RECYCLABLE SPRING BIASED CHILED RESISTENT CONTAINER CLOSURE

Abstract

A closure for a container is provided. The closure has a spring that provides biasing forces for securing the closure to a container bottom and/or to bias a seal into sealing contact with a container bottom.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/086,411, filed Oct. 1, 2020, the entire teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to containers and particularly metal closures for containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers are used to store many objects. Some containers provide child resistance which typically requires two separate actions to remove the closure from the rest of the container. Further, some containers are repeatedly opened and closed but it is desired to seal the container once the container is reclosed.

The present disclosure relates to improvements over the current state of the art for containers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an example, a container closure including a top wall, an annular skirt and a spring is provided. The annular skirt extends from the top wall. The annular skirt has a radially inward extending rib. A spring is located between the radially inward extending rib and the top wall. The spring has an outer dimension that is greater than an inner diameter of the rib. The spring has an inner dimension that is less than an inner diameter of the rib.

In one example, the top wall and annular skirt are formed from a continuous piece of stamped metal.

In one example, the spring is a wave spring formed from an annular undulating strip of material.

In one example, the spring is metal.

In one example, the spring has an axial height defined by the undulations.

In one example, the spring (e.g. strip of material forming the spring) has an axial thickness defined between a top surface of the spring and a bottom surface of the spring. The spring has a width that is one-half of the difference between the inner and outer dimensions. The width is greater than the thickness.

In one example, the spring is an annular member that extends around a central axis. The height and axial thickness is measured generally parallel to the central axis.

In one example, the annular skirt terminates in a curled end. The curled end has at least one attachment tab formed therein. The attachment tab extending radially inward further than the remainder of the curled end. The attachment tab is configured to cooperate with a thread of a container bottom to secure the annular skirt to the container bottom.

In one example, the container further includes a freshness seal. The freshness seal has a second outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the rib. The freshness seal extends radially inward beyond the inner periphery of the rib providing an exposed lower surface that faces away from the top wall. The freshness seal is located between the rib and the top wall. The freshness seal is positioned axially between the rib and the spring. The freshness seal is axially slidable within the gap between the top wall and the rib.

In one example, when the freshness seal is moved a predetermined distance from the rib towards the top wall, the spring biases the freshness seal towards the rib.

In one example, the freshness seal is made from metal.

In one example, the freshness seal has a sealing surface that faces axially away from the top wall. The sealing surface includes an annular groove formed therein. The groove is positioned radially inward of the inner diameter of the rib.

In an example, a container including a container closure as outlined above and a container bottom is provided. The container bottom has a storage cavity. The container bottom has an annular sidewall. A free end of the annular sidewall defines a mouth to the storage cavity. The annular sidewall defines a thread therein. The tab of the container closure cooperates with the thread of the annular sidewall to secure the container closure to the container bottom. When the container closure is secured to the container bottom, the spring biases the tab into axial engagement with the thread.

In one example, the container includes a one-time use seal secured to a free end of the annular sidewall and over the mouth. The container includes freshness seal. When the container closure is secured to the container bottom, the spring biases the freshness seal into the one-time use seal prior to removal of the one-time use seal.

In one example, when the one-time use seal is removed, the spring biases the sealing surface of the freshness seal into the free end of the annular sidewall when the container closure is secured to the container bottom.

In one example, the thread has a rectangular receiving cavity at an end thereof for receipt of the tab when the container closure is fully attached to the container bottom. The receiving cavity is axially offset from a portion of the thread towards the mouth. The spring biases the tab into the rectangular receiving cavity such that the container closure must be pushed towards the container bottom before it can be rotated to remove the container closure from the container bottom.

In one example, the thread and the rectangular receiving cavity are ribs formed into the annular sidewall of the container bottom.

Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded illustration of a container according to an example;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, cross-sectional illustration of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional illustration of the container of FIG. 1 with the container closure removed from the container bottom:

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged, partial cross-sectional illustration of the container of FIG. 1 with the container closure removed from the container bottom;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, exploded, cross-sectional illustration of the closure of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, cross-sectional illustration of the closure and bottom of the container of FIG. 1 secured to one another, but with the one-time use seal removed;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, cross-sectional illustration of the closure and bottom of the container of FIG. 1 secured to one another, but with the one-time use seal provided;

FIG. 8 is an even further enlarged, cross-sectional illustration of a portion of the closure and a portion of the container bottom illustrating the closure secured to the container bottom; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are illustrations of the container closure.

While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates, in partially exploded form, an example of a container 100 including a container closure 102 (also referred to herein as “closure 102) and a container bottom 104 (also referred to herein as “bottom 104). The container 100 can be used to store product and in an example is configured to child resistance features as it requires two separate actions to open the container 100. More particularly, in some examples, the container 100 requires both an axial pushing motion as well as a rotating motion to remove the closure 102 from the bottom 104.

The container 100 has a central axis 103.

With additional reference to FIG. 2, which is cross-sectional illustration of the container 100, the container bottom 104 defines a storage cavity 106. An annular sidewall 108 surrounds the storage cavity 106 and extends axially from a bottom wall 110. In this example, the annular sidewall 108 is formed from two separate components including an upper sidewall portion 112 and a lower sidewall portion 114.

In this example, the upper sidewall portion 112 would be formed from metal and in one example, formed sheet metal. The upper sidewall portion 112 defines a mouth 116 that provides access to the storage cavity 106. An upper end of sidewall 108, provided by the upper sidewall portion 112, is curled to provide strength, hide any potential sharp edges created during cutting of the sheet metal, as well as to provide a seal surface 118.

Further yet, the upper sidewall portion 112 includes a plurality of threads 120 that are formed (e.g. stamped) directly into the upper sidewall portion 112. These threads 120, in this example, extend radially outward. Each thread 120 includes a tab receiving pocket 122 at an end thereof for receiving a radially inward extending attachment tab 124 of the container closure 102 to secure the closure 102 to the bottom 104. In one example, the tab receiving pocket 122 has a generally rectangular profile. Further, in operation, the attachment tab 124 of the closure 102 must be axially displaced out of the receiving pocket 122 before the closure 120 can be rotated relative to the bottom 104 and the thread 120 to remove the closure 102 from the bottom 104.

The lower sidewall portion 114 is attached to the upper sidewall portion 112 at the connection 126 by a rolled and/or crimped portion of the upper sidewall portion 112. The lower sidewall portion 114 is attached to the bottom wall 110 at connection 128 in a similar fashion.

In one example, the entire container bottom 104 is formed from sheet metal components. In another example, the upper sidewall portion 112 and the bottom wall 110 are formed from metal while the lower sidewall portion 114 is formed from cardboard, paper board, paper, plastic or other non-metallic material. In other examples, the entirety of the container bottom 104 is formed from a single piece of material such as molded plastic or formed sheet metal.

In one example, the container 100 includes a one-time use seal 128 that attaches to the mouth 116 and particularly seal surface 118. The one-time use seal 128 provides tamper evidence. Once the one-time use seal 128 is broken or removed from the seal surface 118 it will not reattach to the seal surface 118. The one-time use seal 128 includes a pull tab 130 for ease of removal. The one-time use seal 128 may be adhesively secured to seal surface 118 or otherwise attached such as use of an ultrasonic bonding technique.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5, the closure 102 includes a lid top 138 that includes an annular skirt 140 (also referred to as an “annular sidewall 140”) and a top wall 142. The annular skirt 140 extends axially from a top wall 142. The closure 102 and particularly the annular skirt 140 is sized and configured to receive and attach to the sidewall 108 and particularly the upper sidewall portion 112 to secure the closure 102 to the bottom 104.

In one example, the annular skirt 140 and the top wall 142 are formed from a single piece of material. In one particular example, the annular skirt 140 and the top wall 142 are formed from sheet metal and stamped or drawn from a single piece of sheet metal.

A bottom end 144 (opposite the top wall 142) of the annular skirt 140 is curled or hemmed to provide strength and protect the user from potential sharp edges generated during the forming process. In an example, the attachment tab 124 is formed in a radially inner portion of the curl formed in the bottom end 144. The attachment tab 124 may be an axially crushed portion of the curl, such as illustrated in FIG. 3. As noted above, the attachment tab 124 cooperates with the thread 120 and the recess 122 to secure the container closure 102 to the container bottom 104.

The annular sidewall 140 includes a radially inward extending rib 146. The rib 146 is axially offset from top wall 142 forming a gap therebetween. In this example, the inner diameter D1 of the rib 146 is greater than an inner diameter D2 of the curl formed by bottom end 144. Thus, the inner ends of the tabs 124 are positioned radially inward further than the radially inner most portion of the rib 146.

The rib 146 in the illustrated example is a continuous rib formed in annular skirt 140. In other embodiments, the rib 146 could be discontinuous and formed from a plurality of rib portions or inward extending projections. These plurality of rib portions or projects would define the inner diameter D1.

The rib 146 secures a spring 150 within the annular skirt 140 in the gap formed axially between the top wall 142 and the rib 146.

With reference to FIGS. 3-8, the container 100 is configured such that when the container closure 102 is threadedly attached to the container bottom by way of cooperating engagement between the attachment tab 124 and the threads 120, and particularly the attachment tab 124 and the recesses 122, the spring 150 is axially compressed. More particularly, when the attachment tabs 124 and the recesses 122 are engaged, the upper sidewall portion 112 is axially received into the annular skirt 140 sufficiently far to compress spring 150. This compression of spring 150 creates a biasing force acting to force the container closure 102 away from the container bottom 104 and secures the tabs 124 in the corresponding recesses 122. FIG. 8 shows the spring 150 being axially spaced from the rib 146 due to this compression.

Thus, in one example, the tabs 124, the recesses 122, the seal surface 118, and the rib 146 are dimensioned such that when the tabs 124 are in axial abutment with the recesses 122, seal surface 118 (e.g. the end of the upper sidewall portion 112) is axially above (e.g. closer to top wall 142) a portion of the rib 146. In some examples, this axial offset could be provided by the one-time seal 128 or a portion thereof if an outer rim portion of the one-time seal 128 remains attached to the seal surface 118 after the one time seal 128 has been broken and/or a portion thereof has been removed to provide access to the cavity 106.

In one example, once the one-time seal 128 has been fully removed and the seal surface 118 is exposed, the components are dimensioned relative to one another such that the seal surface 118 will act on and compress the spring 150.

In this example, the container 100 includes a freshness seal 160 that provides repeated sealing with the container bottom 104. Typically, this will occur between a sealing surface 162 of the freshness seal 160 and the seal surface 118 of the container bottom 104. The sealing surface 162 faces away from the top wall 142.

In this example, the spring 150 acts through the freshness seal 160 to provide the biasing forces to secure the closure 102 to the bottom 104. This allows the spring 150 to provide biasing forces forcing the sealing surface 162 into the sealing surface 118.

The freshness seal 162 is secured between the rib 146 and the top wall 142 with the spring 150 positioned between the top wall 142 and the freshness seal. In one example, the freshness seal 162 is free floating relative to annular skirt 140 as well as spring 150.

The sealing surface 162 of the freshness seal 160 may include an annular groove 164 formed therein. The size and position of the annular groove 164 is such that it aligns with the sealing surface 118 of the upper sidewall portion 112. With reference to FIG. 6, once the one-time use seal 128 is removed (if it is even provided), the annular groove 164 will mate with the sealing surface 118 when the container closure 102 is attached to the container bottom 104.

The freshness seal 160 allows for repeated opening and resealing of the container 100. Again, the components are configured such that the spring 150 will spring bias the freshness seal 160 and its sealing surface 162 axially into sealing engagement with the seal surface 118 after removal of the one-time seal 128.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner diameter D3 of the spring 150 is smaller than the inner diameter D1 of the rib 146 as well as the inner diameter of the curl formed by the end 144 of the annular skirt 140. The outer diameter D4 of the spring 150 is greater than the inner diameter D1 of the rib 146. The inner diameter D3 of the spring 150 is smaller than or equal to the diameter D5 of the sealing surface 118 (see FIG. 4). These dimensions allow the spring 150 to be retained between the rib 146 and top wall 142 while projecting radially inward of the rib 146 (as well as end 144) so as to allow for acting on the container bottom 104 to provide the necessary biasing forces.

The freshness seal 160 has an outer diameter D7 that is greater than the inner diameter D1 of the rib 164. The groove 164 of the freshness seal 160 has a diameter D6 (measured at the center thereof) that, in some examples, is substantially equal to the diameter D5 of the sealing surface 118.

In this example, the spring 150 is a wave spring formed form an annular undulating strip of material (typically metal). The spring 150 has undulations that allow for the biasing action when compressed. The spring 150 has a width w1 that is one-half of the difference between diameters D4 and D3 that is also greater than the thickness T1. The width W1 is measured generally in the radial direction and the thickness T1 is generally measured in the axial direction (i.e. parallel to a central axis of the container). The spring 150 has a height H1 defined by the undulations of the spring 150.

It is a feature in one example that the entire closure 102 is formed from recyclable material, such as metal. Further, in some examples, the freshness seal 160 need not be provided. In some examples, the freshness seal 160 is formed from metal.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the an upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. A container closure comprising:

a top wall;

an annular skirt extending from the top wall, the annular skirt having a radially inward extending rib; and

a spring located between the radially inward extending rib and the top wall, the spring having an outer dimension that is greater than an inner diameter of the rib, the spring having an inner dimension that is less than an inner diameter of the rib.

2. The container closure of claim 1, wherein the top wall and annular skirt are formed from a continuous piece of stamped metal.

3. The container closure of claim 1, wherein the spring is a wave spring formed from an annular undulating strip of material.

4. The container closure of claim 3, wherein the spring is metal.

5. The container closure of claim 3, wherein the spring has an axial height defined by the undulations.

6. The container closure of claim 3, wherein the spring has an axial thickness defined between a top surface of the spring and a bottom surface of the spring and the spring has a width that is one-half of the difference between the inner and outer dimensions, the width being greater than the thickness.

7. The container closure of claim 1, wherein the spring is an annular member that extends around a central axis, the height and axial thickness being measured generally parallel to the central axis.

8. The container closure of claim 1, wherein the annular skirt terminates in a curled end, the curled end having at least one attachment tab formed therein, the attachment tab extending radially inward further than the remainder of the curled end, the attachment tab configured to cooperate with a thread of a container bottom to secure the annular skirt to the container bottom.

9. The container closure of claim 1, further comprising a freshness seal, the freshness seal having a second outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the rib, the freshness seal extending radially inward beyond the inner periphery of the rib providing an exposed lower surface that faces away from the top wall, the freshness seal being located between the rib and the top wall, the freshness seal being positioned axially between the rib and the spring, the freshness seal being axially slidable between the top wall and the rib.

10. The container closure of claim 9, wherein when the freshness seal is moved a predetermined distance from the rib towards the top wall, the spring biases the freshness seal towards the rib.

11. The container closure of claim 10, wherein the freshness seal is made from metal.

12. The container closure of claim 10, wherein the freshness seal has a sealing surface that faces axially away from the top wall, the sealing surface including an annular groove formed therein, the groove being positioned radially inward of the inner diameter of the rib.

13. A container comprising:

a container closure of claim 1; and

a container bottom having a storage cavity, the container bottom having an annular sidewall, a free end of the annular sidewall defining a mouth to the storage cavity, the annular sidewall defining a thread therein, the tab of the container closure cooperating with the thread of the annular sidewall to secure the container closure to the container bottom; and

when the container closure is secured to the container bottom, the spring biases the tab into axial engagement with the thread.

14. The container of claim 13, further comprising a one-time use seal secured to a free end of the annular sidewall and over the mouth;

wherein the container closure includes: a freshness seal, the freshness seal having a second outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the rib, the freshness seal extending radially inward beyond the inner periphery of the rib providing an exposed lower surface that faces away from the top wall, the freshness seal being located between the rib and the top wall, the freshness seal being positioned axially between the rib and the spring, the freshness seal being axially slidable between the top wall and the rib; and

wherein when the container closure is secured to the container bottom, the spring biases the freshness seal into the one-time use seal prior to removal of the one-time use seal.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein the one-time use seal is removed, the spring biases the sealing surface of the freshness seal into the free end of the annular sidewall when the container closure is secured to the container bottom.

16. The container of claim 13, wherein the thread has a rectangular receiving cavity at an end thereof for receipt of the tab when the container closure is fully attached to the container bottom, the receiving cavity being axially offset from the end of the thread towards the mouth, the spring biasing the tab into the rectangular receiving cavity such that the container closure must be pushed towards the container bottom before it can be rotated to remove the container closure from the container bottom.

17. The container of claim 16, wherein the thread and the rectangular receiving cavity are ribs formed into the annular sidewall of the container bottom.