GB2318784A

GB2318784A - Closure with integral dispensing device

Info

Publication number: GB2318784A
Application number: GB9622612A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Loader
Original assignee: Rexam Containers Ltd
Current assignee: Nolato Jaycare Ltd
Priority date: 1996-10-30
Filing date: 1996-10-30
Publication date: 1998-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 2016-10-30
Also published as: GB2318784B; GB2344813B; GB2344813A; GB0009283D0; GB9622612D0

Abstract

A closure for a container has a dispensing device for the contents of the container integrally formed therewith but attached thereto by frangible means, the dispensing means may be for example a spoon or a cup. In the example shown the closure comprises a cap 2 and an annular portion 4, the latter having inner and outer collars 22 and 24 between which there is a channel which fits over the rim of a container. The cap is attached to the annular portion by a hinge 6. A spoon 28 is attached within the boundary of the annular portion by frangible nibs 30. In another example the spoon is replaced by a small cup. The cap has a channelled periphery formed by collars 8, 10 and fits over the rim 26 of the annular portion. A spigot 16 on the underside of the cap provides a mounting and storage point for the spoon etc once detached, by means of a cooperating aperture provided in the spoon etc.

Description

CLOSURE WITH INTEGRAL DISPENSING DEVICE The present invention relates to closures comprising dispensing means for containers and is concerned particularly, although not exclusively, with closures comprising an integral dispensing device.

Many products, particularly pharmaceutical products, stored within containers require a measuring device to enable the correct amount of product to be used. At present these devices include measuring spoons and cups. The measuring devices are not attached to the container and are vulnerable to contamination and being lost.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a closure, for a container, comprising an integral product dispensing device wherein, prior to use, the product dispensing device is frangibly attached to the said closure.

Preferably the closure comprises product dispensing device retaining means, wherein after use of the dispensing device, the product dispensing device is removably held on the closure by the retaining means.

The product dispensing device is preferably frangibly attached to the closure by a frangible nib. Preferably the product dispensing device is attached to the closure by a plurality of frangible nibs. Alternatively, the product dispensing device is attached to the closure by a frangible web.

The retaining means preferably comprises a spigot adapted to engage with the walls of an aperture. Preferably the product dispensing device is formed with the aperture and the closure is formed with the spigot.

Alternatively the dispensing device is formed with the spigot and the closure is formed with the aperture.

It is preferable that the aperture walls are formed with resilient holding means adapted to co-operate with the spigot, whereby, when the dispensing device is not in use, the spigot is retained within the aperture.

The resilient holding means preferably comprises two opposing members extending into the aperture and being arranged such that they are in sliding contact with the spigot when the dispensing device is retained.

Preferably the dispensing device is in the form of a spoon. Prior to the first use of the spoon, the spoon is preferably disposed within the closure by frangible nibs and is formed with the aperture. The closure preferably comprises an elliptical cross-section being formed with the retaining spigot.

Alternatively the dispensing device is in the form of a cup. Preferably the closure is then of a circular cross-section. When the dispensing device is in the form of a cup the retaining means is preferably in the form of frictional contact between the outermost surface of the cup and an inner surface of the closure adapted to co-operate therewith. Preferably the frictional contact is between the outermost surface of the cup and a plurality of lugs extending from the inner surface of the closure.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closure comprising an upper enclosing cap and a lower annular portion.

Preferably the upper portion is formed with a retaining spigot and the lower annular portion is formed with a spoon disposed therein and being attached thereto by frangible nibs, wherein the upper and lower portions are adapted to co-operate together so providing snap-engagement therebetween.

The upper portion is preferably attached to the lower portion by a hinge means. The hinge means preferably comprises two hinges and a laminar strip, one hinge attaching the lower portion to the laminar strip, and the second hinge attaching the upper portion to the laminar strip, the arrangement being such that the strip extends between the first and second hinges. The closure preferably comprises an elliptical cross-section. The annular portion preferably is formed to provide attachment means by which the closure is attached to a container. The attachment means is preferably in the form of a circumferential annular channel defined between two substantially vertical walls and a substantially horizontal portion, the arrangement being such that the vertical walls are radially disposed from each other by the substantially horizontal portion extending between the uppermost portions of the said vertical walls, the arrangement being such that it forms a "U" shaped channel, the annular channel being formed to receive the neck of a container.

The spoon is preferably disposed, prior to first use, within the lower portion, the arrangement being such that the outermost perimeter of the spoon is frangibly attached to the radially innermost surface of the radially innermost vertical wall, there being two access regions defined by the innermost radial surface of the radially innermost vertical wall and the spoon.

Alternatively, the closure has a circular cross-section and the dispensing device is in the form of a cup-like container; prior to the first use of the cup, the cup is disposed within the lower annular portion by frangible nibs, the cup comprising a plurality of lugs extending from the innermost surface of the annular portion and the retaining means being in the form of frictional contact between the outermost surface of the cup and the lugs.

The cup alternatively is held within the lower annular portion by a frangible web. The web preferably extends between the outermost surface of the cup and the inner surface of the lower annular portion, wherein in use, the lower annular portion, cup and web assembly provide a fluid-tight means prior to first use of the cup. It will be appreciated that when the closure is placed on a container the fluid-tight means prevents access to the product contained within the container. To gain access the frangible web has to be broken. It will also be appreciated that the frangible web as described above and the frangible nibs described above both provide tamper evident means and tamper prevention means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of moulding a closure as defined by the aforementioned second aspect wherein the closure is formed as a one-piece moulding.

Preferably the method is an injection moulding process.

By way of example only, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a closure comprising an integral dispensing spoon and illustrating the cap in an open state in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the closure, through AA; Figure 3 shows the cross-section of the closure, illustrating the cap in a closed state; Figure 4 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention illustrating the cap in an open state and comprising a cup dispenser, Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the embodiment through BB; Figure 6 shows the cross-section of the embodiment illustrating the cap in a closed state and the dispensing device shown in the stored position; Figure 7 shows a plan view of a third embodiment of the present invention illustrating a container comprising a closure and illustrating the cap in an open state; Figure 8 shows a cross-section of the third embodiment through CC; and Figure 9 shows the cross-section of the third embodiment illustrating the cap in a closed state and the dispensing device shown in the stored position.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the closure 1 illustrated is injection moulded from a suitable plastics material and comprises an upper elliptical cap 2 and a lower elliptical annular portion 4. The upper cap 2 is joined to the annular portion 4 by a hinge means 6. The elliptical cap 2 is formed with two circumferential wall sections 8, 10 extending from a substantially disc-like upper section 12. The two wall sections 8 and 10 are substantially parallel and define an elliptical channel 14. Extending from the inner surface of the upper section 12 is a tubular retaining spigot 16.

The hinge means 6 which joins the cap 2 to the annular portion 4 comprises a rectangular section 18 disposed between two parallel weakened groove lines of attachment 20 whereby the cap 2 can be orientated between the open position shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the closed position shown in Figure 3.

The lower elliptical annular portion 4 comprises an outermost annular collar 22 and a radially inner annular collar 24. The collars 22 and 24 are radially spaced by an upper rim 26. Disposed within the annular portion 4 is a spoon 28. The spoon 28 is frangibly attached to the inner collar 24 by four frangible nibs 30. The spoon 28 comprises a measuring bowl portion 32 and a handle 34. Formed within the handle 34 is an aperture 35 extending therethrough and bounded by two wall sections 36 locally projecting inward and having a curved portion adapted to co-operate with the outermost surface of the retaining spigot 16.

The closure 1 is injection moulded in one piece in the form shown in Figures 1 and 2. The closure can be fitted onto a container (not shown).

The container neck is located within the annular region 38 defined by the annular collars 22, 24 and the upper rim 26. The cap 2 is placed on top of the lower portion 4, the upper rim 26 being disposed within the elliptical channel 14, the arrangement being such that the cup 2 and the lower portion 4 provide a snap-engagement.

When the container (not shown) and cap arrangement is first used, the cap 2 will be removed from the lower portion 4. The user will remove the spoon 28 by placing a number of digits into the lower portion 4 either side of the handle 34 and parting the spoon 28 from the portion 4 by breaking the nibs 30. The spoon 28 may then be used to dispense the contents of the container. After use the spoon 28 is retained within the cap 2 by placing the bore 35 over the spigot 16 such that the opposing sections 36 frictionally engage the said spigot and hold the spoon thereon. The spoon can be repeatedly retained on the spigot 16.

Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6, this embodiment is substantially the same as that described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings and therefore similar numerals have been used to indicate similar components and further description will not be given. However, with this particular embodiment the closure has a circular cross-section and the dispensing means is in the form of a measuring cup 40 disposed within the lower portion 4 and being held therein by four frangible nibs 30. The cap 2 is formed with four lugs 42 extending radially inwardly from the innermost surface of the wall section 10. The lugs 42 are circumferentially equally spaced around the wall section 10.

