US20020162839A1 - Container closure having an air intake valve - Google Patents

Container closure having an air intake valve Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20020162839A1
US20020162839A1 US10/116,790 US11679002A US2002162839A1 US 20020162839 A1 US20020162839 A1 US 20020162839A1 US 11679002 A US11679002 A US 11679002A US 2002162839 A1 US2002162839 A1 US 2002162839A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
container
valve
cover cap
air
cap
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/116,790
Inventor
Gene Stull
Robert Auer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Stull Technologies
Original Assignee
Stull Technologies
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stull Technologies filed Critical Stull Technologies
Priority to US10/116,790 priority Critical patent/US20020162839A1/en
Assigned to STULL TECHNOLOGIES reassignment STULL TECHNOLOGIES ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: AUER, ROBERT T., STULL, GENE
Publication of US20020162839A1 publication Critical patent/US20020162839A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
    • B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
    • B65D47/2018—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure
    • B65D47/2031—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure the element being formed by a slit, narrow opening or constrictable spout, the size of the outlet passage being able to be varied by increasing or decreasing the pressure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
    • B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
    • B65D47/08—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures
    • B65D47/0804—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/16—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas
    • B65D51/1633—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby venting occurs by automatic opening of the closure, container or other element
    • B65D51/1644—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby venting occurs by automatic opening of the closure, container or other element the element being a valve
    • B65D51/165—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby venting occurs by automatic opening of the closure, container or other element the element being a valve formed by a slit or narrow opening
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/16—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas
    • B65D51/1633—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby venting occurs by automatic opening of the closure, container or other element
    • B65D51/1661—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby venting occurs by automatic opening of the closure, container or other element by means of a passage for the escape of gas between the closure and the lip of the container mouth

Definitions

  • Closures serve both utilitarian and aesthetic functions.
  • Many containers with closures today are equipped with valves, often made from thermoplastic elastomer.
  • Such valves facilitate generally the one-way flow of the product, prevent spillage and may be created in several ways including being molded (as opposed to being subsequently cut), stretched and punched or laser pierced.
  • Another object of the invention to provide a container closure having an air intake valve which reduces or eliminates paneling in a simple, cost effective manner.
  • a container closure having an air intake valve, in which the covercap makes direct contact with the (TPE) valve top slit area only, but not with the outside slit area of the valve face, leaving an air space.
  • TPE concave
  • the cover cap With the cover cap in place and covering the concave (TPE preferably) valve, the slit or slits are restricted from opening outward because of the bottom contour contact fit of the cover cap.
  • the flexible slit valve pieces are however unrestricted from moving inward and open automatically to let air in when necessary and eliminates the paneling affect.
  • the cover cap In the closed position, the cover cap is designed not to be completely airtight with two butt joint areas on the hinge side of the cap. This enables air to enter around the hinge, into the cap interior circumference, down through the flexible valve and into the main container.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a container closure having an air intake valve according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the container closure having an air intake valve showing the airway from outside the container closure and leading into the body of the container;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a valve used with the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a detailed, cross-sectional view of the container closure 10 having an air intake valve 40 and also showing an airway 41 beginning from outside the container closure 10 around each side of a living hinge 50 connecting the snap ring 13 and the lid 16 .
  • the airway 41 continues upwardly along the inside wall 17 of the lid 16 and turning perpendicularly along the lid ceiling 15 and between the ceiling 15 and the upper face 42 of the valve 40 and entering the body of the container through a slit 43 in the valve 40 .
  • the preferably thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) valve is designed to dispense product and, with the lid 16 in place, enables a minimal amount of air to enter the container. This one way directional airflow eliminates the paneling problem from the flexible walls of a container.
  • the inside design of the cover cap 30 makes direct contact with the (TPE) valve top slit area 44 only (see FIG. 3).
  • the cover cap 30 does not make significant contact with the valve 40 outside slit area 44 , leaving the air space 45 .
  • the slit or slits 43 are restricted from opening outward because of the bottom contour contact fit of the cover cap 30 .
  • the flexible slit valve pieces are unrestricted from moving inward and open automatically to let air in when necessary and eliminating the paneling affect.
  • the top snap cover cap is designed not to be completely airtight with two butt joint areas on the hinge 50 side of the cap 30 . This enables air to enter around the hinge 50 , up into the cap interior circumference, down through the flexible valve 40 and into the main container as described.
  • the valve slit 43 may be created in several ways, including being molded (as opposed to being subsequently cut), stretched and punched or laser pierced.
  • the valve can also be placed inside the syerisis trap channel and held in place with a separate locking retainer piece.
  • the valve can be co-injected and fused to the overcap ring or molded in the nozzle of the base cap.
  • the valve can also be insert molded or manufactured as a separate piece held in place by the overcap ring.
  • the base cap 20 in this embodiment has trap channel 35 so that when the container is tipped slightly (for instance if a liquid and a portion of the product separates from the product because of the differing viscosities) the liquid is trapped in the channel created between the inner side wall 36 of the base cap 20 and inner channel guide 37 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

A container having an air intake value, enables a minimal amount of air to enter the container that the one way directional airflow eliminates the flexible walls of a container from being drawn inward and container distortion (product paneling) due to temperature and altitude changes. The inside design of the cover cap makes direct contact with the valve top slit area but generally not the outside of the slit area. With the top cover cap in place and covering the soft concave valve, the slits are restricted from opening outward because to the bottom contour contact fit of the cover cap. The flexible slit valve pieces are unrestricted from moving inward and open automatically to let air in when necessary and eliminating the paneling affect. In the closed position the top snap cover cap is designed not to be completely airtight with two butt joint areas on the hinge side of the cap. This enables air to enter around the hinge, up into the cap interior circumference, down through the flexible valve and into the main container.

Description

    CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • This is a non-provisional counterpart to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/281,599, filed on Apr. 4, 2002.[0001]
    • STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
  • None. [0002]
    • REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING
  • None. [0003]
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Closures and valves for various containers are, of course, well known and are disclosed in numerous publication and patents. Many of the patents are owned by the assignee herein. [0004]
  • Closures serve both utilitarian and aesthetic functions. Many containers with closures today are equipped with valves, often made from thermoplastic elastomer. Such valves facilitate generally the one-way flow of the product, prevent spillage and may be created in several ways including being molded (as opposed to being subsequently cut), stretched and punched or laser pierced. [0005]
  • One of the problems facing the industry of consumer goods containers, which are often air-tight is the unsaleability of some goods due to “paneling”—or the drawing inward and distorting of the configuration of the containers because of environmental, storage, transport or other conditions such as temperature and elevational changes. Many retail consumers believe that paneled goods are damaged goods which therefore end up sitting on the store shelf, unsold. [0006]
  • It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a container closure having an air intake valve which reduces or eliminates paneling. [0007]
  • Another object of the invention to provide a container closure having an air intake valve which reduces or eliminates paneling in a simple, cost effective manner. [0008]
    • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • These and other object of the invention, which shall be hereafter apparent, are achieve by a container closure having an air intake valve, in which the covercap makes direct contact with the (TPE) valve top slit area only, but not with the outside slit area of the valve face, leaving an air space. With the cover cap in place and covering the concave (TPE preferably) valve, the slit or slits are restricted from opening outward because of the bottom contour contact fit of the cover cap. The flexible slit valve pieces are however unrestricted from moving inward and open automatically to let air in when necessary and eliminates the paneling affect. In the closed position, the cover cap is designed not to be completely airtight with two butt joint areas on the hinge side of the cap. This enables air to enter around the hinge, into the cap interior circumference, down through the flexible valve and into the main container.[0009]
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The invention will be better understood by the Detailed Description of the Invention, with reference to the drawings, in which: [0010]
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a container closure having an air intake valve according to the invention; [0011]
  • FIG. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the container closure having an air intake valve showing the airway from outside the container closure and leading into the body of the container; [0012]
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a valve used with the invention; and [0013]
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a container closure having an air intake valve, showing also a base cap and two air slots on the cover cap on either side of a living hinge on the cover cap.[0014]
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals depict like elements throughout the various views, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a [0015] container closure 10, preferably (although not necessarily) a base cap 20 and a covercap 30 intended to be used on a flexible-walled container (not shown) and is similar to applicants' copending U.S. application Ser. No. ______.
  • The [0016] covercap 10 includes generally a lid 16 and an overlapping snap ring 13 to fit over the base cap 20. To assemble the snap ring 13 to the base cap 20, the ring 13 is placed over the lip 24 of the base cap 20 and snapped into place. The lid 16 has a lifting tab 18, which facilitates the opening of the cap 10 merely by one's finger.
  • FIG. 2 is a detailed, cross-sectional view of the [0017] container closure 10 having an air intake valve 40 and also showing an airway 41 beginning from outside the container closure 10 around each side of a living hinge 50 connecting the snap ring 13 and the lid 16. The airway 41 continues upwardly along the inside wall 17 of the lid 16 and turning perpendicularly along the lid ceiling 15 and between the ceiling 15 and the upper face 42 of the valve 40 and entering the body of the container through a slit 43 in the valve 40. The preferably thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) valve is designed to dispense product and, with the lid 16 in place, enables a minimal amount of air to enter the container. This one way directional airflow eliminates the paneling problem from the flexible walls of a container.
  • In operation, the inside design of the [0018] cover cap 30 makes direct contact with the (TPE) valve top slit area 44 only (see FIG. 3). The cover cap 30 does not make significant contact with the valve 40 outside slit area 44, leaving the air space 45. With the lid 16 in place and covering the soft concave (TPE) valve, the slit or slits 43 are restricted from opening outward because of the bottom contour contact fit of the cover cap 30. The flexible slit valve pieces are unrestricted from moving inward and open automatically to let air in when necessary and eliminating the paneling affect.
  • In the closed position, the top snap cover cap is designed not to be completely airtight with two butt joint areas on the [0019] hinge 50 side of the cap 30. This enables air to enter around the hinge 50, up into the cap interior circumference, down through the flexible valve 40 and into the main container as described.
  • The [0020] valve slit 43 may be created in several ways, including being molded (as opposed to being subsequently cut), stretched and punched or laser pierced. The valve can also be placed inside the syerisis trap channel and held in place with a separate locking retainer piece. The valve can be co-injected and fused to the overcap ring or molded in the nozzle of the base cap. The valve can also be insert molded or manufactured as a separate piece held in place by the overcap ring.
  • The [0021] base cap 20 in this embodiment has trap channel 35 so that when the container is tipped slightly (for instance if a liquid and a portion of the product separates from the product because of the differing viscosities) the liquid is trapped in the channel created between the inner side wall 36 of the base cap 20 and inner channel guide 37.
  • While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been depicted in detail, modifications and adaptations may be made thereto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as delineated in the following claims: [0022]

Claims (5)

1. A container closure, comprising:
a cover cap; and
passage permitting air to enter into said container when said closure is in a closed position.
2. The closure of claim 1, further comprising a valve member.
3. The closure of claim 2, wherein said valve member includes at least one opening.
4. The closure of claim 3, wherein said passage and said at least one opening are in communication.
5. The closure of claims, wherein said communication is facilitated by contact of the underside of the cover cap with the surface of the valve.
US10/116,790 2001-04-04 2002-04-04 Container closure having an air intake valve Abandoned US20020162839A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/116,790 US20020162839A1 (en) 2001-04-04 2002-04-04 Container closure having an air intake valve

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US28159901P 2001-04-04 2001-04-04
US10/116,790 US20020162839A1 (en) 2001-04-04 2002-04-04 Container closure having an air intake valve

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20020162839A1 true US20020162839A1 (en) 2002-11-07

Family

ID=26814622

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/116,790 Abandoned US20020162839A1 (en) 2001-04-04 2002-04-04 Container closure having an air intake valve

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US20020162839A1 (en)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004099024A1 (en) * 2003-05-07 2004-11-18 Crown Packaging Technology Inc Valve closure
US20050263523A1 (en) * 2001-09-04 2005-12-01 Moss Christine K Anti-spill container
WO2005115861A1 (en) * 2004-05-24 2005-12-08 Sig Technology Ag Closure for liquid containers
US20060201976A1 (en) * 2005-03-09 2006-09-14 Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. Integrally molded dispensing valve and method of manufacture
US20070029352A1 (en) * 2005-08-04 2007-02-08 Norris Joseph T Closure
US20080073345A1 (en) * 2006-09-27 2008-03-27 John Young Spill proof container cap
US20090179032A1 (en) * 2008-01-11 2009-07-16 Ball Corporation Method and Apparatus for Providing A Positive Pressure in the Headspace of a Plastic Container
US7874466B2 (en) 2006-11-07 2011-01-25 The Procter & Gamble Company Package comprising push-pull closure and slit valve
US20190161245A1 (en) * 2017-11-27 2019-05-30 Gateway Plastics, Inc. Valve for a dispensing container
US20190358667A1 (en) * 2017-10-23 2019-11-28 Aptargroup, Inc. Valve

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8302798B2 (en) * 2001-09-04 2012-11-06 Moss Christine K Anti-spill container
US20050263523A1 (en) * 2001-09-04 2005-12-01 Moss Christine K Anti-spill container
US20060249545A1 (en) * 2003-05-07 2006-11-09 Crown Packaging Technology Inc. Valve closure
WO2004099024A1 (en) * 2003-05-07 2004-11-18 Crown Packaging Technology Inc Valve closure
WO2005115861A1 (en) * 2004-05-24 2005-12-08 Sig Technology Ag Closure for liquid containers
US20060201976A1 (en) * 2005-03-09 2006-09-14 Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. Integrally molded dispensing valve and method of manufacture
US7503469B2 (en) 2005-03-09 2009-03-17 Rexam Closure Systems Inc. Integrally molded dispensing valve and method of manufacture
US20070029352A1 (en) * 2005-08-04 2007-02-08 Norris Joseph T Closure
US7731066B2 (en) 2005-08-04 2010-06-08 Colgate-Palmolive Company Closure
US20080073345A1 (en) * 2006-09-27 2008-03-27 John Young Spill proof container cap
US7874466B2 (en) 2006-11-07 2011-01-25 The Procter & Gamble Company Package comprising push-pull closure and slit valve
US20090179032A1 (en) * 2008-01-11 2009-07-16 Ball Corporation Method and Apparatus for Providing A Positive Pressure in the Headspace of a Plastic Container
US8342344B2 (en) 2008-01-11 2013-01-01 Amcor Rigid Plastics Usa, Inc. Method and apparatus for providing a positive pressure in the headspace of a plastic container
US20190358667A1 (en) * 2017-10-23 2019-11-28 Aptargroup, Inc. Valve
US10722915B2 (en) * 2017-10-23 2020-07-28 Aptargroup, Inc. Valve
US20190161245A1 (en) * 2017-11-27 2019-05-30 Gateway Plastics, Inc. Valve for a dispensing container
US10836541B2 (en) * 2017-11-27 2020-11-17 Gateway Plastics, Inc. Valve for a dispensing container
US11377266B2 (en) * 2017-11-27 2022-07-05 Silgan Specialty Packaging Llc Valve for a dispensing container

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4241855A (en) Flow controlling pouring spout
US7284673B2 (en) Locking structure for hinged container
US7516862B2 (en) Straw drinking cup
US4098421A (en) Container for snuff or the like
US8100303B2 (en) Closure for a container
US4106672A (en) Resealable end closure having plural openings
US5779109A (en) Dispensing assembly equipped with a unidirectional closure member
US4793501A (en) Water tight hinge closure
US20020096532A1 (en) Two piece hinged closure
US5029719A (en) Bottle and cap assembly
US20020162839A1 (en) Container closure having an air intake valve
US4426014A (en) Closure for open mouth container
US20160270572A1 (en) Lid assemblies for drinking vessels and drinking vessels including the same
US20030168455A1 (en) Container lid with selectable opening and valve assembly for retaining a valve
US20100096398A1 (en) Pour and seal assembly and method of using the same
ZA200306686B (en) Bottle and closure.
CA2464052A1 (en) Closure with pressure-actuated valve and lid seal
US20100059537A1 (en) Hinged overcap from a container
WO2007047590A2 (en) Lid having a reclosable spout
WO2003026979A3 (en) Closure system
US4363416A (en) Wine cork
US5322176A (en) Plastic snap hinge with a flexible element generating the snap action
US6394302B1 (en) Drinking cup with straw lid
US5289938A (en) Rim structure for metal container
USD460545S1 (en) Air freshener

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: STULL TECHNOLOGIES, NEW JERSEY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:STULL, GENE;AUER, ROBERT T.;REEL/FRAME:013096/0786

Effective date: 20020611

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION