WO1995009774A1

WO1995009774A1 - A resealable cap

Info

Publication number: WO1995009774A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/011007
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert A. Abrams; Ronald C. Supranowicz
Original assignee: Capitol Spouts, Inc.
Priority date: 1993-10-05
Filing date: 1994-09-30
Publication date: 1995-04-13

Abstract

A resealable cap includes an inner cap surface (338) and an inner peripheral wall (328), and a seal for forming a seal between the cap and an upper edge (320) of a rim of a structure to which the cap is to be sealed, wherein the structure may be a vial, a spout for a container, or any suitable device. The seal (316) extends from the inner cap surface and is arranged concentric with respect to the inner peripheral wall so as to form a gap (318) between the outer edge and the inner peripheral wall for receiving the upper edge (320) of the rim. An annular ridge extends from the upper edge of the rim. A flange (314) integrally connects the cap to the structure, wherein the flange is formed from a flexible material so as to permit bending of the flange so that the cap can move from a first position wherein it is seated on the structure to a second position wherein it is not seated on the structure. The flange includes a weakened portion (322) in order to encourage bending of the flange at the weakened portion and a stiffened portion (324) adjacent to the weakened portion for stiffening the flange at a second portion to minimize bending of said flange at the second portion.

Description

A RESEALABLE CAP

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to sealing structures for pour spouts and vials; and more particularly to a seal and method for releasably sealing a cap onto a structure such as a pour spout or vial.

Background of the Invention Resealable caps are well known in the art. Such caps may be used on gabled top containers and bring type containers. See FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively, of U.S. Patent No. 5,108,029. In addition, caps of a similar style have been used to seal vials of different sizes and shapes. See, for example, FIG. 4 of U.S. Patent No. 4,783,056. Such caps are convenient because they form a liquid-tight seal and can be repeatedly opened and closed easily.

For purposes of convenience, such caps are frequently integrally connected to the structure that they are intended to seal. For example, they may be connected by a flexible flange that allows the cap to pivot from an opened position to a sealed position.

In order to enhance the seal between the cap and the structure or container onto which the cap is fastened, an annular seal may be provided within the cap in order to form an annular gap between the seal and rim of the cap. The annular cap is designed to receive an upper edge of the container onto which the cap is sealed. In order to obtain a good, liquid-tight seal between the container and the cap, it is preferable that the upper edge of the container wall fit tightly within the annular gap. However, fitting the upper edge of the container wall tightly within the annular gap creates difficulties. Specifically, if the cap is not properly aligned with the container immediately prior to closing, the upper edge of the container wall may improperly contact the annular seal or outer rim of the cap, thus bending or damaging the seal, the outer rim of the cap, or the upper edge of the container wall. In addition, if the annular gap is too narrow, the upper edge of the container wall may not fit properly within the gap, thus also creating problems with the seal.

Caps of the type to which the present invention relates are generally injection molded from plastic.

Summary of the Invention

In view of the foregoing disadvantages, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reclosable cap that may be used with either vials or spouts for liquid containers, which cap includes an improved seal.

One embodiment of the resealable cap of the present invention includes an inner cap surface and an inner peripheral wall, and further includes a seal for forming a seal between the cap and an upper edge of a rim of a structure to which the cap is to be sealed, wherein the structure may be a vial, a spout for a container, or any suitable device. The seal extends from the inner cap surface and is arranged concentric with respect tot he inner peripheral wall so as to form a gap between the outer edge of the seal and the inner peripheral wall for receiving the upper edge of the rim. On the outer wall of the upper edge of the structure, an annular protrusion or ridge is formed. That annular ridge is intended to contact a second annular ridge formed on the inner peripheral wall of the cap, when the cap is sealed on the structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a view of a spout on a gabled top container; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art cap connected to a spout; FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a portion of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a spout and cap according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

In U.S. patent application Serial No. 07/992,780, filed on December 18, 1992, for a RESEALABLE CAP, a cap is disclosed for use on pour spouts or vials. Similar subject matter is also set forth in pending U.S. patent application Serial No. 07/753,855 and U.S. Patent Nos. 4,783,056 and 5,108,029. The subject matter of U.S. patent applications serial nos. 07/753,855 and 07/992,780 and U.S. Patent Nos. 4,783,056 and 5,108,029 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

As explained in copending application serial no. 07/992,780, the technology of the present invention may also be used on vials with caps attached thereto.

Turning attention to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a prior art cap, flange, and spout arrangement is illustrated in use with a gabled top container. The spout 210 includes a lower end 226 that fits within the container and retains the spout in place on the container. The cap 212 includes an annular seal 216 that forms an annular gap 218 between the seal 216 and the outer peripheral wall 228 of the cap. The annular gap 218 is designed to accommodate the upper edge 220 of the spout 210.

