Dispensing – Axially rotary and longitudinally movable tubes – sleeves – or... – Axial discharge
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-06
2001-10-09
Derakshani, Philippe (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Axially rotary and longitudinally movable tubes, sleeves, or...
Axial discharge
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299038
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 utilizing a self-sealing telescoping spout with a twist action control member for operation thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Twist top closures are known in which a cap with a central aperture cooperates with an upstanding post formed on a base to open or close the closure. The base is affixed to the mouth of a product container, such as a water bottle, and when the cap is moved, such as by twisting or pulling relative to the base, the post on the base is withdrawn from engagement with the aperture in the cap to permit product, such as water, to be dispensed from the container. After dispensing of the product is completed, the cap is returned to its closed position by reverse-twisting or pushing on the cap to reengage the post in the aperture, thereby closing the closure and preventing product from being dispensed from the container.
Examples of such known closures are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,331, issued Sept. 7, 1999, entitled “Dispensing Closure with Retracting End for Containers”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,487, issued Jun. 6, 1995, entitled “Dispenser Cap for a Fluid Substance Container, with a Movable Dispensing Nozzle”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,941 (owned by wholly-owned subsidiary of the assignee of the present application), issued Nov. 6, 1990, entitled “Twist Lock Adjustable Metering Closure Cap”.
Attention is also directed to copending application Ser. No. 09/415,797, filed Oct. 11, 1999, entitled “Universal Base Pull/Push-Twist Closure”, owned by the same assignee as the assignee of the present application, and disclosing a base similar to the base of the present invention. The disclosure of the copending application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The rather active nature of this field of invention is encouraged by several factors with the goal of providing, for the user, a closure which, during periods of non-use, can be effectively sealed, and which, during use, can be easily manipulated or opened and closed. Similarly, the closure should be readily accommodated to the mouth, as when water or juice is to be directly discharged into the mouth with the lips normally encircling the closure or a portion thereof.
Other considerations encouraging activity in this field of invention comprise those associated with the costs of the closure itself, including most particularly economies which can be realized in the manufacturing procedures and the equipment required for the molding of the closure components. Basically, if the rather elaborate or intricate nature of many of the components of closures heretofore devised can be simplified, while at the same time providing a closure having significant operational advantages, substantial manufacturing advantages will also be realized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is concerned with a closure which provides for a unique combination of components which are formed as to allow for substantial manufacturing economies, while at the same time providing for a unique operational relationship between the components to provide a closure which is simple to manipulate, allows for a positive discharge of a product, and which can be effectively sealed.
More specifically, the closure of the invention includes a base adapted to be mounted to a container, as by screw thread engagement with an externally threaded container neck. The base includes a central vertically extending post with a plug mounted at the upper end thereof.
A spout is telescopically received over the post and includes a central aperture which aligns with the plug for selective sealing engagement of the plug within the aperture to preclude fluid discharge. The spout is to move vertically to selectively lower the spout aperture into sealing engagement with the plug and raise the spout to upwardly retract the aperture from the plug. A screw thread engagement is provided between the spout and the post whereby rotation of the spout about the post will effect the desired raising and lowering of the spout.
In order to provide for the desired vertical adjustment of the spout, a spout encircling sleeve is rotatably engaged with the base and retained against vertical movement relative to the base. The sleeve and spout are retained for simultaneous rotation of the spout with the sleeve as the sleeve is rotated relative to the base, this rotation of the spout producing a corresponding vertical adjustment of the spout relative to the sleeve and base. Basically, the spout includes a top which is of a non-circular configuration, preferably elliptical, which is received within the corresponding elliptically shaped upper portion of the sleeve to allow for axial movement of the spout within the sleeve while precluding relative rotation therebetween. The exterior of the sleeve is configured, upward from a cylindrical lower portion thereof which engages the base, with opposed slightly flattened finger grip areas corresponding to the opposed long sides of the elliptical top of the spout which allows for an easy manual manipulation of the sleeve. In fact, such opposed preferably smooth slightly arcuate grip areas can comfortably receive the lips of a consumer of the product with the container rotated relative to the lip confined sleeve to effect an alternate means for opening and closing the closure. In this manner, one involved in physical activity, such as bicycling, can readily access the container contents without requiring separate manual manipulation of the closure.
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.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3216630 (1965-11-01), Stull
patent: 3231155 (1966-01-01), McConnell
patent: 4065037 (1977-12-01), Haller
patent: 4424918 (1984-01-01), Stull
patent: 4438870 (1984-03-01), Stull
patent: 4754899 (1988-07-01), Stull
patent: 4805807 (1989-02-01), Perne et al.
patent: 4967941 (1990-11-01), Beck
patent: 5111977 (1992-05-01), Maguire et al.
patent: 5135139 (1992-08-01), Krawagna
patent: 5421487 (1995-06-01), Moretti
patent: 5947331 (1999-09-01), Goncalves
Berge Gary
Schmeisser William C.
Stoneberg Thomas C.
Bui Thach H.
Courtesy Corporation
Derakshani Philippe
Silverman, Cass & Singer, Ltd.
LandOfFree
Telescoping twist closure does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Telescoping twist closure, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Telescoping twist closure will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2604746