KR20080043691A - Audible closing feature for a threaded container and lid - Google Patents

Abstract

Audible closing features for threaded container and lid are provided to achieve audible instruction sound notifying that the container and the lid are sufficiently sealed. A container having an audible closing feature includes a body, an external screw portion(16), a lid(12), an internal screw portion(18) and at least one radial inward extension lug(22). The body includes a neck portion that encloses an opening portion. The external screw portion of the neck portion has at least one notch(20). The lid includes an upper wall and a skirt suspended on the upper wall. The internal screw portion of the skirt engages with the external screw portion of the neck portion. The extension lug is disposed between the internal screw portion and the upper wall to be inserted into the notch, generating audible instruction sound.

Description

Audible Closing Feature for a Threaded Container and Lid

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to audible sealing features of spirally processed containers and lids, and more particularly to lugs and notches that provide an audible indication that the lid sufficiently closes the container.

Various matching devices can be included between the spirally processed container and the closure of the lid. Conventional devices may provide notches or protrusions within or adjacent to the helix of one or both of the lid and the container to perform various functions.

One of the various functions is to provide an exhaust passage for releasing pressure inside the vessel. The pressure exhaust system may include a notch in the helix of the lid and / or the helix of the container. Containers with a pressure exhaust system can be used to package compressed beverages, such as carbonated beverages. U. S. Patent No. 6,736, 280 provides a notch in the spiral of the lid for venting. U. S. Patent 5,533, 633 provides a notch in the spiral of the vessel for evacuation. U. S. Patent 6,006, 930 provides a notch in the helix of both the lid and the container for venting. However, none of the above mentioned patents discloses that the lid emits an audible indication when the container is sufficiently closed.

Another function of the lid and container mating device is to provide a locking feature between the lid and the container. One purpose of this locking feature is to provide a child protection safety lock, wherein the lid is not easily removed from the container. U. S. Patent No. 6,848, 590 discloses lugs and pocket devices that include lugs in the helix of the lid where the lid fits into a pocket in the helix of the container. When the seal is attempted to be removed from the container, the lug joint surface cooperates with the pocket joint surface to prevent the seal from loosening without sufficient axial force on the seal compressing the spring that allows the lug to pass through the pocket. To start. US Pat. No. 4,084,717 discloses a series of ratchets in the end of the helix of the container that engages a series of ratchet teeth in the lid. In order to open the container after it is closed, the teeth must first be disengaged from the ratchet before the lid can be rotated in the opening direction. This opening is performed by forcing the shaft down against the closure / lid to disengage the teeth from the ratchet. U. S. Patent No. 3,741, 421 discloses a lug and detent system to a lid or container that resists cap rotation in the open direction. Both lugs and detents are formed in the helix of each part (ie, lid or container). The lug is a downwardly projecting lug in the form of a right triangle with an inclined side, so that the rotation in the opposite direction (ie the unlocking direction) is significantly hindered because the vertical side of the lug lies against the wall of the detent. U.S. Patent 5,197,616 discloses in this patent a child safety lock feature wherein the lid comprises an inner cap, an intermediate cap, and an outer cap. The inner cap has a spiraled portion that engages the spiraled portion of the vessel. The intermediate cap adjacent to the inner cap rotates with the inner cap to lock in place when the inner cap is in a fully closed position. To seal the lid, the outer cap is rotated, and as the outer cap rotates, the intermediate cap and inner cap rotate until it is fully sealed. Once fully sealed, the inner cap and intermediate cap no longer rotate when the outer cap is rotated. As the outer cap continues to swing, it rotates past the intermediate cap even when the intermediate cap remains stationary and provides an audible click when sliding past the portion of the intermediate cap. An audible click occurs when the protrusion of the outer cap contacts the trailing edge of the cam surface of the intermediate cap and is provided when the intermediate cap is in a fully closed position. To remove the cap and open the container, the user must provide both rotational and axial forces to disengage the spiraled portion of the inner cap from the spiraled portion of the container. This child safety lock is especially designed to prevent the lid from being removed from the container.

