U.S. patent application number 12/368470 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-12 for low weight container closure.
This patent application is currently assigned to Phoenix Closures, Inc.. Invention is credited to Len Ekkert.
Application Number | 20100200532 12/368470 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42539545 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100200532 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ekkert; Len |
August 12, 2010 |
LOW WEIGHT CONTAINER CLOSURE
Abstract
A container closure comprising a top wall portion and a skirt
portion depending from the top wall portion is provided. The skirt
portion can include corrugation on an interior and exterior
thereof, and the corrugation can reduce the weight of the container
closure and provide strength of the skirt portion.
Inventors: |
Ekkert; Len; (Lemont,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Husch Blackwell Sanders, LLP;Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP Welsh & Katz
120 S RIVERSIDE PLAZA, 22ND FLOOR
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Phoenix Closures, Inc.
Naperville
IL
|
Family ID: |
42539545 |
Appl. No.: |
12/368470 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/201 ;
215/328 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/00 20130101;
B65D 41/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/201 ;
215/328 |
International
Class: |
B65D 50/00 20060101
B65D050/00; B65D 41/00 20060101 B65D041/00 |
Claims
1. A container closure comprising: a top wall portion; and an skirt
portion depending from the top wall portion, the skirt portion
including corrugation on an interior and an exterior thereof, the
corrugation reducing a weight of the container closure and the
corrugation providing strength to the skirt portion.
2. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein the corrugation
includes alternating grooves and protrusions circumferentially
spaced about the interior and the exterior of the skirt
portion.
3. A container closure as in claim 2 wherein the grooves of the
interior correspond with the protrusions of the exterior, and the
protrusions of the interior correspond with the grooves of the
exterior.
4. A container closure as in claim 2 wherein each groove extends
from a top end of the skirt portion to a bottom end of the skirt
portion.
5. A container closure as in claim 2 wherein each groove extends
only a portion of the skirt portion.
6. A container closure as in claim 2 wherein each protrusion
extends from a top end of the skirt portion to a bottom end of the
skirt portion
7. A container closure as in claim 2 wherein each protrusion
extends only a portion of the skirt portion.
8. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein the corrugation is
integral with the skirt portion.
9. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein the corrugation is
continuously situated about the interior and the exterior of the
skirt portion.
10. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein the corrugation is
partially situated about the interior or the exterior of the skirt
portion.
11. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein the interior and the
exterior of the skirt portion is corrugated.
12. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein the skirt portion
depends from a peripheral edge of the top wall portion.
13. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein any portion of the
skirt portion is short weighted.
14. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein a diameter of the
container closure is from about 18 mm to about 10 feet.
15. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein the container closure
is formed from plastic.
16. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein the skirt portion is
one of annular, circular, rectangular, squared, triangular,
polygonal, oval, or irregularly shaped.
17. A container closure comprising: a top wall portion; and a
corrugation depending from the top wall portion, the corrugation
having interior grooves that correspond to exterior protrusions,
the corrugation having interior protrusions that correspond to
exterior grooves, the interior grooves and protrusions and the
exterior grooves and protrusions being circumferentially spaced
about an interior of the corrugation and an exterior of the
corrugation, respectively.
18. A container closure as in claim 17 wherein the interior grooves
and protrusions and the exterior grooves and protrusions extend
from a top end of the corrugation to a bottom end of the
corrugation.
19. A container closure as in claim 17 wherein the interior grooves
and protrusions and the exterior grooves and protrusions extend
from a peripheral edge of the top wall portion to a bottom end of
the corrugation.
20. A container closure as in claim 17 wherein the interior grooves
and protrusions or the exterior grooves and protrusions extend only
a portion of the corrugation.
21. A container closure as in claim 17 wherein the corrugation
short weights the container closure.
22. A container closure as in claim 17 wherein the corrugation
provides relative strength to the container closure.
23. A container closure as in claim 17 wherein a diameter of the
container closure is from about 18 mm to about 10 feet.
24. A container closure as in claim 17 where the container closure
is formed from plastic.
25. A container closure as in claim 17 wherein the container
closure is child resistant.
