EP0625948B1 - A resealable cap - Google Patents
A resealable cap Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0625948B1 EP0625948B1 EP94905487A EP94905487A EP0625948B1 EP 0625948 B1 EP0625948 B1 EP 0625948B1 EP 94905487 A EP94905487 A EP 94905487A EP 94905487 A EP94905487 A EP 94905487A EP 0625948 B1 EP0625948 B1 EP 0625948B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cap
- seal
- flange
- vial
- wall
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
- B65D41/16—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers
- B65D41/18—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers non-metallic, e.g. made of paper or plastics
- B65D41/185—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers non-metallic, e.g. made of paper or plastics with integral internal sealing means
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- 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
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/72—Contents-dispensing means
- B65D5/74—Spouts
- B65D5/746—Spouts formed separately from the container
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- 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
- B65D55/00—Accessories for container closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D55/16—Devices preventing loss of removable closure members
Definitions
- the present invention relates to sealing structures for pour spouts and vials; and more particularly to a seal and method for releasably sealing a cap onto a structure such as a pour spout or vial.
- Resealable caps are well known in the art. Such caps may be used on gabled top containers and brick type containers. See Figures 11 and 12, respectively, of U.S. Patent No. 5,108,029. In addition, caps of a similar style have been used to seal vials of different sizes and shapes. See, for example, Figure 4 of U.S. Patent No. 4,783,056. Such caps are convenient because they form a liquid-tight seal and can be repeatedly opened and closed easily.
- such caps are frequently integrally connected to the structure that they are intended to seal.
- they may be connected by a flexible flange that allows the cap to pivot from an opened position to a sealed position.
- annular seal may be provided within the cap in order to form an annular gap between the seal and the outer rim of the cap.
- the annular gap is designed to receive an upper edge of the container onto which the cap is sealed.
- fitting the upper edge of the container wall tightly within the annular gap creates difficulties.
- the upper edge of the container wall may improperly contact the annular seal or outer rim of the cap, thus bending or damaging the seal, the outer rim of the cap, or the upper edge of the container wall.
- the annular gap is too narrow, the upper edge of the container wall may not fit properly within the gap, thus also creating problems with the seal.
- Caps of the type to which the present invention relates are generally injection molded from plastic.
- the invention provides a fluid-tight seal arrangement for a resealable cap for use with a vial comprising:
- a known vial and cap arrangement is disclosed. Specifically the vial and cap illustrated in Figure 1 is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,783,056, which issued on November 8, 1988.
- a vial 10 is connected to a cap 12 by means of a flange 14.
- An annular seal 16 is provided on the inside of the cap 12 in order to define a corresponding annular gap 18.
- the annular gap 18 is designed to accommodate the upper edge 20 of the vial 10.
- a recess 22 is formed in the flange 14 to facilitate the bending of the flange 14 during the process of transferring the cap 12 to the top of the vial 10.
- the recess 22 is intended to weaken the flange 14 at a particular point so that bending of the flange 14 is encouraged in the region of the recess 22.
- alignment of the upper edge 20 of the vial wall with the annular gap 18 is facilitated.
- Such alignment reduces the number of incidents where the tip of the annular seal 16 abuts directly against the upper edge 20 of the vial wall thus damaging either the annular seal 16 or the upper edge 20 of the wall. Such damage would reduce the effectiveness of the seal between the cap and the vial.
- the recess 22 in the flange 14 does not always adequately guide the cap 12 onto the vial.
- the flange 14 has been further modified.
- a flange 114 interconnects a vial 110 with a cap 112.
- a recess 122 is provided in the flange 114 to facilitate bending of the flange at a particular location.
- an elongated ridge 124 extends across most of the flange 114.
- the ridge 124 is preferably parallel to the recess 122 and preferably extends perpendicularly across the flange 114.
- the ridge 124 stiffens a portion of the flange 114 adjacent the recess 122.
- the combination of the ridge 124 and the recess 122 functions so as to more precisely direct the bending of the flange 114 to ensure proper alignment of the cap 112 on the edge 120 of the wall of the vial 110 when the cap is being moved to seal the vial.
