EP1867570B1 - Récipient comportant une finition lisse - Google Patents

Récipient comportant une finition lisse Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1867570B1
EP1867570B1 EP07011825A EP07011825A EP1867570B1 EP 1867570 B1 EP1867570 B1 EP 1867570B1 EP 07011825 A EP07011825 A EP 07011825A EP 07011825 A EP07011825 A EP 07011825A EP 1867570 B1 EP1867570 B1 EP 1867570B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lip
container
inwardly projecting
longitudinal axis
radial distance
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP07011825A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1867570A1 (fr
Inventor
Gilles Perez
David W. Cargile
Bob Stoolmaker
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.)
Graham Packaging Co LP
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Graham Packaging Co LP
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Graham Packaging Co LP filed Critical Graham Packaging Co LP
Publication of EP1867570A1 publication Critical patent/EP1867570A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1867570B1 publication Critical patent/EP1867570B1/fr
Not-in-force 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
    • B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/02—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
    • B65D1/0223—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents characterised by shape
    • B65D1/023—Neck construction
    • B65D1/0246—Closure retaining means, e.g. beads, screw-threads
    • 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
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/10—Container closures formed after filling
    • B65D77/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers
    • B65D77/2024—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers the cover being welded or adhered to the container

Definitions

  • Plastic containers such as small polyolefin PET containers, may be used for packaging food, dairy, and other drinkable products. Such containers can be sealed at the opening in the neck using a conventional closure such as a screw-on or push-on lid. Additionally or alternatively, these containers can be thermosealed with a suitable lid, for example a foil lid. A thermosealed lid is designed to be pulled off to allow access to the contents of the container. Once opened, the contents can be, for example, drank directly from the container or, in the case of larger containers, spooned, poured, or grasped from the container.
  • a container defines a longitudinal axis, and comprises a neck, a finish merging with said neck, said finish comprising a first lip, a second lip spaced apart from said first lip in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a curved portion connecting the first lip with said second lip.
  • a method for sealing a container comprises providing a container defining a longitudinal axis and having a neck and a finish merging with said neck, the finish comprising a first lip connected to said neck, a second lip spaced apart from said first lip in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a curved portion connecting said first lip with said second lip; and thermosealing a lid to the container.
  • a finish for a plastic container defining a longitudinal axis comprises a first lip, a second lip spaced apart from said first lip in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a curved portion connecting said first lip with said second lip.
  • a container defining a longitudinal axis comprises an upper portion including a finish, said finish comprising a first lip extending about the longitudinal axis and defining a first inner radial distance from the longitudinal axis, and a second lip interconnected with said first lip, said second lip, said second lip extending about the longitudinal axis and defining a second inner radial distance from the longitudinal axis, said second inner radial distance being larger than said first inner radial distance.
  • the second lip is spaced apart from said fist lip in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.
  • the invention according to one aspect provides a container defining a longitudinal axis the container comprising an upper portion including a finish, said finish comprising an upper inwardly projecting lip extending about the longitudinal axis and defining an inner edge having a first inner radial distance from the longitudinal axis; and a lower inwardly projecting lip interconnected with said upper lip, said lower lip extending about the longitudinal axis and defining a second inner radial distance from the longitudinal axis, said second inner radial distance being smaller than said first inner radial distance; wherein said lower lip is spaced apart from said upper lip in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.
  • the lower lip forms a smooth surface inwardly with respect to the seal between the lid and the inner edge (506).
  • the upper lip includes an outwardly extending circumferential ridge between the inner edge and the lower lip, and the lower lip has a portion of decreasing radial distance leading down away from the circumferential ridge leading to a portion of increasing diameter thereby producing an "S" shaped cross-section.
  • the upper and lower lips, ridge and other structures of the finish described above are formed as inward and outward meanderings of wall of the finish, which is of a generally uniform thickness. Typically this thickness is in the range 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.
