Twist-openable dispensing closure accommodating optional liner puncture feature

• US 6,477,743 B1
• Filed: 08/14/2001
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seaquist Closures Foreign Inc (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Seaquist Closures Foreign Inc (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gross, Richard A., Peterson, Walter W.
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US09/929,389
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 222/83, 222/83.5, 222/88, 222/212, 222/499, 222/519, 222/520, 222/525
• US Class Current: 222/525
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0025 of the 47-type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0056 of the 47-type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0093 Membrane
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/244 being rotated without axial translation, whilst transmitting axial motion to an internal valve stem or valve seat
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/226 the piercing or cutting means being non integral with, or not fixedly attached to, the outer closure

Abstract

A dispensing closure system is provided for a container. The system includes a body for extending from the container at the container opening. The body includes a base, a conduit that is reciprocatable relative to the base, and a flexible wall joining the conduit to the base. The conduit includes a dispensing aperture and a first seal surface. A spout is carried on, and is rotatable relative to, the body. The spout includes a dispensing orifice and a second seal surface for engaging the first seal surface. The body and spout together define a rotary-to-linear motion translation drive system that is (1) responsive to the rotation of the spout in one direction for moving the conduit in a first direction to a closed position, and (2) responsive to the rotation of the spout in the opposite direction for moving the conduit in a second direction opposite from the first direction to an open position.

Claims

1. A dispensing closure system for a container that has an opening to the container interior, said dispensing closure system comprising:

a body for extending from said container at said opening, said body including (a) a base, (b) a conduit that is reciprocatable relative to said base, and (c) a flexible wall joining said conduit to said base, said conduit including a discharge aperture, a first seal surface, and a sliding seal bead; and

a spout that is carried on, and rotatable relative to, said body and that includes at least one dispensing orifice, a second seal surface for engaging said first seal surface when said conduit is at a predetermined position relative to said base, and a third seal surface for continuously engaging said conduit sliding seal bead;

said body and spout together defining a rotary-to-linear motion translation drive system that includes a cam track groove on said spout and a cam follower on said conduit for being received in said cam track groove whereby (1) rotation of said spout in one direction moves said conduit in a first direction to a closed position in which said first and second sealing surfaces are in sealing engagement to occlude said spout dispensing orifice, and (2) rotation of said spout in the opposite direction moves said conduit in a second direction opposite from said first direction to an open position in which said conduit first seal surface is spaced from said spout second seal surface to permit flow from said conduit discharge aperture through said spout dispensing orifice, said flexible wall temporarily deforming as said conduit moves between said first and second positions, said flexible wall preventing movement of said conduit in said second direction beyond said open position.

2. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 1 in which

said system is a closure for an end of said container wherein the container end defines said container opening; and

said closure includes said body and said spout.

3. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 2 in which

said closure is an article that is separate from said container;

and

said body is removably attachable to said container end over said container opening.

4. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 1 in which said spout includes a cutting edge for cutting at least partially through a sealed liner which must be breached to afford access to the container opening.

5. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 1 in which said conduit has (1) a generally annular wall, and (2) a central plug supported by a plurality of ribs extending radially inwardly from said annular wall whereby said at least one dispensing orifice is defined between two of said ribs, said plug, and said annular wall.

6. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 5 in which said first seal surface is defined on a peripheral surface region of said plug.

7. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 1 in which said second seal surface is a generally interior cylindrical surface.

8. A dispensing closure system for a container that has an opening to the container interior, said dispensing closure system comprising:

a body for extending from said container at said opening, said body including (a) a base, (b) a conduit that is reciprocatable relative to said base, and (c) a flexible wall joining said conduit to said base, said conduit including a discharge aperture and a first seal surface; and

a spout that is carried on, and rotatable relative to, said body and that includes at least one dispensing orifice and a second seal surface for engaging said first seal surface;

said body and spout together defining a rotary-to-linear motion translation drive system that is (1) responsive to the rotation of said spout in one direction for moving said conduit in a first direction to a closed position in which said first and second sealing surfaces are in sealing engagement to occlude said spout dispensing orifice, and (2) responsive to the rotation of said spout in the opposite direction for moving said conduit in a second direction opposite from said first direction to an open position in which said conduit first seal surface is spaced from said spout second seal surface to permit flow from said conduit discharge aperture through said spout dispensing orifice.

9. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 8 in which

said system is a closure for an end of said container wherein the container end defines said container opening; and

said closure includes said body and said spout.

10. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 9 in which

said closure is an article that is separate from said container;

and

said body is removably attachable to said container end over said container opening.

11. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 8 in which said base includes a thread for threadingly engaging a mating thread on a container.

12. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 8 in which said flexible wall has a generally annular configuration which temporarily deforms as said conduit moves between said closed and open positions.

13. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 8 in which said spout includes a cutting edge for cutting at least partially through a sealed liner which must be breached to afford access to the container opening.

14. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 8 in which said conduit has (1) a generally annular wall, and (2) a central plug supported by a plurality of ribs extending radially inwardly from said annular wall whereby said at least one dispensing orifice is defined between two of said ribs, said plug, and said annular wall.

15. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 14 in which

said first seal surface is defined on a peripheral surface region of said plug;

said conduit annular wall includes a sliding annular seal bead around said ribs, plug, and dispensing orifice; and

said spout includes a skirt and an interior annular wall defining an interior surface for engaging said seal bead.

16. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 15 in which said plug peripheral surface region is generally cylindrical.

17. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 8 in which said second seal surface is a generally interior cylindrical surface.

18. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 8 in which

said conduit includes an outwardly projecting cam follower;

and

said spout includes a cam track groove for receiving said cam follower.

19. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 8 in which said spout includes (a) a peripheral skirt, (b) a top deck defining said dispensing orifice, and (c) a collar extending from said top deck around said dispensing orifice, said collar defining said second seal orifice.

20. The dispensing closure system in accordance with claim 8 in which

said base defines a peripheral lip;

and

said spout defines a bead for engaging said lip for holding said spout on said base to accommodate rotation of said spout relative to said base.