US3335890A - Closures and packaging - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 15, 19 7 w. E. GRUNDMANN ETAL CLOSURES AND PACKAGING 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb. 11, 1966 INVENTORS. WALTER E. GRUNDMA/V/V a ROBERT L. L GBARGE Attorney Aug. 15, 1967 w. E. GRUNDMANN ETAL CLOSURES AND PACKAGING 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 11

INVENTORS. WAL 75/? E GRU/VDMA/WV &

ROBERT L. LOBAHGE arney Al f g- 1967 w. E. GRUNDMANN ETAL 3,335,890

CLOSURES AND PACKAGING 4 Sheets-Sheet 8 NE e w N E08 vN m L 7 T R E 5 7 MR W y B a 0 e u m m 6 9 6 4 1 2 6 1 mwnm b. WW d 6 m 2 m a 20 w a mum A! farney Aug. 15, 1967 Filed Feb. 11,. 1966 W. E. GRUNDMANN ETAL CLOSURES AND PACKAGING 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS. WAL TER E. GRU/VDMA IV/V a BY ROBE/PT L. L084 IP65 Afrorney United States Patent 3,335,890 CLOSURES AND PACKAGING Walter E. Grundmann and Robert L. La Barge, Richmond, Ind., assignors to Aluminum Company of America, Pittsburgh, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Feb. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 526,837 20 Claims. (Cl. 215-11) This invention relates in general to the art of packaging and is more particularly addressed to the provision of pilferproof or tamperproof hermetically sealed packaging units incorporating unitized closure assemblies capable of and adapted to be applied to containers in a single station or tool setup, as distinguished from sequential and separate application of several individual closure elements or fitments or sub-assemblies thereof, to provide a multi-part tamperproof single use unitized closure-container package. Practice of the invention, when desired, can be performed under gas and/ or vapor environmental conditions productive of sterilized vacuumized and/or pressurized unitized packages, whether the environmental conditions and process steps associated therewith, and essential thereto, are established and carried out in separate stations or during the single station afiixation of the closure assemblies on their complementary containers, as will be hereinafter explained and referred to in more detail.

Tamperproof or pilferproof packages incorporating unitized closure assemblies falling within the scope and practice of the invention lend themselves to packaging and dispensing portions or servings of fluids, including medicinal and/ or sterilized potable liquids, a prime example of which is dietetic liquid formulae for infant consumption, in which latter case -a unitized package of the invention is preferably provided in the form of a sterilized non-refillable hermetically sealed vacuumized container or bottle having a flexible feeding nipple permanently sealed and secured thereto and over which a tamperproof shroud is removably secured to protect the nipple against contamination prior to authorized single use tell-tale opening and dispensing use of the contents of the package.

It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a unitized closure assembly adapted to be affixed to a container to provide a non-refillable protectively shrouded single use tamperproof package.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure assembly comprising several separately fabricated elements in axially concentric unitized nested relationship adapted to be aflixed as a unitized assembly on a container in a single station closure-affixing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tamperproof infant-feeding nipple and container package incorporating improved venting structure insuring atmospheric pressure control within the container as an operative feature during the intended use of the package.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel method for applying unitized closure assemblies or fitments of the invention on containers by axially applied and circumferentially controlled forces applied against exterior surfaces of the closure assemblies in opposition to the resistance of substantially rigid containers underlying the same.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from consideration of the following specification.

Unitized closure assemblies typical of the invention, prior to and after integrated aflix-ation thereof to containers to provide tamperproof non-refillable packages in accordance with the practice and advantages of the invention, are hereinafter fully described in the following specification in conjunction with the appended illustrations, in which:

ice

FIG. 1 represents an exploded view, in partial sectional elevation, of several separate closure fitments or elements prior to axially nested assembly thereof to provide a preferred unitized closure assembly in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 represents a bottom plan view, to slightly enlarged scale, of the nipple element of FIG. 1 with a broken line circle showing a container finish centered therein, and with a fragmentary area broken out to illustrate interior structural features thereof;

FIG. 3 represents a sectional elevational view of the nipple element taken on the plane 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 represents a plan view, to slightly enlarged scale, of the disk element of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 represents a sectional elevational view on the plane 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 represents a plan view, to slightly enlarged scale, of a modified and substitutable disk element for that of FIGS. 1, 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 represents a sectional elevational view taken on the plane 7-7 of FIG. 6, with a similar disk stacked thereagainst in broken line construction;

FIG. 8 represents a transverse sectional view taken on the plane 8-8 of FIG. 3 with a broken line circle showing the periphery of the disk element of either of FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 centered therein;

FIG. 9 represents a unitized closure assembly, in partial sectional elevation, to the same scale and on the same plane as FIG. 3, of all of the elements of FIG. 1 typical of an article of manufacture responding to conventional shipping, hoppering, closure placement, and conveying practices essential to modern packaging requirements, and adapted for subsequent aflixation of the unitized closure assembly to provide a tamperproof non-refillable unitized package of the invention in a single tool setup, a complementary container being illustrated in broken line construction in underlying axially registered unaflixed support thereof;

FIG. 10 represents a fragmentary sectional elevational view similar to FIG. 9 with the modified disk elements of FIGS. 6 and 7 incorporated therein;

FIG. 11 represents a top exterior plan view of the unitized closure assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 represents a sectional elevational view to the same scale and on the same plane as FIGS. 3 and 9, but compositely illustrating the unitized closure assembly of FIG. 9 following hermetic vacuumized sealing afiixation thereof on an underlying complementary container to provide a tamperproof package of the invention, as well as illustrating the package to the right of center of the illustration in authorized open condition thereof;

FIG. 13 represents an enlarged scale fragmentary sectional elevational view illustrating regional distortion of the nipple flange area of the authorizedly opened unitized package of FIG. 12 responding to an exteriorly exerted pulling force on the permanently afixed nipple thereof;

FIG. 14 represents a View similar to FIG. 13 illustrating regional distortion of the nipple flange area in response to an exteriorly exerted pushing force on the permanently aflixed nipple of the authorizedly opened utilized package of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 represents a sectional elevational view similar to FIG. 3 of an equally substitutable nipple therefor;

FIG. 16 represents a sectional plan view taken on the plane 16-16 of FIG. 15 with a sectionalized portion broken out to illustrate interior structural features thereof;

FIG. 17 represents a bottom plan view of the nipple of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 represents a fragmentary sectional elevational view, similar to the lower left portion of FIG. 12, but illustrating the substitutable nipple of FIG. 15 and sub- 3 stitutable disk of FIGS. 6 and 7 incorporated in the package thereof;

FIG. 19 represents a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the lower flanged area of a modified nipple substitutable for either of the nipples of FIGS. 3 and 15;

FIG. 20 represents a view similar to FIG. 19 of a further embodiment of nipple substitutable for any one of the nipples of FIGS. 3, 15 and 19;

FIG. 21 represents a fragmentary tool setup, including the unitized closure assembly of FIG. 9 during vacuumizing vapor treatment and prior to its affixation on an underlying container therefor, in substantial sectional elevation; and

FIG. 22 represents the fragmentary tool setup of FIG. 21 illustrating completion of a unitized closure assembly aflixation operation and resulting unitized package of the invention on its underlying container.

Characteristic features and elements of an exemplary embodiment of unitized closure assembly of the invention, capable of fulfilling the requirements of an article of manufacture, are structurally definable in terms of essential closure fitments or elements comprising a contents dispensing member, such as a flexibly resilient or elastic infant-feeding nipple, adapted to be permanently sealed adjacent and against upwardly directed axially and radially stepped top sealing finishes or surfaces of a rigid container, the dispensing member incorporating an imperforate rigid disk adapted to sealably separate the interior of the container from an interior cavity formed by the dispensing member or nipple enclosed within a frangibly removable outer protective overseal or shroud provided with a contiguous depending closure affixing band or locking ring engageable with the dispensing member, as well as with an exterior surface of the container, and adapted to form therewith a permanently secured hermetically sealed tamperproof unitized closure-container package.

In a preferred unitized single use package of the invention, authorized facile removal of the protective shroud thereof is made possible by incorporating a frangible zone between the protective shroud and its contiguous depending locking band, fracture of which zone, in response to external pressure applied against an exterior surface of the protective shroud, resulting in separation of an upper portion thereof from its lower secured locking band, in the absence of a tool, to thereby expose the contents dispensing member or nipple in condition for operative intended use in permanently sealed aflixation of the latter to its underlying container.

In more detail, and referring to the appended illustrations, a container 10, such as a molded or blown substantially rigid glass or plastic bottle, is provided having an entrance opening defined by an upwardly directed substantially horizontal flat annular top sealing surface or finish 12 in combination with a lateral or side finish 14, preferably diverging downwardly contiguously therefrom into slightly flared or fllleted connection to a second radially outwardly and upwardly facing annular sealing surface or finish 16 providing a laterally projecting shoulder or locking bead 18 therebelow.

One embodiment of unitized closure assembly adapted to be permanently affixed to the container Ill, in accordance with a practice of the invention, will be best appreciated in respect to its individual elements and unitized assembly thereof illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, 8 and 9. With particular initial reference to the exploded view illustrated in FIG. 1, it will be observed that the essential elements of a subsequently and completely unitized closure assembly satisfying the invention includes a contents dispensing member, such as a flexibly resilient natural or synthetic elastic rubber infant-feeding nipple 30, having a substantially vertical cylindrical upstanding teat portion 32 and a radially outwardly directed axially stepped interiorly hollow base represented in entirety by the reference numeral 34. As herein selected for purposes of illustration and not limitation, the nipple 30 terminates in 4 a perforated generally spherically shaped discharge mammilla or sucking orifice 36, and the base 34 is configurated to provide radially outwardly extending upper and lower substantially parallel annular flanges 38 and 40, respectively, in unitary connection and axial stepped separation by a substantially vertically disposed cylindrical ring or web section 42. The lower annular flange 40 preferably terminates in an outer peripheral upstanding bulbous rim 44 and otherwise presents a substantially horizontal downwardly directed annular surface area 46 (FIG. 3) for bearing support and sealing contact against the container finish 16. Upwardly converging contiguous connection of the base 34 to the cylindrical teat portion 32 of the nipple 30 is provided by a truncated cone configuration or tubular web section 48 which may be exteriorly thickened by a substantially right cylindrical outwardly shouldered reinforcing portion or exterior annular rib 50.

Additional structural features of the nipple 30 include the provision of a radially inwardly directed annular web or interior flange 52 located axially between the aforesaid radially outwardly directed flanges 38 and 40. The interior flange 52 provides and presents a downwardly directed substantially horizontal annular undersurface bearing area 54 (FIG. 3) for disposition against the upwardly directed sealing finish 12 of the container 10 and terminates at its inner unsupported peripheral edge in an inwardly and downwardly tapered circumferential feather edge fla-p configuration 56.

Interior flange 52, axially disposed below the interior undersurface of the upper flange 38, forms therewith an inwardly open recess within which a radial marginal annular edge area of a substantially rigid and imperforate disk 62 is received and supported, as best illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 12 disclosing a unitized closure assembly satisfying the invention. The outer radial annular marginal area of the disk 62 is preferably radially ruffled, fluted or corrugated at 64 (FIGS. 5 and 6), the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained, and undersurface of the nipple base upper flange 38 is provided with an integral downwardly directed circumferential bead 66, preferably of generally triangular transverse configuration or cross-section, with its reduced apex facing towards and .overlying the annular ruffled or corrugated rim area of the disk 62. Radial location of the head 66, in respect to the underlying upwardly directed surface of the interior flange 52 of the nipple 30, is within the radial width of the flange 52 and is preferably substantially centrally located in respect to the width of the sealing surface 12 of the container 10 in axial registry within the nipple base 34, as will be observed from scrutiny of the appended illustrations.

The disk 62 is axially centered and circumferentially spaced from the rear wall of the recess 60 through provision of three or more circumferentially spaced interior vertically disposed ribs 68 (FIGS. 3, 8, 9 and 10) formed integrally with the nipple base 34, which provide arcuate clearance channels 70 (FIG. 8) between the outer edge of the disk 62 and rear wall of the recess 60 both in the compressed and uncompressed condition of the nipple base 34 on its container 10 (FIGS. 9, 10 and 12).

Similarly, three or more integral interior vertical ribs 72 (FIGS. 2, 3, 9 and 10) below the interior flange 52' axially center the nipple 30 (FIG. 2) in respect to the lateral finish 14 of container 10, while providing arcuate channels 74 t-herebetween particularly in an uncompressed condition of the nipple base 34 on its container 10.

Assembly of the disk 62 within the recess 60 in the hollow base 34 of the nipple has been readily accomplished by circumferentially elastically stretching and widening the bottom lower entrance to the hollow nipple base 34 and entry of the disk therewithin.

A protective shroud or closure member completely surrounds and encloses the exterior surfaces of the nipple 30, except for its open bottom end, and has been illustrated in the form of a drawn substantially inelastic metallic shell having an upwardly extending tubular body portion 82 terminating at its upper end in a normally slightly outwardly domed or convex top panel 84 and at its lower end in an integral depending laterally outwardly and axially stepped base identified in its entirety by the reference numeral 86.

The base 86 preferably incorporates an upper substantially horizontal laterally extending annular flange 88 contiguous with the lower end of a tubular body portion 82 and is downwardly or axially stepped to provide a cylindrical band or ring portion 90 which is outwardly or laterally configurated at its lower edge to provide a transversely substantially reversely curved laterally extending flange 92 and an additional axially depending cylindrical terminating locking band or ring 94 defining an open circular entrance to the shroud 80. Restraining frictional engagement between interior surfaces of the base 86 of shroud 80 and coextensive underlying and/or adjacent exterior surfaces of the nipple 30 react to provide unitized nested assembly of the nipple 30, the disk 62 therewithin, and the outer protective shroud 80 (FIG. 9). Dimensional interference selection of the diameters and circumferences of .one or more of the internal surfaces defining the lower end of the tubular body portion 82, the cylindrical rim or ring 90 and terminating locking band 94 of the substantially inelastic shroud 80 to provide frictional engagement and circumferential clamping force against one or more of the underlying exterior circumferential surfaces of the nipple 30 coextensive therewith and existing in the form of laterally outwardly directed surfaces comprising the annular rib 50, cylindrical ring surface 42 and outer terminal edge cylindrical surface of the lower flange 40 and bulbous rim 44, respectively, has provided unitized assembly of the shroud 80, nipple 30 and its internally supported disk 62, as best illustrated in FIG. 9, wit-h the disk 62 acting as a transverse rigid strut against inward collapse of the nipple base 34 under the circumferential forces developed by the inelastic shroud in radially inwardly directed restraining confinement of the nipple base in unitized closure assemblies of the invention.

