WO2018139977A1

WO2018139977A1 - A container lid structure

Info

Publication number: WO2018139977A1
Application number: PCT/TR2017/000013
Authority: WO
Inventors: Atilla TEZOL
Original assignee: Şahsan Maki̇na Kalip Elektri̇k Ve Elektroni̇k Sanayi̇ Ve Ti̇caret Li̇mi̇ted Şi̇rketi̇
Priority date: 2017-01-26
Filing date: 2017-01-26
Publication date: 2018-08-02

Abstract

A package closure setup, wherein it consists of a base (10) that allows installing the closure (1) to the package; a fixed bushing (13) and a turning cap (20) located on the said base (10) respectively within the other from the inside out; an opening that is located on the lateral surface of the said bushing (13) and allows a horizontal angular turning movement of the spout (30) to the open and closed positions; a canal-shaped spout opening (21) located on the lateral surface of the said turning cap (20) and allows the in and out movement of the spout (30) turning horizontally; a pusher bracket (24) that is fixed at the interior side of the top of the turning cap (20) and, when the user turns the turning cap (20) to the open position, pushes the spout (30) to allow it to turn and protrude from the spout opening (21); a vertically located outlet pipe (31) that is located on one end of the spout (30) in the horizontal position, which is in the closure (1); a spout (30) that moves to the open and closed position by horizontally turning at the center of the said outlet pipe (31), is located at a position slightly protruding outside the said spout opening (21) in the open position and is located in the said turning cap (20) and against the interior surface of the bushing (13) in the closed position and, in open position, when the user turns the turning cap (20) towards the closed position, pushes the spout opening (21) on its short edge and makes a turning movement first into the turning cap (20) and then the bushing (13) and thereby closes, and, in the closed position, when the user turns the turning cap (20) towards the open position, makes a turning movement from the spout opening (21) to the out of the turning cap (20) by being pushed by the pusher bracket (24) and thus moves to the open position.

Description

A CONTAINER LID STRUCTURE

This invention relates to a setup of a package closure, which is developed for packages that allow the provision of fluid or semi-fluid products to the user through a spout located on the package closure and/or at the end of a dispensing mechanism and allows moving the said product spout into and out of the closure by a turning force applied by the user.

In the prior art, there are packages (bottle, tube, can, barrel, etc.) that dispense the product (honey, perfume, cream, lotion, paint, etc.) through a spout located on the package closure and/or at the end of any dispensing mechanism, such as pump, tap, spray, etc. In the said packages, the product spout is usually located at the closure area. In the technique according to this invention, there are some closure setups that allow taking the product spouts into the closure and/or locking them to prevent dispensing of the product, when they are not used.

In the prior art, the toggle-action disc closures are commonly used. When a pressing force is applied on the disc located at the top of the said closures, the other end is raised. At the raised end of the disc, there is an outlet. Some examples of said closure setups can be found in the following patent documents: WO2004074117 "TOGGLE-ACTION CLOSURE", US6431416 "DISK-TYPE TOGGLE-ACTION DISPENSING CLOSURE, PACKAGE AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY" and US20040112927 "LOCKABLE DISC TOP DISPENSING CLOSURE". However, in the said closure setups, there is a spout that protrudes outside the closure. In addition, such closures are not suitable for use in any dispensing mechanism.

In the prior art, there are closure setups, where the spout can be moved up (open position) and down (closed position) along the axis of the toggle. Some examples of said closure setups can be found in the following patent documents: US4440327 "FLUID DISPENSING CLOSURE WITH INTEGRAL VALVE" and EP1125854 "DISPENSING CLOSURE IMPROVEMENT". In the said closures, the spout is open in the vertical position. After the user turns the spout to the vertical position, the product is dispensed when the package is turn upside-down. Therefore, the closures are not suitable for use in any dispensing mechanism. In the prior art, there are closure setups that allow closing the dispensing port of the outlet or spout, when it is not used. The said closing action is performed by covering the said dispensing port with a barrier. In such closures, the closing is achieved by movement of the barrier or spout (product dispensing cap). Some examples of said closure setups can be found in the following patent documents: US6405904 "DISPENSING HEAD INCLUDING AN OUTLET" and US5918774 "COMBINED LOCK AND ANTI-CLOG FEATURE FOR SPRAY PACKAGE". However, in the said closures, the spout cannot be moved inwards (into a receptacle) or outwards (to the forward from the closure).

