GB2443185A

GB2443185A - Transparent closure and visible seal member arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2443185A
Application number: GB0621413A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Acres; Anthony Jurkiw
Original assignee: Closures Ltd
Current assignee: Closures Ltd
Priority date: 2006-10-27
Filing date: 2006-10-27
Publication date: 2008-04-30
Also published as: GB0621413D0

Abstract

A closure 2 for a container 3, the closure 2 comprises a transparent or translucent body with a top to receive a seal member 6 in use and present the seal member for visual inspection. The seal member may be of foil material, and have a block coloured background to indicate the nature or grade of product within the container 3. The body may incorporate a vent, and the seal member may have a temperature sensitive element of coating and/or an age dependent feature. A mark (30, figure 3) in the transparent body may align with a tab element (31, figure 3) of the seal member.

Description

A Closure The present invention relates to closures and more

particularly to closures secured to such containers as milk bottles.

Provision of plastic containers for use as milk bottles is well known and convenient. The containers are formed from an appropriate plastic material and moulded to a shape including an aperture with typically a screw thread to 1 0 allow a cap to be secured to the container. With regard to food products there is a clear necessity to avoid potential accidentai or mischievous contamination. Normally the container has a seal extending across the pour aperture which must be expressly removed when required and acts as a witness feature that the container has been opened. Traditionally, the 1 5 closures on milk bottle containers have been colour coded dependent upon the grade of milk, that is to say whole, semi skimmed and skimmed etc. The above approach has a number of problems including the necessity of providing a range of coloured closures and a lack of ability to review the seal prior to removal of the closure.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention there is provided a closure for a container, the closure comprising a transparent or translucent body with a top to receive a seal member in use and present the seal member for visual inspection.

Also in accordance with aspects of the present invention there is provided a closure arrangement for a container, the arrangement comprising a closure formed by a transparent or translucent body with a top to receive a seal member secured to a container and to present the seal member for visual inspection without displacement of a closure relative to the container.

Generally, the body comprises a cap. Typically, the body incorporates a vent. Normally, the seal member provides a colour, background for the closure.

Generally, the closure incorporates an attachment feature. Typically, the attachment feature comprises a screw thread.

Possibly, the seal member comprises a foil. Normally, the seal member is coloured. Possibly, the seal member incorporates alpha numeric graphic delimitations.

Possibly, the seal member overlaid by the transparent or translucent body provides a consolidated image for visual inspection. Possibly, a mark in 1 5 the transparent or translucent body aligns with a tab element of a seal member. Possibly, the seal member incorporates a temperature sensitive element or coating indicative of temperature.

Possibly, the body incorporates a temperature and/or age dependent feature.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Fig. 1 is a schematic cross section of a closure secured within a closure arrangement to a container in accordance with aspects of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic top view of a closure secured to a container in accordance with a first alternative; Fig. 3 is a plan view of second aspects of the present invention; and, Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of a closure in accordance with third aspects of the present invention.

Although use of colour coded closures such as caps attached to containers to form milk bottles is reasonably acceptable as indicated, such an approach requires a relatively high inventory of different coloured caps which may be inconvenient in terms of manufacture, delivery and usage. In accordance with aspects of the present invention a closure is formed from a transparent or translucent body typically of a plastics material. In such circumstances the contamination seal provided in the container will be chosen and selected to provide the desired colour or other codification for the container.

Fig. 1 provides a schematic cross section of a closure arrangement in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Thus, .the arrangement 1 comprises a closure 2 in the form of a cap secured to a container such as a bottle 3 through a screw thread 4. It will be appreciated that other means for securing the closure 2 to the bottle 3 may be provided such as a press fit or adhesive secured top hat. In any event a pour opening 5 is closed by a seal 6 such that to pour the contents of the container 3 this seal member 6 must be removed indicating opening of the container 3.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention the seal member 6 is coloured or otherwise graphically delimited such that it provides a background colour or codffier for the closure 2. As indicated, the closure 2 is transparent or translucent such that the colour/graphics of the seal member 6 can be visually inspected when secured tQ. the cQntainer * In such circumstances rather than the closure itself being coloured and therefore obscuring inspection of the seal member, the seal member 6 itself provides the codification and the closure 2 can be universal with respect to a range of products and container types.

Typically, the seal member 6 will he formed from an appropriate foil material. The seal member 6 will have a block coloured background such as blue, red, green or white to indicate visually the nature or grade of product within the container 3. This product as indicated will typically be mifk and therefore the grades may be the percentage fat content.

It will be appreciated with prior closures having solid colour caps it was not possible to view the seal members prior to removal of the cap. In such circumstances it was not unknown for a purchaser of products to only discover that the seal member 6 had been tampered with upon unpacking goods at their home. This is inconvenient for a purchaser of the goods and leads to concerns with regard to contamination. By use of a transparent or translucent body for the closure 2 it will be appreciated that the seal member 6 can be inspected readily without displacement of the closure relative to the container. Furthermore, by the nature of the association between the closure 2 and the seal member it will be understood if the seal member is slightly lifted only on one side to introduce a contaminant or a needle puncture hole used to introduce a contaminant into the container 3 this will be highlighted. It wifl be understood that such breaches in the seal between the seal member 6 and the opening 5 will cause an amount of fluid such as milk to pass through the gap or needle puncture and will be dispersed in the area between the closure * 2 and the seal member 4. Such blotching will be seen by a purchaser or store keeper. It will also be understood that batch problems with regard to appropriate adequate sealing of the seal member 6 to the closures 5 may be identified before dispatch through a distribution chain so avoiding problems with regard to returns. -As an additional security feature a wrap around cellophane or other element may be secured about the association between the closure 2 and the container 3. This wrap around seal may be coloured for association with the colour of the seal member 6.

Fig. 2 provides a schematic plan view of a closure in accordance with first aspects of the present invention. Thus, a transparent or translucent closure 22 extends over a seal member 26 such that the colour of the seal member 26 can be seen through the body of the closure 22. In such circumstances it is the colour of the seal member 26 which provides the delimiter with regard to identification for a container upon which the closure 22 is secured.

The seal member 26 may incorporate graphical information upon the coloured background. This information may indicate the grade of product held within the container.

The seal member 26 may be secured to the opening 5 prior to 1 5 attaching the closure 22 or the seal member may be located within the closure 22 and then the combination secured upon the opening 25 with an appropriate mechanism for activating a seal between the seal member and edges of the opening 25. In either event a contamination monitor seal is provided across the opening 5 and that seal member 26 acts as the colour or other codifier with regard to product within the container 3. Where the seal member 26 is located within the closure prior to securing upon the container 3 it will be appreciated that upper edges of the opening 5 may have a smear of adhesive placed upon them to provide association with the seal member in use or vice versa. By provision of a, transparent or a translucent body for the closure 2 as indicated failure of such adhesive may, be noted through blotching between the seal member and the closure 2.

As indicated above, tampering with regard to food products is a significant consideration. As illustrated in Fig. 3 it is possible to provide through use of a transparent or translucent closure 32 an ability to mark rotational relationships between an underlying seal member 26 and the body of the closure 32. Thus, the closure may incorporate a marking 30 which can be aligned with a marking 31 in the seal member 36. Thus, either tampering by unscrewing of the closure relative to the seal 36 can be detected or desired orientation between the seal member 36 and the closure 32 noted as achieved or once associated the orientation between the seal member 36 and the closure 32 may be marked as required. This overlaying of features between the seal member 36 and the closure 32 may also be utilised in order to provide graphical combinations for security or promotional purposes. Thus, word combinations or elements of geometric or other graphic devices may be provided such that part of such elements is in the seal member 36 and part in * the closure 32 and the desired overlaid structures achieved by appropriate presentation of the closure 32 relative to the seal member 36. In such circumstances where desired it may be possible to create product promotional opportunities where closures having one overlay pattern can then be tried with seal members having other potential overlay elements such that when the correct combination is provided a prize is given. The part overlay * presentations could be provided on an upper surface of the seal member 6 or a lower surface dependent upon requirements.

