CN113165777A

CN113165777A - System for improving access to liquids in plastic containers and cap assemblies

Info

Publication number: CN113165777A
Application number: CN201980061683.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: K·坎贝尔; D·肖尔; K·鲁克维纳
Original assignee: KW CONTAINER
Current assignee: KW CONTAINER
Priority date: 2018-07-20
Filing date: 2019-07-19
Publication date: 2021-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-19
Also published as: EP3823906A4; MX2021000789A; EP3823906A1; CA3106314A1; CL2021000132A1; WO2020018937A1; BR112021000656A2; US20210261302A1; CN113165777B

Abstract

The present invention is a system for improving access to liquid in a plastic container and cap assembly to reduce pouring time and eliminate dry liquid in the rim of the plastic container caused by pouring the liquid over the rim of the plastic container. The present invention uses two liquid-tight seals formed between the pour spout wall on the lid and the sealing channel on the plastic cap. Special structures are provided on the cap and the spout wall to form a liquid-tight seal when the cap is screwed onto the spout wall.

Description

System for improving access to liquids in plastic containers and cap assemblies

Statement regarding related applications

This application claims priority and full benefit from U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/701,199, entitled "Lid for a Plastic Container for fluids Comprising a Pour Spout and a Cap" (Lid for Plastic Container for fluids) "and filed on 7/20.2018 and the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This application also claims priority and full benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/753,882, filed on 31/10/2018 and entitled "Lid for a Plastic Container for fluids Comprising a Pour Spout and a Cap" (Lid dispensing and Cap for a Plastic Container for fluids) "and the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to plastic containers for liquids, and more particularly to structures for pouring liquids from plastic containers.

Drawings

The invention may be better understood by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary lid, shown along line 1-1 drawn in FIG. 5, including a spout wall with an installed and sealed cap and a minor axis of one embodiment of a rotating grip.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1 depicting the spout wall and installed cap, but with the remainder of the lid embodiment cut away.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary lid taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 5, including the long axis of one embodiment of the pour spout wall with the cap installed and sealed and the rotating grip.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3 depicting the spout wall and attached cap, but with the remainder of the lid embodiment cut away.

Fig. 5 is a top view of an exemplary lid with a rotating grip in an embodiment where the cap is mounted and sealed on the pour spout wall.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary lid having a rotating grip and a pour spout wall and cap in one embodiment.

7A-7B are further enlarged views of a portion of the exemplary FIGS. 1-4 depicting the liquid-tight contact of the spout wall and the cap.

Fig. 7C depicts an embodiment that differs from the embodiment of fig. 7A-7B.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a system for improving access to one embodiment of a plastic container and lid assembly, including a container in the shape of a rectangular prism, a lid having a spout wall, and a cap without a rotating grip and spout wall in an exploded view. The external cap thread 14 is shown in dashed lines on the inside of the sealing channel 15. A handle 33 for the container is also depicted.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cap having a rough texture that includes a notch on the exterior of the sealing channel.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the lid and rim of the container and the structure therein is the same as fig. 1 of U.S. patent No. 8,985,383, which is also incorporated herein in its entirety.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates to a removable lid 1 for a plastic container 1A for liquids, comprising a pouring spout wall 3 and a cap 2. The spout wall and cap improve liquid delivery over the more prevalent manner of pouring from plastic containers (i.e., by removing the cap from the entire container). Instead, the present invention allows liquid to be dispensed from a container with a more controlled pour, so that liquid waste when dispensing liquid is reduced. Furthermore, the present invention reduces or prevents the occurrence of paint filling the U-shaped receiving channel 26A in the rim 26 when the paint is poured over the rim after the entire lid has been removed, and thus prevents the paint filling the receiving channel 26A of the rim where the liquid paint will subsequently dry and make it more difficult to replace the lid. The present invention thus provides a better long-term fit of the cap 1 on the container 1A. That is, the present invention allows the receiving channel 26A of the rim 26 to remain clear of paint and ensures a tighter and more secure replacement fit of the lid and rim after dispensing of paint. The spout wall 3 and cap 2 also allow for the addition of liquids, mixing of liquids, or dispensing of liquids from a container without the need for tools to remove the cap or cap. Further, caps smaller than lids are easier and faster to remove and replace than lids, and this aspect allows paint shop personnel to add color and mix paint more quickly than when removing and replacing a traditional lid into the receiving channel of the rim.

Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example in fig. 1-10. It should be noted that all terms used herein are given their ordinary meaning as is known in the art and as further described and discussed below. In this specification and in the claims which follow, reference will be made to a number of terms which shall be defined to have the following meanings:

as used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the "inner" position or surface of a component or structure is with respect to the centerline of the container or the center point of the lid. For example, the inner surface or wall may point or face towards the centerline of the container or the center point of the lid.

As used herein, the "outer" position or surface of a component or structure is with respect to the centerline of the container or the center point of the lid. For example, the outer surface or wall may be directed away from a centerline of the container or a center point of the lid, or directed away from a centerline of the container or a center point of the lid.

The present invention comprises a removable lid for a plastic container for liquids, the lid comprising a pour spout and a cap. The pour spout and cap may include a two-point system such that the contact created by the two-point system provides a fluid-tight seal, as described in more detail herein.

The present disclosure relates to a plastic container for loading, storing, transporting and/or dispensing liquids. The liquid may be any liquid or material having liquid properties such that it can flow. In an exemplary case, the liquid may be paint. In embodiments where the liquid is paint, the invention allows for the colouring of the paint without the use of tools to effect removal of the lid or cap, so as to reduce the time involved in the colouring. The container may be constructed of plastic or any other suitable material and may be cylindrical or rectangular prism, or any other shape suitable for containing, storing, loading, transporting and/or dispensing liquids.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 1 along line 1-1 in fig. 5 and 6, the container is cylindrical and the removable lid 1 is circular and comprises a cap 2, the cap 2 being configured to be mounted on and sealed to the spout wall 3. In one embodiment, cap 2 may include a rotating grip 6, an example of which is shown in fig. 1. The rotating grip 6 may comprise any shape so that a user can grip the rotating grip 6 and screw the cap 2 onto the pouring spout wall 3 or off the pouring spout wall 3. The rotating grip 6 may comprise a long axis and a short axis in cross-section, as shown in fig. 1-6. The rotating grip 6 may be raised above the cap surface 5 or in another embodiment may be a recess (not shown) in the cap surface 5. Fig. 1 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of the cap 1, where the short axis of the rotating grip 6 is shown, which is elevated above the cap surface 5. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the pouring spout wall 3 and the cap 2 shown in the embodiment in fig. 1. The rotating grip 6 may comprise at least one vertical wall 9, which may be raised from the cap surface 5 as shown in fig. 1, or may be a recess. Although an example of turning the grip portion 6 is provided above, turning the grip portion 6 may not be required, as shown in fig. 8-9.

The cap 2 comprises a cap surface 5, which cap surface 5 may in an embodiment be planar and parallel to the lid 1 and the bottom of the container when the cap 2 is sealed on the pouring spout wall of the lid 1. Additionally, in other embodiments the cap surface 5 need not be planar. In one embodiment, the cap surface 5 may be recessed downwardly from the highest point of the rotating grip portion 6 and be integral with the bottom of the at least one vertical wall 9.

In different embodiments, the lid 1 may be circular, rectangular in shape, or any shape so that it may cover an open area at the top of the container. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 1 the cover 1 is circular in shape. The lid 1 comprises a lid surface 7 and sometimes a second lid surface 8, one of which is integral with the lower end 23 of the pouring spout wall 3. In an additional embodiment, the lid 1 may comprise a second lid surface 8, which is integral with the lid surface 7 and the lower end 23 of the pouring spout wall 3. The pouring spout wall 3 defines an opening in a circular shape. In one embodiment, the first protrusion 16 protrudes from an inner surface at or near the bottom 24 of the spout wall 3. In another embodiment, the upper channel 4 is located on the edge of the cover 1. The upper channel 4 is integral with a cover surface 7, which cover surface 7 in one embodiment extends inwardly from the upper channel 4 to a second cover surface 8 (as shown in the embodiment of fig. 1), or in an additional embodiment (not shown) the cover surface 7 may extend inwardly from the upper channel 4 to the pouring spout wall 3. In embodiments without the second cover surface 8, the cover surface 7 is integral with the upper channel 4 on one side and with the lower end of the pouring spout wall 3 on the other side.

