US3173589A

US3173589A - Pop-up reseal closure for plastic powder container

Info

Publication number: US3173589A
Application number: US260235A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roy W Dike
Original assignee: Continental Can Co Inc
Current assignee: Continental Can Co Inc
Priority date: 1963-02-21
Filing date: 1963-02-21
Publication date: 1965-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 1982-03-16
Also published as: NL6401688A

Description

R. w. DlKE 3,173,589

POP-UP RESEAL CLOSURE FOR PLASTIC POWDER CONTAINER March 16, 1965 Filed Feb. 21, 1963 INVENTOR United States Patent 0 3,173,589 POP-UP RESEAL CLUSURE FOR PLASTIC PUWDER CONTAINER Roy W. Dike, Northbrook, lll., assignor to Continental Can (Zompany, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 266,235 16 Claims. (Cl. 222-479) This invention relates to a novel pop-up releasable closure particularly adapted for use with plastic containers filled with a dry or semi-dry dispensable product such as powdered soap, cleaners, granular flavorings, crystalline chemicals and various food products.

An object of this invention is the provision of a novel closure constructed of a single piece of substantially rigid material such as polyethylene or a similar thermoplastic, the closure being snapped into an opening of a container after the container has been provided with a suitable dispensable fill, the closure including a plurality of outwardly directed peripheral ribs, one of the outwardly directed peripheral ribs being etfective to maintain the container in sealed relationship Within the closure during storage and shipment of the container and another of the outwardly directed peripheral ribs prevents the removal of the closure from within the container during the dispensing operation thereof.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel container and pop-up resealable dispensing closure, the container including a body having an opening defined by a peripheral portion, the pop-up resealable dispensing closure being slidably received in the opening of the container, the closure including a body having an upper peripheral rib, a lower peripheral rib and an intermediate peripheral rib, the intermediate peripheral rib normally underlying the peripheral portion in a first position but being capable of intimately overlying and sealing the peripheral portion in a second position and being spaced from the peripheral portion in a third position of the intermediate peripheral rib, a plurality of passages being provided in the closure body in a peripheral surface thereof and extending at least between the lower and intermediate peripheral ribs, the passages placing the interior of the container in communication with the atmosphere when the intermediate peripheral rib is in the third position thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel container and pop-up resealable dispensing closure of the type immediately above-described, wherein the plurality of passages are formed in diametrically opposed peripheral portions of the closure body and the number of the passages differs in each of the diametrically opposed peripheral portions whereby the fill of the container can be selectively dispensed at a different flow rate depending upon the plurality of passages employed during the dispensing operation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel container and pop-up resealable dispensing closure of the type heretofore described, and in addition, to form the plurality of passages as elongated grooves opening outwardly of a peripheral surface of the closure between the lower and intermediate peripheral ribs and substantially parallel to the axis of the container.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel dispensing container and a pop-up resealable dispensing closure of the type having a closure body slidably received in an opening of a container defined by a peripheral portion thereof, the closure body having an upper, lower and intermediate radially outwardly directed peripheral rib, the closure body being formed from an integral piece of plastic material having an axial bore, the axial bore defining a depending peripheral skirt term- 3,173,589 Ce Patented Mar. 16, 1965 inating in a free peripheral edge, a plurality of elongated slots being formed in the depending peripheral skirt and extending from the free peripheral edge thereof to the intermediate peripheral rib of the closure body, the intermediate peripheral rib being shiftable into any one of three positions and the plurality of elongated slots placing the interior of the dispensing container in communication with the atmosphere in one of these three positions of the intermediate peripheral rib.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel three-position resealable dispensing closure adapted for use with a container having an inwardly directed peripheral portion defining an opening of the container into which the closure is adapted to be received, the closure including an integral substantially rigid body having upper, lower and intermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribs, a plurality of passages in the closure extending between the lower and the intermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribs, the plurality of passages opening radially outwardly of the closure and in substantial parallel alignment to an axis of the closure, the plurality of passages being in the form of either elongated grooves or slots formed in diametrically opposed peripheral portions of the closure and the number of the grooves or slots differing in each of the diametrically opposed peripheral portions whereby dilferent dispensing rates are achieved.

