CA2373390C - Locking helical closure system - Google Patents
Locking helical closure system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2373390C CA2373390C CA002373390A CA2373390A CA2373390C CA 2373390 C CA2373390 C CA 2373390C CA 002373390 A CA002373390 A CA 002373390A CA 2373390 A CA2373390 A CA 2373390A CA 2373390 C CA2373390 C CA 2373390C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- container
- cap
- finish
- lugs
- liner
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
- B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
- B65D41/0435—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with separate sealing elements
- B65D41/045—Discs
-
- 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
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
- B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
- B65D41/06—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with bayonet cams, i.e. removed by first pushing axially to disengage the cams and then rotating
-
- 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
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
- B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
- B65D41/08—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation engaging a threaded ring clamped on the external periphery of the neck or wall
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Abstract
A locking helical closure system (10) for containers consisting of three components. The three components are a closure cap (13), a neck finish (11), and a liner or stopper (12) made of an elastic material. The closure system has en-gagement lugs (14) that engage helical grooves (15) and pockets on the neck finish preventing the closure cap from unwinding during the ster-ilization process.
Description
LOCKING HELICAL CLOSURE SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present application is generally directed to container closure systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to improvements in container closure systems which are used for products which require autoclave sterilization processing. In these applications, it is important that the integrity of the sleeve be maintained. It has been found that in conventional systems due to the temperature variations of the process, in some instances thermal creep in the materials during autoclaving, which in prior art closures, caused a loosening effect producing in some instances breach of the seal.
Maintaining a tight seal during the autoclaving process is important to io maintain the integrity of the product. The present invention provides a closure system characterized by novel features of construction and arrangement ensuring a tight seal during autoclaving processes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present application is generally directed to container closure systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to improvements in container closure systems which are used for products which require autoclave sterilization processing. In these applications, it is important that the integrity of the sleeve be maintained. It has been found that in conventional systems due to the temperature variations of the process, in some instances thermal creep in the materials during autoclaving, which in prior art closures, caused a loosening effect producing in some instances breach of the seal.
Maintaining a tight seal during the autoclaving process is important to io maintain the integrity of the product. The present invention provides a closure system characterized by novel features of construction and arrangement ensuring a tight seal during autoclaving processes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a closure system particularly characterized by features which make it particularly useful in autoclaving processes. To this end, the closure system comprises a sleeve-like insert which may be press fitted on the neck finish of a container having a spiral configuration terminating in a locking portion and a cap having lugs which engage in the slot and lock a liner in place in a sealed condition on the container.
The present invention provides a closure system particularly characterized by features which make it particularly useful in autoclaving processes. To this end, the closure system comprises a sleeve-like insert which may be press fitted on the neck finish of a container having a spiral configuration terminating in a locking portion and a cap having lugs which engage in the slot and lock a liner in place in a sealed condition on the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other obj ects of the present invention and various features and details of the operation and construction thereof are hereinafter more fully set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view partly in section of the locking helical closure system of the present invention installed on a container with closure cap cut away;
Fig. 1 a is a top plan view of he cap broken away and neck finish sleeve of the locking helical closure system;
Fig. 2 more clearly illustrates the neck finish fitted onto the neck of a container;
Fig. 3 is an isolated, cut away view of the closure cap showing engagement lugs and force focusing means;
Fig. 3a is a bottom plan view of the cap of the closure system;
Fig. 4 is an isolated view of the neck finish showing helical slots, retention bumps, and pocket;
Fig. 4a is a top plan view of the neck finish sleeve;
Fig. 5 is a developed view of both the cap and neck finish sleeve;
and Fig. 6 is a developed view showing the engagement of the cap over the neck finish sleeve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the locking helical closure system (10) shown installed on a container (30) in Fig. 1 is designed to resist "unscrewing" during the autoclave sterilization process. Due to thermal creep of the materials involved, prior art closures become loosened causing the threaded closure to back off thereby breaching the seal rendering the container contents unusable.
Referring to Fig. 1, the closure system (10) of the present invention is comprised of three components; a cylindrically shaped neck finish sleeve (11), a liner disk or stopper (12) generally made of an elastic material sealing the contents of the container, and a cup shaped closure cap (13) shown cut away in Fig. 1. The neck finish sleeve (11) and the closure cap (13), shown in the engaged position in Fig. 1, interact cooperatively to prevent the closure system (10) from backing off during the sterilization process while closure cap (13) simultaneously applies a downward force to liner disk or stopper (12).
As best shown in the developed view of the insert sleeve (11), there are three helical grooves (15) formed on the exterior surface of the insert sleeve (11) having an entrance opening (15a) of a size to accommodate the lugs (14) and terminating in a locking slot (16) disposed in a transverse plane (P-P) perpendicular to the axis of the insert sleeve.
The parts of the locking system are assembled in the following manner. First the sleeve (11) is press fitted on the neck of the container until the bottom edge (11 a) of the sleeves (11) abuts the circumferentially extending rib (R) separating the bottle finish and the body portion of the container. The liner seal (12) is then positioned over the discharge edge end of the container in the position shown in Fig. 1. The liner (12) is of a diameter smaller than the diameter of the sleeve (11) so that when the cap is positioned over the liner, the lugs (14) can align with and engage in the entrance end of the helical slots (15). Rotation of the cap in a clockwise direction seats the cap and locks the cap in place when the lugs (14) pass over the retention bumps (17) and engage in the locking slots (16).
In Fig. 2, neck finish (11) is shown installed on neck (31) of container (30). Neck finish (11) is force fitted onto neck (31) of container (30) so as to prevent neck finish (11) from rotating during the application of closure cap (13). Closure cap (13) shown in an isolated cut away view in Fig. 3 more clearly illustrate its salient features. Engagement lugs (14) at the open end of closure cap (13) and force focusing means (18) at the closed end of closure cap (13) act cooperatively to secure liner or stopper (12) on to container (30). Fig. 4 is an isolated view of neck finish (11) showing helical slots 15 that spiral downward, pocket 16 that hold engagement lugs (14) and indicate when closure cap (13) is fully secured on container (30), and retention bumps (17) that prevent closure cap (13) from counter-rotating during the sterilization process.
To secure contents of container (30), neck finish (11) force fitted on neck (31) of container (30). Liner or stopper (12) is placed on top of container (30) or alternatively, is placed within closure cap (13) which is then placed over neck finish (11) such that engagement lugs (14) align with helical slots 15. To secure liner or stopper (12) on container (30), closure cap (13) is rotated pulling it downward along helical slots 15 simultaneously compressing liner or stopper (12) through force focusing means (18). A slightly increased forced rotation of closure cap (13) is required to move engagement lugs (14) over retention bumps (17) and into pocket 16.
To remove liner or stopper (12) and open container (30), sufficient force must be provided to closure cap (13) in a counter-rotating direction for engagement lugs (14) to overcome retention bumps (17). Past the retention bumps (17), engagement lugs (14) unwind along helical slots 15 releasing closure cap (13) and liner or stopper (12) making contents of container (30) available.
Even though particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not intended to limit the invention and changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the following claims.
These and other obj ects of the present invention and various features and details of the operation and construction thereof are hereinafter more fully set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view partly in section of the locking helical closure system of the present invention installed on a container with closure cap cut away;
Fig. 1 a is a top plan view of he cap broken away and neck finish sleeve of the locking helical closure system;
Fig. 2 more clearly illustrates the neck finish fitted onto the neck of a container;
Fig. 3 is an isolated, cut away view of the closure cap showing engagement lugs and force focusing means;
Fig. 3a is a bottom plan view of the cap of the closure system;
Fig. 4 is an isolated view of the neck finish showing helical slots, retention bumps, and pocket;
Fig. 4a is a top plan view of the neck finish sleeve;
Fig. 5 is a developed view of both the cap and neck finish sleeve;
and Fig. 6 is a developed view showing the engagement of the cap over the neck finish sleeve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the locking helical closure system (10) shown installed on a container (30) in Fig. 1 is designed to resist "unscrewing" during the autoclave sterilization process. Due to thermal creep of the materials involved, prior art closures become loosened causing the threaded closure to back off thereby breaching the seal rendering the container contents unusable.
