Patent Publication Number: US-2010127021-A1

Title: Closure with lid with push-button actuation

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
     The present invention relates generally to container closures for dispensing a fluent substance, which may include personal care products or the like, and more particularly to a dispensing closure system especially suitable for a hand-held container, which includes a lid moveable between closed and open positions, with push-button actuation of the closure facilitating convenient, one-hand use by consumers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL  PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART  
     Fluent materials, including liquids, creams, powders, etc., may be conventionally packaged in a container having a dispensing closure which includes a covering body that is provided over an open end of the container, and that defines one or more dispensing orifices communicating with the interior of the container. A cap or lid is typically provided secured to the covering body for occluding the one or more dispensing orifices when the container is not in use. The provision of an integral hinge maintains the moveable lid in association with the closure body, facilitating convenient use. 
     In order to further facilitate convenient use by consumers, the present closure system includes an arrangement for push-button operation for effecting opening movement of the lid thereof, with the arrangement desirably facilitating one-hand use by consumers, while at the same time facilitating assembly of the closure component to facilitate cost-effective manufacturing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     The present invention is directed to a dispensing closure assembly, which includes an integrally hinged lid member for opening and closing of a dispensing orifice of the closure. Convenient push-button operation is provided by a laterally-movable slider element of the assembly. Mounting of the slider element on the associated closure base, i.e., “top-mounting” of the slider element, facilitates efficient, cost-effective manufacture and use of the present closure arrangement. Camming surfaces of the slider element are configured to provide the desired degree of vertical opening movement of the closure lid attendant to horizontal movement of the slider element. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a dispensing closure system for a container having an opening includes a closure base for extending from the container at the opening thereof. The container base includes a dispensing orifice for communicating with the interior of the container. 
     The present closure system further includes a lid for movement between a closed position on top of the base to occlude the dispensing orifice, and an open position, away from the dispensing orifice, to permit dispensing of a substance from within the container. The system includes a hinge for moveably connecting the lid to the closure base, with these components of the present system preferably being integrally formed as a one-piece component from suitable polymeric material. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the present closure system further includes an element, which is generally ring-shaped in a preferred embodiment. The slider element is mounted on an upper surface of the closure base for generally lateral movement with respect thereto from an unactuated position, to an actuated position. The slider element includes a pair of camming surfaces engageable with the lid in the closed position thereof, when the slider element is in its unactuated position. The slider element is moveable generally laterally of the closure base from the unactuated position toward the actuated position thereof, to thereby cause the camming surfaces to act at generally opposite sides of the dispensing orifice, to thereby urge the lid upwardly out of its closed position toward the open position thereof. By this action, dispensing of the fluent substance within the container through the orifice is permitted. 
     By this arrangement of camming surfaces, at generally laterally opposite sides of the dispensing orifice, forces generated by actuation of the slider element are generally concentrated in the region of the orifice, and desirably act in close association with that portion of the lid which occludes the orifice. The desired degree of vertical movement of the closure lid is thus created attendant to horizontal of lateral movement of the slider element The typical interference or snap-fit between the lid and the closure base at the dispensing orifice is thus effectively and conveniently disengaged by lateral movement of the slider element. 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the slider element includes a button portion configured for manipulation by consumers to move the slider element laterally of the closure base from the unactuated to actuated position thereof. Convenient, one-hand manipulation and opening of the closure system is thus facilitated. 
     In order to further facilitate opening movement of the closure lid attendant to lateral movement of the slider element, the slider element further preferably includes a pusher portion, positioned distally of the button portion, for engagement with the lid. By this arrangement, lateral movement of the slider element from its unactuated position toward its actuated position moves the pusher portion into engagement with the lid, to thereby urge the lid toward its open position. 
     In one illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the camming surfaces of the slider element extend angularly from respective opposite sides of the button portion. In other disclosed embodiments, the camming surfaces have a generally partially frustoconical configuration. In one of these embodiments, the button portion of the slider element is contiguous with the camming surfaces, and also has a generally partially frustoconical configuration. In an alternate embodiment, the button portion extends generally laterally between the partially frustoconical camming surfaces. 
