Reclosable attachment for containers

• US 5,108,029 A
• Filed: 12/27/1990
• Issued: 04/28/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Central National Bank, Canajoharie
• Original Assignee: Capitol Spouts, Inc.
• Inventors: Angelini, Thomas, Arena, Richard, Smith, H. Carl, Abrams, Robert S., Nash, John F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elkins, Gary E.
• Application Number:
  US07/634,439
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 229/125.09, 229/125.14, 229/125.15, 215/237, 215/245, 215/250, 215/258, 220/265, 220/266, 220/306, 220/334, 220/339, 156/153, 156/629, 264/334, 425/444, 425/556, 249/67
• US Class Current: 229/125.09
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/15 Tearable part of the closure B65D2401/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/746 Spouts formed separately from the container

Abstract

A reclosable attachment for containers for permitting the contents of the container to be discharged from the container includes a flange member, a cylindrical extension that extends from one side of the flange member, and a cylindrical stem that extends from the opposite side of the flange member. A cap is connected to the flange member and is adapted to be engaged and disengaged with the cylindrical extension in order to permit or prevent the discharge of the contents from the container. A feature is also provided on the reclosable attachment for preventing someone from unknowingly tampering with the container and for preventing the cap from being accidentally opened. Several spaced apart ledges which extend radially outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the stem can also be provided for maintaining the position of the attachment relative to the container. Additionally, axially extending annular ridges can be formed on the side of the flange member that is adapted to be secured to the container for purposes of controlling the flow of the adhesive used to secure the attachment to the container.

Claims

1. A reclosable attachment for containers comprising:

a flange member having a first side, an oppositely positioned second side, and an aperture extending through the flange member from the first side to the second side, said flange member having a plurality of spaced apart knockout portions integrally formed in one piece with an outer periphery of the flange member and extending radially outwardly therefrom, said knockout portions having a bottom surface that lies in a plane which is axially spaced from the first side of the flange member;

an extension integrally connected to and formed in one piece with the second side of the flange member and extending axially outwardly therefrom, said extension having a hole extending therethrough that is coaxially aligned with the aperture in the flange member;

a stem integrally formed in one piece with and extending axially from the first side of the flange member, said stem having a hole extending therethrough that is coaxially aligned with the hole in the extension and the aperture in the flange member;

a cap adapted to engage the extension when the cap is in a closed position to prevent pourable material from being discharged through the extension and adapted to be disengaged from the extension when the cap is in an open position to permit pourable material to be discharged through the extension, said cap having an axially extending recess into which fits the extension when the cap is in the closed position, said extension having an axial length that is substantially equal to an axial depth of the recess in the cap so that when the cap is in the closed position a bottom end face of the cap essentially contacts the second side of the flange member;

connecting means for connecting the cap to the flange member, said connecting means being integrally formed in one piece with the flange member and the cap, said connecting means including a first connecting portion that extends radially outwardly from the outer periphery of the flange member, said first connecting portion having a first side that faces in the same direction as the first side of the flange member and that is axially spaced from the first side of the flange member; and

a release tab integrally formed in one piece with the cap and extending outwardly from the cap, said release tab having a top surface that lies in substantially the same plane as a top end face of the cap which is positioned opposite said bottom end face, said release tab having a length such that when the cap is in the closed position, a free end of the release tab extends at least approximately to the outer periphery of the flange member.

2. A reclosable attachment for containers comprising:

a flange member having a first side that is adapted to rest against a side wall of the container, an oppositely positioned second side and an aperture extending through the flange member from the first side to the second side, said first side of the flange member having an annular ridge extending axially therefrom, said annular ridge being positioned adjacent an outer edge of the flange member;

an extension integrally connected to and formed in one piece with the second side of the flange member and extending axially outwardly therefrom, said extension having a hole extending therethrough that is coaxially aligned with the aperture in the flange member;

a stem integrally connected to and formed in one piece with the first side of the flange member and extending axially outwardly therefrom for being positioned in a hole in the container, said stem having a hole extending therethrough that is coaxially aligned with the aperture in the flange member and the hole in the extension;

a cap adapted to engage the extension when the cap is in a closed position to prevent pourable material from being discharged through the stem and the extension and adapted to be disengaged from the extension when the cap is in an open position to permit pourable material to be discharged through the stem and the extension, said cap having an axially extending recess into which fits the extension when the cap is in the closed position; and

connecting means for connecting the cap to the flange member, said connecting means being integrally formed in one piece with the flange member and the cap.

