EP0842090A1 - Container-closure assembly - Google Patents

Container-closure assembly

Info

Publication number
EP0842090A1
EP0842090A1 EP96921710A EP96921710A EP0842090A1 EP 0842090 A1 EP0842090 A1 EP 0842090A1 EP 96921710 A EP96921710 A EP 96921710A EP 96921710 A EP96921710 A EP 96921710A EP 0842090 A1 EP0842090 A1 EP 0842090A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cap
nozzle
diaphragm
tube
ribs
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP96921710A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Richard O'connell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Wheaton Holding Inc
Original Assignee
Wheaton Holding Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/512,291 external-priority patent/US5590798A/en
Application filed by Wheaton Holding Inc filed Critical Wheaton Holding Inc
Publication of EP0842090A1 publication Critical patent/EP0842090A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
    • B65D51/20—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing
    • B65D51/22—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure
    • B65D51/221—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure a major part of the inner closure being left inside the container after the opening
    • B65D51/222—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure a major part of the inner closure being left inside the container after the opening the piercing or cutting means being integral with, or fixedly attached to, the outer closure
    • 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
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
    • B65D2251/0015—Upper closure of the 41-type
    • 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
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
    • B65D2251/0093—Membrane
    • B65D2251/0096—Membrane integral with the container

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to container closure assemblies and more specifically to so called unit dose assemblies.
  • Container closures of the type to which the present invention relates are not new per se.
  • the patents listed below show generally unit dose packages of the type to which the present invention relates.
  • Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a container-closure assembly incorporating the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on lines 3-3 of Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 4a is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the cap
  • Fig. 4b is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the nozzle end of the tube.
  • Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view partly in section showing the cap activated to a diaphragm piercing position.
  • the assembly essentially comprises a tube (10) and a cap (12) both made out of a plastic material such as polypropylene (polyethylene).
  • the container (10) has a body portion (16) having a stepped neck or nozzle portion (18) connected to the body portion by a transition wall (20) of generally frusto conical configuration.
  • the nozzle (18) includes a lower generally cylindrical portion (22) and a tip portion (24) of reduced cross-section connected by a frusto conical wall portion (26).
  • the axial end face of the tip portion (24) is of reduced cross-section to define a diaphragm (28).
  • the nozzle has been configured to reduce to a diameter approximately the same as a so called luer fitment so that the tube can fit on the end of a standard injection needle or can be inserted in various types of devices used in administering drugs intravenously.
  • the cap (12) as illustrated is of generally cylindrical shape having a top wall (30) and a centrally depending piercing element (32) having a biased piercing tip (34).
  • the cap and tube are provide with interengaging locking means, in the present instance, comprising a radially outwardly directed circumferentially extending rib (34) on the tube portion (18) and a circumferentially extending groove (36) on the interior sidewall (40) of the cap.
  • the groove (36) is spaced downwardly a predetermined distance D from the piercing tip (34) of the piercing element (32) so that the tip is spaced above the diaphragm (26), when the rib (34) and groove (36) are interengaged in the manner shown in Fig. 2. This is the unarmed position of the assembly.
  • the lower terminal edge of the sidewall (40) is beveled outwardly to engage more readily over the rib (34) when the cap is assembled to the tube.
  • the outer peripheral surface of the cap is knurled as at (41) adjacent the lower edge of the sidewall or skirt portion to facilitate gripping by the user for applying and removing the cap.
  • means for guiding the piercing element so that upon activation of the cap, the piercing element (32) engages the diaphragm (26).
  • guides in the form of ribs (50) are provided on the interior wall of the cap adjacent the top wall (30).
  • the circular trace defined by the inner edge (54) of the ribs (50) is preferably only slightly greater in diameter than the outer diameter D 2 of the tube portion (24) so that the cap is guided in a truly axial direction when pushed inwardly to activate the system.
  • the ribs (50) have a beveled lower inner edge as at (56) to easily engage over the rounded edge tip portion (24).

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Seal Device For Vehicle (AREA)

Abstract

A cap (12) and tube (16) assembly comprising a tube (16) for containing a product and a cap (12) for closing an opening in the tube. The tube (16) has a nozzle (18) at one end with a diaphragm (28) puncturable to provide a discharge opening for dispensing of products. The cap (12) is engageable over the nozzle and has a means for puncturing (32) depending inwardly from the top of the cap and operable upon actuation of the cap (12) relative to the nozzle (18) to puncture the diaphragm (28). Ribs (50) on the interior of the cap snugly embrace the nozzle (18) during axial movement of the cap to ensure alignment of the piercing element (32) with the diaphragm (28) during the piercing operation.

Description

CONTAINER-CLOSURE ASSEMBLY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to container closure assemblies and more specifically to so called unit dose assemblies. BACKGROUND ART
Container closures of the type to which the present invention relates are not new per se. The patents listed below show generally unit dose packages of the type to which the present invention relates.
UNIT DOSE ASSEMBLY United States Patent No. 5,052,589
UNIT DOSE ASSEMBLY United States Patent No. 5,042,690
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Even though these designs are generally suitable for the purposes intended, it has been found that on occasion, the caps tend to tilt or cock to the point where when the cap is pushed inwardly to penetrate the diaphragm, the piercing element aligns with a thick wall portion surrounding the diaphragm thus jamming the piercing operation.
With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved container-closure design including novel alignment means for ensuring accurate penetration of the diaphragm even when the pressure exerted by the user is not in a truly axial direction, thereby obviating and eliminating the problems of prior assemblies of this type discussed above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects of the present invention and the various features and details of the operation and construction thereof are hereinafter more fully set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein;
Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a container-closure assembly incorporating the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on lines 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4a is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the cap;
Fig. 4b is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the nozzle end of the tube; and
Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view partly in section showing the cap activated to a diaphragm piercing position. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring now the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1-3 thereof, there is illustrated a unit dose container-closure assembly incoφorating the present invention. The assembly essentially comprises a tube (10) and a cap (12) both made out of a plastic material such as polypropylene (polyethylene). The container (10) has a body portion (16) having a stepped neck or nozzle portion (18) connected to the body portion by a transition wall (20) of generally frusto conical configuration. The nozzle (18) includes a lower generally cylindrical portion (22) and a tip portion (24) of reduced cross-section connected by a frusto conical wall portion (26). The axial end face of the tip portion (24) is of reduced cross-section to define a diaphragm (28).
It is noted that the nozzle has been configured to reduce to a diameter approximately the same as a so called luer fitment so that the tube can fit on the end of a standard injection needle or can be inserted in various types of devices used in administering drugs intravenously.
The cap (12) as illustrated is of generally cylindrical shape having a top wall (30) and a centrally depending piercing element (32) having a biased piercing tip (34).
The cap and tube are provide with interengaging locking means, in the present instance, comprising a radially outwardly directed circumferentially extending rib (34) on the tube portion (18) and a circumferentially extending groove (36) on the interior sidewall (40) of the cap. The groove (36) is spaced downwardly a predetermined distance D from the piercing tip (34) of the piercing element (32) so that the tip is spaced above the diaphragm (26), when the rib (34) and groove (36) are interengaged in the manner shown in Fig. 2. This is the unarmed position of the assembly. The lower terminal edge of the sidewall (40) is beveled outwardly to engage more readily over the rib (34) when the cap is assembled to the tube. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the cap is knurled as at (41) adjacent the lower edge of the sidewall or skirt portion to facilitate gripping by the user for applying and removing the cap.
In accordance with the present invention, means is provided for guiding the piercing element so that upon activation of the cap, the piercing element (32) engages the diaphragm (26). To this end, guides in the form of ribs (50) are provided on the interior wall of the cap adjacent the top wall (30). In the present instance, there are four (4) circumferentially equi spaced ribs (50) which extend a distance Dj from the top (30) beyond the piercing point (34) so that the upper tube portion (24) engages interiorly of the ribs (50) in the manner shown in Fig. 2. The circular trace defined by the inner edge (54) of the ribs (50) is preferably only slightly greater in diameter than the outer diameter D2 of the tube portion (24) so that the cap is guided in a truly axial direction when pushed inwardly to activate the system. The ribs (50) have a beveled lower inner edge as at (56) to easily engage over the rounded edge tip portion (24).
Even though a particular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein, it is not intended to limit the invention and changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:
1. A cap and tube assembly comprising: a tube for containing a product; a nozzle at one end of the tube having a thin wall portion defining a diaphragm puncturable to provide a discharge opening for dispensing the product; a cap engagable over the nozzle having a puncturing means depending inwardly from the top of the cap operable upon actuation of the cap relative to the nozzle to puncture the diaphragm; and rib means on the interior of the cap to snugly embrace the nozzle during axial movement of the cap to ensure alignment of the piercing element with the diaphragm during the piercing operation.
2. A cap and tube assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rib means comprises a plurality of ribs equi spaced circumferentially on the interior side wall of the cap.
3. A cap and tube assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the ribs are generally elongated and rectangular and the inner terminal edge of each of the ribs is beveled to function as a pilot portion when the cap is engaged initially over the nozzle and the inner edge of the ribs engages the tip of the nozzle adjacent the diaphragm.
EP96921710A 1995-06-22 1996-06-19 Container-closure assembly Withdrawn EP0842090A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US49368795A 1995-06-22 1995-06-22
US493687 1995-06-22
US512291 1995-08-08
US08/512,291 US5590798A (en) 1995-08-08 1995-08-08 Container-closure assembly
PCT/US1996/010627 WO1997000816A1 (en) 1995-06-22 1996-06-19 Container-closure assembly

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0842090A1 true EP0842090A1 (en) 1998-05-20

Family

ID=27051145

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96921710A Withdrawn EP0842090A1 (en) 1995-06-22 1996-06-19 Container-closure assembly

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0842090A1 (en)
AU (1) AU700814B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2223249C (en)
WO (1) WO1997000816A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5992668A (en) * 1996-07-11 1999-11-30 Aptargroup, Inc. Sealed dispensing closure with a sealed penetrator
GB2328935A (en) * 1997-09-09 1999-03-10 Merck & Co Inc Method for producing a uniform flow control orifice
US6126037A (en) * 1997-09-09 2000-10-03 Merck & Co., Inc. Flow control orifice
US5853109A (en) * 1998-04-29 1998-12-29 Aptargroup, Inc. Dispensing structure with displaceable penetrator and bistable cover actuator
US6003728A (en) * 1998-10-22 1999-12-21 Aptargroup, Inc. Dispensing structure with an openable member for separating two products
US8070014B2 (en) 2007-08-24 2011-12-06 Seaquist Closures L.L.C. Liner piercing twist closure
EP3235754B1 (en) * 2016-04-19 2021-11-03 Albéa Services Assembly for closing a tube and tube therewith
FR3050187B1 (en) * 2016-04-19 2020-10-23 Albea Services PUNCH PLUG, ESPECIALLY FOR SOFT TUBE
FR3050184B1 (en) 2016-04-19 2018-10-12 Albea Services PERFORATOR CAP IN PARTICULAR FOR A FLEXIBLE TUBE

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4170316A (en) * 1974-12-05 1979-10-09 Labarbera Mannie Over-cap closure device
US4150761A (en) * 1977-07-13 1979-04-24 Schenley Industries, Inc. Bottle closure-cup assembly
IT206497Z2 (en) * 1985-12-31 1987-08-10 Lameplast Di Ferrari & C Snc S PLASTIC CONTAINER FOR THE CONTROLLED DISPENSING OF DUST AND LIQUIDS IN DROPS, EQUIPPED WITH PERFORATING CLOSING CAPS OPERABLE AT THE TIME OF USE
US5052589A (en) * 1990-02-08 1991-10-01 Cp Packaging, Inc. Unit dose assembly

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9700816A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1997000816A1 (en) 1997-01-09
CA2223249A1 (en) 1997-01-09
CA2223249C (en) 2007-12-18
AU6285496A (en) 1997-01-22
AU700814B2 (en) 1999-01-14

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