BRPI0715093A2 - container and lid and necklace - Google Patents

Abstract

CONTAINER, AND, COVER AND NECKLACE. A container comprising a container body (1) including an opening (4), a lid (5) for closing the opening (4) and a collar (6), the collar (6) being arranged to fit between the container body container (1) and lid (5) so as to secure the lid (5) on the container body (1), the collar (6) being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration so that circumferential and external parts in the configurations contracted and expanded, the collar (6) and cap (5) being provided with mutually engageable parts (7, 5D. 5E, 5F) which allow rotation of the cap (5) relative to the collar (6), said rotation causing and / or allowing movement of the collar (6) between contracted and expanded configurations.

Description

"CONTAINER, Ε, COVER AND NECKLACE"

Technical field

The present invention relates to containers, and particularly relates to containers for the delivery of beverages to consumers. The invention has particular utility for the storage and supply of carbonated beverages and other sparkling beverages, but is also suitable for use with other types of beverages or other materials. The invention also relates to container bodies, a lid and the combination of a lid and collar to provide such containers. Prior Art

Containers having a separate ring or collar carrying a screw thread to hold a lid on the container are known from U.S. Pat. 3,603,472 and 4,576,296, International Patent Application WO 84/01763, and European Patent Application EP 0517676, for example. Depositors have also proposed containers with closure-over-type closures, as described, for example, in WO2006 / 000774, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

The present invention seeks to provide improvements on containers such as those set forth in WO 2006/000774. Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a container comprising a container body including an opening, a lid for closing the opening and a collar, the collar being arranged to fit between the container body and the lid. holding the lid on the container body, the collar being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration such that circumferential portions thereof are radially movable between inner and outer positions in the contracted and expanded configurations, the collar and cap being provided with portions. mutually engaging that allow rotation of the cap relative to the collar, said rotation causing and / or allowing movement of the collar between the contracted and expanded configurations. In a preferred embodiment, the collar comprises a ring with a rupture therein which allows the collar to move between expanded and contracted configurations.

In an alternate embodiment, the collar comprises a ring, at least portions of which are resiliently circumferentially extendable so that the collar can move between expanded and contracted configurations.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a lid and a collar for use in providing a container as described above. The necklace can be pre-assembled in a cap. The cap and collar may be arranged to be manufactured as a single component and then separated before or after the collar has been mounted on a cap. The cap and collar may be joined by interconnecting parts that break when the cap is rotated relative to the collar.

Other optional and preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings.

The present invention also extends to other novel combinations of features described herein and is not limited to the above inventions.

An advantage of the invention is that by providing a collar over a container body in which a lid can be secured to close the container, which collar can preferably be removed from the container body, the container body can be made free of external threads or other security means to secure the lid thereto. The provision of a beverage container that is substantially free of external threads or other security means enables the provision of a truly practical beverage container in which consumers can drink directly. This is because the presence of threads adjacent to the opening is a major reason why bottles and known wide-mouth containers are not practical as truly acceptable consumer containers.

For the avoidance of doubt, it should be understood that the term "necklace",

when used in this description, it does not include lid-like parts which extend through the openings in the containers.

Other advantages that the present invention may provide (at least in some embodiments) include the following: uncoupling the method of securing the lid to the housing.

container, i.e. through the collar) of any method of sealing the container (i.e. through the collar) (e.g., through a seal provided between the lid and the container body). This should be contrasted with known containers in which a lid-like inner part provides both a seal against the container body and contributes to holding an outer lid in the container body, for example. Such decoupling can often provide both better sealing and better security.

Placing the means for securing the lid to the container body (i.e. the collar, or parts of the collar) under compression (between the lid part and the container body part) rather than under tension. This should be contrasted with known containers in which a lid-like inner portion contributes to securing an outer lid to the container body, through portions of the lid-like inner portion that are tensioned. Placing security parts under compression rather than under tension can often provide stronger security.

