Two-part closure system and nozzle with groove

Abstract

A closure system for a container comprising a base cap ( 11 ) located over a hole in the container and having at least one aperture ( 17 ) for passage of fluid therethrough, an overcap ( 12 ) locatable over the base cap, having an opening to allow passage of fluid or milk therethrough and moveable between an open position where the fluid can pass through the opening and a closed position where the fluid is substantially prevented from passage through the opening, a nozzle or teat ( 13 ) which is coupled to the overcap ( 12 ) and having an outlet ( 41 ) for passage of fluid therethrough and a passage ( 30 ) in the form of a groove that extends from the interior of the overcap ( 12 ) to a region above the overcap ( 12 ).

1 . A closure system for a container comprising a base cap which is adapted to be located over a hole in the container and having at least one aperture for passage of fluid therethrough, an overcap locatable over the base cap, having an opening to allow passage of fluid therethrough and moveable between an open position where the fluid can pass through the opening and a closed position where the fluid is substantially prevented from passage through the opening, a nozzle which is adapted to be coupled to the overcap and having an outlet for passage of fluid therethrough and a passage extending from the interior of the overcap to a region above the overcap.  
   
   
       2 . The closure system claimed in  claim 1  wherein the passage comprises a channel formed in the nozzle.  
   
   
       3 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the passage comprises a channel formed in the overcap.  
   
   
       4 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the passage has an exit to the outside environment in a top surface of the overcap.  
   
   
       5 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the passage has an exit to the outside environment in an outer surface of the nozzle.  
   
   
       6 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the passage has an exit to the outside environment between the upper surface of the overcap and the outer surface of the nozzle.  
   
   
       7 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the nozzle has a lower flange.  
   
   
       8 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the passage is formed in an upper surface of the flange.  
   
   
       9 . The closure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein an inlet to the passage is provided at an inner peripheral region of the overcap.  
   
   
       10 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the inlet is located between the peripheral edge of the flange and a corresponding portion of the adjacent internal surface of the side wall of the overcap.  
   
   
       11 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the passage extends radially inwardly from the inlet.  
   
   
       12 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the passage includes a spiral portion which spirals around a top portion of the nozzle.  
   
   
       13 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the passage spirals around the top portion of the nozzle 720° with respect to the inlet.  
   
   
       14 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the passage extends upwardly from an inner end of the spiral portion.  
   
   
       15 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the nozzle includes a collar which is located above the flange.  
   
   
       16 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the passage is formed in the bottom surface of the top wall of the overcap.  
   
   
       17 . The closure assembly as claimed in  claim 1  including a sealing means for sealing the inlet to the passage to seal the passage against exit of fluid in the container.  
   
   
       18 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the sealing means comprises a flexible skirt.  
   
   
       19 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the flexible skirt comprises a lip which is adapted to contact an opposing surface of the overcap.  
   
   
       20 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the lip is located at a peripheral edge of the flange.  
   
   
       21 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the sealing means comprises an annular member with the lip located at a peripheral edge thereof.  
   
   
       22 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the base comprises a plurality of apertures located around the centre of the base cap.  
   
   
       23 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the base cap has an external thread on its outer side wall which is adapted to mate with a matching thread on an internal side wall of the overcap.  
   
   
       24 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the base cap has a male thread on its outer side wall surface with at least two transverse grooves to define open and closed positions of the closure system.  
   
   
       25 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the overcap is adapted to be rotated to move between open and closed positions.  
   
   
       26 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the closure system is adapted to provide a first chamber between the overcap and the base cap when the overcap is in the open position and a second chamber between the overcap and the nozzle.  
   
   
       27 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the overcap includes at least one ridge which is adapted to provide resistance to turning of the overcap.  
   
   
       28 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 27  including a stoppage means for providing resistance to turning of the overcap when it has been turned to a predetermined distance to open the opening.  
   
   
       29 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 28  wherein the stoppage means comprises at least one ridge of the overcap and at least one groove of the base cap.  
   
   
       30 . The closure system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the passage is configured to provide surface tension which restricts passage of liquid therethrough.