US3194453A

US3194453A - Liquid dispensing closure arrangement

Info

Publication number: US3194453A
Application number: US306956A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cherba Samuel
Original assignee: Container Corp
Current assignee: Container Corp; Smurfit Kappa Packaging Corp
Priority date: 1963-09-05
Filing date: 1963-09-05
Publication date: 1965-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 1982-07-13

Description

July 13, 1965 s. CHERBA LIQUID DISPENSING CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT Original Filed Dec. 11. 1961 United States Patent 3,194,453 LIQUID DZSPENSING CLQSURE ARRANGEMENT Samuel Cherha, Totowa Boro, N.J., assignor to Container Corporation of America, Chicago, ill., a corporation of Delaware Continuation of application Ser. No. 158,210, Dec. 11,

1961. This application Sept. 5, 1963, Ser. No. 396,956

- 3 Claims. tCl. 222'52i) This application is a continuation of my co-pending application, Ser. 158,210, filed December 11, 1961, now abandoned.

This invention relates to container closure arrangements, and more particularly to a dispensing cap for a container which will allow the dispensing of freely flowable material such as liquid or powder from the container through the cap while the cap remains on the container.

The invention comprehends an improved container closure arrangement adapted to permit the dispensing of a controlled quantity of liquid or powder from the container even when the cap is in a fully open position.

It is the object of the invention to provide a container closure arrangement having means for controlling the quantity of freely fiowable material which can be dispensed from the container through the closure while the closure remains on the container.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision, in a container closure arrangement of the type described, of valve means adapted to permit the controlled dispensing of a predetermined quantity of freely flowable material from the container.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from an examination of the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspecitve view of a container and closure embodying features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal section taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURES 4 and 5 are views similar to FIGURE 2, but illustrate modified forms of the invention.

It will be understood that, for purposes of clarity, certain elements have been intentionally omitted from certain views where they are illustrated to better advantage in other views.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of the invention, it will be seen that the closure arrangement embodying the invention comprises a container K, which may be either a tube, jar, bottle, or the like, and a cap C mountable on the container for cooperation therewith.

As best seen in FIGURE 1, the container comprises a body, indicated generally at 10, having at one end thereof a preferably integrally formed neck, indicated generally at 12.

Now referring to FIGURE 2, it will be seen that neck 12 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a central bore or discharge opening 13 communicating with the interior of the container. At its outer end the neck is preferably provided with an annular outwardly facing surface 14 disposed for engagement with a complementary surface of the cap in a manner described later in the specification. The neck may also be provided with an external spiral thread 16 of a conventional type adapted for threadable engagement with a complementary thread on the container cap.

In order to prevent the accidental removement of the cap from the container neck, the latter may be provided 3,l4,i53 Patented July 13, 1%65 with an external, preferably annular, retaining bead 18 preferably spaced inwardly from the thread 16 and adapted to cooperate with a similar bead on the cap. In order to provide a seal between the neck of the container and the cap the neck may be provided with an internal annular sealing bead 19 preferably disposed inwardly adjacent the outer extremity of the neck.

Still referring to FIGURE 2, it will be seen that neck 12 includes a valve structure, indicated generally at 20, which is preferably formed integrally with the neck itself. It is not absolutely necessary that the valve structure be formed as an integral part of the neck, for, as will be seen in connection with the embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5, the valve structure can be formed as a separate part of the neck member.

Valve structure Ztl includes a longitudinally disposed generally cylindrical elongated post 22 located centrally of the neck discharge opening 13 and having its lower portion connected to the neck by a plurality of radially extending ribs or struts 24- spaced circuferentially from each other to define a plurality of openings 26 therebetween.

Adjacent its upper extremities valve post 22 is preferably tapered to present an upwardly facing annular frusto-conical sealing surface 28 for engagement with a cooperating surface on the cap in a manner described later in the specification.

Between ribs 22 and surface 28 post 22 presents a smooth cylindrical outer surface 39 within which has been formed a longitudinally extending groove or slot 32, the purpose of which will be described later in the specification.

