Patent Publication Number: US-2021161259-A1

Title: Container With Tethered Closure

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is in the field of resealable containers with friction fit closures for consumer products. Of special interest are smaller, hand-held, portable containers such as lipstick compacts, travel-sized personal care containers, pill bottles, ampoules, flasks, vials, tubes, etc. 
     BACKGROUND 
     For many resealable containers there is a possibility of losing or misplacing the closure when it is separated from the container. This is especially true of smaller portable containers that are used out of the home. For example, when using a sunscreen stick product during winter activities, the chance of dropping the cap or container is significantly higher due to wearing gloves. This problem is sometimes addressed by attaching the closure to the container. One common means of attachment is a tether in the form of a plastic strip that attaches the cap to the container. Examples of these include U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,245,870 and 9,796,516. Generally, the plastic strip is somewhat flexible along its length, but significantly rigid along its width. With this type tether, it is not always easy to prevent the cap and tether from interfering with dispensing of the product or other operation of the container. For example, the plastic strip tends to want to bend back toward the portion of the container that was just uncovered. This makes it difficult to dispense product without getting the product on the tether and cap. 
     Cosmetic or personal care articles that are implemented as wearable accessories are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 10,342,315 discloses a lipstick tube that can be worn as a pendant attached to a necklace. A coupling system is used so that the lipstick tube may be readily connected and disconnected from the necklace. U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,712 discloses a portable spray device that comprises a pressurized container and a cap. The cap is attached to a necklace or bracelet for suspending the spray device. With either of these wearable accessories, the container must be separated from the cap in order to use the product housed therein, and the potential to lose or misplace one part of the cosmetic or personal care article remains. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     A main object of the invention is to provide a portable container-and-closure system wherein the closure and container remain connected to each other in a way that does not interfere with dispensing of product or other use of the system. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention comprise a container-and-closure system wherein the container and closure are attached to each other with a flexible tether in the form of a loop. In some embodiments, the tether loop is open, and therefore, has two free ends. In other embodiments, the tether is a closed, continuous loop, and therefore, has no ends. In all embodiments, the container and closure are supported by the tether, and maintained in proximity to each other, but the closure and tether do not interfere with dispensing of product or other use of the system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C  depict a first embodiment of the invention where the tether that connects the container and closure is an open-ended loop, and the ends of the tether are associated with the container. 
         FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C  depict a second embodiment of the invention where the tether that connects the container and closure is an open-ended loop, and the ends of the tether are associated with the container. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict a third embodiment of the invention where the tether that connects the container and closure is an open-ended loop, and the ends of the tether are associated with the closure. 
         FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C  depict a fourth embodiment of the invention where the tether that connects the container and closure is an open-ended loop, and the ends of the tether are affixed to the closure. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  depict a fifth embodiment of the invention where the tether that connects the container and closure is a continuous loop that passes through portions of the container and closure. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  depict a sixth embodiment of the invention where the tether that connects the container and closure is a continuous loop that passes through portions of the container and closure. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  depict a seventh embodiment of the invention where the tether that connects the container and closure is a continuous loop that passes through the length of the container and closure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Throughout the specification, the term comprising means that a collection of objects may not be limited to those explicitly recited. 
     The invention concerns a container-and-closure system that comprises a container for housing a cosmetic or personal care product, and a closure that cooperates with the container to protect the product from the ambient environment. The container and closure are supported on a tether, and never separate from the tether. Mounting and demounting the closure from the container requires the container and/or closure to slide along the tether. Various embodiments of the invention will now be described. 
     First Embodiment 
     A first embodiment of a container-and-closure system is shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C , which depict a spray-type container-and-closure system. The embodiment comprises a container ( 1 ) that is suitable for housing a cosmetic or personal care product, a closure ( 2 ) that may be mounted and demounted from the container, and a tether ( 3 ). The container comprises a proximal end ( 1   a ), a closed distal end ( 1   b ) and one or more lateral walls ( 1   c ). The interior of the container houses a reservoir ( 1   d ) of sprayable product (S). The proximal end of the container supports a spray pump ( 1   e ). The spray pump may be attached to the container by any suitable means, such as a threaded engagement, friction fit, or by a collet-collar system. In  FIG. 1C , a collar ( 1   f ) is used to affix the spray pump on the container. At least two container channels ( 1   g ,  1   h ) are located on an exterior surface of the container, such as on the one or more lateral walls ( 1   c ) of the container. In order to provide a better balance to the container when it hangs from the tether, it is preferable for the container channels to be equally spaced around the container, and for the container channels to be located at the same height on the exterior of the (i.e. lateral walls) of the container. Preferably, the container has two container channels. The container channels are able to receive the tether ( 3 ). The container may be made of any materials commonly used, such as glass, plastic, and wood. 
     The closure ( 2 ) comprises a closed proximal end ( 2   a ), an opened distal end ( 2   b ) and one or more lateral walls ( 2   c ). The closure is able to receive the spray pump ( 1   e ) into itself, and the opened distal end of the closure is able to engage the collar ( 1   f ) in a manner that retains the closure on the collar. In this first embodiment, this engagement does not involve rotation of the closure relative to the container. For example, the engagement of the closure and collar may be a friction fit or snap fit engagement that is achieved through translation of the closure relative to the container, but not rotation. At least two closure channels ( 2   g ,  2   h ) are located on an exterior surface of the closure, such as on the one or more lateral walls ( 2   c ) of the closure. Preferably, the number of closure channels is equal to the number of container channels ( 1   g ,  1   h ) on the container ( 1 ). Preferably, the closure channels are equally spaced around the closure. Preferably, the closure channels are located at the same height on the lateral walls of the closure. The closure channels are able to receive the tether ( 3 ). The closure may be made of any materials commonly used, such as glass, plastic, and wood. 
     In this first embodiment, the tether ( 3 ) is employed as an open-ended loop that has first and second end portions ( 3   g ,  3   h ). The first end portion ( 3   g ) of the tether passes through the closure channel ( 2   g ) and then through the container channel ( 1   g ). The second end portion ( 3   h ) of the tether passes through the closure channel ( 2   h ) and then through the container channel ( 1   h ). This is best illustrated in  FIG. 1B . The first and second end portions of the tether are unable to back out of their respective container channels. This may be accomplished by providing the first and second end portions of the tether with enlarged elements that do not easily back out of the container channels. For example, after the tether is passed through the container channel, a knot may be tied near the end of the tether. Alternatively, a bead ( 3   i ) that cannot pass through container channel may be secured to the end of the tether. Alternatively, the end of the tether may be provided with a mechanism that is able to pass though the container channel, but not back out, such as a toggle or barbed fitment. 
     The tether ( 3 ) may be made of various types of natural or man-made materials. These include, but are not limited to, single or multi-filament, such as string, thread, yarn, twine, and rope. Also, plastic fibers such as nylon or polypropylene may be used. Chain may also be useful for the tether. Combinations of any of these may also be used. In general, some or all of the tether will be flexible in all directions, preferably with very little resistance to bending. This will generally be achieved by choice of material and a sufficiently small diameter of the tether. In some embodiments, the first and second end portions ( 3   g ,  3   h ) of the tether may be rigid to the point of offering significant resistance to bending. This could be achieved by using a different, stiffer material for the first and second end portions, and or by making the end portions thicker. In any case, the tether should be sufficiently strong to withstand breakage in normal and intended use of the container-and-closure system. As shown in  FIG. 1C , the closure ( 2 ) is lifted off of (demounted from) the container ( 1 ) by sliding the closure along the tether. Once the closure is off of the container, the flexibility of the tether allows the closure to fall away from the spray pump ( 1   e ), so that it is completely out of the way. A user may use the spray pump without holding onto the closure, but the container and closure remain attached. The closure may be re-affixed to the container by sliding the closure along the tether toward the container, and/or sliding the container along the tether toward the closure. Preferably, when the closure is mounted on the container, then the container channels ( 1   g ,  1   h ) and closure channels ( 2   g ,  2   h ) are aligned, as shown in  FIG. 1A . A user could easily effect this alignment without any assistance, or an indexing feature could be provided that prevents the closure from fully seating on the container, except when the desired alignment is achieved. 
