U.S. patent application number 10/768233 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-04 for easy-open closure for container and method of use.
Invention is credited to Martin, James L., Shenkar, Emanuel, Wan, Miles.
Application Number | 20050167297 10/768233 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34807819 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050167297 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shenkar, Emanuel ; et
al. |
August 4, 2005 |
Easy-open closure for container and method of use
Abstract
An improved easy open closure for a container that is
particularly adapted for use by the disabled includes a plunger
member having a passage defined therein that is constructed and
arranged to be depressed with respect to a main body portion of the
closure in order to breach a seal in order to place the passage in
communication with the contents of the container. Structure may be
provided for preventing access to or movement of the plunger member
until opening of the closure is desired. A method of using an easy
open closure is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Shenkar, Emanuel; (Worth,
IL) ; Martin, James L.; (Lancaster, OH) ; Wan,
Miles; (Clarendon Hills, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBLE YOSHIDA & DUNLEAVY, LLC
Suite 1350
Eight Penn Center
1628 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Philadelphia
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
34807819 |
Appl. No.: |
10/768233 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/222 ;
215/227; 222/83 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/106
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/222 ;
215/227; 222/083 |
International
Class: |
B65D 025/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An easy open closure for a container, comprising: a main body
portion that is adapted to be secured to a container, said main
body portion having sealing means that is positioned to prevent
fluid from the container from escaping from the container through
said main body portion; a plunger member mounted for movement
within said main body portion, said plunger member having a pouring
opening and a passage defined therein that is in communication with
both said pouring opening and a space within said main body portion
that is defined in part by said sealing means, and wherein said
plunger member is movable between a first position and a second
position wherein said sealing means is breached, thereby permitting
fluid from the container to flow through said passage to said
pouring opening.
2. An easy open closure for a container according to claim 1,
wherein said sealing means is integrally molded with said main body
portion.
3. An easy open closure for a container according to claim 2,
wherein said sealing means has a pre-weakened area defined therein
that is adapted to be contacted by said plunger member when said
plunger member is moved from said first position to said second
position.
4. An easy open closure for a container according to claim 1,
wherein said plunger member comprises a force concentration member
for exerting pressure on said sealing means when said plunger
member is moved from said first position to said second
position.
5. An easy open closure for a container according to claim 4,
wherein said force concentration member comprises a tapered
projection that is constructed and arranged to pierce said sealing
means when said plunger member is moved from said first position to
said second position.
6. An easy open closure for a container according to claim 4,
wherein said passage is defined in part within said force
concentration member.
7. An easy open closure for a container according to claim 6,
further comprising a second opening defined at a distal end of said
force concentration member, said second opening being in
communication with said passage, and wherein said distal end of
said force concentration member is configured to extend beyond said
sealing means into said container when said plunger member is in
said second position.
8. An easy open closure for a container according to claim 1,
wherein said plunger member has a relatively flat upper surface,
whereby a consumer who is physically handicapped will be more
likely to be able to depress said plunger member in order to move
said plunger member from said first position to said second
position.
9. An easy open closure for a container according to claim 1,
wherein said plunger member is constructed and arranged to seal
against said main body portion so that no fluid from the container
may escape through the closure when the plunger is in the second
position other than through said passage in said pouring
opening.
10. An easy open closure for a container according to claim 1,
wherein said main body portion is molded from a plastic
material.
11. An easy open closure for a container according to claim 1,
wherein said plunger is molded from a plastic material.
12. An easy open closure for a container according to claim 1,
further comprising releasable protective means for selectively
preventing depression of said plunger from said first position to
said second position.
13. An easy open closure for a container according to claim 12,
wherein said releasable protective means comprises a cover member
that is adapted to be fitted on to said main body portion.
14. An easy open closure for a container according to claim 13,
wherein said cover member is hingedly mounted to said main body
portion.
15. An easy open closure for a container according to claim 14,
wherein said cover member is integrally molded with said main body
portion.
16. A method of opening a closure for a container, comprising: (a)
removing protective structure that prevents the depression of a
plunger member; (b) depressing the plunger member; and (c)
dispensing liquid from the container through a passage that is
defined in the plunger member.