The shroud 80 can also be fabricated from substantially inelastic materials other than metals, such as from many of the commercially available substantially inelastic plastics.

Unitized closure assemblies of FIG. 9 thus produced have withstood conventional conveying, hoppering and closure-applying machinery and practices associated with the packaging industry without disassembly and without interfering in any way in their production and shipment to customers of the same for subsequent permanent aflixation to containers.

Reference to FIG. 11 will reveal a frangible circumferential zone located in the valley formed in the reversely curved lower flange 92 of the shroud 80, the frangible zone being preferably provided in the form of two or more arcuate slots 96 interrupted in their circumferential trace and continuity by connecting bridges 98. Manifestly, a circumferential line of perforations or a circumferentially scored groove could be employed for this same purpose.

FIG. 12 compositely reveals the unitized closure assembly of FIG. 9 following afiixation as well as after authorized opening of a unitized closure-container package of the invention. From this illustration it will be observed that the nipple 30 has been compressibly and elastically deformed from the original dimensional configuration of its base portion 34, as well as circumferentially and axially restrained by the substantially inelastic enclosing base configuration 86 of the shroud 80', in the hermetically sealed tamperproof condition of the unitized closure assembly on its container 10, illustrated to the left of center in this illustration. It will be observed in this respect that the hermetically sealed condition of the container and nipple 30 is developed between surfaces of the elastically compressed and deformed nipple base 34, namely the downwardly directed undersurfaces 54 and 46 of nipple base flanges 52 and 40 respectively, in coextensive substantially horizontal abutment against the upwardly directed stepped container finish surfaces 12 and 16 respectively. Additional side sealing may also be accomplished and developed between the elastically axially compressed and circumferentially confined cylindrical Web section 42 of the nipple base 34 in coextensive lateral abutment against an underlying cylindrical area of the side finish 14 of container 10, although side sealing is not essential to the practice and performance of the invention.

In respect to the imperforate disk 62, and again referring to FIG. 12 of the illustrations, deformation of the nipple base 34 in a unitized closure affixing operation also results in elastic deformation and contacting abutment between the upper and lower walls of the recess 60 coextensive with the opposite face annular fluted marginal areas of the disk 62 received therebetween to develop a hermetically sealed transverse partition between the interior of the container 10 and interior of the nipple 30. In this regard, the sealing generated by elastic deformation of the reduced cross-sectional area of the triangular shaped head 66 against the upper radially fluted or corrugated annular rim area of the disk 62 has been determined to develop continuous circumferential hermetic sealing abutment against the upper fluted surface of the disk 62 regardless of the effectiveness or establishment of hermetic sealing between the underside surface of the disk 62 within the nipple recess 60.

Authorized opening of the unitary tamperproof package of the invention has been simplified to eliminate the need of cutting tools or opening devices. In this connection, mere application of hand-exerted pressure substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the container and afiixed shroud against the upwardly extending tubular body portion 82 of the shroud has served to fracture the bridges 98 in the circumferential line of weakening, or frangible zone, between the lower permanently secured locking band 94 and remaining unitary structure of the shroud 89, illustrated to the right of center of the package of FIG. 12, permanent affixation of the unitary closure assembly of FIG. 12 having been accomplished by inward permanent deformation, as by a spinning operation or the like, of the lower terminal end of the locking band 94 beneath the shoulder formed by the projecting head 18 of the container 10, an essential feature of the unitized closure assembly aflixation to be later described in more precise detail. The ease of authorized opening of a unitized package of FIG. 12, as described above, has identified the tamperproof package of the invention as incorporating a flip-off protective shroud, the upwardly projecting tubular body portion 82 of which serves as a lever in effecting its removal in response to hand-applied pressure thereagainst above the plane of the previously described fracture zone incorporated therein.

It will be observed that authorized removal of the upper-portion of the shroud 80 exposes the nipple 30 in permanent attachment to the container 10 as a result of the unremoved lockin gly installed securing lower portion of the locking band 94 (FIG. 12). It will also be observed that hermetic sealing of the lower nipple flange 40 against the upwardly directed lower container finish 16 still obtains, following authorized opening of the unitized package, augmented by the undisturbed compressively restrained and deformed elastic bulbous nipple rim 44 in sealing contact between the remaining permanently secured portion of the aforesaid permanently deformed lower terminal end portion 100 of the aforesaid locking band 94 and underlying container finish coextensive therewith, which condition insures against any outward leakage of the liquid contents of the container 10 adjacent the so secured lower flange 40 of the nipple 30. The internal cylindrical circumference of the locking band 94 is deliberately selected slightly larger than the lateral outwardly directed coextensive container finish underlying the same to accommodate ovality and container manufacturing tolerances, which dimensional selection also insures appreciable elastic deformation and side wrapping of the peripheral bulbous rim 44 of the lower nipple flange 40 under compression against the side sealing finish of the container underlying the same.

Removal of the upper portion of the shroud 80 also permits the elastic nipple base 34 to resiliently return to its original dimensionally uncompressed and circumferentially unconfined condition above the permanently secured and sealingly compressed peripheral portion of the lower flange 40 and bulbous bead 44 of the nipple base 34 to thereby release compressive restraint of the disk 62 within the nipple base recess 60 and destroy or break the circumferential hermetic seal between the triangular bead 66 and upper fluted surface of the imperforate disk 62.

Intercommunication between the interior of the nipple 30 3 and container 10 is thereby established radially outwardly through the flutes 64 on the underside of the otherwise imperforate rigid disk 62 discharging into the arcuate channels 70 surrounding the outer periphery of the disk 62 (FIG. 8) and communicating with the upper surface flutes 64 of the disk 62. Radially disposed slots 102 in the upper surface of the inwardly directed flange 52 of the nipple base 34 have been found to react and aid in relieving any tendency of surface adhesion between the underside of the disk 62 and abutting upper surface of the recess-forming nipple flange 52 following authorized opening of the unitized package illustrated on the right of center in FIG. 12. In addition, preferably two diametrically opposed venting apertures 104 are provided through the cylindrical wall or web portion 42 of the nipple base 34.

