EP0954488A1 - Piercing container cap - Google Patents

Piercing container cap

Info

Publication number
EP0954488A1
EP0954488A1 EP96936756A EP96936756A EP0954488A1 EP 0954488 A1 EP0954488 A1 EP 0954488A1 EP 96936756 A EP96936756 A EP 96936756A EP 96936756 A EP96936756 A EP 96936756A EP 0954488 A1 EP0954488 A1 EP 0954488A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cap
container
locking sheath
locking
assembly
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP96936756A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0954488B1 (en
EP0954488A4 (en
Inventor
Arthur L. Lifshey
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Merck Sharp and Dohme LLC
Original Assignee
Merck and Co Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB9602924.4A external-priority patent/GB9602924D0/en
Application filed by Merck and Co Inc filed Critical Merck and Co Inc
Publication of EP0954488A1 publication Critical patent/EP0954488A1/en
Publication of EP0954488A4 publication Critical patent/EP0954488A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0954488B1 publication Critical patent/EP0954488B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
    • B65D51/20—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing
    • B65D51/22—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure
    • B65D51/221—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure a major part of the inner closure being left inside the container after the opening
    • B65D51/222—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure a major part of the inner closure being left inside the container after the opening the piercing or cutting means being integral with, or fixedly attached to, the outer closure
    • 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
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
    • B65D2251/0015—Upper closure of the 41-type
    • 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
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
    • B65D2251/0078—Lower closure of the 41-type

