AU2006200850A1 - A closure - Google Patents

Description

O-1- N AUSTRALIA 00 PATENTS ACT 1990 o COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 00 o o ORIGINAL Name of Applicant/s: Graham Packaging Plastic Products Inc.

Actual Inventor/s: William W. Brecheisen and John W. Safian Address for Service is: SHELSTON IP Margaret Street Telephone No: (02) 9777 1111 SYDNEY NSW 2000 Facsimile No. (02) 9241 4666 CCN: 3710000352 Attorney Code: SW Invention Title: A CLOSURE Details of Original Application No. 14778/02 dated 01 Feb 2002 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- File: 34444AUP01 500811254_1.DOC/5844 N 2 0 Technical Field The present invention is directed to a liquid containment and dispensing package, Sand to a method of manufacturing the same, in which the package container has a pour 00 Cspout that is blow molded with the container as a single unit.

Background and Summary of the Invention SAny discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be 00 considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

U.S. Patents 4,917,269, 5,207,356 and 5,941,422 disclose liquid containment and S 10 dispensing packages in which the container has a pour spout that extends from the container dispensing opening to facilitate dispensing of the liquid content of the container into a dosage cap/closure. In containers for packages of this type, the pour spout is typically formed either separately from the container and secured as a fitment, as in U.S. Patent 5,941,422, or is formed integrally with the finish of the container in an injection molding operation, as in U.S. Patents 4,917,269 and 5,207,356. Forming a separate fitment for securement to the container finish in a post-molding operation undesirably increases the cost of manufacture. Likewise, use of injection molding apparatus to form the container finish and pour spout, followed by extrusion blow molding of the container body, undesirably increases the cost of manufacture by increasing the cost of manufacturing tooling. It has been proposed in the past to form the container body, finish and pour spout in a single blow molding operation (followed by trimming as required), but the results have not been entirely satisfactory.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention According to the invention, there is provided a closure having a base wall, a peripheral outer skirt extending from said base wall and having an internal thread for receipt over an external thread on a container finish, and an inner cylindrical skirt extending from said base wall and spaced radially inwardly from said outer skirt for sliding plug-sealing receipt within a throat in the container.

Preferably, the inner skirt has an outer surface with radial step that is so positioned with respect to said thread on said outer skirt that said thread on said outer skirt engages a thread on the container finish before said step engages the finish throat.

O 3 ,I Preferably, the inner skirt has an outer surface with a radially outwardly extending Sbead for interference plug-sealing engagement with the throat.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the 00 claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the t sense of"including, but not limited to".

00 SBrief Description of the Drawings The invention, together with additional objects, features and advantages thereof, Swill be best understood from the following description, the appended claims and the 10 accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a sectioned elevational view diametrically bisecting a container and closure package in accordance with one presently preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional view diametrically bisecting the container and closure package of FIG. 1 at an angle of 90' to that of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the container in FIGS. 1 and 2 at an intermediate stage of manufacture; FIG. 4 is a sectioned elevational view similar to that of FIG. 1 but showing a modified embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5 is a sectioned elevational view similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 4 but showing another embodiment of the invention; FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevation view similar to that of FIG. 3 but showing a container in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 5 at an intermediate stage of manufacture; FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to that of FIG. 1 but showing another embodiment of the invention; FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the portion of FIG. 7 within the circle 8; FIG. 9 is a partially sectioned elevational view of the closure in FIG. 7; ID 4 SFIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of the portion of FIG.

9 within the circle 00 FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a container in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of the portion ofFIG.

00 11 within the area 12; FIG. 13 is a fragmentary elevational view of a container in accordance with yet 0 another embodiment of the invention; ci FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of the portion of FIG.

13 within the area 14; FIG, 15 is a fragmentary elevational view of a container in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of the portion of FIG.

within the area 16; FIG. 17 is a fragmentary partially sectioned elevational view of a container in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention; FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view of the portion of FIG. 17 within the area 18; FIG. 19 is a partially sectioned fragmentary elevational view of the container of FIGS. 17 and 18 as molded and illustrating the pour spout trim line; FIG. 20 is a front elevational view of the as-molded container illustrated in FIG.

19; FIG. 21 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale that illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 22 is a sectioned elevational view diametrically bisecting a container and closure package employing the container illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14.

