US1733322A - Valvular closure for bottles and jars - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 29, 1929.

J. E. THEBAUD VALVULAR CLOSURE FOR BOTTLES AND JARS Filed June 14, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 29, 1929. J. E. THEBAUD VALVULAR CLOSURE FOR BOTTLES AND JARS Filed June 14, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet.

Inventor Patented ct. 29, 1929 UNITE-Dn STATES- PATENT OFFICE 'VALVULARv CLOSUBE FOR BOTTLES AND JARS Application filed June 14,

rl`his invention relates to valvular closures for bottles and jars, and other containers.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a valvular closure for bottles, ars y or other containers, which can serve either as a self-retaining cork, or as a valve, which can be used in connection with a pump, for exhausting the air from the container. Such a valvular closure then acts as a check valve to exclude the air after the container has been vacuumized. After the air has been admitted, the closure then serves as a selfretaining cork to the container. A further object is to provide a self- "*retaining closure, having, a valve action,

adapted in construction to small widemouthed bottles, as well'as large containers. Another object is to provide an easily opened and self-retaining valvular clos-ure, which will. retain itself on the bottle,` without othersecuring`V means, after the suction has been released.

lVith these and' other objects, my invention resides in certain construction, various 5*embodiments of' which are illustrated in the drawings, are hereinafter described, their operation is explained', and what Iclaim is set forth.

In the drawings,

Figure 1' is a sectiontaken on the line 1 1 of Figure 2, showing a jar and lidV with a closure embodyingmy invention. The position of the lower part of a hand` pump for r exhausting the air is indicatedby broken lines.

Figure 2 is a top planA of the jar, lidv and closure shown in section inFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation; ofithe lid and closure shown in Figures land 2.

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 5, showing a1 wide mouthed, small bottle, with a valvularclosure, embodying my invention. Also shown, partly insection, is a. vacuum hand pump, adapted for use on the bottle shown.

Figure 5 is a top plan ofthe bottle and closure shown in sectionin Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows another form of` myinvention, adapted toA an ordinary bottle, and

1926. Serial No, 115,842.

is a section taken onttheline 6 6 of Figure 7.

Figure 7 is a section taken on the line 7 7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8- shows a further modified form of my invention, and is a section taken on the line 8 8 'of' Figure 9.

Figure 9 is a section taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 8.

Like figures of reference refer to like parts.

1n the figures, referring particularly to Figures. 1, 2, and 3, the container body 10, which may be a fruit jar, or any other kind of a container, from which it is desired t'o exhaust the air, has a rim 11, upon which rests a rubber or other soft ring 12, acting to seal the joint between the lid 13 and the jar body 10. A centering flange 14 depends from the inside of the lid 13 into the jar body 10. Integral' with. and project-ing up from the flat part 15, of the lid 13,.is a cylindrical wall 16,

having notches17 and.18rin its rim, diametrically opposite one another. The space within the wall 16 is open into the jar and an inturned flange 19 forms an annular seat 2O upon which rests a. rubber sealing ring 21. Closing the upper part of the hole, within the Wall 16, is a stopper 22, having a flange 23, radially projecting from` the body thereof. Concentric with the flange 23, is a cylindrical flange 24, depending from the body of the stopper 22. The flange 24 is preferably tightly gripped by the ring 21, which frictionally engages the wall 16, in a cork-like action, yet it is not necessary to taper either thel flange or wall surfaces in contact with the ring 21, tovget a cork-like action. It is also preferable to have the surface of contact, between the wall 16 and the ring 21', of less height than the height of the surface of contact between the ring 21 and the flange 24, so that the ring 21 will'have more friction on the. stopper flange 24, than it has against the inside of the wall' 16, andwill remain on the stopper 22, rather than stick in the bottle, when the stopper 22 isWithdrawn. Spaced concentrically from the junction of the flange 24, with the body of the stopper 22, is the annular bead 25', forming by the spacing, an annular, inverted groove or channel 26, which', when the annular beadis in Contact uit i. i

with the ring 21, forms an annular channel. Longitudinal grooves 27 and 2S, and the inner surface of the ring 21, form channels in open communication between the large cavity of the j ar body 10, and the annular groove or channel 26. The radial flange 23 ts loosely within the wall 16. The top surface of the stopper 22 is preferably flush or below the plane of the top of the wall 16, rather than above the same, so that the rim of the wall 16 acts as a guard to the stopper 22, to save it from any eccentric knocks, that might tend to upset it and break the continuity of valvular contact between the annular bead 25 and the ring 21, when the container has been vacuumized.

` A notch 29 is provided in the radial flange 23, for access to the ring 21 with a pointed instrument or match, to press the ring 21 away from the bead 25, at the point beneath the notch 29, and break the seal caused by the suction, which will be more fully ez;- plained below.

Having described the form of my invention adapted for lids of large containers, wherewith it is desired to use a comparatively small mouthed hand pump, I will now describe the form of my invention shown in Figures 4 and 5, particularly adapted Yfor small candy and other bottles, having a comparatively large top-opening, wherein the stopper itself forms the lid.

The bottle body 30 terminates in a cylindrical wall 31, having notches at 32V and 33, diametrically opposite one another in its rim and has an inturned flange 34, forming a seat for the rubber ring V35, which tightly grips the outer wall of-the cylindrical flange 36, of stopper 37. The ring 35 frictionally engages the inner surface of the wall 31 in a corklike action, while gripping the flange 36.

The stopper 37 has an outturned flange 3S,

with a notch at 39. The flange 33 fits loosely tioned. and annular bead 40, in continuous valvular contact with the rubber ring 35.

Between the annular bead 40 and the flange 36, is the annular groove 41, forming with the ring 35, an annular channel. Longitudinal, .vertical grooves 42, in the outer face of the flange 36, form, with the inner surface of the ring 35, open communications between the inside ofthe bottle and the annular channel 41.

lllustrating the position of a pump ready for action, there is shown a pump 43, fitting the top of the bottle. 44 is the barrel of the pump, fitting which is the plunger 45, on a rod 46, terminating in a ring 47. The-base 43 has a rubber mouth 49 in contact with the rim of the bottle on the outside. This pump is shown merely to illustrate one form of ywithin the bottle is exhausted.

means for exhausting the air from the bottle,

in connection with the closure.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, the

bottle 43 has the usual tapered inner wall lat 49, adapted to fit a similarly tapered cork,

but in this case the closure includes a tapered and corrugated sheet met-al stopper 50, having a flange 51, bearing down on the rubber band 52 at its top. The band 52 grips the corrugated wall 53, of the stopper 50. There is no seatin this case required since the closure with the band 52 comes to a sealed stop where the forced fit leavesit in the bottle top on accountof the tapered parts, the closure, as a cork, frictionally stopping at a certain depth within the bottle top. The flange 51 seats itself in sealed relation on the top of the band 52, duc to the suction, when the air The longitudinal openings 54, afforded by the corrugations of the wall 53, in connection with the inner conical surface of the band 52, serve air passages, connecting the inside of the bottle 43 with the surface of valvular contact between the band 52 and the flange 51.

Tn the other form of' my invention shown in Figures 8 and 9, the bottle 55 has an inturnerVV flange 56 which forms a seat 57, for the rubber ring 58, which has a corrugated inner face 59, the inner projections of which are in contact with the cylindrical wall 60 of the sheet metal stopper 61. The ring 58 is in cork-like, frictional engagement with the wall 62 of the bottle 55, and grips the wall 66 of the stopper 61. The stopper 61 has a flange 63, with an annular bead 64 formed on the flange 63. Between the bead 64 and the wall 60 is an annular channel 65. The corrugations of the face 59 with the cylin-v drical wall 60, form air passages between the channel 64 and the inside of the j ar.