In the prior art, the said closure setup is described in US4591079 "CONTAINER CAP WITH SELF-RETRACTING SPOUT". In the said closure, the spout can be moved into or out of the closure by forward movement. The forward movement of the spout is achieved by turning the closure. The turning movement of the closure is converted to the forward movement at the spout by a guide-canal shaft and a vertical pin acting in the guide-canal shaft. The guide-canal shaft is connected to the interior surface of the closure. And the vertical pin is located on the spout. When the user applies a turning force on the closure, the guide-canal shaft drives the pin to move forward and back. Thus, the spout moves forward (out of the closure) and back (into the closure). However, in such closures, there is no fixed connection between the package outlet and spout inlet. This is caused by the back movement of the spout. When the spout is in the open position (is completely out of the closure), the package outlet and spout inlet perfectly overlap and thus create the product dispensing path. However, creating a product dispensing path in every use causes some disadvantages. For example, in such closures, there is a high risk of the product running into the closure during use. In addition, fine adjustment of the product dispensing path (in mm) causes some difficulties during manufacture. During use, a small deformation may occur in the guide-canal shaft (it is possible due to the continuous stretching movement), it causes the outlet and the spout inlet not to overlap. In such case, the package will cause the product to not flow or to barely flow into the spout. A setup that resembles the said closure with the same disadvantage are described in US20100270336 "DISPENSING HEAD FOR DISPENSERS OF FLUID PRODUCTS". In the prior art, the said closure setup is described in US6059154 "STOPPING CAPSULE INCORPORATING A SELF-RETRACTING SPOUT". In the said closure, the spout is elastic. When the user applies a turning force towards the closed position on the closure, the spout bends at a certain point and enters into the closure. When the user applies a turning force towards the open position on the closure, the elastic spout turns back to its previous position and protrudes outside the closure. However, in this closure, bending the spout in the closure after use causes the product to remaining in the spout to flow into the closure. In such case, during long-term use, the interior of the closure is filled with remaining product and that negatively affects the operation of the closure.

In the prior art, the said closure setup is described in US3371827 "CAPTIVE CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS WITH TURNABLE RETRACTABLE SPOUT". In the said closure setup, the spout is turned at an angle to move it into or out of the closure. However, the solution described in this closure setup entails positioning the spout upward at an angle.

This invention related to a setup of a package closure, which is developed for packages that allow the provision of the fluid or semi-fluid products to the user through a spout located on the package closure and/or at the end of a dispensing mechanism and allows moving the said product spout into and out of the closure by a turning force applied by the user overcoming the disadvantage in the prior art mentioned above.

The said closure setup is characterized in that;

- The spout goes into and out of the closure without bending by the horizontal turning force applied onto the closure;

When the spout enters into the closure, the closure becomes a complete closed cylinder;

In the open position, the spout protrudes outside the closure.

- During opening and closing (movements of the spout), the connection between spout inlet and package product outlet;

- When the user applies a horizontal turning force on the closure, the spout also turns and thereby moves into and out of the closure, thus the movement can be transferred without deformation using a minimum number of elements;

The spout does not necessarily have an angle;

- The said closure setup can be used at the end of any type of dispensing mechanism;

When the spout is closed, it corresponds to an end scraper, which scraps the remaining product on the spout and prevents drying of the product until the next use; - A minimum number of elements are used for the movement of the spout in the said package closure and thus the difficulties in manufacture are eliminated;

The elements constituting the said package closure are designed in such a design and layout that they do not cause any difficulty in manufacture;

- The said package closure can be used with any type of dispensing mechanism and it has a simple structure, it is easy to use, durable and economic.

This invention is hereinafter described in more details utilizing the following figures and examples. Such figures are: Figure 1 General view of the package closure setup when the spout is in open position.

Figure 2 View of the package closure setup with open/closed direction marks when the spout is in open position.

Figure 3 View of the package closure setup with open/closed direction marks when the spout is in closed position. In the said position, all surfaces of the package closure form a closed cylinder.

Figure 4 Bottom view of the package closure setup.

Figure 5 View of the package closure setup when the top of the turning cap is scrapped and the spout is in the open position.

Figure 6 View of the package closure setup when the top of the turning cap is scrapped and the closure is slightly turned to the closed position. While turning the closure to the closed position, the spout is moved by the spout opening located in the turning cap.

Figure 7 View of the package closure setup when the top of the turning cap is scrapped and the closure is turned to the closed position more.

Figure 8 View of the package closure setup when the top of the turning cap is scrapped and the spout is in the closed position.

