EP2707303B1 - Procédé pour l'application d'une fermeture sur un récipient - Google Patents

Procédé pour l'application d'une fermeture sur un récipient Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2707303B1
EP2707303B1 EP12723316.1A EP12723316A EP2707303B1 EP 2707303 B1 EP2707303 B1 EP 2707303B1 EP 12723316 A EP12723316 A EP 12723316A EP 2707303 B1 EP2707303 B1 EP 2707303B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
sealing member
closure
cap
sealing
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
EP12723316.1A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2707303A1 (fr
Inventor
Thomas D. Loughrin
Dennis V. Boruszewski
David C. Ulstad
Christopher A. Cox
Mark D. Green
Terrence B. Mazer
Frank S. Walczak
Kenneth M. Cramer
James P. Perry
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.)
Abbott Laboratories
Original Assignee
Abbott Laboratories
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 Abbott Laboratories filed Critical Abbott Laboratories
Publication of EP2707303A1 publication Critical patent/EP2707303A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2707303B1 publication Critical patent/EP2707303B1/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
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65D41/16—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers
    • B65D41/18—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers non-metallic, e.g. made of paper or plastics
    • B65D41/185—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers non-metallic, e.g. made of paper or plastics with integral internal sealing means
    • 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
    • B65D51/14—Rigid discs or spherical members adapted to be held in sealing engagement with mouth of container, e.g. closure plates for preserving jars
    • B65D51/145—Rigid discs or spherical members adapted to be held in sealing engagement with mouth of container, e.g. closure plates for preserving jars by means of an additional element connected directly to the container

