Multi-part dispensing closure having a frangible connecting web

• US 4,408,700 A
• Filed: 05/28/1981
• Issued: 10/11/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Owens-Illinois Incorporated (O-I Glass, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fillmore, William E., Smalley, Ned J., Mumford, George V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Application Number:
  US06/267,958
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 222/520, 222/521, 222/522, 222/523, 222/525, 222/541, 222/153
• US Class Current: 222/153.06
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/247 moving linearly, i.e. without rotational motion
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/36 Closures with frangible parts adapted to be pierced, torn, or removed, to provide discharge openings B65D51/18 takes precedence; caps with piercable membranes B65D41/20, B65D41/50
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/00 Closures not otherwise provided for covers or similar closures as engineering elements for pressure vessels in general F16J13/00

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a unitary molded article and a method for producing a multi-part closure for assembly on the neck of a container, the closure involving an axially shiftable valve element which is movable between open and closed position. All parts of the multi-part valve element are integrally molded in a common molding cavity and the various relatively movable parts are interconnected by thin annular webs which are severed and the parts placed in proper operative condition during the assembly of the closure to the neck of a container by a conventional applicating machine.

Claims

1. A unitary molded article of elastomeric material for forming a dispensing closure for a container neck, said article comprising a cap-shaped portion having a panel and a depending annular skirt constructed and arranged to snugly engage a container neck, said cap-shaped portion defining a vertical sleeve having a valve receiving opening, a hollow valve portion coaxially disposed relative to said skirt portion but axially upwardly spaced from said opening, said hollow valve portion initially comprising integrally molded components including a transverse cylindrical base portion snugly insertable in said vertical sleeve and having an upstanding plug and vertical dispensing openings below said plug;

and a cup shaped portion having an open top bore, a vertical opening in its bottom portion adapted for sealing engagement with said plug and a severable web portion initially connecting said cap portion to said plug to maintain said cap portion in axially spaced relationship to said base portion, and a severable web portion joining said sleeve and said base portion, adapted to shear when a predetermined axial downward force is applied to said hollow valve portion thereby causing said hollow valve portion to move axially downwardly into said valve receiving opening to close said valve receiving opening in said cap portion, said hollow valve portion being vertically slidable in said sleeve when said web means is severed, said cup portion thereof having an external surface snugly engageable with the interior wall of said vertical sleeve, and retaining means on said sleeve engageable with said external surface of the cup shaped portion to resiliently retain the latter within said sleeve, whereby vertical movement of said cup shaped portion after severing thereof from said plug portion to a position above said plug portion permits product dispensing flow through said closure.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein said retaining means comprises cooperating annular rib and recess means provided on said valve portion and the bore of said sleeve to resiliently retain said valve in either said lower or said upper position within said sleeve after severing of said web means.

3. The article of claim 2 wherein said rib and recess means comprises an axially elongated annular recess in the bore of said sleeve defining a downwardly facing shoulder at its top portion, and a pair of axially spaced annular ribs on said valve projecting into said annular recess, the upper rib cooperating with said shoulder to resiliently secure the valve portion in its said closed position and the lower rib cooperating with said shoulder to limit the upward movement of said valve portion to said open position.

4. A unitary molded article of elastomeric material for forming a two-piece dispensing closure for a container neck, said article comprising a cap-shaped portion having a panel and a depending annular skirt constructed and arranged to snugly engage a container neck, said cap-shaped portion defining a vertical sleeve having a receiving opening, a valve coaxially disposed relative to said skirt portion but initially a substantial portion thereof axially disposed above said receiving opening, and an integral annular web portion initially joining said cap portion and said valve adapted to sever when a predetermined axial downward force is applied to said valve, said valve being vertically slidable in said sleeve when said web means is severed thereby causing said valve to move axially downwardly into said sleeve to close said valve receiving opening, an arcuately inwardly projecting annular sealing seat in the lower portion of said sleeve, said valve having an axial bore open at the top thereof and closed at a solid bottom plug portion, the latter being engageable with said annular sealing seat in sealing relation when said valve is in a lower closed position, said valve having a radial port connected to its axial bore above its said bottom plug portion and communicating with the open top bore thereof to permit product flow therethrough only when said valve is elevated within said sleeve relative to said annular sealing seat, an external rib on said valve above its said radial port, and retaining means internally of said sleeve engageable with said external rib to resiliently retain said valve within said sleeve in an open position, said valve being shiftable between said lower closed position sealing the sleeve by said solid plug portion and said open position permitting product flow out of said sleeve opening and through said radial port and axial bore of said valve.