Combination Lockable Closure Spout

Abstract

A container closure having a pouring spout with a passageway leading from the inside of the container to permit pouring when a portion of the closure, which portion is pivotable relative to the remainder of the closure, is in a first position; but which passageway is blocked when said portion of the closure is in a second position. A plurality of annular coaxially disposed rotatable locking elements are provided to retain said portion of the closure in its second position unless said annular elements are themselves disposed in indexed registering positions.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

Copending application about to be filed and entitled: MEANS FOR TEMPORARILY PRE-SETTING INTERLOCKING ELEMENTS OF COMBINATION LOCK-TYPE CONTAINER FINISH AND CLOSURE, AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING SAME.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to combination lockable type closures for bottles, cans and similar types of containers, and particularly those containers which hold pourable liquids, powders and pills.

2. Description of the Prior Art

As pointed out in the above-identified copending application, Ser. No. 239,287 over the past century there have been patented many dozens of different types of caps or other closures for a variety of containers, each of which caps or closures includes a section which, when removed, permits one to empty the container; and a plurality of rotatable annular elements are provided with means to interlock with means associated with the removable closure or the container finish to prevent removal of the closure unless the annular means are rotated to dispose external indicia in a predetermined combination; whereupon the interlocking means may be disengaged and the closure detached from the container finish.

One problem with such prior art devices is that the removable closure may become mislaid when used, and upon removal can deposit some of the contents of the container upon the hands of the user. Where such contents are caustic or otherwise highly toxic, this may be most undesirable. In addition, these devices present the problem of assembly which may be solved by the invention of said copending application.

In some of the prior art devices, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,027,503, 2,977,015, 3,313,441, 3,383,885 and French Pat. No. 320,307, the annular elements, when properly disposed, effect a direct registering of a plurality of passage sections to establish one continuous passage from the inside of the container through which passage a liquid or pourable powder may be poured. However, these latter described devices have openings which are exposed and can be touched by the user so that toxic liquid can reach the user's hands; and, in addition, the spacing between the sections defining the passageways can become packed with the powder or liquid of the container to prevent turning of the portions of the cap to attain proper alignment of the sections to establish the complete passageway for pouring. It is also possible for such spacing to retain powder or liquid which can deteriorate to an unacceptable composition which could contaminate the contained liquid or powder when it is poured.

Thus, despite the many forms of container closure combination locking arrangements which are found in the prior art, there has been a need for a device which obviates the problems hereinabove described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention utilizes the annular indexed locking elements of the prior art to secure the closure so that none of the contents of the container may pass out of the container, or in a properly indexed position, to afford a passageway through which the container contents may be poured. However, no portion of the closure is removable from the remainder thereof. Further, there is but one break in the passageway which can be provided, thereby minimizing the possibility of fouling the spacing between passage segments, and this break is created by a 90.degree. rotation of a close fitting cylindrical portion of the closure which defines one of the two segments of the passageway. The rotation, however, is about an axis transverse to the axis of the container opening. In addition, the outlet of the passageway, when the passageway is broken is brought into an enclosed position so that it cannot be touched by the fingers of the user. Consequently, if the liquid is highly toxic, the present invention minimizes the chances of any of the contents being deposited on the user's fingers.

Thus, it may be seen that the present invention overcomes certain problems which were inherent in the numerous prior art structures.

These advantages are attained by a closure structure which is snap-locked onto the finish or neck of a container. The closure itself may be in the form of a cylindrical cap having an axial recess extending from a point beyond the cylinder axis diametrically to the opposite side and well below the top of the cap. One segment of a passageway leading to the container is provided in the cap to extend downwardly from the recess. A pouring spout fitting closely, but pivotable within the axial recess is longitudinally orificed to provide a second segment of the passageway so that when the spout is pivoted into a first and vertically extended position, the spout segment of the passageway is co-aligned with the cap segment of the passageway to permit the contents of the container to be poured therethrough. However, when the spout is pivoted 90.degree. downwardly to its second position, it completes the cap cylinder and breaks the passageway so that none of the contents may pass out therethrough. Rotatable annular elements are provided below the rim of the cap. These elements include radially inwardly extending ribs which are notched at pre-selected locations. The pivotable spout is provided with a projection which, in the second position of the spout, extends below the ribs of the annular element to be held thereby. Release of the spout for pivoting upwardly to its first position may be accomplished only when the annular elements are rotated to dispose their respective notches in register with the spout projection. Each annular element is externally and peripherally marked with a plurality of numbers or letters so that it may be determined which particular combination of numbers or letters aligned with an indexing point on the cap, will permit the spout to be pivoted upwardly to its pouring position.

The components which, when assembled form the closure of the present invention, may be readily molded of a plastic material such as polystyrene or polyethylene. Optionally the annular elements may be molded integrally by means of a thin plastic bridge with proper spacing and notch alignment so that they can be slipped over the spout projection during assembly as a unit. The bridge can be readily broken after the elements are properly mounted on the cylindrical cap by simply rotating one of said elements. A rupturable tip could also be provided on the projection to hold the annular elements temporarily in a properly indexed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section of the upper portion of a container upon which has been provided a closure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the closure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the container and closure of FIG. 1, showing the pivotable member in its second and upwardly directed position.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the closure of FIGS. 1 through 3 inclusive.

FIG. 5 is a vertical section of a different embodiment of the closure of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view in perspective of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a vertical section of a still further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a vertical section of two annular elements molded and held together by a rupturable bridge.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 inclusive, there is shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 inclusive a container 10 which is provided with a finish or neck 12 defining an opening 14 through which the container 10 may be filled or empted. The finish or neck 12 desirably may be provided with an annular retaining rib 16 over which may be snapped the lower end 18 of the plastic cylindrical body 20 of the closure 22. The cylindrical body 20, preferably molded of polyethylene or other rigid but resilient material, may be comprised of a first and lowermost segment in the form of the end 18 having an annular internal recess 24 which, when the end is pushed downwardly over the finish or neck 12, receives and retains the rib 16 in such a manner as to prevent the body 20 from thereafter being removed from the finish or neck 12; a second cylindrical walled segment 26; and a third coaxial segment 28 which extends radially beyond the wall 26a of the segment 26, in the manner of a cap.

The segments 26 and 28 of the body 20 are recessed at 30 in the manner best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The object of the recess 30 is pivotally to seat the member 32 so that it may pivot between a first horizontal position shown in FIG. 1 to a second vertical position shown in phantom in FIG. 1 and also in FIG. 3. The member 32 is provided with an orifice forming a radial passageway 34 through the entire length of the member 32; and the segment 26 of the cylindrical body 20 is orificed at 38 vertically from the base of a cylindrically shaped end portion 36 of the recess 30 to the domed underside 40 of the segment of the body 20.

The member 32 is formed with a cylindrically shaped end 42 which fits closely, but rotatably within the end portion 36 of the recess 30, and an angular radiating portion 44 which conforms to the shape of the balance of the recess 30 and to the cylindrical configuration of the segments 26 and 28, when member 32 is disposed in its horizontal position. However, the lower outer edge of portion 44 may be angled inwardly, as at 46, and include a projection 48, the function of which will later be explained. To enable the member 32 to be pivoted within the recess 30, the vertical side walls 50, 52 defining the recess 30 may be orificed at 50a, 52a respectively in the axis of the cylindrical end portion 36 of the recess 30 through to the outer cylinder wall, as shown in FIG. 4. Each side of the cylindrically shaped end 42 of the member 32 may also be partly orificed at 54, 56 in the axis of such cylinder to receive the ends 58, 60 of pins 62, 64 respectively. Ends 58, 60 may be inserted through the orifices 50a, 52a to where such ends become further inserted into the orifices 54, 56, thereby to trunnion the member 32 for pivoting in and out of the radial portion of the recess 30. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, short, conical trunions 62', 64' could be molded into the side walls of the end 42 and short recesses 50a', 52a' could be provided in the side walls 50, 52 of the body 20' so that rotation of the cylindrical end 42 will be accomplished.

