Plug closure

Abstract

A closure (10) particularly useful in e-commerce. The closure includes a cap (16) and a cap base (12) releasably securable to a container, the cap base including an opening (24). The cap has a depending plug extending therefrom that is received within the opening of the cap base when the cap is in a closed position. The opening is formed within a cylindrical opening wall (88). One or more barbed tabs (82) extend outwardly from the plug at an end thereof distal from the cap when the cap is in its open position. When the cap is moved to its closed position, the plug is seated within the cylindrical opening wall, the barbs are urged upward against the wall of the plug, and are received within recesses of the cylindrical opening wall. Within the recesses, the barbed tabs abut an upper wall of the recesses, such that additional force is required to open the cap, for example during shipping. When a consumer wishes to open the cap, he or she applies the required additional force to urge the cap open, which causes the barbed tabs to assume their original position extending outwardly from the cylindrical plug.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Product leakage during the shipping of consumer goods can be a costly problem. This issue is particularly pronounced in the e-commerce sector, where individual bottles may be shipped directly to consumers. Ensuring that large quantities of bottles are shipped intact from the manufacturer to distributors and / or retailers is slightly easier than ensuring that individual bottles do not leak during transport to consumers. Similarly, shipping containers after consumers have opened them is also a problem, potentially leading to leakage.

[0002] One type of closure device used in consumer products (such as shampoos, shower gels, and skin creams) is a flip-top closure device, which typically comprises two parts: a portion directly attached to the base of the container, and a cap that is hinged to the base and rotates between an open and closed position. While it is important that consumers can remove the cap from the base without using much force, it is equally important that the cap not be opened by the forces typically encountered during transport.

[0003] The literature describes various types of enclosed devices.

[0004] Delli Venneri's US2007 / 075030 discloses a closure device having a hinged cover connected to a base. The closure device includes a latching mechanism comprising a pin with bead-like features that engage in a barbed manner behind the edge of the dispensing opening.

[0005] Suffa's US2006 / 231518 relates to a closure cover having a lower and upper portion connected by a hinge. A stop is located on the lower side of the closure cover. The stop may include an annular collar interacting with a corresponding annular groove in the connector. Alternatively, it may include a longitudinal rib that contacts the top side of a retaining member in the closed position of the closure cover and acts as a retaining device.

[0006] Kunz's patent WO03 / 086891 discloses a quick-acting hinged sealing device. The sealing cylinder includes sealing beads 43. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention relates to a sealing device, particularly suitable for e-commerce, and specifically to a sealing device that integrates with bottles or other containers. In fact, the base of the sealing device can be integrated with the container.

[0008] The closure device includes a cap base releasably fastened to a container, the cap base including an opening. The cap is movably attached to the cap base and, when in the closed position, the cap is adapted to prevent liquid from flowing out of the container through the opening in the cap base. A portion of the cap base forms a barrier that, together with the cap, is adapted to prevent liquid from flowing out of the container.

[0009] The cap has a pendant extending therefrom, which is received within an opening in the base of the cap when the cap is in the closed position. The opening is formed within a cylindrical opening wall. When the cap is in its open position, one or more barbed tabs extend outward from the pendant at their ends remote from the cap. When the cap moves to its closed position, with the pendant within the cylindrical opening wall, the barbs are pushed upward against the wall of the plug and received within a recess in the cylindrical opening wall. The barbed tabs abut against the upper wall of the recess, thus requiring additional force to open the cap, for example, during transport.

[0010] When a consumer wishes to open the cap, he or she applies the necessary additional force to force the cap open, which causes the barbed plate to move away from its position adjacent to the upper inlet wall and eventually reveal its initial position extending outward from the cylindrical plug.

[0011] When the lid is closed, it is further secured by a locking tab located on the lid, which engages and is received in a recess on the base of the lid.

[0012] The cap is preferably attached to the base of the cap using a movable hinge. Similarly, the barbed plate is preferably attached to the cylindrical wall of the plug using a movable hinge.