Referring to Fig. 1, the closure system (10) of the present invention is comprised of three components; a cylindrically shaped neck finish sleeve (11), a liner disk or stopper (12) generally made of an elastic material sealing the contents of the container, and a cup shaped closure cap (13) shown cut away in Fig. 1. The neck finish sleeve (11) and the closure cap (13), shown in the engaged position in Fig. 1, interact cooperatively to prevent the closure system (10) from backing off during the sterilization process while closure cap (13) simultaneously applies a downward force to liner disk or stopper (12).
As best shown in the developed view of the insert sleeve (11), there are three helical grooves (15) formed on the exterior surface of the insert sleeve (11) having an entrance opening (15a) of a size to accommodate the lugs (14) and terminating in a locking slot (16) disposed in a transverse plane (P-P) perpendicular to the axis of the insert sleeve.
The parts of the locking system are assembled in the following manner. First the sleeve (11) is press fitted on the neck of the container until the bottom edge (11 a) of the sleeves (11) abuts the circumferentially extending rib (R) separating the bottle finish and the body portion of the container. The liner seal (12) is then positioned over the discharge edge end of the container in the position shown in Fig. 1. The liner (12) is of a diameter smaller than the diameter of the sleeve (11) so that when the cap is positioned over the liner, the lugs (14) can align with and engage in the entrance end of the helical slots (15). Rotation of the cap in a clockwise direction seats the cap and locks the cap in place when the lugs (14) pass over the retention bumps (17) and engage in the locking slots (16).
In Fig. 2, neck finish (11) is shown installed on neck (31) of container (30). Neck finish (11) is force fitted onto neck (31) of container (30) so as to prevent neck finish (11) from rotating during the application of closure cap (13). Closure cap (13) shown in an isolated cut away view in Fig. 3 more clearly illustrate its salient features. Engagement lugs (14) at the open end of closure cap (13) and force focusing means (18) at the closed end of closure cap (13) act cooperatively to secure liner or stopper (12) on to container (30). Fig. 4 is an isolated view of neck finish (11) showing helical slots 15 that spiral downward, pocket 16 that hold engagement lugs (14) and indicate when closure cap (13) is fully secured on container (30), and retention bumps (17) that prevent closure cap (13) from counter-rotating during the sterilization process.
To secure contents of container (30), neck finish (11) force fitted on neck (31) of container (30). Liner or stopper (12) is placed on top of container (30) or alternatively, is placed within closure cap (13) which is then placed over neck finish (11) such that engagement lugs (14) align with helical slots 15. To secure liner or stopper (12) on container (30), closure cap (13) is rotated pulling it downward along helical slots 15 simultaneously compressing liner or stopper (12) through force focusing means (18). A slightly increased forced rotation of closure cap (13) is required to move engagement lugs (14) over retention bumps (17) and into pocket 16.
To remove liner or stopper (12) and open container (30), sufficient force must be provided to closure cap (13) in a counter-rotating direction for engagement lugs (14) to overcome retention bumps (17). Past the retention bumps (17), engagement lugs (14) unwind along helical slots 15 releasing closure cap (13) and liner or stopper (12) making contents of container (30) available.
Even though particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not intended to limit the invention and changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the following claims.
Claims (2)
1. A closure assembly for a container having a generally cylindrical neck comprising a neck finish having a series of circumferentially spaced helical grooves defined in an exterior surface of the neck finish, each of the grooves terminating adjacent a lower end of the finish in an elongated locking slot extending transversely to the container finish, a downwardly depending projection at an entrance to said slot defining a stop, a cap of a cup-shaped form having a top and a depending skirt, a series of circumferentially spaced radially inwardly directed lugs projecting inwardly from a lower edge of the skirt and circumferentially equi-spaced to align with said helical grooves whereby when the cap is rotated relative to the container, the lugs traverse the grooves and engage in a bottom of the locking slot to hold the cap on the container, a resilient seal liner pressed against an axial end face of a bottle finish by a circumferential depending continuous rib on an inside surface of the cap adjacent the skirt engaging the liner and biasing the cap upwardly to seat said lugs in said grooves when the lugs are engaged in the locking slots.
2. A closure assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameter of the liner is slightly less than the diameter of a circular trace of a circle through an inner edge of the helical grooves in the exterior surface of the neck finish of the container.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US18746099P | 1999-05-13 | 1999-05-13 | |
| US60/187,460 | 1999-05-13 | ||
| PCT/US2000/012861 WO2000069740A1 (en) | 1999-05-13 | 2000-05-11 | Locking helical closure system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2373390A1 CA2373390A1 (en) | 2000-11-23 |
| CA2373390C true CA2373390C (en) | 2008-01-08 |
Family
ID=22689091
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002373390A Expired - Lifetime CA2373390C (en) | 1999-05-13 | 2000-05-11 | Locking helical closure system |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN1122621C (en) |
| AU (1) | AU769799B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2373390C (en) |
| MX (1) | MXPA01011498A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2000069740A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11970312B2 (en) * | 2017-11-30 | 2024-04-30 | Haleon Us Holdings Llc | Container cap with a liner retention structure |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA2428971A1 (en) * | 2000-11-14 | 2003-05-01 | New River Pharmaceuticals Inc. | Conjugates of a therapeutic agent and a peptide carrier |
| GB0414065D0 (en) * | 2004-06-23 | 2004-07-28 | Dubois Ltd | Packaging article |
| CA2571802A1 (en) * | 2004-06-23 | 2006-01-05 | Dubois Limited | Beverage container |
| ES2683625T3 (en) * | 2014-03-17 | 2018-09-27 | Fitson Singapore Pte Ltd. | Closure and bottle that incorporates it |
| BR102016011733A2 (en) * | 2016-05-23 | 2016-11-29 | Edilberto Acacio Da Silva | quick opening and closing system for packaging lids |
| GB201809831D0 (en) * | 2018-06-15 | 2018-08-01 | Douwe Egberts Bv | Container lids and methods of manufacturing the same |
| CN108836873A (en) * | 2018-08-16 | 2018-11-20 | 汪仁高 | A kind of container closure arrangement and the feeding bottle using the enclosed construction |
| FR3088114B1 (en) * | 2018-11-06 | 2020-10-16 | Sc2N Sa | PRESSURE SENSOR WITH HOLDING MEDIA |
| FR3105184B1 (en) * | 2019-12-20 | 2021-11-12 | Abc Transfer | REINFORCED WATERPROOF CONTAINER |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1226087A (en) | 1959-05-29 | 1960-07-08 | Capping system for bottles and other containers | |
| US3927783A (en) | 1974-01-28 | 1975-12-23 | Clayton Bogert | Safety closure for containers |
| FR2471926B1 (en) * | 1979-12-20 | 1986-03-21 | Moulage Specialise Atel | CAPPING DEVICE FOR BOTTLE |
| US4473170A (en) * | 1983-08-05 | 1984-09-25 | Ciancimino Jack J | Garbage pail and lid arrangement |
| US4682700A (en) * | 1986-08-21 | 1987-07-28 | Sunbeam Plastics Corporation | Safety closure and container package |
| US5466020A (en) * | 1994-12-30 | 1995-11-14 | Valleylab Inc. | Bayonet connector for surgical handpiece |
| ATE221494T1 (en) * | 1995-12-08 | 2002-08-15 | Beeson & Sons Ltd | CONTAINER CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT WITH PROFILED SCREW THREADS |
-
2000
- 2000-05-11 CN CN 00809100 patent/CN1122621C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-05-11 CA CA002373390A patent/CA2373390C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-05-11 AU AU48384/00A patent/AU769799B2/en not_active Expired
- 2000-05-11 MX MXPA01011498A patent/MXPA01011498A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-05-11 WO PCT/US2000/012861 patent/WO2000069740A1/en active IP Right Grant
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11970312B2 (en) * | 2017-11-30 | 2024-04-30 | Haleon Us Holdings Llc | Container cap with a liner retention structure |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU769799B2 (en) | 2004-02-05 |
| MXPA01011498A (en) | 2002-06-04 |
| CN1122621C (en) | 2003-10-01 |
| CA2373390A1 (en) | 2000-11-23 |
| AU4838400A (en) | 2000-12-05 |
| WO2000069740A1 (en) | 2000-11-23 |
| CN1356951A (en) | 2002-07-03 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request |