- the improved alignment of the cap with the end wall of the vial minimizes the number of occurrences in which the seal 116 of the cap improperly contacts the upper edge 120 of the vial wall so as to damage either the cap or the vial wall.
- the performance of the seal of the cap to the vial is greatly improved.
- the ridge 124 further functions so as to engage with a shoulder in the mold in which the vial and cap are formed. By engaging the shoulder of the mold, the ridge 124 prevents the flange 114 from slipping in the mold because of buckling of the vial. Thus, the ridge 124 helps to ensure that the cap 112 aligns properly on the vial 110.
- a spout 210 includes a lower end 226 that fits within the container and retains the spout in place on the container.
- the cap 212 includes an annular seal 216 that forms an annular gap 218 between the seal 216 and the outer peripheral wall 228 of the cap.
- the annular gap 218 is designed to accommodate the upper edge 220 of the spout 210.
- the spout 210 is integrally attached to the cap 212 by a flange 214.
- the flange 214 includes a recess 222 and an elongated ridge 224 to direct the bending of the flange 214 to a preferred location.
- the recess 222 provides a weak region in the flange 214 while the ridge 224 provides a strengthened region.
- the recess 222 and the ridge 224 coact so as to ensure the proper alignment of the cap 212 on the upper edge 220 of the spout 210.
- the upper edge 236 of the seal has been truncated to a flat surface.
- the inner edge 232 of the seal 216 has been changed from substantially normal to the inner surface 238 of the cap to a surface that intersects the inner cap surface 238 at an angle of approximately 450°.
- the outer edge 234 of the seal 216 is similarly angled with respect to the inner cap surface 238. The angle formed by the outer edge 234 may be between 30° and 60°, but is preferably 45°.
- the outer edge 234 includes a very small portion 240 that extends perpendicularly to the inner cap surface 238. In the preferred embodiment, the small portion 240 extends for only about 0.003 inches.
- the improved seal 216 preferably has a height of approximately 0.018 inches and a width of approximately 0.041 inches.
- the width of the seal is at least twice the height of the seal in the preferred embodiment.
- the inner peripheral wall 228 has also been modified to improve the seal.
- the wall 228 now includes a first section 246 that is normal to the inner cap surface 238 and extends for approximately 0.017 inches.
- a second section 244 continues from the first section at an angle of approximately 26°.
- the second section 244 ends at a distance of approximately .040 inches from the inner cap surface 238.
- the tip 236 of the seal 216 ends at approximately the same height as the end of the first section 246 of the wall 228.
- a third wall section 242 extends out from the first wall section 246 by a distance of approximately 0.011 inches.
- a fourth wall section 248 extends away from the third wall section at an angle of approximately 31°.
- a result of the configuration of the wall sections is that there is a protruding ridge extending from the inner peripheral wall 228 of the rim 230.
- the protruding ridge coacts with the annular seal 216 to control the movement of the upper edge 220 of the spout 210 when the cap 212 is being sealed onto the spout 210.
- the edge contacts the cap 212 at three difference points: (1) along the first wall section 246, (2) along the second wall section 244, and (3) at the outer wall 234 of the seal 216.
- the three point contact helps to assure a fluid-tight seal.
- the upper edge 220 may contact the cap 212 at other locations in addition to the three points listed above.
- the cap 312 includes an annular seal 316 that forms an annular gap 318 between the seal 316 and the outer peripheral wall 328 of the cap.
- the annular gap 318 is designed to accommodate the upper edge 320 of the vial 310.
- the vial 310 is integrally attached to the cap 312 by a flange 314.
- the flange 314 includes a recess 322 and an elongated ridge 324 to direct the bending of the flange 314 to a preferred location.
- the recess 322 provides a weak region in the flange 314 while the ridge 324 provides a strengthened region.
- the recess 322 and the ridge 324 coact so as to ensure the proper alignment of the cap 312 on the upper edge 320 of the vial 310.
- the upper edge 336 of the seal has been truncated to a flat surface.
- the inner edge 332 of the seal 316 intersects the inner cap surface 338 at an angle of approximately 45°.
