Closure, container and assembly thereof

Abstract

A closure (40) for limiting access to a substance that can be stored within a container (44) having at least one laterally extending flange (76) located laterally outward of an opening (46) of the container (44) is provided. The closure (40) has a body (54) with a platform (58) including at least one aperture (60). The body (54) has an inner wall (62) depending from the platform (58), the inner wall having means for attaching the closure (40) to the container (44), and the body (54) comprises at least one torque rib (74) extending from the inner wall for facing at least one laterally extending flange (76) of the container (44) to inhibit relative rotation between the body (54) and the container (44). The at least one torque rib (74) is non-planar.

Description

[0001] priority

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 353,554, filed on June 18, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to closures for use with containers having substances and assemblies of the closures and containers.

[0004] Background technology and technical problems existing in the prior art

[0005] Closures are used to selectively prevent or allow communication between the interior and exterior of a container (e.g., a flexible bag, a rigid bottle, a machine, a dispensing device, a containment system, etc.) through an opening in the container. A variety of fluid and non-fluid substances (including lotions, creams, foods, granules, liquids, powders, small products, etc.) can be packaged in the container. A typical closure includes (1) a body (e.g., a threaded or snap-fit ​​base, a bag fitting, a structure, etc.) located at the opening to the interior of the container and (2) a closing element (e.g., a cap, a cover, a cap, etc.).

[0006] The closure body can generally be (1) a separate structure that (a) can be attached at such a container opening and (b) defines at least one access channel through the body for communicating with the interior of such a container through such a container opening; or (2) a unitary structure that is an integral part of such a container and defines at least one access channel through the unitary structure so that the access channel itself serves as an opening to the container.

[0007] The closure element is generally adapted to move relative to the body access passage between (1) a closed position or condition that blocks the access passage and (2) an open position or condition that at least partially exposes the access passage. Some closures may include additional elements (e.g., tamper-evident features, silicone valves, locking elements, seals, etc.).

[0008] The closure specially designed for distributing fluid substances can be described as the distribution closure. Various fluid materials or substances (comprising oil, lotion, cream, gel, liquid, food, granules, powders etc.) can be encapsulated in rigid, flexible or foldable containers with the distribution closure that can be opened and closed. Flexible container can be pressurized by the user to force the fluid substance to flow out from the container and pass the closure body, thereby the fluid substance is distributed to the target area or on the target surface area. The container having the closure installed thereon and wherein storing the contents can be characterized as "packaging".

[0009] With some such dispensing closures, an annular foil membrane or "liner" may be disposed across the lower portion of the closure and the container open end and welded to seal the closure and container together, thereby preventing them from being disassembled or adulterated with the fluid product stored in the container. Such liners typically include a composite structure of one or more thermoplastic coatings on both surfaces of an aluminum substrate that may be subjected to an induction heating process to melt the one or more thermoplastic coatings, thereby establishing a bond between the container and the assembly of the closure. Such sealed closure and container assemblies may typically be used in retail or fast food type environments. Although liners or seals may adequately protect the assembly from tampering, the inventors of the present invention have found that some liners with metal components (e.g., aluminum) used in dispensing closures and container assemblies may prove difficult to recycle in some recycling streams.

[0010] The inventors of the present invention have determined that it would be advantageous to provide an improved closure and closure-to-container assembly having adequate sealing or attachment characteristics without any metal lining. Specifically, the inventors have discovered that such an innovative closure and closure assembly design provides advantages heretofore not contemplated in the packaging industry or suggested by the prior art.

[0011] The inventors of the present invention have determined that, at least for some applications, it would be desirable to provide an improved closure and assembly thereof to a container having an improved holding torque over the prior art.

[0012] The inventors of the present invention have also discovered that, at least for some applications, it is desirable to provide an improved closure and assembly thereof with a container that can be manufactured and / or assembled at a relatively low cost, can be adapted for manufacture by efficient, high-speed, high-volume techniques, and can facilitate minimization of secondary assembly operations and plastic component weight.

[0013] The inventors of the present invention have also determined that, at least for some applications, it is desirable to provide a closure made from the same polymer as the container to which it is mounted to achieve single-material packaging recyclability.

[0014] The inventors of the present invention have discovered how to provide such an improved closure and container which includes novel advantageous features not heretofore taught or contemplated by the prior art and which can accommodate designs having one or more of the above-mentioned benefits or features. Summary of the invention

[0015] According to a broad aspect of one form of the invention, there is provided a closure for limiting access to a material that can be stored in a container, the type of container having an opening and at least one laterally extending flange located laterally outward of the opening. The closure includes a body for positioning at the opening of the container. The body has a platform that defines an inner side and an outer side and a central axis extending between the inner side and the outer side. The platform includes at least one orifice communicating between the inner side and the outer side. The body also includes an inner wall depending from the platform, the inner wall having means for attaching the closure to the container, and the body having at least one torque rib extending from the inner wall, the at least one torque rib being used to face at least one laterally extending flange of the container to inhibit relative rotation between the body and the container. The at least one torque rib is non-planar.

[0016] In one form of the invention, the body further comprises a skirt depending from the platform and surrounding the inner wall.At least one torque rib extends from at least one of the inner wall and / or the skirt.

[0017] In another form of the invention, the closure further includes at least one reinforcing rib extending between the inner wall and the skirt, wherein the at least one torque rib extends transversely from the at least one reinforcing rib.

[0018] In yet another form of the invention, at least one torque rib extends axially inwardly of at least one reinforcement rib.

