Dispensing – With lock or fastening seal – Inhibiting operation of flow controller or closure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-27
2001-04-10
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
With lock or fastening seal
Inhibiting operation of flow controller or closure
C222S514000, C222S525000, C215S315000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213351
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to dispensing closures for containers, and more particularly, to such closures which, after being opened, automatically return to their closed position to prevent unintentional dispensing of product from such containers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Push body closures are known in which a cap or spout having a dispensing aperture is positioned upon a base with cooperative elements therebetween to permit the closure to be opened or closed by dis-engagement or engagement of the cooperative elements. The base is affixed to the mouth of a product container, such as a water bottle, and when a force is applied to the cap to move the cap with respect to the base, such as by pushing on the cap with the lips of a user, the cooperative elements between the cap and base are caused to disengage and thereby open the closure and permit product, such as water, in the container to be dispensed into the users's mouth for drinking by passing through the dispensing aperture in the cap.
It also is known to provide structure in such closures to effect automatic closing thereof from the opened condition after dispensing of the product is desired to be terminated. Such structure commonly includes return-engagement springs, levers or the like to cause the cooperative elements between the cap and the base to return to their engaged position when the force applied to the cap is released, thereby to close the closure and prevent unintentional further dispensing of product from the container, such as if the container inadvertently is tipped over.
The push body valve closures of the prior art generally include relatively complex and involved structure which is difficult to manufacture, such as by molding process for plastic closures, and/or includes fragile elements which are susceptible to breakage. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a push body valve closure of the type described in which the cap and base portions preferably are formed of molded plastic material which is relatively uncomplex in construction and thereby easy to manufacture, and also does not include fragile elements that are susceptible to breakage.
The present invention provides a structure which accomplishes the above objectives of a push body valve closure, as well as including a locking feature which prevents movement of the closure cap to its open position with respect to the base unless and until the cap is first moved to an unlocked position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is characterized by a push body valve closure including a base adapted to be secured to the mouth of a container for product to be dispensed therefrom, and a cap engaged upon the base and moveable with respect thereto between a first closed position and a second opened position. A product dispensing channel is formed in the base to be in communication with the container mouth, and includes an aperture through which such product may be dispensed. A portion of the wall of the channel is of generally conical-shaped cross-sectional configuration.
The cap includes a depending spring-action circumferential flange formed on the interior surface of the cap for cooperative engagement with the conical-shaped wall portion of the channel. The uppermost surface of the cap has an orifice formed therein and a depending plug is secured to the cap at a location which is in registry with the orifice. The plug is positioned to be in cooperative engagement with the aperture of the product dispensing channel when the cap is disposed in a first closed position with respect to the base.
Upon engagement of a force against the cap, such as by the lips of a user, the cap is moved to a second opened position with respect to the base in which the plug is withdrawn from the aperture and the depending spring-action circumferential flange is engaged against the conical-shaped wall portion of the channel. In such opened position, product retained in the container may be dispensed through the aperture in the channel and out of the orifice in the cap, and into the user's mouth. The cap remains in its opened position with respect to the base so long as the force continues to be applied thereto to resist the spring-action of the circumferential flange against the conical-shaped wall of the channel which causes the cap to be directed back to its closed position.
Upon disengagement of the force against the cap, as when the user disengages his lips from the cap, the spring-action of the circumferential flange of the cap acts against the conical-shaped wall of the channel to cause the cap to be directed back to its closed position in which the plug is engaged within the aperture of the channel, thereby preventing further dispensing of product from the container unless and until a force is re-applied against the cap.
A keying slot and locking notch are formed on the spring-action circumferential flange and a keying rib is formed on the surface of the conical-shaped wall portion of the channel for cooperative engagement to lock the cap in its open position and prevent unintentional movement of the cap to its open position unless and until the cap is rotated on the base. Indicia are applied to the external surface of the cap and base to visually indicate when the cap is in its locked/unlocked position.
Various objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in accordance with the above and ensuing disclosure in which a preferred embodiment is described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is contemplated that minor variations may occur to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.
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Berge Gary
Stoneberg Thomas C.
Courtesy Corporation
Shaver Kevin
Silverman, Cass & Singer, Ltd.
Willatt Stephanie
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