NZ202411A

NZ202411A - Threaded closure cap and assembly;dome-like projection in cap top wall

Info

Publication number: NZ202411A
Application number: NZ202411A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: R Mark; L C Douglas; R M Moser
Original assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date: 1981-11-16
Filing date: 1982-11-05
Publication date: 1985-09-13
Also published as: GB2109354A; FR2516479A1; AU652146B2; AU7733687A; IT1148463B; IT8249501A0; CA1201087A; FR2516479B1; CH662542A5; GB2109354B; DK504482A; AU9049782A; MX158205A; AU7413891A; ZA828115B; DE3241421C2; DE3241421A1

Description

<div class="application article clearfix" id="description"> 2024| | \k:J.lr. ?.'■ Priority Date(s): cm"ro?s; Ciass: ..V-P--V Publication Date: . • • j P.O. Journal, No. Patents Fonn No. 5 Number PATENTS ACT 1953 Dated COMPLETE SPECIFICATION CONTAINER CLOSURE AND ASSEMBLY //We COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY a corporation organised under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America of 300 Park Avenur New York, New York 10022, United States of America do hereby declare the invention for which //we pray that a Patent may be granted to }fS5/us. and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: (Followed by page la) - 1 - 20241\ This invention relates to removable closures for containers and particularly to special closure structures and the assembly thereof with certain containers. In its preferred embodiment the invention will be described in association with a container assembly of the type disclosed in U.S. Letters Patent No. k,269,722 issued May 26, ig8l to Joshi et al. As will appear the container may be the same as disclosed in Joshi et al.except for the neck arrangements. The invention contemplates as a major object a novel container closure structure integrally formed of a suitable stiff synthetic plastic such as polypropylene having its top wall indented to provide an internal projection that is adapted to close the open end of the container neck when installed. Further to this object the projection is surrounded at its base by an annular flat surface adapted to seat tightly in full surface direct engagement all around the upper edge of the opening in the container neck. A further object of the invention is to provide a novel container assembly consisting of a container and the foregoing closure wherein the closure is secured upon the container as by a specially located threaded connection that pulls the flat sealing surface of the closure tight upon the edge of the container neck. It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel generally cylindrical container closure having an indented top wall providing an internal cylindrical neck-closing projection surrounded by an annular planar surface adapted to seat tightly upon the edge of the container neck and thereby coact with a correspondingly . located external thread formed on the container neck just below the edge of the dispensing opening. - la - 2024? It Further novel features and other objects of this invention j^will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a side view showing a container closure cap according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view looking up into the interior of the closure of Fig. 1; ■ Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial section showing coaction of the closure of Fig. 1 with the container neck; and Fig. 5 is an illustrative side view showing a filled and closed container in its normal disposition after packaging for shipment. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention provides a novel closure cap 11 for the container 12. The cap 11 may be integrally formed of polypropylene while the container may be integrally formed of polyvinylchloride. The container 12 may be blow molded from a suitable synthetic plastic and is preferably transparent so that the color of its contents may show. The container 12 is of known shape and dimensions and, except for the location of the external threads on the container neck, may be essentially the same as used prior to the invention and shown in the Joshi et al. patent. The container 12 comprises a body 13 having a rounded edge through-opening that defines a handle lU at one side of the top, and a reduced diameter cylindrical neck 15 that terminates in an open mouth surrounded by an annular axially facing flat smooth end surface 16 lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis A of the con- - 2 - 2024-11 tainer neck. The inner surface 17 of the neck 15 is smooth and ^cylindrical, and it intersects the end surface 16 in a circular line indicated at 18. A substantially helical external thread 19 consisting of a singl revolution with a slight overlap is integrally formed on the neck 15 adjacent the edge thereof just downwardly of the mouth. A flat shoulder 21 lying in a plane parallel to surface 16 is provided at the juncture between the neck 15 and the body 13, and an external shallow finishing groove 22 is formed in the neck 15 just above the shoulder 21. This finishing groove is adapted to coact with a trimming apparatus (not shown) which cuts the end surface 16 and which has lying opposite it an internal continuous rib 23 which maintains wall thickness of the neck and gives it rigidity. The cap 11 is symmetrical about an axis B and comprises a top wall 24 and a depending generally cylindrical side wall 25. The top wall is indented to form a central depressed relatively shallow recess 26 that exhibits an annular side wall 27 and a bottom wall 28. As shown, the walls 27 and 28 are of uniform thickness and substantially maintain the thickness of cap side wall 25. The outer peripheral surface 29 of the recess side wall is smooth and preferably either cylindrical or with a slight downwardly converging conical taper. Thus there is provided within the cap a substantially cylindrical projection 30 which, as will appear, is adapted to fit snugly within the neck opening of the container 12. The end portion 31 of the cap side wall 25 is, where it joins the cap top wall, of about the same thickness as walls 27 and 28 and uniformly surrounds the recess side wall and defines with the cap top wall and the recess side wall 27 an annular recess 32 which surrounds the projection and as will appear receives the end 30 of the container neck 15 when the cap is on the container. 2.0W I The bottom of the recess 32 is a smooth flat annular surface I 33 that is planar, smooth and accurately disposed at right angles to the central axis B of the cap. The surface 33 extends around the base of the projection 30 and perpendicularly intersects the surface 29. A generally helical thread 3^ is integrally formed inside the cap side wall 25 and extends from the recess 32 to the neck portion of the cap. The thread 34 matches the container neck thread 19 and preferably extends for more than two revolutions as shown. The outer surface 35 of the cap recess 26 is curved, and the inner surface 36 thereof is correspondingly curved intersecting the periphery 29 of the recess side wall in a circle as indicated at 37. This provides a bowed, inverted dome central region for the cap top wall, which strengthens that wall against lateral collapse when the cap is screwed onto the container neck as will appear. The recess 32 thus surrounds the domed internal project-ion -30 in the cap. The skirt portion of the cap side wall may, as indicated at 38, be thinner than the other portions of the cap because it is not subjected to appreciable stress when the cap is installed, thus permitting a savings in material. If desired, light, stiffening ribs 43 may be provided to make the skirt somewhat more rigid. The outer side of the closure may be fluted as shown at 4l similarly to the closure cap in Joshi et al. In a cap having a diameter of about 1 3/^ inches and a side wall length of about 1 1/16 inches, the depth of recess 32 may be about 1/4 inch. The container 12 is normally used to package a relatively heavy detergent powder such as that disclosed in said Joshi et al. patent, and the cap 12 is employed as a measuring device since only small quantities of this detergent are required for normal washing machine loads. - 4 - . " 2024-11 For example the cap here defined has a volume of 1/8 cup, so that two fillings will supply the normal 1/4 cup of this detergent usually used. As the cap is placed over the container neck it is turned about its axis and engagement of the threads pulls the cap axially until the projection 30 enters the open neck mouth and the surface 16 is in tight full surface engagement all around with the surface 33. The inherent flexibility of the plastic materials involved compensates for slight tolerances in molding whereby the projection 30 fits snugly and tightly with the neck surface 17 to provide a longitudinal seal 17, 29 that is substantially continuous with the axial seal 16, 33. In addition the projection 30 helps maintain the cylindrical shape of the container neck while the cap is being turned on the neck thread, and the assembly is increasingly tight. By locating the screw thread connection near the outer end of the container neck and also where the cap wall thickness is greatest, a more efficient coupling of the cap with the container is secured. By indenting the top wall of the closure the available internal volume of the closure for accurate dosage measurement may be accurately controlled, while preserving the height appearance of the cap relative to the container. Thus in summary the advantages of the closure and assembly disclosed over that disclosed in said Joshi et al. patent are: (1) An unlined cap is provided which exhibits a better seal with the container neck. In addition to the mechanical advantages, elimination of a liner reduces manufacturing time and other costs. (2) The new structure provides a stronger closure of better external appearance and better holding of the closure on the container neck in the assembly. 2Q2QI f\ (3) Cap damage daring transit is practically eliminated. As shown in Fig. 5 these detergent containers are shipped disposed upside down in cartons. Previously, when a carton was slammed down onto a rigid surface such as that at 42 in Fig. 53 the impact could result in considerable breakage of prior designed caps. However, where in accordance with the invention, the end edge of the container neck is in solid abutment with the bottom wall of the cap as shown in Fig. 4, a considerable reduction in cap damage has been observed under comparable circumstances. (4) The new construction is so proportioned that it requires considerably less plastic material, thereby effecting an appreciaole saving. (5) By indenting the top wall of the cap, accurate control of the vplumetric capacity thereof is attained while preserving the external appearance of the cap design. For example in the case of a known detergent, the volumetric capacity of the cap is 1/8 cug, and accuracy is important to avoid wasting expensive detergent. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: - 6 - </div>

Claims

<div class="application article clearfix printTableText" id="claims"> - ---| 20241 I » - •- * ,v - -: ' _ j \ WHAT WE CLAIM IS: ' v ■ • rv; 0. ' ... - V —^ ~

1. A one-piece cup-shaped synthetic plastics container closure cap having a top wall and a depending side wall, said top wall being centrally indented to form an internal bowed, dome-like projection having a cylindrical periphery surrounded at its base by an annular flat surface lying in a plane at right angles to the periphery of the projection, and internal thread means on the inner periphery of said side wall.

2. The closure cap defined in Claim 1 wherein said thread means is adjacent said projection.

3. An integral synthetic plastics closure cap for a container having an open annular neck, said cap being cup-shaped and having a top wall with an annular side wall extending from the outer periphery of said top wall, means providing an indented depressed region centrally of said top wall such that the periphery of said indented depressed region is substantially perpendicular to the plane of said top wall and said indented depressed region forms with an adjacently surrounding region of said side wall an annular recess for receiving the open end of said neck, said annular recess having a flat bottom adapted to receive in direct full surface abutment the axially facing end edge of said open neck, said depressed region of the cap providing a bowed, dome-like projection adapted to extend within the open end of the container neck to fit within the inner periphery of said neck, internal thread means within the cap side wall located adjacent but longitudinally downwardly from said annular recess and adapted to coact with inter-fitting corresponding external thread means around the neck, said parts being so constructed and arranged that when said cap is placed over said neck and screwed on tight said projection will close the neck opening and the end edge of said neck will be in solid abutment with the flat bottom of said annular cap recess. -7-

4. The closure cap defined in dlaim 3,,wherein s^id indented depressed region and said adjacently surrounding region of said side wall provide walls of said recess substantially perpendicularly to said top wall.

5. The closure cap defined in Claim 3, wherein said bottom wall and the region of said side wall that surrounds said recess and bears said thread means are of substantially uniform thicknes;

6. A container assembly comprising a container having an open substantially cylindrical neck having a flat end edge and external thread means adjacent the open end of said neck, an integral cup-shaped synthetic plastics closure cap having a top wall with an annular side wall extending from the outer periphery of said top wall, means providing an indented depressed region centrally of said top wall and forming with the adjacently surrounding region of said side wall an annular recess receiving the open end of said container neck, said annular recess having a flat bottom in direct full surface abutment with the axially facing end edge of said open neck, said depressed region of the cap providing a bowed, dome-like projection extending snugly within the open end of the container neck to tightly fit with the inner periphery of said neck, internal thread means within the cap side wall located adjacent and downwardly from said annular recess and adapted to coact with said external thread means around ±he neck, said parts being so constructed and arranged that when said cap is placed over said neck and screwed on tight said projection closes the open end of said neck, the end edge of said neck is in solid abutment with the flat bottom of said annular cap recess and the region of contact between the periphery of said projection and the internal periphery of said neck intersects substantially at right angles the region of contact between said end edge of said neck and the bottom . surface of said recess. WEST-WALKER, McCABE per: ' " ATTORNEYS FOR THE APPLICANT -8- </div>