AU2017101321A4

AU2017101321A4 - A cap for packing containers, including an integral powder or liquid, adapted for sterilisation

Info

Publication number: AU2017101321A4
Application number: AU2017101321A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ambrosios Kambouris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-08-10
Filing date: 2017-09-28
Publication date: 2017-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-28
Also published as: AU2020202473A1; WO2019028525A1; EP3665099A4; US20200247596A1; EP3665099A1; CN111032527A; AU2018250443A1; BR112020002837A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cap adapted to be sealingly attached to a container having an opening and a neck, the container holding a liquid food. The cap includes a spout sealed at one end by a lid and at the other end by another foil or rupturing material and includes a component to be added to the liquid food at the time of consumption. The cap further includes a skirt to engage the inside of the neck to seal the container as well as an outside wall that engages the neck of the container in a screw type arrangement. Blister + film adhered to top cap Seal inside spout (no weld) Dust Cap Bottle Neck Figure 1 Blister glued to top I Blister Dust Cap Cap Bottle Neck Film adhered inside cap Figure 2

Description

A cap for packing containers, including an integral powder or liquid, adapted for sterilisation FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a closing arrangement or cap for packaging containers for the distribution of beverage products. The closing arrangement includes a powder or a fluid that is added to the beverage prior to consumption. In particular the present invention relates to a cap adapted for sterilisation where it is to be placed directly on a container not having a seal.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Sealing methods for food and beverage containers are well known and varied, the most common being a cap or lid.

[0003] The technology for manufacture of filled beverage containers is quite sophisticated whereby a package is folded into shape from a roll of product, filled with the liquid food of choice and sealed typically with a perforable aluminium foil. A cap is then glued or ultrasonically welded to the container directly above the foil and typically includes mechanisms to perforate the foil immediately prior to consumption. Thus the cap is attached to the filled container after the container has been sealed.

[0004] Current packaging of liquids for human consumption include using aseptic packaging where the product and the package are sterilized separately and then combined and sealed in a sterile atmosphere, in contrast to canning, where product and package are first combined and then sterilized. When filled with ultra-heat treated (UHT) foodstuffs (liquids like milk and juice or processed food like vegetables and preserved fruits), the aseptic packages can be preserved without being chilled for up to one year, with the result that distribution and storage costs, as well as environmental impact, is greatly reduced and product shelf life expanded.

[0005] Aseptic technology enables food to stay fresh for more than 6 months without the risk of contamination, loss of nutrition or changes to the taste of the product. The entire filling process is performed in a sterile environment, the packaging material is sterilised on both sides and the packages are sealed under the liquid level to avoid contamination.

[0006] In that case the cap as described needs to be effectively sterilised before it is placed onto the container. Although such as step is not absolutely necessary when using a dry component, it may be desirable when using a liquid component that may not have sufficient preservatives to ensure longevity.

[0007] Thus for example, the PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottle is of the type with a one-step opening. This means that there is no foil between the bottle and the lid. That is why it is very critical that the cap can be sterilized 100%.

[0008] Drinks which include another component or second component, such as a tablet or powder which is added to the liquid are growing in popularity. Usually this includes a blister pack contained in the lid which is adapted to store material separately from the liquid in the container.

[0009] It is preferable for the second component to be added immediately prior to consumption, especially when ingredients to be added are UV sensitive or do not have a long shelf life when mixed, or degrade when heated. Adding ingredients at the point of consumption also simplifies the production and filling of the beverages.

[0010] The current caps that are glued to the container are not able to contain any such component until they have been attached to the container to ensure that the cap is effectively sealed. To add a component thereafter is more technically difficult.

[0011] However, the known caps are not able to be effectively sterilised having configurations that do not allow for effective sterilisations. Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a cap including an integral sealed component before it is attached to a container that can be sterilised before attachment to an open container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In a first aspect the invention comprises a cap adapted to be sealingly attached to a container having an opening and a neck, the container holding a liquid food, the cap including a spout sealed at one end by a lid and at the other end by another foil or rupturing material and including a component to be added to the liquid food at the time of consumption, the cap including a skirt to engage the inside of the neck to seal the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

[0014] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cap according to a first embodiment of the present invention whereby the blister is glued to the top of the cap; [0015] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cap according to a second embodiment of the present invention whereby the blister is glued to the top of the cap and the sale attached to the inside of the cap; [0016] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cap according to a third embodiment of the present invention including a moulded blister cap; [0017] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cap according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention whereby the blister is over-moulded to the cap; [0018] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a cap according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention where the blister is moulded as part of the cap; [0019] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a cap according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention whereby the blister is again moulded as part of the cap; [0020] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a cap according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention whereby there is a stepped cap; [0021] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a cap according to a eight embodiment of the present invention whereby there is a stepped cap with the blister adhered to the inside of the cap; [0022] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a cap according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention whereby there is a stepped cap again with the blister adhered to the outside cap; [0023] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a cap according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention whereby there is a sealing ring adhered to the blister; [0024] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a cap according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention whereby there is a sealing ring adhered to the blister; [0025] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a cap according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention whereby there is a ring moulded to the blister; [0026] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a cap according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention whereby there is a sealing ring adhered to the blister; [0027] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a cap according to twelfth embodiment of the present invention; [0028] Figure 13 is the cap of Figure 13 when mounted on a container; [0029] Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of the cap of Figure 12; and [0030] Figure 15 is the perspective underside view of the cap of Figure 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0032] In relation to the Figures, Figure 1 to 11 is a first set of different embodiments but where the general configuration is of the same theme whilst Figures 12 to 15 is for a different set of embodiments of the present invention. Basically the first set refers to the configuration where the cap and thus the blister extend beyond the bottle neck where in the second set they are contained within the bottle neck. In relation to the second set it is thus extremely important that the configuration provides for [0033] Referring to the Figures generally there is a cap 10 adapted to be attached to a bottle neck 12. A dust cap 14 protects a blister 16 from the elements. A film 18 extends across the bottom of the blister, or across the bottle neck to seal the contents of the blister. A circumferential skirt 20 extends inside the cap to engage the inner surface of the bottle neck to provide for a seal.

[0034] The blister 16 includes an integral pin 24 that can be pressed downwards to penetrate film 18 to allow for any contents or component 32 within the blister 16 to be dispensed into the bottle.

[0035] Temper ring 22 is well known that ensures that the cap is not tempered with and is removed before consumption.

[0036] The cap includes a horizontal flange 26 that, as shown in the various embodiments either supports the blister or is used not only to support the blister but also the film that seals the blister. In some embodiments a burst disc 28 is used and whose main purpose is to protect the film 18 against any external pressure that it may be under if the fluid within the bottle is for example carbonated.

[0037] The gap between the cap and its skirt is wide enough to enable effective sterilisations using well known methods such as hydrogen peroxide at 50 degrees Celsius.

[0038] In some instances instead of a dust cap there may be provide a peel lid 30.

[0039] The following description refers to the drawings in Figures 1 to 11 that are different embodiments but relating to the use of effectively the same components but in different configurations.

[0040] In Figure 1 the blister can be assembled separately using current methods and then is glued to the top cap to create a seal. The sealing wad is replaced with a sealing rib on the top cap to ensure the entire assembly can be sterilized and used aseptically.

[0041] In Figure 2 the blister is assembled by gluing to the top cap to create a seal.

[0042] In Figure 3 the blister is moulded as part of the cap. The blister can then be filled through the cap and sealed with the blister [0043] In Figure 4 the blister is over-moulded to the cap in a different material. This gives us the opportunity to use a more flexible material to make “popping” the blister easier. The overmould creates a hermetic seal and the blister is filled and sealed the same as in Figure 3.

[0044] In Figure 5 the blister is moulded as part of the cap. The blister is filled through the cap, then a burst disc is fitted before the blister foil is attached.

[0045] In Figure 6 the blister is moulded as part of the cap. The blister is filled through the cap, then a burst disc is fitted before the blister foil is attached. A peel lid is attached to the cap.

[0046] In Figure 7 the ‘V-shape’ on the cap replaces the sealing wad and acts as a sealing feature all around. This is thin and flexible so that it forms a good seal on the bottle neck. The blister is formed to fit and the angled faces help to centre the blister in the cap. The blister, contents and film can be assembled in the cap or before in a separate process.

[0047] In Figures 8 and 9 the concepts are similar to Figure 7, except they use a flat surface to adhere the blister to. These are similar to Figure 1, except the cap faces are stepped.

[0048] In Figure 10 the sealing wad is replaced by a moulded ring that is moulded or adhered to the blister to seal all around. The sealing ring seals on a rib rather than the top of the bottle neck. The sealing ring can also be sterilised separately and assembled in the filling line.

The sealing ring is retained onto the lid when assembled.

[0049] In Figure 11 the concept is similar to Figure 10 with the sealing ring acting like the sealing wad on top of the bottle neck where it is moulded or adhered to the blister to create a hermetic seal.

[0050] It is to be understood that whilst the above embodiments illustrate the foil of the cap as extending beyond the bottom opening of the spout it is not intended to limit the extent of the foil to any size. All that is required is for the foil of the cap to seal it and different design solutions will achieve this.

[0051] Also whilst we refer to foil it is also to be understood that it may be made of any other suitable material that can seal and also be perforated such as epoxy coated foil, plastics as examples only.

[0052] Turning now to Figures 12 to 15 there is shown a cap having an integral blister that effectively sits within the bottle neck (however it may extend somewhat beyond it). Otherwise the same concepts apply as were described for the first set of embodiments.

[0053] ‘The reader will now appreciate that in a manufacturing line a pre-filled cap may be used to be attached to liquid food containers that are not sealed. This gives the manufacturer options into what type of component may be attached to the container greatly increasing consumer choice and alleviating the need to post-manufacture try and to fill the cap with a desirable component. This is able to be achieved given that the cap itself is sterilised and of a configuration that allows for effective sterilisation.

[0054] Thus in its simplest form the invention teaches a dispensing cap including a top, spout and base that attaches to the container that stores liquid food and that contains a component to be mixed with the liquid food at the time of consumption. In some instances the cap can also be used to seal the container after it has been activated enabling the liquid food to be consumed over several days.

[0055] The features of the present invention in most instances are that the cap allows for: (a) a typical dose volume of some 3 ml of the component (b) An integral blister and cap being generally of a one piece design (c) designed for effective sterilisation typically using hydrogen peroxide (d) minimal internal cap details (e) reduced crevices for allow for bath cleaning (f) internal moisture resistant seal (g) external peel able seal (that can be accommodated for written instructions) (h) the blister can store powder or liquid

LIST OF COMPONENTS

Cap 10

Bottle neck 12

Dust cap 14

Blister 16

Film 18

Skirt 20

Temper ring 22

Pin 24

Flange 26

Burst Disc 28

Peel lid 30

Component 32 [0056] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0057] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Claims

1. A cap adapted to be sealingly attached to a container having an opening and a neck, the container holding a liquid food, the cap including a spout sealed at one end by a lid and at the other end by another foil or rupturing material and including a component to be added to the liquid food at the time of consumption, the cap including a skirt to engage the inside of the neck to seal the container.

2. A cap as in claim 1 wherein disposed in the cap is a blister including a material to be added to the liquid food by removal of the lid and providing a pressure on the blister that then penetrates the rupturing material.

3. A cap as in claim 2 wherein the blister has an integral piercing component designed to pierce the rupturing material.

4. A cap as in claim 1 including an wall adapted to engage the outside of the container neck.

5. A cap as in claim 4 wherein the wall and the neck are correspondingly threaded for a screw type arrangement therewith.