U.S. patent application number 09/811098 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-20 for fitment and resealable dispensing closure assembly for high-pressure sealing and bi-modal dispensing.
This patent application is currently assigned to Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc.. Invention is credited to Blomdahl, Corinne M., Randall, Jeffrey T., Smith, Kelly A..
Application Number | 20010052531 09/811098 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27077727 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010052531 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Randall, Jeffrey T. ; et
al. |
December 20, 2001 |
Fitment and resealable dispensing closure assembly for
high-pressure sealing and bi-modal dispensing
Abstract
A fitment is provided for incorporation into a closure assembly
to provide at least one high-pressure seal suitable for maintaining
high-positive pressures in a container having pressurized contents,
such as carbonated beverages. The fitment and closure assembly also
provide for bi-modal dispensing operations, because the fitment it
can be removed from the closure assembly to provide alternative
flow characteristics from the container through the closure
assembly. The fitment may also be provided with one or more
projections adapted to engage a thread on the closure body such
that rotation of the closure body relative to the container results
in removal of the fitment from the container. The fitment may also
be provided with one or more projections for engaging the closure
body to limit its movement relative to the container, thereby
defining a fully open dispensing position of the closure body. The
projection(s) preferably take the form of a plurality of radially
extending ratchet shaped projections or the form of a single,
helical flange extending around a peripheral surface of the
fitment. A closure assembly incorporating the fitment also may
include a plurality of seals formed between various features on the
fitment and the closure body, which may include a hinged lid, to
enhance the sealing characteristics of the closure assembly.
Inventors: |
Randall, Jeffrey T.;
(Oconomowoc, WI) ; Smith, Kelly A.; (East Troy,
WI) ; Blomdahl, Corinne M.; (Muskego, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROCKEY, MILNAMOW & KATZ, LTD.
TWO PRUDENTIAL PLAZA, STE. 4700
180 NORTH STETSON AVENUE
CHICAGO
IL
60601
US
|
Assignee: |
Seaquist Closures Foreign,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
27077727 |
Appl. No.: |
09/811098 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09811098 |
Mar 16, 2001 |
|
|
|
09579323 |
May 25, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/521 ;
222/545; 222/546 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/242 20130101;
B65D 47/0809 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/521 ;
222/545; 222/546 |
International
Class: |
B65D 047/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fitment for use in a closure assembly that includes a closure
body for mounting the closure assembly to a container to provide
for the sealing of contents in the container under high-pressure,
the fitment comprising: a fitment deck; a seal adapted to provide a
high-pressure seal with the container; an occluding portion adapted
to occlude, and provide a high-pressure seal of, a dispensing
orifice in a closure body; and at least one radially outwardly
extending projection adapted to be laterally engaged by a
corresponding portion of a closure body as the closure body is
rotated on the container neck relative to said fitment so as to
provide a resistance to further rotation of said closure body.
2. The fitment of claim 1 wherein the seal adapted to provide the
high pressure seal with the container is a plug seal.
3. The fitment of claim 2, wherein the plug seal includes a sealing
bead formed therein.
4. The fitment of claim 1, further comprising a deck; and an
annular sealing collar extending from the fitment deck and adapted
to engage an interior sealing surface of a spout formed on a
closure body.
5. The fitment of claim 1, wherein the fitment has a deck that
includes at least one aperture formed therein to permit passage of
fluid through the fitment deck.
6. The fitment of claim 1, wherein the at least one projection is
adapted to engage at least one radially inwardly projecting tab on
the closure body.
7. The fitment of claim 1, wherein the at least one projection is
shaped as a helical flange.
8. The fitment of claim 1 in which said projection is a stop rib,
and further including the closure body in combination with the
fitment wherein the closure body is threadingly mounted on the
container and has a spout with an internal stop lug for engaging
said fitment stop rib when said closure body is rotated to a
predetermined open position.
9. A resealable dispensing closure assembly for sealing a container
having contents under high-pressure, the closure assembly
comprising: a closure body having an outwardly extending spout and
a dispensing orifice defined by a dispensing orifice peripheral
sealing surface formed in the spout, the closure body being adapted
to cooperate with a finish on the container to move from a first
position to a second position; and a fitment for engaging the
container to provide a high-pressure seal therewith, the fitment
including (1) at least one aperture for permitting flow from the
container through the fitment and (2) a fitment sealing surface
adapted to sealingly engage the dispensing orifice peripheral
sealing surface of the closure body when the closure body is in the
first position to prevent fluid flow through the dispensing
orifice.
10. The closure assembly of claim 9, wherein the closure body
includes at least one thread for cooperating with at least one
thread on the container finish.
11. The closure assembly of claim 9, wherein the fitment further
comprises an annular sealing collar adapted to engage an interior
surface of the spout.
12. The closure assembly of claim 9, wherein the fitment has a
deck; and the fitment sealing surface is provided on a sealing post
extending from the fitment deck.
13. The closure assembly of claim 9, further comprising a
tamper-evident band adapted to provide evidence of movement of the
closure body away from the first position.
14. A resealable dispensing closure assembly for providing at least
two modes of dispensing fluid contents from a container, the
closure assembly comprising: a closure body having a spout and a
dispensing orifice formed in the spout, the closure body being
adapted to cooperate with a finish on the container; and a fitment
for engaging the container to restrict fluid flow from the
container, the fitment having at least one aperture for permitting
flow from the container through the fitment, the fitment being
removably attached to the container to permit the closure assembly
to be configured into a first dispensing mode, in which flow of
container contents occurs through the at least one aperture and the
dispensing orifice, and a second dispensing mode in which the
fitment is removed from the container and in which flow of
container contents occurs through the dispensing orifice but not
through the at least one aperture, said fitment including engagable
means for being engaged by said closure body to lift said fitment
out of the container, and said closure body including lifting means
for engaging said engagable means on said fitment to lift said
fitment out of the container.
15. The closure assembly of claim 14, wherein the fitment further
includes a bead for snap-fit engagement with a groove defined in
the container for removably attaching the fitment to the
container.
16. The closure assembly of claim 14, wherein the fitment further
includes a plug seal for sealingly engaging an interior surface of
the container.
17. The closure assembly of claim 14, wherein said lifting means of
the closure body includes at least one thread formed thereon for
threadingly engaging a mating thread on said container to
accommodate rotation of said closure body on said container so as
to effect axial movement of said closure body relative to said
container between a fully threadingly engaged condition and a
disengaged condition, and the fitment engagable means comprises at
least one projection adapted to be engaged by the at least one
thread of the closure body to cause the fitment to be lifted and
removed from the container as the closure body is rotated relative
to the container and moves axially beyond the fully threadingly
engaged condition toward the disengaged condition.
18. The closure assembly of claim 14, wherein the at least one
aperture is adapted to provide a reduced flow in the first
dispensing mode compared to the flow through the dispensing orifice
in the second dispensing mode.
19. The closure assembly of claim 14, further comprising a
tamper-evident band adapted to provide evidence of movement of the
closure body relative to the container.
20. The closure assembly of claim 17, wherein the projection is a
helical flange.
21. The closure assembly of claim 20 in which said helical flange
terminates in a flat end; said closure body has at least two thread
turns for threadingly engaging a thread on said container; and said
closure body includes a lug between two adjacent thread turns for
engaging said helical flange flat end when said closure body is
rotated in an unscrewing direction.
22. The closure assembly of claim 14 wherein said closure body
includes a thread for threadingly mounting to said container; said
fitment includes a radially outwardly extending stop rib; and said
closure body includes a radially inwardly extending stop lug for
engaging said stop rib when said closure body is rotated on said
container to a predetermined open position relative to said
fitment.
23. A resealable dispensing closure assembly providing multiple
seals for a container, the closure assembly comprising: a closure
body having (1) a closure skirt with at least one closure thread
and adapted to cooperate with a thread on the container, (2) an
outwardly extending spout, and (3) a dispensing orifice defined by
a dispensing orifice peripheral sealing surface formed in the
spout, said spout including a dynamic sealing surface spaced
radially from said dispensing orifice peripheral sealing surface;
and a fitment for sealingly engaging the container and the closure
body, the fitment including (1) a seal adapted to form a first
high-pressure seal with the container, (2) a sealing post that
includes a sealing surface adapted to form a second high-pressure
seal with the dispensing orifice peripheral sealing surface in the
closure body spout, and (3) an annular sealing collar disposed
around the sealing post for forming a third high-pressure seal with
the spout dynamic sealing surface; and a lid on said closure body,
said lid having a spud for forming a fourth seal with the closure
body spout at the dispensing orifice.
24. The resealable dispensing closure assembly of claim 23, wherein
the closure body lid further comprises an annular spout-engaging
collar for forming a fifth seal with an exterior surface of the
spout.
25. The resealable dispensing closure assembly of claim 24, wherein
the closure body further comprises a peripheral shoulder and
wherein the closure body lid further comprises a lid skirt, the lid
skirt adapted to form a sixth seal with the peripheral
shoulder.