[0019] According to another form of the invention, at least one reinforcing rib is planar and extends radially relative to the central axis of the closure body.

[0020] According to one preferred form of the invention, the closure body includes a plurality of torque ribs wherein, in an assembled configuration with a container, the body is configured to resist rotation relative to the container when subjected to a torque of less than about 40 inch-pounds (4.5 Nm).

[0021] According to an even more preferred form of the invention, the closure body includes a plurality of torque ribs wherein, in an assembled configuration with a container, the body is configured to resist rotation relative to the container when subjected to a torque of less than about 60 inch-pounds (6.8 Nm).

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, at least one torque rib defines a laterally outward side facing away from the central axis and a laterally inward side facing the central axis, and the laterally outward side includes a first triangular protrusion.

[0023] According to another form of the invention, at least one torque rib defines a lateral outward side facing away from the central axis and a lateral inward side facing the central axis, and the lateral inward side includes a second triangular protrusion. Preferably, the second triangular protrusion is oppositely oriented on the torque rib relative to the first triangular protrusion.

[0024] In one form of the invention, the first triangular protrusion has a first distal end defining a first interior angle, the second triangular protrusion has a second distal end defining a second interior angle, and the second interior angle is greater than the first interior angle.

[0025] In yet another preferred form of the invention, the attachment means on the inner wall comprises at least one thread for cooperating with at least one thread on the container.

[0026] In another form of the invention, the closure comprises a cover connected to the body, the cover being movable between i) a closed position blocking at least one orifice and ii) an open position exposing at least one orifice to allow communication of a substance through the body.

[0027] According to yet another form of the invention, a closure is provided in combination with a container for a fluid substance, the container having an opening and at least one laterally extending flange laterally outwardly of the opening.

[0028] In another form of the invention, at least one laterally extending flange of the container is fin-shaped and defines a flat end surface for facing at least one torque rib of the closure body. Preferably, at least one laterally extending flange also defines an axially extending chamfer proximate to the flat end surface.

[0029] In a preferred form of the invention, the closure and container assembly includes a plurality of torque ribs and a plurality of laterally extending flanges, wherein in an assembled state of the closure and container, the body is configured to resist rotation relative to the container when subjected to a torque of up to about 40 inch-pounds (4.5 Nm).

[0030] In a more preferred form of the invention, the closure and container assembly includes a plurality of torque ribs and a plurality of laterally extending flanges, wherein in an assembled state of the closure and container, the body is configured to resist rotation relative to the container when subjected to a torque of up to about 60 inch-pounds (6.8 Nm).

[0031] In another preferred form of the invention, the closure includes a plurality of torque ribs, wherein the body is configured to move from an unassembled configuration with the container to an assembled configuration with the container when subjected to a torque of no more than about 20 inch-pounds (2.25 Nm). More preferably, the body is configured to move from an unassembled configuration with the container to an assembled configuration with the container when subjected to a torque of no more than about 16 inch-pounds (1.8 Nm).

[0032] According to a broad form of the invention, a closure is provided in combination with a container of a fluid substance, wherein the closure, container and fluid substance together define a package.

[0033] It should be understood that the present invention may include any or all of the above features, including only one of the above features, more than one of the above features, and any combination of the above features. In addition, other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reviewing the entire specification including the attached claims and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 is an exploded isometric view from above of a partial upper portion of a closure and a container according to the invention, and Figure 1 The closure is shown in a closed position with the cover blocking the orifice;

[0035] Figure 2 is from Figure 1 an isometric view from above of a partial portion of an assembly of a closure and a container, and Figure 2 The closure and container are shown in an assembled configuration;

[0036] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 a top plan view of an assembly of a closure and a container;

[0037] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A front elevation view of an assembly of a closure and a container;

[0038] Figure 5 is along Figure 3 The plane 5-5 in the Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of an assembly of a closure and a container;

[0039] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A bottom plan view of the closure only;

[0040] Figure 7 is from Figure 6 An isometric view of a closure member viewed from below;

[0041] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A multi-fold magnified detailed view of the circled portion of the closure;

[0042] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 a left side elevation view of only a partial portion of the container, and Fig. 9 Rotated 90 degrees clockwise relative to the left front view;

[0043] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 A top plan view of a container;

[0044] Fig.11 yes Fig. 9 A front elevation view of a container;

[0045] Fig.12 yes Fig.10 A multi-magnified detailed view of the circled portion of the container;

[0046] Fig.13 yes Fig.11 A multi-magnified detailed view of the circled portion of the container;

[0047] Fig.14 yes Figure 2 A reduced size front elevation view of the assembly of the closure and container;

[0048] Fig.15 is along Fig.14 The plane 15-15 in the Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of an assembly of a closure and a container;

[0049] Fig.16 yes Fig.15 a multi-fold detailed view of the circled portion of the assembly of the closure and container in FIG.