Another function of the lid and container mating device is to provide an anti-backoff system that prevents the lid from being unwound or backed off from the closed position while being transported and / or stored. US Pat. No. 5,169,033 discloses the lid locking in place by providing a wedge tooth along the bottom spiral of the lid to prevent the lid from being backed off from the container. Thus, the teeth engage against the back side of the spiral along the container to prevent the lid from being backed off during transportation. It is also disclosed that this type of device is only useful for applications that do not require rapid removal of the seal. US Pat. No. 4,461,394 describes a series of alternate floors and recesses provided as part of the helix of the lid and container rim and the engagement of one floor with the recess of the other. U. S. Patent No. 5,803, 287 discloses providing the joints and protrusions under the helix of the container rim with the lower extension lug of the lid. As the lug inside the lid rotates past the junction of the container, the lug of the lid engages the junction to provide an audible click. Protrusions into the container forcefully fit with the helix of the lid to reduce backoff during transport and / or storage. However, none of the above patents discloses that an audible beep will sound when the lid is sufficiently sealed.

Lug and notch closure features provide an audible indicator that the lid sufficiently closes the container, minimizes resistance when the lid is removed from the container, reduces backoff between the lid and the container during transportation and / or storage, or Remove

A container having a body having a neck surrounding the opening and a lid having a top wall and a skirt suspended on the top wall are provided. The neck of the container has at least one notch and preferably, but not necessarily, an outer helix having at least three notches that are substantially equidistantly spaced apart. The skirt of the lid has an inner spiral that engages the outer spiral of the neck and has at least one radially inwardly extending lug and preferably, but not necessarily, at least one lug that is substantially equidistantly spaced for each notch. Have more. The lug is located between the inner helix and the upper wall. The lug snaps into the notch of the outer helix in order for the lid to generate an audible indication that tightly seals the container.

As the lid rotates around the neck of the container, the lug contacts the inclined end of the outer helix. The lug then slides onto the outer helix on the inclined end, uniformly deforming one or both of the lid and the container. The lug is then snapped into the notch to provide an audible indicator with the lid fully rotated to the closed position, returning one or both of the lid and the container to an unmodified or relaxed state.

In another aspect, the audible closure feature comprises a similar container and lid, but the outer helix of the neck has at least one radially outwardly extending lug and, although not necessarily, preferably, has at least three generally equidistantly spaced lugs. Inner spirals of the skirt of the lid have at least one notch and preferably, but not necessarily, at least three generally equidistantly spaced notches. The lug of the neck of the container is located between the outer helix and the opening. An audible indication is generated when the lugs of the neck snap into the notches on the lid.

The method of providing an audible indication of the position of the lid on the container comprises providing at least three lugs that are substantially equidistantly spaced apart between the inner spiral and the top wall of the lid, and generally equidistant from the outer spiral of the neck of the container body. Providing at least three notches spaced apart. At least one of the neck of the container and the skirt of the lid is uniformly deformed by engaging the lug and outer neck spiral and aligning the lug and notch to return at least one of the neck and the skirt to an undeformed or relaxed state.

The audible closure feature of the container with a spiraled lid, in particular a lug and notch device, is disclosed herein, which is shown in FIGS. The container provides an audible indication when the lid closes the container sufficiently, generates minimal resistance when removing the lid from the container, and provides a backoff between the lid and the container during transportation and / or storage. The seal may have at least one lug in the closure and at least one notch for receiving the lug along the helix of the container.