26. A resealable dispensing closure assembly for providing at least
two modes of dispensing fluid contents from a container, the
closure assembly comprising: a closure body having a spout and a
dispensing orifice formed in the spout, the closure body including
at least one thread formed thereon for threadingly engaging a
mating thread on said container to accommodate rotation of said
closure body on said container so as to effect axial movement of
said closure body relative to said container between a fully
threadingly engaged condition and a disengaged condition; and a
fitment for engaging the container to restrict fluid flow from the
container, the fitment having at least one aperture for permitting
flow from the container through the fitment, the fitment being
removably attached to the container to permit the closure assembly
to be configured into a first dispensing mode, in which flow of
container contents occurs through the at least one aperture and the
dispensing orifice, and a second dispensing mode in which the
fitment is removed from the container and in which flow of
container contents occurs through the dispensing orifice but not
through the at least one aperture, said fitment having at least one
projection adapted to be engaged by the at least one thread of said
closure body to cause the fitment to be lifted and removed from the
container as the closure body is rotated relative to the container
and moves axially beyond the fully threadingly engaged condition
toward the disengaged condition.
27. A method of changing the dispensing mode of a closure assembly
cooperating with a container, the closure assembly including a
fitment having at least one aperture for permitting fluid flow
through the fitment, the fitment adapted to cooperate with a
closure body that is mounted on the container and that has a
dispensing orifice defined by a dispensing orifice peripheral
sealing surface, the method comprising: (a) removing the closure
body from the container; (b) removing the fitment from the
container; and (c) replacing the closure body on the container and
dispensing contents through the dispensing orifice.
28. A method of resealing a closure assembly cooperating with a
container wherein the closure assembly includes a fitment, closure
body, and lid in which (1) the fitment is mounted on the container
and has at least one aperture for permitting fluid flow from the
container through the fitment, (2) the closure body (a) is mounted
to the container to accommodate movement between open and closed
positions over, and in cooperation with, the fitment, and (b) has
at least one dispensing orifice which is occluded by the fitment
when the closure body is in the closed position and which permits
flow through the orifice when the closure body is in the open
position, and (3) the lid is cooperatively associated with the
closure body for accommodating movement between (a) a closed
position occluding the dispensing orifice, and (b) an open position
away from said dispensing orifice to permit the dispensing of
contents of the container through the orifice, said method
comprising: (A) moving said closure body from the closed position
in which said dispensing orifice is occluded by said fitment to the
open position in which flow from the container through the
dispensing orifice is permitted; and (B) moving said lid to the
closed position to occlude said dispensing orifice while
maintaining said closure body in the open position.
29. The method in accordance with claim 28 wherein the lid is
hingedly attached to said closure body and step (B) includes
pivoting said lid to the closed position.
30. The method in accordance with claim 28 further including the
step, after step (A) and before step (B), of moving said lid to
said open position and dispensing some contents from the container
through said orifice.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/579,323, filed on May 25, 2000, the subject
matter and entire writing of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0004] The invention relates to fitments for use in resealable
dispensing closure assemblies to provide high-pressure sealing, to
provide two or more dispensing modes and to control the movement of
closure bodies in such closure assemblies. The invention also
relates to resealable dispensing closure assemblies that
incorporate such fitments and to tamper-evident features for
closure assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INTENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE
PRIOR ART
[0005] Closure assemblies that are used on containers for
pressurized contents, such as carbonated beverages, must be able to
maintain a sealed condition even when subject to high internal
pressures, which are typically 50 p.s.i.g. but which may, under
some ambient conditions, exceed 100 p.s.i.g. High internal
pressures may also be present in containers which contain
non-carbonated beverages. For example, bottled water is often
provided with a nitrogen charge in order to provide a positive
internal pressure on the container to increase container strength
and structural stability during shipping.
[0006] Known closure assemblies for containers for pressurized
contents are characterized by several disadvantages. For example,
such closures, which typically include a threaded aluminum or
plastic cap, must be completely removed from the container to
dispense the contents and must be threaded completely back onto the
container to reseal it. Since the closure cap is detached from the
container during dispensing, there is potential for the closure cap
to become contaminated or misplaced. Thus, it would be advantageous
to provide a closure assembly which addresses this shortcoming in
the prior art.
[0007] Another disadvantage associated with known closure
assemblies for containers for pressurized contents is that such
closure assemblies offer only one dispensing mode wherein the
closure cap is entirely removed from the container and the product
is poured directly through the container opening. This sole
dispensing mode may be inconvenient for certain users. Consider an
elderly or very young person of limited strength who is attempting
to dispense a beverage from a large container, such as a 2-liter
bottle, when it is full. Because they cannot support the entire
weight of the container, the limited-strength user may tilt the
container on a counter top and attempt to slowly pour the contents
out. Since the entire closure is removed and the product will be
dispensed in a relatively uncontrolled manner through the container
opening, the product is likely to be spilled and wasted. It would
therefore be desirable to provide a restricted flow closure
assembly that offers a dispensing mode which provides more
controlled dispensing of product than do prior art systems. On the
other hand, other stronger users, who would like to pour the
contents from the container at a faster rate, might find such a
restricted flow closure assembly to be undesirable because the
product cannot be dispensed quickly. It would therefore be further
desirable to provide a resealable closure assembly that can be
readily adapted to two or more dispensing modes and accommodate the
dispensing preferences of a variety of users.
[0008] While resealable closures are generally known, and while it
would be desirable to provide a resealable closure for containers
of pressurized contents, there has not been widespread adoption of
resealable closures in this area of the art. One reason for this is
that, in general, resealable closures are relatively complicated
and expensive to manufacture compared to the simple aluminum and
plastic threaded cap closures of the prior art. Moreover, prior art
resealable closures are typically not designed for use with
pressurized contents.
[0009] Such prior art closures typically include a closure body
that is threaded onto the container, and a spout engaging a
separate set of threads on the closure body and rotatable relative
to the closure body. The spout includes a dispensing orifice at its
top and moves to an elevated position when rotated, moving the
dispensing orifice from a sealing surface on the closure body and
permitting flow of product.
[0010] Such known resealable closures have been widely adopted in
containers for certain contents, such as shampoo or food
condiments, but they have generally not been recognized as feasible
or economical for pressurized content applications such as
containers for carbonated beverages or non-carbonated liquids. The
resealable closures of the prior art are usually costly because
they incorporate relatively large numbers of parts and complex
threaded features and molding techniques. For example, the closure
body must be molded with two threaded portions: one threaded
portion for securing the closure to the container finish and
another threaded portion for securing the spout to the closure
body. These aspects of the prior art, coupled with the perceived
increased costs in adapting known resealable closures to
high-pressure containers, have fostered a reluctance in the art to
attempt to provide resealable closures in such applications. It
would therefore be desirable to provide a resealable closure that
is suitable for high-pressure applications and which may be
manufactured economically.
[0011] Resealable closures also present a challenge in design with
regard to tamper-evidence features. Known resealable closures
typically incorporate two tamper-evident features, such as
frangible members, one for evidencing tampering with the closure
body relative to the container and another for evidencing tampering
of the spout relative to the closure body. These features increase
the manufacturing complexity and material and manufacturing cost of
known resealable closures. It would therefore be desirable to
provide a resealable closure which has improved tamper-evidence
features compared to known prior art devices.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] According to one aspect, the invention provides a fitment
that may be incorporated into a closure assembly that provides a
re-sealable dispensing capabilities and at least one high-pressure
seal. As used herein, the term "high-pressure" is intended to refer
to positive pressures that are typically associated with carbonated
beverages and other pressurized products, which pressures are
typically in the range of 50 to 100 p.s.i.g. Also, as used herein,
the term "closure assembly" refers to a combination of sub-parts,
which typically include a fitment and a closure body, and which
could include other components such as a lid. The term "finish" is
intended to refer to features on the exterior surface of a
container, including features for attaching a closure assembly
thereto and may include one or more threads, one or more snap-fit
features or a threadless, smooth sliding finish for sliding
attachment of a closure assembly.
[0013] Exemplary fitments and closure assemblies which embody this
aspect of the invention include a fitment with a plug seal and a
sealing post extending in a direction generally opposite the plug
seal. The plug seal is adapted to engage an interior surface of a
container to provide a high-pressure seal. The plug seal may
include one or more snap-fit beads or snap rings which engage
respective snap grooves formed on the container interior surface.
The fitment sealing post has a fitment sealing surface that is
adapted to engage a sealing surface around a dispensing orifice
formed in a spout of a closure body that cooperates with the
fitment.
[0014] In a preferred form, the fitment includes a deck, and the
plug seal extends below the deck, whereas the sealing post extends
above the deck. One or more apertures are preferably formed in the
fitment deck to permit fluid flow from the interior of the
container through the fitment. A user may move the closure body
vertically relative to the fitment to bring the closure body
orifice sealing surface into or out of engagement with the fitment
sealing surface, thereby closing or opening the orifice.
Preferably, this provides a high-pressure seal between the
dispensing orifice and the fitment sealing surface.
[0015] One advantage provided by this aspect of the invention is
that the resealable closure assembly, owing to the high-pressure
seal formed between the fitment and the container, can withstand
high internal pressures. Another advantage is that the fitment
remains in place, maintaining the high-pressure seal, even during
movement of the closure body. This feature eliminates the need for
the closure body to maintain a high-pressure seal directly with the
container. Rather, the closure body need only maintain a
high-pressure seal with the fitment. This permits the closure body
to be of a simplified form. For example, since the high-pressure
seal is maintained by the fitment, the closure body may cooperate
with the container finish via threads or a telescoping connection
and may function as a closure cap, to secure the closure assembly
to the container, and as a movable spout, the actuation of which
functions to open and close the dispensing orifice. Thus, the
manufacture and operation of the closure assembly is simplified
since the closure assembly does not require a separate spout or
nozzle, as is employed in some prior art designs, to provide for
resealability. Moreover, since the invention eliminates the need
for a second thread, and a separate movable spout or nozzle
cooperating with a second thread, there is no need for a second
tamper-evidence feature on the closure assembly. Rather, a single
tamper-evidence drop ring may be provided on the closure assembly
to detect tampering with the closure body.
