WO2001025107A1

WO2001025107A1 - Container closure

Info

Publication number: WO2001025107A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/027826
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Coy; Thomas C. Moseley, Jr.; Michel D. Arney
Original assignee: VaLid LLC
Current assignee: VaLid LLC
Priority date: 1999-09-30
Filing date: 1999-11-23
Publication date: 2001-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 2002-03-30
Also published as: AU1920300A

Abstract

A closure (30) for a container (10) comprising a cover portion configured and sized to substantially close the container opening (18). The cover portion includes a first partial-dome surface (44) having an edge at a raised elevation and downwardly sloping away from the raised edge (33). An outlet valve (54) is positioned in a depression (53) depending from the first partial-dome surface (44). The outlet valve (54) includes two angled leaflets (56, 58) extending into the depression (53) such that the valve (54) and depression walls have a cross-section with a substantially W configuration. The closure (30) may also have an inlet valve (72) positioned in the cover and including opposed leaflets (74, 76) extending inward toward the container (10). The closure (30) may further include locking tabs (262) to secure the closure to the container.

Description

CONTAINER CLOSURE

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a closure for a container and is particularly

concerned with fluid or liquid containers common in the so-called take-out market.

Containers of this type are commonly provided with a closure lid. Frequently, the

container closure is adapted for direct consumption or the insertion of a drinking

straw.

In general, prior art arrangements of the kind referred to are not adapted to

be reclosed or resealed after they have been opened for use and leave a substantial

opening. As a consequence, the contents are subject to inadvertent spillage even

upon minor occurrences, for example, slight tilting, road bumps, etc. Such spillage

is sometimes referred to as "wake flow." Although there have been some closures

which reduce wake flow, these generally require significant user manipulation to

facilitate normal use.

An additional problem associated with prior art closures is unintentional

disengagement from the container. This can result from, for example,

misapplication of the closure or deformation of the container. Although there have

been some prior attempts to resolve the problems, these have generally been overly

complicated or less than satisfactory.

Accordingly, there is a need for a container closure that permits controlled

flow from the container, but substantially reduces the likelihood of inadvertent

spillage or wake flow. There exists a further need for a closure securing means that reduces the

potential for unintentional disengagement of the closure.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a container closure. The closure includes

a cover portion configured to substantially close the container opening. The

closure preferably includes a raised partial-dome portion and an outlet valve

positioned in a depression depending from the partial-domed portion. The outlet

valve includes two leaflets extending outwardly towards each other such that the

valve and depression walls have a cross-section with a W like configuration. The

closure may also have an inlet valve including opposed leaflets extending inwardly

toward the container. The inlet valve leaflets are moveable between a rest position

wherein the valve is substantially closed and a deflected position wherein the valve

is open. Preferably, the closure includes locking tabs to secure it to the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the closure of Figure 1 engaged with

the bead surround of a representative container opening.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the closure of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the closure of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the closure of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the closure of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a rear elevation view of the closure of Figure 1.

Figure 9 shows the cross-sectional view of Figure 3 with the valves in open

positions.

Figure 10 shows the cross-sectional view of Figure 3 with a straw inserted

in the inlet valve.

Figure 11 is an isometric view of the closure of Figure 1 with an alternative

inlet port.

Figure 12 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present

invention.

Figure 13 is an isometric view of another alternate embodiment of the

present invention.

Figure 14 is a front elevational view of the closure of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a bottom plan view of the closure of Figure 13.

Figure 16 is a schematic representation of the imaginary perimeter defined

by the contacting edges of the locking tabs.

Figure 17 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the locking tabs

engaging the container.

Figure 18 is an isometric view of another alternate embodiment of the

present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 1-10. The

closure 30 is preferably a one-piece thermal plastic structure made from a sheet of

polystyrene or other suitable formable material. The closure 30 includes a

peripheral grove 38 which is adapted to sealingly engaged and conform to the top

rim 16, and if present, the peripheral rim 20 of the container 10. A plane of closure

PC is defined at the elevation where the closure 30 mates with the container rim 16,

see Figure 2. The closure 30 is undercut or reduced slightly in diameter below the

peripheral grove 38 and then flares outwardly as the short skirt portion 40. A

flange 36 transitions between the peripheral grove 38 and the generally vertical

continuous side wall 32. The wall 32 preferably tapers from raised edge 33 to

lower edge 34. The top surface 42 is integral with edges 33 and 34 of the

continuous wall 32 and extends between them so as to join the raised and lower

edges 33 and 34 which are in a plane that intersects a plane defined by the rim 16.

