US3782611A - Dispensing closure assembly for containers - Google Patents

Dispensing closure assembly for containers Download PDF

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US3782611A
US3782611A US00198684A US3782611DA US3782611A US 3782611 A US3782611 A US 3782611A US 00198684 A US00198684 A US 00198684A US 3782611D A US3782611D A US 3782611DA US 3782611 A US3782611 A US 3782611A
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container
opening
plug
tubular member
wall
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US00198684A
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H Wanderer
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Denver Plastics Inc
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Denver Plastics Inc
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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
    • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/38—Devices for discharging contents
    • B65D25/40—Nozzles or spouts

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  • a removable dispensing closure assembly for an open ing in the wall of a container includes an integral plug with a longitudinal passage having an annular flange portion at the outer end adapted to abut against the outer surface of the container wall together with an intermediate portion and an annular lip portion at the inner end sized to insert into the container opening.
  • a flexible tubular member passes through the plug passage and has a normally closed outer end and an open inner end everted over the annular lip portion and back along the periphery of the intermediate portion to form an enlarged flexible end portion having an outer dimension larger than the internal dimension of the container opening whereby the closure assembly can be forcefully inserted into the container opening to effect a fluid-tight seal. Dispensing through the tubular member is effected by selectively opening and closing the passage of the tubular member externally of the container.
  • the present invention relates generally to closures for containers and more particularly to a novel and improved removable dispensing closure assembly for bulk milk containers or the like.
  • the multi-quart containers are typically truncated tanks having a drainage opening in the conical side wall near the bottom with a flexible drainage tube through which the milk is dispensed.
  • a vent opening is generally provided in the top wall to prevent a vacuum from building up in the tank and thereby inhibiting the free flow of milk from the tank.
  • Dispensing closures for the drainage openings in bulk milk containers heretofore generally have encountered difficulties in effecting a reliable fluid-tight seal with the container wall surfaces, have been difficult to remove and replace without damage thereto, and have not been entirely satisfactory in retaining the dispensing tube in that the tubes have a tendency to pull away from the container or otherwise become separated therefrom.
  • the dispensing closure assembly of the present invention includes an integral, generally cylindrical plug, preferably molded plastic, having a central longitudinal passage for limiting the amount of insertion into the opening and an annular flanged portion at the outer end together with an intermediate portion and an annular iip portion at the inner end sized to insert into the container opening.
  • An elongated flexible tubular member, preferably of an elastomer material, with a closed end and an open end passes through the passage in the plug and a portion at the open end is everted or folded back over the inner end and annular lip portion.
  • the total outer dimension of the closure assembly which includes, in addition to the outer dimension of the plug, the wall thickness of the flexible tube, is greater than the diameter of the drainage opening and sized so that when the closure assembly is forcefully inserted into the container opening a fluid-tight seal is effected.
  • the length of the plug and the size and shape of the inner lip portion are such that a pulling force on the outside end of the flexible tube causes the tubular member to be pinched more tightly in the drainage opening so that inadvertent pulls on the tubular member will not cause the tube to be pulled out through the plug passage.
  • a continuous pull of substantial magnitude will cause the everted end of the tubular member to be unfolded so that the tubular member can be pulled through the plug passage and released without damage to the plug or tubular member when the milk container is to be cleaned.
  • a preferred alternative removal method is to pry the assembly from the opening by applying a prying force to the outer flange portion.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a novel removable dispensing closure assembly for a container opening which is characterized by a hollow plug having an external dimension conforming in shape to that of the container opening and of a size to slide in the open ing, together with a flexible drainage tubular member which extends through the plug and is everted back over the inner end and the outer surface of the plug so that the tubular member not only provides a controllable drainage passage through the plug but also provides a fluid-tight seal with the surfaces of the container.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide a removable dispensing closure assembly for bulk milk containers and the like which is characterized by an integral plug having a longitudinal passage, an annular flange portion at the outer end, a rasied annular lip portion at the inner end and a flexible tube which passes through the passage in the plug and is everted over the inner end and back along the raised annular lip portion to form a flexible enlarged end portion adapted to forcibly insert into the container opening and be forcibly removed therefrom.
  • FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a bulk milk container provided with the removable dispensing closure assembly of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the closure assembly drawn approximately to scale located in the fully inserted portion in the drainage opening of the bulk milk container of FIG. 1 with a section of the tubular member broken away;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged end view of the closure assembly of the present invention as viewed from inside the container of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the closure assembly only partially inserted into the container opening
  • FIG. 5 is a modified form of plug having an outer raised annular rib
  • FIG. 6 is a modified form of container opening of uniform diameter having an inwardly raised annular rib.
  • a bulk milk container l0 is seen to comprise a truncated tank 12 with a removable cover 14 having a downturned annular flange 15 which fits around the top of the tank to effect a seal and has an opening 16 passing therethrough.
  • the opening 16 is normally closed by a flexible closure 17 and may be of the type which, upon application of a pulling force to an outwardly projecting pull tab, breaks away a small section of the top wall of the closure to vent the container.
  • a suitable flexible closure 17 is fully described in a copending application Ser. No. 198,715 entitled FLEXIBLE CLOSURE WITH FRANGIBLE PULL TAB SECTION.
  • the container 10 is shown as containing a fluid 20 such as milk and is provided with a drainage opening 18 having the closure assembly 20 of the present invention in a fluid-tight sealed relation with the container wall surfaces defining the drainage opening.
  • the bulk milk containers 10 are usually made of molded plastic and the normal molding procedures have the hole tapered slightly inwardly.
  • the preferred shape of the drainage opening 18 is circular.
  • the closure assembly 20, as best seen in FIGS. 2-4 includes an integral plug 22 which is generally cylindrical in shape so that it has a circular transverse cross section conforming in shape to the circular drainage opening 18.
  • Plug 22 is hollow, has a central longitudinally extending through passage 24, and includes an annular flange portion 26 at the outer end adapted to abut against the outer surface of the side wall of the tank and an intermediate portion 28 having a uniform external diameter through its length and an annular bead or lip portion 30 is provided at the inner end of the plug which projects outwardly from the intermediate portion.
  • the flange portion also provides a surface for prying the assembly from the container opening as described more fully hereinafter.
  • the lip portion 30 has a flat beveled surface 32 that tapers outwardly from the intermediate portion toward the inner end of the plug or, conversely, tapers inwardly from the inner end of the plug toward the intermediate portion 26. It will be observed that the inner end of the lip portion 30 is slightly rounded and that the maximum diameter of the raised lip portion 30 is approximately the same or slightly larger than that of the drainage opening 18.
  • the plug preferably is made of a moldable plastic material such as polyethylene and preferably is sized so that it has to compress slightly in the area of the lip portion when inserted into the container opening without the flexible tubular member 34 in place. While an inwardly tapered beveled edge is preferred, it is understood that this shape is particularly easy to mold and wedge the tube against the container wall. However, it is understood that the section of the lip portion may vary, including semicircular shapes and the like.
  • the flexible tubular member 34 has an outer dimension or diameter that is substantially the same as the di-. ameter of the through passage 24 and is received in the through passage to the extent that a relatively small section 34a of thetubular member extends beyond the inner end thereof. This end section 34a of the tube is everted or folded back over the inner end of the plug and the raised lip portion 30 and back along the inter-; mediate portion 28.
  • the opposite or outer end of thetubular member is normally pinched closed at 35 by heat sealing or the like so that no liquid can flow through the internal passage 36 in the tubular member 34.
  • the outer end portion of the tubular member can be cut off and the flow of liquid through the tubular member controlled by pinching the tubular member to close the passage thereof. It is therefore apparent that the combination tubular member and hollow plug arrangement provides a readily controllabledispensing passage through the tube.
  • the total external diameter of the closure assembly in the area of the intermediate portion 26 of the plug 22 is approximately the same as the diameter of the intermediate portion of the plug plus twice the thickness of the wall of the flexible tube 34. This total external diameter is slightly greater than the minimum diameter of the drainage opening 18 and the maximum external diameter of the assembly above the lip portion 30 is greater yet, so that the closure assembly must be forced into the drainage opening and the portion of the tubular member between the intermediate portion 28 and the container wall is under compression.
  • the length of the intermediate portion 28 is approximately the same as that of the thickness of the wall of the container so that the beveled lip portion 30 is located inwardly of the inside surface of the container wall in the fully inserted position.
  • tubular member 34 is made of a flexible material such as an elastomer, it compresses suffiage opening, particularly when any pulling forces are applied to the outer end of the tubular member.
  • the outer flange portion 26 will be seen to dispose and hold the beveled surface 32 in this inward position so that the tubular member is always compressed between the plug and the drainage opening wall and compressed the most in the area of the beveled lip portion represented at 34 thereby assuring a leak-proof fluid-tight seal.
  • a pull tab on the outer end of the flexible tubular member 34 will draw the plug further to the left as viewed in FIG. 2 thereby causing the beveled surface 32 to pinch the tube even more tightly against the drainage opening wall at 34. Therefore, by giving a slight pull on the end of the flexible tubular member a more positive seal can be made immediately following insertion of the closure assembly into the drainage opening.
  • tubular member 34 Due to the flexible characteristics of the tubular member 34, however, a continuous pull of substantial magnitude on the outside end of the tube will cause the tubular member to stretch and thereby decrease in its wall thickness. When the tubular wall thickness has decreased a given amount, the tubular member will slide out of the drainage opening, unfold off the raised bead end of the plug, and will slide out the plug passage 24. With the tubular member 34 removed the plug will easily come out and the drainage opening will be unsealed to facilitate cleaning of the tank.
  • a preferred manner of removing the closure assembly is to apply a prying tool having a bifurcated end behing the flange portion 26 and against the outer surface of container wall 12 and pry the assembly out of the opening.
  • a closure assembly and container as above described for conventional bulk milk containers may have the follown ime s s...
  • the modified form of plug shown in FIG. 6 is similar in construction to plug 22 above described but has a raised annular rib or bead of approximately semicircular section 43 at the center of the intermediate portion of the plug to further press the tubular member against the container wall defining the drainage opening 18.
  • An alternative arrangement is shown in FIG. 7 as including a container wall 52 with a non-tapered drainage opening 53 or an opening of uniform diameter is provided with an inwardly directed annular rib 54 on the inner wall surface of the container 52. This latter arrangement is more suited for container openings having uniform cross section as shown.
  • a removable dispensing closure assembly for an opening in a wall of a container having an inner wall face and an outer wall face at the opening comprising a relatively hard plug with a passage having a flange portion at the outer end of greater size than the opening and an insert section sized to insert into the opening and terminating at an inner end
  • said insert section of said plug includes an intermediate portion having a substantially uniform external dimension and a raised lip portion at the inner end, said lip portion being spaced from the flange portion a sufficient distance along the plug in relation to the thickness of the container wall at the opening to locate the lip portion inwardly of the inner wall face of the container at the opening, and a flexible tubular member having an open end, said tubular member extending through said passage and projecting beyond the outer end of the plug to conduct fluid in the container to a point beyond the outer end of the container opening and plug, said tubular member having a substantially uniform cross section throughout its lengthwise extent, said tubular member having the open inner end everted over the lip portion of said insert section to provide an enlarged flexible inner end
  • a removable dispensing closure assembly for an opening in a wall of a container having an inner wall face and an outer wall face at the opening comprising a relatively hard, integral plug with a central through passage, said plug having an annular flange portion at the outer end of a greater size than the opening together with an insert section sized to insert into the opening and terminating at an inner end including an intermediate portion and an annular lip portion, said lip portion being spaced from the flange portion a sufficient distance along the plug in relation to the thickness of the container wall at the opening to locate the lip portion inwardly to the inner wall face of the container at the opening, and a flexible tubular member having an open inner end, said tubular member having a substantially uniform cross section throughout its lengthwise extent, said tubular member extending through said passage and projecting beyond the outer end of the plug to conduct fluid in the container to a point beyond the outer end of the container opening and plug, said tubular member extending around.
  • a removable dispensing closure assembly for an opening in a wall of a container having an inner wall face and an outer wall face at the opening comprising:
  • a generally cylindrical, relatively hard, molded plastic plug with a central longitudinal passage including an outer flange portion of a greater diameter than the container opening and abutting against an outer wall of the container and including an insert section sized to insert into the opening and terminating at an inner end which includes an intermediate portion of uniform external diameter, and a lip portion projecting outwardly from the intermediate portion at the inner end of the plug, said lip portion being spaced from the flange portion a sufficient distance along the plug in relation to the thickness of the container wall at the opening to locate the lip portion inwardly of the inner wall face of the container at the opening, said lip portion having a beveled surface converging inwardly toward the intermediate portion and having the maximum external diameter portion substantiallyy the same as the minimum internal diameter of the container opening,
  • a flexible tubular member made of an elastomeric material having a closed outer end and an open inner end, said open inner end tubular member extending through said passage and projecting beyond the outer end of the plug to conduct fluid in the container to a point beyond the outer end of the container opening and plug, said tubular member having a substantially uniform cross-section throughout its lengthwise extent, said tubular member having an inner end portion everted back over said lip portion to provide an enlarged flexible inner end portion having an external diameter slightly greater than the smallest internal diameter of the closure opening whereby a section of the tube is compressed against the container wall along the opening and the inner wall face by said plug to effect a fluid-tight seal by forcing the enlarged flexible end portion into said container opening and the beveled face of the lip portion further compresses the tubular section against the inner wall face of the container upon the application of a pulling force to the outer end of the tubular member.
  • a dispensing closure assembly for the dispensing opening comprising a relatively hard integral plug with a longitudinal passage, said plug having a flange portion of greater external dimension than the dispensing opening, and an insert section sized to insert into the opening and terminating at an inner end including an intermediate portion, and an annular lip portion being spaced from the flange portion a sufficient distance along the plug in relation to the thickness of the container wall at the opening to locate the lip portion inwardly beyond the inner wall face of the container opening, said lip portion being in the form of a raised bead having a beveled face tapering inwardly from the inner end of the plug toward the intermediate portion, and a flexible tubular member having one end closed and the other end open, said tubular member having a substantially uniform cross section throughout its lengthwise extent, said tubular member passing through the plug passage and projecting beyond the

Abstract

A removable dispensing closure assembly for an opening in the wall of a container includes an integral plug with a longitudinal passage having an annular flange portion at the outer end adapted to abut against the outer surface of the container wall together with an intermediate portion and an annular lip portion at the inner end sized to insert into the container opening. A flexible tubular member passes through the plug passage and has a normally closed outer end and an open inner end everted over the annular lip portion and back along the periphery of the intermediate portion to form an enlarged flexible end portion having an outer dimension larger than the internal dimension of the container opening whereby the closure assembly can be forcefully inserted into the container opening to effect a fluid-tight seal. Dispensing through the tubular member is effected by selectively opening and closing the passage of the tubular member externally of the container.

Description

United States Patent [191 Wanderer [4 1 Jan. 1, 1974 DISPENSING CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR [73] Assignee: Denver Plastics, Inc., Lakewood,
[22] Filed: Nov. 15, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 198,684
[52] U.S. Cl. 222/569 [51] Int. Cl B65d 5/74 [58] Field of Search 239/534; 222/490,
222/569, 570, 567, 574, 563; 285/DIG. 22, 162, 200; 220/46 Lohr 185/39 X Pudelko 185/43 Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Assistant Examiner-Norman L. Stack, Jr. Attorney-Ancel W. Lewis, Jr.
[ 57] ABSTRACT A removable dispensing closure assembly for an open ing in the wall of a container includes an integral plug with a longitudinal passage having an annular flange portion at the outer end adapted to abut against the outer surface of the container wall together with an intermediate portion and an annular lip portion at the inner end sized to insert into the container opening. A flexible tubular member passes through the plug passage and has a normally closed outer end and an open inner end everted over the annular lip portion and back along the periphery of the intermediate portion to form an enlarged flexible end portion having an outer dimension larger than the internal dimension of the container opening whereby the closure assembly can be forcefully inserted into the container opening to effect a fluid-tight seal. Dispensing through the tubular member is effected by selectively opening and closing the passage of the tubular member externally of the container.
15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENYEU 3.782.611
INVENTOF? f/ERBERT u. WAI VDERER ATTORNEYS- DISPENSING CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR CONTAINERS The present invention relates generally to closures for containers and more particularly to a novel and improved removable dispensing closure assembly for bulk milk containers or the like.
In the diary industry, it has been common practice to retain the transport milk in multi-quart containers adapted to fit in refrigerated dispensing machines used by restaurants, cafeterias or the like. The multi-quart containers are typically truncated tanks having a drainage opening in the conical side wall near the bottom with a flexible drainage tube through which the milk is dispensed. A vent opening is generally provided in the top wall to prevent a vacuum from building up in the tank and thereby inhibiting the free flow of milk from the tank.
Dispensing closures for the drainage openings in bulk milk containers heretofore generally have encountered difficulties in effecting a reliable fluid-tight seal with the container wall surfaces, have been difficult to remove and replace without damage thereto, and have not been entirely satisfactory in retaining the dispensing tube in that the tubes have a tendency to pull away from the container or otherwise become separated therefrom.
The dispensing closure assembly of the present invention includes an integral, generally cylindrical plug, preferably molded plastic, having a central longitudinal passage for limiting the amount of insertion into the opening and an annular flanged portion at the outer end together with an intermediate portion and an annular iip portion at the inner end sized to insert into the container opening. An elongated flexible tubular member, preferably of an elastomer material, with a closed end and an open end passes through the passage in the plug and a portion at the open end is everted or folded back over the inner end and annular lip portion. The total outer dimension of the closure assembly, which includes, in addition to the outer dimension of the plug, the wall thickness of the flexible tube, is greater than the diameter of the drainage opening and sized so that when the closure assembly is forcefully inserted into the container opening a fluid-tight seal is effected.
The length of the plug and the size and shape of the inner lip portion are such that a pulling force on the outside end of the flexible tube causes the tubular member to be pinched more tightly in the drainage opening so that inadvertent pulls on the tubular member will not cause the tube to be pulled out through the plug passage. However, due to the elastomeric nature of the flexible tubular member, a continuous pull of substantial magnitude will cause the everted end of the tubular member to be unfolded so that the tubular member can be pulled through the plug passage and released without damage to the plug or tubular member when the milk container is to be cleaned. A preferred alternative removal method, however, is to pry the assembly from the opening by applying a prying force to the outer flange portion.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved removable dispensing closure assembly for containers which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and provides a highly effective reliable fluid-tight seal for the con tainer.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel dispensing closure assembly suitable for use as a drain spout which may be easily forcibly inserted or removed from the dispensing opening of a container.
Another object of this invention is to provide a novel removable dispensing closure assembly for a container opening which is characterized by a hollow plug having an external dimension conforming in shape to that of the container opening and of a size to slide in the open ing, together with a flexible drainage tubular member which extends through the plug and is everted back over the inner end and the outer surface of the plug so that the tubular member not only provides a controllable drainage passage through the plug but also provides a fluid-tight seal with the surfaces of the container.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a removable dispensing closure assembly for bulk milk containers and the like which is characterized by an integral plug having a longitudinal passage, an annular flange portion at the outer end, a rasied annular lip portion at the inner end and a flexible tube which passes through the passage in the plug and is everted over the inner end and back along the raised annular lip portion to form a flexible enlarged end portion adapted to forcibly insert into the container opening and be forcibly removed therefrom.
Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the present invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a bulk milk container provided with the removable dispensing closure assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the closure assembly drawn approximately to scale located in the fully inserted portion in the drainage opening of the bulk milk container of FIG. 1 with a section of the tubular member broken away;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged end view of the closure assembly of the present invention as viewed from inside the container of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the closure assembly only partially inserted into the container opening;
FIG. 5 is a modified form of plug having an outer raised annular rib; and
FIG. 6 is a modified form of container opening of uniform diameter having an inwardly raised annular rib.
Referring first to FIG. 1, a bulk milk container l0is seen to comprise a truncated tank 12 with a removable cover 14 having a downturned annular flange 15 which fits around the top of the tank to effect a seal and has an opening 16 passing therethrough. The opening 16 is normally closed by a flexible closure 17 and may be of the type which, upon application of a pulling force to an outwardly projecting pull tab, breaks away a small section of the top wall of the closure to vent the container. A suitable flexible closure 17 is fully described in a copending application Ser. No. 198,715 entitled FLEXIBLE CLOSURE WITH FRANGIBLE PULL TAB SECTION. The container 10 is shown as containing a fluid 20 such as milk and is provided with a drainage opening 18 having the closure assembly 20 of the present invention in a fluid-tight sealed relation with the container wall surfaces defining the drainage opening. The bulk milk containers 10 are usually made of molded plastic and the normal molding procedures have the hole tapered slightly inwardly. The preferred shape of the drainage opening 18 is circular.
The closure assembly 20, as best seen in FIGS. 2-4 includes an integral plug 22 which is generally cylindrical in shape so that it has a circular transverse cross section conforming in shape to the circular drainage opening 18. Plug 22 is hollow, has a central longitudinally extending through passage 24, and includes an annular flange portion 26 at the outer end adapted to abut against the outer surface of the side wall of the tank and an intermediate portion 28 having a uniform external diameter through its length and an annular bead or lip portion 30 is provided at the inner end of the plug which projects outwardly from the intermediate portion. The flange portion also provides a surface for prying the assembly from the container opening as described more fully hereinafter.
The lip portion 30 has a flat beveled surface 32 that tapers outwardly from the intermediate portion toward the inner end of the plug or, conversely, tapers inwardly from the inner end of the plug toward the intermediate portion 26. It will be observed that the inner end of the lip portion 30 is slightly rounded and that the maximum diameter of the raised lip portion 30 is approximately the same or slightly larger than that of the drainage opening 18. The plug preferably is made of a moldable plastic material such as polyethylene and preferably is sized so that it has to compress slightly in the area of the lip portion when inserted into the container opening without the flexible tubular member 34 in place. While an inwardly tapered beveled edge is preferred, it is understood that this shape is particularly easy to mold and wedge the tube against the container wall. However, it is understood that the section of the lip portion may vary, including semicircular shapes and the like.
The flexible tubular member 34 has an outer dimension or diameter that is substantially the same as the di-. ameter of the through passage 24 and is received in the through passage to the extent that a relatively small section 34a of thetubular member extends beyond the inner end thereof. This end section 34a of the tube is everted or folded back over the inner end of the plug and the raised lip portion 30 and back along the inter-; mediate portion 28. The opposite or outer end of thetubular member is normally pinched closed at 35 by heat sealing or the like so that no liquid can flow through the internal passage 36 in the tubular member 34. However, when it is desired to dispense liquid from the tank 12, the outer end portion of the tubular member can be cut off and the flow of liquid through the tubular member controlled by pinching the tubular member to close the passage thereof. It is therefore apparent that the combination tubular member and hollow plug arrangement provides a readily controllabledispensing passage through the tube.
The total external diameter of the closure assembly in the area of the intermediate portion 26 of the plug 22 is approximately the same as the diameter of the intermediate portion of the plug plus twice the thickness of the wall of the flexible tube 34. This total external diameter is slightly greater than the minimum diameter of the drainage opening 18 and the maximum external diameter of the assembly above the lip portion 30 is greater yet, so that the closure assembly must be forced into the drainage opening and the portion of the tubular member between the intermediate portion 28 and the container wall is under compression. The length of the intermediate portion 28 is approximately the same as that of the thickness of the wall of the container so that the beveled lip portion 30 is located inwardly of the inside surface of the container wall in the fully inserted position.
Since the tubular member 34 is made of a flexible material such as an elastomer, it compresses suffiage opening, particularly when any pulling forces are applied to the outer end of the tubular member. The outer flange portion 26 will be seen to dispose and hold the beveled surface 32 in this inward position so that the tubular member is always compressed between the plug and the drainage opening wall and compressed the most in the area of the beveled lip portion represented at 34 thereby assuring a leak-proof fluid-tight seal.
A pull tab on the outer end of the flexible tubular member 34 will draw the plug further to the left as viewed in FIG. 2 thereby causing the beveled surface 32 to pinch the tube even more tightly against the drainage opening wall at 34. Therefore, by giving a slight pull on the end of the flexible tubular member a more positive seal can be made immediately following insertion of the closure assembly into the drainage opening.
Due to the flexible characteristics of the tubular member 34, however, a continuous pull of substantial magnitude on the outside end of the tube will cause the tubular member to stretch and thereby decrease in its wall thickness. When the tubular wall thickness has decreased a given amount, the tubular member will slide out of the drainage opening, unfold off the raised bead end of the plug, and will slide out the plug passage 24. With the tubular member 34 removed the plug will easily come out and the drainage opening will be unsealed to facilitate cleaning of the tank. A preferred manner of removing the closure assembly, however, is to apply a prying tool having a bifurcated end behing the flange portion 26 and against the outer surface of container wall 12 and pry the assembly out of the opening.
By way of illustration and not by way of limitation, a closure assembly and container as above described for conventional bulk milk containers may have the follown ime s s...
The modified form of plug shown in FIG. 6 is similar in construction to plug 22 above described but has a raised annular rib or bead of approximately semicircular section 43 at the center of the intermediate portion of the plug to further press the tubular member against the container wall defining the drainage opening 18. An alternative arrangement is shown in FIG. 7 as including a container wall 52 with a non-tapered drainage opening 53 or an opening of uniform diameter is provided with an inwardly directed annular rib 54 on the inner wall surface of the container 52. This latter arrangement is more suited for container openings having uniform cross section as shown.
Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example and that changes in details of structure may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.
What is claimed is:
1. A removable dispensing closure assembly for an opening in a wall of a container having an inner wall face and an outer wall face at the opening comprising a relatively hard plug with a passage having a flange portion at the outer end of greater size than the opening and an insert section sized to insert into the opening and terminating at an inner end, said insert section of said plug includes an intermediate portion having a substantially uniform external dimension and a raised lip portion at the inner end, said lip portion being spaced from the flange portion a sufficient distance along the plug in relation to the thickness of the container wall at the opening to locate the lip portion inwardly of the inner wall face of the container at the opening, and a flexible tubular member having an open end, said tubular member extending through said passage and projecting beyond the outer end of the plug to conduct fluid in the container to a point beyond the outer end of the container opening and plug, said tubular member having a substantially uniform cross section throughout its lengthwise extent, said tubular member having the open inner end everted over the lip portion of said insert section to provide an enlarged flexible inner end portion having an external dimension larger than the internal dimension of said container opening whereby a fluid-tight seal is effected by forcing the enlarged flexible inner end portion into the said container opening and compressing the everted part of the tubular member between the container wall and the plug.
2. A removable closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plug is made as an integral body of a plastic material.
3. A removable closure assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said plug is made of polyethylene.
4. A removable dispensing closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plug is circular in transverse cross section.
5. A removable dispensing closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tubular member is normally closed at the outer end.
6. A removable dispensing closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lip portion has a flattened peripheral surface which tapers inwardly from the inner end of the plug toward the intermediate portion.
7. A removable dispensing closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flanged outer end of said plug has a diameter which is at least one and one-half times the diameter of the intermediate portion.
8. A removable dispensing closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the length of said intermediate portion is approximately the same as the thickness of the container wall at the opening to locate the lip portion inwardly of the inner face of the container.
9. A removable dispensing closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the maximum dimension of said lip portion is approximately the same as the minimum diameter of the opening in the container.
10. A removable dispensing closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plug has an annular rib between said flange portion and lip portion to further press the everted portion of the tubular member against the container wall.
11. A removable dispensing closure assembly for an opening in a wall of a container having an inner wall face and an outer wall face at the opening comprising a relatively hard, integral plug with a central through passage, said plug having an annular flange portion at the outer end of a greater size than the opening together with an insert section sized to insert into the opening and terminating at an inner end including an intermediate portion and an annular lip portion, said lip portion being spaced from the flange portion a sufficient distance along the plug in relation to the thickness of the container wall at the opening to locate the lip portion inwardly to the inner wall face of the container at the opening, and a flexible tubular member having an open inner end, said tubular member having a substantially uniform cross section throughout its lengthwise extent, said tubular member extending through said passage and projecting beyond the outer end of the plug to conduct fluid in the container to a point beyond the outer end of the container opening and plug, said tubular member extending around. the inner end of the plug and being everted back over said lip portion to provide an enlarged flexible inner end portion having an external diameter larger than the smallest internal diameter of the container opening whereby a fluid-tight seal is efiected by forcing the enlarged flexible inner end portion into said container opening and compressing the everted part of the tubular member between the container wall and the plug and the lip portion further compresses the tubular member against the inner wall face of the container upon the applicator of a pulling force to the outer end of the tubular member.
12. A removable dispensing closure assembly for an opening in a wall of a container having an inner wall face and an outer wall face at the opening comprising:
a generally cylindrical, relatively hard, molded plastic plug with a central longitudinal passage including an outer flange portion of a greater diameter than the container opening and abutting against an outer wall of the container and including an insert section sized to insert into the opening and terminating at an inner end which includes an intermediate portion of uniform external diameter, and a lip portion projecting outwardly from the intermediate portion at the inner end of the plug, said lip portion being spaced from the flange portion a sufficient distance along the plug in relation to the thickness of the container wall at the opening to locate the lip portion inwardly of the inner wall face of the container at the opening, said lip portion having a beveled surface converging inwardly toward the intermediate portion and having the maximum external diameter portion substantiallyy the same as the minimum internal diameter of the container opening,
a flexible tubular member made of an elastomeric material having a closed outer end and an open inner end, said open inner end tubular member extending through said passage and projecting beyond the outer end of the plug to conduct fluid in the container to a point beyond the outer end of the container opening and plug, said tubular member having a substantially uniform cross-section throughout its lengthwise extent, said tubular member having an inner end portion everted back over said lip portion to provide an enlarged flexible inner end portion having an external diameter slightly greater than the smallest internal diameter of the closure opening whereby a section of the tube is compressed against the container wall along the opening and the inner wall face by said plug to effect a fluid-tight seal by forcing the enlarged flexible end portion into said container opening and the beveled face of the lip portion further compresses the tubular section against the inner wall face of the container upon the application of a pulling force to the outer end of the tubular member.
13. In a container apparatus, the combination comprising a container having a dispensing opening through which a fluid can be dispensed and having an inner wall face and an outer wall face at the opening, a dispensing closure assembly for the dispensing opening comprising a relatively hard integral plug with a longitudinal passage, said plug having a flange portion of greater external dimension than the dispensing opening, and an insert section sized to insert into the opening and terminating at an inner end including an intermediate portion, and an annular lip portion being spaced from the flange portion a sufficient distance along the plug in relation to the thickness of the container wall at the opening to locate the lip portion inwardly beyond the inner wall face of the container opening, said lip portion being in the form of a raised bead having a beveled face tapering inwardly from the inner end of the plug toward the intermediate portion, and a flexible tubular member having one end closed and the other end open, said tubular member having a substantially uniform cross section throughout its lengthwise extent, said tubular member passing through the plug passage and projecting beyond the outer end of the plug to conduct fluid in the container to a point beyond the outer end of the container opening and plug, said tubular member being everted back over the raised bead and back a substantial distance along the intermediate portion of the plug to provide an enlarged end portion having a greater external dimension than the internal dimension of the dispensing opening so that the intermediate and lip portion compress the tubular member against the container wall along the opening and inner wall face to effect a fluidtight seal.
14. In a container apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said container opening is inwardly convergent.
15. In container apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said container opening has a uniform diameter and an inwardly extending annular rib to effect a tighter seal with the everted portion of the tubular member.

Claims (15)

1. A removable dispensing closure assembly for an opening in a wall of a container having an inner wall face and an outer wall face at the opening comprising a relatively hard plug with a passage having a flange portion at the outer end of greater size than the opening and an insert section sized to insert into the opening and terminating at an inner end, said insert section of said plug includes an intermediate portion having a substantially uniform external dimension and a raised lip portion at the inner end, said lip portion being spaced from the flange portion a sufficient distance along the plug in relation to the thickness of the container wall at the opening to locate the lip portion inwardly of the inner wall face of the container at the opening, and a flexible tubular member having an open end, said tubular member extending through said passage and projecting beyond the outer end of the plug to conduct fluid in the container to a point beyond the outer end of the container opening and plug, said tubular member having a substantially uniform cross section throughout its lengthwise extent, said tubular member having the open inner end everted over the lip portion of said insert section to provide an enlarged flexible inner end portion having an external dimension larger than the internal dimension of said container opening whereby a fluid-tight seal is effected by forcing the enlarged flexible inner end portion into the said container opening and compressing the everted part of the tubular member between the container wall and the plug.
2. A removable closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plug is made as an integral body of a plastic material.
3. A removable closure assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said plug is made of polyethylene.
4. A removable dispensing closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plug is circular in transverse cross section.
5. A removable dispensing closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tubular member is normally closed at the outer end.
6. A removable dispensing closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lip portion has a flattened peripheral surface which tapers inwardly from the inner end of the plug toward the intermediate portion.
7. A removable dispensing closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flanged outer end of said plug has a diameter which is at least one and one-half times the diameter of the intermediate portion.
8. A removable dispensing closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the length of said intermediate portion is approximately the same as the thickness of the container wall at the opening to locate the lip portion inwardly of the inner face of the container.
9. A removable dispensing closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the maximum dimension of said lip portion is approximately the same as the minimum diameter of the opening in the container.
10. A removable dispensing closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plug has an annular rib between said flange portion and lip portion to further press the everted portion of the tubular member against the container wall.
11. A removable dispensing closure assembly for an opening in a wall of a container having an inner wall face and an outer wall face at the opening comprising a relatively hard, integral plug with a central through passage, said plug having an annular flange portion at the outer end of a greater size than the opening together with an insert section sized to insert into the opening and terminating at an inner end including an intermediate portion and an annular lip portion, said lip portion being spaced from the flange portion a sufficient distance along the plug in relation to the thickness of the container wall at the opening to locate the lip portion inwardly to the inner wall face of the container at the opening, and a flexible tubular member having an open inner end, said tubular member having a substantially uniform cross section throughout its lengthwise extent, said tubular member extending through said passage and projecting beyond the outer end of the plug to conduct fluid in the container to a point beyond the outer end of the container opening and plug, said tubular member extending around the inner end of the plug and being everted back over said lip portion to provide an enlarged flexible inner end portion having an external diameter larger than the smallest internal diameter of the container opening whereby a fluid-tight seal is effected by forcing the enlarged flexible inner end portion into said container opening and compressing the everted part of the tubular member between the container wall and the plug and the lip portion further compresses the tubular member against the inner wall face of the container upon the applicator of a pulling force to the outer end of the tubular member.
12. A removable dispensing closure assembly for an opening in a wall of a container having an inner wall face and an outer wall face at the opening comprising: a generally cylindrical, relatively hard, molded plastic plug with a central longitudinal passage including an outer flange portion of a greater diameter than the container opening and abutting against an outer wall of the container and including an insert section sized to insert into the opening and terminating at an inner end which includes an intermediate portion of uniform external diameter, and a lip portion projecting outwardly from the intermediate portion at the inner end of the plug, said lip portion being spaced from the flange portion a sufficient distance along the plug in relation to the thickness of the container wall at the opening to locate the lip portion inwardly of the inner wall face of the container at the opening, said lip portion having a beveled surface converging inwardly toward the intermediate portion and having the maximum external diameter portion substantially the same as the minimum internal diameter of the container opening, a flexible tubular member made of an elastomeric material having a closed outer end and an open inner end, said open inner end tubular member extending through said passage and projecting beyond the outer end of the plug to conduct fluid in the container to a point beyond the outer end of the container opening and plug, said tubular member having a substantially uniform cross-section throughout its lengthwise extent, said tubular member having an inner end portion everted back over said lip portion to provide an enlarged flexible inner end portion having an external diameter slightly greater than the smallest internal diameter of the closure opening whereby a section of the tube is compressed against the container wall along the opening and the inner wall face by said plug to effect a fluid-tight seal by forcing the enlarged flexible end portion into said container opening and the beveled face of the lip portion further compresses the tubular section against the inner wall face of the container upon the application of a pulling force to the outer end of the tubular member.
13. In a container apparatus, the combination comprising a container having a dispensing opening through which a fluid can be dispensed and having an inner wall face and an outer wall face at the opening, a dispensing closure assembly for the dispensing opening comprising a relatively hard integral plug with a longitudinal passage, said plug having a flange portion of greater external dimension than the dispensing opening, and an insert section sized to insert into the opening and terminating at an inner end including an intermediate portion, and an annular lip portion being spaced from the flange portion a sufficient distance along the plug in relation to the thickness of the container wall at the opening to locate the lip portion inwardly beyond the inner wall face of the container opening, said lip portion being in the form of a raised bead having a beveled face tapering inwardly from the inner end of the plug toward the intermediate portion, and a flexible tubular member having one end closed and the other end open, said tubular member having a substantially uniform cross section throughout its lengthwise extent, said tubular member passing through the plug passage and projecting beyond the outer end of the plug to conduct fluid in the container to a point beyond the outer end of the container opening and plug, said tubular member being everted back over the raised bead and back a substantial distance along the intermediate portion of the plug to provide an enlarged end portion having a greater external dimension than the internal dimension of the dispensing opening so that the intermediate and lip portion compress the tubular member against the container wall along the opening and inner wall face to effect a fluid-tight seal.
14. In container apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said container opening is inwardly convergent.
15. In container apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said container opening has a uniform diameter and an inwardly extending annular rib to effect a tighter seal with the everted portion of the tubular member.
US00198684A 1971-11-15 1971-11-15 Dispensing closure assembly for containers Expired - Lifetime US3782611A (en)

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US8320752B1 (en) * 2008-02-19 2012-11-27 Bergau Michael G Drain attachment for a water heater
US20150308713A1 (en) * 2014-04-24 2015-10-29 Chris T. Azar Device that eliminates the drainage of liquid during the changing of a heating element

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US1572051A (en) * 1925-06-13 1926-02-09 Joseph F Sullivan Motor vehicle
US1798971A (en) * 1928-12-14 1931-03-31 Louis F Clements Occupant-propelled vehicle
US2341332A (en) * 1940-02-15 1944-02-08 Landis & Gyr Ag Spring motor and friction coupling
US2397500A (en) * 1942-07-25 1946-04-02 Pressed Steel Tank Company Barrel closure
US2819099A (en) * 1953-06-12 1958-01-07 Westinghouse Air Brake Co Flange union fitting with contractible lined wedge
US2834521A (en) * 1956-01-31 1958-05-13 Nyden Robert Spouts combined with containers
US2993629A (en) * 1957-08-07 1961-07-25 Hill Shaw Company Detachable pouring spout and gasket assembly for coffee maker bowl
US3033624A (en) * 1959-11-23 1962-05-08 Illinois Tool Works Retainer bushing
US3214102A (en) * 1963-09-23 1965-10-26 Meyer Geo J Mfg Co Self-cleaning nozzles
US3323846A (en) * 1965-03-25 1967-06-06 Lawrence O Boddy Dry box glove retaining means
US3308998A (en) * 1965-04-21 1967-03-14 Alberto Culver Co Dispensing device including cap attachable for either sealing or dispensing
US3393771A (en) * 1966-04-18 1968-07-23 Marx & Co Louis Motor unit
US3487982A (en) * 1966-12-09 1970-01-06 Dorn Co The Van Nozzle structure and assembly comprising the same

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8320752B1 (en) * 2008-02-19 2012-11-27 Bergau Michael G Drain attachment for a water heater
US20150308713A1 (en) * 2014-04-24 2015-10-29 Chris T. Azar Device that eliminates the drainage of liquid during the changing of a heating element
US9551506B2 (en) * 2014-04-24 2017-01-24 Chris T Azar Device that eliminates the drainage of liquid during the changing of a heating element

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