- the outer edge 334 of the seal 316 is similarly angled with respect to the inner cap surface 338. The angle formed by the outer edge 334 may be between 30° and 60°, but is preferably 45°.
- the outer edge 334 includes a very small portion 340 that extends perpendicularly to the inner cap surface 338. In the preferred embodiment, the small portion 340 extends for only about 0.003 inches.
- the improved seal 316 preferably has a height of approximately 0.018 inches and a width of approximately 0.041 inches.
- the width of the seal is at least twice the height of the seal in the preferred embodiment.
- the inner peripheral wall 328 includes a first section 346 that is normal to the inner cap surface 338 and extends for approximately 0.017 inches.
- a second section 344 continues from the first section at an angle of approximately 26°.
- the second section 344 ends at a distance of approximately .040 inches from the inner cap surface 338.
- the tip 336 of the seal 316 ends at approximately the same height as the end of the first section 346 of the wall 328.
- a third wall section 342 extends out from the first wall section 346 by a distance of approximately 0.011 inches.
- a fourth wall section 348 ( Figure 6) extends away from the third wall section 342 at an angle of approximately 31°.
- a result of the configuration of the wall sections is that there is a protruding ridge extending from the inner peripheral wall 328 of the rim 330.
- the protruding ridge coacts with the annular seal 316 to control the movement of the upper edge 320 of the vial 310 when the cap 312 is being sealed onto the vial 310.
- the edge contacts the cap 312 at three difference points: (1) along the first wall section 346, (2) along the second wall section 344, and (3) at the outer wall 334 of the seal 316.
- the three point contact helps to assure a fluid-tight seal.
- the upper edge 320 may contact the cap 312 at other locations in addition to the three points listed above.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
- Materials For Medical Uses (AREA)
- Pens And Brushes (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to sealing structures for pour spouts and vials; and more particularly to a seal and method for releasably sealing a cap onto a structure such as a pour spout or vial.
- Resealable caps are well known in the art. Such caps may be used on gabled top containers and brick type containers. See Figures 11 and 12, respectively, of U.S. Patent No. 5,108,029. In addition, caps of a similar style have been used to seal vials of different sizes and shapes. See, for example, Figure 4 of U.S. Patent No. 4,783,056. Such caps are convenient because they form a liquid-tight seal and can be repeatedly opened and closed easily.
- For purposes of convenience, such caps are frequently integrally connected to the structure that they are intended to seal. For example, they may be connected by a flexible flange that allows the cap to pivot from an opened position to a sealed position.
- In order to enhance the seal between the cap and the structure or container onto which the cap is fastened, an annular seal may be provided within the cap in order to form an annular gap between the seal and the outer rim of the cap. The annular gap is designed to receive an upper edge of the container onto which the cap is sealed. In order to obtain a good, liquid-tight seal between the container and the cap, it is preferable that the upper edge of the container wall fit tightly within the annular gap. However, fitting the upper edge of the container wall tightly within the annular gap creates difficulties. Specifically, if the cap is not properly aligned with the container immediately prior to closing, the upper edge of the container wall may improperly contact the annular seal or outer rim of the cap, thus bending or damaging the seal, the outer rim of the cap, or the upper edge of the container wall. In addition, if the annular gap is too narrow, the upper edge of the container wall may not fit properly within the gap, thus also creating problems with the seal.
- Caps of the type to which the present invention relates are generally injection molded from plastic.
- The invention provides a fluid-tight seal arrangement for a resealable cap for use with a vial comprising:
- (a) a flange integrally connecting the cap to the vial, the flange including a recess to direct bending of the flange with proper alignment of the cap on an upper edge of the vial, the recess extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flange,
- (b) an annular seal extending from the inner cap surface, the annular seal
including an inner edge and an outer edge, the outer edge of the seal extending toward
the inner cap surface at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, the annular seal being
concentric with respect to the inner peripheral wall of the cap so as to form a gap
between the outer edge of the seal and the inner peripheral wall for receiving an upper
edge of a rim of the vial, the inner peripheral wall of the cap including first and second
sections, the first section being normal to the inner cap surface and the second section
forming a ridge that protrudes from the first section for contacting the upper edge of the
rim of the vial, characterised in that
- (1) the flange includes an elongate ridge which extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flange;
- (2) the annular seal has a truncated top surface,
- (3) the inner edge of the seal intersects the inner cap surface at an angle of approximately 45 degrees,
- (4) the width of the seal at its base is at least twice the height of the seal,
- (5) the first section of the inner peripheral wall of the cap is substantially the
same height as the seal so that the truncated top surface of the seal ends at
approximately the same height as the end of the first section of the wall,
whereby the annular seal design and inner wall arrangement result in the upper edge of the rim of the vial contacting the cap at least along the first wall section, along the second wall section and at the outer seal wall when the upper edge is sealed within the cap.
