Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
  • A47G19/00—Table service
  • A47G19/24—Shakers for salt, pepper, sugar, or the like
• • 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
  • B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
  • B65D47/26—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with slide valves, i.e. valves that open and close a passageway by sliding over a port, e.g. formed with slidable spouts
  • B65D47/28—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with slide valves, i.e. valves that open and close a passageway by sliding over a port, e.g. formed with slidable spouts having linear movement
  • B65D47/286—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with slide valves, i.e. valves that open and close a passageway by sliding over a port, e.g. formed with slidable spouts having linear movement between planar parts

Definitions

• This invention pertains generally to self-closing dispensers, and more particularly to self-closing dispensers utilizing integrally formed resilient members to urge the cap of the container into a closed position.
• the instant invention contemplates several embodiments of a self-closing dispenser characterized by inexpensiveplastic resilientmembers that functionsatisfactorily as springs for the life of the container.
• Such resilient members may be integrally molded with the cap, or may be integrally molded with a sealing plate that fits into the mouth of the container, or may be formed in numerous other ways.
• the instant self-closing dispenser relies upon cooperating tongues and grooves, or rails, or similar arrangements, that force the cap with its dispensing apertures to seat snugly upon the sealing plate disposed atop the neck of the container so that the contents of the container cannot leak, seep, or otherwise be trapped therebetween. Also, the snug seating of the cap upon the container inhibits moisture from entering the container and damaging the contents thereof.
• the ' instant self-closing dispenser may be used to dispense one, or several, distinct ingredients from the container, either simultaneously or alternatively.
• the container is divided by vertically extending partitions into distinct chambers for each individual ingredient.
• the instant self-closing dispenser may assume diverse forms, and is directly applicable to all types of dispensers that can be opened with a sliding motion.
• the container may be formed of plastic, glass, or metal, or combinations thereof, and in a variety of sizes and shapes.
• the cap and the integral resilient members are executed in plastic and are integrally formed.
• the self-closing dispenser may also find application as a child-resistant closure.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a self-closing dispenser constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention, the dispenser being shown in its normal, closed position;
• FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the cap shifted from its normal closed position to an opened position;
• FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, with fragments of the cap and container broken away to reveal a resilient member;
• FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cap and the upper portion of the container of FIG. 3, such view being taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3 and in the direction indicated;
• FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a first alternative embodiment of the self-closing dispenser
• FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the cap and container of FIG. 5, such view being taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5 and in the direction indicated, and showing the normal closed position for the dispenser;
• FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the cap shifted from its normal closed position to its opened position;
• FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a second alter ⁇ native embodiment of a cap and the upper portion of a container, such view showing the cap in its normal closed position;
• FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cap and container of FIG. 8, such view being taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8 and in the direction indicated;
• FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a third alter ⁇ native embodiment of a cap and the upper portion of a container
• FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fourth alternative embodiment of a cap and a portion of a container
• FIG. 12 is a fragmentary detailed view, on an enlarged scale, of the relationship between an aperture in the cap of FIG. 11 and an aperture in the underlying sealing plate;
• FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fifth alter ⁇ native embodiment of a cap and the upper portion of a container, the cap being shown in its normal, closed position;
• FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13, but showing the cap shifted from its normal closed position to one of its opened positions;
• FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 13, but showing the cap shifted from its normal closed position to the other of its opened positions;
• FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but showing a sixth alternative embodiment of a cap and the upper portion of a container, the cap being shown in its normal, closed position;
• FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but showing a seventh alternative embodiment of a cap and the upper portion of a container, the cap being shown in its normal, closed position;
• FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but showing an eight alternative embodiment of a cap and the upper portion of a container, the cap being shown in its normal, closed position;
• FIG. 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 18, but taken along line 19-19 in FIG. 18 and in the direction indicated. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREPBRRET. EMBODIMENT
• FIGS. 1-4 depict a container 20 with a cap 22 operatively associated therewith.
• Cap 22 comprises an upper surface and a depending skirt.
• Several apertures 24 extend through the upper surface of the cap 22 for discharging or dispensing the contents of the container.
• Container 20 is executed in plastic, and is substantially rectangular, when viewed in horizontal cross-section. Talcum powder, flour, condi ⁇ ments, or other powdery substances might be stored within the container 20.
• a first arcuate shoulder 26 is formed at one side of the upper end of the container, and a second, identical shoulder 28 is formed at the opposite side.
• One side wall 32 projects upwardly above the shoulder 28.
