Container and closure with dispensing valve and separate releasable internal shipping seal

• US 6,095,382 A
• Filed: 09/21/1998
• Issued: 08/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seaquist Closures Foreign Inc (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: AptarGroup Incorporated
• Inventors: Gross, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US09/157,706
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 222/494, 222/520, 222/521, 222/525, 222/493, 215/271, 220/254
• US Class Current: 222/520
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/2031 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 B65D47/2025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/242 moving helically

Abstract

A dispensing system is provided for a container having an opening to the interior. The container has a sealable seat around the opening and a thread. A closure is disposed on the container. The closure defines a thread that is threadingly engaged with the container thread for accommodating movement of the closure between a lowered position and an elevated position. The closure defines a dispensing passage for establishing communication between the container opening and the exterior of the closure. The closure includes a dispensing valve disposed in the dispensing passage for opening to dispense fluid therethrough and for closing to occlude flow. The closure includes an occlusion member inwardly of the valve in the dispensing passage to sealingly engage the container seat and prevent flow from the container opening into the dispensing passage below the valve when the closure is in the lowered position and to permit flow into the dispensing passage when the closure is in the elevated position.

Claims

1. A dispensing system comprising:

a container having an opening, a sealable seat around said opening, and a thread; and

a closure which (1) is disposed on said container, (2) defines a thread that is threadingly engaged with said container thread for accommodating movement of said closure between a lowered position and an elevated position, (3) defines a dispensing passage for establishing communication between said container opening and the exterior of said closure, (4) includes a dispensing valve disposed in said dispensing passage for opening to dispense fluid therethrough and for closing to occlude flow, and (5) includes an occlusion member inwardly of said valve in said dispensing passage, said occlusion member being part of, and movable with, said closure between said lowered and elevated positions to sealingly engage said container sealable seat and prevent flow from said container opening into said dispensing passage below said valve when said closure is in said lowered position and to permit flow into said dispensing passage when said closure is in said elevated position.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1 in which each said thread is a helical thread.

3. The system in accordance with claim 1 in which said container thread is a male thread and said housing thread is a female thread.

4. The system in accordance with claim 1 in which said closure comprises (1) a housing, (2) said valve, and (3) a valve retaining ring clamping said valve against said housing.

5. The system in accordance with claim 1 in which said container defines a pair of spaced-apart ribs and said closure includes an inwardly projecting stop member for engaging one of said ribs of said container to provide increased resistance to relative rotation between said container and said closure.

6. A dispensing system comprising:

a container having an opening, a sealable seat around said opening, and a thread; and

a closure which (1) is disposed on said container, (2) defines a thread that is threadingly engaged with said container thread for accommodating movement of said closure between a lowered position and an elevated position, (3) defines a dispensing passage for establishing communication between said container opening and the exterior of said closure, (4) includes a dispensing valve disposed in said dispensing passage for opening to dispense fluid therethrough and for closing to occlude flow, and (5) includes an occlusion member inwardly of said valve in said dispensing passage to sealingly engage said container sealable seat and prevent flow from said container opening into said dispensing passage below said valve when said closure is in said lowered position and to permit flow into said dispensing passage when said closure is in said elevated position and wherein

said container has a neck around said opening;

said container thread is defined on the exterior of said neck;

said sealable seat is defined as a cylindrical surface on the interior of said neck;

said closure includes an inner annular wall that is adapted to be received within said container neck;

said closure includes an intermediate annular wall that is spaced outwardly of said inner annular wall and that defines said closure thread;

said closure includes an outer wall spaced outwardly of said intermediate annular wall;

said closure includes an inner annular wall that defines said dispensing passage and that is movable within said container neck toward and away from said container; and

said closure occlusion member is a disk-like member that is supported by arms extending inwardly from said inner annular wall and that defines a peripheral sealing surface for engaging said container neck cylindrical surface around said container opening when said closure is in said lowered position.

7. A dispensing system comprising:

a container having an opening, a sealable seat around said opening, and a thread; and

a closure which (1) is disposed on said container, (2) defines a thread that is threadingly engaged with said container thread for accommodating movement of said closure between a lowered position and an elevated position, (3) defines a dispensing passage for establishing communication between said container opening and the exterior of said closure, (4) includes a dispensing valve disposed in said dispensing passage for opening to dispense fluid therethrough and for closing to occlude flow, and (5) includes an occlusion member inwardly of said valve in said dispensing passage to sealingly engage said container sealable seat and prevent flow from said container opening into said dispensing passage below said valve when said closure is in said lowered position and to permit flow into said dispensing passage when said closure is in said elevated position and wherein

said container has at least one outwardly projecting stop member; and

said closure has at least one inwardly projecting stop member for engaging said outwardly projecting stop member at one of said lowered position and elevated position.