Still referring to FIGURE 2, it will be seen that cap C includes a body portion 4t having projecting inwardly from one end thereof an annular side wall 4-2 which is provided with an internal thread 44 for cooperation with external thread 16 on the neck of the container. Also, the interior of the cap may be provided with a re taining bead 46 adapted to cooperate with retaining head 18 of the neck to prevent the accidental removal of the cap from the container neck. It will be understood that either the cap or the neck, or both, will be formed of a flexible material, such as plastic, so that when the cap is screwed onto the neck the cap retaining bead 46 will be forced over the neck retaining bead 18. Once the cap is so positioned, it can be moved axially relative to the container neck a limited distance to open and closed positions without being removed completely from the neck. Although it is desirable that the cap and container neck be provided with the previously described retaining beads to provide a captive closure arrangement, it is not absolutely essential to the invention that the closure be a captive closure.

Additionaily, the cap may be provided with an annular flange or skirt 48 projecting inwardly from cap body 40 in generally concentric relation to cap side wall 4 2 so as to define therewith an annular channel 56 within which is received the upper portion of the container neck when the cap is applied to the container. Cap channel 50 preferably presents an annular surface 52 disposed opposite the annular surface 14 of the neck for engagement therewith, if desired, to provide an additional seal between the container and cap; although it is not essential that these mating surfaces be employed as a seal, because other seals are provided in the closure arrangement.

Extending axially through the cap is a central discharge opening or bore 52 having outer, intermediate, and

inner sections

54, 56, and 58, respectively, of progressively increasing diameters. Outer section 54 of the '3 r at? bore '52 is spaced from intermediate section 56 by an annular inwardly facing frusto-conical sealing surface 59 which is complementary to and adapted for engagement with corresponding outwardly facing 36 of the valve engagement between the valve structure and the cap.

Thus, any liquid that passes from the container through discharge opening 52 of the cap must pass through groove 32 of the post. By controlling or varying the width, depth, and length of groove 32 on any one cap it is possible to control the amount of liquid which can-pass through the groove of the cap in given period of time, depending upon the viscosity of the particular liquid involved. Obviously, the greater the flow resistance caused by the groove 32, the less the flow rate of the particular liquid will be, and vice-versa.

It will be understood that after the cap has been ap plied to the container neck the sealing engagement between neck inner sealing bead 19 and outer surface 62 of cap skirt 48 will prevent the flow of liquid between the cap and container neck, regardless of whether the cap is in open or closed position.

When the cap is moved axially inward by rotating it to the closed position cap sealing surface 59 is moved into engagement with valve post sealing surface 39 to effect a liquid tight seal between the valve structure and the cap.

As the cap is backed off to open position,

surfaces

59 and 28 are moved away from each other to permit the flow of liquid from the container, through groove 32 in the valve post, between

surfaces

59 and 28 of the cap and valve structure, respectively, and out of the end of cap discharge opening 54.

It is contemplated that the container employed in connection with this invention will be a plastic tube or bottle of the type which requires squeezing in order to effect the discharge of the liquid through the closure when the cap is in open position. Therefore, by controlling the dimensions of valve post groove 32, relative to the viscosity of the-liquid involved, it is possible to provide a closure arrangement for any particular liquid wherein, by squeezing the container, onedrop of liquid at a time can be discharged through the discharge opening of the container cap while the cap remains on the neck of the container.

A modified form of the invention is shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawing, and it will be seen that the primary which may be snugly positioned and retained within the neck bore after the container has been filled. Normally it is contemplated that the integral valve structure ar-- rangement will be used when the container is a tube whichcan be filled from the closed'end before the tube is closed and that the two piece. valve structure arrangement will be employed when the container is a bottle which must be filled frcmthe discharge end. By providing a separate piece it is easier to fill the bottle and then insertthe valve structure into the discharge opening of the neck of the container. To facilitate assembly:

theva'lve structure may be positioned within the cap so that it-can be applied "to the container neck at the same time the cap is applied to the container neck.

As best seen in FIGUREA, the separate valve structure Zla comprises an annular wall or body portion 7t having projecting outwardly from the outer end thereof, and at right angles thereto, an annular flange "/2 adapted to seat on the end surface. '74 of the container neck. On its outer surface flange 72 may be provided with an annular sealing bead '76 for engagement with the annular flat inwardly facing surface 78 of the cap to effect a liquidtight seal between the cap and the valve structure of the container neck when the cap is in closed position. Also, valve structure wall 70 may be provided on its .inner surface with an annular sealing bead 84 adapted to engage the outwardly facing cylindrical sealing surface 62 of the cap skirt 48 to provide a liquid tight seal between the valve structure of the con tainer neck and the cap, regardless of the position of the cap.

To prevent the accidental removal of valvestructure a, its wall 70 may be provided with a peripheral bead 82 which is received within a complementary groove 83 of the container neck to provide interlocking engagement therebetween.

Like the previously described embodiment, this embodiment may also be provided with the

sealing surfaces

28 and 59 of the valve structure post and cap, respectively, which cooperate to form a liquid .tightseal between the valve post and cap at the outer extremity of groove 32 when the cap'is in closed position.

A still further modified form of the invention is illustrated in FIGURE 5 of the drawing. Like the embodiment of FIGURE 4,this embodiment alsoincludes a valve structure, indicated generally at 22b, which is formed separate from, rather than integralwith, the neck of the container.

The primary difference between the embodiment of FIGURE 5 and the previously described embodiments resides in the location of thesealing means between the valve structure and the cap. In the embodiment of FIGURE 5, this sealing means is located at the inner extremity of valve structure center post groove 32, rather than at the outer extremity of the groove, as it is in the embodiments of FIGURES 2 and 4.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGURE 5, it will be seen that the post 22!), unlike the post of the other embodiments, has co-axial outer and inner sections and 92, respectively, of different diameters, with the latter having the larger diameter to formthereoetween a shoulder presenting an outwardly facing frusto-conical sealingsurface 94 adapted to seal on a complementary surface 9 60f the cap, to provide a liquid tight seal between the valve structure and cap, when the cap is in closed position.

Outer section 90 'of post 2212 also presents a smooth cylindrical surface 39b, adapted for sliding sealing engagement with a complementary sealing surface 6%, and a longitudinal groove 33b cut in surface 36b, so that when the cap is in open position liquid passing from the container through the cap can pass only through controlled size post groove 32]).

It will be understood that the sealing arrangement previously described in connection with the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 5 of the drawing could be employed, if desired on the one piece sealing arrangement illustrated in FIGUREZ ofthe-drawing.

In all three of the embodiments of the invention illu trated in the drawing, there is provided the common feature of a valve structure post having a-cylindrical surface disposed for slidingengagemenuwith a complementary cylindrical surface presented by the, discharge opening of a cap and having'a'longitudinally extending gro'ove' limiting xthe fiow'of liquid between the opposed cylindrical surfaces when the cap is in open position, and means to effect a seal between the valve structure and the cap when the latter is in a closed position.

I claim: l

1. A closure arrangement for dispensing liquid in con trolled, drop-by-drop quantities from a container such as a plastic bottle or tube, comprising the combination of:

(a) a container neck having a central discharge opening extending axially therethrough;

(b) a one-piece cap member having a central discharge opening extending axially therethrough and being axially movable relative to said neck between open and closed positions;

(0) a central post member mounted in the discharge opening of the container neck and having a portion extending outwardly beyond said neck and axially into the discharge opening of the cap member;

(d) said cap vand post members presenting within said cap member discharge opening opposed, smooth, cylindrical surfaces cooperating axially along a common length to afford liquid-tight, sliding engagement between the surfaces during relative axial movement of the cap and post members to prevent the flow of liquid between the cylindrical surfaces even when said cap member is in the open position;

(e) one of said members having recessed from its cylindrical surface a relatively narrow, elongated channel extending axially thereof along at least said common length;

(f) said channel having a cross-sectional area of sufficient dimension to provide a flow resistance which, in combination with the viscosity of the liquid, permits the flow of the liquid therethrough only in the desired drop-by-drop quantity, even when the cap is in the open position;

(g) said cap and post members presenting adjacent one end of said channel a pair of mutually engageable annular, sealing surfaces, angularly disposed relative to said cylindrical surfaces;

(h) said annular sealing surfaces being seated against each other when the cap member is in the closed position to prevent the flow of the liquid into or out of said channel and being spaced from each other when the cap member is in the open position to provide, in communication with said channel, a passageway having a cross sectional area greater than that of the channel, so that the rate of flow of the liquid from the container through the entire closure arrangement is controlled only by the channel.

