NZ555579A - Dispensing closure assembly where rotation of a twist ring causes axial movement of a top to open and closure dispensing outlet - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispensing closure assembly where the dispensing pathway is opened by twisting part of the assembly is disclosed. The assembly has three moulded components, a first component (1) that engages with a container, a top (10), and a twist ring (13). The first component (1) has a column (6) with an outlet (7) through which liquid content of the container can egress. The first component has a closure portion above the outlet and the column, in part, defines part of a surrounding annular well. The top is threadedly associated with the first component, fits coaxially about the column, and sits at least partially in the annular well. The top has a dispensing outlet capable of being closed by the closure portion. The twist ring is held captive by, and is rotatable relative to, the first component. The twist ring slidably engages the top to allow axial movement of the twist ring relative to the column, but prevents relative rotation between the top and twist ring. The dispensing outlet is opened and closed by rotation of the twist ring relative to the first component, which causes axial movement of the top relative to the first component reliant on the threaded association.

Description

555579 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 Divided out of Application No: 538631 Dates: 4 March 2005 and 20 February 2006 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION TWIST TOPS We, SISTEMA PLASTICS LIMITED, 80 Hugo Johnston Drive, Penrose, Auckland,, 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: V 55557g _ The present invention relates to dispensing closure assemblies and related combinations, components, methods and uses.

Drink bottles frequendy have a pull out member of a closure assembly which separates components so as to allow a dispensing pathway for liquid from within a drink container to which the closure assembly has been fixed.

Many of such forms of assembly require a pulling out of a member.

The present invention envisages a dispensing closure assembly where a simple twisting of part of the assembly will open the dispensing pathway. It is an alternative or a further object of the present invention to provide such a dispensing closure assembly where a simple twisting closes such a dispensing pathway.

The present invention is directed to any aspect of such closures.

In a first aspect the present invention consists in a dispensing closure assembly suitable to be engaged to a complementary container, said assembly comprising or including a first moulded component ("first component") adapted to engage an outiet of a complementary container and to provide a column with an oudet from which any liquid content of such a container can egress, the first component including a closure portion above said outlet, said column, in part, coaxially defining part of a surrounding annular well; a second moulded component ("second component") coaxially about said column and sitting at least partially within the annular well, the second component having a dispensing oudet capable of being closed by the closure portion of said first component, and being threadedly associated with the first component; and a third moulded component ("third component") held captive by said first component but rotatable relative thereto, the third component slideably engaging the second component to prevent rotation of the second component relative to the third component yet to allow, with the rotation of the third component relative to the first component, axial movement of the second component relative to the column; wherein rotation of the third component relative to the first component can cause axial movement of the second component relative to the first component reliant on the threaded association to effect opening and closing of the dispensing oudet.

Preferably rotation one way effects opening of the dispensing oudet and rotation the other way effects closing of the dispensing oudet.

Preferably rotation one way causes displacement of the dispensing oudet from the closure portion to effect opening.

Preferably the first component oudet is of a passageway defining columnar form. 11 ocr am 55557^ Preferably the third component fully surrounds at least part of the first component and at least part of the second component.

Preferably the third component is adapted to rotate, in at least one direction, relative to said second component and said second component, by bearing on said first component, is as a consequence displaced axially of such rotational movement relative to the first component.

Preferably the axial displacement is under the action of a thread or the equivalent interengagement between said second component and said first component.

Preferably at least one, two or all three of the components is a moulded non fabricated member.

Preferably the first component defines an internally threaded region adapted to engage the complementary thread of a complementary container.

Preferably said internally threaded region is integral with a region defining the annular well the inner boundary of which is a form defining the passageway with an inlet and leading to the outlet of the first component.

Preferably the region defining the annular well may extend into the complementary container.

Preferably the passageway and/or boundary and/or closure portion is coaxial with the internal thread rotational axis.

Preferably said inner boundary form has externally thereof a thread or thread follower.

Preferably said inner boundary form acts as the centring means for the rotation of the third component Preferably said second component is a member having a guide-way, or a guide-way follower, to provide a non rotational guided sliding relationship with a guide-way follower, or guide-way, of and relative to said third component.

Preferably the second component has an internal thread follower or thread to engage its complement thread or thread follower of the inner boundary form.