In embodiments where the container is cylindrical, as shown in fig. 3, the lid 1 is circular and comprises a cap 2, the cap 2 being configured to be engaged on the spout wall 3 and sealed to the spout wall 3. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view at line 3-3 in fig. 5. The cap 2 is circular in shape. The cap 2 may include a rotating grip 6, as shown in the exemplary embodiment. The rotating grip 6 may comprise any shape so that a user can grip the rotating grip 6 and screw the cap 2 onto the pouring spout wall 3 or off the pouring spout wall 3. The rotating grip 6 may include a long axis and a short axis, as shown in fig. 1-6. Fig. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the cap 1 along the long axis of the rotating grip 6 along line 3-3 in fig. 5. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the pouring spout wall and cap 2 shown in the embodiment in fig. 3. The rotating grip 6 may comprise at least one vertical wall 9 rising above the cap surface 5 as shown in fig. 1-6, or the vertical wall may extend below the cap surface 5 when the rotating grip is in a recessed embodiment. Other embodiments need not have a rotating grip 6. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 9, a rough texture 25 on the edge of the sealing channel also provides additional grip to supplement or replace the rotating grip. As shown in this figure, the rough texture may constitute a notch or in other embodiments may be a ridge, upper channel, stripe, or any other means for increasing friction between the user's hand and the edge of the cap 2.

Cap 2 comprises a cap surface 5, which cap surface 5 may be parallel to the bottom of the lid 1 and the container when the cap 2 is sealed on the pouring spout wall 23 of the lid 1. The cap surface 5 may be recessed downwards from the highest point of the rotating grip 6 and be integral with the bottom of the at least one vertical wall 9. The cap surface may be substantially planar in one embodiment, but need not be planar in all embodiments.

In different embodiments, the lid 1 may be circular, rectangular in shape or of any shape so that it can cover the opening of the cross section of the container 1A, it may be cylindrical, rectangular prismatic or of any other suitable shape. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 3, which is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 in fig. 5, the cover 1 is circular in shape. The lid 1 comprises a lid surface 7 and in such an embodiment a second lid surface 8 integral with the lower end of the pouring spout wall 3. The pouring spout wall 3 defines an opening of circular shape. In one embodiment, the first protrusion 16 protrudes at or near the bottom 24 of the inner surface of the spout wall 3. The upper channel 4 is located near the edge of the cover 1. The upper channel 4 is integral with a cover surface 7, which cover surface 7 may extend inwardly from the upper channel 4 to a second cover surface 8, as shown in the embodiment in fig. 3. In another embodiment without the second lid surface 8, the lid surface 7 extends inwardly from the upper channel 4 to the pouring spout wall 3 (not shown). Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of fig. 3.

In the embodiment of the circular cap 1 shown in fig. 5, the top view of the cap 1 on a cylindrical container depicts a cross section 1-1 corresponding to fig. 1 and a cross section 3-3 corresponding to fig. 3. In such an embodiment, cross-section 1-1 depicts the minor axis of the rotating grip 6, and cross-section 3-3 depicts the major axis of the rotating grip 6. The cap 2 in fig. 5 is mounted by screwing onto the pouring spout wall 3, and in such an embodiment both the cap 2 and the pouring spout wall 3 are positioned off-centre with respect to the centre point of the lid 1. Cap 2 and pouring spout wall 3 may be positioned in any location on the lid, for example, closer to the edge of lid 1, closer to the center point of lid 1, or centered on the center point of lid 1. Cap 2 and pouring spout wall 3 may comprise dimensions ranging from slightly smaller than the dimensions of lid 1 to about one quarter of the dimensions of lid 1.

In one embodiment shown in fig. 6, a circular cover 1 is shown with an exploded view of the cap 2. In such an embodiment, the cap 2 comprises an external cap thread 14 and the pouring spout wall 3 comprises an internal cap thread 13. The inner and

outer cap threads

13, 14 are complementarily configured so that the outer cap thread 14 on the cap can be screwed onto the inner cap thread 14 on the pouring spout wall 3 or off the inner cap thread 14 on the pouring spout wall 3. The inner and

outer cap threads

13, 14 may each comprise any complementary shape such that the outer cap thread 14 is locked in place closely adjacent to the inner cap thread 13. In one embodiment, both the inner and

outer cap threads

13, 14 have the cross-sectional shape of an irregular pyramid. When the cap is screwed on, contact between the inner and outer cap threads secures the cap to the spout wall.