All of the forms of closures, i1 cluding the Stoppers shown, are adapted for use as corks Y without suction, or as suction-valves to the containers, to which-they are fitted, and are used as check valves thereafter, to prevent the air from getting back into the container, until the seal is broken at the contact between the radial flange and the rubber sealing ring, or between the bead on the flange and the rubber ring. The Stoppers may be made of any material that is not porous to air. Two kinds are shown, the forms illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, besides in Figures 4 and 5. The forms shown in Figures 6 and 8 are adapted for sheet metal. The pumps indicated in Figures 1 and 4 are suction hand pumps, but all of the types of closures shown are adapted for power pumps and will seal automatically under the suction. Care, however, must be exercised to prevent the closure from flying ofil when subjected to a sudden suction. In fact it is better to provide some kind of aV fixed stop about a sixteenth of an inch above the stopper to prevent the sudden burst of air from the bottle blowingtheclosu-re off.V A

slight up and down` movement between the' inner and outer vertical surfaces, of the tion.

As for opening the closure, this ymay be done in various ways. Referringto the form,V shown in Figures l', 2'andA 3', after thestopper 22k has been drawn` downti'ght by the suction from pumping, a-inatch G6 vcanbe used-to open the jar, bypressing an'. endl of the same' through the notch 29, onto the rubber ring,- 21, to force the same away from the bead 25,

at that point, letting in air-,to the annular channel 26 and down throughthe airpassages, 27 and` 28 Vinto the jarbody-A 10; The

stopper 22 will Vt-'hen be loose enough-to pull@ out, although tight enough-to remain as a self-retaining cork. The notches la7" and 18 are provided as space in 4which to apply the fingers to take hold of the stopper 22 at'theY flange 23. TheV stopper 22 being iush with the two remaining parts ofthe ri-m of theV wall 16, afford guards for the protection of the stopper 22, against'knocls, which might disturb the seal.

The stopper 22 can also be released by means of a pin 67 inserted between the ring 2l and the bead 25 to let the air in.

rlhe form of Iclosure shown in Figures 6 and uses no seat for the rubber ring at the bottom, nor a bead at the top. The seal in this case is broken by forcing the rubber away from the flange 5l opposite one of the air passages 54 into the jar, formed between two consecutive convolutions of the corrugated wall 53. In the case of the form shown in l Figures 8 and 9 the air passages at the inner corrugated surface of the wall, act to let air in and out of the bottle.

.ln connection with the functioning of the rubber sealing ring on a seat and being confined sideways, attention is called to the fact, that due to the swelling of rubber at right angles to the line of compressive force from the cap, i have in this case an increased side pressure and consequent additional retaining friction set up when the lid. is forced down, due to internal suction, so that in addition to the suc-tion holding the lid on, I have an increased friction at the sides of the ring, where it contacts the wall of the container and the depending iianoe of the lid, which it surrounds. This additional friction materially improves the holding action of the internal suction making a stronger seal. Vhen this suction is released, and the rubber ring assumes its normal thickness, this eXtra side friction disappears with the release of the top pressure on the rubber ring, permitting an easy removal of the lid.

In the case where the rubber sealing ring `vhas no seat to rest upon, but is wedged in like a cork in a bottle, the external pressure on the lid due-.to the suction tends to wedge the rubber ringz'intighter, and at the same time, due tothe; sic'leswellfing tendency under vertical pressure we have here also an increased'l side frictional effect, which, is released upon destroyingthe suction.

Other modifilcationsin construction can-'be made without depart-ing from the spirit and scopeof myinvention. Thereforel I do not wish'- to be confined vto the various forms vhereshown and f described.

I cla-iin:

12. A closurefor acontainer, comprising a stopper, acircumferential flange-*projecting out from said stopper, an annular bead on theunder side of said flange, spaced from the body of said stopper, a sealing ring in contact circumferentiallly with the body of said stopper, and in contact with said bead and also with the mouth o-f said container, and means forming a fixed air passage, positioned insideof said ring,` between said ring and the bodyof said stopper, forming a communication. from the inside ofv said container tothe surface offcontact between. said bead and said? ring. Y

2; A closure for a container, comprising a stopper, a radiali flangeY projecting circumferential-'ly out fromsaid stopper, an annular seat'on said*V container, a sealing ring on said' stopperin contactiwith theunder side of said flange and in Contactwith the saidVA seat, and alsoin contactzwitlr thebodiy offisaid 'stopper at said flange, and means Vforming an. air pass sage, positioned; betweenV said ring andsaid stopper; at the: inside-:vertical side of: said` ring, and forming a communication; from the insidefofYV said Ycontain/.eu tothe surface of vcontactbetwecn; saldi flange and` said ring.

