US3227317A - Closure assembly for containers - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 4, 1966 A. L. BEREZIAT ETAL CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed June 6, 1963 FIG. 2

FIG. 6

FIG. 7

Jan. 4, 1966 A. L. BEREZIAT ETAL 3,227,317

CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June 6, 1963 FIG. 20

FIG. /9

FIG. 23

J 4 A. L. BEREZIAT ETAL CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR CONTAINERS Original Filed June 6, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. /2

a.) ad 2 a M Q.

FIG. /4

United States Patent 3,227,317 CLOSURE ASSEMBL FOR CONTAINERS Andr Louis Bereziat, Lyon, Napoleon Bullukian, Champagne-an-Mont-dOr (Rhone), and Louise Genevieve Chelle, Paris, France, assignors to Shell Oil Company, New York, N .Y., a corporation of Delaware Original application June 6, 1963, Ser. No. 286,076, now Patent No. 3,207,375, dated Sept. 21, 1965. Divided and this application Feb. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 438,454 8 Claims. (Cl. 222-83) This application is a division of our earlier application Ser. No. 286,076 filed June 6, 1963, now Patent No. 3,207,375 issued Sept. 21, 1965.

This invention relates to a pouring spout which can form part of a capsule adaptable on a container made of glass, metal, or plastic, or which spout can be provided at one extremity of the container when the same is made of a relatively soft plastic material or a metal such as lead, tin and the like.

The invention has for its main object to ensure faultless sealing of the container with the capsule for the sale of the product contained in the container, and to provide simple and rapid means of opening the same and to combine these means with an obturating cap for use when utilizing the product, the whole being designed in such manner as to ensure .a low cost price.

The pouring spout according to this invention comprises, in combination, a fixed element made of relatively soft material that is adaptable for engagement onto a container and is obturated by an upper wall of which a portion projecting upwardly and obliquely therefrom is thinned down over part at least of its periphery, and a mobile element made of relatively hard material which fits coaxially and elastically over said fixed element and carrier an eccentric blade directed towards said wall and having at least one straight edge parallel with the axis of said mobile element whereby said oblique wall portion may be out along its thinned-down peripheral portion by rotation of said mobile element about its axis to provide access with the interior of the container to enable the liquid contained in the container to be dispersed, said mobile element serving as an obturating means for the pouring spout after said oblique wall portion has been cut.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, said pouring spout is obtained by moulding a relatively soft plastic material, or a metal of the aforementioned type, and consists of a fixed truncated cylindrical tube which on delivery is sealed by a fiat or curved oblique cover which is preferably thinned down adjacent the tube wall whereby to form a flexible diaphragm around the periphery of the cover, said tube being integral with a transverse annular wall and with the oblique cover projecting upwardly therefrom, said wall including a cir cular guiding means over which fits elastically a cap bearing a knife of which the edge parallel with the geometrical axis of said tube is positioned at the time of delivery to face the lowermost point along the thinned-down periphery of the cover, in such manner that rotation of the cap about its axis causes a peripheral severing of said cover, which cover can then be engaged and pulled otf by hand. Obturation is then ensured only by the removable cap. 1

The knife and the cap supporting the same are preferably a one-piece member of rigid material.

It is a further object of this invention, to provide a pouring spout of the type hereinbefore described, with means to ensure inviolability prior to use, together with permanent fitting of the pouring spout on can-like containers and positive retention of the cap on the pouring spout.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a pouring spout of the type described hereinabove, wherein, in order to ensure cleanliness of the container any loose drops of liquid are directed back into the container. In this respect the fixed cylindrical tube terminates in a funnel and is obturated by a cylindrical end-piece lodged therein and joined obliquely through a thinned-down peripheral portion to the external wall of said tube, the opening of which, subsequent to cutting, has a port in a bowl constituting a receptacle and from which any loose drops are directly conveyed back into the container.