Unitized closure assemblies and unitary packages of the invention, in a preferred and refined form thereof, incorporate a downwardly directed feather edge rim or flap portion 56 on the inner terminal circumferential edge of the interior nipple base flange 52. The inherent resilience of the elastically flexible nipple 30 and the downwardly and inwardly directed and reduced transverse cross-section of the interior circumferential feather edge 56 react to provide a flutter valve seal responding to differential pressure between the interior of container 10 and outside atmospheric pressure entering the venting apertures 104 into the circumferential space between the underside of the interior nipple flange 52 and upwardly directed sealing finish 12 of container 10 in the uncompressed or open condition of the package of FIG. 12. While circumferential hermetic sealing of the flap portion 56 of the interior flange 52 of nipple 30 is restrainedly and compressibly established against the underlying inner curved peripheral surface 106 of the container 10 in the affixed hermetically sealed condition of a unitized closure assembly in the unitized package of FIG. 12, authorized opening of the package relieves compressive restraint between the reduced configuration of the peripheral resilient feather edge of flap 56 and underlying curved surface 106 of container 10 permitting separation therebetween and entrance of atmospheric pressure in response to interior vacuum induced within the nipple teat 32 by normal sucking action exerted at the apertured mammilla 36 of the nipple 30 under biasing pressures within the nipple above the disk 62 and the container 10 therebelow. In this regard the flutter valve action of the resilient and flexible edge 56 of the nipple 30 reacts to make and break circumferential sealing contact with the inner curved surface 106 of container 10 in response to intermittent sucking action exerted at the apertured nipple mammilla 36 to thereby provide uniform delivery of the liquid contents of the container 10 by way of the earlier described open passages formed between the annular marginal fluted or corrugated edge area of the imperforate disk 62 and uncompressed flexible nipple base 34, forming the disk supporting recess 60 therewithin, in the authorizedly open condition and intended use of the unitary nipple-container package of the invention. It will be observed also that the undersurface 54 of the interior flange 52 of the nipple base 34, in the open condition of the package of FIG. 12, is spaced above the container finish 12 therebelow and that this space is in direct communication with atmospheric pressure admitted through the venting aperture or apertures 104. However, since positive contact of the feather edge flap 56 against the curved interior surface 106 of the container obtains under balanced interior and exterior pressures with respect to the container 10, no leakage of liquid contents of the container 10 through the apertures 104 will occur.

FIG. 13 is illustrative of an opened package of the invention and performance of the seal between the container 10 and permanently secured nipple 30 in reaction to a physically applied pulling force exerted on the elastic nipple, as distinguished from normal placid sucking action thereon. It will be observed that the permanently secured nipple base 34, on excessive pulling force away from container 10, is reduced inwardly, as evidenced by the upwardly inclined flexible annular or ring portion 42 thereof, which is reflected in inward displacement of the interior flange 52 and rotational pivoting circumferential contact between the flexible feather edge or flap portion 56 thereof in positive contact against the inner curved surface 106 of the container mouth to thus maintain the flexible seal therebetween against liquid contents leakage outwardly into and through the venting apertures 104.

Similarly in FIG. 14, generally downwardly pushing against a permanently secured and exposed nipple 30 increases circumference of the unclamped portion of the nipple base 34, as evidenced by the downwardly converging condition of the cylindrical flexible ring portion 42 thereof, which is again reflected in flexibly adjusted circumferential contact between the undersurface of the flexible feather edge rim or flap portion 56 of the interior nipple flange 52 and rigid curved finish 106 of the container 10 to maintain a seal against outward leakage of liquid contents through the venting apertures 104 from container 10.

The underside sealing surface of the feather edge peripheral flap 56 of the nipple 30 is preferably selected to provide a substantially flat surface tangential in free uncompressed condition of the nipple base 34 against the inner curved surface 106 of the container 10. However, the flexible and resilient properties exhibited by the nipple 30, coupled with the inwardly and downwardly reduced transverse cross-section of the flap 56, readily permit the aforesaid flap 56 to arcuately conform to the curved container surface 106 under very slight compressive pressures to establish a leak-proof seal therebetween which can still respond to the admission of atmospheric pressure within the authorizedly opened package of FIG. 12 in response to an interior vacuum in the container 10 developed by sucking action on the exposed nipple mammilla 36.

FIGS. 6 and 7 disclose a substitutable imperforate rigid disk 108 for the disk 62 in the previously described unitized closure assembly and unitary package of the invention. It will be observed that the disk 108 has a centrally located upstanding panel 110 and is also radially marginally annularly fluted or ruffled at 112 in a manner similar to the flutes 64 of disk 62. The raised central panel 110, however, prevents overall coextensive abutting surface contact between adjacent disks 108 in a stack of the same, as in a magazine tube of the disks, the axially separated peripheral edges of such a stack, as indicated by the lower disk in broken line or phantom construction in FIG. 7, permitting ease of individual selection and separation of the lowermost disk 108 from a stack of the same. It will also be manifest from FIG. 10 that the disk 108 is not only substitutable for disk 62 within the recess 60 of the nipple base 34 of nipple 30, but that it will func- 9 tion, on reference to FIG. 12, in the same manner previously described for the disk 62.

An additional embodiment of the invention will be observed on reference to FIGS. 15 through 18. Therein a nipple 116 has been provided which is substantially the same as the previously described nipple 30 except for the fact that the reinforcing annular rib 50 of nipple 30 has been eliminated, the upwardly facing surfaceof the upper flange 118 has been provided with and upwardly directed circumferential bead 120, preferably of triangular transverse cross-section or configuration with the apex uppermost, as distinguished from the circumferential bead 66 thereof, and the underside surface of the lower flange 122 is provided with one or more triangular shaped circumferential grooves 124. In FIG. 18, it will be observed that the bead 120 and groove or grooves 124 completely or substantially disappear under elastic deformation of the nipple flanges 118 and 122 within the enclosing protection shroud 126 thereof in the permanently aflixed condition of the closure assembly. It will be understood in this connection that the interior cylindrical surfaces of the stepped base of the shroud 126 will initially circumferentially and axially frictionally engage the uncompressed outwardly directed cylindrical surfaces 128 and 130 of the modified nipple 116 to provide an initially unitized closure assembly in the same manner, as previously described for the closure assemblies of FIGS. 9 and 10. The modified centrally raised disk 108 of FIGS. 6 and 7 has been included in the unitized closure assembly in permanently aflixed installation on its underlying container in FIG. 18 further revealing interchangeability of the disks 62 and 108 with either of the nipples 30 and 116.

In place of the slots 102 in the nipple 30, raised ribs 134 have been substituted therefor and have responded in the same manner as slots 102 to insure against adhesion between the undersurface of the disk 108 and underlying supporting wall of the inwardly directed interior flange 52 of the nipple 116 (FIG. 18).

Advantages attributable to the structure of nipple 116 over that of nipple 30 lie in the increased flexibility of the lower flange 122 thereof in developing hermetic sealing of the nipple against the container sealing finish underlying coextensive therewith, which might introduce a problem within the commercial manufacturing tolerances encountered in glass and rigid plastic containers, in which case considerable latitude in concentricity and surface finish can prevail requiring increased distribution of the lower nipple flange 122 to develop an acceptable hermetic seal. As for the upper circumferential bead 120, authorized removal of the upper extremity of the shroud 126, by fracture thereof in the circumferential fracture zone 132 (FIG. 18), is given additional impetus by resilient expansion and substantial return of the bead 120 to its original uncompressed upstanding configuration.