3. A; closed',` container.,l comprising a4 containerfbody, a.; lid to said body, asealing ring between said lid and said? body, sai d lid; havingfan: openingthruX itl into saidf body, a. rim to', said opening, ali-annular r seat'- at said rim, Second sealing; ring; f tionally fitting within Said rim-:ofsaid lidA and on said seat, a stopper:iittingwithinf said. ring,l an annular flange projecting radially outward from. said stopper infcontactlwith-tlic.top of. said ring, and? means forming an aiupassage, positioned between:l the inside: side ofr'said ring and said stopper; forming arcommunication between theainside of' said container. and the surface oficontactbetween-said flange and said. ring.

LA closed container, comprising a container body, alidto-saidibody, asealing ring between- -said lid and .said body, said lid having an opening through it,into said body a rim` tol saidopening, ang annular' seat at said rim, a: second sealing. ring frictionall'y fitting Withimsaidl riin ofsaid lid, and on said seat, arstopper ittingwithinsaidi ring, an annular flange: proj ecting` radially outward from said stopper., afbead on. said fla-nge,- in: conta ct with` said ring, and means forming an air passage, positioned between the inside side of said ring and said stopper, forming a communication fromthe inside of said container to the surface of Contact between said bead-and sai rino'.

5. A closed container comprising a container body, an opening in said body, a wall surrounding said opening, a ring seat at the kside of and below the top of said wall, there being a notch thru said wall, above said seat, a sealing ring on said seat, within said wall, a stopper for said opening, an out-turned flange to the said stopper, resting upon said ring, and means forming an air passage positioned between the inside side'of said ring and the body of said stopper, forming a com; munication from the inside of said container to the surface of contact between said flange and said ring.

6. A closed container Comprising a container body, an opening in said body, a wall surrounding said opening, a ring seat at the inside of and below the top of said wall, there being a notch thru said wall, above said seat, a sealing ring on said seat, within said wall, a stopper for said opening, an out-turned fiange to the said stopper, an annular-bead depending from said flange and resting on saidring, and means forming an air passage, positioned between the inside side of said ring and the body of said stopper, forming a communication from the inside of said container to the surface of contact between said flange bead and the said ring.

7. In a Closed container having an opening, means forming a closure to said: opening, comprising an annular wall at the rim of said opening, a ring seat at said wall, inside and below the top thereof, a sealing ring on said seat, a stopper lfitting the inside side of said ring, an out-turned flange to said stopper, fitting on top of said ring, said flange having an opening thru it exposing part of said ring, and forming access to said 'ring for that which may be used to depress said ring and Y break its continuity of contact with said fiange for the admission of air to said container, and a second means forming an air passage, positioned between the inside of said ring and the body of said stopper, forming a communication from the insideof said container to the surface of Contact between said fiange and said ring near the opening in saidbelow the top thereof,a sealing ring on said seat, a stopper fitting the inside of said ring,

an out-turned flange to said stopper, a continuous bead depending from said flange and in contact with said ring, there being a hole thru said flange outside' of said bead, to eX- pose part of said ring, and forming access to the said ring for thatwhich may be used to depress said ring and break its continuityV of Contact with said bead for the admission of air to said container, and a second means forming an air passage, positioned between the inside side of said ring and the body7 of said stopper, forming a communication from the inside of said container to the surfaceof Contact between said bead and said ring near said opening` thru said flange and said bead.

9. In a Closed container having an opening, means forming a closure to said opening, Comprising an annular wall at the rim of said opening, a ring seat at said wall, inside of and below',` the top thereof, a sealingring on said seat having its outer cylindrical wall in Contact with said annular wall, an internal Corrugated wall on said ring, a stopper extend ing over the top of said ring, aV depending flange to said stopper fitting'within the corrugated wall of said ring.

JonN nnwinn THEBAUD,

llO

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