Orientationally sensitive closure and orienting apparatus therefor
US6478175B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 2, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 12, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S229/90
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An orientationally sensitive closure for mounting to a container in a specific orientation includes a closure body and a flange. A spout portion extends from one side of the flange and an orienting projection extends from a side of the flange opposite of the spout. The flange and spout may be coaxial with on another, with the spout centrally disposed thereon. The projection extends from the flange in a non-coaxial relation to the spout and flange. An apparatus for orienting the closure prior to mounting to a container includes a body defming inlet and outlet regions extending along a longitudinal axis of the body. Flange and projection receiving channels extend between the inlet and outlet regions. The flange channel defines a substantially straight-through path through the apparatus, along the longitudinal axis. The projection channel defines a path having at least two bends therein defming a portion generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. The closure rotates as it traverses through the apparatus to orient the closure so that a trailing edge of the closure adjacent the projection is last discharged from the apparatus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.