Referring to Figure 2, a representative container is indicated by the

reference numeral 10. Typical containers 10 include a continuous side wall 14

terminating in a rim 16 which defines the container opening 18. Many containers

10 also include a peripheral rim 20 extending around the perimeter of the opening

18, but such is not always provided. The container opening 18 is generally circular,

but may have other configurations. In such a case, the closure may be provided

with a complementary configuration. The containers 10 are made of various

materials including sheet plastic or molded foamed plastic or paper or cardboard. Referring Figure 3, the top surface 42 preferably includes two partial-dome

surfaces 44 and 46. The arc along either of the partial-dome surfaces can be, but

does not have to be, constant. The two partial-dome surfaces 44 and 46 meet at a

ridge 45. The ridge 45 extends across a substantial portion of the closure 30 and

provides added rigidity. A side portion 48 is provided on each side of the closure

30 to integrate the side edges of the partial-dome surfaces 44 and 46 with the side

wall 32.

An outlet port 50 depends from the forward partial-dome surface 44.

Referring to Figures 3 and 9, the outlet port 50 includes a depression 53 including

side walls 52 depending from the top surface 42 and terminating in an outlet valve

54. The depression 53 preferably has an oval configuration. The valve 54 includes

opposed leaflets 56 and 58 extending substantially across the depression 53. Each

leaflet 56,58 is at an acute angle relative to its respective depending wall 52 and

thereby angles into the depression 53. The opposed depression walls 52 and the

two leaflets 56 and 58 have a cross-section having a substantially W configuration.

In the rest position shown in Figure 3, the opposed leaflets 56 and 58 abut,

thereby substantially closing the outlet port 50. When the container 10 is tilted in

a consumption manner, the force of the contents exerted on the leaflets 56 and 58

is sufficient enough to open the leaflets 56, 58 outward, as shown in Figure 9,

thereby allowing the contents to flow out through the outlet port 50. The user can

enhance flow by sucking on the port 50. Although the leaflets 56 and 58 are

flexible enough to yield to the content flow of the substantially tilted container, they are sufficiently rigid ro resist wake flow.

During content flow from the container 10, it is preferable to have an inlet

port to allow air to flow into the container to reduce the likelihood of an internal

vacuum. Referring again to Figures 3 and 9, the preferred inlet port 72 is shown.

The inlet port 72 is positioned in a depression 70 in the rear partial-dome surface

46. The inlet port 72 includes opposed leaflets 74 and 76 which extend inward

from the depression 70. In the rest position, the leaflets 74 and 76 abut and

substantially close the inlet valve 72. Since the leaflets 74 and 76 extend inward,

the force of the contents will cause the valve 72 to close, and thereby prevent

substantial spillage, even if the container 10 is completely inverted. Upon normal

consumption from the outlet port 50, the negative pressure within the container

causes the inlet valve 72 to open, as shown in Figure 9, to permit inflow of air.

The inlet valve 72 is preferably dimensioned to also permit a drinking straw

80 or the like to be inserted therethrough, as shown in Figure 10, while

maintaining the ability to reseal after removal of the straw. Prior art arrangements

including a straw port are generally susceptible to inadvertent spillage at such port,

either continuously, or at least, after penetration by a straw. This preferred

configuration provides the closure 30 more flexible use. If such flexibility is not

desired, a small aperture 85 which allows the ingress of air, but is small enough to

resist spillage under normal handling conditions, may be provided. Such an

arrangement is shown in Figure 11.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 12. The closure 100 has a general configuration similar to that of the first embodiment

including a forward partial-dome surface 142 and outlet port 150. However,

closure 100 does not include a rear partial-dome surface, but instead includes a flat

surface 144 with an inlet stack 170 and a more substantial side wall 160. An inlet

valve 172 is positioned in the stack 170 and operates substantially the same as the

inlet valve 72 in the first embodiment.

Referring to Figures 13-17, a third embodiment of the present invention is

shown. The closure 200 is substantially the same as the closure 30 of the first

embodiment and includes a peripheral grove 238 and a flared skirt 240. A

substantially vertical extended skirt 260 depends from the flared skirt 240. A

number of inwardly extending locking tabs 262 are formed in the flared and

extending skirts 240 and 260. The tabs 262 are preferably molded during molding

of the closure structure, but may also be formed through secondary operations, for

example, through a die cutting operation. Each tab 262 has a relaxed inwardly

extending position as can be seen in Figure 15. Referring to Figure 16, the

contacting edge 264 of each tab 262 preferably extends along an imaginary

perimeter P having the same configuration as the container opening 18, in this case

circular. This imaginary perimeter P is preferably dimensioned to be the same size

or smaller than the dimension of the container opening 18 such that the contacting

edges 264 engage the side wall 14 of the container 10 when the closure 200 is

placed thereon. This can be seen with reference to Figure 17. The tabs 262 have

sufficient flexibility to deflect outwardly to pass over the container rim 16, and peripheral rim 20 if such is present, as the closure 200 is engaged with the container

10. Once the closure 200 is engaged sufficiently with the container 10, each tab

262 returns to its relaxed state, thereby engaging the containers walls 14. The

closure 200 is shown with four tabs 262, but the number of tabs 262 can be varied

to provide the desired opposed locking forces.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 18. The

closure 300 is substantially the same as the closure 200 of the previous embodiment

with the exception of the removal of the extended skirt. Each tab 362 depends

from the flared skirt 340, but otherwise functions as described above.

Closures 200 and 300 are shown with an upper configuration substantially

the same as that of closure 30 of the first embodiment, but such is not required for

the proper functioning of the locking tabs 262,362.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A closure for a container having an opening, the closure comprising :

a cover portion configured and sized to mate with and substantially close

the container opening, the cover portion including a first partial-dome surface

having an edge at a raised elevation and generally sloping downwardly away from

the raised edge;

an outlet valve depending from the first partial-dome surface at an elevation

below the raised elevation.

2. The closure of claim 1 wherein the first partial-dome surface includes

a second edge extending along a ridge spaced from and at an elevation below the

raised edge.

3. The closure of claim 2 wherein the first partial-dome surface extends

along a constant arc between the first and second edges.

4. The closure of claim 2 wherein the first partial-dome surface extends

along a variable arc between the first and second edges.

5. The closure of claim 2 further comprising a second partial-dome

surface including a third edge extending along the ridge, the second partial-dome

surface sloping upward and away from the ridge and first partial-dome surface to a fourth edge at a raised elevation.

6. The closure of claim 5 wherein the first partial-dome raised edge

elevation is above the second partial-dome raised edge elevation.

7. The closure of claim 5 wherein the second partial-dome surface

extends along a constant arc between the third and fourth edges.

8. The closure of claim 5 wherein the second partial-dome surface

extends along a variable arc between the third and fourth edges.

9. The closure of claim 1 wherein the outlet valve is positioned within

an open tubular portion depending from the first partial-dome surface, the outlet

valve including two angled, opposed leaflets extending into the open tubular

portion such that the valve and tubular portion have a cross-section with a

substantially W configuration.

10. The closure of claim 1 wherein the leaflets have an original, rest

configuration wherein the opposed leaflets abut to substantially close the outlet

valve.

11. The closure of claim 1 wherein the cover portion includes an inlet

configured to permit an inward flow.

12. The closure of claim 11 wherein the inlet includes an aperture

extending through the cover portion.

13. The closure of claim 12 wherein the inlet further comprises opposed

leaflets moveable between an original configuration wherein the aperture is

substantially closed and a deformed configuration wherein the aperture is open to

inward flow.

14. The closure of claim 13 wherein the cover portion has an internal

surface and each leaflet is angled inward such that it is at angle relative to the

internal surface less than 180 degrees.

15. The closure of claim 13 wherein the deformed configuration is sized

sufficiently to permit passage of a drinking straw and the leaflets are sufficiently

flexible to permit such passage and substantially return to the original configuration

upon removal of an inserted straw.

16. A closure for a container that includes an opening, the closure

comprising: a cover portion configured and sized to substantially cover the container

opening;

an open tubular portion depending from the cover portion with an end

spaced from the cover portion; and

a valve integral with the end, the valve including two angled leaflets

extending into the open tubular portion such that the valve and tubular portion have

a cross-section with a substantially W configuration.

17. The closure of claim 16 wherein the leaflets have an original rest

configuration wherein the opposed leaflets abut to substantially close the valve.

18. A closure for a container that includes an opening, the closure

comprising:

a cover portion configured and sized to substantially cover the container

opening;

an outlet port positioned in the cover and adapted to permit a desired

outward flow; and

an inlet valve positioned in the cover and including opposed leaflets

extending inward toward the container and moveable between an original

configuration wherein the valve is substantially closed and a deformed

configuration wherein the valve is open to inward passage.

19. The closure of claim 18 wherein the cover portion has an internal

internal surface less than 180 degrees.

20. The closure of claim 18 wherein the leaflets are sufficiently

deformable to permit passage of a drinking straw and substantially return to the

original configuration upon removal of an inserted straw.

21. A closure for a container that includes an opening having a given

configuration with a perimeter of a given length, the closure comprising:

a cover portion configured and sized to substantially cover the container

opening; and

at least two generally opposed tabs extending from the cover portion, each

tab having a contact edge having a rest location at a position along an imaginary

perimeter having a configuration substantially the same as the container opening

configuration and a length substantially equal to or less than the opening perimeter

length.

22. The closure of claim 21 wherein the cover portion includes a skirt and

the tabs are formed from the skirt.

23. The closure of claim 22 wherein the tabs are integrally molded within

the skirt.

24. The closure of claim 22 wherein the tabs are cut from the skirt.

25. The closure of claim 21 comprising at least four tabs.

26. A closure for a container having an opening of a given configuration,

the closure comprising:

a cover portion configured and sized to mate with and close the container

opening and thereby define a plane of closure, the cover portion having a first edge

at a given elevation above the plane of closure, a second edge positioned below the

first edge and a generally downwardly sloping partial-dome portion extending from

the first edge toward the plane of closure, the partial-dome portion including an

outlet valve depending therefrom.