WO2007089095A1

WO2007089095A1 - Closure assembly for container including resilient support strip

Info

Publication number: WO2007089095A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/000521
Authority: WO
Inventors: Young Ja Back
Original assignee: Young Ja Back
Priority date: 2006-02-02
Filing date: 2007-01-31
Publication date: 2007-08-09
Also published as: KR20060015353A; KR100626872B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a closure assembly for a container, in which since an external cap and an internal cap are connected to each other as one assembly by a coupling member, and a resilient support strip is connected to the external cap, it is not anxious about the loss of the internal cap or external cap, and in which since the closure assembly is resiliently lifted in the air as a roly-poly by the resilient support strip at that time the closure assembly is released from the outlet opening, so that it is not necessary to touch the closure assembly, which is convenient for handling and management and prevents pollution of the contents. The closure assembly including an internal cap tightly fitted into an outlet opening of a container and having a recessed receiving portion, and an external cap engaged to an outside of the internal cap, in which an upper surface of the internal cap is connected to a bottom surface of the external cap by a coupling member, the closure assembly comprising: a resilient support strip made of a resilient material, one end of the resilient support strip being fixed to the external cap, and the other end being fixed to the container, in which the one end is lifted up by the resilient support strip to support the external cap in the air when the external cap is released from the outlet opening of the container.

Description

CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR CONTAINER INCLUDING RESILIENT SUPPORT STRIP

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a closure for a container, and more particularly, to a closure assembly for a container, in which since an external cap and an internal cap are connected to each other as one assembly by a coupling member, and a resilient support strip is connected to the external cap, it is not anxious about the loss of the internal cap or external cap, and in which since the closure assembly is resiliency lifted in the air as a roly-poly by the resilient support strip at that time the closure assembly is released from the outlet opening, so that it is not necessary to touch the closure assembly, which is convenient for handling and management and prevents pollution of the contents. Background Art

[2] Volatile liquid materials, such as paints, thinners, or water repellents, are generally stored in a metal container. An internal cap made of plastic material is engaged to an outlet opening of the container, and an external cap made of metal is engaged to the outside of the outlet opening.

[3] Closures for the container storing the volatile liquid are mainly classified into a ventilative type closure and a perfect-sealing type closure according to contents to be stored in the container.

[4] A product having high volatility, such as thinners, is explosive, if the matter is perfectly sealed. Consequently, a closure includes an internal cap made of a pliable resin and fitted in an outlet opening to prevent leakage and permit gas drain, and an external cap threadedly engaged to the outlet opening, with clearance being left between the external cap and the outlet opening to permit the drain of gas.

[5] Explaining a conventional ventilative type closure 200A with reference to FIG. 1, the closure includes an internal cap 210 made of a resin and having a pull ring 211 integrally formed with the internal cap which is forcibly fitted into an outlet opening 2a of a container 2, and an external metal cap 220 threadedly engaged to the outside of the outlet opening 2a to enclose the internal cap 210.

[6] In order to open the outlet opening 2a in state the internal cap 210 and the external cap 220 are engaged to the outlet opening 2a, the external cap 220 is released by turning the external cap, and then, the internal cap 210 is detached from the outlet opening 2a by pulling the pull ring 211.

[7] The perfect-sealing type closure is used in a container storing paints of high viscosity and low volatility. A conventional perfect-sealing type closure 200B includes, as shown in FlG. 2, an internal cap 210 made of a resin and having a pull ring 211 integrally formed with the internal cap which is forcibly fitted into an outlet opening 2b of a container 2, an external metal cap 230 having notches 232 which are formed on an outer periphery thereof, and resiliency engaged to the outside of the outlet opening 2b, and a plastic protective cap 270 having a pull ring 271 and engaged to the external cap 230 to prevent the external cap from being released without intension.

[8] With the construction of the perfect-sealing type closure, the protective cap 270 is detached from the external cap 230 by pulling the pull ring 271. If the external cap 230 is pressed by pushing a center convex portion down, the notches formed on the outer periphery of the external cap 230 are widened, and thus, the external cap 230 is released from the outlet opening 2b of the container 2. After that, the internal cap 210 is detached from the outlet opening 2b by pulling the pull ring 211, thereby opening the outlet opening 2b.

[9] Most of users handling products stored in such a container are professional workers.

Since the closure is repeatedly opened and closed to mix colors or take the product out of the container, convenient management of the closure comprising easy opening and closing, pollution resistance, and lost insecurity is needed, as well as the excellent inherent performance of the closure.