One embodiment of the cap 1 is depicted in fig. 7A and 7B as being circular and they are enlarged views of the locking mechanism as shown in fig. 1-4. Fig. 7A depicts the cap in a pre-installed position, wherein the first protrusion is in an uncompressed state. Fig. 7B depicts the cap in an installed and sealed position (with the first protrusion in a compressed state), and depicts two liquid-tight seals resulting from the cap being installed on the spout wall, as shown within

circles

21 and 22. The embodiment of fig. 7A (uninstalled) is the same as the embodiment of fig. 7B (installed). In fig. 7B, the cap 2 and the pouring spout wall 3 are in the mounted position of the cap, comprising a two-point system for producing a liquid-

tight contact

21, 22 between the pouring spout wall 3 and the cap 2, providing a liquid-tight seal, as described in more detail below and as shown in the two

areas

21, 22 in fig. 7B. The cap 2 comprises a sealing channel 15 on the edge of the cap 2. The sealing channel 15 comprises an inner wall 10, an outer wall 12 and an upper wall 11 connecting the top of the inner wall 10 with the top of the outer wall 12, wherein the inner wall 10 is integral with the edge of the cap surface 5 near its lower end, the outer wall 12 having an external cap thread 14 protruding into a space 26 defined by the sealing channel 15. The upper portion 17 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15 is inclined outwards to enable the sealing channel to be wedged against the upper portion 20 and the coupling 19 of the pouring spout wall 3. In one embodiment, the top portion 18 of the pouring spout wall 3 is integral with the coupling 19 and also integral with the upper portion of the pouring spout wall. In the depicted embodiment, the coupling 19 is rounded and it can be of any shape complementary to the structure in the corresponding position of the sealing channel 15. The shape of the sealing channel 15 may be a U-shape with rounded corners or any other shape such that the external cap thread 14 may protrude into and be received within the sealing channel 15 and such that the inner wall 10 joins the edge of the cap surface 5 at or near its lower end. On the pouring spout wall 3 of the lid 1, an internal cap thread 13 protrudes from the outer surface of the pouring spout wall 3.

As shown in fig. 7B, the diameter of the middle portion of the inner wall 10 from the sealing channel 15 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the spout wall 3, although the highest portion of the upper portion 17 of the inner wall 10 may have the same diameter as the spout wall. In such an embodiment, the pouring spout wall 3 and the upper portion 17 of the inner wall 10 are nested against each other, and in this position the outer cap thread 14 is locked into position within the sealing channel 15 below the inner cap thread 13. In another embodiment the inner cap thread can be below the outer cap thread. The locking of the external cap thread 14 and the internal cap thread 13 locks the sealing channel 15 in place on the pouring opening wall 3. The first projection 16 is compressed by the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 so as to form a liquid-tight seal between the cap 2 and the pouring spout wall 3 in the region 22, as circled on fig. 7B. Positioning the edge of the cap surface 5 at or near the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15 provides sufficient force against the inner wall 10 to hold the sealing channel 15 in place against the first protrusion 16 of the spout wall 3. The cap 2 is configured to be screwed onto the pouring spout wall 3 to form liquid-

tight seals

21, 22 and is also configured to be screwed off the pouring spout wall 3 to remove the cap 2.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 7B, the pouring spout wall 3 and the cap 2 together comprise two contacts to provide a liquid-tight seal by having complementary structures abutting each other. One liquid-tight contact in the area 21 comprises the contact between the top 18 of the pouring spout wall and the upper wall 11 of the sealing channel 15 and also between the upper portion 20 of the pouring spout wall 3 and the upper portion 17 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15 and also against the junction 19 where the inner wall 10 and the upper wall 11 join inside the sealing channel 15. The other fluid-tight contact area 22 comprises the contact between the first protrusion 16 and the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 compressing the first protrusion 16. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 herein, the first protrusion 16 protrudes at an approximately 90 ° angle from the bottom 24 of the pour spout wall and is approximately rectangular in cross-section, although the protrusion may comprise other suitable shapes, angles, and configurations.

Fig. 7C depicts another embodiment of the invention in a mounted position, wherein the liquid-tight contact circled in area 22A is different from the liquid-tight contact depicted in area 22 in fig. 7B. In the embodiment of fig. 7C, the contact is made by a first protrusion 16 from the pouring spout wall 3 and also by a second protrusion 16A from the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15. In the embodiment of fig. 7C, the first protrusion 16 may be slightly smaller than the first protrusion 16 in the embodiment of fig. 7, because in fig. 7C, the second protrusion 16A meets the first protrusion 16. Thus, the meeting of the first and

second projections

16, 16A in fig. 7C acts to bridge the gap between the pour spout wall 3 and the inner wall of the sealing channel. In the embodiments of fig. 1-4 and 7A and 7B, only the first protrusion 16 is required.