26. A container closure as in claim 17 wherein the corrugation is
one of annular, circular, rectangular, squared, triangular,
polygonal, oval, or irregularly shaped.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a low weight
container closure. More particularly, the present invention relates
to a container closure having corrugations or grooves that make up
the interior and exterior of a skirt of the container closure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Container closures are common in consumer markets.
Typically, closures can be injection molded from a plastic material
or the like. Such closures can be used for sealing containers,
e.g., bottles of juice, milk, soda pop, and the like. One known
closure includes a circular top wall portion and an annular skirt
depending from the top wall portion. The closure may include tamper
indicating means, such as a tamper-indicating band that depends and
is separable from the annular skirt.
[0003] Generally, closures are formed as snap-type closures or
threaded closures. Snap-type closures can secure to a container by
one or more inwardly projecting elements that snap over
complementary, outwardly projecting elements on the container
finish. Threaded closures on the other hand can have a thread
formed on an inner surface of the depending skirt that engages a
complementary thread formed on the container finish. Threaded
closures are more commonly used for containers for liquid or
granular storage.
[0004] In a typical closure, the skirt can depend from a peripheral
edge of the top wall portion. Thus, the closure cap can define an
inverted cup-like figure that essentially matches the profile of a
container neck and finish. Containers can have various sizes of
openings and thus, various sizes of closure caps. The container
opening size may be dependent upon, in part, the substance stored
in the container. For example, some types of foods or powders may
be best packaged in a container that has a relatively small
dispensing opening that provides for directed pouring, while some
liquids, such as milk, juice, and the like, that may be consumed
directly from the container may be best packaged in containers
having a somewhat larger dispensing opening.
[0005] Generally, the size of the dispensing opening determines or
dictates the physical size of the closure. Moreover, the cost of
producing the closure is often directly related to the size thereof
because material is generally the largest cost component of the
closure. Nevertheless, closures are made in a wide array of sizes,
from the smallest closures that may be used on bottles of hot
pepper sauce, for example, to the larger closures that may be used
for condiments such as mustard, mayonnaise and the like, for
example. However, there are drawbacks to such closures.
[0006] As explained above, the cost of producing a closure is often
directly related to the size of the closure because material is
generally the largest cost component of the closure. Accordingly,
when a closure is manufactured, the cost of manufacturing and
producing the closure can be significant. If less material could be
used to make a closure of a particular size, then the cost of
producing such a closure could be reduced.
[0007] However, closures must be strong enough to endure the
repeated handling, application, and removal of a particular
closure. One of the problems associated with reducing the amount of
material used to produce a particular closure is that often the
strength of the closure is reduced as a result.
[0008] There is thus a continuing, ongoing need for a container
closure that is light weight and is made from a minimum amount of
material, but is simultaneously strong. Preferably, such a
container closure is strong enough to withstand the repeated
handling, application, and removal of the closure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to the present invention a closure for use with an
associated container is provided. The closure can include a top
wall portion and a skirt portion that depends from the top wall
portion. The skirt portion can include corrugation on the interior
and exterior thereof such that the corrugation can reduce the
weight of the container closure and provide strength to the skirt
portion.
[0010] Furthermore, a closure including a top wall portion and
corrugation depending from the top wall portion is provided. The
corrugation depending from the top wall portion can include
interior grooves that correspond to exterior protrusions and
interior protrusions that correspond to exterior grooves. The
interior and exterior grooves and protrusions can be
circumferentially spaced about the interior and exterior of the
corrugation, respectively.
[0011] Accordingly, it is a benefit of the present invention to
provide a closure that uses less material than has been
traditionally required to manufacture and produce a closure of a
particular size.
[0012] It is a further benefit of the present invention to provide
a closure that maintains its necessary strength while reducing the
amount of material required to manufacture and produce the
closure.
[0013] It is another benefit of the present invention to short
weight a closure to reduce the amount of material required to
produce a particular closure.
[0014] It is yet another benefit of the present invention to
provide a closure with both interior and exterior corrugation or
grooves that make up at least a portion of a skirt of the
closure.
[0015] It is still a further benefit of the present invention to
provide a closure with a skirt that is corrugated on both the
inside and the outside of the skirt.
[0016] Finally, it is a benefit of the present invention to use
corrugation or grooves to provide strength to a closure.
