U.S. patent number 3,833,147 [Application Number 05/268,558] was granted by the patent office on 1974-09-03 for safety dispensing container closure.
Invention is credited to Adolph W. Borsum, William K. Borsum.
United States Patent |
3,833,147 |
Borsum , et al. |
September 3, 1974 |
SAFETY DISPENSING CONTAINER CLOSURE
Abstract
A closure for containers having a resilient diaphragm with a
valve portion configuration that prevents material from passing
through the opening and out the closure, a cap member for fitting
into said container in a locked position, which cap member presses
against the resilient diaphragm forming a seal therebetween and the
resilient contact holds the cap member in the locked position, and
by pressing the cap member against the diaphragm, the valve portion
in the diaphragm is enlarged allowing material in the container to
pass through the opening.
Inventors: |
Borsum; Adolph W. (Solana
Beach, OK), Borsum; William K. (Solana Beach, OK) |
Family
ID: |
26722624 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/268,558 |
Filed: |
July 3, 1972 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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45298 |
Jun 11, 1970 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
221/202 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
83/049 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
83/04 (20060101); G07f 011/20 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/490,562,400.7
;221/220,229,267,288,289 ;215/9,44 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Tollberg; Stanley H.
Assistant Examiner: Stack, Jr.; Norman L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Brown & Martin
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of Ser. No. 45,298 filed June 11, 1970 now
abandoned .
Claims
Having described our invention, we now claim:
1. A safety dispensing closure for attachment to containers having
open neck portions for carrying contents to be dispensed through
the open neck portions comprising,
a retainer ring,
a resilient diaphragm having a continuous portion including an
upper surface facing outward and an inner surface facing into said
container for being positioned in said retainer ring across the
open neck portion and a centered restricted opening therethrough
forming a normally closed control valve portion,
a cap member having a plug-shaped receptacle positionable in said
retainer ring and movable inwardly, outwardly, and rotatably within
said retainer ring and into contact with the upper surface only of
said diaphragm when moved sufficiently inwardly,
said plug-shaped receptacle comprising a projecting end portion
forming a lip thereon with a receptacle opening in the end
thereof,
said retainer ring having means for securing said retainer ring to
the neck portion of the container and means for positioning and
securing said diaphragm at the opening of the neck portion,
said diaphragm being resiliently depressable and in response to a
sufficient inwardly directed depressable force by said receptacle
end portion, with said lip acting solely against said upper
continuous surface portion, said diaphragm depresses axially from a
generally flat condition and radially expands said control valve
portion to an open valve condition with the contents of the
container being able to pass through the open control valve portion
and then sequentialy into the receptacle opening of the plug-shaped
receptacle, and upon release of said receptacle end portion and
said depressable force said diaphragm resiliently returns to the
normally flat condition and said control valve portion therein is
resiliently returned to the normally closed condition,
said retainer ring and said plug-shaped receptacle portion having
in combination a bayonet type locking means,
said diaphragm upon release of said depressable force resiliently
biasing said plug-shaped receptacle member outwardly in said
retainer ring into a locking condition in said bayonet locking
means by said lip pressing solely against said continuous upper
surface of said diaphragm with said diaphragm in slight depression
from said normally flat condition and with said valve portion in
the normally closed condition holding said receptacle member in the
locking condition by the resilient biasing contact with said
diaphragm that forms a seal between said receptacle member lip and
said continuous upper surface of said diaphragm, theareby sealing
the opening of the container in said locked condition,
said lip portion only of said receptacle in free pressing contact
with said upper surface only of said diaphragm provides a freely
separational contact for sealing and control of said valve portion
providing a sealing condition during sequential operational working
contact against said resiliency of said continuous upper surface
portion of said diaphragm in the opening and closing of said valve
portion, whereby binding and holding of said receptacle end portion
to said diaphragm is prevented during operation,
said control valve portion being within the periphery of said lip
with said receptacle portion remaining wholly exterior to said
upper surface during the opening and closing of said valve portion
opening thereby minimizing inward and outward movement of said
receptacle,
and said control valve portion opening resiliently retaining in the
normally closed condition the substance of the container with the
cap entirely removed, whereby a tablet, powder, or fluid substance
will be retained within the container when inverted and shaken or
tampered with.
2. A safety dispensing container closure as claimed in claim 1
wherein,
said diaphragm comprises a flexible thick cylindrical member with a
frusto-conical valve portion,
and said valve portion having the smallest aperture portion facing
the open neck portion of the container, whereby the inward pressure
and degree of movement of said end portion and lip of the
receptacle working freely against the upper outer surface of said
diaphragm is minimized in opening of the valve under which
condition the frusto-conical valve surfaces deform forming a
cylindrical opening through which tablets pass and upon release of
inward pressure the resilient force of the thick diaphragm biases
the receptacle outward and closes the valve.
3. A safety dispensing container closure as claimed in claim 1
wherein,
said diaphragm is of generally cylindrical configuration with said
valve portion being generally centrally located,
and said valve portion comprises at least a pair of intersecting
slits through the cylindrical width.
4. A safety dispensing container closure as claimed in claim 1
wherein,
said securing means comprising a ramp cam means for engaging a ramp
cam on said container.
5. A safety dispensing container closure as claimed in claim 1
wherein,
the container and retainer ring have opposing, substantially
aligned projections that contact and seal the outer periphery of
said diaphragm on opposite sides.
6. A safety dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 in which,
said diaphragm is flexible and generally cylindrical with a flat
upper surface,
said lip having a continuous edge for contacting said flat side
surface of said diaphragm,
and said receptacle end only contacts one side surface of said
diaphragm and said control valve portion is within the contact
area.
7. A safety dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 in which,
said diaphragm is flexible and generally cylindrical with flat
sides,
said retainer ring and the container have respective opposing ring
projections that are axially aligned and grip opposite sides of the
outer periphery of said diaphragm therebetween,
and said projecting end portion has a projecting edge surface for
pressing against the one side of said diaphragm and bending the
center portion of said diaphragm axially to open said valve portion
sufficiently to allow the contents to pass therethrough.
8. A safety dispensing container closure as claimed in claim 7
wherein,
said diaphragm has a thick cylindrical configuration and said valve
portion comprises at least one radial slit through the diaphragm
thickness confined to the boundries imposed by said lip of said
receptacle,
whereby sufficient inward pressure and movement of said projecting
end portion of the plug-shaped receptacle opens the valve slit
sufficiently to pass fluids therethrough into the receptacle and
upon release of said pressure the resilient force of the diaphragm
biases the slit into a normally occluded condition and seals the
container and simultaneously moves the receptacle outward.
9. A safety dispensing container as claimed in claim 8 wherein,
said diaphragm having concave-convex opposing faces that slope from
a point spaced from the rim to said valve portion.
10. A safety dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 in which,
the container has a frusto-concaved surface at the opening sloping
dowward and inward joining a generally cylindrical restricted neck
which internally joins the body of the container,
and said frusto-concaved surface forming a space at the container
neck opening to receive the depressed portion of the diaphragm in
the opening condition, whereby the frusto-conical surface of said
diaphragm is resiliently deformed to form a cylindrical opening
forming in part a continuous portion of the internal neck portion
of the container for the passage of tablets therethrough into the
receptacle.
11. A safety dispensing container closure as claimed in claim 10
wherein,
said diaphragm has a flexible generally cylindrical shape with a
frusto-conical valve portion therein,
said valve portion having its smallest aperture facing the interior
of the container,
said receptacle opening and said projecting end portion comprising
a hollow open ended cylindrical projection within the lips for
contacting one side of said diaphragm and pressing said diaphragm
to open said valve portion,
a cylindrical internal wall surface configuration formed from the
frusto-conical surface of said diaphragm in the depressed open
condition,
and said cylindrical surface joining the cylindrical restricted
neck configuration with the cylindrical projection of said
projecting end portion for the passage of contents therethrough
from the container to the receptacle opening.
12. A safety dispensing container closure as claimed in claim 1
wherein,
said plug-shaped receptacle has radially extending lug means for
co-operating with channels and recesses in said locking means on
said retainer ring for releasing said cap member from said retainer
ring only if said cap member is movably depressed against said
diaphragm and then rotated.
13. A safety dispensing container closure as claimed in claim 12
wherein,
said channels including limit stop means for preventing rotation of
said lug means and said cap member beyond the amount required for
locking or removal of said cap member.
14. A safety dispensing container closure as claimed in claim 1 in
which,
said lips of said plug-shaped receptacle portion of said cap member
includes a tubular protrusion that presses onto said valve
portion.
15. A safety dispensing container closure as claimed in claim 14
wherein,
the container and said cap member plug-shaped portion are of a
flexible material.
16. A safety dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 in which,
said securing means includes aligned and mating ramp cam sufaces on
said retainer ring and on the container,
means for biasing said ramp cam surfaces in opposite
directions,
said diaphragm is generally cylindrical,
said retainer ring on the container having respective opposing
projections for contacting opposite sides of the outer periphery of
said diaphragm therebetween,
and the resilience of said diaphragm biases said projections in
opposite directions and creates a biasing force in opposition to
said biasing means.
17. A safety dispensing closure as claimed in claim 16 in
which,
said cap member plug-shaped receptacle has radially extending lug
means for co-operating with channels in said locking means on said
retainer ring for releasing said cap means member from said
retainer ring only if said cap member is moveably depressed inward
and rotated,
and said diaphragm having sufficient thickness whereby said inward
depressed and unlocking movement of said cap member is insufficient
to open said valve portion sufficiently to pass material
therethrough.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The danger inherent in packaged medicines of accidental overdosage
is well recognized. Testimony before Congress has established that
over one-half of the 70,000 poisonings of children under 5 years
old were caused by ingestion of pharmaceuticals. Conventional
packaging invite disaster, since such packaging permits an
inquisitive child or an inattentive adult to obtain the entire
contents of the package readily.
Various devices have been proposed to overcome the dangerous
situation now existing in this field. A first step has been taken
with the introduction of the pressure release-type cap, but this
device is unsatisfactory since once it is removed, the entire
contents are available. The need is for a unit dose dispensing
container, i.e., one that, even if opened, dispenses only one dose
of medicine at a time. Such a container should have a high
percentage of effectiveness in providing physical protection and
yet still meet all the additional requirements for a practical
closure. Chief among these additional requirements are convenience,
cost, and sealing. The convenience requirement means that the
closure must be easily openable by adults including the aged and
infirm. Without this kind of convenience the closure will not find
general acceptance and where supplied, may often be discarded by
the adult, exposing the child to even greater danger. The cost
requirement means that the closure must be easy to manufacture
using non-exotic materials. Finally, the sealing means that the
contents of the container must be protected from deterioration by
an effective and long lasting seal that is formed when the closure
is in its closed position.
While many devices have been proposed in an attempt to satisfy
these requirements, all seem to fail to meet at least one of them.
Some prior art devices have been proposed that employ diaphragms
that prevent more than a unit dose from being dispensed, but these
devices either distend the diaphragm so that it becomes ineffective
after a period of time or they are combined with caps that are too
readily removed by children. Similarly the closures that are
designed with initially effective seals often lose their ability to
seal after a short period of time due to the inability of the
closure to compensate for deformation of the cooperating parts.
Thus it is advantageous to have a safety dispensing container
closure that has in a single device the desirable features
described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the invention provide a locking, receptacle cap
member that also serves as the actuator to move a valve in a
resilient and deformable diaphragm from its closed to open
position. A retainer ring for being secured to a container from
which the material is to be dispensed by the cap member, and the
cap member may have a plug-shaped receptacle for receiving one or
more tablets from the container. The retainer ring also serves to
retain the diaphragm in position. The diaphragm is located near the
mouth of the container and has a valve portion configured in such a
manner as to prevent the passage of any of the material, whether in
tablet, liquid or powder form, out of the container until it is
actuated by the cap member. Also, the container may have a
restrictive custom configured neck to serve as a funnel for
channeling tablets to the diaphragm so as to ensure positive
delivery of the tablets to the diaphragm. The container may be a
standard container now on the market in drugstores having a
standard snap cap configuration for mating with the counter part of
the retainer ring if so provided. Also in other configurations the
retainer ring may be provided with threads and screwed on to the
container or it may be welded thereon.
In one embodiment of the invention, the cap member includes lugs on
the exterior of its receptacle portion that engage the walls of
channels including recesses formed in the retainer ring. These
channels permit limited up and down movement of the cap to prevent
its removal except when the cap is first depressed, then rotated in
the proper direction and finally withdrawn from the retainer ring.
Additionally, the cap has a beveled portion at its lower end that
engages and grips the diaphragm forming a seal. The diaphragm in
this embodiment has a frusto-conical, shaped-valve configurated
opening through its center. The shape of this opening results in a
restricted opening being presented to the interior of the container
and an enlarged opening being exposed to the container exterior.
This embodiment is especially adapted to the dispensing of medicine
in pill or tablet form. The dispensing action is accomplished by
first inverting the container, which action places a tablet under
the influence of gravity in contact with the restricted valve
opening. However, since the diameter of the valve opening is
smaller than that of the tablet, the tablet cannot pass through.
Next the cap is depressed which dialates the diaphragm opening by
increasing the diameter of the restricted opening and allows the
pill or tablet to drop into the receptacle portion of the cap. The
cap member being in the depressed condition, need only be rotated
in the proper direction a fraction of a turn, whereupon it may then
be removed from the container and the pill made available in the
cap. When the cap is returned by reverse action to the receptacle,
it sealably and resiliently engages the diaphragm which thereafter
resiliently biases the cap outwards providing both sealing and the
holding of the cap in the locking recess portion of the retainer
ring channels.
Other embodiments of the invention employ a diaphragm that has an
intersecting radial slit type valve for dispensing liquid or
powdered materials. When in the stored condition, the diaphragm
hermetrically seals the container but a unit dosage of the fluid in
the container is released into the cap receptacle when the cap is
depressed. Also useful for liquid dispensing is an embodiment that
utilizes a diaphragm with a centrally located small hole that is
normally in the sealed condition but is capable of passing or
dispensing liquid when the cap is repeatedly depressed to its full
travel or by the action of a squeeze bottle container.
An additional embodiment of the invention incorporates a cap
especially suited to liquid dispensing and having wiper projections
that prevent leakage along the walls of the retainer ring. Another
embodiment includes a cap with a shoulder portion and a tube
projection that cooperates with a diaphragm having a centrally
disposed hole type valve portion for dispensing liquid.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and
improved safety dispensing container closure.
It is another object of this invention to provide a new and
improved dispensing closure that dispenses unit-dosages of a
container contents for each activation.
It is another object of this invention to provide a new and
improved dispensing closure that hermetically seals a containers
interior both with the cap in place and removed.
It is another object of this invention to provide a new and
improved dispensing closure with a cap that is locked against
accidental removal.
It is another object of this invention to provide a new and
improved dispensing closure that is difficult for children to open,
provides unit-dosages for safety protection of adults, that seals
the contents, that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and that
has a strong construction and long life.
It is another object of this invention to provide a new and
improved container closure in which the container has a restrictive
neck so as to cooperate in funneling and positioning one or two
tablets in alignment over the diaphragm valve portion aperture in
assurance of delivery of one or two tablets when the valve portion
aperture is dilated by means of the cap thus assuring maximum
convenience, ease, simplicity, and speed in obtaining a unit
dose.
It is another object of this invention to provide a new and
improved container closure that prevents spillage of the contents
of the container in obtaining pills or powder substances.
Other objects and many advantages of this invention will become
more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description
and an examination of the drawings wherein like reference numerals
designate like parts throughout and in which:
FIG. 1 is a vertical transverse sectional view of an unassembled
closure with parts removed, incorporating the invention together
with its associated container.
FIG. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the closure of
FIG. 1, illustrating the parts assembled and attached to the
container.
FIG. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the closure of
FIG. 1, with parts broken away, illustrating the container inverted
to place one of the tablets in a position to be dispensed.
FIG. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view, with parts broken
away, of the closure of FIG. 1 with the cap in its depressed
position and a tablet in the cap receptacle.
FIG. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view, with parts broken
away, of the closure of FIG. 1 with the cap and tablet removed.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the retainer ring of
FIG. 1 illustrating the lug receiving channels.
FIG. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view of one embodiment of
the diaphragm member of the invention illustrating the valve
portion, with parts broken away.
FIG. 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view of another
embodiment of the diaphragm of the invention illustrating the valve
portion, with parts broken away.
FIG. 9 is a vertical transverse sectional view of an additional
embodiment of the diaphragm of the invention illustrating the valve
portion with parts broken away.
FIG. 10 is a vertical transverse sectional view of an additional
embodiment of the closure and container incorporating the
invention.
FIG. 11 is a vertical transverse sectional view of an embodiment of
the invention for dispensing liquids.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along lines 12--12-of FIG.
11.
FIG. 13 is a vertical transverse sectional view of an illustrative
modified embodiment of the invention for dispensing fluids.
FIG. 14 is a vertical transverse sectional view of an illustrated
alternative embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a modified vertical transverse sectional view of FIG.
14.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a closure container
assembly indicated generally by numeral 10 consisting of cap member
12, retainer ring 14, diaphragm member 16, and container 18. The
cap member has an annular radially extending rim 20 from which
depends a plug-shaped receptacle portion 22 carrying radially
extending lugs 24. The lugs 24 include a shoulder 26 and a ramp
portion 28. The ramp 28 mates with the beveled end 30 of wall 22 to
form a continuous ramp surface. In other closure designs, the ramp
28 may be eliminated when a change in lug configuration is
indicated or desired. Cylindrical wall 22 forms a receptacle volume
32 for a purpose which will be described in detail hereinafter.
The retaining ring 14 includes a cap receiving portion 34,
diaphragm retaining portion 36 and attachment portion 38. The cap
receiving portion 34 includes a plurality of lug receiving elements
40, each including a lug receiving channel 42 and locking channel
recess 44. The cap receiving portion and lug elements are described
hereinafter in greater detail in reference to FIG. 6. The diaphragm
retaining portion 36 includes a radially outwardly extending flange
46 from which depends a wedge shaped retaining projection or ring
48. The attachment portion 14 includes a downwardly extending
cylindrical wall 50 that has secured to its lower extremity a
V-shaped inner ring surface comprising an attachment ramp 52
securing ramp 54.
Diaphragm 16 that is made of suitable resiliently material has an
upper surface 56 and a lower surface 58 forming a cylindrical
member through which a frusto-conical opening 60 is located forming
a control valve portion. This diaphragm is mounted in the ring 14
with the wall of the opening converging toward the container. The
opening 60 is formed by the restricted aperture 62 forming rim 64,
the enlarged aperture 66 and its rim 68, and the sloping wall 70.
It is to be noted that the diaphragm may have various central
opening configurations adaptable for dispensing the contents of the
container therethrough. The central opening forms a central valve
portion of the resilient diaphragm. The valve portion is opened by
the downward pressure movement of the lower end portion forming a
lip thereon. Thus this lower end forms a valve actuator portion. A
sealing and valve actuator portion is formed by the lower end of
the receptacle 22. When the end is in contact with the upper
surface of the diaphragm 16, the receptacle 22 does not necessarily
have to enter the diaphragm opening 60 to expand the valve
sufficiently to pass substances therethrough. Diaphragm 16 will be
more fully described hereinafter by reference to FIG. 9.
Container 18 includes a funneling portion 72, neck 74 and closure
receiving portion 76. The closure receiving portion has an
upstanding circular, wedge-shaped, diaphragm retaining projection
78 and adjacent ramps, a V-shaped outer ring surface comprising a
securing ramp 80 and attachment ramp 82, and a frustro-concaved
surface 77. The neck 74 is generally wider and about the same
length as the width and thickness respectively of the pill to be
dispensed. With such configuration the neck acts as a hopper for
positively feeding one or more pills to the diaphragm 16.
Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated in perspective view,
the cap receiving portion 34 of the retaining ring 14 and the lug
receiving elements 40. From this view, it is apparent that in its
assembled condition the cap receiving portion includes four lug
receiving elements 40, however this number may vary as may be
suitable for given cap sizes. These lug receiving elements or
portions 40 are identical and only one will be described in detail.
Each element 40 includes a lug receiving channel 42 communicating
with a locking channel recess 44. These channels are defined by
exterior wall 84 from which depends lug ram 86 having a sloping or
ramp surface 88 and are further defined by limit stop 90 which
includes wall 92 facing on the lug receiving channel 42 and an
opposite wall 94 facing on the locking channel recess of the
adjoining lug receiving elements or portions 40. The cap receiving
portion 34 forms lug receiving channels 42 to cooperate with lugs
24 on the cap member 12. The outer diameter of the lower end of cap
member 12 through the lugs 24 is about the same as the diameter of
the inner surface of channels 42. The phantom ramp 92a is an
alternative configuration requiring that the cap be compressed and
screwed to a rear locking condition before the cap may be depressed
to obtain a tablet. This additional ramp provides additional
safety.
Now turning to FIG. 9, there is illustrated the diaphragm member 16
and the beveled end portions 30 including a lip thereon. The
phantom lines 97 illustrate the displaced position of the upper
surface 56, sloping wall 70, and lower surface 58 when depressed by
the action of cap member 12. The radially inward portion of the
diaphragm 16 effectively pivots about a point 95 between gripping
points corresponding to the points of contact of retaining
projection 48 and retaining projection 78.
The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 can best be visualized by
reference to FIGS. 2 - 5.
FIG. 2 illustrates the closure installed on a container 18 holding
a plurality of tablets 100. The retaining ring 14 is mounted on the
container 18 for forcing the lower end or attachment portion 38
against ramp 82. This causes attachment portion 38 to flex outward
under coaction of the attachment ramp 54 with the attachment ramp
82. When the ring 14 is forced downwardly a sufficient distance,
the attachment portion 38 snaps inwardly over the end of the
container 18. During this operation, the diaphragm 16 is moved into
ring 14 and is held in circumferential compression by circular
projections 48 and 78 and is resiliently and sealably retained.
It can be observed that in this assembled condition, the resilience
of the diaphragm exerts force against the ring projections 48 and
78 that tends to force the ramp surfaces 52 and 80 in opposite
directions. Any movement of these ramp surfaces will be resisted by
the structures of end 38 and the upper end of the container 18.
Thus an equalizing of forces will occur that will position the ramp
surfaces 52 and 80 with a given indentation into the diaphragm by
projections 48 and 78. The diaphragm 16 is of a resilient material
that is selected to be relatively easy to flex and has creep
resistance. However after some period of time, should the diaphgram
become compressed, this opposing ramp arrangement and the spring
action and forces involved will continue to move the ring
projections 48 and 78 together maintaining the seal and the
resilient hold on the diaphragm. Because of the thickness of the
diaphragm, the distance of possible movement of the ramp surfaces
52 and 80 and the relatively slight depression occuring in the
stored condition, the diaphragm may be expected to provide a good
seal for extended periods.
The cap 12 is inserted in place in the retainer ring 14 and its
lower end portion is in sealing engagement with the upper surface
56 of diaphragm 16. Because of this sealing contact, diaphgram 16
is slightly depressed but not sufficiently to allow a tablet 100 to
pass through the opening (see FIG. 3). As illustrated in FIG. 3
there is an annular space 101 between surface 58 of the diaphragm
and the frusto-concaved surface 77 of the container. As illustrated
in FIG. 4, this space is sufficient to receive the diaphragm when
the cap 12 is exerted thereagainst so that the frusto-conical
surface 70 of the diaphragm is straightened and transformed to
surface 70a, see FIG. 9, and thus becomes substantially coextensive
with the internal wall of neck 74. It should be observed that when
the cap 12 is placed in the retainer ring 14, it must be moved
inwardly into ring 14 a sufficient distance that lugs 24 clears the
surface 88 to pass into the holding locking channel recess 44. This
further projects the lower end of the cap onto the diaphragm 16.
However, this movement is not sufficient to allow a tablet to pass
through the opening. Even if it was, the result would merely be
that in the inverted condition a tablet would pass into the volume
32. As a result of the large thickness of the diaphragm permitted
by the invention and the relatively slight depression occuring in
the stored condition, the diaphragm will provide a good seal
against the cap 12 for extended periods. Additionally, since the
diaphragm biases the outwardly against the exterior wall 44 of the
lug receiving portion, a second seal is effected. This biasing
holds the lugs 24 of cap 12 in engagement with the locking channels
44 and prevents accidental removal of the cap. Thus to remove the
cap 12, the cap must be forced inwardly against the resilience of
the diaphragm 16 until the shoulder 26 of lugs 24 clears the end 89
of surface 88. However should the cap 12 be forced too far into the
diaphragm, then the frictional contact between the end of the cap
12 and the diaphragm 16 is sufficient to make it increasingly
difficult to twist the cap and remove the cap 12 from the retaining
ring 14 and container 18. Since the biasing of the cap 12 is
accomplished by the diaphragm there is no requirement that the cap
12 or retaining ring lug receiving portion 40 may be made of
flexible material and these portions may therefore be made entirely
from hard, strong material so as to protect the lugs and channels
from breaking under pressure caused by an attempt to forceably
remove the cap without following the proper procedure.
The proper method of obtaining a pill begins with inverting the
container as illustrated in FIG. 3 to allow a tablet to lie in
contact with the rim 64 of the diaphragm's restricted aperture 62.
The cap is then depressed causing the radially inner portion of the
diaphragm 16 to pivot axially at the opening about its retaining
projections 48 and 78, thereby enlarging the effective aperture and
allowing the tablet to fall into the receptacle 32. In this
connection and in reference to FIG. 9, it should be noted that the
unique frusto-conical configuration 70 of the diaphragm 16 permits
the tablet 100 to clear the opening with less travel of the cap 12
than an ordinary cylindrical opening would require. This is because
as soon as the lower edge 64 of the restricted valve opening has
been sufficiently enlarged to pass the tablet, the tablet will pass
without having to continue to pivot the diaphragm 16 about its
upper surface until an upper rim has also enlarged sufficiently to
pass a tablet. By starting with a larger upper opening edge 68, a
cylindrical configuration 70a is approached as illustrated by
phantom line 97, see FIG. 9, and as soon as the restricted opening
edge 64 has been sufficiently enlarged to pass a tablet, as
illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 9. That is to say the frusto-concaved
surface 70 is resiliently transformed into a cylindrical surface
70a indirectly during the depression by lip 30 of the cap 12
against the exterior surface 56 of the diaphragm. In which case,
the cap is not necessarily directly engaged and thus bound by said
surface in a depressed condition. Actually the cap is constantly
under a resilient, biasing, outward directional force from the
diaphragm and is thus free to be forced into the combination
lock-seal condition of the container opening or to assist in
removal of the cap. Also, when the cap is in the depressed
condition, the internal wall of the cap receptacle 32, the wall 70a
of the diaphragm, and the restricted throat of the container
combine to form a continuous cylindrical passage to conveniently
facilitate the passage of tablets therethrough.
The final step in the removal process is illustrated in FIG. 5,
wherein the cap 12 is removed after having been rotated a fraction
of a turn to permit the lugs 24 to align themselves with the lug
receiving channel 42 and permit withdrawal.
The embodiment of FIG. 10 is a modification of the dispenser
closure illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5. The primary difference is
that the container 118 has an annular flange 150 joining the lip 78
and the container wall 118, and the diaphragm 16 is retained over
the container opening by means of a modified retainer ring or
housing 154. The retainer ring 154 snugly fits outwardly against
the inner wall and end of the annular flange 150 and is secured
thereto by a friction fit, adhesives or the like, or by rim
engaging members such as illustrated in FIG. 1. The spacing between
end 156 and the diaphragm 16 assures freedom of movement of the
diaphragm 16.
In this modification, the diaphragm 16 is not sealed and secured to
the container, rather the diaphragm 16 is free to pivot over the
rim projection 78. Sealing of the container opening is accomplished
by the pressure exerted by lip 30 against the diaphragm in the
latched condition. The pressure of lip 30 is extended generally
downward and outward through the diaphragm causing the projection
78 to forceably engage the diaphragm and seal the container.
Projection 78 may be reduced to form an edge substantially at right
angles and still be effective. This modification permits the use of
substantially smaller diameters for the diaphragm thus saving the
material costs. The cap 12 and container 118 also are reduced in
size and cost.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate modifications of the diaphragm to adapt
the closure of FIG. 1 to the dispensing of fluids including powders
and liquids. Such a modification is illustrated in FIG. 11. FIG. 7
illustrates diaphragm 101 with radial slits 99 that correspond to
the radial slits 131 of FIG. 12. These slits penetrate the
diaphragm 101 between its upper surface 102 and its lower surface
104. As can be seen by the phantom lines 105, the portions of the
diaphragm pivot as if about a center located at point 106 located
between the upper and lower surfaces 102 and 104. Therefore there
are sealing interfaces between the opposing walls of the slits 99
in the movement until the diaphragm 101 reaches the positions
indicated by the phantom lines 105. At this position, the center
intersection 97 of the slits 99 part at 97a to allow fluid to pass
through the slit opening. This results from a partial elongation of
the upper surface 102 because of the circular pressure force of the
lower tip of end 30 of the cap 12. Also this force tends to
compress the resilient diaphragm causing a slight inward bulging
103 of the diaphragm at the slits 99. This prevents leakage of
fluid through the slits 99 until there has been a substantial
inward movement of the cap 12 and end 30. Thus the cap 12 can press
against the diaphragm 101 as illustrated in FIG. 7, and can be
projected further into the diaphragm as required to remove the cap,
without causing leakage of fluid through the slits 99. Should the
container be shaken while inverted, the tendency for the diaphragm
to open under pressure generated is effectively countered by the
interference of the opposing walls.
The modified diaphragm 112 of FIG. 8 functions in a similar manner
to that illustrated in FIG. 7, except diaphragm 112 has been cut
away to create concave-convex formed surfaces comprising generally
conical sloping exterior surface 114 and generally conical sloping
interior surface 116. This configuration has operational and
functional characteristics described and illustrated in FIG. 7.
However the slits or aperture 113 in the reduced thickness portion
of the diaphragm 112 requires less movement for opening
sufficiently to pass the flud, and yet retain the thickness between
the ring projections 48 and 78 and the point of contact by cap end
30 for resiliency with protection against creep. The dotted lines
115 illustrate how the beveled end portions move only a relatively
short distance to effect an opening. The sloping portions have the
additional advantage in that they permit pooling of the liquid to
be disposed, making dispensing of even a small remaining amount of
liquid practical.
The embodiments in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 illustrate the use of
diaphragms, as described in FIGS. 7 and 8 in fluid dispensing
embodiments. It is to be noted that the valve position in the
illustrations of FIGS. 7, 8, 11 and 12 may be formed by
intersecting radial slits 131 or by a single punctured hole such as
at 127 in FIG. 12. Referring to FIG. 11, the retainer ring 122 is
modified to have the lug receiving channels on the exterior surface
131 permitting a clean internal cylindrical bore 124 through the
retaining ring 122. The cap 126 includes a graduated receptacle 128
and retaining lugs 130 on the cylindrical portion 132. Lugs 130
cooperate with the lug receiving channels in the same manner as in
the embodiment of FIG. 1. The cylindrical base has a wiper ring 134
that functions to prevent leakage past the double seal closure.
With the container inverted, the cap 126 is depressed and with each
depression an amount of fluid passes through the diaphragm 123 due
to gravity and the pumping action of the diaphragm caused by
pressure exchange between the cap receptacle and the interior of
the container. Upon upward movement of the diaphragm 123, the fluid
135 is moved upward compressing the air in space 137. This
increased air pressure exerts a downward force in addition to
gravitational force that drives the liquid through the slit or hole
127 when it opens. This fluid passes directly into receptacle 128
where it is held in sealed condition until the cap 126 is removed.
If too much fluid is pumped into the receptacle 128, then the
dispenser can be inverted and the fluid can be moved back into the
container 121 by opening the hole or slits 127. In this manner the
user may extract the exact amount of fluid required and then remove
the cap to use the fluid.
The partial embodiment of FIG. 13 illustrates still another
embodiment whereiin a modified diaphragm 136 cooperates with a
modified cap 138. The diaphragm 136 has a punctured hole 140
therethrough. Distending this hole 140 over a portion of its total
length is tubular projection 142. The cap 138 also has shoulder 144
that abuts the exterior surface 146 of diaphragm 136. The pumping
action when the cap 138 is actuated permits the receptacle 148 to
fill to the desired level or if the container (not shown) is made
of flexible material it may be squeezed to fill the receptacle.
Additionally the receptacle 148 may be of flexible material
allowing convenient dispensing of the fluid from the cap after it
is removed from the closure.
FIGS. 1 through 5 show a preferred container closure embodiment in
which the container configuration opening, more specifically, has a
frusto-concaved surface spaced to receive the resiliently deformed
portion of the diaphragm when in the depressed condition. With the
diaphragm in the depressed condition in the space thus formed in
combination with the restrictive neck means for the passage of
tablets, assures that the one or two tablets that normally line up
in the throat of the container are freed from the remaining tablets
that generally jamp up at the internal throat opening (see FIGS. 3
and 4) thus assuring convenience and rapidity in unit dose
dispensing.
Although the features illustrated herein are unique to our
invention, they are not to be construed as imposing limitations
since it should be obvious that the closures are designed for
adaptability to the snap cap containers now in general use.
Furthermore, the retainer ring may be designed to have threads to
cooperate with the threads of a screw type container in which a
locking indent may be employed to secure the closure in the
container opening once the bottle has been filled. Thus major
changeover by industry is not mandatory nor immediate.
With reference to FIG. 14, it is to be observed in this embodiment
of the invention that there is a container 170 having a neck
portion and a bayonet latching means 172; a cap 174 with a
receptacle 176, a dependent skirt 178 and a bayonet latching means
180; and a cylindrical insert for fitting into the neck of the
container comprising a cylindrical body 182, a dependent diaphragm
184 containing a frusto-concaved valve portion for dispensing
tablets, a frusto-conical surface 186, a restrictive neck portion
188, a dependent radially positioned flange 190 at the container
opening and an internal flange 192. The flanges 190 and 192 coact
to resiliently bias the insert into a locked condition within the
container neck. This embodiment does not employ a retainer ring per
se for positioning the diaphragm in the container opening. Thus
there is a reduction in the cost of the container closure.
FIG. 15 is a modification of FIG. 14, illustrating an insert
including a centrally dependent diaphragm 194 with centrally
located valve portion 196 for liquid dispensing, and a snap cap
type locking means for securing the insert in the throat of the
container at the opening of the container. The bayonet latching
means as referred to in FIGS. 14 and 15 are those illustrated in
FIG. 6 except that the latching grooves are located on the external
surface of the container neck.
The novel features as previously related and illustrated are in
effect the same for FIGS. 14 and 15 and includ the following:
The resilient diaphragm is mounted in the top portion on the
container and has a central valve portion which is capable of being
resiliently opened for passage of contents within the container,
for example, tablets as illustrated in FIG. 14 and liquids in FIG.
15. Also the diaphragm biases the cap outward to retain the bayonet
mating means of the cap with the container. The valve portion of
the diaphragm closes to the contents of the container when the cap
is depressed within the limits of the bayonet connection of the cap
with the container. However, when the cap receptacle is depressed
within the container beyond the limits of the locking connection
means, the diaphragm valve means is opened and the container
contents are permitted to pass therethrough.
* * * * *