U.S. patent application number 10/413104 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-14 for closure with enhanced removal capability.
This patent application is currently assigned to Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc.. Invention is credited to Hammond, James W., Hickok, Alan P., Hicks, Marge M..
Application Number | 20040200797 10/413104 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33131364 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040200797 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hicks, Marge M. ; et
al. |
October 14, 2004 |
CLOSURE WITH ENHANCED REMOVAL CAPABILITY
Abstract
A closure is provided for an opening in a container having a
wall around the opening and at least one thread on the wall. The
closure includes (1) an attachment wall defining at least one
thread for threadingly engaging the container wall thread, (2) an
occlusion wall closing the attachment wall to occlude the container
opening when the container is in the closed position, and (3) a
continuously curving, peripheral, finger-engaging surface which
defines (1) a plurality of circumferentially spaced protuberances,
(2) a finger-receiving recess between adjacent protuberances, and
(3) a finger-engaging rib projecting laterally from each of the
protuberances.
Inventors: |
Hicks, Marge M.; (Eagle,
WI) ; Hammond, James W.; (North Prairie, WI) ;
Hickok, Alan P.; (Waukesha, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, PHILLIPS, KATZ, CLARK & MORTIMER
500 W. MADISON STREET
SUITE 3800
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Assignee: |
Seaquist Closures Foreign,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
33131364 |
Appl. No.: |
10/413104 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/305 ;
215/252; 220/288 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2251/023 20130101;
B65D 41/0421 20130101; B65D 41/0485 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/305 ;
215/252; 220/288 |
International
Class: |
B65D 041/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A closure for an opening in a container having a wall around the
opening and at least one thread on the wall, said closure being
adapted for movement between a closed position occluding said
opening and an open position spaced from said opening, said closure
comprising: an attachment wall defining at least one thread for
threadingly engaging said container wall thread; an occlusion wall
closing said attachment wall to occlude said container opening when
said closure is in said closed position; and a continuously
curving, peripheral, finger-engaging surface which defines (1) a
plurality of circumferentially spaced protuberances projecting
laterally in relation to said attachment wall, (2) a
finger-receiving recess between two adjacent protuberances, and (3)
a finger-engaging rib projecting laterally from each of said
protuberances, each said protuberance having a portion that is
wider than said rib projecting therefrom and being of reduced width
at said rib where said protuberance merges smoothly into said
rib.
2. The closure in accordance with claim 1 in which each of the two
sides of each of said rib projects from one of said protuberances
at a location on a side of said one protuberance defined by a line
that is parallel to the closure rotational axis and that is located
on an inflection point of said continuously curving, peripheral,
finger-engaging surface.
3. The closure in accordance with claim 1 in which there are four
of said protuberances and four of said finger-receiving
recesses.
4. The closure in accordance with claim 1 in which each said
protuberance defines an internal passage having an open top and an
open bottom.
5. The closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said attachment
wall defines four multiple lead threads.
6. The closure in accordance with claim 1 in which each said rib
has a convex distal end; and each said protuberance has a convex
portion.
7. The closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said attachment
wall is a generally annular skirt for surrounding said container
wall; and each said thread on said attachment wall is an internal
female thread on the inside of said skirt.
8. The closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said occlusion
wall is a generally disk-like top end wall; and said attachment
wall is a generally annular wall depending from said top end
wall.
9. The closure in accordance with claim 8 in which said
protuberances extend from, and surround, an upper portion of said
attachment wall.
10. The closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said attachment
wall, occlusion wall, and finger engaging surface are molded as a
unitary structure from thermoplastic material.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0004] This invention relates to a container closure which can be
screwed on and off.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE
PRIOR ART
[0005] A variety of packages that include closures or lids on
containers have been developed for household products, personal
care products, and other products. One type of package includes a
container that is internally or externally threaded around the
container mouth or opening and includes a closure with a stem or
skirt having mating threads for threadingly engaging the container
threads.
[0006] It would be desirable to provide an improved closure for use
with such packages.
[0007] Additionally, it would be advantageous if such an improved
closure could incorporate a structure which could be more easily
grasped by the user's fingers for opening the container by
unscrewing the closure or for closing the container by screwing the
closure onto the container.
[0008] It would be especially desirable to provide a closure
gripping structure that would facilitate the rotation of a
relatively small closure by enabling the user to generate
sufficient torque for screwing and unscrewing the closure relative
to the container. It would be particularly beneficial if the
gripping structure would allow the user to generate sufficient
torque to open a closure even when a tamper-evident, frangible
connection is provided between the closure and container. It would
also be especially desirable if such a gripping structure was
comfortable for the user to grip.
