WO1996020889A1

WO1996020889A1 - Push/pull dispensing cap

Info

Publication number: WO1996020889A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/016298
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heiner J. Schuermann; Benedict J. Scheu; Alberto Friedman
Original assignee: Alltrista Corporation
Priority date: 1995-01-04
Filing date: 1995-12-19
Publication date: 1996-07-11

Abstract

A releasable closure (10) includes a base cap (12) and a sealing tip (14) coupled to the base cap (12) for axial movement between an open position and a closed position. The sealing tip includes a dispensing aperture (56), and the base cap (12) includes a closure portion (20) for closing the dispensing aperture. Guide rails (58) for aligning the closure portion (20) of the base cap (12) with the dispensing aperture (56) are provided by the sealing tip (14) and the sealing tip (14) is prevented from rotating relative to the base cap (12) by cooperation of the base cap (12) and the sealing tip (14).

Description

PϋSH/PULL DISPEMSINQ CAP

Technical Field

The present invention relates to resealable closures and containers and particularly to push/pull resealable closures. More particularly, the invention relates to push/pull closures of the type having a base cap and a sealing tip which includes a dispensing aperture and is movably retained on the base cap, wherein the base cap includes a sealing blade which is received in the dispensing aperture for sealing the aperture.

Background Art

The development of containers and container closures is an active art and includes many disclosures of resealable containers and closures. Ribbon dispensers, in particular, are known in the art. A conventional ribbon dispenser, such as that used in the woodworking industry for laying a ribbon of adhesive, utilizes a two-piece closure. The first piece includes a dispenser tip having a rectangular dispensing aperture for laying out the ribbon of adhesive. The second piece typically includes an overcap having an aperture-sealing tongue extending downwardly therefrom and sized and configured to seal the dispensing aperture. In use, the user removes the overcap to open the dispensing aperture, lays the ribbon of adhesive, and replaces the overcap to reseal the dispensing aperture.

Unfortunately, the overcap is designed to be completely removed from the base cap during operation. This poses a problem for the user in that oftentimes the user needs both hands to align and hold the pieces to be glued while dispensing the adhesive. Holding the overcap in one hand and aligning the pieces with that same hand while using the other hand to dispense the adhesive can be awkward. Thus, the user frequently puts the overcap aside. If the work area is littered with smaller pieces of wood, sawdust or wood shavings, as is often the case, the sealing tip, as with any small, loose piece, tends to get lost or misplaced. Once the overcap is lost, the user must reseal the dispenser with whatever is available, such as a screwdriver inserted into the aperture, or allow the contents of the container to dry out, which can become expensive. Therefore, a need exists for a resealable ribbon dispensing closure that allows for opening the dispensing aperture without removal of the sealing tip.

Disclosure of the Invention

According to the present invention, a resealable closure includes a base cap and a sealing tip coupled to the base cap for axial movement between an open position and a closed position. The sealing tip includes a dispensing aperture, and the base cap includes means for closing the dispensing aperture. Means for aligning the closing means with the dispensing aperture is coupled to the sealing tip, and means for preventing the sealing means from rotating relative to the base cap is coupled to the base cap and the sealing tip.

According to one aspect of the invention, the closing means includes a blade portion attached to the base cap and the aligning means includes a plurality of guide rails. The guide rails are attached to the sealing tip and are configured to guide the blade portion toward the dispensing aperture. The base cap includes an outer surface and the sealing tip includes an inner surface. The preventing means includes a plurality of ribs extending axially along the outer surface of the base cap and a plurality of grooves extending axially along the inner surface of the sealing.tip so as to engage the ribs.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side view of the base cap according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through the center line of the base cap in a plane orthogonal to the side view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through the sealing tip co-planar with the section view of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the sealing tip;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section view taken through the assembled closure of the present invention in the closed position; Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the closure of the invention showing the closure in the open position;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the base cap of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken through the sealing tip of the alternative embodiment; and

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the sealing tip of Fig. 8. Bast Mode of Carrying Out the Invention

The present invention comprises a novel push/pull ribbon dispensing closure 10 that includes a base cap 12 having a central axis 13, and a sealing tip 14 coaxially retained on the base cap 12.

The base cap 12, as shown illustratively in Fig. 2, includes a container-engaging portion 16, a sealing tip-engaging portion 18 and a blade portion 20. The container-engaging portion 16 is a conventional cup- shaped member formed to include a central aperture 22 and internal container-engaging threads 24. It will be appreciated that other means for engaging a container are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, such as a snap-fit or twist- lock arrangement.