[0016] According to another feature of the invention, the fitment
is provided in a closure assembly which is easily reconfigured into
at least two dispensing modes. In a first dispensing mode, the
fitment is installed on the container and secured thereto by a plug
seal that engages the interior surface of the neck of the
container. A closure body, including a spout and a dispensing
orifice, is mounted over the fitment to the container finish,
preferably by one or more threads that engage a like number of
threads on the container finish. The fitment is provided with one
or more apertures, preferably sized to provide flow limiting
characteristics. In the first dispensing mode, the fitment limits
flow from the container through a dispensing orifice in the closure
body. In a second dispensing mode, the closure body and fitment are
removed from the container, and the closure body is reinstalled on
the container without the fitment. Dispensing occurs through the
dispensing orifice in the closure body without product flow being
limited by the fitment. This feature of the invention permits
certain users, who might be of limited strength or have difficulty
managing dispensing of contents, to configure the closure assembly
in a first dispensing mode where controlled, limited flow occurs
through the fitment. The feature also permits other users who might
not desire the limitations imposed on dispensing by the fitment, to
remove the closure body, remove the fitment and then replace the
closure body to configure the closure assembly in a second
dispensing mode.
[0017] According to yet another feature of the invention, the
fitment is provided with features that make it easy to remove from
the container. In an exemplary embodiment, the fitment includes at
least one projection extending radially outward from the fitment
and adapted to engage a thread or other component on a closure
body. As the closure body is rotated and therefore elevated with
respect to the container finish, the closure body thread engages
the at least one projection, thereby lifting the fitment from the
container. Continued rotation of the closure body results in
removal of the closure body and fitment from the container. The
closure body can be reinstalled, if desired. This aspect of the
invention permits a user to easily remove the fitment by simple
rotation of the closure body in order to adopt the closure assembly
to the second dispensing mode, or to provide for unobstructed flow
of contents from the container without the fitment or closure body
installed.
[0018] According to another aspect, the invention provides a
fitment with features that interact with a closure body to provide
for limiting the vertical movement of the closure body to define a
fully open dispensing position. In a preferred embodiment, the
fitment is provided at least one fitment projection that extends
radially outward from the fitment and is adapted to engage a
closure body projection extending radially inward from a skirt on
the closure body. The fitment also includes a fitment sealing
surface that seals a dispensing orifice formed in a spout of the
closure body. The closure body is threadably fastened to the
container. As the closure body is rotated and unscrewed from the
container, the closure body, and therefore the dispensing orifice,
elevate relative to the fitment sealing surface, providing a
passage for product. Continued rotation of the closure body brings
the closure body projection into engagement with the fitment
projection to significantly increase resistance to further rotation
of the closure body, thereby defining a fully open dispensing
position providing a predetermined clearance between the dispensing
orifice and the fitment sealing surface.
[0019] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a closure
assembly is provided which includes several sealing interfaces that
provide enhanced high-pressure sealing capabilities compared to the
prior art. An exemplary closure assembly embodying this aspect of
the invention includes a fitment having a fitment deck and a plug
seal with a sealing bead formed thereon extending from the fitment
deck. The plug seal provides a first seal, which is a high-pressure
seal, with an interior surface of a container. The fitment includes
a sealing post and an annular fitment sealing collar, both
extending from the fitment deck in a generally opposite direction
to the plug seal. The annular sealing collar includes a sealing
bead on its periphery. At least one aperture is provided through
the fitment deck in an area between the sealing post and the
annular sealing collar to permit passage of the container contents
through the fitment.
[0020] In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the
exemplary closure assembly also includes a closure body that is
provided with an annular closure body skirt having at least one
thread that engages a like number of threads formed in the
container neck finish. The closure body also includes a closure
deck and a generally cylindrical spout extending upward therefrom.
The spout also includes a dispensing orifice having an annular
sealing collar extending therefrom. The annular sealing collar is
adapted to engage the fitment sealing post to provide a second
seal, which is a high-pressure seal, when the closure body is in a
closed position. The spout includes an interior surface that
provides a third seal, which is a dynamic, high-pressure seal, with
the sealing bead of the annular fitment sealing collar.
[0021] Also in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the
closure body is also provided with a lid, preferably hingedly
connected to the body, which provides three or more additional
seals. The closure body lid includes an inner "spud" which engages
an exterior, peripheral surface of the dispensing orifice to
provide a fourth seal. The closure body lid also includes an
annular spout-engaging seal collar which has a sealing bead that
engages a peripheral surface of the spout to provide a fifth seal.
A sixth seal is provided between the closure body lid and the
closure deck by peripheral shoulder formed on the closure deck and
adapted to receive the lid skirt. The peripheral shoulder may
include a snap-fit sealing groove which receives a
complementarily-shaped snap-fit sealing bead formed on the closure
body lid skirt. This aspect of the invention thus provides at least
three high-pressure seals and at least three other seals in a
compact closure assembly configuration useful for maintaining
container contents under high-pressures.
[0022] In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the
resealable dispensing closure assembly may be resealed after the
closure body has been moved to a dispensing position and without
further movement of the closure body relative to the container. A
method of resealing a closure assembly according to this aspect of
the invention comprises moving the closure body from the closed
position, in which the dispensing orifice is occluded by the
fitment, to an open position, in which flow from the container
through the dispensing orifice is permitted; and moving the lid to
a closed position in which the lid occludes the dispensing orifice.
This feature of the invention provides the advantage of permitting
easy resealing of the closure assembly by pivoting or placing the
lid on the closure body, without requiring the user to exert the
effort required for moving the closure body relative to the
container and fitment.
[0023] Numerous other advantages and features of the present
invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention, from the claims, and from the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] In the accompanying drawings that form part of the
specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate
like parts throughout the same,
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary dispensing
closure assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention in a closed, pre-tamper position and installed on an
exemplary container, which container forms no part of the
invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary dispensing
closure assembly of FIG. 1, illustrated with the closure body cap
in an open position and the closure body in a closed position;
[0027] FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the exemplary
dispensing closure assembly of FIG. 1 showing the closure body and
an exemplary fitment prior to installation on the container;
[0028] FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of the exemplary
dispensing closure of FIG. 1 showing the underside of the closure
body and fitment;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a top view of an exemplary fitment according to a
preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the exemplary fitment
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the exemplary fitment according
to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a top view of an exemplary closure body according
to a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown with the closure
cap in an open position;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the exemplary closure
body of FIG. 8;
[0034] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the exemplary closure body of
FIG. 8;
[0035] FIG. 11 is a perspective, cutaway view of the exemplary
closure body of FIG. 8, illustrating an exemplary limiting
projection according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention;
[0036] FIG. 12 is an enlarged, cross-section view taken generally
along the plane defined by line 12-12 in FIG. 1;
[0037] FIG. 13 is an enlarged, cross-section view taken generally
along the plane defined by line 12-12 in FIG. 1, but showing the
closure cap in an open position and the closure body rotated to an
open position;
[0038] FIG. 14 is an enlarged, cross-section view taken generally
along the plane defined by line 14-14 in FIG. 13;
[0039] FIG. 15 is a cross-section view taken generally along the
plane defined by line 12-12 in FIG. 1, but showing the closure body
rotated beyond an open position to a position in which the fitment
is lifted and disengaged from the container;
[0040] FIG. 16 is an exploded, perspective view of an exemplary
dispensing closure assembly according to another preferred
embodiment of the invention showing the overcap, closure body, and
an exemplary fitment prior to installation on the container and
showing the closure body in the as-molded condition--prior to
turning up the tamper band (i.e., drop ring) at the bottom of the
closure body skirt;
[0041] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the exemplary fitment of
FIG. 16 viewed as typically oriented on a container;
[0042] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the exemplary fitment of
FIG. 16 viewed from an underside thereof;
[0043] FIG. 19 is a top view of the exemplary fitment of FIG.
16;
[0044] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane
defined by the line 20-20 in FIG. 19;
[0045] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane
defined by the line 21-21 in FIG. 19;
[0046] FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the exemplary fitment of FIG.
16;
[0047] FIG. 23 is a top view of an exemplary closure body modified
for use with the exemplary fitment of FIG. 16;
[0048] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane
defined by the line 24-24 of FIG. 23;
[0049] FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the exemplary closure body of
FIG. 23;
[0050] FIG. 26 is an enlarged, cross-section view of the exemplary
dispensing closure assembly of FIG. 16 in a closed, pre-tamper
position after installation on an exemplary container, which
container forms no part of the invention;
[0051] FIG. 27 is an enlarged, cross-section view of the exemplary
dispensing closure assembly of FIG. 16 in an open, post-tamper
position after installation on an exemplary container, which
container forms no part of the invention;
[0052] FIG. 28 is an enlarged, cross-section view of the exemplary
dispensing closure assembly of FIG. 16 in which a closure body has
been rotated past an open position to lift and remove a fitment
from an exemplary container, which container forms no part of the
invention;
[0053] FIG. 29 is a cross-section view taken along the plane
defined by the line 29-29 in FIG. 27;
[0054] FIG. 30 is a cross-section view taken along the plane
defined by the line 30-30 in FIG. 28;
[0055] FIG. 31 is an exploded, perspective view of an exemplary
dispensing closure assembly according to another preferred
embodiment of the invention showing the fitment, closure body, and
overcap prior to installation on the container and showing the
closure body in the as-molded condition--prior to turning up the
tamper band (i.e., drop ring) at the bottom of the closure body
skirt;
[0056] FIG. 32 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the
dispensing closure assembly of FIG. 31 in a closed, pre-tamper
position and installed on an exemplary container, which container
forms no part of the present invention;
[0057] FIG. 33 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the
dispensing closure assembly of FIG. 32 after installation on a
container, but in an open, post-tamper position with the overcap
removed;
[0058] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the fitment of FIG. 31
viewed from the underside of the fitment;
[0059] FIG. 35 is a top plan view of the fitment taken generally
along the plane 35-35 in FIG. 31;
[0060] FIG. 36 is a bottom plan view of the fitment taken generally
along the plane 36-36 in FIG. 31;
[0061] FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the
plane 37-37 in FIG. 35;
[0062] FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the
plane 38-38 in FIG. 35;
[0063] FIG. 39 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken generally
along the plane 39-39 in FIG. 31;and
[0064] FIG. 40 is a bottom plan view of the closure body taken
generally along the plane 40-40 in FIG. 39.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0065] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many
different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings
disclose only some specific forms as examples of the invention. The
invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so
described, however. The scope of the invention is pointed out in
the appended claims.
[0066] For ease of description, most of the figures illustrating
the invention show a dispensing system in the typical orientation
that it would have at the top of a container when the container is
stored upright on its base, and terms such as upper, lower,
horizontal, etc., are used with reference to this position. It will
be understood, however, that the dispensing system of this
invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold
in an orientation other than the position described.
[0067] The dispensing system of this invention is suitable for use
with a variety of conventional or special containers having various
designs, the details of which, although not illustrated or
described, would be apparent to those having skill in the art and
an understanding of such containers. The container per se
illustrated in the figures and described herein forms no part of
and therefore is not intended to limit the present invention. It
will also be understood by those of ordinary skill that novel and
non-obvious inventive aspects are embodied in the described
exemplary fitment, alone, and in the combination of the exemplary
fitment with the described exemplary closure body.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary dispensing closure
assembly, generally referenced 300, is threadably attached to a
container 10. The closure assembly 300 is shown as part of a
package 30 that includes the closure assembly 300 and a container
10. The container 10 includes a container neck 12. This general
container or bottle structure is well-known in the art. The
container 10 may be rigid or somewhat flexible. It will be
understood that the fitment and closure body of the invention are
applicable to a wide variety of container structures and the
illustrated and described container 10 merely provides an example.
The closure assembly 300 and container 10 form the package 30.
[0069] The dispensing closure assembly 300 is illustrated in a
closed, pre-tamper position in which an optional tamper-evident
band or ring 112 is secured to a retaining flange 20 (FIG. 12) and
unbroken. Tamper-evident band 112 may be of any suitable
conventional or special design, the details of which form no part
of the present invention. The band 112 typically is frangibly
connected to the closure body 100 in a conventional manner, for
example, using a frangible connecting web or bridges 114 that
attach the tamper-evident band 112 at intermittent locations around
the circumference of the closure body 100. Typically, the band 112
and the closure body 100 would be molded together from a
thermoplastic material as a unitary structure.
[0070] The closure body 100 includes a closure body skirt 102
having a ribbed gripping surface 101 formed therein, and a closure
lid 150 connected thereto by a hinge 120 (FIG. 2). A thumb lift 158
projects from the closure lid 150 for permitting a user to flip
open the closure lid 150 by exerting an upward force on the bottom
of the thumb lift 158. The dispensing closure body 100 is
preferably molded together with the lid 150 from a thermoplastic
material, such as polypropylene, to form a unitary structure. In an
alternate embodiment, the lid 150 may be a separate lid that is not
hingedly attached, or the lid may be omitted altogether. The
particular material or materials from which the components are
molded form no part of the present invention.
[0071] FIG. 2 illustrates the closure body lid 150 in an open
position, exposing a spout 106 extending from the closure body deck
104. Closure body lid 150 is connected to the closure body 100 by a
hinge 120, which is preferably integrally formed with the closure
body 100 and closure body lid 150 and which may be a snap-action
biased hinge or non-biased hinge formed according to a number of
conventional and known techniques, the details of which are not
necessary for an understanding of the invention. The illustrated
hinge 120 is described in detail in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,824 and
is a bi-stable, snap-action hinge which advantageously can hold the
lid 150 in the open position to facilitate dispensing of the
contents from the package.
[0072] Spout 106 is provided with an annular sealing sleeve 110
around a dispensing orifice 108 defined by a dispensing orifice
peripheral sealing surface 211 on the sleeve 110 as shown in FIG.
11. The orifice 108 is normally closed or occluded by a fitment
sealing post 206 (FIGS. 2 and 12), the details of which will be
explained below. Closure body lid 150 is shown in an open position
and closure body 100 is shown in a closed position in which passage
of fluid through the dispensing orifice 108 is prevented. Indicia
128 (FIG. 2) may be provided on the closure body deck 104 to
indicate to a user the opening and closing rotational directions
for moving the closure body 100 relative to the container 10.
[0073] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the exemplary
closure body 100 removed from the container 10 and exposing an
exemplary fitment 200 according to the present invention. Referring
additionally to FIGS. 4-7, fitment 200 is of a generally
cylindrical shape and includes a fitment frame, which may include a
fitment deck 202 and a downwardly extending annular plug seal 210
adapted to sealingly and frictionally engage the interior surface
24 of the container 10 as shown in FIG. 12. Annular plug seal 210
is thus formed with an outer radius dimensioned to provide adequate
friction and sealing with the container interior surface 24 at the
opening 22 of container 10. Preferably, an annular snap-fit sealing
bead 216 is provided on the annular plug seal 210 for engaging a
complementarily-shaped snap-fit sealing groove 28 formed on the
interior surface 24 of the container 10.
[0074] As best seen from FIGS. 4 and 6, the frame of fitment 200
also includes an annular shoulder 214, which is preferably formed
by a plurality of radially extending spokes or ribs 215 in order to
reduce material cost. Annular shoulder 214 functions to limit the
travel of fitment 200 as it is inserted into the container opening
22 and to provide a predetermined position of the fitment 200
relative to the container 10.
[0075] As best seen in FIG. 6, fitment 200 also includes an
upwardly extending annular fitment sealing collar 204 which
includes a sealing collar outer surface 205 for sealingly and
slidingly engaging a spout interior sealing surface 107 on the
spout 106 (FIG. 12). Preferably, the fitment sealing collar 204 is
provided with a fitment sealing collar sealing bead 207 (FIGS. 6
and 12) for providing a tight, yet dynamic seal against the spout
interior sealing surface 107.
[0076] Fitment 200 also includes one or more apertures 208 (FIGS.
4, 5, 7, and 12) that permit fluid flow through the fitment 200
from the inside of the container 10 to the interior of the sealing
collar 204. Preferably, four apertures 208 are provided and extend
along a generally circular path around the interior of the fitment
sealing collar 204. The apertures 208 are defined in part by four
radial struts 209 arranged generally at 90-degree intervals. As
will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the size,
shape, and number of apertures 208 and struts 209 may be varied
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0077] Struts 209 support the fitment sealing post 206 which forms
an occluding portion of the fitment 200 and extends in a direction
generally opposite to the fitment plug seal 210. Fitment sealing
post 206 includes a fitment sealing surface 212 (FIG. 12) for
sealingly engaging the surface 211 on the inside of the annular
sealing sleeve 110 of the dispensing orifice 108 (FIG. 12). Fitment
sealing post 206 also includes a distal sealing end 213 for
occluding the dispensing orifice 108. Preferably, as best seen in
FIG. 12, distal sealing end 213 is formed as a surface that is
concave when viewed from the top. This structure provides increased
strength and resiliency in response to radial inward forces
generated when the annular sealing sleeve 110 engages the sealing
post 206 as will be described. It will be apparent to the
ordinarily skilled artisan that sealing end 213 may also be formed
as a convex surface when viewed from the top or may have various
other geometries without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0078] Referring particularly to FIGS. 5-7, in accord with a
feature of one aspect of the invention, fitment 200 is provided
with at least one, and preferably eight, radially extending
projections or ribs 218, each preferably shaped as a ratchet or
tooth and having an abutment surface 219 for engaging an inwardly
projecting tab or rib 130 (FIGS. 12 and 13) on the closure body
100. These projections 218 may be shaped as a tooth or ratchet and
function ultimately to prohibit rotational movement of the closure
body 100 relative to the fitment 200 (and therefore relative to the
container 10) as will be explained in more detail below. Each
projection 218 also has a bottom surface 220 (FIGS. 4, 6, 13, and
15) which can function as a lifting surface by which the fitment
can be removed from the container as described in detail
hereinafter.
[0079] Although the exemplary fitment 200 is illustrated and
described herein as being secured to the container 10 by virtue of
a plug seal 210 and snap-fit sealing bead 216, it will be
recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that other fitment
forms and securing implements and techniques are contemplated by
the invention. For example, the fitment 200 may be secured to the
container by means other than a plug seal and which other means may
frictionally engage an exterior surface of the container 10 or
features on the container finish. Specifically, the fitment 200 may
be provided with fastening projections which engage the container
thread or finish on an outside surface of the container neck.
[0080] Referring now to FIGS. 8-11, the closure body lid 150 is
preferably provided with sealing features to provide sealing
interfaces with the closure body deck 104, spout 106 and dispensing
orifice 108 when the closure body lid 150 is in its closed position
(shown in FIG. 1). For sealing with the closure body deck 104, the
closure body lid 150 is preferably provided with a snap-fit
retention bead 156 (FIGS. 8 and 11) which cooperates with a similar
snap-fit retention bead 157 formed on the closure body 100 on the
lid skirt-receiving shoulder 118 formed on the closure body deck
104.
[0081] Another sealing interface is provided by an annular
spout-engaging collar 160 (FIGS. 11 and 12) formed on the closure
body lid 150 and adapted to engage the spout 106 when the closure
body lid is in its closed position. Preferably, the spout-engaging
collar 160 is provided with a spout sealing bead 162 (FIG. 13)
which sealingly engages an outer peripheral surface 111 of the
spout as shown in FIG. 12. Still another sealing interface is
provided by an annular flange or "spud" 164 (FIG. 13) extending
from the closure body lid top wall 152. This spud 164 is adapted to
sealingly engage an enlarged diameter upper portion 109 of the
peripheral sealing surface 211 on the inside of the dispensing
orifice 108 as shown in FIG. 12. Thus, the closure body lid 150 is
provided with sealing features for creating respective seal
interfaces with the closure body deck 104, the outside of the spout
106 and the dispensing orifice 108 on the inside of the spout
106.
[0082] Referring specifically to FIGS. 11 and 14, the closure body
100 is provided with at least one, and preferably two, inwardly
projecting lugs, ribs or tabs 130 (only one tab is shown in FIG.
11). The tabs 130 include an abutment surface 132 (FIGS. 11 and 14)
adapted to engage the abutment surface 219 on the fitment
projections 218 in order to restrict rotational movement of the
closure body 100 and provide positive tactile feedback to the user
to indicate when the closure body 100 has been rotated to a fully
opened dispensing position relative to the container 10 and
therefore relative to the fitment 200.
[0083] Operation of the closure assembly 300 will now be explained
with reference to FIGS. 12-15. FIG. 12 is a cross-section view
illustrating the closure assembly 300 in a pre-tamper, closed and
sealed shipping position. Here, the fitment 200 is located in a
sealing position in which the fitment shoulder 214 engages an end
surface 26 of the container 10, and the fitment plug seal 210 forms
a high-pressure seal with the interior surface 24 of the container
10.
[0084] The closure body 100 is disposed in a closed position in
which the dispensing orifice 108 is occluded by the fitment sealing
post 206 and the closure body skirt 102 is fully threaded onto the
container thread 16. The tamper-evident band or ring 112 is
attached to the closure body skirt 102 via the unbroken, frangible
connection 114. Notably, in this closed position of the closure
body 100, the closure body projecting ribs or tabs 130 are disposed
below, and out of engagement with, the fitment projections 218.
[0085] The closure body lid 150 is also shown in FIG. 12 in its
closed position in which the closure body lid skirt 154 engages the
closure body lid receiving shoulder 118 and is retained therein by
the interaction of the lid snap-fit retention bead 156 with the
closure body snap-fit retention bead 157. The spout-engaging
sealing collar 160 on the closure body lid 150 engages the spout
outer peripheral surface 111, and the spud 164 engages the enlarged
diameter portion 109 of the dispensing orifice peripheral sealing
surface 211. The thumb lift 158 of the closure body lid 150 extends
outward beyond the radial extent of the closure body skirt 102 to
permit a user to exert an upward force on the thumb lift 158 to
lift the closure body lid 150 and move it to its open position
(FIG. 13).
[0086] In accord with a feature of one aspect of the invention,
there are six sealing interfaces provided by the exemplary closure
assembly 300 when the closure assembly 300 is in its pre-tamper
shipping position as shown in FIG. 12. A first high-pressure seal
is formed between the fitment plug seal 210 and the interior
surface 24 of the container 10. A second, and preferably high
pressure, seal is formed between the fitment sealing post 206 and
the annular sealing sleeve 110 of the dispensing orifice when the
closure body is in the closed position. A third seal, which is a
high-pressure seal, is formed between the fitment annular sealing
collar 204 and the spout interior sealing surface 107. As will be
explained, this third seal is a sliding, dynamic seal. A fourth
seal is formed between the spud 164 and the portion upper 109 of
the dispensing orifice peripheral sealing surface 211. A fifth seal
is formed between the spout-engaging seal collar 160 of the lid and
the spout outer peripheral surface 111. A sixth seal is formed
between the closure body lid 150 and the closure deck 104 by the
lid snap-fit retention bead 156 and the closure deck snap-fit
retention bead 157. This aspect of the invention thus provides a
plurality of seals, including high-pressure seals that are useful
to maintain the pressurization of the container 10 when the
contained fluid is a carbonated beverage, for example, or a
pressurized liquid such as bottled water having a nitrogen charge
for structural stability of the container 10.
[0087] FIG. 13 is a cross-section view illustrating the closure
assembly 300 in an open dispensing condition, in which the closure
body lid 150 has been opened and pivoted about the hinge 120 to an
open position and in which the closure body 150 has been rotated
(counterclockwise when viewed from the top of FIG. 13) relative to
the container 10 and fitment 200 and elevated relative to the
container 10 and fitment 200. The tamper-evident band 112 has been
separated from the closure body skirt 102 since the tamper-evident
band 112 cannot move upward past the tamper-evident band retaining
flange 20 on the container 10. The closure body orifice-defining
surface 211 is preferably relatively long so as to maintain a seal
against the post 206 for an amount of vertical travel of the
closure body 100 relative to the container that is sufficient to
break the frangible bridges of the tamper-evident drop ring. Only
after the closure body 100 has moved vertically upwardly far enough
to cause the drop ring to be completely broken away, does the
surface 611 disengage from the post 206.
[0088] As the closure body 100 is further rotated, the closure body
projecting tabs or ribs 130 will eventually elevate to a position
in which at least one of the ribs 130 engages one of the fitment
projections 218 (as shown in FIG. 13) to impose significant
resistance to further rotation at the elevation which defines the
fully open dispensing position of the closure body 100. FIG. 14
illustrates a cross-section showing the engagement of the closure
body projecting ribs or tabs 130 with the fitment projections 218.
This engagement provides a tactile feedback sensation to the user
as an indication that the fully open condition has been reached. As
will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the
location of the projecting tabs or ribs 130 may be selected to
provide a desired clearance between the sealing post 206 and the
dispensing orifice 108 when the closure body 100 has been rotated
to the fully open dispensing position.
[0089] Dispensing of the container contents through the fully open
closure assembly can occur because the fitment apertures 208 permit
flow of the contents into the space between the fitment sealing
post 206 and the fitment sealing collar 204 and out through the
dispensing orifice 108. Dispensing, at lower flow rates, is also
possible when the closure assembly is less than fully open. As will
be recognized, the sealing collar 204 maintains a dynamic seal with
the spout interior sealing surface 107 as the closure body 100
moves to its elevated, dispensing position.
[0090] In accordance with one aspect of the illustrated preferred
embodiment of the invention, and in contrast to prior art devices,
the same threads that are used to install the closure body on the
container 10 are used to elevate the closure body to a dispensing
position as shown in FIG. 13. Thus, additional threads or other
implements need not be provided on the closure body 100 to provide
for elevation of the closure body 100 relative to the sealing post
206. Owing to this feature of the invention, a single
tamper-evident band 112, which may be a standard drop-ring known in
the prior art, provides evidence of whether or not the closure body
100 has been unscrewed and thus evidence of whether the dispensing
orifice 108 has been opened. As will be recognized by those of
ordinary skill in the art, other suitable tamper-evident
structures, such as a tear-off shrink-wrap seal, may be provided on
the closure body lid 150 to evidence tampering with, or opening of,
the closure body lid 150 relative to the closure body 100.
[0091] In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the
resealable dispensing closure assembly may be resealed after the
closure body has been moved to the dispensing position and without
further movement of the closure body relative to the container.
After the closure body has been moved to the dispensing position, a
user may pivot the lid to a closed position in which the spud 164
sealingly engages the upper portion 109 of the dispensing orifice
peripheral sealing surface 211 and the spout-engaging seal collar
160 of the lid engages the spout outer peripheral surface 111.
Also, when the lid is in the closed position, the closure body lid
150 engages the closure deck 104 by the lid snap-fit retention bead
156 and the closure deck snap-fit retention bead 157. Thus, the
closure body lid can be utilized to seal the closure assembly while
the closure body remains in the dispensing position. This feature
of the invention provides the advantage of permitting easy
resealing of the closure assembly by pivoting or placing the lid on
the closure body, without requiring the user to exert the effort
required for moving the closure body relative to the container and
fitment.
[0092] According to yet another aspect of the preferred embodiment
of the invention, the closure assembly 100 may be reconfigured by
the user to provide a second dispensing mode. Referring now to
FIGS. 13-15, owing to the inventive features of the exemplary
closure assembly 300, a user may remove the fitment 200 and, either
(1) replace the closure body 100 on the container and have a
resealable flip-top closure, or (2) leave the closure body off of
the container and dispense the contents unobstructed through the
container opening 22. A user may accomplish adaptation of the
closure assembly 300 to such a second dispensing mode by continued
rotation of the closure body 100 relative to the container 10
beyond the limits imposed by engagement of the closure body
projecting lugs, tabs or ribs 130 with the fitment projections 218.
Of course, the increased resistance to rotation must be overcome by
the user applying more torque sufficient to temporarily and
elastically deform either the ribs 130 or projections 218, or both,
so that the ribs 130 override the projections 218 as the closure
body 100 moves further upwardly and so that the ribs 130 eventually
disengage completely from the fitment projections 218. Such
over-rotation of the closure body 100 results in an engagement of
the closure body thread 122 with the lifting surface 220 defined on
the bottom of the fitment projections 218. This imposes an upward
force on the fitment 200 and disengages the fitment snap bead 216
from the container groove 28. Continued rotation of the closure
body 100 results in complete removal of the closure body 100 and
fitment 200 from the container 10 as shown in FIG. 15. After the
fitment 200 is removed, the user may reinstall the closure body 100
on the container 10 and dispense the container contents through the
dispensing orifice 108, utilizing the closure body lid 150 to
reseal the orifice 108 after use. Alternatively, the user may leave
the closure body 100 removed and dispense the contents through the
container opening 22.
[0093] FIGS. 16-30 illustrate an exemplary closure assembly,
generally referenced by the number 350 in FIG. 16, according to
another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As best seen
in FIG. 16, the closure assembly 350 generally comprises a closure
body 400 having a cap 440 and cooperating with a fitment 500. In
this embodiment, the fitment 500 is provided with a projection in
the form of a helical flange 518, which, in a manner that will be
explained in detail below, has at least two functions: 1) to
provide an abutment surface for indicating to a user a stop
position of the closure body; and 2) to provide an abutment surface
for permitting the user to lift the fitment out of the container by
further rotation of the closure body. The helical flange 518 thus
provides functionality that is similar to the functionality
provided by the projections 218 in the embodiment described above
with respect to FIGS. 1-15. As will be explained in more detail
below, the helical flange provides a high degree of tactile
indication to the user when the closure body is rotated to the
fully open position. Moreover, as will be explained, when the
closure body is rotated beyond the fully open position, the helical
flange transfers a lifting force uniformly from the closure body
threads to the fitment to prevent cocking of the fitment within the
container as the fitment is lifted upward and removed from the
container.
[0094] As best seen with reference to FIGS. 16-22, fitment 500 is
of a generally cylindrical shape and includes a fitment frame,
which may include a fitment deck 502 and a downwardly extending
annular plug seal 510 adapted to sealingly and frictionally engage
an interior surface 24 of the container 10 as best shown in FIGS.
26 and 27. Annular plug seal 510 is thus formed with an outer
radius dimensioned to provide adequate friction and sealing with
the container interior surface 24 at the opening 22 (FIG. 16) of
container 10. Preferably, an annular snap-fit sealing bead 516 is
provided on the annular plug seal 510 for engaging a
complementarily-shaped snap-fit sealing groove 28 (FIG. 16) formed
on the interior surface 24 of the container 10.
[0095] As best seen from FIGS. 18 and 22, the frame of fitment 500
also includes an annular shoulder, which is preferably formed by a
plurality of spaced-apart, radially extending spokes or ribs 515,
each including a bottom end 517. As will be recognized, the use of
spokes or ribs 515 instead of a solid annular shoulder, which is
also contemplated by the invention, will reduce material cost. The
annular shoulder defined by spokes or ribs 515 functions to limit
the travel of fitment 500 as it is inserted into the container
opening 22 and to provide a predetermined position of the fitment
500 relative to the container 10.
[0096] As best seen in FIGS. 16, 17, 20, 21, 26 and 27, fitment 500
also includes an upwardly extending annular fitment sealing collar
504 which includes a sealing collar outer surface 505 for sealingly
and slidingly engaging a spout interior sealing surface 407 on the
spout 406 (shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 and described in detail
hereinafter). Preferably, the fitment sealing collar 504 is
provided with a fitment sealing collar sealing bead 507 (FIGS. 20,
21, and 26) for providing a tight, yet dynamic seal against the
spout interior sealing surface 407.
[0097] As best illustrated in FIGS. 18-22, fitment 500 also
includes one or more apertures 508 that permit fluid flow through
the fitment 500 from the inside of the container 10 to the interior
of the sealing collar 504. Preferably, three apertures 508 are
provided and extend along a generally circular path around the
interior of the fitment sealing collar 504. The apertures 508 are
defined in part by three radial struts 509 arranged generally at
120-degree intervals. As will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art, the size, shape, and number of apertures 508 and
struts 509 may be varied without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
[0098] Struts 509 support the fitment sealing post 506 which, as
best shown in FIGS. 26-28, forms an occluding portion of the
fitment 500 and extends in a direction generally opposite to the
fitment plug seal 510. Fitment sealing post 506 includes a fitment
sealing surface 512 (FIGS. 16, 17, 19-21, 26 and 27) for sealingly
engaging the surface 411 (FIGS. 24, 26 and 27) on the inside of the
annular sealing sleeve 410 which defines the dispensing orifice 408
of the body 400. Fitment sealing post 506 also includes a distal
sealing end 513 (FIGS. 16, 17, 19-21, and 26-28) for occluding the
dispensing orifice 408 (FIGS. 27 and 28). Preferably, as best seen
in FIGS. 20 and 21, distal sealing end 513 is formed as a surface
that is convex when viewed from the top. It will be apparent to the
ordinarily skilled artisan that sealing end 513 may also be formed
as a concave surface when viewed from the top or may have various
other geometries without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0099] As best shown in FIGS. 16-22, in accordance with a primary
feature of the invention, fitment 500 is provided with a projection
in the form of the helical flange 518 extending radially outward
from a portion of the fitment 500 between the fitment deck 502 and
the plug seal 510. The helical flange 518 extends along a helical
locus or path downward in a clockwise direction as viewed from the
top of the fitment 500 when the fitment 500 is oriented in its
upright position (shown in FIGS. 16 and 17) as installed on the
container 10. The lead angle of the helical flange 518 is
substantially the same as the lead angle of the container threads
25 (FIGS. 16 and 26-28), and it will be recognized by those of
ordinary skill in the art that the fitment 500, when fully inserted
into the container 10, operates to provide a continuation of the
container threads 25. The helical flange 518 extends from a tapered
leading end 520 (identified only in FIGS. 18, 20, and 30) to a
trailing end 519 which extends from the plug seal 510 in a
substantially radial direction. The function of the leading end 520
and trailing end 519 will be explained below. As will be
recognized, the bottom ends 517 of the spokes or ribs 515 lie
substantially in the same plane and each engages the upper edge 23
(FIG. 16) of the container 10. The spokes or ribs 515 extend
axially from the bottom ends 517 to the helical flange 518, and
thus each of the spokes or ribs have different lengths (i.e.,
heights) depending on their angular position on the circumference
of the fitment frame. For example, as seen in FIG. 18, the spoke or
rib 515 of the least length (i.e., height) is disposed near the
trailing end 519 of the helical flange 518 while the spoke or rib
515 of greatest length (i.e., height) is disposed near the leading
end 520 of the helical flange 518.
[0100] Referring to FIGS. 16 and 23-25, in accordance with this
preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure body 400 is
provided with a general structure similar to that described with
respect to FIGS. 1-15 above, including a closure body skirt 410
having at least one female thread 425 formed on an interior
thereof. FIGS. 16 and 24 show the closure body 400 in an initially
as-molded condition--prior to forming an optional, turned up tamper
band (i.e., drop ring) at the bottom of the skirt 410 which could
be similar to the first embodiment tamper band shown in FIG.
11.
[0101] As best seen in FIGS. 24 and 25, the exemplary closure body
400 according to this preferred embodiment of the invention is
provided with a closure body projection or tab in the form of a
generally wedge-shaped lug 430 within the female threaded portion
of the closure body 400. Specifically, the lug 430 extends in a
radial direction on the closure body 400 from the root of the
thread radially inward to a height that does not substantially
exceed the height H (FIG. 24) of the thread. The lug 430 includes a
lead end 432 which has an inclined surface 433. The term "lead end"
here refers to the end of the lug 430 which leads as the closure
body 400 is being rotated onto the container (i.e., a clockwise
direction when viewed from the top). The lug 430 also includes a
trailing end 434 which extends substantially in a radial direction.
It will be recognized that the lug 430 is preferably located within
the female thread at a position where it will not interfere with
complete installation of the closure body 400 onto the container
10.
[0102] Assembly and operation of the closure assembly 350 according
to this preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 16, 18, 19, 22 and 24-30. The
fitment 500 is first installed on the container 10 forming a
container/fitment assembly by inserting the plug seal 510 into the
container opening 22, in an orientation (for example, FIG. 26) in
which the helical flange 518 provides a continuation of the
container thread 25. The closure body 400 is then installed onto
the container/fitment assembly by rotating the closure body 400 in
a clockwise direction when viewed from above. As this occurs, the
closure body thread 425 will first engage the helical flange 518
and then engage the container thread 25. As the closure body 400
continues to be rotated, the lead end 432 of the closure body lug
430 will eventually encounter the tapered end 520 of the helical
flange lead end. At this point, the inclined surface 433 (FIG. 25)
of the lead end 432 of the closure body will slide over the tapered
end 520 (FIGS. 18, 19 and 22) of the helical flange 518, slightly
deforming either the closure body 400 or the helical flange 518 or
both as the lead end of the closure body lug 430 continues to slide
along the outer peripheral edge of the helical flange 518. During
this sliding movement, deformation of either the closure body 400
or the helical flange 518 or both will continue. As rotation of the
closure body 400 relative to the fitment 500 and the container 10
continues, the closure body lug 430 will eventually move beyond the
flat end 519 of the helical flange 518, at which point the closure
body 400 or the helical flange 518 or both will return to their
undeformed state. The closure body 400 can continue to be rotated
to the installed, closed position shown in FIG. 26.
[0103] As will be recognized by those of ordinary skill, the
trailing end 434 of the closure body lug 430, in conjunction with
the flat end 519 of the helical flange 518 will resist reverse
rotation (counterclockwise) of the closure body 400 relative to the
fitment 500 to the extent that the frictional engagement between
the fitment 500 and container 10 prevents the fitment 500 from
turning in the container 10. However, the fitment 500 will turn
with the closure body 400 if the closure body 400 is rotated in a
counterclockwise direction with sufficient torque to overcome the
frictional engagement between the fitment 500 and container 10.
[0104] The closure body 400 is typically provided with a
tamper-evident feature at its bottom edge which is secured to the
container finish when the closure body 400 reaches its installed
position shown in FIG. 26. To this end, the bottom of the closure
body skirt 410 could be provided with frangible connections (not
shown, but similar to connections 114 in the first embodiment
described with reference to FIG. 12), and the bottom edge could be
turned up prior to screwing the closure assembly 350 on the
container 10, to form a break-away, tamper band similar to the
first embodiment tamper band shown in FIG. 12.
[0105] Lastly, the cap 440 can be installed on the closure body
400. Alternatively, the cap 440 could be initially installed on the
closure body 400, and then the cap 440 and closure body 400 could
be installed together as a unit on the container/fitment.
[0106] As will be understood, the closure cap 440 is removably
secured on the closure body 400 using, for example, a seal bead on
the base of the closure body spout 406.
[0107] Once the closure assembly 350 is initially assembled on the
container 10, the closure assembly 350 may be opened and resealed
in accordance with another primary feature of the invention.
Specifically, the fitment 500 will function to provide a positive
stop for a tactile sensation as to when the closure body 400 has
been rotated to a fully open position. This is accomplished by the
unique interaction of the closure body 400 with the fitment 500.
The plug seal 510 and therefore the fitment 500 are frictionally
engaged within the neck of the container 10 so that the fitment 500
resists rotation and axial movement relative to the container 10.
As the closure body 400 is rotated from the fully closed position
shown in FIG. 26, in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from
above, it will rotated relative to the container 10 and move upward
relative to the container in an axial direction to the position
shown in FIG. 27, thereby permitting flow through the fitment 500.
If a lower tamper band had been provided, it will break. The
closure body orifice-defining surface 411 is preferably relatively
long so as to maintain a seal against the post 506 for an amount of
vertical travel of the closure body 400 relative to the container
that is sufficient to break the frangible bridges of the
tamper-evident drop ring. Only after the closure body 400 has moved
vertically upwardly far enough to cause the drop ring to be
completely broken away, does the surface 411 disengage from the
post 506. The cap 440 may be removed to permit dispensing and then
replaced on the closure body 400 when the closure body 400 is in
the open position to seal the closure assembly 350 without
requiring movement of the closure body to the closed position.
[0108] Since the pitch of the helical flange 518 is substantially
the same as the pitch of the container threads 25 and the closure
body threads 425, the closure body 400 rotates relative to the
frictionally restrained fitment 500, moving the closure body lug
430 (which is initially disposed below the helical flange 518)
relative to the helical flange 518 and eventually into abutting
engagement with the trailing end 519 of the helical flange 518. As
shown best in FIG. 29, at the full open position, the trailing end
519 of the helical flange 518 is in abutting engagement with the
trailing end 434 of the closure body lug 430, thereby resisting
further rotation of the closure body 400 in a counterclockwise
direction in FIG. 29. At this point, a positive tactile indication
is given to the user that the closure body 400 has been rotated to
the fully open position. As will be recognized, the abutting
engagement of the trailing end of the lug 430 and the trailing end
of the helical flange 518 results in a force that opposes the
user's attempt to further rotate the closure body 400 beyond the
fully open position.
[0109] According to a unique feature of this exemplary embodiment
of the invention, as best seen in FIG. 27, when the closure body
400 is in the fully open position, the helical flange 518 is
engaged on a lower surface 521 thereof by the closure body thread
425, thus providing a second abutting interface to resist
user-applied opening force, i.e., torque tending to rotate the
closure body 400 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from
above.
[0110] According to a further feature of the invention, the closure
body 400 may be used to remove the fitment 500 from the container,
to permit a second dispensing mode. Since lug 430 prohibits further
rotation of the closure body 400 in an opening direction relative
to fitment 500, application of an increased opening torque to the
closure body 400 tends to cause the fitment 500 to overcome its
frictional engagement with the container neck and to turn with the
closure body 400 and relative to the container 10, thereby
resulting in the closure body thread 425 exerting an upward force
on the lower surface 521 of the helical flange 518.
[0111] To accomplish removal of the fitment 500, the user applies
sufficient torque to the closure body 400, while the closure body
400 is in the fully open position, to overcome the frictional
engagement of the fitment plug seal 510 with the container interior
surface 24 and to push the fitment snap bead 516 out of the
container neck groove 28. Application of such an increased torque
will result in continued rotation of the closure body 400 beyond
the fully open position and a lifting force applied to the lower
surface 521 of the helical flange 518. As will be recognized by
those of ordinary skill in the art, a relatively uniform force is
applied to the underside of the helical flange 518, resulting in a
smooth upward movement of the fitment 500 out of the container
opening as the closure body 400 continues to be rotated. This
uniform application of force results in less tendency for the
fitment 500 to become misaligned during removal. Continued rotation
of the closure body 400 in the opening direction will eventually
cause disengagement of the closure body from the container
neck.
[0112] Once the closure body 400 and fitment 500 have been removed
from the container 10, the closure assembly 400 may be reconfigured
into a second dispensing mode by removal of the fitment 500 from
the closure body 400. Removal of fitment 500 may be accomplished,
for example, by the user deforming the closure body 400 into a
slight oblong shape in order to permit disengagement of the closure
body lug 430 from the trailing end 519 (FIG. 29) of the helical
flange 518. This will permit rotation of the closure body 400 in a
counterclockwise direction relative to the fitment 500 as viewed in
FIG. 29 and subsequent removal of the fitment 500 from the closure
body 400. The closure body 400 may then be reinstalled on the
container 10 without the fitment 500, and this will permit a second
dispensing mode in which dispensing may occur at a rate greater
than the rate permitted by the fitment apertures 508.
[0113] FIGS. 31-40 illustrate an exemplary closure assembly,
generally referenced by the number 650 in FIG. 31, according to
another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As best seen
in FIG. 31, the closure assembly 650 generally comprises a closure
body 600 having an overcap or cap 640 and a cooperating fitment
700.
[0114] In this embodiment, the fitment 700 is provided with a
projection in the form of a flange 718. The flange 718 functions to
limit the travel of fitment 700 as it is inserted into the
container opening 22 and to provide a predetermined vertical
position of the fitment 700 relative to the container 10.
[0115] As best seen with reference to FIGS. 31-34, fitment 700 is
of a generally cylindrical shape and includes a fitment frame which
preferably includes at least a fitment deck 702 (FIGS. 31 and 37).
Below the deck 702 is a downwardly extending annular plug seal 710
(FIGS. 31 and 37) adapted to sealingly and frictionally engage an
interior surface 24 of the opening 22 of the container 10 as best
shown in FIG. 32. Annular plug seal 710 is thus formed with an
outer circumference dimensioned to provide adequate friction and
sealing with the container interior surface 24.
[0116] The fitment 700 also includes an upwardly extending annular
fitment sealing collar 704 (FIGS. 31 and 34) which defines a
sealing collar inner surface 705 for sealingly and slidingly
engaging a spout exterior sealing surface 607 on an annular sealing
collar 603 of the closure body spout 606 (shown in FIG. 32 and
described in detail hereinafter).
[0117] As best illustrated in FIG. 34, fitment deck 702 defines one
or more apertures 708 that permit fluid flow through the fitment
700 from the inside of the container 10 to the interior of the
sealing collar 704. Preferably, three apertures 708 (FIG. 35) are
provided and extend along a generally circular path around the
interior of the fitment sealing collar 704. The apertures 708 are
defined in part by three radial struts 709 arranged generally at
120-degree intervals. As will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art, the size, shape, and number of apertures 708 and
struts 709 may be varied without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
[0118] Struts 709 support a fitment sealing post 706 which, as best
shown in FIGS. 35 and 37, forms an occluding portion of the fitment
700 and extends in a direction generally opposite to the fitment
plug seal 710. Fitment sealing post 706 includes a fitment sealing
surface 712 (FIGS. 31 and 37) for sealingly engaging a surface 611
(FIGS. 31, 32, 33, and 39) on the inside of an annular sealing
sleeve 610 (FIG. 39) which defines a dispensing orifice 608 of the
closure body 600.
[0119] Fitment sealing post 706 also includes a distal sealing end
713 (FIGS. 31, 32, 33, and 37) for occluding the dispensing orifice
608 (FIG. 32). Preferably, as best seen in FIG. 31, distal sealing
end 713 is formed as a surface that is convex when viewed from the
top. It will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan that
sealing end 713 may also be formed as a concave surface when viewed
from the top or may have various other geometries without departing
from the scope of the invention. When the closure body 600 is in
the fully closed position (FIG. 32), the closure body
orifice-defining surface 611 creates a high pressure seal with the
fitment sealing surface 712.
[0120] As best shown in FIGS. 35 and 38, in accordance with another
feature of the invention, fitment sealing collar 704 includes at
least one, and preferably two, projections, tabs, or stop ribs 715
extending radially outwardly. In the preferred arrangement, the
stop ribs 715 are 180 degrees apart. Each stop rib 715 has a
tapered bottom surface 717 (FIG. 38).
[0121] Referring to FIGS. 31, 39, and 40, in accordance with this
preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure body 600 is
provided with a structure that is somewhat similar to the first
embodiment of the closure body 100 described above with respect to
FIGS. 1-15. The closure body 600 includes a closure body skirt 613
(FIG. 39) having at least one female thread 625 formed on an
interior thereof. FIGS. 31 and 39 show the closure body 600 in an
initially as-molded condition prior to forming an optional, turned
up tamper band (i.e., drop ring) at the bottom of the skirt 610
which could be similar to the first embodiment tamper band shown in
FIG. 11.
[0122] The closure body 600 differs from the first embodiment
closure body 100, however, in that the spout 606 of the closure
body 600 includes an interior, annular sealing collar 603 which
defines the exterior sealing surface 607 (FIG. 32) for sealingly
and slidingly engaging the fitment sealing collar inner surface 705
(FIG. 33).
[0123] The closure body 600 also differs from the first embodiment
closure body 100 in that the inside of the spout 606 includes at
least one, and preferably two, projections in the form of stop tabs
or stop lugs 633. As can be seen in FIG. 33, the upper end of each
stop lug 633 has a tapered upper surface 635.
[0124] Assembly and operation of the closure assembly 650 according
to this preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be
described. The fitment 700 is disposed inside the closure body 600.
The assembly process may require some relative rotation between the
fitment 700 and body 600 if necessary so that the fitment ribs 715
and closure body lugs 633 are not in registry and so that the
fitment ribs 715 can be located higher than the closure body lug
stop lugs 633 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 32). The assembly of the
fitment 700 and closure body 600 is then installed on the container
10 to create a container/fitment/body assembly by rotating the
closure body 600 in a clockwise direction when viewed from above to
cause the closure body thread 625 to engage the container thread 25
and to drive the fitment plug seal 710 into the container opening
22 so that the fitment flange 718 rests on the top of the container
22.
[0125] The closure body 600 is typically provided with a
tamper-evident feature at its bottom edge which is secured to the
container finish when the closure body 600 reaches its installed
position shown in FIG. 32. To this end, the bottom of the closure
body skirt 613 could be provided with frangible connections (not
shown, but similar to connections 114 in the first embodiment
described with reference to FIG. 12), and the bottom edge could be
turned up prior to screwing the closure body 600 on the container
10, to form a break-away, tamper band similar to the first
embodiment tamper band shown in FIG. 12.
[0126] Lastly, the cap 640 can be installed on the closure body
600. Alternatively, the cap 640 could be initially installed on the
closure body 600, and then the cap 640, closure body 600, and
fitment 700 disposed therein could be installed together as a unit
on the container 10.
[0127] The bottom of the closure body spout 606 could have a
retention bead 642 as shown in FIGS. 31, 33, and 39. The bottom of
the closure cap 640 could have an internal, peripheral lip 644
(FIG. 32). This permits the closure cap 640 to be removably secured
on the closure body 600 as shown in FIG. 32.
[0128] Once the closure assembly 650 has been initially assembled
on the container 10, the closure assembly 650 may be opened (FIG.
33) and resealed (FIG. 32). As the closure body 600 is rotated from
the fully closed position shown in FIG. 32, in a counterclockwise
direction as viewed from above, it will rotated relative to the
container 10 and fitment 700, and the closure body 600 will move
upward relative to the container 10 and fitment 700 in an axial
direction to the full open position shown in FIG. 33, thereby
permitting flow through the fitment 700. If a lower tamper band
(not visible in FIGS. 32 and 33) had been provided, it will break.
The closure body orifice-defining surface 611 is preferably
relatively long so as to maintain a seal against the post 706 for
an amount of vertical travel of the closure body 600 relative to
the container that is sufficient to break the frangible bridges of
the tamper-evident drop ring. Only after the closure body 600 has
moved vertically upwardly far enough to cause the drop ring to be
completely broken away, does the surface 611 disengage from the
post 706.
[0129] The fitment 700 and closure body 600 will function to
provide a positive stop for a tactile sensation when the closure
body 600 has been rotated to a fully open position. This is
accomplished by the unique interaction of the closure body 600 with
the fitment 700. The plug seal 710 and therefore the fitment 700
are frictionally engaged within the neck of the container 10 so
that the fitment 700 resists rotation and axial movement relative
to the container 10. When the closure body 600 has been rotated to
the fully open position, the lateral sides of the closure body lugs
633 will engage the lateral sides of the fitment ribs 715 as shown
in FIG. 33 to provide a positive stop and tactile sensation with
respect to the fully open position of the closure 600.
[0130] The cap 640 may be removed to permit dispensing. The cap 640
may be replaced on the closure body 600 when the closure body 600
is in the open position to seal the closure assembly 650 without
requiring movement of the closure body 600 down to the closed
position.
[0131] If an attempt is made to rotate the closure body 600 in the
opening direction beyond the initial engagement between the closure
body stop lugs 633 and the fitment ribs 715, the fitment 700 will
merely rotate within the opening 24 of the container 10 if the
opening torque applied to the closure body 600 is of a sufficient
magnitude to overcome the frictional engagement between the fitment
700 and the container 10. Thus, the fitment 700 will rotate but
will not be forced out of the container 10. However, as the closure
body 600 continues to rotate upwardly in the opening direction, the
closure body stop lugs 633 will slide vertically along the fitment
ribs 715. Eventually, the closure body 600 will be completely
unscrewed from the container 10. The fitment 700 could then be
manually grasped and pulled out of the container 10 to provide a
completely unobstructed discharge opening in the container 10 and,
hence, a higher capacity discharge system.
[0132] If desired, the closure body 600 could be screwed back on to
the container 10 without installing the fitment 700. This would
allow a slightly greater flow rate than when the fitment 700 is in
the container, but the cap 640 would have to be subsequently
reinstalled on the closure body 600 if it is desired to prevent
ingress of contaminants into the container or to prevent leakage
out of the container should the container be inadvertently tipped
over.
[0133] If product is dispensed from the container 10 with both the
fitment 700 and closure body 600 removed, the system may be
characterized as providing a maximum flow mode. If the fitment is
removed from the container, but the closure body 600 is screwed
back onto the container, the system may be characterized as
providing an intermediate dispensing mode of somewhat greater flow
rate than the first or initial dispensing mode which occurs when
the fitment 700 is installed in the container 10 and the closure
body 600 is installed on the container 10 over the fitment 700.
[0134] The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 31-40
employs stop lugs 633 on the closure body 600 and stop ribs 715 on
the fitment 700 to provide a positive rotation stop at the full
open position of the closure body 600 (FIG. 33). It will be
appreciated, however, that other engagement structures or features
could be employed.
[0135] Further, if desired, engagement features could be provided
on the closure body 600 and fitment 700 to facilitate removal of
the fitment 700 from the container 10 upon further application of
sufficient torque to the closure body 600 at the full open
position.
[0136] For example, plug removal rib or ribs (not shown) could be
provided in the form of a partially circular arc flange on the wall
704 of the fitment 700 above the ribs 715 for being engaged by the
tops of the closure body stop lugs 633 when the closure body 600 is
in the full open, elevated position. The removal flange on the
fitment wall 704 would be located at an elevation relative to the
stop lugs 633 on the closure body spout interior so that the
closure body stop lugs 633 would engage the fitment plug removal
flange when the closure body is unscrewed beyond the initial full
open position and so that subsequent unscrewing of the closure body
600 would cause the closure body lugs 633 to exert an upward force
on the fitment plug removal flange. Engagement of the partially
circular arc plug removal flange on the fitment wall 704 would
cause the fitment 700 to be pulled out of the container if the
closure body 600 is unscrewed beyond the initial full open
position. Other configurations of fitment removal ribs or flanges
and cooperating closure lugs could be provided to effect removal of
the fitment 700 from the container 10 as the closure body 600 is
unthreaded from the container 10.
[0137] Although the closure assembly of the invention is
exemplified by a threaded engagement with the container, the
invention contemplates other fastening techniques and implements
for securing the closure assembly to the container. For example,
since the invention provides a closure assembly that obviates the
need for relatively large sealing forces to be applied via threads
on the closure assembly and container finish, threadless fastening
of the closure assembly relative to the container is contemplated
by the invention. Such fastening might incorporate a friction fit
facilitated by a closure assembly having a skirt with an inside
diameter sized to provide a sliding or telescoping engagement with
a smooth, threadless container finish. In such an embodiment, the
fitment and closure body would be provided with abutment surfaces,
for example, a bayonet type interlock or fastening implement, which
permit installation of the closure assembly on the container, but
which may be configured, for example, by relative rotation of the
closure body and container, to restrict upward movement of the
closure body relative to the container.
[0138] It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed
description of the invention and from the illustrations thereof
that numerous other variations and modifications may be effected
without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel
concepts or principles of this invention.
* * * * *