8. A dispensing system comprising:

a container having an opening, a sealable seat around said opening, and a thread; and

a closure which (1) is disposed on said container, (2) defines a thread that is threadingly engaged with said container thread for accommodating movement of said closure between a lowered position and an elevated position, (3) defines a dispensing passage for establishing communication between said container opening and the exterior of said closure, (4) includes a dispensing valve disposed in said dispensing passage for opening to dispense fluid therethrough and for closing to occlude flow, and (5) includes an occlusion member inwardly of said valve in said dispensing passage to sealingly engage said container sealable seat and prevent flow from said container opening into said dispensing passage below said valve when said closure is in said lowered position and to permit flow into said dispensing passage when said closure is in said elevated position and wherein

said closure defines at least one pair of spaced-apart ribs; and

said container includes an outwardly projecting stop member for engaging one of said ribs of said closure to provide increased resistance to relative rotation between said container and said closure.

9. A dispensing system comprising:

a container having an opening, a sealable seat around said opening, and a thread; and

a closure which (1) is disposed on said container, (2) defines a thread that is threadingly engaged with said container thread for accommodating movement of said closure between a lowered position and an elevated position, (3) defines a dispensing passage for establishing communication between said container opening and the exterior of said closure, (4) includes a dispensing valve disposed in said dispensing passage for opening to dispense fluid therethrough and for closing to occlude flow, and (5) includes an occlusion member inwardly of said valve in said dispensing passage to sealingly engage said container sealable seat and prevent flow from said container opening into said dispensing passage below said valve when said closure is in said lowered position and to permit flow into said dispensing passage when said closure is in said elevated position and wherein

said container defines a pair of spaced-apart container ribs;

said closure has a pair of spaced-apart closure ribs; and

said container and closure each includes a projecting stop member for engaging one of said ribs on said closure and container, respectively, to provide increased resistance to relative rotation between said container and said closure.

10. A dispensing system comprising:

a container having an opening, a sealable seat around said opening, and a thread; and

a closure which (1) is disposed on said container, (2) defines a thread that is threadingly engaged with said container thread for accommodating movement of said closure between a lowered position and an elevated position, (3) defines a dispensing passage for establishing communication between said container opening and the exterior of said closure, (4) includes a dispensing valve disposed in said dispensing passage for opening to dispense fluid therethrough and for closing to occlude flow, and (5) includes an occlusion member inwardly of said valve in said dispensing passage to sealingly engage said container sealable seat and prevent flow from said container opening into said dispensing passage below said valve when said closure is in said lowered position and to permit flow into said dispensing passage when said closure is in said elevated position and wherein

said container has a pair of ribs and one outwardly projecting stop member between said ribs; and

said closure has at least one inwardly projecting stop member for (1) engaging said container stop member when said closure is at one of said lowered position and elevated position to prevent further rotation in a first direction, and (2) engaging one of said ribs to provide increased resistance to relative rotation between said container and said closure in a second direction of rotation opposite to said first direction of rotation.

11. A dispensing system comprising:

a container having an opening, a sealable seat around said opening, and a thread; and

a closure which (1) is disposed on said container, (2) defines a thread that is threadingly engaged with said container thread for accommodating movement of said closure between a lowered position and an elevated position, (3) defines a dispensing passage for establishing communication between said container opening and the exterior of said closure, (4) includes a dispensing valve disposed in said dispensing passage for opening to dispense fluid therethrough and for closing to occlude flow, and (5) includes an occlusion member inwardly of said valve in said dispensing passage to sealingly engage said container sealable seat and prevent flow from said container opening into said dispensing passage below said valve when said closure is in said lowered position and to permit flow into said dispensing passage when said closure is in said elevated position and wherein

said closure has a pair of ribs and one inwardly projecting stop member between said ribs; and

said container has at least one outwardly projecting stop member for (1) engaging said closure stop member when said closure is at one of said lowered position and elevated position to prevent further rotation in a first direction, and (2) engaging one of said ribs to provide increased resistance to relative rotation between said container and said closure in a second direction of rotation opposite to said first direction of rotation.

12. A dispensing system comprising:

a container having an opening, a sealable seat around said opening, a thread, and at least one outwardly projecting stop member; and

a closure which (1) is disposed on said container, (2) defines a thread that is threadingly engaged with said container thread for accommodating movement of said closure between a lowered position and an elevated position, (3) includes at least one inwardly projecting stop member for engaging said outwardly projecting stop member when said closure is at said elevated position, (4) defines a dispensing passage for establishing communication between said container opening and the exterior of said closure, (5) includes a dispensing valve disposed in said dispensing passage for opening to dispense fluid therethrough and for closing to occlude flow, and (6) includes an occlusion member inwardly of said valve in said dispensing passage, said occlusion member being part of, and movable with, said closure between said lowered and elevated positions to sealingly engage said container sealable seat and prevent flow from said container opening into said dispensing passage below said valve when said closure is in said lowered position and to permit flow into said dispensing passage when said closure is in said elevated position.

13. The system in accordance with claim 12 in which each said thread is a helical thread.

14. The system in accordance with claim 12 in which said container defines a rib for being engaged by said closure inwardly projecting stop member to provide increased resistance to relative rotation between said container and said closure in the direction of rotation which causes said closure to move away from said elevated position toward said lowered position.

15. A dispensing system comprising:

a container having an opening, a sealable seat around said opening, a thread, and at least one outwardly projecting stop member; and

a closure which (1) is disposed on said container, (2) defines a thread that is threadingly engaged with said container thread for accommodating movement of said closure between a lowered position and an elevated position, (3) includes at least one inwardly projecting stop member for engaging said outwardly projecting stop member when said closure is at said elevated position, (4) defines a dispensing passage for establishing communication between said container opening and the exterior of said closure, (5) includes a dispensing valve disposed in said dispensing passage for opening to dispense fluid therethrough and for closing to occlude flow, and (6) includes an occlusion member inwardly of said valve in said dispensing passage to sealingly engage said container sealable seat and prevent flow from said container opening into said dispensing passage below said valve when said closure is in said lowered position and to permit flow into said dispensing passage when said closure is in said elevated position and wherein

said container thread is a male thread and said closure thread is a female thread.

16. A dispensing system comprising:

a container having opening, a sealable seat around said opening, a thread, and at least one outwardly projecting stop member; and

a closure which (1) is disposed on said container, (2) defines a thread that is threadingly engaged with said container thread for accommodating movement of said closure between a lowered position and an elevated position, (3) includes at least one inwardly projecting stop member for engaging said outwardly projecting stop member when said closure is at said elevated position, (4) defines a dispensing passage for establishing communication between said container opening and the exterior of said closure, (5) includes a dispensing valve disposed in said dispensing passage for opening to dispense fluid therethrough and for closing to occlude flow, and (6) includes an occlusion member inwardly of said valve in said dispensing passage to sealingly engage said container sealable seat and prevent flow from said container opening into said dispensing passage below said valve when said closure is in said lowered position and to permit flow into said dispensing passage when said closure is in said elevated position and wherein

said closure comprises (1) a housing, (2) said valve, and (3) a valve retaining ring clamping said valve against said housing.

17. A dispensing system comprising:

a container having an opening, a sealable seat around said opening, a thread, and at least one outwardly projecting stop member; and

a closure which (1) is disposed on said container, (2) defines a thread that is threadingly engaged with said container thread for accommodating movement of said closure between a lowered position and an elevated position, (3) includes at least one inwardly projecting stop member for engaging said outwardly projecting stop member when said closure is at said elevated position, (4) defines a dispensing passage for establishing communication between said container opening and the exterior of said closure, (5) includes a dispensing valve disposed in said dispensing passage for opening to dispense fluid therethrough and for closing to occlude flow, and (6) includes an occlusion member inwardly of said valve in said dispensing passage to sealingly engage said container sealable seat and prevent flow from said container opening into said dispensing passage below said valve when said closure is in said lowered position and to permit flow into said dispensing passage when said closure is in said elevated position and wherein

said container has a neck around said opening;

said container thread is defined on the exterior of said neck;

said sealable seat is defined as a cylindrical surface on the interior of said neck;

said closure includes an inner annular wall that is adapted to be received within said container neck;

said closure includes an intermediate annular wall that is spaced outwardly of said inner annular wall and that defines said closure thread;

said closure includes an outer wall spaced outwardly of said intermediate annular wall;

said closure includes an inner annular wall that defines said dispensing passage and that is movable within said container neck toward and away from said container; and

said closure occlusion member is a disk-like member that is supported by arms extending inwardly from said inner annular wall and that defines a peripheral sealing surface for engaging said container neck cylindrical surface around said container opening when said closure is in said lowered position.

18. A dispensing system comprising:

a container having an opening, a sealable seat around said opening, a thread, and at least one outwardly projecting stop member; and

a closure which (1) is disposed on said container, (2) defines a thread that is threadingly engaged with said container thread for accommodating movement of said closure between a lowered position and an elevated position, (3) includes at least one inwardly projecting stop member for engaging said outwardly projecting stop member when said closure is at said elevated position, (4) defines a dispensing passage for establishing communication between said container opening and the exterior of said closure, (5) includes a dispensing valve disposed in said dispensing passage for opening to dispense fluid therethrough and for closing to occlude flow, and (6) includes an occlusion member inwardly of said valve in said dispensing passage to sealingly engage said container sealable seat and prevent flow from said container opening into said dispensing passage below said valve when said closure is in said lowered position and to permit flow into said dispensing passage when said closure is in said elevated position and wherein

said container has a pair of container ribs, and said outwardly projecting stop member is located between said container ribs; and

said closure has a pair of closure ribs, and said inwardly projecting stop member is located between said closure ribs.