US3887116A

US3887116A - Receptacle for liquid material

Info

Publication number: US3887116A
Application number: US463848A
Authority: US
Inventors: Seiichi Ishikawa; Yooichi Miya; Ryoji Odate; Yasui Kumai
Original assignee: Shiseido Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shiseido Co Ltd
Priority date: 1972-09-01
Filing date: 1974-04-24
Publication date: 1975-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 1992-06-03

Abstract

Deformable receptacle for liquid material. A cap is turnably engaged with a neck of a main body by a thread or similar engagement. The cap is provided with a first aperture passing through a top end thereof, while second apertures are formed at a top end portion of the neck. An elastic ring to prevent back flow is formed at a middle portion of the neck and the cap is slidably engaged therewith.

Description

United States Patent Ishikawa et a].

June 3, 1975 RECEPTACLE FOR LIQUID MATERIAL [75] Inventors: Seiichi Ishikawa; Yooichi Miya, both Pnmary Examiner-Stanley Touberg of Tokyo; Ryoji Odate, Yokohama; Attorney, Agent, or F1rmRobert E. Burns; Yasui Kumai, Okegawa a" of Japan Emmanuel G2 Lobato; Bruce L. Adams [73] Assignee: Shiseido Co., Ltd., Japan [22] Filed: Apr. 24, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 463,848

Related US. Application Data Deformable receptacle for liquid material. A cap is [63] Continuation-impart of Ser No. 285,635, Sept. 1, mmably engaged with a neck of a main body by a 1972. thread or similar engagement. The cap 18 provided with a first aperture passing through a top end thereof, 52 US. Cl. 222/520 while second apertures are formed at a p end P I] Int. Cl 867d 3/00 tion of the neck. An elastic ring to Prevent back flow 58 Field of Search 222/519, 520, 521, 525, is formed at a middle Portion of the neck and the cap 222 5 4 493 494 49 is slidably engaged therewith.

[56] References cued 6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.578223 5/1971 Armour 222/52] J 4 80 8b U Q f 7 Ic RECEPTACLE FOR LIQUID MATERIAL The present invention is a continuation-in-part patent application of the patent application Ser. No. 285,635 filed on Sept. l, 1972, and particularly relates to an improved receptacle which permits the easy removal of a desired quantity of liquid by turning the cap about the neck of the main body of the receptacle and then squeezing the main body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Many different kinds of caps have been used for alternately closing or opening the aperture of receptacles for liquid material. These caps are usually engaged to the neck of the receptacle by means ofa thread engagement. For modernization and convenience, a type of receptacle was recently developed which provides means for closing or opening an aperture of the receptacle, and permits a liquid to be forced through the open aperture by deforming the main body of the receptacle. This kind of receptacle has usually been used for toiletries such as shampoo, or medicines or foods in liquid condition. However, it is our experience that, when the liquid material is taken out of the receptacle by squeezing of deforming the main body of the receptacle, an excess of the liquid flows out of the receptacle. While on the other hand, if the receptacle is deformed too little, it is impossible to take out the required quantity of liquid. The quantity of liquid taken out from the receptacle also varies according to the quantity of liquid contained in the receptacle when it is deformed. Further, in most cases it is impossible to force out all of the contents of the receptacle as a small amount is trapped adjacent to the aperture of the receptacle. This amount of the liquid is, therefore, lost to the receptacle user as there is no way of getting it out without breaking the receptacle.

Moreover, according to our experience, it is very difficult to prevent the leakage of the liquid material through the portion where the cap is engaged with the neck.

The principal object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks experienced with conventional deformable receptacles.