The first section is substantially the same height as the seal means, and extends
substantially perpendicular to the inner cap surface. -
-
- Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a known vial and cap.
- Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cap connected to a vial with a flange constructed according to the present invention.
- Figure 3 is a perspective view of a known gabled top container having a pour spout mounted thereon.
- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a spout and cap according to the present invention.
- Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 4.
- Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a vial and cap according to the present invention.
- Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 6.
-
- With reference to Figure 1, a known vial and cap arrangement is disclosed. Specifically the vial and cap illustrated in Figure 1 is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,783,056, which issued on November 8, 1988. According to the known arrangement, a
vial 10 is connected to acap 12 by means of aflange 14. Anannular seal 16 is provided on the inside of thecap 12 in order to define a correspondingannular gap 18. Theannular gap 18 is designed to accommodate theupper edge 20 of thevial 10. - A
recess 22 is formed in theflange 14 to facilitate the bending of theflange 14 during the process of transferring thecap 12 to the top of thevial 10. Specifically, therecess 22 is intended to weaken theflange 14 at a particular point so that bending of theflange 14 is encouraged in the region of therecess 22. By attempting to direct the bending of theflange 14, alignment of theupper edge 20 of the vial wall with theannular gap 18 is facilitated. Such alignment, of course, reduces the number of incidents where the tip of theannular seal 16 abuts directly against theupper edge 20 of the vial wall thus damaging either theannular seal 16 or theupper edge 20 of the wall. Such damage would reduce the effectiveness of the seal between the cap and the vial. - The subject matter of U.S. Patent No. 4,783,056 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
- However, it has been found that the
recess 22 in theflange 14 does not always adequately guide thecap 12 onto the vial. To further facilitate the bending of theflange 14 so that thecap 12 accurately aligns itself on theedge 20 of the wall of thevial 10, theflange 14 has been further modified. - Turning attention now to Figure 2, an improved version of the flange is illustrated. A
flange 114 interconnects avial 110 with acap 112. Arecess 122 is provided in theflange 114 to facilitate bending of the flange at a particular location. In addition to therecess 122, anelongated ridge 124 extends across most of theflange 114. Theridge 124 is preferably parallel to therecess 122 and preferably extends perpendicularly across theflange 114. Theridge 124 stiffens a portion of theflange 114 adjacent therecess 122. The combination of theridge 124 and therecess 122 functions so as to more precisely direct the bending of theflange 114 to ensure proper alignment of thecap 112 on theedge 120 of the wall of thevial 110 when the cap is being moved to seal the vial. The improved alignment of the cap with the end wall of the vial minimizes the number of occurrences in which theseal 116 of the cap improperly contacts theupper edge 120 of the vial wall so as to damage either the cap or the vial wall. As a result, the performance of the seal of the cap to the vial is greatly improved. - The
ridge 124 further functions so as to engage with a shoulder in the mold in which the vial and cap are formed. By engaging the shoulder of the mold, theridge 124 prevents theflange 114 from slipping in the mold because of buckling of the vial. Thus, theridge 124 helps to ensure that thecap 112 aligns properly on thevial 110. - Turning attention to Figure 3, it can be seen that the type of cap and flange arrangement used with the vial of Figure 2, can also be used with a spout arrangement for a gabled top container. The subject matter of U.S. Patent 5,108,029 and pending U.S. application serial no. 07/07/753,855 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
- An enlarged view of a spout and cap for use with such a gable top container is illustrated in Figure 4. A
