EP1992572B1 - Couvercle de réservoir formé sous forme de stratifié doté d'une propriété d'ouverture intégrée et réservoir correspondant - Google Patents
Couvercle de réservoir formé sous forme de stratifié doté d'une propriété d'ouverture intégrée et réservoir correspondant Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1992572B1 EP1992572B1 EP08251154A EP08251154A EP1992572B1 EP 1992572 B1 EP1992572 B1 EP 1992572B1 EP 08251154 A EP08251154 A EP 08251154A EP 08251154 A EP08251154 A EP 08251154A EP 1992572 B1 EP1992572 B1 EP 1992572B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- lid
- container
- weakness
- adhesive
- skirt
- 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.)
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Links
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 45
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 45
- 239000004820 Pressure-sensitive adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 20
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- 229920006254 polymer film Polymers 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 10
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000012939 laminating adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 103
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 7
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 description 4
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- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)O NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
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- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 3
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- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- RRHGJUQNOFWUDK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Isoprene Chemical compound CC(=C)C=C RRHGJUQNOFWUDK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010030 laminating Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
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- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 2
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- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002356 single layer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003051 synthetic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-M Acrylate Chemical compound [O-]C(=O)C=C NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 244000043261 Hevea brasiliensis Species 0.000 description 1
- CERQOIWHTDAKMF-UHFFFAOYSA-M Methacrylate Chemical compound CC(=C)C([O-])=O CERQOIWHTDAKMF-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 239000005062 Polybutadiene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Styrene Natural products C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920003182 Surlyn® Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005035 Surlyn® Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000000484 butyl group Chemical group [H]C([*])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- YACLQRRMGMJLJV-UHFFFAOYSA-N chloroprene Chemical compound ClC(=C)C=C YACLQRRMGMJLJV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940079593 drug Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000839 emulsion Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 238000010297 mechanical methods and process Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 229920003052 natural elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001084 poly(chloroprene) Polymers 0.000 description 1
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- 229920000098 polyolefin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000565 sealant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000005061 synthetic rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
- B65D51/20—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- 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
- B65D77/2028—Means for opening the cover other than, or in addition to, a pull tab
- B65D77/2032—Means for opening the cover other than, or in addition to, a pull tab by peeling or tearing the cover from 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
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
- B65D2251/0018—Upper closure of the 43-type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
- B65D2251/0093—Membrane
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/02—Grip means
Definitions
- the present invention relates to containers sealed with flexible lids formed from materials such as polymer film, aluminum foil, paper, and the like.
- the lid is shaped to include a cylindrical skirt that extends upwardly from an outer periphery of a center panel of the lid, such that the heat-sealable material is on the radially outwardly facing side of the skirt.
- the skirt is heat-sealed to a generally cylindrical inner surface of the container body adjacent the open end of the container, the center panel of the lid thus being recessed below a top edge of the container body.
- the lid includes a line of weakness such that the center panel can be torn free of the skirt, at least part of which remains attached to the container body.
- a pull tab is attached to the top surface of the center panel to aid the user in tearing out the center panel.
- the pull tab typically is heat-sealed to the center panel.
- a container and lid generally as described above are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,744,484 to Grabher .
- a difficulty associated with such container lids arises because of inevitable variations in the strength of the bond between the tab and the center panel. Such variations are due to mechanical process and material variations that are difficult to control or eliminate. Additionally, it has been found that the tab bond strength tends to diminish with aging of the lid. Accordingly, it can be expected that some proportion of the lids produced according to the conventional process will have a tab bond strength that is less than the force required to detach the center panel from the skirt. When the user pulls on the tab of such a lid, the tab will tend to come off the center panel and the user will then have to resort to other means to open the container, such as puncturing the lid with a sharp implement and then tearing out the lid in pieces. This is inconvenient for the user.
- a lid for a container comprises an upper layer of flexible sheet material laminated by an adhesive to a lower layer of flexible sheet material to form a laminate.
- the laminate includes an adhesive-free region in which the adhesive is absent between the upper and lower layers.
- the upper layer includes a pair of spaced cut lines defining an integral pull strap in the upper layer. Each of the cut lines extends from a first end to a second end.
- the first ends and the second ends of the cut lines are outside the adhesive-free region in an adhesively laminated area of the laminate.
