Threaded container torque retention system for use with a threaded closure

• US 5,676,270 A
• Filed: 06/12/1996
• Issued: 10/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seaquist Closures Limited (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: AptarGroup Incorporated
• Inventors: Roberts, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoap, Allan N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NEWHOUSE, NATHAN JEFFREY
• Application Number:
  US08/661,953
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 215/329, 215/330, 215/331, 215/217, 215/218, 220/288, 220/289
• US Class Current: 215/330
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 41/0471 with means for positioning the cap on the container, or for limiting the movement of the cap, or for preventing accidental loosening of the cap

Abstract

A removal torque-resistant closure and container assembly is provided with the container having a thread extending around the opening. The closure includes a thread for engaging the container thread. The container includes a projection that extends from the thread root between two adjacent thread crests on the container and that defines an outer edge for temporarily deforming the closure thread during relative rotational movement of the container and closure when the container and closure are screwed together. Upon termination of the screwing action, the container projection edge is engaged with a deformed region of the closure thread so as to resist closure removal by unscrewing.

Claims

1. A removal torque-resistant closure and container assembly comprising:

a container defining an opening and a thread extending around said opening;

a closure for being applied to said container to occlude said opening, said closure defining a thread extending around said closure for threadingly engaging said container thread, said container thread having its adjacent turns spaced apart at the thread root; and

a projection that (1) extends radially from the container thread root, (2) extends in the axial direction across the entire width of the thread root to merge with each of said two adjacent thread turns on said container, and (3) defines a generally rigid outer edge for temporarily deforming said closure thread during relative rotational movement of said container and closure when said closure and container are screwed together whereby upon termination of the screwing action, said container projection outer edge is engaged with an adjacent deformed region of said closure thread so as to resist closure removal by unscrewing.

2. The assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which said container and said closure thread each includes a helical portion.

3. The assembly in accordance with claim 2 in which said container thread is a male thread and said closure thread is a female thread.

4. The assembly in accordance with claim 2 in which said container includes two of said projections.

5. The assembly in accordance with claim 4 in which said two projections are about 180°

apart.

6. The assembly in accordance with claim 5 in which one of said projections is about 45°

from the start of the full thread adjacent a leading end of said container thread.

7. The assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which said outer projection edge projects outwardly more than one half of the height of said container thread crest and less than the height of said container thread crest.

8. The assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which

said projection defines a ramp extending from the thread root between said adjacent container thread crests;

and

said outer edge defines the outermost part of said projection.

9. The assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which said projection defines an end surface facing generally in the direction toward a trailing end of said container thread.

10. The assembly in accordance with claim 9 in which said projection end surface lies in a plane that contains a central longitudinal axis defined by said container thread.

11. The assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which said container includes a neck and said container thread is defined on said neck.

12. The assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which said projection outer edge is defined by a V-shaped configuration of said projection.

13. The assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which said outer edge is located at the vertex of an acute included angle defined by said projection.

14. The assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which

said container includes two of said projections;

and

said projections are located at different axial elevations along said container thread.

15. A removal torque-resistant closure and container assembly comprising:

a container having a neck defining an opening and a male thread extending around said opening from a leading end to a trailing end;

a closure for being applied to said container to occlude said opening, said closure having a skirt defining a female thread extending around said closure from a leading end to a trailing end for threadingly engaging said container thread, said container thread having its adjacent turns spaced apart at the thread root; and

two projections circumferentially arranged on said container neck about 180°

apart and at different axial elevations, each said projection being located on said container neck more than one-half turn from said container neck male thread leading end as measured along said male thread starting at its leading end, each said projection extending radially from the container thread root, each said projection also extending in the axial direction across the entire width of the thread root to merge with each of said two adjacent thread turns on said container, and each said pro projection defining a generally rigid outer edge for temporarily deforming said closure thread during relative rotational movement of said container and closure when said closure and container are screwed together whereby upon termination of the screwing action, said container projection outer edge is engaged with an adjacent deformed region of said closure thread so as to resist closure removal by unscrewing.

16. The assembly in accordance with claim 15 in which said container and said closure thread each includes a helical portion.

17. The assembly in accordance with claim 15 in which one of said projections is about 45°

from the start of the full thread adjacent said leading end of said container thread.

18. The assembly in accordance with claim 15 in which said projection outer edge projects outwardly more than one half of the height of said container thread crest and less than the height of said container thread crest.

19. The assembly in accordance with claim 15 in which

said projection defines a ramp extending from the thread root between said adjacent container thread crests;

said outer edge defines the outermost part of said projection;

said projection defines an end surface facing generally in the direction toward said trailing end of said container thread; and

said projection end surface lies in a plane that contains a central longitudinal axis defined by said container thread.