The receptacle according to the present invention is composed of a main body for containing liquid material, and a cap which alternatively opens or closes a connection between an aperture formed in the cap (hereinafter referred to as a first aperture) and an aperture formed in the neck of the main body (hereinafter referred to as a second aperture). The cap is provided with inward projected elements consisting of an intermediate cylindrical wall element and an inside cylindrical wall element, and a shutter piece or closure valve element disposed between the above-mentioned two apertures. A helical thread is formed upon the inside surface of the intermediate cylindrical wall element, and the shutter piece is provided with a cover portion. A plurality of projections or recesses are formed on the cover or body portion of the shutter piece. The neck of the main body is provided with a helical thread formed thereon, so that the helical thread of the intermediate cylindrical wall element of the cap engages with the helical thread of the neck. As the intermediate cylindrical wall element of the cap is slidably inserted into a cylindrical space formed between the outside and inside cylindrical portions of the double cylindrical member,

when the cap is turned about the neck of the main body, the cap is relatively displaced along the longitudinal axis of the neck. In the above-mentioned displacement of the cap, the ring shaped rib formed on the outside cylindrical surface of the inside cylindrical portion of the double cylindrical member always urges the inside cylindrical surface of the inside cylindrical wall element of the cap, consequently, possible leakage of the liquid material through the portion where the cap engages with the neck can be perfectly avoided. The cover portion of the shutter piece closes or opens the apertures formed in the neck of the main body according to the relative position of the cap to the neck. That is, when the cap is displaced upwards by the turning thereof about the neck, the cover portion of the shutter piece is removed from the neck and consequently the aperture of the cap is connected to the apertures of the neck. In this condition, if the liquid contained in the main body is pressured by pushing on or squeezing the main body by hand, a desired quantity of the liquid can be pushed out or taken out from the receptacle. As the receptacle of the present invention is provided with double apertures, that is, the first and second apertures as mentioned above, the drawbacks of the conventional receptacle for liquid material can be satisfactorily eliminated.

Further objects and features of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, and will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the receptacle according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle illustrated in FIG. 1 for illustrating the various components thereof;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section of the cap positioned at the closed position upon the main body of the receptacle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shutter piece used for the receptacle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross section of the cap positioned at the opened position upon the main body of the receptacle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross section of a cap positioned at the closed position upon a main body of a modified receptacle according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modified shutter piece used as a packing for the cap shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross section of the cap positioned at the opened position upon a main body of the receptacle shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross section of a cap positioned at the opened position upon a main body of a further modified embodiment of the receptacle according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another modified shutter piece used as a packing in the cap shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, an embodiment of the receptacle for liquid material according to the present invention, comprises a main body I and a cap 2 which is mounted on a top portion of the main body I, in a tumably and displaceable condition along a common longitudinal axis thereof by means of thread engagement therebctween. The cap 2 is provided with an outside conical wall-element 2a, a top cylindrical projection 3 having a dispensing aperture 3a (hereinafter referred to as a first aperture) passing therethrough, an inwardly projected cylindrical wall-element 4 (hereinafter referred to as an inside cylinder) and an intermediate cylindrical wall-element 5 projecting inwardly at a coaxially intermediate position between the inside cylinder 4 and the outside conical wall-element 2a dcfining a compartment as later explained. The intermediate cylindrical wall-element 5 (hereinafter referred to as an intermediate cylinder) is provided with a helically formed thread 5a formed upon inside wall thereof. The depth of the intermediate cylinder 5 from an inside ring-shaped head wall 2b is larger than the depth of the inside cylinder projected from the inside head wall 2b as shown in FIG. 3. The main body 1 consists of the main portion 1a and the top portion lb, which consists of a cylindrical neck 6 and a conical shoulder 7. The main portion la and the neck 6 have circular lateral cross sections respectively, A step It is formed between the shoulder 7 and the main portion la.

The cylindrical neck 6 is provided with an upper projected flange 6a and a helical thread 6b as shown in H65. 3 and 5. When the cap 2 is assembled with the top portion lb of the main body 1, the helical thread 5a of the intermediate cylinder 5 engages the helical thread 6b of the neck 6 so that the cap 2 is stably mounted on the top portion lb of the main body 1 in such a way that the cap 2 is capable of turningg about the neck 6. The upper flange 6a is provided with a sloped surface formed on upper side thereof, and a sharp valley is formed between the upper flange 6a and the helical thread 6b.

A double cylindrical member or closure 8 is rigidly disposed in the aperture of the neck 6 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The double cylindrical member 8 con sists of an outside cylindrical portion 8a and inside cylindrical portion 8b, a ringshaped bottom connection St between the inside and outside cylindrical portions 8a, 8b. An outwardly projecting flange 8a is formed at the top end of the outside cylindrical portion 8a, while a plurality of apertures 8f are formed at a top portion 80 formed at the top of the inside cylindrical portion 8b. A ring'shaped projection 81' is formed at the outside wall of the inside cylindrical portion 8b. A shutter piece or closure valve element 9 is regidly held by the cap 2. The shutter piece 9 consists of a stem 9a provided with a pair of grooves 9b formed along the longitudinal axis thereof, and a laterally expanded flat plate portion or body 9c formed at the bottom end of the stem 90. The flat plate portion 90 is provided with a pair of grooves 9a which are connnected to the respective grooves 9b. The shutter piece 9 can be rigidly held by inserting the stem 9a into the aperture of the cap 2 from inside thereof. The main body 1, the cap 2, the shutter piece 9 and the double cylindrical member 8 are made of plastic material, such as polypropylene, rigid polyethyl ene, vinyl chloride resin, having elasticity. Consequently, when the cap 2 is assembled with the top portion lb ofthe main body I, the double cylindrical member 8 is firstly pushed into the top aperture of the neck 6 in such a way that the flange 8d rests on the top edge of the neck 6. To hold the doubel cylindrical member 8 rigidly by the neck 6. some bonding agent may be used between the member 8 and the inside wall of the ltl opend portion of neck 6 or the member 8 is so made that the outside diameter thereof is a little larger than the inside diameter of the opened portion of the neck (a so as to always urge outwards the inside cylindrical wall element of the cap. The inside cylinder 4 of the cap 2 is formed at a coaxial position to the double cylindrical member 8 so as to be capable of inserting into the neck and into a cylindrical space formed between the outside cylindrical portion 8a and the inside cylindrical portion 8b of the double cylindrical member 8. As mentioned above, it is essential to contact the inside wall of the inside cylinder 4 with the ring-shaped pro jection 8i of the inside cylindrical portion 8b thereby forming a compartment fluid-tiglit except at the dispensing aperture. When the preparation of the neck 6 is completed, the cap 2 is pushed downward along the common longitudinal axis thereof. By this pushing op eration, the bottom edge of the intermediate cylinder 5 passes over the outside edge of the flange 60 and the helical thread tab by their elastic deformation so that the stable engagement between the

helical thread

50 and 6b can be attained. When the intermediate cylinder Sis engaged with the neck 6, the inside cylinder 4 occu' pics the cylindrical space formed between the outside cylindrical portion 8a and the inside cylindrical portion 8b of the double cylindrical member 8, the bottom edge of the outside conical wallelement 2a rests on the step If of the main body 1. In the above-mentioned condition, the flat plate portion or body 9c" closes the apertures 8f of the double cylindrical member 8 secured to the neck 6, so that the openings of the receptacle are completely closed, as shown in FIG. 3.

As can be clearly understood from the drawing shown in FIG. 3, the inside cylinder 4 of the cap 2 can be closely engaged with the inside cylindrical portion 8b when the cap 2 and the double cylindrical member 8 and the neck 6 are assembled. According to this sealing system, any leakage of the liquid material through the

