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
  • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
  • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
  • B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
  • B65D47/2006—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge formed by a rigid spout outlet opened by tilting of the spout outlet
• • 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
  • B65D50/00—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures
  • B65D50/02—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions
  • B65D50/06—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions requiring the combination of different actions in succession
  • B65D50/067—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions requiring the combination of different actions in succession using integral or non-integral accessories, e.g. tool, key
• • 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
  • B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means

Definitions

• This invention relates generally to containers for dispensing products. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved dispensing closure having an integral switch to prevent opening of the closure, and an integral tamper evidency feature.
• Assemblies for dispensing liquid or solid product are known in the art.
• a dispensing lid having a product dispensing position and a closed position, is pivotally attached to a closure body.
• the closure body may have a threaded structure for engaging a mouth or similar neck finish disposed on a product storage container such that the storage chamber is in product communication with the dispensing lid.
• dispensers may function well for the purposes for which they were designed, they have drawbacks. For example, during shipping, storage and handling, a dispensing lid may inadvertently be moved to the dispensing position allowing spillage or other undesirable escape of the product. Such spillage may make the product non- sal-sable, soil the surrounding environment, and/or inconvenience further handling and use.
• some prior structures also allowed purposeful opening of the containers and contamination of the contents during shipping or storage without the knowledge of the end user. In these and other circumstances, it would be desirable to provide an improved dispenser having a locking mechanism to prevent inadvertent movement of the dispensing lid and a tamper evidence structure that are easy to use and manufacture and do not add significant cost to the container.
• U.S. Patent No. 5,205,424 to Gaspar illustrates a child resistant cap and container assemblage having a lid with an internal locking means and a spring to bias the lid in the closed position.
• a ball bearing is in obstructive contact with the lid preventing its movement to the open position. If the dispenser is tipped at -in -ingle, the ball bearing moves out of obstructive contact with the lid thereby permitting movement of the lid to its dispensing position.
• Another embodiment discloses a slidable rod which engages the lid thereby preventing its rotation to the dispensing position.
• dispensers each provide a means for physically preventing the accidental movement of the lid to the dispensing position, they require the provision .and assembly of a plurality of individual parts, resulting in somewhat complex and more costly packaging. Consequently, it would be desirable to provide a locking structure which is formed integrally with the lid and or closure body, for simplicity and ease of manufacture, and which may initially function as a shipping lock and which thereafter may repeatably function as a travel lock. It would also be advantageous if such a structure were child-proof yet still easily manipulated by adults.
• a tamper evidence structure e.g., an external visual seal and/or indicator for indicating whether the lid had previously been moved to die dispensing position during shipping, storage or handling would be desirable.
• the present invention provides an improved dispensing closure which can accommodate designs having the above-described simplicity and multi-functional benefits and features, while being childproof, easy for adults to use, and widiout adding significant cost to the containers.
• a dispensing closure for dispensing a product from a container having a product storage chamber.
• the dispensing closure comprises a closure body, a dispensing lid having a lid top surface and an integral locking switch.
• the closure body has a top face with a downwardly depending skirt, a passageway, and an attachment structure for attaching the body to the container such that the container is in product communication with the passageway.
• the dispensing closure is also provided with a mounting structure, preferably a pivot, for movably attaching the dispensing lid such that the lid can be selectively moved between closed and dispensing positions.
• the dispensing lid has a discharge aperture disposed thereon such that, when the dispensing lid is in its dispensing position, the discharge aperture is in product communication with the passageway of the closure body.
• the dispensing closure is also preferably provided with an integrally formed locking switch having a predetermined locked position with a stable first shape wherein the lid is in obstructive contact with .an obstruction such that it is prevented from being moved to its dispensing position.
• the locking switch also has a predetermined unlocked position widi a stable second shape wherein the lid is substantially clear of the obstruction such that it can be moved to its dispensing position.
• the obstruction may comprise a rib adjacent the skirt or a bottom edge of a cutout portion of the skirt
• the ⁇ b may be further provided with a detent for preventing inadvertent movement of the locking switch
• the locking switch has a first living hinge and a second living hinge both of which are integrally formed with the dispensing lid or the closure body
• Preferably disposed between the living hinges is a flexible member
• the locking switch comprises a third living hinge, a first switch member and a second switch member. The first switch member is disposed between and integral with the first and third living hinges while the second suitch member is disposed between and integral with the second and third living hinges
• the locking switch and/or closure body can be provided with an integral frangible tab for tamper evidency
• the frangible tab may be disposed between .in extension .and the lid surface or between a pair of wing members
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing closure made in accordance with the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the dispensing closure of FIG 1 , taken along line 2-2 thereof, illustrating the dispensing lid in the closed position,
• FIG. 2A is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the dispensing closure of FIG 2 taken about circle 2A thereof;
• FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the dispensing closure of FIG 1. taken along line 2-2 thereof, illustrating the dispensing lid in the dispensing position,
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a closure of a dispensing closure as illustrated in FIG. 1, shown without the dispensing lid for clanrv .
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a dispensing lid of the closure of FIG I . wherein the locking switch includes three living hinges and a frangible tab,
• FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the dispensing lid of FIG. 5, illustrating the locking switch in its initial locked position
• FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the Juf -mmg lid of FIG 5 illustrating the locking switch in its unlocked position
• FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view ot the U lung switch of the dispensing lid of FIG. 8
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a Jisfx- ing closure made in accordance with the present invention, wherein the locking s itch I .n - ralK formed with the closure bodv and is shown in its locked position;
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 9, wherein the locking switch is shown in its unlocked position;
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a dispensing lid of the present invention, wherein the locking switch is provided with two living hinges .and a frangible tab;
• FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the dispensing lid of FIG. 11, illustrating the locking switch in its initial locked position
• FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the dispensing lid of FIG. 11, illustrating the locking switch in its unlocked position.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing closure 20 made in accordance with the present invention, comprising a closure body 22 and dispensing lid 24 having an integral locking switch 26, including at least two living hinges.
• living hinge shall generally mean an integral structure having a reduced cross sectional area, when compared with surrounding structure, such that the structure is capable of rotational bending without significant degradation in structural integrity (i.e., capable of repeated bending without cracking or otherwise demonstrating signs of fatigue).
• Closure body 22 preferably has a top face 28 and a skirt 30 which generally depends downwardly from the periphery of top face 28.
• Skirt 30 may comprise a single continuous curved or rounded section, or may be defined by the interconnection of a plurality of walls of various configurations (e.g., straight, convex, concave, partially circular, partially elliptical, or any combination thereof) to provide for a unique, pleasing appearance.
• dispensing closure 20 may be attached to an upwardly extending neck finish 32 of a bottle or similar container 34 having a product storage chamber 36.
• Neck finish 32 has an opening in product communication with storage chamber 36. Threads can be provided so that dispensing closure 20 may attach to container 34, although other attachment structures known in the art, such as snap fit arrangements, spin welding interfaces, or the like, are equally suitable for attaching the two pieces.
• a dispensing opening 38 is provided through lower deck 40 in closure body 22, and is disposed such that dispensing opening 38 is placed in product communication with product storage chamber 36.
• Closure plug 42 extends downwardly from the inner portion of dispensing lid 24 such that it sealingly engages dispensing opening 38 when lid 24 is in its closed position (FIG. 2). When dispensing lid 24 is rotated to its open position (FIG. 3), plug 42 is raised clear of dispensing opening 38, thereby permitting dispensing of product.
• a recessed cavity is defined, at least in part, by deck 40 and opposing deck walls 44a and 44b, which extend upwardly from and around deck 40, thereby providing a mounting location for dispensing lid 24.
• deck walls 44a and 44b may have any of a variety of configurations (e.g., straight, convex, concave, elliptical or any combination thereof).
• the front .and rear of the cavity may be at least partially defined and enclosed by portions of skirt 30.
• a lowered portion of skirt 30 is preferably located on one side of the cavity to facilitate user access to locking switch 26, and is defined by lowered edge 46.
• lowered edge 46 and/or rib 48 (FIG. 2A) may define a locking switch obstruction for purposes that will be described in more detail hereinafter.
• the cavity must be sized to accommodate dispensing lid 24, such that lid 24 may move (e.g., via pivoting) between a closed position (FIG. 2) and a dispensing position (FIG. 3).
• Deck walls 44a and 44b preferably include pivot recesses 50a and 50b, or similar mounting structures, which cooperate with knobs 52a and 52b (FIG. 5) on lid 24. When engaged, pivot recesses 50a and 50b and knobs 52a and 52b are pivotally aligned along an axis (e.g., axis A of FIG. 5) generally transverse to lid 24 and about which lid 24 may pivot.
• dispensing lid 24 has an integral locking switch 26, a lid top surface 54, and lid wall 56 which generally depends downwardly from the periphery of lid top surface 54. Dispensing lid 24 further includes a passage or discharge aperture 58 which communicates with opening 38 and allows the user to dispense product outwardly from dispensing closure 20 when in the open or dispensing position.
• Dispensing lid 24 can be provided with lid protrusions 60a and 60b (FIG. 5) which may engage lid depressions 62a and 62b (FIG. 4), thereby preventing inadvertent opening of lid 24 to its dispensing position.
• Lid protrusions 60a and 60b provide only a slight engagement with lid depressions 62a and 62b that can easily be overcome by the force a user would exert to move dispensing lid 24 to the dispensing position.
• Locking switch 26 of the present invention may be provided in a variety of forms and structures, .and can be formed as part of dispensing lid 24, as part of closure body 22, or as part of both.
• locking switch 26 is in obstructive contact with an obstruction, such as rib 48 in FIG. 2A, in the locked position thereby preventing lid 24 from moving to its dispensing position without prior actuation of switch 26.
• rib 48 in FIG. 2A
• lowered edge 46 of locking switch 26 may be in obstructive contact with rib 48.
• edge 64 would have to clear rib 48 in order to move lid 24 to the dispensing position.
• locking switch 26 may be provided with a rearwardly extending structure (not shown) which is in obstructive contact with edge 46 of closure body 22 when locking switch 26 is in its locked position; in this case, rib 48 would be absent.
• switch 26 When switch 26 is moved to its unlocked position, the obstruction would have to clear edge 46 so that lid 24 may be moved to the dispensing position.
• Locking switch 26 preferably has a stable first shape (FIG. 6), in which it is supplied, and a stable second shape (FIG. 7), in which it is purposefully put, corresponding to the locked and unlocked positions, respectively.
• the phrase "stable shape,” as used herein, is intended to refer to a position of locking switch 26 which can be maintained without application of any external force. While it is believed that the action of bi-stable locking switch 26 will be understandable to those of ordinary skill in the art, for completeness and clarity, a general description of the bi-stable operation of the illustrated embodiments will be provided.
• the living hinges are areas of reduced thickness "T" along switch 26.
• the portions of switch 26 between the hinges have effective lengths L j and L as shown.
• Length L3 is the approximate distance between living hinges 66a and 66c.
• the living hinges also have hinge radii "R".
• LI plus L2 must equal a length greater than L3. This difference in length must not be so great that switch 26, when moved from the locked to the unlocked position, will suffer permanent damage; however, die length difference must be great enough so that the switch will hold the unlocked position when the user releases applied force from it.
• switch 26 goes into compression.
• the natural tendency for the material at that point will be for it to want to spring back to a relief position, upon release of the user's applied force, that releases the compressive forces within.
• that relief position Before a certain point during actuation, that relief position will be it's original position (as shown in FIG. 8). Beyond that certain point during actuation, that relief position will be the position shown in FIG. 7. In the position of FIG. 7, the outside surface 68 of switch 26 will be in compression, and the inside surface 70 of switch 26 will be in tension, but the major compressive forces within the body of the switch will be relieved and this will allow the switch to hold its position. Locking switch 26 will retain this position until force is applied in the opposite direction to once again put the switch in the locked, or as supplied, position.
• locking switch 26 can be provided with -an integral tamper evidence structure for alerting the user of dispensing closure 20 whether dispensing lid 24 may have been moved to the dispensing position during shipping, storage, or handling.
• Frangible tab 72 (FIG. 8) is preferably disposed between and integral with wing members 74a and 74b and has a location of reduced cross sectional area (or other stress attracting configurations such as perforations or the like) such that when force is first applied to locking switch 26, tab 72 will fracture thus permitting movement of locking switch 26 from a locked position to an unlocked position.
• tab 72 fractures such that it does not interfere with the return movement of locking switch 26 to its locked position. As shown in FIG.
• frangible tab 72 may also be integrally attached between locking switch 26 and surface 54 such that it may fracture in compression the first time the switch is pushed. Once tab 72 is breached, it provides a physical and visual indication of the fact that the tamper seal has been broken. Frangible tab 72 may also work in cooperation with other tamper evidence structures such as cellophane seals and the like. In addition, frangible tab 72 may be formed from a material whose color changes when subjected to strain or fracture, such as a dark pigmented plastic. Such a feature would advantageously aid in the tamper evidence function.
• FIGS. 9 and 10 still another preferred embodiment can be provided wherein locking switch 26 is integrally formed with closure body 22 rather than dispensing lid 24.
• switch 26 has an "as supplied" locked position with a stable first shape, as best shown in FIG. 9.
• Protrusions 76a and 76b act as the obstruction to moving the lid 24 to the dispensing position. As switch 26 is pulled outward, it will reach a point where it holds its unlocked position as described above, and as shown in FIG. 10. Protrusions 76a and 76b are clear of the inside surface of lid 24 when locking switch 26 is in the unlocked position (FIG. 10), such that dispensing lid 24 can now be rotated to its dispensing position. Tamper evidence may also be provided by a frangible tab simil.--r to that described above.
• locking switch 26 includes only two living hinges. This works as described above, except that the switch body retains more flexibility without the wing structure shown in FIG. 8, and as such the switch 26 will retain the unlocked position without the need for a third living hinge.
• frangible tab 72 may be integrally formed between lid top surface 54 and extension 78 such that switch 26 cannot be moved from the locked position without fracturing or otherwise rupturing frangible tab 72.
• Extension 78 is integrally molded with switch 26 and positioned such that it may pass without substantial interference either above or below lid top surface 54 when locking switch 26 is moved from a locked position to a . n unlocked position or vice versa.
• Frangible tab 72 is preferably formed integrally to both extension 78 .and lid top surface 54 such that it will fracture when placed in compression, by a force applied to locking switch 26.
• closure body 22, dispensing lid 24 and locking switch 26 are formed from plastic or the like. More preferably, for economy and ease of manufacture, they may be manufactured by injection molding although other methods such as plastic welding, adhesive or mechanical connection of separately constructed parts may also be suitable. Locking switch 26 may also be used repeatedly as a travel lock so as to reduce the risk of inadvertent movement of lid 24 to its dispensing position during handling, traveling, etc.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

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• 1998
  • 1998-01-20 CA CA002318545A patent/CA2318545A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-01-20 WO PCT/US1998/001081 patent/WO1999036328A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-01-20 EP EP98902825A patent/EP1071616A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1998-01-20 JP JP2000540054A patent/JP2002509058A/ja not_active Withdrawn
  • 1998-01-20 CN CN98813704A patent/CN1284925A/zh active Pending

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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