3. The reclosable attachment according to claim 2, wherein an axial depth of the recess in the cap is substantially equal to an axial length of the extension so that when the cap is in the closed position, a bottom end face of the cap contacts the second side of the flange member.

4. The reclosable attachment according to claim 2, wherein said connecting means includes first and second connecting portions that are hingedly connected together for permitting the second connecting portion to pivot relative to the first connecting portion, said first connecting portion being connected to the flange member such that a fist side of the first connecting portion which faces in the same direction as the first side of the flange member is axially spaced from the first side of the flange member, said cap having a bottom end face that faces the second side of the flange member when the cap is in the closed position, said second connecting portion being connected to the cap such that a firs side of the second connecting portion which faces in the same direction as the bottom end face of the cap is coplanar with the bottom end face of the cap.

5. The reclosable attachment according to claim 4, including a release tab integrally formed in one piece with the cap and extending outwardly from a peripheral outer surface of the cap, said release tab having a top surface that lies in substantially the same plane as a top end face of the cap which is positioned opposite the bottom end face of the cap, said release tab having a length such that when the cap is in the closed position, an end of the release tab extends at least approximately to the outer periphery of the flange member.

6. The reclosable attachment according to claim 2, wherein said stem and extension are cylindrically shaped.

7. The reclosable attachment according to claim 5, including means for preventing accidental opening of the cap and for indicating that the reclosable attachment has been tampered with.

8. The reclosable attachment according to claim 7, wherein said means for preventing accidental opening of the cap and for indicating that the reclosable attachment has been tampered with includes at least one post secured to a bottom surface of the release tab and integrally connected to the second side of the flange member.

9. The reclosable attachment according to claim 7, wherein said means for preventing accidental opening of the cap and for indicating that the reclosable attachment has been tampered with includes two posts secured to opposite edges of said release tab and integrally connected to the first side of the flange member.

10. The reclosable attachment according to claim 7, wherein said means for preventing accidental opening of the cap and for indicating that the reclosable attachment has been tampered with includes a plurality of spaced apart blocks integrally connected to the outer surface of the cap and secured to the second side of the flange member, said blocks being unable to be disconnected from the second side of the flange without being evident.

11. The reclosable attachment according to claim 7, wherein said means for preventing accidental opening of the cap and for indicating that the reclosable attachment has been tampered with includes a plurality of spaced apart elongated connecting arms integrally connected to the outer surface of the cap and secured to the second side of the flange member.

12. The reclosable attachment according to claim 7, wherein said means for preventing accidental opening of the cap and for indicating that the reclosable attachment has been tampered with includes a projection connected to and extending from the release tab and a projection receiver connected to and extending from the flange member, said projection receiver having a hollow interior with an overhanging position that overlies a portion of the interior, said projection having a generally V-shaped free end portion adapted to be received in the hollow interior of the projection receiver and adapted to be retained in the hollow interior upon initial opening of the cap due to the overhanging portion.

13. The reclosable attachment according to claim 2, including a plurality of spaced apart ledges formed integrally with and extending substantially radially outwardly from an outer peripheral surface of the stem.

