Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US4438870?dq=7,546,338
Timestamp: 2017-07-27 04:50:59
Document Index: 367146331

Matched Legal Cases: ['art. 5', 'art. 10', 'art. 14', 'art. 16', 'art 18', 'art 12', 'art 18', 'art 12', 'art 18', 'art 12', 'art 18', 'art 18', 'art 18', 'art 18', 'art 18', 'art 18', 'art 18', 'art 72', 'art 74', 'art 74', 'art 74', 'art 74']

Patent US4438870 - Captive dispensing cap construction - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA captive dispensing cap construction for a container, comprising a body part having a discharge passage, and a stopper extending upwardly from the passage. A screw cap part is carried by the body part and has a discharge opening into which the stopper extends when the screw cap part is screwed to its...http://www.google.com/patents/US4438870?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US4438870 - Captive dispensing cap constructionAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS4438870 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 06/265,384Publication dateMar 27, 1984Filing dateMay 20, 1981Priority dateMay 20, 1981Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA1183809A, CA1183809A1Publication number06265384, 265384, US 4438870 A, US 4438870A, US-A-4438870, US4438870 A, US4438870AInventorsMorton StullOriginal AssigneeMorton StullExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (3), Referenced by (31), Classifications (5), Legal Events (6) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetCaptive dispensing cap construction
US 4438870 AAbstract
A captive dispensing cap construction for a container, comprising a body part having a discharge passage, and a stopper extending upwardly from the passage. A screw cap part is carried by the body part and has a discharge opening into which the stopper extends when the screw cap part is screwed to its full-on position. The screw cap part and body part have two pairs of mutually engageable portions, one comprising cooperable screw threads for moving the screw cap part axially on the body part as the cap part is turned, and the other comprising a cam track on the body part and a follower portion on the screw cap part. The screw threads have sufficient backlash to enable the screw cap part to have an initial unscrewing turning movement from its fully screwed-on position through an angle essentially in excess of 20° before axial outward displacement of the cap part occurs. The initial rotation without axial displacement operates to loosen previously crusted product from the screw cap part, since the stopper tends to retain part of the crusted product during such initial rotation. Thereafter, the axial movement of the cap forcibly loosens such crusted product from both the screw cap part and the stopper.
1. A captive dispensing cap construction comprising, in combination:(a) a tubular body part adapted to be carried by a container and having a discharge psssage, said body part having a stopper extending upwardly from said passage, (b) a screw cap part carried by said body part and surrounding said discharge passage, (c) said screw cap part having a discharge opening into which the stopper extends when the screw cap part is screwed to its full-on position on the body part, (d) said screw cap and body parts having two pairs of mutually engageable portions, (e) one pair of mutually engageable portions comprising cooperable screw thread means respectively on said parts, for moving the screw cap part axially on the body part as the screw cap part is turned, (f) a lug disposed on the screw cap part, (g) a stop shoulder on the body part, engageable with the lug of the screw cap part to halt turning of the latter as it is screwed to its full-on position, (h) the screw thread means of the screw cap and body parts having sufficient backlash to enable the screw cap part to have an initial unscrewing turning movement from its fully screwed-on position without outward axial displacement, through an angle essentially in excess of 20° before tending to cause such displacement, (i) said stopper having an exposed surface configuration which tends to retain hardened or crusted product against dislodgement during the said initial rotating movement, until a forcible removal of the crusted product occurs by said outward axial displacement, (j) the said initial rotating movement tending to loosen previously crusted product from the screw cap part by virtue of the retention action of said exposed surface configuration, said loosening occurring prior to any outward axial movement of the screw cap part, (k) said other pair of mutually engageable portions comprising a cam track on the body part and a follower portion on the screw cap part, (l) said cam track and follower portion becoming effective to move the screw cap part axially outwardly in response to the latter being turned through an angle essentially in excess of 20°, (m) said loosening of the previously-crusted product by the initial rotating movement, and the axially-outward movement of the screw cap part effecting a dislodgment of said product both from the exterior surface of the screw cap part and from the stopper. 2. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein:(a) said cam track has a first portion which lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the screw cap part, and a second portion of spiral configuration, (b) the screw cap part not experiencing any substantial movement in an axial direction as the follower portion of the screw cap traverses the said first portion of the cam track, until it arrives at the spiral portion thereof. 3. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein:(a) said other pair of mutually engageable portions comprises a second cam track on the body part, disposed substantially 180° from the first cam track, (b) a second follower portion on the screw cap part, disposed diametrically opposite the first follower portion and adapted to traverse the second cam track 4. The invention as defined in claim 3, wherein:(a) said second cam track has a portion which lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the screw cap part. 5. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein:(a) the engagement of the follower and the cam track positively shifts the cap part axially outwardly following turning of the cap part through an angle in excess of 20°. 6. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein:(a) said stopper has a surface configuration characterized by adjoining facets to which hardened product tends to cling. 7. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein:(a) said stopper has a non-smooth surface configuration to which hardened product tends to cling. 8. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein:(a) said discharge passage has a generally annular drainback portion, allowing product adhering to the inner surface of the screw cap part to flow by gravity back into the container when the latter is placed in an upright position. 9. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein:(a) said body part and screw cap part have cooperable retainer shoulders engageable with one another when the screw cap part is unscrewed past a certain point, in order to retain the screw cap part on the body part. 10. The invention as defined in claim 9, wherein:(a) at least one of said cooperable retainer shoulders is deformable, in order to enable the cap part to be forced into the body part during assembly. axial movement, (f) the said initial rotating movement tending to loosen previously crusted product from the screw cap part by virtue of the retention action of said exposed surface configuration. 11. The invention as defined in claim 9, wherein:(a) the body part has a generally cylindrical bearing surface below its shoulder, (b) the shoulder of said cap part being slidable on the bearing surface of the body part during unscrewing movement of the cap part, (c) said cap part shoulder and bearing surface forming a slidable seal which prevents leakage of product. 12. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein:(a) said cam track comprises a single track extending substantially through an angle of just less than 360°. 13. The invention as defined in claim 12, and further including:(a) an additional stop shoulder on the body, engageable with the lug of the screw cap part as the latter is unscrewed, to prevent inadvertent removal of the screw cap part from the body part. 14. The invention as defined in claim 12, and further including:(a) means providing a beveled surface on the cam track of the body part of the cap construction, to facilitate by-pass of the stop shoulder on the body part by the stop lug of the cap part, during assembly of the latter, (b) said lug being forcible past the beveled surface of the body part, and said cap part being deformable in a radially outward direction to enable such by-passing movement to occur. 15. The invention as defined in claim 12, and further including:(a) indicating indicia on the body part and cap part to indicate to the user the relative rotational and axial positions of the cap part with the respect to the body part. 16. A captive dispensing cap construction comprising, in combination:(a) a tubular body part adapted to be carried by a container and having a discharge passage, said body part having a stopper extending upwardly from said passage, (b) a screw cap part carried by said body part and surrounding said discharge passage, (c) said screw cap part having a discharge opening into which the stopper extends when the screw cap part is screwed to its full-on position on the body part, (d) said screw cap and body parts having two pairs of mutually engageable portions, (e) one pair of mutually engageable portions comprising cooperable screw thread means respectively on said parts, for moving the screw cap part axially on the body part as the screw cap part is turned, (f) a lug disposed on the scrcw cap part, (g) a stop shoulder on the body part, engageable with the lug of the screw cap part to halt turning of the latter as it is screwed to its full-on position, (h) the screw thread means of the screw cap and body parts having sufficient backlash to enable the screw cap part to have an initial unscrewing turning movement from its fully screwed-on position without outward axial displacement, through an angle essentially in excess of 20° before tending to cause such displacement, (i) said other pair of mutually engageable portions comprising a cam track on the body part and a follower portion on the screw cap part, (j) said cam track having a first portion which lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the screw cap part, and a second portion of spiral configuration, said cam track and follower portion becoming effective to move the screw cap part axially outwardly in response to the latter being turned through an angle essentially in excess of 20°, as the follower portion leaves the first portion of the cam track and engages the second portion thereof. Description
This invention relates to dispensing cap constructions of the type intended to dispense liquid or cream products, and more particularly to constructions of the kind incorporating a screw cap having a discharge passage which is sealed by a stopper on a cap body.
A still further object is to provide a dispensing cap construction of the type having a turnable screw cap, wherein the cap can, from its full-on position, rotate through an angle on the order of 20° or more prior to experiencing any outward axial movement, thereby intending to loosen any residual hardened product on its exterior surface adjacent its discharge opening.
The above objects are accomplished by the provision of a captive dispensing cap construction comprising a tubular body part having a discharge passage and a stopper extending upwardly from the passage, and a screw cap part carried by the body part and having a discharge opening into which the stopper extends when the screw cap part is screwed to its full-on position. The screw cap and body parts have two pairs of mutually engageable portions, one pair comprising cooperable screw thread means for moving the screw cap part axially on the body part as the screw cap part is turned, and the other comprising a cam track on the body part and a follower portion on the screw cap part. A lug is disposed on the screw cap part, and there is a stop shoulder on the body part, engageable with the lug of the screw cap part to halt its turning as it is screwed to its full-on position. The screw thread means of the screw cap and body parts have sufficient backlash to enable the screw cap part to have an initial unscrewing turning movement from its fully screwed-on position without outward axial displacement, through an angle essentially in excess of 20°. The stopper has an exposed surface configuration which tends to retain hardened or crusted product against dislodgement during the initial rotating movement until a forcible removal of the crusted product occurs by the outward axial displacement. The initial rotating movement tends to loosen previously crusted product from the screw cap part by virtue of the retention action of the surface configuration of the stopper. The cam track and follower portion also become effective to move the screw cap part axially outwardly after the cap part is turned through an angle essentially in excess of 20°. The arrangement is such that the loosening of the previously-crusted product by the initial rotating movement, and the axially-outward movement of the screw cap part effect a dislodgement of hardened product both from the exterior surface of the screw cap part and from the stopper, thus greatly facilitating subsequent dispensing operations.