With the above, and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a novel container and pop-up resealable dispensing closure constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates a plurality of elongated slots extending from a free pcripheral lower edge of the closure toward an outwardly directed peripheral intermediate rib of the closure and the plurality of elongated slots being formed in diametrically opposed peripheral portions of the closure.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary top perspective view with a part broken away for clarity, and illustrates the pop-up resealable dispensing closure inserted in an opening of the container and the outwardly directed intermediate peripheral rib of the closure lockingly underlying an inwardly directed peripheral portion of the container.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the container and pop-up resealable dispensing closure taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, and more clearly illustrates the outwardly directed intermediate peripheral rib of the closure in underlying sealing contact with the inwardly directed peripheral portion of the container.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the dispensing container and pop-up resealable dispensing closure of FIGURES 1 through 3, and illustrates the outwardly directed intermediate peripheral rib of the dispensing closure in overlying sealing contact with the inwardly directed peripheral portion of the container prior to the movement of the container and closure into a dispensing position.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the dispensing container and pop-up resealable dispensing closure of FIGURE 4 after the movement thereof into a dispensing position, and illustrates one of the plurality of elongated slots placing the interior of the container in communication with the atmosphere and a lower outwardly directed peripheral rib of the dispensing closure preventing the complete withdrawal of the closure from within the container.

FIGURE 6 is a bottom perspective view of a pop-up resealable dispensing closure, and shows a plurality of elongated grooves formed in diametrically opposed pefrom an intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib of the dispensing closure through an outwardly-directed lower peripheral rib thereof. 2

A dispensing container and popup resealable dispensing closure constructed in accordance with this invention 15 bestillustrated in FIGURES 1 through 5 of the drawings, and is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

Thedispensing container and pop-up resealable dispensing closure includes 'a container 11 having a body, 12 and an integral upwardly and inwardly sloping neck 13.. The neck 13 terminates in an integral peripheral reinforcing portion 14 defining an opening 15 of the container 11. The container 11 is preferably blow-molded from plastic material, but may also be fabricated from shet metal. Any dry or semi-dry dispensable fill such as granular flavorings, crystalline chemicals, grated dry or semi-dry food-products, cleaners or powdered soap may be packaged in the dispensing container 11.

A pop-up resealable dispensing closure 16 of the dis pensing container and closure 10 comprises a substantially. rigid body 17 which is preferably injection-molded from polyethylene or a similar thermoplastic'material.

Thebody 17' of the pop-up resealable dispensing closure 16 includes an integral rib 18 which flares upwardly and outwardly from a recessed end 20 of the body 17. The

upper outwardly directed peripheral rib 18- terminates in a free peripheral edge 21.

7 the insertion of the dispensing closure 16 into the opening 15 of the dispensing containerll. An upper annular abutment wall or shoulder 31 of the lower peripheral rib 28 prevents the dispensing closure 16 from being accidentally or inadvertently removed from within thebody 2' of the dispensing container 11 when the, latter is in the dispensing position shownin FIGURE '5 of the drawing. 7

The depending peripheral skirt '25 of the dispensing closure 16 is interrupted along a plurality of diametrically opposed peripheral skirtportions thereof by a plurality of elongated passages or slots 32 and a single passage or slot 33. Both the passages or slots 32 and the, passage or slot 33 extend theentire axial length of theperipheral skirt from the recessed end 20 and the intermediate peripheral rib 22 of the; body 17 to the free peripheral edge 27. of the peripheral skirt 25. The plurality of slots An intermediate peripheral rib 22 projects radially out I wardly with respect to the axis of the body 17. The

diametrical dimension of the intermediate peripheral rib 22 is slightly greater than the diameter of the opening 15 in the neck 13 of the container 11' to enable the intermediate peripheral rib 22 to. be snapped fromthe position shown in FIGURE 4 (sealingly overlying the peripheral portion 14 of the dispensing container 11) tothe position shown in FIGURE 3 (sealingly underlying the peripheral portion 14 of the dispensing container 11) and-vice versa, for a purpose to be more fully described hereafter.

