Closure for containers

July 12, 1938. r. w. wilson 2,123,643

CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 30, 1937

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Patented July 12, 1938

2,123,643

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,123,643

CLOSURE FOB CONTAINERS

Ttalpli W. Wilson, New York, N. Y.

Application October 30, 1937, Serial No. 171,832

Claims. (Cl. 221—62) closure, the breast of the can being broken away;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the closure shown in Figure 1, the breast of the can being shown in section; , _

Figure 3 is a view in section through the closure 5 shown in Figure 1 taken on the plane ^ind£^at®^dby the line 3—3 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows; .

Figure 4 is a view in transverse section through the closure shown in Figure 2 and taken on the 1 plane indicated by the line 4—4 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a plan view similar to Figure 1 but showing the slide moved to the right to bring the dispensing openings into alignment;

Figure 6 is a plan view similar to Figure 1 but showing the provision of orifices instead of^slots;

Figure 7 is a view in section through a modified form of closure embodying the improvements and showing the dispensing opening in the neck shell on the center line thereof.

The breast of a container is indicated at a and for the purposes of this disclosure may be regarded as of metal to which is secured in ac- ₍cordance with established practice a neck shellThis neck shell is ordinarily symmetrical in form and provided at its dispensing end with an opening such as a slot b' or a plurality ^ofsuch as are indicated at b2 in Figure 6. What ever form Of opening may be provided it is neses- sary particularly in the dispensing of tooth powfor example, that it be of relatively large area to assure free flow. This ^r®duirement ta the ordinary construction where the neck shel is symmetrical in form makes it necessary to providefor a relatively extended movement of the controlling slide valve, and, in turn, tor a slide valve of relatively extended dimensions and superficial area. It is this condition particularly SS the present invention seeks to overcome The improved construction permits of the use of dispensing openings of relatively large area wit a slide valve of relatively small dimensions. The construction and relationship of parts thus contribute to eye appeal, facility of operation, simplicity and inexpensiveness.

Referring now particularly to Figure ^{3 Jt}be seen that a segment of the neck shell b at the dispensing end is shouldered or stepped inwardly at b3 thus making the dispensing end of reduced area and forming a deflecting baffle within the neck shell which prevents the clogging of powder and is conducive to free dispensing. In the form shown in' Figure 3 the dispensing slot b' is not disposed on the axis of the neck

This invention relates to closures for Containers and is particularly designed for use on containers for tooth powder, talcum powder, and the Hire.

The provision of a satisfactory closure for t 6 purpose indicated presents many difficulties which are not apparent to the layman. The requirements of manufacture from the^ standpoint of facility in manufacture and assembly and cost are primary considerations which render many 10 useful closures uncommercial. The of the user in respect of eye-appeal, powder tightness, ease of dispensing, and ease and certainty in operation, are also primary considerations which render many inexpensive closures unac15 ceptable/to the public. ..

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a closure which shall satisfy the requirements of both the manufacturer and the user. In accordance with the invention the im20 proved closure is one which is powder tight when not in use, conveniently operable by easy pressure of the fingers, free in dispensing, compact and attractive in appearance, and inexpensive to manufacture.

More specifically the improved closure comprises only two parts, namely, a neck shelland a reciprocable slide valve by which the dispensing openings may be closed and opened. The construction and relationship of these two parte in accordance with the improved design are such as to permit the use of a slide valve of minimum length with a dispensing opening of maximum area, as is highly desirable. The ^c°^ns£^0ct|°ⁿand relationship are further characterized by the provision of a neck shell which tends to prevent clogging of the powder and to facilitate its free flow during dispensing. ~ . .

The objects and advantages indicated are obtained generally by constructing the neck shell 40 at its dispensing end with a reduced or shouldered segment over which the slide valve may move without interference to bring the dispensing openings into registry. In the preferred form the slide valve is so constructed as to conceal the 45 said stepped or shouldered portion of the neck shell thus preserving a pleasing effect °* metry and balance despite the fact that the dispensing openings may not be formed symmetrically with reference to the center axis of the ^T^e^and other features of the improved design'will be described in greater detail in connection with the embodiments shown in the acmmnanying drawing wherein. _

Figure 1 is a view in plan of the improved

2,123,643 shell but is offset. It is of relatively great width and superficial area as appears from Figure 1.

The controlling valve for the opening 6' is formed as a reciprocable slide c which itself con5 stitutes a form of cap partially enclosing the end of the neck shell. The opposite sides of the neck shell are formed with grooves or tracks 64 in which engage beads c', respectively, formed in depending flanges c2 which are carried by the 10 sliding cap c. The upper surface of the cap c engages the end of the neck shell intimately and is mounted in sliding relation thereto. The cap is held firmly in place and guided in its movements by the interengagement of the beads c' 15 with grooves 64 in the neck shell.