The sealing tip-engaging portion 18 includes an annular side wall 25 having upper and lower portions 26, 27, respectively, defining an inner channel 28. The upper sidewall portion 26 defines an outlet aperture 30 at the upper end thereof. The lower sidewall portion 27 is positioned to surround, and extend upwardly from, the central aperture 22. The annular sidewall 25 includes an outer surface 32 formed to include a plurality of wiper rings 34, a stop detent 36, upper and lower snap rings 38, 40, respectively, a lower shoulder 41, and a pair of diametrically opposed alignment ribs 42 extending outwardly and downwardly from the stop detent 36 to the container-engaging portion 16. In preferred embodiments, alignment ribs 42 extend outwardly to a first radial distance from the central axis 13, the snap rings 38, 40 extend outwardly to a second radial distance from the central axis 13, and the stop detent 36 and the shoulder 41 extend outwardly to a third radial distance intermediate the first and second radial distances.

The blade portion 20 is positioned to span the outlet aperture 30 and extend upwardly therefrom, terminating at an upper sealing tip end 44. A lower end 46 extends downwardly from the outlet aperture 30 into the inner channel 28. Preferably, both the upper and lower ends 44, 46 of the blade portion 20 are beveled. Advantageously, rather than just blocking the outlet aperture, the downward extension of the beveled lower end 46 of the blade portion 20 cooperates with the outlet aperture 30 to form a pair of beveled outlet apertures 43, 45 which reduce the amount of user-applied squeezing force necessary to dispense the contents of the container.

The sealing tip 14 includes an annular sidewall 48 defining a base cap-receiving channel 50 and a top wall 52 extending upwardly and inwardly from the annular sidewall 48. The top wall 52 includes a rectangular dispensing aperture 56. Preferably, the dispensing aperture 56 is beveled to match the sealing tip end 44 of the blade portion 20 which further reduces the amount of user-applied force required to dispense the contents of the container. The base cap-receiving channel 50 includes an upper portion 60 and a lower portion 61. The upper portion 60 has an inner diameter that is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the wiper rings 34 on the base cap 12. The lower portion 61 has an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the stop detent 36 and the shoulder 41. The inner surface of the lower portion 61 defines upper and lower stop detents 64, 66, respectively, and a pair of diametrically opposed, axially extending grooves 62, that are sized and configured to receive the alignment ribs 42 of the base cap 12 to prevent rotational relative movement between the base cap 12 and the sealing tip 14. Thus, the lower portion 61 of the base cap-receiving channel 50 fits over the stop detent 36, the shoulder 41 and the alignment ribs 42, while the upper portion 60 cooperates with the wiper rings 34 to provide a seal against product leakage between the base cap 12 and the sealing tip 14. It will be appreciated that the alignment ribs 42 and grooves 62 can be reversed so that the ribs 42 are formed on the sealing tip 14 and project inwardly to engage grooves 62 formed in the base cap 12.

In preferred embodiments, the alignment ribs 42 include beveled upper surfaces 69 and the grooves 62 include complementary beveled surfaces 70. The beveled surfaces 69, 70 cooperate to limit the downward movement of the sealing tip 14 relative to the base cap 12 and are positioned to come into contact when the sealing tip end 44 of the blade portion 20 is in sealing contact with the dispensing aperture 56.

A plurality of guide rails 58 extend downwardly from the top wall 52 in parallel, spaced-relation along the inner surface of the upper portion 60 of the base cap-receiving channel 50 so as to straddle the rectangular dispensing aperture 56. The guide rails are positioned to guide the sealing tip end 44 of the blade portion 20 into the rectangular dispensing aperture 56 while the grooves 62 engage the alignment ribs 42.

The closure 10 of the present invention is shown assembled in Figs. 5-6. To assemble the closure 10, the rectangular dispensing aperture 56 is aligned with the sealing tip end 44 of the blade portion 20 and the sealing tip 14 is pressed down over the base cap 12 until the beveled surfaces 69, 70 engage each other and the lower stop detent 66 on the sealing tip 14 is positioned between the lower snap ring 40 and the shoulder 41 on the base cap 12, as shown in Fig. 5. While pushing the sealing tip 14 down onto the base cap 12, the lower stop detent 66 on the sealing tip 14 is pushed past the stop detent 36 and the upper and lower snap rings 38, 40 on the base cap 12. When assembled in the closed position, the sealing tip end 44 sealingly engages the rectangular dispensing 56, the wiper rings 34 of the base cap 12 engage the inner surface of the base cap-receiving channel 50, the beveled surfaces 69, 70 engage each other, and the lower stop detent 66 on the sealing tip 14 is positioned between the lower snap ring 40 and the shoulder 41 formed on the base cap 12. The alignment ribs 42 are positioned in the grooves 62 and the blade portion is positioned between the guide rails 58. At the same time, the lower stop detent 66 on the sealing tip 14 cooperates with the lower snap ring 40 on the base cap 12 to retain the sealing tip 14 in the dispensing aperture-closing position.

