U.S. patent application number 11/063056 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-24 for screw on dispensing closure with structure for preventing removal.
Invention is credited to David Ziegenhorn.
Application Number | 20060186078 11/063056 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36911560 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060186078 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ziegenhorn; David |
August 24, 2006 |
Screw on dispensing closure with structure for preventing
removal
Abstract
A screw on plastic dispensing closure for a container includes a
closure main body that is adapted to be screwed on to a container
and that has a top portion in which an orifice is defined for
dispensing a substance from the container and a downwardly
depending skirt portion having an inner surface on which at least
one interior thread is defined for engaging threading on the
container. The closure further includes a lid member that is
hingedly mounted to the closure main body for movement between a
first closed position in which the lid member covers the orifice
and an open position wherein the orifice is uncovered by the lid
member. Advantageously, retention structure is provided on the
closure main body for engaging the container in such a manner as to
frustrate efforts that may be made to unscrew the closure from the
container after the closure has been first screwed on to the
container.
Inventors: |
Ziegenhorn; David;
(Grayslake, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBLE, YOSHIDA & DUNLEAVY
EIGHT PENN CENTER
SUITE 1350, 1628 JOHN F KENNEDY BLVD
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
36911560 |
Appl. No.: |
11/063056 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/237 ;
215/253; 220/259.1; 220/259.3; 220/266; 222/153.07 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/0809 20130101;
B65D 2275/00 20130101; B65D 2401/15 20200501 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/237 ;
215/253; 220/259.1; 220/259.3; 220/266; 222/153.07 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/08 20060101
B65D047/08 |
Claims
1. A screw on plastic dispensing closure for a container,
comprising: a closure main body that is adapted to be screwed on to
a container, said closure main body having a top portion in which
an orifice is defined for dispensing a substance from the container
and a downwardly depending skirt portion having an inner surface on
which at least one interior thread is defined for engaging
threading on the container; a lid member that is hingedly mounted
to said closure main body for movement between a first closed
position wherein said lid member covers said orifice and an open
position wherein said orifice is uncovered by said lid member; and
retention means on said closure main body for engaging the
container in such a manner as to frustrate efforts that may be made
to unscrew the closure from the container after the closure has
been screwed on to the container.
2. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 1,
wherein said retention means is constructed and arranged to engage
a generally annular transfer ring that is positioned adjacent to a
threaded finish portion of a container.
3. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 2,
wherein said retention means is constructed and arranged to engage
a notch that is defined in the transfer ring of the container.
4. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 3,
wherein said retention means comprises an inwardly extending
projection that is defined on said inner surface of said downwardly
depending skirt portion, said inwardly extending projection being
constructed and arranged to engage said notch when said closure has
been screwed onto the container.
5. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 4,
wherein said inwardly extending projection is tapered at a lower
end thereof, whereby said lower end of said projection will ride
outwardly over the transfer ring of the container just prior to
becoming seated within said notch when the closure is being screwed
onto the container.
6. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 4,
wherein said inwardly extending projection includes a lateral
engagement surface for engaging a side of the notch when efforts
are made to unscrew the closure from the container.
7. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 4,
wherein said inwardly extending projection extends in a generally
longitudinal orientation on said inner surface of said downwardly
depending skirt portion.
8. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 4,
wherein said retention means comprises at least two of said
inwardly extending projections, and wherein said projections are
constructed and arranged to engage corresponding notches that are
defined in the transfer ring of the container.
9. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 1,
wherein said closure is fabricated from a polypropylene
material.
10. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 2,
wherein said retention means is constructed and arranged to engage
an underside of said generally annular transfer ring.
11. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 10,
wherein said retention means comprises at least one inwardly
projecting lug member that extends inwardly from said inner surface
of said downwardly depending skirt portion, said lug member being
constructed and arranged to slip over the generally annular
transfer ring when the closure is being screwed onto the container
and become seated against an underside of the annular transfer
ring, thereby making it difficult to unscrew the closure from the
container.
12. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 11,
wherein said lug member has a tapered lower surface, thereby easing
travel of the lug member over the annular transfer ring when the
closure is being screwed onto the container.
13. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 11,
wherein said retention means comprises a plurality of said lug
members.
14. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 1,
further comprising tamper evident locking structure for retaining
said lid member on said closure main body until the closure is
first opened by the consumer.
15. A container assembly, comprising: a container having a threaded
finish portion; and a plastic dispensing closure mounted on said
container, said closure comprising a closure main body that is
screwed on to said container, said closure main body having an
orifice for dispensing a substance from said container and a
downwardly depending skirt portion having an inner surface on which
at least one interior thread is defined that is engaged with said
threaded finish portion of said container; and flow control means
for opening and closing said orifice; and retention means on said
closure main body that is engaged with the container in such a
manner as to frustrate efforts that may be made to unscrew the
closure from the container.
16. A container assembly according to claim 15, wherein said
container includes a generally annular transfer ring that is
positioned adjacent to said threaded finish portion, and wherein
said retention means is constructed and arranged to engage said
generally annular transfer ring of said container.
17. A container assembly according to claim 16, wherein said
retention means is constructed and arranged to engage a notch that
is defined in the transfer ring of the container.
18. A container assembly according to claim 17, wherein said
retention means comprises an inwardly extending projection that is
defined on said inner surface of said downwardly depending skirt
portion, said inwardly extending projection being engaged with said
notch.
19. A container assembly according to claim 18, wherein said
inwardly extending projection is tapered at a lower end thereof,
whereby said lower end of said projection will ride outwardly over
the transfer ring of the container just prior to becoming seated
within said notch when the closure is being screwed onto the
container.
20. A container assembly according to claim 18, wherein said
inwardly extending projection includes a lateral engagement surface
for engaging a side of the notch when efforts are made to unscrew
the closure from the container.
21. A container assembly according to claim 18, wherein said
inwardly extending projection extends in a generally longitudinal
orientation on said inner surface of said downwardly depending
skirt portion.
22. A container assembly according to claim 18, wherein said
retention means comprises at least two of said inwardly extending
projections, and wherein said projections are engaged with
corresponding notches that are defined in the transfer ring of the
container.
23. A container assembly according to claim 15, wherein said
closure is fabricated from a polypropylene material.
24. A container assembly according to claim 15, wherein said
container is fabricated from polyethylene terephthalate.
25. A container assembly according to claim 16, wherein said
retention means is constructed and arranged to engage an underside
of said generally annular transfer ring.
26. A container assembly according to claim 25, wherein said
retention means comprises at least one inwardly projecting lug
member that extends inwardly from said inner surface of said
downwardly depending skirt portion, said lug member being
constructed and arranged to slip over the generally annular
transfer ring when the closure is being screwed onto the container
and become seated against an underside of the annular transfer
ring, thereby making it difficult to unscrew the closure from the
container.
27. A container assembly according to claim 26, wherein said lug
member has a tapered lower surface, thereby easing travel of the
lug member over the annular transfer ring when the closure is being
screwed onto the container.
28. A container assembly according to claim 26, wherein said
retention means comprises a plurality of said lug members.
29. A container assembly according to claim 15, wherein said
closure further comprises tamper evident locking structure for
retaining said lid member on said closure main body until the
closure is first opened by the consumer.
30. A container, comprising: a main body portion; a threaded finish
portion; and an annular transfer ring positioned adjacent to said
threaded finish portion, and wherein said annular transfer ring has
a notched defined therein for engaging a screw on type closure.
31. A container according to claim 30, wherein said notch is
oriented substantially longitudinally.
32. A screw on plastic dispensing closure for a container,
comprising: a closure main body that is adapted to be screwed on to
a container, said closure main body having an orifice for
dispensing a substance from the container and a downwardly
depending skirt portion having an inner surface on which at least
one interior thread is defined for engaging threading on the
container; flow control means for opening and closing said orifice;
and retention means on said closure main body for engaging the
container in such a manner as to frustrate efforts that may be made
to unscrew the closure from the container after the closure has
been screwed on to the container.
33. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 32,
wherein said retention means is constructed and arranged to engage
a generally annular transfer ring that is positioned adjacent to a
threaded finish portion of a container.
34. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 33,
wherein said retention means is constructed and arranged to engage
a notch that is defined in the transfer ring of the container.
35. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 34,
wherein said retention means comprises an inwardly extending
projection that is defined on said inner surface of said downwardly
depending skirt portion, said inwardly extending projection being
constructed and arranged to engage said notch when said closure has
been screwed onto the container.
36. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 35,
wherein said inwardly extending projection is tapered at a lower
end thereof, whereby said lower end of said projection will ride
outwardly over the transfer ring of the container just prior to
becoming seated within said notch when the closure is being screwed
onto the container.
37. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 35,
wherein said inwardly extending projection includes a lateral
engagement surface for engaging a side of the notch when efforts
are made to unscrew the closure from the container.
38. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 35,
wherein said inwardly extending projection extends in a generally
longitudinal orientation on said inner surface of said downwardly
depending skirt portion.
39. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 35,
wherein said retention means comprises at least two of said
inwardly extending projections, and wherein said projections are
constructed and arranged to engage corresponding notches that are
defined in the transfer ring of the container.
40. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 32,
wherein said closure is fabricated from a polypropylene
material.
41. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 33,
wherein said retention means is constructed and arranged to engage
an underside of said generally annular transfer ring.
42. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 41,
wherein said retention means comprises at least one inwardly
projecting lug member that extends inwardly from said inner surface
of said downwardly depending skirt portion, said lug member being
constructed and arranged to slip over the generally annular
transfer ring when the closure is being screwed onto the container
and become seated against an underside of the annular transfer
ring, thereby making it difficult to unscrew the closure from the
container.
43. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 42,
wherein said lug member has a tapered lower surface, thereby easing
travel of the lug member over the annular transfer ring when the
closure is being screwed onto the container.
44. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 42,
wherein said retention means comprises a plurality of said lug
members.
45. A screw on plastic dispensing closure according to claim 32,
further comprising tamper evident locking structure for retaining
said lid member on said closure main body until the closure is
first opened by the consumer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention generally relates to a dispensing closure of
the type that has a hinged reclosable lid that may be swung open to
reveal a dispensing orifice for the closure. More specifically,
this invention relates to a dispensing closure that is provided
with integral retention structure that resists or prevents the
closure from being unscrewed from a container after it is first
screwed onto the container.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Technology
[0004] Dispensing closures are in wide use for dispensing
materials, particularly liquids, throughout the world. A dispensing
closure is simply an article that is mountable onto a container
that is designed to permit closure of an orifice of the container
and, when the closure is opened, to permit material to be dispensed
from the container through the orifice and the dispensing closure.
Dispensing closures are quite common in the packaging of certain
beverages, such as sports drinks, other flowable food material such
as salad dressings as well as materials, such as oils and liquid
detergents that are unsuitable for human consumption.
[0005] One type of dispensing closure that is increasingly popular
is the flip-top variety, which is characterized by a main body
portion that is securable to a container and a lid portion that is
hingedly mounted to the main body portion. The main body portion
typically includes a dispensing orifice that is sealed by closure
of the lid and uncovered when the lid is opened. When a consumer
desires to dispense liquid from this type of dispensing closure, he
or she will flip the lid open and squeeze or invert the
container.
[0006] Dispensing closures are typically mounted to the container
are there by snapping the closure onto the container or screwing
the closure on to a threaded finish portion of the container. With
a snap-on connection, removal of the closure from the container by
the consumer is effectively discouraged. However, with a screw on
connection, it is generally relatively easy for a consumer to
remove the closure from the container by unscrewing it.
[0007] A need exists for a screw on type plastic dispensing closure
that is constructed so as to be able to resist or prevent removal
from a container by a consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a
screw on type plastic dispensing closure that is constructed so as
to be able to resist or prevent removal from a container by a
consumer.
[0009] In order to achieve the above and other objects of the
invention, a screw on plastic dispensing closure for a container
according to a first aspect of the invention includes a closure
main body that is adapted to be screwed on to a container, the
closure main body having a top portion in which an orifice is
defined for dispensing a substance from the container and a
downwardly depending skirt portion having an inner surface on which
at least one interior thread is defined for engaging threading on
the container and; a lid member that is hingedly mounted to the
closure main body for movement between a first closed position
wherein the lid member covers the orifice and an open position
wherein the orifice is uncovered by the lid member; and retention
structure on the closure main body for engaging the container in
such a manner as to frustrate efforts that may be made to unscrew
the closure from the container after the closure has been screwed
on to the container.
[0010] According to a second aspect of the invention, a container
assembly includes a container having a threaded finish portion; and
a plastic dispensing closure mounted on the container, the closure
comprising a closure main body that is screwed on to the container,
the closure main body having an orifice for dispensing a substance
from the container and a downwardly depending skirt portion having
an inner surface on which at least one interior thread is defined
that is engaged with the threaded finish portion of said container;
and flow control structure for opening and closing the orifice; and
retention structure on the closure main body that is engaged with
the container in such a manner as to frustrate efforts that may be
made to unscrew the closure from the container.
[0011] A container according to a third aspect of the invention
includes a main body portion; a threaded finish portion; and an
annular transfer ring positioned adjacent to the threaded finish
portion, and wherein the annular transfer ring has a notched
defined therein for engaging a screw on type closure.
[0012] A screw on plastic dispensing closure for a container
according to a fourth embodiment of the invention includes a
closure main body that is adapted to be screwed on to a container,
the closure main body having an orifice for dispensing a substance
from the container and a downwardly depending skirt portion having
an inner surface on which at least one interior thread is defined
for engaging threading on the container; flow control structure for
opening and closing the orifice; and retention structure on the
closure main body for engaging the container in such a manner as to
frustrate efforts that may be made to unscrew the closure from the
container after the closure has been screwed on to the
container.
[0013] 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
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container assembly that
is constructed according to a first embodiment of the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the container assembly
shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a third perspective view of the container assembly
shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container according to
the first embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container according to
the second embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container assembly
according to the second embodiment of the invention; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the container assembly
according to the second embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0021] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views,
and referring in particular to FIG. 1, a container assembly 10
according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention includes
a closure 12 and a container 14, which is best shown in FIG. 4. As
is shown in FIG. 4, container 14 includes a main body portion 16,
an upstanding generally cylindrical finish portion 18 having at
least one external thread 20 thereon and an outwardly extending
annular transfer ring 22 that is positioned adjacent to the finish
portion 18. Although the term transfer ring is generally used
specific to plastic containers that are formed from a preform by
blowmolding, such as those that are generally fabricated from
polyethylene terephthalate, it is to be understood that the term
transfer ring as it is being used herein could refer to any
structure that is functionally equivalent to the transfer rings
described herein with respect to the invention as it is disclosed,
including structure on containers that are not formed by using a
preform.
[0022] Referring again to FIG. 4, transfer ring 22 includes a
slightly tapered upper surface 24, a tapered lower surface 26 and
an outer surface 28 that forms the outer periphery of the transfer
ring 22. A radiused transition surface 30 connects the slightly
tapered upper surface 24 and the outer surface 28, for reasons that
will be described in greater detail below. According to one
particularly advantageous feature of this embodiment of the
invention, a pair of generally longitudinally extending notches,
only one of which is shown in FIG. 4, are defined in the transfer
ring 22. Each notch 32 includes a first side stop surface 34, a
second side stop surface 36 and a bottom surface 38 that defines
the bottom of the notch 32. The first and second side stop surfaces
34, 36 are preferably located in planes that are substantially
radial to the central axis of the generally cylindrical finish
portion 18.
[0023] Referring again to FIG. 1, closure 12 preferably includes a
main body portion 40 that is constructed and arranged to be screwed
onto the threaded finish portion 18 of the container 14. Main body
portion 40 includes a top portion or deck 42 in which a dispensing
orifice 44 is defined within a dispensing spout 46 for dispensing a
substance from the container 14 when the dispensing closure 12 is
in the open position shown in FIG. 1. Main body portion 40 further
includes a downwardly depending skirt portion 48, and a lid member
50 having an integral internal seal member 54. Lid member 50 is
hingedly mounted to the main body portion 40 by a hinge member 52
for movement between a first closed position wherein the internal
plug 54 covers the dispensing orifice 44 and an open position
wherein the dispensing orifice 44 is uncovered by the internal plug
54 and the lid member 50.
[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, closure 12 further has tamper
evident locking structure 56, which includes a removable tamper
evident band 58 that is frangibly mounted to the main body portion
40 by a number of integrally molded frangible bridges. Lid member
50 includes a pair of locking teeth 61 that engage the removable
tamper evident band 58 when the closure is closed during the
manufacturing process. In order to remove the tamper-evident band
58 to open the closure 12, a consumer will grasp a pull tab 60 in
order to tear the removable tamper evident band 58 away from the
main body portion 40 by fracturing the frangible bridges.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the downwardly
depending skirt portion 48 has an inner surface 62 on which at
least one raised internal thread 64 is defined. According to one
particularly advantageous feature of the invention, retention
structure 66 is provided on the closure 12 that will engage with
the container 14 in such a manner as to frustrate efforts that may
be made by the consumer or by potential wrongdoers to remove the
closure 12 from the container 14. In this first embodiment of the
invention, retention structure 66 is embodied as a pair of inwardly
extending projections 68, each of which is unitary with the inner
surface 62 of the skirt portion 48 of the main body portion 40 of
the closure 12. Each inwardly extending projection 68 is oriented
substantially as to be generally parallel with a longitudinal axis
of the substantially cylindrical skirt portion 48 of the closure
12, and includes first and second lateral engagement surfaces 70
and a tapered lower end 72. Tapered lower end 72 is preferably
given a convex radius, but it could alternatively be configured as
a linear taper. FIG. 3 provides an alternative view of the
underside of the closure 12 and illustrates the second inwardly
extending projection 68. The two inwardly extending projection 68
are preferably diametrically opposed from each other, corresponding
to the diametrical opposition of the notches 32 that are defined in
the transfer ring 22 of the container 14.
[0026] When the closure 12 is being screwed on to the container 14
during the packaging process, the inwardly extending projections 68
will as the closure 12 is nearly fully screwed on to the container
14 begin to contact the upper surface 24 of the transfer ring 22,
with the tapered lower end 72 of the inwardly extending projections
68 camming against the upper surface 24 and eventually the radiused
transition surface 30 of the transfer ring 22. This will cause a
temporary distortion of the generally cylindrical shape of the
skirt portion 48 as the inwardly extending projections 68 ride on
the outside of the transfer ring 22. At the point at which the
closure 12 is fully screwed onto the container 14, the inwardly
extending projections 68 will become seated within the notches 32
that are defined within the transfer ring 22. When this happens,
skirt portion 48 will reassume its cylindrical shape, with the
elasticity of the skirt portion 48 biasing the inwardly extending
projections 68 to remain seated within the notches 32. If an effort
is made by the consumer or a potential wrongdoer to unscrew the
closure 12 from the container 14, the lateral engagement surface 70
of the inwardly extending projections 68 will engage the second
side surface 36 of the notch 32, thereby impeding or preventing
unscrewing of the closure 12 from the container 14.
[0027] A container assembly 78 that is constructed according to a
second embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIGS. 5-7. A
container 74 according to the second embodiment of the invention is
identical to the container described above with reference to the
first embodiment of the invention, except that the transfer ring 76
has no notch or other irregularity defined therein. Referring to
FIG. 6, a closure 79 according to the second embodiment of the
invention is identical to the closure described above with
reference to the first embodiment except with regard to the
retention structure for engaging with the container in such a
manner to frustrate efforts that may be made to unscrew the closure
from the container.
[0028] Closure 79 includes retention structure 80 that is
constructed and arranged to engage the lower surface 26 or the
underside of the transfer ring 76. In the illustrated embodiment,
retention structure 80 is embodied as a plurality of lug members
82, each of which extends inwardly from the inner surface 62 of the
downwardly depending skirt portion 48 of the closure 79. The lug
members 82 are constructed and arranged to slip over the generally
annular transfer ring 76 when the closure 79 is being screwed onto
to the container 74 at the packaging facility. In the illustrated
embodiment, a plurality of lug members 82 are utilized. It should
be understood, however, that fewer or more lug members could be
used according to the invention, including one lid member that
would effectively be an annular ring about the inner periphery of
the skirt portion 48 of the closure 79.
[0029] 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.
* * * * *