     At a minimum, the tether ( 3 ) must be long enough to allow the closure ( 2 ) to completely come off of the container ( 1 ). Preferably, the tether is considerably longer than this. In the configuration shown in  FIG. 1A , the container-and-closure system could be carried in a purse or pocket, or it could be made to hang by the tether ( 3 ). For example, the tether could be of such a length to fit over the hand of user, to be worn as a bracelet. Or, the tether could be sufficiently long for the loop to fit over the head of user, to be worn as a necklace. When used as a bracelet or necklace, the appearance of the invention is improved if the tether is implemented as a decorative chain, such as gold or silver, or otherwise incorporating decorative elements along its length. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C , a second embodiment comprises a container ( 5 ), a closure ( 6 ) and a tether ( 7 ). The container houses a reservoir ( 5   d ) of pourable product (P). The top of the container is formed as a neck ( 5   a ) with a screw threads ( 5   b ). At least two container channels ( 5   g ,  5   h ) are located on the neck of the container, below the screw threads. In order to provide a better balance to the container when it hangs from the tether, it is preferable for the container channels to be equally spaced around the neck of the container, and for the container channels to be located at the same height below the screw threads. These channels must be able to rotate around the neck of the container. To that end, as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the container channels are formed as part of a first circular band ( 5   f ) that is located below the screw threads. The first circular band is prevented from lifting off of the neck by a flange ( 5   e ) that arises from the neck. The inner diameter of the band is smaller than the diameter of the flange, but larger than the diameter of the neck. In assembly, the band is forced over the flange, but cannot fall off, thereafter. The first circular band should be loose enough to allow it to rotate freely about the neck. For example, if the first circular band is made of plastic, then there will be little friction to oppose the movement of the band. The container channels are able to receive the tether ( 7 ). 
     The closure ( 6 ) closes off the opened end of the container ( 5 ). The closure comprises a lateral wall ( 6   c ) that supports complementary screw threads (not shown) on its interior surface to engage the screw threads ( 5   b ) of the container, in the conventional manner. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, this embodiment does involve rotation of the closure relative to the container. At least two closure channels ( 6   g ,  6   h ) are located on an exterior surface of the closure, such as on the lateral wall ( 6   c ) of the closure. Preferably, the number of closure channels is equal to the number of container channels ( 5   g ,  5   h ) on the container ( 5 ). Preferably, the closure channels are equally spaced around the closure. Preferably, the closure channels are located at the same height of on the wall of the closure. The closure channels rotate with the closure. These channels may be in-molded with the closure. Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the closure channels are part of a second circular band ( 6   f ). The second circular band may be made from plastic and held in place on the closure by adhesive. Alternatively, the second circular band may be elastomeric and held in place by compression. The closure channels are able to receive the tether ( 7 ). 
     In this second embodiment, the tether ( 7 ) is formed as an open-ended loop that has first and second end portions ( 7   g ,  7   h ). The first end portion ( 7   g ) of the tether passes through the closure channel ( 6   g ) and then through the container channel ( 5   g ). The second end portion ( 7   h ) of the tether passes through the closure channel ( 6   h ) and then through the container channel ( 5   h ). The first and second end portions of the tether are unable to back out of their respective container channels. This may be accomplished by providing the first and second end portions of the tether with enlarged elements that do not easily back out of the container channels. For example, after the tether is passed through the container channel, a knot may be tied near the end of the tether. Alternatively, a bead ( 7   i ) that cannot pass through container channel may be secured to the end of the tether. Alternatively, the end of the tether may be provided with a mechanism that is able to pass though the container channel, but not back out, such as a toggle or barbed fitment. 
     The tether ( 7 ) may be made of various types of natural or man-made materials. These include, but are not limited to, single or multi-filament, such as string, thread, yarn, twine, and rope. Also, plastic fibers such as nylon or polypropylene may be used. Chain may also be useful for the tether. Combinations of any of these may also be used. In this embodiment, it is preferred if the first and second end portions ( 7   g ,  7   h ) of the tether are rigid, while the rest of the tether may be flexible in all directions. The rigid end portions may be achieved by using a different, stiffer material for the first and second end portions, and or by making the end portions thicker. The rigid end portions will ensure that when the closure ( 6 ) is screwed onto or off of the container ( 5 ), the first circular band ( 5   f ) will rotate with the closure, which prevents the tether from getting tangled on itself. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2C , once the closure ( 6 ) is separate from the container ( 5 ), the closure is moved further away from the container by sliding the closure along the tether ( 7 ). Once the closure is off of the stiffer portions of the tether, the flexibility of the tether allows the closure to fall away from the container, so that it is completely out of the way. A user may use the container without holding onto the closure, but the container and closure remain attached. The closure may be re-affixed to the container by sliding the closure along the tether toward the neck ( 5   a ) of the container, and/or sliding the container along the tether toward the closure at which point the closure can be screwed onto the container. 
     At a minimum, the tether must be long enough to allow the closure ( 6 ) to completely come off of the container ( 5 ). Preferably, the tether is considerably longer than this. In the configuration shown in  FIG. 2A , the container-and-closure system could be carried in a purse or pocket, or it could be made to hang by the tether ( 7 ). 
     Third Embodiment 
     The third embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , is similar to the first embodiment, and only the differences will be described, here. The first difference is that when the container-and-closure system hangs from the tether ( 13 ), then the container ( 11 ), implemented as a lipstick base in the figures, is positioned above the closure ( 12 ). This is because the first ends ( 13   g ,  13   h ) of the tether pass through the container channels ( 11   g ,  11   h ) first, and then through the closure channels ( 12   g ,  12   h ). A second difference can be seen best in  FIG. 3B . The tether ( 13 ) passes into the closure channel ( 12   h ) on a lateral exterior wall ( 12   c ) of the closure, but emerges from an interior surface ( 12   d ) of the closure. The tether then passes into an interior surface ( 11   d ) of the container ( 11 ), and emerges on a lateral wall ( 11   c ) of the container. In this way, a portion of the tether disappears inside the container and closure, but the container and closure are able to slide along the tether. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     The fourth embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , is also a container-and-closure system for a lipstick product (L), and is similar to the third embodiment. Only the differences will be described, here. In the first place, first and second end portions ( 17   g ,  17   h ) of the tether ( 17 ) are fixedly attached to the closure ( 16 ) by means of attachment rings ( 16   g ,  16   h ). Because of these attachments, the closure cannot slide on the tether as in embodiments 1-3, it merely hangs from it. Referring to  FIG. 4B , the tether passes through two channels ( 15   g ,  15   h ) that are located in a flange ( 15   b ) at the bottom of the container ( 15 ). As a result, the container can slide along the tether, and be separated from the closure. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     The fifth embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , and only the differences will be described, here. The main difference is that the tether ( 23 ) is formed as a closed loop, with no free ends. The tether passes through a first closure channel ( 22   g ), then passes through a first container channel ( 21   g ), crosses over to the other side of the container ( 21 ), and passes through a second container channel ( 21   h ), and then through a second closure channel ( 22   h ). As the closure ( 22 ) is separated from the container ( 21 ), the closure slides along the tether ( 23 ). As in all embodiments, the tether is long enough to allow the closure to completely come off of the container. 
     Sixth Embodiment 
     A variation on the fifth embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . In this case, the first and second container channels are replaced by a single container channel ( 25   g ) that passes through the container ( 25 ), from one side to the other, along the bottom ( 25   b ) of the container. The tether ( 27 ) passes through a first closure channel ( 26   g ), then runs down along one side of the container to pass through the container channel ( 25   g ), then runs up the other side of the container, and passes through a second closure channel (not visible) to close on itself to form a loop. As the closure ( 26 ) is separated from the container ( 25 ), the closure slides along the tether ( 27 ). As in all embodiments, the tether is long enough to allow the closure to completely come off of the container. 
     Seventh Embodiment 
     Another variation on the fifth embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . In this case, the container ( 31 ) is fashioned as a base for a sample size or travel size lipstick or other stick product (ST). The first and second container channels ( 31   g ,  31   h ) run along opposite sides of the container, and extend for all or most of the length of the container. Preferably, the container channels extend at least 90% of the length of the container; more preferably 100% of the length of the container. Likewise, the first and second closure channels ( 32   g ,  32   h ) run along opposite sides of the closure ( 32 ), and extend for all or most of the length of the closure. Preferably, the closure channels extend at least 90% of the length of the closure; more preferably 100% of the length of the closure. Together, the container and closure channels extend the all or most of the length of the container-and-closure system. The tether ( 33 ) passes through the first closure channel ( 32   g ) running along one side of the closure, then passes into the first container channel ( 31   g ) to run along one side of the container. When the tether emerges from the first container channel, it crosses over to the other side of the container, enters the second container channel ( 31   h ) and runs along the side of the container until it passes into the second closure channel ( 32   h ), and emerges to close on itself to form a loop. As they are separated from each other, both the container ( 31 ) and closure ( 32 ) may slide along the tether ( 33 ). As in all embodiments, the tether is long enough to allow the closure to completely come off of the container.