CA2416670A1 - Dispensing closure and package incorporating same - Google Patents
Dispensing closure and package incorporating same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2416670A1 CA2416670A1 CA002416670A CA2416670A CA2416670A1 CA 2416670 A1 CA2416670 A1 CA 2416670A1 CA 002416670 A CA002416670 A CA 002416670A CA 2416670 A CA2416670 A CA 2416670A CA 2416670 A1 CA2416670 A1 CA 2416670A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- container
- closure element
- dispensing
- dust cover
- annular
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 48
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 claims description 23
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000011324 bead Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000012815 thermoplastic material Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000000748 compression moulding Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 4
- 235000014171 carbonated beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 3
- -1 for exempts Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000012174 carbonated soft drink Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000003749 cleanliness Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001903 high density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004700 high-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000014214 soft drink Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002910 solid waste Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
- B65D47/12—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having removable closures
- B65D47/122—Threaded caps
- B65D47/123—Threaded caps with internal parts
-
- 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
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/20—Sealing means
-
- 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
- B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
- B65D2401/15—Tearable part of the closure
- B65D2401/25—Non-metallic tear-off strips
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Abstract
A dispensing closure (10) for application to a hack (52) of a liquid-filled container (50), the dispensing closure having a main closure element (12) applied to the neck of the container and cup-shared dust cover (14) removeably applied to the main closure element. The main closure element has an annular top panel (96) overlying a rim of the neck of the container when the dispensing closure is applied to the container, and an annular spout (20) surrounding an opening in the top panel and extending away from the container. The dust cover has an annular flange (47) extending downwardly from an imperforate top panel (40), and the annular flange sealingly closes an opening (26) at the end of the spout of the main closure element to prevent dispensing of liquid in the container when the dust cover is in a first position relative to the main closure element. Upon removal of the dust cover from the main closure element, liquid in the container may be dispensed from the container through the main closure element, by way of the annular spout and the opening therein.
Description
9 7721 (01 X75) bISPENStNG CI,O~SURE ANb PACKAGE INCt~RPQRATiNG SAME
FIELD OF ~'tiJ= fNVENT10N
This invention relates to a dispensing closure for application to a liquid-5 filled container, and to a package that inoorporates such s closure closingiy applied to a lic~aid-fl0ed container. More particularly, this invention relates to a dasune and package of the aforesaid character in which the amtainer is filled dvith a «msumable beverage under pressure.
10 BACKGROUND Q(p THE INVE TIOTV
Many consumable beverages are packaged in battles or other containers, usually plastic, each of which is closed after tilling by a dispensing closure that is mixed ko a finish (the threaded or otherwise configured neck portion that receives a closure) of the container. A dispensing closure is a i 5 multi-piece closure in which the packaged beverage care be consumed, or otherwise dispensed, without removing the entire closure from the container, by manually moving an element of the closure reiativ8 to another element or other elements of the closure, IJ,S. Patent B,0T3,t309 (Long, Jr.y discloses a knovun type of dispensing closure, and the closure of the'130g patent has 20 tamper-evident opening characteristics, which are important in the use of such closures for the packaging of consumable beverages.
W~ ta0164774, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, also discloses a known dispensing closure for application to a liquid-ftiled container. The closure of this reference is especially wail-suited for 25 application to a pressurized, liquid-fined container, for example, a container for a carbonated beverage, or a container that contains a non~carbonated beverage, such as a apart beverage, when such beverage is pressurized, when filled, under pressure of Nz, to rigidify an associated plastic container. In that regard, the closure of this reference has multiple elements for saalinAiy 30 dosing a container, a main closure elemsnt that need not be moved relative to the container to permit dispensing, and a top cap element that is moveable ~Il~7~u~tlo) relative to the main closure element to prevent or permit dispensing, as desired.
Closures of the type disclosed in the afaresaid'8t?9 patent require that the moveable closure portion, described as a push-pull portion in that 5 reference, remain in place during dispensing of a liquid from an assaaated container, albeit at a different position from its position when the closure is closed to liquid dispensing. °Fhis feature is a disadvantage in a closure f~
application to a container for a beverage because the push.putl portion, which is usually manually manipulated, can contaminate the beverage that is being 10 consumed or that remains in the cx?rttainer, by dirt on the hand of the consumer. Moreover, because of the possibility that closures of the type disclosed in the '809 patent can time covered or partly covered witri dust or debris during shipment or storage, most consumable beverage packers require that a closure of that type be provided with a separate over closure, 9 5 often called a dust cover, that must be removed before dispensing of the beverage. This requiretn~t not only transfaims such closures from two-piece closures to three~piee~e closures, which is an added expense in material and assembly cost, but it also results in an opportunity to discard such dust covers after the first opening of the package that includes such a closure, because 20 such a dust cover is not required to rectose the package and this adds to solid waste disposal requirements for the closer a as well as presenting an opportunity for littering.
