EP1945526B1 - Récipient pour boisson - Google Patents

Récipient pour boisson Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1945526B1
EP1945526B1 EP06794893.5A EP06794893A EP1945526B1 EP 1945526 B1 EP1945526 B1 EP 1945526B1 EP 06794893 A EP06794893 A EP 06794893A EP 1945526 B1 EP1945526 B1 EP 1945526B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
neck
skirt
annular
lid
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
EP06794893.5A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1945526A1 (fr
Inventor
Matthew Eric Smith
Karl Mondszein
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.)
Carbonite Corp
Original Assignee
Carbonite Corp
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 Carbonite Corp filed Critical Carbonite Corp
Publication of EP1945526A1 publication Critical patent/EP1945526A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1945526B1 publication Critical patent/EP1945526B1/fr
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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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
    • B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
    • B65D43/0202—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element
    • B65D43/0204—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections
    • B65D43/0208—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections on both the inside and the outside of the mouth of the container
    • 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
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00064—Shape of the outer periphery
    • B65D2543/00074—Shape of the outer periphery curved
    • B65D2543/00092—Shape of the outer periphery curved circular
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00259—Materials used
    • B65D2543/00296—Plastic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00333—Not reusable, e.g. destroyed on opening
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00342—Central part of the lid
    • B65D2543/0037—Flexible or deformable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/0049—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the inside, or a part turned to the inside of the mouth of the container
    • B65D2543/00509—Cup
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/00537—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/00555—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on both the inside and the outside
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
    • B65D2543/00611—Profiles
    • B65D2543/0062—Groove or hollow bead
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
    • B65D2543/00611—Profiles
    • B65D2543/00648—Flange or lip
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
    • B65D2543/00675—Periphery concerned
    • B65D2543/00685—Totality
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
    • B65D2543/00722—Profiles
    • B65D2543/0074—Massive bead
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
    • B65D2543/00722—Profiles
    • B65D2543/00768—U-shaped or inverted U
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
    • B65D2543/00787—Periphery concerned
    • B65D2543/00796—Totality
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00824—Means for facilitating removing of the closure
    • B65D2543/00833—Integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar
    • B65D2543/00842—Integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar outside of the lid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00953—Sealing means
    • B65D2543/0099—Integral supplemental sealing lips

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to containers for beverages, particularly carbonated beverages, and is concerned with that type of container which is described in WO2005/092732 and also in International Patent Application No. PCT/GB2005/000986 , which does not form part of the state of the art.
  • the invention is particularly, though not exclusively, concerned with such containers which have a wide mouth, that is to say with a diameter in excess of about 25 mm or more, preferably in excess of about 38 mm or 45 mm.
  • Beverage bottles typically have a narrow mouth with a diameter in the region of only 28mm or less.
  • Numerous ways of sealing the bottle top to the neck of the bottle are known but it will be appreciated that the problem of producing a seal on a container for a carbonated beverage increases exponentially as the diameter of the mouth increases because the area of the underside of the cap or top increases in accordance with the square of the radius. If the container cap or its seal should fail, the gas pressure will be released and the cap may even be projected explosively into the air with the resultant loss of the beverage and potential injury to bystanders. Similar sealing problems can arise also with uncarbonated beverages because if the container is subjected to an elevated temperature, e.g.
  • WO2005/092732A discloses a beverage container according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising a receptacle which has a central axis and is sealed by a lid of resilient material.
  • the receptacle includes a neck defining an opening and the lid includes a closure plate, integral with which is a depending skirt extending around the outer surface of the neck.
  • the skirt carries an annular flange, which is in sealing engagement with the underside of a downwardly directed annular shoulder on the outer surface of the neck.
  • the annular flange is connected to the skirt by an integral hinge and is elongate in axial sectional view. The end surface of the free end of the annular flange is in sealing engagement with the underside of the shoulder.
  • the bottle 2 is of generally cylindrical shape with an axis 3 and at least one portion 4 of increased size whose diameter is greater than that of the lid 6, for reasons which will be explained below.
  • the bottle is in this case moulded from plastic material and it has a wide mouth, with a diameter of greater than 28mm defined by the neck 8 of the bottle.
  • the neck 8 terminates at a rim portion which is defined by an internal surface 10, which is inclined upwardly and outwardly with respect to the axis 3, and an external surface 12, which is inclined upwardly and inwardly with respect to the axis 3.
  • the surfaces 10 and 12 thus converge and the external diameter of the bottle, specifically of its rim portion, thus initially increases from the top downwards. However, it then decreases abruptly at a downwardly directed annular shoulder 14 extending substantially perpendicular to the axis 3.
  • the internal diameter of the rim portion initially decreases from the top downwards.
  • the lid comprises a one-piece component, preferably integrally moulded from resilient plastic material, such as polypropylene. It comprises a shaped closure plate, integral with which is a web 16 which extends, when the lid is connected to the bottle, over the rim of the bottle. Integral with the web 16 is a depending skirt 18, which extends downwardly around the exterior of the upper portion of the bottle. Integrally connected to the lower edge of the skirt 18 or to the inner surface of the skirt at a position adjacent its lower edge is an annular retaining flange 20.
  • the flange 20 is elongate in axial sectional view and is connected to the skirt 18 by an integral hinge 22 constituted by a resilient web, which is of reduced thickness and thus constitutes an annular line of weakness or predetermined breaking point.
  • a rupturing tab 24 Connected to the lid at one circumferential position is a rupturing tab 24 which extends downwardly below the lower edge of the skirt 18. This tab is connected to the skirt 18 at its side by two lines of weakness 26, i.e. regions of reduced thickness.
  • the closure plate of the lid is concave and thus extends into the neck of the bottle, when it is connected to the bottle.
  • the closure plate comprises a wall portion 30 which extends generally downwardly and inwardly and merges at its lower edge with a base portion 32, which is downwardly arcuate, that is to say is of downwardly curved convex shape.
  • the lid is shown in Figure 2 in the configuration in which it is moulded.
  • the flange 20 extends downwardly and inwardly and the diameter of its lower edge is less than that of the upper edge of the rim of the bottle whilst the diameter of its upper edge is greater than that of the upper edge of the rim of the bottle.
  • the lid is fastened and sealed to the bottle by a simple snap-fit procedure. This is effected simply by lowering the lid into the rim of the bottle and then applying pressure. As the lid is lowered, the lower edge of the flange 20 comes into contact with the rim. This causes the flange to rotate inwardly about the hinge 22. As downward movement of the lid continues, the flange 20 moves downwardly in contact with the surface 12, as shown in Figure 1 , and the increasing diameter of this surface in the downward direction results in the rotation of the flange continuing, thus moving it ever closer to the inner surface of the skirt 18. The underside of the web 16 then contacts the upper surface of the rim of the bottle. However, the pressure on the cap is maintained and this results in slight deformation of the web 16.
  • the cap and bottle are so dimensioned that the slight further downward movement of the cap caused by the deformation of the web 16, is sufficient to permit the free end of the flange 20 to move past the shoulder 14. It is then rotated in the opposition direction, i.e. inwardly, by the resilience of the web 22 and thus becomes locked behind the shoulder, as shown in Figure 3 .
  • the lid is now retained in position on the bottle and cannot be removed without damaging or deforming it.
  • the tension maintains the underside of the web 16 in engagement with the upper surface of the rim with a contact pressure sufficient to ensure that a first gas seal is formed along the annular line of contact.
  • the tension in the skirt 18 also maintains the free end of the flange 20 in engagement with the surface of the shoulder 14 with a contact pressure sufficient to ensure that a second gas seal is formed along the annular line of contact. Furthermore, the resilience of the hinge 22 forces the side surface of the free end of the flange 20 into contact with the side surface of the bottle and the contact pressure is preferably sufficient to form a third gas seal.
  • the integrity of the first gas seal may be further enhanced, if required, by the provision of an annular bead or flange 17, which is shown in phantom lines only on the left-hand side in Figure 2 and which will engage the side surface of the rim of the bottle and constitute an additional lip seal.
  • This bead 17 is positioned and dimensioned so that it is deformed laterally by contact with the rim of the bottle and thus urged by its resilience into contact with the side surface of the rim and thus forms a further seal. If the pressure in the bottle should rise to a high value sufficient to deform the cap away from the rim of the bottle, thereby breaking the first gas seal, pressurised gas will flow into the space defined by the outer surface of the rim, the skirt 18 and the flange 20. This pressure will act on the flange 20 to press it yet more firmly against the side surface of the rim, thereby increasing the integrity of the third gas seal.
  • yet a further gas seal may be provided, as in the illustrated embodiment, between the surface 10 of the rim and the opposed surface 34 of the wall portion 30.
  • these two surfaces are formed as complementary sealing surfaces in sealing engagement with one another.
  • the beverage container in accordance with the invention therefore not only has both primary and secondary gas seals but also has a further gas seal.
  • the integrity or sealing ability of this further seal increases as the gas pressure within the container increases.
  • the user When it is desired to open the bottle, the user merely grasps the lower edge of the rupture tab 24 and pulls it outwardly.
  • the lines of weakness 26 immediately rupture or stretch and the upper edge of the tab 24, which is connected to the web 16, rotates, thereby breaking the second and third gas seals. This rotation is transmitted to the web 16, which thus moves away from the rim of the bottle, thus breaking the first gas seal.
  • This movement of the web 16 also causes the sealing surfaces 10 and 34 locally to move apart, thereby also breaking the further gas seal.
  • the container is thus depressurised.
  • the body of the bottle has one or more protuberances 4 whose contour extends beyond that of the lid, when viewed in the axial direction. This means that when a number of such bottles are packaged together side by side, they will contact one another only at the protuberances and the lids of adjacent bottles will not contact one another, thereby eliminating the risk that the lids may inadvertently become dislodged, thereby venting the interior of the associated containers.
  • the base of the bottle also has a shape which is complementary to that of the upper surface of the lid so that bottles may be simply and securely stacked on top of one another.
  • the outer surface of the wall portion 30 carries an annular protuberance 40, which engages the surface of a recess in the internal surface of the rim. If the gas pressure within the bottle should increase to a level sufficient to deform the lid upwardly to an extent sufficient to break the first gas seal, as is illustrated, the contact pressure of the upper portion of the protuberance with the surface of the recess will be increased, thereby increasing the integrity of the further gas seal, and compensate for the loss of the first gas seal.
  • the protuberance could also be carried by the inner surface of the rim, in which case the recess will be formed in the wall portion 30. If the gas pressure in the container should increase substantially, it will be the contact pressure of the lower portion of the protuberance which will increase.
  • the container described in the prior application is extremely effective and products a reliable gas seal, it is believed that failure may still be possible if the container is heated to an excessive temperature, e.g. as a result of being left in the sunshine, particularly if the beverage within it is carbonated. In this event, the gas pressure in the headspace of the container may rise to such a high level that the closure plate may be deformed upwardly by a significant distance.
  • the lid may be made of a variety of materials but one particularly appropriate material is polypropylene because it is cheap, durable and easily moulded. It does however, not tear very easily and difficulties can be encountered in opening the bottle by pulling on the rip tab because it is not always possible to induce the lid to tear along the desired line.
  • a further object of the invention is to modify the lid so that it may be simply and reliably opened by pulling on a rip tab.
  • a beverage container of the type comprising a receptacle which has a central axis and is sealed by a lid of resilient material, the receptacle including a neck defining an opening and the lid including a closure plate, integral with which is a depending skirt extending around the outer surface of the neck, the skirt carrying an annular flange, which is in sealing engagement with the underside of a downwardly directed annular shoulder on the outer surface of the neck, wherein the annular flange is connected to the skirt by an integral hinge, the annular flange is elongate in axial sectional view, and the end surface of the free end of the annular flange is in sealing engagement with the underside of the shoulder, is characterised in that the internal surface of the skirt carries an annular protuberance which is in sealing engagement with one side surface of the annular flange, the other side surface being in sealing engagement with the outer surface of the neck, whereby an annular chamber is defined by the inner surface of the skirt, the said one side surface of the skirt, the said
  • the container in accordance with the present invention is substantially the same as that in the prior application but differs from it in three features.
  • the first of these is the annular protuberance or ridge on the internal surface of the depending skirt which is dimensioned and positioned such that it is urged into contact with the outer side surface of the sealing flange and thus forms a gas seal with it. This will enhance the sealing integrity of the container yet further.
  • the pressure exerted by the protuberance on the outer surface of the sealing flange will further increase the contact pressure between the inner surface of the sealing flange and the outer surface of the neck, thereby still further enhancing the integrity of the seal of the container.
  • annular protuberance which forms a seal with the annular sealing flange also inherently means that an annular chamber is defined by the inner surface of the skirt, the outer side surface of the annular sealing flange, the protuberance and the hinge.
  • This chamber is normally sealed from the interior of the container but will inherently be in communication with the atmosphere via the second additional feature, namely the aperture in the hinge. If the gas pressure within the container should rise to an excessive level resulting in the depending skirt moving away from the neck of the container, in which event the lid will necessarily also have moved out of contact with the neck of the container, the protuberance on the interior of the skirt will move out of contact with the sealing flange and the annular chamber will come into communication with the interior of the container.
  • the chamber is also in communication with the atmosphere and the interior of the container will therefore be vented to the atmosphere.
  • the container pressure will therefore start to fall but once it reaches a certain lower level, the resilience of the lid will result in the various seals being recreated and, in particular, in the annular protuberance recreating its seal with the sealing flange. Venting of the container will then be terminated and the pressure within the container will be maintained, though at a lower and more acceptable level, and the risk of loss of the container lid or contents is eliminated.
  • the aperture in the hinge will therefore act as a gas overpressure relief passage.
  • the third feature of difference is the provision of a rip tab integrally connected to the integral hinge and not to the depending skirt.
  • the rip tab is connected to the hinge at a position adjacent the aperture in the hinge and if a lateral force is applied to the rip tab in the direction away from the aperture, then the aperture will act as a stress concentrator and tearing of the integral hinge will commence. This is facilitated by the fact that the integral hinge will in any event be relatively flimsy so as to have the necessary resilience. Once tearing has commenced, only a relatively small force is needed to keep it going. Once the tear has gone about half way round the hinge, the lid may be very simply removed from the container. The aperture in the hinge thus serves two quite separate functions.
  • the integral hinge is resilient and its resilience urges its said other side surface against the outer surface of the neck.
  • the closure plate is downwardly concave and thus extends into the neck and includes a base portion, integral with which is an upwardly extending wall portion, which is connected to the depending skirt. It is also preferred that the upwardly extending wall portion is connected to the depending skirt via an annular web, the underside of which extends over the surface of the neck and is retained in sealing engagement with it.
  • the integral hinge 22 has a small hole or aperture 50 formed in it adjacent the rip tab 24.
  • the aperture 50 is of generally teardrop shape in this case, though it may also be triangular, and is partially defined by two surfaces which are convergent and meet at a point or acute angle immediately adjacent the connection of the rip tab and integral hinge.
  • an annular ridge or protuberance 52 is integrally formed on the inner surface of the depending skirt 18.
  • an annular chamber 54 is defined by the protuberance 52, the sealing flange 20, the integral hinge 22 and the depending skirt 18. This chamber communicates with atmosphere through the hole 50 but is normally sealed from the interior of the container. If, however, the pressure within the container should rise to an exceptionally high level, the lid is deformed by the pressure and the seals at the top surface and internal surface of the neck of the container are broken. The skirt 18 is also deformed outwardly and the seal between the protuberance 52 and the sealing flange 20 is thus broken also.
  • the interior of the container therefore communicates with atmosphere through the hole 50 and is thus vented.
  • the pressure then drops until it has reached a level at which the resilience of the lid is sufficient to restore its shape against the reduced pressure of the gas within the container.
  • the various seals are then recreated and venting of the interior of the container is terminated with the container gas pressure still at a significant level.
  • the contents of the container are thus maintained in the container and are still usable.
  • the gas venting opening may become blocked by dust or the like and thus become unable to perform its venting function and it is therefore desirable for one or more further gas venting openings also to be provided which communicate with the chamber 54 and pass through the hinge 22 or the skirt 18.
  • a lateral force is applied to the rip tab 24 in the direction away from the opening 50.
  • the opening 50 acts as a point of weakness and its converging edges act as a stress concentrator and the integral hinge 22 thus begins to tear in the circumferential direction.
  • the container is thus vented to atmosphere.
  • the force results in the tearing continuing and once about one half of the integral hinge has torn, the cap will come free from the top of the bottle and its contents may then be drunk or dispensed into a glass or the like.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Claims (5)

  1. Récipient pour boisson comprenant un réceptacle (2) qui a un axe central (3) et qui est scellé par un couvercle de matériau élastique, le réceptacle comprenant un col (8) définissant une ouverture et le couvercle comprenant une plaque de fermeture (16, 30, 32), intégrée dans ce qui est une jupe dépendante (18) s'étendant autour de la surface externe du col (8), la jupe (18) portant un rebord annulaire (20), qui est en mise en prise étanche avec la surface inférieure d'un épaulement annulaire dirigé vers le bas (14) sur la surface externe du col (8), dans lequel le rebord annulaire (20) est relié à la jupe (18) par une charnière solidaire (22), le rebord annulaire (20) est allongé dans une vue en coupe axiale, et la surface extrême de l'extrémité libre du rebord annulaire (20) est en mise en prise étanche avec la surface inférieure de l'épaulement (14), caractérisé en ce que la surface interne de la jupe (18) porte une protubérance annulaire (52) qui est en mise en prise étanche avec une surface latérale du rebord annulaire (20), l'autre surface latérale étant en mise en prise étanche avec la surface externe du col (8), moyennant quoi une chambre annulaire (54) est définie par la surface interne de la jupe (18), ladite une surface latérale du rebord annulaire (20), la protubérance (52) et la charnière solidaire (22), en ce qu'une languette d'arrachement (24) est fournie reliée de façon solidaire à la charnière solidaire (22) et en ce qu'une ouverture (50) est fournie dans la charnière solidaire (22) adjacente à la connexion de la languette d'arrachement (24) à la charnière solidaire (22).
  2. Récipient selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'ouverture (50) est partiellement définie par deux surfaces qui convergent dans la direction vers la languette d'arrachement et se croisent selon un angle aigu immédiatement adjacent à la connexion de la languette d'arrachement (24) à la charnière solidaire (22).
  3. Récipient selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la charnière solidaire (22) est élastique et son élasticité presse son autre surface latérale précitée contre la surface externe du col (8).
  4. Récipient selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la plaque de fermeture est concave vers le bas et s'étend ainsi dans le col (8) et comprend une partie de base (32), solidaire de ce qui est une partie de paroi s'étendant vers le haut (30), qui est reliée à la jupe dépendante (18).
  5. Récipient selon la revendication 4, dans lequel la partie de paroi s'étendant vers le haut (30) est reliée à la jupe dépendante (18) par l'intermédiaire d'une bande annulaire (16), dont la surface inférieure s'étend sur la surface du col (8) et est retenue en mise en prise étanche avec elle
EP06794893.5A 2005-10-27 2006-10-24 Récipient pour boisson Not-in-force EP1945526B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0521965.4A GB0521965D0 (en) 2005-10-27 2005-10-27 Beverage containers
PCT/GB2006/003963 WO2007049030A1 (fr) 2005-10-27 2006-10-24 Contenants a boisson

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1945526A1 EP1945526A1 (fr) 2008-07-23
EP1945526B1 true EP1945526B1 (fr) 2014-03-19

Family

ID=35515864

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06794893.5A Not-in-force EP1945526B1 (fr) 2005-10-27 2006-10-24 Récipient pour boisson

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20090178994A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1945526B1 (fr)
GB (1) GB0521965D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2007049030A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10196181B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-02-05 First Quality Packaging Solutions, Llc Container closure

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5271517A (en) * 1992-06-12 1993-12-21 The Pillsbury Company Tamper evident lid
US5996833A (en) * 1997-11-05 1999-12-07 Sonoco Development, Inc. Tamper evident dust cover for a drum bung
WO2005092732A1 (fr) * 2004-03-25 2005-10-06 Carbonite Corporation Contenants de boisson

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1236076A (fr) * 1959-06-04 1960-11-14 Proplastex Soc Dispositif de bouchage de garantie et de réemploi pour bouteille et tous récipients
US3254785A (en) * 1965-03-22 1966-06-07 Walter C Lovell Closures
GB1226245A (fr) * 1968-07-17 1971-03-24
US4325487A (en) * 1980-06-02 1982-04-20 Libit Sidney M Sealing and locking thread system
FR2600043B1 (fr) * 1986-06-17 1989-04-21 Astra Plastique Bouchon a vis etanche pour col filete de recipient.
US4852753A (en) * 1987-05-11 1989-08-01 Anchor Hocking Corporation Closure cap and thin walled container
US5251770A (en) * 1992-05-06 1993-10-12 Broadway Companies, Inc. Container and pressure sealing closure combination
DE4430741A1 (de) * 1994-08-30 1996-03-07 Helvoet Pharma Aufreißbare Kapsel für flaschenförmige Behälter
GB2303363B (en) * 1995-07-20 1999-10-27 Able Ind Ltd Pressurisable beverage vessels
US7281636B2 (en) * 2001-06-26 2007-10-16 Portola Packaging, Inc. Bottle cap having tear tab and sealing bead
CA2419086A1 (fr) * 2002-02-22 2003-08-22 Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. Fermeture de securite et paquet
US20050230342A1 (en) * 2002-07-11 2005-10-20 Enrico Folchini Tamperproof closing element for beverage containers

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5271517A (en) * 1992-06-12 1993-12-21 The Pillsbury Company Tamper evident lid
US5996833A (en) * 1997-11-05 1999-12-07 Sonoco Development, Inc. Tamper evident dust cover for a drum bung
WO2005092732A1 (fr) * 2004-03-25 2005-10-06 Carbonite Corporation Contenants de boisson

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0521965D0 (en) 2005-12-07
WO2007049030A1 (fr) 2007-05-03
EP1945526A1 (fr) 2008-07-23
US20090178994A1 (en) 2009-07-16

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