AT528484B1 - CAP FOR REFILLABLE CONTAINER - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a closure (10) suitable for reusable or refillable containers (60) comprising an upper section (12) and a skirt section (13) hanging down from the upper section (12). The closure (10) further comprises a sealing element (14) comprising a first sealing section (16) with a substantially cylindrical inner surface (18) located radially inside the skirt section (13), and a second sealing section (17) separated from the upper section (12) by the substantially cylindrical inner surface (18) of the first sealing section (16) and having an inner surface (19) and an outer surface (20), wherein the inner surface (19) is tangential to the substantially cylindrical inner surface (18) of the first sealing section (16), wherein after the closure (10) is attached to the container (60), the second sealing section (17) is pushed upwards relatively so that the inner surface (19) of the second sealing section (17) is brought into contact with the substantially cylindrical inner surface (18) of the first sealing section (16), and at least a portion of the outer surface (20) engages in a sealing engagement with at least the distal outer surface (65) of the orifice (61) is brought below the dividing line (64) of the outer sealing surface, and the substantially cylindrical inner surface (18) of the first sealing section (16) has a sufficient length to position the second sealing section (17) appropriately distal to the upper section (12).

Description

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a closure. In particular, the disclosure relates to a closure suitable for reusable or refillable containers.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Reusable or refillable molded beverage containers made of polymers are widely used today. Such containers can be damaged during use, and the quality of the opening of such containers can deteriorate after single or repeated use. Damage to the opening can impair the ability of closures, especially closures without liners or one-piece closures, to form an effective and robust seal with the damaged opening. The present disclosure relates to a closure suitable for closing containers, especially containers that have damage to the opening.

[0003] Closures of the type in question are known, for example, from WO 03/022701 A1, WO 00/56615 A1, US 2006/163192 A1 or EP 0 580 369 A1. Particularly when the openings are damaged, these closures often do not seal the container optimally.

[0004] Any discussion of documents, actions, materials, devices, articles or the like that have been included in the present specification shall not be construed as an admission that some or all of these things are based on the prior art or were generally known in the field relevant to the present disclosure as they existed prior to the priority date of each of the appended claims.

SUMMARY

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a closure is provided which can be attached to a shaped container,

the container has an outlet, the outlet having at least one end closure defining an opening, an outer sealing surface extending from the end closure to a dividing line of the outer sealing surface, and an outer surface distal to the dividing line of the outer sealing surface,

the closure comprising: an upper section;

a skirt section hanging down from the upper section, the upper section and the skirt section defining a cavity; and

comprising a sealing element:

a first sealing section with an essentially cylindrical inner surface that lies radially inside the skirt section; and

a second sealing section, which is separated from the upper section by the substantially cylindrical inner surface of the first sealing section and has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface being tangential to the substantially cylindrical inner surface of the first sealing section;

wherein the second sealing section extends at least inwards into the cavity up to a free edge located within the skirt section before the closure is attached to the container, and

where, after attaching the closure to the container, the second sealing section-

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The cut was pushed relatively upwards, so that the inner surface of the second sealing section is brought into contact with the substantially cylindrical inner surface of the first sealing section, and at least a part of the outer surface is brought into sealing engagement with at least the distal outer surface of the orifice below the outer dividing line of the outer sealing surface, and the substantially cylindrical inner surface of the first sealing section has a sufficient length to position the second sealing section appropriately distal to the upper section, so that when the closure is attached to the container, the sealing engagement extends upwards from the distal outer surface of the orifice to at least the end termination of the orifice.

[0006] In one embodiment, the first sealing section can adjoin the upper section and project downwards from an underside of the upper section. The first sealing section can include a thickening of the skirt section in the region adjacent to the upper section and preferably in the region adjacent to its connection with the upper section. By including such a thickening, the second sealing section can extend from a proximal end and be located within the skirt section extending below it.