In another aspect the present invention consists in a drink container with a dispensing pathway closure assembly with a twist open capability reliant on an assembly as herein described In another aspect the present invention consists in A first, second or third component as herein defined and substantially as hereinafter described with reference to part or all of any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In another aspect the present invention consists in A dispensing pathway closure assembly substantially as hereinafter described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. 55557$ _ A preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1 to 32 show a first (perhaps larger) preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 showing a perspective view from above of a dispensing closure assembly of the present invention with the first member (the base) having its closure portion occluding the outlet of the second member, Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of the assembly as shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of the assembly of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 4 is a view from below of the assembly of Figures 1 to 3, Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the assembly of Figures 1 to 4 in the condition shown, Figure 6 is a similar view to that of Figure 5 but rotated by 90° and having the product in its open condition as a result of rotation (i.e. twisting) of the third member, Figure 7 is a section at AA of Figure 5, Figure 8 is a section at BB of Figure 6 showing the closure portion which in Figure 7 occludes the oudet of the second member (or top) clear of the opening and thus in a non occluding condition, Figure 9 is a perspective view of the first component of the assembly of Figures 1 to 8, such component (the base) being shown in perspective from above, Figure 10 is a similar view to that of Figure 9 but rotating by 90°, Figure 11 is a side elevational view of the first component of Figures 9 and 10, Figure 12 is another side elevational view but rotated 90° from the condition shown in Figure 11, Figure 13 is a top view of the component of Figures 9 to 12, Figure 14 is a bottom view of the component of Figures 9 to 13, Figure 15 is a perspective view from below of the component of Figures 9 to 14, Figure 16 is a cross section of the component of Figures 9 to 15 taken at CC as shown in Figure 12, Figure 17 is a perspective view from above of the preferred second component or top of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 16, Figure 18 is a perspective view from below of the component of Figure 17, Figure 19 is a side elevational view of the component of Figures 17 and 18, 55557§ .