[0013] To gain a more complete understanding of the above and other features and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a bottle having the sealing device of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the closure device of the present invention removed from a container, with the lid in the open position.

[0016] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The image shows an enlarged perspective view of the suspension plug of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 It is the cross-section of the enclosed device.

[0018] Figure 5 It is based on Figure 4 A cross-section of the image, in which adjacent structures in the base of the suspension plug and the closure device are magnified.

[0019] Figure 6This is a perspective view of the suspension plug in the closed position, with several sections of the base of the closure device cut off.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the sealing device of the present invention, wherein the cover is partially opened. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The closure device 10 includes a cover base 12 and a cover 16. The cover base 12 includes a top surface 14 and a cylindrical skirt 13 hanging from the top surface. The skirt 13 includes a semi-circular recess 40, which is shaped to receive a locking flange located on the cover, as will be explained below. Below the recess 40 is a finger-access recess 42, which allows the consumer to easily open the cover 16.

[0022] The lid 16 is movable and pivotally attached to the lid base 12 via a movable hinge 18. When the lid 16 is in the open position, an opening 24 is exposed in the top wall 60 of the lid base 12. It is evident that the top wall 60 will form a barrier to prevent liquid from leaking from the package, which is already securely sealed with the closure device 12. The lid 16 includes a platform 22. The platform 22 includes a suspended cylindrical plug 26. A cylindrical sidewall 28 of the lid hangs from the platform 22.

[0023] The plug 26 includes a cylindrical wall 80 hanging from the underside of the cover 16. Two barbed tabs 82 are located on the end of the wall 80 opposite the end attached to the cover 16. Although the invention is shown herein with two barbed tabs, those skilled in the art will readily determine whether other numbers, such as one, three, four, etc., are preferred in particular applications. The barbed tabs 82 are connected to the cylindrical wall 80 by a thin plastic hinge 84, which allows movement of the tabs relative to the cylindrical wall 80. Preferably, when the cover is in the open position, the barbed tabs 82 are angled relative to the cylindrical wall, for example, for… Figure 3 The plate-like object shown on the right-hand side forms an angle of approximately 45-90 degrees, especially 65-80 degrees, relative to the longitudinal axis of the plug.

[0024] The cylindrical wall 80 includes a longitudinal slit 86 that allows the diameter of the wall to be reduced as needed to fit tightly within the opening 24 and the wall 88. The cylindrical plug 26 is surrounded by a sealing ring 100.

[0025] At the opposite end to the end attached to the movable hinge 18, the cover sidewall 28 includes a recessed locking flange 38. When the cover 16 is closed, the locking flange 38 engages and is received within the recess 40 to help lock the cover 16 closed.

[0026] The opening 24 in the base 14 is defined by a cylindrical wall 88. The cylindrical wall 88 includes a recess 90 at its end away from the opening.

[0027] For example, in Figure 2 The lid can be seen in the open position, and Figure 3 The cylindrical plug 26 is shown in its open configuration. When the consumer wishes to close the packaging, he / she turns the lid via hinge 18 to close it. As the cylindrical wall 80 approaches the opening 24, the barbed tab 82 contacts the cylindrical wall 88 and bends towards the wall 80. When the lid 16 is fully closed, the barbed tab 82 is received within the recess 90, preferably at an angle of 100-180 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the plug (e.g., ...). Figure 5 (as shown), especially 110-175 degrees, most preferably 120-170 degrees, accommodated within the recess 90.

[0028] During the transportation of the packaging, or when the packaged goods are transported by the consumer, such as during travel, the presence of the sheet 82 located within the recess 90 and adjacent to the upper wall 94 of the recess 90 increases the amount of force required to open the lid 16, thereby minimizing the possibility of accidental opening.

