NZ286187A - Container outlet closure assembly; externally threaded outlet engaged by threaded closure cap and moulded structure with valve seat, interposed between an internal surface of outlet and cap - Google Patents

Description

NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No: 286187 Date: 15 March 1996 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "A Container Assembly, A Closure Assembly and related Means and Methods" We, CARTER HOLT HARVEY LIMITED, a duly incorporated New Zealand company of 640 Great South Road, Auckland, New Zealand,, 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: The present invention relates to improvements in and/or relating to container assemblies, closure assemblies for a container, and related means and/or methods which lend themselves to the controlled release of liquids.

The present invention is directed to an arrangement which facilitates the rapid release of the liquid contents of, for example, a drinking bottle as an alternative to the now common teeth pull or finger pull type pop up dispensing opening.

The present invention however in its broadest aspect is not necessarily tied to such uses.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide means and/or methods which will provide at least an alternative to any existing containers, closure assemblies for containers and related means and methods and which in a preferred form of the present invention are capable of being used in conjunction with drinking containers such as for use by athletes.

In a first aspect the invention consists in a container assembly capable of closing and/or opening an outlet from the liquid reservoir of the container, said assembly comprising means defining a container having an outlet, integrally formed in said means defining said container or engaged or engageable thereto, means defining an externally threaded surround of said outlet having an axial end directed away from said container and an inwardly facing surface; a moulded structure or assembly to seal on at least one of a) said axial end of said externally threaded surround; and b) said inwardly facing surface of said surround, said moulded structure or assembly also defining a valve seat inwardly spaced or to be inwardly spaced from said externally threaded surround but substantially centrally thereof, even if axially displaced with respect to said surround; and an internally threaded closure member engageable to said threaded surround, said closure member having an outlet opening ana at least one means to associate with or become associated with said moulded structure or assembly when said closure member has been screw tightened on said externally threaded surround so as to seal such associating part (parts) of said closure member to said moulded structure or assembly, and/or, said moulded structure or assembly to said externally threaded surround, and wherein when at least partially untightened a flow path exists to allow liquid outflow through said opening of said closure member but said liquid pathway is closed upon such tightening by part of said closure member seating on said valve seat of said moulded structure or assembly.

Preferably said moulded structure or assembly is of a material more flexible than said externally threaded surround and said internally threaded closure member, eg. for example a moulded plastics material having characteristics similar to a rigid or self supporting synthetic rubber, or which is itself a synthetic rubber.

Preferably said closure member has said outlet opening as part of a spigot like region thereof.

Preferably that region or those parts of said closure member to seat on said valve seat are regions (preferably annular or frustoconical) internally of a spigot like structure having said outlet opening.

Preferably in some forms of the present invention said externally threaded surround is integrally formed about the outlet of said container.

In other preferred forms of the present invention said container is provided with a threaded or otherwise formed outlet onto which there is screw or otherwise engaged a structure which includes moulded therein said externally threaded surround.

Preferably said moulded structure or assembly is a unitary moulded member.

Preferably said moulded structure or assembly is capable of sealing on both a) said axial end of said externally threaded surround; and b) said inwardly facing surface of said surround.

Preferably said internally threaded closure member includes a skirt integrally formed therein which directs towards said container and in both said tightened and untightened conditions lies inwardly but on an inwardly facing surface of said moulded structure or assembly so as to facilitate at least a partial seal of said moulded structure or assembly (b), both in the tightened and untightened conditions to minimise a flow path between such a moulded structure or assembly and said externally threaded surround.

Preferably said internally threaded closure includes an annular projection directed towards said container which acts on an area of said moulded structure or assembly which overlies said axial end of said externally threaded surround thereby, once tightened, to ensure the seal thereof (a).