Figure 20 is another side elevational view of the component of Figures 17 to 19 but rotated by 90", Figure 21 is a bottom plan view of the component of Figures 17 to 20, Figure 22 is a top plan view of the component of Figures 17 to 21, Figure 23 is a cross section at DD of the component of Figures 17 to 22 as shown in Figure 20, Figure 24 is a perspective view from above of the third component of an assembly of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 23, the view being from above, Figure 25 is a perspective view of the component of Figure 24 from below, Figure 26 is a similar view to that of Figure 25 but upon rotation, Figure 27 is a plan view of the component of Figures 24 to 26, Figure 28 is a bottom view of the component of Figures 24 to 26, Figure 29 is a side elevational view of the component of Figures 24 to 28, Figure 30 is another side elevational view of the component of Figures 24 to 29 but rotated 90° with respect to what has been shown in Figure 29, Figure 31 is a section taken of the component of Figures 24 to 30 at EE as shown in Figure 27, the cross section being in elevation, Figures 32 to 60 show a second (perhaps smaller) preferred form of the present invention, Figure 32 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention showing the device from above when in an open condition i.e. not being occluded by the second component and its closure portion, Figure 33 is a perspective view from below of the assembly as shown in Figure 32, Figure 34 shows the assembly of Figures 32 and 33 in its closed condition i.e. with the closure portion of the second component occluding the outlet of the top or second component, Figure 35 is a similar view to that of Figure 34 but showing the assembly in its open dispensing condition (as in Figures 32 and 33), upon the rotation of the third component or twist component from the condition shown in Figure 34 to the condition shown in Figure 35, Figure 36 is a plan view of the assembly of Figures 32 to 35, Figure 37 is a bottom view of the assembly of Figures 32 to 36, Figure 38 is a section at FF of the assembly in the condition as shown in Figure 34, Figure 39 is a cross sectional view of the assembly as shown in its condition of Figure 35 at GG, Figure 40 is a perspective view from above of the base or first component of the embodiment shown in Figures 32 to 39, 5555/6 - Figure 41 is a perspective view from below of the first component or base as shown in Figure 40, Figure 42 is a side elevational view of the component of Figures 40 and 41, Figure 43 is a side elevational view of the component of Figure 42 but upon rotation by 90°, Figure 44 is a plan view from above of the component of Figures 40 to 43, Figure 45 is a cross section at HFI of the component of Figures 40 to 44 as shown in Figure 43, Figure 46 is a cross section of the component of Figures 40 to 45 at II as shown in Figure 44, the thread of the columnar upstand or boundary form being shown, the outlet being below that part of the top most region which acts an occluding closure portion, Figure 47 is a perspective view from below of a second component for the embodiment of Figures 32 to 46, there being a thread or thread follower segment internally thereof plus anti-rotational key ways, grooves or ribs axially or parallel to the axial direction, Figure 48 is another perspective view of the component of Figure 48 showing the dispensing outlet of such a top, Figure 49 is a view from below of the component of Figures 47 and 48, Figure 50 is a view from above of the component of Figures 47 to 49, Figure 51 is a side elevational view of the component of Figures 47 to 50, Figure 52 is another side elevational view of the component of Figures 47 to 50 but rotated by 90° with respect to the condition shown in Figure 51, Figure 53 is a section of the component of Figures 48 to 53 when taken at JJ as shown at Figure 51, Figure 54 is a perspective view from above of a third component (the twist ring collar) that coacts with the components of the assembly of Figures 32 to 53, Figure 55 is a perspective view from below of the third component of Figure 54, Figure 56 is a side elevational view of the component of Figures 54 and 55, Figure 57 is another side elevational view of the component of Figures 54 to 56 but this time rotated by 90°, Figure 58 is a sectional view of the component of Figures 54 to 57 but taken at KK as shown in Figure 57, Figure 59 is a plan view from above of the component of Figures 54 to 58, Figure 60 is a view from below of the component shown in Figures 54 to 59, Figure 61 shows an assembly of the embodiment of Figures 1 through 31 atop a notional 55557^1 - Figure 62 shows an assembly of the embodiment of Figures 32 through 60 on the top of a notional container, Figures 63 to 77 show a variation (Embodiment 1A) of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 31 (Embodiment 1), Figure 63 is a perspective view of such an alternative variant from above, Figure 64 is the assembly of 63 in its closed condition in perspective from below, Figure 65 is a side elevation of assembly of Figure 63 and 64, Figure 66 is the elevation as in Figure 65 but rotated by 90°, Figure 67 is a bottom view of the assembly of Figures 63 to 66, Figure 68 is the top view of the assembly of Figures 63 to 67, Figure 69 is the section as LL of Figure 65, Figure 70 is the section at MM of Figure 66, Figure 71 is a perspective view of the twist section moulding from below showing stop features, Figure 72 is a view from below of the embodiment of Figure 71, Figure 73 is a perspective view from below of the base component of the assembly of Figures 63 to 70, Figure 74 is an elevation view of the component of Figure 73, Figure 75 is a perspective view from above of the component of Figure 73 and 74, Figure 76 is one elevation view of the remaining component of the assembly of Figures 63 to 70, Figure 77 is another elevation view of the component of Figure 76 but rotated by 90°, Figure 78 shows the component for Figures 76 and 77 from below, Figure 79 shows in assembled section another embodiment of the (perhaps larger) type as in Figures 1 to 31, Figure 80 is the section of the twist ring of the assembly of Figure 79, Figure 81 shows from below the twist ring of another embodiment of the (perhaps smaller) type as in Figures 32 to 62, Figure 82 shows the twist ring of Figure 81 in section, and Figure 83 shows the base component to coact with the twist ring of Figures 81 and 82. In the preferred forms of the present invention the components are moulded as single unitary items although in some other much less preferred forms one or more of the components can be machined and/or fabricated in some way. That however detracts from the low cost prospect of a simplified jigged or robotic assembly of a closure structure capable of being 55557S - removed as a whole from a screw threaded complementary container and/or being applied thereto.

In the case of sales of an empty container, the closure assembly would be attached to the assembly and can be removed for filling by rotation of the assembly as a whole or by obtaining a manual purchase on the peripheral region of the first component only.

The other sales option of course is to provide a filled container preferably sealed in some way a foil or other such closure under an assembly of an embodiment of the present invention.

Preferably a plastics material is to be used for each component of each embodiment of the assembly. Possible plastics can be selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE).

Each component can be injection moulded to shape in a number of different ways. Each requires a two part die and, depending on the form and the material, optionally inserts whereby a removal technique can be optimised for the two halves of the die.

For instance the component of Figure 40 in HDPE may need five inserts shared between the two halves of the die.

Preferably multicavily moulding is utilised for economy e.g. from 2 cavity upwards.

Two series of embodiments will now be described, a first series where the nipple does not rotate with the twist ring and a second series where the nipple does rotate with the twist ring.