spout 210 includes alower end 226 that fits within the container and retains the spout in place on the container. Thecap 212 includes anannular seal 216 that forms anannular gap 218 between theseal 216 and the outerperipheral wall 228 of the cap. Theannular gap 218 is designed to accommodate theupper edge 220 of thespout 210. - The
spout 210 is integrally attached to thecap 212 by aflange 214. Theflange 214 includes arecess 222 and anelongated ridge 224 to direct the bending of theflange 214 to a preferred location. As set forth above with respect to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, therecess 222 provides a weak region in theflange 214 while theridge 224 provides a strengthened region. Therecess 222 and theridge 224 coact so as to ensure the proper alignment of thecap 212 on theupper edge 220 of thespout 210. - Other improvements have been made to the cap to ensure optimum sealing with the upper edge of the wall of the structure onto which the cap is seated. The portion of the cap illustrated in Figure 4 that is identified by
circle 5 is enlarged and illustrated more clearly in Figure 5. As illustrated in Figure 5, both the shape of theannular seal 216 and the innerperipheral wall 228 of therim 230 of thecap 212 have been modified. - Specifically, with respect to the
seal 216, theupper edge 236 of the seal has been truncated to a flat surface. In addition, theinner edge 232 of theseal 216 has been changed from substantially normal to theinner surface 238 of the cap to a surface that intersects theinner cap surface 238 at an angle of approximately 450°. Similarly, theouter edge 234 of theseal 216 is similarly angled with respect to theinner cap surface 238. The angle formed by theouter edge 234 may be between 30° and 60°, but is preferably 45°. At the base of theseal 216, theouter edge 234 includes a verysmall portion 240 that extends perpendicularly to theinner cap surface 238. In the preferred embodiment, thesmall portion 240 extends for only about 0.003 inches. - In addition, the height to width ratio of the
seal 216 has been changed. Theimproved seal 216 preferably has a height of approximately 0.018 inches and a width of approximately 0.041 inches. Thus, the width of the seal is at least twice the height of the seal in the preferred embodiment. However, it should be understood that not only the specific height and width of the seal may vary, but also the ratio of the height to width may vary. - The inner
peripheral wall 228 has also been modified to improve the seal. Thewall 228 now includes afirst section 246 that is normal to theinner cap surface 238 and extends for approximately 0.017 inches. Asecond section 244 continues from the first section at an angle of approximately 26°. Thesecond section 244 ends at a distance of approximately .040 inches from theinner cap surface 238. Thus, thetip 236 of theseal 216 ends at approximately the same height as the end of thefirst section 246 of thewall 228. - Because of the angle of the
second wall section 244, athird wall section 242 extends out from thefirst wall section 246 by a distance of approximately 0.011 inches. Afourth wall section 248 extends away from the third wall section at an angle of approximately 31°. - A result of the configuration of the wall sections is that there is a protruding ridge extending from the inner
peripheral wall 228 of therim 230. The protruding ridge coacts with theannular seal 216 to control the movement of theupper edge 220 of thespout 210 when thecap 212 is being sealed onto thespout 210. When theupper edge 220 is sealed within thecap 212, the edge contacts thecap 212 at three difference points: (1) along thefirst wall section 246, (2) along thesecond wall section 244, and (3) at theouter wall 234 of theseal 216. The three point contact helps to assure a fluid-tight seal. Of course, theupper edge 220 may contact thecap 212 at other locations in addition to the three points listed above. - Although the modifications to the
cap 212 have been illustrated on a cap that is fixed to a container spout, the same principles apply equally to a cap for use with a vial of the type illustrated in Figure 2. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate such a vial and cap. - The
cap 312 includes anannular seal 316 that forms anannular gap 318 between theseal 316 and the outerperipheral wall 328 of the cap. Theannular gap 318 is designed to accommodate theupper edge 320 of thevial 310. - The