2. A closure arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said annular sealing surfaces are disposed outwardly of said channel to prevent the flow of liquid out of the channel when the cap member is in the closed position.

3. A closure arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said annular sealing surfaces are disposed inwardly of said channel to prevent the flow of liquid into the channel when the cap member is in the closed position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,722,802 7/29 King 222-521 2,106,028 1/ 38 Heimsch et al. 222521 2,619,265 11/52 Jacobsohn 222-521 2,754,036 7/ 56 Boyer 222 548 2,759,643 8/56 Dahlin 222--521 2,860,821 1 1/ 5 8 Hartung et al 2225 19 3,010,619 11/ 61 Gronemeyer et a1. 222-521 RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS I. DEMBO, Examiner.

Claims

1. A CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT FOR DISPENSING LIQUID IN CONTROLLED, DROP-BY-DROP QUANTITIES FROM A CONTAINER SUCH AS AW PLASTIC BOTTLE OR TUBE, COMPRISING THE COMBINATION OF: (A) A CONTAINER NECK HAVING A CENTRAL DISCHARGE OPENING EXTENDING AXIALLY THERETHROUGH; (B) A ONE-PIECE CAP MEMBER HAVING A CENTRAL DISCHARGE OPENING EXTENDING AXIALLY THERETHROUGH AND BEING AXIALLY MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID NECK BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS; (C) A CENTRAL POST MEMBER MOUNTED IN THE DISCHARGE OPENING OF THE CONTAINER NECK AND HAVING A PORTION EXTENDING OUTWARDLY BEYOND SAID NECK AND AXIALLY INTO THE DISCHARGE OPENING OF THE CAP MEMBER; (D) SAID CAP AND POST MEMBERS PRESENTING WITHIN SAID CAP MEMBER DISCHARGE OPENING OPPOSED, SMOOTH, CYLINDRICAL SURFACES COOPERATING AXIALY ALONG A COMMON LENGHT TO AFFORD LIQUID-TIGHT, SLIDING ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE SURFACES DURING RELATIVE AXIAL MOVEMENT OF THE CAP AND POST MEMBERS TO PREVENT THE FLOW OF LIQUID BETWEEN THE CYLINDRICAL SURFACES EVEN WHEN SAID CAP MEMBER IS IN THE OPEN POSITION; (E) ONE OF SAID MEMBERS HAVING RECESSED FROM ITS CYLINDRICAL SURFACE A RELATIVELY NARROW, ELONGATED CHANNEL EXTENDING AXIALLY THEREOF ALONG AT LEAST SAID COMMON LENGTH; (F) SAID CHANNEL HAVING A CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF SUFFICIENT DIMENSION TO PROVIDE A FLOW RESISTANCE WHICH, IN COMBINATION WITH THE VISCOSITY OF THE LIQUID, PERMITS THE FLOW OF THE LIQUID THERETHROUGH ONLY IN THE DESIRED DROP-BY-DROP QUANTITY, EVEN WHEN THE CAP IS IN THE OPEN POSITION; (G) SAID CAP AND POST MEMBERS PRESENTING ADJACENT ONE END OF SAID CHANNEL A PAIR OF MUTUALLY ENGEGEABLE ANNULAR, SEALING SURFACES, ANGULARLY DISPOSED RELATIVE TO SAID CYLINDRICAL SURFACES; (H) SAID ANNULAR SEALING SURFACES BEING SEATED AGAINST EACH OTHER WHEN THE CAP MEMBER IS IN THE CLOSED POSITION TO PREVENT THE FLOW OF THE LIQUID INTO OR OUT OF SAID CHANNEL AND BEING SPACED FROM EACH OTHER WHEN THE CAP MEMBER IS IN THE OPEN POSITION TO PROVIDE, IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID CHANNEL, A PASSAGEWAY HAVING A CROSS SECTIONAL AREA GREATER THAN THAT OF THE CHANNEL, SO THAT THE RATE OF FLOW OF THE LIQUID FROM THE CONTAINER THROUGH THE ENTIRE CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT IS CONTROLLED ONLY BY THE CHANNEL.