MXPA06005124A - Push-pull container closure - Google Patents

Abstract

A push-pull closure (10) including a shell (14) and a tip (50). The shell (14) includes a body (26) with a fluid opening (40), a stem (36) extending axially through the opening, and a first lip (44) on the body outer surface and a second lip (46) on the body inner surface, with the lips facing the shell one end with the second lip being further from the shell one end than the first lip. The tip has a pouring aperture (52) with an outer flange (56) having an inwardly extending third lip (60) receivable over the body outer surface and an inner flange (54) having an outwardly extending fourth lip (62) receivable in the body opening and spaced from the stem (36). The third lip (60) is positioned between the shell one end and the first lip (44) and the fourth lip (62) is positioned between the shell one end and the second lip (46). The first lip has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the third lip and the second lip has an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of the fourth lip.

Description

CLOSURE OF TRACTION-COMPRESSION CONTAINER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention. it is directed to a container closure, and particularly to a tension / compression type lid for bottles containing liquid. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND EXISTING TECHNICAL PROBLEMS IN PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE Many containers, particularly plastic bottles containing fluids that are supplied (either, for example, liquids to drink or liquids to clean), have closures or caps that are twisted or pulled to open the passage to supply liquid , and provide a seal to close the container and prevent dripping when it is not in use. In such a conventional lid structure, a tip can be slid over a central rod in the cover of the lid, with the cover defining an opening around the rod to supply the fluid. A plastic tip can be safely slid over the rod and includes a central opening which is sealed around the rod to block the fluid when the tip is pushed, with the central opening being separated from the rod to allow the fluid to be stocked around the rod. shank and through the opening of the tip when the tip is pulled or pulled out. Closures of this type are shown, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,472,120 and 5,975,369, the complete descriptions of which are incorporated herein by reference. The connection of the tip to the closure cover is particularly important for the commercial acceptance of such closures. For example, it is important that the force required to push the tip to close the container, and pull the tip to open the container when released, being within acceptable ranges. Consumers will not accept covers that are very difficult to close by pushing or pulling open. At the same time, covers that open very easily are also undesirable in that they can be opened unintentionally and allow liquid to drip from the container. Furthermore, it is important that the lid be capable of being easily assembled while at the same time having its components sufficiently secure together so as to minimize the possibility of them separating (and essentially destroying the usefulness of the lid). The secure retention of the movable tips of such caps is particularly difficult to provide since the tip of such caps can be fastened to many different forces, including not only axially directed charges as used to open the tip, but also lateral loads and turning or twisting. The lateral loads can be particularly large when, for example, a user bites the tip during use (for example, when drinking from the container) as it is frequent. The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to various aspects and forms of the present invention, a tensile-compression closure that is both aesthetically and functionally desirable can be provided. The closure can be easily assembled, while at the same time providing a point that can be opened and closed are desirable traction and compression forces, and in addition while ensuring that the tip remains reliably on the cover of the closure despite the wide range of axial and lateral or lateral forces to which it can be subjected during use. In one aspect of the present invention, a tension-compression closure is provided, which includes a cover or shell and a tip. The cover can be attached at one end to a container, and includes a body with an opening for the fluid, a rod in the opening, and a first rim on the outer surface of the body and a second rim on the interior surface of the body, with the flanges facing one end of the cover. The flange has a pour opening at one end and an outer flange that is received on the outer surface of the body and an inner flange which can be received in the opening of the body and spaced apart from the rod to define a generally annular fluid path between the same. The outer flange includes a third flange extending inward, and the inner flange includes a fourth flange extending outwards. The third flange is positioned between one end of the cover and the first flange and the fourth flange is positioned between one end of the cover and the second flange whereby the first flange engages the third flange and the second flange engages the fourth flange. flange to prevent removal of the tip of the body of the cover. In one form of this aspect of the invention, the outer surface of the body is cylindrical, and the first flange extends around the outer cylindrical surface. In a further form, the third flange deviates elastically against the outer surface of the body, and the outer surface of the body becomes tapered outwardly from the first flange towards one end of the cover. In another form of this aspect of the invention, the flanges are rings formed with internal and external diameters, with the first flange having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the third flange and the second flange having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter. outer diameter of the fourth flange. In yet another form of this aspect of the invention, the rod extends axially through the opening of the body, and the first and second flanges are axially spaced apart. In more advantageous forms, the third and fourth flanges are axially spaced a distance that is substantially the same as the axial spacing between the first and second flanges, the first flange is closer to one end of the cover than the second flange, and / or the first and second flanges define stop surfaces or stop facing one end of the cover with the stop surfaces that are substantially transverse to the axial direction. In yet another form of this aspect of the invention, the fourth flange slidably seals against the interior surface of the body about the entire opening of the body. In another aspect of the present invention, a closure including a cover and a tip is provided. The cover can be attached at one end to a container, and includes a body with a fluid opening, a rod extending axially through the opening, and a first rim on the outer surface of the body and a second rim in the body. interior surface of the body, with the flanges facing one end of the cover with the second flange which is also from one end of the cover or shell that the first flange. The flange has a pour opening at one end and an external flange that can be received on the external surface of the body and an internal flange that can be received in the opening of the body and spaced apart from the rod to define an annular fluid path between the flanges. same. The outer flange includes a third flange extending inwardly, and the inner flange includes a fourth flange extending outwardly. The flanges are rings formed with internal and external diameters, with the third flange positioned between one end of the cover and the first flange and the fourth flange positioned between one end of the cover and the second flange. The first flange has an outer diameter greater than the internal diameter of the third flange and the second flange has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the fourth flange, whereby the first flange engages the third flange and the second flange is coupled to the flange. fourth flange to prevent removal of the tip of the body from the cover or casing. In one form of this aspect of the invention, the first and second flange define abutment surfaces facing one end of the cover with the abutment surfaces that are substantially transverse to the axial direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tension-compression closure according to the present invention, with the closure in a closed position; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken through the closure of Figure 1, with the closure tip in an open position; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1; Figure 5 is an enlarged view similar to Figure 4, but showing the safety of the closure tip to the cover in its open position; Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5, but with the tip of the closure in a closed position; and Figure 7 is a bottom view of the closure of the figural. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A tension-compression closure 10 which moralizes the present invention is shown in Figure 1. The closure 10 includes a cover 14 adapted to be attached to the opening of a container, such as by a lid portion 16 having a cylindrical wall 18 with an internal thread 20 adapted to be coupled with a threaded portion on a container. The cover 14 includes a central opening 24 surrounded by an annular body 26 defining the internally and externally cylindrical walls or surfaces 28, 30. A rod 36 is supported within the annular body 26, as by radial legs 38 (see Figures 4-7), so as to extend axially through the body 26 and defines a generally cylindrical flow path 40 around the rod 36. The openings they can be provided through the legs 38 if desired to allow a greater flow of fluid from the container to the flow path 40. The annular body 26 includes a flange or spout 44 extending outwardly on the outer wall 30 and a flange or spout 46 extending inwardly on the interior wall 28. These flanges 44, 46 are generally ring or cylindrical in shape and define surfaces that face the cap portion 16 and extend radially in a direction generally transverse to the axial direction. The flanges 44, 46 are also spaced apart from one another in the axial direction by a selected distance, with the flange 44 extending outwardly near the cap portion 16 than the flange 46 extending inwardly.

A tensile-compression tip 50 includes a pouring opening 52 and one end, with the inner and outer flanges 54, 56 extending axially from that end. The internal flange 54 fits within the annular body 26 of the cover, and the outer flange 56 fits around the outer wall 30 of the annular body. An inwardly extending flange or shank 60 is provided around the inside of the external flange 56 of the tip and an outwardly extending flange or shank 62 is provided around the outer side of the inner flange 54 of the tip. The flanges 60, 62 can advantageously be separated from one another in the axial direction by the same selected distance as the spacing between the flanges 44, 46 of the annular body. In addition, the inner flange flange 62 is slidably sealed against the inner wall 28 of the body about the entire flow path 40 to ensure that little fluid in the path 40, if any, drips between the inner flange 54 and the annular body 26. Such a seal can be provided by elastic compression of the materials between the coupling components. As assembled, the ridges 60, 62 of the tip are positioned between the lid portion 16 and the annular body flanges 44, 46. This can be complemented by pressing the tip 50 on the annular body 26, with compression of the materials and / or bending the flanges 54, 56 will allow the ridges 60, 62 of the tip to move past the upper portion of the annular body 26 of the cover and flanges 44, 46 of the annular body. Such mounting can be facilitated by separating the flanges 44, 46, and 60, 62, as will be appreciated that the ridges 60, 62 of the tips will therefore not be required to be forced simultaneously on any thick portion of the annular body 26. Once assembled, the flanges 44, 46, 60, 62 will cooperate to retain the tip 50 in the cover 14, with the flange 44 engaging the flange 60 and the flange 46 which engages the flange 62 when the Tip 50 pulls off its travel limit as described here later. That is, the flanges 44, 46, 60, 62, which are generally ring-shaped with internal and external diameters, have an interference overlap, with the flange 44 extending outwardly from the annular body, having a diameter outer larger than the inner diameter of the flange 60 of the tip extending inwardly and the flange 46 extending inwardly of the annular body, having an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of the flange 62 of the tip extending out.

It should be recognized that the flanges 44, 46, 60, 62 need not be completely continuous, and thus can be formed with spaces in their annular form. Thus, for example, the components of the mold can be used which can make it difficult to form the rims 44, 46 of the annular body through a full 360 degrees (for example, the components of the mold used to form the legs 38 can block the mold components necessary to form the inner flange 46 of the annular body in axial alignment with the legs 38, in which case the projecting shoulder 46 would not be seen in Figures 4-6). However, a sufficient degree of the flanges can be easily molded to create the necessary overlap between the flanges 44, 46, 60, 62 providing the desired security between the annular body 26 of the cover and the tip 50. A sealing member 70 is provided around the pour opening 52, and is adapted to seal around the rod 36 when the tip 50 is in the centered position, as shown in Figure 3. When the tip 50 is in its open position as shown in FIG. Figure 2, the fluid such as a sports drink can flow, from a container through the lid portion 16 (arrows 74) and the cylindrical flow path 40 around the stem 36 (arrows 76), then out through the pouring opening 52 (arrows 78).

As best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the inner and / or outer walls 28, 30 of the annular body 26 of the cover can taper slightly outwardly from the flanges 44, 46 toward the lid portion 16. As a result, when the tip 50 is pulled towards the open position, there can be a detectable decrease - of the tensile force required as the tip 50 approaches the limit where the shoulders 44, 46, 60, 62 will engage to stop the tip 50 to be removed additionally (as shown in figure 5). That is, the compression forces between the ridges 60, 62 of the tip and the inner and outer walls 28, 30 of the annular body will be reduced, and therefore the axial friction between the flanges 60, 62 and the walls 28, 30 they will be reduced similarly. Such a positive feeling can have the benefit of causing the person to pull the tip 50 to reduce its pulling force, and thereby helping in another way to ensure that the tip 50 is securely retained in the annular body 26 of the cover when reach the limit limit. However, it will be within the scope of this invention that the inner and outer walls 28, 30 be straight in cross section to provide a uniformly shaped surface for the rims 60, 62 of the tip to slide over between the open and closed positions. .

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the described structure in which the inner and outer flanges 62 are stopped, slidingly engages the inner and outer walls 28, 30 of the annular body 26 of the cover provides not only a firm axial positioning of the tip 50 as it is pushed and pulled on the annular body 26 (minimizing the axis of twisting), but this also helps in allowing the consumer to control the important tensile-compression force. That is, since a significant amount of the tensile-compression force required is based on the friction between the tip 50 and the annular body 26, and since the friction is based primarily on the surfaces of frictional engagement, the control of such Friction is relatively easy with the present invention so long as the flanges can be maintained in a complete coupling position through the full range of the tensile-compression movement of the tip 50 (ie, the contact surfaces, and then the forces frictional, however, do not significantly reduce the reduction in the overlap between the tip 50 and the annular body 26 as the tip 50 is pulled). Furthermore, the present invention not only provides a secure mounting of the tip 50 to the annular body 26 against the tensile forces at the tip 50, but also provides a secure mounting against other forces such as tensile forces that can also be encountered. (for example, when a user bites tip 50 during use). The provision of such secure assembly against all forces is commercially and functionally desirable. The present invention as described thus provides a closure that is aesthetically desirable, can provide the desired flow through the closure when opened, and that can be easily assembled while at the same time providing an ease to use the tension-compression closure for a bottle of sports drink. In addition, this advantageous closure provides a tensile-compression tip that is held securely in the closure cover despite the wide range of forces to which it is subjected during use. Still other aspects and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the specification, the drawings, and the appended claims. It should be understood, however, that the present invention could be used in alternate forms where less than all objects and advantages of the present invention and preferred embodiments would be obtained as described above.

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS 1. A closure characterized in that it comprises: a cover or casing that can be attached to one end of a container, and that includes a body that can be attached to an opening of the container, said body includes an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein said inner surface defines an opening in fluid communication with the container opening when joined thereto, a rod positioned within said body opening to define a generally cylindrical fluid path between said internal surface of the body and said rod, a first flange extending outwardly on said outer surface of the body, said first flange facing said one end of the cover or shell, and a second flange extending inwardly on said inner surface of the body, said second flange facing said one end of the cover or shell; and a tip having a pour opening at one end, an outer flange that can be received on said body surface and including a third flange extending inwardly, and an internal flange that can be received in said body opening and spaced from said rod to define a generally annular fluid path therebetween, said inner flange further including a fourth flange extending outward, said third flange being positioned between said one end of the cover and said first flange and said fourth flange which is positioned between said one end of cover and said second flange whereby said first flange engages said third flange and said second flange engages said fourth flange to prevent removal of said tip from said cover body or cuirass
2. 2. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that said first, second, third and fourth flanges are each continuous. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that said external surface of the body is cylindrical, and said first flange extends around the external cylindrical surface. The closure according to claim 3, characterized in that said third flange is elastically deflected against said external surface of the body, and said external surface of the body becomes conical outwardly from said first flange towards said one end of the cover. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that said rims are ring-shaped with internal and external diameters, said first rim having an external diameter greater than the internal diameter of said third rim and said second rim having a diameter internal less than the outer diameter of said quarter flange. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that said rod extends axially through said body opening and said first and second flanges are axially spaced apart. The closure according to claim 6, characterized in that said third and fourth flanges are axially spaced a distance that is substantially the same as the axial spacing between said first and second flanges. The closure according to claim 6, characterized in that said first flange is closer to said one end of the cover than said second flange. The closure according to claim 6, characterized in that said first and second flanges define abutment surfaces facing said one end of cover, said abutment surfaces being substantially transverse to said axial direction. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that said fourth flange is slidably sealed against said internal surface of the body around the entire said opening of the body. 11. A closure characterized in that it comprises a cover or sheath that can be attached to one end of a container, and including a body that can be attached to an opening of the container, said body includes an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein said inner surface defines an opening in fluid communication with the opening of the container when joined thereto, a rod positioned within said body opening to define a generally cylindrical fluid path between said inner surface of the body and said rod, a first ridge extending outwardly on said outer surface of the body, said first rim facing said one end of the cover, and a second flange extending inwardly on said internal surface of the body, and axially spaced from said first tip, said second flange facing said one end of the cover or casing and which is furthermore from said end thereof. the cover or envelope that said first flange; and a tip having a pour opening at one end, an outer flange that can be received on said body surface and including a third flange extending inwardly, and an internal flange that can be received in said body opening and spaced apart from said rod to define a generally annular fluid path therebetween, said inner flange further including a fourth rim extending outwardly, said fourth rim being axially separated from said third rim a distance which is substantially the same that the axial separation between said first and second flanges, said third flange that is positioned between said one end of cover or sheath and said first flange and said fourth flange that is positioned between said one end of cover or sheath and said second flange; said flanges are formed as rings with internal and external diameters with said first flange having an external diameter greater than the internal diameter of said third flange and said second flange having an internal diameter smaller than the external diameter of the fourth flange, so that said first flange engages said third flange and said second flange engages said fourth flange to prevent removal of said tip from said cover or shell body. The closure according to claim 11, characterized in that said first and second flanges define abutment surfaces facing said one end of the shell, said abutment surfaces being substantially transverse to said axial direction. The closure according to claim 11, characterized in that said first, second, third and fourth flanges are each continuous.