Preferably, the container body of the invention includes one or more retaining portions whereby the collar is retained over the container body until removal of the cap causes the collar to be removed or removable from the container body. Advantageously, the retaining portion may be a rim or lip of the container body, preferably a radially outwardly extending lip. Preferably, the collar is retained over the container body by being trapped under the lip or other retainer portion of the container body. Preferably, the collar comprises a plurality of radially movable features arranged spaced apart along their circumferential extension, and the cap and collar include cooperative safety means whereby the cap may be secured to the collar.

Preferably, the radially movable features of the necklace are indirectly connected with each other by means of a ring portion of the necklace, to which said features are directly connected. The radially movable characteristics of the collar preferably include radially inwardly projecting bosses, which preferably engage with the lip or other retaining portion of the container body to retain the collar thereon.

The lid may be detachably secured to the container body by the collar, preferably by means of a threaded engagement with the collar. Accordingly, the (or each) security means of the collar and / or cap is preferably a thread. The threaded coupling may comprise a screw threaded coupling. Preferably, however, the threaded coupling is a bayonet style coupling. The term "threaded" as used herein includes (at least in the broader aspects of the invention) continuous and discontinuous threads (e.g., continuous and discontinuous screw threads), and bayonet style threads, for example. Threads used in connection with the invention may, for example, comprise a plurality of threads (each threaded thread comprising said locking means), in which case the thread may be discontinuous (e.g., a discontinuous screw thread, or a threaded thread). bayonet), or it can be substantially continuous because the effect is that of a continuous screw thread pattern.

The use of threaded features comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced components reduces the torque required to release the cap. This is of particular importance in a wide mouth container, because otherwise the torque required to unscrew the closure can be difficult to apply by a user's hand. The opening of the container body is preferably a wide mouth opening. By a "wide mouth opening" is meant (at least in its broadest sense) an opening of an appropriate size for a person to drink in the container in the same manner as a similar drinking or drinking vessel. That is, in its broadest sense, the wide mouth opening of the container (for embodiments of the invention having a wide mouth opening) generally makes the appropriate container a drinking vessel from which a beverage is provided in the container. it can be conveniently drunk (in contrast to conventional narrow-necked bottles and pull-open tins, which are generally not considered comfortable). In practice, this requirement means that the diameter of the wide mouth opening of the container will usually need to be at least 40 mm, preferably at least 45 mm, and more preferably at least 50 mm. Additionally, an excessively wide opening is generally difficult for the consumer to drink therein, and thus the wide mouth preferably has a diameter which is not larger than 150 mm, more preferably not larger than 100 mm, and especially that no larger than 80 mm. A particularly preferred diameter range for the wide mouth opening is from 50 to 80 mm, and examples of particularly preferred diameters include 53 mm and 63 mm.

Alternatively, the container body opening may be a narrow mouth opening, for example a bottle type opening. Such an opening may have a diameter of less than 40 mm, for example. Conventional standard bottle mouth sizes include diameters of 28 mm and 38 mm, and the container body opening of some embodiments of the present invention may have such a diameter.

The container body preferably has no thread or threaded segments on its exterior. Therefore, the container body is preferably comfortable for a consumer to drink directly into the container body.

A wide variety of threaded ways to secure the lid to the container body through the collar is possible. As indicated at the beginning of this description, at least some embodiments of the invention are intended for the storage and delivery of carbonated beverages or other sparkling beverages, for example, beers, ciders, sparkling wines (including champagne), other effervescent alcoholic beverages, and fizzy and sparkling beverages including sparkling water and carbonated soft drinks. For such beverages, it is preferred that the engagement between the lid and the collar includes provision for gas venting upon partial removal of the lid from the container body to prevent the so-called "loss" of the lid by which the lid it is violently ejected from the container body when the container is opened by gas pressure of the container contents.

Advantageously, therefore, the collar and cap may include means, preferably engaging elements, for blocking or restricting removal of the cap from the collar beyond an intermediate position (between fully secured and fully released) when the cap is under pressure. axial in a direction emerging from the container body.

Preferably the lid, collar and container body are constructed and arranged to provide a vent to vent gas from the container body at least when the lid is in an intermediate position (between fully secured and fully released).