[0017] In accordance with the present invention, all of these
benefits as well as others not herein specifically identified, are
generally achieved by the present low weight container closure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Various examples of objects, features and attendant
advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated
as the same becomes better understood when considered in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a closure in
accordance with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a partial side view of an interior of a closure in
accordance with the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of an interior of a
closure in accordance with the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a skirt in accordance with the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 5 is top perspective view of a closure in accordance
with the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a partial side view of either the exterior or
interior of a skirt portion in accordance with the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a partial side view of either the exterior or
interior of a skirt portion in accordance with the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 8A is a partial side view of the exterior of a skirt
portion in accordance with the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 8B is a partial side view of the exterior of a skirt
portion in accordance with the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 9A is a partial side view of the exterior of a skirt
portion in accordance with the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 9B is a partial side view of the exterior of a skirt
portion in accordance with the present invention; and
[0030] FIGS. 10A-10G are bottom views of exemplary skirt portions
in accordance with the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many
different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be
described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention. It is not
intended to limit the invention to the specific illustrated
embodiments.
[0032] Embodiments of the present invention include a low weight
container closure. The closure can be short weighted so as to
minimize the weight and amount of material used to produce such a
closure. Furthermore, the closure can retain its strength required
for repeated handling, application, and removal of the closure. In
embodiments of the present invention, the closure can include
corrugation, grooves, protrusions, ridges, and/or zig-zags that
make up both the interior and exterior of the closure's skirt.
[0033] In embodiments of the claimed invention, the closure,
including a top wall portion and a skirt portion, can be annular,
circular, rectangular, squared, triangular, polygonal, oval,
irregularly shaped or any other shape as would be known by those of
ordinary skill in the art. The top wall portion and the skirt
portion can be of any size and shape as would be necessary to fit a
corresponding container.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 1, a bottom perspective view of an
exemplary closure 10 in accordance with the present invention is
shown. The closure 10 can include a top wall portion 12, a skirt
portion 14 depending from the top wall portion 12, and a band 16.
In embodiments of the present invention, the top wall portion 12
can be circular and the skirt portion 14 and band 16 can be
annular, for example, as seen in FIG. 1.
[0035] FIGS. 1-5 as shown and described herein are of a closure
with an annular skirt portion. However, it is to be understood that
the closure, top portion, and skirt could be of any size and shape
as would be known by those of ordinary skill in the art and can
have a variety of dimensions. For example, the skirt portion could
be annular or circular as seen in FIG. 10A, rectangular as seen in
FIG. 10B, squared as seen in FIG. 10C, triangular as seen in FIG.
10D, polygonal as seen in FIG. 10E, oval as seen in FIG. 10F, or
irregularly shaped as seen in FIG. 10G. The figures shown and
described herein are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit
the present invention.
[0036] For example, closures or industrial lids in accordance with
the present invention can range from an 18 mm diameter to a 10 foot
diameter, for example. Further, as explained above, closures, top
portions, and skirts in accordance with the present invention could
be annular, circular, rectangular, squared, triangular, polygonal,
oval, irregularly shaped, or be any shape as would be known by
those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0037] The skirt portion 14 can depend from the top wall portion 12
and extend in a downward direction away from the peripheral edge of
the top wall portion 12. As will be explained in further detail
herein, the skirt portion 14 can be corrugated on the interior and
exterior and/or include grooves, protrusions, ridges, and/or
zig-zags. A band 16 can extend around a lower edge of the skirt
portion 14.
[0038] In embodiments of the present invention, the top wall
portion 12 can be one contiguous piece of material with the skirt
portion 14. The top wall portion 12 can be molded as one continuous
piece with the skirt portion 14. Alternatively, the top wall
portion 12 can be molded separate and apart from the skirt portion
14 and then subsequently molded, fused, affixed, or attached
together. Similarly, the band 16 can be one contiguous piece of
material with the skirt portion 14 such that the circular band 16
is molded as one continuous piece with the skirt portion 14.
Alternatively, the circular band 16 can be molded separate and
apart from the skirt portion 14 and then subsequently molded,
fused, affixed, or attached together.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the interior of a closure
in accordance with the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a partial
perspective view of the same. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the
interior of the skirt portion 14 can be corrugated and/or contain
grooves, protrusions, ridges and/or zig-zags. For example,
exemplary grooves 20a, 20b, and 20c can be molded as part of the
skirt portion 14. Further, corresponding protrusions 22a, 22b, and
22c can be molded as part of the skirt portion 14 between the
grooves 20a, 20b, and 20c. Similar exemplary grooves 20a, 20b, and
20c and exemplary protrusions 22a, 22b, and 22c can be situated
throughout the entirety of the inner circumference of the skirt
portion 14 such that the whole interior of the skirt portion 14 is
formed of alternating grooves and protrusions. Thus, the interior
of the skirt portion 14 can be corrugated.
[0040] By corrugating the interior of the skirt portion 14, the
closure 10 can be short weighted; that is, the closure 10 can be
lighter and less material can be used to manufacture and produce
the closure 10. When less material is used, the cost to produce the
closure 10 can be reduced. Furthermore, the corrugated interior of
the skirt portion 14 can provide strength to the closure 10. The
protrusions 22a, 22b, and 22c, for example, can act as ribs or
trusses that support the closure.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 4, a bottom view of an skirt portion
14 in accordance with the present invention is shown. As described
with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3, a bottom view of the corrugated
interior of the skirt portion 14 can be seen in FIG. 4. Exemplary
grooves 20a, 20b, and 20c and exemplary protrusions 22a, 22b, and
22c are shown on the interior of the skirt portion 14.
[0042] Each groove 20a, 20b, and 20c of the interior of the skirt
portion 14 can correspond with a protrusion 21a, 21b, and 21c of
the exterior of the skirt portion 14. Furthermore, each protrusion
22a, 22b, and 22c of the interior can correspond with a groove 23a,
23b, and 23c of the exterior. Accordingly, the exterior of the
skirt portion 14 can be corrugated.
[0043] By corrugating the exterior of the skirt portion 14, the
closure 10 can be short weighted; that is, the closure 10 can be
lighter and less material can be used to produce the closure 10.
When less material is used, the cost to produce the closure 10 can
be reduced. Furthermore, the corrugated exterior of the skirt
portion 14 can provide strength to the closure 10. The protrusions
21a, 21b, and 21c, for example, can act as ribs or trusses that
support the closure.
[0044] As seen in FIG. 4, the grooves 20a, 20b, and 20c and
protrusions 22a, 22b, and 22c of the interior of the skirt portion
14 and the grooves 23a, 23b, and 23c and protrusions 21a, 21b, and
21c of the exterior of the skirt portion can be integral to and
with the skirt portion 14. That is, the entirety of the skirt
portion 14 can be formed from the corresponding grooves 20a, 20b,
and 20c and protrusions 22a, 22b, and 22c of the interior of the
skirt portion 14 and the grooves 23a, 23b, and 23c and protrusions
21a, 21b, and 21c of the exterior skirt portion 14.
[0045] In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the
grooves and protrusions of the interior of the skirt portion can be
integral to and form only a portion of the skirt portion. For
example, the corrugation in the interior of the skirt portion can
extend from the top wall portion to a point halfway, two thirds, or
three fourths of the way, for example, down the skirt portion.
Alternatively, the corrugation in the interior of the skirt portion
can extend from the bottom of the skirt portion up to a point below
the top wall portion. Similarly or alternatively, the grooves and
protrusions of the exterior of the skirt portion can be integral to
and form only a portion of the skirt portion. In embodiments, the
grooves and protrusions on either the interior or exterior of the
skirt portion can be a substantial portion of the skirt
portion.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, partial side views of the
exterior of an skirt portion 14 are shown in which the grooves 23a,
23b, and 23c and protrusions 21a, 21b, and 21c form only a portion
of the skirt portion. As seen in FIG. 8A, a top portion of the
skirt portion 14 can include the grooves 23a, 23b, and 23c and
protrusions 21a, 21b, and 21c. Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 8B, a
bottom portion of the skirt portion 14 can include the grooves 23a,
23b, and 23c and protrusions 21a, 21b, and 21c.
