Patent Publication Number: US-6902076-B2

Title: Bottle and bottle closure assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a bottle closure assembly and bottle for containing a processing solution for placement in a photographic processing apparatus. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Certain chemical processing solutions used in photographic processing apparatus typically must be mixed with other chemical solutions or with water prior to their use. In order to assure product freshness it is often important for the mixing to be carried out just before use. This is particularly the case with photographic processing solutions used in photographic processors. Customer requirements for easier handling of these photochemical solutions, with less exposure to the chemicals, has generated the need for a closure which does not need to be removed or replaced in order to dispense the photographic processing solution. In addition, seal integrity, customer handling, and recyclability requirements have resulted in the need for a closure molded from high density polyethylene (HDPE) resin which can seal the bottle and be opened simply by inserting the bottle into processing apparatus having a probe for opening of the closure for allowing the processing solution to freely flow out of the bottle/container. At the present time, each photochemical processing solution to be mixed is stored in a separate plastic container/bottle closed by a liquid tight seal. The photochemical manufacturing community currently utilizes various closure methods for sealing bottles filled with photographic chemicals. In one method a foam/cardboard seal is inserted inside the bottle cap. This requires that the cap be removed prior to emptying the container. In a second method an aluminum foil seal is welded over the bottle neck opening and covered with a cap. Here again, the cap must be removed prior to puncturing the seal to open the container. A third method uses an integral bottleneck seal and segmented lid section (frangible) such as illustrated in EP0 0947441 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,324. 
   The above mentioned sealing methods have various disadvantages. Some do not meet the customer requirements of seal integrity, customer handling, recyclability, have a propensity to leak in the event of rough shipping, or are costly in nature because of multiple parts or the need for multiple steps during manufacture. 
   It is also important to provide a closure assembly that allows for rapid and complete drainage of the contents of the container. 
   The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a bottle closure assembly for draining a solution contained within a bottle for holding a processing solution, the bottle having a base section, a body portion extending from the base and terminating into a neck portion having an outlet through which the solution may pass, the bottle closure assembly comprising: 
   a seal secured to the neck portion of the bottle so as to cover the opening such that the seal will retain solution within the bottle; and 
   a cap member for assisting in the rupture of the seal, the cap member having a skirt for securing the cap member to the neck portion. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a bottle and bottle closure assembly for draining a solution contained within a bottle, the bottle closure assembly comprising: 
   a bottle for holding a processing solution, the bottle having a base section, a body portion extending from the base and terminating into a neck portion having an outlet through which the solution may pass; 
   a seal secured to the neck portion so as to cover the opening such that the seal will retain solution within the bottle; 
   a cap member for assisting in the rupture of the seal, the seal having a securing member for securing the cap member to the neck portion. 
   These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims and by reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is perspective view of a bottle and closure assembly made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial exploded perspective view of the bottle and closure assembly of  FIG. 1  illustrating the elements of the closure assembly; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the bottle and closure assembly in the inverted dispensing position as taken along line  3 — 3 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the cap member of the closure assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is plan view of the cap member of  FIG. 1  as taken along line  5 — 5 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the neck portion of the bottle and closure assembly illustrating a probe rupturing the closure assembly for opening of the closure assembly; 
       FIG. 7  is cross sectional view of  FIG. 6  as taken along line  7 — 7  illustrating initial penetration of the probe; 
       FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  illustrating the probe fully engaged position for opening of the closure assembly; 
       FIG. 9   a  is top plan view of a modified cap member made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 9   b  is an enlarged partial view of the center portion of the modified cap of  FIG. 9   a;    
       FIG. 10   a  is top plan view of another modified cap member made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 10   b  is an enlarged partial view of the center portion of the modified cap member of  FIG. 10   a;    
       FIG. 11   a  is cross section view similar to  FIG. 3  of a modified closure assembly on a bottle made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 11   b  is an enlarged partial view of the rupture members of  FIG. 11   a  as identified by the circle  11   b ; and 
       FIGS. 12-15  illustrate various modified cap members made in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-8  there is illustrated closure assembly  10  made in accordance with the present invention as provided on a bottle/container  12 . The bottle  12  has a base  14 , a central section  16  rising up from the base  14 , a shoulder section  18  which converges from all sides to form the bottle neck  20 . The bottle neck  20  terminates in a rim  22  which defines opening  24  through which solution is provided into or dispensed from bottle  12 . In the particular embodiment illustrated the bottle is made of HDPE (high density polyethylene). However, the bottle may be made of any desired plastic or other material so desired. 
   The closure assembly  10  comprises a seal  26  and cap member  28 . The seal  26  is shaped to cover the opening  24  and is secured to rim  22  so as to provide a liquid tight seal so as to prevent accidental spilling or dispensing of the liquid contained within the bottle  12 . The seal  26  comprises at least one layer of a material designed such that it can be secured to the material of the rim  22  so as to provide a liquid tight seal with rim  22  of neck  20  and provide the desired break strength. In the embodiment illustrated the seal  26  is made of 3 layers of materials laminated together. The bottom layer is comprised of material formulated to bond with the bottle neck  20  material, usually a polyethylene layer. The other layers provide strength against unplanned rupturing as well as additional barrier properties. These additional layers may be comprised of foil, paper or polymers. The seal  26  function is to contain the liquid in the bottle  12  without leaking and to prevent free exchange of air or moisture, which may degrade the chemicals stored in the bottle 12 . In the particular embodiment the seal  26  is designed to require a force of less than 20 lbs., for the puncturing of the seal  26  by a puncturing probe  30 , as shown in FIG.  6 . The probe  30  would typically be provided on the processing apparatus on which the bottle  12  with closure assembly  10  is to be placed for dispensing of the contained solution to the processing apparatus. Preferably the puncture force required to break the seal  26  is less than 15 lbs. 
   The cap member  28  comprises an annular body  32  from which an annular skirt  34  extends toward bottle  12 . The cap member  28  fits over the bottle neck  20  such that that the annular skirt  34  surrounds the upper end  36  of the bottle neck  20 . The internal surface  38  of the annular skirt  34  is provided with internal threads  40  for engaging external threads  42  on the outer surface of upper end  36  of said bottle so that the cap member  24  may be secured to the bottle  12 . The annular body  32  is provided with an annular surface  44 , which defines an opening  46 , adjacent the rim  22 . The opening  46  has a shape substantially the same as opening  24  in bottle  12 . The opening  46  in the embodiment illustrated has a substantially circular shape having a diameter D 1  which is equal to or less than the diameter D 2  of opening  24 . A plurality of rupture members  48  are provided with opening  46  each having an outer hinge member  50  which is attached to the annular surface  44 . In the particular embodiment shown there are four rupture members  48 . However, any desired number of rupture members  48  may be provided, preferably three to five. The rupture members  48  are shaped so as to provide a narrow space  52  between adjacent rupture members  48 . The connecting hinge member  50  are defined by a pair of adjacent hinge slots  56  which serve to increase the overall bending arm of the associated rupture member  48 . At the area where the hinge member  50  meets the annular surface  44  there is provided a radius section  58  having a radius R to minimize any stresses as the rupture members  48  are bent during rupture of the closure assembly  10  thereby preventing the rupture members  48  from separating from the annular surface  44 . Each rupture member  48  has a thickness T, which is between 0.5 mm and 2.0 mm with a preferable thickness of 0.75 mm to 1.5 mm. The binge slots  56  have a length L of from 0 to ¼D 1 . The binge slots are preferably {fraction (1/12)}D 1  to ⅙D 1  in length. The width WH of the hinge slots  56 , the narrow space  52  and the circumferential gap  60 , the area between the rupture member  48  and adjacent annular surface  44 , are all greater than 0 and preferably less than T. 
   The rupture members  48  are each held in place by the connecting hinge member  50  and a set of connecting ties  54 . The ties  54  serve to hold the rupture members  48  to one another, and prevent the rupture members  48  from being moved or displaced prematurely. The connecting ties  54  in the preferred embodiment are shown at the center of the cap member  28 , connecting the very tips of rupture members  48 . These connecting ties  54  can be located away from center and still serve the same function. The ties  54  have a thickness greater than 0 and equal to or less than the cross sectional thickness T of rupture members  48 . The width W (see  FIG. 5 ) of the ties  54  is also greater than 0 and less than T. The preferred dimensions of the ties  54  is set such that a minimal force is required for the puncturing probe  30  to break the ties  54 , yet the ties  54  have sufficient resistance to breaking so as to hold the rupture members  48  firmly in position during normal storage and transit prior to dispensing of the contained solution. 
   In order to better understand the present invention, a description of the use of the bottle  12  and bottle closure assembly  10  will now be discussed. A bottle  12 , or plurality of bottles  12 , having the closure assembly  10  and containing an appropriate processing solution is provided. The bottle  12  is placed in the inverted position as shown in FIG.  3 . The bottle  12  having the closure assembly  10  is placed in an appropriate device, such a photographic processor, having a rupturing probe  30 . The probe  30  is brought into initial engagement with closure assembly  12  as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . As can be seen, there is no need to remove any cap for dispensing of the solution contained in the bottle  12 . The probe  30  is placed into the bottle  12  until it is in the fully engaged position as illustrated by FIG.  8 . During engagement of the probe  30  with the rupture members  48 , the ties  54  are initially broken. As the probe  30  continues into the bottle  12 , the rupture members  48  are forced upward about hinge member  50  such that the rupture members  48  are substantially fully rotated (pivoted) about 90 degrees such that the rupture member  48  is moved against the internal surface of the neck  20 . As the rupture members  48  move toward seal  26 , the edges  55  and probe  30  break the seal  26 . The rupture members  48  move the seal toward the neck such that fluid passages  62  are provided adjacent probe  30  to allow the rapid release of the contained fluid from the bottle  12  into a receiving chamber, not shown, in the processing apparatus. 
   It is to be understood that various modifications may be made to the cap member  28  without departing from the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  there is illustrated a modified cap member  128 , identical numerals indicating like parts and operations with respect to cap member  28  as previously discussed. In this embodiment the ties  54  are not placed in the center, but in the space  52  between adjacent rupture members  48 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  there is illustrated another modified cap member  228  made in accordance with the present invention, identical numerals indicating like parts and operations with respect to cap member  28  as previously discussed. In this embodiment the ties  254  are not as thick, have a narrowing section  255  and a break line  257 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  there is illustrated yet another modified cap member  338  made in accordance with present invention. In this embodiment the rupture members  48  are spaced a distance S from seal  26 . The spacing S provides for a more efficient breaking of the seal  26  by the rupture members  48  by providing a better engagement angle with the seal  26 . In addition as illustrated by  FIG. 11   b  the edges  55  of the rupture members  48  may be provided with a raised cutting edge  357  to further assist in breaking of the seal  26 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 12  there is illustrated a perspective view of another modified cap member  428  made in accordance with the present invention, identical numerals indicating like parts and operations with respect to cap member  28  as previously discussed. In this embodiment there is provided a raised rib  410  provided on each of the rupture members  48 . The raised ribs engage the outer surface of the probe  30  and have a shape and size designed to assist in forcing the rupture members  48  against the internal surface of neck  20  so as to provide the largest possible fluid passage between the rupture members  48  and probe  30  for rapid dispensing of the contained fluid. 
     FIGS. 13-15  illustrate various shapes, number and configurations for rupture members  48  in cap member  28 . 
   It is to be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made with out departing from the scope of the present invention, the present invention being defined by the claims that follow. 
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
                 
