Patent Publication Number: US-2023145263-A1

Title: Protrusion on Container Neck

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2022/079390, filed Nov. 7, 2022, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/292,266, filed Dec. 21, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/276,991, filed Nov. 8, 2021, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure is directed generally to container. The present disclosure relates specifically to container for liquids that include hinged, tethered closures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to a container including a body defining a storage compartment, a container neck coupled to the body, the container neck extending along a longitudinal axis between the body and an opening, a thread extending helically outward from the container neck, the thread configured to detachably engage with a closure affixed to the container neck, the closure configured to actuate between a closed configuration in which the closure encloses the opening and an open configuration in which a tab of the closure interfaces with the container neck to bias a body of the closure away from the container neck, an A-bead extending radially away from the container neck, the A-bead configured to engage with a retention band of the closure to bias the retention band to remain coupled to the container neck after the closure has been opened, and a protrusion extending upward from the A-bead. The protrusion is configured to engage the tab of the closure to bias the body of the closure away from the container neck. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a container including a body, a container neck coupled to the body, the container neck extending along a longitudinal axis between the body and an opening, a thread extending helically outward from the container neck, an outermost portion of the thread defining a T-diameter that is a maximum diameter of the thread with respect to the axis, the thread configured to detachably engage with a closure affixed to the container neck, the closure configured to actuate between a closed configuration in which the closure encloses the opening and an open configuration in which a tab of the closure interfaces with the container neck to bias a body of the closure away from the container neck, an A-bead extending radially away from the container neck, the A-bead configured to engage with a retention band of the closure to bias the retention band to remain coupled to the container neck after the closure has been opened, and a protrusion extending upward from the A-bead. The protrusion defines an outer surface defining a second diameter that is a maximum diameter of the protrusion with respect to the axis, and the second diameter is less than or equal to the T-diameter. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a container including a body, a container neck coupled to the body, the container neck extending along a longitudinal axis between the body and an opening, a thread extending helically outward from the container neck, the thread configured to detachably engage with a closure affixed to the container neck, the closure configured to actuate between a closed configuration in which the closure encloses the opening and an open configuration in which a tab of the closure interfaces with the container neck to bias a body of the closure away from the container neck, an A-bead extending radially away from the container neck, the a-bead configured to engage with a retention band of the closure to bias the retention band to remain coupled to the container neck after the closure has been opened, the A-bead defining an outer surface defining a first diameter that is a maximum diameter of the A-bead with respect to the axis, and a protrusion extending upward from the a-bead. The protrusion defines an outer surface facing away from the axis, the outer surface defines a second diameter that is a maximum diameter of the protrusion from the axis, and the second diameter is less than the first diameter. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a container neck of a container. The container includes an A-ring that interfaces with the tab of a hinged, tethered closure when the closure is in the open configuration. In particular, a protrusion, such as a triangular bump, extends from the A-ring and interfaces with the hinged, tethered closure when the closure is in the open configuration. As a result, the body of the closure is displaced further from the container neck opening than without the protrusion on the A-ring. 
     Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and, in part, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description included, as well as the appended drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary. 
     The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       This application will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a closure coupled to container including a protrusion on the A-bead, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of a closure coupled to container including a protrusion on the A-bead, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-section view of the closure and container of  FIG.  1    taken along the line  3 - 3  in  FIG.  2   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a detailed cross-section view of the closure and container of  FIG.  1    taken along the line  3 - 3  in  FIG.  2   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a detailed cross-section view of the closure and container of  FIG.  1    taken along the line  3 - 3  in  FIG.  2   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a detailed cross-section view of the closure and container of  FIG.  1    taken along the line  3 - 3  in  FIG.  2   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    is a detailed cross-section view of the closure of  FIG.  1    taken along the line  3 - 3  in  FIG.  2    and a second container, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is a detailed cross-section view of the closure of  FIG.  1    taken along the line  3 - 3  in  FIG.  2    and a third container, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    is a side view of the container of  FIG.  1   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  10    is a side view of the container of  FIG.  1   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  11    is a cross-section view of the closure and container of  FIG.  1    taken along the line  3 - 3  in  FIG.  2   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  12    is a cross-section view of a closure and a container including a protrusion on the A-bead, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a container neck are shown. The container neck includes a protrusion configured to engage with the tab of a hinged, tethered closure. In use, the protrusion biases the body of the closure further from the container neck opening than if the protrusion was not present. As shown, the A-bead biases the tab of the closure further upward and away from the longitudinal axis of the container neck. As a result, when a protrusion is coupled to A-bead and extending upward, the body of the closure is biased further from the container neck than if the protrusion was not present. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 2   , a closure  10  is shown affixed to a container  50 , such as by being coupled to container  50  via helical threads. Closure  10  includes a top panel  14 , a skirt  16  extending downward from the top panel, the skirt  16  centered on axis  12 . 
     Body  34  of closure  10  includes top panel  14  and skirt  16 , which is coupled to retention band  18  via various structures. Skirt  16  is initially coupled to retention band  18  via one or more plurality of frangible connections extending across primary slit  20 . Closure  10  also includes one or more tethers  28  that couple body  34  to retention band  18  after closure  10  has been opened. As shown, closure  10  includes two tethers  28 . Tethers  28  extend circumferentially around closure  10  between primary slit  20  and secondary slit  24 . In various embodiments, primary slit  20  and secondary slit  24  are mechanically slit via a blade and/or are formed when the closure  10  is formed (e.g., slits  20 ,  24  are molded into the closure). In various alternative embodiments, primary slit  20  and/or secondary slit  24  form different configurations for the tethers  28  and tab  30  (e.g., secondary slit  24  forms multiple tabs that interface against the container neck). 
     As will be understood, the frangible connections break the first time that closure  10  is opened from container  50 , thereby evidencing the fact that closure  10  has been opened. In particular, J-band  22  of closure  10  interfaces with a portion of container  50 , such as A-bead  60 , thereby biasing the retention band  18  downward as body is biased upward by the user twisting closure  10  into the open position. In various embodiments, retention band  18  interfaces against the container neck (e.g., A-bead  60 ) via structures other than a J-band. 
     After closure  10  is opened, body  34  is pivoted away from the opening of the container  50 . In various embodiments, body  34  pivots with respect container  50  at or near a rotational axis at hinge  26 . As will be shown, when body  34  is pivoted into the open position, tab  30  interfaces with the neck of container  50  to bias body  34  away from the opening of the container  50 . In particular, closure  10  is configured to actuate between a closed configuration in which the closure  10  encloses the opening of container  50  and an open configuration in which a tab  30  of the closure  10  interfaces with the container neck  52  to bias a body  34  of the closure  10  away from the container neck  52 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 - 5   , various aspects of protrusion  80  on A-bead  60  of container  50  are shown. Container  50  includes a body  51  defining a storage compartment  57  configured to store contents within the container  50 . Container neck  52  extends upward from body  51 , between body  51  and opening  58  of container  50 . In various embodiments, container neck  52  is centered around and/or extends along longitudinal axis  12 . In various embodiments, container neck  52  includes a helical thread  54  configured to couple container  50  to closure  10 . In various embodiments, container neck  52  is coupled to the body  51 , the container neck  52  extending along a longitudinal axis  12  between the body  51  and an opening  58 . Thread  54  extends helically outward from the container neck  52 , the thread  54  being configured to detachably engage with closure  10  affixed to the container neck  52 . Closure  10  and/or container  50  are configured to, in combination with each other, actuate between a closed configuration in which closure  10  encloses the opening  58  and an open configuration in which a tab  30  of the closure  10  interfaces with the container neck  52  to bias a body  34  of the closure  10  away from the container neck  52 . In various embodiments, helical thread  54  defines a T-diameter  56  that is a maximum diameter of the thread  54  with respect to the axis  12 , and T-diameter  56  defines imaginary cylinder  59  that extends around axis  12  at T-diameter  56  from axis  12 . 
     A protrusion, shown as A-bead  60 , extends from container neck  52 . In various embodiments, A-bead  60  extends circumferentially around container neck  52 . A-bead  60  is configured to interface with closure  10 , such as being configured to interface with J-band  22  of closure  10  when closure  10  is being opened for the first time. Stated another way, the A-bead  60  is configured to engage with a retention band  18  of the closure  10  to bias the retention band  18  to remain coupled to the container neck  52  after the closure  10  has been opened. In various embodiments, protrusion  80  and A-bead  60  are molded contemporaneously (e.g., when closure  10  is initially formed, such as by being integrally molded). In various embodiments, protrusion  80  is affixed to A-bead  60  via an adhesive. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , various aspects of A-bead  60  are shown. A-bead  60  extends radially away from the container neck  52 . A-bead  60  is configured to engage with a retention band  18  of the closure  10  to bias the retention band  18  to remain on (e.g., coupled to) the container neck  52  after the closure  10  has been opened. A-bead  60  includes lower surface  62 , outer surface  64 , and upper surface  66 . Lower surface  62  faces downward or mostly downward, outer surface  64  faces away from axis  12 , and upper surface  66  faces upward and/or away from lower surface  62 . In various embodiments, outer surface  64  and upper surface  66  intersect at corner  68 . Outer surface  64  defines diameter  72  that is a maximum diameter of the A-bead  60  with respect to the axis  12 . 
     An elevated surface, shown as protrusion  80 , extends from and is coupled to A-bead  60 . In various embodiments, protrusion  80  extends upward from A-bead  60 . Protrusion  80  is configured to engage the tab  30  of the closure  10  to bias the body  34  of the closure  10  away from the container neck  52 . Protrusion  80  defines an upper surface  82  and an outer surface  84 , which intersect at an intersecting location, shown as corner  88 . In various embodiments, outer surface  84  faces away from axis  12  and defines diameter  86  that is a maximum diameter of the protrusion  80  from the axis  12 . In various embodiments, upper surface  82  faces upward, such as parallel to axis  12 . In various aspects, inner surface  32  of tab  30  of closure  10  is configured to interface against protrusion  80 , thereby biasing body  34  away from opening  58  of container  50 . 
     In various embodiments, tab  30  of closure  10  is configured to interface with the corner  88  when the protrusion  80  is biasing the body  34  of the closure  10  away from the container neck  52 . In various embodiments, tab  30  of the closure  10  does interface with the A-bead  60  at corner  68  when the tab  30  of the closure  10  is interfacing with corner  88 . In various embodiments, the tab  30  of the closure  10  defines an inner surface  32  that faces away from the axis  12  when the closure  10  is in the closed configuration, and the inner surface  32  of the tab  30  interfaces with the corner  88  of the protrusion  80  when the closure  10  is in the closed configuration (e.g.,  FIG.  3   ). 
     Alternatively, in various embodiments tab  30  of the closure  10  does not interface with A-bead  60  when tab  30  is interfacing with protrusion  80 . 
     In various embodiments, A-bead  60  defines an upper surface  66  that faces upward, and the upper surface  66  of the A-bead  60  extends between the protrusion  80  and the container neck  52  (e.g., upper surface  66  intersects with each of protrusion  80  and container neck  52 ). In various embodiments, A-bead  60  defines an upper surface  66  that faces upward and an outer surface  64  that extends away from the longitudinal axis  12 , and the upper surface  66  of the A-bead  60  extends between the protrusion  80  and the outer surface  64  of the A-bead  60  (e.g., upper surface  66  intersects with each of protrusion  80  and outer surface  64 ). 
     In various embodiments, A-bead  60  defines an upper surface  66  that extends from a top  74  of the A-bead  60  to the protrusion  80 , and the protrusion  80  defines an upper surface  82  that faces upward and an outer surface  84  that faces away from the axis  12 , the outer surface  84  of the protrusion  80  and the upper surface  82  of the protrusion  80  intersecting at a corner  88  that is below the top  74  of the A-bead  60 . In various embodiments, the outer surface  84  of the protrusion  80  extends a first height  90  from the A-bead  60 , the top  74  of the A-bead  60  is a second height  76  above the corner  88  of the protrusion  80 , and the second height  76  is less than the first height  90 . 
     Outer surface  84  of protrusion  80  interfaces with A-bead  60  at intersection, shown as corner  70 . Outer surface  84  defines a diameter  86  that is a maximum diameter of the protrusion  80  with respect to the axis  12 . Outer surface  84  extends height  90  between corner  70  and corner  88 . 
     In various embodiments, outer surface  84  of protrusion  80  is aligned with cylinder  59  of T-diameter  56  of thread  54  and/or outer surface  84  of protrusion  80  is closer to axis  12  than cylinder  59 . Stated another way, T-diameter  56  is greater than or equal to diameter  86  of protrusion  80 . In various embodiments, diameter  86  of protrusion  80  is less or equal to than T-diameter  56 , and more specifically diameter  86  is less than T-diameter  56 . 
     In various embodiments, outer surface  64  of A-bead  60  is further from axis  12  than outer surface  84  of protrusion  80 . In various embodiments, diameter  72  of outer surface  64  of A-bead  60  is greater than diameter  86  of outer surface  84  of protrusion  80 . Stated another way, diameter  86  of outer surface  84  is less than diameter  72  of outer surface  64  of A-bead  60 . 
     In various embodiments, protrusion  80  is inside the T-wall (e.g., inside cylinder  59 ), which is the major diameter of the threads  54  (e.g., T-diameter  56 ) extending from the container neck  52 . Applicant has observed that having protrusion  80  slightly recessed such that the protrusion  80  is within the T-wall permits the tab of the closure to more easily pivot past protrusion  80  compared to if protrusion  80  extends from the outermost portion of the A-bead  60 . 
     In various embodiments protrusion  80  is adhered to the A-bead  60 , such as by being glued. In another embodiment, protrusion  80  is molded to the A-bead  60  when the container neck is formed and/or manufactured. 
     In various embodiments, outer surface  84  of protrusion  80  defines angle  96  with respect to upper surface  66  of A-bead  60 . In various embodiments, angle  96  is between 115 and 165 degrees, and more specifically between 120 and 150 degrees, and more specifically between 125 and 145 degrees, and more specifically between 130 and 140 degrees, and more specifically 135 degrees. In various embodiments, angle  96  is at least 120 degrees, and more particularly is at least 135 degrees, and more particularly is at least 140 degrees, and more particularly is at least 145 degrees. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , protrusion  80  also facilitates reapplying the closure (e.g., closure  10 ) to the container (e.g., container  50 ). For example, sidewalls of closure  10  rest on protrusion  80 , thereby helping the user align the threading of the closure and the threading of the container when the user is applying the closure back on top of the container. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , various aspects of container  150  are shown. Container  150  is substantially the same as container  50  except for the differences as described herein. In particular, container  150  includes a recess  152  between protrusion  80  and outer surface  154  of container  150 . This is in contrast to container  50 , in which A-bead  60  extends linearly from protrusion  80  to the outer surface of container  50 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , various aspects of protrusion  180  are shown. Protrusion  180  is substantially the same as protrusion  80  except for the differences described herein. In particular, protrusion  180  includes one or more curved outer surfaces. In a specific embodiment, protrusion  180  defines a portion of the outer surface of a circle, such as a semi-circle. 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , in various embodiments protrusion  80  extends circumferentially around the entire container (e.g., container  50 ), as shown. 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , top panel  14  of closure  10  defines angle  94  with respect to horizontal when body  34  of closure  10  is in the open position. In particular, the interface between tab  30  of closure  10  and protrusion  80  of container  50  biases body  34  of closure  10  to define angle  94  with respect to a horizontal plane, shown as H. 
     In various embodiments, angle  94  is between 135 and 165 degrees, and more specifically between 140 and 160 degrees, and more specifically between 145 and 155 degrees, and more specifically 150 degrees. In various embodiments, angle  94  is at least 135 degrees, and more particularly is at least 140 degrees, and more particularly is at least 145 degrees, and more particularly is at least 150 degrees. 
     Referring to  FIG.  12   , container  150  includes protrusion  280 . Protrusion  280  is substantially the same as protrusion  80  or protrusion  180  except for the differences discussed herein. In particular, protrusion  280  is larger than protrusion  80 . As a result, protrusion  280  biases body  34  of closure  10  to define angle  194  with respect to horizontal plane H, which is greater than angle  94 . 
     In various embodiments, angle  194  is between 150 and 180 degrees, and more specifically between 155 and 175 degrees, and more specifically between 160 and 170 degrees, and more specifically 165 degrees. In various embodiments, angle  194  is at least 150 degrees, and more particularly is at least 155 degrees, and more particularly is at least 160 degrees, and more particularly is at least 165 degrees. 
     It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for description purposes only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intended that any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more component or element, and is not intended to be construed as meaning only one. As used herein, “rigidly coupled” refers to two components being coupled in a manner such that the components move together in a fixed positional relationship when acted upon by a force. 
     Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to any combination of any of the features, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be utilized alone or in combination with any of the features, elements or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. 
     While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above. 
     In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actual measurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, angles and proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relative dimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from the Figures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description.