Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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1 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Closure of plastics materials for receptacles for
fluent substances have been known wherein a membrane closes
the pouring opening but which is adapted to be punctured
at the tlme access to the contents is desired. However, those
known to me are unnecessarily complicated, unreliable, and
include features mitigating against economical molding.
Moreover, parts of the device have been formed so as to
protrude beyond the generally circular outline such devices
are given in order that the same may be assembled rapidly by
automatic machinery, viz. by the use of a spinning chuck which
grips the device and rotates the same into tight engagement
with the neck of the receptacle by means of interengaging threads.
For these and other reasons the packaging industry has not adopted
them.
- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect the invention device comprises a generally
cylindrical body or base preferably molded from a plastics
- composition characterized by good elastic memory, i.e.,
resillency coupled with return to the as-molded condition upon
removal of deforming forces. The body has means to attach
the same to means defining the exit of the container, e.g. a
threaded neck or a rib and groove combination for push-on
~ assembly by force applied axially of the receptacle. Such
attaching means are conventional and are not believed to require
elaboration. Integrally molded with the body is a bail extending
peripherally of the base and a combined punch and stopper is
secured to one segment of the bail. The dimensions and
resilience of the material are such that the bail may be
30 readily deformed by the fingers to fulfill the functions hereinafter
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1 to be a5cribed thereto. At the axis of the closure and in the
top wall thereof - the device being of generally cylindrical
form - there is a recess having a membrane as a floor. This
membrane is so dimensioned as to be readily punctured for
pouring of the contents. The punch carried by the bail is so
positioned that the punch may be displaced from an idle position
to a position whereat the punch may be thrust through the
membrane. Preferably, the punch has a cylindrical guide portion
engaged in a complementary bore surrounding the membrane in
order to steady the punch during the membrane-piercing operation.
In order to preserve a non-interfering position of the bail and
punch when the same are out of use, detent means may be provided.
The arrangement of the several parts of the closure is such
that the piece part may be stripped from the mold by a direct pull,
thus dispensing with the inordinate expense of movable cores
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which are incorporated in:the mold only at considerable cost,
and reduce the production rate.
Reverting to the recess and its cooperative punch,
it is advantageous to form the lateral wall of the recess such
that a corner is formed between the floor and the lateral wall;
further that the point of the punch, in idle position, lies in
said corner. Accordingly, initial lifting of the bail to
actuate the punch is effective to swing the punch into a position
normal to the membrane, whereafter continued swinging of the
bail and steering of the punch, combined with force applied to
the shank of the punch will thrust the apex of the punch
` through the membrane. Stated otherwise, no particular
attention need be paid to guiding of the punch once it has been
started into the recess.
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1 BRIEF DESCRIPTIO~ OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a closure in
accordance with one aspect of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a combined side elevation and cross section
of the closure of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a partial cross section taken on the line
3-3 of Fig. l;
Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a modified form of the
closure of Fig. l;
Fig. 5 is a partial cross section taken on the line
5-5 of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another form of closure
embodying the principles of the invention;
Fig. 7 is a partial cross section taken on the line -~
7-7 of Fig. 6, in the idle condition;
Fig. 8 is a cross section similar to that of Fig. 7
but with the bail and punch in a partially actuated condition; ~ -
Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing a
further stage of actuation;
Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but in the final
; position, with the just-formed-pouring opening sealed;
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- Fig. 11 is a partial cross section taken on the line
11-11, of Fig. 6;
Fig. 12 is a top plan view of another embodiment,
in the idle or unopened condition;
Fig. 13 is a vertical medial cross section, partly in
side elevation, of the form of closure shown in Fig. 12, but
with the pouring opening punched and sealed;
Fig. 14a is a partial cross section on the line 14-14
of Fig. 12 in one condition;
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1 Fig. 14b is a partial cross section on the line 14-14
of Fig. 12 in another condition;
Fig. 15 is a top plan view of a further modification
showing the bail extending over an angle of almost 360;
Fig. 16 is a medial vertical cross section with
some parts in side elevation of still another modification;
Fig. 17 is a cross section taken on the line 17-17
of Fig. 16;
Fig. 18 is a combined cross section and side elevation
showing still another embodiment in idle position;
Fig. 19 is a view similar to that of Fig. 18 in
.
partially actuated position;
Fig. 20 is a combined cross section and side elevation
of a further embodiment;
; Fig. 21 is a cross section taken on the line 21-21
of Fig. 20; ~ ~ -
Fig. 22 is a cross sectional detail of a modified
form;
~ Fig. 23 is a detail of a position of Fig. 22 with the
membrane separated;
Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a modification of
that form of the invention shown in Figs.18 and 19;
Fig. 25 is a fragmentary cross section taken on the
lines 25-25 of Fig. 24;
Fig. 26a is a detail to illustrate the relation between
the piercing point and its cavity;
Fig. 26b is similar to Fig 26a except that the
piercing point has been shifted toward piercing position;
Fig. 26c is similar to Fig. 26b to show the
piercing point just before being thrust through the membrane; and
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1 Fig. 26d shows piercing completed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
- Turning to Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a one-piece
closure embodying the principles of the invention comprising
a base 10 of any desired form, usually a hollow cylinder,
slightly tapered for esthetic reasons, having an annular
skirt 11 which, in the example, has an internal thread 14 to
engage a complementary thread on the neck of the receptacle (not
shown). The base has a top wall 15 which may be sealed with
respect to the neck of the receptacle by a liner or sealing
ring, as is common. The closure is desirably molded of a plastics
composition, e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene, characterized
by good plastic memory, viz. capable of being elastically
deformed and then of restoring itself to its as-molded condition.
The top i5 has a recess 21, say cylindrical, having
a bottom wall 16 (Fig. 3) and a lateral wall 17. The floor
of the recess is of a thickness calculated to resist any
pressure which may build up in the receptacle but yet
capable of being easily pierced, simply by finger pressure
applied to that portion of the aforementioned bail associated
with a punch 27 to be described.
- A flexible bail 25 is defined as a separate portion -
of the top 15 separated therefrom by a substantially semi--
circular slit 26, permitting flexure of the bail from the
as-molded position of Fig. 1 to the flexed position indicated
by broken lines in Fig. 2. The bail is provided with a
punch 27 having a shank 27b and terminating at its free end
in a point 27a. Consequently, when access is to be had to the
contents of the receptacle for the first time, the punch 27
is brought over to the broken-line position of Fig. 2 by bending
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1 the bail and the punch is thrust inwardly of the closure. In
this way the wall 16 is pierced by the point 27a. See the
enlarged detail of Fig. 3. In order that the piercing opera-
tion may not generate tags depending from the margin of the
opening, it is within contemplation to arrange that the
periphery of the floor 16 be beveled, as shown, to provide a
peripheral gutter thin enough to ensure that any vestiges or
tags of the plastic composition left by the piercing operation
are minimized. It will be obvious that, if left in place,
these tags could interfere with fluid flow from the receptacle.
Although Fig. 3 shows the thin periphery of the floor 16 as
knife-edged, sufficient material will be left to ensure
against unintended dislodgement of the circular floor portion 16.
In order to guide the punch 27 during its movement
toward and during piercing, it is desirable to form the
shank of the punch as a pilot 29 of a diameter which will have
a sliding fit within the lateral wall 17.
From the foregoing it will have become apparent that
the consumer will purchase a receptacle and cap which is
tamper proof and which may be placed in service by deforming
the bail 25 from the position of Fig. 1 to the position
of Fig. 2. At the end of this operation the thumb may press
upon the bail to force the point 28 through the membrane 16.
Following piercing, the bail and punch are withdrawn and
the user may discard the punched-out membrane. Thereafter
the pilot 29 may serve as a cork closing off the recess 21 and
sealing the contents of the receptacle.
While the form of device described in connection with
Figs. 1 and 2 may be easily molded it may, due to its out-of-round
character, present some diff culty if applied to the receptacle
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1 by an automatic capping machine. Accordingly, there is
disclosed an alternative (Figs. 4 and 5) having a cylindrical
configuration for at least a portion 31 of its height to be
gripped by the rotary chuck of a capping machine. In this
case the bail 25a will lie within the confines of the chuck jaws.
It will be understood that, although the form of
invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 includes threads 14, these
are eliminated in the case of a cap which is engaged with
the receptacle through bead-and-groove means, requiring only
straight thrust for assembly.
It will be understood that the clearance gap 26 or 32
will be minimal, having in mind the exigencies involved in
fabricating the molds and molding the parts. By so doing the
bail 25a may be actuated between active and inactive positions
without hindrance and, in the case of capping by means of a
chuck, the bail may be grasped along with the skirt 11, without
harmful deformation. As seen in Fig. 5, a notch 34 may be
provided to accept the fingernail upon initial lifting of the
bail.
Figs.6 through 11 relate to another modification
wherein the base 41 and its mode of attachment to the receptacle
are as described above. In this case the top 42 has a
radially directed channel 55 to receive a piercing element 44
extending radially inwardly of the bail 45, this latter being
similar to the bail 25 and displaceable in similar manner. The
top 42 has a recess 47 meeting the channel 55, said recess
having a lateral wall 48 and a bottom wall 49, the two walls
meeting to form a sharp corner 51. It is to be noted that the
bottom wall of the recess is somewhat thinner than adjacent parts
of the closure and serves as a puncturable membrane in the same
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1 way as the wall 16 previously described. The piercing element
44 is normally nested within a branch recess 55. Desirably
the element 44 is retained in the recess 55 by detent action
as shown in Fig. 11. The element 44 is easily dislodged ~rom
the recess when the bail 45 is lifted.
To open the closure for the first time the bail 45
is lifted (Fig. 8) and, at the same time, the point 52 is
brought against the lateral wall 48 o~ the recess 40. Continued
displacement of the bail will cause the point to shift
gradually until it is located in the corner 51. Fig. 8 shows
the point in the process of sliding along the wall 48. As the
bail is displaced further the element 44 will rotate about its
point as a fulcrum until it is vertical or substantially so.
Now, as the pressure applied to the butt end of the element 44
(Fig. 9) is increased, the point 52 will be forced through the
membrane 49 to form the pouring exit (Fig. 10).
For convenience of exposition the thickness of the
pierced membrane has been exaggerated intentionally. In practice,
this thickness will be only a few thousandths of an inch.
Experimental models have demonstrated that a clean hole,
free of tags, is punched out. However, it will be understood
that a shoulaer (not shown) may be provided just behind the
point 52, to shear any tags which may remain following piercing.
Another embodiment is illustrated in Figs.12, 13, 14a
and 14b. These figures are intended to disclose one way
in which a guided punch may be incorporated in a known type
of closure. In these prior disclosures a strap extends from ~ -
the body of the closure and a piercing element is carried at the
distal end of the strap. This strap is secured to the body of
thé closure in such a way that an automatic capping machine may
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1 be availed of without inter~ering with the strap or punch.
The particular improvement disclosed in Figs. 12, 13, 14a
and 14b comprises a punch 61 having two diameters; one, 61a,
of some selected diameter, based on the flow rate, and another,
6lb, of greater diameter, meeting the smaller in a shoulder
61c. This latter has a working surface designed to sever
the tags left as a result of the piercing operation. Stated
otherwise, the point 61d will penetrate the membrane 63
(Fig.14a) and will be followed by the shoulder 61c which shears
any tags left by the piercing operation. Thus, a clean
pouring hole 67 (Fig. 14b) is realized. It will be noted
that the portion 61b of the punch is guided with a sliding
fit in a bore 68 in the closure body whereby to steady
the punch 61a in its stroke towards and during the membrane-
piercing tag-clearing step.
Fig. 15 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment
in which the resiliency of a slender, flexible bail 71 is -
relied upon to permit easy location of the guiding portion 71a
of the punch within the bore 71b. By means of this construction
there is no need to fold the bail over as shown, for example,
- in Fig. 13 and, moreover, there is no obstruction to a capping
machine chuck.
Figs. 16 and 17 show a closure embodying the principles
of the invention in a situation where the pouring opening
is desirably located near the outer periphery of the closure
rather than at the center.
In this embodiment, the piercing element 81 is as -
before, and is secured at its basal end to the bail 45b.
A saddle 82 frictionally receives the element 81 in its
initially assembled position, the saddle including resilient
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1 elements 84-84 defining a throat 85. Thus, following molding
of the part with the element 81 directed axially, the element
81 may be bent over to be detachably held in the saddle 82
pending initial use of the closure. The broken line
representation of the element 81 on the left of Fig. 16
shows the as-molaed position thereof. It is believed that
the construction and operation of this form of the invention
will have become evident from the preceding description.
Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate still another embodiment
in which a member 91 is joined by one end to the bail 92
which functions similarly to the several forms of bail
hereinbefore referred to. A piercing element 93 is located
at the distal end of the member 91 and functions to pierce
the membrane 95 in the same way as those piercing members
heretofore described. In this form of the invention it is
unneces~ary to use any special care in directing the piercing
element 93 into the bore 96 but simply to lift the bail 92
at its left-hand side, as seen in Fig. 19 and to swing it
clockwise using the abutment of the finger 97 against the
wall 98 as a fulcrum. The arrangement of the parts is such
that rotation of the member 91 directs the element 93 into :
the bore 96 and toward membrane-piercing position. Compared to
previously-described embodiments a single movement of the member
91 replaces the two movements otherwise required, viz., location
of the piercing element in its bore and thrusting movement
to effect piercing.
A modification of that form of the invention shown
in Figs. 18 and 19 is seen in Figs. 24 and 25. In this ~
case, the piercing point 140 is part of a member 141 molded ~-
integrally with the substantially semi-circular bail 143
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1 similarly to the parts 91 and 92 (Fig. 18). When the bail
143 is lifted the piercing point 140 functions in the same
way as the member 93. However to assure that the member 93
will have adequate rigidity and to avoid the tendency -~
to buckle, the member 141 is provided with two additional
elements 126-146 flanking the point 140. These elements
126-146 are each associated with a well 130 similar to the ~;
well 96 (Fig. 18). Thus, when the member 141 is pivoted to
active position the two flanking elements 126-146 move therewith,
the relationship of the parts being such that the stiffness
of the point 140 is supplemented and piercing of the membrane 150
made more reliable. However, if a venting type of cap is
desired, and gas under pressure in the receptacle is to be
vented prior to full opening of the pouring hole, the floor o~
the wells 130-130 may be made sufficiently thin, and the points
- 126-126 sufficiently sharp to enable the additional venting
holes to be realized.
Figs. 26a and 26d are details to show several
positions of the point 140 in relation to a well 130. In view
of the preceding description these several figures are not
believed to require elaboration.
In order to provide a low profile it may be advantageous
to arrange the bail in such a way that no part thereof
will protrude outwardly beyond the top of the closure. Thus,
turning to Figs.20 and 21 the bail 99 may lie in a plane
which is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the
horizontal plane. By so doing the fixed part 101 of the bail ~ -
may be at the top and the displaceable part 102 near the bottom.
In this case the piercing member 103 will lie adjacent the
lateral wall or skirt 104 of the closure. In order to hold the
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1 bail and piercing member in the idle position just described,
a seat 110 may be provided, this latter having a pair of
resilient wings to grasp the member 103 but allow easy disengage-
ment thereof. The foregoing feature amounts to a default
between member 103 and the bifurcated seat 110.
Another modification is depicted in Fig. 22. The
principal feature shown by this embodiment is means by which
the membrane is separated from the body of the closure and
then discarded, as compared to those forms hereinbefore des-
cribed wherein vestiges of the punched membrane may or may notbe completely severed. To this end the pouring opening 120
is molded with a membrane 121 obturating the same. The periphery
of the membrane may be feathered to facilitate severance.
Protruding outwardly from the membrane is a post 124 provided
with one or more corrugations, each of which is a conical
frustum, with the larger diameter toward the membrane. The
distal end of the strap or bail 126 has a boss 127 provided with
a straight, blind hole 128. The diameter of the latter relative
to the maximum diameter of the post 124 is such that a tight,
"corking" effect may be realized. The parts are molded so
that the bail 126 is folded back free from the position shown.
Upon initial use the boss 127 is forced over the post 124 to
realize a jam fit. The bail may then be given reverse movement
to break the membrane loose from the opening 120 and thus
enable pouring therethrough. It will be apparent that the
reverse slope or rake 128 of the teeth of the post 124 will
augment the grip of the boss 127 on the post.
Following the foregoing manipulation the receptacle
is closed by forcing the boss 127 into the opening 120. To this
end the fit therebetween can be made as snug as desired depending
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1 upon the nature of the fluid contents of the receptacle. In
any event there is no danger of losing the stopper r~presented
by the boss 127. If desired, the broken out membrane 121
and the post 124 may be separated and the latter discarded.
In order that piercing of the membrane may be
accomplished with the least effort, it is preferred that the
piercing point have an apex angle of less than go.
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