AU659212B2 - Closure adaptor - Google Patents

Description

P/00/01 Mi2Iarf AUSTRALIA Regulation 3.Z Patents Act 1990 92112'

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invenion Ttle:CLOSURE ADAPTOR The following statement Is a full description of this Invention, Including the best method of performing It known to me:p.- 'I This invention relates to adaptors for fitment of screw-threaded closure dispensers to containers for dispensing liquid contents therefrom.

The present invention is adapted for use with the closure and dispensing device for containers disclosed, claimed and illustrated in the Complete Specification of patent No.635,301 (61,023/90) in the name of Constandinos Appla who is the Invntor of the invention of the present Application. Patent 635301 generally discloses a screw-threaded, plastic closure and liquid-dispensing device for containers with an externally-threaded outlet and which had a female member with longitudinally-spaced lower and upper internallythreaded portions, the lower internally-threaded portion is attachable to the externally-threaded outlet of containers, the male member has a single external screw thread complementary to the upper internal thread of the female portion and is rotatably mountable within the female member. An internal valve seat is moulded integrally with the female member and a valve liquidsealing surface is moulded integrally with the male member for direct sealing contact Wlt the valve seat of the female member. Hand rotation of the male member in one angular direction extends the male member axially with respect to the female member to move the valvesealing surface away from the valve seat to open the valve, rotation in the opposite direction retracts the male member and closes the valve, a common air-vent inlet and liquid outlet port is provided between both C C ft.t I- -2male and female members during relative axial, valveopening displacement of the members which have associated flow baffle means thereon adjacent the port for non-linear, two-way air/liquid flow through the valve and to break up large air bubbles forming in the valve.

An annular sealing lip is integrally moulded with the surface below the valve seat of the female member. This type of closure dispenser device is designed primarily for use with plastic containers which have a threaded neck on the top wall. The entire content of the Specification of 635,301 is imported into the specification of the present application by cross-reference.

The present invention also makes use of one or more of the features of embodiments of the container closure adaptor disclosed in the Complete specification of our patent No. 643,305 (80,454/91) which also has the same Inventor us the invention of the present application and the entire content of specification No. 643,305 is imported into the present specification by cross- S 20 reference.

Threaded container closures now in existence are manufactured from plastics material and have an internal thread with a sharp profile and are screwed onto threaded filling openings on industrial volume plastic containers such as 20-25 litre plastic drums.

These closures or caps are commonly manufactured by injection moulding by using tooling with a die core of sharp edge profile screw thread which subsequently ST requires unscrewing of the die core from the correspond-

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t l 0 10* oIr c, I i -3ingly sharp-edged profile thread of the moulded plastic closure product. Unscrewing the die core incurs a cost penalty because of an increased moulding cycle time required to manufacture a closure.

It is an object of this invention to alleviate the foregoing problems or disadvantages by providing a closure adaptor device with rounded internal thread for fitment to a threaded container neck and for fitment thereon of a threaded closure/dispenser or funnel for dispensing liquids from the container fitted with these devices.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simpler method of manufacturing a threaded container closure adaptor by injection moulding from synthetic polymeric materials with reduction of moulding cycle time by eliminating unscrewing of a threaded die core.

A further object is to provide a means by which threaded closures of one size diameter may be attached to containers with threaded outlet necks of a different 20 size diameter or larger size diameter than the closure, The invention according to one general aspect resides in a threaded container closure adaptor manufactured from synthetic polymeric material by injection moulding, the adaptor comprising a tubular body with a wider-diameter, internally-threaded, skirted outer wall portion connected by an intermediate, lateral wall portion to an integrally-moulded narrower-diameter, externally-threaded inner wall portion, the outer wall portion having a rounded internal thread, the closure I IP* C C if i I- -4i

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being formed from a die with an axially movable inner core wherein after molten thermoplastics material has been injected into the die cavity and the moulded product so-formed partially cooled and solidified, whereby the die core is able to be directly stripped axially from the rounded internal thread of the female portion of the closure adaptor without having to unscrew the core from the moulded product.

