EP1539592A4 - Method of inserting a barrier liner into a closure - Google Patents
Method of inserting a barrier liner into a closureInfo
- Publication number
- EP1539592A4 EP1539592A4 EP03763513A EP03763513A EP1539592A4 EP 1539592 A4 EP1539592 A4 EP 1539592A4 EP 03763513 A EP03763513 A EP 03763513A EP 03763513 A EP03763513 A EP 03763513A EP 1539592 A4 EP1539592 A4 EP 1539592A4
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- disc
- closure
- top panel
- plunger
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
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
- B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
- B65D41/34—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt
- B65D41/3423—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with flexible tabs, or elements rotated from a non-engaging to an engaging position, formed on the tamper element or in the closure skirt
- B65D41/3428—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with flexible tabs, or elements rotated from a non-engaging to an engaging position, formed on the tamper element or in the closure skirt the tamper element being integrally connected to the closure by means of bridges
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D51/00—Making hollow objects
- B21D51/16—Making hollow objects characterised by the use of the objects
- B21D51/38—Making inlet or outlet arrangements of cans, tins, baths, bottles, or other vessels; Making can ends; Making closures
- B21D51/44—Making closures, e.g. caps
- B21D51/46—Placing sealings or sealing material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C43/00—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor
- B29C43/02—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor of articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
- B29C43/18—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor of articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. compression moulding around inserts or for coating articles
-
- 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
- B65D53/00—Sealing or packing elements; Sealings formed by liquid or plastics material
- B65D53/04—Discs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C43/00—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor
- B29C43/32—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C43/36—Moulds for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
- B29C2043/3602—Moulds for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles with means for positioning, fastening or clamping the material to be formed or preforms inside the mould
- B29C2043/3605—Moulds for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles with means for positioning, fastening or clamping the material to be formed or preforms inside the mould vacuum
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49945—Assembling or joining by driven force fit
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
- Y10T29/53313—Means to interrelatedly feed plural work parts from plural sources without manual intervention
- Y10T29/53322—Means to assemble container
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
- Y10T29/53443—Means to assemble or disassemble container and fluid component
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a closure having a disc or liner, such as a barrier disc.
- the closure formed thereby has particular application for sealing containers for gas-sensitive product, such as oxygen-sensitive products.
- closures as heretofore used in the packaging of carbonated soft drinks, are not sufficiently oxygen-impermeable to permit their use in the packaging of beer and other malt beverage products, and other oxygen-sensitive products, when such products must undergo a normal shelf life between packaging and opening for consumption.
- barrier discs in closures are necessity of achieving highly reliable positioning of the disc within the closure, particularly, in a relatively high-speed closure manufacturing process. This problem is potentially compounded in situations where the barrier disc is to be placed in unlined closures having other moulded structures therein adapted to provide sealing of the container on application of the closure.
- the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for positioning a disc, such as a barrier disc, into a closure otherwise suitable for sealing a container, in particular, a container for a pressurised product.
- the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for positioning a disc, such as a barrier disc, in a closure.
- the invention relates to a method and apparatus for positioning a disc in a self-sealing moulded plastic closure having a sealing fin arrangement for providing a seal when the closure is appropriately applied to a finish of a container.
- the present application is directed to a first invention comprising a method of forming a closure for application to a container comprising the steps of:
- the closure can further have an annular sealing fin extending. inwardly and downwardly from an interior of the closure and being integrally formed with the top panel, the sealing fin being adapted to engage a rim of a container and be folded into a sealing arrangement with the rim and at least a side of the finish of the container when the closure is secured to the container.
- the method can also further comprise the following step: (d) applying a fluid pressure to the disc such that the entire disc is forced into a position at least adjacent the top panel.
- the present application is directed to a second invention comprising a method of forming a closure for application to a container comprising the steps of:
- a closure having a top panel, a skirt depending from the top panel, and an annular sealing fin extending inwardly and downwardly from an interior of the closure and being integrally formed with the top panel, the sealing fin being adapted to engage a rim of a container and be folded into a sealing arrangement with the rim and at least a side of the finish of the container when the closure is secured to the container;
- step (b) can comprise a step of cutting or punching a disc from a sheet or feedstock of disc material.
- the step of cutting or punching the disc can occur while the sheet or feedstock is positioned adjacent a closure.
- a cutter such as an annular or circular cutter, is preferably used to form a circular disc for pressing into the closure.
- the step of pressing the disc relatively into said closure can be performed at least essentially concurrently with the cutting or punching step.
- pre-cut discs can be utilised and positioned ready for insertion into the closure in step (c).
- steps (b) and (c) are performed with the closure in an insertion station positioned beneath the sheet or feedstock of disc material, or the pre-cut disc, with the disc being moved relatively downwardly into the closure in the process.
- the insertion station can be positioned above the sheet or feedstock of disc material, or the pre-cut disc, with the disc being moved relatively upwardly into the closure in the process.
- the insertion station can be positioned beside the sheet or feedstock of disc material, or the pre-cut disc, with the disc being moved sidewardly into the closure in the process.
- the step of pressing the disc into the closure in step (c) is preferably performed using a tool having a plunger.
- the plunger is preferably adapted to move, preferably relatively downwardly, in operation and has a disc abutment surface.
- the plunger can be in the form of a cylindrical tube having an outer and an inner surface and an annular disc abutment surface, the inner surface defining a lumen.
- a pin can extend through the lumen of the plunger and also has an outer surface and a disc abutment surface.
- the outer surface of the pin is preferably also cylindrical.
- the lumen can act as a fluid flow passage as defined below.
- the construction of the tool is preferably such that fluid flow can occur through the tool between the outer surface of the pin and the inner surface of the plunger. In one embodiment, air flow can occur between these two surfaces. Where no pin is present, fluid flow can occur through the lumen of the plunger.
- fluid preferably air
- fluid can preferably be drawn through the tool. Where the pin is present, fluid can be drawn between the pin and plunger so as to form a region of relatively low pressure between the disc and the disc abutment surface of the pin and/or plunger. Where no pin is present, fluid can be drawn through the lumen to form a region of relatively low pressure between the disc and the disc abutment surface. In one embodiment, air is drawn relatively upwardly through the tool. This region of lower pressure serves to hold the disc to the tool as it is pressed into the closure by the plunger.
- the fluid flow through the tool can stop. This can then be followed by a flow of air or other fluid being forced through the tool in an opposite direction to that hitherto. Where the air flow direction had been relatively upwardly, the air flow can now move through the tool relatively downwardly.
- This fluid flow is directed against the disc and preferably serves to force the disc fully into the closure and into abutment with the underside of the top panel.
- the fluid flow preferably serves to force the periphery of the disc past the sealing fin that is extending inwardly and downwardly into the closure.
- the fluid flow can be between the pin and the plunger. Where no pin is present, the fluid flow can be through the lumen of the plunger.
- the present application is directed to a third invention comprising an apparatus for positioning a disc in a closure, wherein the closure has a top panel and a skirt depending from the top panel, the apparatus comprising:
- the closure can have an annular sealing fin extending inwardly and downwardly from an interior of the closure and being integrally formed with the top panel, the sealing fin being adapted to engage a rim of a container and be folded into a sealing arrangement with the rim and at least a side of the finish of the container when the closure is secured to the container.
- the apparatus can further have a fluid flow passage through which fluid travels to apply fluid pressure to the disc and force the entire disc past the sealing fin and into a position at least adjacent the top panel.
- the present application is directed to a fourth invention comprising an apparatus for positioning a disc in a closure, wherein the closure has a top panel, a skirt depending from the top panel, and an annular sealing fin extending inwardly and downwardly from an interior of the closure and being integrally formed with the top panel, the sealing fin being adapted to engage a rim of a container and be folded into a sealing arrangement with the rim and at least a side of the finish of the container when the closure is secured to the container, the apparatus comprising:
- an insertion station for supporting a closure for at least a portion of the disc positioning process; and (b) a tool movable relative to the insertion station to relatively drive a disc into the closure, the tool comprising a plunger for relatively pressing said disc into said closure such that at least a portion of the disc is adjacent the top panel, and a fluid flow passage through which fluid travels to apply fluid pressure to the disc and force the entire disc past the sealing fin and into a position at least adjacent the top panel.
- the closure is preferably positioned within the insertion station beneath the tool.