  • Another aspect of the invention provides a method of forming a sealed container comprising moulding a container having a sidewall, a base attached to the sidewall at its lower end and an upper portion including; a neck and a finish, wherein the finish comprises: an upper inwardly projecting lip and a lower inwardly projecting lip connecting the neck with the upper inwardly projecting lip; trimming the upper lip to from an axially facing inwardly extending edge, said upper and lower lips together forming a generally "S" shaped structure; wherein the inner diameter of the lower inwardly projecting lip is smaller than the inner diameter of said inwardly extending edge filling the container; and thermosealing a lid onto the axially facing surface of the inwardly extending edge of the upper lip, the pressure of said thermosealing causing an axial collapse of the generally "S" shaped structure, the second lower lip thereby remaining as a smooth surface inwardly with respect to the seal between the lid and the edge.
  • the whole or a substantial portion of the "S" shaped structure is disposed radially inwardly with respect to a lower margin of the lower lip.
  • Such lower margin would be where it merges into the container neck or a neck flange, if provided. This helps prevent damage to any fastening structures, such as screw threads, on the neck or neck flange when the "S" shaped structure collapses.
  • Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a plastic container, such as a polyolefin or PET container.
  • Exemplary containers according to the present invention can include a very thin lip that is adapted for thermosealing at high sealing temperatures without undesirable deformation.
  • two lips of the neck of a container may stick together to give a strong resistance to lip deformation.
  • exemplary containers according to the present invention can include features for attaching a lid to the container, such as threads or press-on features.
  • the container finish can include two or more lips of varying inner radii in order to present the consumer with smoothly contoured contact surface when consuming products from the container.
  • Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of a prior art container 100 having a sealing lip 101 for receiving a thermosealed lid (not shown).
  • Container 100 has a neck 102 that includes a neck flange 103 that merges with the sealing lip 101.
  • sealing lip 101 must be thick enough so that the sealing temperature doesn't soften the plastic and cause the sealing lip 101 to sink into the container before foil sealing.
  • the top surface of the sealing lip 101 can bend and the edge 104 can curl into the interior of the container.
  • the top surface, where the seal would be formed is curved and thus has less surface area for bonding to the foil seal. As a result, the seal can fail resulting in a rejected container.
  • the lip is typically 0.5 to 1.0 mm thick, for example. Such a thickness, however, results in an increase in the amount of plastic used to make the container, which, in turn, causes the container to be heavier and more expensive to construct.
  • the flange 103 serves several purposes in such a container. First, it provides a contact point for support on a filling line. Second, the flange provides top load strength for storing and stacking containers. However, the flange adds weight to the container that is not necessarily required for structural support of the container itself. Another disadvantage of the flange 103 is that it creates a concave inner surface in which the contained product can become entrapped during storage or use, or can be hard to remove when poured from the container.
  • Figure 2 depicts an embodiment of a prior art container 200 having a sealing lip 201 and a neck 202 merging with sealing lip 201.
  • the container 200 avoids the weight of an added flange, the design of the lip 201 and edge 204 suffers the same drawbacks as container 100 with lid 101 and edge 104.
  • sealing lip 201 when thermosealing container 200, sealing lip 201 must be thick enough so that the sealing temperature doesn't soften the plastic and cause the sealing lip 201 to sink into the container before foil sealing.
  • the lip To prevent the sealing lip 121 from sinking into container 200, the lip must be, for example, 0.5 to 1.0 mm thick. Such a thickness, however, results in an increase in the amount of plastic used to make the container, which, in turn, causes the container to be heavier and more expensive to construct.
  • the sealing lips 101, 201 in these prior art containers suffer several drawbacks.
  • the edge 104, 204 can be relatively sharp, causing discomfort when a consumer drinks from the container.
  • the sharpness of the edge 104, 204 can also be increased during the thermosealing process as the lip 101, 201 softens during sealing.
  • the edge 104, 204 of the lip 101, 201 can curl downward during thermosealing, resulting in an incompetent seal and a leaking container.
  • making the lips thicker results in a more competent seal and less curling, it does not typically prevent sharpening of the edge 104, 204, and adds undesirable weight to the container.
  • a finish having a lip as described below avoids these and other drawbacks of known lips.
  • Figure 3a depicts an exemplary embodiment of a thermosealable container 300 as described in WO 2006/069021 .
  • Container 300 can have a finish 308 that includes an upper lip 301, a lower lip 302, a curved portion 303, a neck 304.
  • Container 300 also includes a sidewall 305.
  • neck 304 merges with sidewall 305; lower lip 302 merges with neck 304; curved portion 303 merges with lower lip 302; and upper lip 301 merges with curved portion 302.
  • upper lip 301 and lower lip 302 are substantially horizontal such that the upper lip is spaced apart at a distance S from the lower lip in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the lower lip.
  • upper lip and lower lip may be from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm thick.
  • the distance S can be about 0.5 to 5.0 mm.
  • upper lip 301 has an edge 306 that may be a sharp edge prior to thermosealing container 300 with a foil seal, for example.
  • container 300 has a longitudinal axis A that extends substantially through the center of container 300.
  • neck 304 be located at a distance D 1 , measured radially from longitudinal axis A and edge 306 can be located at a distance D 2 measured radially from longitudinal axis A.
  • distance D 2 may be greater than or equal to D 1 .
  • the resulting sealed lip 301, 302 can have a substantially flat surface for sealing.
  • container 300 provides a flat surface 307 for thermosealing that provides more surface area for sealing the foil to the upper lip 301.
  • heat may be applied during thermosealing reaching the finish of container 300, softening upper lip 301 and curved portion 303.
  • space S may act as an insulator between upper lip 301 and lower lip 302, so that lower lip 302 does not soften excessively, maintaining the integrity and structure of the lower lip and maintaining a substantially flat surface for accepting the seal.
  • upper lip 301 and curve 303 may collapse towards lower lip 302 and cause upper lip 301 to stick to lower lip 302.
  • the resulting container 300 provides other advantages over the prior art containers shown in Figures 1 and 2 .
  • container 300 no product becomes trapped because container 300 does not have a neck flange or some other welled area for trapping product.
  • the sharp edge is eliminated because edge 306 merges into lower lip 302, while at the same time, a flat surface 307 for thermosealing is maintained.
  • FIG 4a depicts a further arrangement of a thermosealable container 400 according to WO 2006 / 069021 .
  • Container 400 can have a finish 408 that includes an upper lip 401, a lower lip 402, a curved portion 403, a neck 404.
  • Container 400 also includes a sidewall 405. As shown in Figure 4a , neck 404 merges with sidewall 405; lower lip 402 merges with neck 404; curved portion 403 merges with lower lip 402; and upper lip 401 merges with curved portion 402.
  • upper lip 401 and lower lip 402 are substantially horizontal such that the upper lip is spaced apart at a distance S from the lower lip in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the lower lip.
  • Upper lip and lower lip may be from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm thick.
  • the distance S can be about 0.5 to 5.0 mm.
  • upper lip 401 has an edge 406 that may be a sharp edge prior to thermosealing container 400 with a foil seal, for example.
  • container 400 has a longitudinal axis A that extends substantially through the center of container 400.
  • Neck 404 may be located at a distance D 1 , measured radially from longitudinal axis A and edge 406 can be located at a distance D 2 measured radially from longitudinal axis A. In such an embodiment, distance D 2 may be less than D 1 .
  • Figure 4b depicts container 400 after it has been thermosealed. Prior to thermosealing, a distance D 2 may be less than D 1 as described with respect to Figure 4a . As shown in Figure 4b , when heat is applied during thermosealing, the plastic softens and upper lip 401 can collapse towards lower lip 402. Substantially at about the same time, edge 406 of container 400 can bend into container 400 and extend down into the container. The resulting container 400, as shown in Figure 4b includes a flat edge 407 for thermosealing and eliminates the problems caused by having sharp edge because the upper lip bends into the container in such a manner that the edge will not be touched by the mouth of a consumer.
  • container 500 of Figs. 5-8 can be used with a thermosealed lid, as described above in connection with previous arrangements of WO 2006/069021 or alternatively, can be used with screw-on, press-on, or other known lid types.
  • container 500 can include a sidewall 505 having a base 550 attached at its lower end.
  • Container 500 can also include an upper portion including a neck 504 and a finish 508.
  • Container 500 can define a longitudinal axis A.
  • the upper portion of the container 500 is shown in cross-section.
  • the finish 508 includes an upper lip 501 and a lower lip 502.
  • the upper lip 501 preferably comprises a generally horizontal surface. It surrounds the longitudinal axis A and extends inwardly from an annular ridge 507, terminating in an inner edge 506.