apertures

3a and 8f and the inside cylindrical wallelement 4 and the double cylindrical member 8, can be completely prevented. When the cap 2 is positioned at its rest position as shown in l 'lG, 3, wherein the bottom edge of the outside wall-element 2a is resting on the horizontal step 1c the flat plate portion of the shutter piece 9 closes the apertures 8fof the double cylindrical member 8 so that the connection of the aperture 3a with the small apertures 8 is closed. However, when the cap 2 is displaced upward relative to the neck 6 along the common axis thereof, the flat plate portion 96 of the shutter piece 9 leaves from the top portionn 8e of the member 8 and the aperture 3a is connected to the small apertures 8f. The above-mentioned relative upward motion of the cap 2 with respect to the main body 1 is created by turning the cap 2 about the neck 6 of the main body l. According to this relative upward displacement ofthc cap 2, the aperture 36 is connected to the small apertures 3f and consequently the inside space of the main body I is connected to the atmosphere as shown in HG. 5. However, the helical thread 544 of the intermediate cylinder 5 cannot pass over the flange (it: because of the sharp valley formed between the flange 6a and the helical thread 611. Therefore, the relative upward displacement of the cap 2 to the main body l is restricted by the flange ()1? of the neck 6. in this condition, when the liquid material contained in the main body 1 is pressurized by deforming the main body by hand, the liquid material in the main body 1 is ejected outside through the small apertures 8}" and the space formed by the cap 2 and the passage formed by the grooves 9b, 9d of the shutter piece 9 and the aperture 3a.

When the receptacle is inclined by hand so as to lower the cap for puring out the liquid material from the receptacle, the liquid material can be easily taken out in exactly the desired amount. As the apertures 8f and the intervened space between the inside wall of the cap 2 and the flat plate portion 9c, and the passages formed by the grooves 9b, 9a of the shutter piece 9 form a combination of liquid passages, the receptacle is prevented from ejecting or pouring out an excess quantity of liquid material from the main body 1. As the engagement of the cap 2 with the neck 6 of the main body 1 is stable, because of the elasticity of the plastic material used for the receptacle, if the relative sizes of the elements are suitable, the above-mentioned engagement of the shutter piece 9 with the double cylindrical member 8 is stable and any leakage of the liquid material from the receptacle can be perfectly prevented. Further, as the ring-shaped rib 81' of the double cylindrical member 8 always urges outwards the inside cylindrical wall-element 4 of the cap 2, possible leakage of the contained liquid material through the slidable engagement of the wall-element 4 with the double cylindrical member 8 can be perfectly prevented The structure of the cap 2 and the top portion of the main body 1 can be modified with the basic technical idea of the present invention without any changes of the function of the present invention. Several modificiations of the first embodiment are hereinafter illustrated. However, in the illustration of these modified embodiments, elements having the same function as the elements of the first embodiment are represented by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and illustration of those elements are omitted to avoid repetition.

ln FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a second embodiment of the receptacle is shown. This receptacle has an almost similar structure and function as the above-mentioned first embodiment. The only difference in this embodiment from the first embodiment relates to the shutter piece disposed between the cap and the double cylindrical member. That is, a packing is utilized instead of the shutter piece 9 of the first embodiment. The packing 10 consists of a base plate 10a and a plurality of projections 10b symmetrically formed on the base plate 10a in such a way that a plurality of grooves 10c are formed between two adjacent projections 10b.

To hold the packing 10 to the inside cylinder 4, the lateral size of the packing 10 is preferably chosen a little larger than the inside lateral diameter of the inside cylinder 4. As the projections 10b are also projected upward from the base plate 10a, when the packing 10 is disposed in the inside cylinder 4 and sandwiched by a shoulder portion 3b of the cap 2 and the top portion 8e of the double cylindrical member 8, a space 11 is formed between the shoulder portion 3b and the base plate 10a. Further, the base plate 100 is so designed that, when the cap 2 is positioned at its closed position upon the neck 6, the base plate 100 closes the apertures 8f of the double cylindrical member 8. On the other hand when the cap 2 is positioned at its opened position by turning about the neck 6 as shown in FIG. 8, an intervened space 12 is formed between the base plate 100 of the packing 10 annd the top portion 8e of the double cylindrical member 8. In this case the aperture 30 of the cap 2 is connected to the main portion 1a by way of the intervened space 11, grooves 100, intervened space 12 and apertures 8f of the double cylindrical member 8. Consequently, by squeezing the main body 1, a desired quantity of liquid material can be pushed out from the receptacle.