In order to permit pouring of the contents from the container drop by drop or in continuous fashion, as desired, while at the same time isolating said contents from the surrounding atmosphere when the container is not in use, this invention lastly has for an object to provide a pouring spout of the type hereinbefore described wherein the cylindrical tube is mobile, rigidly connected to the knife and pivotally mounted therewith on an element which is engageable on the container and is obturated by a transverse wall having a lower flat portion against which said tube bears and is locked by a peg when the container is not in use, said lower flat portion being joined to an upper flat portion via a ramp having a thinned ex ternal edge which is cut by the knife to form a lip folded downwardly into the container to enable the liquid contained therein to flow out.

The description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are filed by way of nonlimitative examples, will give a clear understanding of how the invention can be carried into practice and will disclose yet further particularities thereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows in perspective the pouring spout and its cap separated from each other, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows in vertical section through II-II of FIG. 3, the pouring spout of FIG. 1 and its associated cap, in the configuration used for delivering the container;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section taken through III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows in sectional view in a manner similar to that of FIG. 2 the obturating cap as it rotates to slit the pouring spout cover.

FIG. 5 is a section taken through VV of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section through the pouring spout, showing how the cover is removed;

FIG. 7 illustrates in section a pouring spout and its cap according to an alternative embodiment in the configuration when the container is delivered.

FIG. 8 is a horizontal section through the line VIH- VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows in similar sectional form to FIG. 7 the pouring spout alone after it has been opened by cutting;

FIG. 10 shows in enlarged perspective form a portion of the pouring spout and the cap of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2, showing a pouring spout equipped with its associated cap according to a further alternative embodiment, mounted on a container;

FIG. 12 is a diametrical section similar to that of FIG. 2 taken through a pouring spout with detachable sealing element and the associated cap, the assembly being fitted to a container and being shown in the configuration ready for delivery;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the pouring spout and cap of FIG. 12, in an area wherein a sealing element is disposed;

FIG. 14 shows in diametrical section a further embodiment of spout and cap in the delivery configuration;

FIG. is a horizontal section taken through the line XVXV of FIG. 14;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are similar views to those of FIGS. 14 and 15, showing the open configuration ready for use subsequent to the cutting, FIG. 16 being a section taken through the line XVI-XVI of FIG. 17;

FIG. 18 illustrates in perspective the elements of the pouring spout of FIGS. 14 through 17 separated from one another in their configuration prior to delivery;

FIG. 19 shows in fragmental perspective view from underneath the lower element of the pouring spout of FIG. 14, in the position for pouring the liquid;

FIG. shows in plan view on a reduced scale the element of FIG. 14 carrying the tube and the knife;

FIG. 21 is a fragmental section taken through the line XXIXXI of FIG. 15;

FIG. 22 is a diametrical section taken through a cap carrying a metal blade; and

FIG. 23 is a similar section to that of FIG. 6, the cap being integral with a plastic container.

In the specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, the pouring spout is supported by a capsule 1 made of relatively flexible material such as polyethylene and is adapted to fit elastically over the edge of a bottle neck in a manner well known per se. Said spout is in the form of a cylindrical tube 2 which is obturated in an oblique plane by a wall portion 3 having along its periphery a score line 4 and on its top a small grasping tongue 5.

Concentrically with cylinder 2, capsule 1 is obturated by a transverse annular wall integral with tube 2 and by the oblique wall portion 3 which projects upwardly and obliquely therefrom. Said transverse wall includes a circular rib 6 serving as a circular guideway, over which elastically fits a cap 7 having ribs 8 on the outer face thereof.

Internally, said cap 7 supports an eccentric blade or knife 9 the free extremity of which engages, in the inoperative position, in a small cavity 10 in capsule 1, at the base of the oblique wall portion 3. Cap 7 and blade 9 form a one-piece molding of a relatively rigid material such as shock-resisting polystyrene.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, cap and capsule are mounted on the container which is thereby hermetically sealed by the oblique wall portion 3. To open the container, all that is necessary is to only rotate cap 7 about its axis (see FIGS. 4 and 5), whereupon the rigid blade 9, acting as a knife, cuts through the peripheral thinneddown portion 4 of oblique wall portion 3, save at its lowermost point which cannot be reached by the lower extremity of blade 9. Thus, after the cutting operation has been performed, the oblique wall portion 3 will remain attached to cylinder 2 by a holding tongue 3a extending only over a small portion of its base (see FIG. 6), from which it must be manually detached by means of grasping tongue 5 whereby the wall portion 3 is prevented from accidentally dropping into the container. Thereafter pouring spout 2 will be devoid of a cover and the container will henceforth be closed only by the cap 7 when not in use.