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to closures for containers, such as plastic disposable containers and the like. More particularly, the present disclosure relates generally to closures for containers adapted to be press-fit to a container and configured to be subsequently threadably removed therefrom.
  • infant nutritionals, adult and medical nutritionals, sport nutritionals, energy drinks, soft drinks, and the like often times are provided in plastic bottles or other disposable containers.
  • the bottles are typically sealed after being filled with a product to prevent product degradation and/or contamination of the product.
  • Foil seals may be particularly desirable for products that are aseptically processed.
  • Sealing film such as foil or plastic film, commonly referred to as "seals," is generally considered the most robust form of a sealing closure for plastic bottles.
  • Screw caps are also used for sealing containers.
  • screw caps are difficult to install onto containers during the manufacturing process, as compared to foil seals.
  • removal of a screw cap may entail application of removal torque sufficient to break a tamper evident seal, overcome the frictional forces of the threads, and also the force required to break the seal of the container.
  • screw caps may be difficult for elderly or arthritic individuals due to requiring a high removal torque, such as more than 1.69 Nm (15 in lbs), with many containers requiring 2.26 Nm (20 in lbs) of removal torque to open.
  • Other screw caps may also include a shrink band that covers the cap for tamper evidence. However, such tamper evident shrink bands may also be difficult for individuals to remove, and require the additional step of removing and discarding the shrink band before unscrewing the cap.
  • a closure for a glass container the glass container having an opening through which contents of the container are dispensed and an annular groove for cooperating with the closure to retain the closure on the container.
  • the closure comprises a cap configured to close the container opening, the cap including a radial bead engagable with the annular groove of the glass container to retain the cap in engagement with the container.
  • the closure also comprises an overcap.
  • the overcap has a top and a sidewall depending from the top. The sidewall includes threads for attachment to the glass container, the overcap being rotatable relative to both the cap and the glass container.
  • a container having a body with a cylindrical neck forming an opening and a cover with a base and cylindrical edge.
  • An engagement system with a threaded action is provided on the neck and cylindrical edge.
  • a seal is provided separately between the cover and the edge of the opening.
  • the seal has a rigid edge which co-operates with an abutment provided in the cover in an axial direction after the thread has been disengaged.
  • the seal has a circular groove which contains a gasket and the groove also has a base which is directed towards the base of the cover and forms a contact surface in contact with the contact face of the cover. One of the contact faces is curved and the other is flat.
  • the present disclosure is directed to closures for various types of containers, including plastic, metal, composite and glass containers.
  • the closures described herein are capable of being snap-fit (also interchangeably referred to herein as "press-fit") to a container using a downward force, yet removed by unscrewing the cap from the container.
  • the described closures are two piece closures including a sealing member that is snap-fit to the container independently of the cap member, such that the cap member is capable of rotating independently of the sealing member.
  • a method of applying a closure to a container comprising: press-fitting a sealing member onto the container over the container opening such that a retention member of the sealing member engages a holding member of the container, an axial force resulting from said press-fitting retaining the sealing member in sealing engagement with the container to sealingly close the container opening; and applying a cap member to the container at the sealed container opening, the cap member including a top rim and a sidewall depending therefrom, the sidewall including an attachment member for engagement with the container, and an engagement member coupling the sealing member to the cap member upon application of the cap member to the container, the cap member being rotatable relative to both the container and the sealing member, wherein the step of applying the cap member to the container is performed after the step of press-fitting the sealing member onto the container and wherein the step of press-fitting the sealing member onto the container occurs in a sterile area of a capping
  • the present disclosure describes closures for various types of bottles and containers.
  • the closures described herein substantially provide a hermetic seal for aseptically filled containers by using a press-on sealing member and twist-off cap.
  • the present disclosure provides a solution to the longstanding problem of removing a cap and seal of a container in a single step without a high removal torque.
  • the closures described herein accomplish this by, for example, a pressed on sealing member that hermetically seals the container, and a cap member that is twisted on/off and which removes the sealing member when twisted off.
  • Articles "a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. at least one) of the grammatical object of the article.
  • an element means at least one element and can include more than one element.
  • the present disclosure describes closures for containers that may provide functionality to hermetically seal a container using a sealing membrane and provide removal of the closure using a low torque twist-off cap.
  • the containers may be generally any suitable packaging for containing substances including, without limitation, glass, metal or plastic bottles, plastic containers, bags or pouches constructed of films or other plastics, and other suitable packaging.
  • the containers disclosed herein may be suitable for use with nutritional substances.
  • the term “substance” may refer to a liquid product, a semiliquid product, or powder product.
  • liquid product means a product that is a flowable non-solid product including, for example but not limited to, aqueous solutions, solutions having a determinable viscosity, emulsions, colloids, pastes, gels, dispersions and other flowable non-solid products so as to exclude solid products such as bars and particulate products, such as powders.
  • Figs. 1-3 show a container and closure assembly 100.
  • Closure 105 is adapted to close container 110.
  • Container 110 comprises a body 120 and a neck 130.
  • neck 130 is generally cylindrical in shape, and container 110 is symmetric about longitudinal axis C. In other arrangements, container 110 may be non-symmetric, or symmetric about one or more axis.
  • Container 110 may be any shape that allows the closures to function as described herein.
  • Neck 130 includes a set of threads 135 on an outer surface 140 thereof. As used herein, the terms “inner” and “outer” may refer generally to a radial direction of container 110 and/or closure 105.
  • Set of threads 135 may include one or more threads that helically wrap at least partially around outer surface 140.
  • Neck 130 includes an inner surface 145 that connects to outer surface 140 at a rim 150, which defines container opening 155.
  • Container 110 may contain a substance, such as a liquid substance.
  • closure 105 is a single piece closure fitted to neck 130 of container 110 ( Fig. 1 ).
  • Closure 105 includes threads 160 that couple closure 105 to container 110 by threaded engagement with threads 135.
  • a tamper band 170 is connected to closure 105 by one or more frangible bridges 175.
  • Tamper band 170 includes one or more ramps 180 that engage one or more locking projections or protrusions 185 which are disposed on neck outer surface 140.
  • ramps 180 are engaged with locking protrusion 185 to prevent unintentional opening rotation of closure 105.
  • Locking protrusion 185 may be rectangular, square, ramp shaped or the like for uni-directional engagement with ramps 180.
  • closing rotation refers to clockwise rotation and opening rotation refers to counterclockwise rotation.
  • opening rotation refers to counterclockwise rotation.
  • closing rotation refers to counterclockwise rotation and opening rotation refers to clockwise rotation.
  • orientations of the threads in the examples discussed herein can be switched if desired so long as the relationships described herein are preserved, thus allowing the closures to function as described herein.
  • closure 105 includes a top 190 and a substantially cylindrical sidewall 195. In one arrangement, an annular lip 200 is provided on a lower surface of top 190.
  • closure 105 is first placed over opening 155 such that a center of closure 105 is substantially aligned with central axis C. Closure 105 is then press-fit onto neck 130 by applying a force to closure 105 in the longitudinal (i.e., axial) direction of container 110 ( Fig. 1 ) (e.g., the downward direction when the container and closure are in the upright position).
  • sidewall 195 is configured to flex radially outward such that ramps 180 pass over threads 135 and locking projection 185. Sidewall 195 also flexes to allow threads 160 to pass over threads 135.
  • the closure is pressed onto container 110 until a lower surface of top 190 contacts rim 150. At this point, closure 105 is considered to be "snap-fit" onto container 110.
  • the snap-fit may make a "snapping" noise or other audible indication as one or more elements of closure 105 pass over and engage with elements of container 110. However, even if no audible indication occurs, closure 105 is still considered to be snap-fit to container 110 when pressed thereon and sealed thereto.
  • closure 105 may be determined to be snap-fit to container 110 by sensing a force applied to closure 105 or the displacement of closure 105.
  • a sensor may measure and compare the applied force to closure 105 to a predetermined force, and when the applied force is within a certain range of the predetermined force, the closure is determined to be snap-fit.
  • closure 105 may be determined to be snap-fit to container 110 after the closure has moved longitudinally a predetermined distance along neck 130. The distance closure 105 moves along neck 130 is measured and compared to a predetermined distance, and if the measured distance is within a range of the predetermined distance, the closure 105 is determined to be snap-fit to container 110.
  • closure 105 In order to remove closure 105 from neck 130 of container 110 ( Fig. 1 ), a user applies a torque in an opening rotation direction to closure 105.
  • the torque in the opening direction causes closure 105 to threadably move in the longitudinal direction away from container 110, which breaks the sealing engagement of top 190 with rim 150.
  • the applied torque in the opening rotation direction causes frangible bridges 175 to break, indicating that the closure has been opened.
  • closure 105 is fabricated from plastic and may include a barrier layer 205 disposed on one or more of an outer surface or inner surface of top 190.
  • barrier layer 205 may be fabricated as a layer within closure 105.
  • Barrier layer 205 may be an oxygen barrier or the like.
  • barrier layer 205 may include a design or decorative label.
  • closure 105 includes gasket material 210 disposed on a lower or inner surface of top 190.
  • Gasket material 210 is disposed annularly around a perimeter of top 190 such that it contacts rim 150.
  • Gasket material 210 may be fabricated from a single or multi-layer film, plastisol, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, foil, paper, plastic, laminate, other suitable sealing material or combinations thereof that is used to seal a substance within a container.
  • the gasket material 210 may be used to hermetically or aseptically seal container 110.
  • gasket material 210 is an adhesive or sealing compound, which may be activated/cured by one or more of temperature, light or the like.
  • the closure 105 may also include a hole 215, for example as illustrated in Fig. 2 . In other arrangements, closure 105 does not include a hole 215. Hole 215 may be used for cleaning, rinsing, drying or inspection of threads 135 and 160 after filling of container 110 ( Fig. 1 ) and hermetic sealing has been created with closure 105, so as to help ensure threads 135 and 160 are clean when the container is later opened and consumed by the end user.
  • Figs. 3 and 3A illustrate another design of a single piece closure 105 similar to the closure 105 of Fig. 2 .
  • the closure 105 includes gasket material 210 disposed on a lower surface of the top 190 of closure 105.
  • Gasket material 210 is disposed annularly around a perimeter of the top 190 such that the gasket material 210 contacts the rim 150 when closure 105 is sealed on neck 130 of container 110 ( Fig. 1 ).
  • gasket material 210 is also provided on annular projection 200 to improve the seal of container 110.
  • the annular projection 200 assists in alignment of the closure 105 on container 110 by guiding the rim 150 between the space between the sidewall 195 and the annular lip 200.
  • Figs. 4 and 4A illustrate another design of closure 105, which is a two piece closure.
  • closure 105 is a two piece closure, including a sealing member 220 and a cap member 225 that is separate from the sealing member 220.
  • the sealing member 220 is configured to be press-fit onto rim 150 to seal opening 155.
  • Sealing member 220 may be fabricated from metal, plastic, composites or combinations thereof.
