Normally-closed openable closure device

Abstract

There are provided a system and a method for implementing a normally-closed but openable closure device ( 20 ) for a fluid-retaining container ( 10 ) having a container orifice ( 11 ). The closure device prevents unintentional spilling of substance out of an opening, which is disposed in fluid communication with the orifice, by urging a lid ( 32 ) to seal the opening closed. For retrieval of substance out of the container, a member of a flow control implement, such as pertaining to a faucet ( 60 ) for example, is introduced into the closure device. The introduction of the implement forces the lid open, and allows retrieval of substance out of the container.

1 . A method for implementing a normally-closed openable closure device operative in association with a container having an exterior and an interior, the container having container walls for retaining fluid therein and at least one container orifice which is entered into a container wall, the closure device comprising:
 a support coupled in sealed connection to the orifice of the container, the support including an opening allowing fluid communication from the exterior to the interior of the container and vice versa,   a support attachment coupled to the support,   a member configured for coupling to the support attachment, the member comprising:
 a lid configured for closing the opening in normally-closed and sealed disposition, 
 a lid attachment for coupling the lid to the support attachment, and 
 a lid guide configured for the lid, 
   
     the method comprising the steps of:
 configuring the member as at least one single piece of material including the lid attachment, a force applicator, the lid guide and the lid, 
 configuring the force applicator for urging the lid normally-close against the opening, 
 coupling the lid attachment to the support attachment while allowing a plurality of degrees of freedom of motion of the lid, and 
 coupling the lid guide to the support and configuring the lid, guide for controllably orienting and guiding motion of the lid for closing onto the opening. 
 
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the support is coupled to the orifice in releasable or in fixed connection, or is integral to the container.   
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the force applicator is configured as a flexible and resilient curved leaf spring or as a wound coil leaf spring.   
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the lid attachment, the lid guide and the support attachment are configured for operation in mutual association for controlling, orienting, and guiding the lid onto and for normally closing and sealing the opening.   
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the lid is configured to be lightweight relative to closure force exerted by the force applicator, for avoiding acceleration forces from opening the lid.   
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the lid has a weight, and   force exerted by the force applicator is at least tenfold the weight of the lid.   
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the member is urged to align onto and close the opening in a motion selected alone and in combination from the group consisting of translation, pitch, yaw, and roll.   
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the support is coupled to the interior or the exterior of the container.   
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the member has at least one protrusion configured to enhance orientation control and guidance of the lid to close on the opening.   
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the lid attachment is rolled-up, formed as a wound coil leaf spring and firmly coupled into a recess.   
   
   
       11 . A normally-closed openable closure device operative in association with a container having an exterior and an interior, the container having container walls for retaining fluid therein and at least one container orifice which is entered into a container wall, the closure device comprising:
 a support coupled in sealed connection to the orifice of the container, the support including an opening allowing fluid communication from the exterior to the interior of the container and vice versa,   a support attachment coupled to the support,   a member configured for coupling to the support attachment, the member comprising:
 a lid configured for closing the opening in normally-closed and sealed disposition, 
 a lid attachment for coupling the lid to the support attachment, 
 a lid guide configured for orienting the lid, 
   wherein the member is configured as at least one single piece of material including the lid attachment, a force applicator, the lid guide, and the lid,   wherein the force applicator is configured to urge the lid normally-closed against and seal the opening,   wherein the lid attachment is coupled to the support attachment while allowing a plurality of degrees of freedom of motion of the lid, and   wherein the lid guide is coupled to the support and is configured to controllably orient and guide motion of the lid for closing onto the opening.   
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 the force applicator is configured as a flexible and resilient curved leaf spring or as a wound coil leaf spring.   
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 the member is configured to be flexible and resilient and have a free end and a attached end,   the force applicator is configured as a wound-coil formed at the attached end of the member, and   the force applicator urges the lid to close onto the opening.   
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 a wall of the container operates as the support and the orifice of the container operates as the opening.   
   
   
       15 . A device according to  claim 11 , wherein the device is configured for use with a standard Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC). 
   
   
       16 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 the support is coupled to the orifice in releasable or in fixed connection, or is integral to the container.   
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 the lid is configured to be lightweight relative to closure force exerted by the force applicator, for avoiding development of acceleration forces thereon.   
   
   
       18 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 the lid has a weight, and   force exerted by the force applicator is at least tenfold the weight of the lid.   
   
   
       19 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 the member is urged to align onto and close the opening in a motion selected alone and in combination from the group consisting of translation, pitch, yaw, and roll deflection.   
   
   
       20 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 the member has at least one protrusion configured to enhance orientation control and guidance of the lid to close on the opening.