Closure with Improved Drainage

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/660,816 filed on Jun. 17, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of closures for containers. The present disclosure relates specifically to a closure for a container, the closure configured to reduce spillage by reducing an amount of liquid that adheres to the closure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention relates to a closure including an axis, a top panel centered on the axis, a first wall extending downward from the top panel, the first wall centered on the axis, a hinge extending from and coupled to a rear portion of the first wall, a second wall centered on the axis, the second wall pivotally coupled to the first wall via the hinge, the first wall and top panel pivoting with respect to the second wall via the hinge between an open position and a closed position, and a securing element extending from the second wall. The securing element is configured to couple the second wall to a container neck of a container. The closure is formed from a first material that includes a polymer and a first compound, and the first compound lowers a surface energy of a first liquid interfacing with the closure compared to a surface energy of the first liquid interfacing with only the polymer.

In various embodiments, the first compound includes a surfactant that is a lubricant, silicon-based, or wax-based. In various embodiments, the first compound is selected from a group consisting of a lubricant and a surfactant that acts like a lubricant.

In various embodiments, the first liquid includes a coffee creamer. In various embodiments, the first liquid includes lactose. In various embodiments, the first liquid includes fat. In various embodiments, the first liquid includes water.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a closure including an axis, a top panel centered on the axis, a first wall extending downward from the top panel, the first wall centered on the axis, a hinge extending from and coupled to a rear portion of the first wall, a second wall centered on the axis, the second wall pivotally coupled to the first wall via the hinge, the first wall and top panel pivoting with respect to the second wall via the hinge between an open position and a closed position, a securing element extending from the second wall, the securing element configured to couple the second wall to a container neck of a container. The closure is formed from a first material that includes a polymer and a first compound. The first compound lowers a coefficient of adhesion between a first liquid and the closure compared to a coefficient of adhesion of the first liquid interfacing with only the polymer.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a closure including an axis, a top panel centered on the axis, a first wall extending downward from the top panel, the first wall centered on the axis, a hinge extending from and coupled to a rear portion of the first wall, a second wall centered on the axis, the second wall pivotally coupled to the first wall via the hinge, the first wall and top panel pivoting with respect to the second wall via the hinge between an open position and a closed position, a securing element extending from the second wall, the securing element configured to couple the second wall to a container neck of a container, a spout rigidly coupled to the second wall, the spout configured to permit a first liquid inside the container to exit the container, and a coating applied to the spout. The spout is formed from a first material, and the coating has a coefficient of adhesion with respect to the first liquid that is lower than a coefficient of adhesion between the first liquid and the first material.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a closure including an axis, a top panel centered on the axis, a first wall extending downward from the top panel, the first wall centered on the axis, a hinge extending from and coupled to a rear portion of the first wall, a second wall centered on the axis, the second wall pivotally coupled to the first wall via the hinge, the first wall and top panel pivoting with respect to the second wall via the hinge between an open position and a closed position, and a securing element extending from the second wall, the securing element configured to couple the second wall to a container neck of a container. The closure is formed from a first material that includes a polymer and a first compound, and the first compound lowers the surface energy of a material composing the closure compared to a surface energy of the first liquid interfacing with the polymer.

In a specific embodiment, the compound includes a surfactant that is a lubricant, silicon-based, or wax-based. In a specific embodiment, the first compound is selected from a group consisting of a lubricant and a surfactant that acts like a lubricant.

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, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 1 in an open configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 1 in an open configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, various aspects of a closure are shown. Closures are used to enclose storage compartments of containers, such as bottles for drinkable liquids. Many closures include a base that couples to a container neck and a cap that is pivotally coupled to the base. In use, liquid from the container can get stuck to various portions of the base and/or cap, and subsequently be spilled or lost. Applicant has developed one or more closures that reduce the amount of liquid that sticks to the closure, thereby reducing the amount of liquid that gets spilled or lost.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a closure 110 for closing a container 190 according to an embodiment is shown. Closure 110 includes axis 112, cap 120 and base 140 pivotally coupled together via hinge 114. In various embodiments, cap 120 and base 140 are centered on axis 112.

Cap 120 and thus closure 110 includes top panel 122, which in various embodiments is centered on axis 112. Cap 120 includes first wall 124 extending downward from top panel 122, the first wall 124 centered on the axis 112. In various embodiments, closure 110 includes hinge 114 extending from and coupled to a rear portion 128 of wall 124 and/or top panel 122 opposite the front portion 126 of cap 120.

