Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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AUDIBLE CLOSING FEATURE FOR A THREADED CONTAINER AND LID
FIELD
=
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to an audible closing feature for
threaded
containers and lids, and more specifically to a lug and notch arrangement that
provides
an audible indication that the lid is sufficiently closing the container.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Threaded containers and lid closures may contain various mating
arrangements therebetween. Typical arrangements may provide notches, or
protrusions, in or adjacent to the threads of one or both of the lid and
container to
perform various functions.
[0003] One such function is to provide a venting path to allow pressure within
the
container to escape. Pressure venting systems can include notches in the
threads of
the lid and/or the threads of the container. Containers with pressure venting
systems
can be used in packaging beverages under pressure, such as carbonated
beverages.
U.S. Patent No. 6,736,280 provides notches in the threads of the lid for
venting. U.S.
Patent No. 5,533,633 provides notches in the threads of the container for
venting. U.S.
Patent No. 6,006,930 provides notches in the threads of both the lid and
container for
venting. However, none of the above-mentioned patents discloses providing an
audible
indication when the lid is sufficiently closing the container.
[0004] Another function of lid and container mating arrangements is to provide
a
locking feature between the lid and container. One purpose of this locking
feature is to
provide a child-proof safety lock, such that the lid is not easily removed
from the
container. U.S. Patent No. 6,848,590 discloses a lug and pocket device where
the lid
contains lugs in the threads of the lid that fit into pockets that are in the
threads of the
container. It is further disclosed that when it is attempted to remove the
closure from
the container, a lug abutment face will cooperate with a pocket abutment face
to prevent
unscrewing of the closure in the absence of a sufficient axial force on the
closure to
compress a spring that permits the lugs to clear the pockets. U.S. Patent No.
4,084,717
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discloses a series of ratchet portions at the end of the thread of the
container which
engage with a series of ratchet teeth in the lid. To open the container after
closing,
disengagement of the teeth from the ratchet portion must first be achieved
before the lid
can be rotated in an opening direction. This is done by applying an axial
downward
force to the closure/lid in order to disengage the teeth from the ratchet
portion. U.S.
Patent No. 3,741,421 discloses a lug and detent system in either the lid or
container
that provides resistance to cap rotation in an opening direction of rotation.
The lug and
detent are both formed on the thread of its respective part (i.e., lid or
container). The
lugs are downwardly projecting lugs in the form of a right triangle with a
sloping side
such that rotation in the opposite direction (i.e., unlocking direction) is
significantly
impeded due to the vertical side of the lug becoming lodged against the wall
of the
detent. U.S. Patent No. 5,197,616 discloses a child safety lock feature where
a lid
includes an inner cap, a middle cap, and an outer cap. The inner cap has
threaded
portions for engagement with threaded portions of a container. The middle cap,
which
is next to the inner cap, rotates with the inner cap and locks in place as the
inner cap is
in a fully closed position. To close the lid, the outer cap is rotated, and as
it rotates the
middle and inner caps are rotated until fully closed. Once fully closed, the
inner and
middle caps will no longer rotate when the outer cap is rotated. As the outer
cap
continues to be tumed, it rotates past the middle cap while the middle cap
remains
stationary and provides an audible click sound as it slides past part of the
middle cap.
The audible click occurs when a protrusion on the outer cap contacts the
trailing edge of
a cam surface of the middle cap, providing a click when the middle cap is in
the fully
closed position. In order to remove the cap, and thus to open the container,
the user
must provide both a rotative and an axial force to disengage the threaded
portion of the
inner cap from the threaded portion of the container. Such child-proof safety
locks are
specifically designed to impede removal of the lids from the containers.
[0005] Another function of lid and container mating arrangements is to provide
an
anti-backoff system so the lid does not loosen or backoff from the closed
position during
transport and/or storage. U.S. Patent No. 5,169,033 discloses locking the lid
in place
for the purpose of preventing backoff of the lid from the container by
providing wedge-
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shaped teeth along the bottom thread on the lid. The teeth then abut against
the
underside of the thread along the container for the purpose of preventing
backoff of the
lid during transport. It is further disclosed that this type of arrangement is
useful only for
applications where ready removal of the closure is not desired. U.S. Patent
No.
4,461,394 discloses providing a series of alternate ridges and indentations as
part of the
threads on both the lid and container rim where a ridge on one engages an
Indentation
of the other. U.S. Patent No. 5,803,287 discloses providing downward extending
lugs
on the lid and abutments and projections on the container rim below the
threads. The
lugs on the lid engage the abutments to provide an audible click when the lugs
on the
interior of the lid rotate past the abutments on the container. The
projections on the
container interfere with the threads on the lid to reduce backoff during
transport and/or
storage. However, none of the above-mentioned patents discloses providing an
audible
indication when the lid is sufficiently closing the container.
SUMMARY
[0006] A lug and notch closing feature is disclosed that provides an audible
indication when the lid is sufficientiy closing the container, provides for
minimal
resistance when removing the lid from the container, and reduces or eliminates
backoff
between the lid and the container during transport and/or storage.
[0007] A container having a body with a neck surrounding an opening and a lid
with a top wall and a skirt depending therefrom are provided. The neck of the
container
has external threading located thereon having at least one notch, and
preferably,
though not necessarily, at least three notches generally equidistantly spaced.
The skirt
of the lid has intemal threading for engagement with the external threading on
the neck
and it further has at least one radially inward extending lug, and preferably,
though not
necessarily, at least one lug for each notch with the lugs being generally
equidistantly
spaced. The lugs are positioned between the intemal threading and the top
wall. To
generate an audible indication that the lid is sufficiently closing the
container, the lugs
snap into the notches on the external threading.
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. ..
[0008] As the lid is rotated about the neck of the container, the lug contacts
a
ramp end of the external threading. The lug then rides up on the ramp end and
onto the
external threading, uniformly deforming one or both of the lid and container.
The lug
then snaps into the notch providing an audible indication that the lid is
sufficiently
rotated into a closed position, and thus returning one or both of the lid and
container to
an undeformed, or relaxed, state.
[0009] In another aspect, the audible closing feature comprises a similar
container and lid, however, the external threading of the neck has at least
one radially
outward extending lug, and preferably, though not necessarily, at least three
generally
equidistantly spaced lugs, and the intemal threading on the skirt of the lid
has at least
one notch, and preferably, though not necessarily, at least three generally
equidistantly
spaced notches. The lugs on the neck of the container are positioned between
the
external threading and the opening. The audible indication is generated by the
lugs on
the neck snapping into the notches on the lid.
[00010] A method of providing an audible indication of the position of the lid
on the
container comprises providing at least three lugs generally equidistantly
spaced
between the intemal threading and a top wall of the lid and providing at least
three
notches generally equidistantly spaced on the external threading of the neck
of the
container body. At least one of the neck of the container and the skirt of the
lid is
uniformly deformed by engaging the lugs with the external neck threads and
aligning the
lug with the notch to return at least one of the neck and the skirt to an
undeformed, or
relaxed, state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00011] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a lug on a lid positioned
adjacent the
beginning of an external thread on a container neck;
[00012] FIG. 1 B is a cross-sectional view of the lug on the lid positioned on
the
extemal thread of the container neck;
[00013] FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the lug on the lid positioned in
a notch
in the external thread of the container neck;
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[00014] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the container;
[00015] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the lid;
[00016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container with the lid spaced
above the
neck of the container; and
[00017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container neck showing the
external
threads and the notch,
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00018] An audible closing feature for containers with a threaded lid, and in
particular a lug and notch arrangement is disclosed herein and iliustrated in
FIGS. 1-5.
The container may have at least one lug in the closure and at least one notch
along the
thread of the container for receiving the lug to provide an audible indication
when the lid
is sufficiently closing the container, to provide for minimal resistance when
removing the
lid from the container, and to prevent backoff between the lid and container
during
transport andJor storage.
[00019] A container and lid both contain threads which engage one another to
secure the lid to the container. The lid may contain at least one lug, and
preferably at
least three, positioned between the top surface of the lid and the topmost
portion of the
thread. The lugs may each align with a corresponding notch, or gap, in the
external
thread of the container neck when the lid is sufficiently closing the
container or,
alternatively, only some of the lugs may have a corresponding notch wifh which
to align
and not all of the lugs. As the lid is rotated about the container neck, the
lugs that have
a corresponding notch to align with will come into contact with a ramp end of
the
external thread. As the lug rides up on the ramp end of the external thread
and onto the
thread, one or both of the lid skirt and container neck may be deformed. The
deformation may be uniform if three or more lugs are utilized. The lug slides
along the
thread until It snaps into place within the notch on the external thread. As
the lug snaps
into the notch, an audible indication is made to indicate that the lid is
sufficiently rotated
into a closed position and that the container is properly closed, thus
providing the
consumer an assurance that the container is adequately closed.
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.. ... ....
[00020] Additionally, engagement of the lug with the thread of the container
can
prevent backoff of the lid from the container during transport and/or during
storage of
the container when a tamper evident film is covering the opening. The film can
provide
increased resistance to rotation between the lid and the container, which can
be
enhanced when the lugs also contact the film or when the lugs are in the
notches and
the film is causing additional pressure between the threads.
[00021] The container 14 comprises a body 26 with an opening 24 at one end,
and
a neck 28 surrounding the opening 24 of the container 14, as is illustrated in
FIG. 4.
The neck 28 of the container 14 contains extemal threading 16 for engagement
with
intemal threading 18 of the lid 12. Additionally, the external threading 16 of
the
container 14 contains at least one notch 20 in the threading 16 and
preferably, though
not necessarily, at least three generally equidistantly spaced notches 20.
Altematively,
the container 14 may contain a ring, or continuous thread-type protrusion,
around the
neck 28 of the container 14 below the threads 16 that may contain the notches
20.
[00022] The notches 20 in the thread 16 separate the thread into different
segments. As a result, a multi-segment thread is formed. The external threads
16 on
the neck 28 of the container 14 may be discontinuous and positioned at an
angle
around the neck 28 of the container 14, such that the end of one overlaps with
the
beginning of another. Where the extemal threading has at least three
discontinuous
external threads, and more preferably, though not necessarily, at least four
discontinuous extemal threads, and is at an angle such that an uppermost end
of a first
external thread overlaps at a position above a lowermost end of a second
external
thread, the uppermost end of the first external thread contains the notch, as
shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5. Atternatively, the opposite overlapping configuration may be
possible.
Still alternatively, the thread may be continuous.
[00023] The notch 20 may be positioned in the uppermost thread 16, i.e., the
thread that is closest to the top or opening 24 of the container 14.
Furthermore, the
notch 20 may be placed near an endpoint of the uppermost thread of the
discontinuous
external thread, thus separating the adjacent portion of the thread 16 into
two
segments; a long segment and a short segment separated by the notch 20.
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[00024] The lid 12 is provided with internal threading 18, where the intemal
threading may be discontinuous. The lid 12 has a top wall 30 and a skirt 32
depending
therefrom, with the threading 18 positioned on the interior side of the skirt
32. The
intemal threading 18 on the lid 12 is configured to engage with the external
threading 16
on the container neck 28 to provide a closure for the container 14. The
threads 18 of
the lid 12 may also be positioned at an angle such that the end of one
overlaps with the
beginning of another, depending upon the configuration of the thread 16 on the
neck 28
of the container 14. For example, an uppermost end of a first internal thread
may
overlap a lowermost end of a second internal thread.
[00025] The lid 12 includes at least one lug member 22 positioned between an
uppermost portion of the thread 18 and an interior surface of the top wall 30
of the lid
12, and preferably, though not necessarily, at least three generally
equidistantly spaced
lugs 22 along an interior surface of the skirt 32 where the lid has at least
three
discontinuous intemal threads. The lug 22 may contact the upper side of the
thread 18,
or may be spaced therefrom; similarly, the lug 22 may contact the intersection
of the top
wall 30 and skirt 32, or may be spaced therefrom. One embodiment may have the
lug
22 positioned at an upper side of an uppermost thread 18, where the threads 18
overlap, as illustrated in FIG. 4, and positioned near the beginning point of
the
uppermost thread 18 at the overlapping section. Another embodiment may have
the lug
22 positioned on an upper side of a thread 18 in a non-overlapping section,
such that
the lug 22 is only in contact with the thread 18, being spaced a distance away
from the
intersection of the top wall 30 with the skirt 32.
[00026] The lug 22 is sized to fit in the notch 20 located on the threads 16
of the
container 14, and may have various shapes and sizes that are smaller,
complimentary
to, or larger than the notch 20. Typically, the lug 22 may have a leading edge
and a
trailing edge, and further comprising an exposed surface that contacts the
notch 20
once the lug 22 is inserted. Opposite the exposed surface may be a straight
edge that
is attached to the skirt 32 of the lid 12. The leading edge of the lug 22 is
the first edge
to contact the notch 20, and the trailing edge is the last part of the lug 22
to contact the
notch 20. An example of a lug shape is generally trapezoidal, with four
straight edges
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. . . . .. .. .. . .. ...... ... . .......... .. .
having a leading edge at a 900 angle and a trailing edge at a different angle,
where one
of the other straight edges is attached to the skirt. Another shape may be a
lug having
rounded edges and a straight edge top and bottom. The leading and trailing
edge may
be similar in shape, i.e., both may be rounded, and the exposed surface of the
lug may
be a straight edge, with the side opposite the exposed surface attached to the
skirt and
may also be a straight edge. Another possible shape may be a half-circle lug
where
there are only two sides, a half circle side and a straight edge that is
attached to the
skirt. Still another possible shape may be a quarter circle lug, having three
sides. The
leading edge may be a straight edge with the remainder of the exposed lug
surface
being rounded, and the side that is attached to the skirt of the lid may be a
straight
edge. Still other shapes may be provided for the lug member 22, and the shapes
are
not iimifed to those just described above.
[00027] The notch 20 may be shaped to receive a lug 22 positioned in the lid
12
and may have any number of shapes. The notch 20 may be sized slightly larger
than
the lug 22, or may be sized to compliment the lug 22 size, or may be sized
slightly
smaller than the lug 22. The notch 20 preferably may be sized smaller than the
lug 22,
such that the lug 22 is longer than the notch 20 and has a circumferential
length larger
than the circumferential length of the notch 20, to achieve a tighter fit
between the lug
22 and the notch 20. Beginning with such a configuration can be advantageous
if there
is expected to be wear on one or both of the lugs 22 and notches 20 due to
repeated
use. The notch 20 preferably extends at least substantially all the way
through the
thread 16, separating it into two segments.
[00028] The audible closing feature 10 may have at least one lug 22 and one
corresponding notch 20 that provide an audible sound that indicates when the
lid 12 is
sufficiently closing the container. When it is desired to close the container
14, the lid 12
may be placed over the opening 24 and rotated such that the threads 18 on the
lid 12
engage with the threads 16 on the container neck 28, as is typical of threaded
closure
systems. The lugs 22 on the iid 12 may initially pass between the threads 16
on the
container 14 as the lid is first rotated. However, the audible closing feature
10 may also
have an unequal number of lugs 22 and notches 20, such that, for example,
there may
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be a greater number of lugs 22 than notches 20. One example of an audible
closing
feature 10 with unequal lugs 22 and notches 20 may have four lugs 22 and only
two
notches 20, such that only two lugs 22 are aligned with the two notches 20.
[00029] As the lid 12 nears its final point of rotation, the lugs 22 may begin
to
engage with a ramp portion of the threads 16 of the container 14, as shown in
FIG. 1A.
(FIGS. 1A-iC depict cross-sectional views of the lid 12 placed on top of the
container
14 and viewed from an interior of the container 14 looking outwards.) The ramp
position
may be located on the short segment of the discontinuous external thread 16 of
the
container 14 and ending at a notch 20 or it may be located along a ring around
the neck
28 of the container and also ending at a notch 20. As the lugs 22 engage with
the ramp
portion and slide up along the ramp on the external thread 16, as seen in FIG.
1 B, the
neck 28 of the container 14 may be inwardly deformed in a uniform manner
and/or the
skirt 32 of the lid 12 may be outwardly deformed in a uniform manner as the
lug 22
slides along the ramp. Tension may build up between the lid 12 and container
14 when
pressure is exerted by the lug 22 on the thread 16 of the container 14, and
may cause
the uniform deformation of the container 14 and/or the lid 12. Once a lug 22
is aligned
with its corresponding notch 20, such that it has snapped into position within
the notch
20, the neck 28 and/or the skirt 32 of the lid 12 may be retumed to its
undeformed, or
relaxed state. FIG. 1C shows a lug 22 and notch 20 fully aligned and the lid
12 in the
fully closed position. As the lug 22 snaps into place within the notch 20, an
audible
sound may be created, which indicates that the lid 12 is sufficiently closing
the container
14. This is preferably at the position of maximum rotation between the lid 12
and the
container 14.
[00030] Engagement of the lugs 22 with the thread 16 can prevent backoff of
the
lid 12 from the container 14 during transport and movement of the container
14. The
lugs 22 on the lid 12 can be prevented from aligning with the notch 20 by the
placement
of a tamper evident film over the lid and between the neck 28 of the container
14 and
the lid 12 prior to initial use and during transport and/or storage. The film
between the
lid 12 and container 14 can interfere wi#h the alignment of the lugs 22 and
notches 20
and prevents the lugs 22 from falling into the notches 20 by blocking access
to the
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. ... ..... .....
notch 20 and preventing further rotation of the lid 12 towards the notch 20.
Thus,
tension of the lug 22 on the thread 16 of the container 14, which is covered
by the film,
can prevent backoff. Alternatively, such as for a tamper evident film that
does not
extend into the threading, the film may provide increased resistance to
rotation between
the lid 12 and the container 14, which can be enhanced when the lugs 22 also
contact
the film or when the lugs 22 are in the notches 20 and the film Is causing
additional
pressure between the threads. Additionally, the lug 22 and notch 20 are
preferably
configured such that simple rotation of the lid 12, without axial force, will
back the lid 12
off the container 14 to facilitate easy opening of the container 14.
[00031] In an alternative arrangement, the lug 22 may be provided on the neck
28
of the container 14 and the notch 20 may be provided on the threads 18 of the
lid 12,
while still providing an audible sound upon aligning the iugs 22 with the
notches 20.
[00032] The number of lugs 22 on the lid 12 does not necessarily equal the
number of notches 20 in the container threads 16. It may be possible to have a
greater
number of lugs 22 than notches 20, or vice versa. For example, the lid 12 may
contain
four lugs 22 and the container 14 may have only two notches 20, such that two
lugs 22
on the lid 12 are left without a notch 20 to snap into. Altematively, there
may be at least
one lug 22 and at least one corresponding notch 20 for each lug 22; still it
may be
preferable to have at least three {ugs 22 and a corresponding notch 20 for
each lug, i.e.
at least three notches 20, and still more preferable to have four lugs 22 and
four
notches 20, as shown in FIGS. 2-3, all generally equidistantly spaced apart.
Having at
least three lugs 22 and three notches 20 helps maintain a uniform deformation
of the
neck 28 of the container 14 and/or the skirt 32 of the lid 12. This further
facilitates the
lugs 22 and notches 20 snapping into place once the container 14 returns to
its original,
undeformed shape, thus providing the audible indication.
[00033] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that an audible reclose
feature for
containers with a threaded finish is provided that allows for the engagement
of a lug and
notch closing system located on the lid and the container neck and for
providing an
audible sound upon full closure. However, the disclosure is not limited to the
aspects
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and embodiments described hereinabove, or to any particular embodiments.
Various
modifications to the audible reclose feature can result in substantially the
same feature.
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