[10] More specifically, the prior art has the following problems.

[11] First, a finger of a worker is inserted into the pull ring 211, and the pull ring 211 is forcibly pulled to release the internal cap 210. In this instance, since the worker puts on thick working gloves, the finger of the worker cannot be inserted into the pull ring of the internal cap. It is difficult to pull the internal cap.

[12] Second, since the closure consists of two or three separate components, the components are temporarily put down on the ground of a workplace after the outlet opening is opened. As a result, the internal cap is frequently polluted or lost.

[13] The worker masses the working glove into a lump occasionally, and then plugging the lump into the outlet opening, as temporary expedient. This case has a bad effect on the contents, and wastes a lot of times and labors. Also, in case the internal cap is again fitted into the outlet opening, the pollution of the closure causes the contents to pollute.

[14] In addition, in case the outlet opening is closed by only the internal cap, without using the external cap, there is a safety problem in that the contents may be in caught in a fire by the light of a cigarette.

[15] In order to solve the above problems, the applicant proposed Korean Patent Application No. 10-2005-0097030 entitled "Closure Assembly for Container."

[16] The patent includes, as shown in FlG. 3, an internal cap 110 tightly fitted into an outlet opening, and an external cap 120 threadedly engaged to the outside of the outlet opening. The internal cap 110 has a magnet 140 mounted on the internal cap 110, and a resilient coupling member 130 provided on the internal cap 110. Front ends of the coupling member 130 are fixed to the center portion of the external cap 120. The internal cap and the external cap are easily engaged to or disengaged from the outlet opening of the container. In addition, the external cap can be attached onto the outside of the container by means of the magnet mounted in the internal cap, so that the internal and external caps are prevented from loss or pollution.

[17] According to the patent, however, since the internal cap 110 is directly attached to the container, the internal cap 110 is polluted by alien substances which are adhered on the outer surface of the container, so that the contents may be polluted when the internal cap is engaged to the outlet opening.

[18] Also, there is another problem in that the number of the components is increased, and the assembling process and manufacturing costs are thus increased, because of the complicated coupling member 130. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[19] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a closure assembly for a container, in which since an external cap and an internal cap are connected to each other as one assembly by a coupling member, and a resilient support strip is connected to the external cap, it is not anxious about the loss of the internal cap or external cap, and in which since the closure assembly is resiliency lifted in the air as a roly-poly by the resilient support strip at that time the closure assembly is released from the outlet opening, so that it is not necessary to touch the closure assembly, which is convenient for handling and management and prevents pollution of the contents. Technical Solution

[20] In order to accomplish the above-mentioned objects, there is provided a closure assembly for a container, the closure assembly including an internal cap tightly fitted into an outlet opening of a container and having a recessed receiving portion, and an external cap engaged to an outside of the internal cap, in which an upper surface of the internal cap is connected to a bottom surface of the external cap by a coupling member, the closure assembly comprising: a resilient support strip made of a resilient material, one end of the resilient support strip being fixed to the external cap, and the other end being fixed to the container, in which the one end is lifted up by the resilient support strip to support the external cap in the air when the external cap is released from the outlet opening of the container. Advantageous Effects

[21] With the construction, since the external cap and the internal cap are connected to each other as one assembly by a coupling member, and the resilient support strip is connected to the external cap, it is not anxious about the loss of the internal cap or external cap. [22] Also, since the closure assembly is resiliency lifted in the air as a roly-poly by the resilient support strip at that time the closure assembly is released from the outlet opening, so that it is not necessary to touch the closure assembly, which is convenient for handling and management and prevents pollution of the contents.

Brief Description of the Drawings [23] The above objects, other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [24] FlG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a conventional ventilative type closure. [25] FlG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a conventional perfect-sealing type closure. [26] FlG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a closure assembly according to a prior art which is proposed by the applicant. [27] FlG. 4 is an exploded view illustrating a ventilative type closure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[28] FlG. 5 is a perspective view of the ventilative type closure in FlG. 4.

[29] FlG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the engaged state of the closure in FlG.

4.

[30] FlG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the use state of the closure in FlG. 4.

[31] FlG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an internal cap according to an embodiment of the present invention. [32] FlG. 9 is an exploded view illustrating a perfect-sealing type closure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[33] FlG. 10 is a perspective view of the perfect-sealing type closure in FlG. 9.

[34] FlG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the engaged state of the closure in FlG.

