Moisture Retention Seal

Abstract

Various moisture retention seals are disclosed, in the contexts of canisters and corresponding closures forming packages for avoiding moisture evaporation and in retaining liquid or moisture contained in the packages.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/734,069, filed Dec. 6, 2012, titled “Moisture Retention Seal,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to fluid seals and, more particularly, to a moisture retention seal for plastic packages.

BACKGROUND ART

FIG. 1A is an exploded side view of a prior art package 100 that included a cylindrically-shaped prior art canister 102 and a cup-shaped prior art closure 104, which is assembled telescopically over the opened-end of prior art canister 102. Prior art closure 104 has an inside diameter that is somewhat smaller than the outside diameter of prior art canister 102. Prior art canister 102 and prior art closure 104, when assembled as shown in dotted line, combine and cooperate to form a prior art seal 106 (FIG. 1B). Prior art canister 102 includes a bottom 108, generally configured as a disk, and a sidewall 110, generally configured as a cylindrical surface, coupled to and extending upwardly from the peripheral edge of bottom 108. Prior art canister 102 includes an opened-end portion 112 defining an opening 129 for access, from the top of the canister 102, to material or objects contained therein. Typically, prior art canister 102 is formed integrally, by, for example, blow-molding or injection-molding of thermoplastic material.

Prior art closure 104 includes a top 114, generally configured as a disk, and a skirt 116, generally configured as an annular ring, coupled to, and depending downwardly from, the peripheral edge of top 114. Top 114 defines an aperture 118 (FIG. 1B) therethrough for extracting material or objects contained in the canister 102 from its opened-end portion 112 after assembly of the canister 102 and the closure 104. Often, the package 100 further includes an aperture lid 120 to close off aperture 118 of the closure 104. In one embodiment, aperture lid 120 is coupled to the closure 104 by a living hinge 122, by which aperture lid 120 pivots with respect to the closure 104 to close off aperture 118 of the closure 104. Typically, the closure 104 is also formed integrally, by, for example, blow-molding or injection-molding of thermoplastic material. To form a seal between aperture lid 120 and closure 104, aperture lid 120 is typically snap-fitted to closure 104 in a manner well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Aperture lid 120 includes a lid sealing ring 132 near the outer peripheral edge on the bottom surface of aperture lid 120. Lid sealing ring 132 mates with a closure sealing ring 134 formed on the top surface of closure 104 when aperture lid 120 is pivoted, snap-fitted, and placed in a closed relationship with closure 104 to form a seal.

In use of the package 100, material or objects for containment and packaging in the package 100 are first placed in the canister 102 through opening 129 (FIG. 1B) with the closure 104 removed as shown in FIG. 1A. After, the material is loaded in the canister 102, the closure 104 is telescoped or fitted over and coupled to the canister 102 by snap-fitting, thread-fitting, or other means well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moist or liquid materials are often packaged in the package 100. For example, moistened wipes are packaged within the package 100 for dispensing through aperture 118.

FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional side view of opened-end portion 112 of the canister 102 of FIG. 1A after assembly with the canister 102 showing the seal 106. FIG. 1C is a close-up view of the portion of FIG. 1B shown in dotted line and identified by reference number 1C showing the seal 106 in detail. Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1C together, the exterior surface of opened-end portion 112 of the canister 102 defines a sidewall groove 124, configured generally as an annular shaped indentation circumferentially about the canister 102. Sidewall groove 124 extends radially inwardly from and circumferentially about the exterior surface of the canister 102 proximate opened-end portion 112. As shown, the upper edge surface of sidewall groove 124 forms a sidewall undercut surface 126 that is beveled downwardly from its exterior to its interior indent.