[0009] Preferably, such a structure should provide improved
engagement with the user's fingers under wet conditions so as to
minimize the tendency of the finger to slip off of the closure.
[0010] Such an improved closure should preferably also facilitate
the removal or installation of the closure by a child as well as by
an elderly person having impaired manual dexterity or reduced
strength.
[0011] It would also be beneficial if such an improved closure
could also accommodate, or actually contain, optional features
which provide good sealing of the closure to the container and/or
which provide initial, tamper-evident frangible connections between
the closure and container.
[0012] It would also be advantageous if such an improved closure
could accommodate a variety of aesthetically pleasing designs
adaptable for use with various containers.
[0013] It would also be beneficial if such an improved closure
could readily accommodate its manufacture from a variety of
different materials.
[0014] Further, it would be desirable if such an improved closure
could be provided with a design that would accommodate efficient,
high quality, large volume manufacturing techniques with a reduced
product reject rate.
[0015] Preferably, the improved closure should also accommodate
high speed manufacturing techniques that produce closures having
consistent operating characteristics unit-to-unit with high
reliability.
[0016] The present invention provides an improved closure which can
accommodate designs having the above-discussed benefits and
features.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, a closure
is provided for an opening to a container that has a wall around
the opening and at least one thread on the wall. The closure is
especially suitable for use on a container that has a very small
opening.
[0018] The closure is adapted for movement between a closed
position occluding the opening and an open position spaced from the
opening. The closure includes an attachment wall defining at least
one thread for threadingly engaging the container wall thread. The
closure also includes an occlusion wall closing said attachment
wall to occlude the container opening when the closure is in the
closed position. The closure further includes a continuously
curving, peripheral, finger-engaging surface which defines (1) a
plurality of circumferentially spaced protuberances projecting
laterally in relation to the attachment wall, (2) a
finger-receiving recess between two adjacent protuberances, and (3)
a finger-engaging rib projecting laterally from each of the
protuberances. Each protuberance has a portion that is wider than
the rib where the protuberance merges smoothly into the rib.
[0019] The improved closure provides an improved peripheral surface
region for being gripped by the user's fingers. The peripheral
surface minimizes slippage between the user's fingers and the
closure. The peripheral surface region can also be readily provided
with a different color, as well as a different texture or material,
than the rest of the closure.
[0020] The improved closure can also be readily designed to provide
a seal within the closure for sealing against the container at the
container opening.
[0021] The closure can also be initially connected to the container
with a tamper-evident, frangible connection.
[0022] 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
[0023] In the accompanying drawings forming part of the
specification, in which like numerals are employed to designate
like parts throughout the same,
[0024] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of
the closure of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the first embodiment of the
closure;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment of the
closure;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the
plane 4-4 in FIG. 2;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the top
portion of a container on which the closure can be installed;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but FIG. 6 shows a
second embodiment of the closure of the present invention; and
[0030] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the
plane 7-7 in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] 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, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in
the appended claims.
[0032] For ease of description, the closure of this invention is
described in a typical upright position, and terms such as upper,
lower, horizontal, etc., are used with reference to this position.
It will be understood, however, that the closure may be
manufactured, stored, and used in orientations other than the one
described.
[0033] A presently preferred, first embodiment of a closure of the
present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and is designated
generally therein by the reference numeral 20. The closure 20 is
adapted to be mounted on a container 22 (FIG. 5). The container 22
has a lower, body portion (not visible in FIG. 5) which may have
any suitable configuration and has a generally annular, upper, neck
portion 24 that defines (1) an upper end opening (2) an exterior,
male thread or threads 28, and (3) an optional retention bead or
flange 29. The flange 29 has an frustoconical, upper, peripheral
edge 30 and has an annular, planar bottom surface 32.
[0034] The container body portion may have a different
cross-sectional configuration than the neck portion 24. The
container body portion may have a cross section that is larger or
smaller than the neck portion 24. The cross-sectional shape and
size of the container body portion may also be generally the same
as the cross-sectional shape and size, respectively, of the neck
portion 24 so that the neck portion 24 and body portion are not
distinguishable from each other except for the thread 28 on the
neck portion (and optional flange 29, if used).
[0035] The container 22 may be a flexible container or may be a
substantially rigid container. So long as the container 22 has an
opening and a thread form for receiving a closure in threaded
engagement to occlude the opening, the detailed design and
operation of the container 22 form no part of the present
invention.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the closure 20 includes an attachment
wall 36 which defines at least one thread 40 (FIG. 4) for
threadingly engaging a mating thread 28 (FIG. 5) on the wall of the
container 22. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5,
the closure includes a set of four lead high-pitch threads 40, and
the container includes a set of four lead high-pitch threads 28.
Multiple high-pitch threads require less rotation of the closure to
install or remove it from the container while still creating a
secure connection. A greater or lesser number of threads could be
employed.
[0037] The attachment wall 36 has a generally annular
configuration, and the wall depends from a generally disk-like top
end wall 42 (FIGS. 1 and 4) which may be characterized as "an
occlusion wall" for closing the top of the attachment wall 36 to
occlude the container opening when the closure 20 is in the closed
position on the container.
[0038] As can be seen in FIG. 4, an annular plug seal 46 depends
downwardly from the occlusion wall or end wall 42 within the
attachment wall 36. The plug seal 46 is adapted to be received in
the container opening and create a sealing engagement with the
container wall that defines the container opening. Other suitable
seal structures could be employed, such as a crab's claw-type seal
(not illustrated). In some applications, it may not be necessary to
provide any particular type of fluid-tight seal per se. The use of
a seal, or the particular seal structure per se, forms no part of
the present invention.
[0039] An optional, frangible, tamper-evident structure 50 (FIGS. 1
and 4) may be provided by on the bottom of the closure 20. A
particular type of tamper-evident structure is illustrated in FIGS.
1 and 4, but other types of tamper-evident structures may be
employed. Alternatively, the closure 20 need not have any type of
tamper evident structure. The particular tamper-evident structure
50 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 includes a retention ring 52
attached with unitary molded frangible bridges 54 (FIG. 4) to the
bottom end of the closure attachment wall 36. On the inside of the
retention ring 52 are a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart
bead segments 56 which are adapted to project inwardly beneath the
container neck flange bottom surface 32 (FIG. 5) when the closure
20 is initially installed on the container 22. As the closure 20 is
initially installed, typically by an automatic capping machine, the
bead segments 56 ride down the container neck flange frustoconical
surface 30 and cause the ring 52 to expand radially outwardly
temporarily and elastically until the bead segments 56 are move
downwardly far enough to clear the lower edge of the flange 29 and
then snap radially inwardly beneath the flange surface 32.
[0040] To assist in initially installing the closure on the
container 22, the ring 52 includes an upwardly open recess 60
having a leading engagement wall 62. The bottom edge of the closure
attachment wall 36 includes a downwardly depending drive tab 64
having a leading driving wall 66 for engaging the ring recess
engagement wall 62 during the threading-on process of installing
the closure 20 on the container 22. Because of frictional
resistance between the ring bead segments 56 and the flange 30
during installation, there maybe a tendency for the frangible
bridges 54 to be subjected to stress as the closure attachment wall
36 is rotated by the capping machine and as the torque is
transmitted through the bridges 54 to the ring 52. This could tend
to cause undue deformation or failure of one or more of the
frangible bridges 54 if the rotational displacement between the
closure attachment 36 and the ring 52 is excessive. Accordingly,
the provision of the tab 64 within the recess 60 permits only a
small amount of relative rotational displacement between the two
portions of the closure 20 before the tab driving wall 66 engages
the ring wall 62. At that point, the ring 52 is driven directly by
the tab 64 which can withstand the torque, thus limiting the
relative rotational displacement between the ring 52 and wall 36 to
a small amount which is readily accommodated or tolerated by the
frangible bridges without rupturing the frangible bridges 54.
[0041] When the closure 20 is initially unscrewed from the
container by the user for the first time, the retention ring 52
remains held below the container flange 29 while the closure
attachment wall 36 moves upwardly so as to rupture the frangible
bridges 54 and separate completely from the ring 52 which remains
below the container flange 29 to provide evidence that the closure
20 has been unscrewed at least an amount sufficient to rupture the
bridges 54.
[0042] A user can readily unscrew, or screw on, the closure 20 by
using a novel gripping structure 70 (FIG. 4). The gripping
structure 70 includes a continuously curving, peripheral,
finger-engaging surface 72 (FIG. 1). The finger-engaging surface 72
includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced protuberances 74
(FIG. 2). The protuberances 74 project laterally in relation to the
attachment wall 36. A finger-receiving recess 76 (FIG. 2) is
defined between each pair of two adjacent protuberances 74. The
recesses 76 are adapted to receive a finger or thumb of the user's
hand when the closure 20 is grasped or gripped by the user for
rotating the closure 20 during the process of screwing the closure
onto the container or unscrewing the closure from the
container.
[0043] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, there
are four protuberances 74, and there are finger-receiving recesses
76.