A closur~ of the type disclosed in the '809 patent is also prone to spraying contents at an associated container when the container is used to 25 package s pressurized padtage, because the dispensing owning is not covered by a dust cover at the time of opening. Such spraying of packaged contents ~n be annoying to a consumer. Also, such a Gosure, when provided with a dust cover, is difFcult to handle, because one hand is required to remove and hold the dust saver while the other hand is required fo pull the 30 pull spout for access to the contents of the container to which the closure is applied, which leaves no hand to hold the container As many such containers m~cyv~c~uf are blow molded from a resilient plastic material, it is important the! the container be securely grasped during dispensing to permit dispensing by squeezing of the container.
A e9osure of the type disclosed in the aforesaid VNO 0016774 reference 5 also requires a separate dust cover when used to package a consumable beverage. This also results in the disclosed two-piece closure, in practice, becoming a three-piece closure for sud, a packaging application, it also presents an opportunity far such a dust cover to be cGscarded after first opening, and, in the case of a dispensing closure for the packaging of a 10 pressurized beverage, such a closure is also prone to spraying padcagad t~ontents at the time of ticst opening.
~L1MM~,ttY Q~,Tt~t~ INVFNTI~N
The aforesaid and other problems ~ncountered in adapting 15 dispensing closures to the packaging of consumable beverages, especially pressurized beverages such as carbonated soft drinks and beverages packaged under Nz pressure, are overcome by the present invention in which there is provided a closure with only two pieces, including a dust cover, The closure of the present invention has a main closure element with 20 an annular top panel, an annular skirt that depends from the top panel to ctosingly engage an exterior of an associated container finish and an annular spout that surrounds an opening in the top panel and extends upwardly therefrom to provide a dispensing opening for a liquid within the container through a free end of the annular spout. The closure of the 25 present invention also has, as a separate piece, a generally cup-shaped dust cover that removingfy surrounds the spout of the olosure~ element, the dust cover having a projection that depends downwardty from a top panel thereof to enter the dispensing opening of the closure: element when the dust cover is in closing position relative to the closure element to thereby 30 close the closure element to liquid dispensing in the closing position of the dust covet.
The present invention also resides in s package having a closure, as described above, closingly applied to a liquid-#illed (except for a custamary unfilled head space) container.
'i~hus, the dispensing closure of the present invention requires only 5 two pieces, ttte first of which need not be removed from the container to permit dispensing, and a second piece, which must b~ removed from thg first piec~ to permit dispensing, and then also reaffixed to the first piece to recluse the container. Also, because the main closure element of the dispensing closure of the present invention does not have a push-pull ~ 0 element to permit dispensing, it is not required that a hand of a user ~ngage thv dispensing spout of the main closure element, which helps to ensure its cleanliness, and also permits a user to consume liquid from the container white securely grasping the container itself during consumption because only 2~ single hand is required to manipulate the closure to adjust it from a i 5 closed condition to a condition in which Liquid can be dispensed th~refrom.
if the dispensing closure of the present Invention is applied to a container tilled with a pressurized liquid, the dispensing opening from tt~e main closure element is covered by the dust cover at the time of pressure release to prevent spraying of contents against th~ user, purthev, if and when desired, ~0 the dispensing closure of the present invention can readily be provided with tamper-indicating properties, such as the band of the aforesaid WO
OOI647i'4, and also, if desired, it can be provided with setf~saaling properties, such as the sealing rib 96 of such reference.
Accordingly, it is an abject of the present invention to provide art 25 improved closure for application to a liquid-filled container to permit dispensing of liquid from the container through the closure, and to provide a package that includes a liquid #llled cantainerwith such a Closure applied thereto. More partcularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a closure of the aforesaid character that is well-suited for application to a 30 container fitted with a consumable beverage, and !o provide a package that includes such a container with such a.closure applying thereto. Even more lll~7(UILI~~
particularly, it is an object of the present invention is to provide a closure of the aforesaid character that is very well suited for application to a container that is filled with a pressurized, consumable beverage, and to provide a package with a container that is flied with a pressurized, consumable 5 beverage with such a closure applied thereto.
Far a furkher understanding of the present invention and the objects thereof, attention is directed to the drawing and the following brief description thereof, to the detailed description of the invention and to the appended claims.
BRIEF DE~CRiPTfON OF TH1E DRA'WINO
Fig. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a dispensing closure according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an elevational, cross-seotiona) view of an element of the 15 dispensing closure of Fig. 1; .
Fig. 3 is an el~avationaf view, partly in cross-section, of an element of the dispensing closure of fig, 1 as applied to a container, and Fig. 4 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the dispensing closure of Fig. 1, with its constituent elements assembled to one another, as applied 20 to a container.
~ETAII.E~ DESCRIPTION OF THE INV'ENTiON
A dispensing closure according to the present invention is indicated 25 generally be refer~nce numeral 10 in Figs. 1 and a. T'he dispensing closure 10 is a two-piece closure that is made up of a main closure element 12, which is adapted to be applied to an upper finish portion of a container 50, which is shown in Figs, 3 and 4, and a separate dust cover element 1~. each of the main closure element 12 and the dust cover element 1~ is preferably mottled 30 from a suitable thermoplastic material, for exempts, high density polyethylene a r tcyuvcsaj E~
ar polypropylene, by a conventional molding process, for example, compression motding or injection molding.
