US2620938A - Container closure - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 9, 1952 c. J. JESNIG 2,620,938

CONTAINER CLOSURE Filed Sept. 2, 1949 Patented Dec. 9, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE CONTAINER CLOSURE Application September 2, 1949, Serial No. 113,770

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to icontainer closures.

A purpose of the invention is to obtain tight sealing of a container such as 'a'glass bottle-notwithstanding wide variations in neck dimensions of the container.

A further purpose is to securean elastic flanged cap over the neck ring of a container by a frangible metallic cover which grips the flange of the elastic cap, thus securing the cap more tightly in place, .protects the cap against penetration and against pilfering, and remains completely out of contact with the container.

A further purpose is to cushion the engagement of a cold Worked metallic cover against a container by an elastomer cap underneath the cover.

A further purpose is to permit access to a valve in the cover for'vacuumizing or venting the container by means of an opening in the cover.

A further purpose is to shape the neck ring with an annular taper from the end of the container and with an annular taper on the side remote from the end of the container.

A further purpose is to obtain a supplemental sealing between a rib on the end of the container and an elastomer cap by a metallic cover extending over the cap and grippingunder the flange of the cap.

A further purpose is to provide a rib on the flange of the cap and an annular groove outside the rib and to force the cap in by the cover so as to substantially close the groove.

' Further purposes appear in the specification and in the claims.

In the drawings I have chosen to illustrate two only of the numerous embodiments in which my invention may appear, selecting the forms shown from the standpoints of satisfaction of operation, convenience in illustration and clear demonstration of the principles involved.

Figure -l is a perspective of a container embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged top plan view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section of Figure 2 on the line 3--3, showing the completed closure.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary sections corresponding to Figure 3, showing the steps in closing the container.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Figure3 showing a variation.

Describing in illustration butn'ot in limitation and referring to the drawings: 7 "The present inventor has developed an elas- 2 tomer cap for convenient snap application-to the mouth of a bottle :or other container and'snap removal therefrom. This subject matter is embodied in application Serial No. 26,687, filed May 12, 1948,'andnow Patent No. 2,587,327., for Resilient Cap and Container Closed Thereby.

This cap has proved to be highly satisfactory, both from the standpoint of removal for reapplication to the container, and also from the standpoint of 'tightas'ealing. It does not, however, protect the container against'pilfering, as obviously it provides noindication as to Whether or not the cap has "been previously removed.

For some purposes, such as export shipment, where a large "number. of containers may be assembled in'a carton,tancl severe impact may be applied during loading, unloading and readjusting of cargo, it 'is'poss'ible'that pressure not normally encountered may be applied to the cap, which would tend to dislodge it or break the seal.

For many purposes and with many types of commodities, especially-foods and pharmaceuticals, it is desirable t'o'provide for vacuumiz'ing the container or for ventinginternal pressure which may develop in the container, according to the principles of my UIS. Patent "2,173,571, granted September 19, 1939, for Valve for Vacuum Pack Closures.

I find that the problems referred to can be solved by applying my "elastomer cap or a cap of similar contour to the neck of the container, which will preferably be specially designed to receive the cap,- andthen cold working the metalliccover so thatit envelopes the end of the cap, surrounds and grips the flange of the cap, without engaging the neck of thecontai'ner, and preferably also presses the cap against the end of the neck.

The dimensions 'of containers, such as glass bottles and the like are highly erratic and when spinning pressures are applied to spin metallic covers over the necks of the containers, if the cover directly contacts the neck there is a likelihood of breaking "a substantial number of containers, either during capping or during, storage or shipment, due to stresses created. I

Where, however, the flange of the elastomer cap is positioned 'between the neck of the container and the metallic cover, and the metallic cover does not directly contact the neck of the container, the elastomer of the cap "redistributes the pressure "'suificiently so that the'amou'nt of breakage is marked y reduced.

-At the "sametime the flange of the metallic coververy' firmly contracts, grips and seals the flange of the cap against the neck of the container and thus secures a tighter seal.

The cover also presses the cap against th end of the container, securing a supplemental seal at that point, preferably against a rib on the end of the neck.

The cover over the end of the cap assures against accidental penetration or dislodgment of the cap and also against pilfering.

The cover is desirably perforated to aid in removal and to permit flow of air through the vent valve when such is employed.

Considering first the form of Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, the container may be a bottle or other suitabl container having a neck 2| provided with a discharge opening 22. The neck is preferably provided with an external neck ring 23 near its outer end, which has a conical or annular tapered surface 24 from the outer end of the neck to the peak or line of maximum outer extension 25 of the neck ring, and a conical or annular reversely tapered surface 26 extending into the neck on the side remote from the end of the neck.

The extreme outer end of the neck has an annular rim or ridge 21 suitably of semi-circular cross section as shown, and of a width at the base less than the width of the end of the neck and preferably not exceeding substantially one-third of the width of the end of the neck. The contour of the ridge 2'! is sufliciently smooth so that it will not tend to cut the cap, but is sufficiently narrow that it can seal well with the cap, preferably not wider than 1; inch.

A cap 28 of suitable elastomer has an end closure 30 and an annular skirt or flange 3|.

The cap is preferably made of polyethylene, an elastomer or elastic plastic which is resilient, tasteless, odorless and non-toxic. However, it may be made from any suitable elastomer or elastic plastic such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl chloride-acetate or the like, suitably plasticized. It may also be made of rubber or synthetic rubber. The polyethylene or similar elastomer has the property of extending and returning to its original form to a limited degree.

In the preferred embodiment, the end 30 of the cap is recessed at 32, desirably near the center and depressed at 33 external of the recess to provide an annular valve seat 34 directed away from the inside of the cap as set forth in my patent above referred to.

The valve seat receives a vacuumizing and vent valve 35 of elastomer similar to the cap, having a valve flange 36 which annularly engages and seals on the valve seat, a tubular body 31 which extends through the valve recess and a rear locking flange 38 which annularly engages below the valve seat and holds the valv in place. The outside of the locking flange is tapered at 40 to aid in insertion.

A valve port 4|, here taking the form of a slit, extends radially through the locking flange and the body from a center opening 42 in the valve to the radial inner edge of the valve flange 36. The end of the opening 42 is closed by a wall 42'. The valve in its variations is described in much greater detail in my U. S. patent above referred to, incorporated herein by reference.

The valve is capable of either venting under internal pressure or of providing a means for removal of internal pressure from the container by application of a vacuum either through a vacuum cup applied to the cover or by a vacuum chamber. Thus the valv may be used in both hermetic and vacuum sealing, although in hermetic sealing the valve may be eliminated when it is not expected that internal pressure will develop and a form without the valve is shown in Figure 7.

The flange or skirt 3| on the cap is in the preferred embodiment provided with an annular internal rim 43 which has a smaller internal diameter than the outside diameter of the neck ring, and engages under the neck ring, suitably gripping the reverse taper 26. The cap is desirably internally stepped at 44, where the rib joins the skirt or flange to provide a suitable engaging surface for contacting the reverse taper 26.

To provide space for outward motion of the rim 43 and assure that it can freely snap into and out of position as the cap is applied and removed, the rim is preferably surrounded with an annular slot 45 which penetrates from the lower or outer end of the flange or skirt for a substantial distance up the flange or skirt, preferably more than half the axial cross section of the rim as shown. This creates an outer rim 46 which surrounds the inner rim separated therefrom by the slot and suitably carries an outer rib 41 to aid in engagement by the finger. The slot provides a space for outer yielding of the inner rib 43 when the cap is inserted and removed, thus greatly reducing the force required in applying or removing the cap and making it possible, even in a comparative stiff elastomer such as polyethylene, for an individual not having strong fingers to apply or remove the cap easily without the use of any tool.

The variation in the dimensions of the neck ring of the container, which inevitably is present, is taken up by the resilience of the inner rim 43 on the cap.

As shown in Figure 4, the tapering 24 of the neck ring tends to guid the cap for insertion until it passes beyond the annular line 25, after which the cap is held in place by the reverse taper portion 26 of the neck ring. It is not necessary to twist the cap and good hermetic grip and sealing are obtained.

When the cap is in place it seals also with the ridge 21 at the end of the neck as shown in Figure 5, as well as sealing between the skirt or flange of the cap and the outer portion of the neck ring where the rim 43 engages reverse taper ring 26 and where the skirt engages the annular line 25 of the neck ring.

Thus it will be evident that the structure of the neck ring cooperates with the axial resilience of the cap flange to store energy during the first stages of cap application, which energy is released suddenly as the rim attains the apex so as to cause the rim to pass completely over the apex and the cap to attain its final seating position, and to maintain said flange under substantially axial tension in said cap position.

The cap is surrounded by a metallic cover 48 which has an end portion 50 over the end of the cap and a flange 5| around the flange of the cap.

The cover may be of any suitable light gage ductile metal sheet or foil, preferably aluminum alloy sheet or foil, which can readily be cold worked into place as by spinning, using well known methods and equipment. The cap is frangible, being suificiently light so that it can be torn by the finger or cut with an implement.

The lower end of the flange 5| is flanged under the cap at 52 as shown in Figures 1 and 3, but the inner edge 53 is free from engagement with the neck or the container. Thus the rim 43 is forced inwardly as shown in Figure 3, the flange of the cap is pressed tightly against the neck ring and the cap is forced down tightly on the ridge 2! at the'end-of the neck.

The cover has a slit e4 conveniently located in the center of the top in line with the valve and permitting air to flow in and out. The cover is also conveniently perforated at 55 in any suitable confi uration to provide a tear strip as well known.

In operation it will be understood that the container will first be filled with the contents, after which the cap will be applied either by hand or by a capping machine. While the cap will preferably be the cap of my prior invention, it may also be a similar cap, not having the groove 45, as shown in Figure '7. The cap, if it is to have a valve, will have it applied before the cap is put in place. After the cap is applied the cover will be spun on. Figure 4 shows the cap being applied, Figure 5 shows the cover being put on and Figure 6 shows the cover ready for engagement by spinning the edge of its flange. Figures 1, 2 and 3 show the finished cover in place on the container.

If the container is to be evacuated it can be evacuated after the cover is applied, the air passing through the slit 54 in the cover. If, on the other hand, the contents are not to be evacuated and will not vent, the form of Figure '7 may be used without the valve. The form of Figure 7 is less desirable than that of Figures 1 to 6, in that it is more difficult to remove and apply the cover because of the lack of the slot 45.

It will be evident that by my invention I not only protect against pilfering, but assure better protection against penetration of the cap and better sealing and gripping on the flanges of the cap, while at the same time the cushioning provided by the cap prevents damage to the container or the cover.

In view of my invention and disclosure variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits of my invention without copying the structure shown, and I, therefore, claim all such insofar as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of my claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a container, a vessel having a rigid neck provided with a neck opening and having an external annular neck ring on the neck which has a conical annular surface tapering abruptly outwardly from the end of the neck ring adjoining the neck opening to an annular apex which has the largest diameter of the cap area of the neck ring and then a reverse conical annular surface tapering abruptly inwardly from the annular apex and a resilient elastomer cap having an end portion which extends over, closes and seals against the otherwise open end of the neck and having a continuous annular flange integral with the end portion, the flange having a larger diameter than the conical annular surface of the neck ring when the cap is in place on th neck ring, the flange having an inwardly extending continuous annular rim which engages around and grips the reverse conical annular surface of the neck ring when the cap is in place on the neck ring, and the flange having an annular groove from the end of the flange toward the end of the neckwhich allows the portion of the flange inside thegroove to expand andcontract independently of theportion outside the groove, thereheing sealing engagement between the inwardly extending continuous annular 'rim and thereverse conical surface when the cap i inplace on the neck ring, and there .being a snap when, as the cap is put in place on the neck ring, theinwardly extendingcontinuous annular rim on the flange passes beyond the apex, exertinga pull onthe end portion of the cap against the end of the neck ring which establishes sealing engagement also by the end portion of the cap on the end'of the neck ring.

2. .Inla container, a vessel having a rigid neck provided with a neck opening and having an external annularneck ring on the neck which has a conical annular surface tapering abruptly outwardlyfrom the end of the neck ring adjoining the neckopening and a reverse conical annular surface tapering a'bruptly inwardly on the side of the neck ringrremote from the neck opening, the conical annular surfaces meetinginan annular apex which has the largest diameter of the cap area of the neck ring, and a resilient elastomer cap body having an end portion which extends over, closes and seals against the otherwise open end of the neck and having a continuous annular flange portion. integral with the end portion, the flange portion having a larger diameter than the conical annular surface of the neck ring and the flange portion having an inwardly extending and downwardly converging continuous annular rim which engages around and grips the reverse conical annular surface of the neck ring when the cap is in place on the neck ring, the inner annular rim surface conforming with the reverse conical surface for sealing engagement therebetween, the rim being so spaced relative to the cap end portion that when the cap is in place on the neck ring, the cap engages the neck only at the end of the neck adjoining the neck opening and on the reverse conical surface, the aforesaid structure of the neck ring cooperating with the axial resilience of the cap flange to store energy during the first stages of cap application, which energy is released suddenly as the rim attains the apex so as to cause the rim to pass completely over the apex and the cap attains its final sealing position and to maintain said flange portion under substantial axial tension in said cap position.

3. In a container, a vessel having a rigid neck provided with a neck opening and having an external annular neck ring on the neck which has a conical annular surface tapering abruptly outwardly from the end of the neck ring adjoining the neck opening and a reverse conical annular surface tapering abruptly inwardly on the side of the neck ring remote from the neck opening, the conical annular surfaces meeting in an annular apex which has the largest diameter of the cap area of the neck ring, a resilient elastomer cap body having an end portion which extends over, closes and seals against the otherwise open end of the neck and having a continuous annular flange portion integral with the end portion, the flange portion having a larger diameter than the conical annular surface of the neck ring and the flange portion having an inwardly extending and downwardly converging continuous annular rim which engages around and grips the reverse conical annular surface of the neck ring when the cap is in place on the neck ring, the inner annular rim surface conforming with the reverse conical surface for sealing en- 7 gagement therebetween the rim being so spaced relative to the cap end portion that when the cap is in place on the neck ring, the cap engages the neck only at the end of the neck adjoining the neck opening and on the reverse conical surface, the aforesaid structure of the neck ring cooperating with the axial resilience of the cap flange to store energy during the first stages of cap application, which energy is released suddenly as the rim attains the apex so as to cause the rim to pass completely over the apex and the cap attains its final sealing position and to maintain said flange portion under substantial axial tension in said cap position, and a metallic cover over the end portion of the cap and having an integral metallic flange which grips around the flange on the cap, extends inwardly and presses the flange on the cap against the neck ring and forces the end portion of the cap further against the end of the neck, the cover being free from direct engagement with the vessel and the cap cushioning the pressure of the cover against the neck.

CHARLES J. JESNIG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Burnet July 2, 1867 Neuendorfi Feb. 15, 1898 Biehn Apr. 25, 1922 Sampson Oct. 3, 1922 Naum Mar. 19, 1929 Sacks Apr. 28, 1936 Lufkin May 11, 1937 Ferngren Nov. 16, 1937 Stewart Mar. 1, 1938 Panter Sept. 12, 1939 Jesnig Sept. 19, 1939 Page et a1. Jan. 9, 1940 Dunn Nov. 4, 1941 Luenz Nov. 17, 1942 'McAlevy et a1. Oct. 30, 1945 Krueger Oct. 11, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Oct. 18, 1937

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