     In the preferred form, the pusher portion of the slider element defines an inwardly facing stop surface, engageable with the closure base, to thereby limit movement of the slider element from its actuated position to its unactuated position. 
     In two embodiments, the lid of the closure system defines an opening within which the button portion of the slider is complementarily positioned when the slider element is in its unactuated position, and the lid is in its closed position. 
     By these various arrangements, an aesthetically pleasing closure system construction is provided, while at the same time facilitating convenient one-hand, push-button actuation by consumers. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a dispensing closure configured for push-button actuation configured in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the closure illustrated in  FIG. 1 , with the lid thereof shown in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing closure shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present dispensing closure having push-button actuation; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the closure shown in  FIG. 4 , illustrating the lid thereof in an open position; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing closure shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a further embodiment of a dispensing closure having push-button actuation; 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the dispensing closure shown in  FIG. 7 , with the lid thereof in an open position; and 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the closure shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, the specification and the accompanying drawings disclose specific embodiments of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments so described. However, the scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims. 
     For ease of description, many of the figures illustrated in the invention show the dispensing closure system as including a separate, removable, dispensing closure in the typical configuration that the closure would have at the top of an associated container when the container is stored upright on its base, and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, etc. are used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that the closure system of this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in an orientation other than the orientation described. 
     The dispensing closure system of this invention is suitable for use with a variety of conventional or special fluent substance dispensing systems, including packages, articles, and other dispensing equipment or apparatus, the details of which, although not fully illustrated or described, would be apparent to those having skill in the art and an understanding of such fluent substance dispensing systems. Such a fluent substance dispensing system, or portion thereof, with which the inventive dispensing closure system cooperates is hereinafter simply referred to as a “container”. Particulars of such a container are not intended to limit the present invention. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that novel and non-obvious inventive aspects are embodied in the described exemplary dispensing closure system alone. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , therein is illustrated a first embodiment of the present closure dispensing system, comprising an assembly of components as will hereinafter be described, with reference to closure  20  of the present invention. Closure  20  includes a closure base  22  which may be configured as a separate component configured for attachment to an associated container (not illustrated). To this end, the closure base  22  includes a generally horizontal closure deck  24 , and a generally upstanding closure spout  26  extending upwardly from the closure deck  24 , with the closure spout defining a dispensing orifice  28  through which a fluent substance in the associated container can be selectively dispensed. 
     The closure  20  can be used to dispense substances, including, but not limited to liquids, suspensions, mixtures, etc. (such as, for example, a personal care product, an industrial or household cleaning product, or other compositions of matter, e.g., compositions for use in activities involving manufacturing, commercial or household maintenance, construction, agricultural, medical treatment, military operations, etc.). 
     The associated container with which the closure  20  may be used would typically be a squeezable container having a flexible wall or walls which can be grasped by the user and squeezed or compressed to increase the internal pressure within the container so as to force the product out of the container and through the opened closure. Such a flexible container wall typically has sufficient, inherent resiliency so that when the squeezing forces are removed, the container wall returns to its normal, unstressed shape. Such a squeezable container is preferred in many applications, but may not be necessary or preferred in other applications. For example, in some applications, it may be desirable to employ a generally rigid container, and to pressurize the container interior at selected times with a piston or other pressurizing system, or to reduce the exterior ambient pressure around the exterior of the closure so as to suck the material out through the open closure. 
     It is presently contemplated that many applications employing the closure  20  will be conveniently realized by molding at least some of the components or portions of the closure  20  from suitable thermoplastic material or materials. In the illustrated embodiments, the components of the closure can be molded from a suitable thermoplastic material, such as, but not limited to, polypropylene. The closure components may be molded from different materials. The materials may have the same or different colors and textures. 
     Securement of the closure  20  to an associated container can be effected by the provision of a depending skirt  30  of the closure base, which extends downwardly from the closure deck  24 . The closure skirt may be provided with one or more suitable retention elements, such as retention beads  32  ( FIG. 3 ), which can be configured for cooperation with a suitable external retention element of an associated container. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure base includes a hollow, generally cylindrical, internal, annular, plug seal  34 , depending from the deck  24  inwardly of the skirt  30 , for cooperative engagement with the mouth of an associated container. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the closure  20  includes a moveable lid  40  moveably mounted on the closure base  22  for movement toward and away from closure deck  24 , with the lid  40  configured for occluding the dispensing orifice  28  of the closure base. The specific configuration of the closure lid can vary in keeping with the principles disclosed herein, with the lid generally including a top wall portion  42  ( FIG. 3 ), and a partially annular, depending skirt portion  44 . The lid  40  includes a sealing collar  46  depending generally downwardly from the interior of top wall portion  42  for sealing, cooperative engagement with the spout  26  of closure base  22 , thereby occluding the dispensing orifice  28  when the lid is in its closed position, such as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . In the open position of the lid, illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the lid  40  is moved out of sealing cooperation with the closure base  22 , to thereby permit dispensing of substances from the associated container through the dispensing orifice  28 . 
     Movement of the lid  40  between closed and open positions with respect to the closure base  22  is facilitated by the provision of a hinge  50  ( FIG. 1 ) connecting the lid  40  to the closure base  22 . In a presently preferred embodiment, the hinge includes a pair of spaced-apart film hinges  50 A ( FIG. 2 ), and offset connecting spring link  50 B, provided on the lid  40 . This arrangement provides a snap-action hinge structure which permits the lid  40  to be moved between open and closed positions as the link  50 B deforms elastically through a dead center position at which the link  50 B is maximally deformed. On either side of the top of the dead center position, the elastic deformation of the link  50 B is at least partially reduced, and the lid  40  is thus urged to a stable position at the end of its travel range on that side of the dead center position. Thus, when the lid  40  is in its closed position ( FIG. 1 ) it is self-maintained in the closed position. On the other hand, when the lid  40  is in the open position ( FIG. 2 ), it is self-maintained in that position, to thereby accommodate dispensing of contents without the user having to maintain the lid in an out-of-the-way disposition. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the present closure is configured for convenient, push-button operation by the provision of a slider element  56  mounted on an upper surface of the closure base  22  for reciprocable, generally lateral sliding movement with respect thereto from an unactuated position ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ) to an actuated position ( FIG. 2 ). As will be observed, the slider element  56  has a generally ring-shaped configuration, and fits on closure deck  24  generally about the closure spout  26  of the closure base  22 . Disposition of the slider element on the upper surface of the closure base, sometimes referred to as “top-mounting”, facilitates convenient and cost-effective assembly of the present closure system, thereby facilitating cost-effective use with associated containers. Top-mounting desirably precludes the need to provide a double-wall structure beneath the closure deck, as would ordinarily be required if the slider element were “bottom-mounted” beneath the closure deck. One or more suitable snap-fit components (not shown) can be provided on the slider element  56  and/or the closure base  22  for retention of the slider element on the base, while facilitating the desired lateral movement thereof with respect to the closure base. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the slider element  56  includes a pair of camming surfaces positioned to act at generally laterally opposite sides of the dispensing orifice  28 , to thereby facilitate convenient disengagement of the sealing collar  46  of the lid  40  from sealing cooperation with the closure spout  26 . In this illustrated embodiment, the slider element  56  includes a pair of camming surfaces  58  which are positioned at generally opposite sides of the dispensing orifice  28 , generally adjacent to respective opposite sides of the closure spout  26 . The camming surfaces  58  are configured to respectively engage and coact with a pair of camming elements  60  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) provided on the interior surface of the top wall portion  42  of closure lid  40 . 
     Convenient manipulation of the slider element  56  is facilitated by the provision of button portion  62 , which extends generally laterally between the camming surfaces  58 . In this illustrated embodiment, the camming surfaces  58 , and the button portion  62 , are contiguous, and each have a generally partially frustoconical configuration, which partially frustoconical configurations can be provided in a generally complementary form to the upper portion of closure spout  26  (see  FIG. 2 ). To facilitate manipulation of the slider element when the lid  40  is in its closed position, button portion  62  is generally exposed when the lid is in its closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid  40  defines an opening  64  ( FIG. 2 ) within which the button portion  62  is complementarily positioned when the slider element is in its unactuated position, and the lid  40  is in its closed position. 
     In order to enhance reliable movement of the lid from its closed position to its open position, through the center position of hinge  50 , attendant to push-button actuation of the slider element  56 , the slider element is further preferably provided with a pusher portion  66  ( FIG. 2 ), positioned distally of button portion  62 . Pusher portion  66  is engageable with deformable link  50 B of the lid  40 , when the lid is in its closed position ( FIG. 3 ), and the slider element is in its initial, unactuated position. By this arrangement, lateral movement of the slider element  56  with respect to the closure base urges pusher portion  66  against deformable link  50 B, thus acting in cooperation with camming surfaces  58  to move the lid from its closed position, and to its fully open position. 
     In the preferred form, the pusher portion  66  defines an inwardly facing stop surface  68  ( FIG. 2 ), which is engageable with the rear lower portion of the spout  26  of the closure base to thereby limit movement of the slider element from its actuated, initial position ( FIG. 3 ) to its unactuated position, attendant to closing manipulation of the lid by the consumer, with link  50 B acting against pusher portion  66  to move the slider element laterally of the closure base forwardly toward the front of the closure. Thus, opening movement of the lid  40  is effected by push-button actuation of slider element  56 , with closing manipulation of the lid  40  acting on pusher portion  66  to return the slider element  56  to its initial position. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 4-6 , therein is illustrated an alternate embodiment of the present dispensing closure, with elements corresponding to the previously described embodiment designated by like reference numerals in the  100 -series. 
     Thus,  FIGS. 4-6  illustrate a dispensing closure  120  including a closure base  122  configured for attachment to an associated container. The closure base  122  includes a generally horizontal deck  124  ( FIG. 5 ), which defines a generally upstanding closure spout  126 . The closure spout defines a dispensing orifice  128  through which a fluent substance from the associated container can be dispensed. 
     The closure base includes an annular skirt  130  which depends from the closure deck  124  of the closure base, with the skirt provided with at least one suitable retention element  132  ( FIG. 6 ), configured for cooperative engagement with a suitable external retention element of an associated container. As in the previous embodiment, the closure base  122  of closure  120  includes a hollow, generally cylindrical internal, annular, plug seal  134 , which can be configured for cooperative engagement with the mouth of an associated container. 
     The closure  120  further includes a moveable lid  140 , configured for movement away from and toward closure base  122 , between open and closed positions, respectively. The lid  140  includes a top wall portion  142  ( FIG. 6 ), and a skirt portion  144  depending from the top wall portion  142 . An internal sealing collar  146  ( FIG. 6 ) depends from the interior of the top wall portion  142 , for sealing, cooperative engagement with the closure spout  126 , thereby occluding the dispensing orifice  128  of the closure base. 
     As in the previous embodiment, a hinge  150  ( FIG. 5 ) is provided for moveably connecting the lid  140  to the closure base  122 , with a pair of hinges  150 A provided on respective opposite sides of a resiliently deformable link  150 B of the lid  140 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, push-button actuation of the moveable lid  140  is effected by the provision of a laterally moveable, top-mounted slider element  156  ( FIG. 5 ) mounted on an upper surface of the closure deck  124  of closure base  122 . The slider element  156  is configured for reciprocable, generally lateral sliding movement with respect to the closure base, between an unactuated position ( FIGS. 4 and 6 ), and an actuated position ( FIG. 5 ), with lateral movement of the slider element effecting movement of the associated closure lid  140  from its closed position ( FIGS. 4 and 6 ) to its open position ( FIG. 5 ). 