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a container cap which contains a piercing member.
  • the cap being designed to move first downward and then upward relative to the container to which it is affixed, when it is first rotated in the direction expected to result in removal of the cap.
  • the downward motion allows the piercing member to contact a seal or cover on the container causing the seal or cover to rupture.
  • the upward motion allows for removal of the cap.
  • containers which have, in addition to a screw cap, a seal or film over the opening which is designed to provide security from tampering, reduce bacterial infection or otherwise protect the product.
  • these include sealed containers for medicine, glue and the like where a plastic container top is actually sealed closed during the molding process.
  • Other examples include containers which contain tablets, dry ingredients, oil, or the like, where a foil or plastic film is sealed across the top of the container after the contents have been placed inside. These seals must be punctured or ruptured to gain access to the contents of the container.
  • the container cap presented here avoids the problems associated with the devices discussed by providing a means for first moving the cap in a downward direction relative to the container so that a piercing means within the cap can rupture the seal. Once the downward motion has reached its desired maximum, continued rotation in the same direction results in moving the cap in an upward direction for removal.
  • One of the unique features of this container cap is that the cap is only rotated in one direction, the direction the user expects to effect removal.
  • a container cap assembly which comprises a cap and a locking sheath the assembly having means for first directing the travel of the cap in a downward direction relative to a container to which the container cap is attached, means for attaching the locking sheath to the cap and means for directing the travel of the cap in an upward direction relative to the container to which the container cap is attached, wherein upon rotation in a manner expected to result in removal of the cap assembly from a container to which it is attached, the cap moves first in a downward directive relative to the container and then in an upward direction relative to the container, the upward direction resulting in removal of the cap from the container.
  • the cap may contain a piercing member which is designed to rupture a seal on the top of the container to which the cap assembly is attached.
  • Figure 1 is a side view of the cap which has a piercing member, an inner locking sheath and the top of a container designed to receive the cap.
  • Figure 2 is a cut-away view along a center line through the cap, the inner locking sheath and the top of the container which shows one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 3 consists of four views of the cap.
  • Figure 4 is a side view of the inner locking sheath and the top of the container to which it would ultimately be attached.
  • a container cap assembly which comprises a cap and a locking sheath the assembly having means for first directing the travel of the cap in a downward direction relative to a container to which the container cap is attached, means for attaching the locking sheath to the cap and means for directing the travel of the cap in an upward direction relative to the container to which the container cap is attached, wherein upon rotation in a manner expected to result in removal of the cap assembly from a container to which it is attached, the cap moves first in a downward directive relative to the container and then in an upward direction relative to the container, the upward direction resulting in removal of the cap from the container.
  • One embodiment of the invention includes the container cap assembly which comprises a cap having an inner locking sheath, the cap having a top plate having an inside and outside, and a side wall which is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and joined to the top plate, the side wall enclosing the inside of the top plate, the cap having upper and lower ramp followers and a storage groove; the inner locking sheath having a side wall which is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis, the side wall having an inside and outside surface, the inside surface of the inner locking sheath having screw threads, the screw threads being matable to the threads of a container for which the cap is intended, the screw threads being directed so as to allow for removal of the cap when the container is rotated in a particular direction; the outside surface of the inner locking sheath having an upper ramp and lower ramp directed to guide the cap along a downward path when the cap is rotated, the upper and lower ramps capable of receiving the upper and lower ramp followers, the locking sheath being held in a fixed position relative to the rotation of
  • the container cap assembly is presented as shown in Figure 1 , which comprises a cap (1) having a piercing member (2) and a locking sheath (3), the cap (1) moving first downward and then upward relative to the container (4) when first rotated in the direction used to open the container.
  • a piercing member (2) capable of rupturing a seal (6) on the container during the downward motion may be provided.
  • container cap is meant any covering, stopper, plug or other closing device that could be applied to a container to close off an ingress or egress from the container and which may be removed as desired to provide for such ingress or egress.
  • cap is meant a covering for the container cap assembly which may be gripped and rotated.
  • the cap in the instant device may have one or more “piercing members” which protrudes from inside the cap down towards the opening of the cap.
  • the piercing member is designed to rupture a cover or film protection on a container to which the container cap assembly is affixed.
  • the cap may have certain features such as screw threads or cam followers which allow it to follow a path dictated by suitable threads or cams on the outside of the of locking sheath.
  • the cap may also contain locking means which when actuated, cause the locking sheath to mate with the cap such that the locking sheath is affixed to the cap.
  • the cap Before the locking means and locking sheath interact, the cap is rotateable about the outside of the locking sheath with limited resistance, through a predetermined angular displacement which comprises the angle of actuation.
  • angle of actuation is meant the number of degrees which the cap moves through, before the locking sheath attaches and the cap begins to move upward relative to the container to which it is affixed.
  • the locking sheath is designed to reside inside the cap once the cap travels to the maximum downward position during the initial opening rotation.
  • the locking sheath is in the general shape of a cylinder.
  • the cylinder has an inside surface and an outside surface.
  • the locking sheath has screw threads on its inside surface which mate with the screw threads on the container upon which the container cap is to be used.
  • the locking sheath is held stationary during the downward motion of the cap upon initial rotation of the cap.
  • the locking sheath may be held in place manually or mechanical means may be provided to hold the locking sheath in place while the cap is first rotated and moves in its downward path.
  • Means for holding the locking sheath in place are known to those in the art of container and cap manufacture and include mechanical means which link with the container until being released. These mechanical means include the use of pins, biasing devices, adhesives, welding the locking sheath to the container in such a way that rotation of the cap eventually breaks the weld loose, and other method known to those in the art.
  • the locking sheath also contains locking means for mating the locking sheath to the cap so that once the cap has rotated and moves in the required downward distance relative to the container to which it is affixed, the locking sheath and cap may lock together and move as one unit.
  • locking means include the use of an appendage affixed to the locking sheath which is biased in such a manner that it moves into a gap in the cap and locks when the gap is rotated into a position opposite the appendage.
