JP2005512914A - Improved sealing system - Google Patents

Abstract

  A closure system for a container, comprising a base cap (11) configured to be positioned over a hole in the container and having at least one opening (17) for fluid passage, covering the base cap With an opening that allows the passage of fluid or milk and is movable between an open position where fluid can pass through the opening and a closed position which effectively prevents passage of fluid through the opening Outer cap (12), nozzle or nipple (13) combined with outer cap (12) and having an outlet (41) for passage of fluid, and outer cap (12) from the inner space of outer cap (12) A sealing system consisting of a passageway (30) in the form of a groove extending to a region above.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sealing system for containers such as liquid bottles. However, the present invention relates to containers of all kinds of fluids, including chemical fluids containing gases and hazardous chemicals.

  The present invention relates to the invention disclosed in co-pending international patent application PCT / AU01 / 01091.

  Infant bottles usually have a sealing system consisting of a screw cap with a nipple or nozzle. Infants sucked on the nipple can suck out the milk in the bottle.

  Unfortunately, infants drinking milk from bottles as described above often encounter the problem of colic. The problem of colic occurs when an infant inhales air at the same time as the milk.

  A problem with current bottles for infants is that the bottle cap with the nipple cannot prevent air from entering the bottle interior through the hole in the nipple. Such air flow is automatically generated by the negative pressure created in the nozzle when the infant sucks milk through the nipple hole.

  The present invention preferably provides an alternative form of sealing system that can reduce the amount of air that is sucked with milk through the hole in the nipple when used in infant jars. To do.

  In accordance with the present invention, a closure system for a container, the base configured to be positioned over one or more holes in the container and having at least one opening for passage of fluid. A cap, which can be arranged to cover the base cap, has at least one opening that allows the passage of fluid, the fact that each opening or an open position through which the fluid can pass and the passage of the fluid through the opening An outer cap movable between an upper blocking closed position, a nozzle configured to be combined with the outer cap and having an outlet for passage of fluid, and from an inner space of the outer cap above the outer cap A sealing system comprising a passage extending to the region is provided.

  Preferably, the passage comprises a groove or other conduit for air or gas.

  Preferably, the passage has an outlet to the external environment on the upper surface of the outer cap.

  Alternatively, the passage may have an outlet to the external environment on the outer surface of the nozzle.

  Preferably, the passage has an outlet to the external environment between the upper surface of the outer cap and the outer surface of the nozzle.

  The passage is preferably formed by a groove formed in the nozzle and / or the outer cap.

  The nozzle preferably has a lower flange.

  The passage may be formed on the upper surface of the flange.

  The passage may have an entrance on the lower surface of the nozzle.

  It is preferable that the passage has an entrance on the lower surface of the nozzle.

  The inlet may be located at the lower edge of the flange.

  It is preferable that the passage extends along a peripheral edge of the nozzle.

  It is preferable that the passage has a spiral portion that goes around the upper portion of the nozzle.

  Preferably, the passage extends at least once around the center of the nozzle.

  Preferably, the passage extends around the center of the nozzle by turning 720 ° from the inlet.

  The passage may extend upward from an inner end of the spiral portion.

  Preferably, the passage extends upward from the inner end of the spiral portion at a position radially inward from the entrance.

  It is preferable that the passage is formed on the inner lower surface of the upper surface of the outer cap.

  It is preferable that the nozzle has a flange located above the flange.

  The nozzle may be flexible.

  It is preferable that the nozzle includes a central body and the flange is provided at the bottom of the central body.

  Preferably, the outlet comprises a groove on the lower surface of the ridge, and the groove extends to the periphery of the ridge.

  The passage may extend upward from the flange along the outer surface of the central body.

  The flange may include a peripheral edge made of sealing means for sealing the nozzle against the inner surface of the outer cap.

  The sealing means may consist of a flexible hem.

  The skirt preferably extends downward.

  It is preferable that the skirt has an end portion in contact with the inner surface of the side wall of the outer cap.

  It is preferable that the flange is configured to be placed on the upper surface of the outer cap.

  It is preferable that the upper surface of the flange is configured to contact the lower surface of the upper wall of the outer cap.

  The said entrance may be located between the peripheral part of the said flange, and the corresponding site | part of the side wall inner surface of the said adjacent outer cap.

  According to another embodiment, the passage comprises a groove formed in the lower surface of the upper wall of the outer cap.

  The outlet may comprise an inner peripheral groove surrounding the opening.

  It is preferable that the entrance is located in the vicinity of the inner periphery of the flange.

  The entrance may be a small wellhead extending from the inner end of the flange to the outer surface.

  Preferably, the outlet extends through the wall of the outer cap.

  Preferably, the wellhead communicates with a groove extending around the center of the nozzle.

  The wellhead may protrude to a side wall of the outer cap.

  The base cap and the outer cap may be configured such that the outer cap can be screwed onto the base cap.

  It is preferable that the outer cap has a female screw on the inner surface of the side wall and includes at least one protrusion that crosses the female screw.

  It is preferable that the outer cap has two protrusions.

  The base cap may have an external thread on the outer side surface of the side wall, and may include at least one groove that crosses the external thread.

  According to one embodiment, the base cap includes two transverse grooves to define the open and closed positions of the sealing system.

  According to another embodiment, the base cap has two transverse grooves spaced apart on each of the two male threads.

  The sealing system may include locking means for providing resistance to rotation of the outer cap when the outer cap has been rotated a predetermined distance to open the opening.

  The locking means may comprise the protrusion / cross groove combination.

  The locking means may provide resistance to rotation of the outer cap when the outer cap has been rotated to the closed position.

  The resistance to rotation may be slightly greater than the force required to twist the base cap out of the container.

  The term “consisting of, comprising” is to be interpreted non-exclusively and additional features may be further added.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1 a, the sealing system consists of a base cap 11 and an outer cap 12 and a nipple 13.

  The base cap shown in FIG. 2 a is generally cylindrical in shape and consists of a side wall 14 and a circular flat wall 15, which has a central dome 16 surrounded by four equally spaced openings 17. I have. The side wall 14 is provided with a male screw 18 composed of two screw portions 19 and 20, and each screw is provided with a vertical groove 21 disposed at an interval of about 90 ° with respect to the center line of the base cap 11. It has been.

  The inner surface of the base cap (not visible in the figure) is provided with an internal thread so that the base cap can be screwed into the neck of the bottle. Further, as can be seen from below the upper surface 15, an annular edge extends downward from directly below the upper surface 15 and surrounds the opening 17.

  The outer cap shown in FIG. 3 a has the same shape as the base cap 11 and has a castle-like pattern around the side wall 22 to facilitate gripping and rotation. The inner surface 23 of the outer cap 12 is provided with a female screw or groove configured to engage with the male screw of the base cap 11. Further, a vertical protrusion 24 is provided across each of the two female screws, and is configured to engage with a groove provided in the male screw of the base cap 11.

  The upper surface of the upper wall 25 of the outer cap 12 is generally flat and has a circular opening. The lower surface 26 of the upper wall 25 is also generally flat.

  The nipple 13 shown in FIG. 4 a is made of an elastic plastic or rubber material and consists of an annular thin base 27, a nipple body 28 and a small ridge 29 arranged slightly above the annular base 27.

  As shown in FIG. 4b, the base 27 in the form of a thin flange has a passage 30 in the form of a groove. This groove starts at a starting point 31 at the periphery of the base 27 and first extends vertically upward along the outer edge 32 and then extends a small distance radially inward as indicated by reference numeral 33 and then the nipple main body. 28, in the form of a spiral 34, and after two revolutions around the nipple main body 28, a slight distance inward (as indicated by reference numeral 35) radially inward on a line substantially coincident with the portion 33 It extends.

  Thereafter, the groove extends vertically upward on the outer wall of the nipple main body 28, and then extends radially outward at the lower surface of the heel 29 at 36. This passage 30 ends at an exit 37 to the outside environment.

  The base 27 is annular and has a central opening 38 that allows fluid to enter and exit the nipple main body 28.

  In use, each component 11, 12 and 13 is assembled as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. That is, the nipple is combined with the outer cap 12 such that the nipple main body 28 protrudes through the opening of the outer cap 12. The upper surface 39 of the base 27 contacts the lower surface 26 of the outer cap. In this way, the passage is surrounded by the groove 30.

  The flange 29 is pushed out through the opening of the outer cap and rests on the inner peripheral edge of the outer cap 12 surrounding the opening.

  Only the groove 36 extending radially outward is located above the level of the upper surface 25, while the remaining part of the groove is located directly below the upper wall 25 except for a vertical portion above the base 27. ing.

  In a first mode of operation where the sealing structure is in the open state, the base cap 11 is screwed into the neck (not shown) of the bottle, the outer cap 12 is connected to the female cap projection 24 of the outer cap 12 The cap 11 is screwed into the base cap 11 to a position where it rests in the uppermost vertical groove 21 of the male thread of the cap 11.

  At this point, the upper surface 25 of the outer cap 12 is above and away from the upper surface 15 of the base cap 11. That is, as shown in FIG. 1 a, a space 40 exists between the upper wall 15 and the upper wall 25. Thus, the central dome 16 that normally closes and seals the opening 38 of the base 27 is away from this opening 38, and when the bottle is inverted, fluid enters the nipple main body 28 and from the nipple outlet 41. I can go out.

  As fluid is withdrawn from the outlet 41, a negative pressure is created within the sealing structure, resulting in air entering from the outside environment through any available opening. This opening is usually the outlet 41. However, since the passage 30 shown in FIG. 1B is provided from the outlet 37 to the inlet 31, the air passes through the outlet 37, goes around the passage by the groove 34, goes down the outer periphery of the base 27, and goes to the chamber 40. And can be pulled in. The air can then pass down any one of the openings 17 and replace the fluid exiting the bottle through the outlet 41. As a result, the entry of air provides a path with less resistance than passing through the outlet 41, so that only fluid tries to flow through the outlet 41 and air passes through the passage 30.

  Thus, two chambers are formed by the space between the outer cap and the base cap 11. One of these chambers is above the outer cap 12 and the other is below the outer cap 12 and above the base cap 11. That is, liquid can fill both chambers and passage 30 keeps the liquid in these passages at neutral pressure. In other words, when the bottle is turned upside down, there is no external force applied to the liquid other than gravity, and the liquid remains in these chambers until the outlet 41 is opened to allow the liquid to simply drop or be sucked by an infant or the like. Be drunk.

  Because the net pressure applied to this liquid is zero, the infant sucked on the nozzle will not suck against the pressure and therefore less likely to inhale air.

  As liquid exits outlet 41, new liquid from the bottle flows into the two chambers to replace the liquid that has flowed out.

  The base 27 is a flexible annular flange having a skirt 42 extending downward at the periphery, and the skirt 42 functions as a seal.

  When fluid is drawn from the outlet 41 by, for example, a suction action, the skirt 42 can move slightly downward so that air can more easily enter the chamber 40. On the other hand, when the fluid is not sucked out from the outlet 41, the skirt 42 takes a position where it abuts on the adjacent inner surface 43 of the outer cap 12.

  This provides a seal around the periphery of the base 27 except for the small entrance opening 31.

  If it is desired to close the sealing structure, simply rotate the outer cap 12 in a direction opposite to the direction for opening the sealing structure and press the bottom surface 43 of the base 27 against the top surface 15 of the base cover 11. Thus, the dome 16 may be fitted into the opening 38 to seal the opening 38.

  Since the opening 17 is covered by the base 27, no fluid can escape from the inside of the bottle through the opening 17.

  The bottom vertical groove 21 of the base cap 11 is configured to receive a corresponding one of the protrusions 24 on the outer cap to indicate that the outer cap has reached the blocking position.

  The sealing structure provides an easy way to open and close the baby bottle to allow or block the passage of fluid out of the baby bottle through the outlet 41. Furthermore, the arrangement of the passages allows air to enter the chamber formed in the sealing structure and prevents or at least restricts the entry of air through the outlet 41.

  The said embodiment may be changed so that a channel | path may be formed contrary to the above, and a channel | path may be formed as a groove | channel of the outer cap 12 instead of the nipple 13. FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows a sealing structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  Similar to the previous embodiment, the sealing system comprises a base cap 111, an outer cap 121, and a nipple 131. In addition, an infant bottle 50 is also illustrated, having a neck with a screw on the outer surface. The base cap 111 is screwed into the bottle neck 51 and the sealing structure functions in a similar manner as described with respect to the previous embodiment.

The main difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is
i. The design of the nipple 131, and ii. This is the design of the outer cap 121.

  In the previous embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, a small heel 29 is provided on the nipple. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, a groove shape extending from the starting point 31 on the periphery of the annular base 27, spiraling around the nipple main body 28, and extending below the small ridge 39 to the exit point 37. A passage 30 is provided.

  In contrast, the teat 131 of FIG. 5 does not have a channel in the form of a groove in the base 27 of the teat. Instead, a passage is provided in the lower surface of the outer cap 121, which is best shown in FIG. That is, the entrance point 320 of the passage 300 is provided on the lower surface of the outer cap 121 so as to be positioned on the inner surface 112 of the upper portion of the outer cap 121.

  Similar to the passage in the nipple of the previous embodiment, the passage 300 begins at the entry point 320 and extends radially inward toward the center of the outer cap 121, and then spirals the opening of the outer cap 121 It is going around. The passage 300 wraps around the opening 113 twice in a spiral (720 °) and terminates at an outlet located on a line that coincides with the inner peripheral edge of the outer cap 121 and the entrance point 320.

  A short external passage or groove is provided on the outer surface of the nipple, similar to that provided in the previous embodiment, vertically above the nipple outer surface from the exit point 350 and below the heel 290 of the nipple. Also good.

  Providing the passage 300 in the outer cap makes the passage rigid and avoids the problem of passage integrity and the difficulty of providing a proper passage in the nipple.

  As already mentioned, below the lip of the base of the nipple, it deflects when the bottle is turned upside down for use, allowing air to enter, and if the bottle is crushed, the flow of fluid through the passageway A sufficiently thin and elastic hem 42 or partition membrane is still provided so that it can function as a seal to prevent the above. Thus, when the bottle is actually squeezed, pressure is applied to the fluid, the drooping lid is pressed to enable sealing with the inner periphery of the outer cap, and the liquid passes around the partition membrane and enters the entrance point 320 of the passageway. So that it does not flow into

  In order to achieve the same purpose as described above, an independent partition membrane can be disposed directly under the base of the nipple. Similarly, a sag lid may be provided on some types of covers that cover the base cap 111 but have holes corresponding to the holes in the base cap 111 to allow fluid to pass through. A drooping lid may be provided on the inner surface of the outer cap 121.

  It should be noted that providing the passages 30, 300 with a spiral path has the effect of surface tension and helps reduce fluid leakage from the bottle 50.

  9-11 show various views of the base cap 111. This is virtually the same as the base cap of the previous embodiment.

  Any reference to any prior art document in this specification does not admit that such reference constitutes common general knowledge in this technical field in Australia or other countries.

1 is a front cross-sectional view of a sealing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1b is an enlarged view of the sealing system shown in FIG. 1a. FIG. 3 is a view from above of a base cap according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 2b is a side view of the base cap shown in FIG. 2a. FIG. It is a figure from the diagonal front of the outer cap by a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3b is a view from obliquely below the outer cap shown in FIG. 3a. 1 is a front view of a nipple according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 4b is a cross-sectional view of the nipple shown in FIG. 4a. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an infant bottle equipped with the sealing system of the present invention, according to a further embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a top view of an outer cap according to a further embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a side view of the outer cap shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the outer cap shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a top view of a base cap according to a further embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side view of the base cap shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the base cap shown in FIG. 9.

Claims (30)

A sealing system for a container,
A base cap configured to be positioned over a hole in the container and having at least one opening for fluid access;
Between an open position that can be positioned over the base cap and that allows fluid to pass through, and that allows fluid to pass through the opening, and a closed position that substantially prevents passage of fluid through the opening. Movable outer cap,
A sealing system comprising a nozzle configured to mate with the outer cap and having an outlet for passage of fluid, and a passage extending from the interior of the outer cap to a region above the outer cap.   The blocking system according to claim 1, wherein the passage is a groove formed in the nozzle.   The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the passage is a groove formed in the outer cap.   The sealing system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the passage has an outlet to an external environment on an upper surface of the outer cap.   The sealing system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the passage has an outlet to an external environment on an outer surface of the nozzle.   The sealing system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the passage has an outlet to an external environment between an upper surface of the outer cap and an outer surface of the nozzle.   The sealing system according to claim 1 or 6, wherein the nozzle has a lower flange.   The sealing system according to claim 7, wherein the passage is formed in an upper surface of the flange.   The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein an entrance to the passage is provided in a peripheral region inside the outer cap.   The sealing system according to claim 9, wherein the entrance is located between a peripheral edge of the flange and a corresponding portion of the inner wall surface of the adjacent outer cap.   The sealing system according to claim 10, wherein the passage extends radially inward from the entrance.   The sealing system of claim 11, wherein the passage has a helical portion that runs around the top of the nozzle.   13. A sealing system according to claim 12, wherein the passage is spiraled 720 [deg.] Around the top of the nozzle with respect to the inlet.   The closure system of claim 13, wherein the passage extends upward from an inner end of the helical portion.   15. The sealing system according to claim 14, wherein the nozzle has a ridge located above the flange.   The sealing system according to claim 14, wherein the passage is formed in a lower surface of an upper wall of the outer cap.   The sealing system according to claim 1 or 16, further comprising sealing means for sealing an entrance to the passage so as to seal the passage from a fluid in a container.   18. A sealing system according to claim 17, wherein the sealing means comprises a flexible hem.   The closure system of claim 18, wherein the flexible skirt comprises a lip configured to contact an opposing surface of the outer cap.   20. A sealing system according to claim 19, wherein the lip is located at a peripheral edge of the flange.   The sealing system according to claim 19, wherein the sealing means comprises an annular member having a lip on the periphery.   The sealing system of claim 1, wherein the base has a plurality of openings located around the center of the base cap.   The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the base cap has an outer screw on the outer side wall that mates with a corresponding screw on the inner side wall of the outer cap.   24. The sealing system of claim 23, wherein the base cap has an external thread on the outer sidewall surface, the external thread comprising at least two transverse grooves for defining an open position and a closed position of the present closure system.   25. The sealing system of claim 24, wherein the outer cap is configured to rotate to move between an open position and a closed position.   Claims wherein when the outer cap is in the open position, a first chamber is provided between the outer cap and the base cap and a second chamber is provided between the outer cap and the nozzle. 26. The sealing system according to Item 25.   27. The sealing system of claim 26, wherein the outer cap has at least one protrusion configured to resist rotation of the outer cap.   28. The sealing system according to claim 27, further comprising locking means for resisting rotation of the outer cap when the outer cap has finished rotating a predetermined distance to open the opening.   29. The sealing system of claim 28, wherein the locking means comprises at least one protrusion provided on the outer cap and at least one groove provided on the base cap. The sealing system of claim 1, wherein the passage is designed to provide a surface tension that limits the passage of liquid.

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