[0029] The consumer will receive package 11 including closure 10 and bottle 74. To open the package, the consumer inserts his or her fingers into recess 42 and lifts upward to pull flange 38 out of recess 40 and open cap 16. The consumer applies the required additional force to overcome the resistance caused by sheet 82 against upper wall 94, causing sheet 82 to rotate downward away from cap platform 22, allowing cylindrical wall 80 to move upward through opening 24 as cap 16 is opened. When cap 16 has been opened and plug 26 removed from opening 24, sheet 82 will return to its original position due to the elasticity of hinge line 84. Figure 3 The angle shown.

[0030] Typically, the sealing device 10 of the present invention will be fastened to the bottle 74 or other container, which is from Figure 1 This is clearly visible in the image. Fasteners (not shown) are typically located on the underside of the enclosure and may include screws or snap-fit ​​mechanisms, such as recesses, protrusions, etc. Mating screws or other fastening structures may be provided on the bottleneck.

[0031] During transport, when the closure device is secured to the bottle, the cap 16 and locking flange 38 are in their closed, locked positions, such as... Figure 1 As shown. In its closed position, the locking flange 38 is received within the recess 40, and the cylindrical plug 26 is received securely and releasably in the opening 24. The diameter of the plug 26 may be slightly larger than the diameter of the opening 24 to provide a snap-fit ​​engagement. The plug 26, together with the cap base 12, prevents liquid from leaking from the bottle 74 or other container.

[0032] Shipping via e-commerce typically requires transporting products in individual packages, which may be less secure than the pallets manufacturers often use when shipping large quantities of products. The sealing device of this invention provides additional protection against accidental opening of the lid due to the additional stress on the packaging during e-commerce transport.

[0033] Adapters and movable hinges are typically made of polypropylene or polyethylene. Post-consumer polypropylene may also be included. Adapters and / or movable hinges may also be made of the hinge material described in U.S. Patent No. 9,637,626 to Domoy et al., i.e., a molded article having a hinge, the molded article being a polymer comprising a mixture of a first high-density polyethylene resin (HDPE) and a second high-density polyethylene resin different from the first HDPE.

[0034] In the mixing process: the first high-density polyethylene resin (HDPE) has the following properties:

[0035] a. Melt index (I) of approximately 0.5 dg / min to 10 dg / min 2,16 ),

[0036] b. Approximately 0.940 g / cm³ 3 Up to 0.968 g / cm 3 The density, and

[0037] c. Melt flow ratio greater than approximately 25 (I 21.6 :I 2.16 );

[0038] and,

[0039] The melt flow ratio of the second high-density polyethylene resin (I) 21.6 :I 2.16 Less than about 30. The contents disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,637,626 to Domoy et al. are incorporated herein by reference. Enclosures are typically manufactured using injection molding.

[0040] Of course, it should be understood that the specific forms of the invention shown and described herein are merely representative, as certain changes may be made thereto without departing from the clear guidance of this disclosure. Therefore, the full scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sealing device (10), the sealing device comprising: (a) Cover (16), and (b) A closure base (12) having an opening (24), (c) The cover has a drooping plug, characterized in that, when the cover is in the open position, the drooping plug has at least one sheet (82) extending radially outward from the drooping plug, the at least one sheet (82) being connected to a cylindrical wall (80) of the drooping plug by a thin plastic hinge (84) allowing the at least one sheet to move relative to the cylindrical wall (80), the cylindrical wall (80) including a longitudinal slit (86) allowing the diameter of the cylindrical wall to be reduced as needed to fit tightly in the opening (24), and the at least one sheet (82) being deformable such that, once the cover (16) is closed, the sheet folds upward, thereby providing obstruction of the opening (24) of the cover, increasing the magnitude of the force required to open the cover to minimize the possibility of unintentional opening.

2. The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein, The opening (24) is defined by a cylindrical wall (88).

3. The sealing device according to claim 2, wherein, The wall (88) includes a recess (40) that accommodates one or more of the sheet (82) when the cover (16) is closed.

4. The sealing device according to claim 3, wherein, The recess (40) includes a top wall, and one or more of the sheets abut the top wall when the cover is closed.

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