Figure 9 View of the package closure setup when the top of the turning cap is scrapped and the closure is slightly turned to the open position. While turning the closure to the open position, the pusher bracket located at the top of the turning cap moves the spout. Figure 10 View of the package closure setup when the top of the turning cap is scrapped and the closure is turned to the open position more.

Figure 11 Top sectional view of the package closure setup when the spout is in the open position. Figure 12 Top sectional view of the package closure setup when the spout is in the open position, but the closure is slightly turned and the spout opening leans on the spout.

Figure 13 Top sectional view of the package closure setup when the spout is in the open position, but the closure is slightly turned and the spout has started its movement to the closed position. Figure 14 Top sectional view of the package closure setup when the spout is in the closed position. View of the spout when it corresponds to the spout scrapper.

Figure 15 Top sectional view of the package closure setup while the spout is being turned to the open position.

Figure 16 Separate views of the package closure setup, turning cap and base part. Description of reference:

NO. PART NAME

1 Closure

10 Base

11 Closure turning limit

12 Port

13 Bushing

14 Stopper

15 Spout scraper

16 Turning slot

20 Turning cap 21 Spout opening

22 Open position direction mark

23 Closed position direction mark

24 Pusher bracket

25 Pin

30 Spout

31 Outlet pipe

A package closure setup, wherein it consists of a base (10) that allows installing the closure (1) to the package; a fixed bushing (13) and a turning cap (20) located on the said base (10) respectively within the other from the inside out; an opening that is located on the lateral surface of the said bushing (13) and allows horizontal angular turning movement of the spout (30) to the open and closed positions; a canal-shaped spout opening (21) located on the lateral surface of the said turning cap (20) and allows in and out movement of the spout (30) turning horizontally; a pusher bracket (24) that is fixed at the interior side of the top of the turning cap (20) and, when the user turns the turning cap (20) to the open position direction, pushes the spout (30) to allow it to turn and protrude from the spout opening (21); a vertically located outlet pipe (31) that is located on one end of the spout (30) at horizontal position, which is in the closure (1); a spout (30) that moves to the open and closed position by horizontally turning at the center of the said outlet pipe (31), is located at a position slightly protruded outside the said spout opening (21) in the open position and is located in the said turning cap (20) and against the interior surface of the bushing (13) in the closed position and, in the open position, when the user turns the turning cap (20) towards the closed position, pushes the spout opening (21) on its short edge and makes turning movement first into the turning cap (20) and then the bushing (13) and thereby closes, and, in the closed position, when the user turns the turning cap (20) towards the open position, makes a turning movement from the spout opening (21) to the outside of the turning cap (20) by being pushed by the pusher bracket (24) and thus moves to the open position. The element layout of the said closure (1) setup is as follows:

The closure (1) has a base (10) that allows installation of it to the package. The said base (10) can be fixed or detachable.

The base (10) contains at least one port (12) that allows the dispensing of the product in the package outside the package passing through the base (10). The fluid or semi-fluid product passing through the said port (12) passes through the outlet pipe (31) and spout (30). There is a horizontal spout (30) downstream from the vertical outlet pipe (31) located on the port (12). The outlet pipe (31) is located in a turning slot (16) located on the base (10) and around the port (12). The outlet pipe (31) makes the turning movement along its vertical axis in the said turning slot (16). In this context, the spout (30) makes an angular turning movement on the horizontal axis assuming the outlet pipe (31) as the center.

There is a bushing (13) fixed on the said base (10). The said turning slot (16) is located at a definite distance in the area located in the said bushing (13). There is an opening on the lateral surface of the said bushing (13). Due to the said opening, the horizontal section of the busing (13) appears such that it has a C-shape. The spout (30) makes turning movement out of the center of the said bushing (13). The turning orbit of the spout (30) intersects with the opening on the lateral surface of the bushing (13). Thus, the spout (30) tracks a right angle (arc) from the outside to the inside (and vice versa) of the said bushing (13) during turning movement.