Preferably, the action of removing the lid from the container body causes the collar to be removed from the container body together with the lid. That is, the collar may be removed from the container body together with the cap.

In some embodiments of the invention, the cap and / or collar may include tamper evidence means (e.g., tamper evidence tape). Preferably, the tamper evidence means is ruptured or removed from the cap or collar (respectively) by the action of removing the cap from the container body. Advantageously, the tamper evidence means and / or the collar may include means for preventing the cap from accidentally unscrewing from the collar under the influence of pressurization within the container (e.g. due to the pressurized beverage contained in the container). Embodiments of the invention preferably include

sealing means for sealing the container. Such sealing means may comprise part of the lid and / or the container body and / or the collar and / or a separate component, for example. Preferred sealing means include sealing flanges and / or other sealing members, for example, gaskets and the like. Another possible sealing member is a membrane seal, for example, comprising a metal foil seal (e.g. formed of aluminum foil), which may optionally be provided with one or more polymer layers on one or both surfaces. largest of it. The foil seal may provide an excellent gas barrier, for example. Advantageously, the use of a metal foil seal may permit the formation of a seal by induction heating, for example by attaching one or more polymer layers to the container body and / or the lid. . The foil seal or other membrane seal may be provided on the lid and / or the container body d or the collar and / or separately.

The container and its components may be made of any suitable material including metal and / or glass and / or polymer material. Polymer materials are generally preferred for cap and collar, especially polyolefins, for example polyethylene or polypropylene. The container body is preferably formed of glass or polymer material, especially a polyolefin, for example polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The closure may also be formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The polymeric components are preferably formed by molding, especially injection molding and / or blow molding.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention showing a lid secured to a container body;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the container of Figure 1 showing a lid, collar and container body;

Figure 3 shows sectional views of the lid and collar of Figure 1 and a side view of part of the container body;

Figure 4 shows a perspective sectional view of the cap and collar with the collar provided in a cap (prior to placement in a container body) and a perspective view of part of the container body;

Figure 5 shows a perspective sectional view of the cap and collar when held on the container body;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view similar to that of Figure 5, but with only the cap shown sectioned, the collar being shown in an open position;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view similar to that of Figure 6 with the necklace shown in a deflected position;

Figure 8 is a plan view of a necklace as used in the first embodiment, shown in the open position;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the necklace as used in the first embodiment, shown in the deflected position;

Figure 10 is a side view of a second embodiment of a container according to the invention showing a lid secured to a container body;

Figure 11 is an exploded view of the container of Figure 10 showing a lid, collar and container body;

Figure 12 shows sectional views of the cap and collar of Figure 10e a side view of part of the container body;

Figure 13 shows a perspective sectional view of the cap and collar with the collar provided in a cap (prior to placement in a container body) and a perspective view of part of the container body;

Figure 14 shows a perspective sectional view of the cap and collar when held in the container body, the collar being shown in an open position; Figure 15 shows a perspective view similar to that of

Figure 14 with the necklace shown in a closed position:

Figure 16 is a plan view of a necklace as used in the second embodiment shown in the open position;

Figure 17 is a plan view of the collar as used in the second embodiment shown in the closed position;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of a necklace that can be used in a third embodiment of the invention:

Figure 19 is a perspective view of another container body form that may be used in one of the above embodiments; and Figure 20 is a side view of the container shown in Figure 19.

The figures illustrate a wide mouth and closure container that is particularly suitable for containing and carrying a sparkling beverage and, once opened, the container provides a vessel in which a user can comfortably drink. The closure may also be reapplied to the container if the user only consumes part of the beverage and wishes to reseal or seal the container for later use.

Figures 1-9 show a first embodiment of a container according to the invention. The container body 1 illustrated in figures 1-9 comprises a wall 2 with a rim 3 around its upper end defining a wide mouth opening 4 through which the container body 1 can be filled and through which a beverage can be filled. be dispensed with or consumed. The rim 3 comprises a lip that protrudes radially outwardly from the container wall 2.

The closure comprises a lid 5 having an upper circular portion 5 A for closing the opening 4 of the container body 1 and a skirt portion 5B hanging from the perimeter of the circular portion 5A. The closure also comprises a collar 6 in the form of a ring with a plurality of radially spaced circumferentially movable portions 7.

As shown in figures 1-7, the mouth of the container body 1 has a particularly simple and clean shape compared to containers such as those described in WO2006 / 000774. The lip 3 has a smooth, curved outer surface 3A, a substantially flat horizontal underside 3B. The outer wall of the container body 1 is also generally smooth and devoid of features away from one or less depressions or recesses 2A at spaced positions of the lip 3 (see figures 2 and 4). Typically, recesses 2A may be 2-5 mm wide (in the direction of the container circumference) and 2-5 mm high (in a direction parallel to the geometric axis of the container) and less than 1-2 mm in depth. (in a radial direction). Preferably, a single recess 2A or a small number of recesses 2A is provided at spaced locations around the circumference of the container, for example, two at 180 degree spacing, three at 120 degree spacing or four at 90 degree spacing. The recesses 2A are spaced from the shoulder 3 by a distance that corresponds to, but is slightly less than, the length of the skirt portion 5B of the lid 5 (in a direction parallel to the geometric axis of the lid). Typically, for this type of container, the recesses 2A may be 4-7 mm under the bottom side lip 3. The container body 1 thus has a mouth that is comfortable to drink from it in the manner of a cup conventional or drinking vessel. However, recesses 2A are so small that they have little effect on the comfort of drinking from the container and may be, in other embodiments, positioned immediately under the rim 3.

Figures 1-7 illustrate the shape of the lid 5 used to close the container body 1. The upper surface of the circular portion 5A of the lid may be smooth and, in use, marking information may be provided thereon (or directly above). cover or by means of a label affixed to it). The outer surface of skirt portion 5B is provided with ribs 5C, or other formations, to provide more grip for a user's hand. These may be formed by grooves in the skirt portion 5B and / or by projecting ribs thereof.

As shown in figure 3, the inner surface of the lid 5 is provided with a number of features. First, it has a plurality of deep recesses or circumferentially spaced pockets 5D and, secondly, a series of shallower recesses 5E that extend circumferentially with ramps 5F between each pair of recesses 5D and 5E. It also has a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses or indentations 5H towards the distal end of skirt portion 5B to brighten or lighten lid 5. It will be appreciated that these ramps 5F and shallower projections radially inwardly relative to the deep recesses 5D and, in this sense, protrude from the inner surface of the lid. These characteristics, in effect, provide eccentric surfaces. The function of these various features will be described in more detail below.

Figures 2-9 illustrate the shape of the collar 6 which is used to allow the lid 5 to be secured to the container body 1. The collar 6 has a plurality of radially spaced circumferentially movable portions 7. Each of these portions 7 has an externally projecting surface 7A and an internal surface 7B. The portions 7 are each provided between a pair of circumferential slots 7C, 7D which extend about 40-45 degrees around the collar 6 and are joined at their ends with the ring by means of a flexible connection 7E, 7F , for example, a living joint. The portions 7 are arranged to be radially movable between an open (radially outward) position as shown in figures 2-6 and figure 8, and a deflected inward (radially inward) position as shown in figures 7 and 9 by bending about said flexible connections 7E, 7F. The portions 7 are preferably resiliently biased towards the radially outward position so that they naturally revert to this position unless a radially inward force is applied to hold them in the radially inward position. In an alternative arrangement, they may be arranged to engage between the radially outward position and the radially inward position when subjected to radially outward and radially inward forces, respectively.

As shown most clearly in Figure 8, when the portions 7 are in the radially outward position, they project radially outwardly from the outer surface of the collar ring, while the inner surface of the collar ring is substantially smooth and substantially circular. . In contrast, in the radially inward position (shown most clearly in Figure 9), the portions protrude radially inwardly from the inner surface of the collar ring (they also protrude outwardly from the collar ring, but by a shorter than when radially outward). When in the radially outward position, the portions 7 are situated at a diameter similar to or slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the container lip 3, so the collar may be provided over the lip. However, in the radially inward position, the inner portions of the portions 7 are situated at a diameter smaller than the maximum diameter of the rim 3 so that the collar 6 is trapped under the rim 3 of the container.

