U.S. patent application number 10/575133 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-13 for child-resistant package.
Invention is credited to Douglas A. Abbott.
Application Number | 20070210027 10/575133 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34465128 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070210027 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abbott; Douglas A. |
September 13, 2007 |
Child-Resistant Package
Abstract
The invention relates to a dispensing tube package, comprising a
dispensing container (20) best seen in FIG. 5, having a threaded
neck (24) and a shoulder with lugs (32), and, a closure (12) best
seen in FIG. 3, with a threaded inner skirt (42), and an outer
skirt (40), with a slot (15) to receive the shoulder lug to prevent
rotation of the closure.
Inventors: |
Abbott; Douglas A.; (Easton,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OHLANDT, GREELEY, RUGGIERO & PERLE, LLP
ONE LANDMARK SQUARE, 10TH FLOOR
STAMFORD
CT
06901
US
|
Family ID: |
34465128 |
Appl. No.: |
10/575133 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
October 8, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US04/33173 |
371 Date: |
December 20, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60510253 |
Oct 10, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
215/214 ;
215/217; 215/44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 50/046 20130101;
B65D 50/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/214 ;
215/217; 215/044 |
International
Class: |
B65D 55/02 20060101
B65D055/02; B65D 1/02 20060101 B65D001/02 |
Claims
1. A dispensing package, comprising: a dispensing container, the
container having a body wall and a head, the head having a neck and
a shoulder, the body wall defining a chamber therein, the neck
communicating with the body wall via the shoulder, the neck having
an orifice therein and a passageway there through extending from
the orifice to the chamber, the shoulder having a lug extending
therefrom adjacent the periphery thereof, the neck having a first
thread extending therefrom, the first thread having a pitch of
about 0.08 to about 0.16 inch and an initial full thread generally
in alignment with the lug directional with the longitudinal
extension of the neck, a closure engageable and lockable with the
dispensing container, the closure having a top end having a
generally circumferential outer skirt extending therefrom and a
generally circumferential Inner skirt extending therefrom, the
inner skirt being situated Inside the outer skirt, the inner skirt
having a second thread extending therefrom at an inner surface, the
second thread being rotatably engageable with the first thread of
the neck, the outer skirt terminating at a first edge opposite the
top end, the inner skirt terminating at a second edge opposite the
top end, the outer skirt having a slot therein extending inward
from the first edge, the slot therein being adapted to receive a
portion of the lug therein when the closure is in locking position
with the head.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein the slot is substantially the
same shape as the portion of the lug receivable therein.
3. The package of claim 2, wherein the slot defines a vertical edge
adjacent thereto, also wherein the vertical edge is generally
directional with respect to the longitudinal extension of the outer
skirt.
4. The package of claim 3, wherein the lug defines a flat surface
generally directional with the longitudinal extension of the neck,
the flat surface being engageable with the vertical edge when the
closure is in locking position with the head.
5. The package of claim 1, wherein the lug extends from the neck
radially outward.
6. The package of claim 1, wherein the lug is isolated from and
non-integral with the neck.
7. The package of claim 3, wherein the lug has a notch therein at
an outer portion thereof, the lug bearing a flat surface adjacent
the notch.
8. The package of claim 1, wherein there are two lugs extending
from the shoulder, the two lugs being positioned oppositely about
the neck.
9. The package of claim 6, wherein there are two lugs extending
from the shoulder, the two lugs being positioned oppositely about
the neck.
10. The package of claim 3, wherein the slot extends angularly from
the first edge therein to the vertical edge.
11. The package of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the outer
skirt defines knurls therein extending generally from the first
edge toward the top end.
12. The package of claim 1, wherein one or more ribs extend from an
inner surface of the outer skirt from about the middle thereof
toward the top end.
13. The package of claim 12, wherein there are three to six
ribs.
14. The package of claim 1, wherein the shoulder has a diameter of
about 0.5 to about 0.75 inch.
15. The package of claim 14, wherein the shoulder has a diameter of
about 0.6 inch.
16. The package of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer skirts are
tapered inward about 0.5.degree. with respect to the longitudinal
extension of the closure.
17. The package of claim 1, wherein the closure has a plug seal
extending circumferentially from the top end generally directional
to the longitudinal extension of the closure, and wherein the plug
seal is adapted to fit within and seal the orifice when the closure
is in locking position with the head.