In this embodiment, after the cup 40 has been removed from the lower portion 4 by fracturing the nibs 30 and used to dispense the product within the container, it is retained within the cap 2 by the frictional contact of the radially outermost surface of the cup 40 and the lugs 42.

The cup 40 can be formed with measuring indication means in the form of a unit scale formed on the cup wall.

It will be appreciated that the components of the closure can be moulded individually as well as an integral one-piece arrangement. When the closure comprises separate cap 2 and lower portion 4, the cap 23 can be secured to the lower portion 4 by a screw thread or any similar means.

Referring to Figures 7, 8 and 9, this embodiment is substantially the same as that described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings and therefore similar numerals have been used to indicate similar components and further description will not be given. However, with this particular embodiment the radially outermost wall 52 of the closure 50 extends downwardly from the upper rim 26 substantially beyond the lowermost end of the inner annular collar 24. A circular disc base 54 is disposed within the circular open end of the wall 52 so defining an enclosed space 56. The radially outermost surface of the disc is in frictional contact with the radially innermost surface of the wall 52.

The cup 40 is held within the lower portion 4 by a circumferential frangible web 58 extending between the outermost radial surface of the cup and the innermost radial surface of the inner annular collar 24.

The closure 50 can be injection moulded in two parts; one part comprising the closure and the other part comprising the circular disc base 54.

The container is filled with product by first inverting the closure and then placing the product into the space 56. The product may be in any form such as a liquid, powder or capsule form. The product is contained in the inverted closure. The frangible web 58 forms a fluid-tight membrane between the cup 40 and the inner wall 24. After the closure has been filled with the product, the base 54 is then placed within the space 56 and appropriately fixed to the closure, such that the only access to the product within the container is by breaking the frangible web 58.

Claims

1. A closure, for a container, comprising an integral product dispensing device wherein, prior to use, the product dispensing device is frangibly attached to the said closure.

2. A closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure comprises product dispensing device retaining means so arranged as to enable, after use of the dispensing device, the product dispensing device to be removably held on the closure by the retaining means.

3. A closure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the product dispensing device is frangibly attached to the closure by a frangible nib.

4. A closure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the product dispensing device is attached to the closure by a plurality of frangible nibs.

5. A closure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the product dispensing device is attached to the closure by a frangible web.

6. A closure as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the retaining means comprises a spigot adapted to engage with the walls of an aperture.

7. A closure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the product dispensing device is formed with the aperture and the closure is formed with the spigot.

8. A closure as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the aperture walls are formed with resilient holding means adapted to co-operate with the spigot, the arrangement being such that. when the dispensing device is not in use, the spigot is retained within the aperture.

9. A closure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the resilient holding means preferably comprises two opposing members extending into the aperture and being arranged such that they are in sliding contact with the spigot when the dispensing device is retained.

10. A closure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing device is in the form of a spoon.

11. A closure as claimed in claim 10, wherein prior to the first use of the spoon, the spoon is disposed within the closure by frangible nibs and is formed with the aperture.

12. A closure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure comprises an elliptical cross-section being formed with the retaining spigot.

13. A closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the dispensing device is in the form of a cup.

14. A closure as claimed in claim 13, wherein the closure is of a circular cross-section.

15. A closure as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the retaining means is in the form of frictional contact between the outermost surface of the cup and an inner surface of the closure adapted to co-operate therewith.

16. A closure as claimed in claim 15, wherein the frictional contact is between the outermost surface of the cup and a plurality of lugs extending from the inner surface of the closure.

17. A closure comprising an upper enclosing cap and a lower annular portion, the upper portion being formed with a retaining spigot and the lower annular portion is formed with a spoon disposed therein and being attached thereto by frangible nibs, wherein the upper and lower portions are adapted to co-operate together so providing snap-engagement therebetween.

18. A closure as claimed in claim 17, wherein the upper portion is attached to the lower portion by a hinge means.

19. A closure as claimed in claim 18, wherein the hinge means comprises two hinges and a laminar strip, one hinge attaching the lower portion to the laminar strip, and the second hinge attaching the upper portion to the laminar strip, the arrangement being such that the strip extends between the first and second hinges.

20. A closure as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the closure comprises an elliptical cross-section.

21. A closure as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the annular portion is formed to provide attachment means by which the closure is attached to a container.

22. A closure as claimed in claim 21, wherein the attachment means is in the form of a circumferential annular channel defined between two substantially vertical walls and a substantially horizontal portion, the arrangement being such that the vertical walls are radially disposed from each other by the substantially horizontal portion extending between the uppermost portions of the said vertical walls, so forming a U-shaped channel, the annular channel being formed to receive the neck of a container.

23. A closure as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the spoon is disposed, prior to first use, within the lower portion, the arrangement being such that the outermost perimeter of the spoon is frangibly attached to the radially innermost surface of the radially innermost vertical wall, there being two access regions defined by the innermost radial surface of the radially innermost vertical wall and the spoon.

24. A closure as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the closure has a circular cross-section and the dispensing device is in the form of a cup-like container, and prior to the first use of the cup, the cup is disposed within the lower annular portion by frangible nibs, the cup comprising a plurality of lugs extending from the innermost surface of the annular portion and the retaining means being in the form of frictional contact between the outermost surface of the cup and the lugs.

25. A closure as claimed in claim 23, wherein the cup is held within the lower annular portion by a frangible web.

26. A closure as claimed in claim 25, wherein the web extends between the outermost surface of the cup and the inner surface of the lower annular portion, wherein in use, the lower annular portion, cup and web assembly provide a fluid-tight means prior to first use of the cup.

27. A closure substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

28. A method of moulding a closure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure is formed as a one-piece moulding.

29. A method of moulding a closure as claimed in claim 28, wherein the method is an injection moulding process.

30. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A closure, for a container, comprising an integral product dispensing device and a retaining means therefore wherein, prior to use, the product dispensing device is frangibly attached to the said closure; the product dispensing device retaining means being so arranged as to enable the product dispensing device, after use thereof, to be removably held beneath the uppermost enclosing surface of the closure by the retaining means.

3. A closure as claimed in claim 2; wherein the product dispensing device is frangibly attached to the closure by a frangible nib.

17. A closure comprising an upper enclosing cap and a lower annular portion, the lower annular portion being formed with a product dispensing device disposed therein and beimg attached thereto by frangible nibs and the upper portion being formed with retaining means wherein the upper and lower portions are adapted to co-operate together so providing snapengagement therebetween.

18. A closure as claimed in claim 17 wherein the product dispensing device comprises a spoon and the retaining means comprises spigot.

19. A closure as claimed in claim 18, wherein the upper portion is attached to the lower portion by a hinge means.

20. A closure as claimed in claim 19, wherein the hinge means comprises two hinges and a laminar strip, one hinge attaching the lower portion to the laminar strip, and the second hinge attaching the upper portion to the laminar strip, the arrangement being such that the strip extends between the first and second hinges.

21. A closure as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the closure comprises an elliptical cross-section.

22. A closure as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the lower annular portion is formed to provide attachment means by which the closure is attached to a container.

23. A closure as claimed in claim 22, wherein the attachment means is in the form of a circumferential annular channel defined between two substantially vertical walls and a substantially horizontal portion, the arrangement being such that the vertical walls are radially disposed from each other by the substantially horizontal portion extending between the uppermost portions of the said vertical walls, so forming a U-shaped channel, the annular channel being formed to receive the neck of a container.

24. A closure as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein the spoon is disposed, prior to first use, within the lower portion, the arrangement being such that the outermost perimeter of the spoon is frangibly attached to the radially innermost surface of the radially innermost vertical wall, there being two access regions defined by the innermost radial surface of the radially innermost vertical wall and the spoon.

25. A closure as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein the closure has a circular cross-section and the dispensing device is in the form of a cup-like container, and prior to the first use of the cup, the cup is disposed within the lower annular portion by frangible nibs, the cup comprising a plurality of lugs extending from the innermost surface of the annular portion and the retaining means being in the form of frictional contact between the outermost surface of the cup and the lugs.

26. A closure as claimed in claim 25, wherein the cup is held within the lower annular portion by a frangible web.

27. A closure as claimed in claim 26, wherein the web extends between the outermost surface of the cup and the inner surface of the lower annular portion, wherein in use, the lower annular portion, cup and web assembly provide a fluid-tight means prior to first use of the cup.

28. A container for a product, comprising an upper enclosing cap and a lower tubular portion; the lower tubular portion formed with a product dispensing device attached thereto by frangible means; the dispensing device being disposed at substantially one end of the lower tubular portion and, in use, an enclosing base portion being disposed at the other end of the lower of the tubular portion; the upper portion being formed with retaining means for the dispensing device, wherein the upper and lower portions are adapted to co-operate together so providing snap-engagement therebetween.

29. A container as claimed in Claim 28 wherein the frangible means comprise frangible nibs.

30. A closure substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

31. A method of moulding a closure in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure is formed as a one piece moulding.

32. A method of moulding a closure as claimed in claim 28, wherein the method is an injection moulding process.

33. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.