The shape and location of the first and/or second protrusions are not limited to those depicted in fig. 7A, 7B, and 7C. The liquid-tight contact can be achieved by a combination of shapes in the

positions

16, 16A and 16B, which form a liquid-tight contact between the bottom 24 of the pouring spout wall 3 and the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15. For example, having the first protrusion 16 move from the bottom 24 of the pouring spout wall (as shown in fig. 7A-7B) to the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel will also allow for liquid-tight contact even without the addition of a second protrusion. The first protrusion 16 can be positioned at the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15 and compressed by the bottom 24 of the pouring spout wall 3. In the latter embodiment, the plastic material of the invention is sufficiently flexible to bend sufficiently when the sealing channel 15 is pressed down onto the pouring spout wall 3 and the inner wall 10 slides down against the pouring spout wall. Also in the latter embodiment, the first protrusion positioned on the inner wall 10 will press tightly against the pouring opening wall 3. In other embodiments, the protrusions may be positioned higher on the pouring spout wall 3 and the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel. In addition, the angle and length of the inclined upper portion 17 of the inner wall 10 may be configured to allow the first protrusion on the inner wall 10 to slide down against the spout wall 3. The inclination of the upper portion 17 allows the inner wall itself to wedge against the upper portion 20 of the pouring spout wall, as shown in the circular area 21.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a system for improving access to an embodiment of a plastic container 1A and lid 1 assembly, comprising a container 1A, a lid 1 comprising a pouring spout wall, and a cap 2 in an installed position. In the embodiment shown in fig. 8, the container is a rectangular prism, the lid 1 is rectangular, and the cap 2 does not turn the grip 6.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the lid 2 showing the rough texture 25 on the edge of the sealing channel 15. In such an embodiment, the rough texture is in the form of a recess, although the rough texture may be any feature to increase friction between the user's finger and the cap.

Fig. 10 contains a cross-section of an exemplary upper channel 4 of the lid and rim 26 and its U-shaped receiving channel 26A. Means for attaching the rim to the side wall of the container are shown at 26B.

Claims

1. A system for improving access to liquids in plastic containers and cap assemblies, the system comprising:

a. a plastic container comprising a bottom, at least one sidewall, and a rim comprising a receiving channel,

b. a plastic lid comprising an upper channel for seating in the receiving channel, a lid surface, and a spout wall integral with the bottom and defining an opening in the lid surface, the spout wall comprising an internal cap thread on a first side opposite the opening and a first protrusion located adjacent the bottom on a second side,

c. a plastic cap comprising a cap surface and a sealing channel, the sealing channel comprising an inner wall having a sloped upper portion and an outer wall, the inner wall being integral with an edge of the cap surface near a lower end and the outer wall comprising an external cap thread configured to lock with the internal cap thread,

such that when said plastic cap is screwed onto said spout wall, said internal cap thread and said external cap thread lock, said sealing channel and said spout wall join at a first position adjacent to said inclined upper portion of said inner wall, and in a second position said first protrusion is compressed by said lower end of said inner wall and two liquid-tight seals are formed between said cap and said spout wall.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second protrusion on the inner wall of the sealing channel, such that the first protrusion and the second protrusion join to create one of the two fluid-tight seals when the plastic cap is screwed onto the spout wall.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner wall of the sealing channel has a diameter slightly smaller than a diameter of the pour spout wall.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein when the plastic cap is sealed to the spout wall, the cap surface presses against the inner wall to hold the sealing channel in place.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plastic cap further comprises a rotating grip on the cap surface.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the rotating grip includes a major axis and a minor axis.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the rotating grip is elevated from the cap surface.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the rotating grip is a notch in the cap surface.

9. A plastic lid for a plastic container for liquids, the plastic lid comprising:

a. a lid surface and an upper channel at the rim for seating into the rim of the container,

b. a pour spout wall integral with the bottom and defining an opening in the lid surface, the pour spout wall including an internal cap thread on a first side opposite the opening and a first protrusion located adjacent the base on a second side, and

c. a plastic cap comprising a cap surface and a sealing channel, the sealing channel comprising an inner wall having a bevel and an outer wall, the inner wall being integral with an edge of the cap surface near a lower end and the outer wall comprising an external cap thread configured to lock with the internal cap thread,

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a second protrusion on the inner wall of the sealing channel, such that the first and second protrusions join to create one of the two fluid-tight seals when the plastic cap is screwed onto the spout wall.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the plastic cap further comprises a rotating grip on the cap surface.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the rotating grip includes a major axis and a minor axis.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the rotating grip is elevated from the cap surface.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the rotating grip comprises a notch in the cap surface.