17. A method of opening a closure for a container according to
claim 16, wherein said step of removing protective structure
comprises lifting a cover member in order to expose an upper
portion of the plunger member.
18. A method of opening a closure for a container according to
claim 16, wherein said step of depressing the plunger member is
performed by exerting a downward force on a relatively flat upper
surface of the plunger member.
19. A method of opening a closure for a container according to
claim 16, wherein said step of depressing the plunger member
includes actuating the plunger member to breach a sealing structure
that would otherwise present dispensing of liquid from the
container.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates broadly to the field of packaging
technology. More specifically, this invention relates to an
improved closure for a container that is particularly adapted for
use by the disabled and the elderly.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Technology
[0004] Conventional mating closure caps and bottle finish
structures for carbonated beverage containers typically utilize a
screw type or threaded arrangement between the closure cap and the
finish portion. These types of screw caps are mass produced by
injection or compression molding and have achieved commercial
success mainly in the soft drink industry, where they are applied
robotically to the finish portions of filled soft drink bottles on
rapidly moving filling lines.
[0005] One type of closure that is particularly popular in the
packaging of bottled water and sports drinks has a built-in pouring
spout that makes it easy to drink directly from the bottle after
opening. It is typical for such closures to incorporate a valve
element that is actuated by pulling a movable member upwardly in
order to permit the contents of the container to be dispensed.
[0006] Unfortunately, it requires a fair amount of dexterity and
physical strength to operate such closures. This makes it difficult
for the disabled to use such closures. A need exists to provide an
easy open closure for a container that is more suited for use by
the disabled than our conventional easy open closures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an
easy open closure for a container that is more suited for use by
the disabled then are conventional easy open closures.
[0008] In order to achieve the above and other objects of the
invention, an easy open closure for a container that is constructed
according to one aspect of the invention includes a main body
portion that is adapted to be secured to a container, the main body
portion having sealing structure that is positioned to prevent
fluid from the container from escaping from the container through
the main body portion; and a plunger member mounted for movement
within the main body portion, the plunger member having a pouring
opening and a passage defined therein that is in communication with
both the pouring opening and a space within the main body portion
that is defined in part by said sealing structure, and wherein the
plunger member is movable between a first position and a second
position wherein the sealing structure is breached, thereby
permitting fluid from the container to flow through the passage to
the pouring opening.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method of
opening a closure for a container includes steps of removing
protective structure that prevents the depression of a plunger
member; depressing the plunger member; and dispensing liquid from
the container through a passage that is defined in the plunger
member.
[0010] These and various other advantages and features of novelty
that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity
in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However,
for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and
the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the
drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying
descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a
preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a closure that is constructed
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in a
first operative position;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the closure that is depicted
in FIG. 1, showing a second operative position;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary isometric view depicting one
component of the closure that is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and
[0014] FIG. 4 is an isometric view depicting another component of
the closure that is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0015] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views,
and referring in particular to FIG. 1, an easy open closure 10 is
constructed and arranged to be mounted on to a container 12 in
order to seal an opening 14 of the container 12. Easy open closure
10 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention includes
a main body portion 16 having an outer surface 18 that is shaped
and sized to seal against the structure of the container 12 that
defines the opening 14. In the illustrated embodiment, this is
achieved as an interference fit between the main body portion 18
and the container 12. Alternatively, there could be a screw type
connection between the main body portion 16 and the container 12 or
the two components could be fused or molded together and still be
within the spirit of the invention.
