CA2004052A1 - Seal system and method for containers - Google Patents
Seal system and method for containersInfo
- Publication number
- CA2004052A1 CA2004052A1 CA002004052A CA2004052A CA2004052A1 CA 2004052 A1 CA2004052 A1 CA 2004052A1 CA 002004052 A CA002004052 A CA 002004052A CA 2004052 A CA2004052 A CA 2004052A CA 2004052 A1 CA2004052 A1 CA 2004052A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- strip
- lid assembly
- assembly according
- sealable lid
- container
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D55/00—Accessories for container closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D55/02—Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure
- B65D55/06—Deformable or tearable wires, strings, or strips; Use of seals, e.g. destructible locking pins
- B65D55/08—Annular elements encircling container necks
- B65D55/0818—Destructible or permanently removable bands, e.g. adhesive
- B65D55/0854—Shrink-film bands
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
- B65D43/0235—Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element
- B65D43/0285—Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element secured by rolling or other plastic deformation before removal of the tamper element
- B65D43/0287—Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element secured by rolling or other plastic deformation before removal of the tamper element only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth of the container
- B65D43/0297—Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element secured by rolling or other plastic deformation before removal of the tamper element only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth of the container leaving only an outside friction after removal of the tamper element
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
- B65D2401/05—Tearable non-integral strips
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
- B65D2543/00027—Stackable lids or covers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
- B65D2543/00231—Overall construction of the lid made of several pieces
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
- B65D2543/00259—Materials used
- B65D2543/00268—Paper
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
- B65D2543/00259—Materials used
- B65D2543/00296—Plastic
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
- B65D2543/00259—Materials used
- B65D2543/00314—Combination, e.g. laminates, several different materials
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
- B65D2543/0049—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the inside, or a part turned to the inside of the mouth of the container
- B65D2543/00527—NO contact
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
- B65D2543/00537—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A sealable lid assembly to form a tamper evident seal for a container involves a heat shrinkable strip which is preformed on a container lid prior to assembly. The strip includes a first strip of pressure sensitive adhesive tape which is adhered to a lower rim of the container lid, and a second strip of rigid heat shrinkable material adhered to a lower portion of the first strip. The container lid is placed upon a container and heat is then applied to the shrinkable strip, which creates a tamper evident seal between the lid and the container.
A sealable lid assembly to form a tamper evident seal for a container involves a heat shrinkable strip which is preformed on a container lid prior to assembly. The strip includes a first strip of pressure sensitive adhesive tape which is adhered to a lower rim of the container lid, and a second strip of rigid heat shrinkable material adhered to a lower portion of the first strip. The container lid is placed upon a container and heat is then applied to the shrinkable strip, which creates a tamper evident seal between the lid and the container.
Description
a,~
SE~ L SYSTEM FO~ CONTAINERS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention rela-tes to tamper evident closures, which are used to verify -that a containe:r has not been opened subsequen-t to its sealing. More par-ticularly, the present inven-tion provides a tamper evident closure Eor a container and system fvr installing, which is simple to in.stall and can be incorporated on-to an existing container assernbly line at a minimum of cost.
SE~ L SYSTEM FO~ CONTAINERS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention rela-tes to tamper evident closures, which are used to verify -that a containe:r has not been opened subsequen-t to its sealing. More par-ticularly, the present inven-tion provides a tamper evident closure Eor a container and system fvr installing, which is simple to in.stall and can be incorporated on-to an existing container assernbly line at a minimum of cost.
2. Descri~tion of the Prior Art Contemporary package designs often utilize a band of tape or other tamper eviclent seal around a lid o~ a packaged article to enable a consumer to determine whether the container may possibly have been breached or contaminated prior -to use. Such tamper evidenk seals are particularly advantageous for use with containers ~or storing food stuffs or the like. An example of such a seal and an apparatus which is used to apply the seal to a con-tainer is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,873,018 to Donnay. In that system, an aclditional station was provided on a manufacturing line for applyincJ a band of tape between a lid of the con-tainer and the container body a~ter placement of the lid on the container. Thus, tamper evident seals for containers have in the past been installed on the containers in a manufac-turincJ step that is performed separately ancl subsequent to assembly of the containers.
