EP0889835B1 - Cap for a container - Google Patents

Cap for a container Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0889835B1
EP0889835B1 EP97906305A EP97906305A EP0889835B1 EP 0889835 B1 EP0889835 B1 EP 0889835B1 EP 97906305 A EP97906305 A EP 97906305A EP 97906305 A EP97906305 A EP 97906305A EP 0889835 B1 EP0889835 B1 EP 0889835B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cap
container
sealing member
rim
projection
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
Application number
EP97906305A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0889835A1 (en
Inventor
Karl Lawson Mardon Mondszein (Sutton) Limited
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Amcor Packaging UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Lawson Mardon Sutton Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lawson Mardon Sutton Ltd filed Critical Lawson Mardon Sutton Ltd
Publication of EP0889835A1 publication Critical patent/EP0889835A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0889835B1 publication Critical patent/EP0889835B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B65D41/0407—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means
    • B65D41/0428—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means formed by a collar, flange, rib or the like contacting the top rim or the top edges or the external surface of a container neck
    • 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
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
    • B65D51/20—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing
    • 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
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
    • B65D2251/0015—Upper closure of the 41-type
    • 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
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
    • B65D2251/0093—Membrane

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cap for a container and is concerned with providing an improved seal between the cap and a container, especially for containing hygroscopic materials.
  • One particular use is for a container of tea, or coffee to permit resealing of the container, with exclusion of water vapour.
  • the invention is applicable to the type of cap in which there is means for effecting rotary disengagement with the container, usually by means of screw threads, but also, for example, by a bayonet fitting.
  • GB-2123392 One example of a prior art cap is disclosed in GB-2123392.
  • This cap has an annular projection of triangular cross-section and, initially a frangible sealing membrane is weakly adhered in the top of the cap across the projection and other flat-topped projections.
  • the opposite side of the membrane carries an adhesive which strongly adheres to the rim of a glass jar when the cap is secured on the jar. The cap can then be removed, the membrane broken and the jar resealed by engagement of the annular projection with the container rim.
  • a cap for a coffee jar for example, to have a separate, resilient wad adhered in the cap.
  • the frangible membrane is initially carried by the wad and adheres to the jar, so that, on opening of the jar, the wad separates from the membrane.
  • GB-A-2117360 discloses a cap which has an improved sealing arrangement for taking account of thickness tolerances in a glass jar.
  • This document provides two radially spaced annular seals, dependent from the top of the cap.
  • One of these seals is resiliently flexible and is curved, so that a convex face of the seal engages with the jar rim.
  • the provision of two seals improves the probability of good overall sealing.
  • the design however is not suitable for supporting a frangible membrane and sealing is still unreliable, especially with glass containers.
  • EP-A-0568288 discloses an arrangement in which a single annular projection is provided to seal with the jar rim.
  • a stop ring is provided to limit the flexing movement of the annular projection. This permits the projection to be clamped, in use, between the stop and the top of the rim of a jar. This construction is also unsuitable for mounting of a sealing membrane in the cap.
  • US-A-4531649 discloses a cap in which a sealing membrane has an adhesive on one side, for adherence to a container rim, and a soft layer on the opposite side, which is penetrated by fins on the inside surface of the top of the cap, to hold the membrane in the cap. The fins seal with the container when the membrane is broken.
  • US-A-5176271 discloses a cap in which a peelable membrane is held between an annular flange and the top of the cap, the membrane carrying pressure adhesive for adhering the membrane to a container rim, for subsequent removal.
  • a foam wad is held between the membrane and the top of the cap for subsequent resealing of the cap on the container rim.
  • the present invention provides a cap which enables use of a sealing membrane having no adhesive to hold the membrane in the cap. This reduces costs and permits easier handling. In addition a good seal is provided with a container, despite frequent removal of the cap.
  • the present invention provides a cap as claimed in Claim 1.
  • the precharacterising part of Claim 1 is based on US-A-4531649 and the characterising part sets out the distinguishing features of the invention.
  • the cap shown is a one-piece injection moulding of plastics material and has a top 11 and a skirt 12.
  • the skirt has an internal thread, or part threads, 13 for screw-engagement with threads 14 on a container, such as a glass jar 16.
  • the skirt also has an annular, radial inward support flange 17 between the top 11 and the threads 13.
  • the sealing member projects from a location adjacent to the skirt 12 inwardly away from the skirt, but could be radially spaced from the skirt and project towards the skirt.
  • the sealing member is an annular projection, which is elongate in cross-section and curves, so as to present a convex surface 21 to the top of the rim 22 of the jar 16, in use.
  • the curved surface 21 flattens at the free end part of the sealing member and lies generally in a radial plane relative to the skirt 12.
  • a frangible sealing membrane 25 is gripped between the support flange 17 and the free end part of the sealing member 20.
  • the membrane 25 has an adhesive surface opposite to the top 11 of the cap, so that, when the cap is screwed down onto a jar, the membrane adheres to the rim 22 of the jar and is resiliently urged against the rim by the sealing member 20.
  • the support flange 17, is released from the membrane and the sealing member 20 will re-engage with the rim of the jar on reclosure.
  • annular projection 30 of triangular cross-section, integrally formed with the top 11 of the cap.
  • the root of the projection 30 is radially spaced from the root of the sealing member 20, but the inner edge of the projection is located in axial alignment with a portion of the sealing member.
  • the arrangement is such that, when the cap is screwed down on the jar, the sealing member is clamped between the projection 30 and the rim of the jar. This provides a highly effective seal, which does not rely on maintenance of resilience in the sealing member.
  • a sealed chamber 31 is defined between the top 11 of the cap, the projection 30 and the sealing member 20, in the jar-closing position of the cap. This sealed chamber 31 provides resilience, urging the sealing member 20 into sealing engagement with the cap.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a cap for a container and is concerned with providing an improved seal between the cap and a container, especially for containing hygroscopic materials. One particular use is for a container of tea, or coffee to permit resealing of the container, with exclusion of water vapour.
  • The invention is applicable to the type of cap in which there is means for effecting rotary disengagement with the container, usually by means of screw threads, but also, for example, by a bayonet fitting.
  • One example of a prior art cap is disclosed in GB-2123392. This cap has an annular projection of triangular cross-section and, initially a frangible sealing membrane is weakly adhered in the top of the cap across the projection and other flat-topped projections. The opposite side of the membrane carries an adhesive which strongly adheres to the rim of a glass jar when the cap is secured on the jar. The cap can then be removed, the membrane broken and the jar resealed by engagement of the annular projection with the container rim.
  • One disadvantage with this arrangement is that, once the membrane seal is broken, the resealing of the jar is insufficiently effective. Due to variations in manufacture, especially of glass jars, resealing may be poor with resultant deterioration of the contents, such as coffee.
  • It is, therefore, usual for a cap for a coffee jar, for example, to have a separate, resilient wad adhered in the cap. The frangible membrane is initially carried by the wad and adheres to the jar, so that, on opening of the jar, the wad separates from the membrane.
  • This arrangement still does not, however, provide a good seal, once the membrane has been broken, due to undulations in the rim of the jar. Furthermore, this is an expensive addition to a coffee cap.
  • GB-A-2117360 discloses a cap which has an improved sealing arrangement for taking account of thickness tolerances in a glass jar. This document provides two radially spaced annular seals, dependent from the top of the cap. One of these seals is resiliently flexible and is curved, so that a convex face of the seal engages with the jar rim. The provision of two seals improves the probability of good overall sealing. The design, however is not suitable for supporting a frangible membrane and sealing is still unreliable, especially with glass containers.
  • EP-A-0568288 discloses an arrangement in which a single annular projection is provided to seal with the jar rim. In addition, a stop ring is provided to limit the flexing movement of the annular projection. This permits the projection to be clamped, in use, between the stop and the top of the rim of a jar. This construction is also unsuitable for mounting of a sealing membrane in the cap.
  • US-A-4531649 discloses a cap in which a sealing membrane has an adhesive on one side, for adherence to a container rim, and a soft layer on the opposite side, which is penetrated by fins on the inside surface of the top of the cap, to hold the membrane in the cap. The fins seal with the container when the membrane is broken.
  • US-A-5176271 discloses a cap in which a peelable membrane is held between an annular flange and the top of the cap, the membrane carrying pressure adhesive for adhering the membrane to a container rim, for subsequent removal. A foam wad is held between the membrane and the top of the cap for subsequent resealing of the cap on the container rim.
  • The present invention provides a cap which enables use of a sealing membrane having no adhesive to hold the membrane in the cap. This reduces costs and permits easier handling. In addition a good seal is provided with a container, despite frequent removal of the cap.
  • The present invention provides a cap as claimed in Claim 1.
  • The precharacterising part of Claim 1 is based on US-A-4531649 and the characterising part sets out the distinguishing features of the invention.
  • Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, wherein the sole figure is a cross-sectional view of a part of a cap according to the invention.
  • The cap shown is a one-piece injection moulding of plastics material and has a top 11 and a skirt 12. The skirt has an internal thread, or part threads, 13 for screw-engagement with threads 14 on a container, such as a glass jar 16.
  • The skirt also has an annular, radial inward support flange 17 between the top 11 and the threads 13.
  • A sealing member 20, which is an integral part of the cap moulding, projects from the top 11 of the cap. In this embodiment, the sealing member projects from a location adjacent to the skirt 12 inwardly away from the skirt, but could be radially spaced from the skirt and project towards the skirt. The sealing member is an annular projection, which is elongate in cross-section and curves, so as to present a convex surface 21 to the top of the rim 22 of the jar 16, in use. The curved surface 21 flattens at the free end part of the sealing member and lies generally in a radial plane relative to the skirt 12.
  • A frangible sealing membrane 25 is gripped between the support flange 17 and the free end part of the sealing member 20. No weak adhesive, such as wax, need be provided. The membrane 25 has an adhesive surface opposite to the top 11 of the cap, so that, when the cap is screwed down onto a jar, the membrane adheres to the rim 22 of the jar and is resiliently urged against the rim by the sealing member 20. On removal of the cap, the support flange 17, is released from the membrane and the sealing member 20 will re-engage with the rim of the jar on reclosure.
  • There is provided an inwardly extending, annular projection 30 of triangular cross-section, integrally formed with the top 11 of the cap. The root of the projection 30 is radially spaced from the root of the sealing member 20, but the inner edge of the projection is located in axial alignment with a portion of the sealing member.
  • The arrangement is such that, when the cap is screwed down on the jar, the sealing member is clamped between the projection 30 and the rim of the jar. This provides a highly effective seal, which does not rely on maintenance of resilience in the sealing member.
  • A sealed chamber 31 is defined between the top 11 of the cap, the projection 30 and the sealing member 20, in the jar-closing position of the cap. This sealed chamber 31 provides resilience, urging the sealing member 20 into sealing engagement with the cap.

Claims (6)

  1. A cap having a skirt (12) provided with means (13) for effecting rotary disengagement of the cap from a container and rotary reengagement with the container, the cap having an annular sealing member (20) for sealing against the top of a rim of the container, and a sealing membrane (25) held within the cap and having an adhesive surface opposite to the top for sealing to the rim of the container,
       characterised in that the sealing member (20) is elongate in cross-section and curves from the top of the cap, so as to present a convex surface (21) to the rim of a container, in use, the convex surface flattening at the free end part (23) so as to lie in a radial plane of the skirt (12), and circumferential support means (17) projects from the skirt (12), the membrane (25) being held between the flattened free end part (23) of the sealing member and the support means (17).
  2. A cap according to Claim 1 wherein the support means comprises a continuous, circumferential ring (17).
  3. A cap according to Claim 1 or 2 including an annular projection (30) projecting from the top of the cap, and located, so that the sealing member (20) can be clamped between the projection (30) and the rim of a container, in use.
  4. A cap according to Claim 3, wherein a sealed annular chamber is defined between the top of the cap, the projection and the sealing member in the clamped position of the sealing member.
  5. A cap according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the projection is generally of triangular cross-section.
  6. A cap according to any preceding claim, wherein the top, the skirt, the projection and the sealing member are integral parts of a one-piece plastics moulding.
EP97906305A 1996-03-19 1997-03-12 Cap for a container Expired - Lifetime EP0889835B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9605741 1996-03-19
GB9605741A GB2311283A (en) 1996-03-19 1996-03-19 Cap for a container
PCT/GB1997/000668 WO1997034814A1 (en) 1996-03-19 1997-03-12 Cap for a container

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0889835A1 EP0889835A1 (en) 1999-01-13
EP0889835B1 true EP0889835B1 (en) 2001-01-03

Family

ID=10790644

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97906305A Expired - Lifetime EP0889835B1 (en) 1996-03-19 1997-03-12 Cap for a container

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0889835B1 (en)
CA (1) CA2249302A1 (en)
DE (1) DE69703835T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2154894T3 (en)
GB (1) GB2311283A (en)
WO (1) WO1997034814A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1590256A1 (en) * 2002-01-16 2005-11-02 Pairi, Stamatina Plastic closing cap with sealing ring
MY137973A (en) 2003-10-31 2009-04-30 Obrist Closures Switzerland A tamper-evident closure
AU2005256602B2 (en) * 2004-06-23 2010-09-02 Obrist Closures Switzerland Gmbh Wadless closure
GB0608433D0 (en) 2006-04-28 2006-06-07 Obrist Closures Switzerland Closure with RFID device
DE102006035761B4 (en) 2006-08-01 2015-10-01 Fresenius Kabi Deutschland Gmbh Cap for a container filled with a medical fluid and container with a cap
GB2450940B (en) 2007-07-13 2011-11-30 Obrist Closures Switzerland Tamper-evident closure
GB2450939B (en) 2007-07-13 2012-02-01 Obrist Closures Switzerland Tamper-Evident closure
GB0721330D0 (en) 2007-10-31 2007-12-12 Obrist Closures Switzerland Tamper Evident closure
GB0806190D0 (en) 2008-04-04 2008-05-14 Obrist Closures Switzerland A closure
USD630093S1 (en) 2010-06-11 2011-01-04 Obrist Closures Switzerland Gmbh Closure

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3814274A (en) * 1972-04-05 1974-06-04 Mack Wayne Plastics Co Linerless closure for a container
GB1572960A (en) * 1977-12-05 1980-08-06 Metal Closures Group Ltd Closure for containers
US4398645A (en) * 1981-06-29 1983-08-16 Thurston Toeppen Closure for pressurized containers
GB2120219B (en) * 1982-05-17 1985-10-02 Metal Closures Group Plc Closures for containers
GB2123392B (en) * 1982-07-10 1985-11-06 Mardon Illingworth Container sealing devices and method of sealing containers
EP0109631A3 (en) * 1982-11-17 1985-07-31 Walter Wiedmer Thread closure of elastic material for a container
GB8328954D0 (en) * 1983-10-29 1983-11-30 Metal Box Plc One-piece plastics closure
US4531649A (en) * 1984-04-23 1985-07-30 Anchor Hocking Corporation Molded plastic cap with sealing liner
GB8822033D0 (en) * 1988-09-20 1988-10-19 Massmould Holdings Ltd Closures for releasably sealing containers
EP0460813A3 (en) * 1990-05-25 1992-03-11 Tredegar Molded Products Company Threaded closure with integral sealing means
US5320236A (en) * 1992-04-27 1994-06-14 Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. Plastic container package with linerless sealing closure system
CA2069585C (en) * 1992-05-26 1997-03-04 Michel Painchaud Bottle assembly with improved seal

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69703835T2 (en) 2001-05-31
EP0889835A1 (en) 1999-01-13
WO1997034814A1 (en) 1997-09-25
DE69703835D1 (en) 2001-02-08
CA2249302A1 (en) 1997-09-25
ES2154894T3 (en) 2001-04-16
GB9605741D0 (en) 1996-05-22
GB2311283A (en) 1997-09-24

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