  • Other methods of mating the locking sheath to the cap such as manual insertion of a pin, friction fitting and others are known in the art and are included with the scope of this invention.
  • Figure 1 shows one preferred embodiment of the instant invention.
  • the container cap assembly comprises a cap (1) having a piercing member (2), and an inner locking sheath (3).
  • the cap has a top plate (11) having an inside (13) and outside (12), and a side wall (14) which is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and joined to the top plate (11) enclosing the inside of the top plate (11 ).
  • a piercing member (2) is affixed to the inside (13) of the top plate (11).
  • An inner locking sheath (3) has a side wall (20) which is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis, the side wall (20) having an inside (21) and outside (22) surface, the inside surface (21 ) of the inner locking sheath (3) having screw threads (25) which are shown in Figure 2.
  • the screw threads (25) are constructed to mate with the threads (5) of a container (4) for which the container cap assembly is intended.
  • the screw threads on the inside surface (25) of the locking sheath (3) are directed so as to allow for removal of the container cap assembly when the container is rotated in a particular direction.
  • the outside surface of the inner locking sheath has an upper ramp(15) and lower ramp (16) to guide the cap (1) along a downward path while the locking sheath (3) is held in a fixed position relative to the rotation of the cap (1).
  • the locking sheath (3) is fixed in position relative to the container (4) by a locking finger (51) which extends from the locking sheath (3) and is inserted into a storage groove (43) in the top of the receiver slot (52).
  • the cap (1) As the cap (1) is rotated in the direction needed to open the container (4), the cap (1) moves downward relative to the container (4) as it follows along the path dictated by the ramps (15) and (16).
  • the cap (1 ) rotation has proceeded a predetermined angular displacement relative to the surface of the inner locking sheath (3), which is also known as the "angle of activation", that distance being determined by the length of the ramps (15) and (16)
  • the locking finger (51) of the locking sheath (3) moves from the groove in the receiver slot (52) to a storage groove (43) in the cap (1) causing the locking sheath (3) to be permanently affixed to the inside of the cap (1).
  • the cap (1) When rupture of a protective seal or film (6) is desired, the cap (1) functions as follows, upon rotation of the cap (1) in a direction which would be expected to cause the cap (1) to move away from the container (4), the cap (1) follows ramps (15) and (16) located on the locking sheath (3) and closes further on the container (4). This down ⁇ ward motion of the cap (1) allows the piercing member (2) to cut through a protective seal or film (6).
  • Protective seal or film (6) is for example a seal or membrane affixed to the top of the container (4) or in some instances it may be a molded section of a container (4) which is thin or brittle enough to be ruptured by the pressure exerted by the piercing member (2).
  • the locking means of the cap (1) engages the inner locking sheath (3) and the inner locking sheath (3) and cap ( 1 ) are mated. Further rotation of the cap (1 ) and inner locking sheath member causes engagement of the threads (3) of the inner surface of the inner locking sheath (3) so that the cap-locking sheath assembly, operating as a single unit, move in a direction away from the container (4) and can be removed.
  • FIG. 3 Three cross-sectional views of a preferred embodiment of the cap portion of the invention are shown in Figure 3. Each view is rotated to show a specific feature of the cap (1).
  • Figure 3(a) shows the cap (1) with the piercing member (2) and at the lower portions of the inside wall of the cap (13) a lower cam follower (40) is shown.
  • Figure 3(b) the upper cam follower (41) is shown.
  • Figure 3(c) one example of a locking means (43) is shown.
  • Figure 3(d) shows all of these features in a plane view of the cap (1).
  • FIG. 4 a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the locking sheath is shown in Figure 4.
  • This view shows a locking finger (51) which is designed to have a springing action and spring away from the center of the locking sheath.
  • the neck of a container (4) designed to receive locking finger (51) in the receiver slot (52) is also shown in Figure 4.
  • Locking finger (51 ) is held in the receiver slot by the walls of the cap until the locking means (43), as shown in Figure 3, of the cap (1) are fully exposed and the locking finger (51) moves into the cap, joining the cap and the locking sheath (3).
  • the locking finger (51) may be biased in such a manner as to promote movement out of the container receiver slot (52) and into the cap locking means (43) to assure that a positive lock is realized.
  • the preferred embodiment of this invention functions as follows. Initially, the locking sheath (3) is screwed or pushed down over the neck of the container. The locking appendage is aligned with and fits into the receiver slot (52) on the neck of the container. Next the cap is pushed over the locking sheath into a position where the locking means (43), as shown in Figure 3, avoids the locking finger (51) and the upper cam followers (41) and lower cam followers (40) are locked into their respective initial angular position on the cams on the locking sheath (3). The cap (1 ) is now in position and ready to be opened.
  • the cap is rotated in the direction that would normally cause the cap to move up the threads and away from the container.
  • the cap since the cap is able to rotate while the locking sheath stays stationary, the cap follows the cams located on the locking sheath and moves downward relative to the top of the container and the piercing means ruptures the protective cover on the container.
  • the cam followers meet with the edge of the locking sheath and the locking appendage matches up with and moves into the locking means in the cap. This results in a permanent and secure mating of the cap and locking sheath and the cap and locking sheath rotate as one unit.
  • Continued rotation in the same direction causes the cap to move upward and away from the top of the container so that the container cap can be unscrewed and removed from the container in the normal manner.
  • the cap and locking sheath once connected, can be reused as a single unit. Once reinstalled, the cap and locking sheath unit behaves in a manner similar to a normal cap. That is, rotation in a manner that would be expected to remove the cap results in movement away from the top of the container only.
  • the ramps or cams on the locking sheath are replaced with screw threads located on the outside surface of the locking sheath.
  • the outside surface screw threads are aligned in the direction opposite to the threads on the inside of locking sheath.
  • screw threads which mate to those on the outside of the locking sheath are found on the inside of the side wall of the cap.
  • the container cap assembly may be of any color desired and may be opaque or clear depending upon the use. For example, a clear, colorless cap may be used if the cap is to be affixed to a container which has a tamper evident seal across the top which is to be ruptured when the cap is first rotated. This would permit inspection of the integrity of the seal by the user before the cap is rotated.
  • the container cap assembly may also be shaped in any manner desired. That is, it may have additional pieces mounted on the cap which allow for easy opening. Other structural designs which would provide for easy gripping are also contemplated in this invention.
  • the top or sides of the container cap assembly may by recessed to accept an insert such as a logo, a color code or printing.
  • the top or sides of the container cap assembly may also be constructed so as to receive printed literature such as package inserts for pharmaceutical products.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Perforating, Stamping-Out Or Severing By Means Other Than Cutting (AREA)
  • Devices For Opening Bottles Or Cans (AREA)
  • Pressure Vessels And Lids Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

A closure device for a container (4) comprising a cap (1) having a piercing member (2) and a locking sheath (3). When the cap (1) is rotated in the direction to open the container (4), the cap (1) moves first downward and then upward relative to a container (4) to which it is affixed. During the downward movement of the cap (1), the piercing member (2) causes rupture of a seal (6) on the container (4) and a means for attaching the locking sheath (3) to the inside of cap (1) affixes the sheath (3) to the cap (1) such that when the rotation of the cap (1) continues the resulting upward motion causes the removal of the cap (1) and locking sheath (3).

Description

ΗTLE OF THE INVENTION PIERCING CONTAINER CAP
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a container cap which contains a piercing member. The cap being designed to move first downward and then upward relative to the container to which it is affixed, when it is first rotated in the direction expected to result in removal of the cap. The downward motion allows the piercing member to contact a seal or cover on the container causing the seal or cover to rupture. The upward motion allows for removal of the cap.
Often, containers are encountered which have, in addition to a screw cap, a seal or film over the opening which is designed to provide security from tampering, reduce bacterial infection or otherwise protect the product. Commonly these include sealed containers for medicine, glue and the like where a plastic container top is actually sealed closed during the molding process. Other examples include containers which contain tablets, dry ingredients, oil, or the like, where a foil or plastic film is sealed across the top of the container after the contents have been placed inside. These seals must be punctured or ruptured to gain access to the contents of the container.
Various devices have been proposed to open such seals and films. Several include puncturing devices located in the center of the cap. These allow for forced screwing of the cap onto the container to allow a piercing member to break the seal. Others rely on a piercing member which is located on the top of the cap. Here the cap is removed from the container, inverted 180 degrees and then a piercing member is pressed onto the seal to effect rupture. Still other devices such as a "can opener" or "spike" are available which are separate from the cap and which can be used to open these sealed containers.
These devices are often cumbersome and require a great degree of manual dexterity. Many are inoperable by those who cannot provide enough pressure to cause the rupture of the seal or film. The container cap presented here avoids the problems associated with the devices discussed by providing a means for first moving the cap in a downward direction relative to the container so that a piercing means within the cap can rupture the seal. Once the downward motion has reached its desired maximum, continued rotation in the same direction results in moving the cap in an upward direction for removal. One of the unique features of this container cap is that the cap is only rotated in one direction, the direction the user expects to effect removal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A container cap assembly is presented which comprises a cap and a locking sheath the assembly having means for first directing the travel of the cap in a downward direction relative to a container to which the container cap is attached, means for attaching the locking sheath to the cap and means for directing the travel of the cap in an upward direction relative to the container to which the container cap is attached, wherein upon rotation in a manner expected to result in removal of the cap assembly from a container to which it is attached, the cap moves first in a downward directive relative to the container and then in an upward direction relative to the container, the upward direction resulting in removal of the cap from the container. The cap may contain a piercing member which is designed to rupture a seal on the top of the container to which the cap assembly is attached.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side view of the cap which has a piercing member, an inner locking sheath and the top of a container designed to receive the cap.
Figure 2 is a cut-away view along a center line through the cap, the inner locking sheath and the top of the container which shows one embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 consists of four views of the cap.
Figure 4 is a side view of the inner locking sheath and the top of the container to which it would ultimately be attached. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A container cap assembly is presented which comprises a cap and a locking sheath the assembly having means for first directing the travel of the cap in a downward direction relative to a container to which the container cap is attached, means for attaching the locking sheath to the cap and means for directing the travel of the cap in an upward direction relative to the container to which the container cap is attached, wherein upon rotation in a manner expected to result in removal of the cap assembly from a container to which it is attached, the cap moves first in a downward directive relative to the container and then in an upward direction relative to the container, the upward direction resulting in removal of the cap from the container.