The collar 6 also has inwardly directed projections 9 for engaging the recesses 2A on the outer surface of the container body. Preferably, the number of projections 9 corresponds to the number of recesses 2A, but this need not be the case. In a preferred arrangement, each projection 9 comprises a radial arm 9 extending inwardly from collar 6, for example as shown in figures 4-5 and 8-9. These may have a triangular shape when viewed from above, for example as shown in Figures 8-9, with a perpendicular face on one side to engage a side surface of a recess 2A to inhibit rotation of the collar relative to the container and an angled face on the other side to drive arm 9 out of recess 2A when the collar is rotated in the open direction.

Portions 7G 7 End Faces Fitted Necklace 6 with

a series of extension limiting stops by which the collar 6 can be rotated relative to the lid 5 in the opening direction by engaging end faces 5H at the ends of the deep recesses 5D (see figure 3) over the lid 5. Smaller end faces 7H of the portions 7 provide stops that prevent over tightening of the lid over the collar by engaging the end faces 51 at the shallow recess ends 5E.

The lower surfaces of the portion 7 on the collar 6 are arranged to engage the lower surfaces of the lid 5 ramps 5E in a manner such that in rotation of the lid 5 in the tightening direction relative to the collar 6, the lid 5 is axially movable. with respect to the collar 6 so that the cap 5 may be placed in sealing engagement with the lip 3 (either directly or through a sealing member), the engaging surfaces being configured or inclined to provide axial movement, for example 0.75 - 2.0 mm when rotating, for example 20-40 degrees between them.

To assemble the container and closure body, the collar 6 is preferably first placed within the lid 5, as shown in Figure 4. Once provided within it, the collar 6 is lowered into a lid 5 and does not protrude beyond the end. of skirt portion 5B (unlike the arrangements described in WO 2006/000774). This improves the appearance of the closure and the user does not have to manipulate collar 6 when operating the closure. A sealing member (if used) may be installed on a cap 5, or before or after mounting collar 6 with cap 5.

The collar 6 is initially mounted with the cap 5 with the radially movable portions 7 positioned at the recesses 5D. The collar 6 can easily be mounted on a lid 5 in this position by axially inserting the collar 6 into the lid 5 with the portions 7 aligned with the recesses 5D. The upper surfaces of the portions 7 are chamfered to assist the portions 7 to flex radially inwardly until they snap into place at the recesses 5D. Positioning the radially outer portions of the movable portions 7 within the recesses 5D in a lid serves to retain the collar 6 in a lid 5. In this initial position, the portions 7 are situated in their radially outward position, then the lid 5 with collar 6 installed thereon can be axially installed in the container 1 on the lip 3. The lid 5 and collar 6 are then rotated on the container body in the tightening direction until the projections 9 on the collar engage the respective recesses 2A in the container, The engagement of the projection 9 in the recesses 2A effectively prevents the further rotation of the collar 6 relative to the container body 1 (projection 9 and recesses 2A, each being provided with substantially flat vertical sides that engage each other). to prevent such rotation). Figure 6 shows the collar 6 in its open position on the container before the lid is tightened.

If the lid 5 is then turned in the tightening direction (clockwise when viewed from above), the lid 5 rotates relative to the collar 6 and the container body 1. The rotation of the lid 5 relative to the collar 6 moves portions 7 up ramps 5F from recesses 5D to recesses 5E, thereby pushing portions 7 into a radially inward position where they are engaged with the underside 3B of lip 3. Parts 7 of the collar 6 then slide over the inclined lower surfaces of the recesses 5E so that the lid 5 is axially tightened downwardly over the rim 3 of the container body to seal the opening 4 of the container body. Hereby the collar 6, and consequently the lid 5, is securely retained on the container body 1. This position is illustrated in figure 7.

To remove the closure, the lid 5 is turned in the open direction (counterclockwise when viewed from above) relative to the collar 6 and the container body 1. During this unscrewing movement, the portions 7 they slide back along the undersurface of the recesses 5E so that the cap 5 is no longer pushed down into the tight engagement t with the lip 3 and the portions 7 move back down from the ramps 5F to the deep recesses 5D then they are able to revert to their position radially outward. Once they reach a radial position in which the portions 7 are no longer engaged under the lip 3, the lid 5 and collar 6 are free to be axially raised from the container body 1. The lid 3 is then free to raise slightly, for example due to the high pressure within the container, to vent the container when the portions slide into the recesses 5E. This is preferably arranged to occur before the portions are fully disengaged from the lip 3 to reduce the risk of the lid 5 popping out from the container body 1. Alternatively, other ventilation means (not shown) may be provided to reduce Because of this risk, internal pressure ventilation also helps to reduce the torque required to unscrew the cover 5.

The upper surfaces of the recesses 2A are preferably perpendicular to the container wall, so that the projections 9 cannot easily disengage from it in the vertical direction to provide additional protection against the lid blown out of the container. A side surface of projection 9 and / or recesses 2A is, however, angled or chamfered to assist the movement of projections 9 out of recesses 2A as the collar is rotated in the open direction.

If desired, the closure may be reattached to the container body 1 by axially pressing it onto the lip 3, rotating it to engage the projections 9 with the positioning recesses 2A then rotating the lid 5 to seal it over the edge 3.

Figures 10-17 show a second embodiment of a container according to the present invention comprising a closure Ilea container body, therefore comprising a lid 15 and collar 16.

The container body 11 is completely similar to that of the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, it has a continuously thinner shape so that the mouth of the container body 11 is the widest part of the container body 11 (instead of of a bulge in the wall of the container body, spaced from the mouth, as shown in figure 1). The container body 11 again has a lip 13 around its mouth which projects radially outwardly from the container body.

Cap 15 is also similar to that of the first embodiment and has deep recesses 15D, shallow recesses 15E, ramps 15F and end faces 15G and 151 on the inner surface of skirt portion 15B, similar to those of the first embodiment.

Necklace 16 of the second embodiment, however, is different from that of the first embodiment. The collar 16 comprises a ring 16A with a rupture 16B therein. The collar naturally assumes an open position (as shown in figures 14 and 16) where there is only a slight degree of overlap between the ends 16C, 16D of ring 16A, but can be flexed to the closed position (as shown in figures 15 and 16). 17) wherein the ends 16C, 16D of ring 16A overlap to a greater extent. It will be appreciated that in the closed position (figure 17) the collar 16 has a smaller diameter than in the open position (figure 16).

The collar 16 has a plurality of radially spaced movable portions 17 provided thereon. These correspond to portions 7 of the first embodiment, as best illustrated by comparing Figure 16 with Figure 8. These portions 17 interact with the features on the inner surface of skirt 15B of lid 15 in a manner similar to that described above for corresponding features of the first embodiment, the essential difference between the first and second embodiments is that in the second embodiment, portions 17 move radially in and out as a result of ring 16A moving between the closed position and open position as described above instead of bending individual parts of the collar as in the first embodiment. Also, in the closed position, the entire ring 16A engages under the lip 13 to secure the closure to the container body rather than only localized portions of it bending inwardly as in the first embodiment. Figure 15 shows the collar 16 in the closed position engaged under the rim 13 to secure the closure over the container body 11.

When the closure is to be released, cap 15 is rotated relative to collar 16 in the unscrewing direction (as in the first embodiment) after which collar 16 expands into its open position (by virtue of its own resilience) of such that the upper edge of collar 16 disengages from the underside of lip 13. Figure 16 shows collar 16 in this open position. The closure may then be lifted from the container body 11.

It will be appreciated that when the ends 16C, 16D of the collar 16 overlap, the circumferential spacing of the portions 17, particularly those closest to the break 16B, will be reduced. The portions 17 are thus positioned on the ring 16A so that when the collar 16 is in its contracted state, they are substantially equally spaced around the circumference of the collar 16 (as shown in figure 17). This means that when the collar is in the expanded state, the portions 17, especially those closest to the break 16B, will not be equally spaced around the ring 16A (as shown in Figure 16). The circumferential lengths of the recesses 15D, 15E in a lid 15 are thus also preferably varied to accommodate this, for example by gradually increasing the lengths of the deep recesses 15D around the lid, while ensuring that the shallow recesses 15E are of sufficient length to securely engage the collar portions 17 in the contracted configuration.

The collar 16 is also provided with a resilient radially inwardly extending arm 19 for engaging a recess 12A on the outer surface of the container body 11 to inhibit rotation of the collar 16 relative to the container body 11. arm 19 is engaged with recess 12A and collar 16 is in the closed position, arm 19 is pressed against the inner surface of ring 16A as shown in Figure 17, but still engages recess side faces 12A to prevent rotation of the collar 16 over the container body. Preferably, arm 19 remains in this compressed position upon expansion of collar 16, thus it does not inhibit removal of the collar from the container. The end of the arm is also preferably shaped to assist it in rising into recess 12A when the collar is lifted from the container. As shown in this embodiment, the recess 12A may be provided immediately below the lip 13 of the container body.

Figure 18 illustrates a necklace 26 that can be used in another embodiment. In this case, the collar 26 is resiliently expandable between an inner position in which it or portions thereof engage under a lip of a container, and an expanded outer position in which it disengages from the lip so that it can be lifted from the container. In the example shown, collar 26 comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced portions 26A, each of which carries threaded portions 27 on an outward facing surface for engaging features on the inner surface of a cap and projections 28 on an inwardly facing surface. to engage under the rim of the container. The collar portions 26A are joined by resilient connections 26B which may be resiliently extended so that the circumference, and hence the diameter, of the collar 26 may expand and contract. It will be appreciated that as the circumference of the collar 26 increases and decreases, parts thereof are movable radially outwardly and inwardly, as in the previous embodiments.

Figure 18 shows resilient connections 26B as being narrower than portions 26A, but they may also be of similar dimensions so that the collar is in the form of a ring with substantially parallel upper and lower edges (as in the first and second embodiments). Preferably, the upper and lower edges are substantially smooth. The resilience of the connections 26B is schematically indicated by serpentine lines in figure 18.

Resilient connections 26B can take a variety of forms. In one possible form, they comprise one or more zigzag connections, which may expand and contract in the manner of a concertina.

Figures 19 and 20 show another form of container body 32 which may be used in place of those described in one of the above embodiments. The feature that cooperates with radial arms (or other inward projection) on the collar to inhibit rotation of the collar relative to the container body 32 is in this case provided by projections 34 provided immediately below the lip 33 of the body container 32 (instead of recesses in a container body wall). Two of such projections 34 would typically be provided 180 degrees spaced around the rim of the container (only one projection being visible in the drawings).

Each projection has a face 34A at one end thereof extending substantially radially outwardly from the container body wall to engage a radial collar arm when the collar is rotated in the clamping direction to limit rotation of the collar. glue in this direction when the fastener is being tightened over the container body. The other end 34B preferably has a slender or slanted shape such that when the lock and hence the collar is rotated in the open direction, the arm 19 on the collar is able to rise in the projection 34 so that the arm 19 it is moved radially outwardly to assist in the separation of the collar from the container body 32. However, in some cases, this slim or slanted shape may not be necessary to assist in the removal of the collar from the container body.

Other forms of stop feature may be provided on the container and, in particular, the portions of the container rim, as illustrated, for example, in W02006 / 000774 referred to above.

Each of the above embodiments employs components that are situated in the circumferential direction of the collar to provide features that can be moved radially inwardly and outwardly. This is in contrast to arrangements that have flaps or axially extending features of a ring to provide this function.

The illustrated embodiments each have eight circumferentially spaced features on the collar, but it will be appreciated that fewer or more such features may be used. The number of such features used may depend on the circumference of the container mouth. Preferably, there are at least four such features to ensure secure engagement of the closure over the container body as well as a good seal therebetween, and preferably less than twelve such features are used; otherwise they may be too small and / or difficult to manufacture.

The collar is preferably snapped to a lid so that it can be mounted thereon before the lid is provided on the container body and then it is retained in a lid when it is removed from the container body. Preferably, once when mounted on a cap, the collar portion protrudes out of the cap further than the cap skirt. This enhances the aesthetic appearance of the closure. As indicated above, each of the embodiments described requires that the container body has only one (or a small number) of recesses or projections on the outer surface or on (or below) its lip to engage with part of the collar to inhibit rotation. of the collar relative to the container body. The outer surface of the container body and the rim thereof may otherwise consist of a smooth, uncomplicated shape. This again improves the aesthetic characteristics of the product and makes the container body more comfortable to drink in it.

It will be appreciated that the outer surface of the collar and the inner surface of the lid skirt may be provided with a variety of mutually engageable features to provide the functions described above.

In the illustrated embodiment, the resilience of the necklace, or parts thereof, is used to move the necklace back to its open or expanded shape (or vice versa). However, the cap and collar may be arranged such that when the cap is rotated in the clamping direction relative to the collar, it pushes the collar into its contracted shape and when the cap is rotated in the opening direction relative to the collar. , it also propels the necklace into its open or expanded form.

The shape of the container wall 12, lip 13 and recess 12A are preferably such that the container body may be manufactured by an injection molding process. This gives greater flexibility in the design and shape of the container body and, consequently, greater flexibility in the manner in which it can be manufactured. However, the containers described herein may also be manufactured by the two stage injection molding and blow molding process, if desired.

Another advantage of the containers described herein is that they can be configured to be received or housed in other similar container bodies. This provides significant space savings when empty containers are stored or transported.

The illustrated container has, as mentioned above, a number of advantages over the containers described in WO2006 / 00774. In particular, its simpler form makes it easy to manufacture and requires less material, thus reducing the cost of manufacturing.

Claims (18)

Container, characterized in that it comprises a container body including an opening, a lid for closing the opening and a collar, the collar being arranged to fit between the container body and the lid to secure the lid in the container body, the collar being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration such that circumferential portions thereof are radially movable between internal and external positions in the contracted and expanded configurations, the collar and cap being provided with mutually engaging portions allowing rotation of the cap relative to the collar, said rotation causing and / or allowing movement of the collar between contracted and expanded configurations. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the collar comprises a ring whose diameter is reduced or increased to move between said contracted or expanded configurations. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the circumference of the ring may be reduced or increased to reduce or increase its diameter. Container according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the container body has a lip extending externally around its opening. Container according to Claim 5, characterized in that the collar or at least parts thereof engage a lower side of the lip in the shrunken configuration. Container according to claims 2 and 5, characterized in that an upper edge of the ring engages the underside of the lip. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that substantially the entire ring engages under the lip. Container according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in that the collar comprises a ring with a rupture therein which allows the collar to move between expanded and contracted configurations. Container according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in that the collar comprises a ring, at least portions of which are resiliently circumferentially extendable so that the collar can move between expanded and contracted configurations. Container according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the collar has a plurality of circumferentially extending radially movable portions which engage under the shoulder in the contracted configuration. Container according to claim 10, characterized in that four to twelve of said parts are circumferentially spaced around the ring. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in use, after being moved to the contracted configuration, the resilience of the collar or parts thereof moves the collar back to the expanded configuration. Container according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the collar has one or more inwardly directed projections to engage one or more stop characteristics on the container body to inhibit rotation on the collar relative to the body. at least in the tightening direction. Container according to claim 13, characterized in that said stop feature comprises one or more shallow recesses in an outer wall of the container body. Container according to Claim 13, characterized in that said stop feature comprises one or more projections immediately below an edge of the container body. Lid and collar, characterized in that it is for use in providing a container as claimed in any preceding claim. Cap and collar according to claim 16, characterized in that they are arranged to be manufactured as a single component and then separated or before or after the collar has been assembled within the cap. Cap and collar according to claim 17, characterized in that they are joined by interconnecting parts which are arranged to be ruptured after the collar has been mounted within the cap when the cap is rotated relative to the collar.