In the open position, as shown in Fig. 6, the blade portion 20 is still positioned between the guide rails 58 and the alignment ribs 42 are still positioned in the grooves 62, thereby maintaining the sealing tip end 44 in alignment with the rectangular dispensing aperture 56 and preventing rotational relative movement between the base cap 12 and the sealing tip 14. However, in the dispensing aperture- opening position, the sealing tip 14 has been lifted upwardly relative to the base cap 12 to pull the dispensing aperture 56 away from the sealing tip end 44 to open the dispensing aperture 56 and allow product to flow from the container (not shown) through the inner channel 28 and the beveled outlet apertures 43, 45 of the base cap 12 and then through the base cap-receiving channel 50 to the dispensing aperture 56. The wiper rings 34 engage the inner surface of base cap-receiving channel 50 to prevent product from escaping from the closure 10 by squeezing out between the sealing tip 14 and base cap 12.

One problem encountered with conventional closures is the accumulation of dried product, such as glue, in the closure outlet. Each time that the consumer uses the container, the closure is plugged up by the accumulated product left over from the previous use and the consumer must clear the closure outlet before he can dispense the product. Typically, this involves removing the closure and pushing a screwdriver or other object through the closure outlet to clear away the dried product. The present invention advantageously overcomes this problem. The sealing tip end 44 extends through the dispensing aperture 56 when the closure is in the closed position, as shown in Figs. 5-6. Any residual product forms a shell around the exposed portion of the sealing tip end 44. After pulling the sealing tip 14 upwardly relative to the base cap 12 to open the dispensing aperture 56, a thin shell of dried product remains in position on the top surface 53 of the sealing tip 14. When the sealing tip end 44 is clear of the dispensing aperture 56, the consumer can easily break away the shell of dried product by hand. In the open position, the lower stop detent 66 of the sealing tip 14 is pulled upwardly past the lower and upper snap rings 40, 38, respectively, and engages the stop detent 36 on the base cap 12 to prevent further upward movement of the sealing tip 14 relative to the base cap 12. At the same time, the lower stop detent 66 cooperates with the upper snap ring 38 to maintain the sealing tip 14 in the fully opened position relative to the base cap 12.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 7-9, wherein like features are indicated with the same reference number as in the embodiment of Figs. 1-6. In the embodiment of Figs. 7-9, the means for preventing rotational movement between the base cap 12 and the sealing tip 14 includes a plurality of facets 80 formed on the outer surface 82 of the sealing tip-engaging portion 18. The facets 80 are joined together to form a polygon, preferably a hexagon or octagon, when viewed along the central axis 13 from the top of the base cap 12. The sealing tip 14 includes a plurality of facets

84 formed on the inner surface 86 of the sealing tip 14. The facets 84 are joined together to form a polygon complementary to the polygon formed in the base cap 12. The complementary polygons engage each other in a nut-and-bolt type relationship to prevent rotational movement between the base cap 12 and the sealing tip 14.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to a certain preferred embodiment, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.

Claims

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1. A resealable closure for use with a container, the closure comprising: a base cap, a sealing tip coupled to the base cap for axial movement between an open position and a closed position and formed to include a dispensing aperture, means attached to the base cap for closing the dispensing aperture, means coupled to the sealing tip for aligning the closing means with the dispensing aperture, and means for preventing the sealing tip from rotating relative to the base cap.

2. The closure of claim 1 wherein the closing means includes a blade portion attached to the base cap and the aligning means includes a plurality of guide rails attached to the sealing tip and configured to guide the blade portion toward the dispensing aperture.

3. The closure of claim 1 wherein the preventing means includes a plurality of ribs extending axially along the base cap and a plurality of grooves extending axially along the sealing tip so as to engage the ribs.

4. The closure of claim 1 further comprising means for reducing the amount of user-applied force necessary to dispense product through the dispensing aperture.