- the strap When the strap is pulled to detach the lid, the pulling force is exerted on the adhesively laminated area.
- the strap has the strength of the adhesive bond, and the tear-resistance of the strap is not a limiting factor.
- the upper layer of the laminate can be thinner than would otherwise be needed if the tear-resistance of the upper layer were the limiting factor.
- first ends and/or the second ends of the cut lines can be within the adhesive-free region.
- the laminate in some embodiments can include at least one line of weakness radially inward of the outer edge of the laminate, the line of weakness delineating a removable portion of the laminate that is severable along the line of weakness from an outer peripheral portion of the laminate.
- the laminate is shaped to form a generally cylindrical skirt that includes the outer peripheral portion. The skirt can be adhered to an inner surface of a container to close the container. Pulling on the pull strap causes the laminate to sever along the at least one line of weakness for detaching the removable portion so as to open the container.
- a pair of radially spaced concentric lines of weakness are formed in the laminate, an outer one of the lines of weakness being formed in the upper layer and an inner one of the lines of weakness being formed in the lower layer.
- Each line of weakness comprises a cut extending partially or entirely through the thickness of the respective layer, and allows the layer to sever along the line with little or no force.
- An annular region is thus defined between the lines of weakness.
- the upper and lower layers outside the annular region are laminated together with an adhesive providing a bond with a sufficient peel strength to keep the layers from separating when the lid is pulled to detach it from the container, and hence the lower layer severs along the inner line of weakness and the layers then separate from each other in the annular region until the outer line of weakness is reached.
- the upper layer then severs along the outer line of weakness so that the lid comes free of the container.
- the separability of the layers in the annular region in some embodiments can be provided by disposing a readily peelable adhesive in the annular region between the layers. In other embodiments, the separability is achieved by providing no adhesive in the annular region. Thus, the layers are adhered to each other outside the annular region but are not adhered in the annular region.
- the upper layer of the lid can be a monolayer or a multilayer structure.
- the upper layer can be a single layer of polymer film such as polyester (e.g., PET).
- the upper layer can be a laminate of a polymer film such as polyester and a barrier layer such as aluminum foil.
- the adhesive preferably is a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA).
- PSA pressure-sensitive adhesive
- a different adhesive such as a conventional laminating adhesive
- the PSA "bridges the gap" between the lines of weakness.
- the PSA also extends somewhat outward of the outer line of weakness and somewhat inward of the inner line of weakness so that slight errors in the locations of the lines of weakness because of manufacturing tolerances will not result in either line of weakness being in a location where the stronger laminating adhesive is present.
- the strap is pulled upwardly, which exerts a pulling force having an upward component and a component generally radially inwardly away from the skirt on each end of the strap.
- a portion of the skirt adjacent one or both of the ends of the strap begins to detach from the container body until the at least one line of weakness is reached, and then the laminate begins to sever along the at least one line of weakness, eventually resulting in the removable portion of the lid coming free of the portion that remains affixed to the container body.
- the lid first severs along the inner line of weakness.
- the invention also provides a container having a lid as described above.
- the laminate for forming the lid includes an inner line of weakness in the lower layer as described above, but the outer line of weakness is omitted.
- the upper and lower layers are adhered over their entire surfaces with an adhesive such as a low bond-strength adhesive or PSA.
- PSA low bond-strength adhesive
- the lid is formed such that the skirt terminates at its top end on the inner surface of the container body.
- the strap is pulled upwardly causing a portion of the skirt adjacent each end of the strap to begin to detach from the container body until the inner line of weakness is reached, and then the lower layer begins to sever along the inner line of weakness. Further pulling of the strap causes the upper layer to peel away from the lower layer until the top end of the skirt is reached, at which point the removable portion of the lid comes free of the container.
- FIG. 1 A container 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- the container comprises a tubular container body 12, a bottom end closure 14 affixed to a bottom end of the container body, and a top end closure or lid 16 affixed to a top end of the container body.
- the lid 16 has a built-in opening feature facilitating removal of a portion of the lid to gain access to the contents of the container. After the initial opening, a separate overcap 17 or the like can be engaged on the top end of the container body to keep any remaining contents from being exposed to the atmosphere.
- the lid 16 is formed from a laminate of flexible sheet materials. As further described below, the laminate is die-cut to produce a disk-shaped laminate or lid blank that is subsequently shaped by suitable tooling into a form as best seen in FIGS. 2-4 .
- the lid has a generally planar center panel 18 and a generally cylindrical skirt 20 that extends upwardly from an outer periphery of the center panel. A top end of the skirt can be shaped to curl outwardly and downwardly so as to define a channel 22 ( FIG. 4 ) that receives the top edge of the side wall 24 of the container body.
- the center panel 18 is recessed below the top edge of the container body side wall 24, as best seen in FIG. 4 .
- the skirt 20 is bonded to the inner surface of the container body side wall 24 to seal the top end of the container closed.
- the laminate is constructed from a lower layer 26 of flexible sheet material and an upper layer 28 of flexible sheet material.
- the lower layer 26 preferably comprises a polymer film that is heat-sealable to a heat-sealable material disposed on the inner surface of the container body side wall.
- Suitable examples of such heat-sealable polymer films include but are not limited to polyolefins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and the like, or an ionomer resin such as SURLYN® or the like.
- the lower layer 26 can comprise a metal foil (e.g., aluminum foil) having a slip coat of a heat-sealable material on its lower surface.
- the upper layer 28 preferably comprises a polymer film. Suitable examples of polymer films for the upper layer include but are not limited to polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), metallized PET, oriented polypropylene (OPP), metallized OPP, or the like. If desired for barrier and/or appearance reasons, the upper layer can be metallized by vapor-depositing a thin layer of substantially pure metal such as aluminum onto one surface of the film.
- the upper layer alternatively can comprise a multilayer laminated structure such as a polymer film laminated to a barrier layer (e.g., aluminum foil).
- the upper and lower layers are adhesively laminated together to form a laminate 30.
- the melting temperature of the upper layer desirably should be higher than that of the lower layer by a sufficient margin to ensure that heating of the laminate for heat-sealing the lower layer to a container body side wall does not cause melting of the upper layer.
- a lower surface of the upper layer 28 that faces the lower layer is pattern-printed with an adhesive 34.
- the adhesive 34 is a laminating adhesive formulated to bond the layers together with a relatively high bond strength such that the layers bonded together by the adhesive are not readily peelable from each other.
- the laminating adhesive can be, for example, a two-component polyurethane adhesive system, such as Tycel 7900/7283 available from Henkel.
- the laminating adhesive 34 is applied to the upper layer in such a manner that a sufficiently large proportion of the surface is covered by the adhesive to permit the upper layer to be adhesively attached to the lower layer 26 at a downstream laminating station.
- the laminating adhesive 34 is not applied to an annular region 36 of the upper layer.
- the annular region 36 is free of adhesive.
- the annular region 36 is dimensioned to occupy the area of the skirt 20 of a lid fashioned from the laminate 30.
- the adhesive 34 is applied to those areas outside the annular region 36, except that a region 38 that lies within the interior of the annular region 36 is kept free of adhesive for reasons soon to become apparent.
- the laminating adhesive must be applied by an apparatus capable of accurately applying the adhesive in a predetermined pattern, in registration with the pressure-sensitive adhesive but not covering it.
- a suitable adhesive application device can be a gravure roll.
- a lower surface of the upper layer 28 that faces the lower layer is pattern-printed with a first adhesive 32 as well as with a second adhesive 34.
- the first adhesive 32 is applied to the annular region 36 of the upper layer.
- the second adhesive 34 is applied to those areas outside the annular region 36, except that a region 38 that lies within the interior of the annular region 36 is kept free of adhesive as in the prior embodiment above.
- the first adhesive 32 is formulated to allow the layers bonded together by the adhesive to be readily peeled apart with relatively low peel force.
- the first adhesive advantageously can comprise a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA).
- Pressure-sensitive adhesives are often based on non-crosslinked rubber adhesives in a latex emulsion or solvent-borne form, or can comprise acrylic and methacrylate adhesives, styrene copolymers (SIS / SBS), and silicones. Acrylic adhesives are known for excellent environmental resistance and fast-setting time when compared with other resin systems. Acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives often use an acrylate system. Natural rubber, synthetic rubber or elastomer sealants and adhesives can be based on a variety of systems such as silicone, polyurethane, chloroprene, butyl, polybutadiene, isoprene, or neoprene.