  • the sealing member 220 includes gasket material 210 disposed annularly around a perimeter of a first surface (i.e., a lower or inner surface) of sealing member 220 such that it contacts rim 150 when press-fit onto neck 130 of container 110 ( Fig. 1 ).
  • sealing member 220 in order to seal container 110, sealing member 220 is first placed over opening 155 such that the center of sealing member 220 substantially aligns with the center of opening 155. Sealing member 220 is then press-fit down onto neck 130 by applying a force to sealing member 220 in the longitudinal (i.e., axial) direction of container 110. As sealing member 220 is pressed onto neck 130, outer wall 227 of sealing member 220 presses tightly (e.g., snap-fit) against outer rim edge 232 to hold sealing member 220 in sealing engagement with rim 150. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, sealing member 220 is press-fit onto container 110 in a sterile zone of a capping operation after container 110 has been aseptically filled with a substance.
  • cap member 225 is fit over sealing member 220 and threadably coupled to container 110 outside of the sterile zone.
  • cap member 225 is substantially cylindrical and includes an upper ledge 230 and a sidewall 235 extending downward from ledge 230.
  • Sidewall 235 includes threads 160 disposed on an inner surface thereof for threadable engagement with threads 135 of container 110.
  • cap member 225 is coupled to container 110 ( Fig. 1 ) by applying a torque to cap member 225 causing a closing rotation of cap member 225 with respect to container 110.
  • cap member 225 is capable of rotating independently of sealing member 220.
  • independent rotation refers to the sealing member and the cap member being configured such that the cap member may rotate, at least for a partial turn, without causing rotation of the sealing member.
  • Cap member 225 is rotated in the closing direction until ledge 230 is firmly pressed against upper edge 240 of sealing member 220.
  • An engagement member 245 passes over upper edge 240 of sealing member 220, and is positioned below and apart from sealing member 220 when cap member 220 is fully seated (i.e., press-fit) on container 110.
  • cap member 225 includes a tamper band 170. Cap member 225 thus substantially ensures that sealing member 220 remains sealed on container 110 until desired opening of the container.
  • a user applies a torque in an opening rotation direction to cap member 225.
  • the torque in the opening rotation direction causes closure cap member 225 to rotate in the opening rotation direction independently of sealing member 220 and threadably move in the longitudinal direction away from container 110.
  • an engagement member 245 presses against lower part 250 of outer wall 227 (i.e., in a longitudinal direction away from the center of container 110) which breaks the sealing engagement of sealing member 220 with rim 150.
  • the engagement member 245 also functions to couple sealing member 220 to cap member 225 so that cap member 225 and sealing member 220 may be removed conjointly in a single operation.
  • the applied torque in the opening rotation direction causes frangible bridges 175 to break, indicating that the closure has been opened.
  • the removal torque necessary to remove closure 105 may be reduced as compared to conventional closures. For example, upon initiating removal of closure 105, a user need only impart a torque necessary to overcome the frictional forces of threads 160 sliding against threads 135, which in one arrangement may be approximately 0.56Nm (5 in lbs). In arrangements where cap member 225 includes tamper band 170, a user must also initially impart enough torque to break frangible bridges 175, which may be an additional approximately 0.56 Nm (5 in lbs). Thus, for example, if tamper band 170 is included, a user would need to only impart approximately 1.13 Nm (10 in lbs) of torque to cap member 225 in the opening rotation direction to initiate removal of closure 105.
  • the user no longer is required to impart the torque necessary to break bridges 175, thus reducing the torque back down to approximately 0.56 Nm (5 in lbs).
  • a user may encounter a slight increase in torque needed to unseat sealing member 220 from rim 150. Due to the helical shape of the threads 160 and 135, the sealing member 220 is unseated in a helical manner (rather than all at once), which reduces the torque necessary to unseat sealing member 220 from rim 150.
  • the torque necessary to unseat sealing member 220 from rim 150 is approximately 0.56 Nm (5 in lbs).
  • a user may not be required to impart more than approximately 1.13 Nm (10 in lbs) for closure removal.
  • Figs. 5 and 5A illustrate another design of closure 105, which is a two piece closure including a sealing member 220 and a cap member 225 that is separate from the sealing member 220.
  • Sealing member 220 is configured to be press-fit onto rim 150 to seal opening 155.
  • Sealing member 220 may be fabricated from metal, plastic, composites or combinations thereof.
  • sealing member 220 includes gasket material 210 disposed annularly around a perimeter of a first surface (i.e., a lower or inner surface) of sealing member 220 such that it contacts rim 150 when press-fit onto container 110 ( Fig. 1 ).
  • rim 150 includes an annular bead portion 255 that projects radially inward from an inner surface of rim 150.
  • gasket material 210 includes an annular groove 260 that corresponds to annular bead portion 255.
  • sealing member 220 is first placed over opening 155 such that a center of sealing member 220 substantially aligns with a center of opening 155. Sealing member 220 is then press-fit onto neck 130 by applying a force to sealing member 220 in the longitudinal direction of container 110. As sealing member 220 is pressed onto neck 130, groove 260 of gasket material 210 engages with annular bead portion 255 to hold sealing member 220 in sealing engagement with rim 150. Sealing member 220 is press-fit onto container 110 in a sterile zone of a capping operation after container 110 has been aseptically filled with a substance.
  • sealing member 220 is sterilized in an aseptic area of a filling machine.
  • the sealing member 220 may be sterilized using one or more of liquid hydrogen peroxide, vapor hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, electron beam radiation or other direct or indirect radiation or the like. Subsequent to sealing member 220 being press-fit onto container 110, cap member 225 is fit over sealing member 220.
  • cap member 225 is substantially cylindrical and includes an upper ledge 230 and a sidewall 235 extending downward from ledge 230.
  • Sidewall 235 includes threads 160 disposed on an inner surface thereof for threadable engagement with threads 135 of container 110.
  • Cap member 225 is coupled to container 110 by applying a torque to cap member 225 causing a closing rotation of cap member 225 with respect to container 110.
  • cap member 225 is capable of rotating independently of sealing member 220. Cap member 225 is rotated in the closing rotation direction until ledge 230 is firmly pressed against upper edge 240 of sealing member 220.
  • An engagement member 245 passes over upper edge 240 of sealing member 220, and is positioned below and apart from sealing member 220 when cap member 220 is fully seated on container 110.
  • cap member 225 includes a tamper band 170.
  • cap member 105 includes knurling 265 (shown also in Fig. 1 ).
  • a user applies a torque in an opening rotation direction to cap member 225.
  • the torque in the opening rotation direction causes cap member 225 to rotate in the opening rotation direction independently of sealing member 220 and threadably move in the longitudinal direction away from container 110.
  • engagement member 245 presses against lower part 270 of sealing member 220 which breaks the sealing engagement of sealing member 220 with rim 150.
  • the engagement member 245 also functions to couple sealing member 220 to cap member 225 so that cap member 225 and sealing member 220 may be removed conjointly in a single operation.
  • the applied torque in the opening direction causes frangible bridges 175 to break, indicating that the closure has been opened.
  • Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate cap member 225 including sidewall threads as the attachment member for engagement with the container 110 ( Fig. 1 )
  • any suitable attachment member may be used for engagement with the container, such that the container and closure assembly functions as described herein.
  • the cap member 225 may be engaged with the container by way of a bayonet assembly, clip, pin, hook or other suitable attachment means.
  • Figs. 6-16 illustrate alternative designs of sealing member 220.
  • Figs. 6-16 omit the cap member 225.
  • each of the closure designs Figs. 6-16 may include a cap member 225 as described above, and illustrated for example in Figs. 4 and 5 .
  • Fig. 6 shows a partial cross section of a design of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention bead 275 formed in sidewall 280 of sealing member 220.
  • container 110 ( Fig. 1 ) includes a negative retention groove 285 that is sized and configured to retain positive retention bead 275 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim 150.
  • sealing member 220 includes gasket material 210 disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of sealing member 220, such that gasket material 220 seals against rim 150 when press-fit to container 110.
  • Fig. 7 illustrates a partial cross section of a design of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention bead 290 formed in sidewall 280 of sealing member 220.
  • container 110 ( Fig. 1 ) includes a negative retention groove 295 that is sized and configured to retain positive retention bead 290 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim 150.
  • positive retention bead 290 is fabricated by rolling the lower edge of sidewall 280 such that it forms a positive retention bead 290.
  • Sealing member 220 includes gasket material 210 disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of sealing member 220, such that gasket material 210 seals against rim 150 when press-fit to container 110.
  • Fig. 8 illustrates a partial cross section of a design of sealing member 220 that includes a hook retention member 300 fabricated from gasket material 210.
  • container 110 ( Fig. 1 ) includes an inner lip 305 that is sized and configured to engage hook retention member 300 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim 150.
  • Sealing member 220 includes additional gasket material 210 disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of sealing member 220, such that gasket material 210 seals against rim 150 when press-fit to container 110.
  • Fig. 9 illustrates a partial cross section of a design of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention member 305 formed by a substantially rectangular rolled edge 310 of sealing member 220.
  • container 110 ( Fig. 1 ) includes a ramped retention member 315 sized and configured to retain positive retention member 305 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim 150.
  • Sealing member 220 includes additional gasket material 210 disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of sealing member 220, such that gasket material 210 seals against rim 150 when press-fit to container 110.
  • Fig. 10 illustrates a partial cross section of another design of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention member 320 formed by a bent edge portion 325 of sealing member 220.
  • container 110 ( Fig. 1 ) includes a ramped retention member 315 sized and configured to retain positive retention member 320 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim 150.
  • Sealing member 220 includes additional gasket material 210 disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of sealing member 220, such that gasket material 210 seals against rim 150 when press-fit to container 110.
  • Fig. 11 illustrates a partial cross section of a design of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention bead 330 formed by a rounded curled edge portion 335 of sealing member 220.
  • container 110 ( Fig. 1 ) includes a negative retention groove 340 that is sized and configured to retain positive retention bead 330 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim 150.
  • Sealing member 220 includes gasket material 210 disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of sealing member 220, such that gasket material 210 seals against rim 150 when press-fit to container 110.
  • Fig. 12 illustrates a partial cross section of a design of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention bead 345 formed by inwardly protruding bead portion of sealing member 220.
  • container 110 ( Fig. 1 ) includes a negative retention groove 350 that is sized and configured to retain positive retention bead 345 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim 150.
  • Sealing member 220 includes gasket material 210 disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of sealing member 220, such that gasket material 210 seals against rim 150 when press-fit to container 110.
  • Fig. 13 illustrates a partial cross section of a design of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention bead 355 formed by a portion of gasket material 210 applied to sealing member 220.
  • container 110 ( Fig. 1 ) includes a ramped retention member 315 sized and configured to retain positive retention bead 355 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim 150.
  • Sealing member 220 includes additional gasket material forming hook retention member 300 formed fabricated from gasket material 210.
  • container 110 includes an inner lip 305 that is sized and configured to engage hook retention member 300 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim 150.
  • lower edge 250 is curled radially inwardly and substantially covers positive retention bead 355.