- the tool preferably moves relatively downwardly in operation, with the tool forcing the disc into the closure.
- the closure is positioned such that the annular skirt extends upwardly from its top panel.
- the tool can further comprise a cutter for cutting a disc from a sheet or feedstock of disc material positioned adjacent the closure when the closure is in its insertion station.
- the cutter is preferably able to cut a circular disc from the sheet or feedstock of disc material.
- the cutter can be annular in form.
- the cutter is preferably positioned so as to cut the sheet or feedstock material immediately outwardly of a disc abutment surface of the plunger.
- the tool is operable such that the cutter and plunger at least initially move, preferably downwardly, together. As such, the disc is preferably immediately moved downwardly by the plunger on the cutter passing through the sheet or feedstock.
- the tool is further adapted such that a stop is provided to prevent further travel of the cutter once it has passed through the sheet or feedstock material.
- the cutter preferably moves upwardly at the end of its down stroke ready for the next cycle.
- the plunger is in the form of a cylindrical tube having an inner and outer surface and the disc abutment surface, the inner surface defining a lumen.
- a pin can extend through the lumen of the tube of the plunger and also preferably has an outer cylindrical surface and a disc abutment surface.
- the pin and the plunger are preferably adapted to move into the closure in concert. Once the disc has been inserted into the closure, the pin and plunger also preferably move together relatively out of the closure. Despite this, it will be appreciated that the pin and plunger could move separately within the tool if required.
- the tool can be provided without a pin in the lumen of the plunger, the lumen providing a fluid flow passage as described below.
- the construction of the tool in the third and fourth aspects is preferably such that the fluid flow passage is provided between the outer surface of the pin and the surface of the lumen of the tubular plunger.
- the fluid flow passage is preferably annular in form. Where no pin is present, fluid flow can occur through the lumen of the plunger.
- the fluid flow passage preferably comprises a passage for air flow.
- the apparatus further preferably comprises an air suction device and/or an air blower device.
- the fluid flow passage is preferably in fluid communication with the air suction device and the air blower device.
- the air suction device and air blower devices can be separate items.
- the air suction device and the air blower device can comprise the same device.
- the apparatus can further comprise a valve for switching the passage from being in fluid communication with the suction device to being in fluid communication with the air blower device and vice versa.
- a compressor can be used to provide air flow through the tool.
- the fluid flow passage is preferably in fluid communication with the suction device. This serves to hold the disc to the disc abutment surface as the plunger is firstly inserting the disc into the closure so bringing at least a portion, such as a central portion, of the disc into a position at least adjacent the underside of the top panel.
- the suction device can be de-activated and the air blower device can be activated to blow air through the fluid flow passage.
- the valve can be activated and so disconnect the passage from the suction device and bring the passage into fluid engagement with the blower device.
- This air flow preferably serves to force the disc, and particularly the periphery thereof past the sealing fin and into a position between the top panel and the sealing fin.
- the apparatus can be adapted to be manually operated as required.
- the plunger and cutter, and pin if present can be mounted to a handle to allow manual control of the operation of these components of the tool.
- the apparatus can be adapted to operate semi-automatically or automatically while ever suitable closures are fed to the insertion station.
- the apparatus can have a control system that senses when no closure is present in the insertion station and so prevents operation of the apparatus.
- the control system can also preferably sense when no sheet or feedstock material for the disc is present for feeding into the apparatus and so prevents operation of the apparatus.
- the sealing fin of the closure can comprise an inner or root portion that extends downwardly from an underside of the top panel of the closure.
- the inner or root portion can, for at least a portion of its length, be also integral with the skirt of the closure.
- the inner or root portion can be positioned radially inwardly from the skirt portion.
- the inner or root portion preferably has an inner surface substantially parallel to the skirt of the closure.
- the sealing fin preferably has a second portion that tapers inwardly and downwardly from the inner or root portion and defines an opening smaller than the diameter of the disc.
- the disc Due to the flexibility of the sealing fin and the fluid pressure exerted on the disc, the disc is able to move past the sealing fin and remain in place between the underside of the top panel and the sealing fin until the closure is applied to the container.
- the second portion On securing of the closure to the container, the second portion is preferably engaged by the rim of the container and folded back towards the inner surface of the inner or root portion to form a seal between with the rim and at least a side of the finish of the container.
- an effective top and side seal is provided between the closure and the finish of the container.
- the step of securing the closure to the container also preferably serves to trap the disc between the upwardly facing surface of the second portion of the sealing fin and the underside of the top panel. In this arrangement, the disc is preferably out of contact with all portions of the container and does not participate in forming a seal between the closure and the container.
- the disc is moulded or fabricated from a polymeric material.
- the disc can be a barrier disc with the disc formed from a polymeric material that preferably has gas barrier properties.
- the polymeric material can be selected from the group comprising ethylene vinyl alcohol (ENOH) and a liquid crystal polymer polyester material (LCP).
- the polymeric material can include an oxygen-scavenging material embedded therein.
- the closure is moulded in a single piece.
- the closure can be moulded from a polymeric material.
- the polymeric material can be selected from a group comprising high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and co-polymers of polyethylene and polypropylene.
- the inner surface of the skirt of the closure can have an inwardly projecting and helically extending continuous or interrupted thread complementary to a thread on the finish of the container.
- the lower, free end of the skirt can be provided with a tamper-indicating band for engagement with a bead or other projection on the finish of a container.
- Figs. 1 a- 1 f depict the steps of one embodiment of the process for inserting a disc or liner in one embodiment of a closure according to the present invention
- Fig. 2 is a plan view of another embodiment of a closure having a liner or disc inserted using the process depicted in Figs, la- If;
- Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
- Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view, showing in cross-section, the closure of Figs. 2 and 3 applied to a finish of a container;
- Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention.
- Figs, la-le The steps of a method and portions of a tool for inserting a disc or liner, such as a barrier disc, within a closure are depicted in Figs, la-le.
- a closure having a disc inserted therein is depicted generally as 40 in the drawings.
- Closure 40 has been moulded prior to the liner insertion process depicted in
- FIG. 5 depicts an alternative apparatus, generally depicted as 70, having an insertion station 71 having a chamber 73 for receiving a closure.
- the insertion station 71 could equally be used in conjunction with the insertion tool 51 depicted in Figs, la-le.
- a sheet of disc material 51 in this case barrier disc material, has been loaded so as to be passed through the tool 50.
- the sheet 51 is stationary.
- the film could be advanced by drive wheels or belts as known in the art.
- tool 50 is depicted as being adapted to cut discs from the sheet 51 of barrier material as part of the insertion process, it will be appreciated that the tool 50 could be modified such that pre-cut discs were delivered to the tool 50 ready for insertion using the process steps as described herein.
- the depicted tool 50 has a disc cutter 52 for cutting a disc from the sheet 51 of disc material during the insertion process.
- the cutter 52 is shaped to cut a circular disc 20 from the sheet 51 having a diameter suitable to allow the disc 20 to be positioned within the closure 40 as is described in more detail below.
- the cutter 52 is positioned so as to cut the sheet 51 immediately radially outwardly of a lower disc abutment surface 54 of a plunger 55.
- the tool 50 is operable such that the cutter 52 and plunger 55 at least initially move downwardly together.
- the disc 20 is immediately moved downwardly by the plunger 55 on the cutter 52 passing through the barrier sheet 51.
- a stop prevents further downward travel of the cutter 52. While the cutter remains depicted at the lower end of its range of travel in Figs, lb-le, it will be appreciated that the cutter 52 will eventually revert to its start position depicted in Fig. la. This could happen prior to the return of the plunger 55 to its start position or concurrently therewith.
- the plunger 55 is in the form of a cylindrical tube having an inner surface 56 and an outer surface 57.
- the tool 50 further comprises a central pin 58 that extends through the lumen of the tube of the plunger 55 and also has an outer cylindrical surface 59 and a lower disc abutment surface 61.
- the pin 58 and the plunger 55 as depicted in Figs, lb-le, are adapted to move downwardly into the closure 40 in concert. Once the disc 20 has been inserted into the closure, the pin 58 and plunger 55 also move relatively upwardly out of the closure 40. Despite this, it will be appreciated that the pin 58 and plunger 55 could move separately within the tool 50 if required.
- the plunger 52 firstly presses the disc 20 into the closure 40 such that at least a central portion of the disc 20 is adjacent the underside of the top panel of the closure 40.