  • Upper lip 501 and/ or inner edge 506 can be formed, for example, when the container is trimmed, for example, using a trim blade, reamer, or other device, however, other methods for forming these parts are also possible.
  • the lower lip 502 comprises a radially inward projection formed by an inwardly curved wall portion of the finish 508, which extends inwardly on t he opposite side of the annular ridge from the inner edge 506.
  • This curved wall portion can be formed for example during moulding of the container (e.g. blow moulding or injection moulding) however other methods for forming this part are also possible.
  • Beneath the radially inwardly extending projection the lower lip 502 curves outwardly to a lower margin 510 of the lower lip 502. Preferably it extends at least as far as the annular ridge 507 of the upper lip 501.
  • the upper lip 501 and the lower lip 502 are interconnected for example by an integral curved portion 509.
  • the upper lip 501 can be spaced apart from the lower lip 502 substantially along the longitudinal axis A.
  • the finish 508 thereby formed has a generally S shaped cross section between the inner edge 506 of the upper lip 501 and the lower outer margin of the lower lip 502.
  • Preferably the finish 508 has a uniform wall thickness throughout.
  • the finish 508 can include an optional neck flange 503, extending from the lower outer margin 510 of the lower lip 502.
  • the finish 508 can include threads, ridges or other known features for retaining a screw-on, press-on, or other type of closure to the container.
  • the inner edge 506 of the upper lip 501 defines a first inner radial distance X1 from the longitudinal axis A.
  • the curved wall portion of the lower lip 502 likewise defines a second inner radial distance X2 from the longitudinal axis A.
  • the second inner radial distance X2 is smaller than the first inner radial distance X1.
  • the relatively smooth, curved surface of the lower lip 502 defines a smaller diameter than the inner edge 506 of the upper lip 501, and can prevent a user from contacting inner edge 506 when dispensing products from container 500 (e.g. drinking a liquid from the container or grasping solid products from the container).
  • This feature can also be beneficial when filling solid products into the container 500 (e.g. pickles), as it can prevent the solid products from being damaged.
  • the container 500 can present a user with a relatively smooth, curved surface defined by lower lip 502 when they are consuming products from container 500.
  • container 500 can be sealed by thermosealing a lid, such as a foil lid (not shown) to the upper lip 501. Further details on this process are provided above with respect to the arrangements of WO 2006/069021 described above. Figures 3-4 apply equally to the embodiment of Figures 5-8 . Additionally or alternatively, a screw-on or press-on lid may be provided for use with container 500.
  • a lid such as a foil lid (not shown)
  • FIG 8 an exemplary embodiment of container 500 is shown after a lid (not shown) is thermosealed onto the finish 508.
  • the upper lip 501 can collapse down onto the lower lip 502 during thermosealing, to provide a stronger sealing surface for the lid, and/or to improve the top load capacity of the container 500. Additional details regarding the thermosealing are described above in connection with figures 3-4 .
  • the inner edge 506 of the upper lip 501 is at a greater radial distance from the longitudinal axis than the inwardly curved wall of the lower lip 502, the inner edge 506 does not present a sharp uncomfortable edge to a user wishing to drink from the container. The user feels the smooth edge provided by the lower lip, which protrudes from the inside of the container at a greater distance than the sharp upper edge.
  • the upper lip 501 and lower lip 502 can alternatively maintain the positions shown in figures 5 and 6 during thermosealing and / or any other type of capping process that may be implemented.
  • Containers according to embodiments of the present invention may be manufactured using current blow moulding equipment and does not require any adjustments to the blower or the demoiler, for example. All that is required is replacement of the neck region mould.
  • containers incorporating the structure of the present invention can be extrusion blow moulded from a polyolefin material, for example polyethylene or polypropylene, PET or other known materials.
  • the material used to form the container can be single layered or multi-layered, as is known in the art.
  • the containers can incorporate layers of different plastics, or additives in one or more layers, to improve the gas barrier properties of the container.
  • Small lightweight containers can be formed in an end-to-end fashion, with the necks connected by a moil that is trimmed away in separating the containers.
  • materials or methods other than those described herein are encompassed by embodiments of the present invention.
  • Containers according to embodiments of the present invention can be filled and processed on the same equipment as prior art containers.
  • a neck flange 503 as shown in figure 5 an provide a surface for support during filling operations.
  • top loading performance can be improved without the use of a flange. This is possible because the product can be filled closer to the top of the container, which helps aid in support.
  • Lightweighting of containers according to exemplary embodiments of the invention can be significant.
  • the weight of the container may be reduced from about 7 g to about 5 g, a reduction of about 28%.
  • the weight of the container may be reduced from about 6 g to about 4.5 g, a reduction of about 25%. While weight reductions of 25-30% are possible, particularly for small lightweight containers, weight reductions of up to 10% or more, or even 20% or more can be realized with larger containers as well.
  • a container defining a longitudinal axis, the container comprising: a neck; a finish merging with said neck, said finish comprising a first lip; a second lip spaced apart from said first lip in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a curved portion connecting said first lip with said second lip.
  • the container according to this aspect may, further comprise: a sidewall merging with said neck; and a base merging with said sidewall.
  • said second lip comprises an edge
  • said neck is positioned at a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis
  • the edge of said second lip is positioned at a second radial distance from the longitudinal axis.
  • the second radial distance may be greater than or equal to the first radial distance.
  • the second radial distance is less than the first radial distance.
  • said second lip may collapse towards said first lip while thermosealing a lid to the container.
  • Said first and second lips each may comprise an inner portion and wherein the inner portion of said second lip touches the inner portion of said first lip when said second lip collapses towards said first lip.
  • Said first lip may comprise an inner portion and said second lip comprises an inner portion and wherein the edge of said second lip touches the inner portion of said first lip when said second lip collapses towards said first lip.
  • WO 2006/069021 provides a sealed container made by the method of providing a container according to the first aspect described above, and thermosealing a lid to said container. During said thermosealing in this case said second lip collapses towards said first lip.
  • a method for sealing a container comprising: providing a container having a neck, a finish merging with said neck, said finish comprising a first lip connected to said neck, a second lip spaced apart from said first lip in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a curved portion connecting said first lip with said second lip; and thermosealing a lid to the container.
  • said first and second lips each may comprise an inner portion wherein the inner portion of said second lip touches the inner portion of said first lip when said second lip collapses towards said first lip during said thermosealing.
  • first lip may comprise an inner portion and said second lip may comprise an inner portion wherein the edge of said second lip touches the inner portion of said first lip when said second lip collapses towards said first lip during said thermosealing.
  • a finish for a plastic container defining a longitudinal axis, said finish comprising: a first lip; a second lip spaced apart from said first lip in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to said first lip; and a curved portion connecting said first lip with said second lip.
  • said first and second lips may each comprise an inner portion wherein the inner portion of said second lip touches the inner portion of said first lip when said second lip collapses towards said first lip when a heat or pressure is applied to the container.
  • said first lip may comprise an inner portion and said second lip may comprise an inner portion wherein the edge of said second lip touches the inner portion of said first lip when said second lip collapses towards said first lip when heat is applied to the container.
  • WO 2006/069021 provides a plastic container comprising: a finish according to the third aspect of the WO 2006 / 069021 arrangement; a container sidewall merging with said finish; and a base merging with said sidewall.
  • said second lip may comprise an edge, said neck being positioned at a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis, and the edge of said second lip being positioned at a second radial distance from the longitudinal axis.
  • the second radial distance may be greater than or equal to the first radial distance.
  • the second lip may collapse towards said first lip while thermosealing a lid to the container.
  • the second radial distance may be less than the first radial distance.
  • the second lip may have a thickness of between 0.1 and 1.0 mm.
  • a container defining a longitudinal axis, the container comprising: an upper portion including a finish, said finish comprising: a first lip extending about the longitudinal axis and defining a first inner radial distance from the longitudinal axis; and a second lip interconnected with said first lip, said second lip extending about the longitudinal axis, and defining a second inner radial distance from the longitudinal axis, said second inner radial distance being larger than said first inner radial distance; wherein said second lip is spaced apart from said first lip in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.
  • Said second lip may comprise an inner edge that defines said second inner radial distance. Said inner edge may be formed during a container trimming operation.
  • Said first lip may comprise a curved wall portion of said finish, and said curved wall portion defining said first inner radial distance. Said curved wall portion may be formed during moulding of the container.
  • the container may further comprise a sidewall merging with said upper portion; and a base merging with said sidewall. Said second lip may collapse toward said first lip while thermosealing a lid to the container.
  • the invention provides a container according to the above described embodiment; and thermosealing a lid to said second finish.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
  • Table Devices Or Equipment (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Conteneur définissant un axe longitudinal (A), le conteneur comprenant :
    une partie supérieure incluant une finition (508), ladite finition (508) comprenant :
    une lèvre supérieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (501) s'étendant autour de l'axe longitudinal (A) et définissant un bord intérieur (506) ayant une première distance radiale intérieure (X1) par rapport à l'axe longitudinal (A) ; et
    une lèvre inférieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (502) mutuellement reliée à ladite lèvre supérieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (501), ladite lèvre inférieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (502) s'étendant autour de l'axe longitudinal (A) et définissant une seconde distance radiale intérieure (X2) par rapport à l'axe longitudinal (A), ladite seconde distance radiale intérieure (X2) étant plus petite que ladite première distance radiale intérieure (X1) ;
    dans lequel ladite lèvre inférieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (502) est écartée de ladite lèvre supérieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (501) dans une direction sensiblement parallèle audit axe longitudinal (A) ;
    caractérisé en ce que la structure formée par les lèvres supérieure et inférieure (501, 502) est formée de sorte que la lèvre supérieure (501) peut s'aplatir vers le bas sur la lèvre inférieure (502) lorsque le conteneur est thermoscellé par un couvercle de sorte que la lèvre inférieure (502) forme une surface lisse vers l'intérieur par rapport au joint entre la lèvre et le bord intérieur (506) de la lèvre supérieure (501).
  2. Conteneur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite lèvre supérieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (501) inclut une nervure circonférentielle s'étendant vers l'extérieur (507) entre le bord intérieur (506) et la lèvre inférieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (502), et la lèvre inférieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (502) a une partie à distance radiale décroissante en descendant et en s'écartant de la nervure circonférentielle (507), menant jusqu'à une partie à diamètre croissant en produisant ainsi une section transversale en forme de "S".
  3. Conteneur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite lèvre inférieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (502) comprend une partie de paroi incurvée de ladite finition, ladite partie de paroi incurvée définissant ladite seconde distance radiale intérieure.
  4. Conteneur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite partie supérieure inclut un col (504) relié à ladite finition (508), ladite finition (508) ayant un rebord de col s'étendant vers l'extérieur (503), où il rejoint le col (504).
  5. Conteneur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite seconde distance radiale intérieure (X2) est plus petite que le rayon intérieur minimal de ladite partie supérieure du conteneur.
  6. Conteneur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le matériau des lèvres supérieure et inférieure a une épaisseur dans la plage de 0,1 mm à 1,0 mm, de préférence de 0,1 mm à 0,5 mm.
  7. Conteneur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite partie supérieure inclut un filetage ou une nervure pour permettre l'engagement d'une fermeture à visser ou à presser.
  8. Procédé de formation d'un conteneur hermétique, comprenant les étapes de :
    mouler un conteneur ayant :
    une paroi latérale (505),
    une base (550) reliée à la paroi latérale à son extrémité inférieure et une partie supérieure incluant :
    un col (504) et
    une finition (508) , la finition (508) comprenant :
    une lèvre supérieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (501) et une lèvre inférieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (502) reliant le col (504) à la lèvre supérieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (501) ;
    ébarber la lèvre supérieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (501) pour former un bord s'étendant vers l'intérieur axialement en vis-à-vis (506), lesdites lèvres supérieure et inférieure formant ensemble une structure généralement en forme de "S" ;
    dans lequel le diamètre intérieur (X2) de la lèvre inférieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (502) est plus petit que le diamètre intérieur (X1) dudit bord s'étendant vers l'intérieur (506) ;
    remplir le conteneur ; et
    thermosceller un couvercle sur la surface axialement en vis-à-vis du rebord s'étendant vers l'intérieur (506) de la lèvre supérieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (501), de sorte que la pression dudit thermoscellage entraîne un aplatissement axial de la structure généralement en forme de "S", la lèvre inférieure faisant saillie vers l'intérieur (502) restant ainsi comme une surface lisse vers l'intérieur par rapport au joint entre le couvercle et le bord (506).
  9. Procédé selon la revendication 8, dans lequel l'étape de moulage comprend un moulage par injection ou un moulage par soufflage.
  10. Procédé selon la revendication 8 ou 9, dans lequel deux conteneurs sont moulés en ayant leurs parties supérieures axialement réunies, et ladite étape d'ébavurage comprend la séparation des deux conteneurs.
EP07011825A 2006-06-15 2007-06-15 Récipient comportant une finition lisse Not-in-force EP1867570B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/453,258 US20060283827A1 (en) 2004-12-20 2006-06-15 Container having a smooth finish

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1867570A1 EP1867570A1 (fr) 2007-12-19
EP1867570B1 true EP1867570B1 (fr) 2009-11-18

Family

ID=38510398

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07011825A Not-in-force EP1867570B1 (fr) 2006-06-15 2007-06-15 Récipient comportant une finition lisse

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US20060283827A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1867570B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE449006T1 (fr)
BR (1) BRPI0702543A (fr)
CA (1) CA2591368A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE602007003256D1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2335311T3 (fr)
MX (1) MX2007007281A (fr)
PT (1) PT1867570E (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060131254A1 (en) * 2004-12-20 2006-06-22 Graham Packaging Company, L.P. Container with sealable finish
US20060283827A1 (en) * 2004-12-20 2006-12-21 Graham Packaging Company, Lp Container having a smooth finish
US11613397B2 (en) 2019-09-12 2023-03-28 Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc. Ring pull cap rim for glass containers

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3171458A (en) * 1963-08-06 1965-03-02 Strong Plastics Inc Plastic container
US3402873A (en) * 1964-11-09 1968-09-24 Illinois Tool Works Heat-sealed article and method
US3343698A (en) * 1966-05-16 1967-09-26 Haskon Inc Plastic container construction
US3707240A (en) * 1970-08-27 1972-12-26 Polytop Corp Closure with tear-off skirt
DE2163144B2 (de) * 1971-01-04 1978-08-31 Owens-Illinois, Inc., Toledo, Ohio (V.St.A.) Verfahren zum Abtrennen des beim Blasformen entstandenen Materials bei Kunststoffbehältern und Vorrichtung dazu
US4013188A (en) * 1973-03-01 1977-03-22 General Foods Corporation Induction sealed closure
FR2240158A1 (en) * 1973-08-07 1975-03-07 Bouchon Rapide Neck for a plastic bottle - has sealing groove and reinforcement shoulder allowing seal to be gripped
DE8118934U1 (de) * 1981-06-29 1981-10-15 Bellaplast Gmbh, 6200 Wiesbaden Verpackungsbehaelter
US4418834A (en) * 1982-09-13 1983-12-06 Container Corporation Of America Overcap ring with an integral peelable laminated structure
GB8421758D0 (en) * 1984-08-28 1984-10-03 Faerch Plast As Food packaging tray
US4823967A (en) * 1987-06-10 1989-04-25 Tri-Tech Systems International Inc. Closure for container and method for forming the closure
US4856667A (en) * 1987-06-17 1989-08-15 Tri-Tech Systems International Inc. Container and cap
US6536616B2 (en) * 1995-02-09 2003-03-25 Portola Packaging, Inc. Container neck finish and method and apparatus for forming same and cap for use thereon
US5954223A (en) * 1997-11-03 1999-09-21 The Lerio Corporation Molded article
US5941422A (en) * 1998-04-06 1999-08-24 Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc. Liquid containing and dispensing package
US20060283827A1 (en) * 2004-12-20 2006-12-21 Graham Packaging Company, Lp Container having a smooth finish
US20060131254A1 (en) * 2004-12-20 2006-06-22 Graham Packaging Company, L.P. Container with sealable finish

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
MX2007007281A (es) 2008-02-11
ATE449006T1 (de) 2009-12-15
US20060283827A1 (en) 2006-12-21
DE602007003256D1 (de) 2009-12-31
BRPI0702543A (pt) 2008-02-19
ES2335311T3 (es) 2010-03-24
PT1867570E (pt) 2010-01-05
EP1867570A1 (fr) 2007-12-19
CA2591368A1 (fr) 2007-12-15

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