NZ560509A

NZ560509A - A container closure

Info

Publication number: NZ560509A
Application number: NZ560509A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Finbarr Twohig; Victor Twohig; Adrian Mccarthy; Eugene Carley
Original assignee: Finbarr Twohig; Victor Twohig; Adrian Mccarthy; Eugene Carley
Priority date: 2005-02-10
Filing date: 2006-02-10
Publication date: 2009-09-25
Also published as: CA2597501A1; US20080314858A1; WO2006084903A1; MX2007009734A; IES20060091A2; AU2006212178A1; BRPI0606936A2; JP2009525923A; EP1846304A1; CN101151193A

Abstract

A container closure (1) for mounting on a container (not shown) is disclosed, the container being of the type comprising a container body (4) In fluid communication with a bored container opening (8) for the delivery of liquid from the interior of the container. The closure (1) comprises m bored closure body (8) having a closure outlet (10) at one end and a closure inlet (12) at the other end. The closure body (8) mounts a plurality of exterior ribs (14) for engagement with the Interior walls of the container opening (6). The closure (1) is particularly advantageous as it will prevent the entry of liquid or otter contaminants Into the container, in addition to enabling air to flow into the container during drinking which will prevent the formation of a vacuum within the container.

Description

560509 _^A_Container_Closure" .Introduction The present linvention relates to a container closure and in particular to a container closure for mounting on a container of ithe type icomprising a container body iin fluid communication with a bored container opening for the delivery of lliquid from the interior of the container, the closure comprising a bored closure body having a closure outlet at one end and a closure linlet at the other end, the closure body 10 mounting a plurality of exterior ribs for engagement with the interior walls of the container opening.

Many people, particularly the younger generation, drink beverages from bottles or containers, rather than first pouring the contents of the container or bottle into a 15 glass. This has become a very popular practice and ;is particularly prevalent iin establishments where drink iis sold to the public, such as bars and lounges or indeed, particularly when sold for consumption in the open air or in large areas where the jpatrons are inot seated. Thus, at events iin particular, it is not uncommon to see many jpeople drinking directly out raf Ithe containers.

A particular problem that ^sometimes encountered lis the problem of the "spiking" of drinks. This iproblem has imanifested litself iin various ways iin that jpeople have had their drink spiked Iby the introduction therein of unwanted substances. Ilndeed, there lhas Ibeen considerable (publicity recently about 'what iis called "date irape drugs", 25 where a person's 'drink iis ^adulterated Iby :some isubstance, which isubstance imakes the iperson, (particularly igirls, 'vulnerable ;and Iforget what lhappened over a relatively short Iperiod of time, ;such •a!s:24 Ihours. IDuring that 124 hours, the iperson may lhave been iraped or otherwise linterfered with.

Even Heaving out the iproblems of isuch date irape, 'there :are other problems iin that people ido inot 'want isubstances ^introduced iinto their idrink, whether iit Ibe iby'way of (deliberate 'attempt to (cause the person lharm lorisimply Iby ;an iidea that lit would iin some way ffunny to<doiso. 560509 • 2 - Another problem associated with drinking directly from bottles or other containers iis Weils disease. This iis a potentially fatal disease carried in the urine and/or faeces of rats which, when deposited oin the top of bottles (such as when stored iin cellars), can be transmitted to humans when the contents are drunk directly out of the bottles. l(t iis ia therefore one object of 'the ipresent invention to provide a container closure which goes someway toward overcoming .at (least the above iproblems, ;and/or which will provide the public (and/or industry with a useful choice. i|| fe iacknowledged that the term '"comprise" may, 'under varying jurisdictions, ibe Iprovided with either an exclusive ofr (inclusive meaning. For the jpurpose of this specification, and (unless otherwise noted explicitly, ithe term 'comprise shall lhave an (inclusive meaning ii.e. that ift may be 'taken to mean lain iinclusion of not only Ithe llisted 'components iit directly 'references, but also other inon-specified (components. "15 Accordingly, the Tterm '"comprise" fi s'to Ibe (attributed with (as broader (interpretation ias ipossible within 'any'given jurisdiction sand 'this (rationale should also Ibe used when the 'terms ''comprised and/or "'comprising" (are (used.

(Further aspects of ithe (present 'invention "will Ibecome .apparent form (the ensuing 20 'description 'which iisjgiven by way 'ofexample 'only.

SlatementsjofJlnvention 'According fto (the (invention, Ithere sis Iprovided ia container 'closure (for (mounting ion ;a 25 (container (of'the'type (comprising -a(containerIbody iinIfluidcommunication with ia Ibored (container (opening ifor 'the delivery 'df (liquid Ifrom 'the (interior (of ithe icontainer, Ithe "closure (comprising fa ibored (closure ibody (having (a closure (outlet a't one (end :and ia (closure iinletiat (the lothenend, (the'closurelbodyimounting (a|plurality(df(exterioriribs1for iengagementiwithitheiinteriorWallsoflthecontaineriopening characterised linfthatIthe 30 (closure comprises <a closure 'gate 'which (extends (between Ithe linterior walls (of 1the ^closure body, (the <closure (gate Iformed (from fa (plurality (of (closure iflaps which jpivot 'between 5a Closed (position ^against 5a (closure Jstop Itosseal Ithe container (to ian (open Jposition fallowing lliquid 1to (exit 1the ^container lthrough Ithe closure (outlet, 1the closure (further'comprising <a Container'venting (tube (having <an Venting Itubeiair linlet seltone (end 560509 WO 2006/084903 PCT/EP2006/050857 and a venting tube air 'outlet at 'the other end, the venting tube being arranged such that when liquid exits 'the container through the 'closure the liquid is directed away from the venting tube air linlet to allow air to enter the venting tube air 'inlet and pass through the venting tube and out through the Venting tube air outlet 'into the 'interior of 5 the container without being restricted 'by the 'liquid 'exiting the closure.

'Such a closure 'is particularly advantageous -aS it will 'prevent the entry of Iliquid or other 'contaminants (into 'the 'container. Additionally, the provision of the venting tube will enable !air to flow (into The 'container which will prevent the formation of ia vacuum 10 within Ithe container, which will enable 'persons 'drinking from the container to be able to 'drink for ilonger periods from the 'container without lhaving 'to stop.

The 'closure also (provides a (barrier (between 'the 'bottle 'being drunk out of and the 'mouth 'of the [person 'drinking 'from 'the container, 'which will 'remove 'the (likelihood of contaminants 'or !germs, 'such <as Weils 'disease, being passed 'from 'the bottle top 'to fthe 'drinker. ;Such ia (barrier (between (the bottle 'will also iserve an anti-spill function Jpreventing (liquid being 'accidentally -spilled (from 1the bottle. The 'closure will ;also 'minimise the (likelihood of <a 'drinkers 'teeth (being .accidentally 'chipped iim Ithe case 'when the <containerte!a'glass (bottle.

I(n 'one 'embodiment 'of 'the invention, ithe 'closure (is imounted ion ithe container sand 'comprises % Hamper 'evident-seal 'between (itself land 'the container.

The (provision (of ia (tamper 'evident iseal 'will «also (provide ia irheans 'to .alert 'drinkers ,when'the(closureIhasbeen1tampered'or'otherwise (interfered 'with.

Iffibne "embodiment <of (the (invention,ttheiclosurebodyfis (plug-like (for iinsertioniintolthe (container (opening. 'fnfone "embodiment ioflthe 'invention, ttheiclosure (flaps sare [provided ibyia Ediscishaped ffi Im'out Eof''Whichfhave<cutia|pluralityioff notches. irn'bhe 'embodiment Eo'ftthe 'invention, Ithe 'closure islop 'is(formed ffrom <a Jsubstantially frigid *disc ishaped 'member tout <of 'which fhavelbeen «cut ia {plurality <o"f ^substantially 560509 + 4 * triangular wedge shaped portions. The closure stop is thus provided by a peripheral rim out of which extend, toward the centre of the disc shaped member, a plurality of substantially rigid radial bands.

S fin one embodiment of the invention, the closure flaps provided by the flexible disc shaped film and the closure stop together form ia one-way valve within the container closure.

ITri one embodiment of the ^invention, the Venting tube has a downwardly extending 10 portion which extends from below the closure inlet substantially vertically through the closure body breaking through an interior wall of the closure body just beneath a closure rim to the venting itube iair linlet.