Preferably, the internally-threaded, widerdiameter skirted outer wall portion of the above-defined adaptor is connected by -s intermediate lateral wall portion to an externally-threaded, narrower-diameter, cylindrical inner wall portion upstanding from the intermediate lateral wall portion and forming a neck at a higher level than the internally-threaded narrowerdiameter inner wal2 portion.

In one form of the adaptor of this invention the internally-threaded, wider-diameter, skirted outer wall portion is connected by intermediate, lateral wall portion to an internally-threaded, narrowerdiameter inner wall portion countersunk into the intermediate lateral wall portion.

Preferably, the adaptor of this invention is formed from a die with an axially movable inner core and two radially movable outer segments, the die segments being closable around the core to form a die cavity, wherein after molten thermoplastics material has been injected into the die cavity and the product so-formed partially cooled and solidified, the die core is able to

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I T~U~ii be directly stripped a.ially from the rounded internal thread of the female portion of the moulded adaptor product and the two segments simultaneously stripped in diametrically opposite radial directions away from the external surface of the female portion of the said product.

Preferably, the adaptor of this invention has the thread of the skirted outer wall portion parallel and rounded and of relatively reduced depth with minor i10 crest truncation at an axially-spaced, flat, cylindrical root portion and the thread is differentially reduced with respect to major and minor cylinders to facilitate stripping of the moulded closure adaptor product from a die before the moulded product has completely cooled.

Preferably, the adaptor of this invention has an integrally moulded and deformable sealing lip provided within the internally-threaded female portion ,thereof and intermediate an annular outer skirt and a fluid flow aperture thereof.

20 Preferably, the skirted outer wall portion of the adaptor according to the invention has different internal and external wall profiles, the internal wall surface being cylindrical, the outer wall surface being undulating or lobed on two opposite sides at 90 degrees 25 with respect to each oi the first said opposite sides with a plurality of external ribs on chord lines parallel to a diametric centreline, the ribs forming serrations for hand grips.

In one form the adaptor of the invention has "k-E q Sr o' i)4 -6a rupturable membr.ns, The invention also includes a method of manufacturing the threaded container closure adaptor as above defined, the method comprises using a die with an axially movable inner core, injecting molten thermoplastics material into the die cavity, at least partially cooling and solidifying the container closure adaptor product so formed, directly stripping the die core axially from the rounded internal thread of the skirted outer wall portion without having -to unscrew the die core from the said product.

More particularly the method of this invention comprises using a die with an axially movable inner core and two radially movable outer segments, closing the die segments around the core to form a die cavity, injecting molten thermoplastics material into the die cavity, at least partially cooling and solidifying the threaded container closure adaptor product so formed, directly stripping the die core axially from the rounded internal thread of the skirted outer wall portion portion of the moulded product before the product has completely cooled without having to unscrew the die core from the product and simultaneously stripping the two segments in diametrically opposite radial directions away from the external surface of the skirted outer wall portion of the product.

Some non-limiting examples of alternative embodiments and practical arrangements of the invention will no be described with reference to the accompanying 4 £L

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C i 444 C (CC C 44 i -7drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a container closure adaptor according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of the adaptor of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the adaptor of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a part sectional view of the adaptor of Figures 1 to 3.

Figures 5 and 6 are part-sectional views in closed and open position respectively of the container closure screw-on dispenser device with built-in tap and pouring spout of patent No. 635,301 (application No.

61,023/90) for fitment to and use with the adaptor of Figures 1 to 4 of the present invention and for use on the threaded neck of a container.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a different embodiment of container closure adaptor replacing the male connecting neck with a female connecting socket, Figures 8 to 10 are further embodiments of container closure adaptors according to the present invention and which have female threaded sockets which additionally include rupturable seals.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Figures 1 to 4 a container closure adaptor manufactured from synthetic polymeric material such as polyethylene or polypropylene polymers or copolymers by injecting moulding, the closure adaptor being suitable for pouring ,t,1 1

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s_ 7 .73' 14 -8of cold liquids such as engine oil and comprises a hollow or tubular body with a wider-diameter, internally threaded, skirted female portion 10 Joined by an intermediate flat flanged portion 11 to an integrallymoulded, narrower-diameter, external.ly-threadfbad, male neck portion 12 provided with a cylindarical internal wall defining a liquid dispensing opaning or passage 12a. The female portion 10 has an internal thread inside a skirted wall which is of wider diameter tha.7 the wall of the male portion. The thread 13 of the female portion is parallel and rounded and is of relatively reduced depth with minor crest truncation at an axially-spaced, flat, cylindrical root portion and the thread is differentially reduced with respect to major and minor cylinders to facilitate stripping of the moulded closure adaptor product from a die, preferably before the moulded product has completely cooled, The closure adaptor is formed from a die with an axially movable inner core with a parallel rounded thread 20 negative profile with respect to the positive rounded profile of tne intvnrnal thread of the closure adaptor female portion -the root portions between thread being cylindrically flat) so that after molten thermoplastics material has been injected into the die cavity and with 25 the closure adaptor product formed still warm, the die core is able to be directly stripped axially away from the rounded internal thread of the female portion of the adaptor product without having to unscrew the die core N.which a.llows some transient de~brination of the threaded

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I' A -9portion but recovery by plastic memory, The die tooling includes two radially movable outer segments which are closable around the core to form a die cavity and each die segment and correspondingly referring to the profile of the body of the closure adaptor product, each side of the female portion 10 has identical internal and external wall profiles namely in that the internal wall surface 14 is circular or cylindrical in form but the outer and peripheral surface 15 of the wall is undulating or lobed and is also provided on two opposite sides with a plurality of (in this example eighteen) ribs on chord lines parallel to a diametric centreliie forming serrations for hand grips, such as those labelled 16, 17, 18, on one side and those labelled 19, 20, 21, on the other side. The two outer die segments can be simultaneously stripped outwardly in two diametrically opposite radial directions in the same plane away from I the external surface of the female portion of the closure adaptor and normal to the core stripping direction. Underneath the flanged intermediate portion 11 of the closure body there is provided an integrally t" moulded sealing ring 22 which has a cylindrical inner tsurface wall bu las a tapered outer wall surface which Stapers from the bottom surface of the flanged intermediate portion 11 of the body towards the sealing ring dietal edge 22a. This tapered surface is adapted to seal the inside surface of an externally threaded neck of a container when the closure adaptor is screwed onto the neck of a container.

L Referring to the embodiment of Figure 7, the externally threaded male neck of Figures 1 to 4.is replaced by an internally-threaded female socket which is adapted to receive a threaded bung 211.

The embodiments of Figures 8 to 10 are provided with a rupturable membrane temporary seal and the skirted outer portion of the embodiment of Figure 9 has a rounded internal thread 213 while that of Figure 10 is labelled 313.

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Claims (14)

1. A threaded container closure adaptor -amanufeot from synthetic pclymeric material by injection moulding, the adaptor comprising a tubular body with a wider- diameter, internally-threaded, skirted outer wall portion connected by an intermediate lateral wall portion to an integrally-moulded, narrower-diameter, internally or externally-threaded inner wall portion, the skirted outer wall portion having a rounded internal thread, the adaptor being formed from a die with an axially movable inner core wherein after molten thermo- plastics material has been injected into the die cavity and the product so-formed partially cooled and solidif- ied, the die core is able to be directly stripped axially from the rounded internal thread of the skirted outer portion of the moulded product without having to unscrew the core from the product.

2. An adaptor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internally-threaded, wider-diameter skirted outer wall +e portion is connected by 4 a intermediate lateral wall Sproftion-Ato an externally-threaded, narrower-diameter, cylindrical inner wall portion upstanding from the tt' intermediate ±ateral wall portion and forming a neck at wider- r, a higher level than the internally-threadednarrowe.r- scir e4 ouier k diameter ianer wall portion. A

3. An adaptor according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the internally-threaded, wider-diameter, skirted outer wall portion is connected by.- intermediate, lateral wall portion to an internally-threaded, narrower- 0 960 r ,i -12- diameter inner wall portion countersunk into the intermediate lateral wall portion.

4. An adaptor according to any one of claims 1 to whereiA #he dre t(o has 3, A'hiCh ia farmdd from a die with an airially evable- .inne:r ::or and1 two radially movable outer segments, the die segments being closable around the core to form a die cavity, wherein after molten thermoplastics material has been injected into the die cavity and the p-oduct so-formed partially cooled and solidified, the die core is able to be directly stripped axially from the rounded internal thread of the female portion of the moulded adaptor product and the two segments simultan- eously stripped in diametrically opposite radial directions away from the external sirface of the female portion of the said product.

The adaptor according to claims 3. to 4 wherein the thread of the skirted outer wall portion is parallel S0 and rounded and is of relatively reduced depth with minor crest truncation at an axially-spaced, flat, So". cylindrical root portion and the thread is differential- t ly reduced with respect to major and minor cylinders to facilitate stripping of the moulded closure adaptor product from a die before the moulded product has completely cooled. l

6. The adaptor according to any one of claims 1 to It l wherein an integrally moulded and deformable sealing lip is provided within the internally-threaded female portion of the adaptor and intermediate an annular outer skirt of the adaptor and a fluid flow aperture of the s I \C) -13- adaptor,

7, The adaptor according to any preceding claim wherein the skirted outer wall portion has different internal and external wall profiles, the internal wall surface being cylindrical, the outer wall surface being undulating or lobed on two opposite sides at 90 degrees with respect to each of the first said opposite sides with a plurality of external ribs on chord lines parallel to a diametric centreline, the ribs forming serrations for hand grips.

8. The adaptor, according to any preceding claim which is provided with a rupturable membrane,

9. A method of manufacturing the threaded container closure adaptor according to any one of claims 1 to 8 which comprises using a die with an axially movable inner core, injecting molten thermoplastics material into the die cavity, at least partially cooling and solidifying the container closure adaptor product so formed, directly stripping the die core axially from the rounded internal thread of the skirted outer wall portion without having to unscrew the die core from the said product. ,I

:10. The method according to claim 9 which comprises using a die with an axially movable inner core and two radially movable outer segments, closing the die C (t segments around the core to form a die cavity, injecting molten thermoplastics material into the die cavity, at least partially cooling and solidifying the threaded container closure adaptor product so formed, directly 4L~L_. -14- stripping the dis Core axially from the rounded internal thread of the skirted outer wall portion portion of the moulded product before the product has completely cooled without having to unscrew the die core from the product and simultaneously stripping the two segments in diametrically opposite radial directions away from the external surface of the skirted outer wall portion of the product. ii.

A threaded container closure adaptor of synthetic polymeric injection-moulded material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of injection moulding a threaded container closure adaptor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A threaded container closure adaptor of synthetic polymeric, injection-moulded material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A threaded container closure adaptor of synthetic polymeric, injection moulded material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 8 to 10 of the accompanying drawings. Dated this 16th day of August, 1994 INVESTIONS PTY. LTD. By Our Patent Attorney JOHN L.DAVIES CO. I t I I tI I f It III, 0' ABSTRACT A screw-on, plastic adaptor for a container is made by injection moulding from plastic using a multi-segment die with an axial core and two radially separable outer segments and has a wider-diameter, skirted female portion (10) with internal screw thread (13) for screw- ing onto an externally-threaded neck of a container; an intermediate flanged portion (11) is joined to -a narrower-diameter, and in one form, male neck portion (12 with an external thread (12b) for screwing on a plastic closure' dispenser device. The female portion has a rounded internal thread (13) for direct axial stripping of the die core without unscrewing to reduce moulding cycle time and, has a lobed peripheral wall provided on two opposite sides with multiple ribs (16,17,18,19,20,21) on chord lines parallel to a diametric centreline for mould segment separation in diametrically opposite radial directions. CA sa n lp di wiIa xa oe n w aily eaal ue segmnts nd as awide-dimete, skrte femle