18. The package of claim 1, wherein the closure has a foam layer
situated at a central area of an inner surface of the top end
thereof, the foam layer being adapted to fit over and seal the
orifice when the closure is in locking position with the head.
19. The package of claim 1, wherein the shoulder is substantially
flat in shape.
20. The package of claim 1, wherein the first thread has a pitch of
about 0.1 to about 0.12 inch.
21. The package of claim 1, wherein the first thread has a pitch of
about 0.1 inch.
22. The package of claim 1, wherein the height of the lug is about
one-half of the pitch of the thread on the outer surface of the
neck.
23. The package of claim 1, wherein the thread of the neck has a
terminal full thread generally in alignment with the lug
directional with the longitudinal extension of the neck.
24. A dispensing container, comprising: a body wall and a head, the
head having a neck and a shoulder, the body wall defining a chamber
therein, the neck communicating with the body wall via the
shoulder, the neck having an orifice therein and a passageway there
through extending from the orifice to the chamber, the shoulder
having a lug extending therefrom adjacent the periphery thereof,
the neck having a first thread extending therefrom, the first
thread having a pitch of about 0.08 to about 0.16 inch and an
initial full thread generally in alignment with the lug directional
with the longitudinal extension of the neck.
25. The container of claim 24, wherein the lug defines a flat
surface generally directional with the longitudinal extension of
the neck.
26. The container of claim 24, wherein the lug extends from the
neck radially outward.
27. The container of claim 24, wherein the lug is isolated from and
non-integral with the neck.
28. The container of claim 25, wherein the lug has a notch therein
at an outer portion thereof, the lug bearing a flat surface
adjacent the notch.
29. The container of claim 24, wherein there are two lugs extending
from the shoulder, the two lugs being positioned oppositely about
the neck.
30. The container of claim 27, wherein there are two lugs extending
from the shoulder, the two lugs being positioned oppositely about
the neck.
31. The container of claim 24, wherein there are two lugs
positioned oppositely about the neck and each taking the general
shape of a triangloid.
32. The container of claim 24, wherein the shoulder has a diameter
of about 0.5 to about 0.75 inch.
33. The container of claim 24, wherein the shoulder has a diameter
of about 0.6 inch.
34. The container of claim 24, wherein the shoulder is
substantially flat in shape.
35. The container of claim 24, wherein the first thread has a pitch
of about 0.1 to about 0.12 inch.
36. The container of claim 24, wherein the first thread has a pitch
of about 0.1 inch.
37. The container of claim 24, wherein the height of the lug is
about one-half of the pitch of the thread on the outer surface of
the neck.
38. The container of claim 24, wherein the thread of the neck has a
terminal full thread generally in alignment with the lug
directional with the longitudinal extension of the neck.
39. A closure, comprising: a top end having a generally
circumferential outer skirt extending therefrom and a generally
circumferential Inner skirt extending therefrom, the inner skirt
being situated inside the outer skirt, the inner skirt having a
thread extending from and around an inner surface, the outer skirt
terminating at a first edge opposite the top end, the inner skirt
terminating at a second edge opposite the top end, the outer skirt
having a slot therein extending inward from the edge, the slot
defining a flat surface adjacent thereto, the flat surface being
generally directional with the longitudinal extension of the outer
skirt. the slot extending angularly from the edge therein to the
flat surface.
40. The closure of claim 39, wherein an outer surface of the outer
skirt defines knurls therein extending generally from the first
edge toward the top end.
41. The closure of claim 39, wherein one or more ribs extend from
an inner surface of the outer skirt from about the middle thereof
toward the top end.
42. The closure of claim 41, wherein there are three to six
ribs.
43. The closure of claim 39, wherein the inner and outer skirts
taper inward about 0.5.degree. with respect to the longitudinal
extension of the closure.
44. The closure of claim 39, wherein the closure has a plug seal
extending circumferentially from the top end generally directional
to the longitudinal extension of the closure.
45. The closure of claim 39, wherein the closure has a foam layer
situated at a central area of an inner surface of the top end
thereof.