[0050] Fig.17 is from Fig.15 an isometric view of the closure and container assembly as viewed from below in cross section;

[0051] Fig.18 yes Figure 2 Another reduced size front elevational view of the assembly of the closure and container;

[0052] Fig.19 is along Fig.18 The plane 19-19 in the Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of an assembly of a closure and a container;

[0053] Fig. 20 yes Fig.19 A detailed cross-sectional isometric view of the circled portion of the closure and container assembly in FIG. 1 at multiple magnifications;

[0054] Fig.21 yes Figure 2 Another reduced size front elevational view of the assembly of the closure and container;

[0055] Fig. 22 is along Fig.21 The plane 22-22 in the Figure 2 a cross-sectional isometric view of an assembly of a closure and a container;

[0056] Fig.23 yes Fig. 22 A detailed cross-sectional isometric view of the circled portion of the closure and container assembly in FIG. 1 at multiple magnifications;

[0057] Fig.24 yes Fig. 22 a top plan view of the closure and container assembly in cross-section;

[0058] Fig.25 is along Fig.24 The plane 25-25 in the Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of an assembly of a closure and a container;

[0059] Fig.26 yes Fig.25 a multi-fold detailed view of the circled portion of the assembly of the closure and container in FIG.

[0060] Fig. 27 is from Fig.25 an isometric view of the closure and container assembly in cross-section viewed from above;

[0061] Fig.28 yes Fig.19 a top plan view of the closure and container assembly in cross-section;

[0062] Fig.29 is along Fig.28 The plane 29-29 in the Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of an assembly of a closure and a container;

[0063] Fig.30 yes Fig.29 a multi-fold detailed view of the circled portion of the assembly of the closure and container in FIG.

[0064] Fig.31 yes Figure 2 a simplified isometric view of the assembly of the closure and container of Fig.31 The skirt and cover portions of the closure are shown omitted;

[0065] Fig.32is a partial top plan view of a portion of a second embodiment of a container according to the present invention;

[0066] Fig.33 yes Fig.32 A front elevation view of a container;

[0067] Fig.34 yes Fig.33 A multi-magnified detailed view of the circled portion of the container;

[0068] Fig.35 is with Fig.32 The containers are assembled together Figure 1 A simplified isometric view of the closure of Fig.35 The skirt and cover portions of the closure are shown omitted;

[0069] Fig.36 Taken along a vertical plane extending through the torque rib of the closure and the container flange Fig.35 a cross-sectional view of an assembly of a closure and a container; and

[0070] Fig.37 yes Fig.36 A multi-fold detailed view of the circled portion of the assembly of the closure and container in FIG.

[0071] DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0072] While the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and drawings disclose only specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to only the described embodiments, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

[0073] For ease of description, many of the drawings illustrating the present invention show an embodiment of a dispensing closure (or simply referred to herein as a "closure") 40 in a typical orientation that the closure 40 would have when positioned at the opening of a container 44 such as an upright bottle, and terms such as "inwardly," "outwardly," "upwardly," "downwardly," "axially," "radially," "laterally," etc., are used with reference to this orientation. Figure 1 As illustrated, the term "axially inward" is to be understood as the direction along the central axis 45 (at the top of the container 44) of the closure 40 when the closure 40 is installed on the open top of the container 44. Figure 1 and Figure 5The term "axially outward" should be understood as the opposite direction along the central axis 45 away from the interior of the container 44. The term "radially inward" should be understood as the radial direction toward the central axis 45. The term "radially outward" should be understood as the radial direction away from the central axis 45. The term "laterally inward" should be understood as the direction toward the central axis 45 in a plane perpendicular to or orthogonal to the central axis 45. The term "laterally outward" should be understood as the direction away from the central axis 45 in a plane perpendicular to or orthogonal to the central axis 45. However, it should be understood that the closures and containers of the present invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in orientations other than the specific orientations described and exemplified herein.

[0074] The closure of the present invention is particularly suitable for use with a variety of conventional or special containers, and although the details of these containers are not fully illustrated or described, these details will be obvious to those skilled in the art and those who understand such containers. The specific containers illustrated are not intended to limit the broadest form of the present invention. It should also be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that novel and non-obvious inventive aspects are only embodied in the closure described.

[0075] Closures as described herein are particularly useful for dispensing fluid materials that are non-Newtonian shear-thinning materials, such as ketchup or mayonnaise. Such fluid materials dispensed may be, for example, food additives, personal care products, industrial products, household products, or other types of products. Such materials may be taken orally or externally by humans or animals, or may be used for other purposes (e.g., activities involving medicine, commercial or household maintenance, agriculture, manufacturing, etc.).

[0076] The illustrated preferred embodiment of the closure 40 of the present invention has the form of a self-contained article or component that is configured to (i) be selectively placed at the opening of a container 44 (such as at Figure 1 The closure 40 is actuated to dispense a fluid substance from the interior of the container 44. The illustrated container 44 (which shows a partial upper portion or neck of a larger structure) is in the form of a bottle that typically contains a fluid substance. The fluid substance to be dispensed from the closure 40 is not illustrated in the figure because the substance can take a variety of forms. The closure 40 utilizes threads 48 (at Figure 5 44) is mounted to the container 44, the thread is used to mate with the thread 49 on the container 44 (in Figure 5 Closure mounting features or attachment means other than mating threads may be used, such as snap-fit ​​beads and grooves, toggle clamps, friction fittings, locks, adhesives, welding, etc.

[0077] It should be understood that the container 44 can be any conventional type, such as a foldable flexible bag, or can be a substantially rigid bottle with a slightly flexible elastic wall. The container 44 or a portion thereof can be made of a material suitable for the intended application. For example, the container 44 can be a hard plastic spout or fitting for being sealed in a bag made of a thin flexible material (wherein such material can be a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film or a polyethylene film and / or an aluminum foil). Alternatively, a more rigid container 44 (e.g., a bottle) can be made of a thicker, less flexible material (such as molded polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, glass, metal or other material).

[0078] It is contemplated that typically after a closure manufacturer manufactures the closure 40 (e.g., by molding its components from a thermoplastic polymer), the manufacturer would then ship the closure 40 to a filling facility at another location where a container 44 would be filled with product, assembled with the closure 40, and sealed in the form of a package that a customer or user would encounter.

[0079] Refer to the attached pictures Figure 5 The illustrated preferred embodiment of the closure 40 of the present invention includes a generally hollow base or body 54 and a closure 56 connected to the body 54. The body 54 includes a top or platform 58, which defines an inner side 59 facing the interior of the container 44 (i.e., axially inward) and an outer side 61 facing the surrounding environment (i.e., axially outward). The platform 58 also includes a dispensing orifice or simply "orifice" 60, which allows communication between the side 59 and the side 61. A first wall or inner wall 62 extends axially inward or downward from the platform 58. The inner wall 62 includes the aforementioned internal threads 48, which are used to receive the external threads 49 of the container 44 to fix the body 54 to the container 44. The outer wall or skirt 64 surrounds the inner wall 62 and also extends axially inward or downward from the platform 58. It should be understood that, as described above, the body 54 and the container 44 may have other attachment means, which are located on the inner wall 62, the skirt 64 or any other part of the body 54 to fix the closure body 54 to the container 44.

[0080] Reference now Fig. 27, the cover 56 is connected to the body 54 by a hinge 65. The hinge 65 is integrally molded with the cover 56 and the closure body 54 near the platform 58 to accommodate the movement of the cover 56 between the open position or state of exposing the orifice 60 and the closed position or state of blocking the orifice 60 of the closure body 54. The hinge 65 may have any suitable conventional or special design. For example, the hinge 65 illustrated in the figure may be a conventional quick-action type hinge, such as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,356,017 or U.S. Patent No. 5,642,824, the details of which do not constitute a part of the most extensive form of the present invention. The hinge 65 may also be a non-quick-action type, including a belt or a tether. The cover 56 and / or the body 54 may have a latching device (such as a snap-fit ​​bead, a lock, a tab, etc.) to fix the cover 56 in a closed position at the top of the body 54. The cover 56 can be matched with the body 54 in a completely removable manner, such as by matching threads, friction or snap-fit ​​beads, etc. In some applications, cover 56 may be omitted entirely.

[0081] Reference again Figure 5 , the cover 56 includes an elastic plug seal 66, which is used to seal or block the orifice 60 when the cover 56 is in its closed position at the top of the body 54. The platform 58 and / or the cover plug seal 66 surrounding the orifice 60 are flexible enough to accommodate elastic deformation, thereby establishing a leak-proof seal between them. The orifice 60 is circular and centered on the central axis 45. However, it should be understood that in some applications, the orifice 60 of the cover 56 and its corresponding plug 66 may have other shapes, such as one or more narrow slots and elongated plugs, multiple holes and plugs, polygonal holes and plugs, irregularly shaped holes and plugs, etc.

[0082] Reference now Figure 6 , the body 54 includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs 70 extending radially between the skirt 64 and the inner wall 62. Each of the reinforcing ribs 70 is generally planar and extends in a vertical plane extending through the central axis 45. The body 54 also includes a plurality of angled or transverse torque ribs 74, each extending from the reinforcing rib 70 at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Figure 8 and Fig. 20 As can be seen in the drawings, each of the torque ribs 74 is non-planar and has a configuration for providing a significantly enhanced retention torque compared to the retention structures of the prior art. The torque ribs 74 are used to (i) non-destructively bend radially outward in one rotational direction about the central axis 45 when the closure 40 is threaded or otherwise installed at the opening of the container 44, and (ii) prevent or inhibit relative rotation between the closure 40 and the container 44 in the opposite direction about the central axis 45 after the closure 40 and the container 44 are assembled or installed.

[0083] The one or more torque ribs 74 of the closure 40 may be coupled to one or more flanges 76 extending laterally or laterally outwardly around the opening 46 of the container 44 (in Figure 1 and Fig. 20 4 (see Figure 4) to prevent or inhibit relative rotation between the closure 40 and the container 44 to a torque threshold of about 40 inch-pounds (about 4.5 Nm). More preferably, one or more torque ribs 74 can cooperate with one or more of the flanges 76 to prevent or inhibit relative rotation between the closure 40 and the container 44 to a torque threshold of about 60 inch-pounds (about 6.8 Nm).

[0084] Next reference Figure 5 , the closure body 54 includes a circumferential plug sealing wall 77 for sealing the inner surface of the container opening 46. The plug sealing wall 77 can have any shape that conforms to the shape of the inner surface of the container opening 46. Alternatively, the plug sealing wall 77 can have the form of a flange or crab claw seal (not illustrated) for contacting the top or upper surface of the container 44. Other sealing structures can be used to establish a leak-proof seal between the container 44 and the closure 40.

[0085] Reference now Fig.19 and Fig. 20 Each torque rib 74 defines a portion away from the central axis 45 (at Fig.19 64 and facing the lateral or radially outward side 78 of the skirt 64, and facing the lateral or radially inward side 82 of the inner wall 62 and facing the central axis 45. When viewed in a cross section in a horizontal plane normal to or perpendicular to the central axis 45 (as shown in FIG. Fig.16 , Fig.19 and Fig. 20 ), each torque rib 74 has a barbed or rod-like appearance. The torque rib lateral outboard 78 includes a first triangular protrusion 86 having a first interior angle α1 (only Fig.23 The torque rib laterally inwardly 82 includes a second triangular protrusion 90 having a second inner angle α2 (only in the Fig.23 The second inner angle α2 is significantly greater than the first inner angle α1. Fig. 20It can also be seen that at least a portion of each torque rib 74 extends axially inward (downward) in a cantilevered manner to the associated reinforcing rib 70 for opposing (facing) the nearest flange 76 of the container 44 in the assembled configuration of the closure 40 and the container 44. While the illustrated preferred embodiment of the closure 40 includes torque ribs 74 that are arranged to each extend from the inner wall 62 to one reinforcing rib 70 to increase strength and resistance to opening torque applied to the assembled closure 40 and container 44, it should be understood that in some non-preferred embodiments of the present invention (not illustrated), one or more of the torque ribs 74 may extend only from the inner wall 62, or only from the skirt 64, or only from the reinforcing rib 70. Alternatively, one or more of the torque ribs 74 may extend between the inner wall 62 and the skirt 64 without being connected to any reinforcing rib 70 or other structure of the body 54.

[0086] As will be discussed in more detail below, the closure body 54 includes four torque ribs 74 for facing four corresponding flanges 76 extending from the container 44. It should be understood that in some applications, the closure body 54 may have only one torque rib 74, or any other number of torque ribs 74 as required by the application. In addition, it should be understood that in some applications, the closure container 44 may have only one flange 76, or any other number of flanges 76 as required by the application.

[0087] Reference now Fig.10 , Fig.12 and Fig.13 , the preferred exemplary embodiment of the container 44 includes four laterally or radially extending flanges 76 surrounding the opening 56 in the neck of the container 44 at a position axially inward (below) the position of the threads 49 described above. The flanges 76 are used to allow the torque ribs 74 to pass non-destructively during the initial installation or threading of the closure 40 relative to the container 44 in a clockwise direction, and also to prevent or inhibit the closure 40 from loosening from the container 44 in a counterclockwise direction. When viewed in a plane perpendicular to the central axis 45 (such as in Fig.10 and Fig.12 ), each of the flanges 76 has a fin-shaped profile and includes an axially outwardly extending inclined surface 92 and a substantially flat end surface 94 to face one of the torque ribs 74.

[0088] The inventors have found that providing the closure 40 and container 44 of the present invention provides an easily manufactured closure design that prevents or at least minimizes the possibility of a user tampering with or refilling the assembly of the closure 40 and container 44. The inventors have also found that the assembly of the closure 40 and container 44 can advantageously provide a sufficiently high resistance to opening torque so as to eliminate the need for secondary seals or foil liners, which would increase the cost and difficulty of recyclability of the assembly. The inventors currently believe that the arrangement of the non-planar torque ribs 74 presents a novel face with a wedge shape to snap into the container 44, which flattens under load to create even more interference when contacting the container flange 76. The closure 40 can be molded as an integral structure and can therefore be easier to manufacture and assemble and less expensive than other prior art closures that require secondary seals and / or additional retaining components. In addition, the closure 40 and container 44 can be integrally molded from a single resin identification code polymer for single-stream recycling of the assembly.

[0089] The inventors have also discovered that the assembly of the closure 40 and container 44 can be advantageously assembled with a relatively low installation torque (less than about 20 inch-pounds (2.25 Nm), and more preferably about 16 inch-pounds (1.8 Nm)), while also providing a sufficiently high resistance to an opening torque that is at least three times the installation torque. Approximate terms (such as "about") used herein with respect to torque values ​​indicate a range of + / - 5 inch-pounds (0.5 Nm).

[0090] The body 54 and the cover 56 are preferably formed or molded from a suitable thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Other materials may be used instead. It should be understood that in an alternative design (not illustrated), one or more of the basic components or subcomponents may be formed or molded individually or sequentially (such as by double injection molding). Alternatively, in a non-preferred embodiment, the basic components may be initially molded as a connected integral structure, then separated, and then reassembled into an operable assembly or assembly.

[0091] Next, a method of assembling the closure 40 with the container 44 of the fluid substance to form a package is discussed. It should be understood that the assembly method described herein is merely exemplary and that other methods of assembling the package may exist. The closure 40, including the body 54 and the cover 56, is preferably molded as a one-piece article in the cover open position (not illustrated), and then the plug seal 66 of the cover 56 is placed in sealing frictional engagement with the interior of the platform 58 to block the orifice 60 (e.g., the opening of the body 54) of the body 54. Figure 1 The closure 40 is then transported to a filling facility. The filling facility then fills the container 44 with a predetermined amount or dose of the substance to be dispensed (not illustrated). Figure 5, the closure 40 is matingly brought into contact with the container 44 along the axis 45 such that the external threads 49 of the container 44 are received within the internal threads 48 of the inner wall 62 of the body 54 until the top end of the container 44 contacts the underside of the platform 58 and the sealing wall 77 seals against the container opening 46. During relative clockwise rotation of the closure 40 and the container 44, at least a portion of each torque rib 74 is sufficiently flexible and resilient to ride or slide over and past the flange 76 of the container 44 until a position such as closure 40 is reached. Figure 2 and Figure 5 In the assembled configuration of the closure 40 and container 44, the end surface 94 of each flange 76 is in confronting relation with the axially inwardly extending (ie, downwardly) rod-like extension or portion of a corresponding torque rib 74.

[0092] The filled container 44 with the closure 40 installed in the closed position is thus provided to the consumer in the form of a finished package.

[0093] The detailed operation and function of the closure 40 will be described below. Typically, a user (such as a customer) will encounter a situation such as Figure 2 and Figure 4 4, wherein the closure 40 is mounted on a fluid substance container 44 as a package. It should be understood that only a partial portion of the top end or neck of the container 44 is illustrated herein, and the remaining lower portion of the container 44 may have any configuration sufficient to contain the fluid substance in a given application.

[0094] The closure 40 is typically used to dispense a substance stored in a container 44, such as a shear-thinning viscous fluid, such as ketchup or other condiments, stored in the container 44. The user will grasp the package and lift upward at the front of the closure 56 to disengage the plug seal 66 from the aperture 60 in the platform 58, thereby rotating the closure 56 relative to the body 54 about the hinge 65.

[0095] The user can grasp the flexible, resilient container 44, invert it, and squeeze it to partially collapse, or otherwise reduce the interior volume of the container 44 to pressurize the fluid substance contained therein. During dispensing of the fluid substance, the fluid substance initially enters the interior volume of the closure body 54, travels into the hollow interior of the body 54, and exits the closure 40 from the exposed orifice 60.

[0096] When the user stops squeezing (i.e., pressurizing) the container 44, the outward flow of the fluid substance ceases, and the substance may even be drawn back toward the container 44 by the temporarily lower pressure within the container 44 (e.g., if the container has elastic walls that return to a normal, undeformed configuration from a "squeezed" configuration). This may allow greater ambient air pressure to force some or all of the residual fluid substance within the orifice 60 through the closure 40 and back toward the container 44 to help maintain the overall cleanliness of the package. After dispensing the fluid substance through the closure 40, the user may then return the closure 56 to the closed position by rotating the closure 56 relative to the closure body 54 about the hinge 65, so that the closure plug seal 66 reseals within the orifice 60 of the platform 58.

[0097] Importantly, after initial assembly of the closure 40 and container 44, the user is prevented or dissuaded from opening the package to tamper with or refill the contents by unscrewing the mating threads 48 and 49 to remove the closure 40 from the container 44. If the user attempts to unscrew the closure 40 and container 44 by relative counterclockwise rotation of the closure 40 and container 44, each torque rib 74 is driven to engage an adjacent end surface 94 of the facing flange 76 on the bottle 44. The non-planar bar-like configuration of each torque rib 74 with its first protrusion 86 and second protrusion 90 provides sufficiently high interference with rotation (e.g., at most about 40 inch-pounds, and more preferably, at most about 60 inch-pounds), which approaches the performance of a foil seal or liner.

[0098] It should be understood that in one of its broad forms, the invention encompasses only the closure 40, which may be used with any container other than the preferred container 44 described herein.

[0099] It should also be understood that in another broad form of the invention, the invention encompasses only a container 44 that may be used with any closure other than the preferred closure 40 described herein.

[0100] Reference now Figure 32 to Figure 37, a second embodiment of a container according to the present invention is indicated as 44A. The numbered features of the second embodiment of container 44A are generally indicated by the suffix letter "A" and are similar to the features of the above-described first exemplary embodiment of container 44 that share the same numbering (without the suffix letter "A"). The second exemplary embodiment of container 44A operates in substantially the same manner as described in detail above with respect to the first exemplary embodiment of container 40, and container 44A has the same basic feature of one or more radially extending flanges 76A surrounding the opening 56A on the neck of container 44A at a position axially inward (below) the position of threads 49A. Flange 76A is used to allow non-destructive passage of torque rib 74 of closure 40 during initial installation or threaded connection of closure 40 relative to container 44A in a clockwise direction, and is also used to prevent or inhibit loosening of closure 40 from container 44A in a counterclockwise direction. When viewed in a plane perpendicular to central axis 45A (such as in Fig.32 ), each of the flanges 76A has a fin-shaped profile and includes an inclined surface 92A extending axially outward (ie, vertically) and a substantially flat end surface 94A to face one of the torque ribs 74.

[0101] refer to Fig.34 , Fig.35 and Fig.37 , it can be seen that the container 44A differs from the first embodiment 40 described above in that the container 44A has a more gently inclined ramp 92A leading to a flat end surface 94A. Preferably, the angle of inclination measured relative to a horizontal plane perpendicular to the central axis 45A is between about 5 degrees and 15 degrees, and more preferably about 11 degrees. In contrast, the angle of inclination of the ramp 92 of the first exemplary embodiment of the closure 40 is between about 40 degrees and 50 degrees.

[0102] The inventors have found that providing the closure 40 and container 44A of the present invention provides an easy-to-manufacture closure design that prevents or at least minimizes the possibility of a user tampering with or refilling the assembly of the closure 40 and container 44A. The inventors have also found that the assembly of the closure 40 and container 44A can advantageously provide a sufficiently high resistance to opening torque so as to eliminate the need for a secondary seal or foil liner that would increase the cost and difficulty of recyclability of the assembly. In addition, the assembly of the closure 40 and container 44A can advantageously be easier to assemble because the gradual inclination of the ramp 92A can minimize or at least reduce large force spikes when the closure 40 is rotated relative to the container 44A.

[0103] Further configurations of the invention are set forth in the claims.

[0104] Various modifications and alterations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.The exemplary embodiments and examples of closures and containers are provided by way of example only and are not intended to limit the broadest scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A closure for limiting access to a substance that can be stored in a container, the container having an opening and at least one laterally extending flange laterally outward of the opening, the closure comprising: A body for positioning at the opening of the container, the body having a platform, the platform defining an inner side and an outer side and a central axis extending between the inner side and the outer side, the platform including at least one orifice communicating between the inner side and the outer side, the body having an inner wall depending from the platform, the inner wall having means for attaching the closure to the container, the body having at least one torque rib extending from the inner wall, the at least one torque rib being configured to face the at least one laterally extending flange of the container to inhibit relative rotation between the body and the container, and the at least one torque rib being non-planar.

2. The closure of claim 1 further comprising a skirt depending from the platform and surrounding the inner wall, wherein the at least one torque rib extends from at least one of the inner wall and / or the skirt.

3. The closure of claim 2 further comprising at least one reinforcing rib extending between the inner wall and the skirt, wherein the at least one torque rib extends laterally from the reinforcing rib.

4. A closure according to claim 3, wherein the at least one torque rib extends axially inwardly of the reinforcement rib.

5. The closure of claim 3 wherein the at least one reinforcing rib is planar and extends radially relative to the central axis.

6. The closure of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of torque ribs, wherein in an assembled configuration with the container, the body is configured to resist rotation relative to the container when subjected to a torque of up to about 40 inch-pounds (4.5 Nm).

7. The closure of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of torque ribs, wherein in an assembled configuration with the container, the body is configured to resist rotation relative to the container when subjected to a torque of up to about 60 inch-pounds (6.8 Nm).

8. The closure of claim 1, wherein the at least one torque rib defines a laterally outward side facing away from the central axis and a laterally inward side facing the central axis, and the laterally outward side includes a first triangular protrusion.

9. The closure of claim 1, wherein the at least one torque rib defines a laterally outward side facing away from the central axis and a laterally inward side facing the central axis, and the laterally inward side includes a second triangular protrusion.

10. A closure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one torque rib defines a laterally outward side away from the central axis and a laterally inward side facing the central axis, the laterally outward side includes a first triangular protrusion, and the laterally inward side includes a second triangular protrusion facing oppositely relative to the first triangular protrusion.

11. The closure of claim 10, wherein the first triangular projection has a first distal tip defining a first interior angle, the second triangular projection has a second distal tip defining a second interior angle, and the second interior angle is greater than the first interior angle.

12. The closure of claim 1 wherein said means on said inner wall comprises at least one thread for mating with at least one thread on said container.

13. The closure of claim 1 further comprising a cover connected to the body, the cover being movable between i) a closed position blocking the at least one orifice and ii) an open position exposing the at least one orifice to allow communication of a substance through the body.

14. The closure of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of torque ribs, wherein the body is configured to move from an unassembled configuration with the container to an assembled configuration with the container when subjected to a torque of no more than about 20 inch-pounds (2.25 Nm).

15. A combination of a closure according to claim 1 and a container for a fluid substance, said container having an opening and at least one laterally extending flange laterally outward of said opening.

16. A closure and container combination according to claim 15, wherein the at least one laterally extending flange is fin-shaped and defines a planar end surface for facing the at least one torque rib of the body.

17. A closure and container combination according to claim 16, wherein the at least one laterally extending flange defines an axially extending chamfer proximate the planar end surface.

18. The combination of a closure and a container according to claim 15, wherein the closure includes a plurality of said torque ribs and the container includes a plurality of laterally extending flanges, wherein in an assembled state of the closure and the container, the body is configured to resist rotation relative to the container when subjected to a torque of up to about 40 inch-pounds (4.5 Nm).

19. The combination of a closure and a container according to claim 15, wherein the closure includes a plurality of said torque ribs and the container includes a plurality of laterally extending flanges, wherein in an assembled state of the closure and the container, the body is configured to resist rotation relative to the container when subjected to a torque of up to about 60 inch-pounds (6.8 Nm).

20. The combination of a closure and a container according to claim 15, wherein the closure includes a plurality of torque ribs and the container includes a plurality of laterally extending flanges, wherein the body is configured to move from an unassembled configuration with the container to an assembled configuration with the container when subjected to a torque of not more than about 20 inch-pounds (2.25 Nm).

21. A combination of a closure according to claim 1 and a container of a fluent substance, said closure, said container and said fluent substance together defining a package.

22. The closure and container combination of claim 15, wherein the at least one laterally extending flange defines an axially extending ramp that is angled between about 5 and 15 degrees relative to horizontal.

23. A closure (40) for limiting access to a substance that can be stored in a container (44, 44A), the container (44, 44A) having an opening (46, 46A) and at least one laterally extending flange (76, 76A) located laterally outward of the opening (46, 46A), the closure (40) comprising: A body (54) for positioning at the opening (46) of the container (44, 44A), the body (54) having a platform (58), the platform (58) defining an inner side (59) and an outer side (61) and a central axis (45) extending between the inner side (59) and the outer side (61), the platform (58) including at least one orifice (60) communicating between the inner side (59) and the outer side (61), the body (54) having a central axis (45) extending from the platform (58) A depending inner wall (62) having means for attaching the closure (40) to the container (44, 44A), the body (54) having at least one torque rib (74) extending from the inner wall, the at least one torque rib being adapted to confront the at least one laterally extending flange (76) of the container (44, 44A) to inhibit relative rotation between the body (54) and the container (44, 44A), and the at least one torque rib (74) being non-planar.

24. The closure (40) of claim 23, further comprising a skirt (64) depending from the platform (58) and surrounding the inner wall (62), wherein the at least one torque rib (74) extends from at least one of the inner wall (62) and / or the skirt (64).

25. The closure (40) of claim 24, further comprising at least one reinforcing rib (70) extending between the inner wall (62) and the skirt (64), wherein the at least one torque rib (74) extends transversely from the reinforcing rib (70).

26. The closure (40) of claim 25, wherein the at least one torque rib (74) extends axially inwardly of the reinforcement rib (70).

27. A closure according to claim 25, wherein said at least one reinforcing rib (70) is planar and extends radially relative to said central axis (45).

28. The closure (40) of any one of claims 23 to 27, further comprising a plurality of torque ribs (47), wherein in an assembled configuration with the container (44, 44A), the body (54) is configured to resist rotation relative to the container (44, 44A) when subjected to a torque of up to about 40 inch-pounds (4.5 Nm).

29. The closure (40) of any one of claims 23 to 27, further comprising a plurality of torque ribs (74), wherein in an assembled configuration with the container (44, 44A), the body (54) is configured to resist rotation relative to the container (44, 44A) when subjected to a torque of up to about 60 inch-pounds (6.8 Nm).

30. A closure member (40) according to any one of the preceding claims 23 to 29, wherein the at least one torque rib (74) defines a lateral outward side (78) facing away from the central axis (45) and a lateral inward side (82) facing the central axis (45), and the lateral outward side (78) includes a first triangular protrusion (86).

31. A closure member (40) according to any one of the preceding claims 23 to 30, wherein the at least one torque rib (74) defines a lateral outward side (78) facing away from the central axis (45) and a lateral inward side (82) facing the central axis (45), and the lateral inward side (82) includes a second triangular protrusion (90).

32. A closure member (40) according to any one of the preceding claims 23 to 31, wherein the at least one torque rib (74) defines a lateral outward side (78) facing away from the central axis (45) and a lateral inward side (82) facing the central axis (45), the lateral outward side (78) comprising a first triangular protrusion (86), and the lateral inward side (82) comprising a second triangular protrusion (90) facing in the opposite direction relative to the first triangular protrusion (86).

33. A closure according to claim 32, wherein the first triangular protrusion (86) has a first distal end defining a first internal angle (α1), the second triangular protrusion (90) has a second distal end defining a second internal angle (α2), and the second internal angle (α2) is greater than the first internal angle (α1).

34. A closure (40) according to any one of the preceding claims 23 to 33, wherein said means on said inner wall (62) comprises at least one thread (48) for cooperating with at least one thread (49, 49A) on said container (44, 44A).

35. The closure (40) of any one of preceding claims 23 to 34, further comprising a cover (56) connected to the body (54), the cover (56) being movable between i) a closed position blocking the at least one orifice (60) and ii) an open position exposing the at least one orifice (60) to allow communication of a substance through the body (54).

36. A closure (40) according to any one of the preceding claims 23 to 34, further comprising a plurality of torque ribs, wherein the body is configured to move from an unassembled configuration with the container to an assembled configuration with the container when subjected to a torque of no more than about 20 inch-pounds (2.25 Nm).

37. A combination of a closure (40) according to any one of the preceding claims 23 to 36 and a container (44, 44A) for a fluid substance, the container (44, 44A) having an opening (46, 46A) and at least one laterally extending flange (76, 76A) located laterally outward of the opening (46, 46A).

38. A combination of a closure (40) and a container (44, 44A) according to claim 37, wherein the at least one laterally extending flange (76, 76A) is fin-shaped and defines a flat end surface (94, 94A) for facing the at least one torque rib (74) of the body (54).

39. The closure (40) and container (44, 44A) combination of claim 38 wherein the at least one laterally extending flange (76, 76A) defines an axially extending chamfered surface (92, 92A) proximate the planar end surface (94).

40. An assembly of a closure (40) and a container (44A) according to any one of claims 37 to 39, wherein the at least one laterally extending flange (76A) defines an axially extending ramp (92A) that is angled between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees relative to a horizontal plane.

41. A combination of a closure (40) and a container (44, 44A) according to any one of claims 37 to 40, wherein the closure (40) includes a plurality of said torque ribs (74) and the container (44, 44A) includes a plurality of said laterally extending flanges (76, 76A), wherein: In an assembled state of the closure (40) and the container (44, 44A), the body (54) is configured to resist rotation relative to the container (44, 44A) when subjected to a torque of up to about 40 inch-pounds (4.5 Nm).

42. A combination of a closure (40) and a container (44, 44A) according to any one of claims 37 to 40, wherein the closure (40) includes a plurality of said torque ribs (74) and the container (44, 44A) includes a plurality of said laterally extending flanges (76, 76A), wherein: In an assembled state of the closure (40) and the container (44, 44A), the body (54) is configured to resist rotation relative to the container (44, 44A) when subjected to a torque of up to about 60 inch-pounds (6.8 Nm).

43. An assembly of a closure (40) and a container (44, 44A) according to any one of claims 37 to 42, wherein the closure (40) includes a plurality of torque ribs (74) and the container (44, 44A) includes a plurality of laterally extending flanges (76, 76A), wherein the body (54) is configured to move from an unassembled configuration with the container (44, 44A) to an assembled configuration with the container (44, 44A) when subjected to a torque of not more than about 20 inch-pounds (2.25 Nm).

44. A combination of a closure (40) according to any one of claims 23 to 36 and a container (44, 44A) of a fluid substance, the closure (40), the container (44, 44A) and the fluid substance together defining a package.

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