CA1078783A - Roll-on type fluid applicator with sealing means - Google Patents
Roll-on type fluid applicator with sealing meansInfo
- Publication number
- CA1078783A CA1078783A CA278,641A CA278641A CA1078783A CA 1078783 A CA1078783 A CA 1078783A CA 278641 A CA278641 A CA 278641A CA 1078783 A CA1078783 A CA 1078783A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fitment
- ball
- cap
- sealing member
- container
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
- B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
- B65D41/0407—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means
- B65D41/0428—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means formed by a collar, flange, rib or the like contacting the top rim or the top edges or the external surface of a container neck
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- A45D34/00—Containers or accessories specially adapted for handling liquid toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. perfumes
- A45D34/04—Appliances specially adapted for applying liquid, e.g. using roller or ball
- A45D34/041—Appliances specially adapted for applying liquid, e.g. using roller or ball using a roller, a disc or a ball
Abstract
ROLL ON TYPE FLUID APPLICATOR WITH
SEALING MEANS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A roll-on type fluid applicator which has a ball type fitment or collar with a roll-on ball therein and a cap or closure therefor. The ball type fitment is formed of a plastic material and has a rim adjacent the mouth thereof with an inwardly extending rim lip to engage the ball and forming a sealing connection therewith. The cap is detachably secured to the container to cover the fitment. The cap has a top with a plurality of downwardly extending pressure applying flexible fingers formed inte-grally with the top and extending downwardly for engagement with the ball. The cap also has a flexible sealing mem-ber formed integrally with the cap and extending inwardly of the interior of the cap. The flexible sealing member is positioned in a plane lower than the plane of the down-wardly extending flexible fingers. The cap, when tightened with respect to the container, will cause the pressure applying fingers to bear against the normally exposed portion of the ball to urge the ball inwardly or down-wardly in the direction of the fitment so that it esta-blishes a seal tight contact with a lower sealing ring in the lower portion of the fitment to block the discharge of the fluid from the container. The flexible sealing member of the fitment engages the rim of the fitment to form a seal therewith. The cap sealing member and the lower sealing ring of the fitment will prevent the major portion of the ball, namely the portion extending above the lower sealing ring of the fitment, from drying up when in non-use position. The flexibility of the pressure applying fingers and the flexibility of the cap sealing member will com-pensate for the dimensional variability and fit between the fitment and the ball and the cap and fitment and yet provide effective sealing between the parts.
SEALING MEANS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A roll-on type fluid applicator which has a ball type fitment or collar with a roll-on ball therein and a cap or closure therefor. The ball type fitment is formed of a plastic material and has a rim adjacent the mouth thereof with an inwardly extending rim lip to engage the ball and forming a sealing connection therewith. The cap is detachably secured to the container to cover the fitment. The cap has a top with a plurality of downwardly extending pressure applying flexible fingers formed inte-grally with the top and extending downwardly for engagement with the ball. The cap also has a flexible sealing mem-ber formed integrally with the cap and extending inwardly of the interior of the cap. The flexible sealing member is positioned in a plane lower than the plane of the down-wardly extending flexible fingers. The cap, when tightened with respect to the container, will cause the pressure applying fingers to bear against the normally exposed portion of the ball to urge the ball inwardly or down-wardly in the direction of the fitment so that it esta-blishes a seal tight contact with a lower sealing ring in the lower portion of the fitment to block the discharge of the fluid from the container. The flexible sealing member of the fitment engages the rim of the fitment to form a seal therewith. The cap sealing member and the lower sealing ring of the fitment will prevent the major portion of the ball, namely the portion extending above the lower sealing ring of the fitment, from drying up when in non-use position. The flexibility of the pressure applying fingers and the flexibility of the cap sealing member will com-pensate for the dimensional variability and fit between the fitment and the ball and the cap and fitment and yet provide effective sealing between the parts.
Description
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
.
This invention is directed to improvements in roll-on type fluid applicators, and one of the objects of this invention is to provide a combination comprising a ball-type fitment or collar, cap or closure therefor, said combination including a container having an outlet end, said fitment being at the outlet end of said con-tainer, and being formed of a plastic material and having a rim adjacent the mouth thereof, a ball received in said fitment and held therein for rotatable movement with a portion of said ball extending above said rim and normally exposed when in use, a cap detachably secured to said container to cover said fitment, said cap having a top, a plurality of downwardly extending pressure applying fingers formed integrally with said top and extending downwardly for engagement with the ball, a sealing member formed integrally with said cap and extend-ing inwardly of the interior of said cap, said sealing member positioned in a plane lower than the plane of the downwardly extending fingers, said cap, when tightened with respect to the container, covering the normally exposed portion of the ball with the downwardly extending fingers bearing against the normally exposed portion of the ball to urge said ball inwardly in the direction 1~78~83 of the container and the sealing member adapted to engage -the rim of the fitment to trap the air within the upper ~,~
portion of the cap above the sealing member and prevent outside air from entering within said upper portion of ;~
said cap.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure l is a view partly in section showing a plastic formed bottle with a integral fitment and showing the cap or closure applied thereto.
Fig. lA is an enlarged fragmentary view of a -portion of Fig. 1.
Fig. 2 is a view of the cap taken substantially ~-through the center thereof.
Fig. 3 is a view taken on lines 3-3 of Fig. 2 from the underside of the cap and showing particularly the spaced pressure fingers which apply an axial pressure on the ball or sphere and showing the annular sealing member on the inside of the cap.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing one of the pressure applying fingers.
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing a modified form of rim of a fitment with the seal-ing member of the cap in engagement therewith, the rim having an inwardly stepped portion.
Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the rim similar to Figs. l and lA but with the sealing member of the cap in engagement with the beveled edge thereof.
Fig. 7 is a view of a modified rim fitment in which the sealing member engages the stepped surface.
.. - . . . ... . ... . ~
` ~ iO78783 Fig. 8 is an enlarged central sectional view showing a separately formed plastic fitment of a modi-fied construction and showing it secured to a glass bottle or the like. The modified fitment has means ser-ving as leaf springs to normally lift the ball and press it against the secondary sealing lip or rim lip at the mouth of the fitment. It also sh~s the position of the ball in its normal upper position, such as when the cap is not screwed down tight relative to the container.
Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but with the cap screwed down and the pressure applying fingers of the cap applying the axial pressure to the ball to urge the ball downwardly or inwardly in sealing engagement with the lower sealing ring of the fitment and simultaneously depressing the leaf spring means.
Fig. 10 is a plan view taken on lines 10-10 of Fig 8.
The container or bottle in this embodiment is formed integrally with the fitment, all made of plastic material, preferably linear polyethylene. The container body is generally indicated at 10 and includes neck 12 which is externally threaded as at 13. Extending upward-ly and formed integrally with the neck is a fitment or col-lar generally indicated at 14 which serves to hold the rolling ball or sphere, generally indicated at 16. More specifically, extending inwardly from the top of the neck is an upwardly inclined annular portion 17 which then in-clines upwardly and outwardly to form an annular wall 18.
The lower end of the interior of the annular wall 18 forms an annular seat or lower sealing ring 20. The annular wall 18 extends upwardly to form an inwardly~extending ~pper edge or rim .. :.: .
22 whiCh has a top flat surface 23. The upper edge or rim 22 is at the mouth of the fitment and forms an annular opening 24 at the mouth of the fitment into which the ball or sphere 16 is inserted. The inner edge or lip 26 of the flat top surface 23 forms a rim lip or secondary sealing lip at the mouth of the fit-ment. The portion defined by the sealing ring 20, annular wall 18, vertical wall 21, rim 22 and rim ]ip 26 seats and holds the rolling ball 16. The ball extends outwardly of the upper edge or rim 22. In this embodi-ment, the rim 22 is beveled or chamfered and the sealing ring of the cap to be subsequently described engages the flat top surface 23 of the rim 22.
In the embodiments of the fitment shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the fitments therein are like that described in connection with Figs. 1 and lA, except that the rims are shaped differently and therefore when those figures will be described, only the rim portion of those fitments will be described in particularity; the remaining part of the said fitments in said other figures will be identified by the same numerals as indicated for Figs. 1 and lA.
The cap or closure, generally indicated at 28, is similar for connection to all of the bottle fitments whether the fitment is part of the bottle, as just described, or as will be described in connection with Figs. 5, 6 and 7, wherein the fitment is also part of the bottle or where the fitment is separate and attachable to the bottle as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10.
The cap or closure 28 is molded of a plastic :
`
`` 1078783 material, such as polypropylene and comprises a cylin-drical body 30 having a dome-shaped upper end indicated -by the numeral 32. The cap is open at the bottom as at 34 and the lower inner wall thereof is internally threaded as at 36 for threaded engagement with the exteriorly threaded neck 13 of the container 10. Depending from : -the central portion of the dome are three downwardly -extending pressure applying fingers 38 which are flexible and are integrally formed with the cap, each of said fingers sloping downwardly and outwardly as best shown -in Figs. 2, 4, 8 and 9. The three pressure applying fingers 38 flex when they apply pressure to the ball as -~
best illustrated in Fig. 9 and are spaced equidistant ` from each other in a triangular form so that if lines ~
', ':
were drawn to said three spaced fingers, they would form an equilateral triangle. The pressure applying ,.
fingers 38 are positioned, as best shown in Fig. 3, spaced slightly away from the axis or center of the cap. The free end or tips of the fingers are rounded as at 39.
Formed integrally with the cap and extending inwardly thereof at an inclined angle of approximately 30 degrees is an annular ring or sealing member generally indicated at 40 which is flexible and is positioned below the plane of the fingers 38 and within the dome-shaped portion of the cap. The annular flexible sealing member 40 has the widest portion adjacent the dome wall of the cap and tapers inwardly towards the outer edge or tip thereof as at 42.
In the normal position of the ball, such as when the applicator is being used and the ball is rolling over - - . , ... ~ . -:
a surface to apply the fluid from the container to the surface, the inner edge or rim lip 26 of the rim 22 of the fitment will be in close contact with the ball and will form an effective seal and therefore provides a seccndary sealing lip.
When the cap 28 is applied to close the top of the applicator, it is screwed onto the neck 12 of the container and as it is screwed downwardly in relaticn to the container, the flexible pressure applying fingers 38 will engage the upper exposed portion of the ball 16 and the flexible sealing ring 40, as shown in Fig. 1 and lA, will be positioned against the flat top surface 23 of the rim of the fitment. The fingers 38 of the cap while flexing will apply a downward axial pressure against the lS ball 16 to cause the ball to move downwardly within the fitment so that it seats on the seat or lower sealing ring 20 of the fitment and extends therebelow effectively sealing the area between the ball and the seat or lower sealing ring 20. The inwardly inclined flexible sealing member 40 of the cap will engage the flat top edge 23 of the rim 22 of the fitment and will flex and form an effec-tive seal therewith between the ball and the fitment and between the cap and the ball. By means of the annular seal 40, the air will be trapped in the area indicated by the letter A under the dome shape of the cap between the annular sealing member 40 and the top edge of the rim of the fitment, thereby preventing leakage and evaporation.
When the fingers 38 apply a downward axial pressure against the ball, the downward movement of the ball causes the ball sometimes to be disengaged from the lip rim 26 (as best illustrated in the Fig. 9 embodiment), 1078~83 ~: :
but that disengagement will not permit leakage from the container as the ball is in engagement with the lower sealing ring 20 of the fitmert. ~ -By virtue of the flexible annular seal 40, and the flexible pressure fingers 38 which cause a down-ward pressure on the ball 16 to cause it to seat on the lower sealing ring or seat 40 of the fitment, the air will be trapped within the cap and the upper portion of the ball and therefore the cap sealing member 40 and the lower sealing member or seat 20 of the fitment will prevent the major portion of the ball, namely the portion extending above the lower sealing member 20 of the fitment, from drying up when in non-use position. The flexibility of the pressure applying fingers 38 and the flexibility of the cap sealing member 40 will compensate for the dimensional variability and fit between the fitment and ball and the cap and fitment and yet provide an effective ~ -sealing of the parts.
The cap or closure 28 is the same whether used with fitments which are an integral part of the bottle as described or are separate therefrom and attached to a bottle, such as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. The identi-cal cap 28 with the sealing member 40 is used with fitments which have different shaped upper edges or rims. For example, the sealing member 40 will fit within the inside stepped upper edge or rim 44 of the fitment 14a as shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 6 the sealing member 40 will engage the beveled rim 22'which is like the rim shown in Figs. 1 and lA. In Fig. 7 the sealing member 40 will engage the corner edge of the stepped rim 48 of the fitment 14c.
FIGURES 8, 9 AND 10 Figs. 8, 9 and 10 show a modified fitment which is formed of a plastic material, preferably a low density polyethylene. It is secured to a glass bottle or the like.
It is not formed integrally with the bottle or container as the fitments previously described. The modified fitment is generally designated by the numeral 50 and is secured to a bottle or container generally indicated by the numeral 52. The bottle or container 52 has a reduced neck 54 which is exteriorly shaped as at 56 to receive and be ;~
secured to the skirt portion 58 of the fitment. The neck of the bottle has external threads 60 which are to be engaged by the internal threads 36 of the cap 28 previously described. The fitment 50 comprises the lower annular skirt 58 which forms a locking engagement with the bottle as described. Extending upwardly and inwardly of the skirt is an intermediate annular portion 62 and extending upwardly thereof is an annular vertical wall 64 which then continues upwardly and inwardly at an inclined angle to form the annular rim 66 of the fitment. The top edge of the rim 66 has a flat surface 67. The inside upper edge of the rim has a rim lip 68 at the mouth of the fitment which forms a secondary sealing lip similar to rim lip 26.
The intermediate annular portion 62 of the fitment has on the inside wall thereof a downwardly and inwardly inclined annular wall surface 70 having a bottom annular edge which forms a lower sealing ring 72. Extending below the sealing ring edge 72 and inclined in the reverse or opposite direction is a short annular wall portion 74 which extends outwardly away from the sealing ring 72.
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::
Extending inwardly from the intermediate wall are inwardly and downwardly inclined spaced arcuate-shaped members 76 which serve as leaf springs and on which the ball rests.
These leaf spring means 78 will normally be positioned as shown in Fig. 8 to form the lower seat for the ball.
However, when axial pressure is applied to the top of the ball as shown in Fig. 9, the leaf spring means 76 will be tensioned downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 9 and the ball, which is not then in engagement with the sealing ring 72, will engage said sealing ring 72 and effectively seal the contents of the container between the ball and said sealing ring.
In the position shown in Fig. 8 where the cap is ' not screwed down tightly with respect to the container, the rim lip or secondary sealing lip 68 at the rim of the fit-ment is in sealing engagement with the sphere or ball.
When pressure is applied as in Fig. 9 and the ball is pushed downwardly or inwardly by means of the fingers 38, the ball will then be out of contact with the secondary sealing lip 68. When the ball is in the position shown in Fig. 9 an effective seal is established between the lower sealing ring 72 and the ball to prevent any of the liquid contents of the container from passing c,ut therefrom.
Also, in this position the sealing ring 40 of the cap is flexed upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 9 so that it forms a positive seal with the rim of the fitment. In both the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 posi-tions the air is trapped under the dome of the cover defined by the letter B between the sealing member 40 and the rim of the fitment.
. ~ .
GENERAL MODIFICATIONS
While the preferred embodiment shows the cap to be dome shaped, it may be flat or of any other desired shape. While three pressure fingers are ill~s-trated, there may be any plural number of such pressure fingers. While the pressure fingers are preferably inclined, they may extend on a vertical axis or at any other angle and may have a different configuration from that shown and described. The configuration of the leaf spring 76 may vary from that shown. These modifi-cations are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims.
, . . . ~. . .~ ~ -
.
This invention is directed to improvements in roll-on type fluid applicators, and one of the objects of this invention is to provide a combination comprising a ball-type fitment or collar, cap or closure therefor, said combination including a container having an outlet end, said fitment being at the outlet end of said con-tainer, and being formed of a plastic material and having a rim adjacent the mouth thereof, a ball received in said fitment and held therein for rotatable movement with a portion of said ball extending above said rim and normally exposed when in use, a cap detachably secured to said container to cover said fitment, said cap having a top, a plurality of downwardly extending pressure applying fingers formed integrally with said top and extending downwardly for engagement with the ball, a sealing member formed integrally with said cap and extend-ing inwardly of the interior of said cap, said sealing member positioned in a plane lower than the plane of the downwardly extending fingers, said cap, when tightened with respect to the container, covering the normally exposed portion of the ball with the downwardly extending fingers bearing against the normally exposed portion of the ball to urge said ball inwardly in the direction 1~78~83 of the container and the sealing member adapted to engage -the rim of the fitment to trap the air within the upper ~,~
portion of the cap above the sealing member and prevent outside air from entering within said upper portion of ;~
said cap.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure l is a view partly in section showing a plastic formed bottle with a integral fitment and showing the cap or closure applied thereto.
Fig. lA is an enlarged fragmentary view of a -portion of Fig. 1.
Fig. 2 is a view of the cap taken substantially ~-through the center thereof.
Fig. 3 is a view taken on lines 3-3 of Fig. 2 from the underside of the cap and showing particularly the spaced pressure fingers which apply an axial pressure on the ball or sphere and showing the annular sealing member on the inside of the cap.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing one of the pressure applying fingers.
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing a modified form of rim of a fitment with the seal-ing member of the cap in engagement therewith, the rim having an inwardly stepped portion.
Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the rim similar to Figs. l and lA but with the sealing member of the cap in engagement with the beveled edge thereof.
Fig. 7 is a view of a modified rim fitment in which the sealing member engages the stepped surface.
.. - . . . ... . ... . ~
` ~ iO78783 Fig. 8 is an enlarged central sectional view showing a separately formed plastic fitment of a modi-fied construction and showing it secured to a glass bottle or the like. The modified fitment has means ser-ving as leaf springs to normally lift the ball and press it against the secondary sealing lip or rim lip at the mouth of the fitment. It also sh~s the position of the ball in its normal upper position, such as when the cap is not screwed down tight relative to the container.
Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but with the cap screwed down and the pressure applying fingers of the cap applying the axial pressure to the ball to urge the ball downwardly or inwardly in sealing engagement with the lower sealing ring of the fitment and simultaneously depressing the leaf spring means.
Fig. 10 is a plan view taken on lines 10-10 of Fig 8.
The container or bottle in this embodiment is formed integrally with the fitment, all made of plastic material, preferably linear polyethylene. The container body is generally indicated at 10 and includes neck 12 which is externally threaded as at 13. Extending upward-ly and formed integrally with the neck is a fitment or col-lar generally indicated at 14 which serves to hold the rolling ball or sphere, generally indicated at 16. More specifically, extending inwardly from the top of the neck is an upwardly inclined annular portion 17 which then in-clines upwardly and outwardly to form an annular wall 18.
The lower end of the interior of the annular wall 18 forms an annular seat or lower sealing ring 20. The annular wall 18 extends upwardly to form an inwardly~extending ~pper edge or rim .. :.: .
22 whiCh has a top flat surface 23. The upper edge or rim 22 is at the mouth of the fitment and forms an annular opening 24 at the mouth of the fitment into which the ball or sphere 16 is inserted. The inner edge or lip 26 of the flat top surface 23 forms a rim lip or secondary sealing lip at the mouth of the fit-ment. The portion defined by the sealing ring 20, annular wall 18, vertical wall 21, rim 22 and rim ]ip 26 seats and holds the rolling ball 16. The ball extends outwardly of the upper edge or rim 22. In this embodi-ment, the rim 22 is beveled or chamfered and the sealing ring of the cap to be subsequently described engages the flat top surface 23 of the rim 22.
In the embodiments of the fitment shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the fitments therein are like that described in connection with Figs. 1 and lA, except that the rims are shaped differently and therefore when those figures will be described, only the rim portion of those fitments will be described in particularity; the remaining part of the said fitments in said other figures will be identified by the same numerals as indicated for Figs. 1 and lA.
The cap or closure, generally indicated at 28, is similar for connection to all of the bottle fitments whether the fitment is part of the bottle, as just described, or as will be described in connection with Figs. 5, 6 and 7, wherein the fitment is also part of the bottle or where the fitment is separate and attachable to the bottle as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10.
The cap or closure 28 is molded of a plastic :
`
`` 1078783 material, such as polypropylene and comprises a cylin-drical body 30 having a dome-shaped upper end indicated -by the numeral 32. The cap is open at the bottom as at 34 and the lower inner wall thereof is internally threaded as at 36 for threaded engagement with the exteriorly threaded neck 13 of the container 10. Depending from : -the central portion of the dome are three downwardly -extending pressure applying fingers 38 which are flexible and are integrally formed with the cap, each of said fingers sloping downwardly and outwardly as best shown -in Figs. 2, 4, 8 and 9. The three pressure applying fingers 38 flex when they apply pressure to the ball as -~
best illustrated in Fig. 9 and are spaced equidistant ` from each other in a triangular form so that if lines ~
', ':
were drawn to said three spaced fingers, they would form an equilateral triangle. The pressure applying ,.
fingers 38 are positioned, as best shown in Fig. 3, spaced slightly away from the axis or center of the cap. The free end or tips of the fingers are rounded as at 39.
Formed integrally with the cap and extending inwardly thereof at an inclined angle of approximately 30 degrees is an annular ring or sealing member generally indicated at 40 which is flexible and is positioned below the plane of the fingers 38 and within the dome-shaped portion of the cap. The annular flexible sealing member 40 has the widest portion adjacent the dome wall of the cap and tapers inwardly towards the outer edge or tip thereof as at 42.
In the normal position of the ball, such as when the applicator is being used and the ball is rolling over - - . , ... ~ . -:
a surface to apply the fluid from the container to the surface, the inner edge or rim lip 26 of the rim 22 of the fitment will be in close contact with the ball and will form an effective seal and therefore provides a seccndary sealing lip.
When the cap 28 is applied to close the top of the applicator, it is screwed onto the neck 12 of the container and as it is screwed downwardly in relaticn to the container, the flexible pressure applying fingers 38 will engage the upper exposed portion of the ball 16 and the flexible sealing ring 40, as shown in Fig. 1 and lA, will be positioned against the flat top surface 23 of the rim of the fitment. The fingers 38 of the cap while flexing will apply a downward axial pressure against the lS ball 16 to cause the ball to move downwardly within the fitment so that it seats on the seat or lower sealing ring 20 of the fitment and extends therebelow effectively sealing the area between the ball and the seat or lower sealing ring 20. The inwardly inclined flexible sealing member 40 of the cap will engage the flat top edge 23 of the rim 22 of the fitment and will flex and form an effec-tive seal therewith between the ball and the fitment and between the cap and the ball. By means of the annular seal 40, the air will be trapped in the area indicated by the letter A under the dome shape of the cap between the annular sealing member 40 and the top edge of the rim of the fitment, thereby preventing leakage and evaporation.
When the fingers 38 apply a downward axial pressure against the ball, the downward movement of the ball causes the ball sometimes to be disengaged from the lip rim 26 (as best illustrated in the Fig. 9 embodiment), 1078~83 ~: :
but that disengagement will not permit leakage from the container as the ball is in engagement with the lower sealing ring 20 of the fitmert. ~ -By virtue of the flexible annular seal 40, and the flexible pressure fingers 38 which cause a down-ward pressure on the ball 16 to cause it to seat on the lower sealing ring or seat 40 of the fitment, the air will be trapped within the cap and the upper portion of the ball and therefore the cap sealing member 40 and the lower sealing member or seat 20 of the fitment will prevent the major portion of the ball, namely the portion extending above the lower sealing member 20 of the fitment, from drying up when in non-use position. The flexibility of the pressure applying fingers 38 and the flexibility of the cap sealing member 40 will compensate for the dimensional variability and fit between the fitment and ball and the cap and fitment and yet provide an effective ~ -sealing of the parts.
The cap or closure 28 is the same whether used with fitments which are an integral part of the bottle as described or are separate therefrom and attached to a bottle, such as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. The identi-cal cap 28 with the sealing member 40 is used with fitments which have different shaped upper edges or rims. For example, the sealing member 40 will fit within the inside stepped upper edge or rim 44 of the fitment 14a as shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 6 the sealing member 40 will engage the beveled rim 22'which is like the rim shown in Figs. 1 and lA. In Fig. 7 the sealing member 40 will engage the corner edge of the stepped rim 48 of the fitment 14c.
FIGURES 8, 9 AND 10 Figs. 8, 9 and 10 show a modified fitment which is formed of a plastic material, preferably a low density polyethylene. It is secured to a glass bottle or the like.
It is not formed integrally with the bottle or container as the fitments previously described. The modified fitment is generally designated by the numeral 50 and is secured to a bottle or container generally indicated by the numeral 52. The bottle or container 52 has a reduced neck 54 which is exteriorly shaped as at 56 to receive and be ;~
secured to the skirt portion 58 of the fitment. The neck of the bottle has external threads 60 which are to be engaged by the internal threads 36 of the cap 28 previously described. The fitment 50 comprises the lower annular skirt 58 which forms a locking engagement with the bottle as described. Extending upwardly and inwardly of the skirt is an intermediate annular portion 62 and extending upwardly thereof is an annular vertical wall 64 which then continues upwardly and inwardly at an inclined angle to form the annular rim 66 of the fitment. The top edge of the rim 66 has a flat surface 67. The inside upper edge of the rim has a rim lip 68 at the mouth of the fitment which forms a secondary sealing lip similar to rim lip 26.
The intermediate annular portion 62 of the fitment has on the inside wall thereof a downwardly and inwardly inclined annular wall surface 70 having a bottom annular edge which forms a lower sealing ring 72. Extending below the sealing ring edge 72 and inclined in the reverse or opposite direction is a short annular wall portion 74 which extends outwardly away from the sealing ring 72.
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Extending inwardly from the intermediate wall are inwardly and downwardly inclined spaced arcuate-shaped members 76 which serve as leaf springs and on which the ball rests.
These leaf spring means 78 will normally be positioned as shown in Fig. 8 to form the lower seat for the ball.
However, when axial pressure is applied to the top of the ball as shown in Fig. 9, the leaf spring means 76 will be tensioned downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 9 and the ball, which is not then in engagement with the sealing ring 72, will engage said sealing ring 72 and effectively seal the contents of the container between the ball and said sealing ring.
In the position shown in Fig. 8 where the cap is ' not screwed down tightly with respect to the container, the rim lip or secondary sealing lip 68 at the rim of the fit-ment is in sealing engagement with the sphere or ball.
When pressure is applied as in Fig. 9 and the ball is pushed downwardly or inwardly by means of the fingers 38, the ball will then be out of contact with the secondary sealing lip 68. When the ball is in the position shown in Fig. 9 an effective seal is established between the lower sealing ring 72 and the ball to prevent any of the liquid contents of the container from passing c,ut therefrom.
Also, in this position the sealing ring 40 of the cap is flexed upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 9 so that it forms a positive seal with the rim of the fitment. In both the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 posi-tions the air is trapped under the dome of the cover defined by the letter B between the sealing member 40 and the rim of the fitment.
. ~ .
GENERAL MODIFICATIONS
While the preferred embodiment shows the cap to be dome shaped, it may be flat or of any other desired shape. While three pressure fingers are ill~s-trated, there may be any plural number of such pressure fingers. While the pressure fingers are preferably inclined, they may extend on a vertical axis or at any other angle and may have a different configuration from that shown and described. The configuration of the leaf spring 76 may vary from that shown. These modifi-cations are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims.
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Claims (10)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A combination comprising a ball type fitment or collar, a cap or closure therefor, said combination including a container having an outlet end said fitment being at the outlet end of said container, and being formed of a plastic material and having a rim adjacent the mouth thereof, a ball re-ceived in said fitment and held therein for rotatable movement with a portion of said ball extending above said rim and normally exposed when in use, a cap detachably secured to said container to cover said fitment, said cap having a top, a plurality of downwardly extending pressure applying fingers formed integrally with said top and extending downwardly for engagement with the ball, a sealing member formed integrally with said cap and extending inwardly of the interior of said cap, said sealing member positioned in a plane lower than the plane of the downwardly extending fingers, said cap, when tightened with respect to the container, covering the normally exposed portion of the ball with the downwardly extending fingers bearing against the normally exposed portion of the ball to urge said ball inwardly in the direction of the con-tainer and the sealing member adapted to engage the rim of the fitment to trap the air within the upper portion of the cap above the sealing member and prevent outside air from entering within said upper portion of said cap.
2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the cap sealing member is flexible and the pressure applying fingers are flexible to accommodate and compen-sate for the dimensional variability and fits between the fitment and ball and the cap and fitment yet provide effective sealing therebetween.
3. A combination as set forth in claim 2 in which the fitment has a lower sealing member or seat on which the ball rests and in which the major area of the ball extending above the lower sealing member of the fit-ment will be prevented from drying up when in non-use position.
4. A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the top of the cap is dome-shaped and in which the plurality of fingers are centrally positioned on the underside of the dome-shaped top and are inclined out-wardly or away from the axis of the cap and in which the fingers flex when they apply pressure against the ball.
5. A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the sealing member of the cap is flexible and is inclined inwardly at an angle of approximately 30 degrees and in which the sealing member flexes when the cap is tightened with respect to the container and in which the pressure applying fingers are flexible.
6. A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the fitment is formed integrally with the container.
7. A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the fitment is separate from the container and is attachable to the container.
8. A combination as set forth in claim 7 which the fitment has means for supporting the lower end of the ball, said means being formed integrally with said fitment and normally urging said ball upwardly and in which the fitment has a lower sealing ring formed on the inside of the fitment positioned upward of said last-mentioned means.
