CONTAINER AND CLOSURE SYSTEMS WITH FLAME MITIGATION
Flame mitigation devices meeting all applicable regulatory requirements are described. The system includes a mesh element affixed to a closure fitment that is specially designed to couple to a rounded bead or edges on a container neck. Tamper-evident and child resistant features can be incorporated at the interfaces of the closure fitment and a cap that is removably attachable to the closure, whereas the closure is effectively coupled to the container in a permanent a manner.
1 . A system for mitigating propagation of flames through a closure attached to a container neck, the system comprising:
a closure having a cylindrical body, defining an inner lumen with a protective ring and a ledge formed therein, and a radial flange on an outer facing of the body, with an outer skirt and an inner plug seal skirt both extending downwardly from the radial flange so as to define an attachment gap on an underside along a periphery of the radial flange;
a mesh element is coupled to the closure so as to abut the ledge, the mesh element including a plurality of crossbars and apertures configured to completely span the inner lumen;
wherein an uppermost edge of the inner lumen defines a spout, a diameter of the inner lumen across the spout defines a spout diameter, a diameter of the inner lumen across the protective ring defines a ring diameter, an axial distance from the uppermost edge to a top facing of the protective ring defines a ring axial height, and an axial distance from the uppermost edge to a top facing the plurality of crossbars and apertures defines a mesh axial height; and
wherein at least one of the following dimensional ratios applies: i) the spout diameter to the ring diameter is between 1.00 and 1.20, ii) the spout diameter to the ring axial height is between 1.50 and 2.50, and iii) the spout diameter to the mesh axial height is between 1.00 and 1.50.
2 . The system according to claim 1 wherein each of the dimensional ratios is fulfilled.
3 . The system according to claim 2 wherein the spout diameter to the ring diameter is 1.08, the spout diameter to the ring axial height is 2.11, and the spout diameter to the mesh axial height is between 1.02 and 1.26.
4 . The system according to claim 3 wherein the apertures define a cumulative open surface area and the plurality of crossbars define a cumulative solid surface area, both along a plane coinciding with the top facing of the mesh and wherein the cumulative open surface area is between 10 and 20% and the solid surface area is between 80 and 90% of a total surface area of the plane.
5 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the apertures define a cumulative open surface area and the plurality of crossbars define a cumulative solid surface area, both along a plane coinciding with the top facing of the mesh and wherein the cumulative open surface area is between 10 and 20% and the solid surface area is between 80 and 90% of a total surface area of the plane.
6 . The system according to claim 5 wherein cumulative open surface area is between 13 and 17% and the solid surface area is between 87 and 93% of the total surface area of the plane.
7 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the mesh element consists of a wire mesh heat-staked directly to the ledge.
8 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the mesh element is formed as an annular insert having engagement features cooperating with engagement features formed on the inner lumen below the protective ring and wherein a wire mesh is heat-staked directly to the annular insert.
9 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the mesh element consists of a molded insert having a peripheral skirt with outer engagement features cooperating with engagement features formed on the inner lumen below the protective ring and wherein the plurality of crossbars and apertures are formed integrally as part of the peripheral skirt.
10 . The system according to claim 9 wherein the molded insert includes one or more vents provided within the plurality of crossbars and apertures and wherein each vent is surrounded by a shroud that extends axially above the top facing of the plurality of crossbars and apertures.
11 . The system according to claim 9 wherein one or more retention features are provided on an inner facing of the inner plug seal skirt, with the one or more retention features configured and positioned to retain the molded insert.
12 . The system according to claim 1 further comprising a container having neck with a curved terminal edge and wherein the attachment gap is configured to sealingly couple to the curved terminal edge.
13 . The system according to claim 1 further comprising a cap rotatably affixed to the closure body, with cooperating child-resistant features formed on: i) a skirt extending downwardly from a top panel of the cap, and ii) a top facing of the radial flange.
14 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the cylindrical body includes a removable tamper evident panel sealing the inner lumen.
15 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of crossbars is formed by woven metallic wires in which a first series of parallel wire strands aligned in a first direction intersect with a second series of parallel wired strands so that interstices between the first and second series of wires define the apertures.