Both the container and the lid include spirals that engage each other to secure the lid to the container. The lid comprises at least one, preferably at least three lugs, located between the top surface of the lid and the top of the helix. When the lid sufficiently closes the container, the lugs may each be aligned with a corresponding notch or gap to the outer helix of the container neck, and alternatively, only some, but not all, lugs may be aligned with the corresponding notch. As the lid rotates relative to the container neck, the lugs that align with the corresponding notches will contact the inclined ends of the outer helix. As the lug rides up the outer helix over the inclined end of the outer helix, one or both of the lid skirt and the container neck may deform. If three or more lugs are used the deformation may be uniform. The lug slides along the helix until the lug snaps into the notch of the outer helix. When the lug snaps into the notch, an audible beep is sounded to indicate that the lid has been sufficiently rotated to the closed position and that the container is properly sealed, thereby giving the consumer confidence that the container is properly sealed.

In addition, the lugs and lugs of the container can be engaged to prevent the lid from being backed off from the container while the container is being transported and / or stored with the opening trace film covering the opening. The film may provide increased resistance to rotation between the lid and the container, which may be reinforced when the lug also contacts the film or when the lug is in the notch and the film may cause additional pressure between the spirals. have.

As shown in FIG. 4, the container 14 includes a body 26 having an opening 24 at one end and a neck 28 surrounding the opening 24 of the container 14. The neck 28 of the vessel 14 includes an outer helix 16 for engaging with the inner helix 18 of the lid 12. In addition, the outer helix 16 of the container 14 includes at least one notch 20 and preferably, but not necessarily, at least three generally equidistantly spaced notches 20. . Alternatively, the container 14 may include a ring, or continuous spiral protrusion, around the neck 28 of the container 14 below the spiral 16, which may include the notch 20.

The notch in helix 16 separates the helix into several segments. As a result, multi-segment spirals are formed. The outer helix 16 of the neck 28 of the container 14 may be discontinuous and inclined around the neck 28 of the container 14 such that the end of the helix overlaps the beginning of the other helix. The outer helix has at least three discontinuous outer helices, although not necessarily, having at least four discontinuous outer helices, with the uppermost end of the first outer helix overlapping at a position above the lowest end of the second outer helix. Where the top end of the first outer helix comprises a notch, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Alternatively, conversely, overlapping configurations may be possible. Alternatively, the helix may be continuous.

The notch 20 may be located in the uppermost helix 16, ie the helix closest to the top or opening 24 of the vessel 14. In addition, the notch 20 may be located near the end point of the top helix of the discontinuous outer helix, thereby separating adjacent portions of the helix 16 into two segments, the long segment separated by the notch 20 and the short segment. Can be.

The lid 12 is provided with an inner helix 18 that can be discontinuous. The lid 12 has a top wall 30 and a skirt 32 suspended on the top wall, with the spiral 18 located on the inner side of the skirt 32. The inner spiral 18 of the lid 12 is configured to engage the outer spiral 16 of the container neck 28 to seal the container 14. The helix 18 of the lid 12 may also be inclined such that the end of one helix overlaps the beginning of the other helix, depending on the configuration of the helix 16 of the neck 28 of the container 14. For example, the uppermost end of the first inner helix may overlap with the lower end of the second inner helix.

 The lid 12 includes at least one lug member 22 located between the top of the spiral 18 and the inner surface of the top wall 30 of the lid 12, but is not necessary, but preferably The lid includes at least three generally equidistantly spaced lugs 22 along the inner surface of the skirt 32 having at least three discrete inner spirals. Lug 22 may contact or be spaced apart from the upper side of spiral 18, and similarly may contact or be spaced from the intersection of top wall 30 and skirt 32. As shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the lug 22 is located on the upper side of the top helix 18 where the spirals 18 overlap and near the starting point of the top helix 18 in the overlapping section. do. In another embodiment, lug 22 is located on the upper side of spiral 18 in a non-overlapping section, contacting spiral 18 only and a predetermined distance from the intersection of skirt 32 and upper wall 30. Are spaced apart.

