GB1582628A - Dispensing closure for a product container - Google Patents

Description

(54) DISPENSING CLOSURE FOR A PRODUCT CONTAINER (71) We, METAL BOX LIMITED, of Queens House, Forbury Road, Reading RG1 3JH, Berkshire, a British Company, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to dispensing closures for product containers for, particularly (but not exclusively) particulate material such as body talc.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a dispensing closure for a product container, which comprises a first part having a closure panel and a skirt extending integrally and peripherally therefrom, and a second part on which the first part is rotatably mounted, the second closure part having a neck portion over which the said peripheral skirt is snap-engaged and a ledge disposed in underlying adjacent relation to the closure panel, the ledge projecting inwardly and integrally from the said neck portion to an inner edge which defines a mouth having a lobe reentrant into the ledge, the closure panel being formed with a dispensing aperture offset from the axis of rotation of the first closure part whereby in a first relative angular position of the closure parts it is aligned with the said lobe to enable product to be dispensed therethrough and in a second relative angular position of the two closure parts it is closed by the ledge to prevent product dispensing, the ledge and the closure panel being resiliently maintained in permanent mutual engagement, and there being a continuous protrusion which is formed on the underside of the closure panel around the dispensing aperture and which slidingly engages the upper surface of the ledge to prevent substantial escape of product through the dispensing aperture when the closure parts are in their second relative angular position.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is an exploded view of the container embodying the invention showing the top end of the container body in upper perspective view and showing the separable part of the dispensing closure in underside parspective view on a diametrical section; Fig. 2 shows part of the assembled container in radial section and when in its open condition; and Fig. 3 correspondingly shows the container when closed.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a generally cylindrical container for body talc comprises a one-piece body 10 and a one-piece closure cap 11 arranged along a central axis XX.

Typically the body is of high density polyethylene and the closure cap 11 is of low density polyethylene, although other plastics materials are possible.

Only the upper part of the body 10 is shown for clarity. The body has a generally cylindrical side wall 12 extending upwardly from the circular base (not shown) of the container. At its top end the side wall is reduced in diameter at a shoulder 13 to form an essentially cylindrical neck 14.

The mouth for the body 10 is defined by the free inner edge 15 of a substantially plane ledge 16 which extends integrally and inwardly from the top edge of the neck 14.

The edge 15 is scalloped, being comprised of six regularly spaced, identical and outwardly extending lobe-forming portions 30, and a corresponding number of identical arcuate portions 1 joining the portions 30 together. The arcuate portions 31 lie on a common pitch circle centred on the axis XX.

The body 10 is blow-moulded to form the neck 14 and ledge 16 as an integral part.

After blow-moulding it is joined to its neck flash (not shown) along the edge 15. This flash is trimmed to leave a residual edge asperity 37 (Fig. 2) which may be ground off if desired but which is preferably retained for the purpose later to become apparent.

The neck 14 has a cylindrical exterior surface 17, and an outwardly projecting rounded peripheral bead 18 approximately half-way up its height.

In addition to the bead 18 the neck also includes six identical rectangular lands 20 which project outwardly from the surface 17 by the same or somewhat smaller uniform depth as the overall depth of the bead. The lands 20 are regularly spaced around the neck 14 in radial alignment with the lobeforming portions 30 of the body free edge 15. They merge with the bead at their bottom ends and from there extend up the neck by about one quarter of the height of the latter.

Six further projections 21 of the same height as the lands 20 and likewise merging with the bead 18 at their bottom end are formed on the neck 14 midway between the lands. These further projections 21 are of rounded contour and of an overall depth which is substantially smaller than the depth of the lands and the bead.

The closure cap 11 comprises a closure panel 22 formed with six regularly spaced circular dispensing apertures 23 and having its under surface denoted 36, and a skirt 24 which depends peripherally from the closure panel to the free edge 25 of the closure. If desired, the skirt may be externally knurled to assist gripping.

An inwardly projecting peripheral bead 26 is formed around the skirt interior slightly above the free edge 25. It presents a generally horizontal upper surface 27 above a downwardly flared generally frustoconical entry surface 28.

Also formed on the interior of the closure cap skirt 24 are six regularly spaced rectangular lands 29 of uniform depth radially of the closure. The bottom ends 130 of these lands are spaced from the bead 26 by a distance which is just greater than the vertical thickness of the bead 18. At their top ends the lands 29 merge with a further continuous bead 31 which is formed around the skirt interior immediately below the closure panel 22.

In operation, the body 10 is filled with body talc, and the closure cap 11, in a particular angular orientation as determined by six regularly spaced pips 40 adjacent its free edge 25, is snap-fitted onto the body in conventional manner by relative movement of the body and cap towards one another along the axis XX. By this movement the bead 26 is forced resiliently over the body bead 18 until its shoulder 27 engages the underside of the body bead. The latter bead is then accommodated in the peripheral channel formed on the interior of the closure cap skirt between the bead 26 and the bottom faces 130 of the closure lands 29.

