RETRACTABLE SPOUT CLOSURE SYSTEM WITH FLAME MITIGATION
Flame mitigation system for retractable/extendible spout formed in a closure is described. The system meets applicable regulatory requirements and includes a flame mitigating mesh element in a rigid spout section immediately above a flexible section that extends and retracts. A tamper evident panel is disposed above the mesh, while a removable cap can be affixed to the rigid spout. An optional, snap-fitting cylindrical guard may also be used. In each instance, the precise positioning of selected elements and inner diameter and axial travel distance of selected elements can be determinative of the system's ability to pass the regulatory requirements.
1 . A retractable spout closure with flame mitigation features, the closure comprising:
a fitment having: i) a spout with a hollow tubular shape including straight walls terminating at an outlet at a top edge of the spout and a lowermost portion, ii) a flexible section forming the lowermost portion and including an angled connection to a bending portion, and iii) a coupling portion connected to the bending portion and including a horizontal panel with a skirt so that the coupling portion defines an outermost periphery of the closure;
a cap that is rotatably attachable to the hollow tubular spout;
a mesh coupled to the fitment along an interior annular ledge of the spout so as to create a flame mitigating obstruction within the hollow tubular shape;
a removable closure panel integrally formed with the fitment to seal the spout between the outlet and the interior annular ledge;
an extension ring formed integrally with and protruding inwardly from the straight walls of the spout as part of the removable closure panel;
wherein the spout is seated coaxially within the flexible section when the spout is in a retracted position; and
wherein the straight walls of the spout at the removable closure panel possess a greater thickness in comparison to the flexible section at the lowermost portion of the spout and a smaller inner diameter in comparison to the flexible section at the lowermost portion of the spout.
2 . The closure of claim 1 wherein an inner diameter of the flexible section at the lowermost portion is 1.128 to 1.132 times larger than an inner diameter of the straight walls of the spout at the outlet.
3 . The closure of claim 1 wherein the inner diameter of the straight walls is 2.27 to 2.28 times larger than an axial distance between the mesh and the top edge of the spout.
4 . The closure of claim 1 wherein a serpentine connector connects the flexible section to the coupling portion and wherein the serpentine connector has a greater thickness in comparison to the flexible section that is not part of the flexible section defining the lowermost portion.
5 . The closure of claim 1 wherein the cap includes an axial skirt and a flange so that the top edge of the spout is sealing received therebetween.
6 . The closure of claim 1 wherein cooperating threads are formed on the axial skirt of the cap and an outer surface of the outlet of the spout.
7 . The closure of claim 1 wherein the cap includes one or more bendable rings that serve as grasping handles.
8 . The closure of claim 1 wherein the mesh is formed from wire and woven to define apertures and wherein the apertures have an opening that is between 2.5 and 3.4 times larger a size of the wire.
9 . The closure of claim 1 wherein the removable closure panel includes a bail handle.
10 . The closure of claim 1 wherein the coupling portion includes an external coupling ring fitted over the horizontal panel and at least portions of the skirt.
11 . The closure of claim 1 wherein the closure passes at least one of ASTM International test protocols F3429; F3326; F2874; F2517; and F852.