Filler Neck Closure

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure engageable with a filler neck having an opening and a seal seat disposed axially facing said closure, the closure having a cup-shaped body having a top and a peripheral wall, a seal for contacting the seal seat, and releasable fastening elements interacting with the filler neck. At least two fastening elements are arranged circumferentially to extend axially from the peripheral wall. Each fastening element is arranged to engage with a corresponding lock surface located on the outer periphery of the filler neck remote from and facing away from the central axis of the opening.

1 . A filler neck and a cap, the cap being engageable with the filler neck, wherein:
 the cap has a cup-shaped body with top and peripheral walls and at least two releasable fastening elements which engage with the filler neck when installing the cap onto the filler neck;   said fastening elements extend axially from the peripheral wall;   the outer periphery of the filler cap has lock surfaces facing away from the central axis of the opening, each lock surface corresponding with one of said fastening elements; and   the outer periphery of the filler cap has at least one guide.   
     
     
         2 . The filler neck and cap of  claim 1  wherein each fastening element comprises a resilient tongue arranged to engage corresponding said locking surface by a snap action. 
     
     
         3 . The filler neck and cap of  claim 1  wherein each fastening element is an integrated part of the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         4 . The filler neck and cap of  claim 1  wherein the cap has at least three fastening elements. 
     
     
         5 . The filler neck and cap of  claim 1  wherein the fastening elements are arranged symmetrically around the periphery of the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         6 . The filler neck and cap of  claim 1  wherein the fastening elements are arranged asymmetrically around the periphery of the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         7 . The filler neck and cap of  claim 1  wherein said fastening elements are provided with contact surfaces angled towards the outer periphery of the filler neck for cooperation with said locking surfaces having a circumferential protrusion extending around at least part of the filler neck. 
     
     
         8 . The filler neck and cap of  claim 1  wherein said guide locates the cap in a predetermined position relative to the filler neck. 
     
     
         9 . The filler neck and cap of  claim 1  wherein said fastening elements are arranged to act as guides. 
     
     
         10 . The filler neck and cap of  claim 1  wherein the filler cap has an annular flat seal located on an underside surface made or a resilient material. 
     
     
         11 . The filler neck and cap of  claim 1  wherein said flat annular seal is arranged for cooperating contact with a raised circular ridge on a seal seat on an upper surface of the filler neck. 
     
     
         12 . The filler neck and cap of  claim 1  wherein the cap has a handle having at least a portion thereof located remote from an upper surface of the cap. 
     
     
         13 . A fluid closure, comprising:
 a cap having a cup-shaped body with top and peripheral walls and at least two releasable fastening elements;   a filler neck engageable with said cap;   fastening elements extending axially from said peripheral walls of said cap;   lock surfaces on a periphery of said filler neck facing away from the central axis of the filler cap opening, each lock surface corresponding with one of said fastening elements; and   a handle on the top of said cap having a graspable opening.   
     
     
         14 . The closure of  claim 13 , further comprising: at least one guide on the periphery of the filler cap such that said cap is indexed to said filler neck when installed onto said filler neck. 
     
     
         15 . The closure of  claim 13  wherein said lock surfaces having a circumferential protrusion extending around at least part of the filler neck. 
     
     
         16 . The closure of  claim 13  wherein said lock surfaces having a circumferential recess extending around at least part of the filler neck. 
     
     
         17 . The closure of  claim 13  wherein a seal seat on a top surface of said filler neck has a raised circumferential ridge arranged for sealing contact against the seal. 
     
     
         18 . A fluid closure, comprising:
 a cap having a cup-shaped body with top and peripheral walls and at least two releasable fastening elements;   a filler neck engageable with said cap;   fastening elements extending axially from said peripheral walls of said cap;   lock surfaces on a periphery of said filler neck facing away from the central axis of the filler cap opening, each lock surface corresponding with one of said fastening elements; and   guides on said filler neck, said guides causing said cap to be indexed in a predetermined position with said filler neck when said cap is being installed.   
     
     
         19 . The fluid closure of  claim 18 , further comprising: a graspable handle on top of said cap. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid closure of  claim 18 , further comprising: a flat annular seal placed on said cap which mates with a sealing surface on said filler neck when said cap is installed on said filler cap. 
     
     
         21 . The fluid closure of  claim 18  wherein said releasable fastening members have substantially identical dimensions. 
     
     
         22 . The fluid closure of  claim 18  wherein said releasable fastening members vary in dimension.