BACK-OFF RESISTANT CLOSURE SYSTEM

Abstract

A resealable anti back-off closure system that is substantially leak-proof and back-off resistant. A closure and container include mating screw threads. The closure includes recesses formed within the interior surface of the closure adapted to cooperate with protrusions formed on the neck of the container. The protrusions and recesses releasably lock together when the closure is screwed onto the container. The closure and container form at least two seals when coupled, including a flange seal and a land seal.

Claims

1. A closure system assembly for a container comprising: a closure defining an interior surface defining a first screw thread; a container defining a finished neck defining a second screw thread, the second screw thread for mating with the first screw thread; a closure lock comprising at least one recess adapted to cooperate with at least one protrusion, one of the at least one recess and the at least one protrusion formed within the interior surface of the closure, the other one of the at least one recess and the at least one protrusion formed into the neck of the container, whereby the at least one protrusion and at least one recess releasably and recloseably lock together when the closure is screwed fully onto the container; a flange seal comprising a flange extending from an interior surface of the closure and contacting an interior surface of the container neck such that the interior surface of the neck and the flange form a liquid-tight seal; and a land seal comprising a first land area defined by an interior surface of the closure and contacting a second land area defined at the top of the neck of the container such that the first land area and the second land area form a liquid-tight seal.

2. The closure system of claim 1, wherein one of the at least one recess and at least one protrusion formed within the interior surface of the closure extends downward to the bottom edge of the closure.

3. The closure system of claim 1, wherein at least one protrusion formed into the neck of the container extends radially outward from the neck of the container.

4. The closure system of claim 1, wherein at least one protrusion formed within the interior surface of the closure extends radially inward from the closure.

5. The closure system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of recesses are formed within the interior surface of the closure and extend around the entire periphery of the closure.

6. The closure system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of recesses are formed into the neck of the container and extend around the entire periphery of the container.

7. A closure system assembly for a container comprising: a closure defining an interior surface defining a first screw thread; a container defining a finished neck defining a second screw thread, the second screw thread for mating with the first screw thread; a closure lock comprising at least one recess adapted to cooperate with at least one protrusion, one of the at least one recess and the at least one protrusion formed within the interior surface of the closure, the other one of the at least one recess and the at least on protrusion formed into the neck of the container, whereby the at least one protrusion and at least one recess releasably and recloseably lock together when the closure is screwed fully onto the container; and a flange seal comprising a flange extending from an interior surface of the closure and contacting an interior surface of the container neck such that the interior surface of the neck and the flange form a liquid-tight seal

8. The closure system of claim 7, further comprising a land seal comprising a first land area defined by an interior surface of the closure and contacting a second land area defined at the top of the neck of the container such that the first land area and the second land area form a liquid-tight seal.

9. The closure system of claim 7, wherein one of the at least one recess and at least one protrusion formed within the interior surface of the closure extends downward to the bottom edge of the closure.

10. The closure system of claim 7, wherein at least one protrusion formed into the neck of the container extends radially outward from the neck of the container.

11. The closure system of claim 7, wherein at least one protrusion formed within the interior surface of the closure extends radially inward from the closure.

12. The closure system of claim 7, wherein a plurality of recesses are formed within the interior surface of the closure and extend around the entire periphery of the closure.

13. The closure system of claim 7, wherein a plurality of recesses are formed into the neck of the container and extend around the entire periphery of the container.

14. A closure system assembly for a container comprising: a closure defining an interior surface defining a first screw thread; a container defining a finished neck defining a second screw thread, the second screw thread for mating with the first screw thread; a closure lock comprising at least one recess adapted to cooperate with at least one protrusion, one of the at least one recess and the at least one protrusion formed within the interior surface of the closure, the other one of the at least one recess and the at least on protrusion formed into the neck of the container, whereby the at least one protrusion and at least one recess releasably and recloseably lock together when the closure is screwed fully onto the container; and a land seal comprising a first land area defined by an interior surface of the closure and contacting a second land area defined at the top of the neck of the container such that the first land area and the second land area form a liquid-tight seal.

15. The closure system of claim 14, further comprising a flange seal comprising a flange extending from an interior surface of the closure and contacting an interior surface of the container neck such that the interior surface of the neck and the flange form a liquid-tight seal.

16. The closure system of claim 14, wherein one of the at least one recess and at least one protrusion formed within the interior surface of the closure extends downward to the bottom edge of the closure.

17. The closure system of claim 14, wherein at least one protrusion formed into the neck of the container extends radially outward from the neck of the container.

18. The closure system of claim 14, wherein at least one protrusion formed within the interior surface of the closure extends radially inward from the closure.

19. The closure system of claim 14, wherein a plurality of recesses are formed within the interior surface of the closure and extend around the entire periphery of the closure.

20. The closure system of claim 14, wherein a plurality of recesses are formed into the neck of the container and extend around the entire periphery of the container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principals of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a resealable anti back-off cap, that is substantially leak-proof, in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a resealable anti back-off container that is substantially leak-proof, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a resealable anti back-off container cross-section that is substantially leak-proof, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section of a closure system in accordance with the present disclosure, including the cap of FIG. 1 and the container of FIGS. 2 and 3, in a fully-engaged position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] For the purposes of promoting and understanding the principals of the invention, reference will now be made to one or more illustrative embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0022] In a disclosed embodiment, a copolymer resin closure has been found to be desirable to prevent breakage of the closure in the event that the container is dropped. Specifically, the cap is manufactured from a high density polyethylene and the container is manufactured from a clarified polypropylene.

[0023] FIGS. 1-4 show an illustrative embodiment of a cap 100 and container neck 200 having features that when coupled, provide a substantially leak-proof, resealable, anti back-off closure system. FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of a cap 100. The cap 100 has a generally flat top disk 110 from the periphery of which depends an upper skirt 140. The lower edge of upper skirt 140 merges with the upper edge of lower skirt 120. The lower skirt 120 has a generally horizontal, planar lower edge 122. Upper skirt 140 and lower skirt 120 have vertical ribs 124 spaced therearound, for example, knurling to aid in gripping the cap 100. The vertical ribs 124 are further defined by lower edges 126.

[0024] On the interior of upper skirt 140 is formed a thread 130. At least one recess 150 is defined by the inside of lower skirt 120. The recess(es) 150 include an recess inner surface 152, first recess inner edge 154, and second recess edge 156, and extend in length to recess end 158. A plurality of recesses 150 may be spaced or separated by a portion of the inside of lower skirt 120 and the plurality of recesses 150 may extend around the periphery of lower skirt 120.

[0025] An inner flange 112 extends downward from top disk 110. The outer bottom edge 114 of flange 112 may be rounded or formed with a bevel. A circular land area 116 on the underside of disk 110 is located between flange 112 and skirt 140. A radius 118 joins circular land area 116 and the upper edge of skirt 140.

[0026] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show an illustrative embodiment of a finished neck 200. Neck 200 has a central neck opening 210 and a first upper neck portion 214 terminating at land area 212.

[0027] Extending radially outward from the first upper neck portion 214 is a thread 230 which is selected to mate with thread 130 of cap 100. The number of thread leads and linear thread density may be advantageously chosen. A second upper neck portion 220 is located below the thread 230 and extends downward to upper shoulder 222, which extends radially outward from the neck 200 to form a horizontal surface.

[0028] Below upper shoulder 222 is a vertical engagement wall 224. Vertical engagement wall 224 terminates in middle shoulder 226 which extends approximately radially outward and, at its lower end, merges with a transition 240. Outwardly of and below transition 240 is the main body 242 of the container.

[0029] Projecting out from vertical engagement wall 224 are protrusions 250. Protrusions 250 may be spaced and dimensioned to match the recesses 150 of cap 100. Protrusions 250 may be further separated by a portion of vertical engagement wall 224 and the plurality of protrusions 250 may extend around the periphery of vertical engagement wall 224. Protrusion(s) 250 may also consist of a single protrusion. Each protrusion has a top surface 258 which can be co-planar with the surface of upper shoulder 222. Protrusion outer surface 252 is approximately vertical and terminates at middle shoulder 226. Protrusions 250 are further defined by protrusion first edges 254 and protrusion second edges 256.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 4, various features of cap 100 are dimensioned to match the features of neck 200 to provide releasable retention of the cap and neck, and sealing. Threads 130 of cap 100 are rotationally mated with thread 230 of neck 200. Upon sufficient rotation, cap 100 is drawn downward onto neck 200 such that recesses 150 of cap 100 are engaged with protrusions 250 of neck 200. The engagement of the recesses 150 and protrusions 250 provide resistance to turning (antiback-off) and thus reopening (unscrewing) that requires a greater torque on cap 100 relative to the neck 200 than would be experienced in normal shipping and handling. The size, depth of engagement, and other features of recesses 150 and protrusions 250 can be modified to provide the level of resistance to turning that is desired for the application. Alternatively, protrusions 250 can be located on the cap 100 and the recesses 150 defined on the neck 200.

[0031] A flange seal is formed by inner flange 112 of cap 100 and the inner surface 216 of the central opening 210 of neck 200. A land seal is formed by land area 116 of cap 100 and land area 212 of neck 200. An optional shoulder connection can be formed by lower edge 122 of cap 100 in contact with the middle shoulder 226 of neck 200 and can provide an additional seal and/or anti back-off feature. Each of these seals and connections is made upon the cap 100 being drawn fully downward onto neck 200 and each can be designed to contribute to the sealing and anti back-off features of the closure system. Alternative embodiments of the closure system can include any combination of a subset of the disclosed seals and connections in addition to other closure seals known in the art.

[0032] It should be understood that the above description is intended for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other aspects of the disclosure can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.