- suction is provided to form a region of relatively low pressure at the disc abutment surface 54 that is sufficient to hold the disc 20 thereto.
- the tool 50 has an annular air flow passage passing at least partially therethrough between the outer surface 59 of the pin 58 and the surface 56 of the lumen of the tubular plunger 55.
- the air flow passage is provided by providing the pin 58 within an outer diameter that is just relatively smaller than the diameter of the plunger 55. It has been determined by the present inventors that a relatively small passage width is sufficient to provide the necessary degree of suction to the disc 20 as it is inserted into the closure during the steps depicted in Figs, lc and Id. This small passage width can be provided by simply ensuring that the pin 58 is able to slide relatively freely within the lumen of the plunger 55.
- the tool 70 also has a cutter 72 and a plunger 75.
- no pin is provided in the lumen 76 of the plunger and instead, the lumen 76 itself acts as a fluid flow passage through the tool.
- the sheet or feedstock 51 of disc material is fed through a slot 74 in the receiving station 71 and is thus appropriately positioned relative to the closure when the closure is present in the chamber 73.
- the periphery 20a of the disc 20 is unable to be fully pressed into the closure 40 by plunger 55.
- the air flow through the passage is changed when the plunger 55 has reached the position depicted in Fig. Id.
- the direction of air flow is changed from travelling in direction A depicted in Fig. lc to direction B depicted in Fig. le.
- the application of air pressure to the disc 20 results in the periphery 20a of the disc moving past the sealing fin 22 with the result that the entire disc 20 is held in the closure 40 between the sealing fin 22 and the underside of the top panel.
- an air suction/air blower device could be used in fluid communication with the passage to provide the airflow as described above.
- a compressor could also be utilised in combination with the apparatus.
- the plunger 55 and the pin 58 can be withdrawn relatively upwardly.
- FIG. 2-4 Another depiction of a closure that can have a liner or disc inserted using the apparatus and method defined herein is provided by Figs. 2-4. These drawings serve to highlight the features of the closure formed using the apparatus and method of the present invention.
- the closure assembly 40 is made up of a generally cup-shaped closure element 12, which is made up of an imperforate top panel 14 with an annular skirt 16 depending downwardly from an edge of the top panel 14.
- the closure assembly 40 also includes, as a separate element, a disc-shaped liner 20 that underlies the underside or inwardly facing side of the top panel 14. In this case, the liner 20 of closure 40 is placed in the closure using the method and apparatus described in association with Figs, la-le.
- the closure element 12 which also has an inwardly projecting helical thread 18 for application to a glass or plastic bottle with an externally projecting helical thread on its neck or finish, is produced by injection or compression moulding from a suitable thermoplastic material, for example, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, low density polyethylene, or copolymers of polyethylene and polypropylene.
- a suitable thermoplastic material for example, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, low density polyethylene, or copolymers of polyethylene and polypropylene.
- the depicted liner 20 is molded or fabricated from a material that has excellent resistance to the passage of gases therethrough, for example, ENOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol) or LCP (liquid crystal polymer), and these materials are especially resistant to the migration of oxygen therethrough.
- ENOH ethylene vinyl alcohol
- LCP liquid crystal polymer
- such liner materials with or without an oxygen scavenger, also inhibit the outflow of CO 2 from a container filled with carbonated soft drinks, and the outflow of ⁇ 2 from plastic containers filled with still drinks, such as sports drinks, which are often pressurized with N to rigidity an otherwise flexible container during shipment and handling.
- a thin layer of a moisture barrier material may, desirably, be provided over an inwardly-facing surface of the liner 20 when it is formed of a moisture-sensitive material, such as EVOH, and such covering layer may also have an oxygen-scavenging material embedded therein.
- the helical thread 18, which is shown as being continuous between its ends, may also be interrupted at various locations along its length, for example, in accordance with the teachings of US Patent 5782369 (Tansey), the disclosure of which is also incorporated by reference herein. In this case, it may also be preferred to provide a complementary formed helical rib on a container with an interrupted thread.
- the closure element 12 has an integrally-molded sealing rib 22 that is molded concentrically with the annular skirt 16.
