US3335890A - Closures and packaging - Google Patents

Closures and packaging Download PDF

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Publication number
US3335890A
US3335890A US526837A US52683766A US3335890A US 3335890 A US3335890 A US 3335890A US 526837 A US526837 A US 526837A US 52683766 A US52683766 A US 52683766A US 3335890 A US3335890 A US 3335890A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
container
nipple
disk
shroud
dispensing member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US526837A
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English (en)
Inventor
Walter E Grundmann
Barge Robert L La
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Howmet Aerospace Inc
Original Assignee
Aluminum Company of America
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to NL137469D priority Critical patent/NL137469C/xx
Application filed by Aluminum Company of America filed Critical Aluminum Company of America
Priority to US526837A priority patent/US3335890A/en
Priority to GB4527/67A priority patent/GB1131966A/en
Priority to CH185967A priority patent/CH470180A/de
Priority to FR1548271D priority patent/FR1548271A/fr
Priority to NL6702097A priority patent/NL6702097A/xx
Priority to DK74567*#A priority patent/DK131494C/da
Priority to SE01903/67A priority patent/SE327778B/xx
Priority to BE693900D priority patent/BE693900A/xx
Priority to BR186898/67A priority patent/BR6786898D0/pt
Priority to DE19671532386 priority patent/DE1532386A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3335890A publication Critical patent/US3335890A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J11/00—Teats
    • A61J11/0075—Accessories therefor
    • A61J11/008—Protecting caps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J11/00—Teats
    • A61J11/02—Teats with means for supplying air
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J11/00—Teats
    • A61J11/04—Teats with means for fastening to bottles
    • A61J11/045—Teats with means for fastening to bottles with interlocking means, e.g. protrusions or indentations on the teat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D45/00—Clamping or other pressure-applying devices for securing or retaining closure members
    • B65D45/32—Clamping or other pressure-applying devices for securing or retaining closure members for applying radial or radial and axial pressure, e.g. contractible bands encircling closure member
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
    • B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
    • B65D47/12—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having removable closures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
    • B65D2251/0015—Upper closure of the 41-type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0037—Intermediate closure(s)
    • B65D2251/0056—Intermediate closure(s) of the 47-type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
    • B65D2251/0078—Lower closure of the 41-type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
    • B65D2251/0087—Lower closure of the 47-type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
    • B65D2401/15—Tearable part of the closure

Definitions

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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;
  • 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.
  • a contents dispensing member such as a flexibly resilient or elastic
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Unitized closure assemblies and unitary packages of the invention 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • nipple 116 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • FIGS. 21 and 22 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 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.
  • a unitized single use tamperproof hermetically sealed package comprising:
  • 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
  • a unitized single use tamperproof hermetically sealed fluid contents enclosing package comprising:
  • 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,
  • 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,
  • 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:
  • 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,
  • 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:
  • 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,
  • 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:
  • 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,
  • 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:
  • 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,
  • 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,
  • 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.
US526837A 1966-02-11 1966-02-11 Closures and packaging Expired - Lifetime US3335890A (en)

Priority Applications (11)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL137469D NL137469C (fr) 1966-02-11
US526837A US3335890A (en) 1966-02-11 1966-02-11 Closures and packaging
GB4527/67A GB1131966A (en) 1966-02-11 1967-01-30 Improvements relating to unitized closure assemblies
CH185967A CH470180A (de) 1966-02-11 1967-02-08 Behälter mit hermetischem Verschluss und Verfahren zu dessen Herstellung
FR1548271D FR1548271A (fr) 1966-02-11 1967-02-09
DK74567*#A DK131494C (da) 1966-02-11 1967-02-10 Patteflaske med sut
NL6702097A NL6702097A (fr) 1966-02-11 1967-02-10
SE01903/67A SE327778B (fr) 1966-02-11 1967-02-10
BE693900D BE693900A (fr) 1966-02-11 1967-02-10
BR186898/67A BR6786898D0 (pt) 1966-02-11 1967-02-10 Fechos e acondicionamento
DE19671532386 DE1532386A1 (de) 1966-02-11 1967-02-10 Vereinigte Verschlussverbindung

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US526837A US3335890A (en) 1966-02-11 1966-02-11 Closures and packaging

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3335890A true US3335890A (en) 1967-08-15

Family

ID=24099013

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US526837A Expired - Lifetime US3335890A (en) 1966-02-11 1966-02-11 Closures and packaging

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US3335890A (fr)
BE (1) BE693900A (fr)
BR (1) BR6786898D0 (fr)
CH (1) CH470180A (fr)
DE (1) DE1532386A1 (fr)
DK (1) DK131494C (fr)
FR (1) FR1548271A (fr)
GB (1) GB1131966A (fr)
NL (2) NL6702097A (fr)
SE (1) SE327778B (fr)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3468446A (en) * 1967-08-18 1969-09-23 Abbott Lab Infant feeding device
US3487969A (en) * 1967-08-18 1970-01-06 Abbott Lab Infant feeding device
US3493139A (en) * 1967-08-18 1970-02-03 Abbott Lab Infant feeding device
DE2053992A1 (de) * 1969-11-03 1971-05-19 Bristol Myers Co , New York, N Y (VStA) Behalteranordnung zum Nahren von Saug lingen
US3650270A (en) * 1970-02-18 1972-03-21 West Co Nipple-retaining ring assembly
US3677429A (en) * 1971-02-16 1972-07-18 Aluminum Co Of America Nipple assembly and package
US3717276A (en) * 1971-02-12 1973-02-20 Owens Illinois Inc Vented closure
US4402321A (en) * 1978-09-20 1983-09-06 Berg Marie Louise Comforter
US5857309A (en) * 1997-03-28 1999-01-12 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, S.A. Apparatus for sterilizing a spout assembly of a container
US6138847A (en) * 1999-02-25 2000-10-31 Johnson; Russell Joe Disposable non-reusable baby bottle
US6401949B1 (en) * 2000-09-07 2002-06-11 Babeetender, Inc. Sealing membrane for baby bottle or other fluid container
US20120152881A1 (en) * 2010-04-30 2012-06-21 Py Daniel C Ready to feed container and method
US20130327737A1 (en) * 2011-02-25 2013-12-12 Yong Kwon Lee Silicone baby bottle
US8678228B2 (en) * 2012-06-28 2014-03-25 Zak Designs, Inc. Liquid metering assembly
WO2017140415A1 (fr) * 2016-02-18 2017-08-24 Pöppelmann Holding GmbH & Co. KG Fermeture dotée d'un élément externe de sécurité
US10010487B2 (en) 2006-04-10 2018-07-03 Medinstill Development Llc Containers with penetrable and resealable portion, and related methods

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB8519362D0 (en) * 1985-08-01 1985-09-04 Procter & Gamble Blow moulded container
DE102019106312B4 (de) * 2019-03-12 2021-01-21 Stefan Graf Babyflaschen-Aufsatz

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2982432A (en) * 1959-02-25 1961-05-02 Ross M Mehl Nursing unit
US3253726A (en) * 1964-06-24 1966-05-31 Abbott Lab Sealed feeding bottle assembly

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2982432A (en) * 1959-02-25 1961-05-02 Ross M Mehl Nursing unit
US3253726A (en) * 1964-06-24 1966-05-31 Abbott Lab Sealed feeding bottle assembly

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3468446A (en) * 1967-08-18 1969-09-23 Abbott Lab Infant feeding device
US3487969A (en) * 1967-08-18 1970-01-06 Abbott Lab Infant feeding device
US3493139A (en) * 1967-08-18 1970-02-03 Abbott Lab Infant feeding device
DE2053992A1 (de) * 1969-11-03 1971-05-19 Bristol Myers Co , New York, N Y (VStA) Behalteranordnung zum Nahren von Saug lingen
US3650270A (en) * 1970-02-18 1972-03-21 West Co Nipple-retaining ring assembly
US3717276A (en) * 1971-02-12 1973-02-20 Owens Illinois Inc Vented closure
US3677429A (en) * 1971-02-16 1972-07-18 Aluminum Co Of America Nipple assembly and package
US4402321A (en) * 1978-09-20 1983-09-06 Berg Marie Louise Comforter
US5857309A (en) * 1997-03-28 1999-01-12 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, S.A. Apparatus for sterilizing a spout assembly of a container
US6138847A (en) * 1999-02-25 2000-10-31 Johnson; Russell Joe Disposable non-reusable baby bottle
US6401949B1 (en) * 2000-09-07 2002-06-11 Babeetender, Inc. Sealing membrane for baby bottle or other fluid container
US10010487B2 (en) 2006-04-10 2018-07-03 Medinstill Development Llc Containers with penetrable and resealable portion, and related methods
US20120152881A1 (en) * 2010-04-30 2012-06-21 Py Daniel C Ready to feed container and method
US20130327737A1 (en) * 2011-02-25 2013-12-12 Yong Kwon Lee Silicone baby bottle
US9492358B2 (en) * 2011-02-25 2016-11-15 Yong Kwon Lee Silicone baby bottle
US8678228B2 (en) * 2012-06-28 2014-03-25 Zak Designs, Inc. Liquid metering assembly
WO2017140415A1 (fr) * 2016-02-18 2017-08-24 Pöppelmann Holding GmbH & Co. KG Fermeture dotée d'un élément externe de sécurité

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1131966A (en) 1968-10-30
DE1532386A1 (de) 1972-03-02
DK131494C (da) 1976-02-16
FR1548271A (fr) 1968-12-06
NL137469C (fr)
BE693900A (fr) 1967-08-10
CH470180A (de) 1969-03-31
NL6702097A (fr) 1967-08-14
BR6786898D0 (pt) 1973-07-10
SE327778B (fr) 1970-08-31
DK131494B (da) 1975-07-28

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