9. A combination as set forth in claim 8 in which the means for supporting the lower end of the ball is inclined inwardly and downwardly at an angle and in which it flexes and serves as a leaf spring to normally urge the ball upwardly, and in which the pressure applying fingers urge the ball downwardly or inwardly to contact said lower sealing ring and simultaneously flexing said leaf spring means.
10. A combination as set forth in claim 9 in which the means for supporting the lower end of the ball is comprised of a plurality of spaced segments.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US69042076A | 1976-05-27 | 1976-05-27 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1078783A true CA1078783A (en) | 1980-06-03 |
Family
ID=24772379
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA278,641A Expired CA1078783A (en) | 1976-05-27 | 1977-05-17 | Roll-on type fluid applicator with sealing means |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1078783A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2724099A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1576523A (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6814520B1 (en) | 1999-11-04 | 2004-11-09 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien | Device for dispensing a fluid product from a container |
| US7618209B2 (en) * | 2004-07-20 | 2009-11-17 | Conopco, Inc. | Cosmetic dispenser housing and method |
| US7651292B2 (en) * | 2004-07-20 | 2010-01-26 | Conopco, Inc. | Cosmetic dispenser |
| US7674061B2 (en) | 2004-07-20 | 2010-03-09 | Conopco, Inc. | Fluid cosmetic dispenser |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4221494A (en) * | 1979-01-11 | 1980-09-09 | W. Braun Company | Roll-on applicator with spring bar ball supports |
| DE9110085U1 (en) * | 1991-08-15 | 1992-12-17 | Bramlage Gmbh, 2842 Lohne, De | |
| US5810495A (en) * | 1996-01-16 | 1998-09-22 | Mcauley; Brian | Narrow line applicator |
| GB9727088D0 (en) * | 1997-12-22 | 1998-02-18 | Euro Matic Ltd | Roll-on applicator balls |
| DE102010020849B4 (en) * | 2010-05-18 | 2013-10-24 | Shb Gmbh | Dosing dispenser, in particular deodorant roller and cover for such a dosing dispenser |
| DE202014000214U1 (en) | 2014-01-02 | 2014-02-17 | Norbert Neubauer | Dispensers |
| FR3035339A1 (en) * | 2015-04-23 | 2016-10-28 | Olfactive Body Object | BALL DISPENSER AND ASSOCIATED BALL HOLDER |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CH364086A (en) * | 1958-01-06 | 1962-08-31 | Owens Illinois Glass Co | Device for dispensing liquid attached to a neck portion of a liquid container |
| US2823403A (en) * | 1956-04-23 | 1958-02-18 | Owensillinois Glass Company | Ball and socket plastic fitment |
| US2975466A (en) * | 1957-05-13 | 1961-03-21 | Owens Illinois Glass Co | Ball-type liquid applicators |
| US3036328A (en) * | 1958-08-06 | 1962-05-29 | Owens Illinois Glass Co | Ball-type fluid applicator package |
| US3090987A (en) * | 1959-05-12 | 1963-05-28 | Continental Can Co | Dispenser |
| US2997731A (en) * | 1959-12-18 | 1961-08-29 | American Can Co | Ball-type dispenser |
| DE1829772U (en) * | 1961-02-08 | 1961-04-20 | Friedrich & Kaufmann Efeka | PLASTIC BOTTLE WITH ROLLER BALL CAP. |
| NL290253A (en) * | 1962-03-16 |
-
1977
- 1977-05-17 CA CA278,641A patent/CA1078783A/en not_active Expired
- 1977-05-25 GB GB2213377A patent/GB1576523A/en not_active Expired
- 1977-05-27 DE DE19772724099 patent/DE2724099A1/en active Granted
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6814520B1 (en) | 1999-11-04 | 2004-11-09 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien | Device for dispensing a fluid product from a container |
| US7618209B2 (en) * | 2004-07-20 | 2009-11-17 | Conopco, Inc. | Cosmetic dispenser housing and method |
| US7651292B2 (en) * | 2004-07-20 | 2010-01-26 | Conopco, Inc. | Cosmetic dispenser |
| US7674061B2 (en) | 2004-07-20 | 2010-03-09 | Conopco, Inc. | Fluid cosmetic dispenser |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE2724099C2 (en) | 1989-06-08 |
| GB1576523A (en) | 1980-10-08 |
| DE2724099A1 (en) | 1978-03-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |