[0001] This invention relates to cap and container closure configurations for opening and
closing containers and more specifically to configurations which require accurate
alignment of the cap with the container.
[0002] Accurate alignment of closure configurations in packaging is required for various
operations such as to control the opening of containers with safety caps or to ensure
the proper operation of liquid dispensing mechanisms attached to or incorporated in
caps or bottles. U.S. Pat. No. 3,261,513 is an example of a closure configuration
where specific alignment of the cap closure is required for the dispensing of liquids.
Also of concern in closure configurations is the method used to open and close the
containers such as axial snapping on and off or twisting and untwisting. Consumers
are familiar with the rotatable motion for closing or removing caps, and therefore
with reusable containers a twisting or untwisting capability is most desirable. However,
in regard to the closing of containers by automated machines, a simple axial snap-on
movement in which the closure is aligned with respect to the container is preferable.
In addition, no rotational motions are required which makes for simplified, automated
assembly. Also, for some people with physical handicaps, a twisting motion is impossible,
while a snap-on, snap-off motion is not. Therefore, the ideal cap is one which is
versatile enough to provide the ability to use either method for opening and closing.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,223,269 discloses a cap which may be snapped on and then removed and
replaced by the same rotatable motion that is a feature of all screw caps. Other snap-on
or twist-off caps are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,298,129 and 3,910,444.
[0003] Unfortunately, none of the aforementioned prior art closure configurations incorporate
the versatility of the combined opening and closing methods with ensured, accurate
alignment. In addition, none of these prior cap closures provide the advantage of
being able to be snapped off as well as snapped on and twisted off and on.
[0004] Other important considerations in packaging are the production costs and design efforts
involved in manufacturing different moldings. A cap which may be used interchangeably
both as a removable or irremovable closure is also highly advantageous. This is especially
so when such a design configuration still provides accurate alignment and only requires
changes in the neck moldings to be either removable or irremovable.
[0005] One aspect of the invention is a cap closure that incorporates a snap-on, snap-off,
twist-on, twist-off opening and closing mechanism and also may provide accurate alignment
of the cap closure with respect to the container.
[0006] A second aspect of the invention is to provide a novel cap closure configuration
which has a minimum of parts while still performing the same functions and is therefore
less costly to produce.
[0007] A third aspect of the invention is to provide a refillable container and closure
which is particularly suited for dispensing liquids by means of a trigger spray mechanism.
[0008] Another aspect of the invention is a container cap closure which may be accurately
aligned with the neck of the container and, depending on the neck molding, is either
removable or irremovable from the container.
[0009] These aspects are accomplished by embodiments of cap closure and varied neck configurations
comprising a container with a neck having an inner bore and either external threads
or an external annular bead fastener, and vertical stops or walls. A cap closure having
an outer annular skirt having inwardly projecting lugs adapted to pass over the threads
or bead fastener with axial pressure and to abut the walls upon closure while an annular
inner skirt seals the inner bore is provided.
[0010] The cap material may be rigid or resilient, but the lugs must be so designed as to
spring past the threads or bead fastener when the cap is applied to the neck using
axial pressure. When the lugs and cap are made from a rigid material, the material
for the threads or bead fastener must be yieldable.
[0011] The cap closure can be snapped on and off and twisted on and off when the fastening
means are external threads and the walls are located diametrically opposite each other
so that they abut the lugs in opposite directions relative to the neck. Upon closure,
the top side of each lug interfaces with the under surface of the external threads.
Depending on the extent of the interfacing (i.e. not more than 2/3 of the width of
each lug's top side), the cap may also be snapped off.
[0012] In a second embodiment the fastening means is an annular bead and the interface or
engagement between the bead and the lugs is substantially the width of the lugs' top
sides and the walls on the neck abut the lugs in the same direction relative to the
neck, the cap closure is irremovable and unyieldingly aligned.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0013]
Figure 1 is a fragmentary left side elevational view of a container showing neck details
as well as a trigger spray type cap closure in phantom.
Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 1 showing thread details.
Figure 3 shows a fragmentary right side elevational view partially in axial section
of the device shown in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is an exploded isometric view of the container and cap closure showing details
of the inner skirt of the cap closure and of the container neck.
Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a revolved section along lines 6-6 in Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a sectional view along lines 7-7 in Figure 6 showing details of the alignment
mechanism.
Figure 8 is a fragmentary front elevational view in partial section of a second embodiment
of the invention.
Figure 9 is a sectional view along 9-9 in Figure 8.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0014] Figures 1-4 show a container 10 having an open end including inner bore 12, with
a neck 16 and a pair of concentric external threads 14 and 15. The upper surface 18
of the thread 14 slopes downward and outward at an angle to the axis defined by the
neck 16, while the under surface 20 is generally perpendicular to the neck axis as
best seen in Figure 2. Similarly, thread 15 has an upper sloping portion 19 and a
lower surface 21. Below the threads 14, 15 at the base of the neck 16 is a flat annular
shoulder 22.
[0015] Respectively located between the first thread 14 and the shoulder 22 and the second
thread 15 and the shoulder 22 are grooves 24, 26. Groove 24 is formed by first and
second vertical walls 28, 30 and horizontal wall 31. Similarly, groove 26 is formed
by first and second vertical walls 32, 34 and horizontal wall 33 as seen in Figure
7.
[0016] The outer edges 36, 38 of the walls 28, 32, respectively, are preferably coextensive
and continuous with the outer rim 40, 42, respectively, of the external threads 14,
15. In this particular embodiment the walls 28, 32 are, in respect to the neck bore
16, on opposite sides and face in opposite directions. Adjacent each wall on opposite
sides of the neck are flattened surfaces 30, 34 which provide stability.
[0017] The container 10 is provided with a cap closure 44 for sealing the inner bore 12
and accurately aligning the neck 16 with the cap 44. As shown in the Figures, a preferred
embodiment of the cap closure incorporates a trigger spray dispensing mechanism shown
generally at mechanism 46 with a depending flexible tube 48. In order for the trigger
sprayer 46 to operate properly, the cap 44 and the neck 16 must be accurately alignea.
This is due to the fact that the container may advantageously be shaped to fit the
hand and therefore takes on an orientation that must be accurately matched to the
orientation of the trigger sprayer 46 on the cap closure 44. The cap has a closed
end wall 50, a resiliently flexible inner annular skirt 52 depending from the closed
end wall 50 and an outer annular skirt 54 which is in coaxial, spaced relation to
inner skirt 52. The outer skirt 54 includes a bottom rim 56, a first radially inwardly
projecting lug 58, and a second radially inwardly projecting lug 60. Lug 58 has a
top 62, front 64, first lateral 66 and second lateral 68 sides. Similarly, opposite
lug 60 has a top 70, front 72, first lateral siae 74, and second lateral side 76.
The lugs have horizontal top surfaces 62, 70 that bear against horizontal walls 31,
33, respectively of the neck 16. Also, lugs 58, 60 have beveled areas 64, 72 which
are adapted to ride over the threads as will be more fully described hereinafter.
[0018] The container 10 may be initially closed by inserting the tube 48 into the container
10, aligning the lugs 58, 60 vertically with the grooves 24, 26 and axially forcing
the lugs downward past the upper surfaces 18, 19 of the yieldable threads 14, 15 until
the top sides 62, 70 of the lugs 58, 60 engage the under surfaces 20, 21 of the threads
14, 15 and the bottom rim 56' engages the shoulder 22. The first lateral sides 66,
74 of the lugs 58, 60 will be brought to bear against the vertical walls 28, 30 of
the grooves 24, 26, respectively, thereby preventing any rotation in a clockwise direction.
[0019] This is important to ensure the proper operation of the trigger spray mechanism 46.
Upon full advancement of the inner skirt 52, the outside diameter of which is slightly
larger than the diameter of the inner bore 12, is also thereby radially fitted against
the surface 82 of the inner bore 12 to seal the container 10 and prevent axial tilting
forces between the cap 44 and the container 10.
[0020] The container lU may also be closed by twisting the cap in a clockwise direction
until the first lateral sides 66, 74 of the lugs 58, 60 abut the walls 28, 30 of the
grooves 24, 26, respectively. It should be noted that the rim 56 substantially engages
the shoulder 22 upon closure. Such engagement, however, is not necessary as proper
closure and alignment is ensured by the engagement of the seal between skirt 52 and
surface 82 of inner bore 12.
[0021] The container may be opened by rotating the cap 44 in a counterclockwise direction.
Also, the structural interfacing between the threads 14, 15 and lugs 58, 60 is such
that when strong upward axial pressure is applied directly and alternatingly under
each of the lugs, the cap may also be removed by snapping it off.
[0022] Turning to Figures 8 and 9, a second embodiment of the invention is shown wherein
structure having a counterpart in the aforedescribed first embodiment is identified
by adding a one "1" before the number. With this embodiment, the cap is the same as
before, but the screw thread fastening means 14, 15
.has been replaced by an annular bead 114 having an axially directed front surface
117, a radially directed flat under surface 120 and an upper surface 118 that tapers
downward and radially outward. Located between the bead 114 and the shoulder 122 are
grooves 124, 126 having a first vertical wall 130 and a second vertical wall 134 and
vertical walls 128, 132 facing in the same direction with regard to the neck 116.
The neck 116 also includes vertical protrusions 106, 108 which simplify the tooling
required for this particular neck configuration. To close the container 110 in Figures
8 and 9 the lugs 158, 160 must be forced over the bead 114 so that the inner skirt
152 will again seal the container by fitting against the inner bore l12 and the first
lateral side 166 of the first lug 158 will engage the first wall 128, and the first
lateral side 176 of the second lug 160 will engage the second wall 132.
[0023] Unlike the previous embodiment, deliberate or accidental removal of the cap is impossible
without completely destroying the cap closure. This is due to the full engagement
of the lug top sides 162, 170 with the flat undersurface 120 of the annular bead 114.
Twisting of the cap is impossible because of the abutment arrangement of the lugs
158 and 160 with the walls 128 and 132, respectively. With this arrangement, the walls
128 and 132 both face in the same direction thereby preventing rotation of the cap
144. This abutment also permanently locks the neck 116 and the cap 144 in the desired
alignment. Axial removal is prevented by the interfacing of the under surface 120
of the bead 114 with substantially the entire width of top sides 162, 170 of the lugs
158 and 160. The flatness of the under surface 120 plus the sharp angle between the
under surface 120 and the front surface l17 also aid in preventing the removal of
the cap 144 by upward axial pressure.
[0024] It is to be understood that while the invention has been described above in conjunction
with the preferred specific embodiment thereof, that the description is intended to
illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention,
1. A container and cap closure therefor comprising:
(a) a container having a neck portion including a bore therethrough for dispensing
liquids;
(b) a cap closure for closing said bore including a closed end and an outer annular
skirt depending therefrom and adapted to fit over said neck; and
(c) retaining means on said neck and skirt permitting said cap closure to be snapped
on and off as well as rotated on and off said neck.
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said retainer means comprises:
(a) at least one thread on said neck; and
(b) at least one lug on the interior of said skirt; and
(c) a groove on said neck, said lug cooperating with said groove and said thread so
as to axially retain said cap closure on said neck.
3. The invention of claim 2 further including positioning means on said neck for-positioning
said cap closure with respect to said neck whereby said cap closure will be automatically
positioned in a predetermined orientation with respect to said neck.
4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said positioning means comprises a generally axially
directed wall in said groove, said wall being cooperable with a corresponding wall
on said lug so as to prevent rotation of said cap closure with respect to said neck
when said lug is positioned within said groove.
5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the number of threads is two, said threads being
in concentric, helical relation with each other.
6. The invention of claim 5, wherein the number of lugs and accommodating grooves
is two, the first of said lugs being positioned generally opposite to the second of
said lugs within the interior of said skirt, and wherein the first of said grooves
is correspondingly positioned opposite the second of said grooves.
7. The invention of claim 3 further including a trigger spray mechanism mounted on
said cap closure, and a tube depending from said cap closure adapted for communicating
said contained with said trigger spray mechanism through said bore in said neck.
8. The invention of claim 2 wherein said lug is made of resilient material so that
it may deform as it passes over said thread when said cap closure is snapped on or
off said neck.
9. The invention of claim 1 further including an inner annular skirt depending from
said cap closure in concentric spaced relation within said outer skirt and adapted
to fit within and seal said bore.
10. The invention of claim 1 further including positioning means on said neck for
positioning said cap closure with respect to said neck whereby said cap closure will
be automatically positioned in a predetermined orientation with respect to said neck.
11. The invention of claim 2 wherein said thread is made of resilient material so
that it may deform when said lug passes over it as said cap closure is snapped on
or off said neck.
12. A container and cap closure therefor comprising:
(a) a container having a neck portion including a bore therethrough for dispensing
liquids;
(b) a cap closure for closing said bore including a closed end wall and an outer annular
skirt aepenaing therefrom and adapted to fit over said neck; and
(c) retaining means on said neck and skirt permitting said cap closure to be snapped
on but not permitting removal from said neck.
13. The invention of claim 12 wherein said retainer means comprises:
(a) a raised bead circumscribing said neck;
(b) at least one lug on the interior of said skirt; and
(c) a groove on said neck, said lug cooperating with said groove and said bead so
as to axially retain said cap closure on said neck.
14. The invention of claim 13 further including positioning means on said neck for
positioning said cap closure with respect to said neck whereby said cap closure will
be automatically positioned in a predetermined orientation with respect to said neck.
15. The invention of claim 14 wherein said positioning means comprises a generally
axially directed wall in said groove, said wall being cooperable with a corresponding
wall on said lug so as to prevent rotation of said cap closure with respect to said
neck when said lug is positioned within said groove.
16. The invention of claim 15, wherein the number of lugs and accommodating grooves
is two, the first of said lugs being positioned generally opposite to the second of
said lugs within the interior of said skirt, and wherein the first of said grooves
is correspondingly positioned opposite the second of said grooves.
17. The invention of claim 15 further including a trigger spray mechanism mounted
on said cap closure, and a tube depending from said cap closures adapted for communicating
said contained with said trigger spray mechanism through said bore in said neck.
18. The invention of claim 13 wherein said lug is made of resilient material so that
it may deform as it passes over said bead when said cap closure is snapped on said
neck.
19. The invention of claim 13 further including an inner annular skirt depending from
said cap closure in concentric spaced relation within said outer skirt and adaptea
to fit within and seal said bore.
20. The invention of claim 13 further including positioning means on said neck for
positioning said cap closure with respect to said neck whereby said cap closure will
be automatically positioned in a predetermined orientation with respect to said neck.
21. The invention of claim 13 wherein said bead is made of resilient material so that
it may deform when said lug passes over it as said cap closure is snapped on or off
said neck.
22. The invention of claim 16 wherein said axially directed walls in saio grooves
face the same direction so as to prevent rotation of said lugs and thereby said cap
closure.