Self-sealing closure for containers

Feb. 17, 1948. l. _H. daniel 2,436,291

SELF-SEALING CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS Filed June 25, 1946

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Patented Feb. 17, 1948

2,436,291

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,436,291 SELF-SEALING CLOSURE FQR CONTAINERS Lewis H. Daniel, Annapolis, Md. Application June 25, 1946, Serial No. 679,189

Claims.

. 1

This invention relates to a means whereby an absorbent applicator, brush bristles, or the like, may be wiped of excess liquid or semi-solid material and pointed or shaped after receiving a supply of material and especially as it is removed therefrom.

A prime object is to embody such a means in a self-sealing closure for the supply container, thus to enable access to its contents without necessitating removal or adjustment of the closure, minimum contamination and oxidation of the supply, to enable shaking without removal of the closure and to prevent spilling if overturned.

Another object is to provide a structure which contains the advantages set forth, comprising a plurality of diaphragms in juxtaposed relation, and each of which has a slit, with the slits of the different diaphragms in intersecting relation.

A further object is to provide a construction wherein the diaphragms are elastic so as to readily dilate to accommodate passage of the applicator pledget or brush bristles therethrough and automatically close as such pledget or bristles are withdrawn in order to squeeze excess material therefrom and to point such pledget or bristles.

Various additional objects will be hereinafter pointed out and otherwise become apparent as the description proceeds in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment by way of example.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of device embodying the invention:

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of said device taken on the line 2—2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through a container with the invention in operative position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a container employing the invention and showing an instrument carrying a pledget in the act of obtaining an application of liquid or semi-solid; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 taken through a modified form.

Referring specifically to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts throughout the different views, and first to the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4, the device employs a plurality of juxtaposed diaphragms at 10, each of which has a slit cut therethrough at If. Said diaphragms may be made from elastic natural or synthetic rubber or any substitute therefor, or any plastic or equivalent material to the end that the slits are normally closed and will at all times seek a closed and (CL 215—43) sealed condition as shown in the drawings. Any desired number of diaphragms may be employed and the slits 11 are arranged so as to' intersect or cross as shown. The diaphragms 10 may be 6 contiguous or may be slightly separated as preferred. Such diaphragms are secured to each other in any desired manner and as best shown in Figures 1 to 3, they are joined and reinforced by outer peripheral rings 12 and an intermediate 1© ring 13 preferably, but not necessarily, of the same material as the diaphragms 10. These rings are bonded by any suitable adhesive or otherwise secured to the diaphragms where they contact the latter. If desired, the rings 12 and 13 may even 18' be made of a hard rubber, hard plastic, wood, metal, or otherwise. The device of Figures 1 and 2 is preferably fastened across the mouth of a container 14 and clamped in place thereon by a conventional cap IS which may. be screw2® threaded or otherwise fastened in place at IB, or even frictionally secured in place, the cap having a central opening as at Π. With a view to minimizing danger of tearing of the slits It when dilating, the diaphragms preferably have integral 28 enlargements or reinforcements at the terminals of the slits as at 20.

In use, any type of applicator, such as that shown at 18, may be passed through the crossed or intersecting slits II into the container 14 in 3® order to obtain a supply of the liquid or semisolid contents on a pledget of cotton, bristles or the like at 19, after which the applicator 18 is withdrawn, during which withdrawal the slits under the contractual and self-closing action of 35 the material of the diaphragm successively squeeze the element 19, removing any excess of material therefrom and shaping or pointing it. The material of the diaphragm readily enables the dilation in the presence of the applicator 18 40 and automatic closing as it is removed therefrom.

It is to be understood that the applicator 18 is to be taken as general, since it may represent a stick of wood, metal, a probe, tweezers, pliers, brush or otherwise; and that the element 19 is also to be 48 taken as representative of a pledget of cotton or any other absorbent or similar material, brush bristles or otherwise.

When the cap 18 is in place, it will be realized that the container is fully closed and sealed 50 against escape of its contents even if the same should be overturned; and, further, that the ma: terial within the container is enclosed against contamination and undue oxidation; and further, that such contents may be shaken without re55 moval of the closure.

2,486,291

It will be understood that when reference is made in the claims to a pledget it is intended to cover such articles as brush bristles and absorbent applicators of any character.

Various changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention, and, for instance, I may resort to the construction disclosed in Figure 5, wherein the diaphragms 2t are of the identical construction of those shown at 10 and contain the identical slits and arrangement at 22 to those disclosed at 11. In lieu of employing the rings 12 and IS, they are omitted and the diaphragms 21 bonded or otherwise secured together at 25 adjacent their periphery. The container at 23 and cap at 24 correspond to those at 14 and 15, respectively.