Each of the apertures 23 is formed at the centre of a respective downwardly extending circular dimple 32 in the closure panel 22, each dimple providing a continuous protrusion on the underside of the panel 22 around the associated aperture 23. The relative heights of the closure cap skirt 24 and the neck 14 are such that in the assembled container these dimples are at all times engaged by the ledge 16 which is thereby subject to a small downward deformation about its attachment to the neck portion. To assist the engagement of the dimples with the ledge the closure panel is slightly dished and/or the ledge is inclined upwardly through a small angle (e.g. 7 degrees) in the direction towards the free edge 15.

It will thus be understood that the closure cap is held captive on the body for rotation thereon, the resilience of the ledge 16 (and, to a lesser extent, the closure panel 22) ensuring that there is little or no tendency for sloppiness in the engagement between the closure cap and body. It will furthermore be understood that the closure cap 11 on the one hand, and the neck 14 and ledge 16 on the other, provide the container with a closure for dispensing the body talc product therefrom.

The dispensing apertures 23 lie on a pitch circle which is slightly smaller than the pitch circle on which lie the apices of the lobes formed by the body free edge 15. Thus when, as shown in Fig. 2, the closure is disposed at an angular position at which the apertures are radially aligned with the lobe apices, the apertures are unobstructed by the ledge 16 and talc can be dispensed. If, however, the relative angular positions of the closure and body are such that the dispensing apertures correspond radially to the accurate portions 31 of the body free edge 15, as shown in Fig. 3, the ledge closes the dispensing apertures and the container is closed.

As manifest from Fig. 2, the size and radial position of the dimples 32 in relation to the portions 30 of the free edge 15 are such that in the open position of the closure cap the dimples are located within the portions 30, being engaged by the free edge 15 (at the asperity 37) part way up their heights. Such engagement of a dimple with the free edge 15 occurs over an area of contact which extends continuously around the apex of the respective portion 30 and part way along the opposed sides of the same.

From Figs. 2 and 3 in particular it will be understood that the container is arranged and assembled so that the lands 20, 29 alternate with one another around an annu lar space 35 which is formed between the closure skirt 24 and the body neck 14. By abutment at appropriate ones of their vertical side edges the lands 20, 29 restrict the rotational movement of the closure cap on the body to about 30 of subtended angle; the widths of the lands 20, 29 are chosen accordingly. In addition, the angular position of the dispensing apertures in relation to the lands 29 is such that at one end of this available movement the apertures are, as previously described, aligned with the lobes formed by the free edge 15; at the other end of the movement the apertures are radially aligned with approximately the mid points of the arcuate portions 31 of the edge 15.

Thus, by moving the closure cap between its limiting angular positions the container may be made fully open or fully closed.

During a full movement of the closure cap the lands 29 are required to pass over the rounded projections 21 on the body 10. The combined depth of the projectibus 21 and lands 29 is greater than the radial depth of the annular space 35 and the resulting resilient radial deformation of the body neck 14 and, to a lesser extent, the closure cap skirt provides a cam action to bias the closure cap stably to whichever limiting position it is moved. A further function of the lands 21 is to provide frictional resistance against rotation of the closure cap.

At all possible angular positions of the closure cap 11 in relation to the body 10 ingress of talc into the interface between those two items is impeded by the edge asperity 37 previously mentioned. Any talc which does manage to pass outwardly across the asperity 37 is prevented by the bead 31 from passing to the space 35, where it might seriously hamper the rotation of the closure cap. Desirably, the asperity 37 is of a height to make sliding engagement with the undersurface 36 of the closure panel 22.

In a modification of the described embodiment the neck 14 and ledge 16 are provided by an injection-moulded insert which is force-fitted into a suitably shaped neck region provided on the body 10. However, the formation of the neck 14 and ledge 16 integrally on the body as described provides substantial economies in manufacture.

In a further modification of the described arrangement the dimples 32 are replaced by protrusions in the form of circular beads formed on the underside of the closure panel 22 immediately around each dispensing aperture 23.

The invention is not limited to containers for body talc as particularly described; it may have application to containers for other particulate products, including food products.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A dispensing closure for a product container, which comprises a first part having a closure panel and a skirt extending integrally and peripherally therefrom, and a second part on which the first part is rotatably mounted, the second closure part having a neck portion over which the said peripheral skirt is snap-en aged, and a ledge disposed in underlying adjacent relation to the closure panel, the ledge projecting inwardly and integrally from the said neck portion to an inner edge which defines a mouth having a lobe reentrant into the ledge, the closure panel being formed with a dispensing aperture bffset from the axis of rotation of the first closure part whereby in a first relative angular position of the closure parts it is aligned with the said lobe to enable product to be dispensed therethrough and in a second relative angular position of the two closure parts it is closed by the ledge to prevent product dispensing, the ledge and the closure panel being resiliently maintained in permanent mutual engagement, and there being a continuous protrusion which is formed on the underside of the closure panel around the dispensing aperture and which slidingly engages the upper surface of the ledge to prevent substantial escape of product through the dispensing aperture when the closure parts are in their second relative angular position.

2. A closure according to Claim 1, which includes a continuous bead formed on the ledge around the said inner edge thereof, the bead projecting towards the under surface of the closure panel to substantially impede the ingress of product into the interface between the ledge and the closure panel.

3. A closure according to Claim 2, wherein the bead slidingly engages the under surface of the closure panel.

4. A closure according to any preceding claim, which includes a continuous bead formed around the interior of the peripheral skirt adjacent its junction with the closure panel, said bead formed around the skirt slidingly and resiliently engaging the neck portion of the second closure part to substantially prevent ingress of product into the interface between the neck portion and the peripheral skirt.

5. A closure according to any preceding claim, wherein the mouth has a plurality of the said lobes regularly spaced around its periphery on a circular locus centred on the axis of rotation of the first closure part on the second closure part, the closure panel having the same number of said dispensing apertures regularly spaced therearound at equal radii in relation to the said axis of rotation.

6. A closure according to any preceding claim, which includes cooperable stops on the peripheral skirt and the neck portion. to

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. lar space 35 which is formed between the closure skirt 24 and the body neck 14. By abutment at appropriate ones of their vertical side edges the lands 20, 29 restrict the rotational movement of the closure cap on the body to about 30 of subtended angle; the widths of the lands 20, 29 are chosen accordingly. In addition, the angular position of the dispensing apertures in relation to the lands 29 is such that at one end of this available movement the apertures are, as previously described, aligned with the lobes formed by the free edge 15; at the other end of the movement the apertures are radially aligned with approximately the mid points of the arcuate portions 31 of the edge 15. Thus, by moving the closure cap between its limiting angular positions the container may be made fully open or fully closed. During a full movement of the closure cap the lands 29 are required to pass over the rounded projections 21 on the body 10. The combined depth of the projectibus 21 and lands 29 is greater than the radial depth of the annular space 35 and the resulting resilient radial deformation of the body neck 14 and, to a lesser extent, the closure cap skirt provides a cam action to bias the closure cap stably to whichever limiting position it is moved. A further function of the lands 21 is to provide frictional resistance against rotation of the closure cap. At all possible angular positions of the closure cap 11 in relation to the body 10 ingress of talc into the interface between those two items is impeded by the edge asperity 37 previously mentioned. Any talc which does manage to pass outwardly across the asperity 37 is prevented by the bead 31 from passing to the space 35, where it might seriously hamper the rotation of the closure cap. Desirably, the asperity 37 is of a height to make sliding engagement with the undersurface 36 of the closure panel 22. In a modification of the described embodiment the neck 14 and ledge 16 are provided by an injection-moulded insert which is force-fitted into a suitably shaped neck region provided on the body 10. However, the formation of the neck 14 and ledge 16 integrally on the body as described provides substantial economies in manufacture. In a further modification of the described arrangement the dimples 32 are replaced by protrusions in the form of circular beads formed on the underside of the closure panel 22 immediately around each dispensing aperture 23. The invention is not limited to containers for body talc as particularly described; it may have application to containers for other particulate products, including food products. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A dispensing closure for a product container, which comprises a first part having a closure panel and a skirt extending integrally and peripherally therefrom, and a second part on which the first part is rotatably mounted, the second closure part having a neck portion over which the said peripheral skirt is snap-en aged, and a ledge disposed in underlying adjacent relation to the closure panel, the ledge projecting inwardly and integrally from the said neck portion to an inner edge which defines a mouth having a lobe reentrant into the ledge, the closure panel being formed with a dispensing aperture bffset from the axis of rotation of the first closure part whereby in a first relative angular position of the closure parts it is aligned with the said lobe to enable product to be dispensed therethrough and in a second relative angular position of the two closure parts it is closed by the ledge to prevent product dispensing, the ledge and the closure panel being resiliently maintained in permanent mutual engagement, and there being a continuous protrusion which is formed on the underside of the closure panel around the dispensing aperture and which slidingly engages the upper surface of the ledge to prevent substantial escape of product through the dispensing aperture when the closure parts are in their second relative angular position.

2. A closure according to Claim 1, which includes a continuous bead formed on the ledge around the said inner edge thereof, the bead projecting towards the under surface of the closure panel to substantially impede the ingress of product into the interface between the ledge and the closure panel.

3. A closure according to Claim 2, wherein the bead slidingly engages the under surface of the closure panel.

4. A closure according to any preceding claim, which includes a continuous bead formed around the interior of the peripheral skirt adjacent its junction with the closure panel, said bead formed around the skirt slidingly and resiliently engaging the neck portion of the second closure part to substantially prevent ingress of product into the interface between the neck portion and the peripheral skirt.

5. A closure according to any preceding claim, wherein the mouth has a plurality of the said lobes regularly spaced around its periphery on a circular locus centred on the axis of rotation of the first closure part on the second closure part, the closure panel having the same number of said dispensing apertures regularly spaced therearound at equal radii in relation to the said axis of rotation.

6. A closure according to any preceding claim, which includes cooperable stops on the peripheral skirt and the neck portion. to

restrict relative rotation of the closure parts to between the said first and second relative angular positions.

7. A container, comprising a closure as claimed in any preceding claim and a container body integrally formed with the second closure part at a reduced diameter neck portion.

8. A container substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.