[0047] In embodiments of the present invention, the corrugation of
the skirt portion can be oriented in a generally horizontal manner,
and the grooves and protrusions of the corrugation can form only a
portion of the skirt portion. Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, partial
side views of the exterior of a skirt portion 14 are shown in which
the grooves 23a, 23b, and 23c and protrusions 21a, 21b, and 21c
form only a portion of the skirt portion and are oriented in a
generally horizontal direction. As seen in FIG. 9A, a top portion
of the skirt portion 14 can include the grooves 23a, 23b, and 23c
and protrusions 21a, 21b, and 21c. Alternatively, as seen in FIG.
9B, a bottom portion of the skirt portion 14 can include the
grooves 23a, 23b, and 23c and protrusions 21a, 21b, and 21c.
[0048] It is to be understood that the number and sizes of grooves,
protrusions, ridges, and/or zig-zags on both the interior and
exterior of the skirt portion are not limitations of the present
invention. Rather, the number and sizes of grooves, protrusions,
ridges, and/or zig-zags should be such that the amount of material
required to manufacture and produce a closure in accordance with
the present invention is less than would be required to manufacture
and produce closures known by those of ordinary skill in the art.
Preferably, the cost to manufacture and produce closures according
to the present invention is reduced because less material is used
due to the grooves and protrusions on the interior and exterior of
the skirt portion--that is, the corrugated skirt portion.
[0049] Further, it is to be understood that the shape and placement
of the grooves, protrusions, ridges, and/or zig-zags on both the
interior and exterior of the skirt portion are not limitations of
the present invention. Rather, the shape and placement of the
grooves, protrusions, ridges, and/or zig-zags of the skirt portion
are such that they provide sufficient strength to the closure for
repeated handling, application, and removal of the closure. For
example, as seen in FIGS. 1-5, the grooves and protrusions of the
skirt portion can be situated in a generally vertical orientation.
Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 6, the grooves and protrusions can
be situated in a generally diagonal orientation or, as seen in FIG.
7, in a generally curved orientation. As another alternative, and
as seen in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the grooves and protrusions can be
situated in a generally horizontal orientation.
[0050] In preferred embodiments, the number, size, shape,
placement, and orientation of grooves, protrusions, ridges, and/or
zig-zags on the interior and exterior of the skirt portion are such
that they provide enough strength to the skirt portion that the
closure can endure repeated handling, application, and removal. It
is preferable but not required that the grooves, protrusions,
ridges, and/or zig-zags on both the interior and exterior of the
skirt portion extend the entirety of both the interior and exterior
circumference, respectively, of the skirt portion. In alternate
embodiments, it is preferred but not required that the grooves,
protrusions, ridges, and/or zig-zags on either or both of the
interior and exterior of the skirt portion are only a portion of
skirt portion.
[0051] In further preferred embodiments, it is preferable but not
required that the number, size, and placement of the grooves on the
interior, for example, correspond with the number, size, and
placement of the protrusions on the exterior. Further, it is
preferable but not required that the number, size, and placement of
the protrusions on the interior, for example, correspond with the
number, size, and placement of the grooves on the exterior.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 5, a top perspective view of an
exemplary closure in accordance with the present invention is
shown. As seen in FIG. 5, the skirt portion 14 can extend from the
peripheral edge of the top wall portion 12. Exemplary grooves 23a,
23b, and 23c and protrusions 21a, 21b, 21c can be molded as part of
the skirt portion 14 and can extend around the entirety of the
skirt portion 14. Alternatively, the grooves and protrusions can be
only a portion of the skirt portion.
[0053] The manufacture of closures in accordance with the present
invention can be made with a faster cycle time. That is, the
closures can be manufactured more quickly than closures known by
those of ordinary skill in the art. Faster cycle times can result
in further productivity and more cost savings.
[0054] Closures in accordance with the present invention as
described and claimed herein can be used in connection with a child
resistant cap, for example, or with any other type of cap as would
be known by those or ordinary skill in the art. Further, closures
in accordance with the present invention can be made from plastic,
for example, or any other material as would be known by those or
skill in the art.
[0055] Closures in accordance with the present invention can be
attached to a package or container in any number of ways as would
be known by those or ordinary skill in the art. For example, the
closure could be threaded, snapped on, glued, or welded to an
associated package or container.
[0056] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous
variations and modifications may be effected without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that
no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus or method
illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of
course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such
modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *