MXPA01004671A - Closure device for a membrane sealed container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention comprises a cap member having an annular wall (11) and a top wall (34) disposed within and connected to the annular wall (11). An arcuate pierce-plow member (12) is disposed on an upper surface (8) of the top wall (34) at a position spaced from the annular wall (11). The pierce-plow member (12) includes a first plow base member (15) having a ramp portion (17) and a substantially flat portion (19). The pierce-plow member (12) further includes a piercing member (21) disposed adjacent to the substantially flat portion (19) of the plow base member (15). The piercing member (21) includes a first portion disposed adjacent to the first plow base member and a second portion disposed at a position spaced from the first plow base member. A thickness of the second portion of the piercing member (21) is greater than a thickness of the first portion of the piercing member (21).

Description

POSITIVE CLOSURE DIS FOR A MEMBRANE SEALED CONTAINER Technical Field The invention relates generally to a closure device for sealed membrane containers and more specifically to a closure device constructed to open the orifices of sealed membrane containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Sealed membrane containers are found to have widespread commercial use as consumer safety and health considerations that continue to rise. In order to prevent accidental spillage or non-detectable alteration of medicine, food products, cleaning products, automotive, and lawn and orchard products, whether liquid or solid, the product is enclosed in a plastic or glass container membrane seal. In several cases it is desirable that the sealed container be opened without a person's hands coming in contact with the material inside the container, and without the need for additional tools. It may also be important that the membrane does not peel off and fall into the contents of the bottle after it is opened. It may also be important to be able to reseal the bottle if it is not completely emptied after its use (or after partial use of its contents).

Various devices have been used to open the membranes of the type discussed herein, such devices include those described in the U.S. Patent. No. 4,634,013 which includes a disconnector device. The U.S. Patent No. 5,505,326 discloses a cover having a plurality of cutters piercing the membrane requiring the consumer to tear the remaining membrane. The U.S. Patent No. 5,090,582 discloses a cover including a disconnecting device which incorporates a plow base member together with its side wall, thus preventing the membrane from falling into the container after it has been cut. The U.S. Patent No. 4,993,569 discloses a piercing closure device wherein, before opening the cover, the consumer presses down the cover and through which pierces the membrane. US Patent No. 3,887,099 discloses a cover having internal cutters by means of which the membrane is cut along its edges when a consumer pushes the cover down.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a closure device for a container having an opening that is sealed with a membrane seal. The closure device of the present invention is provided in the form of a cover membrane having a lower sealing surface construction for sealing the container fluidly. The closure further includes an upper surface having a perforator / plow member positioned therein. The piercer / plow member is designed to pierce and separate the membrane as the cover is rotated relative to the container, thus providing a fluid flow orifice for the contents of the container. An object of the invention is to provide a system for opening a sealed membrane container, which is incorporated in a cover member for closing the container. An object of the invention is to provide a system for opening a sealed membrane container that can be used by both a left-handed and right-handed consumer. Another object of the invention is to provide a system for opening a sealed membrane container that is complicated to use. A further object of the invention is to provide a system for opening a sealed membrane container in such a way that the membrane remains connected to the container after the use of the system, ie, a system that does not allow the membrane to fall into the container after that the membrane is cut by the system. It is also an object of the invention to provide a system for opening a membrane sealing container that is relatively simple and inexpensive to process. Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description that follows, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the examination of the description contained herein, or may be learned through the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention can be realized and achieved by means of the conduits and combinations particularly indicated in the appended claims. To accomplish the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the system for opening a sealed membrane container includes a cover member having a lower sealing surface for seal a container fluently. The cover body further includes an upper surface having a punch-plow member having a predetermined length. The plow-plow member includes an upper piercing point and a lower plow base member part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of the specification, illustrate one embodiment of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a top view of the invention; Figure 2 shows a sectional side view of the invention; Figure 3 shows a detail of the cutter taken along 3-3 of FIG. 1; Figure 4 shows a detailed sectional view of the invention taken in 4-4 of FIG. 1; and Figure 5 represents a sectional view of the invention opening the sealed membrane container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the accompanying figures, the closure device of the present invention is provided in the form of a cylindrical cover member generally indicated at 10 in FIG. 1 . In the embodiment of the present invention shown in the accompanying figures, the cover member 10 includes an annular wall 1 1 having a first end portion 30 and a second end portion 32. The cover member 10 further includes an upper wall 34 disposed inside the annular wall 1 1 in such a way that the