[0007] A fold line can be provided between the distal end of the first sealing section and the proximal end of the second sealing section. The fold line can help to ensure that the second sealing section is folded back relatively evenly and that the inner surface of the second sealing section is folded back against the inner surface of the first sealing section, thus improving the sealing engagement.

[0008] In another embodiment, the second sealing section is substantially frustoconical over at least a portion of its length, a large part of its length, the greater part of its length, or its entire length. The second sealing section can be formed at an angle of less than 90° relative to an imaginary plane extending at right angles to the skirt section of the closure. The angle is preferably between about 5° and 20° relative to the imaginary plane and most preferably about 10° relative to the imaginary plane.

[0009] In a further embodiment, the underside of the upper section of the closure can have a nub that extends downwards from the underside of the upper section and is positioned radially inwards from the substantially cylindrical inner surface of the first sealing section of the closure. The nub can be positioned such that, when the closure is attached to the opening of the container, it contacts an inner surface of the opening of the container.

[0010] The stud can comprise a continuous element having a substantially cylindrical inner surface and an outer surface, and extending downwards and outwards from the upper section to a distal end of the upper section. The stud can have a length such that it extends downwards by a length that is shorter, similar to, or longer than the length of the substantially cylindrical inner surface of the first section of the sealing element.

[0011] The closure can be provided with a screw thread on an inner surface of the skirt section, which can engage with a corresponding thread at the mouth of the container. The screw thread of the closure can be continuous or segmented. However, it is also possible for the container and the closure to be formed with other complementary fastening devices. An outer surface of the skirt section can have a series of parallel ribs. The ribs can be of the same length or of different lengths.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the closure can be provided with a tamper-evident band. The tamper-evident band can be connected to the distal end of the apron section by one or more breakable connectors. In a

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In a further embodiment, the one or more breakable connectors comprise breakable bridges. The breakable bridges may be evenly or unevenly distributed around the circumference of the distal end of the skirt section. The closure may be provided with a non-breakable connector or a cord that maintains the connection between the skirt section and the band when the closure is removed from the mouth of the container.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the closure can be formed from a single piece. The closure can also be formed in a mold. It can be made from a synthetic plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0014] Another aspect of this disclosure is a combination of a container and a closure, wherein the container has an opening which is closed by a closure as defined herein.

[0015] In this aspect, the container can be a molded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container. The container can be suitable for aerated, carbonated, or still beverages. The container can be reusable and/or refillable.

[90016] In another aspect, a form for forming a closure as defined herein is provided, wherein the form includes a cavity shaped to form the closure.

[0017] The mold can be used to form the closure by injection molding, rotational molding or compression molding.

[0018] In another aspect, a method for forming a closure, as defined herein, is provided, which includes forming the closure.

[0019] In a further aspect, a method for attaching a closure as described to a container is provided, wherein the method comprises rotating the closure onto the container until the closure seals the container.

[0020] The singular forms “ein”, “eine”, “ein” and “der”, “die”, “das” include the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0021] Throughout this description, the word “include” or variations such as “includes” or “comprehensive” is understood to mean the inclusion of a particular element, integer or step or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step or group of elements, integers or steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Embodiments are now described only by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0023] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the closure;

[0024] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the closure attached to the container;

[0025] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the closure of Figure 1;

[0026] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the closure described herein;

[0027] Figure 5 shows a close-up of a cross-section of the closure of Figure 4, which is attached to the container;

[0028] Figure 6 shows a top view of the closure of Figure 1; and

[0029] Figure 7 shows an alternative perspective view of the closure of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS

[0030] An example of a closure having features of the present invention is generally shown as 10 in Figures 1 to 7.

[0031] The closure 10 is suitable for covering or closing a container 60, which has an opening 61 with an end cap 62, an outer sealing surface 63, a dividing line 64 of the outer sealing surface, and an outer surface 65 distal to the dividing line 64. The dividing line 64 is formed during the molding of the container 60.

[0032] The end closure 62 of the mouth 61 defines an opening 66. The outer sealing surface 63 extends from the end closure 62 to the dividing line 64 of the outer sealing surface, and the outer surface 65 is located distal to the dividing line 64 of the outer sealing surface. The container 60 can be a molded beverage container made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and can contain carbonated, still, or other beverages or other liquids. The container 60 can be reusable and/or refillable. The closure 10 can be molded in one piece from a synthetic plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or formed otherwise.

[0033] The closure 10 comprises an upper section 11, which in turn comprises an upper section 12, a skirt section 13, and a sealing element 14. As shown, the skirt section 13 is dependent on an outer edge 15 of the upper section 12 and together they form a cavity 56 that receives the mouth 61 and the opening 66 of the container 60. The sealing element 14 comprises a first sealing section 16 and a second sealing section 17. The first sealing section 16 has a substantially cylindrical inner surface 18 that lies radially inside the skirt section 13. The second sealing section 17 comprises an inner surface 19 and an outer surface 20. The second sealing section 17 is separated from the upper section 12 by the inner surface 18 of the first sealing section 16. The inner surface 19 of the second sealing section 17 runs tangentially to the essentially cylindrical inner surface 18 of the first sealing section 16.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the first sealing section 16 is continuous with the upper section 12 of the closure 10 and projects downwards from a bottom surface 21 of the upper section. The first sealing section 16 comprises a thickening 22 of the skirt section 13 in the area that adjoins or is connected to the upper section 12. In another embodiment, the first sealing section 16 can be spaced inwards from the skirt section 13.

[0035] Before the closure 10 is attached to the container 60, the second sealing section 17 extends relatively inwards into the cavity 56 to a free edge 23 located within the skirt section 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the second sealing section 17 comprises a proximal end 24 that is connected to the distal end 25 of the first sealing section 16 at the thickening 22 from which the second sealing section extends and is positioned within the skirt section 13 that extends below it.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the second sealing section 17 is substantially frustoconical over at least a section, a large part of its length, the greater part of its length, or its entire length. In the illustrated embodiment, the second sealing section 17 is formed at an angle of less than 90° relative to an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the skirt section 13 of the closure 10. The angle is preferably between about 5° and 20° relative to the imaginary plane and most preferably at about 10° relative to the imaginary plane.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, when attaching the closure 10, the opening 61 of the container 60 is advanced into the cavity 56 such that the end closure 62 touches the outer surface 20 of the second sealing section 17 and moves the second sealing section 17 relatively upwards in the direction of the substantially cylindrical inner surface 18 of the container.

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ten sealing section 16 presses. After the closure 10 was attached to the container 60, the second sealing section 17 was pushed relatively upwards, so that the inner surface 19 of the second sealing section 17 is brought into contact with the substantially cylindrical inner surface 18 of the first sealing section 16 and at least one section of the outer surface 20 is brought into sealing engagement with at least the distal outer surface 65 of the opening 61 below the dividing line 64 of the outer sealing surface.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing engagement during the attachment of the closure 10 to the container 60 between the outer surface 20 of the second sealing section 17 and the distal outer surface 65 of the opening 61 can be achieved by ensuring that the inner surface 18 of the first sealing section 16 has a sufficient length to position the second section appropriately distal to the upper section 12. When the attachment is complete, the sealing engagement can extend upwards from the distal outer surface 65 of the opening 61 and to at least the end cap 62 of the opening 61.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, a fold line 27 is provided between the distal end 25 of the first sealing section 16 of the sealing element 14 and the proximal end 24 of the second sealing section 17. The fold line 27 can cause the second sealing section 17 to be folded back relatively uniformly and the inner surface 19 of the second sealing section 17 to be folded back against the substantially cylindrical inner surface 18 of the first sealing section 16 in order to improve the sealing engagement.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the underside 21 of the upper section 12 of the closure 10 has a knob 28 that extends downwards from the underside 21 of the upper section 12. The knob 28 is arranged radially inwards of the substantially cylindrical inner surface 18 of the first sealing section 16 of the closure 10. The knob 28 can be positioned such that, when the closure 10 is attached to the opening 61 of the container 60, it contacts an inner surface 67 of the opening 61 of the container 60.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the knob 28 comprises a continuous element 29 with an inner surface 30 and an outer surface 31 and can extend downwards and outwards from the underside 21 of the upper section 12 to an end distal to the upper section 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the knob 28 has a length that is shorter, similar to, or longer than the length of the substantially cylindrical inner surface 18 of the first sealing section 16 of the sealing element 14 and extends downwards. When closed, the knob 28 abuts an inner surface 67 of the opening 61 of the container 60, thus providing an additional means for closing the opening.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the closure 10 is provided with a screw thread 52 on an inner surface 33 of the skirt section 13, which can engage with a corresponding thread 68 on the opening 61 of the container 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the screw thread of the closure is segmented. However, it is also possible for the container and the closure to be formed with other complementary fastening devices.

[0043] An outer surface 34 of the skirt section 13 has a series of parallel ribs 35. In the illustrated embodiment, the ribs 35 are of the same length. In an alternative embodiment, however, it is conceivable that the ribs 35 are of different lengths. In another embodiment, it is conceivable that the ribs are not provided on the outer surface of the skirt section 13.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1-5 and 7, the closure 10 is provided with a tamper-evident band 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the tamper-evident band

36 is connected to a distal end 51 of the apron section 13 by a series of breakable connectors or bridges 37. Other breakable connections are also conceivable. The size and number of breakable bridges can vary in different embodiments of the closure. For example, one embodiment of the closure may include fewer breakable connections that are larger. Other embodiments of the closure may include a greater number of breakable connections that are smaller. The breakable bridges may be distributed evenly or unevenly around the circumference of the distal end of the apron section 13.

[0045] In another embodiment, the closure 10 is provided with a non-flexible connector or a retaining band (not shown) that maintains the connection between the skirt section 13 and the band 36 when the closure 10 is removed from the opening 61 of the container 60.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the tamper-evident band 36 comprises a flanged section 38 which is pivotably attached to a base element 39 located at or adjacent to a distal end 40 on an inner surface 41 of the band 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinged attachment is provided by one or more hinge elements 42 arranged circumferentially around the base element 39. The flanged section is substantially cylindrical. The flanged section 38 comprises an inner surface 43, an outer surface 44, an end edge 45, and a plurality of projections 46 extending downward from the outer surface 44 below the end edge 45. An outer wall 47 of the extensions 46 and the end edge 45 of the crimped section 38 define a retaining surface 48, which is designed to abut a distal end 69 of the outer surface 65 of the opening 61 of the container 60. When the closure 10 is placed on the container 60, the opening section 61 of the container comes into contact with the outer wall 47 of the extensions 46, causing the crimped section 38 to pivot around the hinge elements 42 and fold into the cavity 16, so that the inner surface 43 of the crimped section folds toward the inner surface 41 of the band 36. Thus, when the closure is attached to the container, the retaining surface 48 rests below the distal end 69 of the outer surface 65. In the illustrated embodiment, the extensions are continuously connected to the inner surface 43 of the flanged section 38 and are evenly distributed around the end edge 45 of the flanged section 38.

[0047] As shown in Figure 7, the apron section 13 of the closure 10 includes a first rib 49 which is configured to align with a corresponding slot 50 on the tamper-proof band 36.

[0048] A mold can be used to form the closure 10. The mold can include a cavity shaped to form the closure 10. The mold can be used to form the closure by injection molding, rotational molding, or compression molding.

[0049] A method for forming the closure 10 can include forming the closure in one piece with the tamper-evident band 36.

[0050] The method for attaching the closure 10 to the container 60 can include placing and rotating the closure 10 onto the container 60 until the closure 10 seals the container 60, such that the second sealing section 17 has been pushed relatively upwards, so that the inner surface 19 of the second sealing section 17 is brought into contact with the substantially cylindrical inner surface 18 of the first sealing section 18 and at least a part of the outer surface 20 is brought into sealing engagement with at least the distal outer surface 65 of the opening 61 below the dividing line 64 of the outer sealing surface.

[0051] The person skilled in the art will understand that numerous variations and/or modifications can be made to the embodiments described above without deviating from the broad

to deviate from the general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are therefore to be regarded in every respect as illustrative and not limiting.

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Claims (12)

Patent claims 1. Closure (10) that can be attached to a shaped container (60), the container (60) having an outlet (61) wherein the outlet (61) has at least one end termination (62) defining an opening (66), an outer sealing surface (63) extending from the end termination (62) to a parting line (64) of the outer sealing surface (63), and an outer surface (65) distal to the parting line (64) of the outer sealing surface (63), the closure (10) comprising: an upper section (11); a skirt section (13) hanging down from the upper section (11), wherein the upper section (11) and the skirt section (13) defining a cavity (56); and a sealing element (14) comprising: a first sealing section (16) having a substantially cylindrical inner surface (18) located radially inside the skirt section (13); and a second sealing section (17) which is separated from the upper section (11) by the substantially cylindrical inner surface (18) of the first sealing section (16) and has an inner surface (19) and an outer surface (20), wherein the inner surface (19) is tangential to the substantially cylindrical inner surface (18) of the first sealing section (16); wherein the second sealing section (17) extends at least inwards into the cavity (56) up to a free edge (23) located within the skirt section (13) before the closure (10) is attached to the container (60), characterized in that after the closure (10) is attached to the container (60), the second sealing section (17) is pushed upwards relatively so that the inner surface (19) of the second sealing section (17) is brought into contact with the substantially cylindrical inner surface (18) of the first sealing section (16), and at least a portion of the outer surface (20) is brought into sealing engagement with at least the distal outer surface (65) of the opening (61) below the dividing line (64) of the outer sealing surface (63), and the substantially cylindrical inner surface (18) of the first sealing section (16) has a sufficient length to appropriately position the second sealing section (17) distal to the upper section (12) to position so that when the closure (10) is attached to the container (60), the sealing engagement extends from the distal outer surface (65) of the opening (61) upwards and to at least the end closure (62) of the opening (61). 2. Closure (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sealing section (16) adjoins the upper section (12) and projects downwards from a bottom side (21) of the upper section (12), and the second sealing section (17) extends from a proximal end (24) and is positioned within the skirt section (13) which extends below it. 3. Closure (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that a fold line (27) is provided between the distal end (25) of the first sealing section (16) of the sealing element (14) and the proximal end (24) of the second sealing section (17). 4. Closure (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second sealing section (17) is substantially frustoconical over at least a section of its length, a large part of its length, the largest part of its length or its entire length. 5. Closure (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the second sealing section (17) is formed at an angle of less than 90° relative to an imaginary plane extending at a right angle to the skirt section (13) of the closure (10). 6. Closure (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the underside (21) of the upper section (12) of the closure (10) has a stud (28) which extends downwards from the underside (21) of the upper section (12) and is arranged radially within the substantially cylindrical inner surface (18) of the first sealing section (16) of the closure (10), wherein the stud (28) is positioned such that the stud (28) contacts an inner surface (67) of the opening (61) of the container (60) during the relative fastening of the closure (10) to the opening (61) of the container (60). 7. Closure (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the knob (28) has a length such that it extends downwards by a length which is shorter, similar or longer than the length of the substantially cylindrical inner surface (18) of the first sealing section (16) of the sealing element (14). 8. Closure (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the closure (10) is formed from one piece. 9. Container and closure combination, wherein the container (60) has an opening (66), characterized in that the opening (66) is closed by a closure (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8. 10. Form for forming a closure (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the form comprises a cavity shaped for forming the closure (10). 11. Method for forming a closure (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the method comprises forming the closure (10). 12. Method for attaching a closure (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8 to a container (60), characterized in that the method comprises rotating the closure (10) onto the container (60) until the closure (10) seals the container (60). This includes 4 sheets of drawings.