In a second aspect the invention consists in an outlet assembly for or of a container, said assembly comprising either (i) means defining a container having an outlet having integrally formed therein an externally threaded surround of said outlet having an axial end directed away from said container and an inwardly facing surface; or, (ii) means suitable for engagement to a container about an opening thereof to define an externally threaded surround of said 286187 opening (even if spaced therefrom) having an axial end directed away from said container and an inwardly facing surface; a moulded structure or assembly to seal on at least one of a) said axial end of said externally threaded surround; and b) said inwardly facing surface of said surround, said moulded structure or assembly (ideally concentric to the container opening) also defining a valve seat inwardly spaced or to be inwardly spaced from said externally threaded surround but substantially centrally thereof, even if axially displaced with respect to said surround; and an internally threaded closure member engageable to said threaded surround, said closure member having an outlet opening and at least one means to associate with or become associated with said moulded structure or assembly when said closure member has been screw tightened on said externally threaded surround so as to seal such associating part (parts) of said closure member to said moulded structure or assembly, and/or, said moulded structure or assembly to said externally threaded surround, and wherein when at least partially untightened in use a flow path exists from the container outlet to allow liquid outflow through said opening of said closure member but said liquid pathway is closed upon such tightening by part of said closure member seating on said valve seat of said moulded structure or assembly.

Preferably said moulded structure or assembly is of a material more flexible than said externally threaded surround and said internally threaded closure member, eg. for example a moulded plastics material having characteristics similar to a rigid or self supporting synthetic rubber, or which is itself a synthetic rubber.

Preferably said closure member has said outlet opening as part of a spigot like region thereof.

Preferably that region or those parts of said closure member to seat on said valve seat are regions (preferably annular or frustoconical) internally of a spigot like structure having said outlet opening.

Preferably in some forms ofthe present invention said externally threaded surround is integrally formed about the outlet of said container.

In other preferred forms of the present invention said container is provided with a threaded or otherwise formed outlet onto which there is screw or otherwise engaged a structure which includes moulded therein said externally threaded surround.

Preferably said moulded structure or assembly is a unitary moulded member.

Preferably said moulded structure or assembly is capable of sealing on both 286187 a) said axial end of said externally threaded surround; and b) said inwardly facing surface of said surround.

Preferably said internally threaded closure member includes a skirt integrally formed therein which directs towards said container and in both said tightened and untightened conditions lies inwardly but on an inwardly facing surface of said moulded structure or assembly so as to facilitate at least a partial seal of said moulded structure or assembly (b), both in the tightened and untightened conditions to minimise a flow path between such a moulded structure or assembly and said externally threaded surround.

Preferably said internally threaded closure includes an annular projection directed towards said container which acts on an area of said moulded structure or assembly which overlies said axial end of said externally threaded surround thereby, once tightened, to ensure the seal thereof (a).

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in any component of any of assemblies previously described and/or substantially as hereinafter described or without reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of containing a drinking liquid which involves the use operatively of a container assembly or a container fitted to an assembly in accordance with the present invention.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a drinking container comprising a container assembly as previously set forth and a contained liquid.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or fr atures, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a perspective view of the container assembly (the lower regions of the container being omitted for ease of depicting the closure assembly), such a view beinp on a sectional axis through a central plane of the container assembly, the closure being t ".^wn in its sealed closed condition, Figure 2 is a similar view to that of Figure 1 but showing a fluid flow path through the closure assembly after axial displacement caused by unscrewing, 28 6187 Figure 3 is a similar view to that of Figure 1 but showing the fitment of an optional clip on cap (shown exploded), Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, but showing the cap fitted (eg. for hygiene purposes if required at a point of sale for example), and Figure 5 is a sectional view in side elevation of the assembly showing to the left of the centre line the optional dust cover fitted with the closure providing the appropriate seal to the container and showing to the right of the centre line the dust cover removed and showing the same in a drink dispensing mode.

In the preferred form of the present invention all of the components are of a suitable plastics material although if desired, for example an appropriate plastics material for each component is as follows: the container with preferably an integral externally threaded flange about its outlet HDPE, PET, PVC, PP, PC, LDPE, etc. the moulded structure or assembly HDPE, LDPE, PP, etc. the internally threaded closure member HDPE, LDPE, PP, etc., and the optional hygiene cap GP Styrene, PP, etc.