The main closure element i2, which is molded in a single piece, has an annular top panel 16 and an annular skirt 18 that depends downwardly 5 (toward the container 5o when applied thereto) from .an outer edge of the top panel. The main closure element t2 else has an annular spout ~Q that extends upwardly from a radialty interior portion of the top panel 16, the spout 20 surrounding an opening in the top panel 16 and defining a flow or dispensing passage 22 (Fig. 4) for liquid (not shown) in the container 50 to i 0 permit the liquid to be dispensed from the container 50 without removing the main ctosure element 12 therefrom.
The spout 30, which is generally frusto~anica~t in shape, has an outer annular free end 24 with an opening 26 therein, The interior of the skirt 18 of the main closure element 92 is provided with an inwardly projecting and 15 helically extending thread ~8 (Fig. ~) by which the main closure element ~2 can be removeably applied to a neck yr finish portion 52 of the container 60, which has an outwardly projecting and helically extending thread 54 that is cornplimental to the thread 28 of main closure element 72. ~f course, it is also contemplated that the main closure element 12 may be remavably 20 secured to the container 50 in various other ways, for example, by s snap fit, as is understood in the art, in any case, if it is desired to provide a tamper-indicating relationship between the main closure element 12 and the container 50 when the main closure element 12 is applied thereto, a lower margin of the skirt 9 S is provided with a disengageabte band 30 that engages 25 an outwardly projecting bead 56 on the finish 52 of the container 50, below the helical thread 54, when the main closure element 12 is securely applied to the container 50, Clpon an attempted removal of th~a main closure element 12 from the container 50, the band 3~ will remain on the finish 52 of the container 50 by virtue of an interference ft between the bead 56 and inwardly 3G extending projections of the band 30, the band 30 being connected to the skirt st dLl(UIGI~j 18 by a spaced plurality of frangible bridges 32 to facilitate separation of the band 30 from the skiff 18.
Tha dust cover element 14 is generally cup-shaped with an imperforata end panel 40 and an annular skirt 42 that depends downwardly 5 (toward the tap panel 16 of the main closure element 12) from an outer edge of the and panel 40. The interior of the annular skirt 42 of the dust cover element 14 is provided with inwardly projecting and part-helicalty extending projections 44 (Fig, 2), and the exterior of the spout 20 of the main closure element 12 is provided with complimantal, ouiwardty projecting and part-t0 helicalty extending projections 34 by which the dust cover element 14 may be removeabfy applied to the spout 2t) of the main closure element 12. The interior of the end parcel 40 of the dust cover element 14 is also provided with a dowrnvardly depending annular flange 47, and th~ annular flange 4T fills and seals the opening 28 at the upper end 24 of the main closure element 12 ' 15 when the dust cover element 14 is securely applied to the main closure element l 2, to thereby close ~a package that is made up of a felled container 50 with a dispensing closure 10 applied to it.
To provide tamper-indicating properties between the dust cover 14 and the main closure element 12, the annular spout 20 of the main closure 20 element 12 is provided with an outwardly projecting bead 38, and a tamper-indicating band 46 of the dust cover 14, which is connected to a lower edge of the shirt 42 by flangible bridges 48, will remain on the spout 20 of the main closure element 12 when the dust cover 14 is first removed therefrom to provide a visual indication of such removal. In that regard, the lop penal 16 of 25 the main closure element 92 is also provided with an integral annular flange 39 that surrounds and is spaced from the spout 20 of the main closure element 12 to securely retain the tamper-indicating band 46 of the dust cover 14 when the tamper-indicating band disengages from the skirt 42 upon the removal of the dust cover f 4 from the main closure element 12.
3fl When the dispensing closure 10 is intended for application to a container 60 with a pressurized beverage therein, fvr exempla, a carbonated ni~t3(~7~I5) soft drink or an N2-pressurized sport beverage, a pressur~-retaining seal may be provided by including an integral. downwardty and inwardly seating rib 36 (Fig. ~t) an the closure 12, to farm a tap and side seat against the rim of the neck 52 of the container 50, as taught, far example, in U.B. Patent ,5,782,369 5 (Tansey), the disetasure of which is also ineorparated by referenre3 herein.
In the '369 patent, such a seal is provided by engagement between an annular sealing rib 13 of the closure 10 and an end T 9 of the associated ~cantainsr, and a similar seal is taught by the aforesaid WO OQI6~4?74, which uses a seating rid 16 of a main closure 90 to f~rm a seat witty the tap of the nadc of ~ 0 the bottle to which the closure f U is applied. Of course, the use of s separate seating titter, such as the molded in sealing liner d0 or the molded in seating liner i4t? of !!,S. Patent 4,721,221 (Barriac), the disclosure of which is also incorporated by reference herein, or the use of a separately inserted seating liner, is also contemplated.
45 White the use of an integral sealing rib corresponding to the rib 38 as also contemplated to seal the junction between the outside diameter of the opening 23 of the dust cover 92 and the inside diameter of the spout 2d of th~
main closure element 12 is contemplated, it is believed that such a sealing rib wits prav~ to be unnecessary for mast, if not alt, pressurized beverages 20 packaged in the container 50. 'thus, as shown, only a tight circurrrferantiai ~t between the annular flange ~7 of the dust cover 12 and the opening 26 in the spout 2Q of the main closure element iZ should ba sufficient to seal the junction therebetween, Ta that end, however, a lower edge of the annular flange is provided with an upwardly and outwardly tapered free edge 47a to 25 facilitate insertion of the annular flange 47 into the opening 28.