The said bushing (13) is located in a turning cap (20). The said turning cap (20) looks like a cylinder that envelopes the bushing (13). In other words, the turning cap (20) and the bushing (13) are located one within the other. The axis of the said turning cap (20) and the axis of the bushing (13) are located on the same vertical line. The turning cap (20) makes a turning movement around its own axis. There is a canal-shaped spout opening (21) on the lateral surface of the turning cap (20), which corresponds to the opening of the bushing (13). The said spout opening (21) is sized such that it allows in and out angular movement of the spout (30) on a horizontal plane. While the spout (30) is in an open position, it is located as slightly protruded from the said spout opening (21) When the user turns the turning cap (20) towards the closed position, the spout (30) is pushed by the short edge of the spout opening (21). Thus, the spout (30) makes a turning movement first into the turning cap (20) and then into the bushing (13). The spout (30) is closed when it slightly turns into the bushing (13). In this position, the bushing (13) fully closed the spout opening (21). When observed from outside, the spout opening (21) appears as closed by the bushing (13) from inside. There is at least one pusher bracket (24) at the interior side of the top of the said turning cap (20). The said pusher bracket (24) may be located at the interior side of the bushing (13) or between the bushing (13) and the turning cap (20). The said pusher bracket (24) is located at the closing direction of the spout (30). While the spout (30) is making a closing movement, it follows the pusher bracket (24). When the spout (30) is completely closed, the pusher bracket (24) leans to a stopper (14) located on the bushing (13). Thus, the user is prevented from turning the turning cap (20) more. When the user turns the turning cap (20) towards the open position, the pusher bracket (24) pushes the spout (30) and makes it turn at the center of the outlet pipe (31). The pusher bracket (24) and the pushed spout (30) protrudes from the spout opening (21) and the open position is achieved. The turning cap (20) turned to the open direction can make the turning movement up to the closure turning limit (11). The said closure turning limit (11) is shown by a mark located on the base (10). In addition, there are an open position direction mark (22) and a closed position direction mark (23) on the turning cap (20). There is at least one pin (25) at the interior side of the top of the said turning cap (20). The said pin (25) may be located at the interior side of the bushing (13) or between the bushing (13) and turning cap (20). The said pin (25) is located at the open position according to the spout (30). While the spout (30) is making a closing movement, the said pin (25) follows the spout (30). When the spout (30) reaches the fully closed position in the bushing (13), it is released from the spout opening (21) upon the last movement. If it is required to apply a last pushing force to achieve the last movement, the said pin (25) provides the said pushing movement. Thus, the spout (30) is located against the spout scrapper (15) in the closed position.

When the spout (30) is in the closed position, the product dispensing end of the spout (30) corresponds to the interior surface of the bushing (13). In an embodiment of the said closure (1), a spout scrapper (15) material may remain at the point where the spout (30) corresponds to the bushing (13). The said spout scrapper (15) scraps the remaining product off the spout (30). In addition, the spout scrapper (15) prevents drying of the product remained on the spout (30) after use. An example use of the said closure (1) setup is as follows:

While the spout (30) is in open position, it is located as slightly protruded from the spout opening (21) on the turning cap (20). While the spout (30) is in open position, there is a pusher bracket (24) at the closed position direction. While the spout (30) is in the open position, the edge of the spout opening (21) is located at the open position direction. During the turning movement for closing; in order to prevent the spout (30) being caught between the pusher bracket (24) and spout opening (21), a distance is left between the spout (30) and the said edge of the spout opening (21). This distance is closed with the fixed bushing (13) from inside. When the user starts to turn the turning cap (20) towards the closed position direction, the said edge of the spout opening (21) leans to the spout (30) and starts pushing the spout (30) towards the closed position. The spout (30) pushed by the edge of the spout opening (21) makes an angular turning movement on the axis of the outlet pipe (31). During the said turning movement, the spout (30) follows the pusher bracket (24). The pusher bracket (24) on the turning cap (20) moves in front of the spout (30) towards the closed position direction (considering the layout). Upon the turning movement of the spout (30) out of center of the turning cap (20), the part of the spout (30), which has protruded outside the turning cap (20) moves from the spout (21) into the turning cap (20). The spout (30) entering into the turning cap (20) continues its turning movement within the bushing (13). The turning movement for closing is terminated, when the pusher bracket (24) leans on the stopper (14) located on the busing (13). The said stopper (14) may be located at the interior surface of the busing (13) or on the base (10). When the spout (30) is completely closed, the stopper (14) is located at a point where the pusher bracket (24) can lean. While completing the closing operation, the last movement of the spout (30) being released from the spout opening (21) is provided by the pin (25). When the closing operation is completed, the product dispensing end of the spout (30) corresponds to the interior surface of the bushing (13). There is a spout scrapper (15) on the bushing (13) at the product outlet of the spout (30). The said spout scrapper (15) scraps the product remaining on the product outlet of the spout (30) and prevents the drying of the remaining product. When the spout (30) is completely closed, the spout opening (21) on the turning cap (20) is closed by the bushing (13) from inside.

