Container closure with venting seal

A container closure includes an outer cap, an inner cap, and a seal. The outer cap includes a top wall and an outer sidewall extending downward from the top wall. The inner cap is secured within the outer cap and includes a bottom wall and an inner sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The seal is secured to the inner cap and includes a seal sidewall and a rim extending inwardly from the seal sidewall. The seal sidewall sealingly engages the inner sidewall and the rim sealingly overlaps the bottom wall. The inner cap together with the seal define an air pathway in fluid communication between a space between the outer and inner caps and an air opening formed on the bottom wall of the inner cap and selectively covered by the rim.

BACKGROUND

Liquid containers can become over or under pressurized and the container damaged depending on the liquid to be contained and the ambient temperatures. A known type of container closure is a cap having a non-gas tight screw thread for engaging with a complimentary threaded neck of the container and a seal in the cap to form a substantially gas and liquid-tight seal with the container neck. One solution for unwanted negative pressurization of the container is incorporate a gas vent in the seal and/or the cap for venting between the ambient atmosphere and the interior of the container through openings existing between the screw threads of the cap and threads of the container neck.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to one aspect, a container closure comprises an outer cap, an inner cap, and a seal. The outer cap includes a top wall and an outer sidewall extending downward from the top wall. The inner cap is secured within the outer cap and includes a bottom wall and an inner sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The inner sidewall is offset from the outer sidewall to define a space between the outer cap and the inner cap for receiving an associated neck portion of an associated container. The seal is secured to the inner cap and includes a seal sidewall and a rim extending inwardly from the seal sidewall. The seal sidewall sealingly engages the inner sidewall and the rim sealingly overlaps the bottom wall. The inner cap together with the seal define an air pathway in fluid communication between the space between the outer and inner caps and an air opening formed on the bottom wall of the inner cap and selectively covered by the rim.

According to another aspect, a container assembly comprises a container including body portion and a neck portion having a mouth, and a container closure transitionable between an attached and a detached configuration with respect to the container neck portion. The container closure includes an outer cap, an inner cap, and a seal. The outer cap includes a top wall and an outer sidewall extending downward from the top wall. The inner cap is secured within the outer cap and includes a bottom wall and an inner sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The inner sidewall is offset from the outer sidewall to define a space between the outer cap and the inner cap for receiving the neck portion of the container. The seal forms a sealed connection between the neck portion and the closure when the closure is attached to the neck portion. The seal secured to the inner cap and includes a seal sidewall and a rim extending inwardly from the seal sidewall. The rim sealingly engages the bottom wall. The inner cap together with the seal define an air pathway in fluid communication between the space between the outer and inner caps and an air opening formed on the bottom wall of the inner cap and covered by the rim. The rim is configured to be lifted away from the bottom wall when a vacuum is formed within the container, allowing ambient air to flow through the air pathway and through the air opening into the container to equalize interior air pressure of the container and outside ambient air pressure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the present disclosure. For purposes of description herein, spatially relative terms, such as “upper” and “lower” and the like, may be used to describe an element and/or feature's relationship to another element(s) and/or feature(s) as, for example, illustrated in the figures of the present disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views,FIG.1-3illustrate a container assembly100comprising a container102and an exemplary closure104according to the present disclosure which is complementary to the container. The container102may be configured to retain a desired substance, and in particular may be configured to retain the desired substance at a temperature that is either higher or lower than an ambient temperature. In one aspect of the disclosure, the container102is configured to be used as a beverage container, and may correspond to or resemble a bottle, jug, growler, vessel, carafe, or similar beverage container. The container102may be fashioned from any material having the desired properties for a beverage container, such as a stainless steel or a plastic formulation (e.g., a thermoplastic, or a thermosetting polymer). In one aspect of the disclosure, the container102may incorporate a double-walled construction, with the intervening space between the walls being substantially evacuated, so that the container is a vacuum-insulated container102. Examples of appropriate vacuum-insulated containers are commercially available from HYDRO FLASK (Bend, Oreg.).