• a horizontally extending sealing plate 34 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, extends across the mouth at the upper end of the neck and seals same.
• Several apertures 36 extend through plate 34. However, apertures 36 are normally not aligned with apertures 24, as suggested by the dotted lines in FIG. 4, but normally overlie the continuous sections of plate 34.
• End wall 38 of the neck extends between side walls 30, 32 to complete the neck on one side, and a second end wall (not shown) completes the neck on the opposite end.
• a resilient, integrally formed leaf spring 46 is molded with the neck, or is otherwise secured thereto. One end of spring 46 extends away from end wall 38 in cantilever fashion, as shown in FIG. 3.
• a first groove 48 and a second groove 50 are separated by land 52 defined in side wall 30 of the neck, as shown in FIGS. 3-4.
• grooves 54 and 56, separated by land 58 are defined in side wall 32.
• Inwardly projecting tongues 60 and 62 in one wall of the skirt of the cap 22 fit into grooves 48, 50, while inwardly projecting tongues 64, 66 in the opposite wall of the skirt of cap 22 fit into grooves 54, 56.
• the tongues fit securely into the grooves, so that the lower edges of the skirt of the cap are drawn toward shoulders 26, 28 of the container 20, and the underside of cap 22 presses against plate 34 seated on the neck of the container.
• the self-closing dispenser shown in FIGS. 1-4 functions in the following manner.
• the container 20 is seated in an upright position, and cap 22 is biased by leaf spring 46 to its closed, sealed position.
• the apertures 24 in cap 22 are not aligned with the apertures 36 in plate 34 so that the contents of the container cannot be dispensed, nor can moisture readily enter the interior of the container to degrade the contents.
• the cap presses snugly against plate 34 so that material cannot be trapped therebetween.
• FIGS. 5-7 illustrate a first alternative embodiment of the self-closing dispenser.
• a cap 70 is seated upon the neck 72 of a container 74, only a fragment of the container being shown.
• Several apertures 76 extend clearly through the cap, and similarly, apertures 78 extend clearly through the plate 80 located at the upper end of the neck.
• Plate 80 may be a separate member, or plate 80 may be integrally molded with the neck of the container.
• a leaf spring 82 is integrally molded with the neck of the container, and the spring normally biases the cap 70 to its closed position wherein the apertures 76 and 78 are out of alignment, as shown in FIG. 6, by exerting a force against the skirt of the cap.
• a first groove 84 is formed on the neck of the container 74, and a second groove 86 is formed parallel thereto.
• a land 88 separates the two grooves.
• Tongues 90, 92 project inwardly from the cap and fit snugly into the grooves 84, 86.
• Land 94 is situated between the tongues, and rides along land 88 on the neck of the container.
• An identical pattern of grooves and lands is formed on the opposite side of the neck (not shown) . The tongues and grooves draw the cap 70 snugly against the sealing plate and force the skirt of the cap to travel parallel to, but spaced from, the arcuate shoulders 96, 97 of the container.
• FIGS. 5 and 6 show the cap 70 in its normal, closed position wherein apertures 76 are positioned over solid or unbroken sections of plate 80 and out of alignment with apertures 78.
• the contents of container 74 cannot be dispensed or discharged, and moisture cannot enter the container.
• Spring 82 presses against the skirt of cap 70 to maintain this closed, sealed relationship.
• the user When the user wishes to dispense some, or all, of the contents of the container, he presses his thumb against the cap with sufficient force to compress and overcome the bias of spring 82 and shift the cap leftward, as shown in FIG. 7.
• the tongues and grooves defined between the neck 72 of the container and the cap 70. enable the cap to slide relative to shoulders 96, 97 until the apertures 76 and 78 are aligned.
• the contents of the container can then be discharged by inverting the container. shaking and/or squeezing same.
• the spring 82 restores the cap to its normal, sealed position.
• FIGS. 8 and 9 depict another manner of forming the resilient member, such as a plastic cantilevered leaf spring, that biases the cap into its home position atop the container.
• leaf spring 46 is integrally molded with the neck of the container and plate 34 is molded apart from the neck of the container.
• leaf spring 82 and disc 80 in the first alternate embodiment of FIGS. 5-7. In both instances, the plate fits within and seals off the upper end of the container.
• FIGS. 8 and 9 employs a unique sealing plate indicated generally by reference numeral 98.
• the plate 98 which is a unitary plastic molding, comprises a horizontal plate 100, depending flanges 102, 104, 106, 108, and a leaf -spring 110.