Itn one embodiment of the iinvention, ia venting tube air Valve iis fixed to the end of ithe 15 Venting tube. !|n one embodiment Of the iinvention the Venting tube iair valve comprises ia valve iclosure device Iprovided Iby Iball bearing, iand ®'valve closure device retaining :shell. jbetailedjDescriptionjofthejlnvention The iinvention will be more 'clearly 'understood from the following description of isome 'embodiments thereof, :given by 'way of example only, with reference Ito Ithe iaccompanying drawings, iin which: as iFig *1 :shows ® (perspective teide 'view iof ia (container closure according ito 'the iinvention: iFig. 2 sshowsia (cut-away iperspective iside view rot ithe container closure shown 30 iFig. 'IT: (Fig. >3 ishows <a'niexploded View of ithe 'container closure :shown aim iFig. 2:; lFig.>4!showssa!sectional'view»of!the(container (closure shown iin IFig. 't 560509 Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a configuration of closure flaps according to the iinvention: Fig. 6 shows a plan view of a configuration of a closure stop according to the iinvention; Fig. 7 shows a iplan View similar to Fig. 6 of an alternative construction of closure stop; Fig. 8 shows jperspective views of a 'configuration of valve closure device retaining shell according to the iinvention; iFig. 9 shows a Iperspective views similar ito iFig. 8 of an alternative 15 construction 'of valve Closure device retaining shell; Fig. 1'0 shows ia Iperspective view of a configuration of a closure outlet sleeve iaccording ito the iinvention; IFig. Yi shows a Iperspective View of a configuration of closure sealing cap iaccording to !the iinvention; IFig. 12 shows ® Iperspective View of ia configuration of an air guide iaccording to Ithe iinvention; 2S iFig. "13 Shows ia ^sectional 'view "of ia ifurther thoilow ipipe according 'to ithe iinvention, iand iFig. *1'4 Shows ia isectional View (of Sa Ireceptacle 'used ifor storing Ithe closure 30 iaccording Itoitheiinvention. iReferring (initially 1to iFigs. '1 ito 4,, ithere lis Sshown ia container closure, (indicated 'generally iby ithe ireference (numeral "1 for amounting ion ia container '2. <of Ithe 'type icomprising fa Container Ibody, iindicated igenerally Iby Ithe ireference inumeral 4„ iiin fluid 560509 -8* communication with a bored container opening 6 for the delivery of liquid from the interior of the container 2. With specific reference now to Fig. 2, the closure 1 comprises a bored closure body, iindicated generally by the reference numeral 8„ having a closure outlet 10 at one end and a closure iinlet 12 at the other end, the 5 closure body 8 mounting a plurality of exterior iribs 14 for engagement with the linterior walls !of the container opening 6. ildeally, the body 8 is formed of rubber or other resilient or elastic material. Ift (should be appreciated that when iliquid is being consumed or expelled from the icontainer 2 iit will flow from the closure inlet 12 through the bored closure body 8 tend out of the closure outlet 10 iin the direction 10 generally indicated by arrow 16. ill should further be appreciated that the closure body 8 is also plug-like for insertion into the container opening 6 .

The closure 1 further comprises ia closure :gate, indicated generally by the reference 'numeral 18, which extends between -the interior walls Of the closure body 8„ and iis 15 'formed from ia iplurality of closure flaps 20 which ipivot between a closed position 'against a closure stop 22 to seal the container 2 Ito aimopen position allowing iliquid to 'exit the container 2 through the closure outlet 10. Iin particular, when iin the open (position the flaps *20 will ipivot'outwards iin the direction 'of the .arrow 16. At Ithe same time, 'if Iliquid crether (unwanted (substances iare (poured iagainst "the closure (flaps20 20 from 'outside the container, Ihe imovement ©f the closure flaps 20 against ithe closure stop 22 will 'prevent the 'liquid 'or 'unwanted substances (passing beyond the flaps ;20 'into the Container. flnlhe (instance (shown, 'and 'withIbrief ireference (now ItoIFig. ■5„iin,which |parts (similarlto 25 Ithose 'described 'already .are (identified iby ithe same (reference (numerals, 'the closure iflaps '20 'are Iprovided iby -a flexible <disc Shaped film ,24 (out ©f which (have cut a Iplurality ©if (notchesi26, which (notches extend from inear'the centre iof the Ifilm 24'toiits (outer'rim. Additionally, 'and <as (shown iin iFigs. )6 sand 7, land ;again with ]parts similar'to ithose described ialready "(identified Iby'tho (same ireference (numerals, Ithe closure stop 30 !22 iis 'formed from ia (substantially (rigid 'disc (shaped 'member :28 (out ©f which lhave (been cut £a Iplurality (of'triangular 'wedge ^shaped iportions !30 (to Iform a (peripheral irim '34 (having ia iplurality ©^substantially (rigid (radial Sarms'312'which (extend Ito, sand (meet salt ithe centre ©f Ithe idisc^shaped (member 28. Iltshould Ibe appreciated that 1the closure flaps SOiin 'conju nction 'with Ithe (closure stop 22 together Iform ia ©ne-way valve 'within 560509 .7. the container closure 1, It will however be appreciated that the one-way valve may be any other suitable valve mechanism allowing Iliquid to pass out of the container but resisting the entry of liquid into the container, such as for example a diaphragm valve.

