U.S. patent application number 11/983351 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-14 for flip top container closure.
This patent application is currently assigned to Stull Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert T. Auer, Wayne E. Ford, Gene Stull, SR..
Application Number | 20090120899 11/983351 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40622731 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090120899 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stull, SR.; Gene ; et
al. |
May 14, 2009 |
Flip top container closure
Abstract
A flip-top container closure for use with a bottle or similar
container having a neck. The closure includes a base cap that
attaches to the container. The base cap is connected to an cover
cap by a hinge. The base cap includes a skirt extending downward
from the section's top surface, and a concentric plug seal
extending from the surface inside the skirt. The base cap includes
an orifice for passage of the container's contents. The cover cap
includes a plug that seals the orifice when the closure is
closed.
Inventors: |
Stull, SR.; Gene; (Far
Hills, NJ) ; Ford; Wayne E.; (Yardville, NJ) ;
Auer; Robert T.; (East Stroudsburg, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH;ATTN: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP
ONE LOGAN SQUARE, 18TH AND CHERRY STREETS
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103-6996
US
|
Assignee: |
Stull Technologies, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
40622731 |
Appl. No.: |
11/983351 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/235 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/0809
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/235 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/00 20060101
B65D041/00 |
Claims
1. A flip-top closure device for a bottle or other similar
container having a neck, the closure comprising: a base cap
including a top wall with an upper surface, a lower surface and a
circumferential edge, a nozzle projecting upwardly from the upper
surface of the top wall and having an orifice formed in the nozzle,
a cylindrical skirt depending downwardly from the circumferential
edge, the skirt adapted to engage the neck of a container; and a
cover cap adapted to cover at least a portion of the base cap, the
cover cap having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner
surface having a lower circumferential edge, a plug is formed
integral with and depending downward from the inner surface of the
cover cap, the plug sized to fit within the orifice so as to seal
the orifice, and a sealing shroud having an inner surface and an
outer surface, the shroud depending downwardly from the cover cap
and circumscribing the plug, wherein the cover cap is hingeably
attached to the base cap through an integrally formed hinge,
wherein the pivoting of the cover cap onto the base cap causes the
sealing shroud to engage with an upper portion of the top of the
nozzle, the contact between the sealing shroud and the nozzle
adapted to cause the cover cap to move laterally in relation to the
base cap, thereby properly aligning the plug with the orifice.
2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the base cap includes a hollow
cylindrical plug seal having a smaller diameter than the skirt and
depending downwardly from the lower surface of the top wall, the
plug seal having an outer surface adapted to engage the inside
surface of the neck of the container and including at least one
bead ring formed on the outer surface.
3. The closure of claim 2, wherein the circumferential edge
includes a shoulder circumscribing the circumference of the top
wall, the shoulder adapted to mate with the lower edge of the cover
cap when the cover cap is in a closed position.
4. The closure of claim 3, wherein the plug includes a tip end
which is sloped.
5. The closure of claim 4, wherein the angled tip provides
clearance between the tip and the shroud when the cover cap is
transitioned during the closing process.
6. The closure of claim 3, wherein the nozzle includes an integral
bead extending around its circumference.
7. The closure of claim 6, wherein the inner surface of the shroud
includes a notch adapted to engage the integral bead on the nozzle
when the cover cap is in the closed position thereby securing the
nozzle to the shroud.
8. The closure of claim 7, wherein the skirt includes at least one
rib adapted to grip the neck of a container.
9. The closure of claim 5, wherein the plug seal includes at least
two sealing beads on its outer surface, the beads being spaced
apart from one another and adapted to sealingly contact the inside
surface of the container neck.
10. The closure of claim 5, wherein the cover cap includes at least
one tooth adapted to engage at least one notch in the base cap when
the cover cap is placed in the closed position.
11. A flip-top closure device for a bottle or other similar
container having a neck, the closure comprising: a base cap
including a top wall with an upper surface, a lower surface and a
circumferential edge, a nozzle projecting upwardly from the upper
surface of the top wall and having an orifice formed in the nozzle,
a cylindrical skirt depending downwardly from the circumferential
edge, the skirt adapted to engage the neck of a container, a hollow
cylindrical plug seal having a smaller diameter than the skirt and
depending downwardly from the lower surface of the top wall, the
plug seal having an outer surface adapted to engage the inside
surface of the neck of the container; and a cover cap adapted to
cover at least a portion of the base cap, the cover cap having an
inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a
lower circumferential edge, a plug is formed integral with and
depending downward from the inner surface of the cover cap, the
plug sized to fit within the orifice so as to seal the orifice, the
plug having a sloped tip, and a sealing shroud having an inner
surface and an outer surface, the shroud depending downwardly from
the cover cap and circumscribing the plug, wherein the cover cap is
hingeably attached to the base cap through an integrally formed
hinge, wherein the pivoting of the cover cap onto the base cap
causes the sealing shroud to engage with an upper portion of the
top of the nozzle, the contact between the sealing shroud and the
nozzle adapted to cause the cover cap to move laterally in relation
to the base cap, thereby properly aligning the plug with the
orifice.