Prior to snapping the end 18 over the neck 12 of the container 10, a pair of annular rotatable locking elements 66, 68 are first slipped over the end 18 and are locked into the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 by means of a locking ring 70. The latter is provided with a radially inwardly extending annular bead 72 which, when received in an annular recess 74 on the outer side of the segment 18, serves to hold the ring 70 in position against axial removal. The upper edge 75 of the ring 70 comprises an annular horizontal platform or shelf which serves to support the lower annular locking element 66 of the pair of annular locking elements 66, 68 against axial displacement. Each of these elements is provided with a radially inwardly extending annular rib 76, 78. However, in the case of element 66, rib 76 extends inwardly from its upper edge; whereas, in the case of element 68, rib 78 extends inwardly from its lower edge. Thus, the two ribs 76, 78 are disposed adjacent to each other. Each of these ribs is notched at 76a, 78a respectively for a distance sufficient to permit projection 48 on member 32 to pass upwardly and axially through the notches when the two are placed in register with each other and with the projection 48.

Each annular element 66, 68 is marked with a series of numbers or letters 80, preferably evenly spaced around its periphery, and an indexing arrow 82 is provided somewhere on the top of the closure, as for example, on the top side of the member 32, which may also desirably include instructions as to which combination of numbers 80 on the annular elements 66, 68 is required to bring the two notches 76a, 78a in register with the projection 48 so that the member 32 may be pivoted upwardly. For facilitating assembly of the closure, the elements 66 and 68 may be molded integrally with a rupturable bridge 69, as shown in FIG. 8. After the elements are placed over the second cylindrical walled segment 26 with their notches in register with the projection 48, one of the elements may be turned to rupture the bridge 69 and lock the member 32 in its horizontal position.

In use, the container 10 is first filled with whatever solution, powder or tablets are to be packaged. To prevent a child from emptying any of such solution, powder or tablets from the container, the closure 22, preferably in pre-locked condition, may be brought over the neck 12 and snapped on to it. The only way that any of the contents of the container may thereafter be emptied from the latter is by someone first rotating each of the elements 66, 68 into those dispositions whereby both notches 76a, 78a are brought into register with the projection 48. If the instructions are printed or otherwise provided on the container or the closure, this should present no problem to an adult since he or she simply reads the instructions and brings the numbers into proper alignment with the arrow 82. If the instructions are not so printed on the container or closure, then even an adult must know the proper combination, or be prepared to patiently try some hundred different possible numerical combinations before the registering position of the notches is attained.

When such position is properly attained, the radially outer upper edge portion 44 of the member 32 may be simply pushed upwardly to the vertical position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. This vertical position will result in co-aligning the passage portions 34 and 38 to provide on continuous uninterrupted passage from the underside of the cylindrical body 20 to the end 44 of the member 32. Should the container then be inverted, its contents may flow outwardly through this uninterrupted passage. Conversely, when the member 32 is pivoted back into its horizontal position, the passageway which is initiated with the orifice 38 is effectively sealed by the cylindrical portion 42 of the member 32.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the locking ring 70 is eliminated by utilizing a shelf 84 provided on the top of the container 10' to retain the annular elements 66', 68' against axial displacement.

Similarly in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the need for the locking ring 70 is obviated by providing a radial shelf 86 extending from the segment 18' together with a further lower rib 88 in the element 66" to be slidably supported on such shelf 86.

All components of the closure of the present invention may be readily molded of available plastic materials so that it may be produced cheaply in large quantities, in addition to offering the many advantages heretofore explained.

Claims

I claim:

1. A combination lock-type closure for a container having a neck defining an opening in the container through which the container may be filled and emptied, said closure comprising:

A. a cylindrical body, said body including:

1. a first and lowermost segment fitting tightly about said neck and securable thereto against removal therefrom;

2. a second cylindrical walled segment extending upwardly from said first segment; and

3. a third segment in the form of a cap which extends radially beyond the cylindrical wall of the second segment in the manner of a flange;

said second and third segments being recessed from one side of the axis of the cylindrical body downwardly and diametrically oppositely through the side wall of the second segment, said recess being defined by a pair of vertical parallel walls spaced from each other and having bottom wall extending between the side walls; said second segment being orificed between said bottom wall and the underside of the cylindrical body to form a first portion of a passageway;

B. a pivotable member, said member being pivotably seated in said recess, and, when disposed in a first horizontal position substantially to conform to the cylindrical shapes of said second and third segments of the cylindrical body; said member further being orificed therethrough radially with reference to the axis of the cylindrical body when said member is disposed in its first position, to constitute a second portion of a passageway; said member being further pivotable upwardly to a second position, wherein said second portion of the passageway is disposed in register with the first portion of the passageway to form a complete passageway from the upper end of the member through the underside of the cylindrical body so that when the container is inverted, its contents may flow through the cylindrical body; said member further having a projection extending downwardly and radially outwardly from the lower outer edge thereof when disposed in its first position;

C. means in said second segment and said pivotable member whereby the latter may be pivoted between its first and second positions within said recess in the second and third segments;

D. at least two annular elements of similar radii circumscribing different portions of said second segment of the cylindrical body and rotatable separately thereabout adjacent each other, each of said elements having a radially inwardly extending rib which rib extends over the end of said projection, each said rib, however, being notched in a predetermined area to permit said projection to pass upwardly by said rib when both said notches are disposed in register with said projection and with each other; each of said elements being externally and circumferentially marked with reference to a visible indexing point, whereby a user of the container with the closure may determine the proper setting of the annular elements with reference to such point, to enable said pivotable member to be pivoted upwardly from its first to its second position; and

E. annular means circumscribing said first segment and securable thereto, the last said means serving to retain said elements rotatably in positions about said second segment of the cylindrical body, adjacent each other and with the upper element in further abutment with the underside of the third segment of said cylindrical body.

2. The closure as defined in claim 1, wherein the innermost portion of the recess is cylindrical with the axis of the cylinder being normal to the side walls defining the recess, and the inner end of the pivotable member is similarly cylindrical in configuration to fit rotatably and closely within said cylindrical portion of the recess.

3. The closure as defined in claim 2, wherein the orifice in the second segment extends from the bottom of the cylindrical portion of the recess to the underside of the cylindrical body.

4. The closure as defined in claim 1, wherein when the two passageway portions are disposed in register, there results a single straight passageway leading from the radially outer end of the pivotable member to the underside of the cylindrical body.

5. The closure as defined in claim 1, wherein the neck of the container and the first segment have interlocking annular elements to secure the closure on said neck.

6. The closure as defined in claim 1, wherein the means in said second segment and said pivotable member to enable the latter to be pivoted within said recess comprise orifices through the side walls defining said recess through which pins may be passed, and recesses in both sides of the pivotable member to rotatably receive said pins.

7. A combination lock-type closure for a container having a neck defining an opening in the container through which the container may be filled and emptied, said closure comprising:

A. a cylindrical body, said body including:

1. a first and lowermost segment fitting tightly about said neck and securable thereto against removal therefrom; said first segment having an annular shelf radiating therefrom;

2. a second cylindrical walled segment extending upwardly from said first segment; and

3. a third segment in the form of a cap which extends radially beyond the cylindrical wall of the second segment in the manner of a flange;

said second and third segments being recessed from one side of the axis of the cylindrical body downwardly and diametrically oppositely through the side wall of the second segment, said recess being defined by a pair of vertical parallel walls spaced from each other and having bottom wall extending between the side walls; said second segment being orificed between said bottom wall and the underside of the cylindrical body to form a first portion of a passageway;

B. a pivotable member, said member being pivotably seated in said recess, and, when disposed in a first horizontal position substantially to conform to the cylindrical shapes of said second and third segments of the cylindrical body; said member further being orificed therethrough radially with reference to the axis of the cylindrical body when said member is disposed in its first position, to constitute a second portion of a passageway; said member being further pivotable upwardly to a second position, wherein said second portion of the passageway is disposed in register with the first portion of the passageway to form a complete passageway from the upper end of the member through the underside of the cylindrical body so that when the container is inverted, its contents may flow through the cylindrical body; said member further having a projection extending downwardly and radially outwardly from the lower outer edge thereof when disposed in its first position;

C. means in said second segment and said pivotable member whereby the latter may be pivoted between its first and second positions within said recess in the second and third segments;

D. at least two annular elements of similar radii circumscribing different portions of said second segment of the cylindrical body and rotatable separately thereabout adjacent each other, each of said elements having a radially inwardly extending rib which rib extends over the end of said projection, each said rib, however, being notched in a predetermined area to permit said projection to pass upwardly by said rib when both said notches are disposed in register with said projection and with each other; each of said elements being externally and circumferentially marked with reference to a visible indexing point, whereby a user of the container with the closure may determine the proper setting of the annular elements with reference to such point, to enable said pivotable member to be pivoted upwardly from its first to its second position; and said annular means being rotatably retained axially adjacent each other between the underside of the third segment and the annular shelf of the first segment.

8. A combination lock-type closure for a container having a neck defining an opening in the container through which the container may be filled and emptied, said container providing a flat annular shelf radiating about the lowermost end of said neck, said closure comprising:

A. a cylindrical body, said body including:

1. a first and lowermost segment fitting tightly about said neck and securable thereto against removal therefrom;

2. a second cylindrical walled segment extending upwardly from said first segment; and

3. a third segment in the form of a cap which extends radially beyond the cylindrical wall of the second segment in the manner of a flange;

said second and third segments being recessed from one side of the axis of the cylindrical body downwardly and diametrically oppositely through the side wall of the second segment, said recess being defined by a pair of vertical parallel walls spaced from each other and having bottom wall extending between the side walls; said second segment being orificed between said bottom wall and the underside of the cylindrical body to form a first portion of a passageway;

B. a pivotable member, said member being pivotably seated in said recess, and, when disposed in a first horizontal position substantially to conform to the cylindrical shapes of said second and third segments of the cylindrical body; said member further being orificed therethrough radially with reference to the axis of the cylindrical body when said member is disposed in its first position, to constitute a second portion of a passageway; said member being further pivotable upwardly to a second position, wherein said second portion of the passageway is disposed in register with the first portion of the passageway to form a complete passageway from the upper end of the member through the underside of the cylindrical body so that when the container is inverted, its contents may flow through the cylindrical body; said member further having a projection extending downwardly and radially outwardly from the lower outer edge thereof when disposed in its first position;

C. means in said second segment and said pivotable member whereby the latter may be pivoted between its first and second positions within said recess in the second and third segments;

D. at least two annular elements of similar radii circumscribing different portions of said second segment of the cylindrical body and rotatable separately thereabout adjacent each other, each of said elements having a radially inwardly extending rib which rib extends over the end of said projection, each said rib, however, being notched in a predetermined area to permit said projection to pass upwardly by said rib when both said notches are disposed in register with said projection and with each other; each of said elements being externally and circumferentially marked with reference to a visible indexing point, whereby a user of the container with the closure may determine the proper setting of the annular elements with reference to such point, to enable said pivotable member to be pivoted upwardly from its first to its second position; and said annular means being rotatably retained axially adjacent each other between the underside of the third segment and the annular shelf of the container.