Lug 22 is sized to fit a notch 20 located in spiral 16 of vessel 14 and has a variety of shapes and sizes that are smaller than, complementary to, or larger than the notch 20. Can have. Typically, lug 22 may have a leading edge and a trailing edge, and may further include an exposed surface that contacts notch 20 when lug 22 is inserted. The opposite portion of the exposed surface may be a straight edge attached to the skirt 32 of the lid 12. The leading edge of the lug 22 is the first edge in contact with the notch 20, and the trailing edge is the end of the lug 22 in contact with the notch 20. One example of a lug shape is a general trapezoid, with four straight edges having a trailing edge at a different angle than the leading edge at a 90 degree angle and one of the remaining straight edges attached to the skirt. Lugs of other shapes may have rounded edges and top and bottom of straight edges. The leading and trailing edges may be of similar shape, ie both round, the exposed surface of the lug may be a straight edge, and the opposite side of the exposed surface attached to the skirt may also be a straight edge. Another possible shape lug may be a semicircular lug having only two sides, a semicircular side and a straight edge attached to the skirt. Another possible shape lug may be a quarter circle lug with three sides. The leading edge can be a straight edge with the rest of the exposed lug surface rounded and the side attached to the skirt of the lid can be a straight edge. Other shaped lugs may be provided to the lug member 22, and the shape of such lugs is not limited to those described above.

Notch 20 may be shaped to receive lugs 22 positioned on lid 12 and may have various shapes. The notch 20 may be slightly larger in size than the lug 22, or may be a size complementary to the size of the lug 22, or may be slightly smaller than the lug 22. Notch 20 is more than lug 22 such that lug 22 is longer than notch 20 and has a peripheral length that is longer than the peripheral length of notch 20 to closely fit lug 22 and notch 20. It is desirable to have a small size. It may be advantageous to start with this configuration if wear is expected in either or both lugs 22 and notches 20 due to repeated use. Preferably notch 20 extends through spiral 16 at least substantially broadly, separating the spiral into two segments.

The audible closure feature 10 may have at least one lug 22 and corresponding notch 10 that provide an audible sound that indicates when the lid 12 has sufficiently closed the container. When the container 14 is to be sealed, the lid 12 is opened so that the helix 18 of the lid 12 engages with the helix 16 of the container neck 28, like a conventional spiral closed system. (24) can be placed and rotated. When the lid is first rotated, the lugs 22 of the lid 12 can first pass between the spirals 16 of the container 14. However, the audible closure feature 10 may have an unequal number of lugs 22 and notches 20, such that, for example, the number of lugs 22 may be greater than the notches 20. An example of an audible closure feature 10 having an unequal number of lugs 22 and notches 20 may have four lugs 22 and only two notches 20, such that two lugs 22 ) Is aligned with the two notches 20.

As shown in FIG. 1A, as the lid 12 approaches the final point of rotation of the lid, the lug 22 may begin to engage the inclined portion of the helix 16 of the container 14 (FIGS. 1A through 1). FIG. 1C shows a cross section of the lid 12 located on top of the container 14 and shown to look outward from the interior of the container 14). The inclined position may be located in a short segment of the discontinuous outer helix 16 of the vessel 14 and may end at the notch 20 or may be located along the ring around the neck 28 of the vessel and also end at the notch 20. have. As shown in FIG. 1B, as the lug 22 engages with the slope of the outer helix 16 and slides along the slope, the neck 28 of the container 14 may be deformed inwardly in a uniform manner. And / or the skirt 32 of the lid 12 may deform outwardly in a uniform manner as the lugs 22 slide along the slope, or both may occur. When pressure is applied to the helix 16 of the vessel 14 by the lugs 22, tension may be established between the lid 12 and the vessel 14, which tension may be caused by the vessel 14 and / or the lid ( 12) may cause uniform deformation. When lug 22 is aligned with corresponding notch 20 and snaps into position within notch 20, neck 32 and / or skirt 32 of lid 12 is undeformed, or relaxed. You can return to the state. 1C shows the lugs 22 and notches 20 fully aligned and the lid 12 in a fully closed position. When lug 22 is snapped into position in notch 20, an audible sound may be produced indicating that lid 12 has sufficiently sealed container 14. The audible sound is preferably produced at the maximum rotational position between the lid 12 and the container 14.

