Closure for a container

Abstract

A closure assembly for use on a container neck finish has an inner cap which threadedly engages the neck finish and an outer cap which is received by the inner cap. Torque lugs on the outer cap cooperate with abutment formations on the inner cap such that rotation of the outer cap drives the inner cap onto the neck finish. Cooperative engagement between the two caps is achieved by downward axial movement of the outer cap. An arrangement of ramp sections on the inner cap and an arrangement of interior lugs on the outer cap provide an assist feature helping to pull the outer cap in the axially downward direction. Another feature of the closure assembly includes a spring-biasing relationship between the inner and outer caps. The inner cap also includes an abutment structure which cooperates with the container to limit drop test deformation of the container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation of PCT Application No. PCT / US2014 / 063816, filed Nov. 4, 2014 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 905,488 filed Nov. 18, 2013, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]One construction for a child-resistant (CR) closure is to use a combination of an inner cap and a cooperating outer cap. When the neck finish of the corresponding container is externally threaded, the inner cap is typically constructed and arranged with internal threads which allow the inner cap to be securely assembled, by threading, onto the neck finish. Although other connection constructions between the inner cap and the container neck finish might be contemplated, the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein shows a threaded connection.[0003]In order to incorporate a child-resistant feature or capability to this inner and outer cap construction, an engagement between these t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Whether using the outer cap to advance the inner cap into threaded engagement of the neck finish or for retrograde movement to remove the inner cap from the neck finish, downward axial movement of the outer cap is required. The outer cap includes a type of spring biasing structure whereby the resistive force acting against downward travel of the outer cap increases as the outer cap gets closer to the inner cap in terms of downward axial movement. While this spring biasing force is only light to moderate, it does provide a relationship between the inner cap and outer cap which facilitates the use contemplated for this two-cap combination.

[0012]The CR feature disclosed herein pertains to the efforts to control removal of the inner cap from the neck finish. When advancing the inner cap onto the neck finish, during either original capping or when closing the container after use, there is no need for any CR capability. Accordingly, the downward axial travel of the outer cap when applying the inner cap to the neck finish can be less and thus less resistive force compared to removal of the inner cap from the neck finish. Increasing the required degree or extent of downward axial travel for the CR capability is desirable because the increase in movement and the moderate or slight increase in resistive force makes the opening of the container more challenging for a child than simply closing the container.

Problems solved by technology

The manner or method of engagement in order to be able to remove the inner cap from the container involves a particular movement and manipulation of the two caps which is considered difficult for a child to perform.

It is unlikely that a child will be able to perform the required manipulation in order to open the container.

However, when a liquid product is in the container, it is important that the closed condition between the inner cap and the container not be defeated by a child while playing with or manipulating the inner and outer caps.

When automated equipment is used for the capping operation, the sensory and tactile feedback to a human cannot be duplicated.

While machine torque settings can be used to presumably resolve any over-tightening issues, the safe gripping of the outer cap may be more challenging.

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