• the flanges are press fit within the opening, or mouth, at the upper end of the neck 112 of the container 114, and the cap 116 fits thereover.
• At least one aperture 118 extends clear through the cap, and at least one aperture 120 extends through the plate.
• the spring 110 extends into a cavity defined between the neck of the container and the skirt of the cap to normally bias the cap 116 to a closed position, whereby apertures 118, 120 are out of alignment.
• a first groove 122 is formed in one wall of neck 112, and a second, identical groove 124 is formed in the opposite wall.
• a tongue 126 formed on one interior wall of cap 116 fits within groove 122, and a second tongue 128 fits within groove 124. The tongues and grooves draw the cap 116 down toward, but spaced from, shoulders 130, 132 formed at the intersection of the neck and body of container 114.
• the cap 116 is normally biased by spring 110 into its normal, closed position, as shown in FIG. 8.
• the cap In response to the application of manual pressure by the user, such as by pressing his thumb against the cap 116, the cap is shifted until apertures 118, 120 are in alignment. The container is then inverted and the contents are discharged. upon releasing the manual pressure, the spring 110 automatically returns the cap to its normal, closed position.
• FIG. 10 illustrates another self-closing dispenser that functions with a sliding motion.
• a cap 134 with one or more apertures 136 fits over the neck 138 of a container 140.
• a plate 142 seals the upper end of the neck 138 and apertures 144 extend through the plate.
• a first resilient pad 146 is secured between the cap and the neck of the container.
• a second resilient pad 147 is located diametrically opposite to the first pad.
• the pads may be formed of sponge-like material, or of a rubbery, resilient material. The pads 146, 147 bias the apertures 136 in the cap out of alignment with the apertures 144 in the plate 142 in the container.
• the user wishes to dispense some, or all, of the contents of the container 140, he presses against the skirt, of cap 134 and depresses one of the pads 146, 147 until the apertures 136, 144 are in alignment and then inverts, and shakes, the dispenser.
• the resilient pads 146, 147 will automatically return the cap to its closed position as soon as the manual force is released from the cap.
• FIG. 11 depicts another alternative embodiment of the self- closing dispenser.
• the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 and the first alternative embodiment of FIGS. 5-7 utilize a leaf spring molded integrally with the neck of the container
• the second alternative embodiment of FIGS. 8-9 utilizes a sealing plate with an integrally molded spring
• the embodiment of FIG. 11 relies upon a pair of leaf springs molded integrally with the cap. More specifically, the cap 148 has a first leaf spring 150 and a second, oppositely acting leaf spring 152 molded in its interior. The free ends of the resilient springs 150, 152 engage opposite side walls of the neck 154 of the container 156.
• the springs cooperate to center the cap 148 relative to the container, so that apertures 158 in the cap will normally be out of alignment with the apertures 160 in the plate 162 situated atop the neck of the container.
• the two springs insure that the cap can be shifted with equal ease by a right-handed person, or a left-handed person, and still, automatically, return to a closed position.
• FIG. 12 shows, on a greatly enlarged scale, the relationship between an aperture 158 in cap 148 and an aperture 160 in plate 162. The apertures are shown in alignment, and the aperture 160 is larger than the aperture in the cap to facilitate dispensing.
• FIGS. 13-15 show yet another alternative embodiment of the self-closing dispenser, which finds particular application to selectively, or alternatively, dispensing two different products from the same container.
• the container may dispense salt or pepper.
• the container may dispense mustard or catsup, or other condiments.
• a cap 164 is seated upon the neck 166 of a container 168, only a fragment of the container being shown. At. least one centrally situated aperture 170 extends clear through the cap, and apertures 172, 174 extend clear through the plate 176 situated at the upper end of the neck. Plate 176 may be formed as a separate member that is secured to the neck, and serve to center the cap on top of the container 168.
• a vertically extending partition 182 extends through the center of the container, and divides the container into a first compartment 184 and a second compartment 186. As noted previously, different materials may be retained in each compartment.
• a first groove 187 is formed on the neck of the container, and a second groove 188 is formed parallel thereto.
• a land 190 separates the two grooves.
• Tongues 192, 194 project inwardly from the cap and fit snugly into the grooves 187, 188.
• Land. 196 is situated between the tongues, and rides along land 190 on the neck of the container.
• An identical pattern of grooves and lands is formed on the opposite side of the neck (not shown) .
• the tongues and grooves draw the cap 164 toward the arcuate shoulders 198, 199 of the container.
• FIG. 13 shows the cap 164 biased to its normal, closed position by the forces applied by leaf springs 178, 180.