One embodiment of the invention includes the container cap assembly which comprises a cap having an inner locking sheath, the cap having a top plate having an inside and outside, and a side wall which is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and joined to the top plate, the side wall enclosing the inside of the top plate, the cap having upper and lower ramp followers and a storage groove; the inner locking sheath having a side wall which is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis, the side wall having an inside and outside surface, the inside surface of the inner locking sheath having screw threads, the screw threads being matable to the threads of a container for which the cap is intended, the screw threads being directed so as to allow for removal of the cap when the container is rotated in a particular direction; the outside surface of the inner locking sheath having an upper ramp and lower ramp directed to guide the cap along a downward path when the cap is rotated, the upper and lower ramps capable of receiving the upper and lower ramp followers, the locking sheath being held in a fixed position relative to the rotation of the cap until the ramp followers reach the terminus of the ramps; the locking sheath being fixed in position relative to the container by a locking finger which extends from the locking sheath and is inserted into a groove located in the top of the container; wherein as the cap is rotated in the direction intended to open the container, the cap moves downward relative to the container following the path dictated by the upper and lower ramps until the cap rotates into position over top of the locking finger of the locking sheath, the locking finger then moves from the groove in the container to the storage groove in the cap causing the locking sheath to be permanently affixed to the inside of the cap, continued rotation of the container cap causing the inner locking sheath to rotate with the cap and the assembly moving upward guided by the threads on the locking sheath and container.
The container cap assembly is presented as shown in Figure 1 , which comprises a cap (1) having a piercing member (2) and a locking sheath (3), the cap (1) moving first downward and then upward relative to the container (4) when first rotated in the direction used to open the container. A piercing member (2) capable of rupturing a seal (6) on the container during the downward motion may be provided. By container cap is meant any covering, stopper, plug or other closing device that could be applied to a container to close off an ingress or egress from the container and which may be removed as desired to provide for such ingress or egress.
By "cap" is meant a covering for the container cap assembly which may be gripped and rotated. The cap in the instant device may have one or more "piercing members" which protrudes from inside the cap down towards the opening of the cap. The piercing member is designed to rupture a cover or film protection on a container to which the container cap assembly is affixed. The cap may have certain features such as screw threads or cam followers which allow it to follow a path dictated by suitable threads or cams on the outside of the of locking sheath. The cap may also contain locking means which when actuated, cause the locking sheath to mate with the cap such that the locking sheath is affixed to the cap. Before the locking means and locking sheath interact, the cap is rotateable about the outside of the locking sheath with limited resistance, through a predetermined angular displacement which comprises the angle of actuation. By "angle of actuation" is meant the number of degrees which the cap moves through, before the locking sheath attaches and the cap begins to move upward relative to the container to which it is affixed. The locking sheath is designed to reside inside the cap once the cap travels to the maximum downward position during the initial opening rotation. The locking sheath is in the general shape of a cylinder. The cylinder has an inside surface and an outside surface. The locking sheath has screw threads on its inside surface which mate with the screw threads on the container upon which the container cap is to be used. The locking sheath is held stationary during the downward motion of the cap upon initial rotation of the cap. The locking sheath may be held in place manually or mechanical means may be provided to hold the locking sheath in place while the cap is first rotated and moves in its downward path. Means for holding the locking sheath in place are known to those in the art of container and cap manufacture and include mechanical means which link with the container until being released. These mechanical means include the use of pins, biasing devices, adhesives, welding the locking sheath to the container in such a way that rotation of the cap eventually breaks the weld loose, and other method known to those in the art. The locking sheath also contains locking means for mating the locking sheath to the cap so that once the cap has rotated and moves in the required downward distance relative to the container to which it is affixed, the locking sheath and cap may lock together and move as one unit. Such locking means include the use of an appendage affixed to the locking sheath which is biased in such a manner that it moves into a gap in the cap and locks when the gap is rotated into a position opposite the appendage. Other methods of mating the locking sheath to the cap such as manual insertion of a pin, friction fitting and others are known in the art and are included with the scope of this invention. Figure 1 shows one preferred embodiment of the instant invention. In this embodiment, the container cap assembly comprises a cap (1) having a piercing member (2), and an inner locking sheath (3). The cap has a top plate (11) having an inside (13) and outside (12), and a side wall (14) which is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and joined to the top plate (11) enclosing the inside of the top plate (11 ). A piercing member (2) is affixed to the inside (13) of the top plate (11). An inner locking sheath (3) has a side wall (20) which is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis, the side wall (20) having an inside (21) and outside (22) surface, the inside surface (21 ) of the inner locking sheath (3) having screw threads (25) which are shown in Figure 2. The screw threads (25) are constructed to mate with the threads (5) of a container (4) for which the container cap assembly is intended. The screw threads on the inside surface (25) of the locking sheath (3) are directed so as to allow for removal of the container cap assembly when the container is rotated in a particular direction. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the outside surface of the inner locking sheath has an upper ramp(15) and lower ramp (16) to guide the cap (1) along a downward path while the locking sheath (3) is held in a fixed position relative to the rotation of the cap (1). The locking sheath (3) is fixed in position relative to the container (4) by a locking finger (51) which extends from the locking sheath (3) and is inserted into a storage groove (43) in the top of the receiver slot (52). As the cap (1) is rotated in the direction needed to open the container (4), the cap (1) moves downward relative to the container (4) as it follows along the path dictated by the ramps (15) and (16). Once the cap (1 ) rotation has proceeded a predetermined angular displacement relative to the surface of the inner locking sheath (3), which is also known as the "angle of activation", that distance being determined by the length of the ramps (15) and (16), the locking finger (51) of the locking sheath (3) moves from the groove in the receiver slot (52) to a storage groove (43) in the cap (1) causing the locking sheath (3) to be permanently affixed to the inside of the cap (1). Continued rotation of the cap (1) causes the inner locking sheath (3) to rotate with the cap and the cap-locking sheath assembly moves upwards guided by the threads on the locking sheath (3) and container (4)
When rupture of a protective seal or film (6) is desired, the cap (1) functions as follows, upon rotation of the cap (1) in a direction which would be expected to cause the cap (1) to move away from the container (4), the cap (1) follows ramps (15) and (16) located on the locking sheath (3) and closes further on the container (4). This down¬ ward motion of the cap (1) allows the piercing member (2) to cut through a protective seal or film (6). Protective seal or film (6) is for example a seal or membrane affixed to the top of the container (4) or in some instances it may be a molded section of a container (4) which is thin or brittle enough to be ruptured by the pressure exerted by the piercing member (2). As the cap (1) is further rotated in the direction expected to remove it from the container (4), the locking means of the cap (1) engages the inner locking sheath (3) and the inner locking sheath (3) and cap ( 1 ) are mated. Further rotation of the cap (1 ) and inner locking sheath member causes engagement of the threads (3) of the inner surface of the inner locking sheath (3) so that the cap-locking sheath assembly, operating as a single unit, move in a direction away from the container (4) and can be removed.
Three cross-sectional views of a preferred embodiment of the cap portion of the invention are shown in Figure 3. Each view is rotated to show a specific feature of the cap (1). Figure 3(a) shows the cap (1) with the piercing member (2) and at the lower portions of the inside wall of the cap (13) a lower cam follower (40) is shown. In Figure 3(b) the upper cam follower (41) is shown. In Figure 3(c) one example of a locking means (43) is shown. Figure 3(d) shows all of these features in a plane view of the cap (1).
Similarly a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the locking sheath is shown in Figure 4. This view shows a locking finger (51) which is designed to have a springing action and spring away from the center of the locking sheath. The neck of a container (4) designed to receive locking finger (51) in the receiver slot (52) is also shown in Figure 4. Locking finger (51 ) is held in the receiver slot by the walls of the cap until the locking means (43), as shown in Figure 3, of the cap (1) are fully exposed and the locking finger (51) moves into the cap, joining the cap and the locking sheath (3). The locking finger (51) may be biased in such a manner as to promote movement out of the container receiver slot (52) and into the cap locking means (43) to assure that a positive lock is realized.
The preferred embodiment of this invention functions as follows. Initially, the locking sheath (3) is screwed or pushed down over the neck of the container. The locking appendage is aligned with and fits into the receiver slot (52) on the neck of the container. Next the cap is pushed over the locking sheath into a position where the locking means (43), as shown in Figure 3, avoids the locking finger (51) and the upper cam followers (41) and lower cam followers (40) are locked into their respective initial angular position on the cams on the locking sheath (3). The cap (1 ) is now in position and ready to be opened.
To pierce the protective cover on the container, the cap is rotated in the direction that would normally cause the cap to move up the threads and away from the container. However, since the cap is able to rotate while the locking sheath stays stationary, the cap follows the cams located on the locking sheath and moves downward relative to the top of the container and the piercing means ruptures the protective cover on the container. Once the end of the cam is reached, the cam followers meet with the edge of the locking sheath and the locking appendage matches up with and moves into the locking means in the cap. This results in a permanent and secure mating of the cap and locking sheath and the cap and locking sheath rotate as one unit. Continued rotation in the same direction causes the cap to move upward and away from the top of the container so that the container cap can be unscrewed and removed from the container in the normal manner.