- the pressure-sensitive adhesive When the laminate of the invention is to be used for food packaging, the pressure-sensitive adhesive generally must be a food-grade composition.
- Various pressure-sensitive adhesives are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in food packaging, as regulated by 21 CFR Part 175.
- a preferred food-grade pressure-sensitive adhesive for use in the present invention is Jonbond 743 available from Bostik Findley. Additives (e.g., particulates or the like) can be added to the pressure-sensitive adhesive to reduce the tenacity of the bond, if desired.
- the second adhesive can comprise a laminating adhesive as previously described.
- the lower and upper layers 26, 28 advantageously comprise continuous lengths of material drawn from supply rolls (not shown) and advanced by web-handling equipment through a series of work stations at which different operations are performed on the layers.
- the upper layer 28 is advanced to a pattern-printing station at which the adhesive 34, or both adhesives 32, 34, is/are pattern-printed onto the lower surface of the upper layer using suitable equipment such as a gravure roll or the like.
- the adhesive is applied in a recurring pattern that repeats at intervals d (referred to as the "index distance") along the length of the upper layer so that multiple lids can be die-cut in proper register from the laminate 30 in a continuous manufacturing process.
- the upper layer 28 advantageously has a repeating eye mark 40 or other feature that is present on the layer at intervals equal to the index distance d and is detectable by an optical detector (not shown) or the like for purposes of controlling the timing of certain operations during the production of the laminate.
- the laminate is then advanced to a cutting station (not shown) at which a pair of lines of weakness are formed in the laminate. More specifically, an inner line of weakness 42 is formed in the lower layer 26.
- the inner line of weakness 42 comprises a cut extending partially, or preferably entirely, through the thickness of the lower layer, and can be formed by mechanical technique such as die-cutting (so-called "kiss” cutting).
- the line of weakness can be formed by use of a laser.
- the use of lasers for scoring through polymer films and laminates is generally known, for example as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,158,499 , incorporated herein by reference.
- the depth of the score line formed by the laser can be regulated by regulating the power output or beam intensity of the laser beam, the width or spot size of the laser beam, and the amount of time a given spot on the film surface is irradiated by the beam. These factors generally are selected based on the characteristics of the material being scored. Some materials are more readily scored by lasers than other materials, as known in the art.
- the line of weakness 42 weakens the lower layer so that severing of the lower layer will occur preferentially along the line of weakness.
- the inner line of weakness extends in a closed loop about a center point of the annular region 36.
- the inner line of weakness 42 is circular and is concentrically positioned with respect to the annular region 36, and is slightly greater in radius than the radially innermost extent of the annular region 36.
- An outer line of weakness 44 is formed in the upper layer 28.
- the outer line of weakness 44 comprises a cut extending partially, or preferably entirely, through the thickness of the upper layer, and can be formed by mechanical technique such as die-cutting or by use of a laser.
- the line of weakness 44 weakens the upper layer so that severing of the upper layer will occur preferentially along the line of weakness.
- the outer line of weakness 44 extends in a closed loop about the center point of the annular region 36, and advantageously is circular and is concentrically positioned with respect to the inner line of weakness 42 and larger in radius than the inner line of weakness.
- the outer line of weakness 44 preferably is slightly smaller in radius than the radially outermost extent of the annular region 36.
- the upper layer 28 is die-cut or laser-cut along a pair of generally parallel cut lines 46 that extend through the full thickness of the upper layer, so as to form an integral pull strap 48 in the upper layer. At least the majority of the lengths of the cut lines 46 are located in the adhesive-free region 38 of the laminate so that the strap 48 can be lifted away from the lower layer 26 and grasped and pulled to open the container. Proper registration of the lines of weakness 42, 44 and cut lines 46 with respect to the adhesive-free or PSA region 36 and the adhesive-free region 38 is achieved through the detection of the eye marks 40 on the laminate with an optical detector (not shown) and suitable control of the cutting equipment based on signals from the optical detector, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
- the laminate is die-cut to cut out the individual lids from the laminate. For each lid, the laminate is cut along a circular cut line that is greater in radius than the outer line of weakness 44 and is concentric with respect thereto.
- a lid 16 is shaped by suitable tooling so that an outer peripheral portion of the disk-shaped laminate forms a cylindrical skirt 20 having a diameter corresponding to an inner diameter of the container body side wall 24.
- the lid can be shaped prior to being placed onto the container, although this generally will be practical only for laminates that can hold a deformed shape after the deforming forces are removed, such as laminates having a layer of aluminum foil or the like.
- the lid shaping can be accomplished concurrently with placing the lid onto the container.
- the skirt 20 is heat-sealed to the inner surface of the container body side wall, which typically includes an impervious liner (not shown) whose inner surface has a heat-sealable material. If desired, the shaping of the lid to form the skirt and the heat-sealing of the skirt to the side wall can be accomplished substantially simultaneously. Preferably, the full axial extent of the skirt is heat-sealed to the container body side wall, including a portion 50 of the skirt extending below the inner line of weakness 42.
- the lid 16 is opened by lifting, grasping, and pulling the strap 48 generally upwardly.
- the portion 50 of the skirt begins to detach from the inner surface of the side wall 24, beginning at the bottom end of the portion 50 and proceeding up toward the inner line of weakness 42.
- the lower layer 26 begins to sever along the inner line of weakness 42, such that now the upper layer 28 is able to start separating from the lower layer.
- the upper layer 28 thus begins to separate from the lower layer 26 along the annular region 52 defined between the lines of weakness 42, 44.
- the layers in the annular region 52 are either unadhered to each other or are joined by the PSA so that the upper layer readily separates from the lower layer, finally reaching the outer line of weakness 44.
- the upper layer 28 severs along the outer line of weakness, and the center panel 18 of the lid and the part of the skirt up to the outer line of weakness 44 are removed ( FIG. 7 ).
- the part of the skirt above the outer line of weakness 44 remains attached to the container body side wall, as does a portion of the lower layer 26 between the lines of weakness 42, 44.
- the opening mechanism of the lid relies on the separation of the layers 26, 28 in the adhesive-free or PSA region 36.
- the force needed to separate the layers in the region 36 is low enough so that the lid will open reliably, eliminating or at least greatly reducing the incidence of opening failures caused by inadvertent tab detachments or the like.
- the provision of an integral strap 48 further aids in preventing such failures, and saves on material and process costs ordinarily required for making and attaching a separate tab.
- the laminate preferably includes an adhesive-free region 38 in which a portion of the upper layer 28 encompassing at least a middle portion of the strap is not adhered to the underlying layer of the laminate.
- the center panel 18 of the lid can be formed to include depressions 60 adjacent the opposite side edges of the strap 48 to facilitate the initial grasping of the strap to lift it away from the underlying layer 26 of the lid.
- Polymer films tend to tear easily, and hence there is a risk that when the strap 48 is pulled to detach the lid from the container, one end of the strap may tear away from the lid, or even both ends of the strap may tear away from the lid. It would then be more difficult to remove the lid because there would not be any easily graspable part of the lid. The user may have to resort to using a tool to puncture and tear through the lid in order to remove it. This is undesirable.
- a lid in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention is generally similar to the lid 16 of FIG. 3 as previously described, but is modified such that the ends of the cut lines 46 defining the strap are located outside of the adhesive-free region 38, in an adhesively laminated area of the laminate.
- the strap has the strength of the adhesive bond, and the tear-resistance of the strap is no longer the limiting factor.
- the upper layer 28 of the laminate can be thinner than would otherwise be needed if the tear-resistance were the limiting factor.
- This embodiment can substantially reduce or eliminate the incidence of straps tearing free of the lids before opening is successfully accomplished.
- the inner line of weakness 42 advantageously can be omitted.
- the outer line of weakness 44 can extend through nearly the entire thickness of the laminate.
- lid 16 shown and described above has a circular peripheral shape
- the present invention also encompasses lids of other shapes such as oval, rectangular, etc.
- terms used herein such as “annular”, “radial”, “concentric”, and the like, are intended to apply to all such shapes rather than being restricted to circular lids. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Claims (17)
- Couvercle (16) pour fermer de manière étanche un récipient (10), le couvercle comprenant:un stratifié flexible, comprenant une couche supérieure (28) et une couche inférieure (26) assemblées par stratification par l'intermédiaire d'un adhésif, le stratifié comportant un bord périphérique externe et au moins une ligne de faiblesse, comprenant une boucle fermée espacée radialement vers l'intérieur du bord périphérique externe, de sorte à délimiter une partie amovible du stratifié, pouvant être séparée d'une partie périphérique externe du stratifié ;la couche supérieure de la partie amovible étant découpée le long d'une paire de lignes de coupe espacées (46) pour définir une bande (48), chaque ligne de coupe (46) s'étendant d'une première extrémité vers une deuxième extrémité opposée, les premières extrémités des lignes de coupe définissant une première extrémité de la bande (48) et les deuxièmes extrémités des lignes de coupe définissant une deuxième extrémité opposée de la bande (48), la bande étant reliée d'une seule pièce à la couche supérieure (28) au niveau des première et deuxième extrémités de la bande ;l'adhésif étant absent dans une région exempte d'adhésif (38), agencée au-dessous d'au moins une partie centrale de la bande (48), de sorte que la partie centrale de la bande peut être soulevée de la couche inférieure (26) et tirée pour entraîner la séparation du stratifié le long de la ligne de faiblesse.
- Couvercle (16) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les premières extrémités et les deuxièmes extrémités des lignes de coupe (46), définissant la bande (48), sont situées à l'extérieur de la région exempte d'adhésif (38), dans une zone à stratification par adhésion du stratifié.
- Couvercle (16) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel une région périphérique externe du stratifié est formée de sorte à englober une jupe généralement cylindrique (20), la couche inférieure de la jupe étant ainsi orientée radialement vers l'extérieur, la couche supérieure de la jupe étant orientée radialement vers l'intérieur.
- Couvercle (16) selon la revendication 3, dans lequel la au moins une ligne de faiblesse est agencée dans la jupe (20).
- Couvercle (16) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la couche inférieure (26) comprend une couche à thermoscellage formant la surface inférieure extrême du couvercle.
- Couvercle (16) selon la revendication 5, dans lequel la couche supérieure (28) comprend un film polymère.
- Couvercle (16) selon la revendication 6, dans lequel la couche inférieure (26) englobe une couche de feuille d'aluminium.
- Couvercle (16) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le couvercle est formé de sorte à englober des zones creuses (60) près des bords opposés de la bande de préhension (48), pour faciliter la saisie de la bande de préhension.
- Récipient (10), comprenant un corps de récipient (12) et un couvercle selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8.
- Récipient (10) selon la revendication 9, dépendant de la revendication 3, dans lequel le corps du récipient (12) comprend une paroi latérale (24) comportant un bord supérieur encerclant une ouverture du corps du récipient, la paroi latérale comportant une surface interne ; et la jupe (20) étant collée sur la surface interne du corps du récipient.
- Récipient (10) selon la revendication 10, dans lequel au moins une ligne de faiblesse est agencée dans la jupe (20) et comprend une ligne de faiblesse externe (44) formée dans la couche supérieure (28), et une ligne de faiblesse interne (42), formée dans la couche inférieure (26), au niveau d'une position espacée au-dessous de la ligne de faiblesse externe, les couches supérieure et inférieure dans une région annulaire (36) de la jupe (20), entre les lignes de faiblesse externe et interne, pouvant être séparées facilement en exerçant une force de séparation sur la couche supérieure, les couches supérieure et inférieure situées hors de la région annulaire (36) étant assemblés par stratification par l'intermédiaire d'un adhésif (34), assurant un collage présentant une résistance à la séparation supérieure à la force de séparation requise pour séparer les couches dans la région annulaire (36).
- Récipient (10) selon la revendication 11, dans lequel la couche inférieure de la jupe (20) est collée sur la surface interne du corps du récipient (12), de sorte qu'une force de séparation requise pour séparer la jupe (20) de la surface interne du corps du récipient (12) est supérieure à la force de séparation requise pour séparer la couche supérieure (28) de la couche inférieure (26) dans la région annulaire (36) de la jupe.
- Récipient (10) selon la revendication 11, dans lequel l'adhésif (34) à l'extérieur de la région annulaire (36) assure l'assemblage par collage des couches supérieure et inférieure (28, 26), de sorte qu'une force de séparation nécessaire pour séparer les couches à l'extérieur de la région annulaire est supérieure à la force de séparation requise pour séparer la jupe (20) de la surface interne du récipient.
- Récipient (10) selon la revendication 11, dans lequel une partie (50) de la jupe (20), située au-dessous de la ligne de faiblesse interne (42), est collée sur la surface interne du récipient.
- Récipient (10) selon la revendication 11, dans lequel la couche inférieure (26) comprend une couche à thermoscellage formant la surface inférieure extrême du couvercle, et une couche de feuille d'aluminium, la couche à thermoscellage comprenant un revêtement glissant de matériau thermoscellable appliqué sur la couche de feuille d'aluminium.
- Récipient (10) selon la revendication 11, dans lequel un adhésif autocollant est déposé entre les couches supérieure et inférieure (28, 26) dans la région annulaire (36).
- Récipient (10) selon la revendication 16, dans lequel l'adhésif (34) appliqué à l'extérieur de la région annulaire comprend un adhésif de complexage.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/749,832 US20080283529A1 (en) | 2007-05-17 | 2007-05-17 | Container Lid Formed as a Laminate Having a Built-In Opening Feature, and Container Incorporating Same |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1992572A1 EP1992572A1 (fr) | 2008-11-19 |
EP1992572B1 true EP1992572B1 (fr) | 2011-01-19 |
Family
ID=39709227
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP08251154A Active EP1992572B1 (fr) | 2007-05-17 | 2008-03-28 | Couvercle de réservoir formé sous forme de stratifié doté d'une propriété d'ouverture intégrée et réservoir correspondant |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080283529A1 (fr) |
EP (1) | EP1992572B1 (fr) |
CA (1) | CA2628994A1 (fr) |
DE (1) | DE602008004587D1 (fr) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110049171A1 (en) * | 2009-08-26 | 2011-03-03 | Morgan Daniel R | Cup Lid |
US20130105499A1 (en) * | 2011-10-28 | 2013-05-02 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Three-Piece Can and Method of Making Same |
US9096346B2 (en) | 2013-08-07 | 2015-08-04 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Flexible package structure with a press-and-pull opening feature |
CA2893568A1 (fr) * | 2014-06-10 | 2015-12-10 | Wells Enterprises, Inc. | Couvercle de contenant |
US11459144B2 (en) * | 2016-06-14 | 2022-10-04 | Americana Jv Investments Inc. | Container for distilled spirits and method for making the same |
ES2678669B1 (es) * | 2017-02-14 | 2019-05-28 | Caselles Genoveva Serra | Tapa "abre-fácil" perfeccionada de film rígido o flexible con solapa sellada |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1520403A (en) * | 1923-07-18 | 1924-12-23 | Coates Frederick | Container closure |
US2482399A (en) * | 1948-07-28 | 1949-09-20 | Eagle Paper Box Company | Handle for boxes |
US3270875A (en) * | 1965-05-03 | 1966-09-06 | Procter & Gamble | Removable cover for display package |
US3300119A (en) * | 1965-10-04 | 1967-01-24 | Mead Corp | Article carrier |
US3391847A (en) * | 1966-07-07 | 1968-07-09 | Aei Corp | Disposable bowl |
CH668754A5 (de) | 1985-07-10 | 1989-01-31 | Grabher Indosa Maschbau Ag | Verfahren zum verschliessen eines dosenartigen behaelters mittels einer membran. |
US5158499A (en) | 1990-07-09 | 1992-10-27 | American National Can Company | Laser scoring of packaging substrates |
US5121845A (en) * | 1990-10-16 | 1992-06-16 | Blanchard Floyd W | Removable seal for liquid container |
FR2807402B1 (fr) * | 2000-04-07 | 2002-10-31 | Alsacienne Aluminium | Opercule pour recipient a ouverture par pelage, comprenant une languette de prehension delimitee par une decoupe |
SE0004864L (sv) * | 2000-12-22 | 2002-02-12 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance | Öppningsanordning |
-
2007
- 2007-05-17 US US11/749,832 patent/US20080283529A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2008
- 2008-03-28 DE DE602008004587T patent/DE602008004587D1/de active Active
- 2008-03-28 EP EP08251154A patent/EP1992572B1/fr active Active
- 2008-04-14 CA CA002628994A patent/CA2628994A1/fr not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2628994A1 (fr) | 2008-11-17 |
DE602008004587D1 (de) | 2011-03-03 |
US20080283529A1 (en) | 2008-11-20 |
EP1992572A1 (fr) | 2008-11-19 |
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