At its opposite ends the sliding cap c is formed with depending flanges c3 the depth of which is determined by the depth of the shoulder 63 formed in the neck shell. The depending flange 20 c3 adjacent to the shoulder is of such depth that its lower edge will just clear the horizontal portion of the shoulder when the slide is moved to the right as viewed in Figure 3. In contour, this flange c3 conforms to the cross sectional outline 05 of the shouldered segment 63 of the neck shell. Similarly, the depending flange c3 at the right end of the slide conforms in contour to the portion of the neck shell with which it engages when the parts are in the relation shown in Figure 3. 30 The sliding cap c is formed with the dispensing opening c4 which is similar in shape to the dispensing opening 6' and preferably of the same dimensions.

From the description given it will be apparent 35 that when the parts are in the relation shown in Figures 2 and 3 the opening c4 in the cap c is out of alignment with the opening 6' and the closure is sealed against leakage. To improve the sealing the grooves 64 in the neck shell may ₄₀ be slightly out of parallelism with the end of the neck shell so that when the dispensing openings are moved out of alignment a slight force is exerted on the cap c tending to pull it down into more intimate engagement with the end of the neck shell. As viewed in Figure 3 this effect is obtained by spacing the grooves 64 at a greater distance from the end of the neck shell at their left ends than at their right ends.

It will further be observed that when the parts are in the relation shown in Figures 2 and 3 the ^ou cap appears in substantially symmetrical relation to the base of the neck shell, that is to say, its ends do not protrude beyond the beading at the base. Thus the closure generally speaking appears to be symmetrical with respect to the center line of the neck shell. The depending side flanges of the cap c practically conceal the shoulder 63 in the neck shell. When the dispensing openings are to be brought into alignment the ₆₀ Anger is applied directly to the left end of the cap c as viewed in Figures 2 and 3, and It is moved to the right, the beads c' sliding in the grooves 64. Since the end flange c3 clears the shoulder 63 movement of the cap is not interrupted by the neck shell until the end flange ° comes into direct engagement with the shouldered segment. In this relationship, it will be found that the opening c4 in the cap is in alignment with the opening 6' in the neck shell as is ₇₀ desired.

The improved construction accomplishes the important purpose of reducing the over-all length of the slide while permitting the use of large dispensing openings. It will be apparent that ₇₅' if the neck shell were not provided with the shoulder 63 but were formed symmetrically the necessary range of movement of the sliding cap c could be accomplished only by extending the cap c for a distance equal at least to the length of the horizontal portion of the shoulder 63. 5 Because of this shoulder which the depending flange c3 clears in its movement the necessary amplitude of movement for the sliding cap is afforded without the necessity of extending it beyond the side wall of the neck shell for a dis- 10 tance equal to the amplitude of movement.

When the dispensing openings are in alignment the powder is discharged by inverting the container. Because of the reduced cross section of the dispensing end of the neck shell the 15 tendency for powder to clog therein is reduced and because of the presence of the deflecting baffle constituted by the shoulder 63 the direction of flow of the powder to the dispensing opening is constantly changed thereby breaking up the 20 tendency to lump and assure a freer flow.

In order to close the openings the finger is applied to the depending flange c3 at the right end of the cap and it is slid to the left until this flange engages the exterior of the neck shell 25 thereby constituting a positive stop.

A further distinctive advantage of the construction is the convenient one hand operation which is afforded. While many known closures purport to permit convenient operation with one 30 hand few of them do so practically. In the improved construction the sliding cap c presents surfaces of large superficial area on the depending flanges c3 so that ready engagement of the thumb or forefinger is permitted when the con- 35 tainer is held in one hand. Pressure of the thumb or finger on the sliding cap is exerted laterally and the cap is moved by a direct push. It is unnecessary to provide any special finger pieces or corrugated surfaces since pressure is exerted di- 40 rectly on the cap and in the line of its movement.

The same advantages are obtained by the improved construction when the dispensing openings are of multiple number as shown in Figure 6 in that such openings may be of relatively large 45 area and relatively numerous thereby requiring a relatively long movement of the sliding cap. Despite the actual amplitude of movement of the cap it need not be of extended length because of the provision of the shouldered neck shell. ₅₀

In Figure 7 the parts are essentially of the same construction and relationship except that the dispensing opening in the neck shell B' is centrally disposed on the axis thereof. In this embodiment the dispensing opening C4 In the sliding 55 cap C is normally disposed to one side of the center axis when the openings are out of registry. Movement of the sliding cap in the manner hereinbefore described will bring the openings into registry. θθ

In Figure 7 the depending flange C3 at the right end of the cap may be reversely bent as indicated at C5 to form a yielding stop engageable with the exterior wall of the neck shell to limit the movement of parts as will be apparent. This _e5construction also provides true symmetry of the cap with relation to the base of the neck shell and brings the end flanges thereof in the same corresponding positions with respect to the beading at the base of the neck shell. γθ

The invention is not to be limited in its application to the precise form and relative dimensions of the parts as illustrated herein but its true scope is defined by the claims attached hereto. 75

2,123,643