U.S. patent application number 14/549618 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-26 for push pull container closure.
This patent application is currently assigned to Berlin Packaging, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Berlin Packaging, LLC. Invention is credited to Brett Niggel.
Application Number | 20160145014 14/549618 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56009466 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160145014 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Niggel; Brett |
May 26, 2016 |
PUSH PULL CONTAINER CLOSURE
Abstract
In one embodiment there is provided a push-pull closure having a
shell and a cap movable in relation to the shell to an opened and
closed position. The shell includes an annual body surrounding a
central opening in fluid communication with the container opening
and further includes a stem suspended within the central opening
and connected to the annual body by radial ribs. The cap includes
an inner skirt extending from a pouring edge and having a lower
section configured to cooperate and seal against the stem, against
an outside radial rib surface, and against an inside surface of the
annual body when the cap is in the closed position.
Inventors: |
Niggel; Brett; (St. Corry,
PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Berlin Packaging, LLC |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Berlin Packaging, LLC
Chicago
IL
|
Family ID: |
56009466 |
Appl. No.: |
14/549618 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/525 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/243
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/24 20060101
B65D047/24 |
Claims
1. A push-pull closure comprising: a shell having a cylindrical
wall interiorly configured to attach on one end to a container
opening, and further including: an annual body surrounding a
central opening in fluid communication with the container opening
when attached thereto, a stem suspended within the central opening,
the stem having radial ribs extending from the annual body to a top
portion of the stem to define a generally cylindrical fluid path
between an inner surface of the annual body and the stem, and
wherein the radial ribs include an outside radial rib surface
tapering downwardly and outwardly from the stem to the annual body;
and a cap having a pouring edge, and further including: an outer
skirt extending from the pouring edge wherein a portion of the
outer skirt rides exteriorly against a section of the cylindrical
wall, a middle skirt extending from the pouring edge and being
interior to the outer skirt, and wherein a portion of the middle
skirt rides against an outside surface of the annual body, an inner
skirt extending from the pouring edge and being interior to the
middle skirt, the inner skirt terminating at an inner skirt end,
the inner skirt further having a lower section positioned about the
inner skirt end, and wherein the lower section is configured to
cooperate and seal against the stem, against the outside radial rib
surface, and against the inside surface of the annual body when the
cap is in the closed position.
2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the shell further includes an
inner thread adapted to mate with a container.
3. The closure of claim 1, wherein the radial ribs comprise four
radial ribs equally spaced around the central opening.
4. The closure of claim 1, wherein the shell includes a cylindrical
wall defining (a) a lower portion that extends downwardly from a
lower ledge, (b) a mid-portion extending from the lower ledge to a
mid-ledge, and further defining (c) the annual body extending from
the mid-ledge to an upper terminal edge.
5. The closure of claim 4, wherein the outer skirt terminates at an
outer skirt end and wherein a portion of the outer skirt rides
against the mid-portion of the cylindrical wall with the outer
skirt end making contact with the lower ledge when the cap is in a
closed position, and wherein the middle skirt terminates at a
middle skirt end, and wherein a portion of the middle skirt rides
against an outside surface of the annual body with the middle skirt
end making contact with the mid-ledge when the cap is in a closed
position, and wherein a portion of the inner skirt rides against an
inside surface of the annual body.
6. The closure of claim 1, wherein the upper terminal edge extends
to a position above the stem.
7. The closure of claim 1, wherein the pouring edge is inclined
from one end to another end.
8. The closure of claim 1, wherein the inner skirt extends
downwardly from the pouring edge radially inwardly slightly to a
first position and then extends downwardly from the first position
to the lower section, the lower section tapering radially outwardly
to the inner skirt end to define the lower section profile and
wherein the lower section profile is configured to cooperate and
seal against the stem, against the outside radial rib surface, and
against the inside surface of the annual body when the cap is in
the closed position.
9. The closure of claim 1, wherein an inside surface of the middle
skirt further comprising an inwardly extending lip, and wherein an
outside surface of the annual body further comprising an outwardly
extending lip and wherein the inwardly extending lip and outwardly
extending lip cooperate to retain the cap on the shell when the cap
is extending in a fully opened position.
10. A push-pull closure comprising: a shell configured to attach on
one end to a container opening, and further including: an annual
body surrounding a central opening in fluid communication with the
container opening when attached thereto, wherein the shell includes
a cylindrical wall defining (a) a lower portion that extends
downwardly from a lower ledge, (b) a mid-portion extending from the
lower ledge to a mid-ledge, and further defining (c) the annual
body extending from the mid-ledge to an upper terminal edge, a stem
suspended within the central opening, the stem having radial ribs
extending from the annual body to a top portion of the stem to
define a generally cylindrical fluid path between an inner surface
of the annual body and the stem, and wherein the radial ribs
include an outside radial rib surface tapering downwardly and
outwardly from the stem to the annual body; and a cap having a
pouring edge, and further including: an outer skirt extending from
the pouring edge and terminating at an outer skirt end, and wherein
a portion of the outer skirt rides against the mid-portion of the
cylindrical wall with the outer skirt end making contact with the
lower ledge when the cap is in a closed position, a middle skirt
extending from the pouring edge and being interior to the outer
skirt, the middle skirt terminating at a middle skirt end, and
wherein a portion of the middle skirt rides against an outside
surface of the annual body with the middle skirt end making contact
with the mid-ledge when the cap is in a closed position, an inner
skirt extending from the pouring edge and being interior to the
middle skirt, the inner skirt terminating at an inner skirt end,
the inner skirt further having a lower section positioned about the
inner skirt end, and wherein the lower section is configured to
cooperate and seal against the stem, against the outside radial rib
surface, and against the inside surface of the annual body when the
cap is in the closed position.
11. The closure of claim 10, wherein the radial ribs comprise four
radial ribs equally spaced around the central opening.
12. The closure of claim 10, wherein the upper terminal edge
extends to a position above the stem.
13. The closure of claim 10, wherein the pouring edge is inclined
from one end to another end.
14. The closure of claim 10, wherein the inner skirt extends
downwardly from the pouring edge radially inwardly slightly to a
first position and then extends downwardly from the first position
to the lower section, the lower section tapering radially outwardly
to the inner skirt end to define the lower section profile and
wherein the lower section profile is configured to cooperate and
seal against the stem, against the outside radial rib surface, and
against the inside surface of the annual body when the cap is in
the closed position.
15. The closure of claim 10, wherein an inside surface of the
middle skirt further comprising an inwardly extending lip, and
wherein an outside surface of the annual body further comprising an
outwardly extending lip and wherein the inwardly extending lip and
outwardly extending lip cooperate to retain the cap on the shell
when the cap is extending in a fully opened position.
16. A push-pull closure comprising: a shell having a cylindrical
wall interiorly configured to attach on one end to a container
opening, and further including: an annual body surrounding a
central opening in fluid communication with the container opening
when attached thereto, a stem suspended within the central opening,
the stem having radial ribs extending from the annual body to a top
portion of the stem to define a generally cylindrical fluid path
between an inner surface of the annual body and the stem, and
wherein the radial ribs include an outside radial rib surface
tapering downwardly and outwardly from the stem to the annual body;
and a cap having a pouring edge, and further including: an inner
skirt extending from the pouring edge and terminating at an inner
skirt end, the inner skirt further having a lower section
positioned about the inner skirt end, and wherein the lower section
is configured to cooperate and seal against the stem, against the
outside radial rib surface, and against the inside surface of the
annual body when the cap is in the closed position.
17. The closure of claim 16, wherein the cap further includes: an
outer skirt extending from the pouring edge and terminating at an
outer skirt end, and wherein a portion of the outer skirt rides
exteriorly against a section of the cylindrical wall, a middle
skirt extending from the pouring edge and being interior to the
outer skirt, and wherein a portion of the middle skirt rides
against an outside surface of the annual body, and wherein the
inner skirt is interior to the middle skirt.
18. The closure of claim 16, wherein the shell includes a
cylindrical wall defining (a) a lower portion that extends
downwardly from a lower ledge, (b) a mid-portion extending from the
lower ledge to a mid-ledge, and further defining (c) the annual
body extending from the mid-ledge to an upper terminal edge.
17. The closure of claim 18, wherein the outer skirt terminates at
an outer skirt end and wherein a portion of the outer skirt rides
against the mid-portion of the cylindrical wall with the outer
skirt end making contact with the lower ledge when the cap is in a
closed position, and wherein the middle skirt terminates at a
middle skirt end, and wherein a portion of the middle skirt rides
against an outside surface of the annual body with the middle skirt
end making contact with the mid-ledge when the cap is in a closed
position, and wherein a portion of the inner skirt rides against an
inside surface of the annual body.
18. The closure of claim 16, wherein the upper terminal edge
extends to a position above the stem.
19. The closure of claim 16, wherein the inner skirt extends
downwardly from the pouring edge radially inwardly slightly to a
first position and then extends downwardly from the first position
to the lower section, the lower section tapering radially outwardly
to the inner skirt end to define the lower section profile and
wherein the lower section profile is configured to cooperate and
seal against the stem, against the outside radial rib surface, and
against the inside surface of the annual body when the cap is in
the closed position.
20. The closure of claim 16, wherein an inside surface of the
middle skirt further comprising an inwardly extending lip, and
wherein an outside surface of the annual body further comprising an
outwardly extending lip and wherein the inwardly extending lip and
outwardly extending lip cooperate to retain the cap on the shell
when the cap is extending in a fully opened position.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a closure to a container or
bottle and more particularly to a push-pull container closure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many containers, particularly bottles containing dispensing
fluids have closures or caps which are twisted or pulled to open a
passage for dispensing the liquid, and provide a seal to close the
container and prevent leaking when not in use. There is a continual
need to improve upon the prior art and develop other technologies
to provide a push-pull container closure. One of which is provided
by the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a push-pull closure having a shell and a cap. The shell includes a
cylindrical wall interiorly configured to attach on one end to a
container opening. The shell also includes an annual body
surrounding a central opening in fluid communication with the
container opening when attached thereto. A stem is suspended within
the central opening. The stem has having radial ribs extending from
the annual body to a top portion of the stem to define a generally
cylindrical fluid path between an inner surface of the annual body
and the stem. The radial ribs include an outside radial rib surface
tapering downwardly and outwardly from the stem to the annual body.
The cap has a pouring edge and includes the below defined skirts.
First, an outer skirt extending from the pouring edge wherein a
portion of the outer skirt rides exteriorly against a section of
the cylindrical wall. Second, a middle skirt extending from the
pouring edge and being interior to the outer skirt, and wherein a
portion of the middle skirt rides against an outside surface of the
annual body. Finally, an inner skirt extending from the pouring
edge and being interior to the middle skirt, the inner skirt
terminating at an inner skirt end, the inner skirt further having a
lower section positioned about the inner skirt end, and wherein the
lower section is configured to cooperate and seal against the stem,
against the outside radial rib surface, and against the inside
surface of the annual body when the cap is in the closed
position.
[0004] In other embodiments, the shell further includes an inner
thread adapted to mate with a container. Alternatively, the radial
ribs may comprise four ribs equally spaced around the central
opening.
[0005] In yet other embodiments, the shell may include a
cylindrical wall defining (a) a lower portion that extends
downwardly from a lower ledge, (b) a mid-portion extending from the
lower ledge to a mid-ledge, and further defining (c) the annual
body extending from the mid-ledge to an upper terminal edge. From
this embodiment, the outer skirt may terminate at an outer skirt
end and wherein a portion of the outer skirt rides against the
mid-portion of the cylindrical wall with the outer skirt end making
contact with the lower ledge when the cap is in a closed position.
Similarly, the middle skirt may terminate at a middle skirt end,
and wherein a portion of the middle skirt rides against an outside
surface of the annual body with the middle skirt end making contact
with the mid-ledge when the cap is in a closed position. In
addition, a portion of the inner skirt may ride against an inside
surface of the annual body.
[0006] In other embodiment, the inner skirt may extend downwardly
from the pouring edge and radially inwardly slightly to a first
position and then extend downwardly from the first position to the
lower section. The lower section may taper radially outwardly to
the inner skirt end to define the lower section profile. The lower
section profile may be configured to cooperate and seal against the
stem, against the outside radial rib surface, and against the
inside surface of the annual body when the cap is in the closed
position.
[0007] Yet in still other embodiments, an inside surface of the
middle skirt may comprise an inwardly extending lip, where an
outside surface of the annual body may comprise an outwardly
extending lip. The inwardly extending lip and outwardly extending
lip can cooperate to retain the cap on the shell when the cap is
extending in a fully opened position.