Like parts to those of the pouring spout of FIGS. 1 through 6 bear like reference numerals followed by the letter a for FIGS. 7 through 10, by the letter b for FIG. 11, by the letter c for FIGS. 12 and 13 and by the letter d for FIGS. 14 through 21.

In the specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 through 10, the pouring spout is on a capsule 1a made for example of polyethylene and, adapted to fit elastically over the edge of a bottleneck in a manner well known per se. Said spout is in the form of a cylindrical tube 2a open oven a longitudinal area 11 and terminating at the top in a funnel portion 12. At its base said tube is joined to a truncated transverse annular wall 13 forming a bowl and obturating the capsule. Said tube is obturated by a substantially cylindrical end-piece 14 which joins the inner wall of said tube 2a along an oblique plane 15 via a peripheral score line 4a.

Concentrically with cylindrical tube 2a, capsule 1a includes a circular ridge 6a over which the cap 7a having external ribs 8a fits elastically. Said cap is molded in onepiece from a rigid plastic material such as a shock resisting polystyrene, and includes an eccentric blade 9a which in the inoperative position obturates the opening 11 of cylindrical tube 2a.

Said cap is further provided with a base 16 engaged in a groove formed on the capsule by an upper lip 17 thereon. Said upper lip is interrupted, as is clearly shown in FIG. 10, and in this interrupted area said capsule is integral with a peg 18. The base 16 is in turn interrupted in the same area, being terminated in two bevels 19 and 20.

In the configuration of FIG. 7, the container is hermetically sealed by the end-piece 14 and can be opened merely by rotating cap 7a about its axis. Rigid blade 9a acts as a knife and cuts through the score line 4a of said endpiece at the same time as either of bevels 19 or 20, likewise acting as a knife, cuts off the peg 18 which ensured inviolability of the bottle seal. At the end of the cutting operation, the cap is removed and the sliced end-piece 14 pulled off, following which the pouring spout assumes the configuration of FIG. 9.

When the liquid is poured, the same is channelled by the funnel portion 12, and should any drops tend to drip therefrom when the bottle is placed upright again, they are collected in the bowl 13 which communicates directly with the interior of the bottle and said drops spill thereinto immediately. This is particularly advantageous in the case of a bottle containing a greasy liquid such as oil, in which case the pouring spout ensures that the bottle is kept clean.

Reference is now had to FIG. 11, wherein the pouring spout is similar to that of FIGS. 7 through 10, diifering therefrom only in that capsule 1b is provided with an external circular ridge 21. Said capsule can be fitted to a can 22 made of any convenient material such as metal, cardboard, or rigid plastic material, said can being initially provided with an opening having an inwardly and downwardly directed conical edge 23. Thus the ridge 21 passes through said opening by reason of the elasticity of its material and cannot be extracted therefrom because it abuts against the inner periphery of the downwardly directed edge 23. In this particular embodiment, the cap 7b is of generally cylindrical shape.

Reference is next made to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, wherein the pouring spout and the cap are of the type shown in FIG. 11. The tube 20, however, consists of a cylinder against the inner wall of which is applied the external face of blade or knife 90, said tube terminating in a complete funnel 12c. In addition, the rim portion 24 of capsule 10 hearing against can 220 comprises a radial portion 25 projecting therefrom and having a relatively large angular extent whereby to permit a Warranty inscription to be aflixed thereon. Said projection is joined by a heel 26 to said rim portion 24. The cap base 16c is indented as shown in FIG. 13 to form indent 27 to allow the base to accommodate the radial portion 25. Said indent 27 comprises a central portion which surrounds heel 26 and is provided with an oblique wall 28.