vial 310 is integrally attached to thecap 312 by aflange 314. Theflange 314 includes arecess 322 and anelongated ridge 324 to direct the bending of theflange 314 to a preferred location. As set forth above with respect to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, therecess 322 provides a weak region in theflange 314 while theridge 324 provides a strengthened region. Therecess 322 and theridge 324 coact so as to ensure the proper alignment of thecap 312 on theupper edge 320 of thevial 310. - The portion of the
cap 312 illustrated in Figure 6 that is identified by circle 7 is enlarged and illustrated more clearly in Figure 7. - Specifically, with respect to the
seal 316, the upper edge 336 of the seal has been truncated to a flat surface. In addition, theinner edge 332 of theseal 316 intersects theinner cap surface 338 at an angle of approximately 45°. Similarly, theouter edge 334 of theseal 316 is similarly angled with respect to theinner cap surface 338. The angle formed by theouter edge 334 may be between 30° and 60°, but is preferably 45°. At the base of theseal 316, theouter edge 334 includes a verysmall portion 340 that extends perpendicularly to theinner cap surface 338. In the preferred embodiment, thesmall portion 340 extends for only about 0.003 inches. - The
improved seal 316 preferably has a height of approximately 0.018 inches and a width of approximately 0.041 inches. Thus, the width of the seal is at least twice the height of the seal in the preferred embodiment. However, it should be understood that not only the specific height and width of the seal may vary, but also the ratio of the height to width may vary. - The inner
peripheral wall 328 includes afirst section 346 that is normal to theinner cap surface 338 and extends for approximately 0.017 inches. A second section 344 continues from the first section at an angle of approximately 26°. The second section 344 ends at a distance of approximately .040 inches from theinner cap surface 338. Thus, the tip 336 of theseal 316 ends at approximately the same height as the end of thefirst section 346 of thewall 328. - Because of the angle of the second wall section 344, a
third wall section 342 extends out from thefirst wall section 346 by a distance of approximately 0.011 inches. A fourth wall section 348 (Figure 6) extends away from thethird wall section 342 at an angle of approximately 31°. - A result of the configuration of the wall sections is that there is a protruding ridge extending from the inner
peripheral wall 328 of the rim 330. The protruding ridge coacts with theannular seal 316 to control the movement of theupper edge 320 of thevial 310 when thecap 312 is being sealed onto thevial 310. When theupper edge 320 is sealed within thecap 312, the edge contacts thecap 312 at three difference points: (1) along thefirst wall section 346, (2) along the second wall section 344, and (3) at theouter wall 334 of theseal 316. The three point contact helps to assure a fluid-tight seal. Of course, theupper edge 320 may contact thecap 312 at other locations in addition to the three points listed above.
Claims (1)
- A fluid-tight seal arrangement for a resealable cap for use with a vial comprising:(a) a flange integrally connecting the cap to the vial, the flange including a recess (222,322) to direct bending of the flange with proper alignment of the cap on an upper edge of the vial, the recess extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flange,(b) an annular seal (216,316) extending from the inner cap surface(238,328), the annular seal including an inner edge (232,332) and an outer edge (234,334), the outer edge of the seal extending toward the inner cap surface at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, the annular seal being concentric with respect to the inner peripheral wall (246,346) of the cap so as to form a gap between the outer edge of the seal and the inner peripheral wall for receiving an upper edge of a rim of the vial, the inner peripheral wall of the cap including first and second sections (246,244,346,344), the first section (246,346) being normal to the inner cap surface and the second section (244,344) forming a ridge that protrudes from the first section for contacting the upper edge of the rim of the vial, characterised in that(1) the flange includes an elongate ridge (224,324) which extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flange;(2) the annular seal has a truncated top surface (236,336),(3) the inner edge of the seal intersects the inner cap surface at an angle of approximately 45 degrees,(4) the width of the seal at its base is at least twice the height of the seal,(5) the first section (246,346) of the inner peripheral wall of the cap is substantially the same height as the sea] (216,316) so that the truncated top surface (236,336) of the seal ends at approximately the same height as the end of the first section of the wall,
whereby the annular seal design and inner wall arrangement result in the upper edge of the rim of the vial contacting the cap at least along the first wall section, along the second wall section and at the outer seal wall when the upper edge is sealed within the cap.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US99278092A | 1992-12-18 | 1992-12-18 | |
US992780 | 1992-12-18 | ||
PCT/US1993/012490 WO1994014665A1 (en) | 1992-12-18 | 1993-12-20 | A reseasable cap |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0625948A1 EP0625948A1 (en) | 1994-11-30 |
EP0625948A4 EP0625948A4 (en) | 1997-01-29 |
EP0625948B1 true EP0625948B1 (en) | 2000-04-26 |
Family
ID=25538727
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP94905487A Expired - Lifetime EP0625948B1 (en) | 1992-12-18 | 1993-12-20 | A resealable cap |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0625948B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE192103T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU5958094A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69328473T2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1994014665A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1995009774A1 (en) * | 1993-10-05 | 1995-04-13 | Capitol Spouts, Inc. | A resealable cap |
US5723085A (en) * | 1994-10-14 | 1998-03-03 | Capitol Vial, Inc. | Process and apparatus for making a leak proof cap and body assembly |
CA2327335A1 (en) | 1997-10-06 | 1999-04-15 | Capital Vial | A method and apparatus for automatically opening and closing vial lids |
US6769558B1 (en) | 1999-08-31 | 2004-08-03 | Csp Technologies, Inc. | Leakproof, resealable container and cap assembly |
US6303064B1 (en) | 2000-01-24 | 2001-10-16 | Capitol Vial, Inc. | Process and apparatus for making a leakproof plastic container by completely ejecting from a mold and transferring to a cap closing station |
US7413083B2 (en) | 2002-04-11 | 2008-08-19 | Csp Technologies, Inc. | Desiccant vial assembly for effervescent tablets |
US20040169045A1 (en) | 2002-10-28 | 2004-09-02 | Giraud Jean Pierre | Application and assembly suited for use as a disposable leak proof child drinking cup |
EP2070840B1 (en) | 2003-10-02 | 2013-04-10 | Capitol Plastic Products, LLC | Container with pill dispensing insert |
US7472797B2 (en) | 2004-07-28 | 2009-01-06 | Capitol Vial Inc. | Container for collecting and storing breast milk |
US7712610B2 (en) | 2006-10-26 | 2010-05-11 | Lifescan Scotland Limited | Sensor vial having a deformable seal |
US8783485B2 (en) | 2007-11-16 | 2014-07-22 | Clariant Production (France) S.A.S. | Container |
US8540115B2 (en) | 2009-03-05 | 2013-09-24 | Csp Technologies, Inc. | Two-shell and two-drawer containers |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
BE512730A (en) * | 1951-07-03 | |||
US3470930A (en) * | 1968-01-12 | 1969-10-07 | Us Tobacco Co | Container and closure therefor |
US4420089A (en) * | 1982-07-28 | 1983-12-13 | Walker Charles B | Container closure having child-safety means |
US4635823A (en) * | 1985-05-09 | 1987-01-13 | Gene Stull | Dispensing closure construction |
CH675410A5 (en) * | 1987-11-13 | 1990-09-28 | Alfatechnic Ag | Hinged plastic bottle cap - with hinged guarantee strip and piercing tool |
US5108029A (en) * | 1990-02-16 | 1992-04-28 | Capitol Spouts, Inc. | Reclosable attachment for containers |
US5199635A (en) * | 1990-02-16 | 1993-04-06 | Capital Spouts, Inc. | Container having reclosable pour spout mounted thereon |
-
1993
- 1993-12-20 AT AT94905487T patent/ATE192103T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-20 AU AU59580/94A patent/AU5958094A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-12-20 EP EP94905487A patent/EP0625948B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-12-20 WO PCT/US1993/012490 patent/WO1994014665A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1993-12-20 DE DE69328473T patent/DE69328473T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0625948A4 (en) | 1997-01-29 |
EP0625948A1 (en) | 1994-11-30 |
AU5958094A (en) | 1994-07-19 |
ATE192103T1 (en) | 2000-05-15 |
WO1994014665A1 (en) | 1994-07-07 |
DE69328473D1 (en) | 2000-05-31 |
DE69328473T2 (en) | 2000-09-07 |
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