Although the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the present invention as of the filing date hereof has been shown and described herein, it wilt be apparent to thane skilled In the art that suitable modifications, variations, and equivalents may be made without departing 30 from the scope of the invention, such scope being limited solely by the terms of the following claims and the legal equivalents thereof.
FIELD OF ~'tiJ= fNVENT10N
This invention relates to a dispensing closure for application to a liquid-5 filled container, and to a package that inoorporates such s closure closingiy applied to a lic~aid-fl0ed container. More particularly, this invention relates to a dasune and package of the aforesaid character in which the amtainer is filled dvith a «msumable beverage under pressure.
10 BACKGROUND Q(p THE INVE TIOTV
Many consumable beverages are packaged in battles or other containers, usually plastic, each of which is closed after tilling by a dispensing closure that is mixed ko a finish (the threaded or otherwise configured neck portion that receives a closure) of the container. A dispensing closure is a i 5 multi-piece closure in which the packaged beverage care be consumed, or otherwise dispensed, without removing the entire closure from the container, by manually moving an element of the closure reiativ8 to another element or other elements of the closure, IJ,S. Patent B,0T3,t309 (Long, Jr.y discloses a knovun type of dispensing closure, and the closure of the'130g patent has 20 tamper-evident opening characteristics, which are important in the use of such closures for the packaging of consumable beverages.
W~ ta0164774, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, also discloses a known dispensing closure for application to a liquid-ftiled container. The closure of this reference is especially wail-suited for 25 application to a pressurized, liquid-fined container, for example, a container for a carbonated beverage, or a container that contains a non~carbonated beverage, such as a apart beverage, when such beverage is pressurized, when filled, under pressure of Nz, to rigidify an associated plastic container. In that regard, the closure of this reference has multiple elements for saalinAiy 30 dosing a container, a main closure elemsnt that need not be moved relative to the container to permit dispensing, and a top cap element that is moveable ~Il~7~u~tlo) relative to the main closure element to prevent or permit dispensing, as desired.
Closures of the type disclosed in the afaresaid'8t?9 patent require that the moveable closure portion, described as a push-pull portion in that 5 reference, remain in place during dispensing of a liquid from an assaaated container, albeit at a different position from its position when the closure is closed to liquid dispensing. °Fhis feature is a disadvantage in a closure f~
application to a container for a beverage because the push.putl portion, which is usually manually manipulated, can contaminate the beverage that is being 10 consumed or that remains in the cx?rttainer, by dirt on the hand of the consumer. Moreover, because of the possibility that closures of the type disclosed in the '809 patent can time covered or partly covered witri dust or debris during shipment or storage, most consumable beverage packers require that a closure of that type be provided with a separate over closure, 9 5 often called a dust cover, that must be removed before dispensing of the beverage. This requiretn~t not only transfaims such closures from two-piece closures to three~piee~e closures, which is an added expense in material and assembly cost, but it also results in an opportunity to discard such dust covers after the first opening of the package that includes such a closure, because 20 such a dust cover is not required to rectose the package and this adds to solid waste disposal requirements for the closer a as well as presenting an opportunity for littering.
A closur~ of the type disclosed in the '809 patent is also prone to spraying contents at an associated container when the container is used to 25 package s pressurized padtage, because the dispensing owning is not covered by a dust cover at the time of opening. Such spraying of packaged contents ~n be annoying to a consumer. Also, such a Gosure, when provided with a dust cover, is difFcult to handle, because one hand is required to remove and hold the dust saver while the other hand is required fo pull the 30 pull spout for access to the contents of the container to which the closure is applied, which leaves no hand to hold the container As many such containers m~cyv~c~uf are blow molded from a resilient plastic material, it is important the! the container be securely grasped during dispensing to permit dispensing by squeezing of the container.
A e9osure of the type disclosed in the aforesaid VNO 0016774 reference 5 also requires a separate dust cover when used to package a consumable beverage. This also results in the disclosed two-piece closure, in practice, becoming a three-piece closure for sud, a packaging application, it also presents an opportunity far such a dust cover to be cGscarded after first opening, and, in the case of a dispensing closure for the packaging of a 10 pressurized beverage, such a closure is also prone to spraying padcagad t~ontents at the time of ticst opening.
~L1MM~,ttY Q~,Tt~t~ INVFNTI~N
The aforesaid and other problems ~ncountered in adapting 15 dispensing closures to the packaging of consumable beverages, especially pressurized beverages such as carbonated soft drinks and beverages packaged under Nz pressure, are overcome by the present invention in which there is provided a closure with only two pieces, including a dust cover, The closure of the present invention has a main closure element with 20 an annular top panel, an annular skirt that depends from the top panel to ctosingly engage an exterior of an associated container finish and an annular spout that surrounds an opening in the top panel and extends upwardly therefrom to provide a dispensing opening for a liquid within the container through a free end of the annular spout. The closure of the 25 present invention also has, as a separate piece, a generally cup-shaped dust cover that removingfy surrounds the spout of the olosure~ element, the dust cover having a projection that depends downwardty from a top panel thereof to enter the dispensing opening of the closure: element when the dust cover is in closing position relative to the closure element to thereby 30 close the closure element to liquid dispensing in the closing position of the dust covet.