Base 140 includes second wall 142 centered on axis 112, which in various embodiments is centered on axis 112. Second wall 142 is pivotally coupled to first wall 124 via hinge 114, the first wall 124 and top panel 122 pivoting with respect to the second wall 142 via the hinge 114 between an open position and a closed position.

Closure 110 includes a securing element, shown as thread 150, extending from the second wall 142, the securing element configured to couple the second wall 142 to container neck 192 of container 190.

Rear portion 144 of wall 142 is coupled to hinge 114, thereby coupling wall 142 to wall 124. Front portion 146 of wall 142 is optionally detachably coupled to front portion 126 of wall 124 via one or more frangible connections. Base 140 is engaged with container neck 192 of container 190 to enclose contents in container 190, such as liquid 198 within container 190.

Referring to FIG. 3, cap 120 includes a plug 130 that interfaces with base 140 to enclose liquid 198 within container 190. As can be seen in FIG. 3, in some situations liquid 198 can adhere to closure 110, such as to the intersection of top panel 122 and plug 130. Subsequently, the liquid 198 may fall from closure 110 and thereby make a mess that needs to be cleaned and/or is lost from container 190. Another problem with the adherence of liquid 198 to cap 120 and/or base 140 is that droplets or portions of liquid 198 may dry in place instead of draining back into container 190. This dried liquid 198 can create a residue which interferes with the proper closing of cap 120 onto base 140. In various uses, the liquid 198 may be a coffee creamer, including ingredients such as one or more of water, lactose, and fat.

Accordingly, Applicant has developed one or more closures, such as closure 110, that reduces the extent to which liquid 198, such as liquid 198 from the container the closure 110 is adhered to, sticks to closure 110. As one example, closure 110 is formed from a first material including a polymer and a first compound. The first compound lowers the surface energy of the polymer when liquid 198 is interfacing with closure 110 compared to the surface energy of the polymer when liquid 198 is interfacing with a closure that only includes the polymer and does not include the first compound. In various embodiments, the first compound lowers the coefficient of adhesion between liquid 198 and closure 110 compared to a coefficient of adhesion of the first liquid 198 interfacing with only the polymer. In various embodiments, the first compound lowers a surface energy of a first liquid 198 interfacing with the closure 110 compared to a surface energy of the first liquid 198 interfacing with only the polymer.

In another embodiment, a coating is applied to closure 110 that reduces the surface energy of the polymer when liquid 198 is interfacing with closure 110, such as the spout 148 configured to permit the liquid inside the container to exit the container. In various embodiments, coating 152 is applied to the spout 148, the spout 148 is formed from a first material, and the coating 152 has a coefficient of adhesion with respect to the first liquid 198 that is lower than a coefficient of adhesion between the first liquid 198 and the first material.

In various embodiments the spout 148 is rigidly coupled to the second wall 142. As one example, a film is applied to closure 110. As another example, a spray is applied to closure 110 immediately before closure is closed for the final time before being shipped to the user; in this way the spray will remain on the closure until used.

In either embodiment, the reduction of the coefficient of adhesion between the liquid 198 and cap 120 and/or base 140 allows for a greater portion of liquid 198 to drain back into container 190 to reduce or eliminate the creation of residue from liquid 198 on cap 120 and/or base 140. Depending upon the application, the use of such coefficient of adhesion reducing compounds may be used on both the cap 120 and base 140 or only on one of cap 120 or base

In various embodiments, the first compound is selected from a group consisting of a lubricant and a surfactant that acts like a lubricant. In various embodiments, the first compound includes a surfactant that is a lubricant, silicon-based, or wax-based. In various embodiments, the first compound includes a silicon-based compound, and more specifically one or both of siloxanes and/or silicone oils. In various embodiments, the first compound includes a wax-based compound, such as polyolefins and/or polyethylene-based waxes.

In various embodiments, the first compound is mixed into the base polymer when the closure is initially molded.

In various embodiments, the first compound may be added to the surface of closure 110 in the areas of concern such as the underside the inside of plug 130 and on the underside of the top panel 122. In various embodiments, the first compound is added to areas of concern via a spray processor or a pad printing process.

In various embodiments, the first compound is overmolded in/around a closure 110 (e.g., formed in an underside of closure 110) to manufacture closure 110.

In various embodiments, the first compound is a separately molded part that is then assembled or inserted into the underside of the lid of closure 110.

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.