SNAP CAP WITH DEEP PLUG AND SEAL OVERMOLD

Abstract

In one example, a cap includes a body that has a plug defined by a recess extending downward from an upper surface of the body. The body also includes a skirt disposed circumferentially about the plug such that a gap is defined between an exterior surface of the plug and an inner surface of the skirt. Two or more tongues are connected to the skirt and extend radially inward toward the plug, each of the tongues configured to releasably engage respective corresponding structure of a container. A seal is provided that is disposed about an outer surface of the plug so as to be concentric with the plug, the seal including multiple radially extending circumferential fins.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to the following United States patents: U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,427 (Ser. No. 11/762,861), entitled CLOSING SYSTEM FOR A CONTAINER, FOR EXAMPLE FOR TRIGGER DISPENSER to Contiero (the “427 Patent”); and, U.S. Pat. No. 7,841,491 (Ser. No. 12/335,793), entitled CLOSING SYSTEM FOR A CONTAINER, FOR EXAMPLE FOR TRIGGER DISPENSER to Contiero (the “'491 Patent”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,931,668 (Ser. No. 13/868,801), entitled TRIGGER DISPENSER DEVICE to Alluigi et al. (the “'668 Patent”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,953 (Ser. No. 13/609,056), entitled BOTTLE WITH INTEGRAL DIP TUBE to Dennis (the “'953 Patent”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,839,992 (Ser. No. 14/098,420), entitled BOTTLE WITH INTEGRAL DIP TUBE to Dennis (the “'992 Patent”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,985 (Ser. No. 13/786,058), entitled BOTTLE WITH INTEGRAL DIP TUBE to Dennis (the “'985 Patent”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,033 (Ser. No. 13/626,828), entitled PROCESS OF MAKING A SHRINK SLEEVE ON A BOTTLE WITH INTEGRAL DIP TUBE to Hoefing et al. (the “'033 Patent”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,659 (Ser. 13/069,637), entitled MULTI-CHAMBER FLUID DISPENSING CONTAINER WITH DIP TUBES to Dennis (the “'659 Patent”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,453,950 (Ser. 13/020,657), entitled HOSE SPRAYER WITH INTEGRAL DIP TUBE to Dennis (the “'950 Patent”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,408,430 (Ser. No. 13/020,645), entitled REMOTE SPRAYER WITH INTEGRAL DIP TUBE to Dennis (the “'430 Patent”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,408,429 (Ser. No. 12/616,282), entitled BOTTLE WITH INTEGRAL DIP TUBE to Dennis (the “'429 Patent”); U.S. Pat. No.8,297,479 (Ser. No. 12/731,983), entitled SHRINK SLEEVE ON BOTTLE WITH INTEGRAL DIP TUBE to Hoefing et al. (the “'479 Patent”); and, U.S. Pat. No. 8,038,040 (Ser. No. 12/254,132), entitled BOTTLE WITH INTEGRAL DIP TUBE to Dennis (the “'040 Patent”). All of the aforementioned patents are incorporated herein in their respective entireties by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally concern fluid containers and associated caps. More particularly, example embodiments of the invention relate to a cap that includes a relatively deep plug with a seal overmold.

BACKGROUND

Temporary seals are commonly used on fluid and other containers to ensure that the container contents do not leak out while the container is in transit to an end user, such as a consumer. One type of temporary seal includes a seal, which can be made of foil, which is attached to a rim of the container with adhesive. The seal helps to ensure that the contents of the container do not escape inadvertently. A cap attached to the container covers the seal and helps to ensure that no damage to the seal occurs while the container is in transit. When the container reaches the end user, the user can remove the seal and access the contents of the container, replacing the cap when finished.

Temporary seals such as those just described have proven effective in certain circumstances. In particular, such temporary seals can perform well when the container is shipped in an upright position. In other circumstances however, such temporary seals have proven problematic for a variety of reasons. One drawback using temporary seals is that they usually require heat to create the seal with the bottle finish and sealing with heat can deform the finish. In addition, many temporary seals require a wide wall with to create a good seal which doesn't work with thinner walls. This is particularly so where the container is made of plastic or other material that can be readily distorted when subjected to various forces. The extra material used to make thicker walls and the extra steps, such as heating, to create the temporary seals add additional costs and complexity to the manufacturing process that are not desirable.

For example, when containers with foil or similar temporary seals are oriented on their side, whether during shipping and/or at other times, the container may be subjected to forces, which may be compressive in nature, that can temporarily distort the container and thereby increase the pressure in the interior of the container. The internal pressure increase can compromise the integrity of the temporary seal, resulting in leakage from the container.