[0008] Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will
become readily apparent from the following detailed description of
the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and
from the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention and being illustrated in a
closed position;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a closure in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention and being illustrated in an
opened position;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a closure in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional exploded view of a closure in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a closure in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in an
opened position;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a closure in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in an
slightly opened position;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a closure in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in an
closed position; and
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the closure in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention illustrated from an
underside view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many
different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be
described in detail herein the preferred embodiments of the present
invention. It should be understood, however, that the present
disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles
of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope
of the invention and/or claims of the embodiments illustrated.
[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 1-8, there is provided a push-pull
closure 10 embodying the present invention. The closure 10 includes
a shell 20 adapted to attach to the opening of a container, as by a
cap portion 22 having an outer cylindrical wall 24 with an inner
thread 26 adapted to mate with a threaded portion on a
container.
[0020] The shell 20 has a central opening 28 surrounded by an
annual body 30 defining generally cylindrical inner and outer walls
or surfaces 32 and 34, respectively. A stem 36 is suspended within
the central opening 28 and attached to the annular body 30 by
radial ribs 38 that extend from the annual body 30 to a stem top 40
defined by the stem 36. A flow path is defined around the radial
ribs 38 through the central opening 28 and thus fluid may travel
between the annual body 30 and the stem 40. The annual body 30
extends from a mid-ledge 44 to an upper terminal edge 42 that
extends to a height above the stem top 40. In addition, the radial
ribs 38 include an outside surface 46 that tapers inwardly from the
mid-ledge 44, which are where the radial ribs 38 are secured to the
annual body 30, to a section 48 of the stem top 40.
[0021] In addition to the above, outer cylindrical wall 24 is
defined to include a lower portion 50 that extends downwardly from
a lower ledge 52 and a mid-portion 54 that extends from the lower
ledge 52 to the mid-ledge 44. As noted above, extending form the
mid-ledge is the annual body 30.
[0022] A push-pull cap 60 includes a pouring edge 62 that is
defined to have a slightly higher end 64 on one side of the cap
than the other side. However, the pouring edge 62 may be uniformly
defined around the cap.
[0023] Extending from the pouring edge 62 is an outer skirt 64
terminating to an outer skirt end 66. A portion of the outer skirt
64 rides against the mid-portion 54 of the cylindrical wall 24,
with the outer skirt end 66 making contact with the lower ledge 52
when the push-pull cap 60 is in a closed position. The pouring edge
62 also includes a middle skirt 68 terminating to a middle skirt
end 68. The inside surface 70 of the middle skirt 68 rides against
the outside surface 34 of the annual body 30, with the middle skirt
end 68 making contact with the mid-ledge 44 when the push pull cap
60 is in a closed position. Lastly, the pouring edge 62 further
includes an inner skirt 74 extending downwardly and radially
inwardly slightly to a point 76 to clear the middle skirt 68 and
then extending downwardly from the point 76 to terminate to an
inner skirt end 78. A lower section 80 of the inner skirt towards
the inner skirt end 78 tapers back towards an outer surface 82 of
the inner skirt 74. This tapered lower section 80 is configured to
cooperate and seal against the outside surface 46 of the radial
ribs 38 while the outer surface 82 seals against the inner surface
32 of the annual body 30 when the cap 60 is in the closed position.
As such, when in the closed position the cap 60 seals the central
opening 28 below the stem 40.
[0024] An inwardly extending lip 72 is provided around the inside
surface 70 of the middle skirt 68 while an outwardly extending lip
35 is provided around the outside surface 34 of the annual body 30.
These lips 72 and 35 are generally cylindrical or ring shaped and
define surfaces which extend radially in a direction generally
transverse to the axial direction. Once assembled, the lips 72 and
35 will cooperate to retain the cap 60 on the shell 20, with the
lips engaging when the cap 60 is pulled to its limit of travel.
That is the lips which are generally ring shaped with inner and
outer diameters, have an interference overlap, with the annular
body outwardly extending having an outer diameter greater than the
inner diameter of the inwardly extending lip.
[0025] From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it is observed
that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without
departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the
invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect
to the embodiments illustrated herein is intended or should be
inferred. It is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such
modifications within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *