GB2453018A

GB2453018A - Two-part closure cap for a container

Info

Publication number: GB2453018A
Application number: GB0813945A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Roberts
Original assignee: Chemence Ltd
Current assignee: Chemence Ltd
Priority date: 2007-09-24
Filing date: 2008-07-30
Publication date: 2009-03-25
Also published as: GB0813945D0; GB0718558D0

Abstract

A two-part closure cap 1 for a container 4 having a neck 3, the cap having a first part 2 with a lowermost portion for releasably engaging with the neck, an uppermost portion 11 extending upwardly from the lowermost portion (6<WC 1>, fig 1) and terminating in a valve stem 12 and a second part 5 with an uppermost portion 14 slidably received over the uppermost portion of the first part, the uppermost portion of the second part having an orifice 16 in its uppermost end which can be opened and closed by movement of the valve stem longitudinally of the uppermost portion of the second part, the orifice and the valve stem tapering upw<WC 1>ardly and being dimensioned so that in the closed position the valve stem seals or blocks the entire length of the orifice. Annular lugs 17, 18 may be provided so that movement of the second part is limited by the engagement of the lugs to prevent removal of the second part from the first part. The first and second parts may have threaded sections, which are connected to each other. The valve stem may be a pintle supported by a tripod and a child proof protective cap (25, fig 5) may be provided. The closure may be suitable to dispense a fluid such as an adhesive.

Description

Title: A Two-Part Closure Cap For A Container The present invention relates to a two-part closure cap for a container, the cap serving to dispense a fluid such as an adhesive particularly an anaerobic type adhesive held in the container.

European patent no. 0412285 (Kisling) discloses a two part cap for a container or bottle in which when one outer part is in the closed position the other inner part is almost hidden. The inner cap comprises two sets of threads on both sides of the cap which results in a bulky looking item.

The container accommodates fluids such as adhesives which have high penetrating characteristics. Thus the seals between the parts of the caps must be efficient.

In this cap arrangement a valve stem on one part of the cap enables liquid adhesive to be dispensed from the container when the valve stem is in a position whereby it opens an orifice on the other part of the cap to dispense the adhesive. Otherwise the valve * ** stem is moved to a position where it closes the orifice to prevent the further release of *.** adhesive. In the Kisling design the valve stem only seals or blocks a portion of the * :* : :* orifice when the valve stem is in the closed position. Thus adhesive can become trapped between the valve stem and the wail of the orifice and solidify thus preventing further movement of the valve stem to reopen the orifices Consequently the container S...

* : may have to be discarded though still containing a substantial amount of still usable * * adhesive which is obviously wasteful and possibly expensive.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome or at least mitigate this prob1em According to the present invention we provide a two-part closure cap for a container having a neck the cap having a first part with a lowermost portion for releasably engaging with the neck, an uppermost portion extending upwardly from the lowermost portion and terminating in a valve stem and a second part with an uppermost portion slidably received over the uppermost portion of the first part, the

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uppermost portion of the second part having an orifice in its uppermost end which can be opened and closed by movement of the valve stem longitudinally of the uppermost portion of the second part, the orifice and the valve stem being tapering inwardly upwardly and being dimensioned and shaped so that in the closed position the valve stein seals or blocks the entire length of the orifice portion.

In one embodiment of the invention, the uppermost portions of the first part and second part form, in use, a seal therebetween.

Preferably the seal is formed by an annular lug on a wall of one of the uppermost portions slidably engaging with an adjoining wall of the other uppermost portion.

Suitably the annular lug is formed on an inner wall of the uppermost portion of the second cap part; Conveniently the uppermost portions have spaced apart annular tugs on adjoining uppermost walls, the lugs being arranged in such a way that on longitudinal movement of the second cap part relative to the first cap part to open the valve, * movement of the second cap part is limited by the engagement of the lugs to prevent removal of the second cap part from the first cap part.

Preferably the first and second cap parts have threaded sections which are connected to each other whereby the second cap part can be screwed longitudinally to open and close the valve. * S S *

Suitably the lowermost portions of the first and second cap parts terminate in annular shoulders, the annular shoulder of the first cap part having an upper disc like section on which is disposed at least one ramp and the annular shoulder of the second cap part, when in use1 screwed down onto the annular shoulder of the first cap part fits over and against the at least one ramp to provide a tight but releasable connection between the cap parts.

Conveniently there are three ramps located equiangularly around the disc like section of the first cap part.

Preferably the ramps are in the form of sloping wedges.

Suitably the threads in the threaded sections are on different levels.

In the Kisling patent the threads are on the same level and so if and when the container leaks the cap parts will become bonded together and the customer will need to apply a high unscrewing torque to release the first cap part to make the product usable: This will not be possible if sufficient adhesive has leaked between the cap parts and dried. If the customer applies a high enough unscrewing torque the cap assembly will disengage from the container and hence the adhesive will become unusable even if the cap assembly is re-applied to the container. In the present invention the threads are on different levels. This means that the customer can always disengage the two cap parts in the unlikely event that adhesion occurs between the cap parts; Conveniently the valve stem is a pintle. * I. * * * * S.

Preferably the pintle tapers in an upward direction.

* :* : :* Suitably the lowermost portion of the first cap part is provided with a depending skirt which, in use, fits within and forms a seal with the neck of the container. * . .

:,: Conveniently the uppermost portion of the first cap part is provided with a tripod-like element which supports the pintle thereabove.

Preferably there are apertures between each of the legs of the tripod to permit the passage of liquid from the container to the orifice in the uppermost portion of the second cap part.

Conveniently the depending skirt of the first cap part is internally threaded for engagement with corresponding external threads on the neck of the container whereby the cap can be screwed onto and unscrewed from the container.

Preferably the cap includes the container.

Suitably a protective cap is provided for location over the container cap.

An embodiment of the invention will now be particularly described with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view from the front of a container with the cap in situ in the open position; Figure 2 is the same view as in Figure 1 with the cap in the open position, Figure 3 is a view from the side of the container and cap shown in Figures 1 and 2, Figure 4 is a close-up view of the cap nozzle in the closed position, Figure 5 is a close-up view of the cap nozzle in the open position, * ** * I I * S. * Figure 6 is view from the side of the cap in the open position, * SI Figure 7 is a plan view cross section of the tripod, I..

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*:::: Figure 8 is a side view of the cap showing a ramp member and S* * * S S * Figure9isanamplifledviewofFigure7.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the cap I which is made of a plastics material comprises a first part 2 which, in use, is screwed onto the neck.3 of a container 4 and a second part which, in use, is slidably mounted on the first part 2.

The first part 2 comprises a lowermost cylindrical portion 6 in the form of a cylindrical cap which has an internally threaded depending skirt 7 for releasable location on the externally threaded neck 3 of the container 4 and a shoulder in the form of an apertured discS which, in use, rests on the neck 3 of the container 4 as shown in the drawings. Extending upwardly from the disc 8 in alignment with the disc aperture is an uppermost portion 9 of the cap part 2 comprising a lowermost elongate cylindrical part 10 and an adjoining uppermost elongate cylindrical part 11 of smaller diameter than the part 10. The part 11 tapers inwardly near its uppermost end to terminate in and form a valve stem or pintle 12 for purposes to be described.

The second part 5 comprises a lowermost cylindrical portion 13 and an adjoining uppermost elongate cylindrical portion 14 which is of smaller diameter than portion 13. The portion 13 is internally threaded and in use is disposed upon and is engaged with the correspondingly externally threaded wall of cylindrical part 10 The lowermost portion 13 has an uppermost shoulder in the form of an apertured disc 15 and extending upwardly from the disc 15 in alignment with the disc aperture is the uppermost elongate cylindrical portion 14 of the second part 5. The elongate cylindrical portion 14 forms a slidable close fitting sleeve for the elongate cylindrical part 11 of the fiist cap part 2. The cylindrical portion 14 which tapers inwardly near it uppermost end terminates in an orifice 16 disposed in a nozzle. The pintle 12 of the first part 2 is, in use, longitudinally movable into and out of the orifice 16 in the * *: : nozzle respectively to close the orifice and prevent the flow of fluid out of the *: :: :* container and to open the orifice and permit flow of fluid out of the container. As previously mentioned, the pintle 12 tapers inwardly upwardly and the orifice 16 also tapers inwardly upwardly. As can be seen the orifice 16 and the pintle 12 are so dimensioned and shaped that in the closed position the pintle 12 fits closely within the *:::: orifice 16 to seal or block the entire length of the orifice 16. Thus in this arrangement no adhesive can be trapped between the pintle 12 and the orifice 16 and therefore there is no danger of adhesive solidifring and preventing further movement of the second part 5 to open the orifice 16.

Referring to the Figures 1 to 5, between the portion 9 and the inwardly tapering part 11 is provided an upwardly extending circular lug or rib 17 which forms a close fit seal with the inner wall of cylindrical portion 14 to prevent leakage of fluid.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, a portion of the internal wall of the portion 14 is thickened to form a lug 18. When the cap partS is moved longitudinally upwardly relative to the cap part 2 to open the nozzle 16 the lugs 17 and 18 interengage to prevent further upward movement of the cap part 5 as shown in Figures 5 and 6 so that it is not accidentally removed from cap part 2.

Referring again to Figures 1 to 6, longitudinal movement of the first part 2 is effected by manual rotation of the portion 13 to cause the nozzle 16 to move away from the pintle 12 (as shown in Figures 5 and 6) and therefore open the nozzle aperture to permit fluid to escape or in the reverse direction to cause the nozzle 16 to move towards the pintle 12 and close the nozzle aperture to prevent the escape of fluid (as shown in Figures 1 to 4).

Referring to Figures 7 to 9, located on the annular disc S of the first cap part 2 are three equiangularly spaced ramps 19, 20 and 21. The ramps are in the form of sloping wedges as shown in Figure 7. The lowermost portion 13 of the second cap part 5 tenninates in an annular shoulder 22 which, in use, when the second partS is screwed down on the first part 2 fits over and against the ramps 19 to 21 to provide a tight but releasable connection between the cap parts. This prevents inadvertent release of the cap part 5 from the cap part 2. * ** * . *

*....* Referring to Figures 7 and 9 the tripod for supporting the pintle 12 comprises three *** spaced radial legs 22, 23 and 24. These extend from the internal wall of cylindrical *:*::* part 11 as shown in Figures Ito 3 which show two of the three legs. Fluid can pass * between the spaces between the tripod legs 22, 23 and 24 to the nozzle. S...

:::: : To release the adhesive, the second cap part 5 is rotated so that the aperture is * uncovered by the pintle 12 to release the adhesive and continuing rotation of the second cap part S causes the rib 17 to engage the lug 18 and prevent further rotation of the second partS. Thus the lug 18 serves as a safety stop to prevent the user from twisting the second part 5 off the container.

The container 4 is ovoid in cross section as can be discerned from the view in Figure 3 as compared to the views in Figures 1 and 2. This permits the use of a protective child proof cap 25 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. This is also generally ovoid in cross section but is contoured to form a sleeve over the first and second parts 2 and 5 of the cap 1 while on the ovoid sides leaving a space between the cap 25 and the cap 1. The child proof cap 25 has a pair of snap fit lugs 26 and 27 near the base of the larger sides which engage the underneath of the skirt 7 in a snap fit when the cap 25 is pushed firmly down over the cap 1. This will prevent a child gaining access to the cap 1 and possibly releasing the fluid which might be toxic. The protective cap also has a pair of spaced apart lugs 28 and 29 depending from its roof 30 to allow the protective cap 25 to be centred over the two part cap L To release the cap 25 from the two part cap I its ovoid sides are squeezed to deform it and cause the lugs to be released from engagement with the skirt 7 when the cap can be removed.

Depending from the lower side of the discS is a circular skirt 3lwhich is spaced from and concentric with the skirt 7 to form a circular recess which receives the neck 3 of the container 4 when the first cap part 2 is screwed down onto the neck of the container 4. This provides a positive location for the first cap part 2.

The entire cap 1 is made of a plastics material and in particular a high density polyethylene (HDPE) in order to be compatible with the adhesive formulations which the container may hold, which adhesives may be of the anaerobic super glue type.

This material will not adversely affect the functioning of the cap assembly during use by the customer whereas caps made from polypropylene may be subject to leakage and clogging of the nozzle orifice. * ** *1 * * ..

In the present invention a single bore sealing ring is used which is designed to be flexible thus accommodating the varying tolerances of the neck which occur in mass production.

In the prior art described there are several sealing areas which tend to deteriorate during storage and customer use.

In the design of the present invention the tapered pintle l2will be forced into the aperture of the nozzle 16, the pintle shape accommodating moulding tolerances in the nozzle 16.

The tripod which holds the pintle 12 is especially designed centrally to hold the pintle 12 in position.

Claims

Claims I. A two-part closure cap for a container having a neck, the cap having a first part with a lowermost portion for releasably engaging with the neck, an uppermost portion extending upwardly from the lowermost portion and terminating in a valve stem and a second part with an uppermost portion slidably received over the uppermost portion of the first part, the uppermost portion of the second part having an orifice in its uppermost end which can be opened and closed by movement of the valve stem longitudinally of the uppermost portion of the second part, the orifice and the valve stem tapering upwardly and being dimensioned so that in the closed position the valve stem seals or blocks the entire length of the orifice.
2. A closure cap as claimed in claim 1 in which the uppermost portions of the first part and the second part form, in use, a seal therebetween
3. A closure cap as claimed in claim 2 in which the seal is formed by an annular lug on a wall of one of the uppermost portions slidably engaging with an adjoining wall of the other uppermost portion. * .
4. A closure cap as claimed in claim 3 in which the annular lug is formed on an inner wall of the uppermost portion of the second cap part.

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5. A closure cap as claimed in any of claims 3 and 4 in which the uppermost portions have spaced apart annular lugs on adjoining uppermost walls the lugs being arranged an such a way that on longitudinal movement of the second cap part relative to the first cap part to open the valve, movement of the second cap part is limited by the engagement of the lugs to prevent removal of the second cap part from the first cap part.
6. A closure cap as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the first and second cap parts have threaded sections which are connected to each other whereby the second cap part can be screwed longitudinally to open and close the valve.
7. A closure cap as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the lowermost portions of the first and second cap parts terminate in annular shoulders, the annular shoulder of the first cap part having an upper disc like section on which is disposed at least one ramp and the annular shoulder of the second cap part, when in use, screwed down onto the annular shoulder of the first cap part fits over and against the at least one ramp to provide a tight but releasable connection between the cap parts.
8. A closure cap as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which there are three ramps located equiangularly around the disc like section of the first cap part.
9. A closure cap as claimed in claim S in which the ramps are in the form of sloping wedges.
10.. A closure cap as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9 in which the threads in the threaded sections are on different levels.
ii. A closure cap as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the valve stem is apintle. * .* **.. * *
12. A closure cap as claimed in claim 11 in which the pintle tapers in an upward direction. S..
13. A closure cap as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the lowermost :::: : portion of the first cap part is provided with a depending skirt which in use, fits * within and forms a seal with the neck of the container.
14. A closure cap as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the uppermost portion of the first cap part is provided with a tripod-like element which supports the pintle thereabove.
15. A closure cap as claimed in claim 14 in which there are apertures between each of the legs of the tripod to permit the passage of liquid from the container to the orifice in the uppermost portion of the second cap part.
16. A closure cap as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15 in which the depending skirt of the first cap part is internally threaded for engagement with corresponding external threads on the neck of the container whereby the cap can be screwed onto and unscrewed from the container.
17. A closure cap as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the cap includes the container.
18. A closure cap as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which a protective cap is provided for location over the container cap.
19. A closure cap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. * .* ** * * *4 * h *... * ** * * S * SS S.

S S... * . S as I I. S * *.