Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2 1 1 9 fi 9 rj
SNRP--ON CLOSl3RE SYSTEM AND METHOD
BACKGR~UND OF T1IE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a closure system for
a container that includes a snap-on cap and spout assembly
for receipt onto a contai1ler neck ancl, more specifically, to
a cap and spout assembly and me1;hod for assembling t11e cap
and spout assembly onto a container w11erein ~he cap and spout
assembly includes a snap-on tamper evident cap and a snap-on
pouring spout. ~ -
Many types of closures for sealing onto a co~1tainer neck
are known that include a spout received onto the neck of a
container and a cap for closure of the spout. Typically, the
cap is threaded onto the spout, and the spout and~or cap is
either threaded with the container neck or clamped onto the
conta;ner neck via a separate crimping ring. For example,
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,236,629 to Dwinell, 4,632,282 to Na~ashirna
and 4,568,006 to Mueller, et al. disclose various crimping
ring arrangements for clarnpiny ~he spout onto the container
neck, wherein the crimping ring is constructed of a malleable
metal. One disadvantaye of this type of closure is that the
metal crimping ring cannot be recycled together with the
various plastic components and, therefore, must be removed
f rom each container prior to recycling. Anotl1er disadvantage
is ~113t an additional assembly step is required to assemble
tl1e crimping riny onto the spout prior to assernbly of tl1e cap.
As another example of a closure that seals onto a
co11tainer neck, U.S. Patent No. 5,00~,126 to Klesius
discloses a plastic closure for a plastic container tllat
includes a frame cap adapted to be screwed onto an externally
L1~readed container neck over a flexible pouring spout. l1le
frame cap is frangibly attached to and inte~ral with a
screw-on ring adapted to be threaded onto the e~ternally
threaded container neck. One disadvantage of tllis type of
closure is the possibility of breaking the frame cap from the
screw-on ring during threading of the ring onto tlle container
neck. Although a flexible web is provided ~etween the cap
and ring to absorb excessive threading force~, excessive
radial forces beyond those accolnrnodated by the flexible web
can neve~ eless still result during assel~ly o tlle cap and
ring onto the container neck so as to ~reak the frangible cap
and ring attachment, thereby defeating its tamper-evident
function. Also, in many applications ~he tolerances of the
container neck are not tightly controlled and depending on
the tolerance stack of the cap, spout and container neck, the
spout may prematurely seat onto the container neck SUCII that
cont:inued threading of the ring onto the container neck
breaks the frangible cap and ring attachment.
Other closures that seal onto a container neck include a
snap-on spout received onto the container neck and a cap
threaded onto the contain~r neck over the snap~on spout. For
example, U.S. Patent No. 4,917,270 to Simon discloses a
closure device that includes a spout received into a groove
provided on the container neck, wherein the spout resiliently
de~orms over the container neck durin~ installatiorl to seat
in the gxoove. U.5. Patent Nos. 5,108,009 to Davidson et al.
and 4,706,829 to Li di~close other similar interlocking spout
and container neck configurations. Still, there is always a
need for an improved snap-on closure for universal use wi~h a
variety of spouts.
For example, both the Li and Davidson closures include a
stiff spout constructed of a relatively hard plastic that is
molded to a fixed configuration. As such, tlle 5pout alone
provides the necessary resilient interlocking force required
to seal onto the container neck, so that the cap is not
required to ellhance the spout/container neck seal and can
$ ~ ~
~herefore be entirely removed from the contair1er neck. Other
more fle~ible spouts present additional sealing problems
beyond those addressed ~y the Simon, Davidson, et al. and Li
closures.
In particular, flexi~le pour spouts that are movable
between a nested position and an extended position are more
~rone ~o leakage than rigid spOllts at the spout/container
neck interface. As a result, flexi~le spouts typically
require additional means for maintaining the spout/container
neck seal when the cap is removed from the spout. See, for
example, European Patent Application No. EPO 320 808 Al which
discloses a spout having a U-shaped flange flexi~ly receiYed
over a conical container flan~e and a retaining ring flexibly
received onto the spout. The spout is assernbled onto the
container neck prior to assembly of the cap. One drawback of
ttliS col~fig~lration is that the sequen~ial assembly
potentially leaves the contents of the contail1er accessible
to tampering or contamination. If the cap and spou-t are
assembled together, too much force is required to assemble
the cap and spout over the container flange since both the
U-shaped flange of the spout and the ring of the cap must
resiliently fle~ over the same container flange. If the cap
and spout are constructed of a less resilient plastic to
facilitate simultaneous assembly, the assembled cap and spout
are tllen more prone to leakage at high internal container
pressures.
~ erefore, a need exists for an improved closure for
sea]lny receipt onto a container neck that overcomes the
deficiencies of the above-described closures. Such a closure
should ~ro~ide improved sealing characteristics or high
in~erllal container pressures, such as that resulting from
impact or dropping of the container, while still being easily
assembled together onto the container neck. Preferably, the
closure should be constructed entirely of plastic and easily
~ ~ 2 ~
_9_
molded to facilitate manufacturing. The closure should ~e
tamper evident and also easily installe~ onto a contairler
neck without risk of damage to the tamper evident means.
2:~ ~ 3~
--5--
SUMMARY OE' TIIE INVEiNTION
A closure system for a container is disclosed according
to one embodiment of the present invention that includes a
container neck extending axially from a container, a spout
illcluding means for sealing onto the contairler neck, first
means for axially interlocking the spout with the container
neck, tl~e first means being resiliently flexible -to snap onto
the container neck, a cap including means for closing of ths
spout, and second means for axially interlocking tlle cap with
tlle container neck, the second mean,s being resiliently
flexible to snap onto the container neck, the first mealls
int.erlocking the spout witll the container neck and tlle second
means interlocking the cap with the container neck over the
spout wherein the first means and the second means maintain
tlle spout in sealing contact against the container neck.
A snap-on tamper evident closure assernbly is also
disclosed according to one embodiment of the present
invention that includes a snap~on spout having a resiliently
fle~ible sealing ring adap~ed or sealing receipt onto tlle
container ~leck, tlle sealing ring including a first
interlocking lip adapted for interlocking with a
corresponding first interlocking lip of the container neck,
tlle sealing ring being resiliently flexible to snap onto the
container neck, a snap-on cap including a closure member for
closure of the spout and an interlocking ring adapted for
il~t~rlocking recei~t onto the container neck over the sealing
ring, the closure member being frangibly attached to the
interlocking ring, the interlocking ring inc].uding a second
in~erlocking lip adapted Eor interlocking with a
correspon~ing second interlocking lip oE the container neck,
the interlocking ring being resiliently flexible to snap onto
t.he container neck, wherein the second interlocking lip of
tlle interlocking ring extends below tlle first i.nterlocking
lip of the sealing ring when the spout and the cap are
received onto the container neck to interlock with tlle
container neck independent of the sealing ring.
A closure assembly is further disclosed according to one
embodiment of the present invention that inclu~es a container
neck extending axially from a container, -the container neck
including an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing
surface, a spout including a sealing ring for sealing receipt
onto the container neck, the sealing riny including an inner
sealing ring portion for sealing against the inner sealing
surface of the container neck, an outer sealing ri.ng por~ion
for sealing against the outer sealing surface of the
contai.ner neck, and a transverse sealing riny portion
attached between the inner sealing ring portion and the outer
sealing ring portion and bridying the container neck, and
means for axially restraining tlle sealing ring against tlle
container neck, wherein the means for axial.ly restraining
defines a pivot for the ssaling ring to roll thereagainst
when the inner sealing ring portion is forced out of ssaling
contact against the inner surface of ~he container neck, the
sealing ring rolling about the means for axially restraining
to increase the sealing contact of the outer sealing riny
portion against the outer sealing surface o~ the container
neck .
A method for assembling a closure onto a container neck
is still further disclosed according to one embodimellt of the
present invention that includes the steps of o~tainillg a
spout inclu~ing means for sealing onto a container neck and
first means for axially irlterlockiny the spout witll tlle
container neckr the first means being resiliently flexible to
snap onto the container neck, obtailling a cap including ~neans
for closing of the spout and second rneans for axially
interlocking the cap with the con-tainer neck, the second
means being resiliently fle$ible to snap onto the container
~ ;~ 1 9 ~
neck assembling the cap onto the spoul: to orm a cap and
spout assembly and a~ially assembling the cap and spout
assembly onto the container neck the first means and the
second means resiliently flexing to snap onl:o the container
neck.
One object of the ~resent inven~ion is to provide an
improved closllre system ~or a container ~hat assem~les onto
tlle container in a single step.
Another object of the present invention is ~o provide a
clos~Jre llaving improved sealing characteristics.
Yet anot~er object of ~he present invention is to provide
a closure constructed entirely of plastic to facilitate
manufacturing and recycling o~ the package system.
