Closure system with orientation and removal capability

• US 20070284331A1
• Filed: 06/09/2006
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seaquist Closures Limited (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Seaquist Closures Limited (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hickok, Alan P., Miota, Margaret M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,621,413 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 215/320
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 7/285 by deformation of the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/04 Orienting or positioning means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/0804 integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49945 by driven force fit

Abstract

A positive orientation container and closure combination is provided. The container includes at least one flange segment having a front and a back face. The container further includes a gap defined by the front face of one of the flange segments and the back face of one of the flange segments. The closure includes a plurality of collar segments. The closure includes at least one collar segment having an engagement face to establish a positive orientation of the closure at a predetermined position.

Claims

1. A positive orientation container and closure combination comprising:

a container having an interior, an opening to the interior, and at least one circumferentially oriented flange segment that extends less than 360 degrees, has a starting end defined by a front face, and has a termination end defined by a back face;

a gap defined by the front face of one of the flange segments and the back face of one of the flange segments; and

a closure cooperatively associated with the container for closing the opening, the closure comprising a plurality of axially extending collar segments which each has an engagement end, the closure having a closure orientation structure comprising an engagement face on at least one of the closure collar segments at the engagement end for engaging the front face of one of the container flange segments to establish a positive orientation of the closure at a predetermined position of rotation relative to the container as the closure is rotated relative to the container in an assembly direction.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the container comprises one oriented flange segment and the gap is defined by the front face of that one oriented flange segment and the back face of the same oriented flange segment.

3. The combination of claim 1 further comprising a closure displacing structure located at the engagement end on one of the collar segments to engage the container orientation structure and thereby displace the closure axially relative to the container as the closure is rotated in the assembly direction.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the closure collar segments each further include a disengagement end, and wherein the container further comprises at least one ramp to engage the disengagement end of at least one of the collar segments thereby displacing the closure axially relative to the container as the closure is rotated in a disassembly direction.

5. The combination of claim 4 comprising two of said ramps which each engage the disengagement end of respective collar segments thereby displacing the closure axially relative to the container as the closure is rotated in a disassembly direction.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein part of each of the container flange segments extend radially for a first distance, and wherein the front face of at least one of the container flange segments extends radially a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein (a) the back face of each container flange segment is planar and oriented as an angle, and (b) the closure orientation structure further includes a disengagement face that is planar and that has the same angle as said back face angle.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein the closure further comprises a covering portion for covering the container opening and wherein the collar segments extend axially from the covering portion.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein each of the collar segments further includes a distal edge and a bead located on the distal edge to cooperate with the at least one flange segment to retain the closure on the container.

10. A positive orientation closure for engaging a container orientation structure on a container having an opening, the closure comprising:

a covering portion for covering the container opening, the covering portion having a dispensing orifice;

a plurality of arcuate collar segments extending axially from the covering portion, each collar segment having a distal edge and an engagement end;

a closure orientation structure located on at least one of the collar segments at the engagement end, the closure orientation structure comprising an engagement face; and

a closure displacing structure located on another of the collar segments, the displacing structure extending between the engagement end and the distal edge wherein the displacing structure engages the container orientation structure thereby displacing the closure axially relative to the container as the closure is rotated relative to the container in an assembly direction.

11. The positive orientation closure of claim 10 wherein the closure collar segments each further include a disengagement end to engage a portion of the container and displace the closure axially relative to the container as the closure is rotated in a disassembly direction.

12. The positive orientation closure of claim 10 wherein the closure orientation structure further includes a disengagement face that is angled to engage a portion of said container and temporarily deform a portion of said closure radially outwardly as the container is rotated in a disassembly direction.

13. The positive orientation closure of claim 10 wherein each of the collar segments further includes a distal edge and a bead located on the distal edge.

14. A method of assembling an orientation container and closure combination, the container including a neck defining an opening to the container, the neck having a circumference and at least one flange segment that (a) is defined thereon extending along a portion of the circumference, and that (b) includes a container orientation structure having a front face defining a starting point of one of the flange segments and a back face defining an ending point of one of the flange segments, the closure including a plurality of collar segments, each collar segment including an engagement end and a bead located on a distal edge, and an engagement face located on the engagement end of at least one of the collar segments, the method comprising the steps of:

placing the closure on the container;

rotating the closure with respect to the container in an assembly direction;

contacting the front face one of the flange segments with the engagement face of the engagement end of one of the collar segments to orient the closure on the container; and

providing a downward force on the closure wherein the at least one flange segment contacts the bead on the collar segments to deflect the collar segments radially outwardly so as to pass over the flange segment and wherein the collar segments subsequently return radially so as to position the bead on the collar segments beneath the at least one flange segment.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of contacting a closure displacing structure located at the engagement end on one of the collar segments with the container orientation structure and thereby displacing the closure axially relative to the container as the closure is rotated in the assembly direction.