Anannular sealing recess 23 is formed in the body 17 of the dispensingclosure 16 between the upper peripheral rib 21 and the intermediate peripheral rib 22. The annular sealin'grecess 23 is slightly greaterin circumference than the circumference of the opening 15 insthecontainer ings, .when the dispensing closure'16is snapped into the 32 and the diametrically opposed; slot 33 place the axial bore or chamber 24 of the dispensing closure 16 in radial communication with the interior of the container body 12 when the dispensing closure 16 is positioned as shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. 'However, whenthe dispensing closure 16 is snapped-out of the container body 12 to the position shown in FIGURE 4, (with the intermediate peripheral rib 22 overlying the reinforced periph-; eral portion 14) and the dispensing'container 11 is moved I to the dispensing position of FIGURES, the plurality of slots 32 and the slot33 place the interior of the dispensing container 11 in communication with the atmosphere. Any desirable fill in the dispensing container 11 may now be dispensed throughjthe plurality of slots 32 in the. depending peripheral skirt 35; It should be noted that while, FIGURE S illustrates the dispensing container 11 p in a position, enabling fill to be dispensed through the plurality of slots 32, the dispensing container 11 need only be revolved substantially; 180? from the position illustrated in FIGURE 5 to dispense the fill through the single passage or slot 33.. Thus, a" faster dispensingrate is achievedwhen the dispensing container 11 is in the position shown in FIGURE 5, while a much slower dispensing rate is achieved when the dispensing container 11 is revolved as above-described. V i

' In operation, the dispensing container ;11 is first filled with any dry or semi-dry product. The dispensing closure 16 is then snappeddown into the opening 15 of the dispensing container 11 to the position shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawing in which the peripheral reinforcing pore 7 tion 14 of the container body 12. is in sealing contact dispensing container 11 to aposition in which the inter I mediate peripheral rib 22 of the dispensing closure 16 underlies the peripheral portion 14 of the dispensing container 11, a positive seal between the dispensing closure 16 and the dispensing container 11 is formed.

The body 17 of the dispensing closure 16 is provided with an axialbore 24. The-axial bore 24 forms an interior chamber of an integral depending peripheral skirt 25 of the body 17. The peripheralskirt 25 includes an exterior circumferential wall 26 which has a diameter and a circumference substantially equal to the diameter and the with the annular sealing recess 23tof the dispensing closhrs '16. The intermediate peripheral rib 22 of the dispensing closure 16 underlies the peripheral portion 14 of; the dispensing container 11 and cooperates with the outwardly flaring upper peripheral rib 21' to effect a positive seal. In this position, (FIGURE 3) the dispensing closure andicontainer 10 may be shipped to'a consumer for subsequent use.

A consumer can then open the dispensing closure and containerv 10 by forcing his forefinger and thumb and/or second finger under the flared upper peripheral rib 21 to .pop? the dispensing closure 16 out-of the dispensing closure ll'to the position shown in FIGURE 4. At this I point the dispensing closure 16 may be completely re circumference of the opening 15 of the dispensing container 11. This dimensioning in effect forms a slip-fit be tween the circumferential wall 26 of the dispensing closure 16 and the peripheral portion; 14 of the dispensing container 11, thereby permitting the dispensing closure 16 to slide freely'into and out of the dispensing containe'r'll along the entire axiallength of thecircurnferential wall 26.

The depending peripheralskirt 25 of the body '17 terminates in a free peripheral edge 27'. The depending peripheral skirt 25 of the body 17 is also'provided with anintegral outwardly directed lower peripheral rib 28. The

lower peripheral rib 28 includes a radially inwardly and downwardly tapering peripheral wall 30 'which'facilitates moved from the body 12 of the dispensing container 11 to enable the consumer to spoon-out the product in the dispensing container 11. Oncethe intermediate peripheral rim'22 of the dispensing container 11 is snapped-over the peripheral reinforcing. portion 14 01": the dispensing container 11, thedispensing closure 16 can be manually withdrawn from the body 12 untilthe annular abutment wall or shoulder 31 of the peripheral skirt 25 contacts the peripheral reinforcing'portion 14 of the dispensing container 11. In this position the interior ofthe dispensing container 11 :isplaced in communication withthe atmosphere through the plurality of passages or slots 32 and the diametrically opposed; passage or slot 33.