In this particular embodiment the circular ridge 6c of Capsule 1c is provided externally with a screw thread 29 adapted to engage with a matching thread on the inside of cap 70. The cap is fitted onto the capsule by forcing it in the direction of arrow F, the capsule being made of flexible material to yield to the screw thread on the cap made of rigid material, whereby to dispose the indents 27 and the oblique wall 28 as shown in FIG. 13.

To gain access to the contents of the can, the cap is unscrewed, thus ensuring simultaneous cutting of the end-piece 14c by the rigid blade and breaking of the heel 26 of the warranty element along the line 30. The radial portion thus serves as an indicator visible with the cap on the capsule for indicating in a normal undetached condition the closedand sealed relationv of the end piece 140 in the funnel 120. When the radial portion to ensure positive overall retention of said cap and said is detached, this is an indication of the cutting of the end piece 14c by the blade 90. r j

Reference is now had tothe embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 through 21, in which the capsule 1d no longer supports the'cylindrical tube, said tube 2d being integral with the rotating cap part 7d and incorporates the knife or blade 9d. Beyond tube 2d, said cap part 7d includes a sealing heel 29. Part 7d is made of a relatively Hard material and fits elastically into a circular ridge on the capsule 1d which is made of a relatively soft material.

Said capsule la! is obturated by a transverse wall comprising an upper annular flat portion 31 adapted forapplication against the container neck32 and bearing a sealing peg 18d which pentrates into a slot in part 7d having cutting edges 19d and 20d. Said capsule 1d further includes a lower flat portion 33 which penetrates into the container 1 and upon which bears the lower edge of tube 2d, Said flat portion 33 is joined to flat portion 31 by a further portion 34 forming an upwardly directed ramp having a thinned-down edge 35. In the inoperative configuration the heel 291 of the part 7d is applied against the end closure of a recess 36 provided on the capsule between its horizontal walls 31 and 33. Where ramp 34 joins horizontal wall 31, the capsule is reinforced at 37over the area contacted by the knife edge. Between said area and heel 29, upper fiat wall 31 is of circular arcuate shape and terminates in a cylindrical portion 38 centered upon the axis common to the capsule and part 7d, whereby to serve as a pivot when said part 7d is rotated. The recess 36 is therefore bounded by inner cylindrical portion 38 and by an outer cylindrical wall 42. p

In order to use the pouring spout, part 7d is rotated in the direction of arrow 0 (FIG; 20) by means of the ribs 39, 40, and 41 on its upper surface. The knife edge 9d guided by cylindrical wall 42 cuts through ramp 34 along its thinned-down edge and at the same time turns the lip cut out thus downwardly and inwardly, as shown in FIG. 16, whereby to enable the liquid to flow capsule. What we claim is:

1. A closure assembly for a container having an opening, said assembly comprising a capsule adapted for being supported on the container to cover the opening therein, said capsule including a detachable portion which upon :removal P ovidesaccess to the opening in the container, a cap removably supported on the capsule for relative rotation, said cap including an eccentric blade therein which is constituted of material harder than that of the capsule, said blade projecting towards said capsule, said detachable portion being inclined with respect to said blade and being positioned relative thereto for being partially severed by said blade from the remainder of said capsule upon relative rotation of the cap and the capsule, means on the detachable portion for being manually engaged to permit detachment of the detachable portion after said detachable portion has been partially severed and the cap removed, and means visible with the cap on the capsule and having a normal condition indicating that the detachable portion has not been severed by the blade and an activated condition indicating at least partial severance of the detachable portion.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for indicating severance of the detachable portion of the capsule comprises means on the capsule for being removed therefrom by said cap upon relative rotation of the cap and the capsule.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for indicating severance of the detachable portion of the capsule comprises a radial portion of the capsule, said cap having an indentation and accommodating said radial portion therein for separating the radial portion from the remainder of the capsule upon relative rotation between the cap and capsule.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said capsule comprises a heel of reduced size connecting said radial portion with the remainder of the capsule, said radial portion being separated from the remainder of said capsule at said heel.

from the container in the direction of arrow fin FIG. 16. i

portion 38 in such manner that no ,liquid can leak out in spite of the slit ramp 34.