[0016] Referring briefly to FIG. 3, which provides a fragmentary
perspective view of the main body portion 16, it will be seen that
sealing structure 20 is provided within the main body portion 16
for sealing the opening 14 of the container 12 when the closure 10
is mounted to the container 12. In the illustrated embodiment,
sealing structure 20 is embodied as a molded panel 22 that is
integrally molded with the rest of the main body portion 16 and
that provides a barrier that will stop fluid from within the
container 12 from entering the space that is defined within the
interior of main body portion 16. One or more areas of weakness may
be provided in the sealing structure 20. In the illustrated
embodiment, an area of weakness is created by an arcuate score 24
that is defined in the lower surface of the molded panel 22 at a
location that is near the juncture of the molded panel 22 and a
circumferential outer wall of the main body portion 16 that defines
the outer surface 18. The space that is defined within the interior
of the main body portion 16 is delimited by a relatively smooth
cylindrically shaped inner surface 25 that has a plurality of
longitudinally extending grooves 26 defined therein. An annular
recess 28 is defined in an upper end of the main body portion 16
immediately above the cylindrically shaped inner wall 25. Annular
recess 28 is characterized by having a relatively flat upper
surface 29 that is molded so as to be as smooth as possible.
[0017] Referring again to FIG. 1, it will be seen that a plunger
member 30 is mounted for longitudinal movement with respect to the
main body portion 16 of the closure 10. In FIG. 1, plunger member
30 is shown in a first operative position with respect to the main
body portion 16 that is characterized by the flat upper surface 44
of the plunger member 30 being substantially elevated with respect
to the flat upper surface 29 of the annular recess 28 of the main
body portion 16. As is perhaps best shown in FIG. 4, plunger member
30 has a pouring opening 32 defined in the upper surface 44 thereof
that is in communication with an internal passage defined by walls
34 that in turn is in communication with a space that is defined on
a lower end of the plunger member 30. A force concentration member
36 is provided on the lower end of the plunger member 30 for
exerting force on the sealing structure 20 when the plunger is
depressed, as will be described in greater detail below. Force
concentration member 36 is preferably embodied as a tapered
projection 38 terminating in a pressure tip 40 that is adapted to
bear against molded panel 22 in area adjacent to the score 24 when
the plunger member 30 is depressed. As may be seen in FIG. 4, the
relatively flat upper surface 44 of the plunger member 30 is
relatively smooth and expansive, making it is easy as possible for
a disabled person to exert downward pressure on the upper surface
44 when it is desired to open the easy open closure 10. To this
end, relatively flat upper surface 44 preferably has a surface area
of at least 0.5 square inches and more preferably a surface area of
at least 0.75 square inches. Flat upper surface 44 is preferably
substantially circular in shape and has a circumferential outer rim
46 and a relatively flat lower surface 48 that is molded to be as
smooth as possible so as to create a good seal against the upper
surface 29 of the annular recess 28 when the plunger member 30 has
been completely depressed.
[0018] In order to open the easy open closure 10, a disabled person
will first disengage releasable protective structure 50 that is
provided to prevent accidental depression of the plunger member 30.
In the preferred embodiment, releasable protective structure 50 is
embodied as a cover member 52 having an oversized thumb tab 54 that
is hingedly mounted to the main body portion 16 by a hinge member
56. Preferably, cover member 52 and hinge member 56 are integrally
molded together with the main body portion 16. Accordingly, a
disabled consumer will engage the oversized thumb tab 54 and lift
the cover member 52 to the position in which it is shown in FIG. 1.
The disabled consumer will then press down on the flat upper
surface 44 of the plunger member 30, thereby forcing the pressure
tip 40 against the molded panel 22 in the area of the score 24.
This will cause rupture of the molded panel 22, and the molded
panel 22 will continue to tear along the score line 24 until the
plunger member 30 is completely depressed so that the underside 48
of the plunger member 30 is sealed together in contact with the
flat surface 29 and the outer rim 46 of the plunger member 30 is
seated within the annular recess 28 of the main body portion 16, as
is illustrated in FIG. 2. In this position, the second openings 42
that are defined in the distal end of the force concentration
member 36 will be positioned beneath the ruptured molded panel 22
into the container 12, thereby ensuring reliable communication
between the passageway 34 and the interior of the container 12. The
disabled consumer will then be able to pour or drink directly from
the closure 10. The closure 10 may then be resealed to some extent
by closing the cover member 52.
[0019] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been
set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of
the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in
matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the
principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the
broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are
expressed.
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