FIG. 19 illustrates a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the exterior surface treatment and configuration of either of the cylindrical web portions contiguous with the upper and lower hollow base flanges of the previously described nipples 30 and 116 of FIGS. 3 and 15 re spectively. In FIG. 19, the readily identifiable exterior cylindrical surface of nipples 30 and 116 can be provided with circumferential serrations 138 as illustrated in this view, the downwardly directed angular disposition and profile of which react on axially nested disposition thereover of either of the protective shrouds 80 and 126, to compressibly engage the coextensive overlying cylindrical surfaces of the shrouds and provide an increased degree of frictional resistance against their removal by axial separation in a unitized closure assembly incorporating the same.

Similarly in FIG. 20, the same identifiable exterior cylindrical nipple base surface has been provided with an outwardly protruding circumferential bead 140 which 1d reacts on axial nesting within either of the shrouds and 126 to increase frictional nested assembly therewith.

A tool setup and method steps for aflixation on complementary containers of unitized closure assemblies of the inventionwill now be described in reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. In this connection, unitized closure assemblies exemplary of the invention have been illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 in loosely supported unsecured condition on the container 10, shown in broken line or phantom outline in underlying relationship thereto. Both unitized closure assembly embodiments (FIGS. 9 and 10) respond in identical manner to securing aflixation on a complementary container therefor, and the unitized closure assembly of FIG. 9 has been selected and illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 for purposes of describing the method of the invention.

Unitized closure assemblies, loosely or unsecuredly supported on their underlying containers, are delivered in sequential order into axial alignment beneath a pressure block 144 of a closure afiixing mechanism. The pressure block 144 (FIGS. 21 and 22) is cavitied in substantial Configuration to that of the lateral exterior profile surfaces of the protective shroud 80 of the unitized closure assembly (FIG. 9). It will be observed in this connection that the pressure block has an upper cylindrical wall 146 circumferentially grooved at 148 to receive and support a rubber or similar O-ring 150 for frictionally engaging the outer cylindrical surface of the tubular body portion 82 of the protective shroud 80. Manifestly other resilient spring or mechanical grasping means could be employed for the O-ring 150. The cavity in the block 144 otherwise conforms below its cylindrical wall 146 radially outwardly at 152, downwardly at 154, again outwardly in a reversely curved configuration 156 and dependently downwardly at 158 in substantial dimensional conformity to the exterior configuration defined by the exterior surfaces of flange 88, cylindrical rim or ring 90, the reversely curved flange 92 and contiguous depending locking band 94, respectively, of the shroud 80. Of necessity, the de-' pending axial length of the cylindrical wall 158 of the pressure block 144 is shorter than the axial length of locking band 94, as will be hereinafter appreciated.

Relative axial movement between the pressure block 144 and axially aligned underlying container 10 loosely supporting its unitized closure assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 9, will project the tubular extension 82 of the C10- sure assembly into exterior frictional engagement with the O-ring 150 to restrain and hold the unitized closure assembly within the cavitated pressure block 144 and permit axial separation thereof from the container 10, as illustrated in FIG. 21. In this latter separated condition of the container 10 and unitized closure assembly, live steam, or other inert gas or vapor, or mixtures there of, can be injected into the interior of the nipple 30 through the flutes or ruffles 64 in the disk 62, radial grooves 102 in upper surface of the interior disk-supporting nipple flange 52 and around the marginal edge of the loosely supported disk 62 to the interior of the nipple 30, from whence the pressurized media thus supplied will be discharged through the apertured mammilla 36 into the space between the inner surface of the shroud 80 and exterior teat surface 32 of the nipple 30 enclosed thereby. A gas or vapor manifold 160 with upwardly directed jet apertures 162 will suffice to supply the media for treat ment and/ or sterilization of the external and internal surfaces of the nipple 30, disk 62 and shroud 80 exposed thereto, as above described, whereas downwardly directed jet apertures 164 will purge the container 10 above its contents and otherwise perform the same function Within the head space of the container 10.

Preferably and substantially simultaneouusly with the aforesaid vapor or gas treatment of the unitized closure assembly and container 10, relative axial approach of the pressure block 144 and container 10 places the unitized closure assembly in contact with the sealing finishes of the container under a predetermined axial pressure, re-

sisted by the container 10, to hermetically seal the same and entrap the gas or vapor within the nipple 30, within the space between the nipple and enclosing shroud 80; as well as within the head space in the container 10. The sodeveloped relative axial pressure elastically deforms and compresses the nipple base 34, as heretofore described in developing the hermetically sealed unitized closure-container packages illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 18 to provide hermetically sealed and separated compartments above and below the disk 62 and/ or disk 108. At this stage the lower terminal edge or rim 104 of the depending locking band 94 of the protective shroud 80 is spun or otherwise permanently deformed beneath the shoulder provided by the head 18 of container 16, a roller disk 166 being satisfactory for this purpose. Axial separation of the unitized hermetically sealed package and pressure block 144 (FIG. 22) is accomplished by relative axial movement therebetween and can be aided, if necessary, by the axially disposed knock-out pin 168.

Quenching or natural cooling of the entrapped elevated temperature steam or similar gas or vapor within the unitary secured package thus produced will develop a vacuum within the nipple 30 and shroud 80 as well as within the head space of the container it In the present invention, advantage can be taken of the so-developed vacuum within the shroud 86 to reverse the curvature of the top panel 84 thereof from outwardly convex to outwardly concave condition, both of which profiles are disclosed in the composite illustration of FIG. 12. The aforesaid reversal from the outwardly convex to outwardly concave profile of the top panel 84 is accompanied by an audible clicking sound which can serve to protect purchasers of unsound unitized packages of the invention. For example, unitized packages of FIGS. 12, 18 and 22 could have been initially satisfactorily vacuumized and hermetically sealed, as heretofore described, but could have lost interior vacuum in storage to reverse the concavity to convexity of the outwardly directed top panel 84 of the shroud 80. Absence of the inwardly directed or concave profile of the top panel 84 is readily sightly observed by a purchaser and more pressure against an outwardly convex top panel 84 by a purchaser to reverse the same will develop an audible clicking sound, both of which characteristics will identify an inferior and unsatisfactory commercial unitized packaged at time of purchase.

A narrow substantially fiat upper marginal rim panel 170 contiguous with the initially outwardly centrally located convex top panel 84 and slightly curved connection to the upper wall of the tubular portion 82 of the protective shroud 80 has been found to insure the reversibility in profile of the top panel 84 and the audible clicking sound associated with such reversal thereof.

Elevated temperature steam has been successfully employed in the closure-aflixing method herein described, the entrapped steam on subsequent cooling of unitized single use packages of the invention producing a satisfactory level of vacuum or negative pressure within the compartments separated by the imperforate disks 62 and 108, as well as serving to sterilize the outer and inner surfaces of the nipples 3t) and 116 exposed to contact with the liquid contents of the container lit and oral contact by an infant consuming the same. Unitized packages of the invention have also withstood autoclaving without destruction or failure of the hermetically sealed condition thereof. Inert positive pressure gas or vapor treatments could be employed to provide positive pressure within the unitized packages of the invention.