The dispensing container 11 may then be revolved, or alternatively, the dispensing closure 16 may be revolved with respect to the dispensing container 11, to dispense the package product either through the plurality of passages or slots 32 or the single diametrically opposed slot or passage 33.

In the inverted dispensing position of FIGURE 5, it should be noted that the abutment between the annular abutment wall or shoulder 31 and the peripheral reinforcing portion 14 of the dispensing container 11 precludes the dispensing closure 16 from dropping out of the body 12. Furthermore, in this position the intermediate peripheral rib 22 overlies and is spaced from the peripheral reinforcing 14 of the container body 12.

When a sufficient amount of the product has been dispensed, the dispensing container 11 is then inverted from the position shown in FIGURE 5 to the position of FIG- URE 4. As the dispensing container 11 is being inverted, the dispensing closure 16 slides back into the body 12 until the intermediate peripheral rib 22 overlies and contacts the peripheral reinforcing portion 14 of the container body 12. As has been heretofore noted, it is because of the sliding fit of the circumferential wall 26 of the peripheral skirt 25 within the opening 15 of the dispensing container 11 that the dispensing closure 16 can automatically re-seat itself to the position illustrated in FIGURE 4 of the drawings. Because the dispensing container 11 is constructed of polyethylene, a seal is created between the intermediate peripheral rib 22 and the peripheral reinforcing portion 14 of the dispensing container 11 when the same are in contact, and the interior of the container body 12 is no longer in communication with the atmosphere. This is particularly advantageous when a product such as salt, which is adversely affected by a high moisture content of the atmosphere, is packaged in the dispensing container 11. Similarly, if crystalline chemicals are packaged within the dispensing container 11, the sealing contact between the intermediate peripheral rib 22 and the peripheral reinforcing portion 14 of the container body 12 prevents contaminants from adversely or undesirably co-acting with the crystalline chemicals, which coaction might otherwise occur if the chemicals were temporarily exposed to the atmosphere.

It should be further noted that since the seal of FIG- URE 4 is not a mechanical seal, the dispensing container 11 need but be inverted and the dispensing closure 16 will be pushed out of the container body 12 by the packaged product, due to gravity and the slip-fit between the circumferential wall 26 and the opening 15 previously described.

A pop-up resealable dispensing closure adapted to be used with a dispensing container such as the dispensing container 11 of FIGURES 1 through 5 of the drawings is ,illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7, and is generally referred to by the reference numeral 36. The dispensing closure 36 is substantially identical to the dispensing closure 16, and includes an integral plastic body 37 having an integral upwardly and outwardly flaring upper peripheral rib 38, an integral intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib 42 and a lower outwardly directed peripheral rib 48. The dispensing closure 36 further includes an annular sealing recess 43 between the upper peripheral rib 38 and the intermediate peripheral rib 42. The body 37 of the dispensing closure 36 is solid and has a circumferential wall 46 depending axially from the intermediate peripheral rib 42 to an annular abutment wall or shoulder 51 of the lower peripheral rib 48. The lower peripheral rib 48 is inwardly and downwardly tapered at 50, in a manner identical to the tapered wall portion 30 of the dispensing closure 16.

The relative dimensions, functions and construction of the

components

38, 42, 43, 46, 48, 50 and 51 of the dispensing closure 36 are identical to the respective dimensions, functions and construction of the components 18,

6 22, 23, 26, 28, 30 and 31 of the dispensing closure 16 of FIGURES 1 through 5 of the drawing.

In lieu of the plurality of elongated slots 32 and the diametrically opposed slot 33 of the dispensing closure 16, the dispensing closure 36 is provided with a plurality of elongated passages or grooves 52 and a diametrically opposed elongated passage or groove 53 in the periphery of the closure body 37. The plurality of passages or grooves 52 and the diametrically opposed passage or groove 53 extend from the intermediate peripheral rib 42 downwardly through the lower peripheral rib 48 and opened outwardly through a bottom surface 47 of the body 37.