These forces can be imposed by a variety of mechanisms, such as by stacking containers on top of each other. Forces can also be exerted on the container if the container is dropped or otherwise mishandled. As another example, a pressure differential can be imposed if the container is filled and sealed at a low elevation location, but then transported to a high elevation location. In particular, the pressure differential between the inside of the container and the exterior high elevation environment may be significantly higher than the pressure differential between the inside of the container and the exterior low elevation environment. As well, excessive vibration, either alone or in combination with the exertion of other forces on the container, can also compromise the seal of the container.

The integrity of the temporary seal can also be compromised as a result of shortcomings in the design of the cap of the container. For example, some caps have a bayonet configuration that allows the cap to be fully seated on the container with a bit of downward pressure. However, caps having a bayonet configuration may be relatively light weight with a relatively loose fit on the finish and, as such, are not adequate to prevent distortion of the associated container in the area of the seal when the container is subjected to distorting forces. A comparison of threaded caps and bayonet caps serves to illustrate this point.

In particular, threaded caps can provide a degree of backup protection against leakage in the event that forces are exerted on the containers that are sufficient to compromise the integrity of the seal. This is due to the fact that threaded caps typically include multiple threads that contact corresponding threads of the container. Because the total contact area between the cap and container may be relatively large, the threaded cap thus may be able to adequately seal the container notwithstanding damage to the seal. However, a bayonet cap, by its nature, has significantly less physical contact with the container and, as such, is typically inadequate to prevent leakage from the container if the seal is damaged.

In light of problems such as those noted above, it would be useful to provide a cap for a fluid container that is able to maintain a fluid tight seal of the container when the container is subjected to forces that may distort the container. It would also be useful to provide such a cap in a bayonet configuration.

ASPECTS OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

One or more embodiments within the scope of the invention may be effective in overcoming one or more of the disadvantages in the art, although it is not required that any embodiment resolve any particular problem(s). One example embodiment is directed to a container that includes a cap. The container is made of an elastically deformable material such as plastic, and can be formed by various processes, including blow molding. The cap and container are configured to releasably engage each other by way of a bayonet connection configured such that respective portions of the cap and container interfere with each other in certain orientations of the cap relative to the container.

The cap includes a relatively deep plug that extends downward into the container when the cap is fully engaged with the container. A seal is disposed about the exterior of the plug and includes a plurality of circumferential sealing elements that protrude radially from the outer surface of the plug and seal the interior of the container when the cap is fully engaged with the container. The sealing elements of the seal are made of a pliable material capable of elastic deformation, such as when the plug of the cap is inserted into, and removed from, the container.

Advantageously, the pliability of the sealing elements enables them to accommodate irregularities and variations in the shape and/or size of the portion of the container to which the cap is connected, such that the container can be sealed notwithstanding the presence of such irregularities and variations. As well, the pliability of the sealing elements enables them to change shape and/or orientation while maintaining contact with the container, so as to maintain a seal of the container notwithstanding distortion or deformation of the container resulting from the application of a force or forces to the container. Further, the relative rigidity and depth of the plug helps to support a neck portion of the container when a load is applied to the cap and/or container, thus helping to control and minimize distortion of the container and the container/cap interface.

The foregoing embodiment is provided solely by way of example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Consistently, various other embodiments of containers and caps within the scope of the invention are disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which at least some aspects of this disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only example embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, embodiments of the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1-8 are views of an example container in connection with which various embodiments of a cap may be employed;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of an example embodiment of a cap;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of an example embodiment of a cap;

FIG. 11 is a first side view of an example embodiment of a cap;

FIG. 12 is a second side view of an example embodiment of a cap;

FIG. 13 is a third side view of an example embodiment of a cap;

FIG. 14 is a fourth side view of an example embodiment of a cap;

FIG. 15 is a top view of an example embodiment of a cap;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of an example embodiment of a cap;

FIG. 17 is a perspective section view of an example embodiment of a cap;

FIG. 18 is a section view of an example embodiment of a cap;

FIG. 19 is a time sequence showing the performance of an example cap when subjected to a load; and

FIG. 20 is a graph showing change in pressure over time in radial and axial directions of a neck portion of a container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to aspects of various embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While described in conjunction with these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the disclosure to these embodiments.

In general, embodiments of the invention can be employed in connection with containers configured to hold any type of material, including fluids, solids, and combinations of fluids and solids. Some particular embodiments of the invention can be used in conjunction with a fluid container, although the scope of the invention is not limited to this example environment and extends, more generally, to any environment where such embodiments can be usefully employed. More generally, embodiments of the invention can be employed in any environment where a container seal is needed.