The interior surface of skirt 116 of the closure 104 defines a skirt bead surface 128, configured generally as a peripheral flange protrusion, sometimes referred to as a bead, adjacent the bottom of skirt 116. Skirt bead surface 128 extends radially inwardly from and circumferentially about the interior surface of skirt 116 of the closure 104. The canister 102 is assembled with the closure 104 by snapping skirt bead surface 128 into sidewall groove 124, whereby the closure 104 is retained on the canister 102 by means of abutting contact of skirt bead surface 128 with sidewall undercut surface 126 of sidewall groove 124.

In the package 100, the canister 102 and the closure 104 are further configured such that, after assembly, sidewall undercut surface 126 of sidewall groove 124 of the canister 102 abuttingly contacts and cooperates with corresponding skirt bead surface 128 of the closure 104 to form the seal 106. The seal 106 is somewhat effective at avoiding moisture evaporation and in retaining liquid or moisture contained in the package 100. The seal 106 slows the loss of the liquid in the form of gaseous water vapor or other volatilized gas at the seal 106 sealing interface between the canister 102 and the closure 104.

However, in the packaging industry, plastic canisters and closures often are not accurately sized or may be out-of-round, so that cooperating surfaces of the closure and canister do not properly and accurately seal. In addition, the canister and closure may be manufactured by different entities, and the dimensional tolerances may vary greatly. In addition, for threaded prior art packages, to facilitate threading of the closure relative to the canister, ample thread tolerances are often used, which results in axial and radial displacement sufficient to cause misalignment of the cooperating sealing surfaces. All of these variables and dimensional tolerances make it difficult to ensure a good seal in prior art packages. Poor quality seals result in the loss of an inordinate amount of moistening solution added to canister/closure plastic packages, thereby requiring high initial moisture loading to avoid product dry-out during storage. High initial moisture loading adds to over-all product cost.

In the prior art, expensive elastomeric gaskets or “O” rings are often used to provide better seals that slow moisture loss from packages. In addition, well-known but expensive secondary seals, such as induction seals or heat seals, are often used in prior art packaging to retain moisture during distribution and in-store or user storage before product use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood by referring to the following Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments in conjunction with the Drawings, of which:

FIG. 1A is an exploded side view of a prior art package that included a cylindrically-shaped prior art canister and a cup-shaped prior art closure.

FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional side view of an opened-end portion of the prior art canister of FIG. 1A after assembly with the prior art closure and showing a prior art seal.

FIG. 1C is a close-up view of the portion of FIG. 1B shown in dotted line and identified by reference number 1C showing the prior art seal in detail.

FIG. 2A is a side view of an assembled moisture retention package that includes a cylindrical moisture retention canister and a cup-shaped moisture retention closure coupled to and cooperating with the moisture retention canister to provide a moisture retention seal in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional close-up side view of an opened-end portion of the moisture retention canister of FIG. 2A that shows a plurality of partial seals after assembly of the moisture retention closure and moisture retention canister.

FIGS. 3-14 are cross-sectional schematic views of portions of various moisture retention packages and moisture retention seals included therein, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, methods and apparatus are disclosed for sealing a container to prevent escape of moisture from contents of the container.

The entire contents of: U.S. Pat. No. 8,297,461, titled “Moisture Retention Seal,” issued Oct. 30, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/730,528, titled “Moisture Retention Seal,” filed Mar. 24, 2010 (now abandoned); and U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,621, titled “Moisture Retention Seal,” issued Apr. 27, 2010, are all hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 2A is a side view of an assembled moisture retention package 200 that includes a cylindrical moisture retention canister 202 and a cup-shaped moisture retention closure 204 coupled to, and cooperating with, moisture retention canister 202 to provide a moisture retention seal 206 (FIG. 2B), in accordance to the prior art, as described in the incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 8,297,461. In one embodiment, moisture retention canister 202 includes a bottom 208, generally configured as a disk, and a sidewall 210, generally configured as a cylindrical surface, coupled to and extending upwardly from the peripheral edge of bottom 208. Moisture retention canister 202 includes an opened-end portion 212 (FIG. 2B) defining an opening 229 (FIG. 2B) for access from the top of moisture retention canister 202 to material or objects contained therein. In one embodiment, moisture retention canister 202 is integrally formed and comprises blow-molded or injection-molded thermoplastic material.

In one embodiment, moisture retention closure 204 includes a top 214, generally configured as a disk, and a skirt 216, generally configured as an annular ring or skirt, coupled to, and depending downwardly from, top 214 at the peripheral edge of top 214. Top 214 defines an aperture 218 (FIG. 2B) therethrough for extracting material or objects contained in moisture retention canister 202 from opened-end portion 212 (FIG. 2B). In one embodiment, moisture retention closure 204 is integrally formed by blow-molding or injection-molding and comprises thermoplastic material.

In one embodiment, moisture retention package 200 further includes an aperture lid 220 to close off aperture 218. Aperture lid 220 may be coupled to moisture retention closure 204 by a living hinge 222, by which aperture lid 220 pivots with respect to moisture retention closure 204 to close off aperture 218 (FIG. 2B) of moisture retention closure 204.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional close-up side view of opened-end portion 212 of moisture retention canister 202 that shows various seals 206A-206D after assembly of moisture retention closure 204 and moisture retention canister 202. The plurality of seals 206A-206D are partial seals that together can form a complete seal that adequately seals for anticipated uses. For example, each partial seal may have a small unsealed area. The combination of these small unsealed areas, however, may present a relatively tortuous path for vapor to escape, thus providing an effective seal for certain applications. In other cases, however, at least one of the seals is a full seal. In such case, the other full or partial seals simply are redundant. In either case, redundant seals can help ensure that at least one is a full seal, or at least the combination of partial seals provides the requisite sealing capabilities. Such use of redundant seals may increase the likelihood that wide error factors and tolerances of some technologies (e.g., blow molding technology) do not eliminate sealing requirements. Unless the context requires otherwise or the seal is explicitly specified as a partial or full seal, seals discussed herein, with respect to FIGS. 2A-C and FIGS. 3-35, thus may be either partial or full seals.

In the package 200 described above, with respect to FIGS. 2A-C, the closure 204 includes a protrusion 228C that cooperates with a sidewall lip surface 226C of canister 202 to form a partial seal 206C. Several other embodiments, which will now be described, have some similarities with the package 200, except that the protrusion 228C is absent or is integral with, or otherwise indistinguishable from, the closure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a package 300, similar to the portion shown in FIG. 2B. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, as well as embodiments described below with respect to FIGS. 4-6, a closure 302 does not include a seal-forming protrusion depending from the closure 302, in contrast with the protrusion 206C discussed above, with respect to FIG. 2. Instead, a resilient serpentine (in vertical cross section) portion 304 of a canister 306 includes an end portion 308 that contacts an underside 310 of the closure 302, when the package 300 is closed, to form a moisture retention seal 312 between the end portion 308 of the canister 306 and the underside 310 of the closure 302. The contact between the end portion 308 and the underside 310 of the closure 302 may be a point (as seen in cross-section) or at several contiguous or discontiguous points. As the closure 302 is progressively depressed beyond a point where the underside 310 initially makes contact with the end portion 308, the serpentine portion 304 resiliently deforms, therefore urging the end portion 308 against the underside 310 with progressively greater force and, therefore, creating a progressively tighter seal. Force exerted by the closure 302 on the end portion 308 of the canister 306 is indicated by an arrow 314.

When the closure 302 is not in contact with the serpentine portion 304 of the canister 306, the serpentine portion 304 and, in particular, the end portion 308, is in a rest position. However, when the closure 302 comes in contact with the serpentine portion 304, the force 314 exerted on the end portion 308 may deflect the end portion 308 by a deflection angle 316 to a deflected position shown in dashed line at 318. The deflection angle 316 is less than about 90°. Of course, the end portion 308 or another part of the serpentine portion 304 remains in contact with the underside 310 of the closure 302 to provide a moisture retention seal. Space in FIG. 3 between the dashed portion 318 and the underside 310 of the closure 302 is shown merely for clarity.

The closure 302 includes an inside diameter at a locking skirt bead surface 320 that is somewhat smaller than the canister 306 outside diameter at corresponding complementary sidewall undercut surface 322. For clarity, a space is shown in FIG. 3 between the skirt bead surface 320 and the undercut surface 322. However, in the embodiment, absent an external force, while the package 300 is closed, the skirt bead surface 320 contacts the undercut surface 322 to create a second seal and to provide mechanical resistance to opening the package 300. This mechanical resistance can, however, be overcome by a typical user by exerting moderate force by hand.

Optionally, the serpentine portion 304 may be configured to make contact at one or more locations, exemplified by locations 324 and 326, with a vertical inside circumferential surface 328 of the closure 302. Again, for clarity, a space is shown in FIG. 3 between the convex portions (undulations) 330 and 332 of the canister 306 and the vertical inside circumferential surface 328. However, in some embodiments, while the package 300 is closed, the convex portions 330 and 332 contact the vertical inside circumferential surface 328.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another package 700, similar to the portion shown in FIG. 3. The package 700 includes a canister 702 and a closure 704. The canister 702 includes a serpentine portion 706 and an end portion 708, and the closure 704 includes a protrusion 710 depending from an underside 712 of the closure 704. However, this protrusion 710 does not contact, or form a moisture retention seal with, the end portion 708, the serpentine portion 706 or any other portion of the canister 702.

A moisture retention seal is formed by circumferential contact between at least one inside diameter portion of the closure 704 and at least one outside diameter portion of the canister 702. For example, in one embodiment, one or more outwardly directed portions of the serpentine portion 706, exemplified by portions 714 and 716, contact respective portions of an inside wall 718 of the closure 704 to form one or more moisture retention seals at locations 720 and 722.

Optionally or alternatively, an inside diameter at skirt bead surface 724 is somewhat smaller than the canister 702 outside diameter at a corresponding sidewall undercut surface 726. While the package 700 is closed, the skirt bead surface 724 contacts the undercut surface 726 to create another moisture retention seal and to provide mechanical resistance to opening the package 700. However, for clarity, spaces are shown in FIG. 4 between the skirt bead surface 724 and the undercut surface 726, as well as locations 720 and 722. Arrows 728 and 730 indicate directions of force exerted by the closure 704 and the canister 702, respectively.

Furthermore, optionally, an upward-facing portion 732 of the serpentine portion 706 may be configured to contact, and make a moisture retention seal with, a downward-facing portion 734 of the closure 704. Again, for clarity, a space is shown in FIG. 4 between the upward-facing portion 732 of the serpentine portion 706 and the downward-facing portion 734 of the closure 704.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of a portion of another package 900, similar to the portion shown in FIG. 4. The package 900 includes a canister 902 and a closure 904. FIG. 9 shows the closure 904 not fully engaged with the canister 902, whereas FIG. 6 shows the closure 904 fully engaged with the canister 902. For clarity, spaces are shown in FIG. 6 where contact is actually made between portions of the canister 902 and the closure 904.

To attach the closure 904 to the canister 902, the closure 904 is lowered, as indicated by arrow 906, until a skirt bead surface 908, which is somewhat smaller inside diameter than the canister 902 outside diameter at a corresponding sidewall undercut surface 910, contacts the undercut surface 910. When closed, the skirt bead surface 908 and the sidewall undercut surface 910 may form a moisture retention seal.

The canister 902 includes a bendable annular flap 912. The flap 912 may be resilient and/or another portion 914 of the canister 902 may be resilient to facilitate bending of the flap 912 from a rest position (shown in FIG. 5), by a deflection angle 915 (shown in FIG. 6) to a deflected position (shown in FIG. 6). As the closure 904 is lowered, a slanted underside portion 916 of the closure 904 contacts the flap 912, such as initially at an end 918 of the flap 912, and bends the flap 912 from the flap 912 orientation shown in FIG. 5 to the flap 912 orientation shown in FIG. 6. In the orientation shown in FIG. 6, the flap 912 takes on a frustoconical shape. Once the closure 904 is fully engaged with the canister 902, at least a portion of the flap 912 remains in contact, and forms a moisture retention seal 1000, with the slanted underside portion 916 of the closure 904.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another package 1100, which includes a canister 1102 and a closure 1104. In some embodiments, the canister 1102 and the closure 1104 are fabricated of respective materials and/or with respective dimensions (such as thicknesses) that make the closure 1104 more ridged than the canister 1102, or at least a finger 1112 of the canister 1102. The closure includes a protrusion 1106 extending downward from an underside of the closure 1104. The protrusion 1106 defines an annular hollow area 1108 between the protrusion 1106 and an inside circumference of a downward extending portion 1110 of the closure 1104. The finger 1112 fits into the hollow area 1108, when the closure 1104 is attached to the canister 1102. The finger 1112 and the protrusion 1106 are configured such that the finger 1112 is resiliently displaced outward, as indicated by arrow 1114, as the closure 1104 is attached to the canister 1102. Thus, while the closure 1104 is attached to the canister 1102, the finger 1112 is urged by its resilience against, and therefor forms a moisture retention seal 1115 with, the protrusion 1106. The protrusion 1106 may include a chamfer 1116, and an end 1118 of the finger 1112 may be rounded, to facilitate inserting the finger 1112 into the hollow 1108 and bypassing the protrusion 1106.

Any suitable mechanism may be used to secure the closure 1104 to the canister. For example, an inside diameter at skirt bead surface 1120 may be somewhat smaller than the canister 1102 outside diameter at a corresponding sidewall undercut surface 1122. While the package 1100 is closed, the resilience of the finger 1112 may urge the closure 1104 upward, thereby urging the skirt bead surface 1120 against an outward skirt bead 1124 of the canister 1102, thereby forming another moisture retention seal 1126. Lateral overlap between the two skirt beads 1120 and 1124 provides mechanical resistance to opening the package 1100.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another package 1500. The package 1500 includes a canister 1502 and a closure 1504. The canister 1502 includes an upwardly-directed wall 1506 having an end 1508. The closure 1504 includes a downwardly-directed protrusion 1510. At least a portion 1512 of the protrusion 1510 is resilient such that, when the closure 1504 is brought down to attach to the canister 1502, an end 1514 of the protrusion 1510 is resiliently deflected radially outward by the end 1508 of the wall 1506, as indicated by arrow 1516. Contact between the end 1508 of the wall 1506 and the end portion 1514 of the protrusion 1510 form a moisture retention seal 1520.

In some embodiments, the canister 1502 and the closure 1504 are fabricated of respective materials and/or with respective dimensions (such as thicknesses) that make the closure 1504, or at least the portion 1512 of the protrusion 1510, more flexible than the canister 1502.

Although not shown in FIG. 8, the package 1500 may include any suitable structure to secure the closure 1504 to the canister 1502, such as the skirt bead and the undercut surface described above, with respect to FIG. 7.

Embodiments described below, with respect to FIGS. 9-13, involve a horizontal, or at least not entirely vertical, contact to form a moisture retention seal.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another package 1700. The package 1700 includes a canister 1702 and a closure 1704. In some embodiments, the canister 1702 and the closure 1704 are fabricated of respective materials and/or with respective dimensions (such as thicknesses) that make canister 1702, or at least a finger 1706 of the canister 1702, more flexible than the closure 1704. In some embodiments, the canister 1702, or at least a finger 1706 of the canister 1702, and the closure 1704 may be of approximately equal flexibility. The closure includes a protrusion 1706 extending downward from an underside of the closure 1704. The protrusion 1706 may be sloped so its bottom defines a larger diameter than its top.

A finger 1707 and the protrusion 1706 are configured such that the finger 1707 is resiliently displaced radially inward, as indicated by arrow 1708, as the closure 1704 is attached to the canister 1702. Thus, while the closure 1704 is attached to the canister 1702, the finger 1707 is urged by its resilience against, and therefor forms a moisture retention seal with, the protrusion 1706. The protrusion 1706 may include a chamfer, and an end 1710 of the finger 1704 may be rounded, to facilitate the finger 1704 bypassing the protrusion 1706.

Any suitable mechanism may be used to secure the closure 1704 to the canister 1072. For example, an inside diameter at skirt bead surface 1712 may be somewhat smaller than the canister 1702 outside diameter at a corresponding sidewall undercut surface 1714. While the package 1700 is closed, the protrusion 1706 urges the finger 1708 inward, as indicated by arrows 1716. The resilient finger 1707 may urge the protrusion 1706 upward, thereby urging the skirt bead surface 1712 against an outward skirt bead 1718 of the canister 1702, thereby forming another moisture retention seal. Lateral overlap between the two skirt beads 1712 and 1718 provides mechanical resistance to opening the package 1700.

For clarity, a space is shown in FIG. 9 between the two skirt beads 1712 and 1718 and between the finger 1707 and the protrusion 1706. However, in the embodiment, absent an external force, while the package 1700 is closed, these spaces are closed by respective members, as described.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another package 1900, similar to the portion shown in FIG. 9. The package 1900 includes a canister 1902 and a closure 1904. In some embodiments, the canister 1902 and the closure 1904 are fabricated of respective materials and/or with respective dimensions (such as thicknesses) that make the closure 1904, or at least a dependent annular protrusion 1906 of the closure 1904, more flexible than the canister 1902, or at least a finger 1908 of the canister 1902. In some embodiments, the closure 1904, or at least the dependent annular protrusion 1906 of the closure 1904, and the canister 1902, or at least a finger 1908 of the canister 1902, are approximately equally flexible. The protrusion 1906 is resilient and extends downward from an underside of the closure 1904. A diameter of an end 1910 of the finger 1908 is smaller, and generally concentric with, a diameter of an end 1912 of the protrusion 1906. In some embodiments, a surface 1914 of the finger 1908 that faces the protrusion 1906 is curved, so the top of the finger 1908 defines a smaller diameter than the bottom of the finger 1908.

The finger 1908 and the protrusion 1906 are configured such that the protrusion 1906 is resiliently displaced radially outward, as indicated by arrow 1916, as the closure 1904 is attached to the canister 1902. In these embodiments, the finger 1908 is not displaced radially inward, or it is not significantly displaced radially inward, by the protrusion 1906. Contact between the finger 1908 and the protrusion 1906 forms a moisture retention seal.

In some embodiments, the protrusion 1906 is more resilient than finger 1908. In other embodiments, the finger 1908 is more resilient than the protrusion 1906. In yet other embodiments, the protrusion 1906 and the finger 1908 are approximately equally resilience.

In some embodiments, the finger 1908 and the protrusion 1906 are configured such that the finger 1908 is resiliently displaced radially inward, as indicated by dashed arrow 1917, as the closure 1904 is attached to the canister 1902. Contact between the finger 1908 and the protrusion 1906 forms a moisture retention seal.

In some embodiments, the finger 1908 and the protrusion 1906 are configured such that the finger 1908 is resiliently displaced radially inward, as indicated by dashed arrow 1917, and the protrusion 1906 is resiliently displaced radially outward, as indicated by arrow 1916, as the closure 1904 is attached to the canister 1902. Contact between the finger 1908 and the protrusion 1906 forms a moisture retention seal.

Any suitable mechanism may be used to secure the closure 1904 to the canister 1902. For example, an inside diameter at skirt bead surface 1918 may be somewhat smaller than the canister 1902 outside diameter at a corresponding sidewall undercut surface 1920.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another package 2000, similar to the portion shown in FIG. 7. The package 2000 includes a canister 2002 and a closure 2004. The closure 2004 includes an annular protrusion 2006 extending downward from an underside of the closure 2004. The protrusion 2006 defines an annular hollow area 2008 between the protrusion 2006 and an inside circumference of a downward extending portion 2010 of the closure 2004.

The canister 2002 includes an annular finger 2012 having a radially outwardly-curved upper end. The finger 2012 fits into the hollow area 2008, when the closure 2004 is attached to the canister 2002. The finger 2012 and the protrusion 2006 are configured such that the finger 2012 is resiliently displaced radially outward, as indicated by arrows 2014, as the closure 2004 is attached to the canister 2002. Thus, while the closure 2004 is attached to the canister 2002, the finger 2012 is urged by its resilience against, and therefor forms a moisture retention seal with, the protrusion 2006. The protrusion 2006 may include a concave portion 2016 sized and shaped to complement the outwardly-curved upper end of the finger 2012.

In some embodiments, the canister 2002, or at least the annular finger 2012, and the closure 2004, or at least the protrusion 2006, are fabricated of respective materials and/or with respective dimensions (such as thicknesses) that make flexibility of the closure 2004, or at least the protrusion 2006, approximately equal to flexibility of the canister 2002, or at least the annular finger 2012. In other embodiments, the closure 2004, or at least the protrusion 2006, may be more or less flexible than the canister 2002, or at least the annular finger 2012.

Any suitable mechanism may be used to secure the closure 2004 to the canister 2002. For example, an inside diameter at a skirt bead surface 2018 may be somewhat smaller than the canister 2002 outside diameter at a corresponding sidewall undercut surface 2020.

Embodiments described below, with respect to FIGS. 12-14, involve a horizontal, or at least not entirely vertical, resilient compression or other resilient deformation of a member to create a force that urges two member into contact so as to form a moisture retention seal.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views of a portion of another package 2200, similar to the portion shown in FIG. 7. The package 2200 includes a canister 2202 and a closure 2204. The closure 2204 includes an annular wall 2006 extending downward from an underside of the closure 2204. The wall 2206 defines an annular hollow area 2208 between the wall 2206 and an inside circumference of a downward extending portion 2210 of the closure 2204.

The canister 2202 includes an annular serpentine portion 2212 having a radially outwardly-curved upper end 2214. The wall 2206 defines a generally radially outwardly facing concave curved portion 2216, shaped to complement the curved end 2214 of the serpentine portion 2212. Thus, when the closure 2204 is brought down to be attached to the canister 2202, the concave portion 2216 of the wall contacts the curved portion 2214 of the serpentine portion 2212 and resiliently forces it radially outward, as indicated by arrows 2218, so the serpentine portion 2212 aligns with the hollow area 2208. The serpentine portion 2212 resiliently bends generally radially outward, as indicated by curved arrow 2313 (FIG. 13). Further downward movement of the closure 2204 causes the serpentine portion 2212 to enter the hollow area 2208, as shown in FIG. 13. However, resilience of the serpentine portion 2212 causes it to remain in contact with, and ride along, an inside wall defining the hollow area 2208. This contact forms a moisture retention seal.

Although not shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the package 2200 may include any suitable structure to secure the closure 2204 to the canister 2202, such as the skirt bead and the undercut surface described above, with respect to FIG. 7.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another package 2600. The package 2600 includes a canister 2602 and a closure 2604. The closure 2604 includes two concentric annular walls 2606 and 2608 extending downward from an underside of the closure 2604. The walls 2606 and 2608 define an annular hollow area 2610 between the walls 2606 and 2608.

The canister 2602 includes an upwardly-oriented annular serpentine portion 2612 having a radially outwardly-curved upper end 2614. The walls 2606 and 2608 are disposed and configured so the annular hollow area 2610 vertically aligns with the upwardly-oriented annular serpentine portion 2612, when the closure 2604 is aligned with, but not attached to, the canister 2602, as shown in FIG. 14. When the closure 2604 is brought down to be attached to the canister 2602, as indicated by arrow 2616, the upper end 2614 of the serpentine portion 2612 enters the hollow area 2610. However, the width 2618 of the serpentine portion 2612 is greater than the width of the hollow area 2610. (For clarity, FIG. 26 shows the serpentine portion 2612 compressed, thus having a width 2618 less than the width of the hollow area 2610.) Thus, as the serpentine portion 2612 enters the hollow area 2610, the walls 2606 and 2608 contact the serpentine portion 2612, forming moister retention seals at the contact points and compressing the serpentine portion 2612 from both sides, as indicated by arrows 2620 and 2622. As shown in FIG. 14, undulations in the serpentine portion 2610 need not all be of the same size; however, in some embodiments, these undulations are all the same size.

In some embodiments, the serpentine portion 2612 is long enough to reach the underside 2624 of the closure 2604, when the closure 2604 is fully, or nearly fully, attached to the canister 2602. In these cases, contact between the upper end 2614 of the serpentine portion 2612 and the underside 2624 of the closure 2604 forms another moisture seal.

Although not shown in FIG. 26, the package 2600 may include any suitable structure to secure the closure 2604 to the canister 2602, such as the skirt bead and the undercut surface described above, with respect to FIG. 7.

Packages, including canisters, closures and members thereof, may be manufactured using conventional techniques and conventional materials, such as blow-molding or injection-molding of thermoplastic materials. Any embodiment describe herein may include a closable and sealable lid in the closure. Embodiments described herein may be used to store and dispense moist towelettes, liquids, powders and other products.

While the invention is described through the above-described exemplary embodiments, modifications to, and variations of, the illustrated embodiments may be made without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Furthermore, disclosed aspects, or portions of these aspects, may be combined in ways not listed above and/or not explicitly claimed.

Claims

1. A package, comprising:

a closure having an interior surface; and

a canister having a flexible top portion in contact with the interior surface of the closure, the interior surface of the closure normally applying a generally downward contact force to at least part of the flexible top portion to form a top seal between the closure and the canister, the interior surface of the canister deflecting the at least part of the flexible top portion generally downward from a rest position; wherein:

the at least part of the flexible top portion of the canister is in the rest position when not in contact with the closure; and

the interior surface of the closure deflects the at least part of the flexible top portion of the canister by a deflection angle from the rest position when in contact with the canister, the deflection angle being less than about ninety degrees.

2. A package according to claim 1, wherein the interior surface of the closure is generally planar.

3. A package according to claim 1, wherein the interior surface of the closure is generally frustoconical.

4. A package according to claim 1, wherein the flexible top portion of the canister is in contact with the interior surface of the closure at other than a protrusion extending from the interior surface of the closure.

5. A package according to claim 1, wherein the flexible top portion of the canister has, in vertical cross section, a serpentine shape.

6. A package according to claim 1, wherein the flexible top portion of the canister has a generally annular shape when in the rest position and a generally frustoconical shape when deflected from the rest position.

7. A package according to claim 1, wherein the closure includes a locking skirt and the canister has a complimentary locking feature, the locking skirt and the complementary locking feature cooperating to secure the closure to the canister and provide a second seal between the closure and the canister.

8. A package according to claim 1, wherein:

the flexible top portion of the canister has a generally serpentine vertical cross section defining at least one radially outwardly convex portion;

the closure defines a generally vertical inside circumferential wall; and

the flexible top portion and the closure are configured such that, when the closure is when in contact with the canister, the at least one radially outwardly convex portion contacts the generally vertical inside circumferential wall of the closure, thereby forming at least a second seal between the closure and the canister.