do not extend radially outward on the wall of the container neck


121


beyond the root of the neck thread


124


.




The closure


130


includes a closure body


132


having a closure skirt


134


extending from a closure deck


135


which has a spout


138


defining a dispensing orifice


144


. A female thread


140


is formed on an interior surface of the closure skirt


134


for engaging the container neck thread


124


. As best seen in the cutaway shown in FIG.


6


and the cross-section shown in

FIG. 8

, the plug seal


150


extends from the closure deck


135


, and the annular space


152


is defined between an exterior surface of the plug seal


150


and an interior surface of the closure skirt


134


. In accordance with the invention, the closure deck lugs


154


are located in the annular space


152


, and each includes a closure deck lug abutment surface


156


. The closure body lugs


154


function to engage the neck lugs


128


when the closure body


132


is rotated to an installed position shown in

FIGS. 7 and 8

. The abutment surfaces


129


formed on the neck lugs


128


are engaged by the abutment surfaces


156


formed on the closure body plug lugs


154


to prevent further rotation of the closure body


130


relative to the container


120


.




The closure


130


also includes a lid


180


which is pivotally connected to the closure body


132


by a snap action hinge


182


. The lid


180


includes a lid sidewall


184


, a lid seating surface


186


, and a lid end wall


188


. An orifice sealing member


190


is provided on the lid end wall


188


.





FIG. 9

is a cross-sectional view taken along lines


9





9


in FIG.


7


and shows the orientation of one of the closure deck lug abutment surfaces


156


relative to the container neck end surface


123


.

FIG. 10

is a fragmentary view illustrating the abutment of one of the closure deck abutment surfaces


156


with one of the neck lug abutment surfaces


129


, thereby preventing further movement of the closure deck lug


154


in the direction of arrow (B).

FIG. 11

is a cross-sectional view taken along lines


11





11


in FIG.


10


and shows the engagement of the closure deck lug abutment surface


156


with the neck lug abutment surface


156


as viewed from above.




The present invention contemplates that the closure


30


or


130


includes one or more features that are to be aligned in a particular orientation relative to the container


20


or


120


, respectively. Such features may be include a dispensing orifice. Alternatively, such a feature could also be a particular thumb or finger grip area on the closure that is intended to be grasped in a particular orientation relative to the container. If the closure includes a lid, it may be desired to orient the hinge part of the lid relative to one side of the container—especially if the container has a non-cylindrical shape. With a container of the type that has a non-cylindrical configuration, such as one with flat sides and/or special gripping regions, it may be desirable to insure that the lid, when opened, will have an orientation relative to the container that will not inhibit the pouring or dispensing of the contents from the container.




Finally, it may be desirable to orient the closure on the container for reasons unrelated to the closure dispensing structure and/or lid. For example, the closure may be molded with an unusual external configuration for aesthetic or trade dress reasons, and it may be desired to ensure that such a closure is mounted in a particular orientation relative to the container. Alternatively, the closure may include preprinted text or graphic materials for which a particular orientation relative to the container is desired.




It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the invention and from the illustrations thereof that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts and principles of this invention.



Claims
  • 1. A positive orientation container and closure combination comprising:(A) a container defining an interior and having a neck defining an opening to the interior, the neck having at least one male neck thread with a predetermined root diameter; (B) a closure cooperatively associated with the container neck for closing the opening, the closure comprising (1) a deck, (2) a skirt extending from the deck and having at least one female skirt thread for threadingly engaging the neck thread; and (C) an orientation structure on said closure and an orientation structure on said container for engaging said orientation structure on said closure to establish a positive orientation of the closure in a fully closed installed position relative to the container and prevent further screwing on of the closure beyond the fully closed installed position said orientation structure on said container being (1) separated form said container male neck thread, (2) located entirely within the container male neck thread root diameter, and (3) operable without deformation of the closure as the closure is screwed on to the container neck, the engagement of said orientation structures preventing further threading engagement during installation but permitting unthreading removal of said closure from said container.
  • 2. A positive orientation container and closure combination comprising:(A) a container body defining an interior and having a neck including an interior neck surface and defining an opening to the interior, the neck having at least one neck thread and at least one container neck lug extending from the interior neck surface, the at least one container neck lug having a container neck lug abutment surface; and (B) a positive-orientation closure cooperatively associated with the container neck for closing the opening, the closure including: (1) a closure deck, (2) a skirt extending from the deck and having at least one skirt thread formed thereon for threadingly engaging the at least one neck thread, (3) a plug seal extending from the deck for sealingly engaging an interior surface of the neck, and (4) at least one plug seal lug formed on the plug seal and adapted to engage the at least one container neck lug abutment surface when the closure is rotated to an installed position to thereby positively orient the closure with respect to the container.
  • 3. A positive-orientation container and closure combination comprising:(A) a container body defining an interior and having a neck defining an opening to the interior, the neck having (1) at least one neck thread formed thereon, (2) a neck end surface extending around the opening, and (3) at least one neck lug extending from the end surface; and (B) a positive-orientation closure rotatably cooperating with the container neck for closing the opening, the closure including: (1) a closure deck; (2) a skirt extending from the closure deck and having at least one skirt thread formed thereon for threadingly engaging the at least one neck thread; and (3) at least one closure deck lug extending from the closure deck and adapted to engage a corresponding one of the at least one neck lug when the closure is rotated to an installed position to thereby positively orient the closure with respect to the container, the engagement of said orientation lugs preventing further threading engagement during installation but permitting unthreading removal of said closure from said container.
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