In order to open the closed spout (30), the user turns the turning cap (20) towards the open position direction. When the user turns the turning cap (20) towards the open position, the pusher bracket (24) pushes the spout (30) towards the open position direction. The spout (30) pushed by the pusher bracket (24) makes an angular turning movement on the axis of the outlet pipe (31). Upon the said turning movement, some part of the spout (30) protrudes from the spout opening (21). When the spout (30) is completely opened, the turning cap (20) leans to the closure turning limit (11). Thus, the user cannot turn the turning cap (20) more.

Claims

1- A package closure (1) setup, wherein it the spout (30) used to dispense the fluid and semifluid products in the package from the package is pulled in to the closure (1) by a horizontal turning movement towards the closed position direction and is slightly protruded outside the closure (1) by a horizontal turning movement towards the open position direction, characterized in that it consists of;

- A fixed bushing (13) and a turning cap (20) located on the base (10) of the closure (1) respectively from the inside out;

- An opening that is located on the lateral surface of the said bushing (13) and allows a horizontal angular turning movement of the spout (30) such that it reaches an open and closed positions;

- A canal-shaped spout opening (21) that is located on the lateral surface of the said turning cap (20) and allows the product outlet of the spout (30) to slightly protrudes outside the turning cap (20) in the open position and the spout (30) turns back into the turning cap (20) while turning back to the closed position,

- A pusher bracket (24) that is fixed at the interior side of the top of the said turning cap (20) and, when the user turns the turning cap (20) towards the open position direction, pushes the product outlet end of the spout (30) to allow it to make a turning movement and thus the product is released from the spout (21);

- An outlet pipe (31) that is vertically located at the end of the horizontally positioned spout (30), which is inside the turning cap (20), and allows the transfer of the product passing through the dispense port (12) on the base (10) of the closure (1) to the spout (30);

A spout (30) that moves to the open and closed position by horizontally turning at the axis of the said outlet pipe (31), is located at a position slightly protruding outside the said spout opening (21) in the open position and is located in the said turning cap (20) and against the interior surface of the bushing (13) in the closed position and, in the open position, when the user turns the turning cap (20) towards the closed position, pushes the spout opening (21) on its short edge and makes a turning movement first into the turning cap (20) and then the bushing (13) and thereby closes, and, in the closed position, when the user turns the turning cap (20) towards the open position, makes a turning movement from the spout opening (21) to the outside of the turning cap (20) by being pushed by the pusher bracket (24) and thus moves to the open position.

2- A package closure (1) setup according to Claim 1, wherein it consists of a stopper (14), which prevents the pusher bracket (24) from moving more and thus stops the turning movement of the turning cap (20) when the spout (30) is completely closed while turning the turning cap (20) towards the closed position.

3- A package closure (1) setup according to Claim 1, wherein it consists of a spout scrapper (15), which is located at the interior surface of the said bushing (13) at an area where the product outlet end of the spout (30) is located, and when the spout (30) is closed, allows scrapping of the remaining product off the spout and prevents drying of the product remained in the spout (30).

4- A package closure (1) setup according to Claim 1, wherein it consists of the said outlet pipe (31), which is located on the port (12) on the base (10) and has a turning slot (16) that allows it to turn around its own axis.

5- A package closure (1) setup according to Claim 1, wherein it consists of a closure turning limit (11), which stops the turning movement of the turning cap (20) when the spout is completely opened while turning the turning cap (20) towards the open position.

6- A package closure (1) setup according to Claim 1, wherein it consists of an open position direction mark (22), which is located on the turning cap (20) or base (10) and allows the user to see the open position direction.

7- A package closure (1) setup according to Claim 1, wherein it consists of a closed position direction mark (23), which is located on the turning cap (20) or base (10) and allows the user to see the closed position direction.

8- A package closure (1) setup according to Claim 1, wherein it consists of a bushing (13), which closes the spout opening (21) from inside when the spout (30) is in the closed position.

9- A package closure (1) setup according to Claim 1, wherein the pusher bracket (24) is located at the closed position direction according to the spout (30). 10- A package closure (1) setup according to Claim 1, wherein, during the turning movement for closing, in order to prevent the spout (30) from being caught between the pusher bracket

(24) and spout opening (21), a distance is left between the spout (30) and the said edge of the spout opening (21).

11- A package closure (1) setup according to Claim 1, wherein it consists of at least one pin

(25) , which is fixed on the interior side of the top of the turning cap (20) and turns into the bushing (13) while the closing operation is being completed and provides the last movement to the spout (30), which is released from the spout opening (21) on the turning cap (20) even if such release is for a short distance.