             
             
               PARTS LIST 
             
             
                 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
          
             
                 
               3-3 
               line 
             
             
                 
               5-5 
               line 
             
             
                 
               7-7 
               line 
             
             
                 
               10 
               closure assembly 
             
             
                 
               12 
               bottle/container 
             
             
                 
               14 
               base 
             
             
                 
               16 
               central section 
             
             
                 
               18 
               shoulder section 
             
             
                 
               20 
               bottleneck 
             
             
                 
               22 
               rim 
             
             
                 
               24 
               opening 
             
             
                 
               26 
               seal 
             
             
                 
               28 
               cap member 
             
             
                 
               30 
               puncturing probe 
             
             
                 
               32 
               annular skirt 
             
             
                 
               36 
               upper end 
             
             
                 
               38 
               internal surface 
             
             
                 
               40 
               internal threads 
             
             
                 
               42 
               external threads 
             
             
                 
               44 
               annular surface 
             
             
                 
               46 
               opening 
             
             
                 
               48 
               rupture members 
             
             
                 
               50 
               outer hinge member 
             
             
                 
               52 
               narrow space 
             
             
                 
               54 
               connecting ties 
             
             
                 
               55 
               edges 
             
             
                 
               56 
               adjacent hinge slots 
             
             
                 
               58 
               radius section 
             
             
                 
               60 
               gap 
             
             
                 
               62 
               fluid passages 
             
             
                 
               128 
               cap member 
             
             
                 
               228 
               cap member 
             
             
                 
               254 
               ties 
             
             
                 
               255 
               narrowing section 
             
             
                 
               257 
               break line 
             
             
                 
               338 
               cap member 
             
             
                 
               357 
               cutting edge 
             
             
                 
               410 
               raised rib 
             
             
                 
               428 
               modified cap member