GB2066224A

GB2066224A - Container & closure assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2066224A
Application number: GB8034771A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Johnsen and Jorgensen Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: Johnsen and Jorgensen Plastics Ltd
Priority date: 1979-10-30
Filing date: 1980-10-29
Publication date: 1981-07-08
Also published as: GB2066224B

Abstract

A two part container closure comprises a plug element 4 and a sleeve element 5. The two parts of the closure are applied to the container by downward pressure so that a skirt of the sleeve element is secured around the mouth of the container via recess 7 and bead 3 and the plug element is seated over the mouth of the container within the upper part of the sleeve element which is positioned above the mouth of the container. Therefore the plug element is co-axially arranged within the sleeve element when the closure is in the operative position. The plug element forms a child proof closure which can only be removed when axially rotated to bring thumb grip 11 in register with a peripheral opening 10. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An improved container & closure assembly This invention relates to the provision of a container and closure assembly, to the provision of a closure for use in the assembly and to a method of making the assembly.

In our co-pending application No. 17347/77 we provide a container closure formed in a single piece state with a plug part disposed co-axially above a sleeve part, the two parts being inter-connected by a frangible connection which is broken when the closure is applied to a container, breaking being effected by downward movement of the plug part into the sleeve part which is disposed and secured around the mouth of the container. One advantage of a closure according to our co-pending application is that the closure is formed in a single piece, final assembly of the closure being effected at the capping stage as the closure is being applied to the container.

Further consideration has shown that in certain cases it may be advantageous to form a closure of similar construction to that covered in our copending application but formed originally in two parts.

Therefore according to one aspect of the present invention we provide a container closure comprising a plug element coaxially arranged within a separate sleeve element when the closure is in operative position, the two parts of the closure being applied to the container by downward pressure so that a lower part or skirt of the sleeve element is secured around the mouth of the container and the plug element is seated over the mouth of the container within an upper part of the sleeve element which is positioned above the mouth of the container.

The closure may be provided with a child-resistant feature to make the closure difficult for a child to open. In accordance with this feature of the invention the sleeve element has a gap or cut out in its upper peripheral edge and the plug element has a thumb grip. The plug element is rotatable within the sleeve but it is virtually impossible to push the plug element out of the sleeve element until the plug element is rotated to bring the thumb grip into alignment with the gap.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood reference is now directed by way of example to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a sectional view of one embodiment of a closure in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 shows the closure assembled on a container and Figures 3 and 4 are respectively perspective views of the closure before and after application to a container.

In the drawing lisa container which has a smooth inner surface 2 and an outer annular projecting ring 3. A two part closure comprises a plug element 4 disposed within a sleeve element 5. The sleeve element 5 has an internal annular recess 7 shaped to receive the annular projecting ring 3, the shape of the recess 7 and the projecting ring 3 being such that it is relatively simple to push the sleeve element over the ring 3 so that the ring 3 engages in the recess 7 but it is almost impossible to remove the sleeve element 5 again by a simple upward movement.

The sleeve element 5 has an internal substantially annular bead 8 for engagement within an annular recess 9 in the outside of the plug element 4. The sleeve element 5 also has a peripheral cut-out or gap 10 as shown in Figure 2. The plug element 4 has a thumb grip 11 and an embossed arrow or other mark on the top indicating the position of the thumb grip 11. The substantially annular bead 8 on the inside of the sleeve element 5 is interrupted at 13 in the region of the gap 10 in the periphery of the sleeve element so that when upward pressure is applied to the thumb grip 11 of the plug element 4 through the gap 10, the plug element may be pushed out of the sleeve element 3 in a tilting movement.It will be understood that pressure can only be applied to the thumb grip 11 when the plug element is manipulated to bring the thumb grip 11 in coincidence with the gap 10.

The assembly of the parts can be effected in such a way that the thumb grip 11 is out of registration with the gap 10 in the periphery of the sleeve element so that if the closure can be applied automatically i.e. by machine to a container the closure will be in a child-resistant position. In operation, to open the container a user moves the plug element 4 angularly relative to the sleeve element 5 until the thumb grip 11 registers with the gap 10.

This may easily be done by pushing the plug element 4 around until an arrow, not shown, on the top of the closure points to the gap 10. In this position, a thumb of the user can be inserted through the gap 10 and upward pressure then forces the plug element 4 out of the sleeve element. It will be understood that the outer surface of the plug element 4 is smooth except at the thumb grip where it is stepped or otherwise shaped to enable a user to apply the required upward pressure. It will be noted that in operative position a ledge 14 at the lower end of the plug element 4 seats on the edge 15 around the mouth of the container while an annular depending portion 16 of the plug element enters the mouth of the container so that the plug element 4 turns on the edge of the mouth of the container when the plug element is manipulated.

In the manufacture of our new two part closure we prefer to make the two parts of the closure simultaneously but separately in the same mould and we then carry out an assembly operation as the mould opens so that closures as shown in Figure 1 are discharged one after the other or in batches from a moulding machine. Other methods are possible; for example with less sophisticated moulds the two parts of the closure may be moulded separately and then assembled by hand or by a suitable form of press tool or assembly machine.

The invention therefore includes not only a closure as described for a container but also a closure and container assembly and a method of making and assembling closures as hereinbefore described. It should be explained that when upward pressure is applied to the thumb grip to push the plug element out of the sleeve element to open the container the sleeve element first tilts because upward pressure on the thumb grip raises the near side of the plug element so that the top of the plug element inclines downwardly away from the gap 10. In the opening movement therefore the plug element can really be described as being flicked out of the sleeve element.

A more detailed embodiment is illustrated in Figure 4.

Claims

1. A container closure comprising a plug element coaxially arranged within a separate sleeve element when the closure is in operative position, the two parts of the closure being applied to a container by downward pressure so that a lower part or skirt of the sleeve element is secured around the mouth of the container and the plug element is seated over the mouth of the container within an upper part of the sleeve element which is positioned above the mouth of the container.

2. A container closure according to claim 1 wherein a child-resistant feature is included.

3. A container closure according to claim 2 wherein the child resistant feature includes the provision of a gap or cut-out in an upper peripheral edge of the sleeve element and the provision of a thumb grip on the plug element which is rotatable within the sleeve element.

4. A container closure according to any of the preceding claims wherein the sleeve element has an internal annular recess shaped to receive an annular projecting ring on the outside of a container, the shape of the recess and projecting ring being such that it is a relatively simple matter to push the sleeve element down over the ring so that the ring engages in the recess but it is a difficult matter to remove the sleeve element by upward movement.

5. A container closure according to any of the preceding claims wherein the sleeve element has an internal substantially annular bead for engagement within an annular recess in the outside of the plug element.

6. A container closure according to claim 3 wherein the sleeve element has an internal substantially annular bead for engagement within an annular recess in the outside of the plug element and wherein the annular bead on the sleeve element is interrupted in the region of the gap or cut out in the upper peripheral edge of the sleeve element.

7. A container closure according to Claim 3 wherein the sleeve element has an internal annular recess for engagement with an external substantially annular bead on the outside of the plug wherein the annular bead on the plug element is interrupted in the region of the thumb grip.

8. A container closure according to any of the preceding claims formed in two parts and before application to a container.

9. A container closure according to any of Claims 1 to 6 formed in two parts and after application to a container.

10. Acontainerclosure according to Claim 3 wherein the plug element has an indicator to show the position of the plug element in the sleeve element.

11. A method of making a container closure according to any of the preceding claims wherein the two parts are formed simultaneously but separately in a moulding operation.

12. A container closure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A container and closure assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.