Patent Description:
According to one aspect, a container closure comprises an outer cap, an inner cap, and a seal. The outer cap includes a top wall and an outer sidewall extending downward from the top wall. The inner cap is secured within the outer cap and includes a bottom wall and an inner sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The inner sidewall is offset from the outer sidewall to define a space between the outer cap and the inner cap for receiving an associated neck portion of an associated container. The seal is secured to the inner cap and includes a seal sidewall and a rim extending inwardly from the seal sidewall. The seal sidewall sealingly engages the inner sidewall and the rim sealingly overlaps the bottom wall. The inner cap together with the seal define an air pathway in fluid communication between the space between the outer and inner caps and an air opening formed on the bottom wall of the inner cap and selectively covered by the rim.

Preferred embodiments are defined by dependent claims.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the present disclosure. For purposes of description herein, spatially relative terms, such as "upper" and "lower" and the like, may be used to describe an element and/or feature's relationship to another element(s) and/or feature(s) as, for example, illustrated in the figures of the present disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, <FIG> illustrate a container assembly <NUM> comprising a container <NUM> and an exemplary closure <NUM> according to the present disclosure which is complementary to the container. The container <NUM> may be configured to retain a desired substance, and in particular may be configured to retain the desired substance at a temperature that is either higher or lower than an ambient temperature. In one aspect of the disclosure, the container <NUM> is configured to be used as a beverage container, and may correspond to or resemble a bottle, jug, growler, vessel, carafe, or similar beverage container. The container <NUM> may be fashioned from any material having the desired properties for a beverage container, such as a stainless steel or a plastic formulation (e.g., a thermoplastic, or a thermosetting polymer). In one aspect of the disclosure, the container <NUM> may incorporate a double-walled construction, with the intervening space between the walls being substantially evacuated, so that the container is a vacuum-insulated container <NUM>. Examples of appropriate vacuum-insulated containers are commercially available from HYDRO FLASK (Bend, Oregon).

The container <NUM> includes body portion <NUM> and a neck portion <NUM> having a mouth <NUM> that provides access to an interior <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The closure <NUM> is transitionable between an attached and a detached configuration with respect to the container neck portion <NUM>. The closure <NUM> (which may alternatively be referred to as a cap or lid) may include one or more suitable structures and components configured so as to provide a sealing closure for the mouth <NUM> of the container <NUM>. By way of example, the closure <NUM> may include a first securing element (i.e., a first threading <NUM>) that is complementary to a second securing element (i.e., a second threading <NUM>) disposed on the neck portion <NUM>. That is, the first threading may be configured to mate with the second threading, so that the closure <NUM> may be secured to the neck portion <NUM> and thereby secured to and against mouth <NUM>. It should be appreciated that additional and/or alternative configurations of securing elements may be used to secure the closure <NUM> against the container <NUM>, for example, a snap-fit or crimped rim. In such cases the closure <NUM> and neck portion <NUM> of the container <NUM> need not be circular. When the closure <NUM> is secured to the container <NUM>, the contents of the container assembly <NUM> are not prone to leaking during routine handling and/or transport. However, the threaded connection does not form a gas tight seal between the closure <NUM> and the neck portion <NUM>, so as to allow gas venting and pressure equalization as further described below.

With additional reference to <FIG>, the exemplary closure <NUM> includes an outer cap assembly <NUM>, an inner cap assembly <NUM> secured to the outer cap assembly, and a seal <NUM> secured to the inner cap assembly. The outer cap assembly <NUM> can comprise an outer cap <NUM> and, optionally, a cover member <NUM>. The outer cap <NUM> includes a top wall <NUM> and an outer sidewall <NUM> extending downward from the top wall. An inner surface <NUM> of the outer sidewall <NUM> include the first threading <NUM>. The cover member <NUM>, which is complementary in shape to the outer cap <NUM>, includes a top wall <NUM> and an outer sidewall <NUM>. The top wall can include an opening <NUM> for exposing part of the top wall <NUM> which may be molded or inscribed to provide an aesthetic, instructional, or functional interface for a user of the container assembly <NUM>. The cover member <NUM> is fixedly attached to the outer cap, for example, the cover member <NUM> can be overmolded onto the outer cap <NUM>. Each of the outer cap <NUM> and the cover member <NUM> can be formed from a plastic, such as a thermoplastic, or a thermosetting polymer. The outer sidewall <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> may further include a grippable and/or manipulable surface configured to assist in attaching and/or detaching the closure <NUM> from the container <NUM>.

The inner cap assembly <NUM> is fixedly secured within the outer cap assembly <NUM>. According to the present disclosure, the inner cap assembly <NUM> comprises an inner cap <NUM>, an insulation member <NUM>, an insert <NUM>, and a support <NUM>. The inner cap <NUM> includes a bottom wall <NUM> and an inner sidewall <NUM> extending upwardly from the bottom wall. Similar to the top wall <NUM>, the bottom wall <NUM> may be molded or inscribed to provide an aesthetic, instructional, or functional interface for a user of the container assembly <NUM>. The inner sidewall <NUM> is offset from the outer sidewall <NUM> of the outer cap <NUM> to define a space <NUM> between the outer cap <NUM> and the inner cap <NUM> for receiving the neck portion <NUM> of the container <NUM>. As best depicted in <FIG>, at least one groove or channel is formed in the inner cap <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the at least one groove includes a first groove or channel <NUM> and a second groove or channel <NUM> in communication with the first groove or channel <NUM>. The first groove or channel <NUM> is formed in the inner sidewall <NUM> and extends circumferentially along a periphery of inner sidewall relative to a longitudinal axis CA of the closure <NUM> (the longitudinal axis is best depicted in <FIG>). The second groove or channel <NUM> is also formed in the inner sidewall <NUM> and extends axially relative to the longitudinal axis CA intersecting the first groove or channel <NUM>. More particularly, the inner sidewall <NUM> includes a first upper portion <NUM> and a second lower portion <NUM>. The second lower portion <NUM> is offset inwardly (i.e., in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis CA) from the first upper portion <NUM> so as to define a first upper ledge <NUM> and a second lower ledge <NUM>. The second ledge can be slightly offset upwardly from the bottom wall <NUM> and forms a radial extension of the bottom wall <NUM> which extends past the second lower portion <NUM>. The first groove or channel <NUM> is defined by the second lower portion <NUM> and the first and second ledges <NUM>, <NUM>. A section of the second lower portion <NUM> can be bulged inwardly to define the second groove or channel <NUM> (see <FIG>).

In the depicted embodiment of <FIG>, <FIG>, the insulation member <NUM> and the insert <NUM> are positioned within the inner cap <NUM>. According to one aspect, the insulation member <NUM> includes a base <NUM> and a post <NUM> extending from the base. A first locating feature <NUM> for the second groove or channel <NUM> can be formed in the base <NUM>. The insert <NUM> is connected to the insulation member <NUM>. The insert <NUM> includes an outer sidewall <NUM> having an upper section <NUM> and a lower section <NUM> which are complementary in shape to the upper and lower portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the inner sidewall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM>. The insert <NUM> further includes an inner sidewall <NUM> connected to the outer sidewall <NUM>. The inner sidewall <NUM> together with the lower section <NUM> define an inner hub having a bore <NUM> that is complementary in shape to the insulation member <NUM>. This allows the insert <NUM> to be matingly fitted or received over the insulation member <NUM>. As shown, a second locating feature <NUM> for the second groove or channel <NUM> can be formed in the lower section <NUM>, the second locating feature <NUM> received by the first locating feature <NUM> (see <FIG>). The insert <NUM> can be further provided with a plurality of spaced reinforcing tabs <NUM> interconnecting the inner hub and outer sidewall <NUM>. Further illustrated, the support <NUM> is received over the over the inner cap <NUM>, particularly over the upper portion <NUM> of the inner sidewall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM>. In the depicted aspect, the support <NUM> is ring-shaped having a sidewall <NUM> with an upper outwardly extending ledge <NUM> and a lower inwardly extending ledge <NUM>. In the assembled condition of the closure <NUM>, the insulation member <NUM> is sandwiched between and covered by the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap <NUM> and the bottom wall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM>, with the base <NUM> in contact with the bottom wall <NUM> and the post <NUM> in contact with the top wall <NUM>. Further, distal ends <NUM> of the reinforcing tabs <NUM> are spaced from the upper portion <NUM> of the inner sidewall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM> to define offset regions <NUM> for locating flanges <NUM> depending from the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap <NUM>.

The seal <NUM> is provided to form a sealed connection between the neck portion <NUM> of the container <NUM> and the closure <NUM> when the closure is attached to (i.e., threaded onto) the neck portion. With particular reference to <FIG>, the seal <NUM> includes a seal sidewall <NUM> and a rim <NUM> extending inwardly from the seal sidewall, the rim <NUM> defining an opening <NUM>. According to the depicted aspect, the seal sidewall <NUM> has an inverted U-shape in cross-section and includes an outer portion <NUM>, an inner portion <NUM> and a top portion <NUM> interconnecting the outer and inner portions. The rim <NUM> extends inwardly from a lower free end of the inner portion <NUM>. A circumferential shoulder <NUM> extends inwardly from a connected upper end of the inner portion <NUM>. Further, at least one groove or channel <NUM> can be formed in the top portion <NUM>, the at least one groove or channel <NUM> extending radially on the top portion relative to the longitudinal axis CA (see <FIG>). In the present disclosure, a pair of grooves or channels <NUM>, <NUM> can be formed on the top portion <NUM>, the grooves or channels <NUM>, <NUM> being angularly spaced (e.g., diametrically spaced) from one another relative to the longitudinal axis. In <FIG>, the inner portion <NUM> of the seal sidewall <NUM> is secured to the lower portion <NUM> of the inner sidewall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM>. The top portion <NUM> is engaged against the upper ledge <NUM> of the lower portion <NUM> and the lower ledge <NUM> of the lower portion <NUM> is received between the rim <NUM> and the shoulder <NUM>. Further, the rim <NUM> is sealingly engaged to the second lower ledge <NUM> of the bottom wall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM>, with the bottom wall <NUM> extending at least partially through the opening <NUM>.

Each of the inner cap <NUM>, the insert <NUM>, and the support <NUM> can be formed from a plastic, such as a thermoplastic, or a thermosetting polymer. The insulation member <NUM> may incorporate any suitable material, structure, or device configured to reduce heat transfer between upper and lower surfaces of the insulation member. For example, the insulation member may include one or more plastics that may be the same or different than the plastics used for forming the other components of the closure <NUM>. In addition to the incorporation of an insulating material, the insulation member <NUM> may include a plurality of internal voids or apertures configured so that the spaces formed by the voids decrease the thermal transfer due to conduction through the material of the insulation member <NUM>. The seal <NUM> may include any material that creates or enhances an air-tight seal between the container <NUM> and the closure <NUM>.

According to the present disclosure, the inner cap <NUM> together with the seal <NUM> define an air pathway <NUM> (see <FIG>) in fluid communication between the space <NUM> between the outer and inner caps <NUM>, <NUM> and an air opening <NUM> (see <FIG>) formed on the bottom wall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM> and selectively covered by the rim <NUM> of the seal <NUM>. As illustrated, the air opening <NUM> is formed through the second lower ledge <NUM> of the bottom wall <NUM> outwardly of the lower portion <NUM> of the inner sidewall <NUM>. Further depicted is a recessed portion <NUM> formed in the bottom wall near the air opening <NUM>, which allows for ease of removal of the seal <NUM> from the inner cap <NUM>. According to the present embodiment, the air pathway <NUM> is defined by the first and second grooves or channels <NUM>, <NUM> formed in the inner sidewall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM> and covered by the seal <NUM>. The air pathway <NUM> can also be defined by each of the grooves or channels <NUM>, <NUM> optionally formed in the top portion <NUM> of the seal <NUM> and covered by the inner cap <NUM>. More particularly, the air pathway includes a first air pathway extending circumferentially about the longitudinal axis CA and formed by the first groove or channel <NUM> and the seal shoulder <NUM> and a second air pathway extending axially relative to the longitudinal axis CA and formed by the second groove or channel <NUM> and the seal shoulder <NUM>. Due to tolerances between the inner cap <NUM> and the seal <NUM> connected thereto, ambient air is capable of flowing between the top portion <NUM> of the seal <NUM> and the first upper ledge <NUM> of the second lower portion <NUM> of the inner sidewall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM>. To facilitate this airflow, the grooves or channels <NUM>, <NUM> can be provided on the top portion <NUM>. Therefore, a third air pathway extending radial relative to the longitudinal axis CA can be formed by the top portion <NUM> (and optionally each of the grooves or channels <NUM>, <NUM>) and the first upper ledge <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM>. The second air pathway intersects the first air pathway and the air opening <NUM>, and the third air pathway intersects the first air pathway and is circumferentially spaced from the second air pathway.

As depicted in <FIG>, the lower end or ledge <NUM> of the support <NUM> received over the upper portion <NUM> of the inner sidewall <NUM> is both in contact with the top portion <NUM> of the seal <NUM> and can define an extension of each of the grooves or channels <NUM>, <NUM>. In <FIG>, the grooves or channels <NUM>, <NUM> are angularly spaced from the second groove or channel <NUM> relative to the longitudinal axis CA. Again, the first groove or channel <NUM> extends circumferentially along the inner sidewall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM>, the second groove or channel <NUM> extends axially from the first groove or channel <NUM> relative to the longitudinal axis CA and terminates at the air opening <NUM>, and the grooves or channels <NUM>, <NUM> of the seal <NUM> extend radially from the first groove or channel <NUM> relative to the longitudinal axis. Further, an inner dimension of the seal sidewall <NUM> is less than an outer dimension of the lower portion <NUM> of the inner sidewall <NUM> so that when the seal <NUM> is fitted over the lower portion <NUM> the rim <NUM> is tensioned and biased against the second lower ledge <NUM> of the bottom wall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM>. This ensures that air opening <NUM> is normally closed or sealed by the rim <NUM> of the seal <NUM>.

Therefore, the closure <NUM> is provided with the air pathway <NUM> allowing air flow between the interior <NUM> of the container <NUM> and the labyrinthine gap formed by the threaded connection of the closure <NUM> and container <NUM>. When the container <NUM> is under pressurized with respect to outside ambient air pressure, a vacuum then formed within the interior <NUM> lifts that portion of the rim <NUM> covering the air opening <NUM> allowing ambient air to flow through the air pathway <NUM> and through the air opening <NUM> into the container. Particularly, ambient air within the space <NUM> flows between the threaded connection, between the top portion <NUM> (and optionally through each of the grooves or channels <NUM>, <NUM>) and the first upper ledge <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM>, into and through the first groove or channel <NUM>, into and through the second groove or channel <NUM>, and then into and through the air opening <NUM>. This allows for equalization of interior air pressure of the container <NUM> and outside ambient air pressure.

<FIG> depict another embodiment of an exemplary closure <NUM> for the container assembly <NUM>. The closure <NUM> includes the outer cap assembly <NUM> having the outer cap <NUM> and the cover member <NUM>, the inner cap <NUM> secured to the outer cap <NUM>, the seal <NUM> secured to the inner cap <NUM>, and an insulation member <NUM>. The insulation member <NUM> is positioned within the inner cap <NUM>. According to one aspect, the insulation member <NUM> includes a first cylindrical part <NUM> having a first diameter, and a second cylindrical part <NUM> having a second smaller diameter positioned below the first cylindrical part. As depicted, the first and second cylindrical parts <NUM>, <NUM> are complementary in shape to the respective upper and lower portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the inner sidewall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM>. A locating feature <NUM> for the second groove or channel <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM> can be formed in the second cylindrical part <NUM>. In the assembled condition of the closure <NUM>, the insulation member <NUM> is sandwiched between and covered by the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap <NUM> and the bottom wall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM>, with the first cylindrical part <NUM> in contact with the top wall <NUM> and the second cylindrical part <NUM> in contact with the bottom wall <NUM>. The insulation member <NUM> can be formed similar to the insulation member <NUM>.

With reference also to <FIG>, the seal <NUM>, which is mounted to the lower portion <NUM> of the inner sidewall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM>, is provided to form a sealed connection between the neck portion <NUM> of the container <NUM> and the closure <NUM> when the closure is attached to (i.e., threaded onto) the neck portion. Again, the inner cap <NUM> together with the seal <NUM> define the air pathway <NUM> (see <FIG>) in fluid communication between the space <NUM> between the outer and inner caps <NUM>, <NUM> and the air opening <NUM> formed on the bottom wall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM>. The air pathway <NUM> includes the first air pathway (i.e., the first groove or channel <NUM>) extending circumferentially about the longitudinal axis CA, the second air pathway (i.e., the second groove or channel <NUM>) extending axially relative to the longitudinal axis CA and intersecting the first air pathway and the air opening <NUM>, and the third air pathway (i.e., between the seal <NUM> and the inner cap <NUM> and optionally the grooves or channels <NUM>, <NUM>) extending radial relative to the longitudinal axis CA, intersecting the first air pathway, and circumferentially spaced from the second air pathway. The closure <NUM> is adapted such that in a state where an interior pressure of the container <NUM> is greater than or equal to outside ambient air pressure, the air opening <NUM> is normally closed or sealed by the rim <NUM> of the seal <NUM> (see <FIG>). The closure <NUM> is adapted such that in a state where an interior pressure of the container <NUM> is less than outside ambient air pressure, that portion of the rim <NUM> covering the air opening <NUM> is lifted (see <FIG>) and ambient air flows through the air pathway <NUM>, through the air opening <NUM> and into the container, again allowing for equalization of inside air pressure of the container and outside ambient air pressure.

<FIG> depict another embodiment of an exemplary closure <NUM> for the container assembly <NUM>. The closure <NUM> includes the outer cap assembly <NUM> having the outer cap <NUM> and the cover member <NUM>, an inner cap assembly <NUM> secured to the outer cap <NUM>, and a seal <NUM> secured to the inner cap assembly. Similar to the previous embodiments, an insulation member (not shown) can be positioned within the inner cap assembly <NUM>. According to the present disclosure, the inner cap assembly <NUM> comprises an inner cap <NUM> and a support <NUM>. The inner cap <NUM> includes an inner sidewall <NUM> and a bottom member <NUM>. The inner sidewall <NUM> is offset from the outer sidewall <NUM> of the outer cap <NUM> to define a space <NUM> between the outer cap <NUM> and the inner cap <NUM> for receiving a neck portion <NUM> of a container <NUM>, which can be similar to the container <NUM> having a double-walled construction.

As depicted, the inner cap <NUM> has formed therein a first groove or channel <NUM> and a second groove or channel <NUM> in communication with the first groove or channel <NUM>. The first groove or channel <NUM> is defined by an inwardly offset sidewall portion <NUM> (i.e., offset in an inward radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis CA of the closure <NUM> best depicted in <FIG>) formed in the inner sidewall <NUM> and extending circumferentially along a periphery of the inner sidewall <NUM> relative to the longitudinal axis CA. The sidewall portion <NUM> defines an upper ledge <NUM> and a lower ledge <NUM>. The bottom member <NUM>, which can be substantially saucer shaped, includes a sidewall <NUM> and a bottom wall <NUM>. The lower ledge <NUM> extends outwardly (i.e., in an outward radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis CA) and circumferentially along a periphery the sidewall <NUM>. Provided on the sidewall <NUM> of the bottom member <NUM> is a recessed portion <NUM> and an air opening <NUM> extends through the lower ledge <NUM> and into the recessed portion <NUM>. The air opening <NUM> is in direct communication with the second groove or channel <NUM>. In the depicted aspect, the support <NUM> is ring-shaped having a sidewall <NUM> dimensioned to be received over the inner sidewall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM>.

Similar to the seal <NUM> described above, the seal <NUM> includes a seal sidewall <NUM> and a rim <NUM> extending inwardly from the seal sidewall. According to the depicted aspect, the seal sidewall <NUM> has an inverted U-shape in cross-section and includes an outer portion <NUM>, an inner portion <NUM> and a top portion <NUM> interconnecting the outer and inner portions (<FIG>). The rim <NUM> extends inwardly from a lower free end of the inner portion <NUM>. A circumferential shoulder <NUM> extends inwardly from a connected upper end of the inner portion <NUM>. The first groove or channel <NUM> is further defined by the shoulder <NUM> of the seal <NUM>. In <FIG>, the seal <NUM> is secured to the inner sidewall <NUM> of the inner cap <NUM> and the rim <NUM> is tensioned and biased against the sidewall <NUM> of the bottom member <NUM>. Therefore, with the rim <NUM> sealingly engaged to the sidewall <NUM>, the recessed portion <NUM> and the air opening <NUM> are normally closed or sealed by the seal <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A container closure (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
an outer cap (<NUM>) including a top wall (<NUM>) and an outer sidewall (<NUM>) extending downward from the top wall;
an inner cap (<NUM>, <NUM>) secured within the outer cap (<NUM>), the inner cap (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a bottom wall (<NUM>, <NUM>) and an inner sidewall (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending upwardly from the bottom wall (<NUM>, <NUM>), the inner sidewall (<NUM>, <NUM>) is offset from the outer sidewall (<NUM>) to define a space (<NUM>, <NUM>) between the outer cap (<NUM>) and the inner cap (<NUM>, <NUM>) for receiving an associated neck portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) of an associated container (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a seal (<NUM>, <NUM>) secured to the inner cap (<NUM>, <NUM>), the seal (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a seal sidewall (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a rim (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending inwardly from the seal sidewall, the seal sidewall (<NUM>, <NUM>) sealingly engaging the inner sidewall (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the rim (<NUM>, <NUM>) sealingly overlapping the bottom wall (<NUM>, <NUM>),
characterized in that the inner cap (<NUM>, <NUM>) together with the seal (<NUM>, <NUM>) define an air pathway (<NUM>, <NUM>) in fluid communication between the space (<NUM>, <NUM>) between the outer and inner caps and an air opening (<NUM>, <NUM>) formed on the bottom wall (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the inner cap (<NUM>, <NUM>) and selectively covered by the rim (<NUM>, <NUM>).