US2072853A - Closure - Google Patents

Description

March 9, 1937. D. E. BAXTER CLOSURE- Filed Dec. 1, 1934 Patented Mn. a, 1937 um'rao STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to a closure and relates more particularly to a closure means for a container. A general object of the present invention is to provide a simple, practical air 5 tight closure for a container such as a bottle,

- jar, flask or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure for a container that forms a perfectly air tight seal and'that positively prevents the en- 10 trance of foreign matter into the container whereby the contents of the container may be preserved indefinitely.

Another object of the invention is to rovide a closure for a, container that visibly indicates T5- that the air tight seal is perfect and is maintained whereby the condition of the contents of the container may be readily and immediately determined. 4

Another object of the invention is to provide a 20 closure means of the character mentioned that is substantially ta per proof so that there is practically no danger o breaking the seal by handling the container or by investigation of the closure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a 25 closure of the character mentioned that includes a penetrable or frangible sealing member that may be easily ruptured, broken or penetrated by a hypodermic needle to allow the contents to be drained from the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure of the character mentioned that is simple and inexpensive of manufacture and that embodies but three simple parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide 35 a closure of the character mentioned that allows the air tobe exhausted from the container and that facilitates the preservation of the contents oi the container.

The various objects and features of my inven- 40 tion will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a typical container or bottle illustrating one form of the invention positioned thereon. Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the container and the closure means being a view taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1. 50 Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view'taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the under side of the cap. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the sealing member. Fig. 6 is an enlarged 55 perspective view of the under side or the closure body and Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating another form of the invention.

The present invention is adapted to be embodied in forms for use on containers of various types and for use on containers holding diflerent classes of fluids. Throughout the following detailed disclosure I will describe typical forms or the invention employed on simple containers or bottles of the type used for holding intravenous solutions, etc., it being understood that the invention is not to be construed as restricted or limited to the specific forms or applications about to be described.

The typical bottle or container C illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing is oi conventional shape and is provided at its upper end with a reduced neck N. The neck N is cylindrical and is provided at its upper end with an outwardly projecting annular head or rim R. The upper end ill of the neck N is substantially fiat and normal to the longitudinal axis of the container 0. The longitudinal opening in the neck N which communicates with the interior'oi the container C is cylindrical and substantially uniform in diameter.

The form of closure'means illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, oi the drawing includes, generally, a plug or closure body ii for arrangement in the opening 0 and having an opening i2 for communicating with the interior of the container C, a seal or sealing member [3 for closing or sealing the opening i2 and means II for holding the sealing member i3 on the closure body ii.

The plug or closure body i l is adapted to occupy the upper portion of the container opening 0 and is preferably proportioned to tightly fit the opening. The body ii is resilient so that its exterior or periphery may tightly bear on and seal against the wall of the opening 0. The body ii is preterably formed of a good grade of gum rubber to have suflicient resiliency to properly bear on and seal against the wall 01! the opening 0. The

' portion of the body ii which fits the opening 0 may be substantially cylindrical, it being understood that this portion oi. the closure body may be tapered to wedge in the opening. In the form of the invention being described the closure body ii has an annular outwardly projecting flange IS on its upper end to cooperate with and bear on the rim R.v The outer or peripheral surface of the flange l may be cylindrical and may be substantially flush with the periphery of the rim R. The lower side or surface l8 0! the flange I5 is preferably flat and normal to the longitudinal longitudinal axis of the body.- The flat upper v surface of the body i I continues across the flange It to its periphery. In the form of. the invention illustrated in the drawing the H has a single opening it through which the contents of the container C. may be drained, it being understood that the body ll may have as many openings as found necessary. The opening it extends vertically or longitudinally through the body 8 i from. its lower side and its upper end portion it is enlarged. The wall of the opening portion I2 is preferably inclined downwardly to receive a tube for draining the contents from the container 0 and its tapered enlarged portion it" facilitates the reception of such a tube.

1 The seal or sealing member is normally closes or seals the upper end of the opening i2 to,posi-' tively prevent the entrance of air and foreign matter into the container C. The sealing member it is adapted to act as a valve to allow the air to be exhausted from the container C and immediately following the drawing of the vacuum is operable to close'under the action of atmosin the container. In accordance with the invention the sealing member I3 is frangiblle being adapted to be cut by a suitable instrument or broken or ruptured by a tube being inserted in the opening it. The sealingmember 13 is normally or initially flat and is a comparatively thin sheet or disc which lies on the upper surface of the body H. smaller in diameter than the upper end of the body H but is sufliciently large to extend across the upper end of the opening i2 and have substantial bearing and sealing cooperation with the surface or wall of the upp r P rtion it of theopening I 2 and have substantial bearing and sealing cooperation with the upper surface of the body In accordance with the invention the sealing element It has a substantial degree of flexibility so that it may be forced or flexed into the upper portion H of the opening 12 by atmospheric pressure when a reduced pressure exists in the container 0. The sealing member is is formed of rubber or a rubber composition having a desired degree of flexibility and that is impervious and impermeable to fluids. When a reduced prespressure acting on the external surface of the sealing member l3 forces or flexes the central portion of the member into the upper portion i2 of theopening 12 to form or provide therein a depression I? and holds the under side of the sealing member in tight sealing contact with the upper surface of the body ii. The sealing member IS in being flexed or forced into the upper portion E2 of the body opening has sealing cooperation with its wall. The sealing member I3 is thus held in sealing contact with the [body ll by the action of atmospheric pressure to positively seal the upper end of theopening I 2 against the character The sealing member 63 is somewhat or vacuum in the container 0 the closure body ii is inserted in the opening 0 and the sealing member i3 is arranged on the upper surface oi the body. A bell or 'fitting is then placed. on the When it is desired to draw a reduced pressure exposed peripheral portion of the body H and engages the member l3 at a point spaced from the opening ii. The bell or fitting is connected with a vacuum pump and the air-is exhausted from the container C through the fitting, at which time the sealing member l3 lifts from the upper side of the body II to allow the air to pass from the container. A bell or fitting of claimed in my co-pendingapplication entitled Device for exhausting air from containers, Serial No. 695,483, filed October 2'7, 1933. Upon a suitable vacuum being drawn atmospheric pressure is admitted to' the bell or fitting and this atmospheric pressure returns the sealingmember 3 to theposition where it seals with the upper surface of the body H. The bell orfitting. is then disengaged from the closure body and the atmospheric pressure acting on the sealing member l3 forces or flexes the member into the openreferred to above is described and ing portion l2 and maintains the member in tight sealing engagement with the body ll.

' The means It holds the sealing member l! on the closure body ii to prevent it from being pheric pressure to maintain the reduced pressure shifted, displaced or raised and thus prevents the air tight seal from being broken. The'means It also clamps or forces the sealing member l8 against the upper surface of the closure body H to hold it in sealing cooperation with the body,

- means.

The means l4 comprises or is in the nature of a cap which bears downwardly on the sealing member i3 and which has mechanical engagement with the container 0. The cap comprising the means I4 is a simple, integral member of metal or other material having a. suitable degree of rigidity and capable of being distorted or bent.

The top or top wall ill of the cap is flat and adapted to evenly cooperate with or bear on the upper surface of the sealing member l3. A central opening i 9 is provided in the top wall I8 whereby the central portion of the sealing member l3 and its depression I! are exposed to view, and are engageable without removing the caps. The opening. i9 is preferably larger than the upmr portion I2 of the body opening whereby the entire depression I1, as well as the portion of the sealing member around the depression I! instrument.

- swam comprisingthemeans ilhasbeenarransedinits proper position the lower portion of theflange 20 is crimped or bent inwardly to enga e under the rim R. at 2|. This inward bending of the lower end portion of theflange 20 forces the top wall ll downwardly against the sealing member I; and permanently attaches the cap to the container G. The cap comprising the means It tightly holds the flange It in sealing cooperation with the upper surface in of the neck N. In the form of the invention being described the top wall it of the cap has a downwardly projecting or facingannular ridge 2! on its under side. Theridge 22 is suitably spaced between the opening I! and the flange 2t and is preferably regular and continuous. Theridge 22 distorts or forces the member it into the resilient upper face of the body ii thus providing an eifective outer or secondary seal between the sealing member d the closure body.

It is believed that the utility and practicability of the form of closure means illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive. of the drawing, will be readily =1-'--:- from the foregoing detailed description. After the air has been exhausted from the container C in the manner described above the atmospheric pressure acting on the upper side of the sealing member i8 flexes the central portion of the member into the upper portion Ii. of the body opening I! to provide the depression ii and holds the surrounding adjacent portion of the sealing member in even sealing engagement with the upper surface of the closure body it. In this manner the atmospheric pressure acts to maintain the sealing member IS in engagement with the body to provide a perfectly 'air tight seal for the container. As long as the proper reduced pressure is maintained in the container C the atmospheric pressure holds or flexes the central portion of the initially flat sealing member ii in the upper portion I2"- 012 the body opening providing the depression ii. The depression il thus indicates that the contents oi the container are preserved and that the cont'ainer is properly sealed. The cap comprising the means It clamps the sealing member it against the upper surface of the closure body Ii to hold the member in tight sealing engagement with the body. The cap also prevents shifting of the body it and sealing member It, The central portion of the sealing member l3 and its depression II are exposed to view through the opening It so that the condition of the seal may be instantly determined without moving or disturbing any parts of the closure means.

When it is desired to remove or drain the contents irom the container C the central portion of the sealing member I3 at the bottom of the depression I! may be pierced by asuitable cutting instrument to permit the easy insertion of a tube in the opening I! for the purpose of draining the contents of the container. The central portion of a sealing member I! may be broken or ruptured by the insertion of a suitable tube, needle, or the like in the opening I! and it may not be necessary to pierce the sealingmember l3 with a cutting The closure means is extremely simple and inexpensive and facilitates the sterilization of the" contents of thecontainer C. The

closure means is adapted to maintain a perfectly air tight seal for an indefinite period to preserve the contents of the container. The condition of the seal may be readily determined at any time by merely examining the central portion of the sealing member and the depression I! exposed through the opening I! in the cap.

Fig. 7 of the drawing illustrates a form or modification of the invention in which the closure body II is longitudinally tapered to tightly;

wedge or flt the opening 0 in the neck N of the container. The closure body ii is sufflciently long to have effective sealing engagement with the wall of the opening 0 and has a flat smooth upper end. The body H is proportioned to project above the upper end of the neck 'N and has a centrallongitudinal opening 30. The upper-portion 30 of theopening 30 is enlarged and has an upwardly and outwardly tapered wall.

The sealing element or member i3 embodied in the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 7 may be identical with the sealing member [3. The sealing member i3 is arranged on the upper surface of the body H to seal therewith and to cover and close the upper end of theopening 30. When a reduced pressure exists in the container the atmospheric pressure distorts or flexes the sealing member i3 into theupper portion 30 of the body opening to form a depression H The cap I4 included in the device illustrated in Fig. '7 of the drawing may be substantially identical with the cap comprising the means M. The top' wall l8 of the cap l4 is flat and is adapted to bear against the sealing member IS. A central opening l9 is provided in the wall l8 whereby, the depression I1 and the central portion of the sealing member are exposed to view. The cap it has an annular downwardly projectingperipheral flange 20 which is turned or bent under the rim R. as at II to hold the top wall It in tight cooperation with the member I3 The closure means shown in Fig. 7 of the drawing operates in the same manner as the previously described form of the invention.

Having described only typical forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific forms and applications herein set' forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A closure for the opening of a container including a closure body closing said opening and having an opening in communication with the intrior of the container, a flexible sealing member covering the outer end of the opening in the body and held in sealing engagement with the body and flexed into the opening in the body by the action of atmospheric pressure, and a cap permanently attached to the container engaging the sealing member to hold it on the body, the cap having an opening through which the flexed portion of the sealing member'is exposed to be visible.

2. A closure for the opening of a container including a closure body closing said opening and having an opening in communication with the interior of the container, a sealing member arranged on the outer end of the body and sealing the outer end of the opening therein through the body and sealing therewith to seal the opening in the body through the action of atmospheric pressure and penetrable to allow the contents to be drained from the container, and means holding the sealing member on the body with a por-' tion exposed for such penetration, said means including a retaining part engaging the outer surface of the sealing member.

4-. A closure for the opening oi a container including a plug body closing said opening and having an opening in communication with the interior oi the container, a flexible sealing member covering the outer end of the body and sealing the opening in the body and flexed therein by the action of atmospheric pressure, and means preventing displacement of the sealing member from the body and leaving its flexed portion exposed for penetration to remove the contents from the container, said means including a part engaging the sealing member at a point removed from said flexed portion.

5. A closure for the opening of a container including a' closure body closing said opening and having an opening in communication with the interior of the container, a flexible sealing memher on the body sealing the opening in the body and flexed therein by the action of atmospheric pressure, and means holding the sealing member on the bodywith its flexed portion exposed for penetration to remove the contents from the container, said means including a capsecured to the container. 7

6. A closure-for a container having an opening and a projecting rim at the mouth of the opening, said closure including a body closing the opening and having an opening communicating'with the interior of the container, a sealing member onthebody sealing the opening therein through the actionof atmospheric pressure, and a cap holding the sealing member on the body, the cap including a. part engaging under the rim.

7. A closure for a container having an opening and a projecting rim at the mouth of the opening, said closure including a body closing the opening and having an opening communicating with the interior of the container, a sealing member on the body sealing the opening therein through the action of atmospheric pressure, and a capholding the sealing member on the body,

the cap including a part engaging under the rim,

and the cap having an opening leaving the portion of the sealing member over the opening in the body exposed.

8. A closure for a container having an opening aovaeea and a projecting rim at the mouth of the opening, said closure including a body closing the opening and havingan opening communicating with the interior of the container, a sealing memher on the body sealing the opening thereinthrough the action of atmospheric pressure, and a cap holding the sealing member on the body, the cap including a peripheral flange engaging under the rim. r

9. A closure for a container having an opening and a projecting rim at the mouth of. the opening, saidclosure including a body closing the opening and having an opening communicating with the interior of the container, a flexible sealing member on the body sealing theopening in the body and flexed therein through the action of atmospheric pressure, and a cap cooperating with the rim to urge the sealing member against the body and having an opening leaving the flexed portion of the sealing member exposed.

10. A closure for a container having an opening and a projecting rim at the mouth of the opening, said closure including a bodyclosing the opening and having an opening communicating with the interior of the container, a flexible,

sealing member on the body sealing the opening in the body and flexed therein through the action of atmospheric pressure, and a cap engaging the outer side of the sealing member and having an opening leaving the flexed portion of the member exposed, the,cap having a. flange engaging under the rim to force the sealing member against the body.

11. A closure fora container having an opening and a projecting rim at the mouth of the opening, said closure including a tapered body closing the opening and having an opening com-,

municating with the interior of the container, a sealing member on the body sealing the opening therein through the action of atmospheric pressure, and a cap holding the sealing membe'ron the body, the cap including a part engaging under the rim.

12. A closure for a container having an opening and a'projecting rim at the mouth of the opening, said closure including a body closing the opening and having an opening communicating with theinterior of the container, a flange on the body seating on the rim, a sealing member on the body sealing the opening therein through the action of atmospheric pressure, and a cap holding the sealing member on the body, the-cap including a part engaging under the rim.

DONALD E. BAXTER;

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