  • Fig. 14 illustrates a partial cross section of a design of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention bead 355 formed by a portion of gasket material applied to sealing member 220.
  • container 110 ( Fig. 1 ) includes a retention member 316 sized and configured to retain positive retention bead 355 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim 150.
  • Sealing member 220 includes additional gasket material forming hook retention member 300 fabricated from gasket material 210.
  • container 110 includes an inner lip 305 that is sized and configured to engage hook retention member 300 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim 150.
  • lower edge 250 is curled radially outwardly such that it does not substantially cover positive retention bead 355.
  • Fig. 15 illustrates a partial cross section of a design of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention bead 355 formed by a portion of gasket material applied to sealing member 220.
  • container 110 Fig. 1
  • container 110 includes a ramped retention member 315 sized and configured to retain positive retention bead 355 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim 150.
  • This design is substantially similar to the design illustrated in Fig. 13 , but does not include additional gasket material forming a hook retention member.
  • lower edge 250 is curled radially inwardly and substantially covers positive retention bead 355.
  • Fig. 16 illustrates a partial cross section of a design of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention bead 355 formed by a portion of gasket material applied to sealing member 220.
  • container 110 Fig. 1
  • container 110 includes a retention member 317 sized and configured to retain positive retention bead 355 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim 150.
  • This design is substantially similar to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 14 , but does not include additional gasket material forming a hook retention member.
  • lower edge 250 is curled radially outwardly such that it does not substantially cover positive retention bead 355.
  • sealing member 220 is press-fit onto container 110 and forms a hermetic seal with container 110 in a sterile zone of a capping operation, after container 110 has been aseptically filled with a substance.
  • the threads 135 and optionally other portions of container 110 may be cleaned, rinsed and/or dried to ensure the threads 135, and other portions of container 110, are clean before the bottle is opened.
  • cap member 225 is fit over sealing member 220 and threadably coupled to container 110, outside of the sterile zone.
  • the use of the two piece closures described herein thus may reduce the complexity of the sterile zone of a filling and capping operation because the threaded cap member 225 may be applied outside of the sterile zone, which may improve efficiency, downtime and maintenance, and thereby reduce cost.
  • the closure 105 may be fitted onto container 110 in a container filling and fitting system utilizing one or more sterilization processes such as, for example, heating, retort processing, hot filling and high acid hot or cold filling of container 110.
  • sterilization processes such as, for example, heating, retort processing, hot filling and high acid hot or cold filling of container 110.
  • sealing member 220 is press-fit onto container 110 using a typical foil lid sealing system or snap cap sealing system using the compression portion of the sealing system to press-fit the sealing member 220.
  • Such sealing system may press-fit sealing member 220 onto container 110 with or without a partial heat, conduction or induction heating function turned on to allow for softening of gasket material 210 to assist with press-fitting and sealing of sealing member 220 onto container 110.
  • sealing member 220 may be adhered to container 110 using a contact adhesive layer or a heat sealable layer in conjunction with, or as an alternative to gasket material 210.
  • the term heat sealable layer refers to a material capable of forming a seal with container 110 upon application of sufficient heat.
  • Heat applied to sealing member 220 may soften gasket material 210 such that gasket material 210 and or the adhesive layer at least partially melts to adhere the sealing member 220 to container 110.
  • the additional adhesive layer is strong enough to adhere sealing member 220 to the container 110, yet does not provide significant additional resistance when a user desires to remove the sealing member 220 by applying a torque in an opening rotation direction to cap member 225.
  • one or more elements of closure 105 and container 110 may be fabricated from plastic, such as a substantially transparent plastic material allowing a user to view the threads before opening to ensure cleanliness.
  • one or more elements of closure 105 or container 110 are fabricated from substantially opaque materials, thus preventing light from entering container 110, and possibly degrading a substance contained therein.
  • One or more elements of closure 105 and container 110 may be made from a suitable plastic, such as high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate or other suitable plastics, or may be made from other materials such as metal, paper, various resiliently flexible laminates and other suitable resiliently flexible materials.
  • High density polyethylene for example, can be formed to be suitably resiliently flexible and to allow for generally resilient deformation when a pressure is applied in a longitudinal direction.
  • Container 110 can be molded, such as by blow molding, injection molding or formed in other ways.
  • container 110 may be generally resiliently deformable when a pressure is applied in a radially inward direction (i.e., toward the axis C). By being resiliently deformable, the container 110 resists denting and other physical defects which may occur during shipping and storage. Moreover, a user may more readily “squeeze” the container 110 with his or her hand, causing the container to resiliently deform.
  • the resiliency of the container facilitates easier removal of the substance contained therein from the container upon squeezing of container 110. Providing such resiliency of the container 110 may also enhance the user's grip on the container. When the user releases the container 110, the sidewall thereof will substantially rebound to its original shape, without denting, creasing, or other permanent and readily visible deformation.
  • sealing member 220 is fabricated from metal, which allows for heating of the sealing member 220 for sterilization, which may eliminate the need for secondary sterilants, such as hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid or electron beam sterilization.
  • the above described closure 105 may reduce the amount of a liquid sterilant required to sterilize a container and closure assembly as compared to a traditional screw cap due to a reduced size, surface area and complexity of the closures described herein.