One disadvantage of such prior art systems is that ~he equipment required to place a tamper evident seal upon a container is relatively expens:ive to purchase and maintain. Moreover, such systems are relatively bulky and l.ake up a substantial amourlt of space on a manufacturing floo:r.
:[t is clear -that there has existecl a long and unfilled need in the prior art for a system to apply a tamper evident seal to a container that is less expensive to purchase and maintain, and that does no-t take up a great deal of space on a production floor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present inven-tion provides a sealable lid assembly of the type which is adapted to be placed upon a container to seal -the container, comprising a lid adapted for fi-tting upon a container, the lid having a lower rim portion with an outer surface; and a strip assembl.y attached to the lower rim por-tion for shrinking when heat is applied thereto, -the strip assembly extending beneath the lower rinl.portion, whereby -the s-trip assembly will shrink to engage a container when the lid member is placed thereon, in o.rder to eorm a tamper evident seal.
In order to form a tamper evident seal on a container in a compact, economical -fashion, the present invention further comprehends a method comprising providing at least one prefabricated lid assembly including a lid member having a lower rim portion and a strip assembly attached to the lower rim portion for shrinking when heat is applied thereto; providing a container body having at leas-t one upstanding wall defining an opening at an upper rim thereo~; placin~ a prefabricated lid assembly on -the container body so as to close the opening; and applying heat to the strip assembly so as to shrink the strip assembly about the con-tainer body, whereby a tamper eviden-t seal is formecd between the lid member and the container.
These and various o-ther advantages and :eea-tures of novelty wh:ich characterize the invention are po:intecl out with part:iculari-ty in -the claims annexed hereko and forming a part hereoE. Ho~Jever, for a better unclerstanding Oe the inventlon, its advantages, and the o:b~ec-ts obtained by its use, reference s:hould be made to the drawi.ngs which form a fllr-ther part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional fra~nentary view of a container and lid assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention, shown prior -to sealing;
FIGURE 2 i5 a fra~mentary cross-sectional view of the embodiment illus-tratecl in FIGURE 1, with the lid assembly and contalner body in a sealed position;
FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a seal blank used in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2;
FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a modified seal blank adapted for use with the embodiment of FIGURES l and 2;
FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view o~
a second embodiment of the invention, shown prior to sealing;
FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 5, shown af-ter sealing;
FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a seal blank adapted for use with the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6, FIGURE 8 is a plan view of a lid assembly constructed according to a third embodiment of the inven-tion;
FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a container body and lid assembly constructed according -to a fourth embodiment of the invention, shown prior to sealing;
FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in F:tGURE 9, shown in a sealed position;
EIGURE 11 i9 a diagrammatical view illustrating one method step according to the invention;
2~
FIGURE 12 is a diagrammatical view illustrating a second me~hod step according to the invention; and FIGURE 13 is a diagrammatical view illustrating a third method step according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) Refe:rring to -the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding s-tructu:re throu~hout the views, and particularly referring -to Figures 1-3, a containe.r body 10 lncludes a cylindrical upstanding wall 12 which define~ a circul.ar opening in the top of container body 10. Wall 12 terminates at an upper rim bead portion 16 thereof, as is shown in Figure 1. In the illustrated example, container body 10 is of the type which is commonly used to store ice cream or other quiescently frozen food products.
A lid member 18 is provided for sealing the circular opening in the top of container body 10. Lid member 18 includes a top surface 22, a top edge 24 and a downwardly extending cylindrical rim portion 20 having an outside surface 21, as may be seen in Figure 2. In order to seal the opening in container body 10, lid member 18 is placed upon the container body 10 in such a way that rim portion 20 slides over the rim bead 16 and extends downwardly parallel to an outside surface 14 of container wall 12, in tha position which is illustrated in Figure 2.
In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, lid member 18 forms park of a sealable lid assembly 26 and is provided with a seal strip 28 which extends around -the circumference o~ rim port.ion 20. Seal strip 28 includes a Eirst strip 30 o:E pxessure sensitive adhesive tape ha~ing an adhes:ive layer of synthe-tic rubber resin or an equivalent adhesive substance on one side -thereof. Firs-t s-trLp 30 may be a commerc.ia:Lly available tape such as those marketed ~y 3M as the trademarks Scotchpro and Paklon. As is shown in Figure --ds ~
2 ~ 3~
1, s-trip 30 has a first portion adhered to the outsicle surface 21 of rim portion 20, ancl a second portion which is ~clhared to a seconcl strip o~ heat shrinkable film 34 which is relati-vely rigid with respec-t to first strip 30. The second s-trip 34 is preferably formed from a relatively rigid polymer which will shrink when heat is appliecl -thereto, such as Glycol Modified Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETG) or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). In this preferrecl embodiment, strip 34 is preferably formed to have a -thic]cness within the range of ~.19 -to 0.32 mm ~7.5 -to 12.5 mils.) Adhered to a third portion of the adhesive sur:Eace of pressure sensitive adhesive tape 30 is a tear strip tape 32 whi.ch preEerably .is Eormed of Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene, Polyester, Tensilized Polypropylene or an equivalent material which has a relatively high tensile strength. Tear strip tape 32 may also be provided with an adhesive surface for contact with strip 30.
In order to provide a container having a tamper evident seal 36, as is illustrated in Figure 2, the prefabricated sealable lid assembly 26 including lid 13 and seal strip 28 is lowered ~rGm the position shown in Figure 1 to a closed position over container body 10. Heat is then applied to seal strip 28, which causes the rigid heat shrinkable film 3~ to contract against the outside surface 14 of container body 10, as i.s shown in Figure 2. As a result, a tamper evident seal is formed on the container body 10 without the addition of an expensive and bulky applicator machine.
FicJure 3 ill~ls-trates a seal blank 3~ wh;.ch may be used to ~orm the seal strip 2~ shown i.n khe embodimen-t o:E
F:igures 1 and 2. As may be seen in Figure 3, an edcJe nick ~ is formecl i.n an encl portion o:E first seal str~p 30 adjacent -the tear strip tape 32. As a result oE the edcJe n.ick 44, -the pressure sensitive aclhesive tape 30 w:ill teax along i-ts intPrface w:ith top edge ~2 of -the tear strip 32 Q~
when the tear s-trip 32 is pulled. Accordingly, the entire strip 34 of ri~id heat shrinkable film will be remov~d along with tear strip -tape 32 when the tamper evident seal 36 is removed by a consumer.
~s is also shown in Figure 3, strip 3~ is Eormed shorter in leng~h -than the strip 30 of pressure sensitive adhesive tape, which exposes an area 46 of adhesive on the xear side of pressure sensiti.ve adhesive tape 30. The area 46 of exposed adhesive is usecl to fas-ten one enA of the seal blank 3~ to the other cluring Eabrication of the sealable lid assembly illustrated in Figure 1.
Referring to Figure 4, a modified seal blank 48 for use wi-th the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 has a first edge nick 50 Eormed on one end of pressure sensitive adhesive tape 30 above tear strip 32, and a second edge nick 52 formed in the same end of pressure sensitive adhesive ~ape 30 immediately below tear strip tape 32. As a result, only tear strip tape 32 will be removed from se~l strip 28 when the tamper evident seal 36 is broken by a consumer, thereby leaving the upper portion of pressure sensitive adhesive tape 30 and the rigid shrinkable film 34 upon the container.
A second embodiment of a sealable lid assembly according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. In this embodiment, a seal strip 56 includes a first strip of pressure sensitive adhesive -tape 58 and a second strip of rigid heat shrinkable film 60. The first strip 58 o:E pressu:re sensi-tive adhesive tape is preferably formecl from materials listed above in reference to first strip 30 in the embodiment of Fi.gu:res l and 2. ~ccordingly, the second strip of rigid hea-t shrinkable film 60 i.s preferably Eormed :Erom -the materials listed above in regarcl to s-trip 3~ in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2.
In operation, the pre:Eabricated sealable lid assembly 5~ is placed ~Ipon container body 10 i.n the manner described above in reference to Figures 1 and 2. Heat is then applied to seal strip 56, which causes seal strip 56 to contrac-t, thereby creating a tamper evident seal 62 which bears agains-t -the outside surface 1~ oE the container wall.
Re~erring to Figure 7, a sealing blank 64 is providecl for Eorming the seal strip 56 which is illustrated in Fiyure 5. As is shown .i.n Figure 7, an edge niclc 68 is de~ined in the pressure sensitive adhesive tape 58 on an end portion of sealing blank 64. Edge nick 68 is deEined slightly above the top edye 66 of the hea-t shrinkable rigid s-trip 60. As a result, the pressure sensitive aclhesive tape 58 will -tear along its interEace with the top edge 66 of the rigid heat shrinkable strip 60 when the tamper evident seal 62 is being removed by a consumer.
~ third embodiment 70 oE a sealable lid assembly according to the invention is depicted in Figure 8. This embodiment diEEers from the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 in that a seal strip 72 is formed so as to have a greater inside diameter than the outside surEace oE
the rim portion 2~ of lid member 18. As a result, a lid assembly constructed according to the embodiment of ~'igure 8 ~7ill be stackable with respect t~ other lid assemblies which are similarly constructed. As is shown in Figure 8, -the Elaring seal s-trips 72 ~it comEortabl~ over the top edge 2~ o~ a lid member 18.
Referring to Figures 9 and 10, a ~ourth embodiment 78 oE the sealable lid assembly includes a Eirst strip 82 of pressure sensitive adhesive tape which has a first portion adhered to an inside s~lr:Eace 23 of the rim portion 20 o.~ lid membe:r 18. A second st:rip of rigid heat shrinkable film 84 :is adhered to a second portion of pressure sens:itive adhesive -tape 82 that extencls beneath rim portion 20, as is shown in E'igure 9.
In order to create a tamper evident seal 86, the prefabricated sealable lid assembly 78 is placed upon container body 10 and heat is applied to the seal s-trip 80.
This causes the second strip of rigid, shrinkable film 84 to con-tract, which forces the pressure sensitive adhesive tape 82 to bear against the outside surface 1~ of container body 10, as is shown in Figure 10.
In order to form a prefabrica-ted sealable lid assembly of the type described above in reference to Figures 1-3, a seal blank 38 is wrapped around the rim portion 20 of a lid member 18, as is shown in Figure 11.
The exposed adhesive por-tion 46 is then laminated onto -the opposite end of seal blank 38, while the pressure sensitive adhesive tape in the s~al blank 38 adheres to the rim portion 20 of the lid member 18.
As is shown in Figure 12, the pre~abricated sealable lid assembly 26 is then placed upon a container body 10 so as to seal the opening defined by the upper rim of the container wall, to form a presealing container assembly 94.
The presealing container assemblies 9~ are then passed through a shrinking station ~8 which in the preferred embodiment includes an endless conveyor belt 90 and a heat tunnel 92, as is shown in Figure 13. Heat tunnel 92 preferably heats the strips on the containers to a temperature o~ 220-250F in the preferred embodiment wherein the thickness and material of the strips are as stated above. The con-tainer assemblies 9~ are passed through heat -tunnel 92, thereby forming the tamper evident seal 3~ between the lid member and container bocly of the container. Although tho proc~ss illus-trated in f~'igures 11-13 has been described with ref~rence -to the embocliment shown in Figures 1 and 2, it shoulcl be unde:rstood tha-t the process is applicable -to any of the embodiments disclosed herein.
It is to be unders-tood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the prlnciples of the invention to the full extent indica-ted by the broad general meaning of the terms in which -the appended claims are expressed.
One disadvantage of such prior art systems is that ~he equipment required to place a tamper evident seal upon a container is relatively expens:ive to purchase and maintain. Moreover, such systems are relatively bulky and l.ake up a substantial amourlt of space on a manufacturing floo:r.
:[t is clear -that there has existecl a long and unfilled need in the prior art for a system to apply a tamper evident seal to a container that is less expensive to purchase and maintain, and that does no-t take up a great deal of space on a production floor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present inven-tion provides a sealable lid assembly of the type which is adapted to be placed upon a container to seal -the container, comprising a lid adapted for fi-tting upon a container, the lid having a lower rim portion with an outer surface; and a strip assembl.y attached to the lower rim por-tion for shrinking when heat is applied thereto, -the strip assembly extending beneath the lower rinl.portion, whereby -the s-trip assembly will shrink to engage a container when the lid member is placed thereon, in o.rder to eorm a tamper evident seal.
In order to form a tamper evident seal on a container in a compact, economical -fashion, the present invention further comprehends a method comprising providing at least one prefabricated lid assembly including a lid member having a lower rim portion and a strip assembly attached to the lower rim portion for shrinking when heat is applied thereto; providing a container body having at leas-t one upstanding wall defining an opening at an upper rim thereo~; placin~ a prefabricated lid assembly on -the container body so as to close the opening; and applying heat to the strip assembly so as to shrink the strip assembly about the con-tainer body, whereby a tamper eviden-t seal is formecd between the lid member and the container.
These and various o-ther advantages and :eea-tures of novelty wh:ich characterize the invention are po:intecl out with part:iculari-ty in -the claims annexed hereko and forming a part hereoE. Ho~Jever, for a better unclerstanding Oe the inventlon, its advantages, and the o:b~ec-ts obtained by its use, reference s:hould be made to the drawi.ngs which form a fllr-ther part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional fra~nentary view of a container and lid assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention, shown prior -to sealing;
FIGURE 2 i5 a fra~mentary cross-sectional view of the embodiment illus-tratecl in FIGURE 1, with the lid assembly and contalner body in a sealed position;
FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a seal blank used in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2;
FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a modified seal blank adapted for use with the embodiment of FIGURES l and 2;
FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view o~
a second embodiment of the invention, shown prior to sealing;
FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 5, shown af-ter sealing;
FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a seal blank adapted for use with the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6, FIGURE 8 is a plan view of a lid assembly constructed according to a third embodiment of the inven-tion;
FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a container body and lid assembly constructed according -to a fourth embodiment of the invention, shown prior to sealing;
FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in F:tGURE 9, shown in a sealed position;
EIGURE 11 i9 a diagrammatical view illustrating one method step according to the invention;
2~
FIGURE 12 is a diagrammatical view illustrating a second me~hod step according to the invention; and FIGURE 13 is a diagrammatical view illustrating a third method step according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) Refe:rring to -the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding s-tructu:re throu~hout the views, and particularly referring -to Figures 1-3, a containe.r body 10 lncludes a cylindrical upstanding wall 12 which define~ a circul.ar opening in the top of container body 10. Wall 12 terminates at an upper rim bead portion 16 thereof, as is shown in Figure 1. In the illustrated example, container body 10 is of the type which is commonly used to store ice cream or other quiescently frozen food products.
A lid member 18 is provided for sealing the circular opening in the top of container body 10. Lid member 18 includes a top surface 22, a top edge 24 and a downwardly extending cylindrical rim portion 20 having an outside surface 21, as may be seen in Figure 2. In order to seal the opening in container body 10, lid member 18 is placed upon the container body 10 in such a way that rim portion 20 slides over the rim bead 16 and extends downwardly parallel to an outside surface 14 of container wall 12, in tha position which is illustrated in Figure 2.
In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, lid member 18 forms park of a sealable lid assembly 26 and is provided with a seal strip 28 which extends around -the circumference o~ rim port.ion 20. Seal strip 28 includes a Eirst strip 30 o:E pxessure sensitive adhesive tape ha~ing an adhes:ive layer of synthe-tic rubber resin or an equivalent adhesive substance on one side -thereof. Firs-t s-trLp 30 may be a commerc.ia:Lly available tape such as those marketed ~y 3M as the trademarks Scotchpro and Paklon. As is shown in Figure --ds ~
2 ~ 3~
1, s-trip 30 has a first portion adhered to the outsicle surface 21 of rim portion 20, ancl a second portion which is ~clhared to a seconcl strip o~ heat shrinkable film 34 which is relati-vely rigid with respec-t to first strip 30. The second s-trip 34 is preferably formed from a relatively rigid polymer which will shrink when heat is appliecl -thereto, such as Glycol Modified Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETG) or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). In this preferrecl embodiment, strip 34 is preferably formed to have a -thic]cness within the range of ~.19 -to 0.32 mm ~7.5 -to 12.5 mils.) Adhered to a third portion of the adhesive sur:Eace of pressure sensitive adhesive tape 30 is a tear strip tape 32 whi.ch preEerably .is Eormed of Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene, Polyester, Tensilized Polypropylene or an equivalent material which has a relatively high tensile strength. Tear strip tape 32 may also be provided with an adhesive surface for contact with strip 30.
In order to provide a container having a tamper evident seal 36, as is illustrated in Figure 2, the prefabricated sealable lid assembly 26 including lid 13 and seal strip 28 is lowered ~rGm the position shown in Figure 1 to a closed position over container body 10. Heat is then applied to seal strip 28, which causes the rigid heat shrinkable film 3~ to contract against the outside surface 14 of container body 10, as i.s shown in Figure 2. As a result, a tamper evident seal is formed on the container body 10 without the addition of an expensive and bulky applicator machine.
FicJure 3 ill~ls-trates a seal blank 3~ wh;.ch may be used to ~orm the seal strip 2~ shown i.n khe embodimen-t o:E
F:igures 1 and 2. As may be seen in Figure 3, an edcJe nick ~ is formecl i.n an encl portion o:E first seal str~p 30 adjacent -the tear strip tape 32. As a result oE the edcJe n.ick 44, -the pressure sensitive aclhesive tape 30 w:ill teax along i-ts intPrface w:ith top edge ~2 of -the tear strip 32 Q~
when the tear s-trip 32 is pulled. Accordingly, the entire strip 34 of ri~id heat shrinkable film will be remov~d along with tear strip -tape 32 when the tamper evident seal 36 is removed by a consumer.
~s is also shown in Figure 3, strip 3~ is Eormed shorter in leng~h -than the strip 30 of pressure sensitive adhesive tape, which exposes an area 46 of adhesive on the xear side of pressure sensiti.ve adhesive tape 30. The area 46 of exposed adhesive is usecl to fas-ten one enA of the seal blank 3~ to the other cluring Eabrication of the sealable lid assembly illustrated in Figure 1.
Referring to Figure 4, a modified seal blank 48 for use wi-th the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 has a first edge nick 50 Eormed on one end of pressure sensitive adhesive tape 30 above tear strip 32, and a second edge nick 52 formed in the same end of pressure sensitive adhesive ~ape 30 immediately below tear strip tape 32. As a result, only tear strip tape 32 will be removed from se~l strip 28 when the tamper evident seal 36 is broken by a consumer, thereby leaving the upper portion of pressure sensitive adhesive tape 30 and the rigid shrinkable film 34 upon the container.
A second embodiment of a sealable lid assembly according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. In this embodiment, a seal strip 56 includes a first strip of pressure sensitive adhesive -tape 58 and a second strip of rigid heat shrinkable film 60. The first strip 58 o:E pressu:re sensi-tive adhesive tape is preferably formecl from materials listed above in reference to first strip 30 in the embodiment of Fi.gu:res l and 2. ~ccordingly, the second strip of rigid hea-t shrinkable film 60 i.s preferably Eormed :Erom -the materials listed above in regarcl to s-trip 3~ in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2.
In operation, the pre:Eabricated sealable lid assembly 5~ is placed ~Ipon container body 10 i.n the manner described above in reference to Figures 1 and 2. Heat is then applied to seal strip 56, which causes seal strip 56 to contrac-t, thereby creating a tamper evident seal 62 which bears agains-t -the outside surface 1~ oE the container wall.
Re~erring to Figure 7, a sealing blank 64 is providecl for Eorming the seal strip 56 which is illustrated in Fiyure 5. As is shown .i.n Figure 7, an edge niclc 68 is de~ined in the pressure sensitive adhesive tape 58 on an end portion of sealing blank 64. Edge nick 68 is deEined slightly above the top edye 66 of the hea-t shrinkable rigid s-trip 60. As a result, the pressure sensitive aclhesive tape 58 will -tear along its interEace with the top edge 66 of the rigid heat shrinkable strip 60 when the tamper evident seal 62 is being removed by a consumer.
~ third embodiment 70 oE a sealable lid assembly according to the invention is depicted in Figure 8. This embodiment diEEers from the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 in that a seal strip 72 is formed so as to have a greater inside diameter than the outside surEace oE
the rim portion 2~ of lid member 18. As a result, a lid assembly constructed according to the embodiment of ~'igure 8 ~7ill be stackable with respect t~ other lid assemblies which are similarly constructed. As is shown in Figure 8, -the Elaring seal s-trips 72 ~it comEortabl~ over the top edge 2~ o~ a lid member 18.
Referring to Figures 9 and 10, a ~ourth embodiment 78 oE the sealable lid assembly includes a Eirst strip 82 of pressure sensitive adhesive tape which has a first portion adhered to an inside s~lr:Eace 23 of the rim portion 20 o.~ lid membe:r 18. A second st:rip of rigid heat shrinkable film 84 :is adhered to a second portion of pressure sens:itive adhesive -tape 82 that extencls beneath rim portion 20, as is shown in E'igure 9.
In order to create a tamper evident seal 86, the prefabricated sealable lid assembly 78 is placed upon container body 10 and heat is applied to the seal s-trip 80.
This causes the second strip of rigid, shrinkable film 84 to con-tract, which forces the pressure sensitive adhesive tape 82 to bear against the outside surface 1~ of container body 10, as is shown in Figure 10.
In order to form a prefabrica-ted sealable lid assembly of the type described above in reference to Figures 1-3, a seal blank 38 is wrapped around the rim portion 20 of a lid member 18, as is shown in Figure 11.
The exposed adhesive por-tion 46 is then laminated onto -the opposite end of seal blank 38, while the pressure sensitive adhesive tape in the s~al blank 38 adheres to the rim portion 20 of the lid member 18.
As is shown in Figure 12, the pre~abricated sealable lid assembly 26 is then placed upon a container body 10 so as to seal the opening defined by the upper rim of the container wall, to form a presealing container assembly 94.
The presealing container assemblies 9~ are then passed through a shrinking station ~8 which in the preferred embodiment includes an endless conveyor belt 90 and a heat tunnel 92, as is shown in Figure 13. Heat tunnel 92 preferably heats the strips on the containers to a temperature o~ 220-250F in the preferred embodiment wherein the thickness and material of the strips are as stated above. The con-tainer assemblies 9~ are passed through heat -tunnel 92, thereby forming the tamper evident seal 3~ between the lid member and container bocly of the container. Although tho proc~ss illus-trated in f~'igures 11-13 has been described with ref~rence -to the embocliment shown in Figures 1 and 2, it shoulcl be unde:rstood tha-t the process is applicable -to any of the embodiments disclosed herein.
It is to be unders-tood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the prlnciples of the invention to the full extent indica-ted by the broad general meaning of the terms in which -the appended claims are expressed.
Claims (15)
1. A sealable lid assembly of the type which is adapted to be placed upon a container to seal the container, comprising:
lid means adapted for fitting upon a container, said lid means having a lower rim portion with an outer surface; and strip means attached to said lower rim portion for shrinking when heat is applied thereto, said strip means extending beneath said lower rim portion, whereby said strip means will shrink to engage a container when said lid means is placed thereon, in order to form a tamper evident seal.
lid means adapted for fitting upon a container, said lid means having a lower rim portion with an outer surface; and strip means attached to said lower rim portion for shrinking when heat is applied thereto, said strip means extending beneath said lower rim portion, whereby said strip means will shrink to engage a container when said lid means is placed thereon, in order to form a tamper evident seal.
2. A sealable lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein said strip means is attached to said outer surface of said rim portion.
3. A sealable lid assembly according to claim 2, wherein said strip means comprises a first strip of pressure sensitive adhesive tape having a first portion adhered to said outer surface, and a second strip of heat shrinkable material adhered to a second portion of said first strip.
4. A sealable lid assembly according to claim 3, wherein said second strip is more rigid than said first strip.
5. A sealable lid assembly according to claim 3, wherein said strip means further comprises a tear strip tape adhered to a third portion of said pressure sensitive adhesive tape which is between said first portion and said second portion.
6. A sealable lid assembly according to claim 5, wherein said first strip has an edge nick defined in an end portion thereof adjacent said tear strip tape, whereby gripping of said tear strip tape is facilitated.
7. A sealable lid assembly according to claim 6, wherein said edge nick is defined above said tear strip tape.
8. A sealable lid assembly according to claim 7, wherein said first strip further has a second edge nick defined in said end portion beneath said tear strip tape.
9. A sealable lid assembly according to claim 3, wherein said first strip is longer than said second strip, and said first strip overlaps itself about said outer surface of said rim portion.
10. A sealable lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein said lower rim portion has an inner surface opposite said outer surface, and said strip means is attached to said inner surface.
11. A sealable lid assembly according to claim 10, wherein said strip means comprises a first strip of pressure sensitive adhesive tape having a first portion adhered to said inner surface of said lower rim portion, and a second strip of heat shrinkable material adhered to a second portion of said first strip.
12. A sealable lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein said strip means has an inner diameter which is greater than an outer diameter of said rim portion at a lower portion thereof, whereby said lid assembly is stackable with respect to like lid assemblies.
13. A sealable lid assembly according to claim 3, wherein said second strip is formed of a heat shrinkable polymer selected from the group including Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol Modified and Polyvinyl Chloride.
14. A sealable lid assembly according to claim 11, wherein said second strip is formed of a heat shrinkable polymer selected from the group including Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol Modified and Polyvinyl Chloride.
15. A sealable lid assembly according to claim 5, wherein said tear strip tape is formed of Tensilized Polypropylene.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US27729188A | 1988-11-29 | 1988-11-29 | |
| US277,291 | 1988-11-29 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2004052A1 true CA2004052A1 (en) | 1990-05-29 |
Family
ID=23060217
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002004052A Abandoned CA2004052A1 (en) | 1988-11-29 | 1989-11-28 | Seal system and method for containers |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH02180161A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2004052A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2225314B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019090190A1 (en) * | 2017-11-03 | 2019-05-09 | Liss Jonathan L | Smoke detection material, method, apparatus and kit |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6123103A (en) * | 1999-07-29 | 2000-09-26 | National Coupling Company, Inc. | Pressure balanced coupling with split body |
| US7004341B2 (en) * | 2002-01-07 | 2006-02-28 | Crown Cork & Seal Technologies, Corporation | Tamper evident composite closure with threadless securement |
| GB2545672A (en) * | 2015-12-21 | 2017-06-28 | Threadless Closures Ltd | Method of forming a closure |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3873018A (en) * | 1973-02-20 | 1975-03-25 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Easily rupturable band of tape |
| US4009793A (en) * | 1974-07-12 | 1977-03-01 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Tamper-proof closure seal |
| US3997056A (en) * | 1975-05-08 | 1976-12-14 | Owens-Illinois, Inc. | Tamper-proof closure for a container |
| US4046306A (en) * | 1976-01-02 | 1977-09-06 | The Continental Group, Inc. | Composite end panel for can or similar container |
| GB2062593B (en) * | 1979-10-22 | 1984-06-20 | Ethyl Prod | Tamperproof closure |
| GB8319444D0 (en) * | 1983-07-19 | 1983-08-17 | Nat Plastics Ltd | Container closure |
| US4813559A (en) * | 1988-03-17 | 1989-03-21 | General Foods Corporation | Tamper-evident container |
| US4782976A (en) * | 1988-04-07 | 1988-11-08 | General Foods Corporation | Tamper-evident canister, lid and shrink band assembly |
-
1989
- 1989-11-24 GB GB8926658A patent/GB2225314B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-11-28 JP JP1308858A patent/JPH02180161A/en active Pending
- 1989-11-28 CA CA002004052A patent/CA2004052A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019090190A1 (en) * | 2017-11-03 | 2019-05-09 | Liss Jonathan L | Smoke detection material, method, apparatus and kit |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8926658D0 (en) | 1990-01-17 |
| JPH02180161A (en) | 1990-07-13 |
| GB2225314A (en) | 1990-05-30 |
| GB2225314B (en) | 1993-04-21 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Dead |