     To this end, the slider element  156  is generally ring-shaped, and fits about the closure spout  126  of the closure base  122 , and includes a pair of camming surfaces  158  positioned on respective opposite sides of the closure spout  126 . By this arrangement, the camming surfaces  158  are positioned to act generally at laterally opposite sides of the dispensing orifice  128  to urge the associated lid  140  out of its closed position toward its open position. This permits dispensing of a fluent substance from within the container through the dispensing orifice. 
     In order to provide the desired cooperate engagement between camming surfaces  158  and the closure lid  140 , the closure lid preferably includes a pair of camming elements  160  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) positioned on the interior of top wall portion  142  for respective cooperative engagement with the camming surfaces  158  of the slider element  156 . As in the previous embodiment, the camming surfaces  158  have a generally partially frustoconical configuration, which promotes the desired camming cooperation with camming elements  160  provided on the closure lid  140 . 
     Convenient manipulation of the slider element  156  is facilitated by the provision of button portion  162  which extends laterally generally between the camming surfaces  158 . In this embodiment, the closure lid  140  defines an opening  164  within which the button portion  162  is complementarily positioned when the slider element  156  is in its unactuated position, and the lid  140  is in its closed position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . 
     In order to urge the closure lid  140  to its fully open position after initial lateral movement of slider element  156  urges camming surfaces  158  into cooperation with camming elements  160 , the slider element  156  preferably includes a pusher portion  156  positioned distally of button portion  162 . Pusher portion  156  is configured for cooperative engagement with the elastically deformable link  150 B of the lid  140 , and acts to move the lid to its fully open position after disengagement of sealing collar  146  from the closure spout  126  of closure base  122 . 
     Manipulation of closure lid  140  from its open position toward its closed position, for closing the dispensing orifice  128 , causes the deformable link  150 B to engage the pusher portion  166  of the slider element thereby laterally pushing the slider element from its actuated position back to its initial unactuated position. The pusher portion  166  preferably includes an inwardly facing stop surface  168  for cooperative engagement with the lower portion of the spout  126  of the closure base  122  to thereby limit movement of the slider element from its actuated position to its unactuated, initial position ( FIG. 6 ). 
     A further embodiment of the present dispensing closure system is illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 , with features of this embodiment corresponding to the previously described embodiments designated by like reference numerals in the  200 -series. 
     Accordingly, dispensing closure  220  includes a closure base  222  configured for securement to an associated container. The closure base  222  includes a generally horizontal closure deck  224 , with a closure spout  226  extending generally upwardly from the closure deck. The closure spout  226  defines a dispensing orifice  228  through which a fluent substance from the associated container can flow during dispensing operation of the closure. 
     The closure base  222  further includes a generally annular skirt  230  which depends from the closure deck  224 . As illustrated, the skirt  230  may include at least one retention element  232 , such as for cooperative engagement with an external retention element of an associated container. The closure base  222  includes an internal plug seal  234  having a hollow, generally cylindrical configuration, positioned inwardly of the skirt  230 , for cooperative engagement with the mouth of an associated container. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the dispensing closure  220  includes a lid  240  which is moveable with respect to the closure base  222  between open and closed positions, by movement away from and toward the closure deck  224  of the closure base. The closure lid  240  includes a top wall portion  242  ( FIG. 7 ), and a skirt portion  244  depending from the top wall portion  242 . A sealing collar  246  ( FIG. 9 ) provided on the interior surface of the top wall portion  242  is configured for cooperative sealing engagement with the closure spout  226  of the closure base, to thereby occlude and seal the dispensing orifice  228  of the closure base. A pair of hinges  250 A of hinge  250  moveably attach the lid  240  to the closure base  222 , with a resiliently deformable link  250 B of the lid  240  acting to bias the lid away from the opposite side of its dead center position. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the dispensing closure  220  includes a laterally moveable, top-mounted slider element  256 , positioned on top of closure deck  224  for generally lateral sliding movement with respect to the closure base  222 . The slider element  256  is generally ring-shaped, and includes a pair of camming surfaces  258  positioned to act generally at laterally opposite sides of the dispensing orifice  228  to urge the lid  240  out of its closed position toward its open position. The slider element  256  includes a button portion  262  which extends generally between the camming surfaces  258 . In this embodiment, the camming surfaces  258  extend angularly from respective opposite sides of the button portion  262 . 
     In order to promote opening movement of the lid  240  to its fully open position, the slider element  256  preferably includes a pusher portion  266  ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ), positioned distally of button portion  262 . Pusher portion  266  engages and coacts with the deformable link  250 B of the lid  240  for urging the lid to its fully open position, after disengagement of sealing collar  246  from closure spout  226  of the closure base  222 . 
     During manipulation of the lid  240  from its open position toward its closed position, the link  250 B of the lid coacts with the pusher portion  266  to laterally move the slider element  256  from its actuated position to its unactuated position. Attendant to this movement, a stop surface  268  of the pusher portion is engageable with the lower portion of the spout  226  on the closure base  222  to limit movement of the slider element toward its unactuated position. 
     As will be appreciated, from the description of the embodiments of the present invention, versatile and cost-effective use of the present closure system is promoted. As noted, top-mounting of the slider element on the associated closure base facilitates assembly. A suitable snap-fit arrangement can be provided whereby the slider element can be snapped onto, and maintained on, the closure base attendant to lateral actuation. Such an optional snap-fit arrangement is not illustrated and is not a necessary element of the present invention. 
     By virtue of top-mounting of the slider element, the present closure can be configured to include a single wall or skirt depending from the deck portion of the closure base, thus providing a design requiring less polymeric material. The skirt of the closure can have threads or retention beads to facilitate assembly with an associated container, with a single wall closure structure thus being possible. 
     The configuration of the slider element by which the button portion is exposed and visible facilitates convenient, one-hand manipulation by consumers. Application of force to the button portion by a consumer causes the slider element to travel in a lateral or horizontal motion along the deck of the closure base, thereby actuating the cam elements of the closure lid, preferably located generally near the center of this component, at laterally opposite sides of the dispensing orifice of the closure. Engagement of the camming surfaces with the camming elements acts to disengage the sealing system of the closure from the dispensing orifice. 
     Once the sealing system is disengaged, the slider element continues to press on the elastically deformable link of the hinge of the closure. In this fashion, the hinge bias eventually takes over and the cover opens completely. If desired, friction ribs (not illustrated) can be provided on the slider element to keep the slider element in its actuated position. Additionally, a return spring (not illustrated), such as by a resiliently deformable integral spring element on the slider element, can be added to urge the slider element to its initial, unactuated position, while the associated lid remains in its open position. Alternatively, if such a return spring is not employed, then the slider element is maintained in its actuated position while the lid is in its open position, and subsequent closing movement of the lid by the consumer forces the slider element back into its pre-actuated or unactuated position. 
     As will be appreciated from the above description, disposition of the camming surfaces of the slider element in a close, operative association with the sealing arrangement for the dispensing orifice facilitates direction of the opening force, provided by lateral movement of the slider element, upwardly at the lid where the lid sealingly engages the dispensing orifice. Convenient and effective opening movement of the lid is thus provided. As will be appreciated, consumers may conveniently grasp the associated container with one hand, manipulate the button portion of the slider element to open the closure lid with the thumb or a finger of that hand, and thereafter conveniently dispense the container contents. Closing of the lid can also be conveniently effected. 
     It will be readily observed from the foregoing detailed description of the invention and from the illustrations thereof that numerous other variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.