Landscapes

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

Claims (2)

  1. Procédé d'application d'une fermeture (105) à un récipient (110), le récipient (110) comprenant au moins une ouverture (155) à travers laquelle le contenu du récipient (110) est distribué, le procédé comprenant :
    l'insertion par pression d'un élément d'étanchéité (220) sur le récipient (110) au-dessus de l'ouverture du récipient (155) de façon à ce qu'un élément de retenue de l'élément d'étanchéité (220) s'emboîte avec un élément de maintien du récipient (110), une force axiale résultant de ladite insertion par pression retenant l'élément d'étanchéité (220) dans un emboîtement étanche avec le récipient (110) afin de fermer de manière étanche l'ouverture du récipient (155) ; et
    l'application d'un élément de capuchon (225) sur le récipient (110) au niveau de l'ouverture étanche du récipient, l'élément de capuchon (225) comprenant une bordure supérieure (230) et une paroi latérale (235) dépendant de celle-ci, la paroi latérale (235) comprenant un élément de fixation (160) destiné à être emboîté avec le récipient (110), et un élément d'emboîtement (245) reliant l'élément d'étanchéité (220) à l'élément de capuchon (225) lors de l'application de l'élément de capuchon (225) au récipient (110), l'élément de capuchon (225) étant rotatif par rapport au récipient (110) et à l'élément d'étanchéité (220),
    dans lequel l'étape d'application de l'élément de capuchon (225) sur le récipient (110) est effectuée après l'étape d'insertion par pression de l'élément d'étanchéité (220) sur le récipient (110) et dans lequel l'étape d'insertion par pression de l'élément d'étanchéité (220) sur le récipient (110) a lieu dans une zone stérile d'une zone de pose de capuchon et l'étape d'application de l'élément de capuchon (225) sur le récipient (110) a lieu à l'extérieur de la zone stérile.
  2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'étape d'insertion par pression comprend l'application d'une force sur l'élément d'étanchéité (220) parallèlement à un axe longitudinal (C) du récipient (110) jusqu'à ce que l'élément de retenue s'emboîte avec l'élément de maintien.
EP12723316.1A 2011-05-09 2012-05-09 Procédé pour l'application d'une fermeture sur un récipient Not-in-force EP2707303B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201161483948P 2011-05-09 2011-05-09
PCT/US2012/037063 WO2012154813A1 (fr) 2011-05-09 2012-05-09 Récipient et fermeture

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2707303A1 EP2707303A1 (fr) 2014-03-19
EP2707303B1 true EP2707303B1 (fr) 2015-09-16

Family

ID=46148980

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12723316.1A Not-in-force EP2707303B1 (fr) 2011-05-09 2012-05-09 Procédé pour l'application d'une fermeture sur un récipient

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US20140158688A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2707303B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN103648922A (fr)
BR (1) BR112013028917A2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2834779A1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2548206T3 (fr)
HK (1) HK1196113A1 (fr)
MX (1) MX2013013102A (fr)
SG (1) SG194743A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2012154813A1 (fr)

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WO2014088811A1 (fr) * 2012-12-04 2014-06-12 Abbott Laboratories Fermeture stérilisée de façon aseptique
FR3019801B1 (fr) * 2014-04-10 2018-03-02 United Caps France Bouchon pour bouteille
US9687849B2 (en) * 2015-06-06 2017-06-27 IGU Holdings, LLC Leak proof, air tight plastic container device
ITUB20160971A1 (it) * 2016-02-23 2017-08-23 Sacmi Elemento di chiusura per un contenitore.
AU2017228453B2 (en) 2016-03-04 2020-04-30 Csp Technologies, Inc. Container and lid
EP3548597A1 (fr) 2016-11-30 2019-10-09 Corning Incorporated Fermeture barbelée renforcée
WO2019058513A1 (fr) * 2017-09-22 2019-03-28 大和製罐株式会社 Bouchon, moule et procédé de fabrication de bouchon
TWI753948B (zh) * 2017-09-27 2022-02-01 日商大和製罐股份有限公司 蓋體、模具以及蓋體之製造方法
GB201804152D0 (en) * 2018-03-15 2018-05-02 Secr Defence Fluid vessel with configurable shape
DE102018106314A1 (de) * 2018-03-19 2019-09-19 Saier Verpackungstechnik Gmbh & Co. Kg Sicherungsring zur Transportsicherung eines Deckels und Gebinde
JP6771519B2 (ja) * 2018-09-28 2020-10-21 シスメックス株式会社 試薬容器ラックおよび検体分析装置
GB2584640B (en) * 2019-05-20 2021-06-16 Fish Robert Fiber-containing lid with high polymer mating region
US11148142B2 (en) 2019-06-23 2021-10-19 Nano 2.0 Business Press, Llc System and method for visual verification of secure closure of collection bottle through chemiluminescence
JP2022551743A (ja) * 2019-10-17 2022-12-13 シーエスピー テクノロジーズ，インコーポレイティド ボトルネジキャップならびにその製造および使用方法
CA3161851A1 (fr) * 2019-11-18 2021-05-27 Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. Fermeture a couvercle rabattable

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IT1209493B (it) * 1984-01-23 1989-08-30 Giuseppe Bagnato Tappo a vite per vini spumanti, d.o.c. ed altri.
DE3623765A1 (de) * 1985-07-18 1987-01-22 Friedrich Stettler Garantie-verschlussdeckel sowie mit diesem deckel ausgeruestetes behaeltnis
US5190178A (en) * 1990-08-09 1993-03-02 Cap Snap Co Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck
FR2715637B1 (fr) * 1994-01-28 1996-04-12 Safet Embamet Récipient métallique perfectionné pour des produits siccatifs et adhérents, notamment des peintures ou des vernis.
US6477823B1 (en) * 1998-07-30 2002-11-12 Kerr Group, Inc. Closure and container system for hot filled containers
US7891510B2 (en) * 2006-12-26 2011-02-22 Abbott Laboratories Container closure assembly
US8210377B2 (en) * 2008-03-20 2012-07-03 Crown Packaging Technology, Inc. Closure edge protection via polymer coated metal

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN103648922A (zh) 2014-03-19
US20140158688A1 (en) 2014-06-12
HK1196113A1 (en) 2014-12-05
EP2707303A1 (fr) 2014-03-19
CA2834779A1 (fr) 2012-11-15
WO2012154813A1 (fr) 2012-11-15
BR112013028917A2 (pt) 2017-01-31
SG194743A1 (en) 2013-12-30
ES2548206T3 (es) 2015-10-14
MX2013013102A (es) 2014-06-11

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