The container102includes body portion110and a neck portion112having a mouth114that provides access to an interior118of the container102. The closure104is transitionable between an attached and a detached configuration with respect to the container neck portion112. The closure104(which may alternatively be referred to as a cap or lid) may include one or more suitable structures and components configured so as to provide a sealing closure for the mouth114of the container102. By way of example, the closure104may include a first securing element (i.e., a first threading120) that is complementary to a second securing element (i.e., a second threading122) disposed on the neck portion112. That is, the first threading may be configured to mate with the second threading, so that the closure104may be secured to the neck portion112and thereby secured to and against mouth106. It should be appreciated that additional and/or alternative configurations of securing elements may be used to secure the closure104against the container102, for example, a snap-fit or crimped rim. In such cases the closure104and neck portion112of the container102need not be circular. When the closure104is secured to the container102, the contents of the container assembly100are not prone to leaking during routine handling and/or transport. However, the threaded connection does not form a gas tight seal between the closure104and the neck portion112, so as to allow gas venting and pressure equalization as further described below.

With additional reference toFIG.4, the exemplary closure104includes an outer cap assembly130, an inner cap assembly132secured to the outer cap assembly, and a seal134secured to the inner cap assembly. The outer cap assembly130can comprise an outer cap140and, optionally, a cover member142. The outer cap140includes a top wall146and an outer sidewall148extending downward from the top wall. An inner surface150of the outer sidewall148include the first threading120. The cover member142, which is complementary in shape to the outer cap140, includes a top wall154and an outer sidewall156. The top wall can include an opening158for exposing part of the top wall146which may be molded or inscribed to provide an aesthetic, instructional, or functional interface for a user of the container assembly100. The cover member142is fixedly attached to the outer cap, for example, the cover member142can be overmolded onto the outer cap140. Each of the outer cap140and the cover member142can be formed from a plastic, such as a thermoplastic, or a thermosetting polymer. The outer sidewall156of the cover member142may further include a grippable and/or manipulable surface configured to assist in attaching and/or detaching the closure104from the container102.

The inner cap assembly132is fixedly secured within the outer cap assembly130. According to the present disclosure, the inner cap assembly132comprises an inner cap170, an insulation member172, an insert174, and a support176. The inner cap170includes a bottom wall180and an inner sidewall182extending upwardly from the bottom wall. Similar to the top wall146, the bottom wall180may be molded or inscribed to provide an aesthetic, instructional, or functional interface for a user of the container assembly100. The inner sidewall182is offset from the outer sidewall156of the outer cap140to define a space186between the outer cap140and the inner cap170for receiving the neck portion112of the container102. As best depicted inFIGS.7-9, at least one groove or channel is formed in the inner cap170. In the present embodiment, the at least one groove includes a first groove or channel190and a second groove or channel192in communication with the first groove or channel190. The first groove or channel190is formed in the inner sidewall182and extends circumferentially along a periphery of inner sidewall relative to a longitudinal axis CA of the closure104(the longitudinal axis is best depicted inFIGS.7and8). The second groove or channel192is also formed in the inner sidewall182and extends axially relative to the longitudinal axis CA intersecting the first groove or channel190. More particularly, the inner sidewall182includes a first upper portion196and a second lower portion198. The second lower portion198is offset inwardly (i.e., in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis CA) from the first upper portion196so as to define a first upper ledge200and a second lower ledge202. The second ledge can be slightly offset upwardly from the bottom wall180and forms a radial extension of the bottom wall180which extends past the second lower portion198. The first groove or channel190is defined by the second lower portion198and the first and second ledges200,202. A section of the second lower portion198can be bulged inwardly to define the second groove or channel192(seeFIG.9).

In the depicted embodiment ofFIGS.4,7and8, the insulation member172and the insert174are positioned within the inner cap170. According to one aspect, the insulation member172includes a base210and a post212extending from the base. A first locating feature204for the second groove or channel192can be formed in the base210. The insert174is connected to the insulation member172. The insert174includes an outer sidewall220having an upper section222and a lower section224which are complementary in shape to the upper and lower portions196,198of the inner sidewall182of the inner cap170. The insert174further includes an inner sidewall226connected to the outer sidewall220. The inner sidewall226together with the lower section224define an inner hub having a bore230that is complementary in shape to the insulation member172. This allows the insert174to be matingly fitted or received over the insulation member172. As shown, a second locating feature232for the second groove or channel192can be formed in the lower section224, the second locating feature232received by the first locating feature204(seeFIG.9). The insert174can be further provided with a plurality of spaced reinforcing tabs236interconnecting the inner hub and outer sidewall220. Further illustrated, the support176is received over the over the inner cap170, particularly over the upper portion196of the inner sidewall182of the inner cap170. In the depicted aspect, the support176is ring-shaped having a sidewall240with an upper outwardly extending ledge242and a lower inwardly extending ledge244. In the assembled condition of the closure104, the insulation member172is sandwiched between and covered by the top wall146of the outer cap140and the bottom wall180of the inner cap170, with the base210in contact with the bottom wall180and the post212in contact with the top wall146. Further, distal ends250of the reinforcing tabs236are spaced from the upper portion196of the inner sidewall182of the inner cap170to define offset regions252for locating flanges254depending from the top wall146of the outer cap140.

The seal134is provided to form a sealed connection between the neck portion112of the container102and the closure104when the closure is attached to (i.e., threaded onto) the neck portion. With particular reference toFIGS.4-6, the seal134includes a seal sidewall260and a rim262extending inwardly from the seal sidewall, the rim262defining an opening264. According to the depicted aspect, the seal sidewall260has an inverted U-shape in cross-section and includes an outer portion270, an inner portion272and a top portion274interconnecting the outer and inner portions. The rim262extends inwardly from a lower free end of the inner portion272. A circumferential shoulder276extends inwardly from a connected upper end of the inner portion272. Further, at least one groove or channel280can be formed in the top portion274, the at least one groove or channel280extending radially on the top portion relative to the longitudinal axis CA (seeFIGS.7and8). In the present disclosure, a pair of grooves or channels280,282can be formed on the top portion274, the grooves or channels280,282being angularly spaced (e.g., diametrically spaced) from one another relative to the longitudinal axis. InFIGS.7and8, the inner portion272of the seal sidewall260is secured to the lower portion198of the inner sidewall182of the inner cap170. The top portion274is engaged against the upper ledge200of the lower portion198and the lower ledge202of the lower portion198is received between the rim262and the shoulder276. Further, the rim262is sealingly engaged to the second lower ledge202of the bottom wall180of the inner cap170, with the bottom wall180extending at least partially through the opening264.

Each of the inner cap170, the insert174, and the support176can be formed from a plastic, such as a thermoplastic, or a thermosetting polymer. The insulation member172may incorporate any suitable material, structure, or device configured to reduce heat transfer between upper and lower surfaces of the insulation member. For example, the insulation member may include one or more plastics that may be the same or different than the plastics used for forming the other components of the closure104. In addition to the incorporation of an insulating material, the insulation member172may include a plurality of internal voids or apertures configured so that the spaces formed by the voids decrease the thermal transfer due to conduction through the material of the insulation member172. The seal134may include any material that creates or enhances an air-tight seal between the container102and the closure104.

According to the present disclosure, the inner cap170together with the seal134define an air pathway300(seeFIG.9) in fluid communication between the space186between the outer and inner caps140,170and an air opening302(seeFIG.8) formed on the bottom wall180of the inner cap170and selectively covered by the rim262of the seal134. As illustrated, the air opening302is formed through the second lower ledge202of the bottom wall180outwardly of the lower portion198of the inner sidewall182. Further depicted is a recessed portion310formed in the bottom wall near the air opening302, which allows for ease of removal of the seal134from the inner cap170. According to the present embodiment, the air pathway300is defined by the first and second grooves or channels190,192formed in the inner sidewall182of the inner cap170and covered by the seal134. The air pathway300can also be defined by each of the grooves or channels280,282optionally formed in the top portion274of the seal134and covered by the inner cap170. More particularly, the air pathway includes a first air pathway extending circumferentially about the longitudinal axis CA and formed by the first groove or channel190and the seal shoulder276and a second air pathway extending axially relative to the longitudinal axis CA and formed by the second groove or channel192and the seal shoulder276. Due to tolerances between the inner cap140and the seal134connected thereto, ambient air is capable of flowing between the top portion274of the seal134and the first upper ledge200of the second lower portion198of the inner sidewall182of the inner cap140. To facilitate this airflow, the grooves or channels280,282can be provided on the top portion274. Therefore, a third air pathway extending radial relative to the longitudinal axis CA can be formed by the top portion274(and optionally each of the grooves or channels280,282) and the first upper ledge200of the inner cap170. The second air pathway intersects the first air pathway and the air opening302, and the third air pathway intersects the first air pathway and is circumferentially spaced from the second air pathway.