Embodiment 1 (Usually Larger than Embodiment 2) The embodiment of Figures 1 to 31 is an assemblage of the three components shown therein. Here the nipple 10 does not rotate with the ring or twist member 13 — it merely rises and lowers.

A preferred choice of materials for this embodiment is: nipple or mouth piece 10 - HDPE Twist section 13 — PP base 1 - FIDPE As can be seen there is a first component 1 (see Figure 9), of the base, which has a periphery 2 available for manual grip or purchase for removal of that threaded component, if desired, when assembled. That thread 3 can best be seen in Figure 15 and 16.

The columnar form 4 provides an entrance 5 for liquid from an engaged container and, via a passageway 6, out of an outlet 7 which is below the closure portion 8 which is, as shown in Figure 1 and 7, able to occlude the dispensing opening 9 of a second component or top 10. The top 10, apart from its spout type form, includes a thread or thread following formation 11 55557§ - adapted to be engaged by the thread or thread follower 12 (see Figure 25) of the third component or twist ring 13.

As shown the component 10 (the top) can move between the conditions shown in the cross sections of Figures 7 and 8 under the rotational action of the captive twist ring 13 held captive to the first component 1 by a clip fit bead into groove engagement at 14 (see Figure 7).

As best can be seen from the cross sections of Figures 7 and 8, whilst liquids can enter the passageway 6, pass via the outlet 7 into the chamber 15, other liquid movement is prevented and the liquid cannot exit the opening 9 owing to that being occluded by the closure portion 8.

Other features include the provision of sealing rings 16 in the first component 1, and an arrangement whereby the surface 17 of the first component 1 and the surface 18 of the twist ring seals in a substantially fluid type manner against the region 19 of the second component.

Provision can be made for restricting the amount of rotation required for an opening and/or closure cycle and indeed some bump engagement can be provided to that end.

Another feature of interest is the provision of gaps 20 in the partitioned wall of the first component into which members 21 of the second component (see Figure 18) are slidable so as to be restricted against relative motion with respect to the first component so that the affect of the thread inter-engagement with the twist ring is an axial raising and lowering as depicted in the drawings rather than any other movement.

Embodiment 1A If the nipple of the first embodiment (i.e. Figures 1 to 31) is a deemed "swallowable" component, retention can be further enhanced by further snap in interengagements. See Figure 79 and 80 as of a variation of the first embodiment having two snap in interengagements 44 and 45 between base 46 and twist ring 47 (rather than just one) to increase the pull off force required.

There are with at least this embodiment, three nipple to base or twist ring sealing surface interactions to prevent flow back, even when open, thereby to waterproof with assembly. These are at see Figures 79 and 80.

Embodiment IB The embodiment of Figures 63 through 77 is also a modification of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 32. Similar materials are used for this embodiment as for that embodiment.

A feature of this enhanced assembly with its componentry as depicted is the helix extension, the addition of feet, the angular nature of the top of the component of Figures 76 and I * OCT 5555190 - 77, the additional stop added to the component of Figures 71 and 72 and the additional stops and support ribs added to the components of Figures 73 to 75.

Slots 40 in the slotted radial wall 39 of the base 37 and the ribs 41 in nipple merely are to restrict the nipple to ride up/down without rotation relative to the base.

Extra ribs 38 of base 37 are outstands to maintain the shape of the skirt of the nipple to prevent disengagement.

The feet 42 provide extra material below the grooved thread lead in 43.

The rotational stops 36 act on interacting stops such as 34 of ring 35. The stops 34 are preferably designed to click over lesser formations adjacent a stop 36 thereby to provide a click open/click close feature.

Embodiment 2 (Usually smaller than Embodiment 1) The embodiment of Figures 32 through 60 is different but is of the same three essential components and preferably after clip fitting of the third member to the first member, it can be handled as a unit. Here the nipple turns with the ring.

A preferred choice of materials for this embodiment is; nipple or mouth piece 27 — HDPE Twist section... — PP base 22 - HDPE Here the arrangement involves a first member 22 with its columnar upstand 23 about an open passage 26 having its outlet or outlets 24 preferably below a closure portion 25 which is to occlude the dispensing opening 26 of the second component or top. As can be seen by reference to Figure 46 the columnar structure or form 23 includes a thread or thread following arrangement 47. This thread arrangement 47 is to engage the thread or thread follower 28 shown in the component 27 (see Figure 53). The component 27 is held against rotation by its key ways or grooves 29 riding on a complementary form 30 (see Figure 54) of the twist ring 31. These anti-rotation guideways and guide followers can be plural and can differ i.e. male to female and female to male to ensure proper location.