46. A dispensing packaging, comprising: a dispensing container, the
container having a body wall and a head, the head having a neck and
a shoulder, the body wall defining a chamber therein, the neck
communicating with the body wall via the shoulder, the neck having
an orifice therein and a passageway there through extending from
the orifice to the chamber, the neck having a lug extending from
the shoulder adjacent the periphery thereof, the neck having two or
more intertwining threads extending therefrom and therealong, the
threads having a pitch of about 0.15 to about 0.30 inch, and each
of the at two or more threads having an initial full thread
generally in alignment with the lug directional with the
longitudinal extension of the neck, a closure engageable and
lockable with the dispensing container, the closure having a top
end having a generally circumferential outer skirt extending
therefrom and a generally circumferential inner skirt extending
therefrom, the inner skirt being situated inside the outer skirt,
the inner skirt having two or more intertwining threads extending
therefrom and therealong at an inner surface, the two or more
intertwining threads being rotatably engageable with the two or
more intertwining threads of the neck, the outer skirt terminating
at a first edge opposite the top end, the inner skirt terminating
at a second edge opposite the top end, the outer skirt having a
slot therein extending inward from the edge, the slot therein being
adapted to receive a portion of the lug therein when the closure is
in locking position with the head.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a package for dispensing and
delivering product. The invention further relates to a
child-resistant package. The invention still further relates to a
closure for a child-resistant package. The invention still yet
further relates to a container for a child-resistant package.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Child-resistant packages have been developed for use in
dispensing products deemed potentially harmful to children if
imbibed or otherwise exposed. Such packages typically comprise a
container and a closure. The closure typically requires mechanical
manipulation to unscrew or decouple is from the container. Some
common types include push-and-turn and squeeze-and-turn. Such
packages have commonly been employed with tubular plastic
dispensing containers.
[0005] Some squeeze-and-turn tubular plastic dispensing containers
have employed locking lugs on the base or shoulder of a container
to engage portions of a closure. Examples of such packages are
shown in Great Britain Patent Application 2,030,970 A1 and U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,335,823; 4,413,743; 5,145,080; 5,988,412; 5,915,576;
6,112,921 and 6,357,615 B1.
[0006] Squeeze-and-turn tubular plastic dispensing containers have
heretofore been unavailable in small diameter sizes, i.e., 0.50 to
0.75 inch in base or shoulder diameter. Containers of small
diameter are difficult to design because of the relatively small
circumference available to achieve mating between lugs and the
closure.
[0007] It would be desirable to have a child-resistant package of
small diameter size. It would further be desirable to have a
child-resistant package of the squeeze-and-turn type. It would
further be desirable to have a child-resistant package employing
locking lugs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to the present invention, there is a dispensing
tube package. The package has a dispensing container and a closure
engageable and lockable with the dispensing container. The
container has a body wall and a head. The head has a neck and a
shoulder. The body wall defines a chamber therein. The neck
communicates with the body wall via the shoulder. The neck has an
orifice therein and a passageway therethrough extending from the
orifice to the chamber. One or more lugs extend from the shoulder
adjacent the periphery of the shoulder. The neck has a first thread
extending therefrom. The first thread has a pitch of about 0.08 to
about 0.16 inch and an initial full thread generally in alignment
with the lug directional with the longitudinal extension of the
neck. The closure has a top end having a generally circumferential
outer skirt extending therefrom and a generally circumferential
inner skirt extending therefrom. The inner skirt is situated inside
the outer skirt. The inner skirt has a second thread extending
therefrom at an inner surface. The second thread is rotatably
engageable with the first thread of the neck. The outer skirt
terminates at a first edge opposite the top end. The inner skirt
terminates at a second edge opposite the top end. The outer skirt
has a slot therein extending inward from the edge. The slot therein
is adapted to receive a portion of the lug therein when the closure
is in locking position with the head.
[0009] Further according to the present invention, there is a
dispensing container. The dispensing container has a body wall and
a head. The head has a neck and a shoulder. The body wall defines a
chamber therein. The neck communicates with the body wall via the
shoulder. The neck has an orifice therein and a passageway there
through extending from the orifice to the chamber. One or more lugs
extend from the shoulder adjacent the periphery of the shoulder.
The neck has a first thread extending therefrom. The first thread
has a pitch of about 0.08 to about 0.16 inch and an initial full
thread generally in alignment with the lug directional with the
longitudinal extension of the neck.
