CN113165777B

CN113165777B - System for improving access to liquid in plastic container and cap assembly

Info

Publication number: CN113165777B
Application number: CN201980061683.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: K·坎贝尔; D·肖尔; K·鲁克维纳
Original assignee: KW CONTAINER
Current assignee: KW CONTAINER
Priority date: 2018-07-20
Filing date: 2019-07-19
Publication date: 2023-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-19
Also published as: CL2021000132A1; EP3823906A4; BR112021000656A2; WO2020018937A1; EP3823906A1; MX2021000789A; CN113165777A; CA3106314A1; US20210261302A1

Abstract

The present application is a system for improving access to liquid in a plastic container and cap assembly to reduce the time of pouring and eliminate dry liquid in the plastic container rim due to pouring the liquid over the rim of the plastic container. The present application uses two liquid tight seals formed between the pouring spout wall on the lid and the sealing channel on the plastic cap. Special structures are provided on the cap and the pouring spout wall to form a liquid-tight seal when the cap is screwed onto the pouring spout wall.

Description

System for improving access to liquid in plastic container and cap assembly

Statement regarding related applications

The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/701,199 and its full rights, entitled "lid (Lid Comprising Pour Spout and Cap for Plastic Container for Fluid) for a plastic container for fluids comprising a pouring spout and a cap" and filed on 7.20 2018 and the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/753,882, filed on date 31 of 2018, and entitled "lid (Lid Comprising Pour Spout and Cap for Plastic Container for Fluid) for a plastic container for fluids comprising a pouring spout and a cap" is also claimed herein, and the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to plastic containers for liquids, and more particularly to structures for pouring liquids from plastic containers.

Drawings

The application can be better understood, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Elements in the figures are not necessarily to scale relative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon more clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary cap, shown along line 1-1 in FIG. 5, including a minor axis of one embodiment of a pouring spout wall with a cap installed and sealed and a rotating grip.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1 depicting the pouring spout wall and installed cap, but with the remainder of the cap embodiment cut away.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary cap along line 3-3 depicted in FIG. 5, including a long axis of one embodiment of a spout wall with a cap mounted and sealed and a rotating grip.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3 depicting the pouring spout wall and installed cap, but with the remainder of the lid embodiment cut away.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an exemplary cap with a rotating grip in one embodiment, wherein the cap is mounted and sealed to the pouring spout wall.

FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of an exemplary lid in one embodiment having a rotating grip and a pouring spout wall and cap.

Fig. 7A-7B are further enlarged views of a portion of the exemplary fig. 1-4 depicting liquid-tight contact of the pouring spout wall and the cap.

Fig. 7C depicts an embodiment different from the embodiment of fig. 7A-7B.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a system for improving access to one embodiment of a plastic container and lid assembly that includes a rectangular prismatic shaped container, a lid having a pouring spout wall, and a cap without a rotating grip and pouring spout wall in an exploded view. The outer cap thread 14 is shown in broken lines on the inside of the sealing channel 15. A handle 33 for the container is also depicted.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cap with a rough texture that includes notches on the outside of the sealing channel.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the lid and rim of the container and the structure therein is the same as that of fig. 1 of U.S. patent No. 8,985,383, which is also incorporated herein in its entirety.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates to a removable lid 1 for a plastic container 1A of liquid, comprising a pouring spout wall 3 and a cap 2. The pouring spout wall and cap provide improved liquid delivery compared to the more popular way of pouring from plastic containers (i.e., by removing the lid from the entire container). Instead, the present application allows liquid to be dispensed from the container in a more controlled pour, so that liquid waste when liquid is dispensed is reduced. Furthermore, the present application reduces or prevents the occurrence of a U-shaped receiving channel 26A in the paint filled rim 26 when pouring paint onto the rim after removal of the entire lid, and thus prevents the paint filled rim's receiving channel 26A in which the liquid paint will subsequently dry and make it more difficult to replace the lid. The application thus provides a better long-term fit of the cap 1 on the container 1A. That is, the present application allows the receiving channel 26A of the rim 26 to remain free of paint and ensures a tighter and more secure replacement engagement of the cap and rim after dispensing of the paint. The pouring spout wall 3 and cap 2 also allow for the addition of liquid, mixing of liquid or dispensing of liquid from a container without the need for tools to remove the lid or cap. Further, caps smaller than the caps are easier and faster to remove and replace than caps, and this aspect allows paint shop personnel to add and mix paint more quickly than when removing and replacing conventional caps into the receiving channels of the rim.

Embodiments of the present application are illustrated by way of example in fig. 1-10. It should be noted that all terms used herein are given their ordinary meanings as known in the art and as further described and discussed below. In the present description and in the appended claims, reference is made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings:

as used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, an "inner" position or surface of a component or structure is relative to the centerline of the container or the center point of the lid. For example, the inner surface or wall may be directed or facing the centerline of the container or the center point of the lid.

As used herein, an "outer" position or surface of a component or structure is relative to the centerline of the container or the center point of the lid. For example, the outer surface or wall may be directed toward or away from the centerline of the container or the center point of the lid.

The present application includes a removable lid for a plastic container of liquid, the lid including a pouring spout and a cap. The pour spout and cap may comprise a two-point system such that the contact created by the two-point system provides a liquid-tight seal, as described in more detail herein.

The present disclosure relates to a plastic container for loading, storing, transporting and/or dispensing liquids. The liquid may be any liquid or material having liquid properties such that it can flow. In an exemplary case, the liquid may be a paint. In embodiments where the liquid is a paint, the present application allows for the tinting of the paint to be performed without the use of tools to perform the removal of the cap or lid, so as to reduce the time involved in tinting. The container may be constructed of plastic or any other suitable material and may be a cylindrical or rectangular prism or any other shape suitable for containing, storing, loading, transporting and/or dispensing liquids.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 1 along line 1-1 in fig. 5 and 6, the container is cylindrical and the removable lid 1 is circular and includes a cap 2, the cap 2 being configured to be mounted on the pouring spout wall 3 and sealed to the pouring spout wall 3. In one embodiment, the cap 2 may include a swivel grip 6, an example of which is shown in fig. 1. The rotational grip 6 may comprise any shape such that a user may grip the rotational grip 6 and screw the cap 2 onto the pouring spout wall 3 or off the pouring spout wall 3. The rotary grip 6 may comprise a major axis and a minor axis in cross section, as shown in fig. 1-6. The rotational grip 6 may be raised above the cap surface 5 or in another embodiment may be a recess (not shown) in the cap surface 5. Fig. 1 shows a cross section of an embodiment of the cap 1, wherein the short axis of the rotary grip 6 is shown, the rotary grip being raised above the cap surface 5. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of pouring spout wall 3 and cap 2 shown in the embodiment in fig. 1. The swivel grip 6 may comprise at least one vertical wall 9, which may be raised from the cap surface 5 as shown in fig. 1, or may act as a recess. Although an example of rotating the grip 6 is provided above, the rotation of the grip 6 may not be required, as shown in fig. 8-9.

The cap 2 comprises a cap surface 5, which cap surface 5 may in one embodiment be planar and parallel to the bottom of the cap 1 and container when the cap 2 is sealed against the pouring spout wall of the cap 1. In addition, the cap surface 5 need not be planar in other embodiments. In one embodiment, the cap surface 5 may be recessed downwardly from the highest point of the swivel grip 6 and integral with the bottom of the at least one vertical wall 9.

In different embodiments, the lid 1 may be circular, rectangular in shape or any shape, so that it can cover an open area at the top of the container. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 1, the cover 1 is circular in shape. The lid 1 comprises a lid surface 7 and sometimes a second lid surface 8, one of which is integral with the lower end 23 of the pouring spout wall 3. In an additional embodiment, the lid 1 may comprise a second lid surface 8 integral with the lid surface 7 and the lower end 23 of the pouring spout wall 3. The pouring spout wall 3 defines an opening in a circular shape. In one embodiment, first protrusion 16 protrudes from an inner surface at or near bottom 24 of pouring spout wall 3. In another embodiment, the upper channel 4 is located on the edge of the cover 1. The upper channel 4 is integral with the lid surface 7, which lid surface 7 extends inwardly from the upper channel 4 to the second lid surface 8 in one embodiment (as shown in the embodiment of fig. 1), or which lid surface 7 may extend inwardly from the upper channel 4 to the pouring spout wall 3 in an additional embodiment (not shown). In an embodiment without the second cover surface 8, the cover surface 7 is integral with the upper channel 4 on one side and with the lower end of the pouring spout wall 3 on the other side.

In an embodiment in which the container is cylindrical, as shown in fig. 3, the lid 1 is circular and comprises a cap 2, which cap 2 is configured to be engaged on the pouring spout wall 3 and to seal to the pouring spout wall 3. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view at line 3-3 in fig. 5. The cap 2 is circular in shape. The cap 2 may include a swivel grip 6, as shown in the exemplary embodiment. The rotational grip 6 may comprise any shape such that a user may grip the rotational grip 6 and screw the cap 2 onto the pouring spout wall 3 or off the pouring spout wall 3. The rotary grip 6 may comprise a major axis and a minor axis, as shown in fig. 1-6. Fig. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the cap 1 along the long axis of the rotary grip 6 along line 3-3 in fig. 5. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the pouring spout wall and cap 2 shown in the embodiment in fig. 3. The rotational grip 6 may comprise at least one vertical wall 9 rising above the cap surface 5 as shown in fig. 1-6, or the vertical wall may extend below the cap surface 5 when the rotational grip is in the notched embodiment. Other embodiments need not have a rotating grip 6. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 9, the rough texture 25 on the edge of the seal channel also provides additional grip to supplement or replace the rotating grip. As shown in this figure, the rough texture may constitute notches or in other embodiments may be ridges, upper channels, stripes or any other means for increasing friction between the user's hand and the edge of the cap 2.

Cap 2 comprises a cap surface 5, which cap surface 5 may be parallel to the bottom of cap 1 and the container when cap 2 is sealed against pouring spout wall 23 of cap 1. The cap surface 5 may be recessed downwards from the highest point of the swivel grip 6 and integral with the bottom of the at least one vertical wall 9. The cap surface may be substantially planar in one embodiment, but need not be planar in all embodiments.

In different embodiments, the cover 1 may be circular, rectangular in shape or any shape, so that it may cover the opening of the cross section of the container 1A, which may be cylindrical, rectangular prismatic or any other suitable shape. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 3, which is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 in fig. 5, the cover 1 is circular in shape. The lid 1 comprises a lid surface 7 and in such an embodiment a second lid surface 8 integral with the lower end of the pouring spout wall 3. The pouring spout wall 3 defines a circular shaped opening. In one embodiment, first protrusion 16 protrudes at or near a bottom 24 of an inner surface of pouring spout wall 3. The upper channel 4 is located near the edge of the cover 1. The upper channel 4 is integral with a cover surface 7, which cover surface 7 may extend inwardly from the upper channel 4 to a second cover surface 8, as shown in the embodiment of fig. 3. In another embodiment without the second lid surface 8, the lid surface 7 extends inwardly from the upper channel 4 to the pouring spout wall 3 (not shown). Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of fig. 3.

In the embodiment of the circular cap 1 shown in fig. 5, a top view of the cap 1 on a cylindrical container depicts a cross section 1-1 corresponding to fig. 1 and a cross section 3-3 corresponding to fig. 3. In such an embodiment, cross section 1-1 depicts a minor axis of the rotary grip 6 and cross section 3-3 depicts a major axis of the rotary grip 6. Cap 2 in fig. 5 is mounted by screwing onto pouring spout wall 3, and in such an embodiment both cap 2 and pouring spout wall 3 are positioned eccentrically with respect to the central point of lid 1. Cap 2 and pouring spout wall 3 may be positioned in any position on the lid, for example closer to the edge of lid 1, closer to the centre point of lid 1 or centred on the centre point of lid 1. Cap 2 and pouring spout wall 3 may comprise dimensions ranging from slightly smaller than the dimensions of lid 1 to about one quarter of the dimensions of lid 1.

In one embodiment shown in fig. 6, an exploded view of a circular cap 1 with a cap 2 is shown. In such an embodiment, cap 2 comprises external cap threads 14 and pouring spout wall 3 comprises internal cap threads 13. The inner and outer cap threads 13, 14 are complementarily configured such that the outer cap thread 14 on the cap can be screwed onto the inner cap thread 14 on the pouring spout wall 3 or screwed off the inner cap thread 14 on the pouring spout wall 3. The inner and outer cap threads 13, 14 may each comprise any complementary shape such that the outer cap thread 14 locks in place in close proximity to the inner cap thread 13. In one embodiment, both the inner and outer cap threads 13, 14 have an irregular pyramid cross-sectional shape. When the cap is screwed on, contact between the internal and external cap threads secures the cap to the pouring spout wall.

One embodiment of the cover 1 as a circle is depicted in fig. 7A and 7B, and they are enlarged views of the locking mechanism as shown in fig. 1-4. Fig. 7A depicts the cap in a pre-installed position with the first protrusion in an uncompressed state. Fig. 7B depicts the cap in an installed and sealed position (with the first protrusion in a compressed state), and depicts two liquid-tight seals resulting from the cap being installed on the pouring spout wall, as shown within circles 21 and 22. The embodiment of fig. 7A (uninstalled) is identical to the embodiment of fig. 7B (installed). In fig. 7B, cap 2 and pouring spout wall 3 are in the cap mounting position, comprising a two-point system for creating a liquid-tight contact 21, 22 between pouring spout wall 3 and cap 2 to provide a liquid-tight seal, as described in more detail below and as shown in the two regions 21, 22 in fig. 7B. The cap 2 comprises a sealing channel 15 on the rim of the cap 2. The sealing channel 15 comprises an inner wall 10, an outer wall 12 and an upper wall 11 connecting the top of the inner wall 10 with the top of the outer wall 12, wherein the inner wall 10 is integral with the edge of the cap surface 5 near its lower end, the outer wall 12 having an outer cap thread 14 protruding into a space 26 defined by the sealing channel 15. The upper portion 17 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15 is inclined outwards so that the sealing channel can be wedged against the upper portion 20 of the pouring spout wall 3 and against the coupling 19. In one embodiment, the top 18 of the pouring spout wall 3 is integral with the coupling portion 19 and also with the upper portion of the pouring spout wall. In the depicted embodiment, the coupling 19 is rounded and it can be of any shape complementary to the structure on the corresponding location of the sealing channel 15. The shape of the sealing channel 15 may be a U-shape with rounded corners or any other shape such that the outer cap thread 14 may protrude into and be received within the sealing channel 15 and such that the inner wall 10 joins the edge of the cap surface 5 at or near its lower end. On the pouring spout wall 3 of the lid 1, an internal cap thread 13 protrudes from the outer surface of the pouring spout wall 3.

As shown in fig. 7B, the diameter of the intermediate portion of the inner wall 10 from the sealing channel 15 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the pouring spout wall 3, although the uppermost portion of the upper portion 17 of the inner wall 10 may have the same diameter as the pouring spout wall. In such an embodiment, the upper portions 17 of the pouring spout wall 3 and the inner wall 10 nest against each other and in this position the outer cap thread 14 locks into position below the inner cap thread 13 within the sealing channel 15. In another embodiment the inner cap thread can be below the outer cap thread. The locking of the external cap thread 14 and the internal cap thread 13 locks the sealing channel 15 in place on the pouring spout wall 3. The first projection 16 is compressed by the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 so as to form a liquid-tight seal between the cap 2 and the pouring spout wall 3 in the region 22, as circled in fig. 7B. Positioning the edge of cap surface 5 at or near the lower end 27 of inner wall 10 of sealing channel 15 against inner wall 10 provides sufficient force to hold sealing channel 15 in place against first projection 16 of pouring spout wall 3. Cap 2 is configured to be screwed onto pouring spout wall 3 to form liquid-tight seals 21, 22 and is also configured to be screwed off pouring spout wall 3 to remove cap 2.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 7B, pouring spout wall 3 and cap 2 together comprise two contacts to provide a liquid-tight seal by having complementary structures abut one another. One liquid-tight contact in the region 21 comprises a contact between the top 18 of the pouring spout wall and the upper wall 11 of the sealing channel 15 and also between the upper portion 20 of the pouring spout wall 3 and the upper portion 17 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15 and also against the coupling 19, where the inner wall 10 and the upper wall 11 are coupled inside the sealing channel 15. The other fluid-tight contact area 22 comprises a contact between the first protrusion 16 and a lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 compressing the first protrusion 16. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 herein, the first projection 16 projects from the bottom 24 of the pouring spout wall at an angle of approximately 90 ° and is approximately rectangular in cross-section, although the projection may include other suitable shapes, angles and configurations.

Fig. 7C depicts another embodiment of the present application in an installed position, wherein the liquid-tight contact encircled in region 22A is different than the liquid-tight contact depicted in region 22 in fig. 7B. In the embodiment of fig. 7C, the contact is made by a first projection 16 from the pouring spout wall 3 and also by a second projection 16A from the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15. In the embodiment of fig. 7C, the first protrusion 16 may be slightly smaller than the first protrusion 16 in the embodiment of fig. 7, because in fig. 7C, the second protrusion 16A meets the first protrusion 16. Thus, the convergence of the first and second protrusions 16, 16A in fig. 7C acts together to bridge the gap between the pouring spout wall 3 and the inner wall of the sealing channel. In the embodiments of fig. 1-4 and fig. 7A and 7B, only the first protrusion 16 is required.

The shape and location of the first and/or second protrusions are not limited to those depicted in fig. 7A, 7B, and 7C. Liquid-tight contact may be achieved by a combination of shapes in positions 16, 16A and 16B, which form a liquid-tight contact between bottom 24 of pouring spout wall 3 and lower end 27 of inner wall 10 of sealing channel 15. For example, having the first protrusion 16 move from the bottom 24 of the pouring spout wall (as shown in fig. 7A-7B) to the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel will also allow for liquid-tight contact even without the need to add a second protrusion. The first projection 16 can be positioned at the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15 and compressed by the bottom 24 of the pouring spout wall 3. In the latter embodiment, the plastic material of the present application is sufficiently flexible to flex sufficiently when the sealing channel 15 is pressed down onto the pouring spout wall 3 and the inner wall 10 slides down against the pouring spout wall. Also in the latter embodiment, the first protrusion positioned on the inner wall 10 will be pressed tightly against the pouring spout wall 3. In other embodiments, the protrusions may be positioned higher on the pouring spout wall 3 and the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel. In addition, the angle and length of the inclined upper portion 17 of the inner wall 10 may be configured to allow the first protrusion on the inner wall 10 to slide downwardly against the pouring spout wall 3. The inclination of the upper portion 17 allows the inner wall itself to wedge against the upper portion 20 of the pouring spout wall, as shown in the circular area 21.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a system for improving access to one embodiment of a plastic container 1A and lid 1 assembly, including a container 1A, a lid 1 including a pouring spout wall, and a cap 2 in an installed position. In the embodiment shown in fig. 8, the container is a rectangular prism, the cover 1 is rectangular, and the cap 2 does not rotate the grip 6.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the cap 2 showing the rough texture 25 on the edge of the sealing channel 15. In such an embodiment, the rough texture is in the form of notches, although the rough texture may be any feature to increase friction between the user's finger and the cap.

Fig. 10 contains a cross section of an exemplary upper channel 4 of the cover and rim 26 and its U-shaped receiving channel 26A. In 26B means for attaching the rim to the side wall of the container are shown.

Claims

1. A system for improving access to liquid in a plastic container and cap assembly, the system comprising:

a. a plastic container comprising a bottom, at least one side wall and a rim comprising a receiving channel,

b. a plastic lid comprising an upper channel for seating in the receiving channel, a lid surface and a pouring spout wall integral with the bottom and defining an opening in the lid surface, the pouring spout wall comprising an internal cap thread on a first side opposite the opening and a first protrusion on a second side located near the bottom,

c. a plastic cap comprising a cap surface and a sealing channel, the sealing channel comprising an inner wall having an inclined upper portion and an outer wall, the inner wall being integral with an edge of the cap surface near a lower end and the outer wall comprising an outer cap thread configured to lock with the inner cap thread,

such that when the plastic cap is screwed onto the pouring spout wall, the inner cap thread and the outer cap thread lock, the sealing channel and the pouring spout wall join at a first position adjacent to the inclined upper portion of the inner wall, and at a second position the first protrusion is compressed by the lower end of the inner wall and forms two liquid-tight seals between the cap and the pouring spout wall.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second protrusion on the inner wall of the sealing channel such that the first protrusion and the second protrusion join to create one of the two liquid-tight seals when the plastic cap is screwed onto the pouring spout wall.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the inner wall of the sealing channel is slightly smaller than the diameter of the pouring spout wall.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein when the plastic cap is sealed to the pouring spout wall, the cap surface presses against the inner wall to hold the sealing channel in place.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plastic cap further comprises a rotating grip on the cap surface.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the rotational grip comprises a major axis and a minor axis.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the rotational grip is raised from the cap surface.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the rotational grip is a recess in the cap surface.

9. A plastic cap for a plastic container for liquids, the plastic cap comprising:

a. a cover surface and an upper channel at the rim for seating into the rim of the container,

b. a pouring spout wall integral with the bottom and defining an opening in the lid surface, the pouring spout wall comprising internal cap threads on a first side opposite the opening and a first protrusion on a second side located near the base, and

c. a plastic cap comprising a cap surface and a sealing channel, the sealing channel comprising an inner wall having a chamfer, the inner wall being integral with an edge of the cap surface near a lower end and an outer wall comprising an outer cap thread configured to lock with the inner cap thread,

such that when the plastic cap is screwed onto the pouring spout wall, the inner cap thread and the outer cap thread lock, the sealing channel and the pouring spout wall join at a first position adjacent to the inclined upper portion of the inner wall, and at a second position the first protrusion is compressed by the lower end of the inner wall and forms two fluid-tight seals between the cap and the pouring spout wall.

10. The plastic closure of claim 9, further comprising a second protrusion on the inner wall of the sealing channel, such that the first and second protrusions join to create one of the two liquid-tight seals when the plastic cap is screwed onto the pouring spout wall.

11. The plastic closure as in claim 9 wherein said plastic cap further comprises a rotational grip on said cap surface.

12. The plastic cap of claim 11, wherein the rotational grip includes a major axis and a minor axis.

13. The plastic cap of claim 11, wherein the rotational grip is raised from the cap surface.

14. The plastic cap of claim 11, wherein the rotational grip includes a recess in the cap surface.