The present invention also resides in s package having a closure, as described above, closingly applied to a liquid-#illed (except for a custamary unfilled head space) container.
'i~hus, the dispensing closure of the present invention requires only 5 two pieces, ttte first of which need not be removed from the container to permit dispensing, and a second piece, which must b~ removed from thg first piec~ to permit dispensing, and then also reaffixed to the first piece to recluse the container. Also, because the main closure element of the dispensing closure of the present invention does not have a push-pull ~ 0 element to permit dispensing, it is not required that a hand of a user ~ngage thv dispensing spout of the main closure element, which helps to ensure its cleanliness, and also permits a user to consume liquid from the container white securely grasping the container itself during consumption because only 2~ single hand is required to manipulate the closure to adjust it from a i 5 closed condition to a condition in which Liquid can be dispensed th~refrom.
if the dispensing closure of the present Invention is applied to a container tilled with a pressurized liquid, the dispensing opening from tt~e main closure element is covered by the dust cover at the time of pressure release to prevent spraying of contents against th~ user, purthev, if and when desired, ~0 the dispensing closure of the present invention can readily be provided with tamper-indicating properties, such as the band of the aforesaid WO
OOI647i'4, and also, if desired, it can be provided with setf~saaling properties, such as the sealing rib 96 of such reference.
Accordingly, it is an abject of the present invention to provide art 25 improved closure for application to a liquid-filled container to permit dispensing of liquid from the container through the closure, and to provide a package that includes a liquid #llled cantainerwith such a Closure applied thereto. More partcularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a closure of the aforesaid character that is well-suited for application to a 30 container fitted with a consumable beverage, and !o provide a package that includes such a container with such a.closure applying thereto. Even more lll~7(UILI~~
particularly, it is an object of the present invention is to provide a closure of the aforesaid character that is very well suited for application to a container that is filled with a pressurized, consumable beverage, and to provide a package with a container that is flied with a pressurized, consumable 5 beverage with such a closure applied thereto.
Far a furkher understanding of the present invention and the objects thereof, attention is directed to the drawing and the following brief description thereof, to the detailed description of the invention and to the appended claims.
BRIEF DE~CRiPTfON OF TH1E DRA'WINO
Fig. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a dispensing closure according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an elevational, cross-seotiona) view of an element of the 15 dispensing closure of Fig. 1; .
Fig. 3 is an el~avationaf view, partly in cross-section, of an element of the dispensing closure of fig, 1 as applied to a container, and Fig. 4 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the dispensing closure of Fig. 1, with its constituent elements assembled to one another, as applied 20 to a container.
~ETAII.E~ DESCRIPTION OF THE INV'ENTiON
A dispensing closure according to the present invention is indicated 25 generally be refer~nce numeral 10 in Figs. 1 and a. T'he dispensing closure 10 is a two-piece closure that is made up of a main closure element 12, which is adapted to be applied to an upper finish portion of a container 50, which is shown in Figs, 3 and 4, and a separate dust cover element 1~. each of the main closure element 12 and the dust cover element 1~ is preferably mottled 30 from a suitable thermoplastic material, for exempts, high density polyethylene a r tcyuvcsaj E~
ar polypropylene, by a conventional molding process, for example, compression motding or injection molding.
The main closure element i2, which is molded in a single piece, has an annular top panel 16 and an annular skirt 18 that depends downwardly 5 (toward the container 5o when applied thereto) from .an outer edge of the top panel. The main closure element t2 else has an annular spout ~Q that extends upwardly from a radialty interior portion of the top panel 16, the spout 20 surrounding an opening in the top panel 16 and defining a flow or dispensing passage 22 (Fig. 4) for liquid (not shown) in the container 50 to i 0 permit the liquid to be dispensed from the container 50 without removing the main ctosure element 12 therefrom.
The spout 30, which is generally frusto~anica~t in shape, has an outer annular free end 24 with an opening 26 therein, The interior of the skirt 18 of the main closure element 92 is provided with an inwardly projecting and 15 helically extending thread ~8 (Fig. ~) by which the main closure element ~2 can be removeably applied to a neck yr finish portion 52 of the container 60, which has an outwardly projecting and helically extending thread 54 that is cornplimental to the thread 28 of main closure element 72. ~f course, it is also contemplated that the main closure element 12 may be remavably 20 secured to the container 50 in various other ways, for example, by s snap fit, as is understood in the art, in any case, if it is desired to provide a tamper-indicating relationship between the main closure element 12 and the container 50 when the main closure element 12 is applied thereto, a lower margin of the skirt 9 S is provided with a disengageabte band 30 that engages 25 an outwardly projecting bead 56 on the finish 52 of the container 50, below the helical thread 54, when the main closure element 12 is securely applied to the container 50, Clpon an attempted removal of th~a main closure element 12 from the container 50, the band 3~ will remain on the finish 52 of the container 50 by virtue of an interference ft between the bead 56 and inwardly 3G extending projections of the band 30, the band 30 being connected to the skirt st dLl(UIGI~j 18 by a spaced plurality of frangible bridges 32 to facilitate separation of the band 30 from the skiff 18.
Tha dust cover element 14 is generally cup-shaped with an imperforata end panel 40 and an annular skirt 42 that depends downwardly 5 (toward the tap panel 16 of the main closure element 12) from an outer edge of the and panel 40. The interior of the annular skirt 42 of the dust cover element 14 is provided with inwardly projecting and part-helicalty extending projections 44 (Fig, 2), and the exterior of the spout 20 of the main closure element 12 is provided with complimantal, ouiwardty projecting and part-t0 helicalty extending projections 34 by which the dust cover element 14 may be removeabfy applied to the spout 2t) of the main closure element 12. The interior of the end parcel 40 of the dust cover element 14 is also provided with a dowrnvardly depending annular flange 47, and th~ annular flange 4T fills and seals the opening 28 at the upper end 24 of the main closure element 12 ' 15 when the dust cover element 14 is securely applied to the main closure element l 2, to thereby close ~a package that is made up of a felled container 50 with a dispensing closure 10 applied to it.
To provide tamper-indicating properties between the dust cover 14 and the main closure element 12, the annular spout 20 of the main closure 20 element 12 is provided with an outwardly projecting bead 38, and a tamper-indicating band 46 of the dust cover 14, which is connected to a lower edge of the shirt 42 by flangible bridges 48, will remain on the spout 20 of the main closure element 12 when the dust cover 14 is first removed therefrom to provide a visual indication of such removal. In that regard, the lop penal 16 of 25 the main closure element 92 is also provided with an integral annular flange 39 that surrounds and is spaced from the spout 20 of the main closure element 12 to securely retain the tamper-indicating band 46 of the dust cover 14 when the tamper-indicating band disengages from the skirt 42 upon the removal of the dust cover f 4 from the main closure element 12.
3fl When the dispensing closure 10 is intended for application to a container 60 with a pressurized beverage therein, fvr exempla, a carbonated ni~t3(~7~I5) soft drink or an N2-pressurized sport beverage, a pressur~-retaining seal may be provided by including an integral. downwardty and inwardly seating rib 36 (Fig. ~t) an the closure 12, to farm a tap and side seat against the rim of the neck 52 of the container 50, as taught, far example, in U.B. Patent ,5,782,369 5 (Tansey), the disetasure of which is also ineorparated by referenre3 herein.
In the '369 patent, such a seal is provided by engagement between an annular sealing rib 13 of the closure 10 and an end T 9 of the associated ~cantainsr, and a similar seal is taught by the aforesaid WO OQI6~4?74, which uses a seating rid 16 of a main closure 90 to f~rm a seat witty the tap of the nadc of ~ 0 the bottle to which the closure f U is applied. Of course, the use of s separate seating titter, such as the molded in sealing liner d0 or the molded in seating liner i4t? of !!,S. Patent 4,721,221 (Barriac), the disclosure of which is also incorporated by reference herein, or the use of a separately inserted seating liner, is also contemplated.
45 White the use of an integral sealing rib corresponding to the rib 38 as also contemplated to seal the junction between the outside diameter of the opening 23 of the dust cover 92 and the inside diameter of the spout 2d of th~
main closure element 12 is contemplated, it is believed that such a sealing rib wits prav~ to be unnecessary for mast, if not alt, pressurized beverages 20 packaged in the container 50. 'thus, as shown, only a tight circurrrferantiai ~t between the annular flange ~7 of the dust cover 12 and the opening 26 in the spout 2Q of the main closure element iZ should ba sufficient to seal the junction therebetween, Ta that end, however, a lower edge of the annular flange is provided with an upwardly and outwardly tapered free edge 47a to 25 facilitate insertion of the annular flange 47 into the opening 28.
Although the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the present invention as of the filing date hereof has been shown and described herein, it wilt be apparent to thane skilled In the art that suitable modifications, variations, and equivalents may be made without departing 30 from the scope of the invention, such scope being limited solely by the terms of the following claims and the legal equivalents thereof.
Claims (12)
1. A dispensing closure for a beverage container, said dispensing closure comprising:
a main closure element, said main closure element having an annular skirt that is adapted to engage an exterior of a finish of a container, an annular top panel that is adapted to span an end of the finish, and an annular spout coaxial with and surrounding an opening in the top panel and extending from the top panel away from the finish of the container; and a cup-shaped dust cover, said dust cover haying a skirt that surrounds an exterior of the annular spout of the main closure element, an imperforate top panel that closes an end of the dust cover, and an annular flame that depends from the top panel to sealingly engage an opening in the annular spout in s first position of the dust cover relative to this main closure element, said dust cover being removable from the main closure element by relative motion between the dust cover and the main closure element to permit dispensing of a beverage within the container through the opening and the annular spout of the main closure element.
a main closure element, said main closure element having an annular skirt that is adapted to engage an exterior of a finish of a container, an annular top panel that is adapted to span an end of the finish, and an annular spout coaxial with and surrounding an opening in the top panel and extending from the top panel away from the finish of the container; and a cup-shaped dust cover, said dust cover haying a skirt that surrounds an exterior of the annular spout of the main closure element, an imperforate top panel that closes an end of the dust cover, and an annular flame that depends from the top panel to sealingly engage an opening in the annular spout in s first position of the dust cover relative to this main closure element, said dust cover being removable from the main closure element by relative motion between the dust cover and the main closure element to permit dispensing of a beverage within the container through the opening and the annular spout of the main closure element.
2. A dispensing closure according to claim 1 wherein;
said main closure element is molded in a single piece from a suitable thermoplastic material.
said main closure element is molded in a single piece from a suitable thermoplastic material.
3. A dispensing closure according to claim 2 wherein:
said dust cover is molded in a single piece from a suitable thermoplastic material.
said dust cover is molded in a single piece from a suitable thermoplastic material.
4. A dispensing closure according to claim 1 wherein said main closure element is provided with an integral, molded sealing rib that depends downwardly and inwardly from an underside of said top panel and being adapted to sealingly engage a rim of the container when the dispensing closure is closingly applied to the container.
5. A dispensing closure according to claim 2 wherein;
the annular skirt of said main closure element is provided with a depending marginal portion attached to an upper portion of said skirt, and a spaced plurality of frangible bridges connecting said upper portion to said depending marginal portion, said depending marginal portion being adapted to engage an annular bead on a neck of the container when the dispensing closure is closingly applied to the container and to remain with the container upon removal or attempted removal of the main closure element from the container, as a result of the rupture of the frangible bridges, to provide a visible indication of a removal or attempted removal of the main closure element from the container.
the annular skirt of said main closure element is provided with a depending marginal portion attached to an upper portion of said skirt, and a spaced plurality of frangible bridges connecting said upper portion to said depending marginal portion, said depending marginal portion being adapted to engage an annular bead on a neck of the container when the dispensing closure is closingly applied to the container and to remain with the container upon removal or attempted removal of the main closure element from the container, as a result of the rupture of the frangible bridges, to provide a visible indication of a removal or attempted removal of the main closure element from the container.
6. A dispensing closure according to claim 2 wherein:
said main closure element is molded by compression or injection molding.
said main closure element is molded by compression or injection molding.
7. A dispensing closure according to claim 3 wherein:
said dust cover is molded by compression or injection molding.
said dust cover is molded by compression or injection molding.
8. A package comprising a liquid-filled container having a neck portion and a dispensing closure closingly applied to said neck portion of said container, said dispensing closure comprising:
a main closure element, said main closure element having an annular skirt that surrounds and engages an exterior of the finish of the container, an annular tap panel spanning an end of the finish, and an annular spout surrounding and coaxial with an opening in the top panel and extending from the top panel away from the finish of the container; and a cup-shaped dust saver, said dust cover having a skirt that surrounds an exterior of the annular spout of the main closure element, an imperforate top panel that closes an end of the dust cover, and an annular flange that depends from the top panel to sealingly engage an opening in the annular spout in a first position of the dust covet relative to the main closure element, said dust cover being removeable from the main closure element by relative motion between the dust cover and the main closure element to permit dispensing of the beverage within the container through the opening in the annular spout of the main closure element.
a main closure element, said main closure element having an annular skirt that surrounds and engages an exterior of the finish of the container, an annular tap panel spanning an end of the finish, and an annular spout surrounding and coaxial with an opening in the top panel and extending from the top panel away from the finish of the container; and a cup-shaped dust saver, said dust cover having a skirt that surrounds an exterior of the annular spout of the main closure element, an imperforate top panel that closes an end of the dust cover, and an annular flange that depends from the top panel to sealingly engage an opening in the annular spout in a first position of the dust covet relative to the main closure element, said dust cover being removeable from the main closure element by relative motion between the dust cover and the main closure element to permit dispensing of the beverage within the container through the opening in the annular spout of the main closure element.
9. A package according to claim 8 wherein:
said male closure element of said dispensing closure is molded in a single pleas from a suitable thermoplastic material.
said male closure element of said dispensing closure is molded in a single pleas from a suitable thermoplastic material.
10. A package according to claim 8 wherein:
said dust cover of said dispensing closure is molded in a single piece from a suitable thermoplastic material,
said dust cover of said dispensing closure is molded in a single piece from a suitable thermoplastic material,
11. A package according to claim 9 wherein:
said main closure element is provided with an integral molded sealing rib that depends downwardly and inwardly from an underside of said top panel and sealingly engages a rim of the container when the dispensing closure is closingly applied to the container.
said main closure element is provided with an integral molded sealing rib that depends downwardly and inwardly from an underside of said top panel and sealingly engages a rim of the container when the dispensing closure is closingly applied to the container.
12. A package according to claim 9 wherein:
the annular skirt of the main closure element of the dispensing closure is provided with a depending marginal portion attached to an upper portion of said skirt, and a spaced plurality of frangible bridges connecting said upper portion to said depending marina! portion, said depending marginal portion engaging an annular bead on the neck of the container when the dispensing closure is closingly applied to the container to remain with the container if and when the main closure element is removed from the container, as a result of the rupture of the frangible bridges, to provide a visible indication of a removal or attempted removal of the main closure elements from the container.
the annular skirt of the main closure element of the dispensing closure is provided with a depending marginal portion attached to an upper portion of said skirt, and a spaced plurality of frangible bridges connecting said upper portion to said depending marina! portion, said depending marginal portion engaging an annular bead on the neck of the container when the dispensing closure is closingly applied to the container to remain with the container if and when the main closure element is removed from the container, as a result of the rupture of the frangible bridges, to provide a visible indication of a removal or attempted removal of the main closure elements from the container.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US5844502A | 2002-01-28 | 2002-01-28 | |
| US10/058,445 | 2002-01-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2416670A1 true CA2416670A1 (en) | 2003-07-28 |
Family
ID=22016839
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002416670A Abandoned CA2416670A1 (en) | 2002-01-28 | 2003-01-20 | Dispensing closure and package incorporating same |
Country Status (12)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1332977A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2003231544A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1438159A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2003200168A1 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR0300256A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2416670A1 (en) |
| CO (1) | CO5420202A1 (en) |
| HU (1) | HUP0300171A2 (en) |
| MX (1) | MXPA03000805A (en) |
| PL (1) | PL358448A1 (en) |
| RU (1) | RU2003102245A (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA200300713B (en) |
Families Citing this family (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2435038B (en) * | 2003-08-04 | 2008-05-21 | Abacus | Closure with frangible tamper-evident band |
| IE20040076A1 (en) * | 2004-02-09 | 2005-08-10 | Loctite R & D Ltd | A dispensing nozzle and cap |
| NZ538172A (en) * | 2005-02-10 | 2007-08-31 | Vin Singlz Ltd | Liquids packaging |
| JP4762598B2 (en) * | 2005-04-28 | 2011-08-31 | 株式会社吉野工業所 | Extractor with protective cover |
| JP5111738B2 (en) * | 2005-04-28 | 2013-01-09 | 株式会社吉野工業所 | Extractor with protective cover |
| BR112018076514B1 (en) * | 2016-06-20 | 2023-02-23 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | TWO-PART LID CONFIGURED TO HIT ON A CONTAINER |
| USD861415S1 (en) | 2016-06-20 | 2019-10-01 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Lid |
| USD836395S1 (en) | 2017-06-02 | 2018-12-25 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Container |
| USD836974S1 (en) | 2017-06-02 | 2019-01-01 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Container |
| USD844383S1 (en) | 2017-06-02 | 2019-04-02 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Container |
| USD844382S1 (en) | 2017-06-02 | 2019-04-02 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Container |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5320260A (en) * | 1993-03-09 | 1994-06-14 | Magenta Corporation | Syrup dispenser |
| FR2749829B1 (en) * | 1996-06-12 | 1998-08-07 | Nord Est Dev | POURING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CAPPING CAP AND A POURING BODY |
| AUPQ002599A0 (en) * | 1999-04-28 | 1999-05-20 | Closures And Packaging Services Limited | Closure with push-pull resealable cap |
| FR2806386B1 (en) * | 2000-03-14 | 2002-06-07 | Rical Sa | CAPPING DEVICE COMPRISING A POURER AND A CAPSULE, PARTICULARLY FOR BOTTLES CONTAINING CARBONATE BEVERAGES |
-
2003
- 2003-01-20 HU HU0300171A patent/HUP0300171A2/en unknown
- 2003-01-20 CA CA002416670A patent/CA2416670A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-01-21 AU AU2003200168A patent/AU2003200168A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-01-21 CO CO03003411A patent/CO5420202A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-01-24 PL PL03358448A patent/PL358448A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-01-27 CN CN03120096A patent/CN1438159A/en active Pending
- 2003-01-27 ZA ZA200300713A patent/ZA200300713B/en unknown
- 2003-01-27 RU RU2003102245/12A patent/RU2003102245A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-01-27 EP EP03250476A patent/EP1332977A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2003-01-27 MX MXPA03000805A patent/MXPA03000805A/en unknown
- 2003-01-28 JP JP2003018807A patent/JP2003231544A/en active Pending
- 2003-01-28 BR BR0300256-0A patent/BR0300256A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2003200168A1 (en) | 2003-08-14 |
| HUP0300171A2 (en) | 2003-11-28 |
| BR0300256A (en) | 2003-09-09 |
| CO5420202A1 (en) | 2004-07-30 |
| RU2003102245A (en) | 2004-08-10 |
| PL358448A1 (en) | 2003-08-11 |
| ZA200300713B (en) | 2003-08-22 |
| CN1438159A (en) | 2003-08-27 |
| JP2003231544A (en) | 2003-08-19 |
| HU0300171D0 (en) | 2003-03-28 |
| EP1332977A1 (en) | 2003-08-06 |
| MXPA03000805A (en) | 2004-10-29 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |