Abstract:
A dispensing closure of three separately formed interlocking components including a container mountable base with a central post mounting a spout for vertical movement thereon between a closed position with a post mounted plug sealing within a spout aperture, and a second open position with the plug remote from the aperture, movement of the spout relative to the post and plug being achieved by a sleeve rotatably mounted on the base and engaged with the spout for rotation of the spout with the sleeve and, through cooperating engagement of the spout with the post, for longitudinal adjustment of the spout relative to the post.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to dispensing closures for containers, and more particularly, to such closures utilizing a self-sealing telescoping spout with a twist action control member for operation thereof. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Twist top closures are known in which a cap with a central aperture cooperates with an upstanding post formed on a base to open or close the closure. The base is affixed to the mouth of a product container, such as a water bottle, and when the cap is moved, such as by twisting or pulling relative to the base, the post on the base is withdrawn from engagement with the aperture in the cap to permit product, such as water, to be dispensed from the container. After dispensing of the product is completed, the cap is returned to its closed position by reverse-twisting or pushing on the cap to reengage the post in the aperture, thereby closing the closure and preventing product from being dispensed from the container. 
     Examples of such known closures are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,331, issued Sept. 7, 1999, entitled “Dispensing Closure with Retracting End for Containers”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,487, issued Jun. 6, 1995, entitled “Dispenser Cap for a Fluid Substance Container, with a Movable Dispensing Nozzle”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,941 (owned by wholly-owned subsidiary of the assignee of the present application), issued Nov. 6, 1990, entitled “Twist Lock Adjustable Metering Closure Cap”. 
     Attention is also directed to copending application Ser. No. 09/415,797, filed Oct. 11, 1999, entitled “Universal Base Pull/Push-Twist Closure”, owned by the same assignee as the assignee of the present application, and disclosing a base similar to the base of the present invention. The disclosure of the copending application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     The rather active nature of this field of invention is encouraged by several factors with the goal of providing, for the user, a closure which, during periods of non-use, can be effectively sealed, and which, during use, can be easily manipulated or opened and closed. Similarly, the closure should be readily accommodated to the mouth, as when water or juice is to be directly discharged into the mouth with the lips normally encircling the closure or a portion thereof. 
     Other considerations encouraging activity in this field of invention comprise those associated with the costs of the closure itself, including most particularly economies which can be realized in the manufacturing procedures and the equipment required for the molding of the closure components. Basically, if the rather elaborate or intricate nature of many of the components of closures heretofore devised can be simplified, while at the same time providing a closure having significant operational advantages, substantial manufacturing advantages will also be realized. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is concerned with a closure which provides for a unique combination of components which are formed as to allow for substantial manufacturing economies, while at the same time providing for a unique operational relationship between the components to provide a closure which is simple to manipulate, allows for a positive discharge of a product, and which can be effectively sealed. 
     More specifically, the closure of the invention includes a base adapted to be mounted to a container, as by screw thread engagement with an externally threaded container neck. The base includes a central vertically extending post with a plug mounted at the upper end thereof. 
     A spout is telescopically received over the post and includes a central aperture which aligns with the plug for selective sealing engagement of the plug within the aperture to preclude fluid discharge. The spout is to move vertically to selectively lower the spout aperture into sealing engagement with the plug and raise the spout to upwardly retract the aperture from the plug. A screw thread engagement is provided between the spout and the post whereby rotation of the spout about the post will effect the desired raising and lowering of the spout. 
     In order to provide for the desired vertical adjustment of the spout, a spout encircling sleeve is rotatably engaged with the base and retained against vertical movement relative to the base. The sleeve and spout are retained for simultaneous rotation of the spout with the sleeve as the sleeve is rotated relative to the base, this rotation of the spout producing a corresponding vertical adjustment of the spout relative to the sleeve and base. Basically, the spout includes a top which is of a non-circular configuration, preferably elliptical, which is received within the corresponding elliptically shaped upper portion of the sleeve to allow for axial movement of the spout within the sleeve while precluding relative rotation therebetween. The exterior of the sleeve is configured, upward from a cylindrical lower portion thereof which engages the base, with opposed slightly flattened finger grip areas corresponding to the opposed long sides of the elliptical top of the spout which allows for an easy manual manipulation of the sleeve. In fact, such opposed preferably smooth slightly arcuate grip areas can comfortably receive the lips of a consumer of the product with the container rotated relative to the lip confined sleeve to effect an alternate means for opening and closing the closure. In this manner, one involved in physical activity, such as bicycling, can readily access the container contents without requiring separate manual manipulation of the closure. 
     Various objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in accordance with the above and ensuing disclosure in which a preferred embodiment is described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is contemplated that minor variations may occur to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the three basic components of the closure, the base, the spout and the control sleeve; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the components assembled; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the closure with the spout open; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the spout closed; 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the spout; and 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the sleeve. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the closure  10 , preferably formed of an appropriate food-compatible plastic, comprises three molded components, the base  12 , the spout  14  and the control member or sleeve  16 . 
     The base  12  is adapted for attachment to a container top (not shown) in known manner, such as by screw threads  18  formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall  20  of the base body which mate with like threads on a container neck. The base body also includes a top panel  22  extending inward from the body side wall  20 . A vertically elongate post  24 , normally integrally molded with the top panel  22 , extends vertically therefrom coaxial with and inwardly spaced from the surrounding body wall  20 . The post  24  has a cylindrical side wall  26  defining a product flow passage  28  vertically therethrough and opening through the body top panel  22 . The post  24 , having a radial dimension less than that of the body side wall  20 , forms a concentric channel  30  about the post and between the post wall  26  and a sleeve retention flange  32  defined from the upper portion of the body side wall  20  peripherally thereabout and extending upward from the arcing inward over the base top panel  22 . The purpose of this retention flange will be explained subsequently. 
     The external surface of the post wall  26  includes a lower portion  34  and an upper portion  36  with an annular abutment surface or shoulder  38  formed therebetween. 
     An annular sealing rib  40  is formed proximate to the upper terminal end of the upper portion  36  of the post  24  and extends circumferentially about the external surface of the post. A closure or sealing plug  42  is centrally positioned within the upper terminal end portion of the post  24  and projects vertically therefrom in radially inwardly spaced relation to the post wall. The plug is supported by a support spider formed of spaced radially extending spokes  44  which minimally restrict the flow if discharging product annularly about the plug  40  in its open position as shall be described subsequently. 
     The lower portion  34  of the post wall is formed with a pair of diametrically opposed helical groove channels  46 . 
     The base top panel  22 , in immediate surrounding relation to the post  24 , has an upwardly directed annular seating groove  48  formed therein. Outward of this groove, and inward of the peripheral retaining flange  32 , the top panel  22  is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed stop tabs  50 . As desired, the under surface of the top panel  22  can be provided with an annular depending sealing rib  52  adapted to engage with the top of a container neck about the opening therein. Also, and as suggested in FIG. 3, an appropriate tamper-evident skirt  54  can be provided peripherally about the lower edge of the cylindrical body wall  20 . In order to facilitate mounting of the closure, it is contemplated that the exterior surface of the body wall  20  be provided with vertical gripping ribs  56  peripherally thereabout. 
     Referring now to spout  14 , the spout includes a vertically elongate cylindrical side wall  58  telescopically receivable over the base post  24 . The spout  14  has inwardly projecting helical thread segments or lugs  60 , note in particular FIGS. 1 and 5, engaged within the helical post grooves  46  which are provided with appropriate respective starting openings and terminal openings to allow for the initial engagement of the lug  60  therein upon a mounting of the spout. 
     The spout  14  includes a top  62  having a top panel  64  integral with and transversely across the upper end of the spout side wall  58 . The top panel  64  extends at least partially beyond the spout side wall  58  radially outward therefrom and is of a non-circular configuration, preferably elliptical as illustrated. As such, and as suggested in FIG. 5, the minor dimension of the elliptical top  62  will be only slightly greater than the diameter of the spout side wall  58 , while the top, at the maximum diameter thereof, will extend a substantial radial distance outward from the spout side wall  58 . 
     The top  62 , and more particularly the top panel  64 , includes a central aperture  66  therethrough aligned with plug  42  and of a complementary configuration whereby reception of the plug  42  within the aperture  66 , as illustrated in FIG. 4, seals the aperture and prevents discharge of the product therethrough. The extent of vertical upward movement of the spout  14 , as illustrated in FIG. 3, is sufficient so as to effect a complete and substantial relative withdrawal of the plug  42  from the spout  66  for product discharge. In this maximum open position, it will also be noted that an inwardly directed annular sealing rib  68  on the inner surface of the spout side wall  58  seats upwardly against corresponding sealing rib  40  on the base post. It is also to be appreciated that the sealing rib  40  is such as to maintain sealing engagement with the respective spout wall throughout vertical adjustment of the spout as shall be explained subsequently. 
     The spout top  62  also includes a continuous side skirt  70  depending from the elliptical periphery of the top panel  64  completely thereabout and in outwardly spaced relation to the spout side wall  58  at least to the opposite sides of the minimum diameter dimension of the top, again note in particular FIG.  5 . 
     Referring to FIG. 4, it will noted that the lower terminal edge  72  of the spout side wall  58 , in the lowermost or closed position of the spout, seats within the upwardly directed annular groove  48  in the base top panel  22 , and the internal sealing rib  68  on the spout side wall  58  seats on the shoulder  38  of the base post, thereby to potentially provide an effective secondary seal location, if needed. 
     The manipulation of the spout  14 , that is the axial movement thereof between the open position of FIG.  3  and the closed position of FIG. 4, is effected by the control member or sleeve  16 . The sleeve  16  includes a peripheral wall  74  with a lower cylindrical wall portion  76  having an integral outwardly directed retention lip  78  about the terminal lower edge thereof. The lip  78  is rotatably received and retained within the upper inwardly overhanging retention flange  32  on the base wall  20  above the base panel  22  with the relationship between the retention lip  78  and retention flange  32  being such whereby the lower edge of the sleeve  16  is slidably supported on the base top panel  22  for rotation about the base. Vertical disengagement of the sleeve  16  from the base  12 , once the sleeve retention lip  78  is snapped into position, is prevented by the base retention flange  32  while the cooperative relation therebetween allows for the required relative rotational movement of the sleeve relative to the base. 
     As will be appreciated from FIGS. 3 and 4, the sleeve wall  74  is outwardly spaced from the spout side wall  26  with the skirt  70  of the spout top  62  closely and slidably received within the open upper end  80  of the sleeve  16 . In order to slidably accommodate the skirt  70  of the spout top  62 , the upper portion  82  of the sleeve wall  74  gradually tapers, from the cylindrical lower wall portion  76 , to an upper elliptical configuration at the open upper end  80  thereof which closely conforms to the elliptical configuration of the top  62  of the spout  14 . The relationship between the configuration of the top  62 , preferably elliptical, to the correspondingly configured upper portion and open upper end of the sleeve  16  is such whereby the spout, while vertically or axially movable relative to the sleeve, is confined against rotation relative thereto. Thus, rotation of the control member or sleeve  16  will effect a simultaneous rotation of the spout  14  with the helical engagement means of the spout to the base post effecting a corresponding axial adjustment of the spout relative to both the base and the sleeve. 
     In order to prevent overtravel of the sleeve beyond the maximum opposed open and closed positions of the spout, the sleeve  16  is provided, within the cylindrical lower portion  76  of the wall  74  thereof, with opposed radially inwardly projecting sleeve retention flanges or ribs  84  which so relate to the stop tabs or lugs  50  on the base top penal  22  as to, upon abutment therewith, limit further rotation of the sleeve and axial adjustment of the spout. The aforesaid positioning is such as to, of course, correspond with the extreme open and closed positions of the spout. 
     Noting FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, gripping ribs  86  are provided peripherally about the lower cylindrical portion  76  of the sleeve wall with these gripping ribs, at opposed areas of maximum diameter of the elliptical upper end of the sleeve, extending vertically for the full height of the sleeve wall. It is preferred that the opposed long sides of the upper wall portion  82 , both at the elliptical extreme upper end thereof and in the transition area above the cylindrical lower portion  76 , be without ribs, whereby opposed smooth surfaces are provided for the accommodation of the lips of a user. Such opposed smooth wide surfaces also provide convenient gripping areas for a finger manipulation of the sleeve when the closure is to be opened or closed. 
     In use, the closure is initially assembled by snap locking the three separately molded components together with the spout  14  received for rotational and axial movement on the base post  24  and the sleeve received on the base for rotational movement relative thereto. The spout is retained on the post against movement beyond its maximum open position by engagement of the post and spout sealing flanges  40  and  68 , while the sleeve is retained by the engaged sleeve retaining lip  78  and base retaining flange  32 . 
     As previously described, the spout comprises the only axially adjustable member, movable from a substantially completely concealed position to a slightly elevated open position through manipulation of the separately formed control member or sleeve. The separate molding of the components allows for more efficient manufacturing procedures and the possibility of achieving economic advantages resulting therefrom. The formation of the closure utilizing individually molded components is made possible by the unique interrelationship of the components into an operating unit as described above. 
     Other configurations and variations in the structure, arrangement and size of the various parts may occur to those skilled in the art without department from the spirit or circumventing the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.