Fig. 4 provides a schematic plan view of third aspects of the present invention. By providing a transparent or translucent body for a closure 42 it will be appreciated it is possible to visually inspect the seal member without * displacement of the closure 42 relative to a seal member 46 or container upon which the closure 42 is secured. In such circumstances the seal member 46 may incorporate features such as a temperature dependent coating or element to indicate that a product retained within a container is at the correct temperature. Thus, with regard to milk it will be understood that this product must be stored below a certain temperature if it is to achieve its desired shelf as well as use by life. By provision of a photosensitive dye upon a visually inspectable part of the seal member it will be understooçl that a purchaser of that product can confirm it has been stored appropriately, It may also be possible to indicate that at some stage the product was not stored appropriately and therefore should not be used as it may have degraded.

Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 4 this temperature feature may be provided through a segment 40 of the seal member 46 having an appropriate colour for the temperature range required or alpha numeric elements arranged to become visible if an appropriate temperature is maintained. It will also be understood that the correct or a permanent colour or feature may be printed adjacent to the photosensitive ink to confirm to a user appropriate temperature is achieved.

Provision of a transparent or translucent closure also allows the provision of promotional information such as the supplier's name, logo and other identifiers on the seal member. Furthermore, the seal member may have printed upon it seasonal greetings and icons such as Happy New Year 1 5 or a reminder that the enclosed product can be used with another product such asbreakfast cereal.

As indicated above, the closure in accordance with aspects of the present invention will generally be transparent or translucent. However, the closure may incorporate a colour tint which can combine with the underlying colour or other delimiter of the seal member in order to provide an appropriate identifier closure for a container in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

Modifications and alterations to the embodiments described above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Thus, it will be appreciated that the transparent or translucent closure may be transparent or translucent only in part with the remainder having a solid colour. The combination of the seal member and the solid colour parts of the closure combining to provide an identifier.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. A closure for a container, the closure comprising a

transparent or translucent body with a top to receive a seal member in use and present the seal member for visual inspection.
2. A closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body comprises a cap.
3. A closure as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the body incorporates a vent.
4. A closure as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the seal member provides a colour background for the closure.
5. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the closure incorporates an attachment feature.
6. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the attachment feature comprises a screw thread.
7. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the seal member comprises a foil.
8. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the seal member *S.

is coloured. ****
9. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the seal member incorporates alpha numeric graphic delimitations.
10. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the seal member is overlaid by the transparent or translucent body to provide a consolidated image for visual inspection. lO
11. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a mark in the transparent or translucent body aligns with a tab element of the seal member.
12. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the seal member incorporates a temperature sensitive element or coating indicative of temperature.
13. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the body I 0 incorporates a temperature and/or age dependent feature.
14. A closure for a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

IS
15. A closure arrangement for a container, the arrangement comprising a closure formed by a transparent or translucent body with a top to receive a seal member secured to a container and to present the seal member for visual inspection without displacement of a closure relative to the container.
16. An arrangement as claimed in claim 15 wherein the body comprises a cap.
17. An arrangement as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the body :. incorporates a vent. * S.. * * S...
18. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 15 to 17 wherein the seal **S.

: member provides a colour background for the closure. S..
19. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 15 to 18 wherein the closure incorporates an attachment feature. *** S *

II
20. An arrangement as claimed in claim 19 wherein the attachment feature comprises a screw thread.
21. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 15 to 20 wherein the seal member comprises a foil.
22. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 15 to 21 wherein the seal member is coloured.
23. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 15 to 22 wherein the seal member incorporates alpha numeric graphic delimitations.
24. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 15 to 23 wherein the seal member overlaid by the transparent or translucent body provides a IS consolidated image for visual inspection.
25. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 15 to 24 wherein a mark in the transparent or translucent body aligns with a tab element of the seal member.
26. An arrangement to any of claims 15 to 25 wherein the seat member incorporates a temperature sensitive element or coating indicative of temperature. * . * *S*
27. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 15 to 26 wherein the body S...

incorporates a temperature and/or age dependent feature. S... S...

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28. A closure arrangement for a container substantially as hereinbefore . : described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

* .. 30

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29. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims. ) * * * $ * 0$,

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