The embodiments and practices of the invention hereinabove described and illustrated encompass a method analyzable and definable in terms of directing and applying axial pressure to axially and resiliently compressively deform an apertured elastic dispensing member or infantfeeding nipple into coextensive hermetic sealing relationship against an annular rigid imperforate disk supported within an inwardly open interior circumferential recess cated transversely across and below the aperture in the dispensing member or nipple, while substantially simultaneously axially and resiliently compressively deforming at least two downwardly facing undersurfaces of a pair of upper and lower axially and laterally separated contiguously and cylindrical connected annular flanges of the elastic dispensing member or nipple axially below the imperforate rigid disk against underlying upwardly directed upper and lower axially and laterally separated contigu- Ously and cylindrically connected annular sealing finishes or surfaces of a rigid container into coextensive hermetic sealing relationship thereof, circumferentially confining or restraining substantial outward diametrical expansion of the elastic dispensing member or nipple during elastic axial and resilient compressive deformation thereof, and permanently securing the lower flange of the dispensing member or nipple in hermetic sealing relationship against the lower flange of the rigid container. Incidental to but inclusive of the method of the invention herein expressed is the location of the recess and marginally embraced imperforate disk therewithin in overlying coextensive relationship to the upper upwardly directed sealing finish of the container laterally inwardly and above the axially lower upwardly directed sealing finish thereof, whereby permanent afiixation and securement of the lowermost flange in hermetic sealing contact on the container and authorized release of elastic deformation and compression of the dispensing member or flexible nipple axially above the secured portion thereof will serve to establish communication between opposite transverse surfaces of the imperforate disk around the periphery thereof within the recess supporting the same.

Reference is made to FIG. 12 of the composite unitized package of the invention in which the hermetically sealed and authorizedly open conditions of the several elements of a unitized package have been illustrated. It will be observed that the imperforate disk 62. thereof assumes a substantially horizontal position in the sealed and open package. This is the preferred position of the disk 62, or its counterpart 168 (FIGS. 6, 7, l0 and 18) in substitution therefor, and is explained on the basis that the initial volume of elastic material in the uncompressed condition of the hollow nipple base 34, and substantially similar hollow base of nipple 116, coupled with the relative disposition thereof above and below the disk in each instance, react under axial and circumferentially confined resilient deformation thereof against the container 10 and the disk 62 or 198 to redistribute the volume of the elastic material thereof and maintain the substantial horizontal position of the disks, as illustrated. It is also to be appreciated that the freely supported or unclamped marginal rim condition of the aforesaid disks in communicating clearance to opposite transverse surfaces thereof, as heretofore described for the open condition of a unitized hermetically sealed package of the invention, permits of slight angular or tilted disposition of the disks and partial .arcuate contact of the upper surfaces thereof against the uncompressed depending circumferential sealing head 66 overlying the same, without obstructing free flow peripherally past the disks. The tilted or angular disposition of the disks from the substantially horizontal disposition thereof (FIG. 12) can result from normal use of the opened package into an inclined position of the vertical axis thereof from that illustrated in FIG. 12, or from angular deflection of the nipple 30 in use out of axial registration with the longitudinal axis of the container 10.

Although specific embodiments have been selected for illustration and description of the invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to which the invention is addressed that modifications are possible therein without departing from the scope and intent of the invention, except as excluded by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A unitized single use tamperproof hermetically sealed package comprising:

(a) a rigid container enclosing fluid contents and having upwardly facing upper and lower laterally and axially separated contiguously connected sealing finishes adjacent the entrance thereto,

(b) an elastically deformable resiliently flexible contents dispensing member having an apertured discharge end and a lower generally hollow open end base portion in abutting contact against the upwardly facing upper and lower container sealing finishes,

(c) an imperforate rigid disk transversely across the dispensing member supported marginally within an inwardly open recess in the interior of the generally hollow base portion of the dispensing member axially above abutting contact of the dispensing member against the upwardly facing upper sealing finish of the container,

(d) a substantially inelastic shroud enclosing the dispensing member and engaging the same at axially separated exterior surfaces thereof overlying the marginally supported disk and upper sealing finish of the container, as well as overlying the lower sealing finish thereof, said shroud having an axially depending locking band extending below the lower sealing finish of the container,

(e) said depending locking band being permanently deformed in locking engagement with the container below the lower sealing finish thereof in axial restraint and lateral confinement of the base portion of the dispensing member in elastic resilient deformation thereof in hermetic sealing relationship of the disk within its supporting recess and hermetic sealing relationship of the dispensing member with the upper and lower sealing finishes of the container, and

(f) a transverse frangibly rupturable fracture zone in said shroud axially below the upper sealing finish of the container responding to lateral pressure against the shroud above the fracture zone to eflect separation and removal of the shroud thereabove, whereby (g) removal of the shroud above its fracture zone relieves hermetic sealing relationship of the disk within its supporting recess in the dispensing memher to establish communication through the recess to opposite transverse surfaces of the disk and relieves hermetic sealing of the dispensing member and upper sealing finish of the container, while maintaining permanent securement and hermetic sealing relationship between the dispensing member and lower sealing finish of the container.

2. The unitized package in accordance with claim 1 in which the imperforate disk is undulatingly fluted over a marginal radially inwardly extending Width within the recess in the dispensing member.

3. The unitized package in accordance with claim 2 in which the dispensing member is an axially erect feeding nipple.

4. The unitized package in accordance with claim 3 in which the imperforate disk divides the package into two vacuumized compartments separated by the imperforate rigid disk prior to authorized fracture and removal of the shroud thereof.

5. The unitized package in accordance with claim 3 in which the feeding nipple is provided with a venting aperture through the generally hollow base portion thereof intermediate the upwardly facing upper and lower sealing finishes of the container.

6. A unitized single use tamperproof hermetically sealed fluid contents enclosing package comprising:

(a) a rigid container enclosing the fluid contents and having upwardly facing upper and lower radially outwardly and axially separated annular sealing finishes in contiguous cylindrical interconnection adjacent the entrance to the container,

(b) an elastically deformable resiliently compressible contents dispensing nipple having a hollow apertured mammilla contiguous with an open hollow base axially therebelow, the hollow base being configurated to provide radially outwardly and axially separated annular flanges in contiguous cylindrical interconnection in axial overlying registry with the upper and lower sealing finishes of the container,

(c) an inwardly projecting annular flange within the hollow base of the nipple forming a radially inwardly open circumferential recess with an interior undersurface of the upper flange thereof, said inwardly directed flange overlying the upper sealing finish of the container,

(d) an imperforate circular rigid disk having an annular marginal rim area undulatingly ruffled and supportingly received within said recess, said disk and recess being adapted to establish communication through the recess to opposite transverse surfaces of the disk,

(e) a substantially inelastic protective shroud completely enclosing upwardly and laterally facing contiguous exterior surfaces of the nipple and having an open hollow lower end base portion substantially interiorly conforming to and registering with upwardly facing exterior surfaces of the upper and lower flanges and contiguous cylindrical interconnection thereof of the nipple base portion, said shroud terminating in a depending locking band extending axially below the lower sealing finish of the container,

(f) said depending locking band being permanently deformed against removal in locking engagement thereof below the lower sealing finish of the container in axially and circumferentially contacting abutment between interior surfaces of the base portion of the shroud and coextensive underlying exterior surfaces of the base portion of the nipple in elastically deformed resiliently compressed hermetic sealing relationship of the nipple base portion against the disk within its recess and against the underlying upper and lower sealing finishes on the container, and

(g) a transverse frangibly rupturable fracture zone in said shroud axially below the upper sealing finish of the container responding to lateral pressure against an exterior surface of the shroud above the fracture zone to cause rupture and removal of that portion of the shroud above the fracture zone, whereby (h) the nipple mammilla is exposed to use and the hermetic sealing of the nipple base portion against the disk and upper sealing finish of the container is relieved to establish intercommunication between the container and nipple mammilla.

7. The unitized package in accordance with claim 6 in which a vent to atmosphere is provided radially through the contiguous cylindrical connection between the upper and lower flanges of the nipple base portion and interior of the container, on fracture and removal of the shroud, and said inwardly directed flange of the nipple base portion terminating in an inwardly and downwardly reduced feather edge circumferential rim in contacting coexistensive engagement of its underside with an inwardly blending circumferential surface of the container finish adjacent the upper sealing finish thereof.

8. A unitized closure assembly adapted for hermetic sealing on a rigid container to provide a single use tamperproof package adapted on authorized removal of a portion of the closure assembly to provide an exposed contents dispensing member in permanent sealed affix-ation on said container, said unitized closure assembly comprising:

(a) an apertured elastically deformable contents dispensing member having an open end generally l hollow base portion comprising upper and lower radially outwardly extending annular flanges axially separated and contiguously cylindrically interconnected, said annular flanges being adapted to overlie annular sealing finishes adjacent the entrance to a rigid container,

(1)) an inwardly directed annular sealing flange within the base portion of the dispensing member axially spaced below the upper flange thereof and forming an inwardly open recess therewith axially above the lower flange thereof,

(c) an imperforate rigid circular disk having a marginal transverse annular rim portion loosely supported within said recess and forming therewith a communication passage to opposite transverse surfaces of the disk,

((1) an open end substantially inelastic cup-shaped protective shroud enclosing the contents dispensing member and having a base portion in axial open end registry with the open end base portion of the contents dispensing member,

(e) the base portion of the shroud having radially outwardly extending upper and lower annular flanges axially separated and contiguously cylindrically interconnected in overlying axial and circumferential registry with the upper and lower flanges and contiguous cylindrical interconnecting portion respectively of said contents dispensing member base por tion and terminating below its lower annular flange in a depending locking band, and

(f) the base portions of the contents dispensing member and protective shroud having restraining engagement between the axially overlying contiguous cylindrical interconnecting portion between the respective upper and lower flanges thereof retentive of the unitized closure assembly under environmental handling and processing of the same.

9. A unitized closure assembly adapted for hermetic sealing on a container to provide a single use tamperproof package adapted on authorized removal of a portion of the closure assembly to provide an exposed contents dispensing member in permanent sealed afiixation on said container, said unitized closure assembly comprising:

(a) an apertured elastically deformable dispensing member having a base portion comprising upper and lower axially separated contiguous cylindrically interconnected annular flanges adapted to overlie radially outwardly extending interconnected axially separated annular sealing finishes on a rigid container,

(b) an inwardly directed annular sealing flange within the base portion of the dispensing member axially spaced below the upper flange thereof and forming an inwardly open recess therewith axially above the lower flange of the dispensing member,

(c) an imperforate circular disk having a marginal annular rim portion supported within said recess and forming a communication passage through the recess to opposite transverse surfaces of the disk,

(d) an open end substantially inelastic cup-shaped protective shroud telescopically enclosing upwardly facing annular and contiguous lateral depending exterior cylindrical surfaces of the dispensing member including the upper and lower annular flanges and an axially cylindrical web section interconnecting said flanges of the dispensing member,

(c) said substantially inelastic protective shroud providing interior cylindrical surfaces coextensive with exterior cylindrical surfaces of the dispensing member enclosed thereby in circumferential and axial restraining engagement therebetween, and

(if) said restraining engagement between the dispensing member and shroud being retentive of the unitized closure assembly against disassembly thereof under environmental handling and processing of the same.

10. A unitized closure assembly adapted for hermetic sealing on a container to provide a single use tamperproof package adapted on authorized removal of a portion of the closure assembly to provide an exposed contents dispensing member in permanent sealed aifixation on said container, said unitized closure assembly comprising:

(a) an apertured elastically deformable dispensing member having a base portion comprising upper and lower radially outwardly extending contiguously cylindrically interconnected axially separated annular flanges adapted to overlie radially outwardly extending contiguously cylindrically interconnected axially separated annular sealing finishes on a rigid container,

(b) an inwardly directed annular sealing flange within the base portion of the dispensing member axially spaced below the upper flange thereof and forming an inwardly open recess therewith axially above the lower flange of the dispensing member,

(c) an imperforate rigid circular disk having a marginal annular rim portion loosely supported within said recess and forming a communication passage through the recess to opposite transverse surfaces of the disk,

(d) an open end substantially inelastic cup-shaped protective shroud telescopically enclosing upwardly fac ing annular and contiguous lateral depending exterior cylindrical surfaces of the dispensing member including the upper and lower annular flanges and an axially cylindrical web section interconnecting said flanges of the dispensing member,

(e) said substantially inelastic protective shroud providing interior cylindrical surfaces coextensive with exterior cylindrical surfaces of the dispensing member enclosed thereby in circumferential and axial restraining engagement therebetween,

(f) a frangibly rupturable zone in the shroud axially below the disk and recess within the base of the dispensing member permitting authorized severance of the shroud in a transverse plane, and

(g) said restraining engagement between the dispensing member and shroud being retentive of the unitized closure assembly against disassembly thereof under environmental handling and processing of the same.

11. A unitized closure assembly adapted for hermetic sealing securement over the entrance to a rigid container to provide a single use tamperproof package adapted on authorized removal of a portion of the unitized closure assembly to provide an exposed elastically deformable feeding nipple in permanent hermetic sealed aflixation on said container, said unitized closure assembly comprising:

(a) the elastically deformable nipple having an apertured upstanding mammilla and a lower generally cylindrical hollow base portion contiguous therewith and remote thereto,

(b) said nipple base portion comprising upper and lower radially outwardly extending axially contiguous cylindrically interconnected and separated annular flanges adapted to overlie radially outwardly extending axially contiguous cylindrically interconnected and separated annular sealing finishes carried by the rigid container,

(c) an inwardly directed annular flange intermediate the upper and lower flanges forming an inwardly open recess with the upper flange of the nipple base,

(d) an imperforate rigid circular disk having a marginal transverse annular rim portion supported within said recess and forming a communication passage through the recess to opposite upper and lower transverse surfaces of the disk,

(e) a substantially inelastic open end shroud enclosing the exterior surfaces of the nipple including its base portion and having a depending locking band thereof extending axially below the base portion of the nipple,

(f) said shroud having a base portion, the interior contiguous surface configuration of which is substantially complementary to the exterior contiguous surface configuration of the nipple base,

(g) interior surfaces of the base of the substantially inelastic shroud providing circumferential and axial nested frictional interference engagement with underlying coextensive outwardly directed cylindrical surfaces of the elastically deformable nipple base, and

(h) said nested frictional interference engagement between the nipple base and shroud being retentive of the unitized closure assembly against disassembly thereof under environmental handling and processing of the same.

12. The unitized closure assembly in accordance with claim 11 in which the substantially inelastic protective shroud is provided with a circumferentially frangibly rupturable zone in a transverse plane overlying the upwardly directed surface of the lower annular flange of the nipple base.

13. The unitized closure assembly in accordance with claim 11 in which the imperforate rigid disk is undulatingly fluted over the radial width of its marginal annular rim within the recess in the nipple base.

14. The unitized closure assembly in accordance with claim 11 in which the upper wall of the inwardly open recess formed by the upper flange of the nipple base portion incorporates an axially downwardly projecting circumferential sealing head of transverse triangular crosssection having the apex thereof facing the upper surface of the disk within the recess.

15. The unitized closure assembly in accordance with claim 11 in which the upper surface of the inwardly directed intermediate flange of the nipple base portion forming the lower wall of the inwardly open recess is provided with one or more radial slots extending over the radial width thereof.

16. The unitized closure assembly in accordance with claim 11 in which the outer wall defining the inwardly open recess is provided with circumferentially spaced vertical ribs for centering the disk therewithin in marginal vertical edge spaced relationship to the outer wall of the recess.

17. The unitized closure assembly in accordance with claim 11 in which the upper surface of the inwardly directed intermediate flange of the nipple base portion forming the lower wall of the inwardly open recess is provided with a plurality of spaced radial upstanding ribs.

18. The unitized closure assembly in accordance with claim 11 in which the axially contiguous cylindrical interconnection between the upper and lower flanges of the nipple base portion is provided with at least two diametrically opposed radial venting apertures therethrough.

19. A unitized closure assembly in accordance with claim 11 in which the inwardly projecting intermediate flange of the nipple base portion terminates in a circumferential rim of downwardly and inwardly reduced flexibly resilient feather edge configuration.

20. The method of permanently aflixing a unitized closure assembly on a fluid contents-containing rigid container to provide a unitized single use hermetically sealed package in which an elastically resiliently deformable feeding nipple is exteriorly enclosed and frictionally secured within a substantially inelastic protective shroud, the nipple and shroud each having an open end hollow base substantially complementarily corifigurated to provide superimposed outwardly extending upper and lower axially separated and contiguously cylindrically interconnected flanges in axial restrained engagement and having an imperforate rigid disk disposed within an inwardly open recess in the nipple base axially below the upper flange thereof and the recess normally providing a communication passage to opposite transverse surfaces of the disk, the method comprising the steps:

(a) loosely applying the shroud and enclosed nipple in supporting contact of an undersurface of the lower flange of the nipple base against an upwardly facing outwardly extending lower sealing finish of the rigid container in axial registry therebelow,

(b) laterally confining the outwardly directed surface of the shroud contiguous with the upper and lower flanges as well as laterally confining the outwardly directed surface of a locking band dependently contiguous with and below the lower flange of the shroud base,

(c) applying axially directed pressure against upwardly facing exterior surfaces of the upper and lower flanges of the shroud base to elastically deform and resiliently compress the nipple base defining the recess therewithin into hermetic sealing relationship with at least one transverse marginal area surface of the imperforate disk as well as hermetic sealing relationship of the nipple base with an underlying upwardly facing lower sealing finish of the container and an upper sealing finish of the container axially above the lower sealing finish thereof in axial registry with the upper flange of the nipple base below the imperforate disk therewithin, and

(d) thereafter permanently deforming the lower terminal edge of the shroud locking band axially below said lower sealing finish of the container into permanent securement with the container.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1961 Mehl 21511 5/1966 Meierhoefer 215l1

Claims (1)

1. A UNITIZED SINGLE USE TAMPERPROOF HERMETICALLY SEALED PACKAGE COMPRISING: (A) RIGID CONTAINER ENCLOSING FLUID CONTENTS AND HAVING UPWARDLY FACING UPPER AND LOWER LATERALLY AND AXIALLY SEPARATED CONTIGUOUSLY CONNECTED SEALING FINISHES ADJACENT THE ENTRANCE THERETO, (B) AN ELASTICALLY DEFORMABLE RESILIENTLY FLEXIBLE CONTENTS DISPENSING MEMBER HAVING AN APERTURED DISCHARGE END AND A LOWER GENERALLY HOLLOW OPEN END BASE PORTION IN ABUTTING CONTACT AGAINST THE UPWARDLY FACING UPPER AND LOWER CONTAINER SEALING FINISHES, (C) AN IMPERFORATE RIGID DISK TRANSVERSELY ACROSS THE DISPENSING MEMBER SUPPORTED MARGINALLY WITHIN AN INWARDLY OPEN RECESS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE GENERALLY HOLLOW BASE PORTION OF THE DISPENSING MEMBER AXIALLY ABOVE ABUTTING CONTACT OF THE DISPENSING MEMBER AGAINST THE UPWARDLY FACING UPPER SEALING FINISH OF THE CONTAINER, (D) A SUBSTANTIALLY INELASTIC SHROUD ENCLOSING THE DISPENSING MEMBER AND ENGAGING THE SAME AT AXIALLY SEPARATED EXTERIOR SURFACES THEREOF OVERLYING THE MARGINALLY SUPPORTED DISK AND UPPER SEALING FINISH OF THE CONTAINER, AS WELL AS OVERLYING THE LOWER SEALING FINISH THEREOF, SAID SHROUD HAVING AN AXIALLY DEPENDING LOCKING BAND EXTENDING BELOW THE LOWER SEALING FINISH OF THE CONTAINER, (E) SAID DEPENDING LOCKING BAND BEING PERMANENTLY DEFORMED IN LOCKING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CONTAINER BELOW THE LOWER SEALING FINISH THEREOF IN AXIAL RESTRAINT AND LATERAL CONFINEMENT OF THE BASE PORTION OF THE DISPENSING MEMBER IN ELASTIC RESILIENT DEFORMATION THEREOF IN HERMETIC SEALING RELATIONSHIP OF THE DISK WITHIN ITS SUPPORTING RECESS AND HERMETIC SEALING RELATIONSHIP OF THE DISPENSING MEMBER WITH THE UPPER AND LOWER SEALING FINISHES OF THE CONTAINER, AND (F) A TRANSVERSE FRANGIBLY RUPTURABLE FRACTURE ZONE IN SAID SHROUD AXIALLY BELOW THE UPPER SEALING FINISH OF THE CONTAINER RESPONDING TO LATERAL PRESSURE AGAINST THE SHROUD ABOVE THE FRACTURE ZONE TO EFFECT SEPARATION AND REMOVAL OF THE SHROUD THEREABOVE, WHEREBY (G) REMOVAL OF THE SHROUD ABOVE ITS FRACTURE ZONE RELIEVES HERMETIC SEALING RELATIONSHIP OF THE DISK WITHIN ITS SUPPORTING RECESS IN THE DISPENSING MEMBER TO ESTABLISH COMMUNICATION THROUGH THE RECESS TO OPPOSITE TRANSVERSE SURFACES OF THE DISK AND RELIEVES HERMETIC SEALING OF THE DISPENSING MEMBER AND UPPER SEALING FINISH OF THE CONTAINER, WHILE MAINTAINING PERMANENT SECUREMENT AND HERMETIC SEALING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DISPENSING MEMBER AND LOWER SEALING FINISH OF THE CONTAINER.

Images