FIG. 16 is a vertical section of the screw cap part, taken 180° from the position of FIG. 15.
In accordance with the present invention, the screw cap part 18, and body part 12 have two pairs of mutually engageable portions, one pair comprising cooperable thread means 32, FIG. 6, on the interior surface of the cap part 18, and thread means 34 on the exterior surface of the body part 12, for effecting axial movement of the cap part 18 in response to turning thereof. In addition, there are provided on the body part 12, two diametrically-opposed cam tracks 36, 38, each of which extends substantially through an angle of 180°. The cam tracks 36, 38, terminate in shoulders 40 42, respectively, which constitute stops for a pair of lugs 44, 46, respectively, FIG. 7, on the underside of the cap part 18. As can be readily understood, during screwing-on movement of the cap part, the lugs 44, 46, respectively, engage the shoulders 40, 42, thereby halting the screwing-on movement of the cap at its intended, fully-on position.
In addition, by the present invention, there exists sufficient intentional backlash between the thread means 32, 34, such that the cap part, when unscrewed from the fully-on position, can undergo rotation through an angle on the order of 20° or more, before either the thread means 32, 34, or the cam tracks 36, 38, begin to shift the cap part 18 in an axially outward direction. In other words, the thread means 32, 34 are operative in order to screw the cap part 18 from a raised position as shown in FIG. 8, to the fully-seated position shown in FIG. 1. However, there is sufficient backlash between the thread means 32, 34, such that during unscrewing movement, they do not effect any significant outward movement of the cap part 18, but instead merely enable the part 18 to rotate through a small angle on the order of 20° or more, until such time as the lugs 44, 46, begin to ride up the spiral portions of the cam tracks 36, 38. Thus, the tracks 36, 38 preferably effect the inital outward axial movement of the cap part during unscrewing movement.
By the present invention, with the tip 58 having a textured configuration there is a more pronounced tendency for hardened product to adhere to this tip. Accordingly, during the initial unscrewing operation wherein the cap part 18 does not undergo any substantial axially outward movement for the first 20° or so of rotation, a breakage of the dome tends to occur, since part of the hardened product clings to the tip 58, whereas other areas of the product are clinging to the part 18. I have found that this construction tends to break up the dome, and eliminate the need for clearing the passage 20 by means of a flicking operation by the nail of the user, or with the use of a suitable tool. That is, during initial rotation of the cap 18, the dome is broken apart. Thereafter, when the lugs 44, 46 ride up the spiral portion of the cam tracks 36, 38, the broken dome tends to fall off, leaving a generally clear area around the discharge passage 20.
Cooperable thread means 86, 88 on the body part and cap part are provided, and a single cam track 90 (FIG. 12), which extends through an angle of somewhat less than 360°. The cam track 90 has a first stop shoulder 92 which is adapted to be engaged by a lug 94 on the underside of the cap part 72. In addition and as particularly shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, by the present invention the cam track 90 has a portion of zero pitch, this portion being indicated by the numeral 98 and lying in a plane Which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the dispensing cap construction. The portion 98 of zero pitch extends through an angle on the order of 20° or so.
As in the previous embodiment, there exists between the thread means 86, 88, sufficient intentional backlash such that the cap part 74 can undergo rotation through an angle on the order of 20° or more, before either the thread means 86, 88 or the cam track 90 and lug 94 begin to shift the cap part 74 in an axially outward direction. That is, when the cap part 74 is initially turned from a position wherein the lug 94 engages the shoulder 92, the cap part 74 can rotate through 20° or so before the lug 94 begins to travel up the track 90.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS3370764 *Dec 29, 1966Feb 27, 1968Stull Engraving CoDispensing screw-type closure capUS3406880 *Dec 29, 1966Oct 22, 1968Stull Engraving CompanyDispensing closure capUS3844455 *Nov 20, 1972Oct 29, 1974Stull Engraving CoCaptive cap for dispensers* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4570825 *Jul 10, 1984Feb 18, 1986Gene StullTamper-evident cap constructionUS4589572 *Jun 20, 1983May 20, 1986New Product Development, Inc.Dispensing mechanismUS4646949 *Jan 2, 1986Mar 3, 1987Gene StullCaptive dispensing cap constructionUS4754899 *Feb 3, 1987Jul 5, 1988Gene StullTwist cap having adjustable flow rateUS4842169 *May 2, 1988Jun 27, 1989Gene StullTwist cap having adjustable flow rateUS4927065 *Apr 13, 1989May 22, 1990Creative Packaging Corp.Adjustable metering closure capUS4934519 *Jun 28, 1985Jun 19, 1990Bayer AktiengesellschaftProcess for working up crude liquid vinyl acetateUS4967941 *Apr 13, 1989Nov 6, 1990Creative Packaging Corp.Twist lock adjustable metering closure capUS5284277 *Aug 10, 1990Feb 8, 1994S. Kisling & Cie. AgTwo-part captive dispensing cap device for use with a container or the likeUS5310097 *Oct 1, 1992May 10, 1994S. Kisling & Cie AgTwo-part captive dispensing cap device for use with a container or the likeUS5358146 *Oct 21, 1993Oct 25, 1994Gene StullHand-held dispenser with twist-to-open capUS6170720Apr 19, 2000Jan 9, 2001Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.Dispensing closure with spout ventUS6299038 *Sep 6, 2000Oct 9, 2001Courtesy CorporationTelescoping twist closureUS6357634Oct 12, 2000Mar 19, 2002Sussex Technology Inc.Container cap dispensing apparatusUS6834782 *May 9, 2003Dec 28, 2004Ritter GmbhCartridge closure with opening and closing meansUS7661560 *Apr 3, 2008Feb 16, 2010Pouch Pac Innovations, LlcFlexible pouch with a tamper-evident outer cap fitment and method of formingUS8181822Jul 6, 2007May 22, 2012Fair Oaks Farms Brands, Inc.Liquid food dispenser system and methodUS8424723Apr 23, 2012Apr 23, 2013Fair Oaks Farms Brands, Inc.Liquid food dispenser system and methodUS8448827Apr 23, 2012May 28, 2013Fair Oaks Farms Brands, Inc.Liquid food dispenser system and methodUS8573445Dec 27, 2011Nov 5, 2013Pouch Pac Innovations, LlcFlexible pouch with a tube spout fitment and flexible sleeveUS8678234May 28, 2013Mar 25, 2014Fair Oaks Farms Brands, Inc.Liquid food dispenser system and methodUS20040134936 *May 9, 2003Jul 15, 2004Ritter Frank GeorgCartridge closure with opening and closing meansUS20060231572 *Apr 19, 2005Oct 19, 2006Lester MalletGlue dispenser and method of using sameUS20080185405 *Apr 3, 2008Aug 7, 2008Pouch Pac Innovations, LlcFlexible pouch with a tamper-evident outer cap fitment and method of formingUS20090236361 *Jul 6, 2007Sep 24, 2009Timothy Peter DoelmanLiquid Food Dispenser System and MethodUS20110006077 *Jul 8, 2009Jan 13, 2011Gary Stein PetersonSelf-cleaning, reusable dispensing system for viscous fluidsUS20140144932 *Jan 31, 2014May 29, 2014Fair Oaks Farms Brands, Inc.Liquid Food Dispenser System and MethodUSD738214 *May 14, 2014Sep 8, 2015Aptar Radolfzell GmbhDispenser headUSD738215 *May 14, 2014Sep 8, 2015Aptar Radolfzell GmbhDispenser headUSD739237 *May 14, 2014Sep 22, 2015Aptar Radolfzell GmbhDispenser headWO2003004372A1 *Jun 13, 2002Jan 16, 2003Georgii Alekseevich MeshalkinProtective plug* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification222/48, 222/521International ClassificationB65D47/24Cooperative ClassificationB65D47/242European ClassificationB65D47/24A1Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJun 3, 1987FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Aug 21, 1991FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Sep 11, 1995FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 12May 25, 1999ASAssignmentOwner name: LASALLE NATIONAL BANK, ILLINOISFree format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:STULL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:009980/0796Effective date: 19981217Aug 21, 2007ASAssignmentOwner name: STULL TECHNOLOGIES, INC., NEW JERSEYFree format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY;ASSIGNOR:LASALLE NATIONAL BANK;REEL/FRAME:019725/0253Effective date: 20070810Oct 17, 2007ASAssignmentOwner name: GREYSTONE BUSINESS CREDIT II LLC, NEW YORKFree format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:STULL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:019974/0046Effective date: 20071017Owner name: GREYSTONE BUSINESS CREDIT II LLC,NEW YORKFree format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:STULL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:019974/0046Effective date: 20071017RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services