The dispensing closure 36 along with the plurality of grooves 52 and the diametrically opposed groove 53, op erate in a manner substantially identical to that heretofore discussed in connection with the dispensing closure 16.

While various forms of a dispensing container and a pop-up resealable dispensing closure particularly adapted for use with a plastic dispensing container have been shown herein for purposes of illustration, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combined container and closure wherein said container comprises a body having an opening defined by an inwardly directed peripheral portion, said closure being slidably received in said opening and including a body having an upper peripheral rib, a lower peripheral rib and an intermediate peripheral rib between said upper and lower peripheral ribs, said intermediate peripheral rib normally underlying and engaging said inwardly directed peripheral portion in a first position thereof but being capable of contactingly overlying said peripheral portion in a second position and spacingly overlying said peripheral portion in a third position, at least one passage in a peripheral surface of said closure body and said passage extending at least between said lower and intermediate peripheral ribs whereby said one passage places the interior of said container body in communication with the atmosphere when said intermediate peripheral rib is in the third position thereof.

2. A combined container and closure wherein said container comprises a body having an opening defined by an inwardly directed peripheral portion, said closure being slidably received in said opening and including a body having a lower outwardly directed peripheral rib and an intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib spaced from said lower outwardly directed peripheral rib, said intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib normally underlying and engaging said inwardly directed peripheral portion in a first position thereof but being capable of contactingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheral portion in a second position and spacingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheral portion in a third position, at least one passage in a said closure body extending between said lower and intermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribs whereby said passage places the interior of said container body in communication with the atmosphere when the intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib is in the third position thereof yet is closed to the atmosphere when the intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib is in the first or second position thereof.

3. A combined container and closure wherein said container comprises a body having an opening defined by an inwardly directed peripheral portion, said closure being slidably received in said opening and including a body having a lower outwardly directed peripheral rib and an intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib spaced from said lower outwardly directed peripheral rib, said intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib normally underlying and engaging said inwardly directed peripheral portion in a first position thereof but being capable of contactingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheral por- 'tion in a second position and spacingly overlying saidzinwardly directed peripheral portion in 'a third position, a plurality of'pass'ages in a said closure body extendingbetween said'l'ower and intermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribs whereby said passages place the interior of said container body in communication with the atmosphere when the intermediate outwardly directed'peripher'al rib is in the third position thereof yet is closed to the atmosphere when the intermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribis in the first or second position'thereof.

4. A combined container and closure wherein said container comprises a body having an opening defined by an mediate outwardly directed peripheral rib normally underlying and engaging said inwardly directed peripheral portion in a first position thereof but being capableof contactingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheral portion in asecond position and spacingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheral portion in a third position,'a

plurality of passages in a said closure body extending b tween said lower and intermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribs, said plurality of passages being formed in a peripheral surface of said closure body and substantially parallel to the axis'of said'container body whereby said passagesplace'the interior of said container body in communication with the atmosphere when the intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib is in the third position thereof yet is closed to the atmosphere when the intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib is in the first or second position thereof.

5. A combined container and closure wherein said container comprises a body having an opening defined by an inwardly directed peripheral portion, said closurebeing slidably received in said opening and-includingla body'having a lower outwardly directed peripheral rib andan intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib spaced from said lower outwardly directed peripheral rib, said intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib normally underlying and engaging said inwardly directed peripheral portion in a first position thereof but being capable of contactingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheral portion in a second position and spacingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheral portion in a third position, a plurality of passages in a said closure 7 body extending between said'lower and intermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribs, said plurality of passages being formed in diametrically opposed peripheral portions of said closure body, the number of passages difiering in each of said diametrically opposed peripheral portions, whereby said passages place the interior of said o container body in communication with the atmosphere when the intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib is in the third position thereof yet is closed to the atmosphere when the intermediate outwardly directed peripheral 'rib is in the first or second position'thereof.