[0010] Further according to the present invention, there is a
closure. The closure has a top end having a generally
circumferential outer skirt extending therefrom and a generally
circumferential inner skirt extending therefrom. The inner skirt is
situated inside the outer skirt. The inner skirt has a second
thread extending therefrom at an inner surface. The second thread
is rotatably engageable with the first thread of the neck. The
outer skirt terminates at a first edge opposite the top end. The
inner skirt terminates at a second edge opposite the top end. The
outer skirt has a slot therein extending inward from the edge. The
slot defines a flat surface adjacent thereto. The flat surface is
generally directional with the longitudinal extension of the outer
skirt. The slot extends angularly from the edge therein to the flat
surface.
[0011] Further according to the invention, there is a dispensing
packaging. The package has a dispensing container and a closure.
The container has a body wall and a head. The head has a neck and a
shoulder. The body wall defines a chamber therein. The neck
communicates with the body wall via the shoulder. The neck has an
orifice therein and a passageway therethrough extending from the
orifice to the chamber. There are two or more lugs extending from
the shoulder adjacent the periphery of the shoulder. The neck has
two or more intertwining threads extending therefrom and
therealong. The threads have a pitch of about 0.15 to about 0.30
inch. Each of the two or more threads have an initial full thread
generally in alignment with a lug directional with the longitudinal
extension of the neck. The closure is engageable and lockable with
the dispensing container. The closure has a top end having a
generally circumferential outer skirt extending therefrom and a
generally circumferential inner skirt extending therefrom. The
inner skirt is situated inside the outer skirt. The inner skirt has
two or more intertwining threads extending therefrom and therealong
at an inner surface. The two or more intertwining threads are
rotatably engageable with the two or more intertwining threads of
the neck. The outer skirt terminates at a first edge opposite the
top end. The inner skirt terminates at a second edge opposite the
top end. The outer skirt has a slot therein extending inward from
the edge. The slot therein is adapted to receive a portion of the
two or more lugs therein when the closure is in locking position
with the head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
dispensing package according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a closure
according to the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the closure of FIG. 2
along the line 3-3.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the closure of FIG. 2.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective partial view of an embodiment of a
dispensing container according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a top view of the dispensing container of FIG.
5.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view of the dispensing container of FIG.
5.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the package of FIG. 1
along line 8-8.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a closeup view of the threads of the closure of
FIG. 3.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
closure of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the closure of FIG. 10
along the line 11-11.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of
a dispensing container according to the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a partial side view of the dispensing container
of FIG. 12.
[0025] FIG. 14 is another partial side view of the dispensing
container of FIG. 12.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a top view of the dispensing container of FIG.
12.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a package formed when
the closure of FIG. 2 is engaged with the dispensing container of
FIG. 12 in the same manner as in FIG. 1. The cross-section is
viewed from the same reference as line 8-8 in FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a
dispensing container according to the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 18 is a partial side view of the dispensing container
of FIG. 17.
[0030] FIG. 19 is a partial side view of the dispensing container
of FIG. 17.
[0031] FIG. 20 is top view of the dispensing container of FIG.
17.
[0032] FIG. 21 is a fragmentary, perspective view of still yet
another embodiment of a dispensing container according to the
present invention.
[0033] FIG. 22 is a fragmentary, side view of the dispensing
container of FIG. 21.
[0034] FIG. 23 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the dispensing
container of FIG. 21 joined with a closure to form a package.
[0035] FIG. 24 is a fragmentary, side view of the dispensing
container of FIG. 21 joined with a closure to form a package.
[0036] FIG. 25 is a side view of a closure according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0037] The following are preferred aspects and features of the
present invention.
[0038] A preferred slot in the closure can be substantially the
same shape as the portion of the lug to be received therein. The
slot defines a vertical edge adjacent thereto, and the vertical
edge is generally directional with respect to the longitudinal
extension of the outer skirt. The slot extends angularly from the
edge of the outer skirt therein to the vertical edge.
[0039] A preferred lug defines a flat surface generally directional
with the longitudinal extension of the neck. The flat surface is
engaged with the vertical edge when the closure is in locking
position with the head. In one embodiment, the lug extends from the
neck radially outward. The lug is substantially free of contact
with the neck. In another embodiment, the lug has a notch therein
at an outer portion thereof with the notch bearing a flat surface.
In a preferred embodiment, there are two lugs extending from the
shoulder with the two lugs being positioned oppositely about the
neck. Preferably, the height of the lug is about one-half of the
pitch of the thread on the outer surface of the neck.
[0040] In a preferred closure, the outer surface of the outer skirt
defines knurls therein extending generally from the bottom edge
toward the top end of the closure. The inner surface of the outer
skirt has one or more ribs extending from about the middle thereof
toward the top end to mechanically strengthen the closure. Most
preferably, there are three to six ribs. The shoulder has a more
preferred diameter of about 0.5 to about 0.75 inch and a most
preferred diameter of about 0.6 inch. The inner and outer skirts
are most preferably tapered inward about 0.5.degree. (degrees) with
respect to the longitudinal extension of the closure to enhance
moldability during injection molding of the closure. The closure
preferably has a plug seal extending circumferentially from the top
end generally directional to the longitudinal extension of the
closure. The plug seal is adapted to fit within and seal the
orifice when the closure is in locking position with the head. In
lieu of a plug seal, the closure may have a foam layer situated at
a central area of an inner surface of the top end thereof. The foam
layer would be adapted to fit over and seal the orifice when the
closure is in locking position with the head. The shoulder can be
sloped or flat in shape. The thread on the neck preferably has a
pitch of about 0.1 to about 0.12 inch and most preferably a pitch
of about 0.1 inch. In addition to having an initial full thread
generally in alignment with a lug directional with the longitudinal
extension of the neck, a preferred dispensing container also has a
terminal full thread generally in alignment same.
[0041] An embodiment of a dispensing tube package is shown in FIG.
1 and is generally referenced by the numeral 10. Package 10 has a
dispensing container 20 and a closure 12 engageable and lockable
with container 20. Closure 12 is shown in isolation in FIG. 2. As
shown in FIG. 5, container 20 has a body wall 16 and a head 22.
Head 22 has a neck 24 and a shoulder 26. Body wall 16 defines a
chamber 28 therein. Neck 24 communicates with body wall 16 via
shoulder 26. Neck 24 has an orifice 28 therein and a passageway 30
therethrough extending from orifice 28 to chamber 28.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, lugs 32 and 34 extend from
shoulder 26 radially outward from neck 24 to adjacent the periphery
of shoulder 26. Lugs 32 and 34 are situated generally oppositely
about neck 24. Lugs 32 and 34 define flat surfaces 52 and 54 and
angled surfaces 56 and 58, respectively. In lug 32, angled surface
56 slopes upward from shoulder 26 to intersect with flat surface
52, which extends generally directionally with the longitudinal
extension of neck 24. In lug 34, angled surface 58 slopes upward
from shoulder 26 to intersect with flat surface 54, which extends
generally directionally with the longitudinal extension of neck 24.
Lugs 32 and 34 take the general shape of a triangloid or a
wedge.
[0043] Thread 36 extends from an upper portion of neck 24. Thread
36 has a pitch of about 0.08 to about 0.16 inch. Thread 36 has an
initial full thread 60 and a terminal full thread 62 generally in
alignment with flat surface 52 of lug 32 directional with the
longitudinal extension of neck 24.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, closure 12 has a top end 38
having a generally circumferential outer skirt 40 extending
therefrom. Closure 12 also has a generally circumferential inner
skirt 42 extending therefrom inside outer skirt 40. Inner skirt 42
has a thread 46 extending from its inner surface. Thread 36 of neck
24 can be screwed into thread 46 of inner skirt 42. Outer skirt 40
terminates at a first edge 48 opposite top end 38. Inner skirt 42
terminates at a second edge 50 opposite top end 38. Outer skirt 40
has a slot 14 and another slot 15 oppositely situated thereabout
that extend inwardly therein from first edge 48. Slot 14 has an
angled edge 62 that angles and curves inward into outer skirt 40
and intersects a vertical edge 64 that is generally directional
with respect to the longitudinal extension of outer skirt 40. Slot
15 has an angled edge 66 that angles and curves inward into outer
skirt 40 and intersects a vertical edge 68 that is generally
directional with respect to the longitudinal extension of outer
skirt 40. Slots 14 and 15 are adapted to receive an outer portion
of each of lugs 32 and 34, respectively, when closure 12 is in
locking position with head 22 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8. Slots 14
and 15 slide over and/or around the outer portion of lugs 32 and 34
as closure 12 is screwed on container 20. In locking position,
verticle edge 64 is generally in abutment with or adjacent to
vertical surface 52 and vertical edge 68 of slot 15 is generally in
abutment with or adjacent to vertical surface 54. Further in
locking position, angled edge 62 is generally in abutment with or
adjacent to angled surface 56 and a corresponding angled edge (not
shown) of slot 15 is generally in abutment with or adjacent to
angled surface 58.
[0045] Closure 12 defines knurls 18 and 19 therein at the outer
surface of outer skirt 40 extending from first edge 48 toward top
end 38. Knurls 18 and 19 provide a gripping surface for the fingers
(not shown) to squeeze, turn and remove closure 12 from container
20. When closure 12 is squeezed at knurls 18 and 19, the portions
of outer skirt 40 having slots 14 and 15 therein are forced
outward, thereby releasing lugs 32 and 34 from their locking
position with slots 14 and 15.
[0046] An embodiment of a dispensing container is shown in FIG. 12
and is generally referenced by the numeral 80. Closure 12 is shown
in isolation in FIG. 2. Container 80 has a body wall 88 and a head
82. Head 82 has a neck 84 and a shoulder 86. Body wall 88 defines a
chamber 89 therein. Neck 84 communicates with body wall 88 via
shoulder 86. Neck 84 has an orifice 94 therein and a passageway 98
therethrough extending from orifice 94 to chamber 89.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, lugs 90 and 92 radially extend
from shoulder 86 from neck 84 to adjacent the periphery of shoulder
86. Lugs 90 and 92 are situated generally oppositely about neck 84.
Lugs 90 and 92 define flat surfaces 100 and 102, normal surfaces
104 and 106 and angled surfaces 108 and 110, respectively. In lug
90, angled surface 108 slopes upward from shoulder 86 to generally
intersect with flat surface 100, which extends generally
directionally with the longitudinal extension of neck 84. Normal
surface 104 also extends generally directionally with the
longitudinal extension of neck 84 and is also generally
perpendicular with respect to flat surface 108. In lug 92, angled
surface 110 slopes upward from shoulder 86 to generally intersect
with flat surface 102, which extends generally directionally with
the longitudinal extension of neck 84. Normal surface 106 also
extends generally directionally with the longitudinal extension of
neck 84 and is also generally perpendicular with respect to flat
surface 102. The relative configuration of flat surfaces 100 and
102 and normal surfaces 104 and 106 provides lugs 90 and 92 with a
unotched" appearance.
[0048] Thread 96 extends from an upper portion of neck 84. Thread
96 has a pitch of about 0.08 to about 0.16 inch. Thread 96 has an
initial full thread 112 and a terminal full thread 114 generally in
alignment with flat surface 100 of lug 90 directional with the
longitudinal extension of neck 84.
[0049] Closure 12 is engageable and lockable with container 80.
Slots 14 and 15 of closure 12 are adapted to receive an outer
portion of each of lugs 90 and 92, respectively, when closure 12 is
in locking position with head 82. Slots 14 and 15 slide over and/or
around the outer portion of lugs 90 and 92 as closure 12 is screwed
on container 80. In locking position, verticle edge 64 of closure
12 is generally in abutment with or adjacent to flat surface 100
and vertical edge 68 of slot 15 is generally in abutment with or
adjacent to flat surface 102. Further in locking position, angled
edge 62 is generally in abutment with or adjacent to angled surface
108 and a corresponding angled edge (not shown) of slot 15 is
generally in abutment with or adjacent to angled surface 110.
[0050] Another embodiment of a dispensing container is shown in
FIG. 17 and is generally referenced by the numeral 130. Container
130 has a body wall 138 and a head 132. Head 132 has a neck 134 and
a shoulder 136. Body wall 138 defines a chamber 139 therein. Neck
134 communicates with body wall 138 via shoulder 136. Neck 134 has
an orifice 144 therein and a passageway 148 therethrough extending
from orifice 144 to chamber 139.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, lugs 140 and 142 radially extend
from shoulder 136 adjacent the periphery of shoulder 136. Lugs 140
and 142 generally have the shape of a wedge and are isolated from
and non-integral with neck 134. Lugs 140 and 142 are situated
generally oppositely about neck 134. Lugs 140 and 142 define flat
surfaces 150 and 152 and angled surfaces 154 and 156, respectively.
In lug 140, angled surface 154 slopes upward from shoulder 136 to
intersect with flat surface 150, which extends generally
directionally with the longitudinal extension of neck 134. In lug
142, angled surface 156 slopes upward from shoulder 136 to
intersect with flat surface 152, which extends generally
directionally with the longitudinal extension of neck 134.
[0052] Thread 146 extends from an upper portion of neck 134. Thread
146 has a pitch of about 0.08 to about 0.16 inch. Thread 146 has an
initial full thread 158 and a terminal full thread 160 generally in
alignment with flat surface 150 of lug 140 directional with the
longitudinal extension of neck 134.
[0053] Closure 12 of FIG. 2 is engageable and lockable with
container 130. Slots 14 and 15 of closure 12 are adapted to receive
an outer portion of each of lugs 140 and 142, respectively, when
closure 12 is in locking position with head 132. Slots 14 and 15
slide over and/or around the outer portion of lugs 140 and 142 as
closure 12 is screwed on container 130. In locking position,
verticle edge 64 of closure 12 is generally in abutment with or
adjacent to flat surface 150 and vertical edge 68 of slot 15 is
generally in abutment with or adjacent to flat surface 152. Further
in locking position, angled edge 62 is generally in abutment with
or adjacent to angled surface 154 and a corresponding angled edge
(not shown) of slot 15 is generally in abutment with or adjacent to
angled surface 156.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, there is a closure 170 having a
top end 172 having a generally circumferential outer skirt 174
extending therefrom. Closure 170 also has a generally
circumferential inner skirt 176 extending therefrom inside outer
skirt 174. Inner skirt 176 has a thread 178 extending from its
inner surface. The threads of any of the dispensing containers
shown herein can be screwed into thread 178. Outer skirt 174
terminates at a first edge 180 opposite top end 172. Inner skirt
176 terminates at a second edge 182 opposite top end 172. Outer
skirt 174 has a slot 184 and another slot 186 oppositely situated
thereabout that extend inwardly therein from first edge 180. Slot
184 has an angled edge 188 that angles and curves inward into outer
skirt 174 and intersects a vertical edge 192 that is generally
directional with respect to the longitudinal extension of outer
skirt 174. Slot 186 has an angled edge 190 that angles and curves
inward into outer skirt 174 and intersects a vertical edge 194 that
is generally directional with respect to the longitudinal extension
of outer skirt 174. Slots 184 and 186 are adapted to receive an
outer portion of and lock with the lugs of any of the dispensing
containers shown herein. Slots 184 and 186 slide over and/or around
the outer portion of such lugs. In locking position, verticle edges
192 and 194 are generally in abutment with or adjacent to the
vertical surface of such lugs. Closure 170 has a plug seal 200
extending circumferentially from top end 172 generally directional
to the longitudinal extension of closure 170. Plug seal 200 is
adapted to fit within and seal an orifice of a head of a dispensing
container when closure 170 is in locking position therewith.
[0055] An embodiment of a dispensing container is shown in FIG. 21
and is generally referenced by the numeral 210. Container 210 has a
body wall 218 and a head 212. Head 212 has a neck 214 and a
shoulder 216. Body wall 218 defines a chamber 219 therein. Neck 214
communicates with body wall 218 via shoulder 216. Neck 214 has an
orifice 224 therein and a passageway 228 therethrough extending
from orifice 224 to chamber 219.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, lugs 220 and 222 radially extend
from shoulder 216 from neck 214 to adjacent the periphery of
shoulder 216. Lugs 220 and 222 are situated generally oppositely
about neck 214. Lugs 220 and 222 define flat surfaces 230 and 232,
knobs 234 and 236 and inwardly tapered surfaces 238 and 240 and 242
and 244, respectively. The inwardly tapered surfaces at the outer
portion of lugs 220 and 222 function to slow down the Flat surfaces
230 and 232 are generally planar in surface contour and extend from
shoulder 216 generally directional with and generally radial to the
extension of neck 214. A preferred height for lugs 220 and 222 is
0.1 inch as measured from shoulder 216 to the top of flat surfaces
230 and 222. Knobs 234 and 236 extend from shoulder 21 and lugs 220
and 222, respectively.
[0057] Dispensing tube 210 has a double-lead screw. In other words,
there are two intermating threads 225 and 226 that extend from and
spirally traverse neck 214. The threads have a pitch of about 0.15
to about 0.3 inch and preferably about 0.2 inch. Thread 225 has an
initial full thread 233 and a terminal full thread 231. Thread 226
has an initial full thread 234 and a terminal full thread 232. An
important feature of the invention is that initial full threads 233
and 234 are generally in alignment with lugs 220 and 222
directional with the longitudinal extension of neck 214. Although
terminal full threads 231 and 232 are also generally in alignment
with lugs 220 and 222 directional with the longitudinal extension
of neck 214, this is not important to the present invention. Other
possible dispensing tube embodiments could have multiple-lead
screws, such as triple-lead, quadruple lead, and the like.
[0058] Dispensing tube 210 is mated with closure 246 to form
dispensing tube package 248, which is shown in FIGS. 22 and 23.
Closure 246 is engageable and lockable with dispensing containers
of the present invention, including container 210. As shown in
FIGS. 23 to 25, closure 246 has oppositely situated slots 250 and
252, which are adapted to receive an outer portion of each of lugs
220 and 222, respectively, when closure 246 is in locking position
with head 212. Slots 250 and 252 slide over and/or around the
inwardly tapered surfaces of the outer portion of lugs 220 and 222
as closure 246 is screwed on container 210. The inwardly tapered
surfaces at the outer portion of lugs 220 and 222 function to slow
down the rotation speed of closure 246 such that lugs 220 and 222
will snap into slots 250 and 252. The outer portions of lugs 220
and 222 protrude through slots 250 and 252 when closure 246 is in
locking position with head 212. Slots 220 and 222 define oppositely
situated vertical edges 254 and 256 (not shown) at their leading
edges. When in locking position, vertical edge 254 of closure 246
is generally in abutment with or adjacent to flat surface 230 and
vertical edge 256 of slot 222 is generally in abutment with or
adjacent to flat surface 232. Closure 246 has knurles 258 and 260
to aid in squeezing, turning, and removal of same. Knobs 234 and
236 provide a support surface against which the inside surface (not
shown) of closure 246 may rest. Apart from the aforementioned
recited structure, closure 246 has additional structure
corresponding to the other disclosed closure embodiments herein,
including, but not limited to inner and outer skirts, mating
threads, plug seals, and the like.
[0059] The package, including dispensing container and closure, may
be produced by any method known in the art such as extrusion or
lamination. In extrusion, plastic tubes are extruded continuously
then cut into discrete lengths to form tubular body walls for the
inner and outer containers. Tubes of different diameters are used
the inner and outer containers. Heads are then heat welded or
adhered to the tube lengths of both diameters to form the inner and
outer containers. The inner container is inserted into the open end
of the outer container and attached to or inserted into the head
and/or neck of outer container. A closure, cap or top is applied to
the head of the outer container. The open ends of inner and outer
containers are typically filled with functional and/or decorative
products to be dispensed and then sealed by heat or mechanical
means. Overlapping the ends and heat sealing is preferred. In
lamination, sheets of plastic material are rolled into tubes and
sealed along the sheet edges to form continuous tubes. The
continuous tubes are cut into discrete tube lengths and further
processed in the same manner as when forming extruded dispensing
containers.
[0060] The closure and head may be manufactured according to any
method known in the art such as injection molding, compression
molding or stamping with a plastic material. Injection molding is
preferred.
[0061] The package may be manufactured from any plastic material
known in the art. Representative plastic materials include ethylene
polymers, propylene polymers, polyesters, and polyamides. Useful
ethylene polymers include low density polyethylene, medium density
polyethylene, high density polyethylene and linear low density
polyethylene. A useful propylene polymer is polypropylene. Useful
polyesters include polyethylene terephthalate. Preferred plastic
materials are low density polyethylene and polypropylene. Different
parts of the package may be manufactured from the same or different
materials. A preferred plastic material for tube body walls is low
density polyethylene. Preferred plastic materials for the head and
the closure are high density polyethylene and polypropylene.
[0062] It should be understood that the foregoing description is
only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives
and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art
without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present
invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives,
modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *