US3375538A

US3375538A - Overcap assemblies

Info

Publication number: US3375538A
Application number: US630313A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mains Frank; Eric S Hardman
Original assignee: Domtar Inc
Current assignee: Domtar Inc
Priority date: 1967-04-12
Filing date: 1967-04-12
Publication date: 1968-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 1985-04-02

Description

April 2, 1968 MAlNs ETAL 3,375,538

OVERCAP ASSEMBLIES Filed April 12, 1967 32 /2 FIG. 2 F

I lH 1|; I /6 FIG. 3

II /6 INVENTORS Frank MAINS Eric S. HARDMAN TENT AGEN 3,375,538 Patented Apr. 2, 1968 3,375,538 OVERCAP ASSEMBLIES Frank Mains, Don Mills, Ontario, and Eric S. Hardman, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, assignors to Domtar Limited, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a

Canadian company Filed Apr. 12, 1967, Ser. No. 630,313 6 Claims. (Cl. -118) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to overcaps and is primarily directed to an overcap for use with containers for starch. The overcap is provided with an aperture therethrough and in which an insert is frictionally and removably retained. The insert has an impregnated pad secured to one surface thereof and is insertable in one direction through the aperture to position the pad in a protected position within the overcap or in the opposite direction through the aperture to position the pad in exposed position for use.

The present invention relates to overcaps, more particularly to overcaps carrying removable inserts having pads secured thereto.

The present invention finds particular use in the packaging of starch or the like in aerosol containers. As is known, there is a problem of starch sticking to the sole plate of irons and thereby interfering with proper operating of the iron. Prior attempts have been made to prevent the accumulation of starch by the use of lubricants incorporated directly in the spray starch formulation or by redesign of the sole plate of the iron. The first of the above methods has met with only limited success and the latter method is obviously not suitable since the starch supplier has no control over the types of irons used and requires that his starch product be suitable for use with all irons.

It is thus the main object of the present invention to provide a new package for starch overcoming the above problems.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new overcap assembly which assembly includes a separable applicator that is initially connected to the overcap in a protected position but may be removed from the overcap and reapplied thereto in an exposed or operable position.

Broadly, the present invention comprises an overcap assembly comprising; an overcap, an aperture through one end of said overcap, a removable insert frictionally retained within said aperture and a pad secured to one main surface of said insert. When used in an overcap for a starch container this pad will preferably be impregnated with a releasing agent.

Further features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be evident from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the overcap of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a section across the centre of the cap showing the insert in one position and FIG. 3 is a section across the centre of the cap with the insert in a second position.

The cap 10 is composed of two main parts, the body section 12 and the insert 14. In the illustrated embodiment the body section 12 is provided with a flange 16 having an internal peripheral ridge 18 which is adapted to cooperate with the can to hold the cap in position. Any suitable design of the body portion 12 may be used.

The top 20 of the cap 10 has an aperture 22 to receive the insert 14.

The insert 14 is composed of a molded section 24 and a pad 26. The section 24 has a radial peripheral groove 28 extending about the crown section 24 and bordered on oneside by a peripheral flange 30 forming the periphery of the crown section and, on the other side, by a second flange 32. The peripheral flange 30 prevents the insert 14 from being pressed through the aperture 22. The bottom of the groove 28 and the second flange 32 combine to form an annular ring 34 which in turn defines an annular cavity 36 extending axially of the section 24 and opening from one end of same. The pad 26 is secured within the annular cavity 36.

The insert 14 is removably retained within the aperture 22 in the cap 10 by co-operation of the rim of the aperture 22 and the peripheral groove 28 on the insert. The insert is held in position with the rim of the aperture 22 on the cap received within the groove 28 and snugly engaged by the

flanges

30 and 32 on the insert.

The preferred caps (for use as overcaps for cans of spray starch or the like) include special pads 26 which are impregnated with a suitable releasing agent such as silicone or the like. The housewife applies this release agent to the sole plate of the iron in a manner to be described hereinb'elow. When the overcap is used with containers for materials other than starches or the like the pad may be impregnated with other impregnants or may be unimpregnated or may even take the form of an abrasive material.

The insert 14 preferably is formed from polystyrene, while the body of the cap is preferably made of polyethylene. By marrying the polyethylene cap with the polystyrene plug or insert applicant has simplified the manufacturing of these cap assemblies. The polyethylene cap is relatively easily deformed to provide snap-on connections between the overcap and the container and between the overcap and the insert 14, while the polystyrene insert provides a rigid backing for the pad 26 and even more important, provides a surface to which the pad may readily be attached by gluing or other similar means. It is very diflicult to adhere the pad to polyethylene.

A container is sold with an overcap thereon and with the insert 14 in the position shown in FIG. 2. In this position the crown of the molded section of the insert is visible and may be provided with any suitable marking or ornamentationand the pad is protected within the cap. When it is desired to use the pad 26 the insert is simply pressed out of the aperture 22 and is reinserted by pressing same from the opposite direction (ile. the interior of the cap) to force the insert into locked position with the pad exposed as shown in FIG. 3. When manipulating the pad the overcap body 12 serves as a handle. By inserting the fingers into the cap, pressure can be applied to the crown surface of the insert to ensure that it is not forced out of the aperture by pressure applied during use.

Thus, .applicant has disclosed a new form of overcap including a removable insert having a pad means secured thereto. The insert being adapted to be connected to the cap in two positions-one with the pad exposed andthe other with the pad protected.

Modifications may be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit of same as defined in the appended claims. For example, the annular ring 34 may be made discontinuous rather than continuous as shown in the illustrated embodiment.

We claim:

1. An overcap assembly comprising: an overcap, an aperture through a substantially fiat wall of said overcap, a removable insert receivable in said aperturev from opposite sides of said wall, peripheral means frictionally re- 3 taining said insert in said aperture and a pad secured to and projecting axially from one end of said insert.

2. An overcap as defined in claim 1 wherein said pad is fitted and retained in a cavity at said one end of said insert."

3. An overcap as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for frictionally retaining said insert comprises: a peripheral radial groove on said insert into which the rim of said aperture is received.

4. An aerosol starch formulation package comprising: a container for said formulation, an overcap for said container, an aperture through a substantially fiat wall of said overcap, a removable insert receivable in said aperture from opposite sides ofsaid wall, peripheral means to frictionally retain said insert in said aperture, an impregnatedpad secured to and projecting axially from one end of said insert, said pad being impregnated with a release agent to prevent sticking of said starch to a sole plate of an iron.

5. An overcap as defined in claim 4 wherein said pad 4 t is fitted and retained in a cavity at said one end of said insert.

6. An overcap as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for frictionally retaining said insert comprises: a peripheral radial groove on said insert into which the rim of said aperture is received." 1

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 922,496 5/1909 Lyon 1S610 2,426,288 8/ 1947 Wagner. 2,575,788 11/1951 Bobrou 15258 XR 3,031,711 5/1962 Herman et a1. 15528 FOREIGN PATENTS 673,723 10/ 1929 France.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

R. 1. SMITH, Assistant Examiner.