US3446406A - Cap-actuated pivoted outlet closure for a container - Google Patents

Description

D. H. TROTT May 27, 1969 CAP-ACTUATED PIVOTED OUTLET CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER Sheet of 3 Filed Dec 15, 1967 I NVENTOR. ym WW WW ATTORNEYS ay 27, 1969 D. H. TROTT 3,446,406

CAP-ACTUATED PIVOTED OUTLET CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER Filed Dec. 15, 1967 Sheet 2 of ATTORNEYS D. H. TROTT May 27, 1969 CAP-ACTUATED PIVOTED OUTLET CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER sheetiors Filed Dec. 15, 1967 INVENTOR.

3,446,406 CAP-ACTUATED PIVOTED OUTLET CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER David H. Trott, 5240 Wooster Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226 Filed Dec. 15, 1967, Ser. No. 690,932 Int. Cl. 367d /06, 3/04 US. Cl. 222-507 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to closures for openings of the type usually associated with containers and the like. More particularly, this invention relates to a closure that re mains attached to the surrounding structure when the cap is moved from a sealed position to an open or dispensing position.

The closure of this invention is an improvement over the closures described in my US. Patents Nos. 3,275,202 and 3,357,607. The closures of those applications are particularly adapted to be mounted at discharge openings on containers such as squeeze tubes, plastic bottles, and the like, from which fluid or other type contents are discharged from time to time. Those closures include a spout which is fixed to the discharge end of the container, a closed end sleeve surrounding and substantially enclosing the spout, an opening in the sleeve through which the spout can project, and a cap adapted to open and close the spout. The sleeve and base carry structure that permits the sleeve to move axially relative to the spout as the sleeve is rotated relative to the spout, thereby causing the spout to alternately extend and recede through the end wall opening in the sleeve. The cap is interconnected between the sleeve and the base so that it moves the spout when the sleeve is rotated in one direction. Also, the cap moves away from and opens the spout when the sleeve is rotated in the opposite direction to project the spout through the sleeve opening. Further, the interrelationship of the parts is such that when the spout is to be closed the cap is forced wall, charge end of the spout.

It has been one objective of this invention to provide an improved closure of the general type described above that provides reliability of performance under extended operating conditions.

It has been another objective of this invention to provide an improved closure of the general type described above that is simple of structure so that its parts are relatively easy to fabricate by known plastic molding techniques and so that those parts are relatively easy to assemble, thereby providing a closure that can be produced at economical manufacturing costs.

These objectives are attained by providing in a closure, as described above, structure for mounting and operating the cap and sleeve including, (a) a pivot pin mounted to the sleeves end wall, (b) a hub mounted to the cap, the hub being pivotally receivable by the pivot pin, (c) lug atent O and cooperating recess forming means on the base and cap to effect pivoting of the cap upon rotation of the sleeve, (d) one or more cam followers mounted to either of the bases periphery and the sleeves inner surface equidistant one from the other, and (e) one or more identical cam tracks mounted to the other of the sleeves inner surface and the bases periphery to cooperate with the cam followers, the cam tracks each at least having a section that permits the cap to move to and from a position underlying the opening in the sleeves top wall and a section that causes the spout to be projected through the opening as the sleeve is rotated relative to the base.

Thus, one novel feature of the improved closure is the pivotally mounted cap that moves between open and closed positions by a recess on the hub engaging a lug on the base when the sleeve is rotated.

Another novel feature of the improved closure is that three point suspension of the sleeve and base, that is, the three cam followers cooperating with three cam tracks, which eliminate cocking and binding problems when the sleeve is rotated.

A further novel feature of the improved closure is that the sleeve and base, though formed separately, may be easily assembled together and locked in operating position.

Still another novel feature of the improved closure is the simplified and reliable structure provided for carrying out the functions of clamping the cap on the spout, swinging the cap away from the spout, and moving the spout axially toward the sleeves end wall to a dispensing position.

Other objectives, and additional features and advantages, of this invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a cutaway perspective view of the assembled closure structure illustrating the cap in the closed position;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 illustrating the cap in the open position;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded, perspective view illustrating the three basic parts of the closure of this invention;

FIGURE 4 is a partially cutaway side view illustrating the cap and spout in the first and sealed position;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a planar view of the bases ery with other parts being illustrated in shown in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 illustrating the cap in the first and raised position;

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIGURE 7 illustrating the cap in the first and raised position above the spout in full lines, and in the second or open position in phantom lines;

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 illustrating the parts in the positions shown in FIGURES 7 and 8;

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURES 4 and 7 illustrating the cap in the second position with the spout extended;

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a view similar to FIGURES 6 and 9 illustrating the parts in the position shown in FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the first of one method for assembling the closure of this invention;

FIGURE 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 1414 of FIGURE 13 illustrating the final step in assembling the closure;

outer periphthe positions FIGURE 15 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 of an alternative embodiment of the closure structure;

FIGURE 16 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 of the alternative embodiment;

FIGURE 17 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 of the alternative embodiment;

FIGURE 18 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 of the alternative embodiment; and

FIGURE 19 is a view similar to FIGURE 11 of the alternative embodiment.

General organization and operation The preferred closure of this invention includes a cap 10, and a base 11 which carries a dispensing spout 12 and a sleeve 13 mounted on the base for axial and rotational movement.

The base 11 has a circumferential boss or upper portion 14, the lower edge of which provides a cam track 15 with respect to the base. The boss 14 has three longitudinally extending slots 16 which cooperate with three longitudinally extending ribs 17 on the inner surface 18 of the sleeve 13 to permit the sleeve to be assembled on the base 11 with the ribs passing through the slots, When assembled the upper ends 19 of the ribs 17 engage the cam tracks 15 to effect axial movement of the sleeve 13 as it is rotated.

The sleeve has an end wall 20 to which the cap is pivotally mounted. The cap 10 includes a hub 21 having two spaced teeth 22 which form a recess 23 cooperating with a lug 24 mounted on the base 11. When the sleeve 13 is assembled to the base 11, the teeth 22 are located adjacent the lug 24 so that upon rotation of the sleeve the lug engages the recess 23 to cause the cap 10 to pivot from a position underlying opening 25 in the end wall 20 to a position alongside the opening in order to permit the spout 12 to project through the opening.

The hub 21 also cooperates with a cam 26 projecting above the base 11, the cam and the cam tracks positively defining the axial movement of the sleeve 13 with respect to the base as the sleeve is rotated.

The sequence of movements of the respective elements is generally as follows, beginning with a closed position in which the cap 10 overlies the spout 12 and is clamped on it by the sleeve 13. Rotation of the sleeve 13 first causes the sleeve to be cammed upwardly to free the cap 10 from the spout 12. Further rotation causes engagement of the lug 24 with the recess 23 in the hub 21 of the cap 10 to swing the cap to the side of the sleeve 13 away from the hole 25. Continued rotation of the sleeve 13 causes the sleeve to be cammed, by engagement of the ribs 17 with cam tracks 15, downwardly onto the base 11 to permit the spout 12 to project through the opening 25 to a dispensing position. The device is closed by revers ing the sequence of operations.

The base As can be seen from FIGURE 3, the base 11 is cylindrical in shape and includes a recessed lower portion 29 of a smaller diameter and an upper portion 14 of a larger diameter. Dividing the upper portion 14 from the recessed lower portion 29 of the base 11 are the three identical cam tracks 15, the beginning point 30 of one cam track being the same peripheral point as the ending point 31 of the adjacent cam track, see FIGURES 6, 9 and 12. The points 30, 31 are positioned longitudinally one from the other because of the shape of the cam tracks 15 and, thus, there is established an offset or land 28 where the tracks meet because of the difference in diameters between the upper 14 and lower 29 portions. Each of the three cam tracks 15 defines a radial arc of 120 about the bases periphery. As can be clearly seen from FIGURES 6, 9 and 12, each cam track 15 is comprised of a locking section 32, a cap sealing and unsealing section 33, a cap pivoting section 34, and a spout extension section 35. In each of the three cam track lengths 15, for example, approximately 15% of the length constitutes the locking section 32, approximately 5% of the length constitutes the cap sealing and unsealing section 33, approximately 35% of the length constitutes the cap pivoting section 34, and approximately 45% of the length constitutes the spout extension section 35.

Three assembly slots 16, one for each cam track 15, extend axially from the top 36 of the base to the recessed lower portion 29. The bottom surface 37 of each slot is formed as a ramp sloping outwardly from its upper 38 to its lower 39 end which permits the assembly of the sleeve 13 to the base 11 but locks the sleeve to the base after assembly, as will appear below. Each slot 16 is located so that it meets the lower portion 29 toward the end of each cam tracks spout extension section 35.

On the surface of the recessed lower portion 29 are also mounted lock detents 40 adjacent the beginning points 30 of the cam tracks 15, the lock detents serving to block inadvertent rotation of the sleeve 13 on the base 11 during handling and shipping before the consumer opens the closure. While a detent could be placed on the cam track in the form of a projection or recess, it would require axial movement of the sleeve resulting in too great a pressure of the sleeve on the cap if it is a projecting boss, or too little pressure if it is a recess into which rib 17 drops.

The base 11, being cylindrical, is substantially hollow, see FIGURE 4, and provided intermediate the open ends of the base is a spout support formed as a transverse wall 43 integral with the base. A spout 12 is mounted on wall 43 and is provided with a hollow center or feed conduit 44 extending through the spout which provides the only opening in the intermediate wall 43. The bottom part of the cylindrical base 11, that is, that part beneath the support wall 43, is provided with a threaded internal surface 45 so the base 11 can be connected to a threaded neck 46 of a container 47, see FIGURE 4. It is, of course, apparent that other forms of connection are within the scope of the invention.

Extending radially outwardly from the spout 12 to the inner surface 48 of the top part of the base 11 are three radial ribs 49a, 49b, and 49c. The ribs 49 are positioned substantially equidistant one from the other, thereby dividing the upper part of the base into three substantially equivalent sectors 50a, 50b, and 50c. An operator lug 24 projects into one of the sectors 50a and is positioned adjacent one of the radial ribs 49a. A positioning lug 51 projects into the same sector 50a and is mounted to the other radial rib 49b of that sector. The positioning lug 51 is used in assembling the closure, as will appear below. An upper cam 26 straddles rib 49a and has opposed angulated cam surfaces, one 52 of which is longer than the other 53. The longer cam surface 53 of the cam 26 is positioned in sector 50a bearing the lug 24 and the shorter cam surface 52 is positioned in sector 500.

The cap The cap 10 includes a flap 54 with a nub 55 protruding from its underneath side 56, see FIGURE 3, The nub 55 is dimensioned so that it fits Within the spouts opening 25 to permit the underside 56 of the flap 54, in combination with the nub, to provide a sealing engagement of the cap 10 with the spout 12. The cap 10 i preferably molded integral with the hub 21, the hub having a bearing surface 57 which receives pivot pin 58 fixed to the top wall 20 of the sleve 13. The hub 21 is also beveled, as at 59, to cooperate with short cam surface 52 of the cam 26.

The cap 10 has a pair of teeth 22 projecting from the hub 21 and spaced apart to provide the recess 23 which receives an operating lug 24 to effect the pivoting of the cap.

The sleeve The sleeve 13, whichi s ribbed on its outer surface to enable it to be gripped, has a smooth inner surface 18 interrupted by three equiangularly spaced axially extending ribs 17. The ribs 17 project inwardly a distance sufiicient to latch under the ramped bottom surface 37 of the solts 16 when the sleeve 13 is in position.

The lower ends 60 of the ribs 17 are offset from the lower edge of the sleeve 13 to enable the sleeve to slide onto the base 11 a short distance and to rotate relative to the base, thus facilitating assembly.

The end wall 20 of the sleeve has a hole 25 through which the spout 12 can project. A pair of pegs 61 and 62 project inwardly from the end wall 20. Peg 61 is positioned to accurately stop the cap in the correct position during closure of the cap and to prevent overtravel of the sleeve 13. Peg 62 is positioned to aid in assembling the closure as well as to limit the opening movement of the cap 10 when the spout 12 is extended through the opening 25 in the sleeves end wall 20.

Assembly Referring to FIGURE 13, in assembling the improved closure of this invention, the hub 21 is placed on transverse wall 43 between the positioning lug 51 and the upper cam 26 with the flap 54 of the cap 10 resting on the radial rib 49b. The sleeve 13 is then slipped over the top edge of the base 11 until the lower ends 60 of ribs 17 engage the base. The sleeve 13 is then rotated until the ribs 17 are aligned with their slots 16 with pivot pin 58 overlying the cap 10. The sleeve 13 is then pushed downwardly until the follower ribs 17 snap below the cam tracks 15. Once the follower ribs 17 and, hence, the sleeve 13, have been snapped into position with the cam tracks 15 and base 11, the two cannot thereafter be readily parted because of the locking action provided by the ramped slots 16. As the sleeve 13 is applied to the base 11, the pointed pivot pin 58 locates the hole 57 in the hub 21, thereby holding the hub to the pin by a relatively tight friction fit that permits the cap 10 to remain engaged with the stub shaft but to pivot relative thereto.

In an alternative mode of assembly the cap 10 is first placed in the sleeve 13 with pivot pin 58 projecting into the hub 21 and with flap 54 lying against positioning peg 62. The peg 62 assures proper orientation of the cap 10 with the base 11 as the sleeve 13 is applied to the base and avoids interference by the cap with the side of the base.

In addition, it will be noted that because of the three line engagement of ribs 17 with their slots 16 it is impossible for the sleeve 13 to become cocked and consequently bind with the base 11.

Further, engagement of the ribs 17 with the cam tracks 15 coupled with the engagement of the cap hub 21 with the upper cam 26 positively defines and limits the axial movement of said sleeve as said sleeve is rotated.

Operation In operation of the closure structure, the first step is to unlock the closure, see FIGURES 4 through 6. In the locked position, the internal clearance between the sleeves end wall and the intermediate wall 43 is equal to the height of the spout 12 plus the thickness of the flap 54. The inside of the sleeves end wall 20 is pressed against the top side oft he flap 54, thereby pressing the flap tightly against the spout 12 with its nub 55 projecting into the spout. This relation is maintained through engagement of the upper ends 19 of the ribs 17 with the locking sections 32 of the cam tracks 15. Until the consumer first rotates thesleeve, this relationship is maintained by the locking detents 40 which engage ribs 17 to block inadvertent rotation of the sleeve 13.

In unsealing the cap 10, FIGURES 7 through 9 illustrate that the sleeve 13 must first be rotated counterclockwise relative to the base 11 until the ribs 17 ride over detents 40. As rotation continues, the beveled edge 59 of the hub 21 contacts the short cam ramp 52 and the ribs 17 enter the cap sealing and unsealing sections 33 of the cam tracks 15. These sections 33 of the cam tracks 15 permit the sleeve 13 to move away from the spout 12 as it is cammed up by engagement of the hub 21 with ramp 52. Thus, the cap 10 is raised out of sealing engagement with the spout 12. Such a part of the cap opening operation is illustrated by the solid lines for the cap 10 and follower ribs 17 in FIGURES 8 and 9.

As the sleeve 13 continues to rotate in the counterclockwise direction relative to the base 11, the teeth 22 of the cap mesh with lug 24 on the base 11, thereby pivoting the cap 10 about the pivot pin 58 into the open position illustrated in phantom lines in FIGURE 8. Such a pivoting of a cap 10 from a first position over the spout 12 to a second position to the side of the spout occrus during the time the cam follower ribs 17 traverse the cap pivoting sections 34 of the cam tracks 15.

Once the cap 10 has been pivoted from the first position over the spout 12 to the second position at one side of the spout, the spout can be projected through the opening 25 of the sleeves end wall 20. To project the spout 12 through the opening 25, the sleeve 13 is further rotated in the counterclockwise direction causing the cam ribs 17 to traverse the spout extension sections 35 of the cam tracks 15. This causes the sleeves end wall 20 to draw down on the base 11 with the hub 21 riding down the long ramp 53 of the cam 26 until it rests on the transverse wall 43, thereby causing the spout 12 to project through the opening 25. Thus, at the final open position, the bottom of the hub 21 rests on the wall 43, and the cam follower ribs 17 are at the far right of their cam tracks 15, as illustrated in FIGURES 6, 9 and 12.

In closing the container, the spout 12 is drawn back into the confines of the sleeve 13 by rotating the sleeve in the clockwise direction relative to the base 11 and the sequence of steps as described above is reversed. Once the ribs 17 are within the locking sections 32 of cam tracks 15, rotation of the sleeve 13 is preferably con tinued until the ribs 17 engage to lock detents 40. In moving to this position, the ribs 17 engaging sealing cam surface 33 draw the sleeve 13 down on the base 11 with the flap 54 being forced tightly on the spout 12.

Alternative embodiment An alternative embodiment of the closure structure is illustrated in FIGURES 15-19 of the drawings. The modifications of the alternative embodiment appear primarily in the sleeve 13 and cap 10 components of the closure.

As can be seen from FIGURES l5 and 17, the sleeve 13 is modified to provide a secondary spout 65 extending upwardly from the sleeves end wall 20 and a counterbore 66 axially aligned with the secondary spout to receive a primary spout 67 mounted to the base. The underside of the end wall 20 is provided with three equiangularly disposed pivot pins 68, each pivot pin carrying a limit detent 69 for a purpose to be subsequently described. It should be understood that the secondary spout feature is equally applicable to the closure of the first em bodiment.

The cap 10 is modified by providing a slot 72 in the caps hub 21 about the periphery of the bearing surface 57. The slot 72 is adapted to cooperate with the limit detent 69 carried by the pivot pin 68 when the cap 10 is engaged with the sleeve 13. The slot 72 is positioned, and its arcuate length is such, that the opposing ends 73, 74 of the slot act as stops against which the limit detent 69 can abut, thereby limiting the pivot path through which the caps fiap 54 can travel.

The closure of this modified embodiment is assembled by the main assembly method, that is, by placing the hub 21 on the transverse wall 43 between the positioning lug 51 and the upper cam 26 with the fiap 54 of the cap 10 resting on the radial rib 49b. The sleeve 13 is placed on the base 11 and is rotated until the ribs 17 are aligned with the slots 16. Then the sleeve is pressed onto the base and locked into position. Because of the three equiangularly spaced pivot pins 68, once the lower ends 60 of the extending ribs 17 are aligned with the assembly slots 16, the sleeve 13 can be telescoped and locked with the base 11 in any of its three positions of rib and slot alignment. That is, no matter what position the sleeve 13 happens to be in when the sleeve is mated with the base 11, a pivot pin 68 will always be available to mate with the hub 21 when the sleeve and base are telescoped and locked together. Alternatively, the sleeve and cap can first be assembled by placing the cap on any one of the pins 68. The detent 69 preferably abuts the end 73 of the slot 72, locating the cap in full open position while preventing its swinging so far toward the side of the sleeve that it would block the assembly of the sleeve to the base. With the cap on a pin the sleeve is applied to the base, with the hub of the cap being seated in an appropriate sector as shown in FIGURE 19.

In operation, the closed position of the cap and spout is illustrated in FIGURES 15 and 18 with the limit detent 69 abutting against end 73 of the slot 72. As the sleeve 13 is rotated relative to the base 11 through the cap pivoting sections 34 of the cam tracks 15, the teeth 22 engage the lug 24 and the cap 10 is pivoted to the open position. The open position is illustrated in FIGURES 16 and 19, the limit detent 73 being abutted agaist end 74 of the slot 72. Thereafter, as the spout extension sections 35 of the cam tracks 15 are traversed the primary spout 67 is projected into and seated within the counterbore 66. Thus, in the open position the primary spout 67 is mated with the secondary spout 65 to establish a fluid conduit between the atmosphere and the inside of the container 47. Such a modified spout structure eliminates drippage at the end of the primary spout 67 and leaves the secondary spout 65 available for easy cleaning when the primary spout is closed by the flap 54.

Having described the preferred embodiment of my invention in detail, what I desire to claim and protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A closure for a container comprising,

a generally cylindrical base,

a primary spout projecting upwardly from said base,

a sleeve mounted on said base for rotational and axial movement and having a top wall, said top wall having an opening axially aligned with said spout, a pin depending from said topwall,

a cap, said cap having a hub pivotably mounted on said pin to permit said cap to move to and from a position underlying said opening,

a lug and cooperating recess forming means on said base and cap to effect pivoting of said cap upon rotation of said sleeve, and

cam means for effecting axial movement of said sleeve as it is rotated, to axially project said primary spout toward said opening after said cap is pivoted away from it.

2. A closure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cam means can project said spout through said opening.

3. A closure as set forth in claim 1 including a plu- Iality of pivot pins equiangularly spaced on said wall.

4. A closure as set forth in claim 1 including a limit detent mounted on said pivot pin, and

a slot in the bearing surface of said hub, whereby the pivot path of said cap is limited as said sleeve is rotated relative to said base.

5. A closure according to claim 1 in which said cam means comprises a cam on the upper surface of said base engaged by the lower surface of said cap,

at least one cam track on a lower portion of said base, a follower rib on said sleeve engageable with said cam track,

whereby the engagement of said cap with said cam and the engagement of said rib with said cam track positively defines and limits the axial movement of said sleeve as said sleeve is rotated. 6. A closure as set forth in claim 1 including a secondary spout mounted on said wall and axially 5 aligned with said opening.

7. A closure as set forth in claim 6 including a counterbore in said wall and axially aligned with said opening, said primary spout being receivable in said counterbore as said sleeve is rotated.

8. A closure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lug is mounted to the inner surface of said base, and said recess is provided in said cap.

9. A closure as set forth in claim 8 including pegs mounted to said sleeves top wall for limiting the pivotal movement of said cap.

10. A closure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cam means comprises a plurality of cam followers mounted equidistant one from the other to either of the bases periphery and the sleeves inner surface, and

a plurality of identical cam tracks mounted to the other of the sleeves inner surface and the bases periphery to cooperate with said cam followers, said cam tracks each at least having a first section that permits said cap to pivot between its two positions and a second section that projects said spout toward said opening.

11. A closure as set forth in claim 10 wherein each of said cam tracks also includes a cap sealing and unsealing section.

12. A closure as set forth in claim 11 wherein said cam means includes a cam mounted to said base and positioned to engage said hub as rotational movement of said sleeve relative to said base occurs, whereby as said sleeve is rotated said cam forces said cap out of sealing engagement with said spout and permits said spout to move axially toward said opening.

13. A closure as set forth in claim 10 wherein the periphery of said base comprises a bossed upper portion and a recessed lower portion, the joinder of said portions forming said cam tracks, and wherein said cam followers are mounted to the inner surface of said sleeve.

14. A closure as set forth in claim 13 wherein said base includes structure defining at least three assembly slots in at least one said bossed upper portion.

15. A closure as set forth in claim 13 wherein said cam followers comprise axially extending follower ribs.

16. A closure as set forth in claim 15 wherein said follower ribs are recessed from the edge of said sleeves open end.

17. A closure as set forth in claim 13 wherein each of said cam tracks is separated by a land, said land acting as a limit stop for said follower ribs at one end of 5rsaid cam tracks.

18. A closure as set forth in claim 17 including a locking detent mounted to the recessed lower portion of said base adjacent said land and spaced therefrom to receive a follower rib between said land and said detent.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,974,348 9/ 1934 Strehs 222520 XR 35 2,171,700 9/1939 Hobson et a1. 222-520 3,118,578 1/1964 Collins 222-548 3,275,202 9/ 1966 Trott 222520 WALTER SGBIN, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 222-520, 537, 557

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