12. The closure of claim 11, wherein the nozzle includes an
integral bead extending around its exterior circumference, and the
shroud includes a bead notch formed in its interior surface, the
notch adapted to engage the bead when the cover cap is in a closed
position.
13. The closure of claim 12, wherein the shroud is adapted to
contact a portion of the nozzle during the closing motion, the
contact causing the cover cap to move laterally during the closing
motion.
Description
FILED OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to closures for a
bottle or other container having a neck, and more particularly, to
a container closure having a flip top and a plug for sealing an
orifice.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is known to provide a removable closure for bottles and
other containers, and it is known to provide a sealable passage in
the closure. This is often accomplished by use of a hinged
two-sectioned "flip-top" type closure that features an cover cap
section with a plug to seal an orifice on a base cap, which itself
it secured to the container or bottle. However, current designs
suffer from several flaws. First, flip-top closures typically rely
on the engagement of a snap ring on the edge of the base cap to
secure the cover cap in a closed position. However, when excess
weight is applied to the side of the closures, such as when the
closures are packed in a box for shipping, the weight deforms the
closures and causes them to open. Second, the motion of a flip-top
closure inherently causes interference between the surfaces of the
plug and the orifice as the closure is sealed, causing damage to
the tip of the plug and the edge of the orifice, and leading to
leakage.
[0003] A need, therefore, exists for a closure that remains closed
reliably, and that avoids seal degradation when used.
SUMMARY
[0004] The invention is directed to a container closure for use
with a bottle or other container having a neck. In exemplary
embodiments, the closure includes two sections--a base cap and an
upper or cover cap section--connected by a living hinge. The base
cap is adapted to mate to the outside of the neck of a container
and preferably features a plug seal adapted to fit the inside of
the container neck, while the upper section functions as a cover
that seals and covers the base cap. The base cap includes an
orifice adapted to allow passage of the container's contents, the
orifice preferably being defined by a nozzle or spout. The nozzle
or spout also preferably features a sealing bead ring
circumscribing its exterior circumference. The cover cap features a
plug adapted to seal the orifice and a shroud preferably featuring
a lock adapted to mate to the bead ring; the shroud and bead ring
ensure that the cover cap will remain closed. As the cover cap is
closed over the base cap, the shroud makes contact with the nozzle
and acts as a cam surface, forcing the cover cap to move laterally,
rather than in a continuous arc. This lateral movement allows the
plug to seal the orifice without interference and avoids damage to
either the plug or the nozzle, maintaining the integrity of the
seal and reducing the chance that the contents of the container
will leak.
[0005] Other objects, aspects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
reading the following detailed description, when considered in
conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings
briefly described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are
shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred; it
being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to
the precise arrangements and constructions particularly shown. In
the drawings:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container
closure according to the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the
closure of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the closure of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the closure of FIG. 3,
taken along lines 4A-4A.
[0011] FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of a portion of the closure
shown in FIG. 4A.
[0012] FIG. 4C is an enlarged view of a portion of the closure
shown in FIG. 4A.
[0013] FIG. 4D is an enlarged view of a portion of the closure
shown in FIG. 4A.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the closure of FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side view of the closure of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIGS. 7A-7D are side cross-sectional views of the operation
of the closure of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Referring now to the drawings that illustrate several
preferred embodiments of the invention, a closure is shown for use
on a bottle or similar container having a neck. As will be
discussed in more detail below, the container closure preferably
includes two sections connected by a hinge. One section attaches to
the container, while the other section removably seals and covers
the first section.
[0018] The following description and embodiments of the invention
are not intended to describe all cover/container combinations, but
are merely illustrative of how the teachings of the present
invention may be employed in the context of a preferred container
configuration.
[0019] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of the present invention.
Closure 10 includes a base cap 12 and a cover cap 14. The base cap
attaches to the neck of a container 11 (shown in FIGS. 7A-7D)
through any conventional method, such as with threads or a snap on
connection. The bas cap includes a top surface 16 with
circumferential edge 17, a skirt 18, and a nozzle or spout 20 which
projects upward from the top surface as shown in FIG. 1. The
circumferential edge preferably features a shoulder 19, adapted to
mate to the lower edge 21 of the cover cap. The nozzle includes an
orifice 22 for dispensing the contents of the container to which
the closure is attached. As shown in FIG. 2, the base cap may also
include a plug seal 23 configured to engage the inside surface of
the neck of the container. The attachment to the neck may include
at least one skirt rib 24 or thread that helps hold the closure on
the container neck (such as by engaging with a lip or thread on the
neck.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the cover cap is attached by a hinge 25
that integrally attaches the cover cap to the top surface or skirt
of the base. The cover cap includes a shroud 26 and a plug 28
extending from a bottom surface 30 of the cover cap. The plug 28
preferably features an angled tip 29 (shown in FIG. 4B). When the
closure is closed, the cover cap covers the base cap and seals the
orifice. In that position, the plug 28 is positioned inside the
orifice thereby sealing the orifice, while at the same time the
shroud surrounds the upper portion of the nozzle. The shroud 26 is
preferably flared outwardly so as to facilitate entry of the nozzle
into the shroud when the cover cap is moved into its closed
position.
[0021] FIGS. 3-6 show the closure in more detail. FIG. 4 is a
cross-section view of the closure in an open position. Visible in
FIGS. 4 and 4B is a nozzle ring bead 32 (also shown in FIG. 8) that
projects outward from the upper portion of the nozzle. The nozzle
ring beam 32 mates with a bead notch 34 (see FIG. 4A) formed on the
inside surface of the shroud 26 when the closure is closed, as
shown in FIG. 7D. The ring bead helps keep the cover cap sealed to
the base cap and prevents opening of the closure if the skirt is
deformed from its original shape.
[0022] As discussed above, in one embodiment, the skirt includes at
least one skirt rib 24 (also shown in FIGS. 2, 4A, 4D, and 7A-7D).
As shown in FIGS. 7A-7D, the base cap grips and seals the neck of a
bottle or other container. The plug seal 23 preferably includes at
least one seal ring 38 that prevents the contents from escaping.
More preferably the skirt includes multiple ribs 38 formed on the
outside of the plug seal and vertically spaced apart from one
another. Each rib may be continuous or broken, as shown in FIG. 2.
The skirt is adapted to fit snugly against the outside of a bottle
neck, and the rib or ribs help ensure that the closure stays
attached to the bottle. Meanwhile, the plug seal is sized to fit
snugly against the inside of the bottle neck, and the seal rings
prevent the bottle contents from escaping.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a top view of the closure, showing the top surface
16 of the base cap 12, and the bottom surface 30 of the cover cap
14. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the closure, showing the underside
of the base cap (including the plug seal 22) and the top side of
the cover cap. FIG. 6 is a side view of the closure in an open
position, and shows the exterior surface detail of the closure.
[0024] The closure is preferably molded of a single piece of a
suitably flexible plastic, such as [polypropylene?]. However, the
closure may be constructed of multiple pieces, using various
materials.
[0025] FIGS. 7A-7D show the operation of the closure. To seal the
closure, a user pivots the cover cap about the hinge to a position
above the base cap. As the cover cap moves into position above the
base cap, the nozzle makes contact with the shroud on the cover
cap, as shown in FIG. 7B. The shroud acts like a cam surface,
forcing the cover cap to translate laterally as it pivots. The
cover cap's lateral movement is enabled by the hinge, which
stretches as shown in FIG. 7B. This movement facilitates proper
alignment of the shroud around the nozzle. It also assists wit
guiding the shroud such that the plug enters into the orifice to
properly seal the nozzle.
[0026] In the exemplary embodiment, contact between the nozzle and
the shroud causes the cover cap to translate approximately 0.02''.
However, it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art
that the required amount of lateral translation will vary according
to design characteristics such as component size and material
elasticity. This lateral translation places the plug in position to
seal the orifice without making contact with the nozzle, as shown
in FIGS. 7B, 7C, and 7D. As shown in FIGS. 4B and 7C, the end of
the plug is preferably angled, providing clearance between the
front edge of the plug and the nozzle. By preventing contact
between the plug and the nozzle, the lateral motion of the cover
cap helps ensure that neither surface will be damaged during
operation. Thus, the resulting seal between the two surfaces will
remain stronger and more durable.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 7D, the nozzle bead engages the shroud
channel when the cover cap is in the closed position. This
engagement holds the cover cap on the base cap, preventing
unintended opening due to side loads and changes in the skirt
shape. When the cover cap is in the closed position, the lower edge
of the cover cap preferably rests on the shoulder formed around the
circumferential edge of the base cap. This provides a positive stop
for the cover cap, as well as increased stability to the closure.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, the cover cap may also include
alignment teeth 40 adapted to engage alignment notches 41 on the
base cap. The base cap shoulder and the alignment notches ensure
proper alignment of the caps, and prevent damage to the nozzle and
plug by resisting any side or twisting loads placed on the caps.
While the present embodiment discloses the use of teeth and notches
to align the caps, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize
that other forms of alignment may be used, including posts and
holes.
[0028] To open the closure, a user applies upward pressure on a lip
44 formed on the cover cap which preferably projects laterally pas
the radial location of the shoulder. as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.
This upward pressure causes the cover cap to separate from the base
cap and swing back on the hinge. The base cap preferably includes a
recessed portion 42 below the lip 44 which increases the surface
area of the lip 44.
[0029] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the configuration of
the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of
the invention. It is intended that the present invention cover such
modifications and variations provided they come within the scope of
the appended claims or their equivalents.
* * * * *