A. Example Container

Directing attention now to FIGS. 1-8, details are provided concerning a container, one example of which is denoted generally at 100. In this example, the container 100 can be used to hold a liquid, or liquids, but the scope of the invention is not limited to containers for use with liquids. In at least some embodiments, the container 100 can contain a liquid, examples of which include, but are not limited to, hypochlorite bleach, ethanol, surfactants, d-limonene, cleaning products, car care products, and lawn and garden products. More generally, the container 100 could be used with any other fluid or material that is chemically compatible with the container 100 material. It should be noted that in addition to the container 100, various other containers can also be used in connection with embodiments of a cap (discussed below). Examples of such containers are disclosed in the ‘Related Applications’ section of this disclosure.

In general, the container 100 can be made of an elastically deformable material, such as plastic for example. One particular plastic that can be used is high-density polyethylene (HDPE), although other plastics could be used as well. The container 100 can be produced using any suitable method, such as extrusion blow molding (EBM) for example. As such, the container 100 can take the form of a unified single-piece structure. Other materials and/or processes can alternatively be used in the construction of the container 100 however.

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, the container 100 can include a dip tube 102 that is positioned on an outer surface of the container 100. In general, the dip tube 102 enables the user to dispense all, or substantially all, of the liquid in the container 100, as explained below. The dip tube 102 is not required however and, as such, the dip tube 102 is omitted from some embodiments.

The dip tube 102 can be integral with the container 100. A lower end 102a of the dip tube 102 can serve as a fluid inlet of the dip tube 102 and is arranged for fluid communication with a reservoir 104 defined by the container 100. An upper end 102b can serve as a fluid outlet of the dip tube 102 and is connected to the container 100 near a neck portion 106 that defines an opening of the container. Thus, the entire dip tube 102 from the lower end 102a to the upper end 102b is arranged for fluid communication with the reservoir 104 of the container 100.

Advantageously, when the container 100 is tipped toward the right (as viewed in FIG. 6), the lower end 102a of the dip tube 102 may be positioned at, or near, a position of maximum depth in the fluid of the container. This configuration enables the user to dispense all, or substantially all, of the fluid from the container 100, notwithstanding that the container 100 may be tipped about 90 degrees, or more, away from vertical, and notwithstanding that the container 100 may be nearly empty.

As well, when the container 100 is nearly empty, fluid in the bottom of the container 100 enters the lower end 102a of the dip tube 102 as the container 100 is tilted, thus enabling the liquid to be dispensed from the upper end 102b of the dip tube 102 while the container 100 is tilted. Thus, the consumer is able to make efficient use of most of the contents of the container 100, thereby reducing waste, as well as lowering costs.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-8, the container 100 can be configured to accommodate various components. Examples of such components include caps (not shown), and triggers (not shown) for dispensing a material contained in the container 100. In some embodiments, both caps and triggers are employed at various different times. For example, a cap may be connected to the neck portion 106 of the container 100 while the container 100 is in transit to an end user, after which time, the end user can replace the cap with a trigger. Example cap configurations are discussed below in connection with FIGS. 9-18. Some example trigger configurations that can be used are disclosed in in the ‘Related Applications’ section of this disclosure.

In general, various elements such as the caps (discussed in further detail below) and triggers (not shown) can be provided that are configured to releasably engage the container 100, specifically, the neck portion 106 of the container 100. In terms of their operation, various embodiments of such caps and triggers can be pushed down onto the neck portion 106 until fully seated on the container 100, and then rotated into a locked position. This attachment and locking of the cap or trigger can be accomplished regardless of the initial rotational position of the cap or trigger relative to the neck portion 106 of the container 100. That is, the user is not required to align the cap or trigger in any particular orientation prior to connecting the cap or trigger to the container 100. Caps and triggers that are configured and operate in the manner described above may be referred to as snap caps and snap triggers, respectively.

In more detail, and as indicated in FIGS. 1-8, the outside of the neck portion 106 may include various elements 108 that collectively define a first portion of a closing system having a bayonet configuration. Corresponding elements (discussed below) can be provided on a cap (not shown) and are configured to releasably engage the elements 108 of the neck portion 106 such that the cap can be secured on the neck portion 106 with less than a full turn of the cap, such as a half turn, a quarter turn, or a one-eighth turn, for example. At least some embodiments of the container, and associated cap or trigger, collectively employ a closing system such as those disclosed in the '427 Patent and the '491 Patent.

B. Example Caps

With the forgoing discussion of some example operating environment conditions in view, attention is directed now to FIGS. 9-18, which provide details concerning a cap that can be used with containers such as container 100, or the other containers that form a part of this disclosure. One example of such a cap is denoted generally at 200. The cap 200 includes a body 202 that can be made of plastic, such as HDPE, and/or any other suitable material(s). The body 202 can be made using an injection molding process, or any other suitable process(es). In at least some embodiments, the body 202 takes the form of a unified single piece structure. In general, the body 202 can be made of any material that is compatible with the anticipated contents of the container to which the cap 200 is anticipated to be used.

The body 202 can include one or more protruding grip elements 204 on the skirt 206 that enable a user to grasp and rotate the cap 200. As noted earlier, the cap 200 can include elements of closing system, such as inwardly extending tongues 208 positioned in respective windows 210, and one or more protrusions 212. In this embodiment, the tongues 208 and protrusions 212 allow the cap to lock or snap into place. The number of tongues 208 and/or protrusions may vary in different embodiments of the invention (e.g. 1-4, or 2-6, or 3-6 elements of a closing system including tongues and protrusions, etc.) With reference to the illustrated embodiment, two windows 210 are provided that are spaced about 180 degrees apart from each other. In other embodiments, more or fewer windows 210 can be provided. In this embodiment, the windows 210 allow the tongues 208 to maintain a good locking formation and position but the windows do not actually help lock or retain the cap in place. In one particular embodiment, four windows 210 and four tongues 208 are provided, and they may be spaced substantially equally about the circumference of the cap 200. As best shown in FIG. 18, the skirt 206 can be flared such that the outside diameter of the skirt 206 at the top of the cap 200 is relatively smaller than an outside diameter of the skirt 206 at the bottom of the cap 200.

As indicated above, where multiple windows 210 are provided, the windows 210 may be equally spaced about a circumference of the cap 200, although that is not necessarily required. In some embodiments at least, the configuration and operation of the tongue 208, window 210, and protrusion 212 can be similar, or identical, to any of the embodiments of a tongue, window and protrusion, respectively, disclosed in the ‘Related Applications’ section of this disclosure including, for example, the '427 Patent and the '491 Patent. As such, the tongue 208, window 210 and protrusion 212 can form part of a bayonet type closing system for a container that enables the removable attachment of the cap 200 to a container, such as container 100 for example.

With continued reference to FIGS. 9-18, the body 202 of the cap 200 includes a downwardly extending plug 214. When viewed from the top, as in FIG. 15 for example, the plug 214 appears as a recess 218 in a top surface 216 of the cap 200. As shown, the recess 218 may be generally cylindrical in shape and can have a convex, pointed, or conical, bottom 218a. In general, the plug 214 is configured so that its side wall 214a is spaced apart from an inner surface 206a of the skirt 206. The gap 220 thus formed by this configuration and arrangement of the side wall 214a and the inner surface 206a is necessary for accommodation of the neck portion 106 of the container 100. In at least some embodiments, the bottom of the plug 214 is closed. As such, when the plug 214 is fully engaged with a container, such as with the neck portion 106 of the container 100, no fluid communication can occur between the interior of the container and the recess 218.

The recess 218 that defines the plug 214 can have an inside diameter that is in the range of about 50% to about 60% of the overall diameter of the cap 200. Ratios in this range may enable a relatively wide plug 214 to be employed, while still allowing adequate radial space for a seal, such as the seal 300 discussed below. Thus, in one specific embodiment, the recess 218 can have an inside diameter in the range of about 20 mm to about 25 mm, while the overall cap 200 diameter in this example can be in the range of about 30 mm to about 35 mm. However, larger or smaller inside diameters can be used for the plug recess 218, and larger or smaller diameters can also be used for the cap 200. In some embodiments, any one or more of the skirt 206, plug 214, plug bottom 214b and the cap 200 portion that defines the top surface 216 can have a wall thickness of about 5 mm, although larger or smaller wall thicknesses could be used. Some embodiments of the cap 200 can have the same wall thickness throughout the entire structure, such as a wall thickness of about 5 mm for example.

As well, the plug 214 may be relatively deep, so as to afford achievement of an acceptable seal with the cap 200, as discussed in more detail below. Thus, in some embodiments, the depth of the plug 214 at its deepest part, that is, as measured from the top surface 216 of the body 202 to the bottom 214b of the plug 214, may be in the range of about 50% to about 95%, or about 60% to about 90%, or 70% to about 85% of the overall height of the cap 200. In one particular illustrative example, the depth of the plug 214 at its deepest part is about 16 mm, and the overall height of the cap 200 in this illustrative example is about 19 mm. Shallower, or deeper, plugs 214 can alternatively be used. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the depth of the plug may be 10 mm to about 30 mm, or about 10 mm to 25 mm, or about 12 mm to 20 mm, or about 15 mm to 20 mm.

In terms of the extent to which the plug 214 extends into, for example, a neck portion 106 of a container, the plug 214 can be configured so that a substantial portion, or all, of the plug 214 resides within the neck portion 106 of the container 100 when the plug 214 is fully engaged with the container 100. With reference to the aforementioned example in which the cap 200 has an overall height of about 19 mm and a plug depth of about 16 mm, the cap 200 can be positioned on a neck portion 106 that has a height of about 15 mm from its uppermost edge to the shoulder of the container 100 (see neck portion 106 shown in phantom in, for example, FIG. 4). In this example, the plug 214 depth is slightly larger than the height of the neck portion 106, with the result that about 80% or more of the depth of the plug 214 resides inside the neck portion 106. A deep plug that extends into the neck portion may be beneficial to work in conjunction with the tongues and protrusions that retain the cap after it snaps into place because the deep plug prevents stabilized the snap cap. The stability of the deep plug can prevent the cap from moving or rocking in its sealed arrangement so it reduces the chance of leaking.

As best shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the bottom of the plug 214 may be convex or pointed such that the depth of the plug 214 varies between the side wall 214a of the plug 214 and the center of the plug 214. Where a convex shape is employed for the bottom of the plug 214, the plug 214 may be able to withstand pressure variations in a container without experiencing plastic deformation. Thus, in some circumstances, a plug whose bottom has a convex shape may be preferable to a plug whose bottom is flat. In this embodiment, the plug has a bottom that is convex which maintains a convex shape over a pressure range of about −2 MPa to 4 MPa. As well, a plug with a convex bottom may be configured to assume various shapes or configurations within a range of elastic deformation bounded by an undeformed state where the bottom is convex and another state where the bottom has deflected upward under the influence of pressure in a container to assume a configuration in which the bottom of the plug is substantially flat. In addition, a plug with a continuous, closed bottom may also desirable to resist deformation under pressure. In these embodiments, the closed, convex bottom of the plug may deform under pressure of about 4 MPa or less, deflecting the bottom upward toward having a substantially flat bottom, but preferably even less than 4 MPa of pressure the bottom will be at least flat or slightly convex. Maintaining the convex shape of the bottom of the plug under pressure is important to maintaining a good seal for the sealing elements and not allowing any fluid to leak out of the container.

In other embodiments, the bottom of the plug 214 can be relatively flat, such that the depth of the plug does not vary between the side wall 214a of the plug 214 and the center of the plug 214 (i.e. the deepest portion of the bottom of the plug 214 may be about 0.05 mm to about 5 mm, or 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, or 0.5 mm to about 2 mm than the side wall 214a). In still other embodiments, the bottom of the plug 214, or other plugs disclosed herein, can be concave. In alternative embodiments, the bottom of the plug may be conical, pointed, triangular, pyramidal, or another suitable shape where the deepest portion of the bottom of the plug 214 extends below the side wall 214a. In some embodiments, the bottom 214b of the plug 214 can have a textured surface, such as a pebbled surface for example, while in other embodiments, the bottom 214b of the plug 214 is substantially smooth.

The illustrated example of a plug 214 includes a side wall 214a that is angled slightly, about 6 degrees, off of vertical, such that the side wall 214a is angled radially outwardly. Thus, embodiments of a plug may be configured to relatively wider, or narrower, at the bottom of the plug than at the top of the plug. More generally, the side wall of these example embodiments of a plug is non-vertical in its orientation. In other embodiments, the plug 214 can be cylindrical in shape, such that the side wall 214a is vertical. Any of these example side wall configurations can each be combined with any of the plug bottom shapes disclosed herein. As well, the skirt 206 of the cap 200 can be cylindrical in shape, or the skirt 206 can be angled slightly, such as about 2 degrees, off of vertical, such that the skirt 206 is angled radially outwardly. As a result of the angled configuration of the skirt 206 and/or side wall 214a, the gap 220 may be configured so that it is relatively wider at the bottom, that is, where the gap 220 is open, than at the top, that is, where the gap 220 is closed off. Thus, the outside diameter of the gap 220 may vary.

As further shown in FIGS. 9-18, the cap 200 includes a seal, one example of which is denoted generally at 300. The seal 300 can also be used with any other component attachable to the top of a container such as container 100. Examples of such components include the trigger embodiments that form a part of this disclosure.

The seal 300, which can be formed as a single piece of material, fits around the plug 214 and thus resides in the space between the side wall 214a of the plug 214 and the inner surface 206a of the skirt 206. Accordingly, the seal 300 can have a generally tubular configuration, although that is not necessarily required. In some embodiments, the seal 300 can be molded around the plug 214 in an overmolding process. Alternatively, the seal 300 could be configured so that when it is in an undeformed state, the seal 300 interferes with the side wall 214a. The seal 300 can be elastically deformed, such as by stretching for example, and then placed around the side wall 214a. In either of the aforementioned processes, a secure fit is achieved between the seal 300 and the side wall 214a.

In general, any seal 300 material that is compatible with the contents of the container 100 can be used. As suggested above, the seal 300 can be made of a material that is elastically deformable. In some embodiments, the seal 300 is made of one or more thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). A TPE can include a mix of plastic and rubber. As such, embodiments of the seal 300 can be produced using an injection molding process, or any other suitable process. The TPE material enables the seal 300 to be elastically deformed during use, as discussed below. Examples of suitable TPE materials include, but are not limited to, those sold in connection with the Dynaflex™ mark.

With continued reference to FIGS. 9-18, the seal 300 includes a plurality of sealing elements 302. In the illustrated example, the sealing elements 302 protrude outwardly in a radial direction relative to the plug 214 and can take the form of protruding elements such as circumferential fins extending about the circumference of the plug 214. Thus configured and arranged, the use of multiple sealing elements 302 provides a level of redundancy since each sealing element 302 is able to act independently of the other sealing elements to seal the cap 200 to the container.

Irrespective of their particular configuration and arrangement, the sealing elements 302 are generally configured and arranged such that, when in an undeformed state, the sealing elements 302 interfere with a portion of the container to which the cap 200 is to be affixed. For example, the outside diameter of the sealing elements 302, when in an undeformed state, can be larger than an inside diameter of the neck portion 106 of an associated container, such as the container 100 for example.

Any number of sealing elements 302 can be used. In some example embodiments, four sealing elements 302 are employed, although any number more than four sealing elements 302, or fewer than four sealing elements 302, could be used. The number of sealing elements 302 in any particular embodiment can be a function of various considerations, such as the size and/or configuration of the sealing elements 302, for example. For example, relatively thick sealing elements 302 may enable the use of fewer sealing elements 302 than if the sealing elements 302 were relatively thinner.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing elements 302 each have substantially the same size and configuration. As well, the spacing between successive sealing elements 302 is substantially the same. Alternative embodiments can be employed however. For example, one or more sealing elements 302 may have a different size and/or configuration than another of the sealing elements 302. As another example, the spacing between two successive sealing elements 302 can be different than the spacing between another two successive sealing elements 302. As these examples indicate, the disclosed configurations and arrangements of the sealing elements 302 are presented only by way of example, and are not limiting of the scope of the invention.

With continued reference to the Figures, it can be seen that the example illustrated sealing elements 302 have generally triangular cross-section shape that comes to a point. In other embodiments, the cross-section shape is also triangular, but rounded off at the tip. In still other embodiments, different cross-section shapes can be used for the sealing elements 302. For example, some example alternative cross-section shapes that can be used for the sealing elements 302 are hemispherical, elliptical, and parabolic. In a single embodiment, sealing elements 302 of different respective cross-section shapes can be used together.

C. Example Caps

With reference finally to FIG. 19, details are provided concerning the performance of an example cap when subjected to loads such as might be experienced if the container and cap were dropped. In general, FIG. 19 illustrates the increasing extent to which a cap and associated seal are deformed as a result of the imposition of loading such as described in the example test evolution disclosed herein. The deformation of the cap and seal is minimal at time ‘t1’ when the test begins, and reaches a relative maximum at time ‘t4.’

In more detail, and continuing with the numbering conventions employed in discussion of FIGS. 9-18, a container 100 is disclosed to which a cap 200 is connected. As shown, the neck portion 106 of the container extends into the gap 220 between the side wall 214a of the plug 214 and the inner surface 206a of the skirt 206. An upper flared rim 304 of the seal 300 limits travel of the cap 200 onto the neck portion 106 and, in cooperation with the sealing elements 302, also helps to seal the neck portion 106 so as to prevent leakage from the container 100.

As can be collectively seen in the four time sequential views of FIG. 19, a seal between the neck portion 106 of the container 100 and the cap 200 is maintained, notwithstanding significant deformation of one or more of the sealing elements 302. Thus, portions of the seal 300, such as the sealing elements 302, are able to accommodate elastic deformation and/or displacement of the container 100 and/or cap 200, such as can occur as the result of imposition of a load, while still maintaining a seal of the container 100. Specifically, the sealing elements 302 and/or other portions of the seal 300 can change shape and orientation in response to imposed loads.

That is, the elastic deformability of the seal 300 enables the seal 300 to dynamically react to loads imposed on the container 100 and/or cap 200, while still maintaining the fluid tightness of the container 100. The loads imposed on the container 100 and/or cap 200 can include static and/or dynamic components. Thus, the ability of the seal 300 to react to such loads is helpful in maintaining the container 100 in a fluid tight state.

Depending upon factors such as the orientation of the container 100 and cap 200, the nature of applied load(s), and the point(s) of application of loads on the container 100 and cap 200, some parts of the seal, including the sealing elements 302, may be deformed and/or displaced to a relatively greater extent than other parts of the seal 300, including the sealing elements 302. That is, the seal 300 may be non-uniformly deformed and/or displaced in response to application of a load, or loads, on the container 100 and cap 200. For example, and as shown in FIG. 19, at times t3 and t4, the sealing elements 302 are deformed to a relatively greater extent on side ‘A’ than on side ‘B.’

Moreover, at times t3 and t4, the body 202 of the cap 200 is significantly deformed as well, and the upper flared rim 304 of the seal 300 has pulled away from the body 202 of the cap 200. In particular, the top surface 216 of the body 202 has assumed a convex shape and the lower edge of the body 202 has begun to pull away from the outside of the neck 106. Notwithstanding, the presence of multiple, deformable, sealing elements 302 helps to ensure that the neck 106 of the container 100 remains sealed. For example, as shown at time t4, significant contact is present between one or more sealing elements 302 and the inside of the neck 106. As also noted herein, the bottom of the plug may elastically deform in response to static and/or dynamic pressure loads. For example, the bottom of the plug may elastically deform in a range bounded by a first state where the bottom of the plug is convex and a second state where the bottom of the plug is flat. Either the convex configuration or the flat configuration can be the not deformed state of the plug. In an alternative example, the bottom of the plug may elastically deform in a range bounded by a first state where the bottom of the plug is convex and a second state where the bottom of the plug is still convex.

D. Operating Environment Considerations

As noted herein, embodiments of the invention have been determined to be particularly well suited for use in environments where the cap and/or container to which the cap is attached may be subjected to the imposition of various forces. Examples of such forces include those that may be imposed when the capped container is dropped. Performance of an embodiment of the cap has been validated through testing and analysis. Further details concerning testing and analysis are set forth below in connection with the discussion of FIG. 20.

In one example test evolution, an HDPE container, examples of which are disclosed herein, was filled to about 80% of capacity (fill point volume—FPV) with a non-viscous, incompressible fluid. No gases other than atmospheric air were present in the container, and pressure in the container was assumed to be only the hydrostatic pressure attributable to the fluid present in the container. The container was sealed with a cap, embodiments of which are disclosed herein. The container was oriented on its side, such that the force resulting from the hydrostatic pressure exerted by the volume of contained fluid was directed in a radial direction relative to a neck of the container, that is, downward, and also in an axial direction relative to a neck of the container.

Thus prepared, the container was then dropped on its side onto a hard surface from a height of about 3 feet above the hard surface. A distortion energy failure theory was used to evaluate the performance of the capped container. In particular, a Von Mises pressure distribution throughout the container was obtained by performance of a finite element analysis (FEA) of the container. With this information, a profile of pressure exerted on various parts of the container over time was generated (see FIG. 20), and a determination made that deformations in the container, and particularly the neck portion, remained within the elastic range of their respective materials. Notwithstanding the load imposed during the test, and the resultant elastic deformations of the container, no leakage of fluid from the container was observed over the pressure range measure −2 MP to 4 MPa, or over the pressure range of 3.5 MP to about −1.5 MPa.

With more particular reference now to FIG. 20, the radial and axial pressure exerted (in MPa) over time on a neck portion of a container as a result of the aforementioned drop test are shown. The pressure profile on the neck portion of the container was modeled using the equation:

$I=\underset{0}{\stackrel{t}{\int \int }}\stackrel{\_}{p}\left(t\right)\mathrm{dA}\mathrm{dt}$

Where:

I is the impulse, that is, application of force F over a period of time t, and can be approximated as I=FΔt; and

the change in the force F, in turn, can be expressed as dF=p(t)·dA (i.e., pressure×area A).

Thus, as the foregoing relationships indicate, the force F (that is, pressure×area) is a function of time t because the pressure p changes with time. This is consistent with the dynamic loading that would be expected in a drop test, and is indicated in the plots of FIG. 20. Thus, if the force F changes over time, as expected, determination of the impulse I requires integration over time, that is, over the interval 0-t, as shown. As well, determination of the impulse I also requires integration over area, since the force F varies over the area to which it is applied.

In particular, and as shown in FIG. 20, the plot labeled ‘Area A’ indicates the change in pressure, over time, exerted in a radial direction of a neck portion of a container, and the plot labeled ‘Area B’ indicates the change in pressure, over time, exerted in an axial direction of a neck portion of a container. As shown, the pressure exerted in the axial direction significantly exceeded the pressure exerted in the radial direction.

Thus, using the relationships noted above in connection with a drop test, a determination can be made as to how a container with fluid in it will respond to forces exerted in connection with the drop test. This information, in turn, can be used to in the design of a cap and seal configuration that will provide acceptable performance when subjected to conditions similar to those experienced during the example drop test.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A cap, comprising:

a body, comprising: a plug defined by a recess extending downward from an upper surface of the body, and a bottom of the plug has a convex shape; a skirt disposed circumferentially about the plug such that a gap is defined between an exterior surface of the plug and an inner surface of the skirt; and two tongues connected to the skirt and extending radially inward toward the plug, each of the tongues configured to releasably engage respective corresponding structure of a container; and

a seal disposed about an outer surface of the plug so as to be concentric with the plug, the seal including a plurality of radially extending circumferential fins.

2. The cap as recited in claim 1, wherein the body of the cap comprises a thermoplastic material.

3. The cap as recited in claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.

4. The cap as recited in claim 1, wherein the seal is in the form of an overmold on the plug.

5. The cap as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the tongues is disposed in a respective window defined in the skirt.

6. The cap as recited in claim 1, wherein the seal is dynamically responsive to a load applied to the cap such that the seal elastically deforms in response to application of the load, and the load is a static and/or dynamic load.

7. The cap as recited in claim 1, wherein part of the bottom of the plug is textured.

8. The cap as recited in claim 1, wherein the cap is configured to be snapped onto a neck portion of a container.

9. The cap as recited in claim 1, wherein when the cap is fully engaged with a container, the cap is removable from the container with about a one quarter counterclockwise turn of the cap.

10. The cap as recited in claim 1, wherein the seal includes a flared portion that is concentric with the fins and is disposed at an upper end of the seal.

11. An apparatus, comprising:

a container including a reservoir and a neck portion in fluid communication with each other; and

a cap, comprising: a body, comprising: a plug defined by a recess extending downward from an upper surface of the body, and the plug having a bottom that is convex which has a convex shape over a pressure range of about −2 MPa to 4 MPa; a skirt disposed circumferentially about the plug such that a gap is defined between an exterior surface of the plug and an inner surface of the skirt; and two tongues connected to the skirt and extending radially inward toward the plug, each of the tongues configured to releasably engage respective corresponding structure of the neck portion of the container; and

a seal disposed about an outer surface of the plug so as to be concentric with the plug, the seal including a plurality of radially extending circumferential fins.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the container includes an integral dip tube in fluid communication with the reservoir.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein when the cap is fully engaged with the container, the cap is removable from the container with about a one quarter counterclockwise turn of the cap.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the seal is dynamically responsive to a load applied to the cap and/or container such that the seal elastically deforms in response to application of the load, and the load includes static and/or dynamic components.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein the seal maintains a fluid tight seal of the container notwithstanding application of the load.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the body of the cap comprises a thermoplastic material and the seal comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the seal includes a flared portion that is concentric with the fins and is disposed at an upper end of the seal, and when the cap is fully engaged with the neck portion of the container, the neck portion of the container is in contact with both the flared portion of the seal and the fins.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein when the cap is fully engaged with the neck portion of the container, the fins are positioned within the neck portion of the container, and an upper end of the neck portion is positioned in a gap between the plug and the skirt.

19. An apparatus, comprising:

a container including a reservoir and a neck portion in fluid communication with each other; and

a cap, comprising: a body, comprising: a plug defined by a recess extending downward from an upper surface of the body, and the plug having a bottom that is elastically deformable between a first state where the bottom is convex and a second state where the bottom is horizontal; a skirt disposed circumferentially about the plug such that a gap is defined between an exterior surface of the plug and an inner surface of the skirt; and two tongues connected to the skirt and extending radially inward toward the plug, each of the tongues configured to releasably engage respective corresponding structure of the neck portion of the container; and

a seal disposed about an outer surface of the plug so as to be concentric with the plug, the seal including a plurality of radially extending circumferential fins.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein when the fins are in an undeformed state, an outside diameter of the fins is larger than an inside diameter of the neck portion of the container.