• Aperture 170 is held out of alignment with apertures 172 and 174.
• FIG. 14 shows the cap 164 shifted leftward against the biasing force of spring 180, which has been pressed toward the neck of the container by the application of a manual force.
• Aperture 170 is aligned with aperture 172, so that the contents of compartment 184 can be dispensed.
• Aperture 174 is covered by cap 164 and the contents of compartment 186 cannot be dispensed at the same time.
• FIG. 15 shows the cap 164 shifted leftward against the biasing force of spring 178, which has been pressed toward the neck of the container by the application of an oppositely directed manual force.
• Aperture 170 is aligned with aperture 174, so that the contents of compartment 186 can be dispensed.
• Aperture 172 is covered by cap 156 and the contents of compartment 184 cannot be dispensed at the same time.
• the preferred embodiment of the self-closing dispenser shown in FIGS. 1-4, and the several alternative embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-15, rely upon tongues and grooves, with interspersed lands, defined between the interior surfaces of the cap and the exterior surfaces of the neck of the container to insure the desired, and necessary, sliding movement of the cap relative to the container, or vice versa.
• the lands serve as bearing surfaces between the cap and the neck of the container.
• the tongues, the grooves,and the interspersed lands follow a curved path that approximates the curvature at the upper end of the container.
• the tongues and grooves can be replaced by other cooperating members, or by diverse other tongue and groove shapes and sizes without impairing the successful operation of the self-closing dispenser.
• the interspersed lands can be omitted.
• FIG. 16 illustrates a cap 200 with apertures 202 defined therethrough.
• a first rail 204 projects inwardly from the interior surface of one side wall of the cap, and a second, identical rail 206 projects inwardly from the opposite interior surface of the opposing side wall of the cap.
• a sealing plate 208 closes off the upper end of the neck 210 of container 212, and apertures 214 extend through the plate 208.
• Rail 204 rides upon rail 216 defined in one side wall of neck 210, while rail 206 rides along an identical rail 218.
• the cap 200 is slid relative to container 212 to place apertures 202 and 214 in alignment so that the contents of the container can be discharged, or dispensed.
• the integrally formed resilient springs for biasing the cap to its closed position are not visible in FIG. 16.
• FIG. 17 shows another alternative embodiment wherein the cap 300 is formed with apertures 302 and inwardly extending rails 304, 306 of arcuate shape.
• the container 308 includes a neck 310 which is closed at its upper end by plate 312. Apertures 314 extend through the plate and rails 316, 318 are formed on the neck of the container.
• the rails 316, 318 are shaped to accept rails 304, 306.
• the cap 300 is moved in a sliding fashion relative to container 308 as rails 304, .306 ride along rails 316, 318, or vice versa.
• FIGS. 18-19 show another alternative embodiment wherein the cap 400 is formed with apertures 402 and inwardly extending rails 404, 406.
• the container 408 includes a neck 410 which is closed at its upper end by plate 412. Apertures 414 extend through the plate and complementary rails 416, 418 are formed on the neck of the container.
• the cap is moved in a sliding fashion relative to container 408 as tongues 404, 406 ride along tongues 416, 418, and vice versa.
• An integrally formed leaf spring 420 biases the cap to assume a normal, closed position wherein the apertures 402, 414 are out of alignment.
• the tongues and grooves can be reversed, and the shapes, and number, of the tongues and grooves can be altered.
• the lands interspersed between the tongues and grooves are not needed, in all instances.
• the sizes, shape, and number of overlapping rails can be altered.
• the path defined by the tongues and grooves, and by the overlapping rails may be linear in shape, rather than arcuate, as shown in FIG. 20.
• the sealing plate may be formed integrally with the neck of the container, or a membrane may be used in lieu of the sealing plate.
• the container can be divided into more than two compartments, if needed. Consequently, the appended claims should not be limited to their exact terms, but should be construed broadly in a manner commensurate with the scope of the instant invention.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (3)

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ID=24618992

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

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Citations (3)

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• 1985
  • 1985-09-20 CA CA000491282A patent/CA1240637A/en not_active Expired
  • 1985-09-20 EP EP19850904916 patent/EP0195812B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1985-09-20 DE DE8585904916T patent/DE3575664D1/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1985-09-20 JP JP50429085A patent/JPS62500233A/ja active Pending
  • 1985-09-20 WO PCT/US1985/001796 patent/WO1986001700A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1985-09-20 AU AU49547/85A patent/AU572706B2/en not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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