In the preferred form of the present invention a container 1 with an outlet 2 is preferably provided with an externally threaded skirt 3 onto which a closure cap member 4 can screw engage by virtue of the internal threading of the closure member 4.

Interposed between the axial end 5 of the externally threaded skirt 3 and the closure cap 4 is preferably a moulded member 6 which defines a protuberant central region supported by ribs having a frustoconical valve seat 7a capable of mating with a frustoconical surface 8 of the closure member 4 so as to close the liquid pathway shown by the various arrows in Figure 2.

The preferred moulded structure or assembly 6 includes a circular region capable of sitting on the axial end 5 of the externally threaded skirt 3 as well as lying against an inwardly facing surface thereof, ie. the member 7b which forms part of the moulded structure or assembly 6 preferably seats at 5 as well as at 9 as well as with 12.

The closure cap member preferably has an opening 10 which in the condition shown in Figure 2 allows the drinking of liquid as desired from the confines of the container 1 owing to the fluid path passageway allowed between spaced ribs or vanes 11 of the structure 6 and the spaced apart surfaces 7a and 8. Preferably the moulded member to be concentric with the container opening three of four such ribs 11 spaced about the substantially central portion of the member 6 which has the valve seat 7a.

The closure cap 4 between the usual limits of axial movement shown between Figures 1 and 2 and shown in Figure 5 is such that when screwed tight as shown in Figure 28 6,87 1 there is a seal between the surfaces 7a and 8 which prevents liquid egress as well as seals involving the member 6 and the surfaces 5 and 7b under the action of the inwardly directed annular skirt 12 of the closure member 4 and the inwardly directed annular projection 13.

The member 12 forms a sliding seal with item 6-7c.

As can be seen from the annexed drawings the present invention allows with a simple three piece construction the provision of a drink or other dispensing bottle which upon a simple quick screwing using a single or multi start thread allows the taking of liquid from within the container. Even while being used as a drink bottle however there is sufficient engagement of the member 6 by the closure cap and particularly the skirt member 12 to ensure a minimum of loss of liquid through the threaded region between the members 3 and 4.

In other forms of the present invention the externally threaded skirt can itself be part of a first cap like member that is simply engaged onto an existing container or welded, adhered or otherwise affixed thereto. Such a form however is less preferred since the arrangement as depicted allows a simple three piece association to achieve a desired end.

The closure cap member 4 is limited axially by interference of member 14 as part of 2 with member 15 as part of 4. *86187 -8~

Claims (21)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A container assembly capable of closing and/or opening an outlet from the liquid reservoir of the container, said assembly comprising means defining a container having an outlet; integrally formed in said means defining said container or engaged or engageable thereto, means defining an externally threaded surround of said outlet having an axial end directed away from said container and an inwardly facing surface; a moulded structure or assembly to seal on at least one of a) said axial end of said externally threaded surround; and b) said inwardly facing surface of said surround, said moulded structure or assembly also defining a valve seat inwardly spaced or to be inwardly spaced from said externally threaded surround but substantially centrally thereof, even if axially displaced with respect to said surround; and an internally threaded closure member engageable to said threaded surround, said closure member having an outlet opening and at least one means to associate with or become associated with said moulded structure or assembly when said closure member has been screw tightened on said externally threaded surround so as to seal such associating part (parts) of said closure member to said moulded structure or assembly, and/or, said moulded structure or assembly to said externally threaded surround, and wherein when at least partially untightened a flow path exists to allow liquid outflow through said opening of said closure member but said liquid pathway is closed upon such tightening by part of said closure member seating on said valve seat of said moulded structure or assembly.

2. A container assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said moulded structure or assembly is of a material more flexible than said externally threaded surround and said internally threaded closure member, eg. for example a moulded plastics material having characteristics similar to a rigid or self supporting synthetic rubber, or which is itself a synthetic rubber.

3. A container assembly as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein said closure member has said outlet opening as part of a spigot like region thereof.

4. A container assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein that region or those parts of said closure member to seat on said valve seat are regions (preferably annular or frustoconical) internally of a spigot like structure having said outlet 286187 -9- opening.

5. A container assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said externally threaded surround is integrally formed about the outlet of said container.

6. A container assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container is provided with a threaded or otherwise formed outlet onto which there is screw or otherwise engaged a structure which includes moulded therein said externally threaded surround.

7. A container assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said moulded structure or assembly is a unitary moulded member.

8. A container assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said moulded structure or assembly is capable of sealing on both a) said axial end of said externally threaded surround; and b) said inwardly facing surface of said surround.

9. A container assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said internally threaded closure member includes a skirt integrally formed therein which directs towards said container and in both said tightened and untightened conditions lies inwardly but on an inwardly facing surface of said moulded structure or assembly so as to facilitate at least a partial seal of said moulded structure or assembly (b), both in the tightened and untightened conditions to minimise a flow path between such a moulded structure or assembly and said externally threaded surround.

10. A container assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said internally threaded closure includes an annular projection directed towards said container which acts on an area of said moulded structure or assembly which overlies said axial end of said externally threaded surround thereby, once tightened, to ensure the seal thereof (a).

11. An outlet assembly for or of a container, said assembly comprising either (I) means defining a container having an outlet having integrally formed therein an externally threaded surround of said outlet having an axial end directed away from said container and an inwardly facing surface; or, (ii) means suitable for engagement to a container about an opening thereof to define an externally threaded surround of said opening (even if spaced therefrom) having an axial end directed away from said container and an inwardly facing surface; a moulded structure or assembly to seal on at least one of a) said axial end of said externally threaded surround; and b) said inwardly facing surface of said surround, said moulded structure or assembly (ideally concentric to the container opening) also defining a valve seat inwardly spaced or to be inwardly spaced from said externally threaded surround but substantially centrally thereof, even if axially displaced with respect to said surround; and -10- aii internally threaded closure member engageable to said threaded surround, said closure member having an outlet opening and at least one means to associate with or become associated with said moulded structure or assembly when said closure member has been screw tightened on said externally threaded surround so as to seal such associating part (parts) of said closure member to said moulded structure or assembly, and/or, said moulded structure or assembly to said externally threaded surround, and wherein when at least partially untightened in use a flow path exists from the container outlet to allow liquid outflow through said opening of said closure member but said liquid pathway is closed upon such tightening by part of said closure member seating on said valve seat of said moulded structure or assembly.

12. An outlet assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said moulded structure or assembly is of a material more flexible than said externally threaded surround and said internally threaded closure member, eg. for example a moulded plastics material having characteristics similar to a rigid or self supporting synthetic rubber, or which is itself a synthetic rubber.

13. An outlet assembly as claimed in claim 11 or 12 wherein said closure member has said outlet opening as part of a spigot like region thereof.

14. An outlet assembly as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein that region or those parts of said closure member to seat on said valve seat are regions (preferably annular or frustoconical) internally of a spigot like structure having said outlet opening.

15. An outlet assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said externally threaded surround is integrally formed about the outlet of said container.

16. An outlet assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said container is provided with a threaded or otherwise formed outlet onto which there is screw or otherwise engaged a structure which includes moulded therein said externally threaded surround.

17. An outlet assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said moulded structure or assembly is a unitary moulded member.

18. An outlet assembly as claimed in claim 11 said moulded structure or assembly is capable of sealing on both a) said axial end of said externally threaded surround; and b) said inwardly facing surface of said surround.

19. An outlet assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said internally threaded closure member includes a skirt integrally formed therein which directs towards said container and in both said tightened and untightened conditions lies inwardly but on an inwardly -11- facing surface of said moulded structure or assembly so as to facilitate at least a partial seal of said moulded structure or assembly (b), both in the tightened and untightened conditions to minimise a flow path between such a moulded structure or assembly and said externally threaded surround.

20. An outlet assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said internally threaded closure includes an annular projection directed towards said container which acts on an area of said moulded structure or assembly which overlies said axial end of said externally threaded surround thereby, once tightened, to ensure the seal thereof (a).

21. An outlet assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS DAY OFW\<aVCK . A.J. PARK & SON END OF CLAIMS