upper wall 34 is placed between the first end part 30 and the second end part 34 in order to define a first, sealing cavity 6 and a second, opening cavity 5. provides an exterior surface 13 of the annular wall 1 1 with ridges in order to facilitate the fastening thereof by a user. The surface 36 of the upper wall 34 is constructed to cover an associated container when the cover member 10 is in its sealing position. The surface 36 of the upper wall 34 is coated away from the associated container when the cover member 10 is in its open position. The cover member 10 is preferably constructed to fluidly seal a container with which the cover member 10 is intended to be used. For example, the surface 36 may be constructed to cooperate with the associated container in order to provide a waterproof seal to the containers. fluids between it. The embodiment of the cover member 10 shown here, the cover member 10 is constructed to seal and open a container having a circular flow orifice that is fluidly sealed by a fluid impermeable membrane, eg, tinsel or plastic. It will be appreciated that the specific configuration of the cover member 10 will vary depending on the configuration of the container with which it is used. For example, the diameter of the cover member 10 can be varied to match variations in the diameter of the container with which the cover member 10 is used. In addition, if the container has a flow orifice with a non-circular shape, the cover member 10 will be preferably reconfigured in order to provide the functional and structural features discussed in detail herein. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, threads 7 are provided on an inner surface of the annular wall 1 1, the threads 7 being configured to provide a threaded connection between the cover member 10 and a container. It will be appreciated that the threads 7 may have a variety of known configurations. It will also be appreciated that the threads 7 can be omitted if there are no threads present in the container. Finally, it will be appreciated that known, alternating retention devices may be used in place of the threads 7 in order to secure the cover member 10 to an associated container. For example, the cover member 10 can be constructed to provide a spring closure fit with the associated container using known structures. A punch-plow member 12 is attached to an upper surface 8 of the upper wall 34. The punch-plow member 12 is constructed to pierce and separate a membrane seal 25 in the associated container 23. It will be appreciated that the precise dimensions of the member plow-plow 12 will vary depending on a variety of factors. For example, the configuration of the punch-plow member 12 will need to cite factors such as the thickness of the materials used in the membrane 25 which seals the associated container 23. In addition, the configuration of the punch-plow member 12 will vary depending on the materials used to build a cover member 10 and a punch-plow member 12. Further, the height and thickness of the punch-plow member 12 will have to vary based on the depth and configuration of the second aperture cavity 5. The geometry of the piercing member is plow 12 is preferably selected to provide prestretching of the membrane sealing the container. It is believed that an improved separation / cutting effect would be achieved if the membrane is placed in a stressed condition before the application of a cutting force. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the plow base member 15 provides the desired pre-stretch of the membrane. The base plow member 15 includes a ramp portion 17 and a substantially planar portion 19. The punch-plow member further includes a piercing member 21 positioned adjacent the substantially planar portion 19. The piercing member 21 is constructed in such a manner which is capable of piercing the membrane closure 25 in an associated container 23 when the cover member 10 is axially driven towards the associated container. The piercing member 21 is also constructed in such a way that it is capable of separating the membrane closure 25 in rotation relative to the cover member 10 and the associated container 23. In the embodiment of the present invention shown herein, the punch-plow member 12 includes two plow base members 15, i.e., a plow base member 15 either side of the punch member 21. This symmetrical configuration allows the punch-plow member to be used for both right-handed and left-handed individuals. Preferably the punch-plow member 12 has a radius of curvature when the cover member 10 is constructed to be used with the containers having circular flow holes. The length of the arc of the punch-plow member 12 may vary depending on the desired functional characteristics of the punch-plow member 12. However, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a unique punch-plow member 12 having a (<90 ° C) of arc length. Such a configuration reduces the volume, and thus the cost, of the materials used to build the cover member 10. In the embodiment shown, the punch-plow member 12 defines an arc of about 45 °. Further, although this configuration of the cover member 10 requires an operator to diffuse substantially 360 ° of relative rotational movement between the cover member 10 and the associated container 23 in order to create the desired opening in the membrane seal 25 of the With this container, it has been found that this configuration of the punch-plow member 12 does not produce a 360 ° separation of the membrane seal 25. Furthermore, it has been found that this configuration consistently leaves a small cap of the intact membrane seal 25, thus ensuring that the torn portion of the membrane seal 25 does not fall into the associated container 23. It is believed that the small cap of the membrane seal 25 that is not torn by the punch-plow member 12 remains intact because it is not possible to provide a sufficient pretensioning of those parts of the membrane 24 that are substantially adjacent to the point at which the pe member rforation 21 originally pierced the membrane. Instead, these parts of the membrane 25 simply move away from the punch-plow member 12 as effective rotation is effected between the cover member 10 and the container 23. Figure 4 provides a cross-sectional, exploded view of the cover member. 10 and a punch-plow member 12. As discussed above, the plowing punch member 12 is in the shape of an arc. The plowing piercing member 12 includes a rear wall 14 which is preferably concentric to an annular wall 1 1 along with its length. The rear wall 14 is preferably spaced from the annular wall 1 1 to receive between it the wall of the container 25 defining the flow orifice 27 of the container 25. It has been found that it is preferable that the distance between the rear wall 14 and the The annular wall 1 1 is at least as large as the thickness of the wall of the container 25 in the flow orifice 27, whereby it is ensured that the rear wall 14 can be radially positioned internally from the wall of the container when the annular wall 1 1 radially it is placed externally from the wall of the container. It will be appreciated that the piercing member 21 must withstand forces greater than the part of the plow base member 15. That is, the forces associated with piercing and separation of the membrane seal 25 in the associated container 23 are larger than the forces associated with the pretensioning of the membrane seal 25 realized by means of the part of the plow base member. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the piercing member 21 extends more from the upper surface 8 of the upper wall 34 than the part of the plow base member 15. For these reasons, it has been found that it is preferable to build the piercing-plow member 12. such that the thickness of the piercing member 21 (ie, its radial thickness) is greater than the thickness of the part of the plow base member 15 in certain spaced positions of the upper part 8, as depicted in the figures companions. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the piercing member 21 and the part of the plow base member 15 can have the same thickness, while simultaneously providing the desired structural integrity to the piercing member 21, without departing from the scope and spirit proposed of the present invention. However, it is believed that this configuration could result in unnecessary use of the material in the formation of the part of the plow base member 15, thus increasing the cost of processing associated with the cover member 10. Preferably, the height of the member The perforation 21 is selected such that it does not extend beyond the second end part 32 of the annular wall 1 1, thus preventing inadvertent damage to an individual using the cover member 10 of the present invention. In the embodiment shown, the height of the piercing member 21 has been selected such that it is disposed within the second opening cavity 5, ie, in such a way that the tip of the piercing member 21 is below the upper edge. of the annular wall 1 1. Further, as discussed above, the punch-plow member 12 is separated from the annular wall 1 1 in order to ensure that the cut made by the piercing member 21 is made in a position that is radially inside the surface internal of the bottle. In addition to the back wall 14, the piercing member 21 includes a first face 38 and a second face 40. The first and second faces 38, 40 of the piercing member are constructed in such a way that the piercing member 21 has a radial dimension larger at its center 42 than at its edge 44. As a result of this configuration, the edge 44 of the piercing member 21 provides for the initial cutting of the member 25 because it is the first part of the piercing member 21 that contacts the membrane 25 after the membrane 25 is pretensioned by the plow base member 15. Even more, the relative rotation is diffused between the cover member 10 and the container 23, one of the first face 38 and a second face 40 (depending on the relative rotation direction) will provide more tearing and separation of the membrane 25. It has been found that this configuration of the piercing member 21 provides the desired cut or separation of the membrane. brana 25 Figure 5 shows the cover member 10 of the present invention in an inverted operative position, relative to the container 23 having the perforation membrane 25, which fluidly seals the flow orifice 27. In this position, the upper part of the container 23 is placed inside the second opening cavity 5. This orientation of cover member 10 relative to container 23 is achieved by disconnecting, for example, unscrewing or unfastening, cover member 10 from container 23 and inverting the cover member 1 0 relative to the container 23. Figure 5 shows the cover member 10 after the piercing member 21 has been driven through the piercing membrane 25 and into the interior of the container 23. The placement of the cover member 10 in the represented position it requires the application of a force which causes the upper part of the container 23 to be pushed more towards the second opening cavity 5. It is It will be noted that the force required can be achieved by applying force to one or both of the cover member 10 and the container 23. After the piercing member 21 has pierced the membrane 25 and the cover member 10 is in the position shown in Figure 5, more opening of the container 23 is achieved by effecting relative rotation between the cover member 10 and the container 23. In the embodiment of the present invention wherein the parts of the plow base member 15 are provided in each side of the piercing member 21, such relative rotation can be effected in any direction. As discussed above, during the relative rotation between the cover member 10 and the container 23, the part of the plow base moulder 15 applies pre-tensioning to the membrane 25, thereby facilitating a cutting or separation of the membrane 25. by means of the piercing member 21. In addition, the configuration of the piercing member 21, which includes the first and second faces 28, 40, causes the membrane 25 to be effectively cut by the piercing member 21 in the relative rotation between the cover member 10 and the container 23. , stipulating that the cover member 10 and the container 23 not be allowed to move axially away from one another during such relative rotation. Also as discussed above, the configuration of the cover member 10, and particularly the configuration of the punch-plow member 12, will not result in a 360 ° separation of the membrane 25, thus ensuring that the torn portion of the membrane 25 does not fall inside the container 23. That is, a small segment of the membrane 25 that comes in contact with the punch-plow member 12 will not be cut, thus leaving a cover of the membrane 25 that can be pushed towards or pulled from the container 23. It is believed that this segment of the membrane 25 is not cut off because sufficient pre-tensioning is not possible for that part of the membrane 25 which is located followed by the point at which the piercing member 21 initially pierced the membrane 25. The use of the system of the present invention, despite the apparentness of the foregoing discussion, will now be summarized. In order to fluidly seal a container 23 having a perforation membrane 25, the cover member 10 is attached to the container 23 such that the hole of the container 27 is placed within the first sealing cavity 6 defined by the wall. cancel 1 1. When it is desired to open the container 23 and distribute the contents thereof, the cover member 1 0 is separated from the container 23 and inverted relative thereto in such a way that the second opening cavity 5 is directed towards the container 23. The member The cover 10 and the container 23 thus move relative to each other in such a way that the drilling member 21 is driven through the membrane 25. After that, the relative rotation diffuses between the cover member 10 and the container 23., while maintaining the axial orientation of the cover member 10 and the container 23, in order to effect a circumferential separation of the membrane 25. As discussed above, the relative rotation of 360 ° produces a cover of the membrane 25 that is connects to the rest of the membrane 25 by means of a relatively narrow tape. The resulting cap of the membrane 25 can be pushed inwardly or pulled outwardly to facilitate the distribution of the contents of the container 23 through the flow orifice 27. The resulting cap of the membrane 25 can also be removed by separating it from the rest of the membrane 25. The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention in the precise manner described, and someone of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various modifications and variations are possible in view of the foregoing teaching. It is intended that such modifications and variations be within the scope and spirit of the present invention, such scope and spirit being defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS 1. A closure device for a sealed membrane container, said closure device comprising: an annular wall; a top wall placed inside and connected to said annular wall, said top wall having a top surface; and a punch-plow member positioned on said top surface of said top wall in a position spaced apart from said annular wall, said plow-plow member being arcuate, said plow-plow member comprising: a first plow base member having a part of ramp and a substantially flat part; and a piercing member positioned adjacent said substantially planar part of said plow base member, said piercing member having a first part positioned adjacent said first plow base member and a second part positioned in a position separate from said first member plow base, a thickness of said second part of said piercing member being larger than a thickness of said first part of said piercing member. A closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said annular wall defines a thread constructed to allow the threaded connection of said closing device to a container. A closure device according to claim 1, characterized in that said punch-plow member has an arc length of less than 90 °. 4. A closure device according to claim 3, characterized in that said punch-plow member has an arc length of approximately 45 °. A closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said punch-plow member further comprises a second plow base member having a ramp portion and a substantially flat portion, said piercing member being positioned between said plow base members. first and second, said piercing member adjacent said substantially planar portions of said first and second plow base members, said piercing member having a third part adjacent to said plow base member, a thickness of said third part being smaller said thickness of said second part of said piercing member. 6. A closure device according to claim 5, characterized in that said punch-plow member has an arc length of less than 90 °. A closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said thickness of said piercing members constantly increases from said first part to said second part. 8. A container comprising: a container body defining a flow orifice, said flow orifice sealed fluently by a perforation membrane; and a cover member constructed for attachment to said container body adjacent said flow orifice, said cover member comprising: an annular wall; a top wall placed inside and connected to said annular wall, said top wall having a supepor surface; and a punch-plow member positioned on said top surface of said top wall in a position spaced apart from said annular wall, said plow-plow member being arcuate, said plow-plow member comprising: a first plow base member having a part of ramp and a substantially flat part; and a piercing member positioned adjacent said first substantially flat portion of said plow base member, said piercing member having a first part positioned adjacent to said first plow base member and a second part spaced from said first plow base member, a thickness of said second part being larger than a thickness of said first part of said first plow base member. A closing device according to claim 8, characterized in that said punch-plow member further comprises a second plow base member having a ramp part and a substantially flat partsaid piercing member being positioned between said first and second plow base members, said piercing member being positioned adjacent said substantially planar portions of said first and second plow base members, said piercing member having a third part adjacent to said piercing member. plow base member, said third part thickness being less than said thickness of said second part of said piercing member. A closure device according to claim 8, characterized in that said punch-plow member has an arc length of less than 90 °. eleven . A closure device according to claim 8, characterized in that said thickness of said piercing member constantly increases from said first part to said second part.