14. A container for holding pourable material comprising:

a container body having an exterior surface, an interior and an opening that extends through the container body for permitting the pourable material to be discharged from the interior of the container body; and

a reclosable attachment secured to the container, said reclosable attachment including;

a flange member having a first side that lies in a first plane, an oppositely positioned second side and an aperture extending through the flange member from the first side to the second side;

an extension integrally connected to and formed in one piece with the second side of the flange member and extending axially outwardly therefrom, said extension having a hole extending therethrough that is coaxially aligned with the aperture in the flange member;

a stem integrally connected to and formed in one piece with the first side of the flange member and extending axially outwardly therefrom, said stem having a hole extending therethrough that is coaxially aligned with the hole in the extension and the aperture in the flange member, said stem being positioned in the opening in the container body and said first side of the flange member being attached to the exterior surface of the container body by means for attaching, the portion of the container body underlying said flange member being positioned below said first plane, said stem having a ledge extending outwardly from the stem and around at least a portion of an outer periphery of the stem, said stem being provided with said ledge prior to positioning of the stem in the opening in the container;

a cap adapted to engage the extension when the cap is in a closed position to prevent the pourable material from being discharged through the stem and the extension and adapted to be disengaged from the extension when the cap is in an open position to permit the pourable material to be discharged through the stem and the extension, said cap having an axially extending recess into which fits the extension when the cap is in the closed position; and

connecting means for connecting the cap to the flange member and for permitting the cap to pivot relative to the flange member, said connecting means being integrally formed in one piece with the cap and the flange member.

15. The container according to claim 14, wherein an axial depth of the recess in the cap is substantially equal to the axial length of the extension so that when the cap is in the closed position a bottom end face of the cap essentially contacts the second side of the flange member.

16. The container according to claim 14, wherein said connecting means includes first and second connecting portions that are hingedly connecting together for permitting the second connecting portion to pivot relative to the first connecting portion, said first connecting portion being connected to the flange member such that a first side of the first connecting portion which faces in the same direction as the first side of the flange member is axially spaced from the first side of the flange member, said cap having a bottom end face that faces the second side of the flange member when the cap is in the closed position, said second connecting portion being connected to the cap such that a first side of the second connecting portion which faces in the same direction as the bottom end face of the cap is coplanar with the bottom end face of the cap.

17. The container according to claim 14, further comprising a release tab integrally formed in one piece with the cap and extending outwardly from a peripheral outer surface of the cap, said release tab having a top surface that lies in substantially the same plane as a top end face of the cap which is positioned opposite the bottom end face of the cap, said release tab having a length such that when the cap is in the closed position, an end of the release tab extends at least approximately to the outer periphery of the flange member.

18. The container according to claim 14, wherein an axial length of the stem is substantially equal to the thickness of the container so that an end of the stem lies substantially flush with an inner surface of the container.

19. The container according to claim 17, including means for preventing accidental opening of the cap and for indicating that the reclosable attachment has been tampered with.

20. The container according to claim 19, wherein said means for preventing accidental opening of the cap and for indicating that the reclosable attachment has been tampered with includes a projection connected to and extending from the release tab and a projection receiver connected to and extending from the flange member, said projection receiver having a hollow interior with an overhanging portion that overlies a portion of the interior of the projection receiver, said projection having a generally V-shaped free end portion adapted to be received in the hollow interior of the projection receiver and adapted to be retained in the hollow interior upon initial opening of the cap due to the overhanging portion.

21. The container according to claim 14, including a plurality of spaced apart ledges formed integrally with and extending substantially radially outwardly from an outer peripheral surface of the stem.

22. The container according to claim 14, including two annular ridges extending axially from the first side of the flange member, a first one of said annular ridges being positioned adjacent an outer edge of the flange member and a second one of said annular ridges being positioned adjacent said stem.

23. The container according to claim 22, wherein the first side of the flange member is chemically etched and secured to the exterior surface of the container by adhesive, said first and second annular ridges serving to maintain and concentrate the adhesive between the first and second annular ridges.

24. The container according to claim 14, wherein the first side of the flange member is secured to the exterior surface of the container by chemical bonding.

25. The container according to claim 14, including means extending outwardly from an outer peripheral surface of said stem and extending around at least a portion of the circumference of the stem for engaging an inner surface of the container, a wall of the container being positioned between the flange member and the means for engaging and the means for engaging contacting the inner surface of the container.

26. The container according to claim 25, wherein said means for engaging extends around at least one half of the circumference of the stem and is integrally formed with the stem prior to when the stem is positioned in the means for defining an opening in the container body, the distance between the second side of the flange member and a facing side of the means for engaging being substantially equal to the thickness of the container wall.

27. The container according to claim 14, wherein said container body is fabricated from a laminated paper material.

28. The container according to claim 25, wherein said means for engaging includes at least one ledge formed integrally with the stem and having an upper surface that is substantially parallel to the first side of the flange member.

29. A reclosable attachment for containers comprising:

a flange member having a first side, an oppositely positioned second side and an aperture extending through the flange member from the first side to the second side;

an extension integrally connected to and formed in one piece with the second side of the flange member and extending axially outwardly therefrom, said extension having a hole extending therethrough that is coaxially aligned with the aperture in the flange member;

a stem integrally connected to and formed in one piece with the first side of the flange member and extending axially outwardly therefrom for being positioned in a hole in a container, said stem having a hole extending therethrough that is coaxially aligned with the aperture in the flange member; and

a cap connected to the flange member, said cap being adapted to engage the extension when the cap is in a closed position to prevent contents in the container from being discharged through the stem and the extension and being adapted to be disengaged from the extension when the cap is in an open position to permit the contents of the container to be discharged through the stem and the extension, said cap having a projection extending therefrom and said flange member having a hollow projection receiver connected thereto, said projection receiver opening to a top end thereof, at least a portion of the projection being received within the projection receiver, and including means for preventing the projection from being withdrawn from the projection receiver so that when the cap is moved to the open position for the first time with the attachment connected to a container, the projection breaks away from the cap, falls into the projection receiver and is retained within the projection receiver.

30. The reclosable attachment according to claim 29, wherein said means for engaging includes four spaced apart ledges extending outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the stem, each of said ledges being axially spaced from the first side of the flange member.

31. The reclosable attachment according to claim 30, wherein the first side of the flange member has a first annular ridge extending axially therefrom said first annular ridge being positioned adjacent an outer edge of the flange member.

32. The reclosable attachment according to claim 31, wherein the first side of the flange member has a second annular ridge extending axially therefrom, said second annular ridge being positioned adjacent said stem.

33. The reclosable attachment according to claim 29, including a release tab integrally formed with and extending from the cap and a projection connected to and extending from the release tab, said projection having a substantially V-shaped free end portion, and also including a projection receiver integrally formed with and extending from the flange member, said projection receiver having a hollow interior that opens to a top end thereof, the top end of the projection receiver having an overhanging portion that overlies a portion of the interior of the projection receiver, said projection being adapted to be positioned in the interior of said projection receiver with the V-shaped end portion disposed under the overhanging portion so that when the cap is moved from the closed position to the open position for the first time, the connection between the projection and the release tab is broken while the projection remains in the projection receiver.

34. The reclosable attachment according to claim 29, wherein said cap includes a recess defining a closed top end and an open bottom end, said recess having an inner peripheral surface defined by a first cylindrical part, inwardly tapering portion that tapers toward an axial center of the cap, a second cylindrical part, and an outwardly tapering portion that tapers away from the axial center of the cap, said first cylindrical part opening to the open bottom end and merging into the inwardly tapering portion, said inwardly tapering portion merging into the second cylindrical part and the second cylindrical part merging into the outwardly tapering portion, said cap having an annular ridge extending from an inner surface of the top end thereof and an annular groove defined between an outer peripheral surface of the annular ridge on the cap and a facing portion on the inner peripheral surface of the recess, said cylindrical extension having an annular ridge formed at a free end thereof and an annular recess formed in an outer surface thereof that mergers into said annular ridge at the free end of the extension, said cap being adapted to interact with the cylindrical extension such that when the cap is in the closed position, the annular ridge on the extension is received in the annular groove on the cap while the second cylindrical part of the inner periphery of the cap engages the annular recess formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical extension.

35. The reclosable attachment according to claim 29, wherein said means for engaging includes at least one ledge formed integrally with said stem and having an upper surface that is substantially parallel to the first side of the flange member.

36. The reclosable attachment according to claim 29, wherein said cap is resealable with respect to the extension.

37. The reclosable attachment according to claim 36, wherein said extension includes an outwardly directed annular ridge at its end positioned remote from the flange member, said cap having an annular seal extending generally axially from an inner end surface thereof and an annular recess defined between the annular seal and an inner surface of a generally axially extending wall portion of the cap, said annular ridge being positioned in the annular recess when the cap is in the closed position to thereby contribute to the resealability of the cap.

38. The reclosable attachment according to claim 37, wherein said annular ridge merges into an annular recess formed in an outer peripheral surface of the extension, and wherein the generally axially extending wall portion of cap merges into an inwardly tapering wall portion, said inwardly tapering wall portion merging into an generally cylindrical wall portion, said generally cylindrical wall portion merging into an outwardly tapering wall portion, the generally cylindrical wall portion being positioned in the annular recess formed on the outer periphery of the extension when the cap is in the closed position, thereby contributing to the resealability of the cap.

39. The reclosable attachment according to claim 29, wherein said means for preventing the projection from being withdrawn from the projection receiver includes said projection being provided with a substantially V-shaped free end portion and said projection receiver being provided with an overhanging portion adjacent the top end thereof.

40. The reclosable attachment according to claim 29, wherein said projection receiver has an open bottom end.

41. A reclosable attachment for containers comprising:

a flange member having a first side, an oppositely positioned second side and an aperture extending through the flange member from the first side to the second side, said flange member having a first annular ridge integrally formed with and extending axially from the first side of the flange member;

an extension integrally connected to and formed in one piece with the second side of the flange member and extending axially outwardly therefrom, said extension having a hole extending therethrough that is coaxially aligned with the aperture in the flange member;

a stem integrally connected to and formed in one piece with the first side of the flange member and extending axially outwardly therefrom for being positioned in a hole in the container, said stem having a hole extending therethrough that is coaxially aligned with the aperture in the flange member; and

a cap connected to the flange member and adapted to be moved between a closed position for preventing contents in the container from being discharged through the stem and the extension and an open position for permitting the contents in the container to be discharged through the stem and the extension.

42. The reclosable attachment according to claim 41, wherein said first annular ridge extends around the flange member adjacent an outer edge of the flange member.

43. The reclosable attachment according to claim 42, including a second annular ridge integrally formed with and extending from the first side of the flange member, said second annual ridge being positioned adjacent to and encircling said stem.

44. The reclosable attachment according to claim 43, including a release tab extending from the cap, a projection connected to and extending from the release tab, and a projection receiver integrally formed with and extending from the flange member, said projection having a substantially V-shaped free end portion and said projection receiver having a hollow interior that opens to a top end of the projection receiver, the top end of the projection receiver having an overhanging portion that overlies a portion of the interior of the projection, said projection receiver being adapted to receive said projection and to retain the projection in the hollow interior thereof after the cap has been moved to the open position for the first time.

45. The reclosable attachment according to claim 41, including a plurality of spaced apart ledges integrally formed with and extending substantially radially outwardly from an outer peripheral surface of the stem.

46. The reclosable attachment according to claim 41, wherein said cap includes a recess defining a closed top end and an open bottom end, said recess having an inner peripheral surface defined by a first cylindrical part, an inwardly tapering portion that tapers toward an axial center of the cap, a second cylindrical part, and an outwardly tapering portion that tapers away from the axial center of the cap, said first cylindrical part opening to the open bottom end and merging into the inwardly tapering portion, said inwardly tapering portion merging into the second cylindrical part and the second cylindrical part merging into the outwardly tapering portion, said cap having an annular ridge extending from an inner surface of the top end thereof and an annular groove defined between an outer peripheral surface of the annular ridge on the cap and a facing portion on the inner peripheral surface of the recess, said cylindrical extension having an annular ridge formed at a free end thereof and an annular recess formed in an outer surface thereof that mergers into said annular ridge at the free end of the extension, said cap being adapted to interact with the cylindrical extension such that when the cap is in the closed position, the annular ridge on the extension is received in the annular groove on the cap while the second cylindrical part of the inner periphery of the cap engages the annular recess formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical extension.

47. A reclosable attachment for containers comprising:

a flange member having a first side that is adapted to rest against a side wall of the container, an oppositely positioned second side and a aperture extending through the flange member from the first side to the second side;

an extension integrally connected to and formed in one piece with the second side of the flange member and extending axially outwardly therefrom, said extension having a hole extending therethrough that is coaxially aligned with the aperture in the flange member;

a stem integrally connected to and formed in one piece with the first side of the flange member and extending axially outwardly therefrom for being positioned in a hole in the container, said stem having a hole extending therethrough that is coaxially aligned with the aperture in the flange member and the hole in the extension;

a cap adapted to engage the extension when the cap is in a closed position to prevent pourable material from being discharged through the stem and the extension and adapted to be disengaged from the extension when the cap is in an open position to permit pourable material to be discharged through the stem and the extension, said extension including an outwardly directed annular ridge at its end positioned remote from the flange member, said cap having an annular seal extending generally axially from an inner end surface thereof and an annular recess defined between the annular seal and an inner surface of a generally axially extending wall portion of the cap, said annular ridge merging into an annular recess formed in an outer peripheral surface of the extension, the generally axially extending wall portion of the cap being positioned adjacent a portion of the wall of the cap that is configured to cooperate with the annular ridge and the annular recess of the extension when the cap is in the closed position in a manner that contributes to resealability of the cap.

48. The reclosable attachment according to claim 47, wherein said generally axially extending wall portion of the cap merges into an inwardly tapering wall portion, said inwardly tapering wall portion merges into a generally cylindrical wall portion, and said generally cylindrical wall portion merges into an outwardly tapering wall portion, said annular ridge being positioned in the annular recess when the cap is in the closed position and the generally cylindrical wall portion being positioned in the annular recess formed on the outer periphery of the extension when the cap is in the closed position.

49. A reclosable attachment for containers comprising:

a flange member having a first side that is adapted to rest against a side wall of the container, an oppositely positioned second side and a aperture extending through the flange member from the first side to the second side;

an extension integrally connected to and formed in one piece with the second side of the flange member and extending axially outwardly therefrom, said extension having a hole extending therethrough that is coaxially aligned with the aperture in the flange member;

a stem integrally connected to and formed in one piece with the first side of the flange member and extending axially outwardly therefrom for being positioned in a hole in the container, said stem having a hole extending therethrough that is coaxially aligned with the aperture in the flange member and the hole in the extension;

a cap adapted to engage the extension when the cap is in a closed position to prevent pourable material from being discharged through the stem and the extension and adapted to be disengaged from the extension when the cap is in an open position to permit pourable material to be discharged through the stem and the extension, said cap having an axially extending recess into which fits the extension when the cap is in the closed position; and

connecting means for connecting the cap to the flange member, said connecting means being integrally formed in one piece with the flange member and the cap, said connecting means including first and second connecting portions that are hingedly connected together for permitting the second connecting portion to pivot relative to the first connecting portion, said first connecting portion being connected to the flange member such that a first side of the first connecting portion which faces in the same direction as the first side of the flange member is axially spaced from the first side of the flange member, said second connecting portion being connected to the cap such that a first side of the second connecting portion which faces in the same direction as a bottom end face of the cap is coplanar with the bottom end face of the cap.