CA1329170C - Closure with dispensing applicator - Google Patents
Closure with dispensing applicatorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1329170C CA1329170C CA000598288A CA598288A CA1329170C CA 1329170 C CA1329170 C CA 1329170C CA 000598288 A CA000598288 A CA 000598288A CA 598288 A CA598288 A CA 598288A CA 1329170 C CA1329170 C CA 1329170C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cover
- container
- dispensing orifice
- closure
- accordance
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
- B65D47/08—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures
- B65D47/0804—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage
- B65D47/0833—Hinges without elastic bias
- B65D47/0838—Hinges without elastic bias located at an edge of the base element
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
- B65D47/08—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures
- B65D47/0804—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage
- B65D47/0809—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage and elastically biased towards both the open and the closed positions
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/10—Details of hinged closures
- B65D2251/1016—Means for locking the closure in closed position
- B65D2251/105—The closure having a part fitting over the rim of the container or spout and retained by snapping over integral beads or projections
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/20—Sealing means
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A container closure is provided with a body defining a dispensing orifice and a cover disposed on the body for being pivoted between a closed position occluding the orifice and an open position spaced away from the orifice. A hinge connects the cover to the body. The body has a generally smooth applicator surface around the dispensing orifice. The cover has an inwardly projecting sealing protrusion for entering at least partially into the dispensing orifice and sealingly engaging the body at the periphery of the dispensing orifice when the cover is in the closed position. The body and the cover together cooperate to define latching means, such as (1) an engagement between the protrusion and a portion of the body around at least part of the periphery of the orifice or (2) engaging ribs on the body and cover for releasably holding the cover in the closed position.
A container closure is provided with a body defining a dispensing orifice and a cover disposed on the body for being pivoted between a closed position occluding the orifice and an open position spaced away from the orifice. A hinge connects the cover to the body. The body has a generally smooth applicator surface around the dispensing orifice. The cover has an inwardly projecting sealing protrusion for entering at least partially into the dispensing orifice and sealingly engaging the body at the periphery of the dispensing orifice when the cover is in the closed position. The body and the cover together cooperate to define latching means, such as (1) an engagement between the protrusion and a portion of the body around at least part of the periphery of the orifice or (2) engaging ribs on the body and cover for releasably holding the cover in the closed position.
Description
f'~
CLOSURE WITH DISPENSING APPLICATOR
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to closures for containers, and more particularly to a closure which incorporates means for facilitating application of the container contents to a receiving surface, including the surface of the human body.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
AND
Container closures having separate, removable covers have long been used. However, separate covers can be accidentally dropped or lost.
Further, use of a separate, removable cover lS is inconvenient in many situations. Containers for personal care products, such as lotions and the like, are frequently carried by people in pockets or purses. When it is desired to dispense ~he container , contents, the person may not be able to conveniently ; 20 use both hands in manipulating the container, and the person may find it difficult to properly dispense the i container contents with one hand while holding the removed cover in the other hand.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a means for mounting a container with a closure having a connected cover which would permiY
use of the container without the inconvenience of ¦ having to remove and hold a separate cover.
Containers for fluid materials are typically used by pouring or dispensing the fluid material from the container after it has been opened. Some containers, however, are used in a particular way to facilitate the application of the fluid to a particular surface, including a surace of the human body, such as the skin on various areas of the body.
~, .
CLOSURE WITH DISPENSING APPLICATOR
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to closures for containers, and more particularly to a closure which incorporates means for facilitating application of the container contents to a receiving surface, including the surface of the human body.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
AND
Container closures having separate, removable covers have long been used. However, separate covers can be accidentally dropped or lost.
Further, use of a separate, removable cover lS is inconvenient in many situations. Containers for personal care products, such as lotions and the like, are frequently carried by people in pockets or purses. When it is desired to dispense ~he container , contents, the person may not be able to conveniently ; 20 use both hands in manipulating the container, and the person may find it difficult to properly dispense the i container contents with one hand while holding the removed cover in the other hand.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a means for mounting a container with a closure having a connected cover which would permiY
use of the container without the inconvenience of ¦ having to remove and hold a separate cover.
Containers for fluid materials are typically used by pouring or dispensing the fluid material from the container after it has been opened. Some containers, however, are used in a particular way to facilitate the application of the fluid to a particular surface, including a surace of the human body, such as the skin on various areas of the body.
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Regardless of whether or not the cover of a closure on Ruch a contalner i9 sepsrately removable, it would be deslrable to provlde an lmproved structure for facllltatlng the applicatlon of the contalner fluid contents to the receiving surface. It would also be deslrable to provlde a sultable structure on a closure for maintalnlng a supply of the fluld contents in an approprlate manner for appllcatlon with relatlve ease.
In addltlon, wlth a contalner closure from whlch a ~ fluld materlal ls dlspensed, lt would be deslrable to ensure`~ 10 that the closure ls leak tight when the cover ls closed.
In addltlon, wlth a contalner closure from whlch a ~ fluld materlal ls dlspensed, lt would be deslrable to ensure`~ 10 that the closure ls leak tight when the cover ls closed.
3 Accordingly, lt would be advantageous to provlde a closure wlth a dlspensing applicator having an improved sealing structure.
SU~MARY OF THE INVBNTION
i The lnvention provides a contalner closure for use on a contalner deflnlng an openlng communlcating wlth the contalner lnterior, sald closure comprising, a body for belng mounted to said contalner over said container opening and defining a dispenslng orifice for communicating through said container opening wlth sald J 20 container interior, said body having a cyllndrical sklrt forengaging said container and for deflning a vertical axis, said body further havlng a generally dome-shaped portlon pro~ectlng ~i from ~ald sklrt, sald generally dome-~haped portion including a generally smooth, less curved exterior reglon orlent~d at an obllque angle to sald vertical axis for de~lnlng an applicator 7' surface around said dlspenslng orlfice~
; a cover dlsposed on sald body for being plvoted about an axis between a clo~ed poRitlon occluding said dispenslng orlfice and an open posltion spaced away from said dispenslng oriflce~
a hinge connectin~ said cover to sald body for pivotin~
movement about sald a~ls;
: 132~170 .` sald body and cover ~e~lnlng cooperating latchin~ means for releasably holdlng sald cover ln sald closed posltlon~ and sald cover lncluding a generally dome-shaped wall wlth an lnner concave configuratlon complementary to ~ald body dome-`~ shaped portion for nestably covering said ciome-~haped portlon ~,~ when sald cover 1~ in sald clo~ed posltlon, sald cover wall :~' havlng an inwardly proiecting sealing protruslon for enterlng .~' at least partlally lnto sald dlspensing orlfice and seallngly engaglng sald body less curved exterlor reglon at the periphery of sald dlspen~lng orlflce when sald cover ls ln sald closed posltlon.
The inventlon also provldes a container closure for use on a container definin~ an openlng communicating with the contalner lnterlor, sald closure cornprislng2 a body for being mounted to sald contalner over said contalner openlng and deflnlng a dlspPnslng orlfice for communicatlng through Mald contalner openlng wlth ~ald contalner lnterlor; ~ -`' a cover dlsposed on sald body for belng plvoted about an axls between a closed posltion occluding sald dlspen~lng .~ orifice and an open posltlon spaced away from sald dlspensing orlflce;
~` a hinge connectlng sald cover to said body for pivctlng , movement about sald axls;
sald body and cover definlng cooperatlng latchlng means . for releasably holdlng said cover ln said closed posltlon~
sald body havlng a generally smooth applicator surface around sald dlspenslng orlflce; and s~ld cover havlng an lnwardly pro~ectlng seallng protruslon for enterlng at least partlally lnto sald dlspensing orlfice and seallngly engaging sald body at the periph0ry of ~aid dispenslng oriflce when said cover is ln said closed ~b . `,, . ' 132ql70 3a 23158-1518 posltion.
In a preferred embodiment, the perlpheral surface of the orlflce and the protrusion are adapted to provlde a leak-tight, interference flt, and the body and cover are resillently deformable to functlon as the latching means.
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention wlll become readlly apparent from the followlng detailed descriptlon of the inventlon, from the claims, and from the accompanylng drawlngs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawlngs forming part of the speclflcatlon, ln whlch llke numerals are employed to deslgnate llke parts throughout the same, FIG. 1 ls a fragmentary, perspectlve vlew of a flrst ~ embodiment of the closure of the present lnventlon mounted on a i contalner and shown wlth the cover latched ln the fully closed position;
FIG. 2 ls a fragmentary, perspective vlew slmllar to FIG.
1 but showing the cover in an open position;
FIG. 3 ls an enlarged, plan view of the first embodiment , of the opened closure;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectiohal view taken generally along the plane 4-4 ln FIG. 2;
I FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view similar toi FIG. 4 but showing the closure wlth the cover ln the latched Z, closed posltlon;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 6-6 ln ~IG. 2;
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; FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a portion of the first embodiment of the closure showing the dispensing orifice and the occluding portion of the cover in the closed position, FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the closure showing the structure for latching the cover in the closed position;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but shows a second, and preferred, embodiment of the closure of the present invention; and FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but shows the second embodiment of the closure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`1 While this invention is susceptible of ~` embodiment in many different forms, this application and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.
For ease of description, the closure of the invention is described in a position as it is usually ~ 25 encountered -- upright on a container, and terms such ; as upper, lower, vertical, horizontal, etc.~ are used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that the closure of this ; invention may be manufactured, storedl transported, and used in an orientation other than the position described.
The first embodiment of the closure of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 wherein the closure is represented generally by the reference numeral 10. The closure 10 is adapted to be disposed ` ~
132ql70 :l :
on a container 12 which has a conventional mouth or opening 14 (FIGS. 4 and 5) defined by a neck 16 or other suitable structure. The closure may be - fabricated from a thermoplastic material compatible with the container contents.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the closure 10 includes a closure means or body 20 for securement to the container. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 20 includes a peripheral wall in the form of a skirt 24 formed as a cylinder around an axis 52 (FIG. 4) and a generally dome-shaped portion 30 projecting from the skirt 24~
I As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the I closure body 20 also includes an internal ring 32 which functions as a plug seal and protrudes into the interior of the container neck 16 for engaging the inner peripheral surface of the neck 16 to effect a tight seal.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the closure body 24 includes, on its interior surface, a ~ standard snap-fit bead 34 or other suitable means -~ (e.g., threads (not illustrated)) for engaging `~ suitable cooperating means, such as the recess 36, on ~i the container neck 16 to releasably secure the body `~, 25 20 on the container 12.
I In the preferred embodiment illustrated, tpe closure body 20 includes a peripheral deck 40 (FIGS.
~, 2-4). The peripheral edge of the deck 40 is preferably rounded to prevent user discomfort. The ; 30 dome-shaped portion 30 projects upwardly from the deck 40 and includes a generally smooth, less curved exterior region 50 (FIGS. 2-4) which is oriented at an obli~ue angle to the vertical axis 52 (FIG. 4) of ~} the closure skirt 24.
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1 32q l 70 The less curved exterior region 50 defines an applicator surface around a dispensing orifice 54. The dispensing orifice 54 is located in the region 50 below the top of the dome-shaped portion 30. The orifice 54 is a generally cylindrical bore oriented parallel to the vertical axis 52. This shape and orientation of the dispensing orifice 54 is preferred to facilitate manufacturing and to facilitate the dispensing of the fluid product upwardly onto the product applicator surface of the region 50.
The closure 10 includes a lid or cover 60 which is disposed on the body 20 for being pivoted about an axis 62 (FIG. 3) between a closed position tFIGS. 1 and 5) and an open position (FIGS. 2 and 4). A hinge 64 connects the cover 60 to the body 20 as best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The hinge 64 is at a location about 180 around the body vertical axis 52 from the applicator surface region 50.
Preferably, the hinge 64 is a snap-action hinge formed integrally with the cover 60 and body 20 in a unitary structure. The illustrated snap-action hinge 64 is a conventional type described in U.SO
Patent No. 4,403,712. Other hinge structures may be employed, including a "floppy" living film hinge.
However, it is preferable to employ a snap-action hinge so as to be able to maintain the cover 60 in the open position during an application of the container contents to the applicating site.
The closure 60 includes a generally dome-shaped wall 70 with an inner concave configuration that is complementary to the body dome-shaped portion 30 for nestably covering the -dome-shaped portion 30 when the cover 60 is in the closed position. The cover wall 70 has an inwardly :
. -, projecting sealing protrusion 80 for entering at least partially into the dispensing orifice 54 and sealingly engaging the region 50 at the periphery of the dispensing orifice 54 when the cover 60 is in the closed position ~FIGS. 1, 5, and 7). The sealingprotrusion 80, in the embodiment illustrated, has a : partially spherical configuration.
As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the closure , 10 is preferably fabricated so that, when the cover : 10 is in the closed position, there is a clearance between the body dome-shaped portion 30 and the cover 60, except around the orifice 54 in the less curved ' exterior region 50. In one preferred embodiment, the ;~ clearance is about 0~010 inch as designated by ~ 15 reference numeral Z in FIG. 7.
t~ The dome-shaped portion 30 is preferably ji elastically deformable, at least in the less curved ~ exterior region 50, and the sealing protrusion 80 :~ preferaby projects inwardly an amount sufficient to ,J. 20 deflect the region 50 inwardly when the cover 60 is closed to thereby effect a biasing of the periphery of the dispensing orifice 54 against the sealing protrusion 80. The sealing protrusion 80 causes the region 50 to deflect inwardly from the undeflected j 25 position (illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 7) to a :`l deflected position (illustrated in solid lines in . FIG~ 7) to thereby effect a tight seal at the orifice 54 to prevent leakage.
The closure 60 is preferably latched closed ~i. 30 so as to maintain the sealing protrusion 80 against the inwardly deflected region 50. To this end, the i body 20 and cover 60 define cooperating latching means for releasably holding the cover 60 in the :
~, closed position, and the latching means include a first snap-fit latching rib 91 (FIG. 8) on the body :
132ql7o 20 opposite the hinge 64 and a second snap-fit latching rib 92 on the cover 60 opposite the hinge 64. The ribs 91 and 92 engage in a snap--fit interlock when the cover 60 is in the closed positian as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 8.
As best illustrated in FIG. 8, the first snap-fit rib 91 on the body 20 and the second snap-fit rib 92 on the cover 60 each define a circular arc cross-section configuration in a plane parallel to the vertical axis of the closure.
To aid in opening the closure, the cover 60 is provided with a thumb~engageable opening tab 95 opposite the hinge 64 as best illustrated in FIGS.
1,2, and 8.
The closure 10, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, is particularly suitable for use on a container 12 from which a fluid substance is to be dispensed onto a human body part, especially the lips. The container 1~ may be flexible so that the 20 fluid can be squeezed from the container through the ~-dispensing orifice 54 onto the applicator surface oE
the region 50. The orientation of the surface 50 facilitates applying the fluid to the lips. The . snap-action hinqe 64 maintains the cover 60 in an , 25 open position which does not interfere with the ; applicatiny site, and the hinge 64 also keeps the cover 60 attached to the closure and container. -j^ A second embodiment of the closure of the '! present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 ~! 30 and is designated generally therein by reference ~; numeral 10'. The closure 10' is similar to, and -~ functions in many respects in a manner similar to, :
the first embodiment of the closure 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-8. The elements of the second embod1ment of the closure 10' thnt are ~' ~
1 32q 1 70 identical or functionally analogous to those of the first embodiment of the closure 10 are designated by reference numerals identical to those used for the first embodiment with the exception that the second embodiment reference numerals are followed by a prime mark whereas the first embodiment reference numerals are not followed by a prime mark.
The second embodiment of the closure 10' differs from the first embodiment in a number of respects. First, the second embodiment cover 60' is ; retained on the container 12' by means of the standard snap-fit bead 34' which engages a snap-fit bead 37' on the container above a wall portion 36' ~ ~as best viewed on the left-hand side of FIG. 10).
s 15 Further, in the second embodiment, the i process of opening o~ the closure is facilitated by providing a larger (i.e., longer) thumb-engageable opening tab 95'.
The second embodiment of the closure 10' -also differs from the first embodiment with respect to the first embodiment latching means ribs 91 and 92 ? and the sealing protrusion 80. In particular, the second embodiment of the closure 10' does not include ' any latching ribs on the body 20' and cover 60', and the second embodiment has a differently shaped sealing protrusion 80' for entering into the I ;
dispensing orifice 54' in the body 20'.
'J? Preferably, the dispensing orifice 54' is a bore defined in the body 20 ' by a generally cylindrical peripheral surface, and the sealing protrusion 80' may be characterized as a plug member ~; with a generally cylindrical side wall having a diameter greater than the diameter of the bore of the orifice 54'. As best illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, :, , 35 the cylindrical side wall of the protrusion or plug '' :
member 80' is oriented about a longitudinal axis 81'. The distal end of the protrusion or plug member ;,` 80' extends through the orifice 54'. The di~tal end ~ of the protrusion or plug member 80' is defined in :~ 5 part by a generally planar surface 83' which is oriented at an oblique angle to the long:itudinal axis 81'. Preferably, as best illustrated in FIG. 10, the i peripheral edge of the planar surface 83' of the protrusion or plug member 80' is arcuate to facilitate insertion into the orifice 54'.
: The orifice 54' is defined in the region 50' of the closure body 20', and the portion of the region 50' around the upper periphery of the orifice 54' has a reduced thickness as indicated generally by :, 15 reference numeral 55' (FIG. 10)~ The reduced .
thickness portion 55' permits enough flexing of the dome-shaped portion 30' to accommodate insertion and :il removal of the plug member 80'. Further, to . facilitate removal of the plug member 80', an edge part 57' of the portion 55' at the upper periphery of the orifice 54' is even thinner.
The orifice 54', which is defined in the closure body 20' by a cylindrical peripheral surface, has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the protrusion or plug member 80'. In a preferred .^l embodiment of one proposed commercial form of the ; second embodiment of the invention illustrated in !
FIGS, 9 and 10, the diameter of the orifice 54' is . .
~-! about 0.004 inch less than the diameter of the .~ 30 closure plug member 80'. The plug member 80' is ., adapted to be matingly engaged in an interference fit with the peripheral surface of the orifice 54' to ::
; frictionally retain the plug member 80' in the ~ orifice 54' so as to prevent leakage out of the f` 35 orifice 54' when the cover 60' is in the closed ;~.! position on the closure body 20'.
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` 132~170 In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the oblique planar surface 83' of the protrusion or plug member 80' will engage and slide across the upper exterior applicator surface or region 50' as the cover 60' is moved to the fully closed position (~illustrated in FIG. 10). Although there can be some small amount of inward deflection of the region 50' as the protrusion plug member 80' slides over it and into the orifice 54', such 10 deflection may be very small and may only be temporary. In ~omparison with the region 50 in the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the deflection of the second embodiment region 50' illustrated in FIG. 10 may be much less (or even 15 non-existent) in the final, fully closed position.
The protrusion or plug member 80' incorporated in the second embodiment of the closure 10' also functions as a clean-out means for cleaning out the container contents residue from inside the 20 orifice 54' by pushing such residue inwardly into the container~ In this manner, the likelihood of the orifice 54~ becoming occluded with the container contents is reduced.
It is to be noted that the plug member 80' 25 functions as a means for sealing the orifice 54' in addition to cooperating with the wall portion 55' to latch the cover 60' closed. With respect to the i latching function, it is to be noted that the reduced thickness portion 55' of the upper peripheral region ~ 30 around the orifice 54' functions as a cooperating or I interacting latching means with the plug member 80'.
In particular, although the plug member 80' and the orifice 54' may have a snap-fit or interference fit ~-to effect a seal for preventing leakage, such a 35 snap fit or interference fit is not required to , . ~ , ;
-prevent lift-off of the cover 60'. Rather, the structure that latches the cover 60' closed below a minimum design lift-off force is the engagement of the reduced thickness portion 55' with the plug member 80'. If a sufficient opening force is applied to the lift tab 95', the plug member 80' moves upwardly in an arc as the cover 60' swings about the hinge 64', and this deforms the wall portion 55' inwardly. In addition, the entire cover 60' may be deformed outwardly a small amount in response to the opposite but equal reaction force at the wall portion 55'. ~his temporary deformation or resilient characteristic of the structure permits the cover 60' ` to be unlatched. By the same token, the sufficient stiffness of the cover 60' and wall portion 55' serve to hold the cover 60' in the latched closed unless a lift-off force of sufficient magnitude is applied to .~ the lift tab 95'.
It is to be recalled that the diameter of ~ 20 the orifice 54', in the preferred embodiment, is i about 0.004" less than the diameter of the closure plug 80'~ This interference fit serves to, and does, ; function primarily for preventing leakage out of the orifice 54'. However, to some extent, this interference fit will also help hold the cover 60' closed. However, in the preferred embodiment, the additional "latching function" of such an , interference fit is relatively insignificant, and indeed is not even required~ in comparison to the l 30 resilient latching structure provided by the cover '~! 60l and wall portion 55' discussed in detail above.
' !1, It will be readily observed from the ~il foregoing detailed description of the invention and ;l from the illustrated embodiment thereof that numerous ~ 35 v~iation= and modifications may be effected without ' .
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departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.
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SU~MARY OF THE INVBNTION
i The lnvention provides a contalner closure for use on a contalner deflnlng an openlng communlcating wlth the contalner lnterior, sald closure comprising, a body for belng mounted to said contalner over said container opening and defining a dispenslng orifice for communicating through said container opening wlth sald J 20 container interior, said body having a cyllndrical sklrt forengaging said container and for deflning a vertical axis, said body further havlng a generally dome-shaped portlon pro~ectlng ~i from ~ald sklrt, sald generally dome-~haped portion including a generally smooth, less curved exterior reglon orlent~d at an obllque angle to sald vertical axis for de~lnlng an applicator 7' surface around said dlspenslng orlfice~
; a cover dlsposed on sald body for being plvoted about an axis between a clo~ed poRitlon occluding said dispenslng orlfice and an open posltion spaced away from said dispenslng oriflce~
a hinge connectin~ said cover to sald body for pivotin~
movement about sald a~ls;
: 132~170 .` sald body and cover ~e~lnlng cooperating latchin~ means for releasably holdlng sald cover ln sald closed posltlon~ and sald cover lncluding a generally dome-shaped wall wlth an lnner concave configuratlon complementary to ~ald body dome-`~ shaped portion for nestably covering said ciome-~haped portlon ~,~ when sald cover 1~ in sald clo~ed posltlon, sald cover wall :~' havlng an inwardly proiecting sealing protruslon for enterlng .~' at least partlally lnto sald dlspensing orlfice and seallngly engaglng sald body less curved exterlor reglon at the periphery of sald dlspen~lng orlflce when sald cover ls ln sald closed posltlon.
The inventlon also provldes a container closure for use on a container definin~ an openlng communicating with the contalner lnterlor, sald closure cornprislng2 a body for being mounted to sald contalner over said contalner openlng and deflnlng a dlspPnslng orlfice for communicatlng through Mald contalner openlng wlth ~ald contalner lnterlor; ~ -`' a cover dlsposed on sald body for belng plvoted about an axls between a closed posltion occluding sald dlspen~lng .~ orifice and an open posltlon spaced away from sald dlspensing orlflce;
~` a hinge connectlng sald cover to said body for pivctlng , movement about sald axls;
sald body and cover definlng cooperatlng latchlng means . for releasably holdlng said cover ln said closed posltlon~
sald body havlng a generally smooth applicator surface around sald dlspenslng orlflce; and s~ld cover havlng an lnwardly pro~ectlng seallng protruslon for enterlng at least partlally lnto sald dlspensing orlfice and seallngly engaging sald body at the periph0ry of ~aid dispenslng oriflce when said cover is ln said closed ~b . `,, . ' 132ql70 3a 23158-1518 posltion.
In a preferred embodiment, the perlpheral surface of the orlflce and the protrusion are adapted to provlde a leak-tight, interference flt, and the body and cover are resillently deformable to functlon as the latching means.
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention wlll become readlly apparent from the followlng detailed descriptlon of the inventlon, from the claims, and from the accompanylng drawlngs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawlngs forming part of the speclflcatlon, ln whlch llke numerals are employed to deslgnate llke parts throughout the same, FIG. 1 ls a fragmentary, perspectlve vlew of a flrst ~ embodiment of the closure of the present lnventlon mounted on a i contalner and shown wlth the cover latched ln the fully closed position;
FIG. 2 ls a fragmentary, perspective vlew slmllar to FIG.
1 but showing the cover in an open position;
FIG. 3 ls an enlarged, plan view of the first embodiment , of the opened closure;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectiohal view taken generally along the plane 4-4 ln FIG. 2;
I FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view similar toi FIG. 4 but showing the closure wlth the cover ln the latched Z, closed posltlon;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 6-6 ln ~IG. 2;
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; FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a portion of the first embodiment of the closure showing the dispensing orifice and the occluding portion of the cover in the closed position, FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the closure showing the structure for latching the cover in the closed position;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but shows a second, and preferred, embodiment of the closure of the present invention; and FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but shows the second embodiment of the closure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`1 While this invention is susceptible of ~` embodiment in many different forms, this application and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.
For ease of description, the closure of the invention is described in a position as it is usually ~ 25 encountered -- upright on a container, and terms such ; as upper, lower, vertical, horizontal, etc.~ are used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that the closure of this ; invention may be manufactured, storedl transported, and used in an orientation other than the position described.
The first embodiment of the closure of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 wherein the closure is represented generally by the reference numeral 10. The closure 10 is adapted to be disposed ` ~
132ql70 :l :
on a container 12 which has a conventional mouth or opening 14 (FIGS. 4 and 5) defined by a neck 16 or other suitable structure. The closure may be - fabricated from a thermoplastic material compatible with the container contents.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the closure 10 includes a closure means or body 20 for securement to the container. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 20 includes a peripheral wall in the form of a skirt 24 formed as a cylinder around an axis 52 (FIG. 4) and a generally dome-shaped portion 30 projecting from the skirt 24~
I As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the I closure body 20 also includes an internal ring 32 which functions as a plug seal and protrudes into the interior of the container neck 16 for engaging the inner peripheral surface of the neck 16 to effect a tight seal.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the closure body 24 includes, on its interior surface, a ~ standard snap-fit bead 34 or other suitable means -~ (e.g., threads (not illustrated)) for engaging `~ suitable cooperating means, such as the recess 36, on ~i the container neck 16 to releasably secure the body `~, 25 20 on the container 12.
I In the preferred embodiment illustrated, tpe closure body 20 includes a peripheral deck 40 (FIGS.
~, 2-4). The peripheral edge of the deck 40 is preferably rounded to prevent user discomfort. The ; 30 dome-shaped portion 30 projects upwardly from the deck 40 and includes a generally smooth, less curved exterior region 50 (FIGS. 2-4) which is oriented at an obli~ue angle to the vertical axis 52 (FIG. 4) of ~} the closure skirt 24.
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1 32q l 70 The less curved exterior region 50 defines an applicator surface around a dispensing orifice 54. The dispensing orifice 54 is located in the region 50 below the top of the dome-shaped portion 30. The orifice 54 is a generally cylindrical bore oriented parallel to the vertical axis 52. This shape and orientation of the dispensing orifice 54 is preferred to facilitate manufacturing and to facilitate the dispensing of the fluid product upwardly onto the product applicator surface of the region 50.
The closure 10 includes a lid or cover 60 which is disposed on the body 20 for being pivoted about an axis 62 (FIG. 3) between a closed position tFIGS. 1 and 5) and an open position (FIGS. 2 and 4). A hinge 64 connects the cover 60 to the body 20 as best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The hinge 64 is at a location about 180 around the body vertical axis 52 from the applicator surface region 50.
Preferably, the hinge 64 is a snap-action hinge formed integrally with the cover 60 and body 20 in a unitary structure. The illustrated snap-action hinge 64 is a conventional type described in U.SO
Patent No. 4,403,712. Other hinge structures may be employed, including a "floppy" living film hinge.
However, it is preferable to employ a snap-action hinge so as to be able to maintain the cover 60 in the open position during an application of the container contents to the applicating site.
The closure 60 includes a generally dome-shaped wall 70 with an inner concave configuration that is complementary to the body dome-shaped portion 30 for nestably covering the -dome-shaped portion 30 when the cover 60 is in the closed position. The cover wall 70 has an inwardly :
. -, projecting sealing protrusion 80 for entering at least partially into the dispensing orifice 54 and sealingly engaging the region 50 at the periphery of the dispensing orifice 54 when the cover 60 is in the closed position ~FIGS. 1, 5, and 7). The sealingprotrusion 80, in the embodiment illustrated, has a : partially spherical configuration.
As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the closure , 10 is preferably fabricated so that, when the cover : 10 is in the closed position, there is a clearance between the body dome-shaped portion 30 and the cover 60, except around the orifice 54 in the less curved ' exterior region 50. In one preferred embodiment, the ;~ clearance is about 0~010 inch as designated by ~ 15 reference numeral Z in FIG. 7.
t~ The dome-shaped portion 30 is preferably ji elastically deformable, at least in the less curved ~ exterior region 50, and the sealing protrusion 80 :~ preferaby projects inwardly an amount sufficient to ,J. 20 deflect the region 50 inwardly when the cover 60 is closed to thereby effect a biasing of the periphery of the dispensing orifice 54 against the sealing protrusion 80. The sealing protrusion 80 causes the region 50 to deflect inwardly from the undeflected j 25 position (illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 7) to a :`l deflected position (illustrated in solid lines in . FIG~ 7) to thereby effect a tight seal at the orifice 54 to prevent leakage.
The closure 60 is preferably latched closed ~i. 30 so as to maintain the sealing protrusion 80 against the inwardly deflected region 50. To this end, the i body 20 and cover 60 define cooperating latching means for releasably holding the cover 60 in the :
~, closed position, and the latching means include a first snap-fit latching rib 91 (FIG. 8) on the body :
132ql7o 20 opposite the hinge 64 and a second snap-fit latching rib 92 on the cover 60 opposite the hinge 64. The ribs 91 and 92 engage in a snap--fit interlock when the cover 60 is in the closed positian as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 8.
As best illustrated in FIG. 8, the first snap-fit rib 91 on the body 20 and the second snap-fit rib 92 on the cover 60 each define a circular arc cross-section configuration in a plane parallel to the vertical axis of the closure.
To aid in opening the closure, the cover 60 is provided with a thumb~engageable opening tab 95 opposite the hinge 64 as best illustrated in FIGS.
1,2, and 8.
The closure 10, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, is particularly suitable for use on a container 12 from which a fluid substance is to be dispensed onto a human body part, especially the lips. The container 1~ may be flexible so that the 20 fluid can be squeezed from the container through the ~-dispensing orifice 54 onto the applicator surface oE
the region 50. The orientation of the surface 50 facilitates applying the fluid to the lips. The . snap-action hinqe 64 maintains the cover 60 in an , 25 open position which does not interfere with the ; applicatiny site, and the hinge 64 also keeps the cover 60 attached to the closure and container. -j^ A second embodiment of the closure of the '! present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 ~! 30 and is designated generally therein by reference ~; numeral 10'. The closure 10' is similar to, and -~ functions in many respects in a manner similar to, :
the first embodiment of the closure 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-8. The elements of the second embod1ment of the closure 10' thnt are ~' ~
1 32q 1 70 identical or functionally analogous to those of the first embodiment of the closure 10 are designated by reference numerals identical to those used for the first embodiment with the exception that the second embodiment reference numerals are followed by a prime mark whereas the first embodiment reference numerals are not followed by a prime mark.
The second embodiment of the closure 10' differs from the first embodiment in a number of respects. First, the second embodiment cover 60' is ; retained on the container 12' by means of the standard snap-fit bead 34' which engages a snap-fit bead 37' on the container above a wall portion 36' ~ ~as best viewed on the left-hand side of FIG. 10).
s 15 Further, in the second embodiment, the i process of opening o~ the closure is facilitated by providing a larger (i.e., longer) thumb-engageable opening tab 95'.
The second embodiment of the closure 10' -also differs from the first embodiment with respect to the first embodiment latching means ribs 91 and 92 ? and the sealing protrusion 80. In particular, the second embodiment of the closure 10' does not include ' any latching ribs on the body 20' and cover 60', and the second embodiment has a differently shaped sealing protrusion 80' for entering into the I ;
dispensing orifice 54' in the body 20'.
'J? Preferably, the dispensing orifice 54' is a bore defined in the body 20 ' by a generally cylindrical peripheral surface, and the sealing protrusion 80' may be characterized as a plug member ~; with a generally cylindrical side wall having a diameter greater than the diameter of the bore of the orifice 54'. As best illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, :, , 35 the cylindrical side wall of the protrusion or plug '' :
member 80' is oriented about a longitudinal axis 81'. The distal end of the protrusion or plug member ;,` 80' extends through the orifice 54'. The di~tal end ~ of the protrusion or plug member 80' is defined in :~ 5 part by a generally planar surface 83' which is oriented at an oblique angle to the long:itudinal axis 81'. Preferably, as best illustrated in FIG. 10, the i peripheral edge of the planar surface 83' of the protrusion or plug member 80' is arcuate to facilitate insertion into the orifice 54'.
: The orifice 54' is defined in the region 50' of the closure body 20', and the portion of the region 50' around the upper periphery of the orifice 54' has a reduced thickness as indicated generally by :, 15 reference numeral 55' (FIG. 10)~ The reduced .
thickness portion 55' permits enough flexing of the dome-shaped portion 30' to accommodate insertion and :il removal of the plug member 80'. Further, to . facilitate removal of the plug member 80', an edge part 57' of the portion 55' at the upper periphery of the orifice 54' is even thinner.
The orifice 54', which is defined in the closure body 20' by a cylindrical peripheral surface, has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the protrusion or plug member 80'. In a preferred .^l embodiment of one proposed commercial form of the ; second embodiment of the invention illustrated in !
FIGS, 9 and 10, the diameter of the orifice 54' is . .
~-! about 0.004 inch less than the diameter of the .~ 30 closure plug member 80'. The plug member 80' is ., adapted to be matingly engaged in an interference fit with the peripheral surface of the orifice 54' to ::
; frictionally retain the plug member 80' in the ~ orifice 54' so as to prevent leakage out of the f` 35 orifice 54' when the cover 60' is in the closed ;~.! position on the closure body 20'.
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` 132~170 In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the oblique planar surface 83' of the protrusion or plug member 80' will engage and slide across the upper exterior applicator surface or region 50' as the cover 60' is moved to the fully closed position (~illustrated in FIG. 10). Although there can be some small amount of inward deflection of the region 50' as the protrusion plug member 80' slides over it and into the orifice 54', such 10 deflection may be very small and may only be temporary. In ~omparison with the region 50 in the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the deflection of the second embodiment region 50' illustrated in FIG. 10 may be much less (or even 15 non-existent) in the final, fully closed position.
The protrusion or plug member 80' incorporated in the second embodiment of the closure 10' also functions as a clean-out means for cleaning out the container contents residue from inside the 20 orifice 54' by pushing such residue inwardly into the container~ In this manner, the likelihood of the orifice 54~ becoming occluded with the container contents is reduced.
It is to be noted that the plug member 80' 25 functions as a means for sealing the orifice 54' in addition to cooperating with the wall portion 55' to latch the cover 60' closed. With respect to the i latching function, it is to be noted that the reduced thickness portion 55' of the upper peripheral region ~ 30 around the orifice 54' functions as a cooperating or I interacting latching means with the plug member 80'.
In particular, although the plug member 80' and the orifice 54' may have a snap-fit or interference fit ~-to effect a seal for preventing leakage, such a 35 snap fit or interference fit is not required to , . ~ , ;
-prevent lift-off of the cover 60'. Rather, the structure that latches the cover 60' closed below a minimum design lift-off force is the engagement of the reduced thickness portion 55' with the plug member 80'. If a sufficient opening force is applied to the lift tab 95', the plug member 80' moves upwardly in an arc as the cover 60' swings about the hinge 64', and this deforms the wall portion 55' inwardly. In addition, the entire cover 60' may be deformed outwardly a small amount in response to the opposite but equal reaction force at the wall portion 55'. ~his temporary deformation or resilient characteristic of the structure permits the cover 60' ` to be unlatched. By the same token, the sufficient stiffness of the cover 60' and wall portion 55' serve to hold the cover 60' in the latched closed unless a lift-off force of sufficient magnitude is applied to .~ the lift tab 95'.
It is to be recalled that the diameter of ~ 20 the orifice 54', in the preferred embodiment, is i about 0.004" less than the diameter of the closure plug 80'~ This interference fit serves to, and does, ; function primarily for preventing leakage out of the orifice 54'. However, to some extent, this interference fit will also help hold the cover 60' closed. However, in the preferred embodiment, the additional "latching function" of such an , interference fit is relatively insignificant, and indeed is not even required~ in comparison to the l 30 resilient latching structure provided by the cover '~! 60l and wall portion 55' discussed in detail above.
' !1, It will be readily observed from the ~il foregoing detailed description of the invention and ;l from the illustrated embodiment thereof that numerous ~ 35 v~iation= and modifications may be effected without ' .
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departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.
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Claims (24)
1. A container closure for use on a container defining an opening communicating with the container interior, said closure comprising:
a body for being mounted to said container over said container opening and defining a dispensing orifice for communicating through said container opening with said container interior, said body having a cylindrical skirt for engaging said container and for defining a vertical axis, said body further having a generally dome-shaped portion projecting from said skirt, said generally dome-shaped portion including a generally smooth, less curved exterior region oriented at an oblique angle to said vertical axis for defining an applicator surface around said dispensing orifice;
a cover disposed on said body for being pivoted about an axis between a closed position occluding said dispensing orifice and an open position spaced away from said dispensing orifice;
a hinge connecting said cover to said body for pivoting movement about said axis;
said body and cover defining cooperating latching means for releasably holding said cover in said closed position; and said cover including a generally dome-shaped wall with an inner concave configuration complementary to said body dome-shaped portion for nestably covering said dome-shaped portion when said cover is in said closed position, said cover wall having an inwardly projecting sealing protrusion for entering at least partially into said dispensing orifice and sealingly engaging said body less curved exterior region at the periphery of said dispensing orifice when said cover is in said closed position.
a body for being mounted to said container over said container opening and defining a dispensing orifice for communicating through said container opening with said container interior, said body having a cylindrical skirt for engaging said container and for defining a vertical axis, said body further having a generally dome-shaped portion projecting from said skirt, said generally dome-shaped portion including a generally smooth, less curved exterior region oriented at an oblique angle to said vertical axis for defining an applicator surface around said dispensing orifice;
a cover disposed on said body for being pivoted about an axis between a closed position occluding said dispensing orifice and an open position spaced away from said dispensing orifice;
a hinge connecting said cover to said body for pivoting movement about said axis;
said body and cover defining cooperating latching means for releasably holding said cover in said closed position; and said cover including a generally dome-shaped wall with an inner concave configuration complementary to said body dome-shaped portion for nestably covering said dome-shaped portion when said cover is in said closed position, said cover wall having an inwardly projecting sealing protrusion for entering at least partially into said dispensing orifice and sealingly engaging said body less curved exterior region at the periphery of said dispensing orifice when said cover is in said closed position.
2. The container closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said closure has a clearance of about 0.010 inch between said body dome-shaped portion and said cover beyond said less curved exterior region when said cover is in said closed position.
3. The container closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said dome-shaped portion is elastically deformable at least in said less curved exterior region; and said sealing protrusion projects inwardly an amount sufficient to deflect said less curved exterior region inwardly when said cover is latched closed by said latching means to thereby effect a biasing of the periphery of said dispensing orifice against said sealing protrusion.
4. The container closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said cooperating latching means includes a first snap-fit latching rib on said body opposite said hinge; and said cooperating latching means includes a second snap-fit latching rib on said cover opposite said hinge for engaging said first snap-fit rib on said body in a snap-fit interlock when said cover is in said closed position.
5. The container closure in accordance with claim 4 in which each said first snap-fit rib on said body and said second snap-fit rib on said cover defines a circular arc cross section configuration in a plane parallel to said vertical axis.
6. The container closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said cover includes an outwardly projecting, thumb-engagable, opening tab opposite said hinge.
7. The container closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said sealing protrusion has a partially spherical configuration.
8. The container closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said dispensing orifice is a generally cylindrical bore oriented parallel to said body vertical axis.
9. The container closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said dispensing orifice is located below the top of said body dome-shaped portion.
10. The container closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said hinge is a snap-action hinge fabricated from thermoplastic material.
11. The container closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said applicator surface is at a location about 180 degrees around said body vertical axis from said hinge.
12. A container closure for use on a container defining an opening communicating with the container interior, said closure comprising:
a body for being mounted to said container over said container opening and defining a dispensing orifice for communicating through said container opening with said container interior;
a cover disposed on said body for being pivoted about an axis between a closed position occluding said dispensing orifice and an open position spaced away from said dispensing orifice;
a hinge connecting said cover to said body for pivoting movement about said axis;
aid body and cover defining cooperating latching means for releasably holding said cover in said closed position;
said body having a generally smooth applicator surface around said dispensing orifice; and said cover having an inwardly projecting sealing protrusion for entering at least partially into said dispensing orifice and sealingly engaging said body at the periphery of said dispensing orifice when said cover is in said closed position.
a body for being mounted to said container over said container opening and defining a dispensing orifice for communicating through said container opening with said container interior;
a cover disposed on said body for being pivoted about an axis between a closed position occluding said dispensing orifice and an open position spaced away from said dispensing orifice;
a hinge connecting said cover to said body for pivoting movement about said axis;
aid body and cover defining cooperating latching means for releasably holding said cover in said closed position;
said body having a generally smooth applicator surface around said dispensing orifice; and said cover having an inwardly projecting sealing protrusion for entering at least partially into said dispensing orifice and sealingly engaging said body at the periphery of said dispensing orifice when said cover is in said closed position.
13. The container closure in accordance with claim 12 in which said body has a cylindrical skirt for engaging said container and for defining a vertical axis, said body further having a generally dome-shaped portion projecting from said skirt, said generally dome-shaped portion including a generally smooth, less curved exterior region oriented at an oblique angle to said vertical axis for defining an applicator surface around said dispensing orifice.
14. The container closure in accordance with claim 12 in which said cover includes a generally dome-shaped wall with an inner concave configuration complementary to said body dome-shaped portion for nestably covering said dome-shaped portion when said cover is in said closed position.
15. A container closure for use on a container defining an opening communicating with the container interior, said closure comprising:
a body for being mounted to said container over said container opening and defining a dispensing orifice for communicating through said container opening with said container interior;
a cover disposed on said body for being pivoted about an axis between a closed position occluding said dispensing orifice and an open position spaced away from said dispensing orifice;
a hinge connecting said cover to said body for pivoting movement about said axis;
said body having a generally smooth applicator surface around said dispensing orifice;
said cover having an inwardly projecting sealing protrusion for entering at least partially into said dispensing orifice and sealingly engaging said body at the periphery of said dispensing orifice when said cover is in said closed position; and said body and cover defining cooperating latching means for releasably holding said cover in said closed position.
a body for being mounted to said container over said container opening and defining a dispensing orifice for communicating through said container opening with said container interior;
a cover disposed on said body for being pivoted about an axis between a closed position occluding said dispensing orifice and an open position spaced away from said dispensing orifice;
a hinge connecting said cover to said body for pivoting movement about said axis;
said body having a generally smooth applicator surface around said dispensing orifice;
said cover having an inwardly projecting sealing protrusion for entering at least partially into said dispensing orifice and sealingly engaging said body at the periphery of said dispensing orifice when said cover is in said closed position; and said body and cover defining cooperating latching means for releasably holding said cover in said closed position.
16. The container closure in accordance with claim 15 in which said dispensing orifice includes a bore defined in said body by a generally cylindrical peripheral surface; and in which said sealing protrusion includes a plug member with a generally cylindrical side wall having a diameter greater than the diameter of said bore whereby said plug member is adapted to be matingly engaged with said bore peripheral surface to effect a leak-tight seal when said cover is in said closed position.
17. the container closure in accordance with claim 16 in which said body has a cylindrical skirt for engaging said container and for defining a vertical axis, said body further having a generally dome-shaped portion projecting from said skirt, and said generally dome-shaped portion including a generally smooth, less curved exterior region oriented generally at an oblique angle to said vertical axis for defining an applicator surface around said dispensing orifice.
18. The container closure in accordance with claim 17 in which said cover includes a generally dome-shaped wall with an inner concave configuration complementary to said body dome-shaped portion for nestably covering said body dome-shaped portion when said cover is in said closed position; and in which said plug member cylindrical side wall is oriented about a longitudinal axis and in which said plug member has a distal end for entering through said orifice, said distal end being defined in part by a generally planar surface oriented at an oblique angle to said longitudinal axis.
19. The container closure in accordance with claim 18 in which a peripheral edge of said planar surface is arcuate to facilitate insertion into said orifice.
20. the container closure in accordance with claim 15 in which said cooperating latching means includes a first snap-fit latching rib on said body opposite said hinge; and said cooperating latching means includes a second snap-fit latching rib on said cover opposite said hinge for engaging said first snap-fit rib on said body in a snap-fit interlock when said cover is in said closed position.
21. The container closure in accordance with claim 15 in which said cover includes an outwardly projecting, thumb-engagable, opening tab opposite said hinge.
22. The container closure in accordance with claim 15 in which said hinge is a snap-action hinge fabricated from thermoplastic material.
23. The container closure in accordance with claim 15 in which said applicator surface is at a location about 180 degrees around said body vertical axis from said hinge.
24. The container closure in accordance with claim 15 in which said cooperating latching means includes (1) at least a portion of a wall of said body adjacent said dispensing orifice and (2) at least a portion of said cover wherein at least one of said adjacent wall portion and said cover portion are resiliently deformable to accommodate the movement of said sealing protrusion away from said orifice as said cover is pivoted about said axis.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US266,374 | 1988-11-02 | ||
| US07/266,374 US4915268A (en) | 1988-11-02 | 1988-11-02 | Closure with dispensing applicator |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1329170C true CA1329170C (en) | 1994-05-03 |
Family
ID=23014307
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000598288A Expired - Fee Related CA1329170C (en) | 1988-11-02 | 1989-05-01 | Closure with dispensing applicator |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4915268A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0404841B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU618360B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1329170C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE68920313T2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK1690A (en) |
| MX (1) | MX164506B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1990005093A1 (en) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE8911643U1 (en) * | 1989-09-29 | 1991-02-07 | Zeller Plastik Gmbh, 5583 Zell, De | |
| US5007555A (en) * | 1989-12-19 | 1991-04-16 | Creative Packaging Corp. | Biased hinge cap |
| US5105988A (en) * | 1990-06-15 | 1992-04-21 | Calmar Inc. | Protector cap and wiper for dispenser discharge orifice |
| US5257708A (en) * | 1991-02-12 | 1993-11-02 | Createchnic Ag | Plastic snap hinge closure |
| US5435456A (en) * | 1991-02-12 | 1995-07-25 | Createchnic Ag | Plastic snap hinge closure |
| US5148912A (en) * | 1991-02-27 | 1992-09-22 | Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd. | Cap closing member for container opening |
| AU652352B2 (en) * | 1991-03-04 | 1994-08-25 | Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd. | Cap closing member for container opening |
| CA2072954C (en) * | 1991-07-22 | 2001-01-02 | Michael J. Forsyth | Threaded dispensing closure with flap |
| US5207657A (en) * | 1991-09-18 | 1993-05-04 | Merck & Co., Inc. | Recessed tip fluid dispenser |
| US5221017A (en) * | 1992-10-13 | 1993-06-22 | Wheaton Holding, Inc. | Controlled dropper tip closure |
| CH685550A5 (en) * | 1992-10-13 | 1995-08-15 | Tetra Pak Romont | Opening device on the cover of a flow agent package. |
| US5531349A (en) * | 1992-12-22 | 1996-07-02 | Blistex Inc. | Flip-top closure |
| US5755352A (en) * | 1992-12-22 | 1998-05-26 | Blistex Inc. | Flip top closure with locking tabs |
| DE4428266A1 (en) * | 1994-08-10 | 1996-02-15 | Henkel Kgaa | Closure for a product outlet for liquid products |
| NL1003424C2 (en) * | 1996-06-26 | 1998-01-07 | Wit Plastic B V De | Child-resistant closure for holders. |
| DE19832799B4 (en) * | 1998-07-21 | 2006-03-02 | Kunststoffwerk Kutterer Gmbh & Co. Kg | Hinged cap |
| US6050434A (en) * | 1998-07-23 | 2000-04-18 | Mcnab; Donald W. | Container closure with double-axis resiliently-biasing web-hinge structure |
| US6090086A (en) * | 1998-11-03 | 2000-07-18 | Bolden; Amos | Eye drop applicator with adjustable guide arm and improved closure system |
| US6572300B2 (en) * | 2000-04-24 | 2003-06-03 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Soft applicator dome |
| US6321923B1 (en) * | 2000-04-26 | 2001-11-27 | Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc. | Bistable hinge with reduced stress regions |
| US6412634B1 (en) | 2000-05-01 | 2002-07-02 | Unilever Home & Personal Care Usa, Division Of Conopco, Inc. | Refillable towelette dispensing article |
| US7134575B2 (en) * | 2002-12-21 | 2006-11-14 | Gateway Plastics, Inc. | Closure for a container |
| DK1648792T3 (en) * | 2003-07-18 | 2008-01-28 | Creanova Ag | Hinged closure molded in closed position |
| BR0305477A (en) * | 2003-12-05 | 2005-08-16 | Globalpack Ind E Com Ltda | Liquid and cream product storage and applicator container |
| US7325708B2 (en) * | 2005-01-14 | 2008-02-05 | Rory Barber | Ocular positioning droplet dispensing device with a recessed dispensing orifice |
| US7510095B2 (en) | 2005-03-11 | 2009-03-31 | Berry Plastics Corporation | System comprising a radially aligned container and closure |
| DE102006001322A1 (en) * | 2006-01-09 | 2007-07-12 | Bericap Gmbh & Co. Kg | Cap with snap hinge and modified snap rim |
| DE102006001323A1 (en) * | 2006-01-09 | 2007-07-12 | Bericap Gmbh & Co. Kg | Cap with snap hinge and retaining ring |
| US20070228079A1 (en) * | 2006-02-16 | 2007-10-04 | Gateway Plastics, Inc. | Closure for a container |
| US7476048B2 (en) * | 2006-09-07 | 2009-01-13 | L'oreal | Cap seal for a product dispensing applicator |
| US20100116853A1 (en) * | 2008-11-13 | 2010-05-13 | Wightman James C | Apparatus for Dispensing Product |
| US9371162B2 (en) * | 2008-12-09 | 2016-06-21 | Weatherchem Corporation | One-piece dispensing closure |
| US8216195B2 (en) * | 2009-01-07 | 2012-07-10 | Roger Li-Chung Wu | Dispenser cap for eye-drop container |
| US20100224643A1 (en) * | 2009-03-03 | 2010-09-09 | Weatherchem Corporation | Dispensing closure |
| US8550313B2 (en) | 2009-03-12 | 2013-10-08 | Weatherchem Corporation | Sift-resistant dispensing closure |
| GB0910608D0 (en) * | 2009-06-19 | 2009-07-29 | Unilever Plc | Container with facile dispensability of liquid product |
| US8646633B2 (en) * | 2009-12-16 | 2014-02-11 | Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc | Closure for containers of ophthalmic solutions containing a spout cap |
| US8899437B2 (en) | 2012-01-20 | 2014-12-02 | Gateway Plastics, Inc. | Closure with integrated dosage cup |
| US8955705B2 (en) | 2012-03-26 | 2015-02-17 | Gateway Plastics, Inc. | Closure for a container |
| US9475623B2 (en) | 2012-03-26 | 2016-10-25 | Gateway Plastics, Inc. | Closure for a container |
| USD679181S1 (en) | 2012-03-26 | 2013-04-02 | Gateway Plastics, Inc. | Closure for a container |
| WO2016007558A1 (en) * | 2014-07-07 | 2016-01-14 | Industrial Revolution, Inc. | Portable grill |
| USD795066S1 (en) * | 2015-12-21 | 2017-08-22 | Yonwoo Co., Ltd. | Skin care massager |
| EP3546386B1 (en) * | 2018-03-28 | 2020-09-02 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Flip-top cap for dispensing a flowable dental substance |
| EP3829994A4 (en) * | 2018-07-27 | 2022-05-04 | Spoonfuls, Inc. | Cap having a spoon-shaped closure |
Family Cites Families (19)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1303531A (en) * | 1919-05-13 | Combined blacking- container and dauber | ||
| US1137086A (en) * | 1913-02-13 | 1915-04-27 | William Rodiger | Collapsible tube. |
| US2008636A (en) * | 1933-11-28 | 1935-07-16 | Charles W Brynan | Brushless shaving cream spreader cap for collapsible tubes |
| US1977302A (en) * | 1934-03-31 | 1934-10-16 | Clinton B F Brill | Closure |
| US2096802A (en) * | 1937-01-28 | 1937-10-26 | Harry B Griner | Container with retaining cap |
| US2197579A (en) * | 1938-10-26 | 1940-04-16 | Charles M Hooper | Applicator |
| US2591207A (en) * | 1949-09-06 | 1952-04-01 | Bernard C Sepesy | Closure device |
| US3369720A (en) * | 1966-05-16 | 1968-02-20 | Sidney M. Libit | Closure cap having resilient retaining means |
| US3659750A (en) * | 1970-06-22 | 1972-05-02 | Polytop Corp | Dispensing closure with bonded spout seal |
| US3741447A (en) * | 1971-11-18 | 1973-06-26 | Colgate Palmolive Co | Container cap |
| US3896978A (en) * | 1973-07-23 | 1975-07-29 | Raphael Sahar | Closure for collapsible tubes |
| US3933271A (en) * | 1974-02-14 | 1976-01-20 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Captive cap |
| US4087028A (en) * | 1976-12-16 | 1978-05-02 | Lang Frank J | Snap lock dispensing cap |
| US4158902A (en) * | 1977-09-30 | 1979-06-26 | Chernack Milton P | Integral snap action hinge |
| DE2834080A1 (en) * | 1978-08-03 | 1980-02-21 | Henkel Kgaa | Plastics stopper for plastics bottle - has sleeve fitting over bottle neck, an insertable portion, and hinged domed cap with pouring hole |
| US4377247A (en) * | 1978-10-31 | 1983-03-22 | Polytop Corporation | Dispensing closure employing living hinge |
| US4386714A (en) * | 1980-10-02 | 1983-06-07 | Louise Roberto | Container cover assembly |
| CH653639A5 (en) * | 1981-01-21 | 1986-01-15 | Zeller Plastik Koehn Graebner | ONE-PIECE HINGE PLASTIC. |
| US4778071A (en) * | 1988-02-16 | 1988-10-18 | Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. | Closure with snap type hinge |
-
1988
- 1988-11-02 US US07/266,374 patent/US4915268A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1989
- 1989-04-28 EP EP89905538A patent/EP0404841B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-04-28 WO PCT/US1989/001824 patent/WO1990005093A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1989-04-28 DE DE68920313T patent/DE68920313T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-04-28 AU AU35572/89A patent/AU618360B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1989-05-01 CA CA000598288A patent/CA1329170C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-05-02 MX MX15882A patent/MX164506B/en unknown
-
1990
- 1990-01-04 DK DK001690A patent/DK1690A/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1990005093A1 (en) | 1990-05-17 |
| DE68920313D1 (en) | 1995-02-09 |
| DK1690D0 (en) | 1990-01-04 |
| DK1690A (en) | 1990-05-17 |
| EP0404841B1 (en) | 1994-12-28 |
| EP0404841A1 (en) | 1991-01-02 |
| US4915268A (en) | 1990-04-10 |
| DE68920313T2 (en) | 1995-08-24 |
| EP0404841A4 (en) | 1991-04-10 |
| MX164506B (en) | 1992-08-21 |
| AU618360B2 (en) | 1991-12-19 |
| AU3557289A (en) | 1990-05-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |