CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/083,285, filed September 25, 2020, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Containers are used for storing and dispensing a wide range of products. Such products include adhesives, lubricants, lotions, medicants, shampoos, hair dressings, and various oral care products, like toothpaste and mouthwash. The products are typically withheld within such containers via caps having various form factors. Such caps include plastic twist-on caps. What is desired is a cap having a metal look and feel while exhibiting twist-on capabilities. Such a device would provide the look and feel provided by a metal, while also providing the practical application provided by a twist-on cap.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] The present invention may be directed to a double walled cap. An external wall of the cap may be formed of a metal material, and an internal wall of the cap may be formed of a plastic material. The internal wall of the cap may be an insert that may be removed from the cap. The insert may include interior threading and/or may provide sealing integrity (e.g., to prevent and/or reduce fluid from entering and/or exiting the container. In an example, the cap may be formed by having a stamped metal exterior assembled with a plastic molded interior portion. The plastic threaded portion may have lugs that match up with the stamped metal to form a friction fit for a secure assembly and/or may provide anti-rotation. The plastic portion may provide the seal integrity and the metal exterior may provide a desired aesthetic.

[0004] In an aspect, the invention may be a cap coupled to a container. The cap may include a skirt component and/or a seal component. The skirt component may be formed of a metal material. The skirt component may include an annular outer sidewall defining a skirt cavity that extends along a skirt axis and has an open bottom end. The seal component may be formed of a plastic material. The seal component may include an annular seal sidewall having a threaded inner surface configured to mate with a threaded outer surface of a neck of a container body. The annular seal sidewall may define a neck cavity having a closed top end and an open bottom end for receiving the neck of the container. The seal component may be mounted to the skirt component and/or located within the skirt cavity so that the annular outer sidewall of the skirt component circumscribes the annular seal sidewall of the seal component.

[0005] In another aspect, the invention may be a container. The container may include a container body and a cap. The container body may have a body portion and/or a neck. The body portion may define a product chamber. The neck may have a threaded outer surface and/or may define a passageway into the product chamber. The cap may be coupled to the container body via threaded engagement between the threaded outer surface of the neck and the threaded inner surface of the cap so that the seal component seals the passageway. The neck may be, at least, partially located within the neck cavity of the cap.

[0006] In yet another aspect, the invention may be a packaged product. The packaged product may include a container and/or a material (e.g., oral care material) in the product chamber of the container

[0007] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an example cap coupled to a container, as described herein;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an example cap, as described herein;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the example cap of FIG. 2 in which an inner portion of the cap is removed, as described herein;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the example cap of FIG. 2, as described herein; [0013] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the example cap of FIG. 2 in which an inner portion of the cap is removed, as described herein;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a top view of the example cap of FIG. 2, as described herein;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a side view of the example cap of FIG. 2, as described herein;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the example cap of FIG. 7, as described herein;

[0017] FIG. 9 is a side view an example cap coupled to another container, as described herein; and

[0018] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the example cap coupled to the other container of FIG. 9, as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0020] The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0021] The present invention may be directed to a cap (e.g., double walled cap) that couples to a container, as described herein. The container may have multiple layers. An external wall of the double walled cap may be formed of one or more materials, such as a metal material. An internal wall of the cap may be formed of one or more materials, such as a plastic material. The internal wall of the cap may be an insert that may be removable from the exterior portion of the cap. The insert may include interior threading. The insert may provide sealing integrity which may, for example, prevent and/or reduce fluid from entering and/or exiting the container. In an example, the cap may be made and/or formed of a stamped metal assembled with a plastic molded interior portion. The plastic threaded portion may have lugs that match up with the stamped metal to form a friction fit for a secure assembly and/or may provide anti-rotation. The plastic portion may provide coupling features and/or seal integrity and the metal exterior may provide a desired aesthetic.

[0022] FIGS. 1 and 9 show an example cap (such as cap 100) coupled to an example container (such as container 120). Cap 100 may have a skirt component 102, a closed top end 104, and/or a skirt end wall 172. Cap 100 may be coupled to the container 120 via a threading. The container 120 may define an internal volume, which may be filled with any flowable material or product (e.g., adhesives, lubricants, lotions, medicants, shampoos, hair dressings, oral care products (such as toothpaste or mouthwash), edible products (such ketchup or pickles), and other materials that are typically dispensed via a container). The internal volume of the container 120 may be any volume capable of storing flowable material, but preferably should be a volume that consumers find acceptable for day-to-day use. Cap 100 may be configured to prevent and/or slow the flow of the material from container 120. Although FIG. 1 shows container as an example mouthwash container, and FIG. 9 shows container as an example toothpaste container e.g., tube), it should be understood that these examples are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to be limiting.

[0023] FIGS. 2-7 show different views of an example cap 100 in which cap 100 is separated from a container. As shown on FIG. 3, cap 100 may include a skirt component 102 and/or a seal component 106 positioned therein. In an example, the seal component 106 may be centered within the skirt component 102, although in other examples the seal component 106 may be offset with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the cap 100. The skirt component 102 may be formed of a metal material, such as aluminum, steel, or another metal used in consumer products. In examples skirt component 102 may be (e.g., also be) formed of another material (such as a plastic) and the metal may be formed around the other material. As shown on FIGS. 2 and 3, the skirt component 102 may include a sidewall, such as an annular outer sidewall 103. Outer sidewall 103 may have an outer surface and an inner surface e.g., inner surface 105 of annular outer sidewall 103; FIG. 4).

[0024] The annular outer sidewall 103 may define a skirt cavity 123 (FIGS. 4, 5). Skirt cavity 123 may extend along a skirt axis SA (FIG. 3). In examples skirt cavity 123 may have an open bottom end 107. Open bottom end 107 may be formed by annular outer sidewall 103 in examples. The circumference of open bottom end 107 may be greater than the circumference of annular outer sidewall 103, less than the circumference of annular outer sidewall 103, or the same as the circumference of annular outer sidewall 103. The open bottom end 107 may be configured to receive a portion of a container, such as container 120. For example, open bottom end 107 may be configured to receive a neck of a container, a neck and shoulders of a container, and the like.

[0025] Cap 100 may include seal component 106. Seal component 106 may be formed of one or more types of materials. For example, seal component 106 may be formed of one or more of a plastic material, a metal material, and the like. Seal component 106 may be shaped in one or more form factors that may include a sidewall and an end wall. Seal component 106 may be shaped in an annular, squared, triangular, etc., manner. In the example in which the seal component 106 is shaped in an annular manner, the seal component 106 may include an annular seal sidewall 111.

[0026] The sidewall of the seal component 106 (e.g., annular seal sidewall 111 of seal component 106) may have a threading. The threading may be located on an inner surface of annular seal sidewall 111, such as threaded inner surface 108, although in examples the threading may be formed in one or more locations of annular seal sidewall 111, such as on an exterior surface of annular seal sidewall 111. The threaded surface (e.g., threaded inner surface 108) may be configured to mate with a threaded surface of a container, such as threaded outer surface of a portion of a container. For example, the threaded inner surface 108 may be configured to mate with a threaded outer surface 128 of a neck 124 of a container body 140 (FIG. 10). [0027] As shown on FIG. 4, the annular seal sidewall 111 may define a cavity (e.g., neck cavity 113). The neck cavity 113 may have a closed top end 104 (FIG. 3) and/or an open bottom end 115 (FIG. 4). The open bottom end 115 may be configured to receive a container, such as the neck 124 of container 120. The seal component 106 may be coupled e.g., mounted) to the skirt component 102, although in examples the seal component 106 and the skirt component 102 may be formed of a single component. The seal component 106 may be located within skirt component 102. For example, seal component 106 may be located within the skirt cavity 123. In such examples, the annular outer sidewall 103 of the skirt component may circumscribe the annular seal sidewall 111 of the seal component 106.

[0028] The skirt component 102 may be formed of a stamped metal material component, as described herein. The metal material may be any type of metal that may be used for a cap, such as aluminum, steel (e.g., tinplate steel), and the like. The seal component 106 may be formed of an injection molded plastic material component. For example, the seal component 106 may be formed of polypropylene, polyethylene, and the like. The seal component 106 may be injection molded separately from the skirt component 102 and/or friction fit into the skirt component 102. The skirt component 102 and/or the seal component 106 may be a singular monolithic component.

[0029] As shown on FIG. 3, the skirt component 102 and/or the seal component 106 may include an interference element. The interference element 115 of the seal component 106 may couple (e.g., mate) with one or more elements (e.g., elements of the skirt component 102). For example, the interference element 115 of the seal component 106 may mate with one or more interference elements 117 of the skirt component 102. The mating of the interference elements 115, 117 of the skirt component 102 and the seal component 106 may prevent a movement between the skirt component 102 and the seal component 106. For example, the mating of the interference elements 115, 117 of the skirt component 102 and the seal component 106 may prevent a rotation (e.g., a relative rotation) between the skirt component 102 and the seal component 106. The mating of the interference elements of the skirt component 102 and seal component 106 may establish a friction fit between the skirt component 102 and the seal component 106.

[0030] As shown on FIG. 5, the skirt component 102 may include a sidewall (e.g., inner annular sidewall 109, outer annular sidewall 103), a skirt end wall 172 (FIG. 3), and/or interference element 117. The inner annular sidewall 109 may be surrounded by the outer annular sidewall 103 of the skirt component 102. For example, the inner annular sidewall 109 may be surrounded by the outer annular sidewall 103 of the skirt component 102 so that an annular space 119 (FIG. 8) may exist between the inner and outer annular sidewalls of the skirt component 102. In an example, the skirt end wall 172, the inner annular sidewall 109, and/or the outer annular sidewall 103 of the skirt component 102 may extend downward from the skirt end wall 172. The interference element 117 of the skirt component 102 may be located on an inner surface of the inner annular sidewall 109 of the skirt component 102. The interference element 115 of the seal component 106 may be located on an outer surface of the annular seal sidewall 111.

[0031] The seal component 106 may include a seal end wall 134 (FIGS. 3, 6). The annular seal sidewall 111 may extend downward from the seal end wall 134. The seal end wall 134 may have an annular flange portion 136 extending circumferentially beyond the outer surface of the annular seal sidewall 111. In an example, the annular flange portion 136 may engage a shoulder 162 (e.g., an annular shoulder; FIG. 8) formed in the inner surface of the inner annular sidewall 109 of the skirt component 102.

[0032] As described herein and shown on FIG. 8, inner annular sidewall 109 may be surrounded by the outer annular sidewall 103. The outer annular sidewall 103 surrounding the inner annular sidewall 109 may form an annular space 119 between the inner annular sidewall 109 and outer annular sidewall 103 of the skirt component 102. A skirt end wall 172 e.g., an annular skirt end wall) may define an opening 101 (e.g., a central opening; FIG. 3) into the skirt cavity 123. The inner annular sidewall 109 and/or outer annular sidewall 103 of the skirt component 102 may extend downward from the skirt end wall 172.

[0033] The seal end wall 134 may have a top surface and/or a bottom surface. The annular seal sidewall 111 may extend downward from the bottom surface of the seal end wall 134. The seal component 106 may be mounted to the skirt component 102. For example, the seal component 106 may be mounted to the skirt component 102 to close the central opening 101 such that a top surface of the skirt end wall 172 and the top surface of the seal end wall (e.g., each of a top surface of the skirt end wall and the top surface of the seal end wall) remain exposed.

[0034] The annular seal sidewall 111 of the skirt component 102 may extend downward. For example, the annular seal sidewall 111 of the skirt component 102 may extend downward beyond a bottom edge of the inner annular sidewall 109 of the skirt component 102. The annular outer sidewall 103 of the skirt component 102 may extend downward. For example, the annular outer sidewall 103 of the skirt component 102 may extend downward beyond a bottom edge of the annular seal sidewall 111 of the skirt component 102.

[0035] As described herein and shown on FIG. 10, cap 100 may couple to container 120. Container 120 may include a container body 140. Container body 140 may include a body portion 132 and/or a neck 124. Body portion 132 may define a chamber, such as a chamber for holding a product (e.g., a product chamber). In examples the body portion 132 of the container body 140 may be a thermoformed bottle. Neck 124 of container body 140 may have a threaded outer surface. In examples the neck 124 may be formed of a plastic material, although other examples may include neck 124 being formed of one or more materials, such as plastic, metal, and the like. Neck 124 may define a passageway, such as passageway 126. Passageway 126 may be configured to allow a material to flow into the product chamber.

[0036] Cap 100 may be coupled to the container body 140. For example, cap 100 may be coupled to the container body 140 via threaded engagement between the threaded surface e.g., outer surface) of the neck 124 of the container and the threaded surface (e.g., inner surface 108) of the cap 100. The coupling of cap 100 and container body 140 may result in seal component 106 sealing the passageway 126. In examples the neck 124 may be located within (e.g., at least partially located within) the neck cavity 113 of the cap 100.

[0037] The container body 140 may include a shoulder portion 122. The neck 124 of the container may extend upward from the shoulder portion 122. In examples a bottom edge of annular outer wall 103 of the skirt component 102 may be adjacent the shoulder portion 122 of the container body 140. The body portion 132 of the container body 140 may be a collapsible tube, a container (such as a rigid or semi-rigid container), and the like. Container body 140 may include a multi-layer structure, such as a multi-layer laminate structure. A bottom end of the container (e.g., collapsible tube) may be sealed. The neck 124 of the container may be coupled to a top end of the collapsible tube.

[0038] FIG. 10 shows a multi-layer structure 150 of an example container. The multi-layer structure may be extrusion blow molded as a tube. As shown on FIG. 10, the shoulder 122 of the container (e.g., tube) may comprise a neck (such as neck 124). The neck 124 may have a passageway 126 and threads 128 for the attachment of a closure article, such as cap 100. The multi-layer structure 150 may include two or more layers. For example, the multi-layer structure 150 may include at least two coextruded layers. The multi-layer structure 150 may include a plurality of layers, such as a plurality of coextruded layers. The plurality of layers may include an innermost layer 152, a first interdisposed layer 154, and/or an outermost layer 158. In examples, the plurality of layers may include a second interdisposed layer 156 disposed between the first interdisposed layer 154 and the outermost layer 158.

[0039] In examples, the first interdisposed layer 154 may be disposed between the innermost layer 152 and the outermost layer 158. An adhesive layer 153 may be disposed between the innermost layer 152 and the first interdisposed layer 154. An adhesive layer 155 may be disposed between the first interdisposed layer 154 and the second interdisposed layer 156. The second interdisposed layer 156 and the outer layer 158 may be fused together, for example, by melting (e.g., partially melting) them at an interface. The second interdisposed layer 156 and the outer layer 158 may include the same material and/or may be formed together during a co-extrusion process. A layer of the multi-layer structure may function as a barrier layer. For example, any one or more of the inner layer 152, first interdisposed layer 154, second interdisposed layer 156, and outermost layer 158 may function as a barrier layer. In an example, the first interdisposed layer may function as a flavor barrier, an oxygen barrier, or both. In an example, the innermost layer 152, the second interdisposed layer and/or the outermost layer 158 may function as a moisture barrier.

[0040] The container and/or cap may be part of a packaged product. For example, a packaged product may include the container, the cap, and/or a material in the product chamber of the container. The material may be an oral care material, such as toothpaste, mouthwash, or the like. The packaged product may be secured e.g., wrapped) for transit, storage, sale, and the like. The container and the cap may be coupled such that the components of the cap remain intact, the cap and container remain intact, and/or the material stored in the container remains within the container.

[0041] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

[0042] While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.