Such a pouring spout is more particularly usable with vessels containing liquids liable tobe adversely affected by contact with the air, an example being vinegar. In addition, depending upon the position occupied by tube 2d relative to the peripherally slit ramp 34, the liquid can be poured either drop by drop or in a continuous stream.

It will of course be understood that many modifica tions can be mode to the specific embodiments hereinbefore described, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. In particular, as is illustrated in FIG. 22, the blade or knife, instead of beingrigidly connected to the plug 44, could consist of a metal blade 45 inserted, by. its heeled retaining extremity 46, in the plastic material at the time the capis molded. Similarly, capsule 47 could be integral with the very wall 48 of a container made of plastic material such as polyethylene or the like (see FIG. 23). Lastly, in the specific case wherethe unit is not to include an inviolability peg, the cap base and the capsule retaining ridge could be unbroken, whereby 5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein said capsule and cap include respective threaded portions which are threadably engaged such that unscrewing of the cap causes partial severance of the detachable portion and separation of the radial portion.

6. A closure assembly for a container having an opening, said assembly comprising a capsule adapted for becover portion including a second section which is inclined with respect to the blade and is positioned relative thereto for being first partially severed by said blade from the remainder of the capsule and then deformed by the portion with the tubular openingupon relative rotation of the cap and capsule to a second relative position to provide communication between the interior of the container and the tubular opening.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cover portion includes a peg on said first section which engages the 'tubularopening in said first relative position to resist relative movement between the cap and capsule.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said capsule is provided with a curved recess bounded on an inner side by a central cylindrical portion and on an outer side by an outer wall portion, said blade and cup portion being accommodated in said recess for relative movement 2,028,175 12/ 19 36 Waite 222-83 therein about said cylindrical portion as ra pivot. "771,218 11/ 1956 Henderson 22283 12,773,722 12/1956 Abplanalp 222-82 References Cited by the'Examiner i2,814;418 11/ 1957 Rieke 22291 UNITED STATESPATENTS 5 2,840,124 6/1958 Greene 222-562 1,992,320 2/1935 "-Maggenti 222 91 kg/1935 {Hothersall 222%541 RAPHAEL M.- LUPO, Przmary Examiner.

2 025,232 12 1935 Dodge 222 g2 "WALTEKSOBIN,"Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR A CONTAINER HAVING AN OPENING, SAID ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CAPSULE ADAPTED FOR BEING SUPPORTED ON THE CONTAINER TO COVER THE OPENING THEREIN, SAID CAPSULE INCLUDING A DETACHABLE PORTION WHICH UPON REMOVAL PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE OPENING IN THE CONTAINER, A CAP REMOVABLY SUPPORTED ON THE CAPSULE FOR RELATIVE ROTATION, SAID CAP INCLUDING AN ECCENTRIC BLADE THEREIN WHICH IS CONSTITUTED OF MATERIAL HARDER THAN THAT OF THE CAPSULE, SAID BLADE PROJECTING TOWARDS SAID CAPSULE, SAID DETACHABLE PORTION BEING INCLINED WITH RESPECT TO SAID BLADE AND BEING POSITIONED RELATIVE THERETO FOR BEING TO PARTIALLY SEVERED BY SAID BLADE FROM THE REMAINDER OF SAID CAPSULE UPON RELATIVE ROTATION OF THE CAP AND THE CAPSULE, MEANS ON THE DETACHABLE PORTION FOR BEING MANUALLY ENGAGED TO PERMIT DETACHMENT OF THE DETACHABLE PORTION AFTER SAID DETACHABLE PORTION HAS BEEN PARTIALLY SEVERED AND THE CAP REMOVED, AND MEANS VISIBLE WITH THE CAP ON THE CAPSULE AND HAVING AN NORMAL CONDITION INDICATING THAT THE DETACHABLE PORTION HAS NOT BEEN SEVERED BY THE BLADE AND AN ACTIVATED CONDITION INDICATING AT LEAST PARTIAL SEVERANCE OF THE DETACHABLE PORTION.

Images