ID N Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment, g FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a container and closure package 10 in accordance with one Spresently preferred embodiment of the invention as comprising a container 12 and a closure 14.

Container 12 includes a body 15 having a closed bottom and a closed sidewall, and an axially extending finish wall 16 surrounding a dispensing opening. Finish wall 16 is a cylindrical wall Swith one or more external threads 18 for securing closure 14 to container 12. A wall portion angles radially inwardly and axially outwardly from the axially outer edge of finish wall 16 to N a finish throat 22 of restricted diameter. The inside diameter of throat 22, which is preferably Scylindrical, is less than the inside diameter of finish wall portion 16. From. throat 22, the container finish extends axially and radially outwardly to form an elongated cylindrical pour spout 24 that is concentric with throat 22 but displaced or offset radially outwardly therefrom.

The upper edge of spout 24 is trimmed along a plane 26 that is angulated with respect to the central axis of the container finish. At the axial outer edge of spout 26, a pour lip 28 is formed having an arcuate wall that is offset from the cylindrical wall of spout 24. Pour lip 28 preferably extends only part-way around the circumference of spout 24, as best seen in FIG. 2 .Closure.14 includes a base wall 30, and integral outer and inner skirts 32, 34. Outer skirt 32 has one or more internal threads 36 for receipt over external thread 18 on finish wall 16, and preferably has a slight outward conical flare. Inner skirt 34 is spaced radially inwardly from outer skirt;32 concentrically with outer skirt 32, and has a cylindrical outer wall surface 38. Base wall 30 is spaced from the upper edge of spout 24 and not in sealing engagement therewith.

FIG. 3 illustrates container 12 at an intermediate stage ofmanufacture. Container 12 is blow molded as a single unit, including spout 24, throat 22, finish wall 16, external thread 18 and body 15. Container 12 is of generally uniform radial wall thickness as formed. Spout.24, throat 22 and finish wall 16 are concentric with each other along the central axis of the container dispensing opening, Spout 24 is molded with a circumferentially limited wall portion 40 that is offset radially outwardly from the main cylindrical wall of the spout. A moil 42 and a flash pocket 44 extend from spout 24, as in conventional in blow molding containers, and must be removed in a post-mold trimming operation. Also in a post-molding operation, spout 24 is IND 6 trimmed along plane 26 (FIGS. 1 and 3) at an angle to the spout axis to form the upper edge of the spout, and-to intersect offset spout wall portion 40 as shown. 'This intersection with part- Scylindrical offset wall portion 40 forms pour lip 28 (FIGS. I and Container 12 may be c1 extrusion blow molded of any suitable material and trimmed as described employing otherwise conventional technology. See, for example, U.S. Patents 4,523,904 and 5,851,479. The inside diameter of throat 22 may also be reamed or otherwise machined to form an inner sealing surface Sthat is cylindrical and coaxial with the container finish. Closure 14 may be injection molded as ND illustrated, or compression molded in a suitable conventional manner.

Container 12 is filled by a packager, and closure 14 is then fitted over the container finish. Inner skirt 34 engages the inside diameter of throat 22 in sliding plug-sealing facing engagement with the inside diameter of the throat. The inside diameter of throat 22 may be reamed as described above to enhance this plug-sealing arrangement Outer skirt 32 is threaded over container finish wall 16. When a consumer desires to dispense product from within container 12, closure 14 is unthreaded from finish wall 16.. The container contents are then poured from spout 24, either into the point of use, or into closure 14 within inner skirt.34..

Inner skirt 34 may include a mark 46 or other suitable indicia for identifying a specific amount of product, such as one cup of detergent.. The measured product may then be poured into. the point of use, and the closure returned to the container. As closure skirt 34 is sealingly inserted through container throat, any excess product within the closure automatically drains into.the container.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modification to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-3, in which the plane 26 at which container spout 24 is trimmed is at a greater angle to the axis of the container finish 80* in FIG. 4 as distinguished from 70* in FIGS. The container of FIG. 4 is otherwise identical to that of FIGS. 1-3, and the closure in FIG. 4 is basically the same as.that of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 5 illustrates a modification to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4, in which.pour lip 28 is deleted. In the embodiment of FIG. 5 spout 24 is substantially cylindrical throughout its entire length having no pour lip 28 as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 6 Sillustrates the container of FIG. 5 at the intermediate stage of manufacture at which moil 42 and Sflash pocket 44 are still attached. It will be noted in FIG. 6 tiat spout 24 is substantially 0 cylindrical throughout its length, having no offset wall portion 40 as in FIG. 3. Otherwise, the container of FIGS. 5-6 is identical to that of FIGS. 1-3.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate another embodiment 50 in accordance with the invention.