Still another object of the present inventivn is to
provide a closure that is tolerant of variances in -tlle
container o~ening.
Still yet another object of the preserlt invention is to
provide a tamper eviderlt threaded closure that is easily
installed onto a container neck~
Anotller object of the pIesent invention is to provide a
tamper evident closure employing frangible means and which is
resistant to breakage of the frangible means during
installation onto the container neck.
Tllese al~d otller related ob3ects asld advarltages will
become apparent from the following drawings and written
descriptions.
2 ~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a closure system according
to the present invention that includes a cap and spout
assem~ly received onto a container neck.
E'IG. 2 is an exploded view of the cap and spout assembly
of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a ~op plan view of the cap of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a top plan view oE the spout of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a side elevational, cross-sectional vie~1 of the
closure system of FIG. 1 as assembled, wherein the views of
the cap and spout are taken in the direction of the arrows
indicated in E'IGS. 3 and 4, respectively.
FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view of t~le FIG. 5 assembly
depicting in detail its various sealing interfaces.
2 ~
DESCRIPTION OF T~IE E'REFERRE;D EMBOVIMENT
For tlle purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to
the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and speci.fic
lanyuage will be used to describe the same. It will
nevertlleless be understood that no limitation of t}le scoye of
the invention is thereby intended, such al~erations and
further modifications in the illustrated device, and Sucll
further applications of tlle principles of the invention as
illustrated therein bei.ng contemplated as woul~ normally
occllr to one skilled in the art to wllich the invent-io
relates.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a closure system 1~ is sllown
inclu~ing a cap and spout assembly 12 adapted for snap-on
receipt onto a container neck 14 of a container lid 16.
Unlike prior art cap and spout closures which ernploy crimping
rings or are threaded onto the container neck, cap and spout
assen~bly 12 assem~les OlltO container neck 14 generally
axially along central axis 18 by snapping onto container neck
14. As such, the various components of closure system 10 are
~lexible to facilitate tl~e snap-on action of cap and spout
assembly 12 onto container neck 1~. Prefera~ly, the
components of closure system lq are constructed of ylastic ..
and are easily molded to facilitate manu~ac~urillg. Also, by
construc~ing the componellts of closure system 10 entirely
from plastic, closure system 10 is easily recycled without
disassembly or separation of its various components. :
Re~erring now also to FIGS. 2-4, cap and spout assem~ly
12 is shown in greater detail. Cap and spout ~ssenl~].y 12
includes a c~p 20 fle~i~ly received over a spout 22. U~like
prior ~rt closures w~icll seguen~ially assemble onto a
container neck, cap and spout assembly l? assembles 011tO
container neck 1~ in a single step. As SllCil, cap and spout
2~
--10--
asse~lbly 12 does away witll interim asserilbly steps which m~y
leave the contents of tlle container susceptible to tampering
or contamination. Further, by snappiny onto the contairler
neck as an assembly rather than as individual colnponents, cap
and spout assembly does away witll sepaxate assembly tooling
specifically adapted to the spout.
Cap 20 includes generally a closure member 24 frangibly
attached to an interlocking outer ring member 26 via bail
handles 72 and 74 and Erangible tabs 28. Interlocking member
26 is constructed of a thermoplastic material and is
resiliently fle~ible to interlock with contaisler neck 14 and
restrain spout 22 in sealing con~act against contairler neck
14. Cap 20 is a tamper evident cap, wherein tamper evident
means is provided by the axially interlocking relationship
~etween interlocking member 26 and container neck 14 and the
frangible attachment of interlockillg member 26 to closure
member 24 via frangible tabs 28.
Spout 22 is a flexible spout to aid in pourin~J. Spout 22
includes a pouring neck 30 disposed within a sealing ring 3Z
and a fle~ible web 34 sealingly attached between pouring n~ck
30 and sealing ring 32. Pouring neck 30 is positiorlable
between a nested position witllin sealing ring 32 an~ an
extended position (not shown) upstanding from sealing ring
32. ~ecause spout 22 is a flexible spout, it is constructed
from a ~le~ible tllermoplastic rnaterial similar to that of cap
20. Preferably, however, spout 22 is not so resilient to
detract from it flexing between nested and extended positions
and beillg able to sealingly conform to dimensiorlal variations
of tlle container neck upon being clamped thereagainst by
interlocking ring member 26.
Cap 20 assembles with spout 22 to forln cap and spout
asselnb1y 12 by closure member 24 threading onto pouring neck
30. ~reerably, closure roember 2~ includes two threads 36
an~ 38 ~laving thread start or engagement positions spaced
--11~
opposite from one anotSIer witllin closure member 24 to
facilitate threaded en~agement of the cap wi~ll tlle spout
every llalf turn. Silnilarly, pouring neclc 30 includes two
threads 40 and 42 to provide corresponding multiple thread
engagement positions. To improve sealing of the cap onto the
spout, closure member 24 fur~ller includes a circular sealing
ridge 44 which defines a circular groove 46 for receiving the
upper edge of po~lring neck 30 in sealing contact therein.
Inter]ocking ring mem~er 26 includes an interlocking lip
98 extending radially inward thereof and below sealing ring
32 when assembled over spo~lt 22, w~lerein interlockin~ lip 48
interlocks with a corresponding interlocking lip 50 of
container neck 14 (~IG. l). As cap 20 is threade~ onto spout
22, interlocking lip 48 resiliently flexes radially outward
to srlap over seali~lg ring 32. As closure member 2~ is
~ur~her tigh~ened OlltO polJring neck 30, sealin~ rilly 32 is
drawn Up to seat against interlocking ring mernber 26. In
particular, irlterlockillg ring member 26 includes a
restrai~ling lip 52 wtlich seats against a corresponding yroove
20 54 of sealing ring 32. Interlocking ring member 26 and
restraining lip 52 cooperate to improve the sealing
characteristics of sealing ring 32 at high internal container
pressures as discussed further below, in particular in
connection with FIG. 6.
Referring now also to FlG. 5, aC~er cap 20 is asseln~led
witll s~out 22~ cap and spout assem~ly 12 is snapped onto
container neck 14. Upon receipt of cap and spout assembly 12
onto container neck 14, an axially ti9~lt fit results between
the cap, spo-lt and container neck so that tllere is little to
no axially play between ~he various components. As such, any
threading of closure melll~er 24 off of spout 22 retracts
closure mem~er 24 axially olltward away from container neck
14. Because interlocking ring member 26 is a~ially
restrained ill place onto con~ailler n~ck 14, the dlfferential
. . . ,: . ... , ., ., ,, :.:.:, : . :. .. : ~. , ,
-12-
axial movement between tlle closure member and the
interlockirlg ring causes frangi~le tabs 2~ to break, t}lereby
evidencing access to the contents of the container. After
tabs 28 are broken, interlocking ring member 26 functions
; independently of closure member 24 to still maintain positive
sealing across the sealing ring to container neck interEace
at lligll internal pressures within the container.
Interlocking ring member 26 similarly serves to restrain
sealing ring 32 snapped on-to container neck 1~ when force is
exerted to extend spout 22.
In the preferred embodiment, container neck 14 extends
axially upward from a recessed configuration in which cap and
spout assembly 12 is received onto contailler neck 14
substantially flush with surface 84 of container lid 16 . By
recessing container neck 14 below surface ~4 such that cap
and spout assembly 12 is substantially flusll therewith,
mul~iple containers can be stacked atop one anotller.
Furtller, interlocking ring member 26 is less accessi~le and
~herefore less prone to tampering.
Referring back to ~o FIGS. 2-~, sealing ring 32 is
generally U-shaped in cross-section and includes a transverse
sealing ring portion 56 generally forming the botto~ of the
"U" and an inner sea]ing ring portion 58 and an outer sealing
ring portion 60 gen~rally forming the sides of the "U". ~n
in~erlockins lip 62 extends radially inward of outer sealing
rillg portion 60 to interlock with a corresponding
interlockillg lip 63 of container neck 14 (FIG. 1). Unlike
prior closures which interlock the cap onto the sealing ring,
sealing ring 32 and interlockincJ rincJ member 26 interloc~s
wi~l~ contailler neck 14 independent of one another. As a
reslllt, interlockirlg ring member 26 maintains sealing ring 32
clampe~ against container neck 14 at high internal pressures
wi~llin tlle container. In par-ticular, interlocking ring
member 26 prevents lip 62 of sealing ring 32 from "popping"
-13-
off of lip 63 of corltainer neck 14 when t~le container is
pressurized. Furtller, by initially interlocking cap 20 with
container neck 14, cap 20 also prevents pouring neck 30 from
extending when the con~ainer is pressurized. As sucl~, an
improved sealing system results tl~at protects against leakage
u~on pressUriZatiOII of the container.
Also, a more ~ositive se~ling mechallism is provided over
that pro~ided by merely interlocking the cap with the sealing
ring. At low internal container pressures, bo~ll inner
sealing ring portion 58 and outer sealing ring portion 60
resiliently seal against container neck 19. Preferably,
lnner sealing ring portion 5~ also includes a tapered sealing
surface 69 corresponding to a tapered inner sealing ring
~urface 65 of container neck 19 (FIG. 1). At hig~l internal
conl;ainer pressures, interlocking ring memL)er 26 cooperates
witll sealing ring 32 to actively counter tlle ullseating o~
inner sealing ring portion 58 by improving the seaiing of
outer sealing ring portion 60.
Referring now to FIG. 6 ~ tl~e cooperation of interlocking
ring me~ er 26 with sealing ring 32 is shown in greater
detail. Restraining lip 52 is molded within interlocking
ring member 26 spaced approximately ~he same axial distance
from interlocking lip 48 as the assembled axial distance
between groove 54 of sealing ring 32 and interlocking lip 50
Of container neck 14. Sealing ring 32 seals against
container neck 14 both internally via inner sealing ring
portion 58 and externally via outer se~ling ~ing portion 60.
Nevertlleless, at lligh internal con~ailler pressures SUCII ~3S
that resulting from impact or dropping of the colltainer,
inner sealing ring por~ion 58 is prone to lifting off of and
radially inward away from container neck l~. Because
illterlocking ring memL)er 26 interlocks Wit:ll COntailler neck 14
independent of sealing ring 32, sealillg ring 32 is prevellted
from lifting off of container neck 19. lnstead, as inner
-14-
sealing ring portion 58 rotates to li~t off of contairler neck
14, sealing ring 32 rolls or pivots against restraining lip
52 to drive outer s~aling ring portion 60 and lip G2 in
greater sealing contact against interlocking lip 63 of
cont:ainer neck 14. Lip 55 is provided at least in part for
molding r~quirements and convenience. Lip 55 may also react
against surface 53 of restrailliny lip 52 as part of or due to
any rolling or pivoting motion of sealing rin~ 32. Lip 55
could also provide a third annular sealincJ interface a~ainst
surace 53 if the ring member 26 is colltinuous and does not
include recesses 80 and 82.
Referring back to E'IGS. 2-4, to further irnprove sealing
of cap and spout assembly onto container neck 14, spout 22
also includes a frangible sealing diaphragm 68 sealingly
attached across pouring neck 30 and a pull ring 70 attached
to sealing diaphragm 68. As such, closure means are provided
for spout 22 whereby pouring neck 30 is sealed until pull
ring 70 is engaged to break frangible sealin~ diaphragm 68
free of pourins neck 30.
Other features as well can be added to cap and spout
assembly 12 to improve its performance. For example, spout
22 furtller includes a plurality of vent ears 66 attached to
flexible web 34. Ears 66 extend downwardly from flexible web
34 wllen spout 22 is in its sto~ed position nested wi~hin
sealing ring 32. When spout 22 is in its extende~ position
with pouring neck 30 upstanding from sealing ring 32, ears 66
e~tend radially inward within the spou~ and cooperate to
define a central flow ~perture and a plurality of periE-heral
vent opellings. Vent ears 66 function sitnilar to those
disclo~ed in U.S. Patent No. 4,555,048 to Hamman et al.
issued November 26, 1985, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorpora~ed by reference, and U.S. Patent No. 4,618,578 to
llamma1l et al. issued October 21, 1986, the disclosllre of
wl~icl~ i~ also hereby incorporated by reference.
-15-
~ lso, to facilitate har1dlillg and stacking of tlle
corltainer, flexible bail handles 72 and 74 are flexible
between a stored position flush witll closure melnber 29 and a
usable position upsl:anding from closure member 24. To
S improve access Lo t;lle ~ail llalldles, ta~s 76 and 78 are
provided which extend radially outward of bail handles 72 and
74, respectively. lnterlockirlg ring member 26 similarly
includes a corresponding pair of oppositely spaced recesses
80 and 82 for receivillg tabs 76 alld 78. ~s such, tabs 76 and
78 are easily accessible wllen pull rings 72 and 7~ are in
their initial stored position and frarlgibly at~ached to
interlocking ring member 26. Such a configuration is
particularly well suited for a recessed container neck such
as that shown in FIG. 5.
Wllile ~he invention has been illustrated and described in
detail i-1 tlle drawings and foregoing description, tl1e same is
to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in :~
character, it beil~g understood that only t~1e preferred
embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes
and modifications that come witllin the spirit of the
illventiorl are desired to be protected.