Shown also in the component 31 (see Figure 55) is a formation 32 the function of which is to abut the upstands 33 of the first component (see Figure 40) thereby to restrict twisting movement between the open and closed conditions to about 180°. Such an arrangement however is not mandatory.

Such rotation restriction is preferred as it can be used to ensure interengagement of formations 28 in grooves 47 prevents the once assembled embodiment from having its nipple 27 pulled free of the base. 5555191 - Embodiment 2a The arrangement of Embodiment 2 can be varied.

The ring or twist part of the Figure 32 to 62 embodiment can be kept within twist limits if desired by an additional interaction (i.e. one both inside and outside of the stop formation(s) of the base) thereby to reduce any prospect of ride over of a single interaction. See Figures 81 to 83.

Now twist ring 48 has: radially larger stop/vane 49outside of stop formation, i.e. 50 of base 51 radially smaller stop/vane 52 inside of stop formation, ie. 53 of base 51.

Now also a bump to close/open feature is provided at each stop formation 54/55 for click close/click open.

Limit on rotation prevents nipple from coming out — only assembles one way.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate how the embodiments depicted have been provided with a bump to stop feature on opening and a bump to stop feature on closing. In each case the bump provides a measure of hold against a change of condition until the bump is overwhelmed by a reverse rotation of the third component.

Figures 61 and 62 show opened and closed respectively a screw thread connected assembly of Embodiment 1. Similarly will be the botde/container to capping assembly of any of the other embodiments. 5555^32 -

Claims (19)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A dispensing closure assembly suitable to be engaged to a complementary container, said assembly comprising or including a first moulded component ("first component") adapted to engage an oudet of a complementary container and to provide a column with an oudet from which any liquid content of such a container can egress, the first component including a closure portion above said outlet, said column, in part, coaxially defining part of a surrounding annular well; a second moulded component ("second component") coaxially about said column and sitting at least partially within the annular well, the second component having a dispensing oudet capable of being closed by the closure portion of said first component, and being threadedly associated with the first component; and a third moulded component ("third component") held captive by said first component but rotatable relative thereto, the third component slideably engaging the second component to prevent rotation of the second component relative to the third component yet to allow, with the rotation of the third component relative to the first component, axial movement of the second component relative to the column; wherein rotation of the third component relative to the first component can cause axial movement of the second component relative to the first component reliant on the threaded association to effect opening and closing of the dispensing outlet.

2. An assembly of claim 1 wherein rotation one way effects opening of the dispensing outlet and rotation the other way effects closing of the dispensing outlet.

3. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein rotation one way causes displacement of the dispensing outlet from the closure portion to effect opening.

4. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first component outlet is of a passageway defining columnar form.

5. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the third component fully surrounds at least part of the first component and at least part of the second component.

6. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein die third component is adapted to rotate, in at least one direction, relative to said second component and said second component, by bearing on said first component, is as a consequence displaced axially of such rotational movement relative to the first component.

7. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the axial displacement is under the action of a thread or the equivalent interengagement between said second component and said first component. 5555® -

8. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one, two or all three of the components is a moulded non fabricated member.

9. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first component defines an internally threaded region adapted to engage the complementary thread of a complementary container.

10. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said internally threaded region is integral with a region defining the annular well the inner boundary of which is a form defining the passageway with an inlet and leading to the outlet of the first component.

11. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein the region defining the annular well may extend into the complementary container.

12. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein the passageway and/or boundary and/or closure portion is coaxial with the internal thread rotational axis.

13. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein said inner boundary form has externally thereof a thread or thread follower.

14. A dispensing closure as claimed in 12 or 13 wherein said inner boundary form acts as the centring means for the rotation of the third component

15. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said second component is a member having a guide-way, or a guide-way follower, to provide a non rotational guided sliding relationship with a guide-way follower, or guide-way, of and relative to said third component.

16. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein the second component has an internal thread follower or thread to engage its complement thread or thread follower of the inner boundary form.

17. A drink container with a dispensing pathway closure assembly with a twist open capability reliant on an assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. A first, second or third component as defined in any one of claims 1 to 16 and substantially as described with reference to part or all of any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

19. A dispensing pathway closure assembly substantially as described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS DAY OF OcfcbfU AJ Park PER AGENTS FOR Tlj APPLICANT