US3495746A - Plastic closures for containers and combinations - Google Patents

Description

. Feb. 17, 1970 J. LAURIZIO 3,495,746

PLASTIC CLOSURES FOR CONTAINERS AND COMBINATIONS y Fled Oct. 30.210967 3 /7 27 l/ Il l l/ ll l 22 5 I /5 Z 3/ I M2 INVENTOR JEREM/A H L A UR/Z/O ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,495,746 PLASTIC CLOSURES FOR CONTAINERS AND COMBINATIONS Jeremiah Laurizio, New Providence, N.J., assignor to American Flange & Manufacturing Co., Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 30, 1967, Ser. No. 678,991 Int. Cl. B67b 3/00 US. Cl. 222541 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A nozzle and cap therefor molded of synthetic plastic material and adapted to be inserted as a unit within a suitable container wall opening. The nozzle is formed with an integral sealing diaphragm and a pull member secured thereto enabling hand removability of the diaphragm. A tubular spout is stored within the nozzle and may be raised to pouring position after removal of the diaphragm.

This invention relates to plastic closures for containers and is particularly concerned with such closures provided with a hand removable tear out diaphragm.

One type of closure formed of synthetic plastic material that has recently come into widespread use is a cap and nozzle construction adapted for insertion as a unit within a suitable container wall opening. A sealing diaphragm is integrally formed across the nozzle throat as a safeguard against leakage or undetected pilferage. A pull member is integrally connected to the diaphragm to enable hand removal there of by tearing. In the prior are constructions brought forth embodying the above described construction the sealing diaphragm has closed off the nozzle throat at a point substantially below the top of the nozzle. This recessed diaphragm arrangement has had appeal in that it provides a compartment within the upper end of the nozzle between the diaphragm and the top of the throat within which the pull member is deflected and stored when the overlying cap is in closed position. Not so appealing, however, are some disadvantage arising from this construction. One readily noticed deficiency in the recessed diaphragm arrangement is the degree of pull member accessibility sacrificed. A fraction of an inch increased length in the pull member can, under certain conditions, make the difference between success and failure in removing the diaphragm with the unaided hand. Moreover, should it be necessary to employ a knife or some other sharp instrument to assist in removing the diaphragm, its placement down inside the nozzle throat greatly impedes the removal operation and increases the likelihood of damage to the closure. Another disadvantage in having the diaphragm down inside the nozzle throat is the potential dirt pocket created. A recessed diaphragm always introduces the possibility of product contamination since dirt or other foreign matter can easily get into the nozzle throat where it is difiicult to remove or even notice and fall into the container upon removal of the diaphragm. It is most desirable to leave the nozzle throat sealed off against any possibility of contamination prior to the dispensing of the container contents therethrough.

These and other deficiencies inherent in known plastic cap and nozzle constructions have been overcome by the invention in disclosing a closure wherein the nozzle throat is closed olf by a sealing diaphragm advantageously positioned at the uppermost end thereof. The inside of the overlying cap is provided with a special compartment for storing the diaphragm pull member above the nozzle throat when the cap is in closed position.

3,495,746 Patented Feb. 17, 1970 ice With this improved arrangement the removal of the overlying cap allows the pull member to spring up to a completely exposed, readily accessible position right on top of the nozzle where its full length can be effectively utilized for gripping. Greater ease in removal of the diaphragm through pulling out of the pull member is thus achieved. In the event removal of the diaphragm requires the aid of a puncturing or cutting instrument such operation can be easily and conveniently carried out without the likelihood of damage to the closure. Moreover contamination of the container contents is guarded against by eliminating the presence of a dirt collecting pocket in the nozzle and preserving the initial cleanliness of the entire dispensing passage.

The invention has gone yet another step further and incorporated a plastic pull up spout in the closure assembly. The spout is stored in lowered position underneath the diaphragm and may be raised to pouring position after the diaphragm is torn out. Accordingly a spout supporting seat is formed around a central portion of the nozzle throat beneath the sealing diaphragm and spaced from the lower end thereof. This arrangement of having the diaphragm at the upper end of the nozzle with the spout stored at a position spaced up from the lowermost end of the nozzle throat has been found to constitute a substantial functional improvement. One of the major problems with which such plastic nozzle and spout constructions have been confronted is the need to achieve a satisfactory dimensional relationship between the two parts so that the upper end of the spout can be inserted with relative ease into the lower end of the nozzle throat, and, after the nozzle and spout assembly is inserted in a container wall opening the spout will remain in suspended position within the nozzle. It is equally important that the spout can be raised to extended pouring position by the end user with relative ease after the sealing diaphragm has been torn out. The spout and nozzle relationship herein disclosed provides a solution to the above mentioned problem which solution prevails even under the severest usage conditions.

It is accordingly a principal object of this invention to provide new and improved plastic closures for containers.

Another object is to provide an improved plastic nozzle formed with a hand removable sealing diaphragm.

Another object is to provide a new and improved cap and nozzle combination.

A further object is to provide a new and improved plastic nozzle and pull up spout combination.

A still further object is to provide a plastic closure having an improved construction for rendering the container to which the closure is applied completely tamperroof. p Other and more detailed objects will in part be obvious and in part pointed out as the description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing proceeds.

In that drawing:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a nozzle cap and spout closure combination in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the closure assembly of FIG. I inserted within a container wall opening and with the closure cap in open position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the upper end of the closure nozzle with diaphragm removed and with the spout in slightly raised position;

'FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the torn out sealing diaphragm;

FIG. 5 is a part elevational part sectional view of the closure combination with the diaphragm removed and showing the pouring spout in raised position; and

FIG. 6 is a part elevational part sectional view of a modified form of nozzle.

Considering first the captive cap and nozzle closure combination generally indicated at 1 and clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the basic components thereof are seen to include a nozzle 2, and overlying snap cap 3 and a flexible hingle strap 4 connecting the cap and nozzle. The entire closure 1 is integrally molded as a single unit from a suitable synthetic plastic material of which polyethylene is a nonlimiting example. The nozzle 2 is a short tubular member surrounded by a radially outwardly extending circumferential flange 5. Extending above the flange 5 is a short cap receiving neck 6 terminating at its upper end in a circumferentially enlarged locking bead 7. Below the flange 5 is a downwardly and radially outwardly extending conical surface 8 which joins the undersurface of flange 5 in a concavely curved portion 9. The conical surface 8 terminates at its lower end in maximum diameter zone indicated at 10. The lower end of the nozzle 2 then tapers radially inwardly and downwardly at 11 from the zone and terminates in a lowermost cylindrical pilot portion 12.

The nozzle interior or throat 13 has a short radially inwardly extending shoulder 14 at its lower end. A downwardly and radially inwardly tapering ledge 15 is formed within the nozzle throat 13 at a point upwardly spaced with respect to the shoulder 14 and approximately in line with the undersurface of the flange 5. The uppermost end of the throat 13 is closed off by an integrally formed sealing diaphragm 16. A circular tearing zone 16a of reduced cross sectional thickness forms the juncture between the diaphragm 16 and the throat 13. Integrally attached to the diaphragm 16 adjacent its periphery is a finger loop pull member 17 which exends upwardly and radially inwardly from the diaphragm in a short neck 18 and terminates in a circular loop 19. The size of the pull loop is such that a persons finger can be easily inserted therethrough for pulling. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated the pull member 17 is positioned to extend outwardly toward the cap 3 in diametrical alignment with the hinge strap 4. This relationship, although advantageous in the mechanical handling and assembling of the closure, could be varied without departing from the scope of the invention. Of importance, however, is the fact that the pull member 17 extend upwardly away from the diaphragm so as to be easily grasped for pulling.

The cap 3 comprises a flat top panel 20 surrounded by 1 depending skirt 21. The inner surface of the skirt 21 is provided with an inwardly facing locking groove 22 for engagement with the head 7 at the upper end of the nozzle Z. The lowermost radially inwardly facing end of the skirt Z1 is rounded as indicated at 23 to facilitate snap engagement of the cap and nozzle. The interior of the cap 3 above the locking groove 22 is formed to provide a storage compartment indicated at 24 for housing the pull nember 17 when the cap is in closed position. The com- )artment 24 is defined by the undersurface 25 of the cap :op panel 20 and the inner cylindrical surface 26 of the skirt 21. The flexible hinge strap 4 integrally joins the Flange 5 of the nozzle 2 with the top panel 20 of the cap 3. To facilitate opening of the cap, a lift tab 27 extends outwardly from the skirt 21 as a continuation of the top )anel 20 and diametrically opposed to the hinge strap 3.

As seen in FIG. 1, closing of the cap 3 causes the unlersurface 25 of the top panel 20 to push the pull memaer 17 down closely adjacent the upper surface of the :ealing diaphragm 16. The rounded surface 23 at the lower :nd of the cap skirt 21 aids in camming the ski-rt groove 52 into engagement with the nozzle bead 7. Since the up- 361 surface of the diaphragm 16 is flush with the upper 2nd of the bead 7, the pull member 17 is completely roused above the nozzle within the compartment 24 in he cap 3. In FIG. 3 it can be seen that upon initial renoval of the cap for the purpose of dispensing the conainer contents, the pull member is automatically released to spring up to its fully exposed position. This arrangement not only makes the entire pull member accessible to facilitate grasping for hand removal of the diaphragm 16 but in addition, should it be necessary to employ a sharp instrument to commence tearing of the weakened section 16, placement of the diaphragm at the top of the nozzle greatly aids such operation and reduces the likelihood of damaging the closure or parts thereof. Moreover should any dirt or foreign matter get under the cap and on the diaphragm, it would be readily detected and easily removed leaving the entire nozzle throat completely sealed off against contamination prior to removal of the diapragm.

It is frequently desirable to include as part of the closure combination a tubular pouring spout generally indicated at 30 and which is seen to include a peripheral lip 31 at the uppermost end thereof. The lower portion of the spout tapers outwardly in its downward extent at 32 as seen in FIG. 5 and terminates at its lowermost end in a peripheral flange 33. The spout 30 is assembled with the nozzle 2 by forcing the lip 31 past the shoulder 14 and along the nozzle throat so that the spout is loosely sup ported within the nozzle throat by seating of the spout lip 31 on the throat ledge 15 and as seen in FIG. 1, a gap 33 exists between the spout body and the shoulder 14. The entire closure assembly is then inserted in a container wall 40 provided with an opening surrounded by a short neck 41 extending downwardly and radially inwardly from the undersurface of the wall 41 and terminating in a free edge 42. Insertion of the closure assembly is effected by first placing the pilot portion 12 within the container wall opening. As a downward force is applied to the top of the closure assembly the tapered portion 11 aids in squeezing the zone 10 of maximum diameter past the edge 42. Upon seating of the undersurface of the nozzle flange 5 tightly against the container wall 40 the downward force is released and the slight springback which then occurs causes the free edge 42 to bite into the conical surface 8 of the nozzle. The exact point at which this biting in occurs along the surface 8 may vary depending on slight variations in the dimension of either the plastic closure or the container 'wall opening. A permanent liquid tight seal is effected despite these variaitons which have been adequately compensated for through the use of the conical surface 8.

It should be noted, however, that along with the desired scalability attained between the nozzle 3 and the container wall 40 there is also a substantial deformation of the nozzle 2 due to the squeezing action of the container wall engagement. This results in a circumferential contraction of the lower end of the nozzle closing up the gap 33 illustrated in FIG. 1 to just a very slight clearance as seen in FIG. 2. In the enlarged showing of FIG. 3 it can be seen that this contraction of the lower end of the nozzle imparts a slight inclination to the nozzle throat 13 with the internal diameter increasing as the upper end of the nozzle is approached. It can also be seen in FIG. 3 that upon separation of the diaphragm 16 from the nozzle 2 a residue of torn plastic material remains from the tearing zone 16a. Through placement of the diaphragm 16 at the top of the nozzle throat where the internal diameter is at a maximum after insertion, ample clearance is provided between the residue and the spout lip 31. This feature greatly facilitates pulling the spout up out of the nozzle so that it can be raised to operative pouring position as shown in FIG. 5. The above described relationship between the spout and the nozzle improves the function of the spout and is particularly advantageous in those areas of usage where severe swelling of the plastic material is a factor.

A modified form of the invention closure 50 is shown in FIG. 6 and like the principal embodiment is made up of a nozzle 51 and overlying cap 52 connected thereto by a hinge strap 53. This form of the invention besides having a tamperproof sealing diaphragm and pull member as in the form of FIGS. l5, is in addition provided with a circumferential weakened tearing zone 54 positioned on the nozzle just below the flange 55. The lower end of the nozzle is provided with a container wall en gaging surface 56 and an inwardly tapering lead portion 57. It has been found that not infrequently an attempt is made to gain unauthorized access to the container contents 'by removing the entire closure from the container wall opening. Once the contents have been tampered with the closure is replaced in the opening. This removal, although very diflicult under ordinary conditions without seriously damaging the closure, is made altogether impossible with the instant construction in that insertion of a tool between the nozzle flange 55 and the container wall 40 for the purpose of prying the nozzle up past the opening neck 41 results in separation of the flange 55 and the closure parts thereabove from the lower portion of the nozzle along the tearing zone 54. Complete destruction of the closure in this manner of course makes it impossible to replace the nozzle Within the opening thus rendering such tampering readily detectable.

Other and different variations may be made in the construction described and shown without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is accordingly intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In closure construction, an annular nozzle member molded of synthetic plastic material, container wall engaging means formed on said nozzle member, closure engaging means formed on said nozzle member, said nozzle member defining an axial dispensing throat, an integrally formed imperforate sealing diaphragm closing off said throat, a first weakened tearing zone connecting said diaphragm with said throat and a second weakened tearing zone for preventing undetected removal of said nozzle member intact with respect to a container wall opening.

2. In closure construction as in claim 1, wherein said second tearing zone is formed on said nozzle member at a position intermediate said container wall engaging means and said closure engaging means.

3. In closure construction, an annular nozzle member molded of synthetic plastic material, container wall engaging means formed on said nozzle member, closure cap engaging means formed on said nozzle member, said nozzle member defining an axial dispensing throat, an integrally formed sealing diaphragm closing oil the uppermost end of said throat, a weakened tearing zone connecting said diaphragm with said throat, an elongated pull member integrally connected to said sealing dia phragm to enable hand removability of said diaphragm through tearing of said synthetic plastic material, said pull member diaphragm connection positioned adjacent said tearing zone, said pull member in unrestrained position extending axially outwardly from said throat so as to be completely exposed throughout its length above said uppermost end of said throat, an overlying closure cap having a top panel surrounded by 3. depending skirt, nozzle engaging means formed on said skirt in positive interlocking engagement with said closure engaging means and a separate compartment formed within said cap above said nozzle engaging means for storing said pull member above said uppermost end of said throat, said entire pull member being deflected downwardly by said cap top to a substantially horizontal position overlying and closely adjacent said sealing diaphragm and adapted to spring up to outwardly extending position upon removal of said cap.

4. In closure construction, an annular nozzle member molded of synthetic plastic material, container wall engaging means formed on said nozzle member, closure cap engaging means formed on said nozzle member, said nozzle mem ber defining an axial dispensing throat, an integrally formed sealing diaphragm closing off the uppermost end of said throat, a weakened tearing zone connecting said diaphragm with said throat, an elongated pull member integrally connected to said sealing diaphragm to enable hand removability of said diaphragm through tearing of said synthetic plastic material, said pull member diaphragm connection positioned adjacent said tearing zone, said pull member in unrestrained position extending axially outwardly from said throat so as to be completely exposed throughout its length above said uppermost end of said throat when sighting in a plane that includes said end, spout supporting means formed on said throat axially spaced below said closure engaging means and a tubular pull up pouring spout held in stored position by said supporting means and said dispensing throat having a section of reduced diameter below said spout supporting means.

5. In closure construction, an annular nozzle member molded of synthetic plastic material, container wall engaging means formed on said nozzle member, closure cap engaging means formed on said nozzle member, said nozzle member defining an axial dispensing throat, an integrally formed sealing diaphragm closing off the upper most end of said throat, a weakened tearing zone connecting said diaphragm with said throat, an elongated pull member integrally connected to said sealing diaphragm to enable hand removability of said diaphragm through tearing of said synthetic plastic material, said pull member diaphragm connection positioned adjacent said tearing zone, said pull member in unrestrained position extending axially outwardly from said throat so as to be completely exposed throughout its length above said uppermost end of said throat and including means formed in said dispensing throat for preventing undetected removal of said nozzle member intact with respect to a container wall opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,911,128 11/1959 Krautkramer 222-541 X 3,300,081 1/1967 Muhlhoif 220-54 3,225,973 12/1965 Waddington et al. 222-541 X 3,239,112 3/1966 Porcelli 222-541 3,278,089 10/1966 Heekin et al. 222-541 X 3,310,206 3/1967 Littlefield 222-525 STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Primary Examiner

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