As depicted inFIGS.7and8, the lower end or ledge244of the support176received over the upper portion196of the inner sidewall182is both in contact with the top portion274of the seal134and can define an extension of each of the grooves or channels280,282. InFIGS.7-9, the grooves or channels280,282are angularly spaced from the second groove or channel192relative to the longitudinal axis CA. Again, the first groove or channel190extends circumferentially along the inner sidewall182of the inner cap170, the second groove or channel192extends axially from the first groove or channel190relative to the longitudinal axis CA and terminates at the air opening302, and the grooves or channels280,282of the seal134extend radially from the first groove or channel190relative to the longitudinal axis. Further, an inner dimension of the seal sidewall260is less than an outer dimension of the lower portion198of the inner sidewall182so that when the seal134is fitted over the lower portion198the rim262is tensioned and biased against the second lower ledge202of the bottom wall180of the inner cap170. This ensures that air opening302is normally closed or sealed by the rim262of the seal134.

Therefore, the closure104is provided with the air pathway300allowing air flow between the interior118of the container102and the labyrinthine gap formed by the threaded connection of the closure104and container102. When the container102is under pressurized with respect to outside ambient air pressure, a vacuum then formed within the interior118lifts that portion of the rim262covering the air opening302allowing ambient air to flow through the air pathway300and through the air opening302into the container. Particularly, ambient air within the space186flows between the threaded connection, between the top portion274(and optionally through each of the grooves or channels280,282) and the first upper ledge200of the inner cap170, into and through the first groove or channel190, into and through the second groove or channel192, and then into and through the air opening302. This allows for equalization of interior air pressure of the container102and outside ambient air pressure.

FIGS.10-12depict another embodiment of an exemplary closure350for the container assembly100. The closure350includes the outer cap assembly130having the outer cap140and the cover member142, the inner cap170secured to the outer cap140, the seal134secured to the inner cap170, and an insulation member356. The insulation member356is positioned within the inner cap170. According to one aspect, the insulation member356includes a first cylindrical part360having a first diameter, and a second cylindrical part362having a second smaller diameter positioned below the first cylindrical part. As depicted, the first and second cylindrical parts360,362are complementary in shape to the respective upper and lower portions196,198of the inner sidewall182of the inner cap170. A locating feature366for the second groove or channel192of the inner cap170can be formed in the second cylindrical part362. In the assembled condition of the closure104, the insulation member356is sandwiched between and covered by the top wall146of the outer cap140and the bottom wall180of the inner cap170, with the first cylindrical part360in contact with the top wall146and the second cylindrical part362in contact with the bottom wall180. The insulation member356can be formed similar to the insulation member172.

With reference also toFIGS.13and14, the seal134, which is mounted to the lower portion198of the inner sidewall182of the inner cap170, is provided to form a sealed connection between the neck portion112of the container102and the closure350when the closure is attached to (i.e., threaded onto) the neck portion. Again, the inner cap170together with the seal134define the air pathway300(seeFIGS.11and12) in fluid communication between the space186between the outer and inner caps140,170and the air opening302formed on the bottom wall180of the inner cap170. The air pathway300includes the first air pathway (i.e., the first groove or channel190) extending circumferentially about the longitudinal axis CA, the second air pathway (i.e., the second groove or channel192) extending axially relative to the longitudinal axis CA and intersecting the first air pathway and the air opening302, and the third air pathway (i.e., between the seal134and the inner cap170and optionally the grooves or channels280,282) extending radial relative to the longitudinal axis CA, intersecting the first air pathway, and circumferentially spaced from the second air pathway. The closure350is adapted such that in a state where an interior pressure of the container102is greater than or equal to outside ambient air pressure, the air opening302is normally closed or sealed by the rim262of the seal134(seeFIG.13). The closure350is adapted such that in a state where an interior pressure of the container102is less than outside ambient air pressure, that portion of the rim262covering the air opening302is lifted (seeFIG.14) and ambient air flows through the air pathway300, through the air opening302and into the container, again allowing for equalization of inside air pressure of the container and outside ambient air pressure.

FIGS.15-17depict another embodiment of an exemplary closure400for the container assembly100. The closure400includes the outer cap assembly130having the outer cap140and the cover member142, an inner cap assembly410secured to the outer cap140, and a seal414secured to the inner cap assembly. Similar to the previous embodiments, an insulation member (not shown) can be positioned within the inner cap assembly410. According to the present disclosure, the inner cap assembly410comprises an inner cap420and a support426. The inner cap420includes an inner sidewall430and a bottom member432. The inner sidewall430is offset from the outer sidewall156of the outer cap140to define a space436between the outer cap140and the inner cap420for receiving a neck portion440of a container442, which can be similar to the container102having a double-walled construction.

As depicted, the inner cap420has formed therein a first groove or channel450and a second groove or channel452in communication with the first groove or channel450. The first groove or channel450is defined by an inwardly offset sidewall portion456(i.e., offset in an inward radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis CA of the closure400best depicted inFIGS.16and17) formed in the inner sidewall430and extending circumferentially along a periphery of the inner sidewall430relative to the longitudinal axis CA. The sidewall portion456defines an upper ledge460and a lower ledge462. The bottom member432, which can be substantially saucer shaped, includes a sidewall464and a bottom wall466. The lower ledge462extends outwardly (i.e., in an outward radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis CA) and circumferentially along a periphery the sidewall464. Provided on the sidewall464of the bottom member432is a recessed portion470and an air opening472extends through the lower ledge462and into the recessed portion470. The air opening472is in direct communication with the second groove or channel452. In the depicted aspect, the support426is ring-shaped having a sidewall480dimensioned to be received over the inner sidewall430of the inner cap420.

Similar to the seal134described above, the seal414includes a seal sidewall492and a rim494extending inwardly from the seal sidewall. According to the depicted aspect, the seal sidewall492has an inverted U-shape in cross-section and includes an outer portion496, an inner portion498and a top portion502interconnecting the outer and inner portions (FIG.17). The rim494extends inwardly from a lower free end of the inner portion498. A circumferential shoulder506extends inwardly from a connected upper end of the inner portion498. The first groove or channel450is further defined by the shoulder506of the seal414. InFIGS.16and17, the seal414is secured to the inner sidewall430of the inner cap420and the rim494is tensioned and biased against the sidewall464of the bottom member422. Therefore, with the rim494sealingly engaged to the sidewall464, the recessed portion470and the air opening472are normally closed or sealed by the seal414.

With reference now toFIGS.18-20, similar to the previous embodiments, the inner cap420together with the seal414define an air pathway520in fluid communication between the space436between the outer and inner caps140,420and the air opening472formed on the bottom member422. The air pathway520includes the first air pathway (i.e., the first groove or channel450) extending circumferentially about the longitudinal axis CA and the second air pathway (i.e., the second groove or channel452) extending axially relative to the longitudinal axis CA and intersecting the first air pathway and the air opening472. Similar to the previous embodiments, due to tolerances between the inner cap420and the seal414connected thereto, airflow is capable between the top portion502of the seal414and the upper ledge460of the inner sidewall430of the inner cap420. Therefore, a third air pathway extending radial relative to the longitudinal axis CA can be formed by the top portion502and the upper ledge460of the inner cap420. The third air pathway intersects the first air pathway and the second air pathway.FIG.18is a detail cross-sectional view of the seal414in a state where an interior pressure of the container442is substantially equal to outside ambient air pressure. As shown, the seal sidewall492is sealingly engaged to the neck portion440of the container442and the rim494is sealingly engaged to the sidewall464of the bottom member422. The recessed portion470and, in turn, the air opening472, is covered and sealed by the rim494.FIG.19is a detail cross-sectional view of the seal414in a state where a predetermined interior pressure of the container442is less than outside ambient air pressure. In this state, the vacuum formed within the container lifts that portion of the rim494covering the recessed portion470and the air opening472. This allows ambient air to flow through the above described air pathway520, through the air opening472and into the container, allowing for equalization of inside air pressure of the container and outside ambient air pressure. Particularly, after the rim494is lifted away from the bottom member422, ambient air within the space436flows between the threaded connection, between the upper portion502of the seal414of the upper edge460of the inner cap420, into and through the first groove or channel450, into and through the second groove or channel452, and into and through the air opening472to the interior of the container.FIG.20is a detail cross-sectional view of the seal414in a state where a predetermined interior pressure of the container442is greater than outside ambient air pressure. In this state, that portion of the rim494covering the recessed portion470is at least partially deformed into the recessed portion, which, in turn, lifts that portion of the of the rim494away from the bottom member422. This allows air from within the container to flow out the air opening472, through the above described air pathway520, into the space436, and from there to ambient, again allowing for equalization of inside air pressure of the container and outside ambient air pressure.