[0044] The peripheral, finger-engaging surface 72 also includes a
finger-engaging rib 80 (FIG. 2) projecting laterally from each of
the protuberances 74. Each protuberance 74 has a portion that is
wider than the rib 80 projecting therefrom. Each protuberance 74
has a reduced width at the rib 80 where the protuberance 74 merges
smoothly into the rib 80.
[0045] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, each rib
80 has a convex distal end, and each protuberance 74 has a convex
portion from which a rib 80 projects. Further, in the preferred
embodiment, each finger-receiving recess 76 is defined by generally
concave portion of the finger-engaging surface 72 which smoothly
merges with the convex portions of the protuberances 74 on either
side of the recess 76.
[0046] As can be seen in FIG. 2, each of the two sides of each rib
80 projects from one of the protuberances 74 at a location on the
side of the one protuberance that can be defined by an imaginary
line that is parallel to the closure rotational axis X (FIG. 1) and
that is located on an inflection point of the continuously curving,
peripheral finger-engaging surface 72.
[0047] Each rib 80 is adapted to be engaged by a portion of the
user's finger or thumb when the user grasps the closure 20.
[0048] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the
protuberances 74 extend from, and surround, an upper portion of the
attachment wall 36. Further, each protuberance 74 defines an
internal passage 84 having an open top and an open bottom. The
passages 84 are optional, and may be provided for reducing the
amount of material required, for aesthetic reasons, or for other
reasons.
[0049] The closure 20 may be made from any suitable material. In
the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the closure 20
is molded from a suitable thermoplastic material, such as
polypropylene. To aid in extracting the closure 20 from the mold
components (not illustrated), the bottom end of the closure
attachment wall 36 maybe provided with unthreading apertures 88
(FIG. 3) for receiving a tool (not illustrated) to unscrew the
molded closure 20 from the mold assembly.
[0050] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the
attachment wall thread 40 is an internal, female thread. However,
if the closure 20 is intended to be received on a container having
an internally threaded opening, then the closure threads would be
designed to have an external, male thread form on the exterior
surface of the attachment wall 36 (not illustrated).
[0051] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a second embodiment of a closure
20A in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The
second embodiment of the closure 20A provides different aesthetic
design features, but retains the inventive, functional features
that are in the first embodiment of the closure 20 illustrated in
FIGS. 1-5 and described above.
[0052] In the alternate embodiment of the closure 20A illustrated
in FIGS. 6 and 7, the closure 20A includes a continuously curving,
peripheral, finger-engaging surface 72A which is identical to the
finger-engaging surface 72 described above with reference to the
first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. However, the closure 20A
does not have any internal passages like the passages 84 in the
first embodiment closure 20 illustrated in FIG. 1. Rather, the
closure 20A includes a central occlusion wall 42A which extends
radially outwardly and merges with a solid, non-apertured portion
of the surrounding gripping structure.
[0053] The other features of the alternate embodiment of the
closure 20A are identical to the analogous features in the first
embodiment of the closure 20.
[0054] If desired, in either the first embodiment of the closure 20
or the second embodiment of the closure 20A, the gripping structure
may extend further downwardly toward the bottom of the closure.
Alternatively, the gripping structure may have a shorter overall
vertical thickness or height than what it is illustrated.
[0055] The novel gripping structure is easy to grip, and is
especially suitable for use with relatively small closures which
might be otherwise hard to grip and rotate for unscrewing from a
container or screwing back onto a container.
[0056] The gripping structure provides a smooth surface which is
comfortable to the user's hand. The protuberances and ribs are
especially helpful for accommodating the elderly or children by
providing a longer lever arm to generate the torque needed to
unscrew the closure or to screw the closure onto the container.
Sufficient torque can be generated, even by a child or by an adult
with an impaired gripping function, to break a tamper-evident
structure.
[0057] The combination of the finger-receiving recesses,
protuberances, and ribs defined by the finger-engaging surface on
the periphery of the closure accommodates the gripping of the
closure with a thumb and one finger, or two fingers, or three
fingers in a convenient configuration which is comfortable and
which provides an effective grip for a applying sufficient torque
to the closure to screw it on or off.
[0058] The novel features of the present closure invention readily
accommodate manufacture of the closure, especially by molding from
thermoplastic materials.
[0059] It will also be appreciated, in other alternate embodiments
(not illustrated), the number of protuberances (e.g., protuberances
74 in FIG. 2) and the number of finger-engaging recesses (e.g.,
recesses 76 in FIG. 2) maybe increased beyond four or reduced below
four.
* * * * *