With reference now to Fig. 3, there iis shown an exploded view of the closure, again identified by the same reference numeral 1 with parts similar to those described already identified by the same reference numerals. As shown, the closure outlet 10 incorporates a closure outlet iridge 36 onto which the closure stop 22 is mounted. As shown the closure stop 22 extends, when in position in the closure 1, between the 10 iinterior walls of the closure body i8 across the closure outlet 10. The flexible disc shaped film 24 is then iplaced over the upward facing surface 23 of the closure stop 22 so that the closure flaps 20 then extend over the closure stop 22. A hollow closure outlet sleeve 25 (see Fig. 10 also) is then secured around the closure outlet 10 and seals on a closure rim 50 to secure the film 24 and the closure stop 22 iin 15 position over the closure outlet *10. A closure sealing cap 27 (see Fig. 11) is then optionally placed over the closure outlet sleeve 25 to fully seal the closure 1 and the container 2,.

Also shown teia hollow container venting 'tube 36 having a venting tube air linlet 40 at 20 one 'end 42 land a venting tube sair outlet 44 at the other end 46. Itn the iinstance shown, Ithe venting tube i38 'has a 'downwardly extending portion which extends from Ibelow the closure linlet 12 substantially vertically through the closure body 18 Ibreaking through an iinterior wall of the closure body 18 just Ibeneath the closure rim 50 to the venting tube air linlet 40, A venting 'tube sair valve, (indicated generally by the 25 ireference inumeral 48, Is fixed to tho 'end 46 of the venting tube 38. The venting tube iair Valve -48 comprises ia valve closure device, which, iin the (instance ishown iis iprovided Iby iball bearing 152, ;and .a Valve closure device retaining shell 54 lhaving a Iplurality of Venting iholes !56 i(see IFigs. 18 and !9).

The Venting tube 38 iis iarranged within ithe closure 1 such that when Iliquid exits the container 2 through the closure 1 the Iliquid its directed away from the venting tube air linlet 40 to iallow iair'to 'enter the Venting tube .air iinlet 40 iand pass through the venting tube 36 >and cut through the venting tube air cutlet 44 iinto the iinterior iof the container \2 without being (restricted Iby 1the Iliquid exiting Ithe closure t. Accordingly, when the 560509 container 2 is upended and the contents are being drunk air will pass into the air inlet 40 and through the venting tube 38 causing the ball bearing 52 to be pushed away from air outlet 44. When the container 2 is removed from the drinkers mouth the ball bearing 52 will seat on the air outlet 44 of the venting tube 38 preventing liquid going 5 up through the venting tube 38. A hollow air guide or diffuser 58 (see Fig. 12) may also be fixed to the venting tube outlet 44 to further increase the air flow through the venting tube 38 and minimise the likelihood that liquid may accidentally flow up through the venting tube 38. Such an air diffuser 58, when mounted to the venting tube outlet 44 will retain the ball bearing 52 to complete the one way valve and 10 misdirect the pressure of liquid pushing on the venting tube 38 to control the air bubbles passing through the liquid in the container. It wilt also prevent excessfve gassing in carbonated drinks. A further hollow pipe, such as the straw 60 shown in Fig. 13, may also optionally be secured to the end of the venting tube 36 to let air travel to the end of the container 1 so that carbonated liquid within the container to 15 prevent excessive gassing of the liquid.

The closure 1 may itself be stored in a receptacle, such as the vial 62, shown in Fig. 14.

The closure 1 may also comprise a tamper evident seal between itself and the container 2.

It is envisaged that the liquid dispenser according to the present invention may be permanently fitted as part of a closure or alternatively, ilt may be retrofitted 25 immediately prior to selling the beverage. It is also envisaged that the body 2 may be provided with suitable indicia such as advertising or the like.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the claims. 560509

Claims

1*. A 'container 'closure'(1) for 'mounting <on <a 'container (2) 'of 'the 'type comprising "a container 'body '(4) 'in 'fluid 'communication with 1 'bored container (opening (6) 5 for the 'delivery 'of liquid from the 'interior 'of 'the 'container >{2), 'the 'closure i(1) 'comprising <a 'bored 'closure foody f(8) 'having !a 'closure 'outlet^0) at one lend 'and 'a 'closure 'inlet ((12) 'aVthe 'other 'end, Ithe "closure body 1(8) imounting ia Iplurality 'of 'exterior 'ribs ((14) tor 'engagement 'with ithe Iinterior 'walls ©if Ithe ^container 'opening f(6) 'characterised fifi fthat ithe 'closure i(1) (comprises sa ^ 'closurefgate^(l"8)'which "'extends between Siheiinterior'walls <of Ithe (closure Jbody ((8), 1the 'closure(gate ((18) (formed (from «a [plurality'of'closure (flaps 1(20) 'which Ipivot ^between % ^closed fposition ^against <a ^closure ^stop ((22) Ito Jseal Ithe Container f(2) 'to «an *open Jposition ^allowing Iliquid ito 'exit tthe Econtainer <(2) through nhe5closure^outleti(lb), (the*closure((1 )(further<comprisingSa icontainer Venting fyube((38Vhaving^1n Venting Uube!airiinlet ((40) <at!cTne«end|{42)»and?a Venting ^tube«air*outletf(44)^atlthe<other*end ((46), Ithe Venting (tube 1(35) Ibeing •arranged -such'thatWhen'liquid %xitstthe£container((2)iih rough 1the (closure ((1) Hhe^ liquid (is^directed «away (from tthe Venting ttube <airlinlet ((40) tto«allowiair Ito *enter(theVenting Uu be Jair''inlet((40)«and Fpass tthrough ithe Wentingitube((38) ^ *and ^out through Hhe Venting (tube «air ^outlet £(44) ''into tthe iiinterior tof Ithe fcontainert(2)^withoutibeingl'restrictecl^bytthel'liquicl«exitingtthe£closure((1). *2. 'A Container cclosure((1 )«as£claimed Win fclaim h, 'i'n^which ttheCclosure^(l) I'is rmountedcon^the<'Container(f2)=and^comprises*attamperfevidentlseall:between 25 'iitself;and^the£container{(2). ^3. ^A£container:closureC(1 )*asCclaimedBinCclaim^1Q5rtclaim22$'iYiUwhich,ttheCclosure ^bodyI(8)'!isFplug-like('foHinsertioni!intoitheCcontainerfopeningf(6). ^ ^4. ^Accontainer"closureI(i)eask:laimed~as£claimedHinSanybprecedingCclairn,Miniiwhich "thecclosure%apsC{26)®afefprovidedbbyE'accliscSshaped(ifilmf(24)C3outCof^which ^bave3beenscut3a"plurality*ofbotchesl:(26). f. 5. ^A'container-closura (1 )Sas^claimed3ais*claimed!Wany3preceding£claim,ii'inilwhich WO 2006/084903 560509 PCT/EP2006/050857 -10' the closure stop (22) iis formed from a substantially rigid disc shaped member (28) out of which have been cut a plurality of triangular wedge shaped portions (30). S 6. A container closure (1) as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, in which the closure flaps (20) provided by the flexible disc shaped film (24) and the closure stop (20) together form a one-way valve within the container closure (1). 7. A container closure (1) as claimed iin as claimed in any preceding claim, in 10 which the venting tube (38) has a downwardly extending portion which extends from below the closure inlet (12) substantially vertically through the closure body (8) breaking through an interior wall of the closure body (8) beneath a closure rim (50) to the venting tube air inlet (40). 16 8. A container closure (1) as claimed iin ias claimed in any preceding claim, in which a venting tube air valve (46) is fixed to the end (46) of the venting tube (38). 9, 20 A container closure (1) as claimed iin claim 8, in which the venting tube air valve (48) comprises a valve closure device provided by ball bearing (52), and a valve closure device retaining shell (54).