6. A combined container and closure wherein said container comprises a body'having an opening defined by an inwardly directed peripheral portion, said closure being slidably received in said opening and including a body having a lower outwardly directed peripheral .rib and an intermediate outwardly directed peripheral'rib spaced from said lower outwardly directed peripheral rib, said intermediate outwardly directedper-ipheral rib normally underlying and engaging said inwardly directed peripheral portion -in a first position thereof but being capable of contactingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheral .portion in a second position and spacingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheral portion in a third position, a plurality of passages in a said closure body extending between said lower and intermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribs, said plurality of passages being formed in diainetrically opposed peripheral portions "of said closure body, the number of passages differing in thereof;

7. 'A combined container and closure wherein said'container comprises a body having an opening defined by inwardly directed peripheral" portion, said closure being slidably receivedin said openin'g and'including a solid plastic body having a lower outwardly directed peripheral rib andan intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib spaced'from said lower outwardly directed peripheral rib, said intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib normally underlying and engaging said inwardly directed peripheral portion in a first position thereof but being capable of contactingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheral portion in a second position and spacingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheral portion in a third position, a plurality of passages in a'said closure bodyextending between said lower and intermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribs, said plurality of passages being formedin diametrically opposed peripheral portions of said closure body, the number of passages dilfering in-each of said diametrically opposed peripheral portions,said plurality of passages being substantiallyparallel to the axis v of said container, the plurality of passages being elongated grooves opening outwardly entirely of said solid plastic body between the lower and intermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribs thereof, whereby said grooves place the interior of said container body in communication with the atmosphere when the intermediate 'outwardly directed peripheralrib is'in the third position thereof yet is closed to the atmospherewhen the inter- 'inediate outwardly directed peripheral rib is inthe first or second position thereof. I,

8. A combined container and closure wherein said container comprises a body having an opening defined by an 'inwardly directed peripheral portion, said closure being 'slidablyfreceived in saidv openingan'd including a solid plastic body, said closure body being formed from plastic and-including an axial b or'e,said' axial bore defining a dependin'g'peripheral skirt portion'terminating in a free peripheraled'ge, said closure body having a lower outaardly'directed peripheral rib and an intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib spaced from said lower outwardly directed peripheral rib,.said intermediate outwardly vdirected peripheral rib normallyunderlying and engaging said: inwardly directed peripheral portion in a first position thereof but being capable of contactingly overlying saidinwardly'dire'cted peripheral portion in a second position and spacingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheralportion in a third position, aplurality of passages in'a said closure body extending between said lower and intermediatev outwardly g directed peripheral ribs, said plurality of passages being formed in diametrically opposed peripheral portions of said closure body, the number of passages'diliering in each of said diametrically opposed peripheral portions; said plurality of passages being substantially parallel to the axis of said container, the plurality of passages being elongateds slots in said depending peripheral skirtand opening entirely radially outwardly of said axial bore at least between the lower. and-intermediate outwardly directedperipheral ribs.

9 A three position closure adapted for use with a container having an inwardly radially directed peripheral portion defining an opening, of the container into which the closureis adaptedto, be'received, said closure com.-

r prising a body-having an upper peripheral rib, a lower peripheral rib and an intermediate peripheral rib, between said upper and lower peripheral ribs, each of said peripheral ribs being directed outwardly with respect to the axis of said closure body, said intermediate peripheral rib being adapted to normally underlie and engage the peripheral portion of a container in a first position thereof but being capable of contactingly overlying the peripheral port-ion in a second position and spacingly overlie the peripheral portion in a third position, a plurality of passages in said closure bony extending between the lower and intermediate outwardly directed per pheral ribs and said plurality of passages opening radi lly outwardly of said body and in substantial parallel alignment to the axis of said body.

