Universal container closure
A universal container closure capable of sealing containers with various opening sizes and configurations. The universal container closure includes a solid body with a first opening in the exterior surface that opens into a first cylindrical cavity. A second cylindrical cavity is fluidly connected and coaxial with the first cylindrical cavity. The second cylindrical cavity has a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical cavity. A second opening is also provided in the solid body which opens into a third cylindrical cavity. The third cylindrical cavity has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the second cylindrical cavity but smaller than the diameter of the first cylindrical cavity.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of container closures. More specifically, the present invention comprises a universal container closure capable of sealing container openings of varying size and configuration.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various container closures are known in the prior art. Most container closures are designed to fit a group of containers having a commonly-sized opening. The designs of prior art container closures are also particularly-configured to compliment features of the container opening. For example, many container closures have female threading that is patterned to engage male threading present on the container opening.
It is not uncommon for one to lose or break a closure that is provided with a container. In some cases, this can cause the contents of the container to spoil. In these cases, it would be desirable to provide a replacement closure capable of sealing the container. This is particularly true for artists who work with paint. These artists are familiar with the problems associated with losing or damaging a closure. If a suitable replacement closure is not obtained quickly, the paint can dry out or degrade.
Until now little consideration has been given to addressing the commercial need of replacement closures. Thus, it would be beneficial to provide a replacement closure that is adapted to seal containers openings of varying size and configuration.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention comprises a universal container closure capable of sealing containers with various opening sizes and configurations. The universal container closure includes a solid body with a first opening in the exterior surface that opens into a first cylindrical cavity. A second cylindrical cavity is fluidly connected and coaxial with the first cylindrical cavity. The second cylindrical cavity has a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical cavity. A second opening is also provided in the solid body which opens into a third cylindrical cavity. The third cylindrical cavity has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the second cylindrical cavity but smaller than the diameter of the first cylindrical cavity.
The present invention, universal container closure 10, is illustrated in
Turning to
As shown in
On the opposite side of the solid body, sloping shoulder 26 is provided between opening 20 and wide cylindrical cavity 12. Shoulder 26 serves a similar function as shoulder 40. Wide cylindrical cavity 12 has a larger diameter than medium cylindrical cavity 16 to accommodate container openings that are too large for medium cylindrical cavity 16. Narrow cylindrical cavity 14 is fluidly connected and coaxial with wide cylindrical cavity 12. Narrow cylindrical cavity 14 has a diameter that is narrower than medium cylindrical cavity 16 to accommodate container openings that are too small for medium cylindrical cavity 16. Sloping shoulder 30 is provided between wide cylindrical cavity 12 and narrow cylindrical cavity 14. Like shoulder 40 and shoulder 26, shoulder 30 directs small container openings into narrow cylindrical cavity 14 and facilitates the deformation of wall 32 around the container opening. Wall 28, wall 32, and wall 38 are all substantially cylindrical in shape, but the walls could include positive gripping features such as ridges or valleys.
Divider wall 34 is provided between cavity end 36 and cavity end 34. This feature allows both opening 22 and opening 20 to be used to seal a container opening as illustrated in
Turning to
As shown in
As shown in
By now the reader should appreciate that the artist can use the same universal container closure to close containers having openings of varying sizes and configurations. This is particularly helpful because most artists have many paint containers of different size and opening design. In the present example where universal container closure 10 is used to as a replacement cap for paint tubes, it is desirable that the small cylindrical cavity have an inside diameter in the range of 0.200 inches to 0.280 inches, the medium cylindrical cavity have an inside diameter in the range of 0.375 inches to 0.450 inches, and the large cylinder have an inside diameter in the range of 0.500 inches through 0.700 inches. The present invention may also be used to seal other containers as well, however. In other applications, different dimensions may be required. The preceding descriptions should not be construed, therefore, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention.
Claims
1. A universal container closure for sealing containers of varying sizes and configurations, comprising:
- a. a body comprising a flexible material, said body having an exterior surface and an interior;
- b. a first cylindrical cavity within said body, said first cylindrical cavity having a first diameter, said first cylindrical cavity formed by a first opening in said exterior surface;
- c. a second cylindrical cavity within said body, said second cylindrical cavity fluidly connected and coaxial with said first cavity, said second cylindrical cavity having a cavity end wall distal said first cylindrical cavity, said second cylindrical cavity having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter; and
- d. a third cylindrical cavity within said body, said third cylindrical cavity having a third diameter, said third cylindrical cavity formed by a second opening in said exterior surface and separated from said first cylindrical cavity and said second cylindrical cavity by a divider wall.
2. The universal container closure of claim 1, said third diameter being greater than said second diameter and less than said first diameter.
3. The universal container closure of claim 1, said second opening positioned on the opposite side of said body from said first opening.
4. The universal container closure of claim 1, said body further comprising a planed surface on said exterior surface between said first opening and said second opening.
5. The universal container closure of claim 1, wherein said flexible material is a polymer.
6. The universal container closure of claim 1, wherein said flexible material has a shore A durometer in the range of 30 to 60.
7. A universal container closure for sealing containers of varying sizes and configurations, comprising:
- a. a body comprising a flexible material, said body having an exterior surface and an interior, said flexible material having a shore A durometer in the range of 30 to 60;
- b. a first cylindrical cavity within said body, said first cylindrical cavity having a first diameter, said first cylindrical cavity formed by a first opening in said exterior surface;
- c. a second cylindrical cavity within said body, said second cylindrical cavity fluidly connected and coaxial with said first cavity, said second cylindrical cavity having a cavity end wall distal said first cylindrical cavity, said second cylindrical cavity having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter; and
- d. a third cylindrical cavity within said body, said third cylindrical cavity having a third diameter, said third diameter being greater than said second diameter and less than said first diameter.
8. The universal container closure of claim 7, wherein said third cylindrical cavity is separated from said first cylindrical cavity and said second cylindrical cavity by a divider wall.
9. The universal container closure of claim 7, wherein said third cylindrical cavity formed by a second opening in said exterior surface.
10. The universal container closure of claim 9, said second opening positioned on the opposite side of said body from said first opening.
11. The universal container closure of claim 10, said body further comprising a planed surface on said exterior surface between said first opening and said second opening.
12. The universal container closure of claim 7, wherein said flexible material is a polymer.
13. A universal container closure for sealing containers of varying sizes and configurations, comprising:
- a. a body comprising a flexible material, said body having an exterior surface and an interior;
- b. a first cylindrical cavity within said body, said first cylindrical cavity having a first diameter, said first cylindrical cavity formed by a first opening in said exterior surface;
- c. a first sloping shoulder between said first opening and said first cylindrical cavity, said first sloping shoulder having a first shoulder diameter proximate exterior surface and a second shoulder diameter proximate said first cylindrical cavity, said second should diameter narrower than said first shoulder diameter;
- d. a second cylindrical cavity within said body, said second cylindrical cavity fluidly connected and coaxial with said first cavity, said second cylindrical cavity having a cavity end wall distal said first cylindrical cavity, said second cylindrical cavity having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter; and
- e. a second sloping shoulder between said first cylindrical cavity and said second cylindrical cavity, said second sloping shoulder having a third shoulder diameter proximate said first cylindrical cavity and a fourth shoulder diameter proximate second cylindrical cavity, said fourth shoulder diameter narrower than said third shoulder diameter.
14. The universal container closure of claim 13, further comprising a third cylindrical cavity within said body, said third cylindrical cavity having a third diameter, said third cylindrical cavity formed by a second opening in said exterior surface and separated from said first cylindrical cavity and said second cylindrical cavity by a divider wall.
15. The universal container closure of claim 13, said third diameter being greater than said second diameter and less than said first diameter.
16. The universal container closure of claim 14, said second opening positioned on the opposite side of said body from said first opening.
17. The universal container closure of claim 14, said body further comprising a planed surface on said exterior surface between said first opening and said second opening.
18. The universal container closure of claim 13, wherein said flexible material is a polymer.
19. The universal container closure of claim 13, wherein said flexible material has a shore A durometer in the range of 30 to 60.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 15, 2007
Publication Date: Dec 18, 2008
Inventor: Tyler G. Cintron (Tallahassee, FL)
Application Number: 11/818,606
International Classification: B65D 41/04 (20060101);