00 In this embodiment, the Outer surface 38 of inner skirt 34 includes an annular step 52 extending entirely around skirt 34 in a plane parallel to base wall 30. This step 52 is positioned axially of Sskirt 34 such that step 52 and surface 38 are not brought into facing sealing engagement with the N inside diameter of throat 22 until threads 18, 36 become engaged. !In this way, the user obtains the benefit of the mechanical advantage afforded by threads 18,36 in sealing step 52 against throat 22. Step 52 is preferably conical at an angle of about 45 0, as best seen in FIG. 10. Tie portion 54 of wall surface 38 in sliding sealing engagement with the inside diameter of throat22 is preferably about one-half of the overall length 56 of throat 22. When surface 38 has an overall diameter of 1.884 inches, step 52 may have a radial dimension of 0.005 inch.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a container 60 in accordance with another aspect ofthe present invention, including a container body 62 with integral handle 64, externally threaded finish 66, circular throat 68 and cylindrical pour spout 70. Spout 70 is trimmed along.a planar edge 72 at an angle, preferably 70", to the axis of the pour spout. As molded, there is a radial offset 74 (FIG. 12) in pour spout 70, and trim plane 72 is positioned to intersect the shoulder of offset 74 so as to form a sharp wedge-shaped pour lip 76 that extends part-way around the pour spout at the upper edge thereof remote from handle 64. As in prior embodiments, offset 74 extends only part-way around cylindrical pour spout 70. A planar ledge 78 externally extends around pour spout 70 at greater angle to the axis of the pour spout than trim edge 72. Ledge 76 is spaced from edge 72 beneath pour lip 76, and intersects edge 72;at the rear edge of spout (as best seen in FIG. 11) adjacent to handle 64. Pour lip 76 helps prevent drippage of liquid along the external surface of spout 70 when pouring is arrested by return of container 60 to the vertical orientation illustrated in FIG. 11. Any drippage that may occur past pour lip 76, which runs along the external surface ofspout 70, is captured by ledge 78 and fed by gravity (assuming O 8 upward orientation of the container) along ledge 78 o the back edge of spou 70 adjacet to Shandle 64, where the liquid is returned through the container finish to the container body. Drip OO ledge 78 is preferably at an angle of 70 to the container axis. The upper surface 77 of drip ledge 78 is at a small angle, preferably on the order of 3 with respect to a plane perpendicular to the spout axis. This angle promotes capture of any liquid that may drip past pour lip 76. Ledge 78 oo is molded into the container spout by means of a recess in the blow'mold into which the material of ledge 78 is pushed during the molding operation. There may be a slight indent at the internal I surface of spout 70 opposite ledge 78.

SFIGS. 13, 14 and 22 illustrate a container 80 in accordance with a modified embodiment of the invention. Container 80 has a cylindrical spout 82 with apair of axially offset parallel drip ledges 84, 86. Ledges 84, 86 are each identical to ledge 78 in FIGS. I I and 12. A radially offset wall portion 88 is integrally molded part-way aroundspout 82 at a position remote from the handle of the container body, and the spout is trimmed along the plane 90 as in prior embodiments. An undercut 92 is molded into the outer surface of offset 88, and trim plane is positioned to intersect the upper edge of undercut 92, and thereby form a sharp pour lip patway around the edge of spout 82 remote from the container handle. Once again, any liquid that may drip past the pour lip will be captured by drip ledges 84, 86 and returned to the container body. FIG. 22 illustrates a package 140 that includes container 80 and a modified closure 142.

Closure 142 has a base wall 30 and an external skirt 32 wvith internal thread for securement to the container finish as previously described. An internal skirt 144 depends from base wall radially inwardly ofouter kirt 132 forplug-sealing engagement with throat 68. To enhance such sealing engagement, an extemal bead 146 is provided on the radially outwardly facing surface of inne skirt 144 for sliding abutting engagement with the inner surface of throat 68. Bead 146 is so positioned on skirt 144 as to contact throat 68 during the last half-turn of the container thread. Such interference fit enhances sealing engagement between the skirt and the container throat. Such interference may be on the order of 0.01 inches entirely around bead 146. Bead has a rounded outer surface, is circumferentially continuous, and lies in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the closure. A circumferentially continuous rib 148 extends downwardly from a INO 9 shoulder on outer skirt 32 for abutment sealing engagement with an opposing shoulder on container finish 66 to provide secondary or back-up sealing between the closure and the container 00 finish. It will be recognized that provision of bead 146 and/or rib 148 is not limited to the contajner.embodinment of FIOS 13, 14 and 22, but May be readily emfiployed in conjunction with the containers in other embodiments of the invention.

00 FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a container 94, again having an offset portion 96 molded into pour spout 98 so as to extend part-way around the pour Spout. A hook-shaped pour lip 100 is molded into the outer surface of spout 98. Hook-shaped pour lip 100 has a convex upper surface 102 that extends radially outwardly and then axially downwardly with respect 'to spout offset portion 96, and a concave lower surface 104 that meets surface 102 in a sharp downwardly angled edge spaced radially outwardly from offset spout portion 96. Trim plan& 106 is positioned to intersect the upper edge of convex surface portion 102 where surface portion 102 intersects the cylindrical outer surface of offset 96 so As to form the hook-shaped pour: lip 100 as previously described. Pour lip 100 is formed on the container spout during the blow molding operation, and there may be a slight. indent on the, inner surface of the spout radially inboard of the pour lip.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a container 1 10 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The portion of container spout 112 at which pour lip 114 is formed is not radially outwardly offset from the main portion of spout 112, as in prior embodiments. .Hookshaped pour lip 114 has an upper convex surface 116 and a lower concave surface 118 that meet in a sharp downwardly oriented pour edge. Pour lip 114, along With drip ledges 84, 86, is molded into. spout 112 during the blow molding operation. During this blow molding operation, a Moil 120 (FIGS. 19 and 20) extends upwardly from spout 112, and is trimmed from the spout along the trimn plane 122. Trim plane 122 is positioned to intersect the upper edge ofpour lip 114 in the container as molded so as to itretthe upper edge of pour l*ip surface 116. Trim plane 122 is at a preferred angle of 70' to the spout axis, as in the prior embodiments.

FIG. 2 1 illustrates a modification to the embodiment of FIGS. 17-1 8, in, which container 130 has a shallower hook-shaped pour lip 132 at the upp~er edge of spout 134. The lower surface 136 of lip 132 is concave, as in prior embodiments, but does not close past a plane Perpendicular to the spout axis. In a preferred embodiment, lowersurface 136 is at an "ngle of 0 5" to such plane, Pour lip upper surface 138 is convex, as in prior embodiments.

There have thus been'disclosed a container for dispensing liquid product, a container and closure package, a closure, a method of making a;container and a method of making a container and closure package, that fully satisfy all of the objects and aims previously set forth. One aspect ofthe invention contemplates provision ofa container for dispensing liquid products. Other aspects of the invention contemplate provision: of a container and-closure package having various features that may be implemented separately from or more preferbly .in combination with each other. Yet another aspect of the invention contemplates provision of a closure for such a cottainer and closure package. Several embodiments and modifications have been disclosed. Other modifications will readily suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the foregoing description. The invention is intended to embrace all such modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims (4)

1. A closure having a base wall, a peripheral outer skirt extending from said base 00 wall and having an internal thread for receipt over an external thread on a container finish, and an inner cylindrical skirt extending from said base wall and spaced radially inwardly from said outer skirt for sliding plug-sealing receipt within a throat in the 00 container.

2. The closure sent forth in claim 1, wherein said inner skirt has an outer surface with radial step that is so positioned with respect to said thread on said outer skirt that said thread on said outer skirt engages a thread on the container finish before said step engages the finish throat.

3. The closure set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein said inner skirt has an outer surface with a radially outwardly extending bead for interference plug-sealing engagement with the throat.

4. A closure substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. DATED this 28th day of February 2006 Shelston IP Attorneys for: GRAHAM PACKAGING PLASTIC PRODUCTS INC.