WO2001023266A2

WO2001023266A2 - Container closure

Info

Publication number: WO2001023266A2
Application number: PCT/US2000/026835
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Coy; Thomas C. Moseley, Jr.; Michel D. Arney
Original assignee: Valid L.L.C.
Priority date: 1999-09-30
Filing date: 2000-09-29
Publication date: 2001-04-05
Also published as: AU7623000A; WO2001023266A3

Abstract

A container closure (30) including a cover portion configured to substantially close a container opening (18). The closure (30) includes a raised partial-dome surface (44) having an edge at a raised elevation and generally sloping downwardly away from the raised edge (33). An outlet valve (54) depends from the partial-domed surface (44) such that it is positioned at an elevation below the raised elevation.

Description

CONTAINER CLOSURE

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a closure for a container and is particularly concerned with fluid or liquid containers common in the so-called take-out market. Containers of this type are commonly provided with a closure lid. Frequently, the container closure is adapted for direct consumption or the insertion of a drinking straw.

In general, prior art arrangements of the kind referred to are not adapted to be reclosed or resealed after they have been opened for use and leave a substantial opening. As a consequence, the contents are subject to inadvertent spillage even upon minor occurrences, for example, slight tilting, road bumps, etc. Such spillage is sometimes referred to as "wake flow." Although there have been some closures which reduce wake flow, these generally require significant user manipulation to facilitate normal use.

An additional problem associated with prior art closures is unintentional disengagement from the container. This can result from, for example, misapplication of the closure or deformation of the container. Although there have been some prior attempts to resolve the problems, these have generally been overly complicated or less than satisfactory.

Accordingly, there is a need for a container closure that permits controlled flow from the container, but substantially reduces the likelihood of inadvertent spillage or wake flow.

There exists a further need for a closure securing means that reduces the potential for unintentional disengagement of the closure.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a container closure. The closure includes a cover portion configured to substantially close the container opening. The closure preferably includes a raised partial-dome portion having an edge at a raised elevation and generally sloping downwardly away from the raised edge. An outlet valve depends from the partial- domed portion at an elevation below the raised elevation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the closure of Figure 1 engaged with the bead surround of a representative container opening.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the closure of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a top plan view of the closure of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the closure of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the closure of Figure 1. Figure 8 is a rear elevation view of the closure of Figure 1. Figure 9 shows the cross-sectional view of Figure 3 with the valves in open positions. Figure 10 shows the cross-sectional view of Figure 3 with a straw inserted in the inlet valve.

Figure 11 is an isometric view of the closure of Figure 1 with an alternative inlet port.

Figure 12 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 is an isometric view of another alternate embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14 is a front elevational view of the closure of Figure 13. Figure 15 is a bottom plan view of the closure of Figure 13. Figure 16 is a schematic representation of the imaginary perimeter defined by the contacting edges of the locking tabs.

Figure 17 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the locking tabs engaging the container. Figure 18 is an isometric view of another alternate embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 19 is a partial top plan view of the closure of Figure 1 with an alternative outlet port in a closed position. Figure 20 is a sectional view along the line 20-20 in Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a partial top plan view of the outlet port of Figure 19 in an open position.

Figure 22 is a sectional view along the line 22-22 in Figure 21.

Figure 23 is a partial top plan view of the closure of Figure 1 with a second alternative outlet port in a closed position.

Figure 24 is a sectional view along the line 24-24 in Figure 23.

Figure 25 is a partial top plan view of the outlet port of Figure 23 in an open position.

Figure 26 is a sectional view along the line 26-26 in Figure 25. Figure 27 is a partial top plan view of the closure of Figure 1 with a third alternative outlet port in a closed position.

Figure 28 is a sectional view along the line 28-28 in Figure 27.

Figure 29 is a partial top plan view of the outlet port of Figure 27 in an open position. Figure 30 is a sectional view along the line 30-30 in Figure 29.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 1-10. The closure 30 is preferably made from a sheet of polystyrene or other suitable thermo-formable material. The closure 30 includes a peripheral grove 38 which is adapted to sealingly engaged and conform to the top rim 16, and if present, the peripheral rim 20 of the container 10. A plane of closure PC is defined at the elevation where the closure 30 mates with the container rim 16, see Figure 2. The closure 30 is undercut or reduced slightly in diameter below the peripheral grove 38 and then flares outwardly as the short skirt portion 40. A flange 36 transitions between the peripheral grove 38 and the generally vertical continuous side wall 32. The wall 32 preferably tapers from raised edge 33 to lower edge 34. The top surface 42 is integral with edges 33 and 34 of the continuous wall 32 and extends between them so as to join the raised and lower edges 33 and 34 which are in a plane that intersects a plane defined by the rim 16.

Referring to Figure 2, a representative container is indicated by the reference numeral 10. Typical containers 10 include a continuous side wall 14 terminating in a rim 16 which defines the container opening 18. Many containers 10 also include a peripheral rim 20 extending around the perimeter of the opening 18, but such is not always provided. The container opening 18 is generally circular, but may have other configurations. In such a case, the closure may be provided with a complementary configuration. The containers 10 are made of various materials including sheet plastic or molded foamed plastic or paper or cardboard.

Referring Figure 3, the top surface 42 preferably includes two partial-dome surfaces 44 and 46. The arc along either of the partial-dome surfaces can be, but does not have to be, constant. The two partial-dome surfaces 44 and 46 meet at a ridge 45. The ridge 45 extends across a substantial portion of the closure 30 and provides added rigidity. A side portion 48 is provided on each side of the closure 30 to integrate the side edges of the partial-dome surfaces 44 and 46 with the side wall 32. An outlet port 50 depends from the forward partial-dome surface 44. Referring to Figures 3 and 9, the outlet port 50 includes a depression 53 including side walls 52 depending from the top surface 42 and terminating in an outlet valve 54. The depression 53 preferably has an oval configuration. The valve 54 includes opposed leaflets 56 and 58 extending substantially across the depression 53. Each leaflet 56,58 is at an acute angle relative to its respective depending wall 52 and thereby angles into the depression 53. The opposed depression walls 52 and the two leaflets 56 and 58 have a cross-section having a substantially W configuration.

In the rest position shown in Figure 3, the opposed leaflets 56 and 58 abut, thereby substantially closing the outlet port 50. When the container 10 is tilted in a consumption manner, the force of the contents exerted on the leaflets 56 and 58 is sufficient enough to open the leaflets 56, 58 outward, as shown in Figure 9, thereby allowing the contents to flow out through the outlet port 50. The user can enhance flow by sucking on the port 50. Although the leaflets 56 and 58 are flexible enough to yield a content flow when drinking, they are sufficiently rigid ro resist wake flow.

Referring to Figures 19-22, an alternate outlet port 480 is shown. The outlet port 480 includes a depression 53 including side walls 52 depending from the top surface 42 and terminating in an outlet valve 487. The depression 53 preferably has an oval configuration. The valve 487 is defined by an arcuate surface 487 extending between the side walls 52 and having a flap portion 488 formed therein. The flap portion 488 may be formed during molding, or may be formed during a secondary procedure, for example, via die cutting.

In the rest position shown in Figures 19 and 20, the flap portion 488 abuts the remainder of the arcuate surface 487 at juncture 490. It is preferred that the junction 490 is off-center with the flap portion 488 larger than the remainder of the arcuate surface 487 such that the flap portion 488 is biased toward the rest position, thereby substantially closing the outlet port 480. When the container 10 is tilted in a consumption manner, the force of the contents exerted on the flap portion 488 is sufficient enough to open the flap portion 488 outward, as shown in Figures 21 and 22, thereby allowing the contents to flow out through the outlet port 480. The user can enhance flow by sucking on the port 480. Although the flap portion 488 is flexible enough to yield a content flow when drinking, it is sufficiently rigid ro resist wake flow.

Referring to Figures 23-26, another alternate outlet port 500 is shown. The outlet port 500 includes a depression 53 including a side wall 52 and an angled wall 502, both depending from the top surface 42 and meeting at juncture 504. The depression 53 preferably has an oval configuration. The valve 506 is defined by a flap portion 508 of angled wall 502. The flap portion 508 may be formed during molding, or may be formed during a secondary procedure, for example, via die cutting. In the rest position shown in Figures 23 and 24, the flap portion 508 is co-planar with the angled wall 502, thereby substantially closing the outlet port 500. When the container 10 is tilted in a consumption manner, the force of the contents exerted on the flap portion 508 is sufficient enough to open the flap portion 508 outward, as shown in Figures 25 and 26, thereby allowing the contents to flow out through the outlet port 500.

The user can enhance flow by sucking on the port 500. Although the flap portion 508 is flexible enough to yield a content flow when drinking, it is sufficiently rigid ro resist wake flow.

Another alternative outlet port 520 is shown in Figures 27-30. The outlet port 520 includes a depression 53 including opposed angled walls 522 and 523, both depending from the top surface 42 and meeting at juncture 524. The valve 526 is defined by a flap portion 528 of one of the angled walls 522, 523. The flap portion 528 is shown in interior angled wall 522 but may also be formed in the exterior angled wall 523. As with the previous embodiment, in the rest position shown in Figures 27 and 28, the flap portion 528 is co-planar with the angled wall 522, thereby substantially closing the outlet port

520. When the container 10 is tilted in a consumption manner, the force of the contents exerted on the flap portion 528 is sufficient enough to open the flap portion 528 outward, as shown in Figures 29 and 30, thereby allowing the contents to flow out through the outlet port 520. During content flow from the container 10, it is preferable to have an inlet port to allow air to flow into the container to reduce the likelihood of an internal vacuum. Referring again to Figures 3 and 9, the preferred inlet port 72 is shown. The inlet port 72 is positioned in a depression 70 in the rear partial-dome surface 46. The inlet port 72 includes opposed leaflets 74 and 76 which extend inward from the depression 70. In the rest position, the leaflets 74 and 76 abut and substantially close the inlet valve 72. Since the leaflets 74 and 76 extend inward, the force of the contents will cause the valve 72 to close, and thereby prevent substantial spillage, even if the container 10 is completely inverted. Upon normal consumption from the outlet port 50, the negative pressure within the container causes the inlet valve 72 to open, as shown in Figure 9, to permit inflow of air.

The inlet valve 72 is preferably dimensioned to also permit a drinking straw 80 or the like to be inserted therethrough, as shown in Figure 10, while maintaining the ability to reseal after removal of the straw. Prior art arrangements including a straw port are generally susceptible to inadvertent spillage at such port, either continuously, or at least, after penetration by a straw. This preferred configuration provides the closure 30 more flexible use. If such flexibility is not desired, a small aperture 85 which allows the ingress of air, but is small enough to resist spillage under normal handling conditions, may be provided. Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 11.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 12. The closure 100 has a general configuration similar to that of the first embodiment including a forward partial-dome surface 142 and outlet port 150. However, closure 100 does not include a rear partial-dome surface, but instead includes a flat surface 144 with an inlet stack 170 and a more substantial side wall 160. An inlet valve 172 is positioned in the stack 170 and operates substantially the same as the inlet valve 72 in the first embodiment.

Referring to Figures 13-17, a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The closure 200 is substantially the same as the closure 30 of the first embodiment and includes a peripheral grove 238 and a flared skirt 240. A substantially vertical extended skirt 260 depends from the flared skirt 240. A number of inwardly extending locking tabs 262 are formed in the flared and extending skirts 240 and 260. The tabs 262 are preferably molded during molding of the closure structure, but may also be formed through secondary operations, for example, through a die cutting operation. Each tab 262 has a relaxed inwardly extending position as can be seen in Figure 15. Referring to Figure 16, the contacting edge 264 of each tab 262 preferably extends along an imaginary perimeter P having the same configuration as the container opening 18, in this case circular. This imaginary perimeter P is preferably dimensioned to be the same size or smaller than the dimension of the container opening 18 such that the contacting edges 264 engage the side wall 14 of the container 10 when the closure 200 is placed thereon. This can be seen with reference to Figure 17. The tabs 262 have sufficient flexibility to deflect outwardly to pass over the container rim 16, and peripheral rim 20 if such is present, as the closure 200 is engaged with the container 10. Once the closure 200 is engaged sufficiently with the container 10, each tab 262 returns to its relaxed state, thereby engaging the containers walls 14. The closure 200 is shown with four tabs 262, but the number of tabs 262 can be varied to provide the desired opposed locking forces.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 18. The closure 300 is substantially the same as the closure 200 of the previous embodiment with the exception of the removal of the extended skirt. Each tab 362 depends from the flared skirt 340, but otherwise functions as described above.

Closures 200 and 300 are shown with an upper configuration substantially the same as that of closure 30 of the first embodiment, but such is not required for the proper functioning of the locking tabs 262,362.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A closure for a container having an opening, the closure comprising: a cover portion configured and sized to mate with and substantially close the container opening, the cover portion including a first partial-dome surface having an edge at a raised elevation and generally sloping downwardly away from the raised edge; an outlet valve depending from the first partial-dome surface at an elevation below the raised elevation.

2. The closure of claim 1 wherein the first partial-dome surface includes a second edge extending along a ridge spaced from and at an elevation below the raised edge.

3. The closure of claim 2 wherein the first partial-dome surface extends along a constant arc between the first and second edges.

4. The closure of claim 2 wherein the first partial-dome surface extends along a variable arc between the first and second edges.

5. The closure of claim 2 further comprising a second partial-dome surface including a third edge extending along the ridge, the second partial-dome surface sloping upward and away from the ridge and first partial-dome surface to a fourth edge at a raised elevation.

6. The closure of claim 5 wherein the first partial-dome raised edge elevation is above the second partial-dome raised edge elevation.

7. The closure of claim 5 wherein the second partial-dome surface extends along a constant arc between the third and fourth edges.

8. The closure of claim 5 wherein the second partial-dome surface extends along a variable arc between the third and fourth edges.

9. The closure of claim 1 wherein the outlet valve is positioned within an open tubular portion depending from the first partial-dome surface, the outlet valve including two angled, opposed leaflets extending into the open tubular portion such that the valve and tubular portion have a cross-section with a substantially W configuration.

10. The closure of claim 1 wherein the leaflets have an original, rest configuration wherein the opposed leaflets abut to substantially close the outlet valve.

11. The closure of claim 1 wherein the outlet valve is positioned within a tubular portion depending from the first partial-dome surface, the tubular portion defined by opposed first and second wall portions and the outlet valve defined by a flap which has an original position wherein the flap is substantially co-planar with the first wall portion such that the outlet valve is substantially closed and a deformed position wherein the flap is angled relative to the first wall portion such that the outlet valve is open to fluid flow.

12. The closure of claim 11 wherein the first wall portion is non-perpendicular to the first partial-dome surface.

13. The closure of claim 1 wherein the outlet valve is positioned within a tubular portion depending from the first partial-dome surface, the tubular portion defined by opposed first and second wall portions and the outlet valve defined by a surface with a slit therethrough extending between the opposed wall portions.

14. The closure of claim 1 wherein the cover portion includes an inlet configured to permit an inward flow.

15. The closure of claim 14 wherein the inlet includes an aperture extending through the cover portion.

16. The closure of claim 15 wherein the inlet further comprises opposed leaflets moveable between an original configuration wherein the aperture is substantially closed and a deformed configuration wherein the aperture is open to inward flow.

17. The closure of claim 16 wherein the cover portion has an internal surface and each leaflet is angled inward such that it is at angle relative to the internal surface less than 180 degrees.

18. The closure of claim 16 wherein the deformed configuration is sized sufficiently to permit passage of a drinking straw and the leaflets are sufficiently flexible to permit such passage and substantially return to the original configuration upon removal of an inserted straw.

19. A closure for a container that includes an opening, the closure comprising: a cover portion configured and sized to substantially cover the container opening; an open tubular portion depending from the cover portion with an end spaced from the cover portion; and a valve integral with the end, the valve including two angled leaflets extending into the open tubular portion such that the valve and tubular portion have a cross-section with a substantially W configuration.

20. The closure of claim 19 wherein the leaflets have an original rest configuration wherein the opposed leaflets abut to substantially close the valve.

21. A closure for a container that includes an opening, the closure comprising: a cover portion configured and sized to substantially cover the container opening; an outlet port positioned in the cover and adapted to permit a desired outward flow; and an inlet valve positioned in the cover and including opposed leaflets extending inward toward the container and moveable between an original configuration wherein the valve is substantially closed and a deformed configuration wherein the valve is open to inward passage.

22. The closure of claim 21 wherein the cover portion has an internal surface and each leaflet is angled inward such that it is at angle relative to the internal surface less than 180 degrees.

23. The closure of claim 21 wherein the leaflets are sufficiently deformable to permit passage of a drinking straw and substantially return to the original configuration upon removal of an inserted straw.

24. A closure for a container that includes an opening having a given configuration with a perimeter of a given length, the closure comprising: a cover portion configured and sized to substantially cover the container opening; and at least two generally opposed tabs extending from the cover portion, each tab having a contact edge having a rest location at a position along an imaginary perimeter having a configuration substantially the same as the container opening configuration and a length substantially equal to or less than the opening perimeter length.

25. The closure of claim 24 wherein the cover portion includes a skirt and the tabs are formed from the skirt.

26. The closure of claim 25 wherein the tabs are integrally molded within the skirt.

27. The closure of claim 25 wherein the tabs are cut from the skirt.

28. The closure of claim 24 comprising at least four tabs.

29. A closure for a container having an opening of a given configuration, the closure comprising: a cover portion configured and sized to mate with and close the container opening and thereby define a plane of closure, the cover portion having a first edge at a given elevation above the plane of closure, a second edge positioned below the first edge and a generally downwardly sloping partial-dome portion extending from the first edge toward the plane of closure, the partial-dome portion including an outlet valve depending therefrom.