STORAGE DEVICE INCORPORATING A LIQUID-TIGHT SEALING SYSTEM

Abstract

A plastic storage device for liquids with a novel liquid-tight sealing system made possible by the joining of threads of a lid and a container, and also by juxtaposition of an annular channel against the upper sidewall of the container, so that an innermost side of the channel pushes outwardly against the sidewall, creating pressure to join two additional liquid-tight seals. The plastic is flexible enough to bend to create pressure points necessary for strong seals.

Description

1 / 6 STORAGE DEVICE INCORPORATING A LIQUID-TIGHT SEALING SYSTEM Declaration of Priority

[001] This application claims priority and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 452,324, filed March 15, 2023. Aspects of the Invention

[002] A container for liquids is described comprising a threaded container and a threaded lid and further comprising a system for sealing the threaded lid of the liquid container. The threaded lid and the threaded container are made of durable plastic, such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Brief Description of the Figures

[003] Figure 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the threaded container described herein, showing the threads of the container on the container itself.

[004] Figure 1B is a cross-section of an embodiment of the threaded container of Figure 1A.

[005] Figure 1C is an enlargement of an embodiment of the upper part of the side wall of the threaded container on the right side of Figure 1B.

[006] Figure 2A is a cross-section of a part of an embodiment of the threaded cap.

[007] Figure 2B is a perspective view of a realization of the interior of the screw cap.

[008] Figure 2C is a perspective view of the exterior of an embodiment of the screw cap.

[009] Figure 3 is a cross-section of a part of an embodiment of the threads of the fully screwed-on threaded container and threaded cap, showing three liquid-tight seals. Petition 870250082384, dated 12 / 09 / 2025, page 6 / 28 2 / 6 of them.

[0010] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the threaded container with the lid fully screwed on. Aspects of the Invention

[0011] The invention described herein is a storage device 22 incorporating a liquid-tight sealing system, consisting of a plastic container and a lid, ideal for storing liquids of all types.

[0012] In one embodiment, the storage device 22 incorporates a liquid-tight sealing system comprising a threaded container 1 comprising a bottom 4, a side wall 3 comprising a top 6, an inner surface 18, an outer surface 19 and container threads 2 on the outer surface near the top 6 of the side wall, and a threaded cap 7 comprising a short side wall 23 comprising cap threads 8 on an inner surface 24, and a cap 11 surrounded by and integrated into a top 25 of the short side wall 23, and an annular channel 17, near the short side wall 23 and integrated into an inner side 21 of the cap 11, the annular channel open towards the bottom of the threaded container and configured to receive the top of the side wall, and the annular channel defined by the innermost and outermost fitting sides, respectively 9a, 9b, on each side of a top 13 of the annular channel,and the innermost fitting side 9a configured to push outwards against the inner surface 18 on the top of the side wall, so that a first liquid-tight seal 16 is configured to be joined between the threads 2 of the container and the threads 8 of the lid when the threaded container and the threaded lid are screwed on, and the second and third liquid-tight seals, respectively 14, 15, are configured to be joined when the innermost fitting side, Petition 870250082384, dated 12 / 09 / 2025, page 7 / 28 3 / 6 inner 9a of the annular channel 17 pushes outward against the upper part 6 of the side wall, the second liquid-tight seal 14 being configured to be joined between the innermost fitting side 9a and the inner surface 18 of the side wall, and the third liquid-tight seal 15 being configured to be joined between the outermost fitting side 9b and the outer surface 19 of the side wall. In another embodiment of the storage device 22, on both the inner and outer surfaces, i.e., on opposite sides of the upper part of the side wall, there are two protrusions 6a that project outward from the inner and outer surfaces of the side wall.

[0013] In one embodiment, the storage device is used as a sample bottle for ink. Sample bottles of the prior art have a screw thread, but also contain a layer of compressible polymer added to the underside of the cap to provide a superior seal to that provided by the threads alone. However, these prior art devices are inadequate because the polymer layer contained in them ends up being compressed too many times, and this compression causes the polymer to lose its elasticity and cease to function as a tight seal.

[0014] The present invention eliminates the polymer layer and is based on an innovative architecture to create three liquid-tight seals.

[0015] Figure 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the threaded container 1 of the invention, showing the threads 2 of the container, the side wall 3 and an opening 5 in the upper part 6 of the side wall. The inner surface 18 and the outer surface 19 of the side wall 3 are also shown.

[0016] Figure 1B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the threaded container 1, showing the threads 2 of the container, the wall Petition 870250082384, dated 12 / 09 / 2025, page 8 / 28 4 / 6 side 3, the inner surface of the side wall 18, a bottom 4 and the opening 5 in the upper part 6 of the side wall 3.

[0017] In the embodiment of Figure 1C, two protrusions 6a on opposite sides of the upper part 6 of the side wall 3 of the threaded container 1. The protrusions, which may have several different shapes, in one embodiment, extend outward from the inner and outer surfaces 18, 19 of the side wall at the upper part 6 of the side wall. In this embodiment, the threads of container 2 are located just below the threads of container 2. In other embodiments, not shown, the protrusions 6a have different shapes or are not required, or may be located below the upper part 6 of the side wall. An important aspect of the upper part of the side wall is that it fits perfectly into the ring channel 17, as discussed herein. In some embodiments, the protrusions 6a shown herein help to ensure a perfect fit.Furthermore, the perfect fit is made possible by the innermost fitting side 9a, whose size is almost equal to the dimension of the inner surface of the side wall, so that the innermost fitting side pushes outwards against the side wall while seated in the annular channel.

[0018] In Figure 2A, the annular channel 17 is near the top 25 of the inner surface 24 of the short side wall 23 of the threaded cap. Two interlocking sides, respectively the innermost and outermost 9a, 9b, and a channel top 13 define an annular channel 17 of the threaded cap 7, in which the top of the side wall of the threaded container rests when the threads of the container 2 and the threads of the cap 8 are fully tightened. In this embodiment, these two interlocking sides 9a, 9b engage with the protrusions 6a on each side of the top of the side wall of the container and create two seals 14, 15, as shown in each of the two circles. The innermost interlocking surface 9a, in the embodiment of Figures 2a Petition 870250082384, dated 12 / 09 / 2025, page 9 / 28 5 / 6 and 3, has an extension 10. Also shown are a cap 11 and an annular protrusion 12 of the threaded cap. The cap has an inner side 21.

[0019] Figures 2B and 2C are perspective views from inside and outside the screw cap 7, respectively.

[0020] As the threads of the container and lid are screwed on, the top of the threaded container side wall contacts the threaded lid, and the threaded lid pushes the top of the container side wall outward, creating pressure for the airtight seal between buttons 6a and the interlocking sides 9a, 9b. Figure 3 shows the engagement of the corresponding buttons 6a in Figure 1C with the two interlocking sides 9a, 9b of the annular channel 17 in Figure 2A. Two circles define airtight seals 14, 15, each of these two seals formed by an interlocking side in firm contact with a protrusion as shown in Figure 3. The outermost interlocking side 9b moves outward when the seals 14, 15 are in action, pushed by the innermost interlocking side 9a as it pushes the top of the side wall 6 outward.When the outermost fitting side 9b is pressed by the rightmost protrusion 6a, the outermost fitting side 9b also moves outward and allows the upper part 6 of the side wall to move outward. Figure 3 shows a first tight seal 16 (also within a circle) formed by the firm contact between the threads of the container 2 and the threads of the lid 8.

[0021] The plastic from which the screw-top container and screw-top lid are made has strength, but also enough flexibility to allow the smaller components of the sealing system to bend and move relative to each other, thus creating tight contacts between them. This flexibility creates a better seal than excessive rigidity. The plastic is flexible. Petition 870250082384, dated 12 / 09 / 2025, page 10 / 28 6 / 6 is sufficient to bend and create the pressure points necessary for strong seals, i.e., the second and third liquid-proof seals.

[0022] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the storage device 22 comprising the threaded container 1 fitted into the threaded cap 7, with the sealing system not visible. Petition 870250082384, dated 12 / 09 / 2025, page 11 / 28

Claims

1 / 2 CLAIMS 1. Storage device incorporating a liquid-tight sealing system, characterized in that it comprises: a. A threaded container comprising a bottom, a side wall comprising a top, an inner surface, an outer surface and container threads on the outer surface near the top of the side wall, and b. A threaded cap comprising a short side wall with cap threads on the inner surface of the short side wall, and a cover surrounded by the top of the short side wall and integrated into it, and an annular channel near the short side wall and integrated into the inner side of the cover, the annular channel open towards the bottom of the threaded container and configured to receive the top of the side wall, and the annular channel defined by the innermost and outermost fitting sides on each side of the top of the annular channel,and the innermost fitting side configured to push outward against the inner surface on the top of the side wall, so that a first liquid-tight seal is configured to be joined between the threads of the container and the threads of the lid when the threaded container and the threaded lid are screwed together, and the second and third liquid-tight seals are configured to be joined when the innermost fitting side of the annular channel pushes outward against the top of the side wall, the second liquid-tight seal being configured to be joined between the innermost fitting side and the inner surface of the side wall, and the third liquid-tight seal is configured to be joined between the outermost fitting side and the outer surface of the side wall.

2. Device, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each of the internal and external surfaces comprises a projection. Petition 870250082384, dated 12 / 09 / 2025, page 12 / 28 2 / 2

Images