US2105695A - Self-closing cap for containers - Google Patents

Description

Jan. A18, 1938,. G. l.. LATEUR 2,105,695

SELF CLOSING CAP FOR CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 3, 1936 IN V ENTOR. BY ffrozx/[TEUR @MW/MMM@ ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 18, 1938 l n UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in selfclosing caps for containers, and it consists of the combinations, constructions and arrangements hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

In my co-pending applications Serial No. 758,640, iiled December 21, 1934, and Serial No. 11,707, led March 18, 1935, I show spring covers for closing the outlet openings in the necks of tubes. These spring covers are disposed on the exterior surfaces of the necks, and therefore are situated at a greater distance from the tube itself than where the covers are placed within the necks. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a spring cover disposed within a tube neck whereby the distance between the cover and the vtube itself is reduced. This results in less squeezing force being necessary to force the tube contents against the cover to open it.

I also form the neck as a part of the container rather than screw the neck onto the outlet opening of a standard collapsible tube. By this a1'- rangement I am able to provide a larger opening through the neck and therefore a less force is necessary to force the tube contents through this opening.

In the present invention I further show a novel type `of spring closure that is secured to the neck of the tube without the necessity of providing fastening pins or other securing devices. The resiliency of the spring cover is suflicient to automatically close the opening when the pressure on the tube contents is freed. During the shipping of the tube the tube contents are sealed against accidental removal through the spring cover, and this sealing can be accomplished by -means of a separate cap or by a fastening device that is brought into engagement with the spring cover. When the tube is used the `cap may be removed and need not bel attached to the neck again because the spring cover automatically will close after each use of the tube and will protect the contents. The fastening device can be adjusted to limit the amount of opening of the spring cover, and this will cause a uniform ribbon-like flow of material to issue from the mouth of the container regardless of the squeezing pressure exerted on the container.

The device also makes use of a novel Washer that cooperates With the spring cover and is disposed between the cover and supporting ledges in the tube neck. 'Ihe pressure on this washer by the tube contents when the tube is squeezed will cause the washer to expand laterally and to act as a seal between the sides of the spring cover and the neck. This will cause all of the tube contents to only pass through'the open end of the spring cover.

The device is extremely simple in construction and is durable and enicient for the purpose intended. K

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the device Will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which Figure l is a vertical section through the device showing it operatively applied to a container;

Figure 2 is a top plan View oiv a portion of the device;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an isometric view of the sprin cover; i

Figure 6 shows a slightly modified form of the invention; and

Figure 7 is a view taken at right angles to Figure 6, showing the neck and spring cover in elevation.

In carrying out my invention I provide a container l which may be in the'form of a collapsible tube. Ihis container has a conical-shaped end 2 with an inwardly extending cylindricalshaped portion 3. A portion of the cylinder projects beyond the end 4 and is threaded at 5 for receiving a cap 6. The inner end of the cylinder 3 has an inwardly extending flange 1 that acts as a stop for a neck portion 8.

Figures 1 to 4 inclusive illustrate the particular construction of the neck 8 and it will be noted that this neck is cylindrical in shape and has its outer cylindrical surface bearing against the inner cylindrical surface of the portion 3. The bottom of the neck 8 rests on the inwardly extending flange 1. Figure 4 further shows the neck 8 as being provided with a cylindrical bore 9. One side of this bore is curved as shown at l0 in Figure l for guiding the tube contents toward a spring closure indicated generally at Il. Near the top of the bore 9 I provide side ledges or shoulders I2 clearly shown in Figures 2 and 4, and these shoulders are positioned adjacent to side walls I3 that extend at right angles to the shoulders. A rear ledge I4 is disposed at the topof the bore 9 and cooperates with the shoulders l2 for forming a seat for the spring closure II. Extensions l5 are positioned at the rear of the ledge I 4 and act as a stop for the spring closure II.

Figures 1 to 4 inclusive also illustrate the neck 8 as being provided with a grooved edge I6 for receiving the free end of the closure |I. At the opposite side of the neck I provide a longitudinally extending recess or groove I1. Although the body of the neck is cylindrical the upper portion of the neck is more in the nature of a cone with the apex extended in the form of a line. This line extends parallel with the grooved edge I6 and with the rear projections |5.

In Figure 5 I show the spring closure by itself,

and it will be noted that the closure has an upwardly extending leg portion I8 provided with an inwardly extending foot portion I9. The closure is enlarged at 20 and carries a lip portion 2| that extends at an angle with respect to the portion 20. The rear edges 22 of the portion 20 bear against the extensions I5 when the closure is'disposed in place. In securing the closure to the neck the elongated part I8 is placed in the groove I'I before the neck is disposed in the cylinder 3. The foot I 9 is received in a notch 23 in the base of the neck. The portion 20 rests on the shoulders I2 and ledge |4, while the lip 2| is received in the grooved edge I6. It will be seen that the closure entirely covers the open end of the bore 9. The flange 'I closes the bottom of the groove Il.

If desired a washer 24 may be placed between the portion 20of the closure and the shoulders I2. This washer preferably is made hollow and of a yielding material so that when the tube contents are forced against the closure they will exert a. force against the inner wall of the Washer and cause the washer to bear against the side Walls I3 of the neck. This will provide a seal between the side edges of the portion 20 andi the wallsv I3 with' a result that the tube contents will be forced through the space provided betweeny the lip 2| and the grooved edge I6. The washer need not vbe used and is only mentioned as an additional sealing means. The rear edges 22 of the portion 20 bear against the extensions I5 and hold the cover II in position during the opening operation. This is not absolutely essential because Figure 1 illustrates how the portion I8 bears against the cylinder 3. Therefore, this portion will permit the closure to open without becoming dislodged. A unique feature of the closure I I lies in the fact that it can be readily applied to the neck and held in place without the need of any external fastening means such as pins or the like. The neck is held in the cylinder 3 by forming a ridge 25 in the cylinder 3 that will enter a groove in the neck. Any other suitable means for securing the neck in place may be resorted to.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device the operation thereof may be readily understood.

As already stated the cap 6 covers the neck and closure during the shipping of the device. The top of the cap bears against the top of the closure and acts as a positive seal for the closure. When using the device the cap 6 is removed and need not be applied again. The squeezing of the tube I will force the contents against the closure and will open it. 'I'he contents then will issue in a ribbon-like form through the opening provided by the lip 2|, the

tents in good condition until the device is used again.

As already stated less pressure is` needed to open the closure because the closure is disposed partially within the neck 8 and this brings the closure closer to the container. The tube contents therefore will have a less distance to travel with the result that a less force need be exerted to open the closure. The bore 9 is larger in area than the neck of a standard tube. The tube contents therefore will flow more readily through the bore than through a standard tube, and this :will require less squeezing force on the tube wall for opening the closure.

In Figures 6 and '7 I show a slightly modified form of the device. In this form a neck 26 is secured to a tube 21 by forcing a ring portion 28 of the tube into a groove 29 in the neck. This neck has a bore 30 similar to the bore 9 and the bore 30 is closed by a spring closure 3| similar to the closure II. disposed between the closure 3| and ledges 33 formed in the neck. A lip 34 of the closure 3| rests against a ledge 35 when the closure covers the bore 30.

The operation of this form of the device is the same as in the form shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive. The closure 3| is secured against accidental opening by a U-shaped member 36 that is pivoted at 3l to the neck. When the Ushape member is received in a notch 38 it will hold the closure 3| against opening. When the operator wishes to use the tube he moves the fastening member 36 to the second notch 38' and this will permit the closure to open a predetermined. v

distance. It is unnecessary to move the fastening member 36 back to the notch 38 after using the tube because the spring qualities of the closure itself will cover the bore 30.

It is not necessary that the lip 2| be used Awith the portion 20. The portion 2|) can close the bore 9 andthe closure will be held in position by the shank I8 bearing against the sleeve or cylinder 3. When-the lip 2| is omitted the groove I6 will also be dispensed with and this side will be extended flush with the shoulders I2, or could project above the shoulders to form a recess for the outer edge of the portion 2D.

If desired the shank I8 may be widened and the portion 20 lessened in width so that both would be the same width. This would do away with the rear edges 22.

While I have shown only the preferred forms of my invention, it should be understood that yvarious changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a device of the type described, a neck for a container having a bore therein with two shoulders disposed at the end of the bore and on opposite sides thereof, a spring closure for closing the bore, and a hollow washer mounted on the under surface of the closure, said neck having side walls extending from the shoulders and constituting guides for the sides of the clo- If desired a washer 32 may be sure, the container contents when forced against the closure for opening it also bearing against the inner wall of the hollow washer for causing the washer to seal the spaces between the closure and the side walls.

2. In a device of the type described, a container having a neck portion, a spring closure for the neck designed to be opened by the pressure of the container contents when the container is L75 CAD collapsed, a locking yoke pivotally carried by the neck, said neck having a plurality of notches for holding the yoke in diierent positions, said yoke when in one position bearing against the closure for holding it in closed position, and when in another position, limiting the opening movement of the closure.

3. In a device of the type described, a neck portion having a bore therein and an inclined top surrounded on its back and two sides with walls, the neck portion also having a longitudinally extending groove in its outer surface leading from the back wall, the bottom of the neck portion being provided with a recess extending from the groove, and a spring closure including an extension received in the groove, said extension having an inwardly projecting portion received in the recess, the closure also having an enlarged portion integral with the extension and covering the inclined top, the rear edge of the enlarged portion bearing against the back wall, and the sides of the enlarged portion contacting with the side walls.

4. In a device of the type described, a neck portion having a bore therein, the upper end of the neck being provided with two inclined surfaces and the side having a longitudinal groove therein with an inwardly extending recess, and a spring closure having a shank portion receivable in the groove, said shank having an inwardly bent part receivable in the recess, the upper part of the closure covering the two inclined surfaces for closing the bore.

5. An article of manufacture comprising a neck piece with a bore extending therethrough, and a spring closure for the bore and having bent portions engaging with the top and bottom of the neck piece for securing the closure to the neck piece.

6. In a device of the type described, a container provided with an outlet sleeve, a neck piece mounted in the sleeve and having a bore therein, and a spring closure for the bore and having bent portions engaging with the top and bottom of the neck piece for securing the closure to the neck piece, said closure also having a portion lying between the neck and the sleeve, whereby the sleeve holds the closure against removal during the opening of the closure.

7. In a device of the type described, a container, a neck piece having an annular groove therein, said container having a ridge receivable in the groove, said neck piece also having a bore extending therethrough, a spring closure for the bore, and a yoke for holding the coslure against opening, said yoke being movable to permit a limited opening of the closure.

8. In a device of the type described, a container provided with an outlet sleeve, a neck piece mounted in the sleeve and having a bore therein, and a spring closure for the bore and having bent portions engaging with the top and bottom of the neck piece for securing the closure to the neck piece, said closure also having a portion lying between the neck and the sleeve, whereby the sleeve holds the closure against removal during the opening of the closure, said sleeve being threaded, and a cap securable to the sleeve for holding the closure against opening.

GASTON L. LATEUR.

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