To prevent incorrect insertion of the packing 10, a modified packing having a symmetrical structure with respect to horizontal central plane of the base plate can be applied instead of the packing shown in FIG. 7. in this modified packing element, a plurality of projections are symmetrically provided on the upper and lower surface of the base plate 100. The apertures 8f of the cylindrical member 8 are provided so as to be closed by the projections when the cap 2 is positioned at its closed position.

In the third embodiment shown in H6. 9, a modified packing 13 is utilized instead of the packing 10 of the second embodiment. Other component elements and their functions of the third embodiment are similar to the second embodiment. The packing 13 consists of a base plate 13a provided with a central aperture 13d, a plurality of supports 13b projected upward from the base plate and a ring-shaped projection which defines the aperture 13d.

The top portion 8e of the double cylindrical member 8 is provided with a plurality of apertures 8f passing therethrough and an upward projection 8h which is formed at a position facing the aperture 13d of the packing 13 when the receptacle is assembled, so that the upward projection 81: is allowed to enter into the aperture 13d. Consequently, the packing 13 can be always loosely held by the upward projection SI: of the double cylindrical member 8. And in the opened condition of the cap 2, the packing 13 is capable of displac ing upward when the pressurized liquid material is pushed out from main body 1 through the apertures 8f of the double cylindrical member 8. On the other hand, when the cap 2 is positioned in its closed condition, the packing 13 is urged onto the top portion 8e so that the apertures 8f are completely closed.

In the above-menntioned embodiments, the cap is mounted on the neck of the main body in a turnable thread engagement condition. However, the shutter piece used in these embodiments can be satisfactorily applied for the receptacle characterized in that the cap can be displaced upward by turning it relative to the main body while the caps bottom edge is forced to slide upward upon the slope of the shoulder or ride on a step of the shoulder so that the first and second apertures are connected to each other. Receptacles of this type are disclosed in the co-pending patent application Ser. No. 259,586 filed on June 5, l972.

What we claim and desire to secure by letters patent:

l. A dispenser for liquids comprising: a main body for containing liquid therein to be dispensed including an externally threaded cylindrical neck portion; a cap having an outer wall, an open end portion, a closed end portion having a centrally disposed first aperture therein, an inner cylindrical member disposed inside said can and fixed at one end thereof to said closed end portion about said first aperture and projecting from said closed end portion, an intermediate cylindrical member disposed inside said cap about said inner cylindrical member and fixed at one end thereof to said closed neck portion and projecting therefrom a greater distance than said inner cylindrical member and having an internally threaded portion engageable with said externally threaded neck portion. whereby said cap is movable toward and away from said neck portion in response to rotation thereof relative to said main body: means for preventing leakage of liquid to the external surface of said neck portion during use comprising a first cylindrical member, means fluidtightly mounting said first cylindrical member in said neck portion, a second cylindrical member having an open end portion and a closed end portion having at lease one second aperture therein and disposed coaxially within said first cylindrical member and spaced therefrom to define a cylindrical slot receiving said inner cylindrical member therein, means providing a fluidtight seal between said second cylindrical member and said inner cylindrical member comprising a ring shaped rib around the outer surface of said second cylindrical member and projecting therefrom in engagement with the inner surface of said inner cylindrical member and urging said inner cylindrical member towards said first cylindrical member thereby providing a fluidtight seal between said second cylindrical member and said inner cylindrical member and means connecting the open end portion of said second cylindrical member and one end portion of said first cylindrical member and for providing a fluidtight seal therebetween; and a closure member disposed between said first aperture and said second aperture and having means defining a fluid passage therein and connected to said cap and movable therewith in response to the rotation of said cap with respect to said main body from a sealing position wherein said closure member seals said second aperture to a non-sealing position wherein said closure member is spaced apart from said second aperture permitting liquid in the main body to pass through said second aperture and said fluid passage and then through said first aperture.

