Patent Publication Number: US-8113374-B2

Title: Closure for container having removable portion and sealing membrane

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/839,396, filed on Aug. 21, 2006, which application is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to a closure for a container for holding a flowable substance, and more specifically, to a closure having characteristics to enhance pouring and sealing of the container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known to make containers for liquid of plastics material, for example, high density polyethylene. Such containers may be hermetically closed by, for example, sealing the opening of the container with a membrane containing an aluminum or other foil. It is often difficult to remove such a membrane, and pieces of the membrane often remain in place on the neck after removal, which can be detrimental to resealing properties. Such membranes are also subject to flex cracking, which is produced by repeated flexing, such as may occur over long distance shipping. 
     The present assembly is provided to solve the problems discussed above and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior closures of this type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects of the present invention relate to a closure for a container. The closure includes a base having an aperture therethrough, a membrane attached to the bottom of the base and adapted to be attached to the container to seal the opening, a pull tab positioned within the aperture and connected to the base around at least a portion of an inner periphery of the aperture by a frangible portion, and a cap connected to the base by a hinge. The base is adapted to be connected to the container such that the aperture is positioned over the opening. The pull tab is connected to the membrane, so that when a user pulls on the pull tab, the frangible portion breaks to allow removal of the pull tab to open the aperture, and removal of the pull tab causes the portion of the membrane to tear away to unseal the opening of the container. The cap is pivotable about the hinge between an open position, where the flowable substance can flow through the opening, and a closed position, where the cap obstructs the opening to prevent the flowable substance from flowing through the opening. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, the base of the closure is adapted to be connected to the container body by a snap fit connection. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the closure further includes a curved lip extending outward from the base around at least a portion of the aperture, and the lip is received in a complementarily shaped groove in the cap to form a pressure fit when the cap is in the closed position. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the base has a plurality of saw teeth thereon, the saw teeth engaging the membrane to assist in tearing the membrane during removal of the pull tab. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the pull tab has a pull ring therein, the pull ring adapted to be grasped by a user to exert force on the pull tab. 
     Other aspects of the invention relate to a closure for a container. The closure includes a base having an aperture therethrough, a membrane attached to the bottom of the base and adapted to be attached to the container to seal the opening, and a cap connected to the base by a hinge. The base is adapted to be connected to the container such that the aperture is positioned over the opening. The cap is pivotable about the hinge between an open position, where the flowable substance can flow through the opening, and a closed position, where the cap obstructs the opening to prevent the flowable substance from flowing through the opening. A portion of the base is removable from the base to define the aperture. The removable portion is attached to the membrane, such that removal of the removable portion from the base exerts a force on the membrane, tearing away a portion of the membrane to unseal the opening of the container. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, the removable portion of the base is a pull tab connected to the base by a frangible portion, such that the force exerted on the pull tab causes the frangible portion to break, permitting removal of the pull tab. 
     Further aspects of the invention relate to a container that includes a container body defining an internal cavity adapted to contain a flowable substance therein, a substantially elliptical opening in the container body adapted to allow the flowable substance to flow therethrough, a resealable closure affixed over the opening, and a membrane sealing the opening. The closure includes a hinged cap being moveable between an open position, where the flowable substance can flow through the opening, and a closed position, where the closure obstructs the opening to prevent the flowable substance from flowing through the opening. The membrane is connected to a removable portion of the closure, such that removal of the removable portion from the closure exerts a force on the membrane, tearing away a portion of the membrane to unseal the opening of the container. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a closure connected to a container, with the closure shown in a closed position; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the closure and container of  FIG. 1 , with the closure shown in an open position while sealed; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the closure of  FIG. 1 , with the closure shown in a closed position while sealed; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the closure and container of  FIG. 1 , with the closure shown in an open position while partially unsealed; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the closure and container of  FIG. 1 , with the closure shown in an open position while unsealed; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial bottom perspective view of the closure of  FIG. 1 , with the closure shown in an open position while unsealed; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross section view of the closure and container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged cross section view of a portion of  FIG. 7 , showing a membrane and pull tab of the closure; 
         FIG. 9  is a full top view of the container of  FIG. 1 , shown without the closure; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a closure, with the closure shown in a closed position; 
         FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of the closure of  FIG. 10 , with the closure shown in an open position while sealed; 
         FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a container suitable for use with the closure of  FIG. 10 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the container of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-8 , an exemplary embodiment of a closure  40  for a container is shown, mounted on a container  10  and positioned over an opening  16  of the container  10 . The closure  40  generally includes a base  42  having an aperture  44  therethrough and a hinged cap  46  pivotably connected to the base  42  by a hinge  47 . The closure  40  also includes a membrane  60  connectable to the container for sealing the opening  16  and a removable portion  62  connected to the membrane  60 . Removal of the removable portion  62  from the closure  40  exerts a force on the membrane  60 , causing the membrane to tear away or otherwise separate. The removable portion  62  in the closure  40  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8  is formed by a pull tab  62 , as described below. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-8 , the closure  40  is elongated and non-circular, having a substantially elliptical shape. 
       FIG. 9  shows the entire container  10  of  FIG. 1 , which includes a container body  12  defining a cavity  14  therein, an opening  16 , and a handle  18 . The container  10  is adapted to contain a flowable substance therein, for example, a beverage or other liquid. The container body  12  has a top  30 , a bottom  32 , a front  26 , a back  28 , and opposed sides  24 . The container body  12  further has a concave area  20  on the front  26  of the container  10  near the opening  16  and substantially flat panels  22  on opposed sides  24  of the container body  12 . The opening  16  of the container  10  shown in  FIG. 9  is an elongated and non-circular opening  16  that is substantially oval or elliptical in shape. As used herein, “elongated” means that the expanse of the opening is larger in one dimension (length or width) than in the other dimension. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the opening  16  is oriented such that the longer dimension is oriented from the front  26  to the back  28  of the container  10 , which is typically the direction the container  10  is oriented during pouring. The opening  16  is bounded by a rim  52  and a bead  50  extending around at least a portion of the periphery of the opening  16 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  6 , and  7 , the base  42  has a skirt  70  depending downward around the outer edge of the base  42 . A flange  72  extends inwardly from the skirt  70 , surrounding and defining the aperture  44 . The underside of the flange  72  forms a ledge  74  that is recessed from the skirt  70 . The ledge  74  has a plurality of saw teeth  78  located around the periphery of the aperture  44 , which assist in removal of the membrane  60 , as described below. A rib  76  extends around at least a portion of the inner surface of the skirt  70 , and is adapted to interlock with the bead  50  surrounding the opening  16  of the container  10 , as described below. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the rib  76  is formed by a plurality of intermittent protrusions around the inside of the skirt  70 , but may be formed by a single protrusion in other embodiments. Additionally, in some exemplary embodiments, the base  42  has a curved lip  48  positioned around at least a portion of the aperture  44 , and is curved in a manner so as to minimize dripping during and after pouring. The lip  48  of the closure  40  shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  5  extends completely around the aperture  44 . As described below, in other embodiments, the lip  48  may extend only a portion of the distance around the aperture  44 . 
     The aperture  44  of the closure is defined within the base  42  and is surrounded by the flange  72 . The aperture  44  is positioned in substantial alignment with the opening  16 , and in certain exemplary embodiments, the aperture  44  is shaped similarly to the opening  16 . In the closure  40  shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the aperture  44  is an elongated and non-circular aperture  44  that is substantially oval or elliptical in shape. Fluid flowing through the opening  16  of the container will also flow through the aperture  44  in this configuration. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  5 , and  9 , the opening  16  and the aperture  44  are oriented such that the longer dimension is oriented from the front  26  to the back  28  of the container  10 , which is typically the direction the container  10  is oriented during pouring. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the opening  16  is elongated along an axis of elongation A, which is also referred to as a major axis for an elliptical or substantially elliptical opening. The minor axis A′ of the substantially elliptical opening  16  is also depicted in  FIG. 9 . Additionally, in the embodiment shown, the axis A is generally aligned with a centerline and an axis of symmetry of the container. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 , and  5 , the aperture  44  is also positioned to be aligned and oriented so that the major axis of the aperture  44  is aligned with the major axis A of the opening  16 . The handle  18  of the container is also generally aligned with the major axis A of the opening  16 . This orientation and alignment encourages tipping of the container in the general direction of the major axis or axis of elongation, which can enhance pouring performance. 
     The hinged cap  46  is pivotable between a closed position ( FIG. 1 ), where the cap  46  obstructs the opening  16  and the aperture  44 , and an open position ( FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 ), where the cap  46  does not obstruct the opening  16  and the aperture  44 . The hinge  47  provides a flexible connection between the cap  46  and the base  42 , allowing the cap to pivot with respect to the base in a hinged manner. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the hinge  47  is a single piece of flexible plastic material integrally connected to the cap  46  and the base  42 . In other embodiments, a different type of hinge  47  may be used, such as a hinge employing a pivotable mechanical pin connection. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the cap  46  is secured in the closed position by a pressure fit between the cap  46  and the base  42 , formed by the lip  48  being received in a complementarily-shaped groove  49  in the cap  46 . The groove  49  is formed by a plug  43  that depends from the inner surface of the cap  46 . The plug  43  engages the lip  48  to further strengthen the pressure fit, through engagement of opposing nubs  41 A,  41 B located on the plug  43  and the lip  48 , respectively. The cap  46  also has a tab  45  located on the free end thereof, facilitating grasping or engaging the cap  46  by a user in order for the user to manipulate the cap  46  between the open and closed positions. 
     In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8 , the base  42 , hinge  47 , and cap  46  are integrally formed of a single piece. In this embodiment, the closure  40  may be formed of a single, integral piece by manufacturing the closure of a plastic material through injection molding. In other embodiments, other materials and forming techniques may be used. 
     The membrane  60  provides more secure sealing to the container  10 . The membrane  60  is a polymer-coated foil that is connected to the rim  52  of the opening  16 , and is also connected to the underside of the base  42  of the closure  40  around the edge of the aperture  44 , such as by heat sealing or gluing. The membrane  60  shown in  FIG. 8  has a thin layer of foil  63  coated by thin layers of plastic  61 . In other embodiments, different types of known membranes  60  may be used. In one exemplary embodiment, the membrane  60  is first connected to the base  42  of the closure  40  by heat sealing around the edge of the membrane  60  to seal the membrane to the ledge  74  of the inner flange  72 . In this configuration, the entire closure  40  can be transported, stored, and used in assembly as a single piece. The membrane  60  is also connected to the pull tab  62 , such as by heat sealing, to facilitate removal of the membrane  60 , as described below. 
     The pull tab  62  contains a pull ring  64  to assist in exerting force to effect removal of the pull tab  62 . The pull tab  62  is positioned within the aperture  44  and is connected to the base  42  around the periphery of the aperture  44  by a frangible portion  66  formed from a plurality of bridges  68  extending between the pull tab  62  and the base  42 . The pull tab  62  is removed by a user exerting force on the pull ring  64 , which causes the frangible portion  66  to break away. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  7 , and  8 , the membrane  60  is connected to the pull tab  62  by heat sealing around the edges of the pull tab  62 , forming a small pocket  65  between the membrane  60  and the pull tab  62 . Accordingly, when the pull tab  62  is removed from the closure  40 , force is exerted on the membrane  60 , and a portion of the membrane  60  tears away to unseal the opening  16  of the container. The saw teeth  78  on the ledge  74  around the periphery of the aperture  44  engage the membrane  60  and the points of the saw teeth  78  assist in tearing the membrane  60 . 
     The closure  40  may be connected to the container  10  by snapping the base  42  downward around the container opening  16 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , as the closure  40  is pushed downward onto the opening  16  of the container  10 , the rib  76  on the skirt  70  of the closure  40  snaps to interlock with the bead  50  on the rim  52  of the container opening  16 . Once the closure  40  has been pressed into place, the rim  52  of the container  10  extends upward the skirt  70  surrounds the rim  52 . In other embodiments, the closure  40  may be attached by other methods, such as gluing or spot welding, or may be formed integrally with the container  10 . In further embodiments, the closure  40 , or certain parts thereof, may be integrally formed with the container  10 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the membrane  60  is connected to the closure base  42  prior to snapping the base  42  onto the container  10 . In this embodiment, once the closure  40  is connected to the rim  52  of the container  10  in this manner, the membrane  60  can then be heat sealed to the rim  52  of the container  10 , sealing the opening  10 . When the closure  40  is connected to the container  10 , the flange  72  and the pull tab  62  cover the entire top surface of the membrane  60 , which can prevent damage to the membrane  60 . In other embodiments, the membrane  60  may be attached in a different manner, such as using the membrane  60  to seal the opening  16  prior to snapping the closure  40  onto the container  10 . It is understood that if the container  10  is to be filled with a flowable substance, such filling will typically be done prior to connecting the membrane  60  to the container  10 . Once the closure  40  and membrane  60  are connected to the container  10 , the opening  16  is sealed to prevent spilling of the container contents and to prevent ingress of contaminants into the container  10 . As described above, in one exemplary embodiment, the pull tab  62  can be used to tear away a portion of the membrane  60  to unseal the opening  16 , at which point the flowable substance can be poured from the container  10 . 
       FIGS. 10-11  illustrate another embodiment of a closure  140  that is suitable for use with a container, such as the container  110  shown in  FIGS. 12-13 . As seen in  FIGS. 12-13 , the container  110  has an opening  16  and a rim  52  that are shaped differently than the container  10  of  FIG. 9 . The opening  16  of the container  110  of  FIGS. 12-13  is elongated and non-circular, having a substantially elliptical shape, however the container  10  of  FIG. 9  has an opening that is more exactly elliptical than the container  110  of  FIGS. 12-13 . The closure  140  of  FIGS. 10-11  contains features similar to those described above with respect to the closure  40  of  FIGS. 1-8 , which are labeled with like reference numerals. One notable difference between the closures  40 ,  140  is that the lip  48  of the closure  140  of  FIGS. 10-11  extends a portion of the distance around the periphery of the aperture  44 , while the lip  48  of the closure  40  of  FIGS. 1-8  extends around the entire periphery of the aperture  44 . Additionally, the closure  140  of  FIGS. 10-12  has a slightly different external shape and contour, to cooperate with the differently shaped opening  16  of the container  110  of  FIGS. 12-13 . Generally, other features of the closures  40 ,  140  and containers  10 ,  110  illustrated are similar. 
     The features of the exemplary embodiments of the closures  40 ,  140  described herein provide for improved sealing and increased ease of unsealing the container  10 ,  110 . The use of the pull tab  62  facilitates tearing of the membrane  60  to open the container  10 ,  110 , which can be difficult in many prior containers. The flip cap  46  in the closures  40 ,  140  provides for quick and easy opening and closing of the container  10 ,  110 , as well as secure resealing for storage purposes. Additionally, the flip cap design can be easily modified to fit an elongated, non-circular, and/or substantially elliptical opening  16  in the container, which works to provide improved pouring. Further, the cap  46  is effectively tethered to the container  10 ,  110  in the flip cap design, which prevents the cap from being dropped or lost. 
     The features of the exemplary embodiments of the containers  10 ,  110  and closures  40 ,  140  herein provide for improved rate and control of pouring of the flowable substance from the container  10 ,  110 . The narrowed front  70  of the opening  16  and the aperture  44  provide for a slow initial pour, increasing control of pouring and decreasing spilling and splashing, particularly when the container  10  is tipped along the axis A during pouring. The elongated nature and orientation of the opening  16  permits increased airflow back through the rear  72  of the opening  16  and aperture  44  during pouring without obstructing or interrupting such airflow, increasing maximum flow rate and reducing glugging during pouring. Reduced glugging also results in increased pouring control and reduced spilling and splashing. 
     Table I illustrates the improved pouring provided by the containers  10 ,  110  and closures  40 ,  140  described above. A container similar to the container  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 9 , having a closure similar to the closure  40  of  FIGS. 1-8 , was substantially filled with a liquid. The container was tilted over a range of tilt angles to effect pouring of the liquid contents. The range of tilt angles was measured over which no glugging or interruption of airflow into the container was observed. These tilt angles were measured as the difference between the angle where the flowable substance began to flow through the opening and the angle where the flowable substance began glugging, resulting from interruption of airflow into the container. The same process was followed with an existing 64-oz paperboard carton with a circular opening and existing 96-oz and 128-oz plastic containers having circular openings. The measured results are illustrated in Table I below. 
     As illustrated by Table I, the container  10  and closure  40  exhibited smooth pouring with no observable interruption of airflow into the container over a range of tilt angles of up to approximately 35 degrees from the initial pour. No other container tested exhibited such performance over a range of tilt angles of approximately 25 degrees or more. The container  10  having the substantially elliptical opening  16  and the closure  40  with the substantially elliptical aperture  44  exhibited an increase in pouring range of approximately 50% or more, compared to other containers tested, having circular openings. It is understood that different containers may exhibit different flow rates and pouring angles when the container is less than substantially full. 
     Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. The terms “top,” “bottom,” “length,” “width,” etc., as used herein, are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in any way. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.