10. A three position closure adapted for use with a container having an inwardly radially directed peripheral portion defining an opening of the container into which the closure is adapted to be received, said closure comprising a solid body having an upper peripheral rib, lower peripheral rib and an intermediate peripheral rib between said upper and lower eripheral ribs, each of said peripheral ribs being directed outwardly with respect to the axis of said closure body, said intermediate peripheral rib being adapted to normally underlie and engage the peripheral portion of a container in a first position thereof but being capable of contactingly overlying the peripheral portion in a second position and spacingly overlie the peripheral portion in a third position, a plurality of passages in said closure body extending between the lower intermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribs and said plurality of passages openin" radially outwardly of said body and in substantial parallel alignment to the axis of said body, said plurality of passages being elongated grooves opening outwardly of said solid plastic body between the lower and intermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribs thereof.

ll. A three position closure adapted for use with a container having an inwardly radially directed peripheral portion defining an opening of the container into which the closure is adapted to be received, said closure comprising a solid body, said solid body being formed from plastic and including an axial bore, said axial bore defining a depending peripheral skirt portion terminating in a free pcripheral edge, said body having an upper peripheral rib, a lower peripheral rib and an intermediate peripheral rib between said upper and lower peripheral ribs, each of said peripheral ribs being directed outwardly with respect to the axis of said closure body, said intermediate peripheral rib being adapted to normally underlie and engage the peripheral portion of a container in a first position thereof but being capable of contactingly overlying the peripheral portion in a second position and spacingly overlie the peripheral portion in a third position, a plurality of passages in said closure body extending between the lower and intermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribs and said plurality of passages opening radially outwardly of said body lb and in substantial parallel alignment to the axis of said body, said plurality of passages being elongated slots in the depending peripheral skirt, said elongated slots openentireiy radially outwardly of said axial bore between the free peripheral edge of said peripheral skirt portion and said intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib.

12. The three position closure as defined in claim 10 wherein said plurality of grooves are formed in diametrically opposed peripheral portions of said body, and the number of grooves in each peripheral portion dillers from the number of grooves in any other peripheral portion.

i3. The three position closure as defined in claim 11 wherein said plurality of slots are formed in diametrically opposed peripheral portions of said body and the number of slots in each peripheral portion dilfcrs from the number of slots in any other peripheral portion.

14. The three position closure as defined in claim 13 wherein the lower outwardly directed peripheral rib includes a tapered peripheral surface adapted to facilitate insertion of the closure into an opening of a container and is further provided with an annular abutment wall to preclude withdrawal of the closure when the same has been inserted in a container.

15. A combined container and closure wherein the container comprises a body having an opening defined by an inwardly directed peripheral portion, locking means forming a part of said peripheral portion, said closure being slidably received in said opening and including a body having an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate peripheral sealing portion between the upper and lower portions, said intermediate sealing portion normally underlying and engaging the peripheral portion of the container in a first position thereof and being positively locked thereat by said locking means, said peripheral portion contactingly overlying the peripheral portion of the container body in a second position upon the release of said locking means, and in spacingly overlying relationship to the peripheral portion of the container body in a third position, and passage means placing the interior of the container body in communication with the atmosphere only upon the release of the intermediate sealing portion by the locking means.

16. The combined container and closure as defined in claim 15 wherein the intermediate sealing portion is a radially outwardly directed peripheral rib having a diameter greater than the opening defined by said peripheral portion to form said locking means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

Claims

1. A COMBINED CONTAINER AND CLOSURE WHEREIN SAID CONTAINER COMPRISES A BODY HAVING AN OPENING DEFINED BY AN INWARDLY DIRECTED PERIPHERAL PORTION, SAID CLOSURE BEING SLIDABLY RECEIVED IN SAI DOPENING AND INCLUDING A BODY HAVING AN UPPER PERIPHERAL RIB, A LOWER PERIPHERAL RIB AND AN INTERMEDIATE PERIPHERAL RIB BETWEEN SAID UPPER AND LOWER PERIPHERAL RIBS, SAID INTERMEDIATE PERIPHERAL RIB NORMALLY UNDERLYING AND ENGAGING SAID INWARDLY DIRECTED PERIPHERAL PORTION IN A FIRST POSITION THEREOF BUT BEING CAPABLE OF CONTACTINGLY OVERLYING SAID PERIPHERAL PORTION IN A SECOND POSITION AND SPACINGLY OVERLYING AND PERIPHERAL PORTION IN A THIRD POSITION, AT LEAT ONE PASSAGE IN A