2. A liquid dispenser comprising, a main container body for containing a liquid to be dispensed and having an externally threaded neck, an outside cap for said container body having an inner cylinder internally threaded for threading said cap on said neck said cap having a dispensing aperture, an innermost cylinder in said cap extending axially into said neck when said cap is threaded on said neck, a closure on said neck closing an opening in said neck and jointly with said innermost cylinder defining a compartment within said innermost cylinder fluid-tight except at said dispensing aperture on said cap, said closure having openings providing communication between said compartment and the interior of said neck, a closure valve element in said compartment normally seated closing said openings and controlled axially by rotation of said threaded cap for seating and unseating thereof for controlling opening and closing of said openings on said closure for controlling flow of liquid in said container body through said compartment and through said dispensing aperture.

3. A liquid dispenser according to claim 2, in which said cap comprises a central cylindrical projection on the top thereof, said dispensing aperture being disposed on said cylindrical projection on the top thereof, said closure valve element having a body seatable and unseatable on said closure under control of said cap and a stern on said body axially guided in said cylindrical projection, and said closure valve element having grooves providing communication between said compartment and said dispensing aperture when said closure valve element is unseated.

4. A liquid dispenser according to claim 2, in which said cap comprises a central cylindrical projection on the top thereof, said dispensing aperture being disposed on said cylindrical projection, said closure valve element having a body seatable and unseatable on said closure under control of said cap, said closure valve element body having grooves providing communication between said compartment and said dispensing aperture when said closure valve element is unseated.

5. A liquid dispenser according to claim 2, in which said cap comprises a central cylindrical projection on the top thereof, said dispensing aperture being disposed on said cylindrical projection, said closure valve element having a body seatable and unseatable on said closure under control of said cap, said body having a central aperture and means for providing communication between the interior of said compartment and said cylindrical projection when unseated, said closure having an axial projection extending axially through said central aperture of said body for axially guiding movement of said closure valve element.

6. A liquid dispenser according to claim 2, in which said container body comprises a deformable material having memory.

* I! =1 I II

Claims

1. A dispenser for liquids comprising: a main body for containing liquid therein to be dispensed including an externally threaded cylindrical neck portion; a cap having an outer wall, an open end portion, a closed end portion having a centrally disposed first aperture therein, an inner cylindrical member disposed inside said can and fixed at one end thereof to said closed end portion about said first aperture and projecting from said closed end portion, an intermediate cylindrical member disposed inside said cap about said inner cylindrical member and fixed at one end thereof to said closed neck portion and projecting therefrom a greater distance than said inner cylindrical member and having an internally threaded portion engageable with said externally threaded neck portion, whereby said cap is movable toward and away from said neck portion in response to rotation thereof relative to said main body; means for preventing leakage of liquid to the external surface of said neck portion during use comprising a first cylindrical member, means fluidtightly mounting said first cylindrical member in said neck portion, a second cylindrical member having an open end portion and a closed end portion having at lease one second aperture therein and disposed coaxially within said first cylindrical member and spaced therefrom to define a cylindrical slot receiving said inner cylindrical member therein, means providing a fluidtight seal between said second cylindrical member and said inner cylindrical member comprising a ring shaped rib around the outer surface of said second cylindrical member and projecting therefrom in engagement with the inner surface of said inner cylindrical member and urging said inner cylindrical member towards said first cylindrical member thereby providing a fluidtight seal between said second cylindrical member and said inner cylindrical member and means connecting the open end portion of said second cylindrical member and one end portion of said first cylindrical member and for providing a fluidtight seal therebetween; and a closure member disposed between said first aperture and said second apeRture and having means defining a fluid passage therein and connected to said cap and movable therewith in response to the rotation of said cap with respect to said main body from a sealing position wherein said closure member seals said second aperture to a non-sealing position wherein said closure member is spaced apart from said second aperture permitting liquid in the main body to pass through said second aperture and said fluid passage and then through said first aperture.

3. A liquid dispenser according to claim 2, in which said cap comprises a central cylindrical projection on the top thereof, said dispensing aperture being disposed on said cylindrical projection on the top thereof, said closure valve element having a body seatable and unseatable on said closure under control of said cap and a stem on said body axially guided in said cylindrical projection, and said closure valve element having grooves providing communication between said compartment and said dispensing aperture when said closure valve element is unseated.