The spout 210 is integrally attached to the cap 212 by a flange 214. The flange 214 includes a recess 222 and an elongated ridge 224 to direct the bending of the flange 214 to a preferred location. The recess 222 provides a weak region in the flange 214 while the ridge 224 provides a strengthened region. The recess 222 and the ridge 224 coact so as to ensure the proper alignment of the cap 212 on the upper edge 220 of the spout 210.

The portion of the cap illustrated in FIG. 2 that is identified by circle 5 is enlarged and illustrated more clearly in FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the upper edge 236 of the seal 216 is truncated to a flat surface. In addition, the inner edge 232 of the seal 216 includes a surface that intersects the inner cap surface 238 at an angle of approximately 45°. Similarly, the outer edge 234 of the seal 216 is similarly angled with respect to the inner cap surface 238. The angle formed by the outer edge 234 may be between 30° and 60°, but is preferably 45°. At the base of the seal 216, the outer edge 234 includes a very small portion 240 that extends perpendicularly to the inner cap surface 238. In the preferred embodiment, the small portion 240 extends for only about 0.003 inches.

The seal 216 preferably has a height of approximately 0.018 inches and a width of approximately 0.041 inches. Thus, the width of the seal is at least twice the height of the seal in the preferred embodiment.

The inner peripheral wall 228 includes a first section 246 that is normal to the inner cap surface 238 and extends for approximately 0.017 inches. A second section 244 continues from the first section at an angle of approximately 26°. The second section 244 ends at a distance of approximately .040 inches from the inner cap surface 238. Thus, the tip 236 of the seal 216 ends at approximately the same height as the end of the first section 246 of the wall 228.

Because of the angle of the second wall section 244, a third wall section 242 extends out from the first wall section 246 by a distance of approximately 0.011 inches. A fourth wall section 248 extends away from the third wall section at an angle of approximately 31°.

A result of the configuration of the wall sections is that there is a protruding ridge extending from the inner peripheral wall 228 of the rim 230. The protruding ridge coacts with the annular seal 216 to control the movement of the upper edge 220 of the spout 210 when the cap 212 is being sealed onto the spout 210. When the upper edge 220 is sealed within the cap 212, the edge 220 contacts the cap 212 at three difference points: (1) along the first wall section 246, (2) along the second wall section 244, and (3) at the outer wall 234 of the seal 216. The three point contact helps to assure a fluid-tight seal. Of course, the upper edge 220 may contact the cap 212 at other locations in addition to the three points listed above.

The spout and cap arrangement disclosed in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 works well on larger containers, such as a half-gallon container. However, on smaller containers, wherein the spout and cap are proportionately smaller, the inventors have found that certain modifications to the prior art design have enabled improved performance over the prior art embodiments. The modifications are helpful with the smaller embodiments, in part because of the nature of the material from which the spouts are made. Thus, as the components become smaller, the elements therein are less flexible. As a result, it is more difficult to ensure that the cap will seat properly on the spout. The modifications of the present invention overcome some of the problems of the prior art.

Turning attention now to FIG. 4, a spout 310 and cap 312 of the present invention are illustrated. The spout 310 and cap 312 are similar to that of the prior art that is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. For example, the spout 310 includes a lower end 326 that fits within the container and retains the spout in place on the container. The cap 312 includes an annular seal 316 that forms an annular gap 318 between the seal 316 and an outer peripheral wall 328 of the cap. The annular gap 318 is designed to accommodate the upper edge 320 of the spout 310.

The spout 310 is integrally attached to the cap 312 by a flange 314. The flange 314 includes a recess 322 and an elongated ridge 324 to direct the bending of the flange 314 to a preferred location. The recess 322 provides a weak region in the flange 314 while the ridge 324 provides a strengthened region. The recess 322 and the ridge 324 coact so as to ensure the proper alignment of the cap 312 on the upper edge 320 of the spout 310. The portion of the cap illustrated in FIG. 4 that is identified by circle 15 is enlarged and illustrated more clearly in FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the upper edge 336 of the seal 316 is truncated to a flat surface. In addition, the inner edge 332 of the seal 316 includes a surface that intersects the inner cap surface 338 at an angle of approximately 45°. Similarly, the outer edge 334 of the seal 316 is similarly angled with respect to the inner cap surface 338. The angle formed by the outer edge 334 may be between 30° and 60°, but is preferably 45°.

The seal 316 preferably has a height of approximately 0.018 inches and a width of approximately 0.041 inches. Thus, the width of the seal is at least twice the height of the seal in the preferred embodiment. However, it should be understood that not only the specific height and width of the seal may vary, but also the ratio of the height to width may vary.

The inner peripheral wall 328 includes a first section 346 that is normal to the inner cap surface 338 and extends for approximately 0.030 inches. A second section 344 continues from the first section at an angle of approximately 26° . The second section 344 ends at a distance of approximately .058 inches from the inner cap surface 338.

Because of the angle of the second wall section 344, a third wall section 342 extends out from the first wall section 346. A fourth wall section 348 extends away from the third wall section at an angle of approximately 31°.

A result of the configuration of the wall sections is that there is a protruding ridge 352 extending from the inner peripheral wall 328 of the rim 330. The protruding ridge 352 coacts with the annular seal 316 to control the movement of the upper edge 320 of the spout 310 when the cap 312 is being sealed onto the spout 310.

To facilitate the seal between the cap 312 and the rim 320, an annular ridge 348 is located on an outer wall 350 of the rim 320. In a preferred embodiment, the ridge 348 is located so that a midpoint on the ridge is about 0.088 inches below the upper edge of the rim 320. The ridge 348 has a height, i.e., protrudes from the outer wall, of about .009 inches.

When the cap 312 is closed on the spout 310, the ridge 348 on the spout 310 contacts the internal ridge 352 in the cap 312, causing the rim 320 of the spout 310 to be deflected inwardly. As a result of such an inward deflection, the rim 320 is urged in tighter contact against the seal 316, thus providing a better seal. The rim 320 also makes contact with the wall 346 when the cap 312 is sealed onto the rim 320.

Although only preferred embodiments are specifically illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

Claims

CLAI S

1. A seal arrangement for sealing a resealable cap having an inner cap surface and an inner peripheral wall onto a rim having an upper edge and an outer wall, comprising: an annular seal extending from the inner cap surface; said annular seal being arranged concentric with respect to said inner peripheral wall so as to form a gap between said seal and said inner peripheral wall for receiving the upper edge of the rim; and a first annular ridge located on the outer wall of said rim so that the annular ridge contacts said inner peripheral wall when said cap is sealed onto said rim.

2. The seal arrangement of claim 1, wherein said annular seal includes an inner edge and an outer edge and the outer edge of said seal extends toward the inner cap surface at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees.

3. The seal arrangement of claim 2, wherein the angle is approximately 45 degrees.

4. The seal arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first annular ridge is semicircular in cross-section.

5. The seal arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a second annular ridge protruding inwardly from the inner peripheral wall.

6. The seal arrangement of claim 5, wherein the first and second annular ridges are arranged so that they contact each other when the cap is sealed on the rim.

7. The seal arrangement of claim 5, wherein the first annular ridge is smaller than the second annular ridge.

8. A spout and resealable cap arrangement, comprising: an inner cap surface; an inner peripheral wall within said cap; a rim on said spout, said rim having an upper edge and an outer wall; means for forming a seal between the cap and the upper edge of the spout rim, said seal forming means extending from the inner cap surface; said seal forming means including an inner edge and an outer edge; said seal forming means arranged concentric with respect to said inner peripheral wall so as to form a gap between said outer edge and said inner peripheral wall for receiving the upper edge of the spout rim; said inner peripheral wall including an annular ridge protruding toward a center of the cap and extending parallel to and spaced from said inner cap surface; said inner peripheral wall including a flat section extending between said inner cap surface and said ridge; and an annular abutment located on the outer wall of said spout so that the annular abutment contacts said annular ridge when said cap is sealed onto said spout rim.

9. The seal arrangement of claim 8, wherein the annular abutment is semicircular in cross-section.

10. The seal arrangement of claim 8, wherein the annular abutment is smaller than the annular ridge.

11. A seal arrangement for sealing a resealable cap having an inner peripheral wall onto a rim having an upper edge and an outer wall, comprising: an annular ridge extending inwardly from the inner peripheral wall of said cap; an annular abutment located on the outer wall of said rim so that the annular abutment contacts said annular ridge of the inner peripheral wall when said cap is sealed onto said rim; a flange interconnecting said cap and said outer wall.

12. The seal arrangement of claim 11, wherein the annular abutment is semicircular in cross-section.

13. The seal arrangement of claim 11, wherein the annular abutment is smaller than the annular ridge.

14. The seal arrangement of claim 11, further comprising: means on said flange for weakening said flange at a first portion in order to encourage bending of the flange at the first portion; and means on said flange, adjacent to said weakening means, for stiffening said flange at a second portion to minimize bending of said flange at the second portion.

15. The seal arrangement of claim 14, wherein the weakening means is a recess formed in said flange.

16. The seal arrangement of claim 15, wherein the recess extends in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said flange.

17. The seal arrangement of claim 16, wherein the stiffening means is a ridge formed on said flange.

18. The seal arrangement of claim 17, wherein the ridge extends in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said flange.

19. The seal arrangement of claim 18, wherein the weakening means is located on said flange between said stiffening means and said cap.