The cap and locking sheath, once connected, can be reused as a single unit. Once reinstalled, the cap and locking sheath unit behaves in a manner similar to a normal cap. That is, rotation in a manner that would be expected to remove the cap results in movement away from the top of the container only.
In another preferred embodiment of this invention, the ramps or cams on the locking sheath are replaced with screw threads located on the outside surface of the locking sheath. The outside surface screw threads are aligned in the direction opposite to the threads on the inside of locking sheath. In this embodiment, screw threads which mate to those on the outside of the locking sheath are found on the inside of the side wall of the cap. Initial rotation of the cap in the direction expected to result in removal of the cap causes the cap to move downward relative to the container following the screw threads until the cap reaches the end of the threaded portion. At this point, the locking sheath locks into the cap and continued rotation of the cap results in engagement of the threads on the inside of the locking sheath and ultimate removal of the cap.
The container cap assembly may be of any color desired and may be opaque or clear depending upon the use. For example, a clear, colorless cap may be used if the cap is to be affixed to a container which has a tamper evident seal across the top which is to be ruptured when the cap is first rotated. This would permit inspection of the integrity of the seal by the user before the cap is rotated. The container cap assembly may also be shaped in any manner desired. That is, it may have additional pieces mounted on the cap which allow for easy opening. Other structural designs which would provide for easy gripping are also contemplated in this invention. The top or sides of the container cap assembly may by recessed to accept an insert such as a logo, a color code or printing. The top or sides of the container cap assembly may also be constructed so as to receive printed literature such as package inserts for pharmaceutical products.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A container cap assembly comprising a cap and a locking sheath, the assembly having means for first directing the travel of the cap in a downward direction relative to a container to which the container cap is attached, means for attaching the locking sheath to the cap and means for directing the travel of the cap in an upward direction relative to the container to which the container cap is attached, wherein upon rotation in a manner expected to result in removal of the cap assembly from a container to which it is attached, the cap moves first in a downward directive relative to the container and then in an upward direction relative to the container, the upward direction resulting in removal of the cap from the container.
2. The container cap assembly of Claim 1 wherein the cap contains a piercing member.
3. The container cap assembly of Claim 1 wherein the components are clear and colorless and allow inspection of the top of the contaier to which the cap is affixed.
4. The container cap assembly of Claim 1 wherein the cap is shaped to provide for easy gripping.
5. The container cap assembly of Claim 1 wherein the cap has a recessed area to accept a logo.
6. The container cap assembly of Claim 1 wherein the cap has a recesed area to accept a color code.
7. The container cap assembly of Claim 1 wherein the cap has a recessed area to accept printing.
8. The container cap assembly of Claim 1 wherein the cap is designed to store printed literature.
9. The container cap assembly of Claim 1 which comprises: a cap having an inner locking sheath, the cap having a top plate having an inside and outside, and a side wall which is symmetrical about a longitud¬ inal axis and joined to the top plate, the side wall enclosing the inside of the top plate, the cap having upper and lower ramp followers and a storage groove; the inner locking sheath having a side wall which is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis, the side wall having an inside and outside surface, the inside surface of the inner locking sheath having screw threads, the screw threads being matable to the threads of a container for which the cap is intended, the screw threads being directed so as to allow for removal of the cap when the container is rotated in a particular direction; the outside surface of the inner locking sheath having an upper ramp and lower ramp directed to guide the cap along a down¬ ward path when the cap is rotated, the upper and lower ramps capable of receiving the upper and lower ramp followers, the locking sheath being held in a fixed position relative to the rotation of the cap until the ramp followers reach the terminus of the ramps; the locking sheath being fixed in position relative to the container by a locking finger which extends from the locking sheath and is inserted into a groove located in the top of the container; wherein as the cap is rotated in the direction intended to open the container, the cap moves downward relative to the container following the path dictated by the upper and lower ramps until the cap rotates into position over top of the locking finger of the locking sheath, the locking finger then moves from the groove in the container to the storage groove in the cap causing the locking sheath to be permanently affixed to the inside of the cap, continued rotation of the container cap causing the inner locking sheath to rotate with the cap and the assembly moving upward guided by the threads on the locking sheath and container.
EP96936756A 1995-10-25 1996-10-21 Piercing container cap Expired - Lifetime EP0954488B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US700795P 1995-10-25 1995-10-25
US7007P 1995-10-25
GBGB9602924.4A GB9602924D0 (en) 1996-02-13 1996-02-13 Piercing container cap
GB9602924 1996-02-13
PCT/US1996/016810 WO1997015507A1 (en) 1995-10-25 1996-10-21 Piercing container cap