Engagement of lug 22 with helix 16 may prevent lid 14 from backing off from container 14 during transportation and movement of container 14. By opening the tear trace film over the lid and between the neck 28 of the container 14 and the lid 12, the lugs 22 of the lid 12 are notched prior to first use during transportation and / or storage. Alignment with 20 can be prevented. The film between the lid 12 and the container 14 can interfere with the alignment of the lugs 22 and the notches 10 to block access to the notches 20, thereby preventing the lugs 22 from entering the notches 20. And prevents the lid 12 from rotating further toward the notch 20. Therefore, the tension of the lug 22 on the helix 16 of the container 14 covered with the film can be prevented from being backed off. Alternatively, a film, such as an unopened trail film, that does not extend into the spiral may provide increased resistance to rotation between the lid 12 and the container 14, which may also be in contact with the film or the lug 22. Lug 22 may be strengthened when notch 20 is in place so that the film may cause additional pressure between the spirals. In addition, the lug 22 and the notch 10 are configured by simply rotating the lid 12 without an axial force, thereby retracting the lid 12 from the container 14 to facilitate opening of the container 14. I can promote it.

As another device, lug 22 may be provided on neck 28 of container 14 and notch 20 may be provided on helix 18 of lid 12, although notch 20 and lug are provided. When aligning 22 it still provides an audible sound.

The number of lugs 22 on the lid 12 need not be equal to the number of notches 20 of the container helix 16. The number of lugs 22 may be greater than the number of notches 20, and vice versa. For example, the lid 12 may include four lugs 22 and the container 14 may have only two notches 20, such that the two lugs 22 of the lid are notches 20. Will remain unsnapped to it. Alternatively, there may be at least one lug 22 and at least one corresponding notch 20 for each lug 22, preferably at least three lugs 22 and a corresponding notch for each lug. (20) That is, it may have at least three notches 20, more preferably four lugs 22 and four notches 20, all of which are substantially equidistantly spaced apart, as shown in FIGS. ) Having at least three lugs 22 and three notches 20 allows the neck 28 of the container 14 and / or the skirt 32 of the lid 12 to maintain a uniform deformation. This further facilitates the lug 22 and notch 20 to snap in place at the time when the container 14 returns to its original undeformed shape, further facilitating the provision of an audible indication.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that audible reclosing features are provided for spirally finished containers which engage lugs and notch closure systems located in the lid and container neck and can provide an audible sound upon full closure. will be. However, the disclosure is not limited to the foregoing aspects and embodiments, or any particular embodiment. Various modifications to the audible reclosing features may exhibit approximately the same characteristics.

1A is a cross-sectional view of the lug to the lid positioned adjacent to the beginning of the outer helix of the container neck.

1B is a cross-sectional view of the lug to the lid located in the outer helix of the container neck.

1C is a cross-sectional view of the lug of the lid positioned in the notch to the outer helix of the container neck.

2 is a plan view of the container.

3 is a bottom view of the lid.

4 is a perspective view of the container with the lid spaced above the neck of the container.

5 is a perspective view of the container neck showing the outer helix and notches.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

12: lid

14 container

16: outer helix

18: spiral

20: notch

22: rug

24: opening

26 body

28: the neck

30: upper wall

32: skirt

Claims (20)

A container having an audible sealing feature, A body having a neck surrounding the opening, An outer helix of the neck, having at least one notch, A lid having a top wall and a skirt suspended from the top wall, At least a portion of the skirt, the inner spiral of the skirt for engaging the outer spiral of the neck and located between the inner spiral and the upper wall to be inserted into the notch of the outer spiral while generating an audible indication sound A container comprising one radially inwardly extending lug. The container of claim 1, wherein the outer helix of the neck has at least three notches substantially equidistantly spaced and at least three radially inwardly extending lugs spaced equidistantly. 3. The outer spiral of claim 2 wherein the outer helix has at least three discontinuous outer spirals along the outer surface of the neck and is inclined such that the uppermost end of the first outer helix overlaps the lowest end of the second outer helix. A top end of the notch includes the notch, the inner helix having at least three discontinuous inner spirals along the inner surface of the skirt and inclined such that the top end of the first inner helix overlaps the lowest end of the second inner helix. And each lug is located between the uppermost end of the adjacent inner helix and the inner surface of the top wall along the inner surface of the skirt. 4. The container of claim 3, wherein the at least three notches are positioned adjacent the end points of the at least three discontinuous outer spirals such that each discontinuous outer spiral comprises long segments and short segments separated by the notches. 5. The container of claim 4, wherein the at least three lugs are located adjacent to the end points of the at least three discontinuous inner spirals. The container according to claim 5, wherein the number of notches is different from the number of lugs. 6. The container of claim 5 wherein the number of notches and the number of lugs are four. 7. The container of claim 6, wherein the lug engages the discontinuous outer helix until the lug is aligned with the notch of the neck to uniformly deform at least one of the neck of the container and the skirt of the lid. The container of claim 8, wherein the lug engages the inclined portion of the discontinuous outer helix and the inclined portion is located on the short segment of the discontinuous outer helix. 10. The container of claim 9, wherein the audible indication occurs when the lug snaps into the notch, indicating that the lid has been sufficiently rotated to a closed position. The container of claim 10, wherein the lug has a peripheral length longer than the peripheral length of the notch. 12. The container of claim 10, wherein engagement of the lug with the helix of the container prevents backoff between the lid and the container while the container is transported and moved. The container of claim 10, wherein each lug has a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge being the first edge of the lug in contact with the notch and curved. 11. The container of claim 10, wherein each of the lugs has a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge being the first edge of the lug in contact with the notch and being linear. 2. The outer spiral of claim 1 wherein the outer helix has four discrete outer helices each having a notch along the outer surface of the neck and the inner spiral has four discontinuous inner helix along the inner surface of the skirt. Lugs are positioned between the uppermost end of the inner helix and the inner surface of the upper wall along the inner surface of the skirt. The container of claim 15, wherein the lug has a peripheral length longer than the peripheral length of the notch. 16. The container of claim 15, wherein the audible indication occurs when the lug snaps into the notch, indicating that the lid has been sufficiently rotated to the closed position. To provide an audible indication of the position of the lid on the container, Providing at least three lugs substantially equidistantly spaced between the inner spiral and the top wall of the lid, Providing at least three notches substantially equidistantly spaced to the outer helix of the neck of the container body, Deforming at least one of the neck of the container and the skirt of the lid by engaging the lug with the outer helix; Returning at least one of the neck of the container and the skirt of the lid to an undeformed state by aligning the notch with the lug of the outer helix. 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the outer helix has at least three discontinuous outer helixes along the outer surface of the neck and is inclined such that the uppermost end of the first outer helix overlaps the lowest end of the second outer helix. The uppermost end of the helix comprises the notch, the inner helix having at least three discontinuous inner helix along the inner surface of the skirt and inclined such that the uppermost end of the first inner helix overlaps with the lowest end of the second inner helix. And each lug is located between the uppermost end of the adjacent inner helix and the inner surface of the upper wall along the inner surface of the skirt. A container having an audible sealing feature, A lid with a top wall and a skirt suspended from the top wall, An inner spiral of the skirt, having at least one notch, A body having a neck surrounding the opening, Positioned between the outer helix of the neck for engaging the inner helix of the skirt and the outer helix and the opening for insertion into at least one notch of the inner helix while generating an audible indication sound; A container comprising at least one radially outwardly extending lug of the neck.

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