5. The closure of claim 4 wherein the reducing means includes a plurality of beveled apertures.

6. The closure of claim 5 wherein the plurality of beveled apertures includes the dispensing aperture and first and second beveled outlet apertures defined by the attachment of the closing means to the base cap.

7. The closure of claim 1 wherein the preventing means includes an alignment rib formed on the base cap and a complementary groove formed in the sealing tip.

8. The closure of claim 1 wherein the preventing means includes a plurality of facets formed on an outer surface of the base cap so as to define a first polygon when viewed along a central axis of the base cap and a plurality of facets formed on an inner surface of the sealing tip so as to form a second, complementary polygon for engaging the first polygon.

9. The closure of claim 8 wherein the first and second polygons are hexagons.

10. The closure of claim 8 wherein the first and second polygons are octagons.

11. A resealable dispensing closure comprising: a base cap having an outlet aperture, an outer surface, a plurality of wiper rings and a stop detent formed on the outer surface, and a blade portion extending axially upwardly from the outlet aperture, and a sealing tip including a dispensing aperture for receiving the blade portion, an inner surface for engaging the plurality of wiper rings and the stop detent, and a plurality of guide rails for aligning the blade portion with the dispensing aperture, the sealing tip being ovably retained on the base cap for axial movement relative to the base between an open position and a closed position.

12. The closure of claim 11 wherein the blade portion extends partially into the outlet aperture and cooperates with the outlet aperture to form a plurality of beveled outlet apertures.

13. The closure of claim 12 wherein the dispensing aperture is beveled.

14. The closure of claim 11 further including means for preventing rotational movement of the sealing tip relative to the base cap.

15. The closure of claim 12 wherein the preventing means includes a plurality of axially extending alignment ridges formed on an outer surface of the base cap and a plurality of complementary alignment grooves formed on an inner surface of the sealing tip and configured to engage the alignment ribs.

16. The closure of claim 14 wherein the preventing means includes a first polygon-shaped portion formed in the base cap and a second, complementary polygon-shaped portion formed in the sealing tip for engaging the first polygon-shaped portion.

17. The closure of claim 16 wherein the polygon- shaped portions are six-sided.

18. The closure of claim 16 wherein the polygon- shaped portions are eight-sided.

19. The closure of claim 12 wherein the dispensing aperture is defined by a plurality of beveled edges and the blade portion includes a blade having a tip end defined by a plurality of beveled edges configured to sealingly engage the dispensing aperture.

20. The closure of claim 11 wherein the base cap includes an upper snap ring and a lower snap ring formed on the outer surface and the sealing tip includes a positioning detent formed on the inner surface to cooperate with the upper snap ring to maintain the sealing tip in the open position and to cooperate with the lower snap ring to maintain the sealing tip in the closed position.

21. A push/pull resealable closure comprising: a base cap formed to include first and second beveled outlet apertures, a sealing tip coupled to the base cap and formed to include a beveled dispensing aperture, and means for preventing rotational movement between the sealing tip and the base cap.

22. The closure of claim 21 wherein the preventing means includes a plurality of axially extending alignment ribs formed on the base cap and a plurality of axially extending grooves formed on the sealing tip and configured to engage the alignment ribs.

23. The closure of claim 21 wherein the preventing means includes a plurality of facets formed on the base cap and joined together to form a first polygon and a plurality of facets formed on the sealing tip and joined together to form a second polygon sized and configured to engage the first polygon.

24. A resealable push/pull container comprising: a container for carrying product, means for dispensing the product, means, coupled to the container and the dispensing means, for sealing the dispensing means to prevent the leakage of product from the container, and means for aligning the closing means with the dispensing means, wherein the closing means includes means for forming a plurality of beveled outlet apertures.

25. The container of claim 24 wherein the dispensing means includes a dispensing aperture and the sealing means includes a tip end formed on the closing means.

26. The container of claim 25 wherein the sealing means further includes a plurality of wiper rings formed on the closing means.

27. The container of claim 24 wherein the aligning means includes a plurality of guide rails formed on the dispensing means and a blade portion formed on the closing means and configured to be engaged by the plurality of guide rails.

28. The container of claim 27 wherein the aligning means further includes a plurality of alignment ribs formed on the closing means and a plurality of grooves formed on the dispensing means and configured to engage the alignment ribs.

29. The container of claim 27 wherein the aligning means further includes a plurality of facets formed on the closing means and joined together to form a first polygon and a plurality of facets formed on the dispensing means and joined together to form a second polygon sized and configured to engage the first polygon.