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0954488A1 true EP0954488A1 (en) 1999-11-10
EP0954488A4 EP0954488A4 (en) 2000-03-08
EP0954488B1 EP0954488B1 (en) 2003-01-22

Family

ID=26308679

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96936756A Expired - Lifetime EP0954488B1 (en) 1995-10-25 1996-10-21 Piercing container cap

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0954488B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3766102B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE231463T1 (en)
AU (1) AU712054B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2235882C (en)
DE (1) DE69625939T2 (en)
DK (1) DK0954488T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2188796T3 (en)
WO (1) WO1997015507A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2002951977A0 (en) 2002-10-10 2002-10-24 Leo Engineering Pty Ltd Improvements to two-part vessels
US20150166239A1 (en) 2012-05-15 2015-06-18 Ahhmigo Cap device and methods
WO2019043431A1 (en) * 2017-08-29 2019-03-07 Gaviria Valenzuela Daniel Lid assembly with a cutting tab for opening and closing containers

Citations (4)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1561377A (en) * 1968-02-02 1969-03-28
FR2637569A1 (en) * 1988-10-11 1990-04-13 Leplat Robert Stopper allowing the perforation of the cover of toothpaste or other tubes by the simple and unique unscrewing operation
DE9013020U1 (en) * 1990-09-13 1990-12-06 Linhardt Metallwarenfabrik GmbH & Co KG, 94234 Viechtach Closure element with integrated opening mechanism especially for tubes
EP0531813A1 (en) * 1991-09-04 1993-03-17 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA Opening arrangement for a container package

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3425598A (en) * 1967-06-14 1969-02-04 Gerald Kobernick Dispensing container having a membrane puncturing means
US3923184A (en) * 1973-03-07 1975-12-02 American Hospital Supply Corp Double screw cap system for sterile medical liquid container and method of opening same
US4111322A (en) * 1976-05-25 1978-09-05 Albert Obrist Ag Synthetic plastic cap for bottles
US4723687A (en) * 1981-03-16 1988-02-09 Franz Kutterer Tube with screw cap
US4389802A (en) * 1981-11-12 1983-06-28 Champion International Corporation Scalloped paperboard insert for use with plastic lid
EP0328652B1 (en) * 1987-06-30 1992-08-26 Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. Spout for liquid containers
JPH0547061Y2 (en) * 1987-09-24 1993-12-10

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1561377A (en) * 1968-02-02 1969-03-28
FR2637569A1 (en) * 1988-10-11 1990-04-13 Leplat Robert Stopper allowing the perforation of the cover of toothpaste or other tubes by the simple and unique unscrewing operation
DE9013020U1 (en) * 1990-09-13 1990-12-06 Linhardt Metallwarenfabrik GmbH & Co KG, 94234 Viechtach Closure element with integrated opening mechanism especially for tubes
EP0531813A1 (en) * 1991-09-04 1993-03-17 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA Opening arrangement for a container package

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO9715507A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0954488B1 (en) 2003-01-22
CA2235882A1 (en) 1997-05-01
JPH11513645A (en) 1999-11-24
EP0954488A4 (en) 2000-03-08
DK0954488T3 (en) 2003-02-24
JP3766102B2 (en) 2006-04-12
ES2188796T3 (en) 2003-07-01
ATE231463T1 (en) 2003-02-15
DE69625939T2 (en) 2003-09-04
DE69625939D1 (en) 2003-02-27
AU712054B2 (en) 1999-10-28
WO1997015507A1 (en) 1997-05-01
AU7459996A (en) 1997-05-15
CA2235882C (en) 2005-05-10

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