AU652146B2

AU652146B2 - Container closure & assembly

Info

Publication number: AU652146B2
Application number: AU74138/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Livingston C. Douglas; Reuben Mark; Robert Moser
Original assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Current assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date: 1981-11-16
Filing date: 1991-04-05
Publication date: 1994-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2002-11-16
Also published as: AU9049782A; GB2109354A; CH662542A5; AU7413891A; IT8249501A0; ZA828115B; FR2516479A1; IT1148463B; CA1201087A; DK504482A; NZ202411A; FR2516479B1; AU7733687A; DE3241421C2; MX158205A; GB2109354B; DE3241421A1

Description

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Ei~r 4 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Patent Act 1952 COM P L R PEC T P CA T ON

(ORIGINAL)

Application Number Lodged Complete Specification Lodged Accepted Published Class Int. Class 652146 0o t .e 0 0.

0 0 Priority: Related Art 9 tt Name of Applicant COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY Address of Applicant 300 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022, United States of America Actual Inventor Reuben Mark, Livingston C. Douglas Robert Moser Address for Service F.B. RICE CO., Patent Attorneys, 28A Montague Street, BALMAIN. ?041.

Complete Specification for the invention entitled: "CONTAINER CLOSURE ASSEMBLY" The following statement is a full description of this invgntion including the best method of performing it known to us:- L_ 2-~ _ONTAITNR LOSTRE .AND ASSEMBLY This invention relates to removable closures for containers and particularly to special closure structures and the assembly thereof with certain containers.

In its preferred embodiment the invention will be described in association with a container assembly of the type disclosed in U.S. Letters Patent No. 4,269,722 issued May 26, 1981 to Joshi et al. As will appear the container may be the same as dislcosed in Joshi et al. except for the neck arrangements.

The invention contemplates as a major object a novel container closure structure integrally formed of a suitable stiff synthetic plastic such as polypropylene having its top wall indented to provide an internal domed 15 projection that is adapted to close the open end of the container neck when installed. Further to this object the projection is surrounded at its base by an annular flat surface adapted to seat tightly in full surface direct engagement all round the upper edge of the opening in the 20 c'ontainer neck.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel container assembly consisting of a.container an,- the foregoing closure wherein the closure is secured upon the container as by a specially located threaded connection that pulls the flat sealing surface of the closure tight upon the edge of the container neck.

S' It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel generally cylindrical container closure having an indented top wall providing an internal cylindrical neck-closing projection surrounded by an annular planar Ssurface adapted to seat tightly upon the edge of the container neck and thereby coact with a correspondingly located external thread formed on the container neck just below the edge of the dispensing opening.

Further novel features and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed 0 -2a In one aspect, the present invention comprises a container assembly comprising a container having an open generally cylindrical neck having a flat end edge and external thread means on said neck, an integral cupihaped cap having a top wall with an annular side wall extending from the outer periphery of said top wall, means providing an indented depressed region centrally of said top wall and forming with the adjacently surrounding region of said side wall, an annular recess receiving the open end of said container neck, said annular recess having a flat bottom in direct full surface abutment with the axially facing end edge of said open neck, said depressed region of the cap providing a domed projection extending flush within the open end of the container neck to tightly fit the inner periphery of said neck, internal thread means within the cap side wall adapted to co-act with said external thread means around the neck, said parts being so constructed and arranged such that when said cap is placed over said neck and screwed on tight, said projection 20 closes the open end of said neck, and the end edge of said neck is in solid abutment with the flat bottom of said annular cap recess, the region of contact between the periphery of said projection and the internal periphery of said neck intercepting substantially at right angles the 25 region of contact between said edge of said neck and the bottom surface of said recess, there being no contact between said internal thread means and said external .thread means in said recess.

Further novel features and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed

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.1 I- I M. description, discussion and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a sice view showing a container closure cap according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view looking up into the interior of the closure of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial section showing coaction 10 of the closure of Fig. 1 with the container neck; and Fig. 5 is an illustrative side view showing a filled and S" closed container in its normal disposition after packaging for shipment.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention provides a novel closure cap 11 for the container 12. The cap 11 may be integrally formed of polypropylene while the container may be integrally formed of polyvinylchloride. The container 12 may be blow molded from a suitable synthetic plastic and is preferably transparent so that the color of its contents may show.

The container 12 is of known shape and dimensions and, except for the lo,:.tion of the external threads on the container neck, may be essentially the same as used prior to the invention and shown in the Joshi et al. patent.

The container 12 comprises a body 13 having a rounded edge through-opening that defines a handle 14 at one side of the Lop, and a reduced diameter cylindrical neck 15 that K terminates in an open mouth surrounded by an annular axially facing flat smooth end surface 16 lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis A of the container neck The inner surface 17 of the neck 15 is smooth and cylindrical, and it intersects the end surface 16 in a circular line indicated at 18.

substantially helical external thread l ,consisting of -a single revolution with a slight overlap is integrally SEC 104 1 L.T 4F formed on the neck 1.5 adjacent the edge thereof just downwardly of the mouth. A flat shoulde~r 21 lying in a plane parallel to surface 16 is provided at the juncture between tne neck 15 and the body 13, and an external shallow finishing groove 22 it formed in the neck 15 just above the shoulder 21. This finishing groove is adapted to coact with trimming apparatus (not shown) which cuts the end surface 16 and whicn has lying opposite it an internal continuous rib 23 which maintains wall thickness of the neck and gives it rigidity.

Tne cap 11 is symmetrical about an axis B and comprises a top) wall 24 and a depending generally cylindrical side wall The top wall is indented to form a central depres-ged *relatively shallow recess 26 that exhibits an annular side wall 27 and a bottom wall 28. As shown, the walls 27 and 28 are of uniform thickness and substantially maintain the thickness of cap side wall Ohe outer peripheral surface 29 of the recess side wall is smooth and preferably either cylindrical or with a slight downwardly converging conical taper. Thus there is provided within the cap a substantially cylindrical projection which, as will appear, is adapted to fit \usiwithin the neck opening of the container 12.

The end portion 31 of the cap side wall 25 is, where it joins the cap top wall, of about the same thickness as walls -27 and 28 and uniformly surrounds the recess side wall and defines with the cap top wall and the recess side wall 27 an annular recess '32 which surrounds the projection and as will appear receives the end 3*3 of the container neck 15 when the cap i~s on the container.

The bottom of the recess 32 is a smooth flat annular surface 33 that is planar, smooth and accurately disposed at right angles to the central axis B of the cap. The surface 33 extends arou~nd the base of the projection 30 and perpendicularly intersects the surface 29.

A generally helical thread 34 is inte rally formed inside the.cap side wall 25 and extends from the recess 32 tO the neck portion of the cap. The thread 34 matches the container neck thread 19&;d prf&1" aln. ii. ni th nl i :-gzn as '1!.sh.ni i wn..- The outer surface 35 of the cap recess 26 is curved, and the inner surface 36 thereof is correspondingly curved intersecting the periphery 29 of the recess side wall in a circle as indicated at 37. This provides a bowed, inverted 10 dome central region for the cap top wall, which strengthens that wall against lateral collapse when the cap is screwed onto the container neck as will appear. The recess 32 thus surrounds the d-ied internal projection 30 in the cap.

S, The skirt portion of the cap side wall may, as indicated at 38, be thinner than the other portions of the cap because it is not subjected to appreciable stress when the'cap is installed, thus permitting a savings in material. If Sdesired, light, stiffening ribs 43 may be provided to make the skirt somewhat more rigid. The outer side of the closure may be fluted as shown at 41 similarly to the closure cap in Joshi et al.

In a cap having a diameter of about 1 3/4 inches and a side wall length of about 1 1/16 inches, the depth of recess 32 may be about 1/4 inch.

The container 12 is normally used to package a relatively heavy detergent powder such as that disclosed in said Joshi et al. patent, and th cap 12 is employed as a Sa measuring device since only small quantities of this detergent are required for normal washing machine loads.

For example the cap here defined has a volume of 1/8 cup, so that two fillings will supply the normal 1/4 cup of this detergent usually used.

As the cap is placed over the container neck it is turned about it axis and engagement of the threads pull's the S 35 s 'cap axially until the projection 30 enters the open neck T *i f t mouth and the surface 16 is in tight full surface engagement all around with the surface 33 The inherent flexibility of the plastic materials involved compensates for slight tolerances in moul ing whereby the proijection 30 fits It$ od biy\ with the neck surface 17 to provide a longitudinal seal 17, 29 that is s ,:tantially continuous with the axial seal 16, 33.

SIn addition the projection 30 helps maintain the cylindrical shape of the container neck while the cap is 10 Deing turned on the neck thread, and the assembly is increasingly tight.

SBy locating the screw thread connection near the outer end of the container neck and also where the cap wall thickness is greatest, a more efficient coupling of the cap witn the container is secured.

By indenting the top wall of the closure the availble Syinternal volume of the closure for accurate dosage S I measurement may be accurately controlled, while preserving Sthe height appearance of the cap relative to the cpntainer.

seal with the container neck. In addition to the mechanical advantages, elimination of a liner reduces manufacturing time and other costs.

The new structure provides a stronger closure of better external appearance and better holding of the closure on the container neck in the assembly.

Cap damage during transit is practically eliminated. As shown in Fig. 5 these detergent containers are shipped disposed upside down in cartons. Previously, when a carton was slammed down onto a rigid surface such as that at 42 in Fig. 5, the impact could result in considerable breakage of prior designed caps. However, where in i ~FT7~

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7 to 9 .9 4 4 p. 9Qt9 9Q4* 4 *994 A *99 9999 a .9 .t 9 94 9* 9 999 p 9909 p9 P C~ 9 at. accordance with tne invention, the end edge of the container neck is in solid abutment with the bottom wall of the cap as shown in Fig. 4, a considerable reduction in cap damage has neen observed under comparable circumstances.

The new construction is so proportioned that it requires considerably less plastic material, thereby effecting an appreciable saving.

By indenting the top wall of the cap, accurate control of the volumetric capacity thereof is attained whi:e 10 preserving the external appearance of the cap design. For example in the case of a known detergent, the volumetric capacity of the cap is 1/8 cup, and accuracy is important to avoid wasting expensive detergent.

The invention may oe embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects a8 illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoinq 20 description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to oe embraced tnerein.

Claims

1. A container assembly comprising a synthetic plastic container having an open generally cylindrical neck having a flat end edge and external thread means located adjacent but longitudinally downwardly from said open end of said neck, an integral synthetic plastic cup-shaped cap having a top wall with an annular side wall extending from the outer periphery of said top wall, means providing an indented depressed region centrally of said top wall and forming with the adjacently surrounding region of said side wall, an annular recess receiving the open end of said container neck, said annular recess having a flat bottom for direct full surface abutment with the axially facing end edge of said open neck, said depressed region of the cap providing a domed projection extending flush within the open end of the container neck to tightly fit the inner periphery of said neck, internal thread means within the cap side wall located adjacent but longitudinally downwardly from said annular recess adapted 20 to co-act with said external thread means around the neck; said parts being so constructed and arranged such that when said cap is placed over said neck and screwed on tight, a clearance is provided in said recess between the external wall of the neck and internal wall of the cap to allow flexure of said neck and said cap in the area of said recess, said projection closes the open end of said neck, and the end edge of said neck is in solid abutment with the flat bottom of said annular cap recess, the region of contact between the periphery of said projection and the internal periphery of said neck intercepting substantially at right angles the region of contact between said end edge of said neck and the bottom surface of said recess. 'I Do.. 0 i~ itJ; 'V 4 WMONOW a L~;

9- A container assembly substantially as hercAnbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. COLGATE -PALMOLIVE COMPANY Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F.B. RICE CO. C, *4 a. C, *C I I 4 S