- the sealing rib 22 has an inner or root portion 24 that extends downwardly from the underside of the top panel 14 of the closure element 12 approximately parallel to the annular skirt 16, and a second portion 26 that extends downwardly from a distal end of the inner portion 24.
- the second portion 26 tapers inwardly and downwardly from the inner portion 24 and has a distal end that defines an opening that is smaller than the diameter of the liner 20.
- a rim or an annular surface 32 of the container 30 engages a free or distal end of the second portion 26 of the sealing rib 22 and forces it back towards the inner portion 24 of the sealing rib 22.
- an outer portion of the second portion 26 of the sealing rib 22 will form a pressure seal against the rim 32 of the container 30, and an inner portion of the second portion 26 of the sealing rib 22 will form a pressure seal against a terminal side portion 34 of the finish of the container 30.
- the closure assembly 40 when the closure assembly 40 is applied to a container 30, there will be an effective top and side seal between the liner 20 of the closure assembly 40 and the container 30, and such a top and side seal is considered to be required for proper sealing of a pressurized container.
- the step of applying the closure assembly 40 to the container 30 will also trap the liner 20 between an upwardly facing surface of the outer portion 26, of the sealing rib 22 and an inwardly facing surface of the top panel 14 of the closure element 12. In this position, the liner 20 will be out of contact with all portions of the container 30, and will not participate in forming a seal between the closure assembly 40 and the container 30.
- the lower, free end of the skirt 16 of the closure element 12 in this embodiment may also be provided with a tamper- indicating band for engagement with a bead or other projection on the finish of a container, as taught, for example, by the aforesaid US Patent Nos 5782369 and 4721221.
- the present invention provides an apparatus and method for inserting a liner within a moulded closure. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
- Labeling Devices (AREA)
- Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2002950194A AU2002950194A0 (en) | 2002-07-15 | 2002-07-15 | Method of inserting a barrier liner into a closure |
AU2002950194 | 2002-07-15 | ||
PCT/AU2003/000906 WO2004007296A2 (en) | 2002-07-15 | 2003-07-11 | Method of inserting a barrier liner into a closure |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1539592A2 EP1539592A2 (en) | 2005-06-15 |
EP1539592A4 true EP1539592A4 (en) | 2005-11-02 |
Family
ID=27809296
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP03763513A Withdrawn EP1539592A4 (en) | 2002-07-15 | 2003-07-11 | Method of inserting a barrier liner into a closure |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060140745A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1539592A4 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2002950194A0 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2493682A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MXPA05000622A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004007296A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1841550B1 (en) * | 2004-12-31 | 2013-05-08 | Dayton Systems Group, Inc. | Method for inserting a seal piece into a container cap |
CN104245531B (en) * | 2012-03-30 | 2015-12-30 | 日本克乐嘉制盖株式会社 | The manufacture method of lid |
WO2015179514A1 (en) * | 2014-05-21 | 2015-11-26 | Silgan Containers Llc | Method and apparatus for providing metal container with lining |
CN106180464A (en) * | 2016-07-28 | 2016-12-07 | 苏州华源包装股份有限公司 | The technique that a kind of whole raw material punching press carries out filling out lid |
CN106077350A (en) * | 2016-07-29 | 2016-11-09 | 苏州华源包装股份有限公司 | A kind of technique of compound disk in inner cap |
CN106077348A (en) * | 2016-07-29 | 2016-11-09 | 苏州华源包装股份有限公司 | A kind of whole raw material punching press carries out filling out the structure of lid |
CN106077352A (en) * | 2016-07-29 | 2016-11-09 | 苏州华源包装股份有限公司 | A kind of structure filling in disk in inner cap |
CN106077351A (en) * | 2016-07-29 | 2016-11-09 | 苏州华源包装股份有限公司 | The mounting structure of compound disk in a kind of inner cap |
CN106077349A (en) * | 2016-07-29 | 2016-11-09 | 苏州华源包装股份有限公司 | A kind of structure of compound disk in inner cap |
SE543911C2 (en) * | 2020-01-14 | 2021-09-21 | A & R Carton Lund Ab | An expansible press plunger, an attachment unit for attaching a container element in a container body and a method for attaching a container element in a container body |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3959061A (en) * | 1974-10-24 | 1976-05-25 | Kraftco Corporation | Apparatus and method for inserting membrane into container lids |
US4230028A (en) * | 1978-11-22 | 1980-10-28 | Knudsen David S | Machine for installing inserts in container lids |
AU560751B2 (en) * | 1981-07-24 | 1987-04-16 | H-C Industries Inc. | Plastic bottle closure |
US4685580A (en) * | 1986-04-18 | 1987-08-11 | Tbl Development Corporation | Anti-panelling container closure |
US4728239A (en) * | 1986-10-17 | 1988-03-01 | Top Seal Corporation | Cap lining machine |
US5638972A (en) * | 1988-06-17 | 1997-06-17 | Druitt; Rodney Malcolm | Linerless closure for carbonated beverage container |
DE3839351A1 (en) * | 1988-11-22 | 1990-05-31 | Berg Jacob Gmbh Co Kg | SCREW CAP FOR BOTTLES WITH VENTILATION DEVICE |
IL110654A (en) * | 1993-08-19 | 1997-11-20 | Precision Valve Australia | Linerless closure for container |
US5997684A (en) * | 1997-10-31 | 1999-12-07 | Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. | Method and apparatus for assembling a sealing liner to a plastic closure |
US6874648B2 (en) * | 2001-09-21 | 2005-04-05 | Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. | Closure with gas-barrier liner and package incorporating same |
-
2002
- 2002-07-15 AU AU2002950194A patent/AU2002950194A0/en not_active Abandoned
-
2003
- 2003-07-11 US US10/521,362 patent/US20060140745A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-07-11 WO PCT/AU2003/000906 patent/WO2004007296A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-07-11 MX MXPA05000622A patent/MXPA05000622A/en unknown
- 2003-07-11 CA CA002493682A patent/CA2493682A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-07-11 EP EP03763513A patent/EP1539592A4/en not_active Withdrawn
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
No further relevant documents disclosed * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2004007296A2 (en) | 2004-01-22 |
WO2004007296A3 (en) | 2004-03-25 |
EP1539592A2 (en) | 2005-06-15 |
US20060140745A1 (en) | 2006-06-29 |
AU2002950194A0 (en) | 2002-09-12 |
MXPA05000622A (en) | 2005-11-04 |
CA2493682A1 (en) | 2004-01-22 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1295804B1 (en) | Closure with gas-barrier liner | |
NL2003133C2 (en) | Tapping apparatus and compressible bottle therefore, and a preform for forming such container. | |
US7588155B2 (en) | Beverage container closure | |
US20070125785A1 (en) | Closure for a Retort Processed Container Having a Peelable Seal | |
US20080105685A1 (en) | Method for creating a seal gasket at the top of a container closure cap, and a cap comprising said gasket | |
US20060140745A1 (en) | Method of inserting a barrier line into a closure | |
US20090261057A1 (en) | Closure with Barrier Liner | |
US7431168B2 (en) | Closure for a retort processed container having a peelable seal | |
EP1100726B1 (en) | Spout assembly for liquid container | |
US7097790B2 (en) | Method of producing a container closure | |
US20040065977A1 (en) | Closure device and container equipped with same | |
US6435383B1 (en) | Spout assembly for liquid container | |
WO2010099566A1 (en) | A sealing member for a closure | |
WO1999046176A1 (en) | Plastic closure liners and closures containing liners | |
AU2022352773A1 (en) | Threaded container components having frustum shaped surfaces enabling nesting | |
JPS6228351A (en) | Closure for vessel and manufacture thereof | |
WO1996041751A1 (en) | Closure | |
US20060086687A1 (en) | Plastic container having crimp-on, pry-off crown finish | |
AU6551899A (en) | Method for washing container | |
EP1518793A1 (en) | Container closure | |
AU4624001A (en) | Twist cap |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL LT LV MK |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20050207 |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: DRUITT, RODNEY MALCOLM Owner name: CLOSURES AND PACKAGING SERVICES (UK) LIMITED |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: CLOSURES AND PACKAGING SERVICES (UK) LIMITED |
|
A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 20050916 |
|
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: 7B 65D 41/04 B Ipc: 7B 21D 51/46 B Ipc: 7B 29C 43/18 A |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN |
|
18W | Application withdrawn |
Effective date: 20051122 |