10. [35] FlG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the use state of the closure in FlG. 11.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [36] Now, a closure assembly for a container according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [37] FlG. 4 is an exploded view illustrating a ventilative type closure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FlG. 5 is a perspective view of the ventilative type closure in FlG. 4. FlG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the engaged state of the closure in FlG. 4. FlG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the use state of the closure in FlG. 4.

[38] Referring to FlGs. 4 to 6, a closure assembly 1 for a container according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an internal cap 10 tightly fitted into an outlet opening of a container 2 and having a recessed receiving portion 11, and an external cap 20 engaged to an outside of the internal cap, in which an upper surface of the internal cap 10 is connected to a bottom surface of the external cap 20 by a coupling member 30. The closure assembly further includes a resilient support strip 50 made of a resilient material, one end 51 of the resilient support strip 50 being fixed to the external cap 20, and the other end 53 being fixed to the container 2, in which the one end 51 is lifted up by the resilient support strip 50 to support the external cap 20 in the air when the external cap 20 is released from the outlet opening of the container 2.

[39] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the closure assembly is constructed as a ventilative type closure IA, in which the internal cap 10 is made of a resin, the external cap 2OA is made of metal, the external cap 2OA has a threaded portion 21 formed on an outer periphery which is threadedly engaged with the outlet opening 2a of the container, and the resilient support strip 50 is adapted not to restrict rotation of the external cap 20.

[40] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the closure assembly is constructed as a perfect-sealing type closure IB, as shown in FlGs. 9 to 12, in which an internal cap 10 is made of a resin, an external cap 2OB is made of metal, the external cap 2OB has a plurality of notches 23 formed on an outer periphery, and a plastic protective cap 70 is engaged to the external cap 2OB.

[41] Preferably, the resilient support strip 50 provided in the external caps 2OA and 2OB of the ventilative type or perfect-sealing type closure assembly according to the present invention is made of a leaf spring, and a portion of the other end 53 fixed to the container 2 is bent to form a bent portion 55.

[42] The resilient support strip 50 may be welded to the container 2, and may be fixed to the container by a fixing member 60 which is additionally provided on the container (see FlG. 10).

[43] A coupling member (not shown) for the resilient support strip may be installed on the container 2 to attach or detach a portion of the other end 52 of the resilient support strip 50, so that the resilient support strip 50 is detachably installed to the container 2.

[44] Preferably, the fixation of the one end 51 of the resilient support strip to the external cap 20 is performed by a rivet 81 which fixes the coupling member 30. In particular, the resilient support strip 50 is connected to a center portion of the threadedly-engaged external cap 2OA of the ventilative type closure so that the external cap 2OA is freely rotated (see FlG. 5). In case the rotation is not necessary, the resilient support strip 50 is connected to an offset position of the perfect-sealing external cap 2OB having the notches 23 formed on the outer periphery (see FlG. 10).

[45] The other end of the resilient support strip 50 may be fixed to a tap fixture 65 of the container (see FlGs. 4 and 5). Specifically, the tap fixture 65 provided on the container 2 serves as a fixing member for the resilient support strip.

[46] The coupling member 30 connecting the external cap 20 with the internal cap 10 is integrally formed with the internal cap 10. The coupling member 30 has a ring-type body 31 positioned in the recessed receiving portion 11 of the internal cap, an internal connecting portion 33 protruding outwardly from one portion of the body 31 and connected to the internal cap 10, and an external connecting portion 35 protruding from the other portion of the body 31 and fixed to the bottom surface of the external cap 20 at a front end.

[47] In other words, the coupling member 30 consists of parts integrally formed, and is integrally formed with the internal cap.

[48] A magnet 40 may be provided on the internal cap 10.

[49] The external connecting portion 35 of the coupling member may be provided with a hole 36, through which a magnet mounting portion 13 protruding from the internal cap 10 passes (see FlGs. 9 and 11).

[50] Operation of the closure assembly 1 for the container according to the present invention will now be described, in which the closure assembly is supported by the resilient support strip.

[51] The external cap 20 and the internal cap 10 are connected by the coupling member

30 to form a closure assembly. The closure assembly is provided with the built-in resilient support strip 50, so that at the time the internal cap 10 is completely released from the outlet opening 2a or 2b of the container, the resilient support strip 50 is in a free state, and one end of the resilient support strip is resiliency returned as a roly-poly to lift the closure assembly up (see FlG. 7 and 12).

[52] Explaining the process of releasing the closure assembly from the outlet opening of the container 2 in detail, if the external cap 20 is released from the outlet opening 2a or 2b of the container, the internal cap forcibly fitted in the outlet opening is already partially spaced apart from the outlet opening 2a or 2b. Thus, the internal cap 10 is easily released from the outlet opening by slightly pulling the external cap 20 or the coupling member 30. Specifically, in the present invention there is not required for the process of pulling a pull ring.

[53] Therefore, it is not anxious about the loss of the closure assembly consisting of the internal cap 10 and the external cap 20. Since the closure assembly is automatically lifted in the air by the resilient support strip 50 at that time the closure assembly is released from the outlet opening, so that it is not necessary to touch the closure assembly. Also, the alien substances are not adhered on the internal cap 10. Consequently, the closure assembly can be easily handled and managed, and the pollution of the contents is prevented.

[54] Also, in case the internal cap 10 and the external cap 20 are again engaged to the outlet opening 2a or 2b, the resilient support strip is slightly pressed down, and then, the internal cap and the external cap are sequentially engaged to the outlet opening.

[55] Since the coupling member 30 is integrally formed with the internal cap 10 to form a unitary body, the construction is further simplified to reduce assembling process and manufacturing costs.

[56] The forgoing embodiments are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatus. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Industrial Applicability

[57] As apparent from the above description, according to the closure assembly provided with the built-in resilient support strip, since the external cap and the internal cap are connected to each other as one closure assembly by the coupling member, and the resilient support strip is connected to the external cap, it is not anxious about the loss of the internal cap or the external cap. Also, since the closure assembly is automatically resiliency lifted in the air by the resilient support strip at that time the closure assembly is released from the outlet opening, so that it is not necessary to touch the closure assembly. Also, the alien substances are not adhered on the internal cap. Consequently, the closure assembly can be easily handled and managed, and the pollution of the contents is prevented.

Claims

[1] A closure assembly for a container, the closure assembly including an internal cap 10 tightly fitted into an outlet opening of a container 2 and having a recessed receiving portion 11, and an external cap 20 engaged to an outside of the internal cap, in which an upper surface of the internal cap 10 is connected to a bottom surface of the external cap 20 by a coupling member 30, the closure assembly comprising: a resilient support strip 50 made of a resilient material, one end 51 of the resilient support strip 50 being fixed to the external cap 20, and the other end 53 being fixed to the container 2, in which the one end 51 is lifted up by the resilient support strip 50 to support the external cap 20 in the air when the external cap 20 is released from the outlet opening of the container 2.

[2] The closure assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure assembly is adapted for a ventilative type closure IA, in which the internal cap 10 is made of a resin, the external cap 2OA is made of metal, the external cap 2OA has a threaded portion 21 formed on an outer periphery which is threadedly engaged with the outlet opening 2a of the container, and the resilient support strip 50 is adapted not to restrict rotation of the external cap 20.

[3] The closure assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure assembly is adapted for a perfect-sealing type closure IB, in which the internal cap 10 is made of a resin, an external cap 2OB is made of metal, the external cap 2OB has a plurality of notches 23 formed on an outer periphery, and a plastic protective cap 70 is engaged to the external cap 2OB.

[4] The closure assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the resilient support strip 50 of the external cap 2OA or 2OB is made of a leaf spring, and a portion of the other end 53 fixed to the container 2 is bent to form a bent portion.

[5] The closure assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein a coupling member for the resilient support strip is installed on the container 2 to attach or detach a portion of the other end 52 of the resilient support strip 50, so that the resilient support strip 50 is detachably installed to the container 2.

[6] The closure assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the other end of the resilient support strip 50 is fixed to a tap fixture 65 of the container.

[7] The closure assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the one end 51 of the resilient support strip is fixed to the external cap 20 by a rivet 81, in which the resilient support strip 50 is connected to a center portion of the threadedly- engaged external cap 2OA of the ventilative type closure so that the external cap 2OA is freely rotated, and the resilient support strip 50 is connected to an offset position of the perfect-sealing external cap 2OB in which rotation of the external cap is not necessary.

[8] The closure assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coupling member 30 connecting the external cap 20 with the internal cap 10 is integrally formed with the internal cap 10, and the coupling member 30 has a ring-type body 31 positioned in the recessed receiving portion 11 of the internal cap, an internal connecting portion 33 protruding outwardly from one portion of the body 31 and connected to the internal cap 10, and an external connecting portion 35 protruding